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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Questions HHS Secretary Nominee RFK Jr. in Confirmation Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – Today during the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Trump administration, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed with him the need to locate the unaccompanied migrant children who were lost in the interior U.S. under Joe Biden, improve Americans’ access to mental and behavioral health services, and strengthen the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program after its success in the first Trump administration. Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.
    On Locating Unaccompanied Migrant Children Lost by the Biden Administration:
    CORNYN: “There were roughly 500,000 children—unaccompanied minors—that were placed with sponsors in the interior of the United States. The previous administration took the position that it was not the federal government’s responsibility once these children were placed with these sponsors.”
    “I look forward to working with you to find those children and to make sure that they’re not being abused.”
    KENNEDY: “Many of them we know have been sex trafficked, and childhood slavery, and it is a plight on America’s moral authority, and we need to find those kids.”
    On Improving Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Services:
    CORNYN: “Millions of Americans are experiencing mild to moderate mental health and substance abuse issues, yet many struggle with timely and effective access.”
    “Primary care physicians are most likely to be seeing these individuals as opposed to a specialist, and it makes it important that these individuals, primary care physicians, be trained in patient-centered care, which would strengthen the integration of behavioral health care with primary care services. Is this something that you are concerned about, something you’d be willing to work with us on in order to implement?”
    KENNEDY: “This is a priority for me.”
    “I was a heroin addict for 14 years. I’m in 42 years in recovery… I hear the many stories about denial or the barriers to access to care, and we need to improve that.”
    On Strengthening PEPFAR:
    CORNYN: “Under the first Trump administration, the number of people receiving HIV treatment in Africa through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, otherwise known as PEPFAR, it increased.”
    “Failure to continue this program, in my view, would risk ceding that leadership to adversaries like China… Would you work with me and my colleagues to make sure that this program continues to provide lifesaving antiviral drugs to people who are most in need?”
    KENNEDY: “I absolutely support PEPFAR, and I will happily work with you to strengthen the program.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Hawke’s Bay patients to benefit from new and improved radiology and cancer treatment services

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the Hawke’s Bay Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion Project is made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It will result in a doubling in CT scan capacity, a new MRI scanner, and enable cancer specialist cancer treatment with a new Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine at Hawke’s Bay Hospital. 
    This investment will deliver:  

    Faster cancer treatment – The new MRI and additional CT scanner will increase capacity and reduce wait times for patients needing a scan to diagnose cancer, or assist in a decision to treat, from 5 weeks to 2 weeks.
    Shorter stays in emergency departments – CT scans required for emergency patients will be able to be performed faster by transferring the cancer and routine work to the additional scanner. This will support much faster flow through the Emergency Department. 
    Shorter wait times for first specialist appointments – The additional scanning capacity will also enable more imaging prior to specialist assessments, making the process faster and more efficient. This will also reduce outsourcing volumes.
    Shorter wait times for elective treatment – Additional scan capacity will provide faster imaging that supports the decision to treat, making the process faster and more efficient.
    Easier access to treatment – An estimated 500 fewer people will need to travel outside the province for specialist treatment due to the purchasing of a new LINAC machine. 

    “As we know, thousands of New Zealanders and their families are affected by cancer every year. Having more access to radiology services in Hawke’s Bay will mean shorter wait times and faster treatments,” Mr Brown says. “This investment will mean a doubling of scanning capacity, with a new CT scanner being able to deliver a further 6,000 – 10,000 scans per year. “The Government also welcomes Health New Zealand’s decision to invest a further $37.2 million project for the provision of a LINAC machine in Hawke’s Bay. “Linear Accelerators are critical to treating cancers using radiation treatment. The new machine will mean a significant improvement in access for Hawke’s Bay residents.“This will be the first publicly available LINAC for the district, meaning people can access radiation treatment closer to home. It’s expected that 500 people per year will be able to avoid having to travel for treatment because of this investment.“Linear Accelerator services will also be future proofed with a second bunker being constructed, so a second LINAC machine can be installed in the future as required.” Enabling works will commence this week on the Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion Project, and will see services expand into the building next door to its current space. Stage 1 of the Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion is expected to be completed by end of 2025, with Stage 2 mid 2027.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Knife assault on woman on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation sends Box Elder man to prison for more than five years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man who admitted to assaulting a woman by cutting her face with a knife during an argument on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

    The defendant, Colten Tyrone Small, also known as Colton Swan, 22, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

    In court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of May 3, 2023, Small punched the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in the face while he held a butcher knife in a residence in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. A witness to the assault told law enforcement that Small sliced Doe’s face in the residence. Small and Doe argued, and the fight got more aggressive. After Small cut Doe’s face, the witness beat up Small. There was some fentanyl and alcohol use occurring at the time. Doe was treated at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre for facial injuries from the knife.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Senate Must Stop RFK Jr.’s Dangerous Nomination

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – Ahead of confirmation hearings this week on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) again urged his colleagues to vote no, highlighting Kennedy’s pivotal role in causing a measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019, which resulted in over 5,700 people getting infected and 83 people – mostly young children – dying.
    “The unique threat that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poses to our country really cannot be overstated. And now it is up to us, the 100 members of the United States Senate, to deny him the opportunity to use America as one big test lab for bygone diseases,” said Senator Schatz. “I understand my Republican colleagues are facing a lot of pressure from within. But this nomination is not actually like the others. Look at what he’s done. Time and time again, he’s abandoned every physician’s first principle: Do no harm. He has caused disease. He has caused pain. He has caused death.”
    Senator Schatz continued, “The vote we’re going to be taking on this nominee is much more than your party or mine. It’s life or death. And I promise you, if this person is confirmed, it will not age well: not in a Republican primary, not in a Democratic primary, not in your family, not in your community. Nowhere will an RFK ‘aye’ vote age well. This person is going to cause disease across the United States. I urge a no vote.”
    Schatz likened Kennedy’s desire to run a “natural experiment” to see how people in Samoa would fare against the measles without protection to the Tuskegee experiment, in which the United States Public Health Service purposefully withheld treatment from men with syphilis in order to study the disease’s progression. The first person to raise the alarm about the cruelty of the experiment in 1965 was Schatz’s father, Dr. Irv Schatz.
    “I never thought that 60 years later, I’d be standing in the very body that passed legislation in response to that shameful period, arguing against confirming someone who wants to replicate that experiment at scale. That’s what RFK Jr. wants to do. He wants to use Americans as lab rats in a national experiment. And if it means bringing back the measles or the mumps or rubella or polio, so be it. That is the cost of doing business, as he sees it,” said Senator Schatz.
    A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here.
    If you heard your doctor say, ‘there’s no vaccine that is safe or effective.’ Or ‘there are much better candidates than HIV for what causes AIDS.’ Or ‘school shootings started happening with the introduction of Prozac and other drugs.’ If your physician said any of those things to you, you would look for a new physician.
    And yet, this week, my colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee and Health Committee are going to consider the nomination of someone who’s not only said all those things – and more. But if confirmed, he would be responsible for the health and well-being of the entire nation.
    The unique threat that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poses to our country really cannot be overstated. And now it is up to us, the 100 members of the United States Senate, to deny him the opportunity to use America as one big test lab for bygone diseases. And I want to explain what I mean by that. He thinks that FDA trials are not enough to determine the efficacy of a vaccine. And so he’s suggesting that we use placebo in the population. What does that mean? Something might save someone’s life, and something might be essentially a sugar pill. But you don’t get to know. There are international conventions against this approach. The Tuskegee experiments conducted by the United States Public Health Service were universally rejected, and the Congress banned this approach because you cannot withhold lifesaving care from anyone.
    Now, saying crazy things doesn’t seem to be disqualifying for a nominee these days, I understand. But it’s not just that he said crazy things or holds deranged views. It’s that he has acted on them. And I want everybody to listen to what exactly happened in Samoa – not 20 years ago, not ten years ago, but in 2019. While he was chairman of the anti-vaccine group, he flew to Samoa because he sensed an opportunity to exploit people’s hesitations about taking the measles vaccine.
    People were understandably worried after an accident… involving improperly prepared vaccines killed two babies. It was a tragedy, and it was a costly mistake, but not a reason to abandon the measles vaccine altogether. But RFK sought to make people more afraid. He discouraged people from taking the vaccine because he wanted to run a “natural experiment.” To see how people fared against the disease without protection. To see how people fared against the disease without protection? This guy is up for HHS, Health and Human Services? This guy just wants to see what would happen if we didn’t give people the lifesaving protection that they need. He literally flew to the other side of the planet to turn people’s fears into a data collection opportunity.
    For some context here. Samoa is a small country and had a population of around 200,000 people at the time. People knew each other and word got around fast. A Kennedy was in town saying a thing. And so it was no small thing that this man from America, with the last name Kennedy, pretending to be a health expert, was there peddling all kinds of lies to prevent people from getting a lifesaving vaccine.
    And those lies spread fast. Vaccination rates plummeted, and within five months, Samoa had a measles outbreak. 5,700 people were infected with the measles. 83 people died. Almost all of them were children. That was the conclusion of Mr. Kennedy’s natural experiment. Children died. This isn’t some ancient history I’m digging up here. This was less than six years ago, and it is alarmingly reminiscent of one of the darkest chapters in our country’s history with the Tuskegee experiment.
    For 40 years, beginning in 1932, the United States Public Health Service ran an experiment with 600 black men in Alabama. The majority of them had syphilis, and the objective was to “observe the disease process.” And so even when penicillin became the standard of care in 1947, the men who needed that treatment, who could have been given lifesaving care, were denied penicillin. Researchers did nothing as men died and they went blind because they wanted to see how the disease would develop. A natural experiment.
    It took a young doctor, not long out of medical school, who read about the study in a medical journal and couldn’t believe his eyes. He could not understand how the United States government had come to view these poor sharecroppers as expendable, as subhuman. He thought about the Hippocratic Oath, that he and every doctor like him had sworn to. What happened to, “first, do no harm”?
    And so, not knowing what else to do, but knowing he was risking a whole lot by speaking out, he wrote to the study’s authors. And I want to read a bit of what he wrote: “I’m utterly astounded by the fact that physicians allow patients with a potentially fatal disease to remain untreated when effective therapy is available. I assume you feel that the information which is extracted from the observation of this untreated group is worth their sacrifice. If this is the case, then I suggest the United States Public Health Service and those physicians associated with it in this study need to reevaluate their moral judgments in this regard”.
    The man who wrote that letter, and was the first, and for a long time, the only person to sound the alarm about the depravity of the Tuskegee experiment was my dad, Dr. Irv Schatz. It’s one of the many reasons that he’s my hero. But I never thought that 60 years later, I’d be standing in the very body that passed legislation in response to that shameful period, arguing against confirming someone who wants to replicate that experiment at scale. That’s what RFK Jr. wants to do. He wants to use Americans as lab rats in a national experiment. And if it means bringing back the measles or the mumps or rubella or polio, so be it. That is the cost of doing business, as he sees it.
    I understand my Republican colleagues are facing a lot of pressure from within. It’s a new administration, and you want to give them deference. An executive, generally speaking, gets to have their team. But this nomination is not actually like the others, even if you don’t want to take Mr. Kennedy’s words so literally, maybe you think he’s just wondering aloud, look at his actions. Look at what he’s done. Time and time again, he’s abandoned every physician’s first principle: Do no harm. “I shall do by my patients as I would be done by. And I shall minimize suffering whenever a cure cannot be obtained.” That’s part of the oath every medical student takes at graduation before they can practice. And yet, the person nominated to lead the country’s entire health system has consistently done the exact opposite. He has caused disease. He has caused pain. He has caused death.
    And so the vote we’re going to be taking on this nominee is much more than your party or mine. It’s life or death. And I promise you, if this person is confirmed, it will not age well: not in a Republican primary, not in a Democratic primary, not in your family, not in your community. Nowhere will an RFK ‘aye’ vote age well. This person is going to cause disease across the United States. I urge a no vote.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin: President Trump’s Proposed Freeze On NIH’s Work Is Cruel And Will Have Life Or Death Consequences

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    January 29, 2025
    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the serious consequences the Trump Administration’s plan to freeze federal assistance would have on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and medical research. NIH supports more than 400,000 jobs nationwide—jobs focused on conducting vital medical research that leads to new cures and treatments that improve and save lives. Each year, NIH awards nearly $38 billion in research grants to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They support hundreds of thousands of jobs, generate $92 billion in economic activity, and facilitate life-saving medical research.
    On Monday night, President Trump ordered a stop to federal grant funding, including at NIH. Today, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the White House Press Secretary sent out conflicting information related to whether or not the freeze had been rescinded.
    Durbin said, “Because of work funded by NIH with taxpayer dollars, people with cancer are living longer and even being cured, HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, and groundbreaking treatments exist to slow the progression of neurological disorders such as ALS and dementia. Chances are, if you or a loved one take any medication, you have NIH to thank—because 99 percent of drugs approved over the past decade benefited from NIH research funding. And, chances are, if you or a loved one ever get sick and are wondering what options exist to save your life, your doctor will suggest a treatment developed with NIH funding.”
    “Do you know what the leading causes of death are in the U.S.? The number one cause of death in the United States is heart disease,” Durbin continued.  “But there are others. Cancer; unintentional injuries, such as drug overdoses; stroke; respiratory disease; Alzheimer’s; and diabetes. NIH researchers work every day to find breakthroughs to save lives in America from these leading causes of death in the U.S. When you freeze this agency’s work, when you tell your researchers to stay home and not to spend a penny because it can’t be compensated, it means you’re putting a stop to the research that critically is trying to keep us alive. You handicap our nation’s effort to develop new cures and treatments that address the top causes of death.”
    Durbin continued, “NIH is considered the world’s leader in biomedical research—providing treatments and cures that other people across the world dream of. President Trump’s proposed freeze on NIH’s work is cruel and will have life or death consequences. If your parent has dementia, you want NIH’s work to continue. If your husband or wife has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, ALS, or Parkinson’s, you need NIH’s work to continue. If you have a child diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer or heart condition—you are desperate for NIH’s work to continue.”
    “This should not be a partisan issue,” Durbin concluded. “Over the past decade, Congress has, on a bipartisan basis, increased NIH’s budget by 60 percent because we believe in their work. This federal freeze must not be allowed to take effect. I would hope my Republican colleagues would join me in calling on President Trump to reconsider this harmful policy. Lives depend on it.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: KEY MOMENTS: In Back-to-Back Nomination Hearings, Luján Presses RFK Jr. and Howard Lutnick on their Commitment to Working for the American People

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, pressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Howard Lutnick in their respective nomination hearings on their commitment to preserving programs that provide critical services for New Mexicans. Senator Luján pressed both nominees on their commitment to upholding the law and serving the American people – not being a rubber stamp for the President.

    In the nomination hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Luján questioned Mr. Kennedy on his understanding of the importance of Medicaid and pressed Mr. Kennedy for his commitment to protect Medicaid from cuts. Mr. Kennedy did not commit to not cutting Medicaid if asked to by the President.

    In the nomination hearing for Howard Lutnick to become Secretary of Commerce, Senator Luján questioned Mr. Lutnick on whether he would commit to not cutting funding that has been awarded to connect thousands of New Mexicans to the internet. Despite Mr. Lutnick’s acknowledgement of the importance of broadband buildout, he would not commit to maintaining crucial support for broadband.  

    Key Moments from the Nomination Hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services:

    Watch the exchange with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. here.

    On Medicare:

    Sen. Luján: Do you know how many babies born in this country are covered through Medicaid?

    Mr. Kennedy: I would guess, I don’t know the answer, I would guess about 30 million.

    Sen. Luján: I have it Mr. Kennedy, about 41% or 1.4 million babies, births are financed by Medicaid according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

    Sen. Luján: If President Trump asks you to cut Medicaid will you do it?

    Mr. Kennedy: It’s not up to me to cut Medicaid, it’d be up to Congress.

    Sen. Luján: Mr. Kennedy, if you don’t want to answer, I’ll move on.

    On Native American Health:

    Sen. Luján: What are you going to do when programs are eliminated to require the inclusion of Native Americans in clinical trials when it comes to life-saving medicine?

    Mr. Kennedy: I’m going to do everything I can to make sure there are Native American trials.

    Sen. Luján: Will you commit to finalizing the Congressionally mandated FDA guidance to increase clinical trial diversity?

    Mr. Kennedy: Yes.

    Sen. Luján: Will you commit to reinstating all of the pages that were eliminated and people that were fired from this administration that have this responsibility?

    Mr. Kennedy, in part: I cannot commit to that.

    On Autism Services:

    Sen. Luján: I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record and article from Autism Speaks titled “Do Vaccines Cause Autism” and I’ll note that the first sentence states “Vaccines do not cause autism.”

    Key Moments from the Nomination Hearing for Howard Lutnick to become Secretary of Commerce:

    Watch the exchange with Howard Lutnick here.

    Sen. Luján: If you’re asked to cut that program (broadband access) by the President of the United States, will you?

    Mr. Lutnick: I work for him.

    Sen. Luján: Is your response that if the president asks you to cut broadband infrastructure funding, you will do that? Is that what I just heard?

    Mr. Lutnick, in part: I work for the President of the United States, and I am here to executive his policies.

    Sen. Luján: We have a responsibility to communicate to each other for the people we work for. It’s not that you just work for Donald Trump sir, you work for the American people if you get this position.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Questions RFK Jr.’s Lack of Experience, Character During Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Welch highlights RFK Jr.’s lack of plans to fix broken health care system 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today raised concerns about the character and fitness of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), to lead HHS’ ten public health service agencies and three human services agencies. Senator Welch also expressed concern about the lack of concrete plans by the Trump Administration and Mr. Kennedy to lower health care costs for Vermont families. 
    Watch the exchange between Senator Welch and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health: 
    Read excerpts of Senator Welch’s questioning below: 
    “This is not just about a debate about vaccines. It’s a debate about the qualifications, experience, and priorities as to the person that will head Health and Human Services. And it’s not just about what your answers are today or what the questions are.” 
    “The question I fundamentally have is whether your willingness to disrupt and maybe break rules is going to be dangerous and destructive.”  
    “There’s incidents that do, I think, concern the question of whether the stability is there to be in charge of this major organization. That’s compounded by my concern that you don’t have any experience managing a large organization. That you don’t have any experience in government. So, those are things that have to be taken into account…” 
    ••• 
    “I’ve seen nothing coming out of the Trump Administration–and I’ve seen nothing coming out of your advocacy–that is going after what is a rampant abuse by the insurance companies and overcharging people and not doing the job. 
    “It’s a broken health care system. We spend the most and get the least. And I think there should be collective anger about on this by both sides. Because all of our people are dependent on that health care system.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski, Klobuchar Reintroduce Bill to Support Individuals Living with FASD

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    01.29.25
    Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) reintroduced the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Respect Act of 2025, legislation which reauthorizes programs and funding to aid individuals and families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
    “We made significant progress on this bill in the 118th Congress, and we were close to getting this legislation across the finish line. That momentum has only motivated Senator Klobuchar and I to work even harder to reauthorize this critical bill,” said Senator Murkowski. “Preventing and mitigating the risks posed by FASD requires comprehensive education, support, and intervention programs. Ensuring communities have access to these resources has the potential to make a genuine difference in the lives of families across Alaska.”
    “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders affects at least one in 20 people in the U.S., and too many lack access to diagnosis, treatment, and support services,” Senator Klobuchar said. “Our bill will renew federal resources for programs that support evidence-based services for families that need access care and help put impacted children on the best path forward towards a successful future.”
    “I first became aware of FASD over 2 ½ decades ago while serving as Minnesota’s First Lady and a Juvenile Court judicial officer,” said Susan Shepard Carlson, FASD United Board Chair.  Many youths from families with long substance use histories were failing and not responding to traditional interventions. It became clear then and is still true today that our systems of care are failing this population by not recognizing and/or understanding their FASD complex needs. As a country, we can and should do so much better for those with an FASD and their families. The FASD Respect Act will bring much-needed focus and resources to systemically address this huge societal problem. The FASD community thanks the Senate sponsors for leading the charge to enact this much-needed bipartisan FASD legislation.”
    “Thanks to the determined efforts of Senators Murkowski and Klobuchar we have a bill that balances ongoing research and public health with vital, overdue direct assistance benefiting children and adults living with FASD. A bill that all lawmakers can support and one that respects and ranks first the needs of a grateful and deserving FASD community,” said Tom Donaldson, CEO of FASD United.
    The FASD Respect Act of 2025:
    Reauthorizes federal FASD programs by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish or continue a comprehensive FASD prevention, identification, intervention, and services delivery program which may include:
    Educational and public awareness programs for professionals in systems of care
    Developing and expanding screening and diagnostic capacity for FASD
    Research on FASD as appropriate
    Building State and Tribal capacity for the identification, treatment, and support of individuals with FASD and their families
    Establishes Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Centers for Excellence to build local, Tribal, State, and national capacities to prevent the occurrence of FASD and other related adverse conditions, and to respond to the needs of individuals with FASD and their families. These Centers may:
    Develop and support public awareness and outreach activities
    Act as a clearinghouse for evidence-based resources on FASD prevention, identification, and culturally aware best practices
    Disseminate ongoing research and developing resources on FASD to help inform systems of care for individuals with FASD across their lifespan.
    Increase awareness and understanding of evidence-based FASD screening tools and culturally- and linguistically appropriate evidence-based intervention services and best practices across systems of care
    Improve capacity for State, Tribal, and local affiliates dedicated to FASD awareness, prevention, and identification and family and individual support programs and services (technical assistance provided by FASD Center of Excellence).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Supports President Trump’s Action to End Woke Curriculum in Classrooms, Expand School Choice

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – During National School Choice Week, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) issued a statement in support of President Donald Trump’s latest executive orders prohibiting federal funds from going to any K-12 school that teaches critical race theory (CRT) or radical gender ideology and expanding school choice for students:
    “I fully support President Trump’s decision to prohibit federal funds from going to any K-12 school that teaches woke, anti-American ideologies. For four years, I have sounded the alarm about the Biden administration’s attempts to make our schools ground zero for Marxist, hateful indoctrination. Despite the fact that we spend the most money per student in the world, our education system has failed our kids. We need to be focused on helping kids learn to read, write, and do math—not on brainwashing them.
    I am also grateful for President Trump’s action to increase access to school choice. As a former coach and educator, I know how important it is to make sure every child gets the best possible education, regardless of their zip code. Every child’s educational journey looks different—and we have had tremendous success with magnet, charter, and technical schools in Alabama. This decision from President Trump comes during National School Choice Week and reaffirms the President’s commitment to empowering parents, not the government, to determine a child’s educational future. I’m grateful for President Trump’s leadership and unwavering commitment to helping every child succeed.”
    Sen. Tuberville also joined his colleagues Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) today to introduce the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), bicameral legislation to expand education freedom and opportunity for students. Specifically, it provides a charitable donation incentive for individuals and businesses to fund scholarship awards for students to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education. U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S House of Representatives. 
    BACKGROUND:
    As a former coach, mentor, and educator for more than 40 years, Senator Tuberville is committed to ensuring each child is given the tools to lead a successful life. During his time in the Senate, he has been proud to represent Alabama on the Senator Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee where he has been a tireless advocate for ending woke ideology in schools and boosting school choice programs.
    ENDING WOKENESS IN SCHOOLS
    Sen. Tuberville joined his colleagues in asking the U.S. Department of Education under President Biden to withdraw its plans to skew U.S. History and Civics towards an anti-American agenda.
    Sen. Tuberville reintroduced the Saving American History Act, legislation to prohibit the use of federal funds to teach the 1619 Project by K-12 schools or school districts. Under the bill, schools that teach the 1619 Project would also be ineligible for federal professional-development grants.
    Sen. Tuberville has repeatedly raised concerns about the Chinese Communist Party’s influence on American education. The CCP has made it clear their plan of action is to infiltrate the American education system and indoctrinate students. 
    Sen. Tuberville cosponsored the Safeguarding American Education from Foreign Control Act. This bill would tighten the enforcement of rules surrounding foreign donations to higher education institutions and their contracts with foreign entities. 
    He specifically urged Troy University in Alabama to close its CCP-backed Confucius Institute, and hopes other universities will follow their lead. 
    INCREASING ACCESS TO SCHOOL CHOICE
    Sen. Tuberville joined his colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider proposed rules to redefine the Charter School Program (CSP) and strip parents of their ability to choose the best school for their child. 
    Sen. Tuberville advocated for school choice on the floor of the U.S. Senate and helped introduce a resolution for National School Choice Week. 
    Last year, Sen. Tuberville hosted a roundtable discussion during National School Choice Week with parents, students, teachers, and administrators about making sure that parents, not the federal government, are in charge of their kids’ education.
    Sen. Tuberville visited the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) in Huntsville. ASCTE is America’s only high school primarily focused on the integration of cyber and engineering into all academic areas. This unique public school is equipping kids with the skills needed to enter the workforce and achieve the American dream. 
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Praises Alabama Students, Teachers for Leading the Nation in Math Education Improvement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    Alabama was only state with improvements in post-COVID math scores
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Alabama’s voice on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), issued the following statement celebrating Alabama being the only state with improvements in post-COVID math scores among fourth graders:
    “Our children have suffered emotionally and cognitively because of Democrat lockdowns during the COVID pandemic. In many states, students were unnecessarily forced out of the classrooms to learn at home, where many of them didn’t have access to adequate technology and resources. While schools across the nation are still struggling to overcome this setback, Alabama is leading the way in math progress among fourth graders. This is a testament to Alabama’s dedicated educators who were unwavering in their dedication to equipping our students with the tools to succeed. I couldn’t be more proud of Alabama’s progress, and know that we will continue to lead the way in setting the gold standard for education.”
    The statement follows a disturbing report from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) that shows students have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels of achievement, and in some cases have declined further. Alabama was the ONLY state that did not see a decline in post-COVID math scores among fourth graders.
    Senator Tuberville has been a strong advocate for returning students to the classroom, and continues to be a leader in the fight for school choice. 
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: DRC: MSF appeals for humanitarian access in Goma as casualties seek medical care.

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    30 January, 2025: Goma/Kinshasa- An influx of wounded people is arriving at Kyeshero hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams in the hospital are treating people through the armed clashes and insecurity that have hit the city in recent days. We have been affected by several incidents since the beginning of the week, some of which have limited our ability to provide people with the medical care they need. We are now preparing to send new teams to Goma and need guaranteed humanitarian access from the involved parties.

    Fighting between M23, the Congolese army, and their respective allies reached Goma’s city centre earlier this week, causing panic and impacting residents. Goma, the capital city of North Kivu province, has been cut off from the rest of the world for several days, and victims of the fighting are arriving at medical facilities whenever they can.

    Humanitarian and medical facilities have not been spared during the violence.

    “At Kyeshero hospital, a bullet pierced the roof of the operating theatre during an operation,” says Virginie Napolitano, MSF’s emergency coordinator in North Kivu, speaking from Goma. “Some of our stock of equipment and medicines has been looted, jeopardising our medical assistance inside and outside Goma. Armed looting has also affected our colleagues in Goma. One of them was wounded by gunshot in his home during an attack. Other organisations and medical facilities have also come under fire. This is totally unacceptable.”

    Despite the situation, an MSF team continues to provide care for wounded patients at Kyeshero hospital, in support of Ndosho hospital, where the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is receiving an even greater influx of wounded.

    Since Thursday, 142 wounded patients have been treated at Kyeshero. On Tuesday alone, MSF received 37 injured people, half of them civilians and the majority of whom are women. Most of the injuries were caused by shrapnel, while other patients suffered gunshot wounds.

    Since Friday, people have had to cope with continuous water and electricity cuts. The supply of meals that MSF provides to patients and their families is in jeopardy, as insecurity, the risk of looting, and the closure of roads are preventing us from replenishing food stocks, which only last two to three days.

    The worsening insecurity and intense fighting have forced MSF to temporarily reduce the number of active teams in Goma and in the camps for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, medical and humanitarian needs in and around Goma will only grow. In recent weeks, tens of thousands of people have joined the 650,000 people who had already been living in camps around Goma for more than two years. Fighting has also reached areas around camps, sending people fleeing once again.

    “The impact of this fighting on the civilian population is enormous. In addition to the wounded and dead, we are receiving devastating reports from internally displaced people camps where our teams can no longer go,” says Stephan Goetghebuer, MSF’s head of programmes in North Kivu. “In the Kanyaruchinya displaced people’s site, the health centre we support continues to operate, but the team has seen two children die this week because they could not be transferred to any hospital.”

    MSF is preparing to send teams back into Goma to assess what response can be provided, and how best we could scale up, following the looting of the past few days. We would like to replenish our stocks and scale up emergency care as soon as possible. One possible way to move new teams and equipment into Goma would be through the Great Barrier, which separates DRC from Rwanda. This requires facilitation and guarantees from the involved parties.

    As the situation continues to deteriorate, MSF urges the warring parties to do more to protect civilians. They must also respect the most basic rules of international humanitarian law and guarantee humanitarian access, so that essential medical assistance can be provided to people.

    MSF teams are still present in other conflict-affected areas of both North and South Kivu provinces.

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  
     

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Call to End Prescribing Puberty Blockers In NZ

    Source: Family First

    MEDIA RELEASE

    30 January 2025

    Family First is calling for an immediate end to new prescribing of puberty blockers due to the clear lack of quality probative evidence of efficacy and safety.

    It comes at the same time as more than 100 doctors, academics, lawyers, politicians and “detransitioners” are calling for the Albanese government in Australia to launch an immediate inquiry into youth gender medicine and to pause the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies for children in Australia.

    Family First and its legal representatives met with the Puberty Blocker Consultation Team from the Ministry of Health in January.

    Family First has subsequently written to both the PBC Team and Health NZ to reiterate the following points regarding the safety and efficacy requirements under the Medicines Act 1981 (the Medicines Act) and Family First’s concerns about inconsistent standards, stating the following:

    “We are aware that these provisions do not apply directly to off-label use of puberty blockers under section 25 of the Medicines Act, but we have been advised that the Medicines Act generally requires proof of safety and efficacy before allowing the sale and supply of new medications for specific indications in New Zealand.

    “Throughout the Medicines Act, there are strict conditions relating to safety and efficacy both for a medicine to first obtain consent to be used in New Zealand and secondly for it to be removed from the market if concerns arise about its safety and efficacy, including the following:

    1. Applications for the Minister’s consent under section 20 of the Medicines Act require evidence to be provided, under section 21(2), of both the safety and efficacy of the medicine.
    2. Section 35 enables the Minister to revoke or suspend a consent under sections 20 or 23 if he is of the opinion that either the medicine can no longer be administered or used safely or that the efficacy of the medicine can no longer be regarded as satisfactory.
    3. Section 36 enables the Director-General to give notice and require an importer or manufacturer to satisfy him of the “safety or efficacy of that medicine” if he “has reason to believe that any medicine, not being a new medicine, may be unsafe or ineffective for the therapeutic purpose for which is it sold”. This process can also then lead to a notice from the Minister prohibiting the sale or supply of the medicine under section 36(3)(a).
    4. Even a change in an existing approved medicine can be referred to the Minister for consideration, under section 24(5), if the Director-General considers that despite the evidence supplied he is insufficiently informed of the safety or efficacy of the medicine after that change.

    “As discussed, we are concerned about the ability of patients to give their informed consent for puberty blockers for Gender Dysmorphia prescribed under section 25 when they have not been proven to be safe, efficacious or reversible for the purposes they are currently being prescribed and used for in New Zealand.

    “This is based on the Ministry of Health’s own Position Statement on the Use of Puberty Blockers in Gender-Affirming Care dated 21 November, 2024, following the release of an evidence brief which examined the safety and long-term impacts of puberty blockers when used in the context of gender-affirming care. [View the Impact of Puberty Blockers in Gender-Dysphoric Adolescents: An evidence brief.]

    Family First’s position remains that there should be an immediate end to new prescribing of puberty blockers due to the clear lack of quality probative evidence of efficacy and safety. Existing users need to be transitioned from Puberty Blockers in a medically appropriate way or at the very least, have the lack of quality evidence on safety, efficacy and reversibility explained to them with a view to confirming they and their parents or guardians do provide informed consent.  This in turn also means the Ministry’s Position Statement must be updated immediately to remove the factually incorrect statements regarding efficacy, safety, and future risks, including any references to the PATHA Guidelines.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Protest – Protest calls for answers on company chosen to supply vape kits

    Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

    Public Health experts are questioning a decision by the Government to purchase $575,000 worth of vaping products from a company accused of allegedly bribing the New Zealand Government.
    They will be meeting today at 12.30pm today on Parliament’s forecourt to raise their concerns and call for a public inquiry into the influence of the tobacco and vape industry on the Government’s Smokefree policy.
    The company chosen to supply vaping kits to Government funded stop smoking services is Chinese based vaping giant RELX.
    Reporting by The Straits Times in Singapore obtained leaked call recordings where employees of RELX can be heard discussing bribing the New Zealand Government.
    RELX employees can be heard saying: “we don’t do that visibly in Australia and New Zealand. But government payments are not a problem for us because, because these are extremely… how do I put it… subtle.”
    “It’s just like how the Big Tobacco does it, right, they go through multiple shell companies and associations and consultants and agencies and whatnot. And it’s almost… you need to have a very persistent investigative journalist to find out…”
    Additional reporting by 60 Minutes in Australia confirmed the company at the centre of these allegations is RELX.
    Thousands of RELX vaping products distributed to stop smoking services in early January were purchased by Te Whatu Ora. There doesn’t appear to be a formal tender process that took place to choose a vaping supplier and funding came out of the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Innovation fund.
    With serious accusations of bribery surfacing the Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello needs to front up and explain why no tender process was followed and why the Government chose vaping company RELX to supply $575k worth of vaping products.
    We are now over a year into our Government appearing to have been influenced by the tobacco and vape industry in their decision making and now there are accusations of bribery taking place.
    RELX has a questionable history of following relevant New Zealand legislation and regulations here and overseas. RELX continued to publish prohibited advertising including using Instagram influencers following new laws to crack down on vape advertising in late 2020.
    The Straits Times stories:
    60 Minutes story:
    The Age/Sydney Morning Herald version (also attached) of the 60 Minutes piece:
    RELX ownership
    Mission Holdings Limited is an umbrella company for Mission Retail Limited, Mission Distribution Limited and Mission Brands.
    The shareholders/directors are Jing Zhang and Jingrui Liu (the companies office address listed for both is: 4 Magee Place, East Tamaki Heights, Auckland, 2016) and Haodong (Sky) Deng and Dan Shan (Both share the same address: 9 Gilford Place, East Tamaki Heights, Auckland, 2016).
    Jing Zhang worked for British American Tobacco for 3 years 6 months from July 2007, then for Philip Morris International for 8 years and 3 months from Jan 2011 until March 2019, and founded Mission Brands in April of 2019.
    Haodong (Sky) Deng worked for Philip Morris from November 2014 until March 2019 before also co-founding Mission Brands in April 2019.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – MacDonnell Region

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a 35-year-old man in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Amoonguna this morning.

    Around 5:30am, police received reports that a 36-year-old woman had been stabbed by her partner within the community.

    Police and St John Ambulance attended the scene and the woman was conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital in a stable condition with a laceration to her head.

    The 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody, expected to be charged later today.

    Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone with information to call police on 131 444 and quote reference P25029595 . Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    Support services for those affected by domestic or family violence are available, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline (13 11 14).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: 

    Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  Parents trust America’s schools to provide their children with a rigorous education and to instill a patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand.  
    In recent years, however, parents have witnessed schools indoctrinate their children in radical, anti-American ideologies while deliberately blocking parental oversight.  Such an environment operates as an echo chamber, in which students are forced to accept these ideologies without question or critical examination.  In many cases, innocent children are compelled to adopt identities as either victims or oppressors solely based on their skin color and other immutable characteristics.  In other instances, young men and women are made to question whether they were born in the wrong body and whether to view their parents and their reality as enemies to be blamed.  These practices not only erode critical thinking but also sow division, confusion, and distrust, which undermine the very foundations of personal identity and family unity.

    Imprinting anti-American, subversive, harmful, and false ideologies on our Nation’s children not only violates longstanding anti-discrimination civil rights law in many cases, but usurps basic parental authority.  For example, steering students toward surgical and chemical mutilation without parental consent or involvement or allowing males access to private spaces designated for females may contravene Federal laws that protect parental rights, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and sex-based equality and opportunity, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).  Similarly, demanding acquiescence to “White Privilege” or “unconscious bias,” actually promotes racial discrimination and undermines national unity.

    My Administration will enforce the law to ensure that recipients of Federal funds providing K-12 education comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in various contexts and protecting parental rights, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.; Title IX, 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.; FERPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; and the PPRA, 20 U.S.C. 1232h.

    Sec. 2.  Definitions.  As used herein:
    (a)  The definitions in the Executive Order “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” (January 20, 2025) shall apply to this order.
    (b)  “Discriminatory equity ideology” means an ideology that treats individuals as members of preferred or disfavored groups, rather than as individuals, and minimizes agency, merit, and capability in favor of immoral generalizations, including that: 
    (i)     Members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally or inherently superior to members of another race, color, sex, or national origin; 
    (ii)    An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race, color, sex, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; 
    (iii)   An individual’s moral character or status as privileged, oppressing, or oppressed is primarily determined by the individual’s race, color, sex, or national origin; 
    (iv)    Members of one race, color, sex, or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to their race, color, sex, or national origin; 
    (v)     An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race, color, sex, or national origin, bears responsibility for, should feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress because of, should be discriminated against, blamed, or stereotyped for, or should receive adverse treatment because of actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, sex, or national origin, in which the individual played no part; 
    (vi)    An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race, color, sex, or national origin, should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment to achieve diversity, equity, or inclusion; 
    (vii)   Virtues such as merit, excellence, hard work, fairness, neutrality, objectivity, and racial colorblindness are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race, color, sex, or national origin to oppress members of another race, color, sex, or national origin; or
    (viii)  the United States is fundamentally racist, sexist, or otherwise discriminatory.
    (c)  “Educational service agency” (ESA) has the meaning given in 20 U.S.C. 1401(5), and the terms “elementary school,” “local educational agency” (LEA), “secondary school,” and “state educational agency” (SEA) have the meanings given in 34 C.F.R. 77.1(c).
    (d)  “Patriotic education” means a presentation of the history of America grounded in: 
    (i)    an accurate, honest, unifying, inspiring, and ennobling characterization of America’s founding and foundational principles; 
    (ii)   a clear examination of how the United States has admirably grown closer to its noble principles throughout its history; 
    (iii)  the concept that commitment to America’s aspirations is beneficial and justified; and
    (iv)   the concept that celebration of America’s greatness and history is proper.
    (e)  “Social transition” means the process of adopting a “gender identity” or “gender marker” that differs from a person’s sex.  This process can include psychological or psychiatric counseling or treatment by a school counselor or other provider; modifying a person’s name (e.g., “Jane” to “James”) or pronouns (e.g., “him” to “her”); calling a child “nonbinary”; use of intimate facilities and accommodations such as bathrooms or locker rooms  specifically designated for persons of the opposite sex; and participating in school athletic competitions or other extracurricular activities specifically designated for persons of the opposite sex.  “Social transition” does not include chemical or surgical mutilation.

    Sec. 3.  Ending Indoctrination Strategy.  (a)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, to advise the President in formulating future policy, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall provide an Ending Indoctrination Strategy to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, containing recommendations and a plan for:
    (i)   eliminating Federal funding or support for illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination in K-12 schools, including based on gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology; and
    (ii)  protecting parental rights, pursuant to FERPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232g, and the PPRA, 20 U.S.C. 1232h, with respect to any K-12 policies or conduct implicated by the purpose and policy of this order.
    (b)  The Ending Indoctrination Strategy submitted under subsection (a) of this section shall contain a summary and analysis of the following:
    (i)    All Federal funding sources and streams, including grants or contracts, that directly or indirectly support or subsidize the instruction, advancement, or promotion of gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology:
    (A)  in K-12 curriculum, instruction, programs, or activities; or 
    (B)  in K-12 teacher education, certification, licensing, employment, or training; 
    (ii)   Each agency’s process to prevent or rescind Federal funds, to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, from being used by an ESA, SEA, LEA, elementary school, or secondary school to directly or indirectly support or subsidize the instruction, advancement, or promotion of gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology in: 
    (A)  K-12 curriculum, instruction, programs, or activities; or 
    (B)  K-12 teacher certification, licensing, employment, or training; 
    (iii)  Each agency’s process to prevent or rescind Federal funds, to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, from being used by an ESA, SEA, LEA, elementary school, or secondary school to directly or indirectly support or subsidize the social transition of a minor student, including through school staff or teachers or through deliberately concealing the minor’s social transition from the minor’s parents.
    (iv)   Each agency’s process to prevent or rescind Federal funds, to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, from being used by an ESA, SEA, LEA, elementary school, or secondary school to directly or indirectly support or subsidize:
    (A)  interference with a parent’s Federal statutory right to information regarding school curriculum, records, physical examinations, surveys, and other matters under the PPRA or FERPA; or 
    (B)  a violation of Title VI or Title IX; and
    (v)    A summary and analysis of all relevant agency enforcement tools to advance the policies of this order.
        (c)  The Attorney General shall coordinate with State attorneys general and local district attorneys in their efforts to enforce the law and file appropriate actions against K-12 teachers and school officials who violate the law by:
    (i)    sexually exploiting minors; 
    (ii)   unlawfully practicing medicine by offering diagnoses and treatment without the requisite license; or
    (iii)  otherwise unlawfully facilitating the social transition of a minor student.
    (d)  The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall regularly convene the heads of the agencies tasked with submitting the Ending Indoctrination Strategy under subsection (a) of this section to confer regarding their findings, areas for additional investigation, the modification or implementation of their respective recommendations, and such other policy initiatives or matters as the President may direct.
     
    Sec. 4.  Reestablishing the President’s Advisory 1776 Commission and Promoting Patriotic Education.  (a)  The President’s Advisory 1776 Commission (“1776 Commission”), which was created by Executive Order 13958 of November 2, 2020, to promote patriotic education, but was terminated by President Biden in Executive Order 13985 of January 20, 2021, is hereby reestablished.  The purpose of the 1776 Commission is to promote patriotic education and advance the purposes stated in section 1 of Executive Order 13958, as well as to advise and promote the work of the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday (“Task Force 250”) and the United States Semiquincentennial Commission in their efforts to provide a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026.
    (b)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Education shall establish the 1776 Commission in the Department of Education.
    (c)  The 1776 Commission shall be composed of not more than 20 members, who shall be appointed by the President for a term of 2 years.  The 1776 Commission shall be made up of individuals from outside the Federal Government with relevant experience or subject-matter expertise.  
    (d)  The 1776 Commission shall have a Chair or Co-Chairs, at the President’s discretion, and a Vice Chair, who shall be designated by the President from among the Commission’s members.  An Executive Director, designated by the Secretary of Education in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, shall coordinate the work of the 1776 Commission.  The Chair (or Co-Chairs) and Vice Chair shall work with the Executive Director to convene regular meetings of the 1776 Commission, determine its agenda, and direct its work, consistent with this order.
    (e)  The 1776 Commission shall:
    (i)    facilitate the development and implementation of a “Presidential 1776 Award” to recognize student knowledge of the American founding, including knowledge about the Founders, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitutional Convention, and the great soldiers and battles of the American Revolutionary War;
    (ii)   in coordination with the White House Office of Public Liaison, coordinate bi-weekly lectures regarding the 250th anniversary of American Independence that are grounded in patriotic education principles, which shall be broadcast to the Nation throughout calendar year 2026; 
    (iii)  upon request, advise executive departments and agencies regarding their efforts to ensure patriotic education is appropriately provided to the public at national parks, battlefields, monuments, museums, installations, landmarks, cemeteries, and other places important to the American founding and American history, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law; 
    (iv)   upon request, offer advice and recommendations to, and support the work of Task Force 250 and the United States Semiquincentennial Commission regarding their plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence; and
    (v)    facilitate, advise upon, and promote private and civic activities nationwide to increase public knowledge of and support patriotic education surrounding the 250th anniversary of American Independence, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.
    (f)  The Department of Education shall provide funding and administrative support for the 1776 Commission, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (g)  Members of the 1776 Commission shall serve without compensation but, as approved by the Department of Education, shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in the Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).
    (h)  Insofar as chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Advisory Committee Act), may apply to the 1776 Commission, any functions of the President under that Act, except that of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Secretary of Education, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services.
    (i)  The 1776 Commission shall terminate 2 years from the date of this order, unless extended by the President. 

    Sec. 5.  Additional Patriotic Education Measures.  (a)  All relevant agencies shall monitor compliance with section 111(b) of title I of Division J of Public Law 108-447, which provides that “[e]ach educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution,” including by verifying compliance with each educational institution that receives Federal funds.  All relevant agencies shall take action, as appropriate, to enhance compliance with that law. 
    (b)  All relevant agencies shall prioritize Federal resources, consistent with applicable law, to promote patriotic education, including through the following programs:
    (i)    the Department of Education’s American History and Civics Academies and American History and Civics Education-National Activities programs; 
    (ii)   the Department of Defense’s National Defense Education Program and Pilot Program on Enhanced Civics Education; and
    (iii)  the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Fulbright, U.S. Speaker, and International Visitor Leadership programs, as well as the American Spaces network.

    Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: 
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or 
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to improve the education, well-being, and future success of America’s most prized resource, her young citizens, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  Parents want and deserve the best education for their children.  But too many children do not thrive in their assigned, government-run K-12 school.  According to this year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 70 percent of 8th graders were below proficient in reading, and 72 percent were below proficient in math.  Moreover, geographically based school assignments exacerbate the cost of housing in districts with preferred schools, straining the finances of millions of American families sacrificing for their children’s futures. 

    When our public education system fails such a large segment of society, it hinders our national competitiveness and devastates families and communities.  For this reason, more than a dozen States have enacted universal K-12 scholarship programs, allowing families — rather than the government — to choose the best educational setting for their children.  These States have highlighted the most promising avenue for education reform:  educational choice for families and competition for residentially assigned, government-run public schools.  The growing body of rigorous research demonstrates that well-designed education-freedom programs improve student achievement and cause nearby public schools to improve their performance. 

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of my Administration to support parents in choosing and directing the upbringing and education of their children. 

    Sec. 3.  Guidance on Supporting State-based K-12 Educational Choice.  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Education shall issue guidance regarding how States can use Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives.

    Sec. 4.  Encouraging Education Freedom through Discretionary Grant Programs.  (a)  The Secretary of Education shall include education freedom as a priority in discretionary grant programs, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law. 
    (b)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall review their respective discretionary grant programs and each submit a plan to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, that identifies, evaluates, and makes recommendations regarding using relevant discretionary grant programs to expand education freedom for America’s families and teachers. 

    Sec. 5.  Expanding Opportunities for Low-Income, Working Families.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance regarding whether and how States receiving block grants for families and children from the Department, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDGB), can use them to expand educational choice and support families who choose educational alternatives to governmental entities, including private and faith-based options.

    Sec. 6.  Helping Military Families.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall review any available mechanisms under which military-connected families may use funds from the Department of Defense to attend schools of their choice, including private, faith-based, or public charter schools, and submit a plan to the President describing such mechanisms and the steps that would be necessary to implement them beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

    Sec. 7.  Helping Children Eligible for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Schools.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall review any available mechanisms under which families of students eligible to attend BIE schools may use their Federal funding for educational options of their choice, including private, faith-based, or public charter schools, and submit a plan to the President describing such mechanisms and the steps that would be necessary to implement them for the 2025-26 school year.  The Secretary shall report on the current performance of BIE schools and identify educational options in nearby areas.  

    Sec. 8.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Booker Team Up to Improve Prostate Cancer Detection

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation to expand insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings.
    The bipartisan Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening for High-risk Insured Men (HIM) Act would require private health insurance plans to cover preventive prostate cancer screenings without imposing any cost-sharing requirements for men who are at high risk of developing prostate cancer. 
    “Like so many others, my family has experienced the impact of this disease. Since we know early detection leads to better health outcomes, making access to screening easier can help save lives. I’m proud to work in a bipartisan way to expand prostate cancer detection and early intervention, particularly for at-risk men,” said Boozman.
    “Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States, with Black men being disproportionately impacted and over twice as likely to die following a diagnosis,” said Booker. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will increase affordability and access to lifesaving screening services, help men detect the disease early, and save lives.” 
    Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 American men in their lifetime and disproportionately affects African American men with 1 in 6 being diagnosed. Individuals who have at least one close family member diagnosed with the disease are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed themselves.
    Currently, the Prostate-Specific Antigen test is the most effective tool for detection. When detected in early stage, it is almost 100 percent survivable. 
    “The PSA Screening for HIM Act is a crucial step toward removing financial barriers to life-saving prostate cancer screenings,” said American Urological Association Public Policy Council Chair Mark Edney, M.D. “By ensuring high-risk groups can access PSA testing without cost-sharing, this legislation will save countless lives through earlier detection, where survival rates are nearly 100 percent, compared to later stages where survival rates are around 30 percent.”
    “The introduction of the PSA Screening for HIM Act represents a critical step forward in protecting men’s health and saving lives through early detection. At ZERO Prostate Cancer, we know that access to prostate cancer screening is fundamental in the fight against prostate cancer, particularly for those at highest risk,” said ZERO Prostate Cancer CEO Courtney Bugler.
    “The PSA Screening for HIM Act would eliminate a significant hurdle that keeps far too many at high risk for prostate cancer from getting tested for the disease,” said Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “We thank Sens. Boozman and Booker for introducing this bill and look forward to working with them to get it passed.” 
    “With the increase in prostate cancer diagnoses and deaths, and the growing racial disparity, the PSA Screening for HIM Act is more important now than ever,” said Thomas A. Farrington, President and Founder of the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN).
    The full text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow scientists have developed 11 medical phantoms to improve patient diagnostics

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health (DZM)

    A recent development has made magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology more accessible. Researchers from Moscow have successfully developed 11 medical phantoms that accurately simulate human tissue, organs, and anatomical structures. These developments help medical professionals perform diagnostic procedures more effectively, according to Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    Functionality and application of phantoms

    “Phantoms are durable and realistic products that imitate human anatomy. Some of them are used to train young specialists and improve the skills of experienced doctors, others – to calibrate diagnostic equipment,” said Rakova. The development of such phantoms allows specialists to practice the basic techniques of conducting visualization studies and prepare devices for various procedures. Among the latest innovations is a prostate gland phantom, which is already successfully used in clinical settings.

    Solving clinical problems

    MRI is currently the most common method for detecting prostate cancer, but the presence of artificial metal implants in elderly patients often complicates this type of imaging. This requires changes to the MRI protocol before the study. To solve this problem, scientists at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health have developed the first prostate phantom of their own production, which allows for calibration of the device without the patient’s participation.

    “Metal implants can significantly complicate the interpretation of MRI results. We set ourselves the task of solving a major clinical problem: minimizing errors associated with metal hip implants during prostate MRI. These implants can not only cause distortions, but also affect the accuracy of quantitative measurements. Developing a new scanning protocol takes a lot of time, which can delay the examination process and disrupt the work schedule of diagnostic institutions. In addition, adjustments made during the examination can lead to heating of the implant, which will cause discomfort to the patient. Using a phantom, we can make the necessary adjustments in advance, thereby reducing these risks,” explained Yuri Vasiliev, Chief Consultant in Radiology at the Moscow Department of Healthcare and General Director of the Moscow Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine.

    Past Innovations and Future Directions

    In addition to the prostate phantom, the researchers recently introduced a fetal phantom designed to optimize the MRI protocol for pregnant women. This tool not only helps in training physicians and radiologists, but also serves as a benchmark for equipment standards in clinical practice and in the development of new research protocols.

    The Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine is a leading scientific and practical institution of the Moscow Department of Health, specializing in the creation of phantoms and medical simulators, as well as conducting educational courses. Since its foundation in 2013, the Center’s employees have prepared more than 800 scientific papers, including articles, guidelines, monographs and teaching aids.

    This project is in line with national healthcare objectives aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of medical care for Moscow residents.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Eurobodalla Regional Hospital moves ahead with first concrete pour complete and highway roundabout works to begin

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Eurobodalla Regional Hospital moves ahead with first concrete pour complete and highway roundabout works to begin

    Published: 29 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for Health, Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Minister for Regional Health

    Construction of the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital is on track, with the first concrete pour complete and work to build a new roundabout on the Princes Highway set to start in the coming months.

    The new concrete slab forms part of the lower ground floor of the north-western corner of the hospital which will include the first paediatric department in the region and a contemporary maternity unit, supporting high-quality, patient-centred care.

    The new maternity department has been designed with extensive input from staff and the community, and will offer a calming, modern and culturally safe environment for women and families.

    The new paediatric department will complement other new services such as an intensive care unit and an MRI, enabling the hospital to provide comprehensive care for newborns, infants, and children.

    To support future access to the new hospital’s site entrance, work to deliver a new roundabout on the Princes Highway will shortly begin, with construction expected to start in the coming months.

    To ensure the safety of workers and motorists, temporary traffic conditions will be in place during this period, with work expected to be completed late 2025.

    Staff and the community are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest project news and information by visiting the project website.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

    “The NSW Government is investing in the future of our local communities by delivering this critical health infrastructure project which will support the healthcare needs of the entire Eurobodalla Shire from Narooma to Batemans Bay.

    “The $330 million new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be larger than both Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined and has been designed with the capacity to grow as demand for health services changes.

    “This exciting milestone is another step towards delivering a world-class hospital for the Eurobodalla community.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland

    “It’s very exciting to see the significant progress being made on the $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital project, which will soon provide more health services and more specialist care for our community.

    “I’m pleased to see the new paediatrics and maternity units taking shape, which will support elevated healthcare for families in the Eurobodalla, enabling and offering an enhanced level of service and care to our community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow scientists have developed 11 medical phantoms to enhance Patient Diagnosis

    Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Health Department (MHD)

    The recent development has improved the accessibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. Researchers in Moscow have successfully developed  11 medical phantoms that accurately mimics human tissues, organs, and anatomical structures. These advancements assist healthcare professionals in conducting diagnostic procedures more effectively. This information was shared by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    Phantom Functionality and Applications

    “Phantoms are durable and realistic products that mimic human anatomy. Some are utilized for training young professionals and refining the skills of experienced medical professionals, while others are employed for calibrating diagnostic equipment.” said Rakova. The development of these phantoms allows specialists to practice essential techniques for conducting imaging studies and prepares devices for various procedures. Among the latest innovations is a prostate phantom, which has already seen successful implementation in clinical settings.

    Addressing Clinical Challenges

    MRI is currently the most widespread technique to detect prostate cancer; however, the presence of artificial metal implants in older patients often complicates this type of imaging. This necessitates adjustments to the MRI protocol prior to examinations. To address this issue, scientists at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Healthcare Department have developed the first in-house prostate phantom, which allows for device calibration without requiring patient involvement.

    “Metal implants can complicate the interpretation of MRI results significantly. Our objective was to tackle a critical clinical challenge: minimizing errors associated with metal hip implants during prostate MRI scans. These implants can not only cause distortions but also affect the accuracy of quantitative measurements. Developing a new scanning protocol is time-consuming, which can prolong the examination process and disrupt scheduling within diagnostic facilities. Moreover, adjustments made during the examination may lead to heating of the implant, resulting in patient discomfort. By utilizing a phantom, we can perform necessary adjustments in advance, thereby mitigating these risks,” explained Yuri Vasilev, Chief Consultant for Radiology of the Moscow Healthcare Department and CEO of the Moscow Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine.

    Previous Innovations and Future Directions

    In addition to the prostate phantom, researchers recently introduced fetal phantom, designed to optimize MRI protocol for pregnant women. This tool not only aids in training physicians and X-Ray technicians but also serves as a benchmark for equipment standards in clinical practice and the development of new research protocols.

    The Centre for Diagnostics and Telemedicine is a leading scientific and practical institution within the Moscow Healthcare Department, focusing on the creation of phantoms and medical simulators, as well as the provision of educational courses. Since its inception in 2013, the Center’s employees have produced over 800 scientific papers, including articles, methodological guidelines, monographs, and teaching materials.

    This project aligns with national healthcare objectives aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of medical care for residents of Moscow.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: UPDATE – United Kingdom Investment Trusts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Closed-End – David Schachter, Senior Vice President of Gabelli Funds, will travel to the United Kingdom to visit selected investment trusts.

    With over 40 years of experience exclusively with retail, long term, closed-end fund investors, Mr. Schachter, a most senior and experienced veteran of the U.S. Closed-End Fund industry, is also Vice President of The GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (GNT), which trades on the NYSE.

    During the 19th century, capital was raised through closed-end funds. These funds helped build the railroads, which linked the American continent from sea to sea and led to the nation’s economic success.

    Today, in the early 21st century, closed-end funds are being threatened for elimination by hedged activists for short-term and short-sighted value extraction.

    “Closed-end funds are a metaphor for long-term, patient capital, but they also represent freedom for investors who, in a sector where mass redemptions could force portfolio managers to sell, is an essential ability to those who may not want to be herded into selling.”

    Mr. Schachter plans to visit the Gabelli office as well as the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) and speak with interested U.K. investors.

    Financial professionals and investors are invited to contact Mr. Schachter directly at (914) 921-5057.

    Gabelli Funds, LLC is the adviser to thirteen closed-end funds which trade on the NYSE: Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB), Gabelli Convertible & Income Securities Fund (GCV), Gabelli Multimedia Trust (GGT), Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT), Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (GDV), Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (GLU), GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust (GGN), The GDL Fund (GDL), Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRX Trust (GRX), GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (GNT), Gabelli Global Small and Mid-Cap Value Trust (GGZ), Bancroft Fund (BCV) and Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund (ECF). As of December 31, 2024, the thirteen Gabelli closed-end funds had total assets of $7.3 billion.

    Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Funds, call:

    David Schachter
    (914) 921-5057
    dschachter@gabelli.com

    A Fund’s NAV per share will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Stocks are subject to market, economic, and business risks that cause their prices to fluctuate. Investors acquire shares of the Fund on a securities exchange at market value, which fluctuates according to the dynamics of supply and demand. When Fund shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in a Fund.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Hearing, Warren Slams RFK Jr. for Dangerous Conflicts of Interest, Profiting From Anti-Vaccine Conspiracies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    January 29, 2025
    Kennedy answers raise fresh questions about his ethics agreement
    Kennedy could profit from anti-vaccine lawsuits he can influence as Health Secretary 
    Warren: “Kennedy can kill off access to vaccines and make millions of dollars while he does it…Kids might die, but Robert Kennedy will keep cashing in.”
    Round 1 Questioning (YouTube) | Round 2 Questioning (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and member of the Senate Finance Committee, questioned Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), about his dangerous conflicts of interest and record of profiting from anti-vaccine conspiracies. 
    Mr. Kennedy has made nearly $2.5 million in referral fees from the law firm Wisner Baum, in connection with lawsuits against vaccine makers. Mr. Kennedy receives a 10% contingency fee in these cases if the plaintiffs win, and his ethics agreement indicates he will continue to receive these payments even if he is confirmed as HHS Secretary. However, during his confirmation hearing, Mr. Kennedy initially appeared to agree to not accept any compensation from lawsuits against drug companies while serving as HHS Secretary, stating, “Well, I will certainly commit to that while I’m Secretary.” He then backtracked and did not clearly commit to ending this arrangement — through which he can profit off of anti-vaccine lawsuits even if he is confirmed as HHS Secretary. 
    If Mr. Kennedy does maintain his financial stake in anti-vaccine lawsuits, he will have a serious conflict of interest. Senator Warren highlighted seven ways Mr. Kennedy could benefit financially from anti-vaccine lawsuits and increase his payouts, including: 
    Publishing anti-vaccine conspiracies on government letterhead to influence juries;
    Appointing anti-vaccine people to the CDC vaccine panel;
    Opening vaccine manufacturers to lawsuits by removing vaccines from special compensation programs;
    Making more injuries eligible for compensation even with no causal evidence;
    Change vaccine court processes to make it easier to bring junk lawsuits to get vaccines pulled from the market; and 
    Turn over FDA data to his connections at law firm Wisner Baum, for their use in lawsuits. 
    Senator Warren also asked Mr. Kennedy if he would take responsibility for more than 80 deaths in Samoa after Mr. Kennedy spread anti-vaccine conspiracies in the country. Mr. Kennedy refused to take responsibility. 
    Transcript: Hearing to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human ServicesSenate Committee on Finance January 29, 2025
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Kennedy, I want to start with something that I think you and I agree on: Big Pharma has too much power in Washington. You’ve said that, President Trump asked you to, “clean up corruption and conflicts.” Sounds great. You’ve said you will “slam shut the revolving door” between government agencies and the companies they regulate. That also sounds great.
    So here’s an easy question: will you commit that when you leave this job, you will not accept compensation from a drug company, a medical device company, a hospital system, or a health insurer for at least four years—including as a lobbyist or board member? 
    Mr. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services: Can you just repeat the last part of the question? Can I commit to what?
    Senator Warren: Sure, you’re not going to take money from drug companies in any way shape or form?
    Mr. Kennedy: Who? Me? 
    Senator Warren: Yes. You. 
    Mr. Kennedy: I’m happy to commit to that.
    Senator Warren: Good, that’s what I figured. I said, it’s an easy question to start with. And I think you’re right on this question – 
    Mr. Kennedy: I don’t think any of them want to give me any money, by the way.
    Senator Warren: Let’s keep going. You are right to say yes because every American has the right to know that every decision you make as our number one health officer is to help them—not to make money for yourself in the future.
    So, I want to talk more about money. I’m looking at your paperwork right now. In the past two years, you’ve raked in $2.5 million from a law firm called Wisner Baum. You go online, you do commercials to encourage people to sign up with Wisner Baum to join lawsuits against vaccine makers. And for everyone who signs up, you personally get paid, and if they win their case, you get 10% of what they win. So, if you bring in someone who gets $10 million, you walk away with a million dollars. 
    Now, you just said that you want the American people to know that you cannot be bought, your decisions won’t depend on how much money you could make in the future, you won’t go work for a drug company after you leave HHS. But you and I both know there’s another way to make money. 
    So, Mr. Kennedy, will you also agree that you also won’t take any compensation from any lawsuits against drug companies while you are Secretary and for four years afterwards?
    Mr. Kennedy: Well, I will certainly commit to that while I’m Secretary. But I do want to clarify something because you make me sound like a shill. I put together that case. I did the science day presentation to the judge on that case to get it into court, the docket hearing – 
    Senator Warren: Mr. Kennedy, it’s just a really simple question. You’ve taken in $2.5 million, I want to know if you will commit right now that not only will you not go to work for drug companies, you won’t go to work suing the drug companies and taking your rake out of that while you are Secretary and for four years after.
    Mr. Kennedy: I will commit to not taking any fees from drug companies while I’m Secretary. I –  
    Senator Warren: No, I’m asking about fees from suing drug companies. Will you agree not to do that?
    Mr. Kennedy: You are asking me to not sue drug companies, and I’m not going to agree to that – 
    Senator Warren: No. You can sue drug companies as much as you want. 
    Mr. Kennedy: I am not going to agree to not sue drug companies or anybody.
    Senator Warren: So, let’s do a quick count here of how, as Secretary of HHS, if you get confirmed, you could influence every one of those lawsuits. Well, let me start the list.
    You could publish your anti-vaccine conspiracies, but this time on U.S. government letterhead – something a jury might be impressed by. 
    Mr. Kennedy: I don’t understand that.
    Senator Warren: You could appoint people to the CDC vaccine panel who share your anti-vax views and let them do your dirty work.  
    You could tell the CDC vaccine panel to remove a particular vaccine from the vaccine schedule.
    You could remove vaccines from special compensation programs, which would open up manufacturers to mass torts.
    You could make more injuries eligible for compensation even if there’s no causal evidence. 
    You could change vaccine court processes to make it easier to bring junk lawsuits.
    You could turn over FDA data to your friends at the law firm, and they could use it however it benefitted them.
    You could change vaccine labelling.
    You could change vaccine information rules. 
    You could change which claims are compensated in the vaccine injury compensation program. 
    There’s a lot of ways you can influence those future lawsuits and pending lawsuits while you are Secretary of HHS, and I’m asking you to commit right now that you will not take a financial stake in every one of those lawsuits so that what you do as Secretary will also benefit you financially down the line.
    Mr. Kennedy: I will comply with all the ethical guidelines. 
    Senator Warren: That’s not the question. You and I—you have said repeatedly—
    Mr. Kennedy: You are asking me—Senator, you’re asking me not to sue vaccine—pharmaceutical companies.
    Senator Warren: No, I am not. My question is: stop enriching yourself.
    Look, no one should be fooled here. As Secretary of HHS, Robert Kennedy will have the power to undercut vaccines and vaccine manufacturing across our country. And for all his talk about “follow the science” and his promise that he won’t interfere with those of us who want to vaccinate our kids, the bottom line is the same: Kennedy can kill off access to vaccines and make millions of dollars while he does it. 
    Kids might die, but Robert Kennedy can keep cashing in. 
    Mr. Kennedy: Senator, I support vaccines, I will—I support the childhood schedule, I will do that. The only thing I want is good science, and that’s it.
    Senator Warren: How about then saying you won’t make money off what you do as Secretary of HHS?
    Chair Mike Crapo: Before we go to Senator Tillis, I think it would be important for me to make it very clear that Mr. Kennedy has gone through the same Office of Government Ethics process as every single other nominee in the Finance Committee this year and in previous administrations. In addition to listing his assets, including the items that you’ve identified, he has signed an ethics letter that has been reviewed by the Office of Government Ethics concerning any possible conflict in light of its functions and the nominee’s proposed duties. And we have a letter from the Office of Government Ethics that he has complied completely with all applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest.
    Senator Warren: Mr. Chairman, point of information here: have we had a single nominee come through who’s made two and a half million dollars off suing one of the entities that it would be regulating and plans to keep getting a take of every lawsuit in the future? Have we had that before?
    Chair Crapo: I haven’t reviewed the past documentation of every other nominee’s financial interests, and so no. But I know that every single time we get a nominee, their financial interests are attacked. That’s why we have the Office of Government Ethics. That’s why they’ve reviewed everything that’s in his record, and that’s why he has even—I think, and I don’t know that I want to ask him to get into it—but he has listed his assets and has gone through a discussion of the responsibilities under our ethics laws and is complied with all of those requirements.
    Round 2
    Senator Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Kennedy, I want to ask about your role in a 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa. In July 2018, two children died immediately after receiving a measles vaccine that nurses had mistakenly mixed with a muscle relaxant. The nurses get charged with manslaughter, but the vaccination rates go down. 
    I asked you about this in my office. You told me flatly that your visit to Samoa had nothing to do with vaccinations. We now know that’s not true. I have the documentation. You met with the Prime Minister, you talked about vaccinations. You met with an anti-vaccine influencer who described the meeting as “profoundly monumental for this movement.” 
    So what happens? Vaccinations go down. There’s a measles outbreak, and children start dying, but you double down. You didn’t give up just four days after the Prime Minister declared a state of emergency. 16 people already dead. You sent a letter to him promoting the idea that the children had died not from measles but from a “defective vaccine.” You launched the idea that a measles vaccine caused these deaths. 
    You are a very influential man. In fact, you are called the leader of the disinformation dozen. UNICEF and WHO, the World Health Organization, investigated this. They say the claims are false. It is not biologically possible what you claimed, and yet, ultimately, more than 70 people died because they didn’t get vaccines. 
    So my question is, do you accept even a scintilla, just even a sliver of responsibility for the drop in vaccinations and the subsequent deaths of more than 70 people? Anything you’d do differently?
    Mr. Kennedy: No, absolutely not. After the—there were two incidents in which children died in 2015 and again in 2018. 2015, it was from the measles vaccine. That’s what the New Zealand General Hospital found. The government of Samoa banned the measles vaccine after 2018. I arrived in July of the next year, after the ban had been in place for a year, and the measles—
    Senator Warren: Mr. Chairman, understanding that you wanted to hold this to a minute, and then I don’t get to present all the facts and documentation I’ve got. How about if we just decide to make entries for the record on exactly what the record shows about Mr. Kennedy’s participation? And I think he’s answered the yes or no question. He takes no responsibility. 
    Chair Crapo: Senator Warren, we will do that. And Mr. Kennedy, and to all the senators, every senator knows that following this hearing, they will be able to ask you questions off the record, and you will be able to put answers back onto the record. So please give that answer. I apologize that we’re shutting you off for giving a full response right now.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Confirmation Hearing, Cortez Masto Spars with RFK Jr. on Commitment to Protecting Abortion Access, Lowering Drug Prices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    In the hearing, RFK Jr. said he “didn’t know” if a woman experiencing a life-threatening condition had the right to an abortion.
    Senator Cortez Masto will not vote to confirm Mr. Kennedy to lead the HHS.
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) about a woman’s access to life-saving abortion care and President Trump’s Executive Order rescinding Biden-era actions to lower drug prices. Following his distressing answers at the hearing, Senator Cortez Masto announced she would not vote to confirm him to lead HHS.
    First, Senator Cortez Masto asked Mr. Kennedy to acknowledge that a woman having a heart-attack had the right, under a 40-year old federal law, to be given emergency care in hospitals that receive Medicare payments. Mr. Kennedy agreed that she did. Then, Cortez Masto asked “A pregnant woman with life-threatening bleeding from an incomplete miscarriage goes to the ER, and her doctor determines that she needs an emergency abortion. But, she’s in a state where abortion is banned. You would agree also…that federal law protects her right to that emergency care, correct?”
    “Uh…I don’t know,” Mr. Kennedy responded. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) hospitals must provide lifesaving and stabilizing care to patients experiencing medical emergencies, which can include abortion care. Mr. Kennedy also did not know that HHS investigates hospitals who don’t comply with EMTALA.
    Cortez Masto also highlighted that one of President Trump’s first actions in the White House was to revoke a Biden-era executive order that pushed to cut prescription drug costs, and that House Republicans have repeatedly stated that they hope to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act which significantly lowered drug prices for thousands of Americans. She asked Mr. Kennedy what he would do to lower drug costs.
    Mr. Kennedy repeatedly referenced a executive order by the Trump Administration supporting the drug negotiation language passed in the Inflation Reduction Act. While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did put out a statement today saying they are “committed to incorporating lessons learned to date from the program” into future actions, no such executive order exists. Mr. Kennedy did not offer any additional suggestions to lower drug prices for Americans.
    Mr. Kennedy also displayed a concerning lack of understanding of how Medicaid and Medicare support Nevadans, including by helping keep the doors open for many rural hospitals and community health centers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business – Clear the queue to boost innovation and primary sector – BusinessNZ

    Source: BusinessNZ

    BusinessNZ strongly backs Animal and Plant Health NZ’s call for a sensible and modern approvals process for innovative plant and animal products, to unlock greater economic potential for the primary sector and boost economic growth.
    Chief Executive Katherine Rich says our current system is too slow, too costly and uncertain.
    “Some multinational firms find great difficulty launching in New Zealand because we’ve made bringing innovation here cost and time-prohibitive.
    “It should not take an application more than four years to get approval – particularly products or treatments which have been safely on the market elsewhere for a decade.
    “Whether it be the approval of innovative new products through the Environmental Protection Authority or new pharmaceuticals and medical devices through Medsafe, New Zealand needs effective approval processes for launching innovation here which is not cost-prohibitive and many years long.
    “New Zealand needs to be an attractive place to launch new products for innovation. We must have an effective and efficient approvals process.”
    Rich says BusinessNZ gladly joined businesses and organisations in co-signing a letter to Ministers, calling for positive change.
    “We also support the Ministry for Regulation’s review of the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory approval process, and BusinessNZ expects to hear more in the coming weeks after findings are presented to Cabinet.”
    The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Designing the Cultural Heart of Ipswich

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Ipswich CBD will soon begin its transformation thanks to a $3.8 million investment from the Albanese Government to fund detailed upgrade designs.

    The Ipswich Central Heart: Art, Commerce and Urban Greening project is being funded through Stream One of the Australian Government’s urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP). 

    The project will develop designs for the expansion of the Ipswich Art Gallery and the redevelopment of the Ipswich Civic Centre. It will also include planning for a streetscape refresh of Brisbane Street, the integration of the Inner CBD Cycle Network and additional urban greening initiatives.

    The planned precinct aims to enhance economic development by creating new local job opportunities, in addition to supporting the investment already underway in Ipswich Central. 

    It will also deliver an arts and cultural precinct, providing a place for artists and performers to collectively work and create.

    City of Ipswich will work collaboratively alongside the Office of the Queensland Government Architect, Queensland Health, West Moreton Health, and the Department of Transport and Main Roads throughout this planning project.  

    Stream One of the uPPP funds the design of places that contribute to local economic growth and revitalise urban spaces to meet the needs of growing communities.

    This funding demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to valuing local voices and developing partnerships that will help build Australia’s future in the long term. 

    Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King: 

    “The Albanese Government’s urban Precincts and Partnerships Program is about reusing and reimagining our urban spaces to better serve the people who live in them.

    “The Ipswich CBD has enormous potential and this funding is the first critical step in realising this project.”  

    Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm: 

    “This new precinct, right in the heart of Ipswich, will improve arts and cultural experiences for the local community and help secure Ipswich’s status as a cultural hub in the south east.

    “This is yet another demonstration of the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to back local priority infrastructure and community projects in our town centres.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann:

    “This $3.8 million investment from the Albanese Government in Ipswich’s heart will boost local businesses and jobs, in addition to supporting the investment already underway in Ipswich Central to make our city more vibrant and liveable. 

    “Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and this funding will help drive a thriving arts and cultural zone in our city centre that can be used by our diverse arts and entertainment community.”

    Quotes attributable to Ipswich Deputy Mayor, Cr Nicole Jonic:

    “We want to build an Ipswich that provides not only jobs and opportunities, but access to arts, culture and recreation. 

    “The Ipswich Central Heart: Art, Commerce and Urban Greening project will help us create a modern city where people can work, play and have pride in where they live.

    “This much-needed Federal funding will enhance the capacity of Ipswich Central cultural assets, like the Ipswich Art Gallery and Ipswich Civic Centre, and improve connectivity between these venues and our revitalised CBD.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. Announces Departure

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Tenure Marked by Violent Crime Declines, White Collar Fraud Crackdown, Dismantling Drug Traffickers, and Expansion of Civil Rights

    RALEIGH, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., announced today that he is stepping down on Monday, February 3, 2025, after leading the Office since November 2021. President Joseph Biden nominated Easley on September 28, 2021, and the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him on November 21, 2021. He was officially sworn in on November 26, 2021.  

    “It has been the highest honor to serve as the top federal law enforcement official for Eastern North Carolina – a place I was born, raised, and am proud to call home,” said Easley. “The men and women of the Eastern District are among the hardest working in the nation – steadfast in the mission to keep America safe.  Together, we helped drive down violent crime, turbocharged white-collar prosecutions, protected civil rights, and stemmed the tide of narcotics into our communities.  We did it through partnering, shoulder to shoulder, with local law enforcement and community leaders to solve our region’s most challenging problems.  I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, and staff who give so much to see justice done every day.”

    “U.S. Attorney Easley is the kind of partner every sheriff hopes for – sharp, decisive, and committed to results.  He didn’t just talk about law enforcement partnerships; he made them real, partnering with sheriffs for solutions and backing them up with action.  Under his leadership, we made real progress— violent crime down, overdose deaths falling, and tighter collaboration.  Easley set a new gold standard for what it means to lead in federal law enforcement,” said Eddie Caldwell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the North Carolina Sheriffs Association.

    “We are deeply grateful for the years that U.S. Attorney Easley served at the helm of the Eastern District of North Carolina. His leadership, particularly through collaborative efforts, like the VCAP initiative, played a critical role in prosecuting violent offenders. His work has significantly contributed to our goal of making Raleigh one of the safest cities in the nation. He will be greatly missed,” said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson.

    Expansion of Resources to Make Communities Safer

    U.S. Attorney Easley fought to significantly expand investigative and prosecutorial resources in the District, including a nearly 17% increase in prosecutors and new legal support staff and investigators. Much of the new personnel were allocated through a competitive national application process, with no district in the nation receiving more new prosecutors than the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC). The Office’s productivity and strong law enforcement partnerships also led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to add an additional team of agents to partner on violent crime reduction across the District.

    Easley and his Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) team also worked with Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership to have Raleigh named a National Public Safety Partnership Site (PSP). The program aims to lower crime rates and improve quality of life through intensive training and technical assistance (TTA) to enhance gun violence investigations, constitutional policing, community engagement, crime analysis, and the use of technology in crime reduction.

    Driving Down Violent Crime and Dismantling Drug Traffickers

    Throughout his tenure, Easley and his team have led the charge to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the District by launching a Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) with formal coordination sites in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Rocky Mount, New Bern, and the Albemarle Region. The VCAP strategy built deeper ties and sustained partnerships with law enforcement, with VCAP sites showing double-digit percentage declines in homicides since 2022, for example, Raleigh (↓37%), Fayetteville (↓39%), Wilmington (↓15%), and Rocky Mount (↓67%).

    VCAP is a collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and district attorney’s offices to identify and prosecute the most significant drivers of violence, specifically targeting shooters and the gunrunners who arm them.  Notable cases include the 20-year sentence for a Crabtree Valley Mall robbery and the carjacking, the sentencing of a Crips Gang member for multi-state gun trafficking; the indictment of two Sampson County men allegedly responsible for a quintuple murder, the prosecution of gang members with fully-automatic machine guns; and gun smuggling to Mexico.

    VCAP provides a forum for structured inter-agency coordination, intelligence-led policing, and deployment of federal Task Force Officers to bring federal technology to address local gun violence.

    In 2022, 2023, and 2024, EDNC prosecuted over 850 individuals for firearms offenses and took over 750 guns off the streets.

    In addition to VCAP, Easley revamped the Office’s Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) by expanding the use of federal wiretaps, embedding federal agents alongside prosecutors, and increasing financial investigations. During Easley’s tenure, the Office achieved a #1 national rank for the number of OCDETF cases and #1 for the number of OCDETF defendants convicted of violence. Easley encouraged partners to prioritize national-scale cases with strong local impact, dismantling the trafficking, distribution, and money laundering pillars of criminal enterprises.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Notable cases include the 75-year sentence of a national leader of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club for narcotics trafficking and violence; the indictment of 16 members of the Hell’s Angels and Red Devils motorcycle gangs as part of an alleged violent criminal enterprise; the 40-year sentence for a narcotics trafficker operating from a daycare; the prosecution of the leader of white supremacist organization for armed drug trafficking; the  35-year sentence of a violent Fayetteville fentanyl trafficker; the conviction of a Raleigh Police officer for drug trafficking; the conviction of two fentanyl traffickers with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel; the conviction of a Rocky Mount Blood Gang leader for drug trafficking and COVID-19 fraud; the 40-year sentence of a drug trafficker linked to the murder, dismemberment and disposal of a confidential informant;  the prosecution of a former Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy for drug trafficking and bid-rigging; and the 50-year sentence of a violent Sampson County Blood Gang leader for armed drug trafficking.

    Attacking the Fentanyl Epidemic

    Easley also prioritized the prosecution of cases involving counterfeit pills and overdose deaths arising from fentanyl poisoning. An Elizabeth City man was sentenced to 20 years for trafficking heroin and fentanyl after causing an overdose death, a Raleigh man received a 15-year sentence after assisting in the distribution of fentanyl that killed a young woman, and a Snapchat fentanyl trafficker whose counterfeit pills led to an overdose death received 13 years in prison.

    To help local law enforcement get justice for victims of fentanyl poisoning and their families, Easley launched Overdose Death Investigation Trainings to train more than 200 law enforcement officers and prosecutors across the District on building fentanyl death cases.

    Easley also worked to reduce demand for opioids through outreach and education through the Heroin Education Action Team (HEAT), including educational events in local communities and schools.  The team launched a powerful new educational video to teach students and communities about the dangers.

    Protecting America’s National Security, Sensitive Technology, and Cybersecurity

    Under Easley’s leadership, the Office prioritized national security cases involving domestic and international terrorism, international cybercriminals, and protecting sensitive technology from foreign adversaries.  The prosecutions included a man accused of attempting to join ISIS and convictions against five members of a white supremacist plot to attack the energy grid, an anti-government bombmaker teaching how to target law enforcement, and a U.S. Army Major convicted of shipping guns to Ghana.  The Office also extradited and pursued a groundbreaking case against one of the FBI’s most wanted cybercriminals responsible for tens of millions of dollars in losses from widescale ransomware attacks, including on a hospital.

    Easley also built deeper ties with the DOJ’s National Security Division and the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry & Security to launch a Disruptive Technology Strike Force (DTSF) cell to protect innovation in the Research Triangle’s high-tech sector. The DTSF partners with law enforcement and industry to protect advanced technology from unlawful acquisition by foreign adversaries. As home to the Research Triangle Park, world-class research institutions, and some of the Department of Defense’s largest installations, the EDNC hosts critical technology that malign foreign actors seek to obtain. The Raleigh DTSF cell is only one of fifteen in the country.  

    Surge in White Collar Fraud and Corruption Enforcement

    Under Easley’s leadership, the Office saw a significant surge in white-collar enforcement, with white-collar caseloads increasing 115% in a year.  Cases included the prosecution of a former Morgan Stanley financial advisor who defrauded investors in a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, an ENT doctor sentenced to 25 years for defrauding Medicaid, a man who laundered $40mm in narco-linked crypto, and a plant manager who dumped tens of thousands of gallons of toxic waste into the Cape Fear River. The Office also prosecuted a $15-million-dollar COVID fraud scheme involving more than 20 businesses and individuals.

    These cases arose from the launch of dedicated working groups focused on Securities Fraud, Money Laundering, Public Health, Environmental Crimes, and other priority areas. The Office also launched an annual Economic Crimes Summit to build deeper ties with investigators across about 30 different agencies.

    Easley also launched an Illicit Finance Task Force with the Treasury Department to combat transnational money laundering by targeting third-party money launders and money-transmitting businesses utilizing cryptocurrency, banking, and brokerages to run dirty money through the American financial system.

    Expanding Civil Rights Enforcement

    Easley launched the Office’s first dedicated Civil Rights Team to enhance the Office’s civil rights enforcement. The team includes dedicated coordinators in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions and a designated Human Trafficking Coordinator. The Civil Rights Initiative emphasizes community engagement and law enforcement training.

    As a part of the effort, the Office trained more than 200 officers in de-escalation, use of force, and community engagement strategies. The Office also hosted multiple outreach events through its United Against Hate Initiative to build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community and to educate communities on how to identify and report hate crimes.

    Easley also launched two human trafficking task forces – one in the Raleigh-Cary area and one in Southeastern North Carolina – to bring together law enforcement and community resources to share intelligence and investigative leads, provide specialized training, and promote greater public-private coordination to rescue and stabilize victims.

    Strong Civil Practice

    For the past three years, the EDNC’s Civil Division has ranked in the top 10 among large districts in the number of cases filed or responded to per AUSA. The Division has consistently ranked #1 in the Fourth Circuit for Affirmative Civil Rights and Affirmative Fraud cases and has ranked in the top five nationally compared to other large districts.  EDNC’s Financial Litigation Program (FLP), responsible for collecting debts owed to the U.S. Government, collected over $58 million in the last three fiscal years.

    About U.S. Attorney Easley

    Prior to his appointment as the U.S. Attorney, Easley was a partner at a large international law firm focused on internal investigations and trial court work in state and federal courts.  

    Born in Southport, North Carolina, Easley attended the University of North Carolina, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors and distinction in political science. He later received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Emanuel Jones Awarded Honorary Doctorate from Coventry House University

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (January 29, 2025) — On February 9, Sen. Emanuel Jones (D–Decatur) will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Coventry House University – Asia Pacific. The 10th Commencement Exercises and Doctoral Conferment Award ceremony will be held at the Manila Hotel in Manila, Philippines.

    “I am deeply honored to receive this Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Coventry House University – Asia Pacific,” said Sen. Jones. “Their mission to uplift and empower aligns with my commitment to public service. With over 20 years of public service experience, this recognition reinforces my drive to continue this vital work. I am grateful for this acknowledgment and inspired to continue serving with purpose and faith.”

    Coventry House University supports global ministry through education. Their mission is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry in order to build up the body of Christ.”

    For more about Coventry House University, you can read here.

    # # # #

    Sen. Emanuel Jones represents the 10th Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb and Henry County.  He may be reached at 404.656.0502 or via email at Emanuel.Jones@senate.ga.gov.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Joins Fox & Friends to Discuss RFK, Jr.’s Confirmation Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Fox & Friends to discuss his upcoming Senate Finance Committee hearing with President Trump’s nominee to lead Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 
    As the leader and founder of the Make America Healthy Again Caucus, Senator Marshall shared how RFK, Jr. will combat America’s chronic disease epidemic by increasing access to whole, fresh foods for all Americans. Senator Marshall discussed how RFK, Jr. will bring about a new age of medical and nutritional transparency, empowering Americans to take control of their health. 
    Additionally, Senator Marshall discussed President Trump’s recent executive order mandating all federal employees to return to the office and end remote work. 
    [embedded content]
    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include: 
    On RFK Jr.’s first confirmation hearing today: 
    “What I need are those moms to call their Senators and support Bobby’s nomination. Look, if you agree with Bobby Kennedy that America is not very healthy right now, that 40% of Americans have a chronic disease. Our children, 20% of them are on some type of prescription drug. There’s a mental health explosion in our young children. So, I think Bobby just needs to share his heart. He needs to share with America why this is so important to him, and really disarm some of the false issues out there.”
    On updating the United States’ nutritional standards: 
    “On these food additives – I sat down with the FDA Food Czar two years ago, raised these same questions. Finally, just after President Trump gets elected, they look at red dye. The problem is they’re relying on data from 40 or 50 years ago, that they don’t update these approval processes.”
    “[RFK Jr.] is right. 70% of our calories are coming from processed foods, as opposed to fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh foods of all types. So Bobby and I will work together, Dr. Oz and President Trump’s team to help make those nutritious foods more affordable and more available to everyone across the country.”
    On President Trump’s mandate for federal employees to return to office:
    “Only 6% of federal employees are in the office – only 6%. Second data point I would give you is under Joe Biden, he added 128,000 employees. Meanwhile, they made $250 billion of improper payments. So our federal government is incompetent when it comes to appropriations that they send out $250 billion of inappropriate dollars, mostly for Medicare and Social Security. So we need those people to come back to do their job, to be accountable. This is exactly why 77 million people voted for Donald J Trump.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Aid efforts in Gaza escalate as risks from deadly unexploded ordnance grows

    Source: United Nations 4

    Humanitarian Aid

    As more than 423,000 displaced Palestinians return to their homes in northern Gaza following the opening of key roads, UN agencies are scaling up humanitarian aid and addressing the growing risks posed by unexploded ordnance such as landmines (UXO). 

    “Hope returns to Gaza, but it’s fragile,” said Corinne Fleischer, World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “With open crossings and sustained efforts, Gaza’s recovery can take root,” she emphasised.

    The WFP has doubled its aid deliveries, bringing in 22,000 metric tons of food in the past six days – more than the entire supply that entered Gaza in November.

    Scaling up essential services

    UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted further relief efforts, noting that six fuel tankers were delivered to northern Gaza on Wednesday.

    Aid workers stationed along the Salah ad Din and Al Rashid roads continue to assist people making their way back north to shattered homes, providing food, water, and hygiene kits, with the UN Children’s fund (UNICEF) distributing identification bracelets for children to help families stay connected.

    To support vulnerable groups, the World Health Organization (WHO) has supplied fuel, tents and equipment to establish trauma stabilization points along Al Rashid Road in collaboration with the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

    Meanwhile, efforts to provide emergency nutrition continue, with high-energy biscuits distributed to 19,000 people south of Wadi Gaza and 10,000 in the north.

    Shelter assistance is also being scaled up, with humanitarian partners distributing tents to families – many of whom are returning to homes that have been completely destroyed.

    Water remains a critical concern and aid workers are ramping up water trucking operations. In Rafah alone, 300 cubic meters of potable water – enough for 50,000 people – is being distributed daily.

    Danger underfoot

    Despite the increasing humanitarian response, returning residents face significant risks from UXO contamination.

    The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has warned that between 5 to 10 percent of weapons fired into Gaza have failed to detonate, leaving behind deadly hazards.

    Since October 2023, at least 92 people have been killed or injured by explosive ordnance. Informal reports suggest 24 victims since the ceasefire began, according to Luke Irving, Chief of the UN Mine Action Programme (UNMAS) in the occupied Palestinian territories, briefing the press on Wednesday from the enclave.

    “Humanitarian convoys are finding items more and more, as we reach new areas which we previously could not get to, including large aircraft bombs, mortars, anti-tank weapons, rockets and rifle grenades,” he explained.

    © WFP

    An area of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip lies in ruins.

    Rubble removal

    To mitigate risks, UNMAS and its partners are conducting awareness sessions, distributing safety leaflets and escorting humanitarian convoys along high-risk routes.

    A newly established UN-led Gaza Debris Management Framework aims to ensure the safe removal of rubble, but progress is being hindered by UXO contamination, exposure to hazardous materials and complex property disputes.

    Several UN agencies are collaborating to address both the environmental and housing concerns associated with these issues.

    Deteriorating situation in West Bank

    Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, violence and military operations continue to escalate.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported a drastic deterioration in the humanitarian situation, particularly in the governorates of Jenin and Tulkarm.

    “We’ve repeatedly expressed our concern over the use of lethal, war-like tactics in law enforcement operations,” Mr. Dujarric said.

    Israeli military operations in these areas have led to significant destruction of civilian infrastructure.

    In Tulkarm, access to water and electricity has been disrupted and initial estimates suggest that nearly 1,000 people have been displaced in recent days.

    Sustained humanitarian access

    With humanitarian efforts scaling up, UN agencies are calling for unhindered access to deliver aid safely and ensure the protection of both civilians and humanitarian workers.

    Mr. Dujarric reiterated the urgent need for safe passage for humanitarian workers, the protection of civilians and the acceleration of reconstruction efforts to support those returning home. 

    Soundcloud

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Questions HHS Secretary Nominee During Finance Committee Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. 
    Senator Cassidy: Mr. Kennedy, President Trump has sworn to protect Medicare. Republicans are exploring reforms to Medicaid that could help pay for Trump administration priorities. With this context, what will you do about dual eligibles?
    Mr. Kennedy: About—
    Senator Cassidy: Dual-eligibles.
    Mr. Kennedy: Well, dual-eligibles are not right now served very well under the system. Those are people who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. And I, you know, I suppose my answer to that is to make sure that the programs are consolidated, that they are integrated, and that care is integrated. I look forward to working with you, Dr. Cassidy, on making sure that we take good care of people who are dual-eligible.
    Senator Cassidy: How would we—how do you propose that we integrate those programs? Does Medicare pay more, Medicare pay less, Medicaid pay more, Medicaid pay less? How do we do that?
    Mr. Kennedy: I’m not exactly sure because I’m not in there. I mean, it is difficult to integrate them because Medicaid—Medicare is under fee for service, paid for by employer taxes. Medicaid is fully paid for federal government and it’s not fee for service. So, it’s—I do not know the answer to that. I look forward to exploring options with you.
    Senator Cassidy: Republicans again are looking at ways to potentially reform Medicaid to help, you know, pay for President Trump’s priorities, but to improve outcomes. What thoughts do you have regarding Medicaid reform?
    Mr. Kennedy: Well, Medicaid is not working for Americans, and it’s specifically not working for the target population. Most Americans like myself, I’m on Medicare Advantage, and I’m very happy with it. Most people who are on Medicaid are not happy. The premiums are too high, the deductibles are too high. The networks are narrow. The best doctors will not accept it at the best hospitals. And particularly, Medicaid was originally designed for a target population, the poorest Americans. It’s now been dramatically expanded. And the irony of the expansion is that the poorest Americans are now being robbed. Their services have dramatically decreased even though we’ve increased the price of Medicare by 60 percent over the last 4 years. The target population is being robbed. We need to figure out other options.
    Senator Cassidy: With that said, obviously you’ve thought about that and I appreciate that. What reforms do you recommend, again, that would improve services I suppose, but also make it more cost efficient?
    Mr. Kennedy: Well, President Trump has given me the charge of improving quality of care and lowering the price of care for all Americans. There are many things that we can do, I mean, what we want to, the ultimate outcome, I think, is to increase transparency, increase accountability, and to transition to a value-based system rather than a fee-based system—service-based system. 
    Senator Cassidy. On Medicaid in particular, can you just kind of take those kind of general principles and apply it to the Medicaid program?
    Mr. Kennedy: You know I, listen, I think that there are many, many options with telemedicine, with AI right now. And, you know there’s a—including direct primary care systems, we are seeing that movement grow across the country. There’s a—one of the largest providers—
    Senator Cassidy: So, so knowing, going back to Medicaid, though. And speaking of these specific advances, how would you, what reforms are you proposing, with these ideas vis a vis Medicaid?
    Mr. Kennedy: Well, I don’t have a broad proposal for dismantling the program—
    Senator Cassidy: I’m not saying—of course not saying that.
    Mr. Kennedy: I think what we need to do is we need to experiment with pilot programs in each state. We need to keep our eye on the ultimate goal, which is value-based care, which is transparency, accountability, access.
    Senator Cassidy: And one more thing, going back to Medicare, you mentioned you’re an MA. You mentioned earlier the Medicare fee for service. Do you have any kind of thoughts as to, whether or not patients on fee for service should move into MA or how should we handle that?
    Mr. Kennedy: Whether patients—
    Senator Cassidy: Who are on Medicare fee for service.
    Mr. Kennedy: For traditional Medicare?
    Senator Cassidy: Yes.
    Mr. Kennedy: That’s their choice right now. I mean, we have I think 32 million Americans, or 30 million Americans on Medicare—on traditional Medicare, and then another 34, or thirty—34 on Medicare Advantage, roughly half and half. And I think more people would rather be on Medicare Advantage because it offers very good services, but people can’t afford it. It’s much more expensive. Oh, and answer to your first question, there, you know, are all kinds of exciting things that we can be doing, including cooperatives, which President Trump has supported, including health savings accounts, which President Trump has supported. All of these things to make people more accountable for their own health.
    Senator Cassidy: And so we bring the cooperatives and the health savings accounts into Medicare and Medicaid? 
    Mr. Kennedy: Exactly. We try to—try to increase those, the use of those and to direct primary care to continue to transition into  a value-based program that is private. Americans don’t, by and large, do not like the Affordable Care Act. People are on it. They don’t like Medicaid. They like Medicare. And they like private insurance. We need to listen to what people, they would prefer to be on private insurance. Most Americans, if they can afford to be, will be on private insurance. We need to figure out ways to improve care, particularly for elderly, for veterans, for the poor in this country, and Medicaid, the current model is not doing that. I would ask, you know, any of the Democrats who are chuckling just now. Do you think all that money, the $900 billion that we’re sending to Medicaid every year has made Americans healthy? Do we think it’s working for anybody? Are the premiums low enough?

    MIL OSI USA News –