NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers Says: Shear Brilliance: Government Backs Kiwi Wool!

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers is welcoming the announcement that from 1 July all government agencies will be directed to use woollen products when building or refurbishing.
    “This is a clear vote of confidence in the future of New Zealand wool as a natural and sustainable product,” Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams says.
    “It’s fantastic to see the Government recognising so strongly the value of New Zealand-grown wool and backing the world-leading farmers who produce it.
    “Our sheep farmers work incredibly hard to produce a high-quality, environmentally friendly, and sustainable fibre that is second to none globally.”
    Williams says wool’s unique environmental credentials-being biodegradable, non-toxic, and low-carbon-make it a far more sustainable choice for building.
    “This announcement isn’t just a win for Kiwi sheep farmers. It’s a win for the environment and future generations,” Williams says.
    “For too long, synthetic alternatives have dominated the list of preferred construction materials, despite wool being a better option in so many ways.
    “In the past, it felt like a total slap in the face to see our own Government choosing those synthetic alternatives over sustainable and locally grown woollen products.
    “Today’s announcement goes a long way in putting those part-wrongs right, and is certainly a very positive step in the right direction.
    “To sum it up in two words? Shear brilliance.”
    Federated Farmers looks forward to seeing the uptake of wool in government projects and hopes this move will stimulate demand and innovation across the wool industry. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Philip Barbour High School named 2024 School of Excellence by ACT’s American College Application Campaign – West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    Philippi high school is one of 26 U.S. schools recognized for outstanding effort in helping students apply for college

    PHILIPPI, WEST VIRGINIA — ACT’s American College Application Campaign (ACAC) named Philip Barbour High School as a 2024 School of Excellence as part of the College for West Virginia (CFWV) effort to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from under-resourced communities pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential. Philip Barbour High School is one of 26 outstanding schools being recognized nationwide.

    “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to helping students pursue a postsecondary degree or other higher education credential,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “We are incredibly pleased to see Philip Barbour bring home this award. The faculty and staff have worked incredibly hard to increase their college-going rate and have shown fierce dedication to their students’ success.” 

    CFWV coordinates three annual college-planning milestones to help students in West Virginia plan their pathway to education or training beyond high school. Philip Barbour High School fosters a college-going culture within their school through participation in these milestone events as well as creating an overarching culture of student success within their school. Because of this, Philip Barbour has seen an increase in their college going rate by 11 percentage points over the last few years.

    This year’s winning schools were key contributors to the national campaign’s success, as reported by the participating state campaigns:

    • Philip Barbour High School is among 5,854 participating schools that hosted a college application event last fall.
    • More than 477,000 seniors submitted at least one college application during events, an increase of more than 10,000 more seniors compared to 2023.
    • Students submitted a total of 1,316,688 applications. 

    Applying for college can be one of the most intimidating parts of a student’s high school education. This year’s recognized schools worked with students to help them better understand the process, ultimately empowering them to complete an application.

    Every year, ACAC works with coordinators in nearly every state and the District of Columbia to host college application events and reach students in their schools and communities, encouraging them to apply to college. Activities in 2024 included career days and fairs, collegiate tailgates, financial aid workshops, and field trips to colleges, where students could take campus tours.                                                              

    “There’s something that’s so rewarding about seeing our state coordinators take part in helping students navigate the admission process,” ACAC Director Lisa King said. “Students feel more confident and empowered to apply to college, and thanks to initiatives like the American College Application Campaign, it all serves as a reminder of the impact we can have.”

    Nationally, the campaign has served nearly 5.17 million students who have submitted more than 10 million applications since 2005. This is the sixth year that ACAC has recognized outstanding schools.

    For more information, visit https://impactandlearning.act.org.

    To learn more about College for West Virginia, visit CFWV.com.

    About College for West Virginia (CFWV)
    College for West Virginia (CFWV) provides free resource that educators and students can use to expand college and career advising. CFWV’s tools, articles, and college-ready initiatives help guide students to career and college pathways. CFWV.com is West Virginia’s free one-stop resource for college and career information in the Mountain State.

    About the American College Application Campaign
    The American College Application Campaign (ACAC), a national initiative of ACT’s Center for Impact and Learning, is designed to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from under-resourced communities who pursue a postsecondary degree. The purpose is to assist high school seniors as they navigate the college application and admissions process and ensure each participating student submits at least one admissions application. https://impactandlearning.act.org

    About ACT
    ACT is transforming college and career readiness pathways so that everyone can discover and fulfill their potential. Grounded in more than 65 years of research, ACT’s learning resources, assessments, research, and work-ready credentials are trusted by students, job seekers, educators, schools, government agencies, and employers in the U.S. and around the world to help people achieve their education and career goals at every stage of life. Visit us at https://www.act.org. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The ‘monogamy superiority myth’: new research suggests unconventional relationships are just as satisfying

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Anderson, Associate Professor in LGBTIQA+ Psychology, La Trobe University

    Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

    From The Bachelor to Married at First Sight, reality TV sells us the idea that one perfect partner will complete us.

    The formula is familiar: find “the one,” lock it down and live happily ever after.

    But behind the rose ceremonies and fairytale weddings lies a very different reality.



    Read more:
    Is reality TV ‘harmful’? We asked 5 experts – including an ex-reality TV participant

    Monogamy as a gold standard?

    A new meta-analysis challenges the long-held belief that monogamous relationships are more satisfying than non-monogamous ones.

    The study used data from more than 24,000 people from around the world, including Australia. It reported no significant difference in relationship or sexual satisfaction between people in monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships.

    This changes the way we can think about relationships.

    For years, people have assumed monogamy (the exclusive romantic and sexual commitment to one person) is the gold standard.

    But it turns out the secret to fulfilling relationships might not be about exclusivity at all. It seems to be more about honesty, communication and mutual agreement – regardless of how many people are involved.

    A long-held assumption

    The belief that monogamy leads to more satisfying relationships feels like common sense for most people.

    It’s consistently reinforced by our experiences of the world, ranging from childhood fairytales to government policies – there’s no “polyamorous” box on your tax return, for example. Most movies end with one couple walking off into the sunset together to live happily ever after.

    Popular culture hasn’t done much to challenge this assumption.

    Non-monogamous relationships are rarely depicted on screen and when they are – like in Wanderlust or You Me & Her – they’re often shown as chaotic, emotionally fraught and destined to collapse.

    These ideas create what we have called the “monogamy-superiority myth”: the assumption monogamous relationships are more satisfying, more loving and more stable than alternative forms of relationships.

    So what is consensual non-monogamy?

    Consensual non-monogamy comes in many forms but the key aspect is everyone involved agrees that having multiple romantic or sexual partners is okay.

    The explicit awareness of all involved means these relationships are grounded in consent, communication and mutual respect.

    They come in many forms, such as:

    • open relationships: where couples may have sex with others but maintain a strong emotional bond to each other
    • polyamory: where people may have multiple romantic or emotional partnerships at the same time
    • monogamish: where mostly monogamous couple allow some degree of sexual activity with others, usually with clear, consensual boundaries (such as when travelling)
    • swinging: where committed couples engage in sexual activities with other people, often in a social or party setting.

    These relationships typically involve detailed conversations about values, needs and boundaries.

    As a result, people in these relationships often report higher levels of trust, communication and intentionality in their relationship.

    New research suggests non-traditional relationships can be just as satisfying as monogamous ones.
    NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock

    What our study found

    Our recent meta-analysis explored how people in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships compare on a range of relationship and sexual satisfaction dimensions. These included intimacy, passion, trust, sexual fulfilment and overall relationship happiness.

    We concluded people in non-monogamous relationships are just as satisfied as those in monogamous ones.

    The study also found this to be true for both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ participants, challenging another stereotype: that non-monogamy is a “lifestyle choice” for queer people, rather than a legitimate relationship preference.

    So if non-monogamous relationships aren’t less satisfying, why do people think they are?

    Openness and stigmas

    In many monogamous relationships, the most common cause of dissatisfaction or breakup is cheating: when exclusivity is assumed but not upheld, trust can be shattered.

    Consensual non-monogamy relationships, by contrast, build openness into their structure. By agreeing on boundaries from the start, partners may avoid some of the betrayals that hurt monogamous relationships most.

    People in these relationships often face stigma, discrimination and systemic barriers. They may be less likely to disclose their relationship status to doctors, therapists, or employers, fearing judgement or misunderstanding.

    Their relationships are rarely recognised legally and social assumptions often paint them as unstable, overly sexual, or emotionally detached.

    Yet many people in non-monogamous relationships are thriving despite the stigma – most likely because of the trust and communication these relationships require.

    The secret to satisfaction

    These findings are not suggesting everyone should be non-monogamous; monogamy works well for lots of people.

    But this research shows us that relationship satisfaction doesn’t depend on exclusivity – it depends on whether partners feel seen, supported and aligned in their values.

    Health-care providers, educators and policymakers should be aware that not all families or partnerships follow a traditional relationship structure – and that’s OK.

    Recognising consensual non-manogamy relationships can help reduce stigma, improve access to support, and promote wellbeing for people in all types of partnerships.

    Love and relationships simply aren’t a one-size-fits-all situation.

    While reality TV may keep trying to churn out monogamous fairytales, real life is a lot more diverse and, as it turns out, just as fulfilling.

    Joel Anderson receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. The ‘monogamy superiority myth’: new research suggests unconventional relationships are just as satisfying – https://theconversation.com/the-monogamy-superiority-myth-new-research-suggests-unconventional-relationships-are-just-as-satisfying-253443

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Demand Answers and Return of Maryland Father Wrongfully Deported to El Salvador

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined 23 of their Senate colleagues in urging U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father who was living legally under protected status in Maryland with his family until he was wrongfully deported without due process by the Trump Administration last month and sent to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. The Trump Administration has admitted Abrego Garcia’s deportation was the result of an “administrative error” but has not returned Abrego Garcia to his family and home in Maryland.  

    Specifically, the senators call on the Trump Administration to comply with the court order requiring that they facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return and ask for responses to a series of questions regarding ICE’s enforcement policies that may have led to this grave error—and what measures they will take to ensure such an incident does not occur again.

    “It is unacceptable that anyone would be deported without proper due process, especially where an immigration judge has granted the individual protected status that explicitly prohibits his return to El Salvador,” the senators wrote. “We demand that the Administration bring Mr. Abrego Garcia home immediately.”

    “Per court filings, Mr. Abrego Garcia came to the United States in 2011 as a teenager fleeing gang threats in his home country of El Salvador. In 2019, ICE arrested Mr. Abrego Garcia over an unfounded and anonymous allegation that he was involved with MS-13, which placed him in deportation proceedings. The U.S. immigration judge in the case ultimately found that it was in fact Mr. Abrego Garcia who was at risk of being the victim of gang violence,” the senators continued. “This ruling was made under the Trump Administration in 2019 and was in fact required by law under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act once the immigration judge made the factual determination that Mr. Abrego Garcia faced a likelihood of torture in El Salvador. At the time, the Trump Administration made no effort to appeal the judge’s ruling or pursue Mr. Abrego Garcia’s deportation further. Court filings attest that Mr. Abrego Garcia has complied with regular ICE check-ins, has no criminal charges, and has had no contact with any other law-enforcement agency since his release in 2019.”

    “Mr. Abrego Garcia is currently being held at CECOT, a maximum-security prison in El Salvador notorious for human rights abuses, after being deported in violation of the law to the very country where his return was impermissible,” they continued. “And when the Administration makes a mistake as severe as sending an individual with protected status to a foreign prison, it cannot simply shrug off responsibility and allege that there is nothing it can do to reunite him with his wife and child, who are American citizens.”

    The senators concluded the letter with a series of questions for Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons about Abrego Garcia’s protected status, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE’s failure to follow well-established procedures and practices to avoid erroneous deportations and to promptly fix such errors if they do occur, and to demand evidence for unsupported accusations from Vice President J.D. Vance and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13 gang. The senators requested a response by April 22.

    In addition to Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons,??

    We write to express our concerns regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, an action which the Administration admitted in a recent court filing was an “administrative error.” It is unacceptable that anyone would be deported without proper due process, especially where an immigration judge has granted the individual protected status that explicitly prohibits his return to El Salvador. We demand that the Administration bring Mr. Abrego Garcia home immediately. 

    According to court filings, on March 12, 2025, shortly after Mr. Abrego Garcia had picked up his son from the boy’s grandmother’s house, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stopped Mr. Abrego Garcia, inaccurately telling him that his protected status had changed. After giving his wife a few minutes to arrive to take custody of his son, ICE arrested and detained him without any further explanation as to the reason for his arrest. ICE then transferred Mr. Abrego Garcia and other detainees to Texas, where on March 15, 2025, they were loaded onto planes and deported to El Salvador. Mr. Abrego Garcia was reportedly on the only plane that was not sent under the authority of the Alien Enemies Act but instead was transporting migrants with formal removal orders signed by a judge. This occurred despite the fact that ICE knew, as the Administration conceded in court, that his protected legal status specifically prohibited his removal to El Salvador. 

    Per court filings, Mr. Abrego Garcia came to the United States in 2011 as a teenager fleeing gang threats in his home country of El Salvador. In 2019, ICE arrested Mr. Abrego Garcia over an unfounded and anonymous allegation that he was involved with MS-13, which placed him in deportation proceedings. The U.S. immigration judge in the case ultimately found that it was in fact Mr. Abrego Garcia who was at risk of being the victim of gang violence. The judge found that Mr. Abrego Garcia and his relatives credibly testified that gang members had been trying to extort his family and recruit him and his brother to join the gang, forcing his family to move multiple times, ultimately compelling both him and his brother to flee to the United States out of fear.

    The immigration judge agreed that Mr. Abrego Garcia would likely face persecution if deported back to El Salvador and thus granted him a form of legally mandated protection known as “withholding of removal.” Withholding of removal, which may only be granted by an immigration judge, provided Mr. Abrego Garcia the ability to stay and work in the United States despite being the subject of a deportation order. This ruling was made under the Trump Administration in 2019 and was in fact required by law under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act once the immigration judge made the factual determination that Mr. Abrego Garcia faced a likelihood of torture in El Salvador. At the time, the Trump Administration made no effort to appeal the judge’s ruling or pursue Mr. Abrego Garcia’s deportation further. Court filings attest that Mr. Abrego Garcia has complied with regular ICE check-ins, has no criminal charges, and has had no contact with any other law-enforcement agency since his release in 2019.

    Mr. Abrego Garcia is currently being held at CECOT, a maximum-security prison in El Salvador notorious for human rights abuses, after being deported in violation of the law to the very country where his return was impermissible. Though the Administration has admitted in court that his deportation was a mistake, it alleges that there is nothing it can do to address this injustice, given that Mr. Abrego Garcia is now in the jurisdiction of the government of El Salvador as part of an agreement to imprison U.S. deportees in exchange for financial compensation. 

    Your unwillingness to immediately rectify this “administrative error” is unacceptable. Under multiple Democratic and Republican administrations, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE followed the rule of law and worked to quickly return people who were wrongfully deported, in the rare instances where such “administrative errors” occurred. The Administration’s mass deportation agenda does not transcend immigration law or the need for due process. And when the Administration makes a mistake as severe as sending an individual with protected status to a foreign prison, it cannot simply shrug off responsibility and allege that there is nothing it can do to reunite him with his wife and child, who are American citizens. On Friday, a U.S. District Court judge in the District of Maryland ordered the government to return Mr. Abrego Garcia to the United States, and on Monday the Fourth Circuit denied the government’s motion to stay the order. The Administration should promptly comply with the district court’s order.

    To address our concerns about this matter and to provide clarity on the Department of Homeland Security and ICE’s policy regarding the immigration enforcement actions against immigrants with protected status, we ask that your Administration answer the following questions by April 22, 2025:

    1. The standard and legal course for the government to take to deport someone with protected status would be to reopen the case, introduce evidence that grounds for terminating the protected status exist, and then allow an immigration judge to make a determination as to their status. Why was that course of action not taken in this case? 
    2. In the past, DHS and ICE worked to quickly return people to the U.S. who were erroneously deported. Why is DHS and ICE no longer following these well-established procedures and practices?   
    3. Vice President J.D. Vance and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have both claimed that Mr. Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, but the government was unable or unwilling to provide any evidence to substantiate that claim to the court. Please provide any evidence of Mr. Abrego Garcia’s membership in MS-13.
    4. Given that the Administration is reportedly paying $6 million to El Salvador to detain deported immigrants at CECOT, why does it believe that there is nothing it can do to return Mr. Abrego Garcia to his family in the United States? Please provide a copy of the agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador on the detention of people deported from the U.S. in CECOT.
    5. Are there any other cases that the Administration is aware of in which an immigrant with protected status was illegally deported without due process? If so, identify those cases and explain what, if anything the government is doing to rectify those errors.
    6. Will the Administration commit to reviewing all of the cases of its deportees to ensure that it has appropriately identified all of the errors?
    7. What actions will the Administration take in the future to ensure that immigrants with protected status are afforded their appropriate due process?

    We appreciate your prompt attention to this vital matter and look forward to reviewing your fulsome, timely response.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BSMI Reminds Parents to Put Toy Safety First This Children’s Day

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Children’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to children-a day filled with joy, laughter, and thoughtful gifts from parents and loved ones. To help make this day truly happy and safe, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, would like to extend its warmest wishes to all children in Taiwan and remind parents that when it comes to toys, safety should always come first. The Commodity Inspection Mark on toys is a clear sign that the product meets national safety standards.

    To protect children’s health and safety, all toys intended for children under 14 years old are required by law to undergo inspection and must bear the official Commodity Inspection Mark. Both imported and locally-made toys are subject to this requirement before they can be sold on the market.

    The BSMI encourages parents to keep the following safety tips in mind when buying and using toys:
    1.Choose toys with the Commodity Inspection Mark. (Refer to the attached diagram. Information on certified toys is available on the BSMI website: https://civil.bsmi.gov.tw/bsmi_pqn/)
    2.Check product labels. Ensure that information on age suitability, usage instructions, materials, and safety warnings is clearly marked in Chinese-and take the time to read them carefully.
    3.Buy age-appropriate toys. Toys that are not suitable for a child’s age may lead to accidental injuries.
    4.Check toys thoroughly. Make sure parts are securely attached and that there are no small, loose components that could be swallowed.
    5.Check for sharp edges. Broken or poorly made toys may cause cuts or injuries.
    6.Watch out for long strings or cords. These may pose a risk of strangulation for young children.

    Additionally, the BSMI would like to highlight several recent incidents, both in Taiwan and abroad, related to certain popular toys. Parents are advised to pay special attention to the followings:
    1.Slime toys: Some may contain excessive levels of boron, which can cause skin irritation or other health risks. Limit your child’s playtime with slime and ensure they wash their hands after use.
    2.Expandable toys (water-absorbing toys): These can grow in size after absorbing water and may cause choking if swallowed. They are not suitable for children under three years old.
    3.Floating balloons: Always ask the seller about the type of gas used. If the gas is flammable (such as hydrogen) or if the seller cannot confirm the gas type, do not purchase them.
    4.Magnetic Buckyballs: These small, strong magnets can cause severe internal injuries if swallowed. Keep them out of reach of young children.
    5.Pimple Popping Injection Squishy Toys: If these toys come with a syringe or needle, they do not meet safety standards and should not be purchased for children.
    6.Automatic inflatable grenade toys: These toys can produce loud noises and potentially cause hearing damage. Heat and flying fragments from these toys may also harm children’s skin or eyes.
    7.Plastic toy gravity knives: While they may seem harmless, these toy knives can still cause injury. Teach children to use them responsibly and never point them at others.

    To help parents and children better understand toy safety risks, the BSMI has also produced an educational animation video on the dangers of magnetic Buckyballs, available on our website: https://www.bsmi.gov.tw/wSite/public/Data/6.mp4. We encourage parents and teachers to watch this video with children to raise awareness.

    Let’s work together to make this Children’s Day happy and safe for every child.

    Responsible Division: Inspection Administration Division
    Contact Person: Cheng, Ching-Hong, Deputy Director
    Tel. (O):+886-2343-1763
    Email:ch.cheng@bsmi.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s icebreaker Xuelong returns to Shanghai after fruitful Antarctic survey

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

    China’s research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, berths at a base dock in Shanghai, east China, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    SHANGHAI, April 8 — China’s research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday, marking the completion of key missions in the country’s 41st Antarctic expedition, according to a press conference held on Tuesday.

    The expedition involves 516 members from 118 domestic and international institutions and is being carried out by three vessels. The cargo ship Yong Sheng returned to China in January, while the research icebreaker Xuelong 2 remains on mission in the Ross Sea and is expected to return to Shanghai in June, according to Long Wei, an official with the State Oceanic Administration.

    Xuelong completed a 159-day journey covering over 27,000 nautical miles, from its departure from Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, on Nov. 1, 2024, to its arrival on Tuesday.

    The polar expedition achieved breakthroughs in areas such as technological and methodological innovation, large-scale application of domestically developed equipment, and international collaboration. It is expected to bolster research on rapid changes in Antarctica and contribute to effective responses to global climate change.

    Wang Jinhui, leader of the expedition team, said that the mission primarily focused on establishing a clean energy system, incorporating wind, solar and hydrogen power as well as energy storage facilities at China’s Qinling research station in Antarctica. He added that the team also achieved significant outcomes, including the collection of data on ice sheets and penguin habitats, through investigation, monitoring, and scientific research.

    China has involved multiple countries in its ongoing oceanic survey in the Ross Sea and continues to engage in various international research and collaboration projects, according to Wang.

    Members of China’s 41st Antarctic expedition team disembark from the country’s research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, at a base dock in Shanghai, east China, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China’s research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, berths at a base dock in Shanghai, east China, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People greet China’s research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, at a base dock in Shanghai, east China, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZCTU announce transformative policy vision for Aotearoa

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has launched a new policy platform, Aotearoa Reimagined, which has been developed by engaging workers, community leaders and policy experts over the past year.

    “Today we are announcing a transformative policy vision that reimagines our society and economy to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand works for the many, not just the few. We challenge political parties to make a strong commitment to working people by adopting these policies in the lead up to the next general election,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

    “Our country is heading in the wrong direction. We have a broken economy, rising inequality and poverty, soaring unemployment, and stagnating wages. The rich keep getting richer at the expense of ordinary people. We need to do things differently. It’s time for bold change.

    “We’ve spent the last year listening to workers who have told us that they are angry at a system that doesn’t meet their needs or aspirations. They fear their children are facing a future of increasing hardship.

    “Everyone deserves security, dignity, and to have enough to thrive. Changing the country’s trajectory is possible—we just need to make different choices. We have listened to working people and created a plan to build a society that works for everyone. 

    “Our plan would ensure everyone can have good, well-paid jobs underpinned by strong workers’ rights.

    “It will deliver world-leading public health and education, a cradle-to-grave care and support system, modern infrastructure, warm dry, affordable homes, clean and publicly owned energy, and low-cost transport.

    “The plan would ensure that Aotearoa meets its climate obligations and guarantees a just transition for the workers and communities who will bear the brunt of the climate crisis and technological change.

    “We are also calling on politicians to reject the politics of division and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi by implementing it in law and in our constitutional frameworks.

    “We can fund the transformative change we desperately need by rebalancing the tax system, taxing capital gains and ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share.

    “The union movement is challenging political parties to make this vision a reality and create an Aotearoa that works for the many, not just the few. It’s time for a new approach,” said Wagstaff.

    Read the full policy platform here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEA urges Supreme Court to reject attempts to force states to fund religious charter schools

    Source: US National Education Union

    WASHINGTON—The National Education Association joined a broad-based coalition of education groups in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Oklahoma Charter School Board v. Drummond and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond. The two cases, which were added late in the court’s current term, concern whether the Oklahoma Supreme Court correctly found that a charter authorizing board’s decision to create the nation’s first religious public charter school violated the Oklahoma state constitution, the state charter school statute, and the U.S. Constitution. 

    If the U.S. Supreme Court sides with the petitioners and holds that the Free Exercise Clause bars the state from refusing to authorize religious charter schools, the decision is likely to have broad repercussions. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia currently have charter school programs, all of which define and treat charter schools as public schools by, among other things, requiring them to offer a nonsectarian education. Over 7% of K-12 students attend such schools.

    “Every student—no matter where they live, what they look like, or their religion—deserves access to a fully-funded neighborhood public school that gives them a sense of belonging and prepares them with the lessons and life skills they need to follow their dreams and reach their full potential,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Allowing taxpayer dollars to fund religious charter schools would put both public education and religious freedom at risk, opening the door to more privatization that undermines our public education system.”

    The lower court ruling was in response to a petition filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican, who sought to rescind the Charter School Board’s contract with St. Isidore. Oklahoma teachers have agreed with the attorney general’s petition.

    “Our public schools and educators work tirelessly to meet the needs of each student despite the challenges placed on them by elected officials,” said Cari Elledge, a fifth-grade teacher who serves as the president of the Oklahoma Education Association. “Requiring Oklahoma to fund religious doctrine in charter school programs diminishes funding for classroom resources, educator salaries, and other supports our students need. Ultimately, it can harm our students and our public schools by funneling funding meant for all to only a select few.”

    The ramifications of allowing taxpayer money to fund religious charter schools will extend far beyond Oklahoma’s borders.

    “More than 90% of American students—and 95% of students with disabilities—learn in our public schools. And these students need more opportunities, more resources, and greater protections, not less,” added Pringle. “The Supreme Court must not radically depart from the universal legal consensus that public schools, including charter schools, must welcome all students, be accountable to the public, and remain nonsectarian. Forcing taxpayers to fund charter schools that provide a religious curriculum and demand public funds without following public rules is a direct attack on public education, threatening the very foundation of our democracy.”

    The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the cases on April 30.

    Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social and https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social  

    # # #

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Overdue bushwalker rescued from state’s west coast

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Overdue bushwalker rescued from state’s west coast

    Wednesday, 9 April 2025 – 10:40 am.

    An overdue 81 year old Victorian bushwalker has been rescued from Mount Murchison on the state’s west coast early this morning.Police were notified about 8.30pm last night, with Search and Rescue ground crews safely locating the man about 2am.Inspector Andrew Hanson said that the man was an experienced bushwalker and had taken appropriate steps to prepare, including notifying his family of his expected return.“It’s pleasing that the man took steps to prepare, which enabled his family to raise the alarm when he became overdue,” he said.“It’s a timely reminder for everyone of the dangers of the Tasmanian wilderness.”Police advise bushwalkers against walking alone, and to ensure they carry sufficient warm clothing and food, and emergency communication devices. A two-way messaging emergency device is preferred.• Ensure you’re prepared with appropriate equipment – take a map and torch, clothing and footwear to suit any conditions, regardless of the season take a waterproof jacket; adequate food and water, first aid kit.• Research your intended trip – ensure the trip is within your abilities and fitness level, and you have a route plan, map and check the expected weather forecast.• Let someone know before you go – ensure someone knows your route and expected return time.• Always carry a fully charged mobile phone and consider a portable charger to extend battery life. Batteries do not last as long when cold and mobile navigation apps deplete batteries quicker than other apps.• Carry a Personal Locator Beacon but be aware that they are a one-way communication device.• Be flexible. Be prepared to turn back or change plans if severe weather is forecast or eventuates during the walk. Making the decision to push on when you should turn back can put you in danger.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: More children at risk of losing family connections

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Karen Chhour is proposing to scrap Oranga Tamariki targets which aim to connect more children under state care with family and their culture.

    These targets include aiming to place more children in the care of their wider whānau and investing in iwi organisations who support our tamariki.

    “These reckless changes will discourage the search for the wider family of children in care and risks isolating them from their whakapapa and cultural identity,” Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

    “The law already puts a child’s welfare above all else when making decisions on their future care arrangements. Karen Chhour’s proposed changes opens them up to more disconnection.

    “Testimonies from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care have been clear about the generational harm that comes from being separated from one’s whānau and culture. We should not go back down this road.

    “Last week, with no evidence, against official advice and the warnings of iwi, hapū and the Waitangi Tribunal, the Government scrapped legislation that committed them to closing the gaps for tamariki Māori in our care system.

    “It was a divisive decision and served no real purpose, and now it looks like Karen Chhour is taking our care system even further backwards,” Willow-Jean Prime said.

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Innovation – Nigel Latta Launches Parentland, a Groundbreaking Parenting App

    Source: www.parentland.app

    AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Wednesday 9th April 2025 – Parentland, a revolutionary new app offering tailored, evidence-based parenting advice launches this week.

    The brainchild of renowned New Zealand clinical psychologist Nigel Latta, Parentland is like having an experienced psychologist in your pocket, offering personalised, science-backed solutions when parents need them the most.

    Unlike other parenting apps, Parentland delivers advice that is specific to the age, temperament, and individual needs of each child. Whether you’re dealing with a persistent 5-year-old or an easy-going 11-year-old, the app adapts its guidance to ensure it’s the right fit for your child. This level of individualisation, backed by current scientific research, sets Parentland apart from the competition.

    Nigel has long recognised the challenges that modern parents face; he is the author of 7 parenting books which have now been published in 19 countries and 10 languages and has presented numerous TV shows on the subject.  He is regarded as the trusted authority on the topic for New Zealanders.

    “In 2025, parents face unprecedented pressures, from navigating the digital age to dealing with issues like sleep, eating, and behaviour. Many parents are struggling with not having access to immediate, reliable, and evidence-based advice.

    “The internet is full of mostly well-meaning people offering advice that can often be ineffective or even harmful, and unfortunately the cost of seeing a clinical psychologist can be prohibitive for many.

    Nigel added, “We wanted to create an app that doesn’t just deliver generic advice but offers something tailored to the unique temperament and developmental stage of each child. Whether you’re trying to help a toddler sleep through the night or work through a picky eater, Parentland gives you clear, actionable steps that actually work.”

    Addressing Common Parenting Struggles – Picky Eating

    Latta has observed that while New Zealand parents are generally doing well, many struggle with foundational issues such as sleep, behaviour, and eating: “Parents need evidence-based advice from experienced professionals.”

    One of the app’s standout features is its Food Range Diary, which helps parents address the growing issue of picky eating—a challenge that has escalated to millions of parents both in New Zealand and globally. Curated by Dr Natalie Flynn, who is a clinical psychologist  specialising in eating disorders, parents can track their child’s eating habits, identify areas of concern, and receive personalised guidance on when to seek help.

    “We’re seeing more and more picky eaters today, and it’s important that we address this early on,” says Dr Flynn.  “If left unchecked, picky eating can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies, and it’s often rooted in behavioural patterns that can be changed with the right tools. Parentland will guide parents through those tricky moments, offering advice that’s based on solid clinical evidence,” she says.

    In addition, the app’s innovative tools such as the Farty Monkey, the Star Chart, and the Ladder help families break out of unhelpful patterns of behaviour. By focusing on positive reinforcement and research-backed strategies, Parentland empowers parents to create healthier routines and stronger relationships with their children.

    The Future of Parenting: Evidence-Based, Personalised, and Convenient

    The app’s features include:

    • A tool to determine your child’s temperament (TQ)
    • Customised advice for behaviour, sleep, and eating, specific to each child’s age and TQ
    • A range of fun, interactive reward tools like the Farty Monkey and Star Chart
    • The ability to share features and information with another caregiver
    • A Good-parent-o-meter to highlight your positive parenting skills
    • Daily parenting tips that fit your specific needs
    • The Ladder, a tool to encourage desirable behaviours
    • A Food Range Diary to track and expand your child’s food preferences

    Nigel Latta’s Health Journey: A Personal Commitment to Helping Parents

    Nigel underwent a major health battle last year when diagnosed with cancer, but recent medical breakthroughs and treatment have made his condition no longer terminal.

     “Going through my own health battle this past year made me even more committed to helping families. I know how important it is to get reliable, science-based support when things feel out of control—that’s why I’m so passionate about Parentland.”

    About Parentland

    Parentland is the parenting app that provides trustworthy, science-backed advice designed for the unique needs of your family. Developed by clinical psychologists with over fifty years of combined experience, Parentland offers parents real, actionable tools to navigate the everyday challenges of raising children. With Parentland, every parent can feel empowered to make informed decisions and take the right steps to create positive changes in their home.

    The Parentland app was created by Cactuslab, an independent web, app design and development studio based in Auckland. Successful apps they’ve created include Letterboxed (the social network for film lovers) and Cloudcheck (an electronic identification verification (EV) tool).

    For more, see: www.parentland.app

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst, Grassley, Marshall Protect Family Farms, Consumers from Burdensome Government Overreach

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – After the U.S. Supreme Court left an open invitation for Congress to strike down California’s Proposition 12, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is leading her colleagues in ending this unjustified and burdensome regulatory overreach to protect family farms and bring down pork prices for consumers.
    The Food Security and Farm Protection Act prohibits any state or local government from interfering with commerce and agricultural practices in another state outside their jurisdiction. The bill is co-led by Ernst’s fellow Senate Agriculture Committee members Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).
    “Proposition 12 is dangerous and arbitrary overregulation that stands in direct opposition to the livelihoods of Iowa pork producers, increases costs for both farmers and consumers, and jeopardizes our nation’s food security,” said Senator Ernst. “I’m proud to be leading the charge to strike down this harmful measure and will keep fighting to make sure the voices of the farmers and experts who know best – not liberal California activists – are heard.”
    “California’s Proposition 12, along with Massachusetts’ Question 3, are based on arbitrary, nonsensical standards and have resulted in a harmful patchwork of regulations across the 50 states. They’re a threat to Iowa, which leads the nation in pork production, and to farmers and consumers across this country. Consistent with its authorities under the Commerce Clause, it’s time for Congress to solve this problem by passing legislation. Our bill will end California’s war on breakfast and make sure delicious Iowa pork can be sold everywhere,” said Senator Grassley.
    “The United States is constantly faced with non-tariff trade barriers from protectionist countries, which hurts American agriculture’s access to new markets. The last thing we need is for states like California imposing its will on ag-heavy states like Kansas with regulations that will also restrict our ability to trade among the states,” said Senator Marshall. “Midwest farmers and ranchers who produce our nation’s food supply should not be hamstrung by coastal activist agendas that dictate production standards from hundreds of miles away, and I am proud to support this legislation that gives Kansas agriculture producers the freedom to produce safe, affordable food for all.”
    Agriculture organizations across Iowa support Ernst’s effort:
    “We appreciate Sen. Ernst fighting to protect the livelihoods of Iowa pig farmers by introducing this legislation. The Supreme Court said Congress should address California’s Proposition 12 law regulating sow housing,” said Iowa Pork Producers Association President and pig farmer from Carroll, Iowa, Aaron Juergens. “Congress must act this year to prevent a patchwork of more state regulations from being enacted into law in the future. Since this overburdensome regulation has gone into effect, it’s not only proven costly for producers but consumers as well. We hope Sen. Ernst’s colleagues will join her in supporting efforts to stop Prop 12,”
    “We thank Senator Ernst for standing up for the American pork producer, especially during these times of uncertainty. U.S. pork producers have just suffered the worst 18 months of financial losses in history, and many farm families are contemplating whether they can pass along their farm to the next generation,” said National Pork Producers Council President and Ohio pork producer, Duane Stateler. “We urge the Senate to take up this legislation immediately to provide us much-needed relief.”
    “Iowa soybean farmers are grateful for Senator Ernst’s leadership to address challenges Prop 12 creates for Iowa farmers. It’s crucial we recognize the negative consequences regulations like this create for the entire supply chain, starting with farmers and ending with increased prices for consumers. California’s Prop 12 creates a patchwork of rules that force farmers, including those in Iowa, to comply with costly regulations,” said Iowa Soybean Association President and farmer, Brent Swart. “Not only do the increased costs of compliance threaten to put pork farmers out of business, Prop 12 increases the price of pork at the grocery store by as much as 40%. Higher prices for pork dampen demand for this high-quality protein which negatively impacts market demand for soybeans used for pig feed. This legislation gives us a chance to protect our farms, our livelihoods, and ultimately, families that need affordable food.”
    “The Iowa Cattle industry has made it clear that government overreach and overregulation is incredibly burdensome to industries that provide safe, quality, and sustainable products for the world. Proposition 12 has the potential to further dismantle the livestock industry with the lack of science-based measures. Proposition 12 has already proven to be an unfunded mandate with consumers unwilling to pay premiums for the products that must be compliant with the proposition,” said Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President, Rob Medberry. “The inherent cost to become compliant is overbearing and the simple fact of dollars and cents does not add up. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association believes that consumers have the right to buy products that fit their desires. However, ICA does not support state-by-state regulation of interstate commerce and fervently opposes proposition 12 and similar legislation that has no sound scientific backing.”
    “Turkey farmers across the nation work tirelessly to ensure the production of safe, wholesome, and nutritious turkey products. Through collaboration with veterinarians and industry experts, farmers adhere to rigorous standards and practices designed to provide optimal care for their birds. This effort includes implementing auditable systems that are continuously monitored and improved to meet evolving standards of animal welfare, food safety, and environmental responsibility,” said Iowa Turkey Federation Executive Director, Gretta Irwin. “The proliferation of varying state and local laws that attempt to regulate farming and processing practices presents significant challenges. These inconsistencies create unnecessary burdens for farmers operating across state lines, hinder efficient production, and undermine well-established, science-based practices developed in coordination with industry experts.
    “The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) thanks Senator Ernst for her continued pushback on California’s Proposition 12,” said ICGA President and farmer from Galt, Iowa, Stu Swanson. “Iowa’s corn and pig farmers work together to provide nutritious pork to families across the U.S. With barriers like Proposition 12 cutting off our ability to supply fellow Americans with Iowa grown pork, it’s not only those families who are being affected, but also our farm families here in Iowa. As farmers, we take pride in the crops and livestock we raise, and we need support, not restrictions, as we continue supplying a safe, nutritious product to the growing world. We will continue to work with our livestock partners to see that this issue gets resolved.”
    Background:
    Since Proposition 12 passed in 2018, Ernst has been a vocal opponent of California’s attempts to regulate hardworking pork producers in Iowa and is leading the charge to strike down this harmful initiative that threatens all of American agriculture. She has secured critical support from the Trump administration to aid in these efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – Global infant mortality will rise – in contrast to United Nations projections – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    A new report presented in New York on 8 April reveals that current United Nations projections on infant mortality rates are inaccurate.

    The Fragile Futures report says crucial factors missing from current United Nations projections – the impacts of climate change and population on infant mortality – will cause infant mortality to rise and children’s overall health to decline this decade.

    While current United Nations projections predict a continuing decline in infant mortality, new evidence in the Fragile Futures report shows that climate change and population dynamics in the most climate-vulnerable regions will increase infant mortality rates.

    UK-based NGO Population Matters funded the independent Fragile Futures evidence review, conducted by the Future Child Health research team at The Kids Research Institute Australia, with help from The University of Western Australia and Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University in South Australia.

    Representatives from Population Matters and the Future Child Health research team attended the United Nations Commission on Population Development in New York, and presented the Fragile Futures research at a side event (“A Discussion on Child Health and Climate”) on 8 April.

    Report co-author Professor Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University says that evidence revealed in the Fragile Futures report shows that infant mortality is rising.

    “Although United Nations’ projections on infant mortality show a continuing decline to 2100, recent evidence suggests that infant mortality is increasing in several countries, including the United States, France, India, Madagascar, Cambodia, Nepal, and the Philippines.”

    The report also presents evidence that climate change will increase pre-term births. “Rising temperatures are linked to a 60% increase in preterm births, a major contributor to higher rates of infant mortality and health complications later in life even in those children who survive,” says co-author Dr Melinda Judge from The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia.

    “The risk of pre-term birth is already higher in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia accounted for 65% of all preterm births globally in 2020, and this will increase due to more frequent and persisting heatwaves.”

    Children’s respiratory health is identified as being at increased risk. “Climate change and higher population density also causes more exposure to air pollution, increasing cases of asthma, eczema, and allergies in young children,” says co-author Professor Peter Le Souëf from The University of Western Australia and The Kids Research Institute Australia. “In Africa, air pollution was linked to 449,000 additional infant deaths in 2015.”

    The report shows that preventable deaths of women and newborns are increasing. In 2020, 287,000 women died from preventable pregnancy-related complications, and 80% of newborn deaths were due to preventable and treatable conditions. Investment in sexual and reproductive healthcare saves lives.

    Cuts to international aid budgets are also having an effect on these figures. “The withdrawal of USAID support between 2025 and 2028 is projected to result in 1,200 additional preventable maternal deaths in Afghanistan alone,” says Professor Bradshaw.

    “The total impacts of lost aid on women and children’s health remains unknown – but will be catastrophic without intervention.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Newbury Line, Bunnythorpe

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash in Bunnythorpe, near Palmerston North.

    The crash involves a truck and van and happened at the intersection of Newbury Line and Te Ngaio Road, about 10.10am.

    One person has serious injuries.

    The Serious Crash Unit will be conducting a scene examination and diversions are in place.

    The road is expected to remain closed for some time.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Govt Re-Configures MSOs – Diesel users to pay for new standards at the pump – ERA

    Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

    Energy Resources Aotearoa warns that consumers will ultimately face higher costs at the pump because of new Minimum Stockholding Obligations (MSO) announced today.
    Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says with diesel consumption expected to decline in the coming years, investment in diesel assets is challenged and may become obsolete.
    “The Government’s decision to add 7 days of diesel stockholding obligation on importers, rather than fund and manage themselves, will require industry to either lease additional tanks or convert/build tanks to support current demand. Both options require significant long-term investment which will be passed through to the consumer at the pump.”
    “Add the low likelihood of experiencing a sustained and severe fuel disruption to that picture, and we will have a high-cost solution imposed on New Zealanders for a rare and unprecedented event.”
    Carnegie says that while the government’s reasoning for increasing fuel stocks is New Zealand’s vulnerability to international fuel supply disruptions, the costs to consumers far outweigh the benefits beyond the current 21 days of mandated cover.
    “New Zealand operates in a nimble, complex and highly integrated supply chain system that supplies liquid fuels in Asia Pacific, which has only improved since the closure of the Marsden Point refinery.
    Now, more than ever, more ships are on the water delivering fuel across New Zealand. Since the refinery closure, fuel companies have been providing fuel to New Zealand through more frequent shipments from a wider range of sources.”
    Carnegie says if the government wants to enhance resilience, it should fund an extra seven days of coverage instead of imposing this requirement on fuel importers.
    “The beneficiaries are all New Zealanders rather than diesel users who will have to carry these costs. Government funding is the fairest approach to sharing the costs because resilience is a form of public insurance for the highly unlikely event of a sustained and severe fuel disruption.
    Costs associated with MSO include monitoring systems and IT, labour, storage for fuel and data, legal and contractual fees, engineering, and design. All of these costs will ultimately be passed on to the consumer.
    We are not convinced that increasing onshore stocks will improve diesel resilience or is the right approach to future-proofing New Zealand’s emergency management system.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Qualcomm Executive Convicted by Jury in $180 Million Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Dr. Karim Arabi was convicted by a federal jury today of fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a massive $180 million scheme targeting his then-employer, Qualcomm.

    After a four-week trial, the jury deliberated for less than two days. The jury found that while working as vice president of Qualcomm’s Research and Development Department, Dr. Arabi committed fraud by developing a valuable microchip technology, marketing the technology through a company, Abreezio, which he created to conceal his involvement, and then selling the company and its purported technology to Qualcomm for $180 million.

    As part of his employment with Qualcomm, Dr. Arabi had agreed that virtually all technology he invented while working at Qualcomm belonged to Qualcomm.  To perpetrate the fraud, Dr. Arabi carefully hid his role as the new company’s shadow CEO, picked its corporate name (Abreezio) and weighed in on its office furniture.

    Dr. Arabi created fake email accounts and sent phony emails to impersonate his sister, Sheida Alan, the supposed inventor of the new technology. In truth, Sheida was a nonentity throughout its formation, development, marketing and sale. In the summer of 2015, when Abreezio was filing a new round of patent applications, Sheida legally changed her last name from “Arabi” to “Alan,” to further conceal her relationship with Dr. Arabi.

    According to evidence presented at trial, after the deal closed and Qualcomm unwittingly paid almost $92 million to Dr. Arabi’s sister, the campaign of concealment continued: Dr. Arabi invested the money in Canadian and Norwegian real estate while hiding his involvement, funneled funds back to his U.S. companies via intermediary shells, lied repeatedly through Qualcomm’s subsequent civil fraud suit, and received steady installments of laundered fraud proceeds until the month before his arrest in this case.

    “The defendant took advantage of the trust placed in him, lining his pockets with millions by orchestrating a scheme to deceive and then bleed his own employer,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “His actions weren’t just a betrayal of the company – they were a direct attack on the very principles of fairness and integrity that keep business honest. Today’s jury verdict sends a clear message: In the Southern District of California, fraud has consequences. We will relentlessly pursue justice against those who try to profit through lies and deceit.”

    “Dr. Arabi perpetrated an elaborate and exhaustive scheme to conceal, deceive, and defraud his own employer out of millions of dollars,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “With today’s verdict, Dr. Arabi will now face the consequences of this massive fraud, sending the clear message that corporate executives who facilitate fraud will be held accountable for their crimes.”

    “As vice president of Research and Development, Mr. Arabi was entrusted with protecting Qualcomm’s intellectual property rights,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Arabi executed a scheme to swindle Qualcomm out of $180 million for what was rightfully their own technology. This guilty verdict is reflective of outstanding investigative work by IRS-CI and our partners at the FBI and U.S. Marshal’s Service.”

    Qualcomm actually paid $150 million to the coconspirators and others before discovering the fraud.

    Two other defendants pleaded guilty in the scheme prior to Arabi’s trial. Ali Akbar Shokouhi, another former Qualcomm employee and the primary investor in Abreezio, pleaded guilty to money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 1, 2025; Sanjiv Taneja, Abreezio’s nominal CEO, pleaded guilty to money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2025.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas W. Pilchak, Janaki G. Chopra and Eric R. Olah.

    DEFENDANT                                 Case Number 22-CR-1152                                      

    Karim Arabi                                        Age: 58                                   San Diego, CA

    CHARGES

    Wire Fraud Conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349

    Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; $1 million fine or twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction

    Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343

    Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; $1 million fine

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)

    Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Internal Revenue Services, Criminal Investigation

    United States Marshals Service

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gladstone Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for Abducting and Sexually Abusing a Canadian Child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.— A Gladstone, Oregon man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison today for abducting and sexually abusing a Canadian child he met through a music creation social media platform.

    Noah Madrano, 43, was sentenced to 600 months in federal prison, a $5,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release. The sum of restitution he must pay to his victim will be determined at a later date.

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the FBI special agents and Oregon City police officers who rescued the victim in Oregon and brought the defendant to justice,” said William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “This sentence is a result of the extraordinary efforts of the victim, the victim’s family, their community, and law enforcement here and in Canada.”

    “The persistence with which Madrano pursued his heinous crimes – traveling internationally on multiple occasions to victimize a child he met online, and ultimately smuggling that victim across an international border, speaks to how predatory his actions genuinely were,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “Madrano will be in his mid-nineties when he is eligible for supervised release. His removal from our communities benefits everyone.”

    According to court documents, Madrano met a child online whom he sexually exploited for more than a year. In May 2022, he traveled to Canada to meet the child in person, took the child to a hotel room, sexually abused the victim, and recorded his abuse. A few weeks later, on June 24, 2022, Madrano returned to Canada, where he abducted the child from outside a school and took the victim to another hotel room. At the hotel, Madrano sexually abused the child for several days and recorded videos of his abuse. On July 1, 2022, Madrano hid the child in the trunk of his vehicle and drove back to the United States. Once in Oregon, Madrano brought the victim to a hotel room, where he continued to sexually abuse the child.

    In the early morning of July 2, 2022, FBI special agents and Oregon City police officers entered Madrano’s hotel room and found him inside with the victim. Madrano was arrested and the child was taken into protective custody, reunited with her parents, and returned to Canada.

    On September 21, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Madrano with sexually exploiting a child, traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transporting a child with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and possessing child pornography.

    On January 13, 2025, Madrano pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child and transporting a child with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

    This case was investigated by FBI Portland’s Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) with assistance from the Oregon City Police Department, the Gladstone Police Department, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, the Edmonton Police Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

    The FBI Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) conducts sexual exploitation investigations, many of them undercover, in coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. CETF is committed to locating and arresting those who prey on children as well as recovering and assisting victims of sex trafficking and child exploitation.

    Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, National Security Members Express Grave Concerns Over Recent Firings at NSA in Letter to Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Letter from senators with jurisdiction over national security over sudden firing of key NSA leaders: “Their removals were conducted in the middle of the night with no consultation with Congress and, according to reports, at the behest of a private citizen who has a record of promoting conspiracy theories.”
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Chris Coons (D-DE), in sending a letter to President Trump regarding the firing of the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), General Timothy Haugh, as well as the reassignment of the Deputy Director of the NSA, Wendy Noble.
    “We write with alarm at the sudden and inexplicable firing of the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, General Timothy Haugh, as well as the reassignment of the Deputy Director of the NSA, Wendy Noble,” the senators wrote. “Not only have both dutifully served this nation for decades under both Democratic and Republican administrations, but their removals were conducted in the middle of the night with no consultation with Congress and, according to reports, at the behest of a private citizen who has a record of promoting conspiracy theories.”
    “These actions severely compromise our ability to keep Americans safe. As you are well aware, our nation currently faces serious cyber threats from foreign adversaries, such as from China’s Salt Typhoon, with near-daily attacks against our critical infrastructure,” the senators continued. “In addition, our nation’s military is engaged in ongoing operations against multiple threats, from the Houthis in Yemen to Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. Given the dangers facing the United States, it is inexplicable that the Administration would remove the senior leaders of NSA/CYBERCOM without cause or warning, and risk disrupting critical ongoing intelligence operations.”
    The senators also highlighted the impact this move would have on the dual-hat arrangement, in which a single officer leads both the NSA and CYBERCOM, and stressed that prematurely severing this agreement could put U.S. national security at risk.
    As members of the key committees tasked with conducting oversight over NSA, the senators requested written justification for why Director Timothy Haugh and Ms. Wendy Noble were removed from their posts, and asked for a Congressional briefing regarding any additional actions the administration plans to take with respect to NSA and CYBERCOM, including but not limited to the separation of the dual-hat.
    Joining Vice Chair Murray, Vice Chairman Warner, and Ranking Members Reed and Coons in this letter are Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
    The text of the letter is below and a PDF is HERE.
    Dear President Trump,
    We write with alarm at the sudden and inexplicable firing of the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, General Timothy Haugh, as well as the reassignment of the Deputy Director of the NSA, Wendy Noble. Not only have both dutifully served this nation for decades under both Democratic and Republican administrations, but their removals were conducted in the middle of the night with no consultation with Congress and, according to reports, at the behest of a private citizen who has a record of promoting conspiracy theories.
    These actions severely compromise our ability to keep Americans safe. As you are well aware, our nation currently faces serious cyber threats from foreign adversaries, such as from China’s Salt Typhoon, with near-daily attacks against our critical infrastructure. In addition, our nation’s military is engaged in ongoing operations against multiple threats, from the Houthis in Yemen to Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. Given the dangers facing the United States, it is inexplicable that the Administration would remove the senior leaders of NSA/CYBERCOM without cause or warning, and risk disrupting critical ongoing intelligence operations.
    Furthermore, we urge you to exercise careful consideration and consultation with Congress on any further actions that may impact NSA’s or CYBERCOM’s abilities to provide the critical intelligence and operational support to policymakers and warfighters. This includes, but is not limited to, any considerations to terminate the dual-hat arrangement. Premature termination of the dual-hat arrangement would severely degrade the speed and effectiveness of NSA’s and CYBERCOM’s abilities to execute their missions and could have dire consequence for our national security. As Congress on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis has repeatedly made clear in the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2017, 2018, and 2020, clear criteria must be met before any termination can be considered and both the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs must together certify that separation will not “pose risks to the military effectiveness of the United States Cyber Command that are unacceptable to the national security interests of the United States.”
    As Members of the respective committees of oversight, we request that you formally provide in writing a justification for why Director Timothy Haugh and Ms. Wendy Noble were removed from their posts and provide a briefing to Congress on any additional actions you plan to take with respect to NSA and CYBERCOM, including but not limited to the separation of the dual-hat.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, Rep. Houlahan Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation Strengthening Menopause Research at DoD and VA 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Senator Murray also leads major bipartisan legislation endorsed by Halle Berry to boost menopause research, expand training and awareness
    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Joni Ernst (R-IA), joined Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D, PA-06) and Stephanie Bice (R, OK-05) in reintroducing the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act. This legislation requires the Department of Defense (DoD) in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to research and study the effects of menopause on women servicemembers and women veterans. This research would, for the first time ever, analyze any gaps in treatment and research for women servicemembers and veterans experiencing perimenopause or menopause, with a focus on the effect of combat roles, toxic exposure, and on overall mental health. 
    “Every woman goes through menopause—but for far too long, research that would help us better understand and treat the symptoms of menopause has been underinvested in and overlooked. I’ve been working to tackle this problem from every angle so that women can have the information and the tools they need to enter menopause with confidence and get the care that’s right for them, and our women in uniform and women veterans are no exception,” said Senator Murray. “I’m proud to join Rep. Houlahan in introducing this legislation to strengthen research at VA and DoD on menopause and mid-life women’s health—and I’ll be pushing to include it in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.” 
    “Servicewomen and women veterans need dedicated resources and research to better understand the unique way military service impacts menopause. Not only is this a health care issue, but it is also a workforce and family-building issue. Women are going into perimenopause earlier, struggling with debilitating health conditions and being forced to leave the workforce earlier due to medical difficulties from menopause,” said Representative Houlahan. “Service members, including those in non-combat roles, face significantly more stress than their civilian counterparts, potentially leading to early onset menopause and other unique challenges. It is essential to understand the health implications through research, not only for the readiness of our force, but our broader workforce as well.” 
    Research proves that stress on the body often leads to earlier perimenopause, cutting child-bearing years short, and other physical and mental health conditions that impact women’s ability to work. Servicemembers are disproportionately affected due to the high-stress nature of their jobs. This bill will require a report and identification of gaps in health care knowledge and coverage so that DOD and VA can better serve those that serve us. With a fast-growing number of women veterans, this research is more important than ever for the readiness of our armed forces, as well as our workforce.  
    Read the full text of the bill here. 
    “Let’s Talk Menopause applauds the introduction of the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act by Representatives Houlahan and Bice. This groundbreaking initiative shines a necessary light on the unique health challenges faced by our service members and veterans as they navigate menopause. Understanding the impact of military service on menopause is crucial for developing tailored support and treatments, ensuring our heroes receive the care they deserve,” said Donna Klassen, Co-Founder/CEO of Let’s Talk Menopause. 
    “As the population of women veterans continues to grow, it’s imperative that the VA not only continues to study our healthcare needs but also takes proactive steps to address them,” said Elisa Cardnell, President of Service Women’s Action Network. “Military service has a lifelong impact on health, and we applaud the efforts of Rep. Houlahan and Rep. Bice to determine how it may impact perimenopause and menopause.”
    “Menopause is a natural life stage that all women will encounter. This includes our nation’s service members and veterans,” said Society for Women’s Health Research President and CEO Kathryn Schubert, MPP, CAE. “Yet, as in so many areas of women’s health, we are operating with a lack of information. This new legislation from Representative Houlahan will give us important insights into menopause’s impact on our service members, including how it affects military service and combat roles. It is our hope that members of Congress will work together in a bipartisan way to quickly pass this legislation.”  
    Last Congress, Senator Murray introduced the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act, new comprehensive bipartisan legislation that would be the most expansive effort so far to boost federal research on menopause and would—for the first time—coordinate the federal government’s existing programs related to menopause and mid-life women’s health. Senator Murray has always championed women’s health care and fought to boost investments in women’s health care research in particular. As the previous top Democrat on the HELP Committee, Murray led negotiations and passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, bipartisan legislation that provided $4.8 billion over the next 10 years to invests in a wide range of health priorities including with regards to women’s health care. Murray leads and has repeatedly introduced the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act, which would increase women’s access to preventive and lifesaving cancer screenings. Murray has also been a strong advocate for women veterans’ health care—transforming the VA over decades to meet the needs of women veterans, whether by authoring and passing the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act in 2010 or by delivering annual funding as an appropriator to help VA provide the necessary care for women veterans. Last year as Chair of the Appropriations Chair, Senator Murray delivered a record $900 million investment in women veterans’ health care.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: View of container terminal of Tianjin Port

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

    View of container terminal of Tianjin Port

    Updated: April 9, 2025 07:12 Xinhua
    A drone photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows a view of a container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin. North China’s Tianjin Port handled over 5.71 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in the first quarter of 2025, up 5.6 percent year on year. The port saw its cargo throughput reach 119 million tonnes during the period, up 1.4 percent year on year. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows containers at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Trucks carrying containers are pictured at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows a cargo ship docking at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows cargo ships at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Workers check a piece of equipment at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: REP. HILL BILL TO EXPAND HSA CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. French Hill’s (R-AR) introduced the HSA Spouse Catch-Up Act, which he co-leads with Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL),

    Rep. Hill said, “Health savings accounts are a smart way for families to plan for medical expenses, but the current rules do not reflect how real families make decisions and manage daily life. Right now, spouses can use their HSA to pay for each other’s medical care, but they cannot make catch-up contributions to each other’s accounts. It is a ridiculous rule that needs to be changed. We need to give Americans the flexibility to plan, save, and make health care decisions that work for their families. That is why I am glad to partner with Representative Steube on this commonsense fix that will make it easier for families to support each other and take control of both their health and their finances.”

    Rep. Steube said    , “Health Savings Accounts have expanded access for millions of Americans to the quality healthcare their families deserve. However, existing laws have hamstrung the ability of families to respond to healthcare emergencies with pointless regulations blocking individuals from utilizing their HSA to cover a loved one’s medical expenses. It only makes sense for us to build upon the success of HSAs with a focus on family economics and freedom. My bill with Congressman Hill will allow Americans to make catch-up contributions to their spouse’s HSA, ensuring financial security and better healthcare outcomes by expanding freedom.”

    Further Background:

    Under current law, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be used by an individual to cover qualifying medical expenses for themselves, their spouse, and their family. However, a married couple cannot contribute catch-up contributions to the same account. This inconsistency has no rational basis. The Catch-Up Act is a commonsense bill that would fix this gap by allowing married individuals to make catch-up contributions to their spouse’s HSA.

    HSAs are individual savings accounts used to pay for qualifying health care expenses. Contributions can be made by the account holder, employers, spouses, and other individuals, including family members or friends. However, only individuals aged 55 and older may make additional catch-up contributions—and those contributions can currently be made only to their own HSA. They are not permitted to make catch-up contributions to a spouse’s account, even though HSA funds can already be used to cover a spouse’s medical expenses.

    Catch-up contributions are designed to help individuals aged 55 and older set aside additional savings for future health care costs. This bill would update the contribution rules to allow families to save even more for their health care needs and provide greater flexibility and financial security in planning for the future.

    Read the bill text HERE

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell, McClain Reintroduce Bipartisan Great Lakes Mapping Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Lisa McClain (R-MI) reintroduced their bipartisan Great Lakes Mapping Act, legislation that would provide a better understanding of the unseen, unexplored lakebeds of America’s Great Lakes, and further our knowledge of their environmental, social, and economic impact.
     
    The Great Lakes Region provides over $6 trillion to America’s GDP, supports 51 million jobs, and is a critical shipping lifeline for much of the country with more than 200 million tons of cargo shipped through the Great Lakes. Despite the far-reaching economic, social, and environmental significance of the Great Lakes, we lack a thorough understanding of their underwater environment.
     
    “In Michigan, the Great Lakes are a way of life, and their impact is felt across our country and beyond. Protecting these waters is personal to me and to so many who call the Heartland home,” Dingell said. “Comprehensively exploring and mapping the Great Lakes will strengthen our understanding of their underwater environment so that we can better protect them and the many species they contain and continue to foster the economic prosperity they have supported for generations.”

    “Only 13 percent of the Great Lakes is mapped to modern standards. Imagine how much more these bodies of water can be used to strengthen our economy if the remaining 87 percent is utilized,” McClain said. “We have a unique opportunity to unlock the region’s economic potential. Advanced mapping will give us a deeper understanding of how we can tap into and protect one of American’s most valuable natural resources. My legislation with Rep. Dingell will take Michigan’s economy to the next level.” 

    The Great Lakes have never been fully explored. Thousands of shipwrecks lay hidden in the depths. Ancient civilizations have left their cultural imprint hundreds of feet below the surface. Marine life is crucial for Great Lakes fisheries; however, their habitats are barely understood.

    This bill would direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct high-resolution bathymetric mapping of the lakebeds of the Great Lakes by 2030. Throughout this process, NOAA would work with consulting bodies and regional coastal observing systems, such as the Great Lakes Observing System, to map the lakebeds and then make all relevant data available to the public. 
     
    View the full bill text here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dina Titus Reintroducing Legislation Banning Bump Stocks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

    Congresswoman Dina Titus will reintroduce her Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick this week. This bill would permanently ban the use of bump stocks that convert rifles into machine guns and allow mass shootings like the 2017 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas that claimed 60 lives.

    “Nearly eight years after the Harvest Festival massacre we still do not have a federal law banning these deadly devices,” said Congresswoman Titus. “Bump stocks continue to pose a threat to innocent lives and Congress must act. Without a federal law firmly banning them, federal regulations and court rulings could allow bump stocks on our streets and in our neighborhoods, raising the risk of more mass shootings.”

    It is important to act now because the Trump administration has already begun to roll back gun safety measures. Attorney General Bondi said Monday that the Department of Justice “believes that the 2nd Amendment is not a second-class right.” They are examining a requirement that people purchasing stabilizing braces, which convert pistols into rifles, undergo background checks, as well as another requirement that more gun sellers get federal licenses and undergo background checks.

    “The work to close the bump stock loophole and keep these dangerous devices out of the hands of criminals is critical to our mission of protecting communities from gun violence,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, a former federal gun crimes prosecutor and FBI agent. “This bipartisan legislation strengthens law enforcement and reinforces our commitment to safety without compromising constitutional rights. I will continue working across the aisle to advance commonsense solutions that keep our neighborhoods safe while upholding the rights of responsible gun owners. Congress can and must do both.”

    The U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 struck down a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives regulation that classified rifles equipped with bump stocks as machine guns which are illegal. Congresswoman Titus’s Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act would prohibit the sale and possession of bump stocks and other devices or modifications that convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) has companion legislation in the U.S. Senate to ban bump stocks.

    “For too long, Congress has failed to stem the onslaught of mass shootings. Our work in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was critically important, but more must be done,” said Heinrich. “I’m introducing my BUMP Act to deliver on that unfinished work to save lives and make our communities safer. As a sportsman and gun owner, I’m committed to upholding the laws that protect responsible gun ownership, but we must do more to prevent deadly weapons from reaching those who are all too ready to turn them against our communities.”

    Congresswoman Titus’ legislation is endorsed by national gun safety organizations:

    “Guns outfitted with bump stocks fire like machine guns, and they kill like machine guns — and now Congress needs to take action and regulate these devices, just like we do with machine guns,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Senator Heinrich and Congresswoman Titus for championing this lifesaving legislation, which would prevent potential mass shooters from being able to wreak havoc by firing up to 800 rounds per minute.”

    “As a grassroots group formed after the Sandy Hook shooting, we are committed to turning our community’s tragedy into meaningful change,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of the Newtown Action Alliance “That’s why we strongly support the bipartisan Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act led by Representatives Titus and Fitzpatrick. Bump stocks serve only one purpose — to make guns fire like machine guns and cause mass destruction. We saw this in Las Vegas, where a shooter used a bump stock to fire over 1,000 rounds in minutes, killing 60 people and injuring hundreds more. If the Sandy Hook shooter had used a bump stock to convert his AR-15, even more lives might have been lost. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the federal ban puts more communities in danger. Congress must act now to pass this life-saving bill and help prevent more tragedies.”

    “Devices that transform semiautomatic firearms into automatic machine guns, like bump stocks, have no place on our streets and communities,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady United. “We have seen how they have been used to destroy communities, including in the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting, where 60 people were killed and almost 500 more were shot. It is past time we take concrete action to prevent the proliferation of these dangerous tools of mass violence. Brady is grateful to Rep. Titus and Rep. Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan leadership and proud to endorse the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act.”

    “Bump stocks turn semi-automatics into essentially machine guns— the kind that can shoot hundreds of people in minutes. These devices have already enabled unimaginable tragedy in Las Vegas, and more lives will be lost if we continue to do nothing about them,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director of GIFFORDS & GIFFORDS Law Center. “This legislation sends a clear message that our communities deserve safety. We’re grateful to Representatives Titus and Fitzpatrick, and Senators Heinrich, Collins, and Cortez Masto for taking action to keep families safe from gun crime and senseless violence.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Arrest Man Wanted in Maryland on Multiple Charges

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Washington, DC – Members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force April 8 arrested in Arlington, Virginia, a man wanted in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for multiple charges including assault first degree firearm, armed robbery, and use of a firearm in commission of a crime of violence. 

    Tyler Jordan Clendenen is also wanted in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, for unlawful motor vehicle use, resisting arrest, failure to obey a lawful order, and theft. He is prohibited from owning a firearm due to multiple prior convictions.

    CARFTF members arrested Clendenen in the 4200 block of Wilson Boulevard after observing him riding as a passenger inside of a vehicle.

    The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force began operations in June of 2004 and was among the first Regional Fugitive Task Forces to become fully operational following the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force has partnership agreements with over 100 federal, state, and local agencies and has eight fully operational offices.

    The CARFTF has successfully apprehended over 102,700 fugitives since its inception and has made an extraordinary impact on the apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives, always striving to make their communities safer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McClellan Fights Back Against U.S. Health Agency Mass Firings

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Amidst widespread firings at federal health agencies, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) calls out the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans after Elon Musk’s DOGE purged thousands of personnel from the U.S. health agencies responsible for conducting lifesaving cancer research, mitigating ongoing measles outbreaks, ensuring medication safety and efficacy, and preventing and treating opioid addiction. 

    “These drastic federal workforce cuts will delay lifesaving treatments and put more demand on state and local health agencies that are simultaneously hit with federal funding cuts,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “The Trump Administration is forcing these agencies to do more with less.”

    Recent reports indicate the Virginia Department of Health has been hit particularly hard after the Trump Administration cut billions of dollars in federal funding, resulting in reductions in community health programs and layoffs statewide for community health workers, nurses and epidemiologists.

    The Trump Administration has wreaked havoc on federal health agencies, including a rash wave of layoffs last Tuesday followed by a small portion of reinstatements after Musk’s DOGE cut key personnel by “mistake.”

    Last week, Congresswoman McClellan introduced a bill to enforce a moratorium on RIFs at HHS.

    “These federal workforce cuts and ‘mistakes’ aren’t just a line item in a budget that can be deleted,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “The Trump Administration and Musk’s DOGE are destroying the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Virginians who have dedicated their careers to developing cures for cancer and rare diseases, combating the opioid epidemic, and keeping the American people healthy. Abandoning years of tax-payer investment in research and public health programs does not foster efficiency; it puts the American people at risk.”

    Bill text for H.R. 2532 can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shenandoah Highway (SH65) closed following serious crash

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    Drivers travelling between Murchison and Springs Junction on State Highway 65 can expect delays and detours following a serious crash near Maruia earlier this morning.

    The incident was reported shortly before  eight o’clock this morning. Police confirm one person has been seriously hurt and indicate the highway will be closed for some time while emergency services attend the crash scene.

    There are no available local road detours available at the crash site, and State Highway 65 is now closed between the SH6/65 O’Sullivan’s Bridge junction near Murchison and the SH65/SH7 intersection at Springs Junction.

    Drivers should avoid the area, delay their travel or use an alternative route.

    Southbound drivers can detour via SH6 Upper Buller Gorge to Inangahua,  SH69 Inangahua to Reefton, and SH7 Reefton to Springs Junction. The reverse applies for northbound traffic.

    This route adds around 45 minutes to travel times.

    Drivers are urged to check the highway’s status before they travel. Updates can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website.

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appointments – Kevin Jenkins appointed to BRANZ Board

    Source: BRANZ

    BRANZ Chair Nigel Smith announced today the appointment of Kevin Jenkins to the BRANZ Group Board of Directors.

    “As a founding member of business advisory firm MartinJenkins, Kevin has more than 30 years’ experience of helping organisations across a wide range of industries to drive performance and tackle complex challenges.

    “He joins BRANZ at a critical time. Earlier this year, we launched a new long-term strategy focusing on four main priorities: affordability, quality, resilience, and sustainability. Addressing skyrocketing building costs; combating inappropriate building practices; meeting carbon reduction targets and adapting to climate change are among the most pressing issues we face.

    “Kevin, with his strategic and analytical background across various industries is well-equipped to help us address these complex and longstanding issues.  

    “He brings a real strength with his ability to understand the convergence of business, regulation and innovation and how to work across the system to solve problems and capitalise on opportunities,” says Nigel.

    Commenting on his appointment, Kevin said, “I’m delighted to join BRANZ at such a pivotal moment. The challenges we face in the building sector are significant, but with a clear vision for the future and a commitment to innovation and collaboration, I believe we can make substantial progress towards our goals. I look forward to working with the team at BRANZ to drive meaningful change and create a positive impact for the future of New Zealand’s built environment.”

    As a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, Kevin has held numerous governance roles over his career and brings insights from across the wider economy.

    His current directorships include positions at: Accessible Properties – New Zealand’s largest community housing provider of affordable homes and property management services for those with disabilities, older people, and those on low incomes; urban development firm Harrison Grierson; Real Estate Institute New Zealand – as Independent Chair; chair of the NZ Qualifications Authority; and WorkSafe New Zealand. He also chairs two risk and assurance committees.

    Outside of his governance roles, Kevin is a prominent public commentator, producing content for: New Zealand Policy Quarterly (Victoria University of Wellington); Institute of Directors’ Boardroom magazine; the NZ Herald; and a range of other news and information publications.

    “Kevin’s governance and executive management experience is extensive. We’re excited to have him on board at BRANZ as we work towards our aspiration of creating affordable, resilient, sustainable, and quality buildings for Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Nigel.

    Kevin’s Board position replaces Dr Lisbeth Jacobs who will be stepping down from her BRANZ directorship in May 2025, to focus on other governance roles.

    “We’re grateful to Lisbeth for the expertise and insights she’s delivered during her time on the BRANZ Board. Her contributions have been instrumental during a period of strategic change, and her experience in the scientific and building sectors has helped to shape our direction. Lisbeth’s contributions will continue to influence our work for years to come,” says Nigel.

    About the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ):

    BRANZ is a trusted, independent expert in building construction. We provide practical research, testing, quality assurance and expertise to support better buildings.

    Our aspiration: Affordable, resilient, sustainable and quality buildings for Aotearoa New Zealand. Find out more: branz.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shenandoah Highway Tasman District – closed due to crash

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Shenandoah Highway between Creighton Road and SH65 is currently closed following a vehicle crash this morning.

    Police are in attendance where one person is being treated with serious injuries.

    Detours are in place and the road is expected to be closed for sometime.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Vehicle collision in Waipa Waikato – one injured

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Ohaupo Road, Waipa in the Waikato is closed due to a vehicle crash this morning.

    A pedestrian is being treated for serious injuries.

    Diversion are in place and the road is expected to be closed while emergency services are at the scene.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Team.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrest made in Northland homicide investigation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attribute to Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard:

    Police investigating the death of a man in Northland, Wellington, have charged a 23-year-old man with murder.

    The victim, 65-year-old Simon Bird, was found deceased at his Albemarle Road property on Tuesday, 1 April. Mr Bird had not been heard from for several days, prompting a concerned friend to carry out a welfare check – leading to the discovery of his body.

    Police charged the suspect this morning and he is due to appear in the Wellington District Court today. At this time, we are unable to elaborate on the accused’s relationship with Mr Bird.

    This is a positive development for his family and friends, but there are still many unanswered questions that we are working hard to answer.

    A scene examination is ongoing at Mr Bird’s Albemarle Road home, and we are still want to hear from anyone who might be able to help.

    Mr Bird was last seen alive on Thursday 27 March, and we need to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the vicinity of Albemarle Road that day.

    We also want to speak to anybody who knew Mr Bird, as well as those who saw him, or his vehicle in the last week. This includes any CCTV or dashcam footage you may have of him or his silver Honda Odyssey.

    If you have any information that could assist Police, please update us online or call 105. Please use the reference number 250401/4530 or referencing Operation North.

    You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –