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Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China calls for calm in the Red Sea, political settlement in Yemen

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    UNITED NATIONS, May 14 (Xinhua) — China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Sun Lei on Wednesday called on all parties to ease tensions in the Red Sea region, resume political dialogue in Yemen and increase humanitarian aid to resolve the country’s worsening crisis.

    “The situation in the Red Sea remains volatile and worrying,” he said at a UN Security Council briefing on Yemen, commenting on recent US and UK airstrikes in the Arab country, as well as exchanges of attacks between the Houthis and Israel, which have led to numerous casualties and destruction of infrastructure.

    Sun Lei welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthis and praised Oman’s mediation efforts. “We hope all parties will take this as an opportunity to resolve the situation as soon as possible,” he said.

    “China once again calls on all parties to maintain calm and restraint and refrain from any actions that aggravate tensions,” the diplomat added.

    Sun Lei stressed that the crisis in Yemen must be resolved through political means, calling on the parties in the country to engage in dialogue to achieve reconciliation and economic recovery.

    The deputy permanent representative expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen. “Humanitarian activities in Yemen face numerous challenges, such as funding shortages, security threats, and the side effects of a major country’s policies,” he said. China calls for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as the release of all those detained by the Houthis, the diplomat stressed.

    Sun Lei also pointed to the wider regional implications of the tensions in the Red Sea region, linking them to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. “The international community must make achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza a top priority in order to de-escalate the overall situation in the region and restore peace and stability in Yemen and the Red Sea,” he added. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Turkish and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers Discuss Upcoming Peace Talks Between Moscow and Kyiv

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ANKARA, May 15 (Xinhua) — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha in Antalya on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine scheduled to be held in Istanbul.

    According to Anadolu Agency, H. Fidan told A. Sibige that Türkiye is ready to provide any support, including holding negotiations, to help achieve peace.

    After the meeting, A. Sybiha wrote on the social network X that he had discussed in detail with his colleague ways to advance a “meaningful peace process.” “I reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace, our immediate and unconditional readiness for a full and sustainable ceasefire, as well as our proposal to hold a direct summit meeting between Ukraine and Russia,” he said.

    On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to meet with Putin in Istanbul.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that the Russian delegation at the upcoming talks would consider political and technical issues, and the topics included in the agenda would determine the composition of the delegation. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025
  • Putin, Trump to skip Ukraine’s peace talks that Russian leader proposed

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated they would not attend what could be the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in three years on Thursday, with the Kremlin sending instead a group of experienced technocrats.

    Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday “without any preconditions”. Late on Wednesday, the Kremlin said the delegation would include presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin – but Putin‘s name was not on the list.

    After the Kremlin’s delegation announcement, a U.S. official said Trump, who is on a three-nation tour of the Middle East, would not attend. The U.S. leader had said earlier that he was considering the option to participate.

    While Putin had never confirmed he would attend in person, the absence of the Russian and U.S. presidents lowers the expectations for a major breakthrough in the war that Russia started in February 2022.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had challenged Putin to attend the talks “if he’s not afraid,” in an apparent contest to show Trump who wants peace more, Ukraine or Russia.

    While the Kyiv leader was on his way to Turkey late on Wednesday, a Ukrainian official said, he had said he would take part in the talks only if Putin attended.

    In his nightly video address on Wednesday Zelenskiy said that Ukraine would decide on its steps for peace talks in Turkey once there was clarity on Putin‘s participation.

    “The answers to all questions about this war – why it started, why it continues – all these answers are in Moscow,” Zelenskiy said. “How the war will end depends on the world.”

    Trump wants the two sides to sign up to a 30-day ceasefire to pause Europe’s biggest land war since World War Two, and a Russian lawmaker said on Wednesday there could also be discussions about a huge prisoner of war exchange.

    Zelenskiy backs an immediate 30-day ceasefire, but Putin has said he first wants to start talks at which the details of such a ceasefire could be discussed.

    MORE SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA?

    Trump, who is growing increasingly frustrated with both Russia and Ukraine as he tries to push them towards a peace settlement, said he was “always considering” secondary sanctions against Moscow if he thought it was blocking the process.

    U.S. officials have spoken about possible financial sanctions as well as potential secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil.

    The U.S. delegation to Turkey included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.

    Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said early on Thursday he had met with Rubio to share Zelenskiy’s peace vision and “coordinate positions during this critical week.”

    Medinsky and Fomin, part of the Russian delegation, took part in the last set of negotiations between the two sides in the first weeks of the war. Other senior military and intelligence officials were also part of the Thursday delegation.

    Direct talks between negotiators from Ukraine and Russia last took place in Istanbul in March 2022, a month after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in what he calls a “special military operation” to root out neo-Nazis.

    Ukraine and its allies say the invasion was an unprovoked, imperial-style land grab.

    With Russian forces grinding forward in Ukraine and now controlling about a fifth of the country, the Kremlin chief has offered few, if any, concessions so far. In his proposal at the weekend, he said that the talks in Turkey would be aimed at a durable peace.

    He specifically mentioned the 2022 talks and the failed draft deal.

    Under that deal, among others, Ukraine would have agreed to permanent neutrality in return for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, and other nations including Belarus, Canada, Germany, Israel, Poland and Turkey, according to a draft seen by Reuters.

    But officials in Kyiv say agreeing to Ukrainian neutrality is a red line they will not cross.

    (Reuters)

    May 15, 2025
  • Real Madrid fight back to beat Mallorca and put Barca party on hold

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Real Madrid‘s Jacobo Ramon scored a dramatic winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to earn them a 2-1 LaLiga victory over Mallorca on Wednesday that kept Barcelona’s title-winning champagne on ice.

    Barca were seconds away from celebrating the title as a 1-1 draw would have given them an unassailable six-point lead in the standings thanks to a superior head-to-head record.

    But a mistake by Mallorca’s defence, who failed to clear a cross from inside the box, allowed centre back Ramon, making his first league start, to pounce on the ball and fire a volley into the back of the net to keep Real’s slim title hopes alive.

    While Madrid have two games remaining, they are four points behind leaders Barca, who have a game in hand and will claim their 28th LaLiga title on Thursday if they beat city rivals Espanyol.

    An angled strike from inside the box by defender Martin Valjent in the 11th minute gave Mallorca the lead in a dour match at a half-empty Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

    Kylian Mbappe levelled with a fine individual effort in the 68th minute for a depleted Real, who were missing 12 players due to injuries.

    Mallorca weathered a storm as Madrid pushed for a winner, with goalkeeper Leo Roman producing a remarkable performance, frustrating the hosts who dominated proceedings with over 72% of possession, 26 corners in their favour and a stunning 39 scoring attempts against only four by their opponents.

    Roman made 11 stops to deny Real, who also wasted several chances throughout the match.

    “Mallorca are a good team. They scored the goal and then dropped off a bit. We had a lot of chances, their goalkeeper played a great game, but in the end we managed to win,” unlikely hero Ramon told Real Madrid TV.

    “This is inexplicable, I’ve dreamed about it all my life. This shirt is until the end and there is no better way to score my first goal than like this.”

    (Reuters)

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: The Lost Generator Under Review: DIY Edison Generator Energy Plan to Create Free Electricity (Step-by-Step Guide)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Denver, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    In This Article, You’ll Discover:

    • A comprehensive review of The Lost Generator blueprint and how it enables users to generate free electricity using a DIY Edison generator method
    • The real-world energy crisis pain points that this step-by-step guide is designed to solve, especially for homeowners facing high electricity bills
    • A clear explanation of how thermal energy conversion is used to power essential devices without solar panels or grid dependency
    • Who The Lost Generator is best suited for — including preppers, off-grid households, and individuals seeking energy independence
    • What’s included in the digital download, including parts lists, assembly instructions, and safety guidelines
    • Current pricing information, refund policies, and secure ordering instructions from the official website
    • Real customer testimonials sharing practical experiences with building and using this DIY home energy system
    • Answers to frequently asked questions about legitimacy, effectiveness, safety, and scaling potential

    TL;DR – Summary:

    The Lost Generator Under Review: DIY Edison Generator Energy Plan to Create Free Electricity (Step-by-Step Guide) explores a growing interest in affordable off-grid power solutions amidst rising energy costs and unstable grid infrastructure. This in-depth article examines The Lost Generator — a downloadable blueprint that teaches users how to build a home-based, thermal-powered electricity generator without relying on solar panels or batteries.

    Developed by Barnaby Brown, a retired engineer, The Lost Generator is designed for accessibility, offering beginner-friendly instructions to help users reduce electricity bills, prepare for outages, and gain long-term energy resilience. The article covers key benefits, safety protocols, parts sourcing, and practical applications, while embedding trending terms like “DIY free electricity,” “off-grid energy system,” and “self-sustaining power source.”

    Readers also gain clarity on pricing, refund policies, customer support, and real-world testimonials. All claims are presented with disclaimers and accurate sourcing, ensuring that both potential buyers and media syndication partners can reference and republish the content responsibly.

    Introduction

    What Is The Lost Generator and Why Are People Talking About It?

    In a world dominated by rising energy prices, frequent power outages, and growing concern over grid reliability, individuals are looking for smarter, more affordable ways to power their homes. This growing interest has sparked a surge in demand for DIY alternative energy solutions, and one blueprint stands out among the rest — The Lost Generator.

    This guide, inspired by the forgotten principles of Thomas Edison’s early generator experiments, which focused on [brief history of Thomas Edison’s early generator experiments], claims to help everyday people build a self-sustaining, off-grid electricity source without needing solar panels or wind turbines. The system has attracted buzz across survivalist forums, prepper communities, and households that simply want to slash their power bills or become energy independent.

    This comprehensive article explores every angle of The Lost Generator, from how it works and what’s inside, to real-world benefits and potential limitations. If you’re someone who has felt frustrated by the grip of energy companies, or if the idea of creating your own DIY free energy generator appeals to your independence, read on — this could be the step-by-step system you’ve been looking for.

    What This Article Will Cover

    • Discover the true pain points of modern electricity dependence and the liberating relief that The Lost Generator offers.How The Lost Generator proposes to solve them
    • What’s inside the blueprint and how it works
    • Uncover the detailed pros, cons, cost breakdowns, and money-back guarantee that could make you feel financially savvy and secure with The Lost Generator.Get a glimpse into the trending buzzwords, energy freedom concepts, and real user insights that will make you feel informed and part of a community with The Lost Generator.This long-form guide is not just a review. It’s an investigative breakdown of what makes this blueprint potentially revolutionary for anyone ready to take power back into their own hands.

    This long-form guide is not just a review. It’s an investigative breakdown of what makes this blueprint potentially revolutionary for anyone ready to take power back into their own hands.

    Understanding the Energy Crisis

    Why the Modern Grid Is Failing Homeowners

    The traditional energy grid was built for a different era — a time when consumption was lower, outages were rare, and electricity didn’t cost a fortune. Fast-forward to today, and millions are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing energy bills, unstable service, and a centralized power model that no longer fits the reality of our modern needs.

    Recent events — from hurricanes and wildfires to grid overloads during extreme weather and government-regulated energy shutdowns — have exposed a serious flaw in the system: homeowners are vulnerable. One storm, one blackout, or one bill spike can disrupt your entire household. And for many, the pain is not just financial, but emotional and logistical.

    Real Pain Points Consumers Are Facing Today

    • Unpredictable power outages that leave families in the dark
    • Soaring monthly utility bills with no relief in sight
    • Overdependence on outdated grid infrastructure
    • Lack of control over one of the most essential elements of modern life: electricity
    • Growing anxiety over energy security, especially during emergencies or natural disasters

    These aren’t just minor inconveniences — they’re constant stressors that can impact quality of life. It’s no wonder so many are seeking ways to break free from the system and find more self-reliant, off-grid energy alternatives.

    The Rising Popularity of Off-Grid Living and DIY Energy Hacks

    With trending search terms like “prepper energy solutions” (which are energy solutions designed for emergency preparedness) and “free energy survival blueprints” (which are guides for creating sustainable energy sources in survival situations) gaining traction in 2025, a shift is clearly happening. People want more than just savings — they want independence, reliability, and long-term peace of mind.

    The Lost Generator, a comprehensive guide to building your own off-grid power system, taps into this movement by offering a blueprint that promises to do more than reduce costs — it aims to eliminate the need for the grid entirely for many users, especially when used as a supplemental or emergency backup power solution.

    Start producing your own power at home using science-backed methods from Edison’s original concepts. Get The Lost Generator guide and start saving money immediately.

    Introducing The Lost Generator

    A DIY Edison-Inspired Energy Plan for Modern Times

    The Lost Generator isn’t just another energy-saving tip or solar panel tutorial. It’s a comprehensive, yet simple, step-by-step digital blueprint that empowers you to create your own free energy generator using basic materials. This concept is inspired by Thomas Edison’s forgotten principles of thermal energy conversion, making it accessible to everyone.

    This system is not just a theoretical concept. It’s a practical, at-home solution that focuses on affordability, simplicity, and functionality. Even if you have no engineering background, you can confidently use this DIY plan to gain more control over rising electric bills and potential grid failures.

    Meet the Creator: Barnaby Brown

    The blueprint was developed by Barnaby Brown, a retired mechanical engineer from Boulder, Colorado. After a prolonged blackout left his family without power, food preservation, or safety, Barnaby began looking for a way to generate reliable electricity without relying on the grid.

    Through his research, he discovered archived notes connected to Edison’s lesser-known experiments in thermal electricity. These notes became the foundation for what is now known as The Lost Generator — a system that uses readily available components and a proven energy conversion process to produce real power.

    According to Barnaby, this generator can produce enough energy to power essential appliances — offering critical support during outages, or even supplementing daily use to cut electric bills dramatically.

    The Core Promise Behind the Blueprint

    The Lost Generator is marketed as a way to:

    • Break free from energy companies
    • Gain peace of mind during emergencies
    • Cut your bills by up to 90%
    • Build a working generator in just a weekend
    • Avoid solar panel costs, permits, or maintenance hassles

    The program is built for accessibility — meaning no technical knowledge or engineering degree is required. Every detail is explained in plain language, and the materials list includes affordable parts you can pick up locally or online.

    Disclaimer: Individual results may vary depending on how accurately the guide is followed, the quality of components used, and power demands. This product is intended to supplement energy needs, not serve as a full-time replacement for commercial utilities in every scenario.

    How The Lost Generator Works

    Simple Science Meets Practical Engineering

    At the core of The Lost Generator system is a straightforward DIY energy generation method that relies on heat-based electricity conversion. This concept, once explored by Thomas Edison, is now presented in an easy-to-follow guide for everyday users. The key mechanism involves harnessing thermal energy and converting it into usable power through a low-resistance process.

    Unlike solar panels, which depend on weather conditions and expensive equipment, or wind turbines that require space and mechanical complexity, The Lost Generator uses thermal differentials. This principle, which refers to the difference in temperature between two points, is a reliable energy source available in nearly every home.

    The Energy Conversion Process Explained

    While the exact technical schematics are provided in the blueprint itself, the general process includes:

    • A heat source (such as a small flame or controlled burn)
    • A series of metal components designed to channel and amplify thermal gradients
    • A simple generator motor that transforms the heat into electrical energy
    • Wiring and circuit instructions to safely store or distribute the energy created

    Everything is broken down into step-by-step visual instructions within the package, making the process accessible even to those without prior experience. The system uses basic physics and proven mechanical laws, not fringe pseudoscience or perpetual motion fallacies.

    Disclaimer: This system does not generate infinite electricity and is not a perpetual energy machine. Instead, it offers a legitimate alternative power method that may supplement household energy needs based on setup quality and consistency of use.

    Materials and Tools Required

    Most of the materials can be found at local hardware stores or ordered online at minimal cost. A preview of what’s typically needed includes:

    • Heat-safe metal plates
    • Small DC motor
    • Thermoelectric modules or conductors
    • Basic wiring and connectors
    • Multimeter (optional for testing output)
    • Simple hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters)

    The Lost Generator is designed to make DIY power generation affordable, achievable, and scalable. There’s no need for rare metals, high-voltage equipment, or advanced tools. This aligns with the system’s goal and makes it accessible to a wide range of users.

    Assembly Time and Ease-of-Use

    According to the blueprint’s estimates and user feedback:

    • Build time: 3–5 hours total for most users
    • Learning curve: Low to moderate, depending on comfort with basic tools
    • Support materials: Diagrams, checklists, safety warnings, and video guides included

    This makes The Lost Generator particularly attractive to DIY enthusiasts, off-grid homesteaders, and even senior citizens or families who want a hands-on, educational power project.

    Want to reduce your energy bills by up to 90%? Learn how others are building their own generators with The Lost Generator blueprint — and start your journey today.

    Benefits of Using The Lost Generator

    Why This DIY Power Plan Is Gaining National Attention

    In a market saturated with expensive power gadgets, solar scams, and overpriced backup battery packs, The Lost Generator shines as a cost-effective and empowering solution. Instead of selling you another product to plug in, it equips you with the knowledge to generate electricity yourself — giving you the confidence to keep your home running, even when the grid fails.

    This blueprint is more than just a tool. It’s a freedom-focused energy movement, tapping into trending lifestyle shifts like off-grid living, sustainable survival solutions, and energy self-sufficiency. It resonates with consumers not just because of cost savings, but because it gives them something the grid never could: control over their energy usage.

    Key Benefits That Matter to Real People

    • Cut Electricity Bills by Up to 90% Use the generator to supplement daily power use, especially during peak rate hours. This alone can significantly reduce costs over time.
    • Total Energy Independence Power your essential appliances, tools, or even medical devices without needing the grid. Ideal for emergencies, outages, or full off-grid living.
    • Reliable During Crises Whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire, or planned blackout, this system works when others don’t — as long as you have a heat source.
    • Budget-Friendly Entry into DIY Energy Unlike solar setups that cost thousands upfront and often require permits, this plan can be built for a fraction of the cost with no bureaucratic red tape.
    • Eco-Conscious and Sustainable No emissions. No fossil fuels. The process supports a greener lifestyle and adds to your household’s environmental sustainability.
    • Educational and Empowering Learn real-world physics, engineering, and survival skills — great for families, classrooms, and preparedness communities.

    Who This Is NOT For

    • Those seeking a full-home energy replacement for high-wattage usage
    • Anyone unwilling to follow instructions or work with basic tools
    • People expecting a “magic box” that generates unlimited free energy without effort

    Disclaimer: While The Lost Generator offers a powerful supplement to traditional energy, it is not intended to power an entire modern household independently or act as a replacement for all conventional power needs.

    A Shift Toward Self-Sufficiency

    The surge in popularity for terms like“self-reliant home energy,” “emergency electricity backup,”and“free energy DIY hack”signals a powerful consumer trend. The Lost Generator meets this demand by providing more than just a product — it provides the knowledge to build resilience.

    For many, it’s not just about saving money — it’s about taking back control in a world where control is often sold off by the kilowatt.

    Who Can Benefit from The Lost Generator

    The Lost Generator, a versatile and reliable power solution, isn’t just for Preppers — It’s for Everyone Who Wants Control(H2)The Lost Generator is not limited to survivalists or rural homesteaders. It’s built for ordinary people with extraordinary concerns — from suburban homeowners and off-grid enthusiasts to urban renters looking for backup electricity solutions.

    What unites them is a shared desire to stop depending on an outdated, unstable power system and start building resilience at home.

    Homeowners Dealing with High Utility Bills

    For those who feel trapped in a cycle of rising electricity costs, this DIY plan, which includes step-by-step instructions and all necessary components, offers a practical path toward savings. You won’t need to deal with contractors, permit offices, or confusing solar lease agreements — just a hands-on project with a long-term payoff.

    Off-Grid Living Advocates and Homesteaders

    Whether you’re living remotely by choice or necessity, The Lost Generator can offer a portable, low-cost power source that runs independently from the grid. It’s ideal for cabins, RVs, tiny homes, or bug-out locations.

    Trending buzzwords like “energy autonomy,” “homestead power hacks,” and “green off-grid tech” all point to the growing interest in exactly what this system provides: low-maintenance electricity in unpredictable environments.

    Preppers and Emergency Planners

    In survival and preparedness circles, redundancy is key. The Lost Generator adds a new layer of energy security — one that doesn’t rely on fuel stockpiles, solar exposure, or battery shelf life. It’s a reliable source of power that gives peace of mind when everything else goes dark.

    DIY Enthusiasts and Hobbyists

    Even if you’re not trying to escape the grid entirely, this system offers a fun, educational challenge. Many buyers use it as a weekend project with their kids or as an experiment to test out Edison-style electrical theories, such as circuit design and power generation, in real life.

    Seniors or Families in Vulnerable Areas

    For those in hurricane zones, wildfire regions, or rural areas where blackouts are common, The Lost Generator can serve as an essential backup system. It’s a quiet, compact, and reliable source of power that requires no ongoing maintenance or fuel, providing a sense of security and peace of mind.

    Disclaimer: Always follow all safety instructions when assembling and operating the system. While the guide is designed for non-technical users, care must be taken when handling electrical components or open heat sources.

    Affordable, effective, and beginner-friendly — The Lost Generator shows you exactly how to build your own DIY generator and slash your bills. Start now while supplies last.

    What’s Included in the Package

    Everything You Need to Build the DIY Edison Generator at Home

    The Lost Generator isn’t a physical device you order and plug in — it’s a comprehensive digital package that equips you with the knowledge and step-by-step instructions to build your own thermal-based energy generator using commonly available parts.

    What sets it apart from other energy guides is the clarity of instruction, simplicity of materials, and universal accessibility — no prior electrical experience is needed.

    Here’s What You Get with Your Purchase

    • The Lost Generator Main Guide: A downloadable PDF blueprint with detailed, illustrated instructions on assembling your thermal generator. Every phase of the process — from materials selection to power output testing — is clearly documented.
    • Parts List with Sourcing Tips: A full breakdown of all required components, including estimated pricing and sourcing tips for budget-friendly hardware. Many items can be found at local home improvement stores or ordered online.
    • Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions: Each step is broken down in a beginner-friendly manner, supported by illustrations and checklists to minimize confusion or error.
    • Safety Guidelines and Testing Protocols: Includes warnings and best practices for safely handling components, operating heat sources, and checking electrical output to ensure performance and safety.
    • Free Bonus Guides (subject to availability)
    • Depending on current promotions, buyers may receive bonus content such as:
      • How to Expand Your Generator’s Output
      • Emergency Survival Energy Tips
      • Maintenance-Free Energy Storage Tricks

    Disclaimer: Bonus items may vary based on availability and ongoing promotions on the official website. Always check thelostgenerator.com for the latest updates and bundle offers.

    Digital Format, Instant Access

    Once your payment is processed, you’ll gain immediate digital access to all materials. This means you can dive into the exciting process of building your generator on the very same day you make your purchase.

    No shipping delays. No subscription. Just a one-time download with the added peace of mind of lifetime access. You can revisit the materials whenever you need, ensuring you’re always equipped for your DIY energy project.

    Note: To access your materials, you’ll need a device that can open PDFs and an internet connection. Please be aware that physical components are not included in the package. However, you’ll be guided on how to source these locally or online.

    The next power failure isn’t a matter of if, but when. Download The Lost Generator now and have your emergency energy system ready before the grid lets you down.

    Pricing and Purchase Information

    How Much Does The Lost Generator Cost?

    The Lost Generator stands out for its affordability, a key advantage over traditional energy solutions. While solar panel systems can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, and even basic home generators often run $1,000+, The Lost Generator blueprint is available for a one-time digital purchase.

    As of the latest update:

    • Standard Price:
    • Current Discounted Offer:$49 one-time payment
    • (no recurring subscription, no upsells required to access core content)

    With your purchase, you’ll receive the complete digital blueprint, a detailed materials list, a comprehensive safety guide, and access to any promotional bonuses currently offered on the official website. This ensures you have everything you need to get started with The Lost Generator.

    Disclaimer on Pricing: Always check the official website before purchasing. Prices, promotions, and bonus content are subject to change at any time without notice based on availability and marketing offers.

    Is There a Money-Back Guarantee?

    Yes, you can purchase with confidence as the system is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. This gives you a full two months to test the guide, try building the system, and evaluate whether it meets your expectations. If you’re unsatisfied for any reason, you can request a full refund through our support team.

    This risk-free offer has made the system more accessible to skeptical users, providing a sense of security who might otherwise hesitate to try a DIY power plan without proof it works.

    How to Order Safely Online

    To ensure you receive the authentic, up-to-date version of the blueprint:

    • Only purchase through the official website: https://thelostgenerator.com
    • A trusted third-party platform handles secure checkout processing
    • Instant digital access after purchase — no physical shipment required
    • Customer support contact info is included with your order confirmation for any questions or refund requests

    Caution: Avoid third-party resellers or “free download” sites claiming to offer the blueprint, as these may contain outdated files or potential security risks.

    Customer Testimonials

    What Real Users Are Saying About The Lost Generator

    One of the most compelling ways to assess a DIY system like this is to listen to the people who have already put it to the test. Below are several firsthand reviews from users who’ve successfully built and used The Lost Generator, experiencing a sense of accomplishment, cutting costs, preparing for emergencies, and feeling more energy independent.

    Verified Experiences from Around the Country

    John M. – Texas

    “After last year’s winter blackout, I swore I’d never be unprepared again. I built the generator in a weekend using The Lost Generator blueprint. Now I have backup power for my freezer, lights, and even my radio. Best $49 I’ve ever spent.”

    Lana B. – Oregon

    “I’m a single mom with no tech experience. I followed the guide and built the generator step-by-step. It powers my camper and saves me serious money when off-grid camping with the kids. Instructions were super clear.”

    Daniel K. – Florida

    “This is now part of my hurricane prep kit. The heat-to-power setup is ingenious. I’m not fully off-grid, but I can keep the fridge and fans running when the grid fails. The savings have already paid for the blueprint.”

    Greg S. – Pennsylvania

    “I didn’t expect much at first, but after seeing how it actually works with thermal energy, I was blown away. I’ve tested it during two outages, and it delivered. Plus, I got to build it with my teenage son, which was an added bonus.”

    Common Themes Across Reviews

    • Ease of setup, even for those with no engineering background
    • Functional power output for essential devices and lights
    • Reliability in emergencies, especially during blackouts or storms
    • Cost-effectiveness of building a generator from basic components
    • Educational value for families, preppers, and DIY tinkerers

    Disclaimer: These testimonials reflect individual experiences. Results may vary depending on technical accuracy, environment, component quality, and personal use. This product is not guaranteed to eliminate energy bills entirelybutmay significantly supplement household electricity in specific scenarios.

    Build confidence, peace of mind, and a backup energy source all in one weekend. Get The Lost Generator plan now and learn the step-by-step method to generate your own electricity.

    Addressing Common Concerns

    Is The Lost Generator Too Good to Be True?

    It’s natural to approach claims of “free energy” with skepticism. In a marketplace filled with overhyped products and pseudoscientific schemes, many wonder whether a DIY power generation system like this can actually deliver real results.

    Here, we address the most common questions and concerns surrounding The Lost Generator to give you a balanced perspective before making any decisions.

    Concern #1: Does It Really Work?

    Yes — for many users who follow the guide accurately and use quality parts, The Lost Generator system has successfully produced usable electricity. It’s based on real thermal conversion principles, which involve harnessing heat to generate small but functional electrical outputs. This process is not a perpetual motion machine, but a reliable method of energy generation.

    That said, it’s important to note that this is not a perpetual motion machine, nor does it promise to replace your entire home’s electrical system. It’s designed to supplement your power, reduce bills, and serve as a reliable off-grid or emergency energy source. Understanding these limitations will help you make an informed decision about whether The Lost Generator is right for you.

    Disclaimer: Performance depends on proper assembly, safe operation, and realistic energy expectations. Results vary based on how the system is built and what it’s being used to power.

    Concern #2: Is It Safe?

    The guide is meticulously crafted with detailed safety precautions to ensure your responsible handling of heat sources and electrical components. It’s designed with beginners in mind, and when the directions are followed correctly, the risk is minimal.

    However, users should always:

    • Avoid using flammable materials near open heat
    • Use proper insulation when handling wiring
    • Keep the system away from children and pets
    • Operate in a well-ventilated area
    • Test output with a multimeter before regular use

    Concern #3: Is It a Scam or Legitimate?

    The Lost Generator has gained popularity not only because of its promises, but becausebuyers are protected by a 60-day money-back guarantee. That safety net alone speaks to its legitimacy and gives skeptical users a chance to test it with zero risk.

    Additionally, the creator, Barnaby Brown, is transparent in his messaging: this is not a magic box, it’s a DIY educational energy plan built on scientific principles and practical application.

    Concern #4: What If I’m Not Tech-Savvy?

    The system was specifically designed for everyday users — not electricians or engineers. The digital blueprint provides:

    • Clear visuals
    • Plain-language instructions
    • Tool and part checklists
    • Testing guidance to verify output

    Even users who’ve never done a DIY electronics project before have reported success with the system.

    For best results, it’s crucial to go slowly, follow each step carefully, and not skip any safety protocols. You can even involve a friend or family member to make the project more approachable and ensure all safety measures are in place.

    Conclusion

    Is The Lost Generator Worth It? A Final Takeaway

    In a time of mounting energy bills, unpredictable grid failures, and a growing desire for sustainability and control, The Lost Generator emerges as more than just a DIY project — it’s a practical response to real-world problems.

    This isn’t a gimmick or a pie-in-the-sky promise. It’s a blueprint designed to empower everyday people with the tools to generate real, usable electricity using principles that date back to Edison’s own workshop. This is about you taking control of your energy needs, not being at the mercy of utility companies. And it’s doing so in a way that aligns with today’s most important consumer trends: off-grid readiness, survival planning, self-reliance, and environmental awareness.

    Who This Is Really For

    The Lost Generator is a standout choice for:

    • People tired of being at the mercy of utility companies
    • Anyone preparing for grid outages, blackouts, or emergencies
    • Budget-conscious homeowners looking to cut recurring costs
    • Homesteaders, preppers, and off-grid lifestyle adopters
    • Families looking for an educational DIY challenge with real benefits

    It’s not a silver bullet. But it does exactly what it promises — give you the power (literally and figuratively) to produce your own electricity when and where you need it most.

    Your Next Step to Energy Freedom

    With instant digital access, a 60-day money-back guarantee, and a proven system that has already helped thousands of users, The Lost Generator is a choice that offers high-impact benefits with low risk. It’s a secure investment for those ready to take back control of their energy future.

    If you’re looking for a simple, sustainable, and smart energy solution, you’ll find few options more practical and effective than this one. The Lost Generator is not just a theoretical concept, it’s a proven system that has already helped thousands of users.

    Pricing Notice: The current discounted price is $49 (regularly $97), but this offer may not last.

    Always verify pricing, bonuses, and refund terms on the official website, as details are subject to change at any time.

    Energy freedom is closer than you think. With The Lost Generator, you can build your own sustainable power solution and stop paying sky-high bills. Get the blueprint today.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    These FAQs are crafted to support primary and long-tail SEO keywords, address real user concerns, and help reinforce the article’s credibility while encouraging conversions.

    What exactly is The Lost Generator?

    The Lost Generator is a digital step-by-step guide that teaches you how to build a DIY generator system using heat conversion — based on energy principles connected to Thomas Edison’s original inventions. It allows you to create free electricity at home using affordable, commonly available parts.

    Can The Lost Generator really help me cut my electricity bill?

    Yes, many users report significant savings on their monthly utility bills by using The Lost Generator as a supplemental power source. While it’s not a total grid replacement, it can reduce dependence on expensive utility rates — especially during peak hours or outages.

    Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on your energy consumption, the size of the build, and how frequently it’s used.

    Is this a physical generator or a download?

    The Lost Generator is a digital product. You’ll receive a downloadable PDF blueprint that contains all the instructions, parts list, and safety guidance tobuild your own generator. It does not include any physical hardware.

    How long does it take to build The Lost Generator?

    Most users complete the assembly in 3 to 5 hours. It depends on your comfort level with basic tools and how quickly you gather the materials. The guide is broken down clearly to make the process smooth, even for beginners.

    Do I need any prior electrical or mechanical experience?

    Not at all. The Lost Generator is built for everyday users, not engineers. If you can follow a checklist and use basic hand tools, you’ll be able to build the system. It’s a great introduction to DIY energy generation and off-grid electricity solutions.

    Is this a perpetual motion or free energy scam?

    No — this is a real system based on thermal-to-electric energy conversion. It is not a perpetual motion machine or unscientific scheme. The output depends on the heat source and generator configuration as taught in the guide.

    Disclaimer: This is a practical DIY generator system, not a mystical or “infinite power” device. All claims are grounded in tested mechanical processes.

    What can The Lost Generator power?

    Depending on your setup, it can power:

    • LED lighting systems
    • Emergency radios
    • Small fans
    • Laptops and USB-charging devices
    • Refrigerators (with extended setups)
    • Sump pumps or electric tools (in limited use)

    It’s ideal for off-grid survival, power outages, or reducing utility costs by covering some of your home’s daily load.

    What does The Lost Generator cost?

    As of the latest update, the guide is available for a one-time payment of $49 (discounted from $97). There are no hidden fees or recurring subscriptions.

    Pricing Disclaimer: Always check the official website for the most current price and promotions, as these may change at any time.

    Is there a refund policy?

    Yes, The Lost Generator comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the product or your results, you can request a full refund — no questions asked. This makes it a risk-free investment in your energy independence.

    Is this system legal to use in my home or community?

    Yes. Since it is a low-voltage, heat-powered system, there are no legal or permit requirements in most areas. You’re building a private-use generator, not installing a large-scale power source. It’s considered a personal project — just like solar cookers or water collection systems.

    Where do I get the parts?

    The guide includes a fullparts list with sourcing tips. Most items can be found at local hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, or ordered online via Amazon or specialty electronics stores. Total estimated material cost ranges from $72 to $200, depending on location and upgrades.

    Can I scale or upgrade The Lost Generator?

    Absolutely. Once you understand the core principles, you can build multiple units or modify your build to increase output. Many users customize their setup to power larger devices or charge battery storage systems for extended use.

    No solar? No problem. The Lost Generator guide shows you how to use heat to power your home affordably — order now and get everything you need in one easy download.

    Disclaimers & Disclosures

    General Information Disclaimer

    This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice of any kind. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation, whether technical, electrical, medical, or legal. Always consult a qualified professional before beginning any do-it-yourself electrical or energy project. Readers assume full responsibility for the use of the information provided.

    Performance Disclaimer

    Results mentioned in this article, including but not limited to energy savings, performance capabilities, and system functionality, are based on individual use cases and may not be typical. There is no guarantee that every user will achieve the same results, and performance may vary depending on numerous factors including user skill, quality of components, environmental conditions, and adherence to instructions.

    No Energy or Utility Claims

    This content does not claim to eliminate dependence on public utilities, replace full-house energy systems, or promise uninterrupted power delivery. The product referenced is marketed as a supplemental energy solution and should not be interpreted as a substitute for commercial or regulated electricity services.

    Medical and Safety Disclaimer

    Any mention of health or safety benefits related to emergency preparedness or backup energy use is not intended to be construed as medical or therapeutic advice. Always follow official safety protocols and local codes when dealing with heat sources, wiring, or electrical components. Improper setup or misuse of components may result in injury, damage, or fire hazards.

    Affiliate Disclosure

    This article may contain affiliate links, meaning the publisher could receive a commission if readers decide to make a purchase through those links, at no additional cost to the reader. This helps support the content and research efforts behind the article. All opinions expressed are those of the writer and are based on publicly available information or direct product research.

    Accuracy Disclaimer

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented, the publisher makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, applicability, or completeness of any content. Product features, availability, terms, and pricing are subject to change at any time without notice. Readers are encouraged to verify all details on the official product website before making purchasing decisions.

    Liability Waiver

    Neither the author, the publisher, nor any content syndication partners assume responsibility or liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use or misuse of the product or information described in this article. Use of this content implies acceptance of these terms.

    Third-Party Independence Statement

    This article is not sponsored by or affiliated with any third-party company or energy supplier. All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Joins Push Urging Trump Administration to Reverse Plans to Eliminate Consumer Product Safety Commission

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    Getting Rid Of This Commission Will Make Everyday Products More Dangerous For Americans
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a letter urging Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to reverse plans to eliminate the bipartisan, independent Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC is the only government entity tasked with developing and enforcing product safety standards, facilitating recalls of unsafe products, and educating consumers and businesses about product hazards and best practices. The proposal to absorb some of CPSC’s core functions into a nonexistent division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as the Department’s budget is being cut, is unrealistic and threatens public safety.
    “Since its inception, the CPSC has played a vital role safeguarding American families, and in particular infants, children, and older Americans. Thanks to the CPSC’s critical work, residential fires and fire-related deaths have decreased by over 40 percent. Crib deaths and child poisonings have dropped by 80 percent. The Commission’s work continues today, identifying emerging threats and protecting Americans from dangerous and banned imported products,” the Members wrote.
    “With the rapid growth of e-commerce and imported consumer products, especially from countries with less stringent safety regulations, CPSC plays a critical role to prevent unsafe and counterfeit goods from entering the U.S. market unchecked…We strongly oppose any attempt to eliminate, defund, or weaken the CPSC and demand that you immediately roll back any efforts to dissolve the agency. Americans rightfully expect that the products they bring into their home are safe, and only the CPSC has the authority and expertise to ensure that expectation is met,” the Members concluded.
    The full letter can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has worked to protect American consumers. Just this year, Senator Rosen was part of a letter pressing the Trump Administration on how mass firings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will hurt Nevada families. She’s also introduced legislation to crack down on price gouging by corporate investors who are driving up housing prices. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: SpaceX to conduct ninth Starship flight test next week – Elon Musk

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    LOS ANGELES, May 14 (Xinhua) — SpaceX plans to conduct the ninth flight test of its Starship system next week, the company’s founder and CEO Elon Musk said.

    Starship has completed a long-duration static fire test of its six engines and is undergoing final preparations ahead of an upcoming test launch, SpaceX said Tuesday.

    “Immediately prior to Starship’s flight next week, I will be giving a speech explaining the Mars strategy in Starbase, Texas, which will also be broadcast live on X,” Musk said on social media.

    The last time Starship launched was on March 6, when SpaceX lost contact with the spacecraft shortly after liftoff. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Storm recovery in East Coast Bays

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Following major storms in 2023, Auckland North Community and Development (ANCAD) is working with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office, to facilitate community-led recovery planning in East Coast Bays communities. This is part of a series of partnerships in heavily impacted neighbourhoods across Auckland. Communities are being supported to develop practical plans, which will include activities and priorities to improve well-being and enable them to come out of recovery stronger. 

    A community responds 

    In major 2023 storms, East Coast Bays suburbs like Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, Murrays Bay and Campbells Bay were hit with flooding and slips, cutting off roads, shops, and vital services. 

    Even emergency services were affected. The Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club was flooded and forced to relocate — yet still rescued 69 people that day. The club is now working with the community to plan a more resilient future. 

    Around 30 homes in the area have been classified as Category 3, meaning they face serious future risk. These properties are now eligible for council buy-outs, with land use decisions to follow based on safety. 

    Flooding in Mairangi Bay village

    Finding a Way Forward, Together 

    Through a series of community engagements with affected clubs and residents, the top priorities for the community were determined by the community: Knowing Our Neighbours and Leveraging the Community Systems.

    “Two remarkable things stand out about talking with the club management teams severely impacted by the floods: how much care they have for their community, and how resourceful they were to connect with others to help them recover. The community can be so proud to have them as their local leaders,” says Kristi Shaw, community-led storm recovery facilitator in East Coast Bays. 

    “All the conversations so far have had a similar thread – how well we recovered is about how well we have been connected with each other.

    “Our aim is to weave people, groups, and community initiatives to deepen relationships while discovering and leveraging our community systems.” 

    Community initiative and collaboration has developed the Making Visible Workshops and Exhibition to connect residents with each other, and their experiences of living here, now, with the extreme storms. 

    Sharing experiences through artwork 

    Making Visible is a community-led project facilitated by local artist and arts therapist, Wendy Lawson.  

    Through a series of neighbourhood gatherings, residents are invited to bring an object that holds meaning, whether emotionally, symbolically, or as a tangible part of their experience of the storms or storm recovery. Shared stories and objects lead to a co-created artwork that is designed to be temporary, woven from the contributions and materials offered by the group. 

    Wendy knows first-hand what storm impact feels like. 

    Rope used to tether Wendy’s art studio after the 2023 floods; later incorporated into the workshop and exhibition as an object of significance.

    “We’ve already seen how much people care about this coastal landscape and one another. It’s about listening carefully and shaping something meaningful together.” 

    The dynamic artwork, along with shared experiences and insights gathered throughout the workshop, will be curated into the ‘Making Visible’ exhibition at Mairangi Arts Centre from 14–19 June. 

    Get involved 

    If you live in the East Coast Bays and are aged 16 or over, you’re invited to register for one of the upcoming Making Visible Workshops. All you need is a curious mind and a willingness to share. 

    • Sat 17 May, 1pm, Browns Bay Presbyterian Church 
    • Sat 24 May, 1pm, RAFT Studios, Torbay 

    Visit the ANCAD website to register or email kristi@ancad.org.nz for more information. 

    Many hands making together – Making Visible Workshop, process photo.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reminder: categorisation programme is closed

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Following recent bad weather, the Recovery Office has noted an increase in homeowners asking to join the categorisation programme.

    While we sympathise with homeowners across the region affected by flooding, we are unable to admit any further properties into the programme.

    The programme was a limited, one-off scheme co-funded by Auckland Council and the Government in response to the 2023 North Island Weather Events.

    Affected homeowners were able to voluntarily register for a risk assessment between June 2023 and October 2024, and the programme was widely publicised over the 15-month period including via regional and national media, paid advertising campaigns, social media, community events and through local MPs and councillors.

    The agreement with the Government requires all category 3 purchases to be completed by the end of 2025.

    Outside of this limited programme, the council does not, categorise private properties to determine risk, and is not funded to acquire properties that are at risk of future flooding.

    The council’s Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience teams, along with Auckland Emergency Management, will continue to help homeowners understand their level of flood risk and what they can do to prepare for future flooding.

    Category 3 and 2P properties progressing

    As you can see in the graphic above, the Category 3 buy-outs are progressing well with 703 properties now settled.

    Category 2P works are also progressing with 17 homeowners having completed their mitigations.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Resilience and unity in Mt Roskill – recovery events

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Storm recovery efforts are well underway in Mt Roskill, with council and the community working together to build resilience after the major 2023 storms. But recent weather events have been a reminder that the job isn’t over — and that preparing for future storms is just as important as recovering from past ones. 

    Local groups, with support from the recovery planning Wesley and Roskill Leadership Rōpū, are working with flood-affected residents to understand what matters most to them in this space — including how to be better prepared for floods. The goal is to create a Community-Led Recovery Plan that genuinely reflects the needs of the people who live there. 

    Upcoming events will help bring together different voices and experiences, ensuring that everyone’s input shapes the future. The goal is to not just to recover from the 2023 storms, but to be stronger and more ready for what’s ahead. 

    Promoting emergency preparedness 

    Two local groups— Acts of Roskill Kindness (ARK) and Global Hope Missions (GHM) — have multiple projects planned to support connection and preparedness. 

    “With these events we are looking to understand what our community needs to feel recovered after flooding. Alongside that, we are conducting workshops with Auckland Emergency Management, Civil Defence, and other organisations to support these families and encourage them to be prepared so that in the event of a natural disaster our community is more resilient,” says Peter Leilua of ARK and GHM. 

    As part of this series of events, they have launched ‘Road to Recovery’ workshops to help young people in Wesley and Mt Roskill learn about how to stay safe during natural disasters like floods and cyclones.  

    “The 2023 storms caused a great deal of disruption in our families and communities, and a lot of those families are still suffering,” Peter adds. So, we are very excited to have such a diverse group of student leaders from various high schools participating in this community leadership project.”  

    • Road to Recovery youth workshops: Saturday 23 May, 4-6pm followed by the free ‘Love and Light’ gig until 9pm. Roskill Youth Zone, 740 Sandringham Road, Mount Roskill. Performances by KMUX, Irene Folau, Lomez Brown, Switche, Brotherhood MUSIQ, and more. Registrations for workshops are essential. Those wanting to attend are invited to invited scan the QR code to register and answer some storm recovery questions.

    Nik Naidu from the Wesley Whānau Community Hub

    Engaging all communities  

    This Sunday, the Wesley Whānau Community Hub is hosting an Ethnic Communities Festival — a celebration of culture, connection, and recovery — at Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall. 

    “Our Roskill and Wesley communities are amazingly diverse, so our focus is really on hearing from as many different flood-affected locals as we can,” says Nik Naidu, event organiser.  

    “A celebration of ethnic diversity is a great way to start those conversations. We’ll be chatting with people about their experiences of recovery: what kind of support they still need; what a happy and healthy neighbourhood looks like for them; and what might be getting in the way.  

    “Puketāpapa is one of the most diverse areas in Aotearoa, and that’s something we’re proud to reflect in this event.” 

    • Ethnic Communities Festival: Sunday 18 May, 4-8pm, Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, 15 May Road, Mt Roskill. Supporting Community led Flood Recovery with food, dance, performances and kai vouchers for survey participants. 

    These events are part of a wider local effort to support community-led flood recovery in the Roskill–Wesley area. 

    If you’d like to help out, come along to an event, or share your thoughts, email Heather at thecommunitycollectivenz@gmail.com.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Salinas Votes Against “Cruel and Inhumane” Republican Budget in Agriculture Committee

    Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) issued the following statement after voting against advancing Republicans’ budget bill out of the House Agriculture Committee: 

    “This Republican budget bill is both cruel and inhumane. It punishes working families, taking away their health care and threatening food assistance for over 800,000 Oregonians. This legislation hurts farmers and small business owners who depend on SNAP purchases as a critical source of income, and it leaves Oregon’s rural communities without enough resources to fight wildfires and other natural disasters. What’s more, Republicans are doing all of this just so they can give more tax breaks to their billionaire donors.

    Over the last two days, my Democratic colleagues and I have been working tirelessly to stop this disastrous legislation from moving forward out of the Agriculture Committee. We introduced dozens of amendments, many of them straightforward fixes that would have protected food assistance for children and ensured fired Forest Service workers are reinstated ahead of wildfire season. Yet at every turn, Republicans refused to work with us and were often absent from the committee room as we held these important discussions.

    By forcing through this harmful legislation, Republicans have also shot down any chance of a truly bipartisan Farm Bill getting passed this Congress. They have sold out our farmers, seniors, veterans, and rural communities in order to line the pockets of Elon Musk and his rich friends. My constituents deserve better, and I will keep fighting to stop these massive cuts and protect Oregonians’ hard-earned benefits.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police appealing for information after house fire, Cobden

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police investigating a house fire in Cobden are appealing for information from the public.

    At around 12.10am on Wednesday 14 May, Police were notified of a house fire on Bright Street.

    A scene guard was put in place overnight and Police conducted a scene examination with a Fire and Emergency New Zealand fire investigator today.

    The house fire is being treated as suspicious at this stage.

    Police would like to hear from anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage in the surrounding Bright Street area from 11pm Tuesday to 12am Wednesday.

    If you have any information that could assist Police’s investigation, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

    Please use the reference number 250515/5998.

    Information can also be provided through Crime Stoppers through 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Warren, Pressley Reintroduce Legislation To Suspend Garnishments for Student Loan Borrowers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), reintroduced the Ending Administrative Wage Garnishment Act of 2025, legislation that would provide borrower relief and support by suspending garnishment as a tool for student debt collection by the federal government.

    On April 22, 2025, the Department of Education announced that, starting May 5th, it will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans, including wage garnishments, tax refund interceptions, and seizure of Social Security benefits. For the nearly 5.5 million people currently in default—and soon for the projected 8 million additional people in delinquency—this means that they will face the government’s harsh collection tactics for the first time in over five years. This shift coincides with mass firings at the Department of Education and limited access to income-driven repayment plans, leaving students without critical support to navigate the repayment process.  

    “Wage garnishment allows the government to instruct employers to withhold up to 15 percent of an individual’s hard-earned wages, as well as intercept tax refunds, and seize Social Security benefits in order to collect student loan debt,” said Senator Booker. “If resumed, this harmful practice will hurt millions of Americans already struggling to make ends meet while paying off their student loans. This legislation will put an end to the Trump’s administration’s attempt to punish vulnerable student loan borrowers.”

    “It’s cruel for the Trump administration to restart collections while it crashes the economy and fires employees that help people navigate the loan repayment system,” said Senator Warren. “Our commonsense bill stops the administration from going after working people and improperly taking a chunk of borrowers’ paychecks.”

    “No one should have their hard-earned wages, tax refunds, and Social Security checks seized by Donald Trump—and our bill would ensure they do not,” said Representative Pressley. “The Trump Administration should not be in the business of picking the pockets of our most vulnerable borrowers, gutting the Department of Education or exacerbating the student debt crisis. I am proud to partner with Senators Booker and Warren to push back against this Administration’s shameful garnishment tactics and stand up for our student borrowers.”

    “Amidst unprecedented economic uncertainty and as millions of working families are struggling with the rising costs of everyday essentials, the Trump Administration’s calloused decision to unleash abusive and uncontrollable collection tools that have the power to take borrower’s hard earned wages without safeguards. Instead of helping the 5 million borrowers that have fallen into default and the millions more that are behind and now at risk of default later this year, this Administration appears set on inflicting massive economic harm on millions of Americans—a decision that will further drag down an already struggling economy,” said SBPC Policy Director Aissa Canchola Banez. “We applaud Senator Booker and Congresswoman Pressley for introducing the Ending Administrative Garnishment Act which will rein in the Secretary of Education’s authority to subject borrowers to administrative wage garnishment and ensure that critical safeguards are in place.”

    The Ending Administrative Wage Garnishment Act of 2025 would:

    1. Suspends the Secretary of Education’s authority to garnish wages, tax refunds, Social Security checks, or other earned benefits.
    2. Mandates the Department of Education to:
      1. Promptly refund improperly garnished wages within one week.
      2. Establish the ability to independently suspend or terminate garnishment operations upon identifying errors.
      3. Ensure employers verify garnishment information quarterly.
    3. Prohibits garnishment on loans that have been outstanding for more than 10 years.
    4. Establishes a private right of action allowing borrowers to sue employers who improperly garnish wages after a garnishment order is suspended.
    5. Requires the Department to pay double damages to borrowers whose wages are improperly garnished.

    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IDMC Report: Record 83 Million People Living in Internal Displacement Worldwide

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva, 13 May 2025 – An unprecedented 83.4 million people were living in internal displacement at the end of 2024, according to the newly released Global Report on Internal Displacement 2025 (GRID) from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).   

    Conflict continued to drive much displacement. Last year alone, 20.1 million new conflict-related internal displacements were recorded, with 9.1 million coming from just two countries:  Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).    

    “These figures are a clear warning: without bold and coordinated action, the number of people displaced within their own countries will continue to grow rapidly,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “The IDMC report is also a call for preventive action, to use data and other tools to anticipate displacement before it happens, and for the humanitarian and development sectors to work together with governments to develop longer-term solutions to prevent displacement.”    

    The total of 83.4 million internally displaced people at the end of 2024 is an increase of 7.5 million from the 2023 figure of 75.9 million people, which was also a record.   

    Disasters remained a major driver of internal displacement in 2024, and last year saw a record 45.8 million new disaster displacements, nearly double the annual average of the past decade. While most people were able to return home during the year, 9.8 million remained displaced due to disasters at the end of 2024.  

    A total of 29 countries and territories reported their highest disaster displacement figures on record, with cyclones accounting for 54 per cent of all disaster displacements last year. As the frequency, duration, and intensity of weather-related events continue to worsen, these figures are expected to continue to rise.   

    IOM provides key data for the GRID report, which is a crucial tool to shape policies, support evidence-based responses and inform durable solutions for the growing millions who are living in internal displacements worldwide.  

    Note to Editors  

    The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a key partner of the GRID report and contributes significantly through its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) – the world’s largest source of primary data on internal displacement. More than half of the estimates in this year’s report originate from IOM’s data collection and analysis.   
     

    Read the full GRID Report 2025 by IDMC here.   
     

    For more information, please contact IOM Media Centre
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Zheng ousts No. 1 Sabalenka in Rome; Gauff next

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s Zheng Qinwen claimed a straight-sets victory over top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the WTA Italian Open on Wednesday, reaching the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event for the third time in her career.

    The two players had met six times previously, with Sabalenka winning on each occasion. This match marked their first encounter on clay.

    In the opening set, both players held serve through the first three games, with Sabalenka leading 2-1. In the fourth game, Zheng saved two break points to hold, and then won four consecutive points in the fifth game to score a crucial break. Over the next four games, both players held serve, leaving Zheng ahead 5-4. In the 10th game, Zheng fired down two aces and took the set 6-4.

    In the second set, Zheng carried her momentum forward, breaking serve in the first game and then reeling off four straight points to take the second game. The following four games saw both players hold, with Zheng maintaining a 4-2 lead. Sabalenka saved four break points in the seventh game to narrow the gap, but Zheng stayed strong, holding serve and then breaking again to close out the match 6-3, reaching the semifinals in Rome for the first time.

    “Finally, I broke through! I’ve always known I have the ability to beat anyone, and I’m really happy that I truly did it today,” said Zheng after the match.

    Zheng gave herself a score of 7.5 for her performance. “I think I did well at the start, and I told myself I couldn’t lose those opening games so easily like before. When the match enters a tighter phase, I feel it’s more to my advantage, because actually, I’m better than her at playing long rallies. When the match goes into a three or four-shot exchange, statistically, I have the edge,” Zheng reflected.

    In this match, Zheng’s first-serve points won percentage reached a remarkable 82 percent, which became a decisive factor in her victory. “Today, one thing I did really well was that my first serve was there in the crucial moments, and I also controlled my unforced errors very well,” she said.

    “When I played against her before, maybe because she had the title of world number one and a Grand Slam champion, and also because when I was a teenager, I used to watch her play, so I couldn’t properly read the situation,” Zheng said. “In the first three matches against her, I felt really frustrated, because I only showed about 30 or 40 percent of my ability. When I stripped away the aura around her, I was able to see the match situation clearly and focus on attacking her weaknesses instead of trying to go head-to-head with her strengths.”

    In the semifinals, Zheng will face fourth seed Coco Gauff.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 249

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL9

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 249
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    800 PM CDT Wed May 14 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    East-Central and Northeast Nebraska
    Southeast South Dakota

    * Effective this Wednesday night and Thursday morning from 800 PM
    until 300 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter likely
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms over central Nebraska will becoming
    increasingly organized and track northeastward through the evening
    and overnight period. Damaging wind gusts and large hail will be
    through across the watch area. A tornado or two is also possible.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
    statute miles east and west of a line from 5 miles west northwest of
    Mitchell SD to 25 miles west southwest of Grand Island NE. For a
    complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU9).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 247…WW 248…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    25035.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW9
    WW 249 SEVERE TSTM NE SD 150100Z – 150800Z
    AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    5WNW MHE/MITCHELL SD/ – 25WSW GRI/GRAND ISLAND NE/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM E/W /59W FSD – 38SSW OBH/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25035.

    LAT…LON 43799712 40839781 40839972 43799913

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU9.

    Watch 249 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (30%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (60%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: David Seymour: Address to Craigs Investment Partners

    Source:

    ACT Leader David Seymour: Address to Craigs Investment Partners Auckland

    Introduction

    Thank you to Craigs Investment Partners for hosting me today.

    Every three years, we elect a new Parliament. Every year, we get a new Budget. And every Budget brings a flurry of headlines, hot takes, and handouts. But too often, what’s missing is a long view, a vision that extends beyond the next fiscal year, the next election, or the next political sugar hit.

    In other words, instead of looking towards the next election, we should be thinking about the next generation.

    Right now, New Zealand is in the middle of a repair job. After years of economic mismanagement and runaway spending, this Government is trying to patch the roof while the rain still falls. ACT supports that effort. But we also ask a bigger question: what comes next? Not just in the next quarter or the next Budget, but in the next few decades.

    Because building a stronger economy starts with a long-term economic vision. A vision that restores freedom and personal responsibility to the individual, and rewards effort and innovation.

    In a week’s time the Government will be revealing Budget 2025. It will detail the Government’s specific spending and revenue choices, key new infrastructure investments, the path for borrowing and debt and our plans for strengthening the fundamentals of the New Zealand economy.

    New Zealand has gone through a tough few years of high inflation, high interest rates and little to no real growth. The Government has been running big deficits and accumulating debt. I’m proud to be part of a government that is slowing the spending of previous governments and making savings so we can fund the things that are most important.

    Inflation and interest rates have been beaten back. Government doesn’t control every factor influencing them, but we can control our own spending. The Government’s commitment to spend less and maintaining that discipline over four years has helped win the war on inflation and interest rates.

    Last week, Brooke van Velden MP made long-overdue changes to a broken pay equity system. As usual, Labour and the unions responded with scare tactics and misinformation. The fact is that Brooke’s changes bring back common sense. Pay equity claims will still be possible – but they’ll need real evidence of discrimination, not assumptions. That means a system that’s fair, workable, and sustainable for the long term.

    The reason I bring this up is because Brooke’s fixes will have major budget implications, billions of dollars that balance the books and allow investments in important areas like health and education. She’s managed to do it in a way that means claims can still progress in cases of genuine sex-based discrimination – but if you’re a librarian looking to get a pay rise comparable to a fisheries officer then you’re out of luck.

    Not many MPs would have the guts to take a controversial piece of work like this and progress it for the greater good. Brooke has shown what ACT is bringing to this Government – a willingness to take on tough issues and stand by our principles. This approach needs to be replicated and applied across a wider range of issues in order for New Zealand to tackle long-term issues.

    Looking beyond a four-year cycle

    Next week’s budget will take another step in the right direction for economic recovery. But while short-term repair is essential, we also need a long-term vision. What happens beyond this four-year cycle?

    Previous Labour Budgets offered headline-grabbing sugar hits, ‘Wellbeing Budgets’ that felt good in the moment but lacked staying power, they essentially worked to pick a group, give them some money, and promote their generosity. The point that was often missed was that to give money to that group someone else had to stump up, probably your children and grandchildren. Now, this Government is carrying out the hard, necessary work by cutting unnecessary spending and reinvesting in core areas. But what comes next?

    When it comes to government spending, New Zealand is standing on a burning platform. Last year, even as our population grew slightly, thanks to births and inbound migration, our economy shrank by one percent.

    But here’s the real kicker: $10 billion of what the government spent was just to pay interest on existing debt. And next year? We’ll pay interest on the interest. The consequence? Government debt is forecast to soar past $200 billion in 2026.

    Our national debt is growing by almost $2 million an hour, or more than $47 million a day.

    As of the first quarter of 2025, New Zealand’s unemployment rate stands at 5.1 per cent, the highest in 4.5 years. Employment growth is minimal, and wage inflation has decelerated. At the same time, the doubling of debt we saw under the previous government is the new normal with $234.1 billion in debt by 2028/29, that’s $46,800 for every man, woman and child in this country today. The opposition is quick to deny responsibility. But let’s be real – it was under them debt went from 20-40 per cent of GDP. We are now projected to see a slowing and a decline. It was under Labour that inflation rose to 7 per cent and hollowed out the economy, it is under us that we have seen it come down to the usual low levels.

    This is not sustainable. Not if you want your children and grandchildren to experience the same opportunities you once had.

    And the challenges don’t stop there. There’s a demographic tailwind in our population growth, that’s becoming a headwind when it comes to balancing the books.

    Our population is aging fast. Every year, around 60,000 people turn 65 and become eligible for superannuation.

    We cannot keep ducking the big questions. Because what’s coming is not just a fiscal ripple, it’s a tidal wave that will envelop the country.

    The global economy is more interconnected than ever before. As a small, open economy, New Zealand won’t escape the next global shock.

    When Grant Robertson cranked up the money printers, blame was levelled at Putin, Covid, and cyclones. But crises are a fact of life, not an excuse for policy failure. It would be too easy for this Government to blame Trump. But a resilient country must be prepared regardless of who or what is happening around them.

    In the 1990s, New Zealand demonstrated that resilience. Years of smart fiscal policy took our net core Crown debt from 55 per cent to just 5.4 per cent by 2008. Critics called it ‘austerity.’ But they’re still crying austerity when debt is 42.5 per cent. In 2019, pre-Covid, Jacinda Ardern’s Government was spending 28 per cent of GDP. In 2024, spending was 33.1 per cent of GDP. I don’t recall Labour being accused of austerity. But journalists and commentators find the current Government guilty of austerity when it spends 5 per cent of GDP more. Get real.

    When the Global Financial Crisis and Covid hit, we were ready. Fast forward to today. That 5.4 per cent is now 42.5 per cent. Net core Crown debt has exploded from $10.3 billion in 2008 to over $175 billion today.

    How did we get here?

    Well, the simple answer is out of control spending from irresponsible governments. We’ve been here before. After the Muldoon Government’s reckless spending nearly bankrupted the country, it took the Lange Government and Sir Roger Douglas’s economic reforms to steer us back from the brink.

    Growth and ambition

    New Zealand’s population is expected to reach 6 million by 2043. That’s a good thing. We should be encouraging our best and brightest to stay, and welcoming innovative minds from around the world. We have the wide-open spaces and natural beauty to attract people, but not the ambition or economic opportunity to retain them judging by the roughly 69,100 New Zealand citizens choosing to leave in the year to February 2025.

    We’ve tried spending more and the result was more debt and many of the same problems. In fact, if there’s one thing Grant Robertson taught us all it’s that we can’t spend our way out of this mess. Without radical policy change, there is no plausible path that avoids long-term fiscal and social collapse.

    So what can we do?

    Smaller, smarter government

    We should make government itself more efficient. Fewer ministers, fewer departments, and clearer accountability. New Zealanders don’t need 82 portfolios to live better lives. They just need a government that does its job, and then gets out of their way.

    It’s a shift away from the idea that the government exists to solve every problem by creating a minister named after it. And towards a view that the government’s job is to manage your money responsibly and provide core public services that allow you to go about your life, respecting your property rights.

    If the Government was truly focused on outcomes rather than optics, we’d have fewer ministers but higher standards. We’d have fewer bureaucrats, but better services. We’d be empowering New Zealanders to make their own decisions, not adding layers of officials to make them for us.

    Our proposal is to have:

    • Only 20 Ministers, with no ministers outside cabinet
    • No associate ministers, except in finance
    • Abolish ‘portfolios’, there’s either a department or there’s not
    • Reduce the number of departments to 30 by merging them and removing low-value functions
    • Ensure each department is overseen by only one minister
    • Up to eight under-secretaries supporting the busiest ministers, effectively a training ground for future cabinet ministers

    More personal choice in education and health

    A lot of the biggest problems we face as a nation can be solved by ensuring the next generation has access to a great education.

    While our Government has made a lot of improvements in this area, banning devices that were destroying children’s concentration, bringing back charter schools to ensure there is more flexibility and choice in the system, and returning logic and common sense to the curriculum in key areas like literacy and numeracy, many parents still ask, how do we spend $330,000 on every child’s education and still get these results?

    What if we gave New Zealanders a choice?

    With $333,000 per student over a lifetime, how many families would choose a better option if they had control over that money instead of handing it over to the Government. Like a KiwiSaver account, parents and students would be able to see the balance of funding that is available and make choices about how to fund an education.

    It is taking power away from the bureaucracy and back to the people. The only way to ensure New Zealand’s schools become leaders rather than laggards is to have an education system that is responsive to parental demand rather than political orthodoxy.

    We can apply the same concept to the health system. How do we spend $6,000 per citizen annually on health, and still end up on waiting lists?

    What if every person could opt out of the public health system and take their $6,000 to buy private health insurance? Many would. And many would be better off.

    We shouldn’t have a default position of tax and spend for every public service. If the past few years have taught us anything it’s that taxing and spending more doesn’t lead to greater outcomes. Giving people greater control over their own lives would bring about real change.

    Zero-basing government

    We need to stop assuming government departments and activities should continue because they always have. It’s easy to think of New Zealand companies that no longer exist. Anyone shopped at Deka lately? Read the Auckland Star? Got a loan from South Canterbury Finance? Had Mainzeal put anything up for you? Anyone here had a night in thanks to Video Ezy this decade?

    For a variety of reasons those national brands along with a lot of other local businesses are gone. Basically, if they don’t deliver better than anyone else could, they go. But when was the last time you heard of a government department being surplus to requirements and closed down?

    How many zombie departments and zombie bureaucrats does this country have? People who just carry on collecting a pay cheque for their own purposes instead of any public purpose. Why do we put up with the idea that government can get bigger, but it can never get smaller?

    ACT says we need to zero base government. By that I mean going back to zero and asking ourselves, if the departments and bureaucracies we have now didn’t exist, would we establish them today?

    We would ask every department to answer the simple question; if you didn’t exist, who would notice and why?

    The justifications will have to fit with a robust view of what government can, and can’t, do.

    • Can the private sector provide this service?
    • Is there a genuine conflict between citizens’ interests that cannot be resolved without government intervention?
    • What are the costs and benefits of this activity, and do the benefits outweigh the costs?

    The size of government would be reduced dramatically by eliminating activities that don’t fit with these simple questions.

    Tackling the hard conversations

    We need a serious conversation about the future of retirement income. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential.

    We need to face facts on superannuation. People are living over ten years longer than they were two generations ago, and they are having fewer children to pay taxes for superannuation. That means we need to consider whether our current approach is fair or sustainable. This could mean increasing the age by two months per year until it reaches 67. Someone who is currently retired would see no difference from this policy. Someone who is currently 64 would be eligible for superannuation two months later than currently planned. Sooner or later, a Government will need to address this.

    The Winter Energy Payment makes a big difference for a lot of Kiwis, but for a lot more it lands in a special account that gets put aside for a holiday fund. Why don’t we ensure that the Winter Energy Payment went to those who needed it. It could be restricted to over-65s who hold Community Services Cards and recipients of main benefits.

    Then there’s the corporate welfare. It took political courage for Sir Roger Douglas to ditch the agriculture subsidies and ask farmers to embrace the market. Looking back, I don’t think you’d find a farmer who wouldn’t agree that it was the right decision.

    Why don’t we just let people keep more of their taxes and spend and invest their money the way they’d like to?

    Between health, education, pensions, and welfare you have around $95 billion, a massive chunk of the government’s budget. The question isn’t whether we’re spending enough in these areas, it’s how we can find more productivity growth so New Zealanders get better services.

    Cutting red tape

    Housing and infrastructure costs are out of control not because of material costs, but because of government regulation. The RMA, excessive building codes, and earthquake regulations are driving prices sky-high. Reform is long overdue.

    The Government is doing a huge amount of work in this area, most importantly by delivering a property rights based RMA – a concept ACT has fought hard for.

    Long term, there will need to be a change in attitude when it comes to lawmaking. The Regulatory Standards Bill is one tool to do this, bringing transparency to lawmaking so when a politician makes a silly populist law, they’ll need to justify it to the public.

    I think the Regulatory Standards Bill could have prevented many of the issues we’re dealing with today. Take earthquake regulations. In Auckland the chance of a major seismic event is roughly one in 110,000 years, yet property owners there are still being forced through costly assessments and upgrade requirements designed for high-risk areas.

    It makes no sense. These one-size-fits-all rules are driving up costs and pushing down property values without delivering meaningful safety benefits. Instead of scaring owners into unnecessary spending, good policy would have adopted a risk-based approach that targets genuine seismic threats, not bureaucratic box-ticking.

    These law changes are costly, mainly in lost productivity for decades to come. The Government’s default position should be not to regulate. Regulation should be the exception, not the rule. We must trust people, not bureaucracy.

    The challenge

    If we carry on in the current direction, we won’t remain a first-world country. We’ll be a middling island in the Pacific, lamenting the opportunities we let pass us by.

    There is a way forward. But it starts with honesty.

    We must rebuild New Zealand as a country that works, not just for today, but for generations to come. That means putting power back in the hands of people. That means cutting waste, reforming entitlements, and restoring ambition.

    It means choosing freedom over control, responsibility over excuses, and aspiration over resentment.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – Fossil tracks show reptiles appeared on Earth up to 40 million years earlier – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    The origin of reptiles on Earth has been shown to be up to 40 million years earlier than previously thought – thanks to evidence discovered at an Australian fossil site that represents a critical time period.

    Flinders University Professor John Long and colleagues have identified fossilised tracks of an amniote with clawed feet – most probably a reptile – from the Carboniferous period, about 350 million years ago.

    “Once we identified this, we realised this is the oldest evidence in the world of reptile-like animals walking around on land – and it pushes their evolution back by 35-to-40 million years older than the previous records in the Northern Hemisphere,” says Professor Long, Strategic Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders.

    Published today in the journal Nature, this discovery indicates that such animals originated in the ancient southern supercontinent of Gondwana, of which Australia was a central part

    The fossil tracks, discovered in the Mansfield district of northern Victoria in Australia, were made by an animal that Professor Long predicts would have looked like a small, stumpy, Goanna-like creature.

    “The implications of this discovery for the early evolution of tetrapods are profound,” says Professor Long.

    “All stem-tetrapod and stem-amniote lineages must have originated during the Devonian period – but tetrapod evolution proceeded much faster, and the Devonian tetrapod record is much less complete than we have believed.”

    Fossil records of crown-group amniotes – the group that includes mammals, birds and reptiles – begin in the Late Carboniferous period (about 318 million years old), while previously the earliest body fossils of crown-group tetrapods were from about 334 million years ago, and the oldest trackways about 353 million years old.

    This had suggested the modern tetrapod group originated in the early Carboniferous period, with the modern amniote group appearing in the early part of the Late Carboniferous period.

    “We now present new trackway data from Australia that falsify this widely accepted timeline,” says Professor Long, who worked with Australian and international experts on the major Nature journal paper.

    “My involvement with this amazing fossil find goes back some 45 years, when I did my PhD thesis on the fossils of the Mansfield district, but it was only recently after organizing palaeontology field trips to this area with Flinders University students that we got locals fired up to join in the hunt for fossils.

    “Two of these locals – Craig Eury and John Eason (coauthors on the paper) – found this slab covered in trackways and, at first, we thought they were early amphibian trackways, but one in the middle has a hooked claw coming off the digits, like a reptile – an amniote, in fact.

    “It was amazing how crystal clear the trackways are on the rock slab. It immediately excited us, and we sensed we were onto something big – even though we had no idea just how big it is.”

    The Flinders palaeontology team working on this project included Dr Alice Clement, who scanned the fossil footprints to create digital models that were then analysed in detail, working closely with a team from Uppsala University led by Professor Per Erik Ahlberg, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

    “We study rocks and fossils of the Carboniferous and Devonian age with specific interest to observe the very important fish-tetrapod transition,” says Dr Clement.

    “We’re trying to tease apart the details of how the bodies and lifestyles of these animals changed, as they moved from being fish that lived in water, to becoming tetrapods that moved about on land.”

    Another coauthor Dr Aaron Camens, who studies animal trackways from around Australia, produced heatmaps that explain details of the fossil footprints much more clearly.

    “A skeleton can tell us only so much about what an animal could do, but a trackway actually records its behaviour and tells us how this animal was moving,” says Dr Camens.

    Because Professor Long had been studying ancient fish fossils of this area since 1980, he had a clear idea of the age of rock deposits in the Mansfield district – from the Carboniferous period, which started about 359 million years ago.

    “The Mansfield area has produced many famous fossils, beginning with spectacular fossil fishes found 120 years ago, and ancient sharks. But the holy grail that we were always looking for was evidence of land animals, or tetrapods, like early amphibians. Many had searched for such trackways, but never found them – until this slab arrived in our laboratory to be studied.

    “This new fossilised trackway that we examined came from the early Carboniferous period, and it was significant for us to accurately identify its age – so we did this by comparing the different fish faunas that appear in these rocks with the same species and similar forms that occur in well-dated rocks from around the world, and that gave us a time constraint of about 10 million years.”

    La Trobe University’s Dr Jillian Garvey, who liaised with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council for the study, has researched in the Mansfield basin since the early 2000s.

    “This discovery rewrites this part of evolutionary history,” Dr Garvey says. “It indicates there is so much that has happened in Australia and Gondwana that we are still yet to uncover.”

    The research – ‘Earliest amniote tracks recalibrate the timeline of tetrapod evolution’ (2025) by John A Long, Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki, Jillian Garvey, Alice M Clement, Aaron B Camens, Craig A Eury, John Eason and Per E Ahlberg (Uppsala University) – has been published in Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08884-5

    Available online: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08884-5

    Fossil tracks show reptiles appeared on Earth up to 40 million years earlier – Google Drive

    Acknowledgements: P.E.A. acknowledges the support of ERC Advanced Grant ERC-2020-ADG 10101963 “Tetrapod Origin”. J.A.L. and A.M.C. receive funding from the Australian Research Council, DP 220100825 and DP 200103398. The authors acknowledge that NMV P258240 comes from Taungurung Country, and pay their respects to Taungurung Elders past and present, and all of the Taungurung community.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Property Market – Nine in ten NZ property resellers make a profit despite market softness

    Source: Cotality (formerly CoreLogic)

    New Zealand’s residential property market remained broadly steady in the March quarter, with the average seller pocketing $280,000, according to Cotality’s latest Pain and Gain Report.

    The share of resales made at a gross profit in Q1 2025 was 90.8%, easing only slightly from 91.1% in the previous quarter. While still below the post-pandemic high when 99% of resales delivered a profit, the data suggests the market has stabilised.

    “The figures for the March quarter tell a story of resilience,” said Kelvin Davidson, Chief Property Economist for Cotality NZ (formerly CoreLogic).
    “Despite house prices still sitting about 16% below their early 2022 peak, most property owners are continuing to sell for a profit – especially those with longer ownership periods.”
    The median gross profit on resales was $280,000 in Q1, down from $298,000 in Q4 2024 and the Q4 2021 record of $440,000, but still well above levels seen prior to the pandemic. In contrast, the median resale loss decreased slightly to $50,000, continuing a three-year trend of relative stability in the $50,000–$60,000 range.
    “Longer hold periods remain key,” Mr Davidson said.
    “A typical property resold for a profit in the first quarter of 2025 had been owned for 9.1 years. That’s unchanged from the prior quarter and underscores how time in the market generally shields owners from volatility.”

    Investors show no signs of rushing for the exits

    Despite commentary that investor-owned properties may be under pressure, the report found no evidence of widespread distress selling.
    Mr Davidson noted that, “Lower mortgage rates are helping support investor cashflows. We’re not seeing any sign of fire-sale exits.”
    Across owner-occupiers and investors alike, those who had held properties for shorter periods – especially 2 to 3 years – were more likely to record losses. 
    The median hold period for loss-making resales was 3.3 years in Q1, up from 3.0 years in the December quarter and a sharp rise from just 1.2 years in mid-2022.

    Apartments under pressure, but no panic

    The likelihood of a resale loss continues to vary by property type.
    In Q1 2025, just 8.4% of houses resold at a loss, compared to 32.8% of apartments. While that is an increase for apartments from 28.6% in Q4 2024, the data does not indicate a rush to offload.
    “There’s no evidence that apartment owners are abandoning the market en masse,” Mr Davidson said.
    “Loss-making sales of apartments might tend to reflect unexpected personal changes such as family issues, rather than widespread market retreat.”
    The median loss on apartment resales was $63,000 in Q1, compared to $49,000 for houses. Meanwhile, the median resale profit was $128,000 for apartments and $280,000 for houses – broadly in line with historical trends reflecting the lower entry price of apartments.

    Looking ahead: slow and steady gains

    While the abundance of property listings and a soft labour market are likely to weigh on prices in the near term, Cotality expects that lower interest rates will lend gradual support.
    “We’re not anticipating a sharp rebound,” Mr Davidson said. “But conditions are in place for a slow and steady uplift in values, which should continue to support profitability for resellers over the remainder of 2025.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Thompson, Sewell Introduce Solid American Hardwood Tax Credit Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Thompson (5th District Pennsylvania)

    Bipartisan bill will level playing field for American-grown and manufactured hardwood products

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Solid American Hardwood Tax Credit Act to allow individual taxpayers to include solid American manufactured hardwood products, such as flooring and paneling, as qualified home energy efficiency improvements under the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. By including hardwood materials as eligible products for this credit, the legislation will provide meaningful environmental and economic benefits.

    As a building material, hardwood actively sequesters carbon and serves as long-term carbon storage in residential structures. Carbon storage reduces the impact of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and helps support more sustainable practices. By ensuring hardwood materials are fairly counted as an energy efficient home improvement, this legislation will help lower the cost of housing, strengthen American manufacturing, and protect American jobs.

    “Pennsylvania is blessed with some of the finest hardwoods in the world, which have provided thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth,” Rep. Thompson said. “This bill supports the Trump Administration’s timber production and housing affordability initiatives, ultimately helping to lower housing costs and strengthen American industry. I look forward to continuing to advocate for domestic hardwood production.”
     
    “Alabama’s rich history and association with timber farming and hardwood product sale & production is integral for a strong statewide economy,” Rep. Sewell said. “This legislation will help preserve American jobs in the lumber and hardwood industries by combating bad actors in China that have begun to flood markets with inadequate imitations of U.S made products.”
     
    “Without active management, responsible harvesting, and robust markets, the health of our hardwood forests—and the industries and communities that depend on them—are at serious risk.  Providing consumers with a tax credit to purchase real, American grown, American manufactured solid hardwood products over cheap, imported substitutes will save thousands of American jobs and small businesses in rural America,” said Dallin Brooks, Executive Director of the National Hardwood Lumber Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Veasey Continues Call for Hegseth to Resign

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

    Headline: Congressman Veasey Continues Call for Hegseth to Resign

    Washington, DC: Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) continues his call for the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to resign or be fired in light of revelations Hegseth leaked classified intelligence on Signal more than once:

    “The latest revelations about Secretary Hegseth recklessly leaking classified military operations over Signal—to his wife, his brother, and his personal lawyer— is another clear reason why Hegseth is unfit to lead the Department of Defense,” said Congressman Veasey. “His few short months as head of DoD have been marked by chaos, corruption, and crime. His appointment is a clear and present danger to our troops and our national security.

    Hegseth has no business overseeing our national defense. I am demanding a full investigation and calling on Secretary Hegseth to resign immediately—before his next text message gets someone killed.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: SpaceX to conduct Starship’s ninth flight test next week: Musk

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SpaceX is preparing to launch the ninth test flight of its Starship rocket as early as next week, according to SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk.

    The company said Tuesday that Starship has completed a long-duration static fire of its six engines and is undergoing final preparations ahead of the upcoming test.

    “Just before the Starship flight next week, I will give a company talk explaining the Mars game plan in Starbase, Texas, that will also be live-streamed on X,” Musk said in a post on the social media platform.

    Starship last launched on March 6 in its eighth test flight, during which SpaceX lost contact with the spacecraft shortly after liftoff.

    SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, collectively referred to as Starship, represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to the Earth orbit, the moon, Mars and beyond.

    Starship plays a key role in NASA. It is the vehicle that NASA has selected to carry astronauts on the final leg of their trip to the moon during a mission called Artemis III, currently planned for 2026. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch, Lummis Introduce Bill to Protect Firefighters, Communities from Wildfire Threats

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) led their colleagues in introducing the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 to safeguard firefighters, communities and property across the West from the destructive impacts of wildfires.
    “Uncontrolled wildfires wreak havoc on communities and landscapes throughout the West—burning close to one million acres in Idaho last year alone,” Crapo said.  “This bill ensures the heroic men, women and agencies battling raging fires can continue deploying aerial fire retardant when people’s lives, homes, possessions and Idaho’s vast natural expanses are threatened by blazing infernos.”
    “Our response to devastating wildfires must not be delayed by extremist, activist litigants,” said Risch.  “The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act ensures timely access to fire retardant and protects Idaho’s communities, forests and way of life.”
    “In Wyoming and across the West, we understand all too well the devastating toll wildfires take on our communities,” said Lummis.  “Without timely access to fire retardant, lives and homes are at risk.  In an emergency, we cannot afford to let bureaucracy slow down our response, and this legislation ensures firefighters have the tools they need to protect lives, property and public lands.”
    Crapo, Risch and Lummis are joined by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) as original co-sponsors.
    The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act ensures that federal, state, local and tribal firefighting agencies can continue using fire retardant to combat wildfires without being hindered by permitting delays.  Specifically, it creates an exemption under the Clean Water Act, clarifying that a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is not required for the use of fire retardant in active firefighting operations.
    Currently, agencies like the U.S. Forest Service operate under longstanding EPA guidance dating back to 1993, which states that fire control qualifies as a “non-point source silvicultural activity,” and thus does not require an NPDES permit.  Despite this, environmental groups have filed lawsuits seeking to halt the use of fire retardant until such permits are issued—a process that could take years.
    If the injunction is granted and fire retardant is not available for use in 2025, firefighters and individuals living in forested areas would be in greater danger and billions of dollars of infrastructure would be at risk.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Asks Nominees About Bridge Funding, PFAS Remediation, USACE Project Prioritization

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click here or the image above.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led ahearing on the nominations of Sean McMaster to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), John Busterud to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Solid Waste of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Adam Telle to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
    During the hearing, Chairman Capito questioned the nominees about initiatives to support our nation’s bridges through FHWA policy and funding, the importance of federal efforts to address PFAS contamination, and promptly addressing priority projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
    HIGHLIGHTS:
    FHWA BRIDGE FUNDING AND POLICY:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “[West Virginia’s] geography requires to have a lot of those bridges. So, we need a strong federal partner in the FHWA, it’s critical to our success. You know, a lot of progress has been made with the IIJA, but are there any policy and funding proposals that we should consider including in the next reauthorization, which we’re getting to work on, to further address regionally significant or bridge projects?”
    SEAN MCMASTER:
    “Senator, I appreciate the question, I know you’ve been a champion for bridges. For the Federal Highway Administration, bridge safety is a paramount importance issue. It’s critical to the safety of our traveling public. It’s critical to our supply chain. As we look to support reauthorization, there is work still yet to be done. Tremendous progress over the last few years, when I served at HNTB, I was fortunate to work in support of the Brent Spence Bridge, which after 20 years, is now finally realizing development. I look forward to supporting you, if I’m confirmed. I know it’s of paramount importance for the Federal Highway Administration, and I look forward, if confirmed, to supporting your efforts through reauthorization to identify additional ways we can accelerate the maintenance and enhancement of our nation’s bridges on the highway system.”
    ADDRESSING PFAS CONTAMINATION:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “I was pleased to see the EPA release an agency wide plan setting bold goals to tackle this crisis. If confirmed, you will be responsible for leading OLEM’s major role in the strategy, from updating PFAS destruction guidance, to enforcing the polluter pays principle. How would you lead in this way and help us tackle this very difficult and far-ranging problem of PFAS contamination?”
    JOHN BUSTERUD:
    “PFAS is a high priority issue for EPA and the Administrator, on April 28 as you noted, announced a suite of programs basically taking a whole of EPA approach to addressing PFAS across its major program offices. As you noted, and as we discussed in our conversation in your office, OLEM will play an important role to increase the frequency of guidance we give on PFAS destruction. It has been every three years. We’re going to commit to providing those updates on an annual basis, and there was great interest in that. OLEM will also look at and examine its RCRA authorities to prevent releases of PFAS from manufacturing facilities and other facilities which use PFAS. And you mentioned the polluter pays issue, and I support that entirely, and we will continue with that approach. The issue of passive receiver is very important to a number of senators on your committee and others. That is an issue that, if confirmed, I pledge to work with our dedicated career staff and to look at ways in which we can avoid a situation in which customers of water utilities would be forced to pay for contamination they didn’t put in the water to begin with, and I look forward to working with your committee on that.”
    USACE PROJECT PRIORITIZATION:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “We had a hearing on the Corps of Engineers and the implementation of some of their programs. This is a daunting challenge, I think, to step into the position that you’re in because the slowness and the sluggishness of some of the work that we know is critical is, I think, universally felt by all of us. This goes to the fact that the Army Corps is actively working on nearly 100 ongoing feasibility studies and general reevaluation reports. These will result in projects later on, as you know, in authorizations and appropriations. How will you ensure that projects and other activities are appropriately prioritized in work plans, and balance the competing water resources in the country?”
    ADAM TELLE:
    “Chairman Capito, you’ve identified the fundamental issue as it relates to this nomination, which is, this is a complex and exhaustive set of challenges. The demand for the Corps’ work is greater than the supply. The Congress is incredibly interested in the projects and the work of the Corps of Engineers, as you have identified. And the core principle, and when it comes to prioritization in a constrained budget environment is to follow the law, and the law says that the Corps’ primary missions are navigation, enabling Commerce on America’s waterways, flood mitigation and control, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. And so those have to be the primary beacons when it comes to prioritization, examining how the projects meet those missions as the Congress has laid them out, setting priorities on the basis of benefits versus costs, life and safety, and other factors that ultimately will play into all these decisions, and it’s a complicated one.”
    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s questions.
    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Vallejo Man Convicted of Being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    After a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins, a jury found Jeffrey Caldwell, 36, of Vallejo, guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to evidence presented at trial, law enforcement officers responded to the Super 8 Motel on 2070 Solano Avenue in Vallejo after multiple callers reported hearing gunshots from inside the building. By the time the officers arrived, Caldwell had barricaded himself in his hotel room and refused commands to surrender. A multi-hour standoff ensued, which ended when Caldwell finally left the room and attempted to flee. A subsequent search of the room discovered a privately manufactured firearm containing one round of ammunition. Caldwell is prohibited from possessing ammunition due to more than 10 prior felony convictions in California and Arizona, including for assault, burglary, and stalking.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Vallejo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Campbell and Alexander Cárdenas are prosecuting the case.

    Caldwell is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Coggins on Aug. 22, 2025. Caldwell faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Drive-By Shooters Who Sprayed Bullets Near a Southeast Washington D.C. Elementary School Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – Rasheed Mullins, 27, and Josiah Warfield, 24, both of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 90 months and 100 months in prison, respectively, for participating in an April 2024 daylight drive-by shooting near an elementary school in Southeast D.C.

    The sentencings were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

    Mullins and Warfield both pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025, to single counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered them each to serve five years of supervised release.

    According to court documents, Mullins was at the wheel of a red Kia SUV as it drove near the 2800 block of Bruce Place, SE. Warfield and another male conspirator were passengers in the vehicle. About 11:25 a.m., Mullins began to chase a grey Mercedes. Warfield, armed with a Glock 19, and the other man, wielding a Draco assault rifle, leaned out of the SUVs windows and fired multiple shots at the Mercedes, hitting it three times.

    Mullins continued to chase the Mercedes until losing control of the SUV and crashing it near where two PGPD detectives were standing as they were investigating an unrelated case. The three men bailed out of the SUV and ran into a nearby wooded area where the officers arrested them.

    This case was investigated by the ATF and MPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Martin and Jared English.

    24cr193

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Waters, Senator Merkley Launch New Effort to Boost Congress’ Oversight of Trump’s Mass Firings

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

    Washington, D.C. – As the Trump Administration continues mass firings of federal employees, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, today introduced first-of-its-kind legislation to strengthen Congress’ authority to protect workers and override federal staffing cuts implemented without consultation.

    The Reduction in Force (RIF) Review Act empowers Congress to overrule any president’s workforce cuts at all federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Health and Human Services. The bill makes RIF plans subject to the Congressional Review Act (CRA) and bolsters Congressional oversight of the executive branch’s actions.

    “Donald Trump and co-President Elon Musk are engaged in a lawless and reckless restructuring of the federal workforce. By firing thousands of federal workers, they are dismantling the infrastructure supporting Social Security, veterans’ healthcare, and our entire government. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are sitting by and refusing to perform their duty under the Constitution to provide a check on this President. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Senator Merkley to introduce the Reduction in Force Review Act, which will restore Congress’ role in overseeing major changes to the federal workforce. Agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which I’ve been fighting to protect as Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, protect ordinary Americans from financial scams and predatory lenders. If Republicans want to declare open season on working families, they should at least have to vote on it,” said Waters.

    Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, led the Senate introduction of the RIF Review Act.

    “Trump and his unelected billionaire sidekick Elon Musk’s reckless decision to fire tens of thousands of federal employees threatens the critical services that families, veterans, seniors, and children rely on,” said Merkley. “This isn’t about fiscal responsibility—it’s about cruelly shifting resources away from those who need them most to the very richest among us. Gutting resources and staff from vital programs is not resulting in better services or increased efficiency, but is instead causing pain for folks in Oregon and across the country. Congress must step in and exercise its oversight of the executive branch.”

    The RIF Review Act makes an agency’s reduction in force plan subject to a vote in both houses of Congress under the CRA process and enhances existing RIF reporting requirements to include:

    • The specific reasons for the reduction in force;
    • The anticipated impact of the reduction in force on the employees and operations of the federal agency;
    • Any alternatives to the reduction in force that the federal agency considered, including the reasons that the federal agency rejected those alternatives;
    • A summary of the consultations that the federal agency has held with employees of the federal agency who will be affected by the reduction in force (or representatives of those employees); and
    • A summary of how the reduction in force will impact employees of the Federal agency who are veterans.

    In addition to Waters and Merkley, the RIF Review Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Doris O. Matsui (CA-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). 

    The RIF Review Act is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, SEIU, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), and National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE).

    “The Trump administration’s reckless attempt to dismantle our government without congressional approval threatens vital services Americans depend on every day—from caring for veterans and safeguarding public health, to protecting our environment and maintaining national security. This illegal power grab would gut federal agencies, disrupt communities nationwide, and put critical public services at risk. AFGE is proud to support the RIF Review Act to protect not just the patriotic public servants we represent, but the integrity of American government and the essential services that our nation deserves,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley.

    “DOGE’s illegal firings are an attack on federal workers and on the communities across the country who rely on them. Veterans will be left waiting even longer for care, and the workers who ensure our food is safe and water is clean have been fired. If these cuts are not overturned, we’ll see seniors waiting for delayed Social Security checks, and kids and teachers going without vital school programs. The RIF Review Act is critical to stopping these reckless cuts and restoring the jobs that make these programs work. We urge Congress to act now: stand with working people and support this bill or let the Trump administration and an unelected billionaire dismantle the essential services that millions of Americans count on,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

    “This administration’s war on the services that Americans rely on is despicable,” said Doreen Greenwald, National President of the NTEU. “These illegal mass firings not only harm thousands of dedicated civil servants across the country, but also millions of taxpayers who need these services and local communities who will suffer from increased unemployment. I applaud Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Waters for their leadership in ensuring that Congress can step in and stop these efforts before it’s too late.”

    Full text of the RIF Review Act can be found by clicking here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: After an autocratic leader was toppled in Bangladesh, democratic renewal remains a work in progress

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government, Flinders University

    Last July, a powerful student-led uprising in Bangladesh toppled the authoritarian, corrupt government led for 15 years by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

    Bangladesh now shows modest signs of democratic recovery. Months into its tenure, a transitional government has reopened political and civic space, especially at universities, and begun reforming key state bodies.

    Yet, violence and political retribution persist. This week, the interim government banned Hasina’s former party, the Awami League, under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act while a tribunal investigates its role in the deaths of hundreds of protesters last year.

    Elections have also been delayed and may not happen until 2026.

    Amid this fragile transition, interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel-prize winning economist, has emerged as a rare figure of trust and calm. His popularity is so high, in fact, many are calling for him to remain at the helm for another five years.

    Given the uncertainty, Bangladesh faces some uncomfortable questions: can it afford electoral democracy right now? Or must stability come first, with democracy postponed until institutions can catch up?

    And what happens if emergency governance becomes the new normal?

    Fraught road to democratic renewal

    According to a global democracy report, Bangladesh is still classified as an “electoral autocracy” — one of the few in the category that actually got worse in 2024.

    The opposition, chiefly the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), has mounted a fierce challenge to the interim government’s legitimacy, arguing it lacks a democratic mandate to implement meaningful reforms.

    While the BNP and its former ally, the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, may appeal to segments of Bangladesh’s Muslim majority, their support is undermined by reputational baggage and limited resonance with younger voters.

    At the same time, radical, right-wing, Islamist forces are exploiting the vacuum to reassert themselves, exacerbating tensions between Muslims and the Hindu minority.

    Economically, the country is also still reeling from the damage done under Hasina’s regime.

    Corruption hollowed out the banking system, leaving key institutions almost bankrupt. Although Yunus has taken steps to stabilise the economy by bringing in competent officials, uncertainty continues to dampen investor confidence.

    Inflation remains high. And unless job creation accelerates, especially for the youth, the seeds of further unrest are already planted.

    In addition, law and order has deteriorated sharply. The country’s police force has been tainted by its association with the Alami League, and the former police chief is facing charges of crimes against humanity.

    Street crime is rising and minorities are experiencing growing harassment. Women feel deeply unsafe — both online and on the streets. Some parties are also seen as a threat to countering violence against women.

    Despite strong laws on paper, weak law enforcement and victim-blaming are allowing violence to flourish. It’s very difficult to hold perpetrators of crimes to account.

    Bangladesh is also increasingly isolated on the global stage.

    India, long allied to Hasina’s government, has turned its back on the interim government. The United States is disengaging, as well. USAID had committed nearly US$1 billion (A$1.6 billion) from 2021–26 to help improve the lives of Bangladeshis, but this funding has now been suspended.

    Some gains on civil liberties

    This year, Bangladesh improved slightly in Freedom House’s index on political freedoms and civil liberties, from a score of 40 points out of 100 last year to 45. This is a step in the right direction.

    Among the improvements in the past year, the government has:

    • removed restrictions on some political parties
    • released political detainees
    • and committed to major judicial reforms to increase accountability.

    The appointment of new election commissioners and the creation of advisory commissions for judicial and anti-corruption reform also signal an institutional reset in motion.

    But gains remain fragile. While politically motivated cases against opposition figures have been dropped, new ones have emerged against former ruling elites. The military’s policing role has expanded and harassment of Awami League supporters by protesters persists.

    In addition, media freedom remains heavily constrained, with a human rights group reporting the interim government had targeted hundreds of journalists in the past eight months.

    In this fractured environment, urgent reforms are needed. But these need to be sustainable, as well. Whether the interim government has the time, authority or support to deliver them remains in doubt. The government also needs to deliver on its promise to hold free and fair elections.

    A new party on the rise

    The country’s politically engaged youth have not been dissuaded by these issues. Rather, they are trying to reshape the political landscape.

    The new National Citizen Party (NCP) was formed in early 2025 by leaders of last year’s student uprising. It has positioned itself as the party to bring a “second republic” to Bangladesh. Drawing from historical models from France and the US, the party envisions a new elected, constituent assembly and constitution.

    With organisational support and tacit backing from the interim government, the NCP has rapidly grown into a viable political force.

    Still, the party faces a steep, uphill climb. Its broad, ideological umbrella risks diluting its message, blurring its distinctions with the BNP.

    For the NCP to turn protests into policy, it must sharpen its identity, consolidate its base, and avoid being co-opted or outflanked.

    Whether this moment of political flux leads to real transformation or yet another cycle of disillusionment will depend on how boldly — and how sustainably— the interim government and new actors like the NCP act. And they must not draw out the process of transition for too long.

    Intifar Chowdhury 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. After an autocratic leader was toppled in Bangladesh, democratic renewal remains a work in progress – https://theconversation.com/after-an-autocratic-leader-was-toppled-in-bangladesh-democratic-renewal-remains-a-work-in-progress-253846

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier urges all-out summer harvest efforts

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, makes arrangements for the summer harvest at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Beijing, capital of China, May 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, May 14 — Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong on Wednesday called for all-out efforts to ensure the summer harvest and consolidate the foundations of grain production.

    Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while making arrangements for the summer harvest at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

    Liu noted that summer planting, harvesting and field management are crucial to meeting the whole year’s grain production target. He called for strengthened field management and meteorological monitoring and early warning during later stages of summer grain production.

    He also urged the careful organization of summer grain purchases, and called for the connection between production and sales to be strengthened while guarding against natural disasters such as droughts, torrential rains, plant diseases and pests.

    All relevant local authorities should shoulder their responsibilities and coordinate with one another to ensure summer harvest purchases, transportation and funds, the vice premier stressed.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK at heart of NATO talks on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security and support for Ukraine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    UK at heart of NATO talks on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security and support for Ukraine

    NATO Allies are in Turkey to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic.

    • UK leading calls for Europe to support Ukraine
    • UK and NATO Allies will commit to building a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at meeting of Foreign Ministers in Antalya 
    • Visit follows UK hosted talks with European partners on bolstering security and support for Ukraine 

    As President Zelenskyy further demonstrates his commitment to peace by travelling to Istanbul for direct talks with Russia, NATO Allies are gathering in Turkey today to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic, with a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at its core. 

    At the NATO informal Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Antalya, the Foreign Secretary will lead calls for the strongest Alliance in history to stand united in the face of a generational threat from our adversaries, and stand behind Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace. Security is the foundation of our Plan for Change and central to this government’s plans to deliver growth and prosperity to British working people.

    Ahead of the Hague Summit in June, Allies are meeting in Antalya with a clear message that NATO must step up together to meet this critical moment for our collective security. The Foreign Secretary will say that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own security, as security threats from Russia and its enablers continue to mount. 

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 

    Today, President Zelenskyy is in Turkey in a further demonstration of his commitment to peace, ready to enter talks direct with Russia and continuing to push for a full ceasefire as a first crucial step.

    As myself and my fellow NATO Allies also travel to Turkey, we are united alongside Ukraine in our determination to secure a just and lasting peace. We are working to deliver more for our collective security and bring this barbaric war to an end.

    Euro-Atlantic security is the foundation of our Plan for Change. Without the security NATO provides, we cannot deliver the growth and prosperity the British people deserve.” 

    During his remarks in an informal meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the Foreign Secretary will update on UK steps to protect Euro-Atlantic security and disrupt Russia’s reckless actions to force Putin’s hand. He will say that every step the Alliance takes to increase pressure on Russia and achieve peace in Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity at home and abroad. 

    Earlier this week, six spies working for Russia were sentenced in the UK, as the UK cracks down on Russian espionage attempts on British soil. The successful convictions came about as a result of close international cooperation with a number of NATO Allies, including Bulgaria, France and Germany, demonstrating a unified front against hostile Russian activity. 

    The visit follows the UK-hosted Weimar+ meeting on Monday, where representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU joined the Foreign Secretary in London to share Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s right to peace and freedom. 

    It also comes after the Prime Minister’s visit to Oslo last week where the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) announced enhanced support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces through intensive training exercises, increasing interoperability across military platforms and enhancing countering disinformation support as well as allowing JEF Nations to learn from the battlefield experience of Ukraine’s armed forces.

    Media enquiries

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    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025
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