NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Kim Schrier, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark Blast Republican Attempts to Dismantle Medicaid

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

    ISSAQUAH, WA – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) called out Congressional Republicans’ efforts to cut $880 billion from Medicaid and rip health care access away from millions of Americans. 

    “Millions of patients in Washington State are able to access health care thanks to Medicaid, and the Republicans’ push to cut $880 billion from it will have devastating repercussions for all Washingtonians,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “Not only would these cuts leave those on Apple Health with much more limited access to care, but they would, in turn, lead to longer wait times and reduced care in emergency rooms, increased healthcare costs, and closed nursing homes. I’ve worked for years to expand health care access for my constituents, and I am proud to have a partner like Whip Clark as we continue to fight against these irresponsible cuts.”

    “It’s no secret that Trump and Republicans are on track to dismantle Medicaid — the largest health care program in the country — in order to hand massive tax breaks to the richest few. We’re talking about 1.5 million Washingtonians on Medicaid, including 38% of all children in the state,” said Whip Clark. “I was honored to join Representative Schrier, Dr. Simmonds, and health care advocates to stand up against the GOP’s illegal assault on health care. We will not allow the greed of billionaires to dictate life in America.”

    Whip Clark joined Congresswoman Schrier, local labor leaders, physicians, and patients at the Swedish Issaquah Campus for a roundtable, press conference, and tour of the hospital’s emergency department. At the roundtable, Congresswoman Schrier and Whip Clark listened as stakeholders expressed the ways that the Medicaid cuts would impact their lives, showcasing the wide-reaching ramifications that cutting $880 billion from this program would have. 

    In Washington State, approximately 1.8 million individuals are enrolled in Medicaid, also known as Apple Health. The Republican budget calls for billions of dollars in cuts to essential programs like Medicaid, which would be devastating for thousands of patients in the Eighth District and millions across the country. Congresswoman Schrier, the first pediatrician elected to Congress, and Whip Clark have been leaders in fighting against these cuts and defending patients’ access to care.

    While Congressional Republicans are attempting to dismantle health care for millions of Americans, Congresswoman Schrier has a long track record of working with colleagues from both parties to strengthen our health care system. In fact, Congresswoman Schrier has spearheaded the bipartisan Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act, which would actually bolster Medicaid by ensuring it pays at the same rate as Medicare. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 26, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 26, 2025.

    80 years after Benito Mussolini’s death, what can democracies today learn from his fascist rise?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sharpe, Associate Professor in Philosophy, Australian Catholic University Hitler and Mussolini in Munich, Germany, June 18, 1940. Everett Collection/Shutterstock This Monday marks 80 years since Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was killed in an Italian village towards the end of the Second World War in 1945. The

    Samoan nun tells of ‘like a blur’ awesome meeting with Pope Francis
    By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific presenter The doors of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican have now been closed and the coffin sealed, ahead of preparations for tonight’s funeral of Pope Francis. The Vatican says a quarter of a million people have paid respects to Pope Francis in the last three days. Sister Susana Vaifale

    Israel’s endgame for tormented Gaza is political and physical erasure
    COMMENTARY: By Nour Odeh There was faint hope that efforts to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza would succeed. That hope is now all but gone, offering 2.1 million tormented and starved Palestinians dismal prospects for the days and weeks ahead. Last Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister once again affirmed he had no intention to

    Trump signs ‘deeply dangerous’ order to fast-track deep sea mining
    An ocean conservation non-profit has condemned the United States President’s latest executive order aimed at boosting the deep sea mining industry. President Donald Trump issued the “Unleashing America’s offshore critical minerals and resources” order on Thursday, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow deep sea mining. The order states: “It is the

    Election Diary: Dutton tops list of most distrusted, amid deepening voter cynicism about political leaders
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In this election, voters are more distrustful than ever of politicians, and the political heroes of 2022 have fallen from grace, swept from favour by independent players. A Roy Morgan survey has found, for the first time, that Australians are

    Pacific editor welcomes US court ruling in favour of Radio Free Asia
    By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor The former head of BenarNews’ Pacific bureau says a United States court ruling this week ordering the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to release congressionally approved funding to Radio Free Asia and its subsidiaries “makes us very happy”. However, Stefan Armbruster, who has played a key role in

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SENATOR: TRUMP TARIFFS ARE COSTING LI-ERS $5,000 MORE A YEAR; SENATOR REVEALS ICONIC LONG ISLAND FASHION BUSINESS COSTS HAVE JUMPED 30%—WITH NO END IN SIGHT; SENATOR STANDS WITH OWNER—WHO VOTED FOR…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    Schumer Stands With Long Island Trump Voters Who Love “MAGA” – But Hate Tariffs & Want White House To Get The Message That They Are Killing LI Economy, Consumers & Small Biz
    Senator Says If Trump Tariff War Continues Nassau Could Lose 10,900 Jobs & Suffolk Could Lose 24,400; LI Fashion Staple, TandyWear, Just Expanded Last Year But All This Success Could Be Snuffed Out & LI Could Suffer
    Schumer: Trump Tariffs Are Unraveling LI Fashion Company – And Things Could Get Worse If GOP Refuses To Put Big Boy/Girl Pants On & Help Dems End Tariffs
    Alongside self-described Trump voters at an iconic Long Island fashion brand company, TandyWear, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer addressed the issue of Trump tariffs that are costing Long Islanders nearly $5,000 a year, while squeezing small businesses and slashing local profits. Schumer and the owner of the company, who voted for President Trump, said the trade war is bad for business and consumers on Long Island. Schumer also revealed that TandyWear’s costs have jumped 30% since the trade war began, and this needless increase in costs comes at the same exact time the Long Island company was planning to expand and hire more employees.
    “TandyWear’s story, a Long Island company that was bouncing back from COVID, on the up, even expanding, but now is facing dramatically higher costs and overall uncertainty, is not their story alone—this is now the story of so many businesses across New York and the nation, and it is a needless harbinger of what might come if the President’s tariff war wages on,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “This trade war will cost Long Islanders $5,000 more a year, and right here on Long Island, more than 35,000 jobs are at risk. For business owners like Tandy, costs are up 30% with no end in sight, so we have to try and fix this, not in the name of politics, but in the name of logic.”   
    Schumer detailed that more than 35,000 jobs across Long Island are at risk, and said this one story is part of a bigger narrative threatening the nation’s and New York’s economy. The owner of TandyWear said she is not passing her 30% increase in costs onto her consumers, but, instead, is absorbing them for the moment, because the Long Island economy is feeling ‘shaky’ already. She said her customers cannot afford to pay 30% more.
    Schumer also announced that next week he will force a vote in the Senate to end the Trump trade war. Schumer said the House must also act and that Long Island’s Republican members of Congress have real sway to pressure the GOP—and that they should use their voice. Schumer stood with Trump voters, the owner of TandyWear, her employees and an economics professor from Hofstra as he made the case to help improve the Long Island economy, not stifle it.  
    “Next week, I will force a vote in the Senate to end this trade war, because what’s happening right now is just bad business. No matter what your vantage: the business, the consumer, the industry—it is one giant mess, and my vote to try and fix this problem will likely get Republican support,” Schumer added. “If this trade war just goes on and on, Nassau could lose more than 10,000 jobs, and Suffolk could lose more than 24,000. This is not winning. It’s losing. But worse, it is Long Island suffering. We cannot sit back and do nothing while Trump’s tariffs unravel this Long Island fashion company, or any company for that matter.”  
    Schumer said in the early days of the trade war news, the fashion and garment industry was facing price increases of at least 10 to 17%.  Now, Schumer says, that number is much higher, much closer to the 30% being faced by TandyWear. Schumer also said NYC is a fashion and garment hub, from leathers to other textiles, and that the current tariff ‘plan’ will rip the threads out of the NYC and Long Island’s fashion and commerce economy.
    When the Senate returns, Schumer says he will force a vote on a bipartisan resolution that would terminate the emergency declared by Trump to authorize his global tariffs. If the resolution is enacted into law, the tariffs would be rescinded. The Senate also previously passed a bipartisan resolution terminating Trump’s national emergency that is justifying his destructive tariffs, which Schumer said the House needs to vote on and that Long Island Republicans have real sway over. Schumer has been a vocal supporter of both resolutions.
    Schumer explained how New York, Long Island and its metro area is especially vulnerable to the President’s needless tariff war because it is one of the world’s largest trade hubs. Schumer explained that the New York port and area import and export hubs hum with activity that pumps billions of dollars into the New York/Long Island economy each year.  
    Specifically, Schumer said that the President’s tariffs also put over 260,000 New York jobs tied to exports at, what he calls, a “direct hit” economic risk. Schumer explained that JP Morgan recently released data showing the nation’s chances of a recession are now at 60%—but Schumer says, in New York, the number is much higher.   
    Schumer also pointed to Barclays, and brokerages HSBC, Deutsche Bank and BofA warned last Thursday that the U.S. economy faces a higher risk of slipping into a recession this year if the President’s tariffs remain in place.
    Financial reports say that if the tariffs are sustained, “recession risks will likely rise materially,” Deutsche Bank said in a note, while BofA noted the economy could be pushed to “the precipice of recession,” according to reports. Both Deutsche Bank and BofA predicted tariffs could ‘potentially shave 1-1.5 percentage points from U.S. economic growth this year.’

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Commemorates the 110th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Boston (April 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement to mark the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
    “We join the Armenian community in remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who were systematically murdered by the Ottoman Empire in the first genocide of the 20th century. On this 110th anniversary, we gather to honor their memory and reaffirm our shared commitments to truth, justice, and the enduring resilience of the Armenian people.
    “For years, I have stood alongside the strong Armenian American community to demand that the United States recognize the Armenian Genocide. Together, we achieved that milestone in 2021, ensuring that our nation stands firmly on the right side of history.
    “But as we mark this solemn anniversary, we must also confront the present situation in Armenia. The horrors of history echo today in the forced displacement of 150,000 Armenians from Artsakh, the ongoing illegal detentions, and the war crimes committed against civilians. These acts are a continuation of the violence we gather to remember.
    “As we reflect on the past, we must renew our resolve to ensure accountability, seek justice, and protect the future of Armenia and Artsakh. The memory of those lost compels us to act—not only to remember, but to ensure that never again means never again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, 40 Colleagues Blast Trump Administration’s Attacks On Head Start, Demand RFK Jr. Release Funding And Reverse Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 40 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers on the administration’s actions undermining Head Start. The senators emphasized HHS’s legal obligation to administer the program and called on Kennedy to immediately release Head Start funding. They also urged HHS to reverse both the mass firing of Head Start staff and the gutting of offices that help ensure high-quality services are available for thousands of children and families across the country.
    “We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program,” the senators wrote. “Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year. It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.”
    The senators highlighted Head Start’s vital role in supporting kids and families: “Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff. Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. Head Start programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.”
    The senators condemned the Administration’s assault on the program, detailing office closures and funds that were frozen for Head Start grants across the country: “Since the very start of this Administration, Head Start programs have been under attack. At one point, the National Head Start Association reported 37 programs serving nearly 15,000 children across the country could not access their federal funding. Head Start programs operate with thin margins and on short-term budgets from HHS, and without any communication from the Administration about the status of funding, programs were forced to temporarily close or to lay off staff.”
    “On April 1st, you abruptly closed five of the ten regional offices that help local grantees administer Head Start programs in 22 states,” they continued. “This left hundreds of programs without dedicated points of contact to address mission critical issues like approving grant renewals and modifications, investigating child health and safety incidents, and providing training and technical assistance to ensure high-quality services for children. While some grantees were assigned a new program specialist, we understand many have not been receiving responses to their inquiries. This is on top of the estimated 97 Office of Head Start central office staff that were terminated due to their probationary status and the recent reduction in force. You promised ‘radical transparency’ as Secretary, yet it is unclear how these actions will improve Head Start programs, and you and your staff refuse to respond to basic inquiries and requests for information.”
    The senators concluded: “The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low income children and families across this country. There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation. […] “[W]e urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country.”
    U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Angus King (I-Maine), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) also signed the letter.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    Dear Secretary Kennedy:
    We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program. Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year. It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.
    Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff. Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. Head Start programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.
    You even acknowledged the value of Head Start following a recent visit to a Virginia Head Start center, where you said, “I had a very inspiring tour. I saw a devoted staff and a lot of happy children. They are getting the kind of education and socialization they need, and they are also getting a couple of meals a day.”
    However, as a result of your actions to withhold and delay funding and undermine the administration of this vital program, Head Start centers are in serious jeopardy and have already had their day to day operations impacted. Programs are increasingly worried that they will not be able to make payroll, pay rent, and remain open to serve the hundreds of thousands of children and families who depend on their services in communities across the nation.
    Since the very start of this Administration, Head Start programs have been under attack. On January 27th, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo (M-25-13) that suddenly froze the disbursement of grant funding for federal programs and services government-wide, including Head Start. Despite the Administration’s clarification that Head Start programs would not be the target of the funding freeze, many Head Start programs across the country were unable to draw down their grant funds through the Payment Management System (PMS) for weeks. At one point, the National Head Start Association reported 37 programs serving nearly 15,000 children across the country could not access their federal funding. Head Start programs operate with thin margins and on short-term budgets from HHS, and without any communication from the Administration about the status of funding, programs were forced to temporarily close or to lay off staff. In Wisconsin, the National Centers for Learning Excellence, which serves more than 200 children and their families, shut down for a week and laid off staff due to the funding freeze.
    On April 1st, you abruptly closed five of the ten regional offices that help local grantees administer Head Start programs in 22 states. This left hundreds of programs without dedicated points of contact to address mission critical issues like approving grant renewals and modifications, investigating child health and safety incidents, and providing training and technical assistance to ensure high-quality services for children. While some grantees were assigned a new program specialist, we understand many have not been receiving responses to their inquiries. This is on top of the estimated 97 Office of Head Start central office staff that were terminated due to their probationary status and the recent reduction in force. You promised “radical transparency” as Secretary, yet it is unclear how these actions will improve Head Start programs, and you and your staff refuse to respond to basic inquiries and requests for information.
    On March 14th, 2025, the Office of Head Start (OHS) notified all Head Start programs that “the use of federal funding for any training and technical assistance or other program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives” will not be approved and that any questions should be directed to regional offices. Programs have not received any guidance for what would be considered “DEI” but this policy is potentially in direct conflict with statutory and regulatory program requirements, such as providing culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional services for English learners. Many programs cannot direct questions to regional staff, as half of regional offices were abruptly closed, and as unprecedented actions are being taken to delay and withhold funding, Head Start programs have been intentionally left with little to no guidance.
    Head Start programs are now arbitrarily required to provide justifications for each draw down of funds that is necessary to operate their programs, despite already receiving a federal grant award for these purposes. As of April 14th, Head Start programs have reportedly received correspondence from an email address “defendthespend@hhs.gov” requiring programs to submit a “specific description of why the funds are necessary and why they are aligned to the award” before programs can have funding disbursed. It has been reported that political appointees must sign off on every draw down of funds. This creates an illusion of improving oversight but only serves to add unnecessary red tape by requiring the manual sign off on hundreds of thousands of individual actions annually across the Department based on two to three sentence justifications. Already some grantees have reported delays in receiving funds, and have reported that furloughs or closures are imminent if funds are not released. For an administration that purports to value local autonomy and efficiency in federally funded programs, your actions have achieved the exact opposite.
    Finally, Head Start grantees are still waiting on payments and grant renewals from the Office of Head Start, including programs whose grants end on April 30th, 2025. These notices should have gone out by now, yet we are concerned to hear programs report they have received little to no correspondence regarding their grant renewals. Additionally, because we started fiscal year 2025 under a short-term continuing resolution, as is usual, some grantees have only received partial funding for the first few months of the year. But with a full year funding bill in place, these grantees should have received full funding by now, yet some are reporting that they have not received the full amount of their grants and will run out of funds this month or next. On Wednesday, April 16th, the delays in Head Start funding led to the closure of Head Start centers serving more than 400 children in Sunnyside, Washington.
    The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low income children and families across this country. The fiscal year 2025 appropriations act provided $12.3 billion for Head Start, the same as the fiscal year 2024 level. The Head Start Act includes an explicit formula for how appropriated funds should be allocated. There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation. However, this week leaked fiscal year 2026 budget documents indicated the Office of Management and Budget was directing the Department, consistent with the Administration’s proposal to eliminate Head Start in fiscal year 2026, to “ensure to the extent allowable FY2025 funds are available to close out the program.” If this explains any of the delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 funding, we want to be clear, no funds were provided in fiscal year 2025 to “close out the program,” and it would be wholly unacceptable and likely illegal if the Department tries to carry out this directive.
    Finally, the leaked budget documents provided a justification, albeit brief, for eliminating Head Start in fiscal year 2026 that makes this Administration’s priorities clear and puts the Department’s actions over the last several months in context. The Administration argues that eliminating Head Start, “is consistent with the Administration’s goals of returning education to the States and increasing parental choice.” It is shocking to see an argument that eliminating a program that provides comprehensive early childhood care and education to 800,000 children and their families would increase parental choice. It is particularly concerning to see that argument in the context of the significant delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 appropriated funds and what that indicates about the intent behind the Department’s actions. We believe it is obvious that eliminating Head Start would be detrimental to hundreds of thousands of children and families. Similarly, we believe it is obvious that delaying funding like we have seen over the last two months, forcing Head Start programs to close, and leaving families to scramble to find quality, affordable alternatives puts the education and well-being of some of the most vulnerable young children in America at risk. In our view, that is unacceptable.
    Therefore, we urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country.
    Please provide us with a written response to the questions below no later than 10 days from receipt:
    1. Will you reinstate the staff who administer Head Start programs and reopen the closed regional offices responsible for overseeing Head Start programs in 22 states?
    a) When is HHS going to share information on the reorganization plan for the consolidation of the regional offices?
    b) Please provide the contact information for each program specialist designated to the 22 states who lost their regional office.
    c) Who is responsible for ensuring there are no delays or lapses in funding, nor any disruptions to Head Start program operations now that these states do not have a regional office?
    2. How many employees at the Offices of Head Start have been terminated, including the five regional offices and the central office?
    a) Which officials at HHS were involved in the staffing reduction decisions for OHS and what planning, if any, was undertaken prior to these reductions? Please describe the events that unfolded and name each office that was involved in the decision. Further, please name the official(s) who approved the staffing reductions.
    3. Can you confirm that the Administration will distribute all Head Start funds appropriated by Congress to Head Start programs in FY 25, as required by the Head Start Act?
    4. Please provide a list of all grantees with 5-year Head Start grant renewals that start between now and the end of the fiscal year: May 1st, June 1st, July 1st, August 1st, and September 1st.
    a) Will any funding be delayed for grantees that are due to receive their annual funding on May 1st or beyond?
    5. Why are funding awards delayed for grantees that received partial awards during the first continuing resolution for FY25?
    a) When can HHS guarantee that all funds will be awarded for partially funded Head Start programs?
    6. What is the “Tier 2” department for review that is delaying drawn down for Head Start programs in the Payment Management System?
    a) When should programs expect to receive their funds?
    b) Please provide all communication that went to Head Start grantees on the new review process.
    7. What guidance and clarifications have been provided to Head Start grantees on DEI expenditures?
    a) How is HHS evaluating Head Start programs’ expenditures and grant awards for DEI?
    b) What justifications are being used to prohibit DEI?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sherman Statement on Recent Arrests of Anti-Israel Protesters by Trump Administration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) released the following statement:

    “It is no secret that the United States is facing a crisis of antisemitism, particularly on college campuses. While it is vital that officials at all levels confront this issue with urgency, the Trump Administration’s recent actions to target students who have protested Israel in a manner that has not violated any law or involved violence has crossed a serious line. Images of these students being arrested by unidentified, masked agents are disturbing. 

    Since Hamas’s brutal massacre of 1,200 innocent Israelis, Americans, and others on October 7th, 2023, we’ve seen a shocking wave of antisemitism on campus – including violence, destruction of property, taking over buildings, and support for designated terrorist organizations. We’ve also seen students expressing support for ideas that I personally find reprehensible – but are not in any way illegal. 

    The First Amendment protects all nonviolent speech, including speech that supports ideologies we believe to be abhorrent. By failing to distinguish between those who break the law by engaging in violence from those who express support for ideas we may find reprehensible, President Trump is using the very real threat of antisemitism to undermine the central American tenant of freedom of speech – which the Supreme Court has ruled on multiple occasions applies to citizens and noncitizens alike. By conducting these actions without regard for the right to due process, the President is undermining the most core American rights and values.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pelosi Joins Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Attend the Funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

    Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi is traveling with a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Vatican City to attend the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26 in St. Peter’s Square.

    “His Holiness Pope Francis personified our sacred responsibility in the Gospel of Matthew to honor the spark of divinity in the least of our brethren — championing the poor, the worker, the refugee and the immigrant,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said.  “Pope Francis was a beacon of charity, hope and love for all people of faith – and he rekindled the faith of Catholics worldwide, with a triumphant message of peace that has inspired a generation.  It is my honor to be a part of the Congressional delegation attending the funeral of His Holiness to help convey the thoughts, prayers and deep sympathies of the American people on his passing.”

    Speaker Pelosi attended the installation of Pope Francis on the Feast of Saint Joseph in 2013 and met with him on four occasions: during his official visit to address a Joint Meeting of Congress in 2015, during her visit to the Vatican accompanied by her grandchildren in 2018, during an official Congressional delegation to the Vatican in 2021, and during her visit to the Vatican to attend Mass marking the Feasts of St. Peter and Paul in 2022.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pelosi, House Democrats Defend Department of Education in Court

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

    Washington, D.C. — This week, Speaker Emerita Pelosi joined House Democrats in filing an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to close the Department of Education in the matter of the State of New York v. Linda McMahon. A case in which 20 states moved to sue the administration for its plans to place fifty percent of the Department’s workforce on administrative leave, effectively shuttering a congressionally authorized agency by way of executive fiat. 
     
    By involving themselves in this legal battle, House Democrats sought to stand up for Congress’s power to ensure a quality education for all Americans—and in their filing, they argued that the Trump Administration cannot unilaterally create, dismantle, or reorganize the Education Department, nor can executive officials make solitary decisions regarding the agency’s organization and assignment of functions. The lawmakers also cited executive overreach, noting that efforts to strip support for the federal agency violate Congress’s power of the purse.

    The brief was led by Task Force Co-Chairs Jamie Raskin and Joe Neguse, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Ranking Members of the Appropriations and Education and Workforce Committees, Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.

    The full amicus brief is available HERE. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: OEM Director Visits Douglas County to Support Local Flood Recovery Efforts

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>ROSEBURG, Ore. – Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon visited Douglas County on Monday, April 21, to meet with local leaders, assess disaster-impacted areas, and support recovery efforts across the region. Director McMahon engaged with city officials, emergency managers, and long-term recovery partners in Myrtle Creek, Roseburg, and Drain.

    “Seeing these communities firsthand and hearing directly from local leaders underscores the importance of coordinated, sustained recovery support,” said Director McMahon. “OEM is committed to working alongside Douglas County and our state and federal partners to strengthen resilience and help communities recover from recent disasters.”

    The day began with a briefing at the Douglas County Emergency Management Building in Roseburg before traveling to Myrtle Creek for a meeting with City Manager Lonnie Rainville, Public Works Director Scott Adams, and Glide Revitalization Recovery Lead Kendall Melvin. Local officials discussed current recovery priorities and conducted site visits to observe ongoing challenges.

    Throughout the day, the OEM team toured several key sites including:

    • Garden Valley, Hubbard Creek, and Tyee Road, where landslides have disrupted access and infrastructure.
    • A major sinkhole location managed by the Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority.
    • Residential areas in Sutherlin and Drain, highlighting local priorities for resilience and mitigation planning.

    The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates statewide communication to support local jurisdictions during disasters. OEM also manages the processes required to request and access federal disaster assistance and does everything in its power to advocate for Oregonians to receive the maximum amount of federal support available. While OEM continues to work closely with Douglas County and community partners to assess damage and support recovery, it’s important to note that the decision to grant federal assistance ultimately rests with the federal government.

    OEM’s Southwest Regional Coordinator Heather De La Rosa participated in the daylong tour. For more information on OEM’s recovery efforts, visit www.oregon.gov/OEM.

    # # #

    It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

    You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email OEM_PublicInfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 24th, 2025 Heinrich, Colleagues Demand Social Security Head Keep New Mexico’s Offices Open

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined over 100 congressional Democrats in sending a letter to Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Leland Dudek to demand that he keep New Mexico’s Social Security field offices open. 

    Multiple reports have revealed that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) directed SSA to close field offices across the country — only to reverse course after public backlash and deny the plans altogether. Given the lack of transparency surrounding the status of field office operations nationwide, the lawmakers pressed Dudek to ensure that DOGE does not close the offices that so many Social Security beneficiaries rely on for services and assistance.

    Approximately 170,000 Americans visit a Social Security field office for assistance with Social Security benefits each day. In New Mexico, there are 10 Social Security field offices: Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Gallup, Clovis, Las Cruces, Farmington, Hobbs, and Las Vegas. Musk’s DOGE has threatened to close dozens of these offices across the country as part of its attack on the SSA.

    “[B]eneficiaries need the opportunity to seek assistance from SSA in person…Closing any of these field offices will make it harder for individuals to access their benefits,” wrote the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers include a list of every SSA field office across the country and press Dudek to commit to keeping every single one of them open. 

    The full text of the letter can be read here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Blasts Trump Administration’s Attacks on Head Start, Demands RFK Jr. Immediately Release Funding and Reverse Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined 41 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calling out the Trump administration’s direct attacks on Head Start and demanding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) immediately release Head Start funding and reverse the mass firing of Head Start staff and gutting of the offices that help ensure high-quality services are available for thousands of children and families across the country. The letter to RFK Jr. follows Shaheen’s visit to Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties’ (CAPHR) Opportunity Center in Manchester where she highlighted the importance of Head Start to Granite State working families.

    The Senators wrote, in part: “We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program. Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year. It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.”

    They continued: “Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff. Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. Head Start programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.”

    They concluded: “We believe it is obvious that eliminating Head Start would be detrimental to hundreds of thousands of children and families. Similarly, we believe it is obvious that delaying funding like we have seen over the last two months, forcing Head Start programs to close, and leaving families to scramble to find quality, affordable alternatives puts the education and well-being of some of the most vulnerable young children in America at risk. In our view, that is unacceptable. Therefore, we urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country.”

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    Senator Shaheen has been a leader in advocating for more affordable and accessible child care. This week, she also visited the YMCA of Greater Nashua’s Merrimack Branch to discuss New Hampshire’s child care crisis and provider shortage. Shaheen recently introduced the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act that would permanently expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). In March, Shaheen introduced the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that together form a bold proposal to make child care more affordable and accessible by strengthening existing tax credits to lower child care costs and increase the supply of child care providers. The bill includes language from Shaheen’s Right Start Child Care and Education Act legislation. She also joined the introduction of the Building Child Care for a Better Future Act, which would increase federal investments in child care. She has also joined in the introduction of the bipartisan Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act to address the national shortage of affordable, quality child care, especially in rural communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Discusses Impact of Tariffs on Businesses and Supply Chains at NH Ball Bearings, Visits New LaValley Family Community Center Made Possible by Funds She Helped Secure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Newport, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a top member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, on Wednesday visited New Hampshire Ball Bearings (NHBB) – a Granite State manufacturer of parts that are integral to global aerospace and defense machinery – to discuss how the administration’s tariffs raise costs for businesses like theirs and exhaust supply chains they rely on. Later, Shaheen visited the newly opened LaValley Family Community Center in Newport to tour the state-of-the-art facility that was constructed using Congressionally Directed Spending funds the Senator helped secure. Photos from the events can be found here. 

    In Peterborough, Shaheen toured the New Hampshire Ball Bearings (NHBB) factory with NHBB President Dan Lemieux and members of the leadership team. Afterwards, the Senator heard from NHBB about how the expansion of U.S. tariffs increases costs for their business and further exacerbates existing shortages of aerospace raw materials.  

    “NH Ball Bearings supports local jobs, contributes to our national defense and strengthens America’s military readiness – and still, they’re facing higher costs and uncertainty due to the administration’s reckless trade war and harmful tariffs,” said Senator Shaheen. “With the increasing globalization of supply chains, President Trump’s unnecessary trade war with many of America’s allies weaken an already strained defense supply chain and forces our small businesses to pay. I intend to take what I heard back to Washington to make clear the administration must reverse course.” 

    In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth last week, Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports from virtually every country in the world will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses. 

    Senator Shaheen is helping lead efforts in Congress to mitigate the harmful impacts of President Trump’s tariffs. Earlier this month, Shaheen took to the Senate floor to highlight the devastating impacts that President Trump’s tariffs and trade war will have on American families and the economy. In January, Shaheen introduced the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act which would limit the president’s ability to leverage sweeping tariffs that increase costs for American consumers and families. Her effort to pass this bill by unanimous consent was blocked by Senate Republicans. In recent months, Shaheen has traveled across the Granite State to visit businesses including Chatila’s Bakery, C&J, DCI Furniture, Mount Cabot Maple and American Calan Inc. to hear directly from Granite Staters impacted by the administration’s tariffs.     

    Shaheen then visited the LaValley Family Community Center in Newport, which opened its doors last month and serves as a hub for youth programs, recreational sports, health and wellness activities and community events. Shaheen helped secure $4,785,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending in Fiscal Year 2023 that was crucial to the community center’s construction. 

    “I was incredibly pleased to see firsthand how the vibrant new center fosters a sense of community and boosts quality of life for the entire Newport region,” said Shaheen. “I’m proud to have worked with local leaders and advocates to secure critical funding to bring the LaValley Family Community Center to life – and I look forward to seeing how the center will help Newport thrive for years to come.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: MAGA Minute, April 25, 2025

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

    PRODUCTIVE WEEK at the White House!

    Easter Egg Roll
    Wounded Heroes Honored
    Norway’s PM
    Bayer, Chevron, Coinbase, Roche, Toyota, GM, Chobani Invest
    MAHA: 8 Artificial Dyes Phased Out
    Anti-Christian Bias Task Force
    Border Secured

    Watch Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s MAGA Minute!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co1nUJzqTOg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Congressman Castro on the FBI Arrest of Wisconsin Judge

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

    April 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement in response to the FBI arrest of Wisconsin judge, Hannah Dugan, for allegedly obstructing immigration agents.

    “This arrest is another troubling attack on the judiciary and the rule of law. The Trump Administration continues its authoritarian campaign against its perceived enemies: universities, law firms, immigrants, political opponents, and judges, among others,” said Congressman Castro.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 04/22/2025 Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Adoption Tax Credit Refundable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statements after introducing the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act to restore the refundable portion of the Adoption Tax Credit, which allows adoptive families to deduct up to $16,810 in qualified expenses By allowing the tax credit to be refundable, families will be able to access the full amount as a refund, even if the credit exceeds a family’s tax burden. The credit was previously refundable in 2010 and 2011.
    “Offering permanent homes to adoptive children strengthens families and is a blessing,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act would reduce the financial burden of adoption and make adoption more accessible.”
    Adoption is a true joy for families, but it is not without significant financial cost,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bill will make the credit refundable to help all adoptive families access the full amount of the adoption tax credit, regardless of their tax burden. Support for adoptive families is essential to ensure more children find the stable, loving home they deserve.”
    “Minnesotans have a long and proud tradition of adoption to welcome children into safe and loving homes,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will allow more families to access the full adoption tax credit, helping ensure a smooth and successful transition for children and families. As co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I’ll keep working to improve the adoption process and help every child find the permanent home they deserve.”
    “For families across the country, adoption is a blessing that provides children with a loving, stable home,” said Senator Luján. “Families should not face steep financial costs for opening their arms and offering a permanent home to adoptive children. That is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act to lower the financial cost of adoption and help more children find loving homes.”

    CO-SPONSORS
    Senate co-sponsors include U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). 
    The legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Blake Moore (R-Utah), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Don Bacon (R-Nev.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.).
    This legislation is endorsed by the Adoption Tax Credit Working Group Executive Committee and 100 national, state, and local groups.
    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 04/25/2025 VIDEO: Blackburn Celebrates Economic Investments in Tennessee Secured by President Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following video and statement celebrating the economic investments President Trump has secured in Tennessee so far during his second term:

    Click here to download this video.
    “President Trump has already accomplished countless victories for the American people, and he is hard at work to secure economic investments that are reinvigorating America’s dominance in manufacturing – including those right here in Tennessee,” said Senator Blackburn. “So far, President Trump has secured major economic investments in Covington, Mount Juliet, Selmer, and Lewisburg, and this is only the beginning of his efforts to unleash economic prosperity across the country. We look forward to seeing the exciting impact of these investments in Tennessee.”
    BACKGROUND
    Blow Pops Manufacturer announced a $97 million investment to expand its production plant and distribution center in Covington and create 62 new jobs.
    Schneider Electric announced a $700 million investment in its U.S. operations through 2027 to create jobs and boost U.S. energy infrastructure, including in Mount Juliet. This investment will bolster “smart factory transformation” in Tennessee.
    ABB announced a $120 million investment to expand domestic manufacturing, including $80 million that will create 50 new jobs at a new advanced manufacturing facility in Selmer.
    Cra-Z-Art, the biggest toy maker in the U.S., announced new investments to expand its factories in Lewisburg.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Scott, Secretary Kennedy Lead Healthcare Roundtable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    CHARLESTON, S.C. — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Committee on Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, led a healthcare roundtable in Charleston, South Carolina. The roundtable centered on addressing critical challenges facing the American healthcare system, most notably sickle cell gene therapies in Medicaid. Attendees included Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, elected state legislators from across the country, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and policy experts. 
    The conversation focused on the recent approval of groundbreaking gene therapies for sickle cell disease and the new federal initiative to support state Medicaid programs in making these therapies more affordable and accessible. South Carolina’s early engagement in this effort reflects its commitment to improving care for those who need it most. Senator Scott has long prioritized improving outcomes for patients living with sickle cell disease and ensuring that federal health programs support cutting-edge care across all communities. 
    “Today’s roundtable in Charleston underscores our commitment to tackling the critical challenges within our healthcare system, particularly for those living with sickle cell disease,” said Senator Scott. “The recent approval of groundbreaking gene therapies represents a significant advancement in care, and it is our responsibility to ensure these innovations are accessible and affordable for all. Together with our partners in the state and healthcare community, we are taking meaningful steps to enhance the lives of those who need it most.”
    The roundtable is part of a broader initiative led by Senator Scott and Secretary Kennedy as they work to modernize and strengthen the nation’s healthcare system.

    Click here or on the image above to view the media gallery.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Markey To Attend Late Pope Francis’ Funeral On Saturday

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 25, 2025

    ROME – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) announced today that they will attend the late Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican City on Saturday. The bipartisan Senate delegation is being led by Durbin and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). Along with Markey, Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) are also attending.

    Following his death, Durbin wrote, “We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another. In a world of hate and fear, Pope Francis’ message of peace and understanding is needed now more than ever.

    “We should honor the Pope with a ‘Francis Day’ of world peace: stop the bombing in Ukraine and Gaza; feed the dying in Sudan and around the globe; and show kindness to one another.”

    “It is a great honor to join mourners from around the world in St. Peter’s Square to pay our respects to the People’s Pope, His Holiness Pope Francis. In his words and in his deeds, Pope Francis taught us to fight for a better world – one that meets the needs of the most vulnerable among us, and one that grants dignity to all,” said Markey.“Pope Francis held a unique power in convening people, instilling in them a moral obligation to act boldly on the world’s most pressing issues, and guiding them through dark and difficult times with his wisdom, humility, and compassion. When we met, we discussed the necessity to act on climate change and the challenges it poses to the planet we call our home. I carry his mandate forward with me to be in service of life and to embrace the moments and opportunities to be part of a global movement that protects our people and our planet.”

    Durbin also attended the funeral mass of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On The Arrest Of A Wisconsin Judge By The FBI For Allegedly Obstructing An Immigration Operation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 25, 2025

    ROME – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges of obstruction and concealing a person from arrest over allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant “evade arrest,” according to FBI Director Kash Patel:

    “The Trump Administration continues to test the limits of our Constitution—this time by arresting a sitting judge for allegedly obstructing an immigration operation at the courthouse.

    “When immigration enforcement officials interfere with our criminal justice system, it undermines public safety, prevents victims and witnesses from coming forward, and often prevents those who committed crimes from facing justice in the United States. How does this make America any safer? How does arresting a sitting judge make America any safer? It is imperative that Judge Dugan is afforded due process and the presumption of innocence, as required by our Constitution and her fundamental rights as an American.”

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Announces Two Cases Involving Judicial Misconduct and Obstruction of Law Enforcement

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Ex-Judge of Dona Ana County Charged with Evidence Tampering and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Charged with Unlawful Obstruction and Concealment

    The Justice Department today announced federal criminal charges in two separate cases involving the alleged obstruction of federal law enforcement operations and unlawful concealment of individuals residing illegally in the United States.

    “The allegations against Judge Dugan and Judge Cano are serious: no one, least of all a judge, should obstruct law enforcement operations,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Doing so imperils the safety of our law enforcement officers and undermines the rule of law. The Department of Justice will continue to follow the facts — no one is above the law.”

    “Sanctuary jurisdictions that shield criminal aliens endanger American communities,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Justice Department will not stand by as local officials put politics over public safety. Reckless sanctuary city policies create a sanctuary for one class—criminals. Those days are over.”

    United States v. Jose Luis Cano; United States v. Nancy Ann Cano, District of New Mexico

    Nancy Ann Cano, 68, and Jose Luis Cano, 67, were arrested yesterday for evidence tampering offenses related to the federal investigation and prosecution against Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national residing unlawfully within the United States and with alleged ties to transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

    “Judges are responsible for upholding our country’s laws. It is beyond egregious for a former judge and his wife to engage in evidence tampering on behalf of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member accused of illegally possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling this foreign terrorist organization by disrupting its criminal operations in New Mexico. That starts by prosecuting those who support gang members — including judges.”

    According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiated the investigation into Ortega-Lopez after receiving an anonymous tip that the individual was unlawfully present in the United States and in possession of firearms. Subsequent investigation confirmed that the defendant illegally entered the country on Dec. 15, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas, and was released shortly thereafter due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol facility.

    Evidence uncovered by federal agents revealed the defendant had posted multiple photos and videos on social media showing him and other illegal aliens handling firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Among the weapons allegedly pictured were a Sig Sauer P365 handgun, an AR-15 rifle equipped with a suppressor, and other high-powered firearms and ammunition. Distinctive tattoos confirmed Ortega-Lopez’s identity in the photos and videos. Further review of his social media activity revealed content suggesting affiliation with Tren de Aragua, including gang-related tattoos, hand gestures, and clothing.

    According to court documents, in January 2025, HSI received a tip that Ortega-Lopez was unlawfully residing with other illegal aliens at a property in Las Cruces owned by Nancy and Jose Cano. Prior to his resignation in March 2025, Jose Cano served as a judge of the Dona Ana County Magistrate Court.

    On Feb. 28, 2025, HSI executed two federal search warrants in connection with the investigation, resulting in the arrest of the Ortega-Lopez and multiple associates, and the seizure of four firearms.

    Ortega-Lopez was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Four firearms believed to be in Ortega-Lopez’s possession, along with three of his cell phones, were seized during the operation. During the search, Ortega-Lopez was permitted to make a phone call before being taken to the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC). He informed agents that a particular phone he wished to use was not among the devices recovered. Video calls from DACDC later showed Nancy Cano holding a black iPhone believed to be Ortega’s fourth phone.

    In a March 7 call with Ortega-Lopez, Nancy Cano used the device to contact a person named “Michelle” via WhatsApp, then facilitated a FaceTime conversation between Michelle and Ortega-Lopez using her personal phone. Additionally, in an April 20 call, Nancy Cano and Ortega-Lopez discussed deleting his Facebook account – a platform where he had previously shared incriminating content, including gang affiliations and images with firearms.

    On April 24, HSI agents executed a subsequent search warrant at the Cano residence to locate the missing cellphone. During questioning, Jose Cano admitted to destroying Ortega’s cellphone by smashing it with a hammer approximately five weeks prior, believing it contained incriminating photos and videos of Ortega with firearms.

    Forensic analysis of the recovered phones revealed messages linked to Ortega’s criminal activities, including affiliations with the Tren de Aragua gang and images of Ortega with firearms.

    Jose Cano is charged with one count of tampering with evidence and Nancy Cano is charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised released, and up to a  $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Ortega-Lopez is charged with being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and ammunition, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Despite strong evidence and pre-trial services’ assessment that the defendant poses a serious risk of flight and danger to the community, a U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered the defendant released on conditions. The government has since filed a notice of appeal challenging that decision, citing the defendant’s unlawful status, gang affiliations, disregard for previous release conditions, and risk to public safety.

    HSI is investigating the cases, with valuable assistance from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Armijo, Randy Castellano, and Elizabeth Tonkin for the District of New Mexico are prosecuting both cases.

    United States v. Hannah C. Dugan, Eastern District of Wisconsin

    The Justice Department today announced the filing of a federal criminal complaint against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah C. Dugan, 65, for her alleged interference with a federal law enforcement operation and unlawful concealment of an individual subject to arrest.

    According to court documents, the charges stem from events occurring on April 18, when members of the Milwaukee office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), along with federal partners from the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, attempted to execute a lawful arrest warrant for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national previously removed from the United States and recently charged in Milwaukee County with multiple counts of domestic abuse-related battery.

    According to court documents, federal agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse intending to arrest Flores-Ruiz in a public hallway following his court appearance before Judge Dugan. Upon learning of the agents’ presence in the hallway, Judge Dugan allegedly confronted and ordered federal agents to leave the courthouse. After being made aware of a valid immigration arrest warrant, Judge Dugan told agents that they needed a judicial warrant and demanded that they go to the Chief Judge’s office. Once the agents were no longer in the vicinity of her courtroom, Judge Dugan allegedly elected not to conduct a hearing on Flores-Ruiz’s criminal case, despite the fact that victims of his offense were present, and instead personally escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted “jury door” exit not typically used by defendants or attorneys. This doorway led to a non-public hallway through which Flores-Ruiz and his attorney exited her courtroom. According to the affidavit, Judge Dugan’s actions directly resulted in Flores-Ruiz temporarily avoiding federal custody. He was ultimately arrested outside the courthouse, following a brief foot pursuit.

    Dugan is charged with obstruction of proceedings before a department or agency of the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and concealing a person to prevent arrest, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

    Flores-Ruiz was previously deported in 2013 and had reentered the United States unlawfully. He was subject to arrest based on an administrative warrant issued by ICE for immigration violations following his recent criminal charges in Milwaukee County.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Co-Leads Multistate Amicus Brief Challenging the Trump Administration’s Early Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in Haitian Evangelical Clergy Association v. Trump in support of a challenge to the early termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haitians. TPS is a critical humanitarian program established by Congress in 1990 that allows nationals of designated countries to remain in the United States due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions in their home countries. In their brief, the attorneys general urge the district court to grant the plaintiffs’ motion to postpone the unlawful early termination of the TPS designation for Haitians.

    “The Trump Administration’s unlawful attempt to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation threatens the very livelihoods of individuals fleeing from a humanitarian crisis in search of safety and a better life for their families,” said Attorney General Bonta. Our Haitian TPS holders are an integral part of our community, they are our neighbors, co-workers, teachers, and caregivers. At the California DOJ we recognize the importance of our TPS communities and urge the court to prevent the Trump Administration’s unlawful attempt to revoke their legal immigration status from going into effect.”

    In the amicus brief, the coalition urges the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to prevent the Trump Administration’s order from going into effect, arguing that the termination of Haitian TPS is unlawful and will:

    • Result in irreparable harm to families, stripping members of work authorization exposing them to the threat of deportation.
    • Harm states’ economies and workforces as the TPS-holder community, including the Haitian community, are dynamic contributors to Amici States’ economies.
    • Raise healthcare costs and pose substantial risks to public health.
    • Create challenges for jurisdictions across the country in enforcing their criminal codes and protecting public safety. 

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to upholding the rights and protections of all Californians, including the nearly 11 million immigrants who call California home. He has supported a challenge to the early termination of the TPS designation for Haitians and Venezuelans, defended pathways for legal immigration for those fleeing dangerous conditions in their home counties, and secured a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit challenging the President’s unlawful executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.

    Attorney General Bonta co-led the filing of today’s brief along with the Attorneys General of New York and Massachusetts, and is joined by the Attorneys General of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

    A copy of the brief can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Malaria scorecard: battles have been won and advances made, but the war isn’t over

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Shüné Oliver, Medical scientist, National Institute for Communicable Diseases

    Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the brunt of malaria cases in the world. In this region 11 countries account for two-thirds of the global burden.

    World Malaria Day is marked on 25 April. What progress has been made against the disease, where are the gaps and what’s being done to plug them?

    As scientists who research malaria in Africa, we believe that the continent can defeat the disease. New, effective tools have been added to the malaria toolbox.

    Researchers and malaria programmes, however, must strengthen collaborations. This will ensure the limited resources are used in ways that make the most impact.

    The numbers

    Some progress has been made, but in some cases there have been reverses.

    • Between 2000 and 2015 there was an 18% reduction in new cases from 262 million in 2000 to 214 million in 2015. Since then, progress has stalled.

    • The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 2.2 billion cases have been prevented between 2000 and 2023. Additionally, 12.7 million deaths have been avoided. In 2025, 45 countries are certified as malaria free. Only nine of those countries are in Africa. These include Egypt, Seychelles and Lesotho.

    • The global target set by the WHO was to reduce new cases by 75% compared to cases in 2015. Africa should have reported approximately 47,000 cases in 2023. Instead there were 246 million.

    • Almost every African country with ongoing malaria transmission experienced an increase in malaria cases in 2023. Exceptions to this were Rwanda and Liberia.

    So why is progress stagnating and in many cases reversing?

    How malaria affects countries around the world.

    The setbacks

    Effective malaria control is extremely challenging. Malaria parasite and mosquito populations evolve rapidly. This makes them difficult to control.

    Africa is home to malaria mosquitoes that prefer biting humans to other animals. These mosquitoes have also adapted to avoid insecticide-treated surfaces.

    It has been shown in South Africa that mosquitoes may feed on people inside their homes, but will avoid resting on the sprayed walls.

    Mosquitoes have also developed mechanisms to resist the effects of insecticides. Malaria vector resistance to certain insecticides used in malaria control is widespread in endemic areas. Resistance levels vary around Africa.

    Resistance to the pyrethroid class is most common. Organophosphate resistance is rare, but present in west Africa. As mosquitoes become resistant to the chemicals used for mosquito control, both the spraying of houses and insecticide treated nets become less effective. However, in regions with high malaria cases, nets still provide physical protection despite resistance.

    An additional challenge is that malaria parasites continue to develop resistance to anti-malarial drugs. In 2007 the first evidence began to emerge in south-east Asia that parasites were developing resistance to artemisinins. These are key drugs in the fight against malaria.

    Recently this has been shown to be happening in some African countries too. Artemisinin resistance has been confirmed in Eritrea, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Molecular markers of artemisinin resistance were recently detected in parasites from Namibia and Zambia.

    Malaria parasites have also developed mutations that prevent them from being being detected by the most widely used rapid diagnostic test in Africa.

    Countries in the Horn of Africa, where parasites with these mutations are common, have changed the malaria rapid diagnostic tests used to ensure early diagnosis.

    The progress

    Nevertheless, the fight against malaria has been strengthened by novel control strategies.

    Firstly, after more than 30 years of research, two malaria vaccines – RTS,S and R21 – have finally been approved by the WHO. These are being deployed in 19 African countries.

    These vaccines have reduced disease cases and deaths in the high-risk under-five-years-old age group. They have reduced cases of severe malaria by approximately 30% and deaths by 17%.

    Secondly, effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets has been improved.

    New insecticides have been approved for use. Chemical components that help to manage resistance have also been included in the nets.

    Thirdly, novel tools are showing promise. One option is attractive toxic sugar baits. This is because sugar is what mosquitoes naturally eat. Biocontrol by altering the native gut bacteria of mosquitoes may also prove effective.

    Fourthly, reducing mosquito populations by releasing sterilised male or genetically modified mosquitoes into wild mosquito populations is also showing promise. Trials are currently happening in Burkina Faso. Genetically sterilised males have been released on a small scale. This strategy has shown promise in reducing the population.

    Fifthly, two new antimalarials are expected to be available in the next year or two. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are standard treatment for malaria. An improvement to this is triple artemisinin-based combination therapy. This is a combination of this drug with an additional antimalarial. Studies in Africa and Asia have shown these triple combinations to be very effective in controlling malaria.

    The second new antimalarial is the first non-artemisinin-based drug to be developed in over 20 years. Ganaplacide-lumefantrine has been shown to be effective in young children. Once available, it can to be used to treat parasites that are resistant to artemisinin. This is because it has a completely different mechanism of action.

    The end game

    It has been several years since the malaria control toolbox has been strengthened with novel tools and strategies that target both the vector and the parasite. This makes it an ideal time to double down in the fight against this deadly disease.

    In 2020, the WHO identified 25 countries with the potential to stop malaria transmission within their borders by 2025. While none of these countries eliminated malaria, some have made significant progress. Costa Rica and Nepal reported fewer than 100 cases. Timor-Leste reported only one case in recent years.

    Three southern African countries are included in this group: Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa. Unfortunately, all these countries showed increases in cases in 2023.

    With the new tools, these and other countries can eliminate malaria, getting us closer to the dream of a malaria-free world.

    – Malaria scorecard: battles have been won and advances made, but the war isn’t over
    – https://theconversation.com/malaria-scorecard-battles-have-been-won-and-advances-made-but-the-war-isnt-over-255230

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: My Life Inc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in ML Natural Premium Quality Lactoferrin as Apolactoferrin

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    April 25, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    April 25, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesAllergens
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Undeclared milk

    Company Name:
    My Life Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    ML Natural

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Lactoferrin as Apolactoferrin

    Company Announcement
    April 25, 2025, My Life Inc. of Federal Way, WA is recalling approximately 65 bottles of ML Naturals Premium Quality Lactoferrin as Apolactoferrin 300mg. capsules dietary supplement, lot FL2407511L19, expiration date 10/2027, because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product
    The recalled Lactoferrin as Apolactoferrin dietary supplement has the lot FL2407511L19, expiration date 10/2027, UPC 850062 613157. Product is packaged in a black plastic bottle and black lid, and each bottle contains 60 vegetable capsules, 300mg per capsule. Product was sold directly to internet consumers from Amazon website and consumers were also received product through Amazon VINE Program with the ASIN #BODNLMBHGG and SKU #FC-6UFC-K026.
    No illnesses have been reported to date.
    The recall was initiated after it was discovered during the FDA inspection that product containing milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
    Consumers who have purchased affected product and have a milk allergy or sensitivity are urged not to consumer product and return for a full refund or disposed of safely if returning the product is not possible. Consumers with questions about how to return product, request refund or product replacement may contact the company via email at support@mlnaturals.com.
    Company Statement: ML Naturals takes the safety and trust of our customers very seriously. We are taking immediate steps to ensure all labeling and manufacturing processes prevent such issues in the future.

    Company Contact Information

    Media:
    Eric Kim, Head of Quality Control
    253-332-9566

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    04/25/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington State Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Conditions on Funding for K-12 Schools

    Source: Washington State News

    $1.4 billion in federal financial assistance at risk in Washington 

    SEATTLE — Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown today, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s threat to withhold federal funding from state and local agencies that refuse to abandon lawful programs and policies promoting equal access to education.

    The federal government provides Washington with approximately $1.4 billion in congressionally mandated financial support each year for a wide variety of needs and services related to children and education. Federal funding supports programs that ensure students from low-income families have the same access to education as their peers, help schools support migrant students and English learners, and provide special education and related services to students with disabilities. To receive these funds, state and local education agencies provide written assurances they will comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in education. Washington state has consistently and regularly certified its compliance with civil rights laws.

    However, an April 3 U.S. Department of Education letter to state and local educational agencies stated continued federal education funding depends on certifying they are not operating programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    “A complete education depends on students learning in a safe and inclusive environment,” Brown said. “Washington state’s policies put students first, and I will not let the Trump administration roll that back.”

    The department’s April 3 letter to state and local educational agencies forces them to choose between two options:

    • Refuse to certify compliance based on vague guidelines of what constitutes unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs then place federal funding in peril; or
    • Certify compliance with its vague guidelines then attempt to identify and eliminate lawful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

    Even if the state complies with the department’s demands, it could still face liability for failing to fully comply with the vague and ill-defined federal order.

    Faced with these choices, Washington state informed the department that it continues to stand by its prior certifications of compliance with civil rights laws and would not comply with the department’s extraneous and improper certification request.

    In filing today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Brown and the multistate coalition seek to bar the department from withholding any funding based on these unlawful conditions. Brown and the other attorneys general assert that the department’s attempt to terminate federal education funding violates the Spending Clause, the Appropriations Clause, the Administrative Procedures Act, and the separation of powers. 

    Attorney General Brown joins the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin in filing the lawsuit.

    A copy of the complaint is available here.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SR 510 near Lacey expected to remain closed for weeks

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Repair requires crews to replace failed culvert beneath the highway 

    LACEY – State Route 510 near Lacey will remain closed around the clock for the foreseeable future. The closure is located at milepost 6 between Old Pacific Highway Southeast and Rockcress Drive Southeast.

    The highway was closed Thursday evening, April 24, following an inspection of a culvert under the roadway. The inspection revealed the culvert failed due to a blockage.

    Next steps

    The culvert is located 20 feet under the roadway. The repair will require excavation of both directions of the highway. Crews will then remove and replace the existing culvert. 

    The Washington State Department of Transportation cannot give a precise timeline for reopening. However, it is estimated that repairs will take several weeks. 

    Until the highway can reopen, travelers will need to use alternate routes. 

    WSDOT will provide additional information as it becomes available via email updates. Real-time travel information is available on the WSDOT app and statewide travel map.

    Background 

    WSDOT estimates nearly 1,500 state-owned culverts are about to or have reached the end of their useful life. Many culverts are more than 50 years old and need replacement. There is little maintenance crews can do at this point to prevent future failures.

    When culverts fail, a ripple effect occurs to other parts of the roadway and transportation system. This runs the risk of more emergency road closures and lengthy detours that affect travel and commerce. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Two Cases Involving Judicial Misconduct and Obstruction of Law Enforcement

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Ex-Judge of Dona Ana County Charged with Evidence Tampering and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Charged with Unlawful Obstruction and Concealment

    The Justice Department today announced federal criminal charges in two separate cases involving the alleged obstruction of federal law enforcement operations and unlawful concealment of individuals residing illegally in the United States.

    “The allegations against Judge Dugan and Judge Cano are serious: no one, least of all a judge, should obstruct law enforcement operations,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Doing so imperils the safety of our law enforcement officers and undermines the rule of law. The Department of Justice will continue to follow the facts — no one is above the law.”

    “Sanctuary jurisdictions that shield criminal aliens endanger American communities,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Justice Department will not stand by as local officials put politics over public safety. Reckless sanctuary city policies create a sanctuary for one class—criminals. Those days are over.”

    United States v. Jose Luis Cano; United States v. Nancy Ann Cano, District of New Mexico

    Nancy Ann Cano, 68, and Jose Luis Cano, 67, were arrested yesterday for evidence tampering offenses related to the federal investigation and prosecution against Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national residing unlawfully within the United States and with alleged ties to transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

    “Judges are responsible for upholding our country’s laws. It is beyond egregious for a former judge and his wife to engage in evidence tampering on behalf of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member accused of illegally possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling this foreign terrorist organization by disrupting its criminal operations in New Mexico. That starts by prosecuting those who support gang members — including judges.”

    According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiated the investigation into Ortega-Lopez after receiving an anonymous tip that the individual was unlawfully present in the United States and in possession of firearms. Subsequent investigation confirmed that the defendant illegally entered the country on Dec. 15, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas, and was released shortly thereafter due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol facility.

    Evidence uncovered by federal agents revealed the defendant had posted multiple photos and videos on social media showing him and other illegal aliens handling firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Among the weapons allegedly pictured were a Sig Sauer P365 handgun, an AR-15 rifle equipped with a suppressor, and other high-powered firearms and ammunition. Distinctive tattoos confirmed Ortega-Lopez’s identity in the photos and videos. Further review of his social media activity revealed content suggesting affiliation with Tren de Aragua, including gang-related tattoos, hand gestures, and clothing.

    According to court documents, in January 2025, HSI received a tip that Ortega-Lopez was unlawfully residing with other illegal aliens at a property in Las Cruces owned by Nancy and Jose Cano. Prior to his resignation in March 2025, Jose Cano served as a judge of the Dona Ana County Magistrate Court.

    On Feb. 28, 2025, HSI executed two federal search warrants in connection with the investigation, resulting in the arrest of the Ortega-Lopez and multiple associates, and the seizure of four firearms.

    Ortega-Lopez was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Four firearms believed to be in Ortega-Lopez’s possession, along with three of his cell phones, were seized during the operation. During the search, Ortega-Lopez was permitted to make a phone call before being taken to the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC). He informed agents that a particular phone he wished to use was not among the devices recovered. Video calls from DACDC later showed Nancy Cano holding a black iPhone believed to be Ortega’s fourth phone.

    In a March 7 call with Ortega-Lopez, Nancy Cano used the device to contact a person named “Michelle” via WhatsApp, then facilitated a FaceTime conversation between Michelle and Ortega-Lopez using her personal phone. Additionally, in an April 20 call, Nancy Cano and Ortega-Lopez discussed deleting his Facebook account – a platform where he had previously shared incriminating content, including gang affiliations and images with firearms.

    On April 24, HSI agents executed a subsequent search warrant at the Cano residence to locate the missing cellphone. During questioning, Jose Cano admitted to destroying Ortega’s cellphone by smashing it with a hammer approximately five weeks prior, believing it contained incriminating photos and videos of Ortega with firearms.

    Forensic analysis of the recovered phones revealed messages linked to Ortega’s criminal activities, including affiliations with the Tren de Aragua gang and images of Ortega with firearms.

    Jose Cano is charged with one count of tampering with evidence and Nancy Cano is charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised released, and up to a  $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Ortega-Lopez is charged with being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and ammunition, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Despite strong evidence and pre-trial services’ assessment that the defendant poses a serious risk of flight and danger to the community, a U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered the defendant released on conditions. The government has since filed a notice of appeal challenging that decision, citing the defendant’s unlawful status, gang affiliations, disregard for previous release conditions, and risk to public safety.

    HSI is investigating the cases, with valuable assistance from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Armijo, Randy Castellano, and Elizabeth Tonkin for the District of New Mexico are prosecuting both cases.

    United States v. Hannah C. Dugan, Eastern District of Wisconsin

    The Justice Department today announced the filing of a federal criminal complaint against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah C. Dugan, 65, for her alleged interference with a federal law enforcement operation and unlawful concealment of an individual subject to arrest.

    According to court documents, the charges stem from events occurring on April 18, when members of the Milwaukee office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), along with federal partners from the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, attempted to execute a lawful arrest warrant for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national previously removed from the United States and recently charged in Milwaukee County with multiple counts of domestic abuse-related battery.

    According to court documents, federal agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse intending to arrest Flores-Ruiz in a public hallway following his court appearance before Judge Dugan. Upon learning of the agents’ presence in the hallway, Judge Dugan allegedly confronted and ordered federal agents to leave the courthouse. After being made aware of a valid immigration arrest warrant, Judge Dugan told agents that they needed a judicial warrant and demanded that they go to the Chief Judge’s office. Once the agents were no longer in the vicinity of her courtroom, Judge Dugan allegedly elected not to conduct a hearing on Flores-Ruiz’s criminal case, despite the fact that victims of his offense were present, and instead personally escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted “jury door” exit not typically used by defendants or attorneys. This doorway led to a non-public hallway through which Flores-Ruiz and his attorney exited her courtroom. According to the affidavit, Judge Dugan’s actions directly resulted in Flores-Ruiz temporarily avoiding federal custody. He was ultimately arrested outside the courthouse, following a brief foot pursuit.

    Dugan is charged with obstruction of proceedings before a department or agency of the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and concealing a person to prevent arrest, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

    Flores-Ruiz was previously deported in 2013 and had reentered the United States unlawfully. He was subject to arrest based on an administrative warrant issued by ICE for immigration violations following his recent criminal charges in Milwaukee County.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: After first 100 days of US aid budget cuts

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    New York — Three months since the Trump administration first suspended all international assistance pending review, the United States (US) has terminated much of its funding for global health and humanitarian programmes, dismantled the federal government architecture for oversight of these activities, and fired many of the key staff responsible for implementation. Patients around the world are scrambling to understand how they can continue treatment, medical providers are struggling to maintain essential services, and aid groups are sounding the alarm about exploding needs in countries with existing emergencies.

    “These sudden cuts by the Trump administration are a human-made disaster for the millions of people struggling to survive amid wars, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies,” says Avril Benoît, CEO of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the US. “We are an emergency response organisation, but we have never seen anything like this massive disruption to global health and humanitarian programmes. The risks are catastrophic, especially since people who rely on foreign assistance are already among the most vulnerable in the world.”

    The US has long been the leading supporter of global health and humanitarian programmes, responsible for around 40% of all related funding. These US investments have helped improve the health and well-being of communities around the globe — and totalled less than 1% of the annual federal budget.

    Abruptly ending this huge proportion of support is already having devastating consequences for people who rely on aid, including those at risk of malnutrition and infectious diseases, and those who are trapped in humanitarian crises around the world. These major cuts to US funding and staffing are part of a broader policy agenda that has far-reaching impacts for people whose access to care is already limited by persecution and discrimination, such as refugees and migrants, civilians caught in conflict, LGBTQI+ people, and anyone who can become pregnant.

    The status of even the much-reduced number of remaining US-funded programmes is highly uncertain. The administration now plans to extend the initial 90-day review period for foreign aid, which was due to conclude on 20 April, by an additional 30 days, according to an internal email from the State Department obtained by the media.

    MSF does not accept US government funding, so we are not directly affected by these sweeping changes to international assistance as most other aid organisations are. We remain committed to providing medical care and humanitarian support in more than 70 countries across the world. However, no organisation can do this work alone. We work closely with other health and humanitarian organisations to deliver vital services, and many of our activities involve programmes that have been disrupted due to funding cuts.

    It will be much more difficult and costly to provide care when so many ministries of health have been affected globally and there are fewer community partners overall. We will also be facing fewer places to refer patients for specialised services, as well as shortages and stockouts due to hamstrung supply chains.

    Amid ongoing chaos and confusion, our teams are already witnessing some of the life-threatening consequences of the administration’s actions to date. Most recently, the US administration cancelled nearly all humanitarian assistance programmes in Yemen and Afghanistan, two countries facing some of the most severe humanitarian needs in the world. After years of conflict and compounding crises, an estimated 19.5 million people in Yemen — over half the population — are dependent on aid. The decision to punish civilians caught in these two conflicts undermines the principles of humanitarian assistance.

    Across the world, MSF teams have witnessed US-funded organisations reducing or cancelling other vital activities –including vaccination campaigns, protection and care for people caught in areas of conflict, sexual and reproductive health services, the provision of clean water, and adequate sanitation services.

    “It’s shocking to see the US abandon its leadership role in advancing global health and humanitarian efforts,” says Benoît. “US assistance has been a lifeline for millions of people–while yanking this support will lead to more preventable deaths and untold suffering around the world. We can’t accept this dangerous new normal. We urge the administration and Congress to maintain commitments to support critical global health and humanitarian aid.”

    Snapshot: How US aid cuts are impacting people worldwide

    Malnutrition: US funding cuts are severely impacting people in areas of Somalia affected by chronic drought, food insecurity, and displacement due to conflict. In the Baidoa and Mudug regions, the scaling down of operations by aid organisations — driven by US funding cuts and a broader lack of humanitarian aid — is making a shortage of health services and nutrition programmes even more critical. For example, the closure of maternal and child health clinics and a therapeutic feeding centre in Baidoa cut off monthly care to hundreds of malnourished children. MSF nutrition programmes in Baidoa have reported an increase in severe acute malnutrition admissions since the funding cuts. The MSF-supported Bay Regional hospital has received patients traveling as far as 190 kilometres for care due to facility closures elsewhere.

    HIV: Cuts to PEPFAR and USAID have led to suspensions and closures of HIV programmes in countries including South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe — threatening the lives of people receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. South Africa’s pioneering Treatment Action Campaign — which helped transform the country’s response to HIV/AIDS — has had to drastically reduce its community-led monitoring system that helps ensure that people stay on treatment. The monitoring is now only happening at a small scale at clinics. In MSF’s programme in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, there has been a 70% increase in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) tablet distribution from January to March compared to the previous quarter, as well as an increase of 30% in consultations for health services, including for HIV — highlighting the growing demand as USAID funding cuts reduce access to other HIV prevention services.

    Outbreaks: In the border regions across South Sudan and Ethiopia, MSF teams are responding to a rampant cholera outbreak amid escalating violence — while other organisations have scaled down their presence. According to our teams, a number of organisations, including Save the Children, have suspended mobile clinic activities in South Sudan’s Akobo County due to US aid cuts. Save the Children reported earlier this month that at least five children and three adults with cholera died while making the long, hot trek to seek treatment in this part of South Sudan. With the withdrawal of these organisations, local health authorities are now facing significant limitations in their ability to respond effectively to the outbreak. MSF has warned that the disruption of mobile services, combined with the reduced capacity of other actors to support oral vaccination campaigns, increases the risk of preventable deaths and the continued spread of this highly infectious disease.

    Sexual and reproductive healthcare: MSF teams in more than 20 countries have reported concerns with disrupted or suspended sexual and reproductive health programmes, which MSF relies on for referrals for medical emergencies, supplies, and technical partnerships. These include contexts with already high levels of maternal and infant mortality. In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh — home to one of the world’s largest refugee camps — MSF teams report that other implementers are not able to provide supplies, like emergency birth kits and contraceptives. Referrals for medical emergencies, like post-abortion care, have also been disrupted, increasing urgent needs for sexual and reproductive care in the region.

    Migration: Essential protection services — including shelters for women and children, legal aid, and support for survivors of violence — have been shuttered or severely reduced as needs increase due to changes in US immigration policy. For patients and MSF teams along the Central American migration route in areas like Danlí, San Pedro Sula, Tapachula, and Mexico City, referral networks have all but disappeared. This has left many migrants without safe places to sleep, access to food, or legal and psychosocial support.

    Access to clean water: In the initial weeks following the aid freeze, our teams saw several organisations stop the distribution of drinking water for displaced people in conflict-affected areas, including in Sudan’s Darfur region, Ethiopia’s Tigray region, and Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. In response to the crisis in Port-au-Prince, in March, MSF stepped in to run a water distribution system via tanker trucks to provide for more than 13,000 people living in four camps for communities displaced by violent clashes between armed groups and police. This was in addition to our regular activities focused on providing medical care for victims of violence. Ensuring access to clean drinking water is essential for health and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.

    Vaccination: The reported decision by the US to cut funding to Gavi (The Vaccine Alliance) could have disastrous consequences for children across the globe. The organisation estimated that the loss of US support is projected to deny approximately 75 million children routine vaccinations in the next five years, with more than 1.2 million children potentially dying as a result. Worldwide, more than half of the vaccines MSF uses come from local ministries of health and are procured through Gavi. We could see the impacts in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where MSF vaccinates more children than anywhere else in the world. In 2023 alone, MSF vaccinated more than 2 million people in DRC against diseases like measles and cholera.

    Mental health: In Ethiopia’s Kule refugee camp, where MSF teams run a health centre for more than 50,000 South Sudanese refugees, a US-funded organisation abruptly halted mental health and social services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and withdrew their staff. MSF teams provide other medical care but cannot currently cover the mental health and social services these patients need.

    Non-communicable diseases: In Zimbabwe, US funding cuts have forced a local provider to stop its community outreach activities to identify women to be screened for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Zimbabwe, even though it is preventable. Many women and girls — especially in rural areas — cannot afford or do not have access to diagnosis and treatment, which makes outreach, screening, and prevention activities vital. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: US government confirms their support for deep sea mining plans that bypass United Nations, Greenpeace response

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Greenpeace USA activists unfurl a banner calling on the US government to Stop Deep Sea Mining in front of Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in New York City.

    Washington DC, USA, (April 24, 2025) – President Trump today signed a sweeping executive order advancing U.S. ambitions to launch deep sea mining in U.S. and international waters. This rogue action is highly politically controversial for appearing to bypass the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the regulatory body set up by the United Nations to protect the deep sea as the common heritage of humankind and decide whether deep sea mining can start in the international seabed. 

    This unilateral action by the U.S. government fundamentally undermines multilateral cooperation and the United Nations. The Metals Company – a deep sea mining company – recently declared its intent to work with the Trump Administration outside of the UN-established regulatory framework to try to start mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific – a region that sits outside US jurisdiction. This was met with swift and strong international rebuke. The Executive Order instructs the Secretary of Commerce to expedite the process for reviewing and issuing exploration and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA), breaking the longstanding tradition of the US being a good-faith actor on UNCLOS (The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). 

    Arlo Hemphill, Project Lead on Greenpeace USA’s campaign to stop deep sea mining, said: “Authorizing deep-sea mining outside international law is like lighting a match in a room full of dynamite — it threatens ecosystems, global cooperation, and U.S. credibility all at once. We condemn this administration’s attempt to launch this destructive industry on the high seas in the Pacific by bypassing the United Nations process. This is an insult to multilateralism and a slap in the face to all the countries and millions of people around the world who oppose this dangerous industry.”

    “But this Executive Order is not the start of deep sea mining. Everywhere governments have tried to start deep sea mining, they have failed. This will be no different. We call on the international community to stand against this unacceptable undermining of international cooperation by agreeing to a global moratorium on deep sea mining. The United States government has no right to unilaterally allow an industry to destroy the common heritage of humankind, and rip up the deep sea for the profit of a few corporations.”

    Despite now fundamentally moving to undermine the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the United States has benefited significantly from the Convention [1].  Although these benefits have been disproportionately favorable to a single nation, the Executive Order now undermines this agreement, signaling an end to U.S. leadership in global maritime affairs.

    Hemphill continued: “This is a clear sign that the U.S. will no longer be a global leader on protecting the oceans, which support all life on this planet.”

    Today’s act follows recent negotiations at the ISA, where governments refused to give The Metals Company a clear pathway to an approved mining application via the ISA. This March, the ISA meeting took a notably different tone from previous meetings, with over 20 countries voicing support for a general environmental policy to be developed at the ISA. 

    According to The Metals Company, they will apply for permits “in the second quarter of 2025,” with reports stating intent to commence mining operations as soon as 2027. Gerard Barron, the CEO of The Metals Company, has gone on the record with his company’s willingness and desire to bypass internationally agreed regulations, stating in reference to the ongoing negotiations at the ISA “by all means, go ahead and sign your treaty…we’ll be out there”.

    32 countries around the world publicly support a moratorium on deep sea mining. Millions of people have spoken out against this dangerous emerging industry. ISA Member states and the body’s newly appointed Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho, swiftly condemned an earlier announcement from TMC, on the penultimate day of the ISA’s 30th Council session, as a blatant attempt to sidestep international law and undermine multilateral governance of the global commons.

    Notes:

    Photos are available in the Greenpeace Media Library.

    [1]

    • UNCLOS codifies the principle of freedom of navigation, advancing U.S. maritime power globally by preserving the right of the U.S. military to use the world’s oceans and for U.S. commercial vessels to carry cargo globally.  It also provides a framework for maintaining maritime security and stability, vital for U.S. national interests. 
    • UNCLOS protects U.S. interests across maritime industries, including fishing, shipping, and offshore extractive industries.
    • In 2024, the U.S. government filed an extended continental shelf claim for a million square miles of the Arctic seabed, a provision authorized to States via UNCLOS for the purposes of securing mineral and oil rights in areas beyond a country’s 200 nautical mile EEZ in places where the continental shelf extends beyond this measure.  The move to claim this extension was criticized by a number of countries due to the U.S.’s failure to ratify the agreement, while continuing to benefit from it.

    Contact: Tanya Brooks, Senior Communications Specialist at Greenpeace USA
    (+1) 703-342-9226, [email protected]  

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

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

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