NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: OP-ED: Seizing opportunities for Alaska with the Trump administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    04.14.25
    I recently delivered my annual address to the Legislature in Juneau. I spoke about the success we’ve had in continuing our military build-up, including the possibility of re-opening the U.S. Navy base in Adak, to counter the unprecedented number of Russian and Chinese incursions near our air and waters.
    I spoke about our veterans and how we’re continuing to work to make sure they get the benefits they have earned. We’ve also passed significant legislation, the Social Security Fairness Act, to ensure that our other outstanding public servants — like teachers, firefighters, police officers — get the Social Security benefits they have earned. I spoke about our focus on making aviation safer, and the work we’re doing to help our hard-working fishermen and coastal communities, all of whom have experienced very rough times recently.
    But the heart of my speech centered on two visions for Alaska that have existed since statehood. One sees our state more run by an absent federal landlord who seeks to protect us and occasionally gives us scraps from the wealth of America’s table to keep us happy. This arrogant federal landlord view of Alaska reached its zenith under President Biden with his “Last Frontier lock-up” — 70 executive orders and actions exclusively focused on shutting down Alaska’s private sector economy, harming working families, and killing hundreds if not thousands of jobs.
    The other vision, which I believe most Alaskans support, envisions unlocking the wealth of Alaska to create sustainable, private sector economic growth and good-paying jobs. With the stroke of a pen on his first day in office, President Trump fully endorsed this vision by issuing an Alaska-specific executive order that undoes much of the Biden lock-up and sent an unmistakable message that unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resources and growing our economy is a top priority of his administration.
    I encourage all Alaskans to read the EO, understand it, and most importantly, work to use it for the betterment of Alaskans. This executive order could help us achieve many of the big, long-sought ambitions in our state and create thousands of good-paying jobs.
    To be clear, this EO is not a panacea. But we are the only state in the country that got one. Alaska has never seen such a positive signal directly from a U.S. president that we should pursue our vision of a state that seeks private sector wealth and job creation with a federal government that is a partner in opportunity, not a hostile opponent.
    As I was delivering my speech in Juneau, the Interior Department released another order lifting the decades-obsolete Public Land Order 5150, long used to hinder major resource projects in our state. This order puts ANWR and NPR-A back on the table for responsible development and enables the State of Alaska to select lands along the Dalton Highway corridor for conveyance, including the land beneath the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, something Alaskans have been trying to get done since the 1970s.
    We’ve also seen major progress on a dream that has eluded our grasp for decades — the Alaska LNG project. As a state and federal official, I’ve been working on this project for over 15 years. I understand there is skepticism. We have been hearing about this for decades. But the potential transformative benefits for our state are so huge, and the geostrategic imperative for America and our Asian allies so compelling, that my team and I have, for years, kept ramming our shoulders into the cement wall of Alaska LNG, hoping someday that this wall would give way.
    As of late, a crack has developed — an 800-mile crack in this wall that shows undeniable progress.
    After the November election, I met with President Trump and pitched him and his team on the huge benefits of this project for America. I asked the president for his full backing, and we’ve gotten it.
    In his recent meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, President Trump pressed him on the Alaska LNG project. And last month in his address to Congress, President Trump said:
    “My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska—among the largest in the world—where Japan, South Korea, and other nations want to be our partner with investments of trillions of dollars each. There’s never been anything like that one. It will be truly spectacular.”
    None of this progress happens by accident. I worked closely with Gov. Dunleavy and our teams to secure these actions.
    But we’re pushing on an open door. The Trump administration wants to help Alaska.
    In the past week, I’ve had productive discussions with President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other members of Trump’s cabinet on prioritizing the Alaska LNG project and, in particular, long-term Alaska LNG off-take agreements from countries like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in their tariff agreement negotiations. Both Trump and Bessent have stated that this is one of their goals in these negotiations.
    In my speech, I respectfully asked our state legislators to find creative ways to build on this unprecedented momentum we’re seeing at the federal level for the Alaska LNG project, not stop it. To the naysayers and pessimists, I asked, what is the alternative for Alaskans? Importing gas from Canada or Mexico? If we do, energy prices are going to double or triple for our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. Low-cost energy will be closed for a generation, and the good-paying jobs and possibilities that go with the Alaska LNG project will flee our state — and so will our kids.
    To be clear, I don’t agree with everything the Trump administration has done, particularly some of the DOGE actions in Alaska.
    But difficult choices have to be made. Our $36 trillion national debt is at a dangerous and unsustainable level. Last year, we paid out more in interest on this debt — upwards of $950 billion — than we did to fund our military at about $870 billion. When you look at history, great powers begin to fail when they hit this precarious inflection point. These debt and spending levels also drive high inflation rates as we’ve seen over the past few years, which remain the top concern of Alaska families.
    I’ve spoken directly with DOGE and Trump administration leaders regularly on this effort. They know that some mistakes will be made, and they want to work with us to correct them. We have had some successes reversing or preventing certain actions — on things like GSA leases and frozen federal funding on numerous projects across our state — particularly if they undermine the President’s Alaska-specific EO to unleash Alaska’s economy.
    But it’s vital that we Alaskans not forget the bigger picture. We have opportunities like never before to grow our state’s economy, create thousands of good-paying jobs and permit and build our long-sought projects. Imagine what we could achieve with a nearly inexhaustible supply of our own affordable natural gas for the whole state. Imagine the private sector opportunities that could start here — a manufacturing base, thousands of good-paying jobs, a steady source of income for many years to come to our state’s coffers.
    We can’t lose sight of the vision arising from our frontier heritage. This vision built our state and is still brimming with strength, invention, energy, and opportunity.
    By:  Sen. Dan SullivanSource: Anchorage Daily News

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKSAR organises activities for 2025 National Security Education Day (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:
     
    Launched today (April 15) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the National Security Education Day activities were hosted by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Hong Kong National Security Committee) and supported by the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) and the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OSNS). The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Xia Baolong officiated at the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day via video. Officiating guests attending the opening ceremony were the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Chairman of the Hong Kong National Security Committee, Mr John Lee; Director of LOCPG and National Security Advisor of the Hong Kong National Security Committee, Mr Zheng Yanxiong; Head of OSNS, Mr Dong Jingwei; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Mr Cui Jianchun; and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Navy Rear Admiral Lai Ruxin.
     
    In his keynote speech delivered via video at the opening ceremony, Director Xia Baolong said that over the past decade, China had achieved historic successes in national security work, and Hong Kong had gone through an extraordinary journey from chaos to governance and then from governance to greater prosperity. History and reality tell us that external forces’ attempts to destabilise Hong Kong and use it to contain China will not change and can never succeed; the Chinese people will never accept bullying, and all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, cannot be intimidated or overwhelmed; Hong Kong compatriots have a long-standing tradition of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, and those who betray the Motherland and Hong Kong will never have a good ending.
     
    Director Xia pointed out that currently, the practice of “one country, two systems” has entered a new stage. The good situation in Hong Kong today has come at a great cost and should be treasured. We must consolidate and develop this good situation. We must face the problems related to the development and security in Hong Kong, be vigilant and stay united. Every individual, group, enterprise and organisation needs to work together with Hong Kong compatriots and all Chinese people to defend Hong Kong and the country, ensure high-quality development with high-level security, and promote the steady and sustained practice of “one country, two systems”.
     
         Director Xia mentioned three “beliefs”. It is believed that the national security institutions of the HKSAR will resolutely shoulder the sacred mission of maintaining national security and further strengthen the solid barrier for national security. It is believed that all sectors of Hong Kong society can actively fulfil their obligation to maintain national security and jointly protect their beautiful home – Hong Kong. It is believed that the business community and entrepreneurs can make Hong Kong their home, build their businesses, and contribute to both Hong Kong and the country with more practical actions.
     
    Director Xia pointed out, “Many public officials in Hong Kong have been unreasonably sanctioned by the United States for their work in maintaining national security, but they are not afraid, are working steadfastly to fulfil their duties, and are willing to sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of the country. They take concrete actions to love and protect the country and Hong Kong, and I am proud of them,”
     
         “It is hoped that Hong Kong’s business community and entrepreneurs will continue to play a leading role in driving economic development, carry forward the fine tradition of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, correctly understand the relationship between their own enterprises and the development of both Hong Kong and the nation, and always uphold righteousness and never forget national interests.”
     
         Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to Director Xia Baolong for his care, guidance and support for Hong Kong all along. Mr Lee said, “The inspiring speech by Director Xia reminds us to not forget the past and to be vigilant about national security risks. We must also resolutely uphold national security and ensure the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong further.”
     
         At the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said, “The world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace. Hong Kong will face increasingly turbulent risks to national security in the future. We must remain vigilant, as the aftermath of the 2019 ‘black-clad’ violence has not yet ended. Anti-China subversive forces in Hong Kong continue to attempt a resurgence, engaging in ‘soft resistance’ and inciting hatred and resentment,”
     
         “Moreover, the United States’ wanton suppression of China and the HKSAR has become increasingly fanatical. In the face of the United States’ unbridled hegemonism, the HKSAR fully supports our country’s efforts to respond to the United States’ challenges, to defend China’s legitimate rights and interests, and to uphold international fairness and justice. At the same time, Hong Kong is committed to maintaining its status as a free port with virtually zero tariffs and pursuing open and free trade. With the resilience, adaptability, and indomitable spirit of the Hong Kong people, the city will once again navigate through adversity and emerge stronger, proving its worth as like pure gold standing the test of fire,”
     
         “The international landscape is complex and fast changing, and threats to national security can appear suddenly. We must always stay vigilant and, when embracing immense challenges, be prepared in the following four areas: (1) resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the ‘one country, two systems’ principle; (2) thoroughly implement the holistic approach to national security; (3) continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security; (4) actively promote by way of education across society the need to safeguard national security of our own accord.”
     
         “The SAR government will fulfil its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security, effectively resolve the conflicts and problems in the course of development and reforms, proactively identify, adapt to, and drive changes, deepen international exchanges and cooperation, and actively integrate into the broader national development landscape. At the same time, it will properly deal with all complex situations, spare no efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and make greater contributions to the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the nation.”
     
         In his speech, Director Zheng emphasised the need to further strengthen the foundation for the awareness of safeguarding national security; to better coordinate high-quality development with high-level security; and to actively pursue Hong Kong’s important mission in this new stage.
     
         “If our security foundations are not firmly supported or are unstable, our development will be precarious and will risk collapsing. Likewise, if we delay or neglect development, the foundation for our security will also become unstable. We must resolutely coordinate high-quality development with high-level security, and safeguard and advance the blossoming prospect and positive atmosphere that Hong Kong has been hard winning,”
     
         “It is essential to remember that building and developing Hong Kong well is, in itself, a powerful contribution to Chinese-style modernisation.”
     
         In his speech, Director Dong Jingwei stated, “We must not forget the painful scenes and lessons related to the proposed legislative amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, and we must remain clear-eyed about the ever-changing and complex national security landscape while firmly establishing the belief that ‘development is one overriding principle; security is another’,”
     
         “National security has never been a blessing from others. Flattery leads nowhere; submission has no future; and pleading only guarantees elimination,”
     
         “On this new journey in the new era, Hong Kong’s national security work requires strategic confidence, a firm belief in victory, and a strong hold on the strategic initiative in safeguarding national security.”
     
