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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister’s remarks in Brussels: 3 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s remarks in Brussels.

    Thank you, Mark – it’s very good to be here.

    I should say it’s very good to be back here.

    And as you know, the UK’s commitment to NATO is stronger than ever –

    Because the need for NATO is clearer than ever.

    We’ve had a very good and productive discussion today…

    On how we can meet the rising threats that Russia poses across our continent…

    Including the situation, of course, in Ukraine.

    A couple of weeks ago, as you know, I was in Kyiv…

    I saw residential buildings, destroyed just days before.

    I met soldiers in the ICU…

    Recovering from really terrible burns.

    And I met children, whose parents are out there now…

    On the frontline.

    And, it’s yet another reminder…

    That this is a not a war not just in Ukraine…

    It’s a war on Ukraine…

    Against those children and their future.

    That’s why – together –

    We stand with them.

    We are all working to end this war…

    But let’s be absolutely clear –

    Peace will come through strength.

    And we must do all we can now to support Ukraine’s defence…

    And that means stabilising the front line…

    Providing the kit and the training they need.

    And that’s why, this year…

    The UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever

    before.

    We need to see all allies stepping up – particularly in Europe.

    President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia…

    And it’s clear that that’s got Putin rattled.

    We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy.

    So I’m here to work with our European partners on keeping up the

    pressure…

    Targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his

    missile factories…

    To crush Putin’s war machine.

    Because ultimately –

    Alongside our military support…

    That is what will bring peace closer.

    And we must keep working together to bolster NATO.

    And as you say, things that would have provoked utter outrage, just a few years

    ago…

    Have now become almost commonplace:

    Russian spy ships loitering off the British coast…

    A campaign of sabotage across Europe…

    Cyber-attacks, election interference, and attempted assassinations.

    Russia is seeking to destabilise our continent – target our values.

    So we should still be outraged.

    And we must harden European’s defence.

    In the UK we are proud to be a leading NATO ally…

    Part of the Forward Land Forces…            

    Helping to police our skies and patrol our seas.

    Our defence spending is of course 2.3% of GDP now…

    And we are working hard work to set the path to 2.5%…

    And NATO plans and requirements…

    As well as the principle of “NATO First”…

    Will be at the heart of our Strategic Defence Review this year.

    Across Europe, we must shoulder more of the burden now –

    Because it is our burden to carry.

    Now that’s what I’ll be discussing at the EU Council this evening.

    We want to deliver an ambitious UK-EU Security partnership…

    To bolster NATO…

    Covering military technology and R&D…

    Improving the mobility of forces across Europe…

    Protecting our critical infrastructure…

    And deepening our industrial collaboration to increase defence production.

    We can’t be commentators when it comes to matters of peace on

    our continent.

    We must lead. 

    And that is what I’m determined to do.

    Thank you so much Mark.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Speech: Prime Minister’s remarks in Brussels: 3 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s remarks in Brussels.

    Thank you, Mark – it’s very good to be here.

    I should say it’s very good to be back here.

    And as you know, the UK’s commitment to NATO is stronger than ever –

    Because the need for NATO is clearer than ever.

    We’ve had a very good and productive discussion today…

    On how we can meet the rising threats that Russia poses across our continent…

    Including the situation, of course, in Ukraine.

    A couple of weeks ago, as you know, I was in Kyiv…

    I saw residential buildings, destroyed just days before.

    I met soldiers in the ICU…

    Recovering from really terrible burns.

    And I met children, whose parents are out there now…

    On the frontline.

    And, it’s yet another reminder…

    That this is a not a war not just in Ukraine…

    It’s a war on Ukraine…

    Against those children and their future.

    That’s why – together –

    We stand with them.

    We are all working to end this war…

    But let’s be absolutely clear –

    Peace will come through strength.

    And we must do all we can now to support Ukraine’s defence…

    And that means stabilising the front line…

    Providing the kit and the training they need.

    And that’s why, this year…

    The UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever

    before.

    We need to see all allies stepping up – particularly in Europe.

    President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia…

    And it’s clear that that’s got Putin rattled.

    We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy.

    So I’m here to work with our European partners on keeping up the

    pressure…

    Targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his

    missile factories…

    To crush Putin’s war machine.

    Because ultimately –

    Alongside our military support…

    That is what will bring peace closer.

    And we must keep working together to bolster NATO.

    And as you say, things that would have provoked utter outrage, just a few years

    ago…

    Have now become almost commonplace:

    Russian spy ships loitering off the British coast…

    A campaign of sabotage across Europe…

    Cyber-attacks, election interference, and attempted assassinations.

    Russia is seeking to destabilise our continent – target our values.

    So we should still be outraged.

    And we must harden European’s defence.

    In the UK we are proud to be a leading NATO ally…

    Part of the Forward Land Forces…            

    Helping to police our skies and patrol our seas.

    Our defence spending is of course 2.3% of GDP now…

    And we are working hard work to set the path to 2.5%…

    And NATO plans and requirements…

    As well as the principle of “NATO First”…

    Will be at the heart of our Strategic Defence Review this year.

    Across Europe, we must shoulder more of the burden now –

    Because it is our burden to carry.

    Now that’s what I’ll be discussing at the EU Council this evening.

    We want to deliver an ambitious UK-EU Security partnership…

    To bolster NATO…

    Covering military technology and R&D…

    Improving the mobility of forces across Europe…

    Protecting our critical infrastructure…

    And deepening our industrial collaboration to increase defence production.

    We can’t be commentators when it comes to matters of peace on

    our continent.

    We must lead. 

    And that is what I’m determined to do.

    Thank you so much Mark.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrests illegal Dominican national convicted of murder in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Dominican national convicted for murder in Massachusetts in 2007 when officers arrested Cesar Augusto Polanco, 59, January 24 at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Norfolk after he was released from state custody.

    “Cesar Augusto Polanco came to this country lawfully; however, his horrendous actions have deemed him a significant threat to the residents here,” said acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We will not allow our communities to be subjected to the danger posed by violent alien offenders. ICE ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing these criminals from New England.”

    Polanco lawfully entered the United States at John F. Kennedy International Airport March 18, 1990 and later violated the terms of his lawful admission.

    Polanco was convicted of murder March 8, 2007, and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. ICE issued an immigration detainer against Polanco June 20, 2013, with the Massachusetts Correctional Institution.

    ICE served Polanco with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge December 20, 2013, and was ordered removed from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic June 25, 2014.

    The Massachusetts Correctional Institution honored the immigration detainer and informed ICE Boston of Polanco’s release. Polanco remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

    “ICE recognizes the importance of our relationships with state and local law enforcement partners, and we will continue to share information and coordinate operations with those partners in a way that ensures safety within our community,” Hyde said. “As a result of this partnership, the Massachusetts Correctional Institution contacted ICE and allowed for a safe transfer of a violent criminal. In doing so, they enabled us to make the arrest in the safety of a jail cell rather than sending a team of officers into the community to make a potentially dangerous arrest.”

    The 287(g) program – through the delegation of some immigration officer duties – allows ICE to cooperate with its state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of noncitizens who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws. While the 287(g) Program has yielded successes, ICE recognizes the program is not universally regarded as the most effective or appropriate model in every jurisdiction. Accordingly, ICE maintains its authority to utilize 287(g) agreements and exercise strict oversight. ICE continually evaluates the overall effectiveness of the program.

    Members of the public with information regarding child sex offenders can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ERO Boston’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X at @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Visits El Valor Children And Family Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    January 31, 2025

    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited El Valor Cantu Children & Family Center in Little Village to meet with staff members and families impacted by recent overreaching executive orders from the Trump Administration.

    El Valor serves more than 4,000 children, adults with disabilities, and their families annually. Durbin met with leadership staff at the center to discuss the recently announced federal grant funding freeze, the impact of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, and other executive orders from the administration, and their effects on the El Valor community.

    “Earlier this week, President Trump threw America into chaos when he abruptly announced a freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans that so many Americans depend on, including at Head Start centers like El Valor,” said Durbin. “This, along with continued threats of ICE action in our city, has deeply impacted communities here in Chicago. I was grateful to meet with staff at El Valor to hear their concerns, and I’ll continue working to ensure Chicagoans are safe and receiving the services and funding they deserve.”

    “We thank Senator Durbin and Clerk Valencia for visiting our program, allowing them to see and hear firsthand from our families about the impact of our services. A funding pause affects not only our program but many others like it, making it harder for working families to provide for their loved ones. We greatly appreciate our civic leaders for hearing our concerns and advocating for our community as we navigate challenges from the current administration,” said El Valor President & CEO Rey B. Gonzalez.

    “It’s important for all of us to see the direct impact the impulsive decisions the Trump Administration is making has on our communities. I’m grateful to Senator Durbin for coming to sit with our children, families and communities to hear directly from those who suffer the consequences when those who are supposed to lead choose politics over people. Thank you to everyone at El Valor for continuing to show up and serve, uplifting our neighbors by doing the work,” said Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia.

    El Valor offers dual language instruction, mental health services, and parental support, and 70 percent of its funding comes from federal sources—with Head Start funding making up the majority. This week, Head Start grantees across the state were frozen out of the payment management system that allows them to collect reimbursements and pay staff and rent. Some Head Start centers in Illinois had to send employees home for the day and shutter doors because they could not make payroll.

    This week, Durbin spoke on the Senate floor about the impact this federal funding freeze is already having, reading messages from impacted constituents who rely on federal funding to support critical programs and medical research. 

    Last month, as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Durbin held a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “How Mass Deportations Will Separate American Families, Harm Our Armed Forces, and Devastate Our Economy.” The hearing examined the consequences of mass deportations, as well as stressed the need to shift congressional efforts toward sensible solutions that bring order to the border and provide a path to citizenship to longtime residents with no serious criminal convictions.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Non-executive directors of UK Statistics Authority appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Government has announced the appointment of three non-executive directors to the Board of the UK Statistics Authority.

    The Authority’s statutory objective is to promote and safeguard the production and publication of official statistics that serve the public good. 

    The three appointees are:

    Peter Barron, who is a Northern-Irish communications expert with senior experience in consumer technology and public affairs. He spent more than 20 years working in television news and current affairs at the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, before working in external relations at Google from 2008 to 2018, and then at Stripe from 2021 to 2023. Peter holds a BSc in European Studies and Modern Languages from the University of Manchester (UMIST) and is a trustee of the Disasters Emergency Committee and the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.

    Professor Mairi Spowage, who is Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, Scotland’s leading economic research institute at the University of Strathclyde. Mairi leads research on modelling economic impact, economic measurement, regional economic and trade performance and public sector finances. Mairi has previously held roles as the Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and Head of National Accounts at the Scottish Government, with almost 20 years of experience of working in statistics and analysis, including transport, household surveys and performance measurement.

    Dr Sarah Walsh, a risk and governance specialist who is currently advising clients in different sectors. Sarah has 20 years’ generalist experience, including Risk Director roles at Telegraph Media Group, Guardian Media Group, Save the Children and Imperial College London. Presently, she serves as a non-executive director at the Royal College of Nursing Publishing, including membership of the Royal College of Nursing’s Audit Committee and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She also serves as independent non-executive member of the Audit and Risk Committees for Science Museum Group, St John’s Ambulance and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Astronautics and Space Engineering from Cranfield University, and a PhD in Aerodynamics from the University of Manchester.

    Appointments to the Board of the UK Statistics Authority are regulated. These appointments were made by Rt Hon Nick Thomas–Symonds MP, Minister for Cabinet Office. The advisory assessment panel was: Sir Robert Chote, Chair, UKSA (Chair of the panel); Steffan Jones, Director, Joint Data and Analysis Centre, Cabinet Office and Zarin Patel, Non Executive Director, HM Treasury.  

    Appointees began their roles at the end of January 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Major Investments Made to End Gender Based Violence

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on February 3, 2025

    Saskatchewan is investing a total of $3.8 million to 16 agencies over the next two years under the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.

    The investment will provide for enhanced programs, supports and tools in Saskatchewan communities. The funding includes money to build capacity in transition homes and second stage housing facilities, providing learning resources on healthy relationships to Saskatchewan residents, support enhanced early intervention for families at risk of violence, and develop additional tools to ensure appropriate responses to survivors and perpetrators of interpersonal violence. 

    “The funding and programming we are announcing today are a critical part of our ongoing work under the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, and align strongly with the recommendations contained in the recently released Domestic Violence Death Review,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said. “I am grateful to all our partner organizations for collaborating with us on this, and the work they do across Saskatchewan to address and prevent gender-based violence.”

    “Saskatchewan’s implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is focused on prevention, awareness, and building supports for survivors and their loved ones,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Alana Ross said. “Our government remains committed to preventing interpersonal violence and abuse in all forms.”

    This funding will be provided to the following community-based partners and agencies to develop tools which can be used for outreach, programming and advocacy.   

    • Natural Supports Program ($635,000): Saskatchewan Toward Offering Partnership Solutions to Violence;
    • Enhanced Early Intervention Supports ($1,100,000): Collaboration between Family Service Regina Inc. and Family Service Saskatoon;
    • Healthy Relationships Program ($513,000): The John Howard Society;
    • Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness and Prevention ($485,000): Praxis Consulting Inc.;
    • Common Intimate Partner Violence Assessment Tool ($300,000): Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan Inc. (PATHS); and
    • Human Trafficking Prevention Toolkit ($297,000): Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre (EGADZ).
       
    • Second Stage Housing Capacity ($215,000):
      • Lloydminster Interval Home Society Inc. ($40,000);
      • Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women Inc. ($40,000);
      • Sofia House Inc. ($40,000);
      • YWCA Regina Inc. ($38,855);
      • YWCA Saskatoon Inc. ($36,000); and
      • Saskatoon Interval House Inc. ($20,000).
         
    • Transition Home Capacity ($214,000):
      • Lloydminster Interval Home Society ($40,000);
      • Regina Transition House ($40,000);
      • YWCA Regina Inc. ($39,644);
      • YWCA Prince Albert Inc. ($39,000);
      • Moose Jaw Women’s Transition Association Inc. ($35,000);
      • Saskatoon Interval House Inc. ($20,000); and
      • Safe and Together Training ($42,000): PATHS.

    Additional information about these programs is available in the attached backgrounder.

    “The National Action Plan was developed with significant input from survivors, academics and community organizations including PATHS,” PATHS Regina Jo-Anne Dusel said. “The projects currently underway address root causes of violence, provide early intervention and promote the use of common language and tools to determine and manage risk. PATHS is privileged to be working with partners to develop a way for professionals across sectors to speak the same language, effectively identify and manage risk, and where possible, share risk information to reduce the incidence and impact of intimate partner and family violence in our communities. The National Action Plan is a collaboration between the provinces, territories and the federal government which included significant engagement with multiple stakeholder groups, including Saskatchewan Indigenous organizations.”

    Under the plan, the federal government is providing a total of $539.3 million over four years in cost-sharing agreements with provinces and territories to implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

    This year, the Government of Saskatchewan is dedicating a total of $31.7 million to community-based partners that facilitate interpersonal violence programs and services. This includes the $14.2 million per year being provided to community-based partners, annualized funding for second-stage shelters and additional funding for Victims Services and other important supports.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A new sensory room for children and adults with disabilities has opened at Elemore Country Park

    Source: City of Sunderland

    The sensory room, which is part of the country park’s ongoing transformation and commitment to accessibility, is free to use 7 days a week with no pre-booking required.

    Inside the room is sensory equipment such as touch tag bean bags, tactile bubble mirrors, sensory puzzle play mats, interactive bubble fish tube, fibre optic lights and sensory mood lighting shapes and soothing music. There are also outdoor soft play shapes and a magic carpet to build on sunny days.

    This complements a new Changing Places facility with toilets designed for people with disabilities and complex needs who require extra facilities that are not offered by standard accessible toilets. The toilets have room for one or two carers and include equipment and support that is needed by people who may have limited mobility, such as a hoist, privacy screens and an adult-sized changing bench.

    Councillor Claire Rowntree, who Chairs the Elemore Park Steering Group said: “Opening the sensory room is about creating a safe and accessible space for members of the community as part of our ongoing commitment to making the country park accessible for all.  I hope with its growing popularity that more people living with disabilities can use this facility to feel welcome and included.”

    “The sensory room and the Changing Places facility, which we opened last year, are both great additions to the fantastic attractions already on offer at Elemore Country Park that bring families coming back time after time.”

    Work transforming the former golf club into a country park started in 2022. This has included opening a café and garden centre which is run by Bishopwearmouth Co-operative Community Interest Company, which also runs the popular Bishopwearmouth Garden Centre and cafe in Chester Road in Sunderland city centre. Elemore’s team of employees also includes adults with disabilities as part of the country park’s commitment to accessibility.

    A children’s play area opened near the café in March 2024, has also proved popular. Ongoing improvements to the natural habitats in the park are increasing the biodiversity and ecological value of the park, with more planned over the next year. There are further plans to the install more seating and signage explaining the heritage and wildlife within the park and further improve pathways across the site to enable residents to easily move around, as well as providing access from local housing estates.

    Elemore Park’s sensory room and Changing Places facilities are open during the garden centre and cafe opening times (Monday to Saturday 9am to 4:30pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm).

    Cafe open hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 4:30pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. 

    To find out more about the transformation of Elemore Country Park, visit: Elemore Park – MySunderland

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Chairman Mast discusses foreign aid review, DEI on “Face the Nation”

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast joined Margaret Brennan on CBS’ “Face the Nation” to discuss the review of foreign assistance and the Biden State Department’s fixation on DEI.

     

    WATCH HERE

    -Transcript-

    MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’re joined now by Florida Republican Congressman Brian Mast, who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which has oversight over the State Department and its programs.

    He joins us from Fort Pierce, Florida.

    Good morning to you.

    CHAIRMAN BRIAN MAST (R-Florida): Good morning.

    BRENNAN: I want to start first on the tariffs that were announced overnight by President Trump. You know there’s a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. President Trump negotiated it during his first term.

    The tariffs may violate that deal. If he’s invoking tariffs on a national security basis, can you explain the threat posed by Canada?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Yes, and he was – President Trump, that is to say, was very specific in his executive order, outlined that it’s specifically related to fentanyl. It’s specifically related to human trafficking.

    And there’s a trust, but verify situation that has to go on here.

    BRENNAN: Through Canada?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Through Canada as well, absolutely, fentanyl through Canada, human trafficking through Canada, also with China in that mix for fentanyl as well.

    That was specifically outlined in it. And until that comes to an end, this is what’s going to be on the table. And bear in mind as well that USMCA reauthorization is coming up in the coming-up months and years.

    BRENNAN: So you don’t believe that this violates the trade agreement, the treaty?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: The violation has been to the United States of America. It’s been to our sovereignty. It’s been to our people. We’ve been taken for granted.

    BRENNAN: Right, but Congress votes on these things. So…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: And I will make sure certainly, as the Foreign Affairs chairman, that we give every single authority as we go through State Department reauthorization, to make sure that this moves forward, as well as purging of people throughout the State Department, other agencies, where we’re freezing aid.

    These are all very important and necessary steps to make sure that we secure America. And we’re going to support that.

    BRENNAN: I’m sorry. Can I follow up on what you just said there?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Please do.

    BRENNAN: You want to authorize purging of State Department personnel? What does that mean exactly?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Well, if you want to take a look at the State Department, where DEI has been a priority over, let’s say, diplomacy on many accounts, I can give you hundreds of examples of where they were authorizing…

    BRENNAN: What proof do you have of that?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Sure, let’s list them off, half-a-million dollars to expand atheism in Nepal, $50,000 to do, let’s see, a transgender opera in Colombia, $47,000 to do an LGBTQ trans comic book in Peru, $20,000 a pop to do drag shows in Ecuador.

    Shall I continue with more examples of where DEI was a priority?

    BRENNAN: Oh, it certainly seems like there could be a review of things. Foreign aid, as you know, is less than 1 percent of the entire federal budget. So we’re talking small amounts of money by comparison. But when…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: We’re still talking about tens and tens of billions of dollars.

    And if you want to go to somebody else, on the other side of the aisle, Samantha Power, she had a worthy goal, although it was a stupid goal. She said she was hoping to get the amount of foreign aid, U.S. aid dollars that go to actual aid up to 30 cents on the dollar from 10 cents on the dollar. That’s a major problem that we have this agency that that’s all that goes abroad…

    BRENNAN: I think you’re talking about…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: … when it should be the American worker’s dollar.

    BRENNAN: I think now you’re talking about the USAID, the aid agency…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Yes.

    BRENNAN: … which is a – separate from the State Department currently and has about $40 billion worth…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Which is likely going to be rolled more closely under Secretary Rubio.

    BRENNAN: Tell – yes, tell me about that, because that’s where I was going.

    Has the Trump administration informed you of plans to dismantle or significantly shrink this agency?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: This is something that I’m working on very specifically, in conjunction with Secretary Rubio, to make sure that there’s the appropriate command-and-control of these agencies, where, again, to make that same point, right now, maybe 10 to 30 cents…

    BRENNAN: They already report to the secretary of state.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: But 10 to 30 cents on the dollar is what actually goes to aid. So there’s not the right amount of command-and- control that’s going on with the way that it’s set up currently.

    And let’s make another point on this as well.

    BRENNAN: Congress – Congress authorizes and earmarks funding.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Most of these dollars – most of these dollars that go out of USAID, 70-plus percent don’t come from U.S. growers, U.S. farmers, U.S. ranchers, or go through us ports. And that’s another big problem for America.

    BRENNAN: So – I’m sorry. If Congress already authorizes and earmarks the funding, just to be very clear, you’re not endorsing getting rid of USAID as a separate department, which already reports to the secretary of state, are you?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: I would be absolutely for, if that’s the path we go down, removing USAID as a separate department and having it fall under one of the other parts of United States Department of State, because of its failure.

    I just went over the numbers twice with you in the amount of aid that actually makes it into the hands. I mean, you could you could almost say – this is a little bit hyperbole – but there’s probably more dollars that go towards state dinners around the D.C. Beltway than what actually goes into rice and beans abroad.

    That’s the state of what’s going on with USAID. And Samantha Power said no less herself.

    BRENNAN: Well, I think every single administration authorizes reviews, could increase efficiencies. There are plenty of people who propose bringing it more under the authority of the State Department. Madeleine Albright tried to do that. That’s not a new MAGA idea.

    I think the question here, though, is about how you do it. Do you still believe that in the law signed in the 1960s that Congress has to sign off on any changes to USAID? Or do you think President Trump can just make all of this happen through executive order?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: So, all of those examples that you just gave of those historical figures, the difference is now the job is going to get done.

    It’s going to be 99.99 percent of cents on the dollar actually go towards what it’s intended, instead of people around the Beltway.

    BRENNAN: OK, so you’re talking about – you’re talking about…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: That’s what’s going to happen. That’s the change.

    BRENNAN: … efficiencies in aids versus restructuring.

    So let me ask you about that. Well, like I said…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Well, that requires restructuring, 100 percent. You can’t create that efficiency just by wishing it into existence.

    BRENNAN: Sure.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: You have to restructure where the failures are and put the right things in place.

    BRENNAN: Of course.

    But what we’re hearing from many of these aid organizations and officials is that, can you restructure after you finish the review and not freeze funding now, immediately? I spoke to former USAID global health head Atul Gawande yesterday. He told me this isn’t a pause in foreign aid. It is a demolition of USAID.

    As he put it, you can’t pause a flight in midair. That’s what’s happening.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Let’s…

    BRENNAN: This immediate freeze in funding is stopping agencies in the field from being able to do the work they do.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Let’s say why that is so important. And let’s talk about the real facts on the ground.

    The Trump administration comes in or representatives like myself that do oversight. The agencies will literally not tell us what they are writing grants for, literally, or they will lie about it, or they will tell the new political appointees under the Trump administration, I’m just not going to tell you that. Those are real things that have happened.

    So the way that you make them come and answer for where they are actually sending dollars is to say, we’re freezing that. We’re putting it on hold. You need to come to us and explain what it is you’re doing, why you’re doing it and where it’s actually saving life. And guess what?

    BRENNAN: But…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: When they don’t come explain something, that also begs the question, why were they doing it in the first place?

    BRENNAN: But the way these things work is, the contractors have to front the cash, then go to the U.S. government for reimbursement.

    So when you put in an immediate freeze, that means drugs don’t get delivered. That means they don’t get distributed. That means bomb disposal units don’t get to go out there in places like Cambodia and remove ordnance or provide help to people who receive it.

    That’s the pushback from aid organizations, who are saying they’re going to have to carry out layoffs in the thousands in the coming week. Does that concern you at all?

    CHAIRMAN MAST: They will have an opportunity. It doesn’t concern me because of the grift that has been going on to the American taxpayer, the American worker.

    That’s what needs to be answered for. And so you look at this. Let’s use PEPFAR as an example. You were talking about drugs going to individuals. There was a release of that hold that was put – that was authorized. But it shouldn’t be the case that the American people fund HIV and AIDS drugs for 20 million people across Africa, where many of these countries are working very directly with our adversaries like China.

    That is an example of them taking us for granted. We need to be asking the question, should they be weaning off of this? Should we be paying it for these very expensive HIV and AIDS drugs?

    BRENNAN: Yes.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Should the American worker be footing the bill for that? Those are real questions.

    BRENNAN: Yes, real questions, but, in the meantime, people need their drugs while you ask those questions. So that’s where the disagreement is with the aid organizations.

    But let me ask you about air traffic controllers and what’s happening here at home.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: Not with all the leaders of other countries, though. I believe I saw the leader of Kenya as one step up and say, hey, this is an example where we need to step up for ourselves and show how we can take care of ourselves. And I believe that was the president there.

    BRENNAN: I want to ask you, as I was saying, about another committee you sit on, Transportation Committee.

    The FAA hiring policy for air traffic controllers, including under the first Trump administration, offered equal opportunity to those with targeted disabilities, including, as the president read, hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, severe intellectual debility – disability. Excuse me.

    The president singled this out, this policy, as a contributor possibly to the crash. Do you agree with the diversity policy, or do you agree with the president? I know you lost two limbs serving this country in Afghanistan. Do you hear those words and take offense to them or…

    CHAIRMAN MAST: No, no offense. Let’s unpack it.

    Number one, I will use myself as an example, right? There are things that I am suited to do, no doubt. But flying an aircraft, to stick with the subject at hand, would not be one of them. I could fly a personal – a personal aircraft.

    BRENNAN: This is air traffic controllers.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: But to put me in charge of traffic or 150 lives, that would not be the right case for me personally, given my physical disabilities and foot pedals on an aircraft.

    To go to the diversity side of it and the actual crash, yes, there were very real errors that took place both in the air traffic control tower and with the helicopter pilots, it seems. But, more systemically, is there a big hiring problem across all federal agencies, to include the FAA, where they made the priority diversity and inclusion…

    BRENNAN: Yes.

    CHAIRMAN MAST: … instead of excellence and performance? Yes, that’s the case. They made the priority appearance and lifestyle and not the big deal.

    BRENNAN: Congressman, thank you for your time today.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: President Trump may think he is President Jackson reincarnated − but there are lessons in Old Hickory’s resistance to sycophants

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Maurizio Valsania, Professor of American History, Università di Torino

    A painting of President Andrew Jackson hangs in the Oval Office on the day Donald Trump was inaugurated for the second time, Jan. 20, 2025. AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

    The portrait of President Andrew Jackson has recently made a comeback in the Oval Office. “Old Hickory” – Jackson’s nickname – has long been a favorite of President Donald Trump.

    Trump identifies with Jackson on many levels. As a man and a leader, he likes the brash, confrontational, hypermasculine, lionlike attitude that characterized the seventh president. Jackson pushed executive power to the limits, just like Trump tries to do.

    And there is a commonality of philosophical and political visions. The two tap into the same definition of freedom. They both believe the president has freedom from all restraint and from every form of legislative or judicial control.

    However, differences exist between the two that might prompt Trump to consider the potential danger of how he governs and whom he listens to.

    Personal loyalty and devotion

    As an expert on American presidents, I can state with confidence that Trump is not the first to insist on complete obedience from his subordinates. Nor is he the first to take disagreement personally.

    Trump’s attempt to create an army of sycophants, along with his effort to purge government staff he deems disloyal, is nothing new in America.

    Personal loyalty and devotion were important to Andrew Jackson, who didn’t trust human nature. But he was steadfast in his trust, once he decided to place it in a person.

    When Jackson had to choose his advisers and shape his first Cabinet, he relied on cronies from his beloved Tennessee – plus a handful of relatives.

    The most famous and infamous of those chums was John H. Eaton. Eaton had developed a brotherly relationship with Jackson. Jackson felt indebted to him because Eaton had run his presidential campaigns of 1824 and 1828. Eaton would become secretary of war, but he also ended up embarrassing the president.

    A political cartoon depicts President Andrew Jackson sitting stunned as his Cabinet, represented as rats, runs to escape his falling house during the political scandal surrounding the Eaton Affair.
    Bettman/Getty Images

    First off, he had an affair with a married woman, Margaret O’Neale Timberlake, whose husband was often at sea. When in 1828 Mr. Timberlake died abroad, rumor spread that he had slashed his own throat because of Margaret’s infidelity.

    In Washington, D.C., gossip soon became ugly about what was known as the Eaton Affair. It ultimately led to the resignation of some Cabinet officials.

    Jackson was irate. He had always realized he didn’t belong in the elite society of Washington, D.C. He was too self-conscious about his entire persona and too aware that he was perceived as an interloper. Consequently, he usually reacted defensively and often violently, thus betraying insecurity: “Our society wants purging here,” he wrote to one of his friends in 1829.

    Under the same roof

    Jackson’s clan lived with him in the White House. There was Andrew Jackson Jr., a nephew and his adopted son. Andrew Jr. would inherit a huge fortune, but he would die in debt. It’s no surprise that historians have described him as “irresponsible and ambitionless, a considerable disappointment to his father.”

    There was Andrew Jackson Donelson and his wife, Emily. Donelson was the nephew of the just-deceased wife of the president, Rachel Jackson, who tragically died just days after her husband won the 1828 election. Donelson had served with Jackson in the Florida War – known as the First Seminole War – and later became his private secretary. Emily Donelson would act as the president’s hostess in the White House.

    Another close friend from Tennessee, Maj. William B. Lewis, also moved into the White House. Also a presidential adviser, Lewis gained the official title of second auditor of the Treasury. But the Donelsons couldn’t stand the man. Emily Donelson would eventually label him a “sycophant” who had seized an opportunity to “save himself all expense.”

    As he shaped his first Cabinet, Jackson consistently ignored the suggestions coming from the two higher-profile characters of his administration, Martin Van Buren and John C. Calhoun. It wasn’t just an ideological difference; it was that neither of them had been early Jackson men.

    Surrounded by a few favorites

    Jackson, the president who made no secret that he was running a one-man show, had a presidential style derived from his military experience. As a general, Jackson rarely summoned councils of war. When he had to decide on a given course of action, he didn’t share responsibility.

    But critics saw things in a totally different way. In the spring of 1831, Sen. George Poindexter, a hesitant Jacksonian, complained that Jackson was “surrounded by a few favorites who controlled and directed all things.”

    To describe the informal group of friends, family members and advisers whom they believed maintained too great an influence over the president, the opposition coined the phrase “kitchen cabinet.”

    But the opposition’s image of the “kitchen cabinet” was not the reality. No matter his personal quirks, Jackson proved to be an excellent administrator. And contrary to Emily Donelson’s fears, he resisted sycophants and self-interested counselors.

    Elon Musk, right, is a top adviser and donor to Donald Trump and directs the administration’s effort to cut government spending.
    Brandon Bell/Getty Images

    A builder, not a destroyer

    Jackson escaped manipulation because he managed to keep his eyes on his higher goal, the expansionist idea of the American nation.

    He sought to create a blueprint for a government that would outlast him. He enacted impersonal rules that were sustained by elaborate systems of checks and balances. Whether you like him or not, Jackson was a builder, not a destroyer, of administrations.

    The circumstances of the Jackson and Trump presidencies might look similar, but the key is that they are two very different men. Both wanted to fully reform the federal government, faced scandal, felt like an outsider in Washington, D.C., and had all sorts of close loyalists around pushing their agendas.

    But Jackson didn’t get distracted. So he was not a useful puppet for those who sought to exploit him that way.

    By contrast, it will be difficult for Trump to morph into President Jackson. Since the 1970s, the power of unelected and unconfirmed presidential aides and counselors has become more intense.

    These individuals may easily end up negotiating deals or directing the course of events while escaping both congressional oversight and public scrutiny.

    In their unaccountable influence, they are joined by major donors to a president’s campaign or causes.

    There’s no doubt that they are a potential liability more dangerous than Jackson’s sycophants, more problematic than his cronies, more embarrassing than his wacky nephews.

    Maurizio Valsania does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. President Trump may think he is President Jackson reincarnated − but there are lessons in Old Hickory’s resistance to sycophants – https://theconversation.com/president-trump-may-think-he-is-president-jackson-reincarnated-but-there-are-lessons-in-old-hickorys-resistance-to-sycophants-248532

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: PBS Aerospace Establishes North American HQ in Metro Atlanta

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that PBS Aerospace, a designer and manufacturer of world-class small turbojet engines, will invest up to $20 million to establish its North American headquarters, manufacturing, and R&D operations in Roswell. The new operations will create at least 95 new jobs in metro Atlanta, growing the company’s presence in the state.

    “We are excited that PBS Aerospace has chosen to stay in Georgia to increase their footprint and establish their first R&D and headquarter facilities in the United States,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Aerospace is one of the Georgia’s top industries thanks to innovative companies like PBS Aerospace that call Georgia home. By preparing strategic, new ready-for-development sites and supporting workforce development initiatives in high-demand careers, we will keep building on our success and creating opportunities for hardworking Georgians.”

    PBS Aerospace is an international manufacturer of turbojet engines and auxiliary power units that has been present in the U.S. market for more than a decade.

    “PBS Group’s owner, William Didden, made the decision to establish Georgia as the location for our U.S. headquarters because of the successful foundation we have built in Atlanta through PBS Aerospace,” said Tomas Koutsky, Managing Director of PBS Aerospace. “Atlanta has proven to be an exceptional base for our operations, offering access to an excellent education system, skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and a thriving business environment. The positive experiences and success in Atlanta have undoubtedly influenced our choice as they reflect Georgia’s ability to support our continued growth.”

    “We look forward to building our new Roswell factory, which will produce the world’s most advanced small turbojet engines designed to meet the needs of the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Erin Durham, CEO of PBS Aerospace. “This move aligns seamlessly with our larger growth strategy, which focuses on partnering with Georgia’s extensive manufacturing, aerospace, and defense sectors.”

    PBS Aerospace’s footprint will include an existing, renovated building at 1350 North Meadow and a new facility that will be constructed at the Tech Village North Site in Roswell. Hiring is underway for open roles, with projections to meet full operations in April 2025. Interested individuals can learn more and apply at www.pbsaerospace.com/career.

    “Roswell offers the perfect environment for innovative companies like PBS Aerospace to thrive, and their decision reflects the strength of our community and our commitment to fostering economic growth,” said Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson. “Our city is a sought-after destination, not only for businesses but also for families, thanks to our exceptional schools, safe neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and the strong sense of community our residents share. We are proud to welcome PBS Aerospace to Roswell and look forward to their success and contributions to our city’s future.”

    “Fulton County is a hub for innovative business operations like PBS Aerospace,” said Robb Pitts, Chairman of Fulton County Board of Commissioners. “This significant development not only strengthens our position as a destination for advanced manufacturing and aerospace technology but also brings tangible benefits to residents in nearby cities through job creation and economic opportunity.”

    “Metro Atlanta is where top talent meets opportunity. We are pleased to welcome PBS Aerospace as a vital part of our growing aerospace and defense ecosystem,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “University graduates here have seamless access to thriving industries like aerospace – which is Georgia’s No. 1 export and a $57.5 billion powerhouse industry in the state. This new presence will help fuel our regional economy and strengthen our local and global relationships.”

    Statewide Project Manager Haley Casola represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the City of Roswell, Select Fulton, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start, the Georgia Center of Innovation, and Georgia Power.

    “PBS Aerospace first landed in the U.S. through Georgia, so it’s incredibly exciting that the company has chosen to expand on its presence here to establish not only its North American headquarters but also its first manufacturing and R&D operations in the U.S.,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Today’s news is the result of investing in our relationships at home and internationally, taking the time to ensure companies have a great experience working with the state at their existing locations and taking the initiative to meet with company leadership in-person to learn more about their plans for the future. Congratulations to PBS Aerospace for expanding in the U.S. market, and to all of the partners involved in bringing the opportunity for a job to Georgians through this investment!”

    About PBS Aerospace 

    PBS Aerospace Inc. is a subsidiary of PBS GROUP, an engineering holding company and has been an established brand for over 200 years. PBS Group delivers cutting-edge engineering solutions across a portfolio of companies that focus on the aerospace, energy, and transportation industries. PBS Aerospace Inc. has had a presence in the U.S. market for more than 10 years and focuses on providing highly reliable turbojet engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Advocating for $1.07 Billion to Rebuild Western NC

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Advocating for $1.07 Billion to Rebuild Western NC

    Governor Josh Stein Advocating for $1.07 Billion to Rebuild Western NC
    bwood

    Raleigh, NC

    Governor Josh Stein today requested $1.07 billion in immediate funding to support urgent rebuilding needs in western North Carolina. Governor Stein’s budget request includes funds to strengthen the economy, get people back into homes faster, repair infrastructure, support farmers, fix private roads and bridges, remove debris, and help school children stay at grade level. 

    “The people of western North Carolina have suffered tremendously since Helene swept through,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I appreciate what the General Assembly has done so far, but it’s time for us to step up and get them the money they need right now to rebuild. We can’t forget western North Carolina – and I will do everything in my power to ensure that the state shows up for them.” 

    Governor Stein made his budget request at MANNA Food Bank, which works with over 300 community-based nonprofit food assistance partner agencies in 16 western North Carolina counties. 

    “MANNA has been an essential resource for the people it serves, and its work has become even more critical since Hurricane Helene struck,” said Governor Stein. “As these organizations continue the daily work of supporting their community, we have a responsibility to support them.”  

    The Governor’s budget request includes funding in the following categories. An overview of some of the programs is below; full request details are available here.  

    Strengthening the Economy

    • $150 million across two grant programs for businesses that suffered physical damage or significant economic loss.

    • $30 million for grants to small towns and counties to rebuild downtowns and other business districts.

    • $15 million to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s VisitNC division to support North Carolina’s tourism industry and to attract travelers and new businesses to the area.

    • $100 million for revenue replacement grants to support local governments whose resources were exhausted by immediate disaster response, as they work to keep water and sewer services going, pay law enforcement, and support school operations.

    Providing Safe and Warm Places to Live

    • $150 million for a Helene Home Construction and Repair Program to immediately start rebuilding the estimated 5,100 homes that will need to be rebuilt post-Helene. 

    • $25 million to support people struggling to afford rent, mortgage, or utility costs because their home or livelihood was affected.

    • $10 million for Back@Home, a program that supports people who are without homes and provides them with case management support.

    • $50 million in incentives for affordable housing construction. 

    • $25 million to fill in gaps for home repairs that are not covered by FEMA. 

    Repairing Infrastructure

    • $75 million to repair private roads and bridges. 

    • $25 million to clean up local parks and greenways in affected areas.

    • $12 million to expedite debris removal.

    • $10 million to provide backup power for emergency operations and other critical infrastructure. 

    • $4 million to repair septic systems.

    Supporting Farmers

    • $15 million for grants to farmers for verified uninsured losses to crops, livestock, aquaculture, and infrastructure.

    • $100 million to help farmers clear debris and repair their land and waterways so they can resume production and protect against future flooding.

    • $19.4 million to prepare for the wildfire season and mitigate future risk.

    Caring For Families and Children

    • $34.2 million for school districts that missed 15 or more days of school to provide summer instruction and other support services to ensure students continue to perform at grade level on End of Grade and End of Course assessments.

    • $20 million to fund food banks in affected areas.

    • $2 million to help college students who are struggling to pay tuition, fees, or emergency expenses that might force them to drop out of school at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State University, and Western Carolina University.  

    Feb 3, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at omega-3 and biological ageing in humans

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Nature Aging looks at the effects of of omega-3, vitamin D and exercise on biological ageing.

    Prof Dame Linda Partridge FRS FMedSci, Weldon Professor of Biometry at the Institute of Healthy Ageing, UCL; Biological Secretary of the Royal Society; and Founding Director Emeritus of the Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing, said:

    “The press release describes a study that is part of a clinical trial and is hence experimental rather than observational in nature, greatly reducing the likely involvement of confounders.  The team previously found that intake of omega-3 alone reduced the rate of infections by 13% and the rate of falls by 10%, and that all three interventions (omega-3, vitamin D, exercise at home) combined had a significant additive benefit on reducing prefrailty by 39% and incident invasive cancer by 61% over a 3-year follow-up.  The press release inadvertently gives the misleading impression that these findings came from the current study.

    “The new study aimed to understand the molecular basis of the beneficial effects, and to develop biomarkers.  Clinical trials that investigate the effects of interventions to improve health during ageing have two big challenges.  First, there are multiple possible outcome measures because many aspects of health could be affected, and this can bring statistical problems.  Second, it may take a long time for any benefits to become apparent.  For both reasons, biomarkers are needed that report on the pathways to health improvements and that can predict clinical outcomes before they happen.

    “The biomarkers investigated were derived from several well authenticated DNA methylation clocks.  These clocks are trained to predict biological, as opposed to chronological age.  Individuals differ in the speed of change in their DNA methylation clocks and can thus be characterised as slow or fast agers.  These clock age deviations can be better predictors of time to death than chronological age.

    “Omega-3 intake alone had slowed 3 of the 4 clocks used at the end of the 3-year trial period, and those individuals that started with lower omega-3 levels showed the largest response.  All 3 treatments together slowed one of the 4 clocks.  Omega-3 treatment thus had the greatest effect on the clocks.  However, whether there is any direct link between the molecular events mediating the responses of the methylation clocks and the improvements in health awaits further study.

    “The limitations of the work are well discussed.  The study population was relatively healthy and homogeneous and longer term effects of the interventions are unknown.  The study was well conducted, and consistent with other studies showing slowing of molecular biomarkers of ageing by interventions that improve health at later ages.”

    Dr Julian Mutz, King’s Prize Research Fellow, King’s College London, said:

    “Evaluating the effectiveness of preventative strategies and interventions in improving health span (i.e., how long individuals live in good health) is challenging due to the long human lifespan.  Epigenetic aging clocks provide a proxy measure of biological aging and have the potential to play a crucial role in studies assessing such interventions.  While most research on biological aging and health-promoting interventions has been cross-sectional (examining correlations between epigenetic age and factors such as diet at a single time point), this study provides important preliminary evidence that epigenetic aging may slow over three years in response to intervention.

    “The authors identified a beneficial effect of daily omega-3 supplementation, particularly in individuals with lower baseline omega-3 levels.  However, no such effect was observed for vitamin D or a three-day-per-week home exercise program.  These findings contribute valuable new data but given the relatively small sample size (98 participants receiving omega-3 and 95 receiving a placebo) and the sample’s composition, which is healthier than the general population, the results should be considered preliminary.  Future trials should aim to assess the generalisability of these findings, including in younger populations.”

    Dr Mary Ni Lochlann, NIHR Research Fellow in Geriatric Medicine, Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment, King’s College London, said:

    “It’s exciting to see these results showing the benefits of omega-3, vitamin D and exercise on ageing.  While the study was focused on healthy and active older adults, and led to a relatively small improvement in their ageing-biological-clocks, it adds to the growing evidence that these simple and fairly low-cost interventions are beneficial and, based on this and previous existing research, worth engaging in for adults as they get older.”

    Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, Open University, said:

    “This is an interesting study.  It has some important limitations, as the researchers themselves make clear.  I think these put important boundaries around the evidence it can provide on the effects on aging of the treatments used in the clinical trial.  There’s just too much that we don’t know yet.

    “The press release mentions a key limitation, that there is no agreed gold-standard measure of biological aging.  Because of that, the researchers concentrated on four different biological clocks, but they also presented results on another two older biological clock measures in the main research paper, and indeed present a few findings on another two in the supplementary data tables.

    “These biological aging clocks were all developed by taking measurements of certain types of biomarker in large samples of people, and comparing them with the people’s chronological ages and death rates.  But the details of how the developers of the clocks analysed these data and produced their biological aging measures were different from one another, and there isn’t (yet) agreement on the best way to do that.  So the researchers on this new study analysed their data using several clocks, and reported the results from all of them.

    “I think it makes good sense to look at several clocks, but we have to take into account that they give different information about the effect of the treatments in the trial, and it’s not possible to say that the findings from one biological clock are better than those from another clock.

    “There is a certain amount of consistency on the findings, in that trial participants who took the omega-3 supplement had biological aging clocks that aged (on average) less over the three years of the study than was the case in people who didn’t take that supplement, at least for the main ‘clocks’ that the researchers considered.  But there was a lot of statistical variability between people in how big this change in biological aging actually was, and there were also quite substantial differences in the estimates of the changes based on different biological clocks.

    “One of the biological clocks produced the very neat finding that the three interventions in the trial (vitamin D supplements, omega-3 supplements, and a home exercise programme) seemed to add up in their effects, so that participants who had two of three interventions had more slowing of their biological clocks than those who had only one, and the clocks of those who had all three interventions had yet more slowing of their biological clocks.

    “But that doesn’t mean that this particular clock is getting at an underlying truth more reliably than the other clocks, that don’t show this additive pattern.  We just can’t say yet – because the study hasn’t yet produced relevant results beyond its three-year duration.  The authors write, “Whether the DO-HEALTH treatments resulted in a persistent slowing of biological aging, leading to the prevention or delay of frailty and chronic disease beyond the 3-year follow-up, is currently unknown.”  (DO-HEALTH is the name of this clinical trial.)

    “Likewise, they mention that they don’t have data on long-term survival rates of the people in the study.  Maybe one of the other clocks will eventually turn out to relate more closely to survival rates and future health.  Maybe the pattern of how the effects of the three interventions combine will be different.  We just can’t say yet.

    “Also we can’t say whether the effect on biological aging clocks will continue after three years, because that wasn’t studied.  Maybe taking omega-3 supplements for longer will have a greater impact on biological aging, or maybe it won’t.  And the study doesn’t indicate what the effect on these biological clocks would be if people, who had been taking a supplement, stop taking it.

    “This study is an interesting start, but there’s so much that it can’t tell us.

    Further information

    “Other findings from the same clinical trial have already been published, and some is mentioned in the new paper near the beginning.  (There’s more at https://do-health.eu/.) For example, taking the omega-3 supplement reduced the rate of infections, and of falls.  People who took both supplements and also participated in the home exercise programme, all together, had a substantial reduction in cancer diagnoses (61% over three years) compared to people who had none of these interventions, and also did better on measure called pre-frailty, based on weakness, fatigue, weight loss, low walking speed and low activity level.

    “Whether people were classed as ‘robust’, pre-frail or frail depended on how many of these five measures were below par.  (None below par meant they were robust, just one or two meant they were classified as pre-frail, more than that would classify them as frail.)  The trial looked at people who started out as robust (that is, satisfactory on all these measures) and saw how many moved to being pre-frail or frail, and having all three interventions (the two supplements and the exercise) reduced pre-frailty by 39%.  It didn’t have a clear effect on frailty, measured in this way, but that was probably just because very few participants moved from being robust all the way to frail in the three-year period.

    “The press release seems (to me) to imply that these findings were part of the new research.  They aren’t, though they do come from the same clinical trial and involved some of the same researchers.  (Also, to nit-pick, the press release refers to ‘frailty’ whereas the findings are actually about pre-frailty, a somewhat different concept.).”

    ‘Individual and additive effects of vitamin D, omega-3 and exercise on DNA methylation clocks of biological aging in older adults from the DO-HEALTH trial’ by Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari et al. was published in Nature Aging at 16:00 UK time on Monday 3 February 2025. 

    DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00793-y

    Declared interests

    Prof Dame Linda Partridge: “None.”

    Dr Julian Mutz: “No COIs.”

    Prof Kevin McConway: “Previously a Trustee of the SMC and a member of its Advisory Committee.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Deliver Budget Address for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    February 04, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    ADVISORY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Deliver Budget Address for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year

    Governor Josh Shapiro will deliver his 2025-26 budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly at the State Capitol in Harrisburg.

    WHEN:
    TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 11:30AM

    WHERE:
    Pennsylvania House of Representatives
    Harrisburg, PA

    **Note: Space is limited in the House Chamber. Only credentialed press will be able to watch the speech from the House. All other press should plan to watch from the Capitol Media Center or via livestream.

    In order to be credentialed for the House Chamber, please reach out to the Office of the Speaker of the House at NReigelman@pahouse.net to RSVP and request credentials.

    LIVE STREAM:
    pacast.com/live/gov
    governor.pa.gov/live/

    NOTE: Video, audio, and photos from the budget address will be available at https://pacast.com.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Hommage aux récipiendaires de la Médaille de la bravoure de 2024

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Huit personnes de la Nouvelle-Écosse, dont un homme ayant perdu la vie lors d’un acte héroïque, ont reçu la plus haute distinction de bravoure de la Province lors d’une cérémonie qui avait lieu aujourd’hui, 22 octobre, à Halifax.

    Le premier ministre, Tim Houston, a remis la Médaille de la bravoure de la Nouvelle-Écosse aux personnes suivantes :

    • Carl Comeau, Pointe-de-l’Église
    • Carl Deveau, Saulnierville
    • Terrence Leblanc, Saulnierville
    • Kevin Corkum, Middle LaHave
    • Conor Scott, Dartmouth
    • Nicholas (Nick) Holland, Ellershouse (posthume)
    • Bruce Lake, Hilden
    • Alexander (Alex) Munroe, Windsor Junction

    « Notre province a dû affronter plusieurs épreuves au cours des dernières années, y compris des feux de forêt dévastateurs et des inondations extrêmes. Les gens de la Nouvelle-Écosse ont l’habitude de joindre leurs forces et de s’entraider, a rappelé le premier ministre, Tim Houston. Ces récipiendaires incarnent parfaitement l’esprit de communauté. Au nom de tous les gens de la Nouvelle-Écosse, je tiens à leur rendre hommage et à les remercier d’avoir repoussé leurs limites en agissant de façon si altruiste. »

    La Médaille est décernée aux gens de la Nouvelle-Écosse qui sont allés au-delà de leurs responsabilités en risquant leur propre vie pour sauver la vie ou les biens d’autrui.

    Voici les récipiendaires et leurs actes de bravoure :

    • Le 14 juin 2023, l’ambulancier Carl Comeau, qui n’était pas de service à ce moment-là, a téléphoné au 911 après avoir remarqué un incendie résidentiel à St-Bernard, dans le comté de Digby. Quand les ambulanciers Carl Deveau et Terrence Leblanc sont arrivés, les trois hommes ont rapidement pris la décision d’entrer dans la maison en flammes. Malheureusement, la femme qu’ils tentaient de sauver n’a pas survécu.

    • Le 28 mai 2023, un important feu de forêt s’est rapidement propagé à Hammonds Plains et à Upper Tantallon. Alors que les résidents évacuaient les lieux, le chef du service d’incendie de la Municipalité régionale d’Halifax, Kevin Corkum, et un pompier, Conor Scott, sont retournés dans la zone évacuée, bravant l’intense brasier pour secourir un homme qui se trouvait encore dans sa maison.

    • Le 22 juillet 2023, pendant des pluies torrentielles, Nicholas Holland se déplaçait en voiture sur la route 14, près de Brooklyn, dans le comté de Hants, en compagnie de trois autres personnes. Leur véhicule a été emporté par la crue et s’est rempli d’eau. M. Holland a libéré les personnes qui étaient coincées dans la voiture. Deux d’entre elles ont par la suite été secourues par les premiers intervenants. Malheureusement, M. Holland et la quatrième personne, une adolescente, n’ont pas survécu.

    • Le 19 août 2023, Bruce Lake, un policier de Truro qui n’était pas en service, faisait une randonnée avec des amis dans le parc national Fundy, au Nouveau-Brunswick, quand le groupe a remarqué une jeune femme en difficulté dans une rivière. M. Lake a bravé le fort courant et a ramené la femme en lieu sûr, sur la rive.

    • Le 6 mars 2023, les deux petits frères d’Alex Munroe jouaient dans la neige dans leur cour avant quand un chien a attaqué l’un des enfants. Quand Alex, qui avait alors 13 ans, s’est précipité dehors avec sa mère pour secourir les garçons, le chien s’en est pris à la mère. Alex a courageusement repoussé le chien, a aidé ses proches à se mettre à l’abri, et a téléphoné au 911, sauvant ainsi sa famille d’une attaque qui aurait pu être mortelle.

    Citations

    « Aujourd’hui, nous reconnaissons huit membres de nos collectivités néo-écossaises. Ces personnes, malgré des conditions difficiles et dangereuses, n’ont pas hésité à offrir leur aide à autrui. J’applaudis leurs gestes héroïques et inspirants. »
    — Barbara Adams, procureure générale et ministre de la Justice

    Faits en bref

    • Il s’agit de la 14e cérémonie provinciale rendant hommage à des gens qui ont risqué leur vie pour aider quelqu’un. (La Médaille n’a pas été remise en 2020 en raison de la COVID-19.)
    • Depuis 2008, 55 personnes de la Nouvelle-Écosse ayant posé un geste courageux, dont les récipiendaires d’aujourd’hui, ont reçu la Médaille.

    Ressources supplémentaires

    Pour en savoir plus sur les récipiendaires de la Médaille et pour proposer la candidature d’une personne ayant fait preuve de bravoure en Nouvelle-Écosse : https://novascotia.ca/bravery (en anglais seulement)

    À l’exception du recadrage, les photos de Communications Nouvelle-Écosse ne doivent être modifiées en aucune façon.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism

    Source: United States Attorneys General 11

    Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, the Justice Department announced today the formation of a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. The Task Force’s first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.

    In addition to the Department of Justice, the Task Force will include representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies as it develops. The Task Force will be coordinated through the Department’s Civil Rights Division.  

    “Anti-Semitism in any environment is repugnant to this Nation’s ideals,” said Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell, who will be heading the Task Force. “The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found. The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump’s renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools.”

    If you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division, at Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice (https://civilrights.justice.gov). President Trump’s Executive Order can be found here: Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism – The White House.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Arrested in Second Federal Sweep Targeting Asian Boyz Gang for Alleged Drug Trafficking in Lowell

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

    BOSTON – Four indictments were unsealed today if federal court in Boston charging a second wave of alleged members and associated of the Asian Boyz gang for their roles in a distribution network of homemade methamphetamine pills, branded as “Adderall.”

    The following five men were arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later today:

    • Sovath Yern, a/k/a “Stryke,” 35, of Billerica, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine;
    • Owen Landry, a/k/a “Oski,” 22, of Lowell, charged with one count was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine; one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine;
    • Zachary Hansen, 29, of Lowell, charged with one count was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine;
    • Scott Fournier, a/k/a “S.G.,” 33, of Lowell, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine; two counts of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine; two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine; and three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine; and
    • Richard Nguyen, a/k/a “Cheese,” a/k/a “Cheeseburger,” 29, of Lowell, charged with two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine.

    An indictment has also been unsealed against a sixth man currently serving a state prison sentence who will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date:

    • Isiah Lyons, a/k/a “Tank,” a/k/a “Rozay,” 29, of Lowell, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine.

    According to court records, today’s charges are a continuation of an investigation into the Asian Boyz gang that began in 2021 to disrupt the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine pills impacting Lowell. It is alleged that a total of over 57,000 counterfeit Adderall pills, consisting of over 18 kilograms of a mixture or substance of methamphetamine, were seized from or purchased from the defendants named in the indictments unsealed today.

    Previously, in July 2023, nine members and associates of the Asian Boyz were arrested and charged with conspiracies for drug trafficking and transferring illegal firearms, include machinegun conversion devices. Of the nine defendants, five have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

    The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine each provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine each provide for a sentence of at least five year and up to life in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Greg C. Hudon, Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Billerica, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/PSN.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Former Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer in Bribery, Drug Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FLORENCE, S.C. — Angela Crosland, 51, of Elgin, has been convicted of bribery, money laundering, distribution of methamphetamine and suboxone, and filing false income tax returns. A federal jury returned the guilty verdict following two days of trial.

    Evidence presented to the jury showed that Crosland worked as a correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution Williamsburg in Salters. While employed as a correctional officer, Crosland smuggled contraband into FCI Williamsburg in exchange for money. The contraband included suboxone, methamphetamine, K-2-soaked paper, marijuana, tobacco, food, and other items. Evidence presented to the jury included Crosland’s Cash App accounts records which reflected payments to her account totaling $56,791 from family and associates of inmates housed at FCI Williamsburg. These payments occurred over approximately a nine-month time period. In addition, Crosland failed to report this substantial income on her federal tax returns. 

    “Those who work in public service, especially in law enforcement and corrections, must be held to a higher standard,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Crosland’s actions damage trust in our prison systems while compromising the safety of Williamsburg FCI’s staff and inmates.”

    “Crosland smuggled drugs and other contraband into the federal prison in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribes,” said Eric Fehlman, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Southeast Region. “Her corrupt actions jeopardized the safety and security of the entire facility.”

    “The IRS is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to provide financial expertise while investigating individuals who engage in corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

    United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III, presided over the trial and will sentence Crosland after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation office.

    This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Watkins and Winston Marosek are prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Chinese Chemical Company Executives Convicted And Multiple Websites And Cryptocurrency Accounts Seized In Connection With Fentanyl Precursor Importation And Money Laundering Schemes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Qingzhou Wang, the Company’s Principal Executive, and Yiyi Chen, the Company’s Marketing Manager, Conspired to Import Ton Quantities of Fentanyl Precursors from China to the United States in Exchange for Payment in Cryptocurrency

    Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Derek S. Maltz, the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict against QINGZHOU WANG, a/k/a “Bruce” (“WANG”), and YIYI CHEN, a/k/a “Chiron” (“CHEN”), on fentanyl precursor importation and money laundering charges.  WANG was also convicted of importing a methamphetamine precursor.  WANG and CHEN, both nationals of China, were found guilty following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

    U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon and Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz also announced today the seizure of domain names for seven websites and four cryptocurrency accounts, totaling approximately $900,000 worth of digital funds, tied to the illicit precursor chemical business of WANG and CHEN’s company, HUBEI AMARVEL BIOTECH CO., LTD., a/k/a “AmarvelBio,” (“AMARVEL BIOTECH”), its related entities, and its executives and employees.  Five additional websites tied to AMARVEL BIOTECH, including its principal website, were previously seized in June 2023.

    U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “Qingzhou Wang and Yiyi Chen conspired to import massive amounts of fentanyl precursors from China into the United States.  They did so with callous disregard for the effect that such deadly chemicals would ultimately have here in the United States.  Now, they stand convicted in an American courtroom and face a substantial term of imprisonment for their crimes.  And we are not done.  The seizures announced today continue the ongoing fight against the fentanyl supply chain.  The message should be clear:  we are watching, and we will continue to dismantle these fentanyl precursor operations, and bring the individuals responsible to justice.”

    Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz said: “I have personally seen the devastation that illicit fentanyl has had on American families. I have looked into the eyes of hundreds of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, who would give anything to have one more moment with their loved one. The DEA’s top priority is protecting the safety of the American people. These convictions, and the seizures of these websites and accounts, show that no matter where you live in the world or where you operate in the fentanyl supply chain, the DEA will utilize all of our resources to bring you to justice. I’m incredibly proud of the men and women of DEA, alongside our law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly on this investigation and the unrelenting fight against illicit fentanyl.”

    As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

    AMARVEL BIOTECH was a chemical manufacturer based in the city of Wuhan, in Hubei province, China, that exported vast quantities of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl and its analogues. A synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin, fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49.  Fentanyl analogues, similar in chemical makeup and effect to fentanyl, can be even more potent and lethal than fentanyl.  Fentanyl and its analogues have devastated communities across the U.S. and are fueling the ongoing opioid epidemic, which killed at least 105,263 Americans between February 2022 and January 2023 alone.

    During the course of an undercover investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), AMARVEL BIOTECH and its principal executive, WANG, its marketing manager, CHEN, and a sales representative, FNU LNU, a/k/a “Er Yang,” a/k/a “Anita” (“YANG”), shipped more than 200 kilograms from China to the United States of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl and its analogues.  AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG shipped the precursors to the U.S. after being told that the chemicals would be used to produce fentanyl in New York, and they agreed to supply multi-ton shipments of fentanyl precursors despite being told that Americans had died after consuming fentanyl made from the chemicals that the defendants had sold.

    For example, on or about November 17, 2022, a DEA confidential source (“CS-1”) wrote to YANG using an encrypted messaging application, “You know I making fentanyl,” and “Is not safe.”  YANG replied, “i know.”  On or about December 1, 2022, YANG wrote to CS-1, promising that CS-1 would be “happy with our product” and noting that CS-1 would “be able to synthesize fentanyl.” In exchange for payment in cryptocurrency, AMARVEL BIOTECH thereafter shipped from China to New York approximately 999.7 grams of the fentanyl precursor 1-boc-4-AP, approximately 1,002.6 grams of the fentanyl precursor 1-boc-4-piperidone, and approximately 893.6 grams of the methamphetamine precursor methylamine.

    In or about March 2023, WANG and CHEN traveled from China to Bangkok, Thailand, to meet with an individual whom CS-1 represented was CS-1’s boss, but was in fact another DEA confidential source (“CS-2”).  During the meeting, WANG and CHEN discussed AMARVEL BIOTECH’s ability to supply ton-quantities of fentanyl precursors to New York for CS-1 and CS-2’s fentanyl manufacturing operation.  After CS-2 stated that CS-2 wanted a different formula for manufacturing fentanyl and that several of CS-2’s American customers had purportedly died, WANG and CHEN advised they had “a lot of customers in America and Mexico” who could provide technical assistance with fentanyl production.                        

    After the March 2023 meeting in Bangkok, AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG agreed to sell CS-1 and CS-2 approximately 210 kilograms of fentanyl precursors in exchange for payment in cryptocurrency.  During an April 10, 2023 video call with WANG and CHEN, CS-2 stated that the approximately 210 kilograms of fentanyl precursors would be used to manufacture approximately 50 to 55 kilograms of fentanyl—an amount that could contain approximately 25 million deadly doses.   

    In or about May 2023, AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG sent to the U.S. the shipment ordered by CS-1 and CS-2.  On or about May 5, 2023, the DEA retrieved the precursor shipment from a warehouse near Los Angeles, California.  Lab testing confirmed the presence of a precursor chemical for a fentanyl analogue. In an encrypted messaging group chat with CS-1, CS-2, WANG, and CHEN, YANG explained that “New York, the United States, has been strict in checking the precursors of the ‘final product’ some time ago, so for the sake of safety, this time it is sent to California.”

    In or about June 2023, WANG and CHEN traveled from China to meet again with CS-2.  During the meeting, WANG and CHEN discussed with CS-2 a multi-ton order of fentanyl precursor chemicals.  WANG and CHEN also discussed the need to take additional measures to protect themselves from detection and interdiction of their shipments “because recently American government . . . seized some Mexican group and they followed the routes to China,” where the U.S. Government found “our competitor in China”—an apparent reference to fentanyl-related charges filed in the Southern District of New York and announced in April 2023 against, among others, leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel and certain China-based precursor chemical company executives.

    AMARVEL BIOTECH openly advertised online its sale of precursor chemicals for use in manufacturing fentanyl.  Through its website and a host of other storefront sites, AMARVEL BIOTECH targeted precursor chemical customers in Mexico, where drug cartels operate clandestine laboratories and distribute finished fentanyl into and throughout the United States, including by advertising fentanyl precursors as a “Mexico hot sale,” guaranteeing “100% stealth shipping” abroad, and posting to its websites documentation of AMARVEL BIOTECH shipping chemicals to Culiacan, the home city of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the dominant drug trafficking organizations in the Western Hemisphere and which is largely responsible for the massive influx of fentanyl into the U.S. in recent years.  Below is a screenshot of one of AMARVEL BIOTECH’s store pages for a fentanyl precursor:

    AMARVEL BIOTECH also endeavored to thwart law enforcement interdiction of its precursor chemical shipments.  AMARVEL BIOTECH advertised online the business’s ability to use deceptive packaging—such as packaging indicating the contents are dog food, nuts, or motor oil—to ensure “safe” delivery of the illicit contents such shipments.  An example of one of AMARVEL BIOTECH’s online advertisements are shown below:

    *                *                *

    WANG, 36, of China, and CHEN, 32, of China, were each convicted of:  one count of conspiracy to import the fentanyl precursor chemical 1-boc-4-AP, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it will be used to manufacture fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  WANG was also convicted of: one count of importation of the fentanyl precursor chemical 1-boc-4-AP, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it will be used to manufacture fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of importation of the methamphetamine precursor chemical methylamine, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  WANG and CHEN were each acquitted of one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and a fentanyl-related substance.

    The maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

    A table listing the websites for which the domain names have been seized pursuant Title 21, U.S. Code, Sections 853 and 970 is set forth below:

    Internet users attempting to access the seized domains now see the following:

    Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit.  Ms. Sassoon also thanked the DEA Bangkok Country Office, DEA Wellington Country Office, DEA Beijing Country Office, DEA Honolulu District Office, DEA New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) Strike Force, DEA Riverside District Office, DEA Special Testing Laboratory, the DEA Southwest Laboratory, the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Fiji Police Force Narcotic Bureau, the Fiji Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii for their assistance.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Li and Kevin Sullivan are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Sabrina Jim Munoz.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over £69 billion confirmed for council budgets

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Final Settlement confirms over £69 billion government funding for councils, a 6.8% cash-terms increase in Core Spending Power 

    More than £69 billion in funding for England’s councils has been confirmed today as the government delivers on its commitment to restore trust and stability in public services.   

    Following the provisional Settlement in December, today’s final Settlement provides a 6.8% in cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power compared to 2024-25. With increased demand and running costs rising, this money is a lifeline and will guarantee no council sees a decrease in their Core Spending Power.   

    Families across the country rely on crucial council services such as social care, which is why the government is providing up to £3.7 billion additional funding to social care authorities to deliver this. This includes an £880 million uplift to the Social Care Grant, compared to 2024-25.  

    A new £270 million Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant will support the national roll out of vital family help, keeping children safe and ensuring they get the best start in life as set out in the Plan for Change.  

    While fundamental change cannot happen overnight, the government is working at pace with the sector to deliver the ambitious reform needed to spread power, money and resources more fairly across the country.   

    Today, £60 million has also been confirmed to fund long-term improvements to the local government sector over the next year, including empowering mayoral areas leading the devolution revolution in delivering local priorities and supporting councils’ financial reporting with a fit and legal audit system to ensure transparency.  

    Rebuilding the sector from the ground up is a crucial step towards the national Plan for Change to bring better value for money, sustained economic growth and fix our country’s public services.  

    The government has maintained the 5% referendum principles on council tax increases – the same level set by the previous administration- to protect taxpayers from excessive increases. 

    Unlike previous years, this government has introduced a stricter approach to the inherited arrangements that allowed councils to request higher council tax increases if they need Exceptional Financial Support and see increases as critical to maintaining their financial sustainability. 

    This approach puts taxpayers at the forefront, for example by only agreeing increases where councils are amongst the lowest existing levels for tax. In fact, taxpayers in these areas are still expected to be paying less than the average council tax compared to similar councils. This approach has limited the number and scale of additional increases, with the government not agreeing where councils have asked to increase council tax by a very high amount or by high amounts in successive years. 

    Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:   

    Councils deliver vital services across the country – driving growth and local economies and providing a lifeline for those that need it most.  

    Through our Plan for Change we are determined to fix the foundations of local government; investing where it is needed, trusting local leaders and working together to deliver growth, better health and social care services and the affordable homes people need. 

    Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE said:   

    We have been clear we will fix the foundations of local government. That means an end to short-term solutions and instead rebuilding the sector to put councils on a more stable and secure footing.    

     >Local leaders play a crucial role in delivering the day-to-day services communities across the country rely on, which is why we want to work with them towards a fairer funding model that tackles regional inequality and prioritises outcomes for local people.

    This final Settlement marks an important step towards a government focused on efficiency, value-for-money and a community first approach. For the first time, a new £600 million Recovery Grant will help support places most in need, which maximises public spending to ensure it delivers more meaningful outcomes.   

    The sector is already having its say via an open consultation on how to best streamline the outdated funding model and distribute taxpayer’s money more fairly, based on an updated assessment of need, enabling every council to deliver high quality services to their communities.   

    As part of handing local leaders more power and control of their funding, the government will end outdated processes and bureaucracy of bidding for different funding pots and bring forward the first multi-year settlement in a decade in 2026-27 to provide certainty and economic security to councils setting budgets.    

    The provisional settlement consultation was open for 4 weeks and closed on 15 January 2024.    

    Notes to Editors   

    Further details on all of the above, including allocations for individual councils can be found on the Final Local Government Finance Settlement page 2025-26 here.   

    See the Deputy Prime Minister’s full Written Ministerial Statement here: Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament   

    The Final Settlement will be debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday 5th February.  

    The government’s consultation on funding reform from 2026-27 can be found here, and remains open until 12 February.     

    Two statutory reports have also been published:   

    A record number of councils asked the government for support this year to help them set their budgets, and a record number of these councils have asked for additional council tax increases to aid their financial recovery. 

    For councils that require Exceptional Financial Support, the government has considered requests from councils for bespoke council tax referendum principles on a case-by-case basis and has agreed bespoke referendum principles for six local authorities. All six of the councils have been clear they will not be able to set a balanced budget without government support. The government has not agreed to all requests and has not agreed to any request in its entirety, to reduce the impact on taxpayers. In the areas where we have made the difficult decision to allow limited council tax rises,  we expect that no taxpayer will see their bills reach higher than the average compared to similar authorities. 

    Core Spending Power is a measure of the resources available to local authorities to fund service delivery. It sets out the money that has been made available to councils through the local government finance settlement.   

    The government confirmed unringfenced allocations of the £515m of funding announced at the provisional local government finance settlement to support to local government meet the increased costs of directly employed staff arising from changes to employer National Insurance Contribution (NICs).   

    The previous government’s referendum threshold for council tax will be maintained at 3% with 2% for the adult social care precept to protect local taxpayers.    

    Several grants including the Rural Services Delivery Grant and the Services Grant will be repurposed. The government will ensure the impact of rurality on the cost of service delivery and demand is reflected in the public consultation next year. Places with a significant rural population will on average receive almost a 6% increase in their Core Spending Power. No council will see a reduction.  

    Councils will also receive over £1 billion in total through the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packing scheme (pEPR) which will cover the existing costs they incur for managing household packaging waste, provide additional funding for new legal duties, and support much needed investment in the waste and recycling industry.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP and Ministry of Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief call for urgent investment into anticipatory action in Bangladesh

    Source: World Food Programme

    DHAKA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) released the “State of Anticipatory Action 2024” report, this week, highlighting the importance of anticipatory action in disaster risk management.

    The report outlines significant progress made in 2024 while emphasising the urgent need to address funding and coverage gaps to safeguard vulnerable communities in Bangladesh from escalating climate-related disasters.

    “By providing cash support before Cyclone Remal, we reduced the damage to coastal communities and protected livelihoods while ensuring people had essential resources”, said Razwanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management under MoDMR. “Similarly, Anticipatory Action support during the July floods helped prevent big economic losses.”  He added that the MoDMR plans to expand anticipatory action to cover more disasters, improve early warning tools and increase community-level involvement.

    Anticipatory action has proven to be critical in reducing the impact of extreme climate. In 2024, Bangladesh made significant strides in anticipatory action within its disaster management framework.  The government’s increasing integration of anticipatory action, notably its inclusion in the 2019 standing orders on disaster, was further strengthened by the activation of 15 anticipatory action initiatives. These activations covered 20 districts and reached nearly 430,000 people ahead of monsoon floods, flash floods, cyclones, and heatwaves.  A multi-stakeholder technical working group was established to better align activities with national priorities.

    The integration of tools like El Niño forecasts and other predictive models into anticipatory planning enabled more timely and targeted responses.  These efforts were supported by the mobilization of US$ 10.4 million for anticipatory action activities, with multilateral donors playing a crucial role in funding. 

    Despite these achievements, the report identifies critical gaps that must be urgently addressed. For 2025, a significant funding shortfall persists with more than half the needs underfunded (US$ 42 million). The largest funding needs are for monsoon floods (US$ 24 million), cyclones (US$ 10 million) and flash floods (US$ 8 million).

    Additionally, over 54 percent of households in need were left unsupported in 2024, with those affected by flash floods experiencing an 88.2 percent coverage gap. The need to expand coverage remains pressing.

    Looking ahead, the report identifies 23 districts for coverage, including those impacted by cold waves, landslides, droughts and heavy rainfall. Over 4.1 million households face potential exposure to major hazards, with 2.7 million households likely to experience significant impacts.

    To address these challenges, the report recommends exploring risk pooling, anticipatory action insurance and multi-year funding commitments to ensure long-term sustainability.

    “While the report underscores significant progress in institutionalising and operationalising anticipatory action in Bangladesh, challenges in the form of funding and coverage persist. By addressing these gaps through enhanced coordination, innovative financing and expanded coverage, Bangladesh can solidify its position as a global leader in anticipatory action”, said Riccardo Suppo, Head of Programme, WFP Bangladesh. He also thanked the European Union, Germany, Ireland, UN CERF, KOICA and other donors for supporting anticipatory action efforts in Bangladesh.

    #                          #                              # 

     

    About WFP: 

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

    Follow us on X @wfp_bangladesh, Facebook @WFPinBangladesh, Instagram @wfp_bangladesh  

     ng AA efforts in Bangladesh.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Lendmark Financial Services Expands California Presence with Fresno Branch, Marking its 44th Location in the State

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FRESNO, Calif., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its California footprint, opening a new branch in Fresno.

    The branch is located at 8076 N. Cedar Ave. and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Patricia Schamp, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs.

    “Planned and unplanned life events still happen, causing many consumers to look for financial resources to meet these needs,” said Linda Lopes, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. “Our team will be laser focused on serving the Fresno community, delivering personalized and convenient household credit solutions that meet their respective financial needs.”

    In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses’ customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 559-550-0457.

    Lendmark’s ‘Climb to Cure’ is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmark’s employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide.

    Lendmark customers can participate by donating $1 when closing their loan. Lendmark matches the donation.

    About Lendmark Financial Services
    Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 510 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com.

    Media Contact
    Jeff Hamilton
    Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
    jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com
    678-625-3128

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK The remediation of dangerous cladding – Public Accounts Committee

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is holding a two-part evidence session on the remediation of dangerous cladding on Monday 3rd February at 3.30pm. The National Audit Office reported in November 2024 that up to 60% of buildings with dangerous cladding had not yet been identified. It highlighted hundreds of thousands of residents who have no idea when their building will be made safe, with many continuing to suffer significant emotional and financial distress.

    The session’s first panel will hear from the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign on the current experience of residents. Other likely topics to be discussed with housing sector representatives include how to accelerate remediation in social housing, strengthening enforcement and paying for remediation.

    The Committee will then move into its second panel to question senior Government and Homes England officials. The panel will likely see scrutiny of Government plans for identifying buildings with dangerous cladding. Current estimates are the 9,000 to 12,000 buildings over 11m will need remediating. At the time of the NAO’s report, only just under 5,000 buildings had been identified, with work yet to start on around a third of these.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkEIQnGOdS0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS Mount Whitney Holds Change of Command

    Source: United States Navy

    Capt. Colin Price relieved Capt. Matthew Kiser and assumed duties as the ship’s commanding officer in a ceremony aboard the ship. Vice Adm. J. T. Anderson, commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet, and Striking and Support Forces NATO, presided over the ceremony and delivered remarks about Kiser’s time aboard the Mount Whitney.

    “One unique aspect of serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship is how the ship and crew represent the U.S. Navy in Europe and Africa, participating in many exercises, key leader engagements, and strengthening our relationships with allies and partners,” Anderson said. “Capt. Kiser built a great team that accomplished all we could ask of them.”

    Kiser, a graduate of Texas A&M University and a native of Bedford, Texas assumed command in April 2023. During his tour, he led the flagship of U.S. Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO while participating in several exercises and activities, including Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2023 and 2024, Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 23, as well as support to Joint Task Force 406 as it conducted multi-national maritime crisis response and contingency planning.

    During his speech that he gave in the change of command ceremony, Kiser credited the success of his tour to the hard work that Mount Whitney Sailors exhibited.

    “I couldn’t be prouder of our Team 20 Sailors and Civil Service Mariners, and their achievements over the last two years,” Kiser said. “It has been a privilege as commanding officer to witness the hard work and dedication in supporting command and control exercises and activities with our partner branches in the U.S. armed forces and our allies in NATO.

    “My time is highlighted by the efforts of Team 20 that went into demonstrating our new capability to support two separate staffs embarked simultaneously while each were engaged with their own mission – on the only ship that can do this in the world. I am eager to watch the ship’s continued progress over the next several months as the Mount Whitney gets back out to sea.”

    Price is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering. He was commissioned in 2001, and designated a Naval Aviator in January 2004.

    As a junior officer he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 in Lemoore, California, with deployments embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), and as a global war on terror support assignment as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operator in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

    In August 2005, he participated in Joint Task Force Katrina providing humanitarian assistance to the citizens of New Orleans. In 2015, after completion of Navy Nuclear Power training he was assigned as the 25th executive officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

    “I want to express my sincere congratulations to Capt. Kiser for a job well done and for the great service he did for our nation and Navy,” Price said. “It is an honor and pleasure to assume the watch from you. I promise to take exemplary care of your Sailors and ship.”

    Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

    U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, homeported in Gaeta, and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GB Energy: Labour’s broken promises will hurt North East of Scotland

    Source: Scottish Greens

    03 Feb 2025 Climate

    Labour must not break its promise to workers in Aberdeen and beyond.

    More in Climate

    People in the North East of Scotland will not forget it if Labour’s GB Energy fails to deliver on promised jobs for Aberdeen, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.

    The comments come as the boss of Keir Starmer’s energy company has revealed that it could take 20 years for the promised jobs to be created.

    At the general election, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar promised “lower bills, more jobs, greater energy security”, but today Scotland discovered that Labour had yet again over-promised in their desire for power. Now Scotland could have to wait decades to feel any benefit.

    This is just the latest failure by Labour to make good on its promise to working Scots to make household bills cheaper. In August 2024, The UK Government dumped a key election promise to cut energy bills by £300 a year, and when questioned by MPs at Westminster in October, the boss of GB Energy was unable to say when GB Energy would reduce household bills.

    Scottish Greens MSP for North East, Maggie Chapman said:

    “Labour promised that GB Energy would finally cut energy bills while creating hundreds of new jobs in Aberdeen, but it’s looking increasingly likely that neither of these things will happen.

    “GB Energy looks like yet another Westminster white elephant that is designed by businessmen for businessmen. If it is not lowering bills or creating jobs then what will it do?

    “Energy bills are too high and are stretching people to their limits. We must get away from a broken and destructive system that means sky high bills for households and families and chaos for our climate.

    “People were told that they were voting for change at the election, but it’s clear that Starmer and Sarwar have no intention of delivering it.

    “Time and again, this Labour government has shown that it cannot be trusted. It has already chosen to plunge pensioners into fuel poverty by cutting winter fuel payments, kept the cruel two-child cap and betrayed millions of working class WASPI women. Are workers in Aberdeen the next to be betrayed?

    “Scotland deserves so much better than this. We have masses of unlocked potential in our skilled workforce, and vast renewable resources. We need politicians to invest in our communities and our skills and put people and planet before profit.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $6 million for new key health worker accommodation in Armidale

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Published: 3 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Regional Health

    The Armidale community is set to benefit from new Key Worker Accommodation which will help attract, recruit and retain more healthcare workers to the region.

    The Minns Labor Government will invest $6 million in health worker housing in Armidale as part of the Key Health Worker Accommodation Program.

    The $200.1 million Program supports more than 20 projects across rural, regional and remote NSW.

    The funding will secure approximately 120 dwellings across regional NSW, which includes the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.

    The four-year Program will support the recruitment and retention of more than 500 health workers and their families by providing a range of accommodation options.

    The Program is one of a number of investments the Minns Labor Government is making to strengthen the regional, rural and remote health workforce and builds on the success of the NSW Government’s $73.2 million investment in key health worker accommodation across five regional local health districts (Far West, Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW, Hunter New England and Western NSW).

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in modern, sustainable accommodation options for key health workers who are the backbone of our regional, rural and remote communities.

    “Strengthening our regional health workforce is a key priority for our government and this $6 million investment in accommodation will support attraction of key healthcare workers to Armidale.

    “The Key Health Worker Accommodation Program will support Hunter New England Local Health District in continuing to provide high-quality health services to the community.”

    Quote attributable to Northern Tablelands, Peter Primrose MLC:

    “Our Government’s investment is set to significantly benefit the Armidale community.

    “The success of the initiative in other areas shows that provision of quality housing is effective in attracting and retaining essential healthcare professionals to regional and rural areas.

    “It not only addresses the housing shortage but will strengthen our local healthcare services, enhancing the well-being of residents in Armidale and surrounding communities.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Lendmark Financial Services Expands Louisiana Presence with Denham Springs Branch, Marking its 17th Location in the State

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENHAM SPRINGS, La., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its Louisiana footprint, opening a new branch in Denham Springs.

    The branch is located at 240 Range 12 Blvd, Suite 104, and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Desstina King, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs.

    “As we grow our footprint in Louisiana, we will continue to focus on delivering the tailored loan solutions our customers need to meet planned and unplanned life events,” said Patrick Jones, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. “Our Louisiana branch openings and overall branch growth demonstrate an ongoing need for diverse household financial options for consumers here and throughout the country.”

    In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses’ customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 225-453-0987.

    Lendmark’s ‘Climb to Cure’ is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmark’s employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide.

    About Lendmark Financial Services
    Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 510 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com.

    Media Contact
    Jeff Hamilton
    Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
    jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com
    678-625-3128

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Calls on Trump to Rescind Executive Orders Still Blocking Billions for Communities Across America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    After rescinding disastrous OMB memo directing a blanket federal funding freeze, Murray demands Trump revoke orders blocking billions of dollars for critical infrastructure projects across America, key national security initiatives, and more

    Murray: “Yesterday, because the American people spoke up loud and clear, Donald Trump retreated from his devastating blanket funding freeze. But make no mistake: there is still far too much chaos on the ground and Trump is still blocking billions of dollars for communities across the country through his Executive Orders.”

    ***VIDEO HERE***

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on President Trump to swiftly rescind the directives included in a variety of executive orders he signed on his first day in office that are still in effect and still blocking billions of dollars in resources for communities across America—even after Trump rescinded his administration’s disastrous OMB memo in the face of public outcry, which created a blanket federal funding freeze.

    Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Murray said:

    “Over the last few days, the American people have felt the painful consequences of Trump’s disastrous funding freeze.

    • Seniors who count on Meals on Wheels have wondered whether they’d have dinner this week.
    • Head Start teachers in red states and blue states panicked over whether they’d have the funds needed to keep their doors open and take care of kids.
    • Disaster relief for people who have endured the unimaginable and been knocked off their feet was thrown into jeopardy.
    • Grant programs to help firefighters do their jobs, combat the fentanyl crisis, get families health care, and so much more were, in an instant, at risk of evaporating into thin air.
    • I heard from a Tribe in my state concerned they’d have to lay off hundreds of staff providing essential services for the Tribe—that could mean putting everything from providing health care to housing in jeopardy—because of the President’s freeze.
    • A shelter for homeless youth in my state still can’t access its HUD funding and is staring down a $3 million deficit—forcing them to hold an emergency board meeting to figure out what, if anything, they can now do.
    • Hospitals in my state are worried that programs which are appropriately focused on someone’s gender or race are in jeopardy—like how pulse oximeters don’t work as well on dark skin, so they need other pathways to be found.

    “The chaos and confusion—the needless stress and distraction—are the result of having a president who is more focused on the billionaires who now fill his administration, than the plight of regular people all across the country.

    “Yesterday, because the American people spoke up loud and clear, Donald Trump retreated from his devastating blanket funding freeze.

    “But make no mistake: there is still far too much chaos on the ground and Trump is still blocking billions of dollars for communities across the country through his Executive Orders.

    • We’re talking about critical funding to rebuild roads and bridges, resources that are already creating thousands of good-paying new clean energy jobs in every state in the country, and critical global investments that help keep America safe.
    • That is completely unacceptable.

    “So, today, I am calling on President Trump to take four simple, commonsense steps:

    1. He needs to ensure every last dollar—down to the last penny—that was caught up by his disastrous blanket funding freeze gets out the door.
    2. He needs to rescind his executive orders that are still, at this very moment, ripping funding away from American families and communities.
    3. He needs to withdraw Russ Vought’s nomination to oversee our nation’s budget. It is clear the person who masterminded so much of this chaos doesn’t belong anywhere near the Office of Management and Budget.
    4. And finally, President Trump needs to abandon, once and for all, his illegal scheme to skirt around our laws and block funding that American workers and families are counting on.

    “I am not asking a lot here: ensure every dollar held up by the illegal freeze is restored, stop the ongoing effort to block funding, withdraw the mastermind of this chaos, and simply follow the law.

    “The American people deserve better than the catastrophe we have witnessed this week, and they deserve to know that the investments Trump is currently holding up—to rebuild the highway they drive to work on or lower their energy costs, and so much more—will make it out the door.

    “If the President is so intent on opposing funding for infrastructure projects and good-paying American jobs, he needs to sit down at the negotiating table and make his case to Congress. I will not let the President rip up the Constitution or rip money away from our communities.”

    ____________________________________________________

    LAST WEEK: within his first hours in office, President Trump signed a number of executive orders that illegally block funding that was signed into law to rebuild America’s infrastructure, lower families’ energy costs, create new, good-paying jobs, strengthen our national security, and more.

    ON MONDAY NIGHT: Trump expanded his funding freeze dramatically when the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a sweeping, illegal memo directing a near-blanket freeze on virtually all federal funding, with carveouts for Social Security, Medicare, and “assistance provided directly to individuals.” Senator Murray immediately wrote a letter to OMB alongside House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) raising alarms about the sweeping directive and calling the acting director to restore funding, as the law requires.

    ON TUESDAY: Senator Murray joined millions of Americans in decrying the chaos and pain President Trump’s freeze caused—as reports poured in from across the country about how it risked shuttering Head Start programs, cutting off disaster relief, jeopardizing cancer research, and much more. The White House, in trying to clarify the scope of the memo, instead created more chaos, confusion, and headaches for the American people.

    ON WEDNESDAY: Senator Murray again slammed Trump’s devastating freeze cutting off funding families count on—noting that even programs the administration said were back online were, in fact, still shuttered, and she called on Trump to stop withholding funding. Then, facing nationwide backlash, President Trump had his OMB revoke its memo. But President Trump vowed to keep his freeze of hundreds of billions of dollars in funding tied up by his executive orders in place—and his aides continued their vows to block more funding signed into law.

    RIGHT NOW: President Trump continues to hold up vast swaths of funding implicated by his illegal executive orders—and chaos and confusion pervade over whether funding implicated by his now-rescinded OMB memo has been fully restored.

    His executive orders direct agencies to, among other things, halt disbursement of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, foreign development assistance, and virtually any funding his administration deems “woke.”

    President Trump’s ongoing freeze is holding up funding Congress delivered—often on a bipartisan basis—to:

    • Rebuild America’s roads and bridges.
    • Connect families to high-speed internet access.
    • Upgrade transit and transportation infrastructure.
    • Lower Americans’ energy costs.
    • Create new, good-paying clean energy jobs.
    • Strengthen America’s national security.
    • Much more.

    President Trump must rescind his executive orders—and stop blocking funding the American people are counting on. His failure to do so will:

    • Kill good-paying American jobs.
    • Delay—or altogether scrap—infrastructure projects all across the county.
    • Raise American families’ energy costs.
    • Create more chaos, confusion, and uncertainty that hurt families, businesses, small businesses, and local organizations and governments.
    • Gut efforts to tackle the climate crisis and ensure every American has clean air and water.
    • Halt work cleaning up Superfund sites contaminated with hazardous waste and substances.
    • Undermine our national security and credibility on the world stage.
    • Much more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Court Blocking Trump’s Devastating Funding Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on a federal district court ordering a temporary restraining order blocking President Trump’s federal funding freeze:

    “Today, the court affirmed what we’ve long known: the President does not have the power to rip funding that is law away from the American people.

    “People in every corner of the country have felt the painful consequences of Trump’s disastrous funding freeze—and we are going to keep fighting to make sure funding to rebuild our roads and bridges, invest in families, create good paying jobs, and so much more gets out the door as the law requires.”

    In its order, the court noted that:

    • “The Executive’s action unilaterally suspends the payment of federal funds to the States and others simply by choosing to do so, no matter the authorizing or appropriating statute, the regulatory regime, or the terms of the grant itself. The Executive cites no legal authority allowing it to do so; indeed, no federal law would authorize the Executive’s unilateral action here.”
    • “Congress has not given the Executive limitless power to broadly and indefinitely pause all funds that it has expressly directed to specific recipients and purposes and therefore the Executive’s actions violate the separation of powers.”
    • “The Executive Branch has a duty to align federal spending and action with the will of the people as expressed through congressional appropriations, not through ‘Presidential priorities.’”
    • “Federal law specifies how the Executive should act if it believes that appropriations are inconsistent with the President’s priorities–it must ask Congress, not act unilaterally.”

    Senator Murray has consistently raised alarm bells over President Trump and his top advisors’ ongoing efforts and plans to block funding Congress has provided from making it out to American families, businesses, and communities. Last week, she grilled President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, on his loud declarations that President Trump should unilaterally hold up funding—and his refusal to commit to Congress to follow the law. She called out President Trump’s unlawful executive orders holding up funding for infrastructure, national security programs, good-paying clean energy jobs and innovations, and much more—and released a fact sheet detailing how his orders violate the law and the constitution. On Monday night, after OMB issued its sweeping memo freezing trillions of dollars in funding for America, Senator Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro sent a letter to Acting OMB Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump’s unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda. She joined colleagues hours later for a press conference highlighting the mass panic and confusion the memo was already creating for families and communities in every part of the country. On Wednesday, Senator Murray spoke at a press conference hammering how badly Trump’s actions are hurting their states—and working people all across the country. On Thursday, she called on Trump to rescind his executive orders still blocking billions of dollars in funding for communities across America after Trump revoked his disastrous OMB memo that ordered a blanket funding freeze.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Navy Expanded Access to Childcare in 2024, Continued Growth Plans for 2025

    Source: United States Navy

    WASHINGTON — Since the start of FY23, the program has reduced the waitlist for child development centers (CDCs) and school age care (SAC) by 50%. The number of children with unmet childcare needs dropped from approximately 5,000 to about 2,500 by October 2024.

    “The Navy is committed to improving quality of service and a significant part of that is child care,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command, which oversees Navy CYP. “Readiness suffers when Sailors and their families lack dependable, high-quality child care. That’s why we invested an additional $51.7 million to grow our childcare services, including increasing staff salaries and benefits as well as boosting subsidies for community and family childcare spaces.”

    IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE

    In FY 2024, Navy CYP introduced several initiatives to improve the quality of care. These included updating staffing models at CDCs and adding management support to address the complex needs of children in care. Additional classroom staff have been authorized to assist with managing complex behaviors, particularly in preschool classrooms.

    Management training has been enhanced with in-person sessions focused on prevention strategies and protective factors to reduce incidents within CYP settings. Additionally, a new rest period policy and in-service training days have been implemented to support the health, wellness, and professional development of CYP staff.

    To improve reporting and safety, clear incident reporting requirements have been established, ensuring timely documentation and enabling trend analysis. These measures reflect CYP’s commitment to creating safe, supportive environments for children while providing staff with the necessary resources to succeed.

    ADDRESSING STAFFING CHALLENGES

    Consistent with municipal and commercial childcare programs, the Navy faces ongoing challenges in attracting qualified caregivers. A shortage of classroom staff has forced CDCs to operate below capacity to maintain the required staff-to-child ratios. 

    To address this, Navy CYP has focused on expanding capacity at installation CDCs by enhancing its workforce. Strategies include salary increases, recruitment and retention incentives, strategic marketing of CYP positions, and providing professional development opportunities. Additionally, CYP direct care staff receive childcare discounts of 100% for their first child and 20% for additional children, while management and support staff enjoy a 50% discount for their first child and 20% for others.

    These efforts have had a measurable impact. As of September 2022, 75% of childcare positions were filled, and enrollment was at 76% capacity. By October 2024, staffing had increased to 88%, allowing the program to operate at 85% capacity.

    FOCUS ON STAFF RETENTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

    Navy CYP has also launched initiatives to prioritize staff retention. In 2025, the program will introduce a new initiative called CARES (Culture, Accountability, Respect, Engagement, and Safety). This program aligns with CNIC’s core values and focuses on enhancing communication, supporting employee wellness, and addressing workplace concerns. By fostering a positive organizational culture, CARES aims to attract, develop, and retain high-quality staff.

    STREAMLINING OPERATIONS

    Navy CYP is also working to enhance efficiencies for families and staff. In FY25, the program will roll out a new Child and Youth Management System to streamline operations and improve the customer experience. This system will include a user-friendly parent portal to simplify paperwork and improve communication between parents and staff.

    STRUCTURAL EXPANSION AND FACILITY UPGRADES

    In addition to staffing and operational improvements, Navy CYP is expanding its physical infrastructure. Ongoing construction projects at CDCs on Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story will add 978 childcare spaces and upgrade existing facilities. Over the next five years, 12 more CDC projects are scheduled, which will add approximately 2,000 additional spaces to the Navy’s CDC capacity.

    The Navy is also investing in sustainment, restoration, and modernization (SRM) to improve or maintain the quality of its existing CDCs.

    REPURPOSING EXISTING SPACES

    To further expand capacity, the Navy has been converting underutilized community spaces into childcare facilities. Unused warehouses, chapels, community centers, and MWR spaces are being repurposed to meet the demand for child care. Recently, spaces at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Naval Air Station Patuxent River were converted into School Age Care facilities.

    EXPANDING MILITARY CHILDCARE IN YOUR NEIGHRBORHOOD

    The Navy has expanded its Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program, which provides community-based fee assistance to active duty families. As of October 2024, 8,623 children were enrolled in MCCYN, up from 4,100 at the start of FY23.

    Additionally, the Navy is partnering with commercial childcare providers to secure dedicated spaces exclusively for military families. These spaces are integrated into the installation’s CDC inventory and managed through the Department of Defense’s request for care platform, militarychildcare.com.

    LOOKING AHEAD

    “Navy CYP has made significant progress in increasing enrollment across its programs,” said Maryann Coutino, Director of Navy CYP. “However, we still have about 2,500 children on our waitlist with unmet childcare needs. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive strategy that includes staffing improvements, new facilities, and leveraging community resources. We are committed to steadily increasing childcare capacity to better support our service members and their families.”

    Commander, Navy Installations Command is responsible for worldwide U.S. Navy Shore installation management, designing and developing integrated solutions for sustainment and development of Navy shore infrastructure as well as quality of life programs. CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions, 70 installations, and more than 43,000 employees who sustain the fleet, enable the fighter, and support the family.

    Learn more by visiting CNIC’s website at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ or following CNIC on social media: Facebook, Facebook.com/NavyInstallations; X, @cnichq; and Instagram, @cnichq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border

    Source: The White House

              By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

              I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the sustained influx of illegal aliens and illicit opioids and other drugs has profound consequences on our Nation, endangering lives and putting a severe strain on our healthcare system, public services, communities, and schools.  Since the end of my first term, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security has recorded more than three times as many inadmissible encounters nationwide as during my first term.

         These challenges threaten the fabric of our society.  Gang members, smugglers, human traffickers, and illicit drugs of all kinds have poured across our borders and into our communities.  Mexico has played a central role in these challenges, including by failing to devote sufficient attention and resources to meaningfully stem the tide of unlawful migration and illicit drugs.

         Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are the world’s leading traffickers of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs, and they cultivate, process, and distribute massive quantities of narcotics that fuel addiction and violence in communities across the United States.  These DTOs collaborate and conspire with transnational cartels and other global partners to smuggle drugs into the United States, utilizing clandestine airstrips, maritime routes, tunnels, and overland corridors, and both willing and unwilling human couriers.  

         The Mexican DTOs have an intolerable alliance with the government of Mexico. This alliance endangers the national security of the United States, and we must eradicate the influence of these dangerous cartels from the bilateral environment. The government of Mexico has afforded safe havens for the cartels to engage in the manufacturing and transportation of illicit drugs, which collectively have led to the overdose deaths of hundreds of thousands of American victims.

         Mexican cartels are also implicated in human trafficking and smuggling operations, enabling the illegal migration of millions across our borders.  These operations are often tied to organized crime, and they create pathways for cartel activities to expand into the United States.  Furthermore, violent criminals originating from Central and South America easily transit into and through Mexico, and into the United States, where they cause irreparable harm to our citizens.  These dangerous criminals are involved in drug-related violence, gang activity, and other crimes that endanger the safety of American communities.
     
         Immediate action is required to address the national emergency I declared in Proclamation 10886 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States), and to finally end the public health crisis caused by opioid use and addiction, which will not happen unless the compliance and cooperation of the government of Mexico is assured.

         I hereby determine and order:
         Section 1.  (a)  As President of the United States, my highest duty is the defense of the country and its citizens.  A Nation without borders is not a Nation at all.  I will not stand by and allow our sovereignty to be eroded, our laws to be trampled, our citizens to be endangered, or our borders to be disrespected anymore.

         I previously declared a national emergency with respect to the grave threat to the United States posed by the influx of illegal aliens and illicit drugs into the United States in Proclamation 10886.  Pursuant to the NEA, I hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in that proclamation to cover the failure of Mexico to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and illicit drugs.  In addition, this failure to act on the part of the government of Mexico constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  I hereby declare and reiterate a national emergency under the NEA and IEEPA to deal with that threat.  This national emergency requires decisive and immediate action, and I have decided to impose, consistent with law, ad valorem tariffs on articles that are products of Mexico as set forth in this order.  In doing so, I invoke my authority under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of IEEPA, and specifically find that action under other authority to impose tariffs is inadequate to address this unusual and extraordinary threat.

         Sec. 2.  (a)  All articles that are products of Mexico, as defined by the Federal Register notice described in section 2(d) of this order (the Federal Register notice), shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty.  Such rate of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to CBP as specified in the Federal Register notice. 
         (b)  The rates of duty established by this order are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, or charges applicable to such imported articles. 
         (c)  Should the government of Mexico retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to Mexico or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this Executive Order to ensure the efficacy of this action. 
         (d)  In order to establish the duty rate on imports of articles that are products of Mexico, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine the modifications necessary to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) in order to effectuate this order consistent with law and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register.  The modifications made to the HTSUS by this notice shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsection 2(a) of this section, and shall continue in effect until such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.
         (e)  Articles that are products of Mexico, except those that are eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, which are subject to the duties imposed by this order and are admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsection 2(a) of this section, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41.  Such articles will be subject upon entry for consumption to the rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading in effect at the time of admittance into the United States foreign trade zone. 
         (f)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this order.
         (g)  For avoidance of doubt, duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 shall not be available for the articles described in subsection (a) of this section.
         (h)  Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other presidential directive or guidance related to trade with Mexico that is inconsistent with the direction in this order is hereby terminated, suspended, or modified to the extent necessary to give full effect to this order. 
         (i)  The articles described in subsection (a) of this section shall exclude those encompassed by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b).

         Sec. 3.  (a)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall regularly consult with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security on the situation at our southern border.  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Security, indicate that the government of Mexico has taken adequate steps to alleviate the illegal migration and illicit drug crisis through cooperative actions.  Upon the President’s determination of sufficient action to alleviate the crisis, the tariffs described in section 2 of this order will be removed.
         (b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security shall recommend additional action, if necessary, should the government of Mexico fail to take adequate steps to alleviate the illegal migration and illicit drug crises through cooperative enforcement actions.

         Sec. 4.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Commerce, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to me by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order.  The Secretary of Homeland Security may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of Homeland Security.  All agencies shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement this order.

           Sec. 5.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Commerce, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs,  and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency under IEEPA declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

         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, 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.

    THE WHITE HOUSE, 
        February 1, 2025.

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