NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest In New York in Support of Religious Muslim Community’s Land Use Claim

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    The Justice Department filed a statement of interest today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York supporting a claim by a religious Islamic organization that the Town of Oyster Bay violated its rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied the organization’s site plan application to expand its current facility into a mosque that would meet the religious needs of its congregation.

    The lawsuit alleges that Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) have worshipped at a mosque in Bethpage, Long Island, since 1998, but that it has grown and now needs additional space for prayer, religious education, ritual washing and religious counseling. In its complaint and motion for a preliminary injunction, MOLI claims that the Town’s recently revised zoning code imposes more onerous parking requirements on houses of worship than on comparable nonreligious places of assembly like theaters, museums and libraries.  MOLI alleges that the Town denied its application to expand its house of worship, relying on the Town’s recently revised parking code.  The Department’s statement of interest supports MOLI’s argument that the zoning code treats religious uses less favorably than non-religious uses, in violation of RLUIPA’s equal terms provision, and that the Town has failed to justify this unequal treatment.

    “RLUIPA prohibits local governments from imposing more onerous requirements on religious assemblies than comparable nonreligious assemblies,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Zoning codes violate RLUIPA when they single out religious uses for tougher restrictions than comparable secular uses.  The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigilantly enforce RLUIPA’s protections and ensure that religious groups have equal access to places to worship.”

    “Zoning regulations that unfairly restrict assemblies by faith-based groups violate federal law,” said United States Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York.  “Municipalities cannot impose tougher parking or other land use standards on houses of worship than comparable secular assemblies. The Justice Department and my Office will vigorously protect the right of religious institutions to receive equal treatment under the law.”

    RLUIPA is a federal law that protects persons and religious institutions from unduly burdensome, unequal, or discriminatory land use regulations. More information about RLUIPA and the department’s efforts to enforce it can be found on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage.

    As part of this initiative, the department distributed a letter to state, county, and municipal leaders throughout the country to remind them of their obligations under RLUIPA, including its requirement that land use regulations treat religious assemblies and institutions at least as well as nonreligious assemblies and institutions.

    Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section at (718) 254-7000 or the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (833) 591-0291 or may submit a complaint through the RLUIPA complaint portal. More information about RLUIPA, including questions and answers about the law and other documents, may be found at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in New York in Support of Muslim Community’s Land Use Claim

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    The Justice Department filed a statement of interest today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York supporting a claim by a religious Islamic organization that the Town of Oyster Bay violated its rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied the organization’s site plan application to expand its current facility into a mosque that would meet the religious needs of its congregation. 

    The lawsuit alleges that Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) have worshipped at a mosque in Bethpage, Long Island, since 1998, but that it has grown and now needs additional space for prayer, religious education, ritual washing and religious counseling. In its complaint and motion for a preliminary injunction, MOLI claims that the Town’s recently revised zoning code imposes more onerous parking requirements on houses of worship than on comparable nonreligious places of assembly like theaters, museums and libraries. MOLI alleges that the Town denied its application to expand its house of worship, relying on the Town’s revised parking code.  The Department’s statement of interest supports MOLI’s argument that the zoning code treats religious uses less favorably than non-religious uses, in violation of RLUIPA’s equal terms provision, and that the Town has failed to justify this unequal treatment.

    “RLUIPA prohibits local governments from imposing more onerous requirements on religious assemblies than comparable nonreligious assemblies,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Zoning codes violate RLUIPA when they single out religious uses for tougher restrictions than comparable secular uses.  The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigilantly enforce RLUIPA’s protections and ensure that religious groups have equal access to places to worship.” 

    “Zoning regulations that unfairly restrict assemblies by faith-based groups violate federal law,” said United States Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York.  “Municipalities cannot impose tougher parking or other land use standards on houses of worship than comparable secular assemblies. The Justice Department and my Office will vigorously protect the right of religious institutions to receive equal treatment under the law.”

    RLUIPA is a federal law that protects persons and religious institutions from unduly burdensome, unequal, or discriminatory land use regulations. More information about RLUIPA and the department’s efforts to enforce it can be found on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage.

    The department distributed a letter to state, county, and municipal leaders throughout the country to remind them of their obligations under RLUIPA, including its requirement that land use regulations treat religious assemblies and institutions at least as well as nonreligious assemblies and institutions. 

    This matter is being handled by the Office’s Civil Division, Civil Rights Chief Michael J. Goldberger with Trial Attorneys Noah Sacks and Beth Pepper of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

    Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section at (718) 254-7000 or the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (833) 591-0291 or may submit a complaint through the RLUIPA complaint portal. More information about RLUIPA, including questions and answers about the law and other documents, may be found at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php.

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No.:  25-CV-428 (SJB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Takes Action to Protect Free Speech

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other attorneys general today took legal action to stop the Trump administration’s “Ideological Deportation Policy,” a sweeping and alarming effort to arrest, detain, and deport noncitizens for exercising their right to free speech. In an amicus brief filed in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio, the attorneys general urge the Court to block enforcement of the administration’s policy, which targets individuals, many of them students and scholars, for immigration enforcement based on their beliefs. The attorneys general argue this policy is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and is inflicting lasting harm on academic institutions, students, and state economies.

    “Our democracy depends on the freedom to think, to speak, and to learn without fear,” said Attorney General James. “No one should face detention or deportation for exercising their right to free speech – not in New York, or in any other state in our nation. This policy is a dangerous overreach, and I will not allow fear and censorship to replace freedom and opportunity. My office is standing firmly against any effort to weaponize immigration to silence free speech and dissent.”

    In the brief, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the Trump administration is weaponizing immigration enforcement to punish individuals for expressing their political views, in clear violation of the First Amendment’s free speech protections. The attorneys general assert that this targeted censorship, which has reportedly resulted in more than 800 visa cancellations in recent weeks, undermines academic freedom, suppresses classroom conversation, and sends a chilling message to students and faculty nationwide. The attorneys general highlight disturbing examples of federal overreach, including the arrest of a Tufts University PhD student by masked, plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after she co-authored an op-ed in a campus newspaper – a case that has created widespread fear among international students at institutions across the country.

    The attorneys general argue that the federal government’s aggressive enforcement tactics, including sudden raids, public arrests by undercover officers, and swift out-of-state transfers, serve no legitimate public safety or national security purpose. Instead, they simply serve to intimidate noncitizens into silence, violating constitutional rights and using fear as a tool of enforcement.

    Attorney General James and the coalition warn of the devastating impact this policy has on higher education. Colleges and universities rely on the open exchange of ideas to foster learning and innovation, and international students and scholars are central to that mission. In New York and across the country, noncitizens bring vital perspectives, conduct groundbreaking research, and contribute significantly to economic growth. Their forced departure threatens both institutional excellence and state economies.

    In New York, the effects are already being felt. The State University of New York (SUNY) system has already experienced a sharp decline in international applications, visa approvals, and continued enrollment. Moreover, faculty and students are canceling academic travel, forgoing research funding, and reconsidering their futures in the country out of fear of deportation or reentry denial. The federal government’s policy is also having a chilling effect on academic speech, particularly on global and political issues, and threatening programs, finances, and international partnerships.

    The policy’s consequences extend beyond academia. The attorneys general argue that when noncitizens fear they could be deported for their beliefs, they are less likely to report crimes, seek healthcare, or participate in civic and religious life – threatening public safety, public health, and religious freedom. Economically, the policy discourages global talent from coming to or remaining in the United States, jeopardizing industries that rely on international workers and students.

    Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the Court to halt this policy immediately, which they argue is making states less safe, less democratic, and less free.

    Joining Attorney General James in this brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra’s best sandwiches

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    • This list includes cafes and delis from around Canberra.

    Chicken, roast beef, curried egg, salad, tuna or jam – however you like them, there’s a sandwich for everyone. We’re here to help you discover the best sandwiches Canberra has to offer.

    We asked Canberrans on WeAreCBR to name their favourite sandwich spot. These were the standouts, as voted by you:

    Located in No Name Lane, Sandoochie is open Monday-Friday to feed the working Canberrans. You will hardly ever see this joint without a line out the door. They offer a tantalising choice of 3-4 sandwiches and change the menu weekly.

    Blue Olive Café is located in the Melbourne Building. They offer a range of great Chunky New York style sandwiches for your next work lunch.

    This place not only offers great sandwiches and coffee, but you can grab both without even leaving your car. Kickstart is a drive-through cafe located in Fyshwick and Dickson, and they’ve just opened a third location in Belconnen.

    Melted menu items range from cheese toasties to Mi Goreng noodles – anything you would think wouldn’t go on a toastie is on offer.

    With over 10 locations in Canberra, Two Before Ten has become a go-to brunch and lunch spot. Of course they are offering up some solid sandwiches. They’ve got them fresh or toasted, and gluten-free and vego options.

    San Churro is a first and foremost a dessert venue, but who would’ve guessed they are also serving up some delicious toasties?!

    Hop into Bad Bunny for a great selection of sandwiches. They’ve got it all, from pork belly, corned beef to crispy chicken. They also have a great plant-based option of pulled mushroom with vegan cheese and vegan mayo.

    Bean Origin serves up great breakfast and lunch items. Try one of their delicious steak-sandwiches or toasties!

    &Sando is the casual counterpart to Matt Moran’s Compa. The menu features fresh deli counter sandwiches and pastries. Keep an eye out for the specials – past favourites have included Bolognese, provolone and bechamel, and a toasted truffle sando.

    Al’s Diner is bringing the New York-style deli experience to Alinga Street. Choose from fresh or hot sandwiches with flavours like beef & pickle, mushroom melt, chicken salad or the schnitty roll.

    You’ll find this bakery tucked away at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets. They’re well-loved for their breads and pastries, and their sandwiches are just as delicious. Choose from ciabatta or sourdough with options like hot salami, smoked salmon, marinated pumpkin or roasted capsicum.

    The sandwiches at Café Stepping Stone come with a side of social good. Stepping Stone create employment opportunities for migrant and refugee women. The potato masala toastie or green Reuben toastie are available at both locations.

    You’ll find this Dutch-inspired patisserie inside Manuka Court. Their display shelves are filled with pastries, cakes, and croquembouche. Regulars love the toasted and fresh sandwich options.

    Lava is well-known for their coffee, but did you know they offer tasty toasties? Flavours include classics like ham, cheese and tomato, as well as chorizo, chilli jam, basil and Swiss cheese.

    Empanadas and coffee are specialties of this suburban gem. They also offer pastries as well as fresh or toasted sandwiches.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jim Costa Votes Against Republicans’ Reckless Budget Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa released the following statement after he voted against Congressional Republicans’ reckless budget resolution, H.Con.Res 14, which would establish the congressional budget for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2025.“In less than 100 days, President Trump and Republicans have created economic chaos. Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs, crashing the stock market, and squeezing the pocketbooks of Americans. Now, Republicans are gutting Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical lifelines with the biggest cuts in history. I voted against this reckless budget resolution because turning our backs on America’s safety isn’t leadership, it’s cruelty. I won’t stop fighting back.” said Congressman Costa.BACKGROUNDCongressional Republicans passed a budget resolution that unlocks the next step in the budget reconciliation process and will allow committees in both the House and the Senate to begin drafting legislation to meet their targets, but Republicans long ago leaked their menu of options.

    Energy and Commerce Committee to cut at least $880 billion, which will lead to deep cuts to Medicaid – impacting 456,532 Medicaid enrollees in Costa’s district, and over 1.8 million enrollees in the San Joaquin Valley. 
    Agriculture Committee to cut at least $230 billion from nutrition assistance, which would cause over 131,000 people in Costa’s district to lose SNAP/food stamps. 
    Oversight and Reform Committee to cut at least $50 billion, which would endanger government employee retirement benefits and further cut the federal workforce. 
    Education and Workforce Committee to cut at least $330 billion targeting student loan programs, income-driven repayment, Pell grants, and school meals. 
    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to claw back $10 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, preventing further investments in the San Joaquin Valley and California.  

    This also instructs the House Ways and Means Committee to approve tax cuts of $4.5 trillion over 10 years, while raising the deficit without accountability.
    The Yale Budget Lab found that the bottom 40 percent of Americans would see their costs go up and 70 percent of the benefits from the Republican budget would go to the richest 5 percent.  According to data from the House Budget Democrats, over 1.8 million people across the San Joaquin Valley depend on Medicaid – that’s larger than the state of West Virginia’s entire population.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter: How Idaho is Taking Legal Action Against Illegal Immigration

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Dear Friends,
    Illegal immigration isn’t just a problem for South Texas, Arizona, or California. It’s a national crisis—and Idaho is feeling the impact. Trafficking routes stretch from both the southern and northern borders into every region of the country, and our communities are not immune.
    Here in Idaho, we’ve seen the consequences of the last four years: cartel-linked drug operations, the exploitation of minors through human trafficking, and illegal labor that drives down wages and strains schools, hospitals, and law enforcement. These aren’t distant policy debates—they are real threats to the safety of Idaho families, the economy, and our state sovereignty.
    As your Attorney General, I want to speak plainly about what my office is doing, what state law gives us the authority to do, and why understanding those boundaries is essential to having a serious conversation about public safety and immigration enforcement.
    Under current Idaho law, the Attorney General does not have general authority to investigate or prosecute immigration-related crimes. Unlike local prosecutors and sheriffs, whose jurisdiction is county-based, my office may only act where specific authority has been granted by state law.
    For example, the Legislature has authorized my office to investigate internet crimes against children statewide under Idaho Code section 67-1410. But state law does not currently authorize my office to investigate or prosecute most crimes like human trafficking or crimes included in the Idaho ICE Act. This isn’t a matter of discretion—it’s the legal framework we’re required to follow.
    That distinction matters. While we partner closely with local and federal law enforcement whenever possible, our jurisdiction is defined by the authority granted to us in state law. Until that law changes, we will continue to use every legal tool available and authorized to protect Idahoans.
    And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
    Over the past two years, my office has joined multiple lawsuits to stop the Biden Administration’s unlawful immigration policies. We partnered with Texas in defending its sovereign right to secure its own border. And just this week, I joined a coalition of states in an amicus brief defending the Trump Administration’s authority to enforce federal immigration law and block sanctuary policies in states like Illinois.
    At the same time, we’re actively defending Idaho’s legislative efforts to safeguard public safety. That includes House Bill 83, recently enacted to strengthen our state’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Predictably, the ACLU filed suit almost immediately after the bill was signed into law. This week, my office appeared in federal court to defend the law and Idaho’s authority to play a meaningful role in enforcing immigration policy. While the court issued a narrow temporary restraining order blocking two provisions—those that would create state-level offenses for unlawful entry or re-entry into the U.S. when tied to a separate criminal investigation or detention—it allowed the rest of the law to temporarily take effect immediately while we await the judge’s full decision. That’s a significant step forward in Idaho’s ongoing effort to work alongside federal partners to protect our state.
    With a new administration in Washington ready to restore the rule of law and national security, Idaho has a partner in the federal government willing to enforce immigration policy instead of undermining it. My office is engaged, coordinated, and committed to using every authority granted to us under Idaho law to defend our state’s sovereignty and protect our communities.
    Best regards,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Surpasses $12 Billion in Compensation to Crime Victims Since 2000

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    To commemorate the 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Department of Justice reaffirms its steadfast commitment to compensate crime victims with federally forfeited assets. The Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program has surpassed $12 billion in compensation to crime victims.

