NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal house fire, Marton

    Source: New Zealand Police

    One person has been found deceased following a house fire in Marton this morning.

    Emergency services were called to the Calico Line property, between Bredins Line and Nga Tawa Road, about 6:10am, and found the house fully ablaze.

    Sadly, one person was found deceased at the property.

    A scene guard has been put in place and Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigators are carrying out a scene examination. The cause of the fire is still to be determined.

    At this time, no further details are available.

    ENDS.

    Issued by Police Media

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marshall County Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Pornography Charge

    Source: US FBI

    WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Ryan Bobby Schnettler, 34, of Benwood, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Schnettler was on supervised release for a prior child pornography charge. U.S. Probation conducted home inspections and found three undocumented phones. A search of the phones uncovered hundreds of images of child pornography and evidence of chats with underage females. Schnettler admitted that he portrayed himself as a 17-year-old within teen chat and kid chat room websites. Schnettler has prior convictions of second-degree sexual assault, failure to register as a sex offender, and possession of child pornography

    Schnettler will serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Probation Office investigated.

    U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Supporting people with learning disabilities

    Source: Scottish Government

    Funding allocated to projects working to enhance equality.

    People with learning disabilities are being supported to fulfil their potential through new funding awards totalling almost £1.6 million.

    The Learning Disability Support Fund is allocated to community projects working directly with people with learning disabilities to provide opportunities and build a more inclusive society.

    The fund will run for 30 months from October 2025, with a total of £325,000 available for the first year and £650,000 in each of the following two years. Recipients of the first round are receiving grants of between £75,000 and £250.000. The charity get2gether is among the successful applicants and has been awarded £108,244 to support its work arranging social activities for people with learning disabilities in safe and friendly locations in Scotland.

    Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said:

    “We want to create a society where people with learning disabilities can live fulfilling, independent and active lives and this funding will support the important work of get2gether and many other organisations which are working so hard to do just that.

    “The grants will be used to provide people with education and information on matters such as accessing health services and developing safe relationships.

    “In developing the fund, we have taken into account the views expressed by people with learning disabilities in recent consultation and research and we will work closely with the third sector to ensure it makes a real difference.”

    Director at get2gether Mojca Becaj said:

    “For a small charity like get2gether, the Scottish Government funding through the Learning Disability Support Fund is truly transformational.

    “It will enable us to continue creating safe, inclusive spaces where people with learning disabilities can build friendships, relationships, and confidence as well as provide paid roles where they can step into their first paid employment — these are things that many adults take for granted but are life-changing for our members.

    “We’re deeply grateful for the recognition and investment in our work and the opportunity to keep making a real difference to the lives of get2gether members.”

    Natalie Kernaghan McCaughey, a get2gether ambassador said:

    “I work as an ambassador at get2gether, we are a member-led charity that works with adults with disabilities. We believe everyone deserves love and friendship.

    “I am a paid member of get2gether staff team, I have a lived experience of learning disability and autism. My role is to work with other members to create and co-host their own social events and make connections with each other.”

    Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland Erica Judge said:  

    “We know that the third sector plays a critical role in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and we are pleased that this fund offers vital longer-term funding, ensuring projects like get2gether can plan their services for the next two and a half years.

    “One of the important aspects of this fund is to help ensure people with learning disabilities’ voices are heard.  Not only did people with learning disabilities inform and shape the Learning Disabilities Support Fund’s aims, their voice and experience were central to the decision-making process, and they played a key role in selecting which organisations received funding.”

    BACKGROUND

    Funding Awards

    Organisation

    Funding Amount

    get2gether

    £108,244

    Project Ability

    £81,741

    People First (Scotland)

    £250,000

    Neighbourhood Networks

    £91,931

    Values Into Action Scotland

    £175,061

    Scottish Youth Dance (YDance)

    £206,106

    Dates-n-Mates

    £179,318

    Values Into Action Scotland – The Scottish Assembly

    £249,998

    Association for Real Change – NIN/LIN Networks

    £249,474

    Total

    £1,591,873

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Delegation Urges President Trump to Approve Request for Major Disaster Declaration in Ohio and Marion Counties

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

    Washington, D.C. – This afternoon, the West Virginia congressional delegation urged President Trump to approve the state’s request for a major disaster declaration following the weekend floods in Ohio and Marion Counties.

    The delegation’s letter follows Governor Patrick Morrisey’s formal request to the White House for a major disaster declaration earlier today.

    Congressman Moore issued the following statement:

    “My heart breaks for our neighbors who are left picking up the pieces after last weekend’s unprecedented floods. I’ve never seen anything like the devastation I saw in Triadelphia and Fairmont.

    “Even during these trying times, West Virginians are pulling together to rebuild our communities. But, we can’t do it alone. I urge President Trump to consider the unprecedented nature of this flood and quickly approve West Virginia’s Major Disaster Declaration request to ensure our people have access to the federal resources they need to recover and rebuild.”

    Earlier this week, Congressman Moore spent time in Triadelphia and Fairmont to review the damage and speak with state and local officials on the ground.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Allen Hosts Signing Day Ceremony for Georgia-12 Service Academy Appointees

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

    Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) hosted a special signing day ceremony for students in Georgia’s 12th District who have been accepted into one of the nation’s military service academies.

    These academies include: The United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland; the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut; the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York; and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

    During the event, Congressman Allen recognized several Georgia-12 students whose respective service academy nominations he sponsored. Congressman Allen also presented each student with a signed copy of the Congressional Record marking the occasion.

    Georgia-12 students participating in the signing day event included:

    • Alexander Andrews, Coahulla Creek High School, United States Naval Academy
    • Jack Godbee, Vidalia High School, United States Naval Academy
    • Jack Gray, Greenbrier High School, United States Merchant Marine Academy
    • Kai Agyemang from Lakeside High School, United States Air Force Academy
    • Tyrone Miller, Carlucci American International High School, United States Military Academy
    • Wyatt Spaulding, Greenbrier High School, United States Military Academy
    • Bryce Reynierson, Augusta Christian High School, accepted to the United States Naval Academy Prep

    Georgia-12 students unable to attend signing day:

    • John Epps, Lakeside High School, United States Air Force Academy
    • Tyrone Miller, Carlucci American International High School, United States Military Academy

    After the event, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

    “It is extremely gratifying to nominate such qualified young leaders from our district to usher in this new generation of servicemen and women. I am honored to show our support for these selfless young students whose commitment to service and our great nation is truly remarkable. I have every confidence that these young leaders will go on to make the state of Georgia, and the United States of America, very proud.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Police narrow area of interest in Elisabeth Nicholls search

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attribute to Detective Sergeant Luke Vaughan.

    Police have narrowed down an area of interest in the ongoing search for missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth ‘Lis’ Nicholls.

    Lis was last seen at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton on the evening of Wednesday 4 June, and Police and her family remain desperate to locate her.

    Police have a possible sighting of Lis at the eastern end of Hagley Park, around the Park Terrace and Salisbury/Montreal Street areas around 8:25pm that night. [area pictured]

    We are appealing to anyone in this area in particular to please check your properties, and notify Police of anything unusual.

    We are also continuing to appeal to people across Christchurch to please search your backyards, sheds and sleepouts, and look under anything where a person could seek shelter.

    For anyone with CCTV, Police would like you to review any footage you have, especially if your cameras are facing the street, from 8.20pm to 10pm on Wednesday 4 June.

    While Lis went missing in the Riccarton area, she is physically strong, and may have walked some distance.

    Anyone who sees Lis should ring 111 immediately and use the reference number 250604/5465. Non-urgent information can be provided online at 105.police.govt.nz, using “Update Report,” quoting the same reference number.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Suicide Hotline Workers Condemn Cuts to LGBTQ+ Crisis Services

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    NEW YORK – Union workers employed by the Trevor Project are condemning a decision by the Department of Health and Human Services to end funding for specialized suicide hotline services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. 

     

    When LGBTQ+ young people in crisis call or text 988, they are connected to counselors who are trained to address their unique needs. Workers at the Trevor Project, represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180, handle nearly half of those contacts.

     

    While the Trevor Project will continue to operate a helpline for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, the 988 Lifeline has greater public awareness. Over the past three years, the 988  LGBTQ+ program has assisted over 1.3 million young people.

     

    “As a collective, we are devastated by Trump cutting the LGBTQ+ youth line,” said Jack Hanson, a 988 Lifeline Crisis Counselor. “This executive action serves as a death sentence to many in this demographic. We want to emphasize that LGBTQ+ youth deserve to be affirmed in who they are and that they deserve to live meaningful lives. We also wish to say this includes all categories of this community, including trans and queer youth, who the Trump Administration had ignorantly excluded from its initial announcement. Despite the line closure, we will always be dedicated to protecting this population in spite of the hatred, hostility, and cruelty of the Trump administration. We urge supporters to contact their members of Congress and Senators to urge them to restore funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services.”

     

    “The decision to shut down LGTBQ+ crisis services in the middle of the fiscal year – announced during Pride month – is a deliberate provocation and a despicable attack on LGBTQ+ workers and the community,” said Gloria Middleton, president of CWA Local 1180. “CWA members provide vital, live-saving services for kids who need our help. Our union stands united behind the Trevor Project workers and the LGTBQ+ community that they serve.”

     

    “The attacks on the LGBTQ+ community are one front in this Administration’s larger war on working people,” said Dennis Trainor, Vice President of CWA District 1. “America is a country built by and for the working class, with all types of people coming together to work for a brighter future for our children. LGBTQ+ workers and families are part of the rich tapestry of American life.  At CWA they provide crisis services for at-risk youth, connect households and small businesses to high-speed internet services, and drive American innovation forward while working on NIH-funded grants. They will not be erased, and the labor movement stands with our LGBTQ+ siblings.”

     

    Union workers at the Trevor Project are protected by a union contract that includes guaranteed severance pay in the event of layoffs. 

     

    The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched in 2022, and has provided specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth who are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The suicide prevention line has bipartisan support, created through an act of Congress as the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, and signed into law by President Donald Trump in October, 2020. 

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter: Victory in Fight Against Child Gender Transition Procedures

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Victory in Fight Against Child Gender Transition Procedures

    Dear Friends,
    After two years of fighting in federal court, we’ve won. Challengers to Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act have dismissed their lawsuit entirely and Idaho is now free to fully enforce our law protecting children in Idaho from harmful and irreversible gender transition procedures.
    This victory is more than just a legal win on paper. It’s a victory for parents, children, and the principle that kids suffering from gender dysphoria need love, support, and medical care rooted in biological reality. What they don’t need is life-altering drugs and surgeries with permanent consequences and added confusion.
    Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act protects children in Idaho by prohibiting doctors from providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transition surgeries to children under 18 to alter their appearance or affirm their “gender identity” when that identity differs from their biological sex. The law makes providing these procedures a felony, recognizing that children cannot consent to experimental treatments with permanent consequences.
    When the state legislature passed this law in 2023, activists immediately sued to block it. A federal district judge initially sided with them, issuing an injunction that prevented Idaho from enforcing the law statewide. This meant doctors could continue performing these procedures on children across Idaho despite our state law.
    I immediately appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in April 2024, the Supreme Court granted Idaho’s request, ruling that the lower court had overstepped by blocking the law for everyone in the state. The Court narrowed the injunction to apply only to the two families who sued, allowing Idaho to enforce our child protection law for all other children statewide. The case continued in the lower court until this week, when the challengers asked to dismiss their lawsuit entirely. The dismissal ends the remaining injunction, allowing Idaho to fully enforce our protections for all children in Idaho.
    Idaho was among the first states to pass a law protecting children from these dangerous procedures. We’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of drugs and procedures used on children with gender dysphoria, and it’s a preventable tragedy. The state has a duty to protect and support all children, and that’s why I’m proud to defend Idaho’s law that ensures children are not subjected to these life-altering drugs and procedures.
    The dismissal of this case also coincides with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling this week upholding Tennessee’s similar law protecting children from these harmful practices. As more states follow Idaho’s lead in protecting vulnerable children, our victory sends a clear message that states have the authority to protect children from this evil.
    This fight has always been about more than just one law. It’s about supporting biological reality over ideology, and it’s about Idaho’s sovereignty to enact laws that reflect our values and protect our families. I was proud to fight for this law, and I am grateful that we’ve won the ability to protect Idaho’s kids from these procedures going forward.
    Best regards,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Urges U.S. Department of Education to Maintain Commitments to Student Equity and Opportunity

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a coalition of 18 attorneys general, submitted comments urging the U.S. Department of Education to continue advancing grantmaking priorities intended to promote equity in access to educational resources and opportunity, address existing disparities in education, and help schools comply with federal laws requiring schools to foster inclusive learning environments for all students. The comments were sent in response to the Department’s publication of new Proposed Priorities for assessing grant applications, which would eliminate the Department’s existing grantmaking priorities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. The new Proposed Priorities would replace the Biden Administration’s previous Supplemental Priorities including such commitments, which the Department has deliberately and wrongly disparaged as being “discriminatory” and “divisive.”

    “The President continues to attack programs and policies meant to lift up students in classrooms across America and ensure equitable access to educational resources and learning opportunities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I urge the Department of Education to refocus its proposed priorities on the needs of students and to bring them into to compliance with federal civil rights laws.” 

    In the comments, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition highlight the importance of continuing priorities related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion to promote educational success for all students and ensure schools’ compliance with federal laws. Specifically, the coalition asserts that abandoning the existing Supplemental Priorities’ commitments related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion would further exacerbate existing harm to school districts already experiencing inequities in access to resources, high-quality education, opportunity, and more. Indeed, such priorities were specifically designed to address these inequities, especially in low-income schools and amidst a nation-wide shortage of certified teachers, by supporting the success of all students, regardless of background. 

    Notably, the coalition underscores that contrary to the Department’s understanding, initiatives promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and different perspectives and experiences are not the same as the type of affirmative action at issue in Students for Fair Admissions v. President & Fellows of Harvard Coll., 600 U.S. 181 (2023). On the contrary, properly developed and implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives help to prevent unlawful bias and discrimination, boost student and teacher morale, and remove barriers to inclusion and opportunity for students, ensuring that no student is left behind due to their background or identity. 

    Furthermore, the coalition asserts that eliminating the previous priorities would put schools at increased risk of violating various federal laws that require schools to engage in actions that support diversity, equity, and inclusion for the success of all students. Such federal laws include Title VI, which prohibits discrimination in education based on race and other protected characteristics; the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which requires schools to implement various practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a condition for federal funding under Title I; and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which requires schools to ensure individualized inclusion for students with disabilities as a condition for certain federal funding. Accordingly, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition urge the Department to modify its new Proposed Priorities to include previous priorities advancing equity for students and to comply with existing federal law.  

    Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington in submitting the comment letter. 

    A copy of the comment letter is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa in a tête-à-tête with Her Excellency, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa in a tête-à-tête with Her Excellency, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia during her visit to the Republic of South Africa at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the President’s Official Residence in Pretoria.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEVQ9SoEbJ8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa receiving President of the Republic of Namibia

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa receiving Her Excellency, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on a courtesy visit at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the President’s Official Residence in Pretoria.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PODNH7tuC6A

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump’s Policies Will Increase Electricity Costs & Kill Jobs, Burning Consumers and Businesses Alike

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – On the campaign trail, Donald Trump pledged to cut energy costs in half.  As president, his policies are causing home energy prices to increase, with consumer electricity prices set to climb by hundreds of dollars under Trump and Republicans’ supposedly ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ which is a big ugly betrayal of working families.

    Electricity prices have already risen 4.5 percent in the last year, according to recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, and are estimated to surge this summer.  The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) projects home electricity bills are expected to reach their highest average rate in 12 years, at $784 for the summer period.

    In Rhode Island, researchers at Energy Innovation found that the House-passed big Trump bill, which repeals clean energy tax breaks and investments, “would increase annual energy bills by $55 million across Rhode Island households annually in 2030, swelling to more than $83 million in higher energy costs by 2035, for a total of $315 million during the budget window of 2025 to 2034.”  It also found the bill “would cost Rhode Island’s workforce 2,000 jobs in 2030 and nearly 1,500 jobs in 2035 as new investment in domestic energy and manufacturing falters.”

    “President Trump and Republicans’ outdated 20th century energy policies will raise families’ energy costs, kill jobs, and increase pollution.  Lowering energy prices and “future-proofing” our energy systems is an economic and security imperative.  But President Trump and Congressional Republicans are doing the opposite: increasing people’s and businesses’ electricity bills all over the country and undercutting sustainable investments in America’s energy grid.  The Republican-induced surge in energy prices will burn working-class living standards and line the pockets of special interests,” said Senator Reed.

    On average, Rhode Island residents spend about $285 per month on electricity, or $3,420 per year for the average household according to energysage.com.  But if Trump’s ‘Big Ugly’ reconciliation bill becomes law, those costs would increase significantly due to repeal of the vast majority of tax credits for low-carbon sources of electricity like wind, solar, batteries and geothermal power included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

    The New York Times reports: “Repealing those credits could increase the average family’s energy bill by as much as $400 per year within a decade, according to several studies published this year.”

    Senator Reed says Trump’s outmoded policies and dysfunctional administration are increasing energy prices; failing to invest in the energy infrastructure America needs now and in the future; making America less energy secure; and costing the country good-paying, union jobs.

    With summer heat approaching, Senator Reed notes that those most impacted by higher utility bills are lower-income households, including seniors on fixed incomes, who often lack the resources to cover increased monthly payments.  

    “Not only are President Trump and Republicans doubling down on failed policies from the past, they are rescinding investments in forward looking renewable energy projects that are supporting good jobs and ready to come on line and lower prices.  And let’s be clear, they are doing this at the behest of highly profitable fossil fuel companies and conglomerates that are polluting the environment and squeezing consumers,” said Senator Reed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier holds talks with New Zealand’s PM

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, June 20 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday.

    Li emphasized that strengthening strategic communication and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and New Zealand are of great significance in light of all the changes and turbulence in today’s world.

    President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Luxon this morning, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations in the next stage, Li said, noting that China is willing to work with New Zealand to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, and expand practical cooperation, to promote common development and deliver greater benefits to both peoples.

    Highlighting high complementarity between the two economies, the premier proposed aligning development strategies to explore more converging interests, upgrading cooperation quality in all fields for higher-level win-win outcomes.

    He called on the two sides to further expand the scale of trade, continuously promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, expand cooperation in emerging fields and better promote regional economic integration.

    China stands ready to import more quality agricultural and food products from New Zealand, and will continue to encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest in New Zealand, and hopes that New Zealand will provide a fair and open business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in the country, Li said.

    China welcomes New Zealand as the guest country of honor at the China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education 2025 and is willing to deepen exchanges with New Zealand in education, tourism, think tanks, and subnational cooperation, to enhance mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples.

    At present, the global economic and trade landscape is undergoing profound transformation and adjustment, Li said, adding that China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with New Zealand within frameworks such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system, create an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory international economic cooperation environment, and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world.

    Luxon reaffirmed New Zealand’s adherence to the one-China policy, expressing willingness to maintain high-level exchanges with China, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, and deepen exchange and cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture, tourism, and education.

    New Zealand is also willing to enhance communication and coordination with China in such areas as response to climate change and green development, jointly committing to upholding the international order and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Luxon said.

    After the talks, Li and Luxon jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering customs, food safety, organic product certification, climate change, and cultural heritage.

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Third Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Burkina Faso

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 20, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the third review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Burkina Faso. This enables an immediate disbursement of about US$32.8 million.
    • Supportive policies and favorable weather conditions boosted agricultural output in 2024; however, widespread insecurity continues to weigh on economic activity in other sectors, especially gold mining, the primary source of export earnings for the country.
    • Program performance has been broadly satisfactory. While end-December 2024 performance criteria for the primary fiscal deficit and net domestic financing were missed by 0.6 percent of GDP, the 2025 budget includes adequate corrective measures. On this basis, the Executive Board approved waivers of nonobservance of these performance criteria. All continuous performance criteria were met. Seven out of eight structural benchmarks were achieved, with the remaining one implemented later as a prior action.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the third review under the 48-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement that was approved on September 21, 2023. The completion of the review enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 24.08 million (about US$32.8 million), bringing total IMF financial support under the arrangement to SDR 96.32 million (about US$131.3 million). 

    Real GDP growth is estimated to have reached 5.0 percent in 2024. Strong growth in agriculture and services outweighed contractions in mining and manufacturing. Real GDP growth is projected to average 4.2 percent in 2025, as growth in the agricultural output is expected to soften in line with average rainfall conditions. Inflation is projected to ease to 3.0 percent in 2025 amid moderating food prices.

    Balance of payments strengthened, reflecting a positive shift in terms of trade. The current account deficit rose from 5.0 percent of GDP in 2023 to 5.7 percent in 2024 but is expected to narrow to 3.4 percent in 2025 due to record-high gold prices. Trade policy turbulences will likely have a marginal impact as the United States are not a major trading partner.   

    Elevated capital spending affected fiscal performance in 2024. Nonetheless, the overall fiscal deficit narrowed from 6.7 percent of GDP in 2023 to 5.8 percent in 2024. Building on the 2025 budget, fiscal policy is expected to be tightened considerably in 2025, with the overall fiscal deficit projected in the 3.3 to 4.0 percent of GDP range, depending on the availability of external concessional financing. Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside due to terrorist threats.

    Progress under the ECF arrangement has been broadly satisfactory. Due to fiscal pressures in late 2024, the end-December performance criteria (PCs) on the primary fiscal deficit and net domestic financing were missed by 0.6 percent of GDP, while all other PCs were met. Three out of six indicative targets (ITs) were missed by small margins. All three continuous PCs and five end-March 2025 ITs, including on the primary fiscal deficit and net domestic financing were met, while the remaining four ITs were missed by small margins.

