Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: One year after launch, state’s enhanced enforcement in Oakland recovers 3,217 stolen vehicles, arrests 1,823 suspects

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 3, 2025

    What you need to know: Since March 2024, Governor Newsom’s joint Bay Area operation efforts have yielded 3,217 stolen vehicles recovered, 1,823 suspects arrested, and 170 illicit firearms seized.

    Sacramento, CaliforniaContinuing to provide collaborative public safety enforcement in the Bay Area, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the ongoing joint law enforcement operation in the Bay Area has resulted in recovering 3,217 stolen vehicles, arresting 1,823 individuals, and confiscating 170 illicit firearms since the operation’s launch in February 2024.

    Month after month, officers have worked hand-in-hand with their local counterparts across the Bay Area to protect our communities from bad actors. I’m proud of the CHP’s diligent work to get dangerous guns off our streets and recover stolen vehicles.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    In 2025 alone, officers have made 398 arrests, recovered 614 stolen cars, and seized 30 firearms. The enhanced operation in the region places additional California Highway Patrol (CHP) personnel to help take down property theft and violent crime, including gun violence. The CHP’s operation adds special law enforcement units on the ground and in the air — targeting sideshow activities and stolen vehicles.

    CHP’s support in Oakland began in February 2024. In July 2024, Governor Newsom announced an additional surge, quadrupling the number of shifts CHP officers worked in the region. This was in addition to the installation of a network of 480 high-tech cameras in the East Bay, which includes 190 on state highways and 290 in the city of Oakland. This camera network allows law enforcement agencies to identify vehicle attributes beyond license plate numbers, enabling the CHP, local law enforcement, and allied agencies to search for vehicles suspected to be linked to crimes and receive real-time alerts about their movement.

    Overall, the cameras have aided law enforcement in numerous investigations and, most recently, led to the arrest of a road rage shooting suspect in March 2025 in San Bernardino. 

    Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.

    Through a state, county, and city partnership, the CHP saturates high-crime areas, aiming to reduce roadway violence and criminal activity in the area, specifically vehicle theft and organized retail crime. The Newsom administration has provided similar CHP support to regional crime hot spots throughout California, including Bakersfield and San Bernardino

    In August, Governor Newsom signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills establish tough new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars.

    California has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’s Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

    Press Releases

    Recent news

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bill:SB 26 by Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) – Civil actions: restitution for or replacement of a new motor vehicle. A signing message can be found here.For full text of the…

    News What you need to know: Soil is starting to be placed over the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Southern California – an important milestone as the world’s largest wildlife crossing comes to fruition. LOS ANGELES – The world’s largest wildlife crossing is…

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced the release of the Master Plan for Career Education, a bold statewide strategy to connect Californians — especially those in rural parts of the state — to high-paying, fulfilling careers, with or without a college…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Firearm and Ammunition and Supervised Release Violations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 2, 2025, to 46 months’ imprisonment for violating federal firearms laws and an additional 8 consecutive months of imprisonment for violating conditions of his federal supervised release, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Keith Harris, 25, and also ordered Harris to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

    Harris previously pleaded guilty in this case to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon on June 11, 2024. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Additionally, Harris admitted to violating several conditions of his supervised release following a 2022 conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Harris.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Defendants Indicted for Trafficking Fentanyl to Bemidji and the Red Lake Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Three individuals have been indicted on conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and firearm charges, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, from April 2024 through September 2024, La’veal O’Neal Allen, 38, of Minneapolis, Marquise Javon Walker, 28, of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Michaela Karon McKinney, 37, of New Hope, Minnesota, knowingly conspired with each other to possess and distribute fentanyl.

    The indictment charges Allen, Walker, and McKinney with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Allen is additionally charged with felon in possession of a firearm. As the indictment details, Allen’s criminal history includes multiple felonies, including two convictions for first degree aggravated robbery a conviction for a predatory offender registration violation.  Because Allen has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

    “Fentanyl continues to flood communities throughout Minnesota, and unfortunately, we see some of the highest rates of overdose and addiction on our Indian reservations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “This trio of defendants has plagued the Red Lake Indian Reservation and the Bemidji area for years.  No more. My office will ensure these purveyors of poison see federal justice.”   

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. McBride is prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Antigonish — Police charge Antigonish man with drug trafficking offences, seize drugs and weapons

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Police have charged an Antigonish man with drug trafficking offences and seized drugs and weapons after executing a search warrant in Afton Station.

    On April 2, the Antigonish-Guysborough RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on West Arm Branch Rd. in Afton Station as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.

    Officers safely arrested a man and seized cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, prescription drugs, and drug paraphernalia. They also seized firearms and ammunition, a baton, and brass knuckles. Additionally, officers recovered a 2019 Keystone camper trailer that had been reported stolen.

    Jed Douglas Decoste, 34, of Antigonish, has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (three counts). He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Antigonish Provincial Court on May 14.

    The ongoing investigation is assisted by the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU), the Port Hawkesbury Street Crime Enforcement Unit, and the Antigonish County District RCMP. Additional charges are anticipated.

    Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-Evening Report: Get big or die trying: social media is driving men’s use of steroids. Here’s how to mitigate the risks

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Piatkowski, Lecturer in Psychology, Griffith University

    Anna Moskvina/Shutterstock

    Men have cared about their appearance throughout the centuries, and ideals of masculinity and “manliness” are ancient – with strong emphasis put on physical fitness and virility. In ancient Greece, the ideal male body was considered strong, symmetrical and athletic.

    Now, with easier access to performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) and their promotion on social media, ideals of masculinity and muscularity have taken on a whole new level.

    PIEDs are a class of drugs that some people use to enhance physical appearance or athletic performance. They include anabolic-androgenic steroids, human growth hormone, and other medicines used “off-label” such as insulin.

    Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok flood us with images and videos promoting steroid use as a “quick fix” to achieve big muscles.

    Other influencers promote muscularity by “natural” means, but are then found out as liars who were using steroids all along. For those following, especially impressionable young men, the fallout is real. What once seemed like a natural achievement is exposed as chemically enhanced, pushing young men to wonder whether steroids are the only way to keep up.

    A growing and harmful trend

    Recent studies show that muscle-building behaviours such as steroid use are rising among young men. But why is this happening?

    The answer lies partly in a societal obsession with hypermasculine ideals. Images of sculpted bodies, amplified by social media influencers with millions of followers, set unattainable standards of physical perfection. Fitness influencer content often normalises extreme body ideals. It is no longer just about fitness, it is about shaping an identity around an ideal male body.

    It is not a harmless trend. The use of steroids carries significant health risks. For instance, beyond the well-known risks of heart disease and liver damage, steroid use can also lead to psychiatric issues such as mood disorders, aggression and depression.

    Tragically, some fitness influencers and bodybuilders who use PIEDs have died unexpectedly. Australian fitness influencer Jaxon Tippet, who openly admitted to using steroids in the past, died at 30 from a heart attack – a known risk linked to anabolic steroids.

    Towards ‘safer use’

    Many fitness influencers actively engage in online fitness coaching, a booming industry.

    This involves providing guidance on training, diet and supplementation. Some of this extends into drug coaching: providing guidance on how to use steroids and other enhancement drugs within a “safer use” model that’s informed by harm reduction approaches.

    While these approaches don’t encourage drug use, they do offer strategies to reduce and mitigate known harms.

    Some elite bodybuilders actively champion transparency over steroid use. In recent years, athletes and coaches have partnered with scholars on numerous podcasts to discuss prioritising health and health monitoring behaviours such as blood testing.

    Regular blood testing is framed as a key strategy to mitigate risks associated with steroid use, often conducted at specific intervals.

    However, the absence of formal regulation means not all advice is created equal. Some influencers may still encourage practices that are dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

    While these trends are concerning, the solution doesn’t lie in finger-pointing at influencers or shaming young men for their choices. Instead, we advocate for a more positive, educational approach.

    A better way forward

    Asking people to “just say no” to drug use has never worked. Instead, we must shift the narrative by educating, supporting and collaborating with the people who drive the trend – PIED consumers.

    By partnering with trusted community figures and influencers, we can spread awareness about the dangers of steroid use while offering accurate, evidence-based information about health and wellbeing.

    An example of this approach is Vigorous Steve, a well-known figure in the fitness world. He has used his platform to share important research on the harms of steroids.

    Steve’s work on social media, with millions of views, is a model for how harm reduction education can reach a large, engaged audience, help normalise safer use discussions and expand access to information.

    With this in mind, the Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA) has recently launched the Steroid QNECT program (one of us, Tim Piatkowski, is the vice president of QuIVAA). The program provides support to people using steroids, offering peer education and resources via online platforms.

    Since its inception in January this year, the program has already engaged with and provided harm reduction information to hundreds of Australians who use steroids, helping to bridge critical gaps in education.

    As the muscle building trend continues, peers, policymakers, researchers and health professionals across Australia must collaborate to provide accurate, balanced education about the risks of steroids – especially for young men.

    Timothy Piatkowski receives funding from the Queensland Mental Health Commission. He is Vice President of Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA). Tim collaborates regularly with peers in community, such as Vigorous Steve, mentioned in this article.

    Samuel Cornell receives funding through an Australian Government Research Training Program
    Scholarship. Over the past five years, he has received funding from Royal Life Saving – Australia, Surf Life Saving Australia, and Meta Inc.

    ref. Get big or die trying: social media is driving men’s use of steroids. Here’s how to mitigate the risks – https://theconversation.com/get-big-or-die-trying-social-media-is-driving-mens-use-of-steroids-heres-how-to-mitigate-the-risks-253110

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Holds First Hearing as Top Democrat on House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Calls out Republican Hypocrisy on Free Speech

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, delivered opening remarks at the inaugural Subcommittee on South and Central Asia hearing, which ignored pressing bipartisan national security issues to instead repeat Republicans’ false claims of right-wing censorship.

    Watch the full video here.

     

    Below are Ranking Member Kamlager-Dove’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at today’s subcommittee hearing:

    Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to our witnesses for being here for our first South and Central Asia Subcommittee hearing. I look forward to working with the Chair in a bipartisan way on the critical issues we are charged with overseeing.

    Unfortunately, we’re not having a hearing about any of those. Instead, this Subcommittee is wasting taxpayer time and resources on the fifth such hearing Republicans have held across multiple committees on the so-called “censorship-industrial complex.”

    The majority is relitigating a made-up conspiracy theory about a part of the State Department that no longer exists to distract from the dumpster fire foreign policy this Administration is pursuing—and elevating a serial sexual harasser as their star witness in the process.

    Mr. Chair, I request unanimous consent to enter into the record two articles about the Republican witness Matt Taibbi: A Chicago Reader article titled, “Twenty years ago, in Moscow, Matt Taibbi was a misogynist a–hole—and possibly worse,” and a Washington Post article titled, “The two expat bros who terrorized women correspondents in Moscow.”

    This hearing could not be more out of touch with the concerns of everyday Americans.

    People’s retirement savings are being decimated as Trump’s arbitrary tariffs tank the stock market.

    They are staring down the barrel of cuts to their Social Security and Medicare because the Republican majority wants to give a tax break to billionaires like Elon Musk who have deep financial ties to our adversaries.

    Meanwhile, Trump is siding with Putin against American national security interests and risking the lives of American troops in a Signal group chat.

    I’ve been to the State Department, and I do have concerns about censorship—censorship of the employees who are terrified to say the wrong thing or have the wrong word in their job title and be terminated by an Administration that publicly relishes punishing people for their speech.

    If we want to talk about censorship, we should begin with Trump’s unprecedented assault on the First Amendment and rule of law.

    Here a few examples that should send shivers down all our spines:

    Trump banned the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One because they kept using the name “Gulf of Mexico”, something that none of us would have hesitated to do until a few months ago.

    Trump signed executive orders targeting law firms for representing clients that opposed or investigated him—upending the fundamental principle that lawyers should not fear to represent their clients.

    And most terrifying, Trump ordered ICE agents to arrest and detain Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder, and snatch off the street a Tufts University student and visa holder, Rumeysa Ozturk, for protesting and writing an op-ed—for exercising their right to free speech.

    As you can see, Trump is brazenly weaponizing the government to intimidate and silence any part of American society that disagrees with him.

    Countering disinformation from hostile foreign powers should not be a partisan issue. Yet this Administration has crippled our capacity to respond to these threats while aiding, abetting—even amplifying—our adversaries’ influence operations.

    The PRC has invested billions in pumping out propaganda, weaponizing the world’s largest known online disinformation operation to silence critics, discredit lawmakers, and harass U.S. companies who are at odds with China’s interests.

