Category: CTF

MIL-OSI USA: Statement on Commencement of Appointment Process for Five Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Seats
Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

On behalf of the Securities and Exchange Commission, I am soliciting candidates for all five Board positions, including the Chairperson, of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB” or “Board”). The PCAOB was established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”) and oversees the audits of the financial statements of public companies, brokers, and dealers through registration, standard setting, inspection, and disciplinary programs. Under the Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission selects members and the Chairperson of the Board.

The Act requires that PCAOB Board members be “appointed from among prominent individuals of integrity and reputation who have a demonstrated commitment to the interests of investors and the public, and an understanding of the responsibilities for and nature of the financial disclosures required of issuers under the securities laws and the obligations of accountants with respect to the preparation and issuance of audit reports with respect to such disclosures.”

Each Board seat is associated with a set five-year term; any nominee selected by the Commission to fill a seat will serve for the remainder of the term associated with that seat. If eligible, the Commission may reappoint such person to a second, full term. Any Board member, including the Chairperson, may be appointed to any seat. The Chairperson’s seat may be filled by either a CPA or a non-CPA, though any member who is a CPA is eligible to serve as Chairperson only if that individual has not been a practicing CPA for five years preceding possible appointment as Chairperson.

The five seats have terms that expire on the following dates:
1. October 24, 2026.
2. October 24, 2027.
3. October 24, 2028.
4. October 24, 2029.
5. October 24, 2030.[1]
I strongly encourage applications from candidates interested in furthering the public interest through the efficient stewardship of PCAOB resources. PCAOB Board members play an important role in serving the public interest by helping to protect the integrity of public markets in a manner that minimizes unnecessary costs for the public companies, brokers, and dealers who ultimately fund the PCAOB’s budget. In that regard, I note that over the last several years, the PCAOB’s annual budget has increased at a rate significantly faster than that of the Commission. This increase took place over a period in which the Board’s mission did not change materially. Under the Act, the Board’s budget is subject to Commission approval. The Commission’s review of the PCAOB’s annual budget is an important element of the Commission’s oversight of the Board, and I expect that an evaluation of Board member compensation will be among the items the Commission considers in connection with its review of the Board’s 2026 budget.

The PCAOB Board member selection process is administered by the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant. Individuals who meet the statutory criteria and are interested in being considered for a position as Board member of the PCAOB should submit (1) a cover letter, discussing the statutory qualifications summarized above and described more completely in the Act; and (2) a current résumé or curriculum vitae to Boardrecommendations@sec.gov, on or by August 25, 2025.

[1] The candidate selected for this seat will be appointed to serve two consecutive terms, with the first expiring on October 24, 2025 and the second expiring on October 24, 2030.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Open Days an exciting sneak preview into the new Adelaide University experience

Source:

24 July 2025

The new Adelaide University is set to host its first ever Open Days, offering future students and their families a glimpse into the transformative new institution ahead of its official opening in 2026.

About 17,000 attendees are expected to visit city, metropolitan and regional campuses across July and August to discover degrees, meet future lecturers, explore world-class teaching and research facilities, and get a taste of campus life.

The new university – built on the collective expertise, strengths and achievements of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia – will commence its first year of operations as a world top 100 university and member of Australia’s prestigious and research-intensive Group of Eight (Go8).

The city Open Day will take place on Sunday 27 July, with around 15,000 people expected to immerse themselves in activities and information as they explore the vibrant city campuses ahead of domestic student applications opening on 4 August.

The heart of the action will be in the east, at what’s set to become the Adelaide City East Campus (the University of Adelaide and UniSA’s city east campuses with a temporary Adelaide University makeover) including focused study area hubs, live music, fun activities and competitions with prizes to be won, surrounded by an abundance of food options.

Future students can join talks from and panel discussions with academics and hear from current students and industry leaders. Criminology crime walks, virtual reality demonstrations, and co-captaining a replica commercial aircraft are some of the activities expected to excite senses.

A dedicated First Nations hub will showcase Adelaide University’s commitment to Aboriginal education as well as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway, and a Welcome Lounge where visitors can meet with Elders.

Adelaide City West Campus will be a place to discover more, including study hubs for fine art, design and architecture, and tours of world-class health facilities as well as our future focused on-campus museum, MOD. and the South Australian School of Art (SASA) Gallery.

Visitors can plan ahead and create their own personalised digital itinerary. A fleet of e-scooters will be available for use free of charge on the day, helping visitors travel between the East and West campuses.

“This first Open Day is an opportunity for our future students to experience what makes the new Adelaide University so distinct and exciting and how it will deliver Australia’s most accessible, contemporary and future-focused learning,” say Professors Peter Høj AC and David Lloyd, co-Vice Chancellors, Adelaide University.

“We want to give visitors a taste of the new Adelaide University culture and on-campus experience, and we’re delighted with how our staff and student volunteers have rallied together to set that scene and convey the energy of campus life.

“Over the last two years the foundation institutions have co-designed Australia’s newest cutting-edge curriculum with a model that incorporates industry informed face-to-face learning, expanded work integrated and practical learning opportunities and a sector-leading digital learning platform.

“Adelaide University will empower students with a world-class education and nurture local talent and so they can follow their dreams. We can’t wait to give future students an up close and personal insight into our new university.”

The metropolitan and regional campus Open Days will take place in August, allowing future students to get all the information they need to start planning their future.

Magill Open Day on 13 August will allow visitors to explore the lush parklands and industry standard facilities at Magill Campus, and discover where degrees in teaching and education, arts, humanities and social sciences, psychology and social work, and creative, media and communication can take them.

Roseworthy Open Day on 17 August will showcase the animal-focused campus with tours of the vet teaching hospital, equine centre and working farm.

Mawson Lakes Open Day on 17 August will be a hub for STEM and education degrees, with exceptional teaching and research facilities including virtual learning environments and robotics laboratories ready to experience.

Mount Gambier Open Day will take place on 3 August and Whyalla on 31 August, showcasing local study options, modern facilities and expert educators.

For more information on Adelaide University’s Open Days and to build your own itinerary visit the website: adelaideuni.edu.au/open-day

Ends

Further enquiries

Adelaide University

Melissa Keogh: Tel: +61 403 659 154 Email: melissa.keogh@unisa.edu.au

adelaideuni.edu.au

MIL OSI News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – ABC 7.30 with Sarah Ferguson

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

SARAH FERGUSON: I just want to change the tone very slightly here because we are used to politicians appearing to be thick-skinned. The execution of power demands it, and I should say this is not a reflection on Barnaby Joyce. I just wanted to change the tone. Because tonight we’ll see a slightly different side of Education Minister Jason Clare, who today introduced the Government’s childcare legislation and who is tasked with fixing the crisis in childcare that’s left some of our youngest children vulnerable. He joined me earlier.

Jason Clare, welcome.

JASON CLARE: Thank you.

FERGUSON: So, new legislation today, it gives you the power to cut off subsidies to childcare centres using the big stick. What is the threshold for taking that decision?

CLARE: Well, it depends on the seriousness of what’s happening in a centre. If we’re concerned that there’s an imminent threat to the safety of children in a centre, that centre can be shut down today —

FERGUSON. So, that already exists?

CLARE: That already exists. And state regulators can and do, do that. But if we’ve got centres that are not meeting that standard, that quality and safety standard, there’ll be the capacity, because of this legislation, for the Secretary of my department to issue a show cause notice to a centre to explain why they are not meeting that standard, otherwise the funding will be cut off within 28 days. But there’s also the flexibility in the legislation to set conditions. So, the Secretary could also say, you must do a number of things in order to maintain your funding. That flexibility is important here to make sure that we target the right centres. And I’ve got to tell you, there’s a bit of work going on right now before the legislation’s passed between my department and state regulators to make sure that we’ve got a list of the centres that we can and will target with this legislation.

FERGUSON. So, that’s the question. How do you know which of Australia’s 15,000 centres to target? So tell me about that work?

CLARE: Well, they know. State regulators know this because they rate centres —

FERGUSON: Yes, but do they? Because the numbers on the frequency of testing, some of them haven’t been. I think the average is every four years. Some centres haven’t been tested for 10 years. So, what information are they relying on?

CLARE: Well, they know through the centres that they’ve rated that there’s about 4 per cent of centres that aren’t meeting that minimum safety standard and that can be everything from an exit sign through to lack of supervision. They also know the centres where they’ve set conditions for them themselves, and they’ve told them, you’ve got a couple of months to meet the grade, meet the standard and then they come back a couple of months later and they haven’t. They’re the sort of centres that the states are telling us they want to use this legislation to pull the funding from.

FERGUSON: I suppose the question is, is this plan built on shaky foundations? Given that the way the system works, the way the accreditation is done, the way the testing is done, there are such huge gaps in it. Yes, there may be centres that have been identified by the states and territories. What about all those centres, some of them, that haven’t been visited for 10 years? What about those centres that have waivers? Where do they fit in?

CLARE: Well, this is where states need to step up. You know, the Commonwealth needs to step up. All centres need to step up here if we’re going to make sure that this legislation does what we want it to do. But, you know, Sarah, I’m also not here to say that this is a silver bullet, that this is going to guarantee that every child’s safe just because of this legislation. I spent a good part of the day dealing with some mothers of children who were sexually assaulted and abused in centres that were already at that standard. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be using the power that the Commonwealth has, with all the funding we provide to centres, to say to centres, if you’re not at that standard, we’re going to remove the funding. At its core, this is not about cutting off funding to centres and shutting centres down. If it works the way it should work, it’ll send a message to the people who run these centres that you’ve got to get to that standard or the money’s going to be turned off.

FERGUSON. So, what do you do? You say you want the states to do more, but what do you do about the fact that there clearly aren’t enough regulators available in the states and territories to look at all of those 15,000 centres? There are too many with very long gaps, never, never tested, or the little gaps that I was talking about. So, you know, there aren’t enough regulators in the states to visit those centres. So, what do you do about that?

CLARE: There’s two things. The regulators already tell us they know where to target this legislation at the centres that they repeatedly go to, and they’re not meeting standards. But there’s also more work that the states need to do to build that workforce. And we’ve seen Queensland, South Australia and Victoria announce an extra investment in their regulators. That’s a good thing. There’s work that’s got to be done right across the country. And it’s not just this legislation; it’s not just the work of regulators. It’s the things we talked about a couple of weeks ago. It’s about a register so that we know where workers are from centre to centre and from state to state. It’s about CCTV and how that works. If we’re going to roll that out, we’ve got to make sure we do it in the right way, so that the sort of predators we’re all worried about in our centres can’t use that sort of information for all the wrong reasons. And it’s about the sort of training that we provide to the most important people who work in those centres. One of the things I’m very conscious of in this job is that with everything that’s happened in the last couple of weeks, the people who work in our centres, the good, honest, hard-working people who love our kids, look after our kids, including mine in centres, feel tarnished, feel tarred by this. People have been spat on in the streets for wearing their uniform. They’re the best asset we’ve got here to keep our kids safe, 99.9 per cent of them are those people.

FERGUSON: You’re clearly worried about those people, aren’t you?

CLARE: I am, I am. They do some of the most important work in the world. When my wife fell pregnant for the second time, we showed an ultrasound to my little boy, Jack, and told him he was going to be a big brother. And we thought, you know, he’d be really excited. First thing he said was, I can’t wait to tell Kelly. Kelly is the woman that looked after him at childcare, and it told me that this is not an ordinary job. These are very special people, and they’re as hurt and as angry as everybody else out there. And I’ve got to use this role and this responsibility and this opportunity to tell Australia how important they are as well. But we’ve got to equip them with the skills that they need and to identify a predator lying in clear sight who might be grooming a child or grooming them. And that’s what mandatory child safety training is all about.

FERGUSON: Just come back to the way the system works, because you’re bringing your personal experience to that. It’s important. It’s something that’s clearly moved you because you’ve been very lucky to have excellent childcare staff. But do you think that they are also being let down by the standard system? It’s been in place for a long time. Is it still adequate for what we need to address what is a crisis in the childcare system?

CLARE: No. No.

FERGUSON: So do you need to – Well, I’m asking about the system of standards itself. For example, as you know, the way things stand at the moment, a childcare centre cannot be failed for its performance. Do you need to have at least a standard of failure?

CLARE: Well, it sort of is, but there’s euphemisms about how you describe it.

FERGUSON: Isn’t it time we got rid of all of the euphemisms in this area?

CLARE: The point is, and it’s- I think it’s pretty bloody obvious that the system has failed parents here and that we’ve all got a responsibility to step up. That’s the Commonwealth Government, that’s State Governments, that’s the people who run these centres as well. Part of this legislation is the power to cut off funding. Part of it is also the power to advise parents or to publish information to tell the mums and dads whose children are at these centres that unless the standards improve at that centre, we’re going to cut off their funding. Not just them, but also to pass that same information on to the board members who run these companies and the stock exchange. You know, the big-

FERGUSON: Do you think those big companies, in particular the private equity involved in childcare and some of the big companies with multiple centres, do you think these people have been indifferent to the suffering of children in those centres?

CLARE: Money talks, and unfortunately, some organisations have put profit ahead of the safety of our children. Now I’m happy for –

FERGUSON: (Interjecting) Will any of those companies, those groups, still be operating in Australia?

CLARE: If they don’t meet the standards that we set as a nation, that parents expect and that our kids deserve, no. If they meet those standards, then that’s good. What this legislation’s about is sending a very clear message. You know what the standards are. If you don’t meet them, then there’s no place for you in the childcare system in Australia —

FERGUSON: (Interjecting) I want to be very clear about the standards because I’m raising questions about the nature of the standards themselves. This whole system that you are creating depends on the standards themselves being strong and effective. Do those standards themselves, the way we rate childcare centres, do they need to be overhauled?

CLARE: I think the standards are sound. I think the rating system is sound. I think there’s more work that needs to be done by the states to make sure that we’re rating centres properly. Now that doesn’t mean –

FERGUSON: (Interjecting) Frequently enough?

CLARE: — And more frequently, and it happens differently in different states. So, there’s- please don’t interpret this as me blaming the states. We’ve all got a responsibility here, whether it’s Labor Governments, Liberal Governments, State or Federal. Good work’s been done. But not enough, not fast enough. There’s more work that needs to be done if we’re serious about making sure that we keep the kids that are walking through and sometimes being carried through the doors of our childcare centres safe.

FERGUSON: Jason Clare, thank you very much for answering the questions and also sharing that story about yourself. I appreciate it.

CLARE: Thank you.

FERGUSON: Thank you.

MIL OSI News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Miller-Meeks Introduces Bill to Rename Fort Madison Post Office in Honor of Martin L. Graber

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, as the “Martin L. Graber Post Office.” The bill honors the life and legacy of the late Iowa State Representative Martin Graber, a dedicated public servant, 32-year Iowa Army National Guard veteran, and beloved leader in southeast Iowa.

Joining Miller-Meeks in leading this bill are Iowa Representatives Ashley Hinson (IA-02) and Randy Feenstra (IA-04).

“Martin Graber embodied the very best of Iowa: faith, family, and service. He was a patriot, a leader, and a constant source of strength for Fort Madison and all of southeast Iowa,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “Naming this post office in his honor ensures his legacy of service and sacrifice lives on. I’m deeply proud to lead this effort to recognize a man who gave so much to his community and his country.”

“I am so proud to support legislation renaming the Fort Madison Post Office after the late Iowa State Representative Martin Graber,” said Rep. Ashley Hinson. “His life epitomized patriotism, courage, and self-sacrifice, and I am grateful for his dedicated service to Iowans for so many years. This landmark will forever be remembered in his name and is a testament to his legacy.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Iowa delegation to rename the Fort Madison Post Office in memory of Martin Graber. As a member of the Iowa legislature, he served the families, farmers, and entrepreneurs of Lee County with class and integrity, and as a Brigadier General in the Iowa National Guard, he sacrificed for our state and country,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Renaming the Fort Madison Post Office is a small gesture that honors his life of service and commemorates his commitment to Southeast Iowa.”

Read the bill text HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: July 23rd, 2025 N.M. Delegation Announces President’s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration for Chaves, Otero, & Valencia Counties

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON — 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 a Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties and authorize Public Assistance Categories C-G 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. After seeing the destruction firsthand and hearing from families who have lost everything, our thoughts remain with those mourning loved ones and the hundreds of New Mexicans forced to flee their homes or watch their businesses be destroyed. We are deeply grateful to the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams working tirelessly to help their communities recover.

“This Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County will unlock funding needed for disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the State’s Major Disaster Declaration request for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties and authorize additional Public Assistance to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”

On July 10, the N.M. Delegation welcomed an emergency declaration for Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia Counties. The emergency declaration opened 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 pushed 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.

The N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to authorize Public Assistance Categories C-G and approve a Major Disaster Declaration request for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Additionally, on July 15, the N.M. Delegation called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Director David Richardson to disburse critical and overdue funds that would provide immediate assistance in response to the catastrophic flash flooding in and around Ruidoso.

In a letter to OMB Director Vought and FEMA Acting Director Richardson, the Delegation urged OMB to release reimbursement funds from a project undertaken in the wake of last year’s South Fork and Salt Fires — currently stalled in “Large Project Review” — so they can be redirected to Lincoln County after recent severe flooding. The project in question was completed last year, has been fully reviewed by FEMA, and has an estimated cost of $7.7 million. These funds could be deployed immediately to assist Lincoln County and impacted residents as they continue to assess and respond to the recent severe flooding. But with no timeline provided to Lincoln County or the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) for completing the “Large Project Review” by the Administration, the Delegations is demanding answers. Read the full letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Market Competition for Prescription Drugs, Lower Prices for Consumers
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined three Senate colleagues to reintroduce the Short on Competition Act to increase competition in the pharmaceutical industry and lower prices for consumers. The legislation is led by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) and sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Grassley is the current chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the former chairman and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee.

The bipartisan legislation would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to grant expedited reviews and inspections, as well as temporary importation, when there is a prescription drug shortage or if there is likely to be a shortage. The secretary can also take these actions when there are fewer than five competitors in a market for prescription drugs that have been approved for at least 10 years.

“Iowans are fed up with the high price of prescription drugs, and a driver of those costs is lack of competition. Time and again, we see that limited options in the marketplace lead to higher prices for patients. Our bill will bring more options to the market, giving consumers relief through alternatives to a single high-priced drug,” Grassley said.

“If drug companies know new competitors can quickly enter the market, maybe they’ll think twice before raising prices in the first place. More competition in the marketplace will lead to more affordable prescription drugs for American consumers,” Klobuchar said. “This bipartisan legislation will help lower drug prices by prioritizing approvals and safely allowing temporary drug importation of products to address markets that lack competition.”

“Big Pharma monopolies are keeping lifesaving drugs out of reach for too many Americans,” Lee said. “Cutting red tape for manufacturers will allow new competitors into the health care market – bringing drug prices down and quality up. The Short on Competition Act will give Americans more options for the medicine they need, protecting them from drug shortages and lowering their costs.”

“American families should be able to afford life-saving medication. However, many medications, despite having been on the market for decades, are unaffordable. It is time that Big Pharma is held accountable for its abusive price gouging tactics,” Durbin said. “I am joining my colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Short on Competition Act to combat Big Pharma’s price gouging and lower prescription drug costs for Americans. Drug costs are a problem; this bill is a solution.”

Background:

Grassley has long championed efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Three pieces of legislation authored and coauthored by Grassley have been signed into law to combat anticompetitive practices and stop drug makers from reaping profits at the expense of taxpayers and consumers. Grassley has also led in-depth congressional investigations to expose those responsible for prescription drug price gouging.

Other actions include:
- May 2025: Grassley chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on the impacts of Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ (PBMs) increasing role in the drug supply chain and the needs of rural pharmacies.
- April 2025: The Senate Judiciary Committee — which Grassley currently chairs — passed six Grassley-led bills to boost competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve patients’ access to more affordable prescription drugs.
- January 2025: Grassley welcomed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim staff report on PBMs and urged congressional and executive branch action.
- July 2024: Grassley welcomed the FTC’s interim staff report on PBMs and urged congressional and executive branch action.
- January 2024: Grassley sent a letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into the health care industry’s most powerful prescription drug middlemen.
- November 2023: The Finance Committee adopted a Grassley-led provision to strengthen oversight of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and hold PBMs accountable.
- July 2023: The Finance Committee adopted several Grassley-led PBM accountability provisions.
- March 2023: The Senate Commerce Committee passed a Grassley-backed bill to hold PBMs accountable for unfair practices driving up costs for consumers.
- February 2023: The Senate Judiciary Committee passed five Grassley-led bills to boost pharmaceutical industry competition and improve patients’ access to affordable prescription drugs.
- October 2022: Grassley led a bipartisan letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into PBMs to shine light on drug pricing practices.
- January 2021: Grassley and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a two-year bipartisan investigation into insulin price gouging.
- August 2018: Grassley requested the FTC assess pharmaceutical supply chain intermediaries.
Learn more about Grassley’s persistent efforts to lower prescription drug costs HERE.

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MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Fetterman Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Art Market Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) today introduced the Art Market Integrity Act. The bipartisan legislation would require art dealers and auction houses to comply with existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations.

“For decades, criminal enterprises have used America’s multibillion-dollar art industry as a personal piggy bank for money laundering schemes, terrorist financing and other nefarious activities. By requiring our nation’s art market to comply with existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, this bipartisan legislation would keep art, and millions of dollars, out of the wrong hands,” Grassley said.

“Art should be for art-lovers, not terrorists and criminals,” Fetterman said. “For too long, loopholes have allowed Russian criminal kingpins to evade sanctions and terrorists like Hezbollah to funnel money through art deals. I’m grateful to Senators Grassley, Whitehouse, and McCormick for working across the aisle to require art dealers and auction houses to perform basic due diligence. This needs to stop now.”

The Art Market Integrity Act would:
- Require art dealers and auction houses to maintain records and report on high-value art market transactions, exempting artists and businesses with under $50,000 in annual art transactions;
- Align the United States with international standards adopted by the United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland and China; and
- Protect the United States’ national security, economic integrity and multibillion-dollar art market from criminals, terrorists, cartels and other bad actors.
Grassley and Fetterman are joined by Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).

Download the full bill text HERE.

Background:

The United States’ art industry is valued at around $25 billion and is the largest of its kind globally. Despite this, our art market is not currently bound by the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards set by the Bank Secrecy Act.

In 2024, the Treasury Department identified America’s art market as being particularly susceptible to money laundering and sanctions evasion. High-profile cases have further highlighted the urgent need for art market reform, including the indictment of Hezbollah financier, Nazem Ahmad, who used art to evade terrorism-related sanctions to the tune of $160 million.

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MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Lee, Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Competition and Lower Prescription Drug Prices for Consumers

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced legislation to increase competition in the pharmaceutical industry and lower prices for consumers. They were joined by the Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

The bipartisan Short on Competition Act would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to grant expedited reviews and inspections, and temporary importation when there is, or is likely to be, a prescription drug shortage or when there are fewer than five competitors in a market for prescription drugs that have been approved for at least 10 years.

“If drug companies know new competitors can quickly enter the market, maybe they’ll think twice before raising prices in the first place. More competition in the marketplace will lead to more affordable prescription drugs for American consumers,” said Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation will help lower drug prices by prioritizing approvals and safely allowing temporary drug importation of products to address markets that lack competition.”

“Big Pharma monopolies are keeping lifesaving drugs out of reach for too many Americans,” said Lee. “Cutting red tape for manufacturers will allow new competitors into the health care market – bringing drug prices down and quality up. The Short on Competition Act will give Americans more options for the medicine they need, protecting them from drug shortages and lowering their costs.”

“American families should be able to afford life-saving medication. However, many medications, despite having been on the market for decades, are unaffordable. It is time that Big Pharma is held accountable for its abusive price gouging tactics,” said Durbin. “I am joining my colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Short on Competition Act to combat Big Pharma’s price gouging and lower prescription drug costs for Americans. Drug costs are a problem; this bill is a solution.”

“Iowans are fed up with the high price of prescription drugs, and a driver of those costs is lack of competition. Time and again, we see that limited options in the marketplace lead to higher prices for patients. Our bill will bring more options to the market, giving consumers relief through alternatives to a single high-priced drug,” said Grassley.

Klobuchar has long championed efforts to make prescription drugs more affordable.

Provisions from Klobuchar’s bill to empower Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and unleash the power of Medicare’s 53 million seniors to help lower drug prices for all Americans was signed into law in August 2022 as part of a larger health care savings package. In March, Klobuchar and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Lower Drug Costs for Families Act, legislation to lower prices by extending the drug inflation rebates enacted as part of the 2022 drug pricing law, and further protecting consumers from price-gouging by pharmaceutical companies.

In April, two of Klobuchar and Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-IA) bipartisan bills to promote competition and reduce drug prices – the Preserving Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act and the Stop STALLING Act – passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. Together these bills would save taxpayers $1.9 billion over 10 years.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Grassley Ask For Unanimous Consent To Pass Their Bill To Crack Down On Pharmaceutical Advertisements

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

July 23, 2025

The Senators’ bill would force Big Pharma to disclose prices when advertising prescription drugs, the UC request was blocked by a Senate Republican

WASHINGTON – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass their bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, a bipartisan bill that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to empower patients and reduce Americans’ colossal spending on medications. The United States is one of only two industrialized countries in the world that allow drug advertising. Despite prior support for the measure from the Trump Administration, the request was blocked by a Senate Republican.

“You know the ads with the catchy jingle and flashy images of patients rock climbing, golfing, dancing, [or] parading? Big Pharma spends more than $6 billion a year to flood the airwaves with ads for the latest wonder-drug. Why? Why would they spend this much money to advertise [these drugs]? They [Big Pharma] spend such astronomical sums to promote their drugs because it increases their profit margins. Big Pharma thinks that if they hit you hard enough and often enough ad on TV, not only will you be able to pronounce but [you’ll also be able to] spell Xarelto. You’ll also [be able to] tell your doctor ‘that is my favorite blood thinner, I’ve seen that ad over and over again.’ Don’t take my word for it. The American Medical Association said ‘direct-to-consumer advertising inflates demand for new and expensive drugs, even when these drugs may not be appropriate,’” Durbin said.

“When President Biden announced the 15 drugs that Medicare will negotiate for discounts, most Americans knew the names, maybe even knew the jingle: Ozempic, Trelegy, Ibrance, and Otezla. Sound familiar? Pharma spent hundreds of millions of dollars each year for you to ‘ask your doctor’ about these drugs. The result? Medicare spent $22 billion last year alone on these four heavily advertised medications,” said Durbin.

Last week, Durbin released a report about a new telehealth-advertising scheme launched by Pfizer and Eli Lilly. The report revealed relationships between drug companies seeking to sell their medications, and the telehealth companies hand-picked by these pharmaceutical giants, appear intended to steer patients toward particular medications. As the pharmaceutical industry floods the airwaves with commercials to increase demand for high-cost medications, these new telehealth platforms appear intended to churn out prescriptions to patients with just a few clicks online.

Durbin continued, “With online promotions and new websites, Pharma is urging patients to ‘click here’ to speak with a doctor. But those telehealth doctors are handpicked, they’ve been recruited, and paid for by the drug companies. Pharma is funneling patients to their chosen health care providers, to influence prescriptions for costly drugs. This raises concerns about conflicts of interest and inappropriate prescribing of drugs. All of this is a result of Pharma’s rampant advertising spree.”

Since 2017, Durbin has worked with Grassley to introduce bipartisan legislation to crack down on DTC advertisements. One-third of all commercials displayed on TV are of drugs from prescription drug companies. In 2023, Illinois company AbbVie spent $315 million on TV ads for Rinvoq, an eczema and arthritis drug. Nowhere in the commercial do they disclose it’s more than $6,100 per month.

Durbin continued, “It’s time to end Big Pharma’s secrecy. If they are going to advertise a drug, they also need to [mention] to the American public how much it costs. It’s basic. No gimmicks, no tricks. Just the truth by advertising [what]… the drug companies publish as the official price.”

Durbin continued, “Our common sense plan to require price disclosures in direct-to-consumer drug ads has already passed the Senate once before, in 2018… we knew that 88 percent of Americans support what we’re doing: disclosure of price. In fact, because of our work on this measure, Donald Trump made a statement: ‘Big announcement today: Drug companies have to come clean about their prices in TV ads. Historic transparency for American patients is here. If drug companies are ashamed of those prices—lower them!’”

“Big Pharma hates being honest with patients about the price of their drugs. They fear it’s going to cut into their profits. Patients, American citizens, and others deserve lower drug prices. The Trump Administration has called on Congress to rein in these deceptive drug advertisements. But Big Pharma is looking for one Senator to come down and object to the passage of this common sense bill. I hope we can pass it right now to deliver real relief at the pharmacy counter,” Durbin concluded.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that prescription drugs advertised directly to consumers accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs between 2016 and 2018, while a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that two-thirds of advertised drugs offered “low therapeutic value.” By requiring direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements forprescription drugs to include a disclosure of the list price, patients can make informed choices when inundated with drug commercials and pharmaceutical companies may reconsider their pricing and advertising tactics. In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has sued to keep the prices of their drugs out of their TV advertisements.

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Meets With New Bureau Of Prisons Leadership

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

July 23, 2025

Billy Marshall and Joshua Smith were recently sworn in as BOP Director and Deputy Director

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Billy Marshall III and Deputy Director Joshua Smith:

“It was my pleasure to welcome Director Marshall and Deputy Director Smith to my office to talk about reforms I’ve long sought at the Bureau of Prisons under both Democratic and Republican Administrations.

“I shared my concerns about the significant challenges facing the Bureau, including the impacts of understaffing, the health and welfare of employees and incarcerated people, and facility safety and infrastructure, especially given the Administration’s ill-fated ambition to waste scarce resources to reopen Alcatraz. Additionally, I asked to ensure my bipartisan First Step Act continues to be thoroughly implemented, so its proven successes continue to build over time.

“We must equip our federal prison system to be safe, secure, and effective and ensure incarcerated people’s successful reentry to society.”

A photo of the meeting is available here.

During his tenure as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Durbin prioritized oversight of BOP and established a new Committee practice of holding annual BOP oversight hearings. In April 2021, the Committee held a BOP oversight hearing with then-Director Carvajal to address chronic understaffing issues and other concerns. Later, Durbin called for a new, reform-minded BOP Director after an Associated Press report that found that BOP is a “hotbed of abuse, graft and corruption, and has turned a blind eye to employees accused of misconduct.” Then-Director Carvajal’s resignation was announced less than two months later.

In September 2022, the Committee held its second BOP oversight hearing under Durbin, which was BOP Director Peters’ first time testifying before Congress since taking over as head of the Bureau. At that hearing, Durbin pressed Director Peters about abuse in federal prisons. In September 2023, Durbin held his third BOP oversight hearing.

In February 2024, Durbin convened a hearing entitled “Examining and Preventing Deaths of Incarcerated Individuals in Federal Prisons” at which Director Peters and DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz testified regarding issues related to the operation and management of BOP, including staffing shortages, that contributed to deaths in custody.

Then, Durbin urged BOP to send a special pay rate request to OPM—and urged it approve it—to address barriers to BOP’s recruitment and retention of critical employees and improve safety and security at BOP facilities.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: ACP Statement on FERC Approval of MISO and SPP ERAS Proposals

Source: American Clean Power Association (ACP)

Headline: ACP Statement on FERC Approval of MISO and SPP ERAS Proposals

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 23, 2025— The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from ACP Vice President of Markets & Transmission Carrie Zalewski after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southwest Power Pool’s proposed Expedited Resource Addition Study (ERAS) proposals:
“FERC’s approval of MISO and SPP’s ERAS proposals is a dangerous misstep, ignoring widely acknowledged market realities while signing off on the potential for major disruption for projects that have gone through the proper processes to be connected to the grid. The fastest growing sources of energy—solar, wind, and energy storage technologies—are the ones ready to deploy to help keep costs lower and power reliable for the more than 60 million American consumers served across both territories.
“Maintaining reliable and affordable power requires a diversified grid and predictable measures to bring new resources online. We are committed to advancing this shared goal and responsibility in a way that instills confidence and benefits consumers and will work with stakeholders in SPP and MISO to ensure these approved requests do not set a precedent that will cause lasting damage.”
The Facts
States with higher deployment of clean energy see increases in reliability, as well as lower electricity prices on average.

During the Polar Vortex of 2025, where temperatures plummeted across the country, Texas and California only experienced a 20% increase in prices while states in MISO experienced an eye-popping 135+% increase in prices (Jan. 19-23, 2025).
In SPP, during an intense heatwave in Summer 2024, wind rose to 30% of total demand during the heatwave, helping reduce operating costs by at least $27M (July 13-17, 2024).

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MIL OSI Global Banks –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister secures thousands of British jobs and £6 billion in investment and export wins as historic trade deal with India signed
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Prime Minister secures thousands of British jobs and £6 billion in investment and export wins as historic trade deal with India signed

Today, the Prime Minister will welcome nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins.
Thousands of jobs created for Brits through new Indian investment and export wins worth almost £6 billion

New figures show that £4.8bn trade deal will unlock economic growth for each region and nation of the UK – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change

UK and India also agree to ramp up joint efforts against organised crime and illegal migration with new framework to tackle trafficking, document fraud and remove barriers to return

Today, the Prime Minister will welcome nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins, which will create over 2,200 British jobs across the country as Indian firms expand their operations in the UK and British companies secure new business opportunities in India. These deals will drive jobs in high-growth sectors like aerospace, technology and advanced manufacturing – supporting engineers, technicians and supply chain workers, in every corner of the UK.

It comes as the Prime Minister is set to meet the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, today for the signing of the landmark UK-India trade deal. From Coventry to Carlisle, new analysis shows communities across every region of the UK will benefit from its £4.8 billion increase to UK GDP each year.

Thanks to the deal, British workers will enjoy a collective uplift in wages of £2.2 billion each year and could also see cheaper prices and more choice on clothes, shoes, and food products.

The UK already imports £11 billion in goods from India, but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper to buy their best products. For businesses, this could mean potential savings when importing components and materials used in areas such as advanced manufacturing or luxury and consumer goods.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.

We’re putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and we’re determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK.

India’s average tariff on UK products will drop from 15% to 3% which means British companies selling products to India from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices will find it easier to sell to the Indian market.

Whisky producers will benefit from tariffs slashed in half, reduced immediately from 150% to 75% and then dropped even further to 40% over the next ten years – giving the UK an advantage over international competitors in reaching the Indian market.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

The billions brought to our economy from the trade deal signed today will reach all regions and nations of the UK so working people in every community can feel the benefits.

The almost £6 billion in new investment and export wins announced today will deliver thousands of jobs and shows the strength of our partnership with India as we ensure the UK is the best place in the world to invest and do business.

This government is proving time and again that we can deliver on our mission to grow the economy, put more money in pockets and boost living standards under our Plan for Change.

The two Prime Ministers have also signed a renewed Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership, which will see closer collaboration on defence, education, climate, technology and innovation. This comes exactly one year since the countries signed the landmark UK-India Technology Security Initiative, which sees joint work on telecoms security and unlocking investment across emerging technologies – telecoms, critical minerals, AI, quantum, health/bio tech, advanced materials and semiconductors.

The UK and India have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in tackling corruption, serious fraud, organised crime, and irregular migration through enhanced intelligence sharing and operational collaboration. This includes committing to finalising a groundbreaking new criminal records sharing agreement, facilitating the exchange of criminal records to support criminal proceedings, maintain accurate watchlists and enable the enforcement of travel bans. These measures represent a significant step forward in joint efforts to combat organised immigration crime.

Aligned with the UK’s recent Industrial and Trade Strategies, the deal will support the sectors which drive the most growth for the economy. The UK’s large and varied manufacturing sectors will benefit from tariffs cut on aerospace (as high as 11% reduced to 0%), automotives (up to 110% down to 10% under a quota) and electrical machinery (from up to 22% down to either 0% of a 50% reduction).

A reduction in tariffs, combined with a reduction in regulatory barriers to trade between the UK and India are estimated to:

Increase UK exports to India by nearly 60% in the long run – this is equivalent to an additional £15.7 billion of UK exports to India when applied to projections of future trade in 2040.

Increase bilateral trade by nearly 39% in the long run, equivalent to £25.5 billion a year, when compared to 2040 projected levels of trade in the absence of an agreement

The clean energy industry will have brand new, unprecedented access to India’s vast procurement market as the country makes the switch to renewable energy and continues to see growing energy demand.

For financial and professional business services, locked in access will offer certainty to expand in India’s growing market and measures such as binding India’s foreign investment cap for the insurance sector, ensuring UK financial services companies are treated on an equal footing with domestic suppliers.

Meanwhile, 26 British companies have secured new business in India. Airbus & Rolls-Royce will soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft – with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines – to major Indian airlines as part of around £5 billion worth of contracts recently agreed. These orders will help sustain hundreds of jobs across their respective sites in Filton, Broughton and Derby.

18 firms have confirmed new investment including Zerowatt Energy, AI powered energy intelligence platform is setting up its Global HQ in Leicester. The firm will invest £10m and create 50 new jobs across Leicester, Manchester, Edinburgh and London over the next three years.

Other UK and Indian businesses who have confirmed almost £6 billion in new investments and export deals today creating over 2,200 jobs across the UK includes:

Carbon Clean, a UK-based leader in carbon capture, with projected UK export contributions of £83 million over the next five years, has invested £7.6 million in a Global Innovation Centre in Mumbai. This ODI and export wins will unlock 250 jobs across London, Glasgow and Huddersfield as well as 100 jobs in Mumbai.

AI and data services company, DCube AI, is investing £5 million in the UK, unlocking 50 jobs across Manchester and London in the next three years to strength its technology offering to UK customers.

Occuity, an innovative UK AI healthcare company has partnered with Remidio Innovative Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a leading Indian manufacturer and distributor of ophthalmic medical devices to bring Occuity’ s cutting-edge ophthalmic screening technologies to India, improving access to innovative and non-invasive eye screening and leading to an export value of £74.3 million over 5 years.

Johnson Matthey, a UK-based leader in chemicals and sustainable technologies, has secured recent contracts of over £20 million for process licensing, engineering, and catalysts supply in India. The company will also invest £4 million in a new plant at Taloja (Maharashtra) and in doubling its capacity at an existing site in Panki, Uttar Pradesh, with contracts are helping to create up to 20,000 jobs in India during the construction phase of these projects.

Marcus Evans Group, a global business intelligence and summits business company established its new Global Technology office in Mumbai to serve its 59 offices worldwide and has confirmed a combined Export (£42mn) and ODI (£27mn) win of £69 million over the next five years from India.

LTIMindtree , a global technology consulting and digital solutions company plans to further expand its London operations by adding over 300 highly skilled jobs, investing £1m. This includes a state-of-the-art AI innovation studio and showcase lab.

Aurionpro, a global enterprise technology leader in Banking, Payments, Insurance, Data Centers, and Public Sector technology is investing over £20M to launch its UK HQ, creating 150+ high-value jobs in multiple locations across UK over 3 years. It will also open AI-powered R&D labs in collaboration with top UK universities to develop next-gen transport technology and lead the global Safe Superintelligence (SSI) movement, ensuring AI is built safely and ethically.

Tufan Erginbiligic, Rolls-Royce CEO, said:

India is an important market for our business, with over 90 years of partnership with Indian industry and the Indian Government. We welcome the provisions in this Free Trade Agreement, including those that bring closer alignment with international standards for trade in civil aerospace. These agreements will benefit Rolls-Royce and our customers, paving the way for future aerospace growth in India.

Nik Jhangiani, Interim Chief Executive, Diageo, said:

This agreement marks a great moment for both Scotch and Scotland, and we’ll be raising a glass of Johnnie Walker to all those who have worked so hard to get it secured.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:

The signing of this agreement is a clear signal of the UK’s continuing commitment to free and fair trade. It will open a new era for our businesses and boost investment between two of the world’s largest economies.

Currently around 16,000 UK companies are trading goods with Indian companies, and there is high interest in our Chamber Network to grow that.  This deal will create new opportunities in the transport, travel, creative and business support sectors alongside traditional strengths in finance and professional services.

Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Chivas Brothers Chairman and CEO, said:

Signature of the UK-India FTA is a sign of hope in challenging times for the spirits industry. India is the world’s biggest whisky market by volume and greater access will be an eventual game changer for the export of our Scotch whisky brands, such as Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s.

The deal will support long term investment and jobs in our distilleries in Speyside and our bottling plant at Kilmalid and help deliver growth in both Scotland and India over the next decade. Let’s hope that both governments will move quickly to ratification so business can get to work implementing the deal!

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Published 23 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Russia and Ukraine held the 3rd round of peace talks in Istanbul

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

ISTANBUL, July 23 (Xinhua) — Russian and Ukrainian delegations held the third round of peace talks at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul on Wednesday, which started at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT) and lasted for almost an hour and a half.

The Russian and Ukrainian delegations were headed by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, respectively. The talks were chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalin.

At the end of the negotiations, V. Medinsky told journalists that the Russian side proposed creating three Russian-Ukrainian working groups that would work online to resolve political, humanitarian and military issues.

He also noted that both sides agreed on another round of prisoner exchange.

Before the start of the negotiations, H. Fidan made an opening speech in which he called on the delegations of both countries to engage in productive negotiations aimed at achieving a truce and ultimately ending the war.

“Our goal is to put an end to this bloody war, which has cost too much, as soon as possible,” said H. Fidan.

Two previous rounds of talks in Istanbul, held on May 16 and June 2, resulted in the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the bodies of dead soldiers, but produced little progress on achieving a ceasefire. –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.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Syria: Second convoy brings critical aid to Sweida

Source: United Nations 2

Deadly sectarian violence has displaced more than 145,000 people in the southern city, some of whom have fled to neighbouring Dar’a and Rural Damascus governorates. 

The convoy carried a range of critical support, including food, wheat flour, fuel, medicines and health supplies.

OCHA coordinated with the SARC to prepare the convoy, which included supplies from UN agencies.

Engagement and support

The Office continues to engage with authorities and partners to facilitate an inter-agency UN mission to Sweida as conditions allow.

The UN is also working with partners to deliver a range of assistance to people displaced to Dar’a and Rural Damascus, including food, water, and health and protection services.   

Mobile medical teams have so far provided more than 3,500 consultations, including trauma care, maternal health and psychosocial support while nearly 38,000 people have received food aid.

Additionally, over 1,000 kits containing non-food items were distributed in Dar’a and Rural Damascus, helping more than 5,000 people. 

OCHA said UN inter-agency missions to assess needs and provide assistance to both governorates are planned for the coming days. 

The first convoy to Sweida arrived on Sunday. The 32 trucks brought food, water, medical supplies and fuel provided by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Allen Introduces Bill Preserving Consumer Choice
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) introduced the Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act. Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s four-year assault on consumer choice, this legislation implements necessary reforms to the Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) to prevent future administrations from prioritizing a radical rush-to-green agenda over the affordability and availability of reliable household appliances that Americans rely on every day.

Following the bill’s introduction, Congressman Allen issued the statement below:

“Under the guise of energy efficiency, the Biden-Harris Administration waged a four-year war on domestic energy and consumer choice, and it was American families that paid the price. From gas stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, to washers, dryers, dish washers, and air conditioners—no household appliance was off limits in their pursuit of a radical rush-to-green agenda. We cannot allow that to happen again,” said Congressman Allen.

“The Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act is a necessary measure to prevent future administrations from issuing burdensome standards on household appliances that would drive up costs and reduce availability. I am grateful for Chairman Guthrie’s and Chairman Latta’s support as we preserve consumer choice and ensure the federal government does not tilt the scales on what appliances Americans should buy.”

“Families should have the freedom to choose what home appliances they buy and use. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, heavy-handed mandates created unworkable regulations that led to higher prices,” said Chairman Guthrie. “The Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act would reform the Department of Energy’s energy efficiency standards process to protect consumer choice and ensure American companies can continue to innovate. Thank you to Congressman Allen for leading this important legislation that stands up for working Americans.”

“American families should have the right to choose the appliances that work best for their homes and needs. This commonsense bill puts consumers first by restoring flexibility, encouraging innovation, and ensuring there are not one-size-fits-all federal regulations. I thank Congressman Allen for his leadership on this effort to protect American families and businesses,” said Rep. Bob Latta, Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

BACKGROUND: Enacted in 1975, the EPCA provides specific criteria the Department of Energy (DOE) must follow in order to propose a new appliance efficiency standard. The DOE may only propose a new standard if it results in a significant conservation of energy, is technologically feasible, and economically justified. The Biden-Harris Administration consistently ignored these critical consumer protections by proposing and finalizing standards that violate the statute. The Don’t Mess with my Home Appliances Act would prevent future abuses by:
- Eliminating unnecessary and duplicative rulemaking requirements
- Authorizing the Secretary of Energy to amend or revoke a standard if it increases costs for consumers, does not result in significant energy or water savings, is not technologically feasible, or results in the unavailability of product
- Protecting affordability by requiring the DOE to consider the cost to low-income households and the full-life cycle cost of appliances when determining if the new standard is economically justified
- Establishing minimum thresholds for energy or water savings that must be achieved before imposing new standards
- Prohibiting the Secretary of Energy from banning products based on the type of fuel that product uses (no natural gas bans)
Full bill text can be viewed HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire and Emergency New Zealand offers firefighters a 5.1 percent pay increase

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union have been negotiating a collective employment agreement for career firefighters since 16 July 2024.

Deputy Chief Executive Service Delivery Operations/Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says Fire and Emergency has offered the Union a 5.1 percent pay increase over the next three years, as well as increases to some allowances.

“We consider the offer is fair, balances cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and is consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.”

Megan Stiffler says Fire and Emergency has invested significantly in its people and its resources for the safety of communities since it was established in 2017.

“The previous collective employment agreement settlement in 2022 provided a cumulative wage increase of up to 24 percent over a three-year period for our career firefighters.”

“Fire and Emergency has also been investing in replacing our fleet, with 317 trucks replaced since 2017 and another 70 on order. We are currently spending over $20 million per year on replacement trucks. There is also a significant programme of station upgrades underway, as well as investment in training,” she says.

“In 2023/24 most career firefighters earned over $100,000 per year, including overtime and allowances. The turnover rate for our career firefighters was just 3.6 percent last year, and the average length of service was 17 years. We work constantly with our people to ensure we are an employer of choice.”

“Our firefighters are highly trained and deeply committed to serving their communities and we are investing in our people and our resources, to support them. They do an incredible job keeping New Zealanders safe.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate change: ICJ ruling is a landmark win for children – Save the Children
Source: Save the Children

The historic climate change ruling at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) today is a landmark win for child campaigners, acknowledging the adverse impacts of climate change on child rights, and offering children renewed hope, Save the Children said.

The Advisory Opinion delivered by the world’s highest court finds that states’ legal obligations to address climate change extend beyond existing climate agreements. It also found that “states must take their obligations under international human rights law into account when implementing their obligations under the climate change treaties and other relevant environmental treaties.”

While not legally binding, leading environmental lawyers say the ruling “could become a guiding star for climate policies at all levels of governance”, including how States are held accountable under multiple areas of international law.

The Advisory Opinion originated from an extensive campaign led by a group of law students from the Pacific Islands, with strong support from the Republic of Vanuatu [1].

In December last year, Vepaiamele, 16, a child campaigner with Save the Children Vanuatu, travelled to The Hague with the Government of Vanuatu – the only child to attend as part of a government delegation – to speak about the impacts of climate change on the Pacific island nation and call for action.

Vepaiamele said today: “This Advisory Opinion is everything I hoped for and I am so happy with this outcome as I know it will pave the way for a safer future for youth like myself and future generations, too.”

Speaking from The Hague last year , Vepaiamele said:

“As a young Ni-Vanuatu girl, I feel the effects of climate change every day of every year. I’ve experienced many cyclones. It can be kind of terrifying sometimes, especially the really strong ones. Every cyclone, our classrooms are destroyed, our homes are flattened to the ground, and hospitals and communication towers are ripped apart. And then there’s also the mental health impacts, and we don’t really talk about it that much, but it can really cause anxiety in children and young people.”

Human-induced climate change is driving up global temperatures, with the past 10 years the warmest on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Children, particularly those affected by inequality and discrimination, bear the brunt of climate change impacts that are already forcing them from their homes, putting food out of reach, damaging schools and increasing risks like child marriage as they are forced out of education and into poverty.

Limiting warming temperatures through the rapid phase-out of the use and subsidy of fossil fuels is critical for children’s rights and lives, Save the Children said.

Earlier this year, research released by the child rights organisation with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) found that the difference between global temperature rise of 1.5°C and 2.7°C could see 38 million more children from the 2020 birth cohort face unprecedented lifetime exposure to extreme heatwaves. [2] Save the Children also called for increased climate finance targeted at helping children and their families, child-centred and locally led adaptation and an increase in the participation of children in shaping climate action.

Save the Children New Zealand CEO Heather Campbell says, “The ICJ’s opinion strengthens the argument that climate inaction is a form of intergenerational injustice, disproportionately borne by those least responsible and least equipped to adapt.

“At home in Aotearoa New Zealand, children and their families are experiencing the devastating impacts of extensive flooding and other climate-related emergencies, including Cyclone Gabrielle. Communities across the Nelson Tasman region are still reeling from floods that have destroyed homes and farmland, displaced families and closed schools.

“On a recent visit to Solomon Islands, children told us about the impact rising sea levels were having on their communities, including monthly flooding in homes and schools, saline infiltration into fresh water supplies, and crops being destroyed. In other parts of the Pacific, communities are having to constantly rebuild after multiple cyclones in the last few years alone. These are not future scenarios – they are current realities.

“Save the Children welcomes the finding from the ICJ, and we also urge governments and development agencies to ensure that climate finance reaches those on the frontline of this crisis.

“Currently, only 2.4% of climate finance from multilateral funding sources is child centred. Even without the Court’s opinion, we know that states must do far more to protect children from the worst impacts of this crisis, including by significantly increasing climate finance to uphold children’s rights and access to health, education and protection.”

In light of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, Save the Children New Zealand is calling on the New Zealand Government to renew its commitment to provide climate finance to help communities recover from climate induced loss and damage as well as working to reduce the country’s carbon emissions.

As the world’s leading independent child rights organisation, Save the Children works in about 110 countries, tackling climate change across everything we do. Save the Children supports children and their communities across the Pacific and globally in preventing, preparing for, adapting to, and recovering from both sudden climate disasters and slow onset climate change. We have set up floating schools, rebuilt destroyed homes and provided cash grants to families hit by disasters.

We also work to influence governments and other key stakeholders in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world on climate policies, including at the UNFCCC COP summits, giving children a platform for their voices to be heard.

Notes:

Multimedia can be found here including Vepaiamele with other young people on Tuesday 22 July, Vepaiamele at the Hague, and general vision of Vanuatu

[1] The Advisory Opinion is in response to a Pacific-led resolution (A/RES/77/276) to the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus on 29 March 2023. This was the result of an extensive campaign by a group of law students from the University of the South Pacific ( Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change ) with strong support from the Republic of Vanuatu. Save the Children has worked closely with the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change to ensure the voices of children and young people are incorporated into countries’ written and oral submissions to the Court. As part of her campaigning work, Vepaiamele and other activists met with embassies of high emitting countriesin Vanuatu ahead of the hearing to try and influence their submissions.

[2] The report found that, for children born in 2020, if global temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C rather than reaching 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels:

– About 38 million would be spared from facing unprecedented lifetime exposure to heatwaves; o About 8 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to crop failures; o About 5 million would be spared from unprecedented lifetime exposure to river floods; o About 5 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to tropical cyclones; o About 2 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to droughts; o About 1.5 million children would be spared unprecedented lifetime exposure to wildfires.
MIL OSI New Zealand News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: International Court of Justice climate ruling a powerful tool for holding countries to account – Oxfam

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

The International Court of Justice has ruled that governments must phase out fossil fuels, rapidly reduce emissions, provide remedy to those facing climate damages, and provide climate finance to developing countries.

Oxfam climate change policy lead Nafkote Dabi said:

“Oxfam is proud to have supported young climate defenders from the Pacific and elsewhere who bravely took their fight for justice from a classroom in Vanuatu to the world’s highest court. They won the world a tremendous victory today.

This ruling elevates national climate commitments everywhere by confirming that countries must reduce emissions enough to protect the universal rights to life, food, health and a clean environment. All countries, particularly rich ones, now have to cut their emissions faster and phase out fossil fuels. Rich countries have to increase their financing to Global South countries to help them reduce emissions and protect their people from past and future harm. This is not a wish-list – it is international law.

We now have a powerful tool for holding countries to account for their obligations, especially in protecting the world’s most marginalised people and future generations of humanity. The ICJ rejected arguments by the likes of the US and UK that governments are bound only by climate treaties such as the Paris Agreement and did not have stronger obligations under international law. This ruling will inject new impetus into negotiations at the COP30 Summit in Brazil this November.”

Oxfam Aotearoa climate justice lead Nick Henry said:

“Today’s ruling is a stunning rebuke to the rich countries, including New Zealand, who are failing to stop harm to our climate. It is a victory for a people-powered campaign started by Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, gaining support from Pacific leaders and allies around the world.

The New Zealand government provided early support to the campaign and co-sponsored the UN resolution that referred the case to the ICJ. But in its submissions to the court, New Zealand argued that human rights law is not relevant to climate change and that governments don’t have climate obligations beyond the existing Paris Agreement.

The world’s highest court has rejected the New Zealand government’s arguments and ruled that the international treaties on human rights and the environment create binding obligations to prevent harm to the climate.

This means that New Zealand must do more to reduce emissions and increase funding for climate action in the Pacific.”

Notes:

Oxfam has been supporting the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change’s lawsuit since 2022, joining in advocacy for the UN General Assembly to refer the case to the Court. Oxfam provided a written statement to the ICJ in March 2024 on human rights obligations beyond borders and what this means for climate action. Oxfam also contributed to an expert legal opinion that was referenced in several State submissions, the Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 24, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: University Research – It’s time to rethink scare tactics in health ads – study

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Gruesome smoking warnings and frightening obesity statistics use fear to drive behaviour change. But a University of Auckland researcher says it might be time to try a different approach.

Marketing lecturer Dr Saira Raza Khan, whose work focuses on consumer well-being and meaningful consumption, says gratitude can be more effective than fear when it comes to promoting healthier choices.

“I don’t think fear in advertising is beneficial for people’s mental health and well-being,” says Khan. “We’re already going through negative emotions in relation to other elements of our lives – the news, work stress, etc. Why not use emotions in health advertising that promote well-being?”

Her article, published in the Journal of Advertising Research, examines how different emotional appeals (fear and gratitude) influence people’s responses to diet-related messages.

“Fear t

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 24, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace – World court’s climate ruling a legal warning shot for Luxon
Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa says the world’s highest court has just delivered a wake-up call for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

In a historic climate ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has confirmed that governments have legal obligations to protect people – both now and in the future – from the worsening impacts of the climate crisis. That includes regulating big polluters like fossil fuel companies and intensive livestock operations.

“This is a warning shot to Luxon that his Government’s war on nature and the climate comes with consequences,” says Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson.

“The Court has made it clear: states must take action to prevent climate harm, no matter where it occurs. They must uphold people’s fundamental right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment – for today’s communities and future generations.”

The ICJ ruling goes beyond the Paris Agreement, reinforcing that governments have a duty to regulate climate pollution, cooperate internationally, and prevent environmental harm. It strengthens the legal grounds for climate-impacted communities to hold governments accountable.

Since taking office, the Luxon Government has scrapped or weakened numerous key climate policies. It has:

Overturned the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration

Pledged to fast-track coal mining

Shelved agricultural emissions pricing

Exempted the country’s worst climate polluter – intensive dairying – from meaningful accountability

“Luxon is elevating the profits of polluters above people’s fundamental human rights,” says Larsson. “This ruling puts him – and governments like his – on notice.”

The dairy industry, led by Fonterra, is New Zealand’s largest climate polluter. Yet under pressure from lobby groups, the Government has rolled back environmental safeguards and is now considering weakening methane targets – despite clear advice from the Climate Change Commission that action on methane must be strengthened.

Earlier this year, Luxon received a letter authored by dozens of international climate scientists accusing him of ignoring scientific evidence on methane and urging him to follow the Climate Commission’s advice to strengthen New Zealand’s methane target. The letter was featured on the front page of the Financial Times.

“New Zealand is the world’s largest dairy exporter and a major player in the global livestock industry,” says Larsson.

“How New Zealand addresses livestock emissions sets an important precedent for the rest of the world. If Luxon guts the methane target, New Zealand risks breaching the Paris Agreement and, by extension, its trade agreements with partners like the UK and EU.”

The historic ICJ ruling is a result of action taken in 2019 by 27 law students from The University of the South Pacific. As the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, they campaigned for the ICJ to issue an Advisory Opinion on the responsibilities of States in respect to climate change. The resolution, put forward by Vanuatu alongside a global alliance of States, passed the United Nations General Assembly unanimously in March 2023, co-sponsored by over 130 countries.

“As this ruling shows, the courts are becoming an increasingly important venue for climate justice – because governments like ours are failing to protect people and the planet. And when that happens, people will step up to defend their future.”
MIL OSI New Zealand News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Lawler Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on State Department Bureau of Counterterrorism

Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Media Contact 202-321-9747

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Michael Lawler delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing on the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism FY26 Budget Posture.

Watch Here

-Remarks-

The subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa will come to order. The purpose of this hearing is to assess the budgetary posture and strategic direction of the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism for fiscal year 2026. I now recognize myself for an opening statement.

Today we convene to duck conduct oversight of the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism and review its budgetary posture and strategic priorities for fiscal year 2026. I want to thank our witness acting coordinator for Counterterrorism, Gregory LoGerfo, for appearing before us today. The Bureau of Counterterrorism is a vital arm of America’s national security strategy. It plays a leading role in coordinating US counter-terrorism policy, engaging foreign partners to disrupt threats before they reach our shores, and supporting global efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms. From its role in special operations to diplomatic engagement to training programs, the bureau is on the front lines of protecting the American people. As terrorism threats are becoming more diffused, adaptive, and globally networked, we must ensure the Bureau is equipped to respond with agility, efficiency, and strategic foresight.

In the Middle East, this means confronting the malign influence of Iran backed proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, while sustaining pressure on Isis whose presence in the region remains a serious concern. And it is with this background that we examine the Bureau of Counter Terrorism’s budget. During this hearing today, we will assess how the Bureau is delivering measurable security dividends for US taxpayers through its foreign assistance programming, particularly through its anti-terrorism assistance and the worldwide security program. We will also explore the extent to which the bureau’s budget requests will enable personnel to adapt to new geopolitical threats while maintaining coordination across the inter-agency and international partners. We must also consider whether the state department’s reorganization has impacted outcomes and how the bureau is responding to its expanded scope. We must determine if the State Department has the tools, authorities, and structure to preserve its capacity to respond to regional complexities. Finally, I want to emphasize that the effective counter-terrorism policy demands a strong partnership between Congress and the department that is granted in transparency, oversight, and shared strategic vision.

As we move toward reauthorization and review of the department’s fiscal year 2026 plan, this subcommittee is committed to ensuring that the Bureau of Counterterrorism has the resources and guidance it needs to remain a global leader in combating our world’s most dangerous threats. Mr. LoGerfo, we look forward to your testimony and to a robust discussion of how we can work together to safeguard the United States and our allies in an increasingly complex threat environment.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Deadline Approaches to Register for 2025 Governor’s Summit

Source: US State of Nebraska

. Registrations should be submitted online at govsummit.nebraska.gov by Thursday, July 31^st.

“Our state’s incredible economy is driven by two main engines—agriculture and manufacturing,” said Gov. Pillen. “In Nebraska, we grow things and make things that are in demand worldwide, and we do it better than any place else in the world. At this summer’s Summit, we’ll explore how to generate even more value by uniting our strengths in ag and manufacturing to lead the nation’s new bioeconomy.”

This year’s Governor’s Summit takes place August 13-14 in Kearney. It will feature breakout tracks on workforce development, manufacturing, and the bioeconomy. Husker football coach Matt Rhule will give the keynote address on Thursday morning, August 14^th.

A complete rundown of activities and breakout sessions can be found on the website (govsummit.nebraska.gov).

In conjunction with the main conference, the State is hosting the inaugural Governor’s Youth Summit on August 14^th in Kearney. The experience is designed for high school students and recent graduates, providing them with direct access to career opportunities in Nebraska. During the event, student attendees will connect one-on-one with businesses and colleges to learn about internships, scholarships, and other career pathways. More information about the Youth Summit is available at govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth.

For an agenda and registration information for the 2025 Governor’s Summit, go to govsummit.nebraska.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Announces Formation of Strike Force to Assess Evidence Publicized by ODNI

Source: US State of North Dakota

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced the formation of a Strike Force to assess the evidence publicized by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and investigate potential next legal steps which might stem from DNI Gabbard’s disclosures.

This Department takes alleged weaponization of the intelligence community with the utmost seriousness.

Upon the formation of the Strike Force, Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated:

“The Department of Justice is proud to work with my friend Director Gabbard and we are grateful for her partnership in delivering accountability for the American people. We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Billings man sentenced to 14 years in prison on drug and gun charges

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

BILLINGS – A Billings man who distributed drugs in the Billings area was sentenced today to 168 months in prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Tirrell Lewis, 45, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on November 3, 2023, law enforcement officers received a call that there were two gunshots in the vicinity of a residential address and the caller saw a gray Mustang leave the area very quickly. Officers spoke to the Lewis’s girlfriend on scene, and she said the sounds were fireworks. She also said she and Lewis were in a relationship and he had not been present at her residence. She allowed officers to look in her backyard where they found two spent rifle casings.

The caller told police Lewis had been at the residence and he and his girlfriend were arguing before the two gunshots and then the caller saw Lewis leave in the gray Mustang.

Later that evening officers located the Mustang. They attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled a short distance before stopping in front of Lewis’s girlfriend’s residence. Lewis got out of the car and fled on foot behind the residence. He circled the house and ran right into an officer who then arrested him. When Lewis was taken into custody, he was found to have $6,216.18 on his person.

On November 13, 2023, a search warrant was executed on the Mustang. Inside were 4 firearms, 91 rounds of assorted ammunition, 7 ounces of fentanyl, and 9 ounces of methamphetamine. The drugs were located in a backpack in the trunk. The fentanyl was in 3 bags inside. One contained 50 pills, one contained 1,003, and one contained 814. The methamphetamine was in two zip lock baggies next to a scale and 23 clean baggies. There was a paystub for Lewis and one of the handguns under the backpack.

Lewis is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous federal conviction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Godfrey prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Billings Police Department, ATF, and DEA.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.

MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Career Offender Sentenced to 175 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearms Offense

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

HOT SPRINGS – A Pearcy man was sentenced yesterday to a total of 175 months in prison on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, as well as violations of his term of supervised release from a previous conviction. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, on July 22, 2024, a Trooper with the Arkansas State Police attempted to make a traffic stop on Michael Fryar in Garland County. After the Trooper initiated his lights, Fryar fled in his vehicle and a pursuit ensued. After a short pursuit Fryar abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into a wooded area. The Trooper pursued on foot and had to deploy his taser to get Fryar apprehended. At the time of the offense, Fryar was in possession of a loaded firearm with a round in the chamber and a distribution amount of methamphetamine. Fryar has an extensive criminal history and was on federal supervised release at the time of the offense.
The Arkansas State Police, 18th East Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.

MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST PENSACOLA MAN FOR ARMED DRUG TRAFFICKING

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Carlton Shoemaker, 51, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for three counts of possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.

Shoemaker appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida on July 22, 2025.

If convicted on all counts, Shoemaker faces up to life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Fleming Island Felon Sentenced To Six Years In Prison For Illegally Possessing A Firearm

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger has sentenced Jason Stewart Karst II (37, Fleming Island) to six years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Karst entered a guilty plea in March 2025.

According to court documents, in April 2024, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives received a complaint from a local shooting range that Karst and another individual had been shooting fully automatic firearms at the range. Surveillance video from the range showed Karst firing a fully automatic gun as well as a separate gun that was equipped with a silencer. Agents obtained a search warrant for a home owned by Karst and executed the warrant on May 1, 2024. During the search, agents found five silencers, a privately manufactured firearm that was equipped with a machinegun conversion device, and a pistol that was also equipped with a machinegun conversion device inside a large safe. The guns matched the appearance of the ones used by Karst at the shooting range. In addition, while agents were executing the search warrant, Karst drove up to the house. During a search of Karst’s car, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office found a white powdery substance, over 20 grams of marijuana, a scale, a pistol without a serial number, and keys to the safe.

Karst was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including two convictions for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or deliver, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver, attempted use of a minor to deliver a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. Additionally, contrary to federal law, the machinegun conversion devices and silencers were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record—a database maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Lewiston Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man pleaded guilty on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Portland to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court records, in January 2025, Lewiston police officers stopped a vehicle operated by Kulmiye Abukar Idris, 35, for traffic violations. Officers searched the vehicle and found a handgun. Idris was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for gross sexual assault.

Idris faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release for three years. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewiston Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office.

Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psn.

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MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kean Honors U.S. Coast Guard Hero Scott Ruskan on House Floor

Source: US Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

Contact: Riley Pingree

(July 23, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. —Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) took to the House floor to recognize the heroic actions of U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer and Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan, a native of Oxford, New Jersey in Warren County.

Petty Officer Ruskan demonstrated extraordinary bravery during the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. As the only triage coordinator on the scene, he and his crew rescued 165 children and adults from rising floodwaters. This life-saving effort was Petty Officer Ruskan’s very first rescue mission since completing his rescue swimmer training.

“Scott Ruskan is a true American hero,” said Congressman Kean. “Not only did he answer the call to serve by enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard, but he displayed incredible courage by risking his life to save others during a time of crisis. I am deeply grateful to Petty Officer Ruskan and to all the first responders and volunteers who put their lives on the line to protect their fellow Americans. We thank you for your service and sacrifice.”

You can watch Congressman Kean’s floor speech HERE.

Congressman Kean also had the opportunity to meet with Petty Officer Ruskan during a reception on Capitol Hill yesterday, held in his honor for his heroic efforts.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kean Honors U.S. Coast Guard Hero Scott Ruskan on House Floor

Source: US Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

Contact: Riley Pingree

(July 23, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. —Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) took to the House floor to recognize the heroic actions of U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer and Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan, a native of Oxford, New Jersey in Warren County.

Petty Officer Ruskan demonstrated extraordinary bravery during the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. As the only triage coordinator on the scene, he and his crew rescued 165 children and adults from rising floodwaters. This life-saving effort was Petty Officer Ruskan’s very first rescue mission since completing his rescue swimmer training.

“Scott Ruskan is a true American hero,” said Congressman Kean. “Not only did he answer the call to serve by enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard, but he displayed incredible courage by risking his life to save others during a time of crisis. I am deeply grateful to Petty Officer Ruskan and to all the first responders and volunteers who put their lives on the line to protect their fellow Americans. We thank you for your service and sacrifice.”

You can watch Congressman Kean’s floor speech HERE.

Congressman Kean also had the opportunity to meet with Petty Officer Ruskan during a reception on Capitol Hill yesterday, held in his honor for his heroic efforts.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025

Category: CTF

The Senators’ bill would force Big Pharma to disclose prices when advertising prescription drugs, the UC request was blocked by a Senate Republican

Billy Marshall and Joshua Smith were recently sworn in as BOP Director and Deputy Director

Prime Minister secures thousands of British jobs and £6 billion in investment and export wins as historic trade deal with India signed

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

Tufan Erginbiligic, Rolls-Royce CEO, said:

Nik Jhangiani, Interim Chief Executive, Diageo, said:

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:

Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Chivas Brothers Chairman and CEO, said:

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