Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Shiziyang grand bridge under construction in China’s Guangdong
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MIL-OSI China: Shiziyang grand bridge under construction in China’s Guangdong
An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 6, 2025 shows the construction site of the east anchorage of the Shiziyang grand bridge, a major project of the Shiziyang Channel in south China’s Guangdong Province. The Shiziyang Channel is another mega infrastructure project after the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in south China’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Its major project, the Shiziyang grand bridge, has a main span of 2,180 meters. Upon completion, it will play an important role in the development of the Pearl River Estuary area. [Photo/Xinhua] Staff members work at the construction site of the Shiziyang grand bridge, a major project of the Shiziyang Channel in south China’s Guangdong Province, Feb. 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 6, 2025 shows the construction site of the Shiziyang grand bridge, a major project of the Shiziyang Channel in south China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 7, 2025 shows the construction site of the west anchorage of the Shiziyang grand bridge, a major project of the Shiziyang Channel in south China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 6, 2025 shows the construction site of the Shiziyang grand bridge, a major project of the Shiziyang Channel in south China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua] -
MIL-OSI China: China-Africa digital education center launched at Kenyan university
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NAIROBI, Feb. 7 — The China-Africa digital learning center was launched on Friday at the Open University of Kenya in Konza Technopolis city, about 65 kilometers southeast of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
Faculty members from the Open University of Kenya and Donghua University of China graced the ceremony of the China-Africa Regional Cooperation Center for Digital Education and the University of China’s Open Learning Center.
Elijah Omwenga, vice-chancellor of the Open University of Kenya, said the launch of a digital skills development hub marked a milestone in Sino-Africa collaboration in the field of education.
In September 2024, Donghua University and Open University of China signed a memorandum of understanding with Open University of Kenya to strengthen collaboration in digital education, said Omwenga.
“The collaboration has four areas of focus, one of which is to host the Open Learning Center and the China-Africa Regional Cooperation Center for Digital Education,” Omwenga said.
“Further it will include aspects of staff capacity building, development of both academic and non-academic programs, co-offering of the programs among other activities of mutual interest,” he added.
Zhao Mingwei, director of the International Cooperation Office at Donghua University, said the launch of the digital learning center reaffirmed the vitality of Sino-Africa cooperation in the field of education and skills development.
Both China and African partners are aligned in their quest to attain the fourth industrial revolution, necessitating practical cooperation to build the capacity of key players in the digital economy such as youth, Mingwei said.
“We anticipate joint online programs that will break the geographical barriers and enable students and educators from both sides to share knowledge and experiences,” Mingwei said, adding that the digital learning center will act as a platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding in a digital era.
Josphat Mwasiagi, coordinator of the project management unit at Open University of Kenya, said the launch of the flagship digital education center will hasten Kenya’s transition to a resilient knowledge-based economy.
Wang Xiangxu, deputy dean of the College of International Education at Open University of China, said that cutting-edge courses will be offered at the pioneer digital learning center in Kenya, upskilling the youth and broadening their worldview.
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MIL-OSI China: ‘Ne Zha 2’ becomes top-grossing film in single market worldwide
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
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]
“Ne Zha 2,” the animated feature that has swept Chinese cinemas, has surpassed “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to become the highest-grossing film in a single market globally.
According to ticketing platform Beacon, the film had already grossed over 6.79 billion yuan (about 947 million U.S. dollars) on the Chinese mainland by 9:11 p.m. Friday, overtaking the North American box office for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
“Ne Zha 2” has already become the highest-grossing film of all time in China. By 1:25 p.m. Thursday, its earnings had exceeded 5.77 billion yuan — the previous record held by “The Battle at Lake Changjin” — in just eight days and five hours.
Chinese netizens on various social media platforms have cheered on its success, leaving congratulatory posts and expressing high hopes for the progress of the Chinese film industry.
“This is a true master of their own destiny,” one netizen wrote under the username Huang Lei, referring to a popular line delivered by the film’s protagonist, Nezha: “I am the master of my own destiny.”
Ticketing platform Maoyan has revised its domestic box office forecast for “Ne Zha 2” upward to an impressive 10.85 billion yuan (approximately 1.51 billion U.S. dollars), making it the first Chinese film ever projected to surpass the 10-billion-yuan mark in total earnings.
With these achievements under its belt, “Ne Zha 2” has firmly cemented its place at the pinnacle of China’s cinematic history. This milestone comes on the heels of its predecessor, “Ne Zha,” which grossed 5 billion yuan and topped the country’s box office charts in 2019.
The sequel continues the story of the iconic character from Chinese mythology. Set after the events of the first film, it follows Nezha and Aobing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges.
The film combines breathtaking animation with a rich narrative rooted in traditional folklore, taking audiences on an emotional journey that blends action, humor, and heart.
“Ne Zha 2” has captivated audiences and maintained its strong box office momentum since its release during the Chinese New Year.
The animated feature alone accounted for half of what has amounted to a historic 2025 Spring Festival holiday box office total — a total which surpassed 9.5 billion yuan from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4.
Its broad appeal is evident in its audience demographics. Over 30 percent of “Ne Zha 2” viewers attended theaters in groups, a notably high figure compared to other films, said Beacon analyst Chen Jin, citing data from the platform.
The sequel has drawn large numbers of young families, making it a film that resonates across all ages.
Additionally, “Ne Zha 2” has successfully attracted a significant number of viewers aged 30 to 39, a group that had largely retreated from cinemas in recent years, according to Chen. These mid-to-low-frequency moviegoers have returned to theaters thanks to the film’s exceptional word-of-mouth popularity.
This robust performance marks a major win for China’s film industry, which faced a tough year in 2024, with box office revenues down 23 percent from 2023 and 34 percent from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
In this context, the record-breaking success of “Ne Zha 2” is being hailed as a much-needed boost for the sector.
Maoyan analyst Lai Li described the film as a major milestone, particularly for China’s growing animation industry. “The success of ‘Ne Zha 2’ has set the tone for the year,” Lai said. “It highlights the incredible resilience and growth potential of China’s film market, and we’re excited to see how the rest of 2025 unfolds.”
Beyond its domestic box office figures, “Ne Zha 2” is poised to make waves internationally and act as a cultural bridge offering global audiences a glimpse into China’s rich mythology and traditions.
Director Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, has emphasized that the international success of Chinese cinema depends on the intrinsic charm of the works themselves. “It’s about whether a script, a story and its characters can move audiences worldwide,” he said in a video interview. “These are not things that can be outsourced.”
Jiaozi also shared the personal journey the “Ne Zha” films have taken him on, explaining how the series has evolved from his own passion into a broad cultural phenomenon.
“The first step was creating something I loved, and domestic audiences loved it too,” he said. “Over time, I’ve worked to improve it, to refine my craft. I believe that one day, new ideas, deeper meanings, and new soul will emerge from it, and the whole world will be able to appreciate it.”
His views have been echoed by film industry experts. Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, attributed the film’s extraordinary success to its fusion of traditional Chinese mythology and modern storytelling, which makes it highly relatable to contemporary audiences.
“The film proves that a good movie needs a compelling story, sharp storytelling, and well-developed characters,” Rao told Xinhua, voicing hope that China will continue to produce high-quality films that engage audiences and draw more people to theaters.
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MIL-OSI China: Chinese high-end brand JUZUI shines at New York Fashion Week
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Lighting up the New York Fashion Week stage, Chinese high-end brand JUZUI returned to the runway with its breathtaking Fall/Winter 2025 collection, “Winter Blooms Whispering,” captivating audiences at the Glasshouse in New York City on Friday.
Maye Musk closed the show with her signature poise, embodying the collection’s message of timeless elegance and resilience.
JUZUI’s Chairman and President Zheng Anzheng described the event as a defining moment for the brand’s global aspirations, saying, “Our participation in New York Fashion Week reaffirms our commitment to bringing high-quality Chinese fashion to the international stage.”
Chief Designer Taoray Wang highlighted the collection’s inspirations, explaining, “With ‘Winter Blooms Whispering,’ we sought to reflect the strength and beauty of women who, like winter blooms, thrive against all odds.”
The collection seamlessly continues JUZUI’s signature floral-inspired theme, following its celebrated previous collections, “Full Bloom” (Fall/Winter 2024) and “Floriferous” (Spring/Summer 2025). This season’s designs exude sophistication and resilience, embracing the narrative of a modern Chinese woman who flourishes with grace, even in cold winter.
Founded in 2001, JUZUI is a brand dedicated to elevating women’s fashion, drawing inspirations from themes of confidence and abundance, Oriental charm, and enthusiasm for life.
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MIL-OSI China: First Aral Cultural Summit to be held in Nukus, Uzbekistan
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The first Aral Cultural Summit will be held in April in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan region this year, said the organizer on Thursday.
The summit, to be held in Nukus, the capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, is aimed at the social and environmental transformation of the Aral region through art, culture, design and science, said Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, the organizer.
It noted that the summit, to be held every 18 months, will bring together local and international activists, artists, and scientists to explore ecological, social, and cultural solutions for the sustainable development of Karakalpakstan.
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MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Announces “Joint Venture” on Alaska LNG Project with Japan
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
02.07.25
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Governor Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) today applauded President Trump’s leadership for highlighting the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project in his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba today at the White House and announcing a “joint venture” on Alaska oil and gas between the United States and Japan.
In his press conference today, President Trump said, “Japan will soon begin importing historic new shipments of clean American liquefied natural gas in record numbers…We’re talking about the pipeline in Alaska, which is the closest point of major oil and gas to Japan by far…We’re talking about a joint venture of some type between Japan and us having to do with Alaska oil and gas.”
“While Alaskans are praying for those who were on the missing Bering Air flight last night, we did have some very good news today on the Alaska LNG Project: I want to thank President Trump for his strong leadership on the Alaska LNG Project in his meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister today,” said Sen. Sullivan. “With his leadership, we will get the Alaska LNG Project built, which will create thousands of good-paying jobs, reinvigorate our American steel industry, significantly reduce our trade deficit in Asia, and deliver clean-burning Alaska gas for Americans, our military, and our allies in the Asia-Pacific, like Japan. Alaskans stand ready to work with the Trump administration, Japan and the private sector to realize a dream that we have been pursuing for almost half a century.”
“President Trump has been a steadfast supporter of Alaska and its ability to be the solution to many of America’s issues through its vast natural resources, its geopolitical position in the Arctic and Pacific, and Alaska’s ability to help its Asian neighbors such as Japan, with 60 years of clean burning natural gas,” said Gov. Dunleavy. “As we move this project along, we look forward to working with President Trump, Japanese officials, and others to put project agreements in place ASAP. Thank you, President Trump!”
In the last few months, Sen. Sullivan has directly pitched the importance of the Alaska LNG Project to President Trump and all of his incoming cabinet officials and members of his national security team. Sen. Sullivan has utilized a document, “America’s Gasline,” highlighting the project’s unique advantages to America and our Asia-Pacific allies. On his first day in office, President Trump signed a comprehensive Alaska-specific executive order, “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential,” which declared the Alaska LNG Project a top priority of the Trump administration. Sen. Sullivan and Gov. Dunleavy have been working closely with the incoming Trump administration for weeks on this critically important EO for Alaska and both Sullivan and Dunleavy are very appreciative of the President and his team for listening to and singling out Alaska in a very positive way on day one.
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MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Louisiana Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Winter Storm
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that low interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Louisiana who sustained economic losses caused by the January 2025 winter storm that occurred Jan. 21-24. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Jeff Landry on Feb. 4.
This disaster declaration covers the counties and parishes of Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John The Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington and West Baton Rouge in Louisiana, as well as Amite and Pike counties in Mississippi, and Newton and Orange counties in Texas.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.
Loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amount and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement.
Beginning Friday, Feb.7, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at a Virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application.
Virtual Business Recovery Center
Mondays – Fridays
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. PST
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(916) 461-7673Closed on Monday, Feb. 17 for President’s Day
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
To apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for economic injury is Nov. 25.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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MIL-OSI Security: USS Howard visits Otaru
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
OTARU, Japan –
USS Howard (DDG 83), forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, arrived at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan on February 7, 2025, for a scheduled port visit.
Howard, commanded by Cmdr. Eric Smitley, is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer; it is approximately 155 meters in length, displacing approximately 8,900 tons, and has a crew size of more than 300.
While in Otaru, the crew is looking forward to meeting the citizens and opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, and enjoying the local cuisine and cultural attractions; and learning more about the scenic and historic area of Hokkaido Japan.
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MIL-OSI USA: Capito, Colleagues Highlight Cost-Saving Public Buildings and Federal Office Space Reforms to Trump Administration
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined several of her congressional colleagues in sending a letter to the Trump administration highlighting provisions, signed into law last month as part of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), that provided authority for the Trump administration to right-size the Federal real estate portfolio, saving money for the U.S. tax payer.
In the letter addressed to Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought, Acting Administrator of the General Service Administration (GSA) Stephen Ehikian, and Commissioner of the Public Building Service Michael Peters, the lawmakers refer to the “Public Buildings Reforms” provisions location in Title III of Division B of WRDA 2024. This title of the law gives the administration new authorities to improve the management of the federal government’s real estate portfolio, address the inefficient utilization of federal office space, and require federal agencies to bring employees back to the office or lose office space.
“To maximize the effectiveness of these provisions, it is critical that implementation begins as soon as possible to meet deadlines and take full advantage of the authorities provided to the administration in this legislation,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Even if 100 percent of the Federal employees returned to the office, the taxpayer would still be paying for excess space. For example, one agency that was the subject of GAO’s 2023 review reported that, even if all their employees came into the office on the same day, only 67 percent of their headquarters building would be utilized,” the lawmakers continued.
BACKGROUND:
Chairman Capito was joined in sending this letter by U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Chairman of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Representatives Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, and Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Chairman of the T&I Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee.
In 2023, the GAO conducted a review of the utilization of 24 agency headquarters buildings to understand how the federal government is utilizing its real estate portfolio. The report showed that on average, 17 of the 24 agency headquarters reviewed were at 25 percent or less utilization, with some agencies as low as nine percent.
Since the publication of the GAO report, the Committee leaders have been working to increase utilization of Federal office space and offload buildings and leases that are unused or underused. In the letter, the Committee leaders point out that the public buildings reforms included in WRDA 2024 aim to do exactly that.
Full text of the letter is available here.
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MIL-OSI China: Highlights of opening ceremony of 9th Asian Winter Games
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Flagbearers carry the Chinese national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Flagbearers carry the Chinese national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)
Flagbearers carry the Chinese national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Flagbearers carry the Chinese national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Children perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
The Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)
A child performs during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Mascots are seen during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
The Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
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MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Parihauhau Road, Parikino:
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Parihauhau Road is closed at Parikino following a two vehicle crash off State Highway 4 this afternoon.
Emergency services responded to the crash around 1:40pm.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.
Parihauhau Road is closed while emergency services respond, and a scene examination is conducted.
Motorists are advised to take an alternate route.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
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MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Leads Multistate Coalition in Suing to Stop Elon Musk and DOGE’s Attacks on Americans
Source: US State of New York
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop the unauthorized disclosure of Americans’ private information and sensitive data. Attorney General James’ lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration illegally provided Elon Musk and the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” unauthorized access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system, and therefore to Americans’ most sensitive personal information, including bank account details and Social Security numbers. This expanded access could allow Musk and his team to block federal funds to states and programs providing health care, childcare, and other critical services. With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general are seeking to stop the Trump administration’s new policy that illegally grants DOGE, Musk, and others access to Americans’ confidential information and the U.S. Treasury’s payment systems.
“As the richest man in the world, Elon Musk is not used to being told ‘no,’ but in our country, no one is above the law,” said Attorney General James. “President Trump does not have the power to give away Americans’ private information to anyone he chooses, and he cannot cut federal payments approved by Congress. Musk and DOGE have no authority to access Americans’ private information and some of our country’s most sensitive data. I am taking action to keep our information secure, and to prevent any unconstitutional freeze on essential funding that Americans rely on every day.”
Beginning February 2, 2025, the Trump administration’s Treasury Department adopted a new policy that grants “special government employees,” including Elon Musk and members of DOGE, access to its central payment system operated by the Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS). This central payment system controls vital funding that millions of Americans depend on, including Social Security payments, veteran’s benefits, Medicare and Medicaid payments, and more. The payment system also controls billions of dollars that states rely on to support essential services like law enforcement, public education, and infrastructure repairs.