         Commissioner Cui Jianchun stated in his speech that the United States prioritises its own interests above the common good of the international community, and such zero-sum mentality engenders division and confrontation, bringing significant instability and uncertainty to the world. 
     
         “I believe Hong Kong can proactively adapt to changes and seize opportunities, fully leveraging the core advantages of ‘one country, two systems’ and its role as a bridge connecting domestic and global markets. By steadfastly utilising its unique status as a free port, Hong Kong can make distinctive contributions to upholding the multilateral trading system and promoting the building of a shared future for the neighbouring communities!” 
     
         Rear Admiral Lai Ruxin in his speech said that since its stationing in Hong Kong, the Garrison has been resolutely implementing the “one country, two systems” principle, the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and the Garrison Law, and firmly safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. 
     
         “All officers and soldiers of the Hong Kong Garrison will remain unwavering in following the Party’s command, enhancing combat readiness training, sincerely caring for Hong Kong and its people, and resolutely upholding national sovereignty, security, and Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.” 
     
         The HKSAR Government has been comprehensively promoting national security education through creative approaches with rich content. In August last year, the National Security Exhibition Gallery (the Gallery) was established, which is the first thematic gallery in the HKSAR dedicated to the systematic promotion of national security education, and also the first national security education base in the HKSAR. In just eight months since its opening, the Gallery has already registered over 600 000 visits. To mark the 10th National Security Education Day this year, the Gallery launched a thematic exhibition last month to reflect on the development of national security education advanced by both the country and the HKSAR Government over the years. In addition, the National Security Education District Tutor Training Scheme started in November last year. So far, about 3 000 district tutors have completed the training and have shared national security messages with over 120 000 people in the communities. In this academic year, the “Territory-wide Inter-school National Security Knowledge Challenge” has, for the first time, introduced an English section for non-Chinese speaking secondary school students, in addition to the primary and secondary school sections. A total of 610 schools participated, with over 126 000 students taking part, which represented an increase of more than 20 per cent as compared to last year’s. After several rounds of competitions, a total of 130 students and their coaching teachers joined the National Security Education Study Tour to visit Beijing and Shanghai in December last year. At today’s opening ceremony, students from the study tour shared their experiences of the journey via a short play. Through heartfelt and lively dialogues in a time-travel setting, the young generation of Hong Kong won the approval of the guests in their display of the sense of national identity, the awareness in safeguarding national security of their own accord, and the aspiration to serve the country.
     
         Apart from the above, the disciplined services held a solemn and grand flag-raising ceremony on the morning of April 15, and “National Security Cup” sports events and open days before and after April 15. In addition, 18 District Councils have organised different events, including seminars, carnivals, competitions, lectures, for Hong Kong citizens to participate in and understand national security.
     
         The National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China stipulates that April 15 each year is the National Security Education Day. The aim of National Security Education Day is to raise citizens’ awareness of safeguarding national security and help them appreciate that everyone has a responsibility for safeguarding national security and that everyone should fulfil such responsibility.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Strengthening EU support for Cyprus in market surveillance of electrical appliances – E-001416/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001416/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Michalis Hadjipantela (PPE)

    Faulty electrical appliances, imported primarily from non-EU countries and particularly from the People’s Republic of China, have caused multiple fatal accidents in Cyprus. The faulty devices caused fires on account of their hazardous and sub-standard specifications.

    Despite existing EU regulations such as the Low Voltage Directive and the Market Surveillance Regulation, enforcement gaps remain, allowing unsafe products to reach the European market. The problem is exacerbated in Member States such as Cyprus owing to the limited sampling capabilities and the absence of a national certification test centre.

    What measures can the Commission take to:

    • 1.provide additional financial and technical support to Cyprus for market surveillance improvements and testing capabilities?
    • 2.strengthen customs controls at EU borders to prevent the entry of high-risk electrical appliances?
    • 3.increase the penalties for non-compliance, particularly for repeat offenders, to a level that truly deters importers from bringing faulty and sub-standard high-risk electrical products into the single market?

    Submitted: 8.4.2025

    Last updated: 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cambodia’s haunted present: 50 years after Khmer Rouge’s rise, murderous legacy looms large

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sophal Ear, Associate Professor in the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University

    Khmer Rouge forces collect weapons left behind by retreating soldiers as they enter Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975. Roland Neveu/LightRocket via Getty Images

    On April 17, 1975, tanks rolled into the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, to cheering crowds who believed that the country’s long civil war might finally be over.

    But what followed was one of the worst genocides of the 20th century. During a brutal four-year rule, the communist-nationalist ideologues of the Khmer Rouge killed between 1.6 million and 3 million people through executions, forced labor and starvation. It represented a quarter of the country’s population at the time.

    Fifty years on, the Khmer Rouge’s legacy continues to shape Cambodia – politically, socially, economically and emotionally. It’s etched into every Cambodian’s bones – including mine.

    Photo of author’s parents in Cambodia, taken in late 1960s.
    Sophal Ear, CC BY

    I write this not just as an academic or observer but as a survivor. My father died under the Khmer Rouge, succumbing to dysentery and malnutrition after being forced to work in a labor camp. My mother pretended to be Vietnamese to save our family. She escaped Cambodia with five children in 1976, crossing through Vietnam before reaching France in 1978 and finally the United States in 1985. We were among the lucky ones.

    Today, Cambodia is physically unrecognizable from the bombed-out fields and empty cities of the 1970s. Phnom Penh gleams with high-rises and luxury malls. And yet beneath the glitter, the past endures – often in silence, sometimes in cynical exploitation.

    Legacy of fear and control

    The Khmer Rouge came to power on a wave of disillusionment, corruption, civil war and rural resentment. Years of American bombing, the 1970 U.S.-backed coup that ousted Prince Norodom Sihanouk, and the subsequent deeply unpopular U.S.-aligned military regime set the stage for the Khmer Rouge’s rise.

    A convoy of vehicles commandeered by the victorious Khmer Rouge drives through Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975.
    Roland Neveu/LightRocket via Getty Images

    Many Cambodians, particularly in the countryside, welcomed the Khmer Rouge, with its mix of hard-line communist ideology and extreme Cambodian nationalism, as liberators who promised to restore order and dignity. But for the next four years, the Khmer Rouge, under feared leader Pol Pot, brought terror to the nation through ideological purges, forced labor, racial genocide of minority groups and policies that brought widespread famine.

    People digging a water canal under the guard of an armed Khmer Rouge soldier in 1976.
    AFP via Getty Images

    The regime fell in 1979, when Vietnamese forces invaded Cambodia and toppled the Khmer Rouge leadership, installing a new, pro-Hanoi government. But its shadows remain.

    The now ruling Cambodian People’s Party, in power for over four decades, has justified its grip on the country through the trauma of the genocide.

    “Peace and stability” have become mantras used to squash dissent.

    Every sham election becomes a referendum not just on policy but on avoiding a return to war. Critics of Cambodia’s rulers are framed as threats to peace and unity. Opposition parties have been dissolved, activists jailed, media muzzled.

    This political culture of fear draws directly from the Khmer Rouge playbook – minus the overt violence. The trauma inflicted by that regime taught people to distrust one another, to keep quiet, to survive by keeping their heads down. That impulse still shapes public life.

    Justice delayed, and still incomplete

    The Khmer Rouge tribunal – officially the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia – was supposed to bring closure. It has brought some.

    But it took decades to begin, cost over US$300 million and convicted only three senior Khmer Rouge leaders over the 1975–79 genocide. Many mid- and lower-level perpetrators walk free, some are still in government positions, some neighbors to survivors.

    For a nation where the majority of the population was born after 1979, there remains a glaring gap in education and public reckoning over the Khmer Rouge’s atrocities.

    Cambodia’s school curriculum still struggles to teach this period adequately. For many young people, it’s something their parents don’t talk about and the state prefers to frame selectively.

    Economic growth − uneven and fragile

    In raw numbers, Cambodia’s economic progress over the past two decades has been impressive.

    GDP growth averaged around 7% annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities have expanded, and investment – especially from China – has flooded in.

    One of Phnom Penh’s high-end malls.
    Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP via Getty Images.

    But much of this growth is precarious. Cambodia’s economy remains dependent on garment exports, tourism and construction. This leaves it vulnerable to external shocks, such as the Trump administration’s imposition of 49% tariffs on Cambodian goods, now temporarily paused.

    Instead of building a resilient, diversified economy, Cambodia has relied on relationships – with China for investment, with the U.S. for markets – without investing enough in its own human capital. That, too, I believe, is a legacy of the Khmer Rouge, which destroyed the country’s intellectual and professional classes.

    Trauma passed down

    The psychological toll of genocide doesn’t disappear with time. Survivors carry the scars in their bodies and minds.

    But so do their children and grandchildren. Studies in postgenocide Cambodia have shown elevated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among survivors and their descendants, resulting in intergenerational trauma.

    There are not nearly enough mental health services in the country. Trauma is often dealt with privately, through silence or resilience rather than therapy. Buddhism, the country’s dominant religion, offers rituals for healing, reincarnation and forgiveness. But this isn’t a substitute for systemic mental health infrastructure.

    Worse, in recent years, even the memory of the genocide has been politicized.

    Some leaders use it as a tool to silence dissent. Others co-opt it for nationalist narratives. There’s little room for honest, critical reflection. Some independent initiatives, such as intergenerational dialogue programs and digital archives, have tried to fill the gap but face limited support.

    This is, I believe, a second tragedy. A country cannot truly move forward if it cannot speak freely about its past.

    A tourist looks at portraits of victims of the Khmer Rouge at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum in Phnom Penh, formerly a Khmer Rouge torture center known as S-21.
    Tang Chhin Southy/AFP via Getty Images)

    The danger of forgetting

    April 17 is not a national holiday in Cambodia. There are no official commemorations. The government doesn’t encourage remembrance of the day Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge. But to my mind, it should. Not to reopen wounds, but to remind Cambodians why justice, democracy and dignity matter.

    The danger isn’t that Cambodia will return to the days of the Khmer Rouge. The danger is that it becomes a place where history is manipulated, where authoritarianism is justified as stability and where development is allowed to paper over injustice.

    As the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge’s rise, Cambodia must, I believe, reckon with this uncomfortable truth: The regime may be long gone, but its legacy lives on in the institutions, behaviors and fears that continue to shape Cambodia today.

    A personal reckoning

    When I look back, I think of my father – whom I never knew. I think of my mother, who risked everything to save us. And I think of the millions of Cambodians who live with memories they cannot forget, and the young Cambodians who deserve to know the full truth.

    My life has been shaped by what happened on April 17, 1975. But that story isn’t mine alone. It belongs to Cambodia – and it’s still being written.

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

    – ref. Cambodia’s haunted present: 50 years after Khmer Rouge’s rise, murderous legacy looms large – https://theconversation.com/cambodias-haunted-present-50-years-after-khmer-rouges-rise-murderous-legacy-looms-large-254125

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why does Putin insist Ukranians and Russians are ‘one people’? The answer spans centuries of colonisation and resistance

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University

    Russian president Vladimir Putin does not seem interested in peace: Sunday’s missile strike on Sumy, the worst civilian attack this year, proves he is determined to expand into Ukraine at any cost.

    This is a war of ideas, narratives and myths – one that can be traced to the mid-1500s, when Ivan the Terrible, Grand Duke of Muscovy declared himself the first “tsar” of all Russia.

    As part of his quest for power, Ivan the Terrible challenged King Sigismund I of Poland, who as Duke of Rus, ruled over territories that now comprise parts of modern-day Ukraine.

    Russian rulers have often repurposed history to build their power, according to historian Orlando Figes. Putin wrote a well known essay in 2021 that called Russians and Ukrainians “one people”. He was relying on old beliefs that Russia has the right to “restore” or reunite lands it once ruled.

    Ukraine has survived bans on its language, forced assimilation policies, and famines like the Holodomor, orchestrated by Stalin in the 1930s. The country declared independence from Russia in 1991. Now, teachers, artists and local leaders have joined soldiers in resisting Russia.

    Empire and a holy mission

    A broad expanse of the former medieval kingdom of Kyivan Rus incorporated territories in present-day Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, including Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. From 1386 until 1772, the majority of these lands came under the rule of Poland-Lithuania, governed by the Lithuanian Jagiellon dynasty, and their successors.

    Today, Russia often points to Kyivan Rus (which lasted from the 9th to the 13th century), claiming it is reuniting these ancient lands, as Ivan the Terrible claimed in the mid-1500s.

    Grand Duchy of Lithuania, ruled by the Jagiellon dynasty in the 13th to 15th centuries.
    Wikipedia, CC BY

    In 1547, Ivan declared Muscovy a tsardom and Moscow to be the “Third Rome” – in other words, the latest centre of true Christianity, after Rome and Constantinople. This idea made conquest seem like a holy mission. By the late 1700s, the Russian Empire had destroyed Poland-Lithuania in a series of territorial annexations and wars. It had spread far to the south and east, and now bordered with Prussia and Austria.

    Ukraine, with its rich farmland and cultural connection to Kyivan Rus, was a top prize. Russian leaders called Ukraine “Malorossiya”, or “Little Russia”, to claim it was just a small part of a larger, Russian whole. They banned Ukrainian-language publications, forced the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to answer to Moscow, and tried to stamp out any sense of a separate Ukrainian identity.

    However, Ukraine developed its own cultural identity, shaped by its Cossack traditions, its history under Polish–Lithuanian rule, and its separate experiences. Many Ukrainians argue their culture existed long before Muscovy evolved into an empire.

    Winter Scene in Little Russia.
    Ivan Constantinovich Aivazovsky/Wikimedia Commons

    Meanwhile, Russia had expanded into its next-door neighbours, then pretended these lands had always been part of Russia. Historian Alexander Etkind calls this process “internal colonisation”. This strategy helped Russia become a vast empire. But it also built lasting resentment, particularly in Ukraine.

    Famine and ‘fascists’

    The Soviet Union (USSR), established in 1922 in the wake of the successful Bolshevik Coup in 1917, claimed to be a union of equal republics. But in practice, Moscow stayed firmly in control.

    Ukraine had the label of “Soviet Republic”, but had little genuine independence. Soviet leaders demanded enormous amounts of grain, coal, and labour from Ukraine to support the rest of the USSR.

    A postcard printed in Germany by Ukrainian Youth Association for the 15th anniversary of Holodomor, 1933.
    Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    One of the darkest periods in Ukrainian history was the Holodomor, an orchestrated famine that spanned 1932–33, in which millions of Ukrainians died of hunger, after Stalin’s government seized huge amounts of grain from farmers. These policies aimed to break Ukrainian resistance and nationalist feelings.

    The Holodomor was an act of genocide against Ukrainians, though Russia disputes this interpretation.

    After World War II, the Soviet Union took over the Baltic states and parts of Poland, including regions now in western Ukraine. Although Ukraine became one of the more industrialised parts of the USSR, genuine displays of Ukrainian culture or independent thought were often met with harsh punishment. People who spoke out were labelled “fascists”, a term still used in Russia’s modern propaganda.

    Starved peasants on a street in Kharkiv during the famine.
    Widener Library, Harvard University

    Reclaiming Ukraine

    The USSR fell apart in 1991. Ukraine, along with other former Soviet republics, became independent nations. This was a major blow to Russia’s idea of itself as a world empire. For centuries, Moscow had seen Ukraine as central to its identity.

    The 1990s brought tough economic reforms and political changes in Russia. Then Vladimir Putin rose to power in the early 2000s, promising to restore Russia’s influence. He described the former Soviet states as the “near abroad”, suggesting Moscow still had special rights over these regions.

    In 2008, Russia went to war with Georgia. After winning, it recognised two breakaway provinces in Georgia, effectively keeping troops there.

    In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, claiming it was protecting Russian speakers. It also backed separatists in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 68/262 in March 2014, declaring Russia’s annexation of Crimea illegal. The Kremlin continued its policies regardless.

    ‘Denazifying’ Ukraine?

    In February 2022, Russia expanded the conflict by launching an invasion of Ukraine. It described its actions as a mission to “denazify” the country, accusing Ukraine’s government of being controlled by Nazis – although president Zelenskyy has Jewish heritage.

    There was no evidence to support these claims. Still, Russian leaders used these slogans to justify their aggressive push. They also spoke of “traditional values” and “Orthodox unity”, painting themselves as defenders of a shared Slavic culture.

    The military objective was to capture the Donbas completely, create a land bridge to Crimea, and maybe advance further to Transnistria in Moldova, a pro-Russian separatist region.

    What Russia hoped would be a quick victory has become a long, brutal conflict. For many Ukrainians, independence is more than just avoiding control by Moscow. It is about creating a society built on democracy, human rights and ties to Europe.

    These values inspired the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv in 2013–14, where demonstrators demanded less corruption and closer links to the European Union. Russia used these protests to justify seizing Crimea in 2014.

    A message of self-determination

    The Kremlin’s insistence that Ukrainians and Russians are the same mirrors the older imperial model: expand, absorb and claim these territories were always part of Russia. Breaking free from this “mental empire” demands a deep shift in how Russians, Ukrainians, and the world view Eastern Europe’s past and present.

    When the Soviet Union collapsed, many hoped for a new era of cooperation in Eastern Europe. Instead, authoritarian politics and old beliefs about empire have led to a devastating conflict.

    By refusing to be pulled back into Russia’s orbit, Ukrainians send a message about self-determination. They reject the claim bigger nations can absorb smaller ones simply by invoking a shared past.

    Darius von Guttner Sporzynski 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. Why does Putin insist Ukranians and Russians are ‘one people’? The answer spans centuries of colonisation and resistance – https://theconversation.com/why-does-putin-insist-ukranians-and-russians-are-one-people-the-answer-spans-centuries-of-colonisation-and-resistance-253043

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Pettersen, Bonamici Lead 58 Members in Calling on FEMA to Address Harmful Impact of Halting Critical Disaster Preparedness Program

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), led 58 of their colleagues in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Senior Official Performing the Duties of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton expressing deep concern over the reckless attempt to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the risk that halting approved BRIC projects poses to vulnerable communities. 

    The BRIC program plays a critical role in supporting pre-disaster mitigation and strengthening community resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters. In Colorado, where wildfires have burned over 1.5 million acres in the last 25 years, BRIC funding has been used to upgrade infrastructure, modernize water systems, and reduce wildfire risks in high-threat areas. BRIC saves lives, protects homes and schools, and reduces the devastating costs of recovery.

    In a letter, the Members shared: “Across our districts, natural disasters are no longer confined to a ‘season’; instead, the risks persist throughout the year, and it’s critical to prepare our communities as we learn to live with worsening natural disasters. Building resilient communities is an undeniable role of the federal government, and the unlawful termination of BRIC abandons our commitment to the communities that we serve.”

    The Members continued: “The urgent and timely need for action on natural disaster preparedness and mitigation cannot be overstated. Any delay in funding and implementation of critical programs threatens the safety and resilience of our communities. 

    The Members are demanding the following:

    • A list of approved BRIC projects that will not receive funding after April 4, 2025, including key project details.
    • Guidance for project sponsors on how to draw down remaining funds and finalize contracts.
    • FEMA’s current strategy for addressing wildfire readiness and community preparedness goals.
    • A timeline for resuming the implementation and disbursement of BRIC funding.

    Full text of the letter can be found HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Delivering More than $1 Billion in Tax Cuts and Relief to Hardworking Georgians

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, members of the Georgia General Assembly, and state and local leaders signed legislation today at a ceremony in Cobb County delivering more than $1 billion in significant tax relief to hardworking Georgians through an acceleration of the largest tax cut in state history and a third, one-time tax refund. 

    “Here in Georgia, we safeguard every dollar of taxpayer money, because we know it belongs to the people, not the government,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “While other states are running up budget deficits and raising taxes on their citizens, we’re investing in the priorities of our state while further cutting taxes and returning more than a billion dollars to hardworking Georgians! That’s on top of the tax relief we’ve given in prior years and is a direct result of our conservative budgeting. “As families fight through the impacts of high prices over the last several years, I want to thank our partners in the legislature for helping to make this possible and for supporting their fellow Georgians in this way.”

    Governor Kemp signed the following two bills today. HB 111 – sponsored by Representative Soo Hong, co-sponsored by Representatives Matthew Gambill, Lauren McDonald III, Will Wade, Bruce Williamson, and Shaw Blackmon, and carried in the Senate by Senator Bo Hatchett – accelerates the largest state income tax cut in Georgia history initiated by the signing of HB 1437 in 2022. HB 112 – sponsored by Representative Lauren McDonald III, co-sponsored by Representatives Soo Hong, Matthew Gambill, Will Wade, Alan Powell, and Shaw Blackmon, and carried in the Senate by Senator Drew Echols – authorizes the delivery of $1 billion in one-time special tax refunds of up to $500 per Georgia tax-payer household.

    With the governor’s signature, HB 111 doubles down on the efforts of prior years to reduce the tax burden on Georgians and job creators. With this second acceleration cutting the state income tax rate by another 20 basis points, the total income tax rate will now be down to just 5.19 percent – a decrease of 56 basis points from the original rate of 5.75 percent. This expedited cut will save Georgians another 880 million dollars on their tax returns next year.

     

    “Putting money back in taxpayer pockets and delivering on our promise to further cut the state income tax is a priority I am glad we all can agree on,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “With Governor Kemp’s leadership, Georgia continues to serve as an example for the rest of the nation on how to reduce taxes and give more than a billion dollars back to our citizens, while having a healthy reserve and fiscally sound budget. These bills becoming law today bring us one step closer to eliminating the state income tax, a priority I have always been a proponent of. We are able to do this because we are focused on a stable and prosperous future for all Georgians, while making financial choices that will ensure Georgia’s ongoing viability and financial stability. We will continue to make this a priority, and I look forward to seeing more of this great work in the future.”

    After today, through a one-time special tax refund, Georgians who file jointly will receive $500, single filers will receive $250, and heads of household will get $375.

    “The Georgia House was proud to champion HB 111 and HB 112 that further reduce the tax burden on hardworking Georgians and put over $1 billion back in the pockets of our state’s taxpayers,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “These historic measures reiterate our commitment to providing much-needed financial relief to families across the state and delivering on the policies that matter most to our citizens.”

    Governor Kemp also made note of the General Assembly’s ratification of his suspension of the state gas tax in the days following Hurricane Helene to provide direct relief to families, farmers, and businesses as they began to recover from the devastating storm. He is thankful to Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, OPB Director Rick Dunn, and the members of the General Assembly who worked to pass these important pieces of legislation.

    Click here for more information on the one-time special tax refund.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Annual Energy Outlook 2025

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    Introduction

    The Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025) explores potential long-term energy trends in the United States. AEO2025 is published in accordance with Section 205c of the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-91), which requires the Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to prepare an annual report that contains trends and projections of energy consumption and supply. These projections are used by federal, state, and local governments; industry; trade associations; and other planners and decisionmakers in the public and private sectors.

    We prepared the AEO by using the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) to project a set of scenarios that, taken together, represent a range of outcomes for the U.S. energy system. AEO2025 represents the culmination of a year-long effort that enabled major upgrades to NEMS.

    Our policy assumptions are central to understanding our AEO2025 projections. In most of the cases we model, we only consider laws and regulations implemented as of December 2024. As is the case every time we prepare an AEO, a cutoff date is necessary to enable us to conclude our modeling and integrate the final results for publication. Therefore, legislation, regulations, executive actions, and court rulings after that date are not included. We are releasing the model results without a lengthy market analysis this year.

    The U.S. energy system underwent major changes in the first quarter of the 21st century as oil and natural gas production surged, renewables were deployed more widely, and energy consumption patterns changed. AEO2025 can help stakeholders examine the ways in which the system could further change through 2050.

    Energy markets are complex. Energy models are simplified representations of energy production and consumption, laws and regulations, and producer and consumer behavior. Projections are highly dependent on the data, methodologies, model structures, and assumptions used in their development. These results are not predictions of what will happen. Instead, AEO2025 results represent modeled projections of what could happen given certain assumptions and methodologies.

    Consistent with our historical practices and statutory mission, we do not independently propose or advocate future legislative and regulatory changes, although at times we do analyze scenarios based on existing policy proposals. Our assumptions documents provide additional details on the assumptions we included in AEO2025, and an overview of the laws and regulations included in AEO2025 is available on the AEO website.

    AEO2025’s projections reflect business-as-usual trends, given known technological and demographic trends and current laws and regulations, and so provides a policy-neutral Reference case and an accompanying set of core side cases that can be used to analyze policy initiatives. For some readers, this approach may be unsatisfying because policy rarely remains static for long periods. But the purpose of basing projections on laws and regulations as of December 2024 is to provide a comparison point for further analysis; without such a reference point, critical information about incremental changes to energy system outcomes based on new assumptions is lost.

    Because policies can have meaningful impacts on the energy sector, we have also included two alternative policy cases this year to help stakeholders to examine the effects of regulations implemented since our last AEO. When compared with the Reference case, one case allows stakeholders to examine the effects of recent regulations on power plants and the other recent regulations targeting vehicle fuel economy and emissions.

    Modeled Cases

    Outcomes concerning future technology, demographics, and resources cannot be known with any degree of certainty. We address many key uncertainties in our projections through alternative cases. In AEO2025, we ran 11 cases to model a range of assumptions. In addition to the two alternative policy cases we examined this year, we also include eight core side cases, which we have presented in prior releases of the AEO. A detailed explanation of each case is available on the website, and a brief description is in the following sections.

    AEO2025 Reference case

    Our Reference case assesses how the U.S. energy markets could operate under laws and regulations current as of December 2024 and under historically observed technological growth assumptions.

    Alternative Electricity case

    Our Alternative Electricity case assumes the Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 111 rule implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2024 to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from new gas-fired combustion turbines and existing coal, oil, and gas-fired steam generating units is not in place, and the affected generators are able to operate under rules existing prior to April 2024. In this case, existing coal-fired plants continue operating without requiring modifications to reduce emissions, and generation from new natural gas-fired combined cycle units isn’t constrained based on whether the plant has installed carbon capture equipment.

    Alternative Transportation case

    Our Alternative Transportation case assumes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and EPA’s vehicle tailpipe emission standards for model years 2027–2032 are not in place. The case also assumes the California Air Resources Board’s zero-emission vehicle sale mandates for trucks issued since our last published AEO are not in place. Rules affecting fuel economy and tailpipe emissions that were issued for model years 2026 and earlier remain in place. In this case, introduction of new electric vehicle (EV) models and building of EV charging infrastructure are based on growth in EV sales and registrations rather than on announced public and private sector plans. In addition, manufacturer reshoring of EV and battery supply chains, including growth in eligibility for credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, is slower than in the Reference case.

    High and Low Oil Price cases

    In the High Oil Price case, the price of Brent crude oil increases to $155 per barrel (b) in 2050, compared with $91/b in the Reference case and $47/b in the Low Oil Price case.

    High and Low Oil and Gas Supply cases

    The High Oil and Gas Supply case assumes ultimate recovery for new tight oil, tight gas, or shale gas wells are 50% higher than in the Reference case. The case also assumes 50% higher undiscovered resources in Alaska and offshore fields. Technological improvement is assumed to be 50% faster. The Low Oil and Gas Supply case assumes the converse.

    High and Low Zero-Carbon Technology Cost cases

    The Low Zero-Carbon Technology Cost case assumes faster cost declines for electricity-generating technologies that produce zero emissions as construction and manufacturing experience grows, resulting in 40% lower costs than in the Reference case in 2050. The High Zero-Carbon Technology Cost case, conversely, assumes no additional cost reductions from learning with additional deployment of these electricity generating technologies.

    High and Low Economic Growth cases

    The High Economic Growth case assumes the compound annual growth rate for U.S. GDP is 2.1% through 2050, and the Low Economic Growth case assumes a 1.2% rate. By contrast, the Reference case assumes the U.S. GDP annual growth rate is 1.8% over the projection period.

    Major changes for AEO2025

    In 2024 we made significant updates to NEMS, and an overview of the changes can be found in our assumptions documents and in the module-specific fact sheets. Briefly, the model that underpins our outlook now includes three new modules:

    • The Hydrogen Market Module, which represents hydrogen production and pricing, including the impacts of policy, storage, and logistics
    • The Carbon Capture, Allocation, Transportation, and Sequestration Module, which allocates projected supply of captured CO2 across the energy system either for enhanced oil recovery or storage
    • The Hydrocarbon Supply Module, which improves the representation of upstream oil and natural gas resources, replacing the legacy NEMS Oil and Gas Supply Module

    In addition to the new modules, we have extensively enhanced many existing modules to better reflect market dynamics and emerging technologies. We will provide additional details in the AEO2025 model documentation in the coming months.

    We have rewritten and modernized significant portions of the NEMS code base. The source code associated with NEMS is now available via GitHub under an open-source license.

    In addition to changes to NEMS, we also updated the way we calculate primary energy consumption of electricity generation from noncombustible renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal. We now calculate consumption of noncombustible renewable energy for electricity generation using the captured energy approach, which applies a constant conversion factor of 3,412 British thermal units per kilowatthour (Btu/kWh), using the heat content of electricity. This approach is a change from our previous methodology, called the fossil fuel equivalency approach, and is consistent with the methodology now used for all EIA products and reports.

    The captured energy approach is more consistent with international energy statistics standards than the fossil fuel equivalency approach.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Agencies take action on appraisal requirements in an area affected by California wildfires and straight-line winds

    Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

    .

    April 15, 2025
    Agencies take action on appraisal requirements in an area affected by California wildfires and straight-line winds

    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
    Federal Reserve Board
    National Credit Union Administration
    Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

    For release at 1:00 p.m. EDT

    To help facilitate recovery efforts from wildfires and straight-line wind damage in Los Angeles County, California this year, four federal financial institution regulatory agencies today temporarily paused certain appraisal requirements for real estate-related transactions.
    This action is expected to allow banks and credit unions to work with families and businesses without obtaining an appraisal. Banks and credit unions will still be required to determine that the value of the real estate supports the institution’s decision to enter into the transaction.
    As a result of this action, financial institutions will be better able to lend or modify loans in areas where wildfire and straight-line wind damage has made appraisals challenging to obtain. This action is also expected to reduce loan processing times, helping to facilitate recovery from the disaster.
    This action will expire on January 8, 2028. The agencies will monitor institutions’ real estate lending practices to ensure the transactions are being conducted in a safe and sound manner.

    Last Update: April 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Oklahoma Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Autumn Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oklahoma of the May 16, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Sept. 10, 2024.

    The declaration includes the counties of Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Logan, Major, Noble, Osage, Pawnee and Payne.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the drought and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than May 16.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to South Dakota Private Nonprofits Affected by Summer Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in South Dakota of the May 15, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding occurring June 16-July 8, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Aurora, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jackson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Tripp, Turner, Union and Yankton.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature who suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Examples of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 15.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Nebraska Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Summer Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Nebraska of the May 16, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning July 23, 2024.

    In Nebraska, the declaration includes the counties of Box Butte, Dawes, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux, in South Dakota, Fall River and Oglala Lakota counties, and in Wyoming, Goshen and Niobrara counties.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than May 16.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to South Dakota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Summer Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in South Dakota of the May 15, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding occurring June 16–July 8, 2024.

    In South Dakota, the declaration includes the counties of Aurora, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Sanborn, Turner, Union and Yankton, in Iowa, Lyon, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties, and in Nebraska, Dakota and Dixon counties.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 15.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 6 ways to create memorable Earth Day experiences for students

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: 6 ways to create memorable Earth Day experiences for students

    Discover interactive classroom-ready activities for Earth Day 2025 to help spark curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to protecting our planet.

    With Earth Day approaching on April 22, 2025, many classrooms around the world will highlight sustainability, environmental awareness, and the importance of caring for our planet. Each year, Earth Day is a chance to engage students in meaningful discussions and hands-on activities that inspire real-world action. Incorporate interactive Earth Day activities from Microsoft Education into your plans to help spark curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to protecting our planet.

    From coding challenges to immersive Minecraft Education experiences, there are many ways to bring Earth Day themes to life while helping students develop essential skills. Discover six classroom-ready resources to help you celebrate Earth Day 2025 and make a lasting impact on your students.

    1. Dive into data to protect the Earth with Data Explorers

    Data Explorers is an action-packed Minecraft Education world that aims to build data science and sustainability skills, created by ReWrite Edu in collaboration with NetApp and World’s Largest Lesson. This choose-your-next-path style game takes students across five different ecosystems in search of scientists who help them use data to solve specific environmental problems. Along the way, students can hone their data collection and analysis skills, as well as see how scientists apply data to real-world problems.

    At-a-glance:

    • Designed for students ages 11-14
    • Focused on data collection and analysis skills
    • Includes an educator guide for easy implementation
    Discover Data Explorers

    2. Engage in animal adventures with Planet Earth III Worlds

    This beautiful lesson collection is the third installment in Minecraft Education and BBC Earth’s series of worlds inspired by the groundbreaking series from BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit. Students will step into wondrous realms of the natural world to experience the struggles and triumphs of survival while playing as a series of incredible creatures, including the great white shark, the Arctic wolf, the musk ox, and more. They’ll explore the way these animals’ lives are intertwined by playing as both predator and prey, parent and offspring, friend and ally, and discover the precarious balance of survival.

    At-a-glance:

    • Designed for students aged 8-13
    • Explores the challenges and victories of survival
    • Experience beautiful visuals inspired by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit
    Explore Planet Earth III Worlds

    3. Build eco-themed games with MakeCode Arcade

    Microsoft MakeCode is a free, online learn-to-code platform where students can build games, code devices, and mod Minecraft. Support your students’ programming skills with MakeCode Arcade by quickly creating and modding retro arcade games with Blocks and JavaScript in the MakeCode editor.

    This Earth Day, check out these eco-themed MakeCode Arcade experiences:

    • Save the Forest – Engage students in an interactive coding challenge where they help control wildfires. Using block-based coding, students program an air tanker and set up technology to support a ground team working to protect the forest.
    • Happy Flower – Teach students about the relationship between flowers and pollinators by coding a digital flower that sends bees back to the hive. This activity introduces basic programming concepts while reinforcing key science connections.
    • Shark Splash – Take students on an underwater adventure where they code a shark navigating the deep sea in search of food. This skillmap blends game design and computer science with marine ecology.
    Start coding with MakeCode Arcade

    4. Foster a sustainable future with FarmBeats for Students

    Empower students to explore how technology can drive sustainability with FarmBeats for Students. This hands-on program brings precision agriculture to classrooms, engaging learners in real-world applications of digital sensors, data analysis, and AI. Through interactive activities, students collect and analyze environmental data, build machine learning models, and discover how AI can help optimize farming practices—supporting a future where we can feed a growing population while preserving our planet’s resources.

    At-a-glance:

    • Combines an affordable micro:bit-based hardware kit with free, curated curriculum
    • Features interactive activities that engage students in real-world applications of AI
    • Focuses on sustainability in agriculture and environmental stewardship
    Get started with FarmBeats for Students

    5. Enhance literacy skills with Earth Day reading assignments

    Use Reading Progress to seamlessly blend Earth Day topics into your reading lessons while supporting each student’s literacy growth. With AI-powered passage generation, you can create customized reading passages on environmental themes in just a few clicks. Simply choose the topic, age level, length, and language—and adjust the complexity as needed to meet your students where they are and deepen their engagement with Earth Day.

    You can also use AI-generated comprehension questions based on the passage. Specify how many questions you want, review the questions before assigning them, and easily tailor them to fit your students’ learning goals.

    At-a-glance:

    • Quickly generate Earth Day-themed reading passages with AI-powered passage generation
    • Personalize reading passages based on phonics patterns or words students find challenging
    • Use AI-generated comprehension questions to check for understanding
    Learn more about Reading Progress

    6. Design, update, and personalize Earth Day lesson plans

    Spark creativity and save time with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. Whether you’re planning an Earth Day lesson, generating engaging content, or creating visuals to bring your teaching to life, Copilot Chat can help—for free.

    Try Copilot Chat today

    Need fresh activity ideas or ready-to-use classroom materials? Just ask Copilot Chat! Try these prompts to enhance your Earth Day lessons:

    • Create a detailed lesson plan on sustainable farming practices for [grade level]. The lesson should highlight concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, soil conservation, and water management, with real-world examples and student-friendly explanations.
    • Generate a list of thought-provoking, open-ended discussion questions for a [grade level] Earth Day lesson. Ensure the questions encourage critical thinking, personal responsibility, and diverse perspectives. They should be designed to spark meaningful conversations about [topic] and connect students’ thinking to their role in protecting the planet.
    • List a variety of engaging, hands-on eco-centric activities for a [grade level] class to do for Earth Day. Include indoor and outdoor options with a brief description, required materials, estimated time, and how it connects to [a specific topic like environmental awareness, sustainability, or climate action].

    Explore the Copilot Chat learning module on Microsoft Learn to discover practical ways to use it in your daily workflow.

    Start the learning module

    Celebrate Earth Day 2025 by bringing sustainability to life in your classroom. These ready-to-use resources are designed to help you engage students and spark meaningful conversations about our planet’s future. Empower your students to take action for a greener future—one engaging, interactive lesson at a time.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on April 9, 2025 2025-04-15 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military, on the afternoon of April 9, 2025.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

    Zhang Xiaogang: I have three pieces of information to announce on the top.

    Firstly, the Second Military Translation Challenge of the Chinese Armed Forces will be held at the College of International Studies, National University of Defense Technology from April to August. This year’s contest features an innovative competition system, updated language categories, and expanded scope of participants. It aims to support stronger exchanges and cooperation with foreign militaries and the building of a world-class military by enhancing defense language capabilities of the PLA.

    Secondly, the Ministry of National Defense will hold the 3rd International Security Cooperation Seminar for Foreign Military Attachés to China at the International College of Defense Studies of the National Defense University from April 10 to 11. Foreign defense attachés and the representatives of some international organizations will attend. During the event, civilian and military experts will be invited to deliver themed presentations, discussions and exchanges will be conducted on topics including strengthening international military cooperation and addressing regional security challenges, and a visit to model new rural communities will be organized. The seminar is to help foreign military attachés better understand China and the Chinese military, and to further enhance friendship and mutual trust.

    Thirdly, at the invitation of the Pakistan military, the PLA Army will send a unit to Pakistan to participate in the Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS)-2025 international military skills competition. The main subjects include nighttime reconnaissance and infiltration, ambush and counter-ambush, combat swimming, etc. It aims to test and improve combat capabilities of participating troops and strengthen exchanges and mutual trust among militaries of all participating countries.

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Journalist: It’s reported that President Xi Jinping and the Indian President have exchanged congratulatory messages, and agreed to advance a sound and steady growth of bilateral ties. How will the Chinese side grow its military relationship with India?

    Zhang Xiaogang: To celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India, President Xi Jinping has exchanged congratulatory messages with the Indian President, which set the course of the bilateral relationship. As two ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and India are both in a crucial stage of modernization. Being partners of mutual success serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. The Chinese military stands ready to work with the Indian side to implement the important consensus reached between the two state leaders, strengthen communication and strategic mutual trust, safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, promote a sound and stable mil-mil relations, and maintain peace in the region and beyond.

    Journalist: According to reports, the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream has been officially inaugurated and put into operation. China and Cambodia militaries launched the “Golden Dragon-2025” joint exercise at the center. Could you tell us more about that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: The construction of the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream embodies the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation between the two countries. It complies with domestic regulations of both countries, the relevant international law, and international practices, and will add new energy and dimensions to China-Cambodia mil-mil relations. The Chinese and Cambodian militaries will further strengthen substantive cooperation in areas such as joint training and exercises, personnel training, and professional exchanges, to continuously enhance their capabilities for maintaining regional peace and stability.

    Journalist: It is reported that during his recent visit to Japan, the US Secretary of Defense said Japan as a “warrior country” was indispensable for tackling “Chinese aggression” and complimented the “valor” of Japanese soldiers in the Battle of Iwo Jima. His remarks have aroused controversies in the US. Do you have any comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: History shall not be forgotten, and the right and wrong must not be confused. The international community has long had a fair judgment on who launched wars, aggression and expansion, and who fought for peace during the Second World War. This year marks the 80th year of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Some people in the US are making a political stunt by distorting facts and whitewashing Japan’s militarism. It is a betrayal to soldiers who died in fighting fascists and has aroused public anger back in the US. It will surely be opposed by the international community and disdained by history. We urge relevant countries to stop spreading erroneous narratives, stop turning the Asia-Pacific into a hunting ground for geopolitical rivalry, stop stoking bloc politics and military confrontation, and stop undermining security and well-being of people in the region.

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Journalist: It is reported that the US Secretary of Defense reiterated US commitment to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to counter the so-called “China threat” on his visit to the Philippines. During his visit, the Philippines, the US and Japan conducted a joint patrol in the South China Sea. Recently, the US approved selling F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines. Do you have any comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On the pretext of honoring bilateral treaties, the US is meddling in the South China Sea issue, undermining China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and attempting to threaten and coerce China. This approach will simply not work. It needs to be pointed out that the Philippine side has repeatedly made infringements and provocations against China. Outside countries led by the US have made continued efforts to destabilize the South China Sea through playing up tensions and providing weapons. It fully exposed their true intention of making troubles in the region. For the Philippine side, “relying on foreign support to make waves at sea” will backfire and a pawn will only be used and discarded. We urge the Philippine side to give up unrealistic illusions and come back to the right track of dialogue and negotiation at an early date.

    Journalist: According to US media reports, the US Secretary of Defense signed a secret internal guidance memo, which identifies China as the “sole pacing threat,” allegedly prioritizing “denial of the mainland’s seizure of Taiwan” and strengthening US homeland defense. Please comment on that.

    Zhang Xiaogang: We have noted relevant reports. It seems that the US side’s “paranoia toward China” is increasingly severe. Viewing China as a threat is a serious strategic miscalculation that will only lead to disastrous consequences. It must be emphazised that China will and must achieve reunification. It is an unstoppable historical trend that no one or force can hold it back.

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Journalist: It is reported that Taiwan has received the first F-16V fighter jet ordered from the US, with an additional 65 scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2026. Some analysts suggest that this move is aimed at countering the increasingly modernized air force of the Chinese mainland. Please comment on that.

    Zhang Xiaogang: We have noted relevant reports. This is yet another instance of the double standard of the US where it broke its solemn political commitments, breached the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiqués, grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, and undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. I want to underline that the US arms sales to Taiwan cannot change the strength contrast between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait much less impede the historical and inevitable trend of China’s reunification. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have squandered taxpayers’ money, which should have been used to benefit the people, to fill the bottomless hole of harming and ruining Taiwan. The attempts to solicit US support for “Taiwan independence” and to resist reunification by force will only plunge Taiwan into a dangerous and precarious situation of war and ultimately lead to its own destruction.

    Journalist: According to reports, the G7 Foreign Ministers and the European Union’s High Representative issued a statement on the joint exercises around Taiwan island conducted by the PLA in early April. The statement accused China of making “provocative actions” that escalate tensions across the Strait, opposed any unilateral actions to threaten the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Please comment on that.

    Zhang Xiaogang: Relevant countries and organizations blatantly violate the one-China principle and grossly interfere in China’s domestic affairs. We strongly deplore and resolutely oppose this. The joint drills of the PLA Eastern Theater Command around Taiwan Island deter the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces with overwhelming power and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is a firm commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and safety and well-being of our compatriots in Taiwan.

    The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China and how to resolve it brooks no foreign interference. The PLA remains in a combat-ready posture to fight against “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and pursue national reunification. We will resolutely thwart any separatist attempt for “Taiwan independence” and external interference.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Joint Press Release: Agencies Take Action on Appraisal Requirements in an Area Affected by California Wildfires and Straight-line Winds

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    CategoriesBusiness, Commerce, MIL-OSI, United States Federal Government, United States Government, United States of America, US Commerce, US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC, US Federal Government, US Insurance Sector, USA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Charged with Threatening Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Her Family

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    ATLANTA – Aliakbar Mohammad Amin has been arrested and charged pursuant to a criminal complaint with transmitting interstate threats to injure Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard and her family. 

    “Threatening to harm public officials is a criminal act that cannot be excused as political discourse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr.  “Our Office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will vigorously prosecute individuals who commit these acts of violence.”

    “The FBI sees all threatening communications as a serious federal offense. We will employ every investigative tool and resource available to identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Let this arrest serve as a clear warning: if you engage in this kind of criminal behavior, you will be caught and you will go to prison.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the complaint, and other information presented in court: Between March 29 and April 1, 2025, Amin allegedly sent text messages that included threats against DNI Gabbard and her husband, including the following statements: 

    • “You and your family are going to die soon” and “I will personally do the job if necessary.”
    • “Death to America means death to America literally, Tulsi is living on borrowed time.
    • “The home you two own . . . is a legitimate target and will be hit at a time and place of our choosing.”
    • “Prepare to die, you, Tulsi, and everyone you hold dear. America will burn.”

    During the investigation, federal agents also discovered similar threats allegedly made by Amin in social media posts, including an image depicting a firearm pointed at a photograph of DNI Gabbard,  and a second image of a firearm pointed at a photograph of DNI Gabbard and her husband. Federal agents later recovered a firearm while executing a warrant to search Amin’s home.

    Aliakbar Mohammad Amin, 24, of Lilburn, Georgia, was charged on April 11, 2025, via a previously sealed criminal complaint alleging a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c). He was ordered detained pending trial by a U.S. Magistrate Judge after making his initial appearance in federal court.

    This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Natural Disaster-Proofing Your Life: What to Do Before and After the Worst Happens

    Source: US State of Missouri

     

     

    This column is released for publication in full, attributable to the Missouri State Archives.

    April 15, 2025

    Natural Disaster-Proofing Your Life: What to Do Before and After the Worst Happens

    From the Missouri State Archives, a division of Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ Office

    When disaster strikes – whether a tornado, fire, or flood – our first thoughts are of safeguarding lives, finding shelter, and securing essential supplies. But once the immediate danger passes, the questions begin: Where are the family birth certificates? Insurance papers? The deed to the house?

    Navigating a disaster’s aftermath often means navigating paperwork, and the Missouri State Archives wants you to be prepared before that moment comes.

    The most important step? Pre-planning. “Where’s our stuff?” may not be the first thing that pops into your head during a crisis, but it’s a question you’ll wish you’d answered ahead of time if you didn’t. Whether it’s a personal safe, lockbox, or cloud storage, make sure your essential documents and records are secure and accessible. “Essential,” in this case, however, means more than just birth and/or marriage certificates. Think driver’s licenses, banking information, insurance policies, and emergency contact lists.

    Digital storage can be a lifesaver, literally and figuratively. But don’t let a jumble of unorganized files slow you down in the wake of a disaster. Keep backups in multiple locations – and share important files (both documents and photos) with trusted family and/or friends. Most importantly, store your backups in a different building than the originals.

    If you do lose physical documents, local health departments and recorders of deeds can usually replace them quickly. The Missouri State Archives may be able to help with older records, but preparedness is largely up to you in our current digital age.

    What about destroyed items that can’t be replaced? Home inventories, with photos, can speed up insurance claims. And don’t forget family keepsakes and photos. While not needed in the immediate response, these are the items we grieve most when lost.

    For government offices, disaster readiness means robust records managements practices and procedures are in place, with microfilmed records and digital backups stored offsite. A single incident can create years of red tape and recovery headaches without these precautions.

    The Missouri State Archives offers grants to local governments and emergency preparedness training opportunities to both officials and the public.  With both groups, as State Archivist John Dougan puts it, “Safe storage is key to protection, and attics and basements tend to be two of the most vulnerable locations. Whether you’re a private citizen or local official, they’re a good place to start.”

    Disasters are unpredictable, but recovering afterwards doesn’t have to be. With a little planning today, you can save yourself weeks – or years – of intense stress tomorrow.

    About the Missouri State Archives

    The Missouri State Archives, established in 1965, serves as the official repository for the state’s permanent and historical records. Its extensive collections date back to 1770 and encompass executive, legislative, and judicial documents; state department and agency records; land and military records; state publications; photographs; maps; county and municipal records on microfilm; and various manuscripts and reference materials. With holdings exceeding 336 million pages of paper, 770,000 photographs, 9,000 maps, 66,000 reels of county government records on microfilm, 560 cubic feet of published state documents, and 1,000 audio/video items, the Archives plays a crucial role in preserving Missouri’s rich history. These resources are accessible to government officials, historians, students, genealogists, and the general public through the Archives’ research room.

    About Secretary of State Denny Hoskins

    Denny Hoskins, CPA, was elected Missouri’s 41st Secretary of State in November 2024. With a strong background in business and public service, he is committed to improving government efficiency, transparency, and supporting Missouri families.

    For more information, please contact: Rachael Dunn, Director of Communications, via email at [email protected].

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anderson Man Found Guilty of Impersonating Homeland Security Officer and Possessing Molotov Cocktails

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— A federal jury has found Joshua W. Stearman, 42, of Anderson, Indiana, guilty of unlawfully possessing incendiary bombs, commonly referred to as Molotov cocktails, and falsely impersonating an officer or employee of the United States.

    According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on December 12, 2023, at approximately 1:47 a.m., a police officer in Ingalls, Indiana, was dispatched to an address that had recently been vandalized multiple times, including with fires set in the driveway and inside the mailbox at that address. Dispatch received a report of a suspicious man walking toward the house carrying something but who ran back to his red Toyota RAV4 when the house’s security lights came on.

    The officer located the RAV4 and pulled it over. As the officer approached, Stearman pressed against the window his ID as well as an unknown government identification that included a government seal at the bottom. Repeatedly, Stearman claimed he was a Homeland Security Officer returning from a “mission.” Stearman was wearing black gloves with black duct tape around his wrists.

    Eventually, Stearman exited the vehicle and was placed in custody. Inside the vehicle, officers found four bottles containing a yellow-brown liquid that gave off an odor of fuel, as well as what appeared to be small pieces of wood or kindling inside of them. All four had a piece of cloth or fabric sticking out from under the cap. Officers also found a lighter in the vehicle.

    During the trial, experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) testified about their analysis of the four bottles. An ATF Forensic Chemist testified that she had analyzed the liquid inside the bottles, and each was found to contain gasoline. Then, an ATF Destructive Device Examiner testified how each of the bottles was designed to be used as an incendiary bomb: The wick is ignited by an open flame and the device is thrown against a surface, with the intent that the ignitable liquid and wooden sticks inside will spread fire to a combustible surface against which it was thrown.  Incendiary bombs, commonly known as Molotov cocktails, are a type of destructive device that is generally unlawful to possess under federal law.

    The ATF and Ingalls Police Department investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by Lapel, Indiana Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt presided over the trial and will sentence Stearman at a later date.

    Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Walter, who are prosecuting this case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: OEM Director Visits Harney County as Flood Response Shifts to Recovery

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon visited Harney County, the City of Burns, and the Burns Paiute Tribe on Saturday, April 5, to support ongoing flood response and recovery efforts.

    During her visit, Director McMahon met with Chair Tracy Kennedy and members of the Burns Paiute Tribal Council to discuss the impacts of the flooding event, local response efforts, and the path forward in recovery. She later visited the Harney County Emergency Operations Center, where she met with local officials, toured the repaired dike, and drove through affected areas to witness the community’s response and resilience firsthand.

    At the American Red Cross Center, Director McMahon thanked volunteers and connected with residents impacted by the floods. “It’s clear this is a strong community that is already making great progress toward recovery, even in the face of continued challenges,” said McMahon.

    Emergency Coordination and Recovery Operations

    The State Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) remains activated at Level 3, with OEM staff working both remotely and on-site to support Harney County. Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) and State Recovery Functions (SRFs) are both engaged, reflecting a strategic transition toward recovery while maintaining readiness to respond to emerging needs.

    OEM, in partnership with local and state agencies, continues to provide essential resources and coordination. With temperatures trending 15 degrees above normal, there is increased concern about accelerated snowmelt and the risk of additional flooding. While initial forecasts projected higher river levels, actual measurements have shown water levels approximately 12 inches lower than expected, offering a modest reprieve.

    Community Support and Health Updates

    The American Red Cross remains a vital partner in the response, having served approximately 295 meals and distributed over 467 house cleaning kits to help families begin their recovery.

    The Harney Hub continues to play a critical role in volunteer coordination, ensuring an efficient and compassionate response to community needs. They have extended their operating hours at both the Harney Hub and the Harney Library.

    Support is also being provided through mutual aid under the Oregon Resource Cooperative Assistance Agreement (ORCAA), allowing local emergency managers to assist one another during this response and ensure continuity of operations.

    Also, the Burns Paiute Tribe is supporting approximately 200 of its members and serving 2 meals a day in their Wellness Center.

    In addition, OEM is finalizing support of up to $40,000 in landfill fee coverage at C&B Sanitary for residents disposing of flood debris. This waiver will require residents to identify where debris originated and will be available only while funding lasts.

    Health and safety remain top priorities, as compromised infrastructure—including overwhelmed sewer systems and damaged dikes—has led to cross-contamination of floodwaters. Residents are urged to take precautions due to potential exposure to E. coli, asbestos from older homes, and hazardous materials present in both waterways and neighborhoods.

    Federal Disaster Declaration Request

    OEM has submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment for Individual Assistance in Harney County. Once acknowledged, FEMA will work with state and local officials to determine the appropriate timeline to conduct assessments and support further disaster aid.

    Stay Connected

    The ECC will continue to coordinate with local leaders and partners, monitor emerging needs, and support both immediate response and long-term recovery.

    For more information on how to help or donate, visit the OEM Newsroom or Harney County Resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What caused the crisis at British Steel?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Hossein Zarei, Assistant Professor of Operations Management, Aston University

    The two blast furnaces at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant are the last of their kind in the UK. Baxter Media/Shutterstock

    The two blast furnaces at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant in England are the last of their kind in the UK. The UK steel industry was once a world leader, powering the industrial revolution. But these days it is in crisis.

    The Chinese owner of the plant, Jingye Group, stopped ordering the raw materials needed for steel production and recently announced the furnaces would close down for good. Around 2,700 jobs are at risk at the plant – which is reportedly losing £700,000 a day.

    In response, the UK government introduced emergency powers to take control of production in a scramble to stop the furnaces from going cold. But its future remains uncertain.

    So why couldn’t the government just buy the raw materials needed to keep the furnaces burning? With steel, there are peculiarities around the production and supply chain.

    Virgin steel is the strongest form of the material and is used in key industries like railways, construction and manufacturing. It will be vital for the government’s ambitions to invest in UK infrastructure, from housing to green energy. Virgin steel is made using the extreme heat from a blast furnace, which must run 24 hours a day all year round.

    Manufacturing in other industries can be paused when demand goes down and then resumed once products are needed again. But for blast furnaces, if paused, the molten iron inside solidifies. And once reheated, it expands and cracks the furnace.

    To keep the blast furnaces running, it needs steady supplies (and “steady” is a key word here) of coking coal and iron ore. These are the two main raw materials needed for virgin steel.

    Planning for a steady supply requires inventory management, a science that aims to avoid either over-supply or shortages in the production process.

    Within inventory management, there are various models. For the steel industry, the “economic order quantity” model minimises the costs of ordering and holding raw materials to work out the best order size.

    When ordering costs go up, for example, due to increased shipping costs, the model adjusts the order size by buying larger batches. This should eventually keep the total inventory cost to a minimum.

    Ordering steel supplies builds on models like this, accompanied by other inventory management techniques. This ensures that costs are minimised while keeping enough iron ore and coking coal on hand to keep the furnaces burning.

    This is opposite to the “just-in-time” model, which recommends smaller quantities are ordered only when and where needed. Models like just-in-time are a better fit further downstream in supply chains, closer to the end customers. Here there is more variability in demand as customers’ tastes change.



    Read more:
    The past, present and uncertain future of the UK’s steel industry

    Virgin steel, on the other hand, follows a much more stable demand pattern. It prioritises cost-efficiency over agility.

    But problems arise when supply chains are distorted by external factors. The UK government has questioned whether Jingye was guilty of neglecting the plant. There is no doubt that if the furnaces in Scunthorpe went cold, the UK would become the only country in the G7 without the ability to produce its own virgin steel.

    It would then have to turn to China, the single largest global producer of steel (subsidised by the Chinese state), for imports.

    Where did it go wrong?

    Research on geopolitical tensions in supply chains shows that larger firms often adopt a “wait and see” strategy, rather than a proactive one in the face of these tensions. And geopolitical risks are less damaging to firms that have planned their supply chain resilience better, and that have greater cash holdings.

    Both of these were overlooked at British Steel, which has been struggling with financial problems and inefficient planning in recent years.

    Research on supply chains also shows that in the face of disruptions, firms can reconfigure their supplier networks. They can adopt a more diversified base of suppliers, create parallel supply chains, and consider reshoring (moving operations back from overseas).

    Again, the opposite is true for British Steel. It transitioned from domestic coking coal suppliers to international ones due to stricter UK environmental regulations and cheaper prices overseas.

    Another factor is lead times – the time from when an order is placed until it reaches the plant’s gate. Unlike the downstream of the supply chain, which is based on agile response to changing customer demands (the “pull” concept), the upstream of supply chains, where commodities like steel are manufactured, works in anticipation of demand (“push”) for the weeks and even months to come.

    Here, the lead times are long and cost-efficiency, not responsiveness, is the main objective. For steel production supplies, the lead time is around 45 days in normal times. The government has been able to secure emergency shipments from US, Australia and Sweden to tackle the supply shortage for now.

    But there are other factors that exacerbate British Steel’s problems. The 25% tariffs imposed by the US on steel imports and fears of a global trade war may drive down the already declining global demand for steel.

    The energy demands of blast furnaces are immense.
    ABCDstock/Shutterstock

    Second, producing virgin steel in blast furnaces is extremely energy-intensive compared to other methods of production like electric arc furnaces (although these cannot produce virgin steel). And the UK already has higher energy costs than rival steel-producing nations.

    Third, after years of apparent neglect, the Scunthorpe furnaces are now near the end of their lives. They should retire soon, even without Jingye’s decision to shut them down. All these elements have accelerated British Steel’s loss of competitive edge, leading to it filing those huge daily losses.

    Supply chain issues compounded by global tensions and an uncertain market create a perfect storm for the demise of British Steel. Government efforts to secure supplies are half measures that will merely keep the old furnaces operational for another few years. Whether it is eventually nationalised or acquired by a new parent company, the long-term sustainability of British Steel lies in investment in newer, greener virgin steel production methods – and getting a hold of the supply chain.

    Hossein Zarei 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. What caused the crisis at British Steel? – https://theconversation.com/what-caused-the-crisis-at-british-steel-254557

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: If we must bring back extinct species, let’s focus on the giant herbivores

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Timothy Neal Coulson, Professor of Zoology and Joint Head of Department of Biology, University of Oxford

    The American genetic engineering firm Colossal Biosciences recently announced to much fanfare it had “de-extincted” the dire wolf, a canine species that was wiped out around 10,000 years ago. However, the three animals it presented are actually modern grey wolves with some genetic modifications.

    Regardless of whether you consider them dire wolves or not, Colossal Bioscience made the interesting claim that it had genetically engineered lost ecological function. This made me ponder what ecological functions are missing from today’s ecosystems as a result of extinctions we have caused.

    By ecological function, I am referring to the way all animals have some sort of influence on the ecosystems they inhabit. Honeybees and many other insects pollinate flowering plants, beavers build dams that create ponds and alter the flow rate of streams, elephants knock over trees helping to keep savannas open, and ants and termites shift vast amounts of soil and help decompose plant litter.

    It is not clear to me what functions Colossal’s genetically engineered wolves might have that is different from grey wolves, but it is hypothetically possible they would hunt different animals in different ways or places. With only three wolves, they are unlikely to have the statistical power to compellingly demonstrate any new ecological effects. But nonetheless, the idea that these wolves may play different ecological roles from grey wolves is more compelling than the claim they have brought back the dire wolf.

    One group of animals that have ecological functions that are oversized as they, are those that weigh more than half a tonne. These animals have also been hit hard by humans, and many species went extinct in the past few tens of thousands of years.

    Each time our ancestors colonised new continents as they spread around the world from Africa, large animals were driven to extinction at a higher rate than smaller ones. Giant ground sloths, mammoths and elephants, giant bison and tapirs, even species of massive armadillos and camels all died out in the millennia after humans arrived in the Americas.

    The rhino-sized giant armadillo Doedicurus survived in South America until 7,000 or so years ago.
    Daniel Eskridge / shutterstock

    Australia lost all its large animals, including a giant wombat-relative called diprotodon, giant short-faced kangaroos, and a marsupial that resembled a huge tapir. Along with these massive herbivores, marsupial lions that evolved from a lineage of herbivores, terrestrial crocodiles, giant constrictor snakes and huge monitor lizards were also lost. Europe and Asia similarly lost many large species when our ancestors settled these lands.

    The whole world was once like Africa

    Africa is the only continent to maintain lots of large herbivores, including rhinos, elephants, hippos, giraffes and buffalo. However, even on the continent where we evolved, losses occurred. Gone is a giant gnu-like beast and at least one elephant species, extinctions both attributed by some scientists to our ancestors.

    In Africa, the remaining giant herbivores play important ecological roles that have been lost elsewhere in the world. Elephants knock down trees keeping savannas open, while hippos create grazing lawns on land and add nutrients to the water through their dung, fuelling aquatic food chains.

    Until relatively recently, much of the world had huge animals like Africa.
    Rita Willaert / flickr, CC BY-NC-SA

    All giant herbivores trample vegetation and riverbanks and are key players in nutrient cycling thanks to the vast quantities of faeces they produce. They can also help disperse seeds and generate a mix of different habitats. These processes can determine how often an area is burned by wildfire, the type of ecosystem in an area, and can indirectly affect weather patterns and climate.

    The loss of these large animals, particularly in Australia, led to very significant changes in ecosystems ranging from tropical forests to deserts. Cycles of fires and nutrients changed with the extinction of giant herbivores, and the loss of all the apex predators led to an increase in grazing and browsing pressure from smaller herbivores including kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. This made it harder to avoid woodlands turning into savannas and semi-arid lands.

    The absence of large native predators meant the remaining marsupials lost their fear. When cats, dogs and foxes were introduced by humans, they decimated populations of many marsupials, driving some extinct. Lesser bilbies, desert bandicoots and broad-faced potoroos are gone for good, having been easy prey for introduced carnivores.

    Rhino-sized diprotodon was the largest ever marsupial. It coexisted with humans in Australia for thousands of years.
    Ryan B / flickr, CC BY-NC

    An impressive feat for Colossal Biosciences would be re-engineering large animals to provide lost ecological functions. De-extincting large herbivores like diprotodons and short-faced kangaroos, or even predators like marsupial lions, would be a seriously impressive achievement, but I suspect will be forever beyond the reach of science.

    Jurassic Park is fiction, as is recreating the fauna of Australia 60,000 years ago. Even if we could do this, it is not clear the de-extincted animals would thrive given how much the ecology of Australia has changed since their extinction.

    Instead of trying recreate lost ecological function through the genetic tinkering of living animals that are unlikely to be allowed back into the wild any time soon, we should take a different approach. The focus should be on maintaining and restoring ecological function using existing species within the areas in which they live or once lived. The science of doing this may not be as exciting as the genetic engineering of Colossal Biosciences, but it will be easier to deliver and will be more ecologically useful.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Timothy Neal Coulson is affiliated with the University of Oxford

    – ref. If we must bring back extinct species, let’s focus on the giant herbivores – https://theconversation.com/if-we-must-bring-back-extinct-species-lets-focus-on-the-giant-herbivores-254517

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Birmingham bin strikes: a threat to public health

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Hunter, Professor of Medicine, University of East Anglia

    The bin workers’ strike in Birmingham – which began on March 11 – is set to continue after the latest pay offer was “overwhelmingly” rejected.

    Not only are the growing mountains of refuse unsightly and creating foul odours, they could pose significant threats to local residents’ health. Birmingham city council has declared the situation a “major incident”. This enables council leaders to request extra support from central government.

    This is not the first time bins have gone uncollected in the UK, though. Glasgow experienced a major refuse strike in 2021, while Birmingham previously saw significant disruption to refuse collection in 2017.

    Internationally, one of the most infamous garbage crises occurred in Naples, Italy, where mismanagement and mafia involvement led to a waste buildup that lasted over a decade. It finally ended in 2008.

    Surprisingly, studies on the health effects of the build up of domestic refuse in towns and cities are scarce. The few studies that do exist tend to be in developing countries or in people living close to waste treatment centres.

    Several studies have suggested increased deaths, cancer rates and birth defects associated with the Naples garbage crisis. However, these were associated with exposure over several years.

    The most comprehensive review that I can find dates back to 1967 before several of the major infectious concerns were even discovered.

    Rats

    Probably the most apparent danger from the Birmingham crisis is the reported appearance of rats – which some locals have described as being “bigger than cats”.

    Rats can transmit several diseases to humans. The infection of most concern is Weil’s disease, which can severely damage the liver and kidneys and can cause neurological problems. It can even be fatal.

    This infection is transmitted in rats’ urine and gains entry to the human body through cuts and grazes on the skin. Infections are mostly acquired during immersion in water contaminated by rats’ urine. There have been outbreaks associated with swimming in contaminated water or during flooding.

    Another infection is rat bite fever, a bacterial infection acquired following rodent bites. Both these infections are rare but can be fatal if not promptly treated.

    Then there is Seoul hantavirus, a viral infection that is mainly caught from breathing in aerosols (fine sprays) of rat urine and faeces. All of these rat-associated infections are quite rare. But even excluding these infections, rat bites can be severe and, like all animal bites, can become infected.

    Bacteria

    Another worry is stomach bugs such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E coli, as well as bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Wild animals, such as birds and foxes, might tear open bin bags, pick up these germs and then spread them to people through food or water. Even contact with pet dogs or cats can be a risk, since they can carry some of these bacteria.

    Seagulls can pick up Salmonella and Campylobacter from waste dumps and then pass that infection onto humans. At least one outbreak of Campylobacter was caused by birds pecking through milk bottle tops.

    Flies breed in rubbish and can also spread Campylobacter infections.

    Needles

    Finally, there is the issue of clinical waste such as needles being inappropriately disposed of in domestic refuse. Such clinical waste could include needles that could cause injury and spread blood-borne viruses, especially HIV and hepatitis B.

    Figuring out the likelihood of these harms is not that easy, though. But top of my list of concerns would be sharps injuries from contact with inappropriately discarded clinical waste. I would be particularly concerned about children playing around collections of waste. Bites from rats and other vermin attracted to waste would also be high on my list.

    Until the piles of refuse can be removed, children and pets must be kept away from them. If you need to move refuse sacks, make sure you wear a mask, strong gloves and as much protective clothing as possible.

    Paul Hunter consults for the World Health Organization and sits on a science advisory committee for Suez. He receives funding from National Institute for Health Research and has received funding from the World Health Organization and the European Regional Development Fund.

    – ref. Birmingham bin strikes: a threat to public health – https://theconversation.com/birmingham-bin-strikes-a-threat-to-public-health-254400

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Preston County Convicted Felon Admits to Firearms Violation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Pedro Antonio Pacheco, age 46, of Kingwood, West Virginia, has admitted to the unlawful possession of a firearm. 

    According to court documents, Pacheco was stopped for a traffic violation. The officer noticed a firearm laying on the passenger seat. Pacheco is prohibited from having firearms because of prior felony drug convictions.

    Pacheco is facing up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Utt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Red Deer — Red Deer RCMP arrest three

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Feb. 12, 2025, Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) arrested three people as a result of a drug trafficking investigation.

    Officers executed search warrants at businesses in the downtown and South Hill neighbourhoods and a residence in the Highland Green neighbourhood of Red Deer. As a result of the investigation, police seized a significant amount of Canadian currency, 1.1 kilograms of cocaine, 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, 6 grams of fentanyl, and 51 oxycodone tablets, along with other items and materials used in the trafficking of controlled substances. In addition, police seized more than 6000 unstamped cigarettes, ammunition, two shotguns, four rifles, and a handgun.

    A 37-year-old resident of Red Deer, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking x2
    • Fail to comply with conditional sentence order
    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
    • Unsafe storage of firearms
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon when knowing possession is unauthorized
    • Possession of weapon with ammo without licence x2
    • Tampering with serial number of a firearm
    • Possession of weapon obtained by crime
    • Fraud less than or equal to $5000
    • Selling tobacco products
    • Weapons possession contrary to order

    The 37-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

    A 59-year-old resident of Red Deer, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking x2
    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
    • Unsafe storage of firearm
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon when knowing possession is unauthorized
    • Possession of weapon with ammo without licence x2
    • Tampering with serial number of a firearm
    • Possession of weapon obtained by crime

    The 59-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and was released on a release order. Her most recent court appearance was on Feb. 20, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

    A 22-year-old resident of Red Deer, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking x2
    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
    • Unsafe storage of firearm
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon when knowing possession is unauthorized
    • Possession of weapon with ammo without licence x2
    • Tampering with serial number of a firearm
    • Possession of weapon obtained by crime
    • Fraud less than or equal to $5000
    • Selling tobacco products

    The 22-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and was released on a release order. Her most recent court appearance was on Feb. 20, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

    If you have information regarding the trafficking of illicit drugs or any other illegal activity within the City of Red Deer, please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brazilian National Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Trafficking Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Brazilian national, who previously resided in Massachusetts unlawfully, was sentenced yesterday for trafficking firearms.

    Matheus Peroba, 21, who last resided in Summerville, S.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 30 months in prison. He is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In December 2024, Peroba pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in firearms and one count of unlawful shipment of a firearm through the United States mail.

    Peroba is a Brazilian national who illegally entered the United States in approximately 2019. Peroba previously resided in Fall River and Braintree, Mass. from approximately 2019-2022, before relocating to South Carolina.  

    Peroba was identified as a source of supply for firearms being illegally shipped from South Carolina to Massachusetts. Some of the firearms seized over the course of an investigation included: a Glock 26, model Gen5, 9mm semiautomatic pistol; a Diamondback Firearms, model DB9, 9mm semiautomatic pistol; a 31-round large capacity 9mm magazine; and a 10-round 9mm magazine: 
     

    In addition, law enforcement seized: a Glock 43, 9mm semiautomatic pistol; two 6-round 9mm magazines; and approximately 51 rounds of 9mm ammunition:
     

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Milford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 24 Charged with Federal Gun Crimes Under ‘Make D.C. Safe Again’ Initiative

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought federal firearms charges against 24 defendants since the launch of the ‘Make D.C. Safe Again’ initiative, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr.

    “Make no mistake: our mission is to Make D.C. Safe Again by getting felons with guns off our streets and out of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. “The President’s Executive Order demands law and order and a safe national capital. That’s exactly what we’re delivering.”

                In the month of April, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged six new federal firearms cases. As a result of the Make D.C. Safe Again surge, more dangerous offenders are off the streets. An example of these cases include:

    1. Defendant Previously Convicted of Manslaughter Indicted for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
    2. District Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm as a Felon Following Arrest Near Recreation Center.
    3. District Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm as a Felon Following Arrest in Southwest.

                Make D.C. Safe Again is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump’s Executive Order to Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful. Make D.C. Safe Again aims to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenses, and seek detention for federal firearms violators. 

                The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating these cases.

                An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Scott, McClellan Push DHS to Reverse Cancellation of Crucial Infrastructure Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging the Department to reverse its decision canceling the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) program, which included funding for two major projects in Richmond and Portsmouth, as well as tens of millions in funding for other communities across the Commonwealth.
    BRIC was established by Congress through the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to support state and local governments in reducing risks posed by natural hazards and future disasters. The bipartisan infrastructure law, which Warner and Kaine supported and saw through final passage, included $1 billion in funding for BRIC projects over five years, including $133 million that has already been provided to applicants. 
    Through the BRIC program, Virginia had been set to receive tens of millions in funding for critical projects, including $12 million to make improvements to the Richmond Water Treatment Facility and $24 million to enhance the Lake Meade Dam in Portsmouth. However, DHS recently notified applicants that it was terminating the BRIC program and canceling all applications for funding through the BRIC program – including projects that had already been awarded funding.
    “We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia,” the lawmakers wrote to Sec. Noem.
    They continued, “BRIC projects support Virginia localities as they work to reduce immediate hazard risks that threaten community safety. For example, the city of Richmond was awarded $11.99 million in FY2022 to address design flaws and degradation at the Richmond Water Treatment Facility. This facility serves 4,721 businesses, 360 public properties, and 780 essential community facilities. The project is intended to protect water treatment and distribution services for those within the facility’s service area, making the plant more resilient to 100-year flood events. Unfortunately, the necessity of this award was made clear earlier this year when the facility experienced a power failure that resulted in loss of water service for residents across the region. If this award is revoked, the region will be more susceptible to future water contaminations and disruptions in water delivery.
    The lawmakers highlighted how the cancelation of this funding will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia, specifically underscoring that these projects are already underway.
    Added the members, “The potential revocation of existing BRIC awards is an unanticipated shock to Virginia localities that have budgeted, planned, and in some cases begun work on these crucial projects. The city of Portsmouth received a $24.21 million BRIC award in FY2022 to protect the community’s drinking water supply by enhancing the Lake Meade Dam. The dam, which serves as a critical reservoir for drinking water and supplies residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Hampton Roads area, is at risk of instability and potential overtopping during heavy precipitation events. The project involves strengthening the dam, upgrading spillways, and improving flood protection, all of which serves to protect the more than 80 occupied residential properties and almost 30 businesses within the dam break inundation zone.”
    “The mission of the BRIC program is to build more resilient communities to prevent the need for reactive and more costly disaster spending. Terminating this program – and many of the awards made in recent years – will make communities in Virginia less resilient and more vulnerable to disaster events. We urge you to maintain this critical funding for localities in Virginia,” they concluded.
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Noem:
    We write regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent decision to end the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and cancel BRIC applications from Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 – 2023. We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia.
    BRIC projects support Virginia localities as they work to reduce immediate hazard risks that threaten community safety. For example, the city of Richmond was awarded $11.99 million in FY2022 to address design flaws and degradation at the Richmond Water Treatment Facility. This facility serves 4,721 businesses, 360 public properties, and 780 essential community facilities. The project is intended to protect water treatment and distribution services for those within the facility’s service area, making the plant more resilient to 100-year flood events. Unfortunately, the necessity of this award was made clear earlier this year when the facility experienced a power failure that resulted in loss of water service for residents across the region. If this award is revoked, the region will be more susceptible to future water contaminations and disruptions in water delivery.
    The potential revocation of existing BRIC awards is an unanticipated shock to Virginia localities that have budgeted, planned, and in some cases begun work on these crucial projects. The city of Portsmouth received a $24.21 million BRIC award in FY2022 to protect the community’s drinking water supply by enhancing the Lake Meade Dam. The dam, which serves as a critical reservoir for drinking water and supplies residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Hampton Roads area, is at risk of instability and potential overtopping during heavy precipitation events. The project involves strengthening the dam, upgrading spillways, and improving flood protection, all of which serves to protect the more than 80 occupied residential properties and almost 30 businesses within the dam break inundation zone.
    The mission of the BRIC program is to build more resilient communities to prevent the need for reactive and more costly disaster spending. Terminating this program – and many of the awards made in recent years – will make communities in Virginia less resilient and more vulnerable to disaster events. We urge you to maintain this critical funding for localities in Virginia.
    Thank you for your attention to this letter. We look forward to your response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rines Creek — Media notification: Emergency alert in areas of Colchester and East Hants as RCMPNS continues search for man who may be armed with firearm

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    An emergency alert has been issued for areas of Colchester County, Millbrook, Stewiacke, Indian Brook, and East Hants as RCMPNS continues to search for a man who may be armed with a firearm near Rhines Creek, Nova Scotia.

    The man was last seen running on foot from a motor vehicle crash on Highway 215, near Exit 10. The man is described as being 6 feet tall, 220 pounds, black hair, extensive tattoos, wearing a gold chain. If seen, do not approach, call 9-1-1.

    Instructions for the public: Do not provide a ride to anyone asking for one. Do not pick up hitch hikers. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies or tips. Updates will be posted to RCMPNS website and social accounts as available.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: El Paso Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso husband and wife were sentenced together in a federal court to a combined 25 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking.

    According to court documents, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on Carlos Morales, 41, and Rebekah Sue Morales, 55, during an FBI surveillance operation on March 5, 2024. Two handguns were located in a backpack belonging to Carlos, a convicted felon. The subsequent execution of a search warrant on the couple’s home resulted in the seizure of additional firearms, ammunition and methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that both Carlos and Rebekah were involved in trafficking the methamphetamine.

    Carlos pleaded guilty on Jan. 6, 2025, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Rebekah pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. U.S. District Judge Leon Schydlower sentenced Carlos Morales to the statutory maximum of 15 years in federal prison. Schydlower sentenced Rebekah Sue Morales to 10 years in federal prison. In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of the defendant’s residence, as well as the forfeiture of multiple firearms, all used to facilitate the commission of their crimes.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the El Paso Country Sheriff’s Office, and the El Paso Country Constables.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Susanna Martinez prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –