NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Condemn Trump Administration’s Gutting of Education Department

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
    Senators to Education Secretary: “We will not stand by as you attempt to turn back the clock on education in this country”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Trump and Elon Musk attack public education in America by closing offices and laying off 1,300 workers at the Department of Education, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined 36 Democratic colleagues in expressing outrage at the Administration’s reckless and illegal firing of half of the workforce at the U.S. Department of Education, which will cripple America’s education system and impact students in California and across the country.
    California’s public education system, supported by the Department of Education, is the largest in the country. There are about 10,000 public schools in California serving over 5.8 million students. If the Department is dismantled, the nearly $8 billion in federal funding that California receives annually to support low-income students, students with disabilities, and more could be at risk. California also has the most extensive higher education system in the nation, including the largest number of Pell Grant recipients who rely on Education Department staff to help them attend college. Abolishing the Department of Education would have devastating impacts on California schools, students, faculty, communities, and the economy.
    “At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when 60 percent of people live paycheck to paycheck, millions of Americans cannot afford higher education, and 40 percent of our nation’s 4th graders and 33 percent of 8th graders read below basic proficiency, it is a national disgrace that the Trump Administration is attempting to illegally abolish the Department of Education and thus, undermine a high-quality education for our students,” wrote the Senators.
    The Senators noted that these layoffs and closures will have devastating effects on the nation’s students, including by limiting the Department’s ability to guarantee that federal funding reaches communities that rely on it, ensure students can access federal financial aid, and uphold students’ civil rights. Not even 24 hours after the staff reductions were announced, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) experienced a glitch that prevented students and families from accessing the application. Education Department workers responsible for fixing it had reportedly been fired.
    “[The layoffs] would also mean decreased enforcement of rights for children with disabilities and fewer resources for students from low-income backgrounds and children with disabilities, like the 26 million students from low-income backgrounds and over 100,000 public schools in every community across this country that rely on Title I funding; the 7.5 million students with disabilities who benefit under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the 7 million students who receive Pell grants to help access higher education,” continued the Senators.
    “We will not stand by as you attempt to turn back the clock on education in this country through gutting the Department of Education,” concluded the Senators. “Our nation’s public schools, colleges, and universities are preparing the next generation of America’s leaders—we must take steps to strengthen education in this country, not take a wrecking ball to the agency that exists to do so.”
    California, 19 other states, and Washington, D.C. have sued the Trump Administration for these reckless cuts and are pushing a federal judge to reinstate the 1,300 fired Education Department workers.
    The letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was led by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. In addition to Padilla, Schiff, and Sanders, the letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    Last month, Senator Padilla blasted President Trump’s nomination of Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education, underscoring the enormous threat the Trump Administration poses to the education of millions of students in California and across the country. Senator Padilla joined Senator Warren and his Senate colleagues in launching a probe into reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) infiltrated the Department of Education and gained access to federal student loan data, which includes millions of borrowers’ personal information. The Senators sent a follow-up letter raising concerns about the Department of Education’s “woefully inadequate,” “misleading” response to their inquiry.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary McMahon:
    We write to express our outrage that you, President Trump, and unelected billionaire Elon Musk are taking steps to abolish the Department of Education (“the Department”) and eliminate educational opportunities for millions of students across the country, something that 61 percent of Americans oppose. This most recently includes a 50 percent cut to the workforce, resulting in the termination of over 1,300 workers at the Department of Education, as well as the abrupt, last minute closure of all Department of Education buildings beginning at 6:00 PM on the same day that these terminations were announced.
    At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when 60 percent of people live paycheck to paycheck, millions of Americans cannot afford higher education, and 40 percent of our nation’s 4th graders and 33 percent of 8th graders read below basic proficiency,3 it is a national disgrace that the Trump Administration is attempting to illegally abolish the Department of Education and thus, undermine a high-quality education for our students.
    As Secretary of Education, you are the foremost public servant responsible for carrying out the Department of Education’s mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Despite that responsibility, your first act as Secretary was announcing it was your “final mission” to dismantle the Department of Education, fire the public servants who keep it running, and terminate opportunities for students in public schools, colleges, and universities across the country.
    The false claims of financial savings by dismantling the Department of Education so that billionaires can receive huge tax breaks is bad public policy and morally reprehensible. The billionaires that are in charge of our federal government right now will not be harmed by these egregious attacks: wealthy families sending their children to elite, private schools will still be able to get a quality education even if every public school disappears in this country. But for working-class families, high-quality public education is an opportunity they rely on for their children to have a path to do well in life.
    Defunding federal support for public education would result in either higher property taxes or decreased funding for public schools, including in rural areas. It would also mean decreased enforcement of rights for children with disabilities and fewer resources for students from low-income backgrounds and children with disabilities, like the 26 million students from low-income backgrounds and over 100,000 public schools in every community across this country that rely on Title I funding; the 7.5 million students with disabilities who benefit under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the 7 million students who receive Pell grants to help access higher education.
    It is undeniable that terminating 50 percent of the Department of Education’s workers will have harmful effects on public education in this country. The Department of Education already has the smallest staff of the 15 Cabinet agencies despite having the third largest discretionary budget, behind only the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services. These reductions will have devastating impacts on our nation’s students and we are deeply concerned that without staff, the Department will be unable to fulfill critical functions, such as ensuring students can access federal financial aid, upholding students’ civil rights, and guaranteeing that federal funding reaches communities promptly and is well-spent. Not even 24 hours after the staff reductions were announced, the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) experienced a glitch that prevented students and families from accessing the application, but the staff normally responsible for fixing those errors had reportedly been cut. The Department has also reportedly shuttered several regional offices responsible for investigating potential violations of students’ civil rights in local schools. We are deeply alarmed that cases will go uninvestigated and that students will be left in unsafe learning environments as a result.
    The Trump Administration also says it wants to ‘return education back to the states.’ Let us be very clear—public education is already run by states and local school boards. While just 11 percent of public education is federally funded, the Department of Education has a necessary and irreplaceable responsibility to implement federal laws that ensure equal opportunity for all children in this country. These laws guarantee fundamental protections, such as ensuring that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, that students from low-income backgrounds and students of color will not be disproportionately taught by less experienced and qualified teachers, and that parents will receive information about their child’s academic achievement.
    Without the Department of Education, there is no guarantee that states would uphold students’ civil and educational rights. Let us not forget that it was federal troops who protected the “Little Rock Nine” from a violent mob of segregationists when they integrated Central High School in the wake of the Brown v. Board U.S. Supreme Court decision. Not only was the state not going to provide this protection, but it was then-Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus who ordered the state’s National Guard to bar Black students from entering the school. Even today, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights regularly investigates and resolves complaints of student discrimination related to students’ race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability status.
    We will not stand by as you attempt to turn back the clock on education in this country through gutting the Department of Education. Our nation’s public schools, colleges, and universities are preparing the next generation of America’s leaders—we must take steps to strengthen education in this country, not take a wrecking ball to the agency that exists to do so.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Immigration Violation Charges for the Northern District of Ohio

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLEVELAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced that federal grand juries in the Northern District of Ohio have returned indictments for the following individuals on charges of immigration law violations. These are separate and unrelated cases filed during the months of January and February 2025.

    Yeixon Brito-Gonzalez, aka Yiexon Maikenedy Brito-Gonzalez, 21, a citizen of Venezuela, was indicted on two counts of possession of a fraudulent identification document. He possessed counterfeit Legal Permanent Resident and Social Security cards. Brito-Gonzalez was arrested Jan. 30, 2025, in Sandusky, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Sandusky Bay Station.

    Juan A. Cabrera-Claros, 42, a citizen of El Salvador, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States. He has been previously removed three times: July 13, 2011; Nov. 23, 2011; and Feb. 22, 2013. Cabrera-Claros was arrested Feb. 15, 2025, in South Euclid, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Mardoqueo Hernandez-Gomez, aka, Gabino Toj-Chac, 31, a citizen of Guatemala, was indicted on one charge of making a false claim of citizenship to obtain a federal or state benefit, and one count of misuse of a Social Security number. On April 17, 2023, the defendant is alleged to have attempted to obtain an Ohio Driver’s License by providing a Social Security card issued to another individual. Hernandez-Gomez was arrested Jan. 16, 2025, in the state of Kansas. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by CPB Sandusky Bay Station.

    Angel Baltazar Lux-Santay, 32, a citizen of Guatemala, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States after having previously been removed on Sept. 12, 2019 and Jan. 20, 2020. Lux-Santay was arrested in Ashland County, Ohio, on Feb. 2, 2025. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ICE.

    Jorge Marrero-Padilla, 36, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States. He has been previously removed four times: July 9, 2008; June 29, 2010; Nov. 13, 2010; and Dec. 26, 2012. Marrero-Padilla was arrested in Painesville, Ohio, on Jan. 15, 2025. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ICE.

    Raul Montes-Rodriguez, 52, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States after having been removed twice from the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2014 and April 23, 2013. Montes-Rodriguez was arrested Jan. 29, 2025 in Lorain, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by CPB Sandusky Bay Station.

    Alando Roach, 24, a citizen of Jamaica, was charged with being an undocumented alien in possession of a firearm. Roach was arrested March 3, 2025, in Youngstown, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and ICE.

    Mariano Tomas-Aguilar, 44, a citizen of Guatemala, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States. He was previously removed from the U.S. five times: Aug. 14, 2008; Sept. 8, 2009; Oct. 26, 2018; Feb. 19, 2019; and March 12, 2020. Tomas-Aguilar was arrested Dec. 9, 2024, in Eastlake, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ICE.

    An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

    A team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the USAO’s criminal division are prosecuting these cases.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Smoking Marijuana in a Parked Car Leads to 6-Year Sentence for Massachusetts Felon Found with a Gun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jermaine Gillespie was subject to bail conditions when officers encountered him in a Biddeford parking lot

    PORTLAND, Maine: A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

    U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Jermaine Gillespie, 31, to 72 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Gillespie pleaded guilty on August 26, 2024.

    According to court records, in September 2022, Biddeford police officers responded to a report that an individual was smoking marijuana in a parked vehicle. Responding officers identified Gillespie and learned that he had existing bail conditions that prohibited the use or possession of marijuana. After a search of the vehicle, the officers recovered a 9 mm pistol. Gillespie is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his conviction history which includes a 2013 conviction in Massachusetts for assault and battery with serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a dangerous weapon.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the Biddeford Police Department.

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

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Mexican national guilty of federal immigration and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Nacogdoches, has pleaded guilty to federal immigration and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Joel Bustamante Moreno, 25, pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry by a deported alien and unlawful possession of a machine gun before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on March 18, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, on February 1, 2024, Moreno was arrested after selling multiple firearms, including a 9mm pistol equipped with a machine gun conversion device, also known as a Glock switch.  Machine gun conversion devices are devices that once affixed to a pistol make the pistol capable of firing automatically by a single trigger pull. These devices allow a pistol to operate as a machine gun. After the purchase, law enforcement attempted to arrest Moreno as he fled the scene in his vehicle.  Moreno wrecked the vehicle and fled on foot to a residence where he was arrested.  Moreno had been previously deported in 2019 and 2020 and did not have permission to be in the United States.

    Moreno was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 20, 2024.  Moreno faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Nacogdoches Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Norman Man Sentenced to Serve 18 Months in Federal Prison after Tossing Molotov Cocktail at Norman Business

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, TIM RIXT BRENS, 31, of Norman, was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison for possession of an illegal Molotov cocktail, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    On October 1, 2024, a federal Grand Jury charged Brens with possession of an unregistered destructive device, a Molotov cocktail. According to public record, on May 16, 2024, a crew with the Norman Fire Department (NFD) responded to a reported grass fire in the city. On scene, NFD observed a grass fire that had partially burned a building belonging to a towing and recovery business. NFD crews extinguished the fire and located evidence that indicated the fire was started by a Molotov cocktail. NFD reviewed surveillance footage taken from a business across the street, and observed an individual arrive in a black sports car, get out of the vehicle, and toss a Molotov cocktail at the building before fleeing in the car. An investigation into the vehicle led authorities to Brens. NFD authorities learned that Brens had another vehicle which had recently been towed to the business, that Brens was angry at the amount of money the business required to retrieve his vehicle, and that the vehicle had been sold by the towing company. 

    On November 26, 2024, Brens pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing the illegal Molotov cocktail.

    At the sentencing hearing today, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Brens to serve 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Russell noted that the circumstances of the crime were dangerous and could have resulted in far more extensive damage than was ultimately caused. The judge then emphasized the need to promote deterrence to those who might engage in similar activity and highlighted the need to promote respect for the rule of law.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Norman Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stan J. West and Daniel Gridley prosecuted the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Road Rage Shooting Lands Oklahoma County Man in Federal Prison for More Than Seven Years for Illegal Firearm Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – JESUS FLORES, 42, of Oklahoma County, has been sentenced to serve 92 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    According to public record, on May 30, 2024, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a reported assault. Officers learned a driver, later identified as Flores, had been cut off on the highway while driving. Flores chased down the car that cut him off and shot the driver in the head, though the victim recovered from their injuries. Officers later recovered two firearms in Flores’s child’s diaper bag. On September 5, 2024, a federal Grand Jury charged Flores with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    Public record further reflects that Flores has a lengthy criminal history, with previous felony charges in the California Superior Court that include carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner.

    On December 17, 2024, Flores pleaded guilty and admitted he knowingly possessed two firearms despite his criminal record.

    At the sentencing hearing on March 17, 2025, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Flores to serve 92 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Russell noted the need to protect the public from further crimes by Flores.

    This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Hutzell prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of “Operation 922” and Operation “Shots Fired,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. “Operation 922” prioritizes prosecution of federal firearms violations connected to domestic violence. “Shots Fired” targets cases involving individuals who discharge firearms as part of their criminal activity, such as drive-by shootings or when shots are fired during robberies, domestic disputes, or other incidents. 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: Beaumont felon guilty of federal firearms violation

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

    BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Cydney James Dorsey, 23, pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a prohibited person before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on March 18, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, on September 8, 2024, at approximately 3:30 a.m., law enforcement officers responded to the parking lot of SNS grocery store on Concord Avenue in Beaumont as a large crowd had gathered and refused to leave.  As police attempted to dispel the crowd, Dorsey ran from them, and in the process, discarded a firearm.  Dorsey was apprehended carrying a bag that had a magazine with ammunition.  Further investigation revealed Dorsey had a previous felony conviction which prohibited him from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. 

    Dorsey was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 6, 2024.  Dorsey faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stand Up for Palestine: A Call to Action Against Israels Treacherous Attack

    Source: Te Pati Maori

    At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept.

    Many of them were children.

    This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza.

    Israel deliberately targeted densely populated areas, schools, homes, and shelters for displaced people in the middle of a ceasefire.

    Donald Trump, who claims credit for the ceasefire, was consulted ahead of this attack. Neither Israel nor the United States have provided any justification for their actions.

    “This was a clearly premeditated act of terrorism on people who are trying to piece their shattered lives back together during ceasefire,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and Human Rights spokesperson Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

    “Israel had no intention of honouring ceasefire. If they were capable of honour, we would not be in this situation to begin with.

    “A genocide is being live-streamed, and we are allowing it to happen. It is unforgivable.

    “History will judge all of us on where we stood today,” Ngarewa-Packer said.  

    “Donald Trump has openly called for the ethnic cleansing and colonisation of Gaza by the United States, and our spineless Prime Minister backs him,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Rawiri Waititi.

    “These people do not care, and they do not listen.

    “If they will not hear us, we need to make them feel us,” Waititi said.

    We are once again calling on te iwi Māori to stand up for Palestine.

    Hit the streets and join in the global call for action.

    Educate your whānau on who to boycott and who to support. Do not give one more dollar or click to Zionism.

    We must ramp up our efforts. The time for asking is over.

    Free Palestine.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: GAZA – Gaza airstrikes: Largest single-day child death toll in last year – UNICEF

    Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

    The airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on March 18 represent the largest single-day child death toll in the region in the last year, with over 130 children reportedly killed.  Hundreds of people – families and children – have died and many others have been injured.  It is horrifying to consider a resumption in fighting in the Gaza Strip. UNICEF urges all parties to reinstate the ceasefire immediately.  There is, again, nowhere safe, in the Gaza Strip. One million children, traumatized by more than 15 months of war, are plunged back into fear and hell today. The ceasefire must be reinstated and sustained, all hostages must be released and reunited with their families, and international humanitarian law must be respected, including allowing humanitarian aid in immediately.  The lives of one million children are at stake.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Further EU action regarding high-risk fireworks – E-003029/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission shares the concern about the increasing and often severe accidents with pyrotechnic articles, many of which involve illegal and criminal use of fireworks. The Commission is currently evaluating the Pyrotechnics Directive[1] to identify any shortcomings. Following this evaluation, a decision might be taken to revise the directive after assessing the respective impacts of possible ways of amending the directive.

    2. The Commission is closely following the implementation of the recently introduced Pyro-Pass in Benelux as a possible means to improve legal trade of pyrotechnic articles. The EU-wide introduction of such system may be considered for the revision of the EU rules.

    3. The evaluation of the Pyrotechnics Directive is still ongoing. The conclusions are expected to be published in second quarter 2025. As regards potential legislative follow-up measures, please see the reply to the first question. In addition, the Commission has launched a study to assess the feasibility of the potential options to tackle the growing security problems posed by the criminal misuse of pyrotechnic articles which aims to provide a more detailed picture of the security issues linked to pyrotechnic articles. To note that the criminal misuse of pyrotechnic articles is also at the attention of Europol.

    • [1] Directive 2013/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pyrotechnic articles, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/29/oj
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ must act on Israel’s slaughter of children

    Source: Green Party

    The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza.

    “Aotearoa New Zealand cannot remain a bystander to the slaughter of innocent people in Gaza. We can and must act now to sanction Israel for its crimes, just like we did with Russia for its illegal action in Ukraine,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. 

    “With Green, Te Pāti Māori and Labour’s committed support, we now need just six of 68 Government MPs to pass my Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill into law.

    “In just the last 24 hours, Israel’s strikes on Gaza have killed at least 400 people, mostly children and women, and left many more injured.

    “There’s no more time for talk. If we stand for human rights and peace and justice, our Parliament must act.

    “In September, Aotearoa joined 123 UN Member States to support a resolution calling for sanctions against those responsible for Israel’s ‘unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence.’

    “Our Government has since done nothing to fulfil that commitment. Our Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill starts that very basic process.

    “No party leader or whip can stop a Member of Parliament exercising their democratic right to vote how they know they need to on this Bill. There is no more hiding behind party lines. All 123 Members of Parliament are each individually, personally responsible,” says Chlöe Swarbrick. 

    NOTES TO EDITORS:

    • Palestinian authorities reported that 404 people were killed and over 600 people injured in yesterday’s airstrikes by Israel. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, the airstrikes in Gaza City, Khan Younis, Deir Al-Balah and Rafah wiped out entire families.
    • Israeli military officials said the IDF targeted Hamas military commanders and political officials. However, Save the Children reported that most of those killed in the airstrikes were women and children.
    • In recent weeks of the ceasefire, Israel had cut off power to Gaza, and enforced a total siege on the entry of aid and supplies into the territory for Palestinian communities already facing starvation and illness.
    • The attacks by Israel take place during the holy month of Ramadhan, an important month in the Muslim calendar. 
    • At least 48,577 Palestinians have been killed, and 112,041 wounded, throughout Israel’s war on Gaza.
    • Elsewhere in Palestinian territory, 43 Palestinian children have been killed in the West Bank since last October, a spike of nearly 250%, according to UNICEF.
    • Standing Order 288 outlines the process for Member’s Bills to bypass the member’s bill ballot (colloquially known as the ‘biscuit tin’), with the support of 61 non-executive members. With 55 Opposition members now officially in support of Swarbrick’s Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill, the support of just 6 Government MPs is necessary to get the Bill onto the floor of Parliament. 
    • On 10th December 2024, Swarbrick wrote to all Members of Parliament asking their support for the Bill to bypass the ballot, and later asked the Prime Minister in the House if there would be any Government policy or position preventing MPs from exercising their democratic right to support the Bill bypassing the ballot. He said that he would have a “good look at the Bill”.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ food price inflation improving, but prices skyrocket for poor nations – WorldVision

    Source: World Vision

     

    • Food price inflation for ten basic food items has improved in New Zealand from a 56% rise in 2023 to an 18% drop in 2024
    • It takes 2.4 hours to pay for a basic food basket in NZ and 1.7 hours in Australia.  This compares with 47 days in Barundi and 20 days in Sudan.
    • There is growing global inequality in food access with food price inflation disproportionately affecting low-income nations.
    • Wealthier nations need to commit to funding emergency food aid and humanitarian aid.

     

     A new report on food price inflation shows basic food items are now more affordable in New Zealand, but reveals devastating increases for some of the world’s poorest countries, including Sudan, Burundi, and Timor Leste. 

     

    World Vision’s annual Price Shocks Report examines food price inflation in 77 countries for ten common food items, including rice, bananas, chicken, tomatoes, eggs, milk, and oil, and compares these with prices a year ago.

     

    The 2025 report finds that food prices dropped 18% in New Zealand in 2024, compared with a 56% increase for the same basic food items in 2023.  The average New Zealander would have to work for 2.4 hours to pay for the ten common food items.  This compares with three hours in 2023.

     

    However, while food price inflation has improved in more wealthy nations, such as New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, Ireland and the United States, it has dramatically worsened for many of the world’s poorest countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. 

     

    In 16 countries in this year’s study, it would take more than one week of work to earn enough money to pay for World Vision’s standard food basket.

     

    These countries, such as Sudan, Chad, Somalia, and Burundi are united in facing climate and environmental extremes, along with armed conflict, political instability and massive population displacement.

     

    World Vision Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, says the report highlights the urgent need for adequate funding for emergency food aid.

     

    “This report is released in turbulent and uncertain times and the findings emphasise the need for urgent action to sustain global food systems and prevent the agonising impacts of hunger.

     

    “This requires interventions to address the root causes of hunger, but it also demands that we fund and deliver adequate emergency food aid. 

     

    “Sadly, we know that humanitarian funding for food security programming is expected to fall far short of the target to address predicted needs in 2025, and that means millions will go hungry due a deficit of political will and resources.  It doesn’t have to be this way,” she says. 

     

    World Vision is calling on the New Zealand government to make a strong commitment to support humanitarian food aid, climate adaptation, and global hunger responses — especially within the Asia-Pacific region, where communities are particularly vulnerable to climate and economic shocks. 

     

    Armstrong says in addition to saving millions of lives, emergency food aid and cash grants for food are one of the key ways to avoid greater political unrest around the world.

     

    “Food insecurity is an indicator of wider instability, but it also contributes to political unrest, conflict, economic stagnation and delays in development.  Addressing food security is a proven method to help create a safer and more secure world for everyone,” she says. 

     

    Armstrong says in 2024, only 47% of required humanitarian food assistance was funded leaving millions without support.

     

    She says the Rohingya crisis, the ongoing war in Sudan, prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa and cyclones in the Pacific all contribute to conditions that exacerbate hunger.

     

    “We are at a breaking point.  Governments and the global community need to fulfil the commitments they have made and act now to scale up food aid, support smallholder farmers and invest in long-term solutions to prevent millions more from falling into famine.”

     

    New Zealanders who want to support emergency food aid can give here: wvnz.org.nz/wfp

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Invites Media to View Wildland Fire Technology Flight Test

    Source: NASA

    NASA will conduct a live flight test of aircraft performing simulated wildland fire response operations using a newly developed airspace management system at 9 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, March 25, in Salinas, California.
    NASA’s new portable airspace management system, part of the agency’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project, aims to significantly expand the window of time crews have to respond to wildland fires. The system provides the air traffic awareness needed to safely send aircraft – including drones and remotely piloted helicopters – into wildland fire operations, even during low-visibility conditions. Current aerial firefighting operations are limited to times when pilots have clear visibility, which lowers the risk of flying into the surrounding terrain or colliding with other aircraft. This restriction grounds most aircraft at night and during periods of heavy smoke.
    During this inaugural flight test, researchers will use the airspace management system to coordinate the flight operations of two small drones, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and a remotely piloted aircraft that will have a backup pilot aboard. The drones and aircraft will execute examples of critical tasks for wildland fire management, including weather data sharing, simulated aerial ignition flights, and communications relay.
    Media interested in viewing the ACERO flight testing must RSVP by 4 p.m. Friday, March 21, to the NASA Ames Office of Communications by email at: arc-dl-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov or by phone at 650-604-4789. NASA will release additional details, including address and arrival logistics, to media credentialed for the event. A copy of NASA’s media accreditation policy is online.
    NASA’s ACERO researchers will use data from the flight test to refine the airspace management system. The project aims to eventually provide this technology to wildland fire crews for use in the field, helping to save lives and property. This project is managed at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.
    For more information on ACERO, visit:
    https://go.nasa.gov/4bYEzsD
    -end-
    Rob MargettaHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600robert.j.margetta@nasa.gov
    Hillary SmithAmes Research Center, Silicon Valley650-604-4789hillary.smith@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Mitigation Experts Offer Rebuilding Advice in Manatee County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Mitigation Experts Offer Rebuilding Advice in Manatee County

    FEMA Mitigation Experts Offer Rebuilding Advice in Manatee County

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla

    – As Floridians rebuild, survivors of Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby can get free advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms

    FEMA mitigation specialists will be available to answer questions and offer free home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters

    This information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors

    FEMA specialists will be available from March 18 through March 29 from 7:30 a

    m

    to 5:00 p

    m

    ET, Monday – Friday and on Saturday from 7:30 a

    m

    to 1:00 p

    m

    ET, at the following location:Manatee County: Lowes, 7395 52nd Place East, Bradenton, FL 34203Mitigation is an effort to reduce the loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of a disaster through   construction and remodeling best practices

    An insurance specialist will be present to answer National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) questions

    Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will also be on hand to provide updates on FEMA applications and answer questions

    Stay in Touch with FEMAIt is important to let FEMA know about any changes to your contact information

     You may update contact information or check on the status of your application by:Visiting DisasterAssistance

    govCalling FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)Using the FEMA app###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters

    Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account

    Also, follow on X FEMA_Cam

     For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready

    gov, on Instagram @Ready

    gov or on the Ready Facebook page

      
    lindsay

    tozer
    Tue, 03/18/2025 – 14:31

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Observing Storms from Skylab

    Source: NASA

    Skylab 3 astronauts witnessed many spectacular sights during their 858 orbital trips around the Earth in the summer of 1973. One involved watching powerful Hurricane Ellen take shape off the West African coast. “There’s a nice storm down there. She looks pretty big. She’s got a lot of clouds,” said astronaut Alan L. Bean upon viewing the storm from Skylab’s low-Earth orbit.
    Knowing they were witnessing something of interest to meteorologists on Earth, Bean and his fellow Skylab crew members captured stereo photographs of the storm using cameras aboard the space station. Meteorologists later used these images, which provided three-dimensional data, to help them understand how the clouds in tropical systems formed and functioned.

    Like the Skylab 3 crew’s photographs of Hurricane Ellen, the lightning observations of Skylab 4 astronaut Edward G. Gibson were also used by meteorologists to understand regional weather phenomena. While gazing down at a storm over South America’s Andes Mountains, Gibson noted that the thunderstorm he observed generated recognizable lightning patterns over a 500-square-mile region.
    “A few things impressed me here: one is the fact that they could go off simultaneously or near simultaneously over a large distance—sympathetic lightning bolts, if you will, analogous to sympathetic flares on the sun. And that we do get periods of calm between periods of very high activity. Some sort of collective phenomenon appears to be at work,” Gibson recalled.

    The photographs of Hurricane Ellen and Gibson’s notes about lightning patterns are just two of many valuable meteorological observations and recordings astronauts made during Skylab’s three crewed missions. All told, astronaut-conducted Earth studies provided important regional, also known as mesoscale, weather data that improved storm forecasting.
    Along with providing valuable data to meteorologists, the notable findings of the Skylab astronauts supported the argument of the era’s scientists and mission planners who insisted that there was no adequate replacement for intelligent human observers in space.
    Perhaps the authors of Living and Working in Space: A History of Skylab  put it best when they wrote: “Man’s ability to discriminate, to select the important features of a wide vista, and to respond effectively to unexpected events constituted his greatest contribution to orbital investigations.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Estill County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Estill County

    Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Estill County

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    –A Disaster Recovery Center will open tomorrow, March 18, in Estill County

    Disaster Recovery Centers, operated by the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management and FEMA, offer in-person support to survivors in declared counties as the result of severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides from February

      FEMA representatives can explain available assistance programs, how to apply to FEMA, and help connect survivors with resources for their recovery needs

    The deadline to apply for federal assistance is April 25

    Address: City of Irvine City Hall, 101 Chestnut St

    , Irvine, KY 40336Hours: 7 a

    m

    to 7 p

    m

    EDT Monday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p

    m

    EDT on SundaysMore Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to open in the counties eligible for disaster assistance

     In addition to FEMA personnel, representatives from the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance, the Kentucky Department of Insurance and the U

    S

    Small Business Administration (SBA) will be available at the recovery centers to assist survivors

    If you are unable to visit the center, there are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance

    gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362

    If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service

    When you apply, you will need to provide:A current phone number where you can be contacted

    Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

    Your Social Security Number

    A general list of damage and losses

    Banking information if you choose direct deposit

    If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

    For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube

    com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw

    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4860

    Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

    com/femaregion4

    martyce

    allenjr
    Tue, 03/18/2025 – 13:02

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Buren County Residents Invited to Review Flood Maps

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Van Buren County Residents Invited to Review Flood Maps

    Van Buren County Residents Invited to Review Flood Maps

    CHICAGO — Preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in Van Buren County

    Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements

    Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the 90-day appeal and comment period

    The 90-day appeal period will begin on or around March 20, 2025

    The preliminary maps and changes from current maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: msc

    fema

    gov/fmcv

    The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state, and FEMA officials

    Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments

    Contact your local floodplain administrator to do so

    Appeals must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim

    Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress

    If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information, such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary, they can submit a written comment

    The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals

    Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps

     For more information about the flood maps: Use a live chat service about flood maps at go

    usa

    gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon during operating hours)

    Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone toll-free at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema

    dhs

    gov

      Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding

    Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting www

    FloodSmart

    gov

     For more information, contact the FEMA Mapping Team at FEMA-R5-MAP@fema

    dhs

    gov

     
    kimberly

    keblish
    Tue, 03/18/2025 – 13:08

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: How to Help After February Severe Storms and Floods

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: How to Help After February Severe Storms and Floods

    How to Help After February Severe Storms and Floods

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    – Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating to help those affected by the February severe storms and floods

    Local and national Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs) provide emergency assistance to survivors

    Those seeking to donate to the recovery efforts can do so by visiting Kentucky VOAD – Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

    Cash donations allow these organizations to address urgent or emerging needs quickly

    When you donate cash, it also moves through the economy of the affected areas

    Supplies are purchased from local sources and local people are paid to help rebuild

     This type of cash flow helps the economy recover more quickly

    While you may wish to donate in other ways, cash is always best

    Unsolicited goods may fail to meet the needs of disaster survivors

    Sending other donations to affected areas can also complicate the jobs of staff, who now must sort through these unsolicited goods instead of helping the community

    Check to see what might be needed and where before you send supplies

     Visit Volunteer and Donate | FEMA

    gov to find out how you can help disaster survivors

    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4860

    Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

    com/femaregion4

    martyce

    allenjr
    Tue, 03/18/2025 – 20:45

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Israel/OPT: Israeli air strikes kill over 400 Palestinians across Gaza in unilateral resumption of mass attacks

    Source: Amnesty International –

    ‘The world cannot stand by and allow Israel to continue inflicting staggering levels of death and suffering on Palestinians in Gaza’ – Agnes Callamard

    Responding to a series of Israeli strikes across the occupied Gaza Strip overnight which killed at least 414 Palestinians, including 174 children, and hospitalised over 550 more, signalling a unilateral end to the truce with Hamas, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said:

     

    “Today is a desperately dark day for humanity. Israel brazenly resumed its devastating bombing campaign in Gaza killing at least 414 people in their sleep, including at least 100 children, and again wiping out entire families in a matter of hours. Palestinians in Gaza – who have barely had a chance to start piecing together their lives and continue to grapple with the trauma of Israel’s past attacks – have woken up once more to the hellish nightmare of intense bombardment.

     

    “Israel’s genocide and its unlawful air strikes have already caused unprecedented humanitarian suffering in Gaza. Today, we are back to square one. Since 2 March, Israel has re-imposed a total siege on Gaza blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid, medicine, and commercial supplies, including fuel and food, in flagrant violation of international law. Israel has also cut off electricity to Gaza’s main operational desalination plant. And today the Israeli military has once again started issuing mass ‘evacuation’ orders displacing Palestinians.

     

    “Amnesty International’s researchers spoke to medical staff working at three hospitals in Gaza City and North Gaza governorate who described scenes of unspeakable horror beginning in the early hours of the morning. Al-Shifa, once the largest medical complex in Gaza, now largely destroyed by past Israeli military raids, had only three beds to receive the wounded.

     

    “Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hospital in Gaza City – the only hospital with a functioning intensive care unit – was forced to treat some of the 80 wounded it received in the corridors and in the hospital’s yard. The Indonesian hospital is the only hospital in North Gaza Governorate that is barely functioning. It is still in the process of being rebuilt, following Israel’s previous military campaign. 

     

    “The near-total decimation of the healthcare system in Gaza, particularly in the north, and the desperate shortages in medical equipment and supplies, exacerbated by Israel’s unlawful siege, effectively means a death sentence for many of those with serious injuries and illnesses, including those that in normal conditions would be easily curable. All the while, Israeli authorities continue to impose extremely tight restrictions on medical evacuations outside Gaza. 

     

    “The resumption of Israel’s attacks also puts the lives of 24 remaining Israeli hostages believed to be alive at risk. This is also a cruel blow for hostages and Palestinian detainees as well as for their families. We remind all parties that civilian hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians must be released.

     

    “The world cannot stand by and allow Israel to continue inflicting staggering levels of death and suffering on Palestinians in Gaza. We urge all states to uphold their obligations to prevent and punish genocide and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, by pressing Israel to end its attacks and to facilitate the unconditional and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid.

     

    “States must come together and demand an immediate resumption of an enduring ceasefire, an end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and the dismantling of its system of apartheid and unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Israeli air strikes kill over 400 Palestinians across Gaza following unilateral resumption of mass attacks  

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Responding to a series of Israeli strikes across the occupied Gaza Strip overnight which killed at least 414 Palestinians, including 174 children, and hospitalized over 550 more, signalling a unilateral end to the truce with Hamas, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said:

    “Today is a desperately dark day for humanity. Israel brazenly resumed its devastating bombing campaign in Gaza killing at least 414 people in their sleep, including at least 100 children, and again wiping out entire families in a matter of hours. Palestinians in Gaza – who have barely had a chance to start piecing together their lives and continue to grapple with the trauma of Israel’s past attacks – have woken up once more to the hellish nightmare of intense bombardment.

    Palestinians in Gaza – who have barely had a chance to start piecing together their lives and continue to grapple with the trauma of Israel’s past attacks – have woken up once more to the hellish nightmare of intense bombardment.

    Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard

    “Israel’s genocide and its unlawful air strikes have already caused unprecedented humanitarian suffering in Gaza. Today, we are back to square one. Since 2 March, Israel has re-imposed a total siege on Gaza blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid, medicine, and commercial supplies, including fuel and food, in flagrant violation of international law. Israel has also cut off electricity to Gaza’s main operational desalination plant. And today the Israeli military has once again started issuing mass ‘evacuation’ orders displacing Palestinians.

    “Amnesty International’s researchers spoke to medical staff working at three hospitals in Gaza City and North Gaza governorate who described scenes of unspeakable horror beginning in the early hours of the morning. Al-Shifa, once the largest medical complex in Gaza, now largely destroyed by past Israeli military raids, had only three beds to receive the wounded.

    “Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hospital in Gaza City – the only hospital with a functioning intensive care unit – was forced to treat some of the 80 wounded it received in the corridors and in the hospital’s yard. The Indonesian hospital is the only hospital in north Gaza Governorate that is barely functioning. It is still in the process of being rebuilt, following Israel’s previous military campaign.  

    “The near-total decimation of the healthcare system in Gaza, particularly in the north, and the desperate shortages in medical equipment and supplies, exacerbated by Israel’s unlawful siege, effectively means a death sentence for many of those with serious injuries and illnesses, including those that in normal conditions would be easily curable. All the while, Israeli authorities continue to impose extremely tight restrictions on medical evacuations outside Gaza.  

    “The resumption of Israel’s attacks also puts the lives of 24 remaining Israeli hostages believed to be alive at risk. This is also a cruel blow for hostages and Palestinian detainees as well as for their families. We remind all parties that civilian hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians must be released.

    “The world cannot stand by and allow Israel to continue inflicting staggering levels of death and suffering on Palestinians in Gaza. We urge all states to uphold their obligations to prevent and punish genocide and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, by pressing Israel to end its attacks and to facilitate the unconditional and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid. “States must come together and demand an immediate resumption of an enduring ceasefire, an end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and the dismantling of its system of apartheid and unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey Joins Padilla, Durbin in Push to Save Task Force Combating Threats to Election Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Senators to Attorney General: “In this challenging environment for election officials, it is essential to our democracy that they can continue to rely on [DOJ] to uphold the law”
    Washington (March 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) yesterday joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with 28 Democratic Senators in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to continue the essential work of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Election Threats Task Force, which directs the Department’s efforts to protect election officials from rising threats and acts of violence.
    The Senators’ letter comes as the Trump administration has significantly rolled back the federal government’s capacity to fight against foreign and domestic election security threats. On Attorney General Bondi’s first day in office, she disbanded the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Foreign Influence Task Force, hindering efforts to address secret influence campaigns waged by China, Russia, and other foreign adversaries. Additionally, the administration has fired or put on leave dozens of officials responsible for combating foreign election interference at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and has reportedly frozen all of CISA’s ongoing election security work. The Administration has also defunded CISA’s nationwide program to train local officials and monitor threats through the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
    “Given the recent disturbing personnel and policy decisions at the Department and the lack of transparency about the future of the Task Force, we request an immediate update on the status and activities of the Task Force, as well as what resources will be provided to ensure its important work continues so that election officials of both parties can safely administer our elections,” wrote the Senators.
    “Recent surveys have found that one in three election officials reported facing threats, harassment, and abuse. Similarly, 48 percent of local election officials know of someone who has left their job because of fear for their safety—a troubling loss of institutional knowledge needed for the smooth running of elections. Election workers continue to fear for their safety, so it is critical that the work of the Task Force continues to deter and counter these threats. In this challenging environment for election officials, it is essential to our democracy that they can continue to rely on the Department to uphold the law,” continued the Senators.
    The letter was also signed by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    Full text of the letter is available HERE:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – Secretary-General
    – Gaza
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory- Humanitarian
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon
    – Syria
    – Somalia
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo
    – D.R. Congo/Peacekeeping
    – South Sudan
    – South Sudan/Humanitarian
    – Tropical Storm Jude
    – Haiti
    – Financial Contributions

    SECRETARY-GENERAL
    In Geneva today, the Secretary-General concluded the informal meeting on Cyprus that he convened with the two Cypriot leaders and the Guarantor Powers of Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.  
    Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, the Secretary-General said the
    discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere, with both sides showing clear commitment to making progress and continuing dialogue.
    The Secretary-General added that the leaders have agreed to a group of initiatives to build trust: opening four crossing points; demining; the creation of a technical committee on youth; initiatives on the environment and climate change, including the impacts on mining areas; solar energy in the buffer zone; and the restoration of cemeteries. 
    Mr. Guterres said that the leaders also agreed to hold another meeting in the same format at the end of July, as well as to the appointment of a Personal Envoy to prepare the next steps.
    As we mentioned earlier, the meeting was held in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices efforts on the Cyprus issue and as agreed with the two leaders on 15 October 2024.   
    The Secretary-General will be leaving for Brussels shortly, where he will meet with European Union leaders – and you will recall that this is something he has been doing in the month of March for the past few years.  
    Tomorrow, he is scheduled to meet Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, as well as Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament.  And we will keep you updated on his activities in Brussels.

    GAZA
    The Secretary-General expressed his shock earlier today at the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, and he strongly appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished, and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally. Speaking to the press in Geneva, he said the situation in Gaza was intolerable, with hundreds of people having been reportedly killed.
    Muhannad Hadi, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said that the killings were unconscionable, adding that a ceasefire must be reinstated immediately.
    People in Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering, he said, and an end to hostilities, sustained humanitarian assistance, release of the hostages and the restoration of basic services and people’s livelihoods, are the only way forward.
    Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, added that the last 18 months of violence have made abundantly clear that there is no military path out of this crisis. The only way forward is a political settlement, in line with international law. Israel’s resort to yet more military force will only heap further misery upon a Palestinian population already suffering catastrophic conditions, he said.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY- HUMANITARIAN
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the Israeli military has ordered people to evacuate areas in Beit Hanoun and Khan Younis. This marks the first evacuation order issued in more than two months – since 15 January. Many people have already been displaced, seeking safety elsewhere.
    OCHA notes that the area covered by the evacuation order totals about 23 square kilometres – more than 6 per cent of the Gaza Strip – and includes more than a dozen sites sheltering displaced people. The area is also home to three clinics and one field hospital, with additional medical facilities located nearby. OCHA warns that no guarantees have been provided for the safety, protection and wellbeing of those ordered to leave, let alone for those staying behind.
    The World Health Organization says medical evacuations planned for today have been denied and is calling for the resumption of such evacuations.
    And the UN and our partners working in education report that activities have stopped in more than 300 facilities across the Strip, depriving thousands of children from their right to education. 

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=18+March+2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0PvWRHXKM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF EXTREME CLIMATE

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi

    As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the primary responsibility for disaster management, including disbursal of relief assistance on ground level, rests with the State Governments concerned. The State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal, in accordance with Government of India’s approved items and norms. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments and provides requisite logistics and financial support. Additional financial assistance is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, in case of disaster of ‘severe nature’, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

    Further, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) along with weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) provide a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crop to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen natural calamities.

    The PMFBY/RWBCIS scheme is being implemented on Area Approach basis and claims are worked out as per designated formula based on the season end yield data submitted by the concerned State Government irrespective of reasons of crop loss/ claims. Claims are required to be paid within 21 Days from calculation of claims on NCIP irrespective of whether Insurance Companies have raised the demand for 2nd or final tranche of premium subsidy and whether the verification and Quality Check has been completed by Insurance Companies. Failing which, penalty shall be auto calculated and levied as per relevant provisions through NCIP.

    Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme improves water use efficiency through Micro Irrigation technologies i.e. drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme focuses on Integrated Farming System (IFS) for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability. Under RAD, crops/ cropping system is integrated with activities like horticulture, livestock, fishery, agro-forestry, apiculture etc. to enable farmers, not only in maximizing farm returns for sustaining livelihood but also to mitigate the impacts of drought, flood or other extreme weather events.  Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Agroforestry & National Bamboo Mission also aim to increase climate resilience in agriculture.

    The Government has set up National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, which provide an overarching policy framework for climate action in the country. The NAPCC outlines a national strategy to enable the country to adapt to climate change and enhance ecological sustainability. One of the National Missions under NAPCC is the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) which evolves and implements strategies to make agriculture more resilient to the changing climate.

    The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched a flagship network project namely National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). The project conducts studies on the impact of climate change on agriculture including crops, livestock, horticulture and fisheries and also develops and promotes climate resilient technologies in agriculture for vulnerable areas of the country. The outputs of the project help the regions to cope with extreme weather conditions like droughts, floods, frost, heat waves, etc. During last 10 years (2014-2024), a total of 2593 varieties have been released by ICAR, out of these 2177 varieties have been found tolerant to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses. Risk and vulnerability assessment of agriculture to climate change has been carried out at district-level for 651 predominantly agricultural districts as per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) protocols. Out of 310 districts identified as vulnerable, 109 districts have been categorized as ‘very high’ and 201 districts as ‘highly vulnerable. District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for these 651 districts have also been prepared to address weather aberrations and recommending location specific climate resilient crops and varieties and management practices for use by the State Departments of Agriculture. For enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of farmers to climate variability, the Concept of “Climate Resilient Villages” (CRVs) has been initiated under NICRA. Location-specific climate resilient technologies have been demonstrated in 448 CRVs of 151 climatically vulnerable districts covering 28 states/UTs for adoption by farmers. ICAR through its NICRA project, creates awareness about impact of climate change in agriculture among farmers. Capacity building programmes are being conducted to educate the farmers on various aspects of climate change for wider adoption of climate resilient technologies.

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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     MG/KSR

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FARM DISTRESS INDEX

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 5:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Systemic assessment of Farmers’ Distress Index (FDI) is not available for the whole country. However, a pilot study “Agrarian Distress and PM Fasal Bima Yojana: An Analysis of Rainfed Agriculture” was conducted to help farmers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during 2020-21 and 2021-22.  FDI covers multiple causes of distress ranging from climate variability to price volatility and the low risk-bearing ability of farmers etc.

    The Multidimensional FDI was studied at sub-district level with an aim to develop an early warning system for farm distress. The main objective of FDI was to develop a user-friendly tool designed to forewarn different stakeholders and provide policy support about the severity of farmer distress based on seven key parameters viz., exposure to risk, adaptive capacity, sensitivity, mitigation and adaptation strategies, triggers, psychological factors and impacts (Annexure). It enables timely preventive action by identifying area. The FDI also proposes a scalable framework for implementation ensuring that government support reaches the most affected regions efficiently.

    The FDI is designed to develop a forewarning system to take preventive measures to identify farmer distress, providing alerts three months in advance. FDI can be used as a planning tool to address the causes of farmers’ distress and also evolve measures to tackle those causes. It targets to recommend a location-specific distress management package based on various dimensions of the FDI. FDI can be used to categorize and prioritize action points by the government and the local community to reduce farmers’ distress.

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, shri bhagirath Choudhary in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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     MG/KSR

    ANNEXURE

     

    Explanation of indicators used in FDI

    Pillars

    Indicator-1

    Indicator-2

    Indicator-3

    Exposure

    Loss due to pest/diseases (%)

    Loss due to floods/cyclones (%)

    Loss due to droughts (%)

    Adaptive capacity

    Education of the head of household (years)

    Total owned land (acre)

    Leased-in land (acre)

    Sensitivity

    Irrigated area (% of total area)

    Indebtedness (Rs)

    SC/ST community and number of children in household

    Adaptation

    Non-crop income (as % of total household income)

    Number of government schemes household benefited (in current year)

    Household savings (Rs.)

    Trigger

    Informal credit (Rs)

    Pressure from repayment of loans (yes/no)

    Lack of cash-in-hand to meet immediate farm expenses (yes/no)

    Psychological

    Feeling of social isolation (yes/no)

    Unable to fulfil family obligations (yes/no)

    Addicted to alcohol (yes/no)

    Impact

    Increased indebtedness (Yes/No)

    More participation in public works (MGNREGA) (yes/no)

    Reduced food consumption (yes/no)

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom continues supporting Los Angeles business, fire recovery workers with funding, educational workplace safety outreach

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 18, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom and Los Angeles community-based organizations (CBOs) today announced $25 million to advance educational outreach to workers and businesses about vital health, safety, and workplace protections.

    LOS ANGELES — As rebuilding in the Los Angeles area continues at record speed, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state is awarding $25 million and strengthening partnerships with local communities to ensure fire recovery workers and businesses have access to additional workplace safety information through a California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP).

    “We’re helping ensure that brave fire recovery workers and businesses have vital workplace safety information.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), California State Labor Commissioner, and representatives from Los Angeles Community Based Organizations (CBOs) will issue $25 million in funding for the CWOP to support 89 community-based organizations across the state.

    CWOP is a DIR partnership with CBOs to provide critical information about workplace protections, labor rights, and health and safety measures for workers in high-risk industries. The outreach work will help notify workers and businesses about vital health and safety protections, hazard prevention, and other worker protections for people and businesses helping Los Angeles cleanup and rebuild.

    Today’s actions build on multiple efforts across the state to support workers and businesses who are helping the Los Angeles community recover and rebuild.

    And California has worked with local communities and federal and local providers to help businesses and workers in many ways, including:

    • Supporting workers and employers: The Employment Development Department (EDD) supports workers with unemployment, disability insurance, or Paid Family Leave benefits, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for those who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. The Governor took action to extend payroll tax deadlines and reporting requirements—a move that has helped thousands of businesses in the Los Angeles area. Employers can request a 60-day extension on payroll reports and taxes, or participate in the Work Sharing program.
    • On-the-ground advisors for small businesses: Over 200 business advisors from Small Business Support Centers help answer questions about economic recovery, loan application processes, insurance, employee and workforce support, and business planning. 
    • Providing resources for recovery: CalOSBA launched a Resource Guide for small businesses impacted by the wildfires through its Outsmart Disaster website.
    • Financial assistance for businesses: The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) loan programs help businesses from one to 750 employees affected by the LA wildfires. Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP) issues loan guarantees up to 95%.  
    • Expediting contractor licensing: The Contractor State Licensing Board (CSLB) is rapidly processing licensing applications to continue expediting efforts to rebuild homes and businesses. 
    • Helping fire survivors rebuild safely: CSLB is also partnering with state agencies to promote California-licensed contractors for repairs or to rebuild their homes or businesses. CSLB’s Disaster Hotline 1-800-962-1125 and online Disaster Help Center also provided valuable support to survivors.
    • Protecting against unlicensed contractors: Investigation teams notified the public that it is a felony to contract without a license in a California disaster area, urged consumers to always check licenses before hiring a contractor, and recommended reporting any unlicensed activity immediately by filing complaints at www2.cslb.ca.gov.
    • Helping licensees rebuild their businesses: The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, the Board of Accountancy, and other DCA boards rescheduled licensing examinations at no charge and are issuing duplicate licenses for original licenses lost in the fires.
    • Governor Newsom also issued multiple executive orders to help speed rebuilding and recovery, create more temporary housing, and protect survivors.

    Press Releases, Recent News

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    Mar 17, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement regarding the death of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr.:“Jennifer and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Deputy Cuevas. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his…

    Mar 17, 2025

    News Lo que necesita saber: California tiene un nuevo compañero en Sonora, México para impulsar el desarrollo de recursos energéticos renovables, la resiliencia de la cadena de suministro y el transporte limpio. To read this release in English, click here. Sacramento,…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Expands Joint Damage Assessment Request to Include Dunklin and Madison Counties in Preparation for Major Federal Disaster Declaration Request

    Source: US State of Missouri

    MARCH 18, 2025

    Jefferson City — JEFFERSON CITY – Today, Governor Mike Kehoe expanded his request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for joint preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) for Individual Assistance to include Dunklin and Madison counties. Yesterday, the Governor requested that FEMA participate in joint PDAs in 23 counties following the March 14-15 severe storms that brought destruction to many parts of the state. The requests begin the process of obtaining federal disaster assistance.

    “As local teams survey, confirm and tally the damage, the scale of the destruction to homes and communities is growing,” Governor Kehoe said. “Damage totals and emergency response costs received and reviewed late yesterday and today have led me to add Dunklin and Madison counties to the request to FEMA for joint preliminary damage assessments. I appreciate the emergency managers, officials and responders who are laboring 24/7 to meet people’s immediate needs while at the same time working to expedite the recovery of their communities.”    

    Joint PDAs have now been requested for the following 25 counties: Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Laclede, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Stoddard, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

    Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management officials. Beginning Thursday, March 20, six teams will survey and verify documented damage to determine if Individual Assistance can be requested through FEMA. Individual Assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses.

    Initial damage assessments now estimate approximately 369 houses were destroyed, 366 sustained major damage and over 1,000 have minor damage. Damage assessments for roads, bridges and other public infrastructure are ongoing, likely resulting in a request for additional PDAs for Public Assistance later this week. Requests for additional PDAs could be made if local officials become aware of significantly more damage.

    Outages continue to decrease as power is restored. As of 11 a.m., fewer than 8,000 customers remained without power. The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated to assist in Missouri’s response and recovery.  

    Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: European Union – Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council (17 Mar. 2025)

    Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

    Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot took part in yesterday’s EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where important discussions were held on several topical international issues.

    With regard to the situation in Ukraine, France reiterated the need to strengthen military support for Ukraine and to step up pressure on Russia by adopting additional sanctions. During the month of March, the EU allocated nearly €4.5 billion to support Ukraine.

    The Member States stressed the importance of preserving the ceasefire in Gaza, releasing the hostages and resuming humanitarian aid. France emphasized that the plan endorsed by the Arab League on March 8 represented an important contribution. We also reaffirmed our opposition to any plan involving the forced displacement of Palestinians and underscored the importance of European efforts to preserve the two-state solution.

    As for Syria, France condemned the violence that occurred in the coastal region and noted the gradual, reversible nature of the lifting of individual and sectoral sanctions in light of recent events. We also proposed sanctions targeting those responsible for the atrocities committed against civilians in the west of the country.

    Furthermore, at France’s initiative, European sanctions were adopted against the Islamic State – Khorasan Province and its propaganda organ. The Foreign Affairs Council also authorized the adoption of restrictive measures against nine individuals and one entity as part of the sanctions regime relating to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Violent Gang Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Racketeering Involving Drugs and Firearms Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Boston area man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.

    Jose Afonseca, 32, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 100 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In October 2024, Afonseca pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and dealing in firearms without a license.

    According to court documents, Afonseca was identified as member of Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect, and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear, and enhance its reputation. During the investigation, Afonseca worked with other Cameron Street members to distribute hundreds of grams of cocaine and cocaine base, more commonly referred to as “crack” cocaine, from a stash house in Somerville. Afonseca was also recorded discussing his ability to acquire illegal firearms and was recorded selling two firearms and over 30 rounds of ammunition to a cooperating witness.

    On Aril 15, 2022, 398 grams of cocaine, along with packaging materials, two hydraulic presses, a digital scale, a cell phone, and $14,986 in U.S. currency were seized during a search of a stash house.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

    The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Haven Gang Member Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Murders, Additional Shootings

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TYJON PRESTON, also known as “TJ,” 22, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 264 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in a violent New Haven street gang, including two murders and additional shootings.

    Today’s announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating a gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city.  The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven.  Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020.

    The investigation revealed that Preston and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders.  Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence.  Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

    On April 24, 2024, Preston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that on April 27, 2021, he and other Exit 8 members attempted to kill a rival gang member and shot him in the leg; on May 19, 2021, he and other Exit 8 members conspired to kill rival gang members, and shot and killed an associate of a rival gang; on May 20, 2021, he and other Exit 8 members shot and attempted to kill rival gang members; and on July 5, 2021, he and another Exit 8 member shot and killed a 22-year-old woman after she made a rap song containing derogatory comments about Exit 8.

    Preston has been detained since September 9, 2021.

    This investigation has been conducted by the ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.

    This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

    PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.

    Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Being Felon in Possession of Ammunition

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on March 12, 2025, WILLIE SYLVESTER (“SYLVESTER”), age 29, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), by Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.  Following his imprisonment, SYLVESTER will be placed in supervised release for 3 years.  SYLVESTER was also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

    According to filed court documents, between April and September of 2020, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives (JPSO) investigated SYLVESTER for an April 2020 shooting.  In so doing, JPSO observed SYLVESTER post several social media messages with weapons. SYLVESTER also acknowledged, in a separate message, that he fired a gun during the April 2020 shooting, before sustaining a gunshot wound to his own hand.

    Federal law prohibits convicted felons, such as SYLVESTER, from possessing ammunition.  On May 1, 2013, SYLVESTER was convicted of simple robbery, a felony offense, in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court and, on November 6, 2014, SYLVESTER was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm and controlled dangerous substances, and possession of a stolen firearm, all felony offenses in the 24th Judicial District Court of the State of Louisiana.

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

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –