Category: Americas

MIL-OSI USA: Six Months of Keeping America Safe Under President Trump and Secretary Noem

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Six Months of Keeping America Safe Under President Trump and Secretary Noem

lass=”text-align-center”>DHS has accomplished more in six months than most Administrations achieve in an entire term
WASHINGTON – In just six months, President Trump and Secretary Noem have delivered the American people a long list of victories in their mission to secure the homeland and Make America Safe Again

Under their leadership, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has closed the southern border, removed violent criminal illegal aliens, restored law and order to our immigration system, supported Americans in times of crisis, revolutionized our Coast Guard to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, and kept Americans safe

Secured the Southern Border

On day one, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border

 
President Trump immediately reinstated “Remain in Mexico” and ended catch-and-release

 
Daily border encounters have plunged by 93% since President Trump took office

Under President Trump’s leadership, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has located over 10,000 unaccompanied children

Migrants are turning BACK before they even reach our border— migration through Panama’s Darien Gap is down 99%

President Trump—with $46

5 billion from the Big Beautiful Bill—is finishing the border wall

DHS already has more than 85 miles either planned or under construction with funding from the prior year, in addition to hundreds of miles that are now planned to be funded by the bill

 President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill also includes over $5 billion for new technology and border surveillance

With the Big Beautiful Bill, CBP will get the resources they need to keep America safe, including $4

1 billion to hire additional personnel, including 5,000 more customs officers and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents

In June, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had the lowest number of nationwide encounters in CBP history at 25,228

The number of nationwide apprehensions in June was also a historic low of just 8,024

Notably, on June 28, Border Patrol recorded only 136 apprehensions across the entire Southwest Border—the lowest single-day total in agency history

And in both May and June, U

S

Border Patrol reported zero parole releases—reinforcing the Administration’s commitment to ending catch-and-release policies

Removed the Worst of the Worst Illegal Aliens

The Trump Administration empowered our brave men and women in law enforcement to use common sense to do their jobs effectively

DHS returned to using the term “illegal alien” which is the statutory language

President Trump will not allow political correctness to hinder law enforcement

The Trump administration has arrested more than 300,000 illegal aliens in 2025 alone

70% of ICE arrests are criminal illegal aliens with criminal charges or convictions


The Big Beautiful Bill will allow ICE to arrest and remove even more criminal aliens by providing $14

4 billion for removals, 10,000 new ICE agents, 80,000 new ICE beds, and a $10,000 signing bonus for new ICE agents

This will help ICE achieve as many as 1 million deportations per year

As part of 287(g), DHS partnered with the State of Florida and opened Alligator Alcatraz, giving the Trump administration the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who entered the country illegally under the previous administration

The new facility expands facility and bed space by the thousands

Operation Tidal Wave, the first 287(g) enforcement operation coordinated with state and federal law enforcement partners, resulted in over 800 arrests

President Trump and Secretary Noem are empowering state and local law enforcement to get these criminal illegal aliens off our streets

DHS has secured more than 800 signed agreements with state and local partnerships under 287(g)


At the direction of President Trump, CBP and ICE began widescale immigration enforcement operations in sanctuary city Los Angeles and southern California

The month-long operation resulted in arresting some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens

In July, federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo

At least 14 migrant children have been rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor and human trafficking

Federal officers also arrested at least 361 illegal aliens from both sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo

After weeks of delays by activist judges, the Department of Homeland Security finally deported eight barbaric, violent criminal illegal aliens to South Sudan

Delivering Justice for Victims of Illegal Immigration

President Trump and Secretary Noem reopened the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, which was shuttered by the Biden Administration

President Trump and Secretary Noem are standing up for the victims of illegal alien crime and ensuring they have access to much needed resources and support they deserve

Incentivizing Historic Self-Deportations

President Trump ended the CBP One app that allowed more than one million aliens to illegally enter the U

S

The Trump Administration replaced this disastrous program with the CBP Home app, which has a new self-deportation reporting feature for aliens illegally in the country

President Trump launched Project Homecoming through a presidential EO

The United States is also offering any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App a stipend of $1,000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app

So far, tens of thousands of illegal aliens have used the app to self-deport

 
In addition to offering CBP Home, DHS announced illegal aliens who self-deport through the app will receive forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the United States

DHS also made CBP Home more user friendly by eliminating certain steps and making it easier than ever for illegal aliens to self-deport

DHS and DOJ are enforcing our immigration laws and fining illegal aliens who do not depart when they are supposed to

So far, nearly 10,000 fine notices have been issued by ICE

Restoring Common Sense to America’s Legal Immigration System

President Trump ended the broad abuse of humanitarian parole and returned the program to a case-by-case basis

As part of this effort, Secretary Noem terminated the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela parole programs

Following victory at the U

S

Supreme Court, DHS began sending termination notices in June, informing the illegal aliens both their parole is terminated, and their parole-based employment authorization is revoked – effective immediately

DHS has returned the Temporary Protected Status immigration program to its original status: temporary

No longer will this program be abused and exploited by illegal aliens

Secretary Noem rescinded the previous administration’s extension of Venezuelan, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Afghan TPS

Secretary Noem terminated Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification—meaning Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status—for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party

It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from higher tuition to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments

Harvard University repeatedly abused this privilege and even stonewalled DHS’s request for information

Initiating a Golden Age in American Air Travel

Secretary Noem terminated the politically motivated Quiet Skies Program, which since its existence has failed to stop a single terrorist attack while costing US taxpayers $200 million a year

The program, under the guise of “national security,” was used to target political opponents and benefit political allies

TSA ended the “shoes-off” travel policy, allowing passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints

This change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience

The Trump administration fully implemented REAL ID enforcement measures nationwide—a law signed 20 years ago

REAL ID helps ensure that travelers are who they say they are and prevents fraud by criminals, terrorists, and illegal aliens

Most travelers have not even noticed a difference because nearly 94% of travelers are already REAL ID compliant

Secretary Noem ended collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which constrained TSA’s chief mission to safeguard our transportation systems

Fixing Disaster Relief for the 21st Century

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is now shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens

The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades

President Trump has established the FEMA Review Council to provide recommendations on how to best conduct disaster relief at the federal level

Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the FEMA Review Council is developing a comprehensive plan for necessary change

DHS has empowered state and local governments to lead disaster relief efforts without interference from the federal government

Provided Rapid and Effective Support to Flood Victims in Texas

Within moments of the flooding in Texas, DHS assets, including the U

S

Coast Guard (USCG), CBP Border Search, CBP BORSTAR, and FEMA personnel surged into unprecedented action alongside Texas first responders for search and rescue operations

FEMA deployed 311 staffers delivering critical intelligence, aerial imagery, and shelter for 171 survivors

Combined state and federal rescue efforts evacuated and rescued over 1,500 people

Getting CISA Back on Mission

Under the Biden Administration, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) censored free speech and targeted Americans

Under President Trump’s direction, DHS closed CISA’s politically weaponized offices and fired those responsible for abusing their power

CISA is now back on-mission: Protecting Americans and critical infrastructure from cyberthreats

CISA is shifting away from an all-hazards approach to a risk-informed approach, prioritizing resilience and action over mere information sharing

CISA personnel are deployed across 10 regions in support of all 56 states/territories

CISA is also on the front lines of defending America from cyberattacks

CISA partnered with the FBI and NSA to ensure state and local governments have information and resources necessary for protection

CISA is also providing security support for next year’s FIFA World Cup

Secretary Noem discontinued the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) as a part of the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order 14217, Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, and removed members of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), which CISA oversees

Revolutionizing the Coast Guard

When President Trump came back into office, the Coast Guard faced its greatest readiness crisis since World War II because the Biden Administration left it underfunded and neglected

President Trump’s order to surge Coast Guard assets to our maritime border changed the game

In the first few months of the Trump Administration, the Coast Guard seized more cocaine and other illegal drugs than during the entirety of 2024

For the first time in years, the Coast Guard expects to exceed its recruiting goals

In Fiscal Year 2025, the Coast Guard has brought in more than 4,250 recruits – 1,200 more than the same time last year

That’s 108% over the goal

Under Biden, the Coast Guard fell short of its recruiting goals four years straight

Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the Coast Guard is unleashing “Force Design 2028,” a revolutionary new blueprint that will make the Coast Guard more agile, more capable, and more responsive than ever before

Standing up for the American taxpayer

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) eliminated an ineffective information technology (IT) program, saving nearly $33 million, and is now focusing resources where they’re most needed to protect our homeland

 
USCG partially terminated a wasteful Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG), which has been slow to deliver four OPCs, harming U

S

defense capabilities

The Trump Administration stopped aliens on the Terror Watchlist from receiving Medicaid benefits

  
Secretary Noem cancelled CISA’s expensive headquarters project, saving taxpayers over half a billion dollars

To stop policies that were magnets for illegal immigration, DHS froze all funding to non-governmental organizations that facilitate illegal immigration and announced a partnership with the U

S

Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure taxpayer dollars do not go to housing illegal aliens

 
###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Microsoft Releases Guidance on Exploitation of SharePoint Vulnerability (CVE-2025-53770)
News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

CISA is aware of active exploitation of a new remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability enabling unauthorized access to on-premise SharePoint servers. While the scope and impact continue to be assessed, the new Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE), CVE-2025-53770, is a variant of the existing vulnerability CVE-2025-49706 and poses a risk to organizations. This exploitation activity, publicly reported as “ToolShell,” provides unauthenticated access to systems and enables malicious actors to fully access SharePoint content, including file systems and internal configurations, and execute code over the network.

CISA recommends the following actions to reduce the risks associated with the RCE compromise:
- For information on detection, prevention, and advanced threat hunting measures, see Microsoft’s Customer Guidance for SharePoint Vulnerability and advisory for CVE-2025-49706. Organizations are encouraged to review all articles and security updates published by Microsoft on July 8, 2025, relevant to the SharePoint platform deployed in their environment.
- Monitor for POSTs to /_layouts/15/ToolPane.aspx?DisplayMode=Edit
- Conduct scanning for IPs 107.191.58[.]76, 104.238.159[.]149, and 96.9.125[.]147, particularly between July 18-19, 2025.
- Update intrusion prevention system and web-application firewall rules to block exploit patterns and anomalous behavior. For more information, see CISA’s Guidance on SIEM and SOAR Implementation.
- Implement comprehensive logging to identify exploitation activity. For more information, see CISA’s Best Practices for Event Logging and Threat Detection.
- Audit and minimize layout and admin privileges.
For more information on this vulnerability, please see Eye Security’s reporting and Palo Alto Unit42’s post.

Note: This Alert may be updated to reflect new guidance issued by CISA or other parties.

Organizations should report incidents and anomalous activity to CISA’s 24/7 Operations Center at Report@cisa.gov or (888) 282-0870. 

Disclaimer:

The information in this report is being provided “as is” for informational purposes only. CISA does not endorse any commercial entity, product, company, or service, including any entities, products, or services linked within this document. Any reference to specific commercial entities, products, processes, or services by service mark, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by CISA.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Burnet County Disaster Recovery Center Opens July 20

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Burnet County Disaster Recovery Center Opens July 20

Burnet County Disaster Recovery Center Opens July 20

AUSTIN, Texas – A Disaster Recovery Center will open Sunday, July 20, in Burnet County to offer face-to-face help to survivors who had damage or losses from the severe storms and flooding in Central Texas

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

Survivors with homeowner’s or renter’s insurance should first file a claim with their insurance company as soon as possible

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

The Disaster Recovery Center is located at:Burnet Community Center401 E

Jackson St

Burnet, TX 78611Hours: 8 a

m

to 7 p

m

dailyFEMA and the U

S

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

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

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

They are also equipped with assistive technology

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

You have until Thursday, Sept

4, to apply for FEMA disaster assistance

Here’s how:The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance

govYou may also use the FEMA mobile appCall the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

Lines are open from 6 a

m

to 10 p

m

CT daily

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

Helpline specialists speak many languages

Press 2 for Spanish

Visit any Disaster Recovery Center to receive in-person assistance

To find one close to you, use your ZIP code to search FEMA

gov/DRC

To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What You Need to Know Before Applying for FEMA Assistance

For the latest information about the Texas recovery, visit fema

gov/disaster/4879

Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x

com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook

com/FEMARegion6
toan

nguyen
Sat, 07/19/2025 – 21:09

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA Tests Scalable Satellite Tech to Launch Sensors Quicker

Source: NASA

NASA’s Athena Economical Payload Integration Cost mission, or Athena EPIC, is a test launch for an innovative, scalable space vehicle design to support future missions. The small satellite platform is engineered to share resources among the payloads onboard by managing routine functions so the individual payloads don’t have to.
This technology results in lower costs to taxpayers and a quicker path to launch.

“Increasing the speed of discovery is foundational to NASA. Our ability to leverage access to innovative space technologies across federal agencies through industry partners is the future,” said Clayton Turner, Associate Administrator for Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington. “Athena EPIC is a valuable demonstration of the government at its best — serving humankind to advance knowledge with existing hardware configured to operate with new technologies.”
The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the U.S. Space Force are government partners for this demo mission. Athena EPIC’s industry partner, NovaWurks, provided the space vehicle, which utilizes a small satellite platform assembled with a Hyper-Integrated Satlet, or HISat.

The HISat instruments are similar in nature to a child’s toy interlocking building blocks. They’re engineered to be built into larger structures called SensorCraft. Those SensorCraft can share resources with multiple payloads and conform to different sizes and shapes to accommodate them. This easily configurable, building-block architecture allows a lot of flexibility with payload designs and concepts, ultimately giving payload providers easier, less expensive access to space and increased maneuverability between multiple orbits.
Scientists at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, designed and built the Athena sensor payload, which consists of an optical module, a calibration module, and a newly developed sensor electronics assembly. Athena EPIC’s sensor was built with spare parts from NASA’s CERES (Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System) mission. Several different generations of CERES satellite and space station instruments have tracked Earth’s radiation budget.
“Instead of Athena carrying its own processor, we’re using the processors on the HISats to control things like our heaters and do some of the control functions that typically would be done by a processor on our payload,” said Kory Priestley, principal investigator for Athena EPIC from NASA Langley. “So, this is merging an instrument and a satellite platform into what we are calling a SensorCraft. It’s a more integrated approach. We don’t need as many capabilities built into our key instrument because it’s being brought to us by the satellite host. We obtain greater redundancy, and it simplifies our payload.”

This is the first HISat mission led by NASA. Traditional satellites, like the ones that host the CERES instruments — are large, sometimes the size of a school bus, and carry multiple instruments. They tend to be custom units built with all of their own hardware and software to manage control, propulsion, cameras, carousels, processors, batteries, and more, and sometimes even require two of everything to guard against failures in the system. All of these factors, plus the need for a larger launch vehicle, significantly increase costs.
This transformational approach to getting instruments into space can reduce the cost from billions to millions per mission. “Now we are talking about something much smaller — SensorCraft the size of a mini refrigerator,” said Priestley. “If you do have failures on orbit, you can replace these much more economically. It’s a very different approach moving forward for Earth observation.”

Athena EPIC is scheduled to launch July 22 as a rideshare on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The primary NASA payload on the launch will be the TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) mission. The TRACERS mission is led by the University of Iowa for NASA’s Heliophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate. NASA’s Earth Science Division also provided funding for Athena EPIC.
“Langley Research Center has long been a leader in developing remote sensing instruments for in-orbit satellites. As satellites become smaller, a less traditional, more efficient path to launch is needed in order to decrease complexity while simultaneously increasing the value of exploration, science, and technology measurements for the Nation,” added Turner.
For more information on NASA’s Athena EPIC mission:
https://science.nasa.gov/misshttps://science.nasa.gov/mission/athena/ion/athena/

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: St. Louis County Disaster Recovery Centers to Close July 24

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: St

Louis County Disaster Recovery Centers to Close July 24

St

Louis County Disaster Recovery Centers to Close July 24

ST

LOUIS – The two Disaster Recovery Centers in St

Louis County are scheduled to close permanently on Thursday, July 24 at 7 p

m

The three Disaster Recovery Centers in the City of St

Louis are staying open

At all locations, FEMA and the U

S

Small Business Administration are helping impacted residents with their disaster assistance applications, answering questions, and uploading required documents

St

Louis County Locations – Closing July 24LOCATIONSHOURS OF OPERATIONSt

Louis County Library Mid-County Branch7821 Maryland Ave

Clayton, MO 63105Monday–Thursday: 8 a

m

– 7 p

m

Friday: 8 a

m

-5 p

m

Saturday: 9 a

m

– 4 p

m

Sunday: ClosedClosing Permanently: Thursday, July 24 St

Louis County LibraryPrairie Commons Branch 915 Utz Ln

Hazelwood, MO 63042Monday–Thursday: 8 a

m

– 7 p

m

Friday: 8 a

m

-5 p

m

Saturday: 9 a

m

– 4 p

m

Sunday: ClosedClosing Permanently: Thursday, July 24You can visit any Disaster Recovery Center, no matter where you are staying now

Three additional Disaster Recovery Centers are open in St

Louis City to assist residents and businesses affected by the May 16 tornado and storms

St

Louis City Locations – Staying OpenLOCATIONSHOURS OF OPERATIONUnion Tabernacle M

B

Church626 N

Newstead Ave

St

Louis, MO 63108Monday-Friday: 8 a

m

-7 p

m

Saturday: 9 a

m

-4 p

m

Sunday: ClosedUrban League Entrepreneurship and Women’s Business Center 4401 Natural Bridge Ave

St

Louis, MO 63115Monday-Friday: 8 a

m

-7 p

m

Saturday: 9 a

m

-4 p

m

Sunday: ClosedSumner High School — Parking Lot4248 Cottage Ave

St

Louis, MO 63113Monday-Friday: 8 a

m

-7 p

m

Saturday: 9 a

m

-4 p

m

Sunday: ClosedTo save time, please apply for FEMA assistance before coming to the Disaster Recovery Center

Apply online at DisasterAssistance

gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362

If you are unable to apply online or by phone, someone at the Disaster Recovery Center can assist you

The FEMA application deadline for the May 16 disaster is August 11, 2025

If your home or personal property sustained damage not covered by insurance, FEMA may be able to provide money to help you pay for home repairs, a temporary place to live, and replace essential personal property that was destroyed

sara

zuckerman
Fri, 07/18/2025 – 20:30

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4602-4603: On Top of the Ridge

Source: NASA

Written by Alex Innanen, Atmospheric Scientist at York University
Earth planning date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
As we hoped, we successfully climbed the 11-meter ramp (about 36 feet) and have arrived at the top of the ridge and the start of the main boxwork region. This means we’re moving into the next phase of the boxwork campaign, which is all about assessing these features and how we can navigate our way through them, and learning everything we can about their composition.
In support of that, we’re taking a good look around at the boxwork ridges with both ChemCam and Mastcam. Both instruments are taking mosaics of the more distant ridges to get a broader view of their features. A bit closer in, Mastcam has three more mosaics: two looking at different views of “El Corral” and “Chapare,” both of which we saw in Monday’s plan, and “Meson,” which is the ridge we’ll be heading for in today’s 15-meter drive (about 49 feet).
It’s not all looking ahead, though. The workspace in front of us has a lot to offer as well. Mastcam will be turning its sights to some nearby linear features. Our workspace is also full of nodular bedrock, which is getting lots of up-close attention. ChemCam will be turning its LIBS laser on a target called “Altamora,” and MAHLI and APXS will be examining another target called “Nocarane.”
With all the geological excitement, we can still manage to squeeze in some time to keep an eye on the environment. Though we don’t always mention them, REMS, RAD, and DAN are always there working steadily away to build up our understanding of Mars’ environment. We’ll also round out the plan with a suprahorizon cloud movie and a 360-degree dust-devil survey.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025

MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces July Cash Distributions for the iShares® ETFs

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the July 2025 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada which pay on a monthly basis. Unitholders of record of the applicable iShares ETF on July 28, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that iShares ETF on July 31, 2025.

Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund Name	Fund Ticker	Cash Distribution Per Unit
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF	CBH	$0.051
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF	CBO	$0.051
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF	CDZ	$0.117
iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF	CEW	$0.063
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	CLF	$0.033
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	CLG	$0.037
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF	CPD	$0.055
iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	CUD	$0.087
iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF	CVD	$0.071
iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	CYH	$0.077
iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF	FIE	$0.040
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF	XAGG	$0.111
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XAGG.U	$0.068
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XAGH	$0.096
iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF	XBB	$0.080
iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCB	$0.069
iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCBG	$0.121
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCBU	$0.134
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XCBU.U	$0.112
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDG	$0.073
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XDG.U	$0.047
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XDGH	$0.063
iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDIV	$0.117
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDU	$0.064
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XDU.U	$0.047
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XDUH	$0.058
iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF	XDV	$0.126
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XEB	$0.064
iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	XEI	$0.112
iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF	XFLB	$0.113
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF	XFLI	$0.189
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF⁽¹⁾	XFLI.U	$0.138
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XFLX	$0.185
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF	XFN	$0.167
iShares Floating Rate Index ETF	XFR	$0.050
iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF	XGB	$0.050
iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XGGB	$0.041
iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF	XHB	$0.075
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XHD	$0.072
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF	XHU	$0.081
iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XHY	$0.084
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIG	$0.071
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIGS	$0.122
iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF	XLB	$0.062
iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XPF	$0.067
iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF	XQB	$0.054
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF	XRE	$0.062
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF	XSAB	$0.049
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF	XSB	$0.070
iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSC	$0.054
iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSE	$0.046
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSH	$0.061
iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSHG	$0.119
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSHU	$0.149
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XSHU.U	$0.110
iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSI	$0.056
iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETF	XSMB	$0.101
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF	XSTB	$0.048
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XSTH	$0.142
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF	XSTP	$0.162
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XSTP.U	$0.118
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XTLH	$0.111
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF	XTLT	$0.127
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XTLT.U	$0.093
iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF	XTR	$0.040
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF	XUT	$0.100

⁽¹⁾ Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XFLI.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U.

Estimated July Cash Distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF

The July cash distributions per unit for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF are estimated to be as follows:

Fund Name	Fund Ticker	Estimated Cash Distribution Per Unit
iShares Premium Money Market ETF	CMR	$0.121

BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on or about July 25, 2025, which will provide the final amounts for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF.

Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA

About iShares ETFs

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1600+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.7 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

iShares^® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Canada.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), on behalf of the applicable fund(s). The index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock Canada and the applicable fund(s). The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such funds.

MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETF is permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

Contact for Media:
Sydney Punchard
Email:Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

The MIL Network –

July 21, 2025

MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces July Cash Distributions for the iShares® ETFs

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund Name	Fund Ticker	Cash Distribution Per Unit
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF	CBH	$0.051
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF	CBO	$0.051
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF	CDZ	$0.117
iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF	CEW	$0.063
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	CLF	$0.033
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	CLG	$0.037
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF	CPD	$0.055
iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	CUD	$0.087
iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF	CVD	$0.071
iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	CYH	$0.077
iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF	FIE	$0.040
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF	XAGG	$0.111
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XAGG.U	$0.068
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XAGH	$0.096
iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF	XBB	$0.080
iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCB	$0.069
iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCBG	$0.121
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCBU	$0.134
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XCBU.U	$0.112
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDG	$0.073
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XDG.U	$0.047
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XDGH	$0.063
iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDIV	$0.117
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDU	$0.064
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XDU.U	$0.047
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XDUH	$0.058
iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF	XDV	$0.126
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XEB	$0.064
iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	XEI	$0.112
iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF	XFLB	$0.113
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF	XFLI	$0.189
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF⁽¹⁾	XFLI.U	$0.138
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XFLX	$0.185
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF	XFN	$0.167
iShares Floating Rate Index ETF	XFR	$0.050
iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF	XGB	$0.050
iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XGGB	$0.041
iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF	XHB	$0.075
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XHD	$0.072
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF	XHU	$0.081
iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XHY	$0.084
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIG	$0.071
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIGS	$0.122
iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF	XLB	$0.062
iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XPF	$0.067
iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF	XQB	$0.054
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF	XRE	$0.062
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF	XSAB	$0.049
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF	XSB	$0.070
iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSC	$0.054
iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSE	$0.046
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSH	$0.061
iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSHG	$0.119
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSHU	$0.149
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XSHU.U	$0.110
iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSI	$0.056
iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETF	XSMB	$0.101
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF	XSTB	$0.048
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XSTH	$0.142
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF	XSTP	$0.162
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XSTP.U	$0.118
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XTLH	$0.111
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF	XTLT	$0.127
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XTLT.U	$0.093
iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF	XTR	$0.040
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF	XUT	$0.100

⁽¹⁾ Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XFLI.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U.

Estimated July Cash Distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF

The July cash distributions per unit for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF are estimated to be as follows:

Fund Name	Fund Ticker	Estimated Cash Distribution Per Unit
iShares Premium Money Market ETF	CMR	$0.121

BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on or about July 25, 2025, which will provide the final amounts for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF.

Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRock

About iShares ETFs

iShares^® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Canada.

Contact for Media:
Sydney Punchard
Email:Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

The MIL Network –

July 21, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government revives landmark Pensions Commission to confront retirement crisis that risks tomorrow’s pensioners being poorer than today’s
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Government revives landmark Pensions Commission to confront retirement crisis that risks tomorrow’s pensioners being poorer than today’s

Millions of people could benefit from a more secure retirement as the Government today [Monday 21 July 2025] revives the landmark Pensions Commission to examine why tomorrow’s pensioners are on track to be poorer than today’s and make recommendations for change.
Without action tomorrow’s retirees are on track to be poorer than today’s.

Almost half of working-age adults are still saving nothing with low earners, some ethnic minorities and the self-employed least likely to be pension saving.

Revived Pension Commission will consider the long-term future of our pensions system to make today’s workers better off in retirement.

Millions of people could benefit from a more secure retirement as the Government today [Monday 21 July 2025] revives the landmark Pensions Commission to examine why tomorrow’s pensioners are on track to be poorer than today’s and make recommendations for change.

The Commission of 2006 was a huge success, building a consensus for the roll-out of Automatic Enrolment into pension saving that means 88% of eligible employees are now saving, up from 55% in 2012.

However, new analysis shows that there is more to do with the incomes of retirees set to fall over the next few decades if nothing changes:

Retirees in 2050 are on course for £800 or 8% less private pension income than those retiring today.

4-in-10 or nearly 15 million people are undersaving for retirement.

This partly reflects too many working age adults (45%) saving nothing at all into a pension, with lower earners, the self-employed and some ethnic minorities particularly at risk:

Over 3 million self-employed are not saving into a pension.

Only 1-in-4 low earners in the private sector are saving into a pension.

Just 1-in-4 of those from a Pakistani or Bangladeshi background are saving.

New analysis today also reveals a stark a 48% gender pensions gap in private pension wealth between women and men. A typical woman currently approaching retirement can expect a private pension income worth over £5,000 less than that of a typical man (just over £100 per week for a woman compared to just over £200 a week for a man).

While the introduction of Automatic Enrolment increased the numbers saving, saving levels have often remained low. Around 1-in-2 workers in the private sector only save around the minimum contribution level (8% or less of earnings).

So the Government is today announcing it will revive the landmark Pension Commission two decades on, to address these stark findings.

The relaunched Commission will explore the complex barriers stopping people from saving enough for retirement, with its final report due in 2027. It will examine the pension system as a whole and look at what is required to build a future-proof pensions system that is strong, fair and sustainable.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

People deserve to know that they will have a decent income in retirement – with all the security, dignity and freedom that brings. But the truth is, that is not the reality facing many people, especially if you’re low paid, or self-employed.

The Pensions Commission laid the groundwork, and now, two decades later, we are reviving it to tackle the barriers that stop too many saving in the first place.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

We’re making pensions work for Britain. The Pension Schemes Bill and the creation of pension megafunds mean an average earner could get a £29,000 boost to their pension pots. Now we are going further to ensure that people can look forward to a comfortable retirement.

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said:

The original Pensions Commission helped get pension saving up and pensioner poverty down. But if we carry on as we are, tomorrow’s retirees risk being poorer than today’s. So we are reviving the Pensions Commission to finish the job and give today’s workers secure retirements to look forward to.

Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Confederation of British Industry said:

The only route to higher living standards both in work and in retirement is through higher growth, productivity and better savings. As we look to the next decade and beyond, finding a consensus across business, government and our society on how to support people to save by building on the Mansion House reforms can create a pathway to a better future.

Taking the time to review the best pathway to achieve this, whilst pursuing broader measures to support growth, will be needed to make it affordable for employers and workers and crucial to the aim of rising living standards, now and in retirement.

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress said:

Everyone deserves dignity and security in retirement, but right now many workers – especially those in the private sector – will find themselves without enough to get by on. Far too many people won’t have enough pension for a decent retirement, and too many – especially women, BME and disabled workers and the self employed – are shut out of the workplace pension system all together.

That’s why reviving the Pensions Commission – bringing together unions, employers and independent experts – is a vital step forward. Twenty years ago the Pension Commission played a key role in bringing millions more people into workplace pensions and reducing the risks of pensioner poverty. We now have a chance to build on that work by reaching a long-term consensus on extending auto-enrolment to those workers still missing out, and making sure that this system delivers the decent retirement incomes all workers need.

Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which? Said:

Which? research has found that many consumers are concerned that they won’t have the money they need for a comfortable retirement, so it is encouraging to see the government take steps to reverse this trend.

For some consumers, the idea of contributing more money into their pension pot is both daunting and unmanageable, so it is crucial that this review looks in depth at the challenges savers face, and Which? looks forward to working with the government towards long-term reform of the industry.

The Pensions Commission will be made up of Baroness Jeannie Drake (a member of the original Commission), Sir Ian Cheshire and Professor Nick Pearce, who will be responsible for steering its work. Drawing on the success of the original Pension Commission in building a national consensus, they will work closely with stakeholders such as the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress.

The Commission will make proposals for change beyond the current parliament to deliver a pensions framework that is strong, fair and sustainable. It will build on the Investment Review and Pension Schemes Bill – both of which ensures that people’s savings are working hard to support them in retirement.

Alongside the Commission, the Government has, as required by law, also launched the State Pension Age Review, commissioning two independent reports for Government to consider when deciding the State Pension age for future decades:

Dr Suzy Morrissey will report on factors government should consider relating to State Pension age.

The Government Actuary’s Department will prepare a report on the proportion of adult life in retirement.

Additional quotes

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK said:

We warmly welcome the Pensions Review, which has the potential to lay the foundations for a system of retirement saving that’s fit for the future. If we’re to avoid future generations of pensioners experiencing financial hardship, we need reforms that enable more people to build a decent standard of living, and we need them sooner rather than later to maximise the numbers who can be helped.

Income for pensioners in the UK is based around both State and private pensions working together to help people enjoy a decent lifestyle once retired. The current system of saving has some significant gaps which have left many current pensioners struggling to make ends meet. Hopefully this can be avoided in future and particularly disadvantaged groups, including low-paid women and self-employed people on low incomes, can be helped to put money aside when appropriate for them to do so.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the State Pension provides the bulk of retirement income for most pensioners, with 1.1million (13%) receiving all their income from the State. It’s therefore hugely important to consider the future of the State Pension alongside the role of private savings, as only once this is clear will it be possible to say with any accuracy how much people need to put aside to attain a decent standard of living once they retire.

We look forward to working with the Government and the reviewers in the months to come.

Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

Too few people are saving enough for retirement, affecting millions of employees and the firms we represent. Businesses want to help their staff make the right decisions for their financial futures.

We welcome the launch of the new Pensions Commission – which is a timely and necessary next step from the original Commission over two decades ago.

“It is essential we have a pensions system that supports both employees to build up savings and employers in managing costs. That’s even more crucial in the current economic climate.

We also welcome the reiterated commitment that employer contribution rates won’t be increased during this parliament. Any future rises in minimum contributions must be gradual and paused if economic conditions worsen, giving business time to adjust to increased costs.

Jon Richards, General Secretary of UNISON said:

Every worker needs a pension they can rely upon in their old age. No one should be plunged into poverty when they retire.

Any initiative that enhances current provision would be a good thing, especially moves to improve equality between men and women.

With more pensioners falling into poverty as time goes by, it’s vital the commission works quickly.

António Simões, CEO of Legal and General said:

Saving enough for retirement isn’t just important, it’s urgent to securing individual futures and building a more prosperous society. To do this we must tackle adequacy – we need people to be able to contribute the right amount from the first pound they earn, and to build a pot that is invested in assets that will generate returns to support them in later life.

That’s why the launch of the new Pensions Commission matters. Whether that is gradually increasing minimum auto-enrolment contribution rates or making it easier to access private market investments, like L&G has delivered through its Private Markets Access Fund, it is time to break down the barriers to building a retirement pot that are faced by millions across the country.

Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive Officer of The CityUK said:

The Pensions Adequacy Review is another positive step in reforming pensions investment. Auto-enrolment has been a policy success, bringing millions into retirement saving, but further action is needed to ensure pension savings are adequate to provide an appropriate level of income for our ageing population. Total contributions will have to rise if we are to emulate the successes of, for example, Australia and Canada. This will involve difficult political choices alongside technical changes to policy and regulation, so it is right the appointees to the Commission consider the options thoroughly and, crucially, that they also draw on the industry’s significant expertise.

Steve Webb, Partner at LCP said:

The first Pensions Commission changed the UK pensions landscape and started the process of reform by getting millions of employees saving for the first time. But much work remains to be done, and this new Commission will have to consider reforms against a much more challenging backdrop. The Government has selected people who are widely respected in the world of business, the trade union movement and academia, who will be well placed to undertake this vital work, and I look forward to working with them constructively as they map out a new agenda for retirement saving.

David Raw, Managing Director for Markets at UK Finance said:

We welcome efforts to help ensure people are saving enough to deliver a decent level of income in retirement . Boosting financial and pension literacy, continuing to encourage private pension holding, and building on the success of auto-enrolment are key to achieving this. Well-functioning capital markets play a key role in a successful pension system and UK Finance looks forward to continuing to work closely with government as it progresses its programme for capital markets and pension reform.

Chira Barua, CEO of Scottish Widows and CEO of Insurance, Pensions & Investments, Lloyds Banking Group said:

We’ve been mapping trends in the UK’s retirement saving for 20 years and while automatic enrolment has been a gamechanger in kickstarting pensions saving for millions of workers, 39% (around 15 million) still risk facing poverty in retirement and action needs to be taken while there’s still time.

Bringing all the right groups and the pensions industry together in this way made real progress last time, and we look forward to supporting the Commission in getting closer to cracking the pension crisis.

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Updates to this page

Published 21 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Lightning: Alaska Airlines has requested the suspension of all its main US flights, citing an “IT system failure” – media

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

Xinhua | 21.07.2025

Keywords: USA

Source: Xinhua

Flash: Alaska Airlines has requested the suspension of all its main US flights, citing an “IT system failure” — media Flash: Alaska Airlines has requested the suspension of all its main US flights, citing an “IT system failure” — media

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 –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 21, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

SPC AC 210502

Day 2 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1202 AM CDT Mon Jul 21 2025

Valid 221200Z – 231200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY INTO
TUESDAY NIGHT ACROSS PARTS OF SOUTHEASTERN NORTH
DAKOTA…NORTHEASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA…MUCH OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA…AND
ADJACENT NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN…

…SUMMARY…
Scattered strong thunderstorm development may impact parts of the
northern Rockies and Great Plains into Upper Midwest Tuesday into
Tuesday night, posing at least some risk for severe weather.

…Discussion…
Models continue to indicate that an increasingly prominent mid-level
high will evolve across parts of the middle Mississippi/lower Ohio
Valley region during this period, within persistent ridging
encompassing much of the interior U.S. Modest, anticyclonic flow
around the northern periphery of the broader ridging is likely to be
maintained across the northern Great Basin through the Dakotas and
Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and adjacent portions of Ontario and
Quebec. It appears that mid-level ridging will also remain prominent
across much of the northeastern Pacific, though it may begin to
undergo some suppression.

Between the ridging, weak mid-level troughing is likely to linger
across the Pacific coast vicinity. As one much more significant
short wave trough and embedded cyclone in higher latitudes progress
slowly toward the Hudson Bay vicinity, it still appears that one
smaller-scale short wave perturbation emerging from the Pacific
Northwest may accelerate across and northeast of the mountains of
western Montana. However, models now generally indicate that a
slightly stronger perturbation may linger to the southwest, across
the northern intermountain region.

In lower levels, a cold front trailing the higher latitude cyclone
is forecast to advance across the international border into the
northern Great Plains late Tuesday into Tuesday night. It appears
another cold front may make further progress southward though the
southern Atlantic coast vicinity, well south of the mid-latitude
westerlies.

…Northern Rockies/Great Plains into Upper Midwest…
Beneath the warm mid-level ridging, in the wake of a prior frontal
passage, seasonably moist boundary layer air is forecast to surge
from the middle Missouri Valley and adjacent Great Plains toward the
Upper Midwest/adjacent Great Lakes, in advance of the front
approaching from the Canadian Prairies. This moisture appears
likely to once again contribute to moderate to large potential
instability within modestly deep pre-frontal surface troughing,
aided by insolation and the presence of generally steep tropospheric
lapse rates, though with warm, capping layers aloft.

Near the southern periphery of a belt of strengthening southwesterly
mid-level flow, it still appears that this environment will become
at least conditionally supportive of organized convective
development. However, south of the international border, forcing
for ascent to support convective development is likely to be mostly
tied to subtle perturbations progressing around the northern
periphery of the mid-level ridging, which remain uncertain at this
time.

There does appear a general consensus that stronger boundary-layer
heating, within the lee surface troughing, will occur roughly in a
narrow corridor from the western South Dakota/Nebraska state border
vicinity through northeastern South Dakota/adjacent west central
Minnesota by late afternoon, with a zone of strengthening
differential heating extending east-southeastward across central
Minnesota. It is possible that the boundary intersection could
become a focus for isolated late afternoon supercell development,
with warm advection along the zone of differential surface heating,
aided by a strengthening southerly low-level jet impinging on it,
contributing to an upscale growing cluster of storms Tuesday
evening. However, due to the warm and capping air aloft, and
possible weak upper support for ascent, this remains rather
uncertain.

With a more substantive short wave perturbation lingering back
across the northern intermountain region, models suggest that more
substantive destabilization is possible on moistening low-level
northeasterly to easterly flow into the higher terrain of south
central through southeastern Montana. Aided by the pronounced
veering of winds from near surface to mid-levels, it appears that
deep-layer shear may become conducive to isolated to widely
scattered supercell development late Tuesday afternoon and evening.

…South Carolina into Georgia…
Although lapse rates may be modest, high moisture content
along/ahead of the slowly southwestward advancing cold front may
support the development of modest CAPE and contribute to an
environment conducive to convection capable of producing a few
strong downbursts. It is also possible that unsaturated layers may
be sufficient to contribute to broader cold pools accompanied by
potentially damaging winds along the gust fronts.

..Kerr.. 07/21/2025

CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 21, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

SPC AC 210552

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1252 AM CDT Mon Jul 21 2025

Valid 211200Z – 221200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PARTS OF CENTRAL
AND EASTERN MONTANA…

…SUMMARY…
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing severe wind gusts, large
hail, and perhaps a tornado or two are expected across parts of the
northern Great Plains. Additional isolated strong to severe storms
are possible in the central Plains.

…Synopsis…
Modest amplification of an upper-level ridge is expected across the
Plains into the Upper Midwest today. In the Northwest, the
upper-level trough will take on a more neutral tilt before
progressing eastward by Tuesday morning. At the surface, modest lee
troughing will be in place within the northern/central High Plains
regions. An outflow boundary is likely to be situated somewhere in
the North Dakota/South Dakota border vicinity. Farther east into
Minnesota, a warm front like feature will arc southeastward into the
lower Ohio Valley. Strong to extreme buoyancy is forecast to develop
within parts of the northern/central Plains.

…Montana into western North Dakota…
The highest confidence in the development of severe storms is within
the terrain of central Montana. Additional storms may develop in the
vicinity of the Big Horns and move into southeast Montana. Mid-level
heights will be rising through the morning/afternoon so initiation
could be somewhat delayed. Subtle mid-level height falls will occur
during the evening, however. With a belt of strong mid-level winds
across the region, initial storms should be supercellular. Large
hail and severe wind gusts will be the initial hazards. With storms
developing in somewhat drier air, it is possible they will be
outflow dominant and not maintain their cellular mode as they move
northeast into greater moisture. The environment will be
conditionally favorable for 2+ inch hail, but the spatial extent of
this threat is not certain. Severe wind gusts will likely become
more common later in the evening as activity grows upscale.

…Dakotas into Minnesota/Mid-Missouri Valley…
Two clusters of convection are ongoing in the Dakotas. Based on
current surface observations, this activity is expected to generally
move eastward along the North Dakota/South Dakota border. What
occurs with the outflow from this activity into this afternoon will
play a role in the severe potential within parts of the Dakotas.
Strong to extreme buoyancy will be present south of the outflow.
Forcing for ascent will be weak. Storm development will depend on
the timing of the early morning convection and subsequent
heating/mesoscale lift during the afternoon. A weak surface low in
western South Dakota may lead to some locally enhanced convergence
along the outflow and trigger storms. This scenario is also not
certain.

Effective shear of 40-45 kts and MLCAPE likely above 4000 J/kg will
support intense, organized storms. Initial storms would be capable
large hail, severe winds, and perhaps a tornado or two. Storms that
do develop would eventually grow upscale and potentially produce a
swatch of severe winds. Model guidance varies on the timing/location
of this activity. There is some potential for a cluster/MCS to
propagate along the warm front feature into central Minnesota. Other
solutions show the MCS moving into the greater buoyancy toward the
Mid-Missouri Valley. Given some capping can be expected, storms may
not develop at all. The marginal risk has been expanded to account
for these possibilities, but confidence remains too low for a
categorical upgrade at this time.

…Central High Plains…
Strong heating near the surface trough should promote isolated to
widely scattered storms from the Palmer Divide into the Nebraska
Panhandle. Effective shear of 25-30 kts (generally weaker with
southern extent) will allow for marginally organized storms. Severe
wind gusts are the main concern as storms develop in the drier air.
Some potential for large hail may also exist if storms can persist
into greater moisture to the east.

..Wendt/Dean.. 07/21/2025

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 21, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

*/
]]>

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Jul 21, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Click to see valid 1Z – 12Z Day 1 Convective Outlook

Updated: Mon Jul 21 01:04:33 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )

Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

Forecast Discussion

SPC AC 210104

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0804 PM CDT Sun Jul 20 2025

Valid 210100Z – 211200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PARTS OF THE
NORTHERN/CENTRAL PLAINS…PARTS OF THE LOWER/MIDDLE OHIO VALLEY…

…SUMMARY…
Widely scattered severe storms remain possible in parts of the
northern/central Plains. Additional strong to severe storms are
possible in parts of the lower/middle Ohio Valley.

…Ohio Valley…
An MCV moving into Illinois is continuing to promote convection
along a stationary boundary. Though deep-layer shear is modest,
strong buoyancy is still in place. A couple of more organized
clusters may produce wind damage as they move southeastward this
evening. A brief tornado near the boundary could also occur.

…Northern/central Plains…
Several supercells are ongoing in parts of eastern Montana into
southwest South Dakota. Steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear
will continue to promote storms capable of large/very-large hail and
severe wind gusts. Farther south, isolated but intense supercells
have persisted in south-central South Dakota into north-central
Nebraska. Large/very-large hail and severe gusts are the main
concerns, but low-level shear will increase modestly this evening
and a tornado will remain possible.

…Kansas/Missouri…
As the low-level jet increases this evening, warm advection is
expected to initiate convection in northern Missouri and perhaps
northeast Kansas. Given around 3000+ J/kg MLCAPE, the stronger
storms may produce isolated strong/damaging winds later this
evening.

..Wendt.. 07/21/2025

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No MDs are in effect as of Mon Jul 21 06:01:02 UTC 2025

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Current Mesoscale DiscussionsUpdated: Mon Jul 21 06:00:03 UTC 2025 No Mesoscale Discussions are currently in effect.

Notice: The responsibility for Heavy Rain Mesoscale Discussions has been transferred to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on April 9, 2013. Click here for the Service Change Notice.
Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No watches are valid as of Mon Jul 21 06:01:02 UTC 2025

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated: Mon Jul 21 06:01:05 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid

Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Beatty’s Statement on Republican Package Clawing Back Public Media & Global Assistance Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement after voting NO on the House-passed Republican rescissions package, which claws back billions in funding already approved by Congress for programs that help keep Americans safe at home and abroad.

“Just weeks after Republicans shoveled trillions in tax breaks to billionaires, their unnecessary clawback of approved funding once again shows that Trump and House Republicans will always put their wealthy donors first and everyday Americans last.

This reckless measure doesn’t make government more efficient or meaningfully reduce the deficit. It hurts Ohio families. It slashes funding for local public broadcasting, which Central Ohio families rely on for resources like PBS Kids programming, classroom resources, coverage of local news and high school sports, and emergency alerts that keep our communities safe. More than $13 million in annual federal funding supports these crucial services in Ohio alone, and losing this funding could force stations to scale back or shut down completely.

Globally, the Republican clawback guts billions from programs that provide clean water and health care to millions and basic education to tens of millions of children in developing nations. Republicans are rubber-stamping President Trump and Elon Musk’s reckless DOGE demands, undermining American leadership and security abroad.

House Democrats will keep working to meaningfully improve the lives of the American people.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: From Selma to Central Ohio: Beatty Reflects on John Lewis and the Ongoing Fight for the Vote

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in a Special Order Hour on the House floor to honor the legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis on the fifth anniversary of his passing this upcoming Thursday.

In her remarks, Congresswoman Beatty reflected on her close working relationship with Congressman Lewis during their time together in the U.S. House of Representatives. She recalled the profound honor of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge with him to commemorate Bloody Sunday and traveling with him throughout Central Ohio to defend and promote the Voting Rights Act.

The Congresswoman also renewed her call for Congress to protect and expand access to the ballot by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.

“After the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision, we saw nearly 100 new laws emerge—closing polling places, cutting early voting, banning drop boxes, and changing ID rules. These efforts have fueled a growing racial turnout gap, and Black voters are left paying the price. That isn’t policy—it’s persecution,” said Congresswoman Beatty.

“As John Lewis knew, Black voices are feared and fought precisely because they hold the power to transform this nation for the better. On this day, we honor his legacy not only with words, but with action—by advocating for voting rights as a guiding force for our shared future. That means passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to end these discriminatory practices and make it easier for everyone to vote.”

In her floor speech, Beatty concluded:
“John Lewis didn’t just talk about democracy—he lived it. He led with conviction and clarity, and his legacy demands that we act to protect the freedom he marched, bled, and fought for.”

Watch Congresswoman Beatty’s full floor speech HERE.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Beatty Joins Bicameral Letter Opposing Cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty joined a letter led by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and 45 Members of Congress to President Trump urging him to reconsider his decision to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB supports America’s children with educational programming and ensures that emergency broadcasting keeps Americans safe amid natural disasters and emergencies. The proposed rescission to the CPB will force small stations around the country to close, leaving significant gaps in coverage for Americans who rely on these vital services for noncommercial, high-quality, localized content and telecommunications.

The letter comes amid Congressional Republicans’ attempt to pass President Trump’s proposal to rescind $10 billion in federal funding that Congress approved four months ago on a bipartisan basis. Despite bipartisan opposition to the bill, the U.S. Senate voted to move forward to debating and amending the legislation on Wednesday by the slimmest possible margin following a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President JD Vance.

“We write to express our deep concern regarding the $1.1 billion claw back of funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) included in the proposed recissions you sent to Congress on May 28, 2025,” said the lawmakers in their letter to the White House. “The package was passed through the House of Representatives on June 12, over the objections of all Democratic and four Republican Members. The cuts to CPB in the recission package undermine the public media that Americans rely on for unfettered access to information, educational programming for kids, cultural programming, and nationwide emergency alerting.

“Public media has received bipartisan support for the past 50 years because Congress has continuously recognized that access to public media is in the public’s best interest. The Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS) is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Amber Alerts and plays a critical role in keeping Americans informed and safe during emergencies. As key local news providers, public radio stations leverage their reporting resources to offer live news and information on disasters and other emergencies, providing real-time information on where local audiences can access resources and safe locations.

“Of the $1.1 billion included in the rescission proposal, 70% of these funds will be pulled out of local stations that are independently owned and operated in our communities. For many smaller stations in rural communities across the country, these cuts will prove utterly devastating, because they provide local, state, and regional news that is no longer provided through other outlets. These small stations will not survive, resulting in news deserts for these communities and putting thousands of American lives at risk.

“We ask your administration to withdraw this rescission proposal and protect the vital services that CPB provides. If the rescissions go ahead as planned, we will be requesting a report to Congress as to how your administration plans to fill the void left behind, particularly in the areas of emergency alerting and local news reporting.”

The letter is co-signed by Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)and 45 Democratic Representatives: Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Ami Bera (D-CA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), André Carson (D-IN), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Danny Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), William Keating (D-MA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), James McGovern (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Dave Min (D-CA), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Emily Randall (D-WA), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Nikema Williams (D-GA).

Click here to read the letter.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
Owen shines on debut as Australia beat Windies in first T20

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Mitchell Owen made an impressive debut as Australia beat West Indies by three wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Twenty20 International series in Jamaica on Sunday.

Owen took a wicket with his medium pace bowling before returning to smash 50 off 27 balls as Australia chased down a 190-run target with seven balls to spare.

West Indies, who lost the preceding test series 3-0, got off to a strong start after being put into bat at Sabina Park.

Captain Shai Hope (55), Roston Chase (60) and Shimron Hetmyer (38) laid the platform for a 200-plus score but the late flourish they expected never materialised.

Andre Russell, who will quit international cricket after the second T20 on Tuesday, made only eight.

Australia’s Ben Dwarshuis (4-36) mowed down the middle and lower order as West Indies were forced to settle for a modest 189-8.

While Australia lost both their openers, captain Mitchell Marsh and Jake Fraser-McGurk, inside the powerplay they were propped up by a breezy 80-run stand by Cameron Green (51) and Owen.

Green belted five sixes in his 26-ball blitz, while Owen smacked six of them before holing out in the 17th over with Australia on the cusp of victory.

(Reuters)

July 21, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria, Lecturer in Criminal Law and International Law, Curtin University

Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.

The court’s Pre-Trial Chamber II cited reasonable grounds for believing supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani were guilty of “ordering, inducing or soliciting the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds.”

The warrants – the first ever on charges of gender persecution – are being hailed as an “important vindication and acknowledgement of the rights of Afghan women and girls”.

But will they improve the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, given the Taliban does not recognise the court or its jurisdiction?

The signs are not good with the Taliban denying the allegations and condemning the warrants as a “clear act of hostility [and an] insult to the beliefs of Muslims around the world”.

Erased from public life

Strict rules and prohibitions have been imposed on the Afghan people since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

Women and girls have been singled out for even worse treatment by reason of their gender.

According the warrants, the Taliban has

severely deprived, through decrees and edicts, girls and women of the rights to education, privacy and family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion.

Women are banned from public places and girls from attending school once they turn 12.

Zahra Nader is the editor-in-chief of newsroom Zan Times which investigates human rights violations in Afghanistan. She says Afghan women and girls are being silenced, restricted and stripped of their basic human rights.

It is this discriminatory system of control of woman and girls in Afghanistan that is at the core of the court’s prosecution.

The warrants also accuse the Taliban of persecuting

other persons who don’t conform with the Taliban’s ideological expectations of gender, gender identity or expression; and on political grounds against persons perceived as ‘allies of girls and women.

This is the first time an international tribunal or court has confirmed crimes against humanity involving LGBTQIA+ victims. This marks an important milestone in the protection of sexual minorities under international law.

Crimes against humanity

International law clearly spells put the offences which constitute crimes against humanity.

The aim is to protect civilians from serious and widespread attacks on their fundamental rights. Different definitions of crimes against humanity have been included in the statutes of a handful of international tribunals and courts.

The definition under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the most comprehensive. It includes severe deprivation of personal liberty, murder, enslavement, rape, torture, forced deportation or apartheid.

Specifically, the Taliban leaders are accused under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute, which states:

Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender […] or other grounds that are universally recognised as impermissible under international law.

Physical and direct violence is not necessary for persecution on “gender […] grounds” to be established. Systemic and institutionalised forms of harm, which can be the imposition of discriminatory societal norms, are sufficient.

Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by Taliban policies and rules. But proving gender-based crimes have occurred is not enough. Discriminatory intent must also be established.

The Taliban has been open about its religious beliefs and interpretations, suggesting a clear intention to persecute on the grounds of gender.

Not just symbolic

As with other cases, the court relies on the cooperation of states to execute and surrender those accused.

The interim government in Kabul which was formed after the US-led invasion in 2001 became a party to the Rome Statute in 2003. Afghanistan remains legally obligated to prosecute perpetrators of these crimes – it must accept the Court’s jurisdiction in the matter.

The Purple Saturdays Movement, an Afghan women-led protest group, is warning the arrest warrants must be more than just symbolic. Any failure to prosecute would likely result in an escalation of human rights violations:

The Taliban has historically responded to international pressure not with reform, but by intensifying such repressive policies.

Hopeful step

It is important to note the strict policies and widespread abuses targeting women and girls in Afghanistan are ongoing, despite the intervention by the International Criminal Court.

The court’s Office of the Prosecutor is stressing its commitment to pursuing “effective legal pathways” to bring the Taliban leadership to account. The Afghan Women’s Movement in Exile wants an independent international judicial committee established to monitor and accelerate the legal process.

It is not yet clear if the warrants will actually lead to arrest and prosecution in The Hague. But we know this is possible. A prime example being the the arrest earlier this year of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

At the very least, the arrests warrants are a hopeful step towards accountability for the Taliban and justice for the women and girls of Afghanistan.

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

– ref. In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/in-a-world-first-the-hague-wants-to-arrest-taliban-leaders-over-their-treatment-of-women-what-happens-next-261008

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next?

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria, Lecturer in Criminal Law and International Law, Curtin University

Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.

The court’s Pre-Trial Chamber II cited reasonable grounds for believing supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani were guilty of “ordering, inducing or soliciting the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds.”

The warrants – the first ever on charges of gender persecution – are being hailed as an “important vindication and acknowledgement of the rights of Afghan women and girls”.

But will they improve the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, given the Taliban does not recognise the court or its jurisdiction?

The signs are not good with the Taliban denying the allegations and condemning the warrants as a “clear act of hostility [and an] insult to the beliefs of Muslims around the world”.

Erased from public life

Strict rules and prohibitions have been imposed on the Afghan people since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

Women and girls have been singled out for even worse treatment by reason of their gender.

According the warrants, the Taliban has

severely deprived, through decrees and edicts, girls and women of the rights to education, privacy and family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion.

Women are banned from public places and girls from attending school once they turn 12.

Zahra Nader is the editor-in-chief of newsroom Zan Times which investigates human rights violations in Afghanistan. She says Afghan women and girls are being silenced, restricted and stripped of their basic human rights.

It is this discriminatory system of control of woman and girls in Afghanistan that is at the core of the court’s prosecution.

The warrants also accuse the Taliban of persecuting

other persons who don’t conform with the Taliban’s ideological expectations of gender, gender identity or expression; and on political grounds against persons perceived as ‘allies of girls and women.

This is the first time an international tribunal or court has confirmed crimes against humanity involving LGBTQIA+ victims. This marks an important milestone in the protection of sexual minorities under international law.

Crimes against humanity

International law clearly spells put the offences which constitute crimes against humanity.

The aim is to protect civilians from serious and widespread attacks on their fundamental rights. Different definitions of crimes against humanity have been included in the statutes of a handful of international tribunals and courts.

The definition under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the most comprehensive. It includes severe deprivation of personal liberty, murder, enslavement, rape, torture, forced deportation or apartheid.

Specifically, the Taliban leaders are accused under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute, which states:

Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender […] or other grounds that are universally recognised as impermissible under international law.

Physical and direct violence is not necessary for persecution on “gender […] grounds” to be established. Systemic and institutionalised forms of harm, which can be the imposition of discriminatory societal norms, are sufficient.

Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by Taliban policies and rules. But proving gender-based crimes have occurred is not enough. Discriminatory intent must also be established.

The Taliban has been open about its religious beliefs and interpretations, suggesting a clear intention to persecute on the grounds of gender.

Not just symbolic

As with other cases, the court relies on the cooperation of states to execute and surrender those accused.

The interim government in Kabul which was formed after the US-led invasion in 2001 became a party to the Rome Statute in 2003. Afghanistan remains legally obligated to prosecute perpetrators of these crimes – it must accept the Court’s jurisdiction in the matter.

The Purple Saturdays Movement, an Afghan women-led protest group, is warning the arrest warrants must be more than just symbolic. Any failure to prosecute would likely result in an escalation of human rights violations:

The Taliban has historically responded to international pressure not with reform, but by intensifying such repressive policies.

Hopeful step

It is important to note the strict policies and widespread abuses targeting women and girls in Afghanistan are ongoing, despite the intervention by the International Criminal Court.

The court’s Office of the Prosecutor is stressing its commitment to pursuing “effective legal pathways” to bring the Taliban leadership to account. The Afghan Women’s Movement in Exile wants an independent international judicial committee established to monitor and accelerate the legal process.

It is not yet clear if the warrants will actually lead to arrest and prosecution in The Hague. But we know this is possible. A prime example being the the arrest earlier this year of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

At the very least, the arrests warrants are a hopeful step towards accountability for the Taliban and justice for the women and girls of Afghanistan.

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

– ref. In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/in-a-world-first-the-hague-wants-to-arrest-taliban-leaders-over-their-treatment-of-women-what-happens-next-261008

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China win thriller to sink Cuba in Men’s Volleyball Nations League

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

China staged a dramatic comeback to secure a 3-2 victory over Cuba (20-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-22, 19-17) on the final day of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase in Gdansk, Poland, on Sunday.

Outside hitter Wang Bin powered Vital Heynen’s side with 26 points, while captain Jiang Chuan added 13. Despite a dominant 31-point performance from Cuba’s Marlon Yant, including 29 kills, China held their nerve to complete the turnaround.

Cuba came out strong, racing to a 5-1 lead and taking the first set 25-20, with Yant and Miguel Angel Lopez combining for 12 points. China responded in the second set, pulling ahead 20-17 on Wang’s ace. Although Cuba leveled at 21-21, Wang’s decisive spike and a successful challenge on the final point secured a 25-23 equalizer.

The momentum swung back to Cuba in the third set as they cruised to a 25-15 win. But China refused to fold, erasing a 9-4 deficit in the fourth set to tie the score at 15-15. Wang Hebin’s attack capped a 25-22 win, forcing a tiebreak.

In the final set, Rao Shuhan’s blocking and clutch attacks from Jiang Chuan pushed China ahead 4-1. Cuba fought back with Javier Concepcion’s late point, but Ji Daoshuai’s spike sealed China’s 19-17 victory.

Despite the loss, Cuba qualified for the finals with six wins. China finished 17th in the preliminary phase with three victories.

“China did a great job today. They fought for every point, all the time. We didn’t push enough to win the game. We need to be better at this as well, as sometimes we don’t do enough,” Cuba’s opposite spiker Jose Masso Alvarez told the official website of the Volleyball Nations League after the game.

Elsewhere on the day, Iran beat Bulgaria in straight sets. Amin Esmaeilnezhad produced 19 points for the winners, while Amirhossein Esfandiar added 14.

In the last game of the week in Gdansk, Poland edged past France 32-30, 20-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12. Wilfredo Leon earned 30 points for the winners, while Theo Faure poured in two points less for France. Both teams have booked their spot in the best eight earlier.

The final round of the Men’s Volleyball Nations League will be played in Ningbo, China, from July 30 to August 3.

MIL OSI China News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: VIDEO: Criminal Illegal Alien with Lengthy Rap Sheet Ambushes and Shoots CBP Officer in New York City
Source: US Department of Homeland Security

The suspect is a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic was apprehended at the southern border and released into the country under the Biden Administration

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security lodged a detainer against an illegal alien accused of ambushing and shooting a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer who was off duty in New York City in Fort Washington Park under the George Washington Bridge on July 19 at approximately 11:51 PM ET.

A witness of the attack—believed to be an attempted robbery—states that she and the victim were sitting on the rocks by the water when 2 subjects on a scooter drove up to them and the passenger got off the back and approached them with a firearm drawn. The off-duty CBP officer responded by withdrawing his own firearm in self defense.
The CBP officer was shot in his right arm and left cheek. Thankfully, the officer is in stable condition at the hospital.

Video of the attack is below.

One of the assailants is Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic. He illegally entered the United States on April 4, 2023, and was released by the Biden Administration into the country.

This criminal illegal alien’s rap sheet includes:
On October 11, 2023, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) arrested and charged Nunez with felony grand larceny, petit larceny, and reckless driving.
On October 01, 2024, the NYPD arrested and charged Nunez with 2nd and 3rd degree assault.
On November 30, 2024, the NYPD arrested Nunez for criminal contempt. On January 13, 2025, he was again attested for criminal contempt.
On February 21, 2025, the Leominster Police Department in Massachusetts issued a criminal warrant for Nunez for armed robbery with a firearm.
After failing to show up for his immigration hearing a judge issued Nunez a final order of removal on November 6, 2024.

“This violent criminal illegal alien had multiple run-ins with NYPD for assault and felony grand larceny before he ambushed and shot a CBP officer. The Biden Administration arrested this criminal illegal alien at the border and chose to release him into our country to terrorize Americans. We are thankful that our brave law enforcement officer is in stable condition,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Sanctuary city politicians allowed this to happen. This suffering is a direct result of lawless sanctuary city policies. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, DHS will flood the zone in sanctuary cities and remove these criminals one by one. We will not be deterred: if you break America’s laws we will hunt you down, arrest you, and deport you.”

The other suspect remains at large. Anonymous tips may be reported on this form and via the toll-free ICE tip line, (866) 347-2423.

# # #
MIL Security OSI –
July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: How the world’s nuclear watchdog monitors facilities around the world – and what it means that Iran kicked it out

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Anna Erickson, Professor of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

This travel case holds a toolkit containing equipment for inspecting nuclear facilities. Dean Calma/IAEA, CC BY

What happens when a country seeks to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program? Every peaceful program starts with a promise not to build a nuclear weapon. Then, the global community verifies that stated intent via the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Once a country signs the treaty, the world’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, provides continuous and technical proof that the country’s nuclear program is peaceful.

The IAEA ensures that countries operate their programs within the limits of nonproliferation agreements: low enrichment and no reactor misuse. Part of the agreement allows the IAEA to inspect nuclear-related sites, including unannounced surprise visits.

These are not just log reviews. Inspectors know what should and should not be there. When the IAEA is not on site, cameras, tamper-revealing seals on equipment and real-time radiation monitors are working full-time to gather or verify inside information about the program’s activities.

Safeguards toolkit

The IAEA safeguards toolkit is designed to detect proliferation activities early. Much of the work is fairly technical. The safeguards toolkit combines physical surveillance, material tracking, data analytics and scientific sampling. Inspectors are chemists, physicists and nuclear engineers. They count spent fuel rods in a cooling pond. They check tamper seals on centrifuges. Often, the inspectors walk miles through hallways and corridors carrying heavy equipment.

That’s how the world learned in April 2021 about Iran pushing uranium enrichment from reactor-fuel-grade to near-weapons-grade levels. IAEA inspectors were able to verify that Iran was feeding uranium into a series of centrifuges designed to enrich the uranium from 5%, used for energy programs, to 60%, which is a step toward the 90% level used in nuclear weapons.

Around the facilities, whether for uranium enrichment or plutonium processing, closed-circuit surveillance cameras monitor for undeclared materials or post-work activities. Seals around the facilities provide evidence that uranium gas cylinders have not been tampered with or that centrifuges operate at the declared levels. Beyond seals, online enrichment monitors allow inspectors to look inside of centrifuges for any changes in the declared enrichment process.

Seals verify whether nuclear equipment or materials have been used between onsite inspections.

When the inspectors are on-site, they collect environmental swipes: samples of nuclear materials on surfaces, in dust or in the air. These can reveal if uranium has been enriched to levels beyond those allowed by the agreement. Or if plutonium, which is not used in nuclear power plants, is being produced in a reactor. Swipes are precise. They can identify enrichment levels from a particle smaller than a speck of dust. But they take time, days or weeks. Inspectors analyze the samples at the IAEA’s laboratories using sophisticated equipment called mass spectrometers.

In addition to physical samples, IAEA inspectors look at the logs of material inventories. They look for diversion of uranium or plutonium from normal process lines, just like accountants trace the flow of finances, except that their verification is supported by the ever-watching online monitors and radiation sensors. They also count items of interest and weigh them for additional verification of the logs.

Beyond accounting for materials, IAEA inspectors verify that the facility matches the declared design. For example, if a country is expanding centrifuge halls to increase its enrichment capabilities, that’s a red flag. Changes to the layout of material processing laboratories near nuclear reactors could be a sign that the program is preparing to produce unauthorized plutonium.

Losing access

Iran announced on June 28, 2025, that it has ended its cooperation with the IAEA. It removed the monitoring devices, including surveillance cameras, from centrifuge halls. This move followed the news by the IAEA that Iran’s enrichment activities are well outside of allowed levels. Iran now operates sophisticated uranium centrifuges, like models IR-6 and IR-9.

Removing IAEA access means that the international community loses insight into how quickly Iran’s program can accumulate weapon-grade uranium, or how much it has produced. Also lost is information about whether the facility is undergoing changes for proliferation purposes. These processes are difficult to detect with external surveillance, like satellites, alone.

A satellite view of Iran’s Arak Nuclear Complex, which has a reactor capable of producing plutonium.
Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images

An alternative to the uranium enrichment path for producing nuclear weapons material is plutonium. Plutonium can’t be mined, it has to be produced in a nuclear reactor. Iran built a reactor capable of producing plutonium, the IR-40 Heavy Water Research Reactor at the Arak Nuclear Complex.

Iran modified the Arak reactor under the now-defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to make plutonium production less likely. During the June 2025 missile attacks, Israel targeted Arak’s facilities with the aim of eliminating the possibility of plutonium production.

With IAEA access suspended, it won’t be possible to see what happens inside the facility. Can the reactor be used for plutonium production? Although a lengthier process than the uranium enrichment path, plutonium provides a parallel path to uranium enrichment for developing nuclear weapons.

Continuity of knowledge

North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors in 2009. Within a few years, they restarted activities related to uranium enrichment and plutonium production in the Yongbyon reactor. The international community’s information about North Korea’s weapons program now relies solely on external methods: satellite images, radioactive particles like xenon – airborne fingerprints of nuclear activities – and seismic data.

What is lost is the continuity of the knowledge, a chain of verification over time. Once the seals are broken or cameras are removed, that chain is lost, and so is confidence about what is happening at the facilities.

When it comes to IAEA inspections, there is no single tool that paints the whole picture. Surveillance plus sampling plus accounting provide validation and confidence. Losing even one weakens the system in the long term.

The existing safeguards regime is meant to detect violations. The countries that sign the nonproliferation treaty know that they are always watched, and that plays a deterrence role. The inspectors can’t just resume the verification activities after some time if access is lost. Future access won’t necessarily enable inspectors to clarify what happened during the gap.

Anna Erickson receives funding from DOE National Nuclear Security Administration.

– ref. How the world’s nuclear watchdog monitors facilities around the world – and what it means that Iran kicked it out – https://theconversation.com/how-the-worlds-nuclear-watchdog-monitors-facilities-around-the-world-and-what-it-means-that-iran-kicked-it-out-260689

MIL OSI –

July 21, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Cook Islanders flock from outer islands for 60th anniversary celebrations

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

The Cook Islands’ outer islands, or Pa Enua, are emptying as people make the pilgrimage to Rarotonga for constitution celebrations.

This year is particularly significant, August 4 marks 60 years of the Cook Islands being in free association with New Zealand.

Cook Islands Secretary of Culture Emile Kairua said this year’s Te Maeva Nui, which is the name for the annual celebrations, is going to be huge.

“For the first time in a long time, we are able to bring all our people together for a long-awaited reunion, from discussions with the teams that have already arrived, there’s only handful of people that’s been left on each of our outer islands,” Kairua said.

“Basically, the outer islands have been emptied out.”

According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, more than 900 people are making the trip to Rarotonga from the Pa Enua which are spread across an area similar to the size of Mexico.

Cook Islands News reports that the government has allocated $4.1 mllion for event transport.

Biggest calendar event
Kairua said Te Maeva Nui is the biggest event on the Cook Islands’ calendar.

“Te Maeva Nui has become an iconic event for the Cook Islands, for the nation, as well as the diaspora.”

A comparable event was in 2015 when 50 years was marked.

Kairua said for many people it will be the first time visiting Rarotonga since the start of the covid-19 pandemic.

“Sixty years looks like it’s going to be a lot bigger than 50 for a number of reasons, because we’ve had that big gap since covid hit. If we liken it to covid it’s like the borders being lifted, and everyone now has that freedom to come to Raro.”

Two ships, one from Tonga and the other from Tuvalu, are tasked with transporting people from the Northern Group islands to Rarotonga.

While, Air Rarotonga has the job of moving people from the Southern Group.

Tourist season peak
The airline’s general manager Sarah Moreland said Te Maeva Nui comes during the peak of the tourism season, making July a very busy month.

“We’ve got about 73 people from Mauke, 76 passengers from Mangaia, 88 from Aitutaki, 77 from Atiu and even 50 coming from the small island of Mitiaro, Nukuroa,” Moreland said.

She said transporting people for Te Maeva Nui is a highlight for staff.

“They love it, I think it’s so cool that we get to bring the Pa Enua from the islands, they just come to Rarotonga, they bring a whole different vibe. They’re so energetic, they’re ready for the competition, it just adds to the buzz of the whole Te Maeva Nui, it’s actually awesome.”

The executive officer of Atiu Taoro Brown said two months of preparation had gone into the performances which represents the growth of the nation over the past 60 years.

“It’s an exciting time, we come together, we’re meeting all our cousins and all our families from all the other islands, our sister islands, it’s a special moment.”

Brown said this year the island had given performance slots to people from Atiu living in Rarotonga, Australia and New Zealand.

“We wanted everybody from around the region to participate in celebrations.”

Friendly competition
Food is another big part of the event, an area Brown said there’s a bit of friendly competition in between islands.

Pigs, taro, and “organic chicken” had all been sent to Rarotonga from Atiu.

“Everyone likes to think they’ve got this the best dish but the food I feel, it’s all the same, you know, the island foods, it’s about the time that you put in.”

For Kairua and his team at the Ministry of Culture, he said they needed to mindful to not allow the event to pass in a blur.

“Otherwise we end up organising the whole thing and not enjoying it.

“This is not our first big rodeo, or mine. I was responsible for taking away probably the biggest contingency to Hawai’i for the FestPAC and because we got so busy with organising it and worrying about the minor details, many of us at the management desk forgot to enjoy it, but this time, we are aware.”

Turbulent relationship
In the backdrop of celebrations, the Cook Islands and New Zealand’s relationship is in turbulent period.

Last month, New Zealand paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the nation, citing a lack of consultation over several controversial deals with China.

Unlike for the 50th celebrations, New Zealand’s prime minister and foreign minister will not attend the celebrations, with the Governor-General representing New Zealand.

A statement from the Cook Islands Office of the Prime Minister last week said officials from the country have reconfirmed their commitment to restore mutual trust with New Zealand in a meeting on 10 July.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Presidential Message on Space Exploration Day

Source: US Whitehouse

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 successfully landed the first crewed mission on the Moon, launching mankind into a new and uncharted era of human ingenuity. As the entire world watched in awe, American astronauts stepped onto the lunar surface and planted the beautiful Stars and Stripes on the rocky soil. Our flag stood as a marker of National achievement, signaling to the entire world the unmatched might and unwavering resilience of the American spirit.

Today, my Administration is building on the legacy of Apollo 11 by reigniting the United States’ leadership in space and shaping the future of American space exploration. During my first term, I proudly reestablished the National Space Council and created the Space Force, making space policy a national priority and ensuring that our Nation’s interests are protected beyond Earth.

Through the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, we secured a historic investment in human space exploration to ensure that America’s efforts in the realm of space remain innovative, efficient, and unmatched by other nations. We are refocusing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis campaign returning Americans to the Moon—this time to stay—and putting the first boots on Mars. At the same time, we are expanding partnerships with the greatest aerospace companies in the world to launch rockets, build landers, and deliver advanced technology that will drive a new and unparalleled era of space exploration.

With our incredible Guardians in the U.S. Space Force protecting America’s interests in space, we are securing the systems that power exploration, defense, and communication. We are building strength, expanding freedom, and ensuring that the American flag remains the ultimate symbol of leadership across the final frontier.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrest results in conviction for Dominican alien who illegally reentered US after deportation

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

BOSTON – The ICE Boston arrest of an illegal Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lawrence resulted in his conviction for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Santo Beato Aybar-Aybar, 49, pleaded guilty to the charge June 16 at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

“Santo Beato Aybar-Aybar repeatedly displayed a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws, and that resulted in his conviction for illegally reentering the country after deportation,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We will not stand idly by as criminals subvert our immigration laws and take refuge in our neighborhoods. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our New England communities.”

Aybar-Aybar has been previously deported from the U.S. on three separate occasions, most recently on Sept. 21, 2021. Sometime after his 2021 removal, Aybar-Aybar illegally reentered the U.S. without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

Aybar-Aybar faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 at his sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 11. Furthermore, he is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts is prosecuting this case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBoston and @HSINewEngland.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 532

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL2

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 532
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
420 PM MDT Sun Jul 20 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of
North Central Nebraska
South Central South Dakota

* Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 420 PM until
1000 PM MDT.

* Primary threats include…
A couple tornadoes possible
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

SUMMARY…Isolated supercell thunderstorms are forming in a very
unstable airmass. Very large hail, damaging winds, and a few
tornadoes are possible with these storms through the evening.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
east and west of a line from 85 miles north of Valentine NE to 55
miles south southwest of Valentine NE. For a complete depiction of
the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
WOU2).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 530…WW 531…

AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
storm motion vector 27025.

…Hart

SEL2

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 532
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
420 PM MDT Sun Jul 20 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of
North Central Nebraska
South Central South Dakota

* Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 420 PM until
1000 PM MDT.

* Primary threats include…
A couple tornadoes possible
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

SUMMARY…Isolated supercell thunderstorms are forming in a very
unstable airmass. Very large hail, damaging winds, and a few
tornadoes are possible with these storms through the evening.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
east and west of a line from 85 miles north of Valentine NE to 55
miles south southwest of Valentine NE. For a complete depiction of
the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
WOU2).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 530…WW 531…

AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
storm motion vector 27025.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW2
WW 532 TORNADO NE SD 202220Z – 210400Z
AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
85N VTN/VALENTINE NE/ – 55SSW VTN/VALENTINE NE/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM E/W /25SW PIR – 51WSW ANW/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27025.

LAT…LON 44089954 42119999 42110194 44080156

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU2.

Watch 532 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Mod (40%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low (20%)

Wind

Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

Mod (50%)

Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (60%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Mod (60%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (90%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien Who Concealed and Abused Body of a Missing Woman After Sanctuary City Judge Freed Illegal Alien onto Streets of Chicago

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

President Trump and Secretary Noem stand with the victims of illegal alien crime

WASHINGTON — On July 19, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Chicago arrested Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, a 52-year-old criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who was charged in April with concealing the body of a missing woman in a storage container on his yard for two months, abusing her corpse, and obstruction of justice.

Waukegan Police Department officers discovered the body of 37-year-old victim Megan Bos in a container in Mendoza’s yard in April after she had been reported missing on March 9, 2025.

Her body was found decapitated and in a bleach storage container by officers. Mendoza was charged in April. However, Lake County Judge Randie Bruno released him from custody at the conclusion of his court appearance, where he was immediately allowed to freely roam the Chicago streets.

This criminal illegal alien is currently being held at Lake County Jail in Waukegan, Illinois.

“Everyday ICE is arresting sickos like criminal illegal alien, Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, and stopping them from terrorizing Americans. This depraved alien was charged with concealing the body of a missing woman in a storage container for months and abusing her corpse,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “It is absolutely repulsive that a judge freed this monster and allowed him to walk free on Illinois’s streets after allegedly committing such a heinous crime. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, Megan Bos and her family will have justice.”

Secretary Noem relaunched the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office. The VOICE office was shuttered by the previous administration, which left victims of alien crime without access to many key support services and resources. The office was first launched in 2017 by the Trump administration as a dedicated resource for those who have been victimized by crime that has a nexus to immigration.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by a crime committed by an illegal alien, you are not alone. Call 1-855-48-VOICE (1-855-488-6423).

###

MIL Security OSI –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: President Trump Marks Six Months in Office with Historic Successes
Source: US Whitehouse
Today, President Donald J. Trump celebrates the most successful first six months in office for any President in modern American history.
- Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, thereby delivering the largest tax cut in American history, increasing Americans’ take-home pay by as much as $13,300, and terminating benefits for at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants who were gaming the system.
- Congress passed President Trump’s historic rescissions package, which will save taxpayers $9 billion in wasteful, politically-motivated funding for leftwing foreign aid scams and biased NPR and PBS.
- The wholesale price of a dozen eggs is down 53%, or $3.09, since the inauguration and is down 62%, or $5.08, from its March peak.
- The U.S. economy has now added a net of 671,000 jobs since January 2025, with jobs numbers beating expectations four months in a row. Native-born workers have accounted for all job gains, with native-born employment increasing 2,079,000 while foreign-born employment has fallen 543,000.
- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol encountered just 6,070 illegal immigrants at the southern border in June — setting a new record low (15% lower than the previous record set in March). Additionally, zero illegal immigrants were released into the U.S. on parole in June, compared to 27,766 a year prior.
- The administration has ramped up deportations, breaking a record for the number of deportation flights in a month in June. President Trump’s self-deportation push has also been a massive success. Additionally, over 600 known and suspected terrorists have been removed from the United States.
- At President Trump’s direction, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has arrested over 100,000 illegal alien criminals, including over 2,700 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang.
- Following President Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency, the U.S. has reached its fastest rate of new oil and gas drilling permits in years, exceeding the Biden administration by 44%.
- Since President Trump took office, core inflation has tracked at just 2.1% — levels not seen since the first Trump Administration, when prices were low and stable — and has come in below or at economists’ expectations every single month. Meanwhile, wholesale inflation remained flat in June, while import prices came in far below expectations.
- Summer gas prices reached their lowest point since 2021, and, inflation-adjusted, are near a 20-year low.
- President Trump’s deregulatory efforts have already saved Americans over $180 billion, or $2,100 per family of four, with the rollback of automobile-related rules alone expected to save consumers more than $1.1 trillion.
- President Trump secured a historic agreement for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP – a foreign policy feat long thought impossible.
- Under President Trump’s strong and decisive leadership, the U.S. obliterated Iran’s nuclear program.
- President Trump secured ceasefires between India and Pakistan and Israel and Iran, a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a pathway to stability for Syria.
- As a result of his historic peacemaking efforts, President Trump has already received three Nobel Peace Prize nominations since returning to office.
- In May, blue-collar wage growth saw its largest increase in nearly 60 years since President Trump’s return to office.
- Companies and foreign governments have pledged over $7.6 trillion in investments into the U.S.
- The U.S. Treasury has taken in nearly $90 billion in tariff duties since January 2025, with the agency posting a record $27.2 billion surplus in June – the first June surplus since 2005.
- President Trump has once again proved to be the Dealmaker-in-Chief, inking a minerals deal with Ukraine, a $14 billion “perpetual Golden Share” sale of U.S. Steel, and trade deals with the United Kingdom, China, and Indonesia.
- President Trump has signed over 170 executive orders, delivering on key campaign promises such as closing the border, protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation, removing men from women’s sports, unleashing American energy, ending federal censorship, ending the radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling, and ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing.
- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq market indices have reached multiple record highs.
- The Supreme Court consistently bolstered the Trump administration’s agenda, blocking activist judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, permitting “third-country deportations,” greenlighting the revocation of temporary protected status (TPS) from more than 500,000 migrants and approving efforts to shrink the federal bureaucracy.
- President Trump signed several pieces of landmark legislation, including the Genius Act, the Halt Fentanyl Act, the Laken Riley Act, and the Take It Down Act.
- The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force all reached their recruitment goals months in advance.
- The Trump administration has made incredible strides in its effort to Make America Healthy Again, with roughly 35% of the American food industry making a commitment to eliminate the use of artificial dyes, including Hershey, Consumer Brands and dozens of ice cream companies representing more than 90% of the ice cream volume sold in the U.S.
- President Trump has ensured U.S. benefit programs serve U.S. citizens, with the administration now having protected more than $40 billion in benefit programs from illegal aliens since POTUS signed an Executive Order in February “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.”
- President Trump inked an agreement to provide billions of dollars of military equipment to Ukraine, with NATO footing the bill.
- President Trump has cracked down on international cartels, designating eight Latin American cartels as terrorist groups, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel.
- President Trump has solidified the U.S.’s position as the world leader in artificial intelligence, attracting north of $1 trillion in AI investment, including $90 billion in groundbreaking AI and energy investments in Pennsylvania.
- The U.S. is on track for its lowest murder rate on record following President Trump’s reinstatement of law and order.
- Following President Trump’s February executive order, universities and school systems have stopped allowing men in women’s sports, including the University of Pennsylvania, the Virginia High School League and the University of Maine System.
- Hospitals and hospital systems across the country have halted so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors following President Trump’s executive order “protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation.”
- In his first six months, President Trump has met with 23 foreign leaders, including three visits from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as two visits from the NATO Secretary General — compared to thirteen foreign leaders and the UN Secretary General, the NATO Secretary General, and the Chinese Foreign Minister for Obama and just five in-person visits for Biden.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 21, 2025

Category: Americas

Government revives landmark Pensions Commission to confront retirement crisis that risks tomorrow’s pensioners being poorer than today’s

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said:

Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Confederation of British Industry said:

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress said:

Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which? Said:

Additional quotes

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK said:

Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

Jon Richards, General Secretary of UNISON said:

António Simões, CEO of Legal and General said:

Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive Officer of The CityUK said:

Steve Webb, Partner at LCP said:

David Raw, Managing Director for Markets at UK Finance said:

Chira Barua, CEO of Scottish Widows and CEO of Insurance, Pensions & Investments, Lloyds Banking Group said:

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Updates to this page

Erased from public life

Crimes against humanity

Not just symbolic

Hopeful step

Erased from public life

Crimes against humanity

Not just symbolic

Hopeful step

Safeguards toolkit

Losing access

Continuity of knowledge