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Politico
17-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
State Department cyber, tech cuts deeper than previously known
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's subcommittee on cybersecurity, said he was aware of a number of cuts of staff with specific and hard-to-replace skills. 'They have lost people with genuine expertise … in cyber, in 5G, in quantum, a whole group of people who had really exquisite skills,' Coons said. Asked to quantify the extent of cuts to the cybersecurity workforce, Coons said: 'My impression is: significant.' The cuts to cyber and tech roles at State have gone beyond the CDP. Also laid off have been staff involved in ensuring the use of secure telecommunications infrastructure by allies; and those that worked to fix problems Cyber Command identifies in the networks of U.S. allies, said Annie Fixler, director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, who has been in contact with a number those laid off. The congressional aide said that 'around half a dozen' of the staff from the Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technologies — which works on topics including AI and quantum computing — were given RIF notices, representing a 'sizeable proportion' of the small office. This aide said this office is now being merged into the CDP. It has become increasingly clear over the past few days that the reorganized State Department will have very few cybersecurity positions. The Washington Post first reported earlier this week that CDP personnel had been among those laid off, in particular those on teams that focus on global data policy. The former official confirmed that Liesyl Franz, the CDP's deputy assistant secretary for International Cyberspace Security was among those laid off. Her departure was previously reported by NextGov. Franz did not respond to a request for comment. The entire Office of Science and Technology Cooperation has also been shut down, according to a laid-off employee. Felicia Fullilove-Cashwell, a foreign affairs officer at the State Department, wrote on LinkedIn that her reduction in force letter included the words 'office abolished.' Fullilove-Cashwell said in an interview that 'it has been suggested that regional offices may take over a lot of the functions of eliminated offices,' though she argued that eliminating OSTC still hurts the relationships between civil servants and foreign officials. The elimination of OSTC was previously reported by FedScoop.
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Polytech course cuts tip of iceberg: staff
The Otago Polytechnic has signalled it wishes to discontinue a trio of smaller courses, but staff say these cuts are the tip of the iceberg. In a statement released by deputy executive directors for academic delivery Chris Williamson and for industry training Mark Cartwright, the institution said it proposed changes to three of its programmes — two run out of the Central Otago campus and one run out of the Dunedin campus. They were the New Zealand certificate in outdoor and adventure education (multi-skilled — level 4), Otago Secondary Tertiary College (OSTC) certificate in cookery (level 3) and New Zealand certificate in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying (level 3). "Otago Polytechnic is in a situation where we need to ensure the financial viability of our organisation to be able to stand alone, so we can contribute to a strong and sustainable vocational education system," they said. "We are expecting government announcements in July with more details on the future of the sector, including funding, and which ITPs can be established independently from next year." Over the past year, Otago Polytechnic has gone through several waves of restructures in a bid to remain financially sustainable and autonomous. It cut nine programmes late last year, and is in the process of drastically downscaling Capable NZ, which was once the most popular course at the polytechnic. They also expect to sell the Cromwell campus soon. "We are considering leasing out the commercial kitchen while a sale is finalised, and we've been unable to identify suitable alternative premises for delivering this programme in the future," the polytechnic said in regards to the certificate in cookery (level 3) course. Tertiary Education Union organiser Gail Arthur said it felt like a second wave after last year's "big bang" of course cuts. "It feels like the tip of the iceberg. "Because all of these have to be done individually, the effect is cumulative." Ms Arthur said part of the issue appeared to be the lack of marketing of courses since the creation of mega-polytechnic Te Pukenga, which is now in the process of being broken up. "Te Pūkenga disestablished their national marketing team some time ago — last year, I think. "They've since stepped that up again under the individual divisions, but it's almost too little too late. "So, all of the staff have raised that. They're actually teachers, but they've been doing their own marketing — they've been doing Facebook and they've been out there at industry shows. "They've been going out touting for business. We would argue that's not their core mahi." Otago Polytechnic executive director Dr Megan Potiki said while it was focused on achieving financial viability with the aim of standing alone, these evaluation processes would continue irrespective of the government's decision, which was expected this month. "They are ongoing business practices that support the longer-term sustainability of Otago Polytechnic."
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Army soldier sentenced 23 years in prison for brutal murder of pregnant wife
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Army soldier accused of killing his pregnant 19-year-old wife was sentenced on the third day of his trial in a military courtroom in Hawaii. Private First Class Dewayne Arthur Johnson II has been sentenced to 23 years in prison. Previously — Husband of missing pregnant woman admits he killed her during argument In addition to his sentencing, the military judge reduced Johnson's rank to E-1, total forfeitures of pay and allowances and a dishonorable discharge at the conclusion on the court-martial. After almost one year since Mischa Johnson last saw her family, I am relieved that the accused was held accountable for what he did to her and her unborn child in court today. This comes after determined efforts by Army CID, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory and other federal and local law enforcement partners. We extend our sincere gratitude to them in helping to obtain the first step towards closure for Mischa's family. Lt. Col. William Wicks, prosecutor, Headquarters, Army OSTC He admitted in court on June 3 that he killed his wife, Mischa Johnson, during an argument in July 2024. On June 4, witnesses, including Mischa's mother and sisters, testified to the court. They described the pain of losing her and never recovering her remains. As part of a plea deal, PFC Johnson admitted to using a machete to hit his wife in the head after an argument in July 2024. He said Mischa accused him of cheating and threatened to keep him out of their child's life. In exchange for admitting to using the machete, charges against PFC Johnson have been reduced from murder to voluntary manslaughter. Mischa's body still has not been found. PFC Johnson said that he dismembered the body and put it in trash bags that he knew would be taken to an incinerator. Mischa Johnson, 19, was six months pregnant when she was last seen at her Schofield Barracks home in July 2024. On Aug. 1, 2024, her husband reported her missing. By Aug. 4, 2024, the United States Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID) had . On Aug. 19, 2024, a spokesperson for CID told KHON2 that Mischa's husband, PFC Johnson, was taken into military custody. He was on Aug. 27, 2024. In November 2024, the Army preferred four more charges and five additional specifications against PFC Johnson relating to the disappearance of his wife. At that time, PFC Johnson was and the death of her unborn child. In February 2025, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) said PFC Johnson had waived his right to a preliminary Article 32 hearing. By February, the OSTC referred . On May 29, 2025, the OSTC announced that it had negotiated a plea agreement with PFC Johnson, and a hearing was scheduled for June 2025. Johnson . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
