NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone demands Trump Admin action on lifeguard, maintenance shortages at Sandy Hook

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    NJ 6th District Congressman calls on Trump’s Interior Secretary to disclose staffing plans, lifeguard coverage by June 30

    Sandy Hook, New Jersey — With New Jersey’s beach season now in full swing, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) is sounding the alarm over dangerous staffing shortages at Sandy Hook in the Gateway National Recreation Area. In a letter sent today to Trump’s Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Pallone demanded answers on why the National Park Service is failing to hire the lifeguards, maintenance staff, and other essential personnel needed to safely operate the beaches and facilities at Sandy Hook this summer.

    “For months, the Department of Interior has been blocking information regarding the consequences of new staffing policies from reaching Congress. This unprecedented situation extends to the staff of National Park Service units, who you have forbidden from communicating with Congressional offices without express permission from DOI headquarters – approval which never arrives. I am gravely concerned about the ramifications of the Trump Administration’s policies on Sandy Hook’s future as a place for safe recreation in a clean, natural environment,” Pallone wrote.

    Pallone’s letter cites multiple troubling factors behind the current staffing crisis:

    • Trump’s January 20 executive order freezing all federal hiring;
    • Cuts to National Park Service permanent and probationary staff ordered by Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency”;
    • Deferred resignation offers made to remaining permanent staff.

    Worse, the Interior Department has blocked basic information about staffing levels from reaching Congress — preventing oversight of whether the beaches and public facilities at Sandy Hook can be safely visited.

    “The government should protect the ability of parks such as Sandy Hook to serve Americans and contribute to the tourism economy, not create potentially dangerous and filthy conditions in the parks by failing to hire the necessary lifeguards and maintenance staff to clean bathrooms during the busiest season of the year. It is shameful to deprive American taxpayers of their right to the services their hard-earned dollars are paying for, in this case, the services provided by the National Park Service that preserves and steward natural resources for families to enjoy,” Pallone continued.

    In his letter, Pallone demanded Interior provide a full accounting of current staffing levels, beach openings, lifeguard coverage, and facility maintenance at Sandy Hook no later than June 30 before the Independence Day holiday – and called for immediate action to fill any staffing gaps.

    A copy of the full letter is linked here and available below: 

    Dear Secretary Burgum, 

    I write to express my urgent concern and to demand answers regarding the historically low staffing at the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area (NRA) at the start of the summer beach season. For months, the Department of Interior (DOI) has been blocking information regarding the consequences of new staffing policies from reaching Congress. This unprecedented situation extends to the staff of National Park Service (NPS) units, who you have forbidden from communicating with Congressional offices without express permission from DOI headquarters – approval which never arrives.  

    I am gravely concerned about the ramifications of the Trump Administration’s policies on Sandy Hook’s future as a place for safe recreation in a clean, natural environment. These include President Trump’s misguided January 20thExecutive Order freezing all hiring of Federal employees, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cuts to NPS permanent and probationary staff, and the deferred resignation offers made to permanent staff.[1] From the limited public information available, it’s clear the cumulative impact of these policies have left Gateway NRA with a skeleton crew to run the fourth-most visited NPS unit in the country. If the Trump Administration is so proud of these unlawful and chaotic changes, you should not be so secretive about their outcome.

    This vacuum of information has created confusion and concern in our community. My constituents and the two million other Americans that visit Sandy Hook for a respite from the summer heat and from their busy lives deserve to know whether the park is ready to accept visitors for safe recreation.[2] The high levels of visitation that Sandy Hook experiences in the summer months are why the park needs to be fully staffed with year-round and seasonal employees. 

    Historically, despite warnings not to swim, there have been drowning incidents at Sandy Hook when the beaches are not open and fully staffed with lifeguards. We cannot let this situation repeat itself this summer, though I am concerned your disregard for the vital health and safety roles that NPS staff play may result in tragedy at Sandy Hook. 

    American families from across New Jersey, New York, and surrounding states flock to Sandy Hook’s beautiful beaches and recreational areas every summer to enjoy fishing, swimming, camping, and biking, among other activities.3 These visitors rely on Sandy Hook for their summer vacations, and their visits generate significant contributions to New Jersey’s economy.[5]

    To rectify this outrageous lack of information on whether the Gateway National Recreation Area is prepared for basic operations at Sandy Hook this summer, please provide written responses to the questions below by Monday, June 30, 2025: 

    1.      How many total staff currently work at Gateway NRA compared to this time last year?

    2.      How many total staff have been assigned to work at the Sandy Hook unit compared to this time last year?

    3.      How many seasonal employees have been hired at Sandy Hook for the summer season compared to this time last year?

    4.      How many permanent and seasonal positions are currently unfilled? 

    5.      Which Sandy Hook beaches will be open during the 2025 summer season? What are the dates and hours of each beach’s public access? 

    6.      Which Sandy Hook beaches will have lifeguards this summer? What are the dates and hours that each beach will have a lifeguard? How many total lifeguards will work this year compared to last year? 

    7.      Will there be staff to maintain facilities, including restrooms, at the Sandy Hook unit throughout the summer season? 

    8.      How many staff will be there to collect admission at the entrance to the park compared to this time last year? 

    For decades, I have proudly advocated to keep the beaches and facilities at the Sandy Hook Unit safe, clean, and accessible for all Americans and ensure it continues to be a place of safe harbor for the wildlife which bring delight to visitors. The National Park Service must hire qualified staff in a timely manner and clearly communicate the Sandy Hook’s ability to host the American public. Instead of working against Congress, I hope we can work together to ensure Sandy Hook, Gateway NRA, and the entire National Park Service continue to thrive for generations to come.

    Please contact my office immediately with an update on this important issue and formally reply by the date requested. 

    Sincerely, 

    FRANK PALLONE, JR. 

    Member of Congress

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone joins 198 colleagues in bipartisan push to save Job Corps centers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined 198 of his colleagues in signing a bipartisan letter to Trump’s U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging the Department to reverse its decision to shut down Job Corps centers across the country. The letter calls on the Trump administration to preserve this critical program that helps young people build skills and secure stable employment.

    “Trump’s economic legacy is already marked by layoffs, chaos, and rising prices. Now he’s pulling the ladder up on the next generation at the very moment our economy needs more skilled workers. That’s why I’ve joined this bipartisan effort to fight back and save Job Corps. I’ll keep working to protect investments that help people get ahead,” Pallone said of the letter.

    The bipartisan letter emphasizes that nearly 20,000 young people nationwide rely on Job Corps to build vocational skills in fields like manufacturing, shipbuilding, and business services. With more than 120 centers nationwide, Job Corps provides one of the only targeted workforce development pipelines for Americans aged 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor employed – helping them access apprenticeships, higher education, and careers that fuel the country’s economic growth.

    The lawmakers warn that shutting down these centers would undermine both local communities and national workforce needs, particularly as industries seek skilled labor to meet growing demand.

    A copy of the letter to Trump’s Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone, Neal, Wyden Release Latest CBO Estimates Showing 16 Million People Will Become Uninsured from Republican Health Agenda

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    16 Million Will Become Uninsured Because of Republican Legislation, Including Refusal to Extend Health Care Tax Credits

    House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a statement following a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) showing 16 million people will lose coverage from the Republican reconciliation plan, including their failure to extend premium tax credits that Americans use to buy affordable health insurance. 

    “The Republican health agenda is all about making it harder to get health care,” the leaders said. “Every step of the way, this abomination of a bill creates barriers and mazes designed to demoralize and discourage Americans as they try to get affordable health care. The results of this cruel system are clear: millions will lose coverage, health care costs will go up for all Americans, and tens of thousands will die. 

    “Everybody will be affected by the disastrous Republican bill. Despite Republican propaganda, Americans need to know that the bill’s thicket of red tape and increased out-of-pocket costs in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act will fall especially hard on working families, including those with children, caregivers, Americans with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. Republicans continue to repeat lies about the devastating harms of this bill, because without those lies the only conclusion that can be reached is that this bill is morally bankrupt. 

    “Republicans must be held responsible for the consequences of not extending health care tax credits that middle class Americans use to buy health insurance on their own. Their bill extends hundreds of tax policies that expire at the end of the year. The omission of this policy will cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance and will raise premiums on 24 million Americans. The Republican failure to stop this premium spike is a policy choice, and it needs to be recognized as such. Between this choice and other harmful policies in their legislation, Republicans are effectively dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Americans do not want to go back to the days where health care was reserved for the healthy and the wealthy, where insurance companies had free rein to discriminate against sicker or older Americans.”

    The letter from CBO can be found here.

    CBO’s score of H.R. 1 can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Pushes for Stronger Consumer Protections from Robocalls, Robotexts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    Warns that Republicans’ reconciliation bill, AI loopholes are undermining fight against scams

    WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, warned today that New Jersey residents remain vulnerable to scams perpetrated through robocalls and robotexts despite progress in passing tough federal protections against robocalls.

    At an Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing, Pallone called for stronger laws to combat the evolving tactics scammers now use, including artificial intelligence (AI) and spoofing. He also slammed Republican efforts to defund key consumer protection agencies that enforce robocall and robotext laws.

    “New Jerseyans know all too well how relentless and dangerous these robocalls and robotexts have become,” Pallone said. “They target seniors, small businesses, and families across our state – trying to steal personal information and hard-earned money. I’ve led this fight in Congress for years, and it’s clear we need to do more in the face of AI.”

    Pallone authored the landmark TRACED Act, signed into law in 2019, which strengthened the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority to crack down on illegal robocalls. It also required phone carriers to implement call authentication technology and expanded enforcement tools.

    But despite that progress, scammers are adapting fast. Americans received more than 52 billion robocalls in 2024—nearly 200 calls per adult—and robotext scams are rapidly increasing, targeting consumers with fraudulent links and fake messages.

    “In New Jersey, seniors are particularly at risk from these scams – phony Medicare calls, texts claiming to be from grandchildren in distress, or fake law enforcement threats. It’s infuriating, and we have to stay ahead of the scammers,” Pallone said.

    Pallone is pushing to update the TRACED Act to cover robotexts, impose additional penalties against robocalls and texts that use AI to trick consumers, and ensure consumers can access robocall-blocking technology at no extra cost. But he warned that Republican efforts to slash funding for the FCC and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) threaten to roll back enforcement – right as AI-powered scams surge.

    He also criticized House Republicans for supporting a 10-year moratorium on state enforcement of state AI laws, which would block adoption of innovative efforts by New Jersey and other states to combat illegal robocalls and robotexts.

    “We can’t allow Big Tech loopholes and budget cuts by Republicans and the Trump Administration to undermine the fight against scams. New Jerseyans deserve real protection and I’m going to keep leading this fight,” Pallone said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Leads New Bill to Block RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Agenda

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    Legislation Would Take Politics Out of Medicine and Hold Reckless Leaders Accountable

    Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) introduced the Family Vaccine Protection Act to remove politics from the life-saving immunization schedule, hold Trump Administration officials accountable, and protect children and expectant mothers from vaccine-preventable diseases.

    “Secretary Kennedy is governing by conspiracy theory and putting the health of our children at risk,” said Pallone. “After just a few months in office, he’s already broken the promise he made during his Senate confirmation hearing to not interfere with the lifesaving childhood vaccine schedule. He’s simultaneously presided over the largest measles outbreak in decades while actively undermining vaccination efforts for COVID-19, measles, polio, and the flu—especially for pregnant women and the tiniest infants, two of the highest risk populations. Enough is enough—it’s time to take politics out of medicine and ensure all families have access to affordable life-saving vaccines. Dr. Schrier and I are introducing this legislation to keep Secretary Kennedy’s conspiracy theories out of the doctor’s office and to protect moms and their kids.”

    “Our current Secretary of Health and Human Services continues to undermine science and peddle conspiracy theories. This nation’s physicians and public health system have relied upon the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) for 61 years to evaluate scientific evidence, ask questions, and ultimately make a determination about whether to recommend a vaccine and for whom. This bill ensures that physicians and other scientific experts are the ones who evaluate those studies and make those decisions, as has always been the case. Recent efforts to undermine the ACIP by pressuring physicians like Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos to parrot RFK, Jr. talking points have unfortunately made this bill necessary,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “I will continue to stand up for scientific integrity and fight RFK Jr. ‘s peddling of conspiracy theories.”

    The Family Vaccine Protection Act comes on the heels of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. ’s unilateral withdrawal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women. This reckless decision—circumventing science-based approval—begins a slippery slope toward a sicker America where Kennedy alone decides what’s best for American children.

    For months, RFK, Jr. ’s HHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have ignored science-based recommendations by the independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In April, ACIP voted unanimously to expand its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine recommendation and to provide a meningococcal vaccine to healthy teens and college-aged kids—but Kennedy ignored these recommendations. These actions are setting a dangerous precedent and jeopardizing access through critical programs like the Vaccines for Children program.

    Secretary Kennedy is actively backtracking on his own promise in November 2024 that he wouldn’t “take away anybody’s vaccines” and contradicting his own Food and Drug Administration’s framework. His brazen undermining of ACIP’s independence and persistent spreading of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories threatens decades of public health progress—and will put the lives of pregnant women and unvaccinated infants at risk. 

    The Family Vaccine Protection Act protects access to affordable vaccines by: 

    Codifying current practices of a rigorous, science-based system for recommending vaccines:

    • This bill sets a timeline for new vaccine consideration by ACIP and requires that both the CDC Director and HHS Secretary adopt such recommendations if supported by a preponderance of scientific evidence.

    Strengthening the independence of the Advisory Committee:

    • This bill writes the role of ACIP into statute and specifies its structure, its membership selection processes, meeting frequency, and expertise requirements—protecting it from dissolution or undue interference by the HHS Secretary.

    Keeping politics out of medicine by ensuring the Secretary cannot unilaterally make or withdraw vaccine recommendations contrary to the advice of scientific experts:

    • This bill requires the HHS Secretary to adopt the official vaccine decision as set by ACIP—and if the Secretary chooses to depart from an ACIP recommendation, it requires the Secretary to publish the basis for the agency action, including an explanation as to how the action is supported by the best available, peer-reviewed scientific evidence.

    Establishing guardrails to ensure vaccines remain accessible to all:

    • This bill protects the role of ACIP in making immunization recommendations for the Vaccines for Children Program as well as for the purposes of cost-free coverage of vaccines by health insurance plans—ensuring continued widespread access to life-saving vaccines.

    The Family Vaccine Protection Act has received the support of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Public Health Association, American College of Physicians, Infectious Disease Society of America, and Vaccinate Your Family.

    Read the full bill text HERE and a section-by-section summary HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: CREDIT AGRICOLE FINANCEMENT DE L’HABITAT SFH : EARLY REPURCHASE OF ISIN FR001400JLZ4

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Montrouge, June 11, 2025

    Crédit Agricole Financement de l’Habitat SFH ANNOUNCES EARLY REPURCHASE OF

    EUR 3,250,000,000 “obligations de financement de l’habitat” Fixed Rate Notes issued on July 28, 2023 and due December 15, 2025 (ISIN: FR001400JLZ4)*

    Crédit Agricole Financement de l’Habitat SFH (the “Issuer”) announces today the early repurchase (the « Repurchase ») with effect on June 16, 2025 (the « Repurchase Date ») of all of its outstanding EUR 3,250,000,000 “obligations de financement de l’habitat” Fixed Rate Notes issued on July 28, 2023 and due December 15, 2025 (ISIN: FR001400JLZ4) (the « Notes ») pursuant to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes (the “Terms and Conditions”) included in the prospectus dated July 20, 2023, which was granted the visa n°23-326 by the Autorité des marchés financiers on July 20, 2023 (the “Prospectus”) at the market value determined today thereof, together with any accrued interest thereon (the “Repurchase Amount”).

    The holders of the Notes formally accepted the Repurchase of the Notes at these conditions.

    For further information on Crédit Agricole S.A., please see Crédit Agricole S.A.’s website: https://www.credit-agricole.com/en/finance

    DISCLAIMER

    This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes in the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan or in any other jurisdiction. The distribution of this press release in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.

    No communication or information relating to the redemption of the Notes may be distributed to the public in a country where a registration obligation or an approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any country where such action would be required. The redemption of the Notes may be subject to specific legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions; Crédit Agricole S.A. accepts no liability in connection with a breach by any person of such restrictions.

    This press release is an advertisement; and none of this press release, any notice or any other document or material made public and/or delivered, or which may be made public and/or delivered to the holders of the Notes in connection with the redemption of the Notes is or is intended to be a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated 14 June 2017 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”). No prospectus will be published in connection with the redemption of the Notes for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

    This press release does not, and shall not, in any circumstances, constitute an offer to the public of Notes by Crédit Agricole S.A. nor an invitation to the public in connection with any offer in any jurisdiction, including France.

    * The ISIN number is included solely for the convenience of the holders of the Notes. No representation is being made as to the correctness or accuracy of the ISIN number either as printed on the Notes or as contained herein and the holder may rely only on the identification numbers printed on its Note.

    CRÉDIT AGRICOLE S.A. PRESS CONTACT

    Alexandre Barat        + 33 1 57 72 12 19        
    alexandre.barat@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Olivier Tassain        + 33 1 43 23 25 41        olivier.tassain@credit-agricole-sa.fr

    Find our press release on: www.credit-agricole.com – www.creditagricole.info

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ancelotti’s first Brazil win seals World Cup spot

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Vinicius Junior scored in the first half as five-time world champion Brazil secured a spot at next year’s FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 home win over Paraguay in its qualifier on Tuesday.

    The result marked new manager Carlo Ancelotti’s first victory since taking charge late last month and leaves Brazil third in the South American standings with 25 points, one ahead of fifth-placed Paraguay, with two matches remaining.

    “We’re very happy to have qualified for the World Cup, which was our objective,” Vinicius told TV Globo after the match.

    “Tonight wasn’t one of our best games but the most important thing in these qualifiers is to get over the line and do what’s needed to reach the World Cup. Now it’s time to celebrate.”

    The host took the lead on the stroke of halftime when Vinicius slid home from inside the six-yard box after Matheus Cunha’s cross from the right side of the penalty area.

    Brazil dominated for large periods at Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena but struggled to break down Paraguay’s disciplined defensive block.

    The visitor offered little in attack and its best chance of the first half was a speculative effort by Junior Alonso from 15 yards.

    Brazil went close to doubling its lead just before the hour through Bruno Guimaraes, whose deft chip was headed off the line by Juan Caceres.

    Dynamo Moscow right-back Caceres then put Brazil’s defense under pressure with a long throw to the goalmouth, where the ball fell to Alonso, whose powerful header flew just over the bar.

    But there were few other scoring chances as both teams appeared to prioritize defense over offensive ambition.

    The home side had 73% of possession but only four shots on target while Paraguay forced just one save from Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.

    Brazil will meet Chile and Bolivia in its final two qualifiers in September while Paraguay, which needs only one more point to qualify, faces Ecuador and Peru.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Almada rescues 10-man Argentina in 1-1 draw against Colombia

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Thiago Almada struck late as Argentina salvaged a 1-1 home draw against Colombia in their FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

    Liverpool forward Luis Diaz gave the visitors the lead against the run of play when he cut inside from the left wing and skipped past three defenders before coolly firing a shot past Emiliano Martinez.

    The host was forced to play the last 25 minutes with 10 men after Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Kevin Castano.

    Despite its numerical disadvantage, Argentina continued to dictate terms and pushed forward in search of an equalizer.

    Lyon midfielder Almada put his side on level terms nine minutes from time by receiving Exequiel Palacios’ pass and advancing into the box before drilling a low effort into the far corner.

    Reigning World Cup champion Argentina, which is already assured of a place at football’s showpiece tournament next year, remains top of South America’s qualifying group with 35 points, 13 ahead of sixth-placed Colombia.

    The top six teams earn direct entry to the World Cup while the seventh-ranked side advances to a playoff.

    Argentina will meet Venezuela and Ecuador in its last two qualifiers in September while Colombia will confront Bolivia and Venezuela.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Sanctioning extremist Israeli ministers is a start, but Australia and its allies must do more

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Whyte, Scientia Associate Professor of Philosophy and ARC Future Fellow, UNSW Sydney

    The Australian government is imposing financial and travel sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers: Itamar Ben-Gvir (the national security minister) and Bezalel Smotrich (finance minister).

    This is a significant development. While Australia has previously sanctioned seven individual Israeli settlers, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are the most high-profile Israeli nationals to face such sanctions.

    Civil society organisations have long called for sanctions against these ministers and others in the Israeli cabinet.

    Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong previously rebuffed such calls by saying that “going it alone gets us nowhere”. These latest sanctions have been imposed by a coalition of five states: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.

    A joint statement by the foreign ministers of these countries says Ben Gvir and Smotrich “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”

    Explaining the sanctions further, Wong told ABC Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are the “most extreme proponents of the unlawful and violent Israeli settlement enterprise”.

    A history of violent statements

    There is no doubt both men are extremists.

    Ben-Gvir, who is responsible for Israel’s police force, was convicted of racist incitement in 2007.

    As national security minister, he has handed out thousands of assault rifles to West Bank settlers. He has also boasted he’s worsened the “abominable conditions” of Palestinian prisoners.

    Smotrich has overseen a dramatic expansion of unlawful settlements in the West Bank. He’s vowed to annex the occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.

    He has also complained no one would allow Israel “to cause two million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral until our hostages are returned.”

    Last month, he argued that “until the last hostage is returned, we should not even be sending water” to Gaza.

    The joint statement by the foreign ministers explains Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have been sanctioned for “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.

    The statement notes these measures “cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza”. However, it also goes on to express “unwavering support for Israel’s security” and vows to “continue to work with the Israeli government”.

    It does not note that the International Court of Justice has found Palestinians in Gaza are facing a plausible risk of genocide.

    Nor does it make clear Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are not bad apples; they are integral members of the far-right Israeli government that is responsible for the destruction of Gaza and the starvation of its people.

    Indeed, just this week, a UN independent fact-finding commission report found Israel was committing the “crime against humanity of extermination” in Gaza, among other war crimes.

    What are Magnitsky sanctions?

    Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have been sanctioned under Australia’s Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011. This act grants the foreign minister broad discretionary powers to impose sanctions.

    In 2021, the Australian government amended this act to allow the government to impose sanctions on specific “themes”, such as:

    • serious violations or serious abuses of human rights
    • threats to international peace and security
    • activities undermining good governance or the rule of law, including serious corruption.

    These targeted sanctions on human rights abuses are often called “Magnitsky-style sanctions” after the Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in custody after exposing serious corruption in Russia. They enable a government to freeze the assets of and impose travel bans on individuals and specific entities, not just countries.

    Since coming into force, Australia has imposed the Magnitsky-style sanctions on numerous Russian military leaders, members of Myanmar’s junta, and the commander in chief of the Iranian Army.

    But Australia does not only sanction individuals from these countries. It also imposes country-wide sanctions on Russia, Myanmar and Iran.

    These broader sanctions restrict all trade in arms, including weapons, ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, as well as spare parts and accessories.

    Australia can – and should – do more

    The Australian Centre for International Justice, which had lobbied the government to sanction Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, welcomed the decision. It called it:

    an important demonstration of Australia’s commitment to upholding international law and human rights.

    But the centre’s acting executive director, Lara Khider, stressed the need for further concrete action. This includes “the imposition of a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel”.

    Indeed, sanctions are not just political or diplomatic tools that states can apply at their discretion. International law can require states to apply sanctions, such as through a resolution of the UN Security Council.

    Last July, the International Court of Justice declared that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, including its imposition of a regime of racial segregation, is unlawful.

    In that advisory opinion, the court also clarified the legal obligations of all states concerning Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Such obligations include the duty on all states to “take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation”.

    Nothing less than a two-way trade and arms embargo is adequate now. Just as Australia imposes such sanctions on Russia, Myanmar and Iran, it must do the same for Israel.

    Jessica Whyte receives funding from the Australian Research Council. With Sara Dehm, she co-authored a submission to the 2024 inquiry into Australia’s sanctions regime which criticised Australia’s failure to impose sanctions on the state of Israel.

    Sara Dehm receives funding from the Australian Research Council. With Jessica Whyte, she co-authored a submission to the 2024 inquiry into Australia’s sanctions regime which criticised Australia’s failure to impose sanctions on the state of Israel.

    – ref. Sanctioning extremist Israeli ministers is a start, but Australia and its allies must do more – https://theconversation.com/sanctioning-extremist-israeli-ministers-is-a-start-but-australia-and-its-allies-must-do-more-258688

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member McCollum: House Democrats Expose How Republicans’ Defense Funding Bill Undermines Military Readiness

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

    WASHINGTON — During today’s House Appropriations subcommittee markup of the 2026 Defense funding bill, House Democrats highlighted how the bill undermines democracy at home and abroad and includes harmful policy riders that divide our nation.

    For fiscal year 2026, the bill provides $831.5 billion, which is equal to current funding levels and $1.3 billion above the Administration’s fiscal year 2026 request.

    Republicans have included language directing the Department of Defense to determine $7.75 billion in cuts to amounts listed in the bill. This jeopardizes every program other than intelligence activities. If made uniformly, it would reduce everything by approximately 1 percent, which would mean cuts of almost $2 billion for troop pay, over $2 billion for troop readiness, $409 million for health programs, $5 million each for Israel and Jordan, and over $2 billion for the procurement and modernization of weapons systems. At a time when the Trump Administration is already illegally stealing from American communities by refusing to spend funds, it is unfathomable that the Appropriations Committee would allow the administration to unilaterally make nearly $8 billion in cuts to defense investments.

    The legislation:

    • Weakens Ukraine and empowers Russia by eliminating support for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
    • Undermines democracy at home and abroad by allowing disinformation and extremist views to flourish.
    • Limits women’s access to abortion by preventing service personnel from traveling to seek reproductive health care
    • Harms our military readiness with divisive provisions that undermine morale and fail to support our service personnel, by:
      • Continuing DOGE and the Administration’s cuts to vital civilian positions;
      • Attacking the LGBTQ+ community with hateful policies; and
      • Banning funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

    From Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Betty McCollum’s (D-MN-04) opening remarks as prepared for delivery:

    “The Defense Appropriations Act is an incredibly complex piece of legislation that needs to be written the right way: With the president’s budget, and with thoughtful analysis by the Department of Defense. There are consequences to not following this process. We may end up buying too many of one platform, wasting precious taxpayer dollars. We may end up buying too little of another – leaving a gap in our defense capabilities. When we do not see the budget request, we fail to maximize the buying power for the taxpayer. It is unfortunate that President Trump put us in this situation. Our service members and America’s tax paying public deserve better.”

    From Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro’s (D-CT-03) opening remarks as prepared for delivery:

    “Rather than working with House Democrats to strengthen our national security and prioritize the issues that matter most to our men and women in uniform, House Republicans are abandoning our allies, undermining democracy at home and abroad, and failing to support our servicemembers. Despite broad support in Congress for helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s brutal invasion, they empower Vladimir Putin by failing to include $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The majority’s bill holds the door open for disinformation created by America’s enemies rather than allowing the Department of Defense to counter the threat, allowing extremism and propaganda to proliferate across the Internet and media landscape. The bill continues House Republicans’ attacks on the right of women to seek an abortion, and the rights of minorities to be protected from discrimination, while destroying the Department’s efforts to build a more inclusive, effective, and modern military. And the bill weakens the Department by continuing the Administration’s reckless and indiscriminate cuts to vital civilian personnel, and yielding to DOGE and Elon Musk.”

    A summary of House Republicans’ 2026 Defense bill is here. A fact sheet of the bill is here. The full text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Al Green Featured in Newsweek Article for Filing Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald John Trump

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

    (Houston, TX) — On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Congressman Al Green was featured in an article written by Newsweek reporter Peter Aitken titled “Exclusive: Al Green on Trump Impeachment Push—’Don’t Wait’ for ‘Tanks’.” The article highlights Congressman Green’s recently filed articles of impeachment against President Donald John Trump, pointing to the Presidents continued attacks on judicial independence and disregard for the separation of powers. In this piece, Congressman Green addresses the need to confront rising authoritarianism, warning immediate action is necessary to safeguard American democracy. 

    The article is available on Newsweek’s website by clicking the link here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 11, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

     For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.

    Jun 11, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook

    Updated: Wed Jun 11 05:57:09 UTC 2025 (Print Version |   |  )

    Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

     Forecast Discussion

    SPC AC 110557

    Day 2 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1257 AM CDT Wed Jun 11 2025

    Valid 121200Z – 131200Z

    …THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF
    THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND TEXAS…

    …SUMMARY…
    Widely scattered strong to severe storms are expected Thursday
    across parts of the central to northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
    Isolated strong to severe storms may also occur over parts of Texas.

    …Synopsis…
    The stronger flow aloft will remain over northern portions of the
    CONUS on Thursday, with a low-amplitude wave moving across the
    northern Plains. South of there, a weak upper low will move from TX
    toward the lower to middle MS Valley late.

    At the surface, a boundary will stretch roughly from SD eastward to
    the Mid Atlantic, with a large area of mid to upper 60s F across
    much of the plains and Midwest. A weak is forecast over southwest
    NE, with an inverted trough extending northeastward toward southern
    MN.

    …Northern Plains…
    Early day rain/thunderstorms will shift north across eastern SD and
    southern MN during the day in a zone of warm advection, with air
    mass recovery to the southwest across NE and western KS/eastern CO.
    Strong heating and southeast surface winds will yield storms moving
    off the Front Range, with locally strong gusts or marginal hail.
    Robust convection will form within the surface trough over NE,
    extending into southeast SD/western IA/southwest MN as well, with
    more of a variety of storms expected. Both damaging winds and hail
    are expected. Shear will be marginal but an MCS cannot be ruled out
    overnight.

    …Much of southern/central/eastern TX…
    Substantial moisture and instability will again develop with 70s F
    dewpoints and cool temperatures aloft. Clusters of storms are likely
    to be ongoing roughly along or east of I-35 much of the day, and
    areas of strong wind gusts may occur. West of there, stronger
    heating will occur over southwest TX. Shear will be weak but
    multicellular convection capable of marginal hail or localized
    downbursts may occur.

    ..Jewell.. 06/11/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z

    Top/Latest Day 1 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 11, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 110559

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1259 AM CDT Wed Jun 11 2025

    Valid 111200Z – 121200Z

    …THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
    SOUHT-CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS…

    …SUMMARY…
    Thunderstorms associated with severe gusts and hail will be possible
    today across parts of the southern Plains and Sabine River Valley.
    Marginally severe storms will also be possible in parts of the Upper
    Midwest and northwestern states.

    …Southern Plains/Sabine River Valley…
    At mid-levels, a shortwave trough will move eastward across the
    southern Plains today. Ahead of the trough, flow will be
    southwesterly across much of the eastern half of Texas. At the
    surface, a moist airmass will remain in place from the eastern Texas
    Hill Country eastward into the Sabine River Valley, where surface
    dewpoints will be in the lower to mid 70s F. Early in the period, a
    line of storms is expected to move eastward across this moist
    airmass. The line will likely lay out an outflow boundary across
    parts of the Texas Coastal Plain. To the south of this boundary,
    moderate instability is expected to develop by afternoon.
    Thunderstorm development will be most likely along and near the
    boundary during the mid to late afternoon, with multiple clusters of
    storms moving eastward across central and southeast Texas. RAP
    forecast soundings across the Texas Coastal Plain at 21Z have a
    MLCAPE peaking near 3000 J/kg, with 0-6 km shear around 30 knots.
    The environment should support a severe threat, associated with
    supercells and/or short bowing line segments. Wind damage will be
    the primary threat, although hail will also be possible.

    …Northern Rockies/Northern High Plains…
    A shortwave trough will move across the northern Rockies today. At
    the surface, a moist airmass will be in place from the northern
    Rockies eastward into the northern High Plains. Destabilization will
    occur during the day across this airmass as surface temperatures
    warm. Models forecasts suggest that MLCAPE could reach 1000 J/kg in
    some areas. By early to mid afternoon, convection is expected to
    develop in the higher terrain, with storms moving eastward into the
    lower elevations. Forecast soundings across the region suggest that
    low to mid-level lapse rates will become very steep, and that
    moderate deep-layer shear will be present. For this reason, a threat
    for hail and isolated severe gusts will be possible, especially near
    and after peak heating.

    …Upper Midwest…
    West-northwesterly mid-level flow will be in place today from the
    northern Plains eastward into the Upper Midwest. At the surface, a
    cold front will move slowly southward across the mid Missouri and
    upper Mississippi Valleys. This front will be a focus for convective
    development today. To the south of the front, surface dewpoints in
    the 60s F will likely contribute to moderate instability by
    afternoon. Although deep-layer shear will be relatively weak,
    low-level lapse rates are forecast to become very steep, locally
    exceeding 9 C/km in some areas. Thunderstorms that develop on the
    warm side of the boundary where lapse rates are maximized could
    develop a threat for isolated damaging wind gusts and hail.

    ..Broyles/Squitieri.. 06/11/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No MDs are in effect as of Wed Jun 11 07:02:02 UTC 2025

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Current Mesoscale DiscussionsUpdated:  Wed Jun 11 07:11:02 UTC 2025 No Mesoscale Discussions are currently in effect.

    Notice:  The responsibility for Heavy Rain Mesoscale Discussions has been transferred to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on April 9, 2013. Click here for the Service Change Notice.
    Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No watches are valid as of Wed Jun 11 07:02:02 UTC 2025

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated:  Wed Jun 11 07:11:05 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid

    Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Argentina’s Supreme Court Upholds 6-Year Sentence of Ex-President

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BUENOS AIRES, June 11 (Xinhua) — Argentina’s Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a six-year prison sentence against former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner for irregularities in public works contracts during her time in power.

    The country’s highest court rejected an appeal filed by Fernandez de Kirchner’s lawyers against lower court decisions upholding both the prison term and the lifetime ban on holding public office.

    The ruling was based on the so-called “Vialidad case,” which investigated the awarding of 51 road construction contracts in the southern province of Santa Cruz to companies owned by businessman Lázaro Báez during the government of Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007) and his widow, C. Fernández de Kirchner (2007-2015).

    Fernandez de Kirchner has repeatedly denied her guilt and called the trial a politically motivated prosecution. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Johnson’s Statement on the White House Deploying National Guard to Los Angeles

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement on the White House deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles during protests against Trump’s immigration policies:

    “President Trump’s unilateral deployment of the National Guard onto the streets of Los Angeles at a time when state and local law enforcement were defusing the fallout from ICE raids that terrorized immigrant neighborhoods and workplaces, was a move calculated to escalate what had been largely peaceful protests into violence that would create a pretext for suspending habeas corpus and imposing Martial Law.

    “Similar to the Chinese Communist Party government crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, Martial Law would create the opportunity for Trump to crackdown on dissent throughout America, stifling freedom and liberty as the 250-year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from monarchal tyranny approaches.”

    “I stand with my brothers and sisters who are peacefully protesting not only the cruelty of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns but the dictatorship he so desperately is trying to create, and I urge all those engaging in protest and demonstrations to remain non-violent. The time is now for all good people to find and get into trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble.”

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSMAN JOHNSON JOINS BIPARTISAN CHARGE TO SAVE JOB CORPS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) joined Congressmen Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Brett Guthrie (KY-02), the co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Job Corps Caucus, in a letter signed by 199 members of Congress—Democratic and Republican—to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging her to continue the Job Corps program.

    On May 29, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a notice that it will begin a phased pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers across the country. Job Corps is a national program with over 120 centers across the country. Job Corps offers at-risk youth varied academic opportunities and career pathways in business and industry.

    In their letter, they highlighted, “Nearly 20,000 young people utilize Job Corps to learn skills for in-demand vocational and technical job training. Job Corps is one of the few national programs that specifically targets the 16-24-year-old population that is neither working, nor in school, and provides them with a direct pathway into employment openings in industries such as manufacturing and shipbuilding. The program also connects these young Americans with apprenticeships, higher education opportunities, or the military.”

    The members of Congress also noted, “As companies continue to onshore and invest in the men and women of our country, a steady stream of skilled laborers will be required to meet the growing workforce demand. The Job Corps program is uniquely positioned to fill that role and provide these hardworking young Americans with the vocational and technical job training that will set them and our country up for success.”

    The Jun. 5 letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer can be viewed here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez condemns ICE’s presence in her district

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) issued the following statement in response to confirmed reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement was in Whittier over the weekend:

    “ICE’s presence in Whittier and throughout Los Angeles does not make our neighborhoods safer. Instead, they are tearing families apart, traumatizing children and undermining trust with our local officials and law enforcement.

    “The Trump administration’s raids serve no purpose other than to stoke fear and enforce a cruel and broken immigration system. No one should live under the constant threat of being ripped away from their family.

    “I’m working with our local officials to determine if any of our residents were unlawfully detained. These inhumane raids must stop now.”

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Underwood’s Bipartisan Baby Changing on Board Act Passes House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON – Rep. Lauren Underwood’s bipartisan legislation that would require new Amtrak trains to be equipped with baby changing stations in all restrooms, the Baby Changing On Board Act (H.R. 248), has passed the House with unanimous support. The legislation is co-led by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

    Amtrak serves millions of families as a reliable and affordable transportation option, but many trains still lack basic facilities such as baby changing stations, creating unnecessary challenges for parents and caregivers. Under the Baby Changing on Board Act, Amtrak would utilize existing funds to install baby changing stations in new train cars, making sure all trains meet a minimum service standard for family amenities.

    “Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about whether there’s a safe, clean place to care for their kids while traveling,” said Rep. Underwood. “I am so pleased that this legislation has passed the House and is now one step closer to becoming law. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation is a practical and necessary step to make sure families have access to the amenities they need on Amtrak.”

    The Baby Changing on Board Act represents a significant step forward for families, especially those undertaking long journeys on Amtrak routes. By ensuring new trains are equipped with basic, family-friendly facilities, this legislation promotes a more inclusive and accessible travel experience for parents and caregivers nationwide.

    The Baby Changing on Board Act is supported by leading organizations, including A Better Balance, MomsRising Together, and the National Women’s Law Center.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lauren Underwood Delivers Remarks at Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Markup to Highlight How Republican Funding Bill Undermines Veterans’ Benefits and Care

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON—During today’s House Appropriations full committee markup of the 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies funding bill, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered the following remarks: 

    “Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill we are considering today. 

    Our veterans are heroes who have given so much to our country. Their sacrifices can never be fully repaid, but the least we can do is to provide them with high-quality healthcare and other benefits they are entitled to. 

    When they come home, they deserve to know that the country they fought for is going to deliver on its promises. 

    And today, we have the opportunity to keep those promises—but unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle have chosen to join the Trump Administration in turning their backs on veterans.  

    To start, this bill takes a page right out of the Project 2025 playbook by wasting billions of taxpayer dollars to privatize veterans’ medical care—even though this approach will only lead to higher costs, longer wait times, and more barriers to care.  

    So while this Committee could be investing in vital, VA-based care that is consistently preferred by veterans and outperforms private community care, House Republicans have written a bill that will raise costs AND lower the quality of veterans’ care. This is unacceptable.  

    If that wasn’t bad enough, let’s talk about the PACT Act.  

    I was proud to support this historic, bipartisan expansion of health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits and Agent Orange.  

    Since its passage, the VA has delivered new PACT Act-related disability benefits to more than 1.4 million veterans and over 14,000 survivors of veterans who died of a toxic exposure-related illness.  

    The PACT Act was a promise: if you put your life on the line for this country, we will take care of you. 

    But this bill breaks that promise by failing to provide guaranteed advance funding for the PACT Act’s Toxic Exposure Fund.  Advance funding provides the certainty the VA needs to plan for and deliver consistent high-quality care for our veterans who were subjected to toxic exposures.  

    And it doesn’t stop there. This bill is packed with the same cruel, performative policy riders we see year after year. As a nurse, I believe health care is a human right—including the full range of reproductive health care services. But this bill blocks the VA from providing abortions or even abortion counseling.  

    It would force many of our veterans—like countless women across this country since the disastrous Dobbs decision—to wait till they are on their deathbeds to receive essential health care. It’s extreme, it’s deadly, and it’s anti-veteran. 

    The bill also underfunds military construction by $904 million, delaying critical infrastructure needs that are vital to our military readiness. That hurts recruitment, worsens the quality of life for servicemembers and their families, and undermines our national security.  

    But perhaps most alarming – this bill FAILS to stop the Trump Administration’s dangerous, unconstitutional effort to dismantle the Department of Veterans Affairs.  

    So far, the Trump Administration has illegally fired thousands of VA staff that support critical services like processing claims benefits and keeping the Veterans Crisis Line running, and they have cancelled more than 500 contracts.  These cuts have interrupted veteran services and threatened the future of critical research from cancer treatments to suicide prevention.   

    And this is just the beginning.  

    Donald Trump’s VA Secretary has said publicly that the Administration’s goal is to reduce the agency’s staff by 15 percent –that’s 80,000 fewer professionals working to keep our promises to those who have served this country and many future generations of veterans left behind.  

    Already I have heard from veterans in my District about the distress caused by these impending cuts. At my most recent town hall, one veteran who has sought mental health care at the VA since the 1970 shared his concerns about the future of his care in midst of these impending cuts.  

    Another constituent of mine reached out via email and shared that “veterans that use the center for mental health issues are having anxiety attacks over the issues at the VA.” This is the real cost of the Administration’s decisions.  

    And instead of standing up for our veterans, my Republican colleagues have written a bill that rubber stamps the Administration’s illegal and cruel acts.  

    For all these reasons and more, I cannot support this bill.  

    Our veterans deserve better. They deserve a Congress that honors their service—not just with words, but with action.  

    They deserve a fully funded VA, access to comprehensive health care—including reproductive care—and a government that keeps its promises.  

    I ask my colleagues across the aisle to do the right thing, stand up for veterans, and reject this misguided bill.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Statement on President Trump’s Deployment of the National Guard, Marines in California

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) issued the following statement on President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and active duty Marines in California:

    In a statement, Congressman Crow said: 

    “Federalizing and deploying National Guard troops in any state should always be a last resort to address situations local authorities can’t handle alone. The reason for this is simple: introducing military personnel into domestic law enforcement situations is an escalation and can put both the military personnel and civilians on the ground at additional  risk. 

    “Deploying troops inappropriately can also threaten the integrity and public trust of our military. There are many examples in US history of this ending poorly. 

    “Here, both the mayor and the governor have been very clear that military personnel (the National Guard or active duty) are not necessary.

    “I urge President Trump to reverse course and allow state and local law enforcement officials to respond.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Americans’ Private Data from Cyberattacks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) introduced new bipartisan legislation to better protect Americans’ private medical data from cyberattackers. 

    Cyberattacks targeting Americans’ medical data have increased in recent years. In 2021, 46 million Americans had their health information breached as a result of a cyberattack, a threefold increase in three years. These cyberattacks often knock health systems offline, creating a backlog of unpaid claims and threatening patients’ access to care. Findings suggest that, as a result of these attacks, patients’ data may have been leaked on the dark web in the process. 

    Congressman Crow’s Healthcare Cybersecurity Act would help safeguard Americans’ private medical data by requiring greater coordination at the federal level to ensure that government agencies stand ready to respond to the increasing threat posed by cyberattacks. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) joined Congressman Crow in introducing this legislation. The bill was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Todd Young (R-IN)

    “As technology advances, we must do more to protect Americans’ sensitive data,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why I’m leading bipartisan legislation to strengthen our defenses and protect families from cyberattackers.”

    “Cyberattacks on our healthcare system endanger more than data—they put lives at risk. I’ve long worked to strengthen our nation’s cyber defenses where Americans are most exposed, from small businesses to hospitals. This bipartisan bill takes direct, strategic action: empowering CISA and HHS to coordinate real-time threat sharing, expanding cybersecurity training for providers, and establishing a dedicated liaison to bolster response. We’re not just responding to attacks—we’re building the infrastructure to prevent them, protect patient privacy, and defend a vital pillar of our national security,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

    The Healthcare Cybersecurity Act would specifically require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collaborate on improving cybersecurity in both the health care and public health sectors. It would create a liaison between CISA and HHS to coordinate responses to cyberattacks, and would authorize cybersecurity training to all relevant personnel. The bill would also require CISA and HHS to conduct a study on specific cybersecurity risks facing the health care and public health sectors.

    Congressman Crow has long worked to strengthen America’s cybersecurity defenses, and previously introduced the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act in the 117th and 118th Congress. He also previously introduced the SBA Cyber Awareness Act, bipartisan legislation that would strengthen the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) cybersecurity to handle and report cyber threats that affect small businesses.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Missouri Disaster Declaration Approved by President Trump

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

    Ballwin, MO – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump approved Governor Mike Kehoe’s request for federal support to aid disaster recovery from the May 16th tornado.

    “Thank you President Trump for your swift action to provide federal support to the victims of the deadly tornado last month. The St. Louis region was hit incredibly hard and this disaster assistance is going directly to ensure our community can rebuild stronger and better than before.  I appreciate President Trump and his team for working with us so our officials on the state and local level have the resources they need. I spoke with people on the ground when I saw the damage firsthand and I know how helpful this aid will be to our friends and neighbors.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, 27 Colleagues Slam Republican Plan to Rescind Over $1 Billion in Federal Funding for Local Public Broadcasting Stations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 27 of their U.S. Senate colleagues in slamming a Republican attempt to rescind $1.07 billion in already-allocated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds local public broadcasting stations across the country.  The $1.07 billion represents 100% of CPB’s funding through September 2027. This move follows President Trump’s executive order directing cuts to federal funding for PBS and NPR.
    “Following the White House’s request to rescind $1.07 billion in federal funding for CPB, we write to express our strong opposition to any rescission of funding for public broadcasting and prohibitions of direct and indirect funding to the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio,” the senators wrote. “This funding is essential to the functioning of the public media system and the communities they serve, and any cuts in funding would have detrimental effects on local stations, which rely on this funding to provide critical services to millions of Americans across the country. Public broadcasting is an essential service that should be protected, not decimated. For this reason, we request that you prioritize maintaining and continuing funding for CPB.”
    The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports over 1,500 local public television and radio stations that provide free, high-quality programming to millions of households across America. It provides young children who don’t get the chance to attend preschool with educational content that helps them learn to read; airs highly trusted nightly news programming; and shares critical public safety information during emergencies. Local public television stations also provide extensive coverage of local government and elections and host candidate debates, helping Americans stay connected with their elected leaders. Because public television and radio relies heavily on federal funding to operate, particularly in rural communities, losing this funding would force many of these stations to reduce much of their programming or, in some cases, close their doors.
    U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    Dear Majority Leader Thune,
    Federal investment in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) supports over 1,500 local and regional public television and radio stations that provide free, high-quality programming to millions of households across the country. Following the White House’s request to rescind $1.07 billion in federal funding for CPB, we write to express our strong opposition to any rescission of funding for public broadcasting and prohibitions of direct and indirect funding to the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio, as outlined in the Executive Order titled, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media” released on May 1, 2025. This funding is essential to the functioning of the public media system and the communities they serve, and any cuts in funding would have detrimental effects on local stations, which rely on this funding to provide critical services to millions of Americans across the country.
    Our public broadcasting system is a unique American institution that is deeply embedded in our communities and a critical source of lifesaving public safety services, accurate information, and educational programming. The vast majority of the federal funding CPB receives is allocated to local radio and television stations across the country. These cuts will have an immediate and significant impact for stations in rural communities that heavily rely on CPB funding to provide critical services and could likely result in the elimination of programming or outright closure of stations in areas already faced with limited connectivity.
    According to Northwestern University, 55 million people in the United States have no or only one source of local news, and rural counties are far more likely to lose their local news outlets. This number could increase if the two-year advance appropriation for public media is not upheld, resulting in the drastic reduction or complete elimination of free, high-quality local programming. This is especially concerning given the importance of public broadcasting during public emergencies, such as natural disasters, transportation accidents, national security threats, or public safety matters. CPB funds are essential to ensuring that the broadcast infrastructure remains robust and operational in disaster situations, especially scenarios in which local public broadcasters serve as the only source of information for those who need a lifeline. Any cuts in funding will have drastic consequences for communities in need.
    And there is much more to their public safety services in addition to the critical local information they broadcast. Public television’s interconnection technology, which connects local public television stations to PBS, is also one of the backbone pathways for the delivery of our nation’s Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) services – enabling cell phone subscribers to receive geotargeted emergency text alerts no matter where they are in the country. A cut to public broadcasting funding would put this lifesaving service and its nationwide footprint at risk.
    Public television has also pioneered cutting edge technology that helps first responders communicate with each other over the broadcast spectrum without the need for mobile service or broadband. This datacasting technology and public television’s public safety partnerships is already helping with early earthquake warning and has been proven effective in a wide range of scenarios where broadband or cellular service are limited, including rural search and rescue, overwater communications, large event crowd control and more. But this is only possible if stations serving rural and remote areas with limited broadband are healthy and continue operating as they are today.
    On the education front, public television’s early childhood education services ensure that every family has access to high-quality, non-commercial educational content regardless of their ability to pay for such services. This is essential for over 50 percent of three and four-year old children who do not attend formal preschool.
    If funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is eliminated or rescinded, the impact would be devastating. Millions of people across the country whose stations rely on CPB funding for a significant percentage of their budget would be at risk of losing access to public television’s services. These are services that nobody else in the media world is providing, but it’s exactly the work for which public broadcasting was created, and they are delivering to our communities every day. 
    Public broadcasting is an essential service that should be protected, not decimated. For this reason, we request that you prioritize maintaining and continuing funding for CPB. We appreciate your consideration of this request and thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Haiti Sees Record Displacement as 1.3 Million Flee Violence

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva/Port-au-Prince, 11 June 2025 – Nearly 1.3 million people are now internally displaced in Haiti, a 24 percent increase since December 2024, according to a recently published Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This surge represents the highest number of people displaced by violence ever recorded in the country.

    “Behind these numbers are so many individual people whose suffering is immeasurable; children, mothers, the elderly, many of them forced to flee their homes multiple times, often with nothing, and now living in conditions that are neither safe nor sustainable,” said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. “We need to act urgently. The strength of the Haitian people is humbling, but resilience cannot be their only refuge. This crisis cannot become the new normal.”

    While Port-au-Prince remains the epicentre of the crisis, gang violence is spreading beyond the capital. Recent attacks in the Centre and Artibonite departments have forced tens of thousands more residents to flee, many now living in precarious conditions and makeshift shelters. Although nearly a quarter of all internally displaced people are still living in the capital, increasing numbers of people are fleeing to other parts of the country in search of safety. In the North, the number of people forced from their homes has grown by nearly 80 per cent.

    In the Artibonite department, violence in Petite Rivière alone has driven thousands more from their homes, bringing the total number of displaced people in the area to over 92,000. In the Centre department, the situation is even more alarming. Fighting in towns like Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau has more than doubled the number of people on the move in just a few months, rising from around 68,000 to over 147,000. Many now face life without access to health care, schools, and clean water, leaving already vulnerable families struggling to survive.

    As more people are forced to flee, the number of spontaneous displacement sites is also rising. Since December, these sites have jumped from 142 to 246. The sharpest increase is in areas that previously had none, like the Centre department, which now hosts 85 sites. Yet around 83 per cent are sheltering with host families, placing enormous strain on already overstretched households, especially in rural communities.

    IOM continues to play a leading role in the humanitarian response. In the past month, the Organization assisted over 20,000 people with essential household items such as buckets and cooking utensils, distributed over 3 million litres of clean water, and provided basic health services to 6,000 people. Additionally, IOM has reinforced its mental health support, reaching over 8,500 displaced people. IOM teams are currently deployed in the Centre department to assess the multisectoral needs and prepare the response.

    As needs grow, IOM reiterates its call to the international community to scale up support. Without immediate funding and access, millions remain at risk.  Humanitarian assistance is essential, but alone it is not enough. Sustainable solutions must address the root causes of displacement, improve access to essential services, and create viable alternatives to gang violence for youth. These measures are critical to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring stability.

    For more information, please contact IOM Media Centre.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Rep. Calvert Bill to Secure Port Facilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

    Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Secure Our Ports Act of 2025, H.R. 252, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) earlier this year. H.R. 252 will strengthen our national security by prohibiting certain foreign entities, including state-owned enterprises of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, from entering into contracts for the ownership, leasing, or operation of U.S. port facilities that are subject to security plans.

    “I want to thank my House colleagues for passing the Secure Our Ports Act and taking an important step in protecting our critically important port facilities,” said Rep. Calvert. “America’s ports are essential gateways for trade and commerce. We cannot jeopardize America’s economic and national security by allowing foreign adversaries, like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, to own and operate port infrastructure.”

    The Secure Our Ports Act prohibits the ownership, leasing, or operation of port facilities by an entity that is a Chinese, Russian, North Korean, or Iranian state-owned enterprise, or a foreign entity for which any percentage is owned by one of those four countries.

    According to reports, “China owns or operates ports and terminals at nearly 100 locations in over 50 countries.” Last year, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party issued a report highlighting its national security concerns over the influence of critical port infrastructure by Chinese-owned enterprises. Recently, the Defense Department included a number of Chinese shipping firms to a list of companies it identifies as military in nature.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Calvert Votes to Provide Historic Tax Relief for Americans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

    Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) issued the following statement after voting to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

    “I promised voters that if they sent me back to Congress, I would fight to keep their taxes low – and that’s exactly what this One Big Beautiful Bill does. The passage of the bill will prevent the looming tax increase that would be the largest in our nation’s history. Job growth, take-home pay, and economic opportunities hit historic highs following the passage of the 2017 tax cuts. This bill extends and expands those pro-worker and pro-family policies.

    To support American workers, the bill eliminates federal income taxes on tips and overtime. To support retirees, the bill includes new tax relief for seniors. To support families, the bill increases the state and local taxes (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 as well as extends and expands the child tax credit that Republicans doubled in 2017. To support job creators, the bill expands and makes permanent the small business deduction and allows 100% immediate expensing.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill includes resources that will allow the Trump Administration to solidify the tremendous progress made in securing our border by completing the southern Border Wall and investing in our Border Patrol. To secure America and support our military, the bill will allow the Defense Department to acquire ships, aircraft, and other essential weapons systems as well as invest in the innovation entities within the Department focused on deploying vital capabilities in a time frame of relevance.

    I have made it clear throughout this process that I would not support cuts to Medicaid for seniors, children, mothers, and the disabled. The One Big Beautiful Bill protects these populations and does NOT cut Medicaid for seniors, children, mothers, and the disabled. The bill makes NO changes to Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ benefits.

    The changes to Medicaid strengthen the program by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. The bill ensures federal tax dollars are not used to provide Medicaid benefits for illegal immigrants through new immigration status check rules. The bill also implements sensible 20-hour per week work requirements – which can be satisfied through either employment, volunteering, or education – for able adults without children under 65 years of age. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the only individuals estimated to lose Medicaid benefits because of the bill are illegal immigrants, ineligible recipients who will lose coverage due to better enforcement of eligibility rules, and able adults without children who refuse to satisfy the new work requirements. These are reasonable, responsible Medicaid reforms that protect the most vulnerable as well as taxpayers.”

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bill Establishing an Eastvale Zip Code Advanced by House Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

    Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) praised the advancement of H.R. 672 by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for the city of Eastvale, in addition to other communities across the country. Reps. Calvert and Torres both represent portions of the city of Eastvale in the House of Representatives.

    “Eastvale residents and small businesses are one step closer to having the single, unique ZIP Code they have been seeking since incorporating as a city,” said Rep. Calvert. “As we have heard, establishing a single, unique ZIP Code for Eastvale is important for the city’s identity, GPS directions, insurance rates, the collection of sales taxes, and other factors. I’m thankful for the support of Rep. Torres and my House colleagues who have supported this legislation.”

    “For too long, Eastvale has faced unnecessary challenges due to the lack of a single, unique ZIP Code. I’m proud to work with Congressman Calvert as we push for a bipartisan solution that meets the needs of Eastvale’s growing community,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This bill is about more than numbers-it’s about ensuring every resident, small business, and neighborhood is accurately represented and properly served. Today’s vote in committee is a big step forward for fairness- and we will continue to push for passage through the full House of Representatives.”

    Earlier this year, Reps. Calvert and Torres reintroduced legislation, H.R. 1225, to establish a unique ZIP Code for the city of Eastvale. That bill was incorporated into H.R. 672, an omnibus ZIP Code bill introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26). 

    Currently, the city of Eastvale is split between two ZIP codes, 91752 and 92880. The 91752 ZIP code is shared between Eastvale and the city of Jurupa Valley. The City of Eastvale was incorporated in 2010 and has a population of approximately 70,000.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lofgren Statement on Trump Administration’s Deployment of CA National Guard in Los Angeles, CA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

    SAN JOSE, CA – Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) released the following statement after the Trump Administration deployed California’s National Guard in response to ongoing protests in Los Angeles, California: 

    “Trump’s unwarranted and unwise deployment of California’s National Guard over the objections of California officials is likely intended to inflame the situation. It’s not a surprise that when masked and armed ICE agents deployed across communities arresting working people, parents, and neighbors there would be objections. This was aggravated when, as he was peacefully protesting, union leader David Huerta was pushed by ICE, injured, and then arrested. Many of us, observing Trump’s authoritarian bent, have been concerned that he would look for some excuse to seize control from civilian authorities. Our citizen soldiers, members of California’s National Guard, should not be abused in this way. But given Trump’s view of soldiers as “ losers,” he obviously doesn’t care that these volunteers have been called away from their jobs and families for no good reason other than creating a scene and potentially creating an environment where violence and disorder may be stimulated.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –