NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORDAN FLYTHE, also known as “T,” 32, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to a fentanyl and cocaine trafficking offense.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 31, 2021, Flythe was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 36 months of imprisonment for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine.  He was released from federal prison in September 2022.

    In August 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and Middletown Police Department determined that Flythe was distributing fentanyl and other narcotics in Middletown.  Between August and November 2024, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Flythe.  On December 18, 2024, a court authorized search of Flythe’s residence on Adelaide Street in Hartford revealed approximately 240 grams of fentanyl mixed with xylazine and other additives, and approximately 160 grams of cocaine.

    Flythe pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

    Flythe has been detained since his arrest on March 6, 2025.

    This investigation has been conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, the Middletown Police Department, and the Hartford Police Department.  The task force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Morrison Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for PPP Loan Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Richard Nieto, age 39, of Morrison, Colorado, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $962,438.85 in restitution for engaging in wire fraud and money laundering in connection with obtaining two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    According to the plea agreement, the defendant submitted three fraudulent PPP loan applications to a lender seeking $1,117,903.56 and was successful in obtaining two PPP loans totaling $913,551.88.

    In the first successful application for $175,384.83, the defendant inflated the number of employees and average monthly payroll for his business, Denver Pro Painting & Contracting, that had operated before the pandemic and fabricated Forms 941 that did not match the tax returns filed with the IRS. He then submitted a second successful PPP application for $738,167.05 to the same lender for another business, DenPro, that had no payroll or employees and was not operating at all. In this second application, the defendant made up $1,771,601.04 in annual payroll while fabricating fourth quarter tax returns to support the lies on the application.

    Before making a single payment on either loan, the defendant submitted fraudulent applications for loan forgiveness. In support of the forgiveness applications, the defendant created a total of 87 fake payroll checks and paystubs that falsely indicated that each check related to a specific pay period and employee and that the defendant’s companies had withheld taxes so that they would qualify for loan forgiveness. One of the defendant’s PPP loans was fully forgiven.

    Despite telling the lender that he would use the PPP loan money on business expenses, the defendant transferred PPP loan money through multiple intermediate accounts before using it on personal expenditures and investments. Among other transactions, the defendant used loan money to pay a home mortgage, purchase bitcoin, contribute to an investment account, buy gold and silver coins, and invest in a friend’s startup business. 

    “This is another case of someone using for personal gain a program meant to help people suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “I want the public to know that we are aggressively prosecuting people who stole from this relief program.”

    “Mr. Nieto went to great lengths to abuse a program meant for hardworking small business owners, seeking only to enrich himself.” said Amanda Prestegard, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI Denver Field Office. “We are proud to partner with the U.S Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue those who defrauded this and other CARES Act programs and hold criminals like Mr. Nieto accountable.”

    United States District Judge William J. Martinez presided over the sentencing.

    The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Craig Fansler and Martha Paluch handled the prosecution of the case.

    Case Number: 22-cr-00262-WJM

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Korean Woman Indicted For Unlawful Procurement of Citizenship by Lying on Application

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Michael M. Simpson announced today that YEON SOOK HWANG, a/k/a “Jackie” (“HWANG”), age 50, was indicted on June 5, 2025 for unlawful procurement of naturalization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1425(b).

    According to the indictment, HWANG made false statements on an Application for Naturalization in 2015 in the Eastern District of Louisiana.  She falsely claimed she had not committed any crimes, when, in fact, she had.  If convicted, HWANG faces up to ten years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

    Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Crow Agency woman pleads guilty to false statements

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BILLINGS – A Crow Agency woman accused of making false statements to federal law enforcement admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    The defendant, Micah Taryn Faith LaForge, 24, pleaded guilty to false statement. LaForge faces 5 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

    U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not yet been set.  LaForge was released pending further proceedings.

    The government alleged in court documents that on January 18, 2023, a gunshot victim arrived at the emergency room at the IHS Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital in Crow Agency. He was pronounced dead upon arrival. He was transported to IHS in a vehicle driven by LaForge.

    LaForge lied to medical personnel and a BIA Special Agent at the hospital and then later that same day to an FBI Special Agent and a different BIA Special agent. She told all of these individuals she was driving between Crow Agency and Dunmore when she saw the gunshot victim lying in the road. LaForge claimed she stopped and loaded him into the passenger side of her vehicle and drove directly to IHS. LaForge continued with the lie by traveling to the purported location where she claimed that she saw the gunshot victim lying in the road with a BIA Special Agent. The agent noted there was no evidence, i.e., blood, shell casings, sign of a struggle that would support LaForge’s claim that this was the location where she encountered the gunshot victim.

    The gunshot victim was actually shot at a house on Crow River Road. The day after the initial statement, LaForge contacted law enforcement and admitted she had lied the day before. Her lie about finding the gunshot victim in the middle of the road stymied the investigation for over 15 hours as the investigators had only the false information she provided about the location, which kept the investigators from going to the residence where the victim was shot and collecting evidence. The firearm was never recovered.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute PCP

    Source: US FBI

                WASHINGTON – Norman Morris, 44, of the District of Columbia, was found guilty by a federal jury on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP).

                The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, DEA Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

                Sentencing for Morris, aka “Fibble,” is pending and will be set at a later date.

                According to court documents and testimony at trial before Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, the DEA and the FBI began conducting a criminal investigation in September 2023 of local PCP and fentanyl distributors, a group that included Morris and co-defendants Lamont M. Langston, Kelvin Sanker, and Jamar Bennett.

                Morris conducted apparent drug transactions outside of his residence on the 200 block of 58th Street NE. The transactions were monitored by law enforcement from November 2023 to March 2024. During this same period, Bennett and Langston were observed meeting at Morris’s residence to exchange suspected narcotics and cash.

                During the investigation, Bennett sold more than two kilograms of PCP to undercover officers over the course of nine transactions. The PCP was supplied by Langston and was stored and prepared by Sanker at Sanker’s home. Morris also retrieved 32 ounces of PCP from Sanker at the request of Langston after Langston was arrested with PCP and two firearms. Sixteen ounces of the PCP retrieved by Morris was sold to an undercover officer by Bennett.

                Bennett, 45, of the District, pleaded guilty Apr. 11, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of PCP and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to 121 months in prison.

                Sanker, 43, of the District, pleaded guilty Oct. 22, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute PCP and was sentencing to 65 months in prison.

                Langston, 44, of the District, pleaded guilty Dec. 19, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of PCP.  Langston’s sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2025.

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

               This case was investigated by the the FBI’s Washington Field Office, DEA’s Washington Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Roman of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Division, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Stempel, with valuable assistance from Paralegal Michael Asmutis.

    24cr109

    MIL Security OSI –

  • India leads global push for Ocean Conservation at UNOC3, unveils Deep-Sea Mission and plastic clean-up initiatives

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India made a compelling case for urgent global action to protect ocean health at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, with Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiling ambitious strides in deep-sea exploration, marine plastic clean-up, and sustainable fisheries. Representing India at the conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, Dr. Singh called for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and introduced the ‘SAHAV’ digital ocean data portal, reinforcing India’s leadership in global marine governance.

    Speaking under the conference theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean,” Dr. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. He outlined India’s multi-pronged strategy to combat ocean degradation through science, innovation, and inclusive partnerships. A centerpiece of India’s efforts is the Deep Ocean Mission’s ‘Samudrayaan’ project, set to deploy the nation’s first manned submersible by 2026 to explore ocean depths up to 6,000 meters, marking a significant leap in scientific capability.

    Dr. Singh highlighted India’s progress in tackling marine pollution through the ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleaned over 1,000 km of coastline and removed more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste since 2022. A draft marine litter policy is in place, and India is actively supporting negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty to establish a legally binding international framework. Additionally, India has expanded its Marine Protected Areas to cover 6.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone, contributing to global biodiversity goals.

    The minister showcased India’s Blue Economy initiatives, driven by the Sagarmala Programme and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Over 600 port-led infrastructure projects worth $80 billion have been operationalized, while $2.5 billion in investments have modernized the fisheries sector, resulting in a 10% rise in fish production and the creation of over 1,000 fish farmer producer organizations since 2022. India has also restored over 10,000 hectares of mangroves and implemented shoreline management plans using nature-based solutions, integrating ocean-based climate actions into its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.

    India’s leadership in global ocean governance was further demonstrated through its co-leadership in ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica and its participation in high-level events, such as the India-Norway side session on Marine Spatial Planning. The launch of the ‘SAHAV’ portal at UNOC3 enhances India’s commitment to transparent, science-based ocean management.

    Urging the adoption of a robust ‘Nice Ocean Action Plan,’ Dr. Singh called for global investment in innovation, ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and finalization of the plastics treaty. “The ocean is our shared heritage and responsibility,” he declared, affirming India’s readiness to collaborate with governments, private sectors, civil society, and indigenous communities for a sustainable ocean future. India’s proactive stance at UNOC3 signals its transformation from a coastal nation to a global leader in shaping ocean policy.

  • Don’t think it as conflict between India and Pakistan, it is India vs ‘Terroristan’: EAM Jaishankar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Reiterating that India will not give in to any kind of nuclear blackmail, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday reaffirmed that the country strongly believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

    “This is not a conflict between two states per se. This is actually a response to the threat and to the practice of terrorism. So, I would urge you to don’t think of it as India-Pakistan, think of it as India and ‘Terroristan’, you would then appreciate,” Jaishankar said while addressing a joint press conference with European Union High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas in Brussels.

    Asserting that terrorism is a shared and interconnected challenge for the global community, the EAM mentioned that it is imperative that there must be strong international cooperation and understanding on the matter.

    EAM Jaishankar and Kallas were addressing the media after holding the first strategic dialogue between India and the European Union where both sides held an open and productive meeting with discussions focused on defence and security – including maritime, cyber and space.

    “Nuclear threats cannot pay off. This is a mutual concern. We see different actors in the world using it. In this global changing world, we need more partners, and therefore we are working to intensify our cooperation regarding security and defence,” Kallas stated.

    EAM Jaishankar highlighted that both sides exchanged views on global order, including the situation in Europe, the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Indo-Pacific.

    “My visit to Brussels is taking place three months after that of the EU College of Commissioners to India. Even in that time, it was apparent that the world order was in the midst of a profound change. These trends have intensified in many ways. We have entered an era of multipolarity and strategic autonomy, which are two important forces for India and the EU to forge deeper ties. Working towards that goal requires intensified cooperation in many domains,” he stated

    “There will be situations when our perspectives will not be entirely identical and which is understandable. But what is important is that we expand common ground and understanding and enhance levels of trust,” he added.

    Jaishankar also mentioned that India aims to conclude the ambitious India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year.

    “Stabilising and de-risking the international economy today is a strategic priority for us. This has many dimensions, including more resilient and reliable supply chains as well as increasing trust and transparency in digital interactions. Creating stronger economic and technology partnerships between major players acquires greater value. It is with that perspective that we support the goal of concluding an ambitious and balanced India-EU FTA by the end of this year,” the EAM remarked.

    (IANS)

  • India’s security apparatus transformed under Modi government: Rajnath Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday addressing a dialogue on “National Security & Terrorism” in Dehradun, asserted that the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fundamentally transformed the nation’s security approach over the past 11 years. Citing Operation Sindoor as a watershed moment, Singh described it as the biggest counter-terror operation in India’s history, conducted in retaliation to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

    Calling the Pahalgam incident a direct assault on India’s social unity, Singh said the government responded decisively by eliminating terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “Post the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu & Kashmir has entered an era of peace and development. Our adversaries could not digest this progress and resorted to terrorism,” he said. The Defence Minister further added that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line symbolizes this developmental push, confidently asserting, “Soon, PoK will say, ‘I too am Bharat’.”

    In a strong message to the global community, Singh urged nations to exert strategic, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Pakistan, which he labelled the “Father of Global Terrorism.” “Pakistan has become a nursery for terrorists, training and sheltering them while seeking to justify terrorism on ideological or religious grounds,” he stated. He criticized the recent United Nations Security Council decision to name Pakistan as Vice-Chair of its Counter-Terrorism Panel, describing it as “shocking and contradictory,” especially given Pakistan’s track record of harbouring terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.

    “Funding Pakistan is akin to funding terror,” Singh declared, calling for a halt to international financial aid that could be misused for nurturing terrorism.

    Highlighting the indigenous strength of India’s military, Singh noted that Made-in-India weapons and platforms were used in Operation Sindoor. “India is no longer solely dependent on foreign defence equipment,” he said, crediting the government’s focus on indigenisation. The Defence Minister revealed that India’s defence production has surged from ₹40,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.3 lakh crore in 2024-25, with exports reaching a record ₹23,622 crore. Targets for this year have been set at ₹1.75 lakh crore in production and ₹30,000 crore in exports, with an ambitious long-term goal of ₹3 lakh crore production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029.

    He also highlighted the issuance of 10 Positive Indigenisation Lists, containing over 5,500 items aimed at promoting domestic defence manufacturing.

    Singh warned of the growing threat posed by information warfare, citing Pakistan’s attempts to disrupt Indian morale through fake news and manipulated content** during Operation Sindoor. He urged citizens to become “social soldiers” by combating misinformation and being vigilant in cyberspace. “Cybersecurity is not just a government concern—it’s a national responsibility,” he said.

    He also called on the media to prioritize accuracy over speed, noting that journalism has a crucial role in national security. “In today’s age, journalism is not just a profession but a national duty,” Singh remarked, encouraging responsible and fact-based reporting.

    Rajnath Singh appealed the international community and global organisations, including the United Nations, to take terrorism seriously and act decisively. “Only when the world is free from terrorism can we truly move toward global peace, prosperity, and progress,” he said.

     

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Shaheen, Schumer Lead Amicus Brief Supporting Oregon Attorney General Rayfield Challenging Trump Administration Abuse of Emergency Powers to Impose Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    June 10, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today led their colleagues in filing an amicus brief in Oregon v. Department of Homeland Security, a key case led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield challenging the Trump Administration’s abuse of emergency powers to impose tariffs.
    The brief—which Wyden spearheaded with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)—opposes the Administration’s request for a stay of a recent court decision that struck down these tariffs.  
    “Donald Trump has been abusing the law on trade since Day One, and the result has been trade chaos that is raising prices and costing American jobs,” said Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. “I stand with AG Rayfield and Oregonians to tell the court that Congress never intended the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to be a blank check to tax everything Americans buy. The faster these tariffs are struck down and Congress restores its authority over trade and tariffs, the better it will be for American families.”
    “Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs are harming American consumers and businesses, leaving them to foot the bill for Trumpflation’s rising prices,” Merkley said. “While Trump is doing all he can to make life more expensive for families across the country, we’re fighting back against the Trump tariff wrecking ball with every tool at our disposal.”
    “Trump’s tariffs make everything more expensive for all of us – from the food you buy at the grocery store to your monthly utility bill, most Oregonians cannot afford $3800 a year for these tariffs,” Rayfield said. “Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley’s support in this case further illustrates how the president is misusing his emergency powers.”
     In May, the U.S. Court of International Trade held that the Trump Administration lacked authority to issue the challenged tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a statute that no president prior to President Trump has ever tried to use to impose tariffs. The Senators’ amicus brief argues a stay should be rejected.  
    “Granting a stay will cause irreparable harm to constituents of?Amici,?particularly thousands of small and medium-sized businesses that will continue to be harmed if the President persists in collecting the unlawful IEEPA tariffs,” the senators wrote. “Small businesses do not have cash-on-hand or capital reserves to pay the increased tariffs, nor can they quickly?adapt to them by modifying supply chains.??If they cannot pass on the tariff costs to consumers—which would create additional harms for?Amici’s constituents—many face letting employees go or filing for bankruptcy. ?Even a few weeks of additional tariffs means small businesses will suffer irreparable harm.” 
    “The powers to impose tariffs and regulate international trade were given to Congress for a reason,” the senators continued. “Absent authorization from Congress to impose tariffs and approval to enter binding, durable trade agreements, it is contrary to the public interest for the President to arrogate Congress’s power to himself.” 
    “Further, the broad-based tariffs, which include extensive levies on treaty allies Japan, Canada, and members of the NATO alliance, undermine U.S. national security by weakening U.S. alliances,” the senators concluded. “Amici? regularly?interact?with U.S.-allied leaders who want to work with the U.S. on security and economic matters; IEEPA tariffs have been raised as one of the foremost irritants and obstacles to maintaining strong partnerships with the U.S. ?Multiple allied governments, including Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, have threatened retaliation targeting American exports and American companies—further compounding the economic harm to?Amici’s?constituents. ?Denying a?stay will?ensure the Administration cannot continue to usurp powers granted to Congress, and it will promote?U.S. national security and economic interests.” 
    The full amicus brief is here.
    The amicus brief was signed by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Warner (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Edward Markey (D-MA). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Warren Seek Answers from Contractor that Stands to Profit as Millions Lose Health Care Coverage

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    June 10, 2025
    Maximus, which has spent millions lobbying federal lawmakers on safety net programs like Medicaid, has a history of raking in profits by ejecting millions of Americans off of their health insurance
    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.,  said today they have written to Maximus, the largest contractor for Medicaid eligibility determinations, regarding the company’s potential profiteering under a Republican plan to cut Medicaid.
    In a warning of what could come if so-called “work requirements” pass into law, the senators pressed Maximus on its business strategy of kicking millions of low-income Americans off  their Medicaid coverage—even when they meet all the program’s eligibility requirements—to earn more profit.
    “As the largest contractor for Medicaid eligibility determinations, your company would likely assess whether individuals meet the requirements outlined in the Republican bill, giving you extraordinary power over Americans’ access to health care,” the senators wrote. “But your company has an abysmal track record, with reports of egregious backlogs and service delays and several reported instances of fraud.”
    Medicaid is a crucial health insurance program for millions of low- and middle-income Americans, covering about one in three Oregonians enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan. Trump and congressional Republicans are pushing to make the largest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s history, including nearly $350 billion in cuts from implementing so-called “work requirements.” The independent, non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will rip away health insurance coverage from more than 10 million Americans and that work requirements alone will result in almost 5 million people losing Medicaid. 
    In addition to its troubling track record in Medicaid, Maximus has also:
    Required Americans to submit intrusive personal information to complete eligibility checks, which was subsequently stolen in massive data breaches.
    Raked in profits for cycling some of America’s poorest individuals in and out of short-term, low-paying jobs rather than placing them in stable, long-term employment.
    Spent millions in recent years on lobbying and campaign contributions to federal, state, and local campaigns to persuade political leaders to implement stricter eligibility requirements for programs like Medicaid—knowing that its shareholders and bottom line would benefit when vulnerable Americans faced more red tape.
    “Maximus profited not from promoting work—the stated goal of Republican policymakers—but instead from trapping low-income Americans in a cycle of poverty, with individuals falling into and out of employment and eligibility for benefits in part due to the perverse incentives in your state contracts,” the senators wrote.
    Maximus’ stock has climbed as Trump and Republicans raced to pass legislation that would impose red tape requirements on Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries. With $100 million set aside in Republicans’ new bill to implement Medicaid red tape requirements just in fiscal year 2026, Maximus potentially stands to gain tens of millions worth of contracts in the coming years, representing a more than 30x return on its lobbying expenditures.
    Maximus has even made clear to investors that the “Big Beautiful Bill” creates numerous pathways to profit, stating that “changes that require customer engagement … increase our activity volume” and that “a reduction in Medicaid recipients may not necessarily decrease consumer engagement, especially if eligibility verification or activity reporting requirements become more frequent than today.”
    “All of this raises serious questions about your ability to effectively administer Medicaid eligibility determinations and avoid the perverse incentives that allow you to benefit from kicking even more Americans off of Medicaid if Donald Trump and Republicans’ ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ becomes law,” the senators continued. “With millions of dollars spent on lobbyists in Washington and around the nation, you have worked to enact the largest Medicaid cuts in the program’s history—and ensure that your company and you personally will financially benefit.”
    The senators are pressing Maximus for information on its lobbying efforts and concerning track record of implementing so-called “work requirements” in other federal programs.
    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder – Canada imposes fourth round of sanctions on facilitators of extremist settler violence against civilians in the West Bank

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations designate two (2) officials of the State of Israel. There are reasonable grounds to believe that these individuals have engaged in activities that undermine the peace and security of the State of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories by directly facilitating, supporting, providing funding for or contributing to the use of violence by Israeli extremist settlers against Palestinian civilians or their property in the West Bank.

    Canadian measures

    Persons (individuals and entities) in Canada or Canadians outside Canada are thereby prohibited from dealing in the property of, entering into transactions with, providing services to, transferring property to, or otherwise making goods available to these listed individuals. These measures will also render these individuals inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Under the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulation, a listed person may apply to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to have their name removed from the Schedule of designated persons. The Minister must determine whether there are reasonable grounds to make a recommendation to the Governor in Council for removal.

    The specific prohibitions are set out in the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations.

    The names of the individuals added to the Schedule of these regulations are the following:

    • Itamar Ben-Gvir
    • Bezalel Yoel Smotrich

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Saskatchewan Advances Development of Women’s Unit at Regina Provincial Correctional Centre

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 10, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is moving forward with the development of a new Women’s Unit at the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre, a key initiative under the 
    2025-26 Provincial Budget aimed at enhancing correctional infrastructure and addressing capacity challenges within the system.

    “This is a critical step in ensuring our correctional facilities meet the evolving needs of our communities,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister David Marit said. “By investing in this project, we are enhancing the infrastructure necessary to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of female offenders.”

    To ensure the project’s success, the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement is preparing to procure professional and consulting services to support the project’s development. The team of external services will help oversee the planning, design, and construction phases, ensuring that the facility meets the highest standards of safety, security and inmate care.

    “This new facility will make a real difference, not just by helping relieve pressure on our correctional system but also by allowing for more space, better programming and stronger supports for women in custody,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, K.C., said. “Together with the Saskatoon Correctional Centre expansion scheduled to open this year, these new builds will help us create opportunities for individuals to take steps toward a better path in life.”

    This project is part of a broader commitment to improve safety for correctional staff, offenders and the public. The new Women’s Unit will provide a women’s correctional facility in the southern part of the province and will offer programs tailored to the needs of female inmates, supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

    The project is currently in the early planning phase, with further details to be announced as development progresses.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Protecting Canada’s livestock industry with a new vaccine bank

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Canada is making significant progress towards the creation of a dedicated foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank, which will build on existing protections for the livestock industry and equip producers with another tool to control and eliminate the disease should an outbreak occur.

    Following a competitive procurement process, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, awarded contracts to Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Biogénesis Bagó SA to supply multiple types of vaccine products and develop Canada’s first FMD vaccine bank. This FMD vaccine bank complements Canada’s current access to vaccines through the North American Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank, ensuring readily available vaccines for Canadian producers.

    FMD is a highly contagious and severe disease that affects cattle, sheep, swine, and other cloven-hoofed animals. An FMD infection can cause painful blisters that make it hard for animals to eat, walk, and produce milk, leaving them weak and sick.

    Preparedness efforts, including building a Canadian FMD vaccine bank, are key to protecting Canadian animals and agriculture. Having a ready supply of FMD emergency vaccines will strengthen our ability to respond effectively to an outbreak should one occur. It could also reduce the number of cases and the duration of the outbreaks. 

    Collaboration between Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments along with stakeholders plays a key role in Canada’s FMD prevention and preparedness plans. These efforts, combined with Canada’s existing strict import requirements, on-farm biosecurity measures, and disease surveillance, continue to protect the health of Canadian animals and the economic prosperity of our producers and farming communities.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nine Albertans to receive Alberta’s highest honour

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Melfort Hospital Receives Upgrades as Province Continues Investment in Rural Health Facilities

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 10, 2025

    On Monday, June 9, 2025, Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr visited the town of Melfort as part of her Saskatchewan summer tour. Minister Carr met with healthcare professionals in the community and toured two of the local healthcare facilities. 

    “It was a pleasure to meet with many of the medical staff in Melfort while touring their respective healthcare facilities, where I was able to get a real sense of their working environment,” Minister Carr said. “Our visit was very positive, and I want to extend my sincere appreciation for their contribution and invaluable service to the health care system.”

    Government continues to prioritize timely access to high quality healthcare services, as well as recruitment and retention of physicians, nurses and other allied healthcare professionals. 

    As part of Government’s capital funding plan, both Melfort Hospital and Parkland Place recently received new chillers. The sewer system was also recently replaced at Melfort Hospital and a project to upgrade the operating room airflow system is currently in procurement. This is a total investment of approximately $1.3 million over the past two budget years.

    In 2024-25, surgical capital funding of $163,800 was earmarked to purchase an advanced surgical microscope that will allow Melfort’s visiting specialists to perform more ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures.

    Additionally, beginning in this year’s budget, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has entered a five-year lease agreement for new endoscopy equipment for a cost of $264,000 per year.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Shannon Gilbert
    Health
    Regina
    Phone: 306-787-4083
    Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca
    Cell: 306-537-3594

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Dallas and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Announce the Results of Operation Soteria Shield

    Source: US FBI

    The North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and FBI Dallas’s North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force announce the conclusion of Operation Soteria Shield, a month-long collaborative enforcement effort conducted in April 2025 aimed at rescuing children from online sexual exploitation and bringing perpetrators to justice. This operation was run in conjunction with the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and was jointly managed by the FBI Dallas Division, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Wylie Police Department, and Garland Police Department.

    More than 70 Texas law enforcement agencies joined forces throughout the month of April to combat the exploitation of children in the digital space. These agencies leveraged the expertise of highly skilled computer crimes investigators that worked around the clock to identify victims and apprehend offenders engaged in the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

    Operation Soteria Shield resulted in the rescue of 109 children and the arrest of 244 offenders. In addition to these enforcement actions, investigators seized extensive volumes of digital evidence, including terabytes of illicit data stored on electronic devices that were used in the commission of these crimes. These devices are undergoing forensic analysis and may lead to further arrests and the identification of additional victims.

    “Operation Soteria Shield brought together over 70 agencies from across the state of Texas, including police departments, federal agencies, state and federal prosecutors, children’s advocacy centers, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. We had a common goal, which was to rescue children from abuse and exploitation,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “This was not an easy operation, but a necessary one. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the children in our communities, and we will hold child predators accountable for their crimes.”

    “Operation Soteria Shield was a massive team effort and a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we unite around one clear mission: protecting our kids and holding offenders accountable. I am proud that the Dallas Police Department is the lead agency for the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and am grateful for the many, many agencies who contributed to this successful operation,” said Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux.

    “Online exploitation of children is one of the most insidious crimes we face as a society. It reaches into every community, crosses every boundary, and leaves lasting harm on its youngest victims. Operation Soteria Shield brought together an unprecedented level of collaboration and resolve to confront this crisis head-on. Through this operation, we not only rescued children from unimaginable abuse, but we also sent a clear message: those who seek to harm our children online will be found and brought to justice. Our work is far from over, but this effort has made our communities safer and brought hope to those who need it most.” Said Plano Police Chief Ed Drain.

    “The coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in Operation Soteria Shield serve as a powerful demonstration of unwavering dedication in the battle against online child exploitation. By exposing the darkest corners of the Internet, this operation has targeted predators who seek to harm vulnerable children,” said Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson. “The trauma inflicted by these crimes runs deep, affecting not only the victims, but also their families and entire communities. With every arrest made and every child protected, the operation moves us closer to a safer community. Every step forward in this operation reflects a shared commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring those who seek to exploit children are brought to justice.”

    “The Garland Police Department is proud to stand alongside our local, state, and federal partners in the fight against those who exploit our most vulnerable, our children. Operation Soteria Shield was more than an enforcement effort; it was a mission to rescue, protect, and restore hope,” said Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan. “The scale of this operation sends a strong message: predators will be pursued, and survivors will never stand alone. We are grateful to the FBI, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and all the agencies involved for their tireless work. This operation demonstrates our shared commitment to the safety of every child in every community.”

    Operation Soteria Shield stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished with coordinated, interagency cooperation. It reflects the shared commitment of law enforcement professionals across Texas to relentlessly pursue those who prey on children and to ensure that survivors are no longer silenced or hiding in the shadows.

    The participating agencies also extend their gratitude to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their unwavering support. NCMEC analysts provided vital intelligence and case coordination that proved instrumental to the success of this operation.

    List of Participating Agencies:

    Abilene Police Department, Allen Police Department, Alvarado Police Department, Amarillo Police Department, Arlington Police Department, Army Criminal Investigative Division, Aubrey Police Department, Azle Police Department, Bartonville Police Department, Breckenridge Police Department, Cedar Hill Police Department, Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, Cleburne Police Department, Colleyville Police Department, Collin County District Attorney’s Office, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office, Crowley Police Department, Dalhart Police Department, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Dallas Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Denton County Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Elm Ridge Police Department, Ennis Police Department, Euless Police Department, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, Fate Police Department, FBI Dallas Field Office, FBI El Paso Field Office, FBI San Antonio Field Office, Fort Worth Police Department, Frisco Police Department, Garland Police Department, Grand Prairie Police Department, Grand Saline Police Department, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Haltom City Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Honey Grove Police Department, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department, Hurst Police Department, Irving Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Joshua Police Department, Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, Kaufman Police Department, Lamesa Police Department, Lone Star Police Department, Lubbock Police Department, McKinney Police Department, Midlothian Police Department, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, North Richland Hills Police Department, Office of Inspector General, Plano Police Department, Prosper Police Department, Richardson Police Department, Richardson Police Department SWAT, Rockwall County District Attorney’s Office, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office, Rockwall Police Department, Rowlett Police Department, Royse City Police Department, Sachse Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Snyder Police Department, Tarrant County Human Trafficking Task Force, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Terrell Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, University of Texas System Police, White Settlement Police Department, Wilmer Police Department, and Wylie Police Department

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin On Republicans’ Reconciliation Bill: It’s A Big, Beautiful Betrayal Against American Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    June 09, 2025
    In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin slammed the Republican reconciliation plan that will kick 16 million Americans off their health care coverage, close rural hospitals, and raise prices for American families in order to pay for tax cuts to billionaires
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor, making clear that Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will only raise prices and slash Medicaid and Medicare coverage for working Americans in order to pay for significant tax breaks for billionaires.  Durbin reiterated in his remarks that the legislation will harm Americans as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an estimate showing that 16 million Americans will lose their health insurance under the Republicans’ reconciliation bill.
    “They [congressional Republicans] are considering a tax bill that will eliminate health insurance coverage for 16 million Americans.  More people and families will lose health insurance coverage by virtue of this ‘big, beautiful bill’ than any legislation we passed in modern memory,” Durbin began.
    Durbin explained how unpopular it would be to cut health insurance coverage for Americans, which has prompted a small number of Republicans to express their discontent with $800 billion in proposed cuts to Medicaid.
    “Some Republican Senators, like Josh Hawley in my neighboring state of Missouri, have criticized this because he realizes how many people he represents count on Medicaid, the basic health insurance program.  Senator Hawley says even as a Republican, he can’t support that provision,” Durbin said.  “No one should support that provision.  If you ever lived at a moment in your life with a seriously sick child and no health insurance, you’ll never forget it.  I know.  I’ve been there.”
    “With this analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, we have new estimates on how this bill impacts each and every state.  210,000 people in my neighboring state of Missouri, Senator Hawley’s state, could lose their health insurance coverage.  In Iowa, nearly 100,000 people could lose their health plans, and for our neighbor in Indiana, 250,000 Hoosiers could lose the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance,” Durbin said.
    “What is it that is so compelling that the Republicans feel they can stand up and tell 16 million people in America, ‘you’ll lose your health insurance.’  What will they use that money for?  What will they take it to the bank for?  For something very basic.  Tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America,” Durbin continued.
    Durbin spoke about his recent visit to a children’s hospital in Chicago, emphasizing that patients, including his constituent Layoni, rely on Medicaid in order to receive life-saving care.
    “Friday, I visited a hospital in Chicago… It’s La Rabida, a children’s hospital… Ninety percent of the families that bring their children to La Rabida Hospital qualify for Medicaid.  These are families of limited means, and they turn to a highly professional hospital which has a reputation of caring for the poorest kids, as well as the richest kids. They treat them all the same, and they treat them well,” Durbin said.
    “When I visited the hospital, they told me the story of one of their patients.  Her name is Layoni. She was born prematurely at 26 weeks.  When she was born she was only the size of the palm of your hand.  She was given just days to survive.  She needed a ventilator, tracheotomy tube, central line, an IV-like device that brought medicine to her heart, and much, much more.  Today, Layoni is four years old.  It’s a miracle. Thanks to want incredible cared provided by La Rabida and the love of so many people, she’s there,” Durbin continued.  “Layoni’s family was covered by Medicaid, the most highly targeted program for cuts in this ‘big, beautiful bill.’”
    Durbin explained the impact the Republicans’ reconciliation bill will have on hospitals across the country, many of which rely on Medicaid reimbursements to stay open.  If critical Medicaid funding is cut, hospitals across the country, especially those in rural areas, will be at serious risk of closure.  According to America’s Essential Hospitals, uncompensated care costs for hospitals will increase by $42 billion in a single year under this Republican proposal.  For rural hospitals that are already struggling financially, this bill could lead to them permanently closing their doors.
    “They [20 hospital administrators from downstate and urban Illinois] came out to see me three weeks ago…  On their own, they wanted to tell me the story, that the bill that passed the House of Representatives… will be devastating to these hospitals.  Some of them won’t survive,” Durbin said.
    “What does it mean to a small or medium-size city that’s lucky enough to have a good hospital and lose it?  Well, the obvious. If you need emergency medical care, it’s a longer drive.  If that baby is about to be born, it’s a longer drive. When it comes down to treatment, these hospitals provide the first in urgent care.  And if that hospital closes, what happens?  It takes longer to get that care, but in addition to that, it also means a major part of the local economy is gone,” Durbin said.  “How will you attract a business or keep a business when you lose your hospital? That’s what’s at stake here because it cuts into the Medicaid program.”
    Despite Republican claims that the reconciliation bill will not impact Medicare, the bill also includes a $500 billion cut to Medicare.
    “The Trump ‘big, beautiful bill’ is designed to cut the program that these hospitals rely on most, the Medicaid program.  Now it turns out because they add trillions of dollars to the deficit for this tax cut, you’re also facing the possibility of something called sequestration, what that means is there will be less coverage for Medicare,” Durbin said.  “This would be devastating to many people who count on it. It’s not just La Rabida that would face consequences.  Red and blue states would suffer.”
    Durbin continued on, stressing that this legislation will also increase the cost of living for Americans while billionaires will enjoy an additional $400,000 in tax cuts. 
    “As if an increase in the health care premiums isn’t enough, the costs of basic goods will skyrocket under this Republican plan.  The ‘big, beautiful betrayal’ will raise energy bills up to $400 a year for families and ten percent for businesses,” Durbin said.
    “If housing wasn’t already expensive enough, many Americans will see their mortgages increase by $600 a year.  Want to follow your passion and start a business?  Small business loans are estimated to increase under the ‘big, beautiful bill’ by $1,000 a year.  Tariffs are estimated to raise costs for American households by around $2,500,” Durbin said.  “If this last election was about the cost of living and giving families a fighting chance to survive paycheck to paycheck, this bill is devastating for those who aren’t the wealthiest in America.”
    Durbin concluded his remarks by calling on his Republican colleagues to push back against this legislation that will eliminate health care for 16 million Americans and raise prices even further.
    “This year, for the Fourth of July, the most American thing we can do is, on a bipartisan basis, stop this disaster.  What does it take to say, ‘Pause, stop.  We don’t want to cut Medicaid.  We don’t want to take health insurance away from 16 million people.  We don’t want to see the expenses of families going up.’  What will it take? Four Republican Senators who will step up and say this is a mistake,” Durbin said.
    “Donald Trump is trying to rush us into something which is not good for American families. [The bill is] good for billionaires… but for ordinary families struggling with their regular bills that they have to pay, the ‘big, beautiful bill’ is a big, beautiful betrayal,” Durbin concluded.
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Senate Floor Speech, Durbin Denounces Political Violence, Criticizes Trump’s Decision To Deploy National Guard Troops To California Without Consent Of California State Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    June 10, 2025
    In his speech, Durbin also pointed out the hypocrisy of Trump Administration officials, who supported pardons for January 6 rioters, as they call for the arrest of any protestor that commits violent acts against law enforcement
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor in response to President Trump’s abuse of power in deploying National Guard troops to California without the request or consent of California state leaders.  Durbin began by condemning political violence of all kinds while reiterating that Americans have a right to peacefully protest. 
    “I condemn violence, vandalism, including violence against law enforcement.  There is no place in legitimate protests for that to occur,” Durbin began.  “What is happening in Los Angeles, as brought to my attention over the weekend, is something we need to address.  However, addressing it effectively means not grandstanding, but giving law enforcement the resources they need to control the situation.  Neither the Governor of California nor the Mayor of Los Angeles asked for the National Guard troops that President Trump is sending.”
    “Governor Newsom said the decision to deploy the National Guard, without appropriate training or orders, risked seriously escalating the situation,” Durbin continued.  “What is clear is that President Trump manipulated these protests as an excuse to politicize the military and divert resources from pressing national security and disaster relief responsibilities.”
    Durbin explained that it’s been 60 years since a president has sent in the National Guard for a domestic operation without a request from the governor.  Durbin then noted that while President Trump has made strong statements about his Administration’s intolerance of violence toward law enforcement during these protests, he provided clemency to more than 1,500 individuals who participated in the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.  The violence at the Capitol that day led to the death of five police officers and the injuries of more than 140 others.
    “This weekend, the President wrote on social media that Los Angeles was ‘invaded and occupied’ by ‘violent, insurrectionist mobs,’ and directed three of his top cabinet officials to take any actions necessary to ‘liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion,’” Durbin said.  “His FBI Director, Kash Patel, also wrote on X, ‘Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you.’”
    “It seems President Trump and Mr. Patel forgot what happened on January 6th at the U.S. Capitol when a violent mob—summoned by a bitter, defeated former President—ransacked the Capitol Complex… The insurrectionist mob, the rioters who came into the Capitol on January 6th looked through my desk.  You can see it on CSPAN,” Durbin said.  “On his first day back in office in his second term, what did President Trump do to these cop haters?  He issued a blanket pardon to [nearly] 1,500 of them despite their conviction… for that riot that took place in this building, including those who violently assaulted law enforcement officers.”
    “It appears FBI Director Patel’s comment [that] if you, ‘hit a cop, you’re going to jail,’ only applies to people who President Trump doesn’t agree with,” Durbin concluded.
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sherrill Statement on Donald Trump Revoking EMTALA Emergency Abortion Guidance

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the Trump administration’s decision to revoke federal guidance reminding hospitals that they must provide emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement:

    “Rescinding this guidance puts women’s lives at risk, plain and simple. EMTALA requires that patients in medical emergencies get the care they need, including emergency abortion care. That’s the law. 

    “But Trump and his allies are once again putting their extremist agenda ahead of women’s health and safety. They are creating confusion for doctors, scaring patients, and dragging politics into one the most personal and urgent moments of a woman’s life. . 

    “That’s why I introduced a resolution affirming that EMTALA protects access to emergency abortion care. No woman should have to bleed out in a hospital while doctors scramble to call a lawyer to see if they are allowed to provide medically necessary care. 

    “I will continue fighting to make sure that these decisions are made by women and their doctors, not Republican politicians hellbent on controlling our bodies and our future.”

    Last year Rep. Sherrill and Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13) introduced a resolution to reaffirm access to emergency abortion care for all Americans. This resolution would reaffirm that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) protects access to emergency abortion care in every state, and that all women, no matter where they live, should be able to receive the emergency care they need, including abortion.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sherrill’s Community Project-Funded YMCA Facility Breaks Ground

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    LIVINGSTON, NJ — This week, Representative Mikie Sherrill’s (NJ-11) team joined elected officials, YMCA leadership, and community members to break ground on the site of the new West Essex YMCA. Rep. Sherrill secured $850,000 in Community Project funding for this construction project. 

    “Whether it’s learning to swim, joining an after-school program, or spending summers at camp, the YMCA has been part of the fabric of the West Essex community for generations. I’m thrilled to see this project moving forward — and proud to have helped secure the funding to make it possible,” said Rep. Sherrill. “I want to thank the Mayor and Township Council of Livingston, and the executives at the YMCA for their hard work to make this project a reality. The new West Essex YMCA will be a place where families grow, kids thrive, and our community comes together”

    This project was a part of Rep. Sherrill’s Fiscal Year 2024 Community Projects request, totalling nearly $16 million. In addition to this YMCA construction project, her other funding will address issues of crime prevention, traffic safety, flood mitigation, open space preservation, water infrastructure, workforce development, and community development. 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Castro, Kim Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Amend the International Organizations Immunities Act and Strengthen U.S.-ASEAN Relations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

    June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), senior members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, reintroduced the Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations (PARTNER) with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Act, bipartisan legislation that would amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to grant ASEAN diplomatic privileges and immunities.

    This legislation was first introduced in 2022 and passed the United States House of Representatives in March 2023. Bipartisan companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Duckworth in 2024, and its provisions are included in S. 1579, introduced by Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID) and reported out of SFRC on a bipartisan basis on June 5, 2025. The PARTNER with ASEAN Act of 2025 would amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to include a formal extension of said privileges to ASEAN, solidifying U.S.-ASEAN Relations.

    “This legislation is an important step between the close and strategic partnership of the United States and Southeast Asian Nations. For decades, ASEAN has contributed to the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and has increasingly grown in its geopolitical importance. This legislation promotes U.S. leadership in the region as well as mutually beneficial dialogue with surrounding countries and regions,” said Congressman Castro.

    “When the United States shows up as the partner of choice for our Indo-Pacific allies and partners, we win. ASEAN plays a central role in building strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congresswoman Kim. “The PARTNER with ASEAN Act strengthens our alliances, promotes open markets, and affirms our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to deepen our partnerships with ASEAN member states and advance U.S. leadership on the global stage.”

    The United States has worked closely with ASEAN for more than four decades and became the first non-member to name an ambassador to ASEAN in 2008, as well as the first non-member to establish a dedicated Mission to ASEAN in 2010. 

    The International Organization Immunities Act, enacted in 1945, governs how the United States extends the rights and treaties generally accorded to embassies of countries that have diplomatic relations with the United States to international organizations like ASEAN. The U.S. typically extends automatic privileges and immunities to international organizations to which it belongs (e.g., the UN, NATO), but a special act of Congress is needed to extend recognition to international organizations with which the United States is not a member (e.g., ASEAN).

    Read the PARTNER with ASEAN Act of 2025 here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sergeant sacked after breaching standards

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A serving Met officer has been dismissed without notice for a campaign of coercive control and harassment against a woman known to him.

    Sergeant Chris Allonby, attached to the Met’s South West Command Unit, was dismissed following a misconduct hearing, which concluded on Tuesday, 10 June.

    Sgt Allonby was found to have assaulted his former partner in 2018, 2019 and 2021, all while off-duty.

    The panel heard Sgt Allonby was a verbally and emotionally abusive partner – carrying out a pattern of unwanted behaviour towards his ex-partner, as well as physical assaults.

    Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, who leads policing in the area, said:

    “Sgt Chris Allonby exhibited consistently unacceptable and wholly inappropriate behaviour. It is right he faced disciplinary action and is no longer a part of the Metropolitan Police Service.

    “We commend the bravery of his ex-partner, who spoke up and enabled us to take action.”

    The panel found the officer had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. His actions amounted to gross misconduct.

    PS Allonby will now be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, banning him from employment with the police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Weston Man Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading Offense

    Source: US FBI

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that RYAN SQUILLANTE, 40, of Weston, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to an insider trading offense.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, working from his home, Squillante was employed as the Head of Equity Trading at Irving Investors, an investment company headquartered in Denver, Colorado.  As a result of his position at Irving Investors, Squillante received material non-public information (“MNPI”) about various publicly traded companies.  On 15 different occasions between August 2022 and May 2023, Squillante used MNPI for his own benefit by executing transactions in securities of these companies, making a total profit of $220,912.

    As an example, in February 2023, Squillante received MNPI about Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. (“Praxis”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company whose common stock traded on the NASDAQ.  Between February 27 and March 2, 2023, Squillante “sold short” 38,086 shares of Praxis at an average price per share of approximately $3.04.  On March 3, 2023, before the market opened, Praxis announced poor results from its drug trial, stating that the drug’s effects did not achieve its primary endpoint with statistical significance.  Following the announcement, Squillante “covered” his short sale by purchasing 38,086 Praxis shares at an average price per share of approximately $1.82, making a profit of approximately $46,421.

    Squillante pleaded guilty to securities fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for August 29.

    This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterbury Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking Ring

    Source: US FBI

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE DELROSARIO-CANELA, also known as “Domi,” 39, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 32 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a Waterbury drug trafficking ring.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies investigated two drug trafficking organizations based in the city of Waterbury.  One organization operated in the area of William Street and the other operated in the area of Maple Avenue.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that the two organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers.  The organizations shared sources of supply and worked together to further their operations.

    During the investigation, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Delrosario-Canela, one of the main street-level distributors for the Maple Avenue organization.

    Seventeen individuals were charged with federal offenses as a result of the investigation.  Delrosario-Canela and several codefendants were arrested on November 29, 2023.  In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials (“caps”) of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash.

    Delrosario-Canela has been detained since his arrest.  On February 11, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

    The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task includes members from the FBI, the Waterbury Police Department, the Naugatuck Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, Wolcott Police Department, and Meriden Police Department have assisted the investigation.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ‘Much Needed’: Hawley Applauds Trump’s Approval of Disaster Aid For Missouri Storm Victims

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Monday, June 09, 2025

    This evening, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced federal disaster aid for Eastern Missouri’s devastating May storms, thanking U.S. President Donald Trump for swiftly green-lighting the funds.
    Senator Hawley has been a leading advocate for disaster aid following last month’s storms and tornadoes that claimed the lives of seven Missourians. The Senator surveyed the storm damage firsthand throughout St. Louis and met with residents, first responders, and other community leaders.
    Upon returning to Washington, Senator Hawley urged the Trump Administration to issue federal disaster aid and even secured a pledge from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem—who oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—to expedite relief. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 10 killed in Austrian school shooting

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    VIENNA, June 10 (Xinhua) — At least 10 people were killed in a shooting at a school in Austria’s second-largest city of Graz, local media reported on Tuesday.

    As local media reported, citing law enforcement agencies, the incident also resulted in double-digit casualties, including injuries among students and teachers.

    According to Austria’s largest newspaper, Kronen Zeitung, the shooting took place at the BORG school on Dreierschützengasse in the Lend district at around 10:00 /08:00 GMT/ on Tuesday. Police confirmed that the suspect was a 22-year-old former student at the school. The shooter reportedly committed suicide.

    As Kronen Zeitung added, the incident is considered one of the most serious in Austrian history.

    Authorities have mobilized police forces in the region, including the deployment of a helicopter. The school has been evacuated and there is currently no threat, local police said on social media X.

    Graz, the capital of the federal state of Styria in southern Austria, is known as a student city, with four vocational schools and four universities located here. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Turkmenistan

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 10, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • Growth slowed in 2024 due to weak hydrocarbon exports. The main economic challenge is to translate hydrocarbon wealth into more diversified, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
    • A more market-based strategy, reforms to the monetary and exchange rate frameworks, increased public spending efficiency, and enhanced governance and transparency would support the transition to a more diversified and robust economy.
    • Further improvements in the availability, quality, and reliability of economic statistics would help inform policy makers and increase transparency and credibility.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Ms. Anna Bordon visited Ashgabat during May 21-June 3, 2025. The purpose of the visit was to review the country’s economic landscape, including its financial developments, economic outlook, risks, and policies aimed at promoting diverse, inclusive, and sustainable growth. The mission met with senior government officials, representatives of the private and financial sectors, and the diplomatic community. At the end of the visit, Ms. Bordon issued the following statement: 

    “Economic activity moderated in 2024, and inflation softened in recent months. IMF staff estimate that growth slowed to 3.0 percent in 2024 from 4.5 percent in 2023, owing to weak hydrocarbon exports. Inflation decelerated from 3.8 percent at end 2024 to 1.1 percent in March 2025 owing to a sharp slowdown in food inflation combined with deflation in non-food items and low inflation in services. Credit growth and monetary conditions have been tighter since the second half of 2023, while the parallel market exchange rate has remained broadly stable. The current account surplus narrowed from 5.9 percent of GDP in 2023 to 4.4 percent in 2024.

    “Looking ahead the economy is expected to expand at around 2.3 percent in 2025 and over the medium term. Hydrocarbon exports growth is expected to be negative in 2025, but to gradually pick up to around 2 percent over the medium term while non-hydrocarbon growth is expected to remain subdued, given the challenging business environment, investment inefficiencies, significant real exchange rate overvaluation, and protectionism. Inflation is projected to pick up gradually over the medium term due to looser monetary conditions, returning to its recent historical average of 8 percent, which is primarily fueled by the long-standing policy of increasing public sector wages and pensions by 10 percent annually. The external position is projected to gradually deteriorate, shifting from a surplus to a deficit, driven by lower hydrocarbon prices, declining oil exports, and an overvalued currency. Rising wages are also expected to fuel import demand, further weakening the trade balance. Risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside.

    “The nonhydrocarbon primary balance improved in 2024, with higher revenues more than offsetting an increase in capital spending. Looking ahead, the deficit is anticipated to narrow further over the medium term, with capital spending expected to moderate. To leverage this positive trajectory, it is crucial for Turkmenistan to focus its spending on enhancing physical and human capital. This will require improving spending efficiency and public investment management, transitioning towards performance-based public wage increases, and reforming state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

    “Strengthening fiscal reporting and public financial management (PFM) should be a top priority. Turkmenistan should expedite the implementation of medium-term budgeting, establishment of a single treasury account, and the expansion of fiscal reporting coverage. Reforming SOEs is also pivotal in managing fiscal risks, enhancing fiscal transparency, and fostering private sector development by reducing the state footprint.

    “The Central Bank of Turkmenistan (CBT) should focus on price and financial stability. Until recently, the CBT had typically kept monetary policy loose to support the government’s long-term development objectives. Since the second half of 2023, however, CBT net lending to banks has slowed considerably, owing to SOE repayments. Going forward, commercial bank lending for development purposes, if needed, should be supported by the state budget, and not by the CBT. The CBT should also modernize its central bank operations and accelerate its efforts to strengthen financial regulation, supervision, and crisis management.

    “Unifying the exchange rates would support Turkmenistan’s diversification objectives and reduce economic distortions and governance vulnerabilities. Turkmenistan should consider a significant upfront adjustment of the official exchange rate combined with sufficiently tight macroeconomic policies, a clear communication strategy, and enhanced social benefits to protect the most vulnerable. Post-adjustment, the devalued official exchange rate can remain the monetary anchor, with the CBT ready to provide FX to meet demand. Exchange restrictions on current international transactions should also be eliminated, to create a level-playing field, improve efficiency, and alleviate FX shortages. The adjustment measures and supporting reforms need to be sequenced carefully, while recognizing inherent uncertainties.

    “Turkmenistan is adequately prioritizing economic diversification. A pre-requisite for diversification is macroeconomic stability, including as a core element the unification of the exchange rates and elimination of exchange restrictions. Moving away from a centrally planned economy will require continued efforts to liberalize prices and reduce the state footprint to allocate resources more efficiently. A more market-oriented economy will also require improving governance, skills, infrastructure, digitalization, and logistics while accelerating the efforts toward WTO accession.

    “Further improvements in the availability, quality, and reliability of economic statistics would help inform policy makers and increase transparency and credibility.   

    “The IMF team is grateful to the authorities and other stakeholders for their warm hospitality and insightful and candid discussions.”

    Turkmenistan: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2022–26

    		  
       

     

     

     

     

     

     

    		    
     

    Est.

    Est.

    Est.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    		    

     

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    		    
       

     

    Output and prices

    (Annual percentage change)

    		    

    Real GDP 1/

    3.0

    4.5

    3.0

    2.3

    2.3

    		    

    Real hydrocarbon GDP

    -6.4

    -0.6

    -10.6

    -2.6

    1.8

    		    

    Real nonhydrocarbon GDP

    5.2

    5.6

    5.7

    3.0

    2.3

    		    

    Consumer prices (end of period)

    3.0

    1.4

    3.8

    4.0

    6.0

    		    

    Consumer prices (period average)

    11.2

    -1.6

    4.6

    3.9

    5.0

    		    
     

    Investment and savings

    (In percent of GDP)

    		    

    Gross investment

    18.2

    17.0

    16.0

    13.0

    12.9

    		    

             Of which: State budget

    0.5

    0.9

    1.6

    0.7

    0.7

    		    

    Gross savings

    27.9

    22.9

    20.4

    15.1

    13.3

    		    
     

    Fiscal sector

    (In percent of GDP)

    		    

    Overall fiscal balance 2/

    3.4

    0.1

    -0.1

    0.3

    -0.3

    		    

          Revenue

    16.4

    13.8

    14.4

    14.1

    13.7

    		    

          Expenditure

    13.0

    13.7

    14.5

    13.8

    14.1

    		    

    Total public debt 3/

    7.9

    5.8

    3.6

    3.3

    3.1

    		    
     

    Monetary sector

    (12-month percent change, unless otherwise indicated)

    		    

    Credit to the economy 4/

    8.2

    0.3

    2.2

    5.4

    5.9

    		    

    Credit to GDP ratio

    58.6

    53.1

    49.6

    49.9

    49.6

    		    

        Broad money, incl. foreign currency deposits at CBT

    -2.6

    -2.5

    10.1

    5.3

    6.7

    		    
     

    External sector

    (In percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    		    

    Exports of goods (In millions of US$)

    14,727

    12,963

    12,168

    11,218

    11,068

    		    

    Imports of goods (In millions of US$)

    7,188

    7,401

    7,665

    8,407

    9,085

    		    

    Current account balance

    9.7

    5.9

    4.4

    2.1

    0.4

    		    

    Foreign direct investment

    2.0

    0.9

    0.4

    0.0

    0.0

    		    

    Total public sector external debt

    7.9

    5.8

    3.6

    3.3

    3.1

    		    
             

    Memorandum items:

    		          

    Nominal GDP (in millions of manat)

    198,371

    219,848

    240,363

    251,884

    268,110

    		    

    Nominal GDP (in millions of US$)

    56,677

    62,814

    68,675

    71,967

    76,603

    		    
       
       

    Sources: Turkmen authorities; and Fund staff estimates and projections.

    		        

    1/ Staff uses its own GDP estimates given that the narrative underlying the official GDP growth estimates is hard to reconcile with other available data. In particular, official GDP growth is extremely stable, despite shocks, including the pandemic.

    		                    

    2/ Excluding receipts from government bond issuance and privatization proceeds.

    		                  

    3/ Includes domestic state government debt and external public and publicly guaranteed debt.

    		                

    4/ Including credit to SOEs.

     

     

     

    		                      
    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Mayada Ghazala

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/10/pr-25190-turkmenistan-imf-completes-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: EIA expects low crude oil prices and declining rig count to affect U.S. crude oil production trends through 2026

    Source: US Energy Information Administration – EIA

    Headline: EIA expects low crude oil prices and declining rig count to affect U.S. crude oil production trends through 2026

    U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
    WASHINGTON DC 20585

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 10, 2025

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects the Brent crude oil price to fall to near $60 per barrel by the end of the year and to average about $59 per barrel in 2026. EIA expects the low price of crude oil to affect both U.S. crude oil production and retail gasoline prices in the short term.

    In its June Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA forecasts U.S. crude oil production to average about 13.4 million barrels per day this year, just below the record highs earlier this year. For 2026, the forecast is slightly lower than 2025 levels. EIA expects U.S. retail gasoline prices to average below $3.10 per gallon through the end of 2026, which is about 6% lower than the 2024 average price.

    U.S. energy market indicators 2024 2025 2026
    Brent crude oil spot price (dollars per barrel) $81 $66 $59
    Retail gasoline price (dollars per gallon) $3.30 $3.10 $3.10
    U.S. crude oil production (million barrels per day) 13.2 13.4 13.4
    Natural gas price at Henry Hub (dollars per million British thermal units) $2.20 $4.00 $4.90
    U.S. liquefied natural gas gross exports (billion cubic feet per day) 12 15 16
    Shares of U.S. electricity generation       
    Natural gas 42% 40% 40%
    Coal 16% 16% 15%
    Renewables 23% 25% 27%
    Nuclear 19% 19% 18%
    U.S. GDP (percentage change) 2.8% 1.4% 1.7%
    U.S. CO2 emissions (billion metric tons) 4.8 4.8 4.8
    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, June 2025

    Some key highlights from the June STEO include:

    • Global oil supply, demand, and prices: EIA revised its 2025 global oil production forecast slightly upward and its global petroleum products consumption forecast slightly downward for both 2025 and 2026, leading to an expectation of growing global oil inventories. EIA expects oil inventories to grow by about 800,000 barrels per day in 2025 and 600,000 barrels per day in 2026. EIA’s expectations for inventory growth are the primary reason it expects oil prices to decline through this year and next year.
    • U.S. crude oil production: Domestic crude oil production reached an all-time high of 13.5 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2025. EIA expects U.S. crude oil production to decline from that high through the end of 2026 as oil producers respond to lower prices. Data from Baker Hughes shows the number of active drilling rigs declined last month by much more than EIA had expected. Fewer active rigs affect EIA’s forecast for how many wells U.S. operators will drill and complete throughout 2026. EIA expects U.S. crude oil production to average about 13.4 million barrels per day this year and just below that amount in 2026.
    • U.S. gasoline prices: Another effect of lower oil prices is that EIA expects lower average U.S. gasoline prices through 2026. Regular-grade retail gasoline prices average $3.10 per gallon in the third quarter of 2025 in EIA’s forecast, down 7% from the same period last year. EIA expects retail gasoline prices in the eastern part of the country to be below $3.00 per gallon for most of the next year and a half. On the West Coast, EIA expects refinery capacity reductions to cause a 4% annual price increase next year.
    • Natural gas prices: EIA expects the Henry Hub natural gas spot price to average about $4.00 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 2025 and $4.90/MMBtu in 2026, compared with $2.20/MMBtu in 2024.
    • Electricity demand: EIA revised its forecast for electricity demand growth in 2025 upward by about 1% to reflect greater expected demand growth in the commercial and industrial sectors, particularly from data centers and manufacturing operations. This growth in power demand is especially notable in regions managed by the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas and PJM independent system operators. EIA expects that U.S. commercial sector electricity consumption will grow by 3% in 2025 and by 5% in 2026.
    • Electricity generation: EIA expects total U.S. electricity generation this summer will be about 1% greater than last summer. EIA expects higher natural gas prices this summer to result in less generation from natural gas-fired power plants compared with last summer, which is expected to be offset by more generation from coal, solar, and hydro.
    • Trade policy assumptions: The U.S. macroeconomic outlook we use in the STEO is based on S&P Global’s macroeconomic model. S&P Global’s most recent model reflects the tariffs announced in April and includes the 90-day temporary suspension of tariffs granted to certain countries. However, the model was finalized before the ruling by the Court of International Trade on May 28th that temporarily halted all reciprocal tariffs. As a result, our macroeconomic forecast assumes lower tariffs on China’s products compared with last month’s STEO and 10% tariffs on countries subject to the 90-day temporary suspension. These differences in tariff rates likely have offsetting effects on the macroeconomic forecast.

    The full June 2025 Short-Term Energy Outlook is available on the EIA website.

    The product described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analysis, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. government. The views in the product and this press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the U.S. Department of Energy or other federal agencies.

    EIA Program Contact: Tim Hess, STEO@eia.gov
    EIA Press Contact: Chris Higginbotham, EIAMedia@eia.gov

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN engages in a roundtable discussion at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, participated in a Roundtable Discussion hosted by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs in Oslo, Norway, on 10 June 2025.  Dr. Kao discussed ASEAN’s priorities and initiatives, including the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, and exchanged views on regional and global developments that were of great interests to the participants.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN engages in a roundtable discussion at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers a lecture on “Developments in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges for Norway” at the Norwegian Centre for Geopolitics

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered a lecture at the Norwegian Centre for Geopolitics of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) in Oslo, Norway, on 10 June 2025, centred on the latest developments in ASEAN and presented opportunities and challenges for ASEAN-Norway relations. Dr. Kao also discussed and exchanged views with the participants on emerging regional and global issues.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers a lecture on “Developments in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges for Norway” at the Norwegian Centre for Geopolitics appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –