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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Colleagues Sound the Alarm on Threats to Americans’ Health and Safety Following Trump Purges

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Murray Blasts Trump and Musk Decimating HHS, Risking Americans’ Health and Livelihoods

    ***FACT SHEET: WA State Impacts of Trump and Musk’s Reckless Mass Layoffs***

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee joined Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and the entire Senate Democratic caucus in sending a letter demanding answers from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for firing more than 5,000 HHS workers, blatantly undermining Americans’ health and safety. Within days of being sworn in, Secretary Kennedy blindly followed Trump and Musk’s baseless directive.

    HHS consists of 13 operating divisions and 10 agencies responsible for protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of Americans nationwide. These highly qualified, dedicated public servants protect millions of families, seniors, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities against public health threats by advancing scientific innovations, discovering breakthrough cures, and providing lifeline services such as child care and home-delivered meals.

    Senate Democrats emphasized, “As HHS Secretary, the consequences of epidemics, lost treatments, and lack of access to care are your responsibility. These firings represent the abdication of your sworn duty to ensure the health and well-being of America’s families. You have an obligation to the American people, who rely on you as the nation’s top public health official, to stop these ill-conceived and dangerous attacks on agencies and programs that Americans rely on every day.”

    Specifically, these layoffs will:

    • Harm children, seniors, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities. Agencies across HHS are responsible for delivering everyday services that Americans rely on, including affordable child care, home-delivered meals, placing foster children in safe environments, and so much more.
    • Block the development of new treatments and cures. FDA and NIH nonpartisan staff research and develop life-saving treatments. Firing them may delay medical breakthroughs and will weaken America’s biomedical science leadership for years to come.
    • Put patient care at risk. More than 160 million Americans rely on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) programs for affordable health care coverage. CMS is already understaffed and leans heavily on its existing workforce to maintain current service levels. Any cuts to the CMS workforce could have wide-ranging consequences across the health care system, including potential disruptions in medically necessary care, delays in payments to hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care providers, and reductions in the frequency of safety inspections in nursing homes.
    • Make the nation less prepared. With the worst flu season in more than 15 years, an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, and the growing threat of avian influenza, firing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employees will make American communities more vulnerable to dangerous diseases and less prepared to deal with any potential outbreaks. Also, broader public health response infrastructure would be less able to address cyber attacks, supply chain shortages, and natural disasters.

    In their letter, Senate Democrats asked the following questions:

    1. How many HHS employees were fired between January 20, 2025 and February 18, 2025? How many of these employees were probationary? Provide a breakdown by agency, position type, and justification for termination for each category of employee at each agency.
    1. How were HHS employees notified that they were being fired, and on what grounds? Provide the method of communication and content of the message employees received.
    1. Provide any analysis conducted prior to firings to determine the immediate and long-term impact it will have on programs and activities those employees were tasked with administering.
    1. What role did DOGE have in identifying or prioritizing employees for termination? What metrics did they use?
    1. As additional layoffs are anticipated according to the EO, Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative, what specific guidance was given to HHS for identifying additional employees to lay off?

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    Earlier this week, Senator Murray responded at length to the Trump administration’s mass firings of dedicated workers across HHS and its many subagencies—and last week she released a fact sheet detailing how reckless mass layoffs across the federal government will jeopardize essential services Americans rely on. Senator Murray was a leading voice in opposition to the confirmation of RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary. Earlier this month on the Senate floor, she warned of the dangers of confirming RFK, Jr.—given his lack of health care experience and deadly rhetoric—and encouraged her colleagues to “show some courage” by rejecting his nomination. A longtime congressional leader on health care and former HELP Committee Chair, she called her meeting with him the “most troubling” she’s ever had with a cabinet nominee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Blasts Trump & Elon for Illegally Paralyzing Lifesaving Research Again, Threatening to Extinguish Ongoing and Groundbreaking Work

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Murray Blasts Trump and Musk Decimating HHS, Risking Americans’ Health and Livelihoods

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee issued the following statement upon learning that Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed National Institutes of Health (NIH) to pause issuance of all awards.

    “The scientists supported by NIH deliver groundbreaking and lifesaving cures that change lives and give patients hope all across this country. I think Americans want to understand: by crushing cancer research, what exactly are Trump and Elon making more efficient? By grinding promising new treatments for cerebral palsy to a halt, what corruption is Elon uncovering? Their game plan here is pretty blatant: gum up the works on the approval process for these grants until the money can’t be spent or entire research programs are forced to shutter.

    “Withholding this funding is illegal—Trump, and Elon are suffocating the work of cancer researchers with so much red tape that labs and clinical trials will be forced to shut down. It is plain to see that Trump and Elon are themselves creating waste, fraud, and abuse by illegally choking off lifesaving research. I am calling on every Member of Congress to join me in demanding that NIH grant funding get out the door immediately—to red and blue states—so that researchers can continue working towards cures and treatments.”

    Last Thursday, HHS issued a directive calling on NIH to pause issuance of all awards. Since then, the agency has again completely stopped issuing grants. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been intentionally delaying the NIH approval process for grants and forcing NIH to cancel study section and Advisory Council meetings. For a research grant application to be approved it must be scored by a study section (a group of independent scientists) first and then approved by the appropriate Institute or Center’s Advisory Council. For either to occur, NIH must announce each of these meetings on the Federal Register. However, since Day 1 of the Trump Administration NIH has been prohibited from posting to the Federal Register. According to analysis in recent reporting, NIH has posted no notices on the Federal Register since Trump’s inauguration—yet during the same period last year there were already more than 150 notices posted by NIH.

    Senator Murray blasted the Trump administration immediately as soon as NIH announced an illegal new cap on the indirect cost rate, amounting to massive indiscriminate cut—pressing Dr. Jay Bhattacharya on the issue, leading Senate Democrats in pushing back, and forcing amendment votes to reverse the illegal Trump policy in the Senate Budget Committee and on the Senate floor. She has also pressed the administration for its arbitrary staffing cuts at HHS, its illegal funding and communications freeze.

    As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Murray has long fought to boost biomedical research, strengthen public health infrastructure, and make health care more affordable and accessible. Over her years as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee, she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA News: America First Investment Policy

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
             THE SECRETARY OF STATE
             THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
             THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
             THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
             THE SECRETARY OF LABOR
             THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
             THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
             THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
             THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
             THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
             THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
             THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS
             THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
             THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
             THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

    SUBJECT:       America First Investment Policy
     
     
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
     
             Section 1.  Principles and Objectives.  America’s investment policy is critical to our national and economic security.  Welcoming foreign investment and strengthening the United States’ world-leading private and public capital markets will be a key part of America’s Golden Age.  The United States has the world’s most attractive assets, in technology and across our economy, and we will make it easier for our overseas allies to support United States jobs, United States innovators, and United States economic growth with their capital.
     
             Investment by United States allies and partners can create hundreds of thousands of jobs and significant wealth for the United States.  Our Nation is committed to maintaining the strong, open investment environment that benefits our economy and our people, while enhancing our ability to protect the United States from new and evolving threats that can accompany foreign investment.
     
             Investment at all costs is not always in the national interest, however.  Certain foreign adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), systematically direct and facilitate investment in United States companies and assets to obtain cutting-edge technologies, intellectual property, and leverage in strategic industries.  The PRC pursues these strategies in diverse ways, both visible and concealed, and often through partner companies or investment funds in third countries. 
     
             Economic security is national security.  The PRC does not allow United States companies to take over their critical infrastructure, and the United States should not allow the PRC to take over United States critical infrastructure.  PRC-affiliated investors are targeting the crown jewels of United States technology, food supplies, farmland, minerals, natural resources, ports, and shipping terminals.
     
             The PRC is also increasingly exploiting United States capital to develop and modernize its military, intelligence, and other security apparatuses, which poses significant risk to the United States homeland and Armed Forces of the United States around the world.  Related actions include the development and deployment of dual-use technologies, weapons of mass destruction, advanced conventional weapons, and malicious cyber‑enabled actions against the United States and its people.  Through its national Military-Civil Fusion strategy, the PRC increases the size of its military-industrial complex by compelling civilian Chinese companies and research institutions to support its military and intelligence activities.
     
             Those Chinese companies also raise capital by:  selling to American investors securities that trade on American and foreign public exchanges; lobbying United States index providers and funds to include these securities in market offerings; and engaging in other acts to ensure access to United States capital and accompanying intangible benefits.  In this way, the PRC exploits United States investors to finance and advance the development and modernization of its military.
     
             Sec. 2.  Policy.  (a)  It is the policy of the United States to preserve an open investment environment to help ensure that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies of the future are built, created, and grown right here in the United States.  Investment in our economy from our allies and partners, some of whom have tremendous sovereign wealth funds, supports the national interest.  My Administration will make the United States the world’s greatest destination for investment dollars, to the benefit of all of us. 
     
             (b)  Yet for investment in United States businesses involved in critical technology, critical infrastructure, personal data, and other sensitive areas, restrictions on foreign investors’ access to United States assets will ease in proportion to their verifiable distance and independence from the predatory investment and technology-acquisition practices of the PRC and other foreign adversaries or threat actors.
     
             (c)  The United States will create an expedited “fast-track” process, based on objective standards, to facilitate greater investment from specified allied and partner sources in United States businesses involved with United States advanced technology and other important areas.  This process will allow for increased foreign investment subject to appropriate security provisions, including requirements that the specified foreign investors avoid partnering with United States foreign adversaries.  
     
             (d)  My Administration will also expedite environmental reviews for any investment over $1 billion in the United States.
     
             (e)  The United States will reduce the exploitation of public and private sector capital, technology, and technical knowledge by foreign adversaries such as the PRC.  The United States will establish new rules to stop United States companies and investors from investing in industries that advance the PRC’s national Military-Civil Fusion strategy and stop PRC-affiliated persons from buying up critical American businesses and assets, allowing only those investments that serve American interests.
     
             (f)  The United States will use all necessary legal instruments, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to restrict PRC-affiliated persons from investing in United States technology, critical infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, energy, raw materials, or other strategic sectors.  My Administration will protect United States farmland and real estate near sensitive facilities.  It will also seek, including in consultation with the Congress, to strengthen CFIUS authority over “greenfield” investments, to restrict foreign adversary access to United States talent and operations in sensitive technologies (especially artificial intelligence), and to expand the remit of “emerging and foundational” technologies addressable by CFIUS.
     
             (g)  To reduce uncertainty for investors, reduce administrative burden, and increase Government efficiency, my Administration will cease the use of overly bureaucratic, complex, and open-ended “mitigation” agreements for United States investments from foreign adversary countries.  In general, mitigation agreements should consist of concrete actions that companies can complete within a specific time, rather than perpetual and expensive compliance obligations.  More administrative resources, in turn, will be directed toward facilitating investments from key partner countries.
     
             (h)  The United States will continue to welcome and encourage passive investments from all foreign persons.  These include non-controlling stakes and shares with no voting, board, or other governance rights and that do not confer any managerial influence, substantive decisionmaking, or non-public access to technologies or technical information, products, or services.  This will allow our cutting-edge businesses to continue to benefit from foreign investment capital, while ensuring protection of our national security.
     
             (i)  The United States will also use all necessary legal instruments to further deter United States persons from investing in the PRC’s military-industrial sector.  These may include the imposition of sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) through the blocking of assets or through other actions, including actions pursuant to Executive Order 13959 of November 12, 2020 (Addressing the Threat From Securities Investments That Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies), as amended by Executive Order 13974 of January 13, 2021 (Amending Executive Order 13959 — Addressing the Threat From Securities Investments That Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies) and Executive Order 14032 of June 3, 2021 (Addressing the Threat From Securities Investments That Finance Certain Companies of the People’s Republic of China), and actions pursuant to Executive Order 14105 of August 9, 2023 (Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern).  Executive Order 14105 is under review by my Administration, pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 (America First Trade Policy), to examine whether it includes sufficient controls to address national security threats.
     
             (j)  This review will build on measures taken under my authority in 2020 and 2021 and consider new or expanded restrictions on United States outbound investment in the PRC in sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, hypersonics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, directed energy, and other areas implicated by the PRC’s national Military-Civil Fusion strategy.  Covered sectors should be reviewed and updated regularly, including by the Office of Science and Technology Policy.  As part of the review, my Administration will consider applying restrictions on investment types including private equity, venture capital, greenfield investments, corporate expansions, and investments in publicly traded securities, from sources including pension funds, university endowments, and other limited-partner investors.  It is past time for American universities to stop supporting foreign adversaries with their investment decisions, much as they should stop granting university access to supporters of terrorism.
     
             (k)  To further reduce incentives for United States persons to invest in our foreign adversaries, we will review whether to suspend or terminate the 1984 United States-The People’s Republic of China Income Tax Convention.  That tax treaty, along with the PRC’s admission to the World Trade Organization and the related undertaking by the United States to accord unconditional Most Favored Nation treatment to goods and services of the PRC, led to the deindustrialization of the United States and the technological modernization of the PRC military.  We will seek to reverse both those trends.  United States investors will invest in the future of America, not the future of the PRC.
     
             (l)  To protect the savings of United States investors and channel them into American growth and prosperity, my Administration will also:
     
             (i)    determine if adequate financial auditing standards are upheld for companies covered by the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act;
     
             (ii)   review the variable interest entity and subsidiary structures used by foreign-adversary companies to trade on United States exchanges, which limit the ownership rights and protections for United States investors, as well as allegations of fraudulent behavior by these companies; and
     
             (iii)  restore the highest fiduciary standards as required by the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, seeking to ensure that foreign adversary companies are ineligible for pension plan contributions.
     
             Sec. 3.  Implementation.  The policy set forth in section 2 of this memorandum shall be implemented, to the extent permitted by law and available appropriations, and subject to internal programmatic and budgetary processes, as follows:
     
             (a)  With respect to sections 2(a) through 2(k) of this memorandum, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the United States Trade Representative, and the heads of other executive departments and agencies (agencies) as deemed appropriate by the Secretary of the Treasury, and with respect to the authorities of CFIUS in coordination with the members thereof, shall take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, to support all powers granted to the President by IEEPA, section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, and other statutes to carry out the purposes of this memorandum.
     
             (b)  With respect to section 2(d) of this memorandum, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the heads of other agencies as appropriate, shall carry out the purposes of this memorandum.
     
             (c)  With respect to section 2(l)(i) of this memorandum, the Secretary of the Treasury shall engage as appropriate with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; with respect to section 2(l)(ii) of this memorandum, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall provide a written recommendation on the risk posed to United States investors based on the auditability, corporate oversight, and evidence of criminal or civil fraudulent behavior for all foreign adversary companies currently listed on domestic exchanges; and with respect to section 2(l)(iii) of this memorandum, the Secretary of Labor shall publish updated fiduciary standards under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for investments in public market securities of foreign adversary companies.
     
             Sec. 4.  Definition.  For purposes of this memorandum, the term “foreign adversaries” includes the PRC, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region; the Republic of Cuba; the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; the Russian Federation; and the regime of Venezuelan politician Nicolás Maduro.
     
             Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

                      (i.) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

                      (ii.) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

             (b)  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
     
             (c)  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Encourages Foreign Investment While Protecting National Security

    Source: The White House

    MAKING AMERICA THE WORLD’S GREATEST DESTINATION FOR INVESTMENT: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) aimed at promoting foreign investment while protecting America’s national security interests, particularly from threats posed by foreign adversaries like the People’s Republic of China.

    • The NSPM establishes that welcoming foreign investment is crucial for economic growth, job creation, and innovation, ensuring that the United States leverages its world-leading financial markets to support American jobs and innovators.
    • The United States will create a “fast-track” process to facilitate greater investment from specified allies and partners, with conditions that prevent investors from partnering with our foreign adversaries in corresponding areas. The United States will also expedite environmental reviews for any investment over $1 billion.
    • The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) will be used to restrict Chinese investments in strategic U.S. sectors like technology, critical infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, energy, raw materials, and others.
    • The United States will protect our farmland and real estate near sensitive facilities, strengthen CFIUS authority over “greenfield” investments, and restrict foreign adversary access to U.S. talent and operations in sensitive technologies.
    • Rather than use overly bureaucratic, complex, and open-ended “mitigation” agreements for U.S. investments from foreign adversaries, more administrative resources will be directed toward facilitating investments from key partner countries.
    • The United States will establish new rules to curb the exploitation of its capital, technology, and knowledge by foreign adversaries such as China to ensure that only those investments that serve American interests are allowed.
    • The Trump Administration will consider new or expanded restrictions on U.S. outbound investment to China in sensitive technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, aerospace, and more, to stop American funds from supporting China’s Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) strategy.
    • The United States will continue to encourage passive investments from all foreign persons – this will allow our cutting-edge businesses to continue to benefit from foreign capital while safeguarding our national security.
    • The Trump Administration will protect U.S. investors’ savings and boost American prosperity by auditing foreign companies on U.S. exchanges, reviewing their ownership structures and any alleged fraud, and ensuring foreign adversary companies are ineligible for pension plan contributions.

    ENSURING AMERICA’S PROSPERITY AND SECURITY: President Trump is committed to making the United States a premier destination for investment while balancing national security interests.

    • The United States is the leading innovator of next-generation technologies, and this action makes it easier for our friends to support U.S. innovators and economic growth.
    • Certain foreign countries, including China, systematically direct investment in American companies to gain access to cutting-edge technology, intellectual property, and leverage in strategic industries, which must be countered.
      • Foreign entities and individuals hold roughly 43 million acres of U.S. agricultural land, which is nearly 2% of all land in the U.S.
      • China owns more than 350,000 acres of farmland across 27 states.
    • China is exploiting our capital and ingenuity to fund and modernize their military, intelligence, and security operations, posing direct threats to United States security with weapons of mass destruction, cyber warfare, and more.
    • Chinese hackers have repeatedly targeted U.S. entities, including recently breaching the Treasury Department’s CFIUS office, the entity responsible for reviewing foreign investments for national security risks.

    SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN INNOVATION: President Trump is keeping his promise to prevent foreign adversaries from taking advantage of the United States.

    • President Trump: “We will also adopt new rules to stop U.S. companies from pouring investments into China, and to stop China from buying up America, allowing all of those investments that clearly serve American interests.”
      • President Trump also promised to “stop Chinese-owned” firms from “stealing our intellectual property, our workers’ knowledge and then sending it back to Communist China. We’re not going to let that happen.”
      • President Trump: “We have powers that haven’t really been used in terms of environmental. If you invest over $1 billion in the United States, we’re going to give expedited reviews.”
    • This NSPM builds on numerous actions President Trump took in his first term to protect American innovation, including:
      • Initiating a Section 301 investigation into China’s practices related to forced technology transfer, unfair licensing, and intellectual property policies.
      • Announcing a Department of Justice China Initiative to identify and prosecute trade secrets theft, hacking, and economic espionage – a program which the Biden Administration ended.
      • Prioritizing research and development of America’s artificial intelligence capabilities.
      • Taking action to prevent foreign malign actors from gaining access to United States information networks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Child criminal exploitation and cuckooing to be criminal offences

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Child criminal exploitation and cuckooing to be criminal offences

    Two new offences from the government’s flagship Crime and Policing Bill will introduced in Parliament making child criminal exploitation and cuckooing illegal.

    Image: Getty Images

    Children and vulnerable people who are exploited by gangs for criminal purposes will receive greater protection, with two new criminal offences set to be introduced by the government next week.

    Landmark legislation will be brought forward to ban cuckooing, a highly exploitative practice where criminals seize control of a vulnerable person’s home without consent to conduct illegal activities like drug dealing.

    Another new offence will be created against adults who use a child to commit criminal activity. Both of these measures will be part of the government’s landmark Crime and Policing Bill, which is set to be introduced in Parliament next week and forms a key part of the government’s Plan for Change. 

    Current estimates show that approximately 14,500 children were identified as at risk or involved in child criminal exploitation (CCE) in 2023 to 2024, although this is likely an underestimate as many exploited children will not be known to authorities.

    However, under current legislation, only a small number of individuals have been charged for using children in criminal activity.

    This standalone CCE offence will therefore look to target those adults who unscrupulously groom and exploit children into criminal activity, such as county lines drug running or organised robbery, as well as increasing the opportunities for children to be identified.

    Those convicted of committing a CCE offence could face a maximum of 10 years in prison, sending a clear message that this form of child exploitation will never be tolerated.

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: 

    The exploitation of children and vulnerable people for criminal gain is sickening and it is vital we do everything in our power to eradicate it from our streets.

    As part of our Plan for Change, we are introducing these two offences to properly punish those who prey on them, ensure victims are properly protected and prevent these often-hidden crimes from occurring in the first place.

    These steps are vital in our efforts to stop the grooming and exploitation of children into criminal gangs, deliver on our pledge to halve knife crime in the next decade and work towards our overall mission to make our streets safer.

    The new legislation also includes the creation of new CCE prevention orders, which may be issued at the end of criminal proceedings or upon application by police.

    These bespoke orders will ensure that courts can impose restrictions and requirements on individuals who pose a risk of exploiting a child for criminal purposes, such as limiting their ability to work with children, contact specific people or go to a certain area. 

    This will help manage the risk of offending, or reoffending, and breach of these orders (or failure to comply with any relevant notification requirements) will also be a criminal offence, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 

    Baroness Anne Longfield, Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives, said:

    The ruthless criminal exploitation of vulnerable children has been a brutal and lucrative business model for organised criminals for too long.

    It has had tragic consequences for thousands of young lives and has devastated families and communities.

    This change in the law is long overdue, very welcome, and will save lives.

    Mark Russell, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society said: 

    This new offence is a vital step forward that we have been campaigning for over the years. A standalone crime of child criminal exploitation (CCE) will finally shift the focus onto perpetrators, not victims. For too long, adults who groom children into criminal activity – forcing them to hold drugs or launder money or commit theft – have evaded accountability. Charges such as drug possession ignore the core truth; these are child abusers exploiting vulnerable young people.   

    To protect the 14,500 children identified at risk last year – and the thousands more unseen – these measures must be backed by three pillars; strong enforcement, training for safeguarding professionals and a statutory definition of CCE to help end the postcode lottery in victim support.   

    This is how we break cycles of harm: punish the exploiters, prioritise the victims, and put child safety first.

    In further measures to better protect vulnerable people, a new offence making cuckooing illegal will also be introduced.

    Dame Rachel de Souza, The Children’s Commissioner, said:

    As Children’s Commissioner, I know the criminal exploitation of children is a complex type of abuse that causes harm to victims in a way that has for too long been undercounted and poorly understood.

    Many children targeted by adult criminals themselves face punishment instead of support. Like too many child victims, they are often ignored and overlooked. Their voices and experiences must be listened to, if we are to create a child-centric justice system that puts safeguarding at its heart.

    Introducing this new offence and new prevention orders will help create that much needed clarity that exploited children are victims. I hope this will enable professionals to intervene at far earlier stages of intervention, backed by plans to create a unique identifying number for every child that helps services identify those in need of support.

    These measures will be introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill alongside the new CCE offence.

    It is commonly associated with drug supply, serious violence and antisocial behaviour, seeing people often with disabilities or those with substance misuse issues targeted by criminals for their own personal gain. 

    The introduction of this new offence will target individuals who take over the homes of vulnerable people for criminal purposes and punish them for the harm caused. It will carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 22 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE executes federal search warrant at local rental equipment business

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN JUAN, P.R. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a federal criminal search warrant at a local San Juan rental equipment business, Feb 21., as part of an ongoing ICE Homeland Security Investigations worksite enforcement criminal investigation targeting establishments allegedly involved in labor exploitation and the employment of undocumented aliens from Dominican Republic and Haiti.

    The ICE HSI-led immigration enforcement operation was supported by other federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Enforcement Removal Operations, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Border Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the FBI.

    During the search warrant, no arrests were conducted, however ICE HSI seized documents and digital media devices for evidence purposes. The documents included employment records, tax records, I-9 forms, bank statements, sales, and contracts information. The digital media devices included electronic equipment, such as cellular telephones and computers.

    ICE HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos said, “This investigation encompasses several aspects of our mission in Puerto Rico. We are not only enforcing immigration laws but also identifying any labor exploitation crimes including forced labor, a modality of human trafficking.”

    If you see Say Something, Say Something. Call ICE HSI Communication Center at 787-729-6969.

    Members of the public can follow us on X @HSISanJuan.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Inc. Announces February 2025 Distributions for the Seven New Yield Shares ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) is pleased to announce the distributions for the month of February 2025 for its newest set of Yield Shares ETFs.

    The ex-distribution date for all seven Yield Shares ETFs listed in the table below is February 28, 2025.

    ETF Name Ticker Distribution
    per Unit    		 Record
    Date    		 Payable
    Date    		 Distribution
    Frequency
    Costco (COST) Yield Shares
    Purpose ETF – ETF Series    		 YCST $0.1000 02/28/2025 03/06/2025 Monthly
    Palantir (PLTR) Yield Shares
    Purpose ETF – ETF Series    		 YPLT $0.2500 02/28/2025 03/06/2025 Monthly
    UnitedHealth Group (UHN)
    Yield Shares Purpose ETF –
    ETF Series    		 YUNH $0.1100 02/28/2025 03/06/2025 Monthly
    Coinbase (COIN) Yield
    Shares Purpose ETF – ETF
    Series    		 YCON $0.3000 02/28/2025 03/06/2025 Monthly
    Netflix (NFLX) Yield Shares
    Purpose ETF – ETF Series    		 YNET $0.1100 02/28/2025 03/06/2025 Monthly
    Broadcom (AVGO) Yield
    Shares Purpose ETF – ETF
    Series    		 YAVG $0.1500 02/28/2025 03/06/2025 Monthly
    Tech Innovators Yield
    Shares Purpose ETF – ETF
    Series    		 YMAG $0.2000 02/28/2025 03/06/2025 Monthly


    About Purpose Investments Inc.

    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $23 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

    For further information, please contact: info@purposeinvest.com

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Keera Hart
    Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
    905-580-1257

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Investment funds are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Serious crash Stockyard Plain

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police and emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash on the Sturt Highway at Stockyard Plain.

    Delays are expected in the area with traffic being diverted via Zigler Road and Sturt and Hunter Road.

    Please be patient and avoid the area if possible.

    MIL OSI News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Diego Gang Member Sentenced in Organized Crime Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Odyssey Carrillo, a member of the Emerald Hills Bloods gang, was sentenced in federal court today to 168 months in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy involving coordinated violent crimes by street gangs.

    Carrillo is the ninth and final member of the conspiracy to be sentenced. He pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity and Hobbs Act Robbery. According to court documents, the crimes committed by the enterprise included armed robbery, sex trafficking, prostitution, violence and other profit-driven illegal activities.

    The defendants were charged with racketeering conspiracy – the statute’s original inspiration was to combat organized-crime syndicates and mobsters. But as criminal street gangs have become more sophisticated and prolific in their illicit business pursuits, this statute has become an effective tool to address all aspects of coordinated violent criminal conduct.

    Previously sentenced defendants include Jerome Brunson, Cedric Jordan, Stephen Nathaniel Calhoun, Jr., Carl Moore, Maurice Johnson, Dajay Leon Scott, Taashawn Henderson and Sergio Valentin Louden.

    In his plea agreement, Carrillo admitted that he joined the conspiracy that engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity that included robbery, prostitution and sex trafficking. Carrillo further admitted to committing racketeering activity himself, including two specific armed robberies.

    Carrillo, Calhoun and Moore admitted to participating in the January 19, 2019, armed robbery of San Carlos Jewelers in San Diego and the February 11, 2019, armed robbery of the Bert Levi Family Jewelers in San Diego.

    Calhoun also admitted to robbing the Medicine Shoppe in San Diego by gunpoint on May 20, 2019. Calhoun and Moore both admitted to being Lincoln Park Bloods (LPK) gang members; Carrillo admitted to being an Emerald Hills gang member, a Bloods-aligned street gang that often works cooperatively with LPK. Calhoun and Moore were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant to 176 months and 105 months in custody, respectively.

    According to their plea agreements, in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy, Jerome Brunson admitted to being an LPK member who participated in the November 19, 2019, armed robbery of a Jared’s jewelry store in National City. Judge Bashant sentenced Brunson to 57 months in custody. Dajay Scott and Sergio Louden admitted to being LPK members who robbed numerous women of their purses outside nail salons in January 2020. Judge Bashant sentenced Scott and Louden to 48 months and 72 months in custody, respectively.

    Cedric Jordan, Maurice Johnson, and Taashawn Henderson admitted to being LPK members who, during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy, engaged in sex offenses related to sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution. Judge Bashant sentenced Jordan, Johnson, and Henderson to 63 months, 60 months, and 58 months in custody, respectively.

    “Every member of our community is put at risk when criminal street gangs engage in armed robberies, sex trafficking, and other violent criminal acts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “This case is the result of outstanding teamwork and collaboration between our local and federal law enforcement partners. We will continue to hold these violent groups accountable, using the RICO tools at our disposal, to bring justice to crime victims and to make our community safer.”

    “Today’s sentencing reflects the hard work, determination, and collaboration of multiple agencies to dismantle an organized crime conspiracy,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “The violent crime and gang threats are too diverse, too dangerous, and too all-encompassing for any of us to tackle alone. FBI will continue to work with our partners to disrupt violent crime, human traffickers, and violent gangs whose criminal acts devastate our communities.”

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mario J. Peia, Katherine E. A. McGrath, and Matthew Brehm.

    DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 21cr2909-BAS                           

    Jerome Brunson                                              Age: 27                                   San Diego, CA

    Cedric Jordan                                                  Age: 36                                   San Diego, CA

    Stephen Nathaniel Calhoun, Jr.                      Age: 24                                   San Diego, CA

    Carl Moore                                                      Age: 34                                   San Diego, CA

    Maurice Johnson                                             Age: 34                                   San Diego, CA

    Dajay Leon Scott                                            Age: 26                                   San Diego, CA

    Taashawn Henderson                                      Age: 29                                   San Diego, CA

    Sergio Valentin Louden                                  Age: 36                                   San Diego, CA

    Odyssey Carrillo                                             Age: 23                                   San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1962(d)

    Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

    Interference with Commerce by Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1951

    Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

    Brandishing a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 924(c)

    Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a seven-year mandatory minimum and $250,000 fine

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    San Diego Police Department

    San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force

    San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

    National City Police Department

    San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

    *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Burning Down Local Business

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Carey Alice Hernandez was sentenced in federal court today to 70 months in prison for intentionally setting fire to Off Road Warehouse to cover up the disappearance of more than $700,000 while she was in charge of company finances.

    In April 2024, after a four-day trial, jurors found Hernandez guilty of malicious destruction of a building by means of fire, witness tampering and making false statements.

    In late 2018, the owner of Off Road Warehouse, also known as ORW, which sold and installed automotive parts and gear for off-roading, decided to sell the business located at 7915 Balboa Avenue. The prospective purchaser conducted an audit of ORW, which revealed that between January 2015 and March 2019, while Hernandez was serving as bookkeeper and controller in charge of the company books and records, $744,621 had gone missing from the company.

    The jury found that in the early morning hours of March 28, 2019, Hernandez started the fire at Off Road Warehouse, causing the building to burn to the ground.

    “This defendant intentionally set a dangerous inferno in what appears to have been an attempt to conceal a massive theft. And then she leaned on her minor daughter to try and cover up her crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “Fortunately, no one was physically hurt, but this devastating loss for ORW, and the extraordinary danger of intentionally setting a fire, demanded accountability. And today, justice was served.”

    At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta described the defendant’s actions as “wanton, deliberate and destructive” and “a very dangerous crime” that put firefighters at risk. She noted the crime was made even worse when she asked her daughter to lie for her.

    According to evidence presented at trial, surveillance footage showed the defendant driving an SUV with dark rims near her home and the fire scene. The following day, she lied to federal agents and ORW employees, claiming her SUV had light rims. Video footage from the area contradicted her claims about the vehicles rims, leading to convictions for witness tampering and false statements.

    ATF’s National Response Team (NRT) investigated this case in conjunction with San Diego’s Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST). The NRT is ATF’s mobile, rapid response team which investigates the cause and origin of large fires, explosions and bombings at the request of local public safety agencies.

    “Arson crimes are not victimless,” said Acting ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jose Medina. “These criminal acts destroy lives, property, and businesses.  In this case, the motive was greed—fire was used as a cover-up for criminal activity. ATF remains steadfast in its mission to bring arsonists to justice and ensure safer communities. We will relentlessly pursue and remove these offenders from society. I want to acknowledge the dedication of our National Response Team and San Diego’s Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) for their work in determining the fire’s origin and cause.”

    A hearing to determine the restitution that Hernandez owes the victims of her crimes is scheduled for March 14, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Ohta.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Brehm and Carl Brooker.

    DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 22cr145-JO                                         

    Carey Alice Hernandez                                  Age: 46                                   Rathdrum, Idaho

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Malicious Destruction of Building by Means of Fire – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 844(i)

    Maximum penalty: No less than five years in prison and no more than 20 years and $250,000 fine

    Witness Tampering – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1512(b)(3)

    Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

    False Statements – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001(a)(2)

    Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY

    Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Finds St. Paul Felon Guilty of Fentanyl and Firearm Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury found a St. Paul man guilty of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal possession of a firearm as a felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to evidence presented at trial, on April 19, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an apartment in St. Paul, Minnesota, that Eric Marcel Turner, a.k.a. Xavier Thomas, 39, rented using an alias.  In the apartment, officers found over 300 grams of fentanyl and a loaded firearm.

    Because Turner has multiple prior felony convictions, including a federal drug trafficking offense, for which he served several years in federal prison, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

    Following a three-day trial before Judge Katherine M. Menendez in U.S. District Court, a jury found Turner guilty of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the West Metro Drug Trask Force, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and Allen A. Slaughter tried the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: O’Fallon, Missouri Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison on Child Sex Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Friday sentenced a man who engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old that he met online and discussed sex with another 15-year-old to 25 years in prison.

    Andrew Haller, 34, met two 15-year-old girls on Tumblr before moving their conversations to the encrypted app Telegram.

    The 15-year-old California victim came forward in October of 2023 and told the FBI that Haller was sexually abusing another teen. She said Haller told her that he had imposed rules on the other victim, and proposed rules for the California victim. The rules included that she would have to ask his permission once a day to urinate, wear a collar and refer to him only as “Sir,” Dad” or “Daddy.” He also asked her for nude photos and sent her photos and videos of the other victim.

    After identifying Haller and performing a court-approved search of his home in November of 2023, the FBI identified that other victim. The victim told the FBI that she met Haller in person twice in 2023 and engaged in sexual activity. Haller struck her during the first visit and took pictures and videos of her, his plea says. He also told her he wanted to abuse children too young to talk or remember the abuse. She sent Haller sexually explicit photos at his direction.

    In a letter to the court, the second victim said Haller won her trust by claiming that he suffered mental illness, as she did. Then he began controlling her, making demands and ordering her to carve his initial into her thigh. “He wanted me to have kids so he could abuse them,” she wrote.

    Haller also possessed 195 images and 92 videos of known or suspected child sexual abuse material and sent that material to others via Telegram and Signal, another encrypted app, his plea says.

    Haller pleaded guilty in October to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Combat Intensifying Wildfires and Drought Across the American West

    US Senate News:

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

    February 21, 2025

    Protect the West Act would invest $60 Billion to reduce wildfire risk, restore watersheds, protect communities, and reduce wildfire suppression costs.

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to reintroduce legislation that would  make a $60 billion investment in forests in Oregon and across the West to lessen wildfire risk, restore watersheds, protect communities, and reduce wildfire suppression costs.

    “With summers getting drier and hotter, the treasured lands in Oregon and the West are a tinderbox waiting to light ablaze,” said Wyden. “In my town halls, I’ve heard countless Oregonians fearing for their health and safety while struggling to maintain their economic livelihood as severe drought and wildfires wreak more havoc on their communities every year. More investments are needed to protect our forests and watersheds so local communities across the West are healthy and can have the opportunity to explore its beautiful natural treasures for generations.”

    America’s forests and public lands are essential infrastructure – supporting a $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and $222 billion agricultural economy. 

    Despite the importance of our forests to our economy, watersheds, and way of life, Washington DC  has failed to adequately invest in them. The federal government spends $2.9 billion to put out wildfires every year, with costs expected to rise to $3.9 billion by 2050. Preventing wildfires before they start saves taxpayers money by reducing response and recovery costs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that, over the last five years, the U.S. spent nearly $48 billion on wildfires. Barely three months into 2025, annual wildfire costs are already estimated to exceed $250 billion in damages due to the Los Angeles wildfires.

    Specifically, the Protect the West Act would do the following:

    1. Establish an Outdoor Restoration & Watershed Fund to increase support for local efforts to restore forests and watersheds, reduce wildfire risk, clean up public lands, enhance wildlife habitat, remove invasive species, and expand outdoor access;
    1. Establish an advisory council of local, industry, conservation, Tribal, and national experts to advise funding priorities, coordinate with existing regional efforts, and provide oversight;
    1. Empower local leaders by making $20 billion directly available to state and local governments, Tribes, special districts, and nonprofits to support restoration, drought resilience, and fire mitigation projects. These funds would empower local leaders to bring diverse voices to the table to develop solutions;
    1. Partner with states and Tribes to invest $40 billion to tackle the backlog of restoration, fire mitigation, and resilience projects across public, private, and Tribal lands;
    1. Create or sustain more than two million good-paying jobs, primarily in rural areas, to support existing industries like forest product, agriculture, and outdoor recreation; and
    1. Save landowners and local governments money by investing in wildfire prevention and natural hazard mitigation on the front end, which is thirty times more cost-effective than recovering forests and watersheds after natural disasters have struck.

    In addition to Wyden, the legislation was reintroduced by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Ruben Gallego, D-Ari., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and U.S. Representative Jason Crow, D-Colo.

    The bill is supported by The National Wildlife Federation, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, National Association of State Foresters, The Freshwater Trust, American Forests, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Audubon Society, Family Farm Alliance, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Western Landowners Alliance, Western Resource Advocates, Trout Unlimited, and Conservation Legacy.

    The full text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Offers Dozens of Amendments to Republican Budget Resolution, Forces Vote on her Amendment to Lower Health Care Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – Last night, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a top member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, offered dozens of amendments to the Republican budget resolution that would have forced the forthcoming reconciliation bill to prioritize lowering costs for American families and businesses, enhancing public safety and strengthening national security, among other important priorities for New Hampshire and the country. Shaheen forced a vote on an amendment that would have supported the provisions of her Health Care Affordability Act to make permanent tax credits that have cut health care costs for 24 million Americans—including nearly 70,000 Granite Staters. Nearly all Senate Republicans rejected including Shaheen’s amendment to make health care more affordable and accessible. 

    “In New Hampshire, we hear every day about people rationing medicines, skipping appointments and delaying care all because of costs. By advancing my amendment to extend tax credits we could have offered a lifeline for millions who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford the care they need, but almost all of my Republican colleagues voted against it,” said Shaheen. “Unfortunately, the budget resolution that the Senate advanced last night does nothing to help working Americans make ends meet. Instead, it paves the way to give tax cuts to the wealthiest while slashing programs families rely on.” 

    Last night, Shaheen raised a vote on one of her amendments that mirrors her Health Care Affordability Act—bicameral legislation she introduced last month that would make permanent the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office, if the tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of this year, health care premiums would skyrocket and 4 million Americans would lose their health insurance altogether. 

    Below is an overview of the dozens of other amendments Senator Shaheen offered for consideration last night. 

    To help lower everyday costs, Shaheen offered amendments that would have: 

    • Supported housing affordability by preventing construction cost increases due to tariffs and delays and expanding investment in housing development. 
    • Helped households afford groceries, including preventing broad tariffs which would raise the price of food or cuts to food aid for families. 
    • Prevented funding cuts to child care or early childhood education programs helping New Hampshire families. 
    • Supported affordable housing in disaster recovery by rebuilding with resilient and cost-effective methods, especially those that lower home insurance rates. 
    • Lowered sugar prices for American businesses and consumers harmed by the U.S. sugar program. 

    To help make health care more affordable and accessible, Shaheen offered amendments that would have: 

    • Ensured that Medicaid expansion programs aren’t eliminated by drastic cuts to federal funding, including New Hampshire’s Granite Advantage covering more than 60,000 Granite Staters. 
    • Ensured that patients suffering from diabetes do not face unnecessary barriers to care, including access to $35 insulin. 
    • Ensured hospitals and doctors working in rural areas can keep their doors open and continue providing lifesaving care for their patients. 
    • Ensured that our community health centers can continue to provide vital care to their patients. 

    To help enhance public safety and keep families secure, Shaheen offered amendments that would have: 

    • Made investments in the Air Traffic Controller workforce and overturned the reckless firing of hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration personnel critical to aviation safety. 
    • Improved cell service and communications for emergency services along the northern border. 
    • Ensured that DHS has the technology needed to monitor and defend the U.S.-Canada border against the flow of drugs and illegal migration. 
    • Raised pay for U.S. Bureau of Prisons correctional officers in New Hampshire and across the country. 
    • Preserved funding for programs that support survivors of sexual and domestic violence. 
    • Ensured local law enforcement agencies and communities are not left with the bill for unfunded federal mandates. 
    • Prioritized the deportation of undocumented individuals who pose threats to our national security or public safety. 
    • Ensured that increased funding for the DOJ and DHS is focused on stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. 

    To help lower American households’ energy costs, Shaheen offered amendments that would have: 

    • Protected Americans from higher energy costs for gas, heating oil and propane due to broad tariffs. 
    • Protected bipartisan investments that lower energy costs, promote electric grid reliability and improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, including addressing PFAS contamination. 
    • Protected families, farmers and businesses from higher energy costs by ensuring energy saving and renewable energy projects funded by Congress continue. 
    • Prevented Congress from blocking state or local governments from updating their building codes to protect life and property, reduce losses from disasters or lower energy costs for families. 
    • Supported energy efficient building construction and retrofits to lower energy costs and enhance electric grid reliability. 
    • Supported resources that help make home heating more affordable, including energy assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and weatherization. 

    To help bolster America’s national security and support American service members and their families, Shaheen offered amendments that would have: 

    • Supported military service members, veterans and families, including by protecting family members who were recently fired from federal employment solely because they were new to a job. 
    • Replenished the defense industrial base ramping up to support Ukraine. 
    • Replenished the defense industrial base ramping up to support the defense of Taiwan. 
    • Ensured that U.S. continues its commitments to NATO, which supports the collective defense of the United States. 
    • Resumed U.S. foreign assistance that counters Chinese influence. 
    • Ensured that federal employees essential to national security are not impacted by OMB buyout and federal hiring freeze memos. 
    • Required oversight over wasteful spending. 
    • Protected DoD’s policy that ensures service women receive the same coverage for contraception as civilian women. 
    • Ensured that servicewomen, who are stationed in areas without access to reproductive care, through no fault of their own, can be reimbursed for the cost of travel. 
    • Ensured that U.S. farmers do not suffer economic harm due to the freeze on U.S. assistance. 
    • Protected U.S. small businesses and contractors from a pause on U.S. foreign assistance. 

    Additional amendments would have: 

    • Prevented a reduction in postal service for rural America, including by preventing closure of processing centers. 
    • Ensured that Americans are protected against fraud, price gouging and higher rental and housing prices caused by illegal price information sharing. 
    • Supported funding to assist Afghan SIVs and refugee resettlement. 
    • Cut more than $40 billion in wasteful agriculture spending going to large corporate farm operations while preserving benefits to small family farms. 
    • Ensured strong funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission. 
    • Prevented adding $5 trillion of tax cuts to the national debt and raising interest rates when the Federal Government is already paying $1 trillion per year in interest. 
    • Supported screening for Avian Flu both domestically and overseas. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions bill to protect investor privacy by prohibiting vulnerable SEC database

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, introduced the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act. The bill would protect information that could reveal the identity of American investors by prohibiting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring brokers to submit investors’ personally identifiable information to its Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT).

    Earlier this month, the Trump administration’s SEC issued an order that exempts certain personally identifiable information consisting of investors’ names, addresses and years of birth from CAT reporting. Kennedy’s bill would permanently remove reporting requirements on investors’ personally identifiable information.

    “Americans assume their private information is secure when they invest money in the U.S. stock market. However, the SEC’s unlawful Consolidated Audit Trail could put their data in jeopardy. My bill would protect American investors from foreign enemies and bad actors by preventing the SEC from collecting personal information it doesn’t need and storing it on a dangerous database,” said Kennedy.

    Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.

    “The SEC’s collection of personal financial information through the Consolidated Audit Trail is unconstitutional and entirely unnecessary; and it exposes American investors to serious cybersecurity risks from foreign adversaries and criminal hackers. This is why I developed the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act in the House. The bill would effectively eliminate the potential for both accidental and intentional breaches by restricting the SEC’s automatic collection of investors’ PII. Among its provisions, the SEC will only be permitted to request this data in cases directly tied to investigating or enforcing violations of federal securities law. I want to thank Senator John Kennedy for introducing the Senate companion to this important bill,” said Loudermilk.

    Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) cosponsored the bill.

    “Investors rely on the SEC to safeguard sensitive financial information. Requiring brokers to submit investors’ private, identifiable information, including social security numbers, into a central database will invite even more attempts to compromise Americans’ data privacy. I am pleased to join my colleagues to reject this ill-advised scheme and protect personal information,” said Boozman.

    “The SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail database holds millions of Americans’ sensitive financial information. Since taking office, I’ve pushed back against the profound risks the CAT poses to Americans’ individual liberty and personal privacy. The Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act would permanently prohibit the requirement of submitting personal information to the CAT, protecting American investors,” said Britt.

    “Investors put their faith in the U.S. when they choose to invest in our stock market, and they should not have to worry about their personal information being stolen. This bill will increase our cybersecurity and stop the over-collection of unnecessary personal information for the millions of people who trust our stock market system with their savings and their privacy,” said Daines.

    “Protecting the information of American investors helps build trust and security that encourages investments in our markets. As adversaries target Americans’ personal data through cyberattacks, it is important that the SEC only keeps the data it needs instead of housing additional, personal information that could place investors at greater risk,” said Moran.

     “The Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act is a necessary step in protecting the information and identities of American investors. The American people should feel confident that their participation in the stock market does not mean the leaking of their private information,” said Ricketts. 

    The American Securities Association (ASA) supports the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act.

    “Senator Kennedy is a true champion for the American people and we applaud his bill to stop the federal government from collecting individual investors’ personal and financial information in a national registry, which is a sitting duck for hackers. The SEC can conduct responsible oversight of our equity markets without collecting the most sensitive personal information of working families, retirees, and savers,” said Chris Iacovella, CEO of the ASA.

    The SEC’s CAT became operational on May 31, 2024, making it the largest government database of its kind. The CAT will collect all customer and order information for equity securities and listed options, including data that might be considered personally identifiable information. 

    The SEC is implementing the CAT despite concerns from investor protection groups and the securities industry and in the wake of vulnerabilities that recent cyber-attacks have revealed at federal agencies. 

    Kennedy’s bill would prohibit the SEC from requiring market participants to submit investors’ personally identifiable information to the CAT. Under this legislation, the SEC can obtain personally identifiable information related to investors only by requesting it on a case-by-case basis. Companies and investors trading on the U.S. stock exchanges would need to fulfill the SEC’s request for this information within 24 hours, though additional time may be requested. 

    The bill would also require the SEC to delete personally identifiable information once the agency resolves the investigation or issue that required that information. 

    Text of the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Strongly Condemns Ongoing Offensives by M23 Rebel Movement in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2772 (2025)

    Source: United Nations 4

    The Security Council today strongly condemned ongoing offensives by the 23 March Movement, or M23, in the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, deciding that M23 shall immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from areas it controls and fully reverse the establishment of illegitimate parallel administrations in that country’s territory.

    Unanimously adopting resolution 2773 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2773(2025)), the Council — acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations — also called on the Rwanda Defence Force to cease support to M23 and immediately withdraw from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo without preconditions.  Further, it strongly urged Kinshasa and Kigali to return to diplomatic talks, supported all initiatives and contributions to this end and reaffirmed the critical role of both the Luanda and Nairobi processes.

    Through the resolution, the Council additionally called for the cessation of support provided by Kinshasa’s military forces to specific armed groups — particularly the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda, or FDLR — as well as urgent implementation of commitments to neutralize that group.  The organ also demanded that all parties facilitate the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need.  To that end, it called on all parties to urgently open temporary humanitarian corridors in North and South Kivu.

    By other terms, the Council reaffirmed its full support to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and emphasized that any attempts to undermine the Mission’s ability to implement its mandate will not be tolerated.  As well, the Council condemned the systematic illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and reaffirmed its strong commitment to that country’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

    Text Sends Clear Message There Is No Military Solution to Conflict 

    Speaking after the adoption, the representative of France, the text’s author, said that it delivers a clear message:  “There is no military solution to the conflict in the east of the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo]; the offensive carried out by M23 — supported by Rwanda — must be put to an end.”  Further, Rwandan forces must withdraw from Congolese territory without delay, and MONUSCO must be able to carry out its mandate without obstruction.  Stating that the Council must speak clearly alongside regional initiatives, he welcomed that the organ “has risen to its responsibility”.

    Delegates Stress African-Led Initiatives Must Be Supported 

    On those initiatives, Algeria’s representative recalled a recent statement by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, which clearly emphasized that political settlement is the only way to end the conflict.  “As Africans who hold their continent dear”, he stressed the need to support regional mediation efforts.  Further, he said that all external actors must end their negative interventions, also noting the legacy of the bygone colonial era — as well as current “looting and plundering”.

    “The illegal exploitation of natural resources remains a key driver of instability in the region,” added the representative of Sierra Leone, urging greater adherence to relevant international frameworks to prevent the financing of armed groups.  He also joined others in underscoring that dialogue is the only sustainable path to lasting stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  On that, he observed:  “Talking to adversaries is hard — perhaps a taboo for some — but we do not make peace with friends.”

    Also underlining the importance of dialogue, Somalia’s representative pointed out that “experience has taught us that silencing the guns in Africa does not begin with finger-pointing”.  A sustainable solution must emerge through inclusive dialogue and regional cooperation, “rather than through measures that might inadvertently complicate existing peace initiatives”, he said.  Adding that the recent proposed convergence of the Luanda and Nairobi processes “represents a significant step forward in regional cooperation”, he called on the Council to ensure that international engagement “aligns with and reinforces existing African-led initiatives”.

    In that vein, the representative of China, Council President for February, spoke in his national capacity to express support for “solving African issues the African way”.  Further, he said that Council resolutions should be “designed to support regional processes” and “build synergy with mediation efforts at the regional level”.  He added: “The Great Lakes region is at a critical juncture, and to stand on the side of peace is our shared responsibility.”

    “We must not let everything unravel before our eyes,” urged Pakistan’s representative, also emphasizing that today’s text — “most importantly” — welcomes and supports regional efforts and processes to bring peace to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Welcoming the consensus achieved, he said that the resolution reaffirms the Council’s commitment to that country’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and “upholds the fundamental principles of the UN Charter”.

    Resolution Supports UN Charter

    “This is a resolution in support of the Charter of the United Nations,” said the representative of the Russian Federation, stressing:  “This needs to be fulfilled by the parties without delay.”  The hostilities must end, lives must be saved, ordinary people must be able to return to their homes and Kigali and Kinshasa must, once again, sit at the negotiating table.  Adding that the parties must implement, in good faith, measures “agreed upon by Africans at the highest level”, he warned:  “Otherwise, the region will be faced with yet another brutal war, with colossal human casualties.”

    “The entire DRC is now at stake, and the situation literally stands on the brink of a full-scale regional war,” warned the representative of the Republic of Korea.  He, too, stressed that there can be no military solution to this conflict and urged both Kinshasa and Kigali to urgently return to meaningful diplomatic dialogue.  Both countries, stressed Guyana’s representative, must implement their commitments under the Luanda and Nairobi processes and abide by the decisions of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.

    For his part, Panama’s representative underlined his country’s “unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo”.  Urging M23 to immediately cease its hostilities there, the representative of the United Kingdom stressed:  “No Member States should impede this.”  He also underscored that, if the parties do not fully abide by today’s resolution, “this Council will need to consider further action”.

    On accountability, the representative of the United States reported that her Government has imposed sanctions on James Kabarebe, Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Integration, and M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, as well as two of the latter’s companies.  She added that, while it is necessary to support African solutions for African problems — and regional countries have a high stake in preventing an all-out war in the Great Lakes region — African-led responses must not preclude swift action from the Council.

    Kinshasa’s Delegate Says Council’s Paralysis for Three Weeks Gave Rwandan Defence Force ‘Free Rein’ to Illegally Occupy Democratic Republic of the Congo

    However, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, pointed out that “three weeks had to elapse for the Council to speak unanimously about this subject”.  “In this particular case,” he added, “the Council’s paralysis gave free rein to the illegal occupation of DRC territory by the [Rwandan Defence Force] and their supporters.”  Nevertheless, the Council has now acted, and he thanked the organ’s members on behalf of his Government and “all of the boys and girls of the DRC”.  He urged that today’s resolution be implemented immediately to offer respite to those in occupied areas — “they are paying the highest price and bearing the brunt of this military adventure”.

    Kigali’s Speaker Concerned by ‘Unprecedented Intimidation of African Voices’ in Council

    Meanwhile, Rwanda’s delegate expressed concern about “the unprecedented intimidation of African voices” in the Council, stating: “This speaks volumes about the [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and its belief that the solution to their inter-Congolese conflict will come from actors from outside the continent — most of whom are at the historical root cause of this conflict.”  He also urged the Council to reflect on the question: “How did we end up here?”  Any outcome that does not consider Rwanda’s security challenges and ignores the legitimate grievances of the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese — the root of M23’s existence — will not help resolve the conflict, he stressed.

    For his part, Angola’s representative called for an immediate ceasefire and resumed dialogue, adding that there is no military solution to the dire security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  “We need to uphold and consolidate the deliverables of the Luanda process,” he stressed, welcoming the draft resolution “as a significant step in the right direction”.  The Council has a responsibility to assist the people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to prevent further escalation of the conflict.  “We need to save lives and stop the bloodshed of innocent civilians,” he added, emphasizing the need to “promote African solutions to African problems”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment

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

    2025 Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment

    Ministry of Commerce and

    National Development and Reform Commission

    Foreign investment is crucial for promoting high-level opening-up. It plays an important role in fostering new quality productive forces and advancing Chinese modernization. We have thus formulated this action plan to intensify efforts to attract and stabilize foreign investment in 2025.

    I. Expanding self-initiated opening-up in an orderly manner

    1. Expanding pilot programs to open up the telecommunications, healthcare, and education sectors. We will support efforts of the pilot regions to publicize and implement the opening-up policies for value-added telecommunications, biotechnology, and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, and assemble special teams to follow foreign-invested projects under discussion and help solve problems timely, and push for early implementation of these projects. We will expand pilot programs to open up the telecommunications and healthcare sectors at an appropriate time. We will study and formulate plans to expand self-initiated opening-up of the education and cultural sectors in an orderly manner, publish them at an appropriate time and implement them with steady steps.

    2. Ensuring the lift of restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector is well-implemented. For areas not on the negative lists for foreign investment access, we will administer foreign investment access in the principle of equal treatment for domestic and foreign investment alike. We will revise the negative lists and further reduce the listed items to expand opening-up to all types of market operators.

    3. Improving the national comprehensive demonstration zones for expanding opening-up in the services sector. We will support the leading role of the Beijing demonstration zone in expanding services liberalization to accelerate and intensify the pilot efforts. We will further expand the scope of the pilot to include new elements and tasks, and experiment with the opening-up measures in key areas in the demonstration zones first. We will conduct in-depth studies on policy measures to open up the services sector further, closely follow the progress of the pilot, and timely replicate pilot experience. We will support the standardization in the national comprehensive demonstration zones for expanding opening-up in the services sector.

    4. Advancing opening-up of the biomedicine sector in an orderly manner. We will support the participation of qualified foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in the segmented production of biological products on a pilot basis, speed up the review of pilot programs and quality monitoring programs at the provincial level, promote the optimization of resource allocation in the biomedicine industry, and coordinate for the timely resolution of difficulties facing enterprises in the pilot process. We will study and improve the opening-up policies for the pharmaceutical sector, facilitate more rapid launch of new drugs, optimize volume-based drug procurement, and make medical device procurement more predictable.

    5. Encouraging foreign equity investment in China. We will earnestly implement the Measures for the Administration of Strategic Investment in Listed Companies by Foreign Investors, formulate and release guidelines for making strategic investment, and intensify publicity efforts targeting listed companies, overseas funds, investment institutions, etc., to encourage more high-quality long-term foreign investment in listed Chinese companies.

    II. Improving the level of investment promotion

    6. Building continuously the brand of “Invest in China”. We will deepen the institutional reform of the foreign investment promotion system as required, devise an annual implementation plan for building the brand of “Invest in China”, and meticulously design and implement a series of “Invest in China” events. Central and local governments will make coordinated efforts in organizing overseas investment promotion events to fill in the gaps in and strengthen industrial and supply chains in the manufacturing sector with foreign investment. In light of the different characteristics of China’s major sources of foreign investment, we will research and formulate differentiated investment attraction targets and strategies, work closely with bilateral joint (mixed) economic and trade committees, and fully activate bilateral investment promotion working groups to boost project matchmaking.

    7. Strengthening support for FIEs’ reinvestment in China. We will keep optimizing the business environment and ensure full national treatment for FIEs. We will research and formulate policy measures to encourage FIEs to reinvest in China and use more of their profits made in China for reinvestment. We will pilot an information report program for FIEs’ investment in China.

    8. Encouraging foreign investment in a wider range of industries. We will revise and expand the catalogue of industries where foreign investment is encouraged, optimize foreign investment mix, promote the high-quality development of China’s manufacturing sector with foreign investment, steer foreign investment to the modern services sector, and support more foreign investment flows into China’s central, western and northeastern regions.

    9. Removing restrictions on foreign-invested investment companies’ access to domestic loans. Foreign-invested investment companies will be allowed to access domestic loans for equity investment. We will make greater efforts to communicate relevant policies and provide facilitation for multinational companies to invest in and establish headquarters and similar institutions in China.

    10. Encouraging multinational companies to invest in and establish investment companies. We will refine the rules for setting up foreign-invested investment companies and provide facilitation for multinational companies to invest in and establish investment companies in China in terms of foreign exchange administration, cross-border movement of personnel and cross border data flows. Companies invested in and established in China by foreign-invested investment companies will be eligible for FIE treatment in accordance with law and regulation.

    11. Facilitating merger & acquisition (M&A) investment in China by foreign investors. The Provisions on the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors will be amended under the framework of the Foreign Investment Law, with refined M&A rules and transaction procedures, better defined scope of administration and lower threshold for cross-border share swaps.

    12. Intensifying investment attraction in key sectors. We will encourage and ensure national treatment for foreign investment in animal husbandry-related sectors such as breeding, production of rearing equipment and production of animal feed and veterinary medicine. To create more business opportunities and cooperation space for FIEs, we will support their participation in China’s new industrialization process, with a focus on high-tech sectors. Foreign investment utilization will be encouraged in services sectors including elderly care, culture and tourism, sports, healthcare, vocational education and finance to meet consumer demand for multi-tiered services.

    13. Promoting communications on economic policies and the business environment. Press releases and briefings, interviews and expert comments will be fully utilized to showcase and explain China’s new policies, measures and highlights for expanding high-standard opening up.

    III. Strengthening the functions of opening-up platforms

    14. Deepening institutional reforms in economic and technological development zones. We will improve policy support systems and develop policy papers on deepening reforms and innovations in national economic and technological development zones, roll out new measures in guaranteeing production factors, opening up key sectors, carrying out pilot reform tasks and delegating economic management power, so as to improve the standards of export-oriented economy in national economic and technological development zones. For national high-tech industrial development zones, special customs supervision areas and various provincial development zones, we will tap into their role as opening-up platforms for stabilizing foreign investment.

    15. Implementing the strategy to upgrade pilot free trade zones. We will improve the quality and efficiency of pilot free trade zones, expand the authorization of reform tasks, accelerate the implementation of core policies for the Hainan Free Trade Port and create a highland for attracting foreign investment. We support pilot free trade zones in stepping up stress tests in sectors accessible to foreign investment and continuing to expand institutional opening up in rules, regulation, management and standards.

    IV. Redoubling efforts to enhance services

    16. Promoting the implementation of major and key foreign-invested projects. We will encourage the inclusion of more foreign-invested projects in the lists of major and key foreign-invested projects and enhance policy support and services to accelerate the implementation of projects.

    17. Establishing a system of standards for domestic products in government procurement. We will speed up developing and issuing relevant documents to specify the standards of domestic products in government procurement and ensure that products produced by enterprises of different ownerships within China participate equally in government procurement activities. We will enhance policy communication in the field of government procurement and improve the handling of complaints from FIEs.

    18. Broadening financing channels for FIEs. We will encourage financial institutions to provide financing services for FIEs, research the borrowing needs, investment and operation of key FIEs, and organize targeted bank-enterprise matchmaking events. Various types of funds will be guided to carry out equity investment cooperation with FIEs, and FIEs supported in expanding their investment and business and deepening their footprint in China.

    19. Facilitating personnel exchange. We will accelerate negotiations on mutual visa exemption agreements, and continue to expand the coverage of China’s unilateral visa-free policy in a prudent manner. Policies for port visa, visa-free transit and regional visa-free entry will be optimized to promote cross-border movements of people. A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates will be upgraded.

    20. Improving the level of trade facilitation for FIEs. We will work earnestly on issuing Certificates of Origin under preferential trade agreements to help FIEs enjoy tariff concessions from agreement partners. The inspection and regulation of complete sets of equipment imported for key foreign-invested projects will be optimized. More efforts will be made to support FIEs in obtaining the “Authorized Economic Operator” (AEO) certificate, and random inspections will be further optimized and reduced for AEOs. We will promote the adoption of inspection results of imports in an active and prudent manner, and include more qualified Chinese and foreign inspection institutions on the list of institutions whose inspection results are adopted. FIEs will be encouraged to apply for recordation of their intellectual property rights, and any infringement in the process of import and export will be resolutely combated.

    Under the centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, all regions and relevant departments should unswervingly deepen reform and opening up, refine specific implementation measures, and innovate working methods and strengthen policy and factor support in areas including investment promotion, rights and interests protection and services guarantee, to ensure that the measures can be put in place and take effect in 2025, so as to effectively boost the confidence of foreign investors. Relevant departments should be organized to visit key regions and major FIEs to better understand the requests of FIEs and effectively respond to their concerns. The Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission will work with relevant departments and agencies to enhance guidance and coordination for effective policy communication and implementation. Significant matters should be reported in a timely manner.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches innovation challenge event to boost computing power infrastructure

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

    China launches innovation challenge event to boost computing power infrastructure

    BEIJING, Feb. 21 — China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has launched an innovation challenge activity to accelerate the application of innovative technologies and products in the computing power network sector.

    The campaign aims to encourage breakthroughs in key technologies and products in six areas of computing power networks, including computing, storage, networking, and application, according to the ministry.

    The focus will include intelligent computing power management and acceleration, the deep integration between computing capacity and industry, the research of novel cooling systems and carbon emission sensing optimization, as well as the development of intelligent monitoring, and operation and maintenance robots.

    The ministry will allocate resources to support competitive enterprises, and promote the demonstration and application of relevant technologies.

    China’s intelligent computing power is set to expand rapidly in the coming years, driven by surging demand for large models and generative AI, according to a report by market research firm International Data Corporation and Chinese IT firm Inspur Information.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Markey, Committee Democrats Condemn Arbitrary Mass Firings at the Small Business Administration, Demand Reinstatement of Employees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Letter Text (PDF)
    Washington (February 21, 2025) – Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) yesterday led Democratic committee members in a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler demanding answers on the recent arbitrary mass firings by the Trump administration of SBA public servants, including loan and disaster assistance staff and veterans.
    In the letter the lawmakers wrote, “Over the past week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has taken unprecedented personnel actions that have gutted its civil service workforce around the country. This includes the firing of hundreds of SBA employees serving their probationary work period. Yet, SBA has provided us with no direct information about these terminations, including why they were undertaken, the number and identities of fired employees, or which SBA offices were impacted.”
    The lawmakers continued, “In order to ensure small businesses continue to receive the SBA services they need to thrive, we request the following: First, put an immediate stop to the arbitrary firings of career civil servants and reinstate them immediately, with backpay. Second, have your Deputy Inspector General conduct a thorough review of the SBA’s actions to ensure that any termination was lawful. And third, promptly brief the Committee’s minority staff on SBA’s recent personnel actions and its plan to implement the President’s deferred resignations and RIF executive order.”
    The letter is signed by fellow Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Democrats, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Republicans Block Markey Amendment to Budget Resolution that Would Extend Alzheimer’s Research Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Watch: Senator Markey Introduces Amendment to Fund Alzheimer’s Research
    Washington (February 21, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), ranking member of the Health Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security and founder and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s, yesterday introduced an amendment to the Senate’s budget resolution, which would increase funding for Alzheimer’s research amidst cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding. Republicans overwhelmingly voted down the amendment from passing. 
    Below is an excerpt from Senator Markey’s remarks on the Senate floor.
    “Funding for Alzheimer’s research at the NIH is essential. Nearly seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s right now and if nothing changes, fifteen million Americans will have Alzheimer’s by 2050 with a cost of one trillion dollars a year to our health care system. We need to tackle this challenge head on by increasing funding for NIH research for Alzheimer’s. Trump and DOGE have already cut and slowed down NIH research, interfering with our ability to cure this disease. We must guarantee that Alzheimer’s research is protected.”  
    In October 2024, Senators Markey and Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced President Biden signed their bipartisan Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (AAIA) and National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization into law. These bills cement and build on the important progress that has been made to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease.
    Senator Markey is a leader in the fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and to support family caregivers. In July 2024, Senator Markey applauded the HELP Committee’s passage of Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, which included provisions based on his Respite Care And Resources for Everyone (CARE) Act and Convenient Care for Caregivers Act to expand respite care for family caregivers of older adults that need long-term care, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Earlier that month, Senator Markey unveiled his “Caring for Caregivers” family caregiving agenda, which included his Convenient Care for Caregivers Act to support family caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer’s receiving health care services at the same time and location to improve health outcomes.
    As a member of the House of Representatives, Senator Markey founded the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s to develop a whole-of-government approach to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. He created the Independence at Home program to provide seniors, including individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, the option to receive primary care in their home. Senator Markey authored the bipartisan Spending Reductions Through Innovations in Therapies (SPRINT) Act, which would encourage drug development for high-cost, chronic health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) Act to improve early detection and diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and support caregivers, and the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act, which would require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) work to improve treatment outcomes and engage federal agencies in the effort to combat Alzheimer’s.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Demand VA Secretary Reverse Mass Terminations of VA Employees, Put Veterans Above Politics

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Demand VA Secretary Reverse Mass Terminations of VA Employees, Put Veterans Above Politics

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), alongside Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), led a group of 34 Senators calling on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to immediately reinstate the more than 1,000 VA employees terminated last week—essential employees who serve veterans and their families nationwide, including those combatting veteran suicide at the Veterans Crisis Line.
    The Trump Administration’s mass terminations of VA employees, which included numerous veterans and military spouses, comes at a time when the VA faces critical staffing shortages and increased demand for its services, such as urgently needed mental health care to reduce the veteran suicide rate. In addition, many of these terminated employees had exemplary performance records and multiple years of work experience in government service.
    “Last week, we were outraged by the Administration’s abrupt and indiscriminate termination of tens of thousands of workers across almost every government agency, including more than 1,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees,” wrote Senator Reverend Warnock and his colleagues. “We were further disturbed by the manner in which you publicly celebrated this reprehensible announcement – a clear departure from the assurances provided throughout your confirmation process to never ‘balance budgets on the back of veterans’ benefits’ and to always ‘put the veteran first.’ Not only will this latest action put veterans’ care and benefits at risk, but it further confuses, demoralizes, and threatens a VA workforce we need to fulfill our nation’s sacred promise to our veterans and their families who have already sacrificed so much.”
    The Senators directly refuted VA Secretary Collins’ vague assurances that these terminations “will not negatively impact VA health care, benefits, or beneficiaries,” by detailing how Trump Administration’s directives to gut VA’s workforce are already negatively impacting veterans:
    Openings for new clinics have been delayed because VA cannot hire the necessary staff to open their doors;
    Service lines at VA hospitals and clinics have been halted;
    Beds and operating rooms at VA facilities have been suspended;
    Support lines for caregivers have been reduced;
    Veterans Crisis Line employees have been fired, and suicide prevention training sessions have been postponed or canceled; and, 
    Transportation options for disabled veterans, which help ensure veterans can attend regular health care appointments, have been cut back because volunteer drivers are now unable to get credentialed.
    Beyond the obvious harm to veterans, the Senators also underscored how these terminations are a massive waste of taxpayer dollars that have already been spent recruiting, vetting, and training these VA employees: 
    “Because probationary employees tend to be younger, many of them represented the next generation of VA employees – talented men and women who chose a long-term career path of serving veterans. VA already invested in recruiting and training these individuals because veterans deserve the very best staff possible,” the Senators continued. “The list of real-life negative impacts of this Administration’s directives is expansive and growing every day. Rather than putting the interests of veterans first, you made your priorities abundantly clear in your statement applauding the mass firings: ‘At VA, we are focused on saving money.’ It’s clear from the slashing of services and benefits this priority is coming directly at the expense of veterans.”
    The Senators concluded by calling on Secretary Collins to put veterans first and rescind the blanket layoffs of the more than 1,000 VA employees: “With the best interests of veterans in mind, and to ensure VA is capable of carrying out its sacred obligation of behalf of veterans, we urge you to immediately reinstate all of the employees dismissed in the latest indiscriminate terminations and commit to VA employees and veterans that no additional widespread terminations will occur without advanced notification to Congress, a detailed justification, coordination with service-level leadership, and an appropriate assessment of potential impacts on veterans’ health care and benefits. Congress remains ready to collaborate with you, if you are willing to come to the table and put the needs of our veterans above all else.”
    In addition to Senator Reverend Warnock, the letter was led by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Blumenthal and joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennett (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Timothy Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacklyn Rosen (D-NV), Bernard Sanders (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
    The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Collins:  
    Last week, we were outraged by the Administration’s abrupt and indiscriminate termination of tens of thousands of workers across almost every government agency, including more than 1,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees. We were further disturbed by the manner in which you publicly celebrated this reprehensible announcement – a clear departure from the assurances provided throughout your confirmation process to never “balance budgets on the back of veterans’ benefits” and to always “put the veteran first.” Not only will this latest action put veterans’ care and benefits at risk, but it further confuses, demoralizes, and threatens a VA workforce we need to fulfill our nation’s sacred promise to our veterans and their families who have already sacrificed so much.
    The more than 1,000 VA employees whose lives and careers you have upended included a substantial number of veterans and military spouses. Many had exemplary performance records. Because probationary employees tend to be younger, many of them represented the next generation of VA employees – talented men and women who chose a long-term career path of serving veterans. VA already invested in recruiting and training these individuals because veterans deserve the very best staff possible. And they all deserved better than to be casually discarded by an Administration that places a greater priority on political loyalty than fitness to serve.
    You have repeatedly claimed these massive, arbitrary staff terminations – done without advance consultation with service-level leadership or advisement from experienced senior leaders trained to manage VA’s health care, benefits, and memorial workforce –– “will not negatively impact VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries.” However, we have heard directly from VA employees and veterans across the country that this is absolutely not the case. In fact, we have been made aware of numerous detrimental developments as a direct result of the actions of this Administration. Openings for new clinics have been delayed because VA cannot hire the necessary staff to open their doors. Service lines at VA hospitals and clinics have been halted. Beds and operating rooms at VA facilities have been suspended. Support lines for caregivers have been reduced. Veterans Crisis Line employees have been fired, and suicide prevention training sessions have been postponed or canceled. And transportation options for disabled veterans, which help ensure veterans can attend regular health care appointments, have been cut back because volunteer drivers are now unable to get credentialed.
    The list of real-life negative impacts of this Administration’s directives is expansive and growing every day. Rather than putting the interests of veterans first, you made your priorities abundantly clear in your statement applauding the mass firings: “At VA, we are focused on saving money.” It’s clear from the slashing of services and benefits this priority is coming directly at the expense of veterans.
    With the best interests of veterans in mind, and to ensure VA is capable of carrying out its sacred obligation of behalf of veterans, we urge you to immediately reinstate all of the employees dismissed in the latest indiscriminate terminations and commit to VA employees and veterans that no additional widespread terminations will occur without advanced notification to Congress, a detailed justification, coordination with service-level leadership, and an appropriate assessment of potential impacts on veterans’ health care and benefits. Congress remains ready to collaborate with you, if you are willing to come to the table and put the needs of our veterans above all else.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Legislation to Reaffirm Access to Legal Counsel During Immigration Proceedings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped introduce the Access to Counsel Act to protect permanent residents’ access to legal counsel when facing immigration proceedings. This bill would ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection for more than an hour at ports of entry, including airports.
    “As the Trump Administration continues to pursue extreme immigration policies that hurt our communities, it is clear that Congress needs to take action to protect the rights of individuals who are legally in the United States,” said Senator Rosen. “This legislation will ensure that people with legal status, including permanent residents and citizens can’t be unjustly detained without access to a lawyer or trusted contact.”
    Senator Rosen has been clear in her support for securing the border and making sure the asylum process is humane and orderly. She has also been outspoken in opposing mass deportation, and strongly supporting DACA and TPS recipients and their families. She condemned the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke a previously authorized TPS extension for Venezuelans and released a statement condemning President Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to end birthright citizenship. She has raised concerns over the significant application delays impacting DACA recipients, and gave a floor speech urging her Senate colleagues to take immediate action to permanently protect Dreamers, while simultaneously continuing to work to pass comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Demands Answers On Closure Of Social Security Administration Office In White Plains

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Thousands of Social Security Cases are Still Pending for Hudson Valley Residents

    Closure of the White Plains SSA Hearing Office will Require Beneficiaries to Travel More Than 20 Miles to be Serviced by a Nearby Office

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to Michelle King, the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), requesting answers on the scheduled closure of the White Plains, New York hearing office on May 31, 2025. The White Plains hearing office is the only location in the seven-county Hudson Valley region. The closure of the office was announced with no plans to open an alternative location, approximately 2,000 cases currently pending, and individuals waiting nearly eight months for a redetermination hearing.

    The letter requests answers on how the SSA plans to address the office closure impact on the already long hearing wait times and how the SSA plans to facilitate case hearings and services for those who lack dependable internet access and personal transportation. The letter also expresses concern for the public servants affected by the closure at a time of unrelenting attacks on the federal workforce by the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk.

    The senator noted that “Access to SSA’s hearing offices is critical for those who were denied eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Initial denials occur fairly frequently in the disability determination process, with many individuals receiving an initial denial and ultimately receiving approval for benefits.”

    She continued, “Maintaining and improving the services that SSA offers to the public is essential to ensuring that Americans can access their earned benefits. Over the past decade, SSA has faced stagnant budgets and an increasing workload, while it has also closed field offices and seen the deterioration of in-person and phone services and shifting more interactions online. Specifically, since 2010, SSA’s customer service budget has fallen 17 percent (adjusted for inflation) and staffing at SSA is at a 25-year low. Despite this and despite pleas from Democrats in the House and Senate, Republicans have resisted increases to SSA’s operational budget, and have in fact, suggested cuts.”

    A full copy of the letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Acting Commissioner King,

    I am writing to express my concern regarding reports that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be closing the White Plains, New York, hearing office on May 31, 2025, with no plans to open an alternative location.

    The White Plains hearing office is located in Westchester County and provides services to constituents in seven counties, including Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, and Sullivan counties. As the only hearing office in the lower Hudson Valley region, its closure will negatively impact thousands of constituents who reside in these seven counties. If SSA does not open an alternative site, beneficiaries will be required to travel between 24 and 135 miles to be serviced by the closest offices in New York City, Albany, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Travel by private vehicle or public transportation to any of these alternative locations would pose greater hardship for constituents, while also significantly increasing the costs and time associated with travel.

    To date, the White Plains office has approximately 2,000 cases pending, with individuals waiting almost eight months for a redetermination hearing. Access to SSA’s hearing offices is critical for those who were denied eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Initial denials occur fairly frequently in the disability determination process, with many individuals receiving an initial denial and ultimately receiving approval for benefits.

    Apart from the impact that this closure will have on those who are serviced by the White Plains office, I am also concerned about the employees who work at this location. At a time when President Trump is trying to gut the federal workforce, this closure would affect the staff who strive every day to provide the American people with high-quality service.

    Maintaining and improving the services that SSA offers to the public is essential to ensuring that Americans can access their earned benefits. Over the past decade, SSA has faced stagnant budgets and an increasing workload, while it has also closed field offices and seen the deterioration of in-person and phone services and shifting more interactions online. Specifically, since 2010, SSA’s customer service budget has fallen 17 percent (adjusted for inflation) and staffing at SSA is at a 25-year low. Despite this and despite pleas from Democrats in the House and Senate, Republicans have resisted increases to SSA’s operational budget, and have in fact, suggested cuts. Current estimates indicate that if SSA funding is cut back below 2022 levels, the agency will be forced to lay off additional staff and add to an already large backlog. Former Commissioner Martin O’Malley worked to rectify the issues at SSA, but change cannot be achieved overnight, and further cuts to staff and services endanger SSA and benefit delivery further.

    Therefore, I urge you to consider securing an alternative hearing office location in the lower Hudson Valley and request a written response by March 3, 2025, to address the following questions and concerns:

    1.         Individuals are already waiting almost eight months for a hearing in the White Plains office. How will this closure impact wait times? What steps is the Administration taking to reduce wait times?

    2.         Given that many constituents who have open cases lack dependable internet access and are without dependable personal transportation, how will SSA facilitate hearings and related services for these constituents?

    3.         SSA already operates local field offices in Middletown, Orange County; Monticello, Sullivan County; New Rochelle and Peekskill, Westchester County; Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County; and West Nyack, Rockland County. Would SSA provide accommodations to allow constituents to participate in hearings at their closest local field office or another remote site in the lower Hudson Valley? What additional resources or funding would be needed to secure an alternative site for SSA hearings in the region?

    4.         Please share how the decision to close the White Plains hearing office was made. Did the Administration’s directive to the General Services Administration to revoke all leases for federal offices nationwide have an impact on SSA’s decision to close the White Plains hearing office? Does the Administration have plans to close additional SSA offices? 

    Sincerely,

    Kirsten Gillibrand

    United States Senator

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Have you seen Geoffrey?

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are asking for anyone in the area of Makokomiko Road, Hikumutu, to keep an eye out for missing man Geoffrey Kelly.

    Geoffrey’s car was located about 10.30am yesterday (Friday) morning in a ditch on Makokomiko Road, however he was not in the vehicle.

    It is believed he may have walked to get assistance and become disoriented, has taken shelter somewhere, or has gotten a lift from a passerby.

    He was last seen on Thursday night, wearing grey knee-length shorts, jandals, a tan sweatshirt and glasses.

    If you have any information that might help us locate Geoffrey, please call 105 and quote reference number P061689135.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council condemns M23 offensive in eastern DR Congo

    Source: United Nations 2

    21 February 2025 Peace and Security

    The UN Security unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday that strongly condemned the ongoing offensive and advance of M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

    The 15 members called on the Rwanda Defence Forces to stop supporting the armed group and immediately withdraw from Congolese territory “without preconditions.”

    The Council reiterated its urgent appeal for all parties to conclude an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as called for by leaders from East and Southern Africa.

    They also strongly urged the DRC and Rwanda “to return without preconditions to diplomatic talks as a matter of urgency to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution of the protracted conflict in the region.”

    ‘A clear message’

    The resolution was submitted by France whose Ambassador, Nicolas de Rivière, who thanked Council members for their commitment during negotiations over the past week.

    “This delivers a clear message: there is no military solution to the conflict in the east of the DRC,” he said. “The offensive carried out by the M23 supported by Rwanda must be put to an end.”

    The situation in the eastern DRC has deteriorated since January as M23 fighters advanced across North and South Kivu provinces, with the crisis spreading to Ituri.

    They have captured the regional capital Goma and the second city, Bukavu. Thousands of people have been killed and even more displaced, including to neighbouring countries such as Burundi.

    Allow aid access

    The resolution strongly condemned all attacks directed against civilians and infrastructure, including UN, humanitarian and medical personnel.

    It also condemned summary executions and maiming, sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking and the recruitment and use of children.

    The Council demanded all parties to allow and facilitate safe, immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need, as well as the restoration of basic services such as healthcare, water, electricity and communications.

    The Council also reaffirmed full support to the UN mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, and stressed that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Care Coordination for Veterans Using Both VA Health Care and Medicare

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), a member and chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) respectively, are introducing legislation to better coordinate and manage health care for veterans who are enrolled in both Medicare and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) health care system. The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act would create a three-year pilot program where veterans who are enrolled in both Medicare and VA health care would be assigned a case manager to help them develop individualized care plans and manage the delivery of health care services in an effort to increase access to care, eliminate duplication of services, improve quality of care and lower expenses for taxpayers.

    “Our veterans gave their very best while serving and they deserve that same focus in return long after they’ve hung up the uniform,” said Senator King. “Navigating the VA health care system is already challenging enough, but for veterans who also receive benefits through Medicare, it can be extra difficult to navigate between the two providers — both for veterans and caregivers. The bipartisan Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act will work to seamlessly merge and coordinate care between the VA and Medicare, helping to connect the dots for former servicemembers, eliminate duplicative services and lower costs for taxpayers. It’s a win-win across the board.”

    “Helping veterans, as well as their caregivers and providers, understand and navigate both Medicare and VA health care will eliminate gaps in care, improve outcomes and quality and lower expenses for taxpayers,” said Sen. Moran. “The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act helps make certain veterans can fully use the care they have qualified for and earned through their service. I am grateful to Sen. King for co-leading this bill and our veterans service organization partners for their support.”

    “Wounded Warrior Project is pleased to support the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Access Act,” said Jose Ramos, Vice President for Government and Community Relations for the Wounded Warrior Project. “Innovative pilot programs like the one envisioned by this bill help us better understand what’s possible in our effort to improve the systems of care that support our nation’s heroes.? With better case coordination and health care outcomes as the goal, this pilot program can help younger veterans who use Medicare earlier in life because of catastrophic injuries from military service.? We thank Senators Moran and King for their vision and leadership on this issue and urge Congress to pass this important legislation.”

    “Many veterans with disabilities rely on both VA health care and Medicare to meet their healthcare needs,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “This can lead to a duplication of care, poor coordination of services, higher costs; and in the worst of cases, endangers the health and wellbeing of the veteran. PVA supports the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, which tests VA’s ability to coordinate and manage care and benefits between these two systems for covered veterans.”

    “AMVETS proudly endorses the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act,” said Joe Chenelly, the National Executive Director of AMVETS. “Ensuring easy access to healthcare services and seamless system interoperability is essential for all veterans.”

    “We hear from caregivers every day who struggle to navigate the complex system of available VA services on behalf of their loved ones,” said Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “Too often, this means that the veteran is unable to access needed care, and the caregiver suffers added stress, anxiety, and frustration. Therefore, we are very pleased that Chairman Moran and Senator King are joining together to re-introduce the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act to help these especially vulnerable veterans and their families connect to vital programs.”

    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. Last year, the Wounded Warrior Project named Senator King the Legislator of the Year Award for “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.” Earlier this week, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. Previously, Senator King introduced the Lethal Means Safe Storage for Veteran Suicide Prevention Act to provide firearm storage to veterans in an effort to reduce suicides among the veteran population. Senator King also cosponsored legislation to ensure military families have access to critical health care during pregnancy, rather than waiting until after childbirth to increase their coverage. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine Slam GOP Budget Resolution to Cut Taxes for Ultra Rich, Cut Programs Virginia Families Depend On

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), both members of the Senate Budget Committee, issued a statement after the Republican-led Senate voted to move a budget plan that will cut resources for programs everyday Virginians rely on in order to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans:

    “As prices continue to rise, instead of focusing on finding ways to lower costs and cut taxes for the middle-class, Republicans in Washington are focused on cutting taxes for the wealthy at the expense of American families, seniors, veterans and students. In order to pay for Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax cut, the benefits of which will largely flow to billionaires like Elon Musk, Republicans will have to gut vital programs that working- and middle-class Americans rely on, including health care, education, housing, and more. If Republicans continue to move forward with this short-sighted proposal, make no mistake: American families will be paying the price.”

    Warner and Kaine filed a series of amendments to the Republican proposal that would have protected Virginia families against cuts to vital health, education and safety programs and held the Trump administration accountable for its assault on a responsive, accountable government, but Republicans refused to incorporate them.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Lawmakers to Trump Administration: Reverse Park Service Staffing Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer, Jennifer McClellan, Suhas Subramanyam and Eugene Vindman (all D-VA) pushed the Trump administration to reverse staffing cuts at the National Park Service (NPS), outlining the effect directives to eliminate employees and rescind and delay job offers will have on safety at Virginia’s 22 national park units, which serve 22 million visitors and contribute $1.5 billion to local economies each year.

    “We write today to express our deep concern over alarming directives issued to eliminate roughly one thousand full-time employees, rescind hundreds of offers for full-time positions, and delay thousands of offers for seasonal positions at the National Park Service (NPS). These roles are critical to protecting America’s treasured natural assets, maintaining public safety, and promoting exceptional standards expected at national parks across Virginia and the nation,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “We urge you to reverse these directives and prevent additional cuts to existing staffing going forward given the critical role that the vast majority of NPS staff play in ensuring public safety. If these directives are not reversed, we fear it will significantly undermine the Park Service’s ability to protect both visitors and park resources, particularly as we approach peak visitation season.”

    The NPS  workforce plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our nation’s parks and the safety of the millions of visitors who explore them each year, and are also responsible for protecting the priceless natural, historic, and cultural resources that belong to the American people. However, recent staffing directives from the Trump administration – which included the dismissal of probationary employees and the rescinding of job offers at NPS with no input from park superintendents – are expected to make it significantly more difficult for NPS to carry out its mission, especially as peak visitor season approaches. Staff positions affected by the administration’s unilateral staffing directives include frontline park rangers responsible for ensuring visitor safety and protecting park assets, maintenance staff tasked with addressing the deferred maintenance backlog and reducing the risk of wildland fires, and support staff responsible for raising revenue for NPS through fee collections.

    “It has been reported that the only exemptions offered were for positions that respond to public safety incidents, including law enforcement rangers, public safety dispatchers, and wildland firefighters. However, public safety response is just part of the work that goes into protecting the public,” wrote the lawmakers. “Countless other positions from rangers to natural resource specialists to wastewater specialists to maintenance mechanics that are not covered under the exemptions have wide-ranging responsibilities for preventing public safety incidents in the first place. Eliminating these positions put our parks at greater risk of damage and make them less safe for visitors. We are particularly concerned about reports that NPS rescinded offers for positions directly responsible for fire safety at Shenandoah National Park – coinciding with the start of wildfire season.”

     

    Continued the members, “While it is encouraging that NPS recently walked back its decision to rescind offers for nearly 5,000 seasonal positions, park superintendents have received no guidance as to the next steps they can take to move forward with seasonal hiring. The late winter and early spring months are critical for ramping up seasonal staff in preparation for the summer visitation surge. Without clear guidance for superintendents on seasonal hiring, the continued delay in hiring could jeopardize the ability of these parks to safely accommodate millions of visitors this summer.”

    In the letter, the Virginia lawmakers also noted that the staffing directives threaten to undermine the progress Congress has made in recent years to invest in repairing and restoring our national parks.

    “For over one hundred years, NPS has been charged with safeguarding millions of acres of America’s irreplaceable natural, historic, and cultural resources. However, persistent underfunding of NPS resulted in the Service’s inability to properly staff park units and the growth of a multi-billion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance projects. In recognition of the worsening situation at our national parks, bipartisan majorities in Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020 (GAOA), one of the largest ever investments in conservation and public lands in our nation’s history. The GAOA gave NPS the resources it needed to dedicate billions of dollars for addressing deferred maintenance across the country, including over $470 million for projects in Virginia. As a result of these staffing directives, units will be forced to reallocate remaining staff to support regular operations at the expense of staff hours dedicated to reducing the deferred maintenance backlog,” they wrote.

    Concluded the lawmakers, “Significant disruptions to NPS staffing during the critical months prior to peak season threaten to harm the tourism economy associated with Virginia’s national parks that supports hundreds of small businesses and thousands of jobs. We urge you to swiftly reverse these directives and communicate clear guidance to park superintendents to ensure that NPS units in Virginia and across the country can move forward with hiring both seasonal and permanent positions that are critical to ensuring the safety of millions of park-goers.”

    A copy of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter – DOGE’ing the Collapse of our Republic

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Dear Friends,
    This past month has been a remarkable period in our national history.  The new Department of Government Efficiency, known colloquially as DOGE, has uncovered waste, inefficiency and corruption at unprecedented levels and in every agency examined so far.
    USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, has been at the center of this first round of audits. From DEI projects in Serbia to transgender operas and comic books in South America, to tourism promotion in Egypt and sex changes in Vietnam, the USAID projects appear to lack both fiscal restraint and accountability.  Tens of millions, hundreds of millions, even billions of taxpayer dollars are being carelessly thrown at projects around the globe without consideration for our national security, priorities, or strategic interests. USAID resources have even ended up in the hands of designated terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.
    Other upcoming audits include FEMA, which recently sent $59 million to New York City to house illegal immigrants in luxury hotels instead of providing disaster relief in North Carolina.  Also being examined is the Pentagon, which failed its seventh straight audit last year.  Another essential audit will be the Department of the Treasury, which issues every government check.  Following the money is critical in any competent review.
    Those reviews recently uncovered that the Environmental Protection Agency recklessly distributed $20 billion to outside financial institutions in the final hours of the Biden Administration, just to get the money off the books.  Just this week, it was discovered that two billion of those dollars were given to an organization connected to die-hard Biden supporter and two-time failed Georgia democratic gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams, for “climate change.”  One Biden-appointed bureaucrat confided that it was, “throwing gold bars off the Titanic.”
    These audits aren’t without controversy for some.  Seventy-seven million Americans who voted for President Trump may cheer the well-advertised reckoning that was promised daily in his campaign to root out government fraud and waste.  Others have expressed concerns that their private data may be accessed by enthusiastic auditors.
    Unsurprisingly, the oversight bureaucracies previously set up to find fraud appear to be disinterested, at best, and complicit, at worst. Instead of investigating the billions of dollars wasted, they repeat the talking points of the coordinated efforts opposing the Trump Administration’s in-depth review.  They say that unelected and “unvetted” bureaucrats, specifically Elon Musk and the DOGE team, might access their social security and tax data, and that unelected people just aren’t accountable.
    Having spent four terms in Congress representing Idaho, I can say confidently there are exactly 537 elected people in your entire federal government:  435 Congressmen, 100 Senators, the Vice-President, and the President.  That’s it!   Everyone else is an unelected bureaucrat — from the agency heads to the generals, all the way to the accountants who currently have access to your personal data — well over two million government workers in total.  I have to admit that I am amused by the Left’s newfound skepticism of unelected bureaucrats. Welcome to my side.  In reality, if these groups are concerned about DOGE, it’s because of what Elon Musk and his team are likely to uncover and not the fact they are unelected.
    This isn’t a partisan issue, or at least it shouldn’t be.  We as taxpayers have a very vested interest in where our money is going and why.  No single political party has a monopoly on improper spending.  Waste and corruption have occurred across many administrations, Republican and Democrat alike.  Those who have taken advantage of the system to enrich themselves or others need to be held accountable, regardless of any party affiliation.  I have confidence that accountability will happen under these audits, and it hints at why there was such unnaturally visceral opposition to President Trump, even before DOGE was a common term.
    As your Attorney General, my office is monitoring the situation closely in the interest of Idahoans.  While I am confident that no Idaho laws are being broken, I will stand up for the protection of Idahoans’ information and privacy.  At the same time, I will also stand up against the corruption and waste in our federal government.  Those two goals are not in conflict at all.  We absolutely can and should do both.
    President Trump was very clear about his promise to audit how the federal government spends money, and his appointed team is carrying that promise out.  Those weren’t just empty words on a campaign stage.  People aren’t used to politicians keeping promises and it likely shocks some people.
    But that shock is something we as a nation must work through.  Our Republic is strong enough to ask hard questions and demand hard answers, because that’s how we grow, adapt, and improve.  Change is uncomfortable, even painful.  But the slow decay of disinterest is terminal.  We need to see these audits through.  America’s best years are ahead of us, and we need to push forward to get there.
    Alexander Fraser Tytler, a Scottish author and jurist, wrote:
    “A Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government.  It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse [money] from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefit from the public treasury, with the result that democracy always collapses over a loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.”
    We simply cannot allow the loose fiscal policy Tytler warned against to collapse our country.  Our nation must stand strong against the graft and self-interest of bureaucrats and technocrats and reclaim the authority of our national checkbook – not to vote ourselves money, but to ensure that money spent is in the very best interests of America and Americans.  This will require restraint, vigilance, and discipline.
    To avoid the dangers of a direct democracy and the temptation to vote ourselves money from the public treasury, our Founders wisely gifted us with a Constitutional Republic. As your Attorney General, I’ll fight with all my might to keep it and will support President Trump’s efforts to rein in government fraud, waste and abuse.

    Best regards,
    Not yet subscribed to the Labrador Letter?  Click HERE to get our weekly newsletter and updates.  Miss an issue?  Labrador Letters are archived on the Attorney General website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Career Criminal Convicted for Possession of Firearms Linked to Miami-Dade Shootings, Homicide

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – After a three-day bifurcated trial, a Miami federal jury found Nathaniel Martin, 45, guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Later that same day, the jury found that Martin qualified as an Armed Career Criminal based on his criminal history, including prior convictions for robbery, cocaine trafficking, and armed robbery.

    Based on the evidence at trial, police responded to a market in Miami Gardens based on a tip that a person of interest in an open investigation was camped out in the alley behind that market. When police arrived, they observed Martin sitting in a chair at the end of the alley rifling through a bookbag. Surveillance footage from the interior and exterior of the market showed Martin handling the bookbag, a plastic bag, and other belongings in and around the market. Police later recovered the bookbag, which contained fourteen rounds of live ammunition, and the plastic bag, which contained two semiautomatic pistols and additional ammunition.

    Additional evidence at trial included text messages from the day of the arrest in which Martin asked if he could hide his guns under a friend’s bed, DNA evidence for each of the firearms, and recorded jail calls from the day of the arrest in which Martin lamented that police had recovered “the weapons.”

    According to other filings in the case, one of the pistols recovered from Martin returned ballistic matches to shell casings recovered from a December 2023 shooting in Miami Gardens and a January 13, 2024 homicide in Miami Gardens. 

    U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez presided over the trial. Martin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years of imprisonment, and a maximum term of imprisonment up to life. The sentencing hearing has been set for May 2, 2025. Judge Martinez will sentence Martin after a review of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge John F. Dion, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, announced the verdicts. 

    The ATF and the Miami Gardens Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sterling M. Paulson and Altanese Phenelus are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr- 20065.

    ###  

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 22, 2025
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