    In fiscal year 2024 and the beginning of fiscal year 2025 alone, more than $735.3 million has been returned to victims of human trafficking; romance, investment, and healthcare fraud; business email compromise and government imposter schemes; drug diversion; and cryptocurrency-related thefts and frauds.

    “This extraordinary milestone demonstrates the effectiveness of the Asset Forfeiture Program in taking the profit out of crime and compensating victims,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While the Criminal Division is deeply proud of these efforts, we recognize that crime victims often lose much more than money. We hope that victims, from exploited children to older Americans targeted by sophisticated criminal schemes, can move forward in their recovery through this compensation. This milestone was made possible by the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, which manages the Asset Forfeiture Program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and the many federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have dedicated their time and resources to these investigations.”  

    Recent cases in which victims were compensated for their losses with forfeited assets in 2024 or 2025 include:

    $4.3 Billion to Victims of Bernie Madoff

    United States v. Bernard L. Madoff (Southern District of New York)

    In December 2024, the Justice Department announced that the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) would make its 10th and final distribution of over $131.4 million to victims of the Bernard L. Madoff fraud scheme. These funds were forfeited by the U.S. government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS) fraud scheme. Through its 10 distributions, MVF paid over $4.3 billion from forfeited funds to 40,930 victims in 127 countries for losses they suffered from the collapse of BLMIS, bringing recovery for victims to nearly 94% of their fraud loss. According to court documents and information presented in related proceedings, for decades, Madoff used his position as chairman of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, the investment advisory business he founded in 1960, to steal billions from his clients. On March 12, 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family, and select members of his inner circle.

    $420 Million to Victims of Fraud Schemes Facilitated by Western Union

    United States v. The Western Union Company (Middle District of Pennsylvania)

    In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States. Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud.  Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of the international consumer fraud scheme through the remission process. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission. To date, the Criminal Division has disbursed more than $420 million to approximately 175,000 victims.

    $8 Million Returned to Victims of Email Business Compromise Scams

    United States v. Olalekan Jacob Ponle (Northern District of Illinois)

    Olalekan Jacob Ponle worked with co-schemers to engage in numerous business email compromise schemes. The co-schemers used phishing links to gain unauthorized access to email accounts and then created false instructions directing employees of the victim companies to wire money to bank accounts opened by money mules at Ponle’s direction. After unwitting employees wired money, in some cases millions of dollars, to the bank accounts, Ponle instructed the money mules to convert the proceeds to Bitcoin and send them to him. As a result of Ponle’s scheme, victim companies suffered more than $8.03 million in actual losses. The government seized the Bitcoin, obtained a final order of forfeiture, liquidated the cryptocurrency, and used the proceeds to compensate the victims of Ponle’s fraud.

    $5.6 Million to the Small Business Administration

    United States v. Aydin Kalantarov, et al. (Northern District of Ohio)

    According to court documents, from May 2020 through October 2020, Aydin Kalantarov, along with his two brothers, Zaur Kalantarli and Ali Kalantarli, conspired to defraud the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) of nearly $7 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). As part of the scheme the brothers created 70 fictious Ohio corporations with agriculture sounding names. Once the fictitious corporations were created, the brothers submitted fraudulent EIDL loan applications to the SBA claiming that their business was adversely affected by the pandemic. The SBA funded 47 of the applications for a total of approximately $7 million. $5.6 million in forfeited funds was transferred to the clerk of the court for payment to the SBA.

    $2.28 Million Returned to Victims of Two Business Email Compromise Schemes

    United States v. Contents of TD Bank Account, Account Ending 7684, Held in the Name of O’Shane K. Malcolm, et al. (District of Connecticut)

    United States v. Contents of Truist Bank Account Ending 5792, Held in The Name of Quest Freight LLC (District of Connecticut)

    In the first scam, criminal actors compromised an email account associated with a member of the management team of a city’s Board of Education.  In June 2023, these actors created a fake email account that mimicked the email of a bus company that held a contract with the Board of Education for bussing. Using the fake bus company email address, the criminal actors then were able to change the bus company’s payment information from the real bus company to an account held by the criminal actors, and the city sent approximately $5.9 million dollars to the account.  The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,187,691 of the stolen money, which was returned to the city through remission.

    The second forfeiture action involved a healthcare company that was a victim of a business email compromise (BEC) attack.  In April 2023, the company’s yearly medical malpractice insurance payment was set to be paid.  Shortly before the due date, the company received a fraudulent email, purportedly from its malpractice insurance company, with new wire instructions.  The company sent approximately $1,652,254 via a wire transfer using the newly provided instructions. The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,100,694 remaining in the account, which was returned to the healthcare company through remissions.

    $328,500 to an Elderly Victim of a Computer Support Scam

    United States v. Discovery Bank Account Ending in 2237 (District of Connecticut)

    According to court documents, in February 2024, an elderly woman who was tricked by a computer support scheme that mimicked Microsoft customer support transferred approximately $550,000 to the scammers in two wire transfers. Within two days of the transfers, the victim and a family member reported the incident to a local police department, who then partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to investigate the crime. Fortunately, one of the wire transfers, in the amount of $221,000, was reversed by the bank and returned to the victim. HSI traced the remaining money, totaling approximately $328,573, and seized it. The U.S. Attorney’s Office then filed a civil asset forfeiture action to forfeit the money to the government, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI then worked with the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section to return the money to the victim.

    $6.4 Million to the Internal Revenue Service

    United States v. Michael Little (Middle District of Florida)

    From 2019 to 2021, Michael Little filed a series of false tax returns claiming massive, bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and in the names of co-conspirators and identity theft victims. As a result of this scheme, Little and his co-conspirators obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators also conspired to launder their ill-gotten gains and used significant portions of the fraudulent tax refunds to purchase real estate and other assets.  Over $6.4 million in forfeited funds were transferred to the clerk of court for payment to the IRS.

    $52,000 to a Survivor of Human Trafficking

    United States v. Thuy Tien Luong (Western District of North Carolina)

    Thuy Tien Luong was convicted of forced labor and ordered to serve 15 years in prison for compelling the labor of one of her nail technicians at a salon she owned and operated. From October 2016 to June 2018, Luong forced the survivor’s labor by, among other things, physically assaulting the survivor, threatening to ruin the survivor’s reputation with her family, and falsely claiming that the survivor owed Luong a fictitious debt. In addition to resulting in the return of funds seized from Luong to the Clerk of Court to pay the survivor, the case also resulted in the return to the survivor of a seized bracelet that Luong had held as “payment” towards the survivor’s fictitious debt.

    $6.3 Million Returned to Estate Victims of an Embezzlement Scheme

    United States v. Richard J. Sherwood, et al. (Northern District of New York)

    Starting in 2006, Richard J. Sherwood and Thomas K. Lagan provided estate planning and related legal services to Capital Region philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman, and to Pauline’s sister, Anne Urban, all of Niskayuna, New York.  They were advising the Bruggemans when, in 2006, the Bruggemans signed wills directing that all their assets go to churches, civic organizations, a local hospital, and a local university scholarship fund, aside from bequests to Urban and Julia Rentz, Pauline’s sisters.

    Warren Bruggeman died in April 2009, and Pauline died in August 2011. In each pleading guilty, Sherwood and Lagan admitted that they conspired to steal, and did steal, millions of dollars from Pauline Bruggeman’s estate as well as from the estate of Urban, who died in 2013. The co-conspirators admitted that they stole $11,831,563 and Sherwood also admitted that he transferred to himself the Bruggeman family camp located on Galway Lake, in Saratoga County.

    For additional information about the Department of Justice’s victim compensation program, please visit: Criminal Division | Victims.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Adam Gordon Sworn in as U.S. Attorney

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Adam Gordon, a career prosecutor who became a nationally-recognized expert on prosecutorial strategies to combat the fentanyl epidemic, was sworn in today as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, one of the busiest federal districts in the nation. Mr. Gordon, 43, was appointed by Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

    U.S. District Court Chief Judge Cynthia A. Bashant administered the oath of office to Gordon in the presence of his senior leadership team, office colleagues, friends and family.

    “Thank you to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for the opportunity to serve as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California,” Mr. Gordon said. “I am deeply honored to lead this office and protect the people of this district. For too long, criminal organizations have exploited the chaos at our border. That chaos of criminality and lack of consequences cannot prevail. Together with our dedicated law enforcement partners, we will focus our resources on the Operation Take Back America priorities including securing the border, prosecuting cartel leaders, and removing dangerous offenders from our communities.”

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office enforces federal criminal laws in the Southern District of California, which includes San Diego and Imperial counties, and represents the federal government in civil litigation.  The office is one of the nation’s largest, comprised of approximately 300 attorneys and staff members.  As the U.S. Attorney, Gordon is the chief federal law enforcement official for the district.

    Mr. Gordon is a veteran prosecutor who has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California since 2019. He most recently worked in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Unit. Prior to that assignment, he was the office’s Criminal Division Opioid Coordinator for approximately three years.

    Gordon was instrumental in creating the Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (“FAST”) in San Diego County which is now a national model. Formed in September 2022, FAST is a multi-agency task force led by Homeland Security Investigations working in conjunction with federal partners, along with state and local agencies to target significant fentanyl distributors in San Diego County to reduce the overdose death rate. He also has personally prosecuted many of resulting in death cases, achieving justice for the families of victims of fentanyl poisonings, including the drug dealer responsible for the death of a 13-year-old in Coronado.

    Prior to serving as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Gordon was a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego County where he prosecuted a variety of criminal matters but focused on violent crimes. From 2014 to 2018, Adam was in private practice in San Diego. Gordon received his bachelor’s degree in economics in 2004 from Harvard University, and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2008.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Risch introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to counter states that wrongfully detain Americans abroad

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, which would create new tools for the U.S. government to deter states from wrongfully detaining Americans abroad and support wrongful detainees upon their return home. The bill would create a U.S. State Department designation entitled the “State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention” to hold foreign governments accountable for wrongfully detaining Americans abroad; enhance awareness of travel advisories for Americans traveling to high-risk countries; and establish an advisory council on wrongful detention made up of survivors, family members, and experts to make policy recommendations to the executive branch.

    “I will always fight for American hostages and wrongful detainees—securing their release and making their re-entry as easy as possible for them and their families,” said Senator Coons. “As we continue to fight to return Americans who are unjustly held overseas, we must also protect Americans from being taken by our adversaries in the first place to be used as political leverage. I’m proud to reintroduce the Countering Wrongful Detention Act with my friend Senator Risch to build on our legislative success last year fighting hostage diplomacy, and I’ll keep working until this entire bill becomes law.”

    “President Trump is working to restore America as a leader on the world stage and ensure we are respected around the globe. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act will add firepower to his efforts by hitting countries that wrongfully detain American citizens with strong repercussions, including the potential of sanctions,” said Chairman Risch. “We stand with those Americans who were and are wrongfully detained, and we will work to ensure that they are freed and that no other American has to endure this injustice again.”

    Background:

    The Countering Wrongful Detention Act seeks to deter and prevent wrongful detention of Americans overseas by:

    • Creating the State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention designation for countries or entities who engage in this abhorrent practice, which would allow the secretary of State to impose a range of penalties on states that wrongfully detain Americans
    • Requiring airlines operating in the United States to disclose travel advisory information to consumers traveling to high-risk countries, particularly countries that the Department of State has issued indicators concerning risks of wrongful detention, kidnapping, or hostage taking

    The act would also refine existing processes and provide additional resources to hostages and wrongful detainees and their families by:

    • Establishing an Advisory Council on Hostage Taking and Unlawful or Wrongful Detention

    Senator Coons is also Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus. He has worked tirelessly to advance legislation to help American hostages and their families, including:

    The full text of the bill is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Surpasses $12 Billion in Compensation to Crime Victims Since 2000

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    To commemorate the 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Department of Justice reaffirms its steadfast commitment to compensate crime victims with federally forfeited assets. The Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program has surpassed $12 billion in compensation to crime victims.

    In fiscal year 2024 and the beginning of fiscal year 2025 alone, more than $735.3 million has been returned to victims of human trafficking; romance, investment, and healthcare fraud; business email compromise and government imposter schemes; drug diversion; and cryptocurrency-related thefts and frauds.

    “This extraordinary milestone demonstrates the effectiveness of the Asset Forfeiture Program in taking the profit out of crime and compensating victims,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While the Criminal Division is deeply proud of these efforts, we recognize that crime victims often lose much more than money. We hope that victims, from exploited children to older Americans targeted by sophisticated criminal schemes, can move forward in their recovery through this compensation. This milestone was made possible by the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, which manages the Asset Forfeiture Program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and the many federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have dedicated their time and resources to these investigations.”  

    Recent cases in which victims were compensated for their losses with forfeited assets in 2024 or 2025 include:

    $4.3 Billion to Victims of Bernie Madoff

    United States v. Bernard L. Madoff (Southern District of New York)

    In December 2024, the Justice Department announced that the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) would make its 10th and final distribution of over $131.4 million to victims of the Bernard L. Madoff fraud scheme. These funds were forfeited by the U.S. government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS) fraud scheme. Through its 10 distributions, MVF paid over $4.3 billion from forfeited funds to 40,930 victims in 127 countries for losses they suffered from the collapse of BLMIS, bringing recovery for victims to nearly 94% of their fraud loss. According to court documents and information presented in related proceedings, for decades, Madoff used his position as chairman of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, the investment advisory business he founded in 1960, to steal billions from his clients. On March 12, 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family, and select members of his inner circle.

    $420 Million to Victims of Fraud Schemes Facilitated by Western Union

    United States v. The Western Union Company (Middle District of Pennsylvania)

    In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States. Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud.  Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of the international consumer fraud scheme through the remission process. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission. To date, the Criminal Division has disbursed more than $420 million to approximately 175,000 victims.

    $8 Million Returned to Victims of Email Business Compromise Scams

    United States v. Olalekan Jacob Ponle (Northern District of Illinois)

    Olalekan Jacob Ponle worked with co-schemers to engage in numerous business email compromise schemes. The co-schemers used phishing links to gain unauthorized access to email accounts and then created false instructions directing employees of the victim companies to wire money to bank accounts opened by money mules at Ponle’s direction. After unwitting employees wired money, in some cases millions of dollars, to the bank accounts, Ponle instructed the money mules to convert the proceeds to Bitcoin and send them to him. As a result of Ponle’s scheme, victim companies suffered more than $8.03 million in actual losses. The government seized the Bitcoin, obtained a final order of forfeiture, liquidated the cryptocurrency, and used the proceeds to compensate the victims of Ponle’s fraud.

    $5.6 Million to the Small Business Administration

    United States v. Aydin Kalantarov, et al. (Northern District of Ohio)

    According to court documents, from May 2020 through October 2020, Aydin Kalantarov, along with his two brothers, Zaur Kalantarli and Ali Kalantarli, conspired to defraud the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) of nearly $7 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). As part of the scheme the brothers created 70 fictious Ohio corporations with agriculture sounding names. Once the fictitious corporations were created, the brothers submitted fraudulent EIDL loan applications to the SBA claiming that their business was adversely affected by the pandemic. The SBA funded 47 of the applications for a total of approximately $7 million. $5.6 million in forfeited funds was transferred to the clerk of the court for payment to the SBA.

    $2.28 Million Returned to Victims of Two Business Email Compromise Schemes

    United States v. Contents of TD Bank Account, Account Ending 7684, Held in the Name of O’Shane K. Malcolm, et al. (District of Connecticut)

    United States v. Contents of Truist Bank Account Ending 5792, Held in The Name of Quest Freight LLC (District of Connecticut)

    In the first scam, criminal actors compromised an email account associated with a member of the management team of a city’s Board of Education.  In June 2023, these actors created a fake email account that mimicked the email of a bus company that held a contract with the Board of Education for bussing. Using the fake bus company email address, the criminal actors then were able to change the bus company’s payment information from the real bus company to an account held by the criminal actors, and the city sent approximately $5.9 million dollars to the account.  The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,187,691 of the stolen money, which was returned to the city through remission.

    The second forfeiture action involved a healthcare company that was a victim of a business email compromise (BEC) attack.  In April 2023, the company’s yearly medical malpractice insurance payment was set to be paid.  Shortly before the due date, the company received a fraudulent email, purportedly from its malpractice insurance company, with new wire instructions.  The company sent approximately $1,652,254 via a wire transfer using the newly provided instructions. The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,100,694 remaining in the account, which was returned to the healthcare company through remissions.

    $328,500 to an Elderly Victim of a Computer Support Scam

    United States v. Discovery Bank Account Ending in 2237 (District of Connecticut)

    According to court documents, in February 2024, an elderly woman who was tricked by a computer support scheme that mimicked Microsoft customer support transferred approximately $550,000 to the scammers in two wire transfers. Within two days of the transfers, the victim and a family member reported the incident to a local police department, who then partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to investigate the crime. Fortunately, one of the wire transfers, in the amount of $221,000, was reversed by the bank and returned to the victim. HSI traced the remaining money, totaling approximately $328,573, and seized it. The U.S. Attorney’s Office then filed a civil asset forfeiture action to forfeit the money to the government, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI then worked with the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section to return the money to the victim.

    $6.4 Million to the Internal Revenue Service

    United States v. Michael Little (Middle District of Florida)

    From 2019 to 2021, Michael Little filed a series of false tax returns claiming massive, bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and in the names of co-conspirators and identity theft victims. As a result of this scheme, Little and his co-conspirators obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators also conspired to launder their ill-gotten gains and used significant portions of the fraudulent tax refunds to purchase real estate and other assets.  Over $6.4 million in forfeited funds were transferred to the clerk of court for payment to the IRS.

    $52,000 to a Survivor of Human Trafficking

    United States v. Thuy Tien Luong (Western District of North Carolina)

    Thuy Tien Luong was convicted of forced labor and ordered to serve 15 years in prison for compelling the labor of one of her nail technicians at a salon she owned and operated. From October 2016 to June 2018, Luong forced the survivor’s labor by, among other things, physically assaulting the survivor, threatening to ruin the survivor’s reputation with her family, and falsely claiming that the survivor owed Luong a fictitious debt. In addition to resulting in the return of funds seized from Luong to the Clerk of Court to pay the survivor, the case also resulted in the return to the survivor of a seized bracelet that Luong had held as “payment” towards the survivor’s fictitious debt.

    $6.3 Million Returned to Estate Victims of an Embezzlement Scheme

    United States v. Richard J. Sherwood, et al. (Northern District of New York)

    Starting in 2006, Richard J. Sherwood and Thomas K. Lagan provided estate planning and related legal services to Capital Region philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman, and to Pauline’s sister, Anne Urban, all of Niskayuna, New York.  They were advising the Bruggemans when, in 2006, the Bruggemans signed wills directing that all their assets go to churches, civic organizations, a local hospital, and a local university scholarship fund, aside from bequests to Urban and Julia Rentz, Pauline’s sisters.

    Warren Bruggeman died in April 2009, and Pauline died in August 2011. In each pleading guilty, Sherwood and Lagan admitted that they conspired to steal, and did steal, millions of dollars from Pauline Bruggeman’s estate as well as from the estate of Urban, who died in 2013. The co-conspirators admitted that they stole $11,831,563 and Sherwood also admitted that he transferred to himself the Bruggeman family camp located on Galway Lake, in Saratoga County.

    For additional information about the Department of Justice’s victim compensation program, please visit: Criminal Division | Victims.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Justice Department Surpasses $12 Billion in Compensation to Crime Victims Since 2000

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    To commemorate the 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Department of Justice reaffirms its steadfast commitment to compensate crime victims with federally forfeited assets. The Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program has surpassed $12 billion in compensation to crime victims.

    In fiscal year 2024 and the beginning of fiscal year 2025 alone, more than $735.3 million has been returned to victims of human trafficking; romance, investment, and healthcare fraud; business email compromise and government imposter schemes; drug diversion; and cryptocurrency-related thefts and frauds.

    “This extraordinary milestone demonstrates the effectiveness of the Asset Forfeiture Program in taking the profit out of crime and compensating victims,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While the Criminal Division is deeply proud of these efforts, we recognize that crime victims often lose much more than money. We hope that victims, from exploited children to older Americans targeted by sophisticated criminal schemes, can move forward in their recovery through this compensation. This milestone was made possible by the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, which manages the Asset Forfeiture Program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and the many federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have dedicated their time and resources to these investigations.”  

    Recent cases in which victims were compensated for their losses with forfeited assets in 2024 or 2025 include:

    $4.3 Billion to Victims of Bernie Madoff

    United States v. Bernard L. Madoff (Southern District of New York)

    In December 2024, the Justice Department announced that the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) would make its 10th and final distribution of over $131.4 million to victims of the Bernard L. Madoff fraud scheme. These funds were forfeited by the U.S. government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS) fraud scheme. Through its 10 distributions, MVF paid over $4.3 billion from forfeited funds to 40,930 victims in 127 countries for losses they suffered from the collapse of BLMIS, bringing recovery for victims to nearly 94% of their fraud loss. According to court documents and information presented in related proceedings, for decades, Madoff used his position as chairman of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, the investment advisory business he founded in 1960, to steal billions from his clients. On March 12, 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family, and select members of his inner circle.

    $420 Million to Victims of Fraud Schemes Facilitated by Western Union

    United States v. The Western Union Company (Middle District of Pennsylvania)

    In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States. Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud.  Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of the international consumer fraud scheme through the remission process. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission. To date, the Criminal Division has disbursed more than $420 million to approximately 175,000 victims.

    $8 Million Returned to Victims of Email Business Compromise Scams

    United States v. Olalekan Jacob Ponle (Northern District of Illinois)

    Olalekan Jacob Ponle worked with co-schemers to engage in numerous business email compromise schemes. The co-schemers used phishing links to gain unauthorized access to email accounts and then created false instructions directing employees of the victim companies to wire money to bank accounts opened by money mules at Ponle’s direction. After unwitting employees wired money, in some cases millions of dollars, to the bank accounts, Ponle instructed the money mules to convert the proceeds to Bitcoin and send them to him. As a result of Ponle’s scheme, victim companies suffered more than $8.03 million in actual losses. The government seized the Bitcoin, obtained a final order of forfeiture, liquidated the cryptocurrency, and used the proceeds to compensate the victims of Ponle’s fraud.

    $5.6 Million to the Small Business Administration

    United States v. Aydin Kalantarov, et al. (Northern District of Ohio)

    According to court documents, from May 2020 through October 2020, Aydin Kalantarov, along with his two brothers, Zaur Kalantarli and Ali Kalantarli, conspired to defraud the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) of nearly $7 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). As part of the scheme the brothers created 70 fictious Ohio corporations with agriculture sounding names. Once the fictitious corporations were created, the brothers submitted fraudulent EIDL loan applications to the SBA claiming that their business was adversely affected by the pandemic. The SBA funded 47 of the applications for a total of approximately $7 million. $5.6 million in forfeited funds was transferred to the clerk of the court for payment to the SBA.

    $2.28 Million Returned to Victims of Two Business Email Compromise Schemes

    United States v. Contents of TD Bank Account, Account Ending 7684, Held in the Name of O’Shane K. Malcolm, et al. (District of Connecticut)

    United States v. Contents of Truist Bank Account Ending 5792, Held in The Name of Quest Freight LLC (District of Connecticut)

    In the first scam, criminal actors compromised an email account associated with a member of the management team of a city’s Board of Education.  In June 2023, these actors created a fake email account that mimicked the email of a bus company that held a contract with the Board of Education for bussing. Using the fake bus company email address, the criminal actors then were able to change the bus company’s payment information from the real bus company to an account held by the criminal actors, and the city sent approximately $5.9 million dollars to the account.  The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,187,691 of the stolen money, which was returned to the city through remission.

    The second forfeiture action involved a healthcare company that was a victim of a business email compromise (BEC) attack.  In April 2023, the company’s yearly medical malpractice insurance payment was set to be paid.  Shortly before the due date, the company received a fraudulent email, purportedly from its malpractice insurance company, with new wire instructions.  The company sent approximately $1,652,254 via a wire transfer using the newly provided instructions. The government successfully seized and forfeited approximately $1,100,694 remaining in the account, which was returned to the healthcare company through remissions.

    $328,500 to an Elderly Victim of a Computer Support Scam

    United States v. Discovery Bank Account Ending in 2237 (District of Connecticut)

    According to court documents, in February 2024, an elderly woman who was tricked by a computer support scheme that mimicked Microsoft customer support transferred approximately $550,000 to the scammers in two wire transfers. Within two days of the transfers, the victim and a family member reported the incident to a local police department, who then partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to investigate the crime. Fortunately, one of the wire transfers, in the amount of $221,000, was reversed by the bank and returned to the victim. HSI traced the remaining money, totaling approximately $328,573, and seized it. The U.S. Attorney’s Office then filed a civil asset forfeiture action to forfeit the money to the government, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI then worked with the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section to return the money to the victim.

    $6.4 Million to the Internal Revenue Service

    United States v. Michael Little (Middle District of Florida)

    From 2019 to 2021, Michael Little filed a series of false tax returns claiming massive, bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and in the names of co-conspirators and identity theft victims. As a result of this scheme, Little and his co-conspirators obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators also conspired to launder their ill-gotten gains and used significant portions of the fraudulent tax refunds to purchase real estate and other assets.  Over $6.4 million in forfeited funds were transferred to the clerk of court for payment to the IRS.

    $52,000 to a Survivor of Human Trafficking

    United States v. Thuy Tien Luong (Western District of North Carolina)

    Thuy Tien Luong was convicted of forced labor and ordered to serve 15 years in prison for compelling the labor of one of her nail technicians at a salon she owned and operated. From October 2016 to June 2018, Luong forced the survivor’s labor by, among other things, physically assaulting the survivor, threatening to ruin the survivor’s reputation with her family, and falsely claiming that the survivor owed Luong a fictitious debt. In addition to resulting in the return of funds seized from Luong to the Clerk of Court to pay the survivor, the case also resulted in the return to the survivor of a seized bracelet that Luong had held as “payment” towards the survivor’s fictitious debt.

    $6.3 Million Returned to Estate Victims of an Embezzlement Scheme

    United States v. Richard J. Sherwood, et al. (Northern District of New York)

    Starting in 2006, Richard J. Sherwood and Thomas K. Lagan provided estate planning and related legal services to Capital Region philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman, and to Pauline’s sister, Anne Urban, all of Niskayuna, New York.  They were advising the Bruggemans when, in 2006, the Bruggemans signed wills directing that all their assets go to churches, civic organizations, a local hospital, and a local university scholarship fund, aside from bequests to Urban and Julia Rentz, Pauline’s sisters.

    Warren Bruggeman died in April 2009, and Pauline died in August 2011. In each pleading guilty, Sherwood and Lagan admitted that they conspired to steal, and did steal, millions of dollars from Pauline Bruggeman’s estate as well as from the estate of Urban, who died in 2013. The co-conspirators admitted that they stole $11,831,563 and Sherwood also admitted that he transferred to himself the Bruggeman family camp located on Galway Lake, in Saratoga County.

    For additional information about the Department of Justice’s victim compensation program, please visit: Criminal Division | Victims.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: De La Cruz on President Trump’s Work to Secure Water for South Texas

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)

    De La Cruz on President Trump’s Work to Secure Water for South Texas

    WASHINGTON, April 11, 2025

    Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s work to hold the Mexican government accountable for the over one million acre-feet of water they owe South Texas.  

    Read De La Cruz’s post here or below.

    “Thank you, President Trump, for holding the Mexican government accountable for the water they owe South Texans. As one of the largest agricultural producing states, any impact on Texas ag will impact our entire country. I will always fight for South Texas farmers and producers to secure the critical water resources we are owed.”

    Read President Trump’s post here or below.

    “Mexico OWES Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their Treaty obligation. This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly. Last year, the only Sugar Mill in Texas CLOSED, because Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas Farmers. Ted Cruz has been leading the fight to get South Texas the water it is owed, but Sleepy Joe refused to lift a finger to help the Farmers. THAT ENDS NOW! I will make sure Mexico doesn’t violate our Treaties and doesn’t hurt our Texas Farmers. Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty. My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas Farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!”

    Background: 

    Since entering Congress, Rep. De La Cruz has been a leader on this issue and prioritized ensuring Texas farmers and producers receive the over one million acre-feet of water they are still owed under the 1944 Water Treaty.

    This Congress, she has introduced H.Res. 71 to condemn the Government of Mexico for failing to fulfill its water deliveries on an annual basis and sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to request Mexico be held accountable as a part of the ongoing trade negotiations. Additionally, she led a letter to President Trump in December requesting assistance in holding Mexico accountable for owed water deliveries.

    Earlier this year, alongside U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Congresswoman De La Cruz announced she helped secure $280 million in aid funds that will be deployed by the USDA to South Texas farmers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Salinas, Pingree, Tokuda Lead Colleagues in Slamming Trump Administration for Censoring Agricultural Research Crucial to Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

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

    April 11, 2025

    Leaked Agricultural Research Service memo contains a sweeping list of banned words, including “climate,” “affordable housing,” and “safe drinking water.”

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and Jill Tokuda, D-Hawai’i, warned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Donald Trump’s politically motivated list of banned words – including “climate,” “affordable housing,” and “safe drinking water” — in research agreements being considered for federal funding would harm rural communities facing wildfires, drought, food insecurity, among other environmental agricultural challenges.

    In the letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the lawmakers emphasized, “The exclusion of these terms from consideration for funding opportunities demonstrates an intentional effort to hinder, distort, and improperly steer federal scientific work in the name of political expediency, and the American people deserve far better than that.”

    The USDA has operated more than 600 research projects with a $1.7 billion budget. Banning terms like “runoff” or “soil pollution” from playing a role in funding these agricultural and environmental projects would stall opportunities to advance the agency’s core mission to carry out scientific work that bolsters lives, careers, and the overall wellbeing of communities across rural America. As Oregon’s climate changes, farmers are being exposed to emerging pest and disease threats, which could wipe out entire crops or even threaten human health. Climate change is a scientifically established threat to agricultural productivity, food security, and rural economies.

    The lawmakers continued, “The American people deserve transparency and integrity from federal research agencies, not political interference and outright censorship. The farmers and ranchers who rely on sound science to navigate environmental and economic challenges should not have their livelihoods undercut by unscientific, bureaucratic gatekeeping. Critical research proposals to reduce pollution, increase irrigation efficiency, or address emerging pest and disease threats should not be denied solely because they used a word that Donald Trump does not like.”

    Joining Wyden, the letter is cosigned in the Senate by Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

    Joining Salinas, Pingree, and Tokuda, the letter is cosigned in the House by Representatives Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., Ed Case, D-Hawai’i, Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., Angie Craig, D-Minn., Jim Costa, D-Calif., Shomari Figures, D-Ala., Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., Jared Huffman, D-Calif., Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Eleanor Norton, D-D.C., Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Terri Sewell, D-Ala., Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

    Wyden demands immediate answers clarifying the implications of this politically motivated censorship to the following questions no later than April 18, 2025:

    1. Has the USDA conducted any review to determine whether this policy violates federal transparency laws, scientific integrity policies, or anti-discrimination statutes? If so, please share the documentation. If not, please explain why a review has not been done.
    2. The USDA has confirmed the existence of the ARS memo that has been publicly reported. Please provide any other lists of key words that the USDA is using to evaluate federal agreements, contracts, grants, loans, and other programs.
    3. For each list provided under question 2, please explain the purpose of each list, including any relevant laws, regulations, Executive Orders, or memoranda that the USDA is seeking to comply with.
    4. What safeguards have you put in place to ensure that these restrictions do not lead to biased or politically motivated decision-making at the expense of merit, scientific integrity, and public welfare?
    5. Have these restrictions resulted in the rejection of agreements that would have directly benefited farmers, food supply security, or rural economies? If so, what processes does the USDA have in place to allow for the appeal of decisions and evaluations made based off key word lists for federal agreements, contracts, grants, loans, or other programs? Provide an itemized list of all agreements under all impacted programs that were rejected because they included one or more of these banned terms, as outlined in the directive, as well as a full justification for each rejection.
    1. In the case of the ARS banned word list, if an ongoing research agreement is focused on biofuels, for example, the ARS website lists 29 research projects containing the word biofuel.[3] Will funding for these projects be revoked? Will ongoing research be halted? Will USDA require projects to rephrase their contracts? If a project cannot be rephrased without using a banned word, will the contract be terminated?
    2. What are the consequences for researchers or other agency employees who identify serious risks related to any of these banned terms, such as, for example, the expanded range of certain pests and diseases due to changing climate conditions, or nitrate contamination in the drinking water supply from fertilizer runoff?
      1. Will research proposals and agreements to address these critical issues – and others that include banned terms – be considered under this policy?
      2. If so, through what process are they getting around the banned terms list, and how is that decided? If not, how do you justify such negligence?
      3. Are career scientists, policy experts, and agency staff being pressured to remove or avoid these terms in their work? If not, explain how USDA plans to enforce these restrictions. If so, how does that not constitute political coercion?
    3. Does the USDA deny that climate change, pollution, and the accessibility of federal funding impact the safety and security of the American food supply? If so, provide your justification. If not, then why are these issues being censored?
    4. Will you release all internal communications regarding the creation, justification, and enforcement of this policy to ensure full transparency? If so, when? If not, why?

    This year, Wyden led colleagues in demanding a halt to the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to roll back decades of scientific findings on greenhouse gases. In February, Wyden called on the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to reverse harmful firings at the USDA that have harmed Oregon farmers and families.

    The text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Lead Illinois Democratic Delegation In Message To Secretary Kennedy: The Dismantling Of HHS Does Nothing To ‘Make America Healthy Again’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 11, 2025

    In a letter to the HHS Secretary, the lawmakers pushed back against the destruction of HHS and its impact on the state

    SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led the Illinois Democratic Delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressing frustration and concern that HHS has slashed critical federal funding for the state’s public health programs and infrastructure.

    “We write to express our real concern about the Department and Health and Human Services’ (HHS) actions to terminate federal funds for state and local health departments, fire critical public health staff, dismantle health agencies, and close regional offices, including the HHS Region 5 office in Chicago, Illinois.  Your decision puts the health and well-being of our people at risk, and will do nothing to ‘Make America Healthy Again,’” the lawmakers wrote.

    Last month, it was reported that HHS would terminate $11.4 billion in federal funding for state and local health departments, including more than $125 million in funding for the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Lawmakers were also told that Illinois would lose access to an additional $324 million in anticipated federal funding that was already allocated to protect Illinois residents from infectious diseases.  Further, Illinois could lose up to $28 million in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants for mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

    In an effort to combat the Trump Administration’s destructive funding rescissions, a 24-state coalition, which included Illinois, filed a lawsuit against HHS for the rollback of public health funding.  Earlier this month, a federal court barred HHS from terminating these funds for a 14-day period.

    “The state’s [Illinois’] efforts to prepare for future public health emergencies—which could include the worsening avian flu situation, measles outbreaks, and other respiratory illness challenges—will be severely hampered if HHS rescinds this essential federal funding.  Now that a federal court has blocked HHS from terminating these funds, we urge you to abandon these ill-conceived and dangerous plans,” the lawmakers continued their letter.

    In addition to ripping away billions in promised federal funding, Secretary Kennedy has overseen the destruction of HHS’ workforce and infrastructure, putting thousands of dedicated career civil servants out of a job while gutting critical federal agencies.  Since President Trump’s inauguration, 10,000 HHS employees have left the agency or been fired.  A couple weeks ago, HHS announced that an additional 10,000 public health workers will be fired, including 3,500 from the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,200 workers from the National Institutes of Health, and 300 workers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

    “A reduction in force of this magnitude threatens the ability of HHS to ensure the safety of our nation’s foods, drugs, and medical devices; to inspect and regulate nursing homes; to develop breakthrough cures and treatments for patients with cancer, ALS, and heart disease; and to respond quickly when a public health crisis emerges,” the lawmakers wrote.

    The lawmakers continued their letter, emphasizing that closing regional health offices and shutting out states from federal resources does nothing to support the health and safety of Americans.

    “Finally, it was reported that HHS would dismantle and consolidate several health agencies under an ‘Administration for a Healthier America,’ and close several regional offices, including the HHS Region 5 office in Chicago.  HHS Region 5 has been an essential partner in implementing and coordinating federal resources and initiatives.  It has worked with state, local, and tribal governments in Illinois to address a range of public health concerns, including infectious disease outbreaks, mental and behavioral health needs, food recalls, and more,” the lawmakers wrote.  “Eliminating this office or consolidating it into another regional office risks reducing access to agency personnel and HHS resources for Illinois.”

    The lawmakers concluded their letter by reminding Secretary Kennedy of his responsibility to improve public health, not destruct the institution that ensures Americans have the resources to stay healthy.

    “It is one thing to undertake efforts to address waste, fraud, and abuse in government.  It is quite another to cite these reasonable goals as an excuse to instead decimate our nation’s public health infrastructure.  HHS has provided no details on its plans or any explanation of how these steps will improve HHS’ ability to carry out its mission to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.  The complete lack of transparency on these critical decisions supports the logical conclusion that these decisions were made for political purposes without considering their real-world impact,” the lawmakers wrote.

    “As HHS Secretary, you are tasked with the serious responsibility of protecting our nation’s health and you have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of Americans.   Do not neglect this responsibility, and do not waste this opportunity,” the lawmaker concluded their letter.

    A copy of the letter is available here and below:

    April 11, 2025

    Dear Secretary Kennedy,

                We write to express our real concern about the Department and Health and Human Services’ (HHS) actions to terminate federal funds for state and local health departments, fire critical public health staff, dismantle health agencies, and close regional offices, including the HHS Region 5 office in Chicago, Illinois.  Your decision puts the health and well-being of people at risk, and will do nothing to “Make America Healthy Again.”

    In March, it was reported that HHS would be terminating $11.4 billion in federal funding for state and local health departments, including more than $125 million for Illinois.  We also have been informed that Illinois will not be able to access an additional $324 million in anticipated federal funding for future work to prevent and address infectious disease.  The Illinois Department of Public Health has leveraged these federal funds to improve its technologies and laboratories, support the public health workforce, and strengthen local health departments.  However, the state’s efforts to prepare for future public health emergencies—which could include the worsening avian flu situation, measles outbreaks, and other respiratory illness challenges—will be severely hampered if HHS rescinds this essential federal funding.  Now that a federal court has blocked HHS from terminating these funds, we urge you to abandon these ill-conceived and dangerous plans. 

    It also was announced that an additional 10,000 public health workers will be fired from HHS, including 3,500 from the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,200 workers from the National Institutes of Health, and 300 workers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  This is on top of the reported 10,000 HHS employees who have already left the agency since January 20, including probationary employees who were fired earlier this year, many of whom were not rehired, despite two court rulings ordering their reinstatement.  A reduction in force of this magnitude threatens the ability of HHS to ensure the safety of our nation’s foods, drugs, and medical devices; to inspect and regulate nursing homes; to develop breakthrough cures and treatments for patients with cancer, ALS, and heart disease; and to respond quickly when a public health crisis emerges.

    Finally, it was reported that HHS would dismantle and consolidate several health agencies under an “Administration for a Healthier America,” and close several regional offices, including the HHS Region 5 office in Chicago.  HHS Region 5 has been an essential partner in implementing and coordinating federal resources and initiatives.  It has worked with state, local, and tribal governments in Illinois to address a range of public health concerns, including infectious disease outbreaks, mental and behavioral health needs, food recalls, and more.  Eliminating this office or consolidating it into another regional office risks reducing access to agency personnel and HHS resources for Illinois.

    It is one thing to undertake efforts to address waste, fraud, and abuse in government.  It is quite another to cite these reasonable goals as an excuse to instead decimate our nation’s public health infrastructure.  HHS has provided no details on its plans or any explanation of how these steps will improve HHS’ ability to carry out its mission to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.  The complete lack of transparency on these critical decisions supports the logical conclusion that these decisions were made for political purposes without considering their real-world impact.  

    As HHS Secretary, you are tasked with the serious responsibility of protecting our nation’s health and you have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of Americans.   Do not neglect this responsibility, and do not waste this opportunity. 

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.  We look forward to your timely response.

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Files Brief Challenging Trump Administration’s Unjustified and Unconstitutional Revocation of Student Visas

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s executive orders allowing for the ideologically-motivated revocation of visas for students and faculty who exercise their free speech and association rights. In the past month, the Trump Administration has revoked the visas, and in some cases arrested, detained, and sought to remove, hundreds of visa-holding and legal permanent resident students at higher education institutions for expressing opinions that the Trump Administration disagrees with. In other cases, students have been provided little to no justification for the termination grounds, much less the meaningful opportunity to challenge the sudden denial. In just California, nearly 100 students across the California State University system, University of California campuses, and Stanford University have had their visas revoked. 

    “Students across the country are being aggressively targeted without notice and for no clear reason beyond the President’s political agenda, creating a culture of fear and disrupting our institutions of higher education,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The unjustified and unconstitutional revocation of student visas for expressing their opinions sends a stunning message to campuses across the nation: fall in line or face deportation. I urge the court to put a swift stop to this policy before it can do any further damage.”

    The Trump Administration’s “Ideological Deportation Policy” is based on two Executive Orders (14161 and 14188).These orders direct federal agencies to vet foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. based on ideological grounds rather than on direct safety threats. These orders further direct federal agencies to investigate, detain, and deport noncitizen students and faculty who engage in political speech with which the Administration disagrees. Last month, the Trump Administration began using these orders as the basis to begin revoking hundreds of student visas. 

    During the 2023-2024 school year, states represented in the amicus brief hosted over 640,000 international students who supported more than 235,000 jobs and contributed approximately $27.5 billion annually to our economies through tuition, living expenses, and related spending. These noncitizen students not only make substantial economic contributions to the states; they also enrich academic discourse, strengthen our research capabilities, and enhance our global competitiveness. 

    In the brief, Attorney General Bonta and the multistate coalition argues that the Trump Administration’s Ideological Deportation Policy inflicts irreparable harms to the states, is contrary to the public interest, and violates the First Amendment’s protection of free speech, which the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed extends to noncitizen residents within the United States. The coalition respectfully urges the court to grant a preliminary injunction to stop deportations based on this policy while litigation continues. 

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to upholding the rights and protections of all of California’s residents, including the nearly 11 million immigrants who call California home. He has defended pathways for legal immigration for those fleeing dangerous conditions in their home counties, supported challenges to the early termination of the TPS designation for Venezuela and Haitians, and secured a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit challenging the President’s unlawful executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.

    Attorney General Bonta has also vigorously defended President Trump’s assault on the rule of law. Last month, Attorney General Bonta, along with 20 other state attorneys general issued an open letter urging the legal community to stand together in defense of the rule of law in response to President Trump’s recent attacks. Attorney General Bonta also issued a separate statement on the need to speak up and push back when our democratic norms are violated, our legal system undermined, and our laws broken. 

    Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Massachusetts, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont in filing the amicus brief. 

    A copy of the brief is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Moran Welcomes Pastor Michael Gossett to Capitol as Guest Chaplain

    Source: Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01)

    Washington, D.C. ­– Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) released the following statement recognizing Dr. Michael Gossett, Senior Pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, for his dedicated service and recent role as Guest Chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives:

    “It’s my honor to introduce Dr. Michael Gossett, Pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, to serve as the Guest Chaplain this week and offer a prayer.

    “Dr. Gossett and his wife lead the largest congregation of believers in East Texas. They also proudly shepherd a flock of four wonderful children at home. Pastor Michael, as he’s known, and Katie are passionate about their call to serve—to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ—and they are personable and approachable in their style, showing the same love and grace as our risen Lord and Savior.

    “Having been a firefighter for five years before entering full-time ministry, this Liberty University alum is tough-minded, disciplined, and steady in his leadership. He is authentic and genuine, and always faithful to preach the truth of the Word of God.

    “Because of that, he has been a strong and effective leader for Green Acres since he arrived in 2019. I’m proud to call him my friend and proud he’s dedicated his life to be salt and light in this lost and dark world.

    “To God be the glory for the great things He’s doing through the Gossetts and Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. Welcome, Pastor Gossett.”

    Watch Congressman Moran’s Full Remarks HERE

    Dr. Michael Gossett is the Senior Pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he has served since 2019. A graduate of Liberty University and former firefighter, he and his wife, Katie, have four children and are passionate about sharing the Gospel and serving the East Texas community.

    Watch Pastor Gossett’s Opening Prayer HERE

    Pastor Gossett’s Full Prayer as Delivered:

    ”Heavenly Father, we come to You today and acknowledge that You alone are the King of kings and Lord of lords. You alone are sovereign over the nations and the peoples of the Earth. Just as Psalm 24:1 says, “The Earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.” You alone, Lord, have ordained each government official to serve, and we ask that You raise up leaders and call each representative to lead with justice, and wisdom, and humility.

    “We ask Your blessings on each member here and the families and people they represent. I pray that You would grant each Representative clarity of mind, integrity of heart, and a deep concern for truth and righteousness according to Your Word. I pray there would be no fear among them except a fear of the Lord. May they seek the good of the people and the flourishing of all, especially the most vulnerable. Please remind us today that our hope alone is in Your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray all this in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord and coming King. Amen.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaLota Co-sponsors Legislation to Eliminate Tax Penalties for American Hostages, Including Suffolk County’s Kai Li

    Source: US Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep Nick LaLota (Suffolk County, NY) released the following statement after signing on as co-sponsor of the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, bipartisan legislation that eliminates tax penalties for U.S. citizens wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. The bill also extends this relief to their spouses during the period of detention and provides retroactive reimbursement to those who have already paid such penalties after their release. 

    This legislation directly benefits Americans such as Suffolk County resident and U.S. citizen Kai Lia, who was wrongfully detained by the Chinese Communist Party for eight years before his release in 2024, a cause for which LaLota consistently advocated after taking office in 2023. 

    “Our duty to fight for Americans unjustly detained abroad does not end when they return home. This bill takes a critical step in addressing an ongoing injustice they may face, specifically the unfair tax burdens imposed by our own nation. No American should be financially penalized for their inability to pay taxes while wrongfully imprisoned, nor should their family,” said LaLota. “A powerful example of why this legislation is needed is Kai Li, a Huntington resident who was unjustly detained by the Chinese Communist Party for over seven years and subjected to severe human rights abuses. After enduring unimaginable hardship, the last thing Kai and his family should face is unfairly imposed back taxes and fees. I was proud to advocate for Kai’s release, and this legislation demonstrates that I will continue fighting for him—and for every American who has suffered similar injustice—to ensure they receive our continued support.”

    To read a full text of the legislation, click HERE.

    Background:

    Kai Li of Huntington, New York, was unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party from 2016 to 2024. In 2016, Kai Li visited Shanghai to mark the first anniversary of his mother’s death. When he arrived at the airport in Shanghai, CCP authorities immediately arrested him on “state security charges.” For months, Kai was held in secret detention without access to legal counsel. Then, almost two years later in July 2018, in a one-hour secret trial, Kai was convicted of espionage.

    In November 2024, the State Department announced Kai Li of Huntington would be coming home after being wrongfully detained by the Chinese government since 2016.

    Since coming into office, LaLota consistently advocated for the Li family, demanding his release from China and calling on the State Department to put pressure on China. In 2023, LaLota sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to meet with the Li family. Earlier in 2024, LaLota joined several other members in a letter to Secretary Blinken highlighting the human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government, including the treatment of Kai Li.

    In February 2024,  LaLota spoke on the House floor calling on the Biden Administration to bring Kai home. In March, LaLota invited Kai’s son, Harrison Li, to attend the State of the Union to bring more attention to Kai’s imprisonment. Shortly after, LaLota introduced a bill demanding the Chinese Communist Party immediately release Kai.

    In June 2024, LaLota successfully included an amendment to the FY25 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that supported the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs to strengthen efforts to bring American citizens wrongfully detained in China home. In August of 2024, LaLota sent a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan urging him to prioritize Kai Li’s release in Sullivan’s discussions with Chinese officials.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Backs SAVE Act to Strengthen Election Integrity and Prevent Voter Fraud

    Source: US Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    Washington, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota (Suffolk County, NY) released the following statement after voting to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to strengthen voter ID requirements in federal elections. LaLota is a co-sponsor of the bill. 

    “As a former Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, I deeply respect the dual importance of ballot access and election integrity,” said LaLota. “I remain committed to making it easier to vote and harder to cheat. The SAVE Act, which passed the House today with my support, includes a commonsense voter ID requirement backed by over 80% of Americans—including strong majorities of Republicans, independents, and even Democrats. This measure helps prevent fraud and strengthens public confidence in our elections.”

    To read the full text of  the click HERE. 

    Background:

    The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act reinforces existing federal law by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections, addressing gaps in enforcement. The legislation also assists states in maintaining accurate voter rolls by granting free access to federal databases to identify and remove non-citizens who may have been mistakenly registered. The SAVE Act was carefully crafted to ensure that all eligible Americans—including military personnel stationed overseas and individuals with name changes—can also vote without unnecessary obstacles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Deluzio Visits Sheet Metal Workers Training Center in Harmarville

    Source: US Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA)

    Tour Highlights State-of-the-Art Training Facility & Apprenticeship Program that’s Building Tomorrow’s Workforce

    CARNEGIE, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) toured the Sheet Metal Workers Local 12 Training Center in Harmarville. The visit builds on his ironclad commitment to being a voice for hardworking people and an unflinching advocate for the union way of life and growing good-paying jobs in Western Pennsylvania.

    “We’ve got to build an economy that works for everyone, and a big part of that means building—construction jobs that require serious training that programs like the Sheet Metal Workers Local 12 Training Center can provide,” said Congressman Deluzio. “The apprentices who are paid to learn the building trades here will do work that has dignity and supports their families, all while strengthening our regional workforce and economy. It’s a win-win, and I appreciate Sheet Metal Workers Local 12 for welcoming me and for all they do for our region’s growth.”

    During the tour, Congressman Deluzio talked with the apprentice class about the skills they’re learning. He also sat down with union leadership to discuss a variety of policy issues and how they can continue working together to make sure workers have a voice in the federal government.  

    Congressman Deluzio has long been a champion of strengthening our union workforce—a key pillar of his Make Stuff Here agenda. He will continue to support the union way of life, including defending laws like the Davis-Bacon Act and pushing for legislation like the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salinas, Pingree, Tokuda, Wyden Lead Colleagues in Slamming Trump Administration for Censoring Agricultural Research Crucial to Rural Communities

    Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

    Leaked Agricultural Research Service memo contains a sweeping list of banned words, including “climate,” “affordable housing,” and “safe drinking water.”

    Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02), along with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), warned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Donald Trump’s politically motivated list of banned words — including “climate,” “affordable housing,” and “safe drinking water” — in research agreements being considered for federal funding would harm rural communities facing wildfires, drought, food insecurity, among other environmental agricultural challenges.

    In the letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the lawmakers emphasized, “The exclusion of these terms from consideration for funding opportunities demonstrates an intentional effort to hinder, distort, and improperly steer federal scientific work in the name of political expediency, and the American people deserve far better than that.”

    The USDA has operated more than 600 research projects with a $1.7 billion budget. Banning terms like “runoff” or “soil pollution” from playing a role in funding these agricultural and environmental projects would stall opportunities to advance the agency’s core mission to carry out scientific work that bolsters lives, careers, and the overall wellbeing of communities across rural America. As Oregon’s climate changes, farmers are being exposed to emerging pest and disease threats, which could wipe out entire crops or even threaten human health. Climate change is a scientifically established threat to agricultural productivity, food security, and rural economies.

    The lawmakers continued: “The American people deserve transparency and integrity from federal research agencies, not political interference and outright censorship. The farmers and ranchers who rely on sound science to navigate environmental and economic challenges should not have their livelihoods undercut by unscientific, bureaucratic gatekeeping. Critical research proposals to reduce pollution, increase irrigation efficiency, or address emerging pest and disease threats should not be denied solely because they used a word that Donald Trump does not like.”

    In addition to Salinas, Wyden, Pingree, and Tokuda, the letter is cosigned in the House by Reps. Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Ed Case (HI-01), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jim Costa (CA-21), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02) Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Maxine Waters (CA-43) and in the Senate by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Tina Smith (D-MN).

    The members demand immediate answers clarifying the implications of this politically motivated censorship to the following questions no later than April 18, 2025:

    1. Has the USDA conducted any review to determine whether this policy violates federal transparency laws, scientific integrity policies, or anti-discrimination statutes? If so, please share the documentation. If not, please explain why a review has not been done.
    2. The USDA has confirmed the existence of the ARS memo that has been publicly reported. Please provide any other lists of key words that the USDA is using to evaluate federal agreements, contracts, grants, loans, and other programs.
    3. For each list provided under question 2, please explain the purpose of each list, including any relevant laws, regulations, Executive Orders, or memoranda that the USDA is seeking to comply with.
    4. What safeguards have you put in place to ensure that these restrictions do not lead to biased or politically motivated decision-making at the expense of merit, scientific integrity, and public welfare?
    5. Have these restrictions resulted in the rejection of agreements that would have directly benefited farmers, food supply security, or rural economies? If so, what processes does the USDA have in place to allow for the appeal of decisions and evaluations made based off key word lists for federal agreements, contracts, grants, loans, or other programs? Provide an itemized list of all agreements under all impacted programs that were rejected because they included one or more of these banned terms, as outlined in the directive, as well as a full justification for each rejection.
    6. In the case of the ARS banned word list, if an ongoing research agreement is focused on biofuels, for example, the ARS website lists 29 research projects containing the word biofuel. Will funding for these projects be revoked? Will ongoing research be halted? Will USDA require projects to rephrase their contracts? If a project cannot be rephrased without using a banned word, will the contract be terminated?
    7. What are the consequences for researchers or other agency employees who identify serious risks related to any of these banned terms, such as, for example, the expanded range of certain pests and diseases due to changing climate conditions, or nitrate contamination in the drinking water supply from fertilizer runoff?
      1. Will research proposals and agreements to address these critical issues – and others that include banned terms – be considered under this policy?
      2. If so, through what process are they getting around the banned terms list, and how is that decided? If not, how do you justify such negligence?
      3. Are career scientists, policy experts, and agency staff being pressured to remove or avoid these terms in their work? If not, explain how USDA plans to enforce these restrictions. If so, how does that not constitute political coercion?
    8. Does the USDA deny that climate change, pollution, and the accessibility of federal funding impact the safety and security of the American food supply? If so, provide your justification. If not, then why are these issues being censored?
    9. Will you release all internal communications regarding the creation, justification, and enforcement of this policy to ensure full transparency? If so, when? If not, why?

    To read the full letter, click here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Lee and Representative Davidson Introduce Aid Accountability Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) introduced the Aid Accountability Act of 2025 which would create a “funding death penalty” for any federal employee or non-governmental organization violating the Helms Amendment which prohibits the use of any US foreign aid to perform or encourage abortion as a method of family planning. 
    Recently, the State Department has admitted that during the Biden administration, partners and grantees using funds from U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) misused funds intended for HIV/AIDS prevention to perform abortions in Mozambique. Although the State Department suspended the funding and secured reimbursements, there is, as of yet, no real penalties or consequences for co-opting foreign aid programs to push the progressive abortion agenda with taxpayer
    Unfortunately, this is just one of many instances of Helms Amendment violations by PEPFAR partners and grantees who misused over $1 million of congressionally appropriated funds to promote abortion instead of controlling the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
    “For years, American tax dollars have gone to foreign aid efforts that promote abortion, in direct violation of the Helms amendment,” said Sen. Lee. “This is largely because there have been no real penalties for this grievous abuse—until now. Our legislation permanently cuts aid off from any organizations which violate the abortion prohibition, and permanently fires any federal employee who knowingly facilitates it.”
    “It is illegal and immoral for the U.S. government to fund abortion abroad. Federal funding for groups that promote abortion damages our credibility and hurts our ability to work with nations that share pro-life values,” said Rep. Davidson. “The Aid Accountability Act ensures real consequences for those who ignore the Helms Amendment by permanently banning non-profits caught using federal funds for abortion. Further, it would ban federal workers from civil service who knowingly violate the law. Only by restoring accountability to foreign aid can we hope to restore trust in the State Department.”
    This bill is cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ashley Moody (R-FL) and endorsed by the Family Research Council and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
    The Aid Accountability Act would:
    Ensure a grantee, sub-grantee, or contractor who violates abortion-related prohibitions become permanently ineligible for future US Funding
    Bar any civil servant who knowingly facilitates a violation of abortion-related prohibitions from civil service for life and make them financially liable for the violations
    Direct the Secretary of State to make the final determinations of violations and penalties
    The Secretary’s determination may only be overturned by a federal court and is subject to the Congressional Review Act

    Aid Accountability Act: One-pager | Bill Text

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 11 April 2025 Departmental update Malaria progress in jeopardy amid foreign aid cuts

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Since 2000, investments in the global malaria response have prevented more than 2 billion cases and nearly 13 million deaths. Yet efforts to control and eliminate malaria are in jeopardy as communities and programmes face the fallout of recent funding cuts.

    Malaria is preventable and curable – but without prompt diagnosis and treatment, it can rapidly escalate to severe illness and death, particularly among young children and pregnant women. In 2023 alone, malaria claimed nearly 600 000 lives, with an estimated 95% of these deaths occurring in the WHO African Region.[1]

    The 2025 funding cuts to malaria programmes put millions of additional lives at risk and could reverse decades of progress earned, in part, through longstanding investments from the United States of America and other global partners. ​ Between 2010 and 2023, the USA contributed an average of 37% of global malaria financing through both bilateral and multilateral channels.[2]  

    The recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic showed that sudden interruptions to malaria service delivery can be deadly. In 2020, COVID-related disruptions to the provision of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment led to an estimated 14 million more malaria cases and an additional 47 000 deaths.[3]  

    “History has shown us what happens if we let down our guard against malaria,” cautions Dr Daniel Ngamije, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. “In 1969, the global eradication effort was abandoned, triggering a resurgence in cases and deaths. It took nearly 30 years for world leaders to come together and restore momentum.”

    Although funding for some USA-supported malaria programmes has been reinstated, the disruptions have left critical gaps. Without the rapid delivery of prevention and treatment services to at-risk populations, the consequences could be fatal.  

    Findings of rapid WHO survey

    The impact is being felt across the health sector. Of the 108 WHO country offices that took part in a recent WHO survey, nearly three quarters reported severe disruptions to health services following the pause in overseas development assistance (ODA).

    Responses from country offices suggest that budget cuts are already translating into increased out-of-pocket payments for patients, with the poor and vulnerable likely to carry the heaviest financial burden. The survey highlighted job losses for health and care workers as well as disruptions to information systems and to the supply of medicines and health products.

    Reponses to malaria have been particularly affected. Of the 64 malaria-endemic countries surveyed, more than half reported moderate or severe disruptions to malaria services.

    Impact of funding shortfall highlighted at WHO advisory committee meeting

    Further information was shared in this week’s WHO Malaria Policy Advisory Group (MPAG) meeting, held from 8–10 April. MPAG members heard updates on current challenges and priority actions taken by countries and their global partners to respond to immediate funding shortfalls.

    Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been a cornerstone of malaria prevention efforts in Africa over the past 2 decades. By early April 2025, more than 40% of planned ITN distribution campaigns designed to reach 425 million people were either delayed or at risk of being derailed, according to data provided by national malaria programmes.

    Nearly 30% of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns to protect 58 million children were also off track. In many African countries, stocks of rapid diagnostic tests and medicines have reached critically low levels.

    Reductions in funding also threaten to undermine critical investments in scientific innovation, including in new and improved preventive, diagnostic and treatment interventions as well as in new tools to address drug and insecticide resistance.

    “We must not allow funding setbacks to derail the global malaria agenda,” noted Dr Jérôme Salomon, WHO Assistant Director-General, in his opening remarks at MPAG. “We urge all stakeholders to sustain their commitments, safeguard national plans, and coordinate adaptation strategies in response to the shifting funding landscape.”

    Country leadership and partner support critical to response

    In Nigeria, lawmakers have approved an additional US$ 200 million for the health sector as part of a 2025 spending plan – an effort to mitigate the impact of the recent suspension of USA foreign aid.[4]  Across Africa, other countries are strengthening coordination mechanisms and taking steps to close critical gaps through the use of domestic resources.

    WHO and partners remain committed to supporting national governments and civil society in securing sustained funding and delivering integrated solutions to protect those most at risk. Achieving resilient and self-financed health systems will require increased domestic investment in health and a strategic use of available resources to maximize impact.

    “This is the moment for data-driven decision making – for ensuring every dollar is used wisely,” said Dr Dyann Wirth, MPAG Chair. “People and communities already facing poverty and vulnerability will bear the brunt of these funding cuts.  We must embrace equity-focused action and stand up for sustainable solutions that leave no one behind.”

    In March 2025, WHO and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria launched a cross-partner working group of technical experts and donor agencies to ensure rapid, aligned support for countries where it is most needed.

    “It is critical, now more than ever, to ensure that our malaria interventions are fully integrated within broader health systems,” noted Dr Michael Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. “Our collective efforts must continue to focus on streamlining, on coordination and on sustainable financing. And, at the end of the day, we must ensure that we are putting countries first.”

    Sustained investment in primary health care and delivering integrated, life-saving services – particularly for vulnerable populations – must remain a priority.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expanding Alberta’s reach with Abu Dhabi office

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Adopting Fifth Committee Resolutions, General Assembly Also Decides to Hold Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Turkmenistan in August

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The General Assembly today decided to hold the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza, Turkmenistan, from 5 to 8 August, as the 193-member organ adopted several drafts, including those recommended by its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).

    Adopting the draft resolution titled “Further modalities of the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries” (document A/79/L.71) without a vote, the Assembly welcomed and accepted “with appreciation the generous offer of the Government of Turkmenistan to host” the Conference under the theme “Driving progress through partnerships”.

    The Assembly also decided to rename the Conference outcome document the “Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2024–2034”.

    A representative of the Secretariat explained that to service the event, the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management and the Department of Global Communications would require a total estimated cost of $254,700 in 2025 for additional meetings and documentation workload.

    “Every effort will be made to meet the requirements within their capacity, and there would be no programme budget implications for 2025,” he said, adding however:  “Its ability to implement the mandate will depend on the availability of adequate liquidity resources.”  He further noted that the Government of Turkmenistan will need to defray the additional costs directly or indirectly involved.

    Intergovernmental Organizations Invited to Participate in UN Ocean Conference

    Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted a draft decision (document A/79/L.73), by which it invited the intergovernmental organizations identified in the Secretariat note (document A/79/850) — namely the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation and the North Pacific Marine Science Organization — to participate as observers in the work of the 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.

    Recommendations by Fifth Committee

    The Assembly then adopted five drafts recommended by its Fifth Committee without a vote.  (See document A/C.5/79/INF/3 and Press Release GA/AB/4495 for background.)

    Funding Approved for Measures to Combat Islamophobia

    By the draft resolution titled “Special subjects relating to the programme budget for 2025” (document A/79/652/Add.1), the Assembly approved additional appropriations of $774,200 to implement its resolution 78/264 on measures to combat Islamophobia, $479,900 to implement decisions by the Human Rights Council and $95.39 million for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).  The Assembly also requested the Secretary-General to provide an analysis on the impact of the rapid development of emerging technologies, increase transparency and clarity of information and communications technology (ICT) expenditure, and submit a proposal on the presentation of the costs of such technology.

    The draft resolution “Human resources management” (document A/79/839) has the Assembly note rule 3.3 of the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations regarding appointment and promotion and stress that paragraph 66 of its resolution 79/257 of 24 December 2024 does not relate to cases of “promotions”. It also stressed that any changes to the “Guidelines for determination of level and step on recruitment to the Professional category and above” by the Secretary-General shall be fully in line with Assembly resolutions and decisions.

    Importance of Joint Inspection Unit

    By the draft resolution “Joint Inspection Unit” (document A/79/840), the Assembly took note of the Unit’s report for 2024, its programme of work for 2025 and the Secretary-General’s note on Unit’s 2024 report.  By other terms, it stressed the importance of the Unit’s oversight functions in identifying concrete managerial, administrative and programming questions within the participating organizations and providing the General Assembly and other legislative organs action-oriented recommendations.  Underscoring the unique role of the Unit as an external and independent system-wide inspection, evaluation and investigation body, the Assembly reaffirmed the Unit’s independence and stressed that budget estimates are to be prepared in a transparent consistent manner for submission to the Assembly.

    The draft resolution “Review of the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 48/218 B, 54/244, 59/272, 64/263, 69/253 and 74/257” (document A/79/649) has the Assembly reiterate the five-year non-renewable term of the Under-Secretary General for Internal Oversight Services, and requested the Secretary-General to continue to ensure the full implementation of resolution 48/218 in future appointments.  It also decided to evaluate and review at its eighty-fourth session the functions and reporting procedures of the Office of Internal Oversight Services and to that end to include in the provisional agenda of that session an item entitled “Review of the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 48/218, 54/244, 59/272, 64/263, 69/253, 74/257 and 79/___”.

    Assembly Defers Consideration of Fifth Committee Agenda Items 

    By the draft decision titled “Questions deferred for future consideration” (document A/79/653/Add.1), the Assembly decided to defer until the second part of its resumed seventy-ninth session consideration of the Secretary-General’s report on improving the United Nations financial situation, as well as the related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).  Further, the Assembly decided to defer until its eightieth session consideration of Secretary-General’s report on standards of accommodation for air travel and the related ACABQ report, and to the first part of its resumed eightieth session consideration of the Secretary-General’s report on the review of the UN Secretariat internship programme, as well as the related ACABQ report.

    Additionally, the Assembly took note of the Fifth Committee’s report concerning agenda items 141 “Improving the financial situation of the United Nations” (document A/79/838), 137 “Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations” and 150 “Report on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (document A/79/648/Add.1).

    Filling Vacancies on Contribution, Audit Committees

    Acting on the Fifth Committee’s recommendations without a vote, the Assembly appointed Denis Piminov (Russian Federation), Benjamin Sieberns (Germany) and Fu Liheng (China) as members of the Committee on Contributions, and Eric Oduro Osae (Ghana) as a member of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee, for terms of office from today to 31 December 2026.

    Application of Article 19 of UN Charter:  Congo Reduces Its Arrears

    In other business, the Assembly took note of Congo’s payment necessary to reduce the arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the United Nations Charter (document A/79/720/Add.4).

    Tribute to Former Assembly President

    It also observed a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of the President of the forty-nineth session of the Assembly, Amara Essy (Côte d’Ivoire), who passed away on 8 April.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Myanmar: Military strikes persist amid earthquake response efforts

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    Human Rights

    Military operations continue in Myanmar despite ceasefires declared after the recent earthquake that killed more than 3,600 people, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday. 

    “At a moment when the sole focus should be on ensuring humanitarian aid gets to disaster zones, the military is instead launching attacks,” spokesperson Ravini Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva.

    Since the 28 March disaster, military forces have reportedly carried out over 120 attacks, she said, and more than half occurred after a declared ceasefire was due to have gone into effect on 2 April.

    Devastated areas hit

    Most attacks involved aerial and artillery strikes, including in areas impacted by the quake. 

    “Numerous strikes have been reported in populated areas, with many appearing to amount to indiscriminate attacks and to breach the principle of proportionality in international humanitarian law,” she added.

    Myanmar was already facing political, humanitarian, human rights and economic crisis before the earthquake struck.  

    The miliary seized power from the democratically elected government in February 2021 and has been engaged in a brutal civil war with opposition militias.

    Aid obstacles, amnesty appeal

    Ms. Shamdasani said UN human rights chief Volker Türk is calling on the military to remove any and all obstacles to aid delivery and to cease military operations. 

    She noted that areas at the epicentre of the quake in Sagaing, particularly those controlled by opponents of the military, have had to rely on local community responses for search and rescue, and to meet basic needs.

    “As the traditionally festive season of Thingyan and the start of a new year begins on Sunday in Myanmar, we call for common efforts to assist those in greatest need,” she added.

    In this regard, OHCHR called on the military to announce a full amnesty for detainees it has incarcerated since February 2021, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.

    ‘Perfect storm’ for disease

    Meanwhile, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is worried that the earthquake has created “a perfect storm for the emergence of infectious disease outbreaks.”

    Eric Ribaira, UNICEF Myanmar’s chief of health said that even before the disaster, the country faced outbreaks of vaccine preventable and communicable diseases such as measles, malaria, dengue and cholera.

    “The situation is so much more dangerous now for people, especially children, in these earthquake-affected areas,” he told UN News.

    Mr. Ribaira explained that earthquakes spark population displacement which can lead to overcrowded areas, such as temporary shelters, while water and sanitation systems are disrupted causing contaminated water supplies and poor hygiene conditions.

    Children may also get respiratory infections from dust and debris from collapsed buildings, he added.

    UNICEF is helping to provide clean drinking water and sanitation, as well as necessary supplies so that pregnant women can deliver safely. 

    “So far, we have reached about 700 pregnant and lactating women with newborn and clean delivery kits. And we plan to reach much, much more in the coming days,” said Mr. Ribaira.

    UNICEF and aid partners have also deployed general medical kits to cover approximately 250,000 people for the next three months, but he stressed that more support is critical.

    “The needs are huge, and we must do everything we can to prevent these outbreaks and ensure that women can deliver their babies safely and the general population has urgent medical support when they need it,” he said.

    UN mobilizing aid

    This week, the UN and partners launched a $275 million appeal as an addendum to a humanitarian plan to reach some 1.1 people in Myanmar.

    The earthquake has pushed two million people into reliance on aid. They join nearly 20 million others who already required humanitarian assistance.

    UN agencies, partners and Member States have rapidly mobilized aid, including medical care, shelter, safe water, hygiene kits, and food.

    To further strengthen efforts on the ground, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated an additional $5 million for earthquake response, which follows an earlier disbursement of $5 million. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aether Holdings Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aether Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR) (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Aether,” or the “Company”), an emerging financial technology holding company offering software, data, and artificial intelligence technology to institutional and self-directed investors, is pleased to announce the closing of its initial public offering of 1,800,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $4.30 per share on April 11, 2025.

    The gross proceeds to Aether from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, were $7,740,000, and net proceeds were approximately $6,520,000. The shares sold in the offering began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ATHR” on April 10, 2025.

    Aether intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to further the design and development of its products, hire additional employees, including in the areas of finance, accounting, sales, marketing, securities research, and copy editing, sales and marketing expenses, and general corporate purposes and working capital.

    The Benchmark Company, LLC and Axiom Capital Management, Inc. acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP acted as counsel to Aether. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP acted as counsel to the underwriters. ZH CPA LLC are Aether’s registered independent auditors.

    A registration statement relating to Aether’s initial public offering has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and was declared effective on April 9, 2025. Final prospectuses for the offering and related resale by selling stockholders were filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2025. This registration statement and final prospectuses can be obtained by visiting the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Please see such registration statement and final prospectuses for additional information regarding Aether.

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

    About Aether Holdings, Inc.

    Aether Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHR) is an emerging financial technology holding company focused on transforming the way investors navigate the markets. Leveraging decades of market expertise and cutting-edge technology, Aether delivers proprietary tools, data, and research to empower traders with actionable insights and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

    Aether’s flagship platform, SentimenTrader.com, is designed to serve both retail and institutional investors by offering advanced sentiment analysis through the use of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. With over 20 years of sentiment data integrated into its systems, Aether aims to provide its users with a powerful combination of technology and expertise, enabling them to make informed decisions to level-up their trading in the markets.

    Aether is committed to building an ecosystem that supports smarter, data-driven trading strategies, reinforcing its mission to empower the investing community and redefine excellence in fintech.

    Find out more about Aether Holdings at https://helloaether.com/

    By integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence tools with the critical thinking and analytical abilities of its team of evidenced-based trading veterans, Aether aims to provide its users with a powerful combination of technology and expertise, enabling them to make informed decisions to level-up their trading in the markets.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of Aether’s management in connection with this news release or related events contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expected”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements (which includes statements regarding the commencement of trading in our common stock and the closing of the offering described herein) are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For Aether, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following which are, and will be, exacerbated by any worsening of global business and economic environment: the impact of governmental laws and regulations, including the regulation of artificial intelligence; our failure to maintain and protect our reputation for trustworthiness and independence; our ability to develop new products or effectively market our products and services; our ability to continue to evolve and adapt our technology, including further adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques; our ability to attract new users and to persuade existing users to renew their subscriptions with us and to purchase higher subscription tiers from us; our ability to expand the coverage of our products to include foreign markets and additional types of financial instruments; our future capital needs; our ability to expand our revenue streams beyond the subscriber model; difficulties with third-party services we rely on or will rely on; and similar risks and uncertainties associated with the business of a start-up business operating a in a regulated industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Company Contact
    Frank Cid
    (347)-363-0886
    ir@helloaether.com

    Investor Relations Contact
    Matthew Abenante, IRC
    President
    Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
    (347)-947-2093
    Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

    Media Contact
    Jessica Starman, MBA
    media@helloaether.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Beam Global Reports Full Year 2024 Operating Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), (the “Company”), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation, smart cities, and energy security, today announced its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    2024 and Recent Company Highlights:

    Financial:

    • Revenues of $49.3 million, more than double any previous year’s revenue in the Company’s history excluding 2023
    • Five-year Revenue CAGR 68%
    • Revenues from non-government commercial entities increased by 229% from 2023 to 2024
    • Positive full year gross margins of 15% – an improvement of 13 percentage points over 2023
    • Adjusted non-GAAP gross margins, net of non-cash costs were 21%
    • Net cash used in Operations for 2024 was $2.2 million vs. 2023 at $13.3 million
    • Backlog of $5.6 million on December 31, 2024
    • Debt free and $100 million line of credit available and unused

    Operational:

    • Acquisition of Serbia-based Telcom – provides Beam with in-house production capabilities for power electronics
    • Received $7.4 million order from the U.S. Army for 88 off-grid EV ARCTM systems
    • Received $4.8 million order from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for EV ARCTM systems
    • Achieved CE (Conformité Européenne) certification on EV ARCTM
    • Achieved Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act Compliance for EV ARC™
    • Launched four new products BeamSpot™, BeamBike™, BeamPatrol™, BeamWell™
    • Received first orders for BeamSpot™ and BeamWell™
    • Closed and deployed first “Driving on Sunshine” sponsorship deal with Globos Osiguranje
    • Introduced the Beam Global Reseller Program – expanding outside sales resources
    • Delivered UK Ministry of Defence EV ARC™ systems to Cyprus
    • Entered Middle Eastern and African markets through reselling partnerships
    • Added new police and international airport fleet customers, further expanding our customer base in critical sectors
    • Enhanced Beam Global leadership team:
      • COO – Mark Myers, former Nuclear Navy Officer
      • VP of Sales – Andy Lovsted joined Beam Global in the U.S.
      • Director of Channel Partnerships – Igor Labovic joined Beam Global in Europe
    • Announced partnership with Benzina Zero, an innovative provider of electric mopeds, scooters, electric bicycles and micro-mobility solutions
    • Announced partnership with Zero Motorcycles, an innovative provider of electric motorcycles
    • Expanded global patent portfolio:
      • Awarded European Patent for Thermal Management Technology that Makes Lithium-ion Batteries Safer
      • Awarded U.S. Patent for Wireless / Inductive Electric Vehicle Charging Powered by Renewable Energy
      • Granted U.S. Patent for High-Volume Battery Assembly and Safety Technology

    “2024 was a year of tremendous expansion for Beam Global,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “It was a year in which we introduced more new e-mobility and energy security products in the last quarter of the year than we have done in the last decade. It was also a year in which we expanded geographically into markets with billions of potential new customers for Beam. We completed another acquisition in Serbia, which will make our products less expensive, more effective, and harder to compete with. We won new patents as we continued to build our intellectual property portfolio. Using our technological differentiation, we won new customers with unique requirements that we believe only we can fulfill. With these strategic moves and others, we created a platform for growth, which is unlike anything that we’ve had in the Company’s history. We have made dramatic improvements to our gross profitability and set the Company on a clear path to being cash-flow positive. We have sufficient cash and other working capital resources to allow us to continue to execute on our plans and we remain debt free while still having access to our $100 million line of credit which remains untapped. We believe that the Company retains excellent opportunities for growth in 2025 as a result of our geographic and product portfolio expansions, and in spite of political and economic uncertainty in the United States.”

    2024 Financial Summary

    Revenues
    Beam Global’s revenues as of December 31, 2024, was $49.3 million compared to $67.4 million in 2023. Although there was a decrease year over year, this was a 124% increase over 2022 revenue of $22.0 million and twice any full year’s revenue in our history except 2023. Additionally, revenues derived from non-government commercial entities increased by 229% for the twelve months from 2023 to 2024 and were 38% of total revenues in 2024.   We believe that the decrease in revenue is a result of order timing, uncertainty in the U.S. government’s zero emission vehicle strategy related to the presidential election. These matters have mainly impacted our larger federal customers, and we do not believe that they signify any fundamental reduction in global demand for our products. We have continued to invest in our sales resources with new hires in both the U.S. and Europe and we have further expanded our selling resources without costs through adding external resources who are paid only when they make sales.     

    Gross Profit
    The Company reported a positive gross profit of $7.3 million, or 15% gross margin, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a gross profit of $1.2 million, or 2% gross margin in 2023. As a percentage of revenue, the full year margin improved by thirteen percentage points primarily because we have implemented cost improvements in late 2023 as a result of design changes to the EV ARCTM as well as operational improvements and positive margins generated from the acquisitions in Europe. The gross profit includes a non-cash negative impact of $2.4 million for depreciation and $0.7 million for amortization of intangible assets resulting from the AllCell acquisition. Without this non-cash expense, our gross profit for 2024 was $10.5 million, a 21% gross margin. The Company’s engineering teams have continued to implement design changes during 2024 which further reduce costs of the bill of materials and improve the product margins. We expect the Company’s revenue to grow in the future and our fixed overhead absorption to continue to improve.

    Operating Expenses
    Total operating expenses were $19.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $17.5 million in the prior year.   The operating expenses in 2024 includes an increase of $3.8 million due to having a full year of operating expenses for the Serbian acquisitions and a non-cash positive impact of $0.4 million, without these, adjusted operating expenses increase for the year ended December 31, 2024 would be $1.6 million compared to the same period in 2023. The increase is mostly attributable to salaries and benefits of $0.7 million related to new hires in 2024, $0.4 million related to outside services, partially related to acquisitions, and $0.4 million related to marketing expenses.

    Loss from Operations
    Loss from operations was $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Backing out the non-cash items that included $3.7 million for depreciation and amortization, $3.3 million for stock-based compensation and $0.4 million for allowance for credit losses, offset by $4.7 million for change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities pertaining to the true-up of the earnout payment for the Amiga acquisition, the non-cash loss from operations was $8.9 million for 2024, compared to loss from operations of $11.8 million for 2023. The Non-GAAP loss from operations decreased 24% year over year due to increased gross profit of 13 percentage points in 2024 and management of operating expenses.

    Cash
    On December 31, 2024, we had cash of $4.6 million, compared to cash of $10.4 million at December 31, 2023. The cash decrease between December 31, 2023 and 2024 included cash payments for our acquisitions of $3.2 million.  Net cash used for operating activities was $2.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $13.3 million for the same period in 2023.

    We have historically met our cash needs through a combination of debt and equity financing and more recently through increasing gross profit contributions. Our cash requirements are generally for operating activities and acquisitions.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with GAAP, we present Non-GAAP Loss from Operations which is non-GAAP financial measures, in this press release. We use Non-GAAP Loss from Operations in conjunction with GAAP measures as part of our overall assessment of our performance to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and to communicate with our board of directors concerning our financial performance. We believe Non-GAAP Loss from Operations is also helpful to investors, analysts and other interested parties because it can assist in providing a more consistent and comparable overview of our operations across our historical financial periods. Non-GAAP Loss from Operations has limitations as an analytical tool. Therefore, you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because of these limitations, you should consider Non-GAAP Loss from Operations alongside other financial performance measures, including net loss attributable to other GAAP measures. In evaluating Non-GAAP Loss from Operations you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as, or similar to, some of the adjustments reflected in this press release. Our presentation of Non-GAAP Loss from Operations should not be construed to imply that our future results will be unaffected by the types of items excluded from the calculations of Non-GAAP Loss from Operations. Non-GAAP Loss from Operations is not presented in accordance with GAAP and the use of these terms vary from others in our industry. Reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure has been provided in the financial statement tables included within this press release, and investors are encouraged to review this reconciliation.

    Conference Call April 11, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET

    Management will host a conference call on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET to review financial results and provide an update on corporate developments. Following management’s formal remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session.

    Participants can register for the conference through the following link:   

    https://dpregister.com/sreg/10198405/fed880d536

    PARTICIPANT CALL IN (TOLL FREE): 1-844-739-3880

    PARTICIPANT INTERNATIONAL CALL IN: 1-412-317-5716

    Please ask to join the Beam Global call.

    A webcast archive will be available on our website (www.BeamForAll.com) following the call.

    About Beam Global
    Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Beam Global is headquartered in San Diego, CA with facilities in Chicago, IL and Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This Beam Global Press Release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements in this Press Release other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may,” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results. These statements relate to future events or future results of operations. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause Beam Global’s actual results to be materially different from these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, Beam Global expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Media Contact
    Andy Lovsted
    +1-858-335-8465
    Press@BeamForAll.com

    Investor Relations
    Luke Higgins
    +1-858-799-4583
    IR@BeamForAll.com

           
    Beam Global      
    Consolidated Balance Sheets      
    (In thousands)      
                     
          December 31,       December 31,  
          2024       2023  
                     
    Assets                
    Current assets                
    Cash   $ 4,572     $ 10,393  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $259 and $448     8,027       15,943  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     2,243       2,453  
    Inventory, net     12,284       11,933  
    Total current assets     27,126       40,722  
                     
    Property and equipment, net     13,704       16,513  
    Operating lease right of use assets     1,893       1,026  
    Goodwill     10,580       10,270  
    Intangible assets, net     8,037       9,050  
    Deposits     119       62  
    Total assets   $ 61,459     $ 77,643  
                     
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
    Current liabilities                
    Accounts payable   $ 8,959     $ 9,732  
    Accrued expenses     2,462       2,737  
    Sales tax payable     195       209  
    Deferred revenue, current     847       828  
    Note payable, current     63       40  
    Deferred consideration     –       2,713  
    Contingent consideration, current     93       –  
    Operating lease liabilities, current     696       615  
    Total current liabilities     13,315       16,874  
    Commitments and contingencies (F-14)                
    Deferred revenue, noncurrent     800       402  
    Note payable, noncurrent     199       160  
    Contingent consideration, noncurrent     216       4,725  
    Other liabilities, noncurrent     3,380       3,787  
    Deferred tax liabilities, noncurrent     1,290       1,698  
    Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent     971       455  
    Total liabilities     20,171       28,101  
                     
    Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)                
                     
    Stockholders’ equity                
    Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 authorized, none outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.     –       –  
    Common stock, $0.001 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized, 14,835,630 and 14,398,243 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.     15       14  
    Additional paid-in-capital     147,072       142,265  
    Accumulated deficit     (104,643 )     (93,361 )
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)     (1,156 )     624  
                     
    Total stockholders’ equity     41,288       49,542  
                     
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 61,459     $ 77,643  
                     
    Beam Global
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    ( In thousands, except per share amounts)
                   
      Year Ended
      December 31,
        2024       2023  
                   
    Revenues $ 49,336     $ 67,353  
                   
    Cost of revenues   42,040       66,149  
                   
    Gross profit   7,296       1,204  
                   
                   
    Operating expenses   18,953       17,465  
                   
    Loss from operations   (11,657 )     (16,261 )
                   
    Other income (expense)              
    Interest income   205       261  
    Other income (expense)   110       (36 )
    Interest expense   (34 )     (12 )
    Other income   281       213  
                   
    Loss before income tax expense   (11,376 )     (16,048 )
                   
    Income tax (benefit) expense   (94 )     12  
                   
    Net Loss $ (11,282 )   $ (16,060 )
                   
    Net foreign currency translation adjustments   (1,781 )     624  
    Total Comprehensive Loss $ (13,063 )   $ (15,436 )
                   
    Net Income (loss) per share – basic/diluted $ (0.77 )   $ (1.30 )
                   
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic/diluted   14,621       12,345  
                   
    Beam Global
    Reconciliation of Loss from Operations to Non-GAAP Loss from Operations
    (Unaudited, In thousands)
                        
           Year Ended
           December 31,
             2024       2023  
                        
    GAAP Total Revenue     $ 49,336     $ 67,353  
                        
    GAAP Total COGS   42,040       66,149  
    Adjusted to exclude the following:                 
    Depreciation and amortization      3,155       970  
    Non-GAAP Total COGS    $ 38,885     $ 65,179  
                        
    Non-GAAP Gross Profit    $ 10,451     $ 2,174  
    Gross Margin %       21 %     3 %
                        
    GAAP Total Operating Expenses      18,953       17,465  
                   
    Adjusted to exclude the following:                 
    Depreciation and amortization      558       581  
    Non-cash compensation      3,322       2,675  
    Allowance for credit losses      392       0  
    Fair value of contingent consideration (1)     (4,675 )     260  
    Non-GAAP Total adjustments    $ (403 )   $ 3,516  
                   
    Non-GAAP Total Operating Expenses   $ 19,356     $ 13,949  
                        
    GAAP Loss from Operations    $ (11,657 )   $ (16,261 )
    Non-GAAP total adjustments      2,752       4,486  
    Non-GAAP Loss from Operations    $ (8,905 )   $ (11,775 )
                        

    (1)   Fair value of contingent consideration is non-cash. The Earnout Consideration is paid in the Company’s stock. See the financial statement notes included in prior quarterly and annual filings.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Goods Council addresses trade concerns and future work, elects new Chair

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Goods Council addresses trade concerns and future work, elects new Chair

    Trade concerns
    The CTG reviewed 35 specific trade concerns (STCs), four of which were raised at the Council for the first time. The new trade concerns were (in alphabetical order):
    European Union – Proposal for a Regulation on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-gas), Amending Directive
    India – Measures That May Have Unintended Results Equivalent to Quantitative Restrictions
    Philippines – Export Restrictions on Minerals in Their Raw Form
    United States – Reciprocal Tariffs and Other Tariff Measures
    On the first item, the United States and Japan raised concerns regarding the development and implementation of the EU regulation in question.
    On the second item, Thailand expressed concern regarding delays in the issuance of standard marks and import licenses in India for certain products, including wood-based boards and viscosity fibres.
    On the third item, Japan and the United Kingdom raised concerns regarding a bill in the Senate of the Philippines which they said would impose export restrictions on raw minerals.
    On the fourth item, China raised concerns regarding the recent tariff measures announced by the United States. China said that the tariffs ran counter to WTO rules and undermined the multilateral trading system, and it called upon all WTO members to stand together in safeguarding the rules-based system. Twenty members took the floor to comment. Many expressed concerns about the negative economic impact of the tariffs and their compatibility with WTO rules. Many also stressed the importance of resolving trade disputes through dialogue and cooperation within the WTO framework.
    The United States delivered a separate statement on its tariff duties announcements of 2 and 9 April under “other business”. It said that, on 2 April, US President Donald Trump had declared a national emergency under domestic law due to the extraordinary threat to US national and economic security arising from conditions reflected in large and persistent annual US goods trade deficits. The United States said it was not altering or abrogating its WTO tariff bindings or commitments, but rather was taking action it considered necessary for the protection of its essential security interests, and was maintaining the measure pursuant to the essential security exception in the WTO Agreement.
    China replied that it regretted that the US measures had introduced uncertainty into the global economy; there were no winners in the trade war, China said, adding that it was essential to resolve this issue within a cooperative framework. No other member took the floor.
    Trade concerns previously raised in the CTG have covered a wide range of measures relating to trade in goods across the WTO membership, including non-tariff barriers, environmental policies, import taxes, import/export restrictions, national security, halal certification, subsidy schemes, export controls, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, discriminatory domestic taxes, administrative procedures, and trade-disruptive and -restrictive measures.
    They have also encompassed a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, semi-conductors and semi-conductor-manufacturing equipment, and food products, as well as specific products, such as critical minerals, electric vehicles, electric batteries, liquors, air conditioners, apples and pears, cheese, pulses, cosmetics and tyres.
    The full agenda of the meeting is available here.
    Appointment of officers to the subsidiary bodies of the Council for Trade in Goods
    Regarding the election of chairs for the CTG’s 14 subsidiary bodies, the outgoing CTG Chair, Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, reported on the process and informed members that consultations would continue with a view to finding consensus. Once this was reached, the new Chair would reconvene the meeting to address this agenda item only.
    Future work of the Goods Council
    The Chair reported on the 25 February informal dedicated session on managing trade concern discussions, at which members further discussed ideas and proposals that had been put forward by delegations, as well as on the second informal session on digital tools used in the CTG and its subsidiary bodies, which was held on 7 April.
    The CTG then considered a draft Decision on the recording of the resolution of trade concerns. The Decision would allow for the recording of positive resolutions, based on the existing practices of the Committees on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Discussions will continue.
    Secretariat report on status of notifications
    The WTO Secretariat presented a new report on the status of regular/periodic and one-time only notifications in the goods area by members to the CTG. Transparency is a fundamental WTO principle, requiring members to notify various elements of their trade-related measures and policies to the WTO.
    The report reveals an overall submission rate of 77.2 per cent for covered notification requirements, with a higher compliance rate of 82.3 per cent for one-time notifications, and a lower rate of 68.9 per cent for regular/periodic notifications. Detailed submission rates for least-developed country (LDC) members were also provided.
    Several members took the floor to thank the Secretariat for the report and the analysis contained therein.
    Other issues
    The United States raised what it considered to be systemic concerns that the WTO Secretariat was not properly informing and consulting with members prior to undertaking certain activities that are relevant to members’ work in the CTG and its subsidiary bodies. The United States called for a collaborative effort among members to create formal guidance and ensure that the Secretariat remained member-driven, including seeking approval, where appropriate, before engaging in such activities.
    Nineteen members took the floor to comment. In the exchanges, many members reflected the value that they placed on the technical work of the Secretariat, with a shared concern for improving its transparency and communication with WTO members, while balancing the need for efficient Secretariat operations. Several members expressed concerns about any requirement that the Secretariat obtain member approval before undertaking knowledge activities.
    Replying on behalf of the WTO Secretariat, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard highlighted the launch of a comprehensive transparency portal for members and ongoing efforts to keep them informed about Secretariat activities and to seek their views. The Secretariat remains committed to serving all members impartially and transparently, while continuously improving its services, based on member feedback, DDG Ellard added.
    Election of the Chair
    At the conclusion of the meeting, members elected Mr. Gustavo Nerio Lunazzi of Argentina as Chair of the Goods Council for the upcoming work year.
    The outgoing Chair, Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, noted that the Goods Council meeting had, as usual, taken place in room W of the WTO, the same room in which General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiators forged the multilateral trading system that members know today, and in which the first important GATT meetings took place. Whenever delegates walk into this room, she said, they should remember that they are walking through history, and have a responsibility not only to preserve, but also to enhance and adapt the legacy of our predecessors to new challenges.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: China gives USD 500,000 to support WTO-led training programmes for developing economies

    Source: WTO

    Headline: China gives USD 500,000 to support WTO-led training programmes for developing economies

    Channelled through the WTO Global Trust Fund, China’s contribution will help support developing economies in deepening their expertise on WTO issues and enhance their skillset to effectively negotiate and implement trade rules.
    Over the past 10 years, the Global Trust Fund has covered on average 50 per cent of the costs of WTO trade-related technical assistance and training activities, covering areas such as agriculture, services and trade facilitation.
    MOFCOM DG Han said: “China firmly upholds the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. Recognizing the important role technical assistance plays in helping developing economies, especially LDCs, better integrate into the multilateral trading system, China has been supporting these activities for many years. China will continue to deepen cooperation with the WTO Secretariat to make the WTO more inclusive.”
    Dr Bright said: “Trade plays a key role in furthering the development objectives of economies around the world. I thank China for its generous support, which will help ensure that government officials from developing economies and LDCs can gain the skillsets needed to harness international market opportunities to drive job creation and economic growth for their people.”
    Over the past 15 years, China has contributed close to CHF 9 million (close to USD 10.5 million) to assist developing members and observers – including LDCs – in integrating into the multilateral trade system.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: In a world of trade tensions, what do tariffs really do?

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Trade policy tensions are escalating fast. In recent months, several large economies have announced or implemented sweeping new tariffs, reviving a policy tool that many thought to have been largely relegated to the past. These developments have sparked a flurry of political commentary – but behind the headlines, there exists a body of economic research that helps to make sense of what tariffs actually do.

    At their core, tariffs are simple: they raise the domestic price of imported goods. But their effects ripple through the economy in complex ways – altering prices, wages, exchange rates and trade patterns. As governments revisit this powerful lever, understanding the economic mechanisms at play has never been more important.

    At the most basic level, a tariff is a tax on imported products. It drives a wedge between the world price and the domestic price. For instance, if a 10 per cent tariff is imposed on a product with a world price of US$ 100, the domestic price becomes US$ 110. The difference – US$ 10 – is collected as tariff revenue, which the government can use to finance its expenditures.

    Tariffs can also affect the world price of a product, particularly when they are imposed by a large economy. The logic is that higher domestic prices reduce domestic demand, which in turn lowers world demand, and thus world prices. In our example, the world price might fall to $95 after the tariff is imposed, resulting in a domestic price of $104.50. In this case, part of the tariff is effectively paid by foreign producers.

    This cost-shifting creates incentives for large economies to unilaterally impose tariffs. However, this so-called optimal tariff argument overlooks the possibility of retaliation. If country A imposes tariffs on country B, country B has an incentive to respond in kind. The end result is a trade war that leaves both sides worse off.

    This logic underpins the leading theory of trade negotiations. If all economies attempt to benefit at each other’s expense, everyone ends up worse off – and this creates incentives for cooperative trade policymaking. The economics literature on trade policy has shown that the core WTO principles of reciprocity and non-discrimination are effective tools for escaping the logic of mutually harmful tariffs (Bagwell and Staiger, 2002).

    The extent to which tariffs pass through to consumer prices is ultimately an empirical question. Evidence from the initial wave of US tariffs on China suggests full pass-through to US consumers (Amiti et al. 2019; Fajgelbaum et al. 2019). However, these studies focus on short-term effects and use methodologies that cannot fully account for broader macroeconomic adjustments. Standard quantitative trade models typically predict at least some cost-shifting to foreign producers.

    A broader question is how tariffs affect inflation. When a country imposes a tariff, it causes a one-off increase in the domestic price level, but this does not necessarily translate into sustained inflation. One channel through which a tariff could lead to persistent inflation is a wage–price spiral, which is similar to what can happen with other supply shocks.

    Tariffs do not just affect imports – they also affect exports. One direct channel is through higher prices for intermediate goods, which undermine the competitiveness of exporting firms; but broader general equilibrium effects are also important. Tariffs allow import-competing sectors to expand, which draws resources – such as labour, capital and land – away from other sectors, including exporting sectors.

    This process operates through changes in the real exchange rate, which measures domestic prices relative to foreign prices, adjusted for the nominal exchange rate. As import-competing sectors expand, they demand more workers, which pushes up wages across the economy. Higher wages raise production costs for exporting firms, making them less competitive in international markets. The result is an appreciation of the real exchange rate, which makes exports relatively more expensive abroad.

    A related question is what happens to the nominal exchange rate. One channel is direct: tariffs reduce import demand, and hence the demand for foreign currency, leading to an appreciation of the domestic currency. Another channel is indirect: tariffs may lead markets to anticipate tighter monetary policy to counter inflation, which can also cause the domestic currency to appreciate. For trade effects, what ultimately matters is the change in the real exchange rate; whether this occurs through adjustments in wages, domestic prices, or the nominal exchange rate is of secondary importance.

    There is, thus, a trade-off between the inflationary and competitiveness effects of tariffs. If the exchange rate appreciates strongly, domestic prices rise little, but competitiveness suffers significantly. If it appreciates only slightly, domestic prices rise more, but competitiveness is less affected. Either way, tariffs impose economic costs.

    A topical question is whether tariffs affect trade imbalances. The answer depends on whether one considers aggregate, bilateral or sectoral imbalances. Aggregate trade imbalances reflect the gap between national saving and national investment – a basic accounting identity. The logic is analogous to household finance: if a household (country) saves, it must earn (export) more than it spends (imports).

    To improve the aggregate trade balance, tariffs would need to increase national saving or reduce investment, which is a possibility. For instance, households might delay consumption if they expect tariffs to be temporary, thereby raising saving. Alternatively, tariffs could reduce investment by increasing the cost of capital goods, or by creating policy uncertainty, leading firms to postpone spending.

    However, most economists expect tariffs to have only limited effects on aggregate imbalances. Macroeconomic fundamentals – such as fiscal policy or the household savings rate – play a more dominant role. This view is supported by empirical studies that have found little impact of tariffs on aggregate trade balances so far (Furceri et al. 2022).

    Tariffs can, however, affect bilateral trade balances by altering relative prices. It is entirely possible for country A to run a deficit with country B, B with C, and C with A – without any of them having an aggregate trade imbalance.

    Tariffs can also affect sectoral trade balances. For example, higher tariffs on goods imports tend to improve the goods trade balance by discouraging imports through higher domestic prices, while worsening the services trade balance by reducing services exports through an appreciation of the real exchange rate.

    As tariffs return to the trade policy agenda, it is worth recalling what economics has long understood: tariffs are not just a tool for raising revenue or protecting domestic industries – they are a policy lever with wide-ranging, and often unintended, consequences. Their appeal in the short term can obscure longer-term costs to inflation, competitiveness and international cooperation. In a world of growing trade tensions, a clear-eyed view of those trade-offs is more important than ever.

    MIL OSI Economics –