    Russia maintains a sophisticated and sprawling disinformation apparatus to manipulate American public sentiment to Putin’s advantage–even paying conservative influencers to create and amplify pro-Kremlin content.

    How has Trump confronted these threats?

    He shut down independent media broadcasters like USAGM and Radio Free Asia, a move that was actually celebrated in Chinese state media.

    He dismantled the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force, which his own Administration first created in 2017 to uncover foreign disinformation and propaganda targeting Americans.

    He even appointed a white nationalist named Darren Beattie, who has parroted Kremlin and CCP talking points and denied the PRC’s ongoing Uyghur genocide, to the State Department’s top public diplomacy job.

    Mr. Chair, I request unanimous consent to enter into the record my letter urging Secretary Rubio to fire Darren Beattie for his dangerous anti-American, pro-CCP, white nationalist ideology.

    Countering foreign propaganda has become politicized not because of censorship concerns, but because of conspiracy theories, in some cases spread by the majority witnesses at this very hearing. And now the most egregious disinformation spreader is sitting in the White House.

    We should be exploring real bipartisan solutions to this pressing national security issue on behalf of the American people, not perpetuating culture war divisions.

    Thank you Mr. Chair and I yield back.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: VA Firings “Not Rational,” King Tells Terminated Veterans at Investigative Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a special hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) hosted by Ranking Member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), spoke with Shernice Mundell, a veteran and former Office of Personnel Management (OPM) employee, who was terminated during the mass federal layoffs implemented by the Trump Administration.
    During the exchange, Senator King asked Mundell about her probationary status and job performance at OPM; this probationary classification can apply to any employee who is a new hire or has been awarded a promotion in the last year and isn’t necessarily an indicator of job performance. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins and Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell were invited to join the spotlight hearing but chose to not attend. The hearing comes on the heels of mass firings and contract cancellations executed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the request of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
    “Shernice. We’ve got you here. You were at OPM. Did you get a poor performance letter,” asked Senator King.
    “Yes, I did. Yeah,” replied Mundell.
    “Was that consistent with your prior evaluations,” again asked Senator King.
    “No, like I said, I was promoted a month after I had started, and as far as I know, my performance was fine, my supervisor referred me to another position, and I interviewed for it and was hired. It was all within the same department, and it was a promotion,” said Mundell.
    “So, there was no notice to you of any performance issues before you got this letter,” questioned Senator King.
    “Correct,” responded Mundell.
    “I feel like a psychiatrist. How did it make you feel when you got a letter that said poor performance,” asked Senator King.
    “I was shocked. I was kind of expecting something to happen because I had read Project 2025, so I knew what they wanted to do with the federal employees. I didn’t think it was going to happen as quickly as it happened, but about two weeks before, I had started getting emails saying that I was in my probationary period and my job was being reevaluated to see if it was still necessary,” said Mundell.
    “So, you were on probation when you got the firing. Is that true of people, other people you know, that were fired? Basically, that it was everybody was on probation,” Senator King questioned again.
    “Yes, right. It was about 75 people on the call when I got fired,” said Mundell.
    “And none of them that you know of had performance issues. It was just the fact that they were on probation,” asked Senator King.
    “Correct. None of them had, as far as I know, in the one department that I came from, we had never had performance reviews, because they were only there since August,” responded Mundell.
    “Now, the problem with firing people on probation is it’s not rational, in the sense that there’s no analysis behind it,” commented Senator King.
    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Recently, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families.
    Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation alongside SVAC Chairman Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. In February, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.” Senator King recently joined SVAC Ranking Member Senator Blumenthal in writing a letter to Secretary Collins raising concerns over proposed $1 spending limits on VA purchase cards which are used to pay for gas to transport disabled veterans to apportionments, buy medical supplies and more. Senator King also joined his colleagues in raising concerns over proposed plans to terminate 83,000 VA employees.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski Secures Commitments from Key Interior and Energy Nominees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    04.03.25
    Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), former Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), this week secured important commitments for Alaska from Deputy Secretary of Interior nominee Katharine MacGregor and Deputy Secretary of Energy nominee James Danly. Both committed to assist the Alaska Congressional Delegation on efforts to develop Alaska’s immense resources and to follow the law in notifying Congress of any substantial restructuring efforts at either Department.
    Click here to watch the Senator’s full line of questioning.
    The full transcript of Murkowski’s comments is below.
    TRANSCRIPT
    Murkowski: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and welcome to both of you. Ms. MacGregor, I enjoyed our conversation. I am looking forward to you being back and fixing a lot of things. Many of the issues we spoke about in my office related to federal lands, better consultation with Alaska Natives, restoring what we do with our multiple use lands, addressing natural hazards like wildfires, and producing more of our energy; there is a lot to do.
    Mr. Danly, you have been before this committee multiple times as well. I’m looking forward to working with you to help address some of Alaska’s energy challenges, everything from microgrids to geothermal to advanced nuclear. I want to follow on the comment that was made by the Senator from Arizona [Senator Gallego]. I just came from a critical minerals discussion this morning, and as I look to our opportunity to be able to access these great resources that we need, I realize that until we figure out how to deal with power in some of these remote areas, it’s going to be really hard to do. I look at the small modular reactors and the advancements that can come from here bring a real opportunity.
    I want to address a couple questions to both of you, hopefully they should be very quick and easy. I know that you are not in the building yet, I get that, but we all watched as we have seen this effort to reduce the size of government, certainly within the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior. I have been concerned, and have expressed concern about how many of these employees have been treated in this process.
    I would ask that you both commit, if you are confirmed, that you will abide by the statutory requirements to notify Congress of any plans to reorganize, restructure, or implement reductions in force. I am also the Chairman on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee that has oversight here. We have sent letters to the Secretaries themselves with regards to the requirement in law of advance notification. And then just from my perspective as a Senator who represents a state that has a lot of public lands and a big federal presence, we have a lot of engagement and interaction with you. So, I would just ask again if I can have your commitment that you’ll be transparent with us about what is coming, and to abide by the statutory requirements to notify.
    MacGregor: Senator, I can commit to obey all federal laws when it comes to efficiency efforts that we’re working on.
    Murkowski: Thank you.
    Danly: I also commit to following the law for all of the efficiency efforts.
    Murkowski: Thank you. I have had the opportunity to talk with you Ms. MacGregor, but certainly my colleagues on the committee here know that we’re facing a situation in Alaska with declining production in Cook Inlet with regards to our natural gas, and in facing what I think is really an unforgivable direction, and that would be the prospect of liquified natural gas imports, potentially from Canada. So, I would ask that you both work with me and the delegation to advance Alaska projects and support development of our resources so we can avoid reliance on energy imports. For a state that has as much as the state of Alaska has, there is no good reason we should be relying on Canada to keep our lights on. Do I have that commitment from both of you?
    MacGregor: You sure do, and I was just as shocked when you informed me of that and I look forward to working with you on those issues.
    Murkowski: Thank you. Mr. Danly?
    Danly: It’s crazy to think that Alaska would be importing energy. I absolutely commit to working on that with you.
    Murkowski: You both know we have an awful lot to offer there.
    Ms. MacGregor, I want to take you back to some of our greatest hits from when you were in the first Trump administration. Some of the alphabet issues you worked on, ITRs, PLOs, we have got to be making progress with that. Certainly, the President’s executive order is going to help us there. But I also raised with you the issue of BIA probate, and the extraordinary backlog that we’re dealing with. It should not take five or 10 or more years to resolve these probate cases, and I would just ask that you put a priority on these issues so we can deal with something that has not only impacted us so greatly in Alaska, but so many other parts of the country as well.
    MacGregor: I am so grateful that you raised that issue. I had never even heard of it before, but the first thing I thought is if it’s impacting you and the people of Alaska, it must be impacting so many more on this committee and in other parts of the [country], so I look forward to working with you on that.
    Murkowski: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, my time has expired.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Support Grows for President Trump’s America First Reciprocal Trade Plan

    Source: The White House

    One day after President Donald J. Trump announced a new chapter in American prosperity, support continues to roll in for his bold vision to reverse the decades of globalization that has decimated our industrial base.

    The support is bipartisan, with Democrat Rep. Jared Golden lauding President Trump’s plan: “I’m pleased the president is building his tariff agenda on the foundation of a universal 10 percent tariff like the one I proposed in the BUILT USA Act. This ring fence around the American economy is a good start to erasing our unsustainable trade deficits. I’m eager to work with the president to fix the broken ‘free trade’ system that made multinational corporations rich but ruined manufacturing communities across the country.”

    Here’s what else they’re saying:

    Coalition for a Prosperous America Chairman Zach Mottl: “A permanent, universal baseline tariff resets the global trade environment and finally addresses the destructive legacy of decades of misguided free-trade policies. President Trump’s decision to implement a baseline tariff is a game-changing shift that prioritizes American manufacturing, protects working-class jobs, and safeguards our economic security from adversaries like China. This is exactly the type of bold action America needs to restore its industrial leadership. Today’s action will deliver lasting benefits to the U.S. economy and working-class Americans, cementing President Trump’s legacy as one that ushered in a new Golden Age of American industrialization and prosperity.”

    National Cattlemen’s Beef Association SVP of Government Affairs Ethan Lane: “For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world. President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimize opportunities for exports abroad.”

    Steel Manufacturers Association President Philip K. Bell: “President Trump is a champion of the domestic steel industry, and his America First Trade Policy is designed to fight the unfair trade that has harmed American workers and weakened manufacturing in the United States. The recently reinvigorated 232 steel tariffs have already started creating American jobs and bolstering the domestic steel industry. President Trump is working to turn America into a manufacturing powerhouse and the steel tariffs are driving that movement. President Trump’s initial 232 steel tariffs and the historic tax cuts led to investments of nearly $20 billion by steel manufacturers in the United States. Since the revised tariffs took effect, Hyundai Steel announced a $5.8 billion steel mill in Louisiana, demonstrating that the tariffs are working to bring more steel investments and production to the United States. The domestic steel market is stronger when other nations are forced to compete on a level playing field. On a level playing field, American workers can outcompete anyone. We look forward to continuing working with President Trump and his administration to ensure a level playing field for Americans and a robust domestic steel industry that strengthens our national, economic and energy security.”

    Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul: “Today’s trade action prioritizes domestic manufacturers and America’s workers. These hardworking men and women have seen unfair trade cut the ground from beneath their feet for decades. They deserve a fighting chance. Our workers can out-compete anyone in the world, but they need a level playing field to do it. This trade reset is a necessary step in the right direction.”

    National Electrical Contractors Association CEO David Long: “President Trump has consistently prioritized policies that put the electrical industry as a priority, and we recognize his commitment to strengthening our nation’s economy. As these new tariffs take effect, we look forward to working with the Administration to ensure that electrical contractors and the entire electrical industry can continue powering America efficiently while navigating potential cost and supply chain challenges.”

    American Compass Chief Economist Oren Cass: “The new policies announced by President Trump today confirm the end of the disastrous WTO era and lay the groundwork for a new set of arrangements in the international economy that prioritize the national interest and the flourishing of the nation’s working families.”

    National Council of Textile Organizations CEO Kim Glas: “We strongly commend President Trump and his administration on their tariff reciprocity plan to finally begin rebalancing America’s trade positioning in markets at home and abroad. We want to thank President Trump on behalf of the U.S. textile industry and the 471,000 workers we employ.”

    Southern Shrimp Alliance Executive Director John Williams: “We’ve watched as multigenerational family businesses tie up their boats, unable to compete with foreign producers who play by a completely different set of rules. We are grateful for the Trump Administration’s actions today, which will preserve American jobs, food security, and our commitment to ethical production.”

    American Iron and Steel Institute President Kevin Dempsey: “AISI thanks President Trump for standing up for American workers by restoring fairness in international trade and addressing non-reciprocal trade relationships. American steel producers are all too familiar with the detrimental effects of unfair foreign trade practices on domestic industries and their workers. Driven by subsidies and other foreign government trade-distorting practices, global overcapacity in the steel industry reached 573 million metric tons in 2024 and has spurred high levels of exports of steel from countries like China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia that continue to produce steel in volumes that significantly exceed their domestic demand. These exports directly and indirectly injure steel producers in the U.S. and government action to address this unloading of steel overproduction on world markets is overdue.”

    Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano: “Thank you, President Trump, for putting America first and finally once and for all levying the same tariffs on trade partners that they have levied mercilessly on the United States for decades. This was not an easy decision to make, but one that is long overdue with a record $1.2 trillion trade in goods deficit in 2024 after the failed rule of former President Joe Biden. … Under President Trump’s leadership, America will be the industrial and technology leader of the world, with commitments for hundreds of billions of investments in the United States. For countries that want to avoid the tariffs, it’s simple: Build in America. … Thank you again, President Trump, for your leadership in restoring reciprocity in trade and for having the courage that all of our other leaders have lacked.”

    American Petroleum Institute: “We welcome President Trump’s decision to exclude oil and natural gas from new tariffs, underscoring the complexity of integrated global energy markets and the importance of America’s role as a net energy exporter. We will continue working with the Trump administration on trade policies that support American energy dominance.”

    National Association of Home Builders Chairman Buddy Hughes: “NAHB is pleased President Trump recognized the importance of critical construction inputs for housing and chose to continue current exemptions for Canadian and Mexican products, with a specific exemption for lumber from any new tariffs at this time. NAHB will continue to work with the administration to find ways to increase domestic lumber production, reduce regulatory burdens, and create an environment that allows builders to increase our nation’s housing supply.”

    International Dairy Foods Association SVP of Trade and Workforce Policy Becky Rasdall Vargas: “The U.S. dairy industry exports more than $8 billion of high-quality dairy products every year to approximately 145 countries around the world. To meet growing global demand, dairy businesses have invested $8 billion in new processing capacity here in the United States—creating jobs, strengthening rural economies, and positioning America as the world’s leading dairy supplier. This growth depends on strong trade relationships and access to essential ingredients, finished goods, packaging, and equipment to provide Americans with safe, affordable, and nutritious dairy foods and beverages. IDFA supports the Trump Administration’s efforts to hold trading partners accountable and expand market access for U.S. dairy.”

    Bienvenido Empresarios: “As an organization committed to empowering Hispanic Americans and strengthening our nation’s future, Bienvenido supports policies that build a more resilient American economy, safeguard our communities, and reassert U.S. leadership on the global stage. President Trump’s emphasis on using economic leverage — including tariffs — reflects a broader strategy to counter China, confront the deadly fentanyl crisis, and bring critical industries back home. Now is a time for tough, decisive action when national security and American livelihoods are at stake. Our hope is that these measures lead to stronger enforcement, fairer trade, and long-term prosperity for all Americans.”

    America First Policy Institute: “Tariffs worked then—and they’ll work again. Under President Trump, tariffs brought back jobs, lowered inflation, and strengthened national security. It’s not just economic policy—it’s America First in action.”

    Author Batya Ungar-Sargon: “[President Trump] is saying we’re going to invest heavily in our middle class. We are no longer going to be a country in which our economy is an upward funnel of wealth from the hardest-working Americans into the pockets of the international global elites.”

    Fox Business Network’s Charles Payne: “President Trump ran on tariffs. What we just saw was a president who did what he said he was going to do … This system is unsustainable … Is our patriotism tied to Wall Street? Or should it be tied to our own personal ability to achieve the American Dream?”

    Republic Financial Chairman Nate Morris: “As someone who was raised by a proud autoworker – thank you President Trump for putting AMERICAN workers first again!”

    Commentator Geraldo Rivera: “The family did visit Japan… we did not see a single American car on the road in Tokyo — not a Caddy, not a Buick, not a Ford, not a Chevy… I have an innate sense that there’s something unfair going on… if they are screwing us, we got to tax them.”

    Commentator Bill O’Reilly: “We’ve been getting hosed since World War II by the trade imbalance … You can do what Biden and Obama did, which is just ignore it completely … The numbers are staggering, and the best part of Trump’s speech today was that he said that if you go to Japan or South Korea or China or Germany, you’re not going to see any American cars because they won’t let them in … Trump is right.”

    CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp: “America cannot afford to be taken advantage of any longer.  Even our friends and strategic allies have for too long assumed that the United States could absorb unfair treatment, including high tariffs on American goods.  We applaud the steps taken by President Trump today to defend American manufacturers not because we like higher taxes, but because we know that trade is only free when both sides follow similar rules.  What President Trump understands is that America needs to get back on track by improving our domestic competitiveness by cutting taxes and regulations AND we need to take on the globalists who believe Americans should not always have to take it in the chops.  Real respect begins with economic reciprocity.”

    Speaker Mike Johnson: “President Trump is sending a clear message with Liberation Day: America will not be exploited by unfair trade practices anymore. These tariffs restore fair and reciprocal trade and level the playing field for American workers and innovators. The President understands that FREE trade ONLY works when it’s FAIR!”

    Gov. Jeff Landry: “Pro Jobs. Pro Business. Pro America.”

    Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso: “President Trump is acting boldly to put America first. America needs fair and free trade. We can’t allow other countries to keep abusing our workers and job creators. It’s time we had a level playing field. I applaud President Trump’s 100% commitment to Made in America.”

    Sen. Jim Banks: “The decision by President Trump today to impose reciprocal tariffs will be so good for Indiana. … Those are the manufacturing jobs that President Trump is bringing back from overseas.”

    Sen. Bill Cassidy: “The president’s trade agenda can pave the way for stronger trade deals, fairer rules, and real results. I am excited to work with President Trump to make it happen. Louisiana’s workers and families deserve nothing less.”

    Sen. John Kennedy: “America is rich. We buy a lot of stuff. President Trump is saying that if you foreign businesses want to sell in America, then move your business here and hire American workers.”

    Sen. Roger Marshall: “President Donald Trump is fighting for long-term solutions to put America’s farmers and ranchers first.”

    Sen. Ashley Moody: “It’s liberation day in America! Today, @POTUS sent a message to the world that the era of America being taken advantage of is over.”

    Sen. Bernie Moreno: “President Trump is finally reversing their failed policies and fighting back for American workers.”

    Sen. Markwayne Mullin: “President Trump is going to charge foreign countries roughly half of what they *already* charge us to do business. Literally who can argue with this?”

    Sen. Pete Ricketts: “President Trump is delivering on his campaign promises to level the playing field and stand up for the American people. Reciprocal tariffs will ensure equal treatment for American businesses. @POTUS is working to reshore jobs lost overseas and secure our supply chains. He is working to open new markets for our nation’s agriculture products. He is demonstrating to foreign adversaries like China that we will no longer be taken advantage of.”

    Sen. Rick Scott: “The days of the U.S. being taken advantage of by other countries are OVER! Pres. Trump is making it clear that he will ALWAYS put American jobs, manufacturing and our economy first. As Americans, let’s stand with him and support one another by buying products MADE IN AMERICA.”

    Sen. Eric Schmitt: “President Trump is bringing America back. We won’t be ripped off by other countries anymore. We’re bringing back manufacturing, unleashing energy production, and paving the way for prosperity.”

    Sen. Tim Sheehy: “They tariff us at up to 50% of our exported ag products and then dump mass produced ag products into our market severely hurting our farmers and ranchers. It’s about time we have a level playing field for businesses.”

    Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “For too long, other countries have ripped us off with bad trade deals – resulting in American jobs and manufacturing moving overseas. But change is coming. The Golden Age of America’s economy is here. Happy Liberation Day.”

    House Majority Leader Steve Scalise: “The United States and American workers will no longer be ripped off by other countries with unfair trade practices. Thank you President Trump for putting America’s workers and innovators first with reciprocal tariffs that level the playing field and make trade FAIR.”

    House Majority Whip Tom Emmer: “For too long, foreign countries have taken advantage of us at the expense of American workers. President @realDonaldTrump says NO MORE.”

    House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain: “Tariffs work! @POTUS has proven tariffs are an effective tool in achieving economic and strategic objectives. The President’s long-term strategy will pay off.”

    Rep. Elise Stefanik: “I strongly support President Trump’s America First economic policies to strengthen American manufacturing and create millions of American jobs. For too long, Americans have suffered under unfair trade practices putting America Last. We will not allow other countries to take advantage of us and we must put America and the American worker first.”

    Rep. Jason Smith: “America shouldn’t reward countries that discriminate against American workers and manufacturers. On Liberation Day, President Trump is correcting this and demanding fair treatment for American producers.”

    Rep. Mark Alford: “The days of the United States being taken advantage of are OVER. Republicans are putting American workers FIRST.”

    Rep. Rick Allen: “@POTUS is undoing decades of unfair trade practices and putting American workers, businesses, and manufacturers FIRST. These reciprocal tariffs are simply leveling the playing field and will help ensure the U.S. is no longer on the losing end of global trade.”

    Rep. Jodey Arrington: “For too long, our leaders have allowed other nations to rip us off through numerous unfair trade practices resulting in suppressed wages, lost opportunities, and unrealized economic growth. Just as he did in his first term, President Trump is fighting to ensure an even playing field for our manufacturers, farmers, and workers so we can unleash American prosperity and Make America Great Again.”

    Rep. Brian Babin: “Trump’s tariffs aren’t starting a trade war—they’re ending one. For decades, other countries ripped off American workers with unfair tariffs and barriers. Now, we’re finally fighting back.”

    Rep. Andy Biggs: “Past administrations have allowed the United States to be ripped off by allies and adversaries alike. President Trump said “NO MORE!” The Art of the Deal.”

    Rep. Vern Buchanan: “For too long, unfair trade practices devastated America’s manufacturing base and stole millions of blue-collar jobs. It’s time to level the playing field and bring those jobs back. @POTUS is fighting for American workers.”

    Rep. Eli Crane: “America First policies are what the American people voted for.”

    Rep. Michael Cloud: “America-First means putting the American people first. We will no longer be taken advantage of as a nation and people.”

    Rep. Andrew Clyde: “For far too long, the U.S. has been ripped off by countries across the globe with unfair trade practices. Now, we’re finally leveling the playing field. THANK YOU, President Trump, for putting American workers and manufacturing FIRST.”

    Rep. Mike Collins: “This is fair. Whether it’s our military or economy, other countries have taken advantage of the U.S. for far too long. That time is over.”

    Rep. Byron Donalds: “For decades, a lot of these countries have built their economies on the back of the American economy … These nations have become, not just developing nations, they are now strong economies. And so, we have to have fair trade if we’re going to have free trade.”

    Rep. Chuck Edwards: “Many countries are taking advantage of the United States by imposing tariffs against us while we don’t have reciprocal tariffs against them. @POTUS has used tariffs to produce successful trade deals for us in his first term, and I support his plan to use them again to create a more level playing field and secure fairer trade deals for America. The quicker other countries agree to fairer trade deals, the quicker the tariffs can end.”

    Rep. Gabe Evans: “This admin puts America first from strengthening our economy & national security to prioritizing hard working Americans. Farmers in #CO08 have been disadvantaged in foreign trade deals & will benefit from reciprocal tariffs that promote FAIR & free trade.”

    Rep. Scott Franklin: “For years the US handcuffed itself and played nice while other countries imposed massive tariffs and took advantage of us. We’re done putting America last. @POTUS is leveling the playing field, ending trade imbalances and prioritizing American workers and manufacturing again!”

    Rep. Mike Flood: “Biden did nothing for four years on trade. Five years after Brexit, America doesn’t have a free trade deal with the UK. President @realDonaldTrump is rightsizing our trade relationships.”

    Rep. Russell Fry: “HAPPY LIBERATION DAY. Thanks to @POTUS, America is DONE being taken advantage of. A new era has begun.”

    Rep. Lance Gooden: “For decades, Washington allowed Texans to be ripped off by foreign countries. Those days are now over. @POTUS is committed to making America wealthy again!”

    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “If you want to do business in America, you need to play by our rules. For too long, American businesses, big and small, have been ripped off by bad trade deals and unfair competition. President Trump is putting a stop to it. He’s standing up for our workers, our companies, and our consumers.”

    Rep. Abe Hamadeh: “The America First Republican party is the party of the working class, the forgotten men and women. On this Liberation Day, we further our commitment to them, that we will reshore our manufacturing, restore fair trade, and rebuild the greatest economy in the world.”

    Rep. Pat Harrigan: “If you want access to the most powerful economy in the world, treat us fairly. If not, don’t expect a free ride. That’s real leadership and @POTUS is delivering it!”

    Rep. Andy Harris: “President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs will put the American worker first and bring fairness back to international trade. America is being respected again.”

    Rep. Diana Harshbarger: “President Trump is bringing back the American Dream. Our taxpayers have been ripped off by foreign countries for far too long, but those days are over. President Trump is right to impose these reciprocal tariffs.”

    Rep. Clay Higgins: “.@POTUS’ trade agenda puts American industry and America first. I support the President’s action to protect our domestic producers.”

    Rep. Wesley Hunt: “Today, President Trump empowered the American middle class.  His policies on tariffs will bring automotive manufacturing back to America.”

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell: “President Trump is putting America First on trade—standing up to foreign adversaries, protecting American workers, and rebuilding our manufacturing base. The days of unfair trade deals and economic surrender are OVER.”

    Rep. Nicole Malliotakis: “Since President Trump has been elected, we’ve attracted $5 trillion in private investment, foreign & domestic companies have announced Made in USA manufacturing, countries have reduced tariffs or changed foreign policies. President Trump is sticking up for American workers & farmers, repatriating our supply chain and protecting our national security.”

    Rep. Addison McDowell: “My district was hit hard over the years by unfair trade deals. Finally, we have a President who wants to put the American worker FIRST.”

    Rep. Dan Meuser: “We have been treated unfairly. Free trade has become synonymous with unfair trade, and @POTUS is recognizing that… We needed a reckoning; we needed a correction. President Trump is bringing it.”

    Rep. Mary Miller: “America will no longer be taken advantage of! This is how you put America First.”

    Rep. John Moolenaar: “For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party has exploited America’s generosity, stolen our intellectual property, and undermined our workers. President Trump’s recent tariffs and the Restoring Trade Fairness Act, which I introduced earlier this year to revoke China’s permanent normal trade relations status, will finally put an end to this abuse—holding China accountable and protecting American jobs. For decades, we’ve accepted one-sided trade deals that hurt our industries while benefiting our adversaries. Trade deficits reflect that imbalance, but they also reveal something deeper: the strength of the American consumer. It’s time we stopped allowing that strength to be used against us and started putting American workers first.”

    Rep. Riley Moore: “For decades, foreign countries have enjoyed free access to the greatest consumer marketplace on the face of the planet, all while still charging our domestic producers hefty duties or imposing significant barriers to access their markets. Today that ends. President Trump is the only president in my lifetime to acknowledge how unfair trade has gutted the heartland and shipped countless jobs overseas. By finally reciprocating in-kind, we’ll force foreign competitors to the negotiating table, lower trade barriers, and ultimately create real free and fair trade across the board. I’m confident this move will boost our domestic manufacturing industry and fuel demand for American products across the globe.”

    Rep. Tim Moore: “President Trump is leveling the playing field for American workers and bringing back MADE IN AMERICA!”

    Rep. Troy Nehls: “President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs make it clear that our country will not be ripped off anymore. We are bringing back American manufacturing and putting America First.”

    Rep. Ralph Norman: “Happy LIBERATION Day … ✅Protect the American worker ✅Strengthen manufacturing ✅Reduce unfair trade practices … Our economy will be competitive again!!”

    Rep. Andy Ogles: “He’s resetting the negotiating table. He’s resetting the deck here to say, ‘You know what? For too long, you’ve taken advantage of our free market and you’ve literally leached jobs away from the American people … Let’s have a serious conversation and let’s do something that’s fair and mutually beneficial for both sides.’”

    Rep. Guy Reschenthaler: “I fully support President Trump’s critical efforts to right this generational wrong, bring manufacturing jobs home, and rejuvenate American working families. Made in America is back.”

    Rep. John Rutherford: “Tariffs help bring American jobs back home, incentivize buying American, AND put pressure on Canada and Mexico to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants from their countries into ours. Even the Biden Admin kept or increased tariffs that President Trump imposed during his first presidency. Under Trump, inflation stayed around 2% and our GDP grew to 3%. Smart tariffs are a long-term investment in the American economy that are worth the short-term cost.”

    Rep. Adrian Smith: “Reducing trade barriers is necessary to ensuring American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, small businesses, and innovators can sell their products in other markets. President Trump has made it clear other countries can avoid tariffs by reducing or eliminating their existing barriers to U.S. products. Engagement on trade is vital to our economy and opportunity for U.S. workers. In his first term, President Trump proved robust engagement can be productive as he moved the ball down the field on several agreements with our top trade partners. To achieve economic stability, we must continue to fight to give our producers the chance to compete in a global marketplace.”

    Rep. Greg Steube: “What many fail to realize: Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are a long-overdue response to years of unfair trade policies against America. For decades, America has been ripped off by other countries who have repeatedly slapped tariffs on our goods, blocked our products, and flooded our markets with theirs. The numbers don’t lie–the rest of the world has profited at the expense of American workers and businesses. President Trump is finally putting America First by taking bold, necessary actions that past leaders wouldn’t take.”

    Rep. Marlin Stutzman: “If Australia doesn’t want our beef – WE DON’T WANT THEIRS! Thank you @POTUS for opening the door of fair treatment for America’s Cattlemen‼️”

    Rep. Tom Tiffany: “Gone are the days of America being taken advantage of by foreign countries. The American worker comes FIRST.”

    Rep. William Timmons: “President Trump’s tariffs are a necessary move to protect American workers and rebuild our economy. We are finally breaking free from decades of unfair trade deals that gutted our industries. These tariffs will bring jobs back to our districts, strengthen manufacturing, and ensure our children inherit a country that is not just a consumer, but a producer. Thank you, @POTUS.”

    Rep. Beth Van Duyne: “For far too long, the United States has been taken advantage of by our foreign trade partners. The American people re-elected President Trump to bring back truly fair trade with other countries. Reciprocal tariffs are a first step to have a level playing field for American products and to start bringing back manufacturing to our country!”

    Rep. Daniel Webster: “President @realDonaldTrump is delivering on his mandate to restore America’s economic strength. For too long, unfair trade deals have hollowed out our factories and shipped American jobs overseas. By standing up to bad actors like China and Venezuela and enforcing fair trade, President Trump is defending American industries and putting American workers first.”

    Rep. Tony Wied: “President Trump has made it clear with these reciprocal tariffs that we will no longer allow other countries to take advantage of us. His goal is simple: to bring jobs and manufacturing back to our country and open up foreign markets to American products. If companies want to avoid these tariffs, they will do business in the United States. I applaud the President for taking a stand against years of unfair trade practices and making sure we put American workers and consumers first. It’s time our foreign trading partners finally live up to their end of the bargain.”

    Rep. Roger Williams: “For too long, America Last policies have put the U.S. auto industry at a disadvantage. As a car dealer and small business owner, I support @POTUS’ Executive Order to increase competition, boost revenue, and bring back American jobs.”

    Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson: “I applaud President Trump’s actions today to reset global trade relations through the President’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff plan. America is not only in a trade war, we’ve been in a trade war for years now. This trade war has resulted in historic trade deficits that continue to hurt our farmers. … I believe President Trump’s actions today will set the stage for the renegotiation of better trade deals that will benefit American farmers and all our domestic industries going forward and will also serve to spur more local production.”

    U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer: “Today, President Trump is taking urgent action to protect the national security and economy of the United States. The current lack of trade reciprocity, demonstrated by our chronic trade deficit, has weakened our economic and national security. After only 72 days in office, President Trump has prioritized swift action to bring reciprocity to our trade relations and reduce the trade deficit by leveling the playing field for American workers and manufacturers, reshoring American jobs, expanding our domestic manufacturing base, and ensuring our defense-industrial base is not dependent on foreign adversaries—all leading to stronger economic and national security.”

    Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick: “Today, the world starts taking us seriously. Our workforce will finally be treated fairly.”

    Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: “President Trump signed the Declaration of Economic Independence for the American people. For decades, the trade status quo has allowed countries to leverage tariffs and unfair trade practices to get ahead at the expense of hardworking Americans. The President’s historic actions will level the playing field for American workers and usher in a new age of economic strength.”

    Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: “FARMERS COME FIRST — @POTUS is leveling the playing field, ensuring American farmers and ranchers can compete globally again!”

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Thank you, @POTUS! ‘Made in America’ is not just a tagline — it’s an economic and national security priority.”

    Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “For too long, America has been targeted by unfair trade practices that made our supply chain dependent on foreign adversaries, eroded our industrial base, and hurt American workers. This has gravely impacted our national security. President Trump’s strong action will help make America safe again. @DHS, primarily through @CBP, is ready to collect these new tariffs and put an end to unfair trade practices. Thank you President @realDonaldTrump for putting America FIRST.”

    Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer: “Promises made, promises kept”

    Secretary of Energy Chris Wright: “President Trump is a businessman; he’s a negotiator. The result of that has been and will continue to be improvements for the American people. We are in the midst of a negotiation, and he is fighting every day to make the cost-of-living conditions better for Americans.”

    Secretary of Education Linda McMahon: “At the White House this afternoon, we celebrated Liberation Day — setting our economy on the path of future prosperity for our children. Business owners, workers, and taxpayers have been waiting for strong economic leadership.

    @POTUS’ actions today prove we are done being taken advantage of in international trade.”

    Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “President Trump’s Liberation Day reciprocity plan is commonsense. If you tariff us, we’ll tariff you. This will strengthen our economy and make America wealthy again!”

    Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: “Today is the day we will liberate ourselves from unfair trade practices and outdated ways of thinking. Tariffs are an important tool in the President’s toolbox to stop foreign countries from ripping us off, protect America’s workers, and restore U.S. manufacturing. I stand with @POTUS as he finally levels the playing field. Happy Liberation Day!”

    Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “For four years, Americans couldn’t afford groceries, let alone a house. This Liberation Day, @POTUS is bringing manufacturing and jobs back. President Trump is making the American Dream achievable again!”

    Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin: “Massive announcement by @POTUS today restoring U.S. dominance, cementing his America First vision, and Powering the Great American Comeback.”

    Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler: “Small businesses will no longer be crushed by foreign governments and unfair trade deals. Instead, we will put American industry, workers, and strength FIRST. Thank you @POTUS for bringing back Made in America!”

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz: “Economic security is national security. Thank you President Trump for putting America first.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Ensure Wealthiest Americans Pay Their Fair Share in Taxes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues introduced the Paying a Fair Share Act to ensure that millionaires pay higher tax rates than middle-class Americans by enacting a 30-percent minimum tax on those with incomes over $1 million.
    “Working families should not be paying more in taxes than the wealthiest Americans. Period. But right now, our system is rigged against teachers, firefighters, and nurses while letting Wall Street get massive tax breaks to pad their pockets. It’s just plain wrong,” said Senator Baldwin. “This commonsense bill will level the playing field, help close the deficit, and ensure that the wealthiest among us pay their fair share in taxes.”
    In 2022, the top .001% (or 1,538 households) earned at least $85.5 million and paid an average federal tax rate of 23.5 percent.
    The Paying a Fair Share Act would ensure that the highest-earning Americans pay at least a 30% effective tax rate. The bill would apply only to taxpayers with income over $1 million (including capital gains and dividends) – approximately 0.58% of taxpayers in 2024. The legislation includes a phase-in for additional tax liability for taxpayers earning between $1 million and $2 million and would preserve the incentive for charitable giving.
    The Paying a Fair Share Act is expected to raise nearly $120 billion in revenue over ten years and would provide a backstop to limit future tax dodging by the ultrawealthy.
    The bill is led by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and co-sponsored by twelve other Senators.
    Full text of this legislation is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Releases Rep. Smith, Missouri Delegation Urge Federal Disaster Declaration Following Missouri Tornados April 03, 2025

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Smith (8th District of Missouri)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Jason Smith (MO-08), along with Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01), Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Reps. Ann Wagner, Sam Graves, Mark Alford, Eric Burlison, Emmanuel Cleaver, and Bob Onder led a letter to President Donald J. Trump respectfully requesting he grant Governor Mike Kehoe’s request to immediately authorize a federal disaster declaration in 28 Missouri counties impacted by recent severe weather and make available federal assistance to support Missouri’s recovery efforts.

    Representative Smith said, “The devastation in Missouri caused by severe weather, violent tornadoes, and widespread flooding in recent weeks is heartbreaking and has left many communities in Southeast Missouri struggling to get back on their feet. I applaud Governor Kehoe’s swift action to declare a State of Emergency in Missouri to enable first responders, road crews, and emergency management officials to begin initial damage assessments, and alongside my colleagues, respectfully urge the federal government to follow suit. The severity of this disaster necessitates a coordinated response from both the state and federal governments to begin deploying vital aid, including shelter assistance and other desperately needed recovery efforts.”

    Joining Representatives Smith and Bell and Senators Hawley and Schmitt in signing the letter to President Donald Trump are Missouri Representatives Ann Wagner (MO-01), Bob Onder (MO-03), Mark Alford (MO-04), Emmanual Cleaver (MO-05), Sam Graves (MO-06), and Eric Burleson (MO-07). The request from Governor Kehoe was for assistance in cleaning up after the storms that impacted Missouri from March 14-15 this year.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Centralia Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Possessing Firearms as a Felon

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

    EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Centralia man to 125 months in federal prison for possessing three firearms as a convicted felon in three separate incidents with police.

    Lamar R. Bennett, 33, pleaded guilty in July to three counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

    “Three brushes with the law by one defiant felon—this sentence of more than a decade in federal prison sends a strong message that repeat offenders who defy the law can expect to face certain justice in the federal system,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

    According to court documents, Bennett was convicted as a felon in possession of a firearm in Marion County Circuit Court in 2020, further barring him from legally possessing firearms.

    Bennett was the driver of a vehicle in a single-car crash in Washington County on April 21, 2023. Following the accident, Bennett placed a Smith and Wesson 9-millimeter pistol behind a concrete barrier on the side of the highway. Law enforcement recovered the firearm.

    On Oct. 14, 2023, emergency personnel and law enforcement responded to Bennett’s residence in Jefferson County. Officers observed a Glock 43X pistol in his sweatshirt and recovered the firearm.

    On November 23, 2023, law enforcement tried to conduct a traffic stop on Bennett’s vehicle in Marion County, but he fled. Ultimately, Bennett was apprehended and law enforcement recovered one Ruger SR9C pistol from him.

    “This investigation and sentencing are a direct result of FBI Springfield Field Office’s dedication to disrupting and dismantling violent threats in our territory,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “This sentencing is a direct warning to those who continue criminal activity in our area.”

    Following imprisonment, Bennett will serve three years of supervised release.

    The FBI Springfield Field Office, Centralia Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Hudson prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Minneapolis Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing Stolen Firearms that he Attempted to Sell

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – Howard Ozell Crenshaw, a Minneapolis man, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing stolen firearms that he then attempted to sell, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, on December 2, 2022, an undercover (UC) law enforcement officer called Howard Ozell Crenshaw, 34, to express interest in purchasing firearms. Crenshaw informed the undercover law enforcement officer that he had an AR-15 rifle and two Berretta handguns available for sale, which the UC officer agreed to purchase for $2,600.  The pair agreed to meet on December 13, 2022, to complete the transaction.  

    On the day of their meeting, the UC officer agreed to purchase an addition shotgun from Crenshaw for $500.  They met as planned on December 13, 2022, and Crenshaw entered the UC officer’s vehicle, abruptly exited and called the UC officer, directing him to drive to a different location one block away.  Crenshaw explained that he had placed the firearms in a residential trash can in a nearby alley.  The UC officer retrieved the four firearms and tossed Crenshaw a roll of cash totaling $2,600.  Shortly thereafter, the UC agent called Crenshaw and explained that he had placed the additional $500 in the same trash can the defendant had used for the firearms.  Crenshaw later returned to the trash can and collected the additional $500.  

    According to court documents, Crenshaw sold the UC agent a Benelli M1 Super 90 12-guage shotgun; an Armalite .223 AR-15 rifle; a Beretta model M9 nine-millimeter handgun; and a Beretta model M9 nine-millimeter handgun from Crenshaw.  A subsequent record check on the firearms revealed that they had been reported stolen following the November 19, 2022, burglary of a home in St. Paul.  

    Because Crenshaw has four prior felony convictions, including for Drug Sale – 1st Degree, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

    “Crenshaw is a four-time convicted felon and drug dealer who decided to sell stolen firearms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.  “I am proud of the excellent work of our federal partners at ATF to take yet another dangerous criminal off the streets.”    

    Crenshaw pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court before Judge Susan R. Nelson to one count of illegal possession of firearms as felon. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 5, 2025.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Global: World Affairs Briefing: World considers response to Trump’s tariffs – and Israel launches new Gaza offensive

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sam Phelps, Commissioning Editor, International Affairs

    This article was first published in The Conversation UK’s World Affairs Briefing email newsletter. Sign up to receive weekly analysis of the latest developments in international relations, direct to your inbox.


    Donald Trump has announced a massive package of trade tariffs on some of America’s largest trading partners. In a speech on the White House lawn, Trump said that America had been “looted, pillaged and raped” by these countries for decades, adding that “in many cases, the friend is worse than the foe”.

    Trump claims that April 2, which he has called “liberation day”, will “forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn”. The tariffs include 20% on imports from the EU, 24% on those from Japan, 27% for India, and 34% for China. The UK got off comparatively lightly, with tariffs of 10%.

    Renaud Foucart, a senior lecturer in economics at Lancaster University, explores how the world may react. In his view, there are three possible scenarios.




    Read more:
    How the UK and Europe could respond to Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs


    First, countries may seek to forge trade deals with the US that, as Foucart puts it, “give Trump enough rope to climb down”. This is the approach favoured by British prime minister Keir Starmer. But it does send the message that the US can obtain concessions from its international partners by bullying them.


    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.


    Second, countries may retaliate. Whether through reciprocal tariffs or tools like the European Commission’s “anti-coercion instrument”, the goal will be to force the US to back down. If this scenario plays out, new modelling by Niven Winchester of Auckland University of Technology suggests it is probably the US that stands to lose the most, while some countries may actually gain.




    Read more:
    New modelling reveals full impact of Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs – with the US hit hardest


    Third, in what is the most dramatic scenario, we may see a reorganisation of the world order that more or less avoids the US. This would take the world to uncharted economic and political territories.

    A renewed offensive

    Meanwhile, Israeli officials have announced a major expansion of military operations in Gaza. In a statement released on Wednesday, Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said that “troops will move to clear areas of terrorists and infrastructure, and seize extensive territory that will be added to the state of Israel’s security areas”.

    The country’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, later confirmed the plans. In a video message, he announced that Israel would be building a new security corridor called the “Morag Route” to “divide up” the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu says carving Gaza will add pressure on Hamas to return the remaining 59 hostages.

    We spoke to Scott Lucas, a Middle East expert at University College Dublin and a regular contributor to our coverage of the war in Gaza, about Israel’s renewed offensive and some of the other key issues involved.

    In his view, the resumption of the ground offensive in Gaza was largely inevitable once Netanyahu’s government refused to move from phase one of the ceasefire to phase two. The second phase would have involved the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli military withdrawal. This, as Lucas explains, was never going to be agreed by Netanyahu.

    “Beyond his personal opposition to the requisite Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, powerful hard-right ministers in his government had made clear that their acceptance of phase one was conditioned on no phase two and on a return to military operations,” Lucas writes. Netanyahu’s political survival depends on the continuation of the war.




    Read more:
    Why is Israel expanding its offensive in Gaza and what does it mean for the Middle East? Expert Q&A


    But according to Leonie Fleischmann, a senior lecturer in international politics at City St George’s, University of London, the decision to launch another ground offensive in Gaza remains a high-risk strategy.

    Netanyahu is already unpopular among many Israeli citizens, as is the continued assault on Gaza. And his recent attempts to bend Israel’s legal system to his will by pushing through a law that would give the government the power to appoint new members of the supreme court have certainly not endeared him to many.

    The move has the potential to undermine the country’s system of checks and balances which, as in many western democracies, rests largely on the separation of powers. But in Fleischmann’s view, it was not unexpected.

    Netanyahu has done anything he can to try to gain control of the country’s judiciary over the past few years. He was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in 2019, which he denies, and has consistently sought to delay legal proceedings.

    It remains to be seen whether pressure from the Israeli public can check Netanyahu’s power. Widespread unrest over the weekend caused Netanyahu to pause plans for judicial reform, though he has maintained that the overhaul is still needed.




    Read more:
    As Israel begins another assault in Gaza, Netanyahu is fighting his own war against the country’s legal system


    Elsewhere, we have reported on the recent endorsement of Trump’s policies by Aleksandr Dugin, who is sometimes referred to as “Putin’s brain” because of his ideological influence on Russian politics.

    “Trumpists and the followers of Trump will understand much better what Russia is, who Putin is and the motivations of our politics,” Dugin said in an interview with CNN on March 30.

    His endorsement should be a warning of the disruptive nature of the Trump White House, says Kevin Riehle of Brunel University of London.




    Read more:
    ‘Putin’s brain’: Aleksandr Dugin, the Russian ultra-nationalist who has endorsed Donald Trump


    And China may be making preparations for an invasion of Taiwan. As naval history expert Matthew Heaslip of the University of Portsmouth reports, a handful of so-called Shuiqiao barges were filmed at a beach in China’s Guangdong province in March.

    The barges, the name of which translates to “water bridge”, were working together to form a relocatable bridge to enable the transfer of vehicles, supplies and people between ship and shore.

    Heaslip points out that, as there is no obvious commercial role for such large vessels, the most likely purpose is for landing armed forces during amphibious operations. But, as he reassures in this piece, their appearance does not guarantee that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is imminent.




    Read more:
    What these new landing barges can tell us about China’s plans to invade Taiwan


    There are reported to be three completed prototype landing barges ready for deployment and three under construction. This would offer just one or two beach bridges, which would be of minimal value in a major invasion.


    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.


    ref. World Affairs Briefing: World considers response to Trump’s tariffs – and Israel launches new Gaza offensive – https://theconversation.com/world-affairs-briefing-world-considers-response-to-trumps-tariffs-and-israel-launches-new-gaza-offensive-253647

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Possession and Firearms Sales Land Oklahoma City Men in Federal Prison for More Than 19 Years Collectively

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – AUSTIN GAGE OSBORN, 24, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 68 months in federal prison for engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and being a drug user in possession of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. 

    According to public record, beginning in July 2024, undercover agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began purchasing firearms from Osborn and codefendant JOSE ADRIAN HERMOSILLO, 22, of Oklahoma City. Agents identified Hermosillo as a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms. Between July 17, 2024, and August 9, 2024, ATF agents met with Osborn and Hermosillo on several occasions purchasing approximately 20 firearms.  In one specific transaction on July 29, 2024, undercover agents told Osborn and Hermosillo that the guns the agents were purchasing would be transported out of the United States and into Mexico. Despite having reason to believe that the firearms would be trafficked across the border, Osborn and Hermosillo continued to sell firearms to undercover agents for profit, without a federal firearms license, in violation of federal law. 

    On November 26, 2024, Osborn was charged by Superseding Information with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and with being a drug user in possession of firearms. On December 5, 2024, Osborn pleaded guilty to the Superseding Information, and admitted he possessed 19 firearms while being a regular user of marijuana, and that he was illegally dealing firearms as a business without a license to do so. At the sentencing hearing on March 26, 2025, U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced Osborn to serve 68 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    Hermosillo pleaded guilty on November 26, 2024, to trafficking firearms, and admitted he willingly transferred firearms to another person with reasonable cause to believe that the use, carrying, or possession of the firearms by the recipient would constitute a felony. Hermosillo was sentenced on March 24, 2025, to serve 168 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    In announcing the sentences for Osborn and Hermosillo, Judge Palk noted the seriousness of these offenses, the need for the sentences to deter others in the public who may consider engaging in similar behavior, and the history and characteristics of the defendants. Public record further reflects that Hermosillo has previous felony convictions in Oklahoma County that include attempted burglary in case number CF-2021-2066 and possession of a firearm after juvenile adjudication in case number CF-2022-3560.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the ATF and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew E. Davis and Mary E. Walters prosecuted the case.

    This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Shooting Incident

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a violent shooting incident involving the illegal use of a firearm.

    According to court records, on the night of September 19, 2024, Devin Wade Wyaco shot John Doe (who was riding a bicycle) from the passenger side of his girlfriend’s vehicle, striking John Doe in the abdomen. Doe was transported to Zuni Hospital and later to the University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment. During an interview with investigators, John Doe identified the vehicle as belonging to Wyaco’s girlfriend. Doe survived the shooting.

    Police identified Wyaco, 34, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, as the shooter through statements from his girlfriend, who admitted being present during the incident and confirmed Wyaco’s involvement. A federal search warrant executed at her residence corroborated her account. In his plea agreement, Wyaco confessed that he fired at John Doe after becoming angry when one of the bicyclists threw a rock at the car. He also admitted that as a previously convicted felon—having prior convictions for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and aggravated fleeing from a law-enforcement officer—he knowingly possessed a firearm and ammunition in violation of federal law.

    Handgun recovered from Wyaco’s girlfriend’s home.

    Wyaco pled guilty to all three charges contained in the indictment, including assault with a dangerous weapon, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    At sentencing, Wyaco faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison followed by up to five years of supervised release. Additionally, Wyaco faces up to $250,000 in fines.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Distribution Operation

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

    MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Charles Edward Scott, 31, of Damascus, Maryland, was sentenced to 156 months in prison for his leadership of a drug conspiracy that sold the drug “boot” in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Scott, also known as “Whop Whop,” led a group of people selling Eutylone, also known as “boot,” in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Scott was storing large quantities of the drug and firearms in an apartment in Maryland, and with other known defendants, traveled to West Virginia to distribute. Scott has prior drug, firearms, and theft convictions.

    Scott will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. 

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Martinsburg Police Department; the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department; the Virginia State Police, Montgomery County; and Maryland State Attorney’s Office investigated.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

    Find the related cases here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/16-indicted-conspiracy-charges-boot-distribution-operation

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Myanmar: UN chief calls for urgent access as quake toll mounts

    Source: United Nations 2

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Humanitarian Aid

    The UN chief on Thursday called for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to Myanmar, where last week’s devastating earthquakes claimed over 3,000 lives and left millions in urgent need of aid.

    Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the earthquake has “supercharged the suffering”.

    Myanmar today is the scene of utter devastation and desperation,” he said.

    He emphasised that even before the disaster, the country was grappling with political turmoil, human rights abuses and a worsening humanitarian situation.

    “We need rapid action on several fronts,” he said.

    Millions in desperate need

    According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 17 million people have been affected by the earthquakes, with nearly nine million experiencing the highest level of devastation.

    Over 370 people remain missing, while thousands of others are injured. Telecommunications, power, and water supply systems have collapsed in the hardest-hit regions, leaving survivors without basic necessities and humanitarians struggling to reach them.

    Road access between Yangon and central Myanmar requires detours, delaying aid deliveries, while commercial flights to Mandalay remain suspended.  

    The hardest-hit areas remain without electricity and water, while telecommunications and internet access are severely disrupted, cutting off affected communities from essential services,” OCHA said in a flash update.

    Meanwhile, entire families, including children, are sleeping in the open due to fears of aftershocks or because their homes have been destroyed.

    Makeshift shelters are overcrowded and lack security and privacy, increasing the risk of sexual- and gender-based violence, UN agencies warn, calling for urgent measures to ensure safety and dignity of women and girls.

    UN mobilizing support

    Mr. Guterres announced that he is dispatching UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar to oversee relief operations.

    “He will be on the ground tomorrow,” Mr. Guterres said, adding that Special Envoy Julie Bishop will visit Myanmar in the coming days to reinforce the UN’s commitment to peace and dialogue.

    The UN has also allocated $5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for immediate aid, while the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has mobilized $12 million for food, shelter, water, sanitation, debris removal and healthcare.

    However, these funds fall far short of what is needed.

    I appeal to the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis,” Mr. Guterres said.

    © UNICEF/Nyan Zay Hte

    A boy, with his sister beside him, sits on a piece of a collapsed wall of community hall in Mandalay. Thousands of families have lost their homes in the city in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

    Call for unhindered access

    One of the biggest obstacles to relief efforts is the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. The country has been in turmoil since the military overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021, leading to widespread violence and displacement.

    While Myanmar’s military and armed opposition groups have announced temporary ceasefires to facilitate aid deliveries, Mr. Guterres stressed that these must translate into lasting peace.

    “I appeal for rapid, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to reach those most in need across the country,” he said, calling on all parties to uphold their obligations to protect civilians.

    Monsoon risks

    As humanitarian operations scale up, UN agencies have warned that time is running out. Initial assessments indicate that more than 76 per cent of those surveyed have yet to receive any assistance.

    With the monsoon season approaching, the risk of disease outbreaks and further displacement looms large.

    Return to democracy

    Beyond immediate relief efforts, Mr. Guterres called for the earthquake response to serve as a turning point for Myanmar.

    He called for the current tragic moment to become an opportunity for the people of Myanmar, appealing for a political process that includes an end to violence, the release of political prisoners and a pathway to democracy.

    As communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it is also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict,” Mr. Guterres said.

    In addition to restoring democracy, he stressed the need for a comprehensive solution that includes the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

    The United Nations will keep pushing for peace and lifesaving support for the people of Myanmar in their hour of need.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: IN LETTER TO HHS SECRETARY KENNEDY, DEMANDS ANSWERS FOR BROKEN PROMISES TO 9/11 FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS AFTER AGAIN SLASHING KEY STAFF WHO SUPPORT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    Trump Admin Announced HHS-Wide Layoffs, Cutting 10,000 Staff, Including Vital Support For The 9/11 Health Care Program That Helps Sick First Responders & Survivors Get Treatment For Cancer, Respiratory Illnesses, And More
    This Is The Second Time The Trump Admin Has Slashed Support & Fired Staff Who Are Key For The World Trade Center Health Program, After Trump & Musk Also Sunk The Permanent Funding Fix Schumer Secured For Program Last Year
    Schumer To Kennedy: Twice You Have Betrayed Your Promise To Protect The 9/11 Healthcare Program, Immediately Reverse This Cruel Decision
    After the Trump administration again slashed resources for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer yesterday demanded answers from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for his broken promises that he made to both the senator and 9/11 first responders and survivors to protect the program. WTCHP offers medical monitoring and treatment for first responders and survivors diagnosed with 9/11-related health conditions, including many types of cancers, respiratory illnesses, and more. The new cuts announced earlier this week include the dismissal of Dr. John Howard, the administrator of the WTCHP, and nearly all staff at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) who are essential to the daily work of the WTCHP, hobbling the work of the program.
    “In our meeting prior to your confirmation as Secretary, you made an unequivocal commitment to working with me to strengthen this program. In your time in office you have fired staff not once, but twice, completely betraying what you said in our conversation and betraying the thousands of survivors of 9/11 who rely on the WTCHP for services,” Senator Schumer wrote in his letter.
    This is the third time in four months President Trump has ripped away the vital resources from the program that allow it to continue serving 9/11 survivors’ health.
    Schumer added, “9/11 first responders and survivors are suffering, they’re getting cancers from the air they breathed when they ran to the towers to help protect us. Secretary Kennedy wants to cut healthcare off to these heroes? It’s un-American. These are our heroes. Secretary Kennedy and Donald Trump should not betray them and must reverse these cuts immediately.”
    In December 2024, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand negotiated the inclusion of permanent federal funding for the WTCHP in a bipartisan health package. However, the federal funding was dropped at the last minute when President Trump & Elon Musk sunk the bipartisan spending agreement. Then, in February 2025, the Trump administration slashed the workforce of the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) as part of DOGE’s senseless cuts to the federal health system. In response, the senators worked together with a bipartisan group of House members, called on the administration to reverse the cuts. The Trump administration relented and appropriately re-hired WTCHP staff. Schumer said he is deeply worried about the future of the program given the Trump Administration’s repeated indiscriminate cutting, and call on the HHS to immediately to reverse on the recent layoffs at NIOSH. The Administration is firing key employees who do the essential work to ensure 9/11 survivors receive the care they need, leaving this program in limbo as they have for months.
    Schumer’s letter to Secretary Kennedy can be found HERE or below:
    Dear Secretary,
    I am writing with extreme concern and anger about your recent decision to lay off staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The reduction in force announcements at HHS yesterday are reckless and dangerous, are not based on any systematic review and will have profound negative consequences for the heroic survivors and first responders of 9/11 who are in need of health care due to illness developed as a result of their work in the days, weeks and months after that horrific attack on our nation.
    I wrote to your office on February 17th, 2025 with concern about staff firings at the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). While you ultimately and appropriately reinstated those employees, it was only after my public outcry as part of a bipartisan group of New York lawmakers. Additionally, your office did not respond to the letter I sent requesting more information, including a briefing, about the fate of the WTCHP and your plans to strengthen the program.
    In our meeting prior to your confirmation as Secretary, you made an unequivocal commitment to working with me to strengthen this program. In your time in office you have fired staff not once, but twice, completely betraying what you said in our conversation and betraying the thousands of survivors of 9/11 who rely on the WTCHP for services.
    This program is essential, providing critical screenings, services, research and medications to thousands of Americans – at zero cost – for 9/11-related health conditions and diseases. The regrettable actions that you have taken continue a pattern of callous decisions beginning in December 2024 when the incoming Trump Administration tanked the bipartisan health package that included permanent funding for the WTCHP. The repeated failure to fund this essential program and, now, the repeated firing of key employees at HHS demonstrates a lack of understanding of the importance of this program for our nation’s heroes. Worse, it demonstrates a disturbing lack of concern to take care of those who answered the nation’s call in a time of urgent need and now are suffering with illness because of it.
    I ask for a response to this letter by Friday, April 4th. I call on you to promptly rehire the NIOSH staff essential to carrying out the WTCHP mission. I am also repeating my request for a briefing on the changes that have been made to the WTCHP and what plans you will take as Secretary to ensure the program can provide lifesaving care to current and future enrollees. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s press encounter – on Myanmar Earthquake

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Last week’s earthquake in Southeast Asia hit the region hard – in places like Thailand and elsewhere. 

    But especially in the epicentre of Myanmar. 

    Myanmar today is the scene of utter devastation and desperation. 

    The death toll is now 3,000 and climbing – with thousands injured, and many trapped under the rubble.

    This disaster has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing people throughout the country. 

    Even before the earthquake, Myanmar was beset by political, human rights and humanitarian crises – hurting people, spilling over to neighbouring countries and the wider region, and opening the door to transnational crime.

    Nearly 20 million people — or one in every three in Myanmar — required already humanitarian aid. 

    Millions had already fled their homes from conflict and violence.

    The earthquake has supercharged the suffering – with the monsoon season just around the corner.

    We need rapid action on several fronts.

    I am announcing today that I am sending our Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, to Myanmar.  He will be on the ground tomorrow.

    I am also sending my Special Envoy, Julie Bishop, to visit the country in the coming days to reinforce our commitment to peace and dialogue. 

    I appeal, in particular, to the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis. 

    I appeal for rapid, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to reach those most in need across the country.

    And I appeal for every effort to transform this tragic moment into an opportunity for the people of Myanmar.

    I welcome the announcements of temporary ceasefires. 

    This is essential to help aid flow and let rescuers do their jobs.

    But an end of fighting must quickly lead to a beginning of a serious political dialogue and the release of political prisoners.

    Specifically, an inclusive political process where all the people of Myanmar feel represented.

    As communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict.

    This solution must include a pathway for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingya from Bangladesh, whom I had the honour of visiting last month in Cox’s Bazar.

    It must include an end to the violence and human rights violations across the country and a pathway for democracy to take root.

    Now is the time to stand in solidarity with the long-suffering people of Myanmar. 

    The United Nations will keep pushing for peace and lifesaving support for the people of Myanmar in their hour of need. 

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harbour Grace — Harbour Grace RCMP executes search warrant at home in Carbonear, firearms seized; two individuals charged

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As part of an ongoing investigation into a recent assault, Harbour Grace RCMP executed a search warrant at home in Carbonear yesterday. A number of firearms were seized. Two individuals, 42-year-old Curtis Power and 36-year-old Chad Butt, were arrested and charged.

    On April 2, 2025, Harbour Grace RCMP, along with RCMP NL’s East District General Investigation Section and Emergency Response Team, executed a warrant, authorized under the Criminal Code, to search a home on Lower Southside Road. Five individuals were arrested.

    Inside the home, police located and seized a number of firearms and various weapons.

    Chad Butt was wanted on a warrant of committal; he was arrested without incident. The co-accused in the assault investigation, Curtis Power, was also arrested without incident. Both are charged with assault and assault with a weapon. Butt remains in custody, remanded until his next court appearance, which will take place in June, 2025. Power was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date. Three other individuals were released without charges.

    The investigation is continuing with additional charges anticipated.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sara Jacobs Introduces the Delete DOGE Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    April 03, 2025

    Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced the Delete DOGE Act, which would defund DOGE and stop Elon Musk from stealing from the American people to fund tax breaks for billionaires like himself. 

    Over recent weeks, Elon Musk’s DOGE has slashed essential government functions and fired tens of thousands of federal workers. These cuts have extended across the federal government – targeting billions of dollars of life-saving medical research from NIH and NSF, veterans’ services, and air traffic controllers. DOGE has shut down critical federal websites, compromised sensitive personal data across multiple federal agencies, and circumvented the constitutional separation of powers. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s businesses have benefited from at least $38 billion in federal government contracts, which remain untouched and are likely to profit even more from new contracts.

    Elon Musk’s irresponsible slashing of government functions has been anything but efficient: the Department of Energy was forced to rehire hundreds of nuclear bomb specialists after firing them. DOGE “accidentally” eliminated Ebola prevention, fired USDA workers focused on bird flu prevention, and fired workers who answered the phones at the VA’s suicide crisis hotline.

    Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “‘Move fast, break things’ is a motto that might work for the tech sector, but it costs lives when we’re talking about cuts to cancer research, VA health care and the suicide hotline, Medicare, and Social Security. The bottom line is that Elon Musk’s DOGE is stealing from the American people to pay for tax breaks for billionaires like him and circumventing Congress and the law in the process. My Delete DOGE Act would stop what he’s doing and prevent him from robbing the American people and our future even more. I hope my Republican colleagues will find the courage to stand up to Elon Musk and support my bill to protect our country’s stability, security, and public trust.”

    The Delete DOGE Act would:

    • Prohibit any federal funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce the executive orders establishing DOGE.
    • Rescind unobligated funds currently available to DOGE and its associated entities.
    • Restrict future expenditures or transfers of federal funds for DOGE-related projects or personnel.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Consecutive El Niños are happening more often and the result is more devastating – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Zhengyao Lu, Researcher in Physical Geography, Lund University

    El Niño, a climate troublemaker, has long been one of the largest drivers of variability in the global climate. Every few years, the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean seesaws between warm (El Niño) and cold (La Niña) phases. This reshuffles rainfall patterns, unleashing floods, droughts and storms thousands of miles from the Pacific origin.

    The 1997-98 and 2015-16 El Niño events, for instance, brought catastrophic flooding to the eastern Pacific while plunging Africa, Australia and southeast Asia into severe droughts.

    These disruptions don’t just alter weather, but devastate crops, collapse fisheries, bleach coral reefs, fuel wildfires, and threaten human health. The 1997-98 El Niño alone caused an estimated US$5.7 trillion (£4.4 trillion) in global income losses.

    Now, something more alarming is unfolding: both El Niño and La Niña are lingering longer than ever before, which is amplifying their destructive potential.

    Traditionally, El Niño events lasted about a year, alternating with La Niña in an irregular cycle every two to seven years.

    And normally when an El Niño or La Niña event ends, the disturbance to global weather patterns gradually subsides. But when these anomalies persist or re-emerge, the damage compounds and complicates recovery efforts. For instance, a single-year El Niño-driven drought can challenge agricultural systems, but consecutive years of drought could overwhelm them.

    In recent decades, these climate patterns have been persisting longer and recurring more often. A striking example is the 2020-2023 La Niña, a rare “triple-dip” event that lasted for three years. Rather than returning to neutral conditions, these anomalies are prolonging devastation and making recovery increasingly difficult.

    In a recent study, my colleagues and I revealed that multi-year Enso (El Niño-southern oscillation, or both warm El Niño and cold La Niña) events have been steadily increasing over the past 7,000 years, and are now more frequent than ever. This is due to a fundamental shift in Earth’s climate system.

    Clear proof of this shift comes from ancient corals in the central Pacific. These fossilised time capsules preserve a climate record stretching back thousands of years. By analysing oxygen isotopes in their skeletons, scientists can reconstruct past ocean temperatures and Enso activity.

    What we’ve found is remarkable: in the early Holocene (7,000 years ago), single-year Enso events were the norm. But over time, multi-year events have become five times more common.

    To confirm this, we turned to sophisticated computer simulations that replicate Earth’s climate system. The latest advancements in these global climate models allow us to simulate Enso dynamics stretching back hundreds of millions of years, across vastly different climate conditions and continental arrangements.

    In our study, we used a group of models contributed by international research teams to track Enso evolution over millennia, incorporating factors such as ocean circulation, atmospheric conditions, vegetation changes and solar radiation. The results align with coral records: Enso events have grown more prolonged over time.

    Look at the graphs below. On the left are black circles which represent fossilised coral slice records (bigger circles contain data for longer periods). The increasing trend (blue dashed line) shows the ratio of multi-year Enso events to single-year events increasing over the past 7,000 years (a ratio of 0.5 means one multi-year Enso event for every two single-year events). On the right, climate model simulations also show this ratio increasing.

    The increasing trend (blue dashed lines) of mult-year ENSO occurrence over the last 7,000 years. Ancient coral reconstructions on the left, climate model simulations on the right.
    Lu et al. (2025)/Nature

    The role of Earth’s orbit and humans

    This trend of Enso events lasting longer started gradually in the Holocene and is linked to changes in the Pacific Ocean’s thermocline, which is the boundary between warm surface waters and cooler deep waters. Over millennia, the tropical Pacific’s thermocline has become shallower and more stratified, enabling more efficient interaction between the atmosphere and ocean that allow El Niño and La Niña events to persist for longer.

    The primary driver of this stratification has been the slow change in Earth’s orbit, which alters the distribution of solar energy our planet receives. These orbital variations have subtly influenced upper ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, nudging Enso towards longer phases. This slow process has unfolded naturally, but now there’s a new and powerful force accelerating it: human-driven climate change.

    Greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly from burning fossil fuels, are turbocharging this trend. The extra heat trapped in the atmosphere and ocean is making conditions even more favourable for persistent Enso events, and possibly more intense. What was once a slow, natural evolution is now accelerating at an alarming rate. Unlike past climate shifts, this one is happening in our lifetimes, with consequences we can already see.

    The implications are staggering. If Enso events keep lasting longer, we can expect more frequent and prolonged droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, floods and back-to-back intense hurricane seasons driven by multi-year Enso. Agriculture, fisheries, water supplies and disaster response systems will face increasing strain. Coastal cities, already struggling with rising seas, could face even more destructive storm surges fuelled by extended El Niño conditions.

    This is less a scientific puzzle than a growing crisis. While we can’t change Earth’s orbit, we can cut carbon emissions, strengthen climate resilience efforts and prepare for more persistent extreme weather. The science is clear: El Niño and La Niña are sticking around longer, and their consequences will be felt across the globe. The time to act is now, before the next multi-year Enso shockwave hits.


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

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    Zhengyao Lu receives funding from the Swedish Research Council, FORMAS and the Crafoord Foundation.

    ref. Consecutive El Niños are happening more often and the result is more devastating – new research – https://theconversation.com/consecutive-el-ninos-are-happening-more-often-and-the-result-is-more-devastating-new-research-251504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/HAITI – Mirebalais: Two nuns killed by armed gangs

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 3 April 2025

    Port-au-Prince (Agenzia Fides) – Two nuns of the “Little Sisters of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus” were murdered in Mirebalais, in central Haiti, by members of armed gangs who infiltrated the area since last Monday. The Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Max Leroy Mésidor, confirmed this to local media, adding: “This is a huge loss for the community.”Sister Evanette Onezaire and Sister Jeanne Voltaire were killed on Monday when the city of Mirebalais was attacked by the “Viv Ansanm” coalition of criminal gangs. Attacks also targeted shops, police stations, and a prison, from which more than 500 inmates reportedly escaped.According to local media reports, the two nuns were working at the school in Mirebalais and had taken refuge in a house with a girl during the attacks. However, members of the armed gangs entered the building, opened fire, and killed the two nuns and all the other people present.To this day, the situation in Mirebalais remains chaotic. The government delegate to the region, Frédérique Occéan, said that the city’s streets are littered with corpses that emit a foul odor. Municipal authorities are reportedly absent, and many residents have fled.Haitian media also reported that armed gangs had also attacked the Mirebalais University Hospital in recent hours. Yesterday, thousands took to the streets in the capital to protest the deteriorating situation and the increase in gang attacks.The protests also included displaced people living in camps near Port-au-Prince, forced to flee their homes, as well as residents of the Canapé-Vert neighborhoods (where the population is fighting back against the threat of armed groups attempting to enter the area), Turgeau, Carrefour-Feuilles, Pacot, Debussy, Delmas, and neighboring areas. Haitian police used tear gas to disperse the crowd gathered in front of the “Ville d’Accueil,” the headquarters of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and the government.Last year alone, violence in Haiti left at least 5,600 dead (a thousand more than the previous year), over 2,000 injured, and approximately 1,500 kidnapped, according to the United Nations. Just hours before the outbreak of violence in Mirebalais, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, reported that between July and February, at least 4,239 people were killed and 1,356 wounded in Haiti with weapons illegally imported from abroad, despite the embargo imposed by the UN Security Council. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 3/4/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN – South Sudanese soldiers attack a Catholic church, killing a person whose body was taken away

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Juba (Agenzia Fides) – Soldiers of the South Sudanese army attacked a church, killing a parishioner and taking his body. This happened in Our Lady of Assumption Parish, in Loa, in Magwi County, in the State of Eastern Equatoria, when soldiers from a unit of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) stationed in the area attacked the church on March 26 at around 5 p.m.According to a statement from the Diocese of Torit dated April 3 and sent to Fides, “the soldiers opened fire without warning, killing one civilian and wounding another.” The bullets hit the walls and windows of the rectory.”To cover up their crime,” the statement continued, “the soldiers took the body and hid it, covering the bloodstains on the floor with earth to eliminate any evidence. To date, the whereabouts of the body remain unknown.” “During the intrusion, church staff, aid workers, and local residents were intimidated, threatened, and interrogated,” the diocese reports.Monsignor Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta, Bishop of Torit, condemns the intrusion into church property and the “grave violation of sanctity and neutrality” as well as “the safety and rights of church staff” and calls for “an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident, the identification and prosecution of the military personnel involved, as well as concrete assurances and clear protocols from the SSPDF to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.” The bishop also requests “the release of the body to the family so that a burial can take place” and “the deployment of security personnel by the State of Eastern Equatoria to protect the community of Loa, as well as a public apology to the Diocese of Torit for the attack.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 3/4/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Rio Grande Valley, federal partner investigation results in a woman admitting to smuggling firearms into Mexico

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    April 3, 2025Brownsville, TX, United StatesFirearms, Ammunition and Explosives

    BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A Georgia woman entered a guilty plea April 1 to smuggling several firearms and magazines hidden in a vehicle’s gas tank, following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    According to court documents, on Dec. 15, 2024, Mirna Luna, 38, attempted to cross at the Brownsville/Matamoros port of entry into Mexico. When she arrived to the Port of Entry, authorities had referred her to secondary inspection where they discovered 17 firearms and 27 magazines hidden in the gas tank of the Nissan car she was driving. Luna claimed ownership of the car and admitted she is the only person who drives it. She does not have a license to export firearms and has not applied for one.

    U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for July 8. At that time, Luna faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 maximum possible fine.

    She remains in custody pending sentencing.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose Esquivel and Ana Cano from the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: How the UK and Europe could respond to Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Renaud Foucart, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University

    In a carefully choreographed address from the White House Rose Garden, US president Donald Trump announced a massive package of trade tariffs. These include 20% on imports from the European Union, 24% on those from Japan, 27% for India, and 34% for China. The UK gets the lowest rate, at 10%.

    A tariff is a tax on imports, paid by producers and consumers of the importing country.

    US producers will pay more for their inputs – the things they need to produce their goods – from the rest of the world. US consumers will pay more for foreign products. But they will also pay more for US-made goods, because production costs will increase, and US producers will face higher demand from consumers seeking to substitute imports.

    Tariffs serve a role in protecting nascent industries, or in countries with limited state capacity. They may protect some strategic or politically powerful firms and workers from international competition. But mostly they just hurt everyone directly or indirectly involved.

    So what is the Trump administration trying to achieve?

    The official goal is to have a tax that is sufficiently high to reduce the trade imbalance between the US and the rest of the
    world. Every month, the US imports goods and services worth tens of billions of US dollars more than those it sells to other countries.

    Since Donald Trump returned to office, US firms have anticipated future tariffs by importing more. This has increased this deficit to a record-high of US$131 billion (£99.7 billion) in January, twice as large as it was only a year ago.

    The way the US trade deficit works is simple. US consumers buy cheap products from other countries in exchange for printing money at little cost. The trick is that the rest of the world buys US currency as a reserve of value, or to invest in US assets. This seems like the dream deal. Americans get richer and the country is flooded with investment, making it the technological centre of the world. This in turn keeps the dollar strong.

    But there is a counterpoint, increasingly prevalent in the circles that surround the US president. This dream deal is bad for US manufacturing and creates a dependency on foreign producers and investors. Crucially, it depends on the US remaining the ultimate currency in perpetuity.

    So, will Trump’s plan help him achieve his goal of reducing US imports relative to exports? Tariffs will not increase exports. But by making foreign products more expensive, they can massively decrease imports.

    In practice, this is only sustainable if the US wants to become permanently poorer. If the US economy becomes weak enough that the US dollar is not a desirable investment, it could become the factory of the world and sell cheap products, while not being able to afford what foreigners produce. This was China’s development strategy in the mid-2000s.

    Time to choose a response

    Whether this is what US citizens want to achieve is a question for them. As for the rest of the world, the time has come to decide how to react.

    The reasonable take, favoured by British prime minister Keir Starmer, is this: if tariffs are bad, adding more in retaliation will not be better.

    The UK is therefore poised not to retaliate, but to seek a trade deal with the US instead and to give Trump enough rope to climb down.

    Removing bilateral trade barriers would be good for both economies. But it would also send a message that the way to obtain concessions from the UK is to bully it. The US and everyone else will learn the lesson, and act accordingly in future.

    A deal will also end the embryonic tax collected since April 2020 on the revenues of tech giants like Amazon, Google and Meta. Given their increasing importance, such a de facto tax exemption would mean ever-increasing rates on British workers and businesses.

    The tit-for-tat path, taken by the European Commission, is to retaliate and hope that it will force the US to climb down.

    As happened during Trump’s first administration, the EU will tax a chosen subset of US products like Harley Davidson motorbikes and bourbon. But the goal is to do much more and to use the size of the EU’s single market to attack the driving force of US economic growth: its tech giants.

    The boldest tool is the new “anti-coercion instrument”, developed by the European Commission in anticipation of a second Trump mandate. This is a very slow but potentially devastating legislative process that goes as far as allowing the suspension of intellectual property rights for companies based in countries that attempt to coerce member states through economic warfare. What this could mean, in effect, is the EU choosing not to enforce international laws protecting the intellectual property of American firms.

    No password required. EU retaliation could see US tech firms powerless to fight back against piracy.
    wisely/Shutterstock

    In essence, the EU would say: if you do not respect the international order, from the rules of trade to international law and climate agreements, we do not respect your rules either. In practice, no one within the EU would be sued for pirating a Netflix show, or for creating a free clone of US software or apps, until the US returns to a more cooperative pattern of behaviour.

    The obvious problem with this approach is what to do if the US does not embrace more cooperative behaviour.

    This may lead to the most dramatic path – a reorganisation of the world order that more or less avoids the US. Chinese media have reported, for instance, that China is trying to work with US allies Korea and Japan to overcome global tariffs.

    A sort of “coalition of the willing” with a larger group of countries to recreate global cooperation seems far-fetched today. But it would end the US dollar dominance, allowing the country to balance its trade deficit. It would also take the world to uncharted economic and political territories.

    Renaud Foucart 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. How the UK and Europe could respond to Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs – https://theconversation.com/how-the-uk-and-europe-could-respond-to-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-253650

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Industrial chicken farms are trashing Britain’s rivers – and planning reforms could make things worse

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rosalind Malcolm, Professor of Environmental Law, Director of Environmental Regulatory Research Group (ERRG), University of Surrey

    Once voted the UK’s favourite river, the River Wye flows from the Welsh mountains to the Severn estuary – 150 miles through an officially recognised “national landscape”. But this idyllic picture is changing, as the river is gradually choked by waste from industrial chicken farming.

    The Wye is perhaps the most extreme example, but the nearby River Severn, the UK’s longest river, is also at risk, along with rivers in places such as Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Yorkshire.

    In the land that feeds into these rivers, millions of chickens are being reared in intensive units to supply supermarkets with cheap meat and eggs. But all those chickens produce vast amounts of manure which can end up in the rivers.

    This floods the river with excess nutrients causing algal blooms to flourish. The algae blocks out sunlight and consumes oxygen, which kills other creatures in the water. For instance the number of Atlantic salmon passing through the River Wye each year has plummeted from 50,000 in the 1960s to less than 3,000.

    The problems caused by chicken farming have led to legal action against US food company Cargill and its subsidiary Avara Foods (both firms deny the allegations). Meanwhile food outlets including Nando’s have denied sourcing their products from polluting farms.

    Described as a “dying river” in a Channel 4 News report, in 2023 the Wye’s conservation status was downgraded by Natural England to “unfavourable – declining”.

    Measures to deal with excess nutrients have led to so-called nutrient neutrality policies. These prevent new developments that would cause a net increase in nutrients. But the knock-on effect is that development (including housebuilding) may be blocked.

    Much of the River Wye flows through the English county of Herefordshire. There, the council, exasperated by the failure of these plans to reverse the decline, took the unusual step of controlling the pollution through planning laws.

    Its Minerals and Waste Local Plan declared that any new chicken farms must demonstrate that the manure would be properly managed and the project would overall be nutrient neutral. That would form part of an environmental impact assessment during the planning process.

    This was unusual because agricultural activities are not usually subject to planning control and what you do on your farm is generally regulated by non-planning statutory regimes. So, the step taken by Herefordshire Council was unusual and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) challenged it in court.

    What was also new, was the categorisation of manure as “waste”.

    Is manure ‘waste’?

    Agriculture mainly gets a pass on waste controls. Faecal matter (including chicken manure) is not treated as waste in law as long as it does not harm the environment or endanger human health, even though it is not the farmers’ primary product. A farmer breeds chickens for meat and eggs but chickens also produce manure. But that manure can still be useful as a fertiliser, for energy or as compost. So far so good. The problem comes when that by-product is not managed carefully and it ends up polluting rivers.

    So should it be defined as waste – and therefore subject to strict controls – or treated as a valuable byproduct and managed as a commodity just like the eggs?

    The answer is: it depends. Case law indicates that the test for whether the manure would be waste is whether it can harm the environment.

    In the High Court case, the NFU argued that agricultural activities should not be subject to planning controls and that manure should not be treated as “waste”. In effect its argument was that the economic endeavours of farmers should outweigh the additional environmental protections introduced by the council.

    The judge did not agree with the NFU. She said that chicken manure could indeed be waste and the council could control it through the planning regime.

    Symbolic slurry

    This is a symbolic battle between those tricky pillars of sustainable development: economy, society and environment.

    In any planning case, the elements need to be balanced and one will dominate over the others. Housing for people? Industrial development for economic growth? Industrial farming for (cheap) food? Protecting the river and its ecosystem from pollution? Every decision made represents a trade-off.

    As the courts move to prioritise protecting the environment, the UK government is favouring economic growth. Its Planning and Infrastructure Bill plans to replace individual environmental impact assessments with broad based “environmental delivery plans” produced by a government body (not the developer) but funded by developers.

    These delivery plans will set out conservation measures addressing environmental impacts of development. They might focus on protected species or habitats or on issues like nutrient neutrality.

    But there is no shortage of plans already in the government armoury. Environmental Improvement Plans were set up by a previous government. Among these, the Wyescapes landscape recovery project is aimed at developing “sustainable, future-proof business models working with nature along the floodplain”. The River Wye nutrient management plan aims to halt nutrient pollution. The River Wye action plan aims to stop the decline of the river system by making the catchment a pilot for transforming how manure is managed.

    However, as the judge in the NFU v Herefordshire Council case said, all the evidence demonstrates that these plans have so far failed to stop the decline. This left the council to implement drastic and immediate action.

    The NFU is considering an appeal. But the council’s win at the high court may be in vain when government proposals outlaw the requirement for individual environmental impact assessments.

    It remains to be seen how effective the new government ideas on protecting the environment will be. For now, it appears that anything that blocks development is not a government priority.


    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 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.


    Rosalind Malcolm 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. Industrial chicken farms are trashing Britain’s rivers – and planning reforms could make things worse – https://theconversation.com/industrial-chicken-farms-are-trashing-britains-rivers-and-planning-reforms-could-make-things-worse-253463

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why is Israel expanding its offensive in Gaza and what does it mean for the Middle East? Expert Q&A

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin

    Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza in March, blaming Hamas for rejecting a new US proposal to extend the ceasefire and free the remaining hostages. Since then, the Israeli military has launched waves of airstrikes on the besieged territory, killing hundreds of Palestinians and forcing many more to evacuate.

    Israel now says it is expanding its offensive. In a video statement released on April 2, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the Israeli military had “shifted gears” in the Gaza Strip, “seizing territory, hitting the terrorists and destroying the infrastructure”. Earlier that day, his defence minister, Israel Katz, had announced that troops would “seize extensive territory” in Gaza for “security zones”.

    We asked Scott Lucas, an expert in the Middle East conflict at University College Dublin, to explain the key issues that led to the renewed offensive and what the prospects are for Gaza.

    Was a new ground offensive always on the cards, even with the ceasefire in place?

    The Netanyahu government’s resumption of the ground offensive in Gaza was almost inevitable once it refused to move from phase one of the ceasefire, which involved the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, to phase two.

    A second phase was never going to be agreed by Netanyahu. Beyond his personal opposition to the requisite Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, powerful hard-right ministers in his government had made clear that their acceptance of phase one was conditioned on no phase two and on a return to military operations.

    But with no phase two, the requirement for a functioning government in the Strip has been abandoned, even as Hamas remains.

    So Israel either had to maintain its “open-ended” war in Gaza of bombing without end, or establish an occupation of at least part of the besieged territory. That suits the hard right and those officials who had always favoured an Israeli military government in the area.

    Does Netanyahu care about the legality of what he’s doing?

    Netanyahu cares about his political and legal survival. Throughout the 18-month-long Israeli assault, I have said that if Netanyahu stops without achieving his stated goal of “destroying” Hamas and returning the hostages, he faces early elections and his trial on bribery charges.

    It is therefore in his interests to hesitate, waver and confuse. That is still true today. So, amid the demands by the hard right, Netanyahu has to maintain his government with the claim that he has established “security” through indefinite occupation.

    Can he sell this to the Israeli public?

    That’s the big question. At this point, Netanyahu can only be stopped from within Israel, not from outside it.

    A portion of the Israeli public will continue to support the war. Some will support occupation in lieu of a war. Some even back the hard-right’s goal of “cleansing” Gaza of its residents.

    But others will see this move as Netanyahu abandoning the priority of securing the return of the 59 hostages who are still held in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents most captives’ relatives, fear that the decision to resume the war has put the hostages at possibly grave risk.

    In a statement, the group said it was “horrified” to wake up to “the defence minister’s announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza”. “Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home – the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial – and end this war.”

    The problem for Netanyahu is that 70% of Israelis, whatever their position on the war, say that they do not trust his government. Even among voters who support the coalition, only 51% have faith in it, and 36% do not.

    Almost 70% of respondents want a return of all the hostages in return for an end to the war. And just over 20% favour a continued assault as the priority.

    Where is the Trump White House in all this?

    Fully supporting the Netanyahu government. In October, Donald Trump told Netanyahu in a phone call: “Bibi, do what you have to do.” This effectively gave Netanyahu a blank cheque to pursue the destruction of Hamas in Gaza once Trump returned to the White House.

    There was a brief interlude when Trump took full credit for the limited truce between Israel and Hamas in January. Through his envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, Trump pressed Netanyahu to accept a deal.

    But once phase one of the ceasefire had dissolved, Trump and his officials were going to be fully behind the resumption of Israel’s assault on Hamas, with the highest price to be paid by the Gazan people.

    Trump posted a “last warning” to Hamas in early March via his Truth Social platform: “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”

    He added: “Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.”

    What about the Arab states?

    When Israel renewed airstrikes in mid-March, Saudi Arabia stressed “the urgent need for an immediate cessation of Israeli killings, violence and destruction, as well as the protection of Palestinian civilians from the unjust Israeli war machine.” Jordan denounced the “extremely dangerous step”.

    Egypt concentrated on trying to revive the ceasefire process and other states, such as the United Arab Emirates remained silent – a reticence that has continued as the Netanyahu government announced the resumption of the ground offensive.

    Even if the Arab states wanted to get involved beyond rhetorical tut-tutting, I am not sure what they can do to check the Israelis.

    Resisting occupation would have to be done either through the backing of Hamas’s resistance or through the establishment of an alternative administration. The former is anathema to most Arab states, and there is no prospect of the latter.

    Scott Lucas 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 is Israel expanding its offensive in Gaza and what does it mean for the Middle East? Expert Q&A – https://theconversation.com/why-is-israel-expanding-its-offensive-in-gaza-and-what-does-it-mean-for-the-middle-east-expert-qanda-253667

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Rep. Castor Statement on Trump’s Wallet-Busting Tariffs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

    TAMPA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s shocking misunderstanding of tariffs:

    “The President doesn’t seem to understand the economic squeeze families and small business owners are grappling with – and now his costly tariff scheme will make life more expensive for everyone.

    “It’s a real kick in the teeth for Tampa Bay neighbors rebuilding from the hurricanes, as the cost of lumber and drywall will surge. The price of groceries, clothing, and cars will skyrocket under Trump’s taxes on everyday Americans. 

    “It’s painful, unwise, and it could throw America into a recession. 

    “Tampa Bay area businesses, particularly those involved in imports and exports at Port Tampa Bay, should brace for higher costs and volatile supply chains.

    “Instead of imposing costly tariffs, Trump should be working with partners and allies in a bipartisan way to lower costs. Yet, everything he has done since his inauguration has driven up the cost of living and taken a hatchet to retirement accounts and savings.”

    MIL OSI USA News