NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Security: Multiple Defendants Charged in Cockfighting and Illegal Gambling Operation

    Source: US FBI

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury charged multiple defendants for conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and operate an illegal gambling business, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. 

    A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges James Shawn Murphree, 48, of Blountsville, Alabama, Denny Gonzalez-Guzman, 30, of Albertville, Alabama, Kasten Finis Murphree, 22, of Blountsville, Alabama, Kelby Shawn Murphree, 27, of Blountsville, Alabama, and Kimberly Ann Evans, 48, of Hayden, Alabama, with conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act and the Prohibition on Illegal Gambling Businesses. 

    According to the indictment, a cockfight is a contest where roosters fight each other. The fights are supervised by a referee, and the fight ends when one rooster is dead or refuses to continue fighting. Typical cockfights employ weapons that are attached to the backs of the roosters’ legs.  Owners and operators of cockfighting arenas, called “pits,” hold organized fights where people can fight their trained roosters against other roosters in cockfighting tournaments called “derbies.” In a derby, large numbers of cockfighters pit their roosters against one another for entertainment.  Spectators gamble on the outcomes of the cockfights, and the owners of the roosters stand to gain financially through their own wager, an arrangement where the derby winners receive a pre-determined portion of the derby entry fees, or through the enhanced value of their winning roosters.

    The indictment alleges that between March 2025 and June 2025, Kimberly Evans, James Murphree, Kasten Murphree, and Kelby Murphree conspired to organize multiple cockfighting derbies in Blountsville, Alabama. Attendees paid $40 to watch the fight. Competitors who entered roosters in the derbies paid an entry fee between $700 and $1,000. The winner of the derby would receive a share of the prize pool money.  

    The Gulf of America (“GoA”) Homeland Security Task Force, in partnership with United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, conducted this long-term investigation. The GoA Homeland Security Task Force is comprised of authorities from Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. This investigation and operation received significant support from the United States Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection, and ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John M. Hundscheid and Jonathan S. Cross are prosecuting the case.  

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

    An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Madison County Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children

    Source: US FBI

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A Madison County man has been indicted on child sexual exploitation charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

    A four-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Randy Steven Smith, 48, of Huntsville, Alabama, with one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transfer of obscene matter to a minor.  These incidents occurred between 2023 and 2024 in Madison County.

    The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force investigated the case with the assistance of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), U.S. Marshal Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, and Huntsville Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney R. Leann White is prosecuting the case.

    The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.    

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sixteen Members of a Violent Gang in San Germán, Puerto Rico, Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

    Source: US FBI

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 2, 2025, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 16 violent gang members from the municipality of San Germán with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) Ponce and Mayagüez Strike Force were in charge of the investigation of the case, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Guaynabo Municipal Police SRT collaborated during the arrests.

    “As alleged in the indictment, the members of this drug trafficking organization conducted their criminal activities in the presence of minors, in complete disregard to the detriment of the children,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to protect our children, make Puerto Rico neighborhoods safe, and bring criminals to justice.”

    “The FBI’s commitment to public safety is unwavering. I want to thank the men and women of the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Police of Puerto Rico and local partners that worked tirelessly to disrupt this violent criminal enterprise,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “This group thought they were above the law and our message is simple: if you choose to operate like a street army, then you’re choosing to face the FBI—rest assured your days terrorizing our communities are numbered.”

    The indictment alleges that from in or about the year 2023 through the present, the drug trafficking organization distributed cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”),cocaine, fentanyl or a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and marihuana within 1,000 feet of Manuel F. Rossy Public Housing Project (PHP), and other areas nearby the municipality of San Germán, all for significant financial gain and profit.

    The object of the conspiracy was the large-scale distribution of controlled substances at the Manuel F. Rossy PHP, and other areas nearby in the Municipality of San Germán, all for significant financial gain and profit. It was part of the manner and means of the conspiracy that there were at least two (2) drug points operating within the inside of two (2) apartments inside the PHP, and that sellers would sell drugs through a window to avoid being seen and/or detected by law enforcement.

    As part of the conspiracy the defendants would secure the entrance to the apartments that were utilized as drug points, with two (2) by four (4) wooden studs, to allow time for them to dispose of the drugs in the event of an unexpected law enforcement search and seizure.

    In preserving power and protecting territory, the members of the organization would use intimidation, force, and violence in order to maintain control of the drug trafficking operations and intimidate rival drug trafficking organizations. Moreover, they would give beatings to other co-conspirators and/or residents of the housing projects, with different weapons, including horse whips, as discipline for violating certain rules.

    The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, to include leaders, enforcers, runners, sellers, facilitators, andlookouts. The defendants charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy are:

    [1] Jonathan Humberto Peraza-Rosa, a.k.a. “El Negro”

    [2] Jesed Natan Pagán-Ríos, a.k.a. “J”

    [3] Karvinson Javier Medina-Figueroa, a.k.a. “Champi/Jampi”

    [4] Giancarlo Robles-Pérez, a.k.a. “Gps/Penuelas/Jp”

    [5] Kelvin Torres-Alvarado, a.k.a. “Pito Ciribillo/Ciribi”

    [6] Eliezer Mikael Cruz-Molinary, a.k.a. “Mikael”

    [7] Yafet Omar Alameda-Torres

    [8] Anabel Tina Rodríguez

    [9] Jan Louis García-Franqui

    [10] Joe Armando Cotte-Ruiz, a.k.a. “Chevy”

    [11] Katiushcka Angelis Toro-Flores, a.k.a. “Katy/Angie”

    [12] John Eric Javier Cintrón-Massanet, a.k.a. “Budah”

    [13] Yadiel Omar Ponce De Leon-Ruiz, a.k.a. “Koby/Kobe”

    [14] Joel Rivera-Medina, a.k.a. “Fugitivo”

    [15] Melvin Jermaine Mitchel-Pérez, a.k.a. “JM/El Padrino”

    [16] Justin Daniel Nieves

    Nine defendants are charged in Count Six with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    The FBI thanks the PRPB Ponce and Mayagüez Strike Force for their assistance in this investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort, Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares, and FBI Special AUSA Frank M. Norris are prosecuting the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in Count Six, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. All defendants charged in the drug conspiracy are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $2,850,900.

    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).

    The take-down is part of the FBI’s Summer Heat initiative, which is taking place across the country during the summer months.  Summer Heat is targeting violent offenders and gang members who terrorize our communities and is part of Director Patel’s commitment to the American people to Crush Crime.

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

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Delta Air Lines Agrees to Pay $8.1M to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Related to Payroll Support Program

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Delta Air Lines Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay $8,100,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by awarding compensation to certain corporate officers and employees that exceeded the compensation limits Delta agreed to as part of its participation in the Department of the Treasury’s Payroll Support Program (PSP).

    The PSP was established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to provide payroll support to passenger and cargo air carriers and certain contractors for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The program was administered by the Department of Treasury (Treasury), and participating air carriers were required to enter into written agreements with Treasury that imposed certain conditions in exchange for the receipt of PSP funds. Among other program requirements, PSP agreements included limitations on the amount of compensation that PSP participants could pay to certain corporate officers and employees earning annual compensation in excess of $425,000. 

    Delta entered into PSP agreements with Treasury in 2020 and 2021, under which Delta agreed to the PSP compensation limits. The settlement resolves allegations that, between March 2020 and April 2023, Delta awarded compensation to some corporate officers and employees that exceeded the limits set by the PSP agreements. Delta allegedly violated the False Claims Act by inaccurately certifying compliance with PSP requirements in quarterly reports submitted to Treasury, as well as by not notifying Treasury of the breach once it was discovered by Delta, which would have given the government the right to demand the return of funds.

    “The PSP was intended to provide critical assistance to the airline industry during the pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to holding accountable those who failed to abide by the terms and conditions governing their receipt and use of federal funds.” 

    “When companies accept federal assistance, especially generous pandemic-relief funds like those at issue here, they owe a duty to the American people to respect the conditions placed on those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “We will continue to enforce all available laws to punish the misuse of taxpayers’ money.”

    “Our criminal investigators have been at the center of this investigation as a core part of our responsibility to safeguard the integrity and efficiency of Treasury programs and operations, and we remain steadfast in our determination to hold recipients of public funds to the highest standards,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba.

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by H. Remidez LLC. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. H Remidez LLC  v. Delta Air Lines Inc., No. 1-23-cv-01116 (N.D. Ga.). The whistleblower will receive $850,500 in connection with the settlement.

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with assistance from the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General.

    The matter was handled by Trial Attorney James Nealon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque for the Northern District of Georgia.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hamden Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Narcotics in Southwestern Connecticut

    Source: US FBI

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN PICHARDO, also known as “Swerve,” “Craig,” and “Bobby Shmurda,” 30, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics in southwestern Connecticut.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department identified Pichardo as a significant distributor of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, and narcotic pills in southwestern Connecticut.  During the investigation, investigators intercepted calls and text messages between Pichardo, his associates, and their drug customers over court-authorized wiretaps, made controlled purchases of narcotics, and seized drugs from Pichardo, his associates, and drug customers.  Some of the drugs seized during the investigation had been cut with fentanyl analogues and xylazine, a large animal tranquilizer.  The investigation also revealed that Pichardo maintained a residence on Norman Street in Bridgeport to store narcotics.

    On July 17, 2024, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned a superseding indictment charging Pichardo and seven others with controlled substances offenses.

    Pichardo has been detained since his arrest on August 5, 2024.  On April 3, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and quantities of cocaine, heroin, and other opioids.

    This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Kenneth L. Gresham 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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Washington Field Office Releases Seeking Information Posters for Senior Iranian Intelligence Officers Involved in the Abduction of Robert A. Levinson

    Source: US FBI

    The FBI Washington Field Office today released seeking information posters featuring three senior Iranian intelligence officers who were involved in the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. “Bob” Levinson from Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007. The release of the posters is part of the FBI’s ongoing investigation into Iranian officials who allegedly played roles in Bob’s abduction and Iran’s attempt to obfuscate its responsibility.

    Reza Amiri Moghadam, also known as Ahmad Amirinia, is the current Iranian ambassador to Pakistan. He previously led the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security’s operations unit. When Moghadam held this role, MOIS agents in Europe reported to him in Tehran.

    Taghi Daneshvar, also known as Sayyed Taghi Ghaemi and Sayeed Taghi Gha’emi, is a high-ranking MOIS officer involved in counterespionage activities. He oversaw the work of Sanai, also known as Mohammad Baseri, during the timeframe when Bob disappeared.

    Gholamhossein Mohammadnia is a senior MOIS deputy who was the Iranian ambassador to Albania in 2016. He was expelled from Albania in December 2018 for “damaging its national security.” He led an effort to blame Bob’s disappearance on a terrorist group in Pakistan’s Baluchistan region to shift blame away from the Iranian government.

    “These three intelligence officers were among those who allegedly facilitated Bob’s 2007 abduction and the subsequent cover-up by the Iranian government. Bob likely later perished in captivity far away from his family, friends, and colleagues,” said FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven Jensen. “The FBI will continue its relentless pursuit to hold anyone involved in his abduction to account for their reprehensible actions.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump asked V. Zelensky whether Ukraine could strike Moscow — Financial Times

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    LONDON, July 15 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Kyiv to step up strikes deep into Russian territory, even asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky whether Moscow could be a target if long-range weapons were supplied to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

    “Vladimir, can you hit Moscow? Can you also hit St. Petersburg?” Trump asked during a phone call with the Ukrainian president on July 4, to which Zelensky replied: “Absolutely. We can if you give us weapons,” the Financial Times reported, citing two people familiar with the conversation.

    The phone call came just a day after Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the US president reportedly described as “bad.”

    According to the Financial Times, while it remains unclear whether the United States will push ahead with the delivery of the requested weapons to Ukraine, sources familiar with the matter said Mr Trump appeared keen to explore more aggressive force options to put pressure on Moscow during the talks.

    The White House and the Ukrainian presidential office did not respond to requests for comment, the Financial Times adds. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology over parts of southern Colorado

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology over parts of southern Colorado

    USGS low-level helicopter surveys to map critical minerals in Southern Colorado starting Summer 2025

    RESTON, VA. — The U.S. Geology Survey will conduct low-level helicopter flights over parts of southern Colorado to map critical minerals using airborne geophysical technology, beginning in mid-July. The airborne survey will be conducted through Fall 2025, weather and wildfire restrictions permitting, covering parts of Park, Chaffee, Teller, Fremont, Custer, Pueblo, and Huerfano Counties.  

    Flights may resume in Spring 2026 if needed.

    The Colorado flights are part of a national effort to map the mineral resources needed to drive the U.S. economy and protect national security, searching below ground and in tailings from old mines.  As directed by the Energy Act of 2020, the USGS has identified 50 critical minerals essential to the U.S. economy and national security, with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption. 

    Instruments on the helicopter will measure variations in the Earth’s magnetic field and natural, low-level radiation created by different rock types beneath vegetation and up to several miles below the surface. This information will help researchers develop geologic maps in three dimensions. In addition to critical minerals, applications include evaluating natural resources such as water, preparing for natural hazards such as earthquakes and radon, and characterizing legacy mining areas.

    The aircraft will fly along pre-planned fight paths relatively low to the ground at about 300 feet (100 meters) above the surface in some areas. Experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying will operate the aircraft. All flights will occur during daylight hours and are coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure accordance with U.S. law. The ground clearance will be increased to 1,000 feet (300+ meters) over populated areas. The flights will be based out of Fremont County airport near Cañon City, and will fly over the towns of Gardner, Rye, Colorado City, Beulah Valley, Rockvale, Coal Creek, Williamsburg, Florence, Penrose, Brookside, Lincoln Park, Cañon City, Park Center, Goldfield, Victor, Cripple Creek, Midland, Guffey, Cotopaxi, Coaldale, and Howard.  Surveying over wilderness areas in the survey block are subject to access permissions with the relevant agencies.

    The aircraft will be equipped with an elongated “boom” that extends in front of the main cabin that houses sensors. These scientific instruments are completely passive with no emissions that pose a risk to humans, animals, or plant life. No photography or video data will be collected. The data collected will be made freely available to the public on ScienceBase once complete. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. These pilots work with the FAA to ensure flights are safe and in accordance with U.S. law. The surveys will be conducted during daylight hours only. 

     The flights could shift to other parts of the survey area as necessitated by adverse flying conditions. 

    The USGS has contracted with NV5, Edcon-PRJ, and Precision GeoSurveys to collect data.

    The survey fits into a broader effort by the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, the Colorado Geological Survey, and other partners,  to modernize our understanding of the Nation’s fundamental geologic framework and knowledge of mineral resources. Funding by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has facilitated coverage of such a large area.  This effort is known as the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, and it includes airborne geophysical surveys like this one, geochemical reconnaissance surveys, topographic mapping using LiDAR technology, hyperspectral surveys, and geologic mapping projects. 

    The helicopter survey will take place within the polygon on the map, including the town of Cañon City, in south-central Colorado.  Surveying over wilderness areas in the survey block are subject to access permissions with the relevant agencies.

    Photo of the contractor’s helicopter with a “boom” containing sensors that measure the magnetic field. (Photo courtesy of Precision GeoSurveys)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT’S STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF SAYFOLLAH MUSALLET

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

    CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT’S STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF SAYFOLLAH MUSALLET

    WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2025

    For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland 

    July 15, 2025                                                    202-808-6129 

    PRESS RELEASE 

    CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ‘S STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF SAYFOLLAH MUSALLET 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett issued the following statement regarding the killing of Sayfollah Musallet: 

    “I am deeply disturbed by the tragic death of Sayfollah Musallet, an American citizen who was killed while visiting relatives in the West Bank. My heart goes out to Mr. Musallet’s family and friends during this devastating time.  

    “This concerning incident calls for prompt and thorough attention. Israeli authorities must conduct a full and transparent investigation into Mr. Musallet’s death and ensure that those responsible face justice. The violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, which has increased, is deeply troubling and must be addressed.  

    “Americans cannot ignore this tragedy or the broader crisis of settler violence in the region. For meaningful and sustainable peace to take place between Israelis and Palestinians, we must acknowledge and hold space for everyone caught in the violence in the region – Israelis, Palestinians, civilians, men, women, children and elders.   

    “Mr. Musallet’s death cannot become another statistic—justice must be served. As a Member of Congress, I will continue to advocate for the safety of all American citizens traveling abroad and push for accountability when their rights and lives are violated. As the congressional representative of many Americans and residents of the Virgin Islands with family and ties to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, I and my office work to support all our constituents and work to find peace and a two-state solution.  The Administration and congressional leaders must use their power to bring Israeli and Palestinian leadership together for a long-term resolution to the conflict that can lead to a peaceful two-state solution.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Researcher Spotlight: Violeta Sanchez i Nogue’s Journey to Bioprocess Development at NREL

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    On a Christmas morning in the early 1990s, in a small town north of Barcelona, a young Violeta Sanchez i Nogue’s interest in chemistry was born. She unwrapped a junior chemistry lab kit that would ignite a love of science and lead to a successful career as a senior researcher at NREL.

    Violeta Sanchez i Nogue, now a senior researcher, started her career at NREL as a postdoctoral researcher. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    “With the kit, you could run lots of different assays inside glass tubes with different chemical compounds,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “It even had an alcohol burner! In retrospect probably not the safest game, but you can imagine lots of color changes and fume generation when reactions were taking place. I had lots of fun playing with this game with my sister, and I was just fascinated by it.”

    With visions of someday working in a chemistry lab, Sanchez i Nogue took an opportunity to expand her horizons by joining an engineering boot camp during the summer before high school graduation.

    “I really enjoyed it, as it gave me exposure to university-level research,” she said. “We spent a couple of weeks taking environmental samples in the Pyrenees and analyzing them in a lab the university had installed at the mountain hostel. Most of the researchers were from the chemical engineering department, so I had the chance to learn about the types of research they were doing.”

    Combining Scientific Passions

    Needless to say, she was hooked. She decided to combine her two interests and pursue a degree in chemical engineering at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship at Lund University in Sweden, where she later returned to earn a Ph.D. in engineering. It was here that she became familiar with NREL’s leading work on lignocellulosics and bioethanol—the focus of her thesis.

    Sanchez i Nogue worked for a startup company developing yeast strains and processes for second-generation ethanol and other biotech applications. In the summer of 2015, she joined NREL as a postdoctoral researcher working on a project to produce renewable carbon fibers.

    “It just felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when a colleague from grad school sent me the job posting,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “It was a relatively big project with universities, other national labs, and industrial partners. This first project was ambitious, and the fermentations I was running were really fast, but it was an amazing experience to be able to work with a highly multidisciplinary team. After a few months of being at NREL, I had the opportunity to join another project, which I am still part of.”

    Working With Microorganisms

    “While one might think the challenges an organism faces when we put them in bioreactors are really different compared to their native environment, you can actually leverage lots of natural strengths and weaknesses from learning about their origins,” Sanchez i Nogue said.

    Violeta Sanchez i Nogue works with digesters in NREL’s Field Test Laboratory Building. Photo from Violeta Sanchez i Nogue, NREL

    Most of her projects have parallel efforts across the laboratory in metabolic engineering, separations, catalysis, and analysis.

    “Working on multidisciplinary projects with people who all have unique sets of expertise and backgrounds can be challenging at times,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “But it always feels like a pivotal moment when synergies occur because people work together.”

    “I love the fact that I learn something new every single day,” she said. “I have what I consider one of the greatest privileges in a job: I work with dedicated, hard-working, and kind people, and this is a pleasure not everyone has.”

    Seeking New Challenges

    While the development of core capabilities happens on a laboratory scale, Sanchez i Nogue also works at the pilot scale in NREL’s Integrated Biorefinery Research Facility and externally with different industrial and university project partners.

    Given her proclivity for collaboration, Sanchez i Nogue is not one to shy away from a new challenge. In 2023, she worked to onboard new operations in NREL’s Field Test Laboratory Building to be able to use different types of organic waste (including food waste, manure, and wastewater). Today, she is doing similar work on setting up an aerobic gas fermentation system in NREL’s new Research and Innovation Laboratory that will allow the use of hydrogen, oxygen, and flue gases.

    “Deploying new capabilities in the lab is often challenging,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “Who do we bring to the table to help moving things forward? How does it fit into the current lab operations? Which changes will be needed to implement it safely? It is a lot of work behind the scenes.”

    Sanchez i Nogue’s behind-the-scenes work has a history of paying off.

    “Over these last years, I have been fortunate to work with people who took our challenges as theirs, and that has allowed for instrumental changes to the system,” she said. “I am happy to contribute to expanding NREL’s bioeconomy and sustainable transportation research capabilities!”

    Living Beyond the Lab

    Outside of work, Sanchez i Nogue enjoys cooking, baking, reading, gardening, and raising her 2-year-old daughter, which includes answering endless whys about people and nature’s curiosities.

    “We recently had a nice opportunity to see a couple of robins nesting in our front yard, so we talked about how and why they were constructing the nest, laying the eggs, incubating them, feeding them, teaching them to fly, and more,” she said. “She is also fascinated by butterflies and has just started to distinguish ants from spiders.”

    Her daughter’s expanding love of learning about the world around her mirrors that of her own, nurtured by the fateful junior chemistry lab kit from many Christmases ago.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE Strengthens Ties with Central Asia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University “Higher School of Economics” –

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ukraine: Civilians under fire in record numbers as attacks surge

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, at least 139 civilians have been killed and 791 injured so far in July alone.

    “The devastating physical and psychological impact on civilians of repeated attacks in this and other conflicts cannot be captured by numbers alone,” said OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell on Tuesday.

    Escalating attacks

    On the night of 12 July, Russian forces reportedly launched nearly 600 Shahed-type unmanned attack and decoy drones, along with 26 missiles, killing two civilians and injuring 41.

    Damage was reported across multiple regions, including Chernivtsi, Lviv, Cherkasy, Volyn and Kirovohrad – all far from active combat zones. Earlier that same week, Russian forces reportedly launched a record-breaking 728 long-range drones in a single 24-hour period.

    June marked the deadliest month for civilians in over three years.

    “People are having to spend hours sheltering (…) in basements, corridors and available refuges such as metro stations,” said Ms. Throssell. “In some cases, they’re unable to get to shelter at all.”

    Health under pressure

    The UN World Health Organization (WHO) meanwhile has verified 2,504 attacks on health facilities and personnel in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022.

    These strikes have hit hospitals, ambulances and first responders, including in so-called “double tap” attacks where secondary strikes follow the initial impact.

    “This means more than two attacks every day…Healthcare is not a safe place for patients and healthcare workers,” said Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.

    Access to healthcare remains especially limited in frontline areas, where personnel and supplies are scarce.

    Only 69 per cent of residents in those areas have seen a primary care doctor, compared to 74 per cent nationally. WHO mobile teams operating in 82 locations have conducted more than 7,500 consultations in 2025 so far.

    The psychological toll is also wearing people down. A recent assessment found that seven out of 10 people reported anxiety, depression or severe stress over the last 12 months, while one in two said they had experienced significant stress in just the past two months.

    To address this, WHO and national partners have trained more than 125,000 health workers and expanded mental health services through more than 220 community resilience centres.

    Despite continued deliveries of trauma kits and medical supplies by UN and humanitarian partners, the response remains critically underfunded. As of mid-July, only 35.5 per cent of the required $129 million for 2025 has been secured, leaving more than two million people without adequate medical support.

    Call for accountability

    In Geneva, Ms. Throssell highlighted the UN human rights chief’s calls for an immediate end to hostilities and for efforts toward a just and lasting peace.

    “The Russian Federation’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine must urgently be halted and work on a lasting peace in line with international law must intensify,” Volker Türk said in a statement.

    The High Commissioner emphasized that any sustainable solution must include accountability for serious human rights violations, the return of deported children, protection for civilians in occupied areas, humane treatment of prisoners of war, and restoration of humanitarian corridors.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President El-Sisi Meets the Prime Minister, Minister of Supply, Minister of Agriculture

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa El-Din Farouk, and Executive Director of the “Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development” Authority, Colonel Dr. Bahaa El-Ghanam.

    Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said that during the meeting the availability of strategic reserves of essential commodities, particularly wheat, sugar, oil, meat, and poultry was confirmed. It was stressed that Egypt’s food security is in a stable and reassuring state. The meeting reviewed details pertaining to contracts for the purchase of strategic commodities. These included contracts for the acquisition of 3.4 million tons of wheat, 192,000 tons of crude oil, 4,000 tons of frozen poultry, and 6,000 tons of frozen meat. Furthermore, it was noted that the State seeks to diversify its sources for wheat imports to ensure the availability of adequate quantities and avoid potential crises.

    President El-Sisi stressed the importance of full coordination among all state bodies concerned with food security, so as to ensure harmony among these institutions, facilitate their effective implementation and confirm alignment with state policies. The meeting highlighted the importance of cooperation among the relevant state authorities and “The Future of Egypt” Authority to designate the areas within the New Delta to be cultivated with strategic crops, thereby maximizing planted acreage and increasing the self-sufficiency rate.

    The meeting also discussed efforts underway to ensure the efficient operation of bakeries, mills, and markets and reviewed progress on the “One-Day Market” initiative. The first phase of the initiative was launched in November 2024 with 200 markets, and the second phase began in May 2025 with more than 200 additional markets.

    The discussion tackled efforts to establish partnerships with the private sector, attract foreign investments in the retail sector, and establish commercial chains in Obour City, Nasr City, and Qalyub. The meeting also reviewed the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade’s efforts and preparations to launch a government commercial chain under the name “Carry On”, marking the first unified brand in partnership with the private sector. Furthermore, the meeting reviewed efforts exerted to develop internal trade and to refine the databases of government subsidy beneficiaries, ensuring that support reaches those who meet the relevant criteria and conditions.

    Additionally, the meeting included detailed discussions on food security, the operational status of the Commodity Exchange, and the government’s efforts to activate it as a safeguard for markets and an effective price-regulation mechanism. This initiative is expected to boost food security and ensure the sustainable availability of essential goods at reasonable prices, balancing the interests of producers and consumers, while supporting the agricultural and industrial sectors.

    It was noted that exporters and importers have begun registering in the Commodity Exchange, which is set to become the unified platform for importing and exporting goods. A draft law is currently being prepared to regulate the exchange, drawing on legislation from other countries with similar systems.

    The meeting also reviewed the state’s policies for growing and supplying strategic crops, efforts toward digital transformation and technological integration in agriculture, and strategies to reduce agricultural expenditures. The status of the fertilizer sector, particularly nitrates and urea was discussed, with a strong emphasis on implementing gradual and balanced reforms to protect farmers and ensure food security. Finally, the meeting focused on initiatives to improve agricultural land, adopt mechanization, and enhance the productivity of red meat and dairy sectors. President El-Sisi stressed the importance of improving local livestock breeds to increase their yield in both meat and milk production.

    – on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Schumer, Sanders Urge ED Secretary McMahon to Reverse Interest Hike on Student Loan Borrowers Amid Rising Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 15, 2025
    ED will increase the student loan balances of eight million Americans by $300/month on average.
    Senators: “You should immediately reverse this policy so that millions of borrowers are not forced to pay billions of dollars in unnecessary interest charges.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, urging the Department of Education (ED) to immediately reverse its recent decision to resume charging interest to the nearly eight million student loan borrowers currently in a forbearance after enrolling in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. 
    “This decision will be devastating for millions of American families,” wrote the senators. “The average borrower enrolled in SAVE will be charged hundreds of dollars in interest each month, amounting to over $27 billion in unnecessary costs placed on borrowers across the country over the next year alone.”
    SAVE is an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan designed by the Biden Administration to make federal student loan payments significantly more affordable for millions of borrowers, which would have cut many borrowers’ monthly payments in half. Last year, as a result of litigation pursued by Republican state attorneys general, Republican-appointed judges blocked the implementation of the SAVE plan, forcing the eight million borrowers who had already enrolled in SAVE into a forbearance. In response, the Biden Administration implemented a safeguard that prevented these borrowers from accruing interest during the pause. 
    On July 9, 2025, Secretary McMahon announced that borrowers in the SAVE forbearance would begin accruing interest again. The decision came despite a backlog of 1.5 million unprocessed IDR applications, meaning that SAVE borrowers will likely be unable to switch to another IDR plan that would allow them to make progress toward debt relief. Instead, they will be stuck in forbearance with no way to avoid accumulating interest. And once the forbearance period ends, many of these borrowers’ monthly payments will be higher due to the extra interest charges that will have accumulated and compounded over time.
    ED’s new policy appears to be based on a false premise. The press release announcing the new policy claimed that it was required by a court order. But no court has told ED to resume charging interest, and the Administration has the legal right under the Higher Education Act to pause interest payments for borrowers in the SAVE forbearance. In fact, courts have even cited the interest-free forbearance as justification for continuing to temporarily suspend SAVE while litigation is ongoing.
    “It defies logic and the law that a months-old preliminary injunction against SAVE, which makes no mention of the interest-free forbearance, requires you to start charging interest to millions of borrowers in forbearance now,” wrote the senators. “You should immediately reverse this policy so that millions of borrowers are not forced to pay billions of dollars in unnecessary interest charges.”
    Due to the impacts this policy will have on millions of student loan borrowers, the senators demanded Secretary McMahon answer their questions about this new policy and the staggering IDR application backlog by July 28, 2025:
    “Under your leadership, ED has continuously failed student loan borrowers, jacking up costs and ripping up consumer protections,” concluded the senators. “This new policy is another example of the Trump Administration’s deliberate disregard for the millions of Americans shouldering student loan debt across the country.”
    Senator Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education:
    On July 14, 2025, Senator Warren joined a letter to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, and the Department of Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, demanding that the department stop blocking nearly $7 billion in funds for K-12 schools, including for afterschool programs. 
    On July 3, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in submitting an amicus brief for NAACP v. US, arguing to the United States District Court District of Maryland that President Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED) violate separation of powers and lack constitutional authority.
    On June 10, 2025, Senator Warren met with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and delivered over 1,000 letters to McMahon that the senator had received from people in all 50 states who were worried about the Secretary’s efforts to dismantle ED.
    On June 9, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in pushing the Acting Inspector General of ED to open an investigation into new information obtained by her office, revealing that DOGE may have gained access to two FSA internal systems, in addition to sensitive borrower data.
    On May 20, 2025, Senator Warren and 27 other senators pushed for full funding for the Office of Federal Student Aid.
    On May 14, 2025, Senator Warren led a Senate forum entitled “Stealing the American Dream: How Trump and Republicans Are Raising Education Costs for Families,” highlighting the consequences of Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) and President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” for working- and middle-class students and borrowers.
    On May 13, 2025, Senator Warren agreed to meet with Education Secretary Linda McMahon and promised to bring questions and stories from Americans across the country to highlight how the Trump administration’s attacks on education are hurting American families.
    On May 6, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the consequences of President Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education for American families in a Senate forum.
    On April 24, 2025, Senator Warren launched a new investigation into the harms of President Trump’s attacks on the Department of Education, seeking information on the impact of the Trump administration’s actions from the members of twelve leading organizations representing schools, parents, teachers, students, borrowers, and researchers.
    On April 10, 2025, following a request led by Senator Warren, the Department of Education’s Acting Inspector General agreed to open an investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
    On April 2, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mazie Hirono, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Department of Government Efficiency’s proposed plan to replace the Department of Education’s federal student aid call centers with generative artificial intelligence chatbots.
    On April 2, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED) and highlight the consequences for every student and public school in America.
    On March 27, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a letter to Acting Department of Education Inspector General (IG) René Rocque requesting that the IG conduct an investigation of the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
    On March 20, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders led a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to slash the capacity of Federal Student Aid to handle student aid complaints.
    On February 24, 2025, in a response to Senator Warren, Secretary McMahon gave her first public admission that she “wholeheartedly” agreed with Trump’s plans to abolish the Department of Education.
    On February 11, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim sent Linda McMahon, Secretary-Designate for the U.S. Department of Education, a 12-page letter with 65 questions on McMahon’s policy views in advance of her nomination hearing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Deluzio, Reschenthaler, and Joyce Introduce Legislation to Relocate Department of Energy Office to the Keystone State

    Source: US Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), introduced bipartisan legislation to relocate the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In June, Pennsylvania Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman introduced the Senate companion legislation (S. 2044). 

    The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is responsible for the development of unconventional oil and gas resources, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. Pennsylvania is the nation’s second leading producer of natural gas, and this legislation will ensure that the DOE officials responsible for regulating the energy industry are closer to the industry leaders and workers they work with every day.  

    “Western Pennsylvania has helped power this country for centuries,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio. “This region can and should remain at the heart of powering America and growing our economy. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to relocate the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Western PA. As we power America, we need to stay focused on lowering energy costs, creating solid jobs, growing our energy independence and resilience, and using innovative technologies to protect our air and water.”  

    “Southwestern Pennsylvania is helping our nation unleash energy dominance,” said Rep. Guy Reschenthaler. “The coal, oil, and natural gas industries employ hundreds of thousands in Pennsylvania alone, including over 130,000 union jobs in the natural gas industry. The fossil fuel workforce of southwestern Pennsylvania should be leading and developing our nation’s energy policies, not out of touch bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. I am proud to partner with my Pennsylvania colleagues to introduce this important bill.”

    “Pennsylvania has a rich history in energy production and innovation, fueling our nation and our allies for decades,” said Rep. John Joyce, M.D. “By introducing this bipartisan legislation to move the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Pittsburgh, we can ensure that the Department of Energy’s employees are invested in the communities their work directly impacts.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Delta Airlines Pays $8.1 Million To Settle Lawsuit Alleging Misuse of Pandemic-Relief Funds

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    ATLANTA – Delta Airlines, Inc. (“Delta”) paid $8.1 million to the United States to settle claims that the company violated conditions Congress placed on federal relief funds provided to Delta under the Payroll Support Program (PSP). The PSP was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide financial support to airlines and other businesses. Under the terms of the PSP, companies that accepted federal relief money had to impose compensation caps on highly paid executives. The United States alleges that Delta violated these caps and then falsely certified that it had abided by them.

    “When companies accept federal assistance, especially generous pandemic-relief funds like those at issue here, they owe a duty to the American people to respect the conditions placed on those funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “We will continue to enforce all available laws to punish the misuse of taxpayers’ money.”

    The investigation began when a third-party financial researcher filed a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act referred to as a qui tam suit. The False Claims Act is a federal law that imposes civil liability on any person who submits false claims to the federal government or its contractors. The law imposes treble damages and civil penalties on those who submit false claims. Under the law, whistleblowers (also called “relators”) who bring fraud to the government’s attention share in any recovery obtained by the government.

    In this case, the whistleblower alleged that Delta violated the terms of the PSP. The PSP was created in early 2020 as part of the CARES Act to offer domestic airlines and other businesses money in the forms of grants and low-interest loans issued and administered by the Treasury Department. To obtain PSP funding, businesses were required to limit compensation paid to executives who had earned more than $425,000 in 2019. This condition was imposed by Congress to prevent executives from receiving substantial compensation packages after their companies accepted taxpayer-funded support.

    Delta received approximately $11.9 billion in PSP funds, including at least $8.2 billion in the form of grants that did not have to be repaid. To receive this money, Delta agreed to abide by the CARES Act’s compensation caps until April 2023. However, the whistleblower alleged that, between March 2020 and April 2023, Delta paid some corporate officers amounts that exceeded the caps set by the agreements. Delta then allegedly falsely certified its compliance with the caps and failed to notify the Treasury Department of its breach of the agreement.

    This settlement announced today also resolves the qui tam lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, United States ex rel. H. Remidez, LLC v. Delta Airlines, Inc., No. 1:23-CV-1116. The relator will receive $825,000 from the settlement in this matter, plus attorney’s fees.

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General.

    The civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque and Trial Attorney James Nealon and former Senior Trial Counsel Dan Spiro of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • India’s total exports rise by nearly 6% in April-June 2025; electronic goods lead growth

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s overall exports, comprising merchandise and services, rose to an estimated USD 210.31 billion during April-June 2025, registering a growth of 5.94 per cent compared to USD 198.52 billion during the same period last year, according to official estimates released today.

    The cumulative value of merchandise exports stood at USD 112.17 billion, marking a growth of 1.92 per cent over USD 110.06 billion recorded during April-June 2024. Notably, non-petroleum exports grew by nearly 6 per cent to reach USD 94.77 billion during the same period.

    Key drivers of growth include robust performances by sectors such as Electronic Goods, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Engineering Goods, Marine Products and Meat, Dairy and Poultry Products.

    Electronic Goods emerged as a standout performer, with exports jumping by 46.93 per cent to USD 4.15 billion in June 2025, up from USD 2.82 billion in June 2024. Exports of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals rose by 5.95 per cent to USD 2.62 billion, while Engineering Goods exports recorded a modest growth of 1.35 per cent to USD 9.50 billion.

    Exports of Marine Products rose by 13.33 per cent, while Meat, Dairy and Poultry Products witnessed a rise of 19.7 per cent.

    Merchandise and Services Trade

    During June 2025, India’s overall exports were estimated at USD 67.98 billion, reflecting a 6.5 per cent increase compared to June 2024. Total imports stood at USD 71.50 billion, registering a marginal rise of 0.50 per cent.

    Merchandise exports during June 2025 remained stable at USD 35.14 billion compared to USD 35.16 billion in June last year, while imports fell slightly to USD 53.92 billion from USD 56 billion a year ago.

    In the services sector, exports for June 2025 were estimated at USD 32.84 billion, up from USD 28.67 billion in June 2024, while imports rose to USD 17.58 billion from USD 15.14 billion.

    Trade Deficit Narrows

    India’s overall trade deficit narrowed to USD 3.51 billion in June 2025, compared to USD 7.30 billion in the same month last year. The merchandise trade deficit for April-June 2025 widened to USD 67.26 billion as against USD 62.10 billion a year ago, but the services trade surplus increased to USD 46.95 billion from USD 39.68 billion during April-June 2024.

    Non-Petroleum and Non-Gems & Jewellery Trade

    Exports excluding petroleum and gems & jewellery rose to USD 28.74 billion in June 2025 from USD 27.43 billion in June 2024. Imports in the same category remained stable at USD 36.57 billion compared to USD 36.55 billion a year ago.

    For the April-June quarter, non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports stood at USD 88.10 billion, marking an increase from USD 82.16 billion in the same period last year.

    Key Commodities and Destinations

    Among commodities, Electronic Goods, Tea, Jute Manufacturing including Floor Coverings, Other Cereals, Cereal Preparations, Fruits & Vegetables, Plastics, Carpet, Chemicals, Textiles and Rice posted positive growth during June 2025.

    On the other hand, imports of Pulses, Newsprint, Gold, Transport Equipment, Coal, Pearls and Precious Stones, Project Goods and Iron & Steel recorded a decline during the month.

    The United States, China, Kenya, France and Brazil emerged as the top five export destinations showing positive growth in June 2025 compared to June 2024. Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and China were among the top sources registering growth in imports during the month.

    For the quarter, the United States, China, Kenya, Germany and Australia led growth in export destinations, while China, UAE, Ireland, the United States and Hong Kong were the top sources for imports.

    Services Exports Surge

    Services exports grew by 10.93 per cent during April-June 2025, reaching USD 98.13 billion compared to USD 88.46 billion a year earlier. Services imports also rose to USD 51.18 billion from USD 48.78 billion.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Joins Nationwide Campaign to Celebrate National Emergency Management Awareness Month

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is proud to celebrate August 2025 as the first-ever National Emergency Management Awareness Month, a time to recognize and elevate the critical work emergency managers do across the state—and encourage all Oregonians to learn more, get prepared, and get involved.

    Emergency managers play a vital role in protecting people, property, and the environment before, during, and after disasters. From wildfires and floods to winter storms and earthquakes, these professionals work year-round to strengthen Oregon’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

    Throughout August, OEM will be participating in National Emergency Management Awareness Month, and we invite our partners across the state to join us in this important outreach effort. Together, we can raise awareness about the profession and the critical role emergency management plays in keeping Oregonians safe.

    Planned activities may include:

    • Community presentations about emergency preparedness
    • Behind-the-scenes tours of local Emergency Operations Centers
    • Training exercises and public safety demonstrations
    • Meetings with elected officials and key stakeholders
    • Social media campaigns, videos, and graphics that highlight the work of emergency managers

    Get Involved
    OEM invites residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government leaders to participate. Whether it’s inviting your community to learn about emergency management, promoting local preparedness tips on social media, or simply starting a conversation with neighbors about making a plan—every action counts.

    Stay tuned and check back here for shareable graphics, outreach tools, and ideas on how your community can participate in National Emergency Management Awareness Month. We’ll be updating resources throughout August to support your local efforts.

    Stay connected by following OEM on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, NextDoor and help spread the word: Emergency management matters—and now, more than ever, we need every Oregonian to be part of the effort to build safer, more resilient communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Joins Nationwide Campaign to Celebrate National Emergency Management Awareness Month

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is proud to celebrate August 2025 as the first-ever National Emergency Management Awareness Month, a time to recognize and elevate the critical work emergency managers do across the state—and encourage all Oregonians to learn more, get prepared, and get involved.

    Emergency managers play a vital role in protecting people, property, and the environment before, during, and after disasters. From wildfires and floods to winter storms and earthquakes, these professionals work year-round to strengthen Oregon’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

    Throughout August, OEM will be participating in National Emergency Management Awareness Month, and we invite our partners across the state to join us in this important outreach effort. Together, we can raise awareness about the profession and the critical role emergency management plays in keeping Oregonians safe.

    Planned activities may include:

    • Community presentations about emergency preparedness
    • Behind-the-scenes tours of local Emergency Operations Centers
    • Training exercises and public safety demonstrations
    • Meetings with elected officials and key stakeholders
    • Social media campaigns, videos, and graphics that highlight the work of emergency managers

    Get Involved
    OEM invites residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government leaders to participate. Whether it’s inviting your community to learn about emergency management, promoting local preparedness tips on social media, or simply starting a conversation with neighbors about making a plan—every action counts.

    Stay tuned and check back here for shareable graphics, outreach tools, and ideas on how your community can participate in National Emergency Management Awareness Month. We’ll be updating resources throughout August to support your local efforts.

    Stay connected by following OEM on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, NextDoor and help spread the word: Emergency management matters—and now, more than ever, we need every Oregonian to be part of the effort to build safer, more resilient communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Joins Nationwide Campaign to Celebrate National Emergency Management Awareness Month

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is proud to celebrate August 2025 as the first-ever National Emergency Management Awareness Month, a time to recognize and elevate the critical work emergency managers do across the state—and encourage all Oregonians to learn more, get prepared, and get involved.

    Emergency managers play a vital role in protecting people, property, and the environment before, during, and after disasters. From wildfires and floods to winter storms and earthquakes, these professionals work year-round to strengthen Oregon’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

    Throughout August, OEM will be participating in National Emergency Management Awareness Month, and we invite our partners across the state to join us in this important outreach effort. Together, we can raise awareness about the profession and the critical role emergency management plays in keeping Oregonians safe.

    Planned activities may include:

    • Community presentations about emergency preparedness
    • Behind-the-scenes tours of local Emergency Operations Centers
    • Training exercises and public safety demonstrations
    • Meetings with elected officials and key stakeholders
    • Social media campaigns, videos, and graphics that highlight the work of emergency managers

    Get Involved
    OEM invites residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government leaders to participate. Whether it’s inviting your community to learn about emergency management, promoting local preparedness tips on social media, or simply starting a conversation with neighbors about making a plan—every action counts.

    Stay tuned and check back here for shareable graphics, outreach tools, and ideas on how your community can participate in National Emergency Management Awareness Month. We’ll be updating resources throughout August to support your local efforts.

    Stay connected by following OEM on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, NextDoor and help spread the word: Emergency management matters—and now, more than ever, we need every Oregonian to be part of the effort to build safer, more resilient communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Joins Nationwide Campaign to Celebrate National Emergency Management Awareness Month

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is proud to celebrate August 2025 as the first-ever National Emergency Management Awareness Month, a time to recognize and elevate the critical work emergency managers do across the state—and encourage all Oregonians to learn more, get prepared, and get involved.

    Emergency managers play a vital role in protecting people, property, and the environment before, during, and after disasters. From wildfires and floods to winter storms and earthquakes, these professionals work year-round to strengthen Oregon’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

    Throughout August, OEM will be participating in National Emergency Management Awareness Month, and we invite our partners across the state to join us in this important outreach effort. Together, we can raise awareness about the profession and the critical role emergency management plays in keeping Oregonians safe.

    Planned activities may include:

    • Community presentations about emergency preparedness
    • Behind-the-scenes tours of local Emergency Operations Centers
    • Training exercises and public safety demonstrations
    • Meetings with elected officials and key stakeholders
    • Social media campaigns, videos, and graphics that highlight the work of emergency managers

    Get Involved
    OEM invites residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government leaders to participate. Whether it’s inviting your community to learn about emergency management, promoting local preparedness tips on social media, or simply starting a conversation with neighbors about making a plan—every action counts.

    Stay tuned and check back here for shareable graphics, outreach tools, and ideas on how your community can participate in National Emergency Management Awareness Month. We’ll be updating resources throughout August to support your local efforts.

    Stay connected by following OEM on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, NextDoor and help spread the word: Emergency management matters—and now, more than ever, we need every Oregonian to be part of the effort to build safer, more resilient communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Travel Advisory: Mendon Road Lane Shift in Cumberland Begins July 18

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Starting Friday night, July 18, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will shift the northbound travel lane on Mendon Road (Route 122) at the Mendon Road Bridge over I-295 in Cumberland. The change is the last phase of work before RIDOT fully opens the new bridge later this summer.

    The northbound lane will be shifted back to its original location, removing the left lane shift. This change will create a work zone in the middle of the bridge so RIDOT can finish construction on the center median over the next four weeks. At that time, in mid-August, RIDOT expects to reopen the bridge to its original configuration with two lanes in each direction.

    In September, RIDOT will remove the lane closures in both directions of I-295 under the bridge. All work on the $17.67 million project will wrap up in late summer/early fall.

    The old Mendon Road Bridge was built in 1965 and was classified as structurally deficient for more than 10 years. It carries 22,300 vehicles per day and is a vital link for Cumberland as one of two primary north-south routes through the town.

    All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

    The Mendon Road Bridge Project is made possible by RhodeWorks. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Travel Advisory: Overnight Closures for a Section of Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Starting on Sunday night, July 20, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be temporarily closing a section of Oaklawn Avenue at the Route 37 overpass in Cranston during late evening and overnight hours. The closures will take place Sunday through Thursday nights, for the next two to three weeks, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night so RIDOT can begin bridge demolition work.

    During the closure, traffic will use Wilbur Avenue, Vinton Avenue, Cranston Street and Sherman Avenue to detour. RIDOT chose this time for the closure when traffic volumes are lowest, to avoid disrupting traffic as much as possible. A detour map is available at www.ridot.net/DetourMaps.

    The Oaklawn Avenue Bridge is being rebuilt as part of a larger $142.8 million project to make numerous improvements, replacing and rehabilitating six bridges carrying Route 37 over local roads, arterials, and rail lines. It is the third of three Route 37-focused projects, representing more than $300 million of improvements to address all bridges and safety concerns along the entire highway. Route 37 is a critical east-west freeway in central Rhode Island, linking the cities of Cranston and Warwick, major retail, office and residential areas, Interstate highways and Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. With a daily traffic count of 42,000 vehicles, Route 37 is one of the state’s busiest corridors.

    All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings and weather.

    The rehabilitation of the Oaklawn Avenue Bridge is made possible by RhodeWorks. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta, Multistate Coalition Urge Congress to Advance Legislation Requiring Immigration Agents to Identify Themselves

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a multistate coalition in sending a letter to Congressional members urging them to advance legislation prohibiting immigration agents from wearing masks to conceal their identity and requiring them to show their identification and agency-identifying insignia, with limited exceptions. In light of recent events, this legislation is necessary in order to protect the public, ensure accountability, and preserve the reputation and effectiveness of law enforcement at every level of government. 

    “Transparency and accountability are the foundation of good law enforcement, yet in recent weeks, ICE agents have begun the shocking and unacceptable practice of deploying masked agents to carry out immigration enforcement operations,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The Trump Administration continues to tout their alarming and undemocratic law enforcement tactics as part of their inhumane anti-immigration agenda, completely ignoring the severe risks these tactics pose to public safety and basic civil liberties. If federal authorities are confident that their practices are lawful and just, they should not fear identifying themselves. We call upon Congress to advance legislation to ensure that federal agents properly identify themselves and uphold the principles of transparency and accountability that are crucial for public safety and trust.” 

    The images of masked, armed men, dressed in plainclothes and traveling in unmarked vehicles, snatching people from streets, homes, workplaces, and courthouses have become common in recent weeks and are now emblazoned in the public consciousness. These detentions are alarming, as the imagery evokes comparisons to repressive tactics that have no place in a free country. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers are now routinely using masked agents who do not identify themselves as law enforcement to carry out arrests in public spaces – which has the effect of terrorizing communities rather than protecting them. 

    The concealment of officers’ identity limits the ability of individuals to challenge unlawful government acts, stripping citizens of their basic rights to hold government actors accountable. Furthermore, the lack of clear identification goes against federal standards for law enforcement conduct. Under 8 C.F.R. 287.8(c)(2)(iii), immigration officers are required at the time of arrest to identify themselves as such, as soon as it is practical and safe to do so. ICE’s practices also reduce accountability and transparency within law enforcement, as they prevent the public from reporting and seeking recourse for unlawful practices or violations of rights that occur during an arrest. This lack of accountability further erodes public trust and encourages, rather than deters, rights violations by federal law enforcement. 

    In the letter, the attorneys general argue that ICE’s tactics pose significant public safety risks. The confusion generated by masked, plainclothes agents makes it difficult or impossible for individuals to know whether they are being legally detained by an ICE agent. Without proper identification as law enforcement, witnesses to these arrests could reasonably believe a kidnapping is underway, which may lead them to intervene or call on local law enforcement for assistance, creating unsafe situations and tying up important local resources.

    As former ICE official Scott Shuchart noted, this situation could be “setting ourselves up for a kind of vigilante problem where people either don’t know, or at least aren’t sure, that these officers who are dressed up like bank robbers are actually law enforcement officers.” This jeopardizes not only the safety of the targets of enforcement actions, it also jeopardizes the safety of ICE agents themselves. Individuals who are unsure whether they are being detained by legitimate law enforcement or are being kidnapped may understandably choose not to obey commands and instead unknowingly resist law enforcement efforts. These tactics have also reportedly given rise to horrific incidents of impersonation of officers, where individuals seeking to extort or do harm have posed as immigration officials to victimize others.

    While measures to protect the identity of federal agents are sometimes necessary, the commonplace use of masks and the failure of ICE to identify themselves as law enforcement makes everyone less safe and weakens the integrity of our justice systems. Acting Director Todd Lyons has defended the use of masks by citing concerns about harassment against agents and their families, ignoring the severe risks posed to public safety and civil liberties. To the extent these concerns are warranted, they can be resolved through targeted, less repressive means that befit a free country.

    In sending this letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.  

    A copy of the letter is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – A simpler tax architecture to benefit EU firms and citizens

    Source: European Parliament 3

    MEPs on Tuesday adopted suggestions for reforms to the tax architecture to boost competitiveness while continuing to address tax avoidance and evasion.

    The report, drafted by Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP, CY), was adopted in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee by 46 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 11 abstentions. It will feed into the ongoing legislative work on legislative simplification, more particularly a dedicated Commission proposal expected in early 2026.

    The report presents a host of ideas for simplifying tax compliance and eliminating administrative hurdles in the internal market. This would reduce the financial cost of compliance – notably for SMEs, which, the report says, is a cost of 30% of the taxes they pay.

    The suggestions would also make it easier for governments to administer and collect taxes, contributing to reduced tax evasion and avoidance and mobilising more resources for states to invest elsewhere.

    Tax simplification

    The report urges the Commission to establish an EU Tax Data Hub to improve the automatic exchange of tax information and reduce administrative burden. This would also help identifying and eliminating all instances of duplicate reporting to relieve taxpayers of double reporting obligations. The Hub would also serve as a single access point for tax administrations across the EU.

    In order to mobilise more of Europe’s savings lying on low-interest paying bank accounts, MEPs say that tax declaration procedures for savings and investment accounts should be simplified so that more people would feel encouraged to invest in the EU’s capital markets.

    The adopted text also says that streamlining the use of the Tax Identification Number across member states could help administrative cooperation and reporting. Finally, the Commission is asked to assess and simplify the current VAT framework, the Directive on Administration Cooperation in Tax matters, and the Anti Tax Avoidance Directive.

    MEPs stress that simplification alone will not be enough, as it is also important to invest in the capacity of tax authorities to ensure existing reporting obligations are used to their fullest potential.

    Continue fighting tax fraud, avoidance and evasion

    MEPs underline that any simplification exercise must not undermine fighting tax fraud, avoidance or evasion. They say further tax coordination between member states in tackling tax evasion and avoidance is important to facilitate cross-border economic activity.

    Specifically, the report calls for enhanced collaboration between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Eurofisc to strengthen intelligence-sharing, coordinated enforcement efforts and cross-border investigations.

    Tax barriers

    MEPs ask the Commission to survey existing tax related obstacles for the single market and present an action plan to tackle them. Particularly, they invite the Commission to assess the benefits and drawbacks of a single set of EU-wide rules for innovative companies (the so-called 28th regime), which would also provide a single set of tax laws.

    Finally, MEPs call for measures to deal with the tax issues facing trans-frontier workers and digital nomads, as well simplifying the R&D tax incentive schemes.

    Quote of the rapporteur

    “This Report is calling for a simpler, more transparent and predictable EU tax framework that reduces complexity, administrative burden and increases our competiveness. With rising economic pressures and global competition, a simpler tax framework is vital. The report urges simplification, clearer rules, removal of inefficiencies, while upholding standards against tax evasion and aggressive tax planning. To boost competiveness, we call for thorough impact assessments, greater use of digital tools to reduce compliance costs, standardised templates, improved coordination among Member States, and revision of unnecessary rules that burden especially SMEs. A fair and business-friendly system is crucial for SMEs, which are the backbone of the European economy and essential for growth across Member States, especially in smaller economies, like my country Cyprus. This will help ensure a competitive, resilient, and inclusive Single Market for all.”

    Background

    Although not part of an official legislative procedure, this “own initiative report” provides political signalling regarding the EP’s political priorities in anticipation of legislation which would soon be proposed by the Commission. In this case, a legislative proposal on tax simplification is expected in early 2026.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – A simpler tax architecture to benefit EU firms and citizens

    Source: European Parliament 3

    MEPs on Tuesday adopted suggestions for reforms to the tax architecture to boost competitiveness while continuing to address tax avoidance and evasion.

    The report, drafted by Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP, CY), was adopted in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee by 46 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 11 abstentions. It will feed into the ongoing legislative work on legislative simplification, more particularly a dedicated Commission proposal expected in early 2026.

    The report presents a host of ideas for simplifying tax compliance and eliminating administrative hurdles in the internal market. This would reduce the financial cost of compliance – notably for SMEs, which, the report says, is a cost of 30% of the taxes they pay.

    The suggestions would also make it easier for governments to administer and collect taxes, contributing to reduced tax evasion and avoidance and mobilising more resources for states to invest elsewhere.

    Tax simplification

    The report urges the Commission to establish an EU Tax Data Hub to improve the automatic exchange of tax information and reduce administrative burden. This would also help identifying and eliminating all instances of duplicate reporting to relieve taxpayers of double reporting obligations. The Hub would also serve as a single access point for tax administrations across the EU.

    In order to mobilise more of Europe’s savings lying on low-interest paying bank accounts, MEPs say that tax declaration procedures for savings and investment accounts should be simplified so that more people would feel encouraged to invest in the EU’s capital markets.

    The adopted text also says that streamlining the use of the Tax Identification Number across member states could help administrative cooperation and reporting. Finally, the Commission is asked to assess and simplify the current VAT framework, the Directive on Administration Cooperation in Tax matters, and the Anti Tax Avoidance Directive.

    MEPs stress that simplification alone will not be enough, as it is also important to invest in the capacity of tax authorities to ensure existing reporting obligations are used to their fullest potential.

    Continue fighting tax fraud, avoidance and evasion

    MEPs underline that any simplification exercise must not undermine fighting tax fraud, avoidance or evasion. They say further tax coordination between member states in tackling tax evasion and avoidance is important to facilitate cross-border economic activity.

    Specifically, the report calls for enhanced collaboration between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Eurofisc to strengthen intelligence-sharing, coordinated enforcement efforts and cross-border investigations.

    Tax barriers

    MEPs ask the Commission to survey existing tax related obstacles for the single market and present an action plan to tackle them. Particularly, they invite the Commission to assess the benefits and drawbacks of a single set of EU-wide rules for innovative companies (the so-called 28th regime), which would also provide a single set of tax laws.

    Finally, MEPs call for measures to deal with the tax issues facing trans-frontier workers and digital nomads, as well simplifying the R&D tax incentive schemes.

    Quote of the rapporteur

    “This Report is calling for a simpler, more transparent and predictable EU tax framework that reduces complexity, administrative burden and increases our competiveness. With rising economic pressures and global competition, a simpler tax framework is vital. The report urges simplification, clearer rules, removal of inefficiencies, while upholding standards against tax evasion and aggressive tax planning. To boost competiveness, we call for thorough impact assessments, greater use of digital tools to reduce compliance costs, standardised templates, improved coordination among Member States, and revision of unnecessary rules that burden especially SMEs. A fair and business-friendly system is crucial for SMEs, which are the backbone of the European economy and essential for growth across Member States, especially in smaller economies, like my country Cyprus. This will help ensure a competitive, resilient, and inclusive Single Market for all.”

    Background

    Although not part of an official legislative procedure, this “own initiative report” provides political signalling regarding the EP’s political priorities in anticipation of legislation which would soon be proposed by the Commission. In this case, a legislative proposal on tax simplification is expected in early 2026.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – A simpler tax architecture to benefit EU firms and citizens

    Source: European Parliament 3

    MEPs on Tuesday adopted suggestions for reforms to the tax architecture to boost competitiveness while continuing to address tax avoidance and evasion.

    The report, drafted by Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP, CY), was adopted in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee by 46 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 11 abstentions. It will feed into the ongoing legislative work on legislative simplification, more particularly a dedicated Commission proposal expected in early 2026.

    The report presents a host of ideas for simplifying tax compliance and eliminating administrative hurdles in the internal market. This would reduce the financial cost of compliance – notably for SMEs, which, the report says, is a cost of 30% of the taxes they pay.

    The suggestions would also make it easier for governments to administer and collect taxes, contributing to reduced tax evasion and avoidance and mobilising more resources for states to invest elsewhere.

    Tax simplification

    The report urges the Commission to establish an EU Tax Data Hub to improve the automatic exchange of tax information and reduce administrative burden. This would also help identifying and eliminating all instances of duplicate reporting to relieve taxpayers of double reporting obligations. The Hub would also serve as a single access point for tax administrations across the EU.

    In order to mobilise more of Europe’s savings lying on low-interest paying bank accounts, MEPs say that tax declaration procedures for savings and investment accounts should be simplified so that more people would feel encouraged to invest in the EU’s capital markets.

    The adopted text also says that streamlining the use of the Tax Identification Number across member states could help administrative cooperation and reporting. Finally, the Commission is asked to assess and simplify the current VAT framework, the Directive on Administration Cooperation in Tax matters, and the Anti Tax Avoidance Directive.

    MEPs stress that simplification alone will not be enough, as it is also important to invest in the capacity of tax authorities to ensure existing reporting obligations are used to their fullest potential.

    Continue fighting tax fraud, avoidance and evasion

    MEPs underline that any simplification exercise must not undermine fighting tax fraud, avoidance or evasion. They say further tax coordination between member states in tackling tax evasion and avoidance is important to facilitate cross-border economic activity.

    Specifically, the report calls for enhanced collaboration between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Eurofisc to strengthen intelligence-sharing, coordinated enforcement efforts and cross-border investigations.

    Tax barriers

    MEPs ask the Commission to survey existing tax related obstacles for the single market and present an action plan to tackle them. Particularly, they invite the Commission to assess the benefits and drawbacks of a single set of EU-wide rules for innovative companies (the so-called 28th regime), which would also provide a single set of tax laws.

    Finally, MEPs call for measures to deal with the tax issues facing trans-frontier workers and digital nomads, as well simplifying the R&D tax incentive schemes.

    Quote of the rapporteur

    “This Report is calling for a simpler, more transparent and predictable EU tax framework that reduces complexity, administrative burden and increases our competiveness. With rising economic pressures and global competition, a simpler tax framework is vital. The report urges simplification, clearer rules, removal of inefficiencies, while upholding standards against tax evasion and aggressive tax planning. To boost competiveness, we call for thorough impact assessments, greater use of digital tools to reduce compliance costs, standardised templates, improved coordination among Member States, and revision of unnecessary rules that burden especially SMEs. A fair and business-friendly system is crucial for SMEs, which are the backbone of the European economy and essential for growth across Member States, especially in smaller economies, like my country Cyprus. This will help ensure a competitive, resilient, and inclusive Single Market for all.”

    Background

    Although not part of an official legislative procedure, this “own initiative report” provides political signalling regarding the EP’s political priorities in anticipation of legislation which would soon be proposed by the Commission. In this case, a legislative proposal on tax simplification is expected in early 2026.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Improving private land conservation

    Alberta’s government is launching two new and improved private land conservation programs to better meet the needs of landowners, conserve more land and prioritize the needs of Albertans. With $10 million in funding now available, the enhanced Private Land Conservation Program and the new Ecosystem Services Grant Program will better protect natural areas across the province while still enabling landowners to use their land for farming, ranching and other work.

    A property in the Rosebud River Conservation Area, northeast of Calgary (Credit: Western Sky Land Trust Society)

    Private landowners across Alberta strongly support conservation, with more than 142,000 acres conserved since 2019. However, decisions made today may not make sense 50 years from now, and many Alberta landowners have asked for more flexible conservation programs to help them protect the land while making a living.

    “Landowners have been asking for a program that supports conservation while still letting them safely and sustainably use their lands. These new and improved programs will deliver greater environmental impact per dollar by aligning conservation outcomes with landowners’ needs and on-the-ground realities.” 

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    Improved program, new name

    Under the newly created Private Land Conservation Program, formerly the Land Trust Grant Program, funding will be distributed to Alberta-based land trusts only, ensuring money meant for conservation in Alberta stays in the province and benefits Albertans. New term conservation easements will also ensure maximum flexibility for future landowners while still protecting the environment. Term conservation easements, which can last up to 50 years, offer an effective way to conserve land for a generation while allowing future flexibility for landowners and communities.

    “The Alberta Conservation Association is excited to see the launch of the enhanced Private Land Conservation Program. It provides us with new and innovative tools to support private landowners in Alberta’s ongoing, collaborative efforts to conserve our rich natural heritage for future generations.”

    Lance Engley, special projects manager, Alberta Conservation Association

    Ecosystem conservation support

    The new Ecosystem Services Grant Program helps landowners cover the costs of maintaining conservation lands that benefit all Albertans. For example, grasslands, riparian areas and wetlands provide habitat and biodiversity while naturally absorbing rainfall and reduce runoff. By conserving these landscapes, vital ecosystem services that support Albertans are protected.

    “Alberta Beef Producers is encouraged to see the government recognizing the value of ecological goods and services and taking steps to support working landscapes. Canada loses approximately 148,000 acres of grasslands each year, and programs like this can help keep ranchers, the stewards of these native ecosystems, on the land, maintaining healthy habitat and supporting species at risk for generations to come.”

    Doug Roxburgh, chair, Alberta Beef Producers

    Applications are being accepted for both the Private Land Conservation Program and Ecosystem Services Grant Program until Oct. 1, 2025. Details on how to apply and eligibility are available on Alberta.ca.

    Quick facts

    • Funding for private land conservation programs comes from the Land Stewardship Fund, which generates funds from the sale of public land.
    • Budget 2025-26 allocated $10 million from the Land Stewardship Fund for this fiscal year.
    • Since 2019, more than 142,000 acres of private land has been conserved.

    Related information

    • Conservation on private land
    • Private Land Conservation Program
    • Ecosystem Services Grant Program

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – A simpler tax architecture to benefit EU firms and citizens

    Source: European Parliament 3

    MEPs on Tuesday adopted suggestions for reforms to the tax architecture to boost competitiveness while continuing to address tax avoidance and evasion.

    The report, drafted by Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP, CY), was adopted in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee by 46 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 11 abstentions. It will feed into the ongoing legislative work on legislative simplification, more particularly a dedicated Commission proposal expected in early 2026.

    The report presents a host of ideas for simplifying tax compliance and eliminating administrative hurdles in the internal market. This would reduce the financial cost of compliance – notably for SMEs, which, the report says, is a cost of 30% of the taxes they pay.

    The suggestions would also make it easier for governments to administer and collect taxes, contributing to reduced tax evasion and avoidance and mobilising more resources for states to invest elsewhere.

    Tax simplification

    The report urges the Commission to establish an EU Tax Data Hub to improve the automatic exchange of tax information and reduce administrative burden. This would also help identifying and eliminating all instances of duplicate reporting to relieve taxpayers of double reporting obligations. The Hub would also serve as a single access point for tax administrations across the EU.

    In order to mobilise more of Europe’s savings lying on low-interest paying bank accounts, MEPs say that tax declaration procedures for savings and investment accounts should be simplified so that more people would feel encouraged to invest in the EU’s capital markets.

    The adopted text also says that streamlining the use of the Tax Identification Number across member states could help administrative cooperation and reporting. Finally, the Commission is asked to assess and simplify the current VAT framework, the Directive on Administration Cooperation in Tax matters, and the Anti Tax Avoidance Directive.

    MEPs stress that simplification alone will not be enough, as it is also important to invest in the capacity of tax authorities to ensure existing reporting obligations are used to their fullest potential.

    Continue fighting tax fraud, avoidance and evasion

    MEPs underline that any simplification exercise must not undermine fighting tax fraud, avoidance or evasion. They say further tax coordination between member states in tackling tax evasion and avoidance is important to facilitate cross-border economic activity.

    Specifically, the report calls for enhanced collaboration between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Eurofisc to strengthen intelligence-sharing, coordinated enforcement efforts and cross-border investigations.

    Tax barriers

    MEPs ask the Commission to survey existing tax related obstacles for the single market and present an action plan to tackle them. Particularly, they invite the Commission to assess the benefits and drawbacks of a single set of EU-wide rules for innovative companies (the so-called 28th regime), which would also provide a single set of tax laws.

    Finally, MEPs call for measures to deal with the tax issues facing trans-frontier workers and digital nomads, as well simplifying the R&D tax incentive schemes.

    Quote of the rapporteur

    “This Report is calling for a simpler, more transparent and predictable EU tax framework that reduces complexity, administrative burden and increases our competiveness. With rising economic pressures and global competition, a simpler tax framework is vital. The report urges simplification, clearer rules, removal of inefficiencies, while upholding standards against tax evasion and aggressive tax planning. To boost competiveness, we call for thorough impact assessments, greater use of digital tools to reduce compliance costs, standardised templates, improved coordination among Member States, and revision of unnecessary rules that burden especially SMEs. A fair and business-friendly system is crucial for SMEs, which are the backbone of the European economy and essential for growth across Member States, especially in smaller economies, like my country Cyprus. This will help ensure a competitive, resilient, and inclusive Single Market for all.”

    Background

    Although not part of an official legislative procedure, this “own initiative report” provides political signalling regarding the EP’s political priorities in anticipation of legislation which would soon be proposed by the Commission. In this case, a legislative proposal on tax simplification is expected in early 2026.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: One Decade of Celebrating the Boulder-White Clouds

    Source: US State of Idaho

    This August marks ten years since one of the most meaningful land management bills in Idaho’s history—the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act was signed into law. A decade later, we celebrate the protection of the Cecil D. Andrus Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness area and Idahoans’ shared love for the land.
    The Boulder-White Clouds, with their beautiful high peaks, spectacular alpine lakes, and breathtaking country ready for recreation, represent some of the very best of our great state. For decades, however, they were at the center of crafting a compromise over how best to preserve this area.
    That debate ended the Idaho way—with countless Idahoans, including ranchers, recreationists, conservationists, local leaders, and elected officials, coming together, setting aside differences, and producing a solution to protect this iconic land.
    Passing this legislation has been one of my proudest accomplishments in Congress, but I’m even prouder of how it came together. It would not have been possible without the tireless work of Idahoans from all different backgrounds—people like Sandra Mitchell, with the Idaho State Snowmobile Association, numerous county commissioners, including Cliff Hansen and the late Wayne Butts, and Rick Johnson, the former executive director of the Idaho Conservation League.
    As a lifelong Idahoan who loves public lands, protecting access to these special places has always been a top priority. It was critical that the Boulder-White Clouds be designated a wilderness—rather than a national monument—because wilderness status provides the strongest possible protections for public lands.
    The law created three new wilderness areas—the Hemingway-Boulders, the White Clouds, and the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak—permanently preserving over 275,000 acres of public land. At the same time, the legislation honored multiple uses by protecting grazing, maintaining motorized and trail access for snowmobiles, mountain bikes, and two-wheeled vehicles, and supporting the economic well-being of rural communities.
    This legislation also delivered more than $6.5 million in grants to support rural counties and improve trails, most notably the Redfish Lake to Stanley Trail. This was an important piece in the Boulder-White Cloud compromise, and I’m confident that this trail will positively impact recreation and the local economy for years ahead.
    One of the most meaningful milestones wasn’t until a few years after it was signed: renaming the area after the late Idaho Governor and Secretary of the Interior, Cecil D. Andrus. Cecil Andrus devoted his life to protecting the very land he loved and fought for, and now his name is tied to this area forever. 
    Ten years on, protecting and preserving the Boulder-White Clouds has been one of the most rewarding pieces of legislation I have championed. Not only does this bill showcase we’d rather have an Idaho solution than one imposed by DC, but it also serves as an example of what’s possible when Idahoans come together.
    This anniversary is a moment to celebrate—and to look ahead. Knowing that future generations can enjoy the same benefits we have today. Here’s to ten years of the Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness, and to many more generations of Idahoans who will cherish them. 

    MIL OSI USA News –