NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Temporary Housing Units to Be Moved onto Private and Secondary Sites

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Temporary Housing Units to Be Moved onto Private and Secondary Sites

    FEMA Temporary Housing Units to Be Moved onto Private and Secondary Sites

    LAHAINA, MAUI – FEMA will begin moving temporary housing units from the staging site in Lahaina to private and secondary sites on June 26, 2025

    Movement will take place over the next several weeks and will provide further available housing for wildfire survivors in West Maui

    The first unit will be moved to a private site on June 26, 2025, with additional units to follow

     Six temporary housing units will be placed onto private sites in Lahaina

    Additionally, 40 temporary housing units will be placed on three secondary sites in Lahaina in the weeks to come

     The movement of units supports FEMA’s mission to return wildfire survivors to West Maui who indicated that temporary housing closer to their original home is their preference

    Unit movement will result in minimal traffic disruptions as the units travel the approximately 2-mile distance to their final destinations

    Movement will take place periodically over several weeks and is targeted to finish before the new school year starts to accommodate families with school-aged children

     FEMA housing is temporary and will remain available for eligible participants while they continue to seek permanent housing solutions

     For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty

    gov, mauirecovers

    org, fema

    gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires – YouTube

    Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook

    com/fema

    You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba

    gov/hawaii-wildfires

      # # #                                         FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters

    shannon

    carley
    Thu, 06/26/2025 – 17:25

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: By Air and by Sea: Validating NASA’s PACE Ocean Color Instrument

    Source: NASA

    In autumn 2024, California’s Monterey Bay experienced an outsized phytoplankton bloom that attracted fish, dolphins, whales, seabirds, and – for a few weeks in October – scientists. A team from NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, with partners at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), and the Naval Postgraduate School, spent two weeks on the California coast gathering data on the atmosphere and the ocean to verify what satellites see from above. In spring 2025, the team returned to gather data under different environmental conditions.
    Scientists call this process validation.

    The PACE mission, which stands for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem, was launched in February  2024 and designed to transform our understanding of ocean and atmospheric environments. Specifically, the satellite will give scientists a finely detailed look at life near the ocean surface and the composition and abundance of aerosol particles in the atmosphere.
    Whenever NASA launches a new satellite, it sends validation science teams around the world to confirm that the data from instruments in space match what traditional instruments can see at the surface. AirSHARP (Airborne aSsessment of Hyperspectral Aerosol optical depth and water-leaving Reflectance Product Performance for PACE) is one of these teams, specifically deployed to validate products from the satellite’s Ocean Color Instrument (OCI).
    The OCI spectrometer works by measuring reflected sunlight. As sunlight bounces off of the ocean’s surface, it creates specific shades of color that researchers use to determine what is in the water column below. To validate the OCI data, research teams need to confirm that measurements directly at the surface match those from the satellite. They also need to understand how the atmosphere is changing the color of the ocean as the reflected light is traveling back to the satellite.
    In October 2024 and May 2025, the AirSHARP team ran simultaneous airborne and seaborne campaigns. Going into the field during different seasons allows the team to collect data under different environmental conditions, validating as much of the instrument’s range as possible.
    Over 13 days of flights on a Twin Otter aircraft, the NASA-led team used instruments called 4STAR-B (Spectrometer for sky-scanning sun Tracking Atmospheric Research B), and the C-AIR (Coastal Airborne In-situ Radiometer) to gather data from the air. At the same time, partners from UCSC used a host of matching instruments onboard the research vessel R/V Shana Rae to gather data from the water’s surface.

    The Ocean Color Instrument measures something called water leaving reflectance, which provides information on the microscopic composition of the water column, including water molecules, phytoplankton, and particulates like sand, inorganic materials, and even bubbles. Ocean color varies based on how these materials absorb and scatter sunlight. This is especially useful for determining the abundance and types of phytoplankton.

    The AirSHARP team used radiometers with matching technology – C-AIR from the air and C-OPS (Compact Optical Profiling System) from the water – to gather water leaving reflectance data.
    “The C-AIR instrument is modified from an instrument that goes on research vessels and takes measurements of the water’s surface from very close range,” said NASA Ames research scientist Samuel LeBlanc. “The issue there is that you’re very local to one area at a time. What our team has done successfully is put it on an aircraft, which enables us to span the entire Monterey Bay.”
    The larger PACE validation team will compare OCI measurements with observations made by the sensors much closer to the ocean to ensure that they match, and make adjustments when they don’t. 

    One factor that can impact OCI data is the presence of manmade and natural aerosols, which interact with sunlight as it moves through the atmosphere. An aerosol refers to any solid or liquid suspended in the air, such as smoke from fires, salt from sea spray, particulates from fossil fuel emissions, desert dust, and pollen.
    Imagine a 420 mile-long tube, with the PACE satellite at one end and the ocean at the other. Everything inside the tube is what scientists refer to as the atmospheric column, and it is full of tiny particulates that interact with sunlight. Scientists quantify this aerosol interaction with a measurement called aerosol optical depth.
    “During AirSHARP, we were essentially measuring, at different wavelengths, how light is changed by the particles present in the atmosphere,” said NASA Ames research scientist Kristina Pistone. “The aerosol optical depth is a measure of light extinction, or how much light is either scattered away or absorbed by aerosol particulates.” 
    The team measured aerosol optical depth using the 4STAR-B spectrometer, which was engineered at NASA Ames and  enables scientists to identify which aerosols are present and how they interact with sunlight.

    Flying these instruments required use of a Twin Otter plane, operated by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The Twin Otter is unique for its ability to perform extremely low-altitude flights, making passes down to 100 feet above the water in clear conditions.
    “It’s an intense way to fly. At that low height, the pilots continually watch for and avoid birds, tall ships, and even wildlife like breaching whales,” said Anthony Bucholtz, director of the Airborne Research Facility at NPS.
    With the phytoplankton bloom attracting so much wildlife in a bay already full of ships, this is no small feat. “The pilots keep a close eye on the radar, and fly by hand,” Bucholtz said, “all while following careful flight plans crisscrossing Monterey Bay and performing tight spirals over the Research Vessel Shana Rae.”

    Data gathered from the 2024 phase of this campaign is available on two data archive systems. Data from the 4STAR instrument is available in the PACE data archive  and data from C-AIR is housed in the SeaBASS data archive.
    Other data from the NASA PACE Validation Science Team is available through the PACE website: https://pace.oceansciences.org/pvstdoi.htm#
    Samuel LeBlanc and Kristina Pistone are funded via the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute (BAERI), which  is a scientist-founded nonprofit focused on supporting Earth and space sciences.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Mars Orbiter Learns New Moves After Nearly 20 Years in Space

    Source: NASA

    The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is testing a series of large spacecraft rolls that will help it hunt for water.
    After nearly 20 years of operations, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is on a roll, performing a new maneuver to squeeze even more science out of the busy spacecraft as it circles the Red Planet. Engineers have essentially taught the probe to roll over so that it’s nearly upside down. Doing so enables MRO to look deeper underground as it searches for liquid and frozen water, among other things.
    The new capability is detailed in a paper recently published in the Planetary Science Journal documenting three “very large rolls,” as the mission calls them, that were performed between 2023 and 2024.
    “Not only can you teach an old spacecraft new tricks, you can open up entirely new regions of the subsurface to explore by doing so,” said one of the paper’s authors, Gareth Morgan of the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona.

    The orbiter was originally designed to roll up to 30 degrees in any direction so that it can point its instruments at surface targets, including potential landing sites, impact craters, and more.
    “We’re unique in that the entire spacecraft and its software are designed to let us roll all the time,” said Reid Thomas, MRO’s project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
    The process for rolling isn’t simple. The spacecraft carries five operating science instruments that have different pointing requirements. To target a precise spot on the surface with one instrument, the orbiter has to roll a particular way, which means the other instruments may have a less-favorable view of Mars during the maneuver.
    That’s why each regular roll is planned weeks in advance, with instrument teams negotiating who conducts science and when. Then, an algorithm checks MRO’s position above Mars and automatically commands the orbiter to roll so the appropriate instrument points at the correct spot on the surface. At the same time, the algorithm commands the spacecraft’s solar arrays to rotate and track the Sun and its high-gain antenna to track Earth to maintain power and communications.
    Very large rolls, which are 120 degrees, require even more planning to maintain the safety of the spacecraft. The payoff is that the new maneuver enables one particular instrument, called the Shallow Radar (SHARAD), to have a deeper view of Mars than ever before.

    Bigger Rolls, Better Science
    Designed to peer from about half a mile to a little over a mile (1 to 2 kilometers) belowground, SHARAD allows scientists to distinguish between materials like rock, sand, and ice. The radar was especially useful in determining where ice could be found close enough to the surface that future astronauts might one day be able to access it. Ice will be key for producing rocket propellant for the trip home and is important for learning more about the climate, geology, and potential for life at Mars.
    But as great as SHARAD is, the team knew it could be even better.
    To give cameras like the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) prime viewing at the front of MRO, SHARAD’s two antenna segments were mounted at the back of the orbiter. While this setup helps the cameras, it also means that radio signals SHARAD pings onto the surface below encounter parts of the spacecraft, interfering with the signals and resulting in images that are less clear.
    “The SHARAD instrument was designed for the near-subsurface, and there are select regions of Mars that are just out of reach for us,” said Morgan, a co-investigator on the SHARAD team. “There is a lot to be gained by taking a closer look at those regions.”
    In 2023, the team decided to try developing 120-degree very large rolls to provide the radio waves an unobstructed path to the surface. What they found is that the maneuver can strengthen the radar signal by 10 times or more, offering a much clearer picture of the Martian underground.
    But the roll is so large that the spacecraft’s communications antenna is not pointed at Earth, and its solar arrays aren’t able to track the Sun.
    “The very large rolls require a special analysis to make sure we’ll have enough power in our batteries to safely do the roll,” Thomas said.
    Given the time involved, the mission limits itself to one or two very large rolls a year. But engineers hope to use them more often by streamlining the process.
    Learning to Roll With It
    While SHARAD scientists are benefiting from these new moves, the team working with another MRO instrument, the Mars Climate Sounder, is making the most of MRO’s standard roll capability. 
    The JPL-built instrument is a radiometer that serves as one of the most detailed sources available of information on Mars’ atmosphere. Measuring subtle changes in temperature over the course of many seasons, Mars Climate Sounder reveals the inner workings of dust storms and cloud formation. Dust and wind are important to understand: They are constantly reshaping the Martian surface, with wind-borne dust blanketing solar panels and posing a health risk for future astronauts.
    Mars Climate Sounder was designed to pivot on a gimbal so that it can get views of the Martian horizon and surface. It also provides views of space, which scientists use to calibrate the instrument. But in 2024, the aging gimbal became unreliable. Now Mars Climate Sounder relies on MRO’s standard rolls.
    “Rolling used to restrict our science,” said Mars Climate Sounder’s interim principal investigator, Armin Kleinboehl of JPL, “but we’ve incorporated it into our routine planning, both for surface views and calibration.”
    More About MRO
    NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California manages MRO for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington as part of its Mars Exploration Program portfolio. The SHARAD instrument was provided by the Italian Space Agency. Its operations are led by Sapienza University of Rome, and its data is analyzed by a joint U.S.-Italian science team. The Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, leads U.S. involvement in SHARAD. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver built MRO and supports its operations.
    For more information, visit:
    science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter
    News Media Contacts
    Andrew GoodJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-2433andrew.c.good@jpl.nasa.gov
    Karen Fox / Molly WasserNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov
    2025-084

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet the Space Ops Team: Derrick Bailey

    Source: NASA

    Since childhood, Derrick Bailey always had an early fascination with aeronautics. Military fighter jet pilots were his childhood heroes, and he dreamed of joining the aerospace industry. This passion was a springboard into his 17-year career at NASA, where Bailey plays an important role in enabling successful rocket launches.
    Bailey is the Launch Vehicle Certification Manager in the Launch Services Program (LSP) within the Space Operations Mission Directorate. In this role, he helps NASA outline the agency’s risk classifications of new rockets from emerging and established space companies.
    “Within my role, I formulate a series of technical and process assessments for NASA LSP’s technical team to understand how companies operate, how vehicles are designed and qualified, and how they perform in flight,” Bailey said.
    Beyond technical proficiency and readiness, a successful rocket launch relies on establishing a strong foundational relationship between NASA and the commercial companies involved. Bailey and his team ensure effective communication with these companies to provide the guidance, data, and analysis necessary to support them in overcoming challenges.
    “We work diligently to build trusting relationships with commercial companies and demonstrate the value in partnering with our team,” Bailey said.
    Bailey credits a stroke of fate that landed him at the agency. During his senior year at Georgia Tech, where he was pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, Bailey almost walked past the NASA tent at a career fair. However, he decided to grab a NASA sticker and strike up a conversation, which quickly turned into an impromptu interview. He walked away that day with a job offer to work on the now-retired Space Shuttle Program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
    “I never imagined working at NASA,” Bailey said. “Looking back, it’s unbelievable that a chance encounter resulted in securing a job that has turned into an incredible career.”
    Thinking about the future, Bailey is excited about new opportunities in the commercial space industry. Bailey sees NASA as a crucial advisor and mentor for commercial sector while using industry capabilities to provide more cost-effective access to space.

    “We are the enablers,” Bailey said of his role in the directorate. “It is our responsibility to provide the best opportunity for future explorers to begin their journey of discovery in deep space and beyond.”
    Outside of work, Bailey enjoys spending time with his family, especially his two sons, who keep him busy with trips to the baseball diamond and homework sessions. Bailey also enjoys hands-on activities, like working on cars, off-road vehicles, and house projects – hobbies he picked up from his mechanically inclined father. Additionally, at the beginning of 2025, his wife accepted a program specialist position with LSP, an exciting development for the entire Bailey family.
    “One of my wife’s major observations early on in my career was how much my colleagues genuinely care about one another and empower people to make decisions,” Bailey explained. “These are the things that make NASA the number one place to work in the government.”
    NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the hub of NASA’s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support.
    To learn more about NASA’s Space Operation Mission Directorate, visit: 
    https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Be Alert to Fraud After Tennessee’s Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes and Flooding

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Be Alert to Fraud After Tennessee’s Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes and Flooding

    Be Alert to Fraud After Tennessee’s Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes and Flooding

    Tennesseans should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after the April 2-24 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding

    In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster

    If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to apply for assistance

    If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application

     If you did not apply for assistance but you received a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 from 6 a

    m

    to 10 p

    m

    CT daily

    Helpline specialists will submit a request to stop further processing of that application

    If you want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, helpline specialists will assist you in creating a new application

    ScamsFEMA housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by April’s severe weather

    They carry official photo identification badges

    FEMA representatives never charge for disaster assistance, inspections or help filling out applications — their services are free

    Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment

     Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector

    FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information

     If you believe you are the victim of a scam or price gouging, or you want to report a person or company for disaster relief scams or price gouging, contact your local police or sheriff’s department

    You may also report it to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 615-741-4737 or go online and file a fraud complaint at TN Division of Consumer Affairs

     If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721

    You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema

    dhs

    gov to report a tip

    kwei

    nwaogu
    Thu, 06/26/2025 – 12:58

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian national arrested in multimillion-dollar email and money laundering scam

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – A 33-year-old Houston man has been taken into custody for his role in a large-scale business email compromise and money laundering scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Authorities have arrested Edikan Adiakpan who is expected to make his initial appearance at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray.

    A federal grand jury in Houston returned a three-count indictment June 11 charging Adiakpan with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and illegal money transmission. The indictment alleges that in 2021, Adiakpan and co-conspirators carried out a business email compromise scheme targeting companies in at least eight states, including a California research group focused on developing treatments for U.S. veterans. 

    Victims received “spoofed” emails that appeared to come from known suppliers and creditors, according to the charges. They were allegedly tricked into sending payments to bank accounts the fraudsters controlled instead of the actual suppliers.

    The charges further allege the conspirators laundered the funds by quickly transferring the money between multiple bank accounts they controlled. They then allegedly converted the funds into cashier’s’ checks. Adiakpan allegedly cashed the checks and kept a percentage as a fee.

    Another Nigerian citizen, Ayobami Omoniyi, 26, was previously charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of the same scheme and is awaiting sentencing before U.S District Judge Andrew S. Hanen. 

    If convicted, Adiakpan faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges and up to five years for the illegal money transmitting. Each conviction carries a possible $250,000 maximum fine. 

    FBI – Houston and its Bryan Resident Agency and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Christine Lu are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to 100 Months in Prison for Laundering $5.4 million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LEXINGTON, Ky. – Today, a Mexican national was sentenced to 100 months in prison for his role in arranging for the collection of drug proceeds in the United States and the repatriation of the proceeds, or their equivalent value, to Mexico as part of a money laundering conspiracy.

    According to court documents, Jose Manuel Martinez Gomez, a/k/a Meño, served as a “money broker” in an organization that aided the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) by collecting, laundering, and repatriating drug proceeds generated in the United States to the cartel in Mexico. Martinez personally arranged for the laundering of $5,462,289 that was proceeds of drug trafficking crimes. Martinez used a network of co-conspirators to pick up those drug proceeds all over the United States. After money was delivered in the United States, Mr. Martinez provided instructions for the transfer of those funds via cryptocurrency, including providing a cryptocurrency wallet address, or a bank account.   Martinez worked for “commissions,” or a percentage of the money laundered successfully.

    As a direct result of the money laundering contracts brokered by Martinez, DEA Lexington and its domestic partners seized a staggering quantity of drugs, including approximately 3 kilograms of fentanyl, 52.77 kilograms of cocaine, 7,078.63 kilograms of unconverted methamphetamine in the form of charcoal lumps, 170 gallons of unconverted methamphetamine in the form of coconut oil, 140 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 15 gallons of liquid methamphetamine.  DEA also seized $1,352,160 in bulk U.S. currency.

    “The successful prosecution of Martinez disrupted the flow of vital drug proceeds back to CJNG, and removed substantial quantities of dangerous drugs from American communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Paul McCaffrey.  “While the fight against cartel-sourced drug trafficking is far from over, today’s result is a step in the right direction, and is a testament to our law enforcement partners’ collaboration and constant commitment to justice.”

    “Jose Manuel Martinez Gomez helped Mexican drug traffickers to wash their ill-gotten gains from the sale of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl in U.S. neighborhoods and communities,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

    “This prosecution should serve as a warning of the Department of Justice’s focus on holding to account anyone who seeks to help launder cartel’s money and underpins a system that delivers dangerous drugs that destroy our neighborhoods and communities.”

    “The Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt the flow of drugs across our borders and the flow of money back to Mexico by cartel operatives and bring these individuals to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division.  “I want to thank all of our law enforcement partners in this case and commend them for their dedication to public safety.”

    On March 7, Martinez pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and concealment money laundering.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Lexington Resident Office investigated the case, working closely with the Detroit Field Division and Rocky Mountain Field Division, and assisted by DEA offices in Mexico, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Birmingham, Chicago, Cincinnati, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Louisville, Baltimore, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Portland, Columbia, and Rapid City, as well as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division.

    Deputy Criminal Chief Todd Bradbury of the Eastern District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Elizabeth R. Rabe of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section prosecuted this case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

    – END –

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: West Haven Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that CARLOS INESTI, 29, of West Haven, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with child exploitation offenses.

    As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in April 2025, the FBI arrested an individual in Utah for possession of child pornography.  Analysis of a cell phone seized during the investigation revealed videos involving an adult male, subsequently determined to be Inesti, engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a toddler-aged girl.  The investigation revealed that Inesti had recorded the videos and shared them through the Telegram application.

    Inesti appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and was released on a $100,000 bond into home detention with location monitoring.  He is prohibited from accessing the internet and having any contact with minors.

    The complaint charges Inesti with sexual exploitation of children, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 year, and with distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

    U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s New Haven and Salt Lake City Field Offices, with the assistance of the West Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

    This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Goods barometer rises as imports surge in first quarter ahead of expected tariff hikes

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The Goods Trade Barometer is a composite leading indicator for world trade, providing real-time information on the trajectory of merchandise trade relative to recent trends. Barometer values greater than 100 are associated with above-trend trade volumes, while barometer values less than 100 suggest that goods trade has either fallen below trend or will do so in the near future.

    While the current barometer reading of 103.5 (represented by the blue line in the chart) exceeds both the baseline value of 100 and the quarterly trade volume index (represented by the black line), the decline in export orders and the temporary nature of frontloading suggest that trade growth may slow in the months ahead as enterprises import less and start to draw down accumulated inventories.

    The most predictive barometer component, the new export orders index (97.9), has dipped below its baseline value of 100 into contraction territory, signalling weaker trade growth later in the year. On the other hand, most other barometer components have risen above trend. Transport-related indices, including air freight (104.3) and container shipping (107.1), reflect increased movement of goods. The automotive products index (105.3) also is above trend due to resilient vehicle production and sales. The electronic components index (102.0) has climbed above trend after underperforming in 2023 and 2024. Finally, the raw materials index (100.8) shows only modest growth, just above baseline.

    World merchandise trade volume growth moderated in the fourth quarter of 2024 but it is likely to rebound in the first quarter of 2025 based on the goods barometer and preliminary trade data. The WTO Secretariat’s Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report of 16 April 2025 projected stable trade growth of 2.7% for 2025 under a low-tariff scenario reflecting policy conditions at  the start of the  year, and a ­‑0.2% contraction under actual policies in place as of mid-April. Subsequent developments, including US-China and US-UK trade agreements as well as higher tariffs on steel and aluminium, have nudged the forecast up and down slightly leaving the overall outlook basically flat at 0.1%.  However, trade contraction is possible, for example if US reciprocal tariffs are reinstated, or if trade policy uncertainty spreads globally.

    The full Goods Trade Barometer is available here.

    Further details on the methodology can be found in the technical note here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd Bill Would Prevent Key Aviation Safety Technology from Being Improperly Used to Charge, Punish Pilots

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act limits the use of ADS-B data
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), joined by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Representative Bob Onder (R-Mo.-3), recently introduced the bicameral Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act to limit the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and require greater transparency in how airports impose fees on general aviation aircraft.
    “ADS-B is a critical safety technology mandated by the FAA and is more accurate than radar. Abusing this technology to levy unfair, sometimes duplicative fees and threatening pilots with legal action will keep some general aviation pilots grounded, which is a loss for America’s economy, emergency response, and the aviation community at large,”said Senator Budd.
    “Misusing vital safety technology like ADS-B for non-safety purposes, such as generating unwarranted fees or initiating inappropriate actions, jeopardizes pilot privacy and undermines the very foundation of this critical airspace system. Prioritizing the trust and participation of pilots is essential by ensuring ADS-B remains dedicated solely to its intended safety function,” said Senator Sullivan.
    “Flight safety technologies like ADS-B are vital for pilots to ensure safety on the ground and in the skies, but penalizing pilots for using this technology with arbitrary fees jeopardizes both pilot privacy and flight safety by incentivizing operators to avoid using this critical technology. As we enact reforms to keep American aviation the safest in the world, I’m proud to join my colleagues on this commonsense legislation to increase transparency and make certain pilots across the country can focus solely on the safety of their aircraft and their passengers,” said Senator Sheehy.
    “As a pilot with years of experience using ADS-B technology, I understand the game-changing impact it has had on aviation safety. By communicating an aircraft’s identification, airspeed, heading and altitude, ADS-B has dramatically improved situational awareness for pilots, as well as the real-time data air traffic controllers need to keep pilots and passengers safe. Unfortunately, some third parties have taken advantage of this data to impose and collect exorbitant third-party landing fees and frivolous lawsuits targeted at general aviation pilots and travelers. These uses of data for purposes other than air traffic safety act as a deterrent for pilots to equip their aircraft with this potentially life-saving technology,” said Representative Onder.
    Background:
    While ADS-B is designed to be used as a safety technology, some airports have begun improperly using these systems to track aircraft for the purposes of assessing landing fees and collecting revenue from pilots. To avoid duplicative and unfairly assessed fees, aircraft owners, operators, and pilots may feel compelled to fly without ADS-B installed or active on their aircraft, increasing the risk of close calls and collisions. In addition, these fees are often assessed without justification or transparency, placing unreasonable financial burdens on pilots, flight students, charitable organizations, and small aviation businesses that rely on access to the national airspace.
    General aviation plays a critical role in U.S. transportation, economic development, and emergency response. The Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act protects the privacy and economic viability of the aviation community, ensuring the freedom to fly without undue surveillance or cost.
    Specifically, this bill:
    Prohibits government agencies and private actors from using ADS-B data to identify aircraft for the purpose of imposing fees or charges.
    Clarifies that ADS-B data may only be used by air traffic controllers for air traffic safety, efficiency, or for other purposes approved by the Secretary of Transportation following public comment.
    Ensures that investigations cannot be initiated on the basis of ADS-B data.
    Requires public-use airports to disclose financial information and the projected impact before imposing new fees on general aviation, and requires that any such fees must be used exclusively for airside safety improvements.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds – new report

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Apparent police collusion is allowing trafficking and enslavement of huge numbers of people

    More than two-thirds of the scamming compounds identified continue to operate after police raids

    First-hand testimony exposes massive and extremely violent criminal operation

    ‘They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up’ – Survivor Siti*

    ‘The Government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to’ – Montse Ferrer

    The Cambodian government is deliberately ignoring human rights abuses including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture that are being carried out by criminal gangs on a vast scale in more than 50 scamming compounds located across the country, Amnesty International said in a new report published today.

    Survivors interviewed for the 240-page report, I Was Someone Else’s Property, believed they were applying for genuine jobs but were instead trafficked to Cambodia, where they were held in prison-like compounds and forced to conduct online scams in a billion-dollar shadow economy defrauding people around the world.

    Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said.

    “Deceived, trafficked and enslaved, the survivors of these scamming compounds describe being trapped in a living nightmare enlisted in criminal enterprises that are operating with the apparent consent of the Cambodian government.

    “Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organised gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    “Amnesty’s research reveals the horrifying magnitude of a crisis the Cambodian authorities are not doing enough to stop. Their failures have emboldened a criminal network whose tentacles extend internationally, with millions of people impacted by the scams.” 

    Amnesty’s findings suggest there has been coordination and possibly collusion between Chinese compound bosses and the Cambodian police, who have failed to shut down compounds despite the slew of human rights abuses taking place inside.

    Held by force

    In the most comprehensive documentation yet of the issue, Amnesty’s report identified at least 53 scamming compounds in Cambodia and interviewed 58 survivors of eight different nationalities, including nine children. Amnesty also reviewed the records of 336 other victims of Cambodian compounds. Those interviewed had either escaped from compounds, been rescued or had a ransom paid by their families. 

    The interviewees’ testimony gives a detailed insight into a sprawling, violent criminal operation that is taking place often with the full knowledge of the Cambodian authorities, whose woefully ineffective – and at times corrupt – response to the scamming crisis demonstrates its acquiescence and points towards state complicity in the human rights abuses taking place.

    One survivor, Lisa*, who was 18 and looking for work during a break from school in Thailand when she was trafficked, said:

    “[The recruiters] said I would work in administration… they sent pictures of a hotel with a swimming pool… the salary was high.”

    Instead, Lisa was taken across a river at night into Cambodia, where she was held for 11 months against her will by armed security guards and forced to work on scams. When she tried to escape, she was severely beaten. She said:

    “There were four men… three of them held me down while the boss hit me on the soles of my feet with a metal pole… They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop.” 

    Sold into slavery

    As part of its 18-month-long research, Amnesty visited all but one of the 53 scamming compounds located in 16 towns and cities across Cambodia, as well as 45 similar sites also strongly suspected to be scamming compounds. Many of the buildings were formerly casinos and hotels repurposed by criminal gangs – mostly from China – after Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019.

    Compounds appeared designed to keep people inside, with features such as surveillance cameras, barbed wire around perimeter walls and large numbers of security personnel, often carrying electric shock batons and in some cases firearms. Survivors reported that “escape was impossible”.

    Most victims had been lured to Cambodia by deceptive job advertisements posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. After being trafficked, survivors said they were forced to contact people using social media platforms and begin conversations aimed at defrauding them. These included fake romances or investment opportunities, selling products that would never be delivered, or building trust with victims before financially exploiting them – known as “pig-butchering”. 

    All but one of the survivors interviewed were victims of human trafficking, while everyone had been subjected to forced labour under the threat of violence. In 32 cases, Amnesty concluded the survivors were victims of slavery as defined under international law, with compound managers exerting a level of control over them that amounted to de facto ownership. Survivors also reported being sold into compounds or witnessing the sale of other people. Many others were told they owed a debt to the compound which they had to work to repay.

    Forty of the 58 survivors interviewed had suffered torture or other ill-treatment – almost always carried out by compound managers. Some compounds had specific rooms – often known as “dark rooms” – which were designated places for torture of people who did not or could not work or meet work targets, or who contacted the authorities.

    Survivors frequently mentioned deaths inside the compounds or nearby; one survivor described hearing a body hitting the roof of a building. Amnesty also confirmed the death of a Chinese child inside a compound.

    Survivor Siti* described seeing a Vietnamese person beaten by compound bosses for around 25 minutes. He said:

    “They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up…then the boss tell me that they wait until another compound want to buy him.”

    Of the nine children interviewed, five were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. Sawat*, a 17-year-old Thai boy, was beaten by several managers before being told he would be stripped and forced to jump off the building. 

    Police in league with compound bosses

    Amnesty’s report found that the Cambodian government has failed to adequately investigate widespread human rights abuses at scamming compounds despite being repeatedly made aware of them.

    The Government has claimed to be addressing the scamming crisis through its National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking and a number of ministerial task forces, which have overseen a series of police “rescues” of victims from compounds. However, more than two-thirds of the scamming compounds identified in the report continued to operate even after police raids and “rescues”. At one compound in Botum Sakor, human trafficking has been widely reported by media and police have intervened multiple times to rescue victims, yet the site remains open.

    Police failings stem from their collaboration or coordination with compound bosses. For example, in many of the “rescues”, instead of entering the compounds and investigating, police would simply meet a manager or security guard at the gate, where they would be handed the individual(s) who had called in for help. Business then continued as usual.

    In other instances, several survivors said they were beaten after their secretive efforts to contact police for help were somehow uncovered by bosses. One Vietnamese survivor told Amnesty that police “work for the compound and will report requests for help back to the compound bosses”.

    Those “rescued” from compounds were often subsequently detained in immigration detention centres in poor conditions for months at a time – the Cambodian authorities having failed to recognise them as victims of human trafficking and provide them with the support required under international law.

    Meanwhile, the authorities have targeted others speaking out about scamming compounds. Several human rights defenders and journalists working on the issue have been arrested, while the news outlet Voice of Democracy was closed in 2023, apparently in retaliation for its reporting on the scamming crisis.

    Amnesty sent its findings to the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, which responded by sharing vague data on interventions at compounds, none of which clarified whether the Government has identified, investigated or prosecuted individuals for human rights abuses other than deprivation of liberty. It also did not respond to Amnesty’s list of scamming compounds or suspicious locations.

    Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director, said.

    “The Cambodian authorities know what is going on inside scamming compounds, yet they allow it to continue.

    “Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raises questions about the Government’s motivations.

    “The Government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to. The police interventions documented appear to be merely ‘for show’.

    “Cambodia’s authorities must ensure no more jobseekers are trafficked into the country to face torture, slavery or any other human rights abuse. They must urgently investigate and shut down all scamming compounds and properly identify, assist and protect victims. Slavery thrives when governments look away.”

    Survivors interviewed for Amnesty’s report were from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ethiopia, but Amnesty also had access to records of hundreds of others from India, Kenya, Nepal and the Philippines and many more.

    Press conference

    Amnesty will be presenting the findings of the report in a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in Bangkok on Thursday 26 June. For further information or to register for the event, visit https://forms.office.com/e/tZivUqtUv4

    *All survivors using pseudonyms for security reasons

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds – new report

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Apparent police collusion is allowing trafficking and enslavement of huge numbers of people

    More than two-thirds of the scamming compounds identified continue to operate after police raids

    First-hand testimony exposes massive and extremely violent criminal operation

    ‘They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up’ – Survivor Siti*

    ‘The Government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to’ – Montse Ferrer

    The Cambodian government is deliberately ignoring human rights abuses including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture that are being carried out by criminal gangs on a vast scale in more than 50 scamming compounds located across the country, Amnesty International said in a new report published today.

    Survivors interviewed for the 240-page report, I Was Someone Else’s Property, believed they were applying for genuine jobs but were instead trafficked to Cambodia, where they were held in prison-like compounds and forced to conduct online scams in a billion-dollar shadow economy defrauding people around the world.

    Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said.

    “Deceived, trafficked and enslaved, the survivors of these scamming compounds describe being trapped in a living nightmare enlisted in criminal enterprises that are operating with the apparent consent of the Cambodian government.

    “Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organised gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    “Amnesty’s research reveals the horrifying magnitude of a crisis the Cambodian authorities are not doing enough to stop. Their failures have emboldened a criminal network whose tentacles extend internationally, with millions of people impacted by the scams.” 

    Amnesty’s findings suggest there has been coordination and possibly collusion between Chinese compound bosses and the Cambodian police, who have failed to shut down compounds despite the slew of human rights abuses taking place inside.

    Held by force

    In the most comprehensive documentation yet of the issue, Amnesty’s report identified at least 53 scamming compounds in Cambodia and interviewed 58 survivors of eight different nationalities, including nine children. Amnesty also reviewed the records of 336 other victims of Cambodian compounds. Those interviewed had either escaped from compounds, been rescued or had a ransom paid by their families. 

    The interviewees’ testimony gives a detailed insight into a sprawling, violent criminal operation that is taking place often with the full knowledge of the Cambodian authorities, whose woefully ineffective – and at times corrupt – response to the scamming crisis demonstrates its acquiescence and points towards state complicity in the human rights abuses taking place.

    One survivor, Lisa*, who was 18 and looking for work during a break from school in Thailand when she was trafficked, said:

    “[The recruiters] said I would work in administration… they sent pictures of a hotel with a swimming pool… the salary was high.”

    Instead, Lisa was taken across a river at night into Cambodia, where she was held for 11 months against her will by armed security guards and forced to work on scams. When she tried to escape, she was severely beaten. She said:

    “There were four men… three of them held me down while the boss hit me on the soles of my feet with a metal pole… They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop.” 

    Sold into slavery

    As part of its 18-month-long research, Amnesty visited all but one of the 53 scamming compounds located in 16 towns and cities across Cambodia, as well as 45 similar sites also strongly suspected to be scamming compounds. Many of the buildings were formerly casinos and hotels repurposed by criminal gangs – mostly from China – after Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019.

    Compounds appeared designed to keep people inside, with features such as surveillance cameras, barbed wire around perimeter walls and large numbers of security personnel, often carrying electric shock batons and in some cases firearms. Survivors reported that “escape was impossible”.

    Most victims had been lured to Cambodia by deceptive job advertisements posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. After being trafficked, survivors said they were forced to contact people using social media platforms and begin conversations aimed at defrauding them. These included fake romances or investment opportunities, selling products that would never be delivered, or building trust with victims before financially exploiting them – known as “pig-butchering”. 

    All but one of the survivors interviewed were victims of human trafficking, while everyone had been subjected to forced labour under the threat of violence. In 32 cases, Amnesty concluded the survivors were victims of slavery as defined under international law, with compound managers exerting a level of control over them that amounted to de facto ownership. Survivors also reported being sold into compounds or witnessing the sale of other people. Many others were told they owed a debt to the compound which they had to work to repay.

    Forty of the 58 survivors interviewed had suffered torture or other ill-treatment – almost always carried out by compound managers. Some compounds had specific rooms – often known as “dark rooms” – which were designated places for torture of people who did not or could not work or meet work targets, or who contacted the authorities.

    Survivors frequently mentioned deaths inside the compounds or nearby; one survivor described hearing a body hitting the roof of a building. Amnesty also confirmed the death of a Chinese child inside a compound.

    Survivor Siti* described seeing a Vietnamese person beaten by compound bosses for around 25 minutes. He said:

    “They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up…then the boss tell me that they wait until another compound want to buy him.”

    Of the nine children interviewed, five were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. Sawat*, a 17-year-old Thai boy, was beaten by several managers before being told he would be stripped and forced to jump off the building. 

    Police in league with compound bosses

    Amnesty’s report found that the Cambodian government has failed to adequately investigate widespread human rights abuses at scamming compounds despite being repeatedly made aware of them.

    The Government has claimed to be addressing the scamming crisis through its National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking and a number of ministerial task forces, which have overseen a series of police “rescues” of victims from compounds. However, more than two-thirds of the scamming compounds identified in the report continued to operate even after police raids and “rescues”. At one compound in Botum Sakor, human trafficking has been widely reported by media and police have intervened multiple times to rescue victims, yet the site remains open.

    Police failings stem from their collaboration or coordination with compound bosses. For example, in many of the “rescues”, instead of entering the compounds and investigating, police would simply meet a manager or security guard at the gate, where they would be handed the individual(s) who had called in for help. Business then continued as usual.

    In other instances, several survivors said they were beaten after their secretive efforts to contact police for help were somehow uncovered by bosses. One Vietnamese survivor told Amnesty that police “work for the compound and will report requests for help back to the compound bosses”.

    Those “rescued” from compounds were often subsequently detained in immigration detention centres in poor conditions for months at a time – the Cambodian authorities having failed to recognise them as victims of human trafficking and provide them with the support required under international law.

    Meanwhile, the authorities have targeted others speaking out about scamming compounds. Several human rights defenders and journalists working on the issue have been arrested, while the news outlet Voice of Democracy was closed in 2023, apparently in retaliation for its reporting on the scamming crisis.

    Amnesty sent its findings to the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, which responded by sharing vague data on interventions at compounds, none of which clarified whether the Government has identified, investigated or prosecuted individuals for human rights abuses other than deprivation of liberty. It also did not respond to Amnesty’s list of scamming compounds or suspicious locations.

    Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director, said.

    “The Cambodian authorities know what is going on inside scamming compounds, yet they allow it to continue.

    “Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raises questions about the Government’s motivations.

    “The Government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to. The police interventions documented appear to be merely ‘for show’.

    “Cambodia’s authorities must ensure no more jobseekers are trafficked into the country to face torture, slavery or any other human rights abuse. They must urgently investigate and shut down all scamming compounds and properly identify, assist and protect victims. Slavery thrives when governments look away.”

    Survivors interviewed for Amnesty’s report were from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ethiopia, but Amnesty also had access to records of hundreds of others from India, Kenya, Nepal and the Philippines and many more.

    Press conference

    Amnesty will be presenting the findings of the report in a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in Bangkok on Thursday 26 June. For further information or to register for the event, visit https://forms.office.com/e/tZivUqtUv4

    *All survivors using pseudonyms for security reasons

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Barry Moore introduces bipartisan legislation to protect children online

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01) and Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) introduced the Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment (STOP CSAM) Act. This legislation expands protections for child victims and witnesses in federal court proceedings to help facilitate restitution for victims of child exploitation, human trafficking, sexual assault, and violent crimes.

    This bill also empowers victims by making it easier for them to ask tech companies to remove child sexual abuse material and related imagery from their platforms and by creating an administrative penalty for the failure to comply with a removal request. It also requires big tech companies to submit annual reports describing their efforts to protect children going forward.

    “The rise of new technologies has created dangerous loopholes that predators exploit to traffic in child sexual abuse material,” said Moore. “In the last 15 years, the number of American victims has skyrocketed by over 400 percent. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Garcia on this bipartisan effort to ensure Big Tech is no longer allowed to look the other way. Our children deserve protection, and survivors deserve justice.”

    “Tech executives keep showing up to Congress, saying the right things while doing nothing as children are harmed and targeted on their platforms. If these companies are comfortable making billions as they ignore rampant child abuse, we must hold them accountable for their failure. As technology evolves, the law must evolve too. The bipartisan and bicameral STOP CSAM Act would finally give families a path to justice and make sure that children are protected,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Barry Moore supports military construction and VA funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore

    Washington, D.C.– Today, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:

    “Today, House Republicans stood up for America’s heroes – our veterans and warfighters – by passing a responsible and America-first appropriations bill that prioritizes their needs,” said Moore. “This legislation delivers key investments that will strengthen Alabama’s military infrastructure and our veteran community. It helps ensure our bases remain ready, our VA facilities remain strong, and our state continues to play a leading role in defending the nation.”

    The FY26 MILCON-VA bill provides full funding for VA medical care, benefits, and electronic health record modernization, while including strong oversight provisions to protect taxpayer dollars. The bill also invests in military construction projects vital to readiness and national security, including upgrades for Guard and Reserve facilities, housing for servicemembers and their families, and critical infrastructure supporting U.S. strategic deterrence.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Dialogue with Chad, Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend the 2023 Constitution, Ask about Low Birth Registration Rates and Harmful Cultural Practices

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the fifth periodic report of Chad on its implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, with Committee Experts welcoming the adoption of the 2023 Constitution, and raising questions about low birth registration rates and harmful cultural practices, including female genital mutilation and child marriage.

    Several Committee Experts, including Brenda Akia, Committee Rapporteur for Chad, commended the passing of the 2023 Constitution, which promoted the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, prohibited harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, and gave women and men the equal right to confer nationality to their children.

    A Committee Expert expressed concern about the extremely low rate of birth registration – over four million women and children in the State were not registered.  How was the State party addressing barriers that prevented civil registration, and ensuring that registration services remained affordable?

    The prevalence of female genital mutilation was alarmingly high, one Committee Expert said, noting that the rate was higher in urban areas, at over 40 per cent, than in rural areas.  How was the State party working to eliminate female genital mutilation?

    Another Committee Expert said Chad had one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world; 60 per cent of girls were married before the age of 18 and 30 per cent before the age of 15.  How did the State party reintegrate girls who were married into the school system?

    Introducing the report, Youssouf Tom, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals and Human Rights of Chad and head of the delegation, said the 2023 Constitution guaranteed equality before the law for all, and required the State to ensure the protection of women’s rights in all areas of private and public life, and promote better representation of women in elected assemblies, institutions and public administrations.

    On birth registration, the delegation said Chad had created birth registration centres nationwide with the support of United Nations agencies.  Magistrates could go to refugee camps to issue replacement birth certificates, and the Government was considering making these free of charge.

    The Government had taken several measures to combat harmful practices and drive change in communities, the delegation said.  It had trained 1,500 traditional and religious leaders on women’s rights. These leaders had signed an agreement to eradicate traditional harmful practices, including female genital mutilation.

    The delegation also reported that, in 2015, the Government adopted legislation outlawing child marriage.  The State party was working on strengthening awareness raising campaigns in remote areas to deter parents and community leaders from marrying children off.  As soon as the Government became aware of child marriages, prosecutors acted to penalise facilitators.

    In closing remarks, Mr. Tom said that since ratifying the Convention in 1995, Chad had worked tirelessly to eradicate discrimination against women, adopting laws, plans and strategies toward this aim.  Despite facing issues that hindered the socio-economic development of women, the Government would exert further efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Convention domestically.

    In her concluding remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, said that the dialogue had enabled the Committee to better understand the situation of women in Chad.  The Committee thanked the State for its efforts and called on it to implement its recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in the country.

    The delegation of Chad consisted of representatives from the Office of the President; Office of the Prime Minister; National Assembly; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Women and Children; Ministry of Health; General Directorate for the Promotion of Gender and the Empowerment of Women; General Directorate for the Protection and Promotion of Women’s Rights; Directorate for Girls’ Education Development and Gender Promotion; and the Permanent Mission of Chad to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue the concluding observations on the report of Chad at the end of its ninety-first session on 4 July.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, 27 June to consider the fifth periodic report of Botswana (CEDAW/C/BWA/5).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the fifth periodic report of Chad (CEDAW/C/TCD/5).

    Presentation of Report

    YOUSSOUF TOM, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals and Human Rights of Chad and head of the delegation, expressed gratitude to the various agencies of the United Nations system based in N’Djamena for their support, which had contributed to the country’s return to constitutional order with the organisation of legislative and provincial elections.  Chad was committed to implementing the Convention.

    The Government of Chad had established a Ministry of Women, which worked to guarantee gender equality and protect women’s rights, mainstreaming women’s affairs into all Government policies and programmes.  The Ministry was committed to protecting women and children from all forms of violence and discrimination; contributing to the promotion of reproductive health and education; conducting awareness-raising campaigns on the rights of women and children; and devising and implementing national policies and strategies on gender, child protection, and the socio-economic development of women, children and the family.

    Since ratifying the Convention in 1995, Chad had taken legislative and administrative measures to improve the conditions of women and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.  The 2023 Constitution guaranteed equality before the law for all, and required the State to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, ensure the protection of their rights in all areas of private and public life, and promote better representation of women in elected assemblies, institutions and public administrations. 

    In this spirit, the February 2024 law on the Electoral Code set a quota of at least 30 per cent women on the lists of candidates for legislative, provincial and communal elections. As a result, more than 30 per cent of members of the fourth legislature were women.  This was a major step for the Government towards achieving the desired objective of parity.

    The January 2025 ordinance on the prevention and punishment of violence against women and girls was a formidable weapon for the protection of Chadian women against all forms of violence.

    Over the past five years, primary level curricula had been adapted to the educational realities of the country, with the inclusion of themes related to peace, human rights and democracy.  To effectively combat gender stereotypes, initiatives had been put in place to improve teacher training and promote girls’ access to education and their retention in school.  The women’s empowerment and demographic dividend in the Sahel project was strengthened in 2024 to improve girls’ access to education and fight gender-based violence. This programme had enabled 127,000 vulnerable adolescents to benefit from educational support, including tuition fees and school kits.

    Chad currently hosted more than one million refugees and displaced persons, who were pouring into Chadian territory in large numbers.  The Government was working to provide care, particularly to the women and children within this group, but economic and financial difficulties made this challenging.

    Through the dialogue with the Committee, the Government aimed to present its efforts to combat all forms of discrimination against women in Chad, as well as the difficult economic conditions and crises related to climate change that the country faced.  Recommendations and guidance from Committee Experts would help the State to achieve its objectives.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    BRENDA AKIA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Chad, said that the dialogue was an important opportunity to assess efforts to advance the rights of women and girls in Chad. The State party had made progress in this regard.  The Committee congratulated the State party on passing the 2023 Constitution, which expressly required equality before the law and promoted the elimination of discrimination against women and girls.  However, humanitarian and climate crises were undermining the Government’s efforts.

    What progress had the State party made in eliminating discriminatory legal provisions and aligning the legislation with the Convention?  Legislation did not address discrimination based on disability.  What progress had been made in adopting the draft Family Code, which would address this issue?  What awareness raising campaigns on the Convention had been carried out? Had the Convention been translated into local languages?

    What was the State party doing to promote access to justice for women and girls affected by conflict-related violations?  The Committee welcomed the State party’s national action plan on women, peace and security.  How were women and non-governmental organizations involved in developing the women, peace and security agenda?  How was the State party ensuring security around displacement sites and refugee camps, reducing the circulation of firearms, and promoting security in the country?  How did the State party ensure that customary laws did not take precedence over common law? Why had it not yet ratified the Maputo Protocol?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Family Code had been submitted to the Council of Ministers, where it was being debated.  A national mechanism for the promotion of the rights of women had been set up to help the State party draft reports on the subject.  It was made up of State and non-State actors.

    Awareness raising campaigns were being held to help civil society actors and religious leaders promote women’s rights. Chad had set up centres that provided care to victims of gender-based violence, offering various counselling services.  It had also set up an information tool that supported decision-making on policies for women.  The Government adopted an ordinance in January that allowed for the punishment of all types of gender-based violence committed against women in the State.

    Chad was in the process of ratifying the Maputo Protocol.  It had implemented several measures to support access to justice for women, including establishing justice offices in rural areas.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    A Committee Expert said that Chad had established comprehensive gender machinery, including the National Observatory for Gender Equality.  The State party had also adopted a national action plan on gender equality.  However, the national machinery was significantly constrained by inadequate resources.  What resources had been allocated to the national machinery? What measures were in place to strengthen the effective coordination of national and regional mechanisms on gender equality?  Had the State party assessed the achievements of the national action plan on gender equality? How did it ensure that the plan’s objectives were incorporated into all State policies?

    Chad’s data collection system was insufficient.  What efforts were being made to strengthen data systems, including to monitor the progress of the national machinery for women’s rights?

    It was disappointing that the National Human Rights Commission’s accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions had recently been deferred.  What strategies would the Commission implement to enhance the accessibility of its complaints’ mechanisms for women?

    One Committee Expert asked if the State party had considered implementing special measures to tackle poverty and food insecurity affecting women and girls.  Were women involved in designing policies on climate change and land use?  How was the State party training peasant women to improve their access to livelihoods? Did it have measures promoting access to nutrition for pregnant women?  What programmes were in place to eradicate illiteracy amongst women and promote access to education?  Were there affirmative actions aimed at refugee and migrant women?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Chad had an Observatory for the Promotion of Gender Equality attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, which had allowed the State to collect data on women’s representation in decision-making.  The Observatory was run by a civil society representative.

    Within the National Assembly, 38 per cent of members were women, and over 30 per cent of members of national councils were women.  Four national commissions were run by women.

    The Government planned to carry out an assessment of its national action plan on gender equality in the coming days, in preparation for a second iteration of the plan.  Progress had been made in the implementation of the plan. A first action plan on child marriage and female genital mutilation was implemented from 2019 to 2023, and a related roadmap from 2023 to 2027 was now being implemented.

    Chad was promoting gender equality in education, including through programmes supporting girls’ access to education.  Under these programmes, school fees were paid, school and hygiene kits were provided to girls, and the capacity of education providers to support girls was strengthened.  A strategy to expedite education for girls from 2024 to 2028 was currently being implemented.

    The National Human Rights Commission’s complaints mechanisms was introduced in the first half of this year; it had received over 3,000 complaints thus far.  The Commission was independent in terms of its activities and resources.  Work was being done to update it from “B” to “A” status under the Paris Principles by October of this year.

    Civil society organizations had set up legal clinics to deal with complaints related to violence against women. The State party was working to make the transitional justice system operational.  Customary justice did not take precedence over the modern justice system.

    There was no legal discrimination against women in terms of access to resources, but there were some communities in which women were in practice given less access to land than men. Awareness raising campaigns were being carried out in these communities to promote women’s access to land.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    BRENDA AKIA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Chad, asked how the State party trained duty bearers responsible for assessing complaints filed with the National Human Rights Commission. Reportedly, many cases involving women and girls were handled in the customary justice system.  Were religious and traditional leaders trained on the Convention?

    Another Committee Expert asked if there were affirmative actions that ensured women’s participation at all levels of the State administration, including in bodies developing transitional justice measures.

    One Committee Expert welcomed Chad’s efforts to reform its legal framework, including its 2023 Constitution, which prohibited harmful practices such as female genital mutilation. However, harmful traditional practices and patriarchal attitudes continued to harm women’s rights, and discriminatory gender stereotypes persisted in the media, education and the justice system.  What steps had been taken to address harmful gender stereotypes and norms?  Was the State party considering a national action plan to eliminate such stereotypes?  The prevalence of female genital mutilation was alarmingly high, and was higher in urban areas, at over 40 per cent, than in rural areas.  How was the State party working to eliminate female genital mutilation?

    Chad had yet to adopt a law on gender-based violence.  There was limited access to support services for survivors of violence, particularly in rural areas.  What measures were in place to ensure access to support services in these areas?  How was the State party training officials that supported victims of gender-based violence?  Gender-based violence was widespread in internally displacement camps, which had limited access to support services.  What measures were in place to protect women in such camps?

    Another Committee Expert said Chad was experiencing instability, with the ongoing war in Sudan leading to a massive influx of refugees.  In this context, it was welcome that the State party had adopted an ordinance on combatting trafficking in persons, amended the Criminal Code to make trafficking an offence, and trained public officials to combat trafficking. However, criminal networks exploited women and girls in sex trafficking networks in Chad, and victims of trafficking were at risk of being recruited in armed groups.  How many shelters had been established for victims of trafficking? Were anti-trafficking measures effective?  How many non-governmental organizations were working on trafficking issues?  How many court cases had been heard that related to trafficking?  The Committee welcomed that the State party had ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Government had taken several measures to combat harmful practices and drive change in communities.  It had trained 1,500 traditional and religious leaders on women’s rights. These leaders had signed an agreement to eradicate traditional harmful practices, including female genital mutilation.

    “Dia” was a civil reparation system used for friendly settlement of disputes.  If friendly settlements could not be reached, parties turned to the justice system.  Victims and their relatives could lodge complaints with the courts directly.

    Chad was a haven of peace surrounded by States at war.  The Government had passed laws defining the rights of refugees in response to the influx of refugees.  Refugees enjoyed similar rights to those of Chadians.  Land was given to refugee women.

    Chad had become a country of transit for trafficking in persons.  The State criminalised trafficking in 2018 and validated an ambitious national action plan to combat trafficking in persons this year.  It called for support in implementing this plan.

    The Government had launched the “positive parenthood programme” which aimed to combat harmful social norms, and there were also national strategies to combat gender stereotypes. Multi-sectoral centres for victims of gender-based violence provided medical care, legal aid, and social reintegration services in many areas of the State.  The Government sought to cover the entire territory of the State with these centres.  Victims of rape were provided with medical treatment free of change and the Government was working to ensure accountability for acts of rape.

    Chad had taken measures to address all forms of violence against persons with disabilities.  A 2019 law implemented protection measures for persons with disabilities and exempted such persons from paying education fees.  A 2023 policy created a national protection system for persons with disabilities.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert commended Chad’s progress in promoting the representation of women.  Chad’s Electoral Code guaranteed equality between men and women in terms of the right of vote and stand for election.  Minimum quotas of 30 per cent women candidates in all regional and national elections had been in place since 2018.  However, there was a lack of parity in decision-making systems.  What awareness raising campaigns were in place that promoted women’s participation in decision-making?  How many women were appointed to senior positions in the public service and in private sector companies?  What was the timeline for adoption of a 50 per cent quota for women in all decision-making systems?  The State party needed to implement the Committee’s general recommendation 40 on women’s representation.

    One Committee Expert commended that the 2023 Constitution gave women and men the equal right to confer nationality to their children.  The Committee was concerned by the extremely low rate of birth registration – over four million women and children in the State were not registered.  The lack of legal identity documents significantly increased women’s vulnerability.  Would the Government’s next migration plan include measures to promote women’s access to identity rights and birth registration?  How was it addressing barriers, including in conflict and refugee settings, that prevented civil registration, and ensuring that registration services remained affordable?  Were there awareness raising campaigns informing women of their rights to registration and nationality?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said women participated in decision-making positions in Chad.  The Senate had 32 per cent women representatives, and 45 per cent of members of the National Human Rights Commission were women.  Chad was developing a law that promoted the recruitment of women in the civil service.  A high number of women health workers had been trained, many non-governmental organizations in Chad were headed by women, and an increasing percentage of university students were women.  The State was moving towards gender parity in decision-making bodies.

    Chad had created birth registration centres nationwide with the support of United Nations agencies.  Magistrates could go to refugee camps to issue replacement birth certificates, and the Government was considering making these free of charge.  The Government organised exceptional birth registration campaigns.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    BRENDA AKIA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Chad, said that the Committee looked forward to the State party’s work to make birth registration free.

    Another Committee Expert welcomed that Chad’s Constitution provided for free and compulsory primary education, and that the Government had criminalised refusal to enrol girls in school due to pregnancy.  The secondary school enrolment rate was less than 30 per cent for girls, and many schools lacked sufficient hygiene facilities for girls.  Corporal punishment was prevalent in schools and there was a lack of reporting mechanisms.  Educational instruction was largely in French and Arabic, which were not the first languages of many girls in rural communities.  What budget allocations were earmarked for girls’ education?  How did the State party ensure equal access to education and promote access to education for girls from minority language communities and girls with disabilities? How was it addressing the shortage of women teachers?

    Chad had one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world; 60 per cent of girls were married before the age of 18 and 30 per cent before the age of 15.  How did the State party reintegrate girls who were married into the school system?

    One Committee Expert welcomed the Government’s efforts to promote women’s right to equal employment. Labour laws prohibited gender discrimination in both the public and private sectors and the Criminal Code prohibited workplace sexual harassment.  However, the female labour participation rate was 44 per cent for women in 2022, compared to over 70 per cent for men, and there was a lack of formal recruitment channels for women.  There was an absence of provisions ensuring access to social protection for marginalised women. 

    Were there targeted programmes aiming to enhance women’s participation in the labour market?  What measures would the State party take to ensure equal pay for equal work?  Were there laws or policies that protected women’s right to paid maternity leave, and the rights of women working in informal sectors?  Were there mechanisms for victims of workplace sexual harassment to file complaints?

    A Committee Expert said the gender equality action plan strengthened women’s access to sexual and reproductive health rights.  However, child and maternal mortality rates remained high, as did the prevalence of infectious diseases.  Over 50 per cent of maternal deaths were due to unsafe abortions.  There was also a high rate of early pregnancy and a low rate of use of modern contraceptives.  What measures were in place to address these issues? 

    How would the State party improve health infrastructure and the skills of health personnel?  How was it strengthening family planning programmes and education on sexual and reproductive health rights?  How would it increase access to emergency obstetric care? When would abortion be decriminalised? What steps were being taken to ensure the financial sustainability of the health sector for the next three to five years, given cuts in international aid?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Department for the Development of Education of Girls sought to improve access to education and promoted gender parity.  Much progress had been made in improving school enrolment rates for girls through Government policies.  In 2024, girls’ primary enrolment rate rose to 83 per cent.  School and hygiene kits had been made available to all girls. The State party had a partnership agreement with the United Nations Children’s Fund on boosting girls’ access to education.  Schools that refused to enrol girls who were pregnant were penalised.  In 2025, enrolment in universities and public schools had been made free through an investment by the Government of three billion CFA francs.

    There were many female teachers in urban areas, but it was difficult to send women to rural areas in the north, where conditions were harsh, and separate them from their husbands and children. The Government had adopted strategies to encourage newly qualified women teachers to work in remote provinces.

    The State party organised awareness raising campaigns in schools nationwide to prevent violence against children.  School clubs referred complaints of violence to the authorities.

    In 2015, the Government adopted legislation outlawing child marriage.  This legislation was being applied but its effects were not yet sufficient.  The State party was working on strengthening awareness raising campaigns in remote areas to deter parents and community leaders from marrying children off.  As soon as the Government became aware of child marriages, prosecutors acted to penalise facilitators.  In one case, a member of parliament who was involved in a child marriage was penalised.

    The State party was reviewing the Labour Code to strengthen protections for the rights of women workers.  The national office for the promotion of employment and other bodies supported women in rural areas, and programmes were in place that promoted the social empowerment and employment of women in the Sahel.  Women business owners who created employment were exempt from paying taxes for five years. Women earned the same salaries as men in the same level positions in the civil service.  Complaints of workplace sexual harassment were passed on to the justice system by labour inspectors, who visited businesses periodically. Free legal aid was provided to victims of workplace harassment.

    Chad took health matters seriously. HIV transmission rates had significantly dropped and Chad had modernised healthcare centres.  Health establishments had been provided with significant resources to ensure access to quality healthcare for all women.  The State party sought to promote universal access to healthcare and to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates, allocating significant resources to these aims.  The universal healthcare scheme was currently in the pilot phase, which focused on providing healthcare to women free of charge.

    Chad was not able to decriminalise abortion overnight.  This would be a long and hard process.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    A Committee Expert called on the State party not to delay the decriminalisation of abortion for too long. Women needed to be free, including to decide for themselves regarding abortion. 

    BRENDA AKIA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Chad, said that the State party needed to urgently prioritise bringing down the high maternal mortality rate.  Conditions in prions in Chad were reportedly poor.  How was the State party implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules, the Bangkok Rules and the Tokyo Rules?  How were women human rights defenders protected from threats, including from terrorism?

    Another Committee Expert applauded the five-year tax moratorium for women-led businesses, as well as strategies such as the microfinancing policy for women entrepreneurs.  However, social and cultural prejudices inhibited women’s access to sufficient living conditions, nutrition, housing and social life. Did the national systems assign value to women’s unpaid labour, particularly domestic work?  Was there a database on entrepreneurship grants which would allow for tailoring of support projects for women?  How was the State party supporting access to venture capital and startup funds at low interest rates for women?  How were different categories of women supported to participate in agricultural industries, access formal work, and exit poverty?

    How was the State party supporting women’s access to the internet?  Some 44 per cent of the population was living in poverty.  What national policies addressed poverty?  Could the delegation provide data on social safety net policies? What plans were in place to encourage women’s leadership and participation in sports activities, and to bolster sports infrastructure for women?

    One Committee Expert said women constituted more than 60 per cent of Chad’s agricultural workforce; 2026 had been declared the year of the woman farmer.  The women of Chad were responsible for up to 80 per cent of food production but owned only 30 per cent of the land.  Could women become chiefs?  How could the State party scale up women’s collectives?  How were e-vouchers for seeds employed, and what other agri-tech measures were being pursued?  Were women engaged in cross-border trade in Africa? 

    Land disputes in southwestern Chad last week had resulted in the deaths of seven women and children.  There had recently been an increase in armed violence between farmers and herders, which affected women.  Chad’s women walked miles to collect water.  Refugee populations were highly exposed to extreme weather events.  How did the State party implement the Kampala Convention, which addressed protection and assistance for internally displaced persons?

    Chad’s Vision 2030 called for the implementation of wealth redistribution policies for women and persons with disabilities.  What steps had been taken to actualise this vision?

    The shrinking of Lake Chad was a global tragedy.  Its surface had decreased by 90 per cent since 1960.  How were women involved in climate adaption policies that were integral to fighting desertification?

    Would the State party consider decriminalising homosexuality?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Chad had created an information gathering system that collected data on women and children, and was preparing to conduct a national survey.  A project granting loans with zero interest to rural women was in place and a consultation framework for rural women had been set up. The Government had assisted many villages to dig wells to prevent women from travelling long distances to obtain water. Credit programmes provided funding to women in all of Chad’s provinces.  The State needed support in developing the water and electricity infrastructure.

    Chad was providing various forms of support for widows and orphans.  Awareness raising campaigns and workshops were being carried out that promoted sharing of domestic chores, and involving women in conflict resolution processes. 

    Chad had created a sports federation for women, which had promoted the participation of girls in sports.  Stadia and other sports infrastructure were being constructed in major neighbourhoods to encourage the development of sport.

    The State party had organised the operationalisation of women in the agriculture chamber.  Most women worked in the agricultural sector.  The State party had adopted a national social security scheme that covered all vulnerable persons.

    This month, the Government submitted a draft revision to the Land Code that promoted women’s access to land. This law addressed the issue that many women in rural areas struggled to access land.

    An agency that was dedicated to women with disabilities had been set up.  The law on the protection of persons with disabilities exempted persons with disabilities from paying enrolment fees.  Women with disabilities had been assisted in accessing employment and loans. Some women with disabilities had been elected as members of parliament.  Training workshops had been organised to support the manufacturing of mobility devices that enabled women with disabilities to travel to work and school.

    The Lake Chad region was an area of conflict where the Boko Haram terrorist organization operated.  Global warming reduced resources, creating disputes between the populations.  Climate change adaption plans included measures to prevent related conflicts. Weapons were circulating across the country, which was surrounded by zones of tension.  The Government had taken measures to address this issue, including in the United Nations Security Council and through disarmament programmes.

    The Ministry of the Environment led reforestation activities in the “green belt” to combat deforestation, and many women contributed to these activities through Government funding, planting thousands of trees per year.  Chad had a gender action plan on climate change that would soon be evaluated. The Ministry of Education had updated the school syllabus to address climate change.

    The Government had addressed the issue of access to drinking water, setting up a Water Ministry that was leading the construction of wells and pumps.  Some 52 per cent of the population now had access to drinking water.

    The State party was considering devising a law on the protection of human rights defenders and setting up an alert system regarding violence against human rights defenders.

    Efforts had been made to humanise places of deprivation of liberty and protect the rights of women in detention. A nationwide survey of detention conditions would be carried out in coming days.  The State party was working to raise awareness of the Nelson Mandela Rules, the Bangkok Rules and the Tokyo Rules.  The Ministry of Justice worked to protect health conditions of detainees.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said there were high levels of forced marriage and polygamy in Chad, and women had unequal access to property in cases of divorce and inheritance.  How was the State party preventing forced marriage and polygamy?  How did it ensure the equal distribution of inheritance to widows?  Were there legal protocols protecting women and children from domestic violence?  Was mediation used in cases of domestic violence?  How did the State party ensure that family court proceedings were in line with the Convention?  What efforts had been made to strengthen laws on marriage and family relations?

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, said that there was societal resistance to certain civil laws in several countries due to differing religious beliefs.  The State party needed to address this resistance through awareness raising campaigns that directly targeted traditional and religious leaders.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Chad was speaking out against child and forced marriage and implementing measures to support victims.  It had a roadmap for eliminating child and forced marriage, which included awareness raising measures targeting traditional and religious leaders.  Chad had adopted a law that punished perpetrators of child and forced marriages, and there were cases in which people were prosecuted for facilitating such marriages.  Polygamy was illegal but still existed in some communities.  The Government was liaising with the public to achieve the goal of eradicating polygamy.

    Issues of succession and inheritance were typically determined following traditional law, but where a conflict emerged between traditional and modern law, modern law prevailed, and the case was brought to a civil court.

    Bodily harm was a crime under the Criminal Code.  Persons who were the victims of such acts, including in their homes, were entitled to press charges against perpetrators, and the public prosecutor was also empowered to launch proceedings in such cases.

    Concluding Remarks 

    YOUSSOUF TOM, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals and Human Rights of Chad and head of the delegation, said that the dialogue had been constructive.  The Government, since ratifying the Convention in 1995, had worked tirelessly to eradicate discrimination against women, adopting laws, plans and strategies toward this aim.  The Committee had shown that it was committed to the well-being of women in Chad.

    Despite facing issues that hindered the socio-economic development of women, the Government would further invest in including women at all levels of decision-making bodies and would exert further efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Convention domestically. The Committee was welcome to conduct a working visit to assess conditions on the ground in Chad.  Chad was committed to fulfilling its international human rights obligations.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, thanked the delegation for the answers they had provided in the dialogue, which had enabled the Committee to better understand the situation of women in the country.  The Committee thanked the State for its efforts and called on it to implement its recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in the country.  The Committee keenly awaited Chad’s next periodic report.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

     

    CEDAW25.018E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The Qatar corruption scandal at the Commission and the Commission’s lack of transparency and cooperation in clarifying it – E-001292/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission has dealt with the information it received from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in full compliance with the applicable procedures. Further to its investigation, OLAF transmitted the case to the Commission, with the recommendation to open the disciplinary procedure. A disciplinary penalty can only be imposed after the entire disciplinary procedure has been completed. Therefore, an instant removal of an official from the post is not legally possible. During the procedure, the persons concerned enjoy, in light of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the presumption of innocence.

    2. OLAF has not found evidence of criminal conduct. It did gather elements indicating a breach of professional obligations. The Commission is not aware of any evidence other than the one reported by OLAF.

    3. The EU-Qatar air transport agreement was negotiated at the request of Member States and EU stakeholders. The negotiations were conducted in a fully transparent manner with the close involvement of Member States representatives and EU stakeholders. The outcome of the negotiations was endorsed unanimously by all Member States that considered it fully responded to the negotiating directives adopted by the Council. The agreement was then signed by all Member States and the EU. The Commission considers that potential breaches of professional obligations by the then Director-General should not result in a suspension of the application of the agreement.

    Last updated: 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 1/2025 of the European Union for the financial year 2025 entering the surplus of the financial year 2024 – A10-0116/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

    on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 1/2025 of the European Union for the financial year 2025 entering the surplus of the financial year 2024

    (09619/2025 – C10‑0125/2025 – 2025/0091(BUD))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    – having regard to Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union[1], and in particular Article 44 thereof,

    – having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025, as definitively adopted on 27 November 2024[2],

    – having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027[3],

    – having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resource[4] (Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020),

    – having regard to Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 EU of 14 December 2020 on the system of own resources of the European Union and repealing Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom[5],

    – having regard to Draft amending budget No 1/2025, which the Commission adopted on 09 April 2025 (COM(2025)0350),

    – having regard to the position on Draft amending budget No 1/2025, which the Council adopted on 16 June 2025 and forwarded to Parliament on 18 June 2025 (09619/2025 – C10-0125/2025),

    – having regard to Rules 96 and 98 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A10-0116/2025),

    A. whereas the purpose of Draft amending budget 1/2025 is to enter in the 2025 budget the surplus resulting from the implementation of the financial year 2024, which amounts to EUR 1 345 million;

    B. whereas the main components of that surplus are a positive outturn on revenue of EUR 1 072 million and an under-spend of EUR 272,5 million;

    C. whereas, on the revenue side, the primary driver for the volume of the surplus is an amount of EUR 1 211 million in financial revenue, default interest and fines; whereas the outturn of the own resources in title 1 remains very close to the budgeted amounts in 2024 budget (including Amending budgets No 1-5);

    D. whereas, on the expenditure side, under-implementation in payments by all institutions, including cancellations of appropriations carried over, totalled EUR 273 million (equalling 0,02% of authorised payment appropriations);

    1. Takes note of Draft amending budget 1/2025 as submitted by the Commission, which is to budget the 2024 surplus, for an amount of EUR 1 345 million, in accordance with Article 18(3) of the Financial Regulation;

    2. Welcomes the fact that the 2024 surplus is driven primarily by an increase in the variation in Title 4 (Financial revenue, default interest and fines), while the surplus of expenditure remains very modest at EUR 273 million;

    3. Regrets that the budgeting of the surplus reduces the total GNI-based own resources contribution of Member States to the financing of the 2025 budget by a commensurate amount; stresses that, at a time when financing needs remain high, in particular for the EURI ‘overrun’ costs, and room for manoeuvre within the Union budget remains extremely limited, the budget should retain a sufficient level of flexibility to enable the Union to cope with unforeseen events and new emerging priorities; underlines that the flexibility of the Union budget is one of the key issues to be addressed in the negotiations for the post-2027 multiannual financial framework;

    4. Calls, also, on the Commission to design a sound and durable architecture for the next multiannual financial framework that enables sustainable management of all non-discretionary costs and liabilities, fully preserving Union programmes and the budget’s flexibility and response capacity, in particular as regards natural disasters and health emergencies, with the view to fully implementing the Union’s Preparedness Strategy;

    5. Recalls its long-standing position that windfall gains stemming from fines and fees, or equivalent amounts thereof, should be used as supplementary revenue for the Union budget for purposes of crisis response or unexpected needs and should not lead to a corresponding decrease in GNI-based contributions;

    6. Takes note of the negative income item under the new Article 425, amounting to EUR 534 million and welcomes this method of incorporating costs for the budget stemming from payment made under settlement agreement entailing compensatory interest and default interest compensation related to the repayment of annulled or reduced competition fines in accordance with the pertinent judgements of the Court of Justice; recalls that the Parliament, when negotiating the recast of the Financial Regulation, had insisted on the application of this approach since the alternative solution would have been additional expenditure appropriations in the already overstretched Heading 7; recalls that this solution comes to an end on 31 December 2027; invites the Commission to propose a definitive solution for the next MFF that achieves the same objective of avoiding any impact on the expenditure side of the budget;

    7. Emphasises the need for sustainable revenue for the Union budget; deplores, therefore, the complete absence of progress in the Council on the reform of the own resources system in line with the spirit of the legally binding roadmap in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020; recalls its position in support of the amended Commission proposals and urges the Council to adopt those proposals as a matter of urgency in order to diversify and consolidate the own resources available to the Union budget;

    8. Calls furthermore on the Commission to continue efforts to identify additional innovative and genuine new own resources and other revenue sources beyond those specified in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020; stresses that new own resources are essential not only to enable repayment of NGEU borrowing, but to ensure that the Union is equipped to cover its the higher spending needs, in particular in the context of the multiple challenges the Union is currently facing, including the new geopolitical context; considers that all new Union policies and challenges must involve new financial means and additional fresh resources;

    9. Approves the Council position on Draft amending budget No 1/2025;

    10. Instructs its President to declare that Amending budget No 1/2025 has been definitively adopted and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

    11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the other institutions and bodies concerned and the national parliaments.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Takata and illegal charges in Cyprus – P-001974/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    According to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles[1], where a vehicle or component represents a serious risk, the manufacturer shall immediately inform national authorities[2] on the risk and the measures taken. Where the risk requires rapid action, national authorities must take all appropriate restrictive measures. Hence, Member States must ensure the proper recall of vehicles.

    The new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)[3], which applies from 13 December 2024, reinforces and introduces new and more stringent obligations for economic operators on, inter alia, product safety recalls and the right of consumers to cost-free, timely and effective remedies[4]. The GPSR is also implemented by Market Surveillance Authorities.

    The Commission closely monitors the enforcement of EU law and, in case of shortcomings, engages in a structured dialogue with the Member State to assess compliance . If it concludes that the legislation has not been implemented correctly, the Commission may initiate infringement proceedings under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union[5] to ensure compliance.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (OJ L 151, 14.6.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/858/oj).
    • [2] Approval authorities and market surveillance authorities.
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on general product safety, PE/79/2022/REV/1, OJ L 135, 23.5.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/988/oj).
    • [4] See Article 37 of the General Product Safety Regulation.
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12008E258.
    Last updated: 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The upgrading of the EU’s repressive mechanisms through ProtectEU at the expense of the people and their struggles against its war plans – E-001566/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU has strengthened the legislative framework regarding the protection of critical infrastructure, notably with the entry into application in October 2024 of the directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities[1], that enhances the resilience of critical entities that provide essential services for vital societal functions or economic activities. ProtectEU[2] stresses the importance of timely transposition and correct implementation of this directive .

    The EU Preparedness Union Strategy[3] provides a comprehensive approach to preparedness, cutting across all policy areas, governance levels and stakeholders, grounded on an all-hazards whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach.

    The focus of preparedness should be on solutions that address complex crises with cascading effects, while maximising risk reduction and optimising resources.

    The EU investment in dual-use infrastructure on the Trans European Network (TEN-T) aims at boosting connectivity across all modes of transport, offering significant benefits for civilians in peacetime while also serving as deterrent against potential military crises.

    By building or upgrading existing transport infrastructure, dual-use projects have ensured that infrastructure is capable of upholding higher traffic volumes, including transportation of military capabilities as well as civilian traffic. The EU has provided around EUR 1.7 billion in support since 2021, funding 95 dual-use projects in 21 Member States.

    ProtectEU embeds in its core the respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights. The strategy promotes a whole-of society approach , as well as security mainstreaming for security considerations to be integrated in all EU legislation, policies and programmes.

    • [1] Directive (EU) 2022/2557 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the resilience of critical entities and repealing Council Directive 2008/114/EC.
    • [2] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy; COM/2025/148 final.
    • [3] Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the European Preparedness Union Strategy, JOIN/2025/130 final.
    Last updated: 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU dependency on US pharmaceutical imports and lack of adequate substitutes – P-001596/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Certain medicinal products and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are imported into the EU from third countries, including the United States, and some of these imports play a critical role in the EU healthcare system.

    While comprehensive data or classification of such pharmaceutical dependencies for each medicinal product is not yet available , the Commission is aware that, in specific cases, there may be limited or no immediately adequate substitutes produced within the EU.

    This is for instance the case for certain plasma-derived medicinal products, where supply chains are highly complex, with different stages of production processes often happening in several different countries.

    Broader supply chain vulnerabilities were examined under the Structured Dialogue on security of medicines supply[1], with findings presented in the 2022 Commission Staff Working Document on the vulnerabilities of the global supply chains of medicines[2].

    In April 2023, the Commission proposed a new EU pharmaceutical legislation[3], which introduces the EU-level identification of critical medicines and the analysis of the vulnerabilities in their supply chains. It also includes regulatory measures to strengthen their supply security.

    To complement these efforts, the Commission adopted the proposal for a Critical Medicines Act[4] on 11 March 2025, which proposes additional measures to reinforce EU manufacturing capacities and diversify supply sources for critical medicines.

    Together, these initiatives aim to increase the resilience of the EU pharmaceutical sector while supporting patient access to critical medicines.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/health/human-use/strategy/dialogue_medicines-supply_en.
    • [2] https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/mp_vulnerabilities_global-supply_swd_en.pdf.
    • [3]  COM/2023/193 final; COM/2023/192 final.
    • [4]  COM(2025) 102 final.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Economic impact and management of illegal migration in the EU – E-000894/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission does not have aggregate data concerning the costs incurred by the Member States in relation to third-country nationals illegally staying in the EU.

    Estimating the costs of returns depends on a variety of elements. In the case of voluntary returns, the estimated cost should include at least the flight and other transportation costs, the in-cash and in-kind assistance provided to the returnee and, where relevant, a package for the reintegration in the country of origin.

    In the case of forced returns, the estimated cost should include at least the cost of pre-removal accommodation, the flight (often a charter flight), the involvement of escorts when necessary, and other special arrangements before, during and after return.

    According to an estimate of the European Parliamentary Research Service[1], forced return costs EUR 3 414 per individual, compared with EUR 560 per voluntary return.

    The 2020 study of the Commission Joint Research Centre ‘Projecting the Net Fiscal Impact of Immigration in the EU’[2] provides an analysis of the fiscal impact of migration in the EU in the past and the future. No other such studies are planned for the immediate future.

    • [1] The Cost of Non- Europe in Asylum Policy, European Parliamentary Research Service, Authors: Wouter van Ballegooij and Cecilia Navarra, European Added Value Unit, PE 627.117 — October 2018.
    • [2] https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC121937.
    Last updated: 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Final Member Sentenced in Tennessee Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana Trafficking Ring

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jackson, TN – A federal judge has sentenced Caricus Hendrix, 38, of Bolivar, Tennessee to 25 years in federal prison for his role in an organized drug trafficking scheme that spanned the state of Tennessee. Interim United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. announced the sentence today.

    According to evidence presented in court, in July 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bolivar Police Department began an investigation into the illegal distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana by members and associates of the rap label “FFG” in the Western District of Tennessee. By using controlled purchases of narcotics, search warrants, wiretaps, and other investigative tactics, agents determined Hendrix and others were responsible for transporting and distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana throughout the state of Tennessee, especially the Western District of Tennessee. During the investigation, agents seized approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of fentanyl, 4.5 pounds of marijuana, and 13 firearms.

    On October 22, 2024, Hendrix pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. On May 16, 2025, United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Hendrix to 25 years in federal prison and ordered Hendrix to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of the prison term.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    “This investigation represents the strength of federal and local partnerships in taking down complex drug trafficking organizations that poison our communities. The Bolivar Police Department remains committed to working alongside our federal partners to protect the citizens of our community from dangerous drugs and violent crime. This case demonstrates what is possible when agencies unite toward a common goal.”, said Bolivar Police Department Chief Michael Jones.

    The following co-conspirators have already pled guilty and have been sentenced:            

    • Shannon Wilder, 28, of Jackson, TN: 130 months and a five-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Eula Morris, 56, of Bolivar, TN: 87 months and a five-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Jarrett Wilson, 27, of Henderson, TN: 144 months and a five-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Joshua Fields, 29, of Lexington, TN: 204 months and a five-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Sheneka Waller, 37, of Bolivar, TN: 12 months and one day and a five-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Myreon Woods, 42, of Bolivar, TN: 120 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
    • Montrez Brown, 29, of Bolivar, TN: 42 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana.
    • Charmaine Beauregard, 42, of Bolivar, TN: 15 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana.
    • Cordarvin McNeal, 36, of Bolivar, TN: 120 months and a five-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Danielle Boyd, 37, of Bolivar, TN: 12 months and one day and a three-year period of supervised release maintaining a drug premises.
    • Jaylen Sain, 29, of Bolivar, TN: 50 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana and aiding and abetting the possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.
    • Shumarcus Cross, 40, of Bolivar, TN: 27 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana.
    • Cameron Mickens, 26, of Henderson, TN: 100 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Alfredia Atkins, 54, of Bolivar, TN: 36 months and a three-year period of supervised release for maintaining a drug premises.
    • Tavares Atkins, 47, of Selmer, TN: 36 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Shalonda Bills, 36, of Bolivar, TN: 30 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
    • Curtis Brown, 33, of Selmer, TN: 60 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Michael Douglas, 32, of Lexington, TN: 130 months and a three-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    • Correy Brown, 41, of Bolivar, TN: 5 years of probation through the State of Tennessee.

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

    The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Resident Agency, Bolivar Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Chester County Sheriff’s Department, McNairy County Sheriff’s Department, the Selmer Police Department, and the Bureau of Prisons.

    Assistant United States Attorney Christie Hopper prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.   

    ###

    For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Man Indicted after Allegedly Shooting a Stolen Semi-Automatic Pistol at Two Victims in Salt Lake City

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury returned and indictment charging a restricted person with multiple firearm crimes after he allegedly possessed a stolen semi-automatic pistol and shot at two victims in Salt Lake City.

    Hiram Bokadrik, 29, of Salt Lake County, Utah, was charged by complaint on June 11, 2025.

    According to court documents, on June 7, 2025 at approximately 4:18 p.m., officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department responded to a call of “shots fired” at a residence in Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, officers met with two individuals who reported a male suspect, later identified as Bokadrik, had fired a single round at them when confronted about trespassing on their property. During this time, officers recovered an expended 9mm casing from the scene. Additional officers quickly located Bokadrik, who fled from the officers on foot, but was subsequently located in a construction area hiding underneath a tarp. On construction materials, officers also recovered a loaded Glock 43X and a hat described to be worn by Bokadrik at the time of the crime.

    Additionally, the investigation revealed the firearm, which was manufactured outside the state of Utah, was stolen during a vehicle burglary at a nearby residence at approximately 12:00 a.m. on the same day. Bokadrik is prohibited from possessing, purchasing, transferring, or owning firearms or ammunition under both state and federal law.

    Bokadrik is charged with being a restricted person in possession of a stolen firearm and ammunition, and possession of a stolen firearm. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 2:15 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

    Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.

    The case is being investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department, Robbery and Violent Crimes Unit. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Assistant United States Attorney Victoria K. McFarland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Op-Ed: “Big, Beautiful Bill” Bolsters Electric Grid, Helps Protect Americans from Blackout Threats

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    As the U.S. Congress continues to deliberate on a reconciliation package to deliver to President Trump’s desk ahead of July 4, Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) penned an op-ed on the package’s benefits for America’s electric grid. 

    Read his full op-ed in the Washington Examiner here or below.

    The intense heat wave battering the United States pushes America’s electric grid to the brink and threatens potential power outages. But House Republicans offer a policy change that bolsters our grid and helps protect Americans from blackout threats.

    Communities across much of the country face scorching temperatures, prompting power companies to take notice and act accordingly.

    In my part of Virginia, local power companies affiliated with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) are encouraging their customers to reduce electricity use. This request appears to be based on an announcement from the TVA.

    Alerts of potential breaking points in America’s electric grid are not unique to the TVA and are unfortunately becoming more and more frequent. 

    The Friday before Memorial Day, Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order directing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the Midwest grid operator, to keep a coal-fired power plant in Michigan in operation. These emergency actions are authorized for up to 90 days at a time under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act.

    Wright issued the order to minimize the risk of blackouts ahead of the high electricity demand expected this summer.

    MISO runs North to South from Manitoba and Michigan down to Louisiana and a portion of East Texas. 

    Notwithstanding keeping the plant in Michigan open, the New Orleans metro area suffered a large and unexpected power outage during Memorial Day weekend. At the blackout’s peak, more than 100,000 customers lost electricity.

    According to news website Axios, utilities knew high demand was likely that weekend. However, they had no extra power capacity. When one plant went down, their customers were plunged into darkness.

    Reports confirmed that two of the region’s nuclear power plants lost connection to the grid. One was due to expected maintenance, while the other was unexpected. Constrained by a lack of energy supply, grid operators cut power to customers in New Orleans.

    Entergy, an electric utility company in the region, said that the forced outages directed by MISO were done to prevent a larger scale and more prolonged power outage from impacting the electric grid.

    This blackout was not the only major power outage in recent memory.

    On April 28, Portugal and Spain witnessed the worst blackout in their history, affecting 55 million people, per British newspaper The Guardian.

    Airports shut down, cars drove on streets without traffic lights, hospitals resorted to backup generators and some people were stuck in elevators!

    The Iberian Peninsula blackout continues to be investigated. Lots of finger-pointing is going on between Spain’s grid operator, the government and plant operators. But it is interesting to note that on April 16, Spain reported its first weekday where its national power grid was 100% reliant on renewable power.

    A coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

    Coincidentally, in a recent Virginia Tech press release, professor and Power and Energy Center director Dr. Ali Mehrizi-Sani highlighted how the systems that control these clean energy sources are more susceptible to blackouts.

    As parts of the world transition to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, the lack of seamless grid adaptation to the use of these sources, as illustrated by the blackout in Spain and Portugal and by experts like Dr. Mehrizi-Sani, threatens destabilization of electric grids and more blackouts.

    Leftist policies that attempted to gut our grid’s reliance on fossil fuels and convert to renewables have pushed America’s electric grid to the brink.

    Federal policies, like the Obama-era “War on Coal” and the Biden Administration’s so-called Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), shunning reliable baseload forms of energy like coal and natural gas have made our electric grid more vulnerable to failure.  

    But House Republicans offer a potential policy change that levels the playing field and openly welcomes baseload power.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act curtails some IRA tax credits which disincentivize coal and natural gas power plants. We maintain the incentives for nuclear because of its significant potential for baseload power.

    Republicans also create an energy project insurance pool to help protect energy investors from permits being revoked for coal, oil, critical minerals, natural gas or nuclear installations.

    This de-risking compensation fund will make it harder for federal policies to discourage and phase out these reliable energy sources.

    As extreme summer heat continues to threaten potential power outages, we must secure and equip our electric grid with reliable energy solutions.

    We do not need to follow in Spain’s footsteps and make Iberian Peninsula-style blackouts the norm.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act helps Americans avoid blackout threats by instituting reliable forms of baseload power. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trahan, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Postpartum Care for New Mothers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

    WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced H.R. 4074, the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act. This legislation seeks to improve maternal postpartum health by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on the coverage of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (PHPT) for postpartum mothers under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act.
    “Far too often, women’s postpartum health concerns are overlooked or dismissed, despite the serious and lasting impact they can have on quality of life,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act is a commonsense step toward making Pelvic Health Physical Therapy more accessible for new mothers, especially those who rely on Medicaid. By ensuring that women receive the care and support they need after giving birth, we’re investing in stronger families and healthier communities.”
    “As a husband, father, and grandfather, I recognize the importance of supporting postpartum women,” said Congressman Bacon. “Our care for women should extend to postpartum recovery, to ensure that they are living without pain or discomfort, especially when the therapy available is highly effective.”
    Quality postpartum care for mothers is vital for their long-term health and well-being, and many suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction and diastasis recti abdominis, conditions that can be severely painful. This is treatable with Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, but many women are unaware of the therapy available to them. When working with a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, women receive a treatment plan to improve muscle control and mobility, aid in tissue repair and recovery from cesarean sections. 
    H.R. 4074 would be a step towards making quality postpartum care available to all women. With approximately three million births in the United States every year, there are three million women who could benefit from Pelvic Health Physical Therapy in their recovery. The bill is supported by health care professionals and physical therapists, including the American Physical Therapy Association.
    “APTA Pelvic Health is proud to continue our collaboration with Congress in advancing the recognition of pelvic health physical therapy for women during both prenatal and postnatal care,” said Kim Parker-Guerrero, PT, DPT, president-elect of the academy. “This important legislation will ensure new mothers have access to the vital education and support needed to engage with pelvic health physical therapy, helping to prevent issues that might arise without early intervention and care.”
    “I’m excited for the reintroduction of the perinatal bill, H.R. 4074,” said Gail Zitterkopf, PT, DPT, government relations chair for APTA Pelvic Health. “This grassroots-inspired bill will positively impact and enhance lives through ensuring pelvic health physical therapy for those who are pregnant.”
    The text of the legislation can be found HERE.
    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sixth-term Commission on Poverty convenes third meeting (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Sixth-term Commission on Poverty convenes third meeting  
         At the meeting, members were briefed on the progress of preparing the report on the impact of poverty alleviation efforts. The objective of the report is to reflect the substance and impact of the Government’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy, and the effect of the Government’s major livelihood initiatives in empowering those who can help themselves and supporting those who cannot.
     
         Members noted that the Government allocates substantial resources annually on pro-livelihood measures in four macro policy areas, namely education, healthcare, housing, and social welfare and employment services. These measures help individuals with diverse needs who are not able to support themselves and at the same time, foster an enabling environment for people to fulfil their potential by empowering those who can help themselves. The combined effects of these measures are to increase people’s sense of happiness and fulfilment. At the meeting, members offered views on the draft chapter of the Report that covers measures related to social welfare and employment services, as well as public housing. The Government will introduce to CoP the pro-livelihood measures related to education and healthcare policy areas later. The report is expected to be released by mid-2026.
     
         Members also noted the progress and financial position of the assistance programmes funded by the Community Care Fund (CCF). As of the end of March 2025, the CCF endorsed the introduction of 75 assistance programmes. At present, there are 25 ongoing programmes/ programmes to be launched. The Government has regularised 25 CCF programmes, while 25 other programmes have been completed.
    Issued at HKT 19:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal alien sentenced to 60 months for illegally reentering the United States

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – A 33-year-old Honduran national who resided in Houston has been sentenced for illegally entering the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Denis Hernandez-Cruz pleaded guilty April 11.

    U.S. District Judge Charles R. Eskridge has now ordered Hernandez-Cruz to serve 60 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Hernandez-Cruz needed a substantial sentence to deter him from illegally reentering again.

    Hernandez-Cruz has felony convictions for illegal reentry as well as two convictions for burglary of a habitation. He has three prior removals from the United States, most recently in April 2020.

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Immigrations and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Franklyn prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Members of Violent ‘21st and Vietnam’ Crew Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking, Shooting

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON –  Jamiek Bassil, 32, and Charles Manson, 34, of the District of Columbia, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 135 months in prison and 175 months, respectively, for their roles in the violent 21st and Vietnam drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, crack cocaine, and other drugs in Northeast Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, and, in Manson’s case, for a March 2024 shooting near 19th and I Streets NE. The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

                Bassil, aka “Onion,” pleaded guilty on March 21, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In addition to the 135-month prison term, Judge Beryl A. Howell ordered Bassil to serve five years of supervised release.

                Manson, aka “Cheese,” pleaded guilty on March 21, 2025, to multiple counts: conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and assault with a dangerous weapon. In addition to the 170-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Manson to serve five years of supervised release.

                According to court documents, Bassil and Manson were members of the “21st and Vietnam” crew, which controlled an open-air drug market and distributed narcotics in the area of the 2100 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

                Bassil repeatedly sold significant quantities of fentanyl – as much as roughly 80 grams at a time — to undercover law enforcement between January and March 2024.

                Manson sold narcotics directly to customers and was captured on surveillance video engaging in hand-to-hand drug transactions. During the conspiracy, Manson also participated in multiple controlled drug sales to law enforcement.

                In a March 7, 2024, Manson was the gunman in a shooting. Manson was with several co-conspirators adjacent to an apartment building on the 1900 block of I Street that was the base of the conspiracy’s operations. A person walked by with their dog. Members of the crew had a verbal altercation with the dogwalker. Manson then went into the crew’s stash house in the apartment building. A crew member handed Manson a ski mask. Manson exited the apartment building wearing the mask and armed with a gun. Manson fired several rounds in the direction of the dogwalker. Neither the dogwalker nor the dog were hit.

                On May 15, 2024, investigators arrested Manson at his residence on the 1900 block of I Street, NE. Law enforcement recovered a Glock 17 pistol loaded with 22 rounds of 9mm ammunition. They also recovered a handgun magazine, a box of ammunition, about 50 grams of fentanyl analogue, about 13.88 grams of cocaine, and assorted drug paraphernalia.

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

                This investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Violent Crime Investigations Team of the Violent Crime Suppression Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross-Border Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, the District of Columbia National Guard Counter Drug Program, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Duvall and Solomon Eppel of the Violent Crime Reduction and Narcotics Trafficking Section.

    24cr226

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbian National Indicted, Accused of Assaulting Officer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A man from Columbia was indicted Wednesday and accused of assaulting an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    Yefferson Josue Pinzon Suarez, 31, was indicted by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis with one felony count of assaulting a federal employee.

    In March, an immigration judge ordered Pinzon Suarez removed from the country, according to a motion to have Pinzon Suarez held in jail until trial. On June 20, he was picked up from the St. Louis County Jail, where he was serving a sentence. After being taken to the Robert A. Young Federal Building in downtown St. Louis, Pinzon Suarez refused to cooperate during fingerprinting. Pinzon Suarez bit a deportation officer’s forearm and hit him in the chest, the motion says.

    Pinzon Suarez had been living in Maryland Heights.

    A charge set forth in an indictment is merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Department of Homeland Security investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lang is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Mexican national unlawfully residing in New Bedford has pleaded guilty to one count of illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

    Bernardo Lorenzo-Guatemala, 38, pleaded guilty on July 24, 2025 to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. He was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in May 2025.  

    Lorenzo-Guatemala was deported from the United States on June 4, 2019. Sometime after his removal, Lorenzo-Guatemala unlawfully reentered the United States. immigration officials became aware of Lorenzo-Guatemala’s unlawful presence in the United States following his arrest on July 2, 2024 for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

    The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –