Source: New Zealand Police
Horahora Road, between State Highway 1 and Arapuni Road, Arapuni, is blocked following a road incident this morning.
Police were notified at around 5:45am of a tree that had fallen onto a vehicle, which is now blocking the road.
Forunately, no one was injured.
The road is closed, and motorists should avoid the area and expect significant delays.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: Government of Canada News
July 11, 2025 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Wang Yi, China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Association of Southeast Nations Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Highlighting the importance of regular communication channels, the ministers reiterated support for the upcoming meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission, the next round of consular consultations and forthcoming counternarcotics discussions.
The ministers exchanged views on a range of global issues, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The ministers also discussed challenges and opportunities in the bilateral relationship and agreed to remain in touch with each other.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to codify President Trump’s executive order preventing taxpayer dollars from funding radical gender ideology in K-12 schools.
“Our children go to school to be educated, not indoctrinated,” said Sen. Tuberville. “I’ve always said that education is the key to unlocking opportunity. But under Joe Biden, Democrats turned our children’s classrooms into woke propaganda HQ. Schools should focus on teaching kids to read, write, and do math. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to get woke politics out of the classroom.”
“Schools should prepare our children for the future, not promote radical gender ideology,” said Sen. Risch.“The Say No to Indoctrination Act puts an end to woke education practices in K-12 schools and makes President Trump’s common-sense policy permanent.”
Sens. Tuberville and Risch were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in cosponsoring this legislation.
Concerned Women for American and the American Principles Project endorsed this legislation.
Read full text of the bill here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to codify President Trump’s executive order preventing taxpayer dollars from funding radical gender ideology in K-12 schools.
“Our children go to school to be educated, not indoctrinated,” said Sen. Tuberville. “I’ve always said that education is the key to unlocking opportunity. But under Joe Biden, Democrats turned our children’s classrooms into woke propaganda HQ. Schools should focus on teaching kids to read, write, and do math. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to get woke politics out of the classroom.”
“Schools should prepare our children for the future, not promote radical gender ideology,” said Sen. Risch.“The Say No to Indoctrination Act puts an end to woke education practices in K-12 schools and makes President Trump’s common-sense policy permanent.”
Sens. Tuberville and Risch were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in cosponsoring this legislation.
Concerned Women for American and the American Principles Project endorsed this legislation.
Read full text of the bill here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to codify President Trump’s executive order preventing taxpayer dollars from funding radical gender ideology in K-12 schools.
“Our children go to school to be educated, not indoctrinated,” said Sen. Tuberville. “I’ve always said that education is the key to unlocking opportunity. But under Joe Biden, Democrats turned our children’s classrooms into woke propaganda HQ. Schools should focus on teaching kids to read, write, and do math. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to get woke politics out of the classroom.”
“Schools should prepare our children for the future, not promote radical gender ideology,” said Sen. Risch.“The Say No to Indoctrination Act puts an end to woke education practices in K-12 schools and makes President Trump’s common-sense policy permanent.”
Sens. Tuberville and Risch were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in cosponsoring this legislation.
Concerned Women for American and the American Principles Project endorsed this legislation.
Read full text of the bill here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to codify President Trump’s executive order preventing taxpayer dollars from funding radical gender ideology in K-12 schools.
“Our children go to school to be educated, not indoctrinated,” said Sen. Tuberville. “I’ve always said that education is the key to unlocking opportunity. But under Joe Biden, Democrats turned our children’s classrooms into woke propaganda HQ. Schools should focus on teaching kids to read, write, and do math. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to get woke politics out of the classroom.”
“Schools should prepare our children for the future, not promote radical gender ideology,” said Sen. Risch.“The Say No to Indoctrination Act puts an end to woke education practices in K-12 schools and makes President Trump’s common-sense policy permanent.”
Sens. Tuberville and Risch were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in cosponsoring this legislation.
Concerned Women for American and the American Principles Project endorsed this legislation.
Read full text of the bill here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Tbilisi, July 11 (Xinhua) — The education ministers of Georgia and Armenia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in education, science and youth policy during a meeting on Friday, the Georgian Ministry of Education, Science and Youth reported.
During the meeting of the heads of the relevant departments of the two countries, Givi Mikanadze and Zhanna Andreasyan, which took place in Tbilisi, issues of organizing joint youth camps, strengthening ties between universities in Georgia and Armenia, as well as encouraging cooperation in scientific research activities were discussed.
The Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia G. Mikanadze acquainted his Armenian colleague with current innovations and planned reforms at all levels of education in Georgia.
For her part, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan expressed readiness to implement joint initiatives and deepen friendly relations between the relevant ministries of the two countries.
The Armenian Minister also invited G. Mikanadze to participate in the Forum on Higher Education in Armenia. The event will take place in October of this year. –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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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his Democratic committee colleagues wrote a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing deep concerns with imminent Reductions in Force (RIFs) at the State Department, and requested answers on the Trump administration’s process for carrying out these layoffs.
“RIFs should remain a tool of last resort, and if implemented must be conducted according to long-standing procedures that prioritize transparency and a merit-based process for both career civil service employees and Foreign Service Officers (FSOs). During a time of increasingly complex and wide-spread challenges to U.S. national security, this administration should be strengthening our diplomatic corps—an irreplaceable instrument of U.S. power and leadership—not weakening it. However, RIFs would severely undermine the Department’s ability to achieve U.S. foreign policy interests, putting our nation’s security, strength, and prosperity at risk,” the senators wrote.
Since January, the Foreign Service has shrunk by nearly 25 percent and the number of civil service employees has also decreased due to agency closures, early retirement, and buyouts.
“While every administration is entitled to set new priorities and engage in reorganization of executive agencies, we are deeply concerned by the breadth of these RIFs and the lack of clarity and transparency of the Department’s RIF process,” the senators continued.
The senators requested a response to the following questions by no later than July 18, 2025:
RIF Criteria:
When were RIF lists created, by whom, and against what criteria?
Is the Department choosing to RIF based on current office assignment rather than globally ranking FSOs and civil servants based on grade and skillsets? If so, why?
Are the lists being updated to reflect Permanent Changes in Station (PCS) or curtailments?
How many veterans and consular coned generalists are included on the list?
It can take years of training for an FSO or civil servant to master diplomatic and negotiation skills, including obtaining fluency in critical languages. Why are skilled officers, including those with specialized language skills not being reassigned? How will the Department fill these specialized skill and experience gaps?
Foreign Service Officers:
Why is the administration preventing FSOs from transferring into critical vacancies?
Why is the administration preventing candidates who accepted a “handshake” from being paneled to a position they were chosen for based on merit?
What is the rationale for conducting RIFs before the reorganization takes effect?
How many vacant FSO positions will there be worldwide after RIFs are processed? How does the Department plan to fill mission critical posts?
Why is the Department processing RIFs prior to determining the number of vacant positions remaining following your reorganization efforts?
How is the Department protecting the pipeline of FSOs to ensure no critical skill gaps in the future?
Civil Service:
Civil service employees often come to the Department with specialized experience. How is the Department working to retain critical, hard to replace employees in the civil service?
How is the Department working to ensure key specialties, knowledge, and personnel are retained and transferred during the reorganization?
Why is the Department refusing to process any lateral moves by civil service employees who have been offered other civil service positions within the Department?
If reducing waste, fraud, and abuse is the goal of the reorganization, why is the Department not efficiently allowing these experienced civil service employees to laterally move into vacant positions they were chosen for based on merit?
If remaining officers are going to be asked to take on additional work, how will they be remunerated for their time and effort?
Will the hiring and lateral transition freezes be lifted once RIFs are complete?
Reassignment Process:
Will there be a competitive reassignment for high-performing, mission-critical personnel following the RIFs? If so, what is the timeline and criteria for this reassignment process? How will the Department communicate these details with its employees?
The letter is cosigned by Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
To read the full text of the letter, click here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) encouraged the Trump Administration to provide detailed guidance for claimants to access the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program following its expansion and extension by Congress. In letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Senators Crapo and Luján highlighted the need to implement guidance quickly and efficiently for the expanded RECA program as the current extension of RECA expires in just over two years.
“After decades of advocacy, communities harmed by radiation exposure are set to finally receive long-overdue recognition and compensation. This achievement marks a significant step toward providing some justice to families who have waited far too long,” the Senators wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi. “After decades of struggle, we ask that the Department of Justice move swiftly to issue guidance for claimants to access the program.”
“As you know, the current extension of the program expires in just over two years. This means time is limited to fulfill the promise of this expansion and ensure every eligible uranium miner and onsite participant receives compensation,” the Senators wrote to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “We urge the Department of Labor to act swiftly and efficiently in developing and posting guidance to implement the expanded RECA and Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) programs.”
Crapo is a longtime Senate proponent of expanding the RECA program. In 2022, Crapo was successful in securing an extension of the RECA program for two years, allowing more individuals more time to apply for compensation. In July 2023, the U.S. Senate passed, by a vote of 61-37, an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen RECA. The program would have been expanded to include Idaho victims. Later, in December, the amendment was stripped from the conference report of the NDAA. The program expired June 7, 2024.
The full text of the letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi is available here.
The full text of the letter to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Claiming that the One Big Beautiful Bill will “explode the national debt” is plain wrong.
According to a more accurate estimate by the Congressional Budget Office, it cuts federal spending by over $1.5 trillion and reduces the deficit by $400 billion. That doesn’t include the bill’s pro-growth elements, which the Council of Economic Advisers estimates will increase federal revenues by more than $4 trillion, adding up to nearly $4.5 trillion in deficit reduction.
Contrary to the “politics of fear” that Democrats employ, it strengthens and improves spending programs, like Medicaid, by targeting waste, fraud and abuse. And despite false narratives about “tax cuts for billionaires,” the reality is this legislation not only prevents massive across-the-board tax hikes, but provides additional tax relief that overwhelmingly benefits low- and middle-class families and workers. Through policies like a boosted standard deduction, expanded benefits for child care, no taxes on tips or overtime, and tax relief for seniors, working class Americans are the biggest winners under this bill.
In addition to historic mandatory spending reductions, deficit reduction and tax relief, the bill invests in our border, modernizes our military and restores American energy dominance. I’d call that a win for Idahoans and all Americans.
Source: Government of Canada regional news
The B.C. government, Fort Nelson First Nation and the B.C. Energy Regulator (BCER) are working collaboratively to implement new protection measures to support boreal caribou recovery in northeastern B.C.
“Helping caribou populations recover is a complex challenge requiring multiple approaches to stabilize and reverse the decline of herds in B.C.,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “The Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan and the implementation of the new measures are crucial for caribou-recovery efforts in these four northeast ranges. The Fort Nelson First Nation community continues to be an integral partner in this important work.”
The new measures are consistent with the Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan that was endorsed by the B.C. government in 2023. The Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan was co-developed by the B.C. government and Fort Nelson First Nation, with contributions from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. The plan is designed to meet federal and provincial targets for species-at-risk recovery, while supporting opportunities to strengthen the natural-resource economy in the region.
“Finalizing the Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan is a vital step in our shared responsibility to steward the land,” said Chief Archie Harrold, Fort Nelson First Nation. “By working together with the provincial government, we are proving that true collaboration, rooted in respect for Indigenous knowledge and western science, leads to real action. This plan reflects our commitment to protecting boreal caribou and ensuring a healthy land for future generations.”
The new protection measures applied to selected boreal caribou habitat areas include:
The GAR order to establish the new WHAs targets areas of highest habitat value to boreal caribou, while avoiding areas of highest timber value as much as possible. The management measures laid out in the order apply to primary forestry activities, such as timber harvesting and the construction of associated resource roads in specified areas of the Fort Nelson Timber Supply Area.
The BCER is implementing interim permitting measures in 1.4 million hectares of habitat that is important for boreal caribou protection. These measures prohibit the issuance of new or amended permits for energy-resource activities or authorizations in Boreal Caribou Management Type 1 areas (core areas) in the affected region, except for:
The Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions is establishing RRAs within Boreal Caribou Management Type 1 areas where new requests for petroleum and natural gas rights (postings) in the affected region are temporarily suspended. These measures align with the BCER’s interim permitting restrictions and are expected to remain in place for at least three years.
Collectively, these actions target the specific threats to caribou habitat and support caribou-population recovery objectives, while leaving room for sustainable, inclusive economic opportunities and public access and recreational uses that are compatible with shared recovery goals. The conservation measures will not affect recreation or public access to these areas.
In July 2024, the B.C. government consulted First Nation governments and potentially affected forestry licensees about the establishment of WHAs. These discussions were completed in February 2025.
The Province has also engaged with and notified other parties who are not legally affected by habitat-protection measures, such as registered trappers, guide outfitters or local governments, but have interests overlapping the WHAs. The consultation and engagement process provided an opportunity to review the socio-economic assessment and refine boundaries or regulatory actions if needed.
Learn More:
To learn more about Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/download/7701D375C38E4E29ACB37046EC9FAF8F
Source: US FBI
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Waneka Rosebud Cornpeach, age 42, of Fort Duchesne, Utah, pled guilty to felony charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, both while within Indian Country.
According to the plea agreement, on July 17, 2022, the defendant admits to firing her weapon at two different victims, resulting in serious bodily injury to both victims.
The defendant was remanded, and sentencing will be held on November 17, 2025.
The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn from the District of Colorado is handling the prosecution of the case in the United States District Court for the District of Utah.
Case Number: 2:23-cr-00434-HCN-DAO-1
Source: US FBI
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Waneka Rosebud Cornpeach, age 42, of Fort Duchesne, Utah, pled guilty to felony charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, both while within Indian Country.
According to the plea agreement, on July 17, 2022, the defendant admits to firing her weapon at two different victims, resulting in serious bodily injury to both victims.
The defendant was remanded, and sentencing will be held on November 17, 2025.
The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn from the District of Colorado is handling the prosecution of the case in the United States District Court for the District of Utah.
Case Number: 2:23-cr-00434-HCN-DAO-1
Source: US FBI
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Waneka Rosebud Cornpeach, age 42, of Fort Duchesne, Utah, pled guilty to felony charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, both while within Indian Country.
According to the plea agreement, on July 17, 2022, the defendant admits to firing her weapon at two different victims, resulting in serious bodily injury to both victims.
The defendant was remanded, and sentencing will be held on November 17, 2025.
The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn from the District of Colorado is handling the prosecution of the case in the United States District Court for the District of Utah.
Case Number: 2:23-cr-00434-HCN-DAO-1
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of an SBA Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Kerr County to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding beginning July 2.
Beginning Friday, July 11, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in Kerrville to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.
The center’s hours of operation are as follows:
|
KERR COUNTY Business Recovery Center The YES Center at First Presbyterian Church 823 North St. Kerrville, TX 78028 Opens at 11 a.m. Friday, July 11 Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
“SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face‑to‑face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 4, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 6, 2026.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of an SBA Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Kerr County to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding beginning July 2.
Beginning Friday, July 11, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in Kerrville to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.
The center’s hours of operation are as follows:
|
KERR COUNTY Business Recovery Center The YES Center at First Presbyterian Church 823 North St. Kerrville, TX 78028 Opens at 11 a.m. Friday, July 11 Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
“SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face‑to‑face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 4, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 6, 2026.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
BOSTON – An ICE Boston immigration enforcement operation led to a federal charge for an illegally present, 53-year-old Dominican alien, who has previous convictions for weapons and drug crimes. A federal grand jury indicted Antonio Gonzales for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested Gonzales May 7.
“Antonio Gonzales has not only been previously removed from the U.S, he also has convictions for weapons and drug crimes,” said ICE ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He presented a threat to the residents of our New England communities that we refuse to tolerate. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien threats from our neighborhoods.”
ICE officers previously removed Gonzales from the U.S to the Dominican Republic on Sept. 15, 2004. Gonzales’ criminal history includes convictions for criminal in possession of a weapon in March 1994 and criminal in possession of a controlled substance in November 2000. He allegedly unlawfully reentered the U.S sometime after his September 2004 removal.
If found guilty, Gonzales faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Furthermore, Gonzales would be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts is prosecuting this case.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBoston and @HSINewEngland.
Source: US State of Idaho
Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Idaho’s Legal Fight Helps Trump End Nationwide Injunctions
Dear Friends,
I promised when I became Idaho’s 33rd Attorney General that I would be aggressive in defending the laws of our state and the constitutional rights of our citizens. Recently, the United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark victory that proves this approach was correct—and Idaho’s legal work helped make it possible.
In Trump v. Casa, the Supreme Court cited our case, Labrador v. Poe, six times when establishing new legal precedent that ends the era of a single federal judge blocking policies for the entire country, referred to as “universal injunctions.” When the nation’s highest court uses Idaho’s case as legal precedent to rule on a critically important constitutional question, it proves that principled legal strategy works.
This victory began right here in Idaho. When we defended our Vulnerable Child Protection Act, which protects children from dangerous and irreversible gender hormones and procedures, activists challenged the law. A federal district judge issued a universal injunction that blocked Idaho from enforcing the entire law anywhere in the state.
We immediately appealed this judicial overreach to the Ninth Circuit, arguing that the injunction should apply only to the two plaintiffs who sued, not every person in Idaho. When the Ninth Circuit refused to narrow the scope, we took the case directly to the Supreme Court.
In April 2024, the Supreme Court granted our request in Labrador v. Poe. Justice Gorsuch wrote a powerful concurring opinion explaining why these universal injunctions circumvent normal judicial processes, force judges to make rushed, high-stakes, low-information decisions, and let parties by barring the enforcement of a duly enacted law against anyone through strategic judge shopping.
That legal reasoning became the foundation for this landmark decision. The Supreme Court used our precedent to rule that federal judges can no longer issue universal injunctions that let one judge in one courthouse block policies for the entire nation.
This couldn’t come at a better time. Americans watched in frustration during President Trump’s first term as single federal judges issued sweeping orders that blocked his agenda at every turn. Now in his second term, federal judges have continued issuing nationwide injunctions trying to stop President Trump from firing unaccountable bureaucrats, cutting wasteful USAID spending, and deporting criminal illegal aliens.
No longer should a single federal judge in California or New York issue an order that stops the Trump administration, or any future administration, from enforcing immigration law nationwide. And in the same way, federal judges should not prevent Idaho from enforcing our laws on the books across the state if only a handful of individuals sue. Federal judges must now limit their orders to the actual parties in front of them, not the whole country or state.
While liberal critics and the press—but I repeat myself—have attacked our approach throughout my time as Attorney General, the results speak for themselves. When the Supreme Court cites your case to establish binding legal precedent that protects constitutional governance nationwide, that is a clear sign that we are doing something right.
I’m proud that Idaho’s legal work established the precedent for the Supreme Court victory in Trump v. Casa. We didn’t just defend our state’s sovereignty—we helped restore the proper balance of power between judges and the American people. When voters elect leaders to enact their priorities, no single federal judge should have the power to override the will of millions. That principle now stands as the law of the land.
Best Regards,
Source: US State of Idaho
Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Idaho’s Legal Fight Helps Trump End Nationwide Injunctions
Dear Friends,
I promised when I became Idaho’s 33rd Attorney General that I would be aggressive in defending the laws of our state and the constitutional rights of our citizens. Recently, the United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark victory that proves this approach was correct—and Idaho’s legal work helped make it possible.
In Trump v. Casa, the Supreme Court cited our case, Labrador v. Poe, six times when establishing new legal precedent that ends the era of a single federal judge blocking policies for the entire country, referred to as “universal injunctions.” When the nation’s highest court uses Idaho’s case as legal precedent to rule on a critically important constitutional question, it proves that principled legal strategy works.
This victory began right here in Idaho. When we defended our Vulnerable Child Protection Act, which protects children from dangerous and irreversible gender hormones and procedures, activists challenged the law. A federal district judge issued a universal injunction that blocked Idaho from enforcing the entire law anywhere in the state.
We immediately appealed this judicial overreach to the Ninth Circuit, arguing that the injunction should apply only to the two plaintiffs who sued, not every person in Idaho. When the Ninth Circuit refused to narrow the scope, we took the case directly to the Supreme Court.
In April 2024, the Supreme Court granted our request in Labrador v. Poe. Justice Gorsuch wrote a powerful concurring opinion explaining why these universal injunctions circumvent normal judicial processes, force judges to make rushed, high-stakes, low-information decisions, and let parties by barring the enforcement of a duly enacted law against anyone through strategic judge shopping.
That legal reasoning became the foundation for this landmark decision. The Supreme Court used our precedent to rule that federal judges can no longer issue universal injunctions that let one judge in one courthouse block policies for the entire nation.
This couldn’t come at a better time. Americans watched in frustration during President Trump’s first term as single federal judges issued sweeping orders that blocked his agenda at every turn. Now in his second term, federal judges have continued issuing nationwide injunctions trying to stop President Trump from firing unaccountable bureaucrats, cutting wasteful USAID spending, and deporting criminal illegal aliens.
No longer should a single federal judge in California or New York issue an order that stops the Trump administration, or any future administration, from enforcing immigration law nationwide. And in the same way, federal judges should not prevent Idaho from enforcing our laws on the books across the state if only a handful of individuals sue. Federal judges must now limit their orders to the actual parties in front of them, not the whole country or state.
While liberal critics and the press—but I repeat myself—have attacked our approach throughout my time as Attorney General, the results speak for themselves. When the Supreme Court cites your case to establish binding legal precedent that protects constitutional governance nationwide, that is a clear sign that we are doing something right.
I’m proud that Idaho’s legal work established the precedent for the Supreme Court victory in Trump v. Casa. We didn’t just defend our state’s sovereignty—we helped restore the proper balance of power between judges and the American people. When voters elect leaders to enact their priorities, no single federal judge should have the power to override the will of millions. That principle now stands as the law of the land.
Best Regards,
Source: US State of Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Roger William Park Ponds (Edgewood Lake, Cunliff Lake, and Elm Lake) in Providence due to a confirmed cyanobacteria bloom. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are naturally present in bodies of water, but under certain environmental conditions will form harmful algae blooms (HABs). All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, is high risk to health and recommended to be avoided at these locations. HABs can produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and animals. Toxins and/or high cell counts have been detected by the RIDOH State Health Laboratory from water samples collected by DEM at these locations. This advisory recommendation remains in effect until further notice.
Use caution in all areas of Roger William Park Ponds as cyanobacteria HABs can move locations in ponds and lakes. People should not drink untreated water or eat fish from affected waterbodies. Pet owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in this water.
Skin contact with water containing toxin-producing cyanobacteria can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms from ingestion of water can include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Less common symptoms can include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at higher risk for health effects associated with cyanobacteria HABs because they are more likely to swallow water when they are in or around bodies of water. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
If you or your pet come into contact with a cyanobacteria HAB: — Rinse your skin with clean water right away. — Shower and wash your cloths when you get home. — If your pet was exposed, wash it with clean water immediately and don’t let it lick algae from its fur. — Call a vet if your pet shows signs of illness like tiredness, no eating, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms within a day. — If you feel sick after contact, call a healthcare provider.
Affected waters might look bright to dark green, with thick algae floating on the surface. It may resemble green paint, pea soup, or green cottage cheese. If you see water like this, people and pets should avoid contact with the water. To report suspected cyanobacteria blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 401-222-4700 Press 6 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom.
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Source: US State of California 2
What you need to know: Governor Newsom is announcing that the California Employment Development Department is awarding $11 million to help six California organizations connect underserved adults — including veterans, people with disabilities, and at-risk young adults — with job training and career development services.
SACRAMENTO — A nearly $11 million grant will help six California-based organizations develop and deliver job training and career development services to Californians facing some of the most significant barriers to finding employment. This includes veterans, people with disabilities, English-language learners, the long-term unemployed, workers over the age of 55, and at-risk young adults who are not in school or are unemployed. According to a national Georgetown University study, Jobs for All, there are approximately 27 to 35 million individuals who want to work but face significant barriers (such as poverty, disability, or long-term unemployment) to getting hired.
In California, investments like the Employment Social Enterprise program supports Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to bridge the gap and equip all students and workers with the tools necessary to achieve stability through good-paying jobs.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Stewart Knox, Secretary of Laboy & Workforce Development
“By providing opportunities for those who have been overlooked in society, we’re helping more Californians build lasting careers that strengthen our workforce,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias.
These awards from the Employment Development Department (EDD), in coordination with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, are part of the Employment Social Enterprise program.
Employment Social Enterprises are businesses that sell goods and services and provide transitional jobs and support to people breaking through employment barriers. Grant funds focus on transitioning individuals into stable, good-paying jobs — where they can earn wages, gain work experience, improve job skills, and access supportive services. Supportive services may include housing assistance, childcare access, mental health services, job coaching, and more.
The Employment Social Enterprise program is a part of the California Jobs First initiative. In partnership with its 13 economic regions, the State is investing in job creation, industrial strategy, and economic development initiatives, to create a more equitable economy that works for all Californians.
Jeff Negrete, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno: “At Catholic Charities, we’ve always been here to meet immediate needs — food, clothing, and critical support in moments of crisis. But this grant allows us to do something more. It gives us the opportunity to offer a true hand up. Our mission calls us to serve, advocate for, and empower those in need, and this program truly brings empowerment to life. With this workforce development program, we can help people take real steps forward — to find meaningful work, to experience the power of the paycheck, and to help them gain the tools necessary to shape a better future.”
Will Oliver, President & CEO, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation: “We’re thrilled to receive this EDD grant. It’s a critical investment that will allow us to expand access to high-quality careers, providing vital talent for our growing businesses and ensuring job seekers from social enterprises can step into good-paying, sustainable employment.”
Kerry Doi, PACE President & CEO: “TEACH Track represents an intentional investment in the people and future of Los Angeles. By connecting underserved job seekers to meaningful, quality careers in early childhood education, we are strengthening families, the workforce, and the community.”
Elisabeth White, Founder, Plan of Action: “Our mission is to open doors for autistic talent in the creative industries by building an inclusive, industry-focused employment pipeline. By bringing animation jobs back to Los Angeles, we’re showcasing the outstanding talents and contributions of neurodiverse individuals.”
Jessica Filbrun, CEO Stanislaus Equity Partners: “We have a unique mission and opportunity, through California Employment Development Department’s Social Enterprise Grant to catalyze social enterprise incubation, increase job training models, and create employment opportunities. This truly mobilizes regional partnerships to develop creative, low-cost housing solutions through the development of a regional San Joaquin Valley modular home manufacturing facility.”
Maria Kim, President & CEO, REDF: “This program goes beyond just creating jobs; these grantee organizations help restore dignity, expand opportunity, and build a more inclusive economy. Inspired by the ESE [Employment Social Enterprise] model that leverages the power of real work experiences as a critical first step, the California Employment Social Enterprise WIOA program supports 6 innovative organizations as they unlock economic mobility and workforce equity for some of our most vulnerable Californians. REDF is honored to help these organizations to grow and to surface economic mobility models that can be inspiration for the field.”
An additional $1 million has been awarded to REDF to provide technical assistance and strengthen collaboration among the six awardees, share best practices, and support program development and implementation.
These grants are funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Governor’s Discretionary funds and are 100 percent federally funded by two separate awards totaling $9,999, $199.53, and $978,735.71 respectively, from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Source: US State of California 2
What you need to know: As part of California’s strategy to combat homelessness and expand housing, Governor Gavin Newsom is reorganizing state agencies to institutionalize housing, homelessness, and affordability as long-term priorities. The reorganization creates a new California Housing and Homelessness Agency and a separate Business and Consumer Services Agency to enhance focus and accountability across these critical areas.
SACRAMENTO – Building on the Administration’s efforts to reverse decades of inaction on housing and homelessness, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the reorganization proposal went into effect last week, authorizing the state to move forward and create the California Housing and Homelessness Agency and the Business and Consumer Services Agency. As a result, the state will move forward with the formation of the two new agencies to institutionalize these policy priorities for years to come: The California Housing and Homelessness Agency (CHHA) focused on housing, homelessness, and civil rights, and the Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA) is dedicated to business regulation and consumer protection.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Since taking office in 2019, Governor Newsom has created unprecedented policy and structural changes in state government to help California better address its housing and homelessness crises, including additional and unprecedented support for local governments, stronger accountability and enforcement, transformational changes to mental health services, and groundbreaking reforms — including a recently signed housing and infrastructure package that delivers foundational reforms to break down systemic barriers and help ensure California can meet the housing needs of current and future generations. These changes have helped connect hundreds of thousands of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness with vital supports.
Today’s announcement continues the administration’s ongoing work to increase housing, reduce homelessness, and improve affordability. Establishing a standalone agency provides the alignment needed to speed up the construction and financing of housing under California’s affordable housing programs. This approach aims to reduce, prevent, and ultimately end homelessness, while safeguarding civil rights and reinforcing California’s leadership in consumer protections. The new structure will also create a new housing continuum system to better align housing programs and financing and provide a more streamlined process with an all-of-government approach.
By creating a dedicated housing agency and streamlining consumer oversight, the Newsom Administration is ensuring California remains focused on long-term, scalable solutions that serve current and future generations.
“This bold plan shows we are being more aggressive in prioritizing change for the better,” said Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. “This will enable us to better reach our goal of 2.5 million new homes by 2030, with one million of them being affordable housing. I’m extremely pleased the Governor is cementing his legacy by taking the Administration’s accomplishments to the next level, providing the structure to make lasting and sustainable change.”
The California Housing and Homelessness Agency (CHHA) will concentrate on coordinating efforts across government to tackle housing and homelessness challenges, as well as protecting Californians’ civil rights. In this all-of-government approach, CHHA will utilize resources and expertise within government to address these important issues. It includes the following departments:
The Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA) will strengthen the state’s ability to protect consumers by providing focused leadership and oversight across a wide range of industries, such as occupational licensing, alcohol regulation, cannabis regulation, and financial protection, fostering a proactive approach to addressing emerging risks and needs. It includes the following departments:
The new California Housing and Homelessness Agency and the Business Consumer Services Agency will become effective July 1, 2026, at which time the current Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency will be dissolved.
The Newsom administration is making significant progress in reversing decades of inaction on homelessness. Between 2014 and 2019—before Governor Newsom took office—unsheltered homelessness in California rose by approximately 37,000 people. Since then, under this Administration, California has significantly slowed that growth, even as many other states have seen worsening trends
In 2024, while homelessness increased nationally by over 18%, California limited its overall increase to just 3%—a lower rate than in 40 other states. The state also held the growth of unsheltered homelessness to just 0.45%, compared to a national increase of nearly 7%. States like Florida, Texas, New York, and Illinois saw larger increases both in percentage and absolute numbers. California also achieved the nation’s largest reduction in veteran homelessness and made meaningful progress in reducing youth homelessness.
Source: Eurojust
Eurojust hosted Prosecutor Generals from six South Partner Countries – Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine*- and nine EU Member States – Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands – to discuss the challenges and best practices in fighting cross-border crimes, with a focus on asset recovery and trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling. The EuroMed Prosecutor General Forum also endorsed the multi-annual Strategy 2025-2027 with a roadmap for the project’s objectives and priorities.
The project, funded by the European Commission and implemented by Eurojust, aims at enhancing strategic and operational international criminal justice cooperation. The EuroMed Justice project aims at increased opportunities for dialogue and joint actions between relevant EU Member States and the South Partner Countries, as well as increased opportunities for cross-border cooperation in criminal matters between respective judicial authorities.
The President of Eurojust Michael Schmid opened the Prosecutors General Forum: “It has been a great honour to host the Prosecutors General and senior officials from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, and Palestine*. These past days have confirmed the strong potential of our partnerships and a shared commitment to growing our joint casework. With the 2025–2027 EuroMed Justice Strategy now in place, we are eager to expand our network of Liaison Prosecutors at Eurojust and look forward to welcoming representatives from our Southern Partner Countries in the near future. As a first step, we will facilitate study visits to Eurojust to further build mutual trust, deepen understanding, and lay the groundwork for closer cooperation.“
The meeting was chaired by Alexander Van Dam, National Member for the Netherlands, he said: “It is crucial for all countries to work together to combat serious organised crime, through direct exchanges and sharing of best practices.”
The agenda included the project’s results for Year 1 and 2, a presentation from the European Commission on the International Agreements on cooperation with Eurojust, as well as interventions by the Liaison Prosecutors for Serbia and Norway. Participants further exchanged challenges and best practices in judicial cooperation for asset recovery, trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling. In the margins of the event, South Partner officials met with the President of Eurojust. The project team also facilitated ten bilateral meetings between the delegations, representatives of Eurojust and the European Commission.
The Forum marked the adoption of the 2025-2027 multi-annual Strategy of the EuroMed Justice project.
For further information: EuroMed Justice | Eurojust | European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation
* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the initial positions of the Member States on this issue.
Source: Amnesty International –
Reacting to the sentencing yesterday of 19-year-old protester Saba Jikia, to more than four years in prison for allegedly kicking a police officer during ongoing protests in Georgia, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
“Saba Jikia’s trial was marred by fair trial concerns and a failure to apply youth justice procedures, usually available under Georgian law for defendants aged 18 to 21. The evidence against him includes video footage challenged by his defence and conclusions by the prosecution’s expert whom his defence was unable to cross-examine.
This selective approach to justice is of deep concern. Georgian authorities must immediately end this impunity and injustice
“There is a wider pattern of protesters being dealt lengthy jail sentences following unfair trials. At the same time, Georgian authorities have proved unwilling to investigate grave violations by police, with no law enforcement officials held to account for widespread ill-treatment of protesters during arrest and allegations of torture in custody. This selective approach to justice is of deep concern. Georgian authorities must immediately end this impunity and injustice.”
Background
Saba Jikia was arrested on 5 December 2024, a week after mass pro-European protests broke out. He was prosecuted for allegedly kicking a fallen riot police officer. The officer in question – who had not been uniformed during the incident – testified in court saying he had not suffered any injuries.
Georgian youth justice legislation requires consideration of the least restrictive measures for defendants under 21 and of restorative justice alternatives. When applying youth justice procedures to defendants aged 18 to 21, deprivation of liberty is to be permissible only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible period. However, in spite of the wide application of the youth justice provisions in Georgia’s courts for 18 to 21 year olds, they were not applied in Saba Jikia’s case. Initially, he was remanded in detention in a swift hearing, similar to other remanded Georgian protesters, without due consideration of either the grounds for his pretrial detention or of alternative restraining measures. Following his trial, the judge imposed a prison sentence closer to the maximum penalty.
Amnesty International has reported extensively on human rights violations of anti-government protesters in Georgia, including denial of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, violence by pro-government groups or undercover police targeting opposition activists, and unfair trials. The organization has recently launched a global campaign to Demand accountability and justice for protesters in Georgia! – Amnesty International
Source: APO
Frederic Phipps, President: Equatorial Guinea at global exploration and production company ConocoPhillips, has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference as a speaker. Taking place September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town, the event is the premier meeting place for the continent’s oil, gas and broader energy sectors. With various stages of oil and gas exploration, development and production activities in Equatorial Guinea, ConocoPhillips is an instrumental player in the country. As such, Phipps is well-positioned to discuss strategies for enhancing LNG production and exports at a time when Equatorial Guinea is consolidating its position as a major gas hub.
Aligned with a goal to expand its global portfolio, ConocoPhillips has committed to positioning itself as a key player in Equatorial Guinea’s gas market. The company transported its inaugural LNG cargo from the country in June 2025. The ConocoPhillips-marketed cargo was loaded from the country’s EG LNG terminal at the Punta Europa facility on June 9, forming part of the broader Gas Mega Hub initiative – which seeks to leverage existing infrastructure to create a regional gas industry. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Phipps is expected to share insights into ConocoPhillips’ strategy in Equatorial Guinea, from LNG production to exploration plans to future exports and investments.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
ConocoPhillips plays an instrumental part in developing and producing oil and gas resources in Equatorial Guinea. The country operates in both the Alba and Block D production sharing contracts that form the Alba Unit, located offshore Equatorial Guinea. In 2024, the company further enhanced its presence in Equatorial Guinea with the acquisition of independent oil and gas company Marathon Oil. The acquisition – which saw Marathon Oil become a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips – adds to the company’s deep, durable and diverse portfolio. Marathon Oil supports the development of the country’s Gas Mega Hub, with a five-year agreement in place with natural resource company Glencore for its equity natural gas from the Alba field. The agreement optimizes gas operations by redirecting partial volumes from the methanol plant to the LNG facility. The first LNG cargo represents a key step forward in this agreement.
ConocoPhillips operations in Equatorial Guinea form part of a global strategy which seeks to position the company as a key player in Africa’s energy landscape. Beyond West Africa, the company is strengthening its presence in North Africa, with key investments in Libya. As a long-term partner in the country, ConocoPhillips is targeting increased production through upgrades to existing facilities and investments in underdeveloped reserves. Currently, the company has been gradually increasing production at the Waha concession, which presently produces around 375,000 barrels per day (bpd). Targeting between 600,000 and 700,000 bpd, ConocoPhillips is leveraging collaborations, new workover programs and pipeline integrity to bolster output.
As the company seeks to strengthen its footprint in North and West Africa, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 offers a vital platform for enhanced collaboration and industry engagement. Uniting stakeholders from both the global and African energy landscapes, the event seeks to drive investment into African energy by providing a platform for engagement and dealmaking. Phipps’ participation underscores ConocoPhillips’ commitment to investing in oil and gas production in Africa and is poised to unlock new opportunities for industry growth in Africa.
“ConocoPhillips continues to play a major role in increasing African oil and gas production. Through strategic investments in Libya and an expanded presence in Equatorial Guinea, the company is creating greater value from the continent’s oil and gas resources. Looking ahead, these investments are expected to fuel the next era of industry development as Africa seeks to make energy poverty history through accelerated hydrocarbon production,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Source: APO
Philippe Tonangoye, Minister of Universal Access to Water and Energy of Gabon, will participate at the African energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3, 2025. His participation comes as Gabon implements an aggressive strategy to enhance access to water and energy, with strategic investments and partnerships in infrastructure, power and local businesses. His insights will support future investments as project developers, financiers and global partners convene in Cape Town to discuss strategies for making energy poverty history.
For Gabon, natural gas has emerged as a cornerstone of the country’s petroleum and power development. The country aims to utilize its offshore resources to drive economic growth, leveraging investments in gas-to-power and floating power generation solutions to enhance energy access country-wide. The country’s long-awaited Orinko gas-to-power plant is on track to start construction soon, with a Shareholders’ Agreement signed in May 2025 to advance the project. The project is expected to play a vital role in expanding Gabonese power access, as it will boost the country’s generation capacity by 50%. Developed by Orinko SPV – comprising the state-owned Gabon Power Company in partnership with Wärtsilä, Africa 50, FGIS and Melec PowerGen – the project will be constructed under a build-own-operate-transfer IPP model. Otinko will utilize offshore gas resources as feedstock to produce electricity, laying the foundation for greater generating capacity in Gabon. At present, gas power plants operated by independent oil and gas company Perenco account for 70% of the power in Libreville and 100% of the power in Port-Gentil. With the Orinko facility, Gabon will be well-positioned to significantly enhance access.
Beyond natural gas, Gabon is spearheading a pipeline of renewable energy developments, seeking to enhance access to both grid-connected and off-grid power in pursuit of universal access by 2030. The Orinko milestone follows the start of operations at energy company Karpowership’s floating power plants in Gabon in February 2025. The plants provide electricity to the capital city of Libreville and other regions, thereby boosting the power grid while offering a clean source of power to underserves communities. Karpowership signed a contract in 2024 with Gabon to provide 250 MW of electricity to the country for a period of five years. The company has been supplying 25% of the country’s total electricity via two powership situated at different locations. These solutions represent a flexible and scalable option for Gabon as it strives to enhance access to electricity through modernized infrastructure solutions. Meanwhile, Gabon is investing in new hydropower projects. Currently approximately half of the power consumed in the country is derived from hydro, largely from the Grand Poubara Hydroelectric Dam (160 MW) and Kinguele Aval Hydroelectric Dam (70 MW). However, to achieve its energy goals, much more investment is needed across the power market.
To further support project development, Gabon established a National Fund for Energy and Water (FNEE) in 2025, aimed at mobilizing capital for energy and water projects. The FNEE will address power outages by implementing short-term measures, driving key infrastructure investments and boosting regional energy cooperation. The fund also seeks to revive delayed power projects, including the 125 MW Owendo thermal power station – planned for 2027 -, the Ngoulmendjim and L’impératrice Eugénie hydroelectric plants. The fund falls under the country’s broader National Development Plan for Transition, with the three projects alone requiring an estimated $453 million to develop. This highlights a strategic opportunity for investors and projects developers seeking to make impactful investments in Africa.
“Gabon’s strategy to achieve universal access to electricity is expected to unlock a wealth of economic and development opportunities for the country. By utilizing a variety of different power generation solutions – from gas-to-power to floating facilities to hydroelectric projects and renewables – the country is diversifying and strengthening its portfolio of power facilities. This approach not only creates greater opportunities for energy access but opens up the market to a variety of investors and project developers,” states Ore Onagbesan, Program Director, AEW: Invest in African Energies.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
About AEW: Invest in African Energies:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit https://AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
BURLINGTON, VT – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced that Vermont farmers and producers affected by crop losses from natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now submit applications for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Disaster Relief Program. More than $16 billion in aid, made possible by the American Relief Act, 2025, will support farmers across the U.S., including in Vermont, who suffered agricultural and revenue losses due to natural disasters. This funding for farmers was a priority championed by Senator Welch.
Vermont producers impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can learn more about applying for USDA disaster relief payments here.
“After brutal flooding wreaked havoc across Vermont in 2023 and again in 2024, I promised our farmers the federal government would be there to help. This funding will provide more than $16 billion to producers across the country who were victim to natural disasters—including those hit hard by flooding in the Green Mountain State. I’ll keep working with USDA to get more disaster aid to Vermont’s impacted farms,” said Senator Welch.
This funding is currently only open to those who received assistance through crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance program in 2023 and 2024. Sign-ups are happening in-person at the county offices of the Farm Service Agency, and pre-filled applications were mailed out to eligible producers earlier this week. USDA will share additional information on how producers that suffered shallow or uncovered losses can apply for assistance later this year.
Further USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and the FarmRaise online FSA education hub. Payment details will be updated here weekly. For more information, Vermont farmers can contact their local USDA Service Center.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
BURLINGTON, VT—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following reaction to President Trump’s threat to impose a 35% tariff on Canada, beginning August 1, 2025:
“The president’s unnecessary trade war with Canada has already hurt Vermont’s businesses, farmers, and manufacturers—this escalation will only throw fuel on the fire.
“Canada is Vermont’s top trading partner, and the same is true of 34 states. Canada is our friend and our neighbor. This uncertainty is disruptive and detrimental to our economy. Tourism in Vermont from Canada has dramatically decreased as a result of the president’s careless rhetoric, hurting hotels, restaurants, and downtowns. Manufacturers are cutting their workforce. Farmers are paying more for fertilizer. Tariffs are taxes, and the president is threatening to raise taxes on American consumers.”
Source: World Trade Organization
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I am very grateful to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for joining so many other WTO members in taking this step to protect the global commons. We are now just seven ratifications away from the entry into force of this landmark Agreement to curb harmful fisheries subsidies and better preserve our oceans!”
Minister Kahongya said: “By ratifying the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirms its commitment to the principles of multilateralism and to ensuring sustainable management of the world’s marine resources. The ratification reflects our country’s determination to contribute actively to preserving the environment, combating overfishing and promoting international trade based on equity, sustainability and solidarity. We also hope that the implementation of this crucial international legal instrument will allow the Democratic Republic of the Congo to participate more actively in world trade.”
The Director-General also received from the Democratic Republic of Congo its acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Concluded in 2013, the TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods which will enhance regional trade integration and connectivity.
Formal acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are required for the Agreement to enter into force — representing 111 members. The list of the 104 WTO members which have deposited their instruments of acceptance with the WTO is available here.
At the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva in June 2022, ministers adopted by consensus the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, setting new, binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, for fishing overfished stocks, and for fishing on the unregulated high seas.
Ministers also recognized the needs of developing economies and least-developed countries by establishing a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to help governments that have formally accepted the Agreement to implement the new obligations.
The Fish Fund launched a Call for Proposals on 6 June, inviting developing economies and LDCs that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to submit requests for project grants aimed at helping them implement the Agreement. The WTO Fish Fund portal can be found here.
WTO members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiating on remaining fisheries subsidies issues. The objective is to find consensus on additional provisions to further strengthen the disciplines on fisheries subsidies.
Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.
Source: WTO
Headline: Public procurement as key tool to tackle health issues discussed at WHO-WIPO-WTO webinar
The event also presented procurement as a mechanism for fostering innovation, technology transfer and local manufacturing.
Clive Ondari from the WHO Secretariat noted that in many countries, access to medical technologies is driven by public procurement as pharmaceuticals are often made available through public funding or subsidies.To ensure efficient procurement, systems must rely on quality medical products obtained in a timely manner in the required quantities and at affordable prices. These elements are particularly important in the health sector given the large expenditures, with some programmes paying considerably more than necessary for medicines.
Amy Dietterich from the WIPO Secretariat emphasized the role of collaboration and tailored strategies to ensure procurement serves as an effective tool for innovation and access. Learning how governments develop laws and policies, how different initiatives determine strategies and priorities to support procurement practices, and how this tool benefits from an integrated view of public health, intellectual property (IP), and trade is important.
Roger Kampf from the WTO Secretariat highlighted the importance of a cross-disciplinary approach, including IP, procurement and competition frameworks to effectively address global health challenges. He noted that beyond obtaining best value for money, sound procurement can foster technology transfer, boost local manufacturing capacities and strengthen research and development (R&D) capacities as well as supply chain resilience.
The webinar featured presentations examining the health, IP and trade dimensions of public procurement alongside case studies from experts representing various regional and local mechanisms, who highlighted their respective approaches to public procurement.
Lisa Hedman from the WHO Secretariat highlighted procurement as a lever in the context of the WHO Roadmap on Access to Medicines 2025 – 2030 to improve affordability, availability, accessibility and acceptability for health products and technologies.
Giovanni Napolitano from the WIPO Secretariat explained the role of public procurement as a key driver of innovation in the healthcare area. IP may influence access, pricing and innovation by informing who holds rights to key technologies (patent landscapes), delimiting freedom to operate and avoiding IP infringement, encouraging voluntary licensing for broader access, and assessing the impact of data exclusivity on competition. Well-designed, pro-competitive tenders are essential for rewarding R&D, preventing monopolies and improving access. He emphasized the importance of IP due diligence early in procurement processes, building capacity for IP management within agencies and fostering public-private partnerships around IP.
Astghik Solomonyan from the WTO Secretariat addressed the benefits of combining pooled public procurement with international trade. At the country level, pooled procurement with its implied larger orders and trade agreements (e.g. the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement 2012) with their market access and good governance guarantees can attract international suppliers offering competitive prices or superior quality. At the international level, recent experience has highlighted the importance of global supply chain resilience. Trade agreements provide international suppliers with the market access needed to establish additional production and distribution facilities while pooled procurement helps to generate the level of demand necessary to keep such facilities operational.
Lucia Rizka Andalucia, Ministry of Health Indonesia representative, shared how the country has strategically positioned public procurement as a key instrument to drive national innovation and industrial development by boosting local production, ensuring market access for domestic products and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
The representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Santiago Cornejo, explained the Revolving Fund mechanism, which enables countries across the Americas to access quality vaccines, essential medicines and health products, including diagnostics, using pooled procurement, which consolidates reliable and predictable demand from member states. He also mentioned the reorientation of the Fund in response to COVID-19 toward supporting innovation, technology transfer and local manufacturing.
The EU Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) representative, Katarzyna Motyka, presented the EU joint procurement mechanism based on the lessons learned from COVID-19. She highlighted how the mechanism ensures equitable access to essential health products among member states, complements national initiatives and strengthens public procurement systems across Europe on a voluntary basis.
The representative of the Gulf Health Council, Fathi Alkathiry, clarified how the Gulf Joint Procurement Program has, through the years, developed efficient decision-making processes for a multi-country pooled procurement tendering to facilitate the procurement of medicines and medical supplies. The Gulf Cooperation Council has also taken measures to promote local manufacturing, including the use of procurement to develop local industries. These efforts have contributed to regional growth in the industrial sector. In 2024, the Gulf region counted 74 pharmaceutical factories and 140 medical supply factories.
Lastly, the representative from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and Regional Economic Communities, Wesley Ronoh, shared Africa’s experience with public procurement, highlighting the role of the East African Community, Southern African Development Community, and Economic Community of West African States in fostering collaboration. He further noted that public procurement plays a critical role in national health strategies in Africa as an estimated 40% of health spending in many African countries occurs through it. The African Pooled Procurement Mechanism, established in 2024, was also presented.
The video recording of the webinar is available here.
Trilateral collaboration of WHO, WIPO and WTO
The secretariats of the WHO, WIPO and the WTO organize capacity building and technical assistance activities on current issues to enhance the flow of updated and technical information related to innovation and access to health technologies. The objective of the Trilateral Cooperation workshops and webinars is to strengthen the capacity of law and policymakers and experts in member governments by facilitating access to expertise, data and evidence and deepen discussions of critical issues at the intersection of public health, IP and trade.
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