As armed clashes intensify and conditions worsen inside Myanmar, thousands continue to cross the border seeking safety in the overcrowded camps of Cox’s Bazar, where nearly one million Rohingya refugees already live in densely populated camps.
“This is the largest movement of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh since 2017,” said Babar Baloch, spokesperson for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, briefing journalists in Geneva on Friday.
He clarified that unlike the mass influx in 2017, when some 750,000 Rohingya fled deadly violence in Rakhine state, this uptick in refugees has unfolded more gradually.
Advocating for asylum
UNHCR is working closely with local authorities to respond to urgent humanitarian needs.
“As the conflict in Myanmar continues unabated, we are advocating with the Bangladeshi authorities to provide managed access to safety and asylum for civilians fleeing the conflict,” he said.
Bangladesh has long provided refuge to the Rohingya, a mostly Muslim minority community in Myanmar, which is mainly Buddhist.
The country currently hosts nearly one million people in the refugee camps and the recent arrivals – many of them women and children – are placing further strain on resources. Many are relying heavily on local solidarity and sharing limited resources with those already living in the camps.
Appeal for support
By the end of June, nearly 121,000 newly arrived refugees had been biometrically registered, although many more are believed to be residing informally in the camps. Access to adequate shelter remains a major concern as facilities struggle to absorb the new population.
“These new arrivals join another nearly one million Rohingya refugees crammed into just 24 square kilometres,” said Mr. Baloch. “More humanitarian support is urgently required.”
Aid partners have been able to provide basic services including food, medical care, education, and essential relief items. However, the response is now under serious threat due to a lack of funding.
UNHCR warned that the 2024 humanitarian appeal for $255 million is only 35 per cent funded. Without immediate financial support, the entire operation could face systemic collapse.
Action needed now
Unless additional funds are secured, health services will be severely disrupted by September and essential cooking fuel — liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – will run out by December. Food assistance will stop and education for some 230,000 Rohingya children, including 63,000 new arrivals, is in danger of being discontinued.
Despite a strictly controlled and officially closed border, the Government of Bangladesh has allowed new arrivals to access emergency services in the camps. The UN agency expressed deep appreciation for this humanitarian gesture under highly challenging conditions.
“We don’t have the resources to take care of the new arrivals and also those who were there before them,” said Mr. Baloch. “Everything will be impacted.”
As displacement from Rakhine state continues, UNHCR and its partners are urging the international community to act swiftly. Without immediate and sustained support, the already fragile humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar could begin to unravel – with devastating consequences for more than one million people who rely on it for survival.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday chaired the first Governing Council Meeting of the National Cadet Corps Alumni Association (NCCAA) at South Block, New Delhi. Addressing the delegation, the Defence Minister described the NCC as “a platform that presents an ideal for the youth of the country.”
He termed former NCC cadets as strong pillars of India who are contributing to the nation’s development across diverse fields — not passively, but as active drivers of change.
“We need to include the guidance of our former cadets to accelerate the goal of national development,” he said, expressing confidence that the NCCAA will provide new energy and direction to the NCC.
Singh also exhorted the NCC to spread the values and qualities of its cadets to a larger section of the population under the spirit of NCC Plus.
“NCC instills these values in the youth who are associated with it. Our effort should be to ensure that these values reach even those who could not join the NCC,” the Defence Minister said.
He further highlighted that the NCCAA can play an active role in nation-building efforts through programmes such as Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Swachhta Abhiyan, and various community development and social service schemes, which have the potential to impact a large segment of the population.
Lauding the NCC for its significant contribution to the all-round development of the youth, he said, “In the true spirit of its motto ‘Unity & Discipline,’ the NCC has always been committed to national unity and nation-building. It has helped lakhs of youth, including students from remote areas, to become disciplined and motivated.”
The NCCAA is a flagship association of NCC alumni, aimed at carrying forward the work of the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation by bringing together former and current cadets under one umbrella and enhancing their participation in the nation-building process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first registered member of the association, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is the second.
The meeting was attended by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Department of Education) Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Department of Youth Affairs) Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence Dipti Mohil Chawla, DGNCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, Joint Secretary (Training) Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma, CEO LD Remedial World Bala Saraswathy Nair, and Secretary, NCCAA Col Gagan Sharma.
Three out of every four electors in Bihar have submitted their enumeration forms as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, taking the total coverage of the drive to 74.39 per cent, an official from the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Friday.
“As of 6 p.m. on Friday, 5.87 crore enumeration forms — 74.39 per cent of the total — have been collected over the last 17 days since the issuance of SIR instructions on June 24. Forms can be submitted until July 25,” the ECI said in a statement.
The official added that with 14 days remaining until the final deadline, the rest of the exercise is expected to be completed on schedule.
In the second phase of SIR, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are conducting door-to-door visits to assist electors and collect the filled-in enumeration forms, the statement said.
Field-level officials, including 38 District Registration Officers (DROs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) covering all 243 Assembly Constituencies, and 963 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), are closely monitoring the progress of the drive.
Digitisation and uploading of forms are also proceeding smoothly. According to Para 3(h) of the SIR guidelines, BLOs have successfully digitised and uploaded 3.73 crore forms via the BLO App/ECINet, out of the total collected so far.
“A new module has been implemented in ECINet today for verification of the uploaded forms by AEROs and EROs,” the ECI added.
A total of 77,895 BLOs — including 20,603 newly appointed officers and other election staff — are working round the clock to complete the process. Additionally, over four lakh volunteers are supporting elderly, disabled, sick, and other vulnerable citizens. A proactive force of 1.56 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs), appointed by recognised political parties, is also assisting in the effort.
Earlier, the Supreme Court asked the ECI to consider “in the interest of justice” whether documents such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Ration Cards could be accepted for voter verification during the SIR in poll-bound Bihar.
A Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing petitions that challenged the ECI’s June 26 directive to conduct the SIR, arguing that it could “arbitrarily” disenfranchise lakhs of voters and potentially impact free and fair elections.
Noting that the draft revised electoral rolls are scheduled to be published in August, the Supreme Court listed the matter for further hearing on July 28 before a regular Bench.
Three out of every four electors in Bihar have submitted their enumeration forms as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, taking the total coverage of the drive to 74.39 per cent, an official from the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Friday.
“As of 6 p.m. on Friday, 5.87 crore enumeration forms — 74.39 per cent of the total — have been collected over the last 17 days since the issuance of SIR instructions on June 24. Forms can be submitted until July 25,” the ECI said in a statement.
The official added that with 14 days remaining until the final deadline, the rest of the exercise is expected to be completed on schedule.
In the second phase of SIR, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are conducting door-to-door visits to assist electors and collect the filled-in enumeration forms, the statement said.
Field-level officials, including 38 District Registration Officers (DROs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) covering all 243 Assembly Constituencies, and 963 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), are closely monitoring the progress of the drive.
Digitisation and uploading of forms are also proceeding smoothly. According to Para 3(h) of the SIR guidelines, BLOs have successfully digitised and uploaded 3.73 crore forms via the BLO App/ECINet, out of the total collected so far.
“A new module has been implemented in ECINet today for verification of the uploaded forms by AEROs and EROs,” the ECI added.
A total of 77,895 BLOs — including 20,603 newly appointed officers and other election staff — are working round the clock to complete the process. Additionally, over four lakh volunteers are supporting elderly, disabled, sick, and other vulnerable citizens. A proactive force of 1.56 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs), appointed by recognised political parties, is also assisting in the effort.
Earlier, the Supreme Court asked the ECI to consider “in the interest of justice” whether documents such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Ration Cards could be accepted for voter verification during the SIR in poll-bound Bihar.
A Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing petitions that challenged the ECI’s June 26 directive to conduct the SIR, arguing that it could “arbitrarily” disenfranchise lakhs of voters and potentially impact free and fair elections.
Noting that the draft revised electoral rolls are scheduled to be published in August, the Supreme Court listed the matter for further hearing on July 28 before a regular Bench.
Last week, the MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, made an audacious decision. Having already lost the Labour party whip for opposing the two-child benefit cap, Sultana announced she would co-lead a new leftwing party with Jeremy Corbyn, who was expelled from Labour in 2024.
From one angle, her decision may seem simple. Discontent with Keir Starmer’s Labour government, on everything from welfare cuts to Gaza, has never been higher, and Sultana is a vocal critic. Yet, launching a (still unnamed) new party is bold. It tackles head-on an old and vexing question for socialist critics of capitalism in the UK.
In 1976, the socialist theorist Ralph Miliband (yes, Ed and David’s dad) described the faith in Labour’s capacity to become a socialist vehicle as “the most crippling of all illusions”. But socialists who agree with Miliband senior then have an almighty problem.
Writing months after the 2019 defeat of Corbyn’s Labour party, the veteran “New Left” academics Colin Leys and Leo Panitch echoed Miliband in their book Searching for Socialism. But they also saw few immediate alternatives with “any prospect of electoral success”. This, they wrote, is the “central dilemma” for British democratic socialists.
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The reaction to Sultana’s announcement from the British left has been accordingly mixed. Leaks revealed that Corbyn’s team was caught off guard. Responses from prominent potential supporters were reserved. Momentum, the leftwing grassroots organisation, hastily distributed the pamphlet Why Socialists Should Be in the Labour Party.
It’s too early to know whether these issues are teething problems or portents. But the barriers to Sultana’s venture are formidable. What would it take for a new leftwing party to succeed? What would “success” even look like?
A careful reading of political history can help us answer these questions. This is not the first time that new parties have emerged from Labour factionalism. Many readers will be aware of the 1981 departure of the “gang of four” Labour figures, who founded the Social Democratic party (SDP) that later merged with the Liberal party to form the Liberal Democrats.
Nor is it the first time that smaller parties have appeared on Labour’s left. Between 1920 and 1991, the Communist party of Great Britain was a potent force in the trade union movement. From the 1990s to the 2010s, several vehicles contested local and national elections against Labour, from the Socialist Alliance to Left Unity.
Challenges for a new party
Each of these iterations had its historical peculiarities. But stepping back, we can identify three recurring challenges that any leftwing insurgent party must confront.
First, they must agree on an electoral strategy and purpose, given the institutional brutality of British democracy. The UK has some proportional elections, including in Scotland and Wales (expected to be next contested in 2026). Councils are also possible avenues of influence.
But there is no avoiding the fact that legislative and executive power is hoarded in the House of Commons, elected by first past the post. Labour will discourage possible defectors by warning that a split in the left vote will let in the right. Neil Kinnock, Labour’s former leader who found himself fighting off the SDP while trying to evict Thatcher in the 1980s, dubbed Sultana and Corbyn’s venture the “Farage assistance party”.
Left of Labour parties are often aware of the risk. Indeed, far left activists have in the past advocated voting Labour, with “varying degrees of (un)enthusiasm”.
Advocates of a new party will note that Labour is only polling in the low 20s, suggesting a pool of ex-Labour voters potentially interested in shopping around. However, there are others it could torpedo too.
One recent poll on support for a hypothetical Corbyn-led party – which we should take with some salt – found that its 10% support comes partly from eating into the Green vote. An electoral arrangement with the Greens, on the other hand, may require shared policy platforms, raising the question of why a separate party is needed.
A poll from More in Common conducted specifically about a Sultana-Corbyn party found 9% of Labour voters and 26% of current Green voters saying that would vote for such a party.
The Socialist Labour party (SLP) – founded in 1996 by the prominent trade unionist Arthur Scargill in reaction to Tony Blair’s New Labour – is the obvious cautionary tale. Scargill wanted a purer, better Labour party. Yet, Labour looked set to kick out an 18-year-long Conservative government.
Scargill could not convince many sympathetic activists to join. As historian Alfie Steer argues, the SLP instead became dominated by socialists hostile to the Labour party. The party could not overcome the resultant contradictions in its purpose and collapsed into acrimony.
The SLP also illustrates the second key consideration: timing. The SLP struggled partly because it launched just as Labour was sweeping triumphantly into power. Sultana’s timing is arguably more astute. She has waited for Starmer’s bubble to burst and for disillusionment to fester.
However, the broad left within Labour has also just found its voice by rebelling against government policy. The temptation for a risk-averse Labour activist may be to leap onto this critical bandwagon without taking the more dangerous step of defecting.
The final challenge is securing institutional durability without debilitating splits. It is telling that Sultana felt compelled to include Corbyn’s name despite his reported reservations.
Sultana herself has an impressive political profile, especially on TikTok. Any new party will rely heavily on prominent spokespeople to force it into the national conversation. Yet, such vehicles can become trapped by their dependence on individuals. The Respect party of the 2000s, for example, was reliant on the charismatic but polarising figure of George Galloway.
The fledgling party will also need a lasting structure that determines how candidates are selected and policy is formed. This risks dragging it into dreaded constitutional debates. It is already reportedly divided over the existence of co-leaders.
Intra-party democracy is off-putting to outsiders. But as constitutional scholar Meg Russell argues, it speaks to fundamental questions about the extent, and limits, of democracy. Such disputes have frequently wracked the left (and the radical right, as Reform’s recent constitutional changes show).
To what extent should policy be “democratically” decided? Should a new party limit who can join, and if so, on what criteria? How will leaders be selected? From the CPGB to the SLP, these questions have proven divisive in the past. They could easily prove so again.
The new party faces severe challenges, but it would be unwise to write it off completely. In a volatile context, it has a chance to make its mark if it is clear in its strategic electoral purpose, cultivates an institutional and activist base and times its interventions astutely. But the obstacles to success are enormous – and with Reform currently polling top, the risks are high.
Colm Murphy is currently a member of the Labour Party, but he is writing purely in an academic capacity.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)
Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel highlights some of FBI Sacramento’s recent major cases.
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In 2024, with over 60 per cent of the global population connected to the internet, the digital sphere is expanding rapidly. This unprecedented digital expansion unlocks vast opportunities, yet it simultaneously unleashes escalating cybersecurity risks. As technology advances, so too do the sophisticated threats that jeopardize our digital safety.
To navigate this complex landscape and safeguard our connected world, John Brandolino, the Director for the Division for Treaty Affairs at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, explains why the new international UN Cybercrime Convention is vital for global peace and security.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned the US Government for wantonly smearing the work of Hong Kong in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for activities endangering national security in accordance with the law under the pretext of extending the so-called “national emergency”.
In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the US has blatantly and repeatedly breached international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and vainly interfered with the internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong matters by extending again the so-called “national emergency with respect to Hong Kong”.
Such an act is arbitrary and unreasonable, the statement said, noting that the US has time and again made skewed remarks about Hong Kong’s situation and imposed the so-called “sanctions” on Hong Kong, attempting to interfere with its law-based governance and undermine the city’s rule of law as well as its prosperity and stability.
“Endangering national security is a very serious offence. No country will watch with folded arms on acts and activities that endanger national security.
“With at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security in the US, the US exposed their double standards as they pointed fingers at Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while totally disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the city to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the national security legislation on economic development and the protection of human rights.”
In over five years of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the law enforcement agencies of Hong Kong have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which has nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.
The Department of Justice is in charge of criminal prosecutions under Article 63 of the Basic Law, with all its prosecutorial decisions made on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws.
Everyone charged with a criminal offence will receive fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong, including the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
Since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, human rights in the city have been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The legal framework in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR is in line with relevant international human rights standards, the statement stressed.
The HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by the residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong are protected in accordance with the law, it added.
The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the SNSO and relevant laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst upholding the people’s rights and freedoms in accordance with the law, to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle.
It strongly demanded the US to immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China’s internal affairs.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Missouri of the Aug. 11, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 29.
The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington.
Under this declaration, PNPs providing services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical damage loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“SBA loans help eligible private nonprofits cover both physical damage as well as economic injury after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help private nonprofits get back on their feet but help them rebuild.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates can be as low as 3.625% with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 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) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Missouri of the Aug. 11, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 29.
The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington.
Under this declaration, PNPs providing services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical damage loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“SBA loans help eligible private nonprofits cover both physical damage as well as economic injury after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help private nonprofits get back on their feet but help them rebuild.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates can be as low as 3.625% with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 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) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Missouri of the Aug. 11, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 29.
The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington.
Under this declaration, PNPs providing services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical damage loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“SBA loans help eligible private nonprofits cover both physical damage as well as economic injury after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help private nonprofits get back on their feet but help them rebuild.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates can be as low as 3.625% with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 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) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Missouri of the Aug. 11, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 29.
The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington.
Under this declaration, PNPs providing services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical damage loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“SBA loans help eligible private nonprofits cover both physical damage as well as economic injury after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help private nonprofits get back on their feet but help them rebuild.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates can be as low as 3.625% with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 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 Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in Starr and Willacy counties to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms and flooding occurring March 26‑28.
Beginning Monday, July 14, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the DLOCs in Rio Grande City and Sebastian 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 centers’ hours of operation are as follows:
STARR COUNTY
WILLACY COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Starr County Courthouse Annex 100 N. FM 3167 Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Opens at 8 a.m., Monday, July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Sebastian Community Center 434 W. Eighth St. Sebastian, TX 78594
Opens at 8 a.m. Monday July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The following BRC locations are open and continue to serve survivors:
CAMERON COUNTY
HIDALGO COUNTY
Business Recovery Center Harlingen Chamber of Commerce 311 E. Tyler Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550
Business Recovery Center Valley Metro Transit Center Boardroom 510 S. Pleasantview Dr. Weslaco, TX 78596
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available 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.
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.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
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.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.75% 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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 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 Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in Starr and Willacy counties to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms and flooding occurring March 26‑28.
Beginning Monday, July 14, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the DLOCs in Rio Grande City and Sebastian 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 centers’ hours of operation are as follows:
STARR COUNTY
WILLACY COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Starr County Courthouse Annex 100 N. FM 3167 Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Opens at 8 a.m., Monday, July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Sebastian Community Center 434 W. Eighth St. Sebastian, TX 78594
Opens at 8 a.m. Monday July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The following BRC locations are open and continue to serve survivors:
CAMERON COUNTY
HIDALGO COUNTY
Business Recovery Center Harlingen Chamber of Commerce 311 E. Tyler Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550
Business Recovery Center Valley Metro Transit Center Boardroom 510 S. Pleasantview Dr. Weslaco, TX 78596
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available 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.
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.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
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.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.75% 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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 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 Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in Starr and Willacy counties to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms and flooding occurring March 26‑28.
Beginning Monday, July 14, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the DLOCs in Rio Grande City and Sebastian 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 centers’ hours of operation are as follows:
STARR COUNTY
WILLACY COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Starr County Courthouse Annex 100 N. FM 3167 Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Opens at 8 a.m., Monday, July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Sebastian Community Center 434 W. Eighth St. Sebastian, TX 78594
Opens at 8 a.m. Monday July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The following BRC locations are open and continue to serve survivors:
CAMERON COUNTY
HIDALGO COUNTY
Business Recovery Center Harlingen Chamber of Commerce 311 E. Tyler Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550
Business Recovery Center Valley Metro Transit Center Boardroom 510 S. Pleasantview Dr. Weslaco, TX 78596
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available 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.
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.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
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.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.75% 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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 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 Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in Starr and Willacy counties to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms and flooding occurring March 26‑28.
Beginning Monday, July 14, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the DLOCs in Rio Grande City and Sebastian 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 centers’ hours of operation are as follows:
STARR COUNTY
WILLACY COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Starr County Courthouse Annex 100 N. FM 3167 Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Opens at 8 a.m., Monday, July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Sebastian Community Center 434 W. Eighth St. Sebastian, TX 78594
Opens at 8 a.m. Monday July 14 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The following BRC locations are open and continue to serve survivors:
CAMERON COUNTY
HIDALGO COUNTY
Business Recovery Center Harlingen Chamber of Commerce 311 E. Tyler Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550
Business Recovery Center Valley Metro Transit Center Boardroom 510 S. Pleasantview Dr. Weslaco, TX 78596
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available 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.
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.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
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.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.75% 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 deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 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.
Westminster City Council has appointed six multi-disciplinary teams to work on potential sites for new housing development.
With demand for homes at an all-time high and an ongoing national housing crisis, the council has made building, buying and providing more affordable homes across the city its top priority.
From 2022 to 2030, the Council will build around 2,000 new homes across the city, with 1,100 of them allocated as council homes for social rent, which is 330 more than in the previous plan.
And now, the Council is exploring options to add to this existing strong pipeline. The Council will work with consultants to assess six sites for their feasibility; including costs, delivery options, overall desirability and how well each project aligns with the council’s Fairer Westminster priorities.
The projects will only move forward if they meet these key criteria, where they then will be discussed with further consultation with residents, businesses and other key stakeholders.
The potential new affordable homes also complements the Council’s wider efforts, including significant investment in temporary accommodation and property acquisitions.
Cllr Ellie Ormsby, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters, said:
“Local authorities across the country are exploring ways to build quality, affordable homes on publicly owned land, and this process is an important first step towards delivering this for residents. Demand for social housing is incredibly high in Westminster, with people having to wait many years for a property.
“The teams have been appointed to work up options at the sites which have been selected as they are currently underutilised or in need of significant investment. Development on these sites will allow us to both build more homes and unlock wider community benefits. We will not progress with plans for building unless they meet our criteria, where they will then be subject to scrutiny and extensive engagement, where the views of our residents will be key.”
SEATTLE — The Trump administration has committed in court filings to carving out Washington and other states from its illegal plans to distribute thousands of machine-gun conversion devices nationwide following a lawsuit from Attorney General Nick Brown and 15 other states’ attorneys general.
In submissions made in the multistate litigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has expressly confirmed to a judge that it will not return forced reset triggers in the plaintiff states. In addition, Rare Breed Triggers, the country’s largest purveyor of forced reset triggers, has confirmed in its court filings that it will not sell any of these devices in the plaintiff states. As a result, the coalition is withdrawing its motion for a preliminary injunction.
“It is unfortunate that litigation was necessary when the federal government could have made these commitments much earlier,” Brown said. “But I will do everything possible to keep Washingtonians safe from dangerous machine-gun conversion devices.”
In recent years, machine-gun conversion devices like forced reset triggers, which dramatically increase a firearm’s rate of fire, have been frequently used in violent crimes and mass shootings, worsening the gun violence epidemic in the United States. Firearms equipped with these devices are able to exceed the rate of fire of many military machine guns, firing up to 20 bullets in one second. ATF has noted a significant rise in the use of these devices, leading to increasing incidents of machine-gun fire – up 1,400% from 2019 through 2021.
In addition to Washington, the other plaintiffs are Delaware, Maryland, Colorado, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
The case, which remains active, was filed June 9. Read more about the lawsuit here.
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Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.govto learn more.
Media Contact:
Email: press@atg.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 753-2727
General contacts: Click here
Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Three Raleigh County residents were sentenced to prison today for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in Beckley and elsewhere within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Tilford Joe Bradley Jr., 47, of Beckley, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Heather Danielle Dunbar, 38, of Terry, was sentenced to five years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine. Kevin Wray Terrell, 39, of Beckley, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and also for violating supervised release. Each prison term is to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Bradley, Dunbar and Terrell are among 12 individuals indicted on charges alleging they participated in the DTO, which operated from in or about June 2023 to in or about May 2024. All 12 defendants pleaded guilty, including two defendants who pleaded guilty to separate offenses in lieu of the offenses charged in the indictment.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Bradley arranged multiple drug transactions with other individuals as part of the DTO conspiracy, and received controlled substances from multiple suppliers for distribution. On June 28, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Bradley’s residence, where Dunbar was staying, and seized 38 grams of fentanyl, 6 grams of cocaine, multiple digital scales, a money counter, a large quantity of small plastic bags, and a blender containing white residue. Dunbar admitted that she intended to help Bradley distribute the seized controlled substances in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.
On October 17, 2023, Dunbar sold 1 ounce of methamphetamine in exchange for $320 to a confidential informant at Bradley’s residence. Dunbar admitted to the transaction as part of her guilty plea and further admitted to selling 25.94 grams of methamphetamine for $320 on October 23, 2023, and approximately 2.3 grams of fentanyl for $325 on December 26, 2023, each time to a confidential informant. Dunbar also admitted to working with Bradley to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and crack in and around the Southern District of West Virginia during the months of April and May 2024.
On May 6, 2024, law enforcement officers in Beckley conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Bradley was a passenger. Officers searched the vehicle and seized 2 ounces of methamphetamine found in a magnetic box hidden in the vehicle’s engine bay, a Colt model MK IV .45-caliber pistol, and a Hi-Point model C9 9mm pistol. As part of his guilty plea, Bradley admitted that he intended to distribute the seized methamphetamine.
Terrell admitted that he conspired with others to obtain and distribute controlled substances in April and May 2024 as part of the DTO. On May 30, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Terrell’s residence in Beckley and seized 136 grams of fentanyl.
At the time of this offense, Terrell was serving a term of supervised release as a result of his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on July 20, 2015. Today’s sentence includes one year and 11 months in prison for committing a crime while on supervised release.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Brian D. Parsons and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-90.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
1. The Thirty-Second Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 11 July 2025. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
2. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers and Representatives of all ARF Participants, as well as the Secretary-General of ASEAN. The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
1. The Thirty-Second Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 11 July 2025. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
2. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers and Representatives of all ARF Participants, as well as the Secretary-General of ASEAN. The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
1. The Thirty-Second Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 11 July 2025. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
2. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers and Representatives of all ARF Participants, as well as the Secretary-General of ASEAN. The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
1. The Thirty-Second Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 11 July 2025. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
2. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers and Representatives of all ARF Participants, as well as the Secretary-General of ASEAN. The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
1. The Thirty-Second Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 11 July 2025. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
2. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers and Representatives of all ARF Participants, as well as the Secretary-General of ASEAN. The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
On 11 July, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from the Minister for International Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya. Just seven more acceptances are needed for the Agreement to enter into force.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
On 11 July, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from the Minister for International Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya. Just seven more acceptances are needed for the Agreement to enter into force.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
On 11 July, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from the Minister for International Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya. Just seven more acceptances are needed for the Agreement to enter into force.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
On 11 July, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from the Minister for International Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya. Just seven more acceptances are needed for the Agreement to enter into force.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
On 11 July, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from the Minister for International Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya. Just seven more acceptances are needed for the Agreement to enter into force.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
July 11, 2025 – Rome, Italy – Department of Finance Canada
In an increasingly dangerous and divided world, co-operation with reliable partners is more important than ever. Canada is building a new era of collaboration – one rooted in mutual support and resilient partnerships.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, today concluded a productive visit to Rome, Italy, where he took part in the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference and bilateral Canada-Italy discussions.
The Conference unites world leaders behind the Ukrainian cause, and the shared imperative of guaranteeing a lasting support and reconstruction of Ukraine. To that end, Minister Champagne participated in the Ukraine Donor Platform ministerial meeting and met with several international partners to discuss Ukraine’s financing and recovery needs. The Minister chaired a major, high-level panel of global experts on ways to privately finance Ukraine’s reconstruction, in which he seized the occasion to announce the disbursement of a $200 million contribution to support Ukraine through the World Bank’s Facilitation of Resources to Invest in Strengthening (F.O.R.T.I.S.) Ukraine Financial Intermediary Fund. This disbursement fulfills Canada’s $5 billion total contribution under the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Allocation (ERA) loans mechanism.
The forum was also an opportunity to advance shared priorities with international partners, particularly in energy production and security partnerships. Minister Champagne met with leading partners, namely the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Italian and Ukrainian ministers of Finance, the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Governor of the Bank of Italy, and Chief Executive Officers of major Italian and Canadian financial and energy firms.
The Minister and his Italian counterpart, Giancarlo Giorgetti, together visited Italy’s preeminent financial crime unit to learn best practices, in support of the G7 Financial Crime Call to Action agreed at the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Banff, Alberta.
Finally, the Minister will be meeting with the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher, on Saturday.