NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston Man Charged in Elder Fraud Conspiracy That Defrauded Elderly Victim of Over $400,000

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    BOSTON – A South Boston man has been arrested and charged in connection with a scheme that defrauded a 75-year-old man from Berkshire County, Mass., of approximately $420,000.

    Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel, 21, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Patel was arrested on Oct. 7, 2024 and subsequently released by the Court on conditions including GPS monitoring and orders that he remain in Massachusetts.

    According to the charging documents, in or around June 2024, the victim received a pop-up message on his computer claiming that his computer was frozen. The message contained a phone number, which the victim believed to be associated with Microsoft, and directed the victim to call for assistance. The victim then called the phone number listed in the pop-up and allegedly spoke with an individual before being transferred to another individual who called himself, “Sam Wilson.”

    It is alleged that Wilson claimed to be a federal agent with the U.S. Treasury Department and purported to confirm the victim’s name and address. When the victim stated that was not the correct address, Wilson provided additional addresses until the victim identified his correct address. Wilson then allegedly told the victim that the victim’s name and address were listed as being involved in a money laundering scheme and that the “Treasury” showed a number of houses had been purchased in the United States and Russia in the victim’s name. Wilson allegedly told the victim that he was going to help him get out of this trouble and would speak to a judge but that, in the meantime, the victim needed to safeguard his money from being further implicated in the supposed money laundering scheme. Specifically, Wilson allegedly told the victim he should withdraw cash from his bank and send it to the Treasury Department, where it would be kept in a lock box until the victim was cleared of the scheme. Wilson also allegedly cautioned that the bank would not let the victim withdraw all of his money at once – directing the victim to make the withdrawals in smaller amounts and send it to Wilson at the “Treasury” in installments.

    On approximately five separate occasions over the course of three months, the victim withdrew and provided approximately $420,000 in cash to several individuals he believed to be associated with “Sam Wilson.” On each occasion, Wilson asked the victim how much he could withdraw from his bank account, directed the victim to place the cash in a taped box with the victim’s own name and address written on it. Wilson also allegedly told the victim a specific date and time at which he would send a courier for the cash. On each occasion, the courier would pull alongside the curb in front of the victim’s house, lower one of the passenger side windows and provide a prearranged “PIN” passcode to the victim. The victim would then place the box of cash into the courier’s vehicle who would then drive away.  

    The victim’s sister reported this activity to law enforcement on Oct. 1, 2024. According to the charging documents, on Oct. 7, 2024, Patel served as the courier waiting outside of the victim’s home and was approached by an undercover officer posing as the victim. It is alleged that, after receiving the prearranged “PIN” passcode from Patel, the undercover officer placed the box into Patel’s vehicle and Patel quickly drove away. He was immediately apprehended.

    At the time of his arrest, Patel was allegedly driving a rental car and was actively engaged in a WhatsApp call on his cell phone. Patel allegedly told law enforcement that he had been collecting packages for weeks at the direction of another individual in exchange for payment. Patel also allegedly told law enforcement that he would deliver each package to a prearranged location before receiving his payment.

    The investigation remains ongoing. Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime – including elder fraud scams, cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and business email compromise fraud scams – should contact USAMA.CyberTip@usdoj.gov. To report elder fraud, please visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center or contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311 Monday – Friday, 10a.m.- 6p.m. EST.

    The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the North Adams Police Department and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Rising Dragon Acquisition Corp. Announces Pricing of $50 Million Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANXI, CHINA, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rising Dragon Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: RDAC) (the “Company”) announced today that it priced its initial public offering of 5,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The units are expected to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) and trade under the ticker symbol “RDACU” beginning October 11, 2024. Each unit consists of one ordinary share and one right. Each right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination. No fractional rights will be issued upon separation of the units. As a result, ten rights are needed to receive one ordinary share at the closing of the initial business combination. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the ordinary shares and rights are expected to be listed on NASDAQ under the symbols “RDAC” and “RDACR”, respectively.

    The underwriters have been granted a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 units offered by the Company to cover over-allotments, if any.

    The offering is expected to close on October 15, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

    Lucid Capital Markets acted as sole book running manager in the offering. Loeb & Loeb LLP is serving as legal counsel to the Company. Blank Rome LLP is serving as legal counsel to Lucid Capital Markets.

    A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2024. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Lucid Capital Markets, 570 Lexington Avenue, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Copies of the registration statement can be accessed through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

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

    About Rising Dragon Acquisition Corp.

    Rising Dragon Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Company’s efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

    Contact:

    Wenyi Shen
    woody.shen@hywincapital.cn
    Rising Dragon Acquisition Corp.
    No. 604, Yixing Road, Wanbolin District, Taiyuan City,
    Shanxi Province, People’s Republic of China

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prominent Law Enforcement Groups Back Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s Bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    National Fraternal Order of Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s union and more endorsed Vasquez’s bill

    LAS CRUCES, N.M. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) announced the support of several prominent law enforcement organizations for his bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Actthatprovides increased funding, technology and staffing for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to keep our communities safe and combat the growing fentanyl crisis. Endorsements include the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Treasury Employees Union (representing CBP officers), National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, and Major County Sheriffs of America.

    These groups, representing thousands of officers and law enforcement professionals on the front lines of the opioid crisis, support Vasquez in his efforts to combat fentanyl smuggling and stop the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.

    “Having the support of the men and women in law enforcement who work to protect our communities is an important endorsement to stop this crisis at the source. Fentanyl is having a tragic impact on young people and our families. I’m grateful for law enforcement’s support of my bill to combat fentanyl smuggling,” said Vasquez. “My bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Actprovides additional screening resources and staff to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help save lives. This is not a partisan issue, we must come together to prevent further tragedy, overdoses and death.”

    The Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act provides increased funding for personnel, advanced inspection technology and equipment to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ensuring that officers have the resources to effectively detect and stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States. This bipartisan bill also addresses the illegal exportation of goods, firearms and currency, which are often tied to drug trafficking networks.

    “Our law enforcement members are the first line of defense against the scourge of fentanyl that comes across the American border each day,” said Patrick Yoes, President of theNational Fraternal Order of Police. “On behalf of more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on the issue.” 

    “The Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act provides much needed support, resources, and funding to the southwest border to help federal, state, and local law enforcement fight the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the country,” said William J. Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organization (NAPO). “Law enforcement at all levels of government have long been asking for these resources to support their efforts to prevent and detect fentanyl coming into this country and our communities. NAPO continues to fight for resources to support law enforcement’s efforts to combat fentanyl, its analogues, and similar opioids. We thank [Rep. Vasquez] for your leadership on this issue and we look forward to working with you to pass this important legislation.”

    The opioid crisis continues to devastate hundreds of thousands of American families as deadly, illicit narcotics are smuggled into the county. Fentanyl-related overdoses are responsible for over 70,000 deaths a year in the United States. Vasquez’s bill addresses CBP’s lack of necessary personnel, technology and resources to prevent these deadly substances from entering the United States.

    Vasquez’s Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act remains a key part of his broader commitment to safeguard New Mexico’s families and address the opioid crisis. The bill has gained momentum as it continues to receive bipartisan support and endorsements from law enforcement professionals dedicated to ending the fentanyl epidemic.

    In Congress, Vasquezhas worked across the aisle to find real solutions to these problems, securing over $280 million for border security, voting to add 22,000 new Border Patrol agents and introducing a series of bipartisan bills that would improve security at ports of entry, crack down on cartels and ensure that those who work hard and play by the rules have an opportunity for legal citizenship.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hurricane Milton Crosses Florida

    Source: NASA

    Your browser does not support the video tag.

    Hurricane Milton barreled into Florida’s west-central coast on the evening of October 9, 2024, making landfall south of Tampa as a major Category 3 storm. The hurricane lashed the region with heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and life-threatening storm surge, according to the National Hurricane Center.
    This animation shows Milton in the days before, during, and after its devastating encounter with Florida. The false-color images depict infrared signals known as brightness temperature, which is useful for distinguishing cooler cloud structures (white and purple) from the warmer surface below (yellow and orange). Data for the animation were acquired by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) instruments on several NASA and NOAA satellites.
    Since infrared data are based on temperatures rather than visible light, the data can be obtained day or night. This animation shows both daytime and nighttime images, beginning at 3:35 p.m. Eastern Time (19:35 Universal Time) on October 8 and ending at 3:08 a.m. Eastern Time (07:08 Universal Time) on October 10.
    Shortly before the first image of this series, Milton was a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 155 miles (250 kilometers) per hour. It soon grew to a Category 5 storm and then weakened to a still-potent Category 3 storm prior to making landfall on October 9. The storm maintained hurricane-strength intensity and fast, forward speed while crossing Florida, emerging over the western Atlantic as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 85 miles (140 kilometers) per hour at the end of this animation on October 10.

    On the morning of October 8, 2024, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photo of Hurricane Milton as it churned over the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 4 storm. Astronaut photos of the region are being made available to various agencies via the International Disasters Charter and NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination System (DRCS).
    NASA’s DRCS has been activated to support agencies responding to the storm, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Geospatial Information Office. The team will be posting maps and data products on its open-access mapping portal as new information becomes available about flooding, power outages, precipitation totals, and other topics.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using MODIS and VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). Astronaut photograph ISS072-E-29325 was acquired on October 8, 2024, with a Nikon Z 9 digital camera using a 50 millimeter lens and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 72 crew. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Story by Kathryn Hansen.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Directs State Resources to Assist with the Mollie Kathleen Mine Rescue Efforts

    Source: US State of Colorado

    TELLER COUNTY – Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis directed state resources to assist Teller County authorities with the ongoing Mollie Kathleen Mine rescue efforts. 

    “I have spoken to the Teller County Sheriff and County Commissioners and will stay in touch through the course of this rescue effort. The state is assisting Teller County and sending resources to rescue those inside the mine. We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    The Governor has spoken with Teller County Commissioners, and local law enforcement, and is closely monitoring the situation. Additionally, the state has personnel on site and more en route to assess the situation and provide on-the-ground support to local authorities. Specifically, the state has a Field Manager from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on the scene, the State Emergency Operations Center is activated and supporting resource requests, a mine rescue team from the Department of Natural Resources is en route, and the Department of Labor and Employment has a conveyances inspector en route. 

    Additional resources have been requested from Colorado Springs and El Paso County. We will provide updates as additional information becomes available. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Israel-Gaza conflict: Home and away

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Vinita Srivastava, Senior Editor, Culture + Society | Host + Exec. Producer, Don’t Call Me Resilient

    This article is from our race-related newsletter, a weekly curation of stories examining how systemic racism permeates our society. Sign up for the newsletter here.

    It’s not often that events far away impact us so profoundly at home. But events in Palestine and Israel, which have been reverberating in the Global North for decades, crescendoed over the past year, directly impacting millions of people in the region and also those of us who feel deeply committed to the transnational issues the conflict raises.

    Away, in Israel, 80,000 people remain displaced from their homes and lives continue to be gutted after the horrific attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, which led to over 1,200 people killed and 250 taken captive. Across the border, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, primarily by Israeli forces, and another two million have been displaced, many of whom are facing catastrophic famine conditions.

    Here in Ontario, before the start of this war, the Ford government had connected criticism of Israel to antisemitism and turned that concept into law through an executive decree. That same definition was picked up by institutions across Canada.

    That decree has ramifications for news media as well as university scholars across the country. This spring, students on Canadian campuses turned Canadian universities into massive hubs of debate as they protested the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

    In late September, those debates continued at the grade-school-level when teachers in Toronto were prevented from taking students on any field trips for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federally mandated day of memorialization. That school board decision was based on concerns that students may be exposed to rhetoric supporting Palestine. At an earlier demonstration about Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation, some demonstrators chanted a slogan connecting Indigenous Peoples dispossessed of their land here to those in Palestine, also dispossessed of their land.

    Recently, two Canadian scholars discussed some of those connections: how famine historically was used to control Indigenous communities in Canada, and continues to be a weapon of war against Palestinians today.

    When I was in grade school, Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress were classified as terrorists. Although I remember somehow being able to attend a school-sponsored talk by a former ANC member who spoke about the 1976 Soweto uprising. I trace part of my politicization back to that day.

    Teachers who introduce their students to issues like Grassy Narrows are aware of the lasting impression first-person narratives can make.

    This week, we put together eight episodes from Don’t Call Me Resilient from the last year in which you will hear directly from scholars with deep knowledge of the regions and the issues at play. The playlist starts with: “Why the Israel-Gaza conflict is so hard to talk about,” with other episodes digging into themes of starvation, news media, student protests and asylum seekers.

    Because it’s the long weekend, I’ll also point you to a music playlist we made, with suggestions from our podcast guests over the years. I’m inviting all of you to write in with song suggestions to add to it. We will try to get at least some of them up there this long weekend.

    Just drop us an email with your suggestion at: dcmr@theconversation.com

    – ref. Israel-Gaza conflict: Home and away – https://theconversation.com/israel-gaza-conflict-home-and-away-240854

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: New survey of IPCC authors reveals doubt, and hope, that world will achieve climate targets

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Seth Wynes, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, University of Waterloo

    How hot is it going to get?

    This is one of the most important and difficult remaining questions about our changing climate. The answer depends not only on how sensitive our climate is to greenhouse gases, but also on how much carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases we as a civilization choose to emit over coming decades.

    In order to help think more clearly about this question, we asked authors who have contributed to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to share their best guesses about where the world is headed.

    The results of our recently published study show that most of the responding climate experts believe our planet will likely exceed the 1.5 C and “well-below 2 C” warming targets agreed upon by the international community.

    In fact, the median estimate was 2.7 C by 2100, which is roughly what is expected if the world’s nations fail to implement new policies consistent with their targets and pledges, and instead only maintained existing levels of action.



    Read more:
    How mainstream climate science endorsed the fantasy of a global warming time machine

    To put it plainly, this could be a catastrophic outcome for humanity. We’ve already seen devastating consequences like more flooding, hotter heatwaves and larger wildfires, and we’re only at 1.3 C above preindustrial levels — less than halfway to 2.7 C.

    But not all authors think alike and to help shed further light on the IPCC report process, and any differences of opinion between authors, we conducted a survey over email with 211 authors of past reports providing responses. Our participants represented all IPCC working groups, and every inhabited continent.

    The data they shared provides a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of modern climate science.

    Wide ranging beliefs

    Our survey shows that authors shared a wide range of estimates as to likely climate outcomes.

    A small number of surveyed experts believe that staying below 2 C is still likely, while others believed that we are on track for even more horrendous levels of climate warming at above 3 C. Approximately 86 per cent of participants estimated warming of more than 2 C by or before the year 2100.

    When we planned the study, we wondered whether IPCC authors who worked on climate solutions would be more optimistic than those who worked on climate vulnerability and adaptation. One reason for this is that experts who work on solutions might be more aware of recent research indicating that worst-case climate outcomes are becoming less likely. But we only found weak evidence for this hypothesis.

    In some ways this is a good sign, as it suggests that researchers are not working in isolated silos, each holding their own beliefs.

    Mixed perceptions

    A unique feature of the study is that we also asked IPCC authors what they thought others in the survey would answer in response to the same questions. We were interested to know the extent to which experts in this field believed that other experts shared similar beliefs to their own. Perceptions of peer beliefs are important because they can strongly influence a person’s own beliefs and behaviour.

    Participants in our study believed very strongly that their peers’ views on expected future warming were in line with their own beliefs. Even those who expected very high or very low amounts of future warming incorrectly believed that their peers would have similar estimates.

    This is not particularly surprising. In many domains, people tend to estimate the beliefs of their peers by examining their own beliefs, and then adjusting up or down, but often insufficiently. Researchers call this a false-consensus effect and we found that this effect was very prominent in our results.

    Because IPCC authors are trusted public figures who are often asked to share their thoughts with decision-makers and the media, this finding could be problematic if an author confidently believes that their expectations are also widely shared by their peers.

    Interdisciplinary benefits

    We see our study as an opportunity for experts to better understand the range of beliefs held by their own community, so they can communicate with more nuance and awareness as to whether their personal beliefs are part of a larger consensus or not.



    Read more:
    Eco-anxiety Q&A: how the IPCC’s vice-chair keeps her head cool on a warming planet

    Climate experts are not oracles. And even though a “wisdom of the crowd” average is often more accurate than a single expert, forecasting decades into the future is extremely difficult.

    The balance of evidence from this study reaffirms a message that climate scientists have been repeating for a long time: current efforts to tackle climate change are insufficient and more progress is needed quickly.

    While working on this project Seth Wynes received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    H. Damon Matthews receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

    – ref. New survey of IPCC authors reveals doubt, and hope, that world will achieve climate targets – https://theconversation.com/new-survey-of-ipcc-authors-reveals-doubt-and-hope-that-world-will-achieve-climate-targets-239177

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Attempting to Purchase Sex with Minor

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    Defendant agreed to pay undercover law enforcement officer $100 to have sex with minor

    BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for attempting to pay for sex with a 14-year-old girl.

    Dimitri Shawn McKenzie, 29, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 126 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In June 2024, McKenzie was convicted following a three-day jury trial of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child.

    “The sad reality is that children are being sold for sex in our communities because of people like Dimitri McKenzie. These men fuel that commercial sex industry and drive demand.  We are actively prosecuting the men and women who traffic adults and kids for profit, but in order to make a real dent in this pernicious conduct, we also have to go after demand – that is the people who are trolling the internet purchasing sex with little kids. I hope that every coward behind a keyboard who is thinking about engaging in the rape of the child under the auspices of a commercial transaction thinks twice – you may very well be talking to an undercover federal agent. Don’t do it. If you do, you are looking at a minimum of ten years behind bars,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

    “It is deeply disturbing to know that people pay to sexually abuse children. McKenzie was ready and willing to pay to sexually assault a child. Thankfully, through our undercover operation, he instead found an HSI special agent and not a real child,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of his crime and our commitment to protecting children from exploitation and abuse.”

    In November 2022, McKenzie responded to an online post purportedly advertising two minor girls – ages 12 and 14 years old – available to perform sex acts in exchange for money in the Boston area. The post was a fictitious advertisement by undercover law enforcement. In subsequent text communications with undercover law enforcement, McKenzie agreed to pay $100 to have sex with the fictitious 14-year-old at a hotel. Upon arriving at the hotel, McKenzie met with undercover law enforcement posing as the purported seller in the hotel parking lot, provided cash in exchange for 20 minutes with the fictitious minor and accepted a hotel room key. McKenzie was immediately taken into custody.

    If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lexington, Waltham, Barnstable, Quincy and Cambridge Police Departments as well as the Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Meets with Thomson Union Members, Prison Leadership to Reinforce Workforce and Facility Support

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    October 10, 2024

    [THOMSON, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Thomson to meet with both members and leaders from AFGE Local 4070 and FCI Thomson leadership to discuss federal support for facility staffing needs and the conditions and support for current staff. Thomson recently transitioned from a Special Management Unit (SMU) security to a low-security federal prison.

    “It is critical that FCI Thomson has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission, and that includes being able to support a strong and stable workforce,” said Duckworth. “Today, we had a productive conversation with Thomson and AFGE Local 4070 leadership about ongoing staffing and retention efforts, and I’ll continue to work closely with federal leaders to support the dedicated workforce at Thomson.”

    In 2021, Duckworth, along with Judiciary Chair Senator Durbin (D-IL) and former U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), secured a retention pay bonus for law enforcement officers at Thomson. Earlier this year, Duckworth and Durbin sent a letter to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Peters to request that BOP reinstates and maintains Thomson’s 25 percent incentive bonus.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moran: Wichita will Keep its USPS Processing Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement after U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy assured Sen. Moran that the Wichita U.S. Postal Service (USPS) processing center will not be closed or consolidated:

    “I have heard from Kansans across the state who are concerned about their mail being delayed by proposed changes to the USPS. The Wichita processing center helps move mail across south central Kansas, making certain folks receive their prescriptions, packages, paychecks and more in a timely manner. I spoke with the Postmaster General this week, and he assured me that the Wichita processing center is not going to be closed nor consolidated. Mail processing and cancellation will continue to occur in Wichita, and USPS intends to improve processing capabilities in Wichita in the future to better serve south central Kansas.”

    Sen. Moran helped introduced and pass the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 to help improve and sustain the United States Postal Service (USPS), particularly for rural communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on the margins of the ASEAN Summit.

    As the first Canadian Prime Minister to attend three ASEAN Leaders Summits, Prime Minister Trudeau discussed the growing ties between Canada and ASEAN with Secretary General Hourn, highlighting the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership, launched in 2023, and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, released in 2022.

    The leaders welcomed deepening co-operation on a number of mutual priority areas, including trade and investment, climate change, food security, and the digital economy. They also discussed progress on ongoing Canada-ASEAN free trade negotiations.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and Secretary General Hourn agreed to remain in close contact.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Working to Advance $1.8 Billion Safety Modification Project for Garrison Dam Spillway

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    10.10.24

    Senator Secured Funding for Project Design to Address Safety Concerns Highlighted by 2011 Flood; Construction to Start in 2029

    GARRISON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven and officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today reviewed the $1.8 billion spillway safety project that’s being undertaken at Garrison Dam. The modifications:

    • Will ensure the integrity of the Garrison Dam, which is the largest mainstream dam on the Missouri River, with Lake Sakakawea currently being the largest reservoir operated by the Army Corps by volume.
    • Are needed to protect against multiple long-term issues that could result in uncontrolled releases from the dam, posing a significant risk to the downstream area.
      • These potential safety concerns were brought to light due to record flows that occurred during the 2011 flood.
      • A subsequent study recommended the full replacement of the spillway’s drainage system, a reinforced concrete overlay in the spillway chute and various other safety-related modifications
    • Are currently undergoing Preconstruction Engineering and Design (PED), which began in 2023 utilizing funding Hoeven secured as a member of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee.
      • The PED phase will involve six years of field investigations to inform the design, with construction expected to start in 2029.
      • Hoeven has provided nearly $13 million for the project’s design phase to date, and included $32 million in additional PED funding in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations legislation.

    “The Garrison Dam, along with the Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon reservoirs, are critical infrastructure for our state, helping ensure a reliable water supply for communities and agriculture, while supporting recreation and tourism. At the same time, a key function of the dam is to control Missouri River water levels, providing certainty to the region and protecting against the risk of flooding,” said Hoeven. “The historic water flows during the 2011 flood revealed that the spillway needs modifications to ensure the dam’s long-term integrity. That’s why we’ve been working to fund the pre-construction and design phase of this project to address these potential safety concerns as soon as possible.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Delivers $1.6M to Local Organizations Supporting Housing, Community Safety, and Foster Youth During Youth Justice Action Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman presented two checks totaling $1.6 million to Amity Foundation and Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Los Angeles (CASA/LA), two organizations in the district working to support youth and adults in the child welfare and justice systems. These organizations are two of fifteen that Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove secured a total of $12.4 million for through Fiscal Year 2024 government funding legislation. Photos and videos from the event are here.

    Amity Foundation received $1,000,000 for the Amistad de Los Angeles residential re-entry facility, a housing project that supports currently incarcerated men on the path to re-entry and recovery. This funding allows for the renovation of the existing facility to increase the capacity to serve a greater number of individuals (26 new beds) and significantly improve the standard of housing for the current 184 residents.
     
    CASA/LA received $640,000 for the Transition Age Youth Program, which serves youth 12-17 and non-minor dependents 18-21 in the child welfare system at risk of entry or re-entry into the justice system. CASA volunteers provide crucial one-on-one support and court advocacy to ensure the youth’s best interests are represented in legal proceedings. In addition to their legal advocacy, CASA volunteers help youth navigate essential services such as education, housing, job training, and employment opportunities, empowering them to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
     
    “Supporting those most at-risk in our community, including foster youth and formerly incarcerated individuals, requires comprehensive wraparound services to get our neighbors through critical turning points in their lives,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “Through the continuum of care they provide, Amity and CASA/LA unlock access to crucial resources, including housing, jobs programs, and courtroom advocacy for youth and adults in the child welfare and justice systems, setting them on a strong path toward stability and success. I was proud to secure this funding because I know expanding these organizations’ services will uplift our community members as they transition into a new phase of life and, ultimately, keep our communities safe.”
     
    “The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering avenues of opportunity for our young people. I would like to thank Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove for her leadership,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “These resources will help stabilize youth who are homeless, and there’s no better investment.”
     
    “Resources like this are vital to the transformation of the lives of our students and well-being of our entire community,” said Doug Bond, CEO of Amity Foundation. “Having safe environments creates sanctuaries for our students to heal, and our Amistad de Los Angeles campus will continue to be a space for learning and growth in our community with the continued support and leadership of Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove.”
     
    “We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove for her generous support and commitment to the young people we serve. This grant will significantly enhance our ability to provide critical court advocacy and comprehensive support services to youth in foster care, especially Transition Age Youth and those who have contact with the juvenile justice system,” said Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole, CEO of CASA of Los Angeles. “By focusing on individualized one-on-one support, education, and trauma-informed care, we can help break the cycle of re-entry into the justice system. CASA advocacy will help young people make positive life choices, which in turn strengthens families and communities, and enhances public safety.Together, we are fostering long-term change that builds a stronger, more equitable future for our children in care.” 
     
    Following the press conference, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and representatives from Amity Foundation and CASA of Los Angeles participated in a roundtable discussion focused on understanding current gaps in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other federal partners.
     
    ABOUT AMITY FOUNDATION
    Founded in 1981 in Tucson, AZ, Amity Foundation is a California 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves individuals, families, and children. Amity began as a therapeutic community and has evolved into a teaching community. Our mission is to foster personal growth, emotional literacy and social responsibility for our students, as well as improve their physical health through nutrition and wellness. These create the fertile ground for students’ success in gaining employment, housing, furthering education, and reuniting families.
     
    ABOUT CASA OF LOS ANGELES
    CASA of Los Angeles organizes the community to take action and advocate for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Through an intentional, restorative, and culturally relevant lens, CASA/LA trains committed, consistent, and caring adults who provide equitable access to resources and life-affirming connections.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Welcomes New U.S. Citizens at Naturalization Ceremony in Las Vegas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Las Vegas, Nev. – Today, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) welcomed 61 new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse in Las Vegas.

    “I’m so glad to welcome you as Americans and to witness your commitment to this country we all love,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I know how much immigrants contribute both to Nevada and our nation. That’s part of what makes America the greatest country in the world. Congratulations to you and your families on this proud day—I look forward to seeing all that you accomplish.”

    The first and only Latina Senator, Cortez Masto has consistently supported immigrant communities in Nevada. She is leading commonsense legislation to fix our broken immigration system, and she’s called on the administration to take action to protect TPS holders and other immigrants, address delays in DACA renewal applications, and make it easier for mixed status families to stay together. She has worked to pass meaningful immigration reform that balances critical border security measures with a path to citizenship for Dreamers and essential workers, and she’s pushed legislation to allow Dreamers to work in Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin Statement On Death Of Miner Colton Walls

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
    October 10, 2024
    Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) released the following statement on the death of coal miner Colton Walls, who was fatally injured at Leer Mine in Thornton.
    “Gayle and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Colton Walls, a courageous miner we lost too soon. We are forever grateful for brave miners like Colton who put their lives on the line each day to power our nation. We ask that all West Virginians join us in keeping his family, friends and loved ones in our prayers during this devastating time. His valor will never be forgotten. Gayle and I send our deepest condolences to Colton’s wife, Jondai, their children, Carter, Mason and Hudson, and all of his loved ones as they mourn this incredible loss.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Demands That Department of Defense Block Further PFAS Incineration in East Liverpool

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on the Department of Defense to block the resumption of incineration as an approved PFAS disposal method in East Liverpool and communities across the country. PFAS – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances – often referred to as “forever chemicals” – pose a threat to public health and is designated by the EPA as a hazardous substance.
    “Researchers have shown that East Liverpool has measurable soil samples of PFAS due to the years of incineration that took place between 2019 and the start of DoD’s moratorium,” said Brown.
    Brown continued, “I am concerned by recent reports that indicate the DoD is seeking approval to once again incinerate PFAS.  This would be a mistake.  PFAS do not break down easily and are linked to a variety of serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, fertility problems, and developmental problems in children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s recent designation of PFAS as a ‘hazardous substance’ provides further validation that the disposal of [Aqueous Film Forming Foam] must be handled with extreme caution and transparency.”
    Full text of the letter can be found HERE or below.
    Dear Secretary Austin:
    The research is clear: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – often referred to as “forever chemicals” – pose a threat to public health. I request that the Department of Defense (DoD) refrain from approving PFAS incineration, including in East Liverpool, Ohio, until clear steps are taken to both ensure community safety and address community concerns.
    Wherever PFAS are found, every effort must be made to limit their spread and remove them from the environment in a manner that is safe and effective. Historically, several techniques have been used to get rid of PFAS – including incineration.  However, given concerns about the safety of PFAS incineration, the DoD issued a moratorium in July 2023 banning the incineration of PFAS[1] to protect the public health and mitigate potential environmental damage. This moratorium ended the practice of incinerating PFAS waste in East Liverpool Ohio, where DoD had contracted with a third-party company to incinerate these forever chemicals, including Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), since 2019. Researchers have shown that East Liverpool has measurable soil samples of PFAS due to the years of incineration that took place between 2019 and the start of DoD’s moratorium.[2] 
    I am concerned by recent reports that indicate the DoD is seeking approval to once again incinerate PFAS.  This would be a mistake.  PFAS do not break down easily and are linked to a variety of serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, fertility problems, and developmental problems in children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s recent designation of PFAS as a “hazardous substance” provides further validation that the disposal of AFFF must be handled with extreme caution and transparency.
    It is my understanding that DoD is actively working to update its PFAS waste disposal guidance. As you can imagine, communities like East Liverpool are concerned about the potential health and environmental impacts of the DoD starting to incinerate PFAS in their backyards, again. Communities such as East Liverpool should not have to face additional environmental challenges from the risks associated with PFAS incineration. More must be done to engage the people of East Liverpool, and other communities like it, before the DoD resumes incineration.
    I urge the DoD to halt any plans to burn AFFF, in Ohio or elsewhere.   It is vital that the DoD act in a manner that prioritizes the health and safety of Ohioans, and all Americans, while also addressing the ongoing environmental damage caused by PFAS contamination. To that end, I request that DoD act with urgency to:
    Immediately Halt Incineration as an Option within the DoD Updated PFAS Disposal Plan: The DoD should suspend any consideration to include incineration of PFAS waste, including AFFF, within its updated PFAS Guidance plan.
    Implement Alternative Disposal Methods: I urge the DoD to explore and implement safer alternatives to incineration that have shown promise in effectively destroying PFAS without the risks associated with airborne emissions.
    Engage with Local Communities: The DoD must engage with citizens near potential disposal sites including, incineration sites, in Ohio and across the nation. Providing transparency to its plans and listening to community concerns is what the people of Ohio deserve as this affects their health and the health of their entire community.
    Communities across Ohio and our nation should not be placed at additional risk due to the improper disposal of toxic chemicals. I look forward to your response and am eager to work with you to find solutions that protect the health of Ohioans and our environment.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey Construction Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

    Source: US State of California

    A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to tax evasion for evading employment tax penalties assessed against him.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Joseph Caravella, of Randolph, owned several masonry companies in New Jersey. From 2008 to 2016, the IRS assessed approximately $650,000 in Trust Fund Recovery penalties against Caravella for causing three masonry businesses that he owned to not pay their federal employment taxes. From around March 2008 through in or around April 2019, Caravella sought to evade the payment of these penalties by placing companies that he controlled in the names of nominee owners and avoiding using a bank account in his own name to prevent the IRS from levying the funds. Also during that time, Caravella continued to cause his businesses not to pay employment taxes, resulting in an additional loss of $1.2 million to the IRS.

    In total, Carvalla caused a tax loss to the IRS of $1,885,519.39.

    Caravella is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Kenneth Vert and Evan Mulbry of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae Gray for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Court Prohibits Two Texas Physicians from Prescribing Opioids and Imposes $1.2M in Civil Penalties for Alleged Unlawful Opioid Distribution

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Court Prohibits Two Texas Physicians from Prescribing Opioids and Imposes $1.2M in Civil Penalties for Alleged Unlawful Opioid Distribution

    A federal court has prohibited two Dallas-area physicians from prescribing opioids and other controlled substances and imposed a total of $1.2 million in judgments against them in a case alleging the physicians violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Justice Department announced today.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Secures Over $6.5M from Citadel Federal Credit Union to Address Redlining of Black and Hispanic Communities

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Justice Department Secures Over $6.5M from Citadel Federal Credit Union to Address Redlining of Black and Hispanic Communities

    The Justice Department announced today that Citadel Federal Credit Union (Citadel) has agreed to pay over $6.5 million to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of lending discrimination by redlining predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in and around Philadelphia. This landmark agreement is the Justice Department’s first redlining settlement with a credit union, making this a historic achievement for the Combating Redlining Initiative.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Violations for Violently Assaulting Subdued Man

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Violations for Violently Assaulting Subdued Man

    Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies were sentenced for using unlawful force on a man they arrested. Levi White, 34, was sentenced yesterday to 63 months in prison, and Zackary King, 28, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Watson Coleman Meets with Local Midwives and Doulas

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

    October 10, 2024

    Ewing, NJ (Thursday, October 10, 2024) – Today, as part of National Midwifery Week, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sat down with midwives, doulas, healthcare professionals, and their patients at the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey in Trenton. At the listening session, they discussed how healthcare is evolving, centering on the diverse needs of mothers, from education to advocacy to postnatal recovery, as well as the importance of culturally competent care. 

    “Midwives and doulas represent an important part of the broader team that helps mothers through the incredible journey that is bringing a child into the world,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Doulas and midwives help mothers every step of the way, from education to attending prenatal visits and serving as an advocate for the mother, helping the mother give birth, and assisting new mothers in those crucial first months of life. More and more families are turning to midwives and doulas for the special care they provide. I remain committed to ensuring well-trained, culturally competent doulas and midwives are available to the mothers who need them.”

    “Midwives in New Jersey applaud Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman’s resolution recognizing the value of midwifery care with its proven positive outcomes,” said Dr. Julie Blumenfeld, Certified Nurse Midwife for Capital Health Prenatal Clinic in Trenton & President of NJ Affiliate of American College of Nurse Midwives. “Increasing access to midwifery care will contribute to improved maternal health outcomes and ensure equity for birthing people and their families in New Jersey and across the nation.”

    “We proudly and strongly support United States Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman’s resolution honoring the life-saving work of certified nurse midwives,” said Donna C. Pressma, CHSofNJ President & CEO. “Every day, we witness certified nurse midwives and doulas’ caring, trained services producing for diverse pregnant and postpartum mothers more healthy full-term and full-weight births.”

    “Midwives are licensed clinicians who provide high-quality care that reduces maternal mortality rates. Pairing midwifery care with the support of a doula can further improve health outcomes for birthing people and their families,” said Armonie Pierre-Jacques, NJ Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI).  

    “For over 20 years, CHSofNJ has been committed to providing a continuum of services that ensure birthing people feel supported, respected, and treated with dignity,” said Socorro Garcia, CHSofNJ Mercer County Program Administrator, Family and Maternal Child Health Services. “Today’s listening session with Congresswoman Watson Coleman reinforces our shared dedication to be a voice for Central NJ families. Thank you, Congresswoman, for listening and for your continuous support.”

    “Working together with midwives to support pregnant women makes a difference for doulas; it’s beautiful, because everyone understands each other’s role in supporting the mother, and at the same time, we work as a team for the well-being of both the mother and the baby,” said Silvia Corado, CHSofNJ Program Administrator of Community Based Doula Programs.

    Children’s Home Society was able to train and hire an additional 26 doulas in part thanks to Community Project Funding directed by Congresswoman Watson Coleman in 2023.

    This week, Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced a resolution recognizing National Midwifery Week as October 6th through October 12th.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: R v. Kloubakov: Supreme Court of Canada ignores sex workers in case on sex work

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Vincent Wong, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Windsor

    The Supreme Court of Canada will soon hear a case, R v. Kloubakov, in which two men charged with financially benefiting from sex work are claiming the charges violate their Charter rights.

    The accused worked as drivers for sex workers in Calgary. A court in Alberta found them guilty of benefiting financially from prostitution and being parties to procuring women into the sex trade. They argue that Canada’s sex work laws criminalize people who work with sex workers in non-exploitative situations, and are therefore unconstitutional.

    While the appellants in this case are not sex workers themselves, the outcome greatly impacts sex workers and their rights because it could, among other things, undermine their security and ability to put in place safety measures. Migrants arrested under these laws also face the prospect of loss of status, detention and deportation.

    Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has chosen to exclude a national coalition of 23 sex worker organizations, the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform (CASWLR), and two organizations that work with migrant sex workers (the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers.

    The court has concluded their views are irrelevant to the case at hand. This exclusion rehearses Canada’s longer history of excluding those connected with sex work based on race, gender and immigration status.

    Canada’s sex work law

    This case centres on the procurement and material benefits provisions in Canada’s criminal code. They are part of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA), which was passed in 2014 after the Supreme Court struck down previous provisions targeting sex work.

    PCEPA criminalizes “everyone who procures a person to offer or provide sexual services” and anyone “who receives a financial or other material benefit” from sex work, with certain exceptions.

    The law assumes that sex workers are victims and ignores their agency and labour. While being a sex worker is not directly made an offence, the law criminalizes the purchase of sexual services and thus renders illegal all commercial transactions for sex. Activists have argued that doing so has driven sex work further underground. Sex workers, and those wishing to purchase sexual services, must avoid police for fear of detection, apprehension and in the case of migrant women, deportation.

    Going underground means sex workers are at amplified risk of exploitation and physical harm because they have reduced bargaining power and cannot use safety measures, such as hiring third parties or implementing certain vetting and safety protocols in the spaces they would like to use, for fear of attracting the attention of police.

    CASWLR argues that the law’s criminalization of sex workers and third parties replicates and even exacerbates the harms of the former laws that the Court found violated sex workers’ Charter rights to security of the person.

    As a sex worker-led umbrella organization, CASWLR members have lived expertise and intimate knowledge of how these laws still harm sex workers in ways that can crucially inform the question of whether the laws are constitutional.

    Migrant sex workers

    Aside from direct criminalization, migrant sex workers may face additional and distinct consequences under immigration laws if they are charged, convicted or merely under criminal investigation. Migrant sex workers could lose their status in Canada, be detained and deported and be barred from re-entering the country. Further, it is not just sex workers themselves who are affected. Migrant third parties and their family members’ immigration status and future could be imperilled as well.

    These potential consequences may drive migrant sex workers to do their work in unsafe conditions to avoid detection by police and immigration enforcement. Sex workers are effectively forced into these precarious conditions because of the existing laws.

    In our view, loss of immigration status and deportation for engaging in non-exploitative, consensual activity are consequences of the current law that are not justified under the Charter because of the risks of violence and other harms that arise from avoiding detection.

    The Court, however, has decided it will not be considering this aspect at all and has excluded the only two organizations that work with migrant sex workers. The Court did grant intervener status to some organizations who will do a reasonable job in detailing some of the harms of the laws. However, none are sex worker-led and none represent migrant sex workers who may experience additional harms.

    The Supreme Court denied intervener status to these organizations because they perceived their interventions as providing new information that would unduly expand the case. Denying standing to these organizations, however, has the ultimate effect of not hearing from those directly impacted by the laws being examined.

    Courts are meant to consider the wider implications of how laws are interpreted, implemented and the potential ways they affect others. This is particularly important in constitutional challenges where it is both foreseeable and expected that legal decisions will have widely ranging effects on multiple groups.

    History of migrant exclusion

    Unfortunately, this exclusion is tied to the history of discrimination and stigmatization of Asian migrant sex workers, ostensibly for their own protection. Though many Canadians may have heard of Canada’s law that restricted Chinese immigration, including the infamous Head Tax, many may not know that it explicitly barred “any Chinese woman who is known to be a prostitute.”

    This law took influence from the very first immigration ban in the United States, the 1875 Page Act. This law barred the immigration of women from “any Oriental country” if they were “imported for the purposes of prostitution.” The exclusion and policing of Asian sex workers was justified by ideas of carceral humanitarianism, which proposes that exclusion and policing are a necessary way of protecting people from being trafficked.

    These so-called safety measures did not achieve either goal — in the past or present. Migrant sex workers who are directly targeted and harmed by the law were never directly asked what they desired or whether they needed saving.

    We see these long-standing patterns at work again today with the Supreme Court’s exclusion of migrant sex workers (and other sex workers) in R v. Kloubakov. The court is demonstrating that it has clearly not learned from history.

    When courts deny those most impacted by the law a hearing, they do not take into account all of the considerations they should. Cases can take years to reach the Supreme Court. When courts do take up the task to review law, it should welcome those directly affected by it, particularly when there are groups that have been traditionally marginalized from political and legal power.

    For courts to be effective, they must hear from those who can best explain how their rights are violated and excluded from the discussion. Trust in our justice system and our laws are diminished when those directly harmed by it have no say and no recourse.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. R v. Kloubakov: Supreme Court of Canada ignores sex workers in case on sex work – https://theconversation.com/r-v-kloubakov-supreme-court-of-canada-ignores-sex-workers-in-case-on-sex-work-240417

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Investigation into FBI Sexual Misconduct Reveals ‘Fox is Guarding the Hen House’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is shining new light on the prevalence of sexual misconduct at the FBI, amid continued agency stonewalling and empty assurances from Director Christopher Wray that he would “follow up” on Grassley’s inquiries. Despite FBI’s lack of cooperation, Grassley’s ongoing oversight reveals the FBI is still not protecting its own employees from sexual harassment and is treating child sex abuse cases as a non-priority.
    Grassley today sent a pointed letter to the FBI and Justice Department (DOJ). In it, he urged the FBI to own up to its failures and provide the data he’s requested for years. The information Grassley recently received via protected whistleblower disclosures suggests his oversight dating back to October 2022 is as timely as ever.
    Sexual Misconduct Persists among FBI Employees:
    Latest records show the assistant director who requested a review of disciplinary patterns at the FBI – which found hundreds of senior officials voluntarily retired or resigned to evade accountability for sexual misconduct allegations – left the FBI while he, himself, was under investigation.
    “Apparently, one of the reasons DOJ and its component agencies can’t straighten out their problems of workplace harassment is that the fox is guarding the hen house,” Grassley wrote. “The supreme irony of [then-Executive Assistant Director of the Human Resources Branch, Jeffrey] Sallet requesting the [Office of Disciplinary Appeals] review of senior officials retiring or resigning to avoid disciplinary action is that ‘Sallet left the FBI and federal service while this investigation was ongoing.’”
    FBI Moves Agents off Child Sex Abuse Cases, onto January 6 Cases:
    Per protected whistleblower disclosures, the FBI has reassigned personnel from high-volume child exploitation cases to January 6 cases. Grassley notes FBI’s failure to dedicate adequate resources to child sex abuse cases is a decades-old problem politicization at the bureau is exacerbating. One reassigned whistleblower said they sat “essentially idle for eight to nine months” on January 6 cases while child sex abuse cases piled up. An Assistant Special Agent in Charge reportedly told that whistleblower, “Child sexual abuse material investigations were no longer an FBI priority […].”
    “One thing is certain,” Grassley wrote, “The FBI will not be able to remedy its many failings in this area if it treats sexual abuse against children as a non-priority.”
    Background:
    DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Congress have long pushed FBI to address sexual harassment across the bureau. In 2021, DOJ OIG issued the FBI two recommendations on its demonstrated failures to hold employees responsible for wrongdoing after they separate from the agency, particularly when they do so while under investigation. As of today, approximately three years later, the FBI has not closed either of those recommendations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott, Grassley, Colleagues Push DOJ to Investigate Requirements for Hamas-Linked Campus Orgs to Register as Foreign Agents

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in penning a letter to the Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI regarding Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) enforcement, raising concerns Hamas-linked entities are escaping FARA scrutiny as they seek to shape U.S. public opinion and policy outcomes through partnerships with campus organizations. Joining Senators Scott and Grassley on the effort are Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

    The senators’ inquiry specifically hones in on the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) – which received backing from an organization whose associated entities the U.S. government has implicated for financing Hamas – and the hundreds of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters NSJP claims to support across the U.S.

    “It is incumbent upon all of us crack down on hidden foreign influence. […] The introduction of hostile foreign adversaries into domestic political discussion is especially of issue when it is fueling an alarming rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. The public reporting appears to indicate that NSJP and related chapters may fit into the FARA definition of ‘publicity agent,’ at minimum, and its conduct, among other activity, may constitute a public relations effort designed to impact U.S. public opinion in favor of a foreign principal, which would meet FARA’s definition of political activities,” wrote the senators.

    The senators continued, “Taken as a whole, these actions require further investigation from DOJ and the FBI to fully determine whether NSJP and SJP chapters should register as foreign agents under FARA and the extent of Hamas and Iran’s potential involvement.”

    Scott, Grassley, and their colleagues cite numerous examples that signal NSJP and SJP chapters may have an obligation to register as agents under FARA. Several follow.

    1. Federal court filings from state Attorneys General assert NSJP’s material support to Hamas.
    2. Dozens of SJP chapters echoed NSJP’s social media messages lauding Hamas’ brutal October 7, 2023, attack on Israel; some “[praised] the creativity” of Hamas’ surprise attacks on Israeli civilians.
    3. NSJP urged SJP chapters in the U.S. to publicly facilitate and join “armed struggles, general strikes and popular demonstrations.”
    4. NSJP launched a campaign against U.S. college administrators, pushing for divestments in Israel-connected assets.
    5. NSJP held a summer 2024 program for SJP participants to “deepen our understanding of our current political moment […] with the aim entrenching the frameworks necessary to sustain and grow the Student Intifada.”
    6. NSJP has stated it “aim[s] to develop a student movement that is connected, disciplined, and equipped” with tools toward fulfilling its mission.

    Considering this evidence and more, the senators are asking DOJ and FBI pointed questions about the steps they have taken to assess NSJP and SJP’s potential requirement to register as foreign agents.

    Background:

    Congress passed FARA in 1938 to identify Nazi propaganda and other foreign efforts to sway U.S. policy and public opinion. The content-neutral law was designed not to prohibit activity, but rather, to ensure certain individuals who act as agents of a foreign government or enterprise register with DOJ.

    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Ossoff Laud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Prison Contraband Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of their Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act. The bipartisan bill aims to increase the penalty for smuggling or possessing a contraband cellphone in federal prisons from a misdemeanor to a felony. It now awaits passage in the House of Representatives. 
    “Contraband cellphones allow prisoners to coordinate illegal activity from behind bars. That’s an obvious security risk to prison staff, other inmates and the public,” Grassley said. “I’m glad the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation to stiffen penalties for cellphone smuggling, and the House ought to follow suit.” 
    “My bipartisan investigations of corruption, abuse, and misconduct in the Federal prison system have revealed systemic challenges that allow for the dangerous flow of contraband, which is a threat to safety and security,” Ossoff said. “Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we’ve passed our bipartisan bill to strengthen penalties for smuggling contraband into Federal prisons.” 
    “A cell phone in a prison is a deadly weapon. Yet, as our investigative work continues to demonstrate, contraband cell phones have proven to be pervasive inside many federal prisons—a reality that undermines the safety and security of these institutions for BOP staff, inmates, and the public,” said Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz. “Lieutenant Albarati was a true hero, selflessly dedicated to making his community and MDC Guaynabo safer by preventing criminal activity inside the facility. I commend Senators Ossoff, Grassley, and Booker for honoring his memory by sponsoring this public safety reform and for recognizing the severity of this problem. By making the introduction of a cell phone into a prison a felony, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act will allow investigators and prosecutors to more effectively bring to justice those introducing cell phones into prisons, curb the flow of illicit cell phones into prisons, make our communities and prisons safer, and help to save lives. We look forward to working with the House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis, as it considers this critical public safety reform.” 
    Additional cosponsors include Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
    Bill text is available HERE.
    Background:
    The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act builds on the Grassley-Feinstein Cell Phone Contraband Act, which became law in 2010, designating cellphones as contraband in federal prison.
    Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati, a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officer, was murdered in 2013 after completing his shift at a federal prison in Puerto Rico. Five men who plead guilty to the crime admitted they targeted Albarati as a direct result of continuous seizures of contraband, including cellphones. The inmate who placed the hit on Albarati did so using a contraband cellphone.
    A recent DOJ report from Inspector General Horowitz found nearly a third of deaths in BOP custody have occurred as a result of contraband, drugs or weapons.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Reed Leads Tour of Latino-Owned Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    CENTRAL FALLS, RI – In an effort to highlight the Ocean State’s vibrant Latino culture, restaurants, and small businesses, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today teamed up with the City of Central Falls and the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and lead a special walking tour along Broad Street in Central Falls.
    The theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 to October 15.  It is a time to appreciate and celebrate the colorful cultures, rich histories, and diversity of the nation’s Hispanic population whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
    The special walking tour: “Un recorrido por los negocios hispanos que impulsan y elevan a nuestras comunidades” (“A tour of hispanic businesses that fuel and uplift our communities”), featured several small businesses, both new and long-standing establishments, and amplified ventures that are helping power the local economy forward while also giving back to their neighbors.
    “The theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is about shaping the future.  As we saw during today’s walking tour, Mayor Rivera, the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Central Falls’ diverse small business community have embodied that theme through their actions, advocacy, and commitment to their neighbors,” said Senator Reed.  “I will continue to stand with Rhode Island’s vibrant and diverse Hispanic and Latino communities to ensure that the future of our state remains strong, prosperous, and welcoming to all who want to plant their roots here.”
    “Central Falls celebrates the rich cultural contributions of our Latino and Hispanic communities and is home to many Latino-owned small businesses that make our city vibrant,” said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera.  “Thank you, Senator Reed, for your incredible partnership and support for Latino communities across Rhode Island, and to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for ensuring these businesses have the resources they need to succeed.”
    At the beginning of the tour, Senator Reed joined Mayor Rivera, Oscar Mejias, and members of the community for lunch at La Hacienda Restaurant, a family-owned restaurant dishing out authentic Salvadoran Mexican cuisine. The group then visited a host of local businesses that help the community celebrate together, eat together, and join together.
    The tour included stops at Krystal’s Flower Shop, a small business providing specialty floral arrangements and decorations for celebrations and ceremonies; Esperanza Convenience Store; Tony’s Shoe Service; Rossell’s Beauty Salon, a community institution that has been a fixture on Broad Street for nearly 30 years; and Elsy Nutrition, a family-owned small business promoting the importance of good nutrition.
    Hispanic or Latino residents now make up 18 percent of Rhode Island’s population, up from 12.4 percent in 2010, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.  The Ocean State has long been home to thriving Colombian, Dominican, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, and Mexican communities among others, each with its own unique traditions and identities within the Hispanic community that all contribute to Rhode Island’s shared culture and heritage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Teams Up with AARP & RI State Police for Elder Fraud Prevention Summit

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Older adults are a growing population in Rhode Island, and a growing target for criminals seeking to scam them out of their hard-earned savings.
    In an effort to protect older Americans from financial exploitation and the proliferation of evolving scams, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today teamed up with AARP Rhode Island and the Rhode Island State Police’s Financial Crimes Unit for an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit at the East Providence Senior Center.  The presentation and Q&A session focused on a range of fraud and scams that criminals are using to target older adults and included tips for detection, prevention, and advice on how to report and recover if you or a loved one is victimized.
    According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), elder fraud complaints rose by 14 percent in 2023, and losses grew by 11 percent. The report found that elder fraud resulted in losses of over $3.4 billion in 2023, including $7.4 million lost by Rhode Islanders over age sixty due to scams.
    Senator Reed says public education and outreach is needed to lower that number, which is likely underreported because many victims are too embarrassed to notify the authorities or don’t know where to turn.  He credited AARP, the Rhode Island State Police, and local TV stations and the news media for helping to raise awareness and enable older Americans protect themselves, recognize telltale signs of scams, reduce victimization, and combat the financial exploitation.
    “Two of the most important things people can do to protect themselves against fraud is to stay informed and have open lines of communication with trusted sources.  And if you do get scammed, report it to the authorities right away so they can help you.  Criminals targeting older Americans try to scare victims and create a false sense of urgency.  Know the signs, stay informed, and never be embarrassed if you ever get caught up in a scam.  The criminals are master manipulators and with Artificial Intelligence and new technology, anyone can get scammed.  Brilliant people of all ages and from all walks of life have been victimized.  The one thing most victims have in common is: They didn’t tell anyone else what was happening.  Don’t let it happen to you.  Be forewarned and help stop these crimes by reporting them.  Local, state, and federal law enforcement are working together to go after the bad guys and bring them to justice,” said Senator Reed.
    To help older Rhode Islanders stay informed about evolving scams and equip them with tools to stop the latest fraud techniques, AARP offers a free Fraud Watch Network’s Watchdog Alert, a twice monthly notification that lets users know about the latest trending scams and how to spot and avoid them. It’s also easy to share with friends and family.
    AARP Rhode Island’s State Director Catherine Taylor stated: “There’s a false narrative that older people are gullible or forgetful. That’s not true. If you are the victim of a scam, it’s not your fault. The fact is many of these scams are being perpetrated by usually offshore criminals who are well organized, well resourced, and highly skilled. And they have a playbook with three common elements: make unexpected contact, yield high emotion, and create a sense of urgency. AARP Rhode Island has a host of resources, information and support that equip older Rhode Islanders to fight back against the crime of fraud.”
    Nationwide, the FBI reports that tech support scams were the most widely reported type of scam last year.  The top five varieties of scams include: personal data breaches, confidence and romance scams, non-payment or non-delivery scams, and investment scams. Investment scams were the costliest type of elder fraud.
    The Rhode Island State Police offers an Identity Theft, Fraud & Scams resource page with detailed tips on detecting and preventing a range of financial crimes. 
    “Romance scams, investment scams, pop-up scams on computers, and others are all things we’ve seen in Rhode Island. Although they may differ in tactics, the goal is the same: to take your money,” said Lieutenant Richard Ptaszek, head of Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit. “To help prevent scams, you must take your time, think about the request being made, trust your judgement and follow up with a trusted source.”
    If fraud occurs, please help the authorities track and prosecute it by reporting it to both the local police and using the Federal Trade Commission’s online reporting portal: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov  Last year, Rhode Islanders reported 11,906 fraud complaints to the FTC.
    To reach the Rhode Island State Police’s Financial Crimes Unit directly, call: (401) 764-5179.
    The U.S. Department of Justice also has a toll-free National Elder Fraud Hotline available to help at: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  The hotline is staffed during business hours by caseworkers trained in elder abuse and offers translation services for non-English speakers.
    The presentation focused on combatting several types of schemes that the FBI says are among the most prevalent today, including:
    Tech support scam: Criminals pose as technology support representatives and offer to fix non-existent computer issues. The scammers gain remote access to victims’ devices and sensitive information.
    Grandparent scam: A type of confidence scam where criminals pose as a relative—usually a child or grandchild—claiming to be in immediate financial need.
    Government impersonation scam: Criminals pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute victims unless they agree to provide funds or other payments.
    Sweepstakes/charity/lottery scam: Criminals claim to work for legitimate charitable organizations to gain victims’ trust. Or they claim their targets have won a foreign lottery or sweepstake, which they can collect for a “fee.”
    Home repair scam: Criminals appear in person and charge homeowners in advance for home improvement services that they never provide.
    Romance scam: Criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites to capitalize on their elderly victims’ desire to find companions.
    TV/radio scam: Criminals target potential victims using illegitimate advertisements about legitimate services, such as reverse mortgages or credit repair.
    Family/caregiver scam: Relatives or acquaintances of the elderly victims take advantage of them or otherwise get their money.
    In many of these scams, the criminal impersonates someone else and tricks the victim over the phone or email, claiming there’s an issue with their bank account and they must make a crypto investment in order to resolve the problem. The scammer instructs the target to convert cash to cryptocurrency and upload it to an unsecured account that the scammer can access. 
    No legitimate entity will contact you over the phone and urge you to pay with crypto currency, gift cards, or precious metals.  Any time someone does this, hang up or cut off contact and report the incident.
    For more information, visit Senator Reed’s scam prevention page: https://www.reed.senate.gov/seniorscams

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Responds to Hurricane Milton in Florida as it Continues Coordinated Recovery Across Six States Affected by Hurricane Helene

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Responds to Hurricane Milton in Florida as it Continues Coordinated Recovery Across Six States Affected by Hurricane Helene

    FEMA Responds to Hurricane Milton in Florida as it Continues Coordinated Recovery Across Six States Affected by Hurricane Helene

    WASHINGTON – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell continues to lead the federal government’s coordinated recovery across six states affected by Hurricane Helene, while FEMA remains simultaneously focused on the immediate response to Hurricane Milton in Florida.

    The agency was assisting the state of Florida to prepare prior to Hurricane Milton’s landfall. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Florida with local officials assessing the impacts of the storm. Commodities, volunteer agencies, response assets and federal personnel are being coordinated through the FEMA Region 4 Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta and the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C. Both facilities are activated on 24-hour operations to support the state.

    Resources and personnel have also remained in the states affected by Hurricane Helene to provide immediate long-term support. As these comprehensive recovery efforts continue, more than $344 million in federal disaster assistance has gone into the hands of Helene disaster survivors. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is in North Carolina today to meet with state and local leaders, and members of the FEMA workforce supporting response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. These engagements follow his visit to North and South Carolina last week with President Biden.

    President Joseph R. Biden has approved federal disaster assistance in six states affected by Helene. This opens up federal help for survivors in designated areas in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Survivors may apply for assistance in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or using the FEMA App.

    Survivors may receive upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.

    These photos highlight response and recovery efforts across affected states impacted by Helene and the response to Milton.

    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56148″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/bc76a25a1cbb1cdf82f0b1c70612bb41.jpg?itok=95kdKLOD” alt=”Caption: Tallahassee, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) – FEMA Administrator is leading the federal response to Hurricane Milton at the Florida Division of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Tallahassee, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) – FEMA Administrator is leading the federal response to Hurricane Milton at the Florida Division of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center.
    TALLAHASSEE, Florida – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks with Florida’s emergency management team at the Florida Division of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center.  (source: FEMA)
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56089″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/3ec38dff94d421b29e9b738c3e2fd7e4.jpg?itok=g-b1UW6a” alt=”Caption: Asheville, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division distribute food and water to residents in Asheville, N.C.,” class=”image-style-large”>
    Asheville, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division distribute food and water to residents in Asheville, N.C.,
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56153″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/62d2e63814faa422a6617faf9f64c4cb.jpg?itok=l9vCm5A0″ alt=”Caption:

    Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2024) – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas visited the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Emergency Operations Center to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2024) – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas visited the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Emergency Operations Center to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56146″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/f303bf0f0d79b0a081336926e095b1fd.jpeg?itok=nLrjmb7g” alt=”Caption:

    Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) – FEMA Urban Search and Rescue is prepared and ready to respond to Hurricane Milton.

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) – FEMA Urban Search and Rescue is prepared and ready to respond to Hurricane Milton.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56143″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/bb201edc491b02876939951937d6a29a.jpg?itok=MrXKeK6K” alt=”Caption:

    Orlando, Fla – Power restoration trucks and other equipment are pre-staging ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall.

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Orlando, Fla – Power restoration trucks and other equipment are pre-staging ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56101″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/91804c58d1d2deaf450c6704c7a25190.jpg?itok=xkPZYW-3″ alt=”Caption:

    Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – FEMA Deputy Administrator Hooks visits the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center to provide support to those affected by Hurricane Helene.

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – FEMA Deputy Administrator Hooks visits the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center to provide support to those affected by Hurricane Helene.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56099″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/687e96e97136b77ee9df8c0ebb725ba9.jpg?itok=FAx5yq2S” alt=”Caption: Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith visits FEMA Corps members supporting Hurricane Helene response and recovery.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith visits FEMA Corps members supporting Hurricane Helene response and recovery.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56114″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/803bc2e74d88047e766de87fab89911c.jpg?itok=cizykDdV” alt=”Caption: Greenville, S.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks visits Greenville’s Emergency Operations Center to meet with the leadership to discuss the stabilization progress for the County. Deputy Hooks met with Greenville County Emergency Management’ Director Jessica Stumpf, Deputy Director Pierce Womack, Greenville City Fire Chief Brian Horton, Division Chief David Hindman, South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson, alongside FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer, Brett Howard.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Greenville, S.C. (Oct. 8, 2024) – FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks visits Greenville’s Emergency Operations Center to meet with the leadership to discuss the stabilization progress for the County. Deputy Hooks met with Greenville County Emergency Management’ Director Jessica Stumpf, Deputy Director Pierce Womack, Greenville City Fire Chief Brian Horton, Division Chief David Hindman, South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson, alongside FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer, Brett Howard.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56069″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/6dab3be35910de73fb3062ae41c6060e.jpg?itok=MCkazuYu” alt=”Caption:

    Newport, Tenn. (Oct. 7, 2024) – Volunteers open large distribution points for Hurricane Helene survivors to receive food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, pet food, diapers and emotional support at Crossroads Community Church in Newport, Tenn.

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Newport, Tenn. (Oct. 7, 2024) – Volunteers open large distribution points for Hurricane Helene survivors to receive food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, pet food, diapers and emotional support at Crossroads Community Church in Newport, Tenn. 

    FEMA’s Disaster Multimedia Toolkit page provides graphics, social media copy and sample text in multiple languages. In addition, FEMA has set up a rumor control web page to reduce confusion about its role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Frankel Joins Local Officials at Village of Wellington City Hall to Assess Hurricane Milton Damages, Support Recovery Efforts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Rep. Frankel Joins Local Officials at Village of Wellington City Hall to Assess Hurricane Milton Damages, Support Recovery Efforts

    Washington, October 10, 2024

    Wellington, FL – Earlier this afternoon, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined local officials at the Village of Wellington City Hall to assess damages and support recovery efforts following the significant impact on several homes caused by the tornado that Hurricane Milton spawned in the area.

    “The path of destruction from this tornado is shocking, with numerous houses in Wellington left severely damaged, while others right next door remained untouched,” said Rep. Frankel. “I’m deeply grateful to Palm Beach County’s first responders and local officials who’ve been working around the clock to keep Wellington’s residents safe and begin the cleanup and restoration process. I’m working closely with local leaders to ensure we get the federal help needed to support recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

    For those impacted by the storm, please visit the resources below for the latest updates on recovery efforts and available assistance:

    • Apply for Disaster Assistance: Residents in designated counties can apply for FEMA assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362, or through the FEMA app.
    • Document damage: Take photos to submit to your insurance company and protect damaged property. A helpful FEMA fact sheet is here.
    • Report hazards: Wellington residents can report issues like downed trees, flooding, or other storm-related concerns via the GoWellington App or by visiting wellingtonfl.gov/GoWellington
    • Waste disposal: Do not mix debris and vegetation when setting them at the curb. Wellington debris removal contractors will collect storm-generated vegetative debris in neighborhoods throughout the Village.
    • Power outages: Please report outages directly to Florida Power & Light (FPL) at fpl.com/my-account/web-outage
    • Get additional help: Call 211 or visit 211’s website to be connected with additional resources.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill  Biden at the 2024 Girls Leading Change  Celebration

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    The East Room
    As we come together today, our hearts are breaking for the communities upended by yet another devastating hurricane. Families waiting for news of loved ones, of homes, of the places where their kids took their first steps, where they got married, where they built their lives. Maybe some of you know someone who’s been in the path of one of these storms. We grieve with you. And we stand with you. President Biden and Vice President Harris are making sure the affected areas have every resource they need. Welcome to the White House! I’m grateful to Congresswoman McIver for joining us to honor these girls. And we have some of the incredible girls from our first group of honorees with us. Thank you for coming back and supporting this year’s class. 
    Today, we say proudly, for all to hear, that girls are powerful. And that no one is too young to lead.
    Last year, I worked with the White House Gender Policy Council to create this event—to honor you, the next generation creating change right now. Our world isn’t always kind. And when you’re young—in middle school hallways and at high school lunch tables—it can feel like life is happening to you, like people are telling you what to think and who to be. Don’t let them. Each of you has a way of seeing life that no one else does—a perspective you add to every conversation, to every choice you make. And every time you show up as your true self—with your boldness, with your insight, with your questions—you shape our world.
    That’s what this years’ honorees did. They didn’t wait for life to happen to them. They stepped forward—spent their weekends and hours after school to make our world kinder, fairer, and filled with more possibility. You show us that girls can do anything, can be leaders and scientists, writers and entrepreneurs, advocates for change, and, of course, president! I teach writing and English at a community college not far from here. At the end of the school year, teachers hope our students feel changed. I know I do. But what you might not know is that you—all of you—you change your teachers too. My students’ perspectives challenge me and shape me. To the young girls in the audience, that’s true in your classrooms too. The conversations you have stay with your teachers and classmates long after the bell rings or summer break begins. You’re already changing the world, even though you might not realize it. Every time you tell us who you are, with the words you write, with the hours you dedicate to something you believe in. When you accept someone else for being themselves. When you’re not afraid to follow your curiosity and share what you’ve learned. It isn’t always easy, but it’s important. And that bravery is what we need in the face of our, at times, unkind world. It’s how we unlock new ideas, come up with innovations that might seem impossible to someone else. The earth is brighter because of you. Keep filling it with your ideas and your hard work, leading us toward the future you want to see. Thank you. *** Thank you all for the important work you’re doing. You’re already leading the next generation forward. Can we get another round of applause for our honorees? And Karine, I’m grateful to you for taking the time to join us today. To the middle-schoolers in the audience, to all the girls leading change, there’s something I want to point out to you. It’s the people in this room. They’re leaders of non-profits and tech companies. Military families and public servants. Elected officials from across the country. And they’re girls, just like you. They’re all here for you. To support you. They believe in you. And so do I. And so do your President and Vice President. Hold on to that unique perspective you have. And as you look to the future, know that you will never be alone. This community will be right there beside you. There’s power when we come together. A power to hold each other up, even when we want to crumble, to heal one another, to share our inner strength. To create lasting change. So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Can I—one person, one girl—can I make a difference?” Standing here, among all these incredible women and girls, we have an answer: Yes, you can! Let this community be a light we all carry inside us for the days to come, connecting us across generations, so the confidence of girlhood can become the courage of womanhood. Now, please enjoy the reception.

    MIL OSI USA News –