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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Paraguay President: Any multilateralism crisis can only be solved with more multilateralism

    Source: World Trade Organization

    President Peña noted that Paraguay is one of the most open economies in the world, firmly anchored in the belief that “free commerce is a bedrock of civilized peoples.” In fact, Paraguay is the second most open economy in Latin America, with no significant restrictions on trade, a simple tax system and a markedly pro-business stance, he said. As a landlocked country and primarily an agricultural exporter, producing food for ten times its population, Paraguay has no other alternative, he added.

    “We understand both the opportunities and vulnerabilities of global trade. Our experience has shown us that the path to development requires not isolation but deeper integration into global markets – guided by clear, fair and enforceable rules. For middle-sized economies like Paraguay, the multilateral trading system is not just one option among many, it is simply essential for our development and prosperity. This is why I believe that any crisis of multilateralism can only be solved by one thing: more multilateralism,” he declared.

    President Peña stressed that Paraguay’s commitment to the WTO stems from its experience as a country which has constructed a stable democracy with consistent economic policies and its unique perspective as a bridge between countries with different levels of development. It also comes from the deep conviction that multilateralism remains the most effective path to sustainable development, he added.

    Referring to the historic decision to establish multilateral institutions after the Second World War, President Peña noted that it is precisely during difficult times that organizations like the WTO have the unique opportunity not only to show the world their crucial importance but to justify their existence. “The creation of an international organization which seeks to put order into chaos in the world of commerce was not only a sound decision but a brilliant and endurable insight. … The WTO has been, is and will be a great idea,” he added.

    In his address to WTO ambassadors, heads of intergovernmental organizations, representatives of non-governmental organizations, business and academia, President Peña also underscored that WTO members must be proactive in order to overcome the challenges faced by the system.

    He pointed to the need to make meaningful progress on agricultural reform to achieve less distorted markets and enhance food security, and to the importance of restoring a fully functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members. He also called on members to ensure that environmental measures enhance, rather than hinder, international trade, and to secure justice, fairness and equality, the most fundamental principles of international commerce.

    The lecture – titled “Sustaining Multilateralism in Uncertain Times: The Role of Middle Powers” – was preceded by opening remarks by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who stressed that under President Peña Paraguay registered South America’s strongest rates of GDP growth in 2023 and 2024, according to IMF data, with a positive outlook for 2025 as well.

    DG Okonjo-Iweala noted that as a landlocked developing country, Paraguay faces challenges familiar to many WTO members. In the case of Paraguay, these challenges have to do with diversifying its exports beyond meat, soybeans and electricity, and the vulnerability to climate change of the Paraguay-Parana River waterway that connects the country to world markets for goods.

    DG Okonjo-Iweala referred to the fifth WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR) of Paraguay undertaken in November 2024 and the recognition by other members of Paraguay’s active and constructive engagement at the WTO, particularly in agriculture negotiations. She noted that at the TPR meeting, members praised Paraguay’s broadly open trade and investment environment and noted its reliance on regional and global trade to drive development and poverty reduction.

    DG Okonjo-Iweala also drew attention to the current challenging environment and the potential for the world to become more fragmented. “We have lived in that world before in the 1930s. It was poorer and more violent. So we owe it to our children and grandchildren,” she said, to preserving the benefits of multilateralism whilst fixing its shortcomings. “This would help us build them a better future,” she added.

    A recording of the event can be viewed here.

    About the WTO’s Presidential Lecture Series

    The WTO’s Presidential Lecture Series provides a platform for distinguished speakers from around the world to deliver lectures on various aspects of multilateral cooperation and global governance. Several events are held each year.

    More information on the lecture series is available here.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Extradition Hearing for Alleged Exxon Linked Hacker Underscores Big Oil’s War to Avoid Accountability

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    WASHINGTON, DC (January 31, 2025) — In response to ongoing legal developments regarding the Department of Justice’s effort to extradite an alleged hacker linked to cyberattacks against climate organizations including Greenpeace USA, Greenpeace USA Deputy Climate Program Director, John Noël said:

    “The latest bombshell revelations in the hack-for-hire case expose a brazen attack on democracy. Defense documents submitted to the court now allegedly link the DCI Group—a lobbying firm hired by Exxon—to a covert hacking operation aimed at undermining climate advocacy organizations, campaigners, journalists and derailing momentum for climate liability lawsuits by stealing private communications.

    “This apparent corporate espionage scandal is staggering—millions of dollars, international intelligence firms, shadowy hackers, and apparently Big Oil at its center. As one of the key suspects faces extradition to the U.S., even more revelations could still emerge. Those responsible must be fully pursued to expose the depths of this scheme and deliver justice.

    “Big Oil is escalating its playbook of manipulation and intimidation—deploying hacking schemes, SLAPP lawsuits, and a tidal wave of disinformation—to silence demands for accountability and climate justice. The fossil fuel industry’s relentless attempts to suppress the truth and crush legal efforts to hold them responsible must not be allowed to stall or derail the urgent fight for a livable future for working families everywhere.”

    Contact: Gigi Singh, Communications Manager at Greenpeace USA
    (+1)  631-404-9977, [email protected]  

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Senators Rosen & Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Holocaust Education

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Following the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), co-founders and co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Antisemitism, introduced the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act to strengthen Holocaust education at public schools and increase awareness of Holocaust educational resources available to local communities. This bipartisan legislation would direct the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive study on Holocaust education. This study would help identify the resources and methods available to public schools to improve the ways in which educators teach students across the country about the Holocaust and antisemitism.
    “As our nation continues to face an alarming rise of antisemitism, and with Holocaust denial and distortion spiking worldwide, it’s critical that we identify and improve the resources available to our nation’s educators so they can accurately inform students about the horrors of the Holocaust and the dangers of anti-Jewish bigotry,” said Senator Rosen. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure the lessons of this dark chapter in history are never forgotten. I’ll keep working to combat antisemitism and make certain that Never Again means never again.”
    “Antisemitism and anti-Jewish crimes remain sadly on the rise in our nation and around the world,” said Senator Lankford. “Senator Rosen and I continue to work together to call out antisemitism no matter who or where it comes from. I will continue to do what I can to ensure future generations never forget the Holocaust and understand the fact that everyone should be able to freely live their faith without fear or persecution.”
    “Holocaust education is not just about preserving history—it fosters empathy, underscores the fragility of democracy, teaches about the role of antisemitism as Nazi ideology and the importance of bearing witness. ADL’s Center for Antisemitism Research (CAR) survey results reveal alarming gaps in Holocaust knowledge, with nearly 6 in 10 Americans under 30 unable to identify how many Jews were murdered, and 1 in 4 adults saying they ‘don’t know.’ ADL applauds Senators Rosen and Lankford, Co-Chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, for reintroducing the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act and urges swift passage of this important bill to ensure every student has access to comprehensive Holocaust education,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of ADL.
    “American Jewish Committee (AJC) surveyed adults in the United States and found that only 53% of Americans over the age of 18 knew that approximately six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. Knowing about the Holocaust contributes to understanding and confronting antisemitism in the United States. We applaud Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, for introducing the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act. We also appreciate their commitment to supporting educators throughout the country and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in its mission to ensure the Holocaust is taught accurately and comprehensively,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee.
    “With rising antisemitism around the world, the HEAL Act is more critical than ever. Jewish Federations across the United States have long worked to encourage requiring Holocaust education in schools. We are grateful that the Senate is reintroducing this bill, which will teach students about the Holocaust and its lessons to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.” said Karen Paikin Barall, Vice President of Government Relations at Jewish Federations of North America.
    “Hadassah is proud to support the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act. One of the most important ways to demonstrate our collective responsibility to fight antisemitism, hatred and bigotry is to ensure that future generations learn about the Holocaust. Yet, as antisemitism continues to alarmingly rise, schools are becoming hotbeds of hatred toward Jewish students. Passing the HEAL Act will help identify gaps in Holocaust education and review best practices from expert historic and Jewish studies perspectives to provide resources that help educators teach students about this horrific period in history and the evils to which intolerance can lead,” said Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah National President, and Ellen Finkelstein, Hadassah Chief Executive Officer.
    As co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, Senators Rosen and Lankford have been leading the fight against antisemitism. They pushed to create the first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism. Last year, Senator Rosen’s bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Never Again Education Act became law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Joins Bipartisan Bill to Lower Child Care Costs and Address Shortage of Affordable Child Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is joining bipartisan legislation to lower child care costs and address the nationwide shortage of affordable child care. The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act would provide competitive grants for states to train child care workers and build or renovate child care facilities.

    Families across the country are struggling to access available child care, with rural communities increasingly becoming “child care deserts” due to the noticeable decline in the number of child care providers. According to the Governor’s office, Maine has seen a 39% drop in the number of family childcare providers since 2013, significantly affecting the most rural communities.

    “Affordable and accessible child care is one of the most pressing needs for working families in Maine and across the nation,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act would provide important grant funding to states like Maine to train additional child care workers and build or renovate new child care facilities. When families have access to care, they are able to succeed both at home and in their professional careers. Child care is more than a household priority; child care means business!”

    The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act would:

    • Address the shortage of affordable child care and qualified child care professionals, particularly in rural areas; 
    • Provide competitive grants to states to support the education, training, or retention of the child care workforce;
    • Provide competitive grants to states to build, renovate, and expand child care facilities in areas experiencing shortages; 
    • Require grant applicants to demonstrate how their projects would increase the availability and affordability of quality child care, and help child care workers continue advance their careers; and 
    • Enhance retention and compensation of quality child care professionals.

    The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Whitehouse (D-RI).

    Senator King has long worked to expand access to child care. He secured millions to improve child care services in the 2022 and 2023 omnibus appropriations bills, and worked to authorize the planning and development of a new child development center at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He is also the cosponsor of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act, which would permanently expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit that helps households offset their child care costs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz Underscores Urgent Need for Uninterrupted, Strategically Critical, Life-Saving Foreign Aid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON — At yesterday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the “Malign Influence of the People’s Republic of China at Home and Abroad: Recommendations for Policy Makers,” U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) underscored the importance of U.S. leadership and global engagement in advancing American interests. Using the Philippines and Papua New Guinea as examples, Schatz asked witnesses to lay out the dire consequences of U.S. disengagement, as well as the opportunities it would create for the PRC.

    Prior to his questioning, Schatz, who also serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, addressed the chaos caused by the Trump Administration’s recent foreign aid funding freeze, stating, “We really just, on a nonpartisan basis, have to keep the pressure on the State Department to effectuate the Secretary’s policy because right now there’s a ton of confusion, and these are faraway places, and the original stop work orders are still being observed in some places and not in others. The furloughs are in some places being undone and not in others, and this is not some policy question anymore. It’s a question of executing what the Secretary has asked. So I just ask that we continue to put pressure on a bipartisan basis and just to understand the urgency of the moment. Four days ago, I asked now how bad is this, and they said ‘babies dying by the weekend’ and so this is not the kind of thing that we can get back to on Monday. We all have to exert pressure and make sure that the State Department gets this right, and I’m talking about in the next 24 hours.”

    Having recently discussed strengthening security and economic ties with the Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Schatz asked, “I want to just start with the Philippines. As you know, they’re one of our closest allies. We have economic assistance arrangements, we have life-saving support that we provide, and of course we have a security partnership that’s lasted generations. If you were a senior CCP official, how would you view this freeze in foreign aid coming from the United States?”

    Peter Mattis, President of the Jamestown Foundation, replied, “I would be looking to exploit the opportunity that is there. And over the years the political fluctuations in the Philippines have offered those opportunities. They’ve disrupted the relationship. They’ve disrupted partnership, and anything from Beijing’s perspective, or if I were… a senior official in the United Front Work Department, I would be doing everything I can to exploit whatever chaos is there in the U.S.-Philippine relationship.”

    Schatz then pivoted to the subject of Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country rich in natural resources, saying, “It’s at risk of becoming a foothold for PRC military expansion. But right now it has the highest HIV incidence in the Pacific, and it’s rising. It also has a lot of unexploded ordinance, and last year the Department of Defense signed an $864 million defense bill deal with Port Morrisby, so it seems to me that the Philippines is one question: we have a bilateral relationship that spans generations and is sturdy, like under Duterte less sturdy, but still solid even when we have a president who is an unreliable partner, but in places like PNG where to use… the domestic equivalent they’re sort of swing states they’re open for business… to being aligned with China, to being aligned with the United States, to playing both sides against the middle. I’m particularly concerned about smaller countries for whom a withholding of economic or military or life-saving support is not something they can sort of weather, and so I’m wondering if you can talk about PNG in particular.”

    Dr. Melanie Hart, Senior Director of Global China Hub at Atlantic Council, answered, “Basically we’ve given Beijing a blank check and kneecapped the United States and the entire global pro-democracy movement. If you want to talk about PNG and their need for medicine, there is very clear pattern that, during the COVID crisis, Beijing forced nations around the world… to carry out its political edicts in exchange for COVID vaccines. I have no doubt that Beijing is already showing up in capitals where the United States is pulling back and saying here is your HIV medicine and guess what: here’s the three things you need to do for me today to get it.”

    Schatz was recently named the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, which appropriates billions of dollars in funding for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other critical agencies and programs that provide humanitarian aid, global health support, and economic and security assistance, among other things to those in need around the world.

    Video of Senator Schatz’s full exchange at today’s hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Amid global uncertainty, minister meets with economic forecast council

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The impacts of potential U.S. tariffs are adding uncertainty to the global and domestic outlook, but private-sector forecasters indicate British Columbia is well positioned to take on whatever comes next.

    At their annual meeting with the finance minister on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, the 13 independent private sector forecasters from across Canada that make up B.C.’s Economic Forecast Council (EFC) noted that, like all provinces, B.C.’s economic outlook is affected by global and domestic forces, including federal immigration targets. Forecasters reaffirmed that in the absence of tariffs, they had expected steady economic growth for B.C.

    Members said a diverse export network and a resource-rich environment give B.C. an advantage over other provinces, while some were encouraged by B.C.’s work to date to address housing supply, skills training and affordability challenges.

    “We are in times of significant global uncertainty, and we can expect this instability to continue through the next four years,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance. “Our approach is to stand up for British Columbians by strengthening our economy, and continuing to diversify our trading network, while supporting the people that need it most. Our Economic Forecast Council has noted that while the uncertainty of threats from the south can make the planning and budgeting process more challenging than typical, with a diverse economy, B.C. remains well-positioned to attract new investment, skilled workers, and development opportunities. While there are challenges ahead, we have everything we need here to thrive.”

    The Economic Forecast Council estimates that real GDP in B.C. grew by 1.2% in 2024, higher than the Province’s projection in the Fall 2024 Economic and Fiscal Update. In early January, the council forecast B.C. real GDP growth of 1.9% in 2025, in line with the ministry’s outlook, and steady economic growth of 2.0% annually on average through 2029. These projections do not fully include the impact of potential U.S. tariffs.

    Economic Forecast Council members will have an opportunity to revise their forecasts before the budget.

    B.C.’s finance minister meets each year with the Economic Forecast Council, whose forecasts and feedback help inform the Province as it prepares the next provincial budget. The budget will be released on March 4, 2025.

    Learn More:

    To access the Fall 2024 Economic and Fiscal Update, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/finances/reports/quarterly-reports

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Body found on Bethells Beach believed to be missing swimmer

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police were notified about 8:10pm yesterday that a body had washed up on Bethells Beach.

    Although formal identification is ongoing, Police believe it is likely the body of the man who got into difficulty in the water at Piha on Tuesday evening.

    The man’s family has been advised and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

    The death will be referred to the Coroner.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Staff Issues Supplemental Letter Regarding No-Action Position on Reporting, Recordkeeping Requirements

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    CFTC Staff Issues Supplemental Letter Regarding No-Action Position on Reporting, Recordkeeping Requirements | CFTC

    /PressRoom/PressReleases/9042-25
    Skip to main content

    January 31, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Market Oversight and the Division of Clearing and Risk today announced they have taken a no-action position regarding swap data reporting and recordkeeping regulations. This position is in response to a request from KalshiEX LLC, a designated contract market, and Kalshi Klear LLC, a derivatives clearing organization, to modify CFTC Letter No. 24-15 to remove the condition prohibiting third-party clearing by participants and to cover fully-collateralized variable payout contracts. 
    The Divisions will not recommend the Commission initiate an enforcement action against KalshiEX LLC, Kalshi Klear LLC, or their participants for failure to comply with certain swap-related recordkeeping requirements and for failure to report to swap data repositories data associated with binary option transactions and variable payout contract transactions executed on or subject to the rules of KalshiEX LLC and cleared through Kalshi Klear LLC, subject to the terms of the no-action letter. The supplemental letter also removes the condition in CFTC Letter No. 24-15 that prohibits Kalshi participants from clearing contracts through a third-party clearing member.

    -CFTC-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Blue Ridge Beef Issues a Recall of Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix Due to Salmonella Contamination

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    FDA Publish Date:
    Product Type:
    Animal & Veterinary
    Food & Beverages
    Pet Food
    Foodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description

    Salmonella contamination

    Company Name:
    Blue Ridge Beef
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)

    Blue Ridge Beef

    Product Description:

    Product Description

    Natural Mix

    Company Announcement

    STATESVILLE, NC – January 31, 2025– Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 5,700 lbs. of their 2 lb log Natural Mix due to a contamination of Salmonella. Lot # N25/12/31 (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags) UPC# 854298001054.

    Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

    Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

    Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

    Samples of the product was collected on 01/08/25 by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and tested by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Food and Drug Protection Laboratory. The product tested positive for Salmonella.

    On 01/27/2025 the firm was notified by the FDA that the product tested positive for Salmonella.

    The products were distributed between January 3/2025 to January 24/2025. The product is packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in the States of: [Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York State, Tennessee, Rhode Island. Image of product below:

    Products affected are:

    Product 

    Size 

    UPC 

    Lot Numbers 

    Natural Mix

    2 lb

    854298001054

    N26/12/31 (lot)

    Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return to place of purchase or destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food. For more information contact blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com or 704-873-2072

    This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

    Company Contact Information

    Product Photos

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Alvogen Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall for One Lot of Fentanyl Transdermal System 25 mcg/h Due to a Defective Delivery System

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    FDA Publish Date:
    Product Type:
    Drugs
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description

    There is potential that patches could be multi-stacked, adhered one on top of the other, in a single product pouch

    Company Name:
    Alvogen, Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)

    Alvogen

    Product Description:

    Product Description

    Fentanyl Transdermal System 25 mcg/h transdermal patches

    Company Announcement

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 31, 2025 – Morristown, NJ

    Alvogen, Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Fentanyl Transdermal System 25 mcg/h transdermal patches to the consumer level. The reason for the recall is that there is a potential that patches could be multi-stacked, adhered one on top of the other, in a single product pouch. This transdermal system is manufactured by Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P., Northridge, CA and is distributed by Alvogen, Inc. as a private label distributor.

    There is a possibility that the application of a multi-stacked 25 mcg/h patch could result in serious, life threatening, or fatal respiratory depression. Groups at potential increased risk could include first-time recipients of such patches, children, and the elderly. To date, Alvogen has received one serious adverse event related to this recall.

    The product is indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain in opioid-tolerant patients, that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid analgesic in opioid-tolerant patients, and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate, and is packaged in primary cartons of five individually wrapped and labeled pouches. The affected Fentanyl Transdermal System lot is:

    Lot 108319 of Fentanyl Transdermal System, 25 mcg/h, expiration date 04/2027.

    This lot of Fentanyl Transdermal System was distributed nationwide to the pharmacy and patient level. See image examples for lot 108319 and a multi-stacked patch.

    Alvogen, Inc. is notifying its distributors and direct customers by certified letter and is arranging for return and replacement of all recalled products. Pharmacies are requested not to dispense any product subject to this recall.

    Patients that have product subject to this recall should immediately remove any patch currently in use and contact their health care provider. Patients with unused product should return it to point of purchase for replacement. Consumers should contact their physician or health care provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

    Questions regarding this recall should be directed to Alvogen Customer Complaints by calling 866-770-3024 or sending an e-mail to alvogensmb@continuumindia.com, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.

    Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

    This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Company Contact Information

    Product Photos

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What’s Up: February 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA

    Source: NASA

    [embedded content]

    Venus blazes at its brightest for the year after sunset, then Mars and Jupiter to rule the night amid the menagerie of bright winter stars.

    All Month – Planet Visibility:

    Mercury: Pops up just above the horizon in late February, looking relatively bright as sunset fades
    Venus: Looking brilliant in the west after sunset all month
    Mars: Bright and amber-orange colored, high in the east each evening. It’s the last planet to set in the west a couple of hours before sunrise
    Jupiter: Find the giant planet high overhead in the evening, looking very bright
    Saturn: Somewhat faint, but visible low in the west for the first hour after sunset; increasingly lower as the month goes on

    Daily Highlights:
    February 1 – Venus & Moon: The crescent Moon cozies up to brilliant Venus tonight in the west after sunset. Saturn hangs below them.
    February 5 – Moon & Pleiades: Look for the Moon only a finger’s width west of the Pleiades at nightfall, then crossing in front of the star cluster before setting
    February 6 – Moon & Jupiter: The Moon is high overhead at nightfall, forming a line with bright Jupiter and reddish star Aldebaran in Taurus
    February 9 – Moon & Mars: Find the nearly full Moon in the east tonight after dark, about three finger widths below reddish Mars. Bright stars Pollux and Castor in Gemini are just to its north.
    February 12 – Full Moon

    What’s Up for February? The Moon’s many engagements, what’s the right term for a planetary rendezvous, and the goddess of love draws near.
    Moon & Planets
    Starting with the Moon’s journey across the sky this month, you’ll find the slim crescent of Earth’s natural satellite cozied up to the planet Venus on the 1st. It then visits the Pleiades on the 5th, and hops over Jupiter on the 6th, looking increasingly fuller, before arriving right next to Mars on February 9th.

    Jupiter and Mars rule the sky on February nights. You’ll find them high overhead in the evening, together with the winter constellations of Orion, Taurus, and Gemini.
    Appulses
    Astronomers sometimes get picky about their terminology. For instance, the apparent close approaches of objects on the sky, like two planets, or the Moon and a planet, are commonly called “conjunctions,” and we often use that term in this video series.
    However, most of the time, the technically correct term is an “appulse.” Conjunctions technically occur when two objects have the same right ascension, and they don’t have to appear close together in the sky. (Right ascension is a way of indicating where an object is along the sky from east to west, similar to how we measure longitude on Earth’s surface.)
    Appulses are simply the times when two objects appear at their closest in the sky, regardless of whether they have to have the same “space coordinates.” The term comes from a Latin word meaning “brought near” or “driven toward.” And now that you know the distinction, you can choose to keep it casual or impress others with some next-level astronomy knowledge. Either way, it’s all about enjoying the view.
    Venus Draws Near
    February is a month for love, so what better time to spotlight Venus, which is associated with the Roman goddess of love? This month, Venus shines at its brightest for the year. It’ll remain dazzling through the start of March as it slowly descends from its late-January high point in the sky. By mid-March, it will disappear into the glare of sunset, only to reappear as a morning object in April.

    Now, you may have heard that Venus goes through phases, just like the Moon. You can see these phases with a modest telescope. But there’s a surprising twist: unlike the Moon, Venus isn’t at its brightest when it’s “full.” Instead, it shines most brilliantly in our skies when it’s a thinner crescent! It all comes down to distance. See, Venus only appears fuller when it’s on the far side of the Sun, and much farther from Earth. As it comes closer to us, its phase becomes a crescent, but the planet also looks much larger in the sky. Even as a crescent, the light from its closer position more than makes up for the smaller phase.
    So, remember this Valentine’s proverb: “The goddess of love is at her most radiant when nearby!”
    Moon Phases

    Above are the phases of the Moon for February. Stay up to date on all of NASA’s missions exploring the solar system and beyond at science.nasa.gov. I’m Preston Dyches from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that’s What’s Up for this month.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Radar Imagery Reveals Details About Los Angeles-Area Landslides

    Source: NASA

    Analysis of data from NASA radar aboard an airplane shows that the decades-old active landslide area on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has expanded.
    Researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California used data from an airborne radar to measure the movement of the slow-moving landslides on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County. The analysis determined that, during a four-week period in the fall of 2024, land in the residential area slid toward the ocean by as much as 4 inches (10 centimeters) per week.
    Portions of the peninsula, which juts into the Pacific Ocean just south of the city of Los Angeles, are part of an ancient complex of landslides and has been moving for at least the past six decades, affecting hundreds of buildings in local communities. The motion accelerated, and the active area expanded following record-breaking rainfall in Southern California in 2023 and heavy precipitation in early 2024.
    To create this visualization, the Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team used data from four flights of NASA’s Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) that took place between Sept. 18 and Oct. 17. The UAVSAR instrument was mounted to a Gulfstream III jet flown out of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and the four flights were planned to estimate the speed and direction of the landslides in three dimensions.
    In the image above, colors indicate how fast parts of the landslide complex were moving in late September and October, with the darkest reds indicating the highest speeds. The arrows represent the direction of horizontal motion. The white solid lines are the boundaries of the active landslide area as defined in 2007 by the California Geological Survey.
    “In effect, we’re seeing that the footprint of land experiencing significant impacts has expanded, and the speed is more than enough to put human life and infrastructure at risk,” said Alexander Handwerger, the JPL landslide scientist who performed the analysis.
    The insights from the UAVSAR flights were part of a package of analyses by the ARIA team that also used data from ESA’s (the European Space Agency’s) Copernicus Sentinel-1A/B satellites. The analyses were provided to California officials to support the state’s response to the landslides and made available to the public at NASA’s Disaster Mapping Portal.
    Handwerger is also the principal investigator for NASA’s upcoming Landslide Climate Change Experiment, which will use airborne radar to study how extreme wet or dry precipitation patterns influence landslides. The investigation will include flights over coastal slopes spanning the California coastline.
    More About ARIA, UAVSAR
    The ARIA mission is a collaboration between JPL and Caltech, which manages JPL for NASA, to leverage radar and optical remote-sensing, GPS, and seismic observations for science as well as to aid in disaster response. The project investigates the processes and impacts of earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, fires, subsurface fluid movement, and other natural hazards.
    UAVSAR has flown thousands of radar missions around the world since 2007, studying phenomena such as glaciers and ice sheets, vegetation in ecosystems, and natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides.
    News Media Contacts
    Andrew Wang / Jane J. LeeJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-379-6874 / 818-354-0307andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov / jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov
    2025-012

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Building an Antenna

    Source: NASA

    A crane lowers the 112-foot-wide (34-meter-wide) steel framework for the Deep Space Station 23 (DSS-23) reflector dish into position on Dec. 18, 2024, at the Deep Space Network’s (DSN) Goldstone Space Communications Complex near Barstow, California. Once online in 2026, DSS-23 will be the fifth of six new beam waveguide antennas to be added to the network; DSS-23 will boost the DSN’s capacity and enhance NASA’s deep space communications capabilities for decades to come.
    The DSN allows missions to track, send commands to, and receive scientific data from faraway spacecraft. More than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions rely on the DSN and Near Space Network, including supporting astronauts aboard the International Space Station and future Artemis missions, supporting lunar exploration, and uncovering the solar system and beyond.
    Watch a time-lapse video of construction activities on Dec. 18.
    Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Flight Tests Wildland Fire Tech Ahead of Demo

    Source: NASA

    NASA is collaborating with the wildfire community to provide tools for some of the most challenging aspects of firefighting – particularly aerial nighttime operations.  
    In the future, agencies could more efficiently use drones, both remotely piloted and fully autonomous, to help fight wildfires. NASA recently tested technologies with teams across the country that will enable aircraft – including small drones and helicopters outfitted with autonomous technology for remote piloting – to monitor and fight wildfires 24 hours a day, even during low-visibility conditions. 
    Current aerial firefighting operations are limited to times when aircraft have clear visibility – otherwise, pilots run the risk of flying into terrain or colliding with other aircraft. NASA-developed airspace management technology will enable drones and remotely piloted aircraft to operate at night, expanding the window of time responders have to aerially suppress fires.
    “We’re aiming to provide new tools – including airspace management technologies – for 24-hour drone operations for wildfire response,” said Min Xue, project manager of the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project within NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. “This testing will provide valuable data to inform how we mature this technology for eventual use in the field.” 
    Over the past year, ACERO researchers developed a portable airspace management system (PAMS) drone pilots can use to safely send aircraft into wildfire response operations when operating drones from remote control systems or ground control stations.  
    Each PAMS, roughly the size of a carry-on suitcase, is outfitted with a computer for airspace management, a radio for sharing information among PAMS units, and an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver for picking up nearby air traffic – all encased in a durable and portable container. 
    NASA software on the PAMS allows drone pilots to avoid airborne collisions while remotely operating aircraft by monitoring and sharing flight plans with other aircraft in the network. The system also provides basic fire location and weather information. A drone equipped with a communication device acts as an airborne communication relay for the ground-based PAMS units, enabling them to communicate with each other without relying on the internet.  

    To test the PAMS units’ ability to share and display vital information, NASA researchers placed three units in different locations outside each other’s line of sight at a hangar at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. Researchers stationed at each unit entered a flight plan into their system and observed that each unit successfully shared flight plans with the others through a mesh radio network. 
    Next, researchers worked with team members in Virginia to test an aerial communications radio relay capability. 
    Researchers outfitted a long-range vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a camera, computer, a mesh radio, and an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver for air traffic information. The team flew the aircraft and two smaller drones at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, purposely operating them outside each other’s line of sight.  
    The mesh radio network aboard the larger drone successfully connected with the small drones and multiple radio units on the ground. 

    NASA researchers then tested the PAMS units’ ability to coordinate through an aerial communications relay to simulate what it could be like in the field.  
    At Monterey Bay Academy Airport in Watsonville, California, engineers flew a winged drone with vertical takeoff and landing capability by Overwatch Aero, establishing a communications relay to three different PAMS units. Next, the team flew two smaller drones nearby.  
    Researchers tested the PAMS units’ ability to receive communications from the Overwatch aircraft and share information with other PAMS units. Pilots purposely submitted flight plans that would conflict with each other and intentionally flew the drones outside preapproved flight plans. 
    The PAMS units successfully alerted pilots to conflicting flight plans and operations outside preapproved zones. They also shared aircraft location with each other and displayed weather updates and simulated fire location data. 
    The test demonstrated the potential for using PAM units in wildfire operations.  
    “This testing is a significant step towards improving aerial coordination during a wildfire,” Xue said. “These technologies will improve wildfire operations, reduce the impacts of large wildfires, and save more lives,” Xue said.  
    This year, the team will perform a flight evaluation to further mature these wildfire technologies. Ultimately, the project aims to transfer this technology to the firefighting community community. 
    This work is led by the ACERO project under NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and supports the agency’s Advanced Air Mobility mission.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 6 Things to Know About SPHEREx, NASA’s Newest Space Telescope

    Source: NASA

    Shaped like a megaphone, the upcoming mission will map the entire sky in infrared light to answer big questions about the universe.
    Expected to launch no earlier than Thursday, Feb. 27, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory will provide astronomers with a big-picture view of the cosmos like none before. Short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx will map the entire celestial sky in 102 infrared colors, illuminating the origins of our universe, galaxies within it, and life’s key ingredients in our own galaxy. Here are six things to know about the mission.
    1. The SPHEREx space telescope will shed light on a cosmic phenomenon called inflation.
    In the first billionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang, the universe increased in size by a trillion-trillionfold. Called inflation, this nearly instantaneous event took place almost 14 billion years ago, and its effects can be found today in the large-scale distribution of matter in the universe. By mapping the distribution of more than 450 million galaxies, SPHEREx will help scientists improve our understanding of the physics behind this extreme cosmic event.

    [embedded content]
    Go behind the scenes with the team working on NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope as they talk through their rigorous testing process. NASA/JPL-Caltech/BAE Systems

    2. The observatory will measure the collective glow from galaxies near and far.
    Scientists have tried to estimate the total light output from all galaxies throughout cosmic history by observing individual galaxies and extrapolating to the trillions of galaxies in the universe. The SPHEREx space telescope will take a different approach and measure the total glow from all galaxies, including galaxies too small, too diffuse, or too distant for other telescopes to easily detect. Combining the measurement of this overall glow with other telescopes’ studies of individual galaxies will give scientists a more complete picture of all the major sources of light in the universe.
    3. The mission will search the Milky Way galaxy for essential building blocks of life.
    Life as we know it wouldn’t exist without basic ingredients such as water and carbon dioxide. The SPHEREx observatory is designed to find these molecules frozen in interstellar clouds of gas and dust, where stars and planets form. The mission will pinpoint the location and abundance of these icy compounds in our galaxy, giving researchers a better sense of their availability in the raw materials for newly forming planets.

    4. It adds unique strengths to NASA’s fleet of space telescopes.
    Space telescopes like NASA’s Hubble and Webb have zoomed in on many corners of the universe to show us planets, stars, and galaxies in high resolution. But some questions — like how much light do all the galaxies in the universe collectively emit? — can be answered only by looking at the big picture. To that end, the SPHEREx observatory will provide maps that encompass the entire sky. Objects of scientific interest identified by SPHEREx can then be studied in more detail by targeted telescopes like Hubble and Webb.
    5. The SPHEREx observatory will make the most colorful all-sky map ever.
    The SPHEREx observatory “sees” infrared light. Undetectable to the human eye, this range of wavelengths is ideal for studying stars and galaxies. Using a technique called spectroscopy, the telescope can split the light into its component colors (individual wavelengths), like a prism creates a rainbow from sunlight, in order to measure the distance to cosmic objects and learn about their composition. With SPHEREx’s spectroscopic map in hand, scientists will be able to detect evidence of chemical compounds, like water ice, in our galaxy. They’ll not only measure the total amount of light emitted by galaxies in our universe, but also discern how bright that total glow was at different points in cosmic history. And they’ll chart the 3D locations of hundreds of millions of galaxies to study how inflation influenced the large-scale structure of the universe today.
    6. The spacecraft’s cone-shaped design helps it stay cold and see faint objects.
    The mission’s infrared telescope and detectors need to operate at around minus 350 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus 210 degrees Celsius). This is partly to prevent them from generating their own infrared glow, which might overwhelm the faint light from cosmic sources. To keep things cold while also simplifying the spacecraft’s design and operational needs, SPHEREx relies on an entirely passive cooling system — no electricity or coolants are used during normal operations. Key to making this feat possible are three cone-shaped photon shields that protect the telescope from the heat of Earth and the Sun, as well as a mirrored structure beneath the shields to direct heat from the instrument out into space. Those photon shields give the spacecraft its distinctive outline.
    More About SPHEREx
    SPHEREx is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the agency’s Astrophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. BAE Systems (formerly Ball Aerospace) built the telescope and the spacecraft bus. The science analysis of the SPHEREx data will be conducted by a team of scientists located at 10 institutions in the U.S., two in South Korea, and one in Taiwan. Data will be processed and archived at IPAC at Caltech, which manages JPL for NASA. The mission principal investigator is based at Caltech with a joint JPL appointment. The SPHEREx dataset will be publicly available at the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive.
    For more information about the SPHEREx mission visit:
    https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/spherex

    News Media Contact
    Calla CofieldJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-808-2469calla.e.cofield@jpl.nasa.gov
    2025-011

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet the Space Ops Team: Lindsai Bland

    Source: NASA

    With more than 17 years of experience at NASA, Lindsai Bland has been an integral part of the agency, contributing to multiple Earth observing system missions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Now, Bland ensures the agency’s communications and navigation resources meet overall needs and requirements as the Mission Operations Interface Lead for NASA’s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) program. 

    The program, managed through the agency’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, is responsible for all of NASA’s space communications operations, including the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network, which have enabled the success of more than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station, missions monitoring Earth’s weather and effects of climate change, and spacecraft exploring the Moon and beyond all depend on NASA’s Near Space and Deep Space Networks to provide robust communications services. As interface lead, Bland works with teams to guarantee that critical data is transmitted between spacecraft and desired control center.  
    “Working with the SCaN program gives me the opportunity to be a part of a variety of mission types with endless science objectives,” said Bland. “Joining this team has been a highlight of my career, and tackling new challenges has been incredibly rewarding.” 
    Looking ahead, Bland envisions that NASA will persevere in expanding the boundaries of space exploration, especially as the agency partners with international and U.S. industry in support of commercially owned and operated low Earth orbit destinations. 

    “I think NASA will continue to push the boundaries of the aerospace industry and physical science studies,” she says. “NASA will take risks in exploration, bringing along industries and businesses to help further our goals.” 
    Outside of her work at NASA, Bland is passionate about the arts. She was an avid dancer from a young age, training in ballet, modern, and jazz. Bland also enjoys making her own cosmetics. She believes strongly in giving back to her community and dedicates some of her personal time to community services effort around Montgomery County, Maryland. 
    Bland’s career at NASA is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and passion for science and space exploration. Bland will continue to NASA’s mission in expand our understanding and study of our solar system and universe in captivating new ways. 
    NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the heart of NASA’s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support. 
    To learn more about NASA’s Space Operation Mission Directorate, visit:  
    https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hubble Spots a Supernova

    Source: NASA

    The subject of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is a supernova-hosting galaxy located about 600 million light-years away in the constellation Gemini. Hubble captured this image roughly two months after a supernova named SN 2022aajn was discovered. The supernova is visible as a blue dot at the center of the image, brightening the hazy body of the galaxy.
    Other than the announcement of its discovery in November 2022, SN 2022aajn has never been the subject of published research. Why then would Hubble observe this supernova? SN 2022aajn is what’s known as a Type Ia supernova, which results from the explosion of the core of a dead star. Supernovae of this type help astronomers measure the distance to faraway galaxies. This is possible because Type Ia supernovae have the same intrinsic luminosity — no matter how bright they seem from Earth, they put out the same amount of light as other Type Ia supernovae. By comparing the observed brightness to the known intrinsic brightness, researchers can calculate the distance to the supernova and its host galaxy.
    This seemingly simple way of measuring distances is complicated by cosmic dust. The farther away a supernova is, the fainter and redder it will appear — but intergalactic dust can make a supernova appear fainter and redder as well. To understand this complication, researchers will use Hubble to survey a total of 100 Type Ia supernovae in seven wavelength bands from ultraviolet to near-infrared. This image combines data taken at four infrared wavelengths. Infrared light passes through dust more easily than visible or ultraviolet light. By comparing the brightness of the sampled supernovae across different wavelengths, researchers can disentangle the effects of dust and distance, helping to improve measurements of galaxies billions of light-years away.

    Media Contact:
    Claire Andreoli (claire.andreoli@nasa.gov)NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-11 JOINT STATEMENT FROM 13 ATTORNEY’S GENERAL: PRESIDENT TRUMP IS MISLEADING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ON PURPOSE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVES

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    2025-11 JOINT STATEMENT FROM 13 ATTORNEY’S GENERAL: PRESIDENT TRUMP IS MISLEADING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ON PURPOSE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVES

    Posted on Jan 31, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    ANNE LOPEZ

    ATTORNEY GENERAL

    LOIO KUHINA

    JOINT STATEMENT FROM 13 ATTORNEYS GENERAL: PRESIDENT TRUMP IS MISLEADING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ON PURPOSE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVES

     

    News Release 2025-11

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

    January 31, 2025

     

    HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez, along with the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, today issued a joint statement addressing President Trump’s recent executive orders purporting to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) policies and programs—collectively referred to below as “DEIA”:

     

    “President Trump’s executive orders are unnecessary and disingenuous. These orders have nothing to do with combatting discrimination. The Trump administration has longstanding civil rights laws at its disposal to combat real discrimination, and we would be willing partners if it chose to pursue this path. Instead, the administration is targeting lawful policies and programs that are beneficial to all Americans. These policies and programs are not only consistent with state and federal anti-discrimination laws, they foster environments where everyone has an opportunity to succeed. That is the opposite of discrimination.    

     

    President Trump’s attack on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives undermines a simple and unassailable goal: to create fairer workplaces and opportunities for all to succeed. His baseless and offensive claims that these initiatives somehow contributed to the tragic plane crash this week are an insult to those who are grieving and the individuals serving in the military and air traffic control.

     

    As state attorneys general representing tens of millions of American workers, we strongly oppose the president’s attempts to weaponize decades-old policies, which have been supported by Democratic and Republican administrations alike, to combat historical inequities faced by underrepresented communities and the ongoing, insidious discrimination that still exists in our country. 

     

    DEIA initiatives do more than prevent discrimination – they promote respect, understanding and the celebration of diverse perspectives. This means ensuring that people of diverse races, backgrounds and beliefs are present and valued in workplace and educational settings, that everyone receives fair treatment and equal access to opportunities, and that individuals or groups feel welcomed and supported in those settings. Inclusive employment practices such as expanded parental leave and flexible work arrangements acknowledge employees’ diverse needs, family constructs and abilities.

     

    Contrary to President Trump’s assertions, the policies he seeks to end do not diminish the importance of individual merit, nor do they mean that employers are lowering their standards, hiring unqualified candidates, or engaging in race-and-sex-based preferences. DEIA initiatives simply ensure that there are fair opportunities for everyone, helping to maximize contributions from all employees and enabling businesses and organizations to succeed in their missions.

     

    As the chief law enforcement officers for our respective states, we are committed to enforcing federal and state civil rights laws to protect the rights of all our people against discriminatory practices. We condemn discrimination in any form, and we stand in strong opposition to the president’s recent orders and the misleading narrative he has pushed to justify them.”

     

    # # #

     

    Media contacts:

    Dave Day

    Special Assistant to the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

    Email: [email protected]        

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

     

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

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DBEDT NEWS RELEASE: $6.3 MILLION RELEASED FOR TOURISM RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DBEDT NEWS RELEASE: $6.3 MILLION RELEASED FOR TOURISM RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

    Posted on Jan 31, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

    KA ʻOIHANA HOʻOMOHALA PĀʻOIHANA, ʻIMI WAIWAI A HOʻOMĀKAʻIKAʻI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

     

    $6.3 MILLION RELEASED FOR TOURISM RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    January 31, 2025

    HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., has released $6.3 million to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) to support a tourism recovery campaign to address the continued economic impacts from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires. Governor Green, at the request of DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka, has released a restriction from within the DBEDT budget.

    The campaign will be a continuation of the state’s Maui economic recovery efforts and with the current California wildfires, also manage the anticipated impacts to the state’s largest source market for visitors. Governor Green and DBEDT Director Tokioka met with members of the Hawai‘i Hotel Owners and Operators Roundtable and Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance for industry input.

    “I want to acknowledge the leadership of the Hawai‘i Hotel Owners and Operators Roundtable and Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance who discussed this idea with DBEDT Director Tokioka and I to provide resources to support the state’s tourism recovery,” said Governor Green.

    “We are all aware of the sustained effects of the Maui wildfires on our state’s tourism industry and the continued slump in West Maui hotel occupancies,” said DBEDT Director Tokioka. “As we also foresee that visitor arrivals will be impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, the tourism recovery campaign is intended to drive the visitor traffic needed to sustain local businesses and support jobs. We look forward to working on the next steps with our industry partners.”

    About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)

    DBEDT is Hawai‘i’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawai‘i economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawai‘i’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation-sector job growth.

    # # #

     

     

    Media Contact:

     

    Laci Goshi

    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

    Cell: 808-518-5480

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Transitional Housing Program Pre-Application Information Session

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    OVW conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Transitional Housing Grant Assistance Program funding opportunity. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed this program’s requirements, discussed the opportunity, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MS-13 Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murders in Virginia and Massachusetts

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Salvadoran national and member of the Uniones Locos Salvatrucha (ULS) clique of the violent Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) gang was sentenced today to six concurrent life prison sentences and additional terms of years following his conviction on charges relating to his participation in the gang’s criminal enterprise, including six murders and additional murder conspiracies.

    According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2018, Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, aka German Alexander Ramirez Lopez, Buky, and Desquiciado, 27, met other MS-13 members in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to murder an associate of MS-13’s Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique, identified in court records as K.A.C. MS-13 leadership in El Salvador had approved the murder because they believed K.A.C. had betrayed MS-13. That evening, they met K.A.C. at the residence of an MS-13 member in New Bedford. After the group ate dinner together, they beat and strangled K.A.C. to death. The conspirators then dismembered K.A.C.’s body, placed his remains in trash bags, and buried the remains in a wooded area near New Bedford. Alas Candray and other conspirators were promoted in the MS-13 ranks for their participation in the murder.

    In June 2019, Alas Candray and others conspired to murder individuals who frequently gathered to drink in a wooded area in the clique’s perceived territory in Reston. On June 23, 2019, Alas Candray and other members and associates armed themselves with a 9mm firearm, a .45 caliber firearm, and two machetes and traveled to the Hunters Woods area of Reston. The group murdered an individual, identified as J.L.G.M., shooting him and slashing him with a machete.

    On Sept. 17, 2020, Alas Candray and others devised a plan to lure a young woman, identified as I.J.P.G., to Colts Neck Road in Reston under false pretenses and kill her because they believed she was associated with a rival gang and had disparaged MS-13 on social media. A co-conspirator exchanged messages with I.J.P.G. via Snapchat, pretending to be a member of MS-13’s rival gang. He and another co-conspirator later picked up I.J.P.G. and drove her to Colts Neck Road, where Alas Candray and another MS-13 member were waiting for them. The four co-conspirators killed I.J.P.G. by taking turns shooting her, primarily in the face.

    In March 2021, MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder an individual, identified as S.A.T.L., because they believed he was a member of a rival gang. On March 11, 2021, Alas Candray and other MS-13 members and associates, surveilled S.A.T.L. in Fairfax County and waited for an opportunity to murder him. Alas Candray and his co-conspirators went to an apartment complex on Winterthur Court in Reston where Alas Candray fatally shot S.A.T.L.

    On May 30, 2022, Alas Candray and co-conspirators travelled to the Lerner Springs at Reston Apartment Homes and joined others on a footpath behind the complex to patrol the clique’s perceived territory. Shortly thereafter, the conspirators encountered an individual, identified as R.A.P.S., on the footpath. Alas Candray and others murdered R.A.P.S. by kicking him and dropping a large rock on his head as he lay on the footpath.

    On June 18, 2022, Alas Candray and a co-conspirator picked up an individual, identified as F.R.A.R., from Reston and drove him to Seneca Regional Park in Fairfax County. Alas Candray, and his co-conspirators believed that F.R.A.R. had disrespected MS-13 and violated its rules. After arriving at a pre-selected location in the park, Alas Candray and several co-conspirators murdered F.R.A.R. by beating him with a baseball bat and stabbing him. They then dismembered F.R.A.R.’s body and buried F.R.A.R.’s remains in a clandestine grave.

    On Aug. 17, 2022, Alas Candray instructed a relative to relay a message to other ULS members and associates. Using coded language, Alas Candray instructed a co-conspirator to get rid of ammunition, warned ULS members and associates that law enforcement had pictures of them, and advised them to move. The relative relayed the message the following day.

    The jury convicted Alas Candray of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, five counts of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, five counts of murder in aid of racketeering, and three counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.

    Assistant U.S. AttorneysJohn Blanchard, Megan Braun, and Natasha Smalky prosecuted the case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-1789.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 31.01.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    31 January 2025 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 31.01.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 31 January 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 872,093 4.49
    CEUX – –
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 872,093 4.49

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 31 January 2025 was EUR 3,912,384. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 236,030,991 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon conquers remaining Dead Zones through Satellite with help of Test Man and Buzz Aldrin

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon conquers remaining Dead Zones through Satellite with help of Test Man and Buzz Aldrin

    NEW YORK – Today, Verizon is pushing the boundaries of satellite and terrestrial telecommunications convergence. Satellites are no longer reserved for the extraordinary—they are woven into the everyday, and are being used to help connect and power customers’ lives.

    A lot has changed since 2014 when Verizon’s famous test man roamed the country asking “Can you hear me now?” Now he’s back, and reaching the limits of space with the help of American icon and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. They’re partnering to show how America’s largest network just got better.

    “Fifty-six years ago I was one of the select few that made it into Space and the first team to help America conquer the moon,” said Buzz Aldrin, General USAF, Doctor of Astronautics. “Back then, Space was the great unknown, and now we’ve never been closer to it. I can’t look up in the sky without seeing a satellite fly by. It’s remarkable to see how far the human race – and technology – has come.”

     

    “It’s been 10 years since I last asked America “Can you hear me now?,” said Paul Marcarelli, the Original Verizon Test Man. “Back then dead zones were everywhere and it’s safe to say today they are only in the most remote places like the dark side of the moon. Verizon’s always been on a mission to give its customers the very best experience, anticipate their changing needs and drive innovation. Satellite is for sure the next frontier.”

    Freedom to message anywhere with satellite-power. 

    Verizon engineers are relentlessly focused on providing the most reliable network experience for customers. Verizon’s network covers more than 99% of where people live, work and play, leaving very few places throughout the country where customers can’t connect. With the addition of satellite back-up to Verizon’s already robust network, Verizon is making the largest network even better.

    Satellites play a crucial role in making connectivity with Verizon even more reliable, enabling text messaging in the few areas where traditional terrestrial-based cellular networks might not reach. Here’s how:

    • Customers with select devices have access to satellite messaging features to enhance connectivity in areas without cellular coverage, allowing customers to send an emergency SOS message and provide their location.
    • Verizon is collaborating with Skylo to make satellite messaging features and location detection available for customers with select Android devices.
    • And recently, AST SpaceMobile and Verizon announced a strategic partnership with a commitment of $100 million from Verizon, to provide direct-to-cellular AST SpaceMobile service when needed for Verizon customers. The combination of Verizon’s highly reliable terrestrial mobile network, use of the multi-operator 850 Mhz band and AST’s commercial satellite array in low Earth orbit, is planned to enable cellular consumers to stay connected wherever they are, anywhere in the continental United States.

    This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted AST Special Temporary Authority (STA) authorizing beta service in the United States. This approval enables AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial BlueBird satellites, operating in low Earth orbit today, to test satellite connections with Verizon smartphones supporting voice, full data and video applications, and other native cellular capabilities, without the need of any specialized software or device support or update.

    Satellites provide reliable service in emergency situations.

    Verizon utilizes nearly 300 satellite-based portable network assets to ensure connectivity where fiber cables are unavailable or compromised. These assets provide temporary network access for first responders and in areas with limited permanent infrastructure, or for linking cell sites to the broader network when fiber cables are compromised due to power outages or physical damage.

    Satellite connections speed up delivery of service to customers in remote areas.

    Verizon uses satellite connections as backhaul for cell sites in remote areas (like forests and mountain tops) where traditional wired connections like fiber are not yet available. Satellite connections can be set up quickly compared to laying fiber, particularly in areas with significant geographical or logistical barriers. This rapid deployment is a useful solution while fiber optics is being planned and deployed. This allows cell sites to be operational and provide service while waiting for the installation of a more robust and high-capacity connection.

    * “Largest network” based on total postpaid phone connections publicly reported by Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T during the third quarter of 2024.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Fresh start after the storm: Verizon erases $10M in debt for Western North Carolina Families with ForgiveCo

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Fresh start after the storm: Verizon erases $10M in debt for Western North Carolina Families with ForgiveCo

    CHARLOTTE, NC – Verizon is teaming with ForgiveCo to eliminate $10 million in consumer debt for 6,500 Western North Carolinians. The debt relief campaign is part of Verizon’s ongoing commitment to recovery following Hurricane Helene’s sweeping devastation.

    Hundreds of North Carolina families are currently learning that Verizon has cleared their medical, financial, and other debts of necessity. The debt relief was implemented by ForgiveCo, whose “random acts of kindness” model purchases consumer debt in the affected areas, with no applications required, and notifies recipients through life-changing surprise letters, emails, and text messages.

    As if a phone call learning that your debt has been cleared isn’t exciting enough, Basketball Hall of Fame coach and Asheville (N.C.) native, Roy Williams, has signed on to be the one to share the news with the impacted families.

    In a press conference today, at Verizon’s South Asheville store, the organizations announced all applicable debt has been forgiven. No further action is required by the beneficiaries. This random act of kindness is in addition to Verizon’s $400,000 donation to United Way of North Carolina immediately following the storm.

    Leigh Anne Lanier, Atlantic South Market President, Verizon: “Verizon believes in the power of connection, not only through our technology but through the bonds we build with the communities we serve. To the 6,500 individuals impacted by this initiative and the broader Western North Carolina community, we are with you. We will always stand by you, not just as a business, but as a partner and a neighbor.”

    Roy Williams, North Carolina native, resident, philanthropist and Basketball Hall of Fame coach: “Verizon’s random acts of kindness will lift up thousands of North Carolinians that were left vulnerable to Hurricane Helene’s devastation. These are challenging times, but I’ve seen the strength and resilience of this community. Verizon’s support is a powerful reminder that no one is alone, and together, we’ll rise stronger. It’s a privilege to share this message of hope with the incredible people of North Carolina.”

    Craig Antico, Founder and CEO, ForgiveCo: “Unpayable debt is a heavy burden that causes hardship for countless hardworking Americans. Often triggered by sudden medical events or accidents, the impact of natural disasters can further destabilize families and limit opportunities for generations. Through this effort, Verizon will bring transformative change to the lives of North Carolinians in crisis, leaving a lasting mark on future generations.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: DG Okonjo-Iweala welcomes 2025 cohort of WTO Young Professionals

    Source: World Trade Organization

    A key initiative to enhance diversity and strengthen WTO membership representation at the professional level within the Secretariat, the YPP has supported the development of trade expertise among young professionals from developing economies and least developed countries (LDCs) since 2017. This year’s participants were selected from a highly competitive pool of approximately 5,500 applicants.

    In her welcoming remarks, DG Okonjo-Iweala commended the Young Professionals for gaining entry into this highly competitive programme. Reflecting on the current global trade landscape, she noted that 2025 will be a pivotal year for the WTO, with geopolitical tensions having a potential impact on negotiations on key issues such as fisheries subsidies, dispute settlement reform, development and agriculture.

    Despite these challenges, the goal must be to deliver results wherever possible and “to lay a strong foundation for a successful Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon in March 2026,” DG Okonjo-Iweala told the Young Professionals.

    She further underscored the broader impact of the WTO’s work and stressed that the role of the organization is “to deliver results that are good for people and the planet,” demonstrating how trade cooperation at the WTO can enhance certainty and foster growth for all members, big and small.

    DG Okonjo-Iweala also expressed gratitude to members who have contributed to the WTO Global Trust Fund, helping to make the YPP and other technical assistance programmes possible.

    During their initial weeks at the WTO, the Young Professionals underwent an intensive induction programme featuring over 60 Secretariat staff members, designed to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the WTO’s work.

    Speaking on behalf of the 2025 cohort, Nada Alsalmi from Saudi Arabia emphasized the significance of the programme in equipping young professionals with the tools needed to contribute to global trade.

    “Our presence at the WTO is not just a privilege, but also a responsibility. We must seize every opportunity to deepen our understanding of the multilateral trading system so we can use this knowledge to strengthen and enhance global trade, making the world more predictable, sustainable and prosperous,” she said.

    She also expressed gratitude to the WTO for “this exceptional initiative” and thanked the Director-General for “upholding this programme and strengthening its vision.”

    The ceremony also featured remarks from ambassadors of WTO members represented in this year’s YPP, who praised the programme’s role in nurturing trade talent and strengthening the multilateral trading system.

    This year’s Young Professionals hail from Angola, Armenia, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Moldova, Nigeria, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Togo and Viet Nam.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Marama Davidson to mark return to politics at Waitangi

    Source: Green Party

    Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. 

    “I am alive, I am well and I am back,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. 

    “I’m delighted to be returning to my Taitokerau whenua, and to stand alongside my fellow wahine co-leader Chlöe and our Green Party colleagues to demonstrate our movement’s core beliefs in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and in championing the wellbeing of people and planet. 

    “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to return to my work. And I am grateful, beyond words, for the aroha and support my whānau, my community and so many have graced me with this past year.  

    “I believe in community – I believe in our collective strength, and my journey over the past year has made so clear how necessary it is to take care of others, and to be taken care of. 

    “We know the value of caring for one another. Together, we will create the future our mokopuna deserve,” says Marama Davidson. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Introduces the Achieving Choice in Education (ACE) Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced the Achieving Choice in Education (ACE) Act to bolster educational choices for American families. This bill addresses growing concerns among parents about the ideological influences in public education and the economic barriers to alternative schooling options. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) is a co-sponsor. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) has introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.

    “It is the fundamental right of parents to choose the educational path that is most suitable for their children,” said Sen. Lee. “The ACE Act ensures that our tax system reflects this principle and provides real support to those seeking alternatives to public schooling.”

    “As a father of three children who were homeschooled, I know that kids benefit from an education that is uniquely suited to their needs,” said Sen. Budd. “I’m proud to cosponsor the ACE Act, which will give more parents the option to choose the education that is best for their children.”

    “Across the country, and especially in Southwest Missouri, school choice is already benefitting many of our nation’s young children.” said Rep. Burlison. “Through 529 education saving accounts, families are freed from the arbitrary link between where they live and which school their child can attend.”

    Sen. Lee’s legislation builds upon a provision of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and enhances federal tax incentives for the enactment of state-level school choice legislation.

    Key provisions of the ACE Act include:

    • Doubling the allowable level of tax-exempt 529 account distributions for qualified educational expenses to $20,000 per taxable year.
    • Gift tax exclusions up to $20,000 per year for contributions to 529 accounts.
    • Adjusted federal tax exemption on municipal bonds based on state school choice laws, incentivizing states to adopt such measures. 

    Under the ACE Act, states with no qualifying school choice laws will see the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds for local projects, such as new school construction, revoked. States that adopt school choice laws will benefit from a 50% tax exemption on bond interest income, while states fully embracing school choice will enjoy a complete tax exemption.

    ENDORSEMENTS

    “American families deserve the best education options available without financial barriers to access them. Expanding school choice provides students with an opportunity to break out of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ education system. The Achieving Choice in Education Act would incentivize states to give more American families the flexibility to educate their children according to their needs and values.” -Heritage Action for America

    “Over the past several years, a growing number of parents have realized that the one-size-fits-all model provided by public schools doesn’t meet their family’s needs – be it because of concerns over quality, safety, or values. American students deserve to find educational options that work for them, and we are grateful that Sen. Lee’s ACE Act will make that path easier for families around the country.” -Parents Defending Education Action

    “A family’s income level shouldn’t determine whether or not a child gets a good education. Instead of having their tax dollars go straight to the public schools, families should be allowed to spend their money on the education system that they’re actually using. The ACE Act uses Congress’s powerful purse strings to encourage states to be more school-choice friendly. It is common sense policy that is good for kids, good for families, and good for the future of America. We are thankful for Sen. Lee’s leadership on this issue.” -Penny Nance, President and CEO of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee

    “On behalf of Association of Christian Schools International, our 2,500 member schools, and the thousands of families who can enjoy high quality, Christian education as a result of school choice, we thank Senator Lee for his leadership in introducing the ACE Act. Over 20 years of research has found that students who exercise school choice have dramatically better educational outcomes. By encouraging school choice at the state level, more students will be empowered to access the education that best suits their needs and be set up for a lifetime of success.” -P. George Tryfiates, Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International

    “HSLDA Action supports the ACE act because it will help homeschool families pay for their children’s education. By increasing the contribution limits, and expanding 529s for homeschool use, parents will be able to save more of their own money for educational purposes in a tax advantaged way. This furthers opportunities for homeschoolers and opens the door to enable more parents to educate their children at home.” -Home School Legal Defense Association Action

    “A good education is the foundation of the American Dream. And every child—no matter their background or zip code—deserves the chance to learn and grow in an environment that is steeped in learning and free from radical ideology. Senator Lee’s ACE Act would be a monumental win for parents across the country who want the opportunity and financial freedom to give their kids the education that will set them up for success.” -Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability.

    For bill text, click HERE.
    For a one-pager, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Introduces the Knife Owners Protection Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has reintroduced the Knife Owners Protection Act (KOPA), legislation that would protect traveling knife owners from the vagaries of restrictive state and local laws. If possession of the knife is legal in the state where the journey starts and ends, and provided the knife is secured in accordance with the requirements set in KOPA, knife owners would no longer be threatened with arrest simply for traveling from one state to another. The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

    Originally introduced in 2013, KOPA serves as the first proactive pro-knife federal legislation in the nation’s history. In 1986, Congress enacted the Firearm Owner Protection Act (FOPA) to protect law-abiding gun owners from an inconsistent patchwork of local laws, but no such protections currently exist for knife owners.

    “Patchwork and unclear knife laws across America endanger the rights of law-abiding knife owners, especially when traveling,” said Senator Lee. “This legislation will provide consistency and clarity for Americans who safely transport knives between jurisdictions and prevent capricious prosecutions against them.”

    “Those who travel across the country with knives for work, recreation and self-defense are presently subject to arrest and prosecution under a confusing patchwork of inconsistent state and local laws,” said Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter. “What is perfectly legal in one place may be a serious crime in another, resulting in forfeiture of the knife and carrying significant penalties including jail time. Enforcement is not uniform even within jurisdictions and is too often subject to the vagaries of political expediency.”

    For bill text, click HERE
    For a one-pager, click HERE

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Introduces the SHUSH Act to Simplify Suppressor Rules

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) have introduced the Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing (SHUSH) Act in the Senate and House, a bill to eliminate the excessive regulation of firearm suppressors. The bill seeks to simplify the purchase process for law-abiding citizens and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles. Senate cosponsors of the SHUSH Act include Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and John Curtis (R-UT). The SHUSH Act has garnered the support of the National Association for Gun Rights, Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

    “Despite what Hollywood may lead you to believe, silencers aren’t silent, and they aren’t just for secret agents,” said Senator Lee. “They are a vital tool for hearing protection for countless marksmen and gun enthusiasts across America, and making them prohibitively difficult to obtain is an assault on the 2nd Amendment. The SHUSH Act eliminates federal regulation of silencers and treats them as the non-lethal accessory that they are.”

    “Suppressors are a vital tool for responsible gun owners that protect hearing, enhance safety, and reduce firearm noise—but thanks to Hollywood and federal overreach, they’ve been unfairly vilified,” said Congressman Cloud. “Law-abiding Americans shouldn’t have to endure months of red tape and pay an additional tax just to access a safety accessory. The SHUSH Act puts an end to this unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, eliminates the federal tax, and prevents state overreach by treating suppressors like any other firearm accessory.”

    “Suppressors are accessories and should be treated just like magazines, scopes, or gun stocks,” said Hunter King, National Association for Gun Rights. “Treating an accessory the same as a gun sets a bad precedence for anti-gun legislators to further regulate other accessories in the future. There’s no reason they should be subjected to the Brady registration scheme. We’re happy and privileged to be able to work with Sen. Lee and Rep. Cloud on this legislation,”

    “Gun Owners of America applauds the introduction of the ‘Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing Act’ (SHUSH) Act. The SHUSH Act would not only remove suppressors from the federal regulations of the National Firearms Act, but also treat suppressors as any other firearm accessory – free from the infringing background check process. Senator Lee’s bill will not only benefit hunters and sport shooters, but also take much needed steps for gun owners to restore the rights protected by the Second Amendment,” said Aidan Johnston, Director of Government Affairs, Gun Owners of America.

    Background

    Suppressors, commonly known as silencers, are non-lethal firearm accessories widely used by hunters, sportsmen, and marksmen. These devices enhance safety by reducing noise, recoil, and muzzle blast. Contrary to popular belief, they do not completely silence firearms.

    Currently, the process to legally acquire a suppressor involves an extensive and burdensome procedure through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), including:

    • Completing two copies of ATF Form 4
    • Filling out ATF Form 5330.20 Certification of Compliance
    • Obtaining certification from a local chief law enforcement officer and two copies of fingerprints
    • Submitting two passport photos and a $200 check to the ATF
    • This approval process can take 9-12 months, making the purchase of a suppressor prohibitively complex and costly for many consumers.

    The SHUSH Act aims to:

    • Eliminate federal regulation of suppressors as firearms under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Gun Control Act (GCA).
    • Remove existing taxes, fees, and registration requirements associated with suppressors.
    • Allow current or retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms with suppressors.
    • Preempt state regulations on the manufacture, transfer, transport, or possession of suppressors.
    • Strike provisions requiring mandatory minimum sentences for suppressor possession in certain cases.
    • Exempt suppressors from regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
    • Provide a provision for a refund of the $200 transfer tax for anyone who purchased a suppressor within two years prior to the enactment of the bill.
    • If passed, the SHUSH Act will work alongside the Hearing Protection Act to further deregulate suppressors and remove them from the Gun Control Act of 1968.

    SHUSH Act: Bill Text | One-Pager

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Independent National Student Ombudsman Opens

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    The National Student Ombudsman commences from today to hear from students, investigate complaints and resolve disputes with universities.

    Sarah Bendall will lead the new National Student Ombudsman function of the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office.

    The National Student Ombudsman forms part of the Action Plan to address gender-based violence in higher education, agreed to by Education Ministers earlier last year.

    Not enough has been done to address sexual violence in our universities, and for too long, students haven’t been heard.

    The 2021 National Student Safety Survey shows one in 20 students have been sexually assaulted since they started university and one in six have been sexually harassed. One in two have felt like they weren’t heard when they made a complaint.

    The Ombudsman will also be able to take complaints from students about a provider’s handling of other matters, for example where a student is subjected to antisemitism, Islamophobia or other forms of racism on campus. 

    It will not handle complaints about issues such as academic judgement or employment matters.

    The Ombudsman will allow higher education students to escalate complaints about the actions of their higher education provider.

    The Ombudsman will:

    • consider whether decisions and actions taken by higher education providers are unreasonable, unjust, oppressive, discriminatory, or otherwise wrong
    • recommend a provider takes specific steps to resolve the complaint
    • share information with relevant regulators for further compliance action if needed
    • offer a restorative engagement process between the student and the provider where appropriate, and
    • bring parties together to resolve complaints through an alternative resolution process.

    The Ombudsman will also have strong investigative powers, similar to those of a Royal Commission, including:

    • to require a university to provide information, documents or other records relevant to an investigation
    • to enter premise of a university as part of an investigation, and
    • to require an officer or employee of a university to attend and answer questions before the Ombudsman.

    The Albanese Government will also next week introduce legislation to establish a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.

    The National Code will set standards and requirements that all higher education providers must meet to make students and staff safer. 

    Addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment in universities was one of five priority actions from the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report.

    The Action Plan was informed by consultation with victim-survivor advocates, students, staff, the higher education sector, student accommodation providers and subject matter experts, including the CEO of Our Watch, Patty Kinnersly, and across governments.

    The Action Plan will contribute to the work to end gender-based violence in one generation as outlined in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032, which is being led by Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP.

    Students can lodge a complaint or find out more by visiting www.nso.gov.au

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “The new National Student Ombudsman will be able to support students and resolve disputes with university providers.

    “Not enough has been done to address sexual violence in our universities and for too long students haven’t been heard. We’re changing that.

    “Universities aren’t just places where people work and study, they are also places where people live, and we need to ensure they are safe.

    “That’s why the Albanese Labor Government has listened to students and survivors and taking action and there’s more to come.

    “We will introduce legislation for a new National Code that will give the Student Ombudsman real teeth to hold providers to account.”

    Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus:

    “Everyone should feel safe and supported on university campuses so they have the best chance to succeed and thrive.

    “The National Student Ombudsman opening its doors means that now students have a place to go where they can be heard and action can be taken.”

    If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800respect.org.au or text 0458 737 732. 

    MIL OSI News –