Access to BFS is limited by federal law to a select group of career civil servants with the appropriate security clearances. Attorney General James and the coalition assert the Treasury Department’s new policy, which expands access to BFS’s payment system, violates the law, jeopardizes Americans’ most sensitive personal information, and would allow Elon Musk and other unauthorized political appointees to access a system that could permit them to freeze federal funds with the click of a button in violation of the Constitution.
With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general are seeking an injunction preventing the Trump administration from continuing its new policy of expanded access to BFS’s payment system, as well as a declaration that the Treasury Department’s policy change is unlawful and unconstitutional.
[embedded content]
Joining Attorney General James in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
This matter is being handled by Special Counsel Andrew Amer, Special Counsel for Complex Litigation Colleen Faherty, and Special Counsel for Federal Initiatives Rabia Muqaddam, under the supervision of First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
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MIL-OSI Security: USFJ Alliance Evolves: Multilateral Partnerships, training at core of C2 Modernization efforts
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
JAPAN –
The U.S.-Japan Alliance remains a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Alliance is now even more necessary amidst an increasingly severe security environment, according to government officials from the U.S and Japan. The shared strategic vision of both governments and flexible security frameworks have enabled the Alliance to confront unprecedented challenges and adapt to the evolving security landscape, according to officials.
The importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance was enshrined in the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. It was created to strengthen the bonds of peace and friendship between the U.S. and Japan and to uphold the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. The U.S. and Japan established the Status of Forces Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty to contribute to two endeavors of great importance to both countries: the security of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and security.
During the July 2024 Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (2+2), U.S and Japan leaders underscored the significance of the Treaty and highlighted the importance of modernizing the Alliance’s command and control structures. This includes the creation of Japan’s Joint Operations Command and the transformation of U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) into an operational Joint Force Headquarters.
According to U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, commander of USFJ and Fifth Air Force, “a Joint Force Headquarters will enable us to pool our resources, leverage our unique capabilities, and project power more effectively, thereby extending deterrence and the defense of Japan.” Jost emphasized the need for a clear-eyed understanding of the security environment and the importance of evolving and adapting to meet the challenges ahead. “We must join our allies and partners, to include multilateral partnerships, to deter, defend, and support the defense of Japan, its citizens, and the rules-based international order of the Indo-Pacific.”
The third priority from the 2+2 meeting outlines focus areas in “Modernizing the Alliance,” with both countries committed to deepening and expanding multilateral cooperation with vital international partners, like Australia, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), Pacific Island Countries, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) counterparts. The Alliance is rooted in a common understanding that regional deterrence and collective security depend on the ability of both countries to collaborate with like-minded nations in key areas such as capabilities, exercises, maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
A further welcomed development is the increase in U.S. activities in Japan that are enhanced by the integration of allies and partners, according to senior leaders. Multilateral forces actively engage with Japan Self Defense and U.S. Forces, entering Japan under arrangements between their nations and the Government of Japan.
In January 2025, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani spoke by phone with newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to discuss the importance of allies and partners in the current security environment.
It is important to build an organic and multilayered network of allies, Nakatani stated.
“It’s important to expand this network and strengthen deterrence, and we have confirmed this common goal at today’s meeting,” he said.
Reinforcing Defense Minister Nakatani’s remarks, General Jost noted that it’s critical for multilateral forces to participate in U.S.-lead, U.S.-directed exercises on SOFA facilities and areas, thereby increasing interoperability and deterrence. “The training we do on our installations in Japan is a key factor in how we effectively signal the strength of our alliances and partnerships. In doing so, we demonstrate our readiness to collectively address the security challenges identified by the U.S. and Japan in Article VI of our Treaty.”
The Treaty recognized then, as the recent 2+2 did last year, that Japan is an essential, strategic partner in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. The robust security partnership between both nations is built on the tenet of adaptability, a key ability that allows us to respond quickly and effectively in a region experiencing shifting dynamics and emerging threats.
“I have a high degree of confidence that the team we’re building today will deliver a next-level capability to ensure security and prosperity for those in Japan and across the region.” Jost added, “Amidst all the adaptations happening across the headquarters, what I’m most inspired by is the optimism; our teams have embraced this opportunity to position this headquarters for the future – a future that optimizes our relationship with a very capable and vital ally, Japan.”
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MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call with Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin held an introductory call today.
Secretary Hegseth and Minister Sjafrie reiterated the United States’ and Indonesia’s commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Both leaders also reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral defense partnership and expressed willingness to work together on facilitating defense cooperation and cooperating on regional maritime security.
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MIL-OSI Security: All Extradited Distributors of ANOM Hardened Encrypted Devices Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SAN DIEGO – Alexander Dmitrienko of Finland became the last of eight defendants extradited so far to admit participating in the worldwide conspiracy to distribute ANOM hardened encrypted communication devices to criminal syndicates. The ANOM enterprise facilitated drug trafficking, money laundering, and obstruction of justice crimes.
The eight defendants were among 17 indicted in San Diego in 2021 in connection with Operation Trojan Shield, a first-of-its-kind, international law enforcement effort in which the FBI secretly operated an encrypted messaging network. The ANOM criminal enterprise was responsible for the distribution of more than 12,000 devices in 100 countries. While ANOM’s criminal users unknowingly communicated on the system operated by law enforcement, agents catalogued more than 27 million messages between users around the world whose criminal discussions were covertly obtained and reviewed by the FBI.
ANOM devices were sold to and used by over 300 criminal syndicates, including outlaw motorcycle gangs, Italian and Balkan organized crime groups, and international drug trafficking organizations. The investigation culminated in a worldwide takedown on June 7, 2021. During the takedown, more than 10,000 law enforcement officers made over 500 arrests and searched over 700 locations around the world.
Of the 17 indicted in San Diego, eight have been extradited to date. Dmitrienko pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday; defendants Seyyed Hossein Hosseini and Aurangzeb Ayub of the Netherlands and Shane Ngakuru of New Zealand entered their guilty pleas on January 23, 2025; Dragan Nikitovic, Edwin Harmendra Kumar, Miwand Zakhimi, and Osemah Elhassen pleaded guilty between May and September 2024. All pleaded guilty to Count 1 of a superseding indictment charging them with a racketeering conspiracy in connection with the ANOM enterprise.
Prior to their guilty pleas, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the indictment and a motion to suppress the ANOM evidence. The District Court denied those motions, concluding the Fourth Amendment did not apply to the defendants and the ANOM data collection did not violate the U.S. Constitution.
In total, the investigation resulted in approximately 1,200 arrests; the seizure of more than 12 tons of cocaine, three tons of methamphetamine or amphetamines; 17 tons of precursor chemicals, 300 firearms, and $58 million in various currencies. Dozens of public corruption investigations, too, have been pursued, and more than 50 drug labs have been dismantled. Further, over 150 threats to life were prevented.
According to their plea agreements, the defendants promoted the ANOM platform as “Built by criminals for criminals,” and touted security features such as the ability to wipe devices remotely when seized by law enforcement. The defendants admitted that the conspiracy’s purposes included money laundering and laundering with cryptocurrency. As to drugs, specifically, the four defendants who pleaded guilty in January and February 2025—Hosseini, Dmitrienko, Ayub, and Ngakuru—all admitted that they sold ANOM devices knowing that they would be used to traffic at last 50 kilograms of cocaine; Ngakuru also admitted the importation, exportation, and distribution of at least five kilograms of methamphetamine. Based on their plea agreements and other court filings, what these defendants also did as part of the conspiracy included:
- Hosseini was a part of a team of ANOM distributors, “Team Wijzijn,” based in the Netherlands. He and Dmitrienko discussed the distribution of “90% pure, Peruvian” cocaine, for example, and he and Kumar messaged each other about bringing “kilos” from Belgium and getting drugs to Australia by “Fisher boats.” Hosseini promoted ANOM’s security features and told other distributors about vulnerabilities of competitors SkyECC and No. 1 BC. Hosseini also admitted to obstructing justice through wiping ANOM devices when they were seized by law enforcement.
