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Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI USA: Underwood’s Bipartisan Baby Changing on Board Act Passes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON – Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed Rep. Lauren Underwood’s Baby Changing on Board Act (H.R. 248). The legislation is co-led by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and would require new Amtrak trains to be equipped with baby changing stations in all restrooms, providing essential amenities for families traveling across the country.

    Amtrak serves millions of families as a reliable and affordable transportation option, but many trains still lack basic facilities such as baby changing stations, creating unnecessary challenges for parents and caregivers. Under the Baby Changing on Board Act, Amtrak would utilize existing funds to install baby changing stations in new train cars, ensuring all trains meet a minimum service standard for family amenities.

    “Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about whether there’s a safe and clean place to care for their kids while traveling,” said Rep. Underwood. “This legislation is a practical, necessary step to make sure families have access to the amenities they need on Amtrak. This is common-sense, bipartisan legislation to support families, and I look forward to it passing the House.”

    “Ensuring families have access to baby changing stations in Amtrak train cars is a simple, common-sense solution that will make a world of difference,” said Congressman Van Drew. “As a parent myself, I know how important it is for families traveling with young children to feel comfortable and supported during their journeys. By tapping into existing funding to put in these stations, we are meeting a real need and making travel a lot easier for parents and their little ones. Every family deserves that kind of support on their journeys.” 

    The Baby Changing on Board Act represents a significant step forward for families, especially those undertaking long journeys on Amtrak routes. By ensuring new trains are equipped with basic, family-friendly facilities, this legislation promotes a more inclusive and accessible travel experience for parents and caregivers nationwide.

    The Baby Changing on Board Act is supported by leading organizations, including A Better Balance, MomsRising Together, and the National Women’s Law Center.

    With committee approval secured, the bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaMalfa Co-Leads Legislation to Repeal California’s Extreme Vehicle Emissions Mandates

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.— Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee along with key California Western Caucus members introduced three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to overturn the Biden administration’s approval of California’s vehicle emissions mandates, including the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, the Advance Clean Trucks regulation, and the Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions rule. These rules, previously approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allow California to impose aggressive regulations on cars and trucks that drive up costs and restrict consumer choice in California and nationwide.

    The three CRAs, co-lead by Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), were introduced by Representatives John Joyce (R-PA), John James (R-MI), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and would repeal these unrealistic mandates, preventing California from being able to force these costly policies on its residents and onto the rest of the country.

    “California’s sweeping and unachievable emissions mandates are a direct assault on everyone who lives, works, or does business in our state,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “These regulations drive up costs, limit consumer choice, and force trucking and automotive industries into an impossible transition timeline. Californians are already paying some of the highest fuel and energy costs in the country. These rules are causing the cost of new and used cars and trucks to increase for everyone. If you want to buy an electric vehicle, buy one, but everybody else shouldn’t be forced into this mandate. The Federal Government cannot allow one state to destroy the American car and truck market. Instead of making life even more expensive, we should focus on what consumers want. I’m pleased to support this effort to stop California’s insanity and protect drivers and consumers across my state and the country.”

    “The American people should choose what vehicle is right for them, not California bureaucrats. By submitting the three California waivers to Congress, Administrator Zeldin is ensuring that Congress has oversight of these major rules that impact every American,” said House Energy and Commerce Chairman Guthrie. “The Committee has been committed to addressing this issue since California first attempted to create a de facto EV mandate. Energy and Commerce Republicans will continue to fight against far-left policies that would harm consumers and will now work to ensure that the Congressional Review Act process finally puts these issues to rest.”

    Background

    Under the Clean Air Act, states are generally prohibited from setting their own tailpipe emission standards for cars and trucks. However, California has a unique exemption under Section 209, which allows the state to establish its own emissions regulations if it submits a waiver to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and receives approval. Once granted, these California standards can also be adopted by other states under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. Currently, about a dozen states follow California’s emissions policies, effectively turning the state’s regulations into a nationwide mandate.

    The Biden administration approved several controversial waivers requested by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), allowing the state to impose extreme emissions rules that impact car and truck costs and availability across the country. These include:

    • Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC2) – Approved in December 2024, this regulation mandates that 35% of new car sales be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 100% by 2035. At least 12 states have already adopted ACC2. Failure to meet this goal means a maximum penalty of $25,000 per non-compliant vehicle sold to consumers.
    • Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) – Approved in March 2023, this regulation forces truck manufacturers and retailers to meet strict zero-emission quotas by 2035, including 55% of Class 2B-3 truck sales, 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales, and 40% of truck tractor sales. At least 11 states have adopted ACT.
    • Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions Rule – Approved in December 2024, this regulation imposes aggressive emissions reductions on medium- and heavy-duty truck and other engines, requiring NOx emissions to be cut by 75% below current standards for Model Year 2024-2026 compared to 2010 levels and particulate matter emissions to be cut by 50%.

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What They’re Saying: LaMalfa Reintroduces Bill to Repeal Federal Excise Tax on Heavy Trucks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to repeal the 12% federal excise tax on heavy trucks, the highest excise tax on any product in the country. This outdated tax drives up the cost of new trucks by as much as $30,000, forcing businesses to keep older, less efficient vehicles on the road. The bill, introduced alongside Reps. Pappas (D-NH), LaHood (R-IL), Carbajal (D-CA), and Miller (R-OH), has already earned strong support from industry leaders who recognize the need to modernize America’s trucking fleet. Here’s what they’re saying:

    “First implemented over a century ago to help finance America’s effort in World War I, the FET has become the largest excise tax on any product, adding $24,000 to the cost of each new clean-diesel tractor-trailer,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear.  “Keeping this antiquated tax on the books imposes an enormous hardship, particularly for the small fleets, family businesses, and independent truckers who make up the overwhelming majority of trucking. Removing this burden will allow motor carriers to replace their trucks with modern, safer, and cleaner equipment, which will in turn provide a boost to manufacturing jobs.  Our industry is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for their leadership on this issue to improve highway safety, reduce emissions, and strengthen our economy.”

    “The California Trucking Association is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for recognizing the importance of removing significant financial barriers to fleet modernization,” said Eric Sauer, CEO, California Trucking Association. “By repealing the Federal Excise Tax, Congress is paving the way for the broader adoption of cleaner, more fuel-efficient trucks. This effort will encourage trucking companies across California to invest in state-of-the-art equipment, including zero-emission technologies, supporting both our environmental goals and the continued development of innovative solutions. It’s a win for the environment, the economy, and our industry.”

    “The Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for their leadership on repealing the FET, which will incentivize motor carriers to refresh their fleets with cleaner and safer trucks,” said CFC’s Executive Director Jim Mullen. “There are many pathways to reducing truck emissions, and replacing old equipment with trucks equipped with the most advanced technology provides immediate benefits for the environment, and at the same time protects the resiliency of the supply chain and guards against rising freight costs which are ultimately paid by consumers. The stakeholders represented by the CFC applaud the Sponsors of this bill for their efforts to improve the environment and support the trucking industry.”

    “The burdensome 12 percent Federal Excise Tax on the sale of new heavy-duty trucks and trailers is an outdated levy which drives up costs and slows the adoption of safer, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Scott Pearson, ATD Chairman and President of Peterbilt of Atlanta. “This onerous tax adds approximately $20,000 to the price of a new diesel truck, and $50,000 to the cost of a new electric truck. America’s truck dealers commend Reps. LaMalfa and Pappas for their leadership on this important issue, which will help motor carriers modernize their fleets and improve road safety.”

    “The U.S. tank truck industry needs relief from the outdated Federal Excise Tax—originally imposed more than a century ago to fund World War I,” said Ryan Streblow, President and CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers. “Repealing this 12% tax would empower our industry to reinvest in the specialized equipment we need—equipment that features critical safety enhancements and cleaner-emission power units to serve the U.S. bulk segment. As costs continue to rise, this tax remains a significant barrier to upgrading our fleets and supporting a safer, more sustainable supply chain.”

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaMalfa Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal Federal Excise Tax on Heavy Trucks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to repeal the twelve percent Federal excise tax on heavy trucks with Reps. Pappas (D-NH), LaHood (R-IL), Carbajal (D-CA), and Miller (R-OH). The 12% excise tax on heavy trucks is the highest excise tax levied on any product in the country and could add $15,000 to $30,000 to the cost of new heavy trucks, trailers, semitrailer chassis, and tractors for highway use. Off-highway equipment such as agriculture, earthmoving, forestry, and mining machinery are exempt from the tax. This tax is paid at the time of sale and is not levied on used truck sales, consequentially encouraging the purchase of used vehicles.

    “For over a century, the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks has gone from a temporary wartime measure to fund World War I, to an outdated tax that punishes truck buyers,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This is the highest percentage-based tax Congress imposes on any product, yet it fails to be a reliable source of funding for the Highway Trust Fund. This tax forces buyers to stick with older, less efficient models and makes it harder for truckers to modernize their rigs, holding back the trucking industry from updating. Let’s repeal this outdated tax and support the men and women who keep America moving.”

    “Every potential saving we can deliver to businesses makes a difference to help them operate and lower costs for families,” said Rep. Pappas. “Cutting the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers will help America’s Main Street economy grow and strengthen our supply chains, while also supporting the adoption of newer, safer, and cleaner trucks. This legislation is bipartisan and commonsense, and I’ll keep fighting for Congress to take it up to provide immediate relief to small businesses and consumers alike.”

    “The Illinois trucking industry is a vital economic driver that impacts agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses,” said Rep. LaHood. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical piece of legislation that abolishes the federal excise tax on semi-trucks and trailers. This outdated tax hinders trucking companies from hiring more drivers and upgrading their fleets to cleaner, safer, and more efficient models.”

    “Repealing the outdated federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks—which was first enacted over a century ago—is essential to modernize our transportation sector and help reduce emissions,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This outdated tax drives up the costs of cleaner, more efficient trucks. By eliminating this financial barrier, we can accelerate fleet turnover, enhance road safety, and promote economic growth while supporting American manufacturing and jobs. I am glad to join this effort to pave the way for a cleaner, safer, and more competitive industry.”

    “America’s truckers work hard to keep our economy moving, but outdated policies like this federal excise tax on heavy trucks and trailers make it harder for them to upgrade to safer, more reliable equipment,” said Rep. Miller. “By eliminating this excessive tax, we can empower small trucking businesses to invest in modern trucks, reduce costs, and improve safety on our highways. Supporting our truckers means ensuring they have access to the tools they need to keep goods moving efficiently in our communities.” 

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Advocating for Rural Arkansas in Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    Our great state is home to beautiful rolling hills and scenic, winding highways. There’s also certainly an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, as well. After all, they don’t call it the Natural State for nothing. But this abundance of vast natural beauty also means that our state isn’t made up of big cities with sky high buildings and a bustling city life. No, Arkansas is largely made up of rural communities. These rural communities we call home provide opportunities for a way of life unavailable in the big cities but cherished by most who have experienced it. Just as rural life provides wonderful opportunities, it also comes with unique challenges such as communications and healthcare.

    Driving across the stately Ouachita and Ozark mountains, through the Arkansas River Valley, across the piney woods and the delta, and everywhere in between, locals who live in these parts know that their best chance at receiving up-to-date news and weather bulletins is often on the radio. Other rural communities across the country are also aware of how vital radio is to their livelihood, which is why the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 was introduced earlier this year. As a proud cosponsor of this bill, it is well-understood the importance of ensuring that AM radio is maintained in vehicles even though several car manufacturers are trying to move away from maintaining AM broadcast radio in their modernized automobiles. 

    Not only is receiving timely news a contributor to the challenges rural Arkansans face, the ever-present need for effective healthcare is always a concern for those living in under-resourced areas. Congress must work toward passing commonsense legislation that works for the families and individuals who require and deserve timely, reliable, and quality health care. Rural hospitals play a crucial role in the well-being of these individuals which is why it was a privilege to cosponsor the Rural Health Care Technical Assistance Act last week. This bill will codify and expand a current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that is responsible for providing vital assistance to rural health care facilities, works toward preventing hospital closures, strengthens needed health care services in rural communities, and bolsters the stability of these institutions.

    As a representative of one of the more rural congressional districts in our country, I know firsthand just how vital it is for Congress to work toward passing commonsense legislation that works for the families and individuals in these under-resourced communities – not legislation that keeps them further from resources Americans in urban areas have every-day access to. The vast majority of our nation is built upon these vibrant communities, and the Arkansas Congressional Delegation will certainly continue to work with House Republicans to continue serving rural America.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Report to the President on the America First Trade Policy Executive Summary

    Source: The White House

    Pursuant to the January 20, 2025 Presidential Memorandum on America First Trade Policy (AFTP), directed to the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Trade Representative, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, the President instructed the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative to report to the President on April 1, 2025, on the topics set forth therein, consisting of 24 individual chapters containing the reviews, investigations, findings, identifications, and recommendations enumerated in Sections 2(a) through 4(g) of the Presidential Memorandum. The Report also includes the expanded scope of work on non-reciprocal trading practices directed by the February 13, 2025 Presidential Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs. The findings from Sections 3(c), 3(d), and 3(f) of the February 21, 2025 Presidential Memorandum on Defending American Companies and Innovators from Overseas Extortion and Unfair Fines and Penalties are incorporated therein. This unified report is delivered to the President accordingly.

    Introduction

    An America First Trade Policy will unleash investment, jobs, and growth at home; reinforce our industrial and technological advantages; reduce our destructive trade imbalance; strengthen our economic and national security; and deliver substantial benefits for American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. The America First Trade Policy Report (the Report) provides a foundation and resource for trade policy actions that will Make America Great Again by putting America First. It presents comprehensive recommendations covering the full scope of trade policies and challenges, from market access and the de minimis duty exemption to export controls and outbound investment restrictions. 

    The need for an America First Trade Policy is self-evident. For decades, the United States has shed jobs, innovation, wealth, and security to foreign countries who have used a myriad of unfair, non-reciprocal, and distortive practices to gain advantage over our domestic producers. There is no better expression of this dangerous state of affairs than America’s large and persistent trade deficit in goods, which soared to $1.2 trillion in 2024. Emerging from a tenuous geopolitical landscape in the previous four years, the United States cannot approach international economic and industrial policy issues with malaise. Our Nation’s future prosperity and national security requires a coordinated, strategic approach that fully utilizes the authorities and expertise of the Federal government to ensure the enduring economic, technological, and military dominance of the United States.

    It was for this reason that President Trump wasted no time in launching the America First Trade Policy mere hours after taking his oath of office. In the weeks that followed, he expanded the scope of work to include non-reciprocal trading practices—a key driver of the trade deficit—and foreign extortion of American firms, especially leading U.S. technology companies. For most administrations, success in any of the 24 separate workstreams discussed in the Report would represent some of the most significant international economic change in the history of the country. Each could easily take decades to resolve. In fact, it is precisely because decades have passed without resolution of these issues that urgent action is required today. The United States does not have decades to continue tinkering around the edges of international economics—the urgency of the situation requires bold action now.

    Today—on April 1—after a mere 71 days on the job, President Trump’s Administration delivered the results of its work. The Report provides the President with recommendations for transformative action. The Report charts a course for his Presidency to reshape U.S. trade relations by prioritizing economic and national security, and restoring the ability to make America, once again, a nation of producers and builders.

    Specifically, the Report includes a chapter for each subsection in the AFTP Memorandum, with an additional chapter for Section 3(f) of Presidential Memorandum on Defending American Companies and Innovators from Overseas Extortion and Unfair Fines and Penalties; reporting pursuant to Sections 3(c) and 3(d) of the latter are included within Chapter 3. Although the full Report delivered to the President is non-public, what follows is a brief public summary of the contents of each chapter.

    Addressing Unfair and Unbalanced Trade

    Chapter 1. Economic and National Security Implications of the Large and Persistent Trade Deficit (Section 2(a) of AFTP)

    The Report opens with a discussion of the magnitude and urgency of the economic and national security threat posed by the large and persistent trade deficit. In particular, the trade deficit demonstrates a fundamental unfairness and lack of reciprocity in how the United States is treated by its trading partners. For decades, while the United States has kept its tariffs low and its economy open, our trading partners have imposed egregious tariff and non-tariff barriers on American goods and services.  These unfair and non-reciprocal trade practices have undermined U.S. competitiveness, leading to business closures, job losses, missed market opportunities for American exporters, loss of industrial capacity, and an atrophying of our defense industrial base and national security posture. The sum total of these various non-reciprocal practices is that American exporters are less competitive abroad and foreign imports are artificially more competitive in the United States. Hence, our large and persistent trade deficit. The Report makes recommendations to the President to reduce the trade deficit, including the imposition of a tariff on certain imports in pursuit of reciprocity and balanced trade.

    Chapter 2. The External Revenue Service (Section 2(b) of AFTP)

    Through a collaboration between the Department of Commerce (DOC), the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the creation of an External Revenue Service (ERS) offers an opportunity to improve tariff collection. Tariffs have historically played a central role in the collection of Federal revenues. One way the United States can maximize its revenue recovery while deterring fraudulent and unfair trade practices is by establishing a centralized system to optimize revenue collection in the form of an ERS. By closing regulatory gaps and modernizing revenue collection mechanisms, the United States can reaffirm its commitment to a strong, fair, and enforceable trade system that benefits American businesses and taxpayers alike.

    Chapter 3. Review of Unfair and Non-Reciprocal Foreign Trade Practices (Section 2(c) of AFTP)

    U.S. trading partners pursue various unfair and non-reciprocal trade practices. In its review, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) identified more than 500 of these practices, and stakeholders reported many more during a public comment process. Many countries impose higher tariffs on U.S. exports than the United States imposes on imports from those countries. The U.S. average applied tariff is 3.3%. But the average tariffs in the European Union (EU) (5%), China (7.5%), Vietnam (9.4%), India (17%), and Brazil (11.2%) are all higher. The disparity is even more evident in specific products. The U.S. most-favored nation (MFN) tariff on passenger vehicles is 2.5%, but the EU, India, and China tariff cars at much higher rates, 10%, 70%, and 15% respectively. The United States has no tariffs on apples, but India has a 50% tariff and Turkey a 60.3% tariff.

    Non-tariff barriers by our trade partners are often an even greater obstacle. The EU only allows imports of shellfish from two states—Massachusetts and Washington—but the United States gives the EU unlimited access to the U.S. shellfish market. The United Kingdom (UK) maintains non-science-based standards that adversely affect U.S. exports of safe, high-quality beef and poultry products. Non-tariff barriers also include domestic economic policies that suppress domestic consumption. While the U.S. share of consumption to gross domestic product (GDP) is 68%, it is much lower in Ireland (24%), China (38%), and Germany (49%). This is because our trading partners pursue intentional policies of consumption-reduction (e.g., wage suppression and labor, environmental, and regulatory arbitrage) to gain unfair trade advantage over the United States. This, in turn, contributes to our large and persistent trade deficit. USTR recommends a number of ways in which current legal authorities might be used to address these unfair practices and trade barriers.

    Chapter 4. Renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (Section 2(d) of AFTP)

    In his first term, President Trump ended the job-killing North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and replaced it with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). USMCA gained new market access for American exporters and adopted rules to incentivize the reshoring of manufacturing to the United States. It also included an innovative review mechanism to ensure that the agreement is responsive to changing economic circumstances. Under the USMCA Implementation Act, USTR is statutorily required to initiate the review process ahead of the July 2026 deadline. Numerous changes are needed, such as stronger rules of origin to reduce the inflow of non-market economy content into the United States, expanded market access—especially for dairy exports to Canada, and action to address Mexico’s discriminatory practices, such as in the energy sector.

    Chapter 5. Review of Foreign Currency Manipulation (Section 2(e) of AFTP)

    The Secretary of the Treasury is required to assess the policies and practices of major U.S. trading partners with respect to the rate of exchange between their currencies and the United States dollar pursuant to section 4421 of title 19, United States Code, and section 5305 of title 22, United States Code. The Department of the Treasury will strengthen its ongoing currency analysis and address the lack of transparency by foreign governments in currency markets.

    Chapter 6. Review of Existing Trade Agreements (Section 2(f) of AFTP)

    The United States has 14 comprehensive trade agreements in force with 20 countries. There is significant scope to modernize existing U.S. trade agreements so that trade terms are aligned with American interests while addressing underlying causes of imbalances. This includes lowering foreign tariff rates for American exporters, improving transparency and predictability in foreign regulatory regimes, improving market access for U.S. agricultural products, strengthening rules of origin to ensure the benefits of the agreement appropriately flow to the parties, and improving the alignment of our trading partners with U.S. approaches to economic security and non-market policies and practices.

    Chapter 7. Identification of New Agreements to Secure Market Access (Section 2(g) of AFTP)

    The negotiation of new trade agreements with trading partners offers an opportunity for the United States to knock down non-reciprocal barriers to U.S. exports, especially for agricultural products, and reshape the global trading system in ways that promote supply chain resilience, manufacturing reshoring, and economic and national security alignment with partners. The Report identifies countries and sectors which may be ripe for the negotiation of America First Agreements.

    Chapter 8. Review of Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Policies (Section 2(h) of AFTP)

    Administered by DOC, anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) are a critical tool to address unfair trade and support domestic manufacturing. Recommendations include considering the addition of new countries to the list of non-market economies, methodologies to better implement AD/CVD laws, and more-active self-initiation of new investigations.

    Chapter 9. Review of the De Minimis Exemption (Section 2(i) of AFTP)

    Packages containing imports valued at $800 or less imported by one person on one day currently enter the United States duty free. The United States should end this duty-free de minimis exemption.  This exception has resulted in approximately $10.8 billion in foregone tariff revenue in 2024 alone.  De minimis shipments also pose serious security risks to the United States. The de minimis exemption is a means by which fentanyl, counterfeit goods, and various deadly and high-risk products enter the United States with little scrutiny. Countless consumer products that don’t meet U.S. health and safety standards, such as flammable children’s pajamas and lead-ridden plumbing fixtures, enter the United States through under the de minimis administrative exemption every year.  This is in part because the government does not collect sufficient data on low-value shipments to allow for enforcement targeting.  The de minimis exemption also allows for importers to evade trade enforcement tariffs; for instance, goods entering through the de minimis exemption do not need to pay duties owed pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. With nearly four million packages arriving each day through the de minimis exemption, it is imperative that DOC and CBP recover our rightful tariff revenue and defend our national security by ending the exemption.

    Chapter 10. Investigation of Extraterritorial Taxes (Section 2(j) of AFTP)

    The United States must combat efforts by foreign governments to collect illegitimate revenue from U.S. firms by imposing various discriminatory taxes and regulatory regimes aimed to capture the success of America’s most successful companies—not the least of which are our leading technology firms. Digital Services Taxes, for example, are often devised so as to shield most non-U.S. headquartered firms from taxation and UTPRs determine tax based primarily on factors outside the taxing jurisdiction. We need to ensure we have available the tools necessary to defend U.S. interests, including by providing technical assistance in furtherance of new legislative tools and further investigating identified taxes to determine the appropriate action.

    Chapter 11. Review of the Government Procurement Agreement (Section 2(k) of AFTP)

    Buy American is the epitome of common-sense public policy. In recent decades, the United States has weakened domestic procurement preferences by opening up our procurement market pursuant to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). Unfortunately, this market access is lopsided. A 2019 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the GPA found that in 2010, the United States reported $837 billion in GPA coverage. This was twice as much as the $381 billion reported by the next five largest GPA parties (the EU, Japan, South Korea, Norway, and Canada), despite the fact that total U.S. procurement was less than that of these five partners combined. Moreover, some GPA partners open their procurement markets to third countries who are not parties, forcing U.S. suppliers to compete for the preferential market access they are entitled to under the agreement. To address this lack of reciprocity and unfair competition, the United States should modify or renegotiate the GPA, and if unsuccessful, withdraw.

    An additional challenge is that, although defense procurement is closed to GPA partners, the Department of Defense still gives countries access to our huge defense procurement market by negotiating Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreements. Shockingly, these RDPs not only open our market to foreign suppliers, but also require U.S. firms to move industrial capacity offshore as a condition of access to the markets of partner countries. These RDPs must be reviewed to ensure they put America First.

    Economic and Trade Relations with the People’s Republic of China

    Chapter 12. Review of the Phase One Agreement (Section 3(a) of AFTP)

    A key success of President Trump’s first term was the Phase One Agreement with China. Unfortunately, five years following the entry into force in February 2020, China’s lack of compliance with the Agreement is a serious concern. China has failed to live up to its commitments on agriculture, financial services, and protection of intellectual property (IP) rights. USTR assessed this lack of compliance and recommends potential responses.

    Chapter 13. Assessment of the Section 301 Four-Year Review (Section 3(b) of AFTP)

    The United States imposed tariffs pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 in 2018. The law requires that Section 301 actions be reviewed every four years by USTR. The first Four-Year Review was completed in May 2024 and resulted in increases of some of the Section 301 tariffs on China. USTR assessed the results of this review to ensure the Section 301 action remains fit for purpose.

    Chapter 14. Identification of New Section 301 Actions (Section 3(c) of AFTP)

    Given the expansiveness of China’s non-market policies and practices, there may be a need for additional Section 301 investigations. USTR looked at various elements of China’s non-market policies and practices to identify additional investigations that may be warranted.

    Chapter 15. Assessment of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (Section 3(d) of AFTP)

    After China was granted Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with the United States in 2000, China took full advantage of the openness of the U.S. economy by leveraging its state-directed capital investments and subsidies, industrial overcapacity, lax labor and environmental standards, forced technology transfer policies, and countless protectionist measures. U.S. goods imports from China increased from $100 billion in 2000 to $463.9 billion in 2024, while the U.S. trade deficit in goods with China ballooned from $83.8 billion in 2000 to $295.4 billion in 2024. More than two decades after being granted PNTR, China still embraces a non-market economic system. USTR carefully reviewed legislative proposals related to PNTR and advised the President accordingly.

    Chapter 16. Assessment of Reciprocity for Intellectual Property (Section 3(e) of AFTP)

    The full extent of China’s abusive tactics and practices with respect to U.S. intellectual property is staggering. The Report catalogues China’s abuses of this system and recommends appropriate responsive actions to address China’s massive imbalance on treatment of intellectual property.

    Additional Economic Security Matters

    Chapter 17. Identification of New Section 232 Actions (Section 4(a) of AFTP)

    In his first term, President Trump used Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to save America’s steel and aluminum industries. Last week, President Trump invoked Section 232 to impose a 25% tariff on foreign automobiles and certain automobile parts to protect our automotive industrial base. Reshoring industrial production in key sectors is critical to national security, and DOC identified additional products and sectors that merit consideration for initiation of new Section 232 investigations, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and certain critical minerals. 

    Chapter 18. Review of Section 232 Action on Steel and Aluminum (Section 4(b) of AFTP)

    On February 11, President Trump ended all product exclusions and country exemptions for the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. DOC further explains the basis for this needed action and recommends additional measures for steel and aluminum for that could be taken.

    Chapter 19. Review of U.S. Export Controls (Section 4(c) of AFTP)

    The United States must ensure that its advanced technology does not flow to our adversaries. Export controls should be simpler, stricter, and more effective, while promoting U.S. dominance in AI and asserting global technological leadership.

    Chapter 20. Review of the Office of Information and Communication Technology and Services (Section 4(d) of AFTP)

    Using his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), President Trump created a new Office of Information and Communication Technology and Services (ICTS) at DOC in his first term. In the last administration, however, ICTS was underutilized. DOC reviewed ongoing ICTS work and identified key areas to strengthen and improve in line with ITCS’s original intent, including expanding its scope and remit to encompass advanced technologies controlled by our adversaries.

    Chapter 21. Review of Outbound Investment Restrictions (Section 4(e) of AFTP)

    President Trump’s America First Investment Policy serves as a basis for how the Administration will approach investment policy, including on outbound investment restrictions. Pursuant to the America First Investment Policy, the National Security Council and the Department of the Treasury will evaluate options that allow American business to thrive while ensuring that they, too, put America First and do not undermine U.S. national security interests. Among the things the Administration plans to evaluate is whether the scope of outbound investment restrictions should be expanded to be responsive to developments in technology and the strategies of countries of concern.

    Chapter 22. Assessment of Foreign Subsidies on Federal Procurement (Section 4(f) of AFTP)

    Foreign subsidies can disadvantage domestic products in a country’s government procurement market. The EU has recognized this problem and introduced the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) to address distortions caused by foreign subsidies for public procurement. OMB assessed the value of the FSR and other policies to tilt the playing field in favor U.S. producers by strengthening domestic procurement preferences and closing loopholes.

    Chapter 23. Assessment of Unlawful Migration and Fentanyl Flows from Canada, Mexico, and China (Section 4(g) of AFTP)

    On February 1, President Trump invoked IEEPA to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to stop the threat posed by the flow of illegal migrants and drugs into the United States. DOC and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) elaborated on the necessity for the strong action already taken by President Trump and identified measures to further stem the flow of illegal migrants and drugs into the United States.

    Chapter 24. E-Commerce Moratorium (Section 3(f) of Presidential Memorandum on Defending American Companies and Innovators from Overseas Extortion and Unfair Fines and Penalties)

    At present, WTO Members have committed to a temporary moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, known popularly as the e-commerce moratorium. In other words, no tariffs on data flows. However, some countries—such as India, Indonesia, and South Africa—seek to tariff the flow of data, thereby destroying the internet and harming the competitiveness for U.S. companies that are global leaders. USTR assessed the risks posed by data tariffs and made recommendations to ensure that the e-commerce moratorium is made permanent.

    Conclusion

    The Report offers a broad, yet substantive, view of U.S. trade policy as it currently stands, and articulates a roadmap for where it should go. The U.S. trade policy of today does not address long-standing and destructive global imbalances, nor does it reflect the reality that the United States is the most open, innovative, and dynamic economy in the world, which is why we must work to unlock its full potential.  Now is the time to pursue trade and economic policies that put the American economy, the American worker, and our national security first. This Report provides a foundation to do exactly that.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Nadler, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Elected Officials Join Red Hook Rally to Champion the Brooklyn Marine Terminal’s Future

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    Red Hook, NY – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler joined a rally organized by Voices of the Waterfront, a local coalition of concerned citizens who feel left out of the planning process for the massive, 122+ acre Brooklyn Marine Terminal redevelopment project. The rally will focused on the importance of a fair and equitable plan that delivers sustainable jobs tied to a true working waterfront as well as responsible coastal management keeping in mind the effects of climate change.

    “I have been an advocate and a supporter of the port of New York and New Jersey for more than forty years,” said Congressman Nadler. “Red Hook is the only remaining container port facility on the eastern side of the Hudson River. It is thriving and well managed, employing hundreds of people with good paying jobs and connecting our region to the world economy. It is of critical importance to New York City and the entire region that this port remains open and not converted or needlessly carved up for housing or other uses. Community and port experts agree that the priority for the city must be investments for a modern, efficient, and green port container facility. For too long the Port Authority, State and City have not properly invested in this facility and allowed it to fall into disrepair. With EDC taking ownership, it is now up to the city to fund these improvements. The City must make these improvements without linking these improvements to market rate housing. Keep them separate. Any change in zoning and potential new housing that is contemplated in the Red Hook neighborhood outside the port must not be rushed but evaluated through theregular land use review processes established by the city planning commission. This ensures full community participation and transparency. My message to the City and the task force members is clear: I urge you to approve port improvements now and defer housing decisions for later through the ULURP process.”

    Congressman Nadler represented the Red Hook Piers for thirty years is steadfast in his belief that Brooklyn’s last working waterfront be planned for the future and not downsized.

    Congressman Nadler was also joined by Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President; Alexa Aviles, Councilmember for District 38, Jumaane Wiliams, NYC’s Public Advocate; Marcela Mitaynes, Assembly District 51 and Shahana Hanif, Councilmember for District 39. 

     

    Congressman Nadler’s full remarks as prepared: 

     

    “I have been an advocate and a supporter of the port of New York and New Jersey for more than forty years. Red Hook is the only remaining container port facility on the eastern side of the Hudson River. It is thriving and well managed, employing hundreds of people with good paying jobs and connecting our region to the world economy. It is of critical importance to New York City and the entire region that this port remain open and not be converted or needlessly carved up for housing or other uses. Community and port experts agree that the priority for the City must be investments for a modern, efficient, and green container port facility.

    For too long, the Port Authority, the State and City have not properly invested in this facility and have allowed it to fall into disrepair. With EDC taking ownership, it is now up to the city to fund these improvements. The City must make these improvements without linking them to market rate housing. Keep them separate.

    Any change in zoning and potential new housing that is contemplated in the Red Hook neighborhood outside the port must not be rushed, but evaluated through the regular land use review processes established by the city planning commission. This ensures full community participation and transparency. My message to the City and the task force members is clear: I urge you to approve port improvements now and defer housing decisions for later through the ULURP process.

    Additionally, as everyone knows, all of our current container ports (except Red Hook) lie on Newark Bay: Newark, Elizabeth and Howland Hook.  Newark Bay, unfortunately, is on the other side of the Kill Van Kull, a narrow and treacherous body of water that separates Staten Island on the south and Bayonne on the north.

    In the event that a large ship were to sink, or be sunk, in the Kill Van Kull, most of our port would be closed for weeks, or even months, and with it, much of the region’s import supply chain.

    The security threat posed by having all our ports located in Newark Bay was illustrated last year, in Baltimore, when a container ship lost power and hit and destroyed the Key Bridge, blocking the entrance to the Port of Baltimore.  This tragic mishap highlights concerns that our port is vulnerable to closure – either by intentional or unintentional acts – because it is only accessible via the Kill Van Kull.

    EDC has stated its determination to shrink the Red Hook cargo facility, which serves as New York City’s only deepwater port.  In addition to shedding hundreds of jobs, increasing truck traffic, and raising transportation costs to New Yorkers, this policy would result in all of the port capacity upon which New York City relies being located on the other side of the Kill Van Kull, an arrangement which, as noted, has great susceptibility to major disruption and to easy attack.  We cannot allow that to happen.

    We need commerce and ships coming into the New York side of the Harbor where two-thirds of the population of this region live. The current operator, Red Hook Container Terminals LLC, plays an important role in our local economy, directly providing more than 500 jobs.  These are not low-paying retail or service-oriented jobs, but good high-paying union jobs, with healthcare and pension benefits – jobs that support families who live in the city. 

    Now that the City owns the Red Hook piers, it should be doing everything possible to expand and invest in the port in Brooklyn for our safety and security, and for the commerce, jobs, and cheap and efficient delivery of goods and services the Brooklyn port can provide.  Housing on the piers is not compatible with this.

    Let me repeat, and stress, that I strongly urge the City and EDC not to tie this port to housing, to fully commit to the necessary investments in the Red Hook piers, and to work with the port operator to ensure the long-term viability of the port and the survival of all these jobs.  It is imperative, from both an economic and security perspective, that this facility be kept open and operating, modernized and expanded to encompass the entire Brooklyn Marine Terminal.

    And if the City wants to propose more housing in Red Hook, it must be independently evaluated and not tied to preserving the port.  Any change in zoning and potential new housing that is contemplated in the Red Hook neighborhood outside the port must not be rushed, but evaluated by City Planning under a ULURP process, with the community participation that comes with that process.

    Again, my message to the City and the task force members is clear: I urge you to approve port improvements now and defer housing decisions for later through the ULURP Process.”

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Potential flooding SH10 Kaeo, drive with care

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

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    People traveling on State Highway 10 at Kaeo are asked to drive with care, with low lying areas of the state highway expected to flood with the ongoing rain and incoming tide.

    Where possible, people are asked to delay unnecessary travel and, if they must travel, to expect the unexpected and remain alert.

    If you must travel, slow down and maintain a greater following distance between your vehicle and the one in front. Be aware of branches and other debris you may not be able to see under the surface of flood waters.

    Please be mindful of contractors who could be out clearing hazards off the road, and drive slowly through work sites.

    People are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website for the latest travel information, including any road closures.

    Journey Planner(external link)

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Citizen Sentenced to Over 4 Years for Cocaine Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Eli Torres-Banos, 37, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 51 months in federal prison for possessing 5 kilograms or more of cocaine intended for distribution. Torres-Banos pleaded guilty to this charge on January 14, 2025.

    In late November 2023, Torres-Banos was indicted for illegally reentering the United States after deportation or removal, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On December 6, 2023, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested Torres-Banos in Ixonia, Wisconsin. Torres-Banos was in a car parked next to a blue Ford Explorer. During the transfer process to the U.S. Marshals that same day, Torres-Banos was allowed to make a phone call to a person he identified as his wife. During the call, an ICE agent overheard Torres-Banos tell the person in Spanish that drugs were in the trunk of a vehicle. The ICE agent immediately notified authorities in Jefferson County. Jefferson County Drug Task Force officers had observed Torres-Banos driving the blue Ford Explorer the day prior. Officers then searched the Explorer and found approximately 8 ½ kilograms of cocaine.

    On June 4, 2024, Judge Peterson sentenced Torres-Banos to one year in federal prison on his conviction for illegal reentry.

    At sentencing on the cocaine trafficking charge, Judge Peterson said this was a serious drug crime, involving a large quantity of cocaine, which arose from his arrest for another crime. Judge Peterson noted that Torres-Banos’ criminal history, which included a prior federal conviction for cocaine trafficking, was quite aggravating. However, Judge Peterson also recognized that Torres-Banos had already served a 12-month sentence on his illegal reentry conviction.

    The charges against Torres-Banos were the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE, Jefferson County Drug Task Force, and the Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Anderson and Steven C. Ayala prosecuted this case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo: Armed violence displaces thousands as cholera outbreak worsens

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    Ongoing violence in North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to kill, injure and displace civilians, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned. 

    Intense clashes between local armed groups and M23 rebels were reported on Thursday in the town of Masisi Centre in North Kivu.

    Preliminary reports from partners on the ground indicate at least two civilian fatalities and multiple injuries, with several wounded evacuated to Masisi General Hospital.

    Meanwhile, many civilians remain confined to their homes due to active crossfire, intensifying fear and limited access to basic needs and services.

    “The volatility of frontlines and ongoing combat have rendered comprehensive assessments impossible,” OCHA said.

    Despite international support, armed groups have made significant recent gains, particularly the M23 movement, which claims to defend the interests of Congolese Tutsi – many of whom were exiled to Rwanda – and is reportedly backed by Rwandan forces. The extremist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) also remain active in the region.

    Delivering lifesaving aid

    In eastern Masisi, where the security situation allows, UN partners are delivering critical aid to displaced and returning populations.

    OCHA noted that since yesterday, partners have been distributing household and hygiene kits to more than 500 displaced households in Sake’s collective centre.

    Furthermore, 19 of 24 water points in Sake have been rehabilitated, restoring access to safe water for over 4,000 households.

    Fresh clashes in South Kivu

    In South Kivu, fighting flared again on Tuesday in Fizi Territory, as local armed groups clashed with M23 fighters.

    The violence struck the villages of Mulima and Lusuku – both already sheltering thousands of displaced families – prompting another wave of forced displacement. 

    Cholera outbreak

    Meanwhile, in the southern province of Tanganyika, a rapidly escalating cholera outbreak is placing thousands at risk. 

    As of Wednesday, nine out of 11 health zones in the province are affected, with more than 1,450 confirmed cases and 27 deaths reported since January – a six-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

    UN health partners point to severely limited access to safe water – with less than 20 per cent coverage in affected areas – and insufficient healthcare capacity to manage cases effectively. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH 29 / Kaimai Range road closed

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range is closed due to a truck breaking down.

    It happened shortly before 10am between the intersections with Soldiers Road and Valley View Road.

    The truck is understood to contain chlorine, which is reacting due to the inclement weather.

    Motorists are asked to delay travel or follow indicated diversions.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fayette County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BECKLEY, W.Va. – Bryson J. England, 43, of Oak Hill, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 2, 2024, England was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over by law enforcement officers in the Beckley area of Raleigh County. During the vehicle stop, officers conducted a pat-down search of England and found a loaded Armscor of the Philippines model M1911-AU FS .45-caliber pistol on his person. Officers also searched the vehicle and found an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle on the passenger side.

    Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. England knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for unlawful wounding in Kanawha County Circuit Court on January 6, 2003.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police.

    Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuted the case.

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

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-138.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ecuadorian National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Entering the US After a Prior Removal

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Maine: An Ecuadorian national pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to illegally entering the U.S. after a prior removal.

    According to court records, on February 4, 2025, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the FBI conducted surveillance at a South Portland residence. After observing William Ariel Tamay Guaman, 23, get into a van, agents followed Tamay Guaman and conducted a traffic stop. An ERO agent familiar with Tamay Guaman approached the driver and asked for their name. Tamay Guaman provided a false name and was directed to step out of the vehicle. After briefly fleeing on foot and resisting arrest, he was taken into custody. He was positively ID’d by fingerprints.

    Tamay Guaman, who entered the country in or before 2019, was charged in the Cumberland County Unified Criminal Docket in March 2023 with two counts of reckless conduct involving a minor for offenses that occurred between 2020 and 2021. He was convicted and sentenced to 364 days of imprisonment on one count, to be followed by an additional, fully suspended 364 days and probation. In a separate proceeding, an immigration judge ordered Tamay Guaman to be removed from the United States, and he was deported in September 2023.

    Tamay Guaman faces a maximum prison term of two years and a fine up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    ICE-ERO investigated the case with assistance from the FBI.

    Operation Take Back America: 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).

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Honors Travis Parker of Enterprise as April “Veteran of the Month”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released a video honoring U.S. Army Medical Corpsman Travis Parker as the April “Veteran of the Month.”

    Excerpts from Sen. Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, and his complete remarks can be found here.

    “We learn a lot about a person by seeing where they choose to spend their time. For Medical Corpsman Travis Parker, he has chosen to give the last fifty years giving back to Alabama’s veterans.

    After being drafted into the Army, Travis chose to become a medic. He was passionate about combining his medical training with helping soldiers harmed overseas. After completing his training at Fort Sam Houston, Travis was assigned to finish his tour at Fort Rucker. It was there that Travis saw the scars of war firsthand, as he treated soldiers returning home from the Vietnam War.

    This experience left a lasting impact on Travis that led him to devote his time serving other veterans and raising awareness to the challenges they face. He decided to make Enterprise his permanent home and has contributed to the Wiregrass in so many ways that it’s hard to name them all.”

    Senator Tuberville recognizes a different Alabama veteran each month for their service and contribution to their community. Constituents can nominate an Alabama veteran and submit their information to Senator Tuberville’s office for consideration by emailing press_office@tuberville.senate.gov. 

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada announces new countermeasures in response to tariffs from the United States of America

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Yesterday, the United States administration announced a series of unwarranted and unjustified tariffs that will fundamentally change the international trading system. While some important elements of the Canada U.S. trade relationship have been preserved, new tariffs on automobiles have now entered into force. These are on top of the previously announced tariffs, including those on steel and aluminum, which remain in place.

    The U.S. tariffs will do harm to American workers and businesses, but Canada will also be impacted, with every Canadian feeling the effects. The Government of Canada’s position has always been clear: we will fight these tariffs, protect our workers, and build the strongest economy in the G7.

    The Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, today announced new countermeasures to protect Canadian workers and businesses and defend Canada’s economy. These countermeasures include:

    • Twenty-five per cent tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant fully assembled vehicles imported into Canada from the United States.
    • Twenty-five per cent tariffs on non-Canadian and non-Mexican content of CUSMA compliant fully assembled vehicles imported into Canada from the United States.
    • Canada’s intention to develop a framework for auto producers that incentivizes production and investment in Canada.

    Most importantly, every single dollar raised from these tariffs will go directly to support our auto workers.

    These measures build on the Government of Canada’s previously announced supports to Canadian workers and business, including:

    • Temporarily waiving the one-week employment insurance (EI) waiting period.
    • Suspending rules around separation for a six-month period, so workers don’t have to exhaust severance pay before collecting EI.
    • Making it easier to access EI by increasing regional unemployment rate percentages.
    • Deferring corporate income tax payments and GST/HST remittances from April 2 to June 30, 2025, providing up to $40 billion in liquidity to businesses.
    • Deploying a new financing facility for businesses.
    • Providing more funding to Canada’s regional development agencies, so they can better support businesses.

    In a crisis like this, it’s important to come together and act with strength, purpose, and force – and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

    Quote

    “The global economy is fundamentally different today than yesterday. We must respond with purpose and force and take every step to protect Canadian workers and businesses against the unjust tariffs imposed by the United States, including on automobiles. We will never cease to defend the interests of Canadians, safeguard our workers and businesses, and continue our pursuit to build the strongest economy in the G7.”

    Quick Facts

    • Canada and the United States have the world’s most comprehensive and dynamic trading relationship, which supports millions of jobs in both countries. US$2.5 billion worth of goods and services cross the border every day.
    • On March 4, 2025, U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian goods and 10 per cent on energy and potash exports from Canada to the U.S. came into effect. On March 12, 2025, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum products.
    • On April 3, U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian automobiles came into effect, targeting the auto industry and the more than 500,000 Canadians this industry supports across the country.
      • The U.S. also intends to apply 25 per cent tariffs on certain automobile parts before May 3. Under the U.S. tariffs certain exclusions linked to U.S. content may be available, specifically, the application of the 25 per cent tariff only to the value of the non-U.S. content in automobiles and auto parts that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under CUSMA.
    • Canada has responded to the U.S. imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods by introducing a suite of countermeasures designed to compel the U.S. to remove the tariffs as soon as possible. These countermeasures include:
      • Imposing tariffs of 25 per cent on a valued $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S., effective March 4, 2025.
      • Launching a public comment period on potential counter tariffs on additional imports from the U.S.
      • Imposing, as of March 13, 2025, 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on a list of steel products worth $12.6 billion and aluminum products worth $3 billion, as well as additional imported U.S. goods worth $14.2 billion, for a total of $29.8 billion to match U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum dollar-for-dollar.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Melling transport improvements to start this year

    Source: New Zealand Government

    • The Melling Road of Regional Significance project will start this year.
    • The project includes a new grade-separated interchange and bridge, improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, and better access to public transport like buses and trains through relocation of the train station.
    • The wider programme also includes a new cycling and pedestrian City Link Bridge connecting the relocated train station to the Hutt CBD.

    Construction on the Melling Transport Improvements project on SH2 in the Hutt Valley will start this year, Minister of Transport Chris Bishop says.

    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has now signed the delivery contract with AECOM and Fletcher Construction to deliver the project.

    “This is a critical project for the future of the Hutt Valley and will be transformational for the city of Lower Hutt – reducing congestion, improving safety, boosting public transport and active transport, and driving economic growth.

    “Of course, Melling is just one part of a complex jigsaw puzzle of the RiverLink programme being delivered by NZTA, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council. This wider programme will significantly increase the Hutt Valley’s resilience and improve protection from floods and severe weather events.

    “Around 40,000 vehicles travel north and south of Melling on the state highway every day, making it one of the busiest intersections in Lower Hutt and the wider network. It’s a severe bottleneck for traffic that slows down commuters and freight.

    “The project includes the construction of a new grade-separated Melling interchange and bridge over the Hutt River, improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, and better access to public transport like buses and trains through the relocation of the train station with park and ride facilities south of the current station. 

    “The wider Riverlink programme, which also includes flood protection and city revitalisation, has an overall budget of approximately $1.5 billion comprising approximately $1 billion from NZTA (construction costs, property, consenting, design, investigations, demolition and other NZTA managed costs), $295 million from the Greater Wellington Regional Council and $180 million from the Hutt City Council.”

    “The project has been undoubtedly challenging from a cost perspective. NZTA has worked hard with AECOM and Fletcher Construction to bring costs for the project down and deliver value for money in a challenging environment. Approximately $200 million in savings has been found, and Cabinet agreed in late 2024 to provide NZTA with additional Crown funding to deliver this vital Road of Regional Significance.

    “I can also confirm that the wider programme will include the construction of a City Link Bridge, a key connection point between the Lower Hutt city centre and the relocated train station, providing better access to public transport like buses and trains.

    “The bridge will be delivered by Hutt City Council and will help unlock better public transport opportunities and housing within the city. The government has agreed to a variation of Infrastructure Acceleration Funding (IAF) already provided to Hutt City Council to enable this to proceed.

    “The Melling Transport Improvements project will contribute to an already strong pipeline of work underway or about to get underway, while also supporting local businesses, trades, and wider infrastructure opportunities in the region.

    “Over the coming months, NZTA will continue working through several elements of the project’s early stages, including finalising the detailed design. This will help ensure that when construction starts later this year, NZTA can work as efficiently as possible and keep the project on track.

    “I am confident the transport improvements at Melling will have significant benefits for motorists, freight, and those travelling to, through and from Lower Hutt once work is complete, and I want to thank Mayor Campbell Barry, GWRC Chair Daran Ponter, NZTA and Ngāti Toa and Taranaki Whānui.

    “Today is a great day for the Hutt Valley. Getting on with the Melling project will give much needed certainty to residents, businesses, and the wider community that have been calling for these improvements for many years. I look forward to being on site later this year to turn the first sod and kick off construction.”

    The Melling interchange and bridge construction is expected to be completed in 2031 with demolition of the old bridge to follow in 2032.

    Notes to editor:

    • The SH2 Melling Transport Improvements project is one of three projects within the RiverLink project.
    • RiverLink is a partnership between NZTA, Hutt City Council (HCC), Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), and mana whenua Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika.
    • The wider RiverLink programme includes crucial flood protection and river restoration work flood protection and city centre infrastructure upgrades.

    More information about the SH2 Melling Transport Improvements can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/melling and wider programme works at www.teawakairangi.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Outcome of Timaru’s Evans Street consultation

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will proceed with the four-laning of a section of Timaru’s Evans Street/SH1 and associated removal of on-street parking, following public consultation and feedback.

    “After careful consideration of all the feedback received, we have decided to proceed with the removal of on-street parking to allow for the four-laning of this section of Evans Street,” says Ian Duncan, Acting Director Regional Relationships for NZTA.  

    “This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand that this was not the outcome many residents and businesses in Evans Street wanted. However, this change is necessary to improve traffic flow for all road users and the wider community.”

    Mr Duncan noted the four-laning is not a new concept for SH1 through Timaru – other sections of four-laning are already in place along Evans Street/SH1, as part of a joint Timaru District Council/ NZTA strategy since 2007. Timaru District Council continues to support this strategy. “Given one side of this section of SH1 is already four-laned, and the other side is three-laned, this change will reduce the domino effect from the merging to one lane then reverting back to two lanes again, leading to a smoother more efficient traffic flow.”

    The opportunity to expand from two to four lanes on SH1 through Timaru every ten years or so when sections of highway are being resealed is the ideal time to make these changes, he said. The four-laning also aligns with the government’s strategic priorities of economic growth, increased maintenance and resilience, and safety, on this section of highway which also services the Port of Timaru.

    Where exactly?

    On the southbound side of Evans St, the new dual lanes will extend to north of Te Weka St, joining with the existing dual lanes south of Wai-iti Road, easing a bottleneck for drivers. On the northbound side of Evans St, the dual lanes will extend north from Beverley Road to merge into one lane prior to the bus stop, just before Trafalgar St. This will require no-stopping lines from the Comfort Hotel to the Coast Motel on Evans St.

    The feedback

    Many of the residents in this area of Evans Street were against the changes as were people providing services to the area, while a smaller number of residents were in support or remained neutral on the changes. Other road users and transport organisations tended to be in favour of the changes. The main concerns raised in the feedback were safety when entering and exiting driveways, the impact on visitors, tradespeople and emergency services, pedestrian safety and potential effects on property values.

    For most affected properties, off-street parking is available, and vehicles can be turned around within the property boundary. Where access and manoeuvrability are issues, NZTA can look at access changes on a case-by-case basis, where possible.

    The road marking changes will be made early in the week starting 7 April as long as the weather is dry.  Once the road marking is in place, with yellow no-stopping lines, drivers will legally no longer be able to stop in the live traffic lanes and/or on the yellow lines.

    Traffic signals synching

    NZTA’s signals team has been reviewing the Evans St/ SH1 traffic signals over a number of days, at traffic peaks and ebbs to see if there are ways they could be improved to avoid delays on the state highway. At this stage, the phasing will remain as it is as any further changes will have more significant roll-on effects on local road access, says Mr Duncan. The team is continuing to monitor the situation leading into and after the four-laning goes in place regardless.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash – Lyell Highway, Sorell Creek

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Fatal crash – Lyell Highway, Sorell Creek

    Friday, 4 April 2025 – 2:40 am.

    Sadly, a man aged in his seventies has died as a result of a two vehicle crash on the Lyell Highway at Sorell Creek.
    Police and emergency services were called to the scene around 9:15pm after reports of a head on crash.
    The driver, and sole occupant of one of the vehicles sadly died at the scene. At this stage, it appears the man suffered a medical episode. The occupants of the second vehicle were uninjured.
    Investigations into the crash are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
    Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
    Anyone who witnessed, or has dash camera footage of a silver Great Wall Utility around the time of the crash, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously and quote TCRN: 25002254.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Element Appoints Claire M. Murphy to Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX:EFN) (“Element” or the “Company”), the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, is pleased to announce the promotion of Claire M. Murphy to Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer.

    “Claire is a passionate, meticulous and empathetic leader who has played an integral role helping to establish our new leasing centre of excellence in Ireland,” said Laura Dottori-Attanasio, CEO, Element. “She is a tremendous addition to our global Executive Team, and I am confident she will continue to be an integral partner, driving our organization towards success and delivering value to our clients, team members, and communities.”

    Ms. Murphy, who joined Element in 2024 as VP and Assistant General Counsel Leasing, brings more than 20 years’ experience across legal, sustainability, strategy, and human resources. In her new role, she leads legal and sustainability initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment of Element’s legal, regulatory, and governance functions. Additionally, she has responsibility for corporate real estate, and protecting Element’s data and digital security.

    “At such a pivotal time for our organization, I am honoured to step into this new role as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer,” said Ms. Murphy. “I look forward to driving forward our legal, sustainability, data, and digital security strategies, while working collaboratively with our talented global team to deliver meaningful impact and continued success.”

    About Element Fleet Management

    Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest publicly traded pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world. As a Purpose-driven company, we provide a full range of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions to optimize and enhance fleet performance for our clients across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Our services address every aspect of our clients’ fleet requirements, from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, route optimization, risk management, and remarketing, to advising on decarbonization efforts, integration of electric vehicles and managing the complexity of gradual fleet electrification. Clients benefit from Element’s expertise as one of the largest fleet solutions providers in its markets, offering economies of scale and insight used to reduce operating costs and enhance efficiency and performance. At Element, we maximize our clients’ fleet so they can focus on growing their business. For more information, please visit: www.elementfleet.com

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information regarding Element, its business and the fleet industry, which are based upon Element’s current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. In some cases, words such as “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “could”, “predict”, “project”, “model”, “forecast”, “will”, “potential”, “target”, “by”, “proposed” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information in this news release may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to, among other things, the Company’s expectations regarding new product offerings, including the benefits of the products, client demand and profitability, the Company’s ability to execute on its product plans, and the Company’s expectations regarding the risk and insurance industries. By their nature, these statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific, which give rise to the possibility that our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct. External factors outside of Element’s reasonable control may impact our ability to achieve our goals and expectations, including industry dynamics, legislation and regulatory actions, the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to us and our affiliates or associates, client decisions and preferences. These and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements and may require Element to adjust its initiatives and activities. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof and are presented for the purpose of assisting our stakeholders and others in understanding our objectives and strategic priorities and may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law. In addition, a discussion of some of the material risks affecting Element and its business appears under the heading “Risk Management & Risk Factors” in Element’s Management Discussion and Analysis for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023 and the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Element’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as Element’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which have been filed on SEDAR+ and can be accessed on Element’s profile on www.sedarplus.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: After Winning an Oscar for No Other Land, Palestinian Filmmakers Returned Home to ‘Same Reality’ of Occupation, Violence, Palestinian Rights Committee Hears

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Speakers Discuss Growing Collusion Between Israeli Settlers, State Apparatus

    After winning the Oscar for No Other Land, the film’s Palestinian co-directors returned to occupation and violence, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People heard today in a meeting where several speakers drew attention to the increasing collusion between Israeli settlers and the State apparatus.

    Basel Adra, one of the three co-directors of No Other Land, said he grew up seeing bulldozers entering Palestinian communities and destroying homes.  But this was so routine that journalists were not interested in covering it.  So, as a teenager, he started carrying a camera and filming because he wanted the world to see what it was like to live under brutal occupation. 

    Five years ago, he started working on the documentary with friends, he said, adding that the movie succeeded beyond expectations.  “But even after winning the Oscar, we went back to the same reality,” he observed.  He detailed many harrowing stories of violence, destruction and arbitrary detention.  Three weeks after the Oscars, settlers attacked a mosque in the village of one of his co-directors, Hamdan Ballal.  About 20 settlers started vandalizing the village.  Hamdan tried to protect his family by locking the door of his house and standing outside, but two soldiers started beating him, and then abducted him and two other Palestinians to a military base.  He spent 20 hours in the base, handcuffed and blindfolded while soldiers mistreated him — when he was brought to interrogation, he was accused of attacking the settler and only after he paid a fine was he able to leave and get medical treatment.

    Detailing several such stories of violence, destruction and detention, Mr. Adra said it is Israeli State policy to enable radical right-wing terrorist settlers.  The soldiers and police provide not only impunity but also support to settlers attacking communities in the West Bank.  He also highlighted an Israeli court decision to designate the area of Masafer Yatta, which contains several Palestinian villages, as a “firing zone” for the Israeli military to do military exercises.  The struggle against the occupation is something he inherited from his father and grandfather, he said, hoping that his daughter will be able to live without the weight of occupation.

    Events in Masafer Yatta Village in West Bank Part of Larger Policy to Create Settler Regime

    What is happening in Masafer Yatta is part of a larger policy of creating a “settler regime”, Netta Amar-Shiff, human rights lawyer, speaking via video, said.  The village of Jinba in Masaffer Yatta that was attacked repeatedly last week was long a vital economic and cultural centre, she said.  She also detailed a court case in which Palestinians presented the history of Masafer Yatta and requested that its designation as a “firing zone” be overturned.  Sharing some of the historical evidence presented to the court, she showed an 1879 Palestine Exploration Fund Map as well as pages from a book about the Hebron Hill cave dwellers.  The book details an archaeological study of the region, including the discovery of ancient grain containers called ”suma’a” — the author concludes that their presence is a signal of historic permanent residency.  Regardless, the court dismissed all these findings. 

    Masafer Yatta has been a target of extensive settlement activities since 7 October 2023, she said.  But “this is not the same military we know from before 7 October,” she said, adding that while settler violence has long been linked with Israel’s expansion, now armed settlers have been formally incorporated into the regular military forces — they receive drones, vehicles, arms and technology.  Human rights lawyers such as her are fast running out of solutions as judicial remedies disappear, she said, adding that an immediate international intervention is crucial.  From her Mizrahi Jewish perspective, she said, “it is not just a necessity to end the conflict, it is an honour and a blessing.”

    Humanitarian Workers, More Aid Cannot Resolve Conflict; Solution Is Political

    The Committee also heard from Younis Khatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, who recalled how his organization used to have a training centre in Masafer Yatta to train young Palestinians until six years ago when the Israeli army prevented the Red Crescent from reaching that area.  Recently, the Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said that the West Bank is the heart of Israel, he said, adding that what is happening right now in Masafer Yatta is part of the larger Israeli plan for the West Bank.  Most Palestinian cities in the West Bank are totally controlled by Israel.

    “There will be more and more evictions if the international community allows it,” he said, asking how the two-State solution can be implemented if one side does not believe that the other side should be able to exercise their rights as human beings.  He also highlighted the dehumanization of Palestinians, noting that pre-fab building materials for temporary housing in Gaza had to be negotiated in the recent ceasefire agreement.  Denying Palestinians a dignified life is intentional — from day one, the objective was to push the Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.  “This is a continuation of 1948,” he said. 

    This cannot be solved with more humanitarian aid to the West Bank and Gaza, he said, stressing that the resolution is political.  “Don’t expect that humanitarians will do your job,” he stressed.  It is the responsibility of the United Nations and the international community to stop the killing of aid workers.  Referring to the aid workers — including the eight staff from his organization — who were killed and buried in a mass grave in Rafah, the bodies discovered a few days ago, he said:  “We don’t train our paramedics to risk their lives; we train them to save lives.”  The war in Gaza has been the conflict with the largest number of killed aid workers.  “Khalas, stop counting for God’s sake,” he said, underscoring that these are not numbers, but lives.  These are colleagues, friends and sons, he said, adding:  “The souls of our colleagues ask for justice.”

    No Other Land Brings to Life How Land Is at Heart of Illegal Occupation 

    James Turpin, Chief of the Prevention and Sustaining Peace Section of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the documentary film, No Other Land, brings to life, in a compelling and accessible way, what the UN has documented in countless reports.  Land is at the heart of the occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he said, detailing how Israel’s settlement policy is eroding Palestinian rights.  Israel continues to transfer its civilian population to East Jerusalem — there are now around 737,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and almost a third of them are in East Jerusalem alone.  Steps are regularly taken to accelerate construction of additional housing units.  “This is accompanied by demolition of Palestinian properties and structures — mostly under the pretext of lacking building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain,” he pointed out. 

    Israel also undertakes the illegal appropriation of occupied land for Israeli settlements through declarations of “State land”, and the establishment of military zones (as seen in No Other Land), nature reserves, and cultural and archaeological sites.  Livelihoods centred around olive production are particularly targeted by Israeli State and settler violence, he said, adding that “many Palestinian farmers are unable to harvest their trees due to violence and movement restrictions”.  Israel’s provision of services for settlers in settlements and outposts institutionalizes control of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  “The line between settler and State violence has blurred to a vanishing point, further enabling violence and impunity,” he said.

    But “while there may be obfuscation on the ground”, international law is very clear, he said, stressing that Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory must end, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice. 

    Return to Ceasefire Key for Implementing Arab Plan for Gaza’s Reconstruction 

    Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, also briefed the Committee, noting that he just came from a meeting with the Group of Friends of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stressed the indispensable role of that Agency.  The group was formed when the Israeli Government started unleashing its campaign against UNRWA.  There is tremendous frustration in the international community, from the Arab Group to European countries, that the Israeli authorities broke the ceasefire, he said.  Highlighting the Arab plan for reconstruction of Gaza, he said that the first stage of the plan is to build temporary housing in the Gaza Strip.  In order to make that happen, “we need this ceasefire to be put back in place,” he underscored.

    Early next month, a meeting will take place in Egypt to move the Plan forward, he said, also noting the conference to be held in New York in June, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, towards creating conditions conducive to the implementation of a two-State solution.  Ending the illegal Israeli occupation is crucial for that, he said.  His delegation will continue its “political offensive” in the General Assembly in order to take actions on the decisions that will be taken in Cairo and New York.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders Speech on Senate Vote to Block $8.8 Billion Sale of Heavy Bombs to Israel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

    WASHINGTON, April 3 – After filing Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) to block the sale of two of the most egregious Trump Administration offensive arms sales to Israel, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today rose to bring the JRDs up for a vote by the full Senate.

    The sales would provide almost $8.8 billion more in heavy bombs and other munitions to Netanyahu, including more than 35,000 massive 2,000-pound bombs.

    • The first resolution, S.J.Res 33, would block a sale of $2.04 billion for 35,329 MK 84 2,000 lb. bombs and 4,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.
    • The second resolution, S.J.Res.26, would block $6.75 billion for 2,800 500-pound bombs, 2,166 Small Diameter Bombs, and tens of thousands of JDAM guidance kits.

    All of these systems have been linked to dozens of illegal airstrikes, including on designated humanitarian sites, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties. None of these systems are necessary to protect Israel from incoming drone or rocket attacks.

    The JRD is the only formal mechanism available to Congress to prevent an arms sale noticed by the administration from advancing.

    Sanders’ remarks introducing the vote today, as prepared for delivery, are below and can be watched live HERE:

    M. President, let me begin by telling the American people something they already know, and that is, as a result of the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, we now have a corrupt campaign finance system that allows billionaires to buy elections and to influence major pieces of legislation. That, I think, is not a secret to the American people.

    If you’re a Republican and you vote against the Trump administration in one way or another, you have to look over your shoulder and worry that you’re going to get a call from Elon Musk, the wealthiest man in the world. And he will tell you that if you vote against what he wants, he will spend unlimited amounts of money to defeat you in the next election. That’s not a great secret. That’s what Musk has been saying publicly. 

    If you’re a Democrat, you have to worry about the billionaires who fund AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. If you vote against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his horrific war in Gaza, AIPAC will punish you with millions of dollars in advertisements to see that you’re defeated. AIPAC’s PAC and Super PAC spent nearly $127 million combined during the 2023-2024 election cycle, according to the Federal Election Commission.

    And I must confess that AIPAC has been successful. Last year, they defeated two members of the U.S. House who opposed providing military aide to Netanyahu’s extremist government.

    Given all of that, I would hope that Democrats and Republicans who understand that they were elected to protect the interests of their constituents, not billionaire campaign contributors, would support the ending of Citizens United and the movement toward public funding of elections so billionaires could not continue to control the political and legislative process.

    Further, I would hope that both parties would move to end super PAC funding in their primaries. I would hope that would be the case so that we can once again become a government of the people, by the people, for the people – and not a government run by the billionaire class. 

    M. President, I trust that every American – and certainly every member of the Senate – understands that Hamas, a terrorist organization, began this terrible war with its barbaric October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 innocent people and took 250 hostages. The International Criminal Court was correct in indicting the leaders of Hamas as war criminals for those atrocities. Clearly, Israel had the right to defend itself against Hamas.

    But most Americans also understand that, while Israel had a right to wage war against Hamas, it did not and does have the right to wage war against the entire Palestinian population. Tragically, that is exactly what we have seen over the last year and a half.

    Let us be clear: Prime Minister Netanyahu’s racist and extremist government has waged an all-out barbaric war against the Palestinian people and made life unlivable in Gaza. Within Gaza’s population of just 2.2 million people, more than 50,000 people have been killed and more than 113,000 have been injured – 60 percent of whom are women, children, and elderly people. That is 7.4 percent of the population of Gaza killed or wounded. If those same percentages were applied to the United States, it would mean that over 25 million Americans would have been killed or wounded.

    In total, since the war began, 15,000 children in Gaza have been killed, and today there are more than 17,000 orphans. But it’s not just the dead and the wounded. Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment has damaged or destroyed two-thirds of all structures in Gaza, including 92 percent of the housing units.

    Almost no part of Gaza has been left unscathed. Most of the population now is living in tents or other makeshift structures.

    M. President, most of the territory’s hospitals and primary healthcare facilities have been bombed, leaving virtually all Gazans without basic medical care. Think about what that means. I have met repeatedly with American doctors and others who have served in Gaza. And they are treating hundreds of patients a day without electricity, without anesthesia, without clean water, including dozens of children arriving with gunshot wounds to the head. I have seen the photographs and the videos.

    Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been totally devastated, including almost 90 percent of water and sanitation facilities. Most of the roads in Gaza have been destroyed and made impassable.

    Gaza’s educational system has been obliterated. Children are not going to school. According to the World Bank, more than 2,000 educational facilities, ranging from kindergartens to universities, have been destroyed. Hundreds of schools have been bombed, as has every single one of Gaza’s 12 universities.

    And M. President, there has been no electricity in Gaza for 17 months.

    Put simply, Netanyahu and his extremist government have killed or wounded over 7 percent of Gaza’s population and have turned Gaza into a wasteland unfit for human life.

    That is what has been going on over the last year and a half.

    M. President, in terms of where we are today: the Netanyahu government broke the ceasefire two weeks ago, endangering the well-being of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

    Further, in the last two weeks, they have intensified their assault against the Palestinian people. According to UNICEF, since Netanyahu broke the ceasefire, more than 1,000 people have been killed, including over 300 children, and more than 600 children have been wounded. UNICEF says that most of these children were killed while sheltering in makeshift tents or damaged homes. Just in the last 24 hours, 97 more people have been killed in Gaza.

    Since Netanyahu broke the ceasefire, even more aid workers have been killed, putting the total over 400 since the war began. Earlier this week, the United Nations announced that they had recovered the bodies of 15 emergency aid workers, who were killed by Israeli forces while wearing their emergency responder uniforms and then dumped in a mass grave in southern Gaza. They were buried alongside their destroyed emergency vehicles – clearly marked ambulances, a fire truck, and a UN car.

    M. President, with the resumption of bombing, hundreds of thousands of Gazans are once again being forcibly displaced by bombing and evacuation orders. This week, Israeli authorities issued displacement orders for most of Rafah, where about 150,000 people were estimated to be sheltering.

    Think about what all of this means in human terms.

    Throughout this war, millions of desperately poor people in Gaza have been repeatedly driven from their homes. They have been forced to pick their way through a demolished landscape, again and again, with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Families have been herded into so-called “safe zones,” only to face continued bombardment.

    The children of Gaza have suffered a level of physical and emotional torture that is almost beyond comprehension and that will clearly stay with each and every one of them for the rest of their lives.

    These children are hungry. They are thirsty. It is hard to get clean water. They have been denied healthcare, and have witnessed the death of their parents, their family members, their homes, and virtually everything around them. And they have been picked up and moved from one place to another, all the while drones are above them shooting or photographing what they are doing.

    M. President, throughout this war, Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid have left hundreds of thousands of people, including tens of thousands of children, facing malnutrition and starvation. Children have literally starved to death while aid sat just miles away, blocked by Israeli forces. The UN, the United States, and every aid organization working in Gaza has been clear throughout this war: Israel’s unreasonable and unnecessary restrictions on humanitarian aid have contributed to massive death and profound suffering.

    But as bad as the last year and a half has been, at least Israel let some aid through – not enough, but some.

    But what is happening now is truly unthinkable.

    Today, it is 31 days and counting with absolutely NO humanitarian aid getting into Gaza. Nothing. No food, no water, no medicine, no fuel for over a month. That is as clear a violation of the Geneva Convention, the Foreign Assistance Act, and basic human decency. It is a war crime.

    You don’t starve children. And it is pushing things toward an even deeper catastrophe.

    Earlier this week, 25 bakeries supported by the World Food Programme were forced to close because they ran out of flour and cooking gas. The UN is still trying to distribute its remaining stocks of food already in Gaza, but says that “the situation remains extremely critical since the cargo closure of the crossings almost a month ago.”

    M. President, all of this is unconscionable. What we are talking about is a mass atrocity.

    And what makes it even worse, why I am here today, and why I have introduced these resolutions that we will soon be voting on, is that we, as Americans, are deeply complicit in what is happening in Gaza.

    This is not some terrible event. This is not an earthquake in Myanmar. It’s not something that we had nothing to do with.  We are deeply complicit in all of this death and suffering.

    Last year alone, the United States provided $18 billion in military aid to Israel and delivered more than 50,000 tons of military equipment. It is American bombs and American military equipment being used to destroy Gaza, kill 50,000 people, and injure over 110,000 people.

    We cannot hide from that reality.

    M. President, if we condone the barbarism that is taking place in Gaza today, we will have no standing in the world to condemn the horrors and war crimes that other countries may commit. You’re not going to be able to look at China or Russia or Saudi Arabia or any other country. We will have no credibility.

    M. President, today is the day to stand up to barbarism in Gaza and to do our best to prevent future barbaric acts all over the world. 

    It is no secret to anyone how these U.S. weapons have been used.

    Israel has bombed indiscriminately, killing civilians, journalists, paramedics, children, and humanitarian workers in record numbers. They have used massive 2,000-pound bombs in densely-populated Gaza, despite the fact studies show that 90 percent of victims of explosive weapons used in a populated area are civilians. These bombs have a blast radius of more than 350 meters, yet Israel has dropped them into crowded apartment buildings, killing hundreds of civilians to take out a handful of Hamas fighters.

    All of that is illegal and immoral and against American law.

    The Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, what we’re talking about today, are very clear: the United States cannot provide weaponry to countries that violate internationally recognized human rights or block U.S. humanitarian aid.

    According to the UN, much of the international community, and every humanitarian organization on the ground in Gaza, Israel is clearly in violation of these laws. Under these circumstances, it is illegal for the United States government to provide Israel with more offensive weaponry. It is simply against our laws.

    Despite all of that, in the last month the Trump administration has announced its intention to transfer some $12.5 billion more in offensive weapons to Netanyahu’s government, in clear violation of U.S. law.

    M. President, that is why we are here today. Joint Resolutions of Disapproval are Congress’ tool to enforce American law.

    Today, we will vote on two resolutions to block two of the most egregious of these Trump administration offensive arms sales, which would provide almost $8.8 billion more in heavy bombs and other munitions to Netanyahu, including more than 35,000 massive 2,000-pound bombs that have killed so many civilians.

    The first resolution, S.J.Res 33, would block a sale of over $2 billion for 35,000 MK 84 2,000 lb. bombs and 4,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.

    The second resolution, S.J.Res.26, would block almost $7 billion for 2,800 500-pound bombs, 2,100 Small Diameter Bombs, and tens of thousands of JDAM guidance kits.

    All of these systems have been linked to dozens of illegal airstrikes, including on designated humanitarian sites, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties. These strikes have been painstakingly documented by human rights monitors. There is no debate. And none of these systems are defensive, none of them are necessary to protect Israel from incoming drone or rocket attacks.

    M. President, for those of my colleagues who are ambivalent about these resolutions, let me say a word about how the Trump administration is ignoring the law in advancing these arms sales, in terms of the process. Unlike Biden, whose policies on Gaza I strongly opposed, President Trump is trying to circumvent Congress with these transfers, ignoring the Foreign Assistance Act by issuing a bogus “emergency declaration” to bypass Congressional review.

    There is no emergency to justify cutting Congress out of the process. In fact, some of the systems the Trump administration claims are part of this “emergency” sale have not yet been produced.

    This is also part of a broader Trump administration effort to cut Congress out of the arms sale process.

    M. President, it is no great secret that Congress is way out of touch with where the American people are on issue after issue. Everybody knows, Congress is way out of touch.

    The billions of dollars that we are providing to the Netanyahu extremist government is just one more example of how out of touch we are with the American people. 

    According to a recent Economist/YouGov poll in March, just 15 percent of the American people support increasing military aid to Israel, while 35 percent support decreasing military aid to Israel or stopping it entirely.

    To my Democratic colleagues, I would mention that just eight percent of Democrats support increasing military aid to Israel. 47 percent support decreasing military aid to Israel or stopping it entirely. Among Republicans, nine percent are for decreasing military aid and 15 percent are for stopping all. 

    M. President, I would ask that this poll be entered into the Congressional record. 

    And according to a J Street poll of Jewish voters in November, 62 percent of American Jews support withholding “shipments of offensive weapons like 2,000-pound bombs until Prime Minister Netanyahu agrees to an American proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for a release of Israeli hostages.” And 71 percent of Jewish voters support increasing humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

    Finally, M. President, as unbelievably horrific as the situation in Gaza is and has been for the last year and a half, there is another development that could make it even worse.

    In recent months, President Trump and Israeli officials have openly talked about forcibly expelling the 2.2 million people who live in Gaza to make way for what Trump calls a “Riviera” – some billionaires’ playground.

    A few years ago, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said that he felt “Gaza’s waterfront property could be very valuable,” floating the idea of redeveloping it. I think that many people at the time thought that was a weird and terrible joke. But it turns out that his father-in-law Donald Trump took it seriously.

    Here’s what Trump has said, repeatedly, in recent months:

    “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it.”

    “We’re going to take over that piece, we’re going to develop it.”

    “I do see a long-term ownership position… Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.”

    I guess he didn’t speak to too many Palestinians who live on that land.

    On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting.”

    And what about the Palestinians who have lived in Gaza for their entire lives?

    Trump said, “I don’t think people should be going back to Gaza.” “They live like they’re living in hell. Gaza is not a place for people to be living.”

    Gaza could become “the Riviera of the Middle East … This could be something that could be so valuable, this could be so magnificent.”

    Throw 2.2 million people who have suffered incalculably out of the land in which they live in order to create a billionaire’s playground. 

    M. President, there is a name and a term for forcibly expelling people from where they live. It is called ethnic cleansing. It is illegal. It is a war crime.

    M. President, the United States must not continue to be complicit in the destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza. History will not forgive us for this.

    The time is long overdue for us to tell the Netanyahu government that we will not provide more weapons of destruction to them. Instead, we must demand an immediate ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of the hostages, and the rebuilding of Gaza for the Palestinian people.

    For all of these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote YES on these two resolutions which would prevent illegal and immoral arms sales to Netanyahu, would uphold Congressional power and the rule of law, and would protect innocent life.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Post-Gazette Strikers Demand Healthcare for All After Court Victory as PG Attempts to Deny Improved Union Healthcare to Picket-Crossing Employees

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    PITTSBURGH – Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh TNG-CWA Local 38061 have demanded that their employer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PG), comply with an injunction issued by the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals and restore the healthcare it illegally took away from newsroom workers, addressing a core demand of the union workers who have struck for more than 29 months.

    On the day the ruling was made, the company publicly stated its intention to appeal the ruling. It has delayed its compliance with the court’s order by filing a motion to request that the court narrow the scope of the order to exclude current employees who are working jobs that are part of the union’s bargaining unit but have crossed picket lines to work for the Post-Gazette during the strike. The court’s order explicitly applies to all “employees in the bargaining unit.” Strikers continue to demand improved healthcare for all employees in the bargaining unit.

    “We’ve asked the company to put the health care plan in place as of April 1st for everybody,” said Ed Blazina, striking transportation reporter. “The PG wants the court to allow them to only put it in for the folks on strike—not for the people who are still working. But we will fight for every worker in our bargaining unit, whether they’re on strike or not, to get the dignified health care we all deserve.”

    The striking workers have further demanded that the company meet with the union for bargaining and update their proposal to the union for the first time since 2020, in compliance with the court’s order that includes requirements to submit bargaining progress reports to Region 6 of the National Labor Relations Board and negotiate with the workers’ union on any changes in wages, hours, or any other terms of employment.

    Following the injunction order, company representation made multiple irrelevant bargaining requests to the union in an effort to delay obeying the court’s order. As it was ordered by the court, there is nothing to bargain; the company simply needs to reinstate workers’ health care. Striking workers are willing to discuss contract bargaining once the company has implemented the health care plan ordered by the court.

    The striking newsroom workers are still fighting for their full strike demands: dignified healthcare and the restoration of their union contract, including paid time off, wages, employees having a guaranteed work week, and the right to question company discipline, among other issues, as well as back pay to workers for wage reductions and increased healthcare costs.

    “Our goal is unchanged,” said striking associate sports editor Rob Joesbury. “Not only do we want our health care. We want a full contract. That is the end goal.”

    In 2020, the company illegally and unilaterally tore up the editorial workers’ union contract, claiming they had bargained to an impasse. Both an administrative law judge and the National Labor Relations Board in D.C. ruled that the company broke federal labor law in this instance, in addition to bargaining in bad faith and illegally surveilling its workers.

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Sentenced To 36 Months in Prison for Possession of a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TUCSON, Ariz. – Jesus Rene Villa, 31, of Tucson, was sentenced on March 25, 2025, by United States District Judge Raner C. Collins to 36 months in prison. Villa pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon on January 8, 2025.

    On March 1, 2024, Tucson Police Department officers searched Villa’s vehicle after arresting him for previously fleeing from law enforcement. During the search, officers located a loaded firearm in a black duffel bag on the back seat. An investigation revealed that Villa was a four-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) then assumed responsibility for the case in collaboration with the Tucson Police Department as part of the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP).

    The National PSP was established by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide an innovative framework to enhance federal support of state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution authorities in enhancing public safety. PSP began as a pilot program, the Violence Reduction Network, in 2014 and is designed to promote interagency coordination by leveraging specialized law enforcement expertise with dedicated prosecutorial resources to promote public and community safety. PSP serves as a DOJ-wide program that enables participating sites to consult with and receive expedited, coordinated training and technical assistance, and an array of resources from DOJ to enhance local public safety strategies. This model enables DOJ to provide jurisdictions of different sizes and diverse needs with data-driven, evidence-based strategies tailored to the unique local needs of participating cities to build their capacities to address violent crime challenges. PSP has engaged with more than 60 sites since the program’s inception.

    The ATF and Tucson Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Caroline Allen, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:          CR-24-01319-TUC-RCC
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-049_Villa

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, 
    visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Atlanta Man Sentenced To 151 Months In Prison For Defrauding Former NBA Players

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CALVIN DARDEN, JR., was sentenced to 151 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick for defrauding former National Basketball Association (“NBA”) players Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons out of $8 million.  DARDEN was previously convicted at trial of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and money laundering.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Calvin Darden, Jr., stole millions of dollars from former NBA players and used the money to buy a mansion, a fleet of luxury cars, and expensive artwork.  This conviction—his third—and sentence make clear that severe consequences await those who take advantage of others by fraud.” 

    According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court:

    In the fraud against Howard, DARDEN, JR. deceived Howard into sending him $7 million, purportedly for the purpose of buying the Atlanta Dream (the “Dream”), a team in the Women’s National Basketball Association.  DARDEN, JR. worked with Charles Briscoe, Howard’s agent to perpetrate the fraud.  DARDEN, JR. sent a “Vision Plan” to Howard about the purported purchase of the Dream.  The Vision Plan falsely claimed that a number of celebrities and companies—including Tyler Perry, Issa Rae, Naomi Osaka, Aflac, and Starbucks—had agreed to be advisors to the Dream or to sponsor the Dream after Howard purchased it. In truth and in fact, those individuals and companies had never agreed to be advisors or corporate sponsors to the Dream and many had never even heard of DARDEN, JR. or any purported plan by DARDEN, JR. to purchase the Dream.

    DARDEN, JR.’s father (“Relative-1”) is a prominent businessman.  DARDEN, JR. repeatedly impersonated Relative-1 in an attempt to add credibility to his fraud scheme.

    DARDEN, JR. directed Howard to send the $7 million to a shell company he controlled, in order to effectuate the purported purchase of the Dream.  DARDEN, JR. then laundered the money through a number of different bank accounts he controlled.  DARDEN, JR. did not spend any money on the purchase of the Dream.  Instead, he spent the money on a $3.7 million mansion, a Rolls-Royce, a Lamborghini, a Porsche, artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat, and other luxury goods for himself.

    Howard learned that he did not in fact own the Dream only when ESPN reported that the Dream had in fact been sold to someone else.

    In the fraud against Parsons, DARDEN, JR. deceived Parsons into sending him $1 million, purportedly for the purpose of loaning the money to James Wiseman, a prospect in the 2020 NBA draft.  DARDEN, JR. and Briscoe falsely claimed to know Wiseman, and forged a document stating that Wiseman had agreed that Briscoe would be his agent in order to convince Parsons to send the money.  In truth and in fact, DARDEN, JR. and Briscoe did not know Wiseman and did not send any of the money to Wiseman.  Instead, DARDEN, JR. spent his cut of the fraud proceeds on watches, a Mercedes, and other personal expenses.

    DARDEN, JR. was previously convicted of fraud in New York state in 2005.  He was also convicted of fraud in the Southern District of New York in 2015. In the 2015 case, DARDEN, JR. committed frauds involving a purported purchase of Maxim magazine and a purported NBA exhibition game in Taiwan.  In that prior fraud, DARDEN, JR. also impersonated Relative-1 in an attempt to add credibility to his fraud scheme.

    *               *                *

     

    In addition to the prison term, DARDEN, JR., 50, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.   DARDEN, JR. was ordered to forfeit $8,000,000 and a number of other items, including a Lamborghini, a Rolls-Royce, $600,000 of artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat, and an Atlanta mansion.  DARDEN, JR. was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $8,000,000.

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

    The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead, Brandon C. Thompson, and William C. Kinder are in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Credit Acceptance Celebrates Being Named No. 34 on Fortune’s 2025 100 Best Companies to Work For® List

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Southfield, Michigan, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Credit Acceptance Corporation (Nasdaq: CACC) (referred to as the “Company”, “Credit Acceptance”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) has been named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For® by Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine in 2025. We received this accolade for the eleventh time, ranking #34, up five spots from last year. 

    “Our team thrives in an award-winning culture where they love coming to work because they know they can make a difference,” said Ken Booth, Chief Executive Officer of Credit Acceptance. “We foster this environment through key cultural practices such as remote work flexibility, actively listening to feedback and implementing meaningful changes, and embracing our PRIDE values—Positive, Respectful, Insightful, Direct, and Earnest.”

    With 93% of team members agreeing that Credit Acceptance is a great place to work, the Company is continuously ranked as one of the best places to work. We remain committed to fostering an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive personally and professionally.

    Other workplace accolades we have received from Fortune include Best Workplace for Financial Services and Insurance™, Best Workplace for Millennials™, and Best Workplace for Women™. We have also been named a Top Workplaces USA Award winner, one of People Magazine’s Companies that Care®, and a Best Place to Work in IT by Computerworld, among many others.

    Great Place to Work® selected the 100 Best list by gathering and analyzing more than 1.3 million confidential survey responses representing the experiences of more than 8.4 million U.S. employees. Of those, over 670,000 responses were received from employees at eligible companies, and this list is based on that feedback. Organizations are assessed on their efforts to create generous, supportive, high-performance work experiences for every employee in the organization.

    About Credit Acceptance  

    We make vehicle ownership possible by providing innovative financing solutions that enable automobile dealers to sell vehicles to consumers regardless of their credit history. Our financing programs are offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our financing programs, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.  

    Without our financing programs, consumers are often unable to purchase vehicles, or they purchase unreliable ones. Further, as we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, an important ancillary benefit of our programs is that we provide consumers with an opportunity to improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing. Credit Acceptance is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CACC. For more information, visit creditacceptance.com. 

    About Great Place To Work®

    As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and Great Place To Work Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified and receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ list.

    About Fortune

    Fortune upholds a legacy of award-winning writing and trusted reporting for executives who want to make business better. Independently owned, with a global perspective and digital agility, Fortune tells the stories of a new generation of innovators, builders, and risk-takers. Online and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks and holds companies accountable. Fortune creates communities by convening true thought leaders and iconoclasts — those who shape industry, commerce, and society — through powerful and prestigious lists, events, and conferences, such as the iconic Fortune 500, the CEO Initiative, and Most Powerful Women.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Dems Rebuke Largest Tax Increase in History on American Consumers and Businesses

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Trade & Tariffs Task Force Chair Don Beyer (VA-08) issued a statement following President Trump’s announcement of 25 percent taxes on all automobile imports and between 10 and 50 percent taxes on virtually every good imported from every U.S. trading partner:

    “President Trump’s latest announcement of a massive tax increase in the form of sweeping tariffs will not ‘liberate’ working people or businesses in America – it will handcuff them to a sinking economy weighed down by the President’s reckless, costly, and destructive trade policy.

    “The President’s premise that imposing the largest tax increase in American history will strengthen our economy and lower prices will undoubtedly prove to be one of the dumbest economic policy blunders in decades. These across-the-board taxes will hit the bank accounts of hardworking families and the bottom lines of small businesses as the price of every goods increases, from consumer goods like gas, groceries, and cars to raw materials like lumber, minerals, and metals.

    “President Trump has no clear strategy to strengthen our economy – his own team didn’t even know his plan – and he sees these taxes on consumers not as a means to an end, but as the end goal itself. This approach simply ignores reality, and it’s why industry leaders, economists, and the stock market have been sounding the alarm for weeks.

    “It’s time Republicans join Democrats in taking urgent action to restrict the President’s ability to impose these taxes unilaterally. That’s why we introduced legislation to enforce Congress’s constitutional duty to oversee trade policy, and we call on our colleagues across the aisle to join us in standing up for the American people by ending President Trump’s harmful campaign.”

    New Dem Members have introduced several bills to counter Trump’s unilateral tariffs and reclaim congressional authority to levy taxes, including the:

    • Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act (H.R.2464), 
    • Prevent Tariff Abuse Act (H.R.407),
    • Congressional Trade Authority Act (H.R.1903), and
    • Reclaim Trade Powers Act (H.R.2459).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English Translation of Prime Minister’s Press Statement during the Joint Press Statement with the Prime Minister of Thailand

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Your Excellency, Prime Minister Shinawatra,

    Delegates from both countries,

    Friends from the media,

    Namaskar!

    Sawadee Krap!

    I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shinawatra for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me.

    I express my deepest condolences on behalf of the people of India for the loss of life in the earthquake that occurred on March 28. We also wish for the speedy recovery of those who were injured.

    Friends,

    The age-old relations between India and Thailand are rooted in our deep cultural and spiritual ties. The spread of Buddhism has brought our people together.

    There have been exchanges of scholars from Ayutthaya to Nalanda. The story of Ramayana is deeply rooted in Thai folk lore. And, the influence of Sanskrit and Pali continues to resonate with our languages and traditions today.

    I am grateful to the Government of Thailand for releasing a special postage stamp based on the 18th century ‘Ramayana’ mural paintings as part of my visit.

    Prime Minister Shinawatra just gifted me a Tri-Pitaka. On behalf of India, the land of Buddha, I accept it with folded hands. Last year, the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha were sent from India to Thailand. It is a matter of great pleasure that more than four million devotees got the opportunity to pay their tributes. I am extremely happy to announce that the Holy Relics found in Aravali, Gujarat in 1960 will also be sent to Thailand for an exposition.

    This year our old connection was also visible in the Mahakumbh in India. More than 600 Buddhist devotees from foreign countries, including Thailand, became part of this spiritual and cultural gathering. This event gave the message of global peace and harmony.

    Friends,

    Thailand holds a special place in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and the Indo-Pacific vision. Today, we have decided to strengthen our ties into a strategic partnership. Also, we discussed establishing a ‘Strategic Dialogue’ between our security agencies.

    We thanked the Government of Thailand for their cooperation in facilitating the return of Indian victims of cybercrime. We have agreed that our agencies will collaborate closely to combat human trafficking and illegal migration.

    We have emphasized on cooperation in the fields of tourism, culture and education between Thailand and the North-Eastern states of India.

    We discussed growing mutual trade, investment, and business exchanges. Agreements have also been made to foster cooperation in the areas of MSME, handloom and handicrafts.

    We have decided to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, digital technology, e-vehicles, robotics, space, bio-technology and start-ups. In addition to enhancing physical connectivity, both the countries will work to boost FinTech connectivity.

    With the aim of promoting people-to-people exchanges, India has started offering free e-visa facilities to Thai tourists.

    Friends,

    ASEAN is the comprehensive strategic partner of India, and in this region, as neighbouring maritime countries, we have shared interests in regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

    India firmly supports ASEAN unity and ASEAN centrality. In the Indo-Pacific region, both countries advocate a free, open, inclusive and rule-based order.

    We believe in development and not expansionism. We welcome Thailand’s decision to co-lead the ‘Maritime Ecology’ Pillar of the ‘Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative.

    Friends,

    I am eager to participate in the BIMSTEC Summit tomorrow. Under Thailand’s chairmanship, this forum has gained new momentum towards regional cooperation. We congratulate the Prime Minister and his team for this achievement.

    Excellency,

    Once again, I thank you for this warm welcome and honour. I also express my gratitude for this gift of the Tri-Pitaka.

    Khop Khun Khap!

    DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TARGET OF DOUBLING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government has prepared plans across key sectors namely Industry, Buildings (including appliances), Transport and Others/Miscellaneous. By implementing these plans, it is aimed to reduce the energy consumption by 89 Million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2030 as compared to the scenario in which these interventions are not carried out.

    Sustainable cooling acts as a tool to address the growing cooling demand. To balance the growing cooling demand while ensuring the sustainable and energy efficient cooling solutions, two new building codes: the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial buildings and the Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) for residential buildings have been published by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for adoption by States. The Air-conditioners, Ceiling Fans and Refrigerators have been brought under mandatory compliance of Standard and Labelling programme to ensure that energy efficient devices are deployed for cooling purposes.

    Additionally, with the overarching goal to address the rising cooling demand, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP).

    Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the aegis of Ministry of Power has taken several initiatives to promote the energy efficiency in industry, transport and domestic sectors which includes;

    1. Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme to improve energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries. It sets sector-specific energy reduction targets, allowing industries to earn Energy Saving Certificates for exceeding targets, which can be traded on power exchanges. This incentivizes cost-effective energy savings while providing flexibility in compliance.
    2. Under the Standards and Labelling programme, the major energy consuming appliances are given star rating from 1 to 5 with 5 star as most efficient appliance. Based on star label, the consumer is encouraged for making informed choice regarding purchase of energy efficient appliances thereby saving electricity consumption.
    3. The Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial buildings and the Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) for residential buildings have been published for energy savings in building sector. These codes are to be adopted and implemented by the States / local bodies.
    4. Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms for passenger cars for energy savings in transport sector.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    SK

    (Release ID: 2118327) Visitor Counter : 86

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ESTABLISHMENT OF THIRD LAUNCH PAD

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

    A Third Launch Pad (TLP) will be established at Sriharikota. The project has been approved by the Union Cabinet and financial sanction has been obtained for a total budget outlay of ₹3984.86 Crore. Establishment of the pad is envisaged to be completed within 4 years timeframe.

    ISRO’s Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is under development is about 90 m tall with a maximum lift-off mass of approximately 1000 tonne. Existing launch pads at Sriharikota cannot launch this class of vehicles. The propellant servicing facilities and the Umbilical Tower of the existing launch pads are not designed to meet the requirements of the new propulsion system based on Liquid Methane.

    In view of very large height & size, the next generation of launch vehicles are planned with horizontal integration and transport, which are then tilted onto the launch pad along with a Tiltable Umbilical Tower (TUT). Also, TLP incorporates necessary features in terms of foundation support & servicing requirements for future augmentation towards supporting the launches of India’s Crewed Lunar mission.

    The first stage of NGLV is configured with a cluster of 9 engines. The hot testing of this stage is planned at the Launch Pad, thereby eliminating the need for establishing a huge separate facility for stage testing.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.   

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2118304) Visitor Counter : 82

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman John James Introduces Legislation to Roll Back Harmful Biden-Era Green New Deal EV Regulations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John James (Michigan 10th District)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative John James (MI-10) introduced a resolution utilizing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Biden Administration’s approval of California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule. This Biden era waiver allows California to ram its comply-or-die “zero-emission truck” rule down the throat of America– essentially killing Michigan’s trucking industry. It would mandate truck makers to sell zero-emission trucks which would increase vehicle prices for consumers, increase costs and manufacturing complexities for automakers, and convolute the regulatory environment.

    James’ legislation aims to halt an overreaching and impractical mandate that threatens American consumers, small businesses, and the nation’s supply chain. The Advanced Clean Trucks rule, if left unchecked, would force costly transitions to electric trucks, driving up prices for goods and disproportionately burdening working families and truckers across the country. 

    “Michigan is not afraid of the future, but we demand to be a part of it. The Biden Administration left behind comply-or-die Green New Deal mandates that threaten to crush our trucking industry and drive-up costs for hardworking Americans,” said Congressman James. “I know — my family has a trucking company. Republicans are working hard to implement President Trump’s America First agenda, and the first step is repealing the rules and waivers that fueled Bideninflation.”

    This bill is a part of a broader package introduced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which included two additional CRA’s:

    • H.J. Res. 88, introduced by Congressman Joyce (PA-13), would reverse the EPA’s decision to approve a waiver granted to California allowing the State to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
    • H.R. Res. 89, introduced by Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23), would put an end to the EPA’s decision to allow California to implement its most recent nitrogen oxide (NOx) engine emission standards, which create burdensome and unworkable standards for heavy-duty on-road engines.

    The California Clean Truck CRA builds on James’ efforts to fight the Biden Administration’s burdensome regulations. In 2024, he successfully introduced a CRA to block Biden Administration rules on electric vehicle mandates for light- and medium-duty vehicles, as well as the National Labor Relations Board’s joint employer rule. His latest effort has garnered support from industry leaders, including the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, who have praised the move to safeguard truckers and the broader economy. 

    Click here to view the CRA text.

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    MIL OSI USA News –