NewzIntel.com

Category: Latin America

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE removes criminal alien wanted for drug trafficking in Costa Rica

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SEATTLE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Josseth Santos-Fonseca, 30, a citizen of Costa Rica, to his home country where he is wanted by law enforcement authorities for drug trafficking.

    Santos entered the U.S. near Laredo, Texas, without inspection or admission by an immigration official. The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Santos on Nov. 8, 2018. While continuing with immigration proceedings, ICE received notification from Costa Rican authorities of Santos conviction related to drug smuggling. Once an immigration judge ordered Santos removed, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Seattle removed Santos to Costa Rica without incident.

    “ERO Seattle continues to work with our international partners to ensure criminal aliens are unable to find refuge in the U.S. from justice in their home country,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Seattle Interim Field Office Director Cammilla H. Wamsley. “Drug trafficking is a serious offense, and the risk it presents will always be a motivator for our officers to locate and arrest those wanted in their country of origin.”

    Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @EROSeattle.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Universal Access to High-Quality, Affordable Health Services Crucial, Speakers Tell Population and Development Commission, Warning Too Many Targets Off Track

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    In a world in which every individual has access to high-quality, affordable health services, including sexual and reproductive care, young people can shape their own futures and older persons can age with dignity, speakers at the Commission on Population and Development stressed today as it continued its fifty-eighth session.

    Health is not a privilege; it is a human right, Catharina Jannigje Lasseur (Netherlands), Chair of the Commission, underscored in the opening segment of the session.  The theme of this year’s session, which will take place from 7 to 11 April, is “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”.

    While acknowledging the progress made — maternal and child mortality has declined, lifespans are longer — she stressed:  “If we are honest with ourselves,” too many health-related targets are not on track.  Too many women and girls are still denied their bodily autonomy or face violence.  Too many women still die giving birth and too many young people still lack access to comprehensive sexuality education.  And too many communities, especially those in humanitarian and climate-vulnerable contexts, are still left behind.

    This inequity must be tackled, she stressed, through resilient and equitable health systems that meet people’s needs across the life course — from birth to old age.

    The opening segment also featured statements by Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General; Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs; Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; and Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, Minister of State for Planning and Development of Benin.

    In the afternoon, the Commission held a panel discussion to consider the Secretary-General’s reports on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (document E/CN.9/2025/2); on programmes and interventions for the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development in the context of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (document E/CN.9/2025/3); and on the flow of financial resources for assisting in the further implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (document E/CN.9/2025/4).

    People Living Longer, Having Smaller Families

    The discussion began with Cheryl Sawyer, Chief of the Population Trends and Analysis Branch of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ Population Division, who noted the diverse demographic outlook across the world.  Some countries have high levels of fertility and are growing rapidly while others have historically low levels of fertility. However, she stressed, all populations are following a similar path towards longer lives and smaller families – a process known as “demographic transition”.  The diversity “stems from the fact that countries are at different stages in this process”, she said.

    Renewed Political Commitment Key to Strengthen Health Systems

    In low-income countries where the size of the population is projected to increase over the coming decades, it will be critical to renew the political commitment to strengthen health systems and mobilize enough public resources to meet the health needs of growing populations.  The rising number of births in these countries will also require substantial investments to meet the growing demand for public health interventions, including childhood immunizations, she added.

    Over the next 25 years, she said, the global population aged 60 years or older is expected to increase by 72 per cent, from 1.22 billion in 2025 to 2.11 billion by 2050.  This will require changes in health and social protection systems as the number of older persons needing long-term care is projected to more than double.  In lower-middle-income countries, the population of older persons is growing faster than the capacity of long-term care systems, “necessitating an increased reliance on unpaid care, which is often performed by women who are themselves aging”, she said.  “Expanding long-term care systems and promoting norms of gender equality and caregiving are critical steps towards achieving healthy aging,” she stressed.

    She also highlighted the need for “data-driven decision-making” to identify and prioritize critical needs.  Despite the uncertainty, she pointed out, compared to other trends such as economic growth or technological advances, the pace and direction of population change “is far more predictable, at least in the short and medium terms”.  Leveraging the foresight that can be gained from a robust understanding of population trends is critical for accelerating progress, she said.

    Calls to Address Maternal Mortality, End Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

    Next, Alessio Cangiano, acting Chief of the Population and Development Branch of UNFPA’s Programme Division, stressed the need to address maternal mortality.  Midwifery is a proven cost-effective model for healthcare delivery in both stable and humanitarian contexts, he added, noting that community health workers also play a pivotal role in expanding healthcare to rural or underserved populations.  Their work is especially useful for ensuring prenatal and postnatal maternal and newborn care, and for increasing the rates of childhood vaccination and in-home care for older persons.  “Community health workers often operate as first responders,” he added.

    Also stressing the importance of universal access to sexual reproductive health and rights, he said that many individuals, especially women and girls, continue to encounter systemic barriers that hinder such access.  “Universal access to modern contraception, skilled attendance at birth and screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are amongst the health interventions providing the highest returns on investments,” he added.

    Government Budgets Deprioritizing Health

    “Promoting universal health coverage is the best way to ensure people have access to quality health services, without financial hardships,” he added.  Such coverage has substantial benefits not only for health, but for economic growth. However, since 2000, domestic Government health expenditure as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) has remained low for most low-income and lower-middle-income countries, he said, expressing concern about the “long-standing deprioritization of health” in Government budgets.

    He also highlighted the need to use digital technology wisely, noting that mobile health platforms have allowed people in remote or underserved areas to receive critical health information and services by means of their phones.  Telemedicine is revolutionizing diagnostics, treatment and care.  He then pointed to the power of “georeferencing” — for instance, mapping the proximity of emergency services in preparation for climate disasters.

    Half of Global Population Lacks Essential Health Services 

    The panel also included Pascale Allotey, Director of the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research of the World Health Organization (WHO), who noted that half of the world’s population — some 4.5 billion people — still lack access to essential health services, while nearly 2 billion people face financial hardship due to health costs.  “These are not just numbers; they reflect the daily reality of people forced to choose between health and household survival,” she said, adding that progress towards universal health coverage has slowed.

    “But, we also have evidence that progress is not only possible, but is already happening,” she added.  Countries that have made the most headway are the ones that have tackled six critical challenges head on, she said, adding that the first of these is establishing strong primary healthcare services.  “More accessible, more responsive and more equitable” primary healthcare is a critical investment.  Secondly, financial protections and sustainable health financing are indispensable, she said, calling for the elimination of financial barriers that push families into poverty simply for seeking care.  This is especially urgent as international health aid continues to decline.

    Investment in Health and Care Workforce Crucial

    The third key challenge is to invest in the health and care workforce, she pointed out, adding that the projected global shortfall in health workers has increased from 10 million to 11.1 million.  Without well-trained and equitably distributed health workers, even the most ambitious health goals will fall short.  Fourthly, “we must better leverage digital health data and artificial intelligence,” she said, adding that these tools hold immense promise to improve health literacy and enhance service delivery.  Yet, their potential remains underutilized, “especially in settings that stand to benefit the most”, she added.

    The fifth challenge is to ensure that “the commitment to leave no one behind must be real and must be resourced”, she said, pointing out that, by 2030, 60 per cent of the world’s poorest will live in fragile conflict-affected and vulnerable settings, where access to even basic health services will be at risk.  Finally, she said, “we need focused, integrated action on critical outcomes”, such as reducing maternal mortality, advancing sexual and reproductive health and tackling noncommunicable diseases.

    Commission’s Work Programme Adopted, Bureau Set Up 

    Also today, the Commission adopted the provisional agenda (document E/CN.9/2025/1) as well as the proposed organization of its work for the session (document E/CN.9/2025/L.1/Rev.1).

    Further, it appointed Romero Veiga (Uruguay), Joselyne Kwishaka (Burundi) and Galina Nipomici (Republic of Moldova) as Vice-Chairs for its fifty-eighth session.  Ms. Kwishaka will also assume the responsibility of Rapporteur for the session.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests Guatemalan national in New York City convicted of sexual battery of a child

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Abel Osbaldo Mendez, a 29-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala with convictions for sexual battery of a child and illegal reentry upon his release from U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville in Orange County, New York, March 28.

    “Convicted child predators such as this thrice removed illegal alien represent a major threat to our communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “ICE officers play a positive role in the arrest and removal of these criminal aliens and will continue to do so in the interest of keeping our communities safe.”

    U.S. Border Patrol Agents encountered Mendez April 25, 2014, unlawfully crossing the U.S. – Mexico border into Texas without inspection. Mendez falsely stated to the agents that he was born in Acayucan, Veracruz, Mexico, and was a citizen and native of Mexico. U.S. Border Patrol placed him into expedited removal proceedings and on May 3, 2014, removed him to Mexico via Brownville, Texas port of entry. Mendez unlawfully reentered the U.S. on an unknown date after his 2014 removal.

    Suffolk County Police Department arrested Mendez for the crime of sex assault March 20, 2019. ICE encountered Mendez April 15, 2019, and issued him a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge and placed him into removal proceedings under his true nationality and citizenship of Guatemala.

    Mendez was convicted of sexual battery of a child April 25, 2019, and sentenced to 12 months in prison.

    A Justice Department immigration judge ordered Mendez removed from the U.S. July 1, 2019. He was removed to Guatemala Dec. 18, 2019.

    USBP arrested Mendez Aug. 3, 2020, after he illegally reentered the U.S. and processed him for reinstatement of prior removal order. Mendez was removed from the U.S. for the third time Feb. 3, 2021. ICE officers encountered Mendez in Virginia May 22, 2024, and processed him for reinstatement of prior removal order. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virgina, prosecuted Mendez for illegal reentry, a charge for which he was convicted Nov. 21, 2024, and sentenced to 12 months in prison.

    Mendez is in ICE custody.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 (866-DHS-2-ICE) or completing ICE’s online tip form.

    Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERONewYork

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Joins Colleagues in Calling on Trump Administration to Reinstate TPS for Venezuela

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined 18 of her colleagues in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to reconsider the Trump Administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans who applied for TPS under its designation in 2023. The Administration’s decision to revoke this critical protection has been temporarily put on hold by a court order, postponing the harm it will cause to approximately 350,000 people who remain at risk of losing TPS.

    “Contrary to your assertion that ‘there are notable improvements in several areas, such as the economy, public health, and crime that allow for these nationals to be safely returned,’ the country conditions in Venezuela have deteriorated significantly since 2023, as discussed in detail below,” the senators wrote. “There is no credible evidence demonstrating substantive improvements in the human rights or security situation at this time. Nicolas Maduro’s third term began in January 2025 and has thus far has been characterized by political violence, violent crime, and corruption.”

    “For the reasons discussed above, we ask that you reconsider your February 1, 2025 decision and instead extend TPS for Venezuelans in the United States for the maximum statutory period of 18 months. Congress intended TPS to be both a humanitarian tool and a pragmatic response to unstable conditions abroad,” they continued.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    The first and only Latina senator, Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported immigrant communities in Nevada, calling on both administrations to protect TPS holders and other immigrants, as well as leading commonsense legislation to fix our broken immigration system. Cortez Masto joined Senator Rosen (D-Nev.) in introducing the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States. She has worked to pass meaningful immigration reform that balances critical border security measures with a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers, and she’s pushed legislation to allow Dreamers and TPS holders to work in Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Syria transition update, healthcare as a human right, more than 2,000 killed and injured in Haiti this year

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, issued a statement on Monday following his latest “extensive discussions” with leader of the caretaker administration in Damascus, Ahmed al-Sharaa. 

    The envoy expressed his appreciation noting they had talked through “all aspects” of the ongoing political process, following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December last year.

    Mr. Pedersen stressed the need to ease sanctions on Syria, emphasising the importance of a stable economy.

    They also discussed the importance of a “transparent framework for the process of selecting and electing an interim people’s assembly” and next steps towards a democratic and inclusive future.

    The top UN envoy highlighted the need to prevent any renewed cycle of violence, in the light of the mass killings of Alawite community members last month in several coastal towns.

    He also reiterated his “condemnation of Israel’s repeated attacks and interventions” inside Syria.

    End ‘indefinite detention’ of detainees

    In a joint statement on Monday a group of independent UN human rights experts said the transition period provides a “valuable opportunity” to end the arbitrary, inhumane and indefinite detention of around 52,000 detainees who have been held for years in the northeast, in relation to alleged ties with the ISIL terrorist group.

    They noted the agreement of 10 March between the interim administration and the largely Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces who guard the detainees, paving the way for the armed group to integrate with new national institutions.

    Around 9,000 male ISIL suspects are detained without due process, including 5,400 Syrians, 1,600 Iraqis, and some 1,500 from 50 other countries. The vast majority of these detainees continue to be held incommunicado without information on their fate or whereabouts, the experts said.

    In addition, some 42,500 individuals are arbitrarily held in camps, including family members and ISIL associates. Many have been held without legal process for at least six years.

    “Tens of thousands of innocent children have suffered physical violence and psychological harm, when they should be assisted as victims of terrorism and serious human rights violations,” the experts added.

    Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts are not UN staff, receive no salary for their work and are independent of any organisation or government.

    ‘Let us be bold’: Global leaders reaffirm health as a human right

    Progress towards the universal healthcare goal has been undeniable: barriers to health services, education and family planning have been almost completely removed, The UN says.

    But on Monday, health ministers, ambassadors and civil society experts gathered at UN Headquarters in New York amid concerns that gains are being reversed, issuing a resounding call to place human health and dignity at the heart of sustainable development.

    Convening the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD58) they stressed the urgency of providing universal access to quality health care – reaffirming commitments to the Programme of Action established at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

    ‘Health is not a privilege’

    Katja Lasseur, Chair of the 58th session, welcomed over 120 Member States, observers and nearly 50 NGOs, highlighting the momentum behind the week’s discussions. “Health is not a privilege,” she declared. “It is a human right and a prerequisite for sustainable development.”

    Real progress has been achieved since 2000. Life expectancy has increased by 10 years in Africa and nine years in South Asia. At the same time, child mortality has dropped by more than half and cases of HIV have dropped by 50 per cent.

    “These gains demonstrate what is possible with sustained political will and investment,” emphasised Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, Warning that progress has been “uneven.”

    “Health related targets, including universal health coverage, remain within reach,” he said, but they require urgent and equitable investment, particularly in primary health care and health coverage.

    Over 1,500 people killed in Haiti since start of 2025: UN mission

    Between 1 January and 27 March in Haiti, at least 1,518 people were killed and 572 injured in attacks by armed gangs, security operations and other acts of violence perpetrated by self-defence groups.

    That’s according to a new report from the UN Mission in Haiti (BINUH) which details the “grim” impact of violence since the beginning of the year, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric briefing journalists in New York.

    The report reveals repeated attacks in the rural areas of Kenscoff and some neighbourhoods of Carrefour – two communes in the metropolitan area of the capital, Port-au-Prince – resulting in serious human rights abuses.

    According to UN partners, gang members displayed extreme brutality, with the aim of instilling fear on the population. They executed men, women and children inside their homes and shot people on roads and paths as they tried to flee the violence, including an infant.

    “At the same time, sexual violence was committed against at least seven women and young girls during the planning and execution of those attacks by gang members,” reported Mr. Dujarric.

    The gangs ransacked several homes and set fire to more than 190 of them, which coupled with the violence has now forced more than 3,000 people to flee their localities.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta to U.S. Supreme Court: Taxpayer Funded Charter Schools Must Abide by Constitution, Remain Secular

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the Attorney General of Oklahoma and urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the creation of a publicly funded religious charter school. In the brief, filed in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, the attorneys general ask the court to uphold a ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which found that approval of the school violated both state and federal constitutions. 

    “Charter schools are taxpayer-funded public schools, not private contractors or religious institutions, and must still abide by constitutional rules,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This means charter schools must be open to all students, charge no tuition, and stay free of religious instruction. I urge the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision — the structure and government of public schools should remain with the states, not the federal courts.”

    Charter schools are publicly funded, tuition-free schools that operate independently from traditional school districts. These schools offer greater flexibility in curriculum, staffing, and operations to tailor their programs to meet the needs of their students. In exchange for this flexibility, charter schools are held accountable for meeting specific performance goals outlined in their charter — or contract — with their governing body. 

    The case in question centers on St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which Oklahoma’s Statewide Charter School Board approved to operate as a public charter school with a religious mission. The Attorney General of Oklahoma sought review of that decision in the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which agreed and held that the creation of the school violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and state law. In today’s brief, the attorneys general ask the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold this ruling.

    In the brief, the attorneys general argue that under the First Amendment, charter schools — like all public schools — must remain secular. The attorneys general argue that the choice of how to structure and govern public schools should remain with the states, not the federal courts. All states with charter schools require these schools to remain non-religious, and requiring states to allow religious charter schools would override those laws. The brief also warns that changing the legal status of charter schools could destabilize how they are funded and operated. Many states and key stakeholders rely on charter schools being public institutions, and a ruling that reclassifies them as private could disrupt billions of dollars in public education investment.

    In filing today’s brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of Columbia. 

    A copy of the brief can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MEXICAN NATIONAL INDICTED FOR ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES BY A REMOVED ALIEN AND FALSE REPRESENTATION OF A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A federal grand jury recently returned a three-count indictment charging Edgar Javier Castillo-Rodriguez, age 53, of Mexico, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a removed alien and false representation of a Social Security number. Castillo-Rodriguez appeared for his arraignment and pled not guilty to the pending charges.

    According to court documents, Castillo-Rodriguez, an alien who had previously been removed from the United States on or about October 30, 1996, at or near Brownsville, Texas, and on or about November 6, 2000, at or near El Paso, Texas, was again found in the United States on or about October 29, 2024, without having obtained the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

    On October 29, 2024, Castillo-Rodriguez knowingly and falsely represented to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office a Social Security number that had not been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security.

    On April 21, 2023, Castillo-Rodriguez knowingly and falsely represented to a potential employer a false Social Security number that had not been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security.

    This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, Gonzales Police Department, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy S. Johnson.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury.  The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, federal partners arrest illegal Guatemalan sex offender in Northern Virginia

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    FALLS CHURCH, Va. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, working with federal law enforcement partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Diplomatic Security Service, apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national and convicted sex offender, Ander Cortez-Mendez, 21, in Falls Church,Virginia, April 2.

    “Ander Cortez-Mendez is a convicted sex offender, and exactly the type of illegal alien that ICE officers seek to remove from Washington, D.C. and Virginia,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russell Hott. “We refuse to allow such offenders to continue to threaten the residents of our neighborhoods. ICE Washington, D.C. and our law enforcement partners will continue to arrest and remove criminal aliens from the streets of our communities.”

    U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Cortez-Mendez Feb. 04, 2018, after he illegally entered the United States near Rio Grande Valley, Texas. The next day, USBP issued Cortez-Mendez a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge.

    Officers with the Fairfax County Police Department arrested Cortez-Mendez, March 16, 2024, for sex crimes.

    ICE Washington, D.C. lodged an immigration detainer against Cortez-Mendez with the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, March 18, 2024; however, the detention center refused to honor the ICE detainer and released Cortez-Mendez back into the community.  

    The Fairfax County Circuit Court found Cortez-Mendez guilty of consensual sexual intercourse with a child May 20, 2024. The court sentenced Cortez-Mendez to three months in prison but suspended the entire prison sentence.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROWashington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Joins “Mornings with Maria” to Discuss Fulfilling Promises to Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    Click the image above to watch a video of Sen. Fischer’s remarks
    Click here to download audioClick here to download video
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined Maria Bartiromo today on FoxBusiness to discuss the path forward to making President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent. Senator Fischer highlighted President Trump’s support of the Senate’s budget framework and emphasized the need for Republicans to work together to fulfill their promises to the American people. 
    During the interview, Senator Fischer also stressed the importance of giving President Trump time to address unfair trading practices, particularly those affecting ag producers and manufacturers.On Making Tax Cuts Permanent
    Fischer: “Well, when we passed our budget resolution last week, we were just starting the process. That’s a framework that we use here in the Senate, along with the House. In order to have reconciliation so we can meet President Trump’s agenda: to support our troops, to secure the border, to unleash American energy, and to keep taxes low. What we’re looking at here in the Senate is to make our tax cuts that we passed in 2017 permanent. If we don’t, the American public will see a $4 trillion tax increase at the end of 2026. I look forward to working with the House to make sure that we can meet all those extremely important points that we have promised the American people.”
    On President Trump Supporting the Senate’s Budget Framework  Fischer: “You know, I think we can work together to get this done. That’s our goal. We all want to be able to get this done for the American people right now. If we don’t make those tax cuts permanent, as I said, that’s a $4 trillion tax increase. The family of four that makes about $80,000 they would see $1,700 tax increase. We promised to keep taxes low. That’s one of our promises and President Trump likes ours.”On Giving President Trump Time to Address Unfair Trading Practices
    Fischer: “I want to give the President time. That’s where I’m at, and that’s where Nebraskans are, too. To be able to give the President time, as you quoted what he had put up this morning, I agree with those points. We’re seeing a decrease in oil prices. We’re seeing food prices come down. 
    “Here in Congress, we are looking at spending cuts to get spending under control. We’re looking at getting rid of a lot of regulations out there. All of that is part of this package. So, when we wait for the President’s tariffs to be able to have an impact on the unfair trade practices that we have seen against ag producers, against manufacturing here in America, we want to make sure that we’re going to be addressing that.”On Leveling the Playing Field for American-Grown Energy
    Fischer: “Nebraska is an ethanol state, we are the second largest producer. When we talk about ethanol, ethanol from Brazil comes in with no tariff right now, none. They pay zero. But yet, when we export ethanol to Brazil, 18%. Those kinds of actions by other countries need to stop. Those are prohibitive for exports. We had an administration under Joe Biden that did nothing. They had no interest whatsoever in trade. We saw an over $40 billion trade deficit. That has to stop, so we’re giving the President time.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Aid data critical to crisis response threatened by funding cuts

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    The gathering of data which is essential for an effective response during a humanitarian crisis – and can help save lives – is under increasing threat due to global funding cuts, according to the UN’s humanitarian coordination office, OCHA.  

    “Data is central to humanitarian action,” OCHA said, as aid organizations look to “focus their response to reach the communities with the most severe needs.”

    In its latest report on the State of Open Humanitarian Data OCHA said that “as the humanitarian system severely contracts due to unprecedented funding cuts and threats to principled humanitarian action, the data ecosystem that supports it will experience the same pressure.”

    Budget cuts threatening aid as a whole have had a devastating impact on data gathering, impeding an effective humanitarian response.

    The data gathered by the United Nations and its partners covers a broad range of issues including, for example, climate hazards such as droughts, floods and storms.

    Information on rainfall, temperatures, the extent of floods and the impact on agriculture during those extreme weather events can provide important indicators including the number of people expected to be affected or displaced and ultimately help to save lives.

    Cameroon floods

    In 2024, ahead of the rainy season in Cameroon, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) partnered with the OCHA Cameroon Office to estimate flood exposure and track it in near-real time.

    The Centre predicted that about 350,000 people would be exposed to the flooding, as the season progressed, over 356,000 people were affected.

    The analysis supported a timely allocation of $4 million from CERF which provided help to 176,500 affected people in the most vulnerable areas.

    Humanitarian Data Exchange

    In 2024, some 216 organizations shared around 2,500 data sets covering crises ranging from Afghanistan to Gaza and Sudan, information which is collected in the Humanitarian Data Exchange or HDX.

    Over the last year, the HDX was consulted more than 1.4 million times by researchers in over 200 countries in territories.

    Its almost 20,000 datasets were downloaded 3.5 million times – a 30 per cent increase from 2023.

    The information, OCHA said, provides a “foundational set of data that is critical to understand a humanitarian context.”

    Countries such as Colombia, Afghanistan and South Sudan had the highest percentage of timely data on HDX. On the other hand, Myanmar and the State of Palestine were the locations with the lowest availability level.

    In light of recent aid cuts, “the year ahead promises to be challenging for data availability,” OCHA adding that it was calling on “governments and partners to continue investing in the data that underpins crisis response in what is surely a defining moment for the sector.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Rights of Migrant Workers Opens Fortieth Session and Meets with Civil Society Representatives

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families this morning opened its fortieth session, hearing an address by the Chief of the Human Rights Treaty Branch, followed by a discussion with representatives of civil society representatives from Mexico, Niger, Jamaica and Ecuador. 

    The Committee adopted the agenda and programme of work for the session, during which it is scheduled to review the reports of Mexico, Niger and Jamaica regarding their implementation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.  At the current session, the Committee will also be adopting lists of issues prior to reporting under the simplified reporting procedure for a number of countries, including Ecuador. 

    Opening the session, Antti Korkeakivi, Chief of the Human Rights Treaty Branch of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said contemporary migration was an increasingly complex phenomenon.  Current safe and regular migration pathways failed to respond to migration trends, often pushing migrants towards hazardous and irregular routes, leaving them vulnerable to violence, exploitation, abuse and even death. Alarmingly, at least 8,938 people died on migration routes worldwide in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record

    Speakers on Mexico raised issues concerning migrants’ lack of access to the labour market, the deaths and disappearances of migrants, and the detention of child migrants. 

    Concerning Jamaica, speakers addressed abuses experienced under bilateral labour mobility agreements and the detention of non-nationals. 

    On Niger, speakers raised concerns regarding the treatment of migrants at the border, the exploitation of migrant workers, and the lack of mechanisms to protect migrant workers. 

    The speaker on Ecuador spoke on the challenges faced by Venezuelan migrants and the barriers to achieving regular migration status.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Mexico: Kids in Need of Defense; RacismoMX and IMUMI; Asylum Access; Fundación para la Justicia; Sin Fronteras IAP y Asylum Access México; IMUMI; Grupo de acción por la No Detención de Personas Refugiadas; El Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Matías de Córdova A.C; Grupo de Trabajo sobre Política Migratoria; NGO Coalición México por los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad – COAMEX; Amnesty International; and Global Detention Project.

    Amnesty International and Global Detention Project spoke on Jamaica.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Niger: Nigerien Network of Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Migration Development Network, and Global Detention Project.

    The Defensoría del Pueblo de Ecuador spoke on Ecuador. 

    The webcast of Committee meetings can be found here.  All meeting summaries can be found here.  Documents and reports related to the Committee’s fortieth session can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet at 3 p.m. on Monday, 7 April to begin its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Mexico (CMW/C/MEX/4).

    Opening Statement

    FATIMATA DIALLO, Committee Chair, congratulated Antti Korkeakivi for being promoted to the new Chief of the Human Rights Treaty Branch of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

    ANTTI KORKEAKIVI, Chief of the Human Rights Treaty Branch of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the Committee this session would consider the reports of Mexico, Niger and Jamaica, and would adopt a list of issues in relation to Tajikistan under the traditional reporting procedure and lists of issues prior to reporting under the simplified reporting procedure for Fiji, Guinea and Ecuador.  The Committee would also proceed with a public launch of its general comment no. 6 (2024) next week on the convergent protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families through the Convention and the Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration, which was adopted during the thirty-eighth session in June 2024.  Mr. Korkeakivi wished the Committee a fruitful launch.

    The Global Compact for Migration presented an excellent opportunity for a comprehensive, human rights-based response to the opportunities and challenges that migration posed nowadays.  The general comment urged States to ensure that their laws, policies, and practices effectively addressed the root causes of rising migration flows.  Mr. Korkeakivi welcomed the Committee’s commitment to collaborative work with other treaty bodies and mechanisms, particularly the joint initiative with the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to elaborate general comments to advance comprehensive public policies that addressed and eradicated xenophobia and its impact on the rights of migrants and their families. 

    Contemporary migration was an increasingly complex phenomenon.  The High Commissioner valued the importance that the Committee attached to the issue of enforced disappearance in the context of migration, alongside the Committee on Enforced Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants.  These three mandates had consistently emphasised the urgent need to enhance efforts aimed at saving lives and protecting the human rights of migrants.  Current safe and regular migration pathways failed to respond to migration trends, often pushing migrants towards hazardous and irregular routes, leaving them vulnerable to violence, exploitation, abuse and even death.  Alarmingly, at least 8,938 people died on migration routes worldwide in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record 

    While 60 ratifications provided a solid foundation, increasing the number of ratifications of the Convention remained a top priority for the United Nations High Commissioner.  Notably, none of the 27 European Union Member States had signed or ratified the Convention. High Commissioner Türk had reiterated his advocacy efforts during a meeting in December 2024 at the Committee’s thirty-ninth session.  He also called for a joint action plan with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to raise awareness among States that had yet to ratify the Convention. 

    Mr. Korkeakivi said the liquidity crisis continued to hamper the Committee’s work.  The Office was doing its utmost to ensure that the Committee and other treaty bodies could implement their mandates, however, all indications pointed to a continuation of the difficult liquidity situation for the foreseeable future.  The treaty body strengthening process reached a key moment with the adoption in December of last year of the biennial resolution on the treaty body system by the General Assembly.  However, the biennial resolution did not endorse certain detailed proposals made by the Chairs and corresponding resources to implement them. 

    On Human Rights Day last year, the Geneva Human Rights Platform, in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, organised an informal meeting of the Chairs and focal points on working methods, exploring the latest developments on the treaty body system.  The Office would continue to collaborate with all treaty body experts to strengthen the system.  Mr. Korkeakivi wished the Committee a successful session.

    Questions and Responses

    A Committee Expert welcomed Mr. Korkeakivi to his new position.  The Committee was launching general comment 6 relating to the General Compact and was developing another comment relating to xenophobia and discrimination.  The liquidity crisis was an ongoing issue.  It was important to pass on this concern to the head of the division of the human rights treaty bodies.  The Committees were doing their work and now States needed to act.

    ANTTI KORKEAKIVI, Chief of the Human Rights Treaty Branch of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, recognised the work carried out by the Committee and other treaty bodies despite the lack of resources.

    Statements by Civil Society Organizations

    Mexico

    In the discussion on Mexico, speakers, among other things, said although Mexico had moved forward in terms of formalising the employment of migrants, there were still structural barriers, including lack of access to migration documents and the labour market.  Many companies did not hire migrants due to prejudices and migrants could not open bank accounts due to a lack of documents.  Human mobility was hallmarked by racism and xenophobia in Mexico. Racial discrimination persisted in migration, including through hate speech, and there had been a lack of response from the authorities.  There had recently been a serious institutional weakening for institutions responsible for migration and disability policies.  The State did not have a long-term strategic plan to strengthen the institutions responsible.   

    Massacres and disappearances of migrants continued to happen in total impunity, and criminal groups continued to bring about disappearances.  Comprehensive reparations for damages had not yet reached victims and there had been a lack of progress by Mexican consulates in Salvador and Honduras, making it difficult to access mechanisms for support.  The use of the national guard and the army to control the borders was concerning, as it had led to the deaths of migrants. 

    The deportations from the United States generated greater risks for migrants in Mexico. Arbitrary detention, lack of access to information, and the exclusion of civil society in decision-making were issues. Despite the adoption of important reforms of the Migration Act in 2020 prohibiting the detention of children, observers in Mexico noted that thousands of children were confined in de facto detention centres operated by the National Agency for Family Development that were attached to formal detention centres, putting children on the move at risk. Agriculture migrants were exploited in concerning conditions and developed disabilities due to exposure to unregulated pesticides.  It was concerning that the State did not have a strategy to provide healthcare and assistance to these people. 

    The Mexican Government should take steps to adequately fund the Commission for Assistance to Refugees and the child protection agencies, including Executive Secretaries of SIPINNAS, the Offices for Child Protection and shelters of the Family Development Systems at federal and state levels.  The Mexican Government should also increase efforts to ensure no child was returned to their country of origin without a comprehensive plan for the restitution of their rights being provided. 

    The Committee should ask Mexico how it would ensure that no child migrants would be deprived of liberty?  The Committee should urge the Mexican State to streamline proceedings to obtain work permits for asylum seekers and refugees.  A register for detained persons should be a priority issue and the framework for families seeking family members should be improved. 

    Mexico had used immigration detention measures on a large scale, placing hundreds of thousands of at-risk people in detention centres.  Concerns persisted about how limits to detention were implemented and the impact of the Supreme Court’s 2023 amparo decision; the Committee was urged to seek greater details about the social services that Mexico provided to people who were released from detention and what plans it had to ensure that released detainees had access to adequate legal procedures. 

    Jamaica

    A speaker said that as countries of origin, Mexico and Jamaica had an obligation to protect their migrant workers from discrimination and labour exploitation by renegotiating bilateral labour mobility agreements that did not allow workers to freely choose and change employers.  Jamaica and Mexico had concluded bilateral agreements with Canada governing the terms and employment under the seasonal agricultural worker programme, with around 26,000 Mexican workers and 8,000 Canadian workers participating in the programme in 2024.  Research found that Jamaican and Mexican migrants working under the temporary foreign worker programme faced a range of abuses such as wage theft, excessive working hours, unsafe working conditions, and physical and psychological abuse. Mexico and Jamaica should renegotiate their bilateral labour migration agreement with Canada, seeking specific guarantees to ensure that migrant workers in Canda could change employers and jobs freely.

    Jamaica was also called on to end the arbitrary arrest and detention of asylum seekers arriving from Haiti or other countries, and to ensure they had access to due process safeguards.  The Committee should remind Jamaica of its obligations under the Convention, and ensure that no migrant, refugee, or asylum seeker was detained without legal basis. Jamaica should also provide details of all facilities where non-nationals were detained, and ensure that conditions in these facilities met international standards.  Furthermore, Jamaica should end the detention of non-nationals in prison.  The Committee should call on Jamaica to cease this practice and to provide information on measures it was taking to reform its immigration enforcement procedures to bring them in line with its international obligations

    Niger

    Speakers on Niger, among other things, recognised the efforts of Niger in promoting and protecting universal human rights.  Efforts by the Niger authorities to respect the rights of migrant workers were welcomed. While Niger had a well-developed judicial arsenal, it faced challenges, including harmonising international treaties with national commitments.  The recent ruling related to the entry of foreigners into Niger was a source of concern. Concerns persisted around the treatment of migrants, including violations at border control posts.  Several complaints of serious violations of the human rights of migrants had been received at border posts, and there had been massive deportations from Algeria.  Several forms of trafficking had been detected, including for prostitution and forced labour.  Due to a lack of access to basic services, some migrant women had been forced to turn to prostitution to survive. 

    The Committee should recommend that Niger put in place a mechanism to protect migrant workers from exploitation, and that Niger amend its legislation to ensure that irregular entry was not prosecuted.  Niger should also adopt measures aimed at providing effective reception and care to people who had entered the country.  The Committee should recommend that Niger ratify the revised version of the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and the 2011 Convention on Domestic Workers.  Niger did not have a national human rights institution; such a body should be established. Training should be provided for the judiciary to ensure migrants could access justice. 

    Ecuador

     

    The speaker on Ecuador said Ecuador had historically been a country of origin and destination for migrants.  Today, the systemic crisis, drug trafficking and organised crime had forced thousands of compatriots to emigrate, mainly to North America, while the country hosted a significant migrant population, mostly Venezuelan.

    Although the Ecuadorian regulatory framework promoted the socioeconomic integration of people on the move, structural barriers persisted, especially in access to employment. Between 45 per cent and 60 per cent of Venezuelan migrants had university studies, but only 20 per cent had access to formal work.  It was urgent to implement policies that guaranteed decent jobs, access to social security and validation of foreign degrees.

    Thirty-one per cent of the migrant population, mainly Venezuelan, remained in an irregular situation. Among the main barriers were the lack of information and requirements that were difficult to meet, such as apostilled criminal records or proof of income, which were inaccessible to those living in poverty.  Ecuador should simplify regularisation processes, strengthen information campaigns, and improve consular coordination.  It was also key to strengthen the system for registering cases of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.  Migrants should be considered in the formulation of public policies, recognising their contribution to the development of the country and moving towards universal citizenship.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

     

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    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Committee advances discussions on trade-related climate measures and technology transfer

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Committee advances discussions on trade-related climate measures and technology transfer

    Trade-related climate measures
    Members discussed two new proposals, namely the Republic of Korea’s communication titled “Key Considerations for Trade-related Climate Measures (TrCMs): Suggested approaches toward a sustainable future” and the submission of Djibouti, presented by Burkina Faso, on behalf of least developed countries (LDCs) on “Perspectives on LDC environment-friendly trade and trade-related climate challenges”.
    Members welcomed the two submissions, noting the need to collectively address regulatory fragmentation and trade disruptions arising from the increasing use of TrCMs. Many supported the Republic of Korea’s call to ensure that TrCMs are consistent, interoperable, flexible and transparent, while striking a balance between climate objectives and WTO trade rules.
    Recognizing the challenges that LDCs face in adapting to trade-related climate policies, members emphasized the importance of addressing their specific needs and ensuring fair, equitable trade. They called for stronger support in technology transfer, capacity building and other measures to enhance LDCs’ economic situation, trade and climate resilience.
    As a follow-up to thematic sessions on TrCMs and guiding questions from the Committee Chair (Ambassador Erwin Bollinger of Switzerland), members also engaged in a substantive discussion on the way forward in addressing TrCMs in the Committee.
    Technology transfer
    On 1 April, the Committee held its 5th thematic session on technology transfer. The co-coordinators, Ms. Chanikarn Dispadung of Thailand and Mr. Richard Tarasofsky of Canada, briefed members on the key takeaways from the session.
    They said the session addressed a wide spectrum of challenges and opportunities in environmental technology transfer, fostering experience-sharing among international organizations, member governments and the private sector. Speakers identified key barriers to technology transfer, including high costs and technical requirements; supply, demand and knowledge/IP gaps; and the need for adequate funding and innovative financing mechanisms.
    Other identified barriers included stakeholder engagement and trust; infrastructure; and market size for technology absorption.  Best practices and successful approaches were also highlighted. These included needs-based and locally tailored solutions; public-private partnerships; South-South collaboration; innovative financing mechanisms; and possibilities for integrating climate technology and governance frameworks.
    Delegates emphasized the importance of tailored solutions that adapt to local contexts, with enabling conditions like skilled labour, investment and regulatory frameworks. Concrete recommendations were made for WTO action, including coordination and knowledge-sharing with relevant international organizations, as well as more targeted technical assistance through existing frameworks such as Aid for Trade.
    The thematic session series, launched in November 2023 at the request of members, serves as a platform to deepen understanding of specific issues of interest through concrete case studies and practical experience sharing. Previous sessions have addressed topics such as the clean energy transition and trade-related climate measures.
    All presentations and the co-moderators’ report from the 5th thematic session are available here.
    Transparency and information sharing
    As part of WTO “reform by doing”, the Committee followed up on a proposal from Barbados, Colombia, India, Grenada, Paraguay, Singapore, St. Kitts and Nevis, the United Kingdom and Uruguay to further improve “Administrative processes to enhance clarity and accessibility of information”.  
    Moreover, at the request of a group of members — Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan, India, Paraguay and the United States — the WTO Secretariat provided a briefing on its current and planned workstreams related to trade and environment, covering activities across various WTO divisions and with outside organizations. Members appreciated the detailed briefing provided. They reaffirmed the value of regular updates and suggested exploring ways to enhance two-way communication. Additionally, members continued discussions on improving other processes to ensure greater clarity and accessibility of information within the Committee and across committees.
    Additionally, the WTO Secretariat presented the 2023 update to the WTO Environmental Database.
    The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) presented outcomes from the 2024 Climate Change Conference (COP29) and outlined preliminary plans for COP30, scheduled for November 2025 in Brazil. The WTO Secretariat also provided an update on its initial preparations for COP30, noting that planning is still in the early stages. The Secretariat will continue to keep members informed of any developments.
    More information about the WTO Secretariat at COP29 is available here.
    Other
    Members were further briefed on developments regarding the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP) and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD).
    The European Union provided an update on its Green Deal, highlighting recent regulatory changes aimed at simplifying processes and reducing compliance burdens for businesses. Members welcomed the update and reiterated concerns about the trade impact of key measures, particularly the EU Deforestation Regulation and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
    Parties to the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade, and Sustainability (ACCTS) — Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand and Switzerland — briefed the Committee on the key features (JOB/TE/93) of ACCTS as an innovative agreement on trade, climate change and environmental sustainability. Trade liberalization in environmental goods and services under the Agreement will be extended to all WTO members on a non-discriminatory basis.
    The UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development presented their latest work related to trade and the environment.
    Next meeting
    The next Committee meeting will take place during “WTO Trade and Environment Week,” scheduled for 30 June to 4 July 2025.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: From FIRST Robotics to NASA Rockets: Angel Saenz’s Journey to White Sands

    Source: NASA

    Long before joining NASA’s Test and Evaluation Support Team contract in October 2024, Angel Saenz was already an engineer at heart.
    A STEM education program at his high school helped unlock that passion, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

    The program – FIRST Robotics Competition – is run by global nonprofit, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). It was the brainchild of prolific inventor Dean Kamen, best known for creating the Segway.
    In what the organization calls “the ultimate sport for the mind,” teams of students spend six weeks working under adult mentors—and strict rules—to design, program, and build industrial-sized robots before facing off in a themed tournament. Teams earn points for accomplishing various engineering feats, launching, grappling, and climbing their way through the obstacles of a game that’s less football and more American Ninja Warrior.
    Competing during the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the White Sands-sponsored Deming Thundercats, Saenz said FIRST was a link between abstract mathematical ideas and real-world applications.
    “Before joining FIRST, equations were just something I was told to solve for a grade, but now I was applying them and seeing how they were actually useful,” he said.
    By turning education into an extracurricular activity as compelling as video games and as competitive as any varsity sport, FIRST completely reshaped Saenz’s approach to learning.
    “There are lots of other things kids can choose to do outside of school, but engineering was always that thing for me,” he said. “I associate it with being a fun activity, I see it more as a hobby.”
    That kind of energy—as any engineer knows—cannot be destroyed. Today Saenz channels it into his work, tackling challenges with White Sand’s Composite Pressure group where he tests and analyzes pressure vessel systems, enabling their safe use in space programs.
    “Having that foundation really helps ground me,” he said. “When I see a problem, I can look back and say, ‘That’s like what happened in FIRST Robotics and here’s how we solved it.’”
    Deming High School teacher and robotics mentor David Wertz recognized Saenz’s aptitude for engineering, even when Saenz could not yet see it in himself.
    “He wasn’t aware that we were using the engineering process as we built our robot,” Wertz said, “but he was always looking for ways to iterate and improve our designs.”
    Saenz credits those early hands-on experiences for giving him a head start.
    “It taught me a lot of concepts that weren’t supposed to be learned until college,” he said.
    Armed with that knowledge, Saenz graduated from New Mexico State University in 2019 with a dual degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
    Now 28 years old, Saenz is already an accomplished professional. He adds White Sands to an impressive resume that includes past experiences with Albuquerque-based global manufacturing company Jabil and Kirtland Airforce Base.
    Though only five months into the job, Saenz’s future at White Sands was set into motion more than a decade ago when he took a field trip to the site with Wertz in 2013.
    “The kind invitations to present at White Sands or to take a tour of the facility has inspired many of the students to pursue degrees in engineering and STEM,” Wertz said. “The partnership continues to allow students to see the opportunities that are available for them if they are willing to put in the work.”
    In a full-circle moment, Saenz and Mr. Wertz recently found themselves together at White Sands once again for the 2024 Environmental, Innovation, Safety, and Health Day event. This time not as student and teacher, but as industry colleagues in a reunion that could not have been better engineered.

    The 2025 FIRST Robotics World Competition will take place in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center from April 16 to April 19. NASA will host an exciting robotics exhibit at the event, showcasing the future of technology and spaceflight. As many as 60,000 energetic fans, students, and industry leaders are expected to attend. Read more about NASA’s involvement with FIRST Robotics here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Persecution of the opposition by Xiomara Castro’s communist government in Honduras – E-001287/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001287/2025/rev.1
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Jorge Martín Frías (PfE)

    We have recently learned that the current Government of Honduras, led by Xiomara Castro, has stepped up its campaign of persecution against the Honduran opposition and a number of institutions, including the National Electoral Council (CNE), whose President, Cossette López, was threatened by the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of the Armed Forces of Honduras.

    The European Union has been an important partner in terms of sending aid to Honduras. Under the multiannual indicative programme for Honduras, the EU earmarked EUR 128 million for the years 2021-2024 alone.

    • 1.Given that the political persecution in Honduras is getting worse, what oversight and accountability mechanisms is the EU using to ensure that European taxpayers’ money is not propping up a regime that restricts political freedoms and undermines the independence of institutions?
    • 2.Does the Commission believe that the Honduran Government’s persecution of the opposition and interference in the CNE could be laying the foundations for electoral fraud in the upcoming presidential election on 30 November 2025?

    Submitted: 27.3.2025

    Last updated: 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Women in Politics and the Fight Against Violence – EoV with Brazilian Members – Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

    Source: European Parliament

    On Wednesday, 9 April 2025, the FEMM Committee in association with EP Delegation for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil will exchange views on Women in Politics and the Fight Against Violence.

    Four Members of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil have been invited to exchange views on the challenges that women in politics are facing, and what measures we can jointly take to improve the situation, especially in the fight against violence.

    In Europe, women politicians face significant levels of violence, both online and offline, as a barrier to their participation in public life. A 2018 study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) found that 85% of surveyed women parliamentarians in Europe had experienced psychological violence, including threats and harassment, while 47% had received death, rape, or other forms of threats. Online abuse is particularly widespread, with Amnesty International reporting that women politicians in Europe receive disproportionate levels of hate speech, often with sexist and misogynistic undertones.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Illegal Reentry of a Previously Removed Alien and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cosme Marin-Ponce, age 41, of Mexico, was sentenced to 18 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien and failure to register as a sex offender.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Marin-Ponce had previously been removed from the United States in 2019, after pleading guilty to indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old.  Marin-Ponce was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. Marin-Ponce also failed to register as a sex offender, as his previous conviction required.

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

    This matter was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera prosecuted the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Rwanda, Palestine, Lebanon & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    -Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda
    -Security Council
    -Occupied Palestinian Territory
    -Lebanon
    -Syria
    -Yemen
    -Ukraine
    -Special Envoy on Myanmar
    -Myanmar
    -Afghanistan
    -Sudan
    -Democratic Republic of the Congo
    -Haiti
    -World Health Day

    DAY OF REFLECTION ON THE 1994 GENOCIDE AGAINST THE TUTSI IN RWANDA
    Today, this is the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. At this morning’s event in the General Assembly to mark the Day, the Secretary-General said that this terrible period of Rwanda’s history reminds us that no society is immune from hate and horror. And as we reflect on how these crimes came about, we must also reflect on resonance in our own times.
    The Secretary-General added that we must stem the tide of hate speech and stop division and discontent that is mutating into violence.
    And he also issued a message on the day in which he urged all States to deliver on their commitments made in the Global Digital Compact to tackle online falsehoods and hate, to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and to become parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

    SECURITY COUNCIL
    This morning the Security Council heard a briefing on the Heads of Military Components Conference, which is currently taking place in New York.
    Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of our peace operations department, said this annual gathering is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to peace and security through the critical work of United Nations peacekeeping.
    He was joined by two Force Commanders, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander of our peacekeeping mission in Lebanon -UNIFIL-, as well as Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, the Force Commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    General Lazaro was here in person and General Gomes was briefing via video.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=07%20April%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEWt8DHA45o

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: International Jazz Day 2025 All-Star Global Concert (Abu Dhabi, UAE) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    The global celebration of International Jazz Day 2025 culminates in Abu Dhabi, a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

    Led by iconic pianist Herbie Hancock and hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, this concert will bring together an extraordinary lineup of renowned jazz, blues, classical, and hip-hop artists from around the world.

    Among those set to perform: Arqam Al Abri (UAE), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), A Bu (China), Terri Lyne Carrington (USA), Kurt Elling (USA), José James (USA), Rhani Krija (Morocco), John McLaughlin (UK), Hélène Mercier (France/Canada), Marcus Miller (USA), Linda May Han Oh (Australia), John Pizzarelli (USA), Dianne Reeves (USA), Arturo Sandoval (USA), Naseer Shamma (Iraq), Danilo Pérez (Panama), and Varijashree Venugopal (India). Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

    About the International Jazz Day:

    Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every April 30. The annual International Jazz Day celebration highlights the power of jazz and its role in promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity and respect for human dignity.

    International Jazz Day has become a global movement reaching more than 2 billion people annually on all continents through education programs, performances, community outreach, radio, television and streaming, along with electronic, print and social media. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is the lead nonprofit organization charged with planning, promoting and producing International Jazz Day each year.

    “We are thrilled to celebrate this International day on a high note in the UNESCO Creative City of Music Abu Dhabi. This edition will highlight the city’s rich tapestry of creativity and cultural heritage while showcasing jazz’s ability to connect communities and promote dialogue and peace across continents.” Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

    More information: https://jazzday.com/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2m0Zq5wEQM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa appoints Professor Mariana Mazzucato to G20 Taskforce

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed renowned economist Professor Mariana Mazzucato as Technical Expert to South Africa’s G20 Presidency and his Special Presidential Representative to Taskforce 1, focusing on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reducing Inequality.

    In a statement on Monday, The Presidency said Professor Mazzucato will also contribute to Taskforce 3: Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation for Sustainable Development.

    She will also support the Sherpa Track on Trade and Investment Working Group, and the Finance Track Sustainable Finance Working Group, and International Financial Architecture Working Group.

    Professor Mazzucato is a member of President Ramaphosa’s Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) since 2019, advising on areas such as green industrial strategy, State capacity, and reform of State-owned enterprises.

    In 2024, she co-chaired the Group of Experts for Brazil’s G20 Task Force for the Global Mobilisation Against Climate Change (TF-CLIMA).

    “This appointment underscores South Africa’s commitment to leveraging its leadership in the G20 to shape a more inclusive and sustainable global economy.

    “Professor Mazzucato, internationally recognised for her work on rethinking the State, green growth, mission-oriented innovation and public value creation, brings critical expertise to advancing South Africa’s goals on green industrialisation, inclusive growth, and long-term structural transformation,” the Presidency said. 

    Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership and the G20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, South Africa aims to lead global discussions on these key issues, advocating for policies that foster resilient economic development, particularly in developing countries.

    South Africa’s G20 Presidency is committed to advancing a global economic framework that supports green growth, economic resilience, and social equity.

    The year 2025, described by President Ramaphosa, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain as “a pivotal year for multilateralism”, will feature three major global gatherings: the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the Financing for Development Conference in Seville, and COP30 in Belém. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Individuals Face Federal Charges Following Multi-Agency Immigration Enforcement Operations (DOJ)

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TLANTA – Five individuals have been charged in the Northern District of Georgia with firearms-related offenses during a multi-agency immigration enforcement operation in metro-Atlanta during the past week. The operations involved coordinated investigations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable support from several local law enforcement partners. In addition to the individuals charged federally, law enforcement seized more than a dozen firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in connection with the operations.

    “Our office is proud to support our law enforcement partners in this effort and other enforcement initiatives to protect our communities and safeguard our national security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “This initiative sends a strong message to those engaged in criminal activity, whether regarding immigration-related or firearms offenses, that the ongoing and determined coordinated efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners will achieve measurable results in making our communities safer.”

    “The successful enforcement actions taken during this multi-agency operation underscore HSI’s unwavering commitment to upholding immigration laws and targeting illegal aliens allegedly possessing and trafficking in firearms,” said Steven N. Schrank, special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta, which covers Georgia and Alabama. “By leveraging our partnerships and resources, we are identifying and apprehending those who exploit our immigration system to engage in criminal activities that threaten public safety and national security.”

    “ATF along with our federal law enforcement partners will utilize all resources to investigate firearms trafficking by transnational criminal organizations and cartels,” said Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons. “The success of these investigative efforts could not be accomplished without cohesive partnerships, which keep our communities safe.”

    “The DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, are sending a clear message to the Mexican drug cartels and their criminal associates, that keeping our communities safe is our highest priority,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. 

    “FBI Atlanta is dedicated to supporting our federal partners in achieving our mutual objective of ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This case clearly illustrates the success that can be achieved when federal agencies unite their resources and expertise to combat violent criminals.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: From March 24 to April 2, 2025, federal law enforcement agencies conducted a series of enforcement operations targeting individuals allegedly committing firearms and other violations, including those illegally present in the United States.  During the operation, law enforcement seized 13 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  Significantly, resulting investigations revealed that many of the firearms were bound for Mexico.

    The following defendants have been charged in connection with the operations:

    Hernandez Mora made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker on April 1, 2025.  Gonzales-Hoppo made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John K. Larkins, III on March 28, 2025.  Vick, Macias Montes and Sambrano also made their initial appearances before Judge Larkins on March 27, 2025. 

    Members of the public are reminded that the Criminal Complaints and Indictment only contain charges.  The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    These cases are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, Georgia State Patrol, Sandy Springs Police Department, Doraville Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Police Department, South Fulton Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Police Department, Clarkston Police Department and East Point Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys with the Northern District of Georgia, including those assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), provided valuable support for these operations.

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

    The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (Atlanta Strike Force) is to eliminate transnational organized crime syndicates and major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Atlanta Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets, Regional Priority Organization Targets, and their associates.  The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies; and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CEA Chairman Steve Miran Hudson Institute Event Remarks

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today I’d like to discuss the United States’ provision of what economists call “global public goods,” for the entire world.  First, the United States provides a security umbrella which has created the greatest era of peace mankind has ever known.  Second, the U.S. provides the dollar and Treasury securities, reserve assets which make possible the global trading and financial system which has supported the greatest era of prosperity mankind has ever known. 
    Both of these are costly to us to provide.  On the defense side, our men and women in uniform take heroic risks to make our nation and the world safer, preserving our liberties generation after generation.  And we tax hardworking Americans mightily to finance global security.  On the financial side, the reserve function of the dollar has caused persistent currency distortions and contributed, along with other countries’ unfair barriers to trade, to unsustainable trade deficits.  These trade deficits have decimated our manufacturing sector and many working-class families and their communities, to facilitate non-Americans trading with each other.
    Let me clarify that by “reserve currency,” I mean all the international functions of the dollar—private savings and trade included.  I’ve often used the example that when private agents in two separate foreign countries trade with each other, it’s typically denominated in dollars because of America’s status as the reserve provider.  That trade entails savings housed in dollar securities, often Treasurys.  As a result of all this, Americans have been paying for peace and prosperity not just for themselves, but for non-Americans too.
    President Trump has made it clear that he will no longer stand for other nations free-riding on our blood, sweat, and tears, whether in national security or trade.  The Trump Administration has already, in its first hundred days, moved forcefully to reorient our defense and trading relationships to place Americans on fairer ground.  The President has promised to rebuild our broken industrial base and pursue trade terms that put American workers and businesses first.
    I’m an economist and not a military strategist, so I’ll dwell more on trade than on defense, but the two are deeply connected.  To see how it works, imagine two foreign nations, say China and Brazil, trading with each other.  Neither country has a currency that is trusted, liquid, and convertible, which makes trading with each other challenging.  However, because they can transact in U.S. dollars backed by U.S. Treasuries, they are able to trade freely with each other and prosper.  Such trade can only occur because of U.S. military might ensuring our financial stability and the credibility of our borrowing.  Our military and financial dominance cannot be taken for granted; and the Trump Administration is determined to preserve them.
    But our financial dominance comes at a cost.  While it is true that demand for dollars has kept our borrowing rates low, it has also kept currency markets distorted.  This process has placed undue burdens on our firms and workers, making their products and labor uncompetitive on the global stage, and forcing a decline of our manufacturing workforce by over a third since its peak1 and a reduction in our share of world manufacturing production of 40%.
    We need to be able to make things in this country, as we saw during Covid, when many of our supply chains could not survive without being reliant on our biggest adversary, China.  We clearly should not rely on our biggest adversary for equipment essential to keeping our population safe and secure.  Nor should our biggest adversary be allowed to benefit so much from an international security and financial architecture we finance.
    There are other unfortunate side effects of providing reserve assets.  Others may buy our assets to manipulate their own currency to keep their exports cheap.  In doing so, they end up pumping so much money into the U.S. economy that it fuels economic vulnerabilities and crises.  For example, in the years running up to the 2008 crash, China along with many foreign financial institutions, increased their holdings of U.S. mortgage debt, which helped fuel the housing bubble, forcing hundreds of billions of dollars of credit into the housing sector without regard as to whether the investments made sense.  China played a meaningful role creating the Global Financial Crisis.  It took almost a decade to recover, until President Trump got us back on track in his first term.
    In my view, to continue providing these twin global public goods, there needs to be improved burden-sharing at the global level.  If other nations want to benefit from the U.S. geopolitical and financial umbrella, then they need to pull their weight, and pay their fair share.  The costs cannot be solely borne by everyday Americans who have already given so much.
    The best outcome is one in which America continues to create global peace and prosperity and remain the reserve provider, and other countries not only participate in reaping the benefits, but they also participate in bearing the costs.  By improving burden sharing, we can enhance resilience, and preserve the global security and trading systems for many decades into the future.
    Moreover, it is critical not just for fairness, but for capacity.  We are under siege by hostile adversaries trying to erode our manufacturing and defense industrial base and disrupt our financial system; we will be able to provide neither defense nor reserve assets if our manufacturing capacity is hollowed out.  The President has been clear that the United States is committed to remaining the reserve provider, but that the system must be made fairer.  We need to rebuild our industries to project the strength needed to protect reserve status, and we need to be able to pay our bills to do so.
    What forms can that burden sharing take?  There are many options, here are a few ideas:
    First, other countries can accept tariffs on their exports to the United States without retaliation, providing revenue to the U.S. Treasury to finance public goods provision.  Critically, retaliation will exacerbate rather than improve the distribution of burdens and make it even more difficult for us to finance global public goods.
    Second, they can stop unfair and harmful trading practices by opening their markets and buying more from America;
    Third, they can boost defense spending and procurement from the U.S., buying more U.S.-made goods, and taking strain off our servicemembers and creating jobs here;
    Fourth, they can invest in and install factories in America.  They won’t face tariffs if they make their stuff in this country;
    Fifth, they could simply write checks to Treasury that help us finance global public goods.
    Tariffs deserve some extra attention.  Most economists and some investors dismiss tariffs as counterproductive at best and devastatingly harmful at worst.  They’re wrong. 
    One reason the economic consensus on tariffs is so wrong is because nearly all of the models that economists use to study international trade assume either no trade deficits at all, or assume that deficits are short-lived and quickly self-correct through currency adjustments.  According to standard models, trade deficits will cause the dollar to weaken, which reduces imports and boosts exports, eventually wiping out the trade deficit.  If that happens, tariffs may be unnecessary, because trade will balance itself over time and, in this view, intervening with tariffs can only make things worse.
    However, that view is at odds with reality.  The United States has run current account deficits now for five decades, and these have widened precipitously in recent years, going from about 2% of GDP in the first Trump Administration to a high of nearly 4% of GDP in the Biden Administration2.  And this has happened all while the dollar has appreciated, not depreciated!
    The long run is here, and the models are wrong.  One reason is that they fail to account for the U.S. provision of the global reserve currency.  Reserve status matters and, because demand for the dollar has been insatiable, it has been too strong for international flows to balance, even over five decades.
    More recent economic analyses3 allow for the possibility of persistent trade deficits that resist automatically rebalancing, which is more in line with reality in the U.S.  They show that by imposing tariffs against exporting countries, the U.S. can improve economic outcomes, raise revenues, and impose huge losses for the tariffed nation, even with full retaliation.
    In this sense, analysis of what economists call the “incidence” of tariffs indicates that a large share and burden of the tariffs are “paid for” by the country on which we’re applying the tariffs.  Countries that run large trade surpluses are pretty inflexible—they can’t find other sources of demand to substitute for America’s.  Instead, they have no choice but to export, and America is the largest consumer market in the world.  By contrast, America has plenty of substitution options: we can make stuff at home, or we can buy from countries that treat us fairly instead of from countries that take advantage of us.  This difference in leverage means that other countries end up bearing the cost of tariffs.
    In 2018-2019, China bore the cost of President Trump’s historic tariffs through a weaker currency, meaning their citizens became poorer, with less purchasing power on the global stage.  The tariff revenue, paid for by China, was used to finance President Trump’s tax cuts for American workers and firms.  This time around, tariffs will help pay for both tax cuts and deficit reduction.
    Lower taxes on Americans, financed in part by revenue provided from foreigners, will create economic growth, dynamism, and opportunity the likes of which our country has never seen, ushering in President Trump’s new Golden Age.  Deficit reduction will help lower Treasury rates, and with them mortgage rates and consumer credit card rates, stimulating an economic boom.
    It is important to note here that tariffs are not levied simply to collect revenues.  For example, the President’s reciprocal tariffs are designed to address tariff and non-tariff barriers and other forms of cheating like currency manipulation, dumping, and subsidies to gain unfair advantage.  Revenue is a nice side effect, and if it is used in part for lowering taxes, it can help turbo-charge competitiveness improvements that boost U.S. exports.
    Burden sharing can allow the United States to continue leading the free world for many decades.  It’s a must not only for fairness, but for feasibility.  If we don’t rebuild our manufacturing sector, we will be strained in providing the security we need for our safety and to underpin our financial markets.  The world can still have the American defense umbrella and trading system, but it’s got to start paying its fair share for them.  Thank you, and I am happy to take some questions.
    [1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MANEMP
    [2] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS?locations=US
    [3] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5008591

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ceasefire Monitoring ‘Can No Longer Be Just about Being Present’, Senior Official Tells Security Council, Noting New Capabilities for Real-Time Observation

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Ahead of the ministerial meeting on peacekeeping that will be held this May in Berlin, speakers in the Security Council today both urged the importance of technological advances to ceasefire monitoring and acknowledged that such efforts alone will not create the sustainable peace that the United Nations seeks to achieve in conflict zones around the world.

    Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, recalled that peacekeeping was originally conceived as a means to monitor a ceasefire or truce.  “The original mandate of UN peacekeepers was to provide impartial observation, meticulous reporting and confidence-building support for the political processes aimed at resolving conflicts peacefully,” he said.  Then — as now — effective ceasefire monitoring depends on strict adherence to the core peacekeeping principles of consent, impartiality and non-use of force to ensure that peacekeepers are always perceived as credible, unbiased observers who can accurately record and report incidents.

    However, spotlighting the “increasingly dynamic” nature of today’s operating environment, he stressed that ceasefire monitoring “can no longer be just about being present”.  Rather, it necessitates rapidly understanding — and acting on — what is happening on the ground.  To that end, technological advances offer the ability to increase impact by deploying monitoring capabilities beyond traditional demilitarized zones.  “Such capabilities allow us to observe vast and complex landscapes in real time, overcoming the limitations of older methods that relied primarily on physical presence,” he observed.

    Continuing, he reported that the Action for Peacekeeping-Plus digital transformation strategy is designed to enhance UN missions by providing better tools to swiftly detect violations, effectively coordinate responses and maintain the trust of communities served.  However, future monitoring efforts will have to address hazards that extend beyond traditional physical domains, including influence operations, cyberattacks and other hybrid threats.  He added:  “While peacekeeping can be an integral part of a ceasefire-monitoring regime, the success of any ceasefire remains the sole responsibility of the parties.”

    Next to brief the Council was Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), who emphasized that monitoring the cessation of hostilities remains central to the Force’s mandate.  “This mission has taken on even greater importance following the hostilities of October 2023,” he stated, adding that a lasting ceasefire has long been hindered by differing interpretations of obligations under resolution 1701 (2006).  Achieving one, he noted, “may still take a long time”.

    Elaborating, he said this would potentially require an internal political process in Lebanon — particularly on sensitive issues, such as the military capabilities of Hizbullah and other non-State actors.  It would also demand a political track between Lebanon and Israel to resolve matters of sovereignty, territorial integrity and border demarcation.  Underlining the importance of Lebanon’s continued consent to the Force’s presence, he also voiced concern over growing disinformation and misinformation.  The Lebanese Government has a crucial role to play in fostering public understanding of UNIFIL’s role to prevent misperceptions, he stressed.

    Technology, he added, offers a valuable tool for modern peacekeeping.  For UNIFIL, it can enhance the safety and effectiveness of peacekeepers and address current surveillance gaps, such as detecting low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles or air strikes that evade radar.  Drones equipped with radar and cameras could help monitor wider areas for longer periods, providing real-time intelligence to troops on the ground and improving situational awareness, he observed.

    Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), then provided an update on his operating environment.  MONUSCO possesses certain surveillance technologies — including unmanned aerial vehicles for aerial reconnaissance and ground-based radar systems for perimeter security — that have significantly reduced risks to Mission personnel and improved mandate delivery.  “These tools could equally be deployed towards ceasefire monitoring,” he said.

    He noted, however, that surveillance technology has also been used by armed groups, militia and criminal networks.  He reported:  “In recent months, we have observed the use of readily available drones for reconnaissance by armed groups and the exploitation of encrypted messaging apps for coordination and propaganda dissemination.”  To address this, MONUSCO has adapted its procurement and force-generation strategies to leverage the latest capabilities “within weeks and months, rather than years”, he said.

    Also underlining the importance of maintaining the long-term consent of host States and local populations, he said that MONUSCO and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have worked jointly to define the Mission’s priorities and objectives.  While the role of technology is important, he added that “the success of our Mission is not solely dependent on technology”.  He stressed:  “Effective ceasefire monitoring depends on the continued cooperation and consent of the host State and local populations.”

    In the ensuing discussion, many Council members pointed to the transformative potential of modern technology in the peacekeeping domain. The representative of Pakistan emphasized that advances in sensing technology — including drones and satellite imagery — can significantly enhance monitoring capabilities by providing “real-time, comprehensive situational awareness”.  Denmark’s representative said that enhancing peacekeepers’ capabilities — particularly through technology — would enable significantly greater coverage in operational areas often rendered inaccessible by adverse weather, challenging terrain or security risks.

    The representative of France, Council President for April, spoke in his national capacity to similarly state that missions must be equipped with modern technology to effectively implement their mandates. “They must have night-vision capabilities and the latest drone or fixed cameras,” he said, adding:  “This is not a secondary matter at all — it is very important because a force without the means is a diminished force.”

    For his part, Greece’s representative spotlighted the double-edged sword presented by advanced technology, a point echoed by others today.  On that, he observed that technology can be harnessed for peacekeeper training; logistical support; landmine detection, mapping and clearance; and tasks involving surveillance and monitoring.  Conversely, he said, “these technologies can also be misused to carry out malicious cyberattacks, to disseminate hate speech or to undermine populations’ trust in peacekeepers through disinformation campaigns”.

    The representative of Guyana, too, said that the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation can “exacerbate the gap between local perceptions and expectations about peacekeeping missions and the mission’s actual mandate and capabilities”.  She therefore urged the development of robust public-information strategies, spotlighting as an example the use of radio stations by certain missions to counter the spread of negative narratives.  The representative of the United Kingdom also voiced support for using technology to counter threats arising from misinformation and disinformation.

    In that vein, the representative of the United States rejected recent attacks on the credibility of UN peacekeeping missions — particularly those directed at MONUSCO by Rwandan officials and forces.  Such attacks undermine trust in ceasefire monitoring and “cast doubt on their impartiality”, he observed.  He added:  “The challenges we currently face in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lebanon underscore the necessity for UN peacekeeping to be more efficient, adaptable and focused on long-term solutions to achieve lasting peace.”

    “Combining technical tools with human expertise is essential for success,” stressed Slovenia’s representative.  She also underscored that effective, impartial and transparent monitoring — based on a clear and well-funded mandate — builds trust and maintains legitimacy.  As the UN explores the future of peacekeeping, the ability to support and monitor ceasefires must remain a core part of this endeavour.  She stressed, however, that “monitoring alone cannot bring peace”; without political solutions, “monitoring risks to become but a technical activity”.

    Others picked up this thread.  “The goal of ceasefire monitoring is to win time and space for political settlement,” said China’s representative, adding:  “Without a parallel political process, ceasefire monitoring may degenerate from a peace stabilizer to a conflict-freezing agent that will not help achieve the desired goal.”  The representative of Panama emphasized that peace operations must be complemented by a greater civil and political component.  Further, he stressed that this must be accompanied by investments in development, education, health, employment and economic reconstruction “in order to avoid relapses into social tensions that could rekindle conflicts”.

    Sierra Leone’s representative, noting the UN’s ability to create the space necessary for political processes to take root, joined others in spotlighting the importance of partnerships:  “Cooperation with host Governments is fundamental to building trust and achieving lasting peace.”  The representative of the Republic of Korea, similarly, pointed to host country consent in the context of technology:  “Closer coordination with host States, emphasizing the mutual benefits of these innovations, can help foster understanding and garner support.”  The representative of Somalia added:  “We emphasize strong collaboration with regional organizations, technological providers, academic institutions and civil society organizations.”

    Along these lines, the representative of the Russian Federation said that her country is prepared to discuss the possibility of including MONUSCO in the monitoring of an eventual ceasefire — so long as there is a request to this end from subregional organizations.  On UNIFIL, she observed that, if the Force was not present, “the Security Council, for example, would not have heard that — since the ceasefire — there have been 50 more shellings coming from Israel, rather than those coming from the north of the Blue Line”.

    Algeria’s representative, going further, recalled that the Council has often been briefed on flagrant violations of ceasefires by the missions tasked with monitoring them.  “However, the reporting of these violations is usually followed by a concerning inaction to hold the perpetrators accountable,” he said.  He added:  “This is clearly a matter of accountability — and without accountability, serious questions would naturally be raised about the credibility of mandated UN operations on the ground and about the credibility of this Council.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 7 April 2025 Departmental update The multigenerational charge for women’s health and gender equality

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Photo credit: WHO/WUN/Emilie Mills

    During the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), held from 10–21 March 2025, countries from around the world reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality through a high-level political declaration. The declaration renewed the global commitment to women’s rights, acknowledged the setbacks and called for urgent, gender-responsive policy action, including the protection of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health across the life course.

    A major moment for this advocacy came on 10 March with the official WHO flagship side event, “No gender equality without women’s health”, co-sponsored by WHO, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Mexican States, UN Women and the World Economic Forum. The event drew a full house and highlighted a unified call for evidence-based approaches to address gaps in women’s health across the life course as a core component of advancing gender inequality and through health, particularly amid rising anti-rights rhetoric around the world.

    A call for holistic, life-course approaches

    The event emphasized that women’s health is not a niche concern, but a global issue that must be addressed across the life course. Without universal access to integrated care for all women, the goals associated with the key commitments of the Beijing Platform for Action will remain out of reach.

    Speakers pointed out that while women often live longer than men, they experience poorer health due to systemic barriers and lifelong disadvantage. Investing in women’s health is not only critical for gender equality but could also yield major economic gains, with national health systems potentially saving billions each year.

    Addressing data gaps

    Several speakers at the event emphasized that limited availability, analysis and use of disaggregated sex and gender data continues to hinder progress. The lack of such data contributes to underinvestment and misdiagnosis, in conditions that specifically, differently or disproportionately affect women and particularly in conditions that remain widely underrecognized, such as endometriosis. Closing this gap and ensuring women’s inclusion in clinical trials could not only improve health outcomes but also generate significant global economic savings, estimated at up to US$ 1 trillion annually.

    Young people at the forefront of change

    Lucy Fagan, WHO Youth Council member representing the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, offered a vital perspective on the role of youth in advancing gender equality and women’s health. “The Beijing agenda was created before many of us were born,” she said. “Progress is slowing, but youth are now part of the conversation. And we’re here to carry it forward.”

    Fagan highlighted that youth-led groups are not only active on the ground, but also resilient, continuing to drive momentum for issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health despite political pressures and reduced funding. As well as stressing the need for more data disaggregated by age and sex, she emphasized that “we’re driving the work forward from the ground up.” Lucy’s remarks served as a reminder that young people are essential actors in safeguarding progress from CSW through to Beijing+30, and that their voices are especially critical to countering rising anti-rights narratives, especially in digital spaces.

    Working towards more intersectional solutions

    Panellists emphasized the need for intersectional approaches that address systemic discrimination faced by marginalized groups: older women, women in detention, women with disabilities, those living in rural or indigenous communities and many others. It was also emphasized that women make up the majority of the global health workforce as well as taking 80% of health decisions at the household level, a massive yet underleveraged influence in shaping healthier societies.

    WHO at CSW69

    WHO’s engagement at CSW69 extended beyond this flagship event. Other sessions included:

    • Closing the gender nutrition gap: a key feminist approach to fight hunger and malnutrition, co-sponsored by Action contre la Faim, FHI360;
    • Digital solutions for gender equality and SRHR, which explored tech-driven innovations for advancing women’s health, co-sponsored by Norway, Colombia, UNFPA and WHO/HRP; 
    • Bridging the divide: men and boys as allies and agents of change, co-sponsored by MenEngage Alliance, UN Women, OHCHR, WHO, UNFPA, Government of Sweden, Government of Rwanda, Equimundo and others; and
    • From potential to progress: multisectoral approaches to empower adolescents, co-sponsored by UNICEF, WHO, FCDO, Plan International and BRAC. 

    These events reinforced WHO’s commitment to a rights-based and evidence-driven agenda for gender equality and women’s health. The takeaway from WHO at CSW69 is clear: investing in women’s health is not optional; it is essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda and reflects our shared values. In a time of global challenges, advancing gender-responsive health systems and policies that uphold women’s rights is more urgent than ever. And the voices of young people like Lucy Fagan, which are grounded in community action and solidarity, are joining the multigenerational charge and reminding us that there is no gender equality without women’s health and well-being.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners arrest MS-13 gang member in Virginia, wanted in El Salvador for extortion, blackmail, terrorist affiliation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, working with law enforcement partners from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Virginia State Police, apprehended an illegal Salvadoran national and documented member of the notorious MS-13 street gang wanted in El Salvador for extortion, blackmail and terrorist affiliation. Officers from ICE Washington, D.C.; agents from FBI Washington, D.C.; DEA Washington, D.C. and officials from VSP arrested Silvia Lorena Bonilla-De Jandres, 40, in Alexandria, Feb. 25.

    “Silvia Lorena Bonilla-De Jandres is not only the member of a transnational criminal enterprise known for violence, she has also apparently attempted to flee justice in her home country and hide out in Northern Virginia,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russ Hott. “We will not allow our Washington, D.C. and Virginia communities to become safe havens for the world’s bad actors. ICE Washington, D.C. remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety and protecting our residents by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders.”

    U.S. Border Patrol arrested Bonilla after she illegally entered the United States, Feb. 21, 2016, near Rio Grande Valley, Texas. USBP placed Bonilla into removal proceedings. Authorities in El Salvador issued a warrant for Bonilla’s arrest, Aug. 28, 2017, charging her with aggravated extortion, blackmail and terrorist affiliation due to her documented MS-13 membership. Interpol issued a red notice for Bonilla, Nov. 24, 2017.

    On July 11, 2025, a Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Bonilla removed from the United States to El Salvador.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROWashington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Illegal aliens from Mexico sentenced for illegal reentry into the US

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    TAMPA, Fla. – Two illegal aliens from Mexico have been sentenced to more than four years combined in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation.  

    Julio Cesar Paniagua was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously removed alien. Herman Vazquez-Padilla was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States after committing an aggravated felony.

    Paniagua pled guilty on Jan. 13, 2025. Vazquez-Padilla was found guilty on Dec. 23, 2024.

    According to court documents, in 2011, Paniagua was convicted of a narcotics distribution conspiracy, and following a sentence of incarceration, was removed from the United States on Dec. 3, 2015. In 2018, Paniagua attempted to illegally reenter the United States and was charged, convicted, and incarcerated. Later that year, he was once again removed from the United States. At some point thereafter, he illegally reentered the United States and was found to be living in Dade City, Florida, on Nov. 18, 2024.

    Vazquez-Padilla, an illegal alien of Mexico, reentered the United States without obtaining permission, after removal, following a conviction of an aggravated felony. Vazquez-Padilla was convicted of conspiracy to transport one hundred or more illegal aliens on Sept. 19, 2012. He was ordered removed on June 7, 2021, and was removed on Nov. 10, 2021. Sometime after Nov. 10, 2021, Vazquez-Padilla voluntarily and illegally reentered the United States. Vazquez-Padilla did not receive the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. On Aug. 28, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers found Vazquez-Padilla in Hillsborough County, Florida.

    These cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karyna Valdes respectively.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests previously deported Mexican national in Okla., convicted of the homicide of his own child

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    DALLAS — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Mexican national convicted of homicide March 25.

    ICE Dallas ERO Fugitive Operations and ERO Special Response teams arrested Carlos Ambriz, 53, an unlawfully present Mexican national and previously deported criminal alien near the subject’s residence in Catoosa, Oklahoma.  Ambriz was convicted in Montana for the felony offense of deliberate homicide and sentenced to 40 years prison.

    “This subject’s criminal record underscores the significant danger he represents to our community, particularly with the serious charge and conviction for killing his own child,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office acting Director Josh Johnson. “Our officers remain committed to enhancing public safety by apprehending and removing criminal aliens who violate immigration laws.”

    Ambriz encountered immigration officers while incarcerated at the Montana State Prison, where he was served a notice to appear before an immigration judge.

    Ambriz was ordered removed from the U.S. to Mexico by an immigration judge near Seattle, Washington, July 3, 1999.

    On Jan. 26, 2006, Ambriz was removed to Mexico near the Paseo Del Norte, Texas, Bridge.

    Ambriz remains in ICE custody pending removal from the U.S.

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

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws in North Texas and Oklahoma, follow us on X @ @ERODallas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: March 2025 Regional Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks

    Source: US National Oceanographic Data Center

    NOAA and its partners have released the latest Regional Reports and Outlooks, which recap winter 2024 conditions and provide insight into what might be expected this spring 2025. 

    Winter 2025 Temperature Recap

    The average temperature over the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) for meteorological winter (December–February) was 34.1°F, 1.9°F above average, ranking in the warmest third of the winter record. Winter temperatures were near- or above-average across most of the country, and much above average across the Southwest.

    Winter 2025 Precipitation Recap

    The total precipitation averaged over CONUS for winter was 5.87 inches, 0.92 inch below average, ranking in the driest third of the December-February record. Winter precipitation was above average across portions of the Northwest and northern Plains, and from the central Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic Coast. However, much of the rest of the contiguous U.S. experienced below to much-below-average precipitation, particularly in the Southwest where Arizona and New Mexico had their second-driest winter season on record.

    Spring 2025 Temperature Outlook

    The April-May-June (APJ) 2025 seasonal outlook favors above-normal temperatures for the southern half and eastern one-third of the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) as well as for the Alaska Peninsula and adjacent areas of the southern Mainland and eastern Aleutians. The greatest odds are forecast in the Southwest, southern Plains and bottom two thirds of the Florida Peninsula. Below-normal seasonal mean temperatures are most likely for a small area of west-central Alaska.

    Spring 2025 Precipitation Outlook

    The APJ 2025 precipitation outlook forecasts elevated probabilities for below-normal seasonal total precipitation amounts for much of the western U.S. and the central and southern High and Great Plains. The highest odds are centered just north of the Four Corners region. Above-normal precipitation is favored for the southern Great lakes and Ohio Valley. In Alaska, above-normal precipitation is most likely for the northern and much of the western areas of the state while drier-than-normal conditions are favored for coastal south-central Alaska.

    Impacts and Outlooks for Your Region

    Get more details for your region in the March 2025 temperature and precipitation impacts and outlooks summaries:

    Prairies and High Plains Region
    Gulf Coast Region
    Alaska and Northwestern Canada Region 
    Great Lakes Region
    Gulf of Maine Region
    Mid-Atlantic Region
    Midwest Region
    Missouri River Basin Region
    Northeast Region
    Pacific Region
    Southeast Region
    Southern Region
    Western Region

    You can access all of the Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks summaries as well as additional reports and assessments through the U.S. Drought Portal Reports web page at Drought.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: U.S. tariff threats could fuel maple syrup fraud, but AI could help navigate this sticky situation

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Maleeka Singh, PhD Candidate, Food Science, University of Guelph

    Maple syrup, often called Canada’s “liquid gold,” has long been a target for fraudulent activities, such as the dilution or substitution with other syrups, due to its high demand.

    Amid threats from the United States of increased tariffs and the imposition of a baseline tariff of 10 per cent on all imports that aren’t compliant with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, increased maple syrup fraud is a possibility.

    Food fraud, or economically motivated adulteration, is the deliberate misrepresentation of food for economic gain. This can include the substitution, dilution, addition and/or the removal of ingredients. Mislabelling of products is another form of food fraud that can happen at any point in the supply chain, from farm to fork.



    Read more:
    Sweet little lies: Maple syrup fraud undermines the authenticity of Canada’s ‘liquid gold’

    Food fraud is a multi-billion-dollar industry and poses serious risks. It can harm consumer health, tarnish brand reputations and value, jeopardize the livelihood of legitimate producers and even hamper biodiversity and conservational efforts.

    The threats of tariffs on Canadian goods by the U.S., which includes maple syrup and equipment used to make it, has raised concerns on both sides of the border about price increases and supply shortages.

    Canada produces more than 70 per cent of the world’s maple syrup and Québec is the capital of this production. In 2024, the province exported around $450 million worth of maple syrup to the U.S.

    Historic increases in food fraud

    Historically, food fraud has increased during harsh economic times, growing financial pressures, pandemics, climate incidents, wars, supply chain disruptions or any other event that destabilizes the balance between food supply and demand. These circumstances often increase food prices, creating an incentive for fraudsters to exploit the system.

    From 2020 to 2024, the world faced significant supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, regional wars and significant climate events. Unsurprisingly, food fraud cases have increased tenfold, according to recent estimations.

    Threats of higher tariffs could further contribute to this problem by increasing the likelihood that fraudsters will substitute high-value foods for lower-value products.

    Given what we have learned from past cases of food fraud, threats of increased tariffs causes uncertainty in the supply chain, increasing the risk of fraudulent maple syrups from entering the market.

    To combat this threat, there is a need for rapid, real-time and cost-effective methods to test maple syrup for authenticity.

    A 25 per cent tariff on import goods could increase the risk of fraudulent maple syrups from entering the supply chain.
    (Shutterstock)

    Methods for testing maple syrup

    Since the 1980s, various methods and tools have been developed or used to detect maple syrup adulteration. However, food fraudsters continuously adapt to evade detection, making it progressively more difficult to test for maple syrup adulteration. The more complex the testing methods, the more difficult they are to circumvent.

    Traditionally, maple syrup quality testing involves measuring the dissolved sugar content in syrup through a unit of measurement known as degrees Brix. One degree Brix is equivalent to one per cent sugar. However, applications may be limited if unknown or non-conventional adulterants are used.

    As fraud techniques become more sophisticated, new approaches are needed to ensure the authenticity of maple syrup. Non-targeted food analytical methods, such as fluorescence spectroscopy, allow for the screening of a wide range of samples, creating a fingerprint of a sample. The fingerprints can be compared to a reference library of profiles, or multiple attributes specific to maple syrups, rather than just one.

    Testing maple syrup for glowing compounds

    A recent study by our research team at the University of Guelph’s Corradini Lab explored how fluorescence fingerprints can be used to detect maple syrup adulteration.

    Fluorescence fingerprinting works by examining how internal molecules in maple syrup glow when exposed to UV and visible light. These unique, glowing fingerprints allow for the detection of markers or features that may be indicative of maple syrup fraud.

    Analyzing the distinctive features in maple syrup fluorescence fingerprints (glow), using AI, to differentiate pure from adulterated maple syrup.
    (Singh et al.), CC BY-NC-ND

    Our study explored the adulteration of amber and dark maple syrups, with common maple syrup adulterants — namely beet, corn and rice syrups — at values ranging from one to 50 per cent.

    We mapped unique and distinctive features in the fluorescence fingerprints, which were then used for differentiating pure from adulterated syrups. When exposed to UV and visible light, maple syrup features changed depending on the type — beet, corn or rice syrups — and amount of adulterant.

    AI and machine learning for improved detection

    Using the markers of maple syrup identity, we were able to apply AI to analyze multiple fluorescent features simultaneously. This allowed for the identification of pure maple syrups from adulterants, with accuracy ranging from 75 to 99 per cent.

    In fact, analyzing the fluorescence fingerprints of pure and adulterated syrups with the assistance of AI and machine learning techniques improved detection by up to 30 per cent, and identified adulterants at levels less than two per cent.

    However, expanding the fluorescence fingerprint reference library can improve the accuracy and reliability of results. AI models often require very large and extensive databases. This will be crucial for understanding and accounting for how factors like the environment, geographic location and processing conditions may affect the maple syrup glow.

    The use of AI to analyze fluorescent markers in maple syrup could allow for rapid and effective identification of suspicious fraudulent samples.

    With the increased risk of food fraud due to threats of increased U.S. import tariffs on Canadian products, combining AI and maple syrup fingerprinting can detect maple syrup fraud. This will ensure that consumers receive safe, high-quality foods while protecting the identity of one of Canada’s most iconic products.

    Maleeka Singh receives funding from the Arrell Food Institute and the SMART Scholarship Program. Maleeka Singh is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) and the American Chemical Society (ACS).

    Maria G. Corradini receives funding from NSERC and the Arrell Food Institute.

    Maria G. Corradini is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Society of Food Engineers (SOFE)

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

    – ref. U.S. tariff threats could fuel maple syrup fraud, but AI could help navigate this sticky situation – https://theconversation.com/u-s-tariff-threats-could-fuel-maple-syrup-fraud-but-ai-could-help-navigate-this-sticky-situation-253396

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Cold War Lessons ‘Forgotten So Quickly’, High Representative Warns, as Disarmament Commission Opens Annual Session amid Heightened Nuclear Risks

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    A senior United Nations official called for renewed action to fortify the international disarmament architecture, as the 2025 session of the Disarmament Commission opened today amid the highest risk of nuclear weapon use since the cold war.

    “It is remarkable that we have so quickly forgotten the lessons of the cold war,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, emphasizing the urgent need for action and reaffirming the Commission’s crucial role as a platform for consensus-building and charting a path forward in today’s volatile security landscape.

    “At no time since the height of the cold war has the risk of a nuclear weapon being used been so high, and the mechanisms designed to prevent its use so fragile,” she added.

    The Disarmament Commission, a subsidiary body of the General Assembly, provides a forum where all Member States can engage in in-depth, consensus-based discussions on key disarmament issues.  While it does not negotiate binding agreements, the Commission focuses on developing recommendations aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating weapons — particularly weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear arms.

    Describing the Commission as “a core component of the disarmament machinery”, the High Representative recalled that the forum has agreed to a range of consensus principles, guidelines and recommendations over the years — from the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones to confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms.  Most recently, in 2023, the entity reached consensus on recommendations for practically implementing transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities.

    Amid concerns over “the growing role of nuclear weapons in military doctrines and security policies”, she stated:  “We are drifting away from long-standing and effective disarmament and non-proliferation norms and efforts to prevent any use of a nuclear weapon into dangerous and uncharted territory without the guardrails which have helped to stabilize and sustain global security in the past.”

    Global Nuclear Stockpiles Stand at Approximately 12,000

    As a result of international treaties, she noted, the world’s nuclear stockpiles in 1986 were reduced from more than 70,000 warheads to around 12,000 today.

    Calls for Creative, Practical Approaches to Advance Nuclear Disarmament Despite Geopolitical Divisions 

    Meeting annually, the Commission typically concentrates on two agenda items at a time, allowing for substantive dialogue in both plenary sessions and working groups.  This year — the second of a three-year cycle — the organ continues its discussions on formulating recommendations for achieving nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as fostering common understandings related to emerging technologies in the context of international security.

    On the first topic, Ms. Nakamitsu urged the Commission to reaffirm the importance of existing disarmament frameworks, especially multilateral treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. She encouraged creative and practical approaches to finding common ground and advancing nuclear disarmament, despite geopolitical divisions.  The Commission should also safeguard past gains while encouraging fresh ideas to reinvigorate global disarmament efforts.

    The prevention of nuclear war and the elimination of nuclear weapons are among the most important tasks entrusted to the international community, she stressed, adding:  “It will not happen overnight, but it will never happen if steps are not taken now.”

    Framework Key for Ensuring Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing Advances Benefit Humanity and Not Facilitate Warfare 

    On the second topic, she noted that rapid advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and space-based services — among others — have the potential to greatly benefit humanity and contribute to achieving common objectives.  “At the same time”, she warned, “these advances are reshaping warfare in troubling ways.”

    With governance mechanisms failing to keep pace with technological innovation and adoption, she stated that this year’s deliberations will be crucial for establishing the framework within which final negotiations will take place next year.

    At the outset of its session, the Commission — which runs through 25 April — elected José Pereira (Paraguay) as Chair, along with Mahmud Mohammed Lawal (Nigeria), Amr Essam (Egypt), and Vivica Münkner (Germany) as Vice-Chairs.  It also elected Akaki Dvali (Georgia) and Julia Rodriguez (El Salvador) to serve as Chairs of Working Groups I and II, respectively.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Banco Santander Chile: First Quarter 2025 Analyst and Investor Webcast / Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTIAGO, Chile, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — You are cordially invited to participate in Banco Santander Chile’s (NYSE: BSAC) conference call-webcast on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10.00 AM (EST time) where we will discuss 1Q 2025 financial results. The Bank’s Officers participating in the conference call are: Patricia Pérez, CFO, Cristian Vicuña, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of IR and Andrés Sansone, Chief Economist. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

    The Management Commentary report will be published on April 30, 2025, before the market opens. The quiet period begins on April 15.

    To participate, the webcast presentation can be viewed at: https://mm.closir.com/slides?id=720987

    Or please dial in using any of the below numbers:
    United Kingdom+44 203 984 9844
    USA +1 718 866 4614
    Austria +43 720 022981
    Brazil +556120171549
    Canada +1 587 855 1318
    Chile +56228401484
    Czech Republic +420 910 880101
    Estonia +372 609 4102
    Finland +35 8753 26 4477
    France +33 1758 50 878
    Germany +49 30 25 555 323
    Hong Kong +852 3001 6551
    Mexico +52 55 1168 9973
    Peru +51 1 7060950
    Poland +48 22 124 49 59
    Russia +7 495 283 98 58
    Singapore +65 3138 6816
    South Africa +27872500455
    South Korea +82 70 4732 5006
    Sweden +46 10 551 30 20
    Turkey +90 850 390 7512
    Ukraine +380 89 324 0624

    Participant Passcode: 720987
    Please dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the starting time of the conference.

    If you have any questions, please contact Cristian Vicuña at Banco Santander Chile at Cristian.vicuna@santander.cl, Rowena Lambert at Rowena.lambert@santander.cl or Claudia Villalon at Claudia.villalon@santander.cl

    CONTACT INFORMATION

    Cristian Vicuña
    Investor Relations
    Banco Santander Chile
    Bandera 140, Floor 20
    Santiago, Chile
    Email: irelations@santander.cl
    Website: www.santander.cl

    Banco Santander Chile is one of the companies with the highest risk classifications in Latin America with an A2 rating from Moody’s, A- from Standard and Poor’s, A+ from Japan Credit Rating Agency, AA- from HR Ratings and A from KBRA. All our ratings as of the date of this report have a Stable Outlook.

    As of December 31, 2024, the Bank has total assets of $68,458,933 million (US$68,865 million), total gross loans (including loans to banks) at amortized cost of $41,323,844 million (US$41,569 million), total deposits of $31,359,234 million (US$31,545 million) and shareholders’ equity of $4,292,440 million (US$4,318 million). The BIS capital ratio was 17.1%, with a core capital ratio of 10.5%. As of December 31, 2024, Santander Chile employs 8,757 people and has 236 branches throughout Chile.

    The MIL Network –