NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Schiff, Raskin for Bicameral Spotlight Hearing on the Trump Administration’s Attacks on the Rule of Law 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, today joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, for a bicameral spotlight hearing entitled, “Restoring Accountability: Exposing Trump’s Attacks on the Rule of Law,” to examine the Trump Administration’s attacks on the rule of law.  Senator Welch questioned witnesses on the culture that career prosecutors saw breached and the attacks on the rule of law exhibited by the new administration. The hearing was held by Senator Schiff and Representative Raskin.  
    “The lawlessness of the Trump Administration knows no bounds, and Republicans’ silence on President Trump’s flagrant disregard for the rule of law is deafening. Their refusal to hold President Trump accountable only emboldens the President on his quest to make the Justice Department his Justice Department,” said Senator Welch ahead of the hearing. “We need to do everything in our power to speak out and stand up against Trump’s illegal rampage and demand accountability for his attacks on the rule of law.”   
    Lawmakers from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives heard firsthand testimony from:  

    Ryan Crosswell, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) Trial Attorney in the Public Integrity Section who resigned after the Trump DOJ pressured career prosecutors to drop the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams in a shocking quid pro quo deal and cover-up;  

    Liz Oyer, a former DOJ Pardon Attorney who was fired for refusing to give actor and Trump “Special Ambassador” Mel Gibson special treatment to own a firearm despite a domestic violence conviction;  

    Rachel Cohen, a former Senior Associate at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, who resigned in protest following a string of Trump Executive Orders targeting law firms for taking on clients or cases that Trump dislikes; and  

    View the livestream here: 

    Senator Welch asked several witnesses about their personal experiences with the Trump Administration, including Liz Oyer, a fired former DOJ Pardon Attorney who faced intimidation by U.S. marshals, and Ryan Crosswell, who resigned after DOJ pressured career prosecutors to drop the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams. Senator Welch’s exchange with Rachel Cohen, a former Senior Associate at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, who resigned in protest following a string of Trump Executive Orders targeting law firms is below: 
    Senator Welch: “Tell me about how you saw being in Skadden, Arps—a major Wall Street…really world—law firm as being also an opportunity for you to live your values as an attorney, your commitment to justice, and also have an opportunity to work for folks who otherwise wouldn’t be represented.” 
    Rachel Cohen: “While I was on the job, I had unlimited pro bono hours. It was perhaps the most important thing to me when selecting a law firm. Because I wanted to get trained up on the private sector things. My past work was in public education, and I needed to understand how those things work. It drew me to finance. But I devoted anywhere from 20 to 33% of my hours to pro bono every year. And ultimately, that is why I resigned…I did a decent amount of immigration pro bono representation and actions by this administration are making it very clear that that is soon going to be viewed, or already is viewed, as adverse to the administration, despite the fact that it is just to allow people to survive when they are fleeing harm and persecution and death. And I couldn’t stay at a place that I knew was on the verge of not allowing me to take representations that the President viewed as adverse, knowing what he views as adverse, to him.” 
    ■ ■ ■
    “The Trump administration has been using the Justice Department to go after the president’s political enemies — firing prosecutors who uphold the law, attacking law firms that refuse to do his bidding, and seeking to dismiss cases against his political allies. The Republican Party has abdicated any interest in defending the rule of law or providing meaningful oversight, so I look forward to hosting some of the brave individuals willing to speak out, alongside Ranking Member Raskin, as we do the hard work of accountability that Senate and House Republicans refuse to do,” said Senator Schiff.   
    “While my GOP colleagues passively watch Trump punish his critics and take a jack hammer to the work of anti-corruption fighters at the Department of Justice, Democrats are lifting up the tough Americans who are standing strong against the corruption and lawlessness of Trump,” said Ranking Member Raskin.   
    Recently, Senator Welch took to the Senate floor and called on Congress to defend the right to free speech and freedom of the press. He discussed how our First Amendment rights are essential to the well-being of America’s democracy, and highlighted how President Trump has sought to silence or to punish journalists and citizens who speak out about the Trump Administration’s lawless agenda. Watch the Senator’s remarks on his website. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Question Trump Administration on U.S. Liability for Aiding and Abetting Netanyahu’s Potential War Crimes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that the bombing campaign carried out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Defense Forces raises legal questions about U.S. officials’ liability for potentially aiding and abetting war crimes.  
    As noted in the Senators’ letter—which was sent on the same day Mr. Netanyahu met with President Trump at the White House—their request comes after the State Department bypassed Congressional approval and invoked an emergency declaration to send more than $8 billion in arms to Israel.  
    In the last two weeks, Mr. Netanyahu said in response a question concerning remaining legitimate targets to strike in Gaza: “I don’t care about the targets,” and ordered military officials to “destroy the homes, bomb everything in Gaza.”  Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that renewed offensive military operations in Gaza aimed to increase pressure “on the population in Gaza”—inflicting additional pain on the more than two million civilians in Gaza instead of focusing on military targets. 
    In their letter, the Senators requested a briefing by April 30, 2025, on the following questions: 

    What additional intelligence or diplomatic information does the U.S. government have regarding PM Netanyahu’s and senior Israeli officials’ ordering the destruction of civilian infrastructure for punitive purposes; to intimidate civilians; to coerce civilians to move out of certain zones or to take certain actions; or to affect the conduct of de facto authorities by mass destruction? 
    Israeli forces have destroyed more than 200,000 buildings in pursuit of a force that was estimated by their government at 10,000 to 30,000 fighters, raising questions about target distinction in a densely populated area. For how many of these over 200,000 destroyed homes and buildings have U.S. officials requested from the Israeli government the underlying intelligence justification for pre-planned airstrikes, given the licensing authority of U.S. officials to “verify credible reports” that U.S.-origin equipment and munitions have been used for unauthorized purposes? 
    The vast majority of the more than 50,000 Palestinian deaths in the last year and a half have been civilian men, women, and children. What calculations has the U.S. government made of the tolerance by Israeli forces of expected harm against civilians in targeting low-level enemy combatants that are not actively engaged in combat activities? 

    Read the full letter here and below: 
    Dear Attorney General Bondi, Director Gabbard, and Secretary Rubio, 
    We write to draw your attention to two concerning reports. According to a March 20 report from Israeli newspaper Ynet, Prime Minister Netanyahu, in response a question concerning remaining legitimate targets to strike in Gaza, said “I don’t care about the targets” and ordered military officials to “destroy the homes, bomb everything in Gaza. Just last week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that renewed offensive military operations aim to increase pressure “on the population in Gaza.” 
    As you know, the destruction of civilian homes without military necessity is a war crime under United States criminal law and international law, while U.S. law additionally outlaws the use of violence to intimidate or coerce civilians. Experts have widely noted that Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza—the bloodiest and most destructive air campaign in modern history by some measures—stands out for its wide-area destruction and targeting of civilian infrastructure. This new information raises the question of whether U.S. officials risk liability for aiding and abetting war crimes, particularly in light of the State Department bypassing Congress and invoking an emergency to send more than $8 billion in arms to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs. Accordingly, we request a briefing by April 30, 2025, on the following questions: 

    What additional intelligence or diplomatic information does the U.S. government have regarding PM Netanyahu’s and senior Israeli officials’ ordering the destruction of civilian infrastructure for punitive purposes; to intimidate civilians; to coerce civilians to move out of certain zones or to take certain actions; or to affect the conduct of de facto authorities by mass destruction? 
    Israeli forces have destroyed more than 200,000 buildings in pursuit of a force that was estimated by their government at 10,000 to 30,000 fighters, raising questions about target distinction in a densely populated area. For how many of these over 200,000 destroyed homes and buildings have U.S. officials requested from the Israeli government the underlying intelligence justification for pre-planned airstrikes, given the licensing authority of U.S. officials to “verify credible reports” that U.S.-origin equipment and munitions have been used for unauthorized purposes? 
    As you know, the vast majority of the more than 50,000 Palestinian deaths in the last year and a half have been civilian men, women, and children. What calculations has the U.S. government made of the tolerance by Israeli forces of expected harm against civilians in targeting low-level enemy combatants that are not actively engaged in combat activities? 

    Finally, we are deeply concerned by reports this weekend of an attempted coverup of the killing of 15 Palestinian first aid responders in marked ambulances—that were bulldozed into a mass grave. Israeli officials claimed to have struck Hamas militants in unlit vehicles, but video evidence on victims’ phones unearthed at the site indicates that those killed were uniformed first responders in marked and well-lit ambulances with emergency signals activated. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies noted that the incident “represents the single most deadly attack on Red Cross Red Crescent workers anywhere in the world since 2017. We urge you to insist that PM Netanyahu promptly inform the Administration and Congress of his plan to hold accountable the individuals responsible for this attack. 
    Sincerely, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Raises Alarm to State Election Officials on SAVE Act, Warns it Would Disenfranchise Millions of Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Raises Alarm to State Election Officials on SAVE Act, Warns it Would Disenfranchise Millions of Americans

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, warned Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors, and Chief Election Officials across the country of the devastating potential impacts of Republicans’ Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on this week. The bill threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters by creating overly burdensome documentation requirements, making voting harder for new voters, married women, rural voters, and the tens of millions of Americans who register to vote online or through the mail.

    Senator Padilla highlighted that nearly half of Americans do not own a passport, and 21 million voting age Americans lack easy access to the voter documentation required by the SAVE Act, including a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate. Furthermore, the bill could restrict the right to vote for approximately 69 million married women whose legal names differ from their birth certificates. As more than 12 percent of Americans move each year, millions of voters would also be required to find these documents any time they change their address.

    “If this legislation becomes law, millions of Americans will face major obstacles to vote because they either lack the required documents to prove citizenship or because they relied on ways to register that the bill would upend — including online voter registration, registration by mail, voter drives, or automatic voter registration,” wrote Senator Padilla. “I encourage you to use your office to help educate election officials in your state and your Members of Congress about how this bill could harm voters and elections in your state.”

    The SAVE Act is especially alarming following President Trump’s recent anti-voter executive order, Padilla wrote.

    “This vote is particularly concerning as it comes after a recent executive order, where the President asserted sweeping unilateral power of state-run elections, including illegally requiring documentary proof of citizenship on the National Voter Registration Form, and allowing DOGE and the Department of Homeland Security access to voter registration and other state records, along with federal databases,” continued Padilla. “We have not seen an attempt like this since the federal push for voter data by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity during the first Trump Administration in 2017, which state election officials rejected on an overwhelming bipartisan basis.”

    Padilla stressed that voting by noncitizens is already a federal crime and is incredibly rare. A review of the 2016 general election found that only 0.0001 percent of votes came from improper noncitizen voting among the jurisdictions reviewed. Additionally, a recent analysis of Heritage Foundation data identified only 68 such cases over the past four decades.

    He further emphasized that the immediate implementation of the SAVE Act, which also requires removal of noncitizens from the voter rolls, could result in the purging of eligible voters as states will lack the time and infrastructure to swiftly and accurately implement these changes. Padilla also underscored the risks the SAVE Act poses to the administration of elections, as the bill imposes extreme criminal penalties against election officials, including up to five years in federal prison and major fines, for helping register a voter without the required documentation. As election workers face mounting threats and high workloads, the threat of these penalties could further deplete the election administration workforce.

    “Put plainly, state and local election officials should be aware that Congress is rapidly moving legislation to disenfranchise voters and disrupt election administration based on the fiction of noncitizen voting,” concluded Padilla.

    Senator Padilla has led the charge opposing President Trump and Republicans’ reckless attempts to restrict the right to vote. Last week, Padilla led 11 Senators in introducing the Defending America’s Future Elections Act to repeal Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order and prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive voter registration data and state records. Padilla also led 14 Democratic Senators in calling on Trump to revoke his illegal anti-voter executive order and issued a statement slamming the order when it was announced.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Lieutenant Governors, Secretaries and Chief Election Officials:

    As a former Secretary of State, I write to bring your attention to my serious concerns over the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22/S. 128) which will be considered in the U.S. House of Representatives soon. This bill purports to stop noncitizen voting by requiring anyone registering to vote to provide documentary proof of citizenship. If this legislation becomes law, millions of Americans will face major obstacles to vote because they either lack the required documents to prove citizenship or because they relied on ways to register that the bill would upend – including online voter registration, registration by mail, voter drives, or automatic voter registration. I encourage you to use your office to help educate election officials in your state and your Members of Congress about how this bill could harm voters and elections in your state.

    This vote is particularly concerning as it comes after a recent executive order, where the President asserted sweeping unilateral power of state-run elections, including illegally requiring documentary proof of citizenship on the National Voter Registration Form, and allowing DOGE and the Department of Homeland Security access to voter registration and other state records, along with federal databases. We have not seen an attempt like this since the federal push for voter data by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity during the first Trump Administration in 2017, which state election officials rejected on an overwhelming bipartisan basis.

    Voting by noncitizens, which this bill claims to combat, is exceedingly rare and this response only serves to inhibit eligible voters. A review of the 2016 general election found that in the jurisdictions studied, improper noncitizen voting was 0.0001 percent of votes. Voters already must affirm their U.S. citizenship under the penalty of perjury when registering to vote and voting in a federal election as a noncitizen is a federal crime.

    Further, the requirement for documentary proof of citizenship is a costly burden that could disenfranchise millions of Americans. A large majority of Americans live in states where their driver’s license does not meet the requirements of the bill. Over 140 million Americans do not have a passport, and over 21 million American citizens cannot easily access proof of citizenship documents. The bill also prevents people who have changed their legal names from using their birth certificates, impacting tens of millions of married women. More than 12 percent of Americans also move every year, and would be forced to access these documents to re-register at their new address.

    Taken together the bill’s requirements would disproportionately harm voters of color, married women, members of the military, and younger voters. As Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab has made clear, his state’s efforts to impose proof of citizenship requirements in 2013 “didn’t work out so well.” As the Kansas law was challenged in court, it was found that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote in the state from 1999 to 2012, yet the law ultimately blocked the registration of over 31,000 eligible U.S. citizens.

    The SAVE Act would take effect immediately, giving states little time to set up a regime that not only requires verification of citizenship but requires removal of noncitizens from the voter rolls. The lack of time and infrastructure for these processes may cause states to rely on unreliable data, resulting in the removal of eligible voters.

    In addition to likely disenfranchising millions of Americans, the SAVE Act would make it more difficult for election officials to do their jobs, with dramatic consequences for errors. If enacted, the law would impose severe criminal penalties against election officials, including fines and up to five years in federal prison, if they help register a voter who does not provide documentary proof of citizenship. As you know, election workers in your states are already overburdened – imposing these penalties could have a profoundly harmful impact on the election administration workforce.

    Put plainly, state and local election officials should be aware that Congress is rapidly moving legislation to disenfranchise voters and disrupt election administration based on the fiction of noncitizen voting. As someone who served as a state election, I encourage you to review the legislation closely and ensure that election officials in your state and your Members of Congress are aware of the potentially serious consequences if this bill were to be enacted.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Myanmar quake: ‘I constantly worry – what if another earthquake happens?’

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Humanitarian Aid

    Ten days after the catastrophic quake which struck Myanmar, children remain the most vulnerable – losing their homes, their schools, and in many cases, their families.

    The 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck shortly before 1 PM local time on 28 March, was the strongest in recent memory.

    As aftershocks continue, UN agencies are warning of a looming health emergency, with children sleeping in the open, exposed to extreme heat, unsanitary conditions and the constant fear of another disaster.

    According to the latest figures, over 3,500 people have died, nearly 5,000 have been injured and more than 200 remain missing.

    The UN relief chief, speaking from Myanmar where he is overseeing the aid effort, underscored the Organization’s commitment to help communities in need.

    “The United Nations is here – we are going to stay here and we will deliver for them. But we need the world to get behind us, but more importantly, to back this community as they rebuild their lives,” said Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, as he visited neighbourhoods levelled by the disaster in the capital Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday.

    He highlighted the need for the international community to step up support, stressing that the most vulnerable have been the most affected.

    “One thing that I have been struck by here is that you would think earthquakes hit everyone equally, but they hit the poorest hardest because they do not have the resources to respond, to move house, to live elsewhere, to start to rebuild.”

    Education in ruins

    The earthquake has dealt a severe blow to Myanmar’s already fragile education system.

    According to government reports, at least 1,824 schools have been damaged or destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without access to education.

    With schools reduced to rubble, there is growing concern that many children, especially those in poorer communities, will fall behind in their studies – or never return to school at all.

    No quick and easy fixes

    There are “no quick and easy fixes,” the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns.

    “Many children have lost their parents, their friends and they need a place where they can get psychosocial support and begin to feel a sense of normalcy,” Eliana Drakopoulos, Chief of Communications at UNICEF Myanmar, told UN News.

    “As hard as that is to imagine…we have to respond to the immediate emergency, but we also have to be here for the long haul to help people recover from this massive tragedy.”

    Eliana Drakopoulos, Chief of Communications at UNICEF Myanmar, updates on the situation in the affected areas

    Soundcloud

    Health risks

    The destruction of homes, hospitals and sanitation facilities, combined with heavy rains over the weekend have raised fears of disease outbreaks.

    According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO)-led Health Cluster, more than 65 healthcare facilities have been damaged, further complicating the situation. The lack of medical supplies is putting the lives of injured and sick children at even greater risk.

    Beyond the physical dangers, children are also dealing with the psychological trauma of the disaster. Many are afraid to sleep indoors, fearing that another earthquake will strike.

    Heightened challenges for persons with disabilities

    The earthquake’s devastation has disproportionately impacted persons with disabilities who face increased vulnerability due to physical injuries, displacement and disruption of essential services.

    According to a UN initial rapid assessment conducted with 15 organizations of persons with disabilities and special schools in Mandalay and Sagaing, 11 of them reported direct impacts. The disaster has also led to a rise in newly acquired disabilities, further straining limited resources.

    Preliminary reports indicate families of persons with disabilities have suffered severe hardships, including the collapse of homes, destruction of critical infrastructure such as sanitation facilities and loss of livelihoods.

    “I am even afraid to use the toilet, fearing that another earthquake might strike while I am inside,” said one woman living with disability.

    “I constantly worry – what if another earthquake happens while I’m inside a damaged house? The fear and anxiety never go away.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Universal Access to High-Quality, Affordable Health Services Crucial, Speakers Tell Population and Development Commission, Warning Too Many Targets Off Track

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    In a world in which every individual has access to high-quality, affordable health services, including sexual and reproductive care, young people can shape their own futures and older persons can age with dignity, speakers at the Commission on Population and Development stressed today as it continued its fifty-eighth session.

    Health is not a privilege; it is a human right, Catharina Jannigje Lasseur (Netherlands), Chair of the Commission, underscored in the opening segment of the session.  The theme of this year’s session, which will take place from 7 to 11 April, is “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”.

    While acknowledging the progress made — maternal and child mortality has declined, lifespans are longer — she stressed:  “If we are honest with ourselves,” too many health-related targets are not on track.  Too many women and girls are still denied their bodily autonomy or face violence.  Too many women still die giving birth and too many young people still lack access to comprehensive sexuality education.  And too many communities, especially those in humanitarian and climate-vulnerable contexts, are still left behind.

    This inequity must be tackled, she stressed, through resilient and equitable health systems that meet people’s needs across the life course — from birth to old age.

    The opening segment also featured statements by Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General; Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs; Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; and Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, Minister of State for Planning and Development of Benin.

    In the afternoon, the Commission held a panel discussion to consider the Secretary-General’s reports on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (document E/CN.9/2025/2); on programmes and interventions for the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development in the context of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (document E/CN.9/2025/3); and on the flow of financial resources for assisting in the further implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (document E/CN.9/2025/4).

    People Living Longer, Having Smaller Families

    The discussion began with Cheryl Sawyer, Chief of the Population Trends and Analysis Branch of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ Population Division, who noted the diverse demographic outlook across the world.  Some countries have high levels of fertility and are growing rapidly while others have historically low levels of fertility. However, she stressed, all populations are following a similar path towards longer lives and smaller families – a process known as “demographic transition”.  The diversity “stems from the fact that countries are at different stages in this process”, she said.

    Renewed Political Commitment Key to Strengthen Health Systems

    In low-income countries where the size of the population is projected to increase over the coming decades, it will be critical to renew the political commitment to strengthen health systems and mobilize enough public resources to meet the health needs of growing populations.  The rising number of births in these countries will also require substantial investments to meet the growing demand for public health interventions, including childhood immunizations, she added.

    Over the next 25 years, she said, the global population aged 60 years or older is expected to increase by 72 per cent, from 1.22 billion in 2025 to 2.11 billion by 2050.  This will require changes in health and social protection systems as the number of older persons needing long-term care is projected to more than double.  In lower-middle-income countries, the population of older persons is growing faster than the capacity of long-term care systems, “necessitating an increased reliance on unpaid care, which is often performed by women who are themselves aging”, she said.  “Expanding long-term care systems and promoting norms of gender equality and caregiving are critical steps towards achieving healthy aging,” she stressed.

    She also highlighted the need for “data-driven decision-making” to identify and prioritize critical needs.  Despite the uncertainty, she pointed out, compared to other trends such as economic growth or technological advances, the pace and direction of population change “is far more predictable, at least in the short and medium terms”.  Leveraging the foresight that can be gained from a robust understanding of population trends is critical for accelerating progress, she said.

    Calls to Address Maternal Mortality, End Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

    Next, Alessio Cangiano, acting Chief of the Population and Development Branch of UNFPA’s Programme Division, stressed the need to address maternal mortality.  Midwifery is a proven cost-effective model for healthcare delivery in both stable and humanitarian contexts, he added, noting that community health workers also play a pivotal role in expanding healthcare to rural or underserved populations.  Their work is especially useful for ensuring prenatal and postnatal maternal and newborn care, and for increasing the rates of childhood vaccination and in-home care for older persons.  “Community health workers often operate as first responders,” he added.

    Also stressing the importance of universal access to sexual reproductive health and rights, he said that many individuals, especially women and girls, continue to encounter systemic barriers that hinder such access.  “Universal access to modern contraception, skilled attendance at birth and screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are amongst the health interventions providing the highest returns on investments,” he added.

    Government Budgets Deprioritizing Health

    “Promoting universal health coverage is the best way to ensure people have access to quality health services, without financial hardships,” he added.  Such coverage has substantial benefits not only for health, but for economic growth. However, since 2000, domestic Government health expenditure as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) has remained low for most low-income and lower-middle-income countries, he said, expressing concern about the “long-standing deprioritization of health” in Government budgets.

    He also highlighted the need to use digital technology wisely, noting that mobile health platforms have allowed people in remote or underserved areas to receive critical health information and services by means of their phones.  Telemedicine is revolutionizing diagnostics, treatment and care.  He then pointed to the power of “georeferencing” — for instance, mapping the proximity of emergency services in preparation for climate disasters.

    Half of Global Population Lacks Essential Health Services 

    The panel also included Pascale Allotey, Director of the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research of the World Health Organization (WHO), who noted that half of the world’s population — some 4.5 billion people — still lack access to essential health services, while nearly 2 billion people face financial hardship due to health costs.  “These are not just numbers; they reflect the daily reality of people forced to choose between health and household survival,” she said, adding that progress towards universal health coverage has slowed.

    “But, we also have evidence that progress is not only possible, but is already happening,” she added.  Countries that have made the most headway are the ones that have tackled six critical challenges head on, she said, adding that the first of these is establishing strong primary healthcare services.  “More accessible, more responsive and more equitable” primary healthcare is a critical investment.  Secondly, financial protections and sustainable health financing are indispensable, she said, calling for the elimination of financial barriers that push families into poverty simply for seeking care.  This is especially urgent as international health aid continues to decline.

    Investment in Health and Care Workforce Crucial

    The third key challenge is to invest in the health and care workforce, she pointed out, adding that the projected global shortfall in health workers has increased from 10 million to 11.1 million.  Without well-trained and equitably distributed health workers, even the most ambitious health goals will fall short.  Fourthly, “we must better leverage digital health data and artificial intelligence,” she said, adding that these tools hold immense promise to improve health literacy and enhance service delivery.  Yet, their potential remains underutilized, “especially in settings that stand to benefit the most”, she added.

    The fifth challenge is to ensure that “the commitment to leave no one behind must be real and must be resourced”, she said, pointing out that, by 2030, 60 per cent of the world’s poorest will live in fragile conflict-affected and vulnerable settings, where access to even basic health services will be at risk.  Finally, she said, “we need focused, integrated action on critical outcomes”, such as reducing maternal mortality, advancing sexual and reproductive health and tackling noncommunicable diseases.

    Commission’s Work Programme Adopted, Bureau Set Up 

    Also today, the Commission adopted the provisional agenda (document E/CN.9/2025/1) as well as the proposed organization of its work for the session (document E/CN.9/2025/L.1/Rev.1).

    Further, it appointed Romero Veiga (Uruguay), Joselyne Kwishaka (Burundi) and Galina Nipomici (Republic of Moldova) as Vice-Chairs for its fifty-eighth session.  Ms. Kwishaka will also assume the responsibility of Rapporteur for the session.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cutting red tape at the start of employment

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says changes are coming to support freedom of choice and reduce the burden on employers when new employees start in a role.  
    The Government has agreed to repeal the changes made by the previous government by removing the 30-day rule and reducing related employer obligations. 
    “Currently, if a collective agreement is in place the employee’s individual agreement must reflect the terms of the collective agreement and that applies for 30 days regardless of whether an employee chooses to join a union or not.  
    “Not only is the status quo convoluted and confusing, the process adds another administrative cost on top of many others, and those costs are dragging down workplace productivity.  
    “If a new employee chooses to negotiate the terms and conditions that suit their personal preferences or situation, they should have that choice realised from day one of employment,” says Ms van Velden. 
    Removing the 30-day rule means employees and employers are free to agree on a wider range of employment terms including those that differ from the collective employment agreement for the first 30 days.  
    A further benefit of these changes is that 90-day trials can be made available from the start of employment if the employee chooses an individual employment agreement.  
    “Expanding the availability of 90-day trials was an ACT-National coalition commitment and supports workers that may struggle to gain employment and also give employers greater confidence around hiring,” says Ms van Velden. 
    Changes are also being made to the way employers communicate and report back on union membership for new employees. 
    The current processes are the most extensive since the Employment Relations Act was enacted, and these changes will ensure employees still receive the information they need to make a decision about their employment agreement and union membership options. 
    Employers will no longer have to use the ‘active choice form’, created by the previous government, and unions will no longer have the ability to provide information about the role and functions of the unions, that the employer must pass on to the employee.  
    Employers will still need to communicate that the employee may join a union that is a party to the collective employment agreement, how to contact the union and that if the employee joins the union, the collective employment agreement will bind the employee. 
    These changes will be included in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill that will be introduced this year and is expected to be passed by the end of 2025. 
    “I am striking the right balance between ensuring information about unions is available to new employees, protecting the personal choice of workers and reducing the compliance burden for employers,” says Ms van Velden.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Property Market – Home values ‘virtually motionless’ in flat first quarter – QV

    Source: Quality Valuations (QV)

    Residential property values have largely been kept at a standstill throughout the first quarter of 2025 with few exceptions.

    Our latest QV House Price Index shows home values have crept up just 0.2% to a new national average of $903,928 in the March quarter, down slightly from the 0.5% quarterly growth recorded in February. That figure is now 2.3% lower than the same time last year and 15% below the market’s peak in late 2021.

    Across New Zealand’s main urban areas, just Whangarei (2.6%), Rotorua (3.6%), Nelson (1.7%) and Christchurch (1.1%) recorded average home value growth in excess of 1% throughout the three months to the end of March 2025. Auckland (-0.1%), Wellington (-0.3%) and Hamilton (-0.3%) recorded small losses, while home values in Palmerston North and Dunedin were stationary.

    QV operations manager James Wilson said market conditions remained “pretty soft” across Aotearoa. “Residential property values continue to bubble up and down slightly from month to month but have been kept virtually motionless as a whole throughout the first quarter of 2025.”

    “Although interest rates have reduced markedly, buyers are still finding the current economic climate to be a challenge. Job worries and a rise in unemployment are causing many to be cautious and play it safe right now, which is understandable. This is one factor that has helped to keep the brakes on throughout the first quarter of 2025 – a sizeable surplus of properties for sale is another,” he said.

    “It seems sellers are out in force across Aotearoa today. You don’t have to walk very far around the neighbourhood these days to see a ‘for sale’ sign. Ample properties for sale and a lack of meaningful competition are helping keep prices really flat for now. That’s no bad thing, as first-home buyers continue to make up a larger share of the market overall.”

    However, Mr Wilson said there was also growing evidence to suggest that investors were beginning to re-enter the market again following changes to the interest deductibility rules and recent interest rate reductions.

    “Investor activity continues to increase relative to first-home buyer activity. A ‘getting in early’ mindset appears to be emerging in some key areas with interest rates only expected to reduce further. But this is also being tempered by a cautious approach to the economy. Again, it is understandable given current conditions.”

    Mr Wilson expected the real estate market’s current flat trend to continue into autumn and eventually winter, even as economic conditions slowly improve. “It’s going to take some time before interest rate relief fully takes hold and for the labour market to regain its footing again. In the meantime, those who are in a position to purchase are going to benefit from having a wider selection to choose from.”

    “When the economy does eventually recover and all the excess stock that is available for sale on the market today is sold, that’s when we will see some more sustained home value growth. It could be a while yet,” he concluded.

    Northland

    It’s been a relatively flat first quarter of 2025 in Northland.

    Home values have increased across the wider region by just 0.4% on average since the start of 2025. Whangarei (2.6%) has recorded the most growth by far; Far North (-2.8%) has experienced the least; Kaipara (0.1%) has done little more than break even.

    The average home is now worth $674,678 in the Far North, $734,326 in Whangarei, and $835,041 in Kaipara.

    Auckland

    Residential property values have dipped slightly this quarter across much of Auckland.

    The average home value has reduced by just 0.1% to $1,244,605 in what was the Super City’s first negative quarter since October last year.

    Rodney (0.2%), Manukau (0.2%) and Franklin (1.1%) experienced some marginal growth on average. Otherwise home values reduced on the North Shore (-0.9%) and in the local council areas previously known as Auckland City (0.1%), Waitakere (-0.7%), and Papakura (-0.5%).

    This is in contrast to a small 0.6% rise in average home value throughout the three months to the end of February 2025. The average home in Auckland is now worth 3% less than the same time last year and 19.2% less than at the market’s peak in late 2021.

    Local QV registered valuer Hugh Robson said prices looked as though they had largely stabilised, but there was still little to no prospect of sustained growth in the immediate future.

    “We’re at the end of summer now and it has been a fairly quiet one. The market continues to plod along with not a lot happening. First-home buyers are the most active sector, but agents are reporting fairly low attendance at open homes across the board,” he said.

    “There is quite a lot of stock on the market at present, but there just isn’t a large amount of demand. It seems many people are still understandably concerned about retaining their jobs and about dealing with the high cost of living.”

    Bay of Plenty

    Home value growth remains flat-to-gently rising in Tauranga.

    The city’s average home has grown in value by 0.4% in the March quarter to $1,023,465 – down slightly on the 1.6% growth recorded throughout the three months to the end of February, and the 1.4% growth recorded throughout the three months to the end of January.

    The city’s average home is now worth 1.7% less than the same time last year.

    Meanwhile, home values have also risen by an average of 1.3% across the wider Bay of Plenty region this quarter. Rotorua (3.6%) and Gisborne (1.3%) recorded some growth; Opotiki (-1.4%) recorded a small average reduction.

    Waikato

    Home values in Hamilton have experienced a small loss throughout the first quarter of 2025.

    The latest QV House Price Index shows Hamilton’s average home is now worth $787,886, which is 0.3% lower than at the start of this year but 0.5% higher than at the same time last year.

    This compares to a small 0.6% increase in average home value throughout the three months to the end of February, and a relatively sizeable 2.3% increase throughout the three months to the end of January.

    “Persistent economic uncertainties, including rising unemployment, weakening business conditions and the potential imposition of higher tariffs by the US continue to impact market conditions,” said local QV registered valuer Marshall Wu.

    “While March is traditionally the busiest month of the year for the residential market, unsold inventory remains relatively high. This is providing buyers with more choices and less urgency in making purchasing decisions, while some sellers are compelled to lower prices to secure sales.”

    “As the market transitions into the cooler months, the housing sector is expected to remain subdued,” Mr Wu added.

    Taranaki

    The average home in New Plymouth is now worth just 0.3% more than the same time last year.

    It follows another quarter of just modest growth. The city’s average home value grew by just 0.3% to $723,836 – compared to 1% growth in the February quarter, and 1.2% growth in the January quarter.

    Meanwhile, the average home value in South Taranaki has shrunk by 1.2% to $437,452 this quarter, and increased by 1.6% to $499,508 in Stratford.

    Hawke’s Bay

    Napier and Hastings had contrasting quarters once more.

    Home values increased by an average of 0.7% in the former and reduced by 1.7% in the latter.

    Across the wider Hawke’s Bay region, home values decreased by 0.5% throughout the three months to the end of March 2025. It means the average home in the region is now worth 0.9% less than the same time last year.

    Palmerston North

    Residential property values remain largely static in Palmerston North.

    The city’s average home value is unmoved this quarter at $635,891, following a small 0.3% average reduction during the month of March itself.

    This is compared to a small 0.9% increase in the three months to the end of February, and 1.1% growth in the three months to the end of January.

    “The local property market remains stable with limited price movement,” said QV registered valuer Olivia Betts. “In February and March we saw a large increase in the number of listings, giving buyers even more choice and buying power. We also saw an increase in sales activity, which is not uncommon before autumn and winter sets in.”

    “First-time homebuyers are still showing strong interest in properties priced around the mid-$500,000 range, especially those that have been updated within the last 20 years,” she added.

    Wairarapa

    Home value reductions appear to be slowly gaining traction in the Wairarapa region.

    Our latest QV House Price Index shows Masterton’s average home value has reduced by 3.1% this quarter to $562,681. Carterton’s average home reduced in value by 4.7% to $603,755, and home values in South Wairarapa also reduced by 4.4% to a new average of $745,740.

    The average home in the region is now worth 2.6% less than the same time last year. This is compared to a national average decline of 2.3% annually.

    Wellington

    Residential property values have dwindled in Wellington this quarter.

    The latest QV House Price Index shows the region’s average home value decreased by 0.3% to $838,916 throughout the first three months of 2025 – a reversal of the 0.3% average growth recorded throughout the February quarter.

    Kapiti Coast and Porirua bucked the trend this quarter with average growth of 1.9% and 0.6% respectively. Otherwise, Upper Hutt (-0.4%), Hutt City (-0.2%), and Wellington City (-0.5%) all recorded small average home value losses.

    The region’s average home value is now 4.2% lower than the same time last year and 23.2% below the market’s previous peak in late 2021.

    QV senior consultant David Cornford said it was a continuation of the same flat theme as in previous months.

    “Despite values being relatively flat, there is still reasonable activity in the market – particularly from first-home buyers. Open home attendance has been steady throughout the first quarter of 2025 for well-presented and well-located properties,” he said.

    “Buyers are active. However, the number of properties on the market is providing them with plenty of options, as well as some extra bargaining power. It will likely take some time to work through this existing stock and we’ll have to see an uptick in general economic and employment confidence in the capital before any significant improvements in the market flow through.”

    Nelson

    Home value growth remains consistently slow in Nelson.

    The city’s average home has increased in value by 1.7% in the March quarter – only a fraction of a percentage point off the 1.6% growth recorded in the February quarter, and within striking distance of the 1.2% annual growth recorded back in the January quarter.

    At $794,843, Nelson’s average home value is now 2% higher than the same time last year.

    QV Nelson/Marlborough manager Craig Russell said the majority of activity was in the $500,000 to $800,000 price bracket. “Market confidence is subdued with economic indicators still showing weakness,” he said.

    “Renovated properties are in more demand than unrenovated ones and vendors who overprice their property are having to adjust their expectations to achieve a sale within a reasonable time frame. Stock levels remain high, with purchasers generally having a reasonable range of options.”

    West Coast

    Housing figures continue to fluctuate from month to month and quarter to quarter on the West Coast.

    Our QV House Price Index for March 2025 shows that the average home value has risen in Westland District by 4% to $483,677 this quarter. Average home values have reduced by 2.8% to $367,073 in Buller and by 0.4% to $451,564 in Grey.

    The average home on the West Coast is still worth 5.2% more than the same time last year. This is compared to an average annual home value decline of 2.3% nationally.

    Canterbury

    Our latest housing statistics show minimal movement across Canterbury.

    Christchurch’s average home value has increased by only 1.1% since the start of this year to reach $774,614.

    Likewise, home values in Hurunui and Waimakariri have grown by an average of just 0.5% and 1% to $645,982 and $720,068 respectively.

    “Our QV House Price Index results for March once again show modest growth in values, with a similarly steady increase to last month,” said local QV registered valuer Olivia Brownie.

    “Though we have seen a busier month in the residential property, it still appears to be somewhat balanced at present, with plenty of listings stifling any significant growth. Yet there is positive sentiment and it has been active with buyer interest in all property types,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the average home in Selwyn increased in value by 0.5% this quarter to $844,344. Ashburton recorded no change at $575,234, and Timaru’s average home value reduced marginally by 0.9% to $530,232.

    Mackenzie saw the largest average home value increase this quarter, rising 2% to $788,306.

    Otago

    Residential property values in the Otago region have done little more than break even throughout the first quarter of 2025.

    Our QV House Price Index for March 2025 shows values have lifted across the region by an average of just 0.2% since the start of the year, with Dunedin’s average home value registering no growth whatsoever at $645,081. That figure is 1.5% higher than the same time last year.

    Central Otago (2.1%) and Waitaki (1.3%) recorded more growth this quarter; Queenstown (-0.1%) and Clutha (-0.3%) recorded less.

    Local QV registered valuer Rebecca Johnston commented: “These figures highlight stable, albeit minimal, growth across the region and the continuation of it being a buyers’ market.”

    “The property market in Dunedin has been relatively stable compared to other New Zealand cities, showing resilience amid broader national trends,” she added.

    Queenstown

    Residential property values have wavered by just a fraction of a percentage point in Queenstown this quarter.

    Our QV House Price Index for March 2025 shows the average property value has reduced locally by just 0.1% this quarter to $1,819,173. That is slightly smaller than the 0.4% average reduction recorded in the February quarter.

    Home values in Queenstown are now 0.4% lower on average than at the same point last year.

    Invercargill

    The average home in Invercargill is now worth just 0.5% more than the start of 2025.

    The city’s average home value has sunk below the $500,000 mark once more, following a small 0.4% reduction during the month of March. The average home here is now worth $498,565, which is 3.7% higher than the same time last year.

    Local QV registered valuer Andrew Ronald agents were still reporting strong interest for properties under $600,000, with multiple offers common. “This is likely to flow through to strengthening value levels over the next few months.”

    “There is still steady demand from first home buyers and investors are beginning to return to the market with the restoration of interest tax deductibility rules,” he added.

    The QV HPI uses a rolling three month collection of sales data, based on sales agreement date. This has always been the case and ensures a large sample of sales data is used to measure value change over time. Having agent and non-agent sales included in the index provides a comprehensive measure of property value change over the longer term.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Russel Norman – NZ’s Environment Report Card is Alarming – Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    The Government’s three-yearly environment report card, Our Environment 2025, documents the rapid and dramatic decline of nature in Aotearoa, Greenpeace says.
    “The report documents the alarming decline of nature in Aotearoa, driven by activities such as industrial dairying and fishing, and highlights the desperate need for strong Government regulation to protect nature from more harm”, says Dr. Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director.
    “Here are a few of the lowlights: There is only a single species of indigenous bat that is NOT at risk of extinction; only a single species of frog NOT at risk of extinction; just 22% of birds are safe from extinction; over 2,000kg of protected corals pulled up by commercial fishing nets. And on and on the list goes.
    “We are in a biodiversity crash dive, driven by industrial exploitation combined with inadequate government regulation to protect nature.
    “The very foundations of life in Aotearoa – our food systems, our drinking water, and the wildlife we share the country with are on the brink. Native species and ecosystems are on the verge of collapse.
    “Successive governments have allowed profiteering corporations to pollute, exploit, and degrade the environment for decades. And now, everyday New Zealanders are paying the price – through unsafe drinking water, eroding land, unswimmable rivers, depleted fish numbers, and native wildlife that are slipping away. This crisis is political, it’s systemic, and it’s urgent.
    “We have had far too few regulations to protect nature and too much freedom to destroy it for profit.
    “At a time when we need bold action, the Luxon Government is opening the door for polluters to profit while nature collapses.
    “The Government needs to repeal the fast track act, and abandon the RMA reforms. These changes will only make the crisis worse – handing even more power to corporations to fast-track destruction and block environmental protections,” says Norman.
    Some lowlights from the report:
    Terrestrial (p.23-25)
    • Only 6% of indigenous reptile species are NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. 72% of reptile species have declining populations.
    • Only 22% of indigenous terrestrial bird species are NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. And 22% of species have declining populations.
    • Only 1 indigenous bat species (out of 5) is NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. And only one species has an increasing population.
    • Only 1 indigenous frog species (out of 14) is NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. 12 species have declining populations.
    • Native ecosystems continue to be destroyed – 88,000 hectares lost between 1996 and 2018.
    Freshwater
    • Half of all lakes are in poor health, contaminated by excess nutrients. Only a third of lakes are in good or very good health (pg. 31).
    • Most freshwater-dependent birds threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction
    • 76% of freshwater fish are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with 63% of fish populations in decline (37)
    • Half of freshwater monitoring sites failed to meet e.coli standard (ie fecal contamination)
    • Only 10% of our wetlands remain yet they continue to be drained and degraded for livestock farming (pg 34).
    • At least 48 percent of the river network is at least partially inaccessible to migratory fish, such as Tuna/eel though a further 36 percent has not yet been assessed and could be inaccessible (pg 36).
    • Nitrate contamination in groundwater is increasing in nearly half of monitored sites (47%) – pg 31
    • Severely polluted rivers found in intensive dairy regions – Canterbury, Waikato and Southland (see map pg 31)
    • 12% of groundwater monitoring sites failed nitrate drinking water standard (ie the 50 year old WHO standard that is very high compared with modern evidence)
    • 45% of entire river length unsafe for swimming, (even though much of this length is in the high country where industries have very little presence)
    Ocean
    • 91% of indigenous seabirds are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened (p.46).
    • 22 percent of indigenous marine mammal species (10 of 49) were threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened (p.46).
    • Estimated 3,613 seabirds and 476 fur seals were caught in trawling and longline fisheries in one year (p.43)
    • 2,073 kilograms of protected coral were reported as caught in one year (p.43)
    • 12% of assessed fish stocks (19 of 152) were overfished or depleted in 2023, including some stock of black cardinalfish, orange roughy and scallops. FIve stocks had collapsed. (p.43)
    • 15 Hector’s dolphins deaths due to commercial bycatch in 2023-24 (up from usual 0-5 per year). (p.43)
    • Few biogenic habitats (like kelp forests, seagrass meadows and sponge gardens) are monitored in New Zealand, but most that are have experienced loss or damage. (p.48)
    Climate
    • Marine heatwaves have become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting, including. In 2022, New Zealand experienced a record number of marine heatwave days, and the two longest and most intense marine heatwaves on record in some locations. (pg 44)
    • Marine heatwaves have caused unusual fish migrations, severe bleaching and necrosis of sponges, large losses of farmed salmon and southern bull kelp (rimurapa), and likely contributed to the mass mortality of blue penguins (kororā) in the Bay of Plenty pg 65
    • In some areas sea level is expected to rise 20 to 30 centimetres by 2050 compared with 2005 levels. For many parts of the country, a 30-centimetre rise is a threshold for extreme flooding, above which a 100-year coastal storm becomes an annual event (pg 45)
    • In 2021, extreme rainfall events that caused flooding in Canterbury were 10 to 15 percent more intense because of climate change. Similarly, extreme weather and associated flooding on the West Coast in 2021 were nearly 10 percent more intense due to climate change (pg 62)
    • The frequency of extreme temperature events in New Zealand has increased two to threefold due to human influence since pre-industrial times (pg 62)
    • Total glacier ice volumes in New Zealand decreased 35 percent, and the rate of annual loss increased between 1978 and 2020 pg 64
    Other
    • Without changes to land-use, erosion rates are predicted to worsen with climate change. Sediment loads to waterways are expected to increase by up to 233% by 2090 (pg 18)
    • Almost half (49%) of soil at monitored sites is compacted (pg 19)
    • Emerging evidence is finding soils may be contaminated with microplastics (pg 20)
    • Microplastics are widespread throughout the marine environment, and they accumulate in animals as they move up the food chain. Found in many fish species eaten by humans and in green- lipped mussels. (p.42)
    • 67% of items counted in Litter Intelligence were plastic, hazardous plastic additives have been detected in debris in NZ beaches. (p.42)
    • In 2019, air pollution was a factor in 3,239 premature deaths,12,653 cases of childhood asthma 13,237 hospitalisations. Air pollution from motor vehicles was associated with 71 percent of these hospitalisations and 69 percent of premature deaths. (pg 68)
    • Premature deaths associated with NO2 exposure from motor vehicle emissions increased 28 percent, and hospitalisations increased 39 percent. (68)
    • Social costs resulting from the health impacts associated with air pollution were estimated at $15.3 billion for the year 2019, with 69 percent of these costs associated with air pollution from motor vehicles (pg 68)
    • As a result of climate change there is an increasing risk that insect-spread viruses like the Zika virus and dengue fever will be introduced from overseas and locally transmitted

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Bodies – IPU marks milestones with gender equality drive in 2025

    Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

    The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is pleased to announce its new gender campaign for 2025, Achieving gender equality, action by action.

    This initiative marks a pivotal year, in which the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the global blueprint for gender equality, is marking its 30th anniversary.

    The campaign aims to mobilize the global parliamentary community to accelerate progress in achieving gender equality in politics and society.

    With progress on women’s representation in parliaments stalling, as detailed in the IPU’s recent report Women in parliament 1995-2025, and a concerning rollback of women’s rights in some countries, the campaign emphasizes the urgency of immediate action.

    The campaign promotes 10 key actions structured around three key thematic areas:

    Promoting parity in parliament and politics
    Encouraging gender-sensitive institutions
    Combating gender-based violence and discrimination

    40 years of bringing women MPs together

    The campaign was launched at the 150th IPU Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians.

    Initially formed in 1985 as an informal global women’s caucus, the first of its kind, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians has since evolved into a powerful platform for women MPs worldwide, driving significant advancements in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    For example, the Forum has played a key part in parliamentary efforts to address violence against women, with 104 countries now having comprehensive laws addressing domestic violence.

    The Forum provides an opportunity for women MPs to learn about how other countries are addressing gender inequality and to share good practices.

    More recently, male MPs have also participated in the Forum, underlining the shared responsibility of both men and women in achieving gender equality.

    Recognizing MPs who have promoted gender equality

    As part of its push for gender equality in 2025, the IPU is also inviting nominations for the Cremer-Passy Prize, named after the Organization’s founders, which this year will honour a parliamentarian with an outstanding record in promoting gender equality.

    The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 182 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener, more innovative and gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia man sentenced to over 4 years in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BILLINGS – An Atlanta, Georgia man who defrauded banks in multiple states was sentenced today to 57 months in prison to be followed by 5 years supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.  The defendant was also ordered to pay $161,401.17 in restitution.

    Stanford Wilvin Lightfoot, 33, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

    U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that for approximately 5 months in 2023, Stanford Lightfoot was a member of a large fraud ring that had been defrauding banks in Montana, Maine and Missouri.  In each location, Lightfoot and other coconspirators would travel to the state from the base of operations in Atlanta, Georgia.  Once there, they would recruit local homeless individuals who possessed valid ID cards.  They would then take these homeless individuals to local banks and provide them with fraudulent checks from real accounts.  These checks all possessed forged signatures of real people and were, therefore, means of identification.  The homeless individuals would then attempt to cash the checks and, if successful, would provide the money to Lightfoot and his coconspirators.  If the homeless individuals were caught by police, they would be abandoned to take the blame.  In Montana, Lightfoot hit multiple banks in Belgrade, Bozeman, and Livingston utilizing local homeless individuals to forge checks in excess of $20,000.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the FBI, Livingston Police Department, Belgrade Police Department, and Bozeman Police Department.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Pressley at Hands Off Rally in Boston: “This is Our Chapter of the Civil Rights Movement”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    In Powerful Remarks, Pressley Invoked Spirit, Courage and Stamina of Past Generations to Fight Musk-Trump Agenda

    BOSTON – This weekend, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) delivered powerful remarks at the “Hands Off” rally in Boston in which she invoked the spirit, courage, and stamina of past generations of activists to defend against Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s cruel vision for America.

    A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Rep. Pressley’s Powerful Remarks at ‘Hands Off’ Rally in Boston
    City Hall Plaza, Boston
    April 5, 2025

    Hello movement family!

    I know why you’re all here. You’re here because, like me, you are tired of these billionaire boys and their grubby little hands.

    Movement family, it is wonderful to be here with you. Thank you for being here. You could have been anywhere else today, but you chose to be here because you recognize that we are one human family, and our freedoms and our destinies are tied. 

    You are a beautiful sight to behold, and you affirm that the power of the people has always been greater than the people in power. 

    And as my good sister, the Reverend Mariama White-Hammond reminds us, that has always been true. It was true in Seneca Falls. It was true in Selma. It was true at Stonewall. 

    And it is just as true today, and it is only fitting on this day. Exactly 40 years ago, a coalition of Black liberation leaders, women’s groups, student organizers, and unions came together for a national day of protest. They were calling for an end to South Africa’s system of apartheid. 

    A system that disappeared political dissidents, suppressed free speech, and divided a nation. Sound familiar?

    The same system that made millions for a South African segregationist by the name of Elon Musk. Oh yeah, he gets it honest. The same system that produced the world’s richest white supremacist, a Nazi nepo baby, Elon Musk. 

    You see, history has a way of repeating itself, and that’s why we need to take heed to what the past has taught us, that opposition out-worked, out-organized and outlasted those in power until the apartheid regime came crashing down. 

    And that’s why we’re all here today, to resist and to reject the cruel and dark vision that Donald Trump has for this country, that he has for our country. 

    You know, the reason Donald Trump and his sycophants have a campaign against being woke, the reason they’re anti-woke is because they want you to stay asleep. They want you to be ignorant. They want you to be indifferent. They want you to be inactive. 

    But you’re all here because we are going to match their energy. This is an unprecedented moment, a constitutional crisis that we will meet with unprecedented organizing, mobilizing, agitating. 

    This is our chapter of the Civil Rights Movement, which we are still very much in. Look around the great Coretta Scott King reminds us that freedom is never really won. We must earn it and win it in every generation. And this is our time. 

    This is our time because there will always be an Elon Musk, this is our time because there will always be a Jeff Bezos. This is our time because there will always be a Donald Trump who will try to enrich themselves at the cost of our freedom and our humanity. 

    So collectively, we resist and we reject and we say, hands off.

    Hands off our bodies.

    Hands off our Medicaid. 

    Hands off our Social Security.

    Hands off our Constitution.

    Hands off our democracy. 

    Hands off our Black history books, libraries, museums.

    Hands off our cancer research.

    Hands off our immigrant neighbors.

    Hands off our disabled siblings.

    Hands off the LGBTQ community. 

    You’re all here to say hands off because, well, you give a damn. You give a damn about your neighbor, you give a damn about this country, you give a damn about our democracy. And you’re here to match the energy and to meet the moment, to summon the same stamina that my brother, colleague, Senator Booker did. 

    So I have a call to action for you. I have a call to action for you that you summon the stamina, that you summon the courage, that you summon the spirit, that you summon—that you summon the courage of this movement that I am so proud to be an ally of. That we center the dignity and the humanity of all people. 

    We welcome all voices, especially when they’re dissenting, because the people here believe in free speech.

    But I need you all to summon the stamina, the courage, and the spirit of the Maverick Moms in the 1960s from East Boston. 

    I need you to summon the stamina, the courage, and the spirit of Mel King and the activists in the 1960s at Tent City in the South End. 

    I need you to summon the stamina, the courage, and the spirit of Dr. King on April 22 with 20,000 people assembled on the Boston Common for the first civil rights march in the Northeast. 

    I need you to summon the courage, the spirit, and the stamina of Chinatown activists for Parcel C in the 1970s against environmental injustice. 

    I need you to summon the stamina, the spirit, and the courage of those activists in the 1970s of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury to stop the highway and wake up the earth. 

    This is the tradition that you are all a part of.

    You are freedom fighters. You are democracy defenders, you are patriots. 

    So when you go home today, roll up your sleeves and ask yourself, what’s next? Because that is how we win this. 

    And I’ll close with the words of a movement sister who recently transitioned, the great Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood. While she was in the midst of her cancer battle, she was still fighting, and people asked, “Cecile, what are you doing here? You’re in the fight of your life?” And she countered, “because one day the question will be asked, when everything was at stake for the country, what did you do? 

    And the only acceptable answer will be “everything that I could.” 

    I love you, movement, family!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: How the Path to Fight Back Begins for Oregonians

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    There will be many paths to fight back against the illegal actions and dangerous incompetence of the Trump administration. Big and small actions are both important. 

    Here’s one such proven path that started from my most recent open-to-all town halls in Linn, Clackamas, Crook and Deschutes counties, along with a town hall just for current federal employees and those fired by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s gang of cronies at the self-declared “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE).

    At the federal employees town hall I hosted along with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, witnesses told us specifics about the damage done to basic services that Oregonians count upon.

    Senior Social Security staff at the federal employees town hall in Portland told me that they were short-staffed even before DOGE arrived. They shared how they can’t respond on the phone, the website is crashing, and seniors are getting lost in the system due to fresh and deep cuts from the Trump administration.

    Based on those direct accounts, I grilled Trump’s nominee to lead the Social Security Administration, Frank Bisignano about these problems.

    In a national spotlight, the nominee failed to provide adequate answers for the tens of millions of Americans who have earned Social Security benefits. The nominee also lied to the committee and all Americans – I was able to call him out thanks to a whistleblower at the agency who confirmed that Bisignano personally insisted on hiring several key DOGE members.

    Whistleblowers are the unsung heroes brave enough to alert the public to violations happening behind closed doors. And I encourage anybody who wants to blow the whistle on the Trump administration’s lawbreaking and destructive buffoonery to contact me here. 

    It is only because of brave whistleblowers that I learned about the Trump administration’s shuttering Medicaid portals that so many providers rely on for payment across all 50 states in January. Trump only reversed course on this part of his disastrous blanket freeze on federal aid AFTER I called his bluff and showed what whistleblowers had confirmed. 

    Whether I get a tip from a whistleblower or hear from Oregonians directly at a town hall about the Trump corruption and devastation, it helps a lot as I work to hold the administration accountable.

    For another example from this past round of town halls, there’s Isabella Isakson, an Olympian athlete and Army veteran. She was a U.S. Forest Service employee for the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland. She worked to alert the public about wildfires, and at our meeting, she conveyed the danger to rural areas when forests are not properly managed.

    These workers serve on the front lines of the fight against the climate crisis by maintaining our beautiful forests and reducing the risks of wildfires. They are your neighbors who worked at the Bonneville Power Administration to help keep your lights on. They are your friends who worked at the Veterans Health Administration to deliver critical services guaranteed to Oregon’s 251,000 veterans.

    All of these Oregonians are absolutely invaluable to our state and our entire nation at large. They are incredibly brave for coming forward to tell us their stories. 

    I am dedicated to investigating these dangerous incursions by Trump and Musk into vital functions of the federal government. Protecting federal workers who provide crucial services to Oregonians is an absolute top priority for me, and I will keep pushing legislation like the Putting Veterans First Act that reinstates veterans unduly fired from their federal positions. 

    I will also continue to fight to protect whistleblowers at every level, and encourage anyone with information of wrongdoing to contact me or my office. It’s not going to be easy and there is a lot of work ahead.

    But I am committed to working nonstop to hold the Trump administration and Musk accountable for their assault on America.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Joins Colleagues in Calling on Trump Administration to Reinstate TPS for Venezuela

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined 18 of her colleagues in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to reconsider the Trump Administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans who applied for TPS under its designation in 2023. The Administration’s decision to revoke this critical protection has been temporarily put on hold by a court order, postponing the harm it will cause to approximately 350,000 people who remain at risk of losing TPS.

    “Contrary to your assertion that ‘there are notable improvements in several areas, such as the economy, public health, and crime that allow for these nationals to be safely returned,’ the country conditions in Venezuela have deteriorated significantly since 2023, as discussed in detail below,” the senators wrote. “There is no credible evidence demonstrating substantive improvements in the human rights or security situation at this time. Nicolas Maduro’s third term began in January 2025 and has thus far has been characterized by political violence, violent crime, and corruption.”

    “For the reasons discussed above, we ask that you reconsider your February 1, 2025 decision and instead extend TPS for Venezuelans in the United States for the maximum statutory period of 18 months. Congress intended TPS to be both a humanitarian tool and a pragmatic response to unstable conditions abroad,” they continued.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    The first and only Latina senator, Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported immigrant communities in Nevada, calling on both administrations to protect TPS holders and other immigrants, as well as leading commonsense legislation to fix our broken immigration system. Cortez Masto joined Senator Rosen (D-Nev.) in introducing the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States. She has worked to pass meaningful immigration reform that balances critical border security measures with a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers, and she’s pushed legislation to allow Dreamers and TPS holders to work in Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Rand Paul’s Forces Vote on Amendment to Limit Reckless Borrowing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    April 7th, 2025

     Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

     

     

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) forced a vote on his amendment to the budget resolution, offering a responsible alternative to a $5 trillion debt limit increase.

    Despite frequent discussions among his colleagues about the need for fiscal responsibility and spending cuts.. Dr. Paul’s amendment proposing  a limited, 3-month extension, to provide Congress an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to reducing spending was defeated by a 5-94 vote.  The Senate chose to continue an unsustainable path.

    Washington will borrow $2 trillion this year just to keep the lights on. Handing Congress another $5 trillion blank check ensures nothing changes. If we’re serious about cutting spending, then Congress needs to get serious about returning to fiscal responsibility,” said Dr. Paul. “

    In his speech, Dr. Paul highlighted the alarming trajectory of the national debt, noting that it has surpassed $36 trillion. He emphasized that this level of borrowing is unsustainable and poses a significant threat to the nation’s economic stability. Dr. Paul also pointed out the hypocrisy of many in Washington who campaign on fiscal responsibility but fail to take concrete action to address the spending problem. He called for genuine accountability and urged his colleagues to make difficult but necessary decisions to curb excessive spending.

    Dr. Paul also applauded President Trump and the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in holding government agencies accountable—but made clear that those efforts mean little if Washington continues to drown the country in debt. Fiscal responsibility must come first.

    Watch Dr. Paul’s full remarks HERE and Read the full amendment HERE

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Syria transition update, healthcare as a human right, more than 2,000 killed and injured in Haiti this year

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, issued a statement on Monday following his latest “extensive discussions” with leader of the caretaker administration in Damascus, Ahmed al-Sharaa. 

    The envoy expressed his appreciation noting they had talked through “all aspects” of the ongoing political process, following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December last year.

    Mr. Pedersen stressed the need to ease sanctions on Syria, emphasising the importance of a stable economy.

    They also discussed the importance of a “transparent framework for the process of selecting and electing an interim people’s assembly” and next steps towards a democratic and inclusive future.

    The top UN envoy highlighted the need to prevent any renewed cycle of violence, in the light of the mass killings of Alawite community members last month in several coastal towns.

    He also reiterated his “condemnation of Israel’s repeated attacks and interventions” inside Syria.

    End ‘indefinite detention’ of detainees

    In a joint statement on Monday a group of independent UN human rights experts said the transition period provides a “valuable opportunity” to end the arbitrary, inhumane and indefinite detention of around 52,000 detainees who have been held for years in the northeast, in relation to alleged ties with the ISIL terrorist group.

    They noted the agreement of 10 March between the interim administration and the largely Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces who guard the detainees, paving the way for the armed group to integrate with new national institutions.

    Around 9,000 male ISIL suspects are detained without due process, including 5,400 Syrians, 1,600 Iraqis, and some 1,500 from 50 other countries. The vast majority of these detainees continue to be held incommunicado without information on their fate or whereabouts, the experts said.

    In addition, some 42,500 individuals are arbitrarily held in camps, including family members and ISIL associates. Many have been held without legal process for at least six years.

    “Tens of thousands of innocent children have suffered physical violence and psychological harm, when they should be assisted as victims of terrorism and serious human rights violations,” the experts added.

    Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts are not UN staff, receive no salary for their work and are independent of any organisation or government.

    ‘Let us be bold’: Global leaders reaffirm health as a human right

    Progress towards the universal healthcare goal has been undeniable: barriers to health services, education and family planning have been almost completely removed, The UN says.

    But on Monday, health ministers, ambassadors and civil society experts gathered at UN Headquarters in New York amid concerns that gains are being reversed, issuing a resounding call to place human health and dignity at the heart of sustainable development.

    Convening the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD58) they stressed the urgency of providing universal access to quality health care – reaffirming commitments to the Programme of Action established at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

    ‘Health is not a privilege’

    Katja Lasseur, Chair of the 58th session, welcomed over 120 Member States, observers and nearly 50 NGOs, highlighting the momentum behind the week’s discussions. “Health is not a privilege,” she declared. “It is a human right and a prerequisite for sustainable development.”

    Real progress has been achieved since 2000. Life expectancy has increased by 10 years in Africa and nine years in South Asia. At the same time, child mortality has dropped by more than half and cases of HIV have dropped by 50 per cent.

    “These gains demonstrate what is possible with sustained political will and investment,” emphasised Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, Warning that progress has been “uneven.”

    “Health related targets, including universal health coverage, remain within reach,” he said, but they require urgent and equitable investment, particularly in primary health care and health coverage.

    Over 1,500 people killed in Haiti since start of 2025: UN mission

    Between 1 January and 27 March in Haiti, at least 1,518 people were killed and 572 injured in attacks by armed gangs, security operations and other acts of violence perpetrated by self-defence groups.

    That’s according to a new report from the UN Mission in Haiti (BINUH) which details the “grim” impact of violence since the beginning of the year, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric briefing journalists in New York.

    The report reveals repeated attacks in the rural areas of Kenscoff and some neighbourhoods of Carrefour – two communes in the metropolitan area of the capital, Port-au-Prince – resulting in serious human rights abuses.

    According to UN partners, gang members displayed extreme brutality, with the aim of instilling fear on the population. They executed men, women and children inside their homes and shot people on roads and paths as they tried to flee the violence, including an infant.

    “At the same time, sexual violence was committed against at least seven women and young girls during the planning and execution of those attacks by gang members,” reported Mr. Dujarric.

    The gangs ransacked several homes and set fire to more than 190 of them, which coupled with the violence has now forced more than 3,000 people to flee their localities.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Tackling catalytic converter and scrap metal theft

    [. Legislative and regulatory changes would enhance sales reporting requirements for businesses, allow officers to issue tickets rather than a court summons where appropriate and streamline the administration of justice for certain minor offenses.

    “Scrap metal-related crime such as copper wire and catalytic converter theft is a serious problem that threatens public safety, critical infrastructure, the economy and the environment. These amendments give local law enforcement the flexibility needed to respond effectively to this dangerous and costly criminal behaviour and will help restore the sense of security that has been stolen from communities and rural residents throughout the province in recent years.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    Improving scrap metal sales monitoring

    Legislative and regulatory amendments would provide solutions to what local law enforcement agencies have cited as barriers to timely and consistent enforcement since the act came into force in 2020. To support the identification and monitoring of unusual sales, purchasers would be required to record important transaction details to improve the traceability of illicit scrap metal.

    If the bill passes, the government plans to amend regulations to require the dollar value of the sale, the type of and per-ounce price of the metal purchased, and, in the case of catalytic converters, the vehicle identification number and/or proof of ownership to be recorded and reported to a database accessible to law enforcement.

    “This legislation will help to decrease incidents of copper theft while safeguarding the uninterrupted access to emergency services and the internet that Albertans expect.”

    Brian Lakey, vice-president, Service Reliability Center, Telus

    Reducing barriers to enforcement

    If the bill passes, the government is planning amendments to the Procedures Regulation and the Justice of the Peace Regulation to streamline enforcement process and improve court efficiency. Law enforcement would be able to issue violation tickets for certain offences, allowing charges to be laid more quickly.

    Additional planned regulatory changes would set specified penalties for minor offences and give justices of the peace authority to handle them. Individuals can choose to pay the fine or dispute the charge in traffic court. These updates would free up court resources to focus on more serious matters.

    “Streamlining the enforcement of penalties ensures that justice is served swiftly, and resources are focused where they are needed most. By empowering justices of the peace to hear cases related to illegal activity concerning scrap metal, the court system can focus on more complex cases while maintaining fairness and accessibility for Albertans.”

    Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

    These amendments target costly and dangerous criminal activity while protecting Alberta’s legitimate scrap metal industry and law-abiding recyclers.

    Quick facts

    • Instances of copper wire theft have the potential to disrupt critical services such as power and internet access, which may put Albertans at risk of being unable to reach critical services such as police or emergency services in times of need.
      • Between 2021 and 2024, copper wire theft in Alberta increased by 93 per cent, with the Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service and RCMP reporting respective increases of 135 per cent, 76 per cent and 88 per cent.

    Related information

    • Improving public safety
    • Bill 49: Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025

    Related news

    • Protecting Albertans from metal theft (June 18, 2020)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Protecting Albertans’ rights during emergencies

    [. During these moments of crisis, elected officials and emergency management teams must make difficult decisions to protect Albertans and their communities. In response to feedback from the Public Health Emergencies Governance Review Panel, Bill 49 includes updates to the Emergency Management Act to emphasize the importance of balancing Albertans’ individual rights and freedoms when exercising emergency powers.

    Alberta’s government recognizes that emergencies require swift coordination and regulations to protect people, property and the environment, and that officials must also be mindful of individual rights when responding to emergencies. If passed, Bill 49 would update the definition of “emergency” to make it clear that emergencies are sudden and temporary events, and the use of emergency powers should only be used for as long as necessary to restore public safety. This increases the threshold required to access the extraordinary powers provided under the act, ensuring emergency powers are only used when necessary.

    “These amendments are built on the principle of ‘sober second thought’ — ensuring that, even under pressure, every action is measured against our commitment to individual freedoms. Albertans value deeply the democratic rights and freedoms our society is built on, and it is incumbent on government to ensure those rights are protected.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    Other proposed amendments would place new requirements on the minister responsible for emergencies to consult with the Premier, cabinet or other elected officials prior to authorizing emergency orders, and to ensure orders made are communicated promptly and clearly to all Albertans so they know what actions government is taking and how they might be impacted.

    “Trust and transparency are essential, especially during an emergency. These updates would ensure the government is accountable to Albertans and that they know what actions government is taking during emergencies. These changes would also greatly improve emergency preparedness at the local level through enhanced planning measures that will protect Albertans and their communities. We all understand that emergencies require prompt and decisive action to ensure the safety of Albertans, while also safeguarding their rights.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    Other regulatory amendments

    Alberta’s government is also planning regulatory changes that would focus on enhancing community resilience by improving preparedness, coordination and information sharing during emergencies.

    Local authorities would be required to develop evacuation plans to facilitate safe evacuations during emergencies. These plans would also be required to include mitigation strategies informed by a hazard and risk assessment to support long-term reduction of disaster costs and impacts. Local authorities would have two years to come into compliance with these changes.

    Further amendments to the Disaster Recovery Regulation would allow post-disaster mitigation funding to cover a broader range of hazards, not just floods, to align with changes to the federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. This reflects a proactive approach to disaster management and a responsible focus on long-term planning and preparation.

    Related information

    • Improving public safety
    • Bill 49: Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s statement on meeting with the prime minister

    Premier David Eby has released the following statement after meeting with Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada.

    “I had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Carney where we discussed shared priorities for British Columbia and the federal government. Our conversation focused on solutions for many of the issues facing the people we serve: from U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s attacks on our softwood lumber industry, to a national transportation corridor for goods and services, to expediting major projects and affordable housing. It is clear B.C.’s interests support Canada as a whole.  

    “The prime minister and I spoke about building more housing with B.C. mass timber. At a time when Canadian forestry exports are facing an escalation in an ongoing trade war, we welcome an opportunity to meet the growing domestic and international demand for value-added wood products.

    “The American president’s renewed assault on our forestry sector needs the same Team Canada response as the manufacturing and auto industry jobs in Ontario and Quebec. The prime minister confirmed his understanding of the seriousness of the softwood issue and his commitment to work with us to address it proactively. The Team Canada approach is one B.C. supports, and it is our expectation other provinces will support us, too.

    “No matter the result of the federal election, we need a federal government that is ready to help address bottlenecks in our transportation corridor to get our goods to market, as well as expand training to build a highly skilled workforce. Any successful trade diversification strategy for Canada hinges on our success as a province. I feel the prime minister is fully engaged on these critical issues.

    “We live in the best province in the best country in the world. By working together, we can meet any challenge that comes our way.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MENG SOUNDS ALARM ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S CUTS TO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to cut federal funding for small and medium-sized American manufacturers:

    At the same time that President Trump was finalizing his announcement of reckless tariffs with the stated goal of boosting domestic manufacturing, his administration began quietly and illegally stealing funding from Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers that provide invaluable support to small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers across the country. This once again reveals the dishonest contradiction at the heart of this administration. You can’t claim to champion American manufacturers while simultaneously dismantling the very programs that help them survive and compete. 

    These MEP centers are lifelines for small and medium-sized manufacturers in our communities. They provide the hands-on expertise that family-owned shops rely on to modernize, train workers, source materials, connect with new customers, and keep good jobs in America. When Elon Musk and the other billionaires running this administration illegally slash this funding, they’re not just cutting a government program – they’re cutting the legs out from under hardworking Americans in machine shops and fabrication plants across our country. 

    Let me be clear: just last month, Congress appropriated $175 million for the MEP program, and the President himself signed this into law. Now his administration has told these centers that their work to support American small businesses and workers no longer aligns with his priorities. Eliminating funding for the MEP program is not just wrong-headed – it’s clearly illegal. 

    President Trump wants credit for talking tough on trade while quietly pulling the rug out from under the very businesses he claims to protect. Our manufacturers don’t need empty promises and chaotic tariffs that raise prices on the materials they use and the groceries that feed their families – they need practical support to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies and economic circumstances. I expect the President to restore support for all MEP centers and fully implement the funding approved last month. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle should understand the importance of this program for their constituents and stand against illegal cuts. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta to U.S. Supreme Court: Taxpayer Funded Charter Schools Must Abide by Constitution, Remain Secular

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the Attorney General of Oklahoma and urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the creation of a publicly funded religious charter school. In the brief, filed in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, the attorneys general ask the court to uphold a ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which found that approval of the school violated both state and federal constitutions. 

    “Charter schools are taxpayer-funded public schools, not private contractors or religious institutions, and must still abide by constitutional rules,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This means charter schools must be open to all students, charge no tuition, and stay free of religious instruction. I urge the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision — the structure and government of public schools should remain with the states, not the federal courts.”

    Charter schools are publicly funded, tuition-free schools that operate independently from traditional school districts. These schools offer greater flexibility in curriculum, staffing, and operations to tailor their programs to meet the needs of their students. In exchange for this flexibility, charter schools are held accountable for meeting specific performance goals outlined in their charter — or contract — with their governing body. 

    The case in question centers on St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which Oklahoma’s Statewide Charter School Board approved to operate as a public charter school with a religious mission. The Attorney General of Oklahoma sought review of that decision in the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which agreed and held that the creation of the school violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and state law. In today’s brief, the attorneys general ask the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold this ruling.

    In the brief, the attorneys general argue that under the First Amendment, charter schools — like all public schools — must remain secular. The attorneys general argue that the choice of how to structure and govern public schools should remain with the states, not the federal courts. All states with charter schools require these schools to remain non-religious, and requiring states to allow religious charter schools would override those laws. The brief also warns that changing the legal status of charter schools could destabilize how they are funded and operated. Many states and key stakeholders rely on charter schools being public institutions, and a ruling that reclassifies them as private could disrupt billions of dollars in public education investment.

    In filing today’s brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of Columbia. 

    A copy of the brief can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nestpoint Group Fuels Univest Securities, LLC’s Ascent to Investment Banking Powerhouse in Trump’s Economic Golden Age

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, New York, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Univest Securities, LLC (“Univest”), New York’s premier boutique investment bank, is proud to announce a strategic investment from Nestpoint Group (“Nestpoint”), a leading firm in government affairs, finance, and private equity based in Dallas and Washington, D.C. This powerhouse partnership positions Univest to rise as a global investment banking leader, harnessing unparalleled opportunities for economic expansion under the Trump administration’s bold vision for American prosperity.

    Nestpoint, with its America First approach and deep roots in Washington, D.C., is a strategic ally at the intersection of international advocacy and financial innovation. Renowned for its ability to influence policy, navigate regulatory complexities, and drive transformative growth, Nestpoint pairs its expertise with Univest’s 31-year legacy of excellence in investment banking—spanning mergers and acquisitions, capital markets advisory, and private/public capital raises. Together, they form a dynamic force ready to tackle the challenges of global trade and regulatory uncertainty.

    Henry Huang, Managing Director of Nestpoint, celebrated the alliance: “Univest Securities is a standout in the boutique investment banking world—a proven leader with exceptional talent and vision. We’re thrilled to supercharge their trajectory with our unique blend of government affairs mastery, global relationships and financial firepower. From D.C. to New York, this partnership will redefine what’s possible, positioning Univest as the next major investment bank and delivering on President Trump’s promise of rapid economic growth like never before.”

    Stuart Jolly, Nestpoint’s Director of Government Affairs & Global Strategies and former National Field Director for President Trump’s campaign, emphasized the partnership’s alignment with national priorities: “Having worked closely with President Trump to secure his vision for America, I see this alliance as a game-changer. Nestpoint’s government expertise and Univest’s financial prowess create the perfect engine to drive President Trump’s economic agenda forward—unlocking opportunities for businesses to thrive in this golden age of American leadership.”

    Edric Guo, Chief Executive Officer of Univest, echoed the excitement: “Partnering with Nestpoint is a transformative step for Univest. Their unparalleled government relations capabilities and strategic insight open doors for our clients like never before. Together, we’re not just expanding our reach—we’re building a platform to lead the charge in global trade and economic innovation, perfectly timed with the administration’s bold direction.”

    This alliance delivers unmatched value: Nestpoint’s extensive network of clients will tap into Univest’s elite financial services, while Univest’s current and future clients gain access to Nestpoint’s D.C.-honed expertise in overcoming regulatory hurdles and trade complexities. With a significant presence in the nation’s capital, Nestpoint is uniquely equipped to influence policy and public perception, ensuring clients thrive in the U.S. market and beyond. In what many are calling the “golden age,” this partnership arrives at the perfect moment to accelerate economic expansion and fulfill the Trump administration’s ambitious goals.

    Univest Securities, headquartered in New York with a robust reach across North America and Asia Pacific, joins forces with Nestpoint’s global operations to create a seamless bridge between financial strategy and government advocacy. This collaboration marks Univest’s ascent as a dominant player in New York’s financial landscape, with a shared mission to solve global trade challenges and drive lasting economic impact.

    About Univest Securities, LLC

    Founded in 1994, Univest Securities is a boutique full-service investment bank headquartered in New York. With a strong presence in North America and Asia Pacific, Univest provides comprehensive financial services, including investment banking, capital markets, and wealth management, to clients worldwide. For more information about Univest Securities, LLC, visit https://www.univest.us/.

    About Nestpoint Group

    Nestpoint Group, with a global footprint, and a formidable presence in Washington, D.C., is a leading government affairs, finance and private equity firm. As a strategic ally, Nestpoint transforms challenges into opportunities through its expertise in policy influence, global networks, and financial innovation, delivering customized solutions for sustained client success. Nestpoint advises multibillion-dollar companies in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors as well as foreign nations. For more information about Nestpoint, visit https://www.nestpointgroup.com/.

    For more information, please contact:

    Univest Securities, LLC
    Edric Guo
    Chief Executive Officer
    75 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 18C
    New York, NY 10019
    Phone: (212) 343-8888
    Email: info@univest.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: Orange County Superior Court Wrong Again in Huntington Beach Voter ID Case, State Looks Forward to Appealing Decision

    Source: US State of California

    Monday, April 7, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. today issued the following statements in response to the Orange County Superior Court’s decision denying the State’s petition for writ of mandate concerning the City of Huntington Beach’s voter identification (voter ID) law, Measure A. Without citing any evidence that fraudulent voting occurs with any regularity in the City or has ever compromised the outcome of a municipal election, Measure A amended Huntington Beach’s charter to purportedly allow the City to impose voter ID requirements at the polls for all municipal elections starting in 2026. The petition for writ of mandate asserted that state law prohibits and overrides Measure A.  

    “Yet again, we believe the Orange County Superior Court got it wrong,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Earlier this year, the California Fourth District Court of Appeal wrote that Huntington Beach’s argument that ‘it had a constitutional right to regulate its own municipal elections free from state interference . . . is . . . problematic.’ We agree. Now that we have a final order from the Orange County Superior Court, we look forward to moving on and appealing the decision. We remain confident that Measure A will ultimately be struck down.” 

    “The Court got it wrong. Access to the ballot box is a key component of our democracy. The Court’s order is in direct conflict with California election laws and will result in disenfranchising California voters,” said Secretary of State Shirley Weber. “As California’s chief elections officer, I will continue to advocate for this state and its eligible voters by partnering with Attorney General Bonta to appeal this decision.”

    A copy of the court’s order can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expanding municipal police service options

    [. If passed, Bill 49 would lay additional groundwork for the new police service.

    Proposed amendments to the Police Act recognize the unique challenges faced by different communities and seek to empower local governments to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing overall public safety across the province.

    If passed, Bill 49 would specify that the new agency would be a Crown corporation with an independent board of directors to oversee its day-to-day operations. The new agency would be operationally independent from the government, consistent with all police services in Alberta. Unlike the Alberta Sheriffs, officers in the new police service would be directly employed by the police service rather than by the government.

    “With this bill, we are taking the necessary steps to address the unique public safety concerns in communities across Alberta. As we work towards creating an independent agency police service, we are providing an essential component of Alberta’s police framework for years to come. Our aim is for the new agency is to ensure that Albertans are safe in their communities and receive the best possible service when they need it most.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    Additional amendments would allow municipalities to select the new agency as their local police service once it becomes fully operational and the necessary standards, capacity and frameworks are in place. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the new agency works collaboratively with all police services to meet the province’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities. While the RCMP would remain the official provincial police service, municipalities would have a new option for their local policing needs.

    Once established, the agency would strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which include the RCMP, Indigenous police services and municipal police. It would help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently across the province.

    Related information

    • Improving public safety
    • Bill 49: Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025

    Related news

    • Keeping Alberta families and communities safe (March 13, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 860, Break Up Suspicious Transactions of Fentanyl Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 860 would subject foreign persons and entities to sanctions under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act if they provide significant support to opioid trafficking or receive property that is either used for or acquired through opioid trafficking. In addition, the bill would require the Administration to report to the Congress on its work to prevent foreign opioid trafficking.

    If the enactment of S. 860 leads the Administration to broaden existing sanctions for involvement in opioid trafficking, more people would be denied visas by the Department of State, resulting in an insignificant decrease in revenues from fees. Although most visa fees are retained by the Department of State and spent, some collections are deposited into the Treasury as revenues. Denying foreign nationals entry into the United States also would reduce direct spending on federal benefits (emergency Medicaid or federal subsidies for health insurance, for example) for which those people might otherwise be eligible.

    The bill would block transactions involving certain assets either in the United States or under the control of people or entities in the United States. Under the bill, any person or entity violating those prohibitions would be subject to civil or criminal monetary penalties. Such penalties are recorded as revenues, and a portion can be spent without further appropriation.

    On the basis of data about similar sanctions, CBO estimates any additional sanctions imposed under the bill would affect a small number of people. Thus, enacting S. 860 would have insignificant effects on revenues and direct spending, and would, on net, reduce deficits by insignificant amounts over the 2025-2035 period.

    Using information about the cost of reports similar to those required by the bill, CBO estimates that implementing S. 860 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period. Such related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    S. 860 would impose a private-sector mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by expanding the scope of authority for the Administration to regulate transactions between entities in the United States and foreign entities and officials of foreign governments who would be subject to sanctions under the bill. That expansion would result in additional burdens on individuals and entities, such as banks, in the United States that are required to monitor and report on foreign transactions and to block access to certain assets owned by sanctioned entities. It also would prohibit transactions between entities in the United States and sanctioned parties that otherwise would be permitted under current law.

    The cost of the mandate would be any income or profit lost as a result of the bill’s enactment. CBO expects that because a small number of people or entities would be affected, the loss of income from any incremental increase in restrictions imposed by the bill would be small as well. CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate would fall well below the annual threshold established in UMRA for private-sector mandates ($206 million in 2025, adjusted annually for inflation).

    S. 860 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in UMRA.

    The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Sunita D’Monte (for federal costs) and Brandon Lever (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Pettersen, Jacobs Issue Statements on Speaker Johnson’s Deal Blocking Parental Proxy Voting Resolution

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

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) issued the following statements after Speaker Mike Johnson struck a deal that effectively blocks their bipartisan resolution to allow proxy voting for new parents in Congress. The agreement would replace their proposed policy with a limited “pairing” system that maintains outdated practices and fails to provide real solutions for lawmakers who are new parents.

    Rep. Brittany Pettersen said: “We are so grateful to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna for championing this issue that matters deeply to us, and so many other families. Her partnership was essential in building broad bipartisan support from a majority of the House. When the Speaker refused to act, she continued working to make the House a more welcoming place for families. But the reality is — this outcome does not address the barriers we’ve fought so hard to overcome.

    “When Speaker Johnson refused to bring our resolution to the floor for a vote – regardless of how many Members supported it – we followed the rules and tried to force a vote by filing a discharge petition and received the necessary signatures to bring it forward. Instead of letting us vote, he has instead gone to historic lengths to kill our resolution and make sure the large majority of his Members don’t have a voice. Let’s be clear: these changes are not a win for us and Speaker Johnson has turned his back on moms and dads in Congress and working families.

    “I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the women and moms across the nation. I know that you’re as disappointed as I am that we’re not changing the Rules in Congress to make it more likely that people like us have a seat at the table. But our fight is far from over. I promise I won’t stop working on behalf of moms, our families, and most importantly our kids.”

    Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “From the very beginning, our shared goal has been to support new parents so they can do their jobs and vote on behalf of their constituents while also taking care of themselves and their families. Unfortunately, this ‘deal’ falls short of that goal – silencing new parents and perpetuating the status quo and the notion that Congress is ineffective and obsolete. I won’t accept the way Congress has always done things, and the American people won’t either. We will keep pushing for innovative ways to support young people and parents in Congress – including by modernizing how we vote – even if it takes a Democratic majority to do so.”

    Background:

    In January, Pettersen introduced the bipartisan Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution alongside Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Mike Lawler (R-NY). After Republican Leadership refused to move forward with their bipartisan legislation, the Members used a rare procedural move called a discharge petition, collecting 218 signatures from a majority of the House.

    This procedural tool is used to bypass Leadership and force a vote on the floor. However, despite broad bipartisan support, Speaker Johnson went to extreme lengths to block the measure from advancing. The Members defeated Johnson’s attempts to kill the discharge petition last week, bringing legislative business to a halt. Still, Speaker Johnson continued to ignore House rules and refused to bring the resolution forward for a vote.

    This work is the latest in Pettersen’s continued efforts to make government more inclusive and accessible, especially for young families. During her time in the Colorado legislature, she was the first state lawmaker in Colorado history to take parental leave after giving birth to her son, Davis. Pettersen had to seek permission from Leadership and categorize her absence as a “chronic illness” in order to be paid while on leave. That’s why she brought legislation to change the outdated law and allow for paid parental leave for all future Colorado state lawmakers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall and Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Dairy Products and Support Dairy Farmers 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) introduced the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025, legislation that would increase access to dairy products for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and support dairy farmers across the country. This bill would allow SNAP participants to purchase more milk, cheese, and yogurt with their benefits, expanding access to affordable and nutritious options. Companion legislation is led in the House by U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D-California-21) and Nick Langworthy (R-New York-23).
     “As a doctor who practiced medicine for more than 25 years, I cannot stress enough the importance of consuming dairy products, which serve as excellent sources of critical nutrients and contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system,” said Senator Marshall. “The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 would support dairy farmers and provide commonsense updates to increase incentives for milk, cheese, and yogurt purchases in SNAP – ensuring all American families can benefit from these nutrient-dense foods.”
    “Making sure more Americans have better access to foods like yogurt and cheese while supporting our dairy farmers is a win-win,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will support healthy diets, make sure families are able to bring home more of the foods they love, and help dairy farmers feed Americans.” 
    The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York).
    The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 is endorsed by the International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation, FMI – The Food Industry Association, National Grocers Association, and Associated Milk Producers Inc.
    “A SNAP dairy incentive program is a reliable investment in improving our nation’s health and reducing hunger and chronic food insecurity among low-income Americans,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association. “Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are nutritional powerhouses that promote healthy immune function, hydration, bone health, and lower risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. IDFA applauds U.S. Sens. Klobuchar and Marshall, and U.S. Reps. Costa and Langworthy for their leadership on the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025, which would help our nation’s most vulnerable people afford wholesome, nutrient-dense dairy products for their families.”
    “Dairy foods provide critical nutrients for healthy lives, but nearly 90 percent of Americans don’t meet dairy intake recommendations,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “We commend Representatives Jim Costa, D-CA, and Nick Langworthy, R-NY, and Senators Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, and Roger Marshall, R-KS, for their bipartisan Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act, which would expand SNAP participant access to healthful dairy products at the grocery store. We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors and ensuring all Americans have access to healthy dairy products.”
    “FMI – The Food Industry Association supports the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act as a way to expand access to nutrient-rich dairy products within SNAP,” said Jennifer Hatcher, chief public policy officer and senior vice president, membership of FMI – The Food Industry Association. “By building on existing milk-purchase incentives, this bill empowers retailers to help low-income households incorporate a variety of dairy options – milk, cheese, and yogurt – into a healthy eating pattern alongside fruits and vegetables.”
    “SNAP incentive programs for nutritious foods—like dairy, fruits, and vegetables—help families access healthier options while also strengthening independent grocers’ ability to promote better nutrition,” said Stephanie Johnson, group vice president for government affairs at the National Grocers Association. “NGA strongly supports the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program, which expands SNAP incentives to include more milk varieties, yogurt, and cheese. This not only provides SNAP participants with greater access to nutritious dairy products but also simplifies the process for independent grocers to offer these benefits in their communities.”
    “The Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act will help increase access to nutritious dairy products among SNAP participants and reinforce the essential role dairy plays in a healthy diet,” said Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) President and CEO Sheryl Meshke. “We are grateful to Senators Klobuchar and Marshall for championing this important legislation.”
    Background:
    The latest federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans report showed that more than 90% of Americans do not consume enough dairy products to meet daily nutrition requirements.
    The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act would increase access to dairy products by expanding the existing Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives program to include products like cheese and yogurt.
    Under this plan, SNAP participants would receive a coupon for additional cheese or yogurt when they purchase these items with their groceries. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NADLER, GILLIBRAND, SCHUMER, JEFFRIES, GARBARINO, GOLDMAN LEAD BIPARTISAN PUSH CALLING ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO REVERSE CUTS TO WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY),  U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Democratic Leader Jeffries (D-NY), and Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) are leading a bipartisan letter calling on President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse cuts to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) staff that provide critical support for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).

    The WTCHP offers medical monitoring and treatment for first responders and survivors diagnosed with 9/11-related health conditions, including many types of cancers, respiratory illnesses, and more. The cuts include the dismissal of Dr. John Howard, the administrator of the WTCHP, who makes critical decisions regarding covered conditions and ensures the WTCHP complies with statutes enacted by Congress. The WTCHP also currently uses NIOSH staff to determine the awards of research grants in the amount of nearly $20 million a year, an annual requirement of the program to fund research on 9/11 conditions and care.They were joined on the letter by Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Laura Gillen (D-NY), Pat Ryan (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), George Latimer (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Josh Riley (D-NY), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), John Larson (D-CT), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Nellie Pou (D-NJ), as well as Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

    “We were appalled at the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services cut two-thirds of the staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under which the WTCHP operates,” wrote the lawmakers. “We understand that your plan is to ultimately eliminate all NIOSH staff in the next few days. The WTCHP relies on NIOSH staff to fulfill many of its obligations under the law, and eliminating staff that implement it, especially as more and more responders and survivors fall ill with 9/11-related conditions, will directly interfere with program operations and undermine access to the treatment these heroes have earned and deserve. Congress has continually reaffirmed its bipartisan commitment to the responders and survivors of September 11th. We stand ready to work with you to reverse these cuts to ensure that current and future participants receive the coverage and care that Congress has continuously provided.” 

    “I am glad that the members of the NY Congressional Delegation are working together in a bipartisan manner to demand answers as to what Secretary Kennedy is doing. Why fire Dr. Howard, a Trump appointee, why fire the NIOSH staff the Doctors and epidemiologists that support the WTC Health Program, who is going to approve cancer treatments for 9/11 responders and survivors this week when they are seeking help, why fire the CDC staff that handle the programs contracts and grants, who is going to handle the contracts and grants that are the heart of this program? The Secretary needs to either answer all these questions or restore Dr .Howard and the NIOSH,  CDC staff that were doing this work who were terminated. This wasn’t a scalpel or even a chainsaw this was bulldozer that is leveling the program,” said Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of the Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act, Inc.

    In February 2025, the Trump administration drastically reduced the workforce of the World Trade Center Health Program. In response, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Garbarino, and a number of their bipartisan colleagues in the House called on the administration to reverse the cuts, and the program’s staffing levels were ultimately restored.

    After years of efforts and calls on the federal government, Congress established the WTCHP on a bipartisan basis in 2011 with a five-year authorization to provide medical treatment and monitoring for 9/11 responders and survivors suffering from the effects of the toxins at Ground Zero. The program covers the lifespans of all exposed, including responders and survivors of the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Shanksville crash site, children who were in schools in downtown Manhattan on 9/11 and during clean-up, and those who have since experienced, or are expected to experience, adverse health effects that are linked to the attacks in the coming years. The program was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. In 2022, lawmakers delivered $1 billion for the WTCHP in the end-of-year spending bill, and in 2023, they secured an additional $676 million for the program.


     The full text of the members’ letter to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy is available here or below:

    Dear President Trump and Secretary Kennedy,  

    The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) provides critical medical treatment, research, and monitoring to over 137,000 responders and survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks, living in every state and nearly every Congressional district. The WTCHP serves first responders and survivors from the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This vital program provides life-saving care to the heroes who answered the call to serve in one of our nation’s darkest hours and the survivors who are forced to live with the health consequences from the attacks every single day.  

    We were appalled at the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services cut two-thirds of the staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under which the WTCHP operates. We understand that your plan is to ultimately eliminate all NIOSH staff in the next few days.  

    Since the establishment of the WTCHP in 2011, the number of program enrollees has more than doubled from 61,000 to 137,000. The WTCHP relies on NIOSH staff to fulfill many of its obligations under the law, and eliminating staff that implement it, especially as more and more responders and survivors fall ill with 9/11-related conditions, will directly interfere with program operations and undermine access to the treatment these heroes have earned and deserve.  

    For example, the WTCHP does not employ any staff physicians or individuals with medical degrees. Under the statute medical doctors need to approve certifications of members coming forward with new conditions that meet the requirements of the law for them to receive treatment.  The WTCHP has always used NIOSH doctors to perform this work. 

    Additionally, the WTCHP does not have a staff epidemiologist and has always used NIOSH epidemiologists to review pending petitions for considering whether to add new conditions to the list of covered conditions. The WTCHP also currently uses NIOSH staff to determine the awards of research grants in the amount of nearly $20 million dollars a year, an annual requirement of the program to fund research on 9/11 conditions and care. 

    We are extremely concerned regarding the dismissal of Dr. John Howard, the Program Administrator of WTCHP. Since the program’s inception, Dr. Howard has faithfully served as the Administrator, playing a critical role as the final decision-maker on determining which petitioned conditions should be covered and ensuring the WTCHP is adhering to the explicit statutes enacted by Congress. His institutional knowledge is unmatched and allows the program to operate effectively and efficiently. It is estimated that over 400,000 individuals were exposed to toxins or other hazards on 9/11, and we are gravely concerned that his termination will undermine the essential work the WTCHP does.

    Finally, we are concerned about the termination of the staff at the Office of Acquisition Services at NIOSH. The Office of Acquisition Services oversees all contracts for the WTCHP’s Nationwide Provider Network (NPN), which is a vast network of contracted health providers throughout the country that provide the medical monitoring and treatment for program enrollees who live outside the New York metropolitan area. This office ensures these contracts and providers meet the needs of enrollees and provides oversight and quality assurance for the NPN. Without this coordinating mechanism, current contracts could receive little oversight and that future contracts could lapse, undermining access to enrollee care. 

    We are asking that the Administration provide answers on how the WTCHP will be impacted by these massive layoffs. Please respond to the below list of questions by April 9th, 2025.  

    1. Is the Administration planning to terminate all NIOSH staff? 
    2. What was the justification for the termination of Dr. Howard?  
    3. Since there are no doctors on the staff of the WTCHP, and the statue requires doctors to sign off on certifications that allow for treatment of members, what is the administration’s plan to rectify this as all of the NIOSH medical staff that performed this function have been terminated? 
    4. Since the WTCHP used the staff of NIOSH, especially epidemiologists to review pending petitions under the law to consider covering new conditions, what provisions has HHS made to supply the necessary staff to fulfill that role for the WTCHP? 
    5. What is the status of pending petitions to add autoimmune disease and cardiac conditions to the program? The program announced in December 2024 that eligible individuals can expect an answer by March 2025. 
    6. WTCHP utilized NIOSH staff to determine the approximately $20 million of annual research awards required under the statute that are normally announced in March. What staff will be assisting WTCHP in making these decisions and when will the awards for 2025 be announced?  
    7. Has the administration consulted with advocates or career staff on the impacts these cuts may have on WTCHP service delivery?  
      1. If you have not, please explain why.  
    8. What office will oversee the contracts and contracting process if there is no staff at the Office of Acquisition Services?  

    Congress has continually reaffirmed its bipartisan commitment to the responders and survivors of the September 11th attacks. We stand ready to work with you to reverse these cuts to ensure that current and future participants receive the coverage and care that Congress has continuously provided. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Sends Letter to DHS Secretary Requesting Congressional Oversight and a Congressional Visit to the Krome Detention Facility

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson (24th District of Florida)

    Today, April 7, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson sent a Letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, requesting Congressional oversight of the Krome Detention Facility and a Congressional visit to the facility.

    In 2019, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson led a Congressional Delegation visit to the Krome Detention Facility.

    For the full letter, click here.

    Letter Text:

    Dear Secretary Noem:

    I write to urgently request your assistance in arranging an official visit to the Krome Detention Center located in Miami, Florida so that I can assess the detainees’ living conditions. Recent reports from the Miami Herald, specifically the article titled “Hundreds protest outside Miami-Dade’s Krome Detention Center over ‘inhumane’ conditions,” underscore the critical issues regarding the treatment and living conditions faced by detainees.

    I have heard directly from immigration lawyers about the unacceptable conditions at Krome, including reports of individuals sleeping on the concrete floor, detainees being deprived of adequate food, and female detainees being held in a facility designated for men. These alarming accounts illustrate the urgent need for me to exercise my duty of congressional oversight and intervention. As an elected representative, I have a fundamental duty to exercise my oversight authority under Article 1 of the Constitution. This authority allows Congress to access federal facilities to verify compliance with federal laws and policies. As you are likely aware, the Supreme Court has determined the Congressional oversight power to be far-reaching. For example, in Watkins v. United States, the Court said the “power of the Congress to conduct investigations is inherent in the legislative process. That power is broad. It encompasses inquiries concerning the administration of existing laws as well as proposed or possibly needed statutes.”

    It is imperative that Congress gains firsthand insight into the facility’s operations to address these serious concerns and ensure that the rights and dignity of individuals in detention are upheld. I fully support lawful detention and the enforcement of the law; however, this is balanced by the need to ensure that people who are in government custody are not treated inhumanely, no matter the circumstance.

    To confirm the arrangements for our visit, I request your assistance with the following:

    ·      Please identify which date you will facilitate my visit from these dates: April 11 to 21 or April 25 to 28, 2025?

    ·      What steps will be taken to ensure that this visit receives complete transparency?

    I appreciate your prompt attention to this urgent request and hope to facilitate this visit as soon as possible.

    Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure the transparency and accountability of our immigration system.

    Sincerely,

    Frederica S. Wilson

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Selling your old laptop or phone? You might be handing over your data too

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ritesh Chugh, Associate Professor, Information and Communications Technology, CQUniversity Australia

    berdiyandriy/Shutterstock

    You’re about to recycle your laptop or your phone, so you delete all your photos and personal files. Maybe you even reset the device to factory settings.

    You probably think your sensitive data is now safe. But there is more to be done: hackers may still be able to retrieve passwords, documents or bank details, even after a reset.

    In fact, 90% of second-hand laptops, hard drives and memory cards still contain recoverable data. This indicates that many consumers fail to wipe their devices properly before resale or disposal.

    But there are some simple steps you can take to keep your personal information safe while recycling responsibly.

    The data security risks

    Discarded or resold electronics often retain sensitive personal and corporate information. Simply deleting files or performing a factory reset may not be sufficient. Data can often be easily recovered using specialised tools. This oversight has led to alarming incidents of data leaks and breaches.

    For example, 42% of used storage devices sold on eBay still contained sensitive data, despite sellers following methods to erase data. This included passport images, school records, and corporate documents.

    Another 2022 study found that improperly erased internet-connected devices stored private data, making them vulnerable to exploitation. European e-waste exported to Ghana also contained classified corporate and government files, exposing security risks beyond personal identity theft.

    A major wireless provider in the United States failed to securely decommission storage devices. This lead to a data breach affecting 14 million customers.

    Similarly, in 2021 improperly discarded medical hard drives exposed over 100,000 confidential patient records.

    Why standard factory resets are not enough

    Many people believe performing a factory reset fully erases their data. But this is not always the case.

    An analysis of secondhand mobile devices found that 35% still contained recoverable data after being reset and resold. This highlights the risks of relying solely on factory resets.

    On older devices or those without encryption, residual data can still be recovered using forensic tools.

    iPhones use hardware encryption, making resets more effective, while Android devices vary by manufacturer.

    Performing a factory reset on a phone doesn’t always fully erase personal data.
    010110010101101/Shutterstock

    Best practices for secure disposal

    To protect your personal and organisational information, consider these measures before disposing of old devices:

    Data wiping

    Personal users should use data-wiping software to securely erase their hard drive before selling or recycling a device.

    However, for solid-state drives, traditional wiping methods may not be effective. This is because solid-state drives store data using flash memory and algorithms, which prolong a device’s lifespan by distributing data across memory cells and can prevent direct overwriting.

    Instead, enabling full-disk encryption with software such as BitLocker on Windows or FileVault on Mac before resetting the device can help to ensure data is unreadable.

    On Android phones, apps such as Shreddit provide secure data-wiping options. iPhones already encrypt data by default, making a full reset the most effective way to erase information.

    Businesses that handle customer data, financial records or intellectual property must comply with data protection regulations. They could use certified data-wiping tools that meet the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology’s guidelines for media sanitisation or the US Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ standard for sanitising storage. These guidelines are globally recognised.

    Many companies also choose third-party data destruction services to verify compliance and enhance security.

    Darik’s Boot and Nuke, also known as DBAN, is a computer program designed to permanently erase data.
    Darik Horn/Wikimedia

    Physical destruction

    If the data is highly sensitive, physically destroying the storage medium (such as a hard drive) is the most secure option. Common methods include degaussing (using a strong magnetic field), shredding, disintegration, melting, and drilling.

    However, some of these techniques can be hazardous if not handled by professionals. They also make a hard drive or device unsuitable for resale and instead require it to be taken to a waste recovery centre so the rare earth metal components can be recovered.

    Certified recycling services

    Use reputable e-waste recyclers who adhere to strict data destruction protocols to ensure your information does not fall into the wrong hands. Look for certifications such as R2, e-Stewards, or AS/NZS 5377, which ensure compliance with industry security standards. An online database run by sustainable electronics organisation SERI of R2-certified facilities around the world can help with this.

    Safe selling and donating practices

    Before selling or donating devices, conduct a thorough data wipe. Be cautious of devices linked to cloud accounts, and remove all personal information to prevent unauthorised access. Resetting alone may not be enough.

    Legal and regulatory considerations for businesses

    Different regions have strict data-protection laws that impose legal and financial penalties for improper disposal of sensitive data.

    It’s important for businesses to consider the legal standards for handling and disposing personal information in whatever region they’re operating in, whether that be Europe, the United States, Australia or elsewhere.

    Before recycling or selling an old device, take the necessary steps to ensure your data is completely erased. Identity theft, financial fraud and data breaches are real risks. But they can be prevented with the right precautions.

    A few extra steps now can protect your information and ensure responsible recycling.

    Ritesh Chugh 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. Selling your old laptop or phone? You might be handing over your data too – https://theconversation.com/selling-your-old-laptop-or-phone-you-might-be-handing-over-your-data-too-251613

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN peacekeeping challenged as conflicts and ceasefires grow more complex

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    As ceasefires grow more fragile and conflicts more unpredictable, UN peacekeeping is having to adapt faster amid rising political tensions, disinformation and confusion over mandates.

    Addressing ambassadors in the Security Council, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN peace operations, highlighted the need for change.

    “Ceasefire monitoring can no longer be just about being present, it is about rapidly understanding and acting on what is happening on the ground,” he said.

    Advances in technology, he explained, are helping ‘blue helmets’ increase their impact by allowing them to monitor vast and complex landscapes in near-real time – overcoming the need to be physically on the ground.

    At the same time, a political process backed by the unified support of Member States, particularly the Security Council, remains vital to secure and sustain peace.

    Ceasefires depend on combatants

    “While peacekeeping can be an integral part of a ceasefire monitoring regime, the success of any ceasefire remains the sole responsibility of the parties [to the agreement],” he said.

    Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Head of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), also underscored the critical importance of political process.

    Originally established in 1978, the mandate of UNIFIL was most recently defined in resolution 1701 of 2006, which called for a full cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel following the 34-day war in Lebanon.

    It reinforced UNIFIL’s mandate to monitor the ceasefire, support the Lebanese Armed Forces deployment in southern Lebanon and facilitate humanitarian access.

    However, the conflict between Israeli security forces and Hezbollah following the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel, complicated UNIFIL’s operating environment, until the cessation of hostilities agreed in November 2024.

    “Since this cessation of hostilities and in the absence of a permanent ceasefire, one of the main obstacles has always been that the parties interpret differently their obligations under resolution 1701 and now with respect to the cessation of hostilities understanding,” Lt. Gen. Lázaro said.

    Combating disinformation

    Another challenge is the rise of misinformation and disinformation, which undermines the credibility of UN peacekeepers and fuels local distrust. It compelled UNIFIL to adapt its approach to safeguard credibility, project impartiality and strengthen trust.

    Effective outreach, fact-checking and timely responses are critical to safeguarding the mission’s impartiality, Lt. Gen. Lázaro said, noting that UNIFIL has implemented a structured communication strategy to counter misinformation, ensuring that messages are fact-based, clear and consistent across all peacekeeping units.

    “It is essential that government actors also make public statements to sensitize the population to UNIFIL’s role and mandate, to avoid misperception,” he added.

    Like UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is also combating the growing influence of disinformation, which armed groups exploit to destabilize communities and undermine peacekeeping efforts.

    UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti

    An unmanned aerial vehicle or drone is prepared for flight in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    Misuse of technology by armed groups

    Lt. Gen. Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, MONUSCO Force Commander, highlighted the evolving threats peacekeepers face, particularly from armed groups leveraging modern technologies to evade detection and spread propaganda.

    “While important to peacekeeping, surveillance technologies have also been used by armed groups, militia and criminal networks,” Lt. Gen. Gomes said.

    “In recent months, we have observed the use of readily available drones for reconnaissance by armed groups and the exploitation of encrypted messaging apps for coordination and propaganda dissemination, circumventing traditional monitoring methods.”

    He warned that these tactics, combined with the willingness of armed groups to operate beyond traditional State control, make them unpredictable and difficult to counter.

    To address these evolving threats, MONUSCO has adapted its strategies to swiftly integrate new capabilities – both from the private industry and contributing nations – within weeks or months, rather than years.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –