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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: VA dismisses more than 1,000 employees

    Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

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    Mission-critical positions are exempt from the reductions, which will enable VA to redirect over $98 million annually to health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees.

    Those dismissed today include non-bargaining unit probationary employees who have served less than a year in a competitive service appointment or who have served less than two years in an excepted service appointment.

    The personnel moves will save the department more than $98 million per year, and VA will redirect all of those resources back toward health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.

    There are currently more than 43,000 probationary employees across the department, the vast majority of whom are exempt from today’s personnel actions because they serve in mission-critical positions – primarily those supporting benefits and services for VA beneficiaries – or are covered under a collective bargaining agreement. VA employees who elected to participate in the Office of Personnel Management’s deferred resignation program are also exempt from today’s personnel actions.

    The dismissals are effective immediately and have been communicated directly to each employee. As an additional safeguard to ensure VA benefits and services are not impacted, the first Senior Executive Service (SES) or SES-equivalent leader in a dismissed employee’s chain of command can request that the employee be exempted from removal.

    The dismissals announced today are part of a government-wide Trump Administration effort to make agencies more efficient, effective and responsive to the American People.  To that end, VA is refocusing on its core mission: providing the best possible care and benefits to Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.

    “At VA, we are focused on saving money so it can be better spent on Veteran care. We thank these employees for their service to VA. This was a tough decision, but ultimately it’s the right call to better support the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors the department exists to serve,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “To be perfectly clear: these moves will not negatively impact VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries. In the coming weeks and months, VA will be announcing plans to put these resources to work helping Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.”

    Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

    Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

    Contact us online through Ask VA

    Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: In the quest to appease Israel, the media undermine our basic rights

    In its eagerness to appease supporters of Israel, the media is happy to ride roughshod over due process and basic rights. It’s damaging Australia’s (and New Zealand’s?) democracy.

    COMMENTARY: By Bernard Keane

    Two moments stand out so far from the Federal Court hearings relating to Antoinette Lattouf’s sacking by the ABC, insofar as they demonstrate how power works in Australia — and especially in Australia’s media.

    The first is how the ABC’s senior management abandoned due process in the face of a sustained lobbying effort by a pro-Israel group to have Lattouf taken off air, under the confected basis she was “antisemitic”.

    Managing director David Anderson admitted in court that there was a “step missing” in the process that led to her sacking — in particular, a failure to consult with the ABC’s HR area, and a failure to discuss the attacks on Lattouf with Lattouf herself, before kicking her out.

    To this, it might be added, was acting editorial director Simon Melkman’s advice to management that Lattouf had not breached any editorial policies.

    Anderson bizarrely singled out Lattouf’s authorship, alongside Cameron Wilson, of a Crikey article questioning the narrative that pro-Palestinian protesters had chanted “gas the Jews”, as basis for his concerns about her, only for one of his executives to point out the article was “balanced and journalistically sound“.

    That is, by the ABC’s own admission, there was no basis to sack Lattouf and the sacking was conducted improperly. And yet, here we are, with the ABC tying itself in absurd knots — no such race as Lebanese, indeed — spending millions defending its inappropriate actions in response to a lobbying campaign.

    The second moment that stands out is a decision by the court early in the trial to protect the identities of those calling for Lattouf’s sacking.

    Abandoned due process
     The campaign that the group rolled out prompted the ABC chair and managing director to immediately react — and the ABC to abandon due process and procedural fairness. Yet the court protects their identities.

    The reasoning — that the identities behind the complaints should be protected for their safety — may or may not be based on reasonable fears, but it’s the second time that institutions have worked to protect people who planned to undermine the careers of people — specifically, women — who have dared to criticise Israel.

    The first was when some members — a minority — of a WhatsApp group supposedly composed of pro-Israel “creatives” discussed how to wreck the careers of, inter alia, Clementine Ford and Lauren Dubois for their criticism of Israel.

    The publishing of the identities of this group was held by both the media and the political class to be an outrageous, antisemitic act of “doxxing”, and the federal government rushed through laws to make such publications illegal.

    No mention of making the act of trying to destroy people’s careers because they hold different political views — or, cancel culture, as the right likes to call it — illegal.

    Whether it’s courts, politicians or the media, it seems that the dice are always loaded in favour of those wanting to crush criticism of Israel, while its victims are left to fend for themselves.

    Human rights lawyer and fighter against antisemitism Sarah Schwartz has been repeatedly threatened with (entirely vexatious) lawsuits by Israel supporters for her criticism of Israel, and her discussion of the exploitation of Australian Jews by Peter Dutton.

    Targeted by another News Corp smear campaign
    She’s been targeted by yet another News Corp smear campaign, based on nothing more than a wilfully misinterpreted slide. She has no government or court rushing to protect her.

    Meanwhile, Peter Lalor, one of Australia’s finest sports journalists (and I write as someone who can’t abide most sports journalism) lost his job with SEN because he, too, dared to criticise Israel and call out the Palestinian genocide. No-one’s rushing to his aide, either.

    No powerful institutions are weighing in to safeguard his privacy, or protect him from the consequences of his opinions.

    The individual cases add up to a pattern: Australian institutions, and especially its major media institutions, will punish you for criticising Israel.

    Pro-Israel groups will demand you be sacked, they will call for your career to be destroyed. Those groups will be protected.

    Media companies will ride roughshod over basic rights and due process to comply with their demands. You will be smeared and publicly vilified on completely spurious bases. Politicians will join in, as Jason Clare did with the campaign against Schwartz and as Chris Minns is doing in NSW, imposing hate speech laws that even Christian groups think are a bad idea.

    Damaging the fabric of democracy
    This is how the campaign to legitimise the Palestinian genocide and destroy critics of the Netanyahu government has damaged the fabric of Australia’s democracy and the rule of law.

    The basic rights and protections that Australians should have under a legal system devoted to preventing discrimination can be stripped away in a moment, while those engaged in destroying people’s careers and livelihoods are protected.

    Ill-advised laws are rushed in to stifle freedom of speech. Australian Jews are stereotyped as a politically convenient monolith aligned with the Israeli government.

    The experience of Palestinians themselves, and of Arab communities in Australia, is minimised and erased. And the media are the worst perpetrators of all.

    Bernard Keane is Crikey’s politics editor. Before that he was Crikey’s Canberra press gallery correspondent, covering politics, national security and economics. First published by Crikey.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Parliament has passed landmark election donation laws. They may be a ‘stich up’ but they also improve Australia’s democracy

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joo-Cheong Tham, Professor, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne

    Federal parliament has passed the biggest changes to Australia’s electoral funding laws in decades.

    The Albanese government’s Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024 cleared the Senate on Wednesday night after just two hours of debate on amendments agreed to earlier by the Coalition. In blatant disregard for democracy, the government refused to refer the bill to a parliamentary committee for proper scrutiny.

    The amendments fail to address numerous deficiencies in the original bill that was introduced last November. Transparency has been wound back and hollow contribution caps have been locked in.

    In significant respects, however, the package is an improvement on the status quo, which has seen unrestricted donations and spending flourish. So, too, secrecy.

    We need to penetrate the sound and fury of partisanship and assess the substance of these laws. This will yield a much more nuanced picture than conveyed by cross bench claims of a major party stitch up.

    Some improvement to transparency

    The government originally proposed lowering the disclosure threshold for donations from $16,000 to $1,000. The revised bill settles on a new threshold of $5,000.

    The amendments fail to plug a loophole that allows a donor to give separately to all of the branches attached to a political party if each individual contribution is just under the threshold. For example, a donor could spread almost $45,000 to the nine state and federal branches of the ALP without being required to declare the amounts.

    But the new laws will usher in near-real time disclosure and substantially reduce “dark money”, a seismic shift from the secrecy and lack of timeliness in the regime it replaces.

    Hollow donation caps

    Under the reforms, a series of contribution caps have been introduced to curb the influence of big money in politics.

    In my assessment of the original bill, I highlighted how the caps would prevent multi-million dollar contributions from cashed-up individuals.

    The amendments go further by closing a number of sizeable loopholes. Self financing candidates, such as Clive Palmer and Malcolm Turnbull will be subject to the contribution caps. The current exclusions for membership and affiliation fees to associated entities – “disguised donations” – will also be caught by the caps.

    But any positives are emphatically outweighed by the “annual gift cap” more than doubling to $50,000. The same “spreading” loophole that applies to the disclosure obligations would allow a donor to to give just shy of this amount to each of a party’s state and federal branches across the country. The major parties could reap up to almost $450,000 per annum from a single donor.

    And the “overall gift cap” on total donations made to political parties and candidates is a generous $1.6 million, which means large contributions will still be permissible under the new framework.

    The government has also failed to remove the patently unfair provisions relating to “nominated entities”, which are likely to be used by the major parties as investment vehicles.

    As the Victorian Electoral Review Expert Panel has rightly noted, such entities:

    provide some (parties) with significantly more funds, creating a risk that those (parties) drown out other voices.

    Election spending contained and fairer

    The spending caps in the new finance laws are fundamentally unaltered by the government’s amendments.

    The $800,000 per electorate limit, and $90 million per party nationally, will contain the “arms race” that has necessitated “big money” fundraising and fuelled unfair contests.

    However, the limits are set too high and will benefit the established parties due to the narrow scope of the spending caps in individual electorates. This means the major parties will be able to shift funding to must-win seats without being caught by the electorate caps.

    This shortcoming has been seized upon as clear evidence that Labor and the Liberals are seeking to kneecap Teal election campaigns. While having some force, these criticisms should be viewed in the context of the current situation where the major parties have an unfettered ability to direct spending to marginal seats, a situation which the Teals are ironically defending with their opposition to spending caps.

    The importance of public funding

    The new regime includes a substantial jump in public funding from $3.50 to $5 per vote.

    Crossbenchers, such as Kate Chaney, are opposed, to the increase, saying it will entrench the might of the majors while making it harder for new independents:

    The effect of increasing public funding is that political parties don’t have to fundraise because they’ve got their war chests. But any challengers do have to fundraise.

    While there is a clear risk of unfairness, the crossbench position throws the baby out with the bathwater. It romanticises the role of private funding, skating over the risks of corruption and undue influence via large donations.

    The public funding of political parties and candidates is warranted. But there should be a conversation about the design and scope of taxpayer support.

    The political finance laws could be made considerably fairer by fixing the structural bias that favours incumbents, including teal MPs. And they don’t need to be as generous given the large flows of private funding that will continue under the shallow contribution caps.

    Unfinished business

    Bad processes tend to make bad laws. The government’s actions have cast a pall of illegitimacy over its political finance regime. The new framework is unfair and ineffectual in significant ways and yet democracy enhancing in others.

    We are all trustees of democracy, with an obligation to protect and deepen democratic practices. An urgent task in that continuing struggle is to protect the strengths of these laws while jettisoning the elements that are egregiously bad.

    Joo-Cheong Tham has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, European Trade Union Institute, International IDEA, the New South Wales Electoral Commission, the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Victorian Electoral Commission. He is a Director of the Centre for Public Integrity; Expert Network Member of Climate Integrity; a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia; and the Victorian Division Assistant Secretary (Academic Staff) of the National Tertiary Education Union.

