NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Further appeal for missing man Geoffrey Kelly

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police searching for missing man Geoffrey Kelly in Hikumutu are appealing for CCTV from the area.

    Geoffrey’s car was found empty on Friday 21 February on the side of Makomiko Road, and he has not been seen since.

    Investigators would like to hear from anyone on Makomiko Road or Hikumutu Road who has CCTV at their property.

    We are still also appealing for any sightings of Geoffrey between 21 February and now.

    If you can help, please call 105 and quote reference number 250222/1771.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Ban High-Capacity Gun Magazines

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    A similar law prohibiting semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was in place from 1994-2004
    Washington (February 28, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), joined Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and colleagues in introducing the Keep Americans Safe Act (KASA) to reinstate a nationwide ban on the sale, transfer, possession, import, or manufacture of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives by Diana DeGette (CO-01), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Brad Schneider (IL-10).
    A federal law prohibiting semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was in place from 1994 to 2004. While research showed this regulation reduced the likelihood of mass shooting fatalities by 70 percent, this federal law has not been renewed since 2004. In mass shootings with four or more people killed between 2015 and 2022, high-capacity magazines led to more than twice as many people killed, and nearly 10 times as many people wounded, per incident on average.
    Specifically, the Keep Americans Safe Act would:
    1. Ban the sale or transfer of high-capacity gun magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds to anyone other than law enforcement;
    2. Ban the possession of a high-capacity gun magazine manufactured after the date of enactment by anyone other than law enforcement;
    3. Authorize high-capacity magazine buyback programs; and
    4. Authorize law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, to seize and destroy high-capacity magazines possessed illegally.
    “The common denominator in nearly every mass shooting is large-capacity magazines (LCMs), dangerous accessories that allow shooters to continuously fire without reloading, robbing victims of an opportunity to flee or intervene,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady: United Against Gun Violence. “Regardless if they are paired with handguns or assault weapons, when LCMs are used in shootings, 155% more people are shot and twice as many people are killed. Brady is grateful to Sen. Blumenthal, Sen. Hirono, and Rep. DeGette for their leadership and is proud to endorse the Keep Americans Safe Act to regulate these dangerous accessories and make America safer.”
    “High-capacity magazines enable shooters to cause devastating harm in a short amount of time and restricting them will help prevent mass shootings that have tragically become too common,” said Nick Wilson, Senior Director of gun violence prevention at Center for American Progress. “If enacted, the Keep Americans Safe Act would save lives because it is working in states who’ve adopted similar laws. When a mass shooting occurred, states with a large-capacity magazine ban had 38 percent fewer fatalities and 77 percent fewer nonfatal injuries.”
    “High-capacity magazines were designed for war, but have become a favored tool for mass shooters looking to inflict maximum carnage,” said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Senator Hirono for introducing this legislation, which will keep high-capacity magazines out of civilian hands.”
    The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    The full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Scott, Hill, and Colleagues to Uyeda: Review Approach to Consolidated Audit Trail

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
     
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353February 28, 2025
    Cotton, Scott, Hill, and Colleagues to Uyeda: Review Approach to Consolidated Audit Trail
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), and House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (Arkansas-02) today sent a letter to Acting Chairman of The Securities and Exchange Commission Mark Uyeda to launch a comprehensive review of all aspects of the Consolidated Audit Trail.
    Additional signers of the letter included Senator Boozman (R-Arkansas), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Congressman Bill Huizenga (Michigan-04), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Missouri-02), and Congressman Barry Loudermilk (Georgia-11).
    In part, the lawmakers wrote:
    “The prohibition on collecting investor PII must be formally codified (rather than via rescindable exemptive relief) and already-collected PII must be expunged.  Cybersecurity measures for the remaining data must be enhanced.  And the CAT’s bloated out-of-control budget must be addressed… . Further, it would appear appropriate for the Commission to pause and reconsider its position with respect to ongoing litigation related to the CAT, as it has done for other cases commenced during the Biden administration.”
    Full text of the letter may be found here and below.
    February 28, 2025
    Mr. Mark Uyeda
    Acting Chairman
    U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
    100 F Street NE
    Washington, DC 20549
    The Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) has been a highly controversial endeavor that has raised many concerns from Members of Congress, including with respect to (i) the unwarranted collection of personally identifiable information (PII) from millions of American investors, (ii) potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and (iii) its inequitable funding structure.
    We are pleased that you and fellow Commissioner Peirce have repeatedly acknowledged these longstanding concerns and applaud the Commission for its recent steps to protect the financial privacy of American investors.
    However, there is more work to be done. The prohibition on collecting investor PII must be formally codified (rather than via rescindable exemptive relief) and already-collected PII must be expunged.  Cybersecurity measures for the remaining data must be enhanced.  And the CAT’s bloated out-of-control budget must be addressed.
    Given these continuing concerns, the Commission should launch a comprehensive review that covers all aspects of the CAT.  In doing so, the Commission should take additional steps to pause the CAT’s most controversial elements—not only the collection of customer PII, but also the problematic funding structure that a majority of the current Commission voted against. Further, it would appear appropriate for the Commission to pause and reconsider its position with respect to ongoing litigation related to the CAT, as it has done for other cases commenced during the Biden administration.
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two previously deported individuals charged with illegal re-entry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. –Acting U.S. Attorney Joel Louis Violanti announced today that Manuel Alejandro Estrada-Gonzalez, 31, of Mexico, and Juan Carlos Castro-Cidcas, 44, of El Salvador, were arrested and charged in separate complaints with illegal re-entry after deportation, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Charles M. Kruly, who are handling the cases, stated that according to the complaint against Manuel Alejandro Estrada-Gonzalez, on February 20, 2025, Estrada-Gonzalez was identified as a suspected illegal alien staying at the Buffalo Airport Inn in Cheektowaga, NY. U.S. Border Patrol Agents surveilled the area and located Estrada-Gonzales. He was arrested at the scene. A records check determined that Estrada-Gonzales was ordered removed by an immigration officer twice, once in January 2019,  and a second time in February 2019.

    According to the complaint against Juan Carlos Castro-Cidcas, on February 11, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol Agents were conducting surveillance in Cheektowaga. A records check of a vehicle parked at the Hilton Garden Inn came back to an illegal alien from El Salvador, later identified as Castra-Cidcas. On February 12, 2025, agents returned to the area to conduct further surveillance and spotted him getting into the vehicle. Agents approached Castra-Cidcas but he refused to exit the vehicle. He did exit the vehicle after Cheektowaga Police were called, at which time he was taken into custody. A records check determined that Castra-Cidcas was previously removed from the country in August 2010, and November 2019.

    Estrada-Gonzalez and Castro-Cidcas made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and were detained.

    The complaint is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Martin B. Coombs, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Coons.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Four decades after Rongelap evacuation, Greenpeace makes new plea for nuclear justice by US

    Asia Pacific Report

    In the year marking 40 years since the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by French secret agents and 71 years since the most powerful nuclear weapons tested by the United States, Greenpeace is calling on Washington to comply with demands by the Marshall Islands for nuclear justice.

    “The Marshall Islands bears the deepest scars of a dark legacy — nuclear contamination, forced displacement, and premeditated human experimentation at the hands of the US government,” said Greenpeace spokesperson Shiva Gounden.

    To mark the Marshall Islands’ Remembrance Day today, the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior is flying the republic’s flag at halfmast in solidarity with those who lost their lives and are suffering ongoing trauma as a result of US nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific.

    On 1 March 1954, the Castle Bravo nuclear bomb was detonated on Bikini Atoll with a blast 1000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

    On Rongelap Atoll, 150 km away, radioactive fallout rained onto the inhabited island, with children mistaking it as snow.

    The Rainbow Warrior is sailing to the Marshall Islands where a mission led by Greenpeace will conduct independent scientific research across the country, the results of which will eventually be given to the National Nuclear Commission to support the Marshall Islands government’s ongoing legal proceedings with the US and at the UN.

    The voyage also marks 40 years since Greenpeace’s original Rainbow Warrior evacuated the people of Rongelap after toxic nuclear fallout rendered their ancestral land uninhabitable.

    Still enduring fallout
    Marshall Islands communities still endure the physical, economic, and cultural fallout of the nuclear tests — compensation from the US has fallen far short of expectations of the islanders who are yet to receive an apology.

    And the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis threaten further displacement of communities.


    Former Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony deBrum’s “nuclear justice” speech as Right Livelihood Award Winner in 2009. Video: Voices Rising

    “To this day, Marshall Islanders continue to grapple with this injustice while standing on the frontlines of the climate crisis — facing yet another wave of displacement and devastation for a catastrophe they did not create,” Gounden said.

    “But the Marshallese people and their government are not just survivors — they are warriors for justice, among the most powerful voices demanding bold action, accountability, and reparations on the global stage.

    “Those who have inflicted unimaginable harm on the Marshallese must be held to account and made to pay for the devastation they caused.

    “Greenpeace stands unwaveringly beside Marshallese communities in their fight for justice. Jimwe im Maron.”

