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  • MIL-OSI USA News: Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: 

    Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  Despite pioneering self-government, the United States now fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections employed by modern, developed nations, as well as those still developing.  India and Brazil, for example, are tying voter identification to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship.  In tabulating votes, Germany and Canada require use of paper ballots, counted in public by local officials, which substantially reduces the number of disputes as compared to the American patchwork of voting methods that can lead to basic chain-of-custody problems.  Further, while countries like Denmark and Sweden sensibly limit mail-in voting to those unable to vote in person and do not count late-arriving votes regardless of the date of postmark, many American elections now feature mass voting by mail, with many officials accepting ballots without postmarks or those received well after Election Day. 

    Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic.  The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election.
    Under the Constitution, State governments must safeguard American elections in compliance with Federal laws that protect Americans’ voting rights and guard against dilution by illegal voting, discrimination, fraud, and other forms of malfeasance and error.  Yet the United States has not adequately enforced Federal election requirements that, for example, prohibit States from counting ballots received after Election Day or prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote.

    Federal law establishes a uniform Election Day across the Nation for Federal elections, 2 U.S.C. 7 and 3 U.S.C. 1.  It is the policy of my Administration to enforce those statutes and require that votes be cast and received by the election date established in law.  As the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently held in Republican National Committee v. Wetzel (2024), those statutes set “the day by which ballots must be both cast by voters and received by state officials.”  Yet numerous States fail to comply with those laws by counting ballots received after Election Day.  This is like allowing persons who arrive 3 days after Election Day, perhaps after a winner has been declared, to vote in person at a former voting precinct, which would be absurd.  

    Several Federal laws, including 18 U.S.C. 1015 and 611, prohibit foreign nationals from registering to vote or voting in Federal elections.  Yet States fail adequately to vet voters’ citizenship, and, in recent years, the Department of Justice has failed to prioritize and devote sufficient resources for enforcement of these provisions.  Even worse, the prior administration actively prevented States from removing aliens from their voter lists.  

    Additionally, Federal laws, such as the National Voter Registration Act (Public Law 103-31) and the Help America Vote Act (Public Law 107-252), require States to maintain an accurate and current Statewide list of every legally registered voter in the State.  And the Department of Homeland Security is required to share database information with States upon request so they can fulfill this duty.  See 8 U.S.C. 1373(c).  Maintaining accurate voter registration lists is a fundamental requirement in protecting voters from having their ballots voided or diluted by fraudulent votes. 
    Federal law, 52 U.S.C. 30121, prohibits foreign nationals from participating in Federal, State, or local elections by making any contributions or expenditures.  But foreign nationals and non-governmental organizations have taken advantage of loopholes in the law’s interpretation, spending millions of dollars through conduit contributions and ballot-initiative-related expenditures.  This type of foreign interference in our election process undermines the franchise and the right of American citizens to govern their Republic.  

    Above all, elections must be honest and worthy of the public trust.  That requires voting methods that produce a voter-verifiable paper record allowing voters to efficiently check their votes to protect against fraud or mistake.  Election-integrity standards must be modified accordingly.
    It is the policy of my Administration to enforce Federal law and to protect the integrity of our election process.

    Sec. 2.  Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections.  To enforce the Federal prohibition on foreign nationals voting in Federal elections:

    (a)(i) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Election Assistance Commission shall take appropriate action to require, in its national mail voter registration form issued under 52 U.S.C. 20508:

    (A)  documentary proof of United States citizenship, consistent with 52 U.S.C. 20508(b)(3); and

    (B)  a State or local official to record on the form the type of document that the applicant presented as documentary proof of United States citizenship, including the date of the document’s issuance, the date of the document’s expiration (if any), the office that issued the document, and any unique identification number associated with the document as required by the criteria in 52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(5)(A), while taking appropriate measures to ensure information security.

    (ii)  For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, “documentary proof of United States citizenship” shall include a copy of: 

    (A)  a United States passport; 

    (B)  an identification document compliant with the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-13, Div. B) that indicates the applicant is a citizen of the United States; 

    (C)  an official military identification card that indicates the applicant is a citizen of the United States; or 

    (D)  a valid Federal or State government-issued photo identification if such identification indicates that the applicant is a United States citizen or if such identification is otherwise accompanied by proof of United States citizenship.

    (b)  To identify unqualified voters registered in the States:

    (i)    the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, consistent with applicable law, ensure that State and local officials have, without the requirement of the payment of a fee, access to appropriate systems for verifying the citizenship or immigration status of individuals registering to vote or who are already registered;

    (ii)   the Secretary of State shall take all lawful and appropriate action to make available information from relevant databases to State and local election officials engaged in verifying the citizenship of individuals registering to vote or who are already registered; and 

    (iii)  the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the DOGE Administrator, shall review each State’s publicly available voter registration list and available records concerning voter list maintenance activities as required by 52 U.S.C. 20507, alongside Federal immigration databases and State records requested, including through subpoena where necessary and authorized by law, for consistency with Federal requirements. 

    (c)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, consistent with applicable law, provide to the Attorney General complete information on all foreign nationals who have indicated on any immigration form that they have registered or voted in a Federal, State, or local election, and shall also take all appropriate action to submit to relevant State or local election officials such information.

    (d)  The head of each Federal voter registration executive department or agency (agency) under the National Voter Registration Act, 52 U.S.C. 20506(a), shall assess citizenship prior to providing a Federal voter registration form to enrollees of public assistance programs.   

    (e)  The Attorney General shall prioritize enforcement of 18 U.S.C. 611 and 1015(f) and similar laws that restrict non-citizens from registering to vote or voting, including through use of:

    (i)    databases or information maintained by the Department of Homeland Security; 

    (ii)   State-issued identification records and driver license databases; and

    (iii)  similar records relating to citizenship.

    (f)  The Attorney General shall, consistent with applicable laws, coordinate with State attorneys general to assist with State-level review and prosecution of aliens unlawfully registered to vote or casting votes.

    Sec. 3.  Providing Other Assistance to States Verifying Eligibility.  To assist States in determining whether individuals are eligible to register and vote:

    (a)  The Commissioner of Social Security shall take all appropriate action to make available the Social Security Number Verification Service, the Death Master File, and any other Federal databases containing relevant information to all State and local election officials engaged in verifying the eligibility of individuals registering to vote or who are already registered.  In determining and taking such action, the Commissioner of Social Security shall ensure compliance with applicable privacy and data security laws and regulations. 

    (b)  The Attorney General shall ensure compliance with the requirements of 52 U.S.C. 20507(g).  

    (c)  The Attorney General shall take appropriate action with respect to States that fail to comply with the list maintenance requirements of the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America     Vote Act contained in 52 U.S.C. 20507 and 52 U.S.C. 21083.

    (d)  The Secretary of Defense shall update the Federal Post Card Application, pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. 20301, to require:

    (i)   documentary proof of United States citizenship, as defined by section 2(a)(ii) of this order; and

    (ii)  proof of eligibility to vote in elections in the State in which the voter is attempting to vote.

    Sec. 4.  Improving the Election Assistance Commission.  
    (a)  The Election Assistance Commission shall, pursuant to 52 U.S.C. 21003(b)(3)and 21142(c) and consistent with applicable law, take all appropriate action to cease providing Federal funds to States that do not comply with the Federal laws set forth in 52 U.S.C. 21145, including the requirement in 52 U.S.C. 20505(a)(1) that States accept and use the national mail voter registration form issued pursuant to 52 U.S.C. 20508(a)(1), including any requirement for documentary proof of United States citizenship adopted pursuant to section 2(a)(ii) of this order.

    (b)(i) The Election Assistance Commission shall initiate appropriate action to amend the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 2.0 and issue other appropriate guidance establishing standards for voting systems to protect election integrity.  The amended guidelines and other guidance shall provide that voting systems should not use a ballot in which a vote is contained within a barcode or quick-response code in the vote counting process except where necessary to accommodate individuals with disabilities and should provide a voter-verifiable paper record to prevent fraud or mistake. 

    (ii)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Election Assistance Commission shall take appropriate action to review and, if appropriate, re-certify voting systems under the new standards established under subsection (b)(i) of this section, and to rescind all previous certifications of voting equipment based on prior standards.  

    (c)  Following an audit of Help America Vote Act fund expenditures conducted pursuant to 52 U.S.C. 21142, the Election Assistance Commission shall report any discrepancies or issues with an audited State’s certifications of compliance with Federal law to the Department of Justice for appropriate enforcement action.

    (d) The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, consistent with applicable law, shall in considering the provision of funding for State or local election offices or administrators through the Homeland Security Grant Programs, 6 U.S.C. 603 et seq., heavily prioritize compliance with the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 2.0 developed by the Election Assistance Commission and completion of testing through the Voting System Test Labs accreditation process.

    Sec. 5.  Prosecuting Election Crimes.  To protect the franchise of American citizens and their right to participate in fair and honest elections:

    (a)  The Attorney General shall take all appropriate action to enter into information-sharing agreements, to the maximum extent possible, with the chief State election official or multi-member agency of each State.  These agreements shall aim to provide the Department of Justice with detailed information on all suspected violations of State and Federal election laws discovered by State officials, including information on individuals who: 

    (i)    registered or voted despite being ineligible or who registered multiple times; 

    (ii)   committed election fraud;

    (iii)  provided false information on voter registration or other election forms;

    (iv)   intimidated or threatened voters or election officials; or 

    (v)    otherwise engaged in unlawful conduct to interfere in the election process.

    (b)  To the extent that any States are unwilling to enter into such an information sharing agreement or refuse to cooperate in investigations and prosecutions of election crimes, the Attorney General shall: 

    (i)   prioritize enforcement of Federal election integrity laws in such States to ensure election integrity given the State’s demonstrated unwillingness to enter into an information-sharing agreement or to cooperate in investigations and prosecutions; and

    (ii)  review for potential withholding of grants and other funds that the Department awards and distributes, in the Department’s discretion, to State and local governments for law enforcement and other purposes, as consistent with applicable law.

    (c)  The Attorney General shall take all appropriate action to align the Department of Justice’s litigation positions with the purpose and policy of this order.

    Sec. 6.  Improving Security of Voting Systems.  To improve the security of all voting equipment and systems used to cast ballots, tabulate votes, and report results:

    (a)  The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate actions to the extent permitted by 42 U.S.C. 5195c and all other applicable law, so long as the Department of Homeland Security maintains the designation of election infrastructure as critical infrastructure, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 5195c(e), to prevent all non-citizens from being involved in the administration of any Federal election, including by accessing election equipment, ballots, or any other relevant materials used in the conduct of any Federal election.

    (b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in coordination with the Election Assistance Commission and to the maximum extent possible, review and report on the security of all electronic systems used in the voter registration and voting process.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, as the head of the designated Sector Risk Management Agency under 6 U.S.C. 652a, in coordination with the Election Assistance Commission, shall assess the security of all such systems to the extent they are connected to, or integrated into, the Internet and report on the risk of such systems being compromised through malicious software and unauthorized intrusions into the system.  

    Sec. 7.  Compliance with Federal Law Setting the National Election Day.  To achieve full compliance with the Federal laws that set the uniform day for appointing Presidential electors and electing members of Congress:

    (a)  The Attorney General shall take all necessary action to enforce 2 U.S.C. 7 and 3 U.S.C. 1 against States that violate these provisions by including absentee or mail-in ballots received after Election Day in the final tabulation of votes for the appointment of Presidential electors and the election of members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

    (b)  Consistent with 52 U.S.C. 21001(b) and other applicable law, the Election Assistance Commission shall condition any available funding to a State on that State’s compliance with the requirement in 52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(6) that each State adopt uniform and nondiscriminatory standards within that State that define what constitutes a vote and what will be counted as a vote, including that, as prescribed in 2 U.S.C. 7 and 3 U.S.C. 1, there be a uniform and nondiscriminatory ballot receipt deadline of Election Day for all methods of voting, excluding ballots cast in accordance with 52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq., after which no additional votes may be cast.  

    Sec. 8.  Preventing Foreign Interference and Unlawful Use of Federal Funds.  The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall prioritize enforcement of 52 U.S.C. 30121 and other appropriate laws to prevent foreign nationals from contributing or donating in United States elections.  The Attorney General shall likewise prioritize enforcement of 31 U.S.C. 1352, which prohibits lobbying by organizations or entities that have received any Federal funds.   

    Sec. 9.  Federal Actions to Address Executive Order 14019.  The heads of all agencies, and the Election Assistance Commission, shall cease all agency actions implementing Executive Order 14019 of March 7, 2021 (Promoting Access to Voting), which was revoked by Executive Order 14148 of on January 20, 2025 (Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions), and, within 90 days of the date of this order, submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, a report describing compliance with this order.

    Sec. 10.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any agency, person, or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other agencies, persons, or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

    Sec. 11.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        March 25, 2025. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: HFAC Full Committee Hearing on Countering the Iranian Regime’s Malign Activities

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing titled, “A Return to Maximum Pressure: Comprehensively Countering the Iranian Regime’s Malign Activities” on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

    Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

    Time: 2:00 p.m. ET

    Location: Rayburn 2172

    Subject: A Return to Maximum Pressure: Comprehensively Countering the Iranian Regime’s Malign Activities

    Witnesses:

     

    Norman T. Roule

    Non-resident Senior Advisor

    Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program

    The Center for Strategic and International Studies

    Claire Jungman

    Chief of Staff

    United Against Nuclear Iran

    ***Check here for updates. The hearing will be webcast live here and open to the public and press. Members of the media who would like to attend in-person should RSVP with Joe Clark at joseph.clark@mail.house.gov by 5 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025. ***

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: HFAC Subcommittee Hearing on the Censorship-Industrial Complex

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia will hold a public hearing titled, “Censorship-Industrial Complex: The Need for First Amendment Safeguards at the State Department” on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

    Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

    Time: 10:00 a.m. ET

    Location: Rayburn 2172

    Subject: Censorship-Industrial Complex: The Need for First Amendment Safeguards at the State Department

    Witnesses:

     

    Mr. Matt Taibbi

    Twitter Files Journalist

    Author, Founder

    Racket News

    Mr. Benjamin Weingarten

    Investigative Journalist & Columnist

    ***Check here for updates. The hearing will be webcast live here and open to the public and press. Members of the media who would like to attend in-person should RSVP with Joe Clark at joseph.clark@mail.house.gov by 5 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025. ***

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Tillis Introduce Legislation to Update Performing Artist Tax Deduction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced legislation to provide much-needed tax relief to working artists. The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act would update the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) tax deduction, an above-the-line tax deduction which allows certain performing artists to deduct the cost of expenses incurred in the course of their employment.

    The Qualified Performing Artist tax deduction has not been updated since its inception in 1986 and is currently only available to those making less than $16,000 a year, meaning that very few artists qualify. This legislation would update and increase the income ceiling to $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married joint filers, allowing more lower- and middle-income performing artists to receive tax relief for work-related expenses. This bill also indexes the deduction for inflation so it automatically adjusts for increases in the cost of living in the future.

    “Middle class and up-and-coming artists have found their home in the Commonwealth making meaningful contributions to our rich culture,” Sen. Warner said. “This legislation levels the playing field for more artists by treating them like the small businesspeople they are, enriching our society and spurring our commerce.”

    “The arts play a vital role in North Carolina’s culture and economy, yet many artists struggle with financial burdens that make it difficult to sustain their careers,” Sen. Tillis said. “By updating this outdated tax deduction, this commonsense legislation ensures that hardworking artists can deduct necessary expenses, just like other professionals. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to provide long-overdue tax relief to the creative community.” 

    Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 24, 2025, by Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Judy Chu (D-CA).

    The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act is endorsed by numerous organizations advocating for the rights of emerging artists, including the Actors’ Equity Association, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs. 

    “We commend Senators Warner and Tillis for championing tax fairness for our members and all entertainment professionals. Their bipartisan leadership ensures our members’ voices continue to be heard on this critical issue. It’s time to lower the cost of living for entertainment workers by including PATPA in tax legislation expected later this year, correcting an oversight that has taken money out of the pockets of middle-class IATSE members since 2017,” said Matthew D. Loeb, International President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

    “With just a few weeks until Tax Day, Senator Tillis and Senator Warner could not have better timed this critically important bipartisan bill that would mean actors, stage managers and other creative professionals won’t have to pay hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars more in taxes simply due to common business costs like their agents and managers fees and travel to auditions. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Tillis and Senator Warner and look forward to working with them as we fight to make this bill law,” said Brooke Shields, President of Actors’ Equity Association.

    “Entertainment is one of the United States’ top industries, and the work of performing artists has made an immeasurable impact on our national identity. It’s time for the tax code to address the skyrocketing business costs of this highly risky profession and allow performers to deduct legitimate expenses such as agent and manager fees. This will enable working-class performers to continue supporting local economies that generate income from performers living and working in their communities. SAG-AFTRA enthusiastically supports the reintroduction of the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act in the Senate and applauds Sens. Tillis and Warner for their work in addressing the financial challenges of those who dedicate their lives to human artistry,” said Fran Drescher, President of SAG-AFTRA.

    “The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) is a critical step toward restoring financial fairness for performing artists across the country. For too long, we’ve been unfairly burdened by a tax system that fails to recognize the realities of our profession. This legislation paves the way for artists to be treated less like expendable contractors and more like the vital parts of an institution that we are. It’s an important step toward ensuring that performing artists are no longer penalized for the cost of doing our jobs and toward a future where we receive the same workplace protections and benefits as others who work within the companies we sustain,” said Ned Hanlon, President of the American Guild of Musical Artists.

    “Addressing the unique challenges artists and musicians face under the tax code is imperative to supporting the creative community’s impact on culture and the economy. RIAA appreciates Senators Warner and Tillis’ continued leadership driving the bipartisan, bicameral Performing Artist Tax Parity Act. This bill is designed to balance outdated burdens on performers now and enable the next generation to thrive,” said Mitch Glazier, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Chairman & CEO.

    “The Motion Picture Association thanks Sens. Thom Tillis and Mark Warner for re-introducing the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) – an important bipartisan effort to deliver essential economic relief to a creative community that includes more than 2.3 million jobs supported by the film, television, and streaming industry. The MPA is again proud to endorse this legislation and support the American creative economy,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association.

    “The bipartisan and bicameral Performing Artist Tax Parity Act is commonsense legislation that benefits working musicians.   PATPA makes long overdue updates to restore the intention our tax code.  We are grateful to Senators Tillis and Warner for championing fairness for all performing artists and arts workers,” said Tino Gagliardi, President of the American Federation of Musicians.

    “Supporting working artists through tax relief creates ripple effects that build more vibrant communities across the country. Beyond the arts and culture sector’s $1.1 trillion economic impact, one of the largest public opinion studies ever conducted on the arts in the U.S. found that 86% of Americans believe arts and culture improve their community’s quality of life and livability. By modernizing the tax code nationally, we can support artists and strengthen every community. We applaud Senators Warner and Tillis for introducing the Senate companion to the Performing Arts Tax Parity Act, alongside the House bill championed by Representatives Buchanan and Chu, to modernize an outdated tax code that hasn’t been updated since 1986,” said Erin Harkey, CEO, Americans for the Arts.

    “Musicians nationwide are essential contributors to the U.S. workforce and the communities in which they perform,” said Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras. “We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Tillis and Warner in re-introducing this critical legislation to support tax fairness for performing artists.”

    “The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) is a lifeline for the artists who bring independent stages to life. The Senate is taking an important step toward building a fairer, more sustainable live ecosystem that benefits independent stages, artists, audiences, and communities alike. We hope that Congress will move quickly to enact PATPA this year,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association.

    “Virginians for the Arts is grateful to Senator Warner for his unwavering support of the arts and artists here in Virginia and nationally.  We are also grateful to the Senator for sponsoring the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act. This legislation modernizes the qualified performing artist tax deduction and is an important recognition of the value the arts play in our communities and the economy,” said Brett Bonda, President of Virginians for the Arts.

    “Aligned with its mission to advance the performing arts in the Richmond region through programs and resources that support the artists of today, nurture the artists of tomorrow, and provide spaces for the arts to thrive, Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA) fully endorses the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA). This legislation is critical for RPAA’s vision to create a vibrant community where the performing arts flourish and strengthen Richmond’s cultural, social, and economic vitality. We strongly believe that for this to happen artists from all backgrounds must have the capacity and resources to grow their programs and reach new audiences. We thank Senators Warner and Tillis for introducing this legislation and realizing the tremendous investment that artists make in their work and the incredible contributions they make to our lives,” said Abbi Haggerty, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Rand Paul Introduces Nutritious SNAP Act to Restore Personal Responsibility, and State Flexibility to Federal Food Assistance Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    March 25, 2025
    Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Nutritious SNAP Act to confront an uncomfortable truth: while the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was created to fight hunger, it is now fueling a new public health crisis—obesity and chronic disease—by subsidizing the purchase of junk food with taxpayer dollars.

    “SNAP was designed to fight hunger and improve nutrition—not to subsidize soda and junk food,” said Dr. Paul. “It makes no sense that taxpayer dollars are being used to fund an epidemic of obesity and diet-related illness in low-income communities. My bill ensures that this assistance program actually supports health and wellness, not chronic disease.”

    SNAP currently provides food-purchasing assistance to more than 42 million individuals. While it successfully addresses food insecurity, studies show that nearly one-quarter of SNAP benefits are spent on junk food—sodas, chips, snack cakes, and desserts—contributing to worse diets and higher obesity rates among SNAP recipients than the general population. Despite these health concerns, previous efforts by states—like Minnesota, California, and New York—to limit SNAP junk food purchases have been rejected by the USDA.

    The Nutritious SNAP Act represents a common-sense step toward improving public health, protecting taxpayer dollars, and respecting the decisions made by states to combat chronic disease.

    BACKGROUND

    Senator Paul’s legislation will:

    Prohibit SNAP funds from being used to purchase sodas, snack foods, and dessert items, including potato chips, snack cakes, and brownie mixes.

    Limits beverage purchases to water, cow’s milk, healthy dairy alternatives, and 100% fruit or vegetable juice.

    Empowers states to restrict additional foods they deem unhealthy, restoring local control and removing federal barriers to innovation in public health policy.

    With nearly a quarter of SNAP benefits currently spent on sugar-laden, nutrient-poor products, the bill seeks to realign the program with its original mission: to improve the nutrition of low-income households.

    You can read Dr. Paul’s bill HERE

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Alarm over Türkiye detentions, Ukraine update, Sudan-Chad border emergency

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Peace and Security

    The UN human rights office (OHCHR) expressed major concern on Tuesday following the detention of at least 92 people by the Turkish authorities over the past week, including Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been charged with corruption and removed from office.

    “These detentions triggered country-wide demonstrations that were met with unlawful blanket bans on protests in three cities,” said OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell.

    More than 1,000 people have been detained during the protests, among them at least nine media workers.

    Türkiye has reportedly seen its largest street protests in more than a decade following the arrest of current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, Mr. İmamoğlu.

    Legitimate right of protest

    Ms. Throssell said that all those detained “for the legitimate exercise of their rights must be released immediately and unconditionally.”

    Those facing charges should be treated with dignity, she added, and their rights to due process while their rights to a fair trial – including access to a lawyer of their own choice – must be fully ensured.

    “We urge the authorities to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are guaranteed, in line with international law, and that credible allegations of unlawful use of force against protesters are promptly and thoroughly investigated,” Ms. Throssell underscored.

    Ukraine: Dozens injured in Sumy attack; UN welcomes announcement of Black Sea ceasefire

    More than 80 civilians – including children – were injured following a Russian missile attack on the city of Sumy on Monday in Ukraine’s northeast, UN humanitarians have reported.

    Citing local authorities, more than 20 children were injured with two schools, a hospital and multiple homes suffering extensive damage in the attack, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

    “Complementing the efforts of the first responders, and immediately after the attack, humanitarian organizations provided first aid and helped transport the wounded to the hospitals. They also distributed shelter materials, blankets and other necessities.”

    UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Mattias Schmale, condemned the attack in Sumy and recent drone strikes in the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv.

    Since the escalation of the war in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has verified more than 2,500 child casualties in that country, Mr. Dujarric maintained.

    It also noted an alarming increase in child casualties in 2024, caused by explosive weapons targeting territory inside Ukraine, due to intensified attacks along the frontline in the Donetsk Region and increased use of long-range missiles, drones and aerial bombing.

    Black Sea announcements

    The White House on Tuesday said that Russia and Ukraine had reached separate agreements following talks in Saudi Arabia with US negotiators, with both agreeing to a maritime ceasefire in the crucial Black Sea shipping corridor.

    The US said Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to the principal of safe navigation, eliminating the use of force and preventing the use of commercial vessels for military purposes.

    Asked for reaction from the Secretary-General, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told the regular noon briefing that the two announcements were a welcome development.

    “These issues, notably, on the freedom of navigation and Black Sea, are issues that the Secretary-General, his team, notably Rebeca Grynspan [head of trade and development body, UNCTAD] and others, have been working on since almost the start of the conflict. And there continues to be discussions on these issues.”

    Mr. Dujarric said the UN had played no part in discussions in Riyad but noted Ms. Grynspan had been in Moscow for talks Monday on resuming the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye and the United Nations under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Moscow pulled out of in July 2023.

    He confirmed talks had also taken place recently in Washington.

    The UN has been heavily invested in ensuring that Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea can happen safely, along with the transport of Russian food and fertilizer, to halt spiralling food prices worldwide and stave off famine in vulnerable countries.

    The UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative was agreed by Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye and the UN in Istanbul in July 2022. It allowed more than 30 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs to leave Ukraine’s ports and played an “indispensable role” in global food security, Mr. Guterres said at the time.

    Sudanese uprooted by conflict drag themselves across Chad’s border

    Finally, to the Sudan-Chad border, where UN teams have said that a humanitarian emergency is underway, with the number of people fleeing to eastern Chad expected to surpass one million by the end of the year.

    There are already 970,000 refugees in Chad today, the result of almost two years of heavy fighting in Sudan between rival militaries. Many have endured terrible violence and sexual abuse.

    The refugees are being housed in 18 refugee camps and other shelters, but this has added to pressures on already neglected communities in eastern Chad, according to the UN Development Programme, UNDP.

    To help, the UN agency’s Resident Representative in Chad, Francis James, said that a new centre for women should open in Adre next month. It’s an initiative of the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and its purpose is to strengthen ties between host and refugee communities, Mr. James said:

    “You have refugees coming over, literally crawling over and stumbling over the border, and you need social protection…but also you need to give them hope.”

    Other UN projects include supporting women and girls to go back to school.

    UNDP’s Mr. James explained that it was key that classrooms are built close to the refugee camps so that schoolgoers can avoid walking “for kilometres through dangerous zones” where they risk being assaulted.

    Continued attacks in Sudan

    Stéphane Dujarric said on Tuesday the UN was “gravely alarmed by continued attacks on civilians” inside Sudan.

    Dozens of casualties were reported on Monday night when an air strike hit a market around 40 kilometres north-west of Darfur’s main city of El Fasher – which remains besieged by the Rapid Support Forces militia who have been fighting Government troops for nearly two years for control of Sudan.

    “Our humanitarian colleagues are also deeply concerned about escalating attacks on populated areas in Khartoum,” Mr. Dujarric continued.

    There were reports of civilians killed and injured in eastern Khartoum on Monday when artillery struck a mosque during evening prayers. Civilian casualties were also reported on Sunday as a result of heavy shelling in Omdurman – Khartoum’s twin city across the Nile.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replies to the discussion on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha, Upper house passes the bill

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replies to the discussion on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha, Upper house passes the bill

    Under Modi ji’s leadership, India became a global leader in disaster management

    Modi government is managing disasters by adopting a proactive approach instead of a reactive one and by aiming for zero casualties instead of minimising casualties

    Compared to the previous regime, Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central fund

    In the previous regime, funds were given to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation from PMNRF

    This bill will further increase the capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response

    Earlier, thousands of people used to die in cyclones, but Modi government is moving towards zero casualty

    The aim of this bill is to increase transparency, accountability, efficiency and cooperation in disaster management

    India’s disaster management prowess has been established globally through CDRI

    To deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods, systems and make institutions accountable as well as give them powers

    India has had the most successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the entire world

    Earlier, it used to take two generations for getting vaccines, but under the Modi government, India has made the COVID vaccine and also delivered it to every citizen

    The Modi government has given more money than the prescribed amount to the states for disaster managementna

    Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 9:24PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today replied to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024.  After the discussion, with the passage of the bill from the upper house the amendment bill was passed by the Parliament.

    Speaking in the upper house during the discussion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that through this amendment bill, the Narendra Modi government intends to connect Centre, State governments, Panchayat and all our citizens with the cause of disaster management and there is no question of centralization of power. He said that this disaster management amendment bill is an attempt to take the fight against disasters from a reactive approach to a proactive one and also beyond to an innovative and a participatory approach.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji presented a ten-point agenda to the world for disaster risk reduction which has been accepted by more than 40 countries of the world. He said that this bill envisages participation not only from state governments and local units but also from the society. He said that the amendment bill keeps scope of minute planning at local levels too along with the national level and gives clarity on the powers and duties of institutions involved. Shri Shah said that the fight against disasters cannot be accomplished without enabling the institutions and making them better and more accountable, and both of these things have been taken care of in the bill. He said that disasters are directly related to climate change and to mitigate them, we should take steps against global warming. He said that India has been moving in this direction for thousands of years and the Modi government is working to take this tradition forward.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Disaster Management Act was brought for the first time in the year 2005 and under this NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) and DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority) were formed. He said that in this bill, the biggest responsibility in the aftermath of disasters have been given to DDMAs which is under the state government, thus there is no question of any damage to our federal system. He said that for financial assistance, National Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Mitigation Fund were created. Shri Amit Shah said that the Finance Commission has made a scientific arrangement for disaster relief and the Modi government has not given a single penny less than the prescribed amount to any state, rather it has given more.

    He said that due to global disasters like Covid-19, increasing urbanization, irregular rain-related disasters and climate change, both the size and scale of disasters have changed. Shri Shah said that to deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods and systems and also make the institutions accountable and give them powers. He said that with this objective, this bill has been brought for an effective and comprehensive solution to the disaster management problem. He said that suggestions have been incorporated from stakeholders, ministries and departments of the Central Government, all state governments, Union Territories, international organizations and national and international non-governmental organizations and this bill has been prepared comprehensively by accepting 89 percent of their suggestions.

    Union Home Minister said that through this bill, Modi government wants to move from reactive response to proactive risk reduction, from manual monitoring to AI-based real-time monitoring, from radio warnings to social media, apps and mobile warnings, and from government-led response to a multi-dimensional response involving society and citizens. He said that this entire bill has been made to incorporate capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response. Shri Shah said that in the last 10 years, there has been a change in disaster management in our country due to which we have emerged as a regional and global power recognized by the world. He said that this bill is necessary to maintain this success story of India for a longer time in future.

    Shri Amit Shah said that this Bill will make both NDMA and SDMA effective, disaster database will be created at national and state level. It envisages creation of Urban Disaster Management Authority which will be completely under the state governments. Apart from this, this Bill will also give statutory power to NDMA and SDMA in creating a blueprint for 100% implementation of the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. He said that transparency, trust, credibility and accountability have been given place in it. Shri Shah also said that well-defined roles have been fixed in it and moral responsibilities have also been given place. The Home Minister said that we have also fixed responsibility for the best use of resources. He said that through this Bill, an attempt has been made to fight against disaster with synergy, between preparation, good management and coordination. Many reforms have been made on these four pillars and not a single one of these reforms is for centralization of power.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in the last ten years, on one hand, Prime Minister Modi Ji has done many things for environmental protection and on the other hand, he has also taken disaster management a long way forward. He said that on one hand Modi Ji talked about Mission Life in front of the world and on the other hand he also announced a ten-point disaster risk reduction agenda. He said that on one hand, a definite concrete program was given to become a pro-planet people and on the other hand, the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI) was presented to the world, which has 43 countries as members. Shri Shah said that Modi Ji started the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance and also formed a task force on Disaster Risk Reduction by hosting the G20 conference in India. He said that on both these fronts, Prime Minister Modi and the government led by him have worked in a meticulous manner with great foresight. The Home Minister said that on the one hand efforts should be made to prevent disasters by protecting the environment and on the other hand, in case of a disaster, Modi ji has made complete arrangements to fight the disaster in a scientific manner from villages to Delhi.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the devastating earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat in 2001 shook not only Gujarat but the entire country and the world. He said that at that time Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and he had established the Climate Change Department for the first time in India. He said that at that time Modi ji created the Climate Change Fund in Gujarat and in 2003 brought the State Disaster Management Act in Gujarat. Shri Shah said that in 2013, the country’s first city level action plan for heat wave was made in Ahmedabad and Modi ji also worked on making a detailed plan for reconstruction, community preparedness and rehabilitation after the earthquake.

    Union Home Minister said that after Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, a holistic and integrated approach was introduced in the country instead of a relief-centric approach. He said that a proactive approach was adopted instead of a reactive one and disaster management was done by keeping the target of zero casualty instead of the usual target of minimum casualty of the previous regime. He said that today governments are not only focus on relief and rescue after a disaster but also make many preparations to tackle them. Shri Shah said that the Modi government has done a very good job in early warning system, prevention to the extent possible, mitigation, timely preparedness and disaster risk reduction. He said that when the Odisha Super Cyclone hit in 1999, 10 thousand people died, but when Cyclone Fani hit in 2019, only one person died, this was the result of our changed approach. He said that when Cyclone Biparjoy hit Gujarat in 2023, not a single person or animal died and we achieved the target of zero casualties in 2023. He said that there has been a 98 percent reduction in loss of life and property due to cyclones and we have also succeeded in reducing heat-related mortality significantly.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the budget of SDRF was Rs 38 thousand crores during the year 2004 to 2014, which was increased to Rs 1 lakh 24 thousand crores by the Modi government during 2014 to 2024. Rs 28 thousand crores were given to NDRF during 2004 to 2014, while Rs 80 thousand crores were given during 2014 to 2024. Shri Shah said that the government has increased the total amount from Rs 66 thousand crores to more than Rs 2 lakh crores. He said that the Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central funds. Shri Shah said that apart from this, a National Disaster Response Reserve of 250 crores was created, the first National Disaster Management Plan was released in 2016 which is completely in line with the Sendai framework, the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award was established in 2018-19 and the first phase of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation was done in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in 2018. He said that in 2020-21, the Home Ministry decided that the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Team (IMCT) will first go and do an immediate review and the Modi government made a provision to provide immediate assistance by sending 97 IMCTs within 10 days in 5 years.

    Union Home Minister said that currently 16 battalions of NDRF are operational and seeing the NDRF personnel, people feel assured that they are safe now. He said that apart from this, programs have also been made for landslide risk management, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and civil security and training capacity building.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, conducted ‘Operation Maitri’ during the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, ‘Operation Samudra Maitri’ in Indonesia in 2018, ‘Operation Dost’ in Turkey and Syria in 2023, ‘Operation Karuna’ in Myanmar and ‘Operation Sadbhav’ in Vietnam, due to which the governments and people of these countries praised NDRF and Modi ji. He said that NDRF has worked to get our disaster management system firmed up at a national level.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the Government of India has signed agreements with Japan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Italy, Turkmenistan, Maldives and Uzbekistan to strengthen disaster management and disaster risk reduction. The geographical conditions of these countries make them prone to similar disasters which are possible in India. He said that we have tried to ensure that these countries benefit from our best practices and we benefit from their best practices. Apart from the MoUs, international seminars were also held in the years 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, in which disaster management experts from member countries of organizations like SAARC, BRICS, SCO also participated.

    Union Home Minister said that the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an example of India’s global leadership in the field of disaster management. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi put forward this idea in the UN Climate Summit held in New York on 23 September 2019 and it was established in India itself. He said that so far 42 countries and 7 international organizations have become members of CDRI and through CDRI, work has been done to establish India’s leadership in this field at the global level.

    Shri Amit Shah said that through the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, a force of one lakh community volunteers has been created in 350 disaster prone districts at a cost of Rs 370 crore and the volunteers have been registered on the India Disaster Resource Network portal. The District Collectors have their complete details. When a disaster strikes, these volunteers reach for the help on their own. The Home Minister said that 20 percent of the one lakh ‘Aapada Mitra’ volunteers are women. Our women power is working shoulder to shoulder in the work of disaster management. He said that as a result of the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, 78 thousand people were rescued from disasters and taken to safe places and 129 lives were saved by providing them timely treatment at the hospitals.

    Union Home Minister said that the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme is being expanded. To involve the youth, more than 1300 trained ‘Aapada Mitras’ have been employed as master trainers with a budget of Rs 470 crore. In this, NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and Bharat Scouts and Guides will train two lakh 37 thousand ‘Aapada Mitras’, which will increase the total number of community volunteers to three lakh 37 thousand.

    Shri Amit Shah said that we have created many apps for weather related information. These include ‘Mausam’, ‘Meghdoot’, ‘Flood Watch’, ‘Damini’, ‘Pocket Bhuvan’, ‘Sachet’, ‘Van Agni’ and ‘Samudra’. Also, a nodal agency has been created for the study of landslides. India Quake app has been created for automated broadcasting of earthquake parameters. He said that due to the efforts of Modi ji, today all these apps have reached almost every citizen of the country. This has benefited farmers, fishermen, people living on the seashore and people living in landslide prone areas on time.

    Union Home Minister said that the entire world has accepted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the world in the field of environment, therefore the United Nations has honoured him with the award of Champions of the Earth. Modi ji has almost completed the task of making India free from single-use plastic. Many countries have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) formed on his initiative. Modi ji has worked to popularise the ‘One Sun, One Earth, One Grid’ project worldwide. The construction of Inter-Regional Energy Grid has begun for sharing solar energy across the world. Crores of people have planted trees with devotion in reverence of Mother Earth and their own mothers through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

    Shri Amit Shah said that India has set the target of Net Zero Carbon Emission by the year 2070. He said that we have already achieved the targets of International Solar Alliance, Global Bio-fuel Alliance and 20 percent Ethanol Blending by the year 2025. Today all our vehicles have 20 percent eco-friendly fuel. Shri Shah said that by providing 10 crore gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, we have stopped the smoke of cow dung cakes and coal. We have increased the Swachhata Abhiyan from 39 percent to 100 percent sanitation coverage. Along with this, the Green Hydrogen Mission has started the implementation of a new type of scheme in the entire world.

    Union Home Minister said that, if the best COVID management has happened anywhere in the world, it has happened in India. Every Indian should be proud of this and the whole world praises our efforts immensely. He said that as soon as Corona arrived, we started making the vaccine. He said that during the previous regime, it used to take two generations to administer vaccines but under Modi Government India not only got the vaccine made but also ensured that it reached every citizen of the country. Shri Shah said that there is no parallel to such a precise use of technology for public welfare anywhere in the world. Due to the use of technology, the certificate was made available on the mobile as soon as the vaccine was administered and a reminder message would also come up with the time for the second vaccine.

    Shri Amit Shah said that through video conference in the state’s civil hospitals and AIIMS, doctors treating minor diseases in small villages were guided about telemedicine, which saved the lives of lakhs of people. He said that the Prime Minister talked to the Chief Ministers of the states 40 times during COVID-19 and inquired about the situation. Not only the Prime Minister, the entire cabinet was involved in this work.

    Union Home Minister said that due to our leadership we were able to fight the best battle against Corona in the whole world. Governments were fighting against Corona all over the world, but here the Central Government, State Government and 130 crore people were fighting together. He said that there is not a single example in independent India when an appeal by a leader has had the seriousness of a government order and the whole country followed the appeal of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for Janta curfew with full seriousness. No leader’s appeal had ever received such a great respect.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was created during the previous regime. He said fund from PMNRF used to be given to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Shri Shah said that during Modi ji’s regime PM Cares fund was created. We spent its funds for tackling the corona epidemic, disaster relief, oxygen plants, ventilators, assistance to the poor and vaccination. Shri Shah said that under PM Cares, along with relief work, we have also provided many types of innovative assistance. There is no political interference in this.

    Union Home Minister said that for Karnataka, an estimate of Rs 5,909 crore was given by a high-level committee, out of which Rs 5,800 crore was transferred. For Kerala, an estimate of Rs 3,743 crore was made, out of which Rs 2438 crore was given. For Tamil Nadu, Rs 4600 crore was given out of Rs 4817 crore. West Bengal was given Rs 5000 crore out of Rs 6837 crore. Himachal Pradesh was given Rs 1766 crore out of Rs 2339 crore. The committee has given more or less the same amount to Telangana as well.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Rs 111 crore was given to Jharkhand, Rs 121 crore to Kerala, Rs 460 crore to Maharashtra, Rs 256 crore to Bihar and Rs 254 crore to Gujarat for fire-fighting measures, which was never given before. He said that other states will be given funds for fire-fighting measures next year. Shri Shah said that Rs 228 crore has been given to Tamil Nadu between the years 2019 to 2024 and a lot of assistance has been provided.

    Union Home Minister said that we declared the disaster in Wayanad, Kerala as a disaster of severe nature. Rs 215 crore was immediately released from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Rs 36 crore was sent for debris removal, which has not been spent yet. Apart from this, assistance of Rs 153 crore was given on the basis of the IMCT report. The state government has estimated the need for Rs 2219 crore for normalizing the situation and reconstruction, out of which Rs 530 crore has been given. Along with this, other measures have been suggested to get additional assistance from a special window.

    Shri Amit Shah said that for the Central Government, citizens of all states including Kerala, Ladakh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh are equal and we do not discriminate against anyone. He said that in the Disaster Management Bill, we have paid attention to increasing human resources along with the provision of increasing technical capacity. Along with the government’s effort, provision has also been made for community effort and along with disaster-resistant construction, care has also been taken for the conservation of nature.

    ********

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Medium Term and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) components of Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) discontinued w.e.f. 26th March, 2025, based on performance of GMS and evolving market conditions

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 7:24PM by PIB Delhi

    The Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) was announced on 15th September, 2015 with the objective to reduce country’s reliance on the import of gold in the long run and mobilise gold held by households and institutions in the country to facilitate its use for productive purposes.

    The GMS comprised of 3 components:

    1. Short Term Bank Deposit (1-3 years)
    2. Medium Term Government Deposit (5-7 years), and
    3. Long-Term Government Deposit (12 – 15 years)

    Based on the examination of the performance of the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) and evolving market conditions, it has been decided to discontinue the Medium Term and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) components of the GMS w.e.f. March 26, 2025.

    Accordingly, any gold deposits tendered at the designated Collection and Purity Testing Centre (CPTC) or GMS Mobilisation, Collection & Testing Agent (GMCTA) or the designated bank branches under the said components of GMS shall not be accepted with effect from March 26, 2025. However, the existing deposits under MLTGD shall continue till redemption as per extant guidelines of GMS issued vide Reserve Bank Master Direction No. DBR.IBD.No.45/23.67.003/2015-16 dated October 22, 2015 (as updated).

    Further, the Short-Term Bank Deposits (STBD) offered by the banks under GMS shall continue at the discretion of the individual banks based on the commercial viability as assessed by them. The detailed guidelines of Reserve Bank in this regard shall follow.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till 28.2.2025 across the country

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till 28.2.2025 across the country

    For smooth supply and product availability at JAKs, an end-to-end IT-enabled supply chain system has been established; It comprises one central warehouse at Gurugram and four regional warehouses at Bengaluru, Guwahati, Chennai and Surat

    Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 7:02PM by PIB Delhi

    Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till 28.2.2025 across the country, the State- and Union-territory-wise numbers of which are at Annexure.

    Lack of availability of medicines to JAKs is not a systemic issue. For smooth supply and product availability at JAKs, an end-to-end IT-enabled supply chain system has been established. It comprises one central warehouse at Gurugram and four regional warehouses at Bengaluru, Guwahati, Chennai and Surat. Further, 36 distributors have been appointed across the country to strengthen the supply chain system. Availability of 400 fast-moving products is monitored regularly to ensure their availability. Further, a minimum stocking mandate has been implemented for 200 medicines consisting of the 100 top-selling medicines in the scheme product basket and 100 fast-selling medicines in the market. Under the stocking mandate, the Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners become eligible for claiming incentive based on stocks of the said 200 medicines maintained by them. Thus, supply of medicines to JAKs is ensured through the system of warehouses and distributors and monitoring system and incentives are in place to encourage JAKs to stock the products that are more in demand. JAKs being run on an entrepreneurship model, the actual stocking of products is done by entrepreneurs based on demand for the same.

    To safeguard against complaints about the quality of medicines sold from JAKs, stringent measures as specified below are in place to ensure that the medicines supplied through Jan Aushadhi Kendras meet standards:

    1. Medicines are procured only from suppliers certified for World Health Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP).

    2. Each batch of drugs supplied under the scheme is tested at laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and only after passing quality tests, medicines are dispatched to Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

    3. Quality audit of the facilities of vendors is routinely done by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India.

    Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) opened till 28.2.2025

    S. No.

    State / Union Territory

    JAKs opened

    1

    Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    9

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    275

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    34

    4

    Assam

    170

    5

    Bihar

    812

    6

    Chandigarh

    11

    7

    Chhattisgarh

    278

    8

    Delhi

    492

    9

    Goa

    15

    10

    Gujarat

    760

    11

    Haryana

    408

    12

    Himachal Pradesh

    71

    13

    Jammu and Kashmir

    318

    14

    Jharkhand

    148

    15

    Karnataka

    1,425

    16

    Kerala

    1,528

    17

    Ladakh

    2

    18

    Lakshadweep

    1

    19

    Madhya Pradesh

    545

    20

    Maharashtra

    708

    21

    Manipur

    54

    22

    Meghalaya

    25

    23

    Mizoram

    15

    24

    Nagaland

    22

    25

    Odisha

    682

    26

    Puducherry

    33

    27

    Punjab

    489

    28

    Rajasthan

    486

    29

    Sikkim

    11

    30

    Tamil Nadu

    1,363

    31

    Telangana

    199

    32

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    39

    33

    Tripura

    28

    34

    Uttar Pradesh

    2,658

    35

    Uttarakhand

    313

    36

    West Bengal

    630

    Total

    15,057

     

    This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in written reply to a question today.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: $690 million for critical road projects in South Australia

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future, and investing in the transport infrastructure that South Australians need.  

    The 2025-2026 Federal Budget delivers funding for three new projects including: 

    • $525 million for the High Productivity Vehicle Network (HPVN)
    • $125 million for the Curtis Road Level Crossing Removal
    • $40 million for Main South Road upgrade – Myponga to Yankalilla

    The HPVN will deliver upgrades between the South Eastern Freeway and Sturt Highway such as the duplication of the Swanport Bridge and Murray Bridge Township Bypass in Monarto. 

    The project will provide the necessary infrastructure to enable higher productivity vehicles to bypass Adelaide resulting in fewer trips with reduced vehicle carbon emissions, increased freight efficiency and improved safety for all road users.

    Removal of the Curtis Road Level Crossing in Munno Para in northern Adelaide will eliminate the need for road traffic to interact with the Gawler passenger rail line.

    The project will improve safety and support the significant housing development in the region, improving residents’ access to employment, education and recreational services by reducing road and rail network conflicts. The project will also improve travel times within the northern growth area of Adelaide.

    The Main South Road upgrade – Myponga to Yankalilla will deliver critical safety improvement works along Main South Road between Myponga and Yankalilla, including:

    • two new overtaking lanes
    • targeted curve easing and road widening; and 
    • widening narrow bridges and culverts

    Its completion will create a safer environment for all road users in the area.  

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

    “In this Budget, the Albanese Government is investing in infrastructure in South Australia – in the projects that are needed to make our roads safer, our freight networks more resilient and our transport links better serve communities. 

    “Our Government is committed to working with the Malinauskas Labor Government are get these projects done.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost:

    “I have been advocating for appropriate and safer traffic solutions for years, in fact since before I was elected. The Liberals, including the previous Member for Boothby, made a complete mess of it, cancelling Globelink and proposing an unsafe inadequate alternative. 

    “Through the investment in this Budget, and these critical new projects, Labor is building South Australia’s future.”

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  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Melbourne startup HiveKeepers transforms the future of backyard beekeeping worldwide with clean, fast, zero-waste honey extraction

    Source: HiveKeepers

    Melbourne, Australia – Australian startup HiveKeepers has officially launched the Micro Honey Harvester, a world-first innovation designed to revolutionise honey harvesting for backyard and small-scale beekeepers.

    Launching today on Kickstarter, this groundbreaking benchtop device makes it possible to extract fresh, pure honey from the hive in under five minutes—without bulky equipment, sticky messes, or disruption to the bees.

    “We’re not changing the ancient art of beekeeping – but for the first time, we’ve taken the difficult labour out of harvesting and made fresh honey instantly accessible for anyone, anytime” said Simon Mildren. Founder of HiveKeepers.

    A World-First Innovation for Backyard Beekeepers

    The Micro Honey Harvester is a compact, purpose-built system that works with HiveKeepers’ patent-pending frame and cassette technology. Replacing a traditional Langstroth frame inside the hive, the cassette is filled naturally by the bees.Once full, the beekeeper simply removes the cassette, inserts it into the Micro Honey

    Harvester, and with the push of a button, honey is extracted in just 20 seconds – clean, unprocessed, and ready to enjoy.

    No knives. No filters. No sticky clean-up. Just pure honey, harvested at home with minimal effort.

    Why the Micro Honey Harvester Matters

    ● Instant Honey Extraction – From hive to jar in under 5 minutes

    ● No Filtering – A completely closed system with no debris and no processing

    ● Bee-Friendly Design – Minimal hive disruption and no harm to bees

    ● Compact & Portable – About the size of a small coffee machine, ideal for benchtop or bee yard use

    ● Eliminates Honey Fraud – Pure, traceable honey straight from your hive.

    “Beekeepers have long been stuck using harvesting tools built for commercial operators,” Mildren added. “This is the first time a solution has been created specifically for backyard beekeepers – making the experience simple, clean, and more rewarding.”

    Designed in Australia, Built for the World

    The Micro Honey Harvester is 100% Australian designed and made, with global interest already building ahead of launch. Developed in collaboration with industrial designers and experienced beekeepers, it supports smaller, more frequent harvests – giving beekeepers more time to focus on hive health and bee care.

    HiveKeepers believes this innovation will have a global impact, reshaping how hobbyists engage with honey production while supporting sustainable beekeeping practices worldwide.

    “This is just the beginning,” says Mildren. “Our vision is a future where harvesting honey is as easy and accessible as making coffee from a pod, no mess, no stress, no waste.”

    Kickstarter Campaign Now Live

    The Micro Honey Harvester is now available for pre-order via Kickstarter (RRP$424 USD $674 AUD), with early access and limited-edition rewards available to backers worldwide.

    The company expects strong demand from international hobbyists, educators, sustainable farming communities, and bee health advocates.Visit HiveKeepers: www.hivekeepers.com

    About HiveKeepers

    Founded in Melbourne, Australia, HiveKeepers is on a mission to make beekeeping more accessible, sustainable, and rewarding for everyday people. By designing innovative tools like the Micro Honey Harvester, HiveKeepers is empowering a new generation of hobbyist beekeepers around the world – one hive at a time.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Announces Nearly $500,000 for Public Housing Authorities in Bangor, Presque Isle

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that public housing agencies in Bangor and Presque Isle have been awarded a total of $494,592 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Grant program.

    “The dedicated staff at housing authorities throughout Maine work hard to link seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals and families with an array of programs to improve living conditions and achieve economic independence,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will allow the Bangor and Presque Isle Housing Authorities to retain service coordinators who connect residents of public housing with supportive services and training.”

    The grant funding is allocated as follows:

    1. Presque Isle Housing Authority – $249,150
    2. Bangor Housing Authority – $245,442

    HUD’s ROSS program provides funding to hire and maintain service coordinators who assess the needs of residents of conventional public housing and coordinate available resources in communities to meet those needs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: The Republican Recession is becoming more and more likely

    Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – March 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar joined Vice Chair Ted Lieu for a press conference on the economy heading towards a recession while House Republicans stay silent.

    CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. I’m always pleased to be joined with the Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Ted Lieu. We just left a successful Caucus meeting and had a productive conversation today. Many of our Members will be heading to Tucson tomorrow to pay respects for our colleague, Raul Grijalva. His legacy for clean air, clean water and a strong economy for working people will be greatly missed. 

    House Democrats spent last week talking to our constituents back home, and despite Donald Trump’s promise to lower costs that they face, it has not become any easier for anyone to buy groceries. Tariffs are making everyday goods more expensive, and illegal cuts are threatening the services that people rely on. And it’s clear: the Republican recession is becoming more and more likely, and it will make things even worse. The cost of living will be too high, and we’ll start to see more layoffs. People will lose their jobs, potentially their homes and their health care. And the Republican budget, cutting $880 billion from Medicaid, will make health care more expensive, especially for people who are out of work because of the Republican recession. 

    It didn’t have to be this way. Donald Trump inherited a growing economy and falling inflation, but in eight weeks, he’s made it worse across the board. Meanwhile, House Republicans are turning a blind eye to the economy while it’s going off the cliff. House Democrats are focused on bringing down the cost of living and stopping these Republican cuts to Medicaid. Vice Chair Ted Lieu.

    VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chairman Aguilar. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should resign. 

    He recklessly texted operational details of military strikes, including time, place, location and sequencing of those strikes, to a journalist. Had that information gotten to the Houthis, American pilots could have been shot down, Navy sailors could have been targeted. His reckless actions endanger the lives of American troops, endanger our national security, and makes it so that our allies don’t want to share sensitive classified information with us anymore.
     
    In addition, Signal is not approved for government use, especially for this kind of use. Before entering politics, I had a secret security clearance. I served active duty in the U.S. military, and when you go to a secure facility, the first thing they make you do is they make you put your phones outside the facility. So, you can’t have our top national security professionals using an app that’s commercially available and not authorized for this use to be discussing these kinds of war plans. They never should have been on that Signal chat to begin with, and they made it worse by having a journalist on that chat. These are reckless actions by the Secretary of Defense, and he also made it worse. Instead of accepting responsibility, he lied to the American people. He said this was all a hoax when confronted by a reporter while the White House confirmed that these Signal chats were authentic. Instead of apologizing to the American people, Hegseth lied to the American people. The cover-up is even worse—actually, I don’t think the cover-up is worse. This whole thing is really, really bad. It shows how not serious these national security professionals take our national security. Hegseth needs to resign, and everyone on that text chain needs to go take some courses on how to deal with national security and classified information.

    Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: True North Mortgage Welcomes 25+ Former Rocket Mortgage Canada Employees, Expands Windsor and Quebec Presence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — True North Mortgage, one of Canada’s largest mortgage brokerages, today announced the strategic hiring of over 25 former Rocket Mortgage Canada employees. This move significantly bolsters its team and reinforces its commitment to the Canadian mortgage market. This move follows the recent announcement of Rocket Mortgage Canada’s closure of operations.

    True North Mortgage is pleased to provide employment opportunities to nearly two-thirds of Rocket Mortgage Canada’s front-line mortgage professionals. The company will also maintain an office presence in Windsor, Ontario, ensuring continuity for employees and contributing to the local economy. In addition, the hiring of experienced former Rocket mortgage professionals in Montreal marks True North’s entry into the Quebec market, expanding its reach and service offerings to French-speaking Canadians.

    “As a 100% Canadian company, investing in these salaried jobs to support the next stage of our growth makes perfect sense, and we’re excited to welcome these highly skilled and experienced mortgage agents to the True North Mortgage family,” said Amanda Magee, Chief Growth Officer of True North. “Their expertise and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to provide Canadians with tailored mortgage solutions. We are confident they will thrive in our dynamic and supportive environment.”

    True North’s proactive recruitment approach aligns with its ambitious growth plans. The company aims to add 30 new mortgage agents in 2025 and is delighted to have achieved this goal ahead of schedule with the addition of such capable and well-trained professionals.

    “We recognize the challenging circumstances faced by the former Rocket Mortgage Canada team and can appreciate the hurdles shouldered by their senior leadership,” said Dan Eisner, CEO of True North. “They built a strong and talented team in a highly competitive market, and we commend their efforts. We are honoured to provide a new home for many of their exceptional employees.”

    True North Mortgage is committed to providing Canadians from coast to coast with transparent, unbiased, and expert mortgage advice. Focusing on technology and personalized service, the company continues to lead the industry in innovation and client satisfaction.

    About True North Mortgage:

    True North Mortgage is one of Canada’s top mortgage brokerages, offering a wide range of mortgage products and services. Committed to transparency and client service, True North Mortgage empowers Canadians to make informed mortgage decisions that help them save money.

    Contact:

    Cheryl Dawes, Content Manager, True North Mortgage
    cheryl.dawes@truenorthmortgage.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Powhiri at Terenga Paraoa Marae

    Source: New Zealand Governor General

    Kaka Porowini

    Terenga Paraoa

    E te kōpuni kauika kua ū mai,

    tēnei ka mihi.

    Tēnā ra koutou kei āku rangatira

    Nōkū te maringa, ki te haere mai ki roto I a koutou, kei nga uri o Te Whare Tapu o Nga Puhi, o Ngati Hine, o Ngati Wai, o Ngati Whatua,

    Mihi mai!

    Mihi mai!

    Mihi mai!

    Kaka Porowini (wharenui)

    Terenga Paraoa (Marae)

    to the gathering of esteemed ones

    who have arrrived here,

    I greet you my chiefs.

    I am pleased to be able to be amongst you today, the descendants of Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai and Ngāti Whatua.

    Thank you for inviting Richard and me to be here today.

    As you can imagine, my role takes me to all points on the map in Aotearoa. What makes today special is that Te Tai Tokerau is my ahi kaa.

    My story begins with the connections I share with you, and which have sustained me throughout my life. I am grateful for the aroha and support I have received over the years, and I am so proud to be the first Governor-General from Te Tai Tokerau.

    I take inspiration from two of my predecessors – Sir Jerry Mateparae and Sir Paul Reeves – who was the first Māori in this role.

    Like them, I too come from a modest background. I hope our stories show what’s possible.

    No career path can really prepare a Governor-General for the unique constitutional and ceremonial duties we undertake. These include dissolving Parliament as per our constitution, swearing in new governments and opening a new Parliament after elections.

    I give Royal assent to legislation passed by MPs in the House, I host investiture ceremonies, formally recognising outstanding New Zealanders for their service to the country. Richard and I have the privilege of welcoming visiting royalty, heads of state and governments along with diplomats – and from time to time, I represent Aotearoa at significant occasions overseas – such as state funerals, coronations, the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

    It’s impossible to fully engage with all 160 of my patronages, but we do try to support them wherever we can.

    I know how important it is to maintain those close and special links with all the people that I represent, including in our realm countries such as the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau and the Ross Dependency.

    Within Aotearoa, I try to visit outside the main centres whenever I can. Last year, our extended visits included communities in Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, and a visit to Rēkohu, the Chatham Islands.

    So much of what is good and just in our communities is due to the efforts of good-hearted people, driven by their sense of service and manaakitanga to others. I know we will meet many more such people over the next few days.

    In this instance, Whangārei is the starting point for a four-day visit that will also include Whangaroa, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.

    I have lived here and worked with some of you, I have close whānau here, and I know something of the challenges and opportunities for nga iwi o Te Tai Tokerau. I welcome this chance to catch up with old friends and hear what’s top of mind for you.

    Over the next few days, I will also make new acquaintances, with people who, in various ways, have seen a need, and have done something about it – whether it be in developing new enterprises, educating tamariki, providing leadership in local government, caring for people with addiction issues, building healthy affordable houses, growing food for their community, or nurturing and celebrating toi Māori.

    I will spend time with our precious tamariki and rangatahi, and listen to what they have to say about their concerns, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.

    In these uncertain times, one thing is certain – and that’s our responsibility to bequeath to our young people the sustainable and prosperous future they deserve.

    In my dealings with hapu and iwi in Aotearoa, I see a renewed kotahitanga – unity of purpose that drives a desire to share their unique contribution with others. New migrants are contributing and enriching our communities, cementing new bonds with our increasingly diverse peoples.

    Iwi Māori are also drawing on the expertise of our tupuna with an understanding of matauranga– and in our dealings with each other ensuring that we reflect our core values such as kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and whakawhanaungatanga.

    By working together to improve the lot of our whanau and communities, we will continue to enrich the country as a whole. Let us celebrate this together.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Kiwis lose faith in job market

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    “The latest Westpac survey shows that New Zealanders continue to feel squeezed by a lacklustre labour market and high cost of living, especially in areas like Auckland,” Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

    “The report shows that New Zealanders are worried about the lack of jobs, pay not keeping up, and feeling less secure in work. That’s the direct result of this Government’s economic mismanagement, which has cost jobs and put pressure on workers.

    “Last week we learned that the construction sector shrank again—down 7.3 percent over 2024—not helped by the Government stopping housing and infrastructure projects. That’s cost thousands of jobs and pushed affordable housing even further out of reach. This week, we’re learning that many businesses are not looking to hire, even if demand starts to tick up.

    “Kiwis don’t feel better off because they aren’t. National talks about growth, but what they’re delivering is cuts, layoffs, and aren’t helping people with the cost-of-living like they promised. If they were serious about rebuilding the economy, they’d invest in jobs, health, and housing, not slash public services while families struggle to make ends meet,” Barbara Edmonds said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech and Security – New Zealand Sextortion Threats Up 137%

    Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners

    Sextortion Scams More Threatening in 2025, Fueled by AI-Powered Attacks and Data Breaches

    AUCKLAND, 25 March 2025 – Sextortion scams are becoming more common – and more threatening – as cybercriminals exploit artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale data breaches to develop highly convincing scams. A recent analysis by Avast, a leader in digital security and privacy and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), found that in 2025 so far, the risk of being targeted with sextortion scams in the NZ has risen 137%.

    New Zealand is not alone: Avast researchers are seeing countries around the world being impacted by these highly manipulative scams. In the US, the likelihood of being targeted by sextortion scammers also increased 137% in the first few months of 2025. The UK and Australia’s risk rose 49% and 34% respectively. Avast also revealed the top 10 countries most vulnerable to these scams, with Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, Italy, Australia, UAE, the UK, Switzerland and Czech Republic facing the highest risk ratios for sextortion in the last calendar year.

    New Threatening and Intrusive Tactics

    Criminals are refining their tactics, thanks to the help of AI and a wealth of personal data available from recent large-scale breaches. As the sophistication of AI increases, so do the explicit extortion emails scammers are sending. AI is being used by scammers to create ‘deepfake’ images, fake explicit photos created by superimposing a victim’s face onto another body, coupled with threatening messages to distribute them.

    Michal Salat, Threat Intelligence Director for Avast comments: “Our analysis reveals that sextortion victims frequently receive threatening messages claiming access to their private videos and images. These scams are made even more convincing with the use of stolen passwords from past data breaches, lending an alarming sense of credibility.”

    “Fear of exposure, especially when personal details appear accurate, often pressures victims into complying with ransom demands. However, we strongly advise against engaging with these scammers, no matter how real the threats may seem.”

    One of the latest techniques used by cybercriminals involves Google Maps and is designed to employ a more invasive and personalised approach that can really shock and intimidate their victims into complying with demands.

    Criminals – utilizing names, addresses, and emails readily available on the Dark Web due to data breaches – can create very targeted emails to victims containing fabricated footage and unsettling information and images of their real homes. Scammers will also claim to have gained access to victims’ devices to extort their victims by threatening to share sexual content or information about them. Cybersecurity experts at Avast have identified over 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets associated with the Google Maps scam, though the scope of the operation is likely much larger.

    Avast experts emphasise the importance of proactive protection against sextortion scams and urge people to never engage with messages that could be from scammers. The following actions help to combat sextortion efforts:

    • Do not pay ransom demands or respond to threats.
    • Do not engage with these emails, texts or calls or open any associated PDF attachments.
    • Always report such crimes to the relevant cybercrime units including the NZ Police and Netsafe for support.
    • Use a reputable password manager to ensure unique passwords for all accounts and prevent reuse.
    • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to enhance account security.
    • Monitor your data for breaches by using dark web monitoring services, through products such as Avast Secure Identity, to be alerted when personal information is exposed so you can act quickly to help protect your accounts.
    • Do not panic – stay informed and take action to secure your accounts.

    As sextortion scams become more advanced, it is crucial for individuals to remain cautious and take steps to safeguard their digital privacy. Public awareness and vigilance remain critical in combating these threats.

    For more information, visit https://www.avast.com/

    About Avast
    Avast is a leader in digital security and privacy, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Avast protects hundreds of millions of users from online threats, for Mobile, PC or Mac and is top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Learn more at Avast.com. Visit: www.avast.com.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville to Lead First Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee Hearing with Service Academy Superintendents

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    Tuberville to focus on making sure our service academies are educating and training future military leaders, not indoctrinating them
    WASHINGTON – As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) will lead a hearing tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26, with the superintendents of the U.S. military academies. This is the first time in over 30 years that the service academy superintendents have testified before Congress. In his role as Personnel Chairman, Senator Tuberville is laser-focused on ensuring that military academies are aligned with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s vision of focusing on lethality, not woke politics.
    Last week, President Trump announced he was appointing Senator Tuberville to serve on the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
    Senator Tuberville released the following statement ahead of the hearing:
    “Our Service Academies are responsible for educating and training the next generation of military leaders who will protect our interests at home and abroad. Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, woke propaganda made its way into our military, including our service academies. The American people overwhelmingly rejected Democrats’ divisive DEI ideology on November 5th. Now with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth at the helm, our military is shifting its focus back to lethality and merit, not woke politics.  
    Tomorrow’s hearing is an opportunity for superintendents to show American taxpayers what they are doing to implement President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s plan for our service academies. At the end of the day, these institutions are taxpayer-funded and should be 100% focused on educating and training war fighters, not pushing a political agenda. I look forward to tomorrow’s hearing.”
    Witnesses include:
    Lieutenant General Steven Gilland, Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy
    Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy
    Lieutenant General Tony Bauernfeind, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy
    Livestream the hearing here at 2:30pm ET/1:30pm CT.
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Lendmark Financial Services Opens its 54th Georgia Branch in Vidalia, Marking its Eighth Portfolio Branch Opening in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIDALIA, Ga., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its Georgia footprint, opening a new branch in Vidalia.

    The branch is located at 2339 E. 1st Street and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Margaret Argo, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs.

    “Our very first Lendmark branch opened in Georgia in 1996 and 29 years later we are still expanding right where we started. Continued growth in Georgia shows the tremendous impact we make by focusing on delivering the tailored loan solutions our customers need to meet planned and unplanned life events,” said Jerry Sharp, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. “Our Georgia branch openings and overall branch growth demonstrate an ongoing need for diverse household financial options for consumers here and throughout the country.”

    In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses’ customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 912-386-7300.

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

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

    About Lendmark Financial Services
    Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 515 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Human Rights and Sport – Global: FIFA must recognize, support Afghan Women’s team in exile

    Source: Amnesty International

    New Report Details Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for Right to Play

    (Amsterdam, March 25, 2025) – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should act to stop the ongoing discrimination against Afghan women footballers living in exile and facilitate their return to international competition, the Sport & Rights Alliance said in a report released today.

    In two days, the Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team (AWNT) will be absent from the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers draw, which feeds into qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup – marking the second World Cup-qualifying cycle from which the team has been excluded since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

    “Though the Afghanistan Women’s National Team escaped the Taliban in 2021, the shadow of systematic gender discrimination continues to follow them across borders, denying them their rightful place on the international stage,” said Samira Hamidi, South Asia campaigner at Amnesty International. “Amnesty, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and other civil society organizations, has called for the Taliban’s gender persecution to be investigated as crimes against humanity.”

    The new Sport & Rights Alliance report, titled “’It’s not just a game. It’s part of who I am’: Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for the Right to Play,” details how the Afghan women’s team, a symbol of women’s empowerment in post-Taliban Afghanistan, was specifically targeted for reprisals when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The report documents that dozens of Afghan women footballers who were evacuated to countries including Australia, Portugal, Albania, the United Kingdom and the United States remain eager and ready to represent Afghanistan in international competition.

    “Right now, the game is at halftime, and the Taliban think they are winning,” said Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and Girl Power Organization. “If FIFA would change its rules and let us play, we could show the world that Afghan women and girls belong in sport, in school and everywhere in society – and we will not be defeated.”

    FIFA regulations currently require the team to receive recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation, which will not recognize a women’s football team due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports. For more than three years, the Afghan women’s team players and their supporters have campaigned for FIFA to intervene and provide them with the official recognition and financial support denied to them by Afghanistan.

    In response to a letter from the Sport & Rights Alliance requesting comment on the report, FIFA shared on 21 March that a plan has been developed to provide football opportunities for Afghan women both within and outside the country, but did not say whether they intend to officially recognize the AWNT or how specific funding would be allocated.

    “The Afghanistan Women’s National Team has shown remarkable resilience since its establishment – even in the face of harassment, abuse and death threats, and being forced to leave their homes and build new lives in cities all over the world,” said Joanna Maranhão, network coordinator for the Sport & Rights Alliance’s Athletes Network for Safer Sports. “Restoring the AWNT’s ability to access training facilities and resources to play and represent their country would be an important form of remedy, as required under international human rights law.”

    The FIFA Statutes and Human Rights Policy prohibit discrimination of any kind, including gender discrimination, and commits the global sport governing body to promoting women’s football. The FIFA Statutes mandate that all member associations comply with the organization’s regulations, including the obligation to prevent and oppose discrimination and to promote women’s football. Member associations may face sanctions for any violations of these obligations.

    “Afghan women footballers’ ability to play internationally depends entirely on intervention from FIFA,” said Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance. “FIFA’s letter in response to our report laid out their strategy to support Afghan women. It is great to hear that FIFA is working to promote playing opportunities for the players, but we remain hopeful that they will decide to officially recognize the team and allocate financial support as it does to other member associations.”

    The Sport & Rights Alliance also said that FIFA should provide financial support for the women’s team to train and participate in international competitions, as it does with other member associations. Through the FIFA Forward Development Programme for instance,  each of FIFA’s 211 member associations are currently entitled to up to $9.2 million over a four-year period.

    The Afghan team’s campaign has garnered global attention and support over the last three years, including from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and nearly 200,000 people who have signed a Change.org petition urging FIFA to recognize the team in exile.

    “For these athletes, football is not only their passion but a fundamental act of resistance against the Taliban – an act of solidarity with their sisters still living in Afghanistan,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “FIFA’s recognition of and support for the team would be a powerful statement that Afghan women’s rights cannot be erased.”

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did recognize an Afghan Olympic Committee in exile for the 2024 Paris Olympics, enabling Afghan women athletes to compete despite Taliban restrictions. Several UN experts called this move from the IOC a “welcome start,” but called on international and national sports bodies to do more to push back against the Taliban’s oppressive policies and “support female Afghan athletes wherever they are.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Niger: Mosque attack which killed 44 should be ‘wake-up call’, says rights chief

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday condemned the recent attack on a mosque in Kokorou village, in western Niger, in which at least 44 worshippers were killed and 20 injured.

    On 21 March, assailants from the so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) – an ISIL affiliate – surrounded Fambita Mosque and randomly shot at worshippers, according to a statement from Niger’s defence ministry. They then reportedly set a market and several homes on fire.

    “The egregious attack on the Fambita Mosque – during Friday prayers in the last 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – was clearly intended to cause as many civilian casualties as possible”, said Mr Türk.

    This is “in stark violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law,” he emphasised, adding that an impartial investigation should be instituted to bring those responsible to justice.

    Regional insecurity

    The attack came in the context of a general deterioration in the security situation in the wider Sahel region.

    In recent years, the Sahel has seen a major uptick in violence, following the expansion of armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL terrorist groups which took over territory in north Mali following the 2012 Tuareg rebellion there.

    Since then, the violence has spread into neighbouring countries, Niger and Burkina Faso, and more recently into some other coastal West African nations.

    UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed characterised the Sahel as “ground zero” for one of the most brutal security crises in the world.

    Despite efforts by Member States, terrorism-related deaths in the region have reportedly soared past 6,000 for three consecutive years, making up more than half of all global fatalities.

    ‘A wake-up call’

    Mr. Türk said the “calculated assault” on Fambita Mosque should be a wake-up call to all – including the international community – “as to the seriousness of the situation and the widening risks faced by civilians in Niger.”

    Governments in the region have continued to struggle with restoring security. This contributed to two military coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023 – all remain under military rule despite regional and international pressure to hold elections.

    The High Commissioner called on the Nigerien authorities to take “concrete and meaningful steps” to improve security for civilians and called on them to take effective measures to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

    He said it was essential that authorities involve the affected communities in efforts towards finding a durable solution to the ongoing human rights crisis in the country. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Team Wins 2024 Collier Trophy

    Source: NASA

    The innovative team of engineers and scientists from NASA, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, and more than 40 other partner organizations across the country that created the Parker Solar Probe mission has been awarded the 2024 Robert J. Collier Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). This annual award recognizes the most exceptional achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles in the previous year.   
    “Congratulations to the entire Parker Solar Probe team for this well-earned recognition,” said NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro. “This mission’s trailblazing research is rewriting the textbooks on solar science by going to a place no human-made object has ever been and advancing NASA’s efforts to better understand our solar system and the Sun’s influence, with lasting benefits for us all. As the first to touch the Sun and fastest human-made object ever built, Parker Solar Probe is a testament to human ingenuity and discovery.”

    On Dec. 24, 2024, Parker Solar Probe made its closest approach to the Sun, passing deep within the Sun’s corona, just 3.8 million miles above the Sun’s surface and at a top speed of close to 430,000 mph, ushering in a new era of scientific discovery and space exploration.
    “This award is a recognition of the unrelenting dedication and hard work of the Parker Solar Probe team. I am so proud of this team and honored to have been a part of it,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. “By studying the Sun closer than ever before, we continue to advance our understanding of not only our closest star, but also stars across our universe. Parker Solar Probe’s historic close approaches to the Sun are a testament to the incredible engineering that made this record-breaking journey possible.”
    Three novel aerospace technology advancements were critical to enabling this record performance: The first is the Thermal Protection System, or heat shield, that protects the spacecraft and is built to withstand brutal temperatures as high as 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The Thermal Protection System allows Parker’s electronics and instruments to operate close to room temperature.
    Additional Parker innovations included first-of-their-kind actively cooled solar arrays that protect themselves from overexposure to intense solar energy while powering the spacecraft, and a fully autonomous spacecraft system that can manage its own flight behavior, orientation, and configuration for months at a time. Parker has relied upon all of these vital technologies every day since its launch almost seven years ago, in August 2018.
    “I am thrilled for the Parker Solar Probe team on receiving this well-deserved award,” said Joe Westlake, director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters. “The new information about the Sun made available through this mission will improve our ability to prepare for space weather events across the solar system, as well as better understand the very star that makes life possible for us on Earth.”
    Parker’s close-up observations of solar events, such as coronal mass ejections and solar particle events, are critical to advancing our understanding of the science of our Sun and the phenomena that drive high-energy space weather events that pose risks to satellites, air travel, astronauts, and even power grids on Earth. Understanding the fundamental physics behind events which drive space weather will enable more reliable predictions and lower astronaut exposure to hazardous radiation during future deep space missions to the Moon and Mars.
    “This amazing team brought to life an incredibly difficult space science mission that had been studied, and determined to be impossible, for more than 60 years. They did so by solving numerous long-standing technology challenges and dramatically advancing our nation’s spaceflight capabilities,” said APL Director Ralph Semmel. “The Collier Trophy is well-earned recognition for this phenomenal group of innovators from NASA, APL, and our industry and research partners from across the nation.”
    First awarded in 1911, the Robert J. Collier Trophy winner is selected by a group of aviation leaders chosen by the NAA. The Collier Trophy is housed in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
    “Traveling three times closer to the Sun and seven times faster than any spacecraft before, Parker’s technology innovations enabled humanity to reach inside the Sun’s atmosphere for the first time,” said Bobby Braun, head of APL’s Space Exploration Sector. “We are all immensely proud that the Parker Solar Probe team will join a long legacy of prestigious aerospace endeavors that redefined technology and changed history.”
    “The Parker Solar Probe team’s achievement in earning the 2024 Collier is a shining example of determination, genius, and teamwork,” said NAA President and CEO Amy Spowart. “It’s a distinct honor for the NAA to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable team that turned the impossible into reality.”
    Parker Solar Probe was developed as part of NASA’s Living With a Star program to explore aspects of the Sun-Earth system that directly affect life and society. The Living With a Star program is managed by the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed, built, and operates the spacecraft and manages the mission for NASA.
    By Geoff BrownJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Eases Floodplain Requirements for Federally Funded Projects, Reducing Burden on American Communities

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    em>The agency revokes implementation of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard following Presidential Executive Order
    WASHINGTON — Today, FEMA announced that it has stopped implementing certain floodplain management requirements for federally funded projects. This action—directed by President Donald J. Trump on his first day in office—reduces administrative burdens on local communities to recover more quickly from disasters.
    The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Policy 206-25-005 (FFRMS) required certain construction projects to adopt a strict standard that addressed flood risk. Stopping implementation will reduce the total timeline to rebuild in disaster-impacted communities and eliminate additional costs previously required to adhere to these strict requirements. 
    Effective March 25, 2025, FEMA-funded projects will not be subject to this standard. FEMA has stopped all implementation activities and policies are no longer in effect.
    In 2015, President Barack Obama created the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and developed a process for further soliciting and considering stakeholder input with Executive Order 13690.  President Trump revoked this standard with Executive Order 13807 in 2017. In 2021, President Joseph R. Biden reinstated the FFRMS through Executive Order 14030 to address climate related financial risk. 
    On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump rescinded the FFRMS in Executive Order 14148: Initial Rescission of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions.
    The FFRMS requirements applied to FEMA direct actions and grant-funded actions under Grant Programs Directorate (GPD), Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA), Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) involving new construction, substantial improvement and repairs to address substantial damage. FEMA’s regulations at Title 44 Part 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands, remain in effect. In determining whether a proposed action for federal funding is in the floodplain, FEMA will use the 1% annual chance (100-year) floodplain and flood elevation for non-critical actions and the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) floodplain and flood elevation for critical actions (such as the construction of fire and police stations or hospitals). 
    Additional information about Executive Order 14148 rescinding the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard:
    Flood Maps and the National Flood Insurance ProgramThe Federal Flood Risk Management Standard had no effect on FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps as it does not apply to the National Flood Insurance Program’s mapping process. In addition, the process of updating or creating a flood map is not impacted by this rescission. 
    The FFRMS did not affect National Flood Insurance Program premium rates or inform mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements.  
    Impacts of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Recission on FEMA Grant ProjectsA Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) documents a project’s environmental review and any applicable project conditions, under FEMA grant programs. For grant recipients, the stop of Federal Flood Risk Management Standard implementation is for all projects that do not have a REC issued as of March 25, 2025, regardless of whether full or partial FFRMS implementation would have applied. 

    For new projects, FEMA will notify applicants that the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard will not apply. The 1% annual chance (100-year) floodplain (non-critical actions) and 0.2% annual chance (500-year) floodplain (critical actions) will be used to determine the floodplain for these projects.
    For pending projects where a Record of Environmental Consideration has not been issued, the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard will not apply. The 1% annual chance (100-year) floodplain (non-critical actions) and 0.2% annual chance (500-year) floodplain (critical actions) will be used to determine the floodplain for these projects.
    For projects with a completed environmental review, if FEMA has issued a Record of Environmental Consideration between 2021-2025 for a project with Federal Flood Risk Management Standard conditions, regardless of whether the project has been obligated, FEMA will take no action and require no action from recipients. If a recipient is interested in amending their project scope of work to remove Federal Flood Risk Management Standard conditions, they should contact their FEMA Regional Office.  If an amendment is requested, FEMA will conduct a new environmental review. 

    For more information about the floodplain management requirements, visit FEMA’s website. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: One Month Left To Apply for FEMA Assistance Following February Severe Storms and Flooding

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: One Month Left To Apply for FEMA Assistance Following February Severe Storms and Flooding

    One Month Left To Apply for FEMA Assistance Following February Severe Storms and Flooding

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    – Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Simpson and Woodford counties who experienced damage or losses caused by the February severe storms and floods have one month to apply for federal disaster assistance

    The deadline to apply for federal assistance is April 25

       Applicants who wish to apply for disaster assistance should have the following information ready for their registration: Social Security number; pre-disaster address of the primary residence; name of all occupants of the pre-disaster household, types of insurance coverage; current telephone number and mailing address; bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of financial assistance, if eligible

    Survivors should keep their contact information updated with FEMA as the agency may need to call to schedule a home inspection or get additional information

    Disaster assistance is not a substitute for insurance and is not intended to compensate for all losses caused by a disaster

    The assistance is intended to meet basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts

    The first step to receive FEMA assistance is to apply

    There are four ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance

    gov, use the FEMA mobile app, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or calling 800-621-3362

    If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service

    For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube

    com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw

    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4860

    Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

    com/femaregion4

    martyce

    allenjr
    Tue, 03/25/2025 – 14:59

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: West Virginian Renters may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: West Virginian Renters may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance

    West Virginian Renters may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance

    CHARLESTON, W

    Va

    – West Virginia renters in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties who experienced losses due to the winter floods from February 15 – 18, 2025 may be eligible for disaster recovery assistance from FEMA and the U

    S Small Business Administration (SBA)

    Renters may be eligible for Individual Assistance grants from FEMA to help with such disaster-related expenses as:Renting a new place to live when the renter’s previous home was significantly damaged or lost due to the disaster

    Disaster-related medical and dental expenses

    Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, such as appliances and furniture; textbooks and computers used by students; and work equipment or tools used by the self-employed

    Repair or replacement of vehicles damaged by the disaster

    Accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security – including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs

    Renters who sustained losses can apply for assistance in several ways:Visiting DisasterAssistance

    gov

    Downloading the FEMA App

    Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

    Phone lines are open every day and help is available in most languages

    If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service

    Speaking with someone in person

    Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams will be on the ground in impacted communities, walking door-to-door to share information and help residents apply for FEMA assistance

    In coordination with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) and officials in impacted counties, FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming Counties

    At a Disaster Recovery Center, you can get help applying for federal assistance, update your application, and learn about other resources available

    Logan County Disaster Recovery CenterMercer County Disaster Recovery CenterSouthern WV Community & Technical College100 College DriveLogan, WV 25601 Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a

    m

    – 6 p

    m

     Saturdays: 9 a

    m

    – 3 p

    m

    Closed Sundays  Lifeline Princeton Church of God250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740 Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a

    m

    – 5 p

    m

    Saturdays: 10 a

    m

    – 2 p

    m

    Closed Sundays Closed April 26McDowell County (Welch) Disaster Recovery Center McDowell County Disaster (Bradshaw) Recovery Center  Board of Education Office900 Mount View High School RoadWelch, WV 24801 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

     Saturday March 29: 9 a

    m

    to 1 p

    m

    , weather dependentClosed on SundaysBradshaw Town Hall10002 Marshall HwyBradshaw, WV 24817 Hours of operation:Monday to Saturday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    Closed SundaysMingo County Disaster Recovery CenterWyoming County Disaster Recovery CenterWilliamson Campus1601 Armory DriveWilliamson, WV 25661 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

     Saturdays: 9 a

    m

    to 3 p

    m

    Closed on SundaysWyoming Court House24 Main AvePineville, WV 24874 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

     Saturdays: 9 a

    m

    to 3 p

    m

    Closed on SundaysDRCs are open to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

    In addition to applying for FEMA assistance, renters can also apply for a U

    S

    Small Business Administration disaster loan

    Residents can apply online at sba

    gov/disaster, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba

    gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance

    Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability should dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay service

    For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd

    wv

    gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4861 and www

    facebook

    com/FEMA

    ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters

    Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account

    Also, follow on X FEMA_Cam

    For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready

    gov, on Instagram @Ready

    gov or on the Ready Facebook page

    kelly

    magarity
    Tue, 03/25/2025 – 13:33

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: West Virginian Renters may be eligible for FEMA assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: West Virginian Renters may be eligible for FEMA assistance

    West Virginian Renters may be eligible for FEMA assistance

    West Virginian Renters may be eligible for FEMA assistanceCHARLESTON, W

    Va

    – West Virginia renters in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties who experienced losses due to the winter floods from February 15 – 18, 2025 may be eligible for disaster recovery assistance from FEMA and the U

    S Small Business Administration (SBA)

    Renters may be eligible for Individual Assistance grants from FEMA to help with such disaster-related expenses as:Renting a new place to live when the renter’s previous home was significantly damaged or lost due to the disaster

    Disaster-related medical and dental expenses

    Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, such as appliances and furniture; textbooks and computers used by students; and work equipment or tools used by the self-employed

    Repair or replacement of vehicles damaged by the disaster

    Accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security – including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs

    Renters who sustained losses can apply for assistance in several ways:Visiting DisasterAssistance

    gov

    Downloading the FEMA App

    Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

    Phone lines are open every day and help is available in most languages

    If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service

    Speaking with someone in person

    Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams will be on the ground in impacted communities, walking door-to-door to share information and help residents apply for FEMA assistance

    In coordination with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) and officials in impacted counties, FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming Counties

    At a Disaster Recovery Center, you can get help applying for federal assistance, update your application, and learn about other resources available

    Logan County Disaster Recovery CenterMercer County Disaster Recovery CenterSouthern WV Community & Technical College100 College DriveLogan, WV 25601Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a

    m

    – 6 p

    m

     Saturdays: 9 a

    m

    – 3 p

    m

    Closed Sundays  Lifeline Princeton Church of God250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a

    m

    – 5 p

    m

    Saturdays: 10 a

    m

    – 2 p

    m

    Closed Sundays Closed April 26 McDowell County (Welch) Disaster Recovery Center McDowell County Disaster (Bradshaw) Recovery Center   Board of Education Office900 Mount View High School RoadWelch, WV 24801Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

     Saturday March 29: 9 a

    m

    to 1 p

    m

    , weather dependentClosed on Sundays Bradshaw Town Hall10002 Marshall HwyBradshaw, WV 24817Hours of operation:Monday to Saturday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

    Closed SundaysMingo County Disaster Recovery CenterWyoming County Disaster Recovery CenterWilliamson Campus1601 Armory DriveWilliamson, WV 25661 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

     Saturdays: 9 a

    m

    to 3 p

    m

    Closed on SundaysWyoming Court House24 Main AvePineville, WV 24874 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

    m

    to 6 p

    m

     Saturdays: 9 a

    m

    to 3 p

    m

    Closed on Sundays DRCs are open to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

    In addition to applying for FEMA assistance, renters can also apply for a U

    S

    Small Business Administration disaster loan

    Residents can apply online at sba

    gov/disaster, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba

    gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance

    Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability should dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay service

    For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd

    wv

    gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4861 and www

    facebook

    com/FEMA

    ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters

    Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account

    Also, follow on X FEMA_Cam

    For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready

    gov, on Instagram @Ready

    gov or on the Ready Facebook page

    kimberly

    fuller
    Mon, 03/24/2025 – 21:30

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Damaged Vehicle Assistance Available for Kentuckians Impacted by February Storms and Flooding

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Damaged Vehicle Assistance Available for Kentuckians Impacted by February Storms and Flooding

    Damaged Vehicle Assistance Available for Kentuckians Impacted by February Storms and Flooding

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    –FEMA may be able to provide financial assistance to help those whose vehicles were damaged due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred February 14 – March 7

    The first step is for survivors to file a claim with their insurance company if they have a comprehensive policy

    This type of policy usually covers storm-related damage to a vehicle

    Federal disaster assistance may help fill the gaps for those whose coverage does not pay for any or all storm-related damage costs

    Apply with FEMA even if you have insurance

    FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled

    To be eligible for FEMA assistance, applicants must meet the following conditions:The vehicle was damaged during the February 14 – March 7 storms within the disaster-designated area

    The applicant can provide proof of ownership of the vehicle with valid registration and title

    The vehicle was in compliance with the commonwealth of Kentucky’s registration and insurance requirements at the time of the disaster

    The applicant has no other usable vehicle

    Applicants with more than one storm-damaged vehicle, must write a statement explaining why the household needs more than one working vehicle

    The statement should include the number of vehicles and an insurance settlement or statement for each vehicle

    How to Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center

    To find your nearest Disaster Recovery Center, visit fema

    gov/drc

    Call FEMA at 800-621-3362

    Multilingual operators are available

    If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service

    Apply at DisasterAssistance

    gov

    Download and use the FEMA app

    Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U

    S

    Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources

    Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at sba

    gov/disaster

    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4860

    Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

    com/femaregion4

    martyce

    allenjr
    Mon, 03/24/2025 – 20:53

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-44 ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS FIGHT TO STOP PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM SHUTTING DOWN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    2025-44 ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS FIGHT TO STOP PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM SHUTTING DOWN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

    Posted on Mar 24, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
     GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    ANNE LOPEZ

    ATTORNEY GENERAL

    LOIO KUHINA

    ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS FIGHT TO STOP PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM SHUTTING DOWN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

     

    AG Lopez Leads Coalition Seeking Preliminary Injunction to Block Mass Layoffs and the Elimination of Core Services at the Department of Education

     

    News Release 2025-44

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

    March 24, 2025

     

    HONOLULU – Attorney General Lopez today led a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction as part of its lawsuit to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education (ED).

     

    On March 13, Attorney General Lopez and the coalition filed the lawsuit after the Trump administration announced plans to eliminate 50 percent of ED’s workforce. Following a March 20 Executive Order directing the closure of ED and President Trump’s March 21 announcement that, in addition to implementing layoffs, the ED must “immediately” transfer student loan management and special education services outside of ED, Attorney General Lopez and the coalition are seeking a court order to immediately stop the mass layoffs and transfer of services.

     

    “The Department of Education is essential, and it cannot be eliminated or incapacitated by the Trump administration without violating federal law,” said Attorney General Lopez. “The 50% cut to the department’s workforce and transfer of department functions to other agencies causes grave harm to our state and our students. We are asking the court to step in to halt the department’s destruction.”

     

    “Closing the U.S. Department of Education is a potentially catastrophic blow to students, especially those who rely on federal aid and support services to access higher education. At the University of Hawaiʻi, this decision threatens over 100 critical programs and hundreds of jobs across our campuses. We strongly support this legal challenge to defend the future of public education and the communities we serve,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel.

     

    “The move to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education threatens critical programs that directly support our students, including those with disabilities, English learners, students experiencing unstable housing, and those in our highest-need schools,” said Hawai‘i Department of Education Superintendent Keith T. Hayashi. “In addition to funding, we rely on the department’s guidance to ensure compliance, plan for the school year, and sustain essential services across the state. Even with assurances that core programs will continue, a shift of this magnitude risks serious disruptions. We appreciate Attorney General Lopez’s leadership in standing up for the stability our schools depend on, and we remain committed to working with our partners to protect educational opportunities for all students.”

     

    As Attorney General Lopez and the coalition assert, the Trump administration’s attacks on ED have already had serious consequences for families and students throughout the country. Mass layoffs of ED staff have led to the closure of ED’s Office for Civil Rights locations throughout the country. Critical funding for state school systems has also been delayed. As the attorneys general argue, states rely on billions of dollars every year in funding for elementary and secondary education, services for children with disabilities, vocational education, adult education, and other crucial services. All of these programs will be severely disrupted if the administration’s incapacitation of ED is not stopped.

     

    Attorney General Lopez and the coalition argue in their lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injunction that the Trump administration’s attacks on ED are illegal and unconstitutional. ED is an executive agency authorized by Congress, with numerous laws creating its various programs and funding streams. The coalition’s lawsuit asserts that the executive branch does not have the legal authority to unilaterally dismantle it without an act of Congress. In addition, the attorneys general argue that ED’s mass layoffs violate the Administrative Procedures Act.

     

    The state of Hawaiʻi is represented in this litigation by Solicitor General Kalikoʻonālani Fernandes, Deputy Solicitors General Ewan Rayner and Caitlyn Carpenter, and Special Assistant to the Attorney General Dave Day.

     

    Joining Attorney General Lopez in filing the lawsuit and today’s motion are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

     

    # # #

     

    Media contacts:

    Dave Day

    Special Assistant to the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

    Email: [email protected]        

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

     

    Toni Schwartz
    Public Information Officer
    Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General
    Office: 808-586-1252
    Cell: 808-379-9249
    Email:     [email protected] 

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Global: FIFA must recognize, support Afghan women’s team in exile

    Source: Amnesty International –

    New Report Details Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for Right to Play

    The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should act to stop the ongoing discrimination against Afghan women footballers living in exile and facilitate their return to international competition, the Sport & Rights Alliance said in a report released today.

    In two days, the Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team (AWNT) will be absent from the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers draw, which feeds into qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup – marking the second World Cup-qualifying cycle from which the team has been excluded since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

    “Though the Afghanistan Women’s National Team escaped the Taliban in 2021, the shadow of systematic gender discrimination continues to follow them across borders, denying them their rightful place on the international stage,” said Samira Hamidi, South Asia campaigner at Amnesty International. “Amnesty, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and other civil society organizations, has called for the Taliban’s gender persecution to be investigated as crimes against humanity.”

    The new Sport & Rights Alliance report, titled “‘It’s not just a game. It’s part of who I am’: Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for the Right to Play,” details how the Afghan women’s team, a symbol of women’s empowerment in post-Taliban Afghanistan, was specifically targeted for reprisals when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The report documents that dozens of Afghan women footballers who were evacuated to countries including Australia, Portugal, Albania, the United Kingdom and the United States remain eager and ready to represent Afghanistan in international competition.

    “Right now, the game is at halftime, and the Taliban think they are winning,” said Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and Girl Power Organization. “If FIFA would change its rules and let us play, we could show the world that Afghan women and girls belong in sport, in school and everywhere in society – and we will not be defeated.”

    FIFA regulations currently require the team to receive recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation, which will not recognize a women’s football team due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports. For more than three years, the Afghan women’s team players and their supporters have campaigned for FIFA to intervene and provide them with the official recognition and financial support denied to them by Afghanistan.

    In response to a letter from the Sport & Rights Alliance requesting comment on the report, FIFA shared on 21 March that a plan has been developed to provide football opportunities for Afghan women both within and outside the country, but did not say whether they intend to officially recognize the AWNT or how specific funding would be allocated.

    “The Afghanistan Women’s National Team has shown remarkable resilience since its establishment – even in the face of harassment, abuse and death threats, and being forced to leave their homes and build new lives in cities all over the world,” said Joanna Maranhão, network coordinator for the Sport & Rights Alliance’s Athletes Network for Safer Sports. “Restoring the AWNT’s ability to access training facilities and resources to play and represent their country would be an important form of remedy, as required under international human rights law.”

    The FIFA Statutes and Human Rights Policy prohibit discrimination of any kind, including gender discrimination, and commits the global sport governing body to promoting women’s football. The FIFA Statutes mandate that all member associations comply with the organization’s regulations, including the obligation to prevent and oppose discrimination and to promote women’s football. Member associations may face sanctions for any violations of these obligations.

    “Afghan women footballers’ ability to play internationally depends entirely on intervention from FIFA,” said Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance. “FIFA’s letter in response to our report laid out their strategy to support Afghan women. It is great to hear that FIFA is working to promote playing opportunities for the players, but we remain hopeful that they will decide to officially recognize the team and allocate financial support as it does to other member associations.”

    The Sport & Rights Alliance also said that FIFA should provide financial support for the women’s team to train and participate in international competitions, as it does with other member associations. Through the FIFA Forward Development Programme for instance,  each of FIFA’s 211 member associations are currently entitled to up to $9.2 million over a four-year period.

    The Afghan team’s campaign has garnered global attention and support over the last three years, including from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and nearly 200,000 people who have signed a Change.org petition urging FIFA to recognize the team in exile.

    “For these athletes, football is not only their passion but a fundamental act of resistance against the Taliban – an act of solidarity with their sisters still living in Afghanistan,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “FIFA’s recognition of and support for the team would be a powerful statement that Afghan women’s rights cannot be erased.”

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did recognize an Afghan Olympic Committee in exile for the 2024 Paris Olympics, enabling Afghan women athletes to compete despite Taliban restrictions. Several UN experts called this move from the IOC a “welcome start,” but called on international and national sports bodies to do more to push back against the Taliban’s oppressive policies and “support female Afghan athletes wherever they are.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Unlawful Expulsions to El Salvador Endanger Lives Amid Ongoing State of Emergency

    Source: Amnesty International –

    In response to the recent unlawful expulsion of 238 Venezuelan nationals from the United States to El Salvador under the allegation that they belong to the criminal group Tren de Aragua, despite a court order barring their removal, Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International, said the following:

    “The expulsion of 238 individuals from the United States to El Salvador, despite a court order explicitly barring their removal, represents not only a flagrant disregard of the United States’ human rights obligations, but also a dangerous step toward authoritarian practices as the Trump administration ignored and is now calling for the firing of a federal judge of the United States Judiciary. This is also a dangerous endorsement of President Bukele’s punitive security agenda.

    The expulsion of 238 individuals from the United States to El Salvador, despite a court order explicitly barring their removal represents not only a flagrant disregard of the United States’ human rights obligations, but also a dangerous step toward authoritarian practices as the Trump administration ignored and is now calling for the firing of a federal judge of the United States Judiciary. This is also a dangerous endorsement of President Bukele’s punitive security agenda

    -Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International

    “According to available public information, the people expelled include individuals who were in the midst of ongoing court processes, were arrested while complying with their immigration obligations, were already granted protections in the United States including under the Convention Against Torture, and were labeled as gang members for their tattoos or connection to the Venezuelan state of Aragua with no other evidence. In fact, even U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have since admitted “many” had no criminal record at all and some were removed because of a perception they may commit crimes in the future. Importantly, these expulsions are not deportations, a legal process defined in U.S. law. They were expelled without removal orders, seemingly to serve an indefinite prison sentence under a system where fundamental human rights are routinely ignored.

    El Salvador under President Bukele has become emblematic of an alarming trend in the Americas—where mass incarceration, unchecked executive power, and the criminalization of marginalized communities are being touted as solutions to crime. Amnesty International has extensively documented the inhumane conditions within detentions centers in El Salvador, including the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), where those removed are now being held. Reports indicate extreme overcrowding, lack of access to adequate medical care, and widespread ill-treatment amounting to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Additionally, Salvadoran organizations have reported more than 300 deaths of individuals while in state custody, some of them showing clear signs of violence. No individual should be subjected to such conditions.

    There is a clear and troubling connection between President Bukele’s so-called “security” model in El Salvador and recent actions taken by the United States regarding migrants and people seeking safety. Both rely on a lack of due process and the criminalization of individuals based on discriminatory criteria (…) These policies are deeply unjust and violate international human rights standards

    -Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International

    There is a clear and troubling connection between President Bukele’s so-called “security” model in El Salvador and recent actions taken by the United States regarding migrants and people seeking safety. Both rely on a lack of due process and the criminalization of individuals based on discriminatory criteria. In El Salvador, this discrimination targets people living in impoverished communities, those with precarious jobs, limited education, or visible tattoos. Similarly, in the United States, Venezuelans fleeing hardship and seeking safety are branded as criminals based upon tattoos, their connection to the State of Aragua in Venezuela, and racist lies about associations with transnational criminal groups originating in their home country. These policies are deeply unjust and violate international human rights standards.

    The principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international human rights law, unequivocally prohibits states from returning, removing, or transferring individuals to any country where they would face a real risk of serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture, or ill-treatment. By removing individuals to El Salvador under these circumstances, the United States has placed them in grave danger and failed to uphold its obligations its legal obligations. Meanwhile, El Salvador must be held accountable for facilitating policies that violate the rights of migrants and people seeking safety. Any subsequent removal of the individuals from El Salvador to Venezuela would also violate the principle of non-refoulement. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on States to ensure that Venezuelans are not deported, expelled or forced to return to Venezuela. Amnesty International has called for an absolute ban on all deportations of individuals to Venezuela given that the country is experiencing a situation of massive human rights violations.   

    On 27 March 2025, El Salvador will reach its third consecutive year under a state of emergency, a regime that has institutionalized patterns of abuse that are now being echoed beyond its borders, further eroding the international human rights framework (…) Rather than condemning these practices, other governments, such as the United States, appear to be emulating them

    -Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International

    What is particularly concerning is that the erosion of due process in El Salvador is now being normalized—both domestically and internationally. Rather than condemning these practices, other governments, such as the United States, appear to be emulating them. This is the dangerous consequence of authoritarian practices becoming systematic and recurring: they evolve from isolated abuses into official state policy. On 27 March 2025, El Salvador will reach its third consecutive year under a state of emergency, a regime that has institutionalized patterns of abuse that are now being echoed beyond its borders, further eroding the international human rights framework.

    Amnesty International urges the government of El Salvador, and all countries throughout the Americas, to resist participation in unjust deportation and removal schemes.

    Amnesty International urges the government of El Salvador, and all countries throughout the Americas, to resist participation in unjust deportation and removal schemes

    -Ana Piquer,  Americas director at Amnesty International

    Salvadoran authorities must urgently restore due process throughout the country and guarantee the human rights, safety, and dignity of all individuals currently detained, including the more than 84,000 people arrested under the ongoing state of emergency. The Salvadoran government must ensure its policies and practices do not facilitate further human rights abuses or place vulnerable individuals at risk.

    We also call on the US government to immediately return those that were illegally removed to El Salvador and halt any subsequent expulsions under this executive order, comply with the decisions of the US Judiciary, and immediately halt all plans for mass detentions and deportations, and reestablish the right to asylum at the United States’ southern border.  

    Amnesty International stands in solidarity with those impacted by this unjust policy and will continue to advocate for the protection of human rights in the Americas and beyond.”

    MIL OSI NGO –