- Dmitrienko distributed ANOM devices from Spain. He frequently used ANOM for cocaine and other drug distribution: “5 blocks of colombian coke” and “32 blocks,” he offered in two instances, in addition to conversations about “cook[ing] cocaine.” Dmitrienko wrote about “gateways” and “interesting opportunities” for the enterprise in Russia and Ukraine, including through Latvia and Lithuania. He also promoted money laundering through a company he had in Delaware, telling Hosseini that it involved “0% tax and no book[k]eeping…Yes this is pure moneylaund[e]ring 😂.”
- Ayub was an ANOM distributor in Europe, who also sold encrypted communications devices in the U.A.E.—and he had been imprisoned in Dubai for distributing these types of platforms. Ayub was involved in cocaine distribution as he talked about “top” (cocaine) from Colombia, and delivery to London, and sending “100k at a time” to pay for the drugs. He promoted ANOM through his own experience and contrasts with Encrochat and SkyECC, both of which were taken down by law enforcement in 2020 and 2021. Ayub, too, admitted to the obstruction of justice through wiping ANOM devices.
- Ngakuru was based in Thailand, distributing ANOM devices there and in New Zealand and Australia. He used the platform for extensive cocaine and methamphetamine distribution and money laundering. He was tied to two seizures of methamphetamine; discussed quality, repressing, and prices for “rack” and “bird” (cocaine); and detailed in messages how seven kilograms of methamphetamine was concealed in boxes of “full scan proof” “commercial lights.” Among other times he laundered proceeds, Ngakuru coordinated cash pickup in Sydney, Australia and directed deposits into “Thai accounts.”
“The statistics of this case are staggering,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The FBI led this unprecedented collaboration for years, harnessing the evidence to bring down cocaine, meth, and cash traffickers across the globe. These guilty pleas underscore the impact of international partnerships in dismantling organized crime.”
“Operation Trojan Shield was a massive, innovative, and unprecedented case having immeasurable implications to criminal organizations across the globe,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “This extraordinary impact came from an investigative strategy that relied on ingenuity, partnerships, and perseverance, designing a blueprint for disrupting organized crime within the United States and abroad. The guilty pleas of all extradited defendants highlight the effectiveness of this strategy and reinforces the FBI’s collaborative approach aimed at dismantling Transnational Criminal Organizations worldwide.”
Matthew Allen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, said, “The triumph of this vast-scale operation demonstrates the immense value of partnerships, both domestic and international. Expert investigators in the DEA Los Angeles Division, working alongside innovative and exceptionally experienced federal and foreign-based partners, took an intricate investigation to the next level. Our multi-agency alliance managed to infiltrate these transnational criminal organizations, ultimately exposing and pummeling their schemes. DEA will continue to foster this type of unprecedented collaboration and offer a core presence.”
Elhassen and Zakhimi were previously sentenced to 63 and 60 months in prison, respectively. The other six defendants who have pleaded guilty are scheduled to be sentenced in February, April, and May, 2025. They were extradited to the Southern District of California from Australia (Kumar), Colombia (Elhassen), The Netherlands (Hosseini, Ayub, and Zakhimi), Spain (Dmitrienko and Nikitovic), and Thailand (Ngakuru). Eight other defendants in the case have been arrested in locations outside the United States and are yet to be extradited, and one remains a fugitive.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua C. Mellor, Mikaela L. Weber, and Peter S. Horn.
For further information on investigations and prosecutions of encrypted communication providers, see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/fbi-s-encrypted-phone-platform-infiltrated-hundreds-criminal-syndicates-result-massive (ANOM), https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/sky-global-executive-and-associate-indicted-providing-encrypted-communication-devices (Sky Global), and https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/chief-executive-communications-company-sentenced-prison-providing-encryption-services (Phantom Secure).
Operation Trojan Shield is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrests and extraditions of the defendants to the United States.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 21cr1623-JLS
Seyyed Hossein Hosseini Age: 41 The Netherlands
Alexander Dmitrienko Age: 49 Finland
Aurangzeb Ayub Age: 48 The Netherlands
Dragan Nikitovic Age: 50 Croatia and Switzerland
aka Dr. Djek
Shane Ngakuru Age: 45 New Zealand
Edwin Harmendra Kumar, Age: 37 Australia
aka Edwin Harmendra Valentine
Miwand Zakhimi, Age: 30 The Netherlands
aka Maiwand Zakhimi
Osemah Elhassen Age: 52 Australia
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy – Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison, and fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Drug Enforcement Administration
United States Marshals Service
Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs
Australian Federal Police
Swedish Police Authority
Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau
National Police of the Netherlands
Office of the Attorney General of Thailand
Royal Thai Police
EUROPOL
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MIL-OSI USA News: Establishment of The White House Faith Office
Source: The White House
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to assist faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship in their efforts to strengthen American families, promote work and self-sufficiency, and protect religious liberty, it is hereby ordered:Section 1. Policy. Faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship have tremendous ability to serve individuals, families, and communities through means that are different from those of government and with capacity and effectiveness that often exceeds that of government. These organizations lift people up, keep families strong, and solve problems at the local level. The executive branch wants faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to compete on a level playing field for grants, contracts, programs, and other Federal funding opportunities. The efforts of faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship are essential to strengthening families and revitalizing communities, and the Federal Government welcomes opportunities to partner with such organizations through innovative, measurable, and outcome-driven initiatives.
The executive branch is committed to ensuring that all executive departments and agencies (agencies) honor and enforce the Constitution’s guarantee of religious liberty and to ending any form of religious discrimination by the Federal Government.Sec. 2. Amendments to Executive Orders. (a) Executive Order 13198 of January 29, 2001 (Agency Responsibilities With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives); Executive Order 13279 of December 12, 2002 (Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations), as amended by Executive Order 13559 of November 17, 2010 (Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations); Executive Order 13280 of December 12, 2002 (Responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and the Agency for International Development With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives); Executive Order 13342 of June 1, 2004 (Responsibilities of the Departments of Commerce and Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Administration With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives); and Executive Order 13397 of March 7, 2006 (Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives), are hereby amended by:
(i) substituting “White House Faith Office” for “White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives” or “White House OFBCI” each time it appears in those orders; and
(ii) substituting “Center for Faith” for “Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives,” and “Centers for Faith” for “Centers for Faith-based and Community Initiatives” each time they appear in those orders.
(b) Executive Order 13279, as amended by Executive Order 13559, is further amended by striking section 2(h) and redesignating sections 2(i) and 2(j) as sections 2(h) and 2(i), respectively.
Sec. 3. Establishment of the White House Faith Office. (a) There is established within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) the White House Faith Office (Office). The Office shall have lead responsibility in the executive branch to empower faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to serve families and communities.
(b) The Office shall be housed in the Domestic Policy Council and headed by a Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office, and supported by other positions as the President considers appropriate. In carrying out this order, the Office shall work with the Domestic Policy Council, the Office of Public Liaison, and the Centers for Faith established by Executive Order 13198, Executive Order 13280, Executive Order 13342, and Executive Order 13397, as amended by section 2(a)(ii) of this order.Sec. 4. White House Faith Office Functions. (a) To the extent permitted by law, the Office shall:
(i) from time to time, consult with and seek information from experts and various faith and community leaders identified by the White House Faith Office and other EOP components, including those from outside the Federal Government and those from State, local, and Tribal governments. These experts and leaders shall be identified based on their expertise in a broad range of areas in which faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship operate, including protecting women and children; strengthening marriage and family; lifting up individuals through work and self-sufficiency, defending religious liberty; combatting anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and additional forms of anti-religious bias; promoting foster care and adoption programs in partnership with faith-based entities; providing wholesome and effective education; preventing and reducing crime and facilitating prisoner reentry; promoting recovery from substance use disorder; and fostering flourishing minds;
(ii) make recommendations to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, regarding changes to policies, programs, and practices, and aspects of my Administration’s policy agenda, that affect the ability of faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to serve families and communities;
(iii) convene meetings with representatives from the Centers for Faith and other representatives from across agencies as appropriate;
(iv) advise on the implementation throughout the Federal Government of those aspects of my Administration’s policy agenda aimed at enabling faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to better serve families and communities;
(v) showcase innovative initiatives by faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship that serve and strengthen individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States;
(vi) coordinate with all agencies to implement training and education throughout the country for faith-based entity grantees to build their capacity to procure grants;
(vii) support agencies in developing and implementing training and education regarding religious liberty exceptions, accommodations, or exemptions;
(viii) consult with public and private businesses regarding their policies for employee volunteerism, charitable giving, and payroll deductions;
(ix) coordinate with agencies on identifying and promoting grant opportunities for non-profit faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship, especially those inexperienced with public funding but that operate effective programs;
(x) work in collaboration with the Attorney General, or a designee of the Attorney General, to identify concerns raised by faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship about any failures of the executive branch to enforce constitutional and Federal statutory protections for religious liberty; and
(xi) identify and propose means to reduce burdens on the free exercise of religion, including legislative, regulatory, and other barriers to the full and active participation of faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship in government-funded or government-conducted activities and programs.
(b) Agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide such information, support, and assistance to the Office as may assist the Office in fulfilling this order.
(c) The Directors of each Center of Faith shall oversee their respective agency’s efforts to assist the Office in carrying out this order, and shall report on such efforts to agency leadership and the Office. Agencies that lack a Center for Faith shall designate or appoint a Faith Liaison within the agency to oversee the agency’s efforts to assist the Office in carrying out this order and to report on such efforts to agency leadership and the Office. All such agencies shall designate or appoint such a Faith Liaison within 90 days of the date of this order.Sec. 5. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 7, 2025. -
MIL-OSI USA News: President Trump Announces Appointments to the White House Faith Office
Source: The White House
President Donald Trump announced appointments to the White House Faith Office.Pastor Paula White-Cain will return to the White House as a Special Government Employee and Senior Advisor of the newly created White House Faith Office. In the last 40 years, White-Cain has expanded her influence globally in almost 200 countries, ministering, fighting for religious freedom and humanitarian rights, and advocating for the voiceless. She is the founder and president of Paula White Ministries and National Faith Advisory Board. She is president of City Destiny and the overseer and a teaching pastor at StoryLife Church in Florida. Paula previously served an advisor to President Trump in the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. She also served as chairwoman of the Evangelical Advisory Board (2016). Paula is a celebrated New York Times best-selling author, teacher, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, popular TV personality, and spirit-led preacher of God’s Word. She is married to legendary singer/songwriter Jonathan Cain of the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Journey.
Jennifer S. Korn will return to the White House as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Faith Director of the newly created White House Faith Office after serving as Senior Advisor of National Faith Advisory Board, America’s largest faith coalition. Korn previously served President Trump all four years as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and during the 2016 Presidential Election leading Latino, Minority, Faith, Veteran and other coalition engagement for historic gains among these communities. Korn has served two decades working to elect officials and implement policies at the national and state levels to improve the lives of these important constituencies. Korn is also a proud military spouse.
Jackson Lane will join the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Faith Engagement after serving as the Deputy Director of Faith Outreach for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign. -
MIL-OSI USA News: Addressing Egregious Actions of The Republic of South Africa
Source: The White House
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:Section 1. Purpose. In shocking disregard of its citizens’ rights, the Republic of South Africa (South Africa) recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 (Act), to enable the government of South Africa to seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation. This Act follows countless government policies designed to dismantle equal opportunity in employment, education, and business, and hateful rhetoric and government actions fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners.
In addition, South Africa has taken aggressive positions towards the United States and its allies, including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice, and reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements.The United States cannot support the government of South Africa’s commission of rights violations in its country or its ‘undermining United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our Nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests.
Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States that, as long as South Africa continues these unjust and immoral practices that harm our Nation:
(a) the United States shall not provide aid or assistance to South Africa; and
(b) the United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation.Sec. 3. Assistance. (a) All executive departments and agencies (agencies), including the United States Agency for International Development, shall, to the maximum extent allowed by law, halt foreign aid or assistance delivered or provided to South Africa, and shall promptly exercise all available authorities and discretion to halt such aid or assistance.
(b) The head of each agency may permit the provision of any such foreign aid or assistance that, in the discretion of the relevant agency head, is necessary or appropriate.Sec. 4. Refugee Resettlement and Other Humanitarian Considerations. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take appropriate steps, consistent with law, to prioritize humanitarian relief, including admission and resettlement through the United States Refugee Admissions Program, for Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination. Such plan shall be submitted to the President through the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor.
Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 7, 2025. -
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration Over DOGE’s Unlawful Access to Americans’ Personal Information
Source: US State of California
DOGE access blatantly violates Americans’ right to privacy
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s decision to expand access to data maintained by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS). In today’s lawsuit, 19 attorneys general argue that this executive action has allowed people associated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access Americans’ personal and private information, including bank account and social security numbers. The lawsuit seeks to immediately halt improper access to this sensitive information while litigation proceeds.
“President Trump’s and the Treasury Department’s actions to allow DOGE access to Americans’ private information is chilling and unconstitutional — and Americans are paying attention,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Millions entrust the federal government to carry out vital operations that people rely on every day. In doing so, we also entrust them with our sensitive and personal information. This week’s action is a breach of that trust and a gross and blatant power grab. The President does not hold the power to give Americans’ bank account and social security numbers to anyone he’d like. I am proud to stand with attorneys general around the country to demand the immediate halt to this violation of both trust and law.”
Since Inauguration Day, DOGE has infiltrated executive agencies with the goal of eliminating federal funding, services, and personnel. Starting last week, there have been reports of billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE associates gaining an unprecedented level of access to vital payment systems of the U.S. Treasury, which provide access to Americans’ extremely sensitive information, like social security numbers.
The Treasury Department payment systems — managed by BFS — are responsible for trillions of dollars in U.S. government payments. Millions of Americans rely on the support of these payments for services like health care, childcare, and other essential programs, like Social Security, Medicare benefits, veteran’s benefits, salaries for federal employees, and tax refunds. The Treasury Department’s payment systems are critical, sensitive, and incredibly vital. Given their critical importance to U.S. government operations, these systems have been highly regulated and tightly guarded — but with the election of Donald Trump, are no longer safe.
In the complaint filed today, the attorneys general allege the Trump Administration has no constitutional, statutory, or regulatory authority to widen access to the BFS payment system for political appointees or special government employees, including members of DOGE. As such, the attorneys general seek both a temporary restraining order to immediately stop this practice and a permanent injunction barring political appointees, special government employees, and any government employee from an agency outside the Treasury Department from accessing BFS systems and Americans’ private personally identifying information.
In filing the lawsuit today, Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the complaint can be found here. A copy of the request for a temporary restraining order can be found here.
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MIL-OSI China: China, ROK should consolidate ties amid rising uncertainties: Xi
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with National Assembly Speaker of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Woo Won-shik in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) should work together to strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership, amid mounting global and regional uncertainties.
Xi made the remarks while meeting with ROK National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik in Harbin, capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Woo is here for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations over 30 years ago, the two countries have continuously developed their relations and boosted cooperation, contributing to regional peace and development, Xi said, noting that China’s policy toward the ROK remains consistent.
He called on the two countries to deepen their mutually beneficial economic and trade ties and increase cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Woo said maintaining friendly relations with China is a core foreign policy of the ROK.
The ROK is willing to work with China to elevate bilateral relations to a new level in the new year, Woo added. He also expressed the hope that the two countries will strengthen economic and trade cooperation, ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and expand personnel exchanges.
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MIL-OSI Security: Corona Customs Broker Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Clients Out of More Than $5 Million and Evading More Than $1 Million in Taxes
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LOS ANGELES – A customs broker pleaded guilty today to defrauding his clients – businesses who ship goods into the United States from foreign countries – out of more than $5 million, including after he had been indicted on fraud charges, and to committing more than $1 million in tax evasion.
Frank Seung Noah, 64, of Corona, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and two counts of wire fraud.
According to his plea agreement, Noah owned and operated Comis International Inc., a Cerritos-based logistics and supply-chain company, which offered customs import brokerage services on behalf of businesses. From 2007 to 2019, Comis was a customs import broker for Daiso, a Japan-based variety and value store with stores in the United States, including Southern California.
During that time, Noah provided Daiso with false customs duty forms and invoices in support of fraudulent requests for reimbursement for duty fees. These forms differed materially from those Noah submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and inflated the total amounts, resulting in Daiso overpaying Noah nearly $3.4 million.
After Noah was indicted for defrauding Daiso in 2022, he continued to defraud his other clients out of more than $2 million using a different fraud scheme. Noah defrauded two other client companies by invoicing and receiving funds from the two victim companies, and then simply pocketing the funds instead of paying the customs duties to CBP. After CBP notified the victim clients of their unpaid customs duties, they asked Noah about the unpaid fees, and he sent the victim clients altered bank statements falsely reflecting that he had paid the customs duties.
Noah also willfully evaded payment of federal taxes resulting in a loss to the IRS of approximately $2.4 million, with penalties and interest continuing to accrue. After agreeing with the IRS that he owed more than $1 million in taxes in 2014, Noah actively avoided IRS attempts to collect the amount owed. This included paying for two homes in his former girlfriend’s name, using check cashing businesses to avoid IRS levies of his bank accounts, lying to IRS collection agents, and spending thousands of dollars on country club memberships, travel, and golf purchases.
United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton scheduled a May 8 sentencing hearing at which time he will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to five years in federal prison for the tax evasion count.
IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter with the assistance of United States Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nandor F.R. Kiss and Robert J. Keenan of the Orange County Office are prosecuting this case.
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MIL-OSI Security: Hampton man convicted on mail theft and firearm charges
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Hampton man today on charges of conspiracy, mail theft, and illegal receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on July 22, 2024, Jamal Ashton Shields, 33, drove to a postal collection box at the Patrick Henry Post Office in Newport News along with Sampson G. Jumbo, 28, of the Bronx, New York, and another co-conspirator. Because the collection box had been broken into on multiple recent occasions, law enforcement was surveilling it. Jumbo and the other co-conspirator exited the vehicle and approached the collection box, then used an arrow key to open the collection box and remove mail. An arrow key is used to access collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, and apartment mailbox panels in a specific area.
After witnessing Jumbo and the co-conspirators take mail from the box, law enforcement moved in to apprehend them, and the three men fled. Shields, who fled in the vehicle, was eventually pulled over and taken into custody after a high-speed chase. When officers approached the vehicle, Shields informed them that he had a firearm in the vehicle. An investigation revealed that Shields had received the firearm while under felony indictment for rape and forcible sodomy in Hampton.
Jumbo, who fled on foot along with the co-conspirator, was apprehended 50 yards from the collection box. Jumbo had a black backpack with approximately 35 pieces of stolen mail.
The other co-conspirator discarded his jacket and then carjacked a vehicle. The discarded jacket was recovered and contained the arrow key.
The conspirators stole at least 82 pieces of outgoing mail, at least ten of which included checks.
On Nov. 15, 2024, Jumbo pled guilty to mail theft. Jumbo is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21 and faces up to five years in prison.
Shields faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced on June 13. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen accepted the verdict. The Virginia State Police and Newport News Police Department assisted in the investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Therese O’Brien and Mack Coleman are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-49.
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MIL-OSI Security: Former Army Private Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes Involving Girls He Met on Snapchat
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LOS ANGELES – A former Army private based at Fort Irwin was sentenced today to 264 months in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting a 14-year-old girl, using Snapchat to receive CSAM of her when she was 13 years old, possessing CSAM featuring her on his iPhone, and for receiving sexually explicit images of a 15-year-old girl via Snapchat.
Parker William White, 24, of Johnsonville, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr., who scheduled a restitution hearing for May 2. Upon his eventual release from prison, White will be placed on lifetime supervised release. White has been in federal custody since February 2023.
At the conclusion of a five-day trial in August 2024, a jury found White guilty of one count of production of child pornography, three counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
In January 2022, the Department of Children and Families in Bay County, Florida received a tip that White was engaging in an online, sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Later, investigators found CSAM of her on White’s iPhone as well as CSAM that White had received via Snapchat featuring her and another minor.
White used Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media platforms to find minor “girlfriends” as young as 13 years old, according to court documents. White groomed these minor girls by boasting about his military service, telling them that they were “beautiful” and “queens,” and pretending to be in love with them. In some instances, White deceptively portrayed himself as teenager to earn their trust. White’s behavior would then escalate to a practice that he called “teasing.” He would send these children sexually explicit videos and photographs of himself via social media and encourage them to “tease” him back by doing the same.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Lyndsi C. Allsop of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Laura A. Alexander of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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MIL-OSI Security: Texas Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Kidnapping 13-Year-Old Girl at Gunpoint and Repeatedly Assaulting Her
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LOS ANGELES – A Texas man was sentenced today to 420 months in federal prison for kidnapping a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint last year in San Antonio, admitting that he drove her to California, threatened her with a firearm, and sexually assaulted her multiple times before his arrest in Long Beach.
Steven Robert Sablan, 63, of Cleburne, Texas, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha, who also ordered him to pay $1,158 in restitution.
Sablan pleaded guilty in January 2024 to one count of kidnapping. He has been in federal custody since July 2023.
“The 35-year sentence imposed ensures this defendant will not have the opportunity to victimize children,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “There is nothing as important as protecting our young people. I commend our federal and local law enforcement partners for their efforts to secure justice here.”
“Mr. Sablan took this young girl from the safety of her Texas home and repeatedly sexually assaulted her at gunpoint throughout a lengthy drive of terror to California,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate sexual deviants who exploit our children at will and – as in this case – will hold these violent offenders accountable.”
“This sentencing announcement represents a collaborative commitment to holding individuals accountable for victimizing and inflicting trauma upon our children,” said Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish. “I am deeply grateful to our officers and federal law enforcement partners from the FBI and DOJ for their tireless efforts on this case.”
On July 6, 2023, in San Antonio, Sablan abducted the victim, held her, and transported her in his gray Nissan Sentra to Long Beach, California. The victim told Sablan she was 13 years old. During this ordeal, Sablan used a firearm to threaten and control the victim.
Sablan confined the victim until she was rescued on July 9, 2023, in Long Beach after a Good Samaritan called 911 after seeing her holding a “Help Me” sign in the window of Sablan’s car.
During the Texas-to-California journey, he sexually assaulted the victim. At the time of the crime, Sablan had no legal custody or familial relationship to the victim.
“[Sablan] violently abducted a child and repeatedly sexually assaulted her while driving her thousands of miles from her home,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “And while [Sablan] spent days abusing her for his own pleasure, her parents agonized over their missing child, fearing the worst. The worst was not far from reality.”
The FBI and the Long Beach Police Department investigated this matter. The Cleburne (Texas) Police Department and the Fort Worth (Texas) Police Department provided assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea Norell of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.
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MIL-OSI Security: Man Sentenced for Sweepstakes Scam Targeting Elderly
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SAN DIEGO – Fabrisio Arias was sentenced in federal court today to 41 months in prison for his part in an international scam that tricked seniors into believing they’d won a sweepstakes prize, but first they had to pay a fee or tax to release their winnings.
At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta also ordered Arias to pay $395,536.05 in restitution to 22 victims.
According to his plea agreement, between November 2020 and September 2022, Arias was a member of an international conspiracy that defrauded victims in the United States and laundered large amounts of money.
The conspiracy involved scammers who contacted victims by phone and convinced them to send thousands of dollars to Arias’ home in Fontana, California; and Arias, who laundered the proceeds through his U.S.-based bank accounts. Arias received and transferred most of the ill-gotten gains to coconspirators in Costa Rica, and in the process concealed the nature, source, location, ownership and control of the proceeds.
The phone scammers in Costa Rica made unsolicited calls to elderly victims in the United States using spoofed numbers. This allowed callers to conceal their identity and make it appear as if the calls originated from locations in the United States.
During calls with victims, the scammers purported to be with the Internal Revenue Service or the Federal Trade Commission, and made victims believe they’d won a sweepstakes award or prize and had to pay a fee or tax to release the winnings. The scammers instructed victims to send cashier’s checks, blank money orders or cash to Arias, who scammers falsely identified as a government CPA.
In reality, there was no sweepstakes prize or award. Arias simply received the fraud proceeds, deposited them into his U.S.-based bank accounts, and notified his co-conspirators in Costa Rica when he received the proceeds. Co-conspirators then contacted the victims again, attempting to convince and pressure them to send more money to release the purported winnings.
According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Arias received 200 cashier’s checks and blank money orders from at least 22 victims throughout the U.S. Arias concealed the proceeds and made them appear legitimate by writing false payor names, signatures, and memo line entries on money orders and by commingling the proceeds with funds from his nightclub and used-car businesses. Arias also concealed the proceeds he sent to his co-conspirators in Costa Rica and made them appear legitimate by placing false information on at least 30 wire transfers, claiming the payments were for used cars, a house, or family support.
The victims – many of whom were in their seventies, eighties, or nineties – suffered financial hardship as a result of the scheme. To make ends meet, one victim had to obtain a reverse mortgage on his home; another had to take money from a family member’s college fund; and another had to return to work after retirement. Several victims lost their life savings, including a victim whose entire 401(k) retirement account was drained.
Arias received and laundered more than $395,000 in fraud proceeds over the course of nearly two years and sent more than $237,000 of proceeds to his co-conspirators in Costa Rica. Arias kept a substantial portion of the remaining $157,000 as profit.
“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “These schemes can be difficult to identify and very appealing – when in doubt, hang up the phone and report suspicious callers to law enforcement.”
“Victimizing taxpayers by impersonating IRS employees is a serious crime,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Knarr. “TIGTA and our law enforcement partners will do everything within our power to ensure that those involved in the impersonation of IRS employees are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The consequences of this type of fraud scheme are far reaching, affecting not only people in the United States, but also across the world,” said Los Angeles Division U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Matt Shields. “This investigation is just another example of how effective law enforcement agencies can be when they join forces. By working together, we can keep our communities and our vulnerable populations safe from financial exploitation. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud to be at the forefront of the fight against fraud and Postal Inspectors will continue to adapt to the ever changing landscape to stop the scammers and protect our customers.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Swan.
If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer, report it quickly to the FBI at IC3.gov. There is a team standing by. The faster the report comes in, the more likely we are to stop the transaction and recover your money.
For other non-life-threatening emergencies, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, or go to the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website for more information: www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
DEFENDANT Case Number 22-cr-2745-JO
Fabrisio Arias Age: 46 Fontana, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison; a maximum $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest; and a term of supervised release up to 3 years
Concealment Money Laundering – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison; a maximum $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greatest
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)
U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Los Angeles Division
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MIL-OSI China: Xi says China ready to work with IOC to promote Olympic Movement
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. Bach is here for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games. [Photo/Xinhua] HARBIN, Feb. 7 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that China stands ready to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to continue promoting the development of the Olympic Movement.
Xi made the remarks when meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach in Harbin, capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Bach is here for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games.
China’s successful hosting of multiple major sports events in recent years demonstrated the close collaboration between China and the IOC, Xi noted.
Xi said that China is vigorously developing its sports sector and moving toward the goal of building a sports powerhouse and a healthy China, which will continuously make new contributions to the development of international sports.
Bach praised China for advocating and practicing the concepts of unity, cooperation, equality and respect, upholding multilateralism, opposing the politicization of sports, and supporting the broad participation of developing countries in international sports.
He expressed the confidence that China will continue to achieve greater accomplishments and make greater contributions to world peace, development and progress.
Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi were present at the meeting.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. Bach is here for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games. [Photo/Xinhua] -
MIL-OSI China: Cauldron lit at Harbin Asian Winter Games opening ceremony
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HARBIN, Feb. 7 — The cauldron has been ignited at the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games on Friday night.
Joined by children holding ice lanterns, China’s first Winter Olympic champion and short track speed skater Yang Yang, China’s first male Winter Olympic gold medalist and freestyle skier Han Xiaopeng, Olympic race walk champion Wang Zhen, and Sochi Winter Olympic speed skating champion Zhang Hong lit the cauldron in a shape of a blooming lilac flower at the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park.
The flame for the Games was lit at the Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin on January 20. The torch relay involved 120 torchbearers on a route featuring landmarks in the city, including Harbin Central Street, which has a history of more than 100 years, and the Songhua River.
After the athletes’ parade and the official opening of the Games, a gala performance themed “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia” ushered in a climax of the ceremony – lighting of the cauldron.
The Harbin Ice-Snow World is the sub-venue for the opening ceremony, in addition to the main venue at the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center. During this year’s eight-day Spring Festival holiday, the Harbin Ice-Snow World saw over 610,000 visits.
It is the second time for Harbin to host the Asian Winter Games, after doing so for the tournament’s third edition in 1996. Over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia will compete in 64 events across six sports, making this edition the largest in terms of participating delegations and athletes. The Games will conclude on February 14.
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MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Joins Colleagues from Both Parties in Calling for Quick Implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
In December, Senator Rosen Helped Pass The Social Security Fairness Act To Allow Public Employees To Fully Access Their Social Security Benefits
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to immediately implement the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which Senator Rosen helped pass in December. This law provides full Social Security benefits for millions of public employees that were otherwise barred from accessing them.
“The Social Security Fairness Act restores full Social Security benefits for the millions of teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants who are unfairly penalized by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO),” wrote the senators.
“The Social Security Administration’s website currently states, ‘SSA expects that it could take more than one year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits’ owed under the Social Security Fairness Act,” they continued. ‘We call for the immediate implementation of this legislation to provide prompt relief to the millions of Americans impacted by WEP and GPO.”
The full letter can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has been a staunch supporter of critical programs like Social Security and Medicare. She has vocally and repeatedly called to protect them and the benefits they provide to Nevadans. Last Congress, she renewed her commitment to fight against any attempts in Congress to cut Social Security and Medicare. -
MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reunite Filipino World War II Veterans with Their Children
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped introduce bipartisan legislation to expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. Despite their service, Filipino World War II veterans were not granted citizenship until 1990, and their children still face long backlogs in obtaining a visa to reunite with their parents. The bipartisan Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt the sons and daughters of Filipino World II veterans who were naturalized from global limits. Nevada is home to one of the largest Filipino-American communities in the United States.
“Filipino veterans served our country admirably during World War II, but outdated laws have prevented them from reuniting with their loved ones in the United States,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to expedite visa processing for the children of these heroes to ensure they can reunite. I’ll always push to honor our veterans for their service to our nation.”
Senator Rosen has worked consistently to deliver for Nevada’s veterans. Earlier this year, she announced that a bipartisan bill she backed to expand veterans benefits outreach became law. Senator Rosen’s bipartisan legislation to require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to maintain a permanent helpline for veterans to use for information on VA services is now law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. She also successfully pushed President Biden to include the construction of a new VA hospital in Reno in his 2024 Budget Request and helped introduce and pass bipartisan legislation to officially authorize its construction. -
MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Murray, DeLauro Blast Trump Administration on Halt of Vital Work at Nation’s Largest Public Health Agency
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, and Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, in calling out the Trump Administration for the chaos and confusion they have unleashed by pausing communications and critical work, groundbreaking research, and funding for programs Americans rely on at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The legislators also demanded answers from the Trump Administration on the funding freeze that has impacted Medicaid, Head Start and other vital services in their states.
“The Department’s issuance of internal guidance combined with implementation of sweeping Executive Orders has unleashed significant confusion and hindered the Department’s mission to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans,” wrote the legislators in a letter to Dorothy A. Fink, M.D., Acting Secretary of HHS.
The legislators outlined their concerns that HHS has paused external communications for weeks that give Americans basic information about the spread of diseases and viruses that impact their communities. As communities across the country deal with avian flu, the Centers for Disease paused the release of a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from January 16 to February 6, the first time in decades that this basic public health communication for states and local communities did not go out. The National Institutes of Health was also forced to cancel over 50 critical meetings, resulting in delays for tens of thousands of grant applications and delaying lifesaving biomedical research and clinical trials across the country.
Meanwhile on the ground in communities across the country, community health centers have been unable to reach anyone at the Health Resources and Services Administration who can help them access the federal funds that they are owed, while public health data that researchers and local doctors rely on was removed from CDC’s website.
The legislators also rebuked the Trump Administration for the chaos and confusion caused by an Office of Management and Budget memo that called for a halt on federal funding of agency grant, loan, and other financial assistance programs. While that memo was later rescinded and courts stepped in to pause the freeze on spending, significant confusion and ongoing disruptions in federal funding remain. The legislators warned against continued efforts to override Congress, especially the delay or termination of grants through programs already secured and passed in bipartisan spending legislation.
“The Department’s actions over the last two weeks have done nothing to improve the health of Americans. They have disrupted early childhood education for our youngest children. They have put at risk opioid prevention and treatment programs and led to domestic violence programs wondering how they can keep their doors open and phones on,” the legislators continued. “They have delayed biomedical research and clinical trials for lifesaving cures for deadly diseases. We are deeply concerned this is a precursor of actions to come from this Administration.”
Given the lack of transparency or clear communication from HHS, the legislators concluded by demanding more information about the full scope of the HHS communications pause and further information on their plan to implement the flurry of Executive Orders from the Trump Administration in its first few weeks. The legislators requested a response by no later than February 10, 2025. A full list of their questions is available below.
A full version of this letter is available here and below.
Dear Acting Secretary Fink,
We write with serious concerns about actions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) since January 20, 2025, including a pause in external communications and lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s funding freeze. The Department’s issuance of internal guidance combined with implementation of sweeping Executive Orders has unleashed significant confusion and hindered the Department’s mission to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.
On the first full day of the Trump Administration, you sent a memo, “at the direction of the new Administration” to the heads of HHS operating and staff divisions implementing an immediate pause on issuing documents and public communications. Although you noted in the memo that these directives were consistent with precedent, they are clearly more far reaching, restrictive and long-standing than any limitations on communication that have been implemented during previous transitions. As a result, CDC did not issue its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for two weeks, the first time in decades this basic public health communication to states and local communities has not been published. A February 20-21 meeting (notably outside the scope of the “temporary” pause that was supposed to be in effect until February 1) of CDC’s National Vaccine Advisory Committee, which advises HHS leadership on vaccine policy, was cancelled. The National Institutes of Health cancelled more than 53 FACA meetings, including at least 10 Advisory Committee meetings and innumerable peer review sections, holding up tens of thousands of grant applications and delaying lifesaving biomedical research and clinical trials across the country. Community health centers have been unable to reach anyone at the Health Resources and Services Administration who can help them access the federal funds that they are owed. Public health data that researchers and practitioners rely on was removed from CDC’s website.
In addition to this internal memo, over the last two weeks the Administration has issued sweeping Executive Orders (EOs) that directly implicate HHS and its programs, and sought to disrupt funding in a manner that far exceeds the President’s legal authority. The Office of Management and Budget issued a memo on January 27 (M-25-13) to heads of executive Departments and agencies directing them to broadly freeze federal funding of agency grant, loan, and other financial assistance programs. While that memo was later rescinded and courts quickly issued Temporary Restraining Orders against its implementation and any freeze, pause, cancelation, or termination of existing grant funding related to recent EOs, it created significant confusion and ongoing disruptions in federal funding. Attempts to illegally pause federal funding led to a nationwide outage of HHS payment management systems including Medicaid portals in all 50 states and organizations continue to have problems accessing their grant funds this week, including Head Start programs and community health centers. Compounding this problem, grantees are largely unable to get answers from their program officers or agency contacts, apparently because of restrictions on external communications.
In the midst of this confusion, HHS has begun implementing Trump Administration EOs, many of which focus on broadly undefined terms and provide little concrete information for grantees or Congress. This includes directives to federal grant recipients that they must comply with various EOs which has created more confusion and uncertainty among Federal grant recipients tasked with carrying out HHS’ broad mission. The Department has also provided no information to the Committees on Appropriations regarding how it is implementing EOs that seek to directly alter the availability and uses of funds provided in prior appropriations acts.
Finally, while we are focused on the most immediate issues created by the Administration’s actions, we are also concerned about continued, ongoing restrictions on HHS grantmaking and communications and the impact they will have on families and communities if they persist for the remainder of the fiscal year. The cancellation of HHS advisory committee meetings and study sections has already delayed the grant making process and impacted tens of thousands of research grants. Implementation of the Trump Administration’s EOs has already delayed the posting of scores of funding opportunity announcements and the awarding of new grants. This not only slows biomedical innovation and destabilizes national security, but it jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of every American. This is particularly concerning given the Administration’s stated intentions to impound federal funding for activities it simply does not support.
The Department’s actions over the last two weeks have done nothing to improve the health of Americans. They have disrupted early childhood education for our youngest children. They have put at risk opioid prevention and treatment programs and led to domestic violence programs wondering how they can keep their doors open and phones on. They have delayed biomedical research and clinical trials for lifesaving cures for deadly diseases. We are deeply concerned this is a precursor of actions to come from this Administration. Given the tremendous importance and reach of HHS programs, and the lack of transparency over the Department’s actions to date, we write to request additional information. Because most of these questions have been previously provided in writing we request a prompt response by no later than February 10, 2025 at 5pm.
Regarding the memo issued on January 21, 2025, directing an immediate pause on issuing documents and public communications:
- What restrictions on issuing documents and public communications are currently in place as a result of this memo?
- Are there any restrictions on communications with Members of Congress and/or Congressional staff, including Appropriations Committee staff? Are there any restrictions on communicating with existing grantees?
- Does the directive to pause issuing documents and public communication apply to any part of the grant making process, including the release of notices of award, notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs), or any part of the peer review process? If so, does the Department expect any delay in the awarding of grant funds or posting of funding opportunity announcements? Please provide the total number of grant applications and NOFOs impacted, broken down by agency.
- Has the directive to pause issuing documents and public communication resulted in the delay of FACA meetings, including advisory meetings or councils, or peer review sections? If so, please provide the total number of meetings and study sections impacted, broken down by agency. When do you expect any paused activities to resume?
- Does the guidance to pause external communications and public documents apply to public health information, including the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)?
- Does the guidance to pause external communications, or any subsequent guidance provided through acquisition alerts issued by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources, apply to communications between HHS personnel and private vendors for the purposes of acquisition, procurement, or contracting of goods or services necessary to carry out activities under existing grant awards or contracts?
- Does the guidance to pause external communications apply to communications between HHS personnel and current grant recipients that are eligible to exercise grant extensions?
Regarding Executive Orders:
- Describe all actions taken and planned to be taken to implement the Executive Order (EO) “Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO)”, including addressing the specific questions below:
- Will the directive to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” impact ongoing cooperative agreements between HHS and WHO in the interim between the announcement and the official withdrawal?
- What new activities will HHS have to assume that are currently a function of the United States’ participation in WHO in response to Section 2 (d)(iii) of this EO?
- Describe all actions taken and planned to be taken to implement Executive Order “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”, including addressing the specific questions below:
- How will HHS “assess grant conditions and grantee preferences and ensure grant funds do not promote gender ideology”? How is HHS defining “promote gender ideology”?
- Will this assessment include a review of existing grant awards/contracts where funding has already been obligated?
- What if any guidance has been provided to existing grantees/contractors regarding implementation of this EO? If guidance has been provided has it been provided to all grantees or just select grantees? If it’s only been provided to select grantees how was it determined which grantees would receive guidance?
- How does HHS plan to implement this EO with regard to future funding opportunities?
- Describe all actions taken and planned to be taken to implement Executive Orders “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”, including addressing the specific questions below:
- How is HHS identifying offices, positions, initiatives, programs, grants, or contracts implicated by this EO? How is HHS defining equity actions and equity-related grants or contracts?
- Provide a list of all offices, positions, initiatives, programs, grants, or contracts that have been identified or terminated as a result of this EO.
- What if any guidance has been provided to existing grantees/contractors regarding implementation of these EOs? If guidance has been provided has it been provided to all grantees or just select grantees? If it has only been provided to select grantees how was it determined which grantees would receive guidance?
- How does HHS plan to conduct the Position Reviews referenced in OPM’s memo, “Guidance on Implementing President Trump’s Executive Order titled, ‘Restoring Accountability To Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce’”?
- In response to any Executive Orders issued to date, or as a result of any other administrative action, has HHS issued stop work orders on existing grants/contracts or imposed new restrictions on existing grants/contracts? If so, please explain.
- In response to Executive Orders issued to date, or as a result of any other administrative action, does HHS expect delays in awarding new, renewal or continuation grants relative to the timelines of previous years?
- Describe in detail the timeline of events since January 20, 2025 that led to widespread problems with grantees being unable to draw down or access their grant funds from HHS’ Payment Management System in a timely manner, including ongoing problems as of today. When was HHS first aware of problems and what was the cause of them? When will issues with HHS’ Payment Management System be resolved and what efforts are being made to ensure it is operational as soon as possible?
Sincerely,