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  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff, Booker, Vargas, Peters Announce Bicameral Bill to Clean Up Tijuana River

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Schiff, Booker, Vargas, Peters Announce Bicameral Bill to Clean Up Tijuana River

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with Representatives Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52) and Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), introduced bicameral legislation to help combat the ongoing Tijuana River sewage pollution crisis across the U.S.-Mexico border.

    The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2025 would designate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead agency to coordinate all federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies to build and maintain critical infrastructure projects to address long-standing, systemic water infrastructure and pollution issues in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds. The bill would create a new Geographic Program within EPA to manage each watershed through a comprehensive water quality management plan. These provisions and other key components of the bill follow the findings and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office’s February 2020 Report, “International Boundary and Water Commission: Opportunities Exist to Address Water Quality Problems.” The bill also directs EPA to consider projects based on new research examining how wastewater pollutants get into the air, harming air quality and public health.

    “Raw sewage and toxic waste from the Tijuana River are still shutting down public beaches, threatening the health of our families, and jeopardizing the readiness of our military and border personnel,” said Senator Padilla. “By assigning the Environmental Protection Agency with the clear role of coordinating with federal, state, local, and tribal leaders to maintain the health of the watershed, we’re bringing the full weight and commitment of the federal government to address the Tijuana River pollution crisis.”

    “The Tijuana River pollution crisis is one of the worst ongoing ecological crises in this country, posing serious environmental and public health risks to Californians living and working near the U.S.-Mexico border and nearby beaches. We must work quickly on a resolution, and this bill would provide clear direction and authority to EPA to work with state and local partners on a plan to give this crisis the focused attention it demands,” said Senator Schiff.

    “For too long, communities along both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border have suffered the consequences of untreated sewage and toxic waste flowing into the Tijuana River,” said Senator Booker. “What I observed during my visit to Imperial Beach in May was unacceptable. This public health crisis, with growing economic and environmental impacts, would never be tolerated in Malibu or Mar-a-Lago and it shouldn’t be tolerated here. This bicameral legislation will ensure the EPA leads a comprehensive effort in coordination with local, state, and federal officials to clean up the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, and finally deliver clean air and water to the San Diego community.”

    “This horrible pollution has harmed the health of our communities, our local businesses, and our environment,” said Representative Vargas. “It’s absolutely critical that we have a streamlined response from the federal government. But right now, there is no one agency in charge of addressing the pollution. There are too many cooks in the kitchen. Our legislation would finally change that and charge the EPA with coordinating the whole-of-government effort needed to combat this pollution.”

    “This is an environmental crisis, a public health crisis, and an economic crisis for San Diegans. The federal government should treat it as such,” said Representative Peters. “Our legislation institutes a whole-of-government approach for resolving this disaster. This is the same type of program you see in the San Francisco Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and Great Lakes; San Diego is no less deserving.”

    Since 2018, more than 200 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and causing harmful impacts on public health, the environment, and water quality. U.S. military personnel, border patrol agents, and the local economy have also suffered harmful impacts from airborne and waterborne transboundary sewage flows. In 2023, sewage flowed across the border at the highest volume in a quarter century, exceeding 44 billion gallons.

    The Tijuana River pollution crisis has disproportionately harmed underserved communities along San Diego’s southern border for decades. U.S. military personnel, border patrol agents, and the local environment and economy have also suffered harmful impacts from waterborne and airborne transboundary sewage flows.

    To address these long-standing issues, the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2025 would:

    • Direct EPA, in coordination with relevant federal, state, Tribal, and local governments, to implement a comprehensive water quality management program for the Tijuana River and New River watersheds within 180 days;
    • Require EPA and its partners to identify a consensus list of priority projects, including incorporating a comprehensive suite of water quality projects identified by EPA and IBWC in the 2022 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement implementation plan, as well as the construction and operations and maintenance costs associated with them;
    • Provide transfer authority to EPA to accept and distribute funds to federal, state, Tribal, and local partners to construct, operate, and maintain the identified priority projects;
    • Provide technical assistance for restoration and protection activities to federal, state, Tribal, and local stakeholders;
    • Codify the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) to fund water infrastructure projects that benefit U.S. communities;
    • Require the IBWC Commissioner to participate in the construction of projects identified in the Tijuana and New River comprehensive plans; and
    • Authorize the IBWC to address stormwater quality and accept funding made available by the bill.

    EPA currently administers 12 Geographic Programs that help protect local ecosystems through water quality improvement, ecosystem and habitat restoration, environmental education, and local capacity building. Establishing such a program for the Tijuana River and New River is important for the long-term improvement and monitoring of the watersheds during and after the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP).

    Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25) are cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives.

    The legislation is endorsed by the City of San Diego, City of Coronado, County of Imperial, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, SANDAG, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Surfrider.

    Senator Padilla has prioritized addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis since he first came to the Senate, working with the San Diego Congressional delegation to secure $250 million in the federal disaster relief package last year to clean up the Tijuana River. This marked the final tranche of funding required to complete the SBIWTP upgrade project. The SBIWTP project broke ground in October 2024, and over the coming years, the SBIWTP will double in capacity, reducing transboundary flows by 90 percent. Crucially, Mexico’s rehabilitated San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant is now operational, which will help further reduce flows to California communities.

    In response to a request from Padilla and the San Diego Congressional delegation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently opened an investigation into the public health impacts of air pollution caused by the ongoing Tijuana River transboundary pollution crisis. Senator Padilla and the delegation also secured a $200 million authorization for the Tijuana River Valley Watershed and San Diego County through the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 to help address the ongoing transboundary sewage crisis through stormwater conveyance, environmental and ecosystem restoration, and water quality protection projects. They also delivered over $103 million in additional funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in the bipartisan FY 2024 appropriations package. Padilla previously successfully secured language in the FY 2023 appropriations package to allow the EPA to unlock $300 million previously secured in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to the IBWC for water infrastructure projects.

    A one-pager on the bill is available here.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Whitehouse Introduce Bills to Slash Emissions From Ocean Shipping

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced a pair of bills to reduce dangerous air pollution within the shipping industry.

    Padilla’s Clean Shipping Act of 2025, led by Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42) in the House, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry to protect the health of port communities and address the environmental injustice impacts of the climate crisis. Padilla also co-leads the International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act, led by Whitehouse in the Senate and Representatives Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07) and Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15) in the House. The bill aims to reduce emissions by imposing a pollution fee on large marine vessels offloading cargo at U.S. ports to fund decarbonization efforts in the U.S. maritime economy.

    “California’s ports are the powerhouse of our country’s economy, moving critical freight and providing good-paying jobs, all while leading the nation’s decarbonizing efforts. But neighboring communities have been forced to shoulder the brunt of global shipping pollution for too long,” said Senator Padilla. “Our legislation would strengthen the sustainability of our shipping industry by reducing emissions in maritime transportation while simultaneously protecting coastal communities. The health of our communities and our planet requires us to be forward-looking and ambitious — we owe future generations nothing less than bold, transformative action.”

    “As climate change destroys lives and drives up costs for families, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to avoid the worst consequences for communities, businesses, and the environment,” said Ranking Member Whitehouse. “Encouragingly, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has put forward a global carbon price on shipping emissions. This legislation reinforces that work, further cutting harmful emissions while supporting the maritime innovators that are pioneering clean technologies to protect public health and can help put us on course to climate safety.”

    Globally, maritime shipping is a major source of climate-warming pollution, including climate-warming GHG emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) and harmful air pollutant emissions (oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter). According to the International Maritime Organization 2020 GHG Study, the global shipping industry emits approximately one billion tons of GHG emissions per year, roughly 3 percent of total anthropogenic global-warming carbon-dioxide emissions. The study projects in future scenarios that shipping’s GHG emissions could more than double between 2018 and 2050. These emissions are not only harmful for the environment, but jeopardize the air quality and public health of the nearly 40 percent of Americans who live within three miles of a port.

    Clean Shipping Act

    The Clean Shipping Act of 2025 would set a path to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from all ocean shipping companies that do business with the United States. It would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set progressively tighter carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

    Specifically, the bill would direct the EPA to:

    • Set carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships. The bill sets progressively tighter carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships consistent with a 1.5°C decarbonization pathway. These standards would require lifecycle carbon dioxide-equivalent reductions of 30 percent from January 1, 2030, 58 percent from January 1, 2034, 83 percent from January 1, 2040, 92 percent from January 1, 2045, and 100 percent from January 1, 2050 (based on a 2027 baseline).
    • Set requirements to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2035. By January 1, 2035, all ships at-berth or at-anchor in U.S. ports would emit zero GHG emissions and zero air pollutant emissions.

    “Our nation’s ports, particularly the Port of Long Beach, are crucial parts of the economy that drive our supply chain at home. However, they’re also among the largest sources of pollution in our coastal communities,” said Representative Garcia. “Ship pollution is harmful for the health of people living near ports, and disproportionately affects low-income, working-class neighborhoods and communities of color. That’s why I’m proud to introduce a bill that addresses greenhouse gas pollution and creates a path to fully eliminate emissions. We must protect people’s health and stop our climate crisis, while ensuring good-paying jobs for the future.”

    “In order to protect our ocean and stay competitive with the rest of the world, we need federal leadership to help modernize and clean up U.S. shipping. By driving the shipping sector to develop, scale and deploy zero-emission technologies, we can spur job creation, help tackle the climate crisis and help create cleaner air for the millions of Americans living near ports. We commend Representative Garcia and Senator Padilla for their leadership on this issue and look forward to working with members of Congress to make this bill a reality,” said Caroline Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s Shipping Emissions U.S. Policy Manager.

    “The shipping industry has been polluting communities for decades, but we have the power to make shipping cleaner. Port expansions across the country have been especially devastating for communities living closest to the harbors where large ships spew toxic diesel exhaust that worsens air quality and contributes to the climate crisis. People living near ports deserve to breathe clean air, and the Clean Shipping Act will help make that a reality,” said Katherine García, Director of the Clean Transportation for All Campaign, Sierra Club.

    “GreenLatinos endorses the urgently needed Clean Shipping Act, which protects Latino/e and other vulnerable communities from further exposure to port pollution and takes important steps to reduce harm from toxic ship fuels. 1 in 3 Latines live in the top 20% of most pollution-impacted communities. Pollution burdened communities are facing even more exposure as idling ships wait days to enter port and offload their cargo. We urge Congress to act swiftly in passing this vital legislation and protect our coastal communities from the harms of port emissions,” said Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, Policy Advisor, GreenLatinos.

    “The Clean Shipping Act of 2025 will help us work toward a future where healthy port communities thrive and everyone benefits from leveraging the tremendous potential of the ocean and ocean industries as powerful sources of climate solutions. We are grateful for the leadership of Congressman Garcia and Senator Padilla for advancing this legislation for our ocean, climate, and communities,” said Sarah Guy, Executive Director, Ocean Defense Initiative.

    “The Clean Shipping Act of 2025 will send a clear signal to the shipping industry that they must reduce their emissions by phasing out the use of fossil fuels and transition to a cleaner future. Technology-forcing policies like this legislation will enable large-scale investment in sustainable maritime fuels and technologies and establish a level playing field, minimizing the risk for manufacturers and suppliers. For far too long, dirty ships have brought significant levels of air pollution into U.S. port communities. We commend Representative Garcia and Senator Padilla for reintroducing this important bill and leading the effort to help protect communities disproportionately impacted by these harmful emissions,” said Antonio Santos, Federal Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment.

    The bill is supported by industry leaders including ABB, Evolve Hydrogen Inc., Maritime Battery Forum, and Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association, as well as NGOs including Breathe Southern California, CleanEarth4Kids.org, Don’t Waste Arizona, Environmental, Investigation Agency, Friends of the Earth, GreenLatinos, Intheshadowofthewolf, Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Ocean Conservancy, Ocean Defense Initiative, Pacific Environment, Restoring Earth Connection, San Pedro & Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, Seattle Cruise Control, Sierra Club, Sunflower Alliance, 350 Bay Area Action, 350 Sacramento, Turtle Island Restoration Network, and Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act

    The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act would:

    • Impose a pollution fee on the largest marine vessels offloading cargo at U.S. ports, driving industry-wide decarbonization efforts and incentivizing the use and development of cleaner maritime fuels. 
    • Levy a $150 per ton fee on the carbon emissions of fuel burned on an inbound trip, as well as fees for the nitrogen oxides ($6.30/lb.), sulfur dioxide ($18/lb.), and particle pollution (PM2.5) ($38.90/lb.) that ships emit.  The fees would apply only to those ships with 5,000 gross tonnage or more, excluding most of the domestic industry, and the fee on carbon emissions would sunset if the IMO implemented and enforced a fee on the greenhouse gas emissions of marine shipping that was equal to or greater than the $150 per ton fee levied in the bill.
    • Provide critical funding to modernize the Jones Act fleet with low-carbon vessels, revitalizing and electrifying U.S. shipbuilding, and addressing and reducing pollutants in America’s port communities, along our coasts, and in our oceans.

    The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act has been endorsed by EV Maritime, Friends of the Earth, GreenLatinos, Ocean Conservancy, Pacific Environment, San Pedro & Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, Sierra Club, 350 Bay Area Action, and 350 Brooklyn.

    Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) are cosponsoring the legislation. 

    Full text of the International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act is available here, and a one-pager is available here. 

    Senator Padilla believes decarbonizing our ports is vital for powering economic growth and protecting public health. Last year, he announced over $1 billion in EPA funding across seven California ports to build zero-emission port infrastructure and implement climate and air quality management plans. The funding comes through the Clean Ports Program, which is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and aims to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports across the nation. California ports will receive three of the largest seven grants nationwide, including over $411 million for the Port of Los Angeles, the biggest award in the country. In 2023, he announced $74.5 million from the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration to decarbonize, upgrade, and rehabilitate key ports along California’s coast.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: ​The Big Business of a Small Coffee Pot

    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

    In recent years, Zhejiang Establishment Kitchen Ware Co., Ltd., located in Changshan County, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province, has become a well-known manufacturer of domestic geyser coffee makers through its own development, improvement of patented technologies and the enhancement of automation. At present, the company produces more than 4.5 million sets of geyser coffee makers per year, and the export volume in 2024 exceeded 3.1 million sets, which enabled the company to embark on the path of upgrading traditional production.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Georgian capital to upgrade metro with Chinese carriages

    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

    Tbilisi, July 10 (Xinhua) — Authorities in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi have announced the start of a large-scale modernization of the city’s subway system using cars manufactured by China’s CRRC Corporation, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said at a city government meeting on Thursday.

    As the mayor noted, the winner of the completed tender was GT Group LLC, which, in cooperation with a Chinese manufacturer, will supply 111 modern metro cars to Georgia.

    The purchase is being carried out with financial support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Over the next five years, Tbilisi will receive 14 four-car and 5 five-car trains. The new trains will be equipped with walk-through carriages, which will significantly increase the convenience and safety of passengers. The total cost of the project is 150 million euros.

    According to K. Kaladze, the transition to five-car trains on the Akhmeteli-Varketili line, one of the busiest in the city, will increase the volume of transportation and improve the quality of service.

    Today, the Tbilisi metro has 48 trains /192 carriages/. The process of purchasing carriages will continue in the future with the aim of completely replacing the current trains. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ripple partners with Bank of New York Mellon, XRP soars – LET Mining launches new cloud mining strategy for XRP holders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ripple has established a partnership with the oldest bank on Wall Street, and BNY Mellon has become the custodian of RLUSD, which will take Ripple’s stablecoin strategy to the next level and herald its long-term commitment to infrastructure construction. With the announcement of this strategic cooperation, the price of XRP soared rapidly, breaking through $2.46 at one point, and its market value jumped to the third largest cryptocurrency in the world.

    Driven by this wave of compliance benefits and market enthusiasm, the green cloud mining platform LET Mining responded quickly and launched a new “smart cloud mining strategy” for XRP holders, allowing users to not only benefit from asset appreciation, but also achieve steady growth in digital wealth through passive income.

    LET Mining launches cloud mining strategy for XRP

    XRP itself cannot be mined, but as a leading platform for encrypted computing power services, LET Mining is committed to providing users with safe, convenient and efficient passive income tools. In response to the positive impact of the XRP ecosystem, the platform quickly launched an exclusive strategy that allows users to use XRP to directly start cloud mining services. By participating in cloud mining, they can obtain stable computing power income every day.

    How to start using XRP to start LET Mining cloud mining service?

    1. Log in to the website https://letmining.com/ to register an account, and you can get a $12 reward after successful registration
    2. Choose a cloud computing power contract that suits the user’s investment strategy. Users have the following options (minimum 50XRP to participate)

    ●Experience Contract: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8
    ●BTC Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, expiration income: $500 + $30
    ●DOGE Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $3,500, contract period: 24 days, daily income of $50.4, expiration income: $3,500 + $1,209.6
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 29 days, daily income of $76.5, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,218.5
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 45 days, daily income of $173, expiration income: $10,000 + $7,785

    (Click here to view more high-yield contract details)

    3. Automatically obtain revenue every day and withdraw funds at any time

    In this way, XRP holders not only have the appreciation path of holding coins for appreciation, but also have the option of obtaining high daily income through exclusive cloud mining strategies.

    From institutional cooperation to user benefits, LET Mining seizes every dividend

    Since Ripple ended the SEC case, it has started a lot of legal and compliant layouts. It not only announced the launch of the US dollar stablecoin RLUSD, but also applied for a national banking license and reached a cooperation with BNY Mellon. It has made continuous breakthroughs in compliance, stablecoins, and institutional cooperation. Ripple is gradually becoming a bridge connecting traditional finance and the crypto world

    The surge in XRP has also brought unprecedented opportunities to coin holders. LET Mining provides users with a low-risk and efficient asset appreciation channel through smart mining strategies.

    Official website: https://letmining.com/
    Contact email: info@letmining.com
    APP download: https://letmining.com/xml/index.html#/app

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: School smartphone bans reflect growing concern over youth mental health and academic performance

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Margaret Murray, Associate Professor of Public Communication and Culture Studies, University of Michigan

    New laws that ban smartphones or social media for youth are being introduced across several Western nations. SeventyFour/iStock via Getty Images

    The number of states banning smartphones in schools is growing.

    New York is now the largest state in the U.S. to ban smartphones in public schools. Starting in fall 2025, students will not be allowed to use their phones during the school day, including during lunch, recess or in between classes. This bell-to-bell policy will impact almost 2.5 million students in grades K-12.

    By banning smartphones in schools, New York is joining states across the country. The bans are happening in both traditionally liberal and conservative states.

    Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and West Virginia all passed legislation in 2025 that requires schools to have policies that limit access to smartphones. The policies will go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year. This brings the total to 17 states, plus Washington, D.C., that have phone-free school legislation or executive orders.

    I’m a professor who studies communication and culture, and while writing a book about parenting culture, I’ve noticed the narrative around smartphones and social media shifting over the past decade.

    A turning tide

    Statewide cellphone policies are gaining momentum, with many states aiming to restrict use of the devices in classrooms.
    Thomas Barwick/Digital Vision via Getty Images

    According to the Pew Research Center, 67% of American adults support banning smartphones during class time, although only 36% support banning them for the entire school day. Notably, a majority of Republican, Democratic and independent voters all support bans during class time.

    More broadly, parent-led movements to limit children’s use of smartphones, social media and the internet have sprung up around the country. For example, the Phone-Free Schools Movement in Pennsylvania was launched in 2023, and Mothers Against Media Addiction started in New York in March 2024. These organizations, which empower parents to advocate in their local communities, follow in the footsteps of organizations such as Wait Until 8th in Texas and Screen Time Action Network at Fairplay in Massachusetts, which were formed in 2017.

    The concerns of these parent-led organizations were reflected in the best-selling book “The Anxious Generation,” which paints a bleak picture of modern childhood as dominated by depression and anxiety brought on by smartphone addiction.

    Phone-free schools are one of the four actions the book’s author, Jonathan Haidt, recommended to change course. The other three are no smartphones for children before high school, waiting until 16 for social media access, and allowing more childhood independence in the real world.

    Haidt’s research team collaborated with The Harris Poll to survey Gen Z. They found that almost half of those age 18-27 wish social media had never been invented, and 21% wish smartphones had never been invented. About 40% of Gen Z respondents supported phone-free schools.

    The Pew Research Center found that almost 40% of kids age 8-12 use social media, and almost 95% of kids age 13-17 use it, with nearly half of teens reporting that they use social media almost constantly.

    Phone-free schools are also part of the larger trend of states and nations resisting Big Tech, the large technology companies that play a significant role in global commerce.

    In May 2025, two U.S. senators introduced the Stop the Scroll Act, which would require mental health warnings on social media.

    New laws that ban smartphones or social media for youth are being introduced across several Western nations. Australia has banned all social media for those under 16.

    After a fatal stabbing at a middle school in eastern France on June 10, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the same day that he wants the European Union to set the minimum age for social media at 15. He argued that social media is a factor in teen violence. If the EU doesn’t act within a few months, Macron has pledged to enact a ban in France as soon as possible.

    The impact on learning

    Research suggests that students are less focused in class when they have access to cellphones.
    isuzek/E+ via Getty Images

    Although this trend of restricting use of phones in school is new, more states may adopt smartphone bans in the future. Bell-to-bell bans are viewed as especially powerful in improving academic performance.

    Some research has suggested that when children have access to a smartphone, even if they do not use it, they find it harder to focus in class. Initial research has found that academic performance improves after the bans go into effect.

    Test scores fell across the U.S. during the pandemic lockdown and have not returned to prepandemic levels. Some states, such as Maine and Oregon, are almost a full year behind grade level in reading. Not a single state has recovered in both math and reading.

    Statewide bans free local school districts from having to create their own technology bans, which can lead to heated debates. Although a majority of adults approve of banning smartphones in class, 24% oppose it for reasons such as wanting to be able to contact their kids throughout the day and wanting parents to set the boundaries.

    However, 72% of high school teachers say that phones are a major distraction. Anecdotally, schools report that students like the bans after getting used to the change.

    I signed the Wait Until 8th pledge mentioned in the article, promising not to give my kids a smartphone or social media until at least the end of 8th grade.

    – ref. School smartphone bans reflect growing concern over youth mental health and academic performance – https://theconversation.com/school-smartphone-bans-reflect-growing-concern-over-youth-mental-health-and-academic-performance-259962

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: South Bow Announces Timing of Second-quarter 2025 Results and Conference Call and Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — South Bow Corp. (TSX & NYSE: SOBO) (South Bow or the Company) will release its second-quarter 2025 financial and operational results after the close of markets on Aug. 6, 2025.

    Conference call and webcast details

    South Bow’s senior leadership will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the Company’s second-quarter 2025 results on Aug. 7, 2025 at 8 a.m. MT (10 a.m. ET).

    Register ahead of time to receive a unique PIN to access the conference call via telephone. Once registered, participants can dial into the conference call from their telephone via the unique PIN or click on the “Call Me” option to receive an automated call directly on their telephone.

    Visit www.southbow.com/investors for the replay following the event.

    Forward-looking information and statements

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements). In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements, including timing of the release of financial and operational results and the related conference call and webcast and replay. The forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that South Bow has made regarding, among other things: market conditions; economic conditions; and prevailing governmental policies or regulatory, tax, and environmental laws and regulations. Although South Bow believes the assumptions and other factors reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these assumptions and factors will prove to be correct and, as such, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially, including, but not limited to: the regulatory environment and related decisions and requirements; the impact of competitive entities and pricing; actions taken by governmental or regulatory authorities; adverse general economic and market conditions, and other factors set out in South Bow’s public disclosure documents. The foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date hereof. South Bow does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    About South Bow

    South Bow safely operates 4,900 kilometres (3,045 miles) of crude oil pipeline infrastructure, connecting Alberta crude oil supplies to U.S. refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, and the U.S. Gulf Coast through our unrivalled market position. We take pride in what we do – providing safe and reliable transportation of crude oil to North America’s highest demand markets. Based in Calgary, Alberta, South Bow is the investment-grade spinoff company of TC Energy, with Oct. 1, 2024 marking South Bow’s first day as a standalone entity. To learn more, visit www.southbow.com. 

    Contact information

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for global shipping?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Belinda Clarence, Law Lecturer, RMIT University

    During the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s major shipping routes.

    Would that be possible, and what effects would it have?

    The Strait of Hormuz is a choke point at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. It is used to transport about 20% of global daily oil consumption.

    Iran effectively controls this crucial shipping route because it is a coastal state bordering this narrow stretch of water. The strait is too narrow to avoid navigating waters claimed by Iran. This raises thorny legal questions about whether it is really possible for Iran to block the strait, and what recourse other states have if it does.

    This geographical reality is far from new, and the legal frameworks governing international maritime activity have developed over centuries. At its heart is the lex mercatoria — the “law of merchants” — a body of transnational commercial law that emerged organically from the practices of traders operating across borders.

    Within this broader framework sits the lex maritima, or customary maritime law, which has long adapted to the hazards of shipping across vast oceans.

    The lex maritima originated from the shared practices of seafarers and merchants. Its purpose? To manage the unpredictable nature of maritime trade that demands coherent and stable rules.

    One of the most enduring principles of this legal tradition is the idea of mare liberum, or “the free sea”, set out by Dutch jurist Hugo Grotius in 1609. He argued the high seas should remain open to all for peaceful navigation and trade. This conveniently legitimised the ambitions of European colonial powers, granting them unfettered access to global maritime routes at a time when control over sea-based trade promised immense economic and strategic advantage.

    The shifting boundaries of maritime law

    One of the most fundamental questions in maritime law is: where do a nation’s territorial waters end, and the high seas begin?

    After the second world war, a series of conferences culminated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), where the customary 3 nautical miles (5.56km) of territorial waters states could claim as their own was extended. This narrow limit was rooted more in historical naval range – the so-called “cannon shot rule” – than in modern geopolitical or environmental realities.

    In 1959, Iran took the unusual step of unilaterally extending its territorial sea to 12 nautical miles, despite not being a party to UNCLOS. Two decades later, following the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the US Embassy hostage crisis, Washington grew increasingly anxious about the security of oil flows from the Persian Gulf. These concerns intensified during the Iran-Iraq War, especially as Iran began using small islands in the Strait of Hormuz to deploy military forces and threaten commercial shipping.

    UNCLOS and the new rules of the sea

    One of the key compromises of UNCLOS was an extension of territorial waters for states that ratified the treaty. In exchange, UNCLOS replaced the older concept of “innocent passage” – which allowed only surface navigation through territorial seas – with the broader notion of “transit passage”. Under this regime, vessels and aircraft from other states are granted the right to travel not only on the surface, but also under the sea and through the air above straits used for international navigation.

    While 169 states have ratified UNCLOS, both Iran and the United States remain notable holdouts. This means Iran does not enjoy the broader 12-nautical-mile limit recognised under UNCLOS, and the US cannot claim the agreement’s protections for transit passage through strategic choke points.

    While the geopolitical and legal tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz may seem far removed from the world of private commerce, the global economy continues to function thanks to a powerful legal tool: the contract. Contracts offer a predictable framework that allows trade across borders without parties needing to trust one another personally.

    The Strait of Hormuz is bordered by active, assertive states such as Iran, which means the potential for interstate conflict is relatively high. This doesn’t mean commercial contracts are irrelevant to the recent dispute in the Strait of Hormuz — far from it. But their influence is more indirect.

    What can be learned?

    Without significant political change in Tehran, it’s unlikely either Iran or the US will shift its position on adopting UNCLOS. Yet despite Iran’s repeated threats to close the strait, it has never followed through — and the US Navy continues to maintain a steady presence in the region. For now, a fragile but persistent equilibrium holds.

    Belinda Clarence 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. What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for global shipping? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-and-why-is-it-so-important-for-global-shipping-260920

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, US maintain close economic, trade communication at multiple levels: commerce ministry

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

    China and the United States have maintained close economic and trade communication at multiple levels, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

    Spokesperson He Yongqian made the remarks at a regular press briefing when responding to a question about whether the U.S. commerce secretary and other senior U.S. trade officials would meet with Chinese negotiators in early August.

    Since May this year, guided by the consensus reached between the heads of state of China and the United States, the economic and trade teams of both countries have held high-level trade talks in Geneva and London, establishing a consensus in Geneva and a framework in London, the spokesperson said, adding that the teams have been working to implement these outcomes, which have stabilized bilateral trade relations.

    It is hoped that the United States will work with China in the same direction, adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and make good use of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism while continuing to strengthen dialogue and communication, said the spokesperson.

    The spokesperson also called on the U.S. side to take concrete actions to uphold and implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state during their recent phone talks, with the aim of promoting stable, healthy, sustainable China-U.S. economic and trade relations, and of injecting more certainty and stability into global economic development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Laurel Lee Reintroduces Bipartisan CBP SPACE Act to Strengthen Security at U.S. Seaports

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Laurel Lee – Florida (15th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL-15) reintroduced the CBP SPACE Act (Securing Ports and America’s Commerce and Economy) to foster help a collaborative approach to securing trade and travel. It is essential that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and seaports work together as partners. However, CBP has recently indicated it may halt operations unless ports cover the costs of screening equipment, a move that could jeopardize national security.

    Rep. Lee was joined by co-lead Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) and original cosponsors Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), and Troy Carter (D-LA-02) in introducing the bipartisan measure.

     “Our nation’s seaports are not only critical to our economy, but they are key points of entry that must be secured,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “This bill is a straightforward, bipartisan solution that alleviates the burden placed on private seaports by CBP’s recent equipment demands. This bill will ensure the obligations placed on seaports are fair, transparent, and help support safe, lawful trade and travel.”

    “Florida’s ports, such as Port Manatee in my district, are vital to our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and keeping goods flowing across the country. Yet our seaports are being forced to absorb outrageous costs for Customs and Border Protection expenses, including demands for equipment that often goes completely unused. The CBP SPACE Act is a commonsense fix that allows existing customs fees to cover these costs, relieving the burden on local ports and protecting jobs.”said Congressman Vern Buchanan. 

    “I’m proud to co-sponsor the CBP Space Act. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and our seaports have to work together to keep trade moving and our communities safe. Louisiana’s ports employ thousands of workers, ensuring that American goods reach markets worldwide. Our ports and supply chains are already strained. They should not be threatened with additional fees or potential shutdowns for failure to pay for CBP’s costs, that’s a federal responsibility. This bill gives CBP the funding it needs without forcing ports to pick up the tab, so our maritime economy can continue flowing smoothly. I want to thank my colleagues Reps. Lee and Gluesenkamp Perez for leading this important, commonsense solution,”said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr.

    Currently, CBP officers at many seaports face challenges operating in temporary or makeshift facilities due to outdated legal constraints that prevent the agency from securing long-term leases. The CBP SPACE Act resolves this issue by granting CBP the authority to directly lease necessary space from port authorities or private entities. This will allow officers to be properly stationed at vital locations and ensure consistent enforcement of customs and immigration laws.

    The legislation clarifies CBP’s ability to enter into leases for operational space at seaports and other facilities, helps eliminate enforcement gaps caused by the lack of available or suitable infrastructure, and improves coordination with port authorities to strengthen U.S. supply chain security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: N.M. Delegation Welcomes Emergency Declaration for Ruidoso Flooding, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    RUIDOSO, N.M. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) released the following joint statement, welcoming President Donald Trump’s granting of an emergency declaration for Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia Counties, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of severe flooding that took the lives of three people and damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. 

    “The loss of life and devastation in Ruidoso as a result of this catastrophic flooding is horrific and heartbreaking, with three confirmed fatalities and dozens of homes and businesses already destroyed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been lost to this flooding and the hundreds of New Mexicans who have had to flee their homes. And our gratitude is with the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams helping respond to this disaster. We’re grateful that this approval will unlock funding needed for immediate disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the state’s Major Disaster Declaration request to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”

    The emergency declaration opens up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    Through a Major Disaster Declaration request, the State of New Mexico has requested Public Assistance, Category A through G, including Direct Federal Assistance for Lincoln County, Chaves County, Otero County, and Valencia County, as well as Individual Assistance, including Housing Assistance, Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment, and Displacement Assistance for Lincoln County and Valencia County. The State also requested Hazard Mitigation statewide, as facilitated by New Mexico’s Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan.

    This news comes on the heels of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation urging the Trump Administration to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene Highlights Impact of Trump’s Nutrition Cuts on Washington Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) highlighted the historic and devastating cuts to federal food programs in President Trump’s megabill that he recently signed into law. Joined by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, nutrition advocates, educators, and local food providers, DelBene underscored that thousands of Washington families and children will go hungry because of the cuts in this law.

    Last week, Congressional Republicans sent a massive bill to President Trump that slashes over $200 billion from SNAP, imposes new burdens on states, and jeopardizes food assistance for families, children, and seniors across the country. These cuts, along with ones made to Medicaid and student loan repayment programs, were made to fund another massive tax giveaway to ultra-wealthy people and large corporations. The law is estimated to add over $4 trillion to the national debt.

    In Washington, 900,000 people receive SNAP with an average benefit of only $6 per day. Because of Trump’s new law, more than 130,000 residents could lose some or all of their benefits under this legislation. The state has said that all SNAP recipients in Washington will see their benefits cut to some degree.

    “No one should go hungry in the wealthiest country on Earth. This Republican megabill imposes cruel, unnecessary cuts that hurt working families, children, veterans, and seniors just to fund tax breaks for billionaires,” said DelBene. “These cuts will make it harder for people to feed their families and for local food banks to meet the growing need. I’ll continue fighting back against these harmful policies.”

    “President Trump’s cruel bill will literally take food away from thousands of Washington children to pay for tax cuts for billionaires,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “For many families, they’re already working to stretch every dollar. Hunger impacts kids’ performance in school, their health and their physical development. These cuts will adversely impact a generation of kids into the future.”

    “In recent years, we’ve seen firsthand how interconnected food security is with housing, healthcare, education, and employment. SNAP plays a vital role in the safety net. When benefits are reduced—especially at the scale we are now seeing—families don’t just feel the impact, they’re forced into impossible choices: rent or groceries, medication or meals,” said Carla Rankin, Executive Director, Arlington Food Bank. “While food banks like ours work tirelessly to bridge the gap, we are not a substitute for strong federal nutrition programs. We rely on public support, private donations, and an army of volunteers—and those resources are not infinite.”

    “What we anticipate with these SNAP and Medicaid cuts is we’re going to have increased demand on our services, because right now, we’re only serving about 50% of the eligible population for WIC, so we know our caseload is really going to increase,” said Nicole Flateboe, Executive Director, Nutrition First. “The One Big Beautiful Bill has also cut Medicaid, which we rely upon for establishing eligibility for our clients, so, that’s going to just create increased administrative burden and red tape for getting these folks on the program.”

    Organizations represented at the event included Arlington Community Food Bank, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Volunteers of America Western Washington, Arlington School District, Arlington Farmers Market, Washington State University SNAP-Ed, and Nutrition First.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Charges Georgia-based First Liberty Building & Loan and its Owner for Operating a $140 Million Ponzi Scheme

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it filed charges seeking an asset freeze and other emergency relief against Newnan, Georgia-based First Liberty Building & Loan, LLC and its founder and owner Edwin Brant Frost IV in connection with a Ponzi scheme that defrauded approximately 300 investors of at least $140 million.

    According to the SEC’s complaint, from approximately 2014 through June 2025, First Liberty and Frost offered and sold to retail investors promissory notes and loan participation agreements that offered returns of up to 18% by representing that investor funds would be used to make short-term bridge loans to businesses at relatively high interest rates. The defendants allegedly told investors that very few of these loans had defaulted and that they would be repaid by borrowers via Small Business Administration or other commercial loans. The complaint also alleges that, while some investor funds were used to make bridge loans, those loans did not perform as represented, and most loans ultimately defaulted and ceased making interest payments. Since at least 2021, First Liberty operated as a Ponzi scheme by using new investor funds to make principal and interest payments to existing investors, according to the complaint. The complaint further alleges that Frost misappropriated investor funds for personal use, including by using investor funds to make over $2.4 million in credit card payments, paying more than $335,000 to a rare coin dealer, and spending $230,000 on family vacations.

    “The promise of a high rate of return on an investment is a red flag that should make all potential investors think twice or maybe even three times before investing their money,” said Justin C. Jeffries, Associate Director of Enforcement for the SEC’s Atlanta Regional Office. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen this movie before – bad actors luring investors with promises of seemingly over-generous returns – and it does not end well.”

    The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, charges First Liberty and Frost with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and names five entities that Frost controlled as relief defendants. The SEC seeks emergency relief, including an order freezing assets, appointing a receiver over the entities, and granting an accounting and expedited discovery. The SEC also seeks permanent injunctions and civil penalties against the defendants, a conduct-based injunction against Frost, and disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest against the defendants and relief defendants.

    Without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, the defendants and relief defendants consented to the SEC’s requested emergency and permanent relief, with monetary remedies to be determined by the court at a later date.

    The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Justin Delfino and Tiffany Kunkle and supervised by Peter Diskin and Mr. Jeffries. The litigation is being led by Kristin Murnahan and Graham Loomis.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Court Ruling Blocking Click-To-Cancel Rule, Schatz, Kennedy Introduce Legislation To Stop Deceptive Subscription Business Practices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – Following a ruling from a federal court that blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule that was set to go into effect on Monday, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced the Unsubscribe Act. The bipartisan bill would require companies to be more transparent about their subscription-based business models and make it easier for consumers to cancel their subscriptions once their free or reduced-price trial period has ended.

    “Our bill will require companies to be more transparent about their business model and make it easier for consumers to avoid costly, automatic monthly charges they never intended to make,” said Senator Schatz. “The subscription-based business model is exploding, and it’s largely because of the deceptive practices that some companies use to lure and trap in customers. When people sign up for a free trial, they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to cancel their subscription before being charged.”

    “The average American is all too familiar with the headache of running around in circles to cancel a subscription before their free trial expires. Our common-sense Unsubscribe Act would make sure companies are upfront about automatic charges and make it easier to cancel subscriptions without the convoluted song-and-dance routine,” said Senator Kennedy.

    From video streaming and news to food delivery and fashion, subscription-based services have become a key part of today’s economy. A major driver of their growth is the use of free or low-cost trial offers to attract new customers. These trials give users a chance to explore the service at little to no cost before committing to a paid subscription. Unfortunately, in order to retain customers, some subscription providers rely on deceptive marketing, confusing contracts, and restrictions that make it difficult for customers to cancel their subscriptions.

    The Unsubscribe Act would:

    • Require sellers to provide customers with a clear understanding of all the terms of the contract and obtain the customer’s express and informed consent;
    • Require sellers to provide a simple means of canceling the subscription, which the customer can complete in the same way in which the original contract was entered into;
    • Require sellers to provide a clear notice to consumers when their free or reduced-cost trial is complete and before charging for the full-cost subscription;
    • Disallow automatic transfer to a contract beyond the preliminary period; and
    • Require sellers to periodically notify the customer of the terms of the contract and the cancelation mechanism.

    Companion legislation is set to be introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

    “Too many consumers are lured in by free trials, only to get trapped in confusing billing cycles and cancellation mazes. The Unsubscribe Act is about fairness—it puts the burden back on companies to be honest, clear, and accountable. If a business has to trick people into staying, it does not deserve their money,” said Representative Takano.

    The Schatz-Kennedy legislation is supported by Consumer Action, Truth in Advertising, the National Consumer League (NCL), Public Citizen, and Consumer Federation of America.

    “Reining in subscription traps is a massively popular and nonpartisan issue,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud at NCL. “Passing the Unsubscribe Act is critical to protecting consumers from these predatory practices.”

    “Consumers deserve safeguards to prevent them from being trapped into paying for a service they no longer want with no straightforward way to cancel a subscription. With this week’s win by conservative big business interests in the courts against the FTC, Senator Schatz’s Unsubscribe Act is even more critical. We applaud this sensible measure to protect the public and hope it swiftly becomes law,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen.

    The full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Targa Resources Corp. Announces Quarterly Common Dividend and Timing of Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) (“Targa” or the “Company”) announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.00 per common share, or $4.00 per common share on an annualized basis, for the second quarter of 2025. This cash dividend will be paid August 15, 2025 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2025.

    The Company will report its second quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens for trading on Thursday, August 7, 2025, and will host a live webcast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss its 2025 second quarter financial results.

    Event Information
    Event: Targa Resources Corp. Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Webcast and Presentation
    Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
    Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time
    Webcast: https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events or directly at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/vkst8uaw

    Replay Information 
    A webcast replay will be available at the link above approximately two hours after the conclusion of the event. A quarterly earnings supplement presentation and updated investor presentation will also be available at https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events.

    About Targa Resources Corp.

    Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent infrastructure companies in North America. The Company owns, operates, acquires and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary domestic infrastructure assets and its operations are critical to the efficient, safe and reliable delivery of energy across the United States and increasingly to the world. The Company’s assets connect natural gas and NGLs to domestic and international markets with growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and purchasing and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating, and purchasing and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, and purchasing and selling crude oil.

    Targa is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in the S&P 500.

    For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.targaresources.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our projected financial performance, capital spending and payment of future dividends. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Company’s control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, actions taken by other countries with significant hydrocarbon production, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the timing and success of our completion of capital projects and business development efforts, the expected growth of volumes on our systems, the impact of significant public health crises, commodity price volatility due to ongoing or new global conflicts, the impact of disruptions in the bank and capital markets, including those resulting from lack of access to liquidity for banking and financial services firms, changes in laws and regulations, particularly with regard to taxes, tariffs and international trade, and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Targa Investor Relations
    InvestorRelations@targaresources.com
    (713) 584-1133

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Welch Lead Colleagues in Calling Out Trump Administration’s Hypocrisy Over Accepting Qatari Plane Amid National Security Probe Into Foreign Aircraft Imports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led Senate colleagues, including Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), in demanding that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick provide clarification of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft given that the Trump administration has accepted and plans to import an aircraft from Qatar.
    Specifically, the Senators press Secretary Lutnick whether the aircraft being acquired by President Trump from Qatar will be evaluated as part of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing national security investigation into the import of commercial aircraft.
    “We write to request clarification regarding the scope of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, initiated on May 1, 2025,” wrote the Senators.
    “In light of this, we ask whether the aircraft reportedly being acquired by President Trump from Qatar will be evaluated as part of the Department’s ongoing investigation,” continued the Senators. 
    “Given President Trump’s repeated emphasis on curbing foreign influence in U.S. supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign-owned assets, it would be inconsistent for a high-profile foreign acquisition of this nature to go unexamined, especially as the Department of Commerce is actively analyzing the national security implications of such imports,” the Senators concluded. 
    The full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Lutnick,
    We write to request clarification regarding the scope of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, initiated on May 1, 2025.
    This investigation, initiated under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, purportedly aims to assess whether these imports threaten the national security of the United States. In recent days, you have indicated that the Department expects to complete its investigation soon. Given the significance of this investigation—and its potential implications for trade policy and national security—it is essential that the process be conducted transparently.
    In light of this, we ask whether the aircraft reportedly being acquired by President Trump from Qatar will be evaluated as part of the Department’s ongoing investigation. While the aircraft is understood to be a Boeing 747-8 jetliner originally manufactured in the United States, its recent use by a foreign government and its reentry into the U.S. as a privately acquired aircraft raise serious national security concerns. It also raises questions about how such a case is categorized under the Section 232 framework.
    The aircraft, reportedly valued at $400 million, would represent one of the largest foreign gifts ever accepted by a former U.S. president—or by the U.S. government more broadly—if acquired at little or no cost. This transaction potentially conflicts with the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, as well as the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act. Members of Congress have written to the Department’s Inspector General and introduced a resolution and legislation addressing these concerns. While these constitutional and statutory questions are significant and pressing, we raise a different query. Specifically, we seek clarity on whether and how this transaction is being considered and factored into the Department’s ongoing national security investigation into the import of commercial aircraft.
    Given President Trump’s repeated emphasis on curbing foreign influence in U.S. supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign-owned assets, it would be inconsistent for a high-profile foreign acquisition of this nature to go unexamined, especially as the Department of Commerce is actively analyzing the national security implications of such imports. The public deserves clarity on whether and how this transaction will be factored into your department’s review.
    Accordingly, we request answers to the following:
    Will the Boeing 747-8 previously owned by the Qatari royal family and gifted to President Trump be considered within the scope of the Department’s ongoing Section232 into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft?
    If not, what criteria or exemptions govern that determination?
    Does the aircraft’s prior foreign government ownership affect its classification or relevance under the investigation?
    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your commitment to completing this important review in a transparent manner.
    Sincerely, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Security – Banking Ombudsman Scheme welcomes establishment of the New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance

    Source: Banking Ombudsman Scheme

    The Banking Ombudsman Scheme welcomes the announcement of the New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance, recognising it as a significant and timely step toward a more coordinated and proactive response to scams in Aotearoa.
    “We have been calling for stronger, sector-wide action to prevent scams for some time,” says Nicola Sladden, Banking Ombudsman. “The establishment of the Anti-Scam Alliance reflects growing recognition of the need for collaboration, and we’re pleased to support its work.”
    In addition, the Scheme welcomes an upcoming expansion of its jurisdiction to include complaints about receiving banks-those whose accounts are used to receive stolen funds. This change enables a more complete assessment of scam-related complaints and supports accountability across the banking system.
    “Preventing scams requires a united approach across industry, government, and consumer groups,” says Sladden. “We remain committed to supporting the Alliance and continuing our work to protect New Zealanders from financial harm.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Lightchain AI Enters Bonus Round, Reallocates Team Tokens to Fuel Ecosystem Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, a performance-focused Layer 1 blockchain built for AI-native applications, today announced a strategic move in its tokenomics as it enters the Bonus Round of its presale campaign. Following the successful completion of all 15 presale stages and the raise of over $21 million, Lightchain AI has officially reallocated its original 5% team token allocation entirely toward ecosystem development initiatives.

    The Bonus Round offers LCAI tokens at a fixed price of $0.007, representing the final opportunity for early participants to acquire tokens before the project moves toward public exchange listings and mainnet deployment. This stage coincides with the rollout of staking mechanisms and continued onboarding of developers through Lightchain’s grant program.

    “Our decision to redirect the entire 5% team allocation into builder and ecosystem funds reflects our commitment to long-term sustainability, community ownership, and rapid developer growth,” said a spokesperson for Lightchain AI Labs. “We believe in rewarding those who contribute to the success of the network from day one.”

    Lightchain AI is engineered to power scalable AI workloads through its AI-native virtual machine, Proof-of-Intelligence architecture, and a sharding framework designed for adaptive performance. The network supports decentralized consensus, smart contract optimization, and staking rewards designed to encourage validator participation and long-term alignment.

    In addition to the tokenomics update, Lightchain AI has activated validator simulation environments and staking dashboards. Validators can now lock tokens and begin participating in early reward simulations, building the foundation for a secure, decentralized infrastructure ahead of mainnet.

    The project’s $150,000 Developer Grant Program also remains active, supporting the creation of decentralized applications, tools, and integrations. The initiative has already attracted independent builders and early Web3 contributors from global communities.

    Lightchain AI’s strategic moves have helped position it as a rising contender in the Layer 1 blockchain space, drawing attention across trading forums, investor dashboards, and development channels. With community-led governance and transparent GitHub repositories, the project continues to emphasize decentralization and inclusivity.

    The Bonus Round remains open for a limited time, with fixed pricing and no vesting for participants.

    For more information, visit:
    lightchain.ai
    Whitepaper
    Twitter/X
    Telegram

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    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Lightchain AI. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. GlobeNewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Crypto – Bitcoin hits all-time high as political will and institutional action accelerate – deVere Group

    Source: deVere Group

    July 10 2025 – Bitcoin surged above $112,000 this week for the first time, driven by mounting political momentum, regulatory repositioning, and strategic allocations from both corporations and sovereign entities, says deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organizations.

    “The shift is clear and aggressive,” said Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group. “Bitcoin is being pulled into the core of national economic thinking in the US – the world’s largest economy – and also corporate treasury policy, and institutional portfolios. This isn’t hype. This is capital following political will.”

    The Trump administration is sending unmistakable signals. Senior Treasury officials have confirmed internal reviews are underway on the potential inclusion of Bitcoin in US reserve strategy.

    Also committees continue to receive Bitcoin contributions, discussions between policymakers and digital asset custodians are ongoing, and new legislation supporting digital asset classification, custody, and tax treatment is gaining bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.

    “When a sitting administration is weighing Bitcoin as part of sovereign reserves, that reshapes the global risk framework,” said Nigel. “It doesn’t just legitimize Bitcoin, it forces others—institutions and governments alike—to act.”

    Elon Musk’s newly formed America Party has pushed Bitcoin further into the national conversation.

    In his Independence Day speech, Musk positioned Bitcoin as the foundation of economic resilience.

    This has reignited interest across retail platforms and triggered increased flows from politically aligned investor groups.

    “Musk is giving Bitcoin further ideological weight and policy relevance,” says the deVere CEO.

    “That moves markets. His reach is unmatched, and he’s aligning it with a monetary vision that resonates with a generation raised on decentralized tech.”

    At the regulatory level, the SEC has softened its stance. Several enforcement actions have been withdrawn, and spot Bitcoin ETFs are moving through review with renewed agency engagement. Regulators are now focused on operational safeguards and disclosure standards. “The era of blanket resistance appears to be over,” notes Nigel Green.

    “Regulatory friction held back institutional involvement for years. Now that it’s easing, we’re seeing fresh inflows from asset managers who were waiting for exactly this moment.”

    Corporates are moving aggressively. MicroStrategy added $2 billion in Bitcoin in June, pushing its total above 300,000 BTC. Seventeen publicly listed companies disclosed Bitcoin holdings in recent filings, with more deploying capital through custodial structures and ETFs. Firms are integrating it into liquidity and risk frameworks.

    “Boards are acting to preserve value through a cycle of rising debt and monetary uncertainty,” explains Nigel Green. “Bitcoin gives them optionality, mobility, and a non-correlated reserve that holds its form under stress.”

    Sovereign institutions are advancing too. Pakistan has begun holding state-mined Bitcoin through its central bank.

    The Czech National Bank is reviewing Bitcoin for potential inclusion in foreign reserves.

    Sovereign wealth funds across Southeast Asia and Latin America are now engaged in operational discussions with digital custodians. While not all activity is being publicized, it is being closely tracked by global capital.

    “These are central banks, state treasuries, and sovereign wealth funds treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset. They’re not chasing headlines. They’re preparing for what comes next.”

    Market data supports the shift. More than $340 million in short liquidations were triggered around the $112,000 breakout, according to data. Spot ETF inflows remain steady. Institutional buyers are dominating recent volume, with fewer retail-driven spikes and more structured accumulation.

     “Governments and political figures are reshaping the environment Bitcoin operates in, and institutions—including corporate treasuries—are responding with deliberate allocation,” concludes Nigel Green.

     “The new all-time highs are being powered by political and regulatory will that are unlocking new channels for capital, and by the growing acceptance that Bitcoin now plays a strategic role in global finance.”

    deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI: DRML Miner Unveils Crypto Mining Plan for 2025, Promises Fast ROI for Passive Income Seekers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    As global interest in passive cryptocurrency income continues to rise, investors are asking a familiar question: Which cloud mining is legal? To this end, DRML Miner, a trusted industry pioneer, has announced the launch of its new 2025 cloud mining plan, designed to provide faster returns, greater transparency, and long-term security for cryptocurrency enthusiasts of all levels. DRML Miner has been one of the longest-running cloud mining platforms since its inception in 2018, currently serving more than 7 million users worldwide. With a proven track record for more than a decade, the company is known for stability, honest payments, and convenient mining options that require no hardware, no technical setup, and zero maintenance.

    A new era of profitable and reliable cloud mining

    The new 2025 plan includes an enhanced ROI structure, real-time performance tracking, and a daily profit guarantee, allowing users to start earning crypto from day one. We offer plans for a variety of budgets and timeframes, making them ideal for first-time miners and long-term investors.

    A DRML Miner spokesperson said: “Our 2025 packages are the most efficient packages we have ever launched. Whether you are mining Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum or other popular cryptocurrencies, they are designed to minimize risk and maximize passive income.”

    Key features of the 2025 program include:

    Fast ROI options for short-term and long-term contracts

    Transparent revenue dashboard with real-time tracking

    Instant activation with daily payment schedule

    Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

    Why Millions Trust DRML Miner

    Cloud mining has seen both innovation and scams in recent years, and many investors have struggled to find platforms that are both legitimate and rewarding. DRML Miner features fully audited mining operations, data centers powered by renewable energy, and verified control of user funds.

    The DRML Miner platform is praised for:

    Its proven payment record

    User-first security protocols

    Strong customer support and educational tools

    Flexible, transparent, scalable contracts

    How to get started:

    New users can sign up in minutes with just an email address. Once signed up, they can choose a plan, top up, and start mining right away — no need to manage mining hardware or go through complicated crypto wallet setups.

    Sign up at www.drmlminers.com. New users get a $10 signup bonus.

    Choose a 2025 plan that fits your budget and goals

    Start earning daily passive income automatically

    Withdraw or reinvest your crypto at any time

    Afterthoughts

    For investors asking, “Which cloud mining is legal?”, DRML Miner continues to provide a clear answer – real mining, real rewards, and real security in a time when trust is more important than ever.

    To learn more or start mining today, visit www.drmlminers.com and explore the 2025 crypto mining plan.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DRML Miner Unveils Crypto Mining Plan for 2025, Promises Fast ROI for Passive Income Seekers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    As global interest in passive cryptocurrency income continues to rise, investors are asking a familiar question: Which cloud mining is legal? To this end, DRML Miner, a trusted industry pioneer, has announced the launch of its new 2025 cloud mining plan, designed to provide faster returns, greater transparency, and long-term security for cryptocurrency enthusiasts of all levels. DRML Miner has been one of the longest-running cloud mining platforms since its inception in 2018, currently serving more than 7 million users worldwide. With a proven track record for more than a decade, the company is known for stability, honest payments, and convenient mining options that require no hardware, no technical setup, and zero maintenance.

    A new era of profitable and reliable cloud mining

    The new 2025 plan includes an enhanced ROI structure, real-time performance tracking, and a daily profit guarantee, allowing users to start earning crypto from day one. We offer plans for a variety of budgets and timeframes, making them ideal for first-time miners and long-term investors.

    A DRML Miner spokesperson said: “Our 2025 packages are the most efficient packages we have ever launched. Whether you are mining Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum or other popular cryptocurrencies, they are designed to minimize risk and maximize passive income.”

    Key features of the 2025 program include:

    Fast ROI options for short-term and long-term contracts

    Transparent revenue dashboard with real-time tracking

    Instant activation with daily payment schedule

    Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

    Why Millions Trust DRML Miner

    Cloud mining has seen both innovation and scams in recent years, and many investors have struggled to find platforms that are both legitimate and rewarding. DRML Miner features fully audited mining operations, data centers powered by renewable energy, and verified control of user funds.

    The DRML Miner platform is praised for:

    Its proven payment record

    User-first security protocols

    Strong customer support and educational tools

    Flexible, transparent, scalable contracts

    How to get started:

    New users can sign up in minutes with just an email address. Once signed up, they can choose a plan, top up, and start mining right away — no need to manage mining hardware or go through complicated crypto wallet setups.

    Sign up at www.drmlminers.com. New users get a $10 signup bonus.

    Choose a 2025 plan that fits your budget and goals

    Start earning daily passive income automatically

    Withdraw or reinvest your crypto at any time

    Afterthoughts

    For investors asking, “Which cloud mining is legal?”, DRML Miner continues to provide a clear answer – real mining, real rewards, and real security in a time when trust is more important than ever.

    To learn more or start mining today, visit www.drmlminers.com and explore the 2025 crypto mining plan.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Invites Trump “Border Czar” to Participate in Multnomah County Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    July 10, 2025
    If Tom Homan wants to visit Portland for an honest, local discussion on immigration, Wyden says he should hear from Oregonians directly in community gathering.
    Washington, D.C. – Amid reports that Trump-designated “border czar” Tom Homan wants to visit Portland, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today invited the administration official to participate in the senator’s open-to-all Multnomah County town hall next month if he truly cares about local feedback on immigration policy featuring masked and unidentified agents snatching people off the streets.
    “I would certainly welcome your participation at my next Multnomah County town hall, which I am working to schedule next month, so you can hear directly from Oregonians,” Wyden wrote Homan, Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations. “I have held more than 1,100 town halls in all of our state’s 36 counties, and these town halls provide Oregonians the opportunity to ask questions and share their views.  Participating in one of these town halls would be helpful as you shape immigration and border security policies back in Washington D.C.”
    Wyden noted in his letter that in his town halls since Trump took office in January and in other settings in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state, Oregonians have expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to immigration policy.
    “In these few short months, Oregonians have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detaining and deporting key members of our community, essential workers and entrepreneurs, without due process and in defiance of court orders,” Wyden wrote. “In our universities and colleges, students have seen their visas revoked without warning, disrupting their education and valuable research contributions.  They have seen immigrant laborers with appropriate documentation stopped and questioned by federal agents on their way to work.  All across the state, our immigrant communities have stated their justifiable concerns with seeking out healthcare, attending school, and requesting the support of law enforcement out of fear that masked and unidentifiable people claiming to be federal agents may target them.”
    He also wrote that he has heard throughout the year from Oregon employers across several sectors—agriculture, healthcare, childcare, technology, and more—about the Trump administration’s hostile approach to immigrants and foreign-born students and workers has driven out talented and skilled professionals to seek opportunities outside of the United States. 
    “As a result, many critical positions remain unfilled at these companies and organizations, whose work support and sustain our state and national economies,” Wyden wrote. “As my constituents know, I have regularly voted for billions of dollars to enforce a secure border and have worked across the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform, all while pushing for a humane approach to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and visitors from around the world.  Oregonians share those goals, but they do not want to see federal agents and their military suppressing free speech and assembly, ICE and private contractors mistreating immigrants, and their leadership in D.C. wasting their taxpayer dollars detaining and deporting families who present no threat to public safety.” 
    The entire letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Invites Trump “Border Czar” to Participate in Multnomah County Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 10, 2025

    If Tom Homan wants to visit Portland for an honest, local discussion on immigration, Wyden says he should hear from Oregonians directly in community gathering.

    Washington, D.C. – Amid reports that Trump-designated “border czar” Tom Homan wants to visit Portland, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today invited the administration official to participate in the senator’s open-to-all Multnomah County town hall next month if he truly cares about local feedback on immigration policy featuring masked and unidentified agents snatching people off the streets.

    “I would certainly welcome your participation at my next Multnomah County town hall, which I am working to schedule next month, so you can hear directly from Oregonians,” Wyden wrote Homan, Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations. “I have held more than 1,100 town halls in all of our state’s 36 counties, and these town halls provide Oregonians the opportunity to ask questions and share their views.  Participating in one of these town halls would be helpful as you shape immigration and border security policies back in Washington D.C.”

    Wyden noted in his letter that in his town halls since Trump took office in January and in other settings in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state, Oregonians have expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to immigration policy.

    “In these few short months, Oregonians have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detaining and deporting key members of our community, essential workers and entrepreneurs, without due process and in defiance of court orders,” Wyden wrote. “In our universities and colleges, students have seen their visas revoked without warning, disrupting their education and valuable research contributions.  They have seen immigrant laborers with appropriate documentation stopped and questioned by federal agents on their way to work.  All across the state, our immigrant communities have stated their justifiable concerns with seeking out healthcare, attending school, and requesting the support of law enforcement out of fear that masked and unidentifiable people claiming to be federal agents may target them.”

    He also wrote that he has heard throughout the year from Oregon employers across several sectors—agriculture, healthcare, childcare, technology, and more—about the Trump administration’s hostile approach to immigrants and foreign-born students and workers has driven out talented and skilled professionals to seek opportunities outside of the United States. 

    “As a result, many critical positions remain unfilled at these companies and organizations, whose work support and sustain our state and national economies,” Wyden wrote. “As my constituents know, I have regularly voted for billions of dollars to enforce a secure border and have worked across the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform, all while pushing for a humane approach to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and visitors from around the world.  Oregonians share those goals, but they do not want to see federal agents and their military suppressing free speech and assembly, ICE and private contractors mistreating immigrants, and their leadership in D.C. wasting their taxpayer dollars detaining and deporting families who present no threat to public safety.” 

    The entire letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Invites Trump “Border Czar” to Participate in Multnomah County Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 10, 2025

    If Tom Homan wants to visit Portland for an honest, local discussion on immigration, Wyden says he should hear from Oregonians directly in community gathering.

    Washington, D.C. – Amid reports that Trump-designated “border czar” Tom Homan wants to visit Portland, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today invited the administration official to participate in the senator’s open-to-all Multnomah County town hall next month if he truly cares about local feedback on immigration policy featuring masked and unidentified agents snatching people off the streets.

    “I would certainly welcome your participation at my next Multnomah County town hall, which I am working to schedule next month, so you can hear directly from Oregonians,” Wyden wrote Homan, Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations. “I have held more than 1,100 town halls in all of our state’s 36 counties, and these town halls provide Oregonians the opportunity to ask questions and share their views.  Participating in one of these town halls would be helpful as you shape immigration and border security policies back in Washington D.C.”

    Wyden noted in his letter that in his town halls since Trump took office in January and in other settings in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state, Oregonians have expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to immigration policy.

    “In these few short months, Oregonians have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detaining and deporting key members of our community, essential workers and entrepreneurs, without due process and in defiance of court orders,” Wyden wrote. “In our universities and colleges, students have seen their visas revoked without warning, disrupting their education and valuable research contributions.  They have seen immigrant laborers with appropriate documentation stopped and questioned by federal agents on their way to work.  All across the state, our immigrant communities have stated their justifiable concerns with seeking out healthcare, attending school, and requesting the support of law enforcement out of fear that masked and unidentifiable people claiming to be federal agents may target them.”

    He also wrote that he has heard throughout the year from Oregon employers across several sectors—agriculture, healthcare, childcare, technology, and more—about the Trump administration’s hostile approach to immigrants and foreign-born students and workers has driven out talented and skilled professionals to seek opportunities outside of the United States. 

    “As a result, many critical positions remain unfilled at these companies and organizations, whose work support and sustain our state and national economies,” Wyden wrote. “As my constituents know, I have regularly voted for billions of dollars to enforce a secure border and have worked across the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform, all while pushing for a humane approach to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and visitors from around the world.  Oregonians share those goals, but they do not want to see federal agents and their military suppressing free speech and assembly, ICE and private contractors mistreating immigrants, and their leadership in D.C. wasting their taxpayer dollars detaining and deporting families who present no threat to public safety.” 

    The entire letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China urges EU to view bilateral trade and economic relations without emotions and prejudices — Ministry of Commerce of the PRC

    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

    BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) — China on Thursday called on the European Union to view bilateral economic and trade relations without emotion and prejudice, recalling that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU and will see important high-level exchanges.

    Commenting on recent statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian said at a regular briefing for journalists that China hopes the European side will step up communication, openness, action and consultation, rather than resort to blaming, protectionism, worrying and labeling.

    The official representative drew attention to the fact that the EU leader’s statements do not reflect the objective state of the current Chinese-European trade and economic relations and the progress achieved as a result of dialogue between the relevant departments of the parties.

    On market access, He Yongqian pointed out that China has been steadily expanding high-level opening-up, completely lifting restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector and actively increasing imports from Europe through platforms such as the China International Import Expo.

    The European Union, on the contrary, has in recent years resorted to protectionism under the pretext of fair trade, abused trade protection instruments and exploited loopholes in international trade rules to create unilateral instruments that are contrary to the fundamental principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the spirit of free trade, the official representative stated.

    According to He Yongqian, the EU often initiates investigations against Chinese enterprises over subsidies and other issues, which leads to continuous regression of market opening and deterioration of the business environment.

    On the topic of subsidies, the official representative pointed to the EU’s double standards, noting that the largest source of subsidies has traditionally been the EU itself. Its subsidies, which are provided to the aviation, agricultural and other sectors, have been recognized as violations by the WTO.

    According to incomplete statistics, the EU plans to provide various subsidies totaling more than 1.44 trillion euros from 2021 to 2030, with EU member states offering additional subsidies worth hundreds of billions of euros, He Yongqian noted.

    Speaking about public procurement, she noted that in reality there are many hidden barriers in the European public procurement market and it is not at all as fair and open as the European side claims, while the EU has measures in place that stimulate the purchase of European goods.

    The European side is using international procurement instruments to take measures to restrict the participation of Chinese companies and products in public procurement of medical equipment, He Yongqian noted, adding that it was against this backdrop that China had to take mirror measures to protect the legitimate interests of its enterprises.

    Touching on the topic of export controls, the official representative stressed that China’s measures are cautious and proportionate, covering far fewer items than the EU’s export control list. He Yongqian recalled that China has created a special “green corridor” for accelerated review and approval for European enterprises, while the EU’s export controls in the high-tech sector are characterized by lengthy approvals and cumbersome procedures.

    Speaking about so-called excess capacity, the spokeswoman said excess capacity should not be measured solely by production or export volume. She said China’s new energy sector is actually facing a shortage of capacity in the global and long-term.

    As He Yongqian noted, the problem is not China’s “overcapacity” but rather the EU’s excessive anxiety caused by chronic underinvestment in R&D and the declining competitiveness of European industry.

    The official added that China hopes to work with the EU to expand mutual market access, strengthen dialogue on government procurement and export controls, deepen cooperation in supply chains, and advance WTO reform to bring more stability, certainty and positive energy to the construction of an open global economy. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hamden Man Who Defrauded Pandemic Relief Programs Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison

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

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OMAR RAJEH, 57, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for defrauding COVID-19 pandemic relief programs of more than $750,000.  Judge Underhill also ordered Rajeh to pay a $2,000 fine.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).  The PPP was overseen by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), and individual PPP loans were issued by private lenders, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.  A second source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the distribution of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”), through the SBA, which provided working capital to eligible small businesses to meet operating expenses.

    Rajeh maintained an ownership or management interest in a New Haven restaurant, Mediterranea LLC, and a hookah lounge, M. Café Inc.  Rajeh previously operated his restaurant under the name Al Amir LLC, but that entity was dissolved in 2018.  Al Amir LLC was reregistered with the State of Connecticut in July 2020 in order to apply for pandemic loan funding.

    Between June 2020 and May 2021, Al Amir LLC, Mediterranea LLC, and M. Café Inc., sought and received approximately $1,057,244 in PPP and EIDL funding.  Rajeh’s accountant, Yasir Hamed, prepared financial filings for his various entities and was involved in the preparation of fraudulent paperwork to obtain the funding.  The loan applications fraudulently misrepresented that Al Amir LLC was in operation in February 2020; included false employee, monthly payroll, and business revenue information; included copies of false IRS forms; and contained other false information.

    Rajeh used a majority of the funds for personal and family expenses, some of which he sent overseas; to purchase a property in North Haven; and for general business expenses.  He also kicked back approximately 10 percent of the loan funding he received to Hamed. 

    Rajeh has agreed to pay $758,279 in restitution, which reflects the amount he acknowledged knowing was obtained by fraud.  The government has agreed not to pursue the return of $298,965 in PPP funds that Rajeh received for his true restaurant business.

    On December 20, 2023, Rajeh pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in illegal monetary transactions.  He is required to report to prison on October 1.

    On May 9, 2025, Hamed pleaded guilty to related charges.  He awaits sentencing.

    This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

    Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: FHLBank San Francisco Awards $6.7 Million in Grants to Develop Affordable Housing in Arizona

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) today announced $6.7 million in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund grants to support the development of affordable housing in Arizona. This year’s awarded grants represent a 118% increase in funding for Arizona over last year, demonstrating the Bank’s commitment to deliver on its mission to address the critical shortage of affordable housing in the state. The 2025 AHP grants are being awarded to four important Arizona developments that will collectively create 204 units of affordable housing in Flagstaff, Pisinemo and Topawa, Prescott, and Tucson.

    “We continue to make meaningful investments to address the affordable housing crisis across Arizona, California, and Nevada,” said Joseph E. Amato, interim president and CEO of FHLBank San Francisco. “This funding, delivered in partnership with our local member financial institutions, supports housing affordability solutions in urban centers, rural areas, and tribal lands. We are helping to expand the supply of housing and for the individuals and families who need it most.”

    According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Arizona sits fourth on a national list that determines which states have the most extremely low-income households in the nation, those earning 0% to 30% of area median income, who are severely cost burdened, meaning the household spends more than 50% of its income on housing costs, including utilities.

    AHP grants help finance the development, preservation, or purchase of multifamily and single-family housing for lower-income people in need, including the chronically unhoused, families, seniors, veterans, at-risk youth, people living with disabilities and mental health challenges or overcoming substance abuse. Grants are delivered through FHLBank San Francisco member institutions partnering with nonprofits and affordable housing developers to submit applications for grants for specific projects in an annual funding competition. AHP-funded projects represent a wide range of strategies and solutions, from historic preservation and adaptive reuse to new construction and rehabilitation.

    The 2025 AHP Arizona-based General Fund grants will support the following projects:

    1. Flagstaff: Foundation for Senior Living’s Aspen Loft Apartments was awarded a $2 million grant, in partnership with FHLBank San Francisco member Raza Development Fund, Inc., to create a 65-unit, energy efficient workforce housing development
    2. Topawa and Pisinemo: the Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association’s TOKA Homes VI project was awarded a $1.5 million grant, in partnership with member Western Alliance Bank, to create 30 single-family homes across two sites on the Tohono O’odham Nation Reservation serving formerly unhoused people and families earning at or below 60% of the area median income.  
    3. Tucson: Compass Affordable Housing, Inc.’s Drexel Commons was awarded a $2 million grant, in partnership with member Raza Development Fund, Inc., to create a 67-unit affordable rental community serving low-income families, with 10 units reserved for households with tenant-based rental assistance.
    4. Prescott: USA Housing, Inc.’s Bradshaw III Senior Community was awarded a $1.26 million grant, in partnership with member Raza Development Fund, Inc., to create 42 units of fully-accessible affordable housing for seniors to age in place.

    In 2025, FHLBank San Francisco awarded nearly $50 million in AHP grants, including funding from its 2025 AHP General Fund for projects in California and Arizona, and from its 2025 Nevada Targeted Fund for projects in Nevada. Since 1990, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded over $1.4 billion in grants for the construction, preservation, or purchase of nearly 155,000 affordable housing units. Collectively, the FHLBanks are one of the largest sources of private sector grants for affordable housing in the country, providing approximately $8.3 billion in grant funding to help more than one million households have an affordable place to call home since 1990. Providing resources for affordable housing is central to FHLBank San Francisco’s mission, with at least 10% of the Bank’s net income from the prior year committed to fund affordable housing and related community investment programs.   

    Where AHP projects are developed, local economies also get a boost, as these projects create jobs, increase construction and consumer spending, and generate new tax revenues. Learn more about the communities, families, and individuals that have benefited from access to AHP-funded housing on the Bank’s website.

    About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
    The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions —propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant and resilient.

    Contact:
    Tom Flannigan
    Tom.Flannigan@fhlbsf.com
    415.616.2695

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Demands Trump Administration Release $7 Billion In Federal Funding For Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Withheld Funding Will Force Schools To Cancel Free And Affordable After-School Care For Low-Income Kids And Other Critical Programs 

    Last Year, New York State Received $464 Million From These Federal Programs 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference demanding that the Trump administration release $7 billion in federal funding for schools nationwide. The administration is currently withholding the resources, which fund before- and after-school programs, professional development for teachers, STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, and school-based mental health services. Last year, this federal funding amounted to 13.5% of total K-12 funding for New York. Gillibrand sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and OMB Director Russell Vought demanding answers on how long the administration plans to withhold this funding and when, if ever, they will release it. 

    “President Trump is once again playing games with our kids’ futures,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The funds he is withholding go toward commonsense programs that help our kids thrive in school and prepare to get good-paying jobs in the future. They pay for before– and after-school programs that let parents stay in the workforce and professional development programs that make sure teachers are using cutting-edge strategies to reach students. Losing this funding will be catastrophic for our schools, our kids, and our families. The Trump administration must release these funds immediately.” 

    Among others, the following grant programs are having their disbursements withheld by the Trump administration:  

    • Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size. New York State received almost $126 million from this grant program last year.
    • 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which support high-quality before- and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students. New York State received over $102 million from this grant program last year.
    • Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities, including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others. New York State received over $107 million from this grant program last year.

    The letter was also signed by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representatives Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), George Latimer (D-NY-16), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), John Mannion (D-NY-22), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03).

    The full text of the letter is available here or below: 

    Dear Secretary McMahon and Director Vought:

    As members of the New York congressional delegation, we write to respectfully raise urgent concerns regarding the Department of Education’s decision to withhold nearly $7 billion dollars in already enacted federal funding for Fiscal Year 2025 that states, local governments, and schools across the country rely on to provide critical resources and services to millions of students.

    On June 30th, state educational agencies were informed that the following five grant programs authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act1 and one program sixth under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act would not receive their anticipated disbursements on July 1st:

    1. Migrant Education Program (Title I, Part C) – State Grants: Funds support migratory children in reaching challenging academic standards and graduating from high school.

    2. Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II, Part A): Funds support increasing student achievement by improving the quality and effectiveness of educators and underserved students’ access to effective educators.

    3. English Language Acquisition State Grants; Title III, Part A: Funds help students learn English and meet challenging state academic standards.

    4. Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program (Title IV, Part A): Funds support improving student academic achievement, including by providing students with access to a well-rounded education, improving school conditions for student learning, and improving the use of technology.

    5. Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV, Part B): Funds provide academic enrichment opportunities such as literacy and other educational services during non-school hours (e.g., through after-school or summer programs) for students and families—particularly those in underserved and low-performing schools.

    6. Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants): Funds support adult education and literacy services programs locally, including workplace literacy services; family literacy services; English literacy programs and integrated English literacy-civics education programs.

    The funds currently being held up by review were not only approved by Congress in the FY24 appropriations law, but they were also extended under the FY25 full-year continuing resolution that President Trump signed into law. While summer programming can continue because New York public schools are funded through August, this reckless delay of over $400 million dollars 2 , which accounts for 10% of federal K-12 funding in New York is alarming local educators and program directors throughout the state. It is also disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing programming for millions of students, and could result in layoffs and program cancellations.

    Based upon a recent survey from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 926 Boys & Girls Clubs could be forced to shut their doors, and more than 220,000 kids – including over 2,700 youth and teens in New York – will lose access to healthy meals, meaningful mentorship, and safe spaces during the most vulnerable hours of the day. It would also mean the loss of over 5,900 jobs at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country, specifically more than 182 youth development professionals in New York, that are currently operating current summer learning camps and fall learning programs.

    In response to informal outreach from congressional offices, states, and stakeholders, the Department of Education has directed all questions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the source of the delay. However, this attempt to redirect inquiries does not abdicate the Department of its statutory obligation to distribute authorized and appropriated funds in a timely manner. As highlighted in a recent article from the non-partisan Learning Policy Institute3 , the Administration’s withholding of these funds appears to violate both the Impoundment Control Act and the plain language of the FY25 appropriations law.

    Accordingly, we respectfully request the Department of Education and Office of Management and Budget to respond to the following questions:

    1. As of July 1st, current withholding of funds appears to violate the Impoundment Control Act. What legal justification is the Department and OMB relying on to delay disbursement of these formula grant funds, despite clear statutory direction?

    2. Are the Department and OMB aware of the service interruptions for students and educators in New York as funds are being reviewed?

    3. What communication has been shared with state educational agencies to help them and their partners navigate this period of uncertainty, especially regarding staffing and programming for September?

    4. When does the Administration anticipate it will have completed its review and will release the enacted funding to states to use for the school year starting next month? Or does the Administration plan to submit a request to Congress to rescind this enacted funding?

    The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and ensure equal access to education. Delaying congressionally approved funding deeply undermines that goal and threatens to widen existing opportunity gaps particularly for English learners, low-income families, and communities of color.

    We urge you to disburse all $6.9 billion dollars currently being reviewed and provide immediate clarity to states, districts, and community partners who are now facing chaos in their planning and programming. Our students deserve better.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Alpine Banks of Colorado announces dividend on common stock

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alpine Banks of Colorado (OTCQX: ALPIB), parent company of Alpine Bank, declared a cash dividend of $0.21 per share on its Class A common stock and Class B common stock, payable July 28, 2025, to shareholders of record as of June 21, 2025.

    About Alpine Banks of Colorado
    Alpine Banks of Colorado, through its wholly owned subsidiary Alpine Bank, is a $6.7 billion, independent, employee-owned organization founded in 1973 with headquarters in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Alpine Bank employs 890 people and serves 170,000 customers with personal, business, wealth management*, mortgage, and electronic banking services across Colorado’s Western Slope, mountains, and Front Range. Alpine Bank has a five-star rating – meaning it has earned a superior performance classification – from BauerFinancial, an independent organization that analyzes and rates the performance of financial institutions in the United States. Shares of the Class B common stock of Alpine Banks of Colorado trade under the symbol “ALPIB” on the OTCQX® Best Market. Learn more at www.alpinebank.com.

    *Alpine Bank Wealth Management services are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not guaranteed by the bank.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Churchill Resources Announces Completion of $700,000 Private Placement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Further to its news release of June 26, 2025, Churchill Resources Inc. (“Churchill” or the “Company“) (TSXV: CRI) is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement, consisting of the sale of 14,000,000 common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) at a price of $0.05 per Share for gross proceeds of $700,000 (the “Private Placement”).

    The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement on the advancement of exploration activities at the Company’s key projects and for general corporate purposes.

    No agency fees, finder’s fees or similar fees were paid in connection with the Private Placement.

    The Share issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. The Private Placement remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”).

    Certain insiders of the Company acquired an aggregate of 3,000,000 Shares in the Private Placement. Participation by such insiders in the Private Placement was considered a “related party transaction” pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the insiders’ participation in the Offering in reliance of sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report less than 21 days in advance of the closing of the Private Placement as the participation of the insiders had not been confirmed at that time.

    About Churchill Resources Inc.

    Churchill Resources Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on strategic, critical minerals in Canada, principally at its prospective Black Raven, Taylor Brook and Florence Lake properties in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Company’s flagship Black Raven property features a polymetallic metal assemblage with evidence of historical production, representing a unique exploration opportunity as the site of past producers that has never been systematically drilled using modern techniques. The Churchill management team, board, and advisors have decades of combined experience in mineral exploration and in the establishment of successful publicly listed mining companies, both in Canada and around the world. Churchill’s Newfoundland and Labrador projects have the potential to benefit from the province’s large and diversified minerals industry, which includes world class mines and processing facilities, and a well-developed mineral exploration sector with locally based drilling and geological expertise.

    Further Information

    For further information regarding Churchill, please contact:

    Churchill Resources Inc.
    Conan McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer
    Tel. +1 416.272.4738
    Email: cmcintyre@churchillresources.com

    Paul Sobie, President
    Tel. +1 416.365.0930 (o); +1 647.988.0930
    Email: psobie@churchillresources.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information
    This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “proposed”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

    In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the proposed use of proceeds of the Private Placement; the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals; the Company’s objectives, goals and exploration activities conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Company’s properties; future growth potential of the Company, including whether any proposed exploration programs at any of the Company’s properties will be successful; exploration results; potential value to be unlocked at the Company’s properties, the potential for resource discovery and expansion; and future exploration plans and costs and financing availability.

    These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: risks related to the completion of the private placement and management changes; the expected benefits to the Company relating to the exploration conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Company’s properties; failure to identify any mineral resources or significant mineralization; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on the Company’s properties; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining and mineral exploration; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); the unlikelihood that properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; title to properties; and those factors described in the most recently filed management’s discussion and analysis of the Company.

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

    Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –