NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – May 29, 2025

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

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing at the Department of State, on May 29, 2025.

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

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

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr5lyF2BZzc

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Boosting job support for parents

    Alberta’s strength lies in its people, and in the families that call this province home. But for many parents, especially single parents, meeting the demands of raising children and earning an income can be a significant challenge.

    Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is committing $5.3 million to support programs that help parents find the stable, reliable work they need to ensure Alberta remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

    “Parents across the province are raising Alberta’s future, and it’s our responsibility to support them in return. Helping parents find stable employment empowers families, strengthens communities and lays the foundation for long-term prosperity. Through this investment, our government is helping connect parents with the tools they need to pursue meaningful work and support their families.”

    Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

    This investment is increasing employment supports for parents by more than $1 million year-over-year. As Alberta’s government builds toward a stronger future, it’s investing in practical solutions that help parents enter or return to the workforce.

    “The Alberta advantage starts with giving everyone an opportunity to pursue meaningful employment. Better access to training and employment services means more parents having the means to put food on their table, raising healthy families who are proud to call Alberta home.” 

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

    Of the total $5.3-million commitment, $4.2 million is being invested in Lifemark Health Group’s Empower program, which connects single mothers in Edmonton and Calgary with employment and education opportunities. This program is available at no cost and each participant receives a customized plan to help them meet their goals. The remaining $1.1 million is supporting the Career Advancement and Resources for Employment Success (CARES) program, which provides employment supports to underemployed and unemployed parents in the Edmonton area.

    Both programs provide participants with access to career and life skills workshops, employment certifications, volunteer and job placement opportunities, and access to wrap-around services like mental health supports.

    “Lifemark is proud to partner with the Government of Alberta to deliver innovative employment programs. By empowering unemployed and underemployed parents with life-changing skills and opportunities to access meaningful employment, we’re helping build brighter futures for their families and stronger, more resilient communities across Alberta.”

    Sonya Lockyer, president and CEO, Lifemark Health Group

    Alberta’s government is committed to working with service providers across the province to improve employment supports for all Albertans – ensuring Alberta remains the land of opportunity.

    Quick facts

    • The Empower program offers single mothers career workshops, access to resources such as the Clothing Closet and Community Pantry, learning activities to enhance employability skills, work experience placements and 24 weeks of follow up.
    • The CARES program integrates employment assistance with support for child care solutions, offering extended hours on evenings and weekends.

    Related information

    • Alberta employment supports
    • Training and Employment Services
    • Employment services directory

    Related news

    • Helping young Albertans find jobs (May 26, 2025)
    • Investing to help Albertans get hired (April 30, 2025)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Saskatchewan Declares Wildfire State of Emergency

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 29, 2025

    Due to the wildfires affecting communities across Saskatchewan, today Premier Scott Moe, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), declared a provincial State of Emergency.

    As of this morning, there are 17 active wildfires in Saskatchewan and 15 communities have evacuated. To date this year, there have been 206 wildfires, well above the five-year average of 125.

    “We are seeing the devastating effects of wildfires impact communities across our province,” Moe said. “Therefore, today we are making a Provincial Declaration of Emergency to mobilize the resources necessary to safely evacuate Saskatchewan residents and to protect our communities.”

    This declaration provides enhanced powers to the Minister and SPSA that may be required to help address this unprecedented start of the fire season.

    The province does not take the exercise of these powers lightly, but they are necessary to enhance public safety.

    The state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days and can be extended if necessary.

    The SPSA has committed to providing daily updates on the current wildfire situation to ensure that Saskatchewan residents are provided with the most up to date information.

    Established in 2017, the SPSA is a treasury board crown corporation responsible for wildfire management, emergency management, Sask911, SaskAlert, the Civic Addressing Registry, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program and fire safety. 

    Anyone who spots a wildfire can call 1-800-667-9660, dial 9-1-1 or contact their closest SPSA Forest Protection Area office.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA)
    Regina
    Phone: 306-798-0094
    Email: media.spsa@gov.sk.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter meets with Augusta University in support of telehealth funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter meets with Augusta University in support of telehealth funding

    AUGUSTA – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) this week met with officials at Augusta University to discuss his advocacy for the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), including the $1 million he secured in FY23 to support the College’s Center for Digital Health.


    From Left to Right: David Hess, MD, Dean of Medical College of Georgia; Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01); and Matt Lyon, MD, Director of Medical College of Georgia


    “Telehealth is vital for seniors and those in rural areas. I often say that we knew how important telehealth was before the pandemic, but we didn’t realize it until after. As a health care professional, I am a strong supporter of telehealth services and am proud of the work Augusta University is doing to bring this resource to more patients. When the government supports Augusta University, we support longer, healthier lives for Georgians,” said Rep. Carter.

     

    “The investments Congressman Carter has helped secure for Augusta University are helping us tackle some of our state and country’s most urgent challenges. From pioneering research to combat the devastating fentanyl crisis to expanding health care access through innovative technology, this support enables us to fulfill our core mission: improving the lives of people across Georgia and beyond,” said Russell Keen, President of Augusta University. “These partnerships demonstrate how targeted federal investment can create meaningful change in communities, from cities to our most rural areas. We’re deeply grateful for his vision and continued commitment.”

     

    “I was honored to meet with Congressman Carter and share more about MCG’s expanding impact across Georgia. MCG and AU are making strategic investments throughout the state, including a new four-year medical school campus in Savannah. Our medical school is committed to advancing medical education and health care access for all Georgians—  and we are excited to share our progress with our legislative partners,” said David Hess, MD, Dean of the Medical College of Georgia.

     

    “I am extremely grateful for Congressman Carter’s vital support of MCG’s Center for Digital Health. The funding he secured has helped integrate telemedicine training for the next generation of physicians. Through partnerships with rural Georgia hospitals, we’re now delivering critical care expertise to communities that need it most—allowing patients to receive advanced care closer to home. These investments and technologies can strengthen our rural health care network and are improving patient outcomes across Georgia,” said Dr. Matt Lyon, Director of the Medical College of Georgia’s Center for Digital Health.

     

     For FY26, Rep. Carter submitted a $900,000 funding request to support the development of rapid fentanyl detection through Augusta University’s College of Science and Math.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Congresswoman Barragán Highlights Community Need for Food Assistance as She Continues to Oppose Largest SNAP Cuts in History

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 28, 2025
    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Congresswoman Barragán Highlights Community Need for Food Assistance as She Continues to Oppose Largest SNAP Cuts in History

    Paramount, CA — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) visited Mother’s Nutritional Center (MNC) in Paramount to highlight the need for SNAP food assistance benefits as House Republicans and Donald Trump push the largest proposed cuts to SNAP in U.S. history. She pointed out that House Republicans voted to cut billions in food assistance for millions of Americans just last week, as they raced to pass Donald Trump’s billionaires’ tax cut bill. These cuts would be devastating for children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive this assistance. 

    The Congresswoman was joined by the Mayor of Paramount, Peggy Lemons, the Senior Outreach Manager of MNC, and a SNAP recipient who talked about the food assistance she has received from Mother’s and how it has helped to put nutritious food on the table for her family.

    “No one in this country should go hungry,” said Rep. Barragán. “Yet House Republicans want to force millions of Americans to go without enough food on their table — our families, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and even our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Republicans passed cuts to SNAP and food assistance in the dark of night to hide their actions from the American people and to give tax breaks to billionaires. Today, in broad daylight, we wanted to let the hardworking people of LA County know what they did and why these programs are so vitally important to so many. House Democrats will continue our fight to protect SNAP benefits and work so that families and individuals in our communities and throughout the country don’t go hungry.” 

    “In Paramount, we believe that no child should go hungry — especially during the summer months when school meals are no longer available. That’s why we partner with the Paramount Unified School District to offer programs like the Summer Nutrition and Activity Program which ran for several years. And through our current HEY — Healthy Eating for Youth — initiative, we provide free meals and daily recreation to all children 18 and under throughout the summer. For many families, this program fills a critical gap in both nutrition and enrichment,” said Mayor Lemons. 

    “SNAP helps support programs that keep our most vulnerable residents healthy and fed. In Paramount, we’ve seen firsthand the power of community partnerships in meeting basic needs. These efforts are made possible because of the support we receive from federal nutrition programs.

    Negative impacts to SNAP would devastate school districts, students, and our children — not just in our city, but across the country. 

    As Mayor, I urge Congress to protect and invest in the vital safety net programs like SNAP that uplift our communities. The health and dignity of our neighbors depend on it.”

    For the recording of the event, see HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, and Carson City Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes Call Out Dangerous Delay in Implementing Multilingual Emergency Alerts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 27, 2025
    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Rep. Barragán, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, and Carson City Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes Call Out Dangerous Delay in Implementing Multilingual Emergency Alerts

    Carson, CA – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Anna Gomez and Carson City Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes to demand that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr immediately publish the implementation requirements for the agency’s multilingual Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) rule in the Federal Register—a necessary step to activate this life-saving policy unanimously approved by the FCC in October 2023.

    The delay in publishing these implementation requirements has stalled critical improvements to the WEA system that would make emergency alerts accessible in over a dozen languages—including Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

    “In emergencies, every second counts—and every word must be understood,” said Rep. Barragán. “We’ve seen what happens when communities don’t get accurate information in their language. It leads to panic, confusion, and danger. Chairman Carr’s delay is not just bureaucratic, it’s reckless.”

    The press conference comes after a false evacuation alert that was sent out to residents in LA County during the January wildfires, which caused widespread chaos when a technical glitch sent a county-wide warning intended for a single neighborhood. This was confusing for all 10 million LA County residents who received the alert, but especially for the 2.5 million LA County residents who are classified as having limited English proficiency. When disaster struck, many non-English speakers were left unsure of what was happening, compounding confusion and fear.

    “As we see an increase in natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, expanding access to life-saving information is becoming more and more important,” said FCC Commissioner Gomez. “We cannot play politics with public safety. It’s time for the FCC to allow this process to move forward so that more people can receive the critical information they need in their chosen language.” 

    “When lives are on the line, there’s no excuse for delay,” said Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. “In a city as diverse as Carson, our residents need to receive nationwide emergency alerts in the language they understand. This is about equity, safety, and respect. I join Congresswoman Barragán and Commissioner Gomez in calling on Chairman Carr to do what’s right—act now and publish the implementation requirements.”

    Rep. Barragán, Commissioner Gomez, and Mayor Davis-Holmes urged Chairman Carr to publish the implementation requirements immediately to start the 30-month compliance clock, requiring mobile service providers to install alert templates on Americans’ phones that would automatically translate alerts into the devices’ default language.

    The push has strong backing from the top Democrat on the Senate Telecommunications Subcommittee and the current and former Chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Congressional Black Caucus, whose members represent communities most impacted by language-access failures. The group led a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on the issue, found HERE.

    The livestream to the event can be found HERE.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Congresswoman Barragán Calls on JCI Jones Chemicals to Improve the Safety of Harbor Gateway Facility

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 29, 2025
    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Congresswoman Barragán Calls on JCI Jones Chemicals to Improve the Safety of Harbor Gateway Facility

    Harbor Gateway, CA – Last week, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) sent a letter to JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc. (JCI) to express concern with the company’s repeated failure to properly maintain equipment and address other unsafe conditions at their chemical plant in Harbor Gateway. 

    In the letter, the Congresswoman raised alarm with Clean Air Act violations and other safety issues identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during past inspections of JCI’s facility in Harbor Gateway. Unsafe conditions found during the last site inspection in 2024 included corroded pipes and valves, a dilapidated roof structure, improper storage of hazardous materials. Additionally, the Congresswoman expressed concerns with the company’s lack of progress toward meeting an updated requirement of the federal Risk Management Program (RMP) for nearly 12,000 chemical plants nationwide, including the JCI facility in Harbor Gateway, to install community notification systems. 

    To address these concerns and improve the safety of the facility, the Congresswoman requested JCI to commit to the RMP regulations by maintaining all equipment on site, fully enclose the facility with proper equipment to mitigate an accidental chemical release, provide an update in the next sixty days on JCI’s plans to install a community notification system, and engage with the local community on the company’s actions to improve the safety of the facility. 

    “My constituents and I are alarmed that JCI has not made greater efforts to improve the safety of this facility where hazardous materials are stored and moved through for transit to other locations,” wrote Congresswoman Barragán. “These conditions are unsafe and unacceptable.”

    Read the full letter HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: REP. LIEU ANNOUNCES YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

    LOS ANGELES – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) announced that applications for the 36th Congressional District’s Youth Advisory Council are now open and will be accepted through Friday, July 11, 2025. The Youth Advisory Council provides a unique opportunity for students to meet with a diverse group of peers, discuss issues of importance and consider ways of getting involved locally. They will recommend bills for the Congressman to cosponsor and brainstorm bill ideas of their own. The group will work directly with Congressman Lieu’s staff to collaborate on key issues impacting young people in California’s 36th district. Students in 9th through 12th grade that live or attend school in the district are eligible to apply.

    “Interested in making your voice heard? Consider applying for my Youth Advisory Council. Applications for our 2025-2026 YAC are now open! I’m lucky to represent some of the brightest future leaders who are passionate about public service and eager to get involved. Every year, I get to work with these smart and engaged students whose unique points of view help inform the work we do in Washington. If you’re a high school student interested in policy and making a difference, consider applying for my Youth Advisory Council!”

    Interested students can apply here. You can view the 2024-2025 Youth Advisory Council’s Youth Town Hall here.  

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Measures to encourage student attendance at school strengthened

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government is going to take a firmer approach to school attendance.

    The Ministry of Education is ready to pursue prosecutions of parents who repeatedly refuse to ensure their children attend school.

    “The Ministry of Education is proactively contacting Attendance Service providers and schools to ensure parents who repeatedly refuse to send their children to school are referred to the Ministry,” Mr Seymour says.

    “Prosecution is a reality for parents who refuse to send their children to school and ignore supports to ensure their children are in class and learning.

    The Ministry will not prosecute parents of students who are absent because of chronic illness or health conditions associated with a disability, or who are genuinely engaging with a school and the supports offered.  

    “Last year I directed the Ministry to exercise its powers and take a more active role in prosecutions to make them viable. I encourage school leaders to seek that support when all other measures have failed” Mr Seymour says.  

    “Although we are facing an attendance crisis, green shoots are present, and we need to keep building on them. In every term in 2024 attendance improved on the same term in 2023.

    “I expect this momentum to continue as phases of our attendance action plan come into force. For example, it will be mandatory for schools to have their own attendance management plan, aligned with the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) (STAR) in place by Term 1 of 2026.

    “The basic premise of the STAR is that no child is left behind. The STAR clarifies the roles and responsibilities that school leadership, boards, parents and the Ministry have in supporting students to attend school. 

    “Around 10% of students are absent for 15 days or more in a school term. Students in that bracket would trigger the ‘red light’ in the general framework. At this point, prosecution would be considered a valid intervention. This means every day at school is important, and interventions will follow if absences build up.

    “Attending school is the first step towards achieving positive educational outcomes. Positive educational outcomes lead to better health, higher incomes, better job stability and greater participation within communities. These are opportunities that every student deserves.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Homegrown Family Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Shore Lunch Oven Style Breader & Batter Mix

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    May 29, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    May 29, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Presence of Undeclared Milk

    Company Name:
    Homegrown Family Foods
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Shore Lunch

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Breading and Batter Mix

    Company Announcement
    Homegrown Family Foods is recalling its Shore Lunch Oven Style Breader & Batter Mix 6oz Box due to the presence of undeclared milk. Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product. For ease of identification, see photo labels below.
    The product was primarily distributed in retail stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin between April 29, 2024 and May 1, 2025.
    The product comes in 6-ounce (170g) boxes marked with Best By dates of April 23, 2025 through February 25, 2026 and UPC Code 2473912000 and Lots: RP117050, RP120012, RP120011, RP120013, RP123249, RP123389, RP129004, RP129005, RP129006. The Best By date, Lot Code is found on the top of the box and the UPC is found on the bottom of the box.
    One illness has been reported to date; the affected individual has recovered.
    On 4/23/2025, the firm was notified by a consumer whose daughter had an allergic reaction. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing the milk ingredient was in packaging that did not properly label the presence of milk.
    Consumers who have the affected product and have a dairy allergy or sensitivity are urged not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
    For questions, consumers may contact Homegrown Family Foods at 706-403-5768 Monday- Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm ET or email QAinquiries@homegrownfamilyfood.com.
    This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Company Contact Information

    Media:
    Michael Carter
    706-403-5768

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    05/29/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor pauses Job Corps center operations

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it will begin a phased pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers nationwide, initiating an orderly transition for students, staff, and local communities. The decision follows an internal review of the program’s outcome and structure and will be carried out in accordance with available funding, the statutory framework established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and congressional notification requirements.  

    The pause of operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers will occur by June 30, 2025. As the transition begins, the department is collaborating with state and local workforce partners to assist current students in advancing their training and connecting them with education and employment opportunities. 

    The department’s decision aligns with the President’s FY 2026 budget proposal and reflects the Administration’s commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers.

     “Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community,” said Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the program’s possibilities.” 

    The Job Corps program has faced significant financial challenges under its current operating structure. In PY 2024, the program operated at a $140 million deficit, requiring the Biden administration to implement a pause in center operations to complete the program year. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in PY 2025.   

    On April 25, 2025, the department’s Employment and Training Administration released the first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report, which analyzed the financial performance and operational costs of the most recently available metrics of program year 2023. A summary of the overall findings: 

    • Average Graduation Rate (WIOA Definition): 38.6%
    • Average Cost Per Student Per Year: $80,284.65         
    • Average Total Cost Per Graduate (WIOA Definition): $155,600.74
    • Post separation, participants earn $16,695 annually on average.
    • The total number of Serious Incident Reports for program year 2023: 14,913 infractions.
      • Inappropriate Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assaults Reported: 372
      • Acts of Violence Reported: 1,764
      • Breaches of Safety or Security: 1,167
      • Reported Drug Use: 2,702
      • Total Hospital Visits: 1,808

    Additional information can be found in the FAQs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Russian National and Leader of Qakbot Malware Conspiracy Indicted in Long-Running Global Ransomware Scheme

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges a Russian national with leading a group of cyber criminals that developed and deployed the Qakbot malware that infected thousands of computers worldwide, installing ransomware and demanding payment from victims.

    Rustam Rafailevich Gallyamov, 48, of Moscow, Russia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is believed to be in Russia and is not in custody.

    In connection with the charges, the Justice Department filed today a civil forfeiture complaint against more than $24 million in cryptocurrency seized from Gallyamov over the course of the investigation. These actions are the latest step in an ongoing multinational effort by the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Canada to combat cybercrime.

    “The criminal charges and forfeiture case announced today are part of an ongoing effort with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable cybercriminals,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “The forfeiture action against more than $24 million in virtual assets also demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to seizing ill-gotten assets from criminals in order to ultimately compensate victims.”

    “Today’s announcement of the Justice Department’s latest actions to counter the Qakbot malware scheme sends a clear message to the cybercrime community,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We will not stop holding cybercriminals accountable, even over a course of years, and we will use every legal tool at our disposal to identify you, charge you, forfeit your ill-gotten gains, and disrupt your criminal activity.”

    “Mr. Gallyamov’s bot network was crippled by the talented men and women of the FBI and our international partners in 2023, but he brazenly continued to deploy alternative methods to make his malware available to criminal cyber gangs conducting ransomware attacks against innocent victims globally,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The charges announced today exemplify the FBI’s commitment to relentlessly hold accountable individuals who target Americans and demand ransom, even when they live halfway across the world.”

    According to the indictment, Gallyamov developed, deployed, and controlled the Qakbot malware beginning in 2008. From 2019 onward, Gallyamov allegedly used the Qakbot botnet to infect thousands of victim computers around the world to establish a network or “botnet” of infected computers. Once Gallyamov gained access to victim computers, he provided access to co-conspirators who infected the computers with ransomware, including Prolock, Dopplepaymer, Egregor, REvil, Conti, Name Locker, Black Basta, and Cactus. Gallyamov was paid a portion of the ransoms received from ransomware victims.

    The announcement of charges today is the latest step taken by the Justice Department against the Qakbot conspiracy. In August 2023, a U.S.-led multinational operation disrupted the Qakbot botnet and malware. At that time, the Justice Department announced the seizure of illicit proceeds from Gallyamov, including more than 170 bitcoin and more than $4 million of USDT and USDC tokens.

    According to the indictment, after the disruption and takedown of the Qakbot botnet, Gallyamov and his co-conspirators continued their criminal activities. Instead of a botnet, they allegedly used different tactics, including “spam bomb” attacks on victim companies, where co-conspirators would trick employees at those victim companies into granting access to computer systems. The indictment alleges that Gallyamov orchestrated spam bomb attacks against victims in the United States as recently as January 2025. It also alleges that Gallyamov and his co-conspirators deployed Black Basta and Cactus ransomware on victim computers.

    On April 25, pursuant to a seizure warrant, the FBI seized additional illicit proceeds from Gallyamov, including more than 30 bitcoin and more than $700,000 of USDT tokens. Today, the Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Central District of California against all the illicit proceeds seized from Gallyamov – worth more than $24 million as of today – to forfeit and ultimately return those funds to victims.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, Gallyamov would face a statutory maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison.

    The investigation of Gallyamov was led by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, which worked closely with investigators from Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), the Netherlands National Police, the French Police Cybercrime Central Bureau, and Europol. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Milwaukee Field Office provided significant assistance.

    The case against Gallyamov is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Khaldoun Shobaki and Lauren Restrepo of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section, and the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) Senior Counsel Jessica Peck. Assistant United States Attorney James Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is prosecuting the forfeiture case.

    These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation Endgame, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling and prosecuting cybercriminal organizations around the world.

    Resources for victims can be found on the following website, which will be updated as additional information becomes available: Qakbot Resources.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Exec at Orange County Company and Illegal Alien Arrested on Federal Complaint Alleging He Embezzled $7 Million From His Employer

    Source: US FBI

    SANTA ANA, California – A former executive at a Newport Beach company that specializes in the purchase of classic cars – who also happens to be an illegal alien from Mexico – was arrested today on a federal complaint alleging he embezzled approximately $7 million from his employer.

    Alexander G. Ramos, 62, of Newport Beach, is charged with wire fraud, a felony that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

    A federal magistrate judge ordered Ramos jailed without bond and scheduled an arraignment for June 30.

    According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Ramos was employed at the victim company since 2017 until his termination in September 2024 in the company’s Risk Management Department. Through his positions, he knew his employer’s loans and held relationships with title agents or other partners nationwide. He also oversaw requests by the company’s Title and Risk Department to its Accounting Department for payment to title agents, sometimes submitting the requests himself.

    Ramos allegedly caused checks to be issued from the victim company to certain parties, including a Las Vegas DMV services business. The checks were supposed to cover expenses for tax, titling, and licensing associated with car purchases.

    However, Ramos purposely caused his employer to send too much money to the outside entities. He then directed those entities on how to dispose of the extra money, including by sending the funds to bank accounts that he controlled.

    A law enforcement review of financial records revealed that approximately $7 million in checks and wires were deposited into Ramos-controlled bank accounts from the outside entities in the car industry. The origin of some of the funds deposited into Ramos’s bank accounts showed the checks and wires were made out to the victim company and were intended as refunds to that company’s clients who had overpaid for vehicle registration fees.

    Instead of being returned directly to the Ramos’s employer, Ramos allegedly moved the funds to other accounts he controlled for his personal use, including buying a home in Irvine. The illegal transfers date back to at least January 2020, according to the complaint.

    Ramos is an illegal alien from Mexico who was removed from the United States in 2017 but later returned.

    A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

    The FBI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General are investigating this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Fu of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sixteen Defendants Federally Charged in Connection with DanaBot Malware Scheme That Infected Computers Worldwide

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury indictment and criminal complaint unsealed today charge 16 defendants who allegedly developed and deployed the DanaBot malware which a Russia-based cybercrime organization controlled and deployed, infecting more than 300,000 victim computers around the world, facilitated fraud and ransomware, and caused at least $50 million in damage.

    The defendants include Aleksandr Stepanov, 39, a.k.a. “JimmBee,” and Artem Aleksandrovich Kalinkin, 34, a.k.a. “Onix”, both of Novosibirsk, Russia. Stepanov was charged with conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information, unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, wiretapping, and use of an intercepted communication.

    Kalinkin was charged with conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to a computer to obtain information, to gain unauthorized access to a computer to defraud, and to commit unauthorized impairment of a protected computer. Both defendants are believed to be in Russia and are not in custody.

    According to the indictment and complaint, DanaBot malware used a variety of methods to infect victim computers, including spam email messages containing malicious attachments or hyperlinks. Victim computers infected with DanaBot malware became part of a botnet (a network of compromised computers), enabling the operators and users of the botnet to remotely control the infected computers in a coordinated manner. The owners and operators of the victim computers are typically unaware of the infection.

    The DanaBot malware allegedly operated on a malware-as-a-service model, with the administrators leasing access to the botnet and support tools to client coconspirators for a fee that was typically several thousand dollars a month. The DanaBot malware was multi-featured and had extensive capabilities to exploit victim computers. It could be used to steal data from victim computers, and to hijack banking sessions, steal device information, user browsing histories, stored account credentials, and virtual currency wallet information.

    DanaBot also had the capability to provide full remote access to victim computers, to record keystrokes, and record videos showing the activity of users on victim computers. DanaBot has further been used as an initial means of infection for other forms of malware, including ransomware. The DanaBot malware has infected over 300,000 computers around the world, and caused damage estimated to exceed $50 million.

    DanaBot administrators operated a second version of the botnet that was used to target victim computers in military, diplomatic, government, and related entities. This version of the botnet recorded all interactions with the computer and sent stolen data to a different server than the fraud-oriented version of DanaBot. This variant was allegedly used to target diplomats, law enforcement personnel, and members of the military in North America, and Europe.

    “Pervasive malware like DanaBot harms hundreds of thousands of victims around the world, including sensitive military, diplomatic, and government entities, and causes many millions of dollars in losses,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “The charges and actions announced today demonstrate our commitment to eradicating the largest threats to global cybersecurity and pursuing the most malicious cyber actors, wherever they are located.”   

    “The enforcement actions announced today, made possible by enduring law enforcement and industry partnerships across the globe, disrupted a significant cyber threat group, who were profiting from the theft of victim data and the targeting of sensitive networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “The DanaBot malware was a clear threat to the Department of Defense and our partners. DCIS will vigorously defend our infrastructure, personnel, and intellectual property.”

    “Today’s announcement represents a significant step forward in the FBI’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle the cyber-criminal ecosystem that wreaks havoc on global digital security,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of our domestic and international law enforcement partners in holding cyber criminals accountable, no matter where they operate.”

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, Kalinkin would face a statutory maximum sentence of 72 years in federal prison, and Stepanov would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

    As part of today’s operation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) agents effected seizures and takedowns of DanaBot command and control servers, including dozens of virtual servers hosted in the United States. The U.S. government is now working with partners including the Shadowserver Foundation to notify DanaBot victims and help remediate infections.

    These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation Endgame, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling and prosecuting cybercriminal organizations around the world.

    Amazon, Crowdstrike, ESET, Flashpoint, Google, Intel 471, Lumen, PayPal, Proofpoint, Spycloud, Team CYMRU, and ZScaler provided valuable assistance.

    The investigation into DanaBot was led by the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, working closely with Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), the Netherlands National Police, and the Australian Federal Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.

    Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting these cases. Assistant United States Attorney James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the forfeiture case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Insurance Brokerage Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty to Making Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Illegal Campaign Contributions

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – An insurance brokerage executive was charged today with breaking federal campaign laws by making so-called “conduit” campaign contributions –contributions illegally made in the name of another person – to a joint fundraising committee that included a U.S. Senator’s principal campaign committee.      

    Teena Maria Hostovich, 66, of La Cañada Flintridge, is charged in a single-count information with making contributions in the name of another aggregating to more than $10,000 in a year, a felony that carries a statutory maximum sentence of two years in federal prison.

    In a related filing today, Hostovich has agreed to plead guilty to the federal criminal charge and agreed to pay a fine of $43,500.

    Hostovich is expected to make her initial appearance in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

    According to her plea agreement, from May 2020 through 2023, Hostovich knowingly and willfully made a total of $75,700 in contributions to federal candidates’ principal campaign committees and federal joint fundraising committees in the names of other people. For the calendar years 2021 through 2023, Hostovich’s conduit contributions aggregated to more than $10,000 during each of those years.

    To make these illegal campaign contributions, Hostovich used 11 different people – including employees at the insurance brokerage that employed her, family members of those employees, and individuals who performed personal services for Hostovich and her family.

    As part of the scheme, Hostovich contacted one of these individuals or their family members and asked them to contribute individually or have one of their family members contribute to a particular candidate’s campaign or fundraising committee. Hostovich then paid the person the funds via PayPal either before the contribution was made or reimbursed them afterward. 

    To execute these conduit contributions, Hostovich sometimes explicitly stated that she would advance the money for the contribution or pay the person back for that contribution. Other times, the person had an implicit understanding that Hostovich would advance the money or reimburse them based on her history of advancements and reimbursements of political contributions. Hostovich generally advanced or reimbursed these individuals in amounts that exceeded the exact contribution amount but often the amounts were very close to the contribution amount. 

    Hostovich admitted in her plea agreement that one of the reasons she engaged in conduit contributions was to secure an appointment to the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees in Washington, D.C. She did not obtain this position.

    The recipients of the illegal contributions included a joint fundraising committee that included a United States senator’s principal campaign committee, a principal campaign committee for a U.S. senatorial candidate, principal campaign committees for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a joint fundraising committee that included the principal campaign for a presidential candidate.

    At no time did Hostovich reveal to any of these candidate committees or joint fundraising committees that she was the true source of the funds donated by the 11 individuals. Hostovich further admitted that she knew it was unlawful to make conduit contributions and that, before executing this scheme, she made numerous political contributions to federal candidates and served as a host for political fundraisers.

    The FBI investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Thomas F. Rybarczyk of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Placer County Man Sentenced for Child Exploitation

    Source: US FBI

    Paul Hughes, 42, of Colfax, was sentenced today to 24 years and four months in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, between September 2018 and June 2019, on three separate occasions Hughes created visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Hughes used a cellphone to surreptitiously record at least three videos containing child sexual abuse material and saved them on an external hard drive. In addition to these videos, agents recovered more than 3,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on Hughes’s external hard drive and Google account.

    Further, agents located on Hughes’ devices hundreds of videos and photographs that were taken by Hughes of females between the ages of five to 55 in various public venues in Colfax. In each image, Hughes was attempting to obtain images of the female’s private parts by angling the camera in an upwards direction towards her groin.

    “This defendant preyed on the most innocent and vulnerable members of our society—children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Beckwith. “Keeping children safe from sexual exploitation is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to investigate the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to justice.”

    “Paul Hughes exploited children, forever damaging the memories of their childhood,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “The FBI has no tolerance for any adult who preys upon the innocence of children and anyone who exploits a child faces severe consequences for their actions.”

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the 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 the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Joins Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Joins Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation in urging President Donald Trump and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to safeguard federal funding for the Head Start program. The letter comes in response to alarming reports that the Trump Administration has considered eliminating Head Start funding during recent federal budget discussions.

    California’s Head Start program is the largest in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, Head Start and Early Head Start programs served more than 94,000 children across the state. These programs offer critical support to children by integrating early education with health, nutrition, and family services, providing targeted support to those facing poverty, housing insecurity, and systemic inequities.

    “From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability,” wrote the lawmakers. “These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.”

    “The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic,” continued the lawmakers. “In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children — disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities. Thousands of parents would also lose their ability to go to work or school, and otherwise participate in the economy.”

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has served over 40 million children and families nationwide. Decades of research confirm that the program improves school readiness, boosts long-term academic and employment outcomes, and helps break the cycle of poverty.

    “Head Start is not optional — it is a national commitment that must be honored,” concluded the lawmakers. “For these reasons, we urge you to reject any future attempts to weaken or eliminate this program and to ensure its continued success for the children and families who rely on it every day.”

    U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.-44) led the letter. In addition to Senator Padilla, the letter was also co-signed by Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), and Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Ami Bera (D-Calif.-06), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Adam Gray (D-Calif.-13), Josh Harder (D-Calif.-09), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.-27).

    Senator Padilla has been a leading advocate in condemning the Trump Administration’s attacks on Head Start and child care. Last month, Padilla and Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) led 25 Senators in slamming the Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal employees at the Office of Head Start (OHS) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) and demanding Secretary Kennedy immediately reinstate these employees. Padilla also joined 41 Senators in another letter blasting the Trump Administration’s direct attacks on the Head Start program.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    President Trump and Secretary Kennedy:

    We write today to express serious concern over reports that your Administration considered proposals to eliminate federal funding for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Head Start program in recent budget discussions. While we are relieved that the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Fiscal Year 2026 proposal did not include this cut, that such an action was even contemplated underscores the vulnerability of this vital program under your Administration. As members of the California Congressional Delegation, we urge you to safeguard this critical program, which plays an irreplaceable role in supporting California’s children and families, especially those facing economic hardship and systemic barriers.

    California is home to one of the largest populations of Head Start children in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, more than 94,000 children and pregnant women in California were served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These services are not just beneficial—they are essential. From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability. These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has supported more than 40 million children and their families nationwide—and millions in California alone. Research continues to confirm what educators and parents have long known: Head Start works. It boosts school readiness, improves long-term academic outcomes, increases high school graduation and employment rates, and helps break cycles of generational poverty.

    The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic. In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children—disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities. Thousands of parents would also lose their ability to go to work or school, and otherwise participate in the economy.

    Head Start is not optional—it is a national commitment that must be honored. For these reasons, we urge you to reject any future attempts to weaken or eliminate this program and to ensure its continued success for the children and families who rely on it every day.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Warren, Waters Lead Fight to Continue Funding for Emergency Housing Voucher Program

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Warren, Waters Lead Fight to Continue Funding for Emergency Housing Voucher Program

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, along with Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, led nearly 100 lawmakers in urging Congressional Appropriations leadership to include robust funding for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program as part of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding legislation. Tens of thousands of Americans depend on this vital program for safe, stable, and affordable housing. The letter comes as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced in March that the program will soon run out of money due largely to rents rising at the fastest pace in decades.

    “[Public Housing Agencies] in every state have benefited from the improved voucher issuance and utilization that the EHV program provides, as have the people and communities they serve,” wrote the lawmakers. “Congress must provide sufficient and robust funding to ensure that the families who rely on EHVs don’t lose their housing.”

    “The EHV program provides rental assistance to help end and prevent homelessness,” continued the lawmakers. “At a time when housing costs and homelessness continue to rise, we respectfully request that you provide adequate funding in the FY26 THUD Appropriations bill to renew all EHVs to ensure that those who have been served by the program do not lose their housing support and to ensure landlords continue receiving the rental payments they depend on to maintain their properties.”

    As of April, this critical program supports 107,000 individuals who are mostly children under five years old, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and domestic violence survivors. California received 15,417 of the 70,000 emergency housing vouchers authorized by Congress, but the program is now at risk. Support for the program is especially important as the Trump Administration cuts vital HUD funding and support staff.

    The EHV program was established in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan. Congress originally authorized $5 billion in funding for 70,000 vouchers through September 2030, with increased flexibilities for public housing authorities that made the program more successful than typical housing vouchers.

    Several leading national housing groups — including the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), the Moving-to-Work (MTW) Collaborative, and the National Housing Law Project (NHLP) — wrote a separate letter to Congressional appropriations leadership pushing for adequate funding and flexibilities for the EHV program.

    “Funding the EHV program was, and remains, the right thing to do, and is a smart use of federal dollars. It would be more expensive to rehouse or provide services for these individuals after becoming homeless again than it would to keep them housed with additional EHV funding,” the letter from the housing advocates reads. “Without these critical provisions and continued investment, PHAs will face major funding shortfalls in 2027, putting thousands of households at risk of losing their homes. Families who were previously at risk of homelessness and found stability through the EHV program could once again face housing insecurity.”

    In addition to Padilla, Warren, and Waters, the bicameral letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), as well as Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.-03), Becca Balint (D-Vt.-AL), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio-03), Donald Beyer (D-Va.-08), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.-02), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.-05), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), André Carson (D-Ind.-07), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.-05), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.-09), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.-03), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.-07), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas-37), Cleo Fields (D-La.-06), Bill Foster (D-Ill.-11), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.-04), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.-02), Al Green (D-Texas-09), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05), James Himes (D-Conn.-04), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-01), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio-01), John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.-03), James McGovern (D-Mass.-02), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.-05), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.-04), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.-05), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.-07), Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.-AL), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-07), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.-13), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.-05), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.-24).

    Senator Padilla believes everyone deserves access to affordable and safe housing and recognizes the need to drastically increase the affordable housing stock to address the homelessness crisis facing California and the country, including through his Housing for All Act. Padilla has fought against the Trump Administration’s proposals to cut HUD staff and field offices who help provide crucial housing services. Padilla and U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II recently led more than 100 Democrats in the Senate and House in condemning staffing cuts and potential closures of HUD field offices across the country. Earlier this year, Senator Padilla sounded the alarm that these wide-ranging cuts would hamper HUD’s ability to support vulnerable communities and address the housing and homelessness crises. He also helped secure a Government Accountability Office investigation into how these cuts will impact the federal government’s ability to enforce the Fair Housing Act.

    Full text of the bicameral letter requesting robust funding in the FY 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Related Agencies Appropriations bill is available here and below:

    Dear Chair Hyde-Smith, Ranking Member Gillibrand, Chair Womack, and Ranking Member Clyburn:

    As you develop the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we respectfully request that you include funding to ensure that the nearly 60,000 households who are currently being served by the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program do not fall into homelessness.

    During the pandemic, Congress appropriated $5 billion in mandatory funding for the EHV program to help people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence and victims of human trafficking, access safe, stable and affordable housing during a moment of crisis.

    Since 2021, the success of the EHV program and its design, which includes critical administrative flexibilities that are responsive to a tumultuous housing market, cannot be overstated. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that EHVs are leasing at a rate faster than any previous housing voucher program within HUD and drove unprecedented collaboration among public housing agencies (PHAs), homeless services organizations, and victim services organizations to provide rapid and effective housing assistance to vulnerable populations. PHAs in every state have benefited from the improved voucher issuance and utilization that the EHV program provides, as have the people and communities they serve. Congress must provide sufficient and robust funding to ensure that the families who rely on EHVs don’t lose their housing.

    We understand that the Subcommittee must make difficult decisions. However, the EHV program provides rental assistance to help end and prevent homelessness. At a time when housing costs and homelessness continue to rise, we respectfully request that you provide adequate funding in the FY26 THUD Appropriations bill to renew all EHVs to ensure that those who have been served by the program do not lose their housing support and to ensure landlords continue receiving the rental payments they depend on to maintain their properties. Thank you for your consideration of this request and your continued support for the most vulnerable Americans.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Urge Secretary Noem to Reverse Decision to Terminate Legal Status of Four-Year-Old Bakersfield Girl

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Schiff Urge Secretary Noem to Reverse Decision to Terminate Legal Status of Four-Year-Old Bakersfield Girl

    LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Representative Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and 34 other lawmakers in urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of the legal status of a four-year-old Bakersfield girl and her family, potentially leading to life-threatening deportation. The young girl, identified by her initials as S.G.V., has short bowel syndrome and could die within days if she is deported and loses essential medical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
    “We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment,” wrote the lawmakers. “Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds.”
    “Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks,” continued the lawmakers. “We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.” 
    In addition to Padilla, Schiff, Rivas, and Kamlager-Dove, the letter was also signed by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.-03), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.-02), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Darren Soto (D-Fla.-09), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), and Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07). 
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Noem:
    In April 2025, Deysi Vargas, her husband, and four-year-old daughter, identified as S.G.V., received a notice that their legal status in the United States had been terminated, and in May, Deysi received notice that her employment authorization had also been terminated. S.G.V. suffers from short bowel syndrome, a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing the nutrients of regular food. We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment.
    Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds.
    Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks.
    On the President’s first day in office he issued an Executive Order stating that, “ensuring that the parole authority under section 212(d)(5) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)) is exercised on only a case-by-case basis in accordance with the plain language of the statute, and in all circumstances only when an individual alien demonstrates urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit derived from their particular continued presence in the United States arising from such parole.”
    We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Rajnath Singh approves Miniratna status to three Defence Public Sector Undertakings

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of “Miniratna” status Category-I for Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) & India Optel Limited (IOL), the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday.

    The move comes amid the Centre’s larger effort to push indigenous defence manufacturing and enhance the autonomy and competitiveness of state-run defence firms. All three companies were carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in October 2021 as part of a structural overhaul of the sector.

    Singh commended the firms for significantly increasing turnover and indigenisation levels. He termed their evolution from government departments into revenue-generating enterprises as a sign of “mature and self-reliant defence manufacturing”.

    Steady Revenue Growth and Export Gains

    Munitions India Limited, which manufactures a range of ammunition including small, medium and high-calibre rounds, grenades, mortars and rockets, has seen its provisional revenue rise to ₹8,282 crore in FY 2024–25, up from ₹2,571.6 crore in 2021–22 (second half). Export figures have also surged from ₹22.55 crore to ₹3,081 crore in the same period.

    Similarly, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, which produces main battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, and defence logistics platforms, has recorded a provisional revenue of ₹4,986 crore in FY 2024–25, from ₹2,569.26 crore in 2021–22 (H2). Notably, the company has indigenised engines across all three key combat vehicle platforms — T-72, T-90, and BMP-II.

    India Optel Limited, which focuses on opto-electronic and vision systems for land and naval platforms, has also more than doubled its revenue, from ₹562.12 crore in FY 2021–22 (H2) to a provisional ₹1,541.38 crore in FY 2024–25.

    Strategic Autonomy and Expansion

    The Miniratna status allows these DPSUs greater operational autonomy, including powers to make capital investments up to ₹500 crore or equal to their net worth, without prior government approval. It also enables them to enter joint ventures and forge technology partnerships more independently.

    While MIL and AVNL are classified as Schedule ‘A’ companies, IOL is a Schedule ‘B’ firm. All three are under the administrative control of the Department of Defence Production (DDP).

    The Defence Ministry said the decision is aimed at accelerating growth in domestic production, boosting exports, and fostering innovation through increased functional autonomy.

  • MIL-OSI USA: USA’s first Central Illinois Sporting Clays Shoot a success

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    We all love supporting such a great organization that hosts events to raise money for projects and gets volunteers to help with the work.

    Rex McMorris III, L-60 President

    The inaugural Central Illinois Sporting Clays Shoot hosted on May 3 at the Oak Ridge Sportsman’s Club in Mackinaw, Illinois, exceeded expectations for the Union Sportsman’s Alliance. The USA hopes for at least 50 participants for new shoots, but the Central Illinois shoot had 70.

     “With a turnout like this, there is a lot of potential for this shoot moving forward. This will become an annual event,” said Chris Piltz, USA events manager. “This is at a great number starting off. In the next couple of years, we can get this to 100 participants, which is the average successful shoot number.”

    Members of Local 60, Local 158 (Peoria, Illinois) and Boilermaker staff competed in the shoot with fellow union brothers and sisters from the central Illinois area. The Boilermakers won the B class, with Boilermakers International Team-B achieving 2nd place and the Boilermakers Local 60 winning 1st place.

    “We all love supporting such a great organization that hosts events to raise money for projects and gets volunteers to help with the work. They also work to get the younger generations involved in conservation and outdoor activities. It’s just a great organization,” said L-60 President Rex McMorris III.

    Making the new event’s success even better, Local 60 member Rich Rentsch, a Boilermaker for over 25 years, operates the Oak Ridge Sportsman’s Club. The Club’s land has been used for trap shooting for 30 years. When Rentsch and his partners bought it in 2024, they overhauled the sportsman’s club with much-needed upgrades. After many landscaping changes and replacing manually operated target throwers with automated ones, Oak Ridge opened in October of 2024.

    “We want to continue to improve it every year,” said Rentsch. His vision for the next five years of Oak Ridge includes expanding the shoot courses, adding projects and skill-testing games, teaching youth hunters’ safety and hosting the USA Sporting Clays Shoot annually.

    Watch the Boilermakers blast away the clay targets.

    Watch Video

    See the Union Sportsman’s Alliance event photos.

    View Gallery

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kentucky welding competition advances recruitment

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    The Kentucky Welding Institute 2025 National Senior Welding Competition in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, on April 16th offered students real-world training and scholarships—and opened the doors to future Boilermaker recruits. Chris Elmore, Southeast Recruiter for the M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund, was happy to speak with over 100 seniors in the competition, as well as 100 more KWI students, plus most of the competitors’ parents who were observing the event.

    “Most of these kids in my area know what a pipefitter is or what an ironworker does, but not who the Boilermakers are. These events allow recruiters to close that knowledge gap.  These events are where our most qualified candidates come from,” Elmore said.

    He said he’s already received multiple calls from seniors eager to graduate and join the apprentice program.

    Elmore knows the value of utilizing different recruiting techniques, from hanging posters and business cards in the school’s welding shops to social media posts. However, his favorite way of connecting is meeting with recruits in person. 

    “I plan on attending as many of the KWI events as possible,” he said. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 Dr. Cato T. Laurencin ScHOLA²RS House Award Recipients

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The UConn Foundation created the award, which honors top academically achieving Black male seniors at the University of Connecticut. The award is a source of inspiration for many at UConn. The recipients this year were Noah Sneed, Mason Bickham, and Josiah Mendez.

    • Noah Sneed had a 3.93 GPA and has a major in Animal Science and a second major in Pathobiology.
    • Mason Bickham had a 3.81 GPA, and is a Psychological Sciences major, with a concentration in Africana Studies, Human Dev, and Family Sciences
    • Josiah Mendez had a 3.58 GPA, and is a Computer Science & Engineering Masters major, with a concentration in Software Design and Development.

    ScHOLA²RS House is a Learning Community designed to support the scholastic efforts of male students who identify as African American/Black through academic and social support, access to research opportunities, and professional development.

    UConn senior Mason Bickham being awarded.

    Throughout his career, Laurencin has devoted his life to pioneering research and clinical care. He has also been passionate about his work mentoring young people in engineering, science, medicine, and the humanities. At UConn he has created and established a number of mentoring/educational programs, including the UConn Young Innovative Investigator Program, the UConn Pre-K Scholars Program, and the Presidential M1 Mentorship Award Program. He has been the Principal Investigator of UConn’s NIH T32 Pre-Doctoral Program in Regenerative Engineering, an NIH Diversity Award Pre-Doctoral Training Grant, an NIH Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Grant Award, a National Science Foundation Research, Experience and Mentoring Grant, and a grant award from the Department of Education focused on K-12 mentoring.

    Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D., earned a B.S.E. degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. He completed Harvard Medical School earning his M.D. Magna Cum Laude and completed his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering/biotechnology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    UConn senior Josiah Mendez with Dr. Laurencin.

    At UConn Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created in his honor at the University of Connecticut.

    Laurencin is the recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS Mentor Award, the Beckman Award for Mentoring and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Math Mentoring. Besides the Scholars House Award named for him, the Society for Biomaterials created the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travelling Fellowship, the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Institute and the National Medical Association created the Cato T. Laurencin Lifetime Research Achievement Award, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers created the Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award, honoring his work as the pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Offer Reward for Sunbury Homicide Suspect

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Williamsport, PA – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Denarii Kadeem Springs, 26.

    On August 15, 2024, a warrant for Homicide and related charges was issued by the Sunbury Police Department for Springs’ role in the shooting of a man on the 100 block of Market Street in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

    The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to Springs’ arrest.

    Springs stands 6 feet 02 inches and weighs approximately 200 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He has known connections to the Bronx, NY area. He is also associated with addresses in Northeastern Pennsylvania, specifically Northumberland County.

    Tips can be called in to the USMS tip line at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or through the USMS Tips App.

    The USMS Middle Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force is comprised of 22 state, county, and local police agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police, Lycoming County Sheriff’s, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Union County Sheriff’s, The Bloomsburg Police Department, the Tioga County Sheriff’s, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The debate over genocide claims in relation to Gaza intensifies

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    In the past few days, discussion around whether Israel is committing acts of genocide in Gaza has intensified. On May 28 The Guardian reported that “380 writers and groups” had signed an open letter calling Israel’s military campaign in Gaza “genocide”. The letter reads, in part:

    The use of the words ‘genocide’ or ‘acts of genocide’ to describe what is happening in Gaza is no longer debated by international legal experts or human rights organizations.

    This followed news of a letter to the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, signed by more than 800 lawyers, including former supreme court justices, calling on the prime minister to impose sanctions on the Israeli government.

    “There is mounting evidence of genocide, which is either being perpetrated or at a minimum at serious risk of occurring,” the letter stated, adding that a recent statement from Israel’s finance minister Belazel Smotrich that the Israel Defense Forces would “wipe out” what remains of Palestinian Gaza was an indication of genocidal intent.

    One of the signatories was Professor Guy Goodwin-Gill, a senior research fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, who has a track record of expertise in international humanitarian law. The Conversation spoke with him to discuss the issue. He said:

    There is no doubt in my mind that war crimes have been committed and although genocide is basically an extreme form of war crime, it can be notoriously difficult to establish intent to destroy a people, in part or in whole.

    The task of proving genocide is hard enough, but [in this case] the evidence can be gathered from the facts on the ground – they speak for themselves. And intent can be inferred from what politicians and officials actually say, especially when it is not denied or qualified.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    But he said he had “reservations about whether, at an inter-state level, a charge of genocide would be levelled against Israel by more than a few states. And if it succeeded, the legal and political consequences.”

    But individual prosecutions for war crimes and genocide are “always a distinct possibility,” he added.

    In fact, the crime of genocide has only been recognised on a handful of occasions since it was first established in 1948. James Sweeney, an expert in international law from Lancaster University has written a brief history of genocide.



    Read more:
    Why have so few atrocities ever been recognised as genocide?

    Meanwhile, in the West Bank city of Jenin, IDF forces sparked international outrage when they fired “warning shots” closer to a group of 25 diplomats on a fact-finding visit in the wake of an Israeli military offensive there.

    Andrew Forde, an expert in international humanitarian law at Dublin City University, considers that this act “crossed the Rubicon”, which is the convention, universally accepted over millennia, of the inviolability of diplomats and their staff. It’s a clear breach, he writes of article 29 of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations, to which Israel is a signatory, which states that the host state “shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on [their] person, freedom or dignity”.

    Israel responded by offering an apology, but claimed that the diplomats in question had “deviated from the approved route” by entering a restricted area”.

    The incident forced the group of diplomats to scramble for cover and hindered their work in Jenin, Forde writes. As such it is a flagrant breach of Israel’s duty of care. And it sets a dangerous precedent: “Diplomatic protections work effectively when they are reciprocal. Without trust, the system quickly unravels.”



    Read more:
    IDF firing ‘warning shots’ near diplomats sets an unacceptable precedent in international relations

    Israel’s campaign in Gaza is a factor in a hugely complex situation being played out at present in the Middle East, which is straining the relationship between Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump. The US president is talking up the idea of signing a new nuclear deal with Iran to replace the one he withdrew from in 2018. The Israeli prime minister is bitterly opposed to an US-Iran deal and has proposed launching strikes against Iran’s nuclear installations. The pair reportedly clashed over the issue in a phone call this week.

    But Trump recently returned from a trip to the Gulf States, none of which want the sort of regional conflagration that Israeli strikes on Iran could cause. And, as Scott Lucas of University College Dublin writes, he is also very keen to burnish his credentials as a dealmaker, especially in light of his failure to bring the Ukraine war to a close within 24 hours and the failure of the ceasefire in Gaza for which he has claimed much of the credit.

    As Lucas writes, “even as Trump does what he wants over Iran to Netanyahu’s chagrin, the Israeli prime minister is finding that Trump is not restricting what he does closer to home in Gaza”.



    Read more:
    Why are the US and Israel not on the same page over how to deal with Iran? Expert Q&A

    Ukraine: as the US falters, Germany steps up

    Volodymr Zelensky flew to Berlin this week where he met the German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Germany would work with Ukraine to develop long-range missiles to attack targets inside Russia. It’s part of an overall plan to expand Germany’s military into the “strongest conventional army in Europe”.

    Stefan Wolff believes Germany’s decision to step up both its military capabilities and its support for Ukraine is highly significant when considered in the context of Donald Trump’s recent threats to abandon his efforts to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.

    Wolff, an expert in international security from the University of Birmingham, who has written regularly for The Conversation about the war in Ukraine, says here that “Berlin has the financial muscle and the technological and industrial potential to make Europe more of a peer to the US when it comes to defence spending and burden sharing.” Given the US decision to downscale its security presence in Europe, this could be of enormous consequence for Nato, he writes.



    Read more:
    Germany steps up to replace ‘unreliable’ US as guarantor of European security

    This is also an important development coming, as it does, just a few weeks before Nato’s summit in The Hague on June 24-25. As Amelia Hadfield writes, most of Nato’s members will be only too aware of Trump’s disparagement of Nato and many of its members in recent times and will be considering the potential for a future without US leadership.

    Hadfield, the head of the department of politics at the University of Surrey, notes the irony of Washington calling on the European Nato members to pay more for their own defence. Over much of the lifetime of the alliance, she writes, the US has actively discouraged European defence autonomy. Now, she says, the focus of Nato’s 31 other members must be to prepare for the likelihood that the US plans to at least significantly reduce its support for the alliance in Europe. “A clear mandate is needed, to ensure that being US-less does not render Nato itself useless,” she writes.

    This is already starting to happen, as countries join the “coalition of the willing” spearheaded by Britain and France. But Hadfield believes that boosting European capabilities within Nato is the most sensible way forward and should be the focus of next month’s summit.



    Read more:
    Nato faces a make-or-break decision about how to protect Europe and its future in next few weeks

    A lesson from history

    Donald Trump’s on again off-again relationship with Vladimir Putin is confusing enough for casual followers of world affairs. It must present a considerable headache for the foreign ministers and other diplomats tasked with calibrating their policies around the US stance on Russian aggression.

    But history suggests that the US president’s apparent willingness to allow Russia to grab Ukrainian territory in direct contravention of international law is storing up trouble for the future, writes Tim Luckhurst.

    Luckhurst is the principal of South College, Durham University, and has made a study of the way some governments were happy to allow Hitler to get away with naked aggression in the run-up to the second world war. He sees direct parallels with the way Trump and his senior officials have proposed allowing Putin to have his way with the Crimea and the four provinces of Ukraine which Russia already occupies.

    “Chamberlain’s version of appeasement failed to prevent Adolf Hitler’s aggression in the 20th century,” he writes. “Trump’s version appears equally incapable of deterring Vladimir Putin’s territorial ambitions in the 21st.”



    Read more:
    History shows that Donald Trump is making a serious error in appeasing Vladimir Putin

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. The debate over genocide claims in relation to Gaza intensifies – https://theconversation.com/the-debate-over-genocide-claims-in-relation-to-gaza-intensifies-257847

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Press Sec: “This was a CLEAR coverup.”

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkgKOAe8juo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Fischer Highlights Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued the following video to promote mental health in the ag industry and workforce on ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.’

    Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously approved Fischer’s resolution designating May 29th as ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.’ The resolution shines a light on the unique challenges agricultural producers face, while highlighting the resources available to those in need of assistance. 

    Click the image above to view a video of Fischer’s remarks

    Click here to download audio

    Click here to download video

     

    Mental Health Resources:

    Click here to learn about national resources available for those in need of assistance.
    Click here to learn about Nebraska resources available for those in need of assistance.

    Full Video Transcript: 

    Hello, this is Senator Deb Fischer. 

    Throughout my life, I’ve had many roles – daughter, wife, mother, school board member, and now as the U.S. Senator for Nebraska.

    Yet, one of the most challenging roles I’ve had is that of a cattle rancher, on our family ranch.

    As our agriculture producers and workforce know, working in the ag industry is not for the faint of heart – and feeding and fueling our world is no easy task.

    We face numerous challenges – from weather to volatile commodity prices. 

    These daily uncertainties can take a toll. It’s why farmers and ranchers face higher levels of stress and anxiety.

    Sadly, farmer suicide rates are two to five times higher than the national average.

    That’s why, today, on Mental Health Awareness Day in Agriculture, I want to take a moment to remind our ag producers and farmworkers that there are resources available for those who may be struggling.

    To our farmers and ranchers: Thank you for helping to feed and fuel the world. We appreciate the hard work you do every single day. 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Senators Press RealPage on Multi-Million Lobbying Campaign and House Republicans’ Provision Blocking States from Protecting Renters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    May 29, 2025

    RealPage has been scrutinized for use of AI algorithms that drive up costs for renters 

    Provision would block state and local efforts to protect renters from artificial price hikes powered by AI pricing tools

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Dana Jones, CEO and President of RealPage, expressing concerns regarding RealPage potentially benefiting from a provision on artificial intelligence (AI) included in the House Republicans’ budget reconciliation package. The provision would prohibit the enforcement of any state or local laws on AI for the next ten years.

    RealPage’s YieldStar and AI Revenue Management (AIRM) tools use black box algorithmic pricing schemes to unfairly hike rents at a time when Americans face a national housing affordability crisis. Several states and cities have passed or are considering laws limiting the use of AI-enabled pricing software.

    “[M]ore Americans than ever before are now paying over 30 and 50 percent of their income on housing,” wrote the senators. “In light of this, we seek information on RealPage’s lobbying efforts, and on how the Republicans’ reconciliation provision would help the bottom line of RealPage and other large corporations by allowing them to take advantage of consumers.” 

    Last week, the Republican-controlled House passed a reconciliation bill that cuts Medicaid and rips away health care coverage for millions of Americans, all to pay for trillions of dollars in giveaways for billionaires. In what has been described as a “massive artificial intelligence giveaway,” the bill also includes a provision that would block state- and local-level efforts to curb the harms of products like YieldStar and AIRM, the cornerstones of RealPage’s business model. 

    The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already sued RealPage for “its unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing,” which the DOJ asserts constitutes unlawful price-fixing. Since the DOJ lawsuit was filed in August 2024, RealPage has amped up its lobbying efforts on AI-related issues, nearly doubling its lobbying spending from $4.8 million in 2020 to nearly $9 million in 2024. The senators point out that following these investments, House Republicans worked to “nullify existing and future state efforts to address the harms from AI.” 

    “The net result will be that Americans will lose important protections against the misuse of AI tools,” warned the senators. “This will directly benefit RealPage and similar companies, at the expense of renters who will be forced to pay higher costs for rent and other daily needs.”

    The senators have previously written letters in November 2022, March 2023, September 2024, and February 2025 raising the alarm about RealPage’s YieldStar and AIRM products. Due to RealPage’s potential involvement in this harmful measure, the senators requested a response to their questions by June 10, 2025. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Bicameral Legislation to Require the Supreme Court to Adopt Binding and Enforceable Code of Ethics

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Congress, the executive branch, all lower federal courts, and every state supreme court have ethics guardrails and a mechanism for enforcing ethics rules
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-04) in reintroducing the bicameral Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act, legislation to require Supreme Court justices to adopt a binding code of conduct and create a mechanism to investigate alleged violations of the code of conduct and other laws. The SCERT Act would improve disclosure and transparency when a justice has a connection to a party or amicus before the Court, end the practice of justices ruling on their own conflicts of interests, and require justices to explain their recusal decisions to the public. 
    “Vermonters I talk with don’t understand why Supreme Court justices are allowed to accept lavish private airplane travel and yacht vacations from billionaires. It’s no surprise that these ethical problems have shattered public trust in our nation’s most powerful court,” said Senator Welch. “This ethics legislation is unfortunately necessary, because the Supreme Court will not do what it has the responsibility to do. This is a long-overdue step, and one my Republican colleagues should support.” 
    “Supreme Court justices have repeatedly gotten caught red-handed receiving extravagant gifts from politically active billionaires and refusing to report the gifts as required by law. It’s not even clear proper taxes were paid. Despite these ethical problems, the Court does not allow basic fact-finding regarding the justices’ behavior, or any neutral process to resolve ethics questions,” said Senator Whitehouse. “This Court has repeatedly proven that it cannot police itself, so it’s time for fair and transparent guardrails, with clear procedures for receiving, investigating, and resolving ethics complaints. With Trump’s persistent improper pressure on the judiciary, it’s now urgent to get this right.” 
    “A judiciary whose members are accountable for their conduct, that is transparent to its citizens, and that is free from bias or partiality is truly independent,” said Representative Johnson. “Americans need to feel confident that when serious concerns arise, the judiciary can diligently investigate and correct judicial misconduct, no matter who might be implicated. That is a judiciary whose judgements will be accepted, observed, and respected. An independent judiciary is crucial to our democracy now more than ever.” 
    In the last two years, reporting from ProPublica and the New York Times has exposed Justice Clarence Thomas’s long record of accepting undisclosed gifts from politically active right-wing billionaires. Further reporting from ProPublica found that Justice Samuel Alito accepted private jet travel to an all-expenses-paid vacation from a hedge fund billionaire who had contributed over $80 million to Republican political organizations and had business before the Court. Justice Alito’s luxury vacation was organized by Leonard Leo, the engineer of the current right-wing Supreme Court supermajority at the behest of a cadre of right-wing billionaires and special interests. 
    The SCERT Act would address these ethical shortfalls and help restore Americans’ faith in the judicial branch. The bill would: 
    Develop a Process for Enforcement of a Code of Conduct 
    Require the Supreme Court to adopt a code of conduct within 180 days; 
    Require the Supreme Court to publish its code of conduct and any other rules or procedures related to ethics, financial disclosure, and judicial misconduct; 
    Require the Supreme Court to create a transparent process for the public to submit ethics complaints against the justices, and for a random panel of chief judges from the lower courts to investigate and make recommendations based on those complaints; 
    Require safeguards modeled on the lower courts’ complaints process to deter and punish frivolous ethics complaints. 
    Improve Gift Rules and Transparency 
    Require the Supreme Court to adopt rules requiring disclosure of gifts, travel, and income received by justices and law clerks that are at least as rigorous as the House and Senate disclosure rules; 
    Require the rules for what gifts justices can accept to be as restrictive as Congress’s; 
    Require greater disclosure of amicus curiae funding; 
    Require parties and amici curiae before the Supreme Court to disclose any recent gifts, travel, or reimbursements they’ve given to a justice; 
    Require parties and amici curiae before the Supreme Court to disclose any lobbying or money they spent promoting a justice’s confirmation to the Court. 
    Strengthen Recusal Requirements 
    Create new recusal requirements governing gifts, income, or reimbursements given to judges; 
    Create new recusal requirements governing a party’s lobbying or spending money to campaign for a judge’s confirmation; 
    Ensure that requests for a judge to recuse are reviewed by a panel of randomly selected, impartial judges, or by the rest of the justices at the Supreme Court; 
    Require written notification and explanations of recusal decisions; 
    Require the judiciary to develop rules explaining when a judge’s connection to an amicus curiae brief might require recusal; and 
    Require the Federal Judicial Center to study and report to Congress every two years on the extent to which the judiciary is complying with recusal requirements. 
    Late last year, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts released a report that found every state supreme court (or equivalent high court) subjects its judges or justices to ethics reviews—similar to the processes that apply to all federal judges except the Supreme Court under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act. The SCERT Act would eliminate this loophole by establishing an ethics review process for the Supreme Court. 
    In addition to Senators Welch and Whitehouse, the legislation is cosponsored by Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).  
    The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act is endorsed by Accountable.US/Accountable.NOW, Common Cause, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Citizens United/Let America Vote, Demand Justice, Fix the Court, New York City Bar Association, People’s Parity Project, League of Conservation Voters, Court Accountability Action, Free Law Project, American Governance Institute, Lawyers for Good Government, Public Citizen, and Stand Up America.  
    As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Welch continues to push for transparency and ethics reform at the U.S. Supreme Court. Last year, Senator Welch led his colleagues in introducing the High Court Gift Ban Act, bicameral legislation that would ban Supreme Court Justices from receiving gifts valued at over $50 and help strengthen ethical standards of the Supreme Court. In October 2011, Senator Welch joined 45 of his then-House colleagues in sending a letter to the House Judiciary Committee urging the investigation of outstanding ethical questions surrounding the court. 
    Read and download the full text of the SCERT Act. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Hurricane Season, Welch Leads 14 Colleagues in Urging Trump Administration to Reinstate Terminated Employees at NWS, NOAA

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led 14 of his colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to swiftly reinstate terminated employees at the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ahead of the upcoming hurricane season. In their letter, the Senators emphasized that staff reductions at both agencies pose a threat to public safety and emergency preparedness by undercutting essential forecasting and weather monitoring systems. The Senators requested information on how the administration plans to address staffing at both agencies. 
    NWS maintains 122 weather forecast offices across the United States which are responsible for providing 24/7 weather monitoring and forecasts. The NWS Forecast Office in Burlington, Vermont, is vital to providing Vermonters with information on how to prepare for and protect their families from flooding and extreme weather events. The Department of Commerce is reportedly planning to eliminate an additional 1,000 staff from NOAA, including at NWS, in the coming weeks. These cuts, combined with current staffing constraints, could reduce the NWS workforce by 15% just months into 2025. 
    “NWS would be unable to provide accurate and timely forecasts without sufficient staffing levels at weather forecast offices nationwide. In addition to daily forecasting operations, weather forecast offices are responsible for issuing emergency weather warnings ahead of events such as major floods, wildfire hazards, hurricanes, and blizzard conditions,” wrote the Senators. “As the frequency and severity of such disasters increase, maintaining NWS’s real-time forecasting operations is essential to saving lives and reducing the cost of recovery for disaster-affected communities.” 
    The Senators continued: “NWS employees and the programs they support are essential to the safety of the millions of Americans impacted by storms and disasters each year. On February 27, 2025, 108 probationary NWS employees were terminated, adding to the 170 staff who accepted the Administration’s ‘deferred resignation’ plan earlier that month. These staffing cuts are already impacting NWS services, forcing NWS to halt weather balloon launches in New York, Maine, and Alaska that provide daily weather data to meteorologists at weather forecast offices across the country.”  
    “As we head into hurricane season, 30 weather forecast offices are without a meteorologist-in-charge, one is completely without any managers at all, and nearly a dozen are preparing to shut down 24/7 services without immediate action to address shortages,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to reassess the staffing needs at NOAA and NWS and reinstate terminated probationary employees swiftly.” 
    The Senators requested answers to the following questions: 

    How many of the NWS regional weather forecast offices were impacted by terminations or deferred resignations since January 20, 2025? Please provide a list of affected offices, including how many staff departed and how many remain.  
    With reports of at least one weather forecast office in Goodland, Kansas stopping 24/7 operations due to staffing shortages, how do the Department of Commerce and NOAA plan to maintain continued 24/7 operation of forecasting offices without requiring excessive overtime hours from staff?  
    With a requested budget cut of $1.311 billion for NOAA’s overall budget, and a $209 million cut for NWS procurement of weather satellites and infrastructure9, how does the Department of Commerce and NOAA plan to ensure adequate staffing and preparedness in the midst of worsening storm seasons, increasing heat waves, and changing weather patterns? 
    As NWS employees are critical to public safety, especially heading into hurricane season, will the Department of Commerce grant an exemption to the hiring freeze to fill these crucial positions? 

    In addition to Senator Welch, the letter was cosigned by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). 
    Read the full text of the letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Laura Grimm. 

    MIL OSI USA News –