Category: Africa

MIL-OSI Submissions: UNESCO grants World Heritage status to Khmer Rouge atrocity sites – paving the way for other sites of conflict

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Rachel Hughes, Associate Professor of Geography, The University of Melbourne

A series of atrocity sites of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia have been formally entered onto the World Heritage list, as part of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee.

This is not only important for Cambodia, but also raises important questions for atrocity sites in Australia.

Before this, the World Heritage list only recognised seven “sites of memory” associated with recent conflicts, which UNESCO defines as “events having occurred from the turn of the 20th century” under its criterion vi. These sat within a broader list of more than 950 cultural sites.

In recent years, experts have intensely debated the question of whether a site associated with recent conflict could, or should, be nominated and evaluated for World Heritage status. Some argue such listings would contradict the objectives of UNESCO and its spirit of peace, which was part of the specialised agency’s mandate after the destruction of two world wars.

Sites associated with recent conflicts can be divisive. For instance, when Japan nominated the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, both China and the United States objected and eventually disassociated from the decision. The US argued the nomination lacked “historical perspective” on the events that led to the bomb’s use. Meanwhile, China argued listing the property would not be conducive for peace as other Asian countries and peoples had suffered at the hands of the Japanese during WWII.

Heritage inscriptions risk reinforcing societal divisions if they conserve a particular memory in a one-sided way.

Nonetheless, the World Heritage Committee decided in 2023 to no longer preclude such sites for inscription. This was done partly in recognition of how these sites may “serve the peace-building mission of UNESCO”.

Shortly after, three listing were added: the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory, a former clandestine centre for detention, torture and extermination in Argentina; memorial sites of the Rwandan genocide at Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero; and funerary and memory sites of the first world war in Belgium and France.

A number of legacy sites associated with Nelson Mandela’s human rights struggle in South Africa were also added last year.

Atrocities of the Khmer Rouge

The recently inscribed Cambodian Memorial Sites include prisons S-21 (now known as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum) and M-13, as well as the execution site Choeung Ek.

These sites were nominated for their value in showing the development of extreme mass violence in relation to the security system of the Khmer Rouge in 1975–79. They also have value as places of memorialisation, peace and learning.

The Khmer Rouge developed its methods of disappearance, incarceration and torture of suspected “enemies” during the civil conflict of 1970–75. It established a system of local-level security centres in so-called “liberated” areas.

One of these centres was known as M-13, a small, well-hidden prison in the country’s rural southwest. A man named Kaing Guek Eav – also called Duch – was responsible for prisoners at M-13.

Shortly after the entire country fell to the Khmer Rouge in April 1975, Duch was assigned to lead the headquarters of the regime’s security system: a large detention and torture centre known as S-21.

Under his instruction, tens of thousands of people were detained in inhumane conditions, tortured and interrogated. Many detainees were later taken to the outskirts of the city to be brutally killed and buried in pits at a place called Choeung Ek.

The sites operated until early 1979, when the Khmer Rouge was forced from power.

The S-21 facility and the mass graves at Choeung Ek have long been memorialised as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre.

However, the former M-13 site shows few visual clues to its prior use, and has only recently been investigated by an international team led by Cambodian archaeologist and museum director Hang Nisay. The site is on an island in a small river that forms the boundary between the Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Speu provinces.

Further research, site protection and memorialisation activities will now be supported, with help from locals.

From repression to reflection

The Cambodian memorial sites have been recognised as holding “outstanding universal value” for the way they evidence one of the 20th century’s worst atrocities, and are now places of memory.

In its nomination dossier for these sites, Cambodia drew on findings from the Khmer Rouge Tribunal to verify and link the conflict and the sites.

In 2010, the tribunal found Duch guilty of crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. Duch was sentenced to 30 years in prison (which eventually turned into life imprisonment). He died in 2020.

While courts such as the International Criminal Court have previously examined the destruction of heritage as an international crime, drawing on legal findings to assert heritage status is an unusual inverse. It raises important questions about the legacies of former UN-supported tribunals and the ongoing implications of their findings.

The recent listings also raise questions for Australia, which has many sites of documented mass killing associated with colonisation and the frontier wars that lasted into the 20th century.

Might Australia nominate any of these atrocity sites in the future? And could other processes such as truth-telling, reparation and redress support (or be supported by) such nominations?

Rachel Hughes has consulted to UNESCO Cambodia.

Maria Elander does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. UNESCO grants World Heritage status to Khmer Rouge atrocity sites – paving the way for other sites of conflict – https://theconversation.com/unesco-grants-world-heritage-status-to-khmer-rouge-atrocity-sites-paving-the-way-for-other-sites-of-conflict-260923

MIL OSI –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: MEDIA RELEASE: Aeris Resources’ André Labuschagne joins AREEA Board of Directors
Source:

The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) is pleased to announce André Labuschagne, Executive Chairman of Aeris Resources, has joined its Board of Directors.

Mr Labuschagne is an experienced mining executive, carving out a 35-year career primarily in the gold and copper industry.

He has held various executive roles in South Africa, PNG, Fiji and Australia for leading gold companies including Emperor Gold Mines, DRD Gold and AngloGold Ashanti.

As the former managing director of Norton Gold Fields Limited, Mr Labuschagne led the ASX-lister’s evolution into a significant Australian gold producer before its sale to a major Chinese gold company in 2012.

AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM said Mr Labuschagne would be a strong addition to the national employer group’s Board of Directors.

“André is a hands-on leader whose strategic thinking, inclusive approach and decisiveness have not only contributed to successful corporate transactions but stood at the heart of building great teams and companies,” Mr Knott said.

“His executive and operational skills – and long record of bringing value to businesses – will be of great benefit to AREEA’s membership.”

About AREEA’s Board

AREEA is the largest and most diverse national employer group for the Australian resources and energy industry.

Its members include employers in hard rock and critical minerals mining, oil and gas, coal, smelting, refining, transport, logistics, engineering and all other supply and servicing sectors.

As of July 2025, the AREEA Board comprises:
- Julie Fallon (AREEA President), Executive Vice President Technical and Energy Development, Woodside Energy Limited
- Tom Quinn (AREEA Vice President), Non-Executive Director, pitt&sherry, and Vast
- Jo Taylor, (AREEA Vice President), Managing Director, Compass Group Australia
- Johnpaul Dimech, Zone President APMEA, Brazil and LatAm; Region CEO, APMEA, Sodexo
- André Labuschagne, Executive Chairman, Aeris Resources
- Mark Norwell, Managing Director & CEO, Perenti
- Bill Townsend, Senior Vice President Corporate, INPEX
- Simon Younger, Chair, ExxonMobil Australia
MIL OSI News –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: New technology for restoring gas turbine engine blades patented at Novosibirsk State University

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Employees Competence Center of the National Technology Initiative (NTI) in the direction of “Modeling and development of new functional materials with specified properties” based at NSU developed an innovative method for restoring damaged turbine blades of engines for aviation and energy (gas turbine units). The technology was developed with financial support from the NTI Foundation, successfully patented and is already beginning to be implemented in practice.

Leading researcher of the NTI Center of Novosibirsk State University, head of the laser technology laboratory of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Engineering Alexander Malikov spoke in detail about the essence of the development and the prospects for its implementation:

— Our new method allows us to restore heavily worn sections of gas turbine blades, fully preserving the original performance characteristics of the product. To do this, we use a special mode of laser pulse-periodic action, which allows us to form strong protective layers of metal or ceramic composites on the surface.

According to Alexander Malikov, the task was to restore the thin edges of the blades, which are subject to intense exposure to high temperatures and pressure during engine operation. The advantage of the proposed technology is that using the traditional surfacing method would lead to overheating and destruction of sensitive areas of the parts.

“We proposed an original solution to the problem by preliminary forming special protective layers before the main stage of surfacing. This approach allowed us to preserve the original geometric shape of the blade and ensure reliable adhesion of the restored layer to the main structure,” the scientist explained.

The new method significantly reduces the cost of repairs, ensuring high strength and durability of restored elements of gas turbine units.

The developed technology is in high demand on the Russian energy generation and aircraft manufacturing market. Modern gas turbine engines are used everywhere – from civil aviation to electric power engineering and natural gas transportation.

Alexander Malikov noted the importance of this area of research:

— The production of high-quality blades is one of the ten key technologies of the modern world. Their production requires complex solutions due to extreme operating conditions. Only four countries in the world have the necessary competencies: the USA, Great Britain, France and Russia.

Previously, the energy segment of the Russian market was heavily dependent on foreign suppliers of spare parts and services for the restoration of parts. With the departure of Western companies from the Russian market, there was a need to develop our own technologies and services capable of replacing foreign analogues. The new technology created by Novosibirsk scientists is capable of significantly increasing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of servicing large industrial enterprises and facilities using gas turbine units.

In the near future, it is planned to introduce the technology into serial production; a number of Russian companies have shown interest in it. Meanwhile, researchers continue to develop technologies for the restoration of various types of blades and other elements of industrial equipment.

— To solve problems of this type, we first need to carefully study the properties of the material from which the product is made at the atomic level. In our work, we use synchrotron radiation, which provides great opportunities for emitting phase composition at a very high resolution level, and if we know the exact phase states of the material, the structural phases, then we can control it, — explained Alexander Malikov.

Scientists will have even more opportunities with the launch of the Siberian Ring Photon Source (SKIF), at one of whose workstations a number of studies in this area are already planned.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Press Conference by Secretary-General António Guterres at United Nations Headquarters
Source: United Nations 4

Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference to launch the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report, in New York today:

Dear members of the media,

Today, we launch the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. Under-Secretary-General Li will go through the details. But allow me to kick things off.

We are now 10 years into our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Report is a snapshot of where we stand today. Since 2015, millions more people have gained access to electricity, clean cooking and the Internet. Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population — a significant increase from just a decade ago. Access to education has continued to increase and more girls are staying in school. Child marriage is declining. Renewable energy capacity is growing, with developing countries leading the way. And women’s representation is rising — across governments, businesses and societies.

These gains show that investments in development and inclusion yield results. But let’s be clear: we are not where we need to be. Only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly. And 18 per cent are going in reverse. We are in a global development emergency. An emergency measured in the over 800 million people still living in extreme poverty. In intensifying climate impacts. And in relentless debt service, draining the resources that countries need to invest in their people.

We must also recognize the deep linkages between underdevelopment and conflicts. That’s why we must keep working for peace in the Middle East. We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution. We need the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold. We need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions. We need an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan. From the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar, we know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

In the face of these challenges, the Report we are launching today points the way to progress. Transformational pathways — in food, energy, digital access, education, jobs and climate — are our road map. Progress in one area can multiply progress across all of them. But we must move faster, and we must move together.

That means advancing affordable, quality healthcare for all. Investing in women and girls as a central driver of progress. Focusing on quality education and creating decent jobs and economic opportunities that leave no one behind. Closing the digital divide and ensuring that technologies like artificial intelligence are used responsibly and inclusively. And it means recognizing a fundamental fact. Progress is impossible without unlocking financing at scale.

The recent Sevilla Commitment reflected a commitment to get the engine of development revving again. Through reform of the international financial architecture, real action on debt relief and tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks so countries can better access capital at scale and at a reasonable cost. We have more opportunities to drive these priorities forward — from the High-Level Political Forum to the Second Food Systems Stocktake Summit to the World Social Summit and more. We must maximize these moments for real commitments — and real delivery.

Today’s Report shows that the Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach. But only if we act — with urgency, unity and unwavering resolve.

It’s a pleasure to be with you again and I will give the floor to my dear colleague Li.

Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs:

As the Secretary-General noted, we stand at a very defining moment. This Report of 2025 serves as both our compass and call to action, providing the critical evidence needed to guide discussions at the HLPF and beyond.

The data reveals in the Report a story of remarkable progress alongside turbulent challenges. Over the past decade, we have seen the following tangible victories:
- New HIV infections have decreased by nearly 40 per cent since 2010.
- Malaria prevention efforts have saved more than 12 million lives since 2000.
- [54] countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
- An additional 110 million children have enrolled in school since 2015.
- Access to electricity has reached 92 per cent of the global population, with 45 countries achieving universal electricity access in the past decade.
- Internet use has increased by 70 per cent — reaching 68 per cent today globally.
These are not mere statistics; they are the stories of lives transformed — more children in school, more families protected and more communities empowered.

However, the Report also lays bare a harsh reality: a challenging global context is stalling progress. Conflicts are escalating, temperatures are breaking records and debt burdens are rising, while developing countries face an annual $4 trillion SDG financing gap.

The world is not moving fast enough to achieve the SDGs amid overlapping crises. Just to share some sobering facts from the Report:
- Over 800 million people remain trapped in extreme poverty.
- Billions of people lack access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Women continue to devote 2.5 times as many hours to unpaid domestic and care work as men.
- Climate change is accelerating, with 2024 marking the hottest year on record at 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Low- and middle-income countries faced record-high debt servicing costs of $1.4 trillion in 2023.
Despite these monumental challenges, the path forward is clear. In the Report, it shows that progress is possible if we scale up solutions and build on hard-won gains. We must focus our efforts on six key transitions that represent our most promising levers for systemic change. Recent global events such as UNOC3 and FFD4 have demonstrated a renewed spirit and commitment to collective action. Let us seize this moment to recommit, to act decisively and deliver on our promise.

Thank you.

**Questions and Answers

Spokesman: Edie, please.

Question: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General, on behalf of the United Nations Correspondence Association for doing this briefing. As you well know, my name is Edith Lederer from the Associated Press. You said that there had been progress on 35 per cent of the SDG targets, but which, if any, of the 17 SDG Goals are on target to be achieved by 2030? And if I may, what is your reaction to President Trump saying just an hour or two ago that if there is no peace deal in Ukraine in the next 50 days, he will impose biting sanctions on Russia. And I think we also would all like to know what, if any, role the UN is being asked to play if there is a new ceasefire in Gaza?

Thank you.

Secretary-General: There are many different questions. [laughing] First, there are only 35 per cent of the Goals that are on target. But that means that 35 per cent of the Goals are on target, and some are extremely important. Extreme poverty has reduced. Child mortality and women’s mortality have dramatically reduced, and the access of girls to education and, in general, the access to education has substantially increased. So, if there were no Sustainable Development Goals, many of these achievements would never have been reached, because the Sustainable Development Goals have created a framework in which Governments and other entities could be united to deliver on some of the key priorities of development in today’s world. So, the Sustainable Development Goals are a success already because at least one third of them are achieving the results that were determined.

Now, but why is it not the same everywhere? Where are the obstacles? Let’s be clear. There is something fundamentally wrong in the structure of the economic and financial architecture and in the way it operates to the detriment of developing countries. And this has nothing to do with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals are objectives to improve the living conditions of everybody. The problem is that the Sustainable Development Goals do not include the instruments that would be necessary to make them happen. And that is why we have been strongly insisting for the need to deep reforms in the international financial architecture, and I would say, in the rules of the global economy, in order to make sure that it is possible for countries that are drowning in debt, for countries that have no access to concessional funding, for countries that are marginalized in international trade. We need those reforms to create the conditions for those countries to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

So, I think that the discussion is not whether or not we have reached enough. The discussion is what are the roots in the injustices and inequalities of our global economic and financial system that make it so difficult to implement things that everybody will recognize are the things that are needed for us to live with dignity.

The second question that you have asked is about the sanctions. I would say that what we absolutely need is to have an immediate ceasefire and to have an immediate ceasefire paving the way for a political solution and the political solution based on the Charter, on international law and on the different resolutions of the bodies of the UN. Whatever can contribute to these objectives will, of course, be important if it is done in line with international law.

Question: And on Gaza…

Secretary-General: Gaza is horrific. We all condemned the horrible, terrible, attacks of Hamas, but what we are witnessing in Gaza is a level of death and destruction that has no parallel in recent times. And it is something that undermines, I would say, undermines the most basic conditions of human dignity for the population of Gaza, independently of the enormous suffering that they are having.

We absolutely need a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. And I hope that the parties are able to overcome, both parties are able to overcome the difficulties that they still find for that ceasefire to take place. But the ceasefire is not enough. It is essential that that ceasefire leads to a solution, and that solution can only be possible if both Palestinians and Israelis can have a State where they can exercise their rights. The idea, and that is why we are going to have in July, one conference on the two-State solution, the idea that it would be possible to have 5 million people inside a country, in their own lands, without any rights is something that is totally against humanity and totally against international law.

Spokesman: Sherwin Bryce-Pease.

Question: Secretary-General, Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African Broadcasting. What is your estimation, sir, of the impact of the decisions by the United States in recent months to withdraw from various development-related initiatives, including climate finance and the recent financing for development conference that you referred to in Sevilla. Its rejection, also, of increased lending by development banks in particular, essentially pushing back at the reforms you are seeking to achieve in terms of the restructuring of the global financial institutions? How are you going to fill the gaps that are going to be left by the United States’ withdrawal from these initiatives?

Thank you.

Secretary-General: The problem is not the presence or not presence in international meetings. The question is that, obviously, we need in an international economic and financial system that is fundamentally wrong and unfair, we need reforms. And to put obstacles to those reforms is indeed something that is extremely negative. And I hope that the countries that lead the global economy, the G7 countries, understand that it is better to lead the reforms of a system today than to wait and one day suffer the reforms of the system that will become inevitable.

Spokesman: Dezhi?

Question: Secretary-General, Xu Dezhi, China Central Television. A similar question with Sherwin. We know that Trump Administration now reversed multiple policies, it’s not only just the international financial institution. It’s also about the clean energy policy. It’s about its tariffs to bring instability of the world economy. How much impact would that be to the SDGs? And given the fact this is only the first year of this Administration, you will have four years, how would, how should other countries to do to achieve the SDGs?

Thank you.

Secretary-General: Well first of all, about clean energy, I think that independently of the will of the Government of any country and in particular, the United States, we are witnessing irreversible movements towards the hegemonic role of renewables. This is moving at a speed that nobody could forecast just a few months ago. And the truth is that even in the United States, you have a number of states that are moving forward very strongly, and you have the private sector that makes their accounts and sees where profits are. And today, the cheapest energy is renewable. And so, you are not intelligent if you invest in more expensive forms of energy or if you invest in things that will be stranded in the near future. So, I am pretty confident that the realities of the global economy will make any attempt to slow down the process ineffective. And I’m optimistic about the capacity of renewable energy to very quickly assume a leading role in the global economy.

About trade, it is clear that any trade war is something in which nobody wins. Everybody loses. And so, I strongly believe that it is absolutely essential to avoid trade wars. And we don’t know yet what is going to happen. Many things are changing every day, but I hope we come to the end of this with a rational global trade system.

Spokesman: Thank you, Pam, and then we’ll have to go.

Question: Thank you very much for a somewhat grim Report, but an optimistic view of it. Pamela Falk from US News and World Report. So, a big picture question. The Pew Charitable Trust, other organizations, look at the UN and favourability around the world. And although it’s still positive, it’s trending downward. What can you do, particularly since global goals like nutrition that overlaps two SDGs, people at the N4D [Nutrition for Development] is looking for private sector funds, clusters of countries. Is that the new multilateralism? And what can you do to bring up the favourability of the UN?

Thank you.

Secretary-General: What we are witnessing in the world today is a progressive trend for a multipolar world. You see the emerging economies growing at a faster rate than developed countries. We can talk about China, but we can talk about India, we can talk about Indonesia, we can talk about so many other countries. So, the global economic relations are changing, and we see a trend more and more for these different entities to network. And in that networking, multipolarity will tend to strengthen multilateralism. So, I’m very optimistic about the future of multilateralism because I’m seeing that every single day, there is a bit more equilibrium in international relations. Every single day, we move a little bit more to multipolarity. And at every single day, we are heading into a direction that, because multipolarity by itself requires multilateralism, we are heading into a direction in which the present trends and the present attacks and the present, I would say, forms of undermining multilateralism, will inevitably fail.

Spokesman: Thank you very much. We need to let our guests go.

MIL OSI United Nations News –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taiwan, Eswatini further enhance ties at 27th Economic and Technical Cooperation Conference

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The 27th Economic and Technical Cooperation Conference between Taiwan and Eswatini was held on July 2, 2025, achieving positive results in terms of enhancing bilateral ties in various areas.

During the meeting, which was co-chaired by Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo and Eswatini Minister of Economic Planning and Development Thambo Gina, the two sides discussed a range of topics, such as cooperation on business digitalization, science parks, human capital development, tourism and digital transformation.

Since the launch of the Taiwan-Eswatini Economic Cooperation Agreement in 2018, bilateral trade between the two sides has grown steadily. In 2024, two-way trade reached US$8.19 million, marking an increase of 8% compared with 2017. During that period, Eswatini’s exports to Taiwan have risen by more than 29%.

Taiwan continues to actively assist in various initiatives aimed at fostering Eswatini’s further economic growth and development, while Eswatini consistently voices support for Taiwan’s greater participation in the international community. The two sides will continue engaging in bilateral cooperation to create an even more sustainable economic and trade partnership.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Durbin, Kelly, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponization of Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

Padilla, Durbin, Kelly, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponization of Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) led 21 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these predatory actions as an affront to due process. The Senators expressed serious concern over recent reporting of the Trump Administration’s inhumane initiatives of detaining noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, often suddenly dismissing their immigration cases and arresting them without prior notice.

“These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns,” wrote the Senators. “They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

“These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer,” concluded the Senators.

The Senators admonished the misuse of expedited removal (ER) as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts, noting that it typically has only been applied to noncitizens upon their arrival or within 14 days of their arrival if they are detained near the border. The widespread use of ER for law-abiding noncitizens entrenched in the United States — including those working or attending school — is unprecedented and violates due process protections.

The Senators also underscored the insincerity and misleading nature of ICE’s intentions outside these hearings, arguing that ICE often did not give prior notice or explanation of their intentions for fast-track removals surrounding these hearings. This prevents noncitizens from seeking counsel or taking steps to oppose their removals. They also made a series of information requests.

In addition to Padilla, Durbin, and Kelly, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Senators Padilla and Schiff, as well as Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), and Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), previously sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressing their concern over the deliberate targeting of immigrants trying to follow the legal process at courthouses, including at the San Diego Immigration Court located in the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi, and Acting Director Lyons:

We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them. Some reports indicated that plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stationed outside of immigration courtrooms had lists of cases marked for dismissal and even photos of the individuals they intended to arrest. Upon the granting of this request by an immigration judge, ICE officers have reportedly arrested individuals or families outside the courtrooms and placed them in a fast-track removal process known as expedited removal (ER). These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.

ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who “is arriving in the United States” and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States. Individuals subject to ER are mandatorily detained and can be summarily deported without a hearing before a judge, administrative appeal or federal court review, unlike regular removal proceedings. The ER process offers very limited administrative review and no meaningful opportunity for a noncitizen to challenge whether they can legally be placed in ER. There is no real opportunity to provide documentation, for example, that would demonstrate they have continuously resided in the United States for more than two years, or that they were, in fact, admitted or paroled into the United States and therefore not subject to ER. ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.

Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing. It has been a longstanding practice to dismiss cases that are not a priority for enforcement or that ICE chooses not to prosecute, allowing noncitizens to instead pursue immigration applications affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here, however, many noncitizens were not notified that their cases were being dismissed for a different purpose—to place them in ER—and effectively deny them access to a decision from an immigration judge as well as affirmative applications through USCIS. Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.

Immigration judges—who are not part of an independent judiciary but housed under the Executive Office of Immigration Review within the Department of Justice—have also received guidance encouraging immigration judges to grant the ICE attorneys’ motion to dismiss “with no additional documentation or briefing” or opportunity for a noncitizen to respond. In some cases, immigration judges were not made aware of the purpose of the dismissal. As a result, immigration judges could not take into account in their dismissal determination that the noncitizen will immediately be placed in ER. In some cases, the immigration judge did not give noncitizens adequate time to respond to ICE motions to dismiss, or ensure those appearing pro se were informed of the consequences of their cases being dismissed. And in some cases, the immigration judge dismissed the case over the strong objections from the noncitizen who wished for their immigration case to continue with the court.

Noncitizens whose removal proceedings are abruptly dismissed in this manner lose the ability to request relief in immigration court for which they are otherwise eligible, such as asylum or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, or to request that an immigration judge hold their case while they pursue an immigration status with USCIS, such as classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile. Many of these noncitizens who had their cases dismissed had reportedly already submitted an asylum application or other forms of relief to the immigration court, raising serious concerns that their applications were wrongfully denied any consideration. For example, a Mexican transgender woman with no criminal history who came to the United States in 2023 after being subject to abduction and rape by members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico, had applied for asylum; upon her appearance for her court hearing in Portland, Oregon, ICE moved to dismiss her case, the court granted the request, and she was subsequently arrested by ICE agents in the lobby. In another case, ICE requested the dismissal of a case of a Cuban man who entered the United States in 2021 and had an asylum application pending; an immigration judge in the Miami Immigration Court told the asylum seeker he could seek asylum affirmatively from USCIS after the dismissal; instead, ICE arrested and detained him.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, “[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.” Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.

These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.

We request responses to the following questions by July 25, 2025:

1. What specific guidance has DHS or DOJ/EOIR issued regarding the dismissal of standard 240 removal proceedings and the facilitation of enforcement actions in and around immigration courtrooms? Please provide a copy of the relevant guidance, email, memorandum, or other directives associated with this policy.

2. How many individuals have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases from January 20th to May 19th, 2025? How many have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal since May 20, 2025? Provide the total number of individuals arrested and detained by week, and disaggregate by country of origin, gender, and age.

a. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been referred for a credible fear interview (CFI)? How many have passed that interview with the asylum officer and how many did not? Of the total negative CFIs by an asylum officer, how many were reviewed by an Immigration Judge and reversed?

b. Of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases, how many had applications pending with the immigration court in INA 240 proceedings at the time that the ICE attorney moved for dismissal? How many had applications pending with USCIS (e.g. adjustment of status, SIJ classification, T or U visa)? Of those with applications pending in immigration court, how many were asylum applications and how many were for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident?

c. Of those individuals who had asylum applications pending in immigration court when the ICE attorney requested the dismissal of proceedings, how many were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER? Of those, how many passed that interview with the Asylum Officer and were placed back into proceedings to again pursue their asylum claim? Of those with an asylum application pending who were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER, how many had a negative CFI with an asylum officer which was subsequently reversed by an IJ and were placed back into proceedings?

d. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been placed back into INA 240 proceedings for any reason?

3. Are immigration judges being monitored or tracked on how they respond to ICE motions to dismiss the cases or to withdraw the NTA? If so, how is that information being utilized?

4. There are reports of cases where the immigration judge did not immediately grant ICE’s motion to dismiss and did give the noncitizen additional time to respond, but ICE detained the noncitizen anyway.

a) Since May 20th, in how many cases has an ICE attorney orally requested a dismissal, and the IJ has either denied such a motion or granted additional time for the noncitizen to respond?

b) In how many of those cases did ICE arrest and detain the noncitizen despite the removal proceedings not being dismissed?

c) In how many of those cases did ICE request a Change of Venue to a detained docket?

d) For the subset of cases moved to the detained docket, in how many cases has ICE moved to dismiss again before a different immigration judge in order to place the noncitizen in ER?

5. Of the total detained and placed in ER after the dismissal of their court cases, how many had a criminal conviction?

6. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were continuously present in the United States for more than two years? Provide an explanation of the legal basis for their placement in ER.

7. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were in removal proceedings after having been initially paroled into the United States at a port of entry? Provide the total number and disaggregate by country of origin, gender and age. Also, provide the total number of individuals who were initially paroled more than two years prior to the issuance of the I-860 ER order.

8. Provide a complete list of all the immigration courts where ICE courthouse arrests and placements into ER have occurred since May 20, 2025. At each of these immigration courts, disaggregated by each individual court, have in abstentia removal orders increased and if so, by what percentage of the total scheduled court hearings? Provide a daily accounting of the number of in absentia removal orders issued in each immigration court since January 1, 2025, disaggregated by court.

Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese medics treat patients, empower locals in Benin

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

A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (C) examines a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

When Yang Ping stepped back into the intensive care unit, a wave of relief washed over her: Beatrice Lawe, a 45-year-old patient once teetering on the brink of death, was breathing on her own, vital signs stable, after an emergency operation performed by Yang and fellow members of the Chinese Medical Team in Benin.

“She really made it through,” recalled Yang, a surgeon who leads the 27th Chinese medical team.

Lawe had earlier undergone surgery for peritonitis and appendicitis at another hospital, but developed severe complications shortly after. When her condition suddenly deteriorated, she was rushed to the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, southwest Benin.

Yang still remembers the moment of her initial assessment. “Based on clinical experience, the odds of her survival were almost nil,” she said.

Despite the grim outlook, Yang and her colleagues pressed on with emergency procedures, fully supported by the patient’s family. Two weeks later, a miracle unfolded: Lawe regained consciousness with her condition stabilized.

She was eventually discharged in good health and, six months later, underwent a successful second operation for colostomy reversal and digestive tract reconstruction, after which she fully returned to normal life.

Her recovery became more than just a clinical success. It symbolized the deep trust and friendship between Chinese doctors and Beninese patients.

The hospital where Lawe was cured has a longstanding bond with China. Built with Chinese aid and inaugurated in April 1997, the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center serves as a key regional medical center in Benin.

Since 1978, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China has continuously dispatched medical teams to the West African country, a commitment that has remained unbroken for 47 years.

The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou.

Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication.

In a country with limited infrastructure, scarce advanced equipment, and a high prevalence of tropical diseases, the Chinese medical team often works under intense pressure.

“Motorcycle-related trauma cases are especially frequent,” Yang noted. “At peak times, we handle up to seven or eight severe orthopedic injuries a day.”

To help address these challenges, China and Benin signed a cooperation agreement in 2021, establishing a partnership between the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center.

Through telemedicine consultations, academic exchanges, talent training, and expert visits, the program aims not just to heal, but to empower.

“We are not only here to treat patients,” Yang said. “We are here to leave behind skills that will stay on and benefit our Beninese friends for generations.”

Through case discussions, live demonstrations, and bedside teaching, the Chinese team helps local hospital staff improve their ability to independently manage situations such as emergency trauma, fracture reduction, and postoperative care.

The resulting effects are evident to the Beninese crew. Head nurse Jacqueline Oussou, who has worked in Lokossa for 15 years, said she has seen an increase in patients coming specifically for Chinese doctors.

“They are so dedicated, and they did an excellent job in surgery, obstetrics, otolaryngology and ophthalmology,” she said.

In the anesthesia department, nurse Elsie Tchenagni highlighted the importance of the new equipment and skills brought by the Chinese team.

“They not only brought in new equipment, but also trained us patiently on how to use them,” she said. “Now our procedures are much more precise. Even with language barriers, we have developed strong working chemistry.”

From emergency surgeries to daily rounds, from hands-on training to technology transfer, the Chinese medical team in Benin has become more than just a group of doctors. They are trusted partners in health and an embodiment of friendship.

Over the past 47 years, successive generations of Chinese doctors have traveled from afar to serve in Benin, upholding the principle that “people come first, life comes first.” Their unwavering dedication is reflected in the lives they save and the lasting impact they have on local healthcare.

In every hospital ward and surgical theater, their presence tells a quiet yet powerful story — one of humanity, perseverance, and a shared hope for a healthier future.

MIL OSI China News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – Unlocking Opportunity: How India can Harness the Africa Corridor to Grow Merchandise Exports (By Shivank Goel)

Source: Rand Merchant Bank

From tech stack adoption in countries like Ghana and Angola, to partnerships between Indian public sector firms and African energy providers, the bilateral relationship is rapidly deepening

SANDTON, South Africa, July 14, 2025 – By Shivank Goel, an Indo-Africa Corridor Specialist at RMB (www.RMB.co.za)

At GTR Africa 2025, a diverse panel of experts – including representatives from the Reserve Bank of India’s research wing, MSME chambers and leading financial institutions – explored the question of how India can double its export trade to reach the government’s target of $2 trillion by 2030. In 2024, India’s exports of goods and services were estimated at over $800 billion, up 5.6% year on year. Yet services continue to outpace goods, with an eight-percentage-point lead in growth.

For India to achieve a more balanced export profile and reach its national targets, boosting merchandise exports is imperative. Africa stands out as a significant factor in helping India achieve its ambitious goals, particularly as a market for Indian merchandise exports. Financial institutions have a substantial role to play in supporting this trade and unlocking the opportunities within the India-Africa corridor.

A growth market with strategic alignment

Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Across sectors such as infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, agriculture, and consumer goods, Indian products are already gaining traction. Shared cultural and historical ties, a largely English-speaking business environment, and similar developmental goals in education, technology, healthcare, and infrastructure position the two regions as natural trade partners.

With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa is poised to become more integrated with an addressable market of 1.2 billion people, $3.4 trillion in GDP, and reduced intra-continental tariffs. This transforms the way Indian exporters can approach the region, moving from fragmented country-specific strategies to viewing Africa as a unified, high-growth destination, not only for trade but also for embedding into the region as a way to participate in the global value chain.

Financial and structural hurdles to overcome

Although this opportunity is promising, Indian exporters, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), face several challenges in navigating African markets. One of the most significant hurdles is logistical complexity, including infrastructure constraints in certain regions, which can disrupt supply chains and increase the cost and time of moving goods across borders.

Another key concern is partner and counterparty risk. In many cases, assessing the creditworthiness of potential trading partners is difficult, and this uncertainty can deter Indian firms from entering new markets. Exporters must also contend with foreign exchange volatility and concerns about the timely and secure repatriation of funds, which can further complicate trade with certain African countries.

In addition, many exporters – particularly newer or smaller firms – struggle to access the working capital and trade finance required to scale operations or explore new markets. These financing gaps can limit their ability to take advantage of the growing opportunities presented by Africa’s expanding consumer base and regional trade integration.

Overcoming these barriers requires a holistic financial approach that combines a deep understanding of local markets with tailored credit solutions, risk mitigation tools, and long-term partnership models.

Digitisation is a critical enabler of trade finance

As global trade becomes increasingly volatile due to shifting tariffs, regulatory uncertainty, and tightening cycles, efficiency and agility are critical. Digital transformation plays a pivotal role in reducing costs and improving access to finance.

Innovations such as e-bills of lading, blockchain-based guarantees, and the use of machine learning and AI for document verification and compliance checks can reduce delays and human error in cross-border trade processes. While traditional trade finance cycles can take 60 to 90 days, digital solutions allow exporters to respond quickly to market changes and manage cash flow more effectively.

Banks and financiers investing in African-led digitisation efforts are well placed to support Indian exporters entering or expanding in the region. By building digital platforms that align with local regulatory environments and business norms, financial partners can help unlock a new era of trade connectivity between the two regions.

Leveraging AfCFTA for regional and global value chains

One of the most powerful tools available to Indian exporters is the ability to use Africa not just as an end market but also as a base for regional and global value chain participation. With AfCFTA aiming to eliminate trade barriers between African nations, a company that invests or establishes operations in one country could potentially access the entire continent tariff-free.

This opens new opportunities to move up the value chain through manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint ventures that foster local capacity while increasing India’s global trade footprint. It also encourages long-term thinking and investment in the corridor, for shared prosperity, rather than short-term export opportunism.

The need for skills and inclusive innovation

Export growth cannot happen in a vacuum. Both India and Africa need to invest in upskilling and reskilling their workforces, particularly in fields like engineering, logistics, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Encouraging more people to pursue careers in these sectors is essential in building long-term trade resilience.

Technology must be made accessible and inclusive, with tools and training offered in local languages and tailored to diverse educational backgrounds. The goal is not to replace people with machines, but to empower people to work more effectively with technology, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity, particularly in the areas of financing and trade compliance.

The role of diplomacy

India’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement with Africa is already yielding results. During its presidency of the G20 in 2023, India championed the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member, highlighting its ambition to serve as a voice for the Global South.

Today, India is collaborating with African nations on digital infrastructure, payment platforms, energy projects, naval cooperation, and more. From tech stack adoption in countries like Ghana and Angola, to partnerships between Indian public sector firms and African energy providers, the bilateral relationship is rapidly deepening.

To accelerate trade, policy frameworks on both sides must evolve to support openness, competition, and innovation. Incentives for exporters, joint R&D investments, streamlined customs procedures, and predictable regulations will all play a critical role.

Building a corridor for shared prosperity

The India–Africa trade corridor represents one of the most promising frontiers for growing Indian merchandise exports in the coming decade. The geopolitical environment is increasingly supportive, and there is significant scale and numerous synergies that can be leveraged for expansion.

By investing in digital transformation, financial access, skills development, and long-term policy alignment, stakeholders across the trade ecosystem, from governments and banks to MSMEs and large corporates, can build a corridor that delivers shared growth and resilience. Africa is not just a market to be tapped; it has the potential to become a strategic partner for India in shaping the future of global trade.

About the Author:
Shivank Goel is an Indo-Africa Corridor Specialist at RMB. He was a panellist at GTR Africa 2025, contributing to the discussion on policy and finance strategies to accelerate India’s merchandise exports and strengthen the India–Africa trade corridor.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: African Development Bank Project Enhances Water Access in Malawi Town

Source: African Development Bank Group
In the green hills of Rumphi, northern Malawi, the hum of progress can be heard at the newly established Rumphi Technical College. With its modern buildings, new equipment, and a sense of optimism, the college has quickly become a symbol of opportunity.

MIL OSI Economics –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: African Development Bank and CIF to launch report on increasing business opportunities, access to credit for women in renewable energy in Uganda,…
Source: African Development Bank Group

What:        Launch of report: Increasing Business Opportunities and Access to Credit for Women in Renewable Energy in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda

Who:         African Development Bank and Climate Investment Funds

When:       July 14, 2025 – 2:00pm – 4:00 pm EAT

Where: Zoom: https://afdb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gFMNsnCCSMy_ovBU0N7HxA

The African Development Bank will launch a new report, Increasing Business Opportunities and Access to Credit for Women in Renewable Energy in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.

The report, developed under the Climate Investment Funds (CIF)-supported Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program in collaboration with the African Development Bank, sheds light on the challenges and immense untapped potential of women entrepreneurs driving growth in the region’s dynamic renewable energy sector.

While women comprise over 50% of the population in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, they lead less than 20% of renewable energy businesses in these nations. A significant barrier remains access to finance, with women entrepreneurs in renewable energy accessing only 7% of available commercial capital. This disparity highlights a critical need for targeted interventions to unlock their full economic potential and accelerate the sustainable energy transition in East Africa.

Report Highlights
- Barriers to Accessing Business Opportunities and Finance: The study identifies structural, and gender-specific barriers that hinder women entrepreneurs from securing business opportunities and financing.
- Untapped Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs: Beyond traditional roles, the report underscores vast opportunities for women to expand their engagement across entire renewable energy value chains.
- Existing Interventions and Critical Gaps: The report reviews current financing mechanisms, capacity-building programs, technical assistance, and policy interventions designed to support women entrepreneurs in renewable energy.
- Actionable Recommendations: The report provides concrete recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, and large private and public sector companies.
Join the Conversation

Engage with key findings, learn from shared stakeholder experiences, and collaborate on practical steps to empower women in renewable energy.

For more information, click: [email protected]
MIL OSI Economics –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Turning the Tide: Democratic Republic of Congo’s Emergency Food Production Project Sows Resilience, Plants Hope

Source: African Development Bank Group
In the early morning, the fields stretch as far as the eye can see, bathed in the soft light of the rising sun. In Kwilu, Kasai, and Tshopo provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rural communities are reclaiming their land with renewed energy. Here, every furrow in the earth tells a story of resilience…

MIL OSI Economics –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Eighth Former Correctional Officer Sentenced on Federal Civil Rights Charges in Connection with Death of Inmate at West Virginia Jail

Source: United States Department of Justice

A former correctional officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Andrew Fleshman, 22, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.

According to his plea agreement, Fleshman responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Correctional Officer Fleshman arrived at the pod, Q.B. was on the floor as force was being used against him. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officer Fleshman and other members of the conspiracy then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where, aided and abetted by each other, they struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Fleshman admitted that he and the members of the conspiracy struck and injured Q.B. to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod.

Fleshman pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk on Nov. 2, 2023. That same day, former correctional officer Steven Nicholas Wimmer also pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to nine years in prison.

On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Holdren to 20 years in prison and Walters was sentenced to 21 years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Snyder to 19 years and seven months in prison.

In August 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney to six and a half years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Boothe to three years in prison.

On Jan. 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 17 and a half years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

MIL Security OSI –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Joins Durbin, Colleagues in Pressing Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

July 11, 2025

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and 20 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants who are just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process.

“We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them,” wrote the Senators. “These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

Slamming the Administration for endangering due process and putting immigrants into a horrible situation with no benefit to our country, the Senators continued, “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Kelly and Padilla, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Full text of the letter is available below and on Senator Duckworth’s website.

Dear Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi, and Acting Director Lyons:

We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them. Some reports indicated that plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stationed outside of immigration courtrooms had lists of cases marked for dismissal and even photos of the individuals they intended to arrest. Upon the granting of this request by an immigration judge, ICE officers have reportedly arrested individuals or families outside the courtrooms and placed them in a fast-track removal process known as expedited removal (ER). These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.

ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who “is arriving in the United States” and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than days after arrival in the United States. Individuals subject to ER are mandatorily detained and can be summarily deported without a hearing before a judge, administrative appeal or federal court review, unlike regular removal proceedings. The ER process offers very limited administrative review and no meaningful opportunity for a noncitizen to challenge whether they can legally be placed in ER. There is no real opportunity to provide documentation, for example, that would demonstrate they have continuously resided in the United States for more than two years, or that they were, in fact, admitted or paroled into the United States and therefore not subject to ER. ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.

Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing. It has been a longstanding practice to dismiss cases that are not a priority for enforcement or that ICE chooses not to prosecute, allowing noncitizens to instead pursue immigration applications affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here, however, many noncitizens were not notified that their cases were being dismissed for a different purpose—to place them in ER—and effectively deny them access to a decision from an immigration judge as well as affirmative applications through USCIS. Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.

Immigration judges—who are not part of an independent judiciary but housed under the Executive Office of Immigration Review within the Department of Justice—have also received guidance encouraging immigration judges to grant the ICE attorneys’ motion to dismiss “with no additional documentation or briefing” or opportunity for a noncitizen to respond. In some cases, immigration judges were not made aware of the purpose of the dismissal. As a result, immigration judges could not take into account in their dismissal determination that the noncitizen will immediately be placed in ER. In some cases, the immigration judge did not give noncitizens adequate time to respond to ICE motions to dismiss, or ensure those appearing pro se were informed of the consequences of their cases being dismissed. And in some cases, the immigration judge dismissed the case over the strong objections from the noncitizen who wished for their immigration case to continue with the court.

Noncitizens whose removal proceedings are abruptly dismissed in this manner lose the ability to request relief in immigration court for which they are otherwise eligible, such as asylum or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, or to request that an immigration judge hold their case while they pursue an immigration status with USCIS, such as classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile. Many of these noncitizens who had their cases dismissed had reportedly already submitted an asylum application or other forms of relief to the immigration court, raising serious concerns that their applications were wrongfully denied any consideration. For example, a Mexican transgender woman with no criminal history who came to the United States in 2023 after being subject to abduction and rape by members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico, had applied for asylum; upon her appearance for her court hearing in Portland, Oregon, ICE moved to dismiss her case, the court granted the request, and she was subsequently arrested by ICE agents in the lobby. In another case, ICE requested the dismissal of a case of a Cuban man who entered the United States in 2021 and had an asylum application pending; an immigration judge in the Miami Immigration Court told the asylum seeker he could seek asylum affirmatively from USCIS after the dismissal; instead, ICE arrested and detained him.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, “[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time…to make an appearance.” Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.

These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.

We request responses to the following questions by July 25, 2025:
1. What specific guidance has DHS or DOJ/EOIR issued regarding the dismissal of standard 240 removal proceedings and the facilitation of enforcement actions in and around immigration courtrooms? Please provide a copy of the relevant guidance, email, memorandum, or other directives associated with this policy.
1. How many individuals have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases from January 20th to May 19th, 2025? How many have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal since May 20, 2025? Provide the total number of individuals arrested and detained by week, and disaggregate by country of origin, gender, and age.
  
  What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been referred for a credible fear interview (CFI)? How many have passed that interview with the asylum officer and how many did not? Of the total negative CFIs by an asylum officer, how many were reviewed by an Immigration Judge and reversed?
  
  Of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases, how many had applications pending with the immigration court in INA 240 proceedings at the time that the ICE attorney moved for dismissal? How many had applications pending with USCIS (e.g. adjustment of status, SIJ classification, T or U visa)? Of those with applications pending in immigration court, how many were asylum applications and how many were for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident?
  
  Of those individuals who had asylum applications pending in immigration court when the ICE attorney requested the dismissal of proceedings, how many were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER? Of those, how many passed that interview with the Asylum Officer and were placed back into proceedings to again pursue their asylum claim? Of those with an asylum application pending who were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER, how many had a negative CFI with an asylum officer which was subsequently reversed by an IJ and were placed back into proceedings?
  
  What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been placed back into INA 240 proceedings for any reason?
1. Are immigration judges being monitored or tracked on how they respond to ICE motions to dismiss the cases or to withdraw the NTA? If so, how is that information being utilized?
2. There are reports of cases where the immigration judge did not immediately grant ICE’s motion to dismiss and did give the noncitizen additional time to respond, but ICE detained the noncitizen anyway.
  
  Since May 20th, in how many cases has an ICE attorney orally requested a dismissal, and the IJ has either denied such a motion or granted additional time for the noncitizen to respond?
  
  In how many of those cases did ICE arrest and detain the noncitizen despite the removal proceedings not being dismissed?
  
  In how many of those cases did ICE request a Change of Venue to a detained docket?
  
  For the subset of cases moved to the detained docket, in how many cases has ICE moved to dismiss again before a different immigration judge in order to place the noncitizen in ER?
1. Of the total detained and placed in ER after the dismissal of their court cases, how many had a criminal conviction?
1. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were continuously present in the United States for more than two years? Provide an explanation of the legal basis for their placement in ER.
1. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were in removal proceedings after having been initially paroled into the United States at a port of entry? Provide the total number and disaggregate by country of origin, gender and age. Also, provide the total number of individuals who were initially paroled more than two years prior to the issuance of the I-860 ER order.
1. Provide a complete list of all the immigration courts where ICE courthouse arrests and placements into ER have occurred since May 20, 2025. At each of these immigration courts, disaggregated by each individual court, have in abstentia removal orders increased and if so, by what percentage of the total scheduled court hearings? Provide a daily accounting of the number of in absentia removal orders issued in each immigration court since January 1, 2025, disaggregated by court.
Sincerely,

-30-
MIL OSI USA News –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Saddened by Passing of Muhammadu Buhari, Secretary-General Praises Former Nigerian President’s Key Role Promoting Regional Peace, Security in West Africa

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

SG/SM/22728

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

During his tenure, President Buhari demonstrated a deep commitment to the sovereignty, stability and development of his country. He also played a key role in promoting regional peace and security in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin. He was also a strong advocate for multilateral and regional cooperation.

The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government, and the people of Nigeria during this time of national mourning.

For information media. Not an official record.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: BitMart Research—Pump.fun’s Pricey Token Launch Raises Doubts About Its Market Lead
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Mahe, Seychelles, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart Research, the research arm of BitMart Exchange, has released a critical analysis of Pump.fun’s recent token launch, spotlighting growing investor skepticism surrounding the platform’s $4 billion valuation. Once the undisputed leader in Solana’s meme token launch sector, Pump.fun is now facing mounting pressure from rising competitors and weakening user sentiment. The newly launched PUMP token—offering no governance, utility, or fee-sharing—has sparked controversy over its long-term viability, especially given its fully unlocked $1.32 billion fundraising tranche. With questions about token economics, platform alignment, and market timing, the report explores whether Pump.fun’s dominance is slipping in the face of a rapidly evolving competitive landscape.

1.Pump.fun Launches Token at $4B Valuation, Faces Market Skepticism

On July 9, Pump.fun announced the launch of its platform token PUMP, with a total supply of 1 trillion tokens and 33% allocated for fundraising at $0.004 each. This gives the project a $4 billion valuation, with all fundraising tokens unlocked at launch, creating a potential $1.32 billion in immediate sell pressure. As of July 11, the token traded around $0.0051, roughly 22% above the sale price.

The launch comes amid weak market sentiment and shrinking on-chain liquidity. Though Pump.fun has long dominated the Solana meme token launch space, its revenue, user activity, and market share have declined, while competitors like letsbonk.fun have gained ground.

Critics argue the token lacks real utility or governance rights, and fear the launch is more of a liquidity exit than a long-term plan. The team’s history of selling platform fees instead of supporting the community has only deepened concerns.
Since January 2024, Pump.fun has earned $670M in revenue, once holding over 40% market share. However, letsbonk.fun briefly overtook it, showing that Pump.fun’s dominance is no longer secure. While it has since regained the lead, the competitive landscape and high-risk token model have raised doubts about its future sustainability.

Data Source：Dune

2. PUMP Tokenomics Overview
- 33% – Public sale (Initial Token Offering)
- 24% – Community and ecosystem initiatives
- 20% – Team allocation
- 13% – Existing investors
- 3% – Airdrop (Live campaigns)
- 2.6% – Liquidity and exchange listings
- 2.4% – Ecosystem fund
- 2% – Foundation
PUMP Token Details

Token Sale Overview：
33% of the total token supply will be sold during the token offering, with 18% allocated to a private round for institutional investors and 15% to a public sale conducted across six centralized exchanges. Both rounds are priced at $0.004 per token, implying a fully diluted valuation of $4 billion. All tokens from the sale will be fully unlocked on the day of listing.

Sale Timeline
- Start time is July 12, 2025 at 14:00 UTC
- End time is July 15, 2025 at 14:00 UTC or when tokens are sold out, whichever comes first
- Tokens will be distributed within 48 to 72 hours after the sale ends
- Tokens will become transferable within 48 to 72 hours after distribution
Participation Requirements
- KYC verification is required
- Residents of the United States, United Kingdom, and other restricted jurisdictions are not allowed to participate
Token Utility
- PUMP is the native token of the Pump.fun platform
- Its only purpose is to promote the Pump.fun ecosystem
- It does not provide any ownership, revenue sharing, voting rights, or platform fee benefits
- Funds raised will be used for platform operations and to pay service providers
Data Source: Pump.fun

3. Competitor Analysis

24H DataSource: Jupiter

Pump.fun still holds a leading position in terms of market share and trading activity. However, this dominance is being eroded by the rapid rise of competitors like letsbonk.fun. More critically, Pump.fun faces structural weaknesses in its tokenomics. The platform’s native token, PUMP, has no built-in economic rights — it offers no ownership, revenue sharing, governance rights, or fee rebates. The team has made it clear that PUMP’s only function is to promote the platform. As such, the token lacks intrinsic value and is essentially a “narrative-only” asset, which makes it difficult to incentivize long-term holding or establish strong alignment between users and the platform.

In contrast, letsbonk.fun has a more robust and value-aligned token model. Although BONK also lacks ownership rights, it integrates deflationary and liquidity mechanisms that support price and holding incentives. Specifically, 35% of the platform’s 1% transaction fee is used to buy back and burn BONK, while 30% is injected into BONK liquidity pools — boosting market depth through an automated market-making loop. These features enhance token utility and long-term appeal.

Other competitors, such as Jupiter Studio, are also building more comprehensive token value loops. The JUP token not only enables community governance but also offers staking rewards tied to platform incentives, forming a basic “governance-to-yield” relationship. Compared to PUMP’s hollow design, tokens like BONK and JUP demonstrate stronger user alignment and longer-term competitiveness through better utility and economic structure.

4. Summary

Pump.fun’s token launch faces strong market scrutiny amid a weak altcoin environment and its recent struggles. Key risks include:
1. Although Pump.fun has been a market leader, competitors like letsbonk.fun have recently overtaken it. Despite this, Pump.fun values its token at $4 billion, much higher than letsbonk’s $2 billion, causing doubts about whether the price is fair.
2. The PUMP token lacks real economic benefits such as governance, profit sharing, or fee returns. It mainly relies on brand hype, which means users have little incentive to hold long-term. Many see this as a way for the team to cash out, not build the platform.
3. Even though Bitcoin has risen recently, the altcoin market is still tight on liquidity with no clear positive changes. Investors are cautious about high-value tokens with heavy selling pressure. Without strong support, PUMP risks price drops after launch.
4. The public sale is very large at $600 million, much bigger than usual. Most buyers will get tokens in this primary sale, leaving little buying interest on secondary markets. Since 33% of tokens (about $1.3 billion) unlock immediately, early investors might sell quickly, causing sharp price drops and liquidity problems.
In short, while Pump.fun still has brand strength, the tough market, weak token design, and big selling pressure create high risks. The future of PUMP depends on whether the team can build a stronger token value and regain market trust after the initial pressure.

About BitMart

BitMart is a premier global digital asset trading platform with more than 10 million users worldwide. Consistently ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, BitMart offers over 1,700 trading pairs with competitive fees. Committed to continuous innovation and financial inclusivity, BitMart empowers users globally to trade seamlessly. Learn more about BitMart at Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

Risk Warning:

The information provided is for reference only and should not be considered a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any financial asset. All information is provided in good faith. However, we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of such information.

All cryptocurrency investments (including returns) are highly speculative in nature and involve significant risk of loss. Past, hypothetical or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies may rise or fall, and there may be significant risks in buying, selling, holding or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial situation and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal or tax advice.

The MIL Network –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: BitMart Launches the 4th Futures King Trading Tournament: Ride the Wind and Unlock Rewards from a 252,000 USDT Prize Pool
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Mahe, Seychelles, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to introduce the 4th Futures King Trading Tournament, available from July 11 to August 8, 2025 (UTC). Users can explore multiple opportunities to unlock a share of 252,000 USDT in rewards, along with exclusive access to Xiaomi YU7, iPhone 16 Pro Max, VIP experience card, and more.

Explore Tiered Trading Rewards

BitMart has designed this campaign to reward users who actively engage in futures trading through volume-based and ROI-based recognition mechanisms. Participants can access daily, weekly, and monthly reward pools based on their trading activity.

Mystery Box (50,000 USDT Pool)

Reach a cumulative futures trading volume of 10,000 USDT to receive one opportunity to draw from the mystery box pool. Rewards include:
- Xiaomi YU7 (credited as 35,264 USDT equivalent)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) (1,599 USDT equivalent)
- 3,000 BMX, BitMart merchandise, VIP cards, and trading bonuses
Trading Activity Recognition

Users who meet the following criteria may qualify for futures trading bonuses based on transparent ranking systems:
- Daily Volume ≥ 30,000 USDT — Up to 300 USDT in daily bonuses
- Weekly Volume ≥ 100,000 USDT — Weekly bonuses up to 2,400 USDT
- Monthly Volume ≥ 200,000 USDT — Monthly bonuses up to 15,680 USDT
- Monthly ROI Ranking — Positive ROI traders with ≥10,000 USDT in volume may access bonuses up to 6,720 USDT
Exclusive VIP Tier Bonus

Users who achieve their first VIP tier upgrade via futures trading during the campaign can unlock:
- VIP 1–3: 100 USDT bonus
- VIP 4–6: 200 USDT bonus
How to Join

This campaign is available to eligible BitMart users who register during the event period and accept the terms and conditions. Please note that users from restricted regions, including the United States, Mainland China, and other sanctioned jurisdictions, are not permitted to participate.

Campaign Period: July 11 – August 8, 2025 (UTC)
More Details & Registration: https://www.bitmart.com/futuresking-tradingtournament-07

About BitMart

BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

Disclaimer: Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

The MIL Network –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: BitMart Launches the 4th Futures King Trading Tournament: Ride the Wind and Unlock Rewards from a 252,000 USDT Prize Pool
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Mahe, Seychelles, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to introduce the 4th Futures King Trading Tournament, available from July 11 to August 8, 2025 (UTC). Users can explore multiple opportunities to unlock a share of 252,000 USDT in rewards, along with exclusive access to Xiaomi YU7, iPhone 16 Pro Max, VIP experience card, and more.

Explore Tiered Trading Rewards

BitMart has designed this campaign to reward users who actively engage in futures trading through volume-based and ROI-based recognition mechanisms. Participants can access daily, weekly, and monthly reward pools based on their trading activity.

Mystery Box (50,000 USDT Pool)

Reach a cumulative futures trading volume of 10,000 USDT to receive one opportunity to draw from the mystery box pool. Rewards include:
- Xiaomi YU7 (credited as 35,264 USDT equivalent)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) (1,599 USDT equivalent)
- 3,000 BMX, BitMart merchandise, VIP cards, and trading bonuses
Trading Activity Recognition

Users who meet the following criteria may qualify for futures trading bonuses based on transparent ranking systems:
- Daily Volume ≥ 30,000 USDT — Up to 300 USDT in daily bonuses
- Weekly Volume ≥ 100,000 USDT — Weekly bonuses up to 2,400 USDT
- Monthly Volume ≥ 200,000 USDT — Monthly bonuses up to 15,680 USDT
- Monthly ROI Ranking — Positive ROI traders with ≥10,000 USDT in volume may access bonuses up to 6,720 USDT
Exclusive VIP Tier Bonus

Users who achieve their first VIP tier upgrade via futures trading during the campaign can unlock:
- VIP 1–3: 100 USDT bonus
- VIP 4–6: 200 USDT bonus
How to Join

This campaign is available to eligible BitMart users who register during the event period and accept the terms and conditions. Please note that users from restricted regions, including the United States, Mainland China, and other sanctioned jurisdictions, are not permitted to participate.

Campaign Period: July 11 – August 8, 2025 (UTC)
More Details & Registration: https://www.bitmart.com/futuresking-tradingtournament-07

About BitMart

BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

Disclaimer: Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

The MIL Network –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Press Trump Admin on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Arrest Immigrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
According to recent reports, the administration has targeted noncriminal immigrants who show up for their court hearings
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet joined 22 of their Senate colleagues to call out the Trump administration’s recent efforts to arrest noncriminal immigrants at their immigration court hearings and deport them without adequate due process.
“This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer…” wrote the senators. “They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”
The senators sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons. They condemned the admin’s efforts that undermine due process and intimidate and discourage people from attending their immigration court hearings.
This February, Hickenlooper and Bennet helped introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would limit immigration arrests at sensitive locations like courthouses, schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
Full text of the letter available HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi, and Acting Director Lyons:
We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them. Some reports indicated that plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stationed outside of immigration courtrooms had lists of cases marked for dismissal and even photos of the individuals they intended to arrest. Upon the granting of this request by an immigration judge, ICE officers have reportedly arrested individuals or families outside the courtrooms and placed them in a fast-track removal process known as expedited removal (ER). These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.
ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who “is arriving in the United States” and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States. Individuals subject to ER are mandatorily detained and can be summarily deported without a hearing before a judge, administrative appeal or federal court review, unlike regular removal proceedings. The ER process offers very limited administrative review and no
meaningful opportunity for a noncitizen to challenge whether they can legally be placed in ER. There is no real opportunity to provide documentation, for example, that would demonstrate they have continuously resided in the United States for more than two years, or that they were, in fact, admitted or paroled into the United States and therefore not subject to ER. ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.
Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed11 and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing. It has been a longstanding practice to dismiss cases that are not a priority for enforcement or that ICE chooses not to prosecute, allowing noncitizens to instead pursue immigration applications affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here, however, many noncitizens were not notified that their cases were being dismissed for a different purpose—to place them in ER—and effectively deny them access to a
decision from an immigration judge as well as affirmative applications through USCIS. Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.
Immigration judges—who are not part of an independent judiciary but housed under the Executive Office of Immigration Review within the Department of Justice—have also received guidance encouraging immigration judges to grant the ICE attorneys’ motion to dismiss “with no additional documentation or briefing” or opportunity for a noncitizen to respond. In some cases, immigration judges were not made aware of the purpose of the dismissal. As a result, immigration judges could not take into account in their dismissal determination that the noncitizen will immediately be placed in ER. In some cases, the immigration judge did not give noncitizens adequate time to respond to ICE motions to dismiss, or ensure those appearing pro se were informed of the consequences of their cases being dismissed. And in some cases, the immigration judge dismissed the case over the strong objections from the noncitizen who wished for their immigration case to continue with the court.
Noncitizens whose removal proceedings are abruptly dismissed in this manner lose the ability to request relief in immigration court for which they are otherwise eligible, such as asylum or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, or to request that an immigration judge hold their case while they pursue an immigration status with USCIS, such as classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile. Many of these noncitizens who had their cases dismissed had
reportedly already submitted an asylum application or other forms of relief to the immigration court, raising serious concerns that their applications were wrongfully denied any consideration. For example, a Mexican transgender woman with no criminal history who came to the United States in 2023 after being subject to abduction and rape by members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico, had applied for asylum; upon her appearance for her court hearing in Portland, Oregon, ICE moved to dismiss her case, the court granted the request, and she was subsequently arrested by ICE agents in the lobby. In another case, ICE requested the dismissal of a case of a Cuban man who entered the United States in 2021 and had an asylum application pending; an immigration judge in the Miami Immigration Court told the asylum seeker he could seek asylum affirmatively from USCIS after the dismissal; instead, ICE arrested and detained him.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, “[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.” Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases
without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.
These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.
We request responses to the following questions by July 25, 2025:
What specific guidance has DHS or DOJ/EOIR issued regarding the dismissal of standard 240 removal proceedings and the facilitation of enforcement actions in and around immigration courtrooms? Please provide a copy of the relevant guidance, email, memorandum, or other directives associated with this policy.
How many individuals have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases from January 20th to May 19th, 2025? How many have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal since May 20, 2025? Provide the total number of individuals arrested and detained by week, and disaggregate by country of origin, gender, and age.
What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been referred for a credible fear interview (CFI)? How many have passed that interview with the asylum officer and how many did not? Of the total negative CFIs by an asylum officer, how many were reviewed by an Immigration Judge and reversed?
Of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases, how many had applications pending with the immigration court in INA 240 proceedings at the time that the ICE attorney moved for dismissal? How many had applications pending with USCIS (e.g. adjustment of status, SIJ classification, T or U visa)? Of those with applications pending in immigration court, how many were asylum applications and how many were for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident?
Of those individuals who had asylum applications pending in immigration court when the ICE attorney requested the dismissal of proceedings, how many were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER? Of those, how many passed that interview with the Asylum Officer and were placed back into proceedings to again pursue their asylum claim? Of those with an asylum application pending who were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER, how many had a negative CFI with an asylum officer which was subsequently reversed by an IJ and were placed back into proceedings?
What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been placed back into INA 240 proceedings for any reason?
Are immigration judges being monitored or tracked on how they respond to ICE motions to dismiss the cases or to withdraw the NTA? If so, how is that information being utilized?
There are reports of cases where the immigration judge did not immediately grant ICE’s motion to dismiss and did give the noncitizen additional time to respond, but ICE detained the noncitizen anyway.
Since May 20th, in how many cases has an ICE attorney orally requested a dismissal, and the IJ has either denied such a motion or granted additional time for the noncitizen to respond?

In how many of those cases did ICE arrest and detain the noncitizen despite the removal proceedings not being dismissed?
In how many of those cases did ICE request a Change of Venue to a detained docket?
For the subset of cases moved to the detained docket, in how many cases has ICE moved to dismiss again before a different immigration judge in order to place the noncitizen in ER?
Of the total detained and placed in ER after the dismissal of their court cases, how many had a criminal conviction?
Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were continuously present in the United States for more than two years? Provide an explanation of the legal basis for their placement in ER.
Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were in removal proceedings after having been initially paroled into the United States at a port of entry? Provide the total number and disaggregate by country of origin, gender and age. Also, provide the total number of individuals who were initially paroled more than two years prior to the issuance of the I-860 ER order.
Provide a complete list of all the immigration courts where ICE courthouse arrests and placements into ER have occurred since May 20, 2025. At each of these immigration courts, disaggregated by each individual court, have in absentia removal orders increased and if so, by what percentage of the total scheduled court hearings? Provide a daily accounting of the number of in absentia removal orders issued in each immigration court since January 1, 2025, disaggregated by court.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National two-minute silence to mark VJ Day 80
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

National two-minute silence to mark VJ Day 80

National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on 15 August 2025 to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day
Event at National Memorial Arboretum to honour VJ veterans will be broadcast live

Red Arrows will join historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft for flypast over national VJ Day 80 commemorations

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in a national two-minute silence on Friday 15 August to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

A Service of Remembrance will honour and remember those who fought and died during the Second World War in the Far East at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which will be broadcast live on BBC1 from midday.

It will host a spectacular tribute to veterans involving 400 members of the Armed Forces, the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

This follows four days of events in May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe.

However, at that time 80 years ago, thousands of British and Commonwealth military personnel continued to fight Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific for a further three months when Victory over Japan (VJ Day) was declared on 15 August 1945, following Imperial Japan’s surrender to Allied Forces. Alongside British Armed Forces, hundreds of thousands of people served in the Far East from countries including pre-partition India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Nepal and from African nations.

The Service of Remembrance will be run in partnership with the Royal British Legion and will be attended by Second World War veterans, VJ association members, senior politicians, and military personnel. It will pay tribute to the British, Commonwealth and Allied veterans who served in the Far East theatres of war, the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories.

The event will include a guard of honour of Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force and music provided by military bands. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will lead a breathtaking flypast featuring the historic Dakota, Hurricane and Spitfire aircrafts.

Veterans attending will include Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans and those involved in the Battles of Kohima and Imphal, as well as Prisoners of War held across the region and veterans stationed in the UK or Commonwealth countries, who contributed to the war effort.

The service is a ticketed event, but members of the public visiting the Arboretum on the day are invited to observe the two-minute silence and watch the service on large screens at a nearby public viewing area.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

Those who continued to fight bravely in Asia and the Pacific in those last few months of the Second World War must never be forgotten.

It is so important for us as a nation to come together on this important anniversary to remember our VJ Day veterans and hear their stories first-hand so we can ensure that their legacy is passed on to future generations and their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Defence Secretary John Healey said:

VJ Day was the final victory in a war that changed the world, and we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude.

Just as we proudly marked VE Day, we reflect on the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many to secure peace.

Their legacy must never be forgotten, and it’s our duty to pass their stories on to future generations.

Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, said:

We encourage everyone across the country to take a moment to reflect during the two-minute silence on VJ Day, to watch the Service of Remembrance live on the BBC or at the Arboretum, and pay tribute to those from Britain and across the Commonwealth who fought in the Far East in the Second World War.

It was so moving to see the nation come together for VE80 and to be putting veterans at the heart of these commemorations – now we have one of our last chances to honour all those VJ Day veterans whose service and sacrifice finally brought an end to the War.

Second World War veteran and RBL ambassador Tom Berry, 101, from Cheshire, who was serving on HMS Tartar in the Pacific when Japan surrendered, said:

For veterans like me and all those who carried on fighting until VJ Day was announced, this will be a very emotional day – a moment in history. I’ll be watching the service at home, and I’d ask the country to do the same – to stop and remember all those who gave so much for our freedoms, and those who never made it back.

The national commemorations will commence with a government reception to celebrate VJ Day with veterans.

Government buildings and High Commissions across the globe will also be lit up on 15 August to commemorate VJ Day.

In addition, Imperial War Museums (IWM) will be screening I Saw The World End, a digital public artwork by celebrated artist and designer Es Devlin, at Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday 6th August to commemorate the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

IWM will also invite visitors to reflect on the events leading up to the end of the Second World War through paper dove and crane making activities at IWM London and IWM North.

On VJ Day itself, IWM will premiere a new contemporary film exploring the events and significance of VJ Day and the war in Asia and the Pacific. The film, which can be seen at IWM North and outdoor screens in locations across the UK, is produced in partnership with SODA (School of Digital Arts), part of Manchester Metropolitan University. A new augmented reality experience at IWM North will also engage audiences in a deeper exploration of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific and its significance, bringing to life some of the personal stories, sound and film from IWM’s collection.

Following the success of IWM’s VE Day Letters to Loved Ones initiative, the public are asked to delve into their family history to find letters sent by relatives to loved ones that provide fresh insight and first-hand testimonies of VJ Day and the war in the Far East. Digital copies can be uploaded onto the official VE/VJ80 website.

Minister Steph Peacock shares her family story, remembering her Grandad and all those he served alongside

James Taylor, IWM’s Principal Curator of Public History said:

The story of the Second World does not finish with VE Day on 8 May 1945, with intense fighting in Asia and the Pacific continuing for another three months, and the destruction of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Through this varied programme of activities, we will shine a light on these often-overlooked stories from the final months of the Second World War. Through public film screenings, digital experiences, and artist commissions, IWM will give people the opportunity to delve deeper into the significance of the war in Asia and the Pacific and its lasting global impact.

The Government is working with partners across the UK, including the Devolved Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure commemorations are inclusive and UK-wide.

The Commonwealth War Graves will continue their Every Story For Evermore campaign through events, new content, and augmented reality tours at international sites. These will include Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries at Nairobi in Kenya, Sai Wan in Hong Kong, Kranji in Singapore, Kanchanaburi in Thailand, and Yokohama in Japan. This will enable international audiences to learn about the men and women who continued to serve in the Second World War after VE Day.

Director of Education, Engagement and Volunteering at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Simon Bendry, said:

As part of the anniversary commemorations marking the end of the Second World War, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is encouraging people around the world to pause and reflect on the human cost of conflict.

We commemorate more than 580,000 casualties who died during the Second World War, and we invite the public to ensure their stories are never forgotten by exploring and contributing to our online story collection, For Evermore, and by joining commemorative events taking place across the globe. From sites in the UK to Japan, from Kenya to Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, local communities will have opportunities to honour and remember those who gave their lives and acknowledge the huge sacrifices made in pursuit of peace.

Notes to editors:

Access to the service at the base of the Arboretum’s Armed Forces Memorial will be strictly by event ticket only.

Members of the public can participate in the commemorations by attending a live screening at the nearby Naval Review and observe the two-minute national silence; pre-booking of car parking via the National Memorial Arboretum website is strongly recommended to guarantee entry.

For further information about VJ Day 80 and to pre-book parking, visit: https://thenma.org.uk/what’s-on/events/remembering-vj-day-80-years-on-national-commemorative-event

Visit the dedicated interactive website ve-vjday80.gov.uk for latest information and ways to get involved.

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Published 14 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Eighth Former Correctional Officer Sentenced on Federal Civil Rights Charges in Connection with Death of Inmate at West Virginia Jail

Source: US State Government of Utah

A former correctional officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Andrew Fleshman, 22, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.

According to his plea agreement, Fleshman responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Correctional Officer Fleshman arrived at the pod, Q.B. was on the floor as force was being used against him. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officer Fleshman and other members of the conspiracy then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where, aided and abetted by each other, they struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Fleshman admitted that he and the members of the conspiracy struck and injured Q.B. to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod.

Fleshman pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk on Nov. 2, 2023. That same day, former correctional officer Steven Nicholas Wimmer also pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to nine years in prison.

On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Holdren to 20 years in prison and Walters was sentenced to 21 years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Snyder to 19 years and seven months in prison.

In August 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney to six and a half years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Boothe to three years in prison.

On Jan. 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 17 and a half years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens July 15 in San Angelo

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Disaster Recovery Center Opens July 15 in San Angelo

Disaster Recovery Center Opens July 15 in San Angelo

AUSTIN, Texas – A Disaster Recovery Center will open Tuesday, July 15, in Tom Green County to offer face-to-face help to survivors who had damage or losses from the severe storms and flooding in Central Texas

Homeowners, renters and eligible non-residents may receive FEMA assistance for losses not covered by insurance

Survivors with homeowners’ or renters’ insurance should first file a claim with their insurance company as soon as possible

If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance

The Disaster Recovery Center is located at:Concho Valley Transit Annex510 N

ChadbourneSan Angelo, TX 76903Hours: noon to 6 p

m

CT Monday to FridayFEMA and the U

S

Small Business Administration are supporting the Texas Division of Emergency Management, which is leading efforts to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance

Center specialists can also identify potential needs and connect survivors with local, state and federal agencies as well as nonprofit organizations and community groups

Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities and those with access and functional needs

They are also equipped with assistive technology

If you need a reasonable accommodation or an American Sign Language interpreter, call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish)

Survivors may visit any Disaster Recovery Center

No appointment is needed

Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance: Visit DisasterAssistance

govUse the FEMA mobile appCall the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

Lines are open from 6 a

m

to 10 p

m

CT daily

If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service

Helpline specialists speak many languages

Press 2 for Spanish

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube

For the latest information about the Texas recovery, visit fema

gov/disaster/4879

Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x

com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook

com/FEMARegion6
toan

nguyen
Mon, 07/14/2025 – 18:00

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Deport Immigrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a group of 22 Senate Democrats led by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) pressing the Trump administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings to arrest and deport immigrants who are trying to follow the law and showing up for their legitimate court cases.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process and a distraction from going after violent criminals.

The senators began by expressing concern over recent reporting of the Trump administration’s inhumane initiatives, writing: “We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them […] These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

The Senators concluded by articulating the horrible situation this puts hardworking immigrants who are trying to follow the law in, before making a series of information requests, writing: “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

The full text of the letter can be found here.

The first and only Latina senator, Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported immigrant communities in Nevada, calling on both administrations to protect TPS holders and other immigrants, as well as leading commonsense legislation to fix our broken immigration system. She has worked to pass meaningful immigration reform that balances critical border security measures with a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Sudan: Life-saving aid must reach the people caught between the rains and conflict

Source: APO

Following the start of the rainy season in Sudan’s North Darfur region, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah said:

“The rainy season is a terrifying prospect for many Sudanese who have fled fighting in North Darfur between armed groups. Internally displaced persons and refugees have told Amnesty International that they fear the coming rains will heighten the risk of diseases and make already dire conditions in their areas even worse. They are desperate for food, including seeds to plant ahead of the rains, water and medical services. Adequate shelter also remains a major concern. One 90-year-old woman told us that she didn’t have any proper shelter and was living under the trees. Others are in similar situations.

“Sudan is the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crisis, yet the humanitarian response for 2025 is grossly underfunded. This will go down in history as an abject failure unless Sudan’s international partners rise to the occasion and increase emergency funding for the humanitarian response in Sudan, as well as for Sudanese refugees.

“To stop this humanitarian emergency from spiraling further, parties to the armed conflict must facilitate rapid, unconditional and safe access to humanitarian aid, and end all attacks on humanitarian objects and personnel.

“Sudan is the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crisis, yet the humanitarian response for 2025 is grossly underfunded. This will go down in history as an abject failure unless Sudan’s international partners rise to the occasion and increase emergency funding for the humanitarian response in Sudan, as well as for Sudanese refugees. More must be done to save lives. The international community cannot afford to look away.”

Background

Since the latest armed conflict broke out in Sudan in April 2023, over 11 million people have fled their homes. Displaced persons live in dire conditions in Sudan, including in Darfur, one of the regions most severely affected by fighting, as well as other countries. Cases of cholera outbreak are already being reported in North Darfur.

Parties to the conflict continue to impede humanitarian access and attack humanitarian objects and personnel.Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to ensure sufficient humanitarian aid to a suffering population.

The rainy season in Darfur typically lasts from June to September. In April, MSF already warned that the rainy season threatened to worsen the ongoing malnutrition crisis. In August 2024, the UN confirmed famine conditions in Zamzam camp and identified 13 other areas at risk of famine.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Media files

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Tunisia: United Nations (UN) experts alarmed by deteriorating human rights situation of lawyers

Source: APO

.

UN experts* today expressed alarm at the situation of lawyers in Tunisia, noting a serious deterioration in the last year.

“Targeting legal professionals solely for performing their role in the justice system or exercising their freedom of expression poses a direct threat to the integrity and fairness of legal proceedings in Tunisia and could jeopardise the right to a fair trial,” the experts said.

The experts noted that lawyer Ahmed Souab was arrested on 21 April 2025, following critical comments made publicly about the recent trial of several opposition figures. Souab was defending some of the clients who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for charges characterised as “conspiracy against State security”. Lawyer Sonia Dahmani was reportedly violently detained at the premises of the Tunisian Bar Association by masked men in May 2024 and is facing five criminal cases all initiated under Decree-Law 2022-54 on “cybercrime” before the Tunis First Instance Court solely for stating her opinion publicly. Dahmani was sentenced in January 2025 to 18 months in prison for her comments in a TV show, and this June, she received an additional two-year prison sentence.

The experts also deplored other reported cases of legal professionals in the country who have been criminally accused, and even sentenced to long prison terms, solely for defending their clients and for expressing their opinion publicly such as Dalila Msaddak, Islem Hamza, Ayachi Hamami, Ghazi Chaouachi, Mehdi Zagrouba, and Lazhar Akremi.

“The measures taken directly interfere with the independence of the legal profession, undermining the ability of lawyers to represent their clients,” the experts said. “They appear designed to ensure critics of the Executive are silenced.”

The experts stressed that free exercise of the legal profession contributes to ensuring access to justice, oversight of State power, protection of due process and fair trial rights.

“We call on Tunisia to comply with international standards providing that lawyers should be able to carry out all their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference. They should not face prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics,” they said. “Like all human beings, lawyers are entitled to freedom of expression and opinion.”

The experts have been in contact with the Government of Tunisia regarding their concerns.

*The experts: Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of expression and opinion.

The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Morocco: His Majesty the King Extends Condolences to Nigerian President Over Passing of Former president Muhammadu Buhari

Source: APO

.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI has sent a message of condolence and sympathy to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the passing of former president Muhammadu Buhari.

In this message, HM the King expresses His deep sorrow upon learning of the passing of former president Muhammadu Buhari, may he rest in peace.

On this sad occasion, the Sovereign conveys His heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the Nigerian president, the grieving family as well as the people of the sister nation upon the loss of an illustrious son, who worked untringinly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people towards further progress and prosperity. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved.”

“I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased. They culminated in the launch of promising development projects that have ushered a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations,” HM the King concludes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: Human Settlements Committee Receives Update on Petitions With Varying Degrees of Satisfaction

Source: APO

.

The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has received updates from the Department of Human Settlements, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, and the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and City of Cape Town on various petitions the committee is considering and has highlighted mixed reactions to the reports. The committee remains of the view that all stakeholders must not rest on their laurels in bringing finality to the petitions.

SLOVO PARK INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS UPGRADING

The committee welcomed the progress made by both the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City of Johannesburg, including the completion of the electrification of households. Also, the committee welcomed the appointment of Joburg Water for the installation of water and sewage infrastructure. The committee has highlighted that in the context of the history of the promises made to the residents of Slovo Park, the movement is welcomed, albeit long overdue.

The committee also welcomed the collaboration between the City of Johannesburg and the provincial department to achieve the medium and long-term interventions planned for the area. The committee has also urged all stakeholders to expedite procurement and other related processes to ensure the achievement of targets.

Also, the committee welcomed the assurance that community engagements and sharing of information with residents have been enhanced to ensure a free flow of information between the government and the people. “The issue of stakeholder engagement is critical to allay fears and eliminate any flare-up of protests. It is critical that as new developments arise and some impediments delay projects, people are informed,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, the Chairperson of the committee.

MAWIGA PETITION

Members of the committee were disappointed with the slow response to finding solutions to the petitioners’ challenges. While the committee acknowledged that there is progress with sites identified and agreed to by two petitioners, the fact that the building of top structures will only commence next year is concerning. Despite this, the committee called for clear monitoring of the progress to ensure that timelines are adhered to, especially in the context of the length of time it has taken to get to this point.

The MAWIGA (Mabopane, Winterveld and Ga-Rankuwa petitioners) submitted a petition alleging maladministration against the City of Tshwane and North West Housing Corporation officials for illegally selling and transferring their properties without their consent.

The committee has called on the City of Tshwane and the Gauteng Provincial Government to expedite the processes to obtain the clearance certificate on the identified land for Mr Mere. The committee has mandated the city to provide regular progress reports on processes to obtain the clearance certificate.

With regards to the North West Provincial Government, the committee is concerned that the Rustenburg Municipality does not have the appetite to approve a house on the military veteran’s quantum on the site identified because the site is on prime land. The committee has called on the department to heighten engagement to ensure that an alternative site is found and that Mr Kgasoe is engaged to ascertain that he agrees with the site.

Despite these challenges, the committee noted that commendable work has been done to resolve the petitions.

New Mandela Square (Western Cape)

The committee has welcomed commendable progress in achieving the project milestones promised to the committee. Despite this, the committee has called for mechanisms to ensure that the implementation of the projects is not hampered by inter-departmental dependencies, such as the procurement of private land and installation of bulk services.

The committee is cognisant that in most cases, projects are affected by delays from varying spheres of government and has called for proactive measures to ensure that this does not hamper progress.

The committee remains committed to receiving regular reports to ensure the resolution of the various petitions being considered by the committee.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Sanctions Committee Concerning South Sudan Discusses Expert Panel’s Final Report

Source: United Nations 4

On 1 July 2025, the Panel of Experts on South Sudan briefed the members of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015), in connection with the Panel’s final report submitted in pursuance of paragraph 18 of resolution 2731 (2024).

During the briefing, the Coordinator provided an overview of the findings and recommendations contained in the Panel’s report, noting inter alia the current volatile political and security situation in South Sudan, including serious clashes between the armed forces of the principal signatories to the peace agreement, as well as the ongoing humanitarian and economic crises.

Following the Coordinator’s presentation, members of the Committee asked questions and exchanged views regarding the findings and recommendations contained in the final report.

For information media. Not an official record.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Durbin, Kelly, Padilla, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigrant Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Migrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

KUOW: ICE agents at Seattle courthouse arrest people whose deportation hearings are dismissed

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and a group of 20 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants who are just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process.

The senators began by expressing concern over recent reporting of the Trump administration’s inhumane initiatives, writing: “We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them … These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

The senators then admonished the misuse of expedited removal (ER) as part of the Trump administration’s efforts, writing: “ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who ‘is arriving in the United States’ and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States … ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.”

The senators then underscored the insincerity and misleading nature of ICE’s intentions outside these hearings, writing: “Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing … Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.”

The senators then raised serious due process concerns, citing recent Supreme Court arguments, writing: “The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, ‘[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.’ Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.”

The senators concluded by articulating the horrible situation this puts immigrants in with no benefit to our country, before making a series of information requests, writing: “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

In addition to Murray, Durbin, Kelly, and Padilla, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

For a PDF version of the letter, click HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Kelly, Padilla, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

July 11, 2025

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) led a group of 21 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants who are just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process.

The Senators began by expressing concern over recent reporting of the Trump Administration’s inhumane initiatives, writing: “We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them … These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

The Senators then admonished the misuse of expedited removal (ER) as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts, writing: “ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who ‘is arriving in the United States’ and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States … ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.”

The Senators then underscored the insincerity and misleading nature of ICE’s intentions outside these hearings, writing: “Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing … Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.”

The Senators then raised serious due process concerns, citing recent Supreme Court arguments, writing: “The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, ‘[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.’ Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.”

The Senators concluded by articulating the horrible situation this puts immigrants in with no benefit to our country, before making a series of information requests, writing: “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

In addition to Durbin, Kelly, and Padilla, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

For a PDF version of the letter, click here.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the passing of former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari

Source: United Nations secretary general

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

During his tenure, President Buhari demonstrated a deep commitment to the sovereignty, stability, and development of his country. He also played a key role in promoting regional peace and security in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin. He was also a strong advocate for multilateral and regional cooperation.

The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government, and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during this time of national mourning.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 15, 2025