    Rainbow Warrior crew members holding the Marshall Islands flag . . . remembering the anniversary of the devastating Castle Bravo nuclear test – 1000 times more powerful than Hiroshima – on 1 March 1954. Image: Greenpeace International
    Chair of the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission Ariana Tibon-Kilma . . . “the trauma of Bravo continues for the remaining survivors and their descendents.” Image: UN Human Rights Council

    Ariana Tibon Kilma, chair of the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission, said that the immediate effects of the Bravo bomb on March 1 were “harrowing”.

    “Hours after exposure, many people fell ill — skin peeling off, burning sensation in their eyes, their stomachs were churning in pain. Mothers watched as their children’s hair fell to the ground and blisters devoured their bodies overnight,” she said.

    “Without their consent, the United States government enrolled them as ‘test subjects’ in a top secret medical study on the effects of radiation on human beings — a study that continued for 40 years.

    “Today on Remembrance Day the trauma of Bravo continues for the remaining survivors and their descendents — this is a legacy not only of suffering, loss, and frustration, but also of strength, unity, and unwavering commitment to justice, truth and accountability.”

    The new Rainbow Warrior will arrive in the Marshall Islands early this month.

    Alongside the government of the Marshall Islands, Greenpeace will lead an independent scientific mission into the ongoing impacts of the US weapons testing programme.

    Travelling across the country, Greenpeace will reaffirm its solidarity with the Marshallese people — now facing further harm and displacement from the climate crisis, and the emerging threat of deep sea mining in the Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Pacific – On Marshall Islands Remembrance Day, Greenpeace calls for nuclear justice and reparations from the United States

    Source: Greenpeace

    Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 March 2025 – Seventy-one years since the most powerful nuclear weapons tests ever conducted were unleashed across the Marshall Islands by the United States, Greenpeace is calling for the US government to comply with Marshallese demands for recognition and nuclear justice.
    On 1 March 1954, the Castle Bravo nuclear bomb was detonated on Bikini Atoll – the explosion 1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. On Rongelap Atoll, 150 kilometers away, radioactive fallout rained onto the inhabited island, with children mistaking it as snow.
    Today, communities continue to endure the physical, economic, and cultural fallout of the nuclear tests; compensation from the US has fallen far short of expectations for the Marshallese people who are yet to receive an apology; and the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis threaten further displacement of communities.[1]
    “The Marshall Islands bears the deepest scars of a dark legacy – nuclear contamination, forced displacement, and premeditated human experimentation at the hands of the U.S. government.
    To this day, its people continue to grapple with this injustice, all while standing on the frontlines of the climate crisis – facing yet another wave of displacement and devastation for a catastrophe they did not create,” says Greenpeace spokesperson Shiva Gounden.
    “But the Marshallese people and their government are not just survivors-they are warriors for justice, among the most powerful voices demanding bold action, accountability, and reparations on the global stage. Those who have inflicted unimaginable harm on the Marshallese must be held to account and made to pay for the devastation they caused. Greenpeace stands unwaveringly beside Marshallese communities in their fight for justice. Jimwe im Maron”
    To mark the Marshall Islands’ Remembrance Day, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior is flying the Marshall Islands flag at half-mast, in solidarity with those who lost their lives and are suffering ongoing trauma as a result of the US government’s nuclear weapons testing.
    The Rainbow Warrior is currently in transit to the Marshall Islands where a mission led by Greenpeace will conduct independent scientific research across the country, the results of which will eventually be given to the National Nuclear Commission to support the Marshallese government’s ongoing legal proceedings with the US and at the UN.[2] The trip also marks 40 years since Greenpeace’s original Rainbow Warrior evacuated the people of Rongelap after toxic nuclear fallout rendered their ancestral lands uninhabitable.
    “The immediate effects of the Bravo bomb on 1 March were harrowing. Hours after exposure, many people fell ill – skin peeling off, burning sensation in their eyes, their stomachs were churning in pain. Mothers watched as their children’s hair fell to the ground and blisters devoured their bodies overnight,” says Ariana Tibon Kilma, Chairperson at Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission.
    “Without their consent, the United States government enrolled them as ‘test subjects’ in a top secret medical study on the effects of radiation on human beings – a study that continued for 40 years. Today on Remembrance Day the trauma of Bravo continues for the remaining survivors and their descendents – this is a legacy not only of suffering, loss, and frustration, but also of strength, unity, and unwavering commitment to justice, truth and accountability.”
    The new Rainbow Warrior will arrive in the Marshall Islands in early March. Alongside the government of the Marshall Islands, Greenpeace will lead an independent scientific mission into the ongoing impacts of the US weapons testing program. Travelling across the country, Greenpeace will reaffirm its solidarity with the Marshallese people – now facing further harm and displacement from the climate crisis, and the emerging threat of deep sea mining in the Pacific.
    Notes

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Recognizes Amber Morgan of Nashua as February’s Granite Stater of the Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    Published:

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Amber Morgan of Nashua as February’s Granite Stater of the Month. Through her flower shop, Fortin Gage Flowers, Amber offers special monthly floral arrangements and donates the proceeds to a local community group. In the two years that Amber has owned her flower shop, she has donated numerous bouquets and arrangements to charity events and local organizations across New Hampshire.

    Amber, an active member of the Nashua community, launched the Flowers for Good Campaign this year, highlighting different local organizations each month with a unique floral arrangement to spread awareness of groups in the area that are helping Granite Staters. Proceeds from the sale of these bouquets go directly to the organization, and each bouquet comes with an information card for the recipient to learn more about the group.

    Amber’s passion for uplifting local organizations is a wonderful example of the Granite State spirit of going the extra mile to support one’s community and is why Senator Hassan named her February’s Granite Stater of the Month.

    Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.

    To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

    I am honored to recognize Amber Morgan of Nashua as February’s Granite Stater of the Month. Amber’s flower shop, Fortin Gage Flowers, sells a special floral arrangement every month and donates the proceeds to a local community group.

    Amber is an active member of the Nashua community. She sits on the city’s citizen advisory committee and has built relationships with many local organizations. In the two years that she has owned Fortin Gage Flowers, Amber has often donated bouquets for charity events.

    Amber’s new Flowers for Good Campaign spotlights a different organization every month with a unique bouquet. Amber donates proceeds from the sale of the arrangement to the organization and the recipient of the bouquet can learn about the group from an information card included with the flowers. Amber sees the campaign as a way to spread awareness of groups in the area that are helping Granite Staters in a fun and creative way.

    Amber’s passion for uplifting local organizations is a wonderful example of the Granite State spirit of going the extra mile to support your community. Her commitment to lifting up others is why I am proud to name her February’s Granite Stater of the Month.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Loburn

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Birch Hill Road and Yaxleys Road, Loburn, Waimakariri.

    Initial reports suggest one person is injured.

    The road is closed, with diversions in place.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Dallas removes Pakistani national identified as a national security priority

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    DALLAS – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Dallas removed an illegally present Pakistani national identified as a national security priority to his home country Feb 25.  

    Syed Rizvi, 56, a Pakistani national was ordered removed from the U.S. after being identified by U.S. intelligence sources as a national security priority, designated as removable per the Immigration and Nationality Act.     

    “Illegal aliens suspected or known to have ties to organizations that threaten public safety will not find refuge in the U.S.” said Enforcement and Removals Operations Dallas Field Office acting Director Josh Johnson. “Our most important priority is to arrest and remove those who pose an imminent danger to the citizens of the U.S.” 

    Rizvi was residing in Dallas, Texas without authorization prior to his removal.

    ERO Dallas arrested Rizvi Jan. 31, following a routine traffic stop.  He was ordered removed by an immigration judge Jan. 24.

    Rizvi entered the United States legally Sep.20, 2017 near the New York port of entry and he violated the terms of his admission.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    For more news and information on ICE ERO’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws follow us on X at @ERODallas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jamestown drug ring leader going to prison for 25 years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Joel Louis Violanti announced today that Rocco A. Beardsley, 39, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of narcotic conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl causing death, was sentenced to serve 300 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Evan K. Glaberson, and Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who handled the case, stated that between late 2018 and March 2020, Beardsley conspired with seven others sell methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances in the Jamestown area. On April 9, 2019, Beardsley sold acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl, which resulted in the death of an individual identified as J.A. After learning of J.A.’s death, Beardsley took steps to conceal his involvement in the drug overdose, including by directing others to destroy evidence from the death scene.

    Beardsley bought and sold fentanyl, and methamphetamine for profit and for his own use, utilizing social media to conduct his drug trafficking activities. Beardsley also utilized residences on Sampson Street and Cowden Place in Jamestown for his drug trafficking activities. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted five controlled purchases from Beardsley. In addition, Beardsley and his co-conspirators also participated in a series of money transfers in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy.

    During the investigation, search warrants were executed at residences associated with the drug conspiracy, during which law enforcement seized approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine, 66 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of cocaine, 4 grams of crack cocaine, a 12-gauge shotgun, and drug paraphernalia.

    Beardsley was previously convicted in Federal Court in 2007 of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and sentenced to serve 57 months in prison. In 2017, he was convicted in New York State Court of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Narcotic Drug Intent To Sell.

    A total of seven defendants were charged and convicted in this case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino, III, New York Field Division, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie P. Feroleto, and the Town of Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Ohnmeiss Jr.

    # # # # 

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man charged following Takanini incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A man is before the courts following an incident on Kutukutu Street in Takanini last night.

    Police responded to the residential address around 7:50pm following an altercation between people known to eachother.

    Three people have been transported to hospital with serious injuries consistent with stab wounds, where they remain in a stable condition.

    A 34-year-old man was arrested on Takanini School Road with the assistance of the Eagle Helicopter, a short time after they left the scene in a car.

    He is due to appear before the Manukau District Court today on three charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement by UNFPA Executive Director on the United States Government funding cuts

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, notes with deep regret the termination of all funding agreements by the United States Government. These 48 grants, totalling approximately $377 million, were awarded for UNFPA to provide critical maternal health care, protection from violence, rape treatment and other life-saving care in over 25 crisis-stricken countries, including Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, Haiti, Mali, Sudan, Syria and Ukraine.

    The vast majority of US funding supported UNFPA’s work in emergency settings. The termination includes 16 grants for which UNFPA had received a humanitarian waiver.

    Over the last four years, these life-saving investments prevented more than 17,000 maternal deaths, 9 million unintended pregnancies and nearly 3 million unsafe abortions by expanding access to voluntary family planning. And we reached over 13 million women and young people with sexual and reproductive health services like cervical cancer screening, contraception counselling, and prenatal and safe childbirth care. 

    This devastating decision will force thousands of health clinics to close. Women in crisis zones will be forced to give birth without medicines, midwives or equipment, putting their lives and their babies’ lives in jeopardy. Rape survivors will be denied counselling and medical care. Midwives delivering babies in the world’s worst humanitarian crises will lose their ability to function. Shipments of life-saving medical supplies to refugee camps will be disrupted.

    UNFPA hopes that the US Government will reconsider its stance and retain its position as a global leader working in partnership with UNFPA to alleviate the suffering of women and their families, often as a result of catastrophes not of their own making.

    So much good has been achieved during our more than five decades of close collaboration with the USA, a founding partner. With US support, UNFPA has helped strengthen health systems, save the lives of women, adolescent girls and newborns, and improve the economic prospects of families, communities and countries. 

    Countless studies show that investments in voluntary family planning and reproductive health lead to hundreds of billions in economic returns as girls continue their education and women rise through the workforce. This, in turn, contributes to the peace and prosperity people in the United States and around the world depend on.

    As committed humanitarians and human rights defenders, we at UNFPA will continue to work tirelessly with Member States, UN agencies and local partners, including women and youth-led organizations, to ensure the safety, dignity and freedom of every woman and girl. While circumstances and funding decisions may vary, our mandate and mission remain.

    • You will find a full list of the projects supported by the USA that have been terminated here.
    • For interview requests please contact Eddie Wright (based in NYC): ewright@unfpa.org; +1 917 831 2074

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deputy Labor Secretary Nominee Declines to Answer Sen. Murray on Whether Basic Workforce Training Laws are “DEI”; Pressed on Trump Dismantling OFCCP And Enabling Illegal Discrimination

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray Statement on Trump Attempt to Dismantle Longstanding Labor Agency Combating Illegal Employment Discrimination 

    *** VIDEO of Senator Murray’s FULL questioning HERE***

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, questioned Keith Sonderling, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as Deputy Secretary at the Department of Labor (DOL), at a HELP committee hearing on his nomination. Murray pressed Mr. Sonderling on whether the Trump administration thinks foundational workforce training laws like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act qualify as “DEI.” Murray also questioned Mr. Sonderling about the Trump administration’s unprecedented dismantling of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which has its origins in a 1965 executive order and plays a unique and vital role in combating unlawful employment discrimination for federal contract workers, who make up about one-fifth of the entire U.S. labor force.

    Murray began by pressing Mr. Sonderling on the consequences of the Trump administration’s dismantling of OFCCP, which Murray forcefully condemned in January. “In 2024, following an OFCCP evaluation, one of the largest global financial services companies agreed to allocate $4.2 million in payments to resolve alleged sex discrimination and undergo an outside pay equity analysis. In his first week in office, President Trump rescinded the Executive Order from 1965 that authorized OFCCP to conduct that investigation. Commissioner Sonderling, do you believe that taxpayer dollars should go to companies that discriminate?”

    Sonderling dodged the question and Murray pressed again: “Do you think that taxpayer dollars should go to companies that discriminate?”

    “That is not a determination that the Deputy Secretary of Labor or the Department of Labor deals with,” Sonderling responded.

    “You don’t want to answer the question,” Murray observed. “I will say, I don’t think the taxpayer dollars should go to companies that discriminate. I can easily say that.”

    Murray continued her line of questioning: “In our meeting, you suggested that the Department of Labor is looking at eliminating OFCCP entirely even though it has recovered now more than $260 million dollars for more than 250,000 employees and job applicants who were discriminated against by federal contractors over the last decade. And OFCCP just, today, announced plans to cut 90 percent of its staff and local offices. So let me ask you this: do you think DOL has any role to play in addressing illegal discrimination?”

    Mr. Sonderling said he was not aware of those reports, and declined to answer the question again.

    Murray asked again: “I’m just asking you from your own philosophical personal position. Do you think that DOL, which you want to go to work for, has any role to play in addressing discrimination in this country?”

    Mr. Sonderling responded that addressing discrimination is under the jurisdiction of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), to which Senator Murray replied: “It’s interesting that you say that, because Trump fired two of the EEOC commissioners—in an unprecedented move, I would add. So, it really has undermined our government’s ability to go after anti-discrimination. So I am, and everyone should, be deeply concerned about that.” Senator Murray vocally condemned Trump’s illegal firing of EEOC Commissioners and NLRB members last month.

    Next, Senator Murray pressed Mr. Sonderling on the Trump administration’s definition of “DEI” and their weaponization of the ill-defined term to target all manner of programs and policies. “We’re hearing a lot about DEI, it’s thrown out there everywhere. So, I’m going to ask about some bipartisan laws passed by Congress that were passed to make sure that underserved Americans can receive workforce training and find good employment opportunities. And I want to know if the policies in these laws that I’m going to present to you amount to DEI,” Murray said.

    “The Office of Disability Employment Policy has been statutorily authorized with, ‘Eliminating barriers to the training and employment of people with disabilities.’ Is that DEI? Yes or no?”

    “It is important to protect all rights of disabled workers… and under my leadership, the Office of Disability Employment will continue to do that,” Sonderling relied, without answering the question directly.

    “So that is not DEI?” Murray pressed.


    “That is a civil rights statute that the department enforces to make sure disabled people can prosper in the workforce,”     Sonderling replied.

    “I know you know what it is, but I’m asking if it’s DEI, because, you know, it’s very confusing,” Murray responded.

    Murray continued: “How about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, WIOA? It specifically says ‘individuals with a barrier to employment’ and requires grantees to expand training to those individuals. Is that DEI?

    “WIOA is a very important law…,” Sonderling replied. “But do you consider that to be DEI?” Murray pressed.

    “I consider that to be a very important part of the department’s mission to make sure that American workers can get… the training they need,” Sonderling said.

    “The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 requires federal contractors to take affirmative action to hire, retain, and promote veterans? Is that DEI?” Murray asked.

    Sonderling declined to answer the question, saying instead: “It is important to protect all of our veterans. It’s important to protect everybody in the workplace.”

    “Well—Mr. Chairman, I know you’re pounding your gavel—but I just think it’s pretty clear that there is no standard definition of DEI across our federal government,” Murray concluded.

    Throughout her career, Senator Murray has championed workers’ rights and fought to combat employment discrimination, including as the top Democrat on the Senate labor committee from 2015-2022—among other things, Senator Murray fought back against a proposed DOL rule by the Trump administration that would allow federal contractors and subcontractors to justify discrimination against women, LGBTQ+ people, and members of certain religious groups on ideological grounds. Senator Murray first introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act—comprehensive labor legislation to protect workers’ right to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces—in the 116th Congress. Murray also leads the Paycheck Fairness Act to combat wage discrimination and help close the wage gap, and has helped lead the fight for paid family and medical leave since she first joined Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Trump and Musk’s Plot to Make It Harder for Americans to Get Their Social Security Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Trump admin plans to gut Social Security Administration

     “Massive” staffing reductions planned at an already severely understaffed agency; 90% of SSA staff work across the country outside of the agency’s headquarters in Baltimore

    DOGE touts coming closures of field offices around the country

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, warned of the Trump administration’s plans to gut the Social Security Administration (SSA)–and to make it harder for Americans who’ve paid into Social Security to get the benefits they have earned.

    In a statement, Senator Murray said:

    “People need help getting Social Security at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives—whether that’s the death of a spouse, the onset of a disability, or the loss of income that comes with retirement. Americans pay into Social Security their entire lives–it’s a promise they should be able to count on.

    “But Trump and Elon are decimating the Social Security Administration, and without that staff, there will be people who can’t get their benefits—period. 

    “Trump and Musk will cause wait times to soar for seniors calling in to sort out issues with their benefits. They will force Americans in rural communities to drive hours to get the help they are owed, and their reckless plans will cheat Americans out of the benefits they have earned. 

    “Americans need to be able to talk to real people, often in person, to make sure they get their Social Security check—but Elon wants to shutter field offices people count on to apply for benefits, get a new Social Security card, and talk to someone who can help.

    “Make no mistake: Trump and Elon are breaking Social Security to enrich themselves. It’s seniors who will pay the price.”

    THE BOTTOM LINE

    Trump and Musk’s actions to gut SSA will make it harder for Americans who have spent their lives paying into Social Security to get the benefits they have earned–and to get the help accessing those benefits they need. 

    Trump and Musk plan to demolish SSA and make it much harder for Americans to get answers about their benefits, file for benefits, get a new Social Security card, and much more.

    Each year, SSA:

    • Receives 80 million calls to its 1-800 number.
    • Receives 57 million calls to its 1,200 field offices nationwide.
    • Receives 30 million visitors to its 1,200 field offices.
    • Processes 9 million applications for benefits.

    Without adequate customer service provided by SSA, Americans will be cheated out of receiving the benefits they have earned.

    FIRING STAFF & ERODING SERVICE FOR BENEFICIARIES

    On Thursday, the Social Security Administration announced it will “soon implement agency-wide organizational restructuring that will include significant workforce reductions.”

    Reports indicate SSA may eliminate up to 50% of its workforce in what the agency calls “massive reorganizations,” and SSA has now offered all employees incentives to leave the agency.

    The vast majority of SSA’s 57,000 employees nationwide directly serve Americans who’ve paid into Social Security by:

    • Assisting tens of millions of Americans in field offices across the country;
    • Assisting beneficiaries over the phone;
    • Processing retirement, survivors, and disability benefits; 
    • Much more.

    90% of SSA staff work across the country outside of the agency’s headquarters. SSA staff who are not providing direct service support perform critical work that keeps the agency and Social Security system operational, including supporting SSA’s IT infrastructure.

    SSA staff ensure 73 million Americans get their Social Security benefits each month–which is more beneficiaries than ever before. They do so even though SSA’s 57,000 staff level is already at the lowest level in 50 years.

    Gutting SSA’s workforce will make it significantly harder for Americans to get the benefits they have earned–and much harder to get the help they need.

    • SSA is already very short-staffed. There is simply no way to significantly reduce staff further without seriously jeopardizing customer service for tens of millions of Americans.
    • Wait times to get help on the phone will inevitably increase. 
    • Processing times for retirement and disability benefits will significantly worsen.

    Customer service at SSA has long suffered from historically low staffing levels and inadequate discretionary funding, which Democrats have pushed to increase each year while congressional Republicans push to cut non-defense funding. 

    Trump and Musk are working to guarantee that customer service gets substantially worse–if not impossible to access–for the American people who need help from SSA.

    • Currently, fewer than 40% of people who call SSA seeking to speak to a Social Security agent are able to get through to talk to someone. 
      • The average time someone waits to talk to someone on SSA’s 1-800 number is 30 minutes, but that excludes people who hang up because the wait is too long.  
      • This wait will increase under Trump and Musk’s plans.
    • It now takes on average 240 days to process a disability claim–up from the recent historical average of approximately 110 days. 
      • This wait will increase under Trump and Musk’s plans. 
      • Last year, an estimated 30,000 Americans died while waiting on a decision for their disability benefits.

    Trump and Musk are working to erode customer service provided by SSA–service that Americans have earned–despite the fact that SSA’s administrative expenses already represent less than 1% of total benefits paid.

    Their raze and burn plans have already created an exodus of senior leadership across SSA’s regional offices–jeopardizing SSA’s efforts to improve service for Americans. Just today, SSA announced a bevy of additional departures of senior SSA leadership.

    Breakdowns of the number of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance beneficiaries by state and county are available HERE. 

    Breakdowns of the number of Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries are available HERE.

    SHUTTERING OFFICES & FORCING BENEFICIARIES TO DRIVE HOURS

    SSA has 1,200 field offices in communities all across the country that help Americans:

    • Apply to receive Social Security and Medicare benefits.
    • Apply to receive Supplemental Security Income and SNAP.
    • Get or replace a Social Security card.
    • Get assistance and address problems with benefits.

    In 2023, SSA field offices had nearly 120,000 Americans visit per day.

    Elon Musk and his DOGE crew are eager to close SSA field offices across the country that Americans count on. DOGE’s “Wall of Receipts” lists dozens of SSA field offices they have or will terminate leases for.

    Closing field offices will force people to drive hours farther to get the basic services they are entitled to. For many–particularly beneficiaries who are disabled or who live in rural areas–the closures could mean losing out on assistance from SSA–and even benefits altogether.

    A full list of SSA’s roughly 1,200 field offices is available HERE. A map is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Leads Senators Demanding Trump Protect Veterans Crisis Hotline Amid Deep Staffing Cuts at VA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Angus King (I-ME), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) called on the Trump Administration to protect the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) from deep staffing cuts at Veterans Affairs (VA) and return to office orders that will impact this critical service for veterans in crisis. The letter comes as reports show that VA employees working on the VCL were fired. Senator Baldwin wrote the legislation to create the 988 Hotline, including streamlined access to the VCL, which since its launch in July 2022 has answered 2 million calls, texts, and chats.

    “We write to you out of concern for ability of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) to continue to provide critical support to veterans and their loved ones. Over the past month, the Department of Veterans Affairs has fired more than 2,400 federal employees, including dedicated health professionals who man the phones at VA’s suicide crisis line,” wrote the Senators in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins. “We urge you to take immediate action to ensure the Veterans Crisis Line is not disrupted by layoffs or other executive orders.”

    In addition to demanding answers about the Trump Administration and Secretary Collins’ plan to protect this vital service for veterans, the Senators also requested the VA immediately consider an exemption for the vast majority of VCL workers who were hired and work remotely. A January 20th executive order that directed federal departments to end remote work arrangements would mean deep disruptions and workforce reductions at the VCL, directly impacting support for veterans in crisis. 

    “You affirmed during your confirmation process your commitment to addressing the epidemic of veteran suicide and to reaching at risk veterans,” wrote the Senators to VA Secretary Collins. “Risking the loss of access to immediate, life-saving mental health resources is not congruent with that promise. This is a critical time to ensure the VCL has the operational environment to support its substantial call volume and to support our veterans and save lives.”

    A full version of Baldwin’s letter is available here and below.

    Dear Secretary Collins,

    We write to you out of concern for ability of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) to continue to provide critical support to veterans and their loved ones. Over the past month, the Department of Veterans Affairs has fired more than 2,400 federal employees, including dedicated health professionals who man the phones at VA’s suicide crisis line. Moreover, employees that work at the Veterans Crisis Line who remain employed are facing uncertainty about their work status following the President’s January 20th directive that all departments of the executive branch take steps to terminate remote work arrangements. We urge you to take immediate action to ensure the Veterans Crisis Line is not disrupted by layoffs or other executive orders, including by bringing these employees back to work and seeking exemptions to the termination of remote work arrangements.

    The VCL is a dedicated hotline available to our nation’s veterans for assistance in addressing acute mental health issues, particularly thoughts of attempting suicide. The VCL allows veterans to reach assistance through phone calls, text messages, or online chats. The responders fielding these requests for support are trained in evidence-based practices for crisis response and many of them are licensed mental health professionals. Many were hired as fully remote workers and now, the President’s directive jeopardizes veterans’ 24/7 access to this crisis care.

    We understand that some employees have received deadlines for returning to agency facilities while others, such as those covered under bargaining units or those with official duty stations outside 50 miles of an agency facility, are awaiting further guidance. Now is the time for you to seek an exemption for VCL responders and to communicate this intent clearly to the workforce to prevent further uncertainty and avoid any disruptions to the crisis line’s services.

    As Members of Congress who championed the legislation to merge the Veterans Crisis Line with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, thereby streamlining its use for veterans, we have followed its implementation closely. We note the disruptions and intermittent access issues that resulted in disconnected or dropped calls and chats in recent years, and we also note the Department’s ongoing efforts to work with the Office of Information and Technology as well as to comply with Inspector General recommendations to improve services for veterans. Disrupting the professionally-trained response workforce would not support the success of these ongoing improvement efforts.

    The ease of use of this hotline has led to increasing usage, with the VCL reporting receipt of more than 2 million calls, texts, and chats answered since its transition to the 988 line. Due to the dedicated professional response workforce, the VCL reports an average wait time of 9 seconds. We cannot risk failing our nation’s veterans by jeopardizing the continued function of this crisis support line.

    You affirmed during your confirmation process your commitment to addressing the epidemic of veteran suicide and to reaching at risk veterans. Risking the loss of access to immediate, life-saving mental health resources is not congruent with that promise.

    This is a critical time to ensure the VCL has the operational environment to support its substantial call volume and to support our veterans and save lives. We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and to your response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Commander, Naval Air Forces Concludes Visit to Japan and Guam, Reinforcing Warfighting Readiness and Sailor Quality of Service

    Source: United States Navy

    During the visit, Cheever, the U.S. Navy’s “Air Boss,” engaged leadership and Sailors at Kadena Air Base, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He also visited the forward-deployed Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and multiple forward-deployed squadrons, emphasizing the integral role of Naval Aviation in the Indo-Pacific.

    “Our forward-deployed aviation forces are the tip of the spear, and their ability to operate at the highest levels helps maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” said Cheever. “It is critical that we provide them with the training, resources and support they need to maintain readiness and execute the mission.”

    Throughout the visit, the Air Boss and Force Master Chief met with command leadership to discuss key priorities, including sustaining warfighting excellence, improving the quality of life for Sailors and their families overseas and fostering a culture of trust and respect. They also took time to recognize outstanding Sailors for their hard work and contributions.

    “People are our most valuable asset,” said Kuers. “We must ensure every Sailor – whether on the flight line, in maintenance shops, onboard the ship or supporting operations – has what they need to succeed and thrive.”

    Air Boss also had the opportunity to see the U.S. Navy’s latest aviation capabilities in action, including the F-35C Lightning II, the CMV-22B Osprey and the MQ-4C Triton. These platforms enhance the U.S. Navy’s ability to strengthen deterrence to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    During engagements with squadron personnel, Air Boss flew with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, reinforcing his commitment to safe, effective operations and firsthand understanding of the challenges they face.

    “Our aviators and maintainers work around the clock to ensure our air wing is combat-ready, strong and lethal,” said Capt. Brian Kesselring, commander of CVW-5. “Having the Air Boss fly with our squadrons and engage with our teams underscores the importance of our mission and the trust he has in our warfighters.”

    While in Guam, Air Boss visited Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron, which plays a critical role in search and rescue, logistics and fleet support operations across the Indo-Pacific.

    The visit marked the first time Cheever visited Japan and Guam as Air Boss, and reinforced morale, strengthened trust and underscored Naval Aviation as indispensable to operations around the world.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: TWFG Announces Unaudited Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TWFG, Inc. (“TWFG”, the “Company” or “we”) (NASDAQ: TWFG), a high-growth insurance distribution company, today announced preliminary unaudited financial highlights for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The following results are preliminary, unaudited estimates and are subject to change. The Company is currently finalizing its fourth quarter and year end 2024 results, and as a result, these preliminary estimates are based solely on information available to management as of the date of this press release. The Company’s actual results may differ from these estimates due to the completion of its closing procedures, final adjustments and developments that may arise or information that may become available between now and the time the Company’s financial results are finalized.

    Preliminary highlighted results:

    • Expects total fourth quarter revenue to be between $49 million and $51 million, an increase of 23.8% and 28.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023
    • Anticipates total full-year 2024 revenue to be between $201 million and $203 million, an increase of 16.5% and 18.2% compared to full-year 2023
    • Expects total fourth quarter written premium to be $361 million, an increase of 20% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 
    • Anticipates total full-year written premium of approximately $1.5 billion, an increase of 18% compared to full-year 2023
    • Anticipates fourth quarter Organic Revenue Growth Rate to be between of 20.2% and 20.8% and full-year 2024 Organic Revenue Growth Rate of between 14% and 15% 

    * Organic Revenue Growth Rate is a non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation of Organic Revenue Growth Rate to total revenue growth rate, the most directly comparable financial measure, is outlined in the reconciliation table accompanying this release.

    Conference Call and Full Earnings Release Date

    TWFG expects to release its full fourth quarter and full-year 2024 results mid-March followed by a conference call and webcast to discuss these results. Details for the call will be provided in the forthcoming earnings release.

    About TWFG

    TWFG (NASDAQ: TWFG) is a leading independent distribution platform for personal and commercial insurance in the United States, representing hundreds of insurance carriers. The Company provides innovative insurance solutions through its network of agents, carriers, and technology-driven distribution models. For more information, visit www.twfg.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicator

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Organic Revenue Growth included in this release is not a measure of financial performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and should not be considered a substitute for any GAAP measures, including revenue which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing our operating performance, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as substitutes for revenues, net income, or other consolidated financial statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

    Organic Revenue Growth. Organic Revenue Growth is the change in Organic Revenue period-to-period, with prior period results adjusted to include revenues that were excluded in the prior period because the relevant acquired businesses had not reached the twelve-month-owned milestone but have reached the twelve-month owned milestone in the current period. We believe Organic Revenue Growth is an appropriate measure of operating performance because it eliminates the impact of acquisitions, which affects the comparability of results from period to period.

    A reconciliation of our expected Organic Revenue and Organic Revenue Growth Rate to Total Revenue and Total Revenue Growth Rate, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, is as follows (in thousands):

      Three Months Ended 
    December 31, 2024    		   Twelve Months Ended 
    December 31, 2024
      Low End   High End   Low End   High End
    Total revenues $ 49,000     $ 51,000     $ 200,500     $ 203,400  
    Acquisition adjustments(1)   (100 )     (150 )     (3,650 )     (3,700 )
    Contingent income   (2,700 )     (3,850 )     (6,400 )     (7,550 )
    Fee income   (2,500 )     (3,000 )     (10,400 )     (10,900 )
    Other income   (200 )     (300 )     (1,300 )     (1,400 )
    Organic Revenue $ 43,500     $ 43,700     $ 178,750     $ 179,850  
    Organic Revenue Growth(2) $ 7,323     $ 7,523     $ 22,025     $ 23,125  
    Total Revenue Growth Rate(3)   23.8 %     28.9 %     16.5 %     18.2 %
    Organic Revenue Growth Rate(2)   20.2 %     20.8 %     14.1 %     14.8 %
                   
                   
    (1)  Represents revenues generated from the acquired businesses during the first 12 months following an acquisition.
    (2)  Organic Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, used to calculate Organic Revenue Growth for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, was $36.2 million and $156.7 million, respectively, which is adjusted to reflect revenues from acquired businesses with over $0.5 million in annualized revenue that reached the twelve-month owned mark during the year ended December 31, 2024. Organic Revenue Growth Rate represents the period-to-period change in Organic Revenue divided by the total adjusted Organic Revenue in the prior period.
    (3)  Represents the period-to-period change in total revenues divided by the total revenues in the prior period.
     

    Key Performance Indicator

    Total Written Premium. Total Written Premium represents, for any reported period, the total amount of current premium (net of cancellation) placed with insurance carriers. We utilize Total Written Premium as a key performance indicator when planning, monitoring, and evaluating our performance. We believe Total Written Premium is a useful metric because it is the underlying driver of the majority of our revenue.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These statements reflect management’s expectations based on currently available information and involve significant risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the finalization of the Company’s year-end financial results, economic conditions, and other risks detailed in the Company’s SEC filings. TWFG undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    Gene Padgett, CAO
    TWFG, Inc.
    gene.padgett@twfg.com

    Media Contact:
    Alex Bunch
    TWFG, Inc.
    alex@twfg.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Announces Eight FBI Subjects from Mexico in U.S. Custody

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    he FBI is announcing eight men, including two former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, who were transferred into U.S. custody from Mexico this week. All are key subjects of FBI investigations spanning several states.

    Rafael Caro Quintero is a former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive wanted for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar in 1985. Caro‐Quintero is widely regarded as one of the Mexican godfathers of drug trafficking and helped to form the Guadalajara Cartel in the late 1970s. Allegedly, he became one of the primary suppliers of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana to the U.S., and oversaw the cartel in Costa Rica and the U.S. and Mexico border. Quintero will face charges in the Eastern District of New York. This case was investigated by the FBI San Antonio Field Office.

    Alder Marin Sotelo faces homicide charges related to the killing of law enforcement officer. On August 23, 2022, Marin-Sotelo was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder following the August 11, 2022, death of Deputy Ned Byrd of the Wake County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office. Sotelo will face federal weapons charges in the Middle District of North Carolina and state murder charges in the North Carolina State Court. This case was investigated by the FBI Charlotte Field Office.

    Jose Rodolfo Villareal-Hernández, also known as “El Gato,” is a former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive allegedly responsible for stalking and orchestrating the murder-for-hire of a 43-year-old male victim on May 22, 2013, in Southlake, Texas. Villarreal-Hernandez previously held a high-level position in the Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO) Drug Cartel. He is believed to have overseen the importation of large quantities of cocaine into the United States as well as committing violent acts within the Republic of Mexico and the United States to maintain his organization’s power and status. He was arrested on January 7, 2023, in Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico and will face charges in the Northern District of Texas for interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. This case was investigated by the FBI Dallas Field Office.

    Jose Angel Canobbio-Inzunza, also known as “Guerito,” was a key leader and the finance manager of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Los Chapitos faction. He allegedly trafficked narcotics, controlled an armed enforcement group, and managed corrupt relationships on the cartel’s behalf. He will face narcotrafficking charges out of the Northern District of Illinois. The subject was arrested last week in Sinaloa by the Mexican Army. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington and San Diego Field Offices.

    Rodolfo Lopez Ibarra is facing drug-trafficking charges with up to life imprisonment out of the District of Columbia. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office.

    Andrew Clark, a Canadian citizen residing in Mexico, allegedly ran and participated in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia—through Mexico and Southern California—to Canada and other locations in the United States. Clark is being prosecuted for four murders and one attempted murder, and will face charges in the Central District of California. This case was investigated by the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.

    Luis Geraldo Méndez Estevane is facing several federal charges, including murder, racketeering, and drug conspiracy in the Western District of Texas. Mendez was a high-ranking Barrio Azteca lieutenant and responsible for the March 13, 2010, murder of two U.S. consulate employees in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer. Mendez was indicted in the Western District of Texas. This case was investigated by the FBI El Paso Field Office.

    Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, the former leader of the Juarez Cartel, faces narcotrafficking charges in the Eastern District of New York. Fuentes is responsible for the trafficking of narcotics into the United States. He also assisted in perpetrating significant violence throughout Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, area. The case was investigated by the FBI El Paso Field Office.

    “The FBI and our partners will scour the ends of the earth to bring terrorists and cartel members to justice,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The era of harming Americans and walking free is over.”

    Significant and vital assistance was provided by the FBI’s valued international, federal, state, and local law enforcement partners across the country.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Diego Man Who Ran $35 Million Securities Fraud and COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme Sentenced to Almost 20 Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Denny Thakorbhai Bhakta, who was convicted by a federal jury in October 2024 of securities fraud, bank fraud and money laundering in connection with a $35 million swindle that left his own elderly uncle bankrupt, was sentenced in federal court today to 235 months in custody. Bhakta was convicted of all 25 charges after a two-week trial.

    The evidence at trial showed Bhakta solicited investors in his companies Fusion Hotel Management LLC and Fusion Hospitality Corporation (collectively “Fusion”). Between at least 2016 and up to 2021, Bhakta falsely told investors that Fusion routinely acquired discounted blocks of hotel rooms from Hilton, which Fusion then sold to United Airlines at a higher price for a significant profit.

    To support these lies, Bhakta provided fabricated bank statements, fake contracts, and profit and loss statements purporting to show millions in revenue and profit. Instead of buying blocks of hotel rooms with investors’ funds, however, Bhakta used the money he obtained from investors for gambling, to make Ponzi-style payments to other investors, and to pay for Bhakta’s personal expenses, including luxury vehicles.

    According to court documents, Bhakta targeted friends, family members and close acquittances during the multi-year fraud scheme. Among the victims was Bhakta’s uncle, who was swindled out of $4.5 million, and who testified during the trial that he came to the U.S. as an immigrant with a suitcase and $8 in his pocket, and because of the defendant, he “lost everything he had worked for in 57 years in America. Everything.”

    Bhakta’s other victims included a childhood friend who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars; his former boss and his wife; a friend of his family who lost $1.6 million; a high school classmate and her father who together lost more than $800,000; and an 88-year-old investor who lost $50,000.

    During the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence that Bhakta was flown to Las Vegas on the Wynn Las Vegas private jet. And in just one 7.5-hour gambling binge in 2018, Bhakta lost $1 million at the casino. Through a trove of casino records, prosecutors demonstrated how Bhakta repeatedly took investors’ money straight to casinos and gambled (and lost) millions of investor money.

    “I haven’t seen a case quite like this,” said U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino, who found Bhakta’s conduct “could not have been more deliberate [and] could not have been more calculated.”  In pronouncing the 235-month prison sentence, Judge Sammartino noted Bhakta’s only apparent motive was “greed and gambling,” his victims included his own friends and relatives, and he showed “nothing resembling remorse” for his criminal conduct that spanned years.

    “This defendant didn’t just betray investors—he callously swindled his own family and closest friends, leaving his elderly uncle bankrupt,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “Instead of safeguarding their hard-earned money, he funneled millions straight to casinos, gambling away their futures along with his own. His lies, deceit, and reckless greed have finally caught up to him. Today’s sentence makes clear that those who gamble with other people’s trust and livelihoods will face the consequences.”

    “Denny Bhakta orchestrated an elaborate investment fraud scheme that caused extensive financial harm to unsuspecting victims, including close family and friends, all for his own personal gain,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy.  “Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his greed and deceitful conduct, bringing justice to the victims he exploited.”

    According to the government’s sentencing materials, in 2020, Bhakta doubled down on the fraud. Through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Bhakta applied for 18 separate PPP loans totaling $4.4 million. To fraudulently obtain the PPP loans, Bhakta created fake W-2 and other IRS documents and used the names and personally identifying information of his victim-investors to claim them as employees of Fusion and other entities under Bhakta’s control.  Bhakta used the more than $4.4 million he received in PPP loans to keep the Ponzi scheme going and to continue gambling and losing money at casinos.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mokhtari and Eric Olah.

    DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 21cr3352-JLS                            

    Denny Thakorbhai Bhakta                             Age: 42                                   San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Securities Fraud—Title 15, U.S.C. §§ 78j(b), 78ff; Title 17, C.F.R. § 240.10b-5

    Maximum penalty:  Twenty years in prison and $5,000,000 fine

    Bank Fraud—Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1344(2)

    Maximum penalty:  Thirty years in prison and $1 million fine

    Money Laundering– Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1957

    Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and fine twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Cotton, Scott urge SEC to review Consolidated Audit Trail

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and colleagues in sending a letter to the acting chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mark Uyeda, urging him to conduct a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT). 
    The SEC requires brokers to submit investors’ personally identifiable information (PII) to its CAT database. Earlier this month, the Trump administration’s SEC issued an order that exempts certain PII consisting of investors’ names, addresses and years of birth from CAT reporting.
    “The Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) has been a highly controversial endeavor that has raised many concerns from Members of Congress . . . We are pleased that you and fellow Commissioner Peirce have repeatedly acknowledged these longstanding concerns and applaud the Commission for its recent steps to protect the financial privacy of American investors,” the lawmakers wrote.
    “However, there is more work to be done. The prohibition on collecting investor PII must be formally codified (rather than via rescindable exemptive relief) and already-collected PII must be expunged. Cybersecurity measures for the remaining data must be enhanced. And the CAT’s bloated out-of-control budget must be addressed,” they continued.
    “Given these continuing concerns, the Commission should launch a comprehensive review that covers all aspects of the CAT. In doing so, the Commission should take additional steps to pause the CAT’s most controversial elements—not only the collection of customer PII, but also the problematic funding structure that a majority of the current Commission voted against. Further, it would appear appropriate for the Commission to pause and reconsider its position with respect to ongoing litigation related to the CAT, as it has done for other cases commenced during the Biden administration,” the lawmakers concluded. 
    Background:
    Earlier this month, Kennedy introduced the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act.
    Kennedy’s bill would prohibit the SEC from requiring market participants to submit investors’ personally identifiable information to the CAT. 
    The bill would also require the SEC to delete personally identifiable information once the agency resolves the investigation or issue that required that information. 
    Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) also joined the letter. 
    The full letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Labour market forecast lands amid tariff threats, immigration cap

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    VICTORIA – B.C.’s new 2024 Labour Market Outlook (LMO) estimates more than one million job openings in B.C. over the next decade.

    The 2025 LMO will consider the impacts of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and federal changes to immigration levels.

    The LMO delivers a comprehensive forecast of job-market trends over the coming decade. Its purpose is to help current and future post-secondary students, organizations, workers and employers make informed decisions about careers, skills training, education and hiring.

    The 2024 edition uses data collected until April 2024, before changes in the federal immigration targets. Slower population growth will impact labour supply, the demand for some goods and services, and the demand for workers in certain sectors, all of which have implications for the provincial economy. The 2024 LMO was likewise created prior to the U.S. government’s threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.

    The accuracy of any forecast depends on various assumptions about the future, some of which are difficult to anticipate. Due to this, labour market forecasts are updated annually to factor in changing circumstances. Work is underway on the next edition of B.C.’s LMO.

    Compared to the 2023 edition, the 2024 LMO projected 122,000 more job openings for a total of 1.12 million over the next 10 years. Of these job openings, 449,000 are identified as the result of economic growth, with the remainder due to replacing retiring workers. By 2034, employment is projected to reach 3.3 million, up from 2.8 million today for average annual growth of 1.4%.

    As government works with partners to safeguard B.C.’s economy and respond to the threat of tariffs, the Province will continue to make education and training more accessible, affordable and relevant, and will continue to prioritize sectors with labour shortages to ensure B.C. has a skilled workforce.

    Learn More:

    For the 2024 edition of the B.C. Labour Market Outlook, the online dashboard, and other links, visit: https://www.workbc.ca/research-labour-market/bc-labour-market-outlook-2024 (can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com)

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Reauthorizes Maritime Indiction Provisions of Arms Embargo on Somalia, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2775 (2025)

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    To enforce the arms embargo on Somalia, the Security Council decided today to reauthorize maritime interdiction of illicit weapons imports and charcoal exports, reiterating its determination that Al-Shabaab’s attempts to undermine peace and security in the region — including through acts of terrorism — constitute a threat to international peace and security.

    Unanimously adopting resolution 2775 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2775(2025)), the 15-member Council — acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter — decided to renew the provisions set out in paragraphs 15 and 17 of resolution 2182 (2014), and expanded by paragraph 5 of resolution 2607 (2021), as most recently renewed by paragraph 1 of resolution 2762 (2024), until 3 March 2025.

    It authorized Member States to inspect vessels in Somali territorial waters and on the high seas extending to and including the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, which they had “reasonable grounds” to believe were carrying charcoal or weapons or military equipment, including improvised explosive devices components.

    Further, it authorized Member States to seize and dispose of any items identified in inspections pursuant to paragraph 15 of resolution 2182 (2014), the delivery, import or export of which is prohibited by the arms embargo on Somalia or the charcoal ban.  It decided that charcoal seized in accordance with this paragraph may be disposed of through resale, which shall be monitored by the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement in Support of Enforcement Staff

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    By law and in practice, responsibility for SEC action lies with its presidentially-appointed Commissioners, not its career staff.  Commissioner Peirce, my colleague and head of the SEC Crypto Task Force, spoke to this yesterday when she said that staff “appropriately worked hard to execute as effectively as possible the Commission’s directives” on an enforcement matter.  No matter our policy differences, this is something on which we wholeheartedly agree – there is no critique to be made of hardworking civil servants for simply doing their jobs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown statement following PI hearing over Trump’s illegal gender-affirming care order

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE – Washington Attorney General Nick Brown released the following statement after parties argued in federal court over the state’s motion for a preliminary injunction against President Trump’s illegal executive order banning gender-affirming care for young people.

    Judge Lauren King announced at the hearing she would issue a decision at a later time.
     
    “We made a strong case that the president’s disregard for the Constitution here is obvious and intentional,” Brown said. “Children don’t need protection from life-saving care. They need freedom from a lawless president.”
     
    Friday’s hearing came weeks after the judge in the lawsuit granted a temporary restraining order against the White House from banning such care for people under 19, withholding funds from institutions providing gender affirming care to young people, and potentially instigating criminal actions against providers.
     
    The state is joined in the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Minnesota, Oregon and Colorado. Three individual doctors also joined as plaintiffs in the case, bringing claims on their own behalf and that of the minors for whom they provide care.
     
    The states argued the order violates the 5th Amendment’s equal protection guarantee by singling out transgender individuals for mistreatment and discrimination.
     
    Additionally, Congress has already authorized research and education funding for medical institutions in Washington state, and the president cannot unilaterally overrule congressional intent. The president also cannot unilaterally regulate or criminalize medical practices in Washington state, which are protected by the 10th Amendment, states argue.
     
    Work on this litigation is funded by the Attorney General’s Civil Justice Operating Fund, which is funded by recoveries made by the office in civil enforcement actions made on behalf of Washingtonians.
     
    Read more about the lawsuit here.

     -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the State of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Research Effects of Low-Level Blast Injuries on Veteran Mental Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – and Angus King (I-ME) – member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – introduced legislation to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other research partners to comprehensively study the impacts of repetitive low-level blast injuries on veterans’ mental health.

    The Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 would require VA to work with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to create a ten-year research plan to establish the effects of repetitive low-level blast injuries, where benchmarks must be reported to Congress, in order to develop further legislation for veterans who suffer with the effects of these repetitive blast exposures.

    “Brain injuries are a common, yet misunderstood and often undetectable, injury — and we’re finding they can be caused by exposure to large explosions, as well as consistently being near smaller blasts such as when firing a rifle, so we need to confront this threat from all angles,” said Senator King. “The bottom line is we must expand our understanding of the impact all blasts have on mental health, so that we can take proactive measures and protect the long-term health and well-being of our military community. Here in Maine we know all too well the horrible tragedies that can occur when brain injuries are left untreated. This commonsense bill builds off of previous efforts to deliver on our government’s sacred promise to provide our servicemembers, veterans and their families the very best care and support.”

    “Research has linked low-level blasts, which servicemembers are exposed to during training and in combat, to increased occurrences of brain injuries, mental health conditions and suicides,” said Senator Moran. “The Precision Brain Health Research Act will help us better understand why and how blast injuries are impacting veterans’ mental health and make certain VA is able to quickly incorporate these findings into care for veterans and enable them to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. This legislation is a step towards providing veterans the evidence-based health care and benefits they have earned and deserve, and I look forward to its passage.”

    This legislation builds off the Precision Brain Health initiative in the Commander John Scott Hannon Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which became law in 2020.

    The full text of the bill can be found here.

    “America’s Warrior Partnership is proud to fully endorse the VA Precision Brain Health Act of 2025, led by Chairman Moran and Senator King,” said Jim Lorraine, President & CEO, America’s Warrior Partnership. “As a former member of United States Special Operations Command and an advocate for many I served with, I know firsthand the long-term health impact of repetitive exposure.  For far too long, our service members and veterans have suffered with unexplained symptoms because of undetected brain injuries caused by repetitive low-level blasts during their time in training and in combat. This legislation will ensure these veterans will no longer be left behind.”

    “The Navy Seal Foundation applauds U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Angus King on their work leading the Precision Brain Health Research Act,” said Robin King, CEO, The Navy Seal Foundation. “This bill will begin groundbreaking federal research—with accountability benchmarks built in—to ensure our Seals and others in the Special Operations community will not be left behind with the wounds they have suffered due to repetitive low-level blast injuries.”

    “The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) supports the Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 to expand VA research on repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and other brain injuries affecting veterans,” said Joy Craig, Associate Director of Service Member Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars. “By strengthening VA-DOD data-sharing, funding large-scale studies, and partnering with the National Academies of Sciences, this bill advances cutting-edge care for those suffering from service-related brain injuries. We urge swift passage to ensure veterans receive the timely, evidence-based treatments they deserve.”

    “Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is a complex injury with a spectrum of short- and long-term conditions, and it is a signature wound of post-9/11 military service,” said Brian Dempsey, Director of Government Affairs, Wounded Warrior Project. “Part of keeping our promise to veterans is making sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is prepared to deliver the best possible care and support to those who suffered brain injuries in service.  The Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 would set VA on a course to more effectively treat TBI and better understand the impact of repetitive low-level blast exposure on veterans’ mental and brain health.  Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support this important legislation and thanks Senators Jerry Moran and Angus King for their commitment to improving how we care for veterans with TBIs”

    This legislation is also supported by The American Legion.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet Introduce Resolution Celebrating 30th Anniversary of Denver International Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet introduced a resolution to recognize February 28th, 2025 as the 30th anniversary of the Denver International Airport (DIA).

    “DIA has become one of the great airports in the world. It will welcome nearly 100 million passengers this year, almost double what was projected as the original capacity. It is part of the foundation of Colorado’s economy and an essential connection to the rest of America and the world!” said Hickenlooper.

    “For 30 years, the Denver International Airport has connected our communities and helped fuel Colorado’s economy,” said Bennet. “I was glad to introduce this resolution celebrating three decades of this fixture for travelers worldwide.”

    The Denver International Airport is the third-busiest airport in the United States, and the sixth-busiest in the world. In 2024, the airport set a record for passenger traffic, serving more than 82 million passengers.

    The text of the resolution is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Cartel Leader Jesus Mendez-Vargas In U.S. Custody On Drug Importation Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jesus Mendez-Vargas Was a Leader of the Ruthless La Familia Michoacana Cartel’s Narcotics Trafficking Enterprise, Responsible for Importing Vast Quantities of Methamphetamine and Cocaine into the United States

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging JESUS MENDEZ-VARGAS, a/k/a “Chango,” with conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S.  MENDEZ-VARGAS was taken into U.S. custody from Mexico and was presented on the charge contained in the Indictment today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl. 

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “As alleged, Jesus Mendez-Vargas was a leader of the violent drug trafficking organization, La Familia Michoacana, based in Mexico, with primary responsibility for the organization’s drug trafficking activities from approximately 2006 to 2011.  La Familia imported vast quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico and engaged in extensive violence in furtherance of its drug trafficking activities, including against those Mexican law enforcement officials who stood in its way.  This Office and our law enforcement partners will not stop working to see that those who lead violent drug trafficking organizations are met with the consequences of their actions. Mendez-Vargas will now face justice in an American courtroom.”

    DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino said: “The indictment against Jesus Mendez-Vargas, leader of La Familia Michoacana cartel is another example of the DEA’s determination to identify, target and eliminate drug traffickers poisoning our communities with fentanyl and methamphetamine. This removal demonstrates the New York Division’s relentless pursuit and unwavering commitment to hold accountable those who endanger our communities and traffic violence and drugs across our borders.”

    According to the allegations contained in the Indictment:1

    MENDEZ-VARGAS was a leader in La Familia Michoacana (“LFM”), a powerful, violent drug trafficking organization based in the state of Michoacan, in southwestern Mexico.  LFM controlled drug manufacturing and distribution within and around the state of Michoacan, as well as the port of Lazaro Cardenas, a key drug transshipment point.  LFM imported vast quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S. from Mexico. LFM leadership forbade the sale or use of methamphetamine in the areas under its control in Mexico, and instructed LFM members that its methamphetamine was solely for export to the U.S.  From approximately 2006 to 2011, MENDEZ-VARGAS was a leader of LFM, with primary responsibility for LFM’s drug trafficking activities.

    LFM engaged in violence, including assault, murder, and kidnapping to support its narcotics trafficking activities.  LFM also used heavy weaponry, including military-grade weapons, assault weapons, and ammunition smuggled from the U.S. to Mexico by LFM’s associates for use by LFM.  On or about July 14, 2009, approximately two days after the arrest of a high-level LFM leader, the bodies of 12 Mexican federal police officers believed to have been murdered were discovered in Michoacan.  Days later, another member of LFM contacted a local television station in Michoacan and, among other things, claimed that LFM was in a battle against the Mexican federal police and prosecutors, and that LFM kidnaps people who owed LFM money and those whose family members worked in state and federal governments.

    *               *                *

    MENDEZ-VARGAS, 51, of Mexico, is charged with conspiring to import cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S., which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

    The mandatory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s New York Field Division, as well as the assistance of the Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and the U.S. Marshals Service.

    This prosecution is part of an OCDETF operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.  The OCDETF New York Strike Force provides for the establishment of permanent, multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location.  This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.  The specific mission of the New York Strike Force is to target, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, reduce the illegal drug supply in the United States, and bring criminals to justice.

    This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley, Jane Y. Chong, Sarah L. Kushner, Alexander N. Li, Daniel G. Nessim, David J. Robles, and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the prosecution.

    The charge contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
     

    1 As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove Phone Call with Son of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Today, Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove held a powerful and emotional phone call with Judge Enrique Camarena, son of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In 1985, Special Agent Camarena was abducted, tortured, and killed. His alleged killer, Rafael Caro Quintaro, was among the 29 wanted defendants taken into U.S. custody yesterday, who will now face prosecution under U.S. law.  

    “President Trump and I are committed to holding every member of the cartels accountable for their crimes and to bring justice to the family of each and every victim,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “It was truly an honor to speak with Judge Camarena to express my sincere condolences for the loss of his father and assure him that we will be relentless in our pursuit of justice in this case.”

    Statement provided by the Camarena family:

    “Today is a day we have long awaited. Forty long years of waiting, wondering, and hoping that justice would finally come. After four decades, the person responsible for taking our beloved Kiki from us has been brought to the United States to answer for what he did.

    “There are no words to fully describe the pain we have endured: the empty seat at the dinner table, the birthdays, and holidays without him. The life that was stolen, not just from him, but from all of us who loved him. We have lived with this loss every single day.

    “For 14,631 days, we held on to hope — hope that this moment would come. Hope that we would live to see accountability. And now, that hope has finally turned into reality. While no amount of time can erase the pain or bring back what we lost, today marks a step toward justice.

    “We want to thank the DEA, law enforcement agencies, investigators, and officials— both in the United States and abroad — who never gave up.

    “We want to thank President Trump for using the weight of this country to accomplish what we thought would never occur. Thank you to everyone who has worked on this case for 40 years. We don’t know all of you but please know that you have our family’s deepest thanks and appreciation.

    “To those who have stood by us, supported us, celebrated Red Ribbon Week with us and carried us through the darkest moments — our extended family, friends, and even strangers who have shared in our grief — we are forever grateful.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon da fondos a organizaciones comunitarias, como universidades, para ayudar a las personas a declarar sus impuestos gratis

    Source: US State of Oregon

    racias a un programa del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (Oregon Department of Human Services, ODHS), dos universidades de Oregon están ayudando de forma gratuita a muchas personas a presentar su declaración de impuestos. El Programa de Subvenciones para Infraestructura Tributaria del ODHS (ODHS Tax Infrastructure Grant Program) hace posible esta ayuda gratuita para personas y familias con ingresos inferiores a $84,000 al año.

    En 2024, el programa fue responsable de la presentación de 14,246 declaraciones de impuestos actuales y de años anteriores, más del triple de las declaraciones presentadas hace dos años, antes de que comenzara el programa de subvenciones. Oregon State University (OSU) y Western Oregon University son dos de los muchos beneficiarios de las subvenciones que ofrecen ayuda gratuita para la presentación de declaraciones de impuestos, con más de 100 estudiantes contratados que ayudan a las personas a presentar sus impuestos, de forma gratuita.

    Emily Plant, que está trabajando en su licenciatura en Ciencias en OSU, es una de esas estudiantes contratadas. Este es su segundo año en esta tarea.

    Contó que todo tipo de personas se acercan para recibir el servicio gratuito. Aproximadamente un tercio son estudiantes de OSU, y también hay miembros de la comunidad, algunos empleados de OSU, e incluso algunos que conducen una hora o más para obtener ayuda con los impuestos.

    “Es un trabajo realmente importante, realmente significativo. Ayuda a las personas que tienen bajos ingresos, con discapacidades, personas mayores de 65 años y personas para quienes el inglés es un segundo idioma. Simplemente no saben que pueden recibir un reembolso. Vienen y reciben varios miles de dólares de reembolso. Para algunos, esto es un cambio de vida”, agregó.

    Otra estudiante contratada es Kelleen Green, una estudiante de maestría en educación en Western Oregon University. Ella reconoce que muchas personas se sienten ansiosas y asustadas de tener que presentar sus impuestos.

    “Cuando recibimos a los contribuyentes, es asombroso. Los vemos tan ansiosos y abrumados. Piensan que sucederá lo peor. Estamos aquí para ayudarlos. Vemos que reciben reembolsos casi todo el tiempo. Esto los hace sentir empoderados”, dijo.

    Camila Martínez, otra estudiante contratada de Western Oregon University, dijo que: “Ninguna situación es demasiado difícil de manejar. Utilizamos todos nuestros recursos para ayudarlos”. Además, es gratuito.

    “El sábado pasado, presenté una declaración de impuestos para alguien que fue a un contador de impuestos privado el año pasado. Le cobraron $350 por la declaración de impuestos; el mismo monto que recibió este año del estado. En total, recibió un reembolso considerable este año, ¡más de $1,000! Dijo que estaba muy agradecido por nuestros servicios y lo accesible que es nuestro programa”, agregó Martínez, una estudiante de último año que se especializa en contabilidad.

    Lo que le gustaría decirles a las personas es que, “es gratuito y está disponible para cualquiera que sea elegible. Puede ser intimidante hacer una declaración de impuestos, pero estamos aquí para ayudar, responder preguntas y guiarlo en la dirección correcta”.

    Estos programas gratuitos utilizan el Programa de Ayuda Voluntaria para la Declaración de Impuestos (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) o VITA del IRS. Los voluntarios de VITA que preparan las declaraciones deben realizar y aprobar una capacitación sobre la ley impositiva que cumpla o supere los estándares del IRS.

    El Programa de Infraestructura Tributaria financia organizaciones culturalmente relevantes o específicas, gobiernos tribales y organizaciones comunitarias rurales para ayudar a educar y proporcionar ayuda gratuita en la presentación de impuestos a personas que tienen bajos ingresos. La ayuda se encuentra disponible en varios idiomas. El dinero de la subvención también se utiliza para aumentar la cantidad de preparadores de impuestos certificados en Oregon.

    Obtenga más información en el sitio web del ODHS sobre el Programa de Subvenciones para Infraestructura Tributaria.

    Dónde obtener ayuda gratuita para presentar impuestos

    • 211Info: Llame al 2-1-1 o envíe un correo electrónico a help@211info.org para obtener ayuda gratuita para presentar su declaración de impuestos.
    • Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO); TAX@irco.org; 971-427-3993; Portland, Ontario

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan citizen charged for failing to register as a sex offender and illegally returning after deportation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TACOMA – A 25-year-old Guatemalan man will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today for failing to register or update his sex offender registration and re-entering the U.S. following deportation, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Juan Hernandez Zacharias was arrested in Mason County this morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigation agents.

    Zackarias is charged by criminal complaint with two felonies. The first, failure to register or update his sex offender registration, relates to his sentencing in October 2022 for first degree child molestation. The sentencing documents advise Zackarias that should he leave the state, he must register as a sex offender within three days of returning. Zackarias allegedly did not register as required.

    The second charge, reentry of a removed alien, relates to Zackarias’ return following deportation. On January 2, 2024, Zackarias had a removal hearing in Immigration Court. He was ordered removed and on February 4, 2024, he was removed from the United States and transported to Guatemala.

    However, on May 16, 2024, Zackarias registered a white van with Washington State plates in his name – indicating that he had returned to Washington.

    On December 6, 2024, Zackarias was arrested by Mason County Sheriff’s deputies for failing to register as a sex offender. The arrest was logged in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The NCIC system alerted ICE Homeland Security Investigations that Zackarias has an order of removal in place. The federal criminal complaint was sworn and filed with Magistrate Judge David W. Christal on February 21, 2025.

    Failure to register or update sex offender registration is punishable by up to ten years in prison. Reentry of a removed alien is punishable by up to two years in prison.

    The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Waite and Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Collins. 

    MIL Security OSI –