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Category: Justice

  • Justice B.R. Gavai to take oath on Wednesday as 52nd Chief Justice of India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to be sworn in on Wednesday as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on Tuesday after a six-month tenure.

    The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office to Justice Gavai.

    With his elevation, Justice Gavai will become only the second Chief Justice of India from the Dalit community, following Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who served as CJI from 2007 to 2010. His term is scheduled to run until November 23, 2025.

    Born on November 24, 1960, Justice Gavai entered the legal profession in 1985 and began independent practice at the Bombay High Court in 1987, later moving to its Nagpur Bench. He was appointed a judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003 and elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019.

    Justice Gavai comes from a distinguished public service background. His father, Ramakrishna Suryabhan Gavai, was a respected Ambedkarite leader, founder of the Republican Party of India (RPI), and served as a Member of Parliament from Amravati. He also held gubernatorial posts in Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala between 2006 and 2011 under the Congress-led UPA government.

    Justice Gavai’s appointment to the top judicial post is being widely seen as a significant step forward for social inclusion and representation in India’s higher judiciary.

    (With IANS inputs)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez, Davis, DelBene champion bill to reduce child care costs for working families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    In contrast to GOP effort to slash child care funding, this bill increases maximum child care credit by nearly 400 percent

    WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) introduced the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act to permanently expand the child care tax credit. The bill would raise the maximum credit from $1,050 to $4,000 for one child and from $2,100 to $8,000 for two or more children. 

    Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

    “Working parents shouldn’t have to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for their kids,” said Sánchez. “Expanding the child care tax credit will make child care more affordable and accessible, so parents can focus on their work knowing their kids are being cared for.”

    “High-quality, affordable child care is essential to the economic well-being of families, businesses, and our country,” said Rep. Davis. “I am proud to lead the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act that would restore the 2021 credit so that families can receive up to $4,000 for child care for one child or up to $8,000 for two or more children, much better than the almost $600 that the typical family receives currently. This bill would strengthen the financial well-being of families and grow our economy. It is critical that Congress acts now to help working families.”

    “Access to affordable child care is one of the biggest barriers families face. Enhancing the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit will give parents the relief they need by supporting both families and care providers,” said DelBene. “This bill is a commonsense step toward making child care more accessible and affordable for every family.” 

    The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is the only tax credit that helps working parents offset the rising cost of child care. In 2021, Democrats successfully enhanced both the CDCTC and the Child Tax Credit because both credits are essential to support parents’ ability to provide for their families. While 100 percent of the CDCTC reimburses parents for actual child care costs paid to work, parents mostly use the Child Tax Credit to defray other significant costs of caring for a child, such as food, rent, and clothing. 

    As currently structured, the CDCTC unfortunately fails to meet the needs of tens of millions of working families. Very few families receive meaningful benefit from the credit due to the extremely low phase-out level of $15,000, the low expense limits, the non-refundable nature, and the loss of benefit due to inflation. For example, the Tax Policy Center estimates that only 13 percent of families with children claimed the CDCTC in 2022. The Child Care and Dependent Credit Enhancement Act will increase the maximum credit amount to $4,000 per child up to $8,000 for two or more children, expand eligibility to low-income families, make the credit available to married couples who file separately due to high student loan debt, and retain the credit’s value over time by indexing it to inflation. Compared to 2019, low-income working parents quadrupled their credit received in 2021. 

    High-quality, affordable child care is essential to the economic well-being of families, businesses, and our country. Yet, child care places a major financial burden on American families. The price of child care can range from $5,357 to $17,171 per year depending on location and type of care. Astoundingly, the cost of center-based care for two children is more than the average mortgage in 41 states and more than the average annual rent in all 50 states plus DC. Households under the poverty line spend nearly one third of their income on child care, and increases in median child care prices are connected to lower maternal employment rates. Further, the child care crisis hits families of color disproportionately hard. For a single parent who has never been married who is Black, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native, child care can cost 36 percent, 41 percent, or 49 percent of the median income, respectively, compared to only 31 percent for single white parents. Further, Latino and American Indian and Alaska Native parents disproportionately live in child care deserts.

    Statements from Supporting Organizations

    The bill is endorsed by state and national child and worker advocates, including: Center for Law and Social Policy, Child Care Aware of America, Early Care and Education Consortium, First Five Years Fund, First Focus Campaign for Children, MomsRising, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Save the Children, Start Early, Society for Human Resource Management, and ZERO TO THREE.

    “Often conflated with the child tax credit, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is one of the only tax incentives that helps working families with their child care expenses. As the cost of care increases, many families must contend with whether their current job pays enough to justify their child care expenses,” said Radha Mohan, executive director, Early Care and Education Consortium. “For families where one parent must leave the workforce because they cannot afford the cost of care, this often hurts the family from an economic standpoint in the long run. The CDCTC Enhancement Act helps ensure that families do not have to make this choice by providing a credit to offset the cost of care. When paired with programs such as the Child Care and Development Block Grant, this bill will ensure that many families will have reduced their child care costs by over 50 percent.”

    “As almost any working family with young children will tell you, the cost of child care is a major source of financial stress, putting immense pressure on already tight budgets,” said Sarah Rittling,executive director, First Five Years Fund. “The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act would make essential updates to the CDCTC to ensure more parents are able to keep more of what they earn to offset the high cost of care. We are grateful to Reps. Danny Davis, Suzan DelBene, and Linda Sanchez for their leadership and commitment to supporting families with young children.” 

    “For families with young children, the cost of childcare is often unaffordable and impacts their economic opportunity – the cornerstone of child and family well-being. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 is an important effort to update the CDCTC to ensure that more families can offset their child care costs. We are grateful to Rep. Danny Davis and his longstanding efforts to support children and families in his district and across the country, and also extend that appreciation to Reps. Suzan DelBene and Linda Sanchez., said Diana Rauner, president, Start Early.

    “Affordable child care isn’t a luxury – it’s the backbone of our economy,” said Yelena Tsilker, senior government relations and advocacy director, ZERO TO THREE. “Parents of infants now face child care bills that top $16,000 a year – higher than in-state college tuition in many states. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act tackles that crisis head-on by making the CDCTC fully refundable and increasing the maximum credit, so families of every income can choose the high-quality care their babies need. This relief will keep parents in the workforce and help millions of children thrive. We applaud Representatives Davis, DelBene, and Sánchez for championing legislation that hard-working families have long awaited.” 

    The text of the bill is available HERE; a summary of the bill is available HERE. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Defense of the Courts and the University

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

    In Defense of the Courts and the University 

    Rep. Ro Khanna | Yale Law School | 4.15.25

    My return today is not one of nostalgia for good pizza or to relive faded dreams. I chose to come to Yale at a serious moment in the life of our Republic because the Woodward Report, issued by this very institution in 1974, defines the paramount duty of the American university: the defense of free expression and free inquiry.

    There are moments in a mature democracy — dating as far back as the prosecution of Socrates — when institutions must stand firm as guardians of free thought against the roar of the crowd.

    This is such a moment.

    In our nation, a mobocratic spirit — fanned by amoral, ambitious men — threatens not only our constitutional way of life but freedom of thought itself. For generations, American power has been checked by the Constitution and the quiet strength of reasoned debate. Politicians have bowed to the courts and stood before the people — not to silence opposition, but to answer it. 

    But today, a great anger grips the public — burned by years of war, wearied by economic stagnation, and fearful that the foreign-born among us now comprise a larger share of our population than at any point in a century. From this disquiet rises not a call to reform, but to dismantle — to cast off the judges in their robes, the scholars in their gowns, and the press with its inconvenient questions. 

    And at the head of this gathering storm stands JD Vance — calling on the President to defy the Supreme Court, and casting universities like Yale, his alma mater and mine, as the enemy.

    He claims that you here at Yale are being corrupted — taught to reject American values — as if he alone possesses the authority to define what it means to be an American, as if the life of the mind is to be excised from our nation’s story. How far we have fallen from the days when Thomas Jefferson chose not to list the presidency on his epitaph, but instead the founding of a university. 

    Jefferson understood that the life of the mind is as vital to liberty as the laws we live by, and that an educated citizenry is essential for democracy to thrive.

    Now, I remember they don’t teach much black letter law at Yale. But the President must obey court orders is about as basic as it gets. Our whole system depends on the idea that the Constitution gives the courts the power to say what the law is in any given case. In Cooper versus Aaron, the Court held that the “Constitution is the supreme law of the land,” and when specific disputes arise, the judiciary gets to decide what the law requires. In Youngstown, the Court made it clear that President Truman was limited by the Constitution and could not seize steel mills for our national defense during the Korean war because Congress did not give him that power.

    This check on executive power has not only kept the President from becoming a king — it is what has made America the most innovative and dynamic free enterprise economy in the world. We saw the fiasco of a President imposing tariffs on a whim. But imagine if he could go further: launch investigations into companies he disliked, void contracts to punish rivals, deport an immigrant business leader for political gain, or pull funding from scientists and scholars who challenge convention. 

    Those who complain that America suffers from too much regulation certainly would not want the system to be replaced with arbitrary decision making by the state. The United States has been successful because the predictability and stability the rule of law provides for long term economic investment. Unlike other nations, our business leaders do not have to worry about capricious rule changes that benefit political elites or worry about their assets being seized.

    And yet, every day that Vance tweets of defying court orders, he chips away at that trust — the invisible thread that binds our economic, social, and political life. Most recently, he defended the deportation of Abrego Garcia to a notorious Salvadoran prison — even after his own administration called it an “administrative error”. When Americans asked for due process, he answered not with reason, but with feigned rage — accusing us of sympathy for a gang member. Nine Supreme Court justices firmly rejected his claim that Abrego had no legal right to be here.

    To stir up public fury by painting due process as weakness is a timeless danger. Lincoln saw it clearly. In his Lyceum Address, he warned against mob vengeance, saying:

    “When men take it in their heads to hang gamblers or burn murderers, they should recollect that… they will be as likely to hang someone who is neither a gambler nor a murderer.”

    Without due process, Vance is as likely to destroy the life of an innocent man as he is to punish the guilty. And he does not seem to care. But Lincoln cared. He warned: 

    “The innocent… fall victims to the ravages of mob law, and thus it goes on, step by step, till all the walls erected for the defense of the persons and property of individuals, are trodden down, and disregarded.”

    We have been fortunate in our history to have leaders — like Lincoln — who appealed not to fury, but to reason. But we’ve also seen leaders, like Vance, who win public adulation by stoking anger and treating legal limits as nuisances to be ignored. Lincoln’s path is harder, slower — but it is truer to our founding, as it defends the sacred right of the individual over the exercise of impulsive power.

    Now, Vance says the President, elected by the people, should tell the Court what the Constitution means — and if the Court disagrees, let them try to enforce their ruling. That the President, as a co-equal, may simply ignore the Court’s judgment of the law. 

    In Vance’s America, the police can knock on any immigrant’s door, deport him to a dictatorship without due process, and then wash their hands of his fate, pretending that America is powerless to free someone outside our border. They did this with Abrego. They did this with Merwil Gutierrez, a 19 year old Venezuelan, who may have had no criminal record and whose heartbroken father is searching for him in vain . JD Vance, your cold indifference to the lives of vulnerable immigrants mocks every principle that this law school was built to uphold.

    Your affiliation with this law school is now a stain on the degree of every Yale graduate. I hope Yalies –alumni, student, faculty and administrators will have the moral clarity to say so plainly.

    But what about Vance’s argument that courts can be wrong?

    Here again, Lincoln teaches us. He did not accept the abhorrent Dred Scott decision as the final word, recognizing that the decision was destined to be overturned, not through blanket defiance of the judiciary, but through a legal crusade for equality. Lincoln’s reverence for the law did not weaken his moral clarity — it deepened it. He showed that his cause was not mere personal conviction, but rooted in the values and documents etched into the nation’s character. He pursued it through argument, elections, legislation, and new judicial appointments. He didn’t trample the Constitution in the name of justice — he worked through the Constitution to achieve justice. 

    And so must we.

    In our system, there is no Executive sovereignty. No Congressional sovereignty. No Judicial sovereignty. There is only popular sovereignty. The people ultimately decide what the Constitution means and what our laws should be. But that power is channeled through a constitutional framework — where the popular will must express itself through an intricate and deliberate system of elections, legislation, court decisions, appointments, and amendments. When Vance urges the President to defy that framework in the name of a false populism, he does not honor the people’s will — he undermines it. Ours is not a system of brute majoritarianism, but of constitutional self-government. To abandon that is a radical rejection of the very design of the American experiment.

    Vance has not only declared war on the courts — but on the universities. And it is no accident. As Stephen Kotkin observed in his study of Stalin, strongmen do not fear recessions or even failed wars as much as they fear the university. The greatest threat to consolidating power is not resistance — it is alternatives. Vance calls the university the enemy because he knows what lives here: historians, economists, law professors, and scientists who threaten him not with force, but with ideas.

    Why else propose raising the endowment tax from 1.4 to 35%, if not from a deep fear that the ideas presented in lecture halls may take root in the hearts of a new generation? That young Americans might see a nation not of grievance, but of promise. That is what Vance fears most—not rebellion, but the birth of new thinking. 

    If ever there were a moment in our nation’s history for the defense of liberalism — as a defense of free thought and the examined life — it is now. Those who sneer at our universities — who mock thinking, learning, and degrees for cheap applause while credentialing themselves — are engaged in rank hypocrisy. They are gatekeepers of privilege, dissuading their fellow citizens from pursuing for their families the very opportunities they seek for their own children.

    I hope university presidents will find their voice, pledging mutual support to each other, by remembering leaders like Yale’s Kingman Brewster, who stood with student protestors even when donors withdrew their support; Harvard’s James Conant, who resisted McCarthyism in the face of pressure from government and alumni; and Chicago’s Robert Hutchins, who defended the independence of scholarship against the demands of powerful business interests. Their place in history was not secured by the size of the endowment they left behind, but by the ideals they refused to abandon.

    President Garber, you’ve shown courage in standing up to the bullies in the White House. I have no doubt that Harvard—with its legacy of liberty predating the founding of our nation—will prevail over the fleeting ignorance of our time. 

    President McInnis, I hope you will follow his lead.

    And let Brewster, Conan, Hutchins, and Garber be an example for each of you. When  a student is snatched from campus and denied due process, speak up. When  a student protestor is harassed for their viewpoint, stand in their defense. When you are told to keep silent about the need for diversity by a potential employer, walk away.

    Each of us must ask: What, in this hour, are we willing to risk? What is needed is not the towering courage of a Socrates, nor even of my grandfather, who spent four years in jail as part of Gandhi’s movement for Indian independence. What is needed now are the small acts of conscience that together shape the soul of a nation.

    We may not have been able to save the deportation of Abrego or Gutierrez, but the louder we speak, the more of us who speak, the longer we speak, the more we become a human shield against an arbitrary state and resist the cold routinization of injustice. This is the time to stand up for a free society. 

    As for me, I have called out the richest man in the world, who responded by declaring on X that my career is over. I have called out J.D. Vance, who said I was a whiny congressman who disgusts him. But I have no regret.

    In speaking out, we can find direction not only from Woodward’s report celebrating free expression but also from his seminal work on the history of segregation, which Dr. King called the “bible of the civil rights movement.” Woodward reminded us that the path to Jim Crow was not inevitable. What was true of the 1890s is true today. To paraphrase Woodward: “There are still real choices to be made, and alternatives to the course that now threatens us are still available”.

    In times of crisis, this nation has often cast aside the old guard and turned to a new generation for new paths. That we were fortunate to witness Lincoln’s unlikely rise in our darkest hour is perhaps the strongest evidence of providence. The fate of liberal democracy now rests not only with those of us in Congress — it rests with you. It rests on whether you will rise to history’s call.

    I believe you will.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Davids Criticizes Administration’s Proposal to Cut Head Start Programs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids and 89 of her Congressional colleagues criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to eliminate critical Head Start programs that promote early childhood development and ease the burden of child care on working families. Multiple Head Start programs in the Kansas City area have already closed this year.

     

    In a letter to President Donald Trump and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the lawmakers demanded answers from the administration about how they intend to fill the gap left by the potential elimination of Head Start and support students, teachers, and parents who benefit from these investments. 

     

    “A shutdown of Head Start programming would have devastating, far-reaching impacts for nearly half a million children, families and local communities,” the Members wrote. “Over 800,000 children benefit from attending 17,000 Head Start Centers across the country, strengthening their early education and providing developmental screenings.”

     

    “Additionally, the National Head Start Association estimates that more than one million parents who use Head Start and Early Start centers would lose necessary child care, impacting their ability to attend in-person work, causing further workforce disruptions,” the Members continued. “The impacts of these cuts would be generational and long-lasting.”

     

    The Members concluded, “While we share the administration’s goal of rooting out waste and abuse in government, attempting to defund early education programming and indiscriminately attacking our nation’s most vulnerable families is not the appropriate way to increase government efficiency.”

     

    As a first-generation college student who worked her way from Leavenworth High School to Cornell Law School, Davids understands the value of quality education for student success and our overall economy. She has long fought to protect education and child care in Kansas and has been a fierce critic of the administration’s efforts to defund the Department of Education. She has visited multiple Head Start programs in Kansas including Kansas City Kansas Public School’s Successful Beginnings, Family Conservancy, the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Project Eagle, and Olathe Public Schools Head Start.

       

    Students in early childhood education programs are less likely to repeat grades, are 25 percent more likely to graduate high school, and are four times more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in comparison to non-Head Start students. But long-term benefits of Head Start programs are not only limited to educational success. Children in Head Start are healthier and have better social and emotional skills. In adulthood, statistics show that former Head Start students experience greater economic stability and earn higher wages.

    You can read the full letter here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

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    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    • U.S. Residency: Loan applicants must be legal U.S. residents to be eligible for tribal payday loans. Because the loan is only available to U.S. residents, this is important.
    • Steady Income: You must provide proof of steady income. This can include a paycheck from full-time work, yourself as a business owner, disability payments, or any reliable source of income. Tribal loans direct lender guaranteed approval usually needs this as evidence that you can pay back the loan.
    • Bank Account: You will need a valid checking or savings account to receive your funds through direct deposit and for loan payments to be made. This allows for more accurate and quicker transfer of funds.
    • No Credit Check: One great feature of easy tribal loans for bad credit is that there is no credit check. Even if you have bad credit or do not have credit, qualifying for guaranteed tribal loans bad credit is still available.

    The eligibility requirements for tribal installment loans for bad credit direct lenders are uncomplicated. This makes tribal installment loans an attractive way to borrow for anyone that has trouble getting traditional lenders to work with them and their credit score. The eligibility requirements are straightforward and the process allows for quick and easy access to funding without the long waiting, overwhelming obstacles of application, and blurry lines of a credit check.

    Wrapping up

    To sum up, IOnline Payday Loans is definitely one of the best options for tribal loans no credit check if you need fast and reliable financing. Tribal loans direct lender guaranteed approval supports individuals looking for easy access to funds quickly, even if they have poor credit. The process is simple, ensuring the great chance to get approved for one of the easiest tribal loans to obtain.

    Whether you are looking for tribal payday loans or an easy tribal loan for an emergency or other needs, you can trust you will receive fast and efficient service with IOnline Payday Loans. If you are looking for easy tribal loans for bad credit, it is worth it to look into this option.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will I actually be able to get guaranteed tribal loans bad credit?

    Yes, you will be able to get guaranteed tribal loans bad credit with IOnline Payday Loans even if you have bad credit. The process is very simple, and uses a common sense approach to ensure everyone gets a chance; and the best part is that you will not need to submit a credit score, and approval is much faster than traditional loans.

    Will applying for my tribal loan affect my credit score?

    No, your credit score would not be affected by applying for a tribal payday loan with IOnline Payday Loans. Since the decision is based on criteria other than your credit score, you won’t have to be concerned with your score and the loan application and approval.

    Are these loans available in every state?

    IOnline Payday Loans is available in most states, however, loan availability may depend on state regulations. We recommend checking the website or contacting customer support for confirmation on tribal loans no credit check availability.

    Disclaimer: This announcement contains general information about Ionline payday loan services and should not be considered financial advice. Ionline Payday Loans does not guarantee loan approval, and loan terms may vary by applicant and lender requirements. Loans are available to U.S. residents only.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0a448455-0257-4c6f-9380-aed09399ca89

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ10: Non-compliant electrical products

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Shiu Ka-fai and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 14):
     
    Question:
     
    Under the Hong Kong legislation, electrical products supplied in Hong Kong are required to carry a certificate of safety compliance, and energy labels are required to be shown on certain prescribed products supplied in Hong Kong. In the case of regulated electrical equipment, suppliers of such equipment are even required to register with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) as registered suppliers and pay a recycling levy (the levy) to the EPD for the regulated electrical equipment distributed by them. However, it is learnt that quite a number of electrical products purchased online in Hong Kong through cross-border e-commerce platforms have not complied with the requirements of the aforesaid legislation, thus posing potential safety hazards to Hong Kong consumers and causing unfairness to local law-abiding merchants. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the measures taken by the authorities to intercept the import of non-compliant electrical products into Hong Kong in each of the past three years;

    (2) as it has been reported that some cross-border e-commerce platforms intend to set up physical shops in Hong Kong, whereby goods are displayed for customers to experience in person, and customers may conduct transactions on online platforms and have the goods delivered directly by manufacturers outside Hong Kong, whether the authorities have studied if such selling approach has circumvented the existing laws of Hong Kong or if there are grey areas; if it has studied, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; 
    Reply:
     
    President, 
    (1) Since 2019, a Cross-border E-commerce Working Group (the Working Group) was established under the Cooperation Arrangement on Electrical and Mechanical Products Safety and Energy Efficiency between the EMSD and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China. The Working Group focuses on controlling the risks arisen from cross-border e-commerce platforms, including the reporting of unsafe electrical products supplied through these platforms. Upon receiving notifications, the Mainland Authority will conduct follow-up actions according to the case merits, including proactive measures like order interception and product delisting to prevent unsafe electrical products from entering Hong Kong. The EMSD also co-organises annual policy and regulation briefings with the relevant Mainland Authority to explain to cross-border e-commerce platform businesses, electrical product manufacturers, and testing personnel the relevant laws and instructions for the supply of electrical products in Hong Kong, enhancing their understanding of regulations related to exporting household electrical products to Hong Kong. To date, 12 such briefings have been conducted.
     
    Besides, the EMSD has conducted sample checks on 16 types for 180 household electrical products supplied in Hong Kong in the past three years. It also engages third party testing and certification bodies to conduct testing on the relevant safety standards. Around 160 prescribed products were also checked for compliance with the energy efficiency information on the energy label over the same period. If the relevant products are suspected to be in violation of the Regulation or the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance, the EMSD will conduct follow-up investigations.
     
    The EMSD also conducts inspections at retail stores supplying household electrical products, local e-commerce platforms, and their suppliers. Prosecutions will be carried out against non-compliant products. In the past three years, around 14 000 inspections were conducted, uncovering about 230 cases of violations of the Regulations or the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance, which have resulted in fines totalling at around $500,000.
     
    (2) and (3) Regarding the situation described in question (2), the EMSD has maintained communication with cross-border e-commerce platforms in the Mainland to remind them that household electrical products supplied in Hong Kong must comply with the local legal requirements. The EMSD will continue to monitor the operations of these platforms in Hong Kong, consult the Department of Justice regarding potential violations of the Regulations and the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance, and take further actions including prosecution as necessary.
     
    Regarding the recycling levy arrangement, the EPD has noted recent operational models of certain cross-border e-commerce platform may involve the distribution or sale of regulated electrical equipment in Hong Kong. The EPD has approached the relevant platform to understand the situation and explain the relevant regulations. The platform concerned has also submitted to the EPD the applications for supplier registration endorsement of removal service plan. The EPD will continue to monitor the operational models of these platforms in Hong Kong and follow up on suspected violations.
     
    The EPD and the EMSD have established a communication mechanism since 2024 to exchange intelligence on suspected offences relating to the Regulation, the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme and WPRS. A joint enforcement operation was conducted in July 2024, resulting in prosecutions for violations that led to convictions and fines totalling at $22,500 in February 2025. Meanwhile, the EPD regularly inspects suppliers, sellers, and collectors under the WPRS, and has conducted over 1 600 inspections in the past three years, with summons issued to prosecute 28 non-compliant cases.
     
    (4) Over the past three years, the EMSD has not received any reports on unregistered electrical workers installing household appliances arranged by cross-border e-commerce platforms. The EMSD will communicate with cross-border e-commerce platforms about the situation, and will follow up and investigate in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance as necessary.
     
    (5) Having considered the relevant regulatory arrangements in other regions and the need to balance the actual enforcement situations with the prevailing business environment, the Government currently has no plan to amend the relevant regulations to cover the purchase of imported electrical products from cross-border e-commerce platforms and products imported in person. The EMSD will continue to take enforcement actions under a “risk-based” approach, and enhance public awareness of electrical products safety and energy efficiency through education and promotion. The EPD and the EMSD will continue to monitor market developments, review the implementation of the relevant regulations and enhance the enforcement arrangements in response to changing business models.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji Indians in NZ ‘not giving up’ on Pasifika classification struggle

    By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific Waves presenter/producer, and Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor

    The co-founder of Auckland’s Fiji Centre is concerned that Indo-Fijians are not classified as Pacific Islanders in Aotearoa.

    This week marks the 146th anniversary of the arrival of the first indentured labourers from British India to Fiji, who departed from Calcutta.

    On 14 May 1879, the first group of 522 labourers arrived in Fiji aboard the Leonidas, a labour transportation ship.

    That date in 1987 is also the date of the first military coup in Fiji.

    More than 60,000 men, women and children were brought to Fiji under an oppressive system of bonded labour between 1879 and 1916.

    Today, Indo-Fijians make up 33 percent of the population.

    While Fiji is part of the Pacific, Indo-Fijians are not classified as Pacific peoples in New Zealand; instead, they are listed under “Indian” and “Asian” on the Stats NZ website.

    Lasting impact on Fiji
    The Fiji Centre’s Nik Naidu, who is also a co-founder of the Whānau Community Centre and Hub, said that he understood Fiji was the only country in the Pacific where the British implemented the indentured system.

    “It is also a sad legacy and a sad story because it was basically slavery,” he said.

    “The positive was that the Fiji Indian community made a lasting impact on Fiji.

    “They continue to be around 30 percent of the population in Fiji, and I think significantly in Aotearoa, through the migration, the numbers are, according to the community, over 100,000 in New Zealand.”

    Fiji Centre co-founder Nikhil Naidu . . . Girmit Day “is also a sad legacy and a sad story because it was basically slavery.” Image: Asia Pacific Report

    However, he said the discussions on ethnic classification “reached a stalemate” with the previous Pacific Peoples Minister.

    “His basic argument was, well, ethnographically, Fijian Indians do not fit the profile of Pacific Islanders,” he said.

    Then-minister Aupito William Sio said in 2021 that, while he understood the group’s concerns, the classification for Fijian Indians was in line with an ethnographic profile which included people with a common language, customs and traditions.

    Aupito said that profile was different from indigenous Pacific peoples.

    StatsNZ and ethnicity
    “StatsNZ recognises ethnicity as the ethnic group or groups a person self-identifies with or has a sense of belonging to,” Aupito said in a letter at the time.

    It is not the same as race, ancestry, nationality, citizenship or even place of birth, he said.

    “They have identified themselves now that the system of government has not acknowledged them.

    “Those conversations have to be ongoing to figure out how do we capture the data of who they are as Fijian Indians or to develop policies around that to support their aspirations.”

    Girmitiyas – Indentured labourers – in Fiji . . . shedding light on the harsh colonial past in Fiji. Image: RNZ Pacific/Fiji Girmit Foundation

    Naidu believes the ethnographic argument was a misunderstanding of the request.

    “The request is not to say, like Chinese in Samoa, they are not indigenous to Samoa, but they are Samoans, and they are Pacific Chinese.

    “So there is the same thing with Fijian Indians. They are not wanting to be indigenous.

    Different from mainland Indians
    “They do want to be recognised as separate Indians in the Pacific because they are very different from the mainland Indians.

    “In fact, most probably 99 percent of Fijian Indians have never been to India and have no affiliations to India because during the Girmit they lost all connections with their families.”

    However, Naidu told Pacific Waves the community was not giving up.

    “There was a human rights complaint made — again that did not progress in the favour of the Fijian Indians.

    “Currently from . . . Fiji Centre’s perspective, we are still pursuing that.

    “We have also had a discussion with Stats NZ about the numbers and trying to ascertain just why they have not managed to put a separate category, so that we can look at the number of Fijian Indians and also relative to Pacific Islanders.”

    Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told RNZ Pacific that as far as Fiji is concerned, Fijians of Indian descent are Fijian.

    Question to minister
    Last year, RNZ Pacific asked the current Minister for Pacific Peoples, Dr Shane Reti, on whether Indo-Fijians were included in Ministry of Pacific Peoples as Pacific people.

    In a statement, his office said: “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is undertaking ongoing policy work to better understand this issue.”

    Meanwhile, the University of Fiji’s vice-chancellor is asking the Australian and British governments to consider paying reparation for the exploitation of the indentured labourers more than a century ago.

    Professor Shaista Shameem told the ABC that they endured harsh conditions, with long hours, social restrictions and low wages.

    She said the Australian government and the Colonial Sugar Refinery of Australia benefitted the most financially and it was time the descendants were compensated.

    While some community leaders have been calling for reparation, Naidu said there were other issues that needed attention.

    He said it had been an ongoing discussion for many decades.

    “It is a very challenging one, because where do you draw the line? And it is a global problem, the indenture system. It is not just unique to Fiji.

    “Personally, yes, I think that is a great idea. Practically, I am not sure if it is feasible and possible.”

    Focus on what unites, says Rabuka
     Fiji is on a path for reconciliation, with leaders from across the political spectrum signing a Forward Fiji Declaration in 2023, hoping to usher in a new era of understanding between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians.

    Rabuka announced a public holiday to commemorate Girmit Day in 2023.

    In his Girmit Day message this year, Rabuka said his government was dedicated to bringing unity and reconciliation between all races living in Fiji.

    “We all know that Fiji has had a troubled past, as it was natural that conflicts would arise when a new group of people would come into another’s space,” he said.

    “This is precisely what transpired when the Indians began to live or decided to live as permanent citizens.

    “There was distrust as the two groups were not used to living together during the colonial days. Indigenous Fijians did not have a say in why, and how many should come and how they should be settled here. Fiji was not given a time to transit.

    “The policy of indenture labour system was dumped on us. Naturally this led to tensions and misunderstandings, reasons that fuelled conflicts that followed after Fiji gained independence.”

    He said 146 years later, Fijians should focus on what unites rather than what divides them.

    “We have together long enough to know that unity and peace will lead us to a good future.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Nayland Road re-opens

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Nayland Road has reopened following an earlier incident.

    Cordons and lockdowns at nearby schools were lifted at around 3:20pm.

    There is not believed to be any threat to the public following this incident.

    A person has been spoken to, and no further Police action is required.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 14, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 14, 2025.

    Young detainees often have poor mental health. The earlier they’re incarcerated, the worse it gets
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emaediong I. Akpanekpo, PhD Candidate, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Populist rhetoric targeting young offenders often leads to kneejerk punitive responses, such as stricter bail laws and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. This, in turn, has led to more young people being held in detention.

    PNG police authorised to use lethal force with ‘domestic terrorist’ kidnappers as one hostage escapes
    RNZ Pacific An escape of a 13-year-old girl from a hostage crisis on the border of Papua New Guinea’s Western and Hela provinces has boosted hopes for the rescue of her fellow captives. The group of 10 people was taken captive early on Monday morning at Adujmari. PNG Police Commissioner David Manning has called the

    Political parties can recover after a devastating election loss. But the Liberals will need to think differently
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University Australia has just had its second landslide election in a row. In 2022, there was a landslide against the Liberals, but not to Labor, which fell over the line (as a majority

    NZ celebrates Rotuman as part of Pacific Language Week series
    By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist Aotearoa celebrates Rotuman language as part of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ Pacific Language Week series this week. Rotuman is one of five UNESCO-listed endangered languages among the 12 officially celebrated in New Zealand. The others are Tokelaun, Niuean, Cook Islands Māori and Tuvaluan. This year’s theme is, ‘Åf’ạkia

    In Indonesia, Albanese has a chance to reset a relationship held back by anxiety and misperceptions
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hangga Fathana, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has wasted little time taking his first overseas trip since Labor won a historic victory in Australia’s federal election. He’ll head to Indonesia today to meet the country’s new president, Prabowo

    From GPS to weather forecasts: the hidden ways Australia relies on foreign satellites
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassandra Steer, Chair, Australian Centre for Space Governance, Australian National University Japan Meteorological Agency via Wikimedia You have probably used space at least 20 times today. Satellites let you buy a coffee with your phone, book a rideshare, navigate your way to meet someone, and check the

    Using a blue inhaler alone is not enough to manage your asthma
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Hughes, Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, University of Sydney New Africa/Shutterstock Inhalers have been key to asthma management since the 1950s. The most common, salbutamol, comes in a familiar blue-coloured inhaler (or “puffer”). This kind of “rescue inhaler” brings quick relief from asthma symptoms. You may know

    The pay equity puzzle: can we compare effort, skill and risk between different industries?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gemma Piercy, Lecturer, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Waikato Getty Images Last week’s move by the government to amend pay equity laws, using parliamentary urgency to rush the reforms through, caught opposition parties and New Zealanders off guard. Protests against the Equal Pay Amendment Bill

    Sussan Ley makes history, but faces unprecedented levels of difficulty
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University As if by visual metaphor, Sussan Ley’s task seemed both obvious and impossible in her first press conference as the new Liberal leader. Three years ago this month, Ley had done something uncannily similar to what Ted O’Brien

    View from The Hill: Ley says Liberals must ‘meet the people where they are’, but how can a divided party do that?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Cynics point out that when a party turns to a woman leader, it is often handing her a hot mess. That’s certainly so with the federal Liberals, now choosing their first female leader in eight decades. For the Liberals, and

    It’s a hard job being environment minister. Here’s an insider’s view of the key challenges facing Murray Watt
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Australia’s new environment minister, Murray Watt, is reported to be a fixer. That’s good, because there’s a lot to fix. Being environment minister is a hard gig. It often requires difficult choices between environmental and

    AWPA calls on Albanese to raise West Papuan human rights with Prabowo
    Asia Pacific Report An Australian solidarity group for West Papuan self-determination has called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the human rights crisis in the Melanesian region with the Indonesian president this week. Albanese is visiting Indonesia for two days from tomorrow. AWPA has written a letter to Albanese making the appeal for

    The US and China have reached a temporary truce in the trade wars, but more turbulence lies ahead
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Jean Monnet Chair of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide Defying expectations, the United States and China have announced an important agreement to de-escalate bilateral trade tensions after talks in Geneva, Switzerland. The good, the bad

    Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider turned lead into gold – by accident
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ulrik Egede, Professor of Physics, Monash University Sunny Young / Unsplash Medieval alchemists dreamed of transmuting lead into gold. Today, we know that lead and gold are different elements, and no amount of chemistry can turn one into the other. But our modern knowledge tells us the

    New Caledonia riots one year on: ‘Like the country was at war’
    SPECIAL REPORT: By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/bulletin editor Stuck in a state of disbelief for months, journalist Coralie Cochin was one of many media personnel who inadvertently put their lives on the line as New Caledonia burned. “It was very shocking. I don’t know the word in English, you can’t believe what you’re seeing,”

    New Caledonia riots one year on: ‘Like the country was at war’
    SPECIAL REPORT: By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/bulletin editor Stuck in a state of disbelief for months, journalist Coralie Cochin was one of many media personnel who inadvertently put their lives on the line as New Caledonia burned. “It was very shocking. I don’t know the word in English, you can’t believe what you’re seeing,”

    From nuclear to nature laws, here’s where new Liberal leader Sussan Ley stands on 4 energy and environment flashpoints
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Sussan Ley has been elected Liberal leader after defeating rival Angus Taylor in a party room vote on Tuesday. Now the leadership question is settled, the hard work of rebuilding the party can begin. In

    The ‘extroverted’ north and ‘introverted’ south: how climate and culture influence Iranian architecture
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mahsa Khanpoor Siahdarka, PhD Candidate in Built Environment, RMIT University Shutterstock The architecture of northern Iran exhibits an extroverted quality. Buildings are designed to let in the sounds of rain, birds and rustling trees, as well as scents of nature. Architecture in this region is characterised by

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 13, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 13, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greens want to fund their socialist wishlist by letting criminals walk free

    Source:

    ACT Justice spokesman Todd Stephenson is disappointed, but not surprised, at the Green Party’s plan to release criminals in order to partially fund their latest socialist manifesto.

    “Buried in their proposed budget is a $770 million ‘saving’ from ‘averting increase in prisoner numbers’ – with no further explanation.

    “That’s just doublespeak for opening the prison gates and letting thugs and thieves back onto our streets.

    “Even taking the most inflated prisoner cost figures at face value, this amounts to 3,850 criminals being released into the community.

    “I’m disappointed, but not surprised, that this is the latest wacky idea from the Greens. This is the same party that fundraises for prison and police abolition groups, criticises increased beat patrols and lies about how many people are in prison due to non-violent offences.

    “Even then, their soft-on-crime plan wouldn’t pay for more than a third of their $2.5 billion hiring spree for bureaucrats. It’s a dangerous and unserious idea from a party that clearly doesn’t care about public safety.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Obituaries – 001469

    Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

    OBITUARIES

    Peter Malcolm Hilt

    SPEAKER: Members, I regret to inform the House of the death on 19 April 2025 of Peter Malcolm Hilt, who represented the electorate of Glenfield from 1990 to 1996. He chaired the Government Administration Committee, was a member of the Justice and Law Reform Committee, and in 1995 became the last member to be appointed as Deputy Chairman of Committees. In 1996, he was the first to be appointed to the role of Assistant Speaker. I desire on behalf of this House to express our sense of loss and sympathy with the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me to observe a period of silence as a mark of respect for his memory.

    Members stood as a mark of respect.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Theft – Winnellie

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    NT Police are calling for information in relation to the theft of a large amount of power tools and inventory stolen from a business in Winnellie on 11 May 2025.

    Police received reports of two offenders allegedly damaging a fence and unlawfully entering a business premises between the hours of 3:30am and 5:30am on Sunday. It is alleged the offenders accessed a pallet of items and stole them from the premises.

    Strike Force Trident responded to the incident and on Monday arrested a 38-year-old male for the offending.

    Investigations remain ongoing to locate the outstanding offender and the items that were stolen.

    Anyone with information in relation to the incident, particularly anyone with dashcam footage of suspicious activity along the Stuart Highway between the intersections of Hook Road and Lee Street around the time, is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Nayland Road, Nelson closed

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Nayland Road is closed while Police respond to an incident in the area.

    Cordons are in place at Songer Street and Whakatu Drive.

    Some nearby schools have been placed into lockdown as a precaution.

    There is not believed to be any threat to public safety at this time.

    Members of the public are advised to avoid the area.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Service Awards Four Purple Hearts

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Washington, DC – The U.S. Marshals Service awarded four purple heart commendations to the families of four officers who died in the line of duty in a formal ceremony yesterday.

    The families of Deputy United States Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr., Task Force Officers Samuel Poloche and William Alden Elliott, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officer Joshua Eyer were presented the posthumous awards during a ceremony at U.S. Marshals Service Headquarters in Arlington, Va. The four officers died in the line of duty on April 29, 2024, when a suspect opened fire on law enforcement officers serving an arrest warrant in Charlotte, N.C. Accompanying the families in attendance were Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney General; Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General; Mark Pittella, U.S. Marshals Service Director (Acting) and the Reverend Salvatore Criscuolo Monsignor of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Washington, D.C. Remarks were given by Attorney General Bondi and Director Pittella, along with music from the U.S. Marshals Service Pipes and Drums band and singer Lauryn Smith.

    Attorney General Bondi said, “We acknowledge that no medal can ever fully express the eternal gratitude we have for you and your families. Thank you for your courage and strength; you are each a part of the Department of Justice; you will always be a part of our family and the U.S. Marshals’ family, and we will always be here to support you.”

    “We carry forth the legacies of these men by remembering not only how they died but also how they lived; with courage, compassion and a profound sense of duty. Your legacies set a higher standard of service, courage and integrity,” said Director Pittella.

    Imagery from the ceremony can be viewed here.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Cramer: FAA Announces $5.8 Million for Projects at North Dakota Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of$5,844,554 through the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following:

    • $2,491,667 for the Bismarck Municipal Airport to expand the existing General Aviation Apron by adding 5,340 square yards to meet FAA standards and to reconstruct 8,090 square yards of the existing General Aviation Apron pavement.
    • $2,200,000 to the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority to expand an existing 9,450 square foot snow removal equipment and sand storage building by 1,500 square feet to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
    • $552,962 to the Mercer County Regional Airport Authority to reseal 1,420 feet of the existing Taxiway A and B pavement and joints, reseal 13,708 square yards of the existing North and South Apron pavement and joints, and reseal 5,000 feet of existing Runway 15/33 pavement and joints, and reseal 530 feet of the existing Taxilane pavement and joints.
    • $171,000 to the Bottineau Municipal Airport Authority to rehabilitate one existing airport rotating beacon.
    • $137,000 to the Mandan Airport Authority to construct new airport underdrains for drainage and erosion control.
    • $120,000 to the Crosby Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 4,800 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance which will assist the airport in being self-sustaining.
    • $86,925 to the Glen Ullin Regional Airport Authority to reseal 2,985 square yards of the existing General Aviation Apron pavement and joints, to reseal 3,800 feet of existing Runway 11/29 pavement and joints, to reseal 488 feet of the existing Taxilane East, West, and South pavement and joints, and to reseal 550 feet of the existing Taxiway A pavement and joints.
    • $85,000 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to rehabilitate 3,700 feet of existing paved Runway 14/32 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris, rehabilitate 4,700 square yards of the existing General Aviation Apron pavement to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris, and rehabilitate 550 feet of the existing paved Taxiway A to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.

    The AIG Program was established by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide airports with funding for modernization and safety projects. Since its creation, airports in North Dakota have received over $49 million in program funding.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Defence News – NZDF joins large South Pacific disaster exercise as new response group starts work

    Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

    The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has joined 18 other nations for a large French-led multinational training exercise scenario of a hypothetical cyclone striking the islands of Wallis & Futuna.

    Exercise Croix Du Sud was based in New Caledonia, about 1900km southwest of Wallis & Futuna, and involved about 2000 personnel.

    New Zealand Army Captain Zoe Williamson and a small number of Kiwi staff officers bolstered the exercise headquarters.

    “This has been a great opportunity allowing us to work with our partner nations in a likely humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) scenario, developing relationships and an understanding of how we work individually but are able to come together as a whole,” she said.

    “Training with our Pacific neighbours is important to ensure we are ready to respond when the time comes, and Exercise Croix Du Sud is a valuable test, ensuring we can deliver this critical capability when and where it’s needed.”

    Exercise Croix Du Sud also provided the opportunity for two NZDF officers to deploy with the Pacific Response Group (PRG), a new multinational support group consisting of personnel from Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France, Australia, and New Zealand with Chile in support.  

    The PRG was established in 2024 by recommendation of the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting to address the need for pan-Pacific HADR cooperation.

    The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Lieutenant Commander Nikita Lawson said the Pacific Response Group was a short-notice deployable team with strong planning skills designed to assist civilian authorities and other organisations in any response to a disaster.

    “The PRG deployed a small team forward to Wallis & Futuna to assess the situation on the ground, determine where military assistance was required and what humanitarian assistance was needed,” she said.

    The PRG command team remained in New Caledonia to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and critical capabilities.

    “Information, assessments and the ‘ground truth’ provided by our PRG team were invaluable at shaping the HADR response plans formed by the wider exercise headquarters,” Lieutenant Commander Lawson said.

    The two-week exercise ended earlier this month.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update on aged care respite service at Burrangiri

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services



    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 14/05/2025

    Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith announced this morning that the ACT Health Directorate is preparing the necessary paperwork to support The Salvation Army to continue delivery of the Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Facility for a further two years.

    This announcement complements the Albanese Labor Government’s $10 million election commitment to ensure the number of respite beds in the ACT will not reduce.

    Minister Stephen-Smith said the original decision to close the facility was not made lightly and the significant commitment from the Commonwealth Government has enabled new options to be considered in the delivery of respite care in the short and longer term.

    Federal Labor has recognised the Commonwealth responsibility for aged care respite, and the ACT Government will continue working with the Commonwealth for the benefit of older Canberrans and their carers.

    “It is important to note that while the Burrangiri service can continue in the short term, the Health Directorate’s advice remains that the facility would require a significant scope of work to be fit for purpose for the delivery of quality aged care respite services in the medium term,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

    “However, the ACT Government recognises the concerns raised by the community around the availability of respite and the value of the Burrangiri service to those who currently rely on it. A two-year extension allows us to work with the Commonwealth on more sustainable solutions for respite in the ACT and best use of the funding available.”

    Minister Stephen-Smith said she has written to the re-appointed Commonwealth Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, seeking to work together to deliver appropriate respite for older Canberrans and their carers.

    “I was very pleased that Federal Labor committed $10 million for a new facility or to extend an existing facility to deliver aged care respite beds in the ACT,” she said.

    “I’ve written to Minister Butler asking him to consider Commonwealth co-funding to support the Burrangiri extension, as well as to expedite delivery of the election commitment to ensure dedicated residential respite beds will be available as soon as possible.”

    The ACT Government is also working with Carers ACT to explore options to identify land for a purpose-built respite centre and the Government has started this important work with Carers ACT.

    – Statement ends –

    Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Files Emergency SCOTUS Request for Immediate Deportations

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    TdA Threats to Law Enforcement Grow while Illegal Aliens Remain in Custody  

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released a statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a request Monday for the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to end a temporary injunction of deportations under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA).   

    The prolonged detention of TdA members in ICE facilities poses serious risks for ICE officers, facility staff, and other detainees, and DHS requests that the SCOTUS moves quickly to allow ICE to remove these terrorist gang members from our country.  

    “23 TdA members barricaded themselves in the Bluebonnet Detention Facility, threatened to take hostages, and endangered officers. Keeping these foreign terrorists in ICE facilities poses a serious threat to ICE officers, staff, and other detainees,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “The media repeated these TdA gang members’ false sob stories, but the truth is these are members of a foreign terrorist organization that rape, maim, and murder for sport.”  

    According to ICE Dallas Acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson, on April 26, 23 TdA members at Bluebonnet Detention Facility barricaded the doors of their housing unit with bed cots. The detainees also covered surveillance cameras and blocked the housing unit windows.  

    They also threatened to take hostages and injure facility staff and ICE officers in addition to attempting to flood the housing unit by clogging toilets. When they were ordered to take down the barricades, the TdA detainees did not comply with orders and remained barricaded for several hours.  

    Johnson also stated the following regarding the risk of prison recruitment and the expansion of TdA:  

     

    Read the full court filing here.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PNG police authorised to use lethal force with ‘domestic terrorist’ kidnappers as one hostage escapes

    RNZ Pacific

    An escape of a 13-year-old girl from a hostage crisis on the border of Papua New Guinea’s Western and Hela provinces has boosted hopes for the rescue of her fellow captives.

    The group of 10 people was taken captive early on Monday morning at Adujmari.

    PNG Police Commissioner David Manning has called the perpetrators “domestic terrorists” and warned that officers were able to use lethal force if needed to secure the release of the hostages.

    The girl Aiyo’s fellow captives are four adults — a teacher and his wife, and a health worker and his wife — along with another four school girls.

    The Post-Courier reports that the kidnappers have demanded the government pay a ransom of K500,000 (NZ$207,000) for the safe release of the captives.

    Aiyo has told police that the kidnappers had threatened to harm the group if no money was forthcoming.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commander Steven Francis, said officers were working around the clock to secure their safe release.

    Locals in the Adujmari district have so far raised more than K11,000 (NZ4500) to try and negotiate the safe release of the group.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Anonymous tip off resulted in child abuse material offences – East Arnhem region

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    On 7 May 2025, an anonymous report was received via Crime Stoppers detailing a complaint that someone was allegedly distributing and in possession of child abuse material in an East Arnhem Region community.

    Following initial investigations, the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch travelled to the remote community on Monday to execute a search warrant at the alleged offender’s residence. Throughout the search, investigators seized multiple storage devices and a mobile device which contained child abuse material.

    The 31-year-old male was arrested and has since been charged with:

    • Transmit Child Abuse Material – 474.22(1) Commonwealth Criminal Code Act
    • Possess/Produce Child Abuse Material – 125B Criminal Code Act NT x 6

    He was remanded to appear in Darwin local Court on Thursday 15 May 2025.

    Major Crime Detective, Senior Sergeant Justene Dwyer said “I commend the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch investigators, local East Arnhem Region police members and Aboriginal Liaison Officers for their diligence and attention to detail to ensure this man is put before the courts.

    “This behaviour is not accepted in our community and police will continue to go above and beyond to arrest anyone responsible for harming children in the NT community.”

    Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can also submit a report online at https://crimestoppers.com.au/.

    You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the ‘Report Abuse’ button at www.accce.gov.au/report.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Five involved in Aggravated robbery – Coconut Grove

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Three of five alleged offenders have been arrested in relation to an aggravated robbery along Bagot Road yesterday.

    About 3:30pm, police received reports of a male having his scooter stolen after being physically assaulted and threatened by five offenders allegedly carrying knives.

    Dog Operations Unit, Strike Force Trident and Casuarina general duties members attended and arrested three males, aged 15, 17 and 18-year-old, nearby.

    The 18 and 17-year-old have since been charged with Aggravated robbery and the 15-year-old has been charged with Breach bail.

    Strike Force Trident has carriage of the investigation, and two suspects remain outstanding.

    Police would like to thank the member of the public that reported the incident to police after passing in a vehicle.

    Anyone who witnesses antisocial or criminal behaviour is urged to contact police on 131 444 or in an emergency dial Triple Zero.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sheet Harbour — Missing person: Help the RCMP find Robert Fleet

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Halifax Regional Detachment is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 56-year-old Robert James Fleet, who was last seen on May 13, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. in Watt Section.

    Fleet is described as 6-foot-1, 229lbs, hazel eyes, and short curly/white hair. He is likely wearing blue jeans, a blue t-shirt, and a hoodie.

    He is believed to be travelling in a 2018 Black GMC Sierra with Nova Scotia license plate FJG-669.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Robert Fleet is asked to contact the Halifax Regional Detachment at 902-490-5020 or local police. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    Note to media: A photo of Robert Fleet is attached.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Trail bike riders intercepted during targeted operation in Launceston

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Trail bike riders intercepted during targeted operation in Launceston

    Wednesday, 14 May 2025 – 10:31 am.

    Police intercepted six trail bike riders during a targeted operation in Launceston on Saturday.
    Members of Launceston Police and Road Policing Services conducted the operation in bushland across several northern suburbs of Launceston, targeting the unlawful use of recreational vehicles and trail bikes.
    During the operation, police intercepted the six riders operating trail bikes who were in close proximity to residential houses.
    Three riders will face proceedings for offences committed, including unlicensed driving and breaches of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Noise) Regulations 2016.
    Tasmania Police remind users of recreational vehicles and trail bikes that they cannot operate within 500 metres of another residence that is not their own, nor within 500 metres of another residence if they are on their own land.
    Anyone wishing to report the unlawful use of recreational vehicles or trail bikes near their home is encouraged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Hooning incident at Bruny Island

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Hooning incident at Bruny Island

    Wednesday, 14 May 2025 – 10:37 am.

    A Kingston man responsible for burnouts in the gravel car park of the Bruny Island hotel will be prosecuted for hooning offences and driving without a licence.Tasmania Police used CCTV footage to help identify the driver from the incident on Monday and say they are disappointed in the behaviour shown by the 30-year-old man, who was a visitor to the island.Senior Constable Ashley Hopwood said the man was leaving the Hotel Bruny, at Alonnah on Bruny Island, about 5pm and proceeded to do burnouts in his vehicle in the gravel carpark of the hotel.The incident was reported to local police by members of the community.A review of CCTV footage helped identify the vehicle and the owner.“This sort of driving behaviour is reckless, and it puts innocent people at risk,” Senior Constable Hopwood said.“Police are committed to keeping our roads as safe as possible and hoons should be warned that this type of behaviour can lead to loss of licence, vehicle confiscation, vehicle destruction and significant fines.”“Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving on our roads should contact police on 131 444, or Triple-Zero (000) in an emergency.”“If you can’t call at the time, but you have dash cam or other footage, you can upload it to our evidence portal at police.tas.gov.au/report.”This week, May 12 to 16, is National Road Safety Week.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House GOP Honors America’s Fallen Police Officers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — In honor of National Police Week, Speaker Johnson hosted a candlelight vigil in the U.S. Capitol today to pay tribute to fallen police officers and commemorate their service to our nation. Speaker Johnson was joined by families of fallen officers and members of the House Republican Conference.

    “This year, the names of 345 fallen heroes will be etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. They join more than 24,000 officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Speaker Johnson said. “These men and women are the first to run toward danger, to stand on the lines of justice, and to put themselves in harm’s way so the rest of us don’t have to. Most of us will never see the quiet heroism that defines this work. And though we owe these brave Americans an unpayable debt, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their service.”

    Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here.

    Read below for the transcript of Speaker Johnson’s remarks:

    There’s a lot of things going on on Capitol Hill today, but we certainly want to pause and give honor where honor is due. It’s a biblical admonition, and one we take very seriously. We gather this week, as we do every year to honor our nation’s law enforcement officers and all those who have fallen.

    I come from a first responder family and understand that sacrifice. My dad was a firefighter. When I was 12 years old, he was burned in the line of duty – 80% of his body – third degree burns and permanently disabled thereafter. And in that fire, his co-captain and his one of his dearest friends perished in the fire.

    First responders take on a risk that most people can’t imagine, and we know it well. But when it comes to law enforcement, there truly are fewer callings that could be imaginable and demand more courage and carry more risk than the people who pledge to serve and protect and defend everyone else. It is a noble calling. It’s a calling by God, and one that is often thankless and always demanding.

    People take for granted the risk that is taken on. And these men and women who are first to run towards danger, to stand on the lines of justice and to put themselves in harm’s way, they do that, so the rest of the public doesn’t have to.

    Most people will never see the quiet heroism that defines that work as our communities go about their lives under the shelter of the protection of our brave men and women in uniform. And we can sometimes take for granted that they too will just return home each night, that they’ll go home safe and sound to their families. But on some fateful days that does not happen, and that day changes everything, of course. And that day is why we are here.

    This year, the names of 345 fallen heroes will be etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. They join more than 24,000 officers who have made the same ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

    And for each of you, there are some of the families here. There is a name on that memorial that stands out, a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, a friend, a son, a daughter. That’s who we remember today; not just what they did, but who they were. And no amount of words or wreaths can heal the hole in each family member’s heart that’s left behind.

    But I do hope that these families find some comfort in knowing that millions of Americans grieve with them. We certainly do. And though we owe you an unpayable debt, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have our prayers, and you have our support, and we’ll have your back.

    To Ashley and Kelly and to you and the families here today, we’re humbled by your courage. We thank you for being here to share your story. And I want to introduce one of the House’s own staunchest advocates for law enforcement. He is a congressman, but I still call him the sheriff, and that’s Mr. John Rutherford.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: REP. HILL’S BILL TO PRESERVE MORE OF ARKANSAS’S NATURAL BEAUTY PASSES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. French Hill’s (AR-02) bill, H.R. 1612, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act, to expand the Flatside Wilderness Area in central Arkansas by approximately 2,200 acres, passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote.

    Rep. Hill’s bill designates an additional 2,200 acres as part of the Flatside Wilderness Area, fulfilling the vision Arkansas leaders first set forth in the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act. It marks the culmination of Rep. Hill’s determined effort to complete the Flatside Wilderness footprint and reflects a decades-long, bipartisan commitment to conserving one of The Natural State’s most treasured landscapes for future generations.

    Rep. Hill said, “For over 40 years, Arkansas leaders have worked to secure the future of the Flatside Wilderness. My legislation completes that vision. It maintains what is best about The Natural State and conserves a place of cultural, ecological, and personal significance for Arkansans and visitors alike.”

    “My bill reflects a thoughtful approach that balances conservation with access and ensures this extraordinary landscape remains available for generations to come. I am proud to complete what former Sen. Dale Bumpers and my predecessor, Rep. Ed Bethune, started four decades ago, and I am grateful for the strong support from Governor Sanders and local leaders, as well as for Chairman Westerman’s help in getting this bill to the House Floor.” 

    Rep. Hill’s leadership in preserving the Flatside Wilderness Area reflects a decade-long effort to expand and protect one of Arkansas’s most scenic and ecologically significant landscapes. In 2019, he successfully passed legislation to add 640 acres to the Flatside Wilderness, which was signed into law by President Trump. That same year, Congress directed the U.S. Forest Service to study surrounding lands for potential inclusion. The recommendations from that study form the basis for today’s legislation.

    The Flatside Wilderness Area is part of the larger Ouachita National Forest, the oldest and largest national forest in the South, stretching across central Arkansas into eastern Oklahoma. Known for its rugged terrain and iconic views, the area is a popular destination for hikers, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and families across the region.

    The bill has received broad support from Arkansas leaders, including Governor Sarah Sanders, the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and local officials and outdoor recreation advocates throughout the region.

    Governor Sanders said, “I am proud to support Rep. French Hill and his bill to expand and complete the Flatside Wilderness Area in our state. This legislation complements the Natural State Initiative my administration established to make Arkansas a leading destination for year-round outdoor adventure, growing our tourism industry, getting families off screens and outdoors, and preserving our world-class natural beauty.”

    Chris Racey, interim director for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said, “There are twelve wilderness areas in Arkansas that Arkansas Game and Fish Commission partners to bring these unique natural areas to Arkansans for recreation. Thank you to Congressman Hill for his work to further expand the wild lands of Flatside Wilderness.”

    Anders Reynolds, federal legislative director for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said, “The Flatside Wilderness Additions Act would bolster an already strong outdoor recreation economy in The Natural State and preserve for future generations some of the Ouachita National Forest’s most rugged places. SELC applauds Representative Hill’s leadership on this bill, and joins countless hikers, hunters, campers, and paddlers in celebrating its passage through the House of Representatives today.”

    Barry Hyde, Pulaski County judge, said, “I fully support H.R. 1612, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act. This legislation safeguards one of our region’s most treasured natural areas while providing meaningful benefits to the people of Pulaski County. Expanding the Flatside Wilderness will enhance access to outdoor recreation, attract tourism, and contribute to the well-being of our residents — all while preserving the scenic beauty and ecological integrity of the Ouachita Mountains. I commend Rep. French Hill and our congressional delegation for their leadership in protecting these irreplaceable public lands for future generations.”

    Larry Blackmon, Perry County judge, said, “The Flatside Wilderness Area is truly a treasure to the state of Arkansas and Perry County. Its natural beauty draws visitors from all over the United States. The citizens of Perry County are very appreciative of Congressman Hill’s efforts to expand the Flatside Wilderness Area and hope you will show your support for H.R. 1612 and allow the Flatside Wilderness Area to become an even greater beauty than it already is.”

    Brian Thompson, president of the Ozark Society, said, “These Flatside additions will make a good wilderness even better, by including Cedar Creek Watershed lands, and by securing long-term protection for spectacular views from Flatside Pinnacle.”

    Jill Gottesman, southeastern states director for The Wilderness Society, said, “TWS applauds the introduction of Congressman Hill’s Flatside Wilderness Additions Act to expand the existing Flatside Wilderness Area in the Ouachita National Forest. This expansion will improve the protection, restoration and manageability of the wilderness area. The bill supports Arkansas’ rich biodiversity, strengthens the growing outdoor recreation economy, and enhances rugged outdoor experiences for hikers, hunters, campers and other public land users.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall and Rep. Nehls Reintroduce Bill to Support Families of Victims Killed by Illegal Aliens

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) today reintroduced the Justice for Angel Families Act, legislation that would amend the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) to expand financial coverage for Angel Families – the immediate relatives of victims killed by illegal aliens, including in drunk driving accidents. This legislation would allow federal funds to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs, easing the financial burden on grieving families.
    Additionally, the bill would codify the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), originally established by President Trump in 2017 and recently reopened last month by the Trump Administration after the Biden Administration shuttered it. The VOICE Office provides critical services like grief counseling and case follow-ups for victims’ families. This bill would ensure the VOICE Office can never be shut down again.
    “President Trump is righting the catastrophic wrongs of the Biden-Harris Administration by restoring law and order, securing our borders, and putting an end to the lawlessness that plagued our nation for too long,” said Senator Marshall. “But for countless Angel Families, the damage is permanent – their loved ones were taken from them because of disastrous open-border policies. I urge my colleagues to join Congressman Nehls and me in delivering justice and ensuring these families receive the resources and support they deserve by passing the Justice for Angel Families Act.”
    U.S. Representative Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22) introduced the House companion version of this bill. Cosponsors in the House include Representatives Paul Gosar (R-Arizona-09), Don Bacon (R-Nebraska-02), Randy Weber (R-Texas-14), Lance Gooden (R-Texas-05), Barry Moore (R-Alabama-01), Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin-07), and Brian Babin (R-Texas-36). 
    “President Trump and his administration are restoring law and order and standing up for American citizens,” said Congressman Nehls. “Millions of illegal aliens flooded our country during the Biden Administration, and many of them took the lives of Americans, such as Jocelyn Nungaray, Laken Riley, and Rachel Morin. By codifying the VOICE Office, which was reopened last month by Secretary Noem, no future president can close the office again, ensuring that families that fall victim to illegal alien crimes are supported, not left behind.”
    The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana).
    “Under the Biden administration’s watch our country faced record levels of illegal immigration that resulted in innocent American lives lost,” said Senator Budd. “Our nation’s Angel Families have faced unimaginable tragedies because of Joe Biden’s senseless open-border policies. Now, we must stand with them – giving them the support and justice they deserve.”
    “Families of victims murdered by illegal immigrants are forced to face unimaginable grief,” said Senator Cramer. “This bicameral bill supports Angel Families by ensuring they have the help and resources they need.”
    The legislation is also supported by Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime, NumbersUSA, and National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE).
    “As a nation, we spend hundreds of billions of dollars supporting illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country. Yet the victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens are left to fend for themselves at the worst times in their lives,” said Don Rosenberg, President and Treasurer of Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime. “Financial compensation will never replace the loss of a loved one, but the “Justice for Angel Families Act” will at least reduce the financial burden faced by those families who have been betrayed by the failure of some in our government to uphold the rule of law.”
    “It’s a shame that our past open border policies have made it necessary and needed to pass legislation to aid Angel families who suffered loss at the hands of illegal immigrants,” said Michael Hough, Director of Federal Government Relations at NumbersUSA. “This legislation will rightfully help those families who have lost their loved ones.”
    “To support angel families – American citizens permanently separated from loved ones due to illegal alien crime – President Trump relaunched the Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement (VOICE) office,” said RJ Hauman, President of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE). “Now fully operational again, VOICE is assisting thousands of angel families, connecting them to vital services like grief counseling, tracking their cases, and ensuring criminal aliens responsible for their suffering are arrested, detained, and removed. This stands in stark contrast to the previous administration, which dismantled VOICE, opened our borders, and neglected angel families while policies led to more tragic losses. With Republicans now leading Congress, angel families are no longer ignored. Congressman Nehls and Senator Marshall are championing the Justice for Angel Families Act, reaffirming that their highest duty is to American citizens. This bill honors angel families, ensures their loved ones’ deaths were not in vain, and strengthens our nation’s safety and security. NICE urges everyone to support the Justice for Angel Families Act and calls on Congress to pass it after ICE receives critical resources via reconciliation.”
    The full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Supports Resolution Thanking and Honoring Police and Law Enforcement Officers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during National Police Week, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for a congressional resolution recognizing the invaluable contributions that Iowa police and law enforcement officers make to our communities.

    “Our police and law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and keep our families safe. They dedicate their careers to public safety and make incredible sacrifices to keep our families safe. We cannot thank them enough for their service,” said Rep. Feenstra. “While we can never adequately show our appreciation, I voted for a congressional resolution to express my unwavering support for our men and women in law enforcement and recognize the invaluable contributions that these heroes make to our communities. I will always back the blue and support our fellow Iowans who answered the call to serve.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Introducing House Roll Call Votes in the Congress.gov API

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The following is a guest post from Andrew Reiter, a legislative data specialist in the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. Andrew previously blogged about an Update on the Congress.gov API, Modernizing Congressional Data – Treaty Documents on Congress.gov, Modernizing Congressional Data – Senate Legislation and Amendments on Congress.gov, and Modernizing Congressional Data – House Legislation and Amendments on Congress.gov.

    Today, in partnership with the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, we are thrilled to announce that beta House Roll Call Votes endpoints are now available from the Congress.gov API.

    In this first iteration, the beta House Roll Call Votes endpoints cover all votes associated with legislation dating from 2023 (118th Congress). Endpoints include a list-level and item-level, along with a member votes-level, which shows how each member of the House of Representatives voted on a particular piece of legislation.

    When calling the member votes-level endpoint, users will get information on how each member of the House of Representatives voted. This information includes the BioGuide ID number used across several legislative platforms, including the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress and Congress.gov.

    The next phase of the House Roll Call Votes beta API endpoints project will include making non-legislation-related votes available in the API, dating from 2023 (118th Congress). These include votes such as the election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. As with all Congress.gov products, we have also worked to provide documentation about the API. In this case, there are documentation, user guides, a change log that details changes to the API, and opportunities for feedback. As a reminder, to use the API, you must first get an API key.

    The Congress.gov API covers all Congress.gov collections, including bills, amendments, summaries, congressional dates, members, the Congressional Record, committee materials, nominations, treaties, and House and Senate Communications.

    We are thrilled to share this exciting development with the Congress.gov user community. Be sure to join us for the next Congressional Data Task Force meeting on June 10, 2025, to learn more about the new beta House Roll Call Votes API endpoints.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Continues to Challenge Tariffs on All Fronts: President Trump Lacks the Authority to Impose Tariffs

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    Files brief in support of states rocked by tariffs across the country 

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom today filed an amicus brief in Oregon v. Trump, a case challenging President Trump’s illegal imposition of so called “emergency” tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Last month, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of power to levy tariffs via over a dozen executive orders under the IEEPA. In the brief filed today in the Court of International Trade, Attorney General Bonta argued that the Trump Administration’s interpretation of its authority under IEEPA is incorrect — the Act’s language does not provide the authority impose tariffs. 

    “President Trump’s illegal tariffs impact businesses, consumers, and states across the nation and it is our responsibility as state leaders to advocate and defend our people against harmful — and illegal — actions,” said Attorney General Bonta. “It’s simple, the statute that the President is using to impose his chaotic tariffs clearly does not include the authority to do so, any reading of it as such is wild, nonsensical, and irresponsible.”  

    BACKGROUND

    In the past few months, President Trump has issued over a dozen executive orders imposing, pausing, reimposing, and escalating tariffs on every U.S. trading partner, and claimed authority to do so under IEEPA. New tariffs are chaotically contemplated, announced, or delayed nearly every day. The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs is itself causing immediate harm to California by incapacitating its ability to budget and plan for the future and chilling the economy — as businesses and people pause decision-making and lose out on opportunities. 

    While difficult to calculate due to their frenzied nature, most estimates put the new average tariff rate at or above 25%. The current IEEPA tariff regime imposes a universal tariff of 10% on all U.S. trading partners, with tariff increases as high 50% on more than 50 specific trading partners set to go into effect on July 9, 2025. 

    Separately, Canada and Mexico are subject to IEEPA tariffs of up to 25%, which are currently in effect after being paused and then re-started. China is subject to an ever-changing combination of IEEPA tariffs that reached a staggering rate of 145%, and as of the publication of this press release, plummeted down to 30% under the 90-day pause. The claimed rationales for each of these tariffs is wide-ranging and difficult to follow from trade deficits and foreign trade practices to immigration, crime, and illicit drugs. In response to President Trump’s tariffs, major U.S. trading partners including China, Canada, and the European Union have imposed or announced retaliatory tariffs — China’s retaliatory tariffs alone reached 125%.

    The impact of President Trump’s unprecedented IEEPA tariffs is devastating and unprecedented. The near-daily threats to impose new tariffs have already inflicted and continue to inflict serious financial harms on California and states across the nation — with the largest burden expected to fall on the poorest Americans, who cannot absorb the loss of wages or the greater cost of goods. 

    President Trump’s tariff regime will:

    • Reduce Americans’ incomes and productivity: Tariffs are expected to reduce the labor supply by 546,000 full-time jobs. 
    • Cause higher prices and less availability of goods, leading to goods shortages and supply chain disruptions: The Port of Los Angeles saw a third of import volume disappear as of the first week of May, which will hit the availability of goods in stores in only a few weeks. 
    • Wreak havoc on our financial systems: The U.S. stock market suffered the largest two-day loss in its history in the two days following the announcement of President Trump’s most sweeping tariffs. 
    • Generate enormous economic damage to both the U.S. economy and the California economy: Tariffs, on net, reduce production, income, and efficiency. 
    • Raise the probability of a recession: Recessions are damaging to public finance and state budgets — budget pressures can also mean cessation of spending in areas of pressing need, such as public safety, education, and disaster preparedness.

    A copy of the brief is available here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –