Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Op-ed from Sen. Lummis & Anne Bradbury: Bad tax policy is holding back America’s energy engine. Let’s fix it.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
    Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Anne Bradbury (CEO of the American Exploration & Production Council) published an op-ed this week in Oil City News highlighting how we can fulfill President Trump’s pledge to unleash Wyoming and American energy by fixing tax policy surrounding Intangible Drilling Cost (IDCs).
    Read the full op-ed here and below.
    Oil City News- Bad tax policy is holding back America’s energy engine. Let’s fix it
    As the Senate works to advance reconciliation legislation known as “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” one critical piece of America’s energy production engine must be addressed: the tax treatment of Intangible Drilling Costs for America’s independent oil and natural gas producers. Allowing for the immediate expensing of IDCs powered domestic energy production for over a century and fixing their treatment remains vital to sustaining the success of energy-rich states like Wyoming — and to U.S. energy security.
    IDCs are ordinary business expenses incurred in the exploration, development, and drilling of new wells, including wages, repairs, supplies, fuel, surveying and ground clearing. They can account for up to 80% of a producer’s total costs, the bulk of which are tied to jobs and labor. These costs are real capital outlays that nearly every capital-intensive industry can deduct immediately and, in turn, redeploy as investment. For America’s independent producers, that means hiring more workers, drilling new wells, and expanding energy production.
    For decades, the U.S. tax code appropriately allowed independent producers to deduct these essential capital costs in the year they’re incurred. But the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act abruptly changed that by reintroducing the corporate alternative minimum tax and penalizing America’s energy producers as a result. In short, under the CAMT, independent producers can’t immediately deduct their IDCs anymore, resulting in less capital for reinvestment, fewer jobs, lower production, and higher energy costs.
    This Biden-era policy not only singles out America’s energy producers but also hurts states like Wyoming that are essential to securing our energy dominance. A targeted legislative fix would restore fair, equitable treatment of these capital expenses that are essential to American energy production and help ensure the long-term strength of American-made oil and gas.
    Wyoming is one of the most important energy exporters in the country, producing nearly 12 times the energy it consumes. The state ranks eighth in both crude oil and natural gas production and is the second-largest producer of both oil and gas on federal lands. When Washington changes national energy tax policy, Wyoming’s energy industry and its workers are disproportionally hit.
    In 2021, the oil and natural gas industry supported over 58,000 jobs in Wyoming and contributed $5.7 billion in labor income. In 2022 alone, oil and gas generated over $1.7 billion in property and severance taxes for the state. That revenue funds our schools, roads, emergency services, and more. Over the past six years, the industry has delivered more than $11 billion to support Wyoming’s public needs — amounting to about $4,143 in direct benefits per Wyoming resident in 2023. That’s money that helps keep individual taxpayers’ burdens lower than many other states.
    These benefits depend on continued investment, which in turn depends on stable, competitive tax policies like the ability to immediately deduct IDCs. Imposing this tax penalty through the IRA made it significantly more expensive to drill new wells – hurting domestic operators, reducing projects, and making us more dependent on foreign sources of energy.
    It also hits the American worker. Over 90% of U.S. oil and gas wells are developed by independent producers. Here in Wyoming, that means the operators across our energy-rich counties — like Campbell, Johnson, Laramie, Sublette, and more — that are hiring local workers, reinvesting into their communities, and building the infrastructure that brings reliable energy to American homes and businesses. In Wyoming and across the country, these jobs form the backbone of rural economies and energy communities.
    Restoring the immediate expensing of IDCs as the Senate Finance Committee has proposed, is one of the smartest things we can do to ensure our country remains energy independent, economically strong, and geopolitically resilient. It’s critical Congress recognizes the importance of including this tax provision in The One, Big, Beautiful Bill — not just for Wyoming, but for all of America.

    Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-WY
    Anne Bradbury, CEO of the American Exploration & Production Council

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Op-ed from Sen. Lummis & Anne Bradbury: Bad tax policy is holding back America’s energy engine. Let’s fix it.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Anne Bradbury (CEO of the American Exploration & Production Council) published an op-ed this week in Oil City News highlighting how we can fulfill President Trump’s pledge to unleash Wyoming and American energy by fixing tax policy surrounding Intangible Drilling Cost (IDCs).

    Read the full op-ed here and below.

    Oil City News- Bad tax policy is holding back America’s energy engine. Let’s fix it

    As the Senate works to advance reconciliation legislation known as “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” one critical piece of America’s energy production engine must be addressed: the tax treatment of Intangible Drilling Costs for America’s independent oil and natural gas producers. Allowing for the immediate expensing of IDCs powered domestic energy production for over a century and fixing their treatment remains vital to sustaining the success of energy-rich states like Wyoming — and to U.S. energy security.

    IDCs are ordinary business expenses incurred in the exploration, development, and drilling of new wells, including wages, repairs, supplies, fuel, surveying and ground clearing. They can account for up to 80% of a producer’s total costs, the bulk of which are tied to jobs and labor. These costs are real capital outlays that nearly every capital-intensive industry can deduct immediately and, in turn, redeploy as investment. For America’s independent producers, that means hiring more workers, drilling new wells, and expanding energy production.

    For decades, the U.S. tax code appropriately allowed independent producers to deduct these essential capital costs in the year they’re incurred. But the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act abruptly changed that by reintroducing the corporate alternative minimum tax and penalizing America’s energy producers as a result. In short, under the CAMT, independent producers can’t immediately deduct their IDCs anymore, resulting in less capital for reinvestment, fewer jobs, lower production, and higher energy costs.

    This Biden-era policy not only singles out America’s energy producers but also hurts states like Wyoming that are essential to securing our energy dominance. A targeted legislative fix would restore fair, equitable treatment of these capital expenses that are essential to American energy production and help ensure the long-term strength of American-made oil and gas.

    Wyoming is one of the most important energy exporters in the country, producing nearly 12 times the energy it consumes. The state ranks eighth in both crude oil and natural gas production and is the second-largest producer of both oil and gas on federal lands. When Washington changes national energy tax policy, Wyoming’s energy industry and its workers are disproportionally hit.

    In 2021, the oil and natural gas industry supported over 58,000 jobs in Wyoming and contributed $5.7 billion in labor income. In 2022 alone, oil and gas generated over $1.7 billion in property and severance taxes for the state. That revenue funds our schools, roads, emergency services, and more. Over the past six years, the industry has delivered more than $11 billion to support Wyoming’s public needs — amounting to about $4,143 in direct benefits per Wyoming resident in 2023. That’s money that helps keep individual taxpayers’ burdens lower than many other states.

    These benefits depend on continued investment, which in turn depends on stable, competitive tax policies like the ability to immediately deduct IDCs. Imposing this tax penalty through the IRA made it significantly more expensive to drill new wells – hurting domestic operators, reducing projects, and making us more dependent on foreign sources of energy.

    It also hits the American worker. Over 90% of U.S. oil and gas wells are developed by independent producers. Here in Wyoming, that means the operators across our energy-rich counties — like Campbell, Johnson, Laramie, Sublette, and more — that are hiring local workers, reinvesting into their communities, and building the infrastructure that brings reliable energy to American homes and businesses. In Wyoming and across the country, these jobs form the backbone of rural economies and energy communities.

    Restoring the immediate expensing of IDCs as the Senate Finance Committee has proposed, is one of the smartest things we can do to ensure our country remains energy independent, economically strong, and geopolitically resilient. It’s critical Congress recognizes the importance of including this tax provision in The One, Big, Beautiful Bill — not just for Wyoming, but for all of America.

    Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-WY

    Anne Bradbury, CEO of the American Exploration & Production Council

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Blasts Judicial Nominee Emil Bove for Holding Loyalty to Trump Above the Rule of Law

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Blasts Judicial Nominee Emil Bove for Holding Loyalty to Trump Above the Rule of Law

    WATCH: Padilla presses Bove on his repeated lies and abuse of power

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) pressed Third Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Emil Bove on his extensive track record of lies, poor temperament, and political retribution during his Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Padilla slammed Bove for his role in firing dozens of Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases and the DOJ’s decision to drop the corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for assistance with President Trump’s mass deportations.

    Bove joined the Trump Administration’s DOJ in January 2025, first as Principal Deputy Attorney General and then Acting Deputy Attorney General, and has been integrally involved in some of the most significant Trump DOJ scandals. He also recently served as Trump’s personal lawyer in Trump’s classified documents case, a 2020 election interference case, and the Stormy Daniels hush money case.

    Padilla underscored that Bove’s nomination represents the latest example of Trump picking nominees not based on qualifications, but based on personal loyalty. He highlighted Bove’s consistent pattern of undermining the rule of law for political purposes, including purging the DOJ of employees prosecuting the January 6 rioters. Bove, who had himself worked on January 6 cases while an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, called the January 6 prosecutions “a grave national injustice,” and ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to produce a list of everyone involved in them.

    • “It’s become clear that President Trump clearly has one litmus test when selecting people to appoint: it’s not experience, it’s not dedication to our country or the rule of law, it’s whether or not the potential nominee is willing to bend or ignore the law to satisfy the President’s whims. Now, I understand that elections have consequences, and one consequence is that a president who is elected will get to nominate judges for the duration of his term or her term, but selecting someone with such a deep track record of vindictive, duplicitous behavior, of abuse of power — that is and must be treated as unacceptable.
    • “From Mr. Bove’s time with the Southern District of New York, to his time representing Donald Trump, to his time at the Trump Justice Department, it’s been demonstrated that he will not let the law stand in the way of doing what he wants. That’s why, as soon as Mr. Bove joined the Justice Department in an acting, unconfirmed capacity, he began an effort to purge the Department of Justice of perceived, ‘enemies,’ like the January 6 prosecutors.”

    Bove repeatedly sidestepped Senator Padilla’s questions on the January 6 insurrection, admitting he did not even know how many of the January 6 prosecutors were fired, and how many January 6 rioters President Trump pardoned. Padilla emphasized that Trump himself did not know the exact number of pardons, but estimated around 1,500 people — an impossible number to thoroughly vet before pardoning them. He warned of the dangerous message the condoning of political violence sends to the American people.

    • “To think that on the first day in office, he would have considered case by case, that volume of files to make the determination that they should be pardoned — that’s clearly not believable, and we know that dozens of those pardoned had prior criminal records, including rape, sexual abuse of a minor, domestic violence, and more.

    Padilla also blasted Bove for his involvement in the decision to dismiss criminal corruption charges against Mayor Adams in exchange for his assistance in enacting the Trump Administration’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda.

    • “Mr. Bove’s actions in this case led eight prosecutors, eight, including the interim U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon, who had clerked for Justice Scalia, to resign. But instead of firing him, Donald Trump plans to give him a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in New Jersey, a state that Mr. Bove has very, very little ties to.

    Watch Senator Padilla’s questioning of Bove here.

    Additionally, Padilla asked a second panel of four Trump judicial nominees, all nominated to the District Courts in Florida, a series of questions about whether the Executive Branch — including the President — must follow court orders.

    Earlier this week, Senator Padilla joined Senate Judiciary Democrats in requesting personnel records relevant to Emil Bove from Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. Padilla and Senate Judiciary Democrats previously filed a professional misconduct complaint against Bove with the New York State Bar, citing reported misconduct in moving to dismiss charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The Senators expressed grave concern over Bove’s actions and requested a disciplinary investigation.

    More information on the hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Blasts Judicial Nominee Emil Bove for Holding Loyalty to Trump Above the Rule of Law

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Blasts Judicial Nominee Emil Bove for Holding Loyalty to Trump Above the Rule of Law

    WATCH: Padilla presses Bove on his repeated lies and abuse of power

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) pressed Third Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Emil Bove on his extensive track record of lies, poor temperament, and political retribution during his Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Padilla slammed Bove for his role in firing dozens of Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases and the DOJ’s decision to drop the corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for assistance with President Trump’s mass deportations.

    Bove joined the Trump Administration’s DOJ in January 2025, first as Principal Deputy Attorney General and then Acting Deputy Attorney General, and has been integrally involved in some of the most significant Trump DOJ scandals. He also recently served as Trump’s personal lawyer in Trump’s classified documents case, a 2020 election interference case, and the Stormy Daniels hush money case.

    Padilla underscored that Bove’s nomination represents the latest example of Trump picking nominees not based on qualifications, but based on personal loyalty. He highlighted Bove’s consistent pattern of undermining the rule of law for political purposes, including purging the DOJ of employees prosecuting the January 6 rioters. Bove, who had himself worked on January 6 cases while an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, called the January 6 prosecutions “a grave national injustice,” and ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to produce a list of everyone involved in them.

    • “It’s become clear that President Trump clearly has one litmus test when selecting people to appoint: it’s not experience, it’s not dedication to our country or the rule of law, it’s whether or not the potential nominee is willing to bend or ignore the law to satisfy the President’s whims. Now, I understand that elections have consequences, and one consequence is that a president who is elected will get to nominate judges for the duration of his term or her term, but selecting someone with such a deep track record of vindictive, duplicitous behavior, of abuse of power — that is and must be treated as unacceptable.
    • “From Mr. Bove’s time with the Southern District of New York, to his time representing Donald Trump, to his time at the Trump Justice Department, it’s been demonstrated that he will not let the law stand in the way of doing what he wants. That’s why, as soon as Mr. Bove joined the Justice Department in an acting, unconfirmed capacity, he began an effort to purge the Department of Justice of perceived, ‘enemies,’ like the January 6 prosecutors.”

    Bove repeatedly sidestepped Senator Padilla’s questions on the January 6 insurrection, admitting he did not even know how many of the January 6 prosecutors were fired, and how many January 6 rioters President Trump pardoned. Padilla emphasized that Trump himself did not know the exact number of pardons, but estimated around 1,500 people — an impossible number to thoroughly vet before pardoning them. He warned of the dangerous message the condoning of political violence sends to the American people.

    • “To think that on the first day in office, he would have considered case by case, that volume of files to make the determination that they should be pardoned — that’s clearly not believable, and we know that dozens of those pardoned had prior criminal records, including rape, sexual abuse of a minor, domestic violence, and more.

    Padilla also blasted Bove for his involvement in the decision to dismiss criminal corruption charges against Mayor Adams in exchange for his assistance in enacting the Trump Administration’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda.

    • “Mr. Bove’s actions in this case led eight prosecutors, eight, including the interim U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon, who had clerked for Justice Scalia, to resign. But instead of firing him, Donald Trump plans to give him a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in New Jersey, a state that Mr. Bove has very, very little ties to.

    Watch Senator Padilla’s questioning of Bove here.

    Additionally, Padilla asked a second panel of four Trump judicial nominees, all nominated to the District Courts in Florida, a series of questions about whether the Executive Branch — including the President — must follow court orders.

    Earlier this week, Senator Padilla joined Senate Judiciary Democrats in requesting personnel records relevant to Emil Bove from Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. Padilla and Senate Judiciary Democrats previously filed a professional misconduct complaint against Bove with the New York State Bar, citing reported misconduct in moving to dismiss charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The Senators expressed grave concern over Bove’s actions and requested a disciplinary investigation.

    More information on the hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Colac HQ seeks support volunteers

    Source:

    CFA’s District 6 Headquarters Brigade is calling for new volunteers to help with support roles in the area.

    The HQ brigade is quite unique compared to other brigades as they undertake a range of roles to help our operational firefighters without the need to jump on the back of a fire truck.

    In particular, the brigade is searching for new or existing CFA members to be part of the District Driving Unit and Logistics Unit.

    District 6 HQ Brigade Secretary Tracy Wood said both of these roles are non-operational and undertake interesting activities to help support CFA during an emergency.

    “The driving unit provides critical support to our members by driving vehicles and trailers to the fireground or incident, transporting crew members and helping facilitate vehicle changeovers and relocations,” Tracy said.

    “Those interested would need a current driving license, experience in towing and reversing trailers and confidence to drive in all conditions including nighttime, gravel roads, rain and smoky environments.

    “The logistics unit provides ground support at incidents, help setting up and packing up gear, assisting with the distribution of catering and restocking supplies.

    “Again these members would need a current driving license, good communication skills, navigational skills and the ability to lift and move heavy objects is also desirable.

    “Members don’t need to be available all the time. We’re trying to build a team with a mix of people who can help at different times including daytime and after hours.

    “This role could be especially suitable for shift workers or newly retired people who are looking for a way to contribute to helping the community during an emergency, without the need to be a firefighter.

    “Joining our brigade is also a great venture for meeting new people and building a greater sense of inclusion within the local area.

    “All of our members have grown very close and we always welcome any new volunteers with open arms.”

    The HQ brigade is based in Colac but would provide support for our brigades across the Colac Otway and Corangamite shire area.

    Those interested in joining, or want to learn more, can contact Jessica Brittain on 0477 551 503 or visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer to give us a hand. 

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Green light for a new model for financing and risk sharing for investments in new nuclear power

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Sweden faces considerable problems with volatile electricity prices for households and businesses and imbalances in the electricity system. To deal with this, the fossil-free base load needs to be expanded. In March 2025, the Government adopted the Financing and risk sharing in new nuclear power Government Bill, which included proposals for state aid to companies that want to invest in nuclear reactors. The Riksdag has now decided to adopt the Government’s proposal.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Cross-party agreement on historic rearmament

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Today, the Government, together with the Social Democratic Party, the Sweden Democrats, the Left Party, the Centre Party and the Green Party, presents an agreement to enable a historic expansion of Sweden’s defence to meet NATO’s new defence spending targets – expected to be 3.5 per cent of GDP – and that this expansion will be achieved rapidly through temporary financing via loans. This is a historic show of strength. If NATO were to agree on an additional target of 1.5 per cent of GDP for broader defence and security-related investments, the parties are in agreement that Sweden should also meet that target.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Swedish economy remains in recession but conditions for recovery show promise

    Source: Government of Sweden

    The recovery that began in the second half of 2024 has slowed, and the Swedish economy remains in protracted recession. This is largely due to increased geopolitical uncertainty. However, rising real wages and lower interest rates suggest that the recovery will gain momentum in the second half of 2025. Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson has presented the latest economic forecast from the Ministry of Finance.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 4th ASEAN Mineral Awards

    Source: ASEAN

    ASEAN Set to Honour Mining Excellence at 4th ASEAN Mineral Awards in Lao PDR

    The spotlight will soon shine on the region’s mining sector as ASEAN prepares to honour top-performing companies in the 4th ASEAN Mineral Awards (AMA), to be announced during the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals (AMMin) in the week of 29 September 2025 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
     
    Held biennially, the AMA recognises excellence in environmentally and socially responsible mining and minerals processing practices across Southeast Asia. The prestigious awards ceremony will take place during the AMMin Gala Dinner, a highlight of the ASEAN minerals calendar.
     
    The awards celebrate companies that have demonstrated significant contributions to sustainable development in the sector—ranging from community upliftment and workforce development, to improved resource efficiency and enhanced environmental, health and safety standards.
     
    Six awards will be given across two mineral categories:
     
    Metallic Minerals:

    Best Practices in Mining
    Best Practices in Processing (including smelting)
    Best Practices in Distribution (including transport, handling, storage)

     
    Non-metallic Minerals:

    Best Practices in Mining
    Best Practices in Processing
    Best Practices in Distribution

     
    Launched in 2017, the AMA has become a key platform for recognising regional excellence. While the first and second editions were held in 2017 and 2019 respectively, the third edition—originally planned for 2021—was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     
    In addition to the awards, ASEAN will unveil a special AMA Handbook showcasing the achievements of winners and finalists. The publication will document real-world examples of best practices in the region’s minerals sector, serving as a reference and inspiration for future innovation.
     
    Applicants and stakeholders are encouraged to consult the official guidelines and contact their respective ASEAN Member State Focal Points for national nomination timelines and submission procedures.
     

    The post 4th ASEAN Mineral Awards appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-Evening Report: Papua New Guinea police blame overrun system for prison breakouts

    By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist

    Police in Papua New Guinea say the country’s overrun courts and prisons are behind mass breakouts from police custody.

    Chief Superintendent Clement Dala made the comment after 13 detainees escaped on Tuesday in Simbu Province, including eight who were facing murder charges.

    Dala said an auxiliary policeman who had the keys to a holding cell at Kundiawa Police Station is also on the run.

    Police are investigating a claim by local media that he is the partner of a female escapee who was facing trial for murder.

    Six police officers on duty at the time have been suspended for 21 days while investigations continue.

    “The auxiliary officer is not a recognised police officer and should not have had the key, but it appears he was helping the sole police officer on cell duties,” said Dala, who is the acting assistant commissioner for three Highlands provinces.

    Dala said it appeared the auxiliary officer wandered off for a meal and left the cell door open at the entrance to the police station.

    “He may have played a role in assisting the escapees, but we are still trying to find out exactly what happened.”

    ‘Probably hiding somewhere’
    “If we find it was deliberate then he will definitely be arrested. He is probably hiding somewhere nearby and we’ll get to him as soon as we can,” he said.

    As of yesterday, none of the escapees had been caught. Police are relying on community leaders to encourage them to surrender.

    But this could take a month or longer and police fear some could reoffend.

    He said the police have previously been told not to use auxiliary officers in any official capacity as they were community liaison officers.

    “This is a symptom of our severe staff shortages, but I have reissued an instruction banning them from frontline duties,” he said.

    Dala said PNG’s courts and prisons were completely overrun, and this was the main reason detainees in police custody escape.

    Up to 200 people on remand
    He said on any given day there could be up to 200 people on remand in police cells under his command and many brought in weapons and drugs.

    “We have different cells for different remandees, but if we are overcrowded we have to keep prisoners in the main corridor, especially those who have committed minor crimes,” he said.

    Dala said some remand prisoners were being kept in police holding cells for more than a month.

    He said the police had faced a lack of political will to deal with severe staff shortages, a lack of training across the force and outdated infrastructure.

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

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Fourth Reviews of the EFF/ECF Arrangements and the Third Review of the RSF Arrangement for Côte d’Ivoire

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 25, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board today completed the Fourth Reviews of Côte d’Ivoire’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangements and the Third Review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) Arrangement. The decision allows for an immediate disbursement of about US$758 million.
    • Program implementation has been strong, with all end-December 2024 performance criteria and structural benchmarks met satisfactorily under the EFF/ECF program, and all climate-financing reform measures completed under the RSF arrangement.
    • The authorities’ ongoing commitment to reforms is expected to support Côte d’Ivoire’s sustainable transformation toward upper middle-income status over the medium term, while strengthening economic resilience to climate-induced shocks and maintaining balance of payments stability.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Fourth Reviews of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangements and the Third Review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) Arrangement for Côte d’Ivoire.

    The EFF/ECF-supported program approved in May 2023 in the amount of SDR2,601.6 million (equivalent to 400 percent of quota or about US$3.6 billion), has substantially reduced imbalances and safeguarded a moderate risk of debt distress rating, while important reforms under RSF arrangement for a total amount of SDR975.6 million (equivalent to 150 percent of quota or about US$1.3 billion) are contributing to prospective balance of payments stability and economic resilience to climate-induced shocks. The authorities’ ongoing commitment to reforms under both programs should support Côte d’Ivoire’s sustainable transformation toward upper middle-income status over the medium-term. Program implementation has been generally strong thus far, with all end-December performance criteria met and implementation of structural benchmarks being satisfactory. Moreover, all reform measures under the RSF arrangement for this review with a focus on climate-financing architecture were implemented. The completion of the reviews allows for an immediate disbursement of about US$758 million under the multi-year Fund arrangements.

    Côte d’Ivoire’s resilient economy has consolidated its role as an anchor of stability in the region against a still difficult global backdrop. Amid a recovery in agricultural production, favorable terms of trade and rising household incomes growth is expected to pick up in the near term. The medium-term outlook also remains favorable as economic fundamentals strengthen further and the hydrocarbon and mining sectors add to broad-based growth. Risks are broadly balanced. For 2025, growth is projected to be 6.3 percent, while average inflation is expected to return to within the 1 to 3 percent WAEMU target range. The 2025 current account deficit is projected to narrow to 3.6 percent of GDP, and the fiscal deficit is expected to meet the WAEMU deficit ceiling of 3 percent of GDP.

    The authorities remain firmly committed to boosting tax revenue in the medium term, and to implementing the medium-term revenue strategy (MTRS) approved in May 2024. Sustained effort is expected by the authorities to increase tax revenue to GDP by 0.5 percent of GDP, each year through 2026 and reach approximately 20 percent of GDP over the medium-term through self-sustaining tax policy and tax administration reforms.

    Important structural reforms continue to focus on improving the business climate and increasing the involvement of the private sector in the country’s development. To this end, enhancements in the transparency and accountability of public enterprises, further strengthening governance and financial integrity (particularly the AML/CFT framework), along with investment in human capital, broader financial inclusion, and climate resilience, to support higher productivity growth will be instrumental.

    Following the Executive Board discussion, Mr. Okamura, Acting Chair and Deputy Managing Director, made the following statement:

    “Côte d’Ivoire’s performance under the Fund-supported programs has been strong, reflecting the authorities’ commitment to entrenching macroeconomic stability. Sustained reform efforts will help safeguard fiscal and debt sustainability and consolidate the country’s role as an anchor of regional stability.

    “Continued fiscal consolidation envisaged in the 2025 budget will be underpinned by high-quality and permanent tax policy measures, as well as tax and customs administration reforms. These measures will support bringing the fiscal deficit to 3 percent of GDP by 2025, in line with the WAEMU ceiling, and help reduce the country’s debt sustainability risks.

    “Sustaining domestic revenue mobilization over the medium-term remains a priority to generate the fiscal space needed to finance social and development spending and support a deeper economic transformation toward upper middle-income status. To this end, implementation of the Medium-term Revenue Mobilization Strategy (MTRS) will continue to require significant engagement with stakeholders to ensure buy-in for the needed overhaul of the tax system and the streamlining of VAT tax exemptions and other tax expenditures.

    “Preserving fiscal space will be aided by the authorities’ commitments to enhance the coverage, transparency, and management of public finances. The authorities’ continued active debt management remains critical in safeguarding debt sustainability. Sustaining structural reform momentum and continuous improvements in safeguarding financial integrity and governance are important for unlocking the private sector’s potential.

    “Addressing identified AML/CFT framework deficiencies, and showcasing an implementation track-record on AML/CFT is critical. Further investments in human capital development, especially amongst youth and women, along with the reduction of informality, will make growth more inclusive. Continuing efforts to strengthen resilience to climate shocks will also be important for a sustainable transformation of Côte d’Ivoire’s economy.”

    Table 1. Côte d’Ivoire: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2022–26

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/25/pr25220-cote-d-ivoire-fourth-reviews-of-the-eff-ecf-and-third-review-of-the-rsf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) Blasts RFK Jr. For Lying to a Sitting Senator, the American People About His Dismantling of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Vaccine Efficacy and Safety

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Just hours ago, at the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) – the first pediatrician elected to Congress and co-chair of the Congressional Doctors Caucus – blasted Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for lying to Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and the American people about his dismantling of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and his undermining of vaccine efficacy and safety.

    “I just want to tell you that for most of us sitting here right now, we believe Senator Cassidy more than we trust you when it comes to vaccinations. It sounds to me like you gave him the answer he needed to hear in order to get his confirmation vote, and then as soon as you were Secretary, you turned around and did whatever you wanted – you fired all 17 members [of ACIP],” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier. “Mr. Secretary, you are now on the record – you lied to Senator Cassidy, you have lied to the American people, you have lied to parents about vaccines for 20 years, and I also want to be clear that I will lay all responsibility for every death from a vaccine-preventable at your feet.”

    To watch Congresswoman Schrier’s full remarks, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Higgins, Ezell Introduce Legislation to Support Dredging Workforce

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS) introduced today the “Industrial Certification for Coast Guard Veterans Act,” which would expand opportunities for U.S. Coast Guard personnel to transition to the dredging sector upon completion of their service.

    The bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to produce a report analyzing the transferability of Coast Guard skills to the dredging industry. The report would identify recruitment strategies to connect with retiring Coast Guard personnel, evaluate the potential for credentialing or certification programs, and outline any existing or planned coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    “The dredging and maintenance of America’s ports and waterways is critical to our economic and national security,” said Congressman Higgins. “This legislation prioritizes workforce development efforts for the dredging industry in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. We’re exploring opportunities for retiring Coast Guard personnel to transition their skills into the private sector, all while supporting efforts to maintain our maritime infrastructure.” 

    “As Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I’ve seen firsthand the talent and expertise our Coast Guard members bring to the table,” said Congressman Ezell. “The Industrial Certification for Coast Guard Veterans Act will help ensure those skills don’t go to waste after service. By identifying pathways into the dredging sector, this bill supports our veterans, strengthens our maritime workforce, and reinforces our commitment to maintaining vital infrastructure across the country.”

    Read the legislation here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden statement on the third anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement on the third anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing individual states to outlaw abortion services:

    “Each day that passes without the federal protections enshrined by Roe v. Wade is an affront to women’s freedom,” Golden said. “Millions of women have lost autonomy over their own bodies, and millions more would be harmed by the extreme anti-choice agenda being driven across the country. I reject those efforts, and will continue to support efforts to restore reproductive freedom to every single American woman.”

    Golden has been a champion of reproductive freedom throughout his time in Congress, and is an original cosponsor of two new bills that were reintroduced today. The Women’s Health Protection Act would enshrine abortion rights for patients and providers and create a federal prohibition against medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion, while the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act would outlaw any restrictions on women traveling across state lines to access abortion services. Golden also helped introduce the Right to Contraception Act earlier this year to establish statutory protections for contraceptives.

    When the Dobbs decision was released by the Supreme Court, Golden called it a “grave mistake” and added that Congress should codify the Roe and Casey v. Planned Parenthood frameworks into federal statute.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden statement on bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement regarding the United States’ bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities on Saturday and Iran’s retaliatory strikes targeting American bases in the Middle East today:

    “Iran is governed by a regime that is hostile to the United States and allied with others that seek the destruction of America. They sponsor terrorist organizations that have killed American troops and citizens and are a source of chaos and bloodshed in the region. The IAEA determined the regime had been dangerously close to developing nuclear weapons. Based on what I know so far, I believe the president was right to launch limited strikes to deter that outcome.

    “It is important now that the country learns what information helped inform the president’s decision and the timing of these strikes, and that we learn more about whether we were successful in destroying Iran’s nuclear program. I look forward to Congress receiving a full briefing. But what matters most now is what happens next: Just today, Iran launched missiles at American bases in Iraq and Qatar. The top priority for the president and his administration, as well as for Congress, must be to use every tool at our disposal to defend Americans and deter further escalation by Tehran.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Opposes Homeland Security Funding Measure That Would Cripple Federal Disaster Assistance To State And Local Governments

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and of its Subcommittee on Homeland Security, voted yesterday in the full committee against the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations measure.  

    The FY 2026 Homeland Security bill proposes a total discretionary allocation of $66.4 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, an increase of $1.3 billion over the FY 2025 enacted level.

    Combined with the additional $26.5 billion for disaster response and $6.3 billion for programs offset by fee collections, the bill proposes to spend a total of $99.1 billion for the Department of Homeland Security in FY 2026. 

    The bill supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service and more.

    “While the measure funds many critical Hawai‘i and Indo-Pacific priorities I requested, I regrettably had to vote against this version because it dangerously underfunds disaster mitigation and cybersecurity initiatives, ultimately leaving Americans less safe,” said Case. “The Committee also was forced to draft the bill in the dark because the administration failed to provide a detailed budget request, and this is a dangerous precedent to support.”

    In his remarks to the full committee here, Case focused specifically on critical FEMA assistance to for the Maui wildfire disaster as well as proposed cybersecurity cuts.

    Through his assignment on the Subcommittee, Case secured $1 million for the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency’s (HIEMA) Emergency Operations Center IT Modernization Project. This is one of Case’s Member-designated Community Project Funding (CPF) projects that specifically focuses on local needs in Hawai‘i. The project will fund the procurement and installation of touchscreen monitors for a new information wall at the emergency operations center to facilitate emergency response communications and instantaneous information sharing.

    “These facilities will share information in real time so that emergency responders can make informed decisions and take necessary actions to save lives and protect property in the event of a disaster,” said Case. 

    The House’s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member and must be subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case’s disclosures are here.  

    Case also secured a number of other key programs and provisions for Hawai‘i, including:

    ·         $355 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants, which support state and local emergency management agencies like HIEMA. 

    ·         $360 million for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which is a major source of funding for county fire departments.

    ·         $360 million for FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program. 

    ·         $60 million for increased Coast Guard operations and support funding in the Indo-Pacific, to include workforce support in housing, medical and childcare access for Coasties in Hawai‘i.

    ·         $15 million for the Coast Guard’s Honolulu Homeport Project, which funds expansion of operations and cutter maintenance activities at Base Honolulu. 

    ·         $101 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, a $10 million increase over FY 2025, which funds University of Hawaii’s National Disaster Preparedness Training Center. 

    ·         $60 million for another Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutter to be stationed in the Indo-Pacific.  

    ·         $40 million for FEMA’s Next Generation Warning System. 

    ·         Language requiring a report on the opportunity for the Coast Guard to acquire additional pier and related space at Base Honolulu. 

    ·         Language requiring a report on unmet requirements for the infrastructure at the Coast Guard’s Air Station Barbers Point. 

    ·         Language encouraging TSA to address potential degradation of security scanning equipment at open-air airports.

     The measure also includes the following priorities requested by Case: 

    ·         $14.4 billion for the Coast Guard. 

    ·         $54 million for the National Computer Forensic Institute, through which 397 state and local law enforcement officers from agencies in Hawai‘i have received a host of forensic training courses.

    ·         Report language supporting the growth of CISA support in the Pacific Islands. 

    ·         Language requiring a report on Coast Guard engagement and needs in the Indo-Pacific. 

    ·         Language requiring a briefing on the Coast Guard’s role in combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which is a major issue in the Indo-Pacific. 

    ·         $615 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative under FEMA. 

    ·         $520 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program, which provides funding to protect against terrorism and other threats. 

    ·         $95 million for the Transit Security Grant Program, which protects critical transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism. 

    ·         $105 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. 

    ·         $100 million for FEMA’s Port Security Grant Program. 

    ·         $45 million for the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program. 

    This measure is one of the twelve bills developed by the House Appropriations Committee that will collectively fund the federal government for FY 2026 (commencing October 1, 2025). The bill now moves on to the full House of Representatives for its consideration.   

    A summary of the bill is available here.  

    ### 

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cash Converters and Mobile Travel Agents pay penalties for allegedly breaching Franchising Code of Conduct

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Franchisors Cash Converters Pty Ltd and MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Pty Ltd (MTA) have each paid a $16,500 penalty after the ACCC issued both companies with an infringement notice after they each allegedly breached the Franchising Code of Conduct.

    The ACCC alleges that second-hand goods retailer and pawn broker Cash Converters, and travel agency MTA, each failed to meet their obligation to annually update or confirm franchisor information on the Franchise Disclosure Register as required by the Franchising Code of Conduct.

    The Franchise Disclosure Register is an online register hosted and administered by the Department of the Treasury. It is a free service intended to give prospective franchise buyers, current franchisees and professional advisers access to information provided by franchisors.

    “The requirement for franchisors to maintain accurate and up-to-date public profiles on the Register ensures prospective franchisees and other stakeholders have clear and accurate information to help them make informed business decisions, including whether to enter into a franchise agreement,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

    “A franchisor’s failure to maintain up-to-date information on the Register undermines transparency for prospective franchisees, and the reliability and integrity of the Register.”

    The ACCC will continue to monitor the franchising sector’s compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct including the Register obligations.

    “The Franchising Code of Conduct applies to franchising in Australia to help address some of the problems caused by the power imbalance in the franchise relationship,” Mr Keogh said.

    “Failure to comply with the requirements of the Franchising Code of Conduct may result in penalties or other enforcement action by the ACCC.”

    One of the ACCC’s enduring compliance and enforcement priorities is to ensure that small businesses receive the protections of competition and consumer laws, including mandatory industry codes such as the Franchising Code of Conduct.

    More information for current and potential franchisees, and for franchisors, is available on the ACCC website at Franchising Code of Conduct.

    Background

    MTA is an Australian-based travel agency offering personal travel planning services. It has approximately 488 franchisees and operates nationally.

    Cash Converters offers buying and selling of second-hand goods, pawn broking and personal loans. In Australia, it has about 74 franchisee-owned stores and 79 corporate-owned stores.

    Notes to editors

    The ACCC is responsible for regulating industry codes that are prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act, including the Franchising Code of Conduct. The Franchising Code of Conduct is a mandatory national code that regulates the conduct of franchising participants towards each other.

    The Franchising Code of Conduct sets out, among other things:

    • franchisors’ disclosure requirements
    • how disputes between parties to a franchise agreement should be resolved, and 
    • when franchisors must include or update information on the RegisterThe ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business as contravened certain provisions of an industry code.

    A person or business is not regarded as having contravened the provision of the industry code merely by paying the penalty specified in an infringement notice.

    On 18 March 2025, the Government announced it will provide $7.1 million over two years to strengthen the ACCC’s enforcement of the Franchising Code of Conduct. This funding uplift enables the ACCC to undertake more education, enforcement and engagement in the franchising sector.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Ulf Kristersson receives Vietnam’s Prime Minister

    Source: Government of Sweden

    On Friday 13 June Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for bilateral talks at Rosenbad. During the official visit, Sweden and Vietnam entered into a bilateral sectorial strategic partnership aimed at advancing cooperation in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests of Morocco

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests of Morocco, Redouane Arrach, in Rabat, on 25 June 2025. They discussed key issues aimed at advancing cooperation in the food, agriculture, and forestry sectors, with a focus on addressing common challenges such as climate change and sustainable development. Both sides exchanged views on ways to formulate and implement programmes related to agricultural trade, decarbonisation, digitalisation, and the promotion of public-private partnerships, among others.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests of Morocco appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Joins Colleagues in Press Conference on the Golden Dome

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    “We send billions of dollars overseas, and it’s past time that we make an investment in our national security.”

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) for a press conference to speak on the importance of developing the Golden Dome for America’s national security. He emphasized the need to invest in securing our airspace and ensure the U.S. is constantly on the cutting edge of defense technology. Sen. Tuberville also highlighted the capabilities of Redstone Arsenal and various defense companies in Huntsville, Alabama, as major leaders in the future development of the Golden Dome.

    Sens. Tuberville and Sullivan were joined by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). Representative Mark Messmer (R-IN-08) also joined the press conference. 

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    Vision and leadership. We couldn’t do that— this project—without President Trump. I don’t think anybody else you put in this situation would even have the tenacity to step up and do something like this. But, you know, the world has been amazed at the effectiveness of the Iron Dome [in Israel].


    They’ve been able to shoot down 90% of incoming threats. Think about that—90%—incredible. President Trump is exactly right. There is no reason why we shouldn’t have the same technology right here at home. This is a dangerous world, and it’s getting more dangerous every day. People made fun of President Reagan with his Star Wars program. And it was amazing. They laughed at him. They said it wouldn’t work. But he understood the growing danger that the American people really didn’t know. But now we’re all finding out. No other president since has been bold enough […] to step up and say, ‘we’ve got to have something to protect this country,’ and 
    thank God for President Trump.


    Now that the president is forcing our NATO partners to start paying their own share, we can focus on our own defense, and it’s about time. We need to do that. We can’t count on anybody else. It’s gonna have to be us, and the American taxpayers, and our military.


    We send billions of dollars overseas, and it’s past time that we make an investment in our national security. Thanks to President Trump, peace through strength is back. You know, the Senate is proposing nearly $2
    5 billion dollars in a reconciliation package as a down payment to begin construction on this massive project, $25 billion. That’s just as I saida down payment.


    That’s why getting the President’s One Big Beautiful Bill passed is critical for national security. Countries like Iran are openly chanting ‘Death to America,’ and we have to be able to protect ourselves. You know, there’s no better place to help design this and build and operate than in my home 
    state—Redstone Arsenal [in] Huntsville, Alabama.


    And let me tell you something. It is probably the best kept secret in this country. […
    ] For more than 80 years, Redstone Arsenal has been leading the way in space, cybersecurity, and national defense. Huntsville’s talent, facilities, and resources are second to none all over the world. According to Forbes, Huntsville has the most engineers per capita in the world. That’s why you see more and more agencies expanding their footprint in Huntsville and the surrounding area—including: Missile Defense Agency, NASA, FBI, Missile and Space Intelligence Center, Defense Intelligence Agency, [and] the Army’s Material Command. Huntsville is also home to more than 500 defense contractors: Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance. We will be big in building a lot of this Golden Dome. Huntsville helped put the first person on the moon. What a better place to help begin the origination of Golden Dome than Huntsville, Alabama. 

    So, thanks to President Trump, American dominance and deterrence his back. The Big Beautiful Bill is a down payment on the Golden Dome. It will help make sure America remains the strongest, most secure nation in the world. The Golden Dome Act will advance our security even further with critical investment in emerging technologies, many of which will be developed in my home state of Alabama. Thank you very much.”

    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.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville on The Bottom Line: “Today’s a great day to fire Jerome Powell”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Dagen McDowell and Guy Benson on The Bottom Line to discuss his recent calls for President Trump to fire the Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. 

    Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s interview can be found below, or viewed on YouTube or Rumble.

    McDOWELL: “Our next guest says, ‘Today’s a great day to fire Jerome Powell.’”

    BENSON: “He is Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, and he joins us right now. Alright, Senator. So clearly, the President is very frustrated with Jay Powell. Powell was saying that he’s expecting this inflation to show up at some point. I guess the question that I have is: what if it doesn’t? How long does he wait?”

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Well, he’s playing god, is what he’s doing. And inflation is as low as it’s been in months. And by the way, he did lower rates right before the election—for Kamala Harris. But, yeah, FJP– ‘Fire Jerome Powell’. We put that out every day online, and we’ve gotten a lot of hits from that. He’s killing our farmers, our small businesses, and the middle class, because there’s no homes for sale. The problem is people liked that 3% interest rate they got years ago–back before everything went to hell in a handbasket. And now, it’s up to 7-8%. Nobody wants to sell. There’s no homes out there. So, he’s putting the middle class and small businesses and farmers in tough shape.”

    McDOWELL: “Well, even the stock market, Senator, is telling him to cut rates, because the 2-year Treasury is well below–it’s at like 3.8%–well below the overnight lending rate that the Federal Reserve controls, which is at 4.25-4.5 [%]. I’ll tell you who’s gonna push him out. You don’t need to fire him and rattle the market. [Who is going to] push him out will be […] fellow Fed governors like Bowman, Waller, and Austan Goolsbee have all come out and said, ‘Yeah, we’re probably gonna need to cut rates in July.’ They’re pushing him and embarrassing him. And I venture a guess, they might want his job, and I can’t wait to see the infighting develop. That will just be the most delicious soap opera.” 

    BENSON: “Like Conclave.” 

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Yeah. They’re pushing back right and left. We had Scott Bessent, the Secretary of Treasury, here for lunch today, and he spoke about the very same thing. They’re starting to infight a little bit. But at the end of the day, he’s playing politics. And he’s played politics. When I first got here 5 years ago, he came to my office and I asked him, you know, ‘Are you ever gonna raise rates?’ He waited forever to raise rates, you know, when Joe Biden went in, and then he kept raising. Now, he’s not not even thinking about lowering the rates. Miki Bowman, by the way–she’s Vice Chair of the [Federal Reserve]. I’ve known her for a long time. She’s very, very good. But she did not vote for those rate increases before the election. And, of course, she knew politics were involved. But we got to get politics out of all this mess. If he would drop 100 points down–which is basically one point today–that would save $300 or $400 billion dollars for the American taxpayers for a year. That’s a lot of money, and our debt is so high. We’ve got to find some way to pay it off.”

    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.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZCTU statement on Takutai Tarsh Kemp

    Source: NZCTU

    The union movement is sending its love and condolences to the whānau of MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, following the shocking news of her passing.

    “We are heartbroken for Takutai’s whānau, hapū and iwi, for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau, and for Te Pāti Māori at this sad time,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.

    “We deeply appreciate Takutai’s tireless dedication and service on behalf of her people, including as a staunch advocate for rangatahi and for some of the most marginalised whānau in Aotearoa.

    “We acknowledge that as Te Pāti Māori’s spokesperson for Workers’ Rights, Takutai fought to ensure the rights of working people were upheld. 

    “Takutai was a leader who had so much more to give, and will be missed dearly,” said Wagstaff.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact check: Claims swirling on California gas prices

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 25, 2025

    What you need to know: There are many disingenuous claims swirling about California gas prices “set to soar” – the truth is that gas prices won’t come anywhere close to increasing by 65 cents, as many would have you believe.  

    SACRAMENTO – California gas prices are 20 cents lower than one month ago and 17 cents lower than one year ago – despite a swirl of misinformation drawing attention to current prices.

    According to a 2024 report, thanks to major improvements in fuel efficiency, California drivers rank 45th in the nation for gasoline consumption and 21st in spending on gasoline per capita. Trump’s tariffs and policies impacting the price of crude oil stand to swing gas prices far more than any state policy. 

    Driven by misinformation pushed by Republican lawmakers and the oil industry, there remains a lot of speculation about California gas prices. Here are the facts.

    CLAIM: California gas prices will go up by 65 cents or higher on July 1. 

    FALSE. There are two separate changes to fuel prices expected on or around July 1 – a legislatively mandated and voter-approved gas tax increase of 1.6 cents and updated fuel standards that could, according to experts, translate to 5 to 8 cents

    • Gas tax: California’s gasoline tax will increase by 1.6 cents per gallon, starting July 1, as required by law. This annual inflation increase was enacted by the Legislature in 2017 to help pay for road repairs – and overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2018 when they rejected a repeal attempt. 
    • Fuel standard: Additionally, changes to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) – which is not a tax – have been requested to go into effect on July 1. Experts at UC Davis estimate this program, first established by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, could add between 5 and 8 cents per gallon – well below one extreme projection that showed 65 cents. In the long term, LCFS is estimated to reduce fuel costs for Californians per mile by 42% – translating to savings of over $20 billion in gasoline costs every year by 2045. Studies also show that LCFS credit prices have no correlation with gasoline prices.

    CLAIM: Gas prices could top $8 a gallon by next year.  

    FALSE. That number – widely reported in the media – comes from an unscientific analysis whose author has close ties with the oil industry and has been on the payroll of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The author fails to provide evidence to support his main claim and only relies on vague references to models with no details on what those models are based on. Other experts, such as these Stanford economists, say gas price increases based on recent refinery announcements are likely to be negligible. 

    Correcting the record

    Republican lawmakers in Congress recently echoed false claims about California gas prices in a letter. Here’s what they got wrong. (View full-size here.)

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced $135 million is available for wildfire prevention grants – protecting communities from catastrophic wildfire at the same time as President Trump adds new strain to firefighting resources. SACRAMENTO – As President…

    News What you need to know: As part of California Jobs First, the state is awarding $15 million through the Regional Investment Initiative to support California Native American tribal partners in creating jobs and developing high-paying and fulfilling careers….

    News What you need to know: The First Partner launched her annual Book Club today, which features great kids’ reads curated by librarians across California, as well as investments to support library community programming. SACRAMENTO – California First Partner Jennifer…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The real benchmark for AI progress is whether it makes a real difference in people’s lives — in healthcare, education and productivity. Thanks to Y Combinator for having me at AI Startup School.

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: The real benchmark for AI progress is whether it makes a real difference in people’s lives — in healthcare, education and productivity. Thanks to Y Combinator for having me at AI Startup School.

    The real benchmark for AI progress is whether it makes a real difference in people’s lives — in healthcare, education, and productivity. Thanks to Y Combinator for having me at AI Startup School. 

    Transcript

    If there’s one lesson history is thought of is that if you’re going to use energy, you better have social permission to use energy. So that means you’ve got to make sure that the output of this AI is socially useful. If we really are not creating social surplus, economic surplus as measured by countries and communities, we just can’t consume energy. And so that to me is the bigger thing. Like everybody’s today hot and bothered about, OK, what do I do about energy production, I think. The real question in the next 5 years is we’ve got to produce enough products that are creating great value, which I’m very confident of, by the way, in healthcare and education in in productivity. So there’s many, many domains. But that’s the real challenge for us as a tech industry is to prove unequivocally that what we have created is showing up in real stats. That is not just an AGI or AI benchmark. The hope is that this will show up. And sort of the real things that you sort of interact with on a daily basis that 100%, you know, you go use your, you get a mortgage loan and instead of, you know, beautiful three months or two months of waiting around and you don’t know if you’re going to get approved or, you know, there’s just so many things that are important parts of your life that, you know, get drowned in paperwork or bureaucracy that those things could potentially go away. 100% Think healthcare like in the United States. What is it 1819% of our cost? Healthcare and a lot of it, like everybody talks about the magical drug, blah, blah, blah, except all of the cost is in workflow. And so if you really take something like a simple thing like discharge the amount that you take the back end of an EMR system with a just a, an LLM and a prompt, that itself is going to save so much time and money and energy that it would sort of pay for itself.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The real benchmark for AI progress is whether it makes a real difference in people’s lives — in healthcare, education and productivity. Thanks to Y Combinator for having me at AI Startup School.

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: The real benchmark for AI progress is whether it makes a real difference in people’s lives — in healthcare, education and productivity. Thanks to Y Combinator for having me at AI Startup School.

    The real benchmark for AI progress is whether it makes a real difference in people’s lives — in healthcare, education, and productivity. Thanks to Y Combinator for having me at AI Startup School. 

    Transcript

    If there’s one lesson history is thought of is that if you’re going to use energy, you better have social permission to use energy. So that means you’ve got to make sure that the output of this AI is socially useful. If we really are not creating social surplus, economic surplus as measured by countries and communities, we just can’t consume energy. And so that to me is the bigger thing. Like everybody’s today hot and bothered about, OK, what do I do about energy production, I think. The real question in the next 5 years is we’ve got to produce enough products that are creating great value, which I’m very confident of, by the way, in healthcare and education in in productivity. So there’s many, many domains. But that’s the real challenge for us as a tech industry is to prove unequivocally that what we have created is showing up in real stats. That is not just an AGI or AI benchmark. The hope is that this will show up. And sort of the real things that you sort of interact with on a daily basis that 100%, you know, you go use your, you get a mortgage loan and instead of, you know, beautiful three months or two months of waiting around and you don’t know if you’re going to get approved or, you know, there’s just so many things that are important parts of your life that, you know, get drowned in paperwork or bureaucracy that those things could potentially go away. 100% Think healthcare like in the United States. What is it 1819% of our cost? Healthcare and a lot of it, like everybody talks about the magical drug, blah, blah, blah, except all of the cost is in workflow. And so if you really take something like a simple thing like discharge the amount that you take the back end of an EMR system with a just a, an LLM and a prompt, that itself is going to save so much time and money and energy that it would sort of pay for itself.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Oregon Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by the Harney County Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Oregon small businesses, private nonprofits and residents to offset physical and economic losses from the Harney County flooding occurring March 12-April 15.

    The declaration covers the Oregon counties of Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Lake and Malheur as well as the Nevada counties of Humboldt and Washoe.

    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 damage, 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.

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They 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 businesses, 3.62% for PNPs, 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 sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”

    Beginning Friday, June 27, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

    The DLOC hours of operation are as follows:

    HARNEY COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Harney County Senior Center
    17 S. Alder Ave.
    Burns, OR  97720

    Opens at 12 p.m., Friday, June 27

    Mondays – Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Closed Friday, July 4 for Independence Day

    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 physical damage applications is Aug. 25, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 25, 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.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australian Gas Networks in Court over alleged greenwashing in renewable gas campaign

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC has launched Federal Court action against gas distributor Australian Gas Networks Limited alleging it made false and misleading representations in its ‘Love Gas’ TV and digital advertising campaign.

    The ACCC alleges Australian Gas Networks misled millions of consumers when it represented, in ads that ran during 2022 and 2023, that the gas it distributes to households on its network will be renewable within a generation.

    Australian Gas Networks did not have reasonable grounds for making the unqualified claim about the future of gas, which featured in advertisements run on free-to-air television, streaming services and on YouTube, the ACCC alleges.

    “We allege that Australian Gas Networks engaged in greenwashing in its ‘Love Gas’ ad campaign,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We allege that the ads overstated the likelihood of Australian Gas Networks overcoming significant technical and economic barriers to distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.”

    “It is not currently possible to distribute renewable gas at scale and at an economically viable price, and throughout 2022 and 2023 it was highly uncertain whether, and if so when, this would be possible,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We allege that even though Australian Gas Networks knew the future of renewable gas was uncertain, it made an unqualified representation to consumers that it would distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.”

    “We say these ads were intended to encourage consumers to connect to, or remain connected to, Australian Gas Networks’ distribution network and to purchase gas appliances for their homes, based on the misleading impression they would receive ‘renewable gas’ within a generation,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We consider that consumers were deprived of the opportunity to make fully informed choices, in accordance with their values, about the most appropriate energy sources for use in their homes, the household appliances they should invest in, and the steps they could take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

    The claims by Australian Gas Networks were contained in four advertisements which all featured a young girl and her father using gas appliances in the home for cooking, bathing or heating. The advertisements then fast-forward in time to show the girl, now portrayed as a young adult, engaging in the same household activities.

    The ads featured a voiceover stating the following, or similar:

    • Some things never change, but the flame we use will.
    • It’s becoming renewable.
    • Controllable, reliable gas.
    • For this generation and the next.

    The final frame of each ad featured the company’s logo next to a green flame, and the words; “Love gas. Love a renewable gas future”; or just “Love Gas”.

    The ads did not contain any qualifications, fine print or disclaimers.

    “Businesses that make false or misleading environmental claims make it harder for consumers to support businesses that are genuinely working to reduce their environmental impact,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Businesses that make environmental claims about the future must have reasonable grounds for those claims, or they will be taken to be misleading under the Australian Consumer Law. Businesses must take care when they promote emissions-reduction measures that their claims can be backed up with evidence, and that they are realistic about emerging energy technologies and when changes are likely to be achieved. Misleading claims not only break the trust of consumers, they also breach the Australian Consumer Law.”

    The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, costs and other orders.

    Background

    The “Love Gas” advertising campaign ran between 20 March 2022 to 2 October 2022 and again from 1 August 2023 to 15 October 2023.

    Australian Gas Networks is one of Australia’s largest gas infrastructure businesses. It owns and operates gas transmission and distribution pipelines.

    Australian Gas Networks distributes natural gas to around 1.3 million homes and businesses, principally in Victoria and South Australia, as well as in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

    The ACCC commenced this investigation after receiving complaints about Australian Gas Networks from consumers and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

    In December 2023, the ACCC published its guidance for businesses on making environmental and sustainability claims. It sets out what the ACCC considers to be misleading conduct and good practice when making such claims, to help businesses provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about the current and future environmental performance of their business.

    Images from the Love Gas Advertisements

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown applauds court order against the Trump administration for blocking funds for electric vehicle chargers

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — Attorney General Nick Brown and 13 other attorneys general have won a court order blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold about $1 billion in funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure directed by Congress to the plaintiff states.

    U.S. District Court Judge Tana Lin said the Trump administration must restore the states’ Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans to their previous legal status and stop withholding previously authorized National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funds. She stayed the order for seven days, saying it would go into effect on July 2 if the defendants do not file an appeal.

    “Congress invested in forward-looking, clean electric vehicle infrastructure – exactly the future that Washington wants,” Brown said. “The court has now confirmed that Donald Trump can’t just wish that future away because he likes fossil fuels.”

    Lin opened her order by quoting a 1995 episode of The Simpsons, in which “Homer must cut short a tearful goodbye with his long-lost mother after her traveling companions protest that their `electric van only has 20 minutes of juice left!’” That episode foretold the “range anxiety” many drivers of electric vehicles feel when trying to figure out where to charge their cars.

    In the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress appropriated $5 billion for the NEVI Formula Program to fund states’ nationwide deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to improve reliability for the public. The plaintiff states moved forward with developing plans to identify sites, solicit bids, and begin building EV charging stations.

    On Jan. 20, President Trump mandated federal agencies pause disbursement of all funds appropriated under the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act, including NEVI program funding. Despite being mandated by Congress to fund the NEVI program, the Federal Highway Administration notified states in February the agency was unlawfully revoking previous state plan approvals and withholding NEVI program funds from the states.

    On May 7, Brown and a coalition of attorneys general from 15 other states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration for illegally withholding NEVI funding, arguing the administration engaged in overreach and violated the Constitution, which grants the power of the purse to Congress. Brown co-led the lawsuit along with attorneys general from California and Colorado.

    Lin, of the Western District of Washington, said that even beyond the matter of EV charging stations, the case centers on the “bedrock doctrines of separation of powers and agency accountability, as enshrined in Constitution and statute.”

    “When the Executive Branch treads upon the will of the Legislative Branch, and when an administrative agency acts contrary to law, it is the Court’s responsibility to remediate the situation and restore the balance of power,” she wrote.

    Lin granted the preliminary injunction to the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

    Lin said she excluded the District of Columbia, Minnesota, and Vermont from her preliminary injunction because they did not submit declarations that attested to the Federal Highway Administration’s approval and re-approval of their state deployment plans.

    A copy of Lin’s order can be found here.

    -30-

     

    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.gov to 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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI China: Pan-Asia Pacific Regional Congress on Military Medicine opens in Beijing

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

    BEIJING, June 25 — The sixth Pan-Asia Pacific Regional Congress on Military Medicine opened on Wednesday in Beijing, bringing together the heads of military health departments and medical experts from more than 20 countries, as well as representatives of five international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the International Committee of Military Medicine.

    Themed “Innovation, Cooperation, Development, Together for a Shared Future,” the event features discussions and exchanges on innovations in health services and administration, improvements in combat casualty care, and other topics.

    The congress aims to enhance regional public health security capabilities, collaboratively promote pragmatic cooperation and innovative development in military medicine, and promote the construction of a global community of health for all.

    It also features exhibitions related to combat casualty care, training injury prevention, traditional medicine, and medical equipment.

    The medical equipment exhibition zone highlights dual-use technologies and equipment, while other sections make use of interactive demonstrations and immersive experiences to showcase the Chinese military’s medical capabilities and traditional medicine expertise.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Guizhou launches Level III emergency response to rainstorms

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

    GUIYANG, June 25 — Southwest China’s Guizhou Province has activated a Level III emergency response for meteorological disasters triggered by rainstorms, effective from 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, as a new round of heavy rain continues to affect the region, according to the provincial meteorological authorities.

    The rainfall is forecast to sweep from the northeast to the central southwest of the province over the next two days, with expected precipitation ranging from heavy rain to rainstorms. Some areas are likely to experience torrential rain, according to the Guizhou Meteorological Service.

    From 8 a.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday, eight county-level regions, including Qixingguan, Dafang, and Xiuwen, experienced torrential rain, while 34 counties reported heavy rainfall.

    At 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, the provincial meteorological observatory upgraded its blue alert for rainstorms to a yellow alert, warning rainstorms are expected in parts of Guiyang, Liupanshui, Anshun, and Tongren, among others. Some areas may experience torrential rain.

    Authorities have issued alerts over the high degree of overlap between the upcoming and previous rainfall zones, with soils now near saturation, increasing the risks of secondary disasters such as mountain torrents, landslides and mudslides.

    China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with Level I being the most severe and a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

    MIL OSI China News