    – ref. Parliament has passed landmark election donation laws. They may be a ‘stich up’ but they also improve Australia’s democracy – https://theconversation.com/parliament-has-passed-landmark-election-donation-laws-they-may-be-a-stich-up-but-they-also-improve-australias-democracy-249588

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: 30 injured in Taiwan department store explosion

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    An explosion at a department store in the city of Taichung in central Taiwan has killed four people and injured 30 as of 8 p.m. on Thursday.
    It was previously reported that five people had died in the explosion. However, one critically injured survivor with cardiac arrest was resuscitated, leading to the revision of death toll to four.
    All those injured in the blast have been hospitalized, and no additional victims remain trapped in the department store, according to local authorities.
    Taichung’s municipal news bureau said that the emergency has been brought under control following a day of search and rescue work. The department store has been ordered to close its business, and prosecutorial authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blast.
    The explosion occurred at about 11 a.m. in a food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, causing substantial damage to both the facade and interior of the building.
    Taichung’s fire department dispatched 27 fire engines and 62 firefighters to carry out the rescue mission. The municipal government immediately implemented traffic restrictions, and later set up an emergency response center to coordinate relevant departments in handling the incident and its aftermath.
    Penalties will be handed to those found accountable for the explosion, and bereavement funds will be allocated accordingly, according to the municipal government.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New appointments to the National Film and Sound Archive board

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government has appointed Mrs Lucinda Brogden AM as Deputy Chair of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Board.

    Mr Joseph Thorp, Ms Caroline Lilley and Ms Jaclyn Lee-Joe have also been appointed as members of the Board, each for a term of three years.

    A treasured national collecting institution, the Archive collects, preserves and shares Australia’s audiovisual culture – providing an unbroken record of Australian creativity and diversity.

    Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the appointments would strengthen the governance and strategic direction of the National Film and Sound Archive. 

    “Lucinda, Joe, Carol and Jackie have accomplished and varied careers in their respective fields with valuable experience working in Australia’s arts industry. 

    “Protecting our beloved cultural institutions for future generations means having the best leadership in place to safeguard them.”

    Mrs Lucinda Brogden AM has been a member of the Archive Board since December 2021 and has more than 30 years’ experience in accounting, finance and organisational psychology. She currently serves on a number of boards including as Chair of the Diabetes Australia Research Trust, Director of the Corporate Mental Health Alliance, Director at Australian Unity, and a Director of Be Kind Sydney. 

    In 2019, Mrs Brogden was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to workplace mental health and wellbeing. 

    Mr Joseph Thorp is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of the State Theatre Company of South Australia. Following a career in international business, Mr Thorp serves as Secretary of Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide and Director of professional advisory services firm Slingsby Taylor Pty Ltd. Mr Thorp sits on a variety of other boards including the Governance and Nominations Committee at AnglicareSA, and as a Director of the Anglican Representative (National Redress Scheme) Limited. Mr Thorp has also served as Chairman and member of different boards including Chair of the Council of Governors of St Peter’s College, and Chair of Guide Dogs South Australia and Northern Territory.

    Ms Carol Lilley has over 25 years’ experience in financial statement audit, governance and assurance, internal audit and project and risk management, with a particular focus on government. She is currently a member of the Treasury, Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Aged Care Quality Safety Commission Audit and Risk Committees. Ms Lilley is also on the Financial and Performance Reporting Sub Committee and Chair of the Financial Statements Sub Committee. Previously Ms Lilley has been a member of the Audit and Risk Committees’ for Services Australia and for the National Library of Australia. She’s also previously served as Chair of the Department of Home Affairs Audit and Risk Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee of the Archive from 2014 to 2021. 

    Ms Jaclyn Lee-Joe has more than 20 years’ experience working in marketing and digital transformation roles across the media and entertainment, financial services, telecommunications, technology and aviation sectors. She is currently Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors of Football Australia, Co-Chair of the Local Operating Entity Women’s Asia Cup 2026, Board Director of Hayes Theatre Co, and an External Member of the University of Sydney’s Risk and Performance Senate Committee. Prior to this, Ms Lee-Joe has worked as an advisor and manager at multiple media and communications companies including Netflix, BBC, Canva, Skype, K-Box Global and Virgin Mobile. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Balancing Environmental Considerations and Cost Optimization to Shape the Future of Sustainable Procurement: Daisuke Okumura

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Balancing Environmental Considerations and Cost Optimization to Shape the Future of Sustainable Procurement: Daisuke Okumura

    Key Figure in Raw Material Procurement for Sustainable EV Batteries
    Daisuke Okumura
    Engineering Procurement Promotion Department, Procurement DivisionMobility Energy Business DivisionPanasonic Energy Co., Ltd.
    Okumura joined the company in 2003, initially handling rare metal sales at the Corporate International Trade Division (at the time). He later spent five and a half years in Shanghai, China, gaining experience in group-wide centralized contracts for battery materials, steel, and resins. After returning to Japan, he engaged in lithium-ion battery material procurement. He is currently involved in cost reduction for raw materials, supplier selection, and BOM*¹ cost management, primarily for automotive applications.
    ＊1: Bill of Materials (BOM): The total cost of all components and materials required for product manufacturing.

    Taking on the Challenge of Reducing Environmental Impact Across the Entire Supply Chain
    As increasing importance is placed on sustainability and ESG, the role of procurement has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Sustainable procurement is now a key element of environmental consideration and social responsibility. In addition to the traditional Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD) criteria, reducing environmental impact has become a key factor in supplier selection.

    In the value chain of automotive lithium-ion batteries, a substantial portion of CO₂ emissions arises from raw material extraction, processing, and transportation, more so than battery production itself. Notably, the procurement of cathode and anode materials associated with battery performance and safety accounts for nearly half of these emissions. In response, Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. has set a goal to halve its carbon footprint (CFP)*² by FY2030 compared to FY2021. To achieve this, the company is advancing initiatives to minimize environmental impact across the supply chain in addition to realizing net zero CO₂ emissions at its own plants (becoming carbon neutral).

    Additionally, procurement must quickly adapt to price fluctuations caused by factors beyond our control, such as geopolitical risks and policy changes. To enhance resilience, we are not only diversifying supply sources but also working closely with customers to identify and secure safer, higher-quality raw materials, strengthening the resilience of our procurement operations.
    ＊2: Carbon Footprint (CFP): CO₂ emissions converted from greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire product life cycle—from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling of a product or service.

    Increasing the Local Procurement Rate to Accelerate a Sustainable Procurement Strategy
    Various initiatives are underway in the United States, the key battleground for automotive lithium-ion batteries. Since 2019, Panasonic Energy has partnered with the US-based battery recycling company Redwood Materials. Together, they are working to establish the first cathode material recycling system in the US by recycling battery waste materials from Panasonic Energy of North America’s factory and using them to manufacture new cathode materials.If successfully implemented, this initiative will also enhance local procurement rates in the US, aligning with the goal of strengthening North American supply chains. However, ensuring economic feasibility is critical to its success. In addition to improving material recycling rates, extensive discussions and negotiations are ongoing to keep costs competitive with existing cathode materials in the market.

    We showcased NMG’s environmentally friendly graphite powder at the Panasonic booth at CES 2025.

    Until now, much of the graphite used in anode materials came from Asia, creating issues with transportation costs and environmental impact. To address these issues, we have signed a long-term supply agreement with Canada-based Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG), a company that produces graphite using renewable energy from hydropower.By accelerating this sustainable procurement strategy, we aim to reduce the CFP of battery production and establish a low-environmental-impact supply chain.
    In the increasingly competitive market for automotive lithium-ion batteries, survival depends not only on quality and cost but also on speed. Introducing new materials, including the evaluation process, has traditionally taken several years. This is too slow to keep up with rapid global changes.Recognizing this challenge, we are reviewing evaluation methods, risk management processes, and other key procedures. By working closely with our customers to gain their understanding and cooperation, we are working to shorten the time required for material adoption.

    Leading the Development of a Circular Economy for EV Batteries
    Our goal is to first build an environmentally conscious supply chain in the US to establish a circular economy for automotive lithium-ion batteries and then expand the initiative to Japan. To scale these efforts, connecting recycling companies and cathode material manufacturers is essential, creating a cohesive ecosystem. While there are significant technological and cost-related challenges to overcome, advocating for the importance of tackling these issues and leading the way is a crucial role of procurement.
    Panasonic Energy’s mission is “Achieving a society in which the pursuit of happiness and a sustainable environment are harmonized and free of conflict.” To me, harmony means balancing environmental responsibility with economic viability. Without achieving this balance, our mission cannot be fulfilled. It is an extremely challenging goal, but by driving reforms with both caution and boldness, we are committed to advancing the adoption of EVs—key to realizing a decarbonized society—and will continue to take on this challenge with determination.

    Touring a factory to select a new supplier (Okumura is second from the left)

    The content in this website is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.Please note therefore that these documents may not always contain the most up-to-date information.Please note that German, French and Chinese versions are machine translations, so the quality and accuracy may vary.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic Recognized with Top ‘A’ Rating by CDP for Climate Change Leadership for Third Consecutive Year

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic Recognized with Top ‘A’ Rating by CDP for Climate Change Leadership for Third Consecutive Year

    Osaka, Japan, February 7, 2025 – Panasonic Holdings Corporation (PHD) has been named by CDP*1, an international non-profit organization, as an A-list*2 company for 2024 in recognition of its leadership in disclosure transparency and performance in the area of climate change. This marks the third consecutive year, and the sixth time overall, that PHD has achieved CDP’s highest rating.

    CDP is widely recognized as the global standard for corporate environmental reporting, and the ratings published annually by CDP are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions toward a net zero, sustainable and resilient economy. In 2024, more than 24,800 companies, representing two-thirds of the global market value, reported their environmental data through CDP. Earning an “A” rating from CDP indicates that a company has been evaluated as positioning climate change as a critical management issue and has effectively managed governance, strategy, risk management, metrics, and targets related to climate change as per the guidelines of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)*3, which helps the company to gain the trust of investors and customers and facilitate its business.
    PHD received the highest “A” rating in the climate change category again for setting ambitious and meaningful goals to address and resolve climate change issues, for its emissions reduction activities, and for the transparency and comprehensiveness of its information disclosure. Moreover, in 2024, PHD received recognition from the international organization Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)*4 for its “Net-Zero Targets”.
    Committed to making sure that my children and grandchildren and yours, and future generations can enjoy a healthy environment, the Panasonic Group will continue to promote efforts to solve global environmental problems and transparent disclosure of environmental information to achieve the mission of realizing “an ideal society with affluence both in matter and mind.”
    *1: CDP is an international NGO headquartered in the United Kingdom. It conducts activities to urge companies and local governments to disclose information about their environmental measures.
    *2: CDP rates companies using nine grades (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, D-, and F).
    *3: Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD): A framework for disclosing financial information on corporate climate change initiatives and impacts. The TCFD was established by the Financial Stability Board, which consists of central banks and other institutions from various countries, in response to a request from the G20.
    *4: A collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with a global team composed of people from these organizations.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Join Democratic Colleagues in Raising Alarm Over Illegal and Indiscriminate Trump Funding Cuts to NIH

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, (both D-VA) today joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and their Senate Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s decision to cut NIH funding – a move that threatens to undermine America’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. These illegal cuts would create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, undermining progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, and potentially costing the U.S. economy billions of dollars and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. 

     “As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds,” wrote the senators.

    Last week, the NIH announced it would set the maximum reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15 percent – creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move would dismantle the biomedical research system and stifle the development of new cures for disease. It would also fail produce real cost savings and instead just shift costs to states who can’t afford to pay the difference.

    “This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the senators continued.

    The senators’ letter points out that, in addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023 and every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. 

    “The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research—they cost lives,” the senators stressed.

    “Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.”

    This letter comes on the heels of a Monday ruling in which a federal judge temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21.

    A copy of the letter is available here and below:

     Dear Secretary Kennedy,

    We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. 

    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds.

    Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.

    These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.

    In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.

    The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.

    The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Waikato & Bay of Plenty state highway works February 2025 

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    When the sun continues to shine, road workers across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty are continuing to make significant progress on many worksites.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and its contractors are completing an ambitious programme to improve safety and resilience of the state highway network, making the most of the summer months in which they’re able to reseal and re-construct roads, says Sandra King, Bay of Plenty System Manager. 

    “The recent spell of good weather has allowed our contractors to make great progress on their maintenance programmes, some ahead of schedule, across both regions. Examples include completing the rebuild of both State Highway 2 north of Tauranga at Snodgrass Road and State Highway 27 in Matamata, several asphalting sites on State Highway 29 Kaimai Range and the scheduled closure on the Kaimai Range. 

    “We appreciate everyone’s patience, especially where we have road closures and detours, or multiple worksites in the same area. This scale of work shows our investment in the region, and commitment to improving people’s journeys. 

    “Due to the work taking place there will inevitably be delays to some journeys. As always, our key focus is to keep road users and contracting crews safe at all times,” says Ms King. 

    This work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund. 

    To plan ahead and see where disruptive works are, people can use the NZTA Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) This is kept up to date in real time so you can see all disruptive activity and potential hazards on the state highway network. 

    Waikato Bay of Plenty works as at 14 February 2025 [PDF, 510 KB]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Early Winter Coastal Storm

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that low interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in California who sustained economic losses caused by the coastal storm and high surf event that occurred Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Gavin Newsom on Feb. 11, 2025.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz.

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

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement.

    Beginning Friday, Feb.14, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at a Virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application.

    Virtual Business Recovery Center
    Mondays – Fridays
    8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
    (916) 461-7673

    Closed on Monday, Feb. 17 for President’s Day

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

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 13.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Raise Alarm on Trump Administration Targeting Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Schiff Raise Alarm on Trump Administration Targeting Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

    Senators: “We write to say no to Elon Musk and DOGE, and demand hands off Medicare or Medicaid”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and 27 other Democratic Senators in demanding President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) refrain from making cuts to Medicare and Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Their letter comes after Elon Musk and DOGE officials gained access to key payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS).

    In 2025, roughly 160 million Americans will rely on the programs CMS administers and oversees, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplaces.

    Last year, 68 million seniors and people with disabilities — including 6.6 million Californians — relied on Medicare coverage for essential health care, including hospital visits, screenings for cancer, diabetes, and depression, and prescription drugs. Nearly 80 million Americans relied on Medicaid, making it the largest public health insurance program in the United States. That includes 15 million people enrolled in California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, which covers almost a third of all adults and half of all kids in the state.

    “We write to say no to Elon Musk and DOGE, and demand hands off Medicare or Medicaid. We strongly oppose any efforts by Musk — or anyone else in your administration — cutting or damaging these vital programs. Medicare and Medicaid must not be raided to pay for tax cuts for billionaires,” wrote the Senators. “Every cut risks Americans paying more, waiting longer, and wading through more insurance red tape for care. Every cut risks hospitals and community health centers struggling harder to keep their doors open and forcing health providers and workers out of their jobs.”

    “It is dangerously unacceptable that an unelected Musk and his unqualified acolytes have access to sensitive CMS systems and are ready to bypass Congress to make life and death decisions affecting millions of Americans,” continued the Senators. “No one asked for this lawless approach to our critical government health care systems. We urge you to stop this threat to Americans’ health care, now.”

    In addition to Senators Padilla, Schiff, Markey, and Warren, the letter is also signed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Senators Padilla and Schiff have fought relentlessly against the Trump Administration’s dangerous attacks on the American health care system. Last week, Senators Padilla and Schiff joined Senators Klobuchar, Sanders, and 30 other Senators in calling on Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Dorothy Fink to end the unprecedented freeze on all external health communications and funding. After the Trump Administration paused crucial communications from federal health agencies last month, Senator Padilla joined Senator Schatz in introducing a resolution calling for uninterrupted health warning services for the American people.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear President Trump:

    We write with alarm at recent actions by your Administration that put Medicare and Medicaid at risk – threatening access to care for 140 million Americans. On February 5, Elon Musk and representatives of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to key payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that administers these vital programs. Masquerading as a false crusade against waste, fraud, and abuse, Musk appears intent to break the programs that seniors, people with disabilities, children, and families rely on to get their health care. We write to say no to Elon Musk and DOGE, and demand hands off Medicare or Medicaid. We strongly oppose any efforts by Musk – or anyone else in your administration – cutting or damaging these vital programs. Medicare and Medicaid must not be raided to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.

    Medicare and Medicaid are lifelines for millions of Americans. In 2024, 68 million seniors and people with disabilities seniors relied on Medicare coverage for essential health care, including hospital visits, screenings for cancer, diabetes, and depression, and prescription drugs. Nearly 80 million Americans relied on Medicaid, making it the largest public health insurance program in the United States. Medicaid provides funding to states for services at nursing homes, hospitals, rural health clinics as well as home health services, addiction and mental health services, and family planning. Americans rely on Medicaid for pregnancy and childbirth, as well as long-term services and supports to care for people with disabilities, older adults, and chronically ill Americans.

    But now, DOGE is invading CMS, posing immeasurable risks to Americans’ health care. DOGE representatives, with no training or expertise, could make unilateral, politically motivated decisions to target both beneficiaries and health care providers while blocking access to care and essential payments for services. Every cut risks Americans paying more, waiting longer, and wading through more insurance red tape for care. Every cut risks hospitals and community health centers struggling harder to keep their doors open and forcing health providers and workers out of their jobs.

    We continue to fight for a health care system that works better for all Americans, so they experience lower costs, shorter wait times, and receive better care. But your Administration, Elon Musk, and DOGE have already made that harder. Your Administration is already responsible for the shut-down of Medicaid portals across all 50 states, disruptions to vital health care communication, closures of community health centers, and significant delays in funding for life-saving health research. Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid will only serve to deepen the harm.

    It is dangerously unacceptable that an unelected Musk and his unqualified acolytes have access to sensitive CMS systems and are ready to bypass Congress to make life and death decisions affecting millions of Americans. No one asked for this lawless approach to our critical government health care systems. We urge you to stop this threat to Americans’ health care, now.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Demand Answers After Trump Administration Moves to Fire Federal Employees Who Fought Election Misinformation

    US Senate News:

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

    Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Demand Answers After Trump Administration Moves to Fire Federal Employees Who Fought Election Misinformation

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections, and U.S. Representative Joe Morelle (N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, pressed senior officials at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for answers after reporting indicated employees who previously worked on election misinformation and disinformation issues were placed on administrative leave last Thursday. The lawmakers raised the alarm on the impacts of these firings on the agency’s ability to conduct essential election-related work.

    “Election-related mis- and disinformation from domestic and foreign actors continues to threaten the strength and integrity of our democracy by weakening trust in our elections and promoting falsehoods about election officials that have resulted in threats against them and their families,” wrote the lawmakers. “Understanding the trends in misinformation and providing state and local officials with the tools to counter it is critical to protecting and supporting the effective and secure administration of our elections.”

    “Regardless of party affiliation, all Americans deserve and expect free and fair elections,” continued the lawmakers.

    The removal of these employees is another example of the Trump Administration ousting career government officials who may have worked on matters that did not align with President Trump’s personal viewpoints, including Attorney General Pam Bondi’s recent shut down of the FBI task force that worked to uncover covert efforts by Russia, China, Iran and other foreign adversaries to manipulate U.S. voters. President Trump also recently took the unprecedented and illegal step of firing Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair Ellen Weintraub. Yesterday, Senator Padilla led 10 Democratic Senators to demand President Trump rescind this firing. 

    The lawmakers requested a response by February 28, 2025.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Ms. Bean and Ms. Harrington: 

    We write to express grave concern about recent reporting that employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the Election Security and Resilience division, including individuals who previously worked on addressing the risks posed by election mis- and disinformation, as well as foreign influence operations, were notified on February 6, 2025, that they were being placed on administrative leave. Furthermore, public reporting notes that two of these individuals “stopped working on mis-, dis- and malinformation over a year ago,” raising significant concerns about how CISA is identifying which employees are being placed on leave.

    As you know, a key component of CISA’s mission is to serve as a resource and partner for state and local election officials by identifying and providing resources to address physical and cyber threats to election infrastructure as a part of critical infrastructure. CISA’s establishing legislation clearly directs it to work on elections, with a directive to “coordinate a national effort to secure and protect against critical infrastructure risks” and to “provide analyses, expertise, and other technical assistance to critical infrastructure owners and operators.”

    Election-related mis- and disinformation from domestic and foreign actors continues to threaten the strength and integrity of our democracy by weakening trust in our elections and promoting falsehoods about election officials that have resulted in threats against them and their families. Understanding the trends in misinformation and providing state and local officials with the tools to counter it is critical to protecting and supporting the effective and secure administration of our elections. CISA’s recent actions, coupled with the disturbing move by Attorney General Pam Bondi to dissolve the FBI task force that worked to uncover covert efforts by Russia, China, Iran and other foreign adversaries to manipulate U.S. voters, makes our elections more vulnerable to attacks by foreign adversaries.

    The removal of these employees raises significant questions as to CISA’s continued commitment to election-related work, particularly as the notifications followed CISA’s notable absence from two conferences for election officials in Washington, D.C.  

    Out of significant concern for the future of the agency’s work with election officials and safeguarding elections as critical infrastructure, we request responses to the following questions no later than February 28, 2025. 

    1. How many employees at CISA have been placed on administrative leave, what were their current positions, and what duties were these employees currently assigned?

    2. How many employees at CISA currently work on election security?

    3. In total, how many employees at CISA currently working on election security have been placed on administrative leave? Do you anticipate additional employees working on election security to be placed on administrative leave, to be directed to undertake other non-election security-related duties, or otherwise impacted by changes in their work?

    4. Which contracts have been terminated and how many contract employees are no longer working on election security?

    5. What direction has CISA been given by the Department of Homeland Security, the White House, or the Department of Government Efficiency towards the treatment of employees in positions relating to elections? 

    6. Were employees at CISA given guidance not to attend conferences or to limit other public-facing engagements, including meetings, related to elections or with election officials? 

    7. Has any guidance been provided to employees on their engagement with election officials? If so, what is CISA’s current guidance? 

    8. What work is currently ongoing to secure elections and support election officials? 

    9. What assessment is being done to evaluate CISA’s work during the 2024 election cycle? 

    10. What work is being done to combat the ongoing threat of election-related mis- and disinformation? 

    Regardless of party affiliation, all Americans deserve and expect free and fair elections. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. 

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Demands Fair, Reciprocal Trade

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, President Donald J. Trump unveiled a plan for fair, free, reciprocal trade as he makes clear to the world that the United States will no longer tolerate being ripped off. The U.S. has one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to U.S. exports — and reciprocal trade will finally correct that imbalance.
    President Trump’s plan to restore fairness and put American workers first was met with immediate praise:
    Renewable Fuels Association: “For almost a decade now, we have spent precious time and resources fighting back against an unfair and unjustified tariff regime imposed by Brazil’s government on U.S. ethanol imports. What’s more ironic is that these tariff barriers have been erected against U.S. ethanol imports while our country has openly accepted—and even encouraged and incentivized—ethanol imports from Brazil. As the two largest ethanol producers on the planet, we long enjoyed a cooperative free-trade relationship with Brazil involving ethanol, relying on each other when there were shortfalls or disruptions in the U.S. or Brazilian marketplace. However, that bilateral cooperation was abandoned by Brazil in 2017, when they instituted a tariff rate quota scheme, and eventually adopted a tariff in 2020. The Brazilian tariff on U.S. ethanol now stands at 18 percent and has virtually eliminated all market access for U.S. ethanol producers. We thank President Trump for taking this action and hope this reciprocal tariff will help encourage a return to free and fair ethanol trade relationship with Brazil.”
    American Iron and Steel Institute: “AISI applauds President Trump’s action today ordering the development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements. American steel producers know well the negative impact of foreign unfair trade practices, including subsidies, currency manipulation and other unfair and discriminatory policies and practices, on domestic industries and their workers … We look forward to working with the Secretary of Commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative and other key administration officials as they develop their plan of action to ensure reciprocity in international trade and to preserve the competitiveness of the American steel industry and other sectors.”
    Growth Energy: “While American biofuel producers have been almost entirely blocked off from the Brazilian market, Brazilian producers have enjoyed unfettered access to the U.S. In some cases, certain policies in the U.S. even incentivize the use of imported Brazilian ethanol instead of ethanol produced here in the U.S. This runs contrary to putting America first, and is exactly why President Trump is taking steps to address this issue. Thank you, President Trump for taking action and pushing for a level playing field for American ethanol producers.”
    Small Business Administration: “President Trump is right: restoring a level playing field on trade will unlock the next blue collar boom – creating jobs and powering our economy through ‘Made in America.’ Huge news for Main Street!”
    Energy Secretary Chris Wright: “President’s Trump’s ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan’ on trade puts the American people first. As a former businessman, it’s great to see our country being run like a business and fighting for fairness on trade– it’s the American way!”
    Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “President Trump is making America strong again. His Fair and Reciprocal Plan is commonsense: if you impose tariffs on us, we will impose tariffs on you in return.”
    Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: “Bravo, President Trump! Thank you for announcing the Fair and Reciprocal Plan, which is based on legislation we worked on together in your first term. Unfair trade practices have hurt America’s transportation and infrastructure sectors for too long. President Trump’s trade plan will strengthen supply chains, boost infrastructure investments, and expand American transportation solutions. We promised a golden age of transportation, and I will not rest until America’s transportation system is great again!”
    Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “For too long Washington has put foreign interests above Americans — that ends today. @POTUS’ Fair and Reciprocal Plan will put American workers on a level playing field.”
    EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin: “The American people elected @POTUS with a mandate to grow our economy and bring back American manufacturing. When it comes to Reciprocal tariffs, no one should ever underestimate President Trump’s vision, long game, and determination to deliver the Great American Comeback.”
    Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA): “For too long, foreign countries have exploited America through unfair trade practices. President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs aim to confront these countries, protecting American workers and businesses through trade that is fair again. The Trump policies are focused on leveling the playing field and putting America FIRST.”
    Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN): “The globalist approach to trade threw our workers under a bus driven by their foreign competitors. President Trump’s America First trade plan corrects this injustice that our industries and workers have faced for decades. The reciprocal tariffs announced today will bring back fairness and prosperity and stop Americans from being taken advantage of.”
    Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): “President Trump is putting American workers and farmers first. He will end unfair trade deals and prioritize goods made in America! With President Trump at the negotiating table, we are going to get the best possible deal.”
    Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “Most countries charge us far more in tariffs than we charge them. Those days are over. I applaud President Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs against our trading partners. Whatever tariffs they put on American products, we will put on their products. This will be a game changer. Simple and brilliant.”
    Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS): “Gone are the days of unfair trade deals that give foreign nations the upper hand. Today, President Trump put the world on notice: America will no longer be taken advantage of.”
    Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE): “The average weighted tariff on foreign products coming into the U.S. is 1.5%, yet the average tariff on U.S. products globally is 6%. President Trump promised to bring those numbers closer to balance. These tariffs are a step toward accomplishing that goal.”
    Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL): “President Trump’s fight for a level playing field and reciprocal treatment is common sense. The U.S. is done treating others better than they’re treating us. President Trump understands the art of the deal, and thanks to his strong leadership, we’re getting better deals that will help our businesses and grow our economy!”
    Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL): “President Trump is brokering deals that put American farmers, manufacturers, and producers first. America has some of the best and brightest manufacturers and there’s no reason we can’t produce most things right here at home.”
    Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN): “The master negotiator strikes again. @POTUS is realigning the playing field with countries that have taken advantage of us for far too long and delivering on his promise to put America FIRST.”
    Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI): “President Trump is wasting no time leveling the playing field. I am optimistic the pressure applied by the ongoing tariff negotiations will lead to a wave of investment across the U.S. @POTUS is keeping his promise to put our economy first.”
    Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO): “President Trump understands that American workers and manufacturers can outcompete those of any other nation. But for far too long they have been held back by a lack of reciprocity because other countries impose much higher tariffs and other barriers than the United States imposes on imports. President Trump’s Executive Order helps deliver a level playing field for American workers and manufacturers.”
    Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL): “President Trump has just announced RECIPROCAL TARIFFS for countries unfairly treating American products! If you want to sell to the USA, we must have access to your market as well. What is fair, is fair!”
    Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL): “We will no longer tolerate being ripped-off by the rest of the world. Under President Trump, government is putting the American people first again. And that means RECIPROCAL TARIFFS”
    Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA): “Brazil imposes an 18% tariff on U.S. ethanol while we only charge Brazil 2.5%. In 2024, that imbalance resulted in our nation importing $200 million in Brazilian ethanol while Brazil only imported $52 million in U.S. ethanol. Our farmers deserve better!”
    Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD): “The days of America being taken advantage of are over. The “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” will put the American worker first and bring fairness back to international trade.”
    Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN): “Our nation has been at the bad end of business deals regarding trade practices with other countries for far too long. That’s coming to an end. President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are putting the world on notice — the gravy train is over, and we won’t be taken advantage of anymore.”
    Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK): “President Trump is a strong leader – he’s not allowing the world to take advantage of the United States any longer. These reciprocal tariffs will incentivize other nations to level the playing field and remove long-standing, exorbitant tariffs. America FIRST!”
    Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV): “President Trump just announced plans to implement reciprocal tariffs on the foreign countries who are ripping us off. I’m proud to be leading this effort in Congress.”
    Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL): “I thank President Trump for standing up for American workers with his bold plan to restore balance and fairness to the marketplace. He and his administration understand that our workers deserve trade policies that are fair and beneficial to all.  For far too long, blue-collar communities in the United States have been ripped off by foreign competitors benefiting from manipulative trade practices. If other countries believe they can continue to cheat the American people of their share of prosperity, they are sadly mistaken. President Trump has the right plan to secure our economy, restore fairness to international trade, and bring back good-paying jobs to the United States.”
    Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX): “American workers, farmers, and manufacturers finally have a President who fights for them! I applaud President Trump’s plan to combat unfair trade practices. Our best days are still ahead of us!”
    House Republican Study Committee: “The Trump administration just announced reciprocal tariffs for countries like China that rip off the United States. It’s past time to flip the script on this. President Trump is trying to restore fairness in trade, ensuring that other countries are held to account for slapping tariffs on American goods. Gone are the days of our great nation being taken advantage of. Period.”
    President Trump’s plan to restore fairness and put American workers first was met with immediate praise:
    Renewable Fuels Association: “For almost a decade now, we have spent precious time and resources fighting back against an unfair and unjustified tariff regime imposed by Brazil’s government on U.S. ethanol imports. What’s more ironic is that these tariff barriers have been erected against U.S. ethanol imports while our country has openly accepted—and even encouraged and incentivized—ethanol imports from Brazil. As the two largest ethanol producers on the planet, we long enjoyed a cooperative free-trade relationship with Brazil involving ethanol, relying on each other when there were shortfalls or disruptions in the U.S. or Brazilian marketplace. However, that bilateral cooperation was abandoned by Brazil in 2017, when they instituted a tariff rate quota scheme, and eventually adopted a tariff in 2020. The Brazilian tariff on U.S. ethanol now stands at 18 percent and has virtually eliminated all market access for U.S. ethanol producers. We thank President Trump for taking this action and hope this reciprocal tariff will help encourage a return to free and fair ethanol trade relationship with Brazil.”
    American Iron and Steel Institute: “AISI applauds President Trump’s action today ordering the development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements. American steel producers know well the negative impact of foreign unfair trade practices, including subsidies, currency manipulation and other unfair and discriminatory policies and practices, on domestic industries and their workers … We look forward to working with the Secretary of Commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative and other key administration officials as they develop their plan of action to ensure reciprocity in international trade and to preserve the competitiveness of the American steel industry and other sectors.”
    Growth Energy: “While American biofuel producers have been almost entirely blocked off from the Brazilian market, Brazilian producers have enjoyed unfettered access to the U.S. In some cases, certain policies in the U.S. even incentivize the use of imported Brazilian ethanol instead of ethanol produced here in the U.S.,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This runs contrary to putting America first, and is exactly why President Trump is taking steps to address this issue. Thank you, President Trump for taking action and pushing for a level playing field for American ethanol producers.”
    Small Business Administration: “President Trump is right: restoring a level playing field on trade will unlock the next blue collar boom – creating jobs and powering our economy through “Made in America.” Huge news for Main Street!”
    Energy Secretary Chris Wright: “President’s Trump’s ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan’ on trade puts the American people first. As a former businessman, it’s great to see our country being run like a business and fighting for fairness on trade– it’s the American way!”
    Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “President Trump is making America strong again. His Fair and Reciprocal Plan is commonsense: if you impose tariffs on us, we will impose tariffs on you in return.”
    Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy: “Bravo, President Trump! Thank you for announcing the Fair and Reciprocal Plan, which is based on legislation we worked on together in your first term. Unfair trade practices have hurt America’s transportation and infrastructure sectors for too long. President Trump’s trade plan will strengthen supply chains, boost infrastructure investments, and expand American transportation solutions. We promised a golden age of transportation, and I will not rest until America’s transportation system is great again!”
    Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “For too long Washington has put foreign interests above Americans — that ends today. @POTUS’ Fair and Reciprocal Plan will put American workers on a level playing field.”
    EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin: “The American people elected @POTUS with a mandate to grow our economy and bring back American manufacturing. When it comes to Reciprocal tariffs, no one should ever underestimate President Trump’s vision, long game, and determination to deliver the Great American Comeback.”
    Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA): “For too long, foreign countries have exploited America through unfair trade practices. President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs aim to confront these countries, protecting American workers and businesses through trade that is fair again. The Trump policies are focused on leveling the playing field and putting America FIRST.”
    Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN): “The globalist approach to trade threw our workers under a bus driven by their foreign competitors. President Trump’s America First trade plan corrects this injustice that our industries and workers have faced for decades. The reciprocal tariffs announced today will bring back fairness and prosperity and stop Americans from being taken advantage of.”
    Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): “President Trump is putting American workers and farmers first. He will end unfair trade deals and prioritize goods made in America! With President Trump at the negotiating table, we are going to get the best possible deal.”
    Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “Most countries charge us far more in tariffs than we charge them. Those days are over. I applaud President Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs against our trading partners. Whatever tariffs they put on American products, we will put on their products. This will be a game changer. Simple and brilliant.”
    Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS): “Gone are the days of unfair trade deals that give foreign nations the upper hand. Today, President Trump put the world on notice: America will no longer be taken advantage of.”
    Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE): “The average weighted tariff on foreign products coming into the U.S. is 1.5%, yet the average tariff on U.S. products globally is 6%. President Trump promised to bring those numbers closer to balance. These tariffs are a step toward accomplishing that goal.”
    Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL): “President Trump’s fight for a level playing field and reciprocal treatment is common sense. The U.S. is done treating others better than they’re treating us. President Trump understands the art of the deal, and thanks to his strong leadership, we’re getting better deals that will help our businesses and grow our economy!”
    Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL): “President Trump is brokering deals that put American farmers, manufacturers, and producers first. America has some of the best and brightest manufacturers and there’s no reason we can’t produce most things right here at home.”
    Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN): “The master negotiator strikes again. @POTUS is realigning the playing field with countries that have taken advantage of us for far too long and delivering on his promise to put America FIRST.”
    Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI): “President Trump is wasting no time leveling the playing field. I am optimistic the pressure applied by the ongoing tariff negotiations will lead to a wave of investment across the U.S. @POTUS is keeping his promise to put our economy first.”
    Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO): “President Trump understands that American workers and manufacturers can outcompete those of any other nation. But for far too long they have been held back by a lack of reciprocity because other countries impose much higher tariffs and other barriers than the United States imposes on imports. President Trump’s Executive Order helps deliver a level playing field for American workers and manufacturers.”
    Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL): “President Trump has just announced RECIPROCAL TARIFFS for countries unfairly treating American products! If you want to sell to the USA, we must have access to your market as well. What is fair, is fair!”
    Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL): “We will no longer tolerate being ripped-off by the rest of the world. Under President Trump, government is putting the American people first again. And that means RECIPROCAL TARIFFS”
    Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA): “Brazil imposes an 18% tariff on U.S. ethanol while we only charge Brazil 2.5%. In 2024, that imbalance resulted in our nation importing $200 million in Brazilian ethanol while Brazil only imported $52 million in U.S. ethanol. Our farmers deserve better!”
    Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD): “The days of America being taken advantage of are over. The “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” will put the American worker first and bring fairness back to international trade.”
    Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN): “Our nation has been at the bad end of business deals regarding trade practices with other countries for far too long. That’s coming to an end. President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are putting the world on notice — the gravy train is over, and we won’t be taken advantage of anymore.”
    Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK): “President Trump is a strong leader – he’s not allowing the world to take advantage of the United States any longer. These reciprocal tariffs will incentivize other nations to level the playing field and remove long-standing, exorbitant tariffs. America FIRST!”
    Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV): “President Trump just announced plans to implement reciprocal tariffs on the foreign countries who are ripping us off. I’m proud to be leading this effort in Congress.”
    Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL): “I thank President Trump for standing up for American workers with his bold plan to restore balance and fairness to the marketplace. He and his administration understand that our workers deserve trade policies that are fair and beneficial to all.  For far too long, blue-collar communities in the United States have been ripped off by foreign competitors benefiting from manipulative trade practices. If other countries believe they can continue to cheat the American people of their share of prosperity, they are sadly mistaken. President Trump has the right plan to secure our economy, restore fairness to international trade, and bring back good-paying jobs to the United States.”
    Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX): “American workers, farmers, and manufacturers finally have a President who fights for them! I applaud President Trump’s plan to combat unfair trade practices. Our best days are still ahead of us!”
    House Republican Study Committee: “The Trump administration just announced reciprocal tariffs for countries like China that rip off the United States. It’s past time to flip the script on this. President Trump is trying to restore fairness in trade, ensuring that other countries are held to account for slapping tariffs on American goods. Gone are the days of our great nation being taken advantage of. Period.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Regeneration and regrowth in Aceh: 20 years on from the Indian Ocean Tsunami

    Source: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

    Working with women 

    Working with ACIAR, Dr Malem McLeod, a soil scientist with the NSW DPRID, highlighted the kelompok wanita tani (KWT) women’s farming groups as a particularly successful initiative that grew organically from local efforts. 

    ‘In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, we met a group of women, of all ages, who were coming together, gardening using a vacant village land. It was a kind of a healing forum to recover from the loss of people and livelihoods and share the challenges of recovery while growing food for family consumption,’ said Dr McLeod. ‘It was also a place for socialisation and information exchange.’  

    The ACIAR-supported project tapped into this by facilitating the creation of around 30 women’s farming groups across the 4 regions of Aceh. Training was provided for local leaders and extension officers to help the women learn improved techniques for growing vegetables and engage with local business and government, leveraging the support from ACIAR.  

    In Aceh farming families, the man in the family is the main income earner through growing food crops such as rice and legumes. ‘Although the women contribute significantly to the work on growing the crops, the results are managed by the husband and most women are financially dependent on men,’ explained Dr McLeod. 

    By growing vegetables in groups, women were able to improve their household food security and generate their own income, which increased their confidence and independence.  

    Dr Malem McLeod, soil scientist
    NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

    ‘Some of the women’s group members became business-minded, even pre-selling their produce to wholesalers. The women also reported that working in the garden with the groups enhanced their physical health and wellbeing.’ 

    Technical training was provided for 245 women and agricultural extension officers, with about 750 women in farmer groups collectively benefitting by A$297,000 a year.  

    ‘The women’s groups facilitated a shift from financial dependence to self-reliant entrepreneurship,’ said Dr McLeod.  

    She noted that when new farming practices were introduced to men, they used it to improve their own food crop growing. But when new practices were shared with women, they brought them to the whole family and shared it with other women, effectively changing their whole community. ‘The information exchange and improvements became contagious,’ said Dr McLeod. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: After Trump Shutters White House Office, Murphy, Frost Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation To Establish Office Of Gun Violence Prevention

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    February 13, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) on Thursday reintroduced the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act, legislation to establish a permanent office focused on gun violence prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice.
    “The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention played a huge role in implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, helping drive down the number of gun deaths by 12 percent last year. It was wildly successful, so of course President Trump shut it down. This legislation would make the Office permanent at the Department of Justice to help state, local, and federal agencies work together to enforce gun safety laws and fund local gun violence prevention programs,” said Murphy.
    “Today we are reintroducing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act because we will not let the critical, life-saving work and the love and support that this office has offered countless communities no longer exist,” said Frost. “Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress would rather side with the gun lobby than protect our people. But the truth is that leaders like that aren’t just ignoring the gun violence crisis— they are enabling it. But here’s what this Administration doesn’t understand is that we don’t give up. The gun lobby? The politicians who’d rather send “thoughts and prayers” than actually save lives? We outwork them. We out organize them. And we rise above them. We are reintroducing this bill because when innocent lives are on the line, we refuse to back down.”
    “GIFFORDS is proud to support the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act introduced today by Senator Murphy and Congressman Frost. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention wasn’t just a name—it was a proven force for safer communities that brought together law enforcement, public health experts, and community leaders to implement real solutions. We cannot allow this vital work to be undone with each change in administration. By making this office permanent through legislation, we send a clear message that protecting American lives from gun violence isn’t a temporary commitment—it’s a national priority that transcends partisan politics,” said GIFFORDS Vice President of Government and Political Affairs Vanessa N. Gonzalez.
    “The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was more than just a policy decision. It was the first time we had a dedicated team inside the White House giving this crisis the attention it deserves,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “We need leaders like Senator Murphy and Representative Frost—along with popular, common sense solutions—driving change to end gun violence in our communities. Our movement isn’t letting up. We’ll keep organizing, not just to protect our progress, but to push it forward.”
    “The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention showed us what’s possible with a whole-of-government approach to fight gun violence. This office helped make a real difference in the fight to keep Americans safe, from driving historic drops in homicides to coordinating urgent resources for communities devastated by senseless acts of gun violence. The shuttering of this office, alongside Trump’s attack on gun safety measures, makes his priorities crystal clear: gun industry profits over American lives. Rep. Frost and Sen. Murphy understand what’s at stake – American lives. Their bill would ensure this vital work continues regardless of who sits in the Oval Office. Congress must act to restore this office and the communities it served,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady.
    “Over 1.2 million Americans have been shot since the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy and guns are the leading cause of death for American children and teens. The Biden Administration’s White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention was a landmark achievement. It saved lives by strengthening background checks, cracking down on ghost guns, promoting safe storage, and funding community-based solutions,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. “Homicide rates have declined because of these efforts. But just weeks into his second term, Donald Trump has declared war on these protections. His executive order doesn’t just dismantle progress—it actively puts American lives at risk. That is why we need Congress to step up to support the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act. The safety of our communities should never depend on who sits in the Oval Office.”
    “The Office of Gun Violence Prevention made real, tangible progress — it saved actual human lives. That’s a fact. But it was also a powerful symbol to survivors and young people across the country who yearn for a world where we don’t have to live in terror and fear of being shot anymore,” said Madelyn Cobb, March For Our Lives Policy Manager and a student at George Washington University. “That’s why we called for it back in 2019 at a Democratic Presidential forum, to be a clarion call while Trump callously ignored our pleas for safety in his first term. We’re incredibly happy that Rep. Frost and Sen. Murphy’s bill to codify this office into law is being introduced once again, in the shadow of its unceremonious closure under Trump. At a time when Trump is making it easier for gun violence to metastasize, it is the beacon of hope we need.” 
    Specifically, the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention would:
    Convene an Advisory Council of senior DOJ officials, survivors, community violence intervention providers, public health officials, medical professionals who provide trauma care, mental health clinicians, state and local public health department officials, teachers, members of student groups, and veterans.
    Coordinate gun violence prevention efforts across federal agencies.
    Identify gaps in data needed for gun violence prevention research, policy development, and strategy implementation, and develop a plan to collect and analyze the data.
    Make policy recommendations.
    Educate the general public about federal laws, regulations, and available grant programs, including awareness campaigns directed at firearm owners, parents and legal guardians of minors, and gun violence prevention professionals, that include education related to safe storage of firearms and suicide prevention.
    Work to optimize the administration of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
    Annually report information to Congress on gun violence in the United States, recommendations for policy initiatives to reduce gun violence, and a description of the Director’s activities.
    Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Warren Press Trump Health Nominee Dr. Oz on Dangerous Anti-Abortion Views

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    February 13, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pressed Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee for the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on his hostile anti-abortion record as his nominee process begins. If confirmed as CMS Administrator, Dr. Oz would be in charge of Medicare, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage, exercising broad authority over reproductive health care access.

    “Leaving the issue of women’s reproductive freedom to the whims of local officials — a position you have consistently expressed is dangerous and has already produced a patchwork of abortion laws across the country, creating legal confusion, harms to public health, and vast disparities in access to care,” wrote the Senators.

    Dr. Oz has a hostile record on abortion that raises serious concerns about how he might use his role at CMS to slash or eliminate access to critical reproductive health care. Dr. Oz praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, has described himself as “100% pro-life” and has stated that he looks “forward to supporting” anti-abortion policy. Notably, he also said that a woman’s decision to get an abortion should be up to “women, doctors [and] local political leaders [emphasis added]”—a particularly concerning comment on women’s health.

    “Given the role CMS plays in shaping reproductive health care access, the CMS Administrator will cause grave damage if they do not stand firmly in defense of women’s reproductive rights. Yet throughout your career, you have staunchly opposed abortion, which makes it difficult to believe you would take women’s sexual and reproductive health seriously,” the Senators concluded.

    Given Dr. Oz’s alarming record on reproductive rights, the lawmakers demanded answers to a series of questions about how he would use CMS authorities to impact reproductive health care access if confirmed to serve as its Administrator.

    The letter came just before the Senate vote on Robert F. Kennedy’s confirmation to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In his confirmation hearing, Kennedy said: “I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy…I’m going to implement his policies.”

    In his first three weeks in office, Donald Trump has already worked to roll back women’s reproductive rights. Trump signed a slew of executive orders undoing Biden-era protections and reinstating harmful policies implemented in his first term. The Trump Administration also scrubbed critical information from government websites, eliminated HHS’s Interagency Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access and revoked guidance directing CMS and HHS to increase access to abortion services.

    The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER STATEMENT ON 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION’S REACTIVATION AT FORT DRUM

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today released the following statement on the 40th anniversary of the 10th Mountain Division’s reactivation at Fort Drum in the North Country and the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Battle of Riva Ridge in which the 10th Mountain Division seized German positions on Riva Ridge, paving the way for Italy’s liberation during World War II:

    “Fort Drum is woven into the very fabric of the North Country, and today marks the 40th anniversary of the 10th Mountain Division’s reactivation at Fort Drum on February 13, 1985. Since World War II, the 10th Mountain Division has played a pivotal role in US contingency operations and our response to global conflicts. For more than 20 years, the 10th Mountain Division has been the most regularly deployed unit in the US Army, cementing its reputation as one of the most elite and readily deployable combat units in the US Armed Forces. From the European theater in WWII to the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve, bolstering NATO and the Transatlantic Alliance in the face of Russian aggression, the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division have time and time again answered the call to duty in theaters of operation across the globe, providing mission-critical support to protect our national security interests and support US allies and partners.

    “Indeed, the 10th Mountain Division’s significance transcends its battlefield accomplishments. Its focus on mobility, rapid deployment, and leadership in modernizing counter-UAS and integrating multi-domain capabilities in training for large-scale combat operations will help build the Army of the future, allowing America to continue to serve as a powerful force for peace and stability around the world. With the activation of elements of the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) at Fort Drum starting this summer, it is becoming clearer every day that the future of our military will depend on Fort Drum and the North Country. I was proud to push for the selection of Fort Drum to base the 2nd MDTF and the hundreds of millions of dollars I’ve secured for infrastructure improvements at Fort Drum throughout my career, and will continue fighting to ensure that the heroic men and women serving at Fort Drum have what they need to be mission ready and defend our country. Climb to Glory!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Supports RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–The United States Senate today confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by a vote of 52-48.  In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) spoke to Mr. Kennedy’s vision for HHS and his commitment to prioritizing consumer choice and transparency.

    “When his nomination for the role of Secretary of HHS was announced, Mr. Kennedy stated, ‘We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.  I agree with him.  We have got to get into the business of making America healthy again,” said Crapo.  “He will bring a fresh perspective to health care, prioritizing consumer choice, information transparency and early interventions to strengthen the well-being of all Americans. . . . I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination.”

    Mr. Kennedy’s nomination was previously reported favorably out of the Senate Finance Committee by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 13.

    Read Senator Crapo’s full remarks below:

    “Thank you, Mr. President.

    “I rise today in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of his confirmation.

    “Contrary to the attacks that have constantly been made on him, he has made it very clear that he will support safe vaccinations and just wants to see that research is done and done well.

    “When his nomination for the role of Secretary of HHS was announced, Mr. Kennedy stated, ‘We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.’

    “I agree with him.  We have got to get into the business of making America healthy again.

    “Mr. Kennedy’s dedication to this commitment has been apparent throughout his nomination process.

    “He will bring a fresh perspective to health care, prioritizing consumer choice, information transparency and early interventions to strengthen the well-being of all Americans.

    “He has been responsive to a wide variety of questions from Members on both sides of the aisle, appearing before two Committees and answering hundreds of questions for the record.

    “Not to mention going through the extensive vetting process of the Finance Committee, which is the most extensive vetting process that any candidate for the Administration goes through in the Senate.

    “While some of my colleagues continue to question his financial agreements, Mr. Kennedy met and then exceeded the requirements set forth by the Office of Government Ethics. 

    “I encourage a strong ‘yes’ vote for Robert F. Kennedy to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo: Enough is Enough–It is Past Time to Get Our Fiscal House in Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and senior member of the Senate Budget Committee, voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution out of the Senate Budget Committee for full Senate consideration.  The Resolution passed 11-10.

    “By committing to paying for this ambitious agenda, Senate Republicans have said enough is enough with reckless fiscal policy.  It is past time to get our fiscal house in order,” said Crapo.  “It is time to stop the politics of fear, admit that we have got to control our spending and let us get on with trying to do the critical work of restoring our border security, restoring our national security and unleashing the energy potential of this country so we can again regain our preeminent posture as the strongest economy and strongest nation in this world.”

    Click HERE or the image above to view Senator Crapo’s remarks.

    Text of Crapo’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, is below:

    “As part of its regular duties and to execute the mandate given to Republicans by the American voter, the Senate Budget Committee will mark up a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2025.  This is not the end; it is the beginning. 

    “On his first day in office in January 2021, President Joe Biden blew open the southern border by using executive authority to rescind a number of successful Trump Administration policies.  His open border policies brought more than 10 million illegal immigrants into our country.  President Biden failed to uphold the law with regard to border security.  While President Trump has reinstated many of these important policies through executive order, the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution implements lasting security for American citizens.

    “Additionally, this resolution restores America’s military power to counteract Russia, China and other adversaries around the world.  This work, combined with President Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy, will keep America the preeminent global power and shore up our national defense.

    “To begin the process of returning to fiscal sensibility, the Finance Committee’s instruction in this budget unlocks our ability to reverse a specific costly rule from the prior Administration that threatens patients’ access to long-term care in rural communities.  Not only will this effort provide savings for our shared priorities in this legislation, but it will also serve as a commitment to reform our broken health care system, which too often relies on ineffective structures that fail patients, providers and taxpayers.

    “I want to make it clear that if we receive this instruction, the Finance Committee’s focus will be on this single provision, not on opening up the tax bill or other issues or other efforts to try to reform other parts of our health care system.  I will do my best to keep us focused on this provision with this instruction.

    “Finally, by committing to paying for this ambitious agenda, Senate Republicans have said enough is enough with reckless fiscal policy.  It is past time to get our fiscal house in order.  While more will be necessary to bring America back to living within its means, this resolution is a superb first step.

    “It is very obvious the criticisms of what we are trying to do, once again, rely on the politics of fear.  Saying that we are going to hurt every single person in America except ‘those rich people’ and claiming that we want to give tax cuts to the wealthy.

    “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was referenced already has a $2.6 trillion impact on people making less than $400,000 per year.  The vast majority we are talking about are not the wealthy, but those in our middle- and lower-income brackets, and our pass-through entities, or small businesses, across this country.

    “It is time to stop the politics of fear, admit that we have got to control our spending and let us get on with trying to do the critical work of restoring our border security, restoring our national security and unleashing the energy potential of this country so we can again regain our preeminent posture as the strongest economy and strongest nation in this world.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch, Cortez Masto Introduce Legislation to Ensure the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation Receive the $5 Million They Are Owed

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) reintroduced the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act, which would allow the Tribes to finally collect over $5 million in interest they are owed for the 2009 water rights settlement.

    “This much-needed fix takes the next step in upholding the federal government’s full interest terms of the 2009 settlement with the Duck Valley Reservation,” said Crapo.  “The Senate unanimously advanced the measure in the last Congress and must do so again expeditiously.  The House should follow suit so we can correct this error as soon as possible.”

    “It is absurd that the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation have had to go nearly two decades without millions of dollars in interest they are owed,” said Cortez Masto.  “My commonsense, bipartisan legislation fixes this years-old oversight and secures funding that these Tribes deserve.”

    “The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation deserve the millions of dollars in interest they are owed,” said Rosen.  “I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure they finally receive this payment after a nearly twenty-year delay.”

    “The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes’ water rights settlement mistakenly excluded interest payments, unjustly cutting these communities short,” said Risch.  “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to correct this error and provide the Tribes the proper interest they are owed.”

    The bill passed the Senate unanimously in the last Congress, but did not advance in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Advocates for Small Businesses in Federal Contracting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) to introduce the Simplifying Subcontracting Act to reduce complexity in federal government contracting and help more small businesses and entrepreneurs pursue contracts.

    “Qualified small businesses and entrepreneurs deserve the same access to federal government contracts as larger entities that currently dominate the contracting market,” said Crapo.  “Simplified, clearer language will improve their access to the federal contracting application process.”

    “Small businesses are vital to our economy but are often left out in federal government contracting due to overly complicated, bureaucratic language,” said Risch.  “The Simplifying Subcontracting Act requires certain federal government contracts to use plain language, enabling more small businesses to compete for these contracts.”

    The Simplifying Subcontracting Act, true to its name, is a simple, one-page bill that would require federal government contracts to use straightforward language when subcontracting work is given to small businesses.  This legislation mirrors the Plain Writing Act of 2010. 

    Additional co-sponsors include U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Todd Young (R-Indiana) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado).

    The Idaho Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Idaho Veteran Entrepreneurship Alliance and American Subcontractors Association support the bill.

    ?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: EzFill Holdings Announces Pricing of $15 Million Public Offering and Closing of Share Exchange with NextNRG

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EzFill Holdings, Inc. (“EzFill” and the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EZFL), a leading mobile fueling company, today announced the pricing of a public offering of 5,000,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $3.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $15,000,000, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. In addition, EzFill has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

    EzFill today also announced the closing of its previously announced share exchange agreement with NextNRG Holding Corp. Effective February 14, 2025, the Company will change its name from “EzFill Holdings, Inc.” to “NextNRG, Inc.” The Company’s common stock will cease trading under the ticker symbol “EZFL” and begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “NXXT” and the new CUSIP number 652941105 as of the commencement of trading on February 14, 2025. The offering is expected to close on February 18, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    The Company intends to use the proceeds to expand its business, repay outstanding indebtedness, and general corporate purposes, including working capital.

    ThinkEquity is acting as sole book-runner for the offering.

    Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC is acting as legal counsel to EzFill and Loeb & Loeb LLP is acting as legal counsel to ThinkEquity in connection with the offering.

    A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-275761) relating to the shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and a post-effective amendment thereto became effective on February 13, 2025. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from ThinkEquity, 17 State Street, 41st Floor, New York, New York 10004. The final prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About NextNRG, Inc. (f/k/a EzFill Holdings, Inc.)
    NextNRG Holding Corp. (NextNRG) and EzFill have merged to form a combined entity focused on renewable energy, mobile fueling, and next-generation energy infrastructure. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies, NextNRG is developing an integrated ecosystem that combines solar energy generation, battery storage, wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging, and on-demand fuel delivery.

    At the core of NextNRG’s strategy is the deployment of NextNRG Smart Microgrids, which utilize AI-driven energy management alongside solar power and battery storage to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and improve grid resiliency. These microgrids are designed to serve commercial properties, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, parking garages, rural and tribal lands, recreational facilities, and government properties, expanding energy accessibility while supporting decarbonization initiatives.

    Following the merger with EzFill, NextNRG is integrating sustainable energy solutions into mobile fueling operations. The company will provide renewable energy to its fueling partners, supporting more efficient fuel delivery while advancing clean energy adoption. It continues to expand its growing fleet of fuel delivery trucks and national footprint, including the acquisition of Yoshi Mobility’s fuel division, further solidifying its position as a leader in the on-demand fueling industry.

    By combining renewable energy innovation with mobile fueling expertise, NextNRG is building a sustainable energy ecosystem that bridges traditional fuel needs with AI-powered clean energy solutions.

    The combined entity, NextNRG, will trade under the symbol NXXT on the Nasdaq Capital Market. To find out more visit NextNRG.com.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, EzFill’s expectations regarding the completion, timing and size of the proposed offering, EzFill’s expectations with respect to granting the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase additional shares and EzFill’s anticipated use of the net proceeds from the proposed offering. Any statement describing EzFill’s goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions, or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Words such as “expect,” “intends,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to EzFill’s business and macroeconomic and geopolitical events. These and other risks are described in the prospectus related to the proposed offering to be filed with the SEC. EzFill’s forward-looking statements involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although EzFill’s forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by EzFill. Except as required by law, EzFill undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Jeff Ramson, CEO
    PCG Advisory, Inc. 
    jramson@pcgadvisory.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden Raise the Alarm Over NIH Funding Cuts that Derail Lifesaving Research, Cost Lives and Jobs in Oregon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    February 13, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined an effort led by Washington State’s U.S. Senator Patty Murray in expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s threats to cut the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) federal funding to research universities?and institutions across America and in Oregon, including groundbreaking medical and health research being done at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), University of Oregon (UO), Oregon State University (OSU), Portland State University (PSU), and many others in the state.
    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation. The cuts would set us back generations in finding lifesaving cures and treatments to illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and Parkinson’s, and stopping medical trials would cost lives. 
    Additionally, the Trump Administration’s NIH funding cuts could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. Nationally, NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023, while costing less than 1 percent of the federal budget. In Oregon, NIH invested $417 million, which directly supported more than 5,000 jobs and nearly a billion dollars in economic activity, and indirectly supported over 17,000 jobs in Oregon’s broader bioscience economy.  
    The entire Democratic caucus sent the letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. urgently detailing how these steps the Trump Administration is taking would have a catastrophic impact on research institutions and our economy.
    “The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research—they cost lives,” the Senators wrote.
    Last week, the NIH announced it would set the maximum reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15 percent—creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move won’t produce cost savings—it will just shift costs to states that can’t afford to pay the difference. Importantly, this action by the Trump administration is illegal—Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs.
    “This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the Senators continued.
    On Monday, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21st, but the Senators are pressing the administration to abandon the proposed cuts full stop.
    “Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted,” the Senators concluded.
    Merkley and Wyden signed the letter led by Murray alongside the entire Senate Democratic caucus: Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
    The letter is available HERE and the full text is below.
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.  
    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds. 
    Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.
    These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.
    In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.
    The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.
    The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Paul Introduces Legislation to Remove Federal Government Restrictions on Paducah, Kentucky Property

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    February 13, 2025

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

     

                                 Empowers city officials to fully transfer the property to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced legislation that will remove a National Park Service (NPS) restriction imposed on Paducah, Kentucky, property. By removing this federal government restriction on land the city currently owns, the legislation would empower local officials to fully transfer the property to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club and allow the organization to renovate and improve their facilities.

    “For over sixty years, the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club has provided invaluable services to the young people of Paducah, helping to shape the next generation with education, mentorship, and community support. The federal government shouldn’t stand in the way of their efforts to improve and expand their facilities. This legislation will remove burdensome restrictions and allow the City of Paducah to transfer this property so that the Boys and Girls Club can continue its mission without federal interference,” said Dr. Paul.

    U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is an original cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate.

    “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Comer and Senator Paul on legislation that will greenlight the City of Paducah’s proposal to transfer this property to Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club,” said Senator McConnell. “This organization does tremendous work for Kentucky’s children, and our bill eliminates unnecessary barriers that have stood in the way of new, supportive spaces for young people in Paducah to learn and grow.”

    U.S. Representative James Comer (R-KY-01) introduced the House companion bill.

    “The Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club of Paducah has been a force for good in the Paducah-McCracken County community for over sixty years. Unnecessary restrictions imposed by the federal government have stood in the way of this local organization’s efforts to improve their facilities and offer even more critical programs to our youth. After collaborating with the city of Paducah, National Park Service, and other stakeholders, I am proud to introduce legislation today that will remove burdensome federal restrictions, empower local officials, and enable the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club to make long sought improvements that will benefit the community for decades to come. I look forward to working with Senator Rand Paul and Senator Mitch McConnell to get this bill across the finish line and to the President’s desk,” said Congressman James Comer.

    You can read the bill HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police statement on private China trip

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Statement attributable to Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura:

    Police is issuing a statement of record regarding a media report concerning a private trip to China by Police staff in late 2024.

    A media report claims the tour was organised by a government entity and a dinner was hosted by a government tourism official.

    Police reiterate that on day three of the tour, a banquet dinner was hosted by the travel company for the travelling party.

    The dinner was not hosted by the official, as referenced in the media reporting. Attendance of the tourism official was due to an invitation by the tour company.

    Police have previously referenced on multiple occasions that each participant paid for their tour costs personally.

    The dinner cost was incorporated into the overall tour price, paid for out of staff’s own pocket.

    The group involved in this trip followed all requirements for a private trip of this nature. However, we acknowledge that the nature of this travel has resulted in some public scrutiny.

    As a result, we have reviewed our national policy to ensure our advice for staff remains up to date and appropriate.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tweed Heads Service NSW Centre to get new home

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 14 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government

    The Tweed Heads community will soon enjoy an enhanced customer experience while completing NSW Government transactions when the new Tweed Heads Service NSW Centre opens. 

    The Centre is relocating to a larger site, still within the Tweed Mall shopping centre, providing a larger space and an improved layout for customers.  

    Due to open mid-2025, the new centre will be located opposite the current site, ensuring a modern, purpose-built facility for people to complete the 1300 NSW Government services and transactions available at Service NSW.  

    The new centre will include a dedicated space for one-on-one appointments where customers can receive cost of living support in-person or over the phone with a Service NSW team member.  

    The team will also be able to connect business owners with the Service NSW Business Bureau for free, ongoing and personalised support for every stage of their business.  

    There were more than 77,000 customer visits to Tweed Heads Service Centre last year with people appreciating the efforts of the team, giving them a 97% satisfaction rating.  

    Tweed Heads Service NSW Centre is open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm and Saturdays 8:30am – 12:30pm. For more information, visit the Service NSW website.  

    Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib said: 

    “Service NSW is a vital part of our lives whether transacting individually or as a business, so we want the people of Tweed Heads to have an enhanced experience when requiring NSW Government services. 

    “This move ensures Service NSW can support the customer demand in Tweed Heads and provide people with a welcoming space to complete government transactions. 

    “Whether applying for a Seniors Card, renewing a driver licence or looking for cost of living support, Service NSW is a one-stop-shop for NSW Government services and transactions.” 

    Duty MLC for Tweed, Emily Suvaal said: 

    “The Minns Labor Government is focused on delivering essential services like the Tweed Heads Service NSW Centre. 

    “This new site will better serve the community, the location within Tweed Mall is bigger and better and only steps away from the current location. 

    “The new centre makes life easier for locals now and will cater to their needs into the future.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Number of intl wetland cities in China rises to 22

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Nine Chinese cities, including Dali in Yunnan province, Lhasa in the Xizang autonomous region, Fuzhou in Fujian province and Yueyang in Hunan province, were recently designated as international wetland cities, marking the third such set of cities announced after 2018 and 2022.

    At the 64th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention, which was held in Gland, Switzerland, in late January, the addition of 31 cities to the Wetland City Accreditation program was announced. Currently, there are 74 accredited wetland cities around the world, with 22 of them in China.

    According to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, wetlands are often referred to as “the kidneys of the Earth”, because they play a crucial role in purifying water, regulating climate and maintaining biodiversity.

    By prohibiting aquaculture to enable restoration of the wetland ecosystem, more than 55 percent of the Fujian Minjiang River Estuary Wetlands, located in Fuzhou’s Changle district, has recovered its ecological functions, making it an important habitat for the black-faced spoonbill, a globally endangered species, the administration said.

    Yueyang in Hunan initiated its wetland conservation efforts in the 1980s and established the East Dongting Lake Nature Reserve. The city has achieved a wetland conservation rate of 67 percent, with over 300 species of birds living there, including 18 species of first-class nationally protected birds, according to the local government.

    In the process of continuous improvement of the wetland environment, a series of bird-watching activities related to culture and tourism have also driven the area’s economic development, the local government said.

    Musonda Mumba, secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention, said last month that China has integrated wetland protection with urban development through scientific planning, providing replicable experiences for the world.

    Lei Guangchun, a professor of ecological protection at Beijing Forestry University, said China’s wetland protection has transitioned to a “new stage of high-quality development”.

    Data from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration shows that ever since China joined the Ramsar Convention in 1992, the country has improved laws and policies on protecting wetlands and achieved significant progress. China currently has 82 major wetlands, with a stable wetland area of 56.35 million hectares, ranking first in Asia and fourth globally.

    Lei, the professor, said that China is collaborating with African countries to develop a mangrove project that is expected to sequester 500,000 metric tons of carbon annually, making a substantive contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    In July, the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention will be held in Zimbabwe. China will share technological achievements such as the smart wetland monitoring system and small-scale wetland restoration at the meeting, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Southeast Asia provides fertile ground for women to benefit from AI

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    By Miklos Gaspar

    Economic Development

    Artificial intelligence or AI technology can help to protect vulnerable women, give women a voice in male-dominated communities and increase training opportunities in Southeast Asia thanks to innovative approaches by United Nations agencies.

    With AI enabled technology becoming commonplace, the UN System is beginning to take advantage of the latest digital tools to bring gender equality closer to reality

    Southeast Asia, a middle-income region with widespread internet coverage and relatively high digital literacy levels, is fertile ground for AI enabled development. Here are three examples of initiatives that could help large numbers of women in their private and professional lives in the coming years.

    The Philippines: Training entrepreneurs in remote areas

    The Philippines is made up of an archipelago of thousands of islands that can be costly and difficult to reach from the country’s urban centres. This has meant that inhabitants of the more remote islands have often not been able to fully benefit from training opportunities offered by the UN and its partners.

    Since December 2023, however, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has been supporting business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, with the help of the latest AI chatbots.

    “In many cases, trainers no longer need to travel to remote villages in far-flung islands and mountains,” says ILO Technical Specialist Hideki Kagohashi. “The trainer is a mobile phone chatbot.”

    On Siargao Island, this chatbot is providing women selling coconut products with technical advice, and helping women entrepreneurs create digital marketing posts for Facebook, drastically reducing the time needed for daily posting from a few hours to just 10-20 minutes.

    “Previously entrepreneurs often stopped posting because it took too much time over too long of a period to have demonstratable results,” Kagohashi explains. “But now with generative AI they can swiftly create higher quality content with relevant picture or video, more varied posts daily, complete with audience targeting for tone and content, leading to higher online engagement and increased sales.”

    The project is still in pilot phase, but ILO and its partners will scale up AI-enabled coaching to reach at least 15,000 small and medium-sized businesses nationwide over the next three years.

    UNFPA Thailand

    High school students in Phuket, Thailand, use a UNFPA-backed chatbot.

    Thailand: Protection for vulnerable women and girls

    For around a year, the AI-powered SoSafe platform has been providing Thai women with tailored advice on social issues including unintended pregnancies, sexual harassment, and domestic violence, amongst others. Primarily used by women and girls in vulnerable situations, SoSafe contains verified information for youth, women and the elderly about their social benefits and rights.

    The impact has been palpable: SoSafe is accessible to 600,000 users across 14 pilot provinces, has improved communication between affected women and support services and has led to over 1,000 cases of domestic violence being reported to the authorities.

    The platform, delivered by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), in cooperation with Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency and other partners, detects keywords and provides automated responses to offer users timely support. The information on SoSafe comes from government databases and reliable sources, which helps ensure that users receive accurate information.

    UNDP Indonesia

    Village leaders in Indonesia testing STRIVE, a UNDP-backed AI tool

    Indonesia: A stronger voice in the community

    In Indonesia’s 75,000 villages, decisions tend be made by middle-aged men, who are more likely to attend open debates and meetings.

    “Participation in village meetings is male dominated, and open voting can lead to stigmatization of those who may not agree with the head of the village, suppressing open discussion,” explains Dhany Oktaviany, the project manager of Social Innovation Platform (SIP).

    SIP, a project run by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in support of Indonesia’s Ministry of Village, aims to change this situation. As part of SIP, an AI-enabled digital tool gathers the aspirations of villagers and generates recommendations for subsequent village planning.

    The application allows the village to send ideas in a wide variety of ways, from photos and videos to text and audio. They can also submit ideas anonymously, allowing different viewpoints to be expressed.

    Reforming the UN

    “Across the Asia Pacific region, we are working to build the capacity of the UN system to take advantage of the latest technological trends and thereby accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals,” says David McLachlan-Karr, Director for Asia and the Pacific of the UN Development Coordination Office. “These projects are a great example of technological innovation at the UN, which is at the heart of the Secretary General’s reform agenda to make the UN more fit for the needs of the 21st century.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Southern half of Watercare’s $1.6b Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel goes live

    Source: Auckland Council

    Watercare’s Central Interceptor project has passed an historic milestone with the southern half of the 16.2 kilometre tunnel (Blockhouse Bay south to Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant) going live. Watercare is now one step closer to the goal of cleaner waterways and beaches for central Auckland.

    A formal event was held on 14 February at a new pump station in Māngere, attended by Minister for Local Government Simon Watts, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, politicians and project teams. Around 200 guests lined the pump station shaft as Mayor Brown gave an order to start up giant pumps sending wastewater flows from the Central Interceptor tunnel to the nearby treatment plant at a rate of 1,200 litres per second.

    It was an historic moment during proceedings dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments of the 600-strong Watercare and Ghella Abergeldie JV Central Interceptor project team which began construction in 2019. 

    Watercare’s major new pump station has been built at Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant to take flows from the Central Interceptor tunnel to the plant for processing.

    Mayor Brown said that as an engineer himself, he appreciated the skills involved to achieve this outcome:

    “It’s a significant milestone for Aucklanders and a huge engineering feat for the team who have been working for the past six years. I look forward to the Central Interceptor project being completed next year to fully realise the benefit, including an 80 percent reduction in wet weather overflows and improved water quality.

    “This is an important piece in fixing Auckland’s infrastructure. The Central Interceptor will take pressure off other parts of the network and will allow other long awaited wastewater projects to progress” says Mayor Brown.

    Watercare Chief Programme Delivery officer, Shayne Cunis says getting the southern half of the Central Interceptor tunnel up and running as quickly as possible was always the goal:

    “This is a huge result. It is rare both globally or in New Zealand for major infrastructure projects to be delivered safely, economically and on time.

    We are hugely proud of the tenacity and dedication of our team, in particular our construction partners, Ghella Abergeldie JV.  We didn’t want to wait until the project was finished at the end of 2026 before getting the southern tunnel going.  We’ve done that despite everything that’s been thrown against us, including the COVID-19 pandemic, major storm events and unprecedented inflation for modern times.”

    The main environmental benefits (cleaner waterways) won’t however be realised until the remaining Central Interceptor tunnel (running from Mount Roskill to Herne Bay) is completed, along with new infrastructure such as the Herne Bay Collector, which is currently under design.

    It’s northern central city suburbs such as Mount Albert, Grey Lynn and Herne Bay where major wet weather overflows occur into the likes of Oakley Creek, Meola Stream, Point Chevalier and Point Erin beaches.

    The switch on of the southern tunnel does however mean improved resilience for Watercare’s wastewater network, says Shayne Cunis: “Aging infrastructure such as ‘Pump Station 23, Hillsborough was often overwhelmed by stormwater in big storms. Now the new Central Interceptor tunnel will capture these flows.

    The Western Interceptor will also no longer carry flows under the Manukau Harbour, which is another win,” he says. 

    The Central Interceptor project forms part of Watercare’s $13.2b programme to deliver new water wastewater and infrastructure over the next 10 years to allow for future growth and a cleaner environment.

    More information on the Central Interceptor is available via this helpful PDF [802KB].

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tackling AI security risks to unleash growth and deliver Plan for Change

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    UK’s AI Safety Institute becomes ‘UK AI Security Institute’.

    • UK’s AI Safety Institute becomes ‘UK AI Security Institute’ – strengthening protections against the risks AI poses to national security and crime
    • Institute bolstered by new criminal misuse team, partnering with the Home Office, to research a range of crime and security issues which could harm UK citizens
    • New agreement reached with AI giant Anthropic on AI opportunities to help grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change

    Safeguarding Britain’s national security – a key pillar of the government’s Plan for Change – and protecting citizens from crime – will become founding principles of the UK’s approach to the responsible development of artificial intelligence from today (Friday 14 February), as the Technology Secretary sets out his vision for a revitalised AI Security Institute in Munich. 

    Speaking at the Munich Security Conference and just days after the conclusion of the AI Action Summit in Paris, Peter Kyle has today recast the AI Safety Institute the ‘AI Security Institute’. This new name will reflect its focus on serious AI risks with security implications, such as how the technology can be used to develop chemical and biological weapons, how it can be used to carry out cyber-attacks, and enable crimes such as fraud and child sexual abuse.

    The Institute will also partner across government, including with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the Ministry of Defence’s science and technology organisation, to assess the risks posed by frontier AI.   

    As part of this update, the Institute will also launch a new criminal misuse team which will work jointly with the Home Office to conduct research on a range of crime and security issues which threaten to harm British citizens.  

    One such area of focus will be the use of AI to make child sexual abuse images, with this new team exploring methods to help to prevent abusers from harnessing the technology to carry out their appalling crimes. This will support work announced earlier this month to make it illegal to own AI tools which have been optimised to make images of child sexual abuse.   

    This means the focus of the Institute will be clearer than ever. It will not focus on bias or freedom of speech, but on advancing our understanding of the most serious risks posed by the technology to build up a scientific basis of evidence which will help policymakers to keep the country safe as AI develops. To achieve this, the Institute will work alongside wider government, the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR), and the national security community; including building on the expertise of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the UK’s national technical authority for cyber security, including AI.

    The announcement comes just weeks after the government set out its new blueprint for AI to deliver a decade of national renewal, harnessing the technology to deliver on the Plan for Change. A revitalised AI Security Institute will ensure we boost public confidence in AI and drive its uptake across the economy so we can unleash the economic growth that will put more money in people’s pockets.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle said: 

    The changes I’m announcing today represent the logical next step in how we approach responsible AI development – helping us to unleash AI and grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change.

    The work of the AI Security Institute won’t change, but this renewed focus will ensure our citizens – and those of our allies – are protected from those who would look to use AI against our institutions, democratic values, and way of life.

    The main job of any government is ensuring its citizens are safe and protected, and I’m confident the expertise our Institute will be able to bring to bear will ensure the UK is in a stronger position than ever to tackle the threat of those who would look to use this technology against us.

    As the AI Security Institute bolsters its security focus, the Technology Secretary is also taking the wraps off a new agreement which has been struck between the UK and AI company Anthropic.

    This partnership is the work of the UK’s new Sovereign AI unit, and will see both sides working closely together to realise the technology’s opportunities, with a continued focus on the responsible development and deployment of AI systems.

    This will include sharing insights on how AI can transform public services and improve the lives of citizens, as well as using this transformative technology to drive new scientific breakthroughs. The UK will also look to secure further agreements with leading AI companies as a key step towards turbocharging productivity and speaking fresh economic growth – a key pillar of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Chair of the AI Security Institute Ian Hogarth said: 

    The Institute’s focus from the start has been on security and we’ve built a team of scientists focused on evaluating serious risks to the public.

    Our new criminal misuse team and deepening partnership with the national security community mark the next stage of tackling those risks.

    Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic said:

    AI has the potential to transform how governments serve their citizens. We look forward to exploring how Anthropic’s AI assistant Claude could help UK government agencies enhance public services, with the goal of discovering new ways to make vital information and services more efficient and accessible to UK residents.

    We will continue to work closely with the UK AI Security Institute to research and evaluate AI capabilities in order to ensure secure deployment.

    Today’s reset for the AI Security Institute comes just weeks after the UK government kickstarted the year by setting out a new blueprint for AI to spark a decade of national renewal. 

    Thanks to the work of the Institute, the UK now stands ready to fully realise the benefits of the technology while bolstering our national security as we continue to harness the age of AI.

    Further Information:

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –