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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Works to Remake America’s Federal Workforce

    Source: The White House

    REFORMING THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE TO BETTER SERVE AMERICANS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) workforce optimization initiative.

    • The Executive Order will make the federal workforce more efficient and effective.
      • Agency Heads will coordinate and consult with DOGE to shrink the size of the federal workforce and limit hiring to essential positions.
      • The Office of Personnel Management will initiate a rulemaking to ensure federal employees are held to the highest standards of conduct.
    • The Order will significantly reduce the size of government.
      • Upon expiration of the Day 1 hiring freeze and implementation of the hiring plan, agencies will be able to hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart from federal service (with appropriate immigration, law enforcement, and public safety exceptions).
      • Agencies will undertake plans for large-scale reductions in force and determine which agency components (or agencies themselves) may be eliminated or combined because their functions aren’t required by law.
    • The Order exempts personnel and functions critical to national security, public safety, law enforcement, and immigration enforcement.

    REDUCING THE UNNECESSARY FOOTPRINT OF GOVERNMENT: President Donald J. Trump is committed to reducing the size and scope of the federal government.

    • There are too many federal employees.
      • Excluding active-duty military and Postal Service employees, the federal workforce exceeds 2.4 million.
      • No one knows exactly how many federal agencies exist, but the Federal Register lists over 400.
    • The federal workforce contributes significantly to federal spending and debt.
      • In fiscal year 2022, the federal government spent nearly $300 billion on compensation for civilian employees, excluding pensions.
      • According to a recent congressional report, only 6% of federal workers report to work in-person on a full-time basis.

    BUILDING ON PAST SUCCESS: President Trump has made reforming the federal workforce a key priority for his second term.

    • President Trump has consistently worked to shrink the administrative state.
    • His first term spurred robust economic growth and innovation through regulatory reform. 
    • Workforce reform in his second term will build on these successes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Expand Congressional Oversight of Foreign Assistance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and other colleagues in introducing the Foreign Assistance Accountability and Oversight Act, legislation to expand congressional oversight of foreign assistance decision-making. The bill would require the State Department’s Director of Foreign Assistance to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate and for all foreign assistance funding provided to the State Department or U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to be used as directed within 90 days of its appropriation by Congress. The Director of Foreign Assistance is currently not confirmed by the Senate, and the Trump Administration has refused to publicly identify the individual currently occupying this powerful position.
    The legislation also expresses the sense of Congress that foreign assistance is critical to U.S. national security, reiterates USAID’s status as a legally independent agency, specifies the exact authorities of the Office of Foreign Assistance, and creates an extra layer of review for personnel decisions within the Office of Foreign Assistance.
    “What Donald Trump and Elon Musk have done over the last week to shutter USAID is not only a flagrant violation of the law, it is a dangerous concession to our adversaries who will fill the void we leave behind, and it is devastating for the thousands of Americans who have dedicated their lives to a mission that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” said Senator Murray. “This bill reasserts what we already know—that USAID is critical to our national security and global leadership and cannot be dismantled by an unelected billionaire with an axe to grind—and it ensures greater accountability for the political appointees leading these efforts.”
    “Foreign assistance is not a handout. It is a critical part of our national security strategy and a key tool to keep Americans safe from disease, narcotics and instability. China has rapidly expanded its foreign assistance over the past decade, and would like nothing more than for the United States to retreat on the global stage. The Trump Administration’s recent attempts to destroy USAID and U.S. foreign assistance programs emboldens China, Russia, and Iran, makes Americans less safe, puts thousands of Americans out of work, and is already causing cause immense human suffering for millions of people around the world,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this bill to force congressional oversight of this lawless and damaging behavior.”
    In addition to Senators Murray and Kaine, the legislation was also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray on Trump and Musk’s Funding Freeze, RFK Nomination at Democrats Weekly Press Conference

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, at Senate Democrats’ weekly press conference, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about President Trump and Elon Musk’s illegal funding freeze, government funding ahead of the March 14 deadline, and the pending nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
    “We have a funding deadline fast approaching and we need a topline soon to be able to write and pass our bills. 
    “I remain at the table with my Democratic counterpart in the House to get a result so we can move forward. But it is extremely difficult to land an agreement on toplines—much less our annual bills—when you have a President and an unelected billionaire ignoring the very agreements we pass each year in our spending bills. 
    “What we are seeing now—the absolute lawlessness, the illegal funding freeze that is risking jobs and hurting working people—that simply cannot continue.
    “The President is illegally blocking hundreds of billions in approved funding for our roads and bridges, for clean energy jobs, for foreign assistance, and a lot more. 
    “What’s more, the problem right now is that it’s not even March 14th yet, and Trump and Elon Musk are effectively shutting down the government—whichever parts they don’t like—all on their own, without any regard for the law or the Constitution or Congress. 
    “No one voted for the President to illegally block funding from Head Start classrooms or our rural health centers—but that is what Trump did his second week in office. 
    “No one voted to let an unelected billionaire decide what bills the federal government would or would not pay—but Trump is giving Elon the keys to the Treasury. 
    “In case Elon needs a reminder: the power of the purse sits with Congress—that means when people vote for us, we are their voice in how their tax dollars get spent. 
    “The constitution doesn’t say Elon gets to decide if our elementary schools and hospitals get funding. Congress negotiates how we invest in our communities. 
    “So, this has got to change, and we need our Republican colleagues to work with us to make sure it does—and I hope we can resolve things in time to pass the full year funding bills that I actually wanted to finish back last December. 
    “Now, as we consider nominations on the floor this week: I want to remind you all it was only 2019 when I co-led a bipartisan Senate Health Committee Hearing with Senator Alexander to educate people on vaccines. With nearly every Republican Senator on that dais making very clear that vaccines are safe, effective, and lifesaving. 
    “But now, Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Republican Party is on the verge of confirming, as our nation’s highest health official, RFK, Jr.— a man who has spent years crusading against vaccines. 
    “Republicans are choosing to pretend like it is in any way believable that RFK, Jr. won’t use his new power to do exactly the thing he has been trying to do for decades: undermine vaccines. 
    “People are alarmed. My phone lines are ringing off the hook with constituents who understand the stakes here and want us to stand up for science and for their health and safety. Because the Health Secretary has real power over whether Americans can get the basic information and care they need.
    “I think most of my colleagues know what is really at stake here. They know what sort of agenda RFK Jr. will pursue, and they know what sort of damage he could do if confirmed.
    “There are political realities, we all get that—but there is also right and wrong. There is also fact and fiction. There is also people staying healthy, and people dying pointlessly—kids dying pointlessly—from diseases that we can prevent.
    “So, I urge all my colleagues to show some courage, show some conscience, and say: no, a vaccine denier should not be our highest-ranking health official.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, Former WA Federal Workers Highlight How Trump Administration’s Unprecedented Assault on Federal Workers in WA State and Nationwide is Undermining Essential Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “The American government is not Twitter—you can’t just run around breaking things and hope for the best. Americans rely on our federal workforce. They do essential, and often thankless jobs to keep our country running—and sometimes their work can be the difference between life and death.”
    Steve Kohfal, retired SSA worker, AFGE Local 3937: “Cancelling Field Office leases and reducing staffing to a 50-year low would further demoralize workers and destroy Social Security’s ability to serve the public.”
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference with former federal workers in Washington state to sound the alarm on how the Trump administration and Elon Musk are waging an all-out assault on America’s federal workforce, threatening to functionally decimate—through illegal actions and hostile pressure tactics—federal agencies that are often already understaffed. These attacks on the federal workforce threaten to undermine so many of the essential services Americans rely on, from air traffic control to food safety inspections.
    Joining Senator Murray for the press conference were: Helen Bottcher, who recently retired from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and currently serves as treasurer for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1110 in Seattle; Jonathan Fox, who recently retired after 35 years as a National Weather Service Forecaster and lives in Spokane; and Steve Kofahl, a retired federal worker based in Everett who spent more than four decades at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and serves as Retiree Coordinator for AFGE District 11 and President Emeritus for AFGE Local 3937.
    From pressuring federal workers to take scammy “buyouts,” to firing and reassigning hundreds of top officials; placing workers on leave en masse including at USAID, CFPB, and the Department of Education; threatening mass layoffs and budget cuts to encourage more federal employees to quit their jobs; and denigrating the essential work public servants do—we have seen an unprecedented assault by Donald Trump and Elon Musk on our nation’s essential federal workforce over the past few weeks. Senator Murray has spoken out on the Senate floor against this administration’s attacks on federal workers, and recently sent an open letter to federal workers and a newsletter to her constituents in Washington state outlining her concerns with the administration’s so-called “Fork in the Road” offer.
    “Over the past few weeks, we have seen a lawless Trump administration attempt a hostile takeover of our nonpartisan career civil service,” Senator Murray said.“There are more than 56,000 civilian federal workers in Washington state and 2.4 million across the country—we’re talking about everyone from folks supporting the nuclear cleanup work at the Hanford site, to scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, to the people who are making sure you get your Social Security check… They deserve better than to be threatened, intimidated, and pushed out the door by Elon Musk and Donald Trump.”
    “What everyone needs to understand is that this administration’s attacks on federal workers don’t just hurt those workers—they hurt people all over our country,” Senator Murray continued. “Veterans suffer when they have to wait longer at the VA. Seniors suffer when they can’t get someone to just answer the phone at the Social Security Administration. We all suffer when we don’t have federal watchdogs going after scams, or investigating crimes. When we don’t have researchers at NASA or NIH making new breakthroughs, or park rangers keeping who are our national parks open for people to enjoy. The American government is not Twitter—you can’t just run around breaking things and hope for the best.”
    “The stories I am hearing from my former colleagues are heart-breaking,” said Helen Bottcher, who retired from the EPA in 2023. “I’ve spoken with or heard about employees who are having panic attacks that landed them in the ER, who can’t sleep, and who have become physically ill because of the stress. I’ve seen the infamous ‘Fork in the Road’ email and the subsequent messages urging federal employees to quit. The language in these communications is disgusting – it is insulting, degrading and abusive. No one deserves to be treated this way… People aren’t wrong to be afraid.  The purge has begun at EPA.  Last Thursday, nine employees from EPA’s regional office were placed on administrative leave, suddenly and with virtually no warning. They were targeted because they were identified as working on Environmental Justice issues. They are not allowed to work, to enter the office or to use any agency equipment or systems. They are being paid for now, but they don’t know how much longer their pay will continue. They have simply no idea what will happen next. Will they be fired? Demoted? Assigned a new job? Forced to move to another state? It’s just chaos, and I think that chaos is intentional – it is designed to break people’s spirits and to divide them.”
    “Given the early chaos of the new administration, it is important for the people of Washington state and the country to know the impacts being experienced by our federal employees. There is a real fear about job security that stems from uncertainty about the future. There has been a lack of direct communication from this administration. The only source of information, which is more like misinformation, comes from social media outlets that are only serving to stoke more fear into the federal workforce,” said Jonathan Fox, who retired last month from the National Weather Service—a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—where he was a meteorologist producing lifesaving winter weather, severe weather, and fire weather forecasts for nearly 35 years. “For the National Weather Service employees, their mission is to save life and property and promote the enhancement of the national economy. That is their sole focus, and they all take their responsibility quite seriously. Frankly, they deserve better from this administration.”
    “Cancelling Field Office leases and reducing staffing to a 50-year low would further demoralize workers and destroy Social Security’s ability to serve the public,” said Steve Kohfal, who worked for the Social Security Administration (SSA) for 42 years before retiring in 2015, and now serves as the Retiree Coordinator for AFGE District 11 and President Emeritus for AFGE Local 3937. “Over 1 million disability claims and appeals are pending, and 30,000 applicants died last year while awaiting a decision. That’s unacceptable. Further cuts would be cruel and devastating.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks from today’s press conference are below and video is HERE:
    “Over the past few weeks, we have seen a lawless Trump administration attempt a hostile takeover of our nonpartisan career civil service.
    “From firing career prosecutors at the Department of Justice to gutting the entire federal agency, USAID; pressuring nearly the entire federal workforce to take a so-called “buyout” offer that reads a lot more like a scam; putting people on administrative leave en masse for no reason and threatening sweeping layoffs for people who stay; locking employees out of their offices, out of their devices, and telling them to cease all work—and even communication—without notice; and belittling public employees at every turn, including by calling their jobs ‘lower productivity’ than jobs in the private sector…
    “The assault that Donald Trump and Elon Musk are waging on federal workers is staggering—and unprecedented.
    “And last week, over Democrats’ objections, Senate Republicans confirmed Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. This is someone who said he wanted to inflict ‘trauma’ on our federal workers. That is an insane way to talk about a workforce we rely on for some absolutely essential services.
    “Now, there are more than 56,000 civilian federal workers in Washington state and 2.4 million across the country—we’re talking about everyone from folks who support the nuclear cleanup work at the Hanford site, to scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, to the people who are making sure you get your Social Security check.
    “These are civil servants who took an oath to our country, and are working tirelessly to get veterans their health care, inspect our meat processing facilities, make sure baby formula is safe, approve lifesaving drugs and treatments, manage our air traffic control, protect consumers from fraud, and help ensure we have clean drinking water, just to name a few.
    “They deserve better than to be threatened, intimidated, and pushed out the door by Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
    “But make no mistake, we actually need these people to stay in their jobs or things are going to start breaking. What everyone needs to understand is that this administration’s attacks on federal workers don’t just hurt those workers—they hurt people all over our country.
    “Veterans suffer when they have to wait longer at the VA. Seniors suffer when they can’t get someone to just answer the phone at the Social Security Administration.
    “We all suffer when we don’t have federal watchdogs going after scams, or investigating crimes. When we don’t have researchers at NASA or NIH making new breakthroughs, or park rangers keeping who are our national parks open for people to enjoy.
    “The American government is not Twitter—you can’t just run around breaking things and hope for the best.
    “Americans rely on our federal workforce. They do essential, and often thankless jobs to keep our country running—and sometimes, their work can be the difference between life and death.
    “So I want to say a huge, sincere thank you to federal workers in Washington state and across the country. You make our country better.
    “And I want you to know, I am in your corner and I am going to keep lifting up your stories, fighting for you, and holding this administration to account.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Senate Floor Speech, Durbin Recounts Crimes Of Insurrectionists Pardoned By President Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 11, 2025

    In his remarks, Durbin spoke about the dangerous misconduct and criminal records of pardoned insurrectionists

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered remarks on the Senate floor detailing the crimes that January 6th insurrectionists have been charged with since President Trump’s reckless decision to pardon them for their crimes committed during the storming of the U.S. Capitol, including the violent assault on law enforcement officers. The events of that day resulted in the death of five law enforcement officers and the injury of more than 140 others.  Durbin began his speech by recounting his own experience on January 6, 2021, as Congress had convened to certify the 2020 election.

    “The President made these statements during the course of his campaign, but it still came as something of a shock, when on the first day of his presidency, Donald Trump decided to issue a blanket pardon for those who had been convicted for the January 6 riot that took place in this building,” Durbin began.  “For those of us who were physically present, it’s a moment we’ll never forget.  The Vice President of the United States was sitting in your chair, presiding over the United States Senate as we addressed the constitutional responsibility of counting the electoral votes.  It was roughly ten minutes after 2:00 in the afternoon when someone came along in a suit, walked up to the Vice President of the United States, grabbed him by the arm, and pulled him off of the chair.”

    “The Capitol of the United States of America taken over by demonstrators.  The United States Senate and House of Representatives stopped in progress of doing their constitutional responsibility of counting the electoral votes.  And we’ve seen the videotapes.  There are plenty of them that show these mob demonstrators breaking the windows to get into the Capitol building, knocking down the doors, and then beating up on the police officers,” Durbin said.

    “They [law enforcement officers] were beaten up by these mobsters, these thugs, these demonstrators, who were egged on by the President of the United States to come up and go wild in the United States Capitol.  They went wild, spraying bear spray into the face of individual policemen, beating up on them with poles and pieces of furniture,” Durbin said.

    Durbin went on to denounce President Trump’s decision to issue sweeping pardons for those on trial or convicted of crimes related to the January 6th insurrection. 

    “Then came the President of the United States on his first day in office, and what did he do? He decided that every single person arrested for a crime related to January 6 should be released with a full and unconditional pardon.  That’s what he did,” Durbin said.

    Durbin continued on, explaining that there has been a flood of stories related to the disturbing criminal history and new crimes committed by insurrectionists since President Trump has issued his pardon. 

    “In the three weeks that have passed since the President made that decision, there’s some interesting stories… Emily Hernandez pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds in relation to her actions at the Capitol on January 6.  Ms. Hernandez was seen holding a stolen, broken name plate of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  She served 30 days in federal prison and was released. Days after being pardoned by President Trump, she was sentenced to ten years in prison for a 2022 deadly drunk driving crash in Missouri during which she collided with a couple, Victoria and Ryan Wilson, who just left dinner celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary.  Victoria died in the crash, and Ryan sustained serious injuries,” Durbin said.

    “Then there’s Daniel Ball, arrested for throwing an explosive device that detonated on at least 25 officers and forcefully shoving police at the Capitol on January 6.  Daniel Ball was in possession of a gun and ammunition upon his arrest, which was illegal considering his criminal background.  The Department of Justice dismissed Ball’s charges following President Trump’s pardon,” Durbin said.

    Durbin spoke then spoke about Guy Reffitt, the first defendant to stand trial on charges related to the January 6 insurrection.  Just weeks after his pardon, Reffitt returned to the Capitol to support Kash Patel, who has been nominated to serve as FBI Director despite a troubling record of peddling conspiracy theories about January 6 and whistleblower reports that he was personally involved in the ongoing purge of senior law enforcement officials at the FBI.

    “Guy Reffitt…was sentenced to 87 months in prison for bringing a firearm to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.  Reffitt’s 19-year-old son, Jackson, turned him into law enforcement after the attack.  Jackson also indicated that Reffitt had threatened to shoot him and his sister, Peyton, if they reported him to authorities,” Durbin said.

    “After receiving a pardon from President Trump, Guy Reffitt attended Kash Patel’s Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing.  Kash Patel is President Trump’s nominee to be the Director and head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Reffitt attended that committee nomination [hearing].  Here’s what he posted on social media afterward… ‘Present and in support of @KashPatel as the leftist commies continue to spew lies, misinformation and disinformation. My man Klean House Kash…!!!’” Durbin quoted Reffitt.

    “He certainly seems like he learned his lesson, right?  Served time in jail, released with a pardon by the President.  He’s at it again, defying the authorities, defying anyone who disagrees with him politically.  Full, unconditional pardon from Donald Trump,” Durbin concluded his remarks.

    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions No Propaganda Act to end taxpayer funding of partisan government broadcasting network

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced the Senate companion to the No Propaganda Act to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The bill would block federal funding for the CPB, which funnels taxpayer dollars to National Public Radio (NPR), because of the organization’s chronically biased content. 

    “The Corporation for Public Broadcasting should not be funneling Louisianians’ hard-earned tax dollars to outlets with one-sided coverage that clearly aim to promote a leftist political agenda. The No Propaganda Act would make sure that Americans aren’t footing the bill for biased, government media,” said Kennedy.

    Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.

    “The American Taxpayer continues to provide handouts through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to media outlets that have actively pushed Chinese propaganda and have prioritized fighting disinformation over free speech. CPB must be defunded to end the stream of taxpayer funds to biased, anti-American public radio and television stations,” said Perry.

    Congress has appropriated more than $15 billion to fund the CPB since 1969, which it allocates to NPR and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). CPB states that its goal is to “educate, inform, foster curiosity, and promote civil discourse essential to American society.”

    However, in April, a whistleblower exposed NPR’s decision not to broadcast the Hunter Biden laptop scandal because NPR believed covering the story would help presidential candidate Donald Trump during the 2020 election cycle.

    In 2020, reports also revealed that PBS used taxpayer dollars to partner with a Chinese Communist Party-controlled media outlet, CGTN, to produce a pro-Beijing film.

    The full bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government supporting and securing regional aviation

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s Future, today announcing regional Australia will continue to receive critical aviation services into the future.

    The Albanese Government will work with the Administrators of Regional Express Holdings (Rex), as part of an upcoming competitive sale process, to ensure crucial regional aviation services continue beyond 30 June 2025.

    We will work with shortlisted bidders on what support the Albanese Government may be able to provide to maximise the prospect of a successful sale.

    Terms of Commonwealth support will be subject to negotiation, but will be conditional on commitments by bidders to provide an ongoing, reasonable level of service to regional and remote communities, the need to provide value for money to taxpayers and good governance.

    The Government is not a bidder in the upcoming sale process and would like to see a successful market-led outcome. However, in the event there is no sale, the Albanese Government will undertake necessary work, in consultation with relevant state governments, on contingency options, including preparations necessary for potential Commonwealth acquisition.

    The Albanese Government is also providing further support through a waiver of the “use it or lose it” test for Rex regional flight slots at Sydney Airport, which will ensure its access to those slots until 24 October 2026.

    This comes on top of the Albanese Government providing a loan of up to $80 million to keep Rex’s vital regional routes operating until 30 June 2025, and acquiring $50 million of debt from Rex’s largest creditor, PAGAC Regulus Holdings Limited, earlier this year to ensure the airline could continue to operate.

    These actions make clear the Government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining access to aviation services for regional and remote communities, and recognises the critical role of the Rex network to local economies.

    The Albanese Labor Government will back regional aviation just like we back regional telecommunications because we know our great country towns deserve quality services and connectivity just like our cities.

    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

    “Regional Australians deserve access to quality and crucial regional aviation services.

    “We are working collaboratively with the administrators of Rex to ensure that regional services continue beyond June 2025, including looking at what support the Commonwealth can provide.

    “Regional Australians can be assured that our Government will continue to fight to ensure these regional airfares remain available.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher:

    “The Albanese Government believes regional and remote communities deserve reliable, affordable and accessible air travel.

    “That’s why we’re taking steps to ensure the best possible deal for the sale of Rex.

    “Aviation services are essential for our regions, and our government is committed to seeing these services continue into the future.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “Regional Australians rely on these important services and the Albanese Government making sure communities outside capital cities aren’t shortchanged.

    “When markets fail or struggle to deliver for regional communities the Government has a role to ensure people do not miss out on opportunities, education and critical connections.

    “We are recognising that today and stepping in to keep these routes in the air.”

    MIL OSI News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham, Scott, Norman Lead Amicus Brief in Medina v. Planned Parenthood

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), and U.S. Representative Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina) filed an “amicus curiae” (or “friend of the Court”) brief in the case of Medina v. Planned Parenthood. The brief supports South Carolina’s determination that Planned Parenthood does not qualify to receive Medicaid funding. The South Carolina Republicans were joined by 14 other Senators and 76 other members of the House of Representatives.  

    “Most Americans oppose their hard-earned tax dollars being used to subsidize abortion,” said Senator Lindsey Graham. “I am honored to join my South Carolina Republican colleagues and lend our voices to Governor Henry McMaster’s effort to make sure Medicaid funding cannot be used by Planned Parenthood in South Carolina in any fashion.”

    “The purpose of Medicaid is to provide essential healthcare services to parents and children in underserved communities where access to quality medical care can be limited,” said Senator Tim Scott. “Using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion not only diverts resources away from Medicaid’s mission, but undermines the intent of both the law and the program itself. I’m proud to join my colleagues from South Carolina in standing up for the right to life and against this government overreach.”

    “Private parties like Planned Parenthood have no right to undermine congressional intent by forcing states to say that Planned Parenthood is a qualified Medicaid provider,” said Representative Ralph Norman. “South Carolina has every right to determine what qualifies and disqualifies Medicaid healthcare providers operating within our state. That was precisely the intent of Congress. My hope is the Court will see this lawsuit for what it truly is: a misguided attempt to undermine that authority.”

    “As a pro-life state, South Carolina taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the abortion industry,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “I am grateful for the support of members of the South Carolina delegation and the many other members of Congress who recognize the importance of this case and are standing with South Carolina as we defend our values.”

    Background:

    Under federal law and guidance, states administer Medicaid plans, including deciding which medical providers qualify to receive payments for certain services. In 2018, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to disqualify abortion clinics from receiving Medicaid funding. Over three years, Planned Parenthood received over $1.5 billion in state Medicaid reimbursements nationwide, which is one of their largest funding sources.

    Following South Carolina’s determination, Planned Parenthood and one of its clients sued the DHHS Director in federal court, claiming a right to force DHHS to reverse that decision. There have been four appeals, each of which Members have supported with similar briefs.

    This brief has the support of Alliance Defending Freedom, Americans United for Life, CatholicVote, Family Research Council, Students for Life, and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hays man admits manslaughter charge in stabbing on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS — A Hays man today admitted to fatally stabbing a woman during a quarrel on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Tonylee Andrew Sears, 24, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter as charged in an indictment. Sears faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 18. Sears was detained pending further proceedings.

    The government alleged in court documents that in the early morning hours of Jan. 13, 2024, Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services responded to reports of a stabbing at Sears’ home. Officers encountered Sears, a witness, identified as John Doe, and the victim, identified as Jane Doe. Jane Doe was on the living room floor, bleeding, and was pronounced dead at the scene. In an interview with law enforcement, John Doe said he and Jane Doe had gone to Sears’ house to drink alcohol and hang out and that the victim and Sears argued. The argument escalated, and Sears grabbed a knife and stabbed Jane Doe while she was on the ground. John Doe pulled Sears off the victim and called 911. Sears threw the knife in the kitchen sink. When interviewed, Sears admitted that he and the victim rolled around on the floor after an argument, and he stabbed her. Officers recovered a knife from the kitchen sink. An autopsy report concluded that Jane Doe died from a stab wound.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Cornyn Champions Texas’ Request for Border Security Reimbursement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed Gov. Abbott’s request for the federal government to reimburse the State of Texas for its efforts to secure the southern border, which is a federal responsibility, and previewed the Texas delegation’s plan to help pay back Texas taxpayers. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “President Biden, and Vice President Harris, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas intentionally and willfully refused to enforce the laws on the books to keep the border secure and to keep our nation safe.”

    “We had no choice but to pick up the slack to try to secure some semblance of basic safety for Texans and the rest of the country. Everything the State of Texas did to fill the gap inured not just to the benefit of the 31 million people who live in Texas, but to the entire nation.”

    “As a result of Operation Lone Star, without any help at all from the federal government, Texas was able to reduce illegal immigration into the state by 87 percent.”

    “While every state became a border state during the last administration, there are costs that Texas had to shoulder that our neighbors have not.”

    “It’s just fair and right and just for Texas taxpayers to be made whole for the border security responsibilities it took on as a result of President Biden’s dereliction of duty.”

    “My colleagues on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees should expect me and Senator Cruz and the entire Texas delegation to be strongly advocating for reimbursement for Texas in the coming weeks, and I look forward to working with them in order to make this a reality.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China willing to promote AI development with other countries: Chinese Vice Premier

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

    China willing to promote AI development with other countries: Chinese Vice Premier

    Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a vice premier of the State Council, poses for a group photo with heads of state and government and high-level representatives from more than 30 countries, along with leaders of international organizations, after the AI Action Summit in Paris, France, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PARIS, Feb. 11 — China is willing to work with other countries to promote development, safeguard security, share achievements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative Zhang Guoqing said in Paris on Monday.

    Zhang is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a vice premier of the State Council. He made the remarks in his speech at the AI Action Summit, which was held from Feb. 10 to 11. 

    Delegates attend a plenary session at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, at the Grand Palais, in Paris, France, on Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    AI has become an important driving force for the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, Zhang said. China has always participated in global cooperation and governance on AI with a highly responsible attitude, he underlined.

    In October 2023, President Xi Jinping introduced the Global Initiative for AI Governance, which proposed China’s solution and contributed China’s wisdom for the AI development and governance, Zhang noted.

    In facing the opportunities and challenges brought about by the development of AI, Zhang called on the international community to jointly advocate for the principle of developing AI for good, to deepen innovative cooperation, strengthen inclusiveness and benefits, and improve global governance.

    He also invited developer communities from around the world to participate in the upcoming 2025 Global Developer Conference, scheduled from Feb. 21 to 23 in Shanghai, China.

    During the AI Action Summit in Paris, heads of state and government and high-level representatives from more than 30 countries, along with leaders of international organizations, jointly signed a Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet. 

    French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a vice premier of the State Council, in Paris, France, Feb. 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    When meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, Zhang said China is ready to work with France to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries, and push for further development of China-France relations over the next 60 years. He conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Macron.

    Meanwhile, Macron expressed his gratitude to President Xi for sending a special representative to participate in the AI Action Summit. He reaffirmed that France firmly upholds strategic autonomy and is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China to jointly safeguard peace and stability, and tackle global challenges.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Historic street showcases beauty of cultural fusion in Harbin

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

    HARBIN, Feb. 11 — Harbin, the capital of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang Province, once again captured global attention as the 9th Asian Winter Games opened here last week.

    As a renowned destination for ice-and-snow tourism, Harbin offers a wealth of cultural experiences.

    The city’s iconic Central Street, lined with dozens of European-style buildings, features a striking mix of Renaissance, Baroque, Eclectic and modern architectural styles, making it popular among visitors.

    Embracing the excitement created by Harbin’s hosting of the Asian Winter Games, the 1,450-meter-long street is adorned with ice sculptures and snow carvings, integrating cultural heritage with the enchantment of the season.

    “Harbin is a beautiful city, with stunning streets and architecture. The Ice and Snow World at night is beyond our imagination. While Russia also has ice and snow, coming here has allowed us to experience the unique beauty and romance of ice and snow,” said Alexander Adelev, a tourist from Russia.

    According to the Central Street administrative committee, as a historic and cultural district, the street is expanding commercial space and highlighting local features to promote the innovation and transformation of time-honored brands.

    At the same time, it is actively introducing emerging industries in cultural communication and innovation-driven entrepreneurship to meet diverse and personalized consumer demands.

    The 3rd Asian Winter Games was held in Harbin in 1996. At a memorial hall on the street dedicated to the city’s achievement of hosting this event twice, visitors can explore the history of the Asian Winter Games while browsing a selection of cultural and creative products.

    Refrigerator magnets available at this hall boast clever designs, featuring everything from Harbin’s signature dish to the mascots of the ongoing Asian Winter Games. These AR-enabled magnets, when scanned, bring Harbin’s iconic landmarks to life in stunning glasses-free 3D.

    “These refrigerator magnets and other items here feel so unique, with clever designs. We rarely see such cultural and creative products back home. They are definitely worth taking back,” said Zhang Chongxin, a tourist from Guangdong Province in the south of China.

    In recent years, several historic buildings along the Central Street in Harbin have undergone extensive renovations, seamlessly blending preservation with modern functionality in this northeast China city.

    These revitalized structures have been repurposed into cafes, boutique shops, cultural venues and creative spaces — breathing new life into the area while maintaining its architectural heritage.

    “The older a historic building is, the more intriguing it feels to people,” said Song Xingwen, owner of both a cafe and a restaurant housed in a heritage building on the street.

    “Revitalizing old buildings requires preserving their original charm and allowing century-old architecture to regain its elegance, while striking a balance between preservation and commercialization,” Song said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Scam alert: Investment bonds scam

    Source: Australia Scam Watch

    Background
    Criminals are impersonating real businesses and offering fake investment bonds. They claim these bonds offer high returns and are protected by the government.
    Scammers will encourage you to register your name, mobile number and email on a fake website. They steal money by getting people to buy fake investment bonds. They will also use your personal details to commit other scams.
    The National Anti-Scam Centre works with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) to remove investment scam websites, which led to thousands of websites being taken down in 2024.

    How to spot the scam

    This scam can be hard to spot because criminals set up fake emails where they pretend to be legitimate brokers. They also have a fake website which looks like the real business’s website. The fake website has the business’s branding and uses links that go to the real website.
    The fake website comes up in internet searches for investment opportunities.
    Recently criminals were impersonating Bunnings in one of these types of scams. Scammers offered environmental bonds that support carbon reduction, sustainability and waste reduction. They offered 3 investment options ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 and promised higher than market returns of up to 9%. They said that the investments are supported by Bunnings and protected by government finance regulations.
    ASIC has taken down the fake Bunnings websites.

    What you should know
    There are steps you can take to help avoid investment scams:

    Don’t trust surprise offers to invest.
    Don’t take investment advice from people you have met on social media.
    Check the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) website to confirm if the person offering the investment is licenced.
    Check the Moneysmart investor alert list for companies and websites you should not trust.
    Check if the business details match the company’s real website.

    If you’ve been affected
    If you’ve had money or personal information stolen contact your bank or card provider immediately.
    If you’ve been scammed or have provided personal information call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
    You can help others by reporting to Scamwatch.

    MIL OSI News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Proposes the Largest Expansion of Preschool Access in Connecticut History

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to approve legislation he is proposing this session that will implement the largest expansion of preschool access in Connecticut history, enabling thousands of additional children to enroll in high-quality, early childhood education services, which have been unattainable for many families.

    “I want Connecticut to lead on early childhood education, and that means making preschool affordable and accessible for all of our kids,” Governor Lamont said. “Access to early childhood services is massively important to the state’s success, not only because these programs provide valuable tools for children that will lead them to professional achievements in the future, but also because being able to enroll your child in care right now means that parents can join the workforce and earn an income that supports their family. Connecticut has an opportunity to make an investment in our future by expanding access to affordable preschool.”

    The governor’s proposal includes depositing a portion of the state’s anticipated surpluses over the next several years into a brand-new fund known as the Universal Preschool Endowment. The endowment will be seeded by $300 million from the fiscal year 2025 surplus, and in the following years any unappropriated surpluses from the General Fund will continue to be transferred into it. The endowment will be managed by the Office of the Treasurer, and the commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood may expend up to 10% of the balance of the endowment in any fiscal year.

    The proposed use of the endowment aims to expand affordable preschool options for families by:

    • Making preschool available at no cost to families earning up to $100,000 per year;
    • Limiting the cost-share for families earning between $100,000 per year and $150,000 per year to a maximum of $20 per day;
    • Creating 20,000 new preschool spaces by 2032;
    • Reducing the cost to families for approximately 19,000 existing preschool spaces; and
    • Being simple, easy to access, and flexible to meet family needs.

    “Governor Lamont’s historic action to establish a Universal Preschool Endowment will make preschool more accessible, affordable, and for many, free,” Connecticut Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye said. “It will stabilize the early care and education industry by increasing compensation for teachers and staff. This investment builds on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care, which brought together voices from across child care providers, businesses, government, and parents to provide a roadmap to guide ongoing investments in early education.”

    “Governor Lamont’s proposal for universal preschool will make Connecticut a national leader among states because of its comprehensive approach to supporting children and families,” Walter Gilliam, executive director of the Buffet Early Childhood Institute, said. “It supports early learning and allows working families the ability to work. The focus on quality of care and options that meet family needs also stands out. Perhaps the most unique feature is that it protects the care of infants and toddlers while creating universal preschool for our threes and fours.”

    The governor’s legislative proposal is House Bill 6867, An Act Creating the Universal Preschool Endowment. It has been referred to the Education Committee.

    **Download: Fact sheet on Governor Lamont’s proposal to expand access to preschool

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Sam Kerr verdict: what it means for law in the UK and the star athlete’s soccer career

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan McElhone, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Monash University

    A London court has found Sam Kerr not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of Metropolitan Police officer Stephen Lovell.

    As captain of the Australian women’s national soccer team, Kerr was widely condemned when news broke she had used a “racial slur” against an officer during an altercation.

    The high-profile incident sparked debate across the globe.

    Initially, former Australian soccer player Craig Foster criticised Kerr’s behaviour before retracting it and publicly apologising to her.

    Meanwhile, politicians and academics argued her comments did not amount to racism given the power dynamics at play: not only is Kerr of Indian descent, but official inquiries have found the Metropolitan Police to be institutionally racist.

    Historically, police have played a role in sustaining colonialism, racism and white supremacy. Calling Kerr’s words racist overlooks that they don’t accord with an entrenched, global system of power.

    What happened that night?

    Kerr has maintained she and her partner – United States’ women’s national team player Kristie Mewis – believed they were being kidnapped by a cab driver.

    He refused to let them out of the cab after Kerr vomited, taking them to Twickenham police station instead of their destination.

    There, Mewis broke the cab window in an attempt to get out of the vehicle.

    At the station, Kerr reportedly appealed to officers to “understand the emergency that both of us felt”, referencing the 2021 abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan Police officer.

    The commissioned inquiry into Everard’s murder characterised the Metropolitan Police as institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.

    However, Kerr soon faced an allegation of racism after becoming distressed and antagonistic towards the officers.

    Believing they were siding with the cab driver after forming negative preconceptions because of her skin colour, she repeated “you guys are stupid and white, you guys are fucking stupid and white”.

    What are the legal ramifications in the UK?

    Kerr pleaded not guilty to the offence of intentionally causing harassment, alarm, or distress to another by using threatening, abusive, or insulting words under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986, and to the racial aggravation of the offence per the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

    She faced a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

    Kerr accepted she used the words “fucking stupid and white”. But it still had to be proven she intended and caused harassment, alarm, or distress to Lovell and that the offence was racially motivated.

    Initially, the Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was not enough evidence to charge Kerr.

    But after receiving a request from the Metropolitan Police to review the case, and a new statement from Lovell about Kerr’s words making him feel “belittled” and “upset”, they authorised police to charge the athlete.

    A jury found her not guilty after a seven-day trial.

    Broadly speaking, public order offences criminalise words and behaviour that might breach the peace. Police have significant discretion to use these offences as tools to regulate people’s uses of public space.

    In Australia and the UK, police have been shown to use these powers in discriminatory ways.

    Kerr has conceded her behaviour was regrettable but the charge against her is difficult to align with the purpose of public order legislation.

    What does it mean for Kerr’s soccer career?

    It is unclear what this verdict means for Kerr’s career.

    Her English club, Chelsea, is anticipating she will return from a long-term knee injury soon.

    It is possible the club was kept in the loop about Kerr’s altercation with police from the beginning, as she reportedly threatened to involve its lawyers in the body-cam footage shown at trial.

    The club is yet to make a statement about the trial or verdict.

    Football Australia is in a different position though, having been blindsided by the news Kerr had been charged by police.

    The fact Kerr is the captain of the Matildas, and the sport’s highest-profile marketing asset, adds layers of complexity to Football Australia’s decision-making.

    CEO of Football Australia James Johnson declined to weigh in on Kerr’s captaincy until her trial concluded.

    It is possible the governing body will impose a sanction, with Kerr falling afoul of clause 2.14 of their national code of conduct and ethics after being charged with a criminal offence.

    Kerr could return to the pitch later this month, but has been left out of the Matildas squad for the SheBelieves Cup in the US because of her fitness.

    With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon, interim Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni no doubt hopes her recovery stays on track.

    Meanwhile, Kerr is yet to play under Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor. She could prove crucial as the club chases an elusive UEFA Women’s Champions League title, but faces competition for her spot.

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

    – ref. Sam Kerr verdict: what it means for law in the UK and the star athlete’s soccer career – https://theconversation.com/sam-kerr-verdict-what-it-means-for-law-in-the-uk-and-the-star-athletes-soccer-career-249153

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso Bill Protects Western Way of Life

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation to protect multiple use policy on federal lands. The legislation would block the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) finalized Public Lands Rule.

    “Almost half the land in Wyoming is owned by the federal government. The law has long recognized the value of managing much of that land for multiple use – including mineral development, grazing, recreation and timber management,” said Senator Barrasso. “Wyoming prides itself on being responsible environmental stewards of the land. The Biden administration put in rules to upend public land access and productivity. This bill will direct the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to block the former administration’s disastrous Public Lands Rule. We are ready to work with the Trump administration to end the radical rules that threaten our Wyoming way of life.”

    Co-sponsors of this legislation include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

    Background:

    • The final BLM rule runs counter to the agency’s multiple use mandate under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).
    • According to FLPMA, the BLM is required to balance the multiple uses of public lands including recreation, energy, mining, timber, and grazing.
    • The “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule rearranges agency priorities by putting a new, single use on equal footing with long established uses that Congress explicitly directed.
    • The rule also places an outsized focus on the use of restrictive Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) designations that have compromised land and water health across the West.

    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Expanding Healthcare, Transforming Lives

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The end of January brought a landmark achievement for UConn’s School of Pharmacy, one that expands healthcare access and upholds the School’s commitment to patient care and community outreach. This success came after collective planning and action between the State of Connecticut and UConn’s School of Pharmacy – a big feat for a big cause.  

    Dean Hritcko addresses the audience

    Recognizing the shortage of primary care providers throughout the state, particularly among underserved populations, UConn Pharmacy developed a plan to create a pharmacy training program that would enable pharmacists to provide more comprehensive reproductive care by prescribing contraception to their patients.  

    “Allowing pharmacists to both prescribe and dispense hormonal birth control could help mitigate barriers and expand access to contraception for the citizens of our state.” – Dean Hritcko 

    Working with the Connecticut Pharmacists Association (CPA), the Department of Consumer Protection (Drug Control), and pharmacy employer entities across the state, faculty members worked to bridge the gap between this idea and the actions needed. Committed to making reproductive healthcare available to all, the UConn School of Pharmacy’s Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development developed the training and certification program, which equips pharmacists with the tools, resources, and knowledge, to provide their patients with these new services effectively and safely.  

    Acknowledging that excellence in pharmacy should be a nationwide standard, especially as many individuals across the country face barriers to affordable and accessible healthcare, this program is available to all pharmacists in every state.  

    Governor Lamont, understanding the transformative nature of this program and the current threats to reproductive healthcare, jumped on board. Working with the Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli, the training program received final approval at the end of January. 

    This training program is expected to take four hours to complete and is optional for pharmacists. Available through the UConn School of Pharmacy website, this training counts toward the fifteen hours of annual continuing education required for pharmacists.  

    Second-year Pharm.D. student Rachel Antonelli gives her speech

    To celebrate this pivotal moment, Governor Lamont requested to hold a press conference at the School on January 31st to address faculty, staff, students, and the press. In fact, Governor Lamont’s visit marks the first time a Connecticut governor has visited UConn’s School of Pharmacy! After he spoke, other influential leaders followed, including Dean Hritcko who expressed his gratitude to the government officials who collaborated with the School: “We’re grateful to Governor Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz for their leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring Connecticut continues to lead the charge in healthcare innovation, protection of women’s health, and accessibility.”  

    Rachel Antonelli, a second-year Pharm.D. student  who is passionate about building meaningful patient connections, shared her gratitude for this stride in healthcare, “The passage of this legislation empowers more individuals to take an active role in their care, reducing accessibility barrier that too often stands in the way of essential healthcare services like providing contraception.” 

    In addition to pharmacists being able to prescribe contraception, this new legislation also includes the state’s first vending machines providing access to emergency contraception. The first of these vending machines can be found on the UConn, Storrs campus and is made possible by Dr. Peter Davis Smith, medical director of Student Health and Wellness (SHAW), and his colleagues and student advocates. 

    “This is just one of the many ways we’re working to expand access to contraception and other important medications in Connecticut.” – Governor Lamont   

    Governor Lamont talks with Sean Jeffery, Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice, and Nathan Rickles, Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs

    This milestone in healthcare access comes in the UConn School of Pharmacy’s 100th year of excellence, exemplifying the continued efforts in education, research, and service to produce lasting change. With this latest effort, the impacts will transform communities in Connecticut and beyond, increasing healthcare access, reducing unintended pregnancies, and decreasing spending on our healthcare systems. Training the next generation of pharmacists, the School aims to inspire its students to continue to shape the future of healthcare and make a difference in the lives of Connecticut residents.   

    In times of need, UConn Pharmacy delivers – a testament to the School’s mission of building a better tomorrow through monumental actions that start today.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Company Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to sell Misbranded N95 Masks to Hospital in Early Months of COVID-19 Pandemic

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    This is the second company charged in connection with the scheme; three individuals also pleaded guilty to misbranding N95 masks

    BOSTON – A California company, and three individuals who owned and managed the company, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the shipment of facemasks that were misbranded as N95 respirators during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.  

    Advoque Safeguard LLC (ASG) pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded devices into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Jason Azevedo, 33, of Cedar Creek, Texas; Paul Shrater, 52, of Simi Valley, Calif.; and Andrew Stack, 52, of Santa Cruz, Calif., also pleaded guilty to one count of introduction of misbranded devices into interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencings for June 11, 2025.

    In October 2024, a second company, JDM Supply LLC (JDM), and two individuals, Daniel Motha and Jeffrey Motha, pleaded guilty in connection with this investigation. In addition, in August 2023, another individual, Jason Colantuoni, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit price gouging and is awaiting sentencing.  

    In in the spring of 2020, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, ASG and JDM conspired to ship facemasks that were misbranded as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, N95 respirators. One hospital, identified as “HOSPITAL 1,” accepted and paid for hundreds of thousands of purported N95 masks that were manufactured by ASG and sold to a hospital by JDM.  (the hospital did not use the masks, which were eventually returned to ASG.) ASG and JDM misled the hospital into believing that the ASG masks were NIOSH-approved N95s when, in fact, they were not. In August 2020, a NIOSH lab tested a sample of the ASG masks that had been shipped to the hospital, and they tested between 83.94% and 93.24% filtration efficiency, and thus fell under the 95% minimum level of filtration efficiency required for N95 respirators.  

    The charge of conspiracy to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device with intent to defraud or mislead provides for a fine of $500,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense, whichever is greater and up to five years of probation.  The charge of introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Brady and Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud. 
        
    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Somerset County Woman Charged With Bank Robbery

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, woman was arrested and charged with bank robbery, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced today.

    Ciara Brascom, 39, of Skillman, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery. She had her initial appearance on February 11, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    On July 28, 2024, Brascom entered a bank in Princeton and demanded cash from a bank teller, while holding what appeared to be a black handgun. During the robbery, Brascom threatened that she would use the gun if the bank’s alarm was activated. Brascom fled from the bank after taking approximately $60,500.

    The charge of bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Christopher Tash, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, for their assistance in the investigation.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                                                 ###                                    

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AI Action Summit co-chaired by France and India (February 10-11, 2025)

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

    Statement on inclusive and sustainable artificial intelligence for people and the planet

    1. Participants from over 100 countries, including government leaders, international organizations, representatives of civil society, the private sector and the academic and research communities gathered in Paris on February 10 and 11, 2025 to hold the AI Action Summit. Rapid development of AI technologies represents a major paradigm shift, impacting our citizens and societies in many ways. In line with the Paris Pact for People and the Planet, and the principles that countries must have ownership of their transition strategies, we have identified priorities and launched concrete actions to advance the public interest and to bridge digital divides through accelerating progress towards the SDGs. Our actions are grounded in three main principles of science, solutions – focusing on open AI models in compliance with countries’ frameworks – and policy standards, in line with international frameworks.

    2. This Summit has highlighted the importance of reinforcing the diversity of the AI ecosystem. It has laid an open, multi-stakeholder and inclusive approach that will enable AI to be human rights based, human-centric, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy while also stressing the need and urgency to narrow the inequalities and assist developing countries in artificial intelligence capacity-building so they can build AI capacities.

    3. Acknowledging existing multilateral initiatives on AI, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions, the Global Digital Compact, the UNESCO Recommendation on Ethics of AI, the African Union Continental AI Strategy, and the works of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Council of Europe and European Union, the G7 including the Hiroshima AI Process and G20, we have affirmed the following main priorities:

    • Promoting AI accessibility to reduce digital divides;
    • Ensuring AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy, taking into account international frameworks for all
    • Making innovation in AI thrive by enabling conditions for its development and avoiding market concentration driving industrial recovery and development
    • Encouraging AI deployment that positively shapes the future of work and labour markets and delivers opportunity for sustainable growth
    • Making AI sustainable for people and the planet
    • Reinforcing international cooperation to promote coordination in international governance

    To deliver on these priorities:

    • Founding members have launched a major Public Interest AI Platform and Incubator, to support, amplify, decrease fragmentation between existing public and private initiatives on Public Interest AI and address digital divides. The Public Interest AI Initiative will sustain and support digital public goods and technical assistance and capacity-building projects in data, model development, openness and transparency, audit, compute, talent, financing and collaboration to support and co-create a trustworthy AI ecosystem advancing the public interest of all, for all and by all.
    • We have discussed, at a Summit for the first time and in a multi-stakeholder format, issues related to AI and energy. This discussion has led to sharing knowledge to foster investments for sustainable AI systems (hardware, infrastructure, models), to promoting an international discussion on AI and environment, to welcoming an observatory on the energy impact of AI with the International Energy Agency, to showcasing energy-friendly AI innovation.

    We recognize the need to enhance our shared knowledge on the impacts of AI in the job market, though the creation of network of observatories, to better anticipate AI implications for workplaces, training and education and to use AI to foster productivity, skill development, quality and working conditions and social dialogue.

    4. We recognize the need for inclusive multistakeholder dialogues and cooperation on AI governance. We underline the need for a global reflection integrating inter alia questions of safety, sustainable development, innovation, respect of international laws including humanitarian law and human rights law and the protection of human rights, gender equality, linguistic diversity, protection of consumers and of intellectual property rights. We take notes of efforts and discussions related to international fora where AI governance is examined. As outlined in the Global Digital Compact adopted by the UN General Assembly, participants also reaffirmed their commitment to initiate a Global Dialogue on AI governance and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and to align ongoing governance efforts, ensuring complementarity and avoiding duplication.

    5. Harnessing the benefits of AI technologies to support our economies and societies depends on advancing Trust and Safety. We commend the role of the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit and Seoul Summits that have been essential in progressing international cooperation on AI safety and we note the voluntary commitments launched there. We will keep addressing the risks of AI to information integrity and continue the work on AI transparency.

    6. We look forward to next AI milestones such as the Kigali Summit, the 3rd Global Forum on the Ethics of AI hosted by Thailand and UNESCO, the 2025 World AI Conference and the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 to follow up on our commitments and continue to take concrete actions aligned with a sustainable and inclusive AI.

    Signatory countries:

    1. Armenia

    2. Australia

    3. Austria

    4. Belgium

    5. Brazil

    6. Bulgaria

    7. Cambodia

    8. Canada

    9. Chile

    10. China

    11. Croatia

    12. Cyprus

    13. Czechia

    14. Denmark

    15. Djibouti

    16. Estonia

    17. Finland

    18. France

    19. Germany

    20. Greece

    21. Hungary

    22. India

    23. Indonesia

    24. Ireland

    25. Italy

    26. Japan

    27. Kazakhstan

    28. Kenya

    29. Latvia

    30. Lithuania

    31. Luxembourg

    32. Malta

    33. Mexico

    34. Monaco

    35. Morocco

    36. New Zealand

    37. Nigeria

    38. Norway

    39. Poland

    40. Portugal

    41. Romania

    42. Rwanda

    43. Senegal

    44. Serbia

    45. Singapore

    46. Slovakia

    47. Slovenia

    48. South Africa

    49. Republic of Korea

    50. Spain

    51. Sweden

    52. Switzerland

    53. Thailand

    54. Netherlands

    55. United Arab Emirates

    56. Ukraine

    57. Uruguay

    58. Vatican

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott Presses Powell to Ensure Economy, Financial Regulation Promotes Opportunity for Hardworking Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — At today’s Senate Banking Committee hearing on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) highlighted the importance of the Federal Reserve avoiding political priorities and focusing on building an economy that works for all Americans. In his opening statement, Senator Scott called out financial regulators who abused their power and forced institutions to debank federally legal businesses and law-abiding citizens.

    Senator Scott pressed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on the importance of rightsizing rules and regulations – including reproposing the Basel III Endgame – to protect access to financial opportunity and security.

    Senator Scott’s opening remarks as delivered:  

    Chair Powell, thank you for being here today, appreciate your willingness to have a chat with us about some of the really important issues facing our country.

    Without question, the Federal Reserve serves a critical role in the function of our government and the global economy.

    You have the ability to influence markets and directly impact the financial future of hundreds of millions of Americans.

    That is why the Federal Reserve is supposed to be an independent institution free from politics.

    But, in recent reality, the Fed has been susceptible to political pressure.

    Take for example the Fed’s involvement in the Network for Greening the Financial System, a group dedicated to green financing and climate change, which the Fed joined in December 2020 as President Biden was about to assume office. 

    Just last month, the Fed announced that it had pulled out of the organization as President Trump was getting ready to be sworn in.

    To the American people, this is flip flopping in the political wind. Too much focus on climate change instead of supervision is consequential.

    And in March, just two years ago, we saw the failure of Silicon Valley Bank.

    SVB marked the third largest bank failure in U.S. history and the largest since the 2008 financial crisis. And yet, not a single federal regulator was held to account.

    In fact, the FDIC filed a lawsuit against bank executives which accused the SVB of “egregious mismanagement.” And I agree. How is it that no bank supervisor has faced any consequences? With 30 MRAs and MRIAs that never had timely action at SVB. 

    How can the people who are supposed to be our cops on the beat have not faced any recourse for such “egregious” failures.  I simply don’t understand.

    We must all address the fact that over the last four years, the Biden administration and Bidenomics have devastated, decimated, and destroyed hardworking families ability to support themselves.

    During Joe Biden’s time in office, overall prices rose by over 20 percent, energy prices 34 percent, transportation costs 31 percent, groceries 22 percent.

    But that’s not all.

    Thanks to Bidenomics, two-thirds of Americans have less than $1,000 – less than $1,000 – in their savings accounts.

    Here’s there is good news: things are going to get better.

    During his first term, President Trump kept his promises to the American people.

    In the first three years of his presidency, President Trump built the most inclusive economy ever.

    Seven million jobs created, and two-thirds went to women, African Americans, and Hispanics.

    It’s time to once again make America’s economy work for the folks working paycheck to paycheck.

    Joe Biden and Kamala Harris broke our economy and Donald Trump will fix it.

    For too long, bank regulators have followed black box regulatory frameworks with little to no recourse.

    The FDIC, under President Trump’s leadership, recently released never-before-seen supervisory documents, which confirmed that Biden’s Operation Chokepoint 2.0 was real despite assurances that these unacceptable practices would end following the Democrats’ first Operation Chokepoint 1.0.

    We are seeing an unfair playing field that results in disastrous consequences for legal businesses and law-abiding citizens. 

    On one hand, if you are in the private sector and you do your job poorly, you would face consequences – reprimands, suspensions, or even being fired.

    But if you are within the walls of the federal government, such as a bank regulator, you will face no consequences for your actions, even if you pressure a bank to cut off services to digital asset firms, political figures, and conservative-aligned businesses and individuals.

    To me, that goes against the principles of fairness and market access.

    Over the last two years, as the Ranking Member of this Committee, I have consistently argued that the Basel III Endgame proposal will raise costs and limit credit access for hardworking Americans. 

    And while I’m glad this proposal was not finalized, the uncertainty surrounding Basel III forced banks to put capital on the sidelines – limiting access to that capital for local and small businesses across the country. 

    Now, as Chairman, I plan to work to rectify the issues of the Biden administration.

    Chairman Powell, I look forward to hearing from you on the Federal Reserve’s future and the plans you have for rightsizing the financial regulatory frameworks, specifically around Basel III. 

    To create jobs here in America, we need to make sure there is capital and liquidity in the market.

    And we also want all Americans, even those growing up in poverty like I did, to know they can access the capital necessary to start new businesses, grow existing businesses, buy a home, and pursue their American Dream.

    Chairman, I look forward to your comments and your testimony and I will simply say, that I believe that weaponizing an independent agency like the Fed for liberal positions – from debanking crypto, bank stress tests, and the green financing scheme – is not calling balls and strikes as a fair referee. And I hope that we are getting ready to clean that slate, start fresh, and focus on a healthy economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Funding to strengthen First Nations arts and languages

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    First Nations arts and language organisations across the country will receive significant funding to support vital cultural practices thanks to the Albanese Labor Government.  

    83 First Nations-owned art centres, fairs, regional hubs and industry service organisations will receive a share of more than $38 million in funding over four years through the Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program. 

    The IVAIS program supports a professional, viable and ethical First Nations arts industry to enable artists and arts workers to earn income, develop professional skills and connect to the art market. Amongst the grant recipients are:

    • Arlpwe Artists Aboriginal Corporation – to support Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre’s newly established ceramics program through employment of an onsite ceramist to engage with First Nations artists in Ali Curung, Northern Territory.
    • Ardyaloon Art and Culture Centre Aboriginal Corporation – to support the Ingarlgalandji Arts and Culture Hub to provide visual arts services to Bardi Jawi artists on the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. 
    • Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh TSI Corporation – to support urgent upgrades to the art centre and refurbishment of the printmaking and textiles workspace for the Badu Art Centre on Badu Island in the Torres Strait, Far North Queensland.

    Additionally, nearly $30 million in funding will go toward 70 community-led First Nations language and arts activities through the Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program. 

    The ILA program supports First Nations peoples to express, conserve and sustain their cultures through languages and arts activities. Amongst the grant recipients are:

    • Numburindi Development Aboriginal Corporation – to conserve and revitalise the Wuybuy language of the Numburindi people by employing community members to develop and produce a Wuybuy dictionary and become certified local language teachers and community linguists to facilitate community-led language workshops in Numbulwar, Northern Territory.
    • Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation – to commission, develop, rehearse and tour three new Aboriginal language-based theatre shows to be shared with children far and wide and to include Yamatji and Wongatha language in productions in Perth, Western Australia.

    Funding for the programs is delivered directly to community-led organisations.

    Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the funding demonstrated the government’s commitment to Revive.

    “We understand the importance of arts and language in community. It’s how stories and traditions are passed on from generation to generation.

    “The Albanese Labor Government is committed to investing now and into the future, so we can make sure the next generation has sustainable language and arts infrastructure supporting them.”

    Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy said the programs played a vital role in supporting the First Nations arts sector and cultural practices. 

    “Investing in First Nations-owned art centres fosters connection to the world’s oldest living culture and enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to earn income from their works.

    “The First Nations-owned art centres provide an environment where people can learn about Indigenous culture and ethically purchase artworks.

    “Our investment in language centres also recognises the proud links First Nations people have to their language, community and Country.”

    More information about the programs, including other funding recipients, can be found here:

    • Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program | Office for the Arts
    • Indigenous Languages and Arts program | Office for the Arts

    MIL OSI News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin: Kash Patel Has Been Personally Directing The Ongoing Purge of FBI Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    February 11, 2025
    In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin reveals that multiple whistleblowers have disclosed to Durbin’s staff highly credible information indicating that Kash Patel has been personally directing the ongoing purge of senior law enforcement officials at the FBI
    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, revealed that multiple whistleblowers have disclosed to Durbin’s staff highly credible information indicating that Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has been personally directing the ongoing purge of senior law enforcement officials at the FBI. Earlier today, Durbin sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz requesting an investigation into these allegations.
    “This Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider whether to recommend Kash Patel’s nomination to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to the full Senate for consideration. So far, my Republican Committee colleagues have chosen to ignore the myriad red flags about Mr. Patel, especially his recurring instinct to threaten retribution—political retribution—against his and President Trump’s perceived enemies. This is a dangerous characteristic for a person who wants to lead the nation’s most powerful domestic investigative agency, the FBI,” Durbin said. “I hope that what I reveal today from credible whistleblowers at the highest levels will give my Republican colleagues some pause before it’s too late.”
    Durbin went on to reveal that on January 29, 2025, Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll and Acting FBI Deputy Director Robert Kissane scheduled a meeting where it was relayed that a group of Executive Assistant Directors (EAD) and other supervisors must resign or be fired. The newly-established FBI Director’s Advisory Team (DAT) was in possession of a written list that identified certain officials and was seen by multiple FBI leaders. Their understanding of the list was that “a lot of names were people in the crosshairs.” This meeting had been prompted by a meeting earlier that day between DOJ and FBI leadership.
    Contemporaneous notes from that morning meeting read: “KP wants movement at FBI, reciprocal actions for DOJ.” Acting Deputy Attorney General Bove told meeting attendees that he received multiple calls from Stephen Miller the night before. Mr. Miller was pressuring him because Mr. Patel wanted the FBI to remove targeted employees faster, as DOJ had already done with prosecutors. 
    “According to my sources, Mr. Patel is receiving information from within the FBI from the Director’s Advisory Team. Mr. Patel then provides direction to Stephen Miller, who relays it to Acting Deputy Attorney General Bove,” said Durbin. “It is unacceptable for a nominee with no legal or current role in government to personally direct the unjustified and potentially illegal firings of dedicated, nonpartisan professionals at the FBI. If these allegations are true, then Mr. Patel may have committed perjury before the Senate Judiciary Committee.”
    Durbin then explained how, if the allegations are true, Mr. Patel may have perjured himself before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
    “The day after the meeting I described, where Mr. Patel’s desire for FBI officials to be fired more quickly was discussed, was Mr. Patel’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Durbin said. “During the hearing, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey asked Mr. Patel: ‘Are you aware of any plans or discussions to punish in any way, including termination, FBI agents or personnel associated with Trump investigations? Yes or no.’ Mr. Patel answered that he was ‘not aware of that’ and continued: ‘I don’t know what’s going on right now over there, but I’m committed to you, Senator, and your colleagues that I will honor the internal review process of the FBI.’ Yet, if these whistleblower allegations are true, just two days prior, Stephen Miller, at Mr. Patel’s direction, had ordered DOJ leadership not just to terminate a specific list of officials, but to speed up those terminations.”
    Durbin continued, “Mr. Patel seems to be unable to wait for Senate confirmation to carry out retribution against his perceived political enemies. Patel is a private citizen today and he was when he testified with no current role in government directing baseless firings of career public servants. This speaks directly to the fact that Mr. Patel is not fit to be entrusted with government authority, which is evident to anyone who has seriously reviewed his record.”
    Finally, Durbin explained how the ramifications of these FBI terminations are dangerous, and how they go beyond Mr. Patel’s fitness for office because these terminations have greatly weakened the FBI’s ability to protect the country from national security threats and have made Americans less safe.
    “Among those who were removed, so far by the Trump administration, are the top officials who oversee the FBI’s work combatting international and domestic terrorism… cybersecurity threats, human and drug trafficking, and violent crime. Does that make us any safer? Mr. Patel’s need to punish his perceived enemies is apparently greater than his interest in protecting the American people,” said Durbin. “Given the serious nature of these allegations and the need to protect the identities of my sources, I have asked the Department of Justice Inspector General today in a letter to investigate these claims… I urge my Republican colleagues to please take these allegations seriously and at least pause for a moment to consider whether Kash Patel is the person you want to put in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for ten years.”
    Durbin concluded, “He [Patel] has left behind a trail of grievances throughout his life, lashing out at anyone who dares to disagree with him or fails to respect him sufficiently… And now these credible allegations that he has personally orchestrated a purge of senior FBI law enforcement officials. The FBI is an agency that plays a critical role in keeping us safe from terrorism, violent crime, and other threats. Our nation needs an FBI director who understands the gravity of the mission, not someone who is focused on settling a political score.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Racing ahead: Australia’s roadmap to bidirectional charging launched

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    Overview

    • Category

      Uncategorised

    • Date

      12 February 2025

    • Classification

      Electric vehicles

    Australia’s energy future is taking a giant leap forward with the announcement of the recently published National Roadmap for Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging (the Roadmap), commissioned by ARENA in partnership with RACE for 2030 and delivered by enX Consulting. 

    The Roadmap lays the foundation on which key industry and government stakeholders can identify and adopt policy settings and strategy initiatives to realise the benefits of bidirectional EV charging for Australians.

    Bidirectional charging refers to the ability of an electric vehicle (EV) or other energy storage systems to not only draw power from the grid to charge its battery, but also to send power back to the grid, your home or directly to other devices. This capability allows the EV to act as an energy source when needed – essentially turning cars into batteries on wheels.

    Bidirectional charging has the potential to become one of the largest forms of flexible energy storage in Australia and to materially reduce electricity costs for millions of Australians and accelerate national emissions reduction.

    While not yet directly available to Australians, the technology has been successfully tested through small-scale trials and future benefits could include:

    • Energy storage: Your EV can act as a backup power supply for homes or businesses in case of a power outage in place of a dedicated home battery.
    • Reduced power bills: Once the technology becomes widely available, consumers with V2G-enabled EVs will have the opportunity to take advantage of their own ‘battery on wheels’ to respond to dynamic electricity pricing and make further savings.
    • Grid support: It can help stabilise the power grid by supplying power back during times of high demand.

    ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said bidirectional charging, and particularly Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, means EVs won’t just be vehicles; they’re the future of distributed energy storage and represent a game-changing opportunity for Australia’s energy future.

    “By the early 2030s, the battery capacity of our electric vehicle fleet is projected to outstrip all other forms of energy storage in the National Electricity Market”, Mr Miller said.

    “With estimates suggesting 1.5 million EVs on Australian roads by 2030, even 10% of those adopting V2G could meet 37% of the NEM’s total storage needs while also giving Australians control over their contribution to the clean energy transition”

    “This innovation isn’t just beneficial for the grid – it could also save Australians up to $5 billion in total by reducing the need for large-scale battery storage investments.

    Bidirectional charging is a small but important step toward creating an Australian energy network that’s more renewable, more reliable and more affordable for all Australians”.

    ARENA has been active in this space for several years. The Bidirectional Roadmap is the latest in a series of Australian-first studies and projects initiated by ARENA since 2019.

    This included ARENA’s first V2X strategy, which committed to developing a national V2X market activation strategy, in partnership with wider government, industry and academic institutions.

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 143KB)

    MIL OSI News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon and Related Companies Agree to Pay More than $1 Million to Resolve Allegations that They Falsely Certified Eligibility for PPP Loans

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – Ralph Caruso of Wenham and five companies that he part-owns, have agreed to pay $1.065 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that the companies falsely certified to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) their eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. As part of the settlement, Caruso and his companies admitted that the loan applications falsely stated that the companies did not have owners who had pleaded guilty to certain felonies, but in fact Mr. Caruso had pleaded guilty to tax and mail fraud charges.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses, through the PPP. On Jan. 8, 2021, SBA announced the availability of a second round of PPP loans, known as Second Draw PPP loans. Entities that applied for Second Draw PPP loans had to certify, among other things, that no owner of the applicant had pleaded guilty to any felony involving fraud.  

    As detailed in the settlement agreement, on Jan. 21, 2021, Caruso pleaded guilty in federal court in Massachusetts to seven counts of aiding and assisting the filing of false tax returns, and five counts of mail fraud. Between Feb. 26, 2021, and April 1, 2021, five companies in which Caruso had at least a 20% ownership stake applied for Second Draw PPP loans. Caruso’s companies — Caruso Equipment Corp., Flush LLC, Above the Line LLC, LL Burlington LLC, and City Rentals LLC — received a total of $655,635 in loans. These companies, through individuals other than Caruso, later applied for and received forgiveness from SBA of these loans, including interest.

    The United States contends that these companies were not eligible for Second Draw PPP loans due to Caruso’s felony convictions and ownership interests, and that Caruso and these companies thus submitted or caused to be submitted false claims for payment to SBA.  

    “Faced with potential economic catastrophe wrought by the pandemic, SBA made PPP loans available only to certain trusted recipients — not those with felony fraud convictions,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “The ink was barely dry on Caruso’s guilty plea when his companies unlawfully applied for these PPP. This office will continue to hold accountable those who took advantage of the PPP and other taxpayer-funded pandemic relief.”

    “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other Federal law enforcement agencies to recover the product of this fraud as well as penalties,” said SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    U.S. Attorney Foley and SBA General Counsel Davis made the announcement today. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew A. Caffrey, III and Brian Sullivan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously Convicted Felon from Swissvale Indicted for Possession of Firearm

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

    PITTSBURH, Pa. – A resident of Swissvale, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The one-count Indictment named Robert Prater, 33, as the sole defendant.

    According to the Indictment, on or about January 27, 2025, Prater possessed a firearm as a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

    The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders on the Senate Floor: “What the Oligarchs Really Want”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today gave remarks on the floor of the Senate regarding how Elon Musk and his fellow oligarchs are waging a war on the working class of America.
    Sanders’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below and can be watched HERE:
    M. President, we are living in an extremely dangerous time. Future generations will look back at this moment – what we do right now – and remember whether we had the courage to defend our democracy against the growing threats of oligarchy and authoritarianism. They will remember whether we stood with President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg who in 1863, looking out at a battlefield where thousands died in the struggle against slavery and stated that; “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that a government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Do we stand with Lincoln’s vision of America or do we allow this country to move to a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires and for the billionaires?
    But it’s not just oligarchy that we should be concerned about, and the reality that the 3 richest people in America now own more wealth than the bottom half of our society – 170 million people. It’s not just that the gap between the very rich and everyone else is growing wider, and that we have more income and wealth inequality today than we’ve ever had.
    It is also that we are looking at a rapid movement, under President Trump, toward authoritarianism. More and more power resting in fewer and fewer hands.
    M. President, as we speak, right now, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is attempting to dismantle major agencies of the federal government which are designed to protect the needs of working families and the disadvantaged. These agencies were created by the U.S. Congress and it is Congress’ responsibility to maintain them, reform them or end them. It is not Mr. Musk’s responsibility. What Mr. Musk is doing is patently illegal and unconstitutional – and must be stopped.
    M. President. Two weeks ago, President Trump attempted to suspend all federal grants and loans – an outrageous and clearly unconstitutional act. As I hope every 6th grader in America knows, under the Constitution and our form of government the president can recommend legislation, he can support legislation, he can veto legislation, but he does not have the power to unilaterally terminate funding passed by Congress. It is Congress, the House and the Senate, who control the purse strings.
    But it’s not just Congress that’s under attack. It’s our judiciary.
    This weekend, the Vice President, a graduate of Yale Law School, who clerked for a Supreme Court Justice, said that: “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.” Really? I thought that one of the major functions of the federal courts is to interpret our Constitution and, when appropriate, serve as a check on unconstitutional executive power.
    Mr. Musk, meanwhile, has proposed that “the worst 1% of appointed judges be fired every year,” and demanded the impeachment of judges that have blocked him from accessing sensitive Treasury Department files. No doubt, under Mr. Musk’s rule, it will be him and his billionaire friends who determine who the “worst” judges are. And no, Mr. Musk, you don’t impeach judges who rule against you. You may or may not know this, but under the U.S. Constitution, we have a separation of powers, brilliantly crafted by the founding fathers of this country in the 1770s.
    So, we are seeing an organized attack on Congress and the courts.
    But Trump and his friends aren’t just trying to undermine two of the three pillars of our constitutional government – Congress and the courts. They are also going after the media in a way that we have never seen in the modern history of this country.
    Every member of Congress will tell you that people in the media, and media organizations, are not perfect. They, like everyone else, make mistakes every day. But I hope that every member of Congress understands that you cannot have a functioning democracy without an independent press – non-intimidated journalists who can write it and say it the way they see it. And in that regard, I want to remind my colleagues what this president has done in recent months.
    President Trump has sued ABC and received a $15 million settlement. He has sued Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and received a $25 million settlement. He has sued CBS, and its parent company Paramount, is apparently in negotiations over a settlement. He has sued the Des Moines Register, and his FCC is now threatening to investigate PBS and NPR.
    In other words, we have a President of the United States who is using his power to go after media in this country who are saying and doing things he doesn’t like. How are we going to have an independent media if journalists are looking over their shoulders, fearful that their reporting will trigger a lawsuit from the most powerful man in the world?
    M. President. Now is the time to ask a very simple question. What do Mr. Musk, Mr. Trump and their fellow billionaires really want? What is their endgame?
    And in my view, the answer is not complicated. It is not novel. It is not new. It is what ruling classes throughout history have always wanted and have always believed is theirs by right: more power, more control and more wealth. And they are determined to not allow democracy and the rule of law to get in their way.
    For Mr. Musk and his fellow oligarchs, the needs, the concerns, the ideas, the dreams of ordinary people are simply an impediment to what they, the oligarchs, are entitled to. That is what they really believe.
    This is not the first time we’ve seen this in our country’s history.
    In pre-revolutionary America, before the 1770s, the ruling class of that time governed through a doctrine called the “divine right of kings,” the belief that the King of England was an agent of God, God appointed him, and he was not to be questioned by mere mortals.
    In modern times we no longer have the “divine right of kings.” What we NOW have is an ideology being pushed by the oligarchs which says that as very, very wealthy people – often self-made, often the masters of revolutionary new technology and as “high-IQ individuals,” it is THEIR absolute right to rule. In other words, the oligarchs of today are our modern-day kings.
    And it is not just power that they want. Despite the incredible wealth they have they want more, and more and more. Their greed has no end. Today, Mr. Musk is worth $402 billion, Mr. Zuckerberg is worth $252 billion and Mr. Bezos is worth $249 billion. With combined wealth of $903 billion, these 3 people own more wealth than the bottom half of American society — 170 million people.
    Not surprisingly, since Trump was elected, their wealth has soared. Elon Musk has become $138 billion richer, Zuckerberg has become $49 billion richer and Bezos has become $28 billion richer – since Election Day.
    Meanwhile, while the very rich become much richer, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, 85 million are uninsured or under-insured, 25% of seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 or less, 800,000 are homeless and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth. And real, inflation adjusted wages for the average American worker have been stagnant for 50 years.
    Do you think the oligarchs give a damn about these people? Trust me, they don’t. Musk’s decision to dismember U.S. AID means that tens of thousands of the poorest people around the world will go hungry or die of preventable diseases.
    But it’s not just abroad. Here in the United States they’ll soon be going after the healthcare, nutrition, housing, and educational programs that protect the most vulnerable people in our country – all so that Congress can provide huge tax breaks for them and their fellow billionaires. As modern-day kings, who believe they have the absolute right to rule, they will sacrifice, without hesitation, the well-being of working people to protect their privilege.
    Further, they will use the enormous media operations they own to deflect attention away from the impact of their policies while they “entertain us to death.” Mr. Musk owns twitter. Mr. Zuckerberg owns Meta – which includes Facebook and Instagram – and Mr. Bezos owns the Washington Post. Further, they and their fellow oligarchs, will continue to spend huge amounts of money to buy politicians in both major political parties.
    Bottom line: The oligarchs, with their enormous resources, are waging a war on the working class of this country, and it is a war they are intent on winning.
    Now, I am not going to kid you — the problems this country faces right now are serious and they are not easy to solve. The economy is rigged, our campaign finance system is corrupt and we are struggling to control climate change — among many other important issues.
    But this is what I do know:
    The worst fear that the ruling class in this country has is that Americans — Black, White, Latino, urban and rural, gay and straight, young and old — come together to demand a government that represents all of us, not just the wealthy few.
    Their oligarch’s nightmare is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided up by race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin and will, together, have the courage to take them on.
    Will this struggle be easy? Absolutely not.
    And one of the reasons that it will not be easy is that the ruling class of this country will constantly remind you that THEY have all the power. They control the government, they own the media.
    But our job right now, in these difficult times, is to not forget the great struggles and sacrifices that millions of people have waged over the several centuries to create a more democratic, just and humane society. Think about what people THEN were saying.
    Overthrowing the King of England to create a new nation and self-rule. Impossible.
    Establishing universal suffrage. Impossible.
    Ending slavery and segregation. Impossible.
    Granting workers the right to form unions and ending child labor. Impossible.
    Giving women control over their own bodies. Impossible.
    Passing legislation to establish Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, a minimum wage, clean air and water standards. Impossible.
    In other words, as Nelson Mandela told us, everything is impossible until it is done.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Exempt Seasonal Firefighters From Federal Hiring Freeze

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Exempt Seasonal Firefighters From Federal Hiring Freeze

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and 13 other Democratic Senators in urging senior Trump Administration officials to reverse the hiring and onboarding freeze of federal seasonal firefighters that threatens the safety of communities in California and across the nation. The Trump Administration’s January 20 hiring freeze of federal civilian employees inexplicably did not exempt federal seasonal firefighters, despite exempting other critical public safety personnel.
    Federal seasonal firefighters risk their lives to protect communities and save lives. This hiring freeze is particularly dangerous as we ramp up staffing and training ahead of peak wildfire season. While Padilla secured a temporary pay raise for wildland firefighters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recruitment and retention remain significant challenges as firefighters work long hours with insufficient pay. The attrition rate of firefighters at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has been 45 percent over the past four years — making the hiring freeze at USFS, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service all the more dangerous.
    “The Administration must not sacrifice the safety of the American people for the benefit of implementing a political agenda,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to immediately reverse course, begin hiring and onboarding seasonal firefighters again, and continue supporting and growing the federal firefighting workforce.”
    “The bottom line is this: pausing the hiring and onboarding of federal seasonal firefighters — while historic wildfires destroy communities and upend livelihoods across the West — is simply irresponsible and dangerous,” continued the Senators. “We will be woefully unprepared to fight the fires to come and instead will continue to see record levels of damage, ultimately costing communities and taxpayers even more at a time when the cost of living is already too high.”
    Wildfires are increasing in frequency and destructiveness in California and across the nation. Last month, the devastating Southern California fires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, burned over 57,000 acres and destroyed over 16,200 structures, claiming the lives of at least 29 victims. Nationally, over 64,800 fires burned 9 million acres in 2024, up from approximately 56,500 wildfires and 3 million acres in 2023. The rise in catastrophic wildfires demands even more seasonal firefighter hiring — not a freeze.
    In addition to Senators Padilla and Rosen, the letter was also signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    Senator Padilla has consistently pushed to protect our wildland firefighting force. Last month, Padilla reintroduced the bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to protect the pay raise he secured for wildland firefighters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2023, Padilla and a bipartisan group of Senators urged Senate leadership to avoid mass resignations within the wildland firefighter ranks by ensuring the prompt passage of their bipartisan legislation. Padilla and a bipartisan group of Senators also urged the Biden Administration to establish a special pay rate for federal wildland firefighters to prevent staffing shortages and strengthen wildfire response efforts in 2022. Following that request, the Administration announced a temporary pay raise. Additionally, Padilla’s Wildfire Emergency Act, announced last week, would establish a prescribed fire-training center in the West and authorize grants to support training the next generation of foresters and firefighters, among other important fire mitigation efforts.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Burgum, Acting Secretary Washington, and Acting Director Ezell:
    We write today following reports that hiring and onboarding for federal seasonal firefighters has stopped due to the Trump Administration’s federal hiring freeze. We are extremely concerned to hear that this is happening across the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service ahead of what’s expected to be another devastating wildfire year. The Administration must not sacrifice the safety of the American people for the benefit of implementing a political agenda. We urge you to immediately reverse course, begin hiring and onboarding seasonal firefighters again, and continue supporting and growing the federal firefighting workforce.
    President Trump’s January 20th memorandum ordered a hiring freeze for all federal civilian employees. It also explicitly exempted public safety personnel from this freeze and allowed the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to grant further exemptions. We are appalled that federal seasonal firefighters are not already exempted, given the critical role they play in public safety throughout our communities. Federal seasonal firefighters are brave public servants who risk their lives to protect those around them. They work long hours in dangerous environments to not only fight fires on private, public, and Tribal lands, but also carry out hazardous fuels management, which is crucial to preventing and mitigating the effects of future fires.
    Wildfires are increasing in frequency and destructiveness in the U.S., necessitating even greater seasonal firefighter hiring. In 2024, over 64,800 wildfires occurred across the country, which is up from approximately 56,500 in 2023. Additionally, fires burned nearly 9 million acres in 2024, compared to only 3 million in 2023. Such fires also no longer stick to a particular season, meaning that we must be prepared 365 days per year to fight fires, putting even more stress and strain on a workforce that desperately needs additional support and higher pay. While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law led to some small increases from the 18,700 seasonal and career federal firefighters we had in 2022, this investment is still not meeting our current wildfire needs.
    Although there is an urgent need to hire more federal firefighters, the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze does the opposite and is pausing hiring at a critical time for this already understaffed workforce.
    On top of this, firefighter retention continues to be a problem, with reports indicating that the attrition rate of firefighters at the Forest Service has been 45 percent over the past four years. We therefore need to focus on recruitment and retention of this critically important workforce, rather than place more uncertainty within it through an arbitrary freeze. The federal seasonal firefighter hiring process is already time consuming, and we don’t need to delay it further with more bureaucratic red tape.
    The bottom line is this: pausing the hiring and onboarding of federal seasonal firefighters – while historic wildfires destroy communities and upend livelihoods across the West – is simply irresponsible and dangerous. We will be woefully unprepared to fight the fires to come and instead will continue to see record levels of damage, ultimately costing communities and taxpayers even more at a time when the cost of living is already too high. We urge you to put the safety of families and communities across the country first and allow the federal seasonal firefighter hiring process to continue without delay. Every moment that we wait puts lives and livelihoods at greater risk.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government welcomes multibillion-pound Heathrow investment expected to secure thousands of steel jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Government has welcomed a multibillion-pound investment programme from Heathrow Airport which will help secure UK steel jobs.

    • Heathrow Airport announces new multibillion-pound investment programme to expand airport, including new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure and work towards its third runway.
    • Government welcomes major vote of confidence from Heathrow in its growth mission after backing a third runway, expected to secure thousands of steel jobs across the UK.
    • Heathrow signs the UK Steel Charter and commits to using UK-made steel for its construction projects wherever possible, giving a major boost to the sector.

    The Government has welcomed a new multibillion-pound investment programme from Heathrow Airport, which is expected to secure thousands of UK steel jobs across the country by driving a significant increase in demand for UK-made steel.

    In the latest in a series of UK investment wins, Heathrow will invest billions in a new expansion programme for new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure and its third runway plans, marking a major vote of confidence in the Government’s plan for growth after the Chancellor confirmed the government’s backing for Heathrow’s expansion last month.

    At an event hosted at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant today (12 February) Heathrow will also sign the UK Steel Charter, which signals the airport’s commitment to use UK-made steel wherever possible as part of its investment programme.

    The commitment represents a major win for the steel industry and will help secure thousands of existing steel jobs both at Scunthorpe and across the country. It will bring a huge increase in demand for UK-made steel to supply Heathrow’s expansion project.

    By its completion in 2008, the construction of Heathrow Terminal 5 had required 80,000 tonnes of steel, and estimates suggest construction of a third runway could require 400,000 tonnes.

    Industry Minister Sarah Jones is expected to give a keynote speech at Heathrow’s launch event today to welcome the announcement as a major step forward in the Government’s growth mission, with new investment crucial to kickstarting the UK’s economic growth and putting more money in people’s pockets, delivering on the Plan for Change.

    Industry Minister Sarah Jones is expected to say:

    This investment is the latest in a long line of wins which our Plan for Change has helped deliver, and not only secures thousands of jobs but marks a major vote of confidence in our homegrown steel sector and this government’s Industrial Strategy.

    Driving demand for UK-made steel is a crucial part of our upcoming Steel Strategy, and by signing the Steel Charter Heathrow will give a huge boost to steelmaking communities across the UK and help us kickstart economic growth.

    Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

    Expanding capacity at Heathrow is a key part of accelerating economic growth – and today’s announcement is great news for British business.

    It is real show of support for domestic steel production and supply chains across the UK. As further infrastructure projects are given the green light, many more opportunities can be seized to boost British business and drive forward growth.

    Gareth Stace, Director-General, UK Steel said:

    The UK steel industry welcomes Heathrow’s multi-billion-pound investment programme, a major boost for British businesses and a clear signal that the UK is open for growth. This transformative investment will upgrade vital infrastructure, create jobs, and strengthen the UK’s position as a global hub for trade and travel.

    As part of this commitment, Heathrow has pledged to maximise the use of UK-made steel with the UK Steel Charter, ensuring that the benefits of this project are felt across the country. British steelmakers produce world-class, high-quality products that support major infrastructure, and Heathrow’s decision to prioritise domestic steel and British business reinforces the strength and resilience of the UK supply chain.

    This is a vote of confidence in British manufacturing, supporting skilled jobs, driving investment, and helping to build a stronger, more sustainable economy.

    Heathrow’s new investment follows the Chancellor announcement of the Government’s full backing of a third runway expansion in her recent Growth Speech where she pledged to go further and faster to kickstart the UK’s economic growth.

    The Government has been clear that a third runway could add billions to a better-connected UK economy, deliver cheaper air fares and fewer delays, and drive UK exports and investment to new heights.

    According to new research from the consultancy Frontier Economics, a third runway at Heathrow Airport could increase the UK’s potential GDP by almost 0.5% directly by 2050, with over 60% of that increase going to areas outside London and the South East.

    Using UK-made steel on construction at Heathrow will also give a significant boost to the UK’s steel industry for the long term, which already supports over 75,000 jobs and contributes almost £2 billion a year to the economy.

    Background:

    • Current signatories to the UK Steel Charter include National Highways, the Railway Industry Association, Renewable UK and Sizewell C. The full list is available here: https://www.makeuk.org/about/uk-steel/uk-steel-charter-homepage/our-signatories-page
    • For further details on Heathrow’s investment announcement, please contact Chris Anderson, Press Officer at chris.anderson@heathrow.com, 07788561635

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    Updates to this page

    Published 11 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Minister to attend international security conference

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Defence Minister Judith Collins leaves today for Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference and hold a range of bilateral meetings.
    “In these times of rising geopolitical tension, open dialogue and defence diplomacy are more important than ever,” Ms Collins says.
    “I am looking forward to attending this annual conference, to meet face-to-face with my counterparts and to share New Zealand’s views on important security issues when I speak at it.”
    During the three-day conference Ms Collins will take part in a panel discussion on Connected Theatres: Europe and Asia Security Spheres<, and hold a number of bilateral meetings with some key counterparts. “We are an island nation that relies on a safe and interconnected world in order to prosper. The ongoing war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific are all matters which impact New Zealand,” Ms Collins says. “We are committed to reinvigorating our security relationships, to playing our part, and working with like-minded partners to uphold the international rules-based system and democratic values that are fundamental to our security and prosperity.” Ms Collins returns to New Zealand on 18 February.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 12, 2025
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