NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Demand Hold on Vought Nomination to OMB Amid Order to Halt Federal Grants and Loans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), members of the Senate Budget Committee, joined Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR),  Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Democratic Budget Committee members in demanding that Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) postpone a vote on Russell Vought’s nomination to serve as Director of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) until he answers questions regarding his role in the illegal freeze of many federal grants and loans that have already been appropriated by Congress. The freeze has sowed confusion among federal agencies. Since the Trump Administration announced this freeze, the senators have heard concerns from across Virginia—including community health centers, child care centers, community organizations, and more—about how they could be impacted. The Administration’s broad directive has left many Virginians wondering about whether federal support for health care, housing, substance use, transportation, and other critical programs will continue. 
    “While Mr. Vought stonewalled Committee members, he was already planning on halting programs that feed hungry children, heat the homes of low-income families, support farmers, and bring relief to those suffering from natural disasters. The laws Congress passes are not suggestions, and Mr. Vought willfully ignoring them harms the constituents of every Member of the Committee,” the senators wrote.
    The senators continued, “It is simply unconscionable that the Budget Committee could vote to confirm Mr. Vought to be Director of Office of Management and Budget without getting some real answers from him about his ongoing efforts to stymie the will of Congress. Mr. Vought is a clear and present danger to Congress’s Power of the Purse; his outright refusal to discuss his plans that were already in development is a slap in the face to every Member of the Committee, Democrat and Republican alike.”
    Last week, Warner and Kaine questioned Mr. Vought during his Budget Committee nomination hearing regarding Vought’s comments to “traumatize the federal workforce” and plans to slash critical federal funding for programs like SNAP.
    In addition to Warner, Kaine, Merkley, and Schumer, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).
    The full text of the letter is available here and below.
    Dear Senator Graham:
    During the Budget Committee’s hearing on Wednesday, January 22 to examine the nomination of Russell T. Vought to serve as the Director of Office of Management and Budget, Mr. Vought was repeatedly evasive about whether, if confirmed, he would advise the President to impound Congressionally-appropriated funds in clear violation of Article II of the Constitution and the unambiguous text of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
    In written responses to questions following the hearing, Mr. Vought continued his refusal to answer direct questions about how executive orders to pause foreign aid funding, as well as funding authorized and appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, complied with the law.
    Now, less than a week after the hearing, it is clear that Mr. Vought’s non-answers were an effort to thwart the Committee from getting the truth of the Trump administration’s plan, per OMB memorandum M-25-13, to freeze all funding for “Federal financial assistance programs.” While Mr. Vought stonewalled Committee members, he was already planning on halting programs that feed hungry children, heat the homes of low-income families, support farmers, and bring relief to those suffering from natural disasters. The laws Congress passes are not suggestions, and Mr. Vought willfully ignoring them harms the constituents of every Member of the Committee.
    It is simply unconscionable that the Budget Committee could vote to confirm Mr. Vought to be Director of Office of Management and Budget without getting some real answers from him about his ongoing efforts to stymie the will of Congress. Mr. Vought is a clear and present danger to Congress’s Power of the Purse; his outright refusal to discuss his plans that were already in development is a slap in the face to every Member of the Committee, Democrat and Republican alike.
    For those reasons, we request that the business meeting to consider Mr. Vought’s nomination, currently scheduled for Thursday, January 30, be postponed for two weeks so the Committee may get full responses to the questions Mr. Vought has thus far refused to answer. 
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Video: Kaine Speaks on Senate Floor Regarding Trump’s Pardons of Individuals Found Guilty of Assaulting Police Officers on January 6, 2021

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO IS AVAILABLE HERE.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to President Trump’s pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting police officers during the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Kaine and his colleagues sought unanimous consent to pass their resolution condemning these pardons, but its passage was blocked by Senate Republicans. During Kaine’s floor speech, he also highlighted the five Virginia law enforcement officers who tragically lost their lives after defending the Capitol on that day, including Howie Liebengood.
    A full transcript of Kaine’s speech as delivered is available below:
    Mr. President.
    I rise together with my colleagues to speak in opposition to the President’s action pardoning those who attacked this Capitol on January 6, 2021. I was here that day. I shared that day with these colleagues, and we all have memories of it—memories that we never would have imagined and hope never to repeat.
    But I’m not going to talk about my experiences of the day.
    I’m going to talk about a friend, a Virginian, Howie Liebengood, a Capitol Police Officer who spent his career protecting this building and who died as a result of that day. And the fact that President Trump would pardon the people who attacked this Capitol leading to Howie Liebengood’s death is a deep, deep stain to President Trump and frankly a stain on this body if we casually tolerate it.
    Howie Liebengood is a Virginian who grew up in this building. His father was the Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate and prior to assuming that role, worked in other roles in the Senate. And Howie and his two siblings grew up coming to the capitol and treating it like it was sort of their playground and their yard, running through the halls, meeting senators, hearing their dad tell stories about what it was like to serve this Article I branch as a patriotic American public servant.
    When Howie came of age, he started a career that he enjoyed and worked together with his father for a number of years as a NASCAR driver. And he worked on the NASCAR circuit—kind of working his way up from minor league races to more significant races.
    But after a number of years of doing that—look, he was a child of the United States Senate, he was a child of this Capitol—and he decided he would enter the training program to be a Capitol Police Officer. And he told his siblings—by this time, his father had passed—I think my dad would be very, very proud of me.
    Howie went through the Academy and became a Capitol Police Officer, and I came to know him—as I suspect many of my colleagues did—because he usually was staffing the Delaware door at the corner of Delaware and Constitution right here—the Delaware door to the Russell building. And this a door that I know Senator Murray’s office is right close to that door—maybe the closest office to that door and mine is close as well. We would come in in the morning, and Howie Liebengood would be there to greet us, to ask questions about the procedural vote from the night before or what was on today.
    As much as he was a friend to mine, he was even more of a friend to my staff. My staff loved interacting with Howie, and he eventually served as a Capitol Police Officer for 15 years.
    He was here on January 6 when his beloved Capitol was attacked. And as devastating as that attack was for many of us, for Howie—who had made this place his whole life, who had really been raised in these halls—that attack was very devastating.
    In the aftermath of the attack, those working on the Capitol Police were put on extended hours—little sleep. Would there be more attacks? Where was this going? What would happen? It was a time of fear and anxiety and confusion.
    And a few days later, within three days after that attack of January 6, Howie went to his home in Virginia. His wife Serena asked if he was doing okay. She could tell he was under enormous stress, and he said he just needed to sleep. And Howie went upstairs and using his own service revolver, ended his life.
    Howie Liebengood would be alive today if President Trump hadn’t urged people to gather to do something wild in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 and then urged those gathering to go up and raise hell at the Capitol.
    My friend would be alive if President Trump had not done what he did.
    I’ve waited in vain, not naively, but with a hope that there might be some sign of remorse over what happened—for the pain suffered by Serena Liebengood and Howie’s siblings and family members.
    Four other law enforcement officers, all of whom lived in Virginia, lost their life as a result of that day. Dozens of others were injured.
    And I have waited for years to see if there might be some semblance of remorse shown by the president who inspired that attack, for the damage and pain and loss of life and injury that he’s caused, and I’ve seen not a shred of it.
    But these pardons are the ultimate injustice, are the ultimate injury. The family’s still suffering. For them, it’s salt in an unhealed wound and an injury that will never heal.
    And so I join with my colleagues in Howie’s memory, in support of Serena, in support of Howie’s family, to stand on this floor and deplore as strongly as I can—and words aren’t sufficient to really explain how I feel about this—but I stand here to deplore as strongly as I can the pardons of these law breakers who gathered for a particular time at a particular moment in a particular place to conduct violence in the cause of a particular result, the overturning of the peaceful transfer of power.
    And as I sit down, Mr. President, I’ll just say this.
    I lived in a military dictatorship in 1980 and 81 in Honduras when the military ran everything. I know what authoritarianism is. I didn’t live there for years like my Honduran friends, but I experienced it.
    I was very naive. I was 22 years old when I lived there, and I saw what it’s like to have a society run by somebody who believes they are all powerful, who can change any rule, who can foment violence, who can make sure that those who commit violence escape with impunity.
    I know what this is like, and we are in danger of moving into the same kind of authoritarian behavior when we casually pardon and excuse those who perpetrate violence to overturn our democracy.
    That’s a big concept, but it all comes down to the effect that it has on individual people like my friend Howie Liebengood.
    And with that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PSNA’s Minto hits back at Gaza ‘genocide hotline’ critics, insists NZ should deny Israeli soldier visas

    Asia Pacific Report

    A national Palestine advocacy group has hit back at critics of its “genocide hotline” campaign against soldiers involved in Israel’s war against Gaza, saying New Zealand should be actively following international law.

    The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) dismissed a “predictable lineup of apologists for Israel” for their criticisms of the PSNA campaign.

    “Why is concern for the sensitivities of soldiers from a genocidal Israeli campaign more important than condemning the genocide itself?,” asked PSNA national chair John Minto in a statement.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and the New Zealand Jewish Council have made statements “protecting” Israeli soldiers who come to New Zealand on “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza until a truce went into force on January 19.

    “We are not surprised to see such a predictable lineup of apologists for Israel and its genocide in Gaza from lining up to attack a PSNA campaign with false smears of anti-semitism,” Minto said.

    He said that over 16 months Peters had done “absolutely nothing” to put any pressure on Israel to end its genocidal behaviour.

    “But he is full of bluff and bluster and outright lies to denounce those who demand Israel be held to account.”

    Deny illegal settler visas
    Minto said that if Peters was doing his job as Foreign Minister, he would not only stop Israeli soldiers coming to Aotearoa New Zealand — as with Russian soldiers in the Ukraine war — he would also deny visas to any Israeli with an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    The Human Rights Commission had issued a “disingenuous media release”, he said.

    “Our campaign has nothing to do with Israelis or Jews — it is a campaign to stop Israeli soldiers coming here for rest and recreation after a campaign of wholesale killing of Palestinians in Gaza,” Minto said.

    “To imply the campaign is targeting Jews is disgusting and despicable.

    “Some of the soldiers will be Druse, some Palestinian Arabs and others will be Jews.”

    The five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, shot 355 times by Israeli soldiers on 29 January 2024. Image: @Onlyloren/Instagram

    Israeli soldiers are facing a growing risk of being arrested abroad for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza, with around 50 criminal complaints filed so far in courts in several countries around the world.

    Earlier this month, a former Israeli soldier abruptly ended his holiday in Brazil and was “smuggled” out of the country after a Federal Court ordered police to open a war crimes investigation against him. The man fled to Argentina.

    A complaint lodged by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) included more than 500 pages of court records linking the suspect to the demolition of civilian homes in Gaza.

    ‘Historic’ court ruling against soldier
    The foundation called the Brazilian court’s decision “historic”, saying it marked a significant precedent for a member country of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to enforce Rome Statute provisions domestically in the 15-month Israeli war on Gaza.

    The foundation is named in honour of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab who was killed on 29 January 2024 by Israel soldiers while pleading for help in a car after her six family members were dead.

    According to The New Arab, the foundation has so far tracked and sent the names of 1000 Israeli soldiers to the ICC and Interpol, and has been pursuing legal cases in a number of countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, France, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

    In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, together with a former Hamas commander, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    Minto accused the New Zealand Jewish Council of being “deeply racist” and said it regularly “makes a meal of false smears of anti-semitism”.

    “It’s deeply problematic that this Jewish Council strategy takes attention away from the real anti-semitism which exists in New Zealand and around the world.

    “The priority of the Jewish Council is to protect Israel from criticism and protect it from accountability for its apartheid policies, ethnic cleansing and genocide.

    “We are demanding that accountability.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Releases Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order to protect minors from chemical and surgical mutilation procedures and put biology over ideology. 
    Last Congress, Senator Marshall introduced the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors Act to protect America’s children from irreversible physical and emotional harm caused by transgender procedures pushed by the radical Left. 
    “Under President Trump’s leadership, common sense and dignity have returned to the White House. This is another promise made, promise kept by the President and his unwavering commitment to protecting our children from transgender activists in what can only be described as child abuse. President Trump’s Executive Order rightfully prohibits the castration, mutilation, and use of dangerous irreversible therapy treatments on children,” Senator Marshall said.
    Specifically, the Executive Order will: 
    Order agencies to use every available means to cut off federal financial participation in institutions that provide chemical and surgical mutilation of children.
    Taxpayers will no longer fund the chemical and surgical mutilation of children through federal employees’ insurance plans.
    DOJ is ordered to prioritize investigations of those who would subject young women to these barbaric acts under the federal government’s existing statutes which prohibit female genital mutilation and to investigate consumer deception and fraud. 
    It sets in motion Congressional action to empower detransitioners to receive justice against those who so callously led them down this path.
    Background: 
    In December, Senator Marshall introduced landmark legislation, the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors Act which would protect America’s children from the medical dangers of the radical Left’s transgender agenda. 
    The Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors Act is a major pillar in Senator Marshall’s fight against the transgender industrial complex that is preying on America’s children. Along with this legislation, Senator Marshall also recently led the Defining Male and Female Act to ensure the legal definition of sex is based on facts, not feelings, which would protect exclusive spaces for women like bathrooms and locker rooms. 
    In November 2024, Senator Marshall brought together a coalition to sound the alarm on the extreme gender ideology war being waged against America’s children and to talk about solutions, including the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors Act. You may click HERE to watch the event hosted by Senator Marshall. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall, Kaine, Young and Reed Introduce Bipartisan Bill Increasing Access to Mental Health Resources for Health Care Providers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D., Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN) and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, a comprehensive law Senators Marshall, Kaine, Young and Reed successfully passed in 2022 to help prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. The law has already provided $100 million in funding for mental health care for providers across the country, but provisions of the law that made this funding possible expired last year. The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act would reauthorize these grant programs for five years.
    “Our health care providers dedicate their lives to taking care of patients, sometimes, this comes at their own expense,” Senator Marshall said. “We must ensure we’re giving them the support they need when it comes to their mental health. I’m proud to join Senators Kaine and Young in leading the reauthorization of this very important program which helps provide access to mental and behavioral health resources to our health care professionals.”
    “Dr. Lorna Breen was a physician from Charlottesville who tragically died by suicide after working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Kaine. “In 2022, I was honored to work with her family and Senators Young, Reed and Marshall to pass legislation in her honor to help ensure health care workers have access to the mental health support they need. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in standing with our health care heroes by reauthorizing that law, so it can continue to support our healers.”
    “Health workers are at the heart of every life saved and ever patient cared for, yet the U.S. health care system is straining our workforce and perpetuating the alarming levels of burnout and poor mental health they are experiencing,” said Corey Feist, JD, MBA, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, which leads the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition. “We are immensely grateful to Senators Kaine, Young, Reed, and Marshall for their steadfast commitment to reauthorize and fund the landmark Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act and build upon it to address the primary driver of health workers’ burnout—administrative burden.”
    Specifically, Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act would:
    Reauthorize a grant program for health care organizations and professional associations for employee education on strategies to reduce burnout, peer-support programming, and mental and behavioral health treatment for five years. Communities with a shortage of health care workers, rural communities, and those experiencing burnout due to administrative burdens, such as lengthy paperwork, will be prioritized.
    Reauthorize a grant program for health profession schools or other institutions to train health care workers and students in strategies to prevent suicide, burnout, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders for five years.
    Reauthorize a national evidence-based education and awareness campaign. Currently, the campaign provides hospital and health system leaders with evidence-informed solutions to reduce health care worker burnout. Reauthorization will provide resources for the campaign to continue and expand beyond its current scope.
    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall on Newsmax: RFK Jr. Will Make America Healthy Again

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Newsmax’s American Agenda to discuss President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., ahead of his confirmation hearings this week. As a member of the Senate Finance and HELP Committees, Senator Marshall will participate in both of RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearings. 
    Senator Marshall is the founder and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Caucus and has been outspoken in his support for RFK, Jr., who will ensure medical transparency so that Americans can make the best decisions for their health.
    Additionally, Senator Marshall discussed Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and reaffirmed his support for her.
    [embedded content]
    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include: 
    On Senator Marshall’s and Mr. Kennedy’s goal to make America healthy again:
    “What Bobby and I share is both a passion to make America healthy again. 60% of Americans have a chronic disease right now, and we want to address that.”
    On Mr. Kennedy’s stance on vaccine transparency and increasing access to medical information for America’s families: 
    “What we both agree upon is the sanctity of the patient and the physician relationship – that my daughter deserves to know everything there is about these vaccines, the pros and cons, the good and the bad with them.”
    “I’ll let Bobby speak for himself. He’ll get asked this 10 times tomorrow, but what he’s going to say is he wants that family, that mom and dad to be armed with all the information. It needs to be nonbiased information. They need to understand the pros and the cons, risk and benefits.”
    On President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard: 
    “I think the thing about Tulsi is she’s a disrupter, and that scares people up here. They’re used to these insiders, these people that are part of the swamp, and that’s not who Tulsi is. This is a career military officer.”
    “She certainly understands the importance of intelligence. I think what Tulsi is going to bring to the table is she errs on the side of transparency – she’s going to err on the side that she believes that Americans can take the truth, and I think you’re going to see that.”
    “We’re seeing John Ratcliffe already coming out, letting more information loose. I think Tulsi is going to err on that side as well, and that scares the swamp up here, so we’ll see. I’m optimistic. I do think that she’s going to have a little bit of a challenge, but I’m optimistic.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Highlights Veteran Access to Care at SVAC Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) held a hearing today to examine and discuss the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care program. Veterans and advocates appeared before the committee to highlight their experiences and the ongoing challenges veterans face when accessing care from VA direct care system and community providers.
    [embedded content]
    In a rural state like North Dakota, with limited VA providers and facilities, the Community Care Program is a lifeline for many veterans looking to receive timely care at a location close to their home. However, the VA continues to put up road blocks for veterans trying to utilize this option.
    During the hearing, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) emphasized the workforce shortage the healthcare industry is facing, reiterating the staffing mandate issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that makes it even worse. The rule requires the implementation of new staffing requirements at long-term care facilities which are already understaffed due to a lack of workforce. Cramer said, “Access is not just about the quality of care. It’s about access, period, if the alternative is none.”
    “I think the best way to improve care is competition,” said Cramer. “Whether it’s a competition between the private sector and the public sector, or two private sectors, or two public sector agencies, a little bit of competition is fine. I don’t want to gut the VA’s direct care system […] that said, there are all kinds of barriers to Community Care, a lot of it is the bureaucracy itself.”
    Cramer said even in North Dakota, there are many examples of roadblocks being put up which prevent veterans accessing to Community Care.
    “If we put the choice in the hands of the veteran, the market will determine where they go,” stated Cramer. “The type of care they get will determine where they go, and how long the wait is will determine where they go.”
    “What I’d like to see us do […] is, for many of these critical access hospitals, their margins are very thin,” continued Cramer. “They’re barely hanging in there. Two or three more patients or five more patients in the community might be what keeps that hospital open. If it’s 50 miles to the next hospital, or 350 miles to the VA hospital, that access to critical access hospitals might be the only option that could save a veteran. I’d like to make this automatic.”
    Cramer asked Jim Lorraine, President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Warrior Partnership, if this proposal was plausible to improve access to care in a very rural place.
    “One of the things that I spoke about was continuity of care and not only continuity of care,” said Lorraine. “As a healthcare provider, I want the family there, I want the physical therapist nearby, I want the staff that does this. And we talk a lot about mental health and substance abuse, but it’s really more than that. We’re talking about access to health care. […] We need to look at what’s the best long-term outcome for a veteran in terms of getting their care. It may be the VA that’s in their community, but it may be your local hospital that the family can be present, the physical therapist is there, the staff is invested and it’s all one.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: January 28th, 2025 VIDEO: Heinrich Delivers Remarks on the Senate Floor Slamming Trump’s Unlawful Federal Funding Blockade

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) took to the Senate floor this evening to condemn President Trump’s unlawful unilateral blockade of all federal grant funding. In his remarks, Heinrich underscored the magnitude of damage this unlawful decision has already wrought on the lives of thousands of New Mexicans, highlighting the harm and chaos it has created in communities across the state.
    Heinrich also pointed to the illegality of this action, citing the law that Congress passed — the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 — after President Richard Nixon tried to withhold Congressionally appropriated funds.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers remarks on the Senator floor slamming President Trump’s unlawful unilateral blockade of all federal grant funding, January 28, 2025.
    “In an overnight maneuver that would make a dictator envious, President Trump unlawfully and unilaterally froze all federal grant funding. He shut down the housing portal that non-profits and Tribes use to access mortgage financing. He literally shut down the Medicaid reimbursement portal. He threw every town, county, Tribe, nonprofit, health care provider, school, and preschool into total disarray. From our state’s Roundhouse to the classroom to the emergency room, today was chaos. And people want answers,” said Heinrich.
    “The president cannot override, delay, or rescind Congress’s funding laws. Full stop. This has been upheld time and again by the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, the Government Accountability Office, and by the law, specifically the Impoundment Control Act of 1974,” continued Heinrich. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I know how much work goes in to writing and passing our bipartisan funding laws. And I am not going to cede that to ANY administration to be abused.”
    Heinrich called on New Mexicans to share how Trump’s blockade is affecting themselves and their families, “I want to hear from you about Donald Trump’s blockade, and how it is affecting you and your family. If your town’s COPS grant gets frozen, I need to know. If your VA mortgage gets held up, I need to know. If you’re a nonprofit giving services in the areas of violence against women, refuges for people who are battered, and your funding gets held up, these are the stories that I think need to be held up to understand just what is happening in our country right now.”
    Heinrich concluded by calling on his colleagues, “Let’s make sure that whatever we agree to here in this amazing Capitol—that not only passes both chambers but gets signed into law by the President of the United States—that we abide by that. Because only if we all agree to color inside the lines, and act like a democracy, will this remain a democracy.”
    Earlier today, Heinrich also released a statement condemning President Trump’s unlawful direction to unilaterally block all federal grant funding.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Cortez Masto, Rosen, Booker, Gillibrand, Kelly, Blumenthal, Wyden, Schiff, Peters, and Gallego Issue Statement on ICC Sanctions Procedural Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NEv.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) released the following statement on their opposition to a procedural vote on the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act.
    “As pro-Israel members committed to protecting and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, and ensuring Israel has every tool to defend itself, we are deeply troubled by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) outrageous political targeting of Israel and its leaders. The Court’s false equivalence of Israel’s defense of its people with Hamas’s barbaric actions on October 7th is an affront to human conscience, deserving of both condemnation and severe consequences. We believe this judicial overreach must be countered forcefully, including through sanctions on those at the ICC directly responsible.
    “Instead of directly punishing those responsible for the ICC’s reckless and irresponsible behavior, the House-passed ICC sanctions bill has overly broad language that would put our allies and U.S. private companies in the crosshairs. While we are eager to support a bill that would swiftly sanction those at the ICC responsible for its anti-Israel actions, in taking up the House bill today, Senate Republicans took a flawed, partisan approach. Despite our efforts, the bill’s sponsors did not allow us to make this bill stronger and more targeted. This is why we made the difficult decision to vote against a procedural motion on their bill, after serious consideration of the far-reaching, unintended consequences it would have. We urge our Republican colleagues to return to the negotiating table and reach a bipartisan agreement so that we can stand together in support of Israel through more targeted and effective legislation.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Illegal Trump Shutdown Causing Pain Across the Country

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) took to the Senate floor today to speak about the Trump Administration’s recent decision to freeze all federal grants, ignoring Article I of the Constitution.
    “There is real pain starting today because of this funding freeze. Schools, child care facilities, fire departments, community health centers, domestic violence shelters all of them will instantly lose their funding at 5 p.m. today because somebody said, ‘we’re fiscal conservatives,’” said Senator Schatz. “You want to enact a fiscally conservative appropriations bill? Pass a law.”
    “If you’re a disaster survivor in North Carolina or Louisiana, or California or Texas or Florida or Maui, you don’t know what happens next,” he continued. “If you’re a low-income family that relies on the Women, Infants, and Children Program to get healthy meals for your kids, if you live in a remote area like Wai?anae or Lana?i in Hawai‘i, and you go to a community health center to fill your prescriptions or to get a checkup, this freeze on funding means you don’t get help.”
    Schatz concluded, “What is happening today is unconstitutional. It is also against statutory law. But most importantly, it is causing pain across the country.”
    The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks, as delivered, is below. Video is available here.
    Mr. President, the government shutdown that Donald Trump just ordered is illegal and unconstitutional. He is not a king and we do not live in a monarchy. It is Congress’s authority to decide on federal funding. The power of the purse is the foundational funding of the Article I branch. Everybody talks like that. Everybody says those things. But now we are all put to the test – Democrats and Republicans. Are we going to forfeit all of our power?
    We’re the elected branch. We make the laws. And the President of the United States just ordered a funding freeze for stuff he doesn’t feel like funding. That is literally not how it works. And today, the White House Press Secretary was asked about specific, popular, essential programs. And you know what she said?
    She said, “Have those people talk to Russ Vought and make an appeal to him.” Now there’s a couple of problems with that. First of all, Russ Vought doesn’t get to decide in an appropriations law, which parts of the law to follow and which parts not to follow. Second of all, let’s be really clear about this. Russ Vought is not a government employee right now.
    He’s a nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget. And so we’re supposed to have, I don’t know, Medicaid recipients, VA home loan recipients, nursing homes, education organizations, health care organizations, transportation contractors appeal mercy to the king. “Will you please release these dollars?”
    That’s not how the American system works. This is illegal.
    There is real pain starting today because of this funding freeze. Schools, child care facilities, fire departments, community health centers, domestic violence shelters all of them will instantly lose their funding at 5 p.m. today because somebody said, “we’re fiscal conservatives.”
    You want to enact a fiscally conservative appropriations bill? Pass a law. Pass a law.
    I also would like to select the federal funding, which I agree with and fund that, and select the funding that I disagree with and defund that. But I’m not a monarch and neither is Donald Trump.
    We’re hearing from so many constituents across the country, and I had a bit of a time delay because it’s earlier in Hawai‘i, but all of my colleagues were getting incoming texts and calls and panicked people. This isn’t about some arcane government program. This is like basic stuff. People are like staged to do construction and told not to show up for work.
    Some of these construction projects are in places where you only have a narrow window during which you can even do construction, so a 90-day freeze means wait till next year. I don’t care what the law says, wait till next year.
    If you’re a disaster survivor in North Carolina or Louisiana, or California or Texas or Florida or Maui, you don’t know what happens next.
    If you’re a low-income family that relies on the women, infants, and Children program to get healthy meals for your kids, if you live in a remote area like Wai?anae or Lana?i in Hawai‘i, and you go to a community health center to fill your prescriptions or to get a checkup, this freeze on funding means you don’t get help.
    People are you know how long it takes to get a home loan, VA home loan, or any other kind of home loan. People are showing up to get their VA home loans and saying, “not today”. You might be like 45 days from closing. You’re a veteran. You’re entitled to this thing under the law. Russ Vought, not a member of the federal government yet, has decided you don’t get your home loan today.
    What an embarrassing abdication of the role of the Congress.
    All of this high-minded talk from my fellow appropriators about, you know, there’s two parties. There’s really three parties in the Congress. It’s the old joke. Democrats, Republicans, and appropriators. Right. And the idea is that the appropriators are the adults in the room, the appropriators are the adults in the room, and they’re not going to let nonsense, unconstitutional, illegal acts happen because we’re the ones that control the purse strings.
    And I want to make one final point in addition to all the pain that’s being caused: My goodness, the door swings both ways in Washington.
    Imagine a progressive president reaching into the federal budget after an appropriations bill is passed and saying, “You know what? I don’t like that thing. I don’t like that other thing. I don’t like this one. I don’t like that one. I’m in charge”.
    What are we even here for? And so this is not going to be business as usual. I will tell you one thing. I have never in my 13 years withheld my unanimous consent. I’ve used a little leverage. Everybody does.
    But we better get this straight on a bipartisan basis. Not because I want to score partisan points, not because I want to characterize Donald Trump in one way or the other, but because we all worked so hard and made real sacrifices to get to this place so we could have a position of responsibility to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
    What is happening today is unconstitutional. It is also against statutory law. But most importantly, it is causing pain across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Cruz, Murphy, Britt Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Keep Kids Safe, Healthy, off Social Media

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced bipartisan legislation to keep kids off social media and help protect them from its harmful impacts. The Kids Off Social Media Act would set a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and prevent social media companies from feeding algorithmically-targeted content to users under the age of 17. In addition to Schatz, Cruz, Murphy, and Britt, the Kids Off Social Media Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and John Curtis (R-Utah).
    “There is no good reason for a nine-year-old to be on Instagram or Snapchat. The growing evidence is clear: social media is making kids more depressed, more anxious, and more suicidal. Yet tech companies refuse to anything about it because it would hurt their bottom line. This is an urgent health crisis, and Congress must act with the boldness and urgency it demands,” said Senator Schatz. “Protecting kids online is not a partisan issue, and our bipartisan coalition – which includes several parents of kids and teenagers – represents the millions of parents across the country who’ve long been asking for help.”
    “Every parent I know is concerned about the online threats to kids—from predators to videos promoting self-harm, risky behavior, or low self-esteem. Many families have suffered due to Big Tech’s failure to take responsibility for its products. The Kids Off Social Media Act addresses these issues by supporting families in crisis and empowering teachers to better manage their classrooms. I am proud to work with Senator Schatz on this bipartisan legislation to combat the harms social media poses to children, especially in schools. As Chairman of the Commerce Committee, I am confident we can swiftly move this legislation and similar measures through committee and urge Congress to heed the calls of parents everywhere by delivering this bill to President Trump’s desk to help protect America’s youth,” said Senator Cruz.
    “Everyone knows how harmful social media can be to kids. As a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how these platforms use intentionally addictive algorithms to spoon-feed young people horrifying content glorifying everything from suicide to eating disorders. Yet these companies have proven they will choose profits over the wellbeing of our kids unless we force them to do otherwise. This bipartisan legislation will finally hold social media companies accountable,” said Senator Murphy.
    “There’s no doubt our country is in the throes of a mental health crisis, and the rise of social media usage among children and teenagers is inextricably tied to this issue,” said Senator Britt. “As a mom, this is something my own kids and their friends have to contend with every day. And as a Senator, I know our nation has to contend with it to safeguard the next generation. Putting in place commonsense guardrails that protect our kids from the dangers of social media is critical for their future and America’s future. I’m committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put parents in the driver’s seat and enact commonsense, age-appropriate solutions to tackle this generational challenge.”
    No age demographic is more affected by the ongoing mental health crisis in the United States than kids, especially young girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 57 percent of high school girls and 29 percent of high school boys felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, with 22 percent of all high school students—and nearly a third of high school girls—reporting they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the preceding year.
    Studies have shown a strong relationship between social media use and poor mental health, especially among children. From 2019 to 2021, overall screen use among teens and tweens (ages 8 to 12) increased by 17 percent, with tweens using screens for five hours and 33 minutes per day and teens using screens for eight hours and 39 minutes. Based on the clear and growing evidence, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory in 2023, calling for new policies to set and enforce age minimums and highlighting the importance of limiting the use of features, like algorithms, that attempt to maximize time, attention, and engagement.
    “Social media can take a serious toll on kids’ mental health and wellbeing, and it’s critical those problems don’t go unaddressed,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to protect children’s safety, mental health, and wellbeing online.”
    “Parents across North Carolina are rightly concerned about the mental health crisis impacting the next generation. I’m proud to join this bipartisan bill to set commonsense limits and help protect children from harmful habits that rob them of their attention and undermine their development. I thank Senators Cruz and Schatz for leading this effort,” said Senator Budd.
    “Children in Maine and across the country deserve protection from the potential harm posed by social media – especially during their most vulnerable years,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan Kids Off Social Media Act would limit the harmful impacts of social media by establishing reasonable guardrails such as age minimums for new accounts and restrictions on targeting content to children under the age of 17. Our children deserve to grow up in a safe and supportive environment – and that doesn’t define the harsh tone proliferating on online platforms – so this bipartisan legislation will ensure this protection for generations to come.”
    “Parents across the country have seen the negative impact of unrestricted social media use on their children’s mental and physical health,” said Senator Warner. “I’m proud join this bipartisan effort to help better protect kids and teens online with simple, commonsense guardrails.”
    “As a father and grandfather, I’ve witnessed firsthand how deeply the pressures and challenges of the digital age impact our children’s mental health and well-being,” said Senator Curtis. The Kids Off Social Media Act isn’t about taking something away; it’s about giving our kids back their childhoods and protecting their development during these critical years. By limiting harmful algorithms and enforcing a reasonable age threshold, this legislation is a vital step in fostering an environment where young people can thrive with fewer distractions and healthier minds. Utah has always valued family and community above all, and I’m proud to support bipartisan efforts like this that put kids first,” said Senator Curtis.
    Specifically, the Kids Off Social Media Act would:
    Prohibit social media platforms from allowing children under the age of 13 to create or maintain social media accounts;
    Prohibit social media companies from pushing targeted content using algorithms to users under the age of 17;
    Provide the FTC and state attorneys general authority to enforce the provisions of the bill; and
    Follow existing CIPA framework, with changes, to require schools to work in good faith to limit social media on their federally-funded networks, which many schools already do.
    Parents overwhelmingly support the mission of the Kids Off Social Media Act. A survey conducted by Count on Mothers shows that over 90 percent of mothers agree that there should be a minimum age of 13 for social media. Additionally, 87 percent of mothers agree that social media companies should not be allowed to use personalized recommendation systems to deliver content to children. Pew finds similar levels of concern from parents, reporting that 70 percent or more of parents worry that their teens are being exposed to explicit content or wasting too much time on social media, with two-thirds of parents saying that parenting is harder today compared to 20 years ago—and many of them cited social media as a contributing factor.
    The Kids Off Social Media Act is supported by Public Citizen, National Organization for Women, National Association of Social Workers, National League for Nursing, National Association of School Nurses, KidsToo, Count on Mothers, American Federation of Teachers, American Counseling Association, National Federation of Families, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Parents Television and Media Council, Tyler Clementi Foundation, Parents Who Fight, Conservative Ladies of America, David’s Legacy Foundation, Digital Progress, HAS Coalition, Parents Defending Education Action, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
    The full text of the bill is available here. For more information on the Kids Off Social Media Act, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Urges Colleagues To Pass Resolution Condemning President Trump’s Pardons Of The January 6 Insurrectionists Who Assaulted Police Officers At The U.S. Capitol

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    January 28, 2025
    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke in favor of U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons of the January 6 insurrectionists who assaulted the brave police officers defending the U.S. Capitol that day. The resolution was rejected by Senate Republicans.
    “For many of us, it’s personal. We were here on the Senate Floor on January 6, 2021. Vice President Pence was presiding. I was sitting at this very desk. A few minutes after two o’clock, the Secret Service came in and literally removed him from his chair. We knew there were demonstrations outside, but we didn’t know how serious or how violent they’d become,” Durbin said.
    “The insurrectionist mob was taking over the Capitol. Thousands of people were storming into this building not for peaceful demonstration by any means, but sadly for violence and destruction. That day was the worst day I can recall in the history of the Senate in terms of our respect for this building that has become a symbol not only for the United States, but for the world—for peace and democracy. And I thought of those poor Capitol police who were asked to defend us with their lives. They were asked to risk their lives for us, and they did. Some of the things that were done to them were outrageous. You’ve seen the videotape. We saw [the footage] as they tore down building structures, as they beat up on these cops, as many of them faced death, and we knew at the time it was that serious. The grimmest reality of those riots was the subsequent death of five of the law enforcement officers and the injuries to approximately 140 others, many of whom still pay a price to this day.”
    Last week, President Trump, who incited the violence, commuted the sentences of 14 individuals and granted full, complete, and unconditional pardons to approximately 1,500 others convicted of offenses related to the January 6th attack. Many of the perpetrators have shown a stunning lack of remorse following their violent assaults on the brave members of the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department who protected the Capitol that day.
    “For example, last August, David Dempsey, just a few hours after receiving a 240-month prison sentence for attacking police on January 6 with a flagpole, crutches, pepper spray, and pieces of furniture, called into a gathering of supporters outside the D.C. jail. In reference to Trump’s opponents, Mr. Dempsey said, ‘Don’t celebrate too hard, man, because that sentence is only going to last like six months…’ Devlyn Thompson attempted to throw a speaker at police officers—which ended up hitting and injuring a fellow rioter—and hit a police officer with a metal baton, according to court documents. Daniel ‘D.J.’ Rodriguez, a California man who drove a stun gun into an officer’s neck during one of the most violent clashes of the Capitol riot, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison before President Trump granted him clemency. Andrew Taake pepper-sprayed police officers and hit one with a metal whip. He was supposed to serve 74 months at a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas, but he was pardoned by President Trump,” said Durbin.
    “As Winston Churchill said once, ‘Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it,’” Durbin continued. “That is why we must continue sounding the alarm on the violence and chaos of that day to ensure that it never happens again. We must also be clear that violence for political purposes is never, never acceptable and has no place in a democracy.”
    Durbin concluded, “The men and women who bravely defended the members of this body deserve better—and we should honor them for their heroic efforts on that day, not excuse the thugs who attacked this body and the ideals it represents… I thank Senator Murray for introducing this important resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons of the January 6 insurrectionists who assaulted our brave law enforcement officers, and I am disgusted that our Republican colleagues won’t join us in honoring the men and women who risk their lives every single day for us.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photo and Video Chronology — January 28, 2025 — Episode 7 of Kīlauea eruption

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Photo and Video Chronology — January 28, 2025 — Episode 7 of Kīlauea eruption

    Episode 7 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption started during the early evening on January 27 and ended abruptly at 10:47 a.m. HST on January 28.

    Each episode of Halemaʻumaʻu lava fountaining since December 23, 2024, has continued for 13 hours to 8 days and episodes have been separated by pauses in eruptive activity lasting less than 24 hours to 12 days.

    Episode 7 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 6:42 p.m. HST on January 27, and continued through the night. Lava fountains fed a small flow onto the crater floor. This timelapse video is from the KWcam, which is located on the west caldera rim and looks east across Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. 

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    These items are in the RSS feed format (Really Simple Syndication) based on categories such as topics, locations, and more. You can install and RSS reader browser extension, software, or use a third-party service to receive immediate news updates depending on the feed that you have added. If you click the feed links below, they may look strange because they are simply XML code. An RSS reader can easily read this code and push out a notification to you when something new is posted to our site.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Lower inflation in the December quarter boosts chances of an interest rate cut

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra

    ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock

    Australia’s headline inflation rate dropped to a three-year low of 2.4% in the December quarter, according to the Consumer Price Index, adding to pressure for an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank as soon as next month.

    Since it peaked at 7.8% in December 2022, inflation has now fallen for seven out of eight quarters.

    The closely watched core inflation measure dropped sharply to 3.2% from 3.6%, below market expectations, but the central bank is concerned about how sustainable the fall in inflation will be. Strength in the labour market is also weighing against the need for a cut in interest rates.

    The long-running quarterly measure of the CPI is a better indicator than the more volatile monthly version. But the monthly rate is currently very similar; it ended the year at 2.5%.

    Why did inflation fall?

    A main reason headline inflation fell was the electricity rebates, which led to the price of electricity falling by 25.2% during 2024.

    The fall in global oil prices, which led to petrol prices dropping 7.9% during 2024, also contributed to the decline in inflation.

    The rental market is easing, with rents slowing from growth of 7.3% during 2023 to 6.4% during 2024. Increases in Commonwealth Rent Assistance contributed to the deceleration. This still leaves a lot of families facing rental stress.

    Home builders offering discounts have moderated the “new dwellings” component of the CPI. It increased by only 2.9% during 2024, a marked deceleration from the growth rates of around 20% seen in 2022.

    Urban transport fares also fell during 2024.

    Working against the downward trend were increases to the tobacco excise, in addition to the standard indexation, which led to tobacco prices rising by 12.2% during 2024.

    Insurance costs continue to rise, increasing by 11% during 2024. If the Californian fires lead to insurers revising up their assessment of the risks posed by climate change, insurance premia could rise further.

    The decline in the Australian dollar, while not as alarming as some media reports would suggest, would have added to the price of some goods, particularly those imported from the United States or whose price is denominated in US dollars.



    Read more:
    The Australian dollar has hit a 5 year low. Sounds bad but don’t panic

    The decline in inflation may be a pleasant surprise to the half of voters who were expecting inflation to get worse.

    The “underlying” rate of inflation, which looks through temporary measures such as the electricity subsidies and is the preferred measure of the central bank, has also declined. It is now 3.2%.

    Australia’s inflation performance is similar to that in comparable countries. It is slightly lower than inflation in the United Kingdom (2.5%) and the same as in the euro area. It is higher than in New Zealand (2.2%) and Canada (1.8%).

    The fall in inflation to a rate significantly below the 3.5% at which wages are increasing means that the cost of living crisis is abating, although not yet over.

    The quarterly increases in the CPI during 2024 were 1.0% in March and June and 0.2% in September and December. As the large increases in the first half of 2024 are replaced, the annual rate should drop further in coming quarters.

    What does it mean for interest rates?

    The current Reserve Bank board meets next on February 18. By the following meeting, on April 1, the decisions will be taken by the new monetary policy board, which will have two new members.



    Read more:
    The Reserve Bank will now have a separate board just to set interest rates. Here’s why that’s significant

    This is the second consecutive quarter that inflation has been within the Reserve Bank’s medium-term target band of 2–3%. It is now just below the mid-point of the band.

    Inflation is also below the Bank’s latest forecasts of 2.6% (and 3.4% for the “underlying” rate).

    But the bank has stated it will only cut interest rates when “members are confident that inflation is moving sustainably towards target”.

    Inflation that is low just because of temporary electricity subsidies may not be regarded as ‘sustainable’. That is why the Bank places more emphasis on the underlying inflation measure. While not yet within the target band, underlying inflation has been steadily heading there and is now only just above it. This may be enough to give the Bank board members the confidence they seek. Financial markets now think so.

    The government would dearly like to see rates coming down before the election, likely to be in April or May. It faces a nervous wait.

    John Hawkins was formerly a senior economist at the Reserve Bank and Treasury.

    – ref. Lower inflation in the December quarter boosts chances of an interest rate cut – https://theconversation.com/lower-inflation-in-the-december-quarter-boosts-chances-of-an-interest-rate-cut-246987

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville: Allowing Child Mutilation is “Pure Insanity”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) issued the following statement in support of President Donald Trump’s executive order ending the chemical and surgical mutilation of children:
    “We all know by now that so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ is anything but caring. There’s a reason it’s illegal for kids to buy alcohol, a lottery ticket, or join the military. Allowing our young people whose brains aren’t fully developed to undergo a life-altering, irreversible procedure is pure insanity. This isn’t about politics—this is about good and evil. I’m thankful for President Trump’s commonsense leadership to end this barbaric practice in our country once and for all.” 
    MORE:
     ICYMI: Tuberville Joins Roundtable on Protecting Children and Women’s Sports
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn to Chair Senate Drug Caucus

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement announcing he will serve as chair of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control during the 119th Congress:
    “Deadly narcotics like fentanyl continue to ravage communities in Texas and across the nation, and an all-of-the-above approach is needed to fully root out these silent killers. I look forward to leveraging this new post to stifle the supply chain of Chinese precursors, target distributors in Latin America, and hold financiers of this deadly trade accountable for the massive loss of innocent American life they’re responsible for.”
    Sen. Cornyn previously served as chair from 2019-2020 and ranking member from 2021-2022. During this time, the Caucus released a landmark report on the public health implications and risks of cannabis use, in addition to hosting hearings on international narcotics trafficking, the role of cartels in the illicit drug trade, and the drug overdose epidemic.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Calls Out Trump’s Overreach with Illegal Federal Funding Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) tonight took to the Senate Floor to blast President Trump’s new order to halt the disbursement of trillions of dollars in federal funding, which was issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) but temporarily blocked late this afternoon until Monday by a federal judge. A portion of Senator Welch’s remarks can be found below:
    “This is the test that we face: If we’re United States Senators and we believe that the Constitution is important—not in the abstract—but in the role it has played in preserving and protecting the freedom of all Americans, and we believe that freedom is preserved when there is a check and balance against unbridled power, then we are the ones that have to act in order to protect the well-being of this country against the illegal actions by a President who just doesn’t care, whether it’s legal or it isn’t.
    “He worships power. And he’s creating a new culture—where if you worship community service, if you worship generosity, forgiveness, empathy…you’re a sucker. That’s the emotional message from President Trump. People in Vermont? They want and they do better, when they see injustice, they see suffering and they respond to it. They don’t intensify it.
    “So, we have a decision as United States Senators to stand up for what this institution requires. And that is that we are a separate and coequal branch of government. And when the responsibilities are being subverted by an overreach by the executive, we resist. And we resist because it’s absolutely vital to the well-being of this country that our democracy prevail—three branches of government, checks and balances.
    “But it’s really, fundamentally important to the well-being of the people we represent that their opportunity to live with stability, the ability to help their neighbors, to have confidence that promises are made or promises kept. That we defend the good work, the good will, integrity of the people of Vermont…of all of our 50 states.”
    Watch the video here:
    Read the Vermont Congressional Delegation’s statement on the impact of the order on Vermonters.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Rosen Statement on Trump’s Reckless Federal Funding Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) issued the following statement blasting the Trump Administration’s pause on all federal grants and loans and the dire impact it will have on Nevada.
    “President Trump’s freeze on federal grants and funding has jeopardized key programs that many Nevadans rely on,” said Senator Rosen. “Because of this freeze, there is now chaos and confusion about the status of critical funding needed to support local law enforcement, veterans, businesses, widely used housing programs, and others. Make no mistake, I will fight back against this unconstitutional action and work to ensure that Nevada’s federal funding resumes to continue benefiting Nevadans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Rosen, Booker, Gillibrand, Kelly, Blumenthal, Wyden, Schiff, Peters, Cortez Masto, & Gallego Issue Statement on ICC Sanctions Procedural Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement on their opposition to a procedural vote on the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act.
    “As pro-Israel members committed to protecting and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, and ensuring Israel has every tool to defend itself, we are deeply troubled by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) outrageous political targeting of Israel and its leaders. The Court’s false equivalence of Israel’s defense of its people with Hamas’s barbaric actions on October 7th is an affront to human conscience, deserving of both condemnation and severe consequences. We believe this judicial overreach must be countered forcefully, including through sanctions on those at the ICC directly responsible.
    “Instead of directly punishing those responsible for the ICC’s reckless and irresponsible behavior, the House-passed ICC sanctions bill has overly broad language that would put our allies and U.S. private companies in the crosshairs. While we are eager to support a bill that would swiftly sanction those at the ICC responsible for its anti-Israel actions, in taking up the House bill today, Senate Republicans took a flawed, partisan approach. Despite our efforts, the bill’s sponsors did not allow us to make this bill stronger and more targeted. This is why we made the difficult decision to vote against a procedural motion on their bill, after serious consideration of the far-reaching, unintended consequences it would have. We urge our Republican colleagues to return to the negotiating table and reach a bipartisan agreement so that we can stand together in support of Israel through more targeted and effective legislation.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Statement on Trump Administration Order to Cut Federal Grants and Loans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    Published: 01.28.2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s recent decision to cut federal grants:
    “I am already hearing from my constituents who are worried about funding being cut off for cops and firefighters, childcare, combatting the fentanyl crisis, food for kids, and so much more. We are talking about real people’s lives; real people’s ability to eat, stay safe, or live a healthy life is on the line. I want to be clear, Democrats and Republicans passed laws providing this funding for our kids, families, and communities, and ripping it away is an unconstitutional power grab. I will fight it at every step.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Probes Lutnick for Ties to Crypto Firm with Long Record of Financing Terrorists, Illicit Activity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    January 28, 2025
    Ahead of hearing, Sen. Warren wrote to Lutnick about deep ties to Tether, known as “outlaws’ favorite cryptocurrency”
    “Your record of support for and financial involvement with Tether…raise significant questions about your own personal judgment and the conflicts of interest that you will have if you are confirmed as Commerce Secretary.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Commerce, ahead of his Wednesday confirmation hearing, probing his serious financial conflicts and personal and professional ties to the scandal-ridden cryptocurrency Tether. 
    “In particular, your deep involvement with and support for Tether, a known facilitator of criminal activity that has been described as ‘outlaws’ favorite cryptocurrency’ raises concerns about your judgment and ability to put the interests of the American people ahead of your own financial interests,” wrote Senator Warren.
    Senator Warren requested information about Lutnick’s financial stake in Tether, any conversations with Trump administration officials about Tether, and whether his firm performed due diligence to confirm that Tether is in compliance with “Know Your Customer” rules in the Bank Secrecy Act, international sanctions, and anti-money laundering laws.
    As CEO of Tether’s asset manager, Cantor Fitzgerald, which also reportedly holds a 5 percent stake in the cryptocurrency company, Lutnick played a significant role in Tether’s rise. Despite Tether’s clear ties to criminal activity — including financing North Korean nuclear weapons programs, Mexican drug cartels, Russian arms companies, Middle Eastern terrorist groups, and Chinese manufacturers of chemicals used to make fentanyl — Lutnick “‘vouched’ for Tether when ‘few others would.’”
    Even after Trump’s election win and subsequent decision to nominate Lutnick as Commerce Secretary, Cantor Fitzgerald continued to deepen its ties to Tether, reportedly agreeing to serve as the backbone of Tether’s multi-billion dollar Bitcoin lending program. Lutnick seemingly used his role as Trump Transition co-chair to advance his own interests, including bringing Cantor Fitzgerald lobbyist Jeff Miller to Congressional meetings related to the transition. As Senator Warren noted, “even aides in the Trump administration were questioning [Lutnick’s] continued efforts to mix [his] business interests with [his] duties on the Trump transition team.”
    “You cannot serve as a booster for Tether while impartially fulfilling the Department of Commerce’s mission to ‘create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities’ as ‘economic growth has taken on increased importance for national security,’” Senator Warren concluded.
    After President Trump announced his decision to nominate Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary in November, Senator Warren said: “Donald Trump’s pick of a Wall Street CEO for Commerce Secretary is a win for the billionaire class at the expense of working people. The across-the-board tariff plan is a distraction from the MAGA scam to extend tax giveaways for giant corporations and billionaires like Howard Lutnick.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Questions Defense Secretary Hegseth on Trump’s Purported Military Action to “Turn On” California Water

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Questions Defense Secretary Hegseth on Trump’s Purported Military Action to “Turn On” California Water

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) requested Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth clarify President Trump’s January 27th Truth Social post, which claimed that the U.S. military “entered” California and “turned on the water” flowing from Northern California to other parts of the state.
    Even though California is delivering as much water to farms and cities as during the previous Trump Administration, the President claimed that he used his “Emergency Powers” as Commander-in-Chief to send the military to California to turn on the water. Contrary to misinformation circulated by President Trump, Southern California has record water storage on hand. Senator Padilla has pushed back against dangerous misinformation about the state’s water supply, which Trump is attempting to leverage to withhold disaster aid.
    After President Trump was sworn in, federal pumping of water was briefly reduced due to outages for maintenance, which have since been restored to prior pumping levels.   
    “Clarity and transparency on these matters are crucial to ensure that the public is properly informed and that any actions comply with federal laws governing the use of the U.S. military within the United States,” wrote Senator Padilla.
    Padilla asked Secretary Hegseth the following five clarifying questions in response to Trump’s post:
    1. Which units of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to this mission?
    2. Specifically, where in California were they deployed? Please name the specific cities that were “entered” by U.S. Armed Forces, and the names and ownership of any facilities where troops were assigned.
    3. When the President says members of the military “TURNED ON THE WATER,” what specific actions did U.S. servicemembers undertake to accomplish this mission?
    4. To which specific “Emergency Powers” is the President referring to justify this mission?
    5. Compared to the week of January 13, 2025, how much more water is now flowing through the federal pumps?
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Hegseth,
    I write regarding President Trump’s January 27th post on Truth Social in which he wrote, “The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!”
    Given this statement from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, I ask that you respond in writing to the following questions:
    1. Which units of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to this mission?
    2. Specifically, where in California were they deployed? Please name the specific cities that were “entered” by U.S. Armed Forces, and the names and ownership of any facilities where troops were assigned.
    3. When the President says members of the military “TURNED ON THE WATER,” what specific actions did U.S. servicemembers undertake to accomplish this mission?
    4. To which specific “Emergency Powers” is the President referring to justify this mission?
    5. Compared to the week of January 13, 2025, how much more water is now flowing through the federal pumps?
    Clarity and transparency on these matters are crucial to ensure that the public is properly informed and that any actions comply with federal laws governing the use of the U.S. military within the United States.
    I look forward to your prompt response to these questions.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Raises Alarm on Trump Administration Illegally Blocking Hundreds of Billions in Federal Support

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Raises Alarm on Trump Administration Illegally Blocking Hundreds of Billions in Federal Support

    Urges Budget Committee to Delay OMB Nominee
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ordered federal agencies to freeze all congressionally approved federal grants and loans, including disaster relief for Californians:
    “Donald Trump is illegally blocking hundreds of billions of dollars for essential federal programs to support families recovering after catastrophic fires, law enforcement agencies we rely on to keep our communities safe, and children and families who depend on federal child care and nutrition programs. All in his effort to pay for his tax cuts for large corporations and billionaires, like the ones he surrounded himself with during his inauguration. This overreach is unconstitutional and hurts the thousands of Californians who have been devastated by the recent fires. When Congress approves federal funds for programs to help communities, they are not optional: they are legal mandates.
    “Americans in every corner of the country will feel the impact of Donald Trump’s unlawful directives. I am calling on my Republican colleagues to not confirm Russell Vought to be OMB Director until Trump reverses this reckless order.”
    The sweeping directives in the Trump Administration’s memorandum are set to go into effect at 5 p.m. ET this evening. If implemented as written, the directives could block funding for California and national priorities including:
    Disaster Relief: Public assistance and hazard mitigation grants from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments and non-profits to help communities quickly respond to, recover from, and prepare for major disasters will be halted — right as so many Southern California communities are struggling amid the recent fires.
    Firefighting: Grants to support firefighters across the country will be halted. This includes grants that help states and localities purchase essential firefighting equipment.
    Public Safety: Grants for law enforcement and homeland security activities will cease to go out the door, undermining public safety in every state and territory.
    Infrastructure Projects: All federally-funded transportation projects — roads, bridges, public transit, and more — will be halted, including projects already under construction.
    Homelessness/Housing: In the midst of a homelessness and housing crisis, the Trump Administration is freezing housing and homelessness funding, which will exacerbate our housing crisis.
    988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that Senator Padilla significantly improved, as well as grants for mental health services, will be cut off.
    Nutrition Assistance: Millions of American citizens who rely on nutrition assistance programs like school lunch programs will be left hungry as funding is cut off and non-profits who provide additional assistance lose federal funding.
    Combating the Fentanyl Crisis: Funding for communities to address the substance use disorder crisis and combat the fentanyl crisis will be cut off.
    Emergency Preparedness: Critical preparedness and response capability funding used to prepare for disasters, public health emergencies, and chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear events will be frozen.
    Child Care: Child care programs across the country will not be able to access the funding they rely on to keep their doors open.
    K-12 Schools: Federal funding for K-12 schools will be halted. School districts may not be able to access key formula grant funding including Title I, IDEA, Impact Aid, and Career and Technical Education, which would pose tremendous financial burdens on schools in the middle of the school year.
    Biomedical Research: There will be immediate pauses on all funding for critical health research, including research on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes, as well as clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center and all across the country — disrupting lifesaving and often time-sensitive research.
    Higher Education and Job Training: Millions of students relying on federal student loans and federal work study will have their plans to pursue postsecondary education and further their careers thrown into chaos as federal financial aid disbursements are paused.
    Health Services: Federal funding for community health centers that provide health care for over 30 million Americans will be immediately frozen, creating chaos for patients trying get their prescriptions, a regular checkup, and more.
    Small Businesses: The Small Business Administration will have to halt loans to small businesses — including those in disaster-ravaged California communities. 
    Veterans Care: Federal grants to help veterans in rural areas access health care and grants to help veterans get other critical services, including suicide prevention resources, transition assistance, and housing for homeless veterans, will be cut off.
    Tribes: Funding to tribes for basic government services like health care, public safety, programs, tribal schools, and food assistance will be halted.
    Preventing Violence Against Women: All Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants, as well as funding for victims assistance and state and local police, will be cut off.
    U.S. Competitiveness: Existing grants to support research for Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing will be halted and any new grant funding would be paused — undermining U.S. innovation and competitiveness with China and putting California jobs at risk.
    Energy Jobs: Grants for critical energy projects nationwide will be cut off — halting billions of dollars in investment nationwide and jeopardizing good-paying American jobs. The Department of Energy Loan Program Office will halt loans in 28 states, impacting hundreds of thousands of construction and operations jobs.
    Food Inspections: Some states will have to take on the full financial burden of ensuring the nation’s meat supply is safe if federal cooperative agreements for meat inspection are halted.
    Support for Servicemembers: Support for a host of Department of Defense financial assistance and grant programs supporting servicemembers and their families will be halted, including the Fisher House, Impact Aid, community noise mitigation, ROTC language training, STEM programs, and the USO.
    Military Readiness: Grants and other assistance appropriated to strengthen military effectiveness and defense capacity will be halted, including Defense Production Act support for the defense industrial base, basic research grants necessary to advance key technologies, and small business support to strengthen supply chains.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski Releases Statement on Suspension of Federal Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    01.28.25
    Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on federal funding: 
    “Alaskans have understandably been reaching out to my office all day, asking for clarity about what OMB’s memo ordering a pause in grants, loans, and other federal financial assistance means for them. At this point, we don’t have any more direction than what has been reported. My staff is actively tracking impacted projects and services in Alaska, and working to identify those that most urgently need to be brought to the administration’s attention. Please pass along any information you can to my office directly about projects and services that are being affected, and thank you for your patience as we work alongside you to navigate next steps.”
    On Tuesday afternoon, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released guidance and a Q&A that can be referenced for assistance as the situation evolves. Alaskans can contact Senator Murkowski’s office using this link to report additional concerns. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Decries Trump Pardons for Violent January 6 Insurrectionists

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (January 28, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today on President Trump’s pardons for violent January 6 insurrectionists. Yesterday, Senator Markey joined the Senate Democratic caucus in introducing a resolution condemning the pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers. 

    “On January 6, 2021, dedicated officers of the U.S. Capitol Police were forced to protect members of Congress in medieval-style combat as a vicious mob armed with firearms, bear spray, and metal barricades forced its way into the U.S. Capitol. Officers died as a result of the insurrection, and many more were left beaten and bruised. Donald Trump pardoned the January 6 insurrectionists, including violent felons, in one swoop—a disgraceful insult not only to our democracy, but to the law enforcement officers who show up every day to protect and serve us,” said Senator Markey. “I’m astounded by the silence among my Republican colleagues. They claim to ‘back the blue’ but now they laud the violent criminals who left our officers black and blue on January 6. We now know that the Republican party is no longer the party of ‘law and order,’ but the party of ‘chaos and disorder.’ Donald Trump’s pardons are a dangerous and shameful abuse of presidential power. We should all be united in denouncing them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Statement on Federal Funding Pause and Review

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    01.28.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) released the following statement regarding the temporary pause on the distribution of some federal funds, pending a review by the Trump administration:

    “My office has heard from many Alaskans concerned about the Trump administration’s pause on the distribution of federal funds. My team and I are digging into the details of how this pause impacts Alaska and closely monitoring the situation.

    “The pause is more limited in scope than some initial media reports suggested, but I still have concerns on how it can negatively impact Alaskans. The pause is being conducted to review compliance with several of the President’s executive orders, particularly those related to foreign aid, illegal immigration and DEI initiatives. According to the White House, the pause does not affect direct benefits to Americans and Alaskans—including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Pell grants, Head Start, veterans’ benefits, rental assistance and similar programs.

    “We will continue to work closely with Alaskans who may be impacted and share any additional guidance provided by the Office of Management and Budget. My team and I will continue to weigh in with the Trump administration on behalf of impacted Alaskans and our communities. If any individual Alaskan or Alaska organization is concerned about a particular grant or funding source, I encourage them to reach out to my office at 202.224.3004.”

    The Office of Management and Budget released an initial guidance document which can be viewed here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: One Month Away: Submission Deadline Approaches for Senator Sullivan’s Student Fentanyl Awareness Competition

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    01.28.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reminded Alaskans today of the approaching February 28th deadline for high school students across Alaska to participate in a public awareness campaign about the dangers of fentanyl in their community. The competition is part of the statewide “One Pill Can Kill – Alaska” public awareness campaign that Senator Sullivan launched in May of 2024. Since the campaign began, Senator Sullivan has highlighted the One Pill Can Kill campaign in community visits, roundtables and student listening sessions across the state, including in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Ketchikan, Cordova, Valdez, Glenallen, Kotzebue and Utqiagvik. More information on the competition can be found below and by clicking here.

    “Fighting the deadly fentanyl crisis in our state means enlisting the help of all Alaskans,” Senator Sullivan said. “After hearing from youth across our state, it became clear that in order for this campaign to succeed, young Alaskans in particular would need to play a big role. Young Alaskans are impacted by this crisis—and they’re motivated to action. By harnessing the creative and bright minds of Alaska’s next generation of leaders, we can finally turn the tide against this horrendous plague on our communities.”

    Competition Details:

    What: We are asking students to launch a “One Pill Can Kill” media campaign to reach high school students.  The campaign can reach students in a variety of ways: posters in hallways, advertisements in student newspapers, or videos on social media are a few examples. Creativity is key.

    The campaigns should use the “One Pill Can Kill” messaging and highlight the dangers of fentanyl, the risks of non-prescription drug use, and the importance of staying informed and seeking help.

    Who: This competition is open to groups of high school students in Alaska. Schools are encouraged to submit one campaign per school but may submit more. Each entry must include at least two students’ participation. Home schooled students may also participate by launching a media campaign that reaches youth in locations other than school, including online.

    How: After launching the campaign, contestants must submit a report to Senator Sullivan’s communications team explaining their campaign, how it was executed and what they learned. Final submissions can be sent to helen_martin@sullivan.senate.gov. Keep in mind the judging criteria below. Examples of the campaign’s media materials must be included or linked to in the report.

    Judging Criteria:

    1. Effectiveness – Is the campaign effective?
    2. Targeted Audience – Does the campaign reach the intended audience?
    3. Messaging – Does the campaign incorporate the theme of “One Pill Can Kill – Alaska?”
    4. Creativity – Is the campaign innovative?
    5. Accuracy – Are the facts about fentanyl and its risks correct and well-researched?
    6. Lessons Learned – Does the report explain what they learned from the experience?

    Prize:

    While all campaigns will be featured on Senator Sullivan’s website, the winning campaign will work with Senator Sullivan’s communications team to design public service announcements featured as part of the statewide “One Pill Can Kill – Alaska” campaign. It will be shared on Senator Sullivan’s social media channels and offered for distribution to local television, radio, and print media across Alaska.

    Timeline:

    • Report Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025
    • Winners Announced: March 14, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Lieutenant General Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes of Brazil – Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

    Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2

    nited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Lieutenant General Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes of Brazil as Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

    Lieutenant General Gomes succeeds Acting Force Commander Major General Khar Diouf of Senegal, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and service.

    Lieutenant General Gomes brings to the position 35 years of experience in crisis response, conflict management and peacekeeping.  He has both operational and strategic expertise as well as diplomatic experience.  His last position was with his national military, where he served as Deputy Chief of Army Logistics Command.  Prior to that, he was the Brazilian Military Attaché to the United States of America.

    He previously served as the 7th Infantry Brigade Commander in Brazil, the Defence Adviser of the Minister of Strategic Affairs of the Brazilian Government and the Chief of Planning and Operations of the 11th Infantry Brigade.  His international experience includes his deployment with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) (2008-2009) and his appointment as the Chief of the Current Military Operations Service and Policy & Doctrine Team in the Office of Military Affairs of the UN Department of Peace Operations (2017-2019).
     
    Lieutenant General Gomes holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the Federal University, Brazil, and a master’s degree in military science and law from the Brazilian Army Staff College. He is fluent in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow enterprises will take part in 30 foreign exhibitions with the support of Mospromtsentr

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Metro

    This year, Moscow-based export-oriented companies will have more opportunities to communicate with foreign partners: the MosProm center will organize 25 international business missions and ensure participation in 5 major international exhibitions. These initiatives, which include both face-to-face and virtual meetings, will provide Moscow manufacturers with important platforms for negotiations with foreign partners, said Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

    Tastes of Moscow.

    On behalf of Sergei Sobyanin, the city prioritizes supporting export-oriented enterprises in expanding their presence in global markets. Our main task is to increase the volume of exports of industrial goods and agricultural products of Moscow production to friendly countries. Moscow manufacturers will present their products at international exhibitions in China, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. They will also hold direct negotiations with potential buyers and distributors from Mexico, the UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Mongolia, African countries and the CIS, said Maxim Liksutov.

    MosProm was established in 2019 with the aim of increasing the recognition and presence of Moscow-made products in foreign markets. One of the most effective programs offered by MosProm is the buyer program. It allows companies to participate in specialized international exhibitions and business missions, where they can negotiate with potential customers of Moscow-made products in the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) formats. This enables local industrial companies to expand their export scope and product range, establish new partnerships and customer relationships, and attract valuable investments.

    Tastes of Moscow.

    MosProm specialists provide comprehensive support to Moscow producers at all stages of their foreign economic activity. Thanks to MosProm’s assistance, Moscow non-raw materials and non-energy producers have successfully reoriented their export flows and found new partners in the markets of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the CIS, – emphasized Anatoly Garbuzov, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of Investment and Industrial Policy.

    In addition, Moscow exporters benefit significantly from national support programs. The national project “International Cooperation and Export” is a set of measures of information, financial, insurance and logistics support. The project includes the digital platform “My Export”, which offers a range of business support services. These include free expert consultations, market analytics, assistance in promoting goods on international platforms, online training programs and much more.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Peters champion bipartisan bill to end government payments to deceased Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) introduced the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act to save billions of federal dollars by curbing erroneous payments to individuals who have passed away.

    Kennedy’s original bipartisan legislation set up provisions to save federal taxpayer dollars by curbing erroneous government payments to deceased individuals for a temporary three-year period, and the new bill would make the temporary provisions permanent.

    “In 2023 alone, the federal government sent $1.3 billion to dead people. The Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act would permanently correct bureaucratic errors so that Americans’ tax dollars don’t get wasted or stolen,” said Kennedy.

    “This bill would help save millions of taxpayer dollars by ensuring that the Social Security Administration can permanently share important data with the Treasury’s Do Not Pay system, preventing wrongful payments to deceased individuals. I have long supported this legislation because I believe it is a vital step in safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring the integrity of our payment systems,” said Peters. 

    Earlier this month, the Treasury Department announced that it recovered $31 million in fraud and improper payments during the first five months of the implementation of Senator Kennedy’s Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act in which the Social Security Administration shared it’s Death Master File with the Treasury Department in order to avoid erroneous payments on a temporary basis. 

    The Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act would permanently amend the Social Security Act to allow the Social Security Administration to share the Death Master File—a record of deceased individuals—with the Treasury Department’s Do Not Pay system. This change would rein in the government’s ability to make improper payments to deceased people into the future.

    The bill would also allow Treasury’s Do Not Pay working system to compare death information from the Social Security Administration with personal information from other federal entities and to share this information with any paying or administering agency that is authorized to use the Do Not Pay system.

    Background:

    • In Dec. 2024, Kennedy urged his colleagues to save taxpayer dollars and support the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased Americans Act on the Senate floor.
    • In May 2024, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously passed Kennedy’s Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. 
    • Kennedy’s Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act became law in December 2020. The bill mandates the sharing of the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File with the Department of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay working system within three years after enactment. The three-year exchange runs from December 27, 2023 to December 27, 2026.  
    • In 2021, Kennedy wrote this op-ed sounding the alarm on the government’s sending more than $1 billion to deceased Americans.
    • In 2019, Kennedy questioned U.S. Government Accountability Office Comptroller General Hon. Gene L. Dodaro about improper payments sent to deceased people.

    Full bill text is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –