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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of International Ponzi Scheme Targeting Indonesian-American Community Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Defrauded Hundreds of Victims in Three Countries and More than 30 States Who Invested More than $24.5 Million in Sham Loan Programs

    Earlier today, at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Francius Marganda was sentenced by United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry to 18 years’ imprisonment for running a $24.5 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of predominantly Indonesian and Indo-American victim investors. Marganda, an Indonesian national, led the scheme until it unraveled in 2021 and he fled the United States.  Marganda was extradited to the United States from Singapore in November 2023 and pleaded guilty to securities fraud in July 2024. As part of his sentence, Marganda was ordered to pay $8.5 million in restitution and $7.5 million in forfeiture.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), announced the sentence.

    “Marganda’s attempt to evade justice by fleeing halfway across the world to hide in fancy hotels was futile, as he found out today in a federal courtroom in Brooklyn,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “No matter how far defendants may flee, this Office and our law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to make sure they are brought to justice.  It is my hope that this prosecution will bring some measure of relief to the victims of Marganda’s fraud, who trusted him with their life savings because of their shared nationality and were cruelly exploited by him.”

    Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, particularly the DOJ Attachés based in Manila and Bangkok; law enforcement partners at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, including the FBI’s Legal Attaché, the HSI Attaché, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Overseas Criminal Investigations Office; and Singaporean authorities, particularly the Singapore Police Force and Attorney-General’s Chambers, for their assistance with Marganda’s arrest and extradition to the United States.  Mr. Durham also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, Fort Worth Regional Office; the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York; the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York; the Federal Trade Commission; the New York State Attorney General’s Office; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; the New York County District Attorney’s Office; the Queens County District Attorney’s Office; the New York City Police Department; the Westford Police Department, Westford, Massachusetts; the Richfield Police Department, Richfield, Minnesota; and the Lexington Police Department, Lexington, South Carolina, for their assistance in this matter.

    Francius Marganda financially crippled hundreds of victims after collectively stealing millions of dollars to fund his personal lifestyle,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “The defendant enticed prospective investors across the globe with empty promises of guaranteed returns from his illegitimate companies, and subsequently created an alias to flee the country when his web of lies unraveled. The FBI will continue to pursue any individual who exploits others through fraudulent means, regardless of where they may hide.”

    HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Alfonso stated: “Francius Marganda’s heartless scheme caused irreparable emotional, psychological, and in some cases even physical damage to many of his more than 200 victims. Marganda swindled the innocent, well-meaning public out of over $23 million, and then fled the country as his shameless conspiracy crumbled. Marganda left hardworking families without money they desperately needed for crucial, life-altering expenses — among them, cancer treatments, medical procedures, and college tuition — and with no opportunities to recoup their lost savings. While no amount of prison time can make up for the irreversible pain Marganda and his co-conspirators have caused, we are thankful to the special agents and officers from HSI’s El Dorado Task Force, together with the FBI and the Eastern District of New York, for securing whatever justice possible on behalf of his victims.”   

    From May 2019 to May 2021, while residing in New York after overstaying his visa, Marganda orchestrated a scheme to defraud investors by soliciting investments in two sham programs called Easy Transfer and Global Transfer, which Marganda and his co-conspirators falsely represented were short-term, high-interest loan programs in which investors would earn passive income.  Marganda and his co-conspirators promised rates of return as high as 200% or more.  On a near-daily basis, multiple investors were deceived into signing investment contracts.   

    Marganda and his co-conspirators misappropriated the invested funds for their own benefit, including by buying real estate and luxury goods, and paying off credit card bills.  They also laundered proceeds into their bank accounts.  As an example, more than $3.8 million in scheme proceeds was transferred into just one of Marganda’s personal accounts over the course of 11 months, and more than $264,000 in proceeds in the account was used to pay off his credit card bills.

    The Ponzi scheme ultimately collapsed in May 2021, when Marganda and his co-conspirators stopped making payments to investors.  Marganda fled the United States, obtained an Indonesian passport under a fake name, and used the scheme funds to pay for lavish stays in luxury hotels around the world, including in France, the Maldives, Nepal, and Thailand, until he was apprehended abroad and extradited to the Eastern District of New York.

    To date, 237 victims, ranging in age from 24 to 84, have identified losses of more than $24.5 million because of the defendant’s scheme.  The victims reside in the District of Columbia and at least 31 states, including New York, as well as in Indonesia and Malaysia.  Many of the victims had limited means and had pooled their resources with relatives and friends to make investments in U.S. dollars and Indonesian rupiah.

    Judge Irizarry considered statements prepared by dozens of victims in connection with the sentencing hearing held earlier today.  Many reported that, as a result of the defendant’s conduct, they declared bankruptcy or lost nearly all of their savings.  Because of the financial loss, one victim struggled to pay for a family member’s chemotherapy, while another struggled to pay for medical expenses associated with a family member’s Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis.  One victim lacked the funds to travel and pay respects after both of the victim’s parents died.    Multiple victims suffered other serious losses and hardships.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Victor Zapana and Laura Zuckerwise are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Kavya Kannan.

    The Defendant:

    FRANCIUS MARGANDA
    Age:  42
    Jakarta, Indonesia and formerly of Queens, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-481 (DLI)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Minneapolis Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing Stolen Firearms that he Attempted to Sell

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – Howard Ozell Crenshaw, a Minneapolis man, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing stolen firearms that he then attempted to sell, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, on December 2, 2022, an undercover (UC) law enforcement officer called Howard Ozell Crenshaw, 34, to express interest in purchasing firearms. Crenshaw informed the undercover law enforcement officer that he had an AR-15 rifle and two Berretta handguns available for sale, which the UC officer agreed to purchase for $2,600.  The pair agreed to meet on December 13, 2022, to complete the transaction.  

    On the day of their meeting, the UC officer agreed to purchase an addition shotgun from Crenshaw for $500.  They met as planned on December 13, 2022, and Crenshaw entered the UC officer’s vehicle, abruptly exited and called the UC officer, directing him to drive to a different location one block away.  Crenshaw explained that he had placed the firearms in a residential trash can in a nearby alley.  The UC officer retrieved the four firearms and tossed Crenshaw a roll of cash totaling $2,600.  Shortly thereafter, the UC agent called Crenshaw and explained that he had placed the additional $500 in the same trash can the defendant had used for the firearms.  Crenshaw later returned to the trash can and collected the additional $500.  

    According to court documents, Crenshaw sold the UC agent a Benelli M1 Super 90 12-guage shotgun; an Armalite .223 AR-15 rifle; a Beretta model M9 nine-millimeter handgun; and a Beretta model M9 nine-millimeter handgun from Crenshaw.  A subsequent record check on the firearms revealed that they had been reported stolen following the November 19, 2022, burglary of a home in St. Paul.  

    Because Crenshaw has four prior felony convictions, including for Drug Sale – 1st Degree, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

    “Crenshaw is a four-time convicted felon and drug dealer who decided to sell stolen firearms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.  “I am proud of the excellent work of our federal partners at ATF to take yet another dangerous criminal off the streets.”    

    Crenshaw pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court before Judge Susan R. Nelson to one count of illegal possession of firearms as felon. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 5, 2025.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indictment Unsealed Charging Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme at Prichard Water Board

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    According to the indictment unsealed today, Nia Bradley, 50, of Mobile, Alabama; Randy Burden, 47, of Prichard, Alabama; Steve Jones, 61, of Mobile, Alabama; Larry Knight, 35, of Mobile, Alabama; Dejuan Lamar, 47, of Mobile, Alabama; Ayanna Payton, 47, of Eight Mile, Alabama; and Stephanie Hunn, 49, of Mobile, Alabama, were charged with various federal crimes listed below.  Payton and Hunn previously pleaded guilty to all charges against them and are awaiting sentencing.  Their proceedings were sealed in light of the ongoing investigation which led to charges recently filed against Bradley, Burden, Jones, Knight, and Lamar.   Each of the defendants face potential sentences of decades in prison.

    The Grand Jury returned an indictment alleging the following scheme: starting as early as 2018 through 2022, the defendants bilked the Prichard Water Board of at least approximately $2.4 million dollars through a false and fraudulent contractor scheme involving outside contractors and employees and board members of the Prichard Water Board.  Approximately $960,000 of the money was illegally laundered, including through a business owned and operated by Bradley and Burden.  

    The Prichard Water Board provides water and sewer services to approximately 8,000 residential and 2,000 commercial clients and is funded by customer payments and also through a $55 million bond it secured in 2019.  The indictment alleges that the criminal scheme involved the creation of a fictitious business by Hunn and the creation of false invoices to justify unlawful payments to Hunn, Jones, Knight, and Lamar.  Bradley and Burden, who were employees of the Prichard Water Board, allegedly falsified payment authorizations and received kick-back payments and other benefits.

    Payton and another uncharged co-conspirator served on the board of the Prichard Water Board where they are alleged to have falsified payment authorizations and received kick-back payments and other benefits for their roles.  Several of the conspirators communicated through coded messages and destroyed evidence to attempt to avoid detection of the crimes, according to the indictment.   Bradley, Payton, Hunn, and Jones committed tax fraud to avoid revealing the criminal scheme and to avoid paying taxes to the United States.  Through its criminal cases, the United States is seeking money judgments in the amounts of approximately $2,459,279.39, $960,851.41, and $302,134.90, as well as the forfeiture of three real properties which were purchased using fraud proceeds and involved in the money laundering scheme.

    Nia Bradley is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Bank, and Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Defraud the United States (Taxes); Money Laundering Conspiracy; Wire Fraud; Bank Fraud; and related tax charges.

    Randy Burden is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Bank, and Wire Fraud; Money Laundering Conspiracy; and Bank Fraud.

    Steve Jones is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Bank, and Wire Fraud; Money Laundering Conspiracy; Bank Fraud; and filing false tax returns.

    Larry Knight and Dejuan Lamar are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Bank, and Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud.

    Ayanna Payton and Stephanie Hunn have pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Bank, and Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Defraud the United States (Taxes); Wire Fraud; Bank Fraud; and False Tax Filings and both women are awaiting sentencing.

    “The taxpayers of the Southern District of Alabama deserve to be able to rely on competent, honest public servants,” said United States Attorney Sean P. Costello. “This indictment is the result of careful, thorough, and meticulous investigation. Together with our partners in law enforcement, we will continue our efforts to protect the taxpayers and hold accountable thieves who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of our community.”

    “Fraud and theft by government employees from the very people they are put in place to serve will not be tolerated,” said FBI Mobile Division Supervisory Special Agent Parker Still.  “This investigation is another example of law enforcement cooperation between federal, state and local entities to ensure people have trust in their public works.”

    “Corrupt public officials waste government resources and diminish the trust citizens place in their government to provide the essential services they expect,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents will continue investigating and forwarding for prosecution those who disregard the public trust by misusing taxpayers’ funds to enrich themselves and their coconspirators.”

    “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains steadfast in our commitment to protect the nation’s mail system from illegal use,” said Shameka Jackson, Acting Postal Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division. “With the collaborative investigative efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, we will continue to work together to bring to justice those who abuse the trust given to them by the American people.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and United States Postal Inspection Service, investigated the case with assistance from the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Bishop Ravenel and Kasee S. Heisterhagen are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

    An indictment or information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Bridge Shelter Extended

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is extending its lease for The Bridge, an innovative integrated services shelter with on-site health support in Dartmouth.

    “This is a powerful example of government and community partners coming together to support vulnerable Nova Scotians,” said Scott Armstrong, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development. “The Bridge offers more than just immediate shelter – it provides a pathway to stable housing. The success of this model shows that with the right support, people can move from crisis to stability.”

    The Bridge is a collaborative initiative of the departments of Opportunities and Social Development, Health and Wellness and Seniors and Long-Term Care; the Office of Addictions and Mental Health; Nova Scotia Health; and service providers Adsum for Women and Children and Welcome Housing & Support Services.

    Since opening on May 1, 2023, The Bridge has provided shelter for more than 400 people experiencing housing insecurity. Ninety-eight people have advanced to housing options, which include a mix of private, non-profit and public housing. It has also reduced emergency department visits and long-term hospital stays, with more than 6,300 visits to the on-site health clinic in the past two years.

    Residents have access to housing support and a range of health services, including an occupational therapist, continuing care co-ordinator, VON, the Mobile Outreach Street Health clinic, and mental health and addictions counsellors.

    The new five-year lease for the property on Wyse Road runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2030. The length of this renewed agreement ensures the space can adapt to evolving community need.

    Opportunities and Social Development is providing $23.9 million for the lease extension and operational funding including service providers, security and food.

    Quotes:

    “Government is working together across departments and with its partners to do things differently and help those in need in our community. The Bridge is an innovative approach that offers people experiencing homelessness a safe place to recuperate when they’re well enough to be released from the hospital so they can fully recover and transition to permanent housing.”
    — Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness

    Quick Facts:

    • The Bridge is part of Nova Scotia’s first supportive housing approach, combining rental or housing assistance with flexible, voluntary support services for people and families at risk of or experiencing housing insecurity
    • there are now 590 shelter beds across the province, including 442 in Halifax Regional Municipality
    • non-healthcare referrals to The Bridge will continue to be managed by Adsum for Women and Children, and housing support services will continue to be provided by Welcome Housing & Support Services
    • the Province is investing $26.1 million in The Bridge, including $23.9 million from Opportunities and Social Development and $2.2 million from Health and Wellness, to support operations, service providers and on-site healthcare

    Additional Resources:

    News release – The Bridge Integrated Services Shelter Extended: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/03/07/bridge-integrated-services-shelter-extended

    News release – New Healthcare Initiative a First in Atlantic Canada: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/04/21/new-healthcare-initiative-first-atlantic-canada-0

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressmen Schneider, Smucker To Co-Chair Congressional Candy Caucus

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider, D-IL, and Lloyd Smucker, R-PA, today announced that they will co-chair the bipartisan Congressional Candy Caucus.

    Originally formed in 2016, the Congressional Candy Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of members of Congress who support America’s chocolate and candy industry. The Caucus has several policy priorities including: creating a level playing field for confectioners by identifying solutions to supply chain challenges; supporting policies that allow U.S. food manufacturing to remain competitive on a global scale; and protecting good-paying American manufacturing jobs.

    “Chocolate and candy make life sweeter—enhancing family traditions, special moments, and celebrations. At the same time, candy and chocolate manufacturing generates real economic momentum across the country and has kept countless family businesses in operation across generations,” Rep. Schneider said. “I’m proud to be joining Congressman Smucker in leading the Congressional Candy Caucus and championing the confectionery industry for future success.”

    “The U.S. confectionery industry has a remarkable economic footprint in all 50 states, and especially in my home state and district in Pennsylvania,” Rep. Smucker said. “We are proud of the many enjoyable chocolate and candy products made right here in America. I am honored to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Candy Caucus alongside my colleague Rep. Schneider to continue fostering a policy environment that ensures American chocolate and candy companies will thrive.”

    “Under the leadership of Congressmen Schneider and Smucker, the Congressional Candy Caucus is poised to do great things in conjunction with our iconic industry,” John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. “The confectionery industry is a great American manufacturing success story. The companies that make chocolate, candy, gum and mints employ nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states and support an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. In fact, for every one job that we create in confectionery manufacturing in the U.S., another 11 U.S. jobs are supported in other sectors – and that is the Power Of Sweet.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington AG says RealPage and landlords conspired to harm tenants, violate Consumer Protection Act

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — The Washington state Attorney General’s Office filed suit in King County Superior Court today against software company RealPage and nine local landlords, alleging that RealPage and its software are central to a conspiracy and unfair competition by certain landlords that resulted in rapidly rising rent prices for their tenants.

    The lawsuit says RealPage provides software tools to landlords that push rental prices beyond what landlords could otherwise achieve while reducing the risk that other landlords will undercut them with more competitive rates. Analysis by the Attorney General’s Office shows that in numerous markets, pricing is higher and occupancy is lower for properties managed by landlords who use RealPage’s products than for similar properties managed by landlords who don’t use RealPage.

    “RealPage’s unfair practices are cheating renters and pricing families out of stable housing,” said Attorney General Nick Brown. “Washington is facing a housing crisis and we must respond with every available tool.”

    Washington State was previously part of a multi-state antitrust lawsuit led by the U.S. Department of Justice in federal court, but withdrew to file this challenge in state court under statutes that would cover a greater number of Washingtonians impacted by these actions. This new lawsuit alleges six violations of the state Consumer Protection Act and seeks restitution for a large number Washington renters. An estimated 800,000 leases in Washington were priced using RealPage software between 2017 and 2024.

    The investigation found that RealPage’s pricing software provides landlords with a shared logic that tends to raise rents. Two types of RealPage’s pricing software collect nonpublic, competitively sensitive data from landlords to feed the algorithms. Landlords who use RealPage software agree to provide their data, knowing that the software combines their data with data from other landlords. The algorithm then recommends rents — in many cases increasing them. In feedback to RealPage about its software, one potential client said: “I always liked this product because your algorithm uses proprietary data from other subscribers to suggest rents and term. That’s classic price fixing.”

    Legislative leaders expressed their support for the litigation.

    “The Washington Legislature has passed dozens of bills over the last three years focused on addressing housing affordability,” said House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma. I welcome AG Brown’s entry into this work and his willingness to fight against giant corporations using unfair algorithms across the State of Washington to jack up housing costs.”

    “I am proud that our state is working to protect renters from this kind of collusion and conspiracy,” said Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma. “Renters deserve to have protections against unfair price-fixing, and I thank Attorney General Brown for his swift action on this issue. It is imperative that we prevent any company of taking advantage of Washington renters and that we do anything to prevent unnecessary and increased costs for people just trying to pay their rent and stay in their homes.”

    The lawsuit states that RealPage’s software creates pricing recommendations that will not go below a hard floor, though they may exceed a soft ceiling at the top of the market.

    RealPage also discourages pro-renter practices like price negotiations and concessions for renters and instead favors the highest possible prices in several ways. First, RealPage’s training advises new clients to set its software to automatically accept its pricing recommendations. If a landlord doesn’t want to use auto-accept, RealPage advisors are trained to convince them to turn it on.

    RealPage also encourages landlords to accept its pricing recommendations by forcing them to enter an explanation any time they reject the software’s recommendations. When RealPage’s advisers see the rejections, they can escalate review to higher-level managers.

    Second, RealPage software also advises landlords to keep prices high even when occupancy is down, the lawsuit asserts. The software also recommends adjusting lease timeframes to avoid a glut of apartment units hitting the market at the same time — for instance, recommending 13-month leases instead of 12. That way, rent prices don’t go down because of increased housing supply.

    RealPage also organized a conspiracy of landlords through its user groups for each pricing software product, the suit claims. In user group meetings, landlords vote on changes to the pricing software, discuss competitively sensitive topics, and build anticompetitive strategies around their use of RealPage’s pricing software.

    The lawsuit seeks to end RealPage’s and landlords’ illegal practices and force them to stop colluding, coordinating pricing and occupancy, sharing a pricing algorithm, and exchanging competitively sensitive nonpublic information.

    Assistant Attorneys General Brian H. Rowe, Rachel A. Lumen, Sarah Smith-Levy, Miriam Stiefel, Jessica So, Helen Lubetkin, and Ashley Locke; Paralegals Alicia Stensland, Mark O’Neal, Christina Baker, Kristina Wooster, Connor Hopkins, Tracy Jacoby and Kellie Tappan; Investigator Tony Perkins; and Economic Analyst Matthew Paskash are working on the case for Washington.

    The lawsuit can be found here.

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

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former School Custodian Admits Possessing Child Pornography

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

    ST. LOUIS – A former high school custodian on Wednesday admitted possessing child sexual abuse material.

    Bernard Ray Mennemeier, 58, of O’Fallon, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of possession of child pornography. Mennemeier admitted possessing both child pornography and child erotica.

    The investigation began on Jan. 2, 2024, after Mennemeier uploaded five videos containing child sexual abuse material to Dropbox. An FBI agent traced the Dropbox account to Mennemeier, and then conducted a court-approved search of the Dropbox account, and then Mennemeier’s home. In an interview at the O’Fallon Police Department, Mennemeier admitted messaging someone on Twitter who would sell him child sexual abuse material. Mennemeier said he purchased those materials “numerous” times, his plea agreement says.

    Mennemeier is scheduled to be sentenced July 9. The charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

    “This crime came to light thanks to a CyberTip reported to our partners at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Bernard Mennemeier thought he could anonymously obtain and possess child sexual abuse material,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division.  “When it comes to protecting children, the FBI is even more diligent in identifying, locating and arresting such perpetrators.”

    The FBI investigated the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hirono, Garamendi, Obernolte Lead Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Provide Construction Funding to Federally-Impacted School Districts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) led 16 of their colleagues in introducing the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, legislation that would provide a total of $1 billion over four years for Impact Aid Construction Grants to address the significant backlog of facility needs at federally impacted school districts. In fiscal year 2024, Hawaii received $53.3 million through the U.S. Department of Education’s federal Impact Aid program.

    Contact:

    Elise Inouye: 202-770-7293 (Hirono) 

    Cameron Niven: 202-384-8625 (Garamendi)

    Connor Chapinski: 202-225-5861 (Obernolte)

     

    Hirono, Garamendi, Obernolte Lead Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Provide Construction Funding to Federally-Impacted School Districts

     

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) led 16 of their colleagues in introducing the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, legislation that would provide a total of $1 billion over four years for Impact Aid Construction Grants to address the significant backlog of facility needs at federally impacted school districts. In fiscal year 2024, Hawaii received $53.3 million through the U.S. Department of Education’s federal Impact Aid program.

    “Every child deserves to receive a quality education in a safe, suitable learning environment,” said Senator Hirono. “The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act would provide critical funding for over 1,000 school districts across the country to address their significant backlogs of construction, repair, and maintenance needs. Impact Aid is one of many critical programs administered by the Department of Education and this bill would strengthen this program to help ensure that federally impacted school districts have the funding they need to support millions of students as they learn and grow in our public schools.”

    “This bill addresses long-overdue repair needs to ensure equitable access to quality education and safe learning environments for students across the country,” said Rep. Garamendi. “I am grateful to Senator Hirono for introducing this legislation in the Senate and for fighting for safe environments for teachers and students,” said Garamendi. Every child should have the opportunity to learn and excel in a safe environment. This legislation brings us closer to realizing that goal.” 

    “In California’s 23rd District, many of our schools serve military families and are located near federal lands that do not pay local tax and therefore reduce local tax revenues,” said Rep. Obernolte. “These schools face serious infrastructure challenges—from outdated buildings to limited capacity for critical upgrades. The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act is a vital step forward. It provides the resources and federal-local collaboration our schools need to modernize their facilities and create safe, effective learning environments for every student. I’m proud to help lead this legislation because it delivers real support to our communities and honors our commitment to military families and rural schools alike.”

    The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act would ensure that federally impacted school districts have the resources needed to provide every student with a quality education and safe learning environment by authorizing $250,000,000 annually for four years for Impact Aid Construction Grants. Of this funding, 25% would be made available via formula funding to all eligible school districts. The Department of Education would disseminate the remaining 75% as competitive grants with priority for those school districts with acute emergencies in their facilities.

     The federal Impact Aid program offers federal support for public school districts where federal activity has reduced the available tax base. As federal lands are tax exempt, including military installations, Indian treaty, trust, or Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and federal properties and facilities, federally impacted school districts have significantly less tax revenue and bonding capacity to meet their needs. Currently, Impact Aid supports over 1,100 school districts, totaling more than 10 million students.

    “The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act is a crucial investment in the future of federally impacted school districts,” said Nicole Russell, Executive Director, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS). “Too many schools serving military-connected children, Native American students, and others affected by federal property face deteriorating facilities that undermine student achievement and make it difficult to recruit and retain teachers–and they lack the tax base to overcome these challenges due to the presence of nontaxable federal property. By addressing the extensive backlog of infrastructure needs, this legislation is an important step in leveling the playing field and ensuring every student has access to a safe, modern learning environment that supports their success.”

    “2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid law, which recognized the Federal Government’s obligation to replace lost tax revenue in school districts with a federal presence by providing operational and minimal construction funding,” said Brent Gish, Executive Director, National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA). “The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act would provide crucial funding to districts serving students residing on Indian land and those in military and federal property areas. These districts have very limited and sometimes no bonding capacity to construct new or renovate existing facilities and teacher housing. The growing backlog of need now exceeds $4 billion. It is our strong belief that in America, all children deserve a high-quality education in a safe and modern facility that supports innovative, culturally rich teaching. Quality facilities coupled with research-based instruction yields positive learning outcomes!”

    “Schools around the country that receive Federal Impact Aid have a distinct disadvantage when it comes to raising funds for school construction,” said Kyle Fairbairn, Executive Director, Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA). “In a majority of states, the only way to build a school or do an extensive remodel is by passing a local bond issue supported by property taxes. In Impact Aid districts, these funds become the responsibility of local taxpayers because the federal government does not pay taxes on land it owns. This makes passing a bond issue very difficult, as it places a tremendous burden on taxpayers who do pay property taxes. The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act is a way to have the federal government help fund local schools, benefiting all taxpayers within an LEA.” 

    The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act is endorsed by National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS); National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA); Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA); and Build America’s School Infrastructure Coalition (BASIC). 

    In the Senate, this legislation was cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Tina Smith (D-MN).

    In the House, it was cosponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), Don Davis (D-NC-1), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), and Emily Randall (D-WA-06). 

    The full text of the legislation is available here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Westminster launches its new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Westminster City Council’s new strategy prioritises prevention and personalised support.   

    The council has launched its new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy that sets out how the council intends to proactively prevent homelessness. For the next five years, the council commits to:  

    1. Early Prevention: To make support in the community easy to find and readily available to support people at risk of losing their homes.  
    2. Crisis Response: To quickly provide relevant and practical advice to people facing homelessness. 
    3. Rehousing and Recovery: To improve re-housing and recovery support within quality accommodation. 
    4. Resettlement: To provide personalised and targeted re-settlement support.  

    The launch is set against the backdrop of a UK-wide housing crisis that is putting significant pressure on many Westminster households. The Westminster Homelessness Review found that there were 34% more households in housing need in 2022/23 and more than 3,600 households living in temporary accommodation.  Westminster has the highest numbers of people experiencing rough sleeping in the country due to its central location, as well as structural and personal factors such as lack of affordable housing, relationship breakdown and poor health.  

    This is an ambitious plan that will build upon previous successes and puts individuals and communities at the heart of it. The council will utilise key public services such as youth centres and GP surgeries to spot those at risk of homelessness and get them the help they need sooner. It has been co-produced with people with lived experience that understand the challenges of those facing homelessness.  

    Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council said: “Homelessness and rough sleeping is a critical issue for the council. We recognise the need for collaboration both with people with lived experiences and partners across London to put an end to homelessness.  

    “Our new strategy will engage people at the earliest possible point to prevent people from ending up on the streets and help those in the situation get off the streets permanently.” 

    Councillor Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services said: “Part of our commitment to creating Fairer Housing in Westminster is to address the root causes of homelessness. Homelessness and rough sleeping are huge issues for some of our residents and we’re aware that the situation requires meaningful change to address issues that lead to homelessness.  

    “This strategy sets out how we intend to put people first through our interventions to help them avoid rough sleeping and stay in safe and affordable housing.” 

    Notes to editor  

    • The Cabinet’s decision is to subject to the council’s usual call-in procedures. Read the cabinet report here: Cabinet Report – Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-30.pdf 
    • Westminster’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy full document: Homelessness Strategy | Westminster City Council 
    • Westminster is part of the pan-London Charter to End Rough Sleeping. 
    • The council has funded pioneering projects such as Housing First, a programme run by Solace, which provides bespoke and long-term support for women who have experienced homelessness, drug dependency, and domestic abuse. 
    • In 2024 the council launched the Westminster Housing Compact, a partnership with Registered Providers that will make it easier for people to access key services in the borough. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Modernizing Public Housing in Syracuse’s East Adams

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on the rehabilitation of Almus Olver Towers, a $107 million project with 191 public housing units that is part of the city of Syracuse’s East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Plan, which complements the demolition of the Interstate 81 viaduct by revitalizing a 27-block area and reconnecting neighborhoods on each side of the overpass. In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved more than 3,000 affordable homes in Onondaga County. Almus Olver Towers continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    “As we move forward with the long-awaited I-81 viaduct demolition in Syracuse, the rehabilitation of Almus Olver Towers fits our broader vision to reconnect communities segregated for decades by highway concrete,” Governor Hochul said. “This transformative $107 million investment will revitalize a cornerstone of the East Adams neighborhood, modernize the city’s public housing stock, and create new affordable housing opportunities for current and future New Yorkers.”

    Constructed in 1963, the 12-story building is being rehabilitated by McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. in partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority. All apartments at Almus Olver Towers will be set aside for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income and will continue to primarily house seniors aged 55 and older, and individuals living with disabilities.

    Renovations at Almus Olver Towers will include increasing the total number of units from 184 to 191, upgrading common areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and the facade, replacing the building’s roof, and constructing an outdoor pavilion with a seating area for residents.

    The highly-energy efficient, all-electric development is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities standards, with efficiency measures including all-electric heating, cooling and domestic hot water systems that feature installation of a geothermal system.

    State financing for the Almus Olver Towers rehabilitation includes State and Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $53 million in equity and $33 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The development also benefits from over $3.2 million in Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership between HCR and NYSERDA that aligns the development and preservation of affordable housing with New York’s affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Our partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority on the $107 million rehabilitation of Almus Olver Towers not only preserves 191 apartments for vulnerable New Yorkers, but it also contributes to the reversal of decades of segregation and under-investment in our public housing stock. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are delivering affordable, modern, energy-efficient, and equitable housing options to communities across New York.”

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “As we move closer to removing the elevated highway that has divided the City of Syracuse for far too long, we are not only restoring light to this community in the literal sense, but brightening the future for those living in the shadow of the viaduct. As we work to reconnect communities cut off by the aging infrastructure, we are improving access and unlocking new opportunities for growth. Governor Hochul’s investment into the rehabilitation of Alma Olver Towers builds upon these efforts and ensures everyone has an opportunity to thrive.”

    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Today, we take another step toward transforming New York’s affordable housing stock into clean, modern living with construction starting on the rehabilitation of Almus Olvers Towers. This development will feature highly efficient upgrades, such as electric heating and cooling, and creates the opportunity for more families in Syracuse’s East Adams neighborhood to benefit from healthier, more comfortable living spaces.”

    Assemblymember Pam Hunter said, “The renovation of Almus Olver Towers represents a critical investment in the future of Syracuse, ensuring that families have access to safe, modern, and energy-efficient affordable housing. By incorporating sustainable features like geothermal heating and accessibility improvements, this project not only revitalizes existing homes but also reduces our carbon footprint, promoting a healthier and more sustainable community for years to come. I am proud to support this transformative effort as part of the broader commitment to revitalizing the East Adams neighborhood and expanding quality housing options for Central New Yorkers.”

    Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “Today, we are celebrating progress toward improving housing and quality of life in the East Adams neighborhood. The Almus Olver Towers project will provide safe, accessible, and affordable housing for some of our most vulnerable city residents without having to relocate occupants outside the building. It will also create housing we can all be proud of by incorporating energy-efficient and sustainable features that will improve living conditions and save occupants money. I am thankful to New York State Homes and Community Renewal for preserving affordable housing in Syracuse, and to the Syracuse Housing Authority and McCormack Baron Salazar for their work on a project that will pave the way for our larger redevelopment efforts in East Adams.”

    Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director William J. Simmons said,“This renovation is about much more than bricks and mortar. It’s about honoring our residents and ensuring they have a safe, modern, and dignified place to call home. We’re proud to work alongside our partners to preserve deeply affordable housing and move one step closer to a stronger, more connected, and revitalized East Adams community.”

    McCormack Baron Salazar Co-Founder and Chairman Richard Baron said,“We’re proud to kickstart our partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority and the City of Syracuse with the renovation of Almus Olver Towers. We’re also grateful to New York State Homes and Community Renewal for their impressive commitment to this project and to the broader East Adams transformation.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
    Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain state-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on state-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners.

    The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro Housing Certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. To date, nearly 300 communities have been certified, including the city of Syracuse.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Ashland Man of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Distribution of Methamphetamine

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

    BILLINGS – A federal jury yesterday convicted an Ashland man of sexually abusing four women and distributing methamphetamine to two of them over a three-year period, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    After a two-day trial that began on March 31, the jury found the defendant, Stephen “Mutt” John Parker, 60, guilty of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Parker faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life on each charge of sexual abuse, in addition to a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of five years to life. For each meth charge, Parker faces zero to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, and at least 3 years of supervised release.

    U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for July 31, 2025. Parker was detained pending further proceedings.

    “Parker preyed on women on the Northern Cheyenne reservation by plying some of them with drugs and alcohol, seeking to capitalize on their addiction to perpetrate violent sexual assaults. We are pleased with the jury’s verdict, which will help ensure the safety of women on the Northern Cheyenne community. I would like to thank the attorneys and staff in our office for their hard work on this case as well as the FBI agents who conducted the investigation.” U.S. Attorney Alme said.

    The government alleged at trial and in court documents that from 2018 to 2021, Parker sexually abused six women after providing them with alcohol and illegal drugs. During one instance in 2018, he gave a victim food and a place to stay. Parker also provided her with alcohol and methamphetamine. During a party at his house, Parker threatened the victim with a stick before sexually abusing her. On another occasion, Parker distributed meth to a different victim. After hitting her with an ax handle, Parker sexually assaulted her. In other instances, Parker physically assaulted the victims, including punching one victim in the face multiple times, prior to sexually abusing them.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Northern Cheyenne Criminal Investigation Services.

    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.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Shooting Incident

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a violent shooting incident involving the illegal use of a firearm.

    According to court records, on the night of September 19, 2024, Devin Wade Wyaco shot John Doe (who was riding a bicycle) from the passenger side of his girlfriend’s vehicle, striking John Doe in the abdomen. Doe was transported to Zuni Hospital and later to the University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment. During an interview with investigators, John Doe identified the vehicle as belonging to Wyaco’s girlfriend. Doe survived the shooting.

    Police identified Wyaco, 34, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, as the shooter through statements from his girlfriend, who admitted being present during the incident and confirmed Wyaco’s involvement. A federal search warrant executed at her residence corroborated her account. In his plea agreement, Wyaco confessed that he fired at John Doe after becoming angry when one of the bicyclists threw a rock at the car. He also admitted that as a previously convicted felon—having prior convictions for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and aggravated fleeing from a law-enforcement officer—he knowingly possessed a firearm and ammunition in violation of federal law.

    Handgun recovered from Wyaco’s girlfriend’s home.

    Wyaco pled guilty to all three charges contained in the indictment, including assault with a dangerous weapon, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    At sentencing, Wyaco faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison followed by up to five years of supervised release. Additionally, Wyaco faces up to $250,000 in fines.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How a lone judge can block a Trump order nationwide – and why, from DACA to DOGE, this judicial check on presidents’ power is shaping how the government works

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Cassandra Burke Robertson, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Professional Ethics, Case Western Reserve University

    The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to limit judges’ power to issue what legal experts call ‘nationwide preliminary injunctions.’ Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

    When presidents try to make big changes through executive orders, they often hit a roadblock: A single federal judge, whether located in Seattle or Miami or anywhere in between, can stop these policies across the entire country.

    These court orders have increasingly become a political battleground, increasingly sought by both Republicans and Democrats to fight presidential policies they oppose.

    This explains why the Trump administration recently asked the Supreme Court to limit judges’ power to issue what legal experts call “nationwide preliminary injunctions.” Congress also held hearings on curtailing judges’ ability to issue the injunctions.

    But what exactly are these injunctions, and why do they matter to everyday Americans?

    Immediate, irreparable harm

    When the government creates a policy that might violate the Constitution or federal law, affected people can sue in federal court to stop it. While these lawsuits work their way through the courts – a process that often takes years – judges can issue what are called “preliminary injunctions” to temporarily pause the policy if they determine it might cause immediate, irreparable harm.

    A “nationwide” injunction – sometimes called a “universal” injunction – goes further by stopping the policy for everyone across the country, not just for the people who filed the lawsuit.

    Importantly, these injunctions are designed to be temporary. They merely preserve the status quo until courts can fully examine the case’s merits. But in practice, litigation proceeds so slowly that executive actions blocked by the courts often expire when successor administrations abandon the policies.

    Legislation introduced by GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley would ban judges from issuing most nationwide injunctions.
    Sen. Chuck Grassley office

    More executive orders, more injunctions

    Nationwide injunctions aren’t new, but several things have made them more contentious recently.

    First, since a closely divided and polarized Congress rarely passes major legislation anymore, presidents rely more on executive orders to get substantive things done. This creates more opportunities to challenge presidential actions in court.

    Second, lawyers who want to challenge these orders have gotten better at “judge shopping” – filing cases in districts where they’re likely to get judges who agree with their client’s views.

    Third, with growing political division, both parties aim to use these injunctions more aggressively whenever the other party controls the White House.

    Affecting real people

    These legal fights have tangible consequences for millions of Americans.

    Take DACA, the common name for the program formally called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which protects about 500,000 young immigrants from deportation. For more than 10 years, these young immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” have faced constant uncertainty.

    That’s because, when President Barack Obama created DACA in 2012 and sought to expand it via executive order in 2015, a Texas judge blocked the expansion with a nationwide injunction. When Trump tried to end DACA, judges in California, New York and Washington, D.C. blocked that move. The program, and the legal challenges to it, continued under President Joe Biden. Now, the second Trump administration faces continued legal challenges over the constitutionality of the DACA program.

    More recently, judges have used nationwide injunctions to block several Donald Trump policies. Three different courts stopped the president’s attempt to deny citizenship to babies born to mothers who lack legal permanent residency in the United States. Judges have also temporarily blocked Trump’s efforts to ban transgender people from serving in the military and to freeze some federal funding for a variety of programs.

    While much of the current debate focuses on presidential policies, nationwide injunctions have also blocked congressional legislation.

    The Corporate Transparency Act, passed in 2021 and originally scheduled to go into effect in 2024, combats financial crimes by requiring businesses to disclose their true owners to the government. A Texas judge blocked this law in 2024 after gun stores challenged it.

    In early 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the law to take effect, but the Trump administration announced it simply wouldn’t enforce it – showing how these legal battles can become political power struggles.

    A polarized Congress rarely passes major legislation anymore, so presidents – including Donald Trump – have relied on executive orders to get things done.
    Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

    Too much power or necessary protection?

    Some critics say nationwide injunctions give too much power to a single judge. If lawyers can pick which judges hear their cases, this raises serious questions about fairness.

    Supporters argue that these injunctions protect important rights. For example, without nationwide injunctions in the citizenship cases, babies born to mothers without legal permanent residency would be American citizens in some states but not others – an impossible situation.

    Congress is considering legislation to limit judges’ ability to grant nationwide injunctions.

    The Trump administration has also tried to make it expensive and difficult to challenge its policies in court. In March 2025, Trump ordered government lawyers to demand large cash deposits – called “security bonds” – from anyone seeking an injunction. Though these bonds are already part of existing court rules, judges usually set them at just a few hundred dollars or waive them entirely when people raise constitutional concerns.

    Under the new policy, critics worry that “plaintiffs who sue the government could be forced to put up enormous sums of money in order to proceed with their cases.”

    Another way to address the concerns about a single judge blocking government action would be to require a three-judge panel to hear cases involving nationwide injunctions, requiring at least two of them to agree. This is similar to how courts handled major civil rights cases in the 1950s and 1960s.

    My research on this topic suggests that three judges working together would be less likely to make partisan decisions, while still being able to protect constitutional rights when necessary. Today’s technology also makes it easier for judges in different locations to work together than it was decades ago.

    As the Supreme Court weighs in on this debate, the outcome will affect how presidents can implement policies and how much power individual judges have to stop them. Though it might seem like a technical legal issue, it will shape how government works for years to come – as well as the lives of those who live in the U.S.

    Cassandra Burke Robertson 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. How a lone judge can block a Trump order nationwide – and why, from DACA to DOGE, this judicial check on presidents’ power is shaping how the government works – https://theconversation.com/how-a-lone-judge-can-block-a-trump-order-nationwide-and-why-from-daca-to-doge-this-judicial-check-on-presidents-power-is-shaping-how-the-government-works-252556

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Approximately 13,000 Fentanyl Pills Seized During Undercover Operation, Three Foreign Nationals Detained and Charged

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging three foreign nationals, living in Utah, with drug crimes after agents allegedly seized approximately 13,000 fentanyl pills during a controlled buy and execution of a search warrant in West Valley City, Utah.

    Diego Armando Campos-Fallas, 19, of Costa Rica, Hugo Eduardo Miraba-Franco, 20, of Ecuador, and Jose Enrique Zuniga-Diaz, 19, of, Honduras, were charged by complaint on March 21, 2025.
        
    According to court documents, on March 19, 2025, agents coordinated an undercover operation to purchase 5,000 fentanyl pills during a controlled buy from Campos-Fallas in West Valley City. Upon arrival at the meeting location for the controlled buy, Campos got into the undercover agent’s vehicle with approximately 5,000 fentanyl pills and was subsequently detained. Miraba-Franco, who was seated in the drivers’ seat of Campos’ vehicle was also detained. A search warrant was served at a residence in West Valley City, where Campos, Miraba and Zuniga-Diaz live. At the residence, agents seized an additional 8,000 fentanyl pills, 102.2 grams of marijuana, and 1125.3 grams of THC cartridges. A search warrant was also executed on Campos’ vehicle, a black Hyundai Elantra, and approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills were recovered. The fentanyl provided to the undercover agent during the controlled buy, and the fentanyl seized at the residence, approximately 13,000 in total, were field-tested and tested positive for fentanyl.

    Campos-Fallas, Miraba-Franco, and Zuniga-Diaz are charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Campos Fallas and Miraba-Franco are also charged with distribution of fentanyl. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

    Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.

    The case is being investigated jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

    Assistant United States Attorney Mark K. Vincent of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Myanmar: UN chief calls for urgent access as quake toll mounts

    Source: United Nations 2

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Humanitarian Aid

    The UN chief on Thursday called for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to Myanmar, where last week’s devastating earthquakes claimed over 3,000 lives and left millions in urgent need of aid.

    Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the earthquake has “supercharged the suffering”.

    “Myanmar today is the scene of utter devastation and desperation,” he said.

    He emphasised that even before the disaster, the country was grappling with political turmoil, human rights abuses and a worsening humanitarian situation.

    “We need rapid action on several fronts,” he said.

    Millions in desperate need

    According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 17 million people have been affected by the earthquakes, with nearly nine million experiencing the highest level of devastation.

    Over 370 people remain missing, while thousands of others are injured. Telecommunications, power, and water supply systems have collapsed in the hardest-hit regions, leaving survivors without basic necessities and humanitarians struggling to reach them.

    Road access between Yangon and central Myanmar requires detours, delaying aid deliveries, while commercial flights to Mandalay remain suspended.  

    “The hardest-hit areas remain without electricity and water, while telecommunications and internet access are severely disrupted, cutting off affected communities from essential services,” OCHA said in a flash update.

    Meanwhile, entire families, including children, are sleeping in the open due to fears of aftershocks or because their homes have been destroyed.

    Makeshift shelters are overcrowded and lack security and privacy, increasing the risk of sexual- and gender-based violence, UN agencies warn, calling for urgent measures to ensure safety and dignity of women and girls.

    UN mobilizing support

    Mr. Guterres announced that he is dispatching UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar to oversee relief operations.

    “He will be on the ground tomorrow,” Mr. Guterres said, adding that Special Envoy Julie Bishop will visit Myanmar in the coming days to reinforce the UN’s commitment to peace and dialogue.

    The UN has also allocated $5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for immediate aid, while the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has mobilized $12 million for food, shelter, water, sanitation, debris removal and healthcare.

    However, these funds fall far short of what is needed.

    “I appeal to the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis,” Mr. Guterres said.

    © UNICEF/Nyan Zay Hte

    A boy, with his sister beside him, sits on a piece of a collapsed wall of community hall in Mandalay. Thousands of families have lost their homes in the city in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

    Call for unhindered access

    One of the biggest obstacles to relief efforts is the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. The country has been in turmoil since the military overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021, leading to widespread violence and displacement.

    While Myanmar’s military and armed opposition groups have announced temporary ceasefires to facilitate aid deliveries, Mr. Guterres stressed that these must translate into lasting peace.

    “I appeal for rapid, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to reach those most in need across the country,” he said, calling on all parties to uphold their obligations to protect civilians.

    Monsoon risks

    As humanitarian operations scale up, UN agencies have warned that time is running out. Initial assessments indicate that more than 76 per cent of those surveyed have yet to receive any assistance.

    With the monsoon season approaching, the risk of disease outbreaks and further displacement looms large.

    Return to democracy

    Beyond immediate relief efforts, Mr. Guterres called for the earthquake response to serve as a turning point for Myanmar.

    He called for the current tragic moment to become an opportunity for the people of Myanmar, appealing for a political process that includes an end to violence, the release of political prisoners and a pathway to democracy.

    “As communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it is also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict,” Mr. Guterres said.

    In addition to restoring democracy, he stressed the need for a comprehensive solution that includes the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

    “The United Nations will keep pushing for peace and lifesaving support for the people of Myanmar in their hour of need.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chester County Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Meth

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    COLUMBIA, S.C. —Alexander Wright, 37, of Chester, has pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

    Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Chester County Sheriff’s Department began investigating Wright after complaints from his neighbors. The neighbors reported several cars coming to his home and staying for short periods of time and leaving. Law enforcement began watching the home and confirmed the reports from the neighbors.

    After confirming the information, the police used an informant to make several buys from Wright. On June 5, 2023, the informant contacted Wright to purchase methamphetamine. Under surveillance by the police, the informant went to Wright’s home and purchased 2 ounces of methamphetamine. The informant was instructed by Wright that the drugs were in the rear passenger door of a car parked in his yard and told the informant to leave the money in the car.   After the deal and still under surveillance, the informant returned to law enforcement. The drugs were recovered and were tested with a 96% purity rate for methamphetamine and weighed 56.42 grams.

    Wright faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.  He also faces a fine of up to $10 million, and five years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Wright after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, Belgium, on April 3, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBYLfLtzp8g

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin, Schumer, Democratic Senators Urge AG Bondi to Appoint a Special Counsel to Investigate Trump Administration Signal Chat National Security Breach

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 03, 2025
    The Senators wrote: “These shockingly reckless breaches of security protocols for safeguarding sensitive and classified information clearly warrant an investigation into whether any of the government officials involved violated federal laws”
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC), Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) and Foreign Relations (SFRC) Committees—joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 28 Senate Democrats in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi urging her to appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether any of the government officials involved in the Signal chat security breach violated federal criminal law. On March 24, The Atlantic’s editor in chief reported that President Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz had included him in a group text chain with several high-ranking national security officials where highly sensitive, classified or controlled information was shared and discussed over Signal—an unsecure commercial messaging app.
    “In addition to the reckless inclusion of a journalist in the chat, we are deeply concerned about this serious breach in the proper handling of such information and deliberations,” the Senators wrote. “Appointment of a Special Counsel is appropriate where the Department may have a conflict of interest or extraordinary circumstances are present, a criminal investigation is warranted and it is in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to investigate the matter. Such circumstances are clearly present here.”
    The Signal chat group started by Mr. Waltz included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, among at least 18 other high-ranking government officials. In addition to discussing the sensitive foreign policy implications of military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, these officials proceeded to discuss key operational information regarding the precise timing of the planned attacks, the types of military aircraft and munitions to be used and the targets and results of the strikes as they occurred. An unprecedented security breach of this magnitude involving top senior government officials presents the kind of extraordinary circumstances clearly contemplated by the Special Counsel regulations.
    “These officials conducted a highly sensitive discussion, including of clearly classified or controlled information, over the commercial messaging app Signal, including in some instances on personal devices and while traveling in foreign countries, rather than using the secure U.S. government channels and facilities that are designed and required for the sharing of such information. Despite subsequent claims to the contrary by you, President Trump and several of the officials involved, including in testimony before Congress, some of the information they shared and discussed over Signal would almost certainly be considered classified or, at a minimum, controlled, prior to and in the immediate aftermath of an impending strike,” the Senators wrote.
    In the letter, the Senators raised concerns if the Signal chat violated federal law. For example, gross negligence in handling national defense information may violate the Espionage Act. Importantly, other laws, including the Federal Records Act, require the preservation of certain government records. Destruction of government records or property may constitute a violation of various criminal statutes. Subsequent statements to Congress and testimony before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees by several of the officials involved raise additional concerns about potential violations of federal criminal laws that prohibit making false statements to Congress, committing perjury in testimony to Congress, inducing another person to commit perjury or conspiring to commit any of the foregoing actions.
    “During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you assured the American people that everyone will be held to ‘an equal, fair system of justice’ if you were confirmed as Attorney General and that ‘no one is above the law.’ As the individuals most seriously implicated in this incident include senior officials at the highest levels, including several of your fellow cabinet members, appointment of a Special Counsel is necessary to ensure that the investigation and any ensuing prosecutions are fair, impartial, and independent and that no official, regardless of seniority or political affiliation, is above the law. The people of this country deserve the assurance that this matter will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly. To do so, we urge you to appoint a Special Counsel immediately,” the Senators concluded.
    Along with Duckworth, Durbin and Schumer, the letter was co-signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY),  Ed Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Gary Peters (D-MI).
    Full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:
    March 31, 2025
    Dear Attorney General Bondi:
    On March 24, The Atlantic’s editor in chief reported that President Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz had included him in a group message chain with several high-ranking national security officials where highly sensitive, classified, or controlled information was shared and discussed over Signal—an unsecure commercial messaging app. In addition to the reckless inclusion of a journalist in the chat, we are deeply concerned about this serious breach in the proper handling of such information and deliberations. Given the extraordinary circumstances of this shocking incident and the significant public interests at stake, it is imperative that you immediately appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether any of the government officials involved violated federal criminal law. 
    Appointment of a Special Counsel is appropriate where the Department may have a conflict of interest or extraordinary circumstances are present, a criminal investigation is warranted, and it is in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to investigate the matter. Such circumstances are clearly present here.
    The Signal chat group started by Mr. Waltz included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, among at least 18 other high-ranking government officials. In addition to discussing the sensitive foreign policy implications of military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, these officials proceeded to discuss key operational information regarding the precise timing of the planned attacks, the types of military aircraft and munitions to be used, and the targets and results of the strikes as they occurred. An unprecedented security breach of this magnitude involving top senior government officials presents the kind of extraordinary circumstances clearly contemplated by the Special Counsel regulations.
    These officials conducted a highly sensitive discussion, including of clearly classified or controlled information, over the commercial messaging app Signal, including in some instances on personal devices and while traveling in foreign countries, rather than using the secure U.S. government channels and facilities that are designed and required for the sharing of such information. Despite subsequent claims to the contrary by you, President Trump, and several of the officials involved, including in testimony before Congress, some of the information they shared and discussed over Signal would almost certainly be considered classified or, at a minimum, controlled, prior to and in the immediate aftermath of an impending strike.
    These shockingly reckless breaches of security protocols for safeguarding sensitive and classified information clearly warrant an investigation into whether any of the government officials involved violated federal laws pertaining to the proper safeguarding and preservation of such information. For example, gross negligence in handling national defense information may violate the Espionage Act. Importantly, other laws, including the Federal Records Act, require the preservation of certain government records. Signal allows users to schedule messages for deletion after certain time periods and Mr. Waltz appears to have set the chat messages to delete initially after one week and then later in the chat changed the setting to delete messages after four weeks. Destruction of government records or property may constitute a violation of various criminal statutes. Subsequent statements to Congress and testimony before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees by several of the officials involved raise additional concerns about potential violations of federal criminal laws that prohibit making false statements to Congress, committing perjury in testimony to Congress, inducing another person to commit perjury, or conspiring to commit any of the foregoing actions.
    Even prior to his first Administration, President Trump campaigned for the need to prosecute and “lock up” individuals who allegedly “bypass government security” or “sent and received classified information on an insecure server.” Further, as an avowedly loyal and zealous advocate for the President, you echoed these same sentiments prior to your confirmation. Given the extraordinary nature of this security breach by senior Trump Administration officials, the likelihood that these actions needlessly endangered American lives and our nation’s security, the importance of putting our nation’s security before partisan political interests, and the range of federal criminal laws that may have been violated, it is imperative that the Department of Justice conduct a thorough investigation to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether any criminal charges are warranted against any of the government officials involved.
    During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you assured the American people that everyone will be held to “an equal, fair system of justice” if you were confirmed as Attorney General, and that “no one is above the law.” As the individuals most seriously implicated in this incident include senior officials at the highest levels, including several of your fellow cabinet members, appointment of a Special Counsel is necessary to ensure that the investigation and any ensuing prosecutions are fair, impartial, and independent and that no official, regardless of seniority or political affiliation, is above the law.
    The people of this country deserve the assurance that this matter will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly. To do so, we urge you to appoint a Special Counsel immediately.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Human smuggling coordinator sentenced following ICE Arizona, law enforcement partner investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    PHOENIX — Greiby Melissa Barcelo-Velasquez was sentenced March 25 to 30 months in prison for her role in smuggling over 100 Colombians into the United States. The investigation, conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol Sector Intelligence Unit, began in late 2023 after numerous Colombian nationals identified the 39-year-old as their smuggling coordinator.

    “The defendant and her associates blatantly disregarded the safety and well-being of others by prioritizing personal profit over human lives,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt these dangerous transnational criminal networks and ensure that those who exploit victims for financial gain are brought to justice.”

    Barcelo-Velasquez owned and operated the Baul Travel SAS travel agency in her native country, Colombia. According to court documents, she allegedly charged the victims a fee to travel to Mexico under the guise of vacationing, with additional bribes required in U.S. currency at Mexican airports.

    Once in Mexico, the Colombian nationals were taken to stash houses near the border and then transported by armed gunmen to cross illegally into the United States.

    This case was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Justice, has been elevated and expanded by the attorney general with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 320 U.S. convictions; more than 265 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart Zander and Adriana Genco from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Phoenix handled the prosecution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Announces Guidelines for Community Funding Process for Fiscal Year 2026

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Oswego, New York – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced the launch of the Community Project Funding (CPF) process for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). The deadline for this year’s submissions is Thursday, April 24th, 2025, at close of business.

    The CPF process is an important way for members of Congress to advocate for projects that will directly benefit their district. It provides transparency, accountability, and oversight of the funding process rather than simply relying on bureaucrats in Washington to make critical funding decisions behind closed doors without community input. The CPF program allows local governments and non-profits to submit requests for federal funding for high-priority community projects in New York’s 24th District. All projects are vetted thoroughly, are subject to strict oversight, and must demonstrate strong local support.

    All CPF applications supported by Congresswoman Tenney’s office must meet rigorous eligibility requirements, as outlined in the appropriations guidance, and must provide a clear plan to execute funds promptly with strong accountability measures built in. Tenney’s office works closely with all grantees to ensure awarded funds are spent responsibly and for their intended purpose.

    Local elected officials and non-profits interested in submitting applications or have questions should email: AppropriationsRequestsNY24@mail.house.gov 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s press encounter – on Myanmar Earthquake

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Last week’s earthquake in Southeast Asia hit the region hard – in places like Thailand and elsewhere. 

    But especially in the epicentre of Myanmar. 

    Myanmar today is the scene of utter devastation and desperation. 

    The death toll is now 3,000 and climbing – with thousands injured, and many trapped under the rubble.

    This disaster has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing people throughout the country. 

    Even before the earthquake, Myanmar was beset by political, human rights and humanitarian crises – hurting people, spilling over to neighbouring countries and the wider region, and opening the door to transnational crime.

    Nearly 20 million people — or one in every three in Myanmar — required already humanitarian aid. 

    Millions had already fled their homes from conflict and violence.

    The earthquake has supercharged the suffering – with the monsoon season just around the corner.

    We need rapid action on several fronts.

    I am announcing today that I am sending our Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, to Myanmar.  He will be on the ground tomorrow.

    I am also sending my Special Envoy, Julie Bishop, to visit the country in the coming days to reinforce our commitment to peace and dialogue. 

    I appeal, in particular, to the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis. 

    I appeal for rapid, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to reach those most in need across the country.

    And I appeal for every effort to transform this tragic moment into an opportunity for the people of Myanmar.

    I welcome the announcements of temporary ceasefires. 

    This is essential to help aid flow and let rescuers do their jobs.

    But an end of fighting must quickly lead to a beginning of a serious political dialogue and the release of political prisoners.

    Specifically, an inclusive political process where all the people of Myanmar feel represented.

    As communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict.

    This solution must include a pathway for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingya from Bangladesh, whom I had the honour of visiting last month in Cox’s Bazar.

    It must include an end to the violence and human rights violations across the country and a pathway for democracy to take root.

    Now is the time to stand in solidarity with the long-suffering people of Myanmar. 

    The United Nations will keep pushing for peace and lifesaving support for the people of Myanmar in their hour of need. 

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis and Lieutenant Governor Primavera Celebrate Ute Day at the Colorado State Capitol

    Source: US State of Colorado

    Annual event honors the important relationship between the state of Colorado and the Ute Tribes

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, hosted the annual Ute Day at the Capitol, a day to honor the two Tribes with tribal nations in Colorado, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and their sister Tribe, the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray.

    “The relationship between the State and the Ute Tribes of Colorado is critical to ensuring that every Coloradan, especially members of tribal communities, can thrive. For generations, Colorado has had an open, productive, and beneficial relationship with tribal governments, and today, we celebrate those important connections and further strengthen our collaboration. I thank the tribal leaders and community members who traveled to the Capitol today to share experiences, collaborate on solutions, and continue our long legacy of respect and open dialogue,” said Governor Polis.

    “Ute Day at the Capitol is a powerful reminder of the enduring presence, culture, and contributions of the Ute Tribes,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “As Chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, I am honored to join Tribal leaders in strengthening our government-to-government relationships. Together, we are building a future that honors our shared past while creating new opportunities for generations to come.”

    “This day provides a valuable opportunity to foster greater understanding and strengthen the bonds between our Tribe and the State of Colorado. We welcome the chance for all to learn more about our Tribe, sovereignty, rich culture, and our ongoing commitment to self-determination, as we cultivate a strong working relationship with the State for the benefit of all,” shared Chairman Melvin J. Baker of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

    “We are honored and humbled to be recognized as the original inhabitants of the Rocky Mountains as the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, including all of our Ute people on April 3, 2025, in the State of Colorado for Ute Day,” said Chairman Manuel Heart of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

    The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs serves as the official liaison between the State of Colorado, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The relationship between the State of Colorado and sovereign Tribal governments is founded on a strong government-to-government relationship. The Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Primavera, ensures direct contact and meaningful engagement with the Tribes and American Indian/Alaska Native communities statewide. The Commission is committed to facilitating communication between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the other 46 Historic Tribes of Colorado, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities statewide, state agencies, and affiliated groups to positively impact the lives of American Indian and Alaska Native communities statewide.

    The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is the Weenuche band of the Ute Nation of Indians. Based in Towaoc, the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation is a Sovereign Nation home to approximately 2,000 residents. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is composed of two bands, the Mouache and Caputa. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has approximately 1,400 tribal members and is based in Ignacio.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis, Department of Revenue, and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Team Up to Help Save Coloradans Money

    Source: US State of Colorado

    State to send Coloradans information about tax credits they might be eligible to claim

    DENVER — This year, Governor Jared Polis, the Colorado Department of Revenue, and the Department of Public Health and Environment collaborated on an innovative initiative to share ways to save money.

    Starting today, the state is sending mailers to about 47,000 taxpayers who may be eligible for certain state and federal tax credits to encourage them to file. As part of an innovative partnership with a major commercial provider of online tax preparation software, the mailers highlight specific state tax credits for tax year 2024, including:

    • Colorado Child Tax Credit, which gives money back to Colorado families, up to $1,200 per child younger than six.
    • Colorado Earned Income Tax Credit, which gives money back to Colorado workers, up to $3,915.
    • Family Affordability Tax Credit, which gives money back to Colorado families with children younger than 17, up to $3,200 per child.

    “Coloradans can save thousands of dollars by claiming these credits,” said Governor Polis. “My administration is laser-focused on supporting families and children and ensuring that Colorado remains one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family.”

    Executive Director Heidi Humphreys, Department of Revenue highlighted the work to save Coloradans time and money.

    “Whether it is helping Coloradans save money on their taxes or save time with DMV2GO and TAX2GO, the Department of Revenue is committed to serving state residents,” Humphreys said.

    To possibly receive any of these credits, taxpayers must file a Colorado tax return and claim the credits. Coloradans who have already filed a tax return can still amend their returns to receive the credits.

    This is the third year the State of Colorado has contacted taxpayers by mail about potential ways to save through tax credits. Taxpayers may be eligible even if they do not usually file taxes.

    “Far too many families miss out on tax credits simply because they don’t know they’re eligible,” said Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan. “By expanding outreach and providing clear, accessible information, we’re ensuring more Coloradans can claim the money they’ve earned. These tax credits can make a real difference in affording essentials like food, housing, and childcare.”

    The State wishes to thank Gary Community Ventures and the New Practice Lab for their work in developing this mailer.

    INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RETURNS

    How to file

    • Online – The Taxation Division encourages taxpayers to file electronically to reduce processing time and the potential for errors as well as issues in transit. Taxpayers can currently file with one of the many third-party vendors who offer certified electronic income tax filing products. Income tax processing will be available on Revenue Online in the coming days.
    • By mail – Instructions about filing State income tax are available on each form.

    The tax filing deadline for tax year 2024 is April 15, 2025; however, the state offers an automatic six-month extension for filing as long as payment obligations are satisfied by April 15.

    How to save money
    The Taxation Division’s new online tax benefits information hub can help taxpayers save potentially thousands of dollars. Found at Tax.Colorado.gov/SaveMoney, the new online resource offers tax benefits information in an easy-to-understand format and is organized into four high-impact tax groups: families and individuals, seniors and retirees, charitable contributions and climate-friendly.

    These four groups house dozens of tax credits and subtractions available to eligible taxpayers. Many of these credits are refundable and can benefit qualifying individuals and businesses, even if they have little or no state tax liability.

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Get Ahead Colorado/Hacia Adelante Colorado websites are another essential resource for helping families maximize their tax refunds by providing free, reliable tax information and connections to free tax filing services and support. A new Colorado-specific Tax Credit Calculator makes it easy for individuals to determine their eligibility for valuable tax credits, ensuring more money stays in their pockets. Visit GetAheadColorado.org to learn more.

    Useful information
    Up-to-date information, including the status of state income tax refunds, is at Tax.Colorado.gov — just click on the “Where’s My Refund” banner. Taxpayers can call the Taxpayer Helpline by phone at (303) 238-7378, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please note, translation services are available upon request. To physically visit a Service Center for help, please schedule an appointment. Taxpayers who need low or no-cost help filing state income tax returns should visit Tax.Colorado.gov/Community-Tax-Help for additional resources.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Expands Success Coach Program Statewide to Support Families After Foster Care

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Expands Success Coach Program Statewide to Support Families After Foster Care

    NCDHHS Expands Success Coach Program Statewide to Support Families After Foster Care
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    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the statewide expansion of Success Coach, an innovative program designed to help families stay together and thrive after exiting foster care. With this program, the North Carolina child welfare system is transitioning from offering post-adoption services to providing a comprehensive permanency support model, ensuring that all families – whether adoptive, reunified, custody, guardianship, or kinship care – have access to resources that promote long-term stability and well-being.

    Developed through a partnership between the Duke Endowment and Catawba County Department of Social Services and informed by families with lived experience, Success Coach is a voluntary, in-home service that provides families with individualized coaching, advocacy and resource navigation for up to two years at a time – at any point in their journey and as many times as they need – at no cost to the family. The program aims to strengthen familial bonds, increase protective factors and reduce risks that could lead to reentry into the foster care system.

    “Every child deserves a safe, loving and stable family, and Success Coach is a key part of our commitment to making that a reality for all families exiting foster care,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “By expanding this permanency model statewide, we are ensuring that families across North Carolina have access to consistent, high-quality support, no matter where they live.”

    A Success Coach is a specialized social worker who works alongside families to assist them in identifying their most pressing needs, developing a tailored success plan, and connecting them to additional community-based resources. Services are ultimately decided on by the family and can include parenting support, crisis prevention, case management, respite, help navigating the behavioral health system, and assistance with basic needs such as employment, food security, housing, education and building a reliable support system. These services are especially critical in North Carolina’s more rural counties where access to resources can be limited. 

    “Catawba County families have long benefitted from Success Coach Services,” said Lisa Tucker Cauley, MSW, Division Director of Human Services. “We are proud of the partnership with Catawba County and the Duke Endowment that led to these services being available for all North Carolina families.”

    Early data from Catawba County demonstrates the program’s impact on supporting sustainable permanency, showing improved mental health outcomes, stronger parent-child relationships and increased placement stability. Over the last 10 years, Catawba County has seen no children reenter foster care within 12 months of exiting care. 

    With the statewide rollout, NCDHHS aims to create a positive impact on permanency outcomes for children and families, reduce disruptions in placements, decrease reentry into foster care, and improve long-term well-being for any child or family who has experienced foster care in North Carolina.

    “Success Coach is already showing great results for improving permanency among families in Catawba County, and we know this program is a game-changer for children and families across the state,” said Catawba County DSS Director Karen Harrington. “We are removing barriers to access by bringing services directly into the home and providing families with the tools they need to remain safe, strong and self-sufficient for the long run.”

    NCDHHS is investing more than $16.5 million in state and federal funding over the next three years to transition Success Coach statewide. The expansion will be supported by three regional vendors – Catawba County DSS, Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina, and Children’s Home Society of North Carolina – who will work with local DSSs on program implementation and training. Training for new Success Coaches is ongoing, with quarterly sessions to ensure high-fidelity implementation of the model.

    Any family who exits foster care through reunification, guardianship, custody, kinship care or adoption is eligible to participate in the Success Coach program. Success Coach is also available for any adoptive families, including private adoption and relative adoption. These services are voluntary and intended to provide ongoing support as families navigate building or rebuilding their relationships after foster care or post-adoption. Families can reengage with the program as many times as needed, accessing booster sessions or reinitiating services if they are faced with a new challenge or if their circumstances change.

    The statewide expansion of Success Coach is part of NCDHHS’s broader strategy to build a strong, consistent and accessible permanency support system across North Carolina. As states across the country continue to look for new and innovative solutions to improving long-term permanency and family stability, the department’s goal is for Success Coach to serve as a national model and standard for providing effective permanency services.

    For more information on North Carolina’s Success Coach providers, please visit:

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte anunció hoy la expansión a nivel estatal de Success Coach, un programa innovador diseñado para ayudar a las familias a mantenerse unidas y prosperar después de salir del cuidado de crianza temporal. Con este programa, el sistema de bienestar infantil de Carolina del Norte está en transición de ofrecer servicios posteriores a la adopción a proporcionar un modelo integral de apoyo a la permanencia, asegurando que todas las familias, ya sean adoptivas, reunificadas, de custodia, tutela, o cuidado de parentesco, tengan acceso a recursos que promuevan la estabilidad y el bienestar a largo plazo.

    Desarrollado a través de una asociación entre Duke Endowment y el Departamento de Servicios Sociales del Condado de Catawba e informado por familias con experiencia vivida, Success Coach es un servicio voluntario, en el hogar que brinda a las familias entrenamiento individualizado, abogacía y navegación de recursos por hasta dos años a la vez, en cualquier momento de su viaje y tantas veces como lo necesiten, sin costo para la familia. El programa tiene como objetivo fortalecer los lazos familiares, aumentar los factores de protección y reducir los riesgos que podrían conducir el reingreso a el sistema de cuidado de crianza.

    “Cada niño merece una familia segura, amorosa y estable, y Success Coach es una parte clave de nuestro compromiso en hacer que eso sea una realidad para todas las familias que salen del cuidado de crianza”, dijo Dev Sangvai, secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte. “Al expandir este modelo de permanencia en todo el estado, nos aseguramos de que las familias de Carolina del Norte tengan acceso a un apoyo constante y de alta calidad, sin importar dónde vivan”.

    Un Success Coach (coach de éxito) es un trabajador social especializado que trabaja junto a las familias para ayudarlas a identificar sus necesidades más apremiantes, a desarrollar un plan de éxito personalizado y conectarlos con recursos adicionales basados en la comunidad. Los servicios son decididos en última instancia por la familia y pueden incluir apoyo a los padres, prevención de crisis, manejo de casos, relevo, ayuda para navegar por el sistema de salud conductual, y asistencia con necesidades básicas como empleo, seguridad alimentaria, vivienda, educación y crear un sistema de apoyo fiable. Estos servicios son especialmente críticos en los condados más rurales de Carolina del Norte, donde el acceso a los recursos puede ser limitado.

    “Las familias del Condado de Catawba se han beneficiado durante mucho tiempo de los Servicios de Success Coach”, dijo Lisa Tucker Cauley, MSW, directora de la División de Servicios Humanos. “Estamos orgullosos de la asociación con el condado de Catawba y Duke Endowment que llevó a que estos servicios estuvieran disponibles para todas las familias de Carolina del Norte”.

    Los primeros datos del condado de Catawba demuestran el impacto del programa en el apoyo a la permanencia sostenible, mostrando mejores resultados de salud mental, relaciones más sólidas entre padres e hijos y una mayor estabilidad en la colocación. En los últimos 10 años, el condado de Catawba no ha visto a ningún niño reingresar al cuidado de crianza dentro de los 12 meses posteriores a la salida del cuidado.

    Con la implementación en todo el estado, NCDHHS tiene como objetivo crear un impacto positivo en los resultados de permanencia para los niños y las familias, reducir las interrupciones en las colocaciones, disminuir el reingreso al cuidado de crianza temporal, y mejorar el bienestar a largo plazo de cualquier niño o familia que haya experimentado el cuidado de crianza temporal en Carolina del Norte.

    “Success Coach ya está mostrando grandes resultados para mejorar la permanencia entre las familias del condado de Catawba, y sabemos que este programa es un cambio real para los niños y las familias en todo el estado”, dijo la directora de DSS del condado de Catawba, Karen Harrington. “Estamos eliminando las barreras de acceso al llevar los servicios directamente al hogar y proporcionar a las familias las herramientas que necesitan para mantenerse seguras, fuertes y autosuficientes a largo plazo”.

    NCDHHS está invirtiendo más de $16.5 millones en fondos estatales y federales durante los próximos tres años para la transición de Success Coach en todo el estado. La expansión contará con el apoyo de tres proveedores regionales: Catawba County DSS, Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina, y Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, que trabajarán con los Departamentos de Servicios Sociales locales en la implementación del programa y la capacitación. La capacitación para los nuevos Coaches de Éxito (Success Coaches) está en curso, con sesiones trimestrales para garantizar la implementación de alta fidelidad del modelo.

    Cualquier familia que sale del cuidado de crianza temporal a través de la reunificación, la tutela, la custodia, el cuidado de parentesco o la adopción es elegible para participar en el programa Success Coach. Success Coach también está disponible para cualquier familia adoptiva, incluyendo la adopción privada y la adopción por un familiar. Estos servicios son voluntarios y están destinados a brindar apoyo continuo a medida que las familias avanzan en la construcción o reconstrucción de sus relaciones después del cuidado de crianza o después de la adopción. Las familias pueden volver a participar en el programa tantas veces como sea necesario, acceder a sesiones de refuerzo o reiniciar los servicios si se enfrentan a un nuevo desafío o si sus circunstancias cambian.

    La expansión estatal de Success Coach es parte de la estrategia más amplia de NCDHHS para construir un sistema de apoyo de permanencia sólido, consistente y accesible en Carolina del Norte. A medida que los estados de todo el país continúan buscando soluciones nuevas e innovadoras para mejorar la permanencia a largo plazo y la estabilidad familiar, el objetivo del departamento es que Success Coach sirva como modelo y estándar nacional para proporcionar servicios efectivos de permanencia.

    Para obtener más información sobre los proveedores de Success Coach de Carolina del Norte, visite:

    Apr 3, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harbour Grace — Harbour Grace RCMP executes search warrant at home in Carbonear, firearms seized; two individuals charged

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As part of an ongoing investigation into a recent assault, Harbour Grace RCMP executed a search warrant at home in Carbonear yesterday. A number of firearms were seized. Two individuals, 42-year-old Curtis Power and 36-year-old Chad Butt, were arrested and charged.

    On April 2, 2025, Harbour Grace RCMP, along with RCMP NL’s East District General Investigation Section and Emergency Response Team, executed a warrant, authorized under the Criminal Code, to search a home on Lower Southside Road. Five individuals were arrested.

    Inside the home, police located and seized a number of firearms and various weapons.

    Chad Butt was wanted on a warrant of committal; he was arrested without incident. The co-accused in the assault investigation, Curtis Power, was also arrested without incident. Both are charged with assault and assault with a weapon. Butt remains in custody, remanded until his next court appearance, which will take place in June, 2025. Power was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date. Three other individuals were released without charges.

    The investigation is continuing with additional charges anticipated.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Omotoso acquittal an “assault” on fight against GBV – Justice Committee

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Parliament’s Justice Committee has expressed concern over the acquittal of televangelist Timothy Omotoso on 32 serious charges, including allegations of rape, racketeering, human trafficking, and other crimes.

    On Wednesday, Gqeberha High Court Judge Irma Schoeman acquitted the pastor and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho – stating that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Responding to the ruling, Justice Committee Chairperson, Xola Nqola, described the outcome of the case as an “assault on the fight against gender-based violence (GBV)”. 

    “This is totally unacceptable. We need the National Prosecuting Authority to explain the weaknesses in the team, and the case they presented. 

    “Furthermore, the acquittal comes days after community activist and whistle-blower, Pamela Mabini, who was shot dead in her car in the driveway of her home in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha. Mabini was committed to supporting witnesses in this matter. 

    “With her gone, it seems we have failed our women, especially since the court referred to the poor quality of cross-examination as a contributing factor to the acquittal,” Nqola said.

    Assessing options

    In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority said it is studying the judgement and will consider legal options.

    “Delivering the judgment, Judge Irma Schoeman found that the trio was not guilty due to the technicality, mainly that the former prosecutors in the case acted improperly, and the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined by the state.

    “It is for that reason that the prosecuting team will study the judgement and decide which legal avenues to explore.

    “In as much as the NPA does not seek to secure conviction at all costs, it remains committed to ensuring justice is served for the victims of crime and will go at all lengths to give a voice to the victims by exploring all the possible avenues,” the NPA said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Better collaboration aids in deportation of illegal immigrants 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Improved collaboration between stakeholders, among others, has led to the increased deportation of illegal immigrants in the 2024/25 financial year that ended on 31 March 2025, the Department of Home Affairs said.

    “The Department of Home Affairs increased the number of illegal immigrants it deported to 46 898 in the 2024/25 financial year that ended on 31 March 2025,” said the department, adding that the figure has risen by 18 % compared to the previous year’s 39 672.

    “This marked increase in the effectiveness of enforcement operations demonstrates our commitment to upholding the rule of law. It also flows from improved collaboration between the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and local law enforcement. It further reflects the impact of joint initiatives like Operation Vala Umgodi,” Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, said in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to the department, “this is the highest number of deportations carried out in at least five years.”

    Last month, the department announced a comprehensive upgrade to its digital verification system, a crucial component of national security, as well as both public and private sector services in South Africa.

    The verification system enables government departments, including National Treasury and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), as well as financial sector businesses, to confirm client identities using biometric features, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, against the National Population Register.

    READ | Home Affairs upgrades digital verification system

    “This improved performance, coupled with our digital transformation reforms that will automate entry-and-exit to prevent people from entering the country illegally through our ports of entry, is contributing to enhanced national security and trade facilitation,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cost containment should not undermine service delivery – PSC

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Public Service Commission (PSC) says that while cost containment measures demonstrate fiscal discipline and prudent financial management, their implementation must be closely monitored to avoid inadvertently undermining service delivery.

    “This is particularly crucial in essential sectors such as healthcare and education, where cuts to resources or funding could have far-reaching consequences for public well-being and long-term development,” said PSC Commissioner, Anele Gxoyiya.

    Addressing the media during the release of the commission’s Quarterly Bulletin titled: The Pulse of the Public Service for the period: 01 January to 31 March 2025, Gxoyiya said effective cost containment requires a balanced approach. This approach prioritises efficiency and savings without compromising the quality or accessibility of essential services.

    “The PSC recognises the advantages of fiscal consolidation and cost containment, which include reduced waste in public finances and enhanced accountability,” the Commissioner said at Thursday’s briefing in Pretoria.

    In addition, he said that excessive budget cuts could undermine the government’s ability to fulfil its constitutional obligations.

    “The PSC advocates for a balanced approach that combines financial prudence with investments in key areas essential for long-term growth and effective service delivery.

    “The PSC remains committed to promoting constitutional values, advocating for equity and accountability, and ensuring that public resources are used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all South Africans.”

    Whistleblowers 

    Regarding strengthening whistleblower protection, Gxoyiya said a resolution was made for the establishment of the Whistleblower Protection House.

    This hosting of the Whistleblowers’ Symposium emanated from the 2022 International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations which highlighted the challenges regarding the protection of whistleblowers and their families.

    During the symposium, a resolution was made for the establishment of the protection house to support whistleblowers and to facilitate access to support, creation of awareness of whistleblowers’ plight, provide financial assistance, legal counsel and psychological support.

    The protection of whistleblowers was identified as one of the high priority areas in the national anti-corruption agenda.

    Gxoyiya said this initiative will require the amendment of the current legislation, adding that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is at an advanced stage in reviewing the Protected Disclosure Act. The Act provides procedures in terms of which any employee may disclose information relating to an offence or a malpractice in the workplace by his or her employer or fellow employees. The Act also provides for the protection of an employee, who made a disclosure in accordance with the procedures provided for by the Act, against any reprisals as a result of such a disclosure.

    “The advent of democracy in South Africa promised a society that will be built on a human rights-based culture to ensure that the lives of ordinary South Africans are improved and protected.

    “Section 195 of the Constitution outlines the basic Values and Principles governing public administration. These values should be the cornerstone upon which to build a public service that is ethical, responsible, responsive and accountable. 

    “Government and other role players agreed that corruption in South Africa and the killing of whistleblowers needs to be addressed collaboratively by all sectors of society as the efforts of whistleblowers contribute to building a capable, ethical and developmental Public Service that is responsive to the needs of the people,” Gxoyiya explained.

    He added that the commission supports the initiatives of establishing the whistleblowers protection regime as it will enable the citizenry to report wrongdoing without fear of reprisal.

    “Fighting corruption is every one’s responsibility in the country. Active citizenship must take its rightful place in fighting against corruption and expose theft, fraud and maladministration through whistleblowing,” he said.

    The commission has encouraged South Africans to report acts of corruption and maladministration anonymously through the National Anti-Corruption hotline on 0800 701 701 and by email at (complaints@opsc.gov.za).

    Citizens can also do walk-ins at PSC offices nationwide where complainants can interact with professionals equipped to safeguard anonymous reporting. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Blue Origin’s all-female space flight urges women to shoot for the stars – but astronaut memoirs reveal the cost of being exceptional

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jasleen Chana, PhD Candidate, Science and Technology Studies, UCL

    For the first time since Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963, a spacecraft will enter orbit with only women aboard. Blue Origin’s all-female space flight crew, which includes popstar Katy Perry, is set to take off this spring.

    Jeff Bezos’ crew is assembled from successful and well-known women, also including television presenter Gayle King, producer Kerianne Flynn, former Nasa scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and journalist Lauren Sanchez. Promotional material for the flight, claims that Perry “hopes her journey encourages her daughter and others to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively”.

    The glamorous optics of this spaceflight are supposedly designed to encourage women to strive for their dreams. The glossy narrative tells others that they can be just like these extraordinary women. Yet, behind this aspirational ideal, there is a more problematic story regarding successful women in science and their roles in public.

    My PhD research examines memoirs written by women astronauts. They construct appealing depictions of women who are successful and exceptional. But in practice their success stories are nigh on impossible for ordinary women to emulate.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    This is epitomised in astronaut Catherine Coleman’s reaction to wearing a spacesuit designed for men. In her 2024 memoir, she wrote: “Most of the time, I took the approach that if the suit didn’t fit, I would simply wear it anyway – and wear it well. Wear it better than anyone expected.”

    Mae Carol Jemison was the first black woman to travel to space.
    Nasa

    As this quote shows, women who have travelled to space tend to construct themselves as having worked exceptionally hard to deny the norms of what is expected of them and to offset systemic biases.

    From the outset of her memoir, Coleman emphasises that she’s always had to be an “exception” from the rest of humanity, which feels alienating. But she also consistently suggests that her life was destined to be this way. “Space felt like home to me,” she says, tacitly acknowledging that she was always meant to be there.

    Jemison, who was the first African American woman in space, also expresses this sense of destiny in her 2001 memoir. “I perched quietly, looking out of the windows on the flight deck,” she writes. “Strange, but I always knew I’d be here. Looking down and all around me, seeing the Earth, the moon, and the stars, I just felt like I belonged.”

    The crew set to board the Blue Origin flight want to be storytellers in the same way that women astronauts are in their memoirs. But the well-known members of its crew are a reminder that hard work is only part of this particular story – fortune and privilege also play a part.

    Eileen Collins was the first woman to pilot and command a space shuttle. In her 2021 memoir, she details the pressures and expectations of working in a male-dominated field. She found that it exacerbated already tricky decision-making and the need to perform critical actions correctly.

    When she says “current and future women pilots are counting on me to do a perfect job up here,” she exemplifies the harsh scrutiny that women astronauts are often subject to when they are the first of their gender.

    Behind the cover

    The issue with popular scientific memoirs is that they are consistently marketed as honest and truthful works. These books promise to reveal who the astronaut actually is, but they are, in fact, carefully curated images of the women they portray.

    So while they intend to motivate and inspire others, the memoirs don’t always do so in a totally honest way. This draws a parallel with the Blue Origin flight.

    Perry discusses her space flight.

    Many of these narratives seek to rewrite past stereotypes of scientists while also functioning as a response to the contemporary appetite for memoirs that reveal the interior emotional world of their subjects. For example, Kathryn Sullivan discusses “wrestling” with visceral “pangs” of pain at being unable to launch her mission due to technical issues.

    This concept reflects why there is a fevered public expectation that the Blue Origin flight crew will embark on a perspective-shifting journey and experience “deep emotions from space”.

    While current coverage surrounding the launch frames it as a celebration of collective advancement, the people comprising this spaceflight crew do not reflect most women.

    If the Blue Origin mission is to be a lodestar for a universal feminist narrative, using women’s spaceflight as a measure of progress, then it should also be considered in tandem with the incongruities and uniqueness of women’s experiences. Ultimately, it is important to move away from narratives that inform us that science, spaceflight and success are only synonymous with fame and exceptionalism.

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

    – ref. Blue Origin’s all-female space flight urges women to shoot for the stars – but astronaut memoirs reveal the cost of being exceptional – https://theconversation.com/blue-origins-all-female-space-flight-urges-women-to-shoot-for-the-stars-but-astronaut-memoirs-reveal-the-cost-of-being-exceptional-251880

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Co-Sponsors Legislation to Help Families Pay their Heating and Cooling Bills

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    April 03, 2025

    Legislation would provide urgent relief for families in Oregon and nationwide as energy prices rise

    Washington D.C. —U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today announced he is co-sponsoring a bill to expand and modernize the severely underfunded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), bringing much-needed relief for Americans struggling to pay their utility bills in Oregon and nationwide. This legislation comes on the heels of reports that RFK Jr. has terminated the entire LIHEAP staff, making this bill all the more crucial.

    “No Oregonian should have to choose between putting food on their table or paying their utility bills,” Wyden said. “Unfortunately, as the climate crisis continues to wreak havoc, more and more Americans face extreme temperature shifts and rising energy costs. This bill would help provide energy assistance to everybody facing the impossible choice between food or utilities and could mean the difference between life and death for many vulnerable Oregonians.”  

    Specifically, the Heating and Cooling Relief Act would:

    • Substantially increase Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding to ensure year-round assistance, including an additional $2 billion for emergency energy assistance and $1 billion in Just Transition grants to help vulnerable households adapt to a changing climate;

    • Broaden eligibility so that households earning up to 250 percent of the federal poverty line or 80 percent of state median income can qualify, while ensuring lower energy burdens for lower-income households and capping household energy burdens at 3 percent of monthly income;

    • Protect consumers from utility shutoffs, excessive late fees, and predatory energy practices that disproportionately hurt vulnerable communities;

    • Expand emergency assistance, ensuring extreme heat and cold are recognized as qualifying emergencies and that states can provide vital cooling relief;

    • Increase funding for weatherization and home electrification, to help low-income households reduce energy costs, improve health and safety, and transition to clean, resilient energy systems;

    • Streamline enrollment and outreach, improving coordination with other federal programs and increasing access through automatic enrollment and simplified verification; and

    • Strengthen reporting requirements to better track affordability, equity, and climate resilience outcomes.

    In addition to Wyden, the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, led by Senator Edward J Markey  (D- Mass.) and Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), was co-sponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I); as well as Representatives Nannette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Adam Smith (WA-09), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

    The full bill is here. A section by section breakdown of the bill is here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –