NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Slams Trump’s “Sandstorm of Chaos” Meant to Distract from His Billionaire Tax Giveaways

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 04, 2025
    Senator Warren joined Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Massachusetts Congressional Delegation ahead of President Trump’s joint address to Congress
    Warren: “The whole Republican plan fits on a bumper sticker: Billionaires win; families lose.” 
    Washington, D.C. – At a press conference today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) joined Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation in delivering remarks on Trump’s agenda to benefit billionaires while hurting working people ahead of Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.
    Senator Warren called the first six weeks of the new administration a “sandstorm of chaos” meant to distract from President Trump’s goal of jamming through trillions in tax cuts to billionaires at the expense of health care, Social Security, and programs that benefit working people.  
    Senator Warren was joined by her guest Doug Kowalewski, a former National Science Foundation employee from Wellesley who, after six years of service, was fired unexpectedly in Elon Musk’s and the Department of Government Efficiency’s gutting of the federal workforce. Doug shared his story at Senator Warren’s recent town hall in Framingham, Massachusetts.
    Transcript: Press Conference with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Massachusetts Congressional DelegationU.S. SenateMarch 4, 2025
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: We are all here today as the federal representatives of the seven million people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. And we stand proudly with the Mayor of Boston, who has been “invited” – I think that’s still a word – she has been invited by the Republicans to come and defend Boston and to defend the values that we fight for every day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. So we want to be here, in part, to talk about what this fight is about.   
    Over the last six weeks, Donald Trump has created a sandstorm of chaos to try to distract us from his real agenda: Tax cuts for billionaires, paid for by cuts to health care and Social Security. These are programs that mommas and daddies and babies and seniors rely on every single day.
    Trump and his unelected co-president Elon Musk are dismantling our government, piece by piece, so that it works better for those same billionaires and worse for everyone else. The whole Republican plan fits on a bumper sticker: Billionaires win; families lose. 
    Trump promised, you may remember, to lower costs “on day one.” Instead, he and co-President Musk have tried to fire the financial cops that keep Americans from getting cheated. They have slashed funding that supports research for cures for cancer and Alzheimer’s. And they have fired thousands of hardworking public servants, including the people who keep us safe when we fly on airplanes, the people who make sure that nuclear materials are safely stored, and people who inspect our food.
    One of those hardworking public servants is Doug. Up until two weeks ago, Doug worked at the National Science Foundation — until out of nowhere, he was fired along with over one hundred of his colleagues. And I’ve invited Doug here to share his story. Doug, come on over. 
    Doug Kowalewski, Senator Warren’s Guest for Trump’s Joint Address to Congress: So, after six years of service at the National Science Foundation, I was fired two weeks ago from today. And me, along with 167 of my colleagues were called into a Zoom meeting to get a mass termination firing with no cause. And this doesn’t just impact me — this impacts all of Massachusetts. A limited workforce at NSF or NST or NIH jeopardizes the billions of federal investments that directly fund our top-notch research and researchers in Massachusetts and powers our local economy.
    So, I’m scared for our country. Millions of Americans who have dedicated their lives and dedicated their careers to this country are suffering because of unelected billionaires. I’m here with Senator Warren to fight back against these illegal terminations and to stand up for hardworking civil servants. Thank you. 
    Senator Warren: Thank you very much, Doug. And I appreciate Doug being here. I just want to say, this is what happens when you go to town halls. I had a town hall in Framingham a week ago and Doug stood up and told his story, as have lots of other people in Massachusetts. 
    I would say the biggest question at that town hall is: What can we do? And Doug is living proof of what we can do. We can tell our stories because they matter. We build a grassroots movement across this story by not using big words and abstract terms, but by telling the story person by person by person about what kind of work you do and what it means when you just get called in and told, “You’re fired,” because it fits in someone else’s political agendas, so thank you for being here, Doug. I appreciate it.   
    Alright, I just want to say: Doug is standing up, he’s pushing back and that’s what we’ve all got to do. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: BRISTOW SMITH AVENUE, GOOLWA SOUTH (Assist Agency)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

    We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

    All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds Pinellas County Man Guilty Of Brandishing A Firearm During Convenience Store Robbery

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

    Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that a federal jury has found Jhakheem Smith (25, Pinellas County) guilty of one count of brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. Smith was also charged and previously pleaded guilty to the other offenses he committed, including the robbery of the convenience store, and conspiracy to commit that robbery. Smith faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the robbery offenses. He faces a minimum of 7 years, up to life, in federal prison for the firearm offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on November 8, 2023, Smith and his co-defendant, Alex Jones, robbed a convenience store in Clearwater. Jones was armed with a firearm and Smith carried a baseball bat. Jones and Smith forced the victim to give them cash from the register, pushed the victim in the head with the firearm, and forced the victim into a back room. Jones and Smith took more than $800 from the cash register, as well as the victim’s wallet and cellphone. The victim sustained a visible injury to their head. 

    Store surveillance video showed Smith and Jones jumping over the counter to confront the victim, and also showed Smith searching throughout the store for a safe which allegedly contained additional money. The safe was never found. The surveillance video also showed Smith attempting to damage the surveillance cameras. Text messages obtained pursuant to a search warrant for Jones’s phone revealed texts planning the robbery between Jones and Smith.

    Jones previously pleaded guilty. He was sentenced on February 6, 2025, to 12 years and 11 months in federal prison.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Clearwater Police Department, the Largo Police Department, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

    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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump Tells Farmers ‘Have Fun’ As He Kicks Off Pointless Trade Wars. Cantwell Tells the Truth: ‘It’s Not Going to Be Fun, It’s Going to Be A Nightmare’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.04.25
    Trump Tells Farmers ‘Have Fun’ As He Kicks Off Pointless Trade Wars. Cantwell Tells the Truth: ‘It’s Not Going to Be Fun, It’s Going to Be A Nightmare’
    Ahead of Presidential address, Cantwell calls on Congress to reclaim its Constitutional authority over tariffs; Cantwell also calls out arbitrary and wasteful layoffs at NOAA, NIH, NSF, USDA: “These kinds of ideas sound great, but they’re not well thought out. It’s literally throwing tax dollars away.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, delivered a Senate floor speech raising concerns about the economic fallout of Trump’s newly announced tariffs, hours before the President is set to deliver remarks before a Joint Session of Congress.
     “Trump said to our farmers yesterday on Truth Social, quote, ‘tariffs will go on external products on April 2. Have fun.’ End quote,” Sen. Cantwell said. “’Have fun?’ ‘Have fun?’ When retaliatory tariffs strike our farmers — just as they did in the first Trump administration — it’s not going to be fun, it’s going to be a nightmare for our farmers. And many of the farmers in my state worry [whether] they will be able to farm at all.”
    “I hope my colleagues will slow down on this tariff tirade. Under Article One, Section Eight of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to set duties and regulate foreign commerce. However, Congress has spent the last 80 years delegating its tariff authority to presidents,” she continued. “This president, I believe, is abusing this authority. He calls it an emergency. He’s using the trade wars to supposedly force countries to do things like changing their border policies. I believe it’s time for Congress to start taking back some of that power and considering how we’re going to protect the family farm.”
    Over the past 24 hours, as President Trump’s long-promised 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% tariff increase on goods from China took effect, stock prices in the United States have plummeted. The Dow fell more than 700 points this morning. Today, the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board criticized his decision: “Trump takes the dumbest tariff plunge.”.
    Sen. Cantwell also showed the following graph with the alarming new forecast by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which recently began predicting negative real GDP growth for the first quarter of 2025, a rapid reversal of its prior forecast for growth.  “Just last week, when people want to talk about GDP and where this is going, it’s amazing that the Atlanta Fed was forecasting GDP growth over two percent for the first quarter of 2025…. but we can see when we got to February, we fell off a cliff… this drop is the representation of a cliff that President Trump is pushing the American economy over.”

    “We know this — that in my state, families are paying more for groceries. They’re paying more at the gas pump. They’re paying more at electricity bills. And they are seeing the stock market plummet because as businesses grapple with Trump’s unnecessary trade war, businesses are concerned about the long-term impacts of the supply chain and the cost of those tariffs,” Sen. Cantwell said.
    In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. More information on how President Trump’s tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China will affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be found HERE. Nationwide:
    A 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico would add an estimated $144 billion a year to the cost of manufacturing in the United States.
    Tariffs on Canada and Mexico could increase U.S. car prices by as much as $12,000.
    According to the Yale Budget Lab, Trump’s proposed tariffs would result in the highest U.S. effective tariff rate in more than 80 years, and depending on the level of retaliation by other trading partners, will result in increased costs of between $1,600 and $2,000 per household. According to their analysis, electronics, clothing, cars, and food will all see above-average price increases.
    Sen. Cantwell has remained a steadfast supporter of free trade to grow the economy in the State of Washington and nationwide. Sen. Cantwell was the leading voice in negotiations to end India’s 20% retaliatory tariff on American apples, which was imposed in response to tariffs on steel and aluminum and devastated Washington state’s apple exports. India had once been the second-largest export market for American apples, but after President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum in his first term, India imposed retaliatory tariffs in response and U.S. apple exports plummeted. The impact on Washington apple growers was severe: Apple exports from the state dropped from $120 million in 2017 to less than $1 million by 2023.  In September 2023, following several years of Sen. Cantwell’s advocacy, India ended its retaliatory tariffs on apples and pulse crops which was welcome news to the state’s more than 1,400 apple growers and the 68,000-plus workers they support.
    In her speech today, Sen. Cantwell also railed against the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) push to indiscriminately slash federal workers from the payroll, compromising the vital ongoing work at federal agencies.
    “The cuts that these agencies have been facing are really the cuts to some of the most technical jobs the United States government has. Whether you’re talking about NOAA, or the National Weather Service, or the National Institutes of Health, or the National Science Foundation, or the US Department of Agriculture — they’ve all been targeted for reductions. These agencies are critical to our economic growth and to our security. And at a time when we are seeing more extreme weather events, or more floods or more wildfires, why shouldn’t we be investing more in weather forecasting, not less? 
    “And when you look at NOAA workers who support our commercial, and recreation, and tribal fisheries, they employ 1.7 million people, including thousands in the State of Washington. Why would you cut specialized workforce that are helping support the growth of GDP?” Sen. Cantwell said.
    “DOGE wants to cap the overhead expenses of research. University of Washington medicine tells me that this would leave them with shortfalls and that they might have to stop clinical trials that are underway. You can’t just stop medical research like it’s a faucet! Once halted, the research, the data, the clinical trials, the patients, the laboratories, the equipment — all that led to innovation will be lost. You think you just turn that back on? You know, these kinds of ideas sound great, but they’re not well thought out. It’s literally throwing tax dollars away.”
    Since DOGE announced its intent to hack away at federal agencies and programs, Sen. Cantwell has been sounding the alarm and coming to the defense of workers at NOAA, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the National Park Service, and more.
    A video of her speech on the Senate floor today can be viewed HERE; audio is HERE; and a transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New vehicle will support fire service in Champagne

    As part of the Government of Yukon’s work to strengthen volunteer fire services in unincorporated communities, the Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office recently delivered a new pickup truck to Champagne’s Scene Safety Response Unit (SSRU).

    The new truck is a 2024 Ford Super Duty F-350 XL pickup, equipped with radios, a 300GMP Honda pump and a 300-gallon tank.

    The 10 volunteers in Champagne’s SSRU have been training for the past year with the Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office and neighbouring fire departments to support fire safety in their community.

    The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office will continue encouraging community-based, community-driven and community-supported volunteer fire services by providing appropriate equipment, training and administrative support across the territory. 

    A second SSRU truck is in Whitehorse being fitted with radio and water tank before heading to another volunteer fire service in the next month. Additionally, work is underway for the Yukon government to procure a new fire rescue truck in 2025.

    To learn more about volunteering for their local fire service, people can contact the Fire Marshal’s Office by emailing cs.fmo@yukon.ca or phoning 867-456-6517.
     

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Salem Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national residing in Salem, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison Monday for his role in trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics in Oregon.

    Leonel Covarrubias Hernandez, 48, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

    According to court documents, as part of a drug trafficking investigation, investigators identified Covarrubias as a narcotics distributer operating in Oregon. Between August and December 2022, investigators conducted several controlled buys in which Covarrubias sold counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. 

    On December 27, 2022, investigators conducted a traffic stop on Covarrubias and his co-conspirator near their residence. Investigators searched the vehicle and seized counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, more than $11,000 in cash, and a firearm. On the same day, investigators located and seized more than 29 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 pounds of fentanyl, 12 pounds of cocaine and two pounds of heroin, 24 firearms, a 3D printer, and more than $43,000 in cash from the residence.

    On November 18, 2024, Covarrubias pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and Salem Police Department. It was prosecuted by Bryan Chinwuba, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Niagara Falls man pleads guilty to drug and gun charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Edward Rollie, 49, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the case, stated that on August 28, 2024, investigators executed search warrants associated with Rollie at a Spruce Avenue residence in Niagara Falls, where Rollie’s son resides. They recovered approximately 594 grams of fentanyl, approximately 683 grams of cocaine, and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. In July 2002, Rollie was convicted of a federal felony drug charge in the Western District of Pennsylvania, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. The investigation also included controlled purchases of fentanyl from Rollie.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Nick Ligammari, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti, the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia.

    Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.    

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wayne County man going to prison for stealing a firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Lucas Burke, 23, of Wolcott, NY, who was convicted of theft of a firearm from a federal firearms licensee, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison by United States District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who handled the case, stated on October 7, 2023, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office responded to East Side Traders on Wooster Way in Ontario, NY, for a call of intruders inside. Eastside Traders was a Federal Firearms Licensee authorized to sell firearms under federal law. Subsequent investigation determined that at approximately 4:55 a.m. that morning, Burke smashed a window near the entrance to Eastside Traders and entered the building. Once inside, he stole a rifle. He attempted to steal two others but was unsuccessful. 

    The matter was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the director of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Prior felon pleads guilty to gun charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Taraja Green, 28, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 or both.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who is handling the case, stated that on March 17, 2024, Rochester Police officers found Green asleep in the driver seat of a running vehicle in the roadway on Seward Street. When the officers approached the vehicle, they could see a 9mm pistol on Green’s lap. Officers later discovered that the firearm was loaded. Green was previously convicted of a felony in August 2019, in Monroe County Court, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

    The matter was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division.

    Sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Vacca.

    # # # # 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray on Yearlong CR, DOGE’s Utter Lack of Transparency, and Elon Musk’s Glaring Conflicts of Interest

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    In floor speech, Murray slams yearlong CR proposal, calls for transparency from DOGE so Congress can do its job, and reiterates call for Musk to come before Congress
    Murray: “No one wants a shutdown—well, no one except Elon Musk, who recently said that ‘sounds great.’”
    Murray: “Elon Musk is, apparently, in charge of his own conflicts of interest—we’re just supposed to trust him. Has he recused himself from a single decision? We haven’t heard a single update about that.”
    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s floor speech***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations, took to the Senate floor and delivered the following remarks on government funding talks, House Republican leadership’s yearlong CR plan, DOGE’s utter lack of transparency, and Elon Musk’s glaring conflicts of interest that are going completely unaddressed by the Trump administration:
    [ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING TALKS]
    “No one wants a shutdown. Well, actually, no one except Elon Musk, who recently said that ‘sounds great,’ or Donald Trump or Russ Vought.
    “That’s why I have been at the table this entire time, ready to pass bills that protect key investments and ensure Congress—not Donald Trump or Elon Musk—decides whether or not our public schools or lifesaving cancer research get funded.
    “Unfortunately, Republican leadership told their members last week to walk away from the negotiating table—which raises the risk of a shutdown—in an attempt to pass a clean yearlong continuing resolution that would actually give Trump and Musk exactly what they want: fewer restraints, and more power over federal spending so they can pick winners and losers as they see fit, which would hurt all of our constituents.
    “Nonetheless, I am urging Republican leadership to come back to the table, if they are willing to do that, and work with us on full-year funding bills—the type of work we do together every year—and prevent a shutdown while we do that.
    [ON REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP’S FULL-YEAR CR]
    “We cannot stand by and accept a yearlong power grab CR that would help Elon take a chainsaw to programs that families rely on and agencies that keep our communities safe.
    “We actually have a job to do—Republicans and Democrats—to be a voice for our constituents, to advocate for the funding they need, and to get support back to our communities.
    “I have heard my House Republican colleagues say they will not restrict a Republican President’s powers. I want to be clear: what I am asking for is to work together to make sure that as we write and negotiate these full-year spending bills, our laws get followed. I welcome, and I want everyone to know, I am open to any and all ideas on how we can work together to do that.
    “I am confident we can get this done. I am ready to pass a short-term CR immediately to take down the risk of a shutdown so that we can finish our negotiations and write full-year spending bills.
    [ON UTTER LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FROM TRUMP ADMIN, DOGE]
    “Now, on a topic I believe appropriators on both sides would agree with: we need far more information and transparency and accountability from the Trump administration to write these bills.
    “Because, here’s one big problem—among many: how are we supposed to fund the government when many agencies are not responding to any of our questions, and when we have no clear picture of who is actually in charge of many of our agencies?
    “It’s clear as day there have been a lot of dramatic changes made across the government.
    “Agencies are being illegally shuttered. Workers are being fired by the thousands—again, often in direct violation of laws we have passed. And hundreds of billions of dollars in federal programs and grants have been frozen, unfrozen, and frozen again. We’ve had contracts that have recklessly cancelled, some accidentally and then restarted—not to mention the workers who have fired and rehired.
    “It is incredibly chaotic—and it makes it much harder to write legislation that actually responds to the latest developments, when programs are switching on and off again like a two-year-old is playing with a light switch—and when the number of people and programs illegally terminated remains unclear.
    “It is much more difficult to write funding bills for Department programs when we have no idea what the Department is actually doing, or what the actual plan is for the next year, or if it’s actually them or perhaps DOGE making the plans in the first place.
    “When we are seeing decisions made and reversed, or made and ignored, or made by people who have no authority making them—and yet seemingly being implemented. And it’s not just the whirlwind of decisions that are causing chaos. It is the complete lack of transparency and accountability surrounding these decisions from Trump and Musk that makes it all but impossible to get a straight answer.
    “When we have questions that urgently need answers—like why has this energy program been frozen, or when will the NIH grants start up again, or which VA contracts have actually been scrapped or how many workers are being pushed out—then it helps if we know who is actually in charge.
    “When our constituents have problems that require solutions quickly or they will have to close a business, or lay people off, or lose the family farm—then it matters that we can get the right person on the phone to get things resolved.
    “And yet, when there is information we urgently need so we can write funding bills and avoid a shutdown like agency priorities or unexpected challenges or just the basic nuts and bolts stuff—to say nothing of the information we need to address the very extraordinary circumstances and decisions of the past few weeks—it is totally unclear who we should actually be talking to if we want answers that actually reflect the reality of what is happening.
    “It is totally unclear who is actually making decisions—and who is actually in charge.
    “Appropriators have now sent over thirty letters to agencies since January 20th asking to just understand agency actions—and that’s to say nothing of the efforts from me and my staff to get answers to our emails and our calls. But the answers have been few and very far between.
    “And what’s more, just because we hear something from someone who should know, just because we hear from someone who should be in charge—we have found that does not mean it’s actually true.
    “There is more than one time in the past few weeks, where we’ve been told one thing, only to see the reality is entirely different.
    “Like, for example, when the OMB funding freeze was implemented and we were told it won’t affect Head Start—except that it did affect Head Start. Providers in my state were locked out of the payment system for days—even after the funding freeze itself was rescinded.
    “It seems like the only thing that has been consistent about the last few weeks is that every time there has been chaos, every time I’ve seen actions that fly in the face of laws we have passed—not to mention common sense—or contradict what I’ve heard from agency leaders, DOGE has been at the center of it.
    “We have seen DOGE absolutely trample the authority of Congress, and other federal agencies—including officials Congress confirmed.
    “For example, while Secretary Rubio instituted a recklessly broad and illegal freeze of all foreign assistance funding, he publicly announced exceptions for a limited set of programs—including lifesaving aid—the basic idea being that we probably shouldn’t let HIV spread rampant and we probably shouldn’t let food grown right here in America rot in ports while children starve.
    “Causing mass death through pointless negligence is not really a good strategy for bolstering our global reputation. It is cruel and self-defeating. So, as Secretary of State he made the exception. But DOGE had other plans. Because on the rare occasion that what was left of USAID staff who hadn’t been sidelined, was able to clear these payments through the agency’s interim leadership—surprise! DOGE staffers would veto the payments anyways.
    “Keep in mind: we don’t know about this because DOGE disclosed it or State disclosed it—we know only because of reporting.
    “That should not be how this works. Congress—and the American people—should not be out of the loop.
    “Especially given the serious stakes here—and the serious questions that remain, like: on what authority did they veto these payments? Whose orders did they overrule the Secretary? I would very much like to know.
    “Because while the Secretary is guilty of plenty of the attacks on his workforce and programs, it certainly seems like the Secretary of State got steamrolled on numerous occasions, without even knowing it.
    “And if that’s the case: who are we supposed to talk to with questions about State’s funding needs? The Secretary, or the two DOGE minions who actually have their hands directly on the levers of power here?
    “And let’s not forget about what happened at Treasury. DOGE wanted access to our most secure systems. Agency officials told them no. And then the agency officials were told ‘you’re fired.’
    “That sent a chilling message to our federal workers: you stand up to DOGE at your own peril.
    “And it’s not just Treasury—DOGE has been worming its way into Department after Department, making a beeline for the most sensitive systems, including ones storing my constituents’ sensitive financial data, and bulldozing over anyone who stands in their way, for any reason.
    “We don’t even know who all of these people are or whether they even have security clearances.
    “They even had people fired for denying them access to classified material beyond their security levels. That is how completely unchecked their power has become. And we have incredibly little insight into what they are actually doing with those sensitive systems.
    “We’ve seen DOGE claim they only can view some data—that’s already deeply concerning—but there are also plenty of indications they have been given more power at times.
    “And they are interested in tinkering around with some of these systems too or unaccountably blocking payments like we saw at USAID
    “And let’s talk about the Defense Department, because first Secretary Hegseth was saying he wanted to revive the quote, ‘warrior spirit’ at the Department, but now he’s telling employees to reply to DOGE’s weekly emails. He is firing thousands of defense personnel, and he’s asking every corner of DOD to propose major cuts.
    “So, as an appropriator, trying to write full-year bills that fund our military, which is it? Major increases? Or major cuts?
    “And who do I ask about the Department’s needs? Is this up to the Secretary? Or up to DOGE? And who at DOGE is even steering this ship? 
    “We need to know this kind of thing—and we really needed to know yesterday. Because we have a deadline coming up for funding the military, and we have some serious questions for whoever is in charge about how the administration is approaching things.
    “And when I say whoever is in charge, I don’t mean who is in charge on paper—because it seems like there is a big disconnect.
    “I mean who is actually making the decisions and driving actions at our agencies—and at DOGE for that matter.
    “Because, look: first Elon was running DOGE with Vivek, then it was just Elon, then it supposedly wasn’t Elon at all.
    “But then, Elon kept right on posting about hiring decisions like someone in charge and rehiring an individual who resigned after their blatant racism came to light.
    “And he kept right on doing press availabilities with the President—in the Oval Office—to discuss his work at DOGE, like someone in charge. So it sure looks like Elon is still the head of DOGE.
    “And even after we were all finally told, with great supposed certainty, that DOGE is actually being run by another person no one had even mentioned, we then promptly learned: oh, she’s on vacation. And the very next day we saw Elon briefing the Cabinet on what he is doing at DOGE.
    “If that seems at all confusing, or contradictory, I don’t think it’s an accident, so much as a smokescreen—one that seems designed to hide the obvious fact that Elon Musk is the one calling the shots at DOGE.
    [ON ELON MUSK’S GLARING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST]
    “All of us here in Congress really need to know that—because this is the richest man in the world with billions in government contracts on the line.
    “Elon Musk is, apparently, in charge of his own conflicts of interest. We’re just supposed to trust him. Has he recused himself from a single decision? We haven’t heard a single update about that.
    “As a steward of taxpayer dollars who wants to make sure the bills we write are implemented to help my constituents—not Elon Musk’s bottom line—I would like to know:
    Did the owner of Space X recuse himself from decisions gutting NASA?
    Did the owner of Tesla interfere at all in funding freezes that will hurt his competition in the electric vehicle market?Does the guy who posted criticizing Verizon’s work for FAA and pitching his own company Starlink as an alternative have anything to do with reports the government may reverse course now on the Verizon contract?
    Did the guy selling satellite internet have any role in halting funds that were helping connect my constituents to broadband?
    Or what about all the watchdogs that have been fired? People reviewing Neuralink devices at FDA? People at the agency that reviews the safety of Tesla’s self-driving cars? Or the Inspector General looking into Elon’s connections to foreign governments?
    “Despite what Musk likes to pretend, it is not in the slightest bit transparent for him alone to be deciding what he hides, and what he shares about his role in government.
    “Nor is it transparent when DOGE is posting updates that are often completely inaccurate from getting basic math wrong, to getting wrong basic timelines of what Trump did versus Biden did, to not understanding how contracts work—and counting the same ‘cuts’ over and over and over again.
    “They aren’t being transparent—they are muddying up the waters with falsehoods and disinformation and making it that much harder for us to write meaningful funding bills in the next few days.
    “I mean—if DOGE doesn’t even know what programs they’ve cut and how much they’ve cut—how are we supposed to understand how these decisions could hurt our constituents? How are we supposed to write legislation that rejects the cuts we find harmful or even aligns if there are areas of agreement?
    [ON MUSK NEEDING TO COME BEFORE CONGRESS]
    “We need real answers from DOGE—and we need them as soon as possible. And so, I am once again requesting that Elon Musk come before Congress for a hearing and be held accountable to the American people.
    “Tell us: what exactly are you doing? Why are you firing federal employees whose salaries are covered by fees, not taxpayer dollars? Why are you firing veterans—by the thousands—who are doing work to support our communities? Why are you planning to fire the people who make sure seniors get their Social Security checks? Who are the people who work for you? How were they vetted? What are your long-term plans for the agencies? And based on what authority are you overruling Secretaries, directing federal workers, and ignoring the laws we pass in Congress?
    “America is waiting—but we are losing valuable time. Congress—and the American people—deserve answers. And we need them to do our jobs.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Trump’s Address, Senator Murray, Former SOTU Guest Kayla Smith and Others Harmed by Republican Abortion Bans Speak Out About Trump Administration’s New Attacks on Reproductive Freedom

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI:  Senator Murray On Trump’s Joint Congressional Address
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. – This morning, ahead of President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, participated in a virtual press conference with women harmed by Republican abortion bans—including Washington state resident Kayla Smith, who Senator Murray brought as her guest to last year’s State of the Union Address. The speakers highlighted how the Trump administration and Republicans’ efforts to restrict access to reproductive health care everywhere and ultimately ban abortion nationwide are putting women’s health and lives at risk. Senator Murray released a statement last night explaining her decision not to attend President Trump’s Joint Address—instead she will be meeting with constituents who have been harmed by this administration’s reckless actions.
    Participating in the virtual press conference with Senator Murray were multiple women: Kayla Smith, Murray’s State of the Union guest last year and a plaintiff in Adkins v. State of Idaho—more on Kayla’s story here; Amanda Zurawski, patient storyteller and lead plaintiff in Zurawski v. State of Texas; Latorya Beasley, IVF patient storyteller from Alabama; Dr. Caitlin Bernard, OB-GYN from Indiana who spoke out publicly about providing abortion care to a 10-year-old victim of rape; and former U.S. Representative Colin Allred (D, TX-32). Kayla, Amanda, Latorya, and Dr. Bernard were all honored guests at last year’s State of the Union.
    “Republicans are doing everything they can to push things from what is already nightmarishly bad to somehow even worse,” Senator Murray said on today’s press call. “They’ve replaced anti-abortion dog whistles with anti-abortion train whistles—sending a clear signal to extreme, and even dangerous, anti-abortion crusaders to go wild… It may be early days of this new administration, but, unfortunately, it is not too early to see that they are hell-bent on ripping away women’s reproductive rights, and that we will need to fight tooth and nail to defend abortion access in this country from a new onslaught of Republican attacks.”
    In his first few weeks in office, President Trump has taken direct aim at reproductive health care access—issuing two executive orders and taking a host of other actions to roll back efforts to protect and advance access to abortion and birth control, and that threaten health care providers across the country.  These actions include:
    Pardoning anti-abortion extremists found guilty of entering clinics by force, barricading clinic entrances with chains and bike locks, harassing patients and providers, and even assaulting and injuring clinic staff—and announcing that his Department of Justice will no longer enforce the FACE Act at all except in “extraordinary cases.”
    Taking down ReproductiveRights.Gov and scrubbing agency websites of vital information about reproductive health care.
    Repealing two Biden-era executive orders that sought to protect and expand access to reproductive health care in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
    Reinstating the expanded Global Gag Rule that targets reproductive health care around the world.
    Rescinded critical travel and leave benefits for service members and their families seeking abortion care.
    Nominating notorious anti-abortion extremists for critical public health positions and other influential roles in his administration—including Dr. David Weldon for CDC Director, Pam Bondi for U.S. Attorney General, Russell Vought for OMB Director, and Dean John Saurer as Solicitor General, and many others.
    Senator Murray is a longtime leader in the fight to protect and expand access to reproductive health care and abortion rights, and she has led Congressional efforts to fight back after the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
    Murray has introduced more than a dozen pieces of legislation to protect reproductive rights from further attacks, protect providers, and help ensure women get the care they need; Murray has led efforts to push for passage of these bills on the floor multiple times. Last January, on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Murray led her colleagues in hosting a “State of Abortion Rights” briefing with women who have suffered firsthand from Republican abortion bans, and last June, she chaired a HELP Committee hearing titled “The Assault on Women’s Freedoms: How Abortion Bans Have Created a Health Care Nightmare Across America.” Recently, Murray helped lead efforts to force Republicans on the record on votes to protect access to contraception and access to IVF (twice), and she led her colleagues in raising the alarm about the threat a second Trump administration poses to reproductive rights and abortion access in every state, as outlined in Project 2025.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on today’s press call, are below and video is HERE:
    “Thank you all for joining this important conversation. And I have to say it is so great to be reunited with Kayla, who was my guest to last year’s State of the Union, where we joined together to underscore the devastation and cruelty caused by Republicans’ extreme attacks on abortion rights.
    “Unfortunately, it’s painfully clear today we have to continue shining a harsh spotlight on this issue—because while Trump and Republicans would no doubt love for all the chaos they are causing to push these stories out of the public eye, there are even more women suffering now and yes, dying, because of Republicans’ extreme abortion bans.
    “And we will not stop pushing to make their stories heard, and make change happen.
    “This work is far from over but I will never, ever, back down from this fight—especially not now, when Republicans are doing everything they can to push things from what is already nightmarishly bad to somehow even worse.
    “The stories women have shared since abortion rights were stripped away have been horrific: women forced to stay pregnant despite what they wanted, despite what was best for them, even despite medical emergencies.
    “But the data also continues to roll in and give us an even clearer picture of the grim reality for women in this country.
    “At the same time that we are finally making overdue progress nationally to lower maternal death rates, we are seeing maternal death rates surge in Texas and other states after Republicans put in place extreme abortion bans.
    “And what is the Trump Administration doing now? Well, for starters, they’ve locked researchers out of a key maternal health database and fired people working on maternal health research.
    “That’s going to painfully undermine some of our best tools for understanding the damage that Republicans’ extreme abortion bans are doing nationwide—but more than that, they’ve replaced anti-abortion dog whistles with anti-abortion train whistles, sending a clear signal to extreme, and even dangerous, anti-abortion crusaders to go wild.
    “President Trump issued mass pardons of people who broke laws that keep patients receiving reproductive health care safe, and he made clear he won’t punish people who break that law going forward.
    “That is a chilling invitation to lawlessness—people blocking patients, barricading clinic entrances, and making violent threats—all of which we have seen before, and all of which it’s clear Trump wants to make even worse.
    “And Trump is not just emboldening extremists—Trump is seeking to empower them as well.
    “His pick to lead the CDC is the father of the Weldon amendment, which gave the Trump Administration free rein to withhold funds from states that seek to protect abortion access.
    “Dave Weldon is someone who has radical anti-abortion views and a long history of peddling inflammatory and medically debunked anti-abortion rhetoric that put the lives and health of women in danger.
    “Meanwhile, Trump’s HHS Secretary has made clear he is completely open to Republicans’ bogus push to rip away access to medication abortion—something that would upend the most common, and most accessible form of abortion care, which hundreds of millions of women turn to each year, especially since the Dobbs decision.
    “So, it may be early days of this new Administration—but, unfortunately, it is not too early to see that they are hell-bent on ripping away women’s reproductive rights, and that we will need to fight tooth and nail to defend abortion access in this country from a new onslaught of Republican attacks.“But women across the country are fed up with having their rights undermined, having their health jeopardized, and having their most personal decision stripped away from them by Republican politicians.
    “They are going to continue speaking out. Women like Kayla are going to continue having the courage to tell their stories, and I am going to continue doing everything I can to lift them up, to make their stories heard in the halls of power, and to stand my ground in the fight to protect abortion access in America.
    “Thank you, and now I’ll turn it over to Kayla.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Highlights Stories of WA Businesses, Farms, Organizations Harmed by Trump’s Illegal Funding Freezes Ahead of Joint Address

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray has been a leading voice calling out the Trump administration for illegally freezing hundreds of billions of dollars owed to communities across the country, including hundreds of millions of dollars for Washington state
    ***WATCH VIDEO HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference with businesses and organizations across Washington state—from Bremerton, to Skagit County, to Vancouver, to Okanogan—who are being harmed by Trump’s ongoing illegal freezes on vast swaths of federal funding owed to Washington state and communities across the country, putting critical projects, jobs, and entire businesses at risk. Senator Murray has been raising the alarm nonstop and working to get out information on what Trump’s illegal funding freezes mean for people across the country since his Day One Executive Orders went into effect—these illegal Executive Orders are right now blocking hundreds of billions of dollars in funding from going out the door.
    Joining Senator Murray for the press conference today were: Michael Frazier, Executive Director of Viva Farms in Skagit County; Rena Shawver, Executive Director of Okanogan County Community Action Council in Okanogan; Richard Schwarz, the CEO of Safe Boats in Bremerton; and Greg Franks, President of Manor Management Services, the management agency for Smith Tower in Vancouver. All four speakers represent businesses and organizations that have had federal funding they are owed frozen, cut off, or thrown into uncertainty because of the illegal actions of this administration.
    Ahead of President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, Senator Murray is lifting up the stories of real people in Washington state who are being hurt by Donald Trump’s reckless and illegal moves—from his indiscriminate mass firings across the federal workforce that will undermine services we all rely on and put lives at risk, to his illegal funding freezes that are seriously harming businesses and organizations across Washington state and putting them in financial jeopardy. Senator Murray’s statement on why she won’t be attending the Joint Address tonight is HERE.
    “Despite what we may hear later tonight—the true state of our union is that Musk and Trump have ground it to a halt, by blocking important funding in total disregard of the law and total lack of concern over how their actions put American jobs at risk,” Senator Murray said on the press call today. “You won’t hear that from Trump tonight. But I can tell you—we are hearing it at my office, where the phones are still ringing off the hook with calls from business owners, farmers, workers, cities, Tribes, nonprofits, and so many other people who are seeing what this funding freeze means for the work they do, for the people they serve, and are desperate to raise the alarm. Trump and Musk may not want to hear about the damage they are causing—but I am not going to let them ignore it.”
    “Viva Farms is a Skagit and King County based nonprofit farm-business training organization and incubator farm with a 15-year history of success growing the next generation of farmers. Our main focus is economic development: supporting farmers on their path to viability while supporting the larger food and agricultural economy. And, as a training program, we are concerned with the next generation of farmers; who will grow our food for the future? Including Viva’s Team, dozens of farm owners and their employees, over 100 people earn their livelihoods directly through our work, and all of this is at risk because of the current funding freeze,” said Michael Frazier, Executive Director of Viva Farms, based in Skagit County. Right now, because of Trump’s Executive Orders and subsequent actions to recall contracted federal funding, Viva Farms’ future is uncertain—they are unable to access a total of about $5 million awarded, multi-year federal grants, $1 million of which was to be spent this year. The loss of these funds could be catastrophic to the future of Viva Farms and many of the farmers they serve.
    “Rural safety net programs for disaster relief, emergency assistance for basic needs, and job support are essential to the economic health of our entire community. The kind of programming that will run out of these facilities provide a safety net for working families and people in crisis. We hope to see the funding for these resiliency hubs come through soon,” said Rena Shawver, Executive Director of Okanogan County Community Action Council (OCCAC) in Okanogan, which supports working families and low-income residents with lifeline emergency services that help them get back on their feet. Right now, Trump’s Day One Executive Orders are blocking a $20 million Community Change Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for OCCAC from moving forward—this funding will create a Food Hub to store the county’s food for assistance programs, and a multipurpose Community Center in Omak that would house job-training, daycare, energy assistance, and other programs to help the community become more resilient to the effects of poverty and disasters. The award was announced in December 2024 and the facility has been in design and development for over a decade. EPA was working on the contract with OCCAC for the funds when the freeze occurred; OCCAC now has not heard from the EPA since January 24th.
    “We design and manufacture aluminum boats for coast guards, militaries, first responders. We’re a 100 percent employee-owned small business… Following the Executive Order that paused foreign assistance programs, we received stop work orders for all of our foreign military and security cooperation contracts that were issued through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL). The majority of those boats were already in production and partially completed. Then we received additional stop work orders for the Mark VI patrol boats that we’re currently building for Ukraine, as well as for all the weapons systems for the Island-class Coast Guard cutters that are being refurbished for Ukraine by another shipyard. The Ukraine contract was stopped even though we have four boats completely done, two more in production, and have ordered most of the long lead materials for the remaining two. And now we’re being asked questions that lead us to at least fear that it’s possible that that contract could be cancelled in its entirety… In total, about 90 employees out of our total of 300 have been affected by these stop work orders. And then probably the most serious immediate concern is that late last month, we were also notified that we were not going to be paid for the work that we had completed on these programs—our invoices were issued after the Executive Order, but prior to the stop work orders on these contracts. That policy affects several millions of dollars worth of invoices and is clearly contrary to the terms of our contracts,” said Richard Schwarz, CEO of Bremerton-based Safe Boats International. SAFE Boats’ operations have been significantly disrupted since Trump took office—the company was told to stop building ships for partnered countries and wait for a 90-day review before it can restore the manufacturing or before contracts are canceled. Six SAFE Boats contracts awarded by the Navy, State Department, and Coast Guard have been placed on hold.
    “After nearly 60 years of local organized labor leaders coming together and providing 170 affordable rental homes in Vancouver, Washington, to low- and extremely-low-income seniors, Smith Tower is in need of improvements to preserve the affordability and the structure for the next 60 years or more. Our government must ensure the predictable and timely delivery of funding commitments already made by HUD and EPA in order to avoid additional costs which could derail the project entirely and put at risk the stability and safety of these seniors’ homes and hundreds of jobs,” said Greg Franks, President of Manor Management Services, the management agency for Smith Tower in Vancouver, Washington. Smith Tower was awarded a $10 million loan through HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program in 2024, as well as an $11.5 million loan from EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund—this funding, although already awarded, is currently frozen by the Trump administration and at risk.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on today’s press call, are below and video is HERE:
    “Thank you so much for coming on today and sharing your stories; it is so important that people hear what is happening to all of you.
    “As we all know, President Trump is coming to Congress tonight to give what is called the State of the Union, but I don’t think it’s right to call it a State of the Union because he’s going to be really ignoring the state of emergency that he and Elon have created through a very reckless and illegal funding freeze, and massive cuts.
    “We have seen Trump put on this show before, and he is going to blow by the facts and reality of the harm that’s been caused, regardless of what’s actually happening—regardless of what’s actually happening, he’ll probably say that the state of the union is strong.
    “Maybe for billionaires like him and Elon Musk—but I will tell you, for families across the country, for our small businesses, for our farms and people in Washington state who are just trying to get by, he has made life harder and made things a lot worse.
    “He gave the richest man in the world the keys to the kingdom. And now, they’re cutting off funding that Congress, all of us, passed—and they’re doing it left and right.
    “This is not making us safer. It is not making us stronger. It’s causing chaos, and it is costing us jobs.
    “The illegal funding freeze is choking off funding for infrastructure and energy projects, investments to lower people’s electric bills.
    “It is grinding cancer research to a halt, as researchers now are being cut off from the funds that they need to do things like replenish their basic lab supplies.
    “It is putting our family farms and businesses in jeopardy, as farmers who took steps like installing solar panels, or upgrading their greenhouses—helping them save money while counting on federal assistance they were promised—they’re suddenly being stiffed by the billionaires who are now running the government.
    “The freeze is hurting our forests and our parks. It is endangering our families, as groups like the Northwest Youth Corp have to suspend their crews and interns because their funds have been frozen—even funds for work they had already completed!
    “It is hurting organizations like Safe Boats, which you will hear from in a minute. And they do the work that is critical to our national security—they will tell you about that—and now the Trump administration is really putting them in financial straits.
    “Not to mention Tribes across our state who are still waiting on funding they were owed.
    “Or in Waitsburg, Washington, where the frozen funding is risking their water main bursting—they can’t now get access a grant for a project to protect drinking water from flooding and earthquakes, wildfires and more. It is frozen; they can’t get to it.
    “So, despite what we are going to hear tonight here, the true state of our nation is that Musk and Trump have ground it to a halt because they are blocking important funding—in total disregard of the law, by the way—and total lack of concern over how their actions put Americans and American jobs at risk.
    “Probably won’t hear that from Trump tonight—but I can tell you, we are hearing it in my office. The phones are still ringing off the hook with calls from business owners, farmers, workers, cities, Tribes, nonprofits, so many people who are seeing what this funding freeze means for the work they are doing, for the people that they serve, and they are desperate to raise the alarm.
    “You know, this is not like turning a light switch on and off, no harm is done. This is like fighting a fire, one President Trump himself set—and as long as they ignore this problem, or worse, keep fanning the flames—the worse it is going to get.
    “Now, we have seen the impact we can have by speaking out. When everybody raising their voices and saying ‘we don’t want our country to be behaving like this.’ We have seen that if we raise the alarm, and raise our voices, and bring enough shame down on their heads—it is possible to get this administration to reverse the course.
    “But we also know, we’ve got to be loud. We’ve got to be clear about what is at stake.
    “They may not want to hear about the damage they are causing—but I am not going to let them ignore it.
    “That is why tonight I am holding this call, so we can lift up the stories of people who actually are on the receiving end of Trump and Musk’s devastating freeze and who can say a bit, tell us about what is at stake for them, their communities, our country, if we don’t get things back on track.
    “So I really appreciate all of you in coming on this today and sharing your stories so people understand what’s at stake and what’s happening to you.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Firearm located during traffic stop

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have taken another firearm out of the community after a traffic stop early this morning.

    Just before 2.30am, a frontline Police unit stopped a vehicle on Carbine Road in Mt Wellington.

    “The vehicle was sought by Police and as staff were speaking with the driver, they noticed a baseball bat in footwell of the car,” Inspector Rachel Dolheguy, of Auckland City East’s Area Prevention Manager says.

    “A further search of the vehicle was invoked and uncovered a sawn-off shot gun in the vehicle’s backseat.”

    Attending staff also located ammunition for the firearm.

    Police have since towed the vehicle and the driver was arrested.

    A 27-year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court next week on a raft of charges.

    Inspector Dolheguy says: “It’s a great result from the nightshift Public Safety Team in taking another firearm out of the community and its potential use for future offending.”

    The man will appear on 11 March.

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fires used to terrify city residents. New research suggests climate change could see this fear return

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania

    Fire rages in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles in January 2025 eley archives/Shutterstock

    For centuries, fire was one of the major fears for city-dwellers. Dense cities built largely of wood could – and did – burn. In 1666, a fire in a bakery went on to destroy two-thirds of the city of London, leaving 85% of residents homeless. In 1871, fire burned out huge areas of Chicago. In World War II, bombing raids by Allied forces largely destroyed cities such as Dresden in Germany and Tokyo in Japan.

    The threat of large-scale urban fires drove authorities to spend more on urban firefighting and require buildings to use less flammable material. Fire alarms, fire engines and automatic sprinklers have done much to reduce the chance of uncontrolled spread.

    But will our sense of safety endure in the age of climate change? In January, we saw swathes of Los Angeles burn – even in the northern winter. Driven by low humidity and high winds, numerous large fires encroached on the city, destroying outlying suburbs. Climate change made the fires worse, according to climate scientists.

    Now we have new research on the question of whether climate change will make large city fires more likely. A research team from China, Singapore and Australia have gathered a decade’s worth of data on fires from almost 3,000 cities in 20 nations, home to one-fifth of the world’s population.

    The researchers found for every 1°C increase in air temperature, outdoor fires (rubbish and landfill) increase 4.7% and vehicle fires 2.5%. If the world accelerates its burning of fossil fuels under a high emissions scenario compatible with a 4.3°C temperature rise by century’s end, outdoor fires in cities would soar 22% and vehicle fires 11%. But building fires are projected to actually fall 5%. Thankfully, this emissions scenario is now less likely.

    The Great Fire of London destroyed most of the city in 1666.
    HodagMedia/Shutterstock

    What did this research find?

    To make these findings, the researchers aggregated the fire incident data from 2,847 cities located in 20 countries over the 2011–20 decade and analysed them to see how air temperature influences the frequency of three types of fires: outdoor, structural and vehicle. They found a strong correlation.

    Of the 20 nations, New Zealand looks likely to have the highest increase in fires, soaring 140% over 2020 figures by 2100.

    When we think of fires in a city, we usually think of structural fires – a building going up in flames.

    The research suggests building fires would actually decrease 5% by 2100. This is unexpected, and might suggest uncertainty about this finding.

    Interestingly, this research found the fewest structural fires occurred at air temperatures of 24°C, a temperature which humans find optimal. When it’s hotter or cooler than that, more buildings catch fire.

    Why? It’s likely due to our behaviour. We spend more time indoors when it’s very cold or very hot outside, which the authors suggest could make us more likely to accidentally cause fires by using electrical appliances and fireplaces which have a fire risk.

    By contrast, outdoor and vehicle fires do increase linearly as temperatures rise. Most vehicle fires come from an equipment or heat source failure, which are both likely to increase as temperatures rise. We are also more likely to have a car crash when it’s hotter, and vehicle fires often come after a crash.

    Vehicle fires will become more common as the climate changes, according to this research.
    Rodrigo Teixeira/Pexels, CC BY-NC-ND

    Outdoor fires become more likely because heat dries out fuels and favours fire spread. Rubbish dumps can spontaneously catch fire when temperatures are too high – even underground. This happens because chemical reactions are accelerated in warmer temperatures, causing waste materials to heat up faster. If the extra heat isn’t dissipated, waste can become so hot that it catches fire on its own.

    We should take these estimates with a grain of salt. This is because they project recent statistical patterns into an uncertain future, and draw on a data set not perfectly suited to the task. The data set stops in 2020, before the electric vehicle transition gathered speed. EVs have a different risk profile for accidental fires.

    As the authors note, there are large barriers to getting a coherent understanding of fire risk. “Despite multiple efforts, we have been unsuccessful in obtaining fire data from Africa and South America,” they write.

    Their estimates also relate to a high-emissions future which is hopefully becoming less likely, though the general pattern of the results are similar under less severe climate projections.

    Most importantly, it’s not yet clear why temperature influences urban fires. This uncertainty raises questions over whether simple projections of current patterns into the future are realistic or appropriate.

    Cities aflame?

    Arguably the most important contribution of this new research is to show us that our cities are not inherently protected from fire.

    For city authorities, this research points to the need to manage combustible materials, from piles of mulch to dry urban parks and even home gardens. Storage yards, rubbish dumps and recycling centres will also need to be managed.

    Fire used to be a major concern for cities, and it could be again. Cities and fire are uneasy bedfellows, and climate change will worsen the situation.

    David Bowman is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and also receives funding from the New South Wales Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre, and Natural Hazards Research Australia.

    Calum Cunningham receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Fires used to terrify city residents. New research suggests climate change could see this fear return – https://theconversation.com/fires-used-to-terrify-city-residents-new-research-suggests-climate-change-could-see-this-fear-return-251056

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: America or Europe? Why Trump’s Ukraine U-turn is a fork in the road for New Zealand

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

    The aftermath of one of the most undiplomatic – and notorious – White House meetings in recent history reveals a changed world.

    Having berated Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky for supposedly not wanting peace with Russia and failing to show sufficient gratitude to the United States, President Donald Trump has now paused all military aid to Ukraine.

    This equates to about 40% of the beleaguered nation’s military support. If the gap is not quickly covered by other countries, Ukraine will be severely compromised in its defence against the Russian invasion.

    This has happened while the Russian army is making slow but costly gains along the front in eastern Ukraine. Trump’s goal appears to be to force Zelensky to accept a deal he does not want, and which may be illegal under international law.

    New Zealand is a long way from that front line, but the implications of Trump’s unilateral abandonment of Ukraine still create a serious foreign policy problem.

    Aside from its unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s actions, New Zealand has provided Defence Force personnel for training, intelligence, logistics and liaison to the tune of nearly NZ$35 million. The government has also given an additional $32 million in humanitarian assistance.

    At the same time, New Zealand has supported global legal efforts to hold Russia to account at both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. With Trump undermining these collective actions, New Zealand faces some stark choices.

    Allies at war

    While a genuine ceasefire and eventual peace in Ukraine are the right aims, Trump’s one-sided proposal has involved direct talks between Russia and the US, excluding all other parties, including the actual victims of Russian aggression.

    With eery parallels to the Munich Agreement of 1938 between Nazi Germany, Britain, France and Italy, peace terms could be dictated to the innocent party. Ukraine may have to sacrifice part of its territory in the hope a wider peace prevails.

    In exchange, Ukraine may be given some type of “security assurance”. But what that arrangement would look like, and what kind of peacekeeping force might be acceptable to Russia, remains unclear.

    If the current UK and European ceasefire proposals fail, Europe could be pulled more directly into the conflict. Since the Trump rebuff, European leaders are embracing Zelenskyy more tightly, wary of an emboldened Russia threatening other states with substantial Russian populations such as in Estonia and Latvia.

    European boots on the ground in Ukraine could escalate the existing war into a much larger and more dangerous conflict. The complexities of this new reality are now spilling over in the United Nations.

    A fork in the road

    While the Security Council finally agreed on a broad statement in favour of a lasting peace, just what that might look like has seen opposing resolutions in the General Assembly.

    On February 18, 53 countries, including New Zealand, voted in favour of a resolution condemning Russian aggression and calling for the return of Ukrainian territory. The resolution passed, but the US, Russia, Belarus and North Korea voted against it.

    The US then put up its own resolution calling for peace, without recognising Russian aggression or the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. New Zealand supported this, too.

    Those two votes clearly signal a fork-in-the-road moment for New Zealand.

    As well as the wider consequences and potential precedents of any Ukraine peace settlement for security in Europe and the Pacific region, there is the immediate problem of supporting Ukraine.

    With the US and Europe – both traditional allies of New Zealand – now deeply divided, whatever path the government chooses will directly affect present and future security arrangements – including any possible “pillar two” membership of AUKUS.

    Potentially complicating matters further, Trump’s civilian lieutenant Elon Musk has publicly advocated for the US leaving the UN and NATO. Whether or not that happens, the threat alone underscores the gravity of the current situation.

    No option without risk

    Ultimately, if Trump decides to force Zelensky to the negotiating table against his will, and Europe continues urging and supporting him to fight on, New Zealand will have to take sides. It cannot take both.

    The National-led coalition government will either have to abandon the stance New Zealand has taken on the Russian invasion over the past three years, or wait for Europe’s response and align with efforts to support a rules-based international order.

    The first option would mean stepping back from that traditional foreign policy position, cutting military support for Ukraine (and trusting the Trump process), and probably ending sanctions against Russia and diplomatic efforts for legal accountability.

    The other path would mean spending more on military aid, and possibly deploying more defence personnel to help fill the gap Trump has created.

    No option is without risk. But, on balance, the European approach to international affairs seems closer to New Zealand’s worldview than the one currently articulated by the Trump administration.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. America or Europe? Why Trump’s Ukraine U-turn is a fork in the road for New Zealand – https://theconversation.com/america-or-europe-why-trumps-ukraine-u-turn-is-a-fork-in-the-road-for-new-zealand-251459

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Police are seizing 3D-printed guns across Australia, but our laws aren’t keeping up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hemming, Associate Professor of Law, School of Law and Justice, University of the Sunshine Coast

    Shutterstock

    After Martin Bryant killed 35 people and wounded 23 others at Port Arthur in 1996, Australia made fundamental changes to its gun laws. The use of automatic and semi-automatic weapons became restricted and a national gun registry was established.

    As a result, unlike the situation in the United States where automatic weapons can be readily obtained, mass shootings are a rarity in Australia.

    However, a new and pressing danger in the form of 3D guns, or “ghost guns”, threatens to undermine Australia’s strict gun control laws.

    The reason is simple: 3D guns can be manufactured in a suburban garage. In a process like making a dress from a pattern, a digital blueprint for the manufacture of a firearm can be downloaded from the internet. Then, instead of a sewing machine, you need a 3D printer or an electronic milling machine.

    The emergence of these types of firearms reveal big loopholes in many of our gun laws. These need urgent attention.

    How are these guns made?

    A 3D gun is manufactured in stages, with each part of the gun printed separately and assembled manually.

    Think of yourself as making a toy LEGO gun, but instead of taking the parts from the LEGO box, you make the parts on your 3D printer based on your digital blueprint and you then assemble your gun. Your raw materials are thermoplastic polymers and metal for the barrel and firing pin.

    High-end, industrial-grade 3D printers are priced between $2,000 and $10,000, and are readily available.

    This technology has been around for more than a decade.

    The first 3D printed handgun was designed by Cody Wilson in 2013, which he christened The Liberator. It was made of 15 parts of plastic and a nail for the ring pin.

    Also in 2013, reporters from the Daily Mail newspaper in London 3D-printed a Liberator pistol and smuggled the disassembled gun onto a Eurostar train. They reassembled the gun in the toilet.

    As the gun was made of plastic, metal detectors were not activated, demonstrating the danger these weapons pose even in high-security locations such as airports and public transport.

    In the recent high-profile murder in New York of Brian Thompson, chief executive of the US health insurance company United Healthcare, the suspect, Luigi Mangione, when arrested was found to be in possession of a similar 3D-printed gun and 3D-printed suppressor to those allegedly used in the shooting.

    Leaps forward in technology

    In the 12 years since the designs for The Liberator were posted on the internet, the quality and range of 3D guns have greatly improved and expanded.

    According to Detective Inspector Brad Phelps from Queensland’s Crime and Intelligence Command Drug Squad, the technology has advanced sufficiently that:

    now you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a privately manufactured firearm and a traditional firearm in many instances […] every jurisdiction in Australia has reported an increase, particularly in the last 18 months to two years.

    As 3D guns are untraceable, the actual prevalence of 3D guns is unknown, other than the growing number of 3D guns seized in police raids. According to gun safety groups, 3D guns can now fire up to 40 rounds and use standard gauge ammunition.

    Police predict homemade guns will soon overtake illicit weapon imports.

    In October 2024, Western Australian police seized 21 privately made 3D-printed firearms from a home in Perth.

    Fixing the legal loopholes

    So, with all these alarm bells ringing in the ears of law enforcement agencies, what steps have authorities taken to meet the threat 3D guns pose to community safety?

    Indeed, what effective steps are being taken to prevent further advances in the technology and thwart any efforts to produce these guns en masse?

    The answer would appear to be that little attention has been directed towards the dangers 3D guns represent. Legislation across Australian jurisdictions is inconsistent.

    At present, only New South Wales and Tasmania have legislated to make it an offence to possess a digital blueprint for the manufacture of a firearm on a 3D printer or electronic milling machine. The maximum penalties are imprisonment for 14 years and 21 years, respectively.

    In 2022, WA took a step in the right direction by making unauthorised possession of firearms technology an offence. This included possession of a 3D printer or milling device.

    The slow progress on this issue is well illustrated by South Australia. There have been 23 incidents in which police have seized 3D-printed firearms and firearm parts between 2020 and 2023.

    But the drafting of proposed legal amendments to address these incidents started in 2024 and are still to be introduced into the SA parliament.

    There needs to be a national sense of urgency similar to the federal government’s response to the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. Existing laws are inadequate as there is no uniformity in the legislation covering 3D-printed firearms and their digital blueprints.

    There was a senate inquiry into gun violence in 2014, which found 3D printers “were by no means integral to the illegal manufacture of firearms”. This is no longer accurate.

    Ironically, the senate committee recommended “Australian governments investigate the requirement for uniform regulations in all jurisdictions covering the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms and firearm parts”. A decade on, little progress has been made.

    New laws could distinguish between possessing of a digital blueprint for a 3D gun and actually manufacturing a firearm. This could look like a scale of penalties, such as those imposed for the possession and manufacture of illegal drugs, which are based on the category of drug and the quantity seized.

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

    – ref. Police are seizing 3D-printed guns across Australia, but our laws aren’t keeping up – https://theconversation.com/police-are-seizing-3d-printed-guns-across-australia-but-our-laws-arent-keeping-up-250255

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police continuing to investigate disturbance at Huonville

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Police continuing to investigate disturbance at Huonville

    Wednesday, 5 March 2025 – 10:49 am.

    Police are continuing to investigate a disturbance at Huonville this morning, and one person remains in custody assisting with enquiries. 
    Inspector Colin Riley said, “Around 1.10am police received a report of a disturbance at Huonville, in the vicinity of the Esplanade and Main Road, allegedly involving a group of approximately six people.”  
    “Multiple police units attended, including specialist resources.”  
    “Early reports indicated a firearm was discharged during the incident. This is being investigated.” 
    No injuries were sustained in the incident, and the people involved were known to each other. 
    “Understandably this incident will be concerning to people who were in the area around the time, and I’d like to assure the community that the incident is contained, and an investigation is ongoing.”  
    Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopprestas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote ESCAD 16-05032025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Brookfield Wealth Solutions announces Group Capital position of over $16 Billion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Group capital triples over two-year period

    Financial strength underpins A ratings across life and annuity companies

    BROOKFIELD, NEWS, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brookfield Wealth Solutions (NYSE, TSX: BNT) today announced its year-end 2024 capital position with over $16 billion of group capital across its regulated insurance subsidiaries and holding companies. This strong capital position underpins the A financial strength ratings assigned to Brookfield Wealth Solutions’ life and annuity companies, and the investment grade ratings for its life and annuity holding company.

    Brookfield Wealth Solutions’ group capital has tripled from $5.7 billion in 2022 to an estimated $16.1 billion in 2024 through a combination of retained earnings and capital contributions from Brookfield Corporation. 

    Sachin Shah, CEO, Brookfield Wealth Solutions, said: “With over 5,000 people dedicated every day to serving the needs of policyholders and retirees, we’ve been able to build a world-class wealth business that provides individuals with safe and secure retirement income. This past year has culminated in record levels of group and entity-level capital. This February we participated in the first group Supervisory College, where we had the opportunity to share details of our assets, reserves and capital position with our insurance regulators from eight jurisdictions. With our upcoming entrance into the UK insurance market, we look forward to continued prudent growth and an expanded Supervisory College in 2025.”

    Summary of Group Capital            
    in USD, billions            
                 
    Group / Entity   12/31/2022   12/31/2023   12/31/2024
    Insurance Subsidiaries1   5.1   7.5   13.5
    Group Holding Companies   0.7   1.5   2.6
    Total Brookfield Wealth Solutions   5.7   9.0   16.1
    1. Calculated on an aggregate basis in accordance with applicable insurance regulations.
     

    About Brookfield Wealth Solutions

    Brookfield Wealth Solutions Ltd. (NYSE, TSX: BNT) is focused on securing the financial futures of individuals and institutions through a range of retirement services, wealth protection products and tailored capital solutions. Each class A exchangeable limited voting share of Brookfield Wealth Solutions is exchangeable on a one-for-one basis with a class A limited voting share of Brookfield Corporation (NYSE, TSX: BN). For more information, visit bnt.brookfield.com or contact:

    Media:  Investor Relations:
    Kerrie McHugh Rachel Schneider
    Tel: (212) 618-3469 Tel: (416) 369-3358
    Email: kerrie.mchugh@brookfield.com Email: Rachel.schneider@brookfield.com
       

    Non-GAAP and Performance Measures

    We make reference to Brookfield Wealth Solutions’ group capital in this news release, which is calculated on an aggregate basis in accordance with applicable insurance regulations and is not derived from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These references should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We caution readers that these non-GAAP financial measures or other financial metrics are not standardized under U.S. GAAP and may differ from the financial measures or other financial metrics disclosed by other businesses and, as a result, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and entities. We provide additional information on key terms and non-GAAP measures in our filings available at bnt.brookfield.com.

    Notice to Readers

    This news release and any related oral statements made by our representatives may contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future results, events or conditions, and include, but are not limited to, statements which reflect management’s current estimates, assumptions and expectations regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, strategies, capital management and outlook of Brookfield Wealth Solutions and its subsidiaries, as well as the outlook for international economies for the current fiscal year and subsequent periods.

    In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words such as “believes,” “thinks,” “expects,” “potential,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “foresees,” “forecasts,” or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” and “could.” In particular, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release include statements regarding the growth of our business, the status of regulatory approvals including the anticipated timing thereof, the size of the U.K. pension market and opportunities relating thereto.

    Although we believe that our anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable estimates, assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Brookfield Wealth Solutions or its subsidiaries to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) investment returns that are lower than target; (ii) the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors in the countries in which we do business; (iii) the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates; (iv) global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets (v) litigation; (vi) changes in tax laws; (vii) ability to collect amounts owed; (viii) catastrophic events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and epidemics/pandemics; (ix) the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts and cyberterrorism; (x) the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies; (xi) the failure of effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting and other risks; (xii) health, safety and environmental risks; (xiii) the maintenance of adequate insurance coverage; (xiv) the existence of information barriers between certain businesses within Brookfield’s asset management operations; (xv) risks specific to our business segments; (xvi) factors detailed from time to time in our documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada and the United States; and (xvii) the failure to obtain and/or maintain required regulatory approvals. We caution that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. Readers are urged to consider the foregoing risks, as well as other uncertainties, factors and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Except as required by law, Brookfield Wealth Solutions undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether written or oral, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Past performance is not indicative nor a guarantee of future results. There can be no assurance that comparable results will be achieved in the future, that future investments will be similar to the historic investments discussed herein, that targeted returns, growth objectives, diversification or asset allocations will be met or that an investment strategy or investment objectives will be achieved (because of economic conditions, the availability of investment opportunities or otherwise).

    Readers are urged to consider the foregoing risks, as well as other uncertainties, factors and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement in advance of President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress this evening: 
    “President Trump’s second term is off to a chaotic and cruel start. The past 43 days have delivered an incredible disruption to Vermont families and communities—the complete opposite of the economic relief and stability people need. We’ve entered a painful trade war sparked entirely by the President’s whims. He’s illegally frozen congressionally-appropriated funds, fired thousands of government workers at the direction of Elon Musk, and is creating a constitutional crisis.
    “I am thankful to be joined tonight by Allison Hope of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association. Allison and Vermont’s best-in-the-nation sugar makers know all too well the impact of Trump’s Trade War, which took a dangerous turn today. The maple industry, like so many industries in Vermont, will be hit by the new tariffs on Canada. The President’s tariffs are a reckless tax hike for America’s farmers, businesses and families. The honest and simple truth is that nobody wins a trade war.  
    “I hope to hear tonight about how President Trump plans to lower grocery and health care costs for families, create jobs, and support working families—plans that he forgot to include in his inaugural address. I want to remind my colleagues across the aisle that all of us were elected to serve the best interests of our constituents and not to be enablers of policies that hurt them. Congress has an obligation to act as a check on the executive branch, especially when the president exceeds his constitutional authority. It’s not too late for Republicans in Congress to stand up to Donald Trump, stand up for democracy, and uphold Congress’s role as a separate and equal branch of government.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Highlighting Veterans Staffing Cuts: “Those Operating with a Scalpel have a Better Chance of Saving Lives than those Operating with a Chainsaw”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) discussed the latest Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffing cuts throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with leadership from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In a discussion with Alfred J. “Al” Lipphardt, King asked about the denial of benefits resulting from these DOGE cuts and how those cuts are also affecting employment of veterans who put their life on the line for our country.
    The conversation comes as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has dismissed 1,000 probationary federal employees and announced plans to cut an additional 1,400 probationary employees in a second round of layoffs — all part of the current Administration’s reckless efforts to trim the federal workforce. Additionally, job cuts across federal agencies are disproportionally impacting veterans who make up nearly 30% of the federal workforce. In back-to-back joint hearings last week of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) and the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC), Senator King also sounded the alarm on the detrimental impact these reckless firings will have on veteran care and support.
    Senator King began the discussion by sharing the impacts of the firings on veteran care and employment.
    Senator King began, “These staffing cuts, there have actually been 2400 firings at the V.A., but then there was a hiring freeze that left a couple of thousand places open, so we are really down 5000 people in the last month at the V.A. Here’s how random it is. At first, they were going to have the hiring freeze apply to doctors and nurses. Then they said no, those are direct care workers, we will exempt them. If nobody is there to answer the phone when a veteran calls for an appointment, that’s a denial of benefits. 
    “Yes, sir,” Commander Lipphardt said.
    Senator King responded, “The point has been made, 30% of federal employees are veterans, so when you see a headline that says 1000 people were fired at the CIA, wherever it is, that’s 300 veterans. In our hospital, Togus, in Maine, we had seven people laid off. Five were veterans. That’s a hell of a way to treat someone who put their life on the line for the country.”
    Senator King then pointed out that skillful and thoughtful department trim downs would be much better for the care of our service members and veterans.
    Senator King concluded,  “You put it well in your statement, you said ‘I was wounded in combat during Vietnam and am thankful that the medics who treated me chose not to take my whole arm for the sake of efficiency. It took a trained eye and a skillful hand, human intuition to fix me up and get me back in the fight. In my experience, those operating with a scalpel have a better chance of saving lives than those who operate with a chainsaw.’ Thank you, Mr. Commander, for making that statement.”
    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act.
    In February, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. Previously, Senator King introduced the Lethal Means Safe Storage for Veteran Suicide Prevention Act to provide firearm storage to veterans in an effort to reduce suicides among the veteran population. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families. Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation alongside SVAC Chairman Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare.
    Last week, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Golden Denounce Mass Layoffs at VA, Demand Answers on Plan for Veterans’ Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Douglas Collins demanding accountability for recent mass layoffs at the agency and calling on the administration to uphold its commitment to veterans’ health and well-being.
    A recent series of indiscriminate VA layoffs “will harm our nation’s veterans…” Golden and King wrote. “… Across-the-board layoffs exacerbate an already tenuous workforce shortage where employees are being asked to work overtime to cover unfilled positions.”
    Over the last month, 2,400 VA employees — many veterans themselves — have been abruptly laid off across the country. The latest round of firings last week included seven employees at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta. 
    While termination emails commonly explained that the decision was due to the employee’s “poor performance,” often these same individuals consistently received exemplary reviews throughout their careers at the VA. 
    In their letter, Golden and King specifically called on the VA to explain what steps were taken to ensure layoffs would not impact veterans’ care, what processes were used to determine “poor performance” after positive internal reviews, and whether additional layoffs are expected. 
    As members of the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, respectively, Golden and King will continue advocating for the critical care America’s veterans earned through their service.
    A copy of the lawmakers’ letter can be found here, and is included below in full:
    +++
    Dear Secretary Collins
    We write with the utmost concern regarding a series of directives being carried out by the Trump Administration and the Department of Government E?ciency (DOGE) that will harm our nation’s veterans.
    In early February, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) laid off 1,000 employees in positions that were deemed “non-mission critical.” Recently, the VA laid off another 1,400 employees on similar grounds. Across-the-board layoffs exacerbate an already tenuous workforce shortage where employees are being asked to work overtime to cover unfilled positions.
    The VA has fired qualified employees who provide essential services to veterans for alleged “poor performance” yet, many of the fired employees were described as meeting and exceeding the duties of their job description in their reviews. Additionally, many of the employees who have been fired are veterans themselves.
    With regard to those concerns, we ask you to provide us with answers to the following questions by March 7:
    1. The VA has publicly stated that the recent layoffs will have no effect on veterans’ healthcare. What steps has the agency taken to determine that these actions will have no adverse impact?
    2. Poor performance has been commonly used as the reasoning for the firings. What processes are used to reconcile differing performance opinions between the DOGE and the VA’s supervisors?
    3. Does the VA plan to terminate additional employees within the next 90 days? If so, what criteria will be used and how many employees are at risk of being terminated?
    We expect the Trump Administration and the DOGE to uphold its commitment and continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our veterans.
    We appreciate your immediate attention to this important matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Considering a career in firefighting? Come and try before you apply!

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Territorians interested in a career in firefighting will have the chance to try before they apply, ahead of the next recruitment drive in June 2025.

    The NT Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) is hosting Come and Try days in Darwin at 9am on 22 March at Foskey Pavilion Darwin Show Grounds and in Alice Springs at 9am on the 29 March at St Phillips College.

    The events offer those considering a career with NTFRS an opportunity to experience components of the recruitment Physical Aptitude Test (PAT) and receive expert tips on preparing to become a firefighter from those who live the role every day.

    The PAT combines both fitness assessments and on the job tasks, making it a reliable indicator of an applicant’s ability to carry out the physically demanding tasks required of operational firefighters during an emergency and at incidents.

    While challenging, the PAT is achievable with proper training and preparation. The Come and Try day is designed to give participants valuable insight into what’s involved and allow time to start their training ahead of the upcoming recruitment.

    A career as a Firefighter in the Northern Territory is both rewarding and challenging, with no two days being the same. As a firefighter, you’ll be on the frontline, working as a close-knit team helping to serve and protect the community by:

    • Fighting fires to safeguard lives, property and the environment
    • Responding to emergency incidents, such as motor vehicle accidents, HAZMAT incidents, and other emergencies
    • Providing community education and preparedness programs
    • Implementing fire mitigation and prevention strategies
    • Inspecting building compliance and fire safety

    Future firefighters have two weeks to register their interest in the come and try day. Register now for Darwin https://tinyurl.com/v4atu66s and Alice Springs https://tinyurl.com/33m8sfzc

    Registrations are essential.

    Fore more information about a career in firefighting visit Careers in Firefighting | NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services

    Quotes attributable to Chief Fire Officer, Stephen Sewell AFSM:

    “Becoming a Firefighter can be a challenging process, so our Come and Try days are designed to give prospective applicants an insight into the fitness components. It also provides them with enough time to ramp up their training and set new goals ahead of the next recruitment round in June.”

    “Firefighters must work in confrontational and high-pressure situations, especially when responding to incidents involving injury or loss of life. This role is physically and psychologically demanding, requiring critical thinking and teamwork in every incident response – which is why we need to ensure we get the right people in the roles.”

    Being a Firefighter is more than just a job – it’s a calling, dedicated to service and community. We’re seeking individuals passionate about making a difference in the Northern Territory, particularly in remote and regional areas.

    The recent formation of NT Fire and Emergency Services, combining the NT Fire and Rescue Service, NT Emergency Service, and Bushfires NT, enhances our ability to respond to emergencies while prioritising community resilience.

    Media Contact:
    Rickie Abraham
    Phone: 8923 980

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Recidivist felon sentenced to over nine years in prison after being arrested in possession of four firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to nine years and two months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents, on April 19, 2024, agents with the FBI Capital Area Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Herman Leroy Mallory Jr., 40, on outstanding warrants from Louisa County. When agents removed Mallory from the vehicle, they observed in plain view a handgun on top of the speaker deck and another handgun partially covered with a t-shirt on the floorboard.

    During a search of the vehicle, investigators recovered two rifles, a 50-round drum magazine, and additional ammunition and firearm magazines. They also discovered a pack containing baggies of narcotics, including 27.51 grams of cocaine, 9.46 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, 0.62 grams of fentanyl, and 6.27 grams of a mixture containing heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.

    Mallory previously was convicted of felony larceny, grand larceny, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, and conspiracy to commit breaking and entering. As a previously convicted felon, he cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

    On April 30, 2024, a victim reported to police that a rifle had been stolen from his home approximately three weeks earlier when Mallory had been a guest in his home. On June 9, 2024, the victim contacted police again to report that three other firearms had been stolen. Mallory admitted to law enforcement that the handgun observed on top of the speaker deck in his vehicle and one of the recovered rifles had come from the victim.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gilliland, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Miller prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-149.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Jackson Police Department Officer Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Making a False Statement in the Acquisition of a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    JACKSON, MS – Torrence Donell Mayfield, of Raymond, a former Jackson Police Department officer was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for making a false statement to a firearms dealer in the acquisition of a firearm. Mayfield was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
    According to court documents and statements in open court, Mayfield, 53, purchased a firearm for another person on October 26, 2021. That purchase was made at a pawn shop which is a Federal Firearms Licensee. Mayfield was required to complete a certain written form to purchase the firearm. On that written form, Mayfield indicated that he was purchasing the firearm for himself, not someone else. That statement was false. It is against federal law to make a false statement to a firearm dealer to acquire a firearm.
    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi; and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff made the announcement.
    The FBI investigated the case.
    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Herbert S. Carraway and Charles W. Kirkham prosecuted the case.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Memphis Woman Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Identity Theft and Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Memphis, TN – Patricia Johnson, 47, has been sentenced to a total of 120 months in federal prison for committing identity theft and bank fraud, as well as violating the terms of her supervised release.  Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

    According to evidence presented in court, on numerous occasions between May and June 2022 and in multiple locations in West Tennessee, Johnson impersonated other persons named “Patricia Johnson” who had existing bank accounts or who were authorized signees of accounts.  Johnson obtained the victims’ bank account numbers and other personal information and then went to branches of the victims’ banking institutions, presented their personal identifying information, and made cash withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.  Johnson fraudulently obtained over $50,000.00 through this scheme.

    Prior to her participation in this identity theft scheme, Johnson had an extensive criminal history spanning thirty years.  This history included numerous felony convictions for theft and fraud and several prior federal identity theft convictions.

    On May 16, 2024, Johnson pled guilty to a three-count information in the Western District of Tennessee.  The information included one count of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  On February 25, 2025, Senior United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. sentenced Johnson to 106 months in federal prison on the bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges and 14 months’ imprisonment on her violation of supervised release from a previous case.  She was sentenced to five years of supervised release to follow.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Fondren thanked Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hall who prosecuted this case on behalf of the government and the law enforcement partners who investigated this case.

    ###

    For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police investigate suspicious scrub fires

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police is seeking witnesses to a series of scrub fires across Port Waikato and Tuakau this year.

    Counties Manukau South CIB are investigating seven fires that have been deemed suspicious.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor says this series fires first began in January this year.

    “Police are working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand to understand the scope of the series of fires,” he says.

    “We will consider all investigative opportunities to hold those responsible to account.

    “At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to whether these fires are linked or not.”

    There were five suspicious fires that occurred in February alone.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says it is fortunate there have been no injuries or loss of life as a result.

    No arrests have been made at this stage of the investigation.

    “The dry weather, and at times proximity to the Port Waikato township, causes significant concern and risk for the township,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

    Police urge anyone with information about those involved, or who have witnessed suspicious activity surround the time fires occurred, to report this.

    You can update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250227/2905.

    “If you see any suspicious activity occurring, please call Police on 111,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

    Fires under investigation:

    – 11 January
    – 9 February
    – 17 February
    – 26 February
    – 27 February
    – 27 February
    – 4 March

    Keeping yourself safe:

    Fire and Emergency’s Counties Manukau Community Risk Manager Thomas Harre says there are some simple steps people can take to keep themselves, and their homes, safe from wildfire.

    “Things like keeping your grass short, keeping gutters clear and removing highly flammable plants from around your property can help.

    “Longer term, planting low flammability plans before next summer reduces your risk.”

    For more information on low flammability plants and advice on when wildfire threatens, people can visit this link.

    Thomas Harre encourages anyone with information to come forward to help the Police investigation.

    “These fires are causing a lot of anxiety in the community, so we want them to stop.

    “Our fire brigades have had to spend a lot of time responding to these fires, and that has put pressure on them if there are other incidents to attend to in the area.

    “Most of the crews have been volunteers, so this means time away from family or from their place of work to fight these fires.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Emphasizes the Importance of Nuclear Triad Modernization, Airborne ISR During Senate Committee Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today to consider the nomination of Elbridge Colby to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, a key position responsible for shaping U.S. defense strategy and guiding the Pentagon’s policy priorities.
    During the hearing, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned Colby on the importance of modernizing the nation’s nuclear triad and deterrence, and maintaining airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
    [embedded content]
    North Dakota has nearly 70 years of nuclear deterrence experience. As a North Dakota native, Cramer said he has watched nuclear deterrence work up close at Minot Air Force Base (AFB), the only base to have two legs of the nuclear triad with 50-year-old Minuteman IIIs and 70-year-old B-52s. Cramer explained his extensive exposure to the processes, not just the systems, and also the work of the airmen who protect, fly, and operate the vehicles.
    “The year I was born, the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) was invented, and two years later the first one was installed at Minot, North Dakota,” said Cramer. “The Minuteman I and the Minuteman III came along after some time, and of course we also have 70-year-old B-52 bombers. Both of those vehicles carry nuclear warheads, and Minot Air Force Base contains and protects a large majority of nuclear material in our arsenal.”
    The Sentinel ICBM will replace the Minuteman III and is key to protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent capabilities and maintaining the country’s Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD). Cramer acknowledged the Sentinel program has faced challenges, but reiterated its importance. He asked Colby if he would commit to advising the President and Congress, “that we really do need to have that deterrence that has worked so well for so long, that not a single ICBM with a nuclear warhead has had to be fired.”
    “I do commit to advising the support for the ICBM, and the triad, and the land-based leg, and the Sentinel program as well,” responded Colby. “Obviously, there are concerns about the health of the program, so if confirmed, that would be a priority […]. But certainly, you have my commitment.”  
    Over the last couple of years, the U.S. Air Force has been shedding legacy airborne ISR platforms without sufficient new capabilities to replace them. Despite the demonstrated need for ISR, Cramer said he is seeing “an escalation of shedding by the United States Air Force, particularly modern ISR.” He asked Colby about how he views the importance of ISR, and his level of commitment to overseeing it.
    “I think that airborne ISR is very important, especially for its own reasons, but also because we cannot solely rely on the space-based layer,” said Colby.

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Labour calls on Govt to condemn Israel’s aid blockade

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The National Government needs to publicly condemn Israel’s cutting off of aid supplies to the war-ravaged people of Gaza.

    Israel has cut off aid to Gaza to pressure Hamas into accepting a change in the ceasefire agreement that would allow for hostages to be released without an Israeli troop withdrawal. Aid agencies have confirmed that while thousands of trucks have entered the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire was agreed in January, none have entered since Sunday.

    “The deliberate starvation of a people is a crime against humanity, and a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Government should condemn Israel’s move and call for the immediate resumption of aid shipments into Gaza,” Labour associate foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford said.

    “Ninety percent of Gazans have been displaced from their homes, and the economy destroyed. They are completely dependent on humanitarian aid for survival at this point.

    “It is horrific for Israel to cut off those supplies as a way of applying pressure so they can change the ceasefire agreement. The Government must find its voice and condemn this outrage,” Phil Twyford said. 

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Two men charged with firearms trafficking

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Two men charged with firearms trafficking

    Wednesday, 5 March 2025 – 9:14 am.

    Two men have been charged with firearms trafficking and other offences following an investigation by Bridgewater Criminal Investigation Branch.
    Police were called to an alleged aggravated robbery in Bagdad on Tuesday, 18 February after two men reportedly assaulted a resident and rammed their car when attempting to leave the scene.
    On Tuesday, 4 March police attended an address in Brighton and arrested two men, a 22-year-old and a 31-year-old.
    A search warrant was then executed, with police locating a stolen firearm, illicit drugs and other stolen property.
    Both men were charged with firearms trafficking, possession of stolen firearms, motor vehicle stealing, and other offences.
    The 31-year-old was also charged with aggravated robbery and will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court this morning.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Campfire warning ahead of long weekend

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Victoria’s fire and land management agencies are urging campers and holidaymakers to prioritise campfire safety ahead of the upcoming long weekend.

    Since 1 July 2024, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) have responded to almost 250 incidents involving campfires, including a bushfire that burnt through 14 hectares of land, left around 100 campers stranded and forced dozens more to evacuate a popular Cape Otway camp site in January.

    FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman urged people to be careful when it comes to campfires, as gusty winds can easily carry embers from a campfire into the bush, posing a serious fire risk.

    “Campfires that escape are a big problem in Victoria. Always fully extinguish campfires with water, not soil and make sure it’s cool to touch before leaving,” Mr Hardman said.

    “We want people to enjoy the bush safely. By knowing and following the rules for building and maintaining campfires, we can help keep the bush healthy and safe for everyone.”

    Parks Victoria Executive Director Operations Kylie Trott said campfires are only allowed in dedicated fireplaces in most parks in Victoria.

    “Not all parks or campgrounds allow campfires. There are some limited areas where campfires are permitted outside of constructed fireplaces, but you need to check before you go,” Ms Trott said.

    “Remember to always have someone in attendance while a campfire is going and properly extinguish the fire with water before you leave. The consequences can be devastating if you don’t.”

    Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said given the extreme fire hazard posed by unattended campfires, the Conservation Regulator takes a zero-tolerance approach to those found breaking the law when it comes to campfire safety.

    “Unattended and unsafe campfires can result in devastating consequences – the risk is real, and all campers have a responsibility to know and abide by campfire rules,” Ms Gavens said.

    “It just takes one ember to cause a destructive bushfire, and this is why there are significant fines for those who leave campfires unattended. 

    “Our forest and wildlife officers will be out over the weekend to remind campers about the importance of campfire safety.”

    CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan reminded campers it is their responsibility to check if the area they’re visiting is under a Total Fire Ban.

    “It was concerning to see several illegal campfires, including a bonfire, during the recent Total Fire Bans on February 22 and 23,” Mr Heffernan said.

    “This kind of activity increases risk for our forests, communities, and our firefighters. 

    Before hitting the road, people should download the VicEmergency app and be familiar with local campfire regulations and safety measures to help protect the environment and local communities, learn more here.

    People who breach campfire regulations on public land face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter is prosecuted in court. The maximum penalty for lighting or maintaining a fire during a day of Total Fire Ban is $47,421.60 and/or 2 years in jail. 

    Report unattended campfires to 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire.  

    Submitted by CFA Media

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