Category: Europe

MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Eshoo Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Azerbaijani Assault on Artsakh

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16) released the following statement today recognizing the one-year anniversary of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh:

“One year ago today, Azerbaijan initiated an unprovoked military assault on civilians in Artsakh in flagrant violation of international law. More than 120,000 Armenians were forced to flee their homeland where their families had lived for centuries. They remain refugees today and Azerbaijan has yet to face meaningful consequences for engaging in ethnic cleansing.

“The U.S. needs to sanction Azerbaijani officials responsible for atrocities, end all U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, and provide additional humanitarian aid for Artsakh’s refugees. A just peace in the Caucasus can only be achieved through genuine accountability.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI NGOs: 48 hours at the US-Mexico border story Sep 19, 2024

Source: Doctors Without Borders –

By Dr. Belen Ramirez, project coordinator with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Arizona

It’s early morning in Arizona, just before daybreak, and I am driving on an unpaved road along the border wall between the United States and Mexico. It is raining and I can hear thunder in the distance.

Driving just ahead of me are volunteers from Samaritans, who for decades have provided water, food, and other essential items to migrants who cross the border into southern Arizona. We’re on our way to the End of the Wall, a volunteer-run makeshift camp located near a gap in the wall that runs along the southern United States border with Mexico.

This remote part of the Sonoran desert, where the 30-foot steel bollard wall ends and a chest-high fence continues to mark the border, is a crossing point for people entering the US from Mexico in hopes of claiming asylum. For the past five weeks as a project coordinator with MSF, I have been supporting Arizona-based volunteer groups like the Samaritans who are providing humanitarian aid to migrants and asylum seekers in Arizona, including in the area where the End of the Wall camp is located.

Migrants and asylum seekers from Bangladesh and Nepal wait for US Border Patrol to pick them up along the unpaved road next to the US-Mexico border wall in Sasabe, Arizona. United States 2024 © Maria Elena Romero/MSF

No typical day

There is no typical day for those who volunteer at the End of the Wall camp. On some days, volunteers spend just a few minutes with asylum seekers. On other days, they can spend hours with them before US Border Patrol takes them away to their Forward Operation Base in Sasabe, and later to a detention center in Tucson where people can start the legal process for asylum. During this time, volunteers try to make people feel welcome and provide water, food, much-needed psychological first aid, and information about what comes next.

This morning, we are the first to arrive at the camp. Volunteers get to work and start replenishing storage bins and a cooler with snacks and water bottles, among them 77-year-old Judy Storey, who has been volunteering with Samaritans for seven years. “When it gets really hot, we soak bandanas in ice water and bring them out,” she tells me. “People put it on their heads or around their necks, and it’s been a godsend when it’s in the 90s out here, and they have to wait five hours for Border Patrol.”

Soon, a group of men and women who have just crossed the border walk in. “Hi, welcome,” we say, “where are you from?” Some respond that they are from Cameroon. “Northwest, Bamenda,” someone explains.

Another man says, “We are from Sudan, from Darfur.” He shares that he fled Sudan to neighboring Chad because of the war that started in April 2023. He then traveled for two months, starting in Morocco and then going to Spain, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico, and finally to the US. “I am now on the safe side,” he says.

I notice that the Sudanese man is shaking. He asks where he is. I tell him he is in Arizona. I make sure he is able to drink water properly before a Border Patrol agent directs him to get in the car. I can only imagine what he went through to make it to this point.

Outside the tent, other volunteers speak with a group of men and women from Mexico. A few minutes later, around 8:00 a.m., Border Patrol agents arrive to pick them up.

Asylum seekers from around the world cross at the End of the Wall camp and other gaps at the border wall in this remote region. They are dropped by guides on the Mexico side of the border and told that they can surrender to Border Patrol to apply for asylum protection in the US. But the nearest Border Patrol station is miles away and asylum seekers must walk for hours through extreme terrain and weather conditions or wait to be picked up by Border Patrol agents.

Volunteers hand the new arrivals water bottles and snacks for the road. We tell them they are safe and try to explain what will happen next.

I notice that the Sudanese man is shaking. He asks where he is. I tell him he is in Arizona. I make sure he is able to drink water properly before a Border Patrol agent directs him to get in the car. I can only imagine what he went through to make it to this point.

From left: Dr. Ramirez speaks with volunteers from Samaritans at the End of the Wall camp; messages written by a volunteer in several languages on one of the tents at the camp. United States 2024 © Maria Elena Romero/MSF

The End of the Wall

Volunteers from Samaritans, No More Deaths, and Humane Borders cover morning, midday, and night shifts, seven days a week at End of the Wall camp. They often stay until Border Patrol picks everyone up around 8:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.

There are three tents that provide shade and some protection from the elements; water bottles and tanks that are periodically replenished with drinking water; snacks and diapers in plastic bins. There is also a solar powered internet service that helps migrants and volunteers stay connected with family and emergency services, and porta potties.

Despite language barriers, and with occasional help from an asylum seeker who speaks English or an online translation app, volunteers provide some guidance about what to do next, what to expect when Border Patrol arrives, and their right to seek asylum.

Many of the volunteers speak Spanish fluently and can provide this information to asylum seekers who come from Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. But since last year, people from countries as far as China, Guinea, Nepal, India, Iraq, Mauritania, and Yemen have arrived. Volunteer groups have gotten some ad hoc translations in Bengali and Arabic, but still, information in more languages is needed.

Abdul* reads a document in Bengali with information prepared by volunteers from Samaritans, including his current location, when US Border Patrol will to come to pick him up, and his right to file for asylum. As more people that speak languages other than English continue to arrive at the End of the Wall camp, there is a need for these translations, as many migrants do not speak English. United States 2024 © Maria Elena Romero/MSF

Unaccompanied minors

Often volunteers see unaccompanied minors arriving at the camp. Just the day before, on a very hot summer day, Abdul*, a 17-year-old boy from Bangladesh, crossed into the US at the End of the Wall camp. He looked tired and said he needed to drink water. He said he was hungry and hot.

Volunteers from Samaritans invited Abdul to come into a tent for shade, water, apples, and other snacks to eat. Sally Meisenhelder, a 77-year-old volunteer with Samaritans, handed him some documents in Bengali about what to expect in the next few hours and after Border Patrol picks him up. These documents have been translated recently to bridge the language gap and provide some basic information to people arriving from Bangladesh.

That day, I decided to wait for a few hours with Abdul to make sure he felt safe and was not alone for such a long time, waiting for Border Patrol.

The boy, Mateo*, was clutching a small plastic bag attached to the rosary around his neck. Inside was a piece of paper with his mother’s phone number written on it. She was in the US waiting for him.

Through our language barrier, he explained that he flew from Bangladesh to Qatar, then to Paraguay or Uruguay; he was not sure which one. He then flew to Colombia and made his way north to cross the notoriously dangerous Darién Gap into Panama and continued onward through Central America and Mexico.

Most of his belongings were stolen in Mexico, he said, including his phone and passport. The only document he carried with him was a piece of paper—his birth certificate.

Another day that week, there was a group of 11 unaccompanied minors from Mexico and Guatemala at the End of the Wall camp. The youngest one was five years old. Some of the older children, aged 11 and 12, told us that they found him alone and crying when they reached the camp at dawn. They asked him to sit with them and comforted him.

Ramirez comforts a 3-year-old boy who was just stung by a bee at the End of the Wall camp. The boy’s mom, who is from Guatemala, is holding him, and shared that she fled to the US after she was extorted by gangs. “They told me that I would have to pay, or they would take my children,” she said. United States 2024 © Maria Elena Romero/MSF

The boy, Mateo*, was clutching a small plastic bag attached to the rosary around his neck. Inside was a piece of paper with his mother’s phone number written on it. She was in the US waiting for him.

When I met him, he kept telling me this paper was for the police. He seemed very worried about it.

I was able to call Mateo’s mother on video.

I am accustomed to stories of hardship and fear, but I have never gotten used to hearing these stories from children who undergo this traumatic journey, especially those who travel alone.

“Mommy, mommy,” he said, so happy to see her. Mateo’s mom told him to be brave and not to cry. I explained to both of them that Border Patrol would take the boy to a special center for unaccompanied minors, and that I did not know exactly how long it would be before she heard from officials. I wanted to make sure that she knew he was fine.

I am accustomed to stories of hardship and fear, but I have never gotten used to hearing these stories from children who undergo this traumatic journey, especially those who travel alone.

It was just one of those days. We provide psychological first aid to people crossing the border to make sure their basic needs are covered. Connecting with family members to let them know that you are safe is one of the most impactful mental health interventions, especially during the critical moments after a traumatic event.

The End of the Wall camp is located across from this gap between the border wall and a chest-high fence. The area is used as a crossing point by migrants and asylum seekers entering the US.
United States 2024 © Maria Elena Romero/MSF

Day Two at End of the Wall camp

On another nontypical day, as I drive toward the End of the Wall camp, I encounter a group of 18 men from Nepal and Bangladesh who have walked about three miles west towards Sasabe along the hilly road next to the border wall. They crossed into the US overnight and kept on walking, and now they are tired and had sat down to rest. The shoes of one of the men had no soles, so he had used his shoelaces to secure the insoles to his feet.

We give them water and snacks and ask them not to walk anymore, as the road is steep and there is little shade. The sun is about to come up for another hot day.

Further ahead, I come across another group of nine men from India walking along the road. We tell them to stop walking because it’s dangerous, and to wait for Border Patrol.

There are also more asylum seekers at the End of the Wall camp. There is a family from Chiapas, Mexico, who told us they fled cartel violence, leaving everything they owned behind. They feared their teenage daughter could be recruited into a prostitution ring.

I also meet a young mother from Guatemala and her three-year-old child. She said she used to own a corner store in the capital, Guatemala City, and was extorted by local gangs. “They told me that I would have to pay, or they would take my children,” she says.

A group of volunteers from Samaritans drives out to check on people who left the camp on foot. Sally Meisenhelder is worried about those walking on the hilly road. “I have written messages in multiple languages on the tent telling people not to walk. They can be hit by a car,” she says. “When you come up over the hills [the driver] cannot see who is on the other side until they start to drop down. That is dangerous. Plus, they can’t make it all the way [to Sasabe].”

Several cars from Border Patrol arrive on schedule around 8:00 a.m. They ask people to line up and inform us that some of the asylum seekers have been picked up on the road. They ask unaccompanied minors, families, and women to get in the cars first.

We say goodbye and wish them good luck, waving as they are driven away. After cleaning up, we drive for about 40 minutes to the place we are staying. When we arrive, we get a message from volunteers from Samaritans. More asylum seekers had arrived at the End of Wall camp after we left, and they stayed behind to help.

* Name changed to protect privacy.

Our work in Arizona

Since early 2024, MSF has worked alongside volunteers from Humane Borders, Samaritans, No More Deaths, and other Arizona-based groups helping asylum seekers and migrants crossing the US-Mexico border in the Sonoran desert. Initially, a small team evaluated medical needs in the region, and suggested ways to develop capacity and increase services and collaboration. In August 2024, MSF resumed its support to local groups. MSF will consider additional support based on the needs that might arise from a surge in numbers of people crossing the border.

We speak out. Get updates.

MIL OSI NGO –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Video: Summit of the Future: Opening Ceremony & Plenary segment | United Nations

Source: United Nations (Video News)

The Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives.

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Strengthening of the United Nations system – Item 123: Summit of the Future

09:00 to 10:00: Opening segment

– Adoption of the outcome document entitled “A Pact for the Future”, agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations, to which the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations would be annexed if intergovernmentally agreed

– Opening statements

President of the General Assembly
Secretary-General of the United Nations
Youth representatives: Ms. Monica Malith; Mr. Ghanim Mohammed Al Muftah; Ms. Niria Alicia Garcia
President, Republic of Namibia
Chancellor, Federal Republic of Germany

10:00 to 15:00: Plenary segment

The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.

Effective global cooperation is increasingly critical to our survival but difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of mistrust, using outdated structures that no longer reflect today’s political and economic realities.

World leaders will convene at the United Nations to adopt the Pact for the Future, which will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations as annexes.

Website: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future

Programme: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future/programme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejOoz_OhEZ0

MIL OSI Video –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Staff Extends Temporary No-Action Letter Regarding Capital and Financial Reporting for Certain Non-U.S. Nonbank Swap Dealers Domiciled in the EU and the UK

Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Market Participants Division (MPD) today announced it issued a temporary no-action letter extending CFTC Staff Letters No. 21-20 and 22-10 to certain nonbank swap dealers (SDs) domiciled in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) that are the subject of pending CFTC reviews for comparability determinations regarding capital and financial reporting requirements.

As part of the capital and financial reporting requirements for nonbank SDs, the CFTC adopted a substituted compliance framework that permits certain nonbank SDs to rely on compliance with home-country capital and financial reporting requirements in lieu of meeting all or parts of the CFTC’s capital adequacy and financial reporting requirements, provided the CFTC finds the home-country requirements comparable to the CFTC’s requirements.

Through CFTC Staff Letter No. 24-13, issued today, MPD is extending a no-action position to eligible nonbank SDs domiciled in the EU and the UK that are not covered by existing CFTC orders addressing capital and financial reporting requirements. The no-action position is conditioned upon the nonbank SDs remaining in compliance with applicable home-country capital and financial reporting requirements and submitting certain financial reporting information to the CFTC.

The no-action position will expire by December 31, 2026 or the effective date of any final CFTC action addressing the comparability of capital and financial reporting requirements applicable to the relevant nonbank SDs.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman McCaul Announces Markup on Various Measures

Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Media Contact 202-226-8467

Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul announced the full committee will hold a markup to consider various measures on Tuesday, September 24th.

What: Markup to find Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress, as well as nine measures, including H.R. 8683, H.R. 9564, H.R. ___, H.Res. 1348, H.R. 9172, H.R. 9718, H.Res. 1449, H.Res. 1435, and H.R. 9082.

Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Time: 10:15am ET

Location: Rayburn 2172

MARKUP OF:

Committee Report, Recommending the House of Representatives find Antony Blinken, Secretary, U.S. Department of State, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with a subpoena duly issued by the Committee on Foreign Affairs;

H.R. 8683, To require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State to monitor efforts by the People’s Republic of China to build or buy strategic foreign ports, and for other purposes;

H.R. 9564, To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes;

H.R. ___, To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to modify requirements regarding management of the United States Agency for International Development, and for other purposes;

H.Res. 1348, Urging the Government of Nigeria to immediately release Tigran Gambaryan from imprisonment;

H.R. 9172, To establish the Precursor Chemical Destruction Initiative to promote bilateral counterdrug interdiction efforts with the governments of specified countries, and for other purposes;

H.R. 9718, To provide for the approval of the Amendment to the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense Purposes;

H.Res. 1449, Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism;

H.Res. 1435, Raising concern about the proposed constitutional reforms in Mexico; and

H.R. 9082, To direct the Secretary of State to host regular Summits of the Americas, and for other purposes.

Documents:

***NOTE: Measures may be added or changed. Check here for updates.***

***Coverage note: All committee proceedings are webcast live here.***

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MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Meets with General Brown, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff on Updating U.S. Forces

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
09.20.24
Leaders Discuss Importance of Nuclear Modernization & New UAS Technologies in Protecting the Nation
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown on supporting Israel and Ukraine, and the importance of updating U.S. forces and developing new capabilities to ensure the U.S. has the tools and resources necessary to keep the nation safe. Hoeven stressed the role of nuclear modernization and developing new unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technologies in deterring threats and protecting the nation, including:
Utilizing Project Ultra and new technologies being developed and tested at Grand Forks Air Force Base and Grand Sky to advance U.S. drone capabilities. As the Air Force works to develop drone and counter drone capability, the senator highlighted the infrastructure in place in North Dakota to efficiently advance these drone programs.
The need to concurrently upgrade U.S. nuclear forces as a way of providing the most timely and cost-effective deterrent. Minot Air Force Base houses two of the three legs of the nuclear triad and Hoeven has worked to secure funding to keep nuclear modernization efforts on track.
“I had a great conversation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Brown,” said Hoeven. We discussed what’s happening in Ukraine and Israel, as well as the need for DoD to have the necessary flexibility to develop new systems to strengthen national security and defend against our adversaries. Our discussion focused on how we can update and upgrade our armed forces here in the United States. Both Minot Air Force Base and Grand Forks Air Force Base are playing a key role in that effort.”

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Join Murray, Senate Democrats in Introducing Resolution to Recognize Patients’ Rights to Emergency Health Care

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
September 20, 2024
Abortion Bans Have Delayed Emergency Medical Care. In Georgia, Experts Say Were This Mother’s Death Was Preventable.
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 38 of their Democratic colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution to reinforce the standard that every patient has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care, regardless of where they live. The introduction comes as new reporting from ProPublica makes plain that Republican abortion bans are preventing women from receiving lifesaving emergency health care and resulting in preventable deaths.
“When we warned Donald Trump and Senate Republicans that women would die if they succeeded in overturning Roe, they called us fearmongers. Tragically, it’s now painfully obvious that we were right,” Duckworth said. “We cannot wait for more women to die a preventable death because of Republicans’ draconian abortion bans—we must protect reproductive rights and women’s access to emergency medical care nationwide, and Democrats are working tirelessly to do just that.”
“When a woman arrives at the emergency room, she should not be worried about whether or not she will receive necessary medical treatment. Her family should not have to worry that their loved one may die because politics interfered with medical decision making. But because the right-wing supermajority on the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, as Donald Trump promised, that is exactly what is happening,” said Durbin. “I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this legislation to make clear that we will not give up the fight for women to receive the medical care they need, especially in emergency circumstances where access to care is a matter of life and death.”
Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade over two years ago, nearly two dozen US states led by Republicans have passed, banned or severely restricted access to abortion. These strict laws have created confusion around the treatment doctors can provide even when a pregnant patient’s life is in danger, as physicians fear that they may lose their medical license, be sued, or even charged with a felony if they perform life-saving emergency care. Despite the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act’s (EMTALA) requirements that Medicare-participating hospitals treat and stabilize pregnant patients in need of emergency medical care, women are being turned away from emergency rooms following the Dobbs decision.
In Moyle v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court had the opportunity to reaffirm that federal law requires pregnant patients to have access to life-saving emergency care in every state, but instead, the Court dismissed the case and sent it back to the lower courts, effectively punting on making a decision on the case itself. While the litigation continues in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the health and lives of women remain at risk as uncertainty around emergency abortion care persists. 121 Congressional Republicans, including 26 Senators, filed an amicus brief arguing that EMTALA does not require hospitals to provide abortion care as emergency stabilizing care in order to save a patient’s life.
In addition to Duckworth, Durbin and Murray, this resolution is co-led by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Marin Heinrich (D-NV), George Helmy (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
The resolution is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Reproductive Freedom For All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Guttmacher Institute, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, All* Above All, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, National Council of Jewish Women and National Partnership for Women and Families.
Last week, U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) introduced the House companion to yesterday’s Senate resolution.
The full text of the resolution can be found on Senator Murray’s website.
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MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Europe: Storm Boris (15 Sept. 2024)

Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

France is deeply distressed by the devastating consequences of Storm Boris, which is affecting Central and Eastern Europe and has led to several deaths. It has also forced the evacuation of thousands of people and caused enormous material damage. We offer our condolences to the bereaved families.

France expresses its absolute solidarity with the people and authorities of Austria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Together with its European partners, France stands ready to respond to requests for assistance.

MIL OSI Europe News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Senate Rules Subcommittee on Homeowners Associations to Hold First Hearing
Source: US State of Georgia

ATLANTA (September 20, 2024) — On Tuesday, September 24,at 9:00 a.m., the Senate Rules Subcommittee on Homeowners Associations, chaired by Sen. Matt Brass (R–Newnan), will hold its first hearing.

MEETING DETAILS:
- Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
- Time: 9:00 a.m.
- Location: 450 State Capitol, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
- Open to the Public: The event is open to the public. The committee meeting will be live-streamed on the Senate website here.
ABOUT THE MEETING:
Chairman Brass and fellow committee members will discuss the role of HOAs in Georgia communities by analyzing their current compliance with state law. The members will also review best and worst practices and the role of HOAs concerning Georgians’ constitutional rights. The total membership of the subcommittee includes Vice Chair Donzella James (D–Atlanta), Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), Minority Leader Gloria Butler (D–Stone Mountain) and Senators Brandon Beach (R–Alpharetta), Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett) and Michael “Doc” Rhett (D–Marietta).

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

# # # #

Sen. Matt Brass serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules. Sen. Brass represents the 28th Senate District, which includes Coweta and Heard, as well as parts of Douglas and Fulton County. He can be reached by email at matt.brass@senate.ga.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: USINDOPACOM and National Guard senior leaders gather to discuss State Partnership Program

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii –

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosted the annual Senior Leaders Forum (SLF) for the State Partnership Program (SPP) here, Sept. 10-16.

SPP links a state’s National Guard with the military or security forces of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship that supports theater campaign plan objectives. SPP establishes connections between National Guard units and partner nations, fostering long-term, advantageous relationships. These partnerships work to improve global security, deepen mutual understanding, and promote greater cooperation on a range of defense and security issues.

“One of the greatest things that the State Partnership gives us is longevity of relationships,” said United Kingdom Royal Navy Cdre. Jonathan Lett, J5 Deputy for Policy, USINDOPACOM. “The relationships and the partnerships that the National Guard builds in this region just go on for years and years and years. They grow up together. They develop together.”

The State Partnership Program, which started over 30 years ago with just 13 partners, has expanded to include 106 partner nations.

In the Indo-Pacific, there are currently 16 relationships, made up of nine US states and one territory: Alaska is partnered with Mongolia; Idaho with Cambodia; Hawaii with the Philippines and Indonesia; Montana with Sri Lanka and Maldives; Nevada with Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa; Oregon with Bangladesh and Vietnam; Rhode Island with Timor-Leste, Washington with Malaysia and Thailand; and Guam with Palau and a shared partnership with the Philippines.

“I champion the State Partnership program in this area of responsibility, said Cdre. Lett. “On a daily basis, Guardsmen are out there as a genuine force multiplier for the United States and for USINDOPACOM. It’s fantastic. I celebrate the amazing work they do and congratulate them on it!”

During the forum, more than 50 officials from all partner states, including adjutant generals, State Partnership Program directors, bilateral affairs officers and other senior leaders learned about key topics and areas of concern. This enabled them to observe what has been successful, the challenges each one faces, and the actions they are taking with their partner nations; as well reviewing initiatives and discussing their programs with INDOPACOM staff and other National Guard units.

“It’s important to have this Senior Leader Forum because it helps highlight all the excellent work that SPP partnerships are doing out into the region,” said U.S. Army Maj. Dustin Petersen, State Partnership Program Director for the Nevada National Guard. “There’s something to be said about being together with likeminded people, being in the COCOMs building, and hearing it from all the players and stakeholders into the region and show how we are aligned with the national vision.”

Highlighted presenters also noted the importance of current initiatives including: Women, Peace and Security, Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid, Climate Resilience, Office of the Command Surgeon and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

“We do everything we can to really strengthen our friendships, our partnerships and mutually benefit each other,” Petersen explained. “At some point we might have to lean on one another. And it’s better to build our friendships now, it’s hard to surge trust, it’s better to have it before there’s anything going wrong.”

Oregon Air Force National Guard Maj. Angelica Hayes, Oregon’s bilateral affairs officer (BAO) in Vietnam, is new to the position. She speaks on how beneficial attending the Senior Leaders Forum has been for her.

“I’ve had a lot of theory, a lot of how I’ll fit in, what I’ll be doing but now I am actually there doing it and getting some hands-on application,” Hayes said. “So, coming here is just reinforcing and reconnecting all those theories and making sure I am applying and making those connections correctly.”

The new BAO expresses the importance of recognizing networks and connections when it comes to the success of SPP and personal growth.

“The biggest thing that I think I’m getting out of this is just the networking, meeting a lot of people that are in the area, hearing their challenges or their successes is helpful when I go to problem-solve in the future,” Hayes said. “We’re building relationships in the nation, with our partner nation, but we are also building relationships within each other. That’s going to make us more successful if we have to respond to any type of emergency in the future.”

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Specially Designated Global Terrorist Mohammad Bazzi Pleads Guilty to Sanctions Evasion
Source: US State of North Dakota

Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct and to cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

In May 2018, the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Bazzi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for assisting in, sponsoring and providing financial, material and technological support and financial services to Hizballah. Hizballah is a foreign terrorist organization that, since the 1980s, engaged in numerous terrorist activities, including attacks against American military members, government employees and civilians abroad.

According to the OFAC designation, Bazzi is a key Hizballah financier who has provided millions of dollars to Hizballah over the years, generated from his business activities in Belgium, Lebanon, Iraq and throughout West Africa. As a result of the designation, Bazzi’s interest in any property in the United States were blocked, and all U.S. persons were generally prohibited from transacting business with, or for the benefit of, Bazzi.

Following Bazzi’s designation and according to the court documents, Bazzi and his co-defendant, Talal Chanine, who remains at large in Lebanon, conspired to force or induce an individual located in the United States (U.S. Person) to liquidate their interests in certain real estate assets located in Michigan and covertly transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds of the liquidation out of the United States to Bazzi and Chahine in Lebanon without the required OFAC licenses, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

During recorded communications, Bazzi and Chahine proposed numerous methods to conceal from OFAC and law enforcement officials that Bazzi was both the source and destination of the proceeds of the sale and to create the false appearance that the U.S. Person was conducting legitimate arms-length transactions unrelated to Bazzi and Chahine. For example, Bazzi and Chahine proposed that the funds be transferred through:
- A third party in China as part of a fictitious purchase of restaurant equipment from a Chinese manufacturer;
- A third party in Lebanon as part of a fictitious real estate purchase;
- Chahine’s family members in Kuwait as part of fictitious intra-family loans; and
- As part of a fictitious franchising agreement as payment for the rights to operate a Lebanese-based restaurant chain throughout the United States.
Bazzi was arrested in February 2023 by Romanian law enforcement authorities and subsequently extradited to the Eastern District of New York. The Justice Department thanks the Romanian authorities for their assistance in this matter.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Bazzi faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. He has also agreed to forfeit the nearly $830,000 that was involved in the illegal transaction, and to be removed from the United States upon completion of his sentence. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Navarro, Jonathan P. Lax, Nomi D. Berenson, Claire Kedeshian and Robert M. Pollack for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with assistance provided by Trial Attorney Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition in this case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK working to de-escalate and end cycle of violence in Middle East: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

Location:

United Nations, New York

Delivered on:

20 September 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

President, I thank USG DiCarlo and High Commissioner Türk for their briefing today. This past year has seen continuous and devastating violence across the region. Civilians have suffered on a dreadful scale on both sides of the Blue Line.

The explosions in Lebanon this week and Israel’s strike in southern Beirut today are the latest in a deadly cycle of violence, and we are deeply concerned by civilian casualties resulting from those incidents. That children were among them is particularly distressing. Our condolences go to the families of the civilians killed.

My Foreign Secretary made our view clear last night: we need an immediate ceasefire on both sides. We are working in lockstep with our allies to de-escalate tensions and end this destructive cycle.

We want to see the implementation of a political plan, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which allows both Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes and live in peace and security. We are ready to play our role in a diplomatic process to achieve that.

President, let us be clear: Hizballah launched an unprovoked attack on Israel on 8 October 2023. Since then, Israel has faced a near-daily barrage of Hizballah rockets.

We are resolute in our support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens against such threats. However, in doing so, international humanitarian law must be fully respected, and all possible steps taken to avoid civilian casualties.

Lebanese Hizballah’s aggression has been fuelled by Iran and its continued destabilisation of the Middle East, including through its support to partners and proxies. Iran supplies advanced weaponry in contravention of multiple Security Council Resolutions, only prolonging the suffering of the Lebanese people.

While Hizballah and Iran continue to undermine Lebanon’s future, the UK is providing practical support to bolster its stability and security.

This includes funding and training to both the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces, as well as humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities, including in the south of Lebanon.

President, now is the time for calm heads and an urgent focus on an immediate ceasefire to create the space for negotiations.

Updates to this page

Published 20 September 2024

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal co-chairs 21st ASEAN-India Economic Ministers meeting in Lao PDR

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 9:25PM by PIB Delhi

Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industry Minister during the 1st day of his visit to Vientiane, Lao PDR co-chaired the 21st ASEAN-India Economic Ministers (AEM-India) meeting alongwith H.E. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR. The Economic Ministers or their representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries viz. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the meeting. Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste joined the Meeting as an observer.

The Ministers reviewed the trade and investment relations between India and ASEAN and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the relations. India and ASEAN registered a bilateral trade of USD 120.9 billion in 2023-24 with ASEAN accounting for 10.9% of India’s global trade.

The Ministers in particular took note of the progress in negotiations for the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Minister Goyal in his intervention stressed on the need for addressing injury to industries from the existing FTA and the inequitable tariff liberalisation during the review. He also cited India’s ongoing efforts of integrating with other economies through FTAs and highlighted the urgency in upgrading AITIGA which otherwise may lead to diversion of bilateral trade to other regions.

The Ministers reiterated the commitment to ensure that the outcome of the review should be mutually beneficial and commercially meaningful and will make the AITIGA more effective, user-friendly, simple, and trade facilitative for businesses. The Ministers encouraged the AITIGA Joint Committee to expedite the negotiations to conclude the review in 2025.

The review of the AITIGA is a long-standing demand of Indian industry and India is looking forward to an upgraded AITIGA which will address the current asymmetries in bilateral trade and will make trade more balanced and sustainable.

Minister Goyal reiterated India’s request for setting up of Joint Committees under the two separate Agreements on Services and Investment, signed in 2014, to review the implementation of these Agreements.

On the sidelines of AEM-India meeting, Minister Goyal had a productive bilateral meeting with Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda, Secretary for Economic Affairs, Switzerland. Both sides discussed the progress in ratification of India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement signed on 10th March 2024 and discussed the way forward in facilitating US$100 billion FDI commitment by the EFTA States under the FTA.

Minister Goyal also interacted with the FICCI led industry delegation from India which was visiting Vientiane, Laos to brief the ASEAN-India Economic Ministers on the activities of ASEAN-India Business Council (AIBC). FICCI serves as the AIBC Secretariat from the Indian side. The delegation from AIBC ASEAN also met Minister Goyal separately. Industry from both sides briefed the Minister on their perspective of bilateral trade and their expectations from review of AITIGA.

***

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, CONTINUING HIS PUSH TO LAND NEW SKI-BIRD FLEET AT SCHENECTADY COUNTY’S STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, BRINGS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION DIRECTOR TO U.S. CAPITOL TO BUILD SUPPORT IN THE…

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Schumer Made Major Breakthrough After Visiting Stratton Air National Guard Base Earlier This Year Securing $229M In Senate Approps, But In Order For $$ To Become Law The House Needs To Agree To This Measure, Which Is Currently Not Included In Their Bill
Schumer Brought NSF And NY National Guard Top Brass, Who Rely On These Planes For Scientific Research And Maintaining American Competition With China And Russia, To Capitol To Discuss Need For New Ski-Bird Planes To Ensure We Can Continue Missions To Arctic And Antarctic For National Security
Schumer: We Are The Closest We’ve Ever Been To Landing New Ski-Birds For The 109th Airlift Wing & We Need Everyone To Get On Board To Support This Funding
After securing $229 million in the Senate’s FY2025 defense appropriations bill to replace the 109th Airlift Wing’s (AW) two oldest LC-130H aircraft, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this week brought National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan and Major General Ray Shields, Adjutant General for the State of New York, to the U.S. Capitol to build support and describe the need for the House to follow the Senate and back funding to recapitalize the Ski-Bird fleet for the Stratton Air National Guard in Schenectady County.
“Upgrading the 109th Airlift Wing’s Ski-Bird fleet based in Schenectady is critical for our national security and the National Science Foundation’s polar research mission. That is why I personally brought NSF Director Panchanathan and Major General Ray Shields to the Capitol to highlight the need to land new Ski-Birds in the Capital Region ASAP. Stratton Air National Guard and the 109th Airlift Wing is the only military unit in the world that flies these aircraft and they need the House to back up the funding I was able to secure in the Senate,” said Senator Schumer. “For more than thirty years, the old LC-130H planes have been in service in harsh environments, but now their state of disrepair is threatening aircrew safety and the 109th AW’s mission success. I landed $229 million in federal funding in the Senate’s FY2025 Defense Appropriations bill so now we need the House to follow suit. The brave men and women of the 109th Airlift Wing cannot wait, and I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail for the inclusion of this funding in end-of-year appropriations so we can finally bring brand new J model LC-130s to the Capital Region.”
At the meeting Schumer convened at the U.S. Capitol they had a wide range of panelists who highlighted the tremendous need for upgrading the ski-bird fleet including: Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director, National Science Foundation; Major General Ray Shields, Adjutant General, New York National Guard; Dr. Jean Cottam Allen, Acting Director, Office of Polar Programs at the NSF; Stephanie Short, Section Head, Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics at the NSF; Jennifer Mercer, Section Head, Arctic Sciences at the NSF; Brig. Gen. Gary Charlton II, Assistant Adjutant General (Air), NYANG; and Col Steve Slosek, 109th Airlift Wing, NYANG. Then, panelists covered how the 109th AW’s Ski-Bird mission is crucial to both scientific research and national security, discussing the significant and immediate consequences it would yield if Congress fails to recapitalize the fleet and the aircraft enters restricted flight status. Now, Schumer and these top leaders are advocating for the House to match the Senate Defense Appropriations bill and support its inclusion in the final FY25 appropriations package.
National Science Foundation Director Dr. Panchanathan said, “The U.S. National Science Foundation’s leadership in both polar regions not only keeps the U.S. at the forefront of critical areas of science and innovation, it also maintains the United States as the dominant global year-round presence in the Arctic and Antarctic. This would not be possible without the LC-130H aircraft and the brave and dedicated servicemembers of the New York Air National Guard and the 109th Air Lift Wing. Together, they provide a unique and invaluable service that allows us to reach the most remote parts of the polar regions. Without this capability, our leadership and presence would be at risk, and the world-class science we invest in, from glaciology to astrophysics would not be possible. I am grateful to Sen. Schumer, the New York delegation, and Congress for continued support to make sure the United States remains the global leader in the Arctic and Antarctic.”
“Today Senator Schumer hosted a meeting and panel discussion to address the urgent need to recapitalize the New York Air National Guard’s aging fleet of LC-130H Ski Birds. The event included the Director of the National Science Foundation as well as key leaders from their Office of Polar Programs. Senator Schumer was instrumental in securing $229 million in the Senate’s FY-2025 appropriations bill. The panel and the discussion continued the efforts of Senator Schumer and New York’s Congressional delegation to ensure the critical mission of the 109th Air Wing and their vital National Security and science support missions have the aircraft required. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s steadfast support and commitment to our recapitalization efforts,” said Major General Shields.
Schumer explained that with these planes quickly approaching the end of their service life—and following his successful efforts to authorize funding for the procurement of two new J model LC-130 aircraft in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), securing this funding in the final end-of-year appropriations bills is a national security priority for New York. The senator explained that the $229 million in the Senate bill will support the procurement of two LC-130J Ski-Birds, as well as essential engineering work to accelerate the design and development of the J model’s capabilities.
Earlier this year, Schumer wrote to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to urge the Air Force to prioritize recapitalizing the LC-130H fleet and in April, he personally visited the 109th Airlift Wing—the only U.S. military unit in the world that flies these aircraft—in person to double down on the urgent need to recapitalize the LC-130H fleet and formally launch his push to secure federal funding for the procurement of two new LC-130Js in the FY25 appropriations cycle. As he explained during his visit and with the top leaders during the meeting he convened in the Capitol this week, this funding is critical for protecting U.S. national security interests, enhancing U.S. competitiveness with Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), maximizing aircrew safety, and continuing to support cutting-edge research in the polar regions which includes finding solutions to limit global warming and combat climate change.
“As I have repeatedly said, we need to ensure that we deliver new Ski-Birds for the 109th as soon as possible. Now that we’ve secured more than $200 million for LC-130H recapitalization in both the FY25 Senate NDAA and defense appropriations bill, the House needs to follow suit so that new planes can land in the Capital Region. The National Science Foundation and the NY National Guard both agree, and we are closer than we have ever been. ” added Schumer.
Schumer explained that after more than 30 years, these planes—several of which were built in the 1970s and operate on technology developed in the 1950s—are rapidly approaching the end of their service life, jeopardizing mission success, aircrew and operator safety, and U.S. national security. Schumer said the airplanes often suffer reliability issues and high maintenance costs, with only five planes out of the ten total in the fleet being mission-capable at any given time. Additionally, nearly all of the aircraft in the fleet have parts that require total replacement, but the 109th AW is unable to make the necessary fixes because those parts are no longer in production due to the aircraft’s age and commodity. With both U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which oversees the polar airlift mission, and 109th AW, which supports the NSF’s polar science research missions and is the only U.S. military unit in the world that flies these planes, expressing the urgent need to recapitalize, Schumer took action to push for this major federal funding and upgrade the fleet to support U.S. national security and scientific research.
The LC-130 is also a necessity for maintaining and strengthening the United States’ presence, operations, and research in the Arctic and Antarctica. The Arctic is a region of growing strategic importance, and to compete on a global scale, especially with China and Russia who are expanding their presence in the region, it is vital that the U.S. has the advanced capabilities needed to expand its presence in the region.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Sen. John Albers Honored by Fraternal Order of Police

Source: US State of Georgia

ATLANTA (September 20, 2024) — This week,Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) was honored by the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for his legislative contributions during the 2023-2024 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly. During the 2024 legislative session, Sen. Albers authored and passed legislation to raise the limit for the total percentage of funds that the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund may invest in alternative investments.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Fraternal Order of Police,” said Sen. Albers. “As a former first responder, I have always considered standing alongside our law enforcement officers a privilege. These men and women put their lives on the line daily, serving our communities faithfully, often in the face of danger and uncertainty. I will always remain committed to doing everything I can to support them through sound policies and resources. Whether it’s ensuring they have the training and equipment they need or advocating for their well-being both on the job and after they retire, we owe them our full support.”

The Georgia Fraternal Order of Police consists of 34 Local Lodges and has more than 6,200 members across the state. The organization serves as the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving communities nationwide. More information on the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police is available here.

# # # #

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

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

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: Notorious Mexican Cartel Leader Convicted for International Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, today of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States, and using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive devices, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2007 and 2017, Oseguera-Gonzalez, 34, led an international drug trafficking organization responsible for importing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Oseguera-Gonzalez was the second in command of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which is based in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. The CJNG is one of the most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico. Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used firearms, destructive devices, murder, and kidnapping to control the drug trafficking organization. Oseguera-Gonzalez also ordered his subordinates to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter so that he could escape capture by Mexican law enforcement.

“El Menchito led the Jalisco Cartel’s efforts to use murder, kidnapping, and torture to build the Cartel into a self-described ‘empire’ by manufacturing fentanyl and flooding the United States with massive quantities of lethal drugs. Today, fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “El Menchito now joins the growing list of high-ranking Cartel leaders that the Justice Department has convicted in an American courtroom. We are grateful to our Mexican law enforcement partners for their extensive cooperation and sacrifice in holding accountable leaders of the Jalisco Cartel.”

“Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez pioneered the manufacturing of fentanyl in Mexico to help build his father’s Jalisco Cartel into one of the world’s most powerful drug syndicates. His crimes caused horrific violence and death in the United States, Mexico, and around the globe,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates that our prosecutors and agents, working with our Mexican law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue justice against the leaders of the drug trafficking organizations who destroy lives and poison our communities.”

“As second-in-command of CJNG, Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez used extreme violence to traffic massive amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His conviction underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling organizations that manufacture and distribute deadly drugs into our communities. Today’s verdict also sends a powerful message to the cartel leadership: we will work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to find you and bring you to justice. We are especially grateful to the Mexican authorities for their substantial assistance in this case.”

“Today’s guilty verdict sends a clear message that the DEA will stop at nothing to investigate and dismantle criminal drug networks that threaten the safety and health of the American people,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “As one of the highest-ranking members of the Jalisco Cartel, Oseguera-Gonzalez was responsible for pushing vast quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States while engaging in violence, kidnapping, and bribery to build and protect the Jalisco Cartel. I commend the men and women of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division for their outstanding work on this case.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2012 to 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez oversaw the manufacture of more than three million pounds of methamphetamine in one area of Mexico. In April 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez personally directed the distribution of over 55,000 pounds of cocaine. According to trial testimony, in October 2013, Oseguera-Gonzalez made plans to “do it big” with counterfeit oxycontin pills—just before the fentanyl epidemic began in the United States. According to witness testimony, the defendant said in 2015 that he was “building an empire with . . . fentanyl.” Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested by Mexican authorities on local charges in June 2015. He remained detained in Mexico until his extradition to the United States in February 2020. While in prison in Mexico, Oseguera-Gonzalez continued to control the CJNG, negotiating drug transactions and approving the purchase of firearms and destructive devices, including .50 caliber firearms and 40 mm grenades.

Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used extreme violence to grow and control the cartel. For example, when five men owed Oseguera-Gonzalez money for drugs in the United States, Oseguera-Gonzalez violently killed all five men. On another occasion, the defendant shot one of his drivers in the head a close range. In an intercepted message, Oseguera-Gonzalez also described having 13 people tied up—one of whom he decided to release only after the man agreed to make fentanyl pills for Oseguera-Gonzalez.

Oseguera-Gonzalez also amassed an arsenal of weapons. His hitmen, which he called the Special Forces of the High Command, used the weapons to protect him and help him escape capture by Mexican authorities. For example, on May 1, 2015, the defendant’s hitmen—acting on Oseguera-Gonzalez’s personal orders—shot down a Mexican armed forces helicopter while 18 soldiers and police were on board. At least nine people on board the helicopter died as a result of Oseguera-Gonzalez’s order. Oseguera-Gonzalez’s men used an Iranian-made rocket-propelled grenade and a .50 caliber belt-fed firearm to shoot down the helicopter. Both weapons were painted with “CJNG” and a pixel camouflage pattern unique to Oseguera-Gonzalez’s hitmen.

Less than two months after escaping capture, Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested in Jalisco, Mexico. When he was surrounded by soldiers and police, he brandished an assault weapon and grenade launcher, demanding to be released because he was a member of the CJNG. The weapon Oseguera-Gonzalez used to threaten police bore the same pixel camouflage pattern and was emblazoned with CJNG and Oseguera-Gonzalez’s nicknames: Menchito, 02, and Jr.

Oseguera-Gonzalez faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life plus 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The DEA Los Angeles Field Division investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in obtaining important evidence for the trial. The Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations provided significant assistance. The Justice Department thanks Mexican authorities for their assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in securing evidence and testimony presented in court.

Acting Deputy Chief Kaitlin Sahni and Trial Attorneys Kate Naseef, Jonathan R. Hornok, and Lernik Begian of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI: Portfolio Update

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Octopus AIM VCT plc
Portfolio Update

The investment portfolio of Octopus AIM VCT plc (the “Company”) as at 20 September 2024 is as follows (the valuations being the unaudited valuations, at bid price, as at 31 July 2024):

Portfolio Company	Sector	Book cost (£’000)	Movement in valuation (£’000)	Fair Value (£’000)
Breedon Group plc	Construction & Building	859	5,316	6,175
Hasgrove plc¹	Unquoted Investment	88	5,666	5,754
Judges Scientific plc	Electronic & Electrical	256	3,737	3,993
Learning Technologies Group plc	Support Services	1,051	2,288	3,339
Popsa Holdings Ltd¹	Unquoted Investment	1,590	1,596	3,186
Craneware plc	Software & Computer Services	183	2,964	3,147
Mattioli Woods plc	Specialty & Other Finance	529	2,599	3,128
Brooks Macdonald Group plc	Specialty & Other Finance	746	2,287	3,033
IDOX plc	Software & Computer Services	353	2,622	2,975
GB Group plc	Software & Computer Services	505	2,360	2,865
Netcall plc	Telecommunication Services	308	2,445	2,753
Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc	Engineering & Machinery	2,156	49	2,205
PCI-Pal plc	Software & Computer Services	1,294	909	2,203
Equipmake Holdings plc	Electronic & Electrical	2,121	41	2,162
Beeks Financial Cloud Group plc	Software & Computer Services	450	1,676	2,126
Vertu Motors plc	General Retailers	1,265	639	1,904
Next Fifteen Communications Group plc	Media & Entertainment	453	1,402	1,855
Maxcyte Inc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	1,035	694	1,729
Diaceutics plc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	930	648	1,578
Animalcare Group plc	Food Producers & Processors	306	1,224	1,530
SDI Group plc	Electronic & Electrical	179.00	1,249	1,428
Pulsar Group plc	Software & Computer Services	678	515	1,193
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc	Health	767	413	1,180
Abingdon Health plc	Medical Equipment and Services	1,615	(467)	1,148
GENinCode plc	Medical Equipment and Services	2,001	(876)	1,125
Gamma Communications plc	Telecommunication Services	274	789	1,063
Itaconix plc	Industrial	1,588	(529)	1,059
Eden Research plc	Industrial	1,620	(573)	1,047
Sosandar plc	General Retailers	1,853	(806)	1,047
Verici Dx plc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	1,551	(587)	964
Nexteq plc	Technology Hardware	507	429	936
Strip Tinning Holdings plc Loan Notes	Electronic & Electrical	900	–	900
Cambridge Cognition Holdings plc	Health	1,075	(216)	859
Haydale Graphene Industries plc	Chemicals	1,857	(1,025)	832
Gear4music Holdings plc	General Retailers	529	148	677
TPXimpact Holdings plc	Support Services	979	(317)	662
Oberon Investments Group plc	Investment Banking & Brokerage Services	864	(220)	644
Cranswick plc	Food Producers & Processors	606	37	643
Ricardo	Construction & Building	602	33	635
Wise	Industrial	606	7	613
Feedback plc	Software & Computer Services	1,500	(896)	604
GSK plc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	603	(32)	571
Ilika	Electronic & Electrical	1,058	(509)	549
DP Poland plc	Leisure & Hotels	1,016	(519)	497
Restore plc	Support Services	256	233	489
Gooch & Housego plc	Electronic & Electrical	422	60	482
RWS Holdings plc	Support Services	143	316	459
MyCelx Technologies Corporation	Oil Services	1,470	(1,014)	456
Bytes Technology Group plc	Software & Computer Services	489	(42)	447
Mears Group plc	Support Services	139	304	443
Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc	Health	284	148	432
Velocity Composites plc	Engineering & Machinery	799	(404)	395
Creo Medical Group plc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	1,471	(1,118)	353
Northcoders Group plc	Software & Computer Services	380	(63)	317
Alusid Limited¹	Unquoted Investment	300	–	300
Crimson Tide plc	Software & Computer Services	567	(283)	284
JTC plc	Investment Banking & Brokerage Services	248	36	284
Ixico plc	Health	1,046	(794)	252
Rosslyn Data Technologies plc	Software & Computer Services	969	(759)	210
Tan Delta Systems plc	Electronic & Electrical	453	(252)	201
Libertine holdings plc	Industrial Engineering	3,000	(2,805)	195
Gelion plc	Electronic & Electrical	1,140	(951)	189
Rosslyn Data Technologies plc (convertible loan)	Software & Computer Services	180	–	180
ENGAGE XR Holdings	Software & Computer Services	1,879	(1,709)	170
KRM22 plc	Software & Computer Services	681	(511)	170
LungLife AI Inc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	2,079	(1,925)	154
Staffline Group plc	Industrial Support Services	334	(192)	142
Strip Tinning Holdings plc	Electronic & Electrical	506	(397)	109
XP Factory plc	Leisure & Hotels	988	(882)	106
TheraCryf plc	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Marijuana Producers	1,050	(952)	98
Enteq technologies plc	Oil Services	1,032	(960)	72
1Spatial plc	Support Services	300	(235)	65
DXS International plc	Software & Computer Services	300	(255)	45
Fusion Antibodies plc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	745	(717)	28
Tasty plc	Leisure & Hotels	516	(498)	18
Genedrive Plc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	217	(206)	11
Trackwise Designs plc	Electronic & Electrical	1,934	(1,934)	–
Cloudified Holdings Limited	Software & Computer Services	900	(900)	–
Airnow plc¹	Unquoted Investment	1,257	(1,257)	–
Microsaic Systems plc	Engineering & Machinery	1,384	(1,384)	–
Rated People Ltd¹	Unquoted Investment	354	(354)	–
ReNeuron Group plc	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	1,485	(1,485)	–
Sorted Group Holdings Plc	Software & Computer Services	763	(763)	–
The British Honey Company plc	General Retailers	1,321	(1,321)	–
The Food Marketplace Ltd¹	Retailers	300	(300)	–
Eluceda Limited¹	Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	300	(300)	–

Since 31 July 2024 Octopus AIM VCT plc has made £1.2 million investments and £0.1 million disposals.

Unless otherwise stated, all the investments set out above:

– are not quoted on regulated markets;
– represent equity investments except in the case of Osirium which include investment through loan stock; and
– are in portfolio companies incorporated in the UK with the exception of:

Cloudified Holdings Limited – British Virgin Islands
ENGAGE XR Holdings plc – Republic of Ireland
JTC plc – Jersey
LungLife AI Inc – USA
MyCelx Technologies Corporation – USA
Breedon Group plc – Jersey
MaxCyte Inc – USA

¹ Denotes unlisted company

Current Asset Investments (unaudited)

Portfolio Company	Book cost (£’000)	Fair Value (£’000)
FP Octopus Microcap Growth Fund	7,518	9,233
FP Octopus Multi Cap Income Fund	4,051	5,027
FP Octopus Future Generations Fund	1,878	1,907
JPMorgan Sterling Liquidity Fund	9,000	9,000
BlackRock ICS Sterling Liquidity Fund	9,046	9,046
HSBC Sterling Liquidity Fund	9,040	9,040

Since 31 July 2024 there has been no investments or disposals from the current asset investments.

The capitalisation of Octopus AIM VCT plc as at 31 July 2024 was as follows:

Shareholders’ Equity		£’000s
Called up Equity Share Capital		2,018
Legal reserves		18,065
Other reserves		96,300
Total		116,383

There has been no material change to the capitalisation since 31 July 2024.

For further information please contact:

Rachel Peat
Octopus Company Secretarial Services Limited
Tel: +44 (0)80 0316 2067
LEI: 213800C5JHJUQLAFP619

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI: Moody’s Ratings upgrades Iceland’s ratings to A1, changes outlook to stable

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Moody’s Ratings (Moody’s) has upgraded the local and foreign-currency long-term issuer ratings of the Government of Iceland to A1 from A2 and changed the outlook to stable from positive.

The key driver for the upgrade is the government’s improving fiscal metrics, which Moody´s expects to continue, with a sizeable reduction in the budget deficit and a clearly established downward trend in the government debt ratio since a recent peak in 2020. Moody’s expects the budget deficit to decline broadly in line with the government’s medium-term plans, which the rating agency considers credible.

A consensual settlement of the HF Fund’s (A2 positive) liabilities, which are included in government debt, and renewed sales of government held bank shares will likely result in additional one-off reductions in the debt ratio, in addition to an underlying declining trend. Secondly, tight monetary and fiscal policy has started to moderate elevated inflation, which supports Moody´s assessment of Iceland’s strong institutions and pro-active and well-coordinated policy stance.

Iceland’s medium-term fiscal policy framework has been a credit strength, ensuring fiscal sustainability and the creation of fiscal space over time since its introduction in 2015. The fact that the authorities are now considering to replace the current balanced budget rule with an expenditure rule is credit positive, as such a change would strengthen the framework further by contributing more strongly to macroeconomic stability.

The stable outlook reflects balanced risks at the A1 rating level. Moody´s expects fiscal consolidation to continue over the coming years broadly as planned in the medium-term fiscal plan. The economy is expected to return to robust growth next year, after a temporary slowdown this year as the tight monetary and fiscal policy cool the previously overheated economy. The sovereign’s economic and fiscal metrics may improve faster than Moody´s currently expects. At the same time, Iceland remains a small and comparatively undiversified economy, sensitive to sector-specific shocks. Also, its debt ratio and debt affordability metrics remain weaker than close peers at the same rating level, making fiscal strength relatively sensitive to shocks.

The rating could be upgraded further if the government debt ratio continued to decline much faster than under Moody´s baseline assumptions and debt affordability metrics aligned with higher-rated peers. The rating could also be upgraded if the ongoing economic diversification efforts yielded stronger results in terms of reducing volatility of economic growth.

Conversely, the rating would come under downward pressure if the government deviated significantly from its medium-term fiscal plans, resulting in a material increase in the public debt ratio with no indication of a timely correction.

Further information on www.government.is

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: The Future of US and Allied Hypersonic Missile Programs (Part 2)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug Lamborn (5th District of Colorado)

Washington, D.C. –Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn attended the Hudson Institute and the Space Foundation workshop with congressional, government, and industry officials to discuss the future of the American hypersonic missile program. Space Foundation CEO, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Heather Pringle and Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow and Director, Keystone Defense Initiative at the Hudson Institute gave introductory remarks. Congressman Lamborn delivered a keynote address as well as a Q & A directly following the keynote. Congressman Lamborn was joined by several members of Congress, including Reps. Bacon, Norcross, and Fong.

“My position as Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee has allowed me to gain unique insight into some of the nation’s most pressing threats and the development of technological sectors across the defense landscape. I have fought hard to ensure the United States stays at the forefront of advancements in warfare, and I have sounded the alarm in areas where we are falling behind. We must correct this downward trajectory now. My future hope is that events like today’s will continue and that we will one day be the leaders in hypersonics,”said Congressman Doug Lamborn.

“When applied to space, hypersonics are a critical leadership element for our defense and for driving further technology innovation. From a defense perspective, hypersonic technology could enhance our ability to deter adversaries in space which is without a doubt a contested environment. Moreover, the dual use aspect of hypersonics contributes to technological leadership, innovation and collaborative space missions with our allies,”said Maj. Gen. (Ret) Heather Pringle, Space Foundation CEO.

“I am grateful for the leadership of Chairman Lamborn and the Hudson Institute for organizing this very timely assessment of the state of U.S. hypersonic weapons programs,”said Congressman Don Bacon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technology and Innovation and member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “We’ve made significant progress in technology development, but more must be done to advance hypersonic weapons technology, especially in fielding defensive capabilities for hypersonic weapons and developing our industrial base and test infrastructure. Today’s event generated useful insights that will inform Congress’ oversight of these vital national security programs,”said Congressman Don Bacon.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’ve witnessed both the potential for U.S. hypersonic capabilities and potential threats from adversaries. We must bolster our supply chain and industrial base to handle the complexity and durability needed for hypersonic missiles and other critical technologies. I’m glad I was able to join my Republican colleagues for a bipartisan discussion on this topic as we explore how to ensure safety and security for all Americans,”said Congressman Donald Norcross.

“Today’s event was a great opportunity to promote the commercial hypersonic industry and talk about the continuing work that must be done,” said Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20). “Getting to speak about the innovative developments being done in this industry in my district by the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, and NAWS China Lake and my proposal, the MACH Act, to the NASA Reauthorization bill, was an important part of demonstrating the innovative technologies that are advancing the space market and all the prospect in an effort in advancing commercial hypersonic. As a nation, we must build off the legacies to continue to be on the cutting-edge,“said Congressman Vince Fong.

“As China and Russia continue to expand their hypersonic capabilities, it is crucial that our nation updates its defense systems to combat and deter these modern threats. In order to maintain strategic stability as well as competitive advantage, we must focus on developing our offensive hypersonic capabilities as well as investing in defensive counter-hypersonic systems. In order to accomplish this, adequate testing facilities are necessary to replicate the conditions which are unique to hypersonic flight,” said Congressman Pat Fallon.

Click here to watch the Congressman Lamborn’s keynote address

Click here to watch Congressman Lamborn’s Q&A

###

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda lists out achievements of the Union Health Ministry in the First 100 Days of the New Government

Source: Government of India (2)

Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda lists out achievements of the Union Health Ministry in the First 100 Days of the New Government

Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly funded health coverage program: Shri JP Nadda

“The U-WIN portal has been developed for full digitization of vaccination services for complete vaccination record of pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years under the Universal Immunization Programme”

“There has been 98% increase in medical colleges from 387 in 2013-14 to 766 in 2024-25”

“MBBS Seats increased by 64,464 (i.e., 125%) from 2013-14 (51,348 seats) to 2024-25 (11,5812 seats) while the number of PG seats increased by 39,460 (i.e., 127%) from 2013-14 (31,185 seats) to 2024-25 (73,111 seats)”

“In the first phase, BHISHM Cubes are being placed in 25 AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance for rapid deployment in the respective region in case of disaster / health emergencies”

“Union Health Ministry in consultation with the States/UTs is preparing a detailed rollout plan for logistics and training of health professionals for the introduction of the new TB treatment regimen early next year”

Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 4:48PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda highlighted the key achievements of the Union Health Ministry in the first 100 days of the government at a press conference, here today. Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav and Smt. Anupriya Singh Patel were also present.

The Union Health Minister noted that around Rs.15 lakh crores of investment have been made in the last 100 days with speed and scale across different ministries. He noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched several key initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and access in India. The following are some of the achievements made in the last 100 days across different health schemes:

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:

Shri Nadda said that the recent announcement of expansion of the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme to include all senior citizens, irrespective of income group, aged 70 years and above will potentially benefit around 6 crore individuals across 4.5 crore families. Highlighting that Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly funded health coverage program, Shri Nadda informed that the expanded scheme will be implemented from October this year.

U-WIN Portal:

Another significant advancement is the U-WIN Portal which has been developed for full digitization of vaccination services for complete vaccination record of pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years under the Universal Immunization Programme. The citizen-centric services of the digital platform include ‘Anytime Access’ and ‘Anywhere’ vaccination services, Self-Registration by citizens using the U-WIN web-portal or the U-WIN citizen mobile application, automated SMS alerts, universal QR-based eVaccination Certificate and utility to create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for themselves and Child ABHA ID for their children. The portal is in 11 regional languages including Hindi.

Stating that “the U-WIN portal has been developed for full digitization of vaccination services for complete vaccination record of pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years under the Universal Immunization Programme”, he informed that the portal is already operational on pilot basis. As on 16th September 2024, 6.46 crore beneficiaries have been registered, 1.04 crore vaccination sessions have been held and 23.06 crore administered vaccine doses have been recorded on the portal.

New TB Treatment Regimen & Made-in-India TB Diagnostics:

A shorter and more efficacious treatment regimen is now available for use under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) which would help in reducing the treatment duration from 9-12 months to 6 months. It has been validated along with Health Technology Assessment (HTA) by ICMR. Shri Nadda informed that the Union Health Ministry in consultation with the State/UT governments is preparing a detailed rollout plan for logistics and training of health professionals for the introduction of this new regimen early next year. He also highlighted the expected reduction in duration of the treatment regimen in approximately 75,000 DRTB cases across the country.

In order to ensure country wide coverage for TB and Drug Resistance diagnosis by ‘state of the art’ molecular methods, a new indigenous diagnostic system (Patho detect) has been validated by ICMR, along with field feasibility. Shri Nadda stated that it would lead to reduction in turn-around times for test results, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality of TB patients.

Deployment of BHISM Cubes:

BHISHM Cubes are portable and rapidly deployable modular medical facility intended to provide emergency lifesaving clinical care in event of disaster/public health emergencies. Union Health Minister stated that BHISM cubes have the capacity to handle about 200 cases of diverse nature in emergency situations such as trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, etc. In the 1st Phase, BHISHM Cubes will be placed in 25 AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance (INIs) for rapid deployment in the respective region in case of disaster / health emergencies. States may also deploy at strategic locations subsequently. India has gifted four BHISHM Cubes to Ukraine during the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit to the country recently.

Use of Drone Services:

Drones service aid in rapid, cost-effective and safe delivery of medical supplies and samples in hard-to-reach and tough terrains. Fifteen (15) AIIMS/INIs/NE institutions have been identified for Drone Services. Drone trials and trainings have been completed in 12 institutes. Shri Nadda said that drones provide safe, accurate reliable pickup & delivery of medicines, vaccines, blood, diagnostic specimens & other life-saving items to difficult-to-reach facilities.

Medical Education:

Increase in Medical Colleges:

The Union Health Minister said that the increase in medical colleges and MBBS and PG seats would lead to increase in the availability of doctors in the healthcare system.

There is an increase of 8.07% in Medical Colleges from 706 in 2023-24 to 766 in 2024-25. There has been 98% increase in medical colleges from 387 in 2013-14 to 766 in 2024-25. During the same period, 379 new medical colleges have been established and, presently there are 766 (Govt: 423, Pvt: 343) medical colleges in the Country.

Increase in MBBS seats:

There is an increase of 6.30 % in MBBS seats from 1,08,940 in 2023-24 to 1,15,812 in 2024-25. MBBS Seats increased by 64,464 (i.e., 125%) from 2013-14 (51,348 seats) to 2024-25 (11,5812 seats).

Increase in PG seats:

There is an increase of 5.92% in PG seats from 69,024 in 2023-24 to 73,111 in 2024-25. During the last ten years, the number of PG seats increased by 39,460 (i.e., 127%) from 2013-14 (31,185 seats) to 2024-25 (73,111 seats).

Operationalization of National Medical Register:

National Medical Register (NMR) is a comprehensive dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS) registered doctors in India. NMR is linked with Aadhaar ID of the doctors that ensures the individual’s authenticity.

Shri Nadda said that NMR being a key component of the country’s Ayushman Bharat digital mission, it would be part of Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR). He further said that NMR will ensure provision of data covering details of around 13 lakh doctors in the country – State-wise, those who have left the country, those who have lost their license to practice, or details of doctors who have lost their lives.

National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS):

Virtual National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) Assessment of Ayushman Arogya Mandir -Sub Centre:

NQAS are set of standards designed to ensure and improve the quality of healthcare services in District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Primary Health Centre, Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Urban Primary Health Centre and Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Sub Health Centre.

Shri Nadda said that as on 31st August 2024, 13,782 Public Health Facilities are NQAS Certified. A total of 5,784 Public Health Facilities have been NQAS Certified from 1st April 2024 till date, in which 3,134 facilities (including 2,734 Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Sub Centers) have been NQAS certified at all levels in the first 100 days.

The virtual National Quality Assurance Standards assessments for Ayushman Arogya Mandir-Sub Centres commenced on August 1st after requisite trainings. 58 assessments have been done, with 104 more assessments scheduled to take place by end of September, 2024. “This will give an impetus to ensuring Quality standards for all levels of public health care facilities improving comprehensive primary healthcare of citizens” Shri Nadda said.

National Quality Assurance Standards for Integrated Public Health Laboratories:

Release of NQAS for IPHLs spread across district level health facilities is aimed at improving the quality and competence of management and testing systems in IPHLs. This will positively impact the reliability of test results and enhance the quality of diagnostics & patient care.

Establishment of AIIMS in Darbhanga:

Union Cabinet has approved setting up of new AIIMS at Darbhanga on 15.09.2020 at an estimated cost of Rs. 1264 Crore. Shri Nadda stated that the issue of allotment of land for AIIMS Darbhanga, which was pending for over 3 years has been finally settled and the Government of Bihar has allotted and since handed over 150.13 acres of land on 12.8.2024 required for AIIMS Darbhanga. He further noted that AIIMS institutions would serve to fill the gap in affordable tertiary healthcare services and reduce out of pocket expenditure.

Completion of Super Specialty Blocks:

Completion of construction works of Super Specialty Blocks (SSB) has been taken up as upgradation projects of existing Government Medical Colleges under PMSSY of four Government Medical Colleges in Bihar, these include:

a) Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur

b) Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College, Gaya

c) Sri Krishna Medical College, Muzaffarpur

d) Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital.

The launch of Super Specialty Blocks in Government Medical Colleges (Bihar) would serve to fill the gap in affordable tertiary healthcare services and reduce out of pocket expenditure, Shri Nadda highlighted.

Launch of Food Import Rejection Alerts:

The Union Minister also highlighted the introduction of the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA), an online portal designed to notify the public and relevant food safety authorities about food import rejections at Indian borders and training of food street vendors by the FSSAI. The portal has been launched today at the second edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 hosted by FSSAI at Bharat Mandapam.

Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Smt. LS Changsan, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Shri Dhirendra Ojha, Principal DG, PIB, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.

*****

MV

HFW/ PC on 100 Days Achievement/20September2024/1

(Release ID: 2057037) Visitor Counter : 53

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DFS drives expansion of digital payments in India and abroad

Source: Government of India

DFS drives expansion of digital payments in India and abroad

Digital payment transactions volume grew to 18,737 crore in FY 2023-24 from 2,071 crore in FY 2017-18 at Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 44%; with value of transactions at ₹3,659 lakh crore in FY23-24 from ₹1,962 lakh crore in FY17-18 at CAGR of 11%

UPI transactions volume grew to 13,116 crore in FY 2023-24 from 92 crore in FY 2017-18 at CAGR of 129%; with value of UPI transactions reaching ₹200 lakh crore trillion in FY23-24 from ₹1 lakh crore in FY17-18 at CAGR of 138%

UPI now seamlessly facilitates live transactions in 7 countries, including key markets such as UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius

Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 3:31PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, plays a critical role in driving the promotion of digital payments in the country.

Efforts to accelerate the adoption of fast payment system like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionised the way financial transactions are conducted, enabling real-time, secure, and seamless payments for millions.

This initiative aligns with the Government’s vision of a cashless and inclusive economy, empowering every citizen in their financial decision.

In comparison with previous fiscal years, the digital payments landscape has demonstrated remarkable expansion in Financial Year (FY) 2023-24. Key insights include:

Growth in Digital Payment Transactions:

Digital payments in India have witnessed significant growth, with the total number of digital payment transactions volume increased from 2,071 crore in FY 2017-18 to 18,737 crore in FY 2023-24 at Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 44%. Furthermore, during the last 5 months (April-August) of the current financial year 2024-25, the transaction volume has reached to 8,659 crore.

Source: RBI, NPCI & Banks

The value of transactions has grown from ₹1,962 lakh crore to ₹3,659 lakh crore at CAGR of 11%. Additionally, in the last 5 months (April-August) of the current financial year 2024-25, the total transaction value has surged to an impressive ₹1,669 lakh crore.

Source: RBI, NPCI & Banks

UPI’s Continued Success:

UPI remains the cornerstone of India’s digital payment ecosystem. UPI has revolutionised digital payments in the country, UPI transactions have grown from 92 crore in FY 2017-18 to 13,116 crore in FY 2023-24 at CAGR of 129%. Furthermore, during the last 5 months (April-August) of the current Financial Year 2024-25, the transaction volume has reached 7,062 crore.

The ease of use facilitated by growing network of participating banks and fintech platforms, has made UPI the most preferred mode of real-time payments for millions of users across the country.

Source: NPCI

The value of UPI transactions has grown from ₹1 lakh crore to ₹200 lakh crore at CAGR of 138%. Additionally, in the last 5 months (April-August FY2024-25), the total transaction value has surged to an impressive ₹101 lakh crore.

Source: NPCI

UPI: P2M and P2P Transactions (by Volume in crore) for Aug 2024

The contribution of P2M transactions reached 62.40% in Aug’ 2024, where 85% of these transactions are up to a value of ₹500. This indicates the trust that UPI enjoys among citizens for making low value payments.

UPI and RuPay Global Expansion:

India’s digital payments revolution is extending beyond its borders. Both UPI and RuPay are rapidly expanding globally, enabling seamless cross-border transactions for Indians living and traveling abroad. Presently, UPI is live in 7 countries, including key markets such as UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, allowing Indian consumers and businesses to make and receive payments internationally. This expansion will further bolster remittance flows, improve financial inclusion, and elevate India’s stature in the global financial landscape. As per ACI Worldwide Report 2024, in 2023 around 49% of the global real-time payment transactions is happening in India.

India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in digital payments. With UPI’s global expansion and the continued rise of digital transactions, India is setting new benchmarks for financial inclusion and economic empowerment of common citizen.

Department of Financial Services remains committed to advancing digital payment solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive, while also exploring new avenues to strengthen India’s position in the global financial ecosystem.

****

NB/KMN

(Release ID: 2057013) Visitor Counter : 68

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Notorious Mexican Cartel Leader Convicted for International Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

Source: US State of North Dakota

A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, today of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States, and using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive devices, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2007 and 2017, Oseguera-Gonzalez, 34, led an international drug trafficking organization responsible for importing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Oseguera-Gonzalez was the second in command of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which is based in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. The CJNG is one of the most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico. Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used firearms, destructive devices, murder, and kidnapping to control the drug trafficking organization. Oseguera-Gonzalez also ordered his subordinates to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter so that he could escape capture by Mexican law enforcement.

“El Menchito led the Jalisco Cartel’s efforts to use murder, kidnapping, and torture to build the Cartel into a self-described ‘empire’ by manufacturing fentanyl and flooding the United States with massive quantities of lethal drugs. Today, fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “El Menchito now joins the growing list of high-ranking Cartel leaders that the Justice Department has convicted in an American courtroom. We are grateful to our Mexican law enforcement partners for their extensive cooperation and sacrifice in holding accountable leaders of the Jalisco Cartel.”

“Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez pioneered the manufacturing of fentanyl in Mexico to help build his father’s Jalisco Cartel into one of the world’s most powerful drug syndicates. His crimes caused horrific violence and death in the United States, Mexico, and around the globe,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates that our prosecutors and agents, working with our Mexican law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue justice against the leaders of the drug trafficking organizations who destroy lives and poison our communities.”

“As second-in-command of CJNG, Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez used extreme violence to traffic massive amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His conviction underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling organizations that manufacture and distribute deadly drugs into our communities. Today’s verdict also sends a powerful message to the cartel leadership: we will work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to find you and bring you to justice. We are especially grateful to the Mexican authorities for their substantial assistance in this case.”

“Today’s guilty verdict sends a clear message that the DEA will stop at nothing to investigate and dismantle criminal drug networks that threaten the safety and health of the American people,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “As one of the highest-ranking members of the Jalisco Cartel, Oseguera-Gonzalez was responsible for pushing vast quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States while engaging in violence, kidnapping, and bribery to build and protect the Jalisco Cartel. I commend the men and women of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division for their outstanding work on this case.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2012 to 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez oversaw the manufacture of more than three million pounds of methamphetamine in one area of Mexico. In April 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez personally directed the distribution of over 55,000 pounds of cocaine. According to trial testimony, in October 2013, Oseguera-Gonzalez made plans to “do it big” with counterfeit oxycontin pills—just before the fentanyl epidemic began in the United States. According to witness testimony, the defendant said in 2015 that he was “building an empire with . . . fentanyl.” Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested by Mexican authorities on local charges in June 2015. He remained detained in Mexico until his extradition to the United States in February 2020. While in prison in Mexico, Oseguera-Gonzalez continued to control the CJNG, negotiating drug transactions and approving the purchase of firearms and destructive devices, including .50 caliber firearms and 40 mm grenades.

Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used extreme violence to grow and control the cartel. For example, when five men owed Oseguera-Gonzalez money for drugs in the United States, Oseguera-Gonzalez violently killed all five men. On another occasion, the defendant shot one of his drivers in the head a close range. In an intercepted message, Oseguera-Gonzalez also described having 13 people tied up—one of whom he decided to release only after the man agreed to make fentanyl pills for Oseguera-Gonzalez.

Oseguera-Gonzalez also amassed an arsenal of weapons. His hitmen, which he called the Special Forces of the High Command, used the weapons to protect him and help him escape capture by Mexican authorities. For example, on May 1, 2015, the defendant’s hitmen—acting on Oseguera-Gonzalez’s personal orders—shot down a Mexican armed forces helicopter while 18 soldiers and police were on board. At least nine people on board the helicopter died as a result of Oseguera-Gonzalez’s order. Oseguera-Gonzalez’s men used an Iranian-made rocket-propelled grenade and a .50 caliber belt-fed firearm to shoot down the helicopter. Both weapons were painted with “CJNG” and a pixel camouflage pattern unique to Oseguera-Gonzalez’s hitmen.

Less than two months after escaping capture, Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested in Jalisco, Mexico. When he was surrounded by soldiers and police, he brandished an assault weapon and grenade launcher, demanding to be released because he was a member of the CJNG. The weapon Oseguera-Gonzalez used to threaten police bore the same pixel camouflage pattern and was emblazoned with CJNG and Oseguera-Gonzalez’s nicknames: Menchito, 02, and Jr.

Oseguera-Gonzalez faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life plus 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The DEA Los Angeles Field Division investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in obtaining important evidence for the trial. The Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations provided significant assistance. The Justice Department thanks Mexican authorities for their assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in securing evidence and testimony presented in court.

Acting Deputy Chief Kaitlin Sahni and Trial Attorneys Kate Naseef, Jonathan R. Hornok, and Lernik Begian of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Europe: Moody’s Ratings upgrades Iceland’s ratings to A1, changes outlook to stable

Source: Government of Iceland

Moody’s Ratings (Moody’s) has upgraded the local and foreign-currency long-term issuer ratings of the Government of Iceland to A1 from A2 and changed the outlook to stable from positive.

The key driver for the upgrade is the government’s improving fiscal metrics, which Moody´s expects to continue, with a sizeable reduction in the budget deficit and a clearly established downward trend in the government debt ratio since a recent peak in 2020. Moody’s expects the budget deficit to decline broadly in line with the government’s medium-term plans, which the rating agency considers credible.

A consensual settlement of the HF Fund’s (A2 positive) liabilities, which are included in government debt, and renewed sales of government held bank shares will likely result in additional one-off reductions in the debt ratio, in addition to an underlying declining trend. Secondly, tight monetary and fiscal policy has started to moderate elevated inflation, which supports Moody´s assessment of Iceland’s strong institutions and pro-active and well-coordinated policy stance.

Iceland’s medium-term fiscal policy framework has been a credit strength, ensuring fiscal sustainability and the creation of fiscal space over time since its introduction in 2015. The fact that the authorities are now considering to replace the current balanced budget rule with an expenditure rule is credit positive, as such a change would strengthen the framework further by contributing more strongly to macroeconomic stability.

The stable outlook reflects balanced risks at the A1 rating level. Moody´s expects fiscal consolidation to continue over the coming years broadly as planned in the medium-term fiscal plan. The economy is expected to return to robust growth next year, after a temporary slowdown this year as the tight monetary and fiscal policy cool the previously overheated economy. The sovereign’s economic and fiscal metrics may improve faster than Moody´s currently expects. At the same time, Iceland remains a small and comparatively undiversified economy, sensitive to sector-specific shocks. Also, its debt ratio and debt affordability metrics remain weaker than close peers at the same rating level, making fiscal strength relatively sensitive to shocks.

The rating could be upgraded further if the government debt ratio continued to decline much faster than under Moody´s baseline assumptions and debt affordability metrics aligned with higher-rated peers. The rating could also be upgraded if the ongoing economic diversification efforts yielded stronger results in terms of reducing volatility of economic growth.

Conversely, the rating would come under downward pressure if the government deviated significantly from its medium-term fiscal plans, resulting in a material increase in the public debt ratio with no indication of a timely correction.

MIL OSI Europe News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Atlanta, GA

US Senate News:

Source: The White House
Cobb Energy Performing Arts CentreAtlanta, Georgia
3:21 P.M. EDT
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Can we please hear it for Dr. Reddick? Please. (Applause.)
Please have a seat, everyone. Please have a seat.
It’s so good to be back in Atlanta. Thank you all. (Laughs.) (Applause.) Thank you.
You know, I — I just want to say —
AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible) to have you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Laughter.)
I just — I want to say about Dr. Reddick — you know, I — some of you may have seen I did a — an event last night with Oprah Winfrey and — (applause) — and that — it highlighted so many tragic stories, but it also highlighted so many important issues, which is why everyone has taken time out of your busy lives to be here this afternoon. And it highlighted the importance of a Dr. Reddick.
AUDIENCE: Yes.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Because the courage, Dr. Reddick, that you are showing in the face of these arcane and immoral laws, to stand so publicly and talk about your commitment to your oath and to the health and well-being of people who need to be seen and treated with dignity is so extraordinary.
And I do believe, in moments of crisis, the world has a way of revealing the heroes among us. (Applause.) And I would say, Dr. Reddick, you are one of them. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And thank you to all of the elected and community leaders who have joined us today. (Applause.) Thank you, thank you, everybody — everybody who is here.
So, Georgia, the- — this election right here is a fight for the future. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Yes!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: It is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom — for freedom.
And we know, in America, freedom is not to be given. It is not to be bestowed. It is ours by right. (Applause.) It is ours by right, and that includes the fundamental freedom of a woman to be able to make decisions about her own body and not have her government telling her what to do. (Applause.) Yes, we must trust women.
And we all know how we got here. When Donald Trump was president, he hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court — the court of Thurgood and RBG — with the intention that they would overturn the protections of Roe v. Wade. And as he intended, they did.
And now more than 20 states have Trump abortion bans — extremists that have passed laws that criminalize health care providers, doctors and nurses, and punish women. In two states of those states, they provide for prison for life — prison for life for health care providers for simply providing reproductive care, the care they so earnestly and rightly believe must be delivered. All Trump abortion bans.
And think about this: Many of these bans make no exception even for rape and incest.
Now, many of you know I started my career as a prosecutor specializing in crimes of violence against women and children. What many of you may not know is why.
So, when I was in high school, my best friend, I learned, was being molested by her stepfather. And I said to her, “Look, you’ve got to come and stay with us.” I called my mother. She said, “Of course she does.” And she came and she stayed with us.
And so, I made the decision early in my life that I wanted to do the work that was about protecting the most vulnerable among us and doing the work that was about giving them dignity in the process.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: And so — well, thank everybody here for being here, standing in solidarity around the importance of that. (Applause.)
And so, I say to you, then, from that experience and from the work that I’ve done, the idea that someone who survives a crime of violence to their body — a violation of their body — would not have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next, that’s immoral. That’s immoral.
And let us agree, and I know we do: One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do. (Applause.)
If she chooses — if she chooses, she will talk with her pastor, her priest, her rabbi, her imam. But it should not be the government or Donald Trump telling her what to do with her body. (Applause.)
And think about it — the stories that Dr. Reddick shares with us, the stories we heard last night, the stories we’ve been hearing for two years.
One in three women in America lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban. This includes Georgia and every state in the South except Virginia.
Think about that when you also combine that with what we know has been long-standing neglect around an issue like maternal mortality. Think about that when you compound that with what has been long-standing neglect of women in communities with a lack of the adequate resources they need for health care — prenatal, during their pregnancy, postpartum. Think about that.
And these hypocrites want to start talking about “this is in the best interest of women and children.” (Applause.) Well, where you been? Where you been — (applause) — when it comes to taking care of the women and children of America? Where you been?
How dare they? How dare they? Come on.
And — and we understand the impact of these bans and the horrific reality that women and families — their husbands, their partners, their parents, their children are facing as a consequence every single day.
Since Roe was overturned, I have met women who were refused care during a miscarriage — wanted to have a child, suffering a miscarriage. I met a woma- — a woman — I’ve actually met several who were turned away from the emergency room. One, at early stages after the Dobbs decision came down, told me with tears — she was with her husband — about how only when she developed ses- — sepsis did she receive emergency care. Only when she developed sepsis did she receive emergency care.
And now we know that at least two women — and those are only the stories we know — here in the state of Georgia died — died because of a Trump abortion ban.
One — and we heard about her story last night — a vibrant, 28-year-old young woman. She was ambitious. You know, we — I talked with her mother and her sisters about her, and they described such an extraordinary life of a person. She was excited. She was working hard. She was a medical assistant. She was going to nursing school, raising her six-year-old son.
She was really proud that she had finally worked so hard that she gained the independence. Her family was telling me that she was able to get an apartment in a gated community with a pool for her son to play in. She was so proud, and she was headed to nursing school.
And her name — and we will speak her name —
AUDIENCE: Yes.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Amber Nicole Thurman.
AUDIENCE: Amber Nicole Thurman.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Amber Nicole Thurman.
AUDIENCE: Amber Nicole Thurman.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s right.
And she had her future all planned out, and it was her plan. You know, let’s understand — just take pause on that for a moment. She had her plan, what she wanted to do for her son, for herself, for their future. And so, when she discovered that she was pregnant, she decided she wanted to have an abortion, but because of the Trump abortion ban here in Georgia, she was forced to travel out of state to receive the health care that she needed.
But when she returned to Georgia, she needed additional care, so she went to a hospital. But, you see, under the Trump abortion ban, her doctors could have faced up to a decade in prison for providing Amber the care she needed.
Understand what a law like this means. Doctors have to wait until the patient is at death’s door before they take action.
You know, on the other side of my — you know, the — the other folks, th- — Trump and his running mate, and they’ll talk about, (deepens voice) “Oh, well, yeah, but I — you know, I — I do believe in the exception to save the mother’s life.” (Laughter.) Okay. All right. Let’s break that down. Shall we?
AUDIENCE: Yes!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Let’s break that down. (Applause.) Let’s break that down.
So, we’re saying that we’re going to create public policy that says that a doctor, a health care provider, will only kick in to give the care that somebody needs if they’re about to die? Think about what we are saying right now. You’re saying that good policy, logical policy, moral policy, humane policy, is about saying that a health care provider will only start providing that care when you’re about to die?
And so, Amber waited 20 hours — 20 hours, excruciating hours — until finally she was in enough physical distress that her doctors thought they would be okay to treat her. But it was too late. She died of sepsis. And her last words to her mother — which her mother, as you know, tears up and cries every time she speaks it — last words to her mother, “Promise me you’ll take care of my son.”
     So, I met last night and I spent time with Amber’s mother and her sisters, and they spoke about Amber — a daughter, a sister, a mother — with the deep love that you can imagine and how terribly they miss her. And their pain is heartbreaking. It’s heartbreaking.
Amber’s mother, Shanette, told me that the word “preventable” is over and over again in her head when she learned about how her child died — the word “preventable.” She cannot — she can’t stop thinking about the word that they spoke to her. It was “preventable.”
Because, you see, medical experts have now determined that Amber’s death was preventable. And through the pain and the grief of her mother, who courageously told her story, I promised her, as she has asked, that we will make sure Amber is not just remembered as a statistic — (applause) — that she will not just be remembered as a statistic, so that people will know she was a mother and a daughter and a sister and that she was loved and that she should be alive today — (applause) — and that she should be alive today.
And many of us remember — there’s so many leaders here — from two years ago when the Dobbs decision came down, we knew this could happen. There is a word “preventable,” and there is another word: predictable.
AUDIENCE: Yes!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: And the reality is for every story we hear of the suffering under Trump abortion bans, there are so many other stories we’re not hearing but where suffering is happening every day in our country, an untold number of people suffering.
     Women who are also being made to feel as though they did something wrong. The judgment factor here is outrageous — being made as though to feel as though they are criminals, as though they are alone.
So, to those women, to those families, I say on behalf of what I believe we all say: We see you, and you are not alone, and we are all here standing with you. (Applause.) Standing with you. You are not alone. You are not alone. (Applause.)
So, Georgia —
AUDIENCE MEMBER: We will not be silent.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: We — and we will not be silent.
AUDIENCE: We will not be silent.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: And we will not be silent. But this is a health care crisis.
AUDIENCE: Yes!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: This is a health care crisis, and Donald Trump is the architect of this crisis. He brags about overturning Roe v. Wade. In his own words, quote, “I did it, and I’m proud to have done it,” he says. He is proud.
Proud that women are dying? Proud that doctors and nurses could be thrown in prison for administering care? Proud that young women today have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers?
How dare he? How dare he?
And in our debate last week — (laughter and applause). Well, that was fun. (Laughs.)
But — and I know everyone here paid attention to the words, though — the words, right?
AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: (Laughs.) I’m trying to get another debate. We’ll see. (Laughter.)
But in our debate last week, remember when he said: Everyone wanted Roe v. Wade to be overturned.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: I don’t know where “everyone” is.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, exactly. I don’t know where everyone is either, because — (laughter and applause) — women have been arrested and charged for miscarriages. They didn’t want that.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I — I was speaking with a physician who is here, who has, in her professional experience, been administering care to girls. And what we know is that 12- and 13-year-old survivors of assault are being forced to carry a pregnancy to term. They didn’t want this.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: And couples just trying to grow their family being cut off in the middle of IVF treatments, they didn’t want this.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: And on that last point, you probably saw, this week, for the second time, Republicans in the United States Senate blocked a bill that would protect access to IVF treatment.
Now, consider among the multitude of ironies the fact that, on the one hand, these extremists want to tell women they don’t have the freedom to end an unwanted pregnancy, and on the other hand, these extremists are telling women and their partners they don’t have the freedom to start a family. Okay. And they want to restrict access to contraception as well.
And now Donald Trump says that he would personally cast his vote in Florida, which is where he now lives, to support their extreme abortion ban, just like the one that is here in Georgia. And —
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Felons can’t vote! (Laughter and applause.)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, that’s a whole different policy discussion that we’ll have for another day. (Laughter.)
But let’s understand, if he is — if he is elected again as president, Donald Trump will go further. (Applause.) But we know what we’re up against, and we must — we must speak of the stakes. We must remind — everybody here knows, but we got to remind our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers: The stakes are so high.
Because, if he is elected again, I am certain he will sign a national abortion ban, which would outlaw abortion in every single state. And he would create a national anti-abortion coordinator — look at Project 2025 — and force states to report on women’s miscarriages and abortions. It’s right there.
I can’t believe they put that Project 2025 in writing. (Laughter.) I — I — they — they put it — they literally put it in writing. They bound it. (Laughter.) They handed it out. I mean, they are simply out of their minds. (Laughter and applause.)
And it’s clear that they just don’t trust women.
AUDIENCE: They don’t.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, we trust women. We trust women. (Applause.)
And like Dr. Reddick said, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedoms, as president of the United States, I will so proudly sign it back into law. (Applause.) I will so proudly sign it into law. Proudly sign it into law. (Applause.)
So, 46 days to go. And let us remember that momentum on this and so many issues — momentum is on our side. (Applause.)
Let’s remember, since Roe was overturned, every time reproductive freedom has been on the ballot — from Kansas to California to Kentucky; in Michigan, Montana, Vermont, and Ohio — the people of America have voted for freedom. (Applause.) The people of America have voted for freedom — and not just by a little but by overwhelming margins, from so-called red states to so-called blue states, providing and making clear, also, this is not a partisan issue. This is not a partisan issue. And it is proving that the voice of the people has been heard and will be heard again — and will be heard again. (Applause.)
So, 46 days to go in probably the most consequential election of our lifetime.
     And with that, then, today, I ask: Georgia, are you ready to make your voices heard? (Applause.)
     Do we trust women? (Applause.)
     Do we believe in reproductive freedom? (Applause.)
     Do we believe in the promise of America? (Applause.)
     And are we ready to fight for it? (Applause.)
     And when we fight —
     AUDIENCE: We win!
     THE VICE PRESIDENT: — we win. (Applause.)
     God bless you. And God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
     Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)
                             END                3:44 P.M. EDT

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: Man Sentenced for Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Defraud Factoring Companies

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

ATLANTA – Micky Lee Wagner, also known as “Clifton Leigh Wagner Martin,” “Mickey Lee Wagner,” “Leigh Wagner,” “Michy Wagner,” “Lee Wagner,” and “Dr. Leigh,” has been sentenced to federal prison for operating a scheme to defraud factoring companies of more than $5 million while using stolen identities.

“Wagner has an extensive history of devising schemes to take advantage of unsuspecting businesses and individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Thanks to the diligence of our federal law enforcement partners at FBI, a measure of justice has been achieved that will also prevent Wagner from victimizing others.”

“Wagner took great measures to create the fraudulent billing scheme to use these companies like his personal ATM,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley. “His actions not only harmed businesses, but also the victims of his identity theft. Wagner will now have several years behind bars to consider the impact of his actions.”

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Wagner was the owner and CEO of Right Step Staffing, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia. Right Step Staffing was purportedly a personnel staffing company that provided temporary employees to other businesses. Wagner used stolen identities to create a false impression that he had workers; then he falsely claimed that his staffing company provided temporary workers to major businesses, including Kroger Distribution, Material in Motion, Duracell, and Clorox. But Right Step Staffing had no relationship with those businesses.

Based on Wagner’s misrepresentations, a factoring company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida entered into a contract with Right Step Staffing to purchase its accounts receivable to collect money on outstanding invoices that businesses supposedly owed to Right Step Staffing for temporary workers. Factoring companies advance funds through these kinds of arrangements so that staffing companies can meet their payroll obligations in a timely fashion.

To further the fraud, Wagner deceived the factoring company by providing them with fraudulent customer contracts, when in fact, Right Step Staffing had no agreements with the businesses. Wagner also provided the factoring company with email addresses that supposedly belonged to representatives of the businesses, as a means to confirm that Right Step Staffing supplied employees to their businesses. The email addresses appeared similar to the real businesses’ email addresses but were deceptively created by Wagner to defraud the factoring company.

After entering into the agreement, Right Step Staffing sent fraudulent invoices to the factoring company claiming that it had provided temporary workers to the businesses. These invoices totaled over $6 million during a several-month period, resulting in actual payments of more than $5 million to Wagner.

Wagner spent the fraudulent proceeds from the scheme to purchase real estate, a café, multiple luxury vehicles, plastic surgery, and a Royal Caribbean cruise, and he also diverted a substantial amount of cash for his personal use.

After his indictment in July 2022, Wagner fled to Kansas City, Missouri, where he evaded arrest for nearly a year. In July 2023, FBI agents arrested Wagner as he was leaving a residence in Kansas City. Also after his indictment in July 2022, Wagner defrauded another factoring company based in Minnesota. He stole more than $750,000 from that business. Wagner unsuccessfully attempted to defraud other factoring companies around the same time. Wagner has multiple prior felony convictions, including a prior federal fraud conviction from 2001. He fled Kansas City while on supervised release for that conviction.

Micky Lee Wagner, 57, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee to seven years, 10 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,092,512.88. Wagner was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on April 24, 2024, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen H. McClain and Sekret T. Sneed prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Following Apalachee High School Shooting, Senator Reverend Warnock Spotlights Harmful Impact of Gun Violence on Nation’s Youth

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

ICYMI: Following Apalachee High School Shooting, Senator Reverend Warnock Spotlights Harmful Impact of Gun Violence on Nation’s Youth

Senator Reverend Warnock hosted a panel discussion titled “Youth Under Fire: Addressing Gun Violence in Our Communities” during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53^rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC)

The forum followed a deadly school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia that took the lives of two students and two teachers

Senator Reverend Warnock previously examined the impact of gun violence in the Black community during a forum at last year’s ALC

This year’s panel discussion featured Greg Jackson, the Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Congresswoman Lucy McBath, and several other gun violence activists

Senator Reverend Warnock: “This public health crisis is undoubtedly stealing generations of youth from the Black community, and the American people are crying out for action on this issue”

Above left to right: Senator Reverend Warnock, Dr. Roger Mitchell, Jr., Armani White

Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) convened survivors and gun safety advocates for a forum aimed at addressing the dangerous, deadly consequences of the nation’s gun violence epidemic on young people, particularly Black youth, during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53^rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in Washington, D.C. The panel discussion, titled “Youth Under Fire: Addressing Gun Violence in Our Communities”,was Senator Warnock’s second session focused on efforts to curb gun violence at the ALC, and was held in the wake of the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, GA that claimed the lives of two teachers and two students. 500 conference participants and community members, including high school students, attended the session.

“This public health crisis is undoubtedly stealing generations of youth from the Black community, and the American people are crying out for action on this issue,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “They want commonsense gun safety reform, but there’s a growing chasm between what the people want and what they can get from their government.”

Above Left: The Youth Under Fire: Addressing Gun Violence in Our Communities panel discussion

Above Right: Gregory Jackson, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention & Senator Reverend Warnock

Senator Warnock moderated the discussion, which included remarks from Gregory Jackson, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Special Assistant to the President; Dr. Roger Mitchell, Jr., President of Howard University Hospital; Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA-07), who lost her son, Jordan, to gun violence in 2012, Maciah King-Brooks, a gun violence student advocate in the DMV and partner for Guns Down Friday; Zoe Touray, a survivor of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting in Michigan that killed four students, youth activist, founder of S.E.E (Survivors Embracing Each Other), and a March For Our Lives national spokesperson; Hip-Hop artist Armani White, Mariah Cooley, Midwest Advocacy Associate with the Community Justice Action Fund; and Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action.

Above Left: Maciah King-Brooks, student advocate and partner for Guns Down Friday & Senator Reverend Warnock

Above Right: Zoe Touray, founder of Survivors Embracing Each Other & Senator Reverend Warnock

Senator Warnock has vocally championed efforts to address the gun violence crisis in the United States, as a pastor and legislator. Following the tragic shooting in Winder, Senator Warnock met with students and families from the Apalachee High School community, and honored the victims on the Senate floor while calling for Congress to come together to pass popular gun safety reforms supported by broad swaths of the American public, regardless of political ideology; the Senator’s speech marked his third time lamenting a mass shooting in Georgia on the Senate floor.

Additionally, since arriving to the Senate, Senator Warnock has championed several pieces of legislation to curb rampant, routine gun violence and help make communities safer, including cosponsoring bills to ban assault weapons, institute universal background checks on firearms, and the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first gun safety reform legislation passed by Congress in over 30 years.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: Crisp County Residents Plead Guilty in Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking Case

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

ALBANY, Ga. – Two Southwest Georgia residents with criminal pasts pleaded guilty to federal charges resulting from an armed drug trafficking investigation conducted by local, state and federal level law enforcement agencies.

Justin Harris Vinson, 42, of Warwick, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Sept. 17 and co-defendant Shana Rae Black, 34, of Cordele, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Aug. 15. Both defendants are facing a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum of life imprisonment to be followed by at least five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner is presiding over the cases. The sentencing dates will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Repeat convicted felons who illegally arm themselves and distribute the most highly addictive and dangerous drugs into our communities will face federal consequences for these crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office is working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to identity those individuals creating the most havoc in the Middle District of Georgia and hold them accountable for their crimes.”

“Drug traffickers drive addiction and destroy communities,” Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division stated. “DEA will use any resource necessary to remove these career criminals from our streets.”

“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug with devastating consequences to users, their families and communities,” said Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Richard Bilson of FBI Atlanta’s Albany office. “This prosecution closes a pipeline for dangerous drugs flowing into the streets of Southwest Georgia.”

“We are committed to holding those who traffic methamphetamine accountable,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Collaborating closely with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, we will work to ensure justice and dismantle these dangerous networks.”

“I am incredibly proud of our agency’s relentless efforts and the strong collaboration with our local and federal partners. Methamphetamine trafficking brings dangerous consequences to our community, often resulting in tragedy and loss of life. This case highlights our dedication to safeguarding the community and demonstrates the powerful results we achieve through collaboration,” stated Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock.

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, a confidential informant (CI) working with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) contacted Black on Facebook to obtain methamphetamine on Oct. 27, 2022. Black sold the CI approximately 111 grams of methamphetamine at a Perry, Georgia, motel; the CI reported there was a pistol on a nightstand in the motel room, next to a bulk quantity of methamphetamine. On Oct. 31, an undercover Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agent contacted Black to purchase methamphetamine and met her at the Walmart in Cordele. Under audio and video surveillance, the GBI agent purchased methamphetamine from Black.

On Nov. 2, FBI, DEA and GBI agents met with another CI to purchase methamphetamine from Vinson. Under surveillance, Vinson met the CI at his Warwick residence and traveled with Vinson to the Sunrise Inn in Cordele to meet with Black. During the transaction, Black provided 284.4 grams of methamphetamine and collected the majority of the cash payment for the drugs, with Vinson keeping $300 as a brokering fee. Vinson was seen with a firearm during the transaction.

On Nov. 7, CCSO and GBI arrested Black in Crisp County as she traveled in a vehicle back from McDonough, Georgia. A search of the vehicle revealed Black was in possession of 982.7 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine, 15.89 grams of 91% pure methamphetamine, a digital scale and several cell phones. GBI executed a search warrant on the Baymont Inn motel room in Cordele where Black was staying and found a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, a small bag of suspected methamphetamine, four digital scales and bulk quantities of plastic baggies. Black’s cell phones showed extensive communications between her and known drug dealers.

On Jan. 22, 2023, Vinson purchased 15 ounces of methamphetamine in Cordele and sold 277 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine to a CI utilized by GBI in Warwick. During the transaction, the CI observed Vinson place a firearm in the center console of his vehicle. A search warrant was executed at Vinson’s residence on Jan. 26, 2023. Law enforcement located a semiautomatic pistol in his bedroom, along with five other firearms inside of an open safe. Vinson told officers he had been selling methamphetamine in the South Georgia and North Florida area his entire life and that during the peak of COVID in 2020, he would sell approximately three kilograms of methamphetamine per week for six months.

Vinson has a prior felony conviction in Lee County, Georgia, Superior Court for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Black also has a prior felony conviction in Jones County, Georgia, Superior Court for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by FBI, DEA, GBI and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid is prosecuting the case for the Government.

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Following Georgia’s Deadliest School Shooting, Congressman Dan Goldman Joins Oversight Committee Democrats in Call for a Hearing and Commonsense Legislation to Address Gun Violence

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

Since the Start of the 118th Congress, There Have Been More than 1000 Mass Shootings in the United States

Read the Letter Here

Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and 16 of his Democratic committee colleagues in sending a letter to Chairman James Comer calling for the Oversight Committee to hold a hearing to address the gun violence epidemic plaguing this country following the Apalachee High School shooting in Winder, Georgia. According to reports, the 14-year-old gunman entered the school armed with an AR-15 firearm, the preferred tool of mass shooters, to kill his classmates.

“On Wednesday, America experienced another massacre by AR-15 in a public school. With two more students and two more teachers dead and nine wounded in Winder, Georgia, with their families and communities grieving and ripped apart by this violence, we wonder whether you agree it is now time to call a hearing to address why our nation sees rates of gun violence hundreds of times higher than the United Kingdom and why gun violence is now the leading cause of death for American children and teens,” the Members wrote.

In the 118th Congress, the Republican-led Committee has only held one hearing about a mass shooting and that hearing was entirely focused on the operational failures of the United States Secret Service. On July 22, 2024, Chairman Comer convened a hearing to examine the attempted assassination of Donald Trump that took the life of one person and critically injured two people.

Since January 3, 2023, the first day of the 118th Congress, there have been more than 1,000 mass shootings, with more than 70 of those mass shootings following the July 22 hearing. Even though the majority of Americans favor stricter gun laws, Chairman Comer and Republicans in Congress have failed to address this public health crisis which is the leading cause of death in children and teens.

“This Committee should show the American people that Congress can and will act to stop the devastation caused by AR-15s and other firearms every single day. We therefore urge you to convene a hearing this month about our gun violence epidemic and to discuss popular commonsense legislation, like a universal violent criminal background check and a ban on military-style assault weapons, to protect the lives of children at school, teachers, and the rest of the American people,” the Members concluded.

Read the letter here or below:

On Wednesday, America experienced another massacre by an AR-15 in a public school. With two more students and two more teachers dead and nine wounded in Winder, Georgia, with their families and communities grieving and ripped apart by this violence, we wonder whether you agree it is now time to call a hearing to address why our nation sees rates of gun violence hundreds of times higher than the United Kingdom and why gun violence is now the leading cause of death for American children and teens.

Do you agree that it is time for Congress to act to stop these atrocities, or do you think it is time for us to continue to do nothing at all?

Not doing anything in response to another firearm attack at a school would send the message that we think this kind of savage gun violence in schools is normal and acceptable.

We know we don’t have a lot of time left in this Congress, but it is hard to think of a more pressing public policy problem than gun violence.

Would you, as Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, convene a hearing to examine the causes of—and best solutions to address—the gun violence epidemic plaguing our country?

Details are still emerging about the events of this most recent mass shooting in Georgia. It is clear, however, that the 14-year-old shooter—who is not even old enough to legally drive a car—obtained from his father an “AR-15-style” firearm to kill his classmates and teachers. As you know, AR-style rifles are now the preferred weapon of mass shooters.

The Committee has only held one hearing this Congress about a mass shooting and that hearing was entirely focused on the operational failures of the United States Secret Service. On July 22, 2024, you convened a hearing to examine the attempted assassination of Donald Trump that took the life of one person and left two others critically injured. We joined you in calling not only for that hearing but for the resignation of the Secret Service Director for her outrageous failure to answer the most basic questions about the Secret Service operational failures on that day. We also said that we were right to seek dramatic improvements in the protective posture of the Secret Service in keeping presidential candidates safe from gun violence.

But we also asked what we are planning to do to keep the rest of the population safe from mass gun violence.

It is a serious dereliction of duty for this Committee—and the Republican-led House Representatives—to act to protect presidential candidates from gun violence but do nothing at all to protect the rest of the American people whom the president serves. When a former president is nearly assassinated in an AR-15 mass shooting, we don’t simply call it a “fact of life,” offer casual “thoughts and prayers,” and then move on.10 When a president is targeted by a mass shooter wielding an AR-15, we call hearings, analyze the problem, and act to reduce the risks of another attack.

Since the beginning of the 118th Congress on January 3, 2023, there have been more than 1,000 mass shootings in America.11 And, just since the hearing in July, the United States has seen more than 70 additional mass shootings.12 In June, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared that the soaring number of children killed by firearms has created an “urgent public health Crisis.”

This Committee should show the American people that Congress can and will act to stop the devastation caused by AR-15s and other firearms every single day. We therefore urge you to convene a hearing this month about our gun violence epidemic and to discuss popular commonsense legislation, like a universal violent criminal background check and a ban on military-style assault weapons, to protect the lives of children at school, teachers, and the rest of the American people.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Albanese of Australia

US Senate News:

Source: The White House
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia today in Wilmington, Delaware. The President thanked the Prime Minister for his partnership and highlighted the progress made in strengthening bilateral ties since the Prime Minister’s Official Visit to Washington, D.C., last October. The leaders underscored that the U.S.-Australia Alliance remains the core of the bilateral relationship, and welcomed the depth of cooperation across its three pillars: defense and security, economic, and climate and clean energy. The leaders noted the recent Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) Joint Leaders Statement reaffirming their shared commitment to advance this historic trilateral partnership and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable. The leaders reflected on the strength of the economic relationship and discussed progress over the past two years to modernize the Alliance in the face of new challenges, including addressing climate change and the clean energy transition. They also reaffirmed their commitment to expand cooperation to build more diverse and resilient critical minerals supply chains and accelerate the transition to clean energy in accordance with the “Compact” they signed in Hiroshima, Japan, in May 2023. The two leaders also discussed their support for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, their continued assistance to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s brutal aggression, and their support for a sustainable ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The leaders discussed their respective diplomacy with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and their shared concerns about the PRC’s coercive and destabilizing activities, including in the South China Sea. The President welcomed Australia’s contributions to the Quad, its growing partnership with Japan, and its active engagement in the Pacific region, where the United States intends to provide $1.5 million to support the World Bank’s efforts to strengthen correspondent banking relationships in Pacific Island countries. The leaders committed to continue deepening the bilateral partnership to advance their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI China: Conference held to mark 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China, Hungary

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

Conference held to mark 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China, Hungary

BUDAPEST, Sept. 20 — A special conference marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary was held here on Friday.

The event, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Hungary and the Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association, featured high-level speakers, including Hungarian and Chinese officials.

There were also panel discussions focusing on the history of bilateral cooperation, and prospects for the future.

Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao highlighted the two countries’ longstanding relationship.

Looking ahead, Gong said that China is willing to further align the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy.

Janos Latorcai, deputy speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, spoke of Hungary’s early recognition of the People’s Republic of China, and the country’s involvement in the BRI.

He also emphasized the role of civil society organizations, such as the Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association, in fostering cross-cultural exchanges.

Attila Hidegh, deputy state secretary for international cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said, “Despite the challenges posed by world politics and the global economy, our bilateral relations, based on traditional friendship and mutual respect, have undergone remarkable development.”

On the sidelines of the conference, Judit Eva Nagy, president of the Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association, told Xinhua that understanding between the two sides is better than before. “People become more interested in, and open to each other’s culture,” she noted.

MIL OSI China News –

September 29, 2024

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