    The Burkinabè authorities advanced their structural reform agenda under the program. They met seven out of eight structural benchmarks (SBs) and have addressed the missed SB on the preparation of the clearance plan for domestic arrears as a prior action for the third review. They have also implemented two other prior actions: they shared a list of treasury deposit accounts and cleared all domestic arrears outstanding at end-2023. Three new SBs under the program aim to strengthen the governance in public procurement, uphold integrity in revenue administration, and increase control over the public wage bill.

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

    “Burkina Faso’s economy has proven resilient notwithstanding security challenges, a difficult humanitarian situation, and weather shocks. A lasting improvement in socio‑economic conditions will require progress on security and structural reforms to foster diversification, fiscal governance, and resilience.

                “While the policy framework remains strong, fiscal pressures affected program performance in 2024. For the first time, and in difficult circumstances, performance criteria on the primary fiscal deficit and net domestic financing were missed. The margin of nonobservance—while not negligible—did not undermine the fiscal consolidation trend. The authorities counteracted the slippage with strong measures on the expenditure side and remain committed to reducing the overall fiscal deficit to three percent of GDP by the end of the ECF arrangement, while safeguarding fiscal space for poverty-reducing social spending. This commitment is reflected in the 2025 budget and fiscal performance through end-March.

                “The authorities are on track and have expanded their structural reform agenda, focusing on fiscal governance and transparency. They have provided a list of treasury deposit accounts, adopted an arrears’ clearance plan, and cleared all arrears outstanding at end-2023 following their audit. These measures are informed by the preliminary findings of the IMF’s Governance Diagnostic Assessment (GDA). The GDA report is being finalized. The authorities intend to publish the final report in coming weeks and adopt, within four months from publication, an action plan reflecting its key recommendations. Structural conditionality for the fifth review has been strengthened with the addition of benchmarks on implementing the action plan from the procurement audit and strengthening further wage bill control and governance in revenue services.”

    Table 1.  Burkina Faso: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2023–29

    Population (2023): 23.3 million  

      Gini Index (2021): 37.4

    Per capita GDP (2023): 910 USD

    		      

    Life Expectancy (years): 60

    Share of population below the poverty line (2022): 43.7%

    Literacy rate (2022): 34%

    2023

    2024

    2024

    2025

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029
     

    Act.

    ECF 2nd Review

    Prel.

    ECF 2nd Review

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.
     

    (Annual percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

    GDP and Prices

    		            

    GDP at constant prices

    3.0

    4.2

    5.0

    4.3

    4.2

    4.9

    4.7

    4.7

    4.7

    GDP deflator

    2.0

    7.2

    8.9

    5.6

    5.9

    4.0

    3.3

    2.8

    2.3

    Consumer prices (annual average)

    0.7

    3.6

    4.2

    3.0

    3.0

    2.5

    2.1

    2.0

    2.0

    Consumer prices (end of period)

    1.0

    3.4

    4.9

    2.8

    3.0

    2.5

    2.1

    2.0

    2.0
                 

    Money and Credit

    		            

    Net domestic assets (banking system) 1/

    5.3

    18.7

    0.4

    14.7

    6.1

    8.8

    8.7

    7.5

    7.0

    Credit to the government (banking system) 1/

    3.0

    9.8

    3.7

    8.1

    3.8

    3.4

    3.3

    2.3

    2.1

    Credit to private sector

    5.9

    13.1

    -2.2

    9.5

    2.6

    8.2

    8.3

    7.9

    7.5

    Broad money (M3)

    -3.0

    20.8

    7.2

    15.6

    6.1

    9.1

    8.1

    7.6

    7.1

    Private sector credit/GDP

    31.6

    30.7

    27.0

    30.5

    25.1

    24.9

    24.9

    25.0

    25.1
                 

    External Sector

    		            

    Exports (f.o.b.; valued in CFA francs)

    -3.1

    10.5

    2.0

    10.5

    25.3

    7.8

    5.3

    4.2

    2.7

    Imports (f.o.b.; valued in CFA francs)

    -1.5

    5.3

    4.8

    3.5

    10.8

    6.3

    6.5

    6.4

    5.7

    Current account (percent of GDP)

    -5.0

    -5.2

    -5.7

    -3.5

    -3.4

    -3.1

    -3.4

    -3.7

    -4.4
     

    (Percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    Central Government Finances

    		            

    Current revenue

    20.6

    20.1

    20.6

    18.6

    19.8

    20.1

    20.4

    20.8

    20.9

     of which: Tax revenue

    18.2

    17.8

    18.3

    16.9

    18.1

    18.4

    18.8

    19.1

    19.3

    Total expenditure and net lending

    29.0

    26.3

    27.7

    24.1

    25.0

    24.7

    24.6

    24.9

    25.1

     of which: Current expenditure

    17.9

    16.5

    16.3

    15.4

    16.0

    15.5

    15.1

    14.7

    14.3

    Overall fiscal balance, incl. grants (commitments)

    -6.7

    -5.0

    -5.8

    -4.3

    -4.0

    -3.5

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    Total public debt 2/

    56.2

    53.0

    56.9

    52.2

    56.1

    55.0

    54.0

    53.0

    52.3

            of which: External debt

    25.9

    23.7

    25.4

    22.2

    24.8

    24.0

    23.7

    23.3

    23.1

            of which: Domestic debt

    30.3

    29.4

    31.6

    29.9

    31.3

    30.9

    30.3

    29.7

    29.2
                 

    Memorandum Items:

    		            

    Nominal GDP (CFAF billion) 3/

    12,328

    14,330

    14,098

    15,791

    15,561

    16,973

    18,355

    19,755

    21,153

    Nominal GDP per capita (US$)

    874

    990

    975

    1,050

    1,002

    1,063

    1,120

    1,175

    1,227

    Nominal exchange rate (CFAF/US$, period average)

    606

    602

    606

    598

    635

    637

    637

    637

    637

    Gold price (USD/troy ounce)

    1,943

    2,342

    2,387

    2,608

    2,821

    2,963

    3,096

    3,198

    3,244

    Sources: Burkinabé authorities; IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Percent of beginning-of-period broad money.

    2/ The 2nd review total public debt data has been retroactively adjusted to correct an exchange rate calculation error starting in 2023. In addition, the denominator (GDP) in the table has been revised (see footnote 3 below). Previously, total public debt in 2024 was estimated at 52.6 percent of GDP, while it was assessed to have reached 53.6 percent of GDP in 2023.

    3/ Historical nominal GDP figures have been revised down, in line with the most recent publication of official estimates by the National Institute of Statistics.
    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/20/pr-25211-burkina-faso-imf-completes-the-3rd-review-under-the-ecf-arrangement

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USAID Official and Three Corporate Executives Plead Guilty to Decade-Long Bribery Scheme Involving More Than $550 Million in Contracts; Two Companies Admit Criminal Liability for Bribery Scheme and Securities Fraud

    Source: US FBI

    Greenbelt, Maryland – Four men, including a government contracting officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and three owners and presidents of companies, have pleaded guilty for their roles in a decade-long bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth more than $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars.

    Roderick Watson, 57, of Woodstock, Maryland, who worked as a USAID contracting officer, pled guilty to bribery of a public official; Walter Barnes, 46, of Potomac, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official and securities fraud; Darryl Britt, 64, of Myakka City, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official; and Paul Young, 62, of Columbia, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official.

    In addition, Apprio and Vistant, both of which contracted with USAID, have agreed to admit criminal liability and enter into three-year deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) in connection with criminal informations filed today in the District of Maryland. As part of these resolutions, both Apprio and Vistant admitted to engaging in a conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official and securities fraud. The DPAs entered into with Apprio and Vistant require each company to, among other obligations, provide ongoing cooperation with and disclosures to the Justice Department, implement a compliance and ethics program, and report to Justice Department regarding remediation and implementation of these compliance measures.

    “Watson was entrusted to serve the interests of the American people – not his own – and his criminal actions for his own personal gain undermines the integrity of our public institutions,” said Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. “Public trust is a hallmark of our nation’s values, so corruption within a federal government agency is intolerable. This office, along with our law-enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and prosecute corruption at every level to ensure accountability and protect public trust.”

    “The defendants sought to enrich themselves at the expense of the American taxpayers,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Their scheme violated the public trust by undermining the integrity of the Federal government’s procurement process.  Anybody that cares about good and effective government should be concerned about the waste, fraud, and abuse in government agencies, including USAID.  Those who engage in bribery schemes to exploit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s vital economic programs for small businesses—whether individuals or corporations acting through them—will be held to account.” 

    “The guilty verdicts reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to holding accountable all those who abuse the authority and responsibility of public service,” said Assistant Director Joe Perez of the FBI’s Criminal Division. “The actions of the defendants in this scheme serve to erode public trust. The FBI is focused on rebuilding this trust and protecting American taxpayers from corruption through investigations such as these.”

    “Corruption in government programs will not be tolerated. Watson abused his position of trust for personal gain while federal contractors engaged in a pay-to-play scheme,” said USAID OIG Acting Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Sean Bottary. “USAID OIG is firmly committed to rooting out fraud and corruption within U.S. foreign assistance programs. Today’s announcement underscores our unwavering focus on exposing criminal activity, including bribery schemes by those entrusted to faithfully award government contracts. We appreciate our longstanding partnership with the Department of Justice in holding accountable those who defraud American taxpayers.”    

    “Watson exploited his position at USAID to line his pockets with bribes in exchange for more than $550 million in contracts. While he helped three company owners and presidents bypass the fair bidding process, he was showered with cash and lavish gifts. Through its financial crime investigations, IRS-CI works to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure government funds are awarded based on merit—not corruption. In close coordination with our law enforcement partners, IRS-CI helped put an end to their greed and criminal conduct. Now, Watson and his co-conspirators will face justice,” said Guy Ficco, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation.

    Overview of Bribery Scheme

    According to court documents, beginning in 2013, Watson, while a USAID contracting officer, agreed with Britt to receive bribes in exchange for using Watson’s influence to award contracts to Apprio. As a certified small business under the SBA 8(a) contracting program, which helps socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, Apprio could access lucrative federal contracting opportunities through set-asides and sole-source contracts exclusively available to eligible contractors without a competitive bid process.

    Vistant was a subcontractor to Apprio on one of the contracts awarded through Watson’s influence. After Apprio graduated from the SBA 8(a) program and it was no longer eligible to be a prime contractor for new contracts with USAID under this program, the scheme shifted so that Vistant became the prime contractor and Apprio became the subcontractor on USAID contracts awarded through Watson’s influence between 2018 and 2022.

    During the scheme, Britt and Barnes paid bribes to Watson that were often concealed by passing them through Young, who was the president of another subcontractor to Apprio and Vistant. Britt and Barnes also regularly funneled bribes to Watson, including cash, laptops, thousands of dollars in tickets to a suite at an NBA game, a country club wedding, downpayments on two residential mortgages, cellular phones, and jobs for relatives. The bribes were also often concealed through electronic bank transfers falsely listing Watson on payroll, incorporated shell companies, and false invoices. Watson is alleged to have received bribes valued at more than approximately $1 million as part of the scheme.

    In exchange for the bribe payments, Watson influenced the award of contracts to Apprio and Vistant by manipulating the procurement process at USAID through various means, including recommending their companies to other USAID decisionmakers for non-competitive contract awards, disclosing sensitive procurement information during the competitive bidding process, providing positive performance evaluations to a government agency, and approving decisions on the contracts, such as increased funding and a security clearance.

    Apprio and Vistant also agreed to resolve concurrently with the Justice Department in its separate Civil False Claims Act investigations relating to the bribery scheme.

    Overview of Vistant Securities Fraud Scheme

    According to court documents, in 2022, Barnes and Watson defrauded a licensed small business investment company (SBIC), in furtherance of the bribery scheme, by inducing it into executing a credit agreement with Vistant. Through the credit agreement, Barnes caused Vistant to issue stock warrants that, if exercised, would result in the SBIC having a 40% equity stake in Vistant. The credit agreement also provided for a $14 million loan to Vistant from which Barnes could pay himself a $10 million dividend. Prior to executing the credit agreement, Watson agreed at Barnes’s request to speak with the SBIC about Vistant’s performance as a government contractor on USAID contracts. When speaking with the SBIC, Watson omitted that Barnes had bribed Watson to obtain USAID contracts for years. Watson’s endorsement of Vistant thereafter induced the SBIC to enter into the credit agreement with Barnes.

    Overview of Apprio Securities Fraud Scheme

    According to court documents, in 2023, Apprio, acting through Britt, engaged in a scheme in which Apprio fraudulently induced a private equity firm, which had an investment pool that was licensed as a SBIC, to purchase from Apprio’s parent company a 20% equity stake in the company for $4 million and simultaneously extend it a $4 million loan secured by shares of Apprio stock. In addition to making false material representations in the stock purchase and loan agreements, Britt intentionally omitted during his negotiations the material fact that he had bribed Watson for years, which was intended to deceive and induce the private equity company into executing the agreements.

    Deferred Prosecution Agreements with Apprio and Vistant

    The Justice Department reached its resolution with Apprio based on several factors, including Apprio’s credit for clearly accepting responsibility for its criminal conduct, fully cooperating in the investigation and engaging in timely remedial measures. Based on these factors, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 10% reduction off the bottom of the applicable Guidelines fine range pursuant to the Criminal Division Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP). According to court documents, Apprio agreed that the appropriate criminal penalty based on the law and facts in its case is $51,673,185; however, Apprio also met its burden of establishing an inability to pay the criminal penalty sought. Based on the Justice Department’s independent analysis, it determined that paying a criminal penalty and civil settlement greater than $500,000 would substantially threaten the continued viability of Apprio. Accordingly, the Justice Department determined that the appropriate resolution of this case is a DPA and a payment of $500,000 in a civil settlement.

    Similarly, the Justice Department reached its resolution with Vistant based on a number of factors, including Vistant’s credit for clearly accepting responsibility for its criminal conduct and cooperating with the investigation. Although Vistant’s cooperation was initially delayed and limited, Vistant began to fully cooperate thereafter. Vistant also received credit for engaging in timely remedial measures. Based on these factors, the penalty calculated under the Guidelines reflects a 5% reduction off the bottom of the applicable Guidelines fine range pursuant to the CEP. Vistant agreed that the appropriate criminal penalty based on the law and facts in its case is $86,407,740; however, Vistant also met its burden of establishing an inability to pay the criminal penalty sought. Based on the Justice Department’s independent analysis, it determined that paying a criminal penalty and civil settlement greater than $100,000 would substantially threaten the continued viability of Vistant. Accordingly, the Justice Department determined that the appropriate resolution of this case is a DPA and a payment of $100,000 in a civil settlement.

    Watson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6.  Young faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 3.  Britt faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for July 28.  Barnes faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, USAID OIG, and IRS-CI who are investigating this case.

    Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Kibbe and Trial Attorneys Matt Kahn and Brandon Burkart, Department of Justice, Criminal Division Fraud Section, who are prosecuting the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md  and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: British National Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Money Laundering, and Immigration Charges

    Source: US FBI

    PROVIDENCE –  A British national from Northern Ireland illegally in the United States today admitted to a federal judge that he participated in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme that netted more than a million dollars, and that he provided false information to gain entry into the United States, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    In pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and false statement in a document used to gain entry into the United States, Elijah Gavin, 29, admitted to the following:

    • Gavin used a variety of different names when he approached and defrauded property owners in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York by, among other things, misrepresenting to property owners’ construction needs or repairs required on their properties.
    • Gavin and his co-conspirators formed multiple construction businesses and falsely represented the business’ status, experience, and quality of work; falsely represented their identities and skills to homeowners; and made false representations to property owners regarding the condition of their properties, work they would perform, and the machinery, materials, and equipment needed to perform work.
    • Between October 2022 and January 2025, Gavin and his co-conspirators defrauded property owners of over one million dollars, including a Rhode Island widow who was defrauded of $850,000, as well as other elderly victims in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and a church in New York.
    • Gavin sent checks to money launderers in New York and California representing funds that were fraudulently obtained from his victims.
    • Gavin is a fugitive from justice in the United Kingdom who entered the United States illegally. Gavin used a false Electronic System for Travel Authorization application to gain entry into the United States without a visa.  Gavin’s ESTA application contained materially false information with respect to Gavin’s criminal history in the United Kingdom.

    According to the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, Conmen Travelers are groups of Irish or U.K. nationals who entered the United States on pleasure or tourist visas and overstayed their visits or, more commonly, entered the United States illegally. Once in the United States, they go to different cities and states, soliciting construction work. The members often quote a low price, and then, after further inspection, demand much more money and/or convince the homeowner that their homes or business are in need of major repairs. Conmen Travelers often hire day laborers; do not have work authorization documents or pull permits; and do low quality, unnecessary, or incomplete work, sometimes damaging homeowners’ residences.

    Gavin has been detained in federal custody since his arrest in New Jersey on January 29, 2025. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 11, 2025. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Taylor A. Dean.

    The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and U.S Diplomatic Security Service.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kansan Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Creating Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas resident was sentenced to 30 years in prison for charges related to child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).

    According to court documents, Chloe Wade Gullotto, 25, of Leavenworth pled guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography. 

    From September 2023 to November 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a series of CyberTips about images and videos connected to a cloud account belonging to Gullotto. During an interview with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the defendant admitted to using a cellphone to download CSAM and to create CSAM images.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick prosecuted the case.

    Project Safe Childhood
    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    ###
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession

    Source: US FBI

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national has pleaded guilty in federal court today for illegal possession of firearms.

    Jose Montero-Barradas, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of Alien in Possession of Firearms.

    According to court documents, Montero-Barradas knew he was present in the United States illegally and unlawfully, when he knowingly possessed two firearms on March 23, 2025. Specifically, on the evening of March 23, 2025, members of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department were dispatched to a residential area in Kansas City following a report of shots fired. Officers arriving on the scene observed Montero-Barradas walking into a residence with two firearms, which were later recovered.

    Under federal law it is illegal for an alien to possess a firearm or ammunition.

    Montero-Barradas faces up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentence of the defendant will be determined by the court based upon the advisory sentencing guidelines and other factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

    Operation Take Back America

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: RIPPLECOIN Mining Launches Profitable Mobile Cloud Mining App to Easily Earn BTC and XRP

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, California, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RIPPLECOIN Mining, a world-renowned cryptocurrency cloud mining platform, officially released its new mobile cloud mining application today, providing a zero-threshold, high-yield mining solution for the majority of digital currency users. Users only need to download and install the App on their smartphones to remotely participate in cloud mining operations of mainstream currencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ripple (XRP), without any physical equipment or technical background, and can achieve stable passive income every day, with potential income up to $18,777/day.

    As the cryptocurrency ecosystem continues to develop and global investors are increasingly concerned about ways to increase the value of digital assets, RIPPLECOIN Mining integrates AI smart scheduling, green energy computing, and a global computing network. With the concept of “mining without barriers”, it reconstructs the cloud mining experience and helps all people participate in Web3 value creation.

    Core highlights: What are the advantages of RIPPLECOIN mobile mining app?

    Zero equipment, quick start
    No mining machine, no wiring or installation required, remote mining can be started immediately after the mobile phone is registered, truly realizing “install and earn”.
    Multi-currency support
    One-stop support for popular currencies such as BTC, XRP, ETH, DOGE, SOL, LTC, USDT, etc., to meet the income goals of different asset holders.
    AI-driven efficient mining
    The application has a built-in AI scheduling system to intelligently allocate computing power resources of global data centers to maximize daily income.
    Green energy mining network
    All mines on the platform use 100% renewable energy to ensure sustainable development while obtaining income
    Real-time visualization of income
    Users can view daily income, computing power operation status, cumulative income and withdrawal records in real time through the App.

    Three steps to start your daily crypto income journey

    Download and register: Click here to register or visit the official link to download and install the App, register an account with your email address, and you will receive $15 in cloud mining computing power
    Choose a contract: Choose a computing power package based on your budget, and you can start making money with as little as $100
    Start earning: Use XRP, BTC, ETH or USDT to pay for the contract fee, the system runs automatically, no manual intervention is required, and stable income is credited to your account every day

    Typical return examples: real and visible profit model

    The following are some popular contracts and their corresponding returns:

    $100 contract → $106 return
    $8,200 contract → $10,815 return
    $15,000 contract → $23,452 return
    $97,800 contract → $183,296 return
    The contract is flexible and the cycle is transparent. All returns can be withdrawn or rolled back with one click.

    User reviews: Wealth engine in the digital age

    “I no longer have to worry about electricity bills and machine noise. With just a click on my phone, my earnings are increasing every day.”
    – Feedback from early users in the United States
    “RIPPLECOIN’s mobile cloud mining has truly achieved zero threshold. It only took me 15 minutes to complete registration, recharge, and start mining.”
    – Feedback from German crypto community members

    About RIPPLECOIN Mining

    RIPPLECOIN Mining was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in London, UK. It is certified by financial regulators in many countries and is the world’s leading cloud mining service provider. The platform has deployed more than 120 green energy data centers around the world, covering more than 180 countries and regions, with a total of more than 9 million users. The platform is committed to creating a passive crypto income system that everyone can participate in through AI-driven intelligent computing power and a transparent and sustainable mining model.

    Experience mobile mining now and release the value potential of XRP and BTC

    Official website registration: https://ripplecoinmining.com
    App download address: https://ripplecoinmining.com/xml/index.html#/app
    Sign up and get $15, invite friends and enjoy 3% lifetime commission reward

    Marketing Department: Anne Watson
    Email: info@ripplecoinmining.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of financial loss. You are strongly advised to perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    —–

    Contact Us For Advertising: Info@zeestmedia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Portman Ridge Announces Adjournment of Special Meeting of Stockholders to Allow Additional Time for Stockholders to Vote “FOR” the Share Issuance Proposal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Stockholders of PTMN Who Have Voted Thus Far Have Expressed Strong Support for the Proposed Merger, with Favorability in Excess of 85%

    Logan Ridge Stockholders Approved Merger at its Special Meeting of Stockholders Held on June 20, 2025

    NEW YORK, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or “PTMN”) announced today the adjournment of its Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “PTMN Special Meeting”) to provide stockholders with additional time to cast their vote to approve the share issuance proposal in connection with the proposed merger of Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: LRFC) (“Logan Ridge” or “LRFC”) with and into PTMN (the “Share Issuance Proposal”).

    The PTMN Special Meeting, convened on June 20, 2025, has been adjourned and will reconvene on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 am ET. Stockholders of PTMN can attend the meeting and cast their votes by following the instructions outlined in the amended joint proxy statement. Alternatively, stockholders can also access the virtual meeting and vote by going to the following website: http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PTMN2025SM, or by calling 1-833-218-3911 and providing the control number which is listed in the proxy card received.

    At the time the PTMN Special Meeting was adjourned, stockholders who had already cast their votes showed strong support for the Share Issuance Proposal, with favorability in excess of 85% of voting shares. Under PTMN’s organizational documents, the proposed merger requires the approval of a majority of the quorum of holders of PTMN Common Stock. Currently, over 48% of PTMN’s outstanding shares have voted or abstained from voting their shares. Accordingly, less than 2% of shares outstanding still need to vote or make an election to abstain from voting their shares in order to reach the required quorum threshold of a majority of PTMN Common Stock issued and outstanding. The Board of Directors of PTMN unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the Share Issuance Proposal.

    On June 20, 2025, Logan Ridge stockholders voted to approve the merger with Portman Ridge, representing a key milestone in the proposed transaction. With this approval, the merger remains subject to the approval by the Portman Ridge stockholders of the Share Issuance Proposal and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

    The record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the reconvened Special Meeting remains the close of business on May 6, 2025. Stockholders as of the record date are eligible to vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. Stockholders who have already voted do not need to take any further action. Proxies previously submitted will be voted at the reconvened meetings unless properly revoked.

    The Board of Directors of PTMN respectfully requests stockholders vote their proxies as soon as possible. Voting promptly will help ensure that the Special Meeting can proceed without further delays.

    Stockholders can access the joint proxy statement and prospectus by clicking HERE. Stockholders who have questions about the meeting date, joint proxy statement or about voting their shares should contact PTMN’s proxy solicitor, Broadridge, at 1-833-218-3911.

    About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    PTMN is a publicly traded, externally managed closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. PTMN’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. PTMN’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC, an affiliate of BC Partners Advisors L.P. PTMN’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge’s website at www.portmanridge.com.

    About Logan Ridge Finance Corporation

    LRFC is a business development company (a “BDC”) that invests primarily in first lien loans and, to a lesser extent, second lien loans and equity securities issued by lower middle-market companies. LRFC invests in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. It employs fundamental credit analysis, targeting investments in businesses with relatively low levels of cyclicality and operating risk. For more information, visit www.loganridgefinance.com.

    About BC Partners Advisors L.P. and BC Partners Credit
    BC Partners Advisors L.P. (“BC Partners”) is a leading international investment firm in private equity, private credit and real estate strategies. Established in 1986, BC Partners has played an active role in developing the European buyout market for three decades.

    Today, BC Partners executives operate across markets as an integrated team through the firm’s offices in North America and Europe. For more information, please visit https://www.bcpartners.com/.

    BC Partners Credit was launched in February 2017 and has pursued a strategy focused on identifying attractive credit opportunities in any market environment and across sectors, leveraging the deal sourcing and infrastructure made available from BC Partners.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Some of the statements in this communication constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to future operating results of PTMN and LRFC, and distribution projections; business prospects of PTMN and LRFC, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; and the impact of the investments that PTMN and LRFC expect to make. In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “estimate,” “project” and “intend” indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected, including the uncertainties associated with (i) the ability of the parties to consummate the merger on the expected timeline, or at all; (ii) the expected synergies and savings associated with the merger; (iii) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger, including the expected elimination of certain expenses and costs due to the merger; (iv) the percentage of PTMN shareholders and LRFC shareholders voting in favor of the applicable Proposal (as defined below) submitted for their approval; (v) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; (vi) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived; (vii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from ongoing business operations; (viii) the combined company’s plans, expectations, objectives and intentions, as a result of the merger; (ix) any potential termination of the merger agreement; (x) the future operating results and net investment income projections of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xi) the ability of Sierra Crest to implement its future plans with respect to the combined company; (xii) the ability of Sierra Crest and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (xiii) the business prospects of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; (xiv) the impact of the investments that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company expect to make; (xv) the ability of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company to achieve their objectives; (xvi) the expected financings and investments and additional leverage that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company may seek to incur in the future; (xvii) the adequacy of the cash resources and working capital of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xviii) the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xix) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the merger may result in significant costs of defense and liability; and (xx) future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities). PTMN and LRFC have based the forward-looking statements included in this document on information available to them on the date hereof, and they assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although PTMN and LRFC undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that they may make directly to you or through reports that PTMN and LRFC in the future may file with the SEC, including the Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement (in each case, as defined below), annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, a prospectus or an advertisement and the communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in PTMN, LRFC or in any fund or other investment vehicle managed by BC Partners or any of its affiliates.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    This communication relates to the proposed merger of PTMN and LRFC and certain related matters (the “Proposals”). In connection with the Proposals, PTMN has filed a registration statement (Registration No. 333-285230) with the SEC (the “Registration Statement”) that contains a combined joint proxy statement for PTMN and LRFC and a prospectus of PTMN (the “Joint Proxy Statement”) and has mailed the Joint Proxy Statement to its and LRFC’s respective shareholders. The Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement contain important information about PTMN, LRFC and the Proposals. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SHAREHOLDERS OF PTMN AND LRFC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PTMN, LRFC AND THE PROPOSALS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov or, for documents filed by PTMN, from PTMN’s website at https://www.portmanridge.com, and, for documents filed by LRFC, from LRFC’s website at https://www.loganridgefinance.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    PTMN, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Sierra Crest and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of PTMN is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. LRFC, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Mount Logan and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of LRFC is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the PTMN and LRFC shareholders in connection with the Proposals will be contained in the Registration Statement, including the Joint Proxy Statement included therein, and other relevant materials when such documents become available. These documents may be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

    Contacts:
    Portman Ridge Finance Corporation
    650 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor
    New York, NY 10022

    Brandon Satoren
    Chief Financial Officer
    Brandon.Satoren@bcpartners.com
    (212) 891-2880

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    lcati@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9611

    Val Ferraro
    vferraro@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9633

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Logan Ridge Finance Corporation Announces Shareholder Approval of Merger with Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: LRFC) (“Logan Ridge” or “LRFC”) announced today that it obtained shareholder approval for the merger of LRFC with and into Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or “PTMN”) following the special meeting of shareholders held on June 20, 2025.

    LRFC shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed merger, with approximately 89.4% of voting shareholders supporting the proposal. Of note, PTMN’s June 20, 2025, special meeting of shareholders was adjourned and will reconvene on June 27, 2025, to allow additional time for shareholders to consider and vote on the proposed issuance of PTMN common stock in connection with the merger. Subject to PTMN shareholder approval and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the merger is expected to close shortly after approval is obtained.

    Ted Goldthorpe, President and Chief Executive Officer of LRFC and PTMN and Head of the BC Partners Credit Platform, stated, “We’re grateful to our shareholders for their strong support of this merger with Portman Ridge. Their vote of confidence reflects the strategic and financial merits of the transaction, as we believe the combined company will benefit from greater scale, enhanced diversification, and improved access to capital, positioning it well to generate long-term value for shareholders.”

    About Logan Ridge Finance Corporation

    LRFC is a business development company (a “BDC”) that invests primarily in first lien loans and, to a lesser extent, second lien loans and equity securities issued by lower middle-market companies. LRFC invests in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. It employs fundamental credit analysis, targeting investments in businesses with relatively low levels of cyclicality and operating risk. For more information, visit www.loganridgefinance.com.

    About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    PTMN is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. PTMN’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. PTMN’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC (“Sierra Crest”). PTMN’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge’s website at www.portmanridge.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Some of the statements in this communication constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to future operating results and distribution projections of the Company; business prospects of the Company, and future share repurchase/purchase activity. In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “estimate,” “project” and “intend” indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication involve risks and uncertainties. More information on the risks and other potential factors that could affect these forward-looking statements is included in Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement (in each case, as defined below). Although PTMN and LRFC undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that they may make directly to you or through reports that PTMN and LRFC in the future may file with the SEC, including the Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

    Contacts:

    Logan Ridge Finance Corporation
    650 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor
    New York, NY 10022

    Brandon Satoren
    Chief Financial Officer
    Brandon.Satoren@bcpartners.com 
    (212) 891-2880

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    lcati@equityny.com 
    (212) 836-9611

    Val Ferraro
    vferraro@equityny.com 
    (212) 836-9633

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XY Miners: Real-time Bitcoin (BTC) Dogecoin (DOGE) mining, no hardware required

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    In 2025, the cryptocurrency market continues to heat up, and “Bitcoin mining” has once again become a hot keyword for investors and blockchain enthusiasts. Bitcoin (BTC) is not only the most influential digital asset, but also a “digital gold” that can bring passive income. With the development of technology and the rise of cloud mining platforms, ordinary users can now easily participate in Bitcoin mining and obtain considerable daily income without investing in high equipment costs. Taking advantage of this advantage, you can easily earn side income.

    XY Miners makes Bitcoin mining easier?

    Cryptocurrency mining used to require expensive equipment, expertise, and a lot of electricity. XY Miners saves all this trouble, and users don’t have to buy, install, or maintain mining machines by themselves. Just rent computing power or mining machines on the platform, and the platform will mine at a remote mine and distribute the cryptocurrency revenue generated every day to users.

    How to join XY Miners?

    1. Sign up in less than a minute（ $15 Signup Bonus, Earn $0.5 Daily）

    2. Choose from a variety of mining plans based on different budgets and profit goals.

    • Antminer L7 Investment: $100 Total Return: $106 (including $6 profit)
    • Antminer L9 Investment: $500 Total Return: $537.50 (including $37.5 profit)
    • Antminer S21+ Investment: $1,000 Total Return: $1,146.30 (including $146.3 profit)
    • Antminer S19e XP Hyd Investment: $5,000 Total Return: $7,355 (including $2355 profit)
    • Antminer S21+ Hyd Investment: $10,000 Total Return: $16,048 (including $6048 profit)
    • On-rack Filecoin Miner Investment: $50,000 Total Return: $89,990 (including $3,9990 profit)

    (The platform has launched a variety of stable income contracts, which can be viewed on the XY Miners official website.)

    3.Once your contract is active, the system begins mining for you instantly. Daily income is calculated every 24 hours, and you can withdraw or reinvest at any time.

    XY Miners’ core advantages include

    • Renewable energy drive：The mines are located in Northern Europe, Canada, Asia and North America, regions with abundant green energy resources. All operations rely on solar, hydroelectric and wind power.
    • Users do not need to purchase expensive mining equipment, maintain it, or sign contracts.
    • Provide deposits and withdrawals of multiple cryptocurrencies: DOGE, BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, USDC, LTC, USDT-TRC20, USDT-ERC20 and other cryptocurrencies.
    • Intuitive interface designed for beginners and experienced miners.
    • The affiliate program allows users to receive up to 3% + 1.5% referral rewards and up to $30,000 in bonuses.
    • No extra fees: transparent pricing, no hidden service fees or management fees.
    • Adopt green mining technology to achieve a sustainable development path that takes into account both environmental protection and high efficiency
    • The company has built a comprehensive risk management system to provide round-the-clock security for user funds.

    summary:

     If you are looking for ways to increase your passive income, XY Miners is a great choice. XY Miners can help you grow your cryptocurrency wealth in “autopilot” mode with minimal time investment. Passive income is the goal of every investor and trader, and XY Miners can help you maximize your passive income potential easier than ever before.

    For more information about XY Miners, visit the official website: https://xyminers.com/

     Email ID – info@xyminers.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Conflict and Stocks – Israel and Iran Stock Markets Hit Record Highs Amid Conflict – Finbold

    Source: Finbold

    War is Bad for Stocks? Think Again.

    June 20, 2025 – Missiles struck the heart of Tel Aviv’s financial district yesterday, yet investors barely flinched. Defying conventional market logic, Israel’s stock indices surged to record highs, even as tensions with Iran escalated dramatically.

    Notably, shares of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange itself (TASE.TA) climbed approximately 1.67% to close around 6,161 ILA, extending impressive year-to-date gains beyond 45%. Broader market indices also reached fresh 52-week peaks, with the prominent Tel Aviv-35 closing at approximately 2,834 points, and the Tel Aviv-125 index finishing around 2,850 points.

    Meanwhile, Iran’s Tehran Stock Exchange (TEDPIX) remained near its recent all-time highs around 3,035,000 points, despite a brief pullback triggered by recent conflict developments. TEDPIX’s dramatic year-over-year increase of roughly 46% has largely been driven by aggressive domestic monetary expansion and capital fleeing currency instability, rather than true economic strength.

    Finbold’s market analyst Jordan Major explained these unusual market dynamics:

    “Investors seem to be betting on resilience rather than peace. Israeli markets are buoyed by sector rotation into defense, cybersecurity, and commodities, alongside robust governmental support and expectations of swift, limited military retaliation. In Iran, however, market strength primarily reflects investors’ efforts to shield their capital from currency instability rather than genuine economic optimism.”

    For more information: https://finbold.com/israel-and-iran-stock-markets-at-all-time-highs/

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Correction – file number, Tūrangi homicide enquiry

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Media and the public are advised of a correction to the Police file number relating to the Tūrangi homicide enquiry.

    We continue to appeal to the public for information and any footage which may help us.

    The correct file number is 250620/6271.

    If you can help, please go online here to Update Report and quote the file number above.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor issues new guidance to provide clarity for farmers on H-2A worker regulations

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division today announced it is suspending enforcement of the Biden Administration’s burdensome 2024 farmworker rule. The decision provides much-needed clarity for American farmers navigating the H-2A program, while also aligning with President Trump’s ongoing commitment to strictly enforcing U.S. immigration laws.

    As multiple federal court injