NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The earliest possible launch of Russian investment projects in Cuba is important

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a working meeting with the Chairman of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the State Council of the Republic of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez.

    Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko held a working meeting with the Chairman of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the State Council of the Republic of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez. During the meeting, issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed.

    “Thanks to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the countries have reached a new level of cooperation. Cuba is popular among our citizens, which is also influenced by the launch of the Mir card and the resumption of direct flights by Rossiya Airlines. The circle of potential Russian investors ready to develop promising niches of the Cuban market is expanding. Together, we are overcoming sanctions barriers, strengthening international stability and a multipolar world,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Russia is helping Cuba resolve issues related to energy.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko asked Esteban Lazo Hernandez to assist in the speedy launch of Russian investment projects in Cuba. He also invited Cuban leadership and business to take part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 18–21, 2025) and the international tourism forum “Travel!” (June 10–15, 2025, in Moscow).

    “As part of the work of the interparliamentary commission, the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and I are trying to give impetus to the relations between our governments. The documents we have prepared will help to better prepare for the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Cuban Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which is scheduled to take place next week,” said Esteban Lazo Hernandez.

    According to him, active work within the Russian-Cuban intergovernmental commission gave special dynamics to bilateral relations. The relevant documents were prepared and adopted, which were promptly worked out by Cuban parliamentarians.

    Russia is in second place in terms of tourist flow to Cuba. The number of tourist trips of Cuban citizens to Russia increased by more than 50% – to 21.5 thousand people.

    Esteban Lazo Hernandez also noted the high dynamics of Russian economic development, despite the sanctions.

    “Russia and Cuba are together! We will win!” he concluded.

    It should be noted that the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Cuban Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation is scheduled to take place in early April in Havana. The co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission are Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Ricardo Cabrisas.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Elena Parent, RaShaun Kemp, Donzella James, Sonya Halpern and Freddie Powell Sims Condemn Committee Passage of DEI Legislation

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (March 28, 2025) — Yesterday, House Bill 127 passed out the Senate Committee on Education and Youth, prohibiting public schools, local education agencies and public postsecondary institutions from promoting or maintaining programs that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. 

    Senators Elena Parent (D–Atlanta), RaShaun Kemp (D–Atlanta), Donzella James (D–Atlanta), Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta), and Freddie Powell Sims (D–Dawson) spoke against the committee passage of the legislation in a joint statement, stating, “Yesterday, Georgia Senate Republicans took yet another step backward by advancing HB 127 out of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth. This bill, which would initially have provided much-needed sick leave for our hardworking teachers, has been completely gutted and repurposed into a direct attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and public universities.

    Let’s be clear: diversity is a strength, not a weakness. Instead of supporting policies that uplift our students and educators, Republicans have chosen to target programs that guarantee every student, especially those from historically unrecognized communities, has the opportunity to succeed. Georgia’s students deserve an education that prepares them for the real world, one that values different perspectives and fosters an inclusive environment.

    Instead, this bill sends a dangerous message that diversity and inclusion have no place in our schools. Many students will suffer the consequences of this short-sighted legislation, and our state’s ability to attract top talent and businesses will suffer.

    We are also deeply disappointed by the lack of transparency in yesterday’s committee process. So many members of the public came forward to testify against this harmful bill, yet their voices were silenced. The people of Georgia deserve to be heard, not shut out of the democratic process.

    We will continue to fight against HB 127 because our children, our teachers and our future depend on it. We urge our colleagues to reject this misguided legislation and support a more inclusive, forward-looking Georgia.”

    # # # #

    Sen. Elena Parent serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She represents the 44th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Clayton County. She may be reached at her office at (404) 656-5109 or by email at elena.parent@senate.ga.gov.

    Sen. RaShaun Kemp represents the 38th Senate District, which includes a portion of Fulton County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0105 or by email at rashaun.kemp@senate.ga.gov.

    Sen. Donzella James serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs. She represents the 28th Senate District, which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.1379 or by email at donzella.james@senate.ga.gov

    Sen. Sonya Halpern serves as Democratic Caucus Vice Chair. She represents the 39th ​Senate District, which includes a portion of Fulton County. She may be reached at (494) 656-9644 or via email at sonya.halpern@senate.ga.gov

    Sen. Freddie Powell Sims represents the 12th Senate District which includes Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Early, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell and Webster County. She may be reached at (404) 463-5259 or by email at freddie.sims@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Department of Justice Announces Affirmative Litigation Against the American Federation of Government Employees to Protect National Security

    Source: US State of California

    (WASHINGTON) – Last night, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Texas on behalf of eight agencies against affiliates of the American Federation of Government Employees.

    Yesterday, the President issued an Executive Order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs. This order reflected the President’s determination that several federal agencies and subdivisions perform investigative and national security work and that those agencies may not be required to collectively bargain consistent with our national security.

    The plaintiff agencies have collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with the defendants, which are locals, councils, and Division 10 of the American Federation of Government Employees; those CBAs prevent the plaintiffs from implementing workforce policies that would help them further their national security missions.  The plaintiff agencies therefore wish to terminate their CBAs.  But to avoid unnecessary labor strife and to ensure legal certainty, they filed this declaratory judgment action to confirm that they are legally entitled to do so.

    “We are taking this fight directly to the public-sector unions,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “By affirmatively suing in Texas, we are aggressively protecting President Trump’s efforts to ensure unions no longer interfere in the national security functions of the government”

    Underscoring this threat to national security, this lawsuit argues that “the President and his senior Executive Branch officials cannot afford to be obstructed by CBAs that micromanage oversight of the federal workforce and impede performance accountability.” This lawsuit also argues that the President “cannot effectively execute the laws or promote national security if his supervision of agents engaged in national security, intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative missions is stymied by intrusive bargaining agreements and continuous bargaining obligations.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hobbs Man Who Sold Illegal Firearm Devices to Undercover Agents Pleads Guilty

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Hobbs man admitted to selling illegal devices that convert semi-automatic pistols into machine guns to undercover agents investigating a series of shootings in Carlsbad.

    According to court records, the investigation began after several shootings involving juvenile suspects took place in Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 2024. During a review of a phone belonging to one of the juvenile shooting suspects, officers from the Carlsbad Police Department discovered conversations indicating the sale of machine gun conversion devices. These devices convert semi-automatic pistols into machine guns capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute with a single trigger pull.

    The investigation led to Tevon Wayne Davis Cobbs, 24, who used the online aliases “Tee Swoo” and “TMURDA.” Subsequently, undercover agents with the Lea County Drug Task Force (LCDTF) contacted Cobbs through Facebook, posing as potential buyers, and arranged to purchase machine gun conversion devices. Over the course of two controlled buys, Cobbs sold the undercover agents multiple machine gun conversion devices and a silencer. He admitted to dealing in illegal firearm modifications for three to four years and showed the undercover agents videos of himself firing weapons converted to fully automatic capability. During these deals, Cobbs not only offered to sell the agents more machine gun conversion devices but also boasted that he had a machine gun on his person at that moment and offered to retrieve it from his car to show them.

    Cobbs pled guilty to four charges, including possession and transfer of a machinegun, possession of an unregistered NFA firearm, possession of NFA firearm without serial number and illegal transfer of NFA firearm.

    At sentencing, Cobbs faces up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, Cobbs faces up to $280,000 in fines.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is investigating this case with assistance from the Lea County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti Convicted of Visa Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant ordered and carried out extrajudicial and political killings against the Haitian people

    BOSTON – The former Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of illegally obtaining a Permanent Resident Card (commonly referred to as a Green Card) by means of a false statement, specifically, that he ordered and carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings, and other acts of violence, against the Haitian people.

    Jean Morose Viliena, 52, was convicted of three counts of visa fraud. Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for June 20, 2025. Viliena was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2023.

    “The political corruption and violence that the people of Haiti endured at the direction of Jean Morose Viliena, is appalling,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “The United States is not where you come to hide from your crimes.  Today’s conviction is proof that running away from your crimes and lying to federal officials will catch up to you. I applaud the courage of the witnesses who spoke up about the abuse they suffered as a result of Viliena.”

    “Today a jury found that Jean Morose Viliena lied his way into gaining entrance into the United States after committing unspeakable acts of violence in Haiti,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will not stand for human rights violators illegally entering and roaming the streets of our communities. Thank you to the brave victims and witnesses who helped our law enforcement partners and prosecutors begin to hold Viliena accountable for his crimes.”

    “Viliena knowingly lied to conceal his violent past, deceiving immigration authorities to come to the United States. The brave witnesses who came forward to testify in this case relayed their experiences of extreme violence and oppression committed by Viliena and his associates. Thanks to their testimony, his fraud has been uncovered and he will now face consequences for his violence and deception,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations New England.

    “The men and women of CBP work diligently alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of the people in our communities. Emigrating to the United States is a privilege and if you conceal your criminal conduct to deceive your way into this country, you will ultimately be detected, held accountable and brought to justice,” said Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office.

    According to court documents, Viliena was the Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti from December 2006 until at least February 2010. As a candidate and as Mayor, Viliena was backed by a political machine called Korega, which exerts power throughout the southwestern region of Haiti through armed violence. Viliena personally supervised his mayoral staff and security detail and led an armed group in Les Irois aligned with Korega. Under Viliena’s direct supervision, the Korega militia enforced Viliena’s policies by various means, including by targeting political opponents in Les Irois through armed violence.

    According to the indictment, as Mayor, Viliena was involved in several instances of violence. The first occurred in or around July 27, 2007 when a witness spoke at a judicial proceeding in Les Irois on behalf of a neighbor who had been assaulted by Viliena. In reprisal for that testimony, that evening, Viliena led an armed group to that witness’ home, where Viliena and his associates shot and killed the witness’ younger brother, and then smashed his skull with a large rock before a crowd of bystanders.

    The second incident occurred in or around April 2008, when a group of local journalists and activists founded a community radio station. According to court documents, Viliena opposed establishment of the radio station and, on April 8, 2008, mobilized members of his staff and the Korega militia to forcibly shut down the radio station and seize its broadcasting equipment. At that time, Viliena distributed firearms to the Korega militia members, some of whom also carried machetes and picks.

    On the day of the attack on the radio station, Viliena pistol-whipped an individual with his gun and struck him with his fists. When the individual tried to flee, Viliena ordered one of his associates to shoot and kill him. Shots were fired which hit the individual in the leg. The individual spent several months in various hospitals and his leg was later amputated above his knee. Another individual, also a citizen of Haiti, became a target of Viliena because of his association with the radio station. On the day of the attack of the radio station, that individual was present and when he tried to flee, he was hit by a bullet in the face. He required months of intensive medical treatment, including two surgeries to extract shotgun pellets from his face, which left him permanently blind in one eye. According to court documents, pieces of shotgun pellets remain in the individual’s scalp and arms.  

    On June 3, 2008, Viliena presented himself at the United States Embassy Consular Office in Port au Prince, Haiti where he submitted an Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, Part II in order to gain entry to the United States. The form specifically requires that each applicant state whether or not they are a member of any class of individuals that are excluded from admission into the United States, including those who have “ordered, carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.” Viliena falsely responded that he was not. Viliena thereafter swore to, or affirmed, before a U.S. Consular Officer that the contents of the application were true and signed the application. According to court documents, thereafter, on or about June 4, 2008 and based upon Viliena’s false representations in the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Form DS-230, the U.S. Department of State approved Viliena’s DS-230 application.  

    On or about July 14, 2008 – as the result of the approval of his DS-230 application – Viliena gained entry into the United States and was thereafter granted lawful permanent residence status in the United States. As a further result, Viliena received a Permanent Resident Card. Viliena has continued to possess a Permanent Resident Card and has used such card on numerous occasions to enter the United States.  

    The charge of visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    U.S. Attorney Foley; Acting DOJ Head Galeotti; HSI SAC Krol; CBP’s Director of Field Operations De La O; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Denis C. Riordan, District Director of the Fraud Detection and National Security Division of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center and the United States Citizen and Immigration Service. Valuable assistance was provided by the Malden Police Department and HRSP historian Christopher Hayden. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the National Security Unit and Alexandra Skinnion of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Unit Section (HRSP) are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southern District charges 265 individuals in border security-related cases this week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – A total of 257 cases have been filed in relation to immigration and border security from March 21-27, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 

    Of those, 98 face allegations of illegally re-entering the country with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, violent and/or sexual crimes and prior immigration offenses, among others. A total of 132 face charges of illegally entering the country, 23 cases involve various instances of human smuggling, and the remainder relate to firearms and other immigration matters.

    Among those charged as part of these new cases include two illegal alien human smugglers who engaged in a dangerous pursuit and crash (pictures attached). Jose Manuel Zamarripa-Torres picked up brush guide Daniel Flores-Hernandez and four illegal aliens who had crossed the Rio Grande in a raft, according to the allegations. Authorities attempted to stop the SUV he was driving, but the charges allege he fled which resulted in a 6.1-mile pursuit with Zamarripa-Torres ultimately crashing into an occupied civilian vehicle, a power pole and fence. If convicted, they both face up to 10 years in federal prison.

    Other relevant cases announced this week include a 20-year-old Mexican national affiliated with Cartel Del Noreste (CDN) was sentenced in Laredo for illegally possessing thousands of rounds of ammunition. Charbel Garza Macias admitted it was to be smuggled into Mexico and that it was for the CDN. In handing down the 63-month sentence, the court noted Macias was providing tools of war to a brutal criminal organization.

    In Corpus Christi, a jury convicted Cuban citizen Jorge Grimon Maturell for transporting seven illegal aliens in a tractor-trailer. They had been hiding in the corner of the sleeper area and underneath a mattress. Maturell had directed the illegal aliens where to hide when entering his vehicle and to not make any noise when they arrived at the checkpoint. As a result of the verdict, he is now in custody.

    The last of five members of an alien smuggling group also learned his fate for leading the conspiracy. Jaquon Davis was a long-time alien smuggler who recruited several people. On March 19, 2024, Davis and four others travelled in three cars using an access road in an attempt to avoid law enforcement. Authorities ultimately pulled them over and discovered a total of 12 illegal aliens in the vehicles. One was concealed in a box located in a truck bed. Davis will now serve 44 months for leading and coordinating the event.

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jamaican national sentenced to 14 years in prison for meth trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RICHMOND, Va. – A Jamaican national was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for attempt to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

    According to court documents, Kirkville Virgo, aka Mark Thomas, 47, and another person shipped meth from California to a hotel in Richmond, purportedly for “Christoper Jackson.” On March 23, 2024, law enforcement interdicted a package that contained 10 heat-sealed bundles of meth weighing approximately 9,080 grams. Agents replaced approximately 18 pounds of meth with “sham” rock salt, leaving approximately two pounds of meth in the parcel, and performed a controlled delivery to the hotel.

    Virgo later entered the hotel, using the name Delbert Dujon, and took custody of the package from the front desk. Law enforcement then took custody of Virgo.

    Virgo was previously permanently removed from the United States on Feb. 5, 2013, and was in the United States illegally at the time of the offense.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Christopher Heck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Col. Matt Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-127.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Evome Medical Technologies Provides Market Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Evome Medical Technologies Inc. (the “Company” or “Evome”) (TSXV: EVMT) is providing an update to shareholders today.

    As important background:

    Evome generates revenue from three main revenue lines:

    1. “DaMar”. This a business-to-business revenue line. Located in California, DaMar Plastics Manufacturing, Inc. (“DaMar”) offers contract manufacturing to a highly concentrated group of customers that then sell those products under their own brand name.
    2. “Biodex”. Biodex Medical Systems, Inc. (“Biodex”) is a branded medical device business with approximately 50% of revenue originating from international distributors and the other 50% from domestic dealers.
    3. “The Tables Business”. This a business-to-business revenue line of Biodex. This business unit is co-located in Biodex’s factory in New York. It offers contract manufacturing to only one customer that then sells those products under their own brand name.

    Business Update:

    1. Input costs expected to rise: As for input costs, each business line may be subject to increases in raw material costs caused by potential tariffs. Additionally, Biodex expects to be subject to retaliatory tariffs on the sale of its products outside the United States. Therefore, Biodex is working to understand the effect on prices to both domestic and international customers. Biodex plans to work with customers given the impacts of these potential price increases and their effect upon demand, cash flow and the value of each business line.
    2. Asset-based loan lender exits: The Company’s asset-based loan (“ABL”) provider has notified Evome that it will no longer continue lending to Evome’s subsidiaries. The total ABL debt has been reduced from $6,537,209 on March 31, 2024 to the current ABL debt level of $2,9049,634 as of March 27, 2025. As a result, the total balance has fallen below the minimum debt level requirement. While the ABL lender is working with the Company and its subsidiaries to ensure a smooth transition as it retires the ABL debt, all business units are expected to face a cash flow challenge through this period. The Company has negligible working capital currently.
    3. New management: The Company has entrusted a new management team to navigate through these challenges. Michael Seckler (CEO and a director of the Company), Wanye Anderson (a director of the Company), Lana Newishy (a director of the Company) and Bill Garbarini (COO) have resigned, and Chris Heath, a recently appointed director of the Company, has been appointed Interim CEO through this transition period. Kenneth Kashkin, MD, will remain on the Board of Directors as Vice-Chairman.
    4. No funds for audit: Given the current financial condition of the Company, including its current cash position, the reduction of the ABL and the potential of negative impacts of possible tariff policy, the Company does not currently have excess funds to pay for the year end audit as it will use all funds to continue manufacturing and shipping products to customers. It therefore expects to miss the deadline of April 30, 2025 (the “Filing Deadline”) to file the Company’s audited annual financial statements and management discussion & analysis for the financial year ended December 31, 2024, and the CEO and CFO certificates, all as required by National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations and National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (collectively, the “Documents”). As a consequence, the Company anticipates the imposition by the British Columbia Securities Commission of a Failure-to-File Cease Trade Order (“FFCTO”). There is no other reason known to management preventing the completion of the audit other than a lack of available funds. Accordingly, the Company is making efforts to complete an audit and file the Documents as soon as is financially feasible.
    5. Customers: Biodex has a back log of orders of over $6,228,854 as of May 27, 2025 from existing customers that Biodex intends to fulfill. DaMar and “The Tables” business continue to operate and ship products to their respective customers.
    6. DaMar Sale: As announced on May 30, 2024, DaMar is actively being marketed for sale.

    The Company is currently finalizing a plan to navigate these challenges and will provide updates to shareholders through future press releases. The Company is committed to delivering high quality products to its customers and continues to make deliveries as it works with suppliers and customers to adjust to the current conditions.

    “I was asked by the outgoing management and board members to come into a challenging situation, where I am a large shareholder and, with all other shareholders, at the bottom of the capital/debt stack,” said Mr. Michael Dalsin, Chairman. “With the reduction of operating debt, as well as acquisition debt, the company now faces a cash flow issue that will need to be navigated. The fact that there is currently negligible working capital makes this process very challenging. Additionally, the impact of tariffs remains uncertain at the moment. But we do anticipate that our raw material costs, largely made up of aluminum and steel, may increase and the effect on revenues is difficult to predict. As we have a large stock of inventory on hand, I feel confident we can continue to deliver products to customers and generate revenue as we look for solutions to this challenge.”

    “Chris Heath and I will work to overcome the challenges,” continued Mr. Dalsin. “There is substantial debt at the operating subsidiary level, the Company’s sole assets, that ultimately stands in front of shareholders equity. Simply put, we hope to have sufficient cash flow and value in the three businesses to pay off the debt in full with additional cash left over, preserving some measure of equity value if possible.”

    The Company will update the market by press release as the plan unfolds, and will not conduct one-on-one calls with any investors or market participants to avoid the perception of selective disclosure.

    Michael Dalsin
    Chairman
    Tel: 1 (800) 760-6826 ‎
    Email: info@salonaglobal.com‎

    Additional Information

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Unless otherwise specified, all financial information is presented in Canadian dollars (“$”, “dollars” and “C$”).

    There can be no assurance that the disposition of DaMar will ‎be completed or the sale price or timing of any ‎disposition. Completion of any transaction will be subject to, amongst other things, ‎negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, and applicable ‎director, shareholder ‎and ‎regulatory approvals.‎

    Certain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects” “believes”, “estimates”, “may”, “would”, “could”, ‎‎”should”, “potential”, ‎‎‎‎‎”will”, “seek”, “intend”, “plan”, and “anticipate”, and similar expressions as they relate ‎‎‎‎to the Company, including, without limitation: the impact of tariffs on the costs of raw materials; Biodex being subject to retaliatory tariffs on the sale of its products outside the United States; Biodex having to increase prices to both domestic and international customers; statements with respect to the issuance and timing of an FFCTO; and the filing of the Documents; the Company successfully disposing of DaMar and the use of such proceeds; and the amount of acquisition debt the Company would be able to eliminate upon the sale of DaMar. All ‎statements ‎other than statements of ‎historical fact may be forward-looking‎ information. Such statements reflect the Company’s current views and intentions with respect to future ‎events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, ‎uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the ‎‎general business and ‎‎economic ‎conditions in the regions in ‎which the Company operates; the ability of the Company to execute on key ‎‎priorities, ‎including the successful completion of acquisitions, business‎ retention, and‎‎ strategic plans and to‎‎ attract, develop ‎and retain key executives; difficulty integrating newly acquired businesses; ‎‎ongoing or new disruptions in the supply chain, the extent and scope of such supply chain disruptions, and the timing or extent of the resolution or improvement of such disruptions; the ability to‎‎‎ implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities; ‎‎disruptions in or attacks (including ‎cyber-attacks) on the Company’s information technology, internet, network access or other ‎‎voice or data ‎communications systems or services; the evolution of various types of fraud or other ‎‎‎criminal behavior to which ‎ the Company is exposed; the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to ‎‎ the Company or its ‎affiliates; the‎ impact of new and changes to, or application of, current laws and regulations; ‎granting of permits and licenses in a highly regulated business; the ‎overall difficult ‎‎‎‎‎litigation environment, including in the United States; increased competition; changes in foreign currency rates; ‎increased ‎‎‎‎funding ‎costs and market volatility due to market illiquidity and competition for funding; the ‎availability of funds ‎‎‎‎and resources to pursue operations; critical ‎accounting estimates and changes to accounting standards, policies,‎‎‎‎ and methods used by the Company; the occurrence of natural and unnatural‎‎ catastrophic ‎events ‎and claims ‎‎‎‎resulting from such events; as well as those risk factors discussed or ‎referred to ‎in the ‎Company’s disclosure ‎documents filed with United States Securities and Exchange Commission ‎and ‎available at ‎www.sec.gov, and with ‎the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and ‎‎available at ‎www.sedarplus.com. Should any ‎factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should ‎‎assumptions underlying ‎the forward-looking ‎information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ ‎‎materially from the results ‎or events predicted. ‎Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its ‎‎entirety by this cautionary ‎statement. Moreover, ‎the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or ‎‎completeness of such ‎forward-looking ‎information. The forward-looking information included in this press release ‎‎is made as of the ‎date of this press ‎release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise ‎‎any forward-‎looking information, ‎other than as required by applicable law‎.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WF Holding Limited Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WF Holding Limited (“WF Holding” or “Company”), a Malaysia-based manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) products, announced today the successful closing of its initial public offering of 2,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.00005 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. The offering generated total gross proceeds of $8 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. The Company’s Ordinary Shares started trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on March 27, 2025 under the ticker symbol “WFF.”

    In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 300,000 Ordinary Shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for expanding the Company’s production capacity, hiring and training staff, working capital and general corporate purposes.

    The Offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. Dominari Securities LLC acted as the lead underwriter, with Revere Securities LLC acting as a co-underwriter for the Offering. Bevilacqua PLLC acted as U.S. counsel to the Company, and The Crone Law Group, P.C. acted as U.S. counsel to the underwriters in connection with the Offering.

    A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the Offering was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (File Number: 333-282294) and was declared effective by the SEC on March 26, 2025. The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the registration statement, and a free writing prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained from Dominari Securities LLC by email at info@dominarisecurities.com, by standard mail to Dominari Securities LLC, 725 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10022 USA, or by telephone at +1 (212) 393-4500; or from Revere Securities LLC by email at contact@reveresecurities.com, by standard mail to Revere Securities LLC, 560 Lexington Ave, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022 USA, or by telephone at (212) 688-2238. In addition, copies of the prospectus and free writing prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

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

    ***

    About WF Holding Limited

    Based in Malaysia, WF Holding Limited is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) products including tanks, pipes, ducts and custom-made FRP products. With a track record of over 30 years, we design and fabricate products that meet the specific needs of our clients, ensuring high-quality and reliable performance. Our high-quality and durable products leverage the advantages of FRP to reinforce critical industrial infrastructure, driving resilience, longevity and sustainability. We also deliver a wide range of related services such as consultation, delivery, installation, repair and maintenance.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are “forward-looking statements” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, the Company’s statements regarding the use of proceeds from the sale of the Company’s shares in the Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    WF Holding Limited
    Investor Relations
    Email:  corporate@winfung.com.my

    Sense Consultancy Group
    Yan Pheng Liang
    Email: phengliang@leesense.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: National Flood Insurance Policyholders in Kentucky Can Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: National Flood Insurance Policyholders in Kentucky Can Apply for FEMA Assistance

    National Flood Insurance Policyholders in Kentucky Can Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Frankfort, KY- If you were affected by the recent severe storms in Kentucky and have an insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you may still be eligible for disaster assistance

    FEMA encourages everyone who was impacted by this disaster to apply for assistance in addition to filing a claim with your insurance company

    Disaster assistance may be able to help fill in the financial gaps that your insurance company will not cover

     NFIP Policyholders May be Eligible for Individual AssistanceFor eligible individuals, FEMA disaster assistance may help with uncovered expenses like temporary housing assistance or other needs, such as essential home repairs, essential personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources

    Use both resources as intended: accept FEMA assistance for immediate emergency needs while simultaneously pursuing your full insurance claim

    FEMA cannot provide money for expenses covered by insurance or duplicate benefits from another source

    Be sure to inform FEMA about your insurance coverage and claim status, and likewise inform your insurer about any FEMA assistance received

    It is important to keep detailed records to avoid duplicate payments for identical losses and comply with repayment requirements if overlaps occur

    For more information on what to do after a flood and how to start your flood claim, please visit floodsmart

    gov

    How To Apply for FEMA AssistanceIf you live in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Simpson or Woodford County, and haven’t yet applied for FEMA assistance, you may still complete an application

    The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Friday, April 25

    You can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to meet face to face with specialists from FEMA to get assistance filling out your application

    The Small Business Administration (SBA) and other state and local agencies are also in DRCs to answer questions about disaster assistance and other recovery resources

    You may also upload any documents needed for applications at the centers

    If you are unable to visit a DRC, there are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance

    gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362

    If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service

    When you apply, you will need to provide:A current phone number where you can be contacted

    Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

    Your Social Security Number

    A general list of damage and losses

    Banking information if you choose direct deposit

    If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

    For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube

    com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw

    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4860

    Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

    com/femaregion4

       
    martyce

    allenjr
    Fri, 03/28/2025 – 20:02

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deadline to Submit Right of Entry Forms Extended to April 15

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Deadline to Submit Right of Entry Forms Extended to April 15

    Deadline to Submit Right of Entry Forms Extended to April 15

    Owner occupied condos and multi-family units now eligible for government funded debris removal program

    The deadline to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form to be eligible for debris removal by the U

    S

    Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been extended to April 15, 2025

     The federally funded debris removal program consists of structural debris removal and requires an ROE form, completed by the property owner and submitted either online or downloaded and submitted in person at a Disaster Recovery Center

     There is no out-of-pocket cost to have debris removed by USACE, however FEMA is unable to duplicate other forms of funding specific to debris removal

    If a property has insurance for debris removal, any residual amount not used by the property owner must be provided through the county to offset the cost of debris removal

     All property owners should submit an ROE form by April 15, 2025, either opting into the program or opting out

     FEMA’s authority is typically limited to the removal of debris from public areas, including public schools or administrative facilities

    In response to the Los Angeles wildfires, FEMA’s authority has been extended beyond public area debris removal to include single family residences to help mitigate the immediate public health threat and accelerate the economic recovery of impacted communities

    Based on a request made this week by the State of California, FEMA has also added owner occupied multi-family units

     Federal Debris Removal Program EligibilitySingle-Family PropertiesPrivate, residential single-family properties are eligible

    Homeowners must opt-in to debris removal by submitting an ROE form by the April 15 deadline

    Multi-Family PropertiesOwner OccupiedEach owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex must submit an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association of the building

    This allows the county, state, and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility for PPDR

    Residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home are eligible for federally funded debris removal

    This includes most condominium and some multi-family buildings, even if there is a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building

    Renter OccupiedRental units are generally not eligible

    The owner of the apartment business is expected to use their insurance and hire a licensed contractor to conduct debris removal

    See guidance for commercial properties below

    Apartment tenants may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program to help them rent another place to live and/or replace personal property that was destroyed in the fire

    Applications for the FEMA Individual Assistance program must be submitted by March 31

    Apply online at DisasterAssistance

    gov, by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center

     Commercial PropertiesGenerally, commercial properties are not eligible for federally funded debris removal

    FEMA has limited abilities to fund this cleanup

    Commercial property owners should work with their insurance company and begin debris removal as soon as possible

    If extenuating circumstances exist, businesses owners should communicate them to Los Angeles County

    Businesses may also qualify for SBA low interest loans to assist in their recovery and supplement insurance

    To apply for an SBA loan, property owners should visit sba

    gov/disaster, call 1-800-659-2955, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center or Business Recovery Center

    The deadline for submitting an SBA disaster loan application is March 31

    Public Buildings and Eligible Private Non-ProfitsPublic applicants and eligible Private Non-Profits (PNPs) that perform an essential service as defined under 44 CFR 206

    223 may be eligible for debris removal

     Contact Los Angeles County if you need more information about debris removal: Visit the LA County Debris Removal Website: recovery

    lacounty

    gov/debris-removal/ Call LA County’s Public Works Fire Debris Hotline: 844-347-3332Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account

    For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready

    gov, on Instagram @Ready

    gov or on the Ready Facebook page

    California is committed to supporting residents impacted by the Los Angeles Hurricane-Force Firestorm as they navigate the recovery process

    Visit CA

    gov/LAFires for up-to-date information on disaster recovery programs, important deadlines, and how to apply for assistance

    alberto

    pillot
    Fri, 03/28/2025 – 19:26

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System

    Source: NASA

    Written by Roger Wiens, Principal Investigator, SuperCam instrument / Co-Investigator, SHERLOC instrument at Purdue University

    Recently Mars has had a few Earthly visitors. On March 1, NASA’s Europa Clipper flew within 550 miles (884 kilometers) of the Red Planet’s surface on its way out to Jupiter. On March 12, the European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft flew within about 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) of Mars, and only 300 kilometers from its moon, Deimos. Hera is on its way to study the binary asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos. Next year, in May 2026, NASA’s Psyche mission is scheduled to buzz the Red Planet on its way to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, coming within a few thousand kilometers.
    Why all these visits to Mars? You might at first think that they’re using Mars as an object of opportunity for their cameras, and you would be partially right. But Mars has more to give these missions than that. The main reason for these flybys is the extra speed that Mars’ velocity around the Sun can give them. The idea that visiting a planet can speed up a spacecraft is not all that obvious, because the same gravity that attracts the spacecraft on its way towards the planet will exert a backwards force as the spacecraft leaves the planet.
    The key is in the direction that it approaches and leaves the planet. If the spacecraft leaves Mars heading in the direction that Mars is traveling around the Sun, it will gain speed in that direction, slingshotting it farther into the outer solar system. A spacecraft can typically gain several percent of its speed by performing such a slingshot flyby. The closer it gets to the planet, the bigger the effect. However, no mission wants to be slowed by the upper atmosphere, so several hundred kilometers is the closest that a mission should go. And the proximity to the planet is also affected by the exact direction the spacecraft needs to go when it leaves Mars.
    Clipper’s Mars flyby was a slight exception, slowing down the craft — by about 1.2 miles per second (2 kilometers per second) — to steer it toward Earth for a second gravity assist in December 2026. That will push the spacecraft the rest of the way to Jupiter, for its 2030 arrival.
    While observing Mars is not the main reason for their visits, many of the visiting spacecraft take the opportunity to use their cameras either to perform calibrations or to study the Red Planet and its moons.
    During Clipper’s flyby over sols 1431-1432, Mastcam-Z was directed to watch the skies for signs of the interplanetary visitor. Clipper’s relatively large solar panels could have reflected enough sunlight for it to be seen in the Mars night sky, much as we can see satellites overhead from Earth. Unfortunately, the spacecraft entered the shadow of Mars just before it came into potential view above the horizon from Perseverance’s vantage point, so the sighting did not happen. But it was worth a try.
    Meanwhile, back on the ground, Perseverance is performing something of a cliff-hanger. “Sally’s Cove” is a relatively steep rock outcrop in the outer portion of Jezero crater’s rim just north of “Broom Hill.” Perseverance made an approach during March 19-23, and has been exploring some dark-colored rocks along this outcrop, leaving the spherules behind for the moment. Who knows what Perseverance will find next?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Haitian Mayor Convicted of Immigration Crimes Based on Lying about Past Involvement in Haitian Political Violence

    Source: US State of California

    A jury has convicted Jean Morose Viliena, the former Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, for possessing and using a Permanent Resident Card he had fraudulently obtained by falsely stating he had not ordered, carried out, or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.

    “Today a jury found that Jean Morose Viliena lied his way into gaining entrance into the United States after committing unspeakable acts of violence in Haiti,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will not stand for human rights violators illegally entering and roaming the streets of our communities. Thank you to the brave victims and witnesses who helped our law enforcement partners and prosecutors begin to hold Viliena accountable for his crimes.”

    “The political corruption and violence that the people of Haiti endured at the direction of Jean Morose Viliena, is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “The United States is not where you come to hide from your crimes.  Today’s conviction is proof that running away from your crimes and lying to federal officials will catch up to you. I applaud the courage of the witnesses who spoke up about the abuse they suffered as a result of Viliena.”

    “Viliena’s horrific violence, committed both by his own hand and by armed groups he directed, made him ineligible to enter the United States,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, who oversees HSI operations in all of New England. “He has now faced the consequences of lying to come to live in Massachusetts.  HSI actively investigates and apprehends human rights violators who seek to escape their criminal pasts and come here, and we will not allow this country to become a safe haven for these criminals.”

    Viliena was the Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, from December 2006 until at least February 2010. As a candidate and as Mayor, Viliena was backed by a political machine called Korega, which exerted power throughout the southwestern region of Haiti through armed violence. Viliena personally supervised his mayoral staff and other armed supporters in Les Irois aligned with Korega. Under Viliena’s direct supervision, armed men enforced Viliena’s policies by various means, including by targeting individuals in Les Irois through armed violence.

    As Mayor, Viliena was involved in several instances of violence. According to evidence presented at trial, the first occurred on July 27, 2007, when a witness spoke at a judicial proceeding in Les Irois on behalf of a neighbor who had been assaulted by Viliena. In reprisal, that evening, according to testimony at trial, Viliena led an armed group to that witness’s home, where Viliena and his associates shot and killed the witness’s younger brother and then smashed his skull with a large rock before a crowd of bystanders.

    The second incident occurred in April 2008, after several community members founded a radio station. According to multiple witnesses’ testimony, Viliena opposed establishment of the radio station and, on April 8, 2008, mobilized armed members of his staff and supporters to forcibly shut down the radio station and seize its broadcasting equipment. At that time, Viliena distributed firearms to his men, some of whom also carried machetes and picks.

    On the day of the attack on the radio station, according to evidence presented at trial, Viliena beat the man whose residence housed the radio station. Viliena ordered an associate to shoot him, according to witness testimony. The individual was shot in the leg and spent several months in various hospitals, resulting in his leg later being amputated. Viliena also beat up another individual present at the radio station that day and dragged him through the radio station to the front of the building, according to the evidence at trial. When he tried to flee, the individual was struck by bullets in his face resulting in him being blinded in his right eye after months of intensive medical treatment that included surgeries to extract shotgun pellets from his body. According to evidence introduced at trial, pieces of shotgun pellets remain in the individual’s body to this day, sometimes coming out of his skin on their own.

    On June 3, 2008, Viliena presented himself at the U.S. Embassy Consular Office in Port au Prince, Haiti, where he submitted an application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, in order to gain entry to the United States. The form specifically requires each applicant to state whether they are a member of any class of individuals excluded from admission into the United States, including those who have “ordered, carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.” Viliena falsely responded “no,” indicating that this category did not apply to him. Viliena thereafter swore to, and affirmed, before a U.S. Consular Officer that the contents of the application were true and signed the application. Thereafter, on or about June 4, 2008, based upon Viliena’s false representations in the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Form DS-230, the U.S. Department of State approved Viliena’s DS-230 application.

    On or about July 14, 2008 – as the result of the approval of his DS-230 application – Viliena gained entry into the United States and was thereafter granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States. As a further result, Viliena received a Permanent Resident Card, also known as a “Green Card.” Viliena continued to possess a Permanent Resident Card and used such card on numerous occasions.

    The charge of visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Viliena is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The HSI Boston Field Office investigated the case, with coordination provided by the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Invaluable assistance was also provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection from Boston Logan Airport.

    Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan for the District of Massachusetts prosecuted the case, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden.

    Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or its online tip form at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lt. Gov. Luke – RELEASE: Promoting Hawaiʻi’s Agricultural Sector

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Lt. Gov. Luke – RELEASE: Promoting Hawaiʻi’s Agricultural Sector

    Posted on Mar 28, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     STATE OF HAWAIʻI
     KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    SYLVIA LUKE
     LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
    KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     March 28, 2025

    PROMOTING HAWAIʻI’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
     Hawaiʻi Leaders Advocate for Agriculture Issues in Washington, D.C.

     

    HONOLULU — A delegation of over 20 leaders in farming, ranching, and commerce returned after completing a successful visit with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C.  This marked the 2nd Annual Hawaiʻi-USDA Policy Summit, led by Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, and focused on highlighting Hawaiʻi’s unique and essential agricultural sector at the federal level.

     

    “Our first delegation visit with USDA gave participants an introduction to the vast support USDA offers all states and sparked the opportunity for greater partnership between USDA and Hawaiʻi,” said Lt. Gov. Luke. “We need to continuously strengthen local food production and support our agriculture community. Identifying key opportunities for collaboration with the USDA is crucial to ensure Hawaiʻi’s agricultural industry has the necessary resources to thrive.”

     

    The delegation of state, non-profit, business, and community leaders marked the first state delegation to visit the USDA and meet with newly sworn-in U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

     

    “Hawaiʻi’s agriculture feeds our nation and shapes its spirit,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “I am excited to continue working to put our farmers first and working to lift burdensome regulatory barriers.”

     

    In addition to meeting with Secretary Rollins, the delegation had meetings with multiple agencies within the USDA, including Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Farm Service Agency, Food Safety Inspection Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, and Rural Development.

     

    The delegation also met with national industry associations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

     

    “The farmers and ranchers of Hawaiʻi are so grateful for Lieutenant Governor Luke’s foresight and creativity in putting this delegation together and the USDA’s quick response in providing this opportunity to us,” said Darren Strand, President of Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau. “Hawaiʻi agriculture has such unique obstacles and challenges, and these meetings help us align federal resources with our local, island needs.  Strengthening the crucial relationship between Hawaiʻi and the USDA allows Hawaiʻi’s farmers and ranchers to thrive in uncertain times and evolving agricultural landscape.”

     

    The visit provided local farmers, ranchers, and advocates the opportunity to express the critical role of Hawaiʻi agricultural production in communities statewide. Hawaiʻi’s agricultural imports and exports, truth in labeling, expanding biosecurity protections within the state, and supporting more production of local agriculture were key priorities of the policy summit.

     

    “We have learned that when you show up, you show how serious you are about advocating for your needs,” said Nicole Galase, Managing Director of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council. “Bringing together such a wide representation of agriculture leaders shows a united voice for the State of Hawaiʻi — that we are an essential part of the US food system.”

     

    2025 Hawaiʻi-USDA Policy Summit Attendees

    Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke

    Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Chairperson Sharon Hurd

    Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen

    Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism Deputy Director Dane Wicker

    Senator Tim Richards

    Office of Senator Mike Gabbard

    Agribusiness Development Corporation

    Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council

    University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

    Alaska Airlines

    Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau

    Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council

    Hawaii Crop Improvement Association

    Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association

    Island Harvest

    Synergistic Hawaii

    Agricultural Council

    Bayer Hawaiʻi

    Mahi Pono

    Maui Gold Pineapple

     

     

    ###

     

    Media Contact:

    Shari Nishijima  

    Communications Director  

    Office of the Lieutenant Governor  

    (808) 978-0867  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California releases Master Plan to better support people with Autism and other developmental disabilities

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 28, 2025

    What you need to know: The Master Plan for Developmental Services: A Community-Driven Vision was released today with recommendations for strengthening support for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to live in the community.

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the release of the Master Plan for Developmental Services: A Community-Driven Vision (Plan). The Plan makes recommendations on improvements for the service system, including reducing barriers to service access statewide for the growing developmental disabilities community. The Plan reflects extensive and diverse input from the community, capturing what Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families want to see in employment, education, transportation, health, behavioral health, developmental services, and other programs to live and thrive in community.

    “California succeeds when ALL communities succeed. Our Administration has prioritized transparency, accountability, and equity in supports that make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. We are proud to receive this Master Plan from the people who are most impacted by our services and look forward to getting to work.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The Committee responsible for the development of the Plan was appointed by the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary in early 2024 and included five workgroups, all of which were made up of a diverse group of individuals with disabilities, family members, advocates, service providers, direct support professionals, and representatives from the state’s 21 regional centers. The Committee and its workgroups convened to develop the recommendations with public input through a robust year-long, statewide process. Additionally, more than 45 listening sessions were held with various diverse communities, service providers, policy experts, advocates, individuals and families.

    The Plan’s recommendations 

    • Ensure that people are treated fairly: Addressing disparities in service delivery for underserved communities by standardizing services statewide and removing language, cultural, and location barriers. 
    • Allow people to make their own life choices: Providing tools and resources needed to support individuals in decision-making.   
    • Get people the services they need and choose: Streamlining and simplifying processes to reduce wait times and provide timely access to critical services, as well as building stronger bridges across state service systems.  
    • Ensure people are part of — and served by — a strong workforce: Investing in training, compensation, and recruitment of direct support professionals. 
    • Accountability and transparency should guide all systems that serve people: Equipping individuals, families, advocates, and professionals with resources and information needed to understand how the state is providing services to individuals and families. 
    • Data should guide the future of the developmental services system: Establishing and implementing clear metrics to assess whether needs are being met effectively and where improvements are needed.  

    “This would not have been possible without the collaboration of community members committed to making California a place where everyone is valued and can thrive. We are deeply grateful for their contributions. These recommendations will inform the future for our State that meets the needs and goals of each person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the workforce that supports them.”

    Kim Johnson, CalHHS Secretary

    Learn more and read the full Plan HERE.

    Bigger picture

    The Newsom Administration has made historic investments in recent years for California’s system of community-based services supporting more than 500,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). 

    California provides the only life-long entitlement to services in the nation, funded with over $15 billion annually. The evolving needs of the community and access challenges highlighted the need to re-examine how the state delivers services locally to individuals with I/DD and to identify where stronger bridges can be built across employment, health, and social services systems. 

    Focus groups and public engagement sessions will continue across a variety of topics to gather input. These topics include employment, rate reform, early intervention, autism, and more. The Plan will guide these conversations for ongoing measurements, evaluations, policy changes, and fiscal investments. Legislation codified the Master Plan for Developmental Services in 2024 and requires annual reports to the Legislature through the next ten years. In preparation for those reports, bi-annual meetings of the Plan’s committee will be held to review recommendations and share updates.  

    Press Releases

    Recent news

    Mar 28, 2025

    News What you need to know: Owner-occupied condos, multi-family units, and certain commercial properties may now eligible for the LA fire debris removal program. The deadline to submit Right of Entry Forms has been extended to April 15. LOS ANGELES – Building on…

    Mar 27, 2025

    News What you need to know: California has formally requested that the federal government add commercial structures and multi-family units to the ongoing fire debris removal efforts in Los Angeles.  LOS ANGELES – Working to expand the scope of the fast-moving wildfire…

    Mar 27, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is taking additional steps to speed up the rebuilding process for Los Angeles by further suspending CEQA and the California Coastal Act to expedite the rebuilding of utility and telecommunication infrastructure, including…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PROMOTING HAWAIʻI’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Hawaiʻi Leaders Advocate for Agriculture Issues in Washington, D.C.

    HONOLULU — A delegation of over 20 leaders in farming, ranching, and commerce returned after completing a successful visit with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C.  This marked the 2nd Annual Hawaiʻi-USDA Policy Summit, led by Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, and focused on highlighting Hawaiʻi’s unique and essential agricultural sector at the federal level.

    “Our first delegation visit with USDA gave participants an introduction to the vast support USDA offers all states and sparked the opportunity for greater partnership between USDA and Hawaiʻi,” said Lt. Gov. Luke. “We need to continuously strengthen local food production and support our agriculture community. Identifying key opportunities for collaboration with the USDA is crucial to ensure Hawaiʻi’s agricultural industry has the necessary resources to thrive.”

    The delegation of state, non-profit, business, and community leaders marked the first state delegation to visit the USDA and meet with newly sworn-in U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

    “Hawaiʻi’s agriculture feeds our nation and shapes its spirit,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “I am excited to continue working to put our farmers first and working to lift burdensome regulatory barriers.”

    In addition to meeting with Secretary Rollins, the delegation had meetings with multiple agencies within the USDA, including Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Farm Service Agency, Food Safety Inspection Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, and Rural Development.

    The delegation also met with national industry associations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

    “The farmers and ranchers of Hawaiʻi are so grateful for Lieutenant Governor Luke’s foresight and creativity in putting this delegation together and the USDA’s quick response in providing this opportunity to us,” said Darren Strand, President of Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau. “Hawaiʻi agriculture has such unique obstacles and challenges, and these meetings help us align federal resources with our local, island needs.  Strengthening the crucial relationship between Hawaiʻi and the USDA allows Hawaiʻi’s farmers and ranchers to thrive in uncertain times and evolving agricultural landscape.”

    The visit provided local farmers, ranchers, and advocates the opportunity to express the critical role of Hawaiʻi agricultural production in communities statewide. Hawaiʻi’s agricultural imports and exports, truth in labeling, expanding biosecurity protections within the state, and supporting more production of local agriculture were key priorities of the policy summit.

    “We have learned that when you show up, you show how serious you are about advocating for your needs,” said Nicole Galase, Managing Director of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council. “Bringing together such a wide representation of agriculture leaders shows a united voice for the State of Hawaiʻi — that we are an essential part of the US food system.”

    2025 Hawaiʻi-USDA Policy Summit Attendees

    Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke

    Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Chairperson Sharon Hurd

    Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen

    Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism Deputy Director Dane Wicker

    Senator Tim Richards

    Office of Senator Mike Gabbard

    Agribusiness Development Corporation

    Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council

    University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

    Alaska Airlines

    Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau

    Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council

    Hawaii Crop Improvement Association

    Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association

    Island Harvest

    Synergistic Hawaii

    Agricultural Council

    Bayer Hawaiʻi

    Mahi Pono

    Maui Gold Pineapple

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal government approves California’s request to expand LA fire debris removal program

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 28, 2025

    What you need to know: Owner-occupied condos, multi-family units, and certain commercial properties may now eligible for the LA fire debris removal program. The deadline to submit Right of Entry Forms has been extended to April 15.

    LOS ANGELES – Building on California and the federal administration’s ongoing partnership for a fast-moving “LA fire fix,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today approved Governor Gavin Newsom’s request to expand the scope of the wildfire cleanup effort. That approval comes less than 24 hours after the state’s initial request.

    “Our federal partners continue to deliver for California. Together, we are going to rebuild Los Angeles in record time while supporting all those who have been impacted.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    FEMA today sent a letter to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) agreeing to expand the scope of cleanup to a number of facility types that were not previously eligible for debris removal, including owner occupied condominiums, multi-family units, and certain commercial properties.

    FEMA also extended the deadline for Right of Entry form submissions to April 15 to allow the newly eligible groups time to apply. 

    Yesterday, in a letter sent to FEMA, Cal OES Director Nancy Ward requested that commercial and multi-family residential properties be included in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) debris removal program, specifically the special inclusion of small businesses and residential apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes.

    Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California has expedited the cleanup process by cutting red tape and eliminating bureaucratic barriers, allowing highly trained crews to enter impacted communities sooner and help survivors rebuild their lives faster.

    Debris removal from private commercial property is typically the responsibility of property owners and is usually not eligible for federal programs. 

    Under today’s approval, commercial properties – including multi-family rental properties – will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The criteria for these properties being included in the USACE debris removal program is based upon: 

    • An immediate threat to public health and safety due to debris.
    • Barriers to the commercial entity completing debris removal independently.
    • Insurance coverage and status of claim.
    • Economic impact of debris removal on the commercial entity and community.

    Understanding the state-federal debris removal process 

    The federally funded debris removal program consists of structural debris removal and requires an ROE form completed by the property owner and submitted either online or downloaded and submitted in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

    There is no out-of-pocket cost to have debris removed by USACE – however, FEMA is unable to duplicate other forms of funding specific to debris removal. If a property has insurance for debris removal, any residual amount not used by the property owner must be provided through the county to offset the cost of debris removal.

    All property owners should submit an ROE form by April 15, 2025, either opting into the program or opting out.

    FEMA’s authority is typically limited to the removal of debris from public areas, including public schools or administrative facilities. 

    In response to the Los Angeles wildfires, FEMA’s authority has been extended beyond public area debris removal to include single-family residences to help mitigate the immediate public health threat and accelerate the economic recovery of impacted communities. 

    Federal Debris Removal Program eligibility

    • Single-family properties
    • Private, residential single-family properties are eligible

    Homeowners must opt-in to debris removal by submitting an ROE form by the April 15 deadline.

    Multi-family properties

    • Owner occupied

    Each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex must submit an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association of the building. This allows the county, state, and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility.

    Track LA’s recovery, including the latest air quality results, at CA.gov/LAfires. 

    Recent news

    Mar 27, 2025

    News What you need to know: California has formally requested that the federal government add commercial structures and multi-family units to the ongoing fire debris removal efforts in Los Angeles.  LOS ANGELES – Working to expand the scope of the fast-moving wildfire…

    Mar 27, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is taking additional steps to speed up the rebuilding process for Los Angeles by further suspending CEQA and the California Coastal Act to expedite the rebuilding of utility and telecommunication infrastructure, including…

    Mar 26, 2025

    News Highlights California’s economic investments in creative economy, LA’s recovery What you need to know: Governor Newsom today joined Anna Wintour to welcome the Vogue World event to Hollywood, promoting the state’s proposal to more than double California’s Film…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Haitian Mayor Convicted of Immigration Crimes Based on Lying about Past Involvement in Haitian Political Violence

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    A jury has convicted Jean Morose Viliena, the former Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, for possessing and using a Permanent Resident Card he had fraudulently obtained by falsely stating he had not ordered, carried out, or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.

    “Today a jury found that Jean Morose Viliena lied his way into gaining entrance into the United States after committing unspeakable acts of violence in Haiti,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will not stand for human rights violators illegally entering and roaming the streets of our communities. Thank you to the brave victims and witnesses who helped our law enforcement partners and prosecutors begin to hold Viliena accountable for his crimes.”

    “The political corruption and violence that the people of Haiti endured at the direction of Jean Morose Viliena, is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “The United States is not where you come to hide from your crimes.  Today’s conviction is proof that running away from your crimes and lying to federal officials will catch up to you. I applaud the courage of the witnesses who spoke up about the abuse they suffered as a result of Viliena.”

    “Viliena’s horrific violence, committed both by his own hand and by armed groups he directed, made him ineligible to enter the United States,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, who oversees HSI operations in all of New England. “He has now faced the consequences of lying to come to live in Massachusetts.  HSI actively investigates and apprehends human rights violators who seek to escape their criminal pasts and come here, and we will not allow this country to become a safe haven for these criminals.”

    Viliena was the Mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, from December 2006 until at least February 2010. As a candidate and as Mayor, Viliena was backed by a political machine called Korega, which exerted power throughout the southwestern region of Haiti through armed violence. Viliena personally supervised his mayoral staff and other armed supporters in Les Irois aligned with Korega. Under Viliena’s direct supervision, armed men enforced Viliena’s policies by various means, including by targeting individuals in Les Irois through armed violence.

    As Mayor, Viliena was involved in several instances of violence. According to evidence presented at trial, the first occurred on July 27, 2007, when a witness spoke at a judicial proceeding in Les Irois on behalf of a neighbor who had been assaulted by Viliena. In reprisal, that evening, according to testimony at trial, Viliena led an armed group to that witness’s home, where Viliena and his associates shot and killed the witness’s younger brother and then smashed his skull with a large rock before a crowd of bystanders.

    The second incident occurred in April 2008, after several community members founded a radio station. According to multiple witnesses’ testimony, Viliena opposed establishment of the radio station and, on April 8, 2008, mobilized armed members of his staff and supporters to forcibly shut down the radio station and seize its broadcasting equipment. At that time, Viliena distributed firearms to his men, some of whom also carried machetes and picks.

    On the day of the attack on the radio station, according to evidence presented at trial, Viliena beat the man whose residence housed the radio station. Viliena ordered an associate to shoot him, according to witness testimony. The individual was shot in the leg and spent several months in various hospitals, resulting in his leg later being amputated. Viliena also beat up another individual present at the radio station that day and dragged him through the radio station to the front of the building, according to the evidence at trial. When he tried to flee, the individual was struck by bullets in his face resulting in him being blinded in his right eye after months of intensive medical treatment that included surgeries to extract shotgun pellets from his body. According to evidence introduced at trial, pieces of shotgun pellets remain in the individual’s body to this day, sometimes coming out of his skin on their own.

    On June 3, 2008, Viliena presented himself at the U.S. Embassy Consular Office in Port au Prince, Haiti, where he submitted an application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, in order to gain entry to the United States. The form specifically requires each applicant to state whether they are a member of any class of individuals excluded from admission into the United States, including those who have “ordered, carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.” Viliena falsely responded “no,” indicating that this category did not apply to him. Viliena thereafter swore to, and affirmed, before a U.S. Consular Officer that the contents of the application were true and signed the application. Thereafter, on or about June 4, 2008, based upon Viliena’s false representations in the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Form DS-230, the U.S. Department of State approved Viliena’s DS-230 application.

    On or about July 14, 2008 – as the result of the approval of his DS-230 application – Viliena gained entry into the United States and was thereafter granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States. As a further result, Viliena received a Permanent Resident Card, also known as a “Green Card.” Viliena continued to possess a Permanent Resident Card and used such card on numerous occasions.

    The charge of visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Viliena is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The HSI Boston Field Office investigated the case, with coordination provided by the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Invaluable assistance was also provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection from Boston Logan Airport.

    Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan for the District of Massachusetts prosecuted the case, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden.

    Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or its online tip form at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces Final March 2025 Cash Distribution for Ninepoint Cash Management Fund – ETF Series

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the final March 2025 cash distribution for the Ninepoint Cash Management Fund – ETF Series. The record date for the distribution is March 31, 2025. This distribution is payable on April 7, 2025.

    The per-unit final March 2025 distribution is detailed below:

    Ninepoint ETF Series Ticker Cash Distribution per
    unit    		 Notional Distribution per
    unit    		 CUSIP
    Ninepoint Cash
    Management Fund    		 NSAV $0.12697 $0.00000 65443X105

    About Ninepoint Partners

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.

    The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.

    Sales Inquiries:

    Ninepoint Partners LP
    Neil Ross
    416-945-6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Costa Rica’s and Albania’s accessions to the GPA 2012 edge closer to conclusion

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Costa Rica’s and Albania’s accessions to the GPA 2012 edge closer to conclusion

    Progress on accessions to the GPA 2012
    Parties welcomed Costa Rica’s “final” market access offer submitted in January 2025. Reaffirming its strong commitment to acceding to the GPA 2012 as soon as practicable, Costa Rica’s representative, Leonor Obando, said: “We are prepared to accept the challenges and opportunities that membership in the GPA will provide. We firmly believe that our accession will not only improve Costa Rica’s economy but will also serve as a catalyst for the expansion of the GPA to the Latin American region.” Costa Rica is the first Central American WTO member seeking to become a party to the Agreement. 
    Progress was also achieved on Albania’s accession, with parties welcoming the “final” market access offer it submitted in January. Albania’s representative Reida Kashta stated: “We would like to conclude our accession negotiations as soon as possible and are collaborating with GPA parties towards this objective.”
    The Committee also discussed the ongoing GPA accession negotiations of China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. 
    An infographic explaining accession to the Agreement is available here.
    Improving SME participation in government procurement  
    As a follow-up to a recent Committee decision on best practices for supporting the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in government procurement, the Dominican Republic shared information about its initiatives to increase dialogue with the private sector and promote a more inclusive procurement environment. GPA parties welcomed this information.
    Greater access to historical GPA documents
    The Committee’s decision to derestrict additional historical documents will provide the public with greater access to records of past Committee meetings on the WTO website.
    Work programme on sustainable procurement
    Parties welcomed the publication on the WTO website of compilations of green public procurement-related provisions that certain GPA parties have implemented in their domestic government procurement systems or included in international instruments, such as free trade agreements. These compilations emerged from the Committee’s agreed Work programme on sustainable procurement and can be accessed here.
    Further upgrade to the e-GPA Gateway
    The WTO Secretariat provided an update on a new e-GPA notification system, jointly developed by the Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division and the Information Technology Solutions Division to enable parties to submit GPA notifications online for the first time. The new system, which will be launched after further testing, follows the release of a separate component of the e-GPA Gateway modernization in 2024.
    Background
    The GPA 2012 is a plurilateral agreement that aims to open government procurement markets among its parties on a reciprocal basis and to the extent agreed between GPA parties. It also aims to make government procurement more transparent and to promote good governance.
    The Agreement currently has 22 parties, covering 49 WTO members, including the European Union and its 27 member states (counted as one party). While open to all WTO members, it is binding only for those members that have acceded to it. The list of current GPA parties can be found here.
    Reciprocal market opening assists GPA parties in purchasing goods and services that offer the best value for money. The Agreement provides legal guarantees of non-discrimination for the goods, services and suppliers of GPA parties in covered procurement activities, which are worth an estimated USD 1.7 trillion annually. Government procurement typically accounts for about 15 per cent of developed and developing economies’ GDP. 
    In October, an event was held at the WTO to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the GPA 2012 entering into force in 2014. The event’s summary can be found here.
    Next meeting
    The next meeting of the Committee on Government Procurement is scheduled to take place on 18 June.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Wright Delivers Remarks to Space Force Guardians in Greenland – March, 28th, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bWQQC52YJY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Strengthening Border Security | CBP

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is focused 24/7 on securing our international land borders and coastal waters between ports of entry. They safeguard the American people from terrorists and their weapons, drug smugglers, and illegal entry of undocumented aliens.

    Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/CBPgov
    Facebook ➤ https://facebook.com/CBPgov
    Twitter ➤ https://twitter.com/CBP
    Official Website ➤ https://www.cbp.gov

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwkITHSGg08

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: This Week at Interior March 28, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    This Week: Secretary Burgum outlines savings to the tune of $830 million at a White House meeting of President Trump’s Cabinet; on CNBC’s Squawk Box,Secretary Burgum talks about last week’s move to unlock Alaska’s vast energy potential; Secretary Burgum explains how Interior is driving historic growth in offshore oil and gas production under President Trump’s leadership; Interior announces that the Department generated over $39 million in total receipts from oil and gas lease sales held in the first quarter of 2025; disbursements from Interior mean nearly $354 million in energy revenues is on the way to the four Gulf of America oil-and gas-producing states; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act; thanks to President Trump’s Great American Outdoors Act an iconic building at Virgin Islands National Park is well on its way to restoration; and it’s a fine-feathered image of motherly love in our social media Picture of the Week! Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X!

    http:/www.facebook.com/usinterior
    http:/www.instagram.com/usinterior
    http:/www.x.com/Interior

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6waF3mJb2c

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Duffy Speaks to Airport Executives at the AAAE Washington Legislative Conference

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy delivered a keynote address at the American Association of Airport Executives’ (AAAE) Washington Legislative Conference. In his speech, he stressed the department’s number one job is safety, and under his leadership the Department is constantly looking for ways to make air travel safer, whether that’s through new policy initiatives, investing in new technology, or utilizing AI. Secretary Duffy also highlighted his plan to upgrade our air traffic control system.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x966TCZSYbs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Tells DoD Nominee: Commit to Research and Development Because “Technology Wins Wars”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King urged the Department of Defense (DoD) to commit significantly more attention to advancements in technology that reduce costs and win wars. In a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), King also pressed the DoD on what it is doing to combat brain trauma experienced by military service members and veterans.
    More specifically, King asked Mr. Michael Duffey, the nominee to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, if he would support research and development into new technology.
    King began the exchange, “Technology wins wars. The side that has the new technology prevails. Genghis Khan and the stirrup, the long-bow at Agincourt, the tank in World War I, the atomic weapon in World War II. My concern is we missed two of the major technologies of the 21st century. This isn’t a criticism of the current administration; it goes back 10 or 15 years. Hypersonics and directed energy. We have to catch up. The prior administration cut the budget for directed energy in half, which to me does not make sense. We’re spending $2 or $3 million per missile to knock $20,000 drones out in the Red Sea. Directed energy certainly ought to be an answer and I know there is work going on, but it should be accelerated. My request is you try and think ahead about acquiring the next technology, not just what we’ve always done. My most hated words in the English language are, ‘we have never done it that way before.’ I hope you’ll subscribe to a philosophy of trying to look to the future. Your thoughts? 
    Duffy responded, “Senator, thank you for the question. I’m thrilled to be sitting next to not only Dr. Meink, but Mr. Michael who will be at the cutting edge of the next generation of technology. I look forward to a partnership with both gentlemen on how do we advance that technology, how do we leapfrog our adversaries? I see my responsibility as how do we accelerate that and get it into the hands of the war fighter at a reasonable cost?”
    “One way to do that is smaller businesses,” King continued, “We’ve had testimony at this committee by smaller businesses and they have given up on the Pentagon acquisition process: too complex, too much red tape, too long. I hope in your administration you don’t turn away from fostering small businesses where a lot of innovation takes place.”
    Duffy replied, “I agree with that, Senator.”
    King then asked Mr. Keith Bass, the nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, about his support for military service members that have experienced brain traumas and what the DoD can do to prevent these injuries.
    “I want to be sure that one of your priorities is brain health. The signature issue from the war on terror has been problems with blast overpressure and brain health long-term effects and I hope that is something you will pay significant attention to. There are ongoing studies in the department, but I want to also emphasize implementation of the results of those studies are important. I hope you will commit to me that brain health is something you will tend to in this position?” King asked.  “It is one of the most important maladies affecting our troops.”
    Bass replied, “Thank you, Senator, for your commitment to this issue. DoD is a leader in this space, and I will commit we will continue to look at ways and devote research to this issue and make sure we continue to make progress.”
    Following the Lewiston shooting, Senator King has been working with his colleagues to increase mental health funding and address brain injuries. He has introduced several pieces of legislation — some of which have become law — including the Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 and the Blast Overpressure Safety Act. This past summer, he wrote a letter to the Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin urging the Department to expedite protection of servicemembers from weapon blasts and TBIs. Senator King has also consistently urged leaders of the Appropriations Committee to support the strongest possible funding for the Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research program within the DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDRMP).

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner Pushes Federal Trade Commission, Justice Department to Address Rampant Fraud in Digital Advertising

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew Ferguson and to Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing concern over continued prevalence of fraud in the digital advertising industry, highlighting how this fraud hurts U.S. Government (USG) customers, and therefore, American taxpayers.
    “The failures and misrepresentations of these verification vendors amount to far more than simple contradictions of their marketing puffery,” wrote Sen. Warner. “As publishers and advertisers rely on these services’ asserted ability to avoid bot traffic and deliver content to customers, these verification firms serve as cover for the systemic failure by key ecosystem stakeholders, potentially compromising a significant sector of the online ad market.”
    The phenomenon of digital fraud has skyrocketed in recent years, with reports indicating that as of 2023, digital fraud has grown to $84 billion, up from $7.4 billion in 2017.
    He continued, “Failure to meet the terms of contracts result in the misuse of taxpayer dollars, and undermine the efficacy of government public awareness and job recruitment campaigns. These failures drive inflated ad costs and reduced effectiveness for thousands of small and midsize businesses and charities that rely on digital advertising to succeed, and these increased costs trickle down to consumers who end up paying more for basic goods and services.”
    In his letter to the FTC, Sen. Warner requested the commission investigate this wide-spread fraud:
    Did verification vendors such as Integral Ad Science (“IAS”), DoubleVerify (“DV”), and HUMAN Security, among others, claim in their marketing materials to be able to perform real-time bot filtering and have the capability to prevent ads from serving to declared bots, such as those on the IAB Bots & Spiders List?
    Do these verification vendors receive access to the “User Agent” field in real-time programmatic ad auctions from demand side platforms like Google DV360 and the Trade Desk?
    Can the verification vendors’ pre-bid technology actually stop ads from serving to declared bots on the IAB Bots & Spiders List, or merely prevent ads from serving on website domains with historically high levels of bot traffic? If the latter, what evidence exists that can demonstrate specific websites are getting blocked, deliberately or inadvertently, from ad campaigns and thus de-monetized?
    If the verification vendors do not receive access to the User-Agent and cannot block declared bots, did these vendors make false advertising claims and engage in deceptive trade practices when promoting their pre-bid bot avoidance or suspicious activity blocking technology?
    What is the extent of the resulting financial harm to the United States government and non-profit advertisers, as well as to publishers that paid for this ineffective bot avoidance technology?
    Additionally, Senator Warner requested that the Justice Department investigate the following:
    Whether ad verification companies such as IAS, DV, and HUMAN have knowingly misrepresented their capabilities to federal government clients or government contractors, particularly regarding their ability to detect and filter bot traffic in real-time.
    Whether the ad verification firms involved in these failures violated the False Claims Act by charging the government – or government contractors – for services they did not deliver.
    Sen. Warner has been vocal about the harm caused by this continued fraud for years, and as the digital space continues to grow in reach and importance, he has stressed the need to reign it in. In 2016, Sen. Warner first called on the FTC to protect consumers from this digital fraud. In 2018, he expressed concern over its continued prevalence following a detailed reporting about inaction by the FTC and Google to curb these efforts.
    A copy of the letter to the FTC is available here. A copy of the letter to the DOJ is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Respond to Trump’s Latest Attack on the Federal Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued a statement in response to President Trump’s latest attack on the federal workforce – an executive order targeting collective bargaining rights:
    “This is just another attempt by President Trump to ‘traumatize’ and illegally fire federal workers. Collective bargaining makes the federal workforce stronger, and undermining these rights does nothing to improve our national security. In fact, this order will only make us less safe, as this executive order is only Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s latest gambit to make it easier to fire the people who ensure public safety, prepare for pandemics, respond to natural disasters, and much, much more. This political attack on our civil servants must not stand.”  
     

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Marshall, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ratify Trump Executive Order Defining Male and Female

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Defining Male and Female Act of 2025to codify President Trump’s executive order establishing legal definitions of male, female, and sex to ensure they are based on biological reality rather than radical, left-wing ideology. The order entitled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” which clarifies that sex is determined at conception and ensures the federal government uses this sex dichotomy.
    “Common sense and science tell us there are two sexes,” said Dr. Cassidy. “You are born a male or a female.”
    “The Democrats’ radical transgender agenda is dangerous and wrong. We shouldn’t need legislation to tell us the basic reality that there are only two sexes, but here we are,” said Senator Marshall. “I’m thankful President Trump has made this a top priority and signed an Executive Order on his first day in office recognizing that there are only two sexes. Congress must ensure this historic action is written into law by passing the Defining Male and Female Act.”
    “Boys are boys, girls are girls, and gone are the days of woke nonsense like calling mothers ‘birthing persons.’ Supporting this legislation is a no-brainer and I’m proud to be restoring common sense in America,” said Senator Sheehy.
    “By affirming biological truth, we defend fairness in sports, safeguard women and children, and uphold the principles of Title IX as Congress intended,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. “Because the other side spent four years pretending boys were girls, it’s time to restore common sense once and for all by establishing clear, legal, and biologically-accurate definitions of male and female.”
    “This bill is simple. It defines the most basic science. There are only two sexes: male and female,” said Senator Ricketts. “Defining males and females is an important step to helping protect our women and girls across America.”
    U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL-15) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    “Now more than ever, we must unite to uphold the truth and biological reality established by God that there are only two sexes,” said Representative Miller. “I am proud to stand alongside Senator Marshall in introducing the House companion to the Defining Male and Female Act to ensure our nation upholds common sense and puts an end to the Left’s dangerous and extreme sexual fantasies.”
    Specifically, the Defining Male and Female Act recognizes:
    The definition of male and female on the basis of a person belonging, at conception, to the sex characterized by a reproductive system with the biological function of producing eggs or producing sperm.
    The right of girls and women to sex-separate sports and scholarships.
    The sex separation of restrooms, locker rooms, dorm rooms, prisons, and shelters for victims of sexual assault.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What They Are Saying: Trump Cabinet Voices Support for Cassidy’s Trade, Manufacturing Bill to Hold China Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    [embedded content]
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released a new video featuring vocal support from several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees for his Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field with Chinese manufacturing and expand American production. 
    During their confirmation hearings, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer all express interest in the proposal, noting that it aligns well with the Trump administration’s trade agenda. These exchanges come after Cassidy, joined by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), released a new discussion draft of their Foreign Pollution Fee Act for public comment.
    A range of industries has expressed support for Cassidy’s efforts to craft a trade policy that strengthens U.S. manufacturers’ competitiveness and counter unfair competition from China, including the Steel Manufacturers Association, the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Portland Cement Association, the Aluminum Association, and the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition.
    “A strong border measure will allow American steel producers to benefit from the fact that they are global leaders in emissions efficiency. This can be a key part of any long-term solution to safeguard the domestic steel industry from the devastating effects of global overcapacity,” said Philip K. Bell, President, Steel Manufacturers Association. “We are encouraged to see Senator Cassidy and numerous Trump administration officials show aligned interest in advancing this policy design. We stand ready to work with them to advance a trade policy that helps U.S. steel manufacturers compete on a level playing field.”
    “Steel made in the United States is the cleanest in the world. Senator Cassidy has rightly determined that legislation is needed to hold foreign polluters accountable for their dirtier products, while enhancing the competitiveness of American steel manufacturers. AISI looks forward to working with him and others in Congress to craft a foreign pollution fee that applies to all imported steel products with higher emissions than products made the U.S., without imposing a carbon fee or tax on American manufacturers,” said Kevin Dempsey, President and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute.
    “American cement manufacturers believe that a well-constructed border measure will allow them to leverage their leadership in emissions efficiency. This is essential for any lasting strategy to protect the domestic cement industry from any global challenges,” said Mike Ireland, President and CEO of the Portland Cement Association. “It’s great to see Senator Cassidy and Trump administration officials expressing support for this policy approach. We are prepared to continue to collaborate with them to advance a trade policy that strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. cement producers.”
    “The SEMA Coalition supports Senator Cassidy’s 2025 Foreign Pollution Fee Act. For American solar manufacturers to compete on a level playing field and outcompete China, we need innovative border measures such as a foreign pollution fee. Any successful, long-term strategy to reshore the solar value chain must prioritize taking these steps to safeguard the domestic solar industry from the impacts of global overcapacity,” said Mike Carr, Executive Director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition. “We are grateful for Senator Cassidy’s leadership and look forward to working closely with him and the administration to advance trade and tax policies that ensure a level playing field with China and longevity for U.S. solar manufacturers and workers.” 
    The US aluminum industry produces some of the cleanest aluminum products in the world while facing ongoing pressure from international producers not subject to traditional market forces. Smart tariff policy recognizes this and provides incentives for both domestic and international production of cleaner aluminum.” said Will Brown, VP of Government Relations and International Programs, The Aluminum Association. “At the Aluminum Association, we look forward to continuing to work with Senator Cassidy to advance trade policies that strengthen the U.S. aluminum industry and its competitiveness in the global marketplace.”
     “According to recently released data from the US International Trade Commission (ITC), the carbon intensity of American-made Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) is well below that of OCTG produced by China and its satellites. This environmental dumping combines with other forms of unfair trade practices that need to be addressed. Senator Cassidy’s legislation is a major step in holding foreign producers from China and its satellites accountable, as it not only strengthens American industries but also supports a cleaner, more competitive market for all,” said Luca Zanotti, Chairman of the United States OCTG Manufacturers Association (USOMA).         
    The Foreign Pollution Fee Act: 
    Combats China’s Exploitation of Trade Rules: By countering the unfair practices of non-market economies like China, ensuring American manufacturers can compete and thrive on a level playing field.
    Strengthens Global Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying trade relationships will reduce dependence on adversarial nations, making supply chains more secure against geopolitical disruptions and enhancing national security.
    Revitalizes American Manufacturing: By discouraging imports of pollution-intensive goods, this policy will bring jobs back home, strengthen domestic industries, and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
    Expands U.S. Export Markets: As high-polluting countries modernize their industries, they’ll increasingly demand American-made inputs, feedstocks, and cutting-edge technologies, opening new opportunities for U.S. exports.
    Deepens Trade Ties with Allies: By promoting partnerships with nations that share our economic and environmental values, the Foreign Pollution Fee Act builds a coalition against predatory practices by the Chinese Communist Party, supporting emerging markets and allies alike.
    Rewards Leadership in Cleaner Manufacturing: By incentivizing international partners to adopt cleaner production methods while ensuring that domestic manufacturers maintain a competitive edge by continuing to lead in industrial decarbonization.
    Background
    Cassidy and Graham introduced an earlier version of their Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field with Chinese manufacturing and expand American production in 2023.
    The Foreign Pollution Fee Act was a key topic at Cassidy’s Louisiana Energy Security Summit in October 2024.The summit featured ten panels that explored protecting U.S. interests from unfair trade practices, Louisiana’s low-pollution manufacturing advantage, and the role of natural gas in strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence. Panelists included presidents and CEOs from Entergy, First Solar, Buzzi UnicemUSA, Orsted, and Aluminum Technologies, former Trump administration officials, and leaders from Louisiana trade associations and major energy and Fortune 500 companies. 
    In September 2024, he released the 3rd episode of Bill on the Hill, where he highlights his Foreign Pollution Fee Act and discusses China’s growing economy and military coming at the expense of the American worker. After hearing fellow Americans share their concerns, Cassidy presented his plan to address the nexus between economic development, national security, and the environment. 
    He penned editorials in Foreign Affairs, The Washington Times, and jointly in the USA Today Network discussing the geopolitical threat that China poses to U.S. global standing. 
    In 2023, the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution urging Congress to pursue an industrial manufacturing and trade policy to counter competition from China. Learn more here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Announces $8.6 Million for Louisiana in Hurricane Ida, Laura Relief

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced Louisiana will receive $8,588,163.29 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricanes Ida and Laura relief.
    “This funding supports critical recovery efforts in South Louisiana—from restoring schools in Terrebonne Parish to rebuilding port infrastructure in Lake Charles,” said Dr. Cassidy. “These investments help communities come back stronger and better prepared for the next storm.” 
    Grant Awarded
    Recipient
    Project Description
    $1,515,421.78
    Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent repairs to the Bulk Terminal Ship Loader #2 as a direct result of Hurricane Laura.
    $1,734,597.39
    Community Center and Playground District Number 2 of Ward 4
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent repairs to Center Circle Park facilities as a direct result of Hurricane Laura.
    $2,466,919.65
    Terrebonne General Medical Center LHA
    This grant will provide federal funding for management costs associated with eligible recovery projects as a result of Hurricane Ida.
    $2,871,224.47
    Terrebonne Parish School Board
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent repairs to facilities at Bourg Elementary, Mulberry Elementary, and West Park as a direct result of Hurricane Ida.

    MIL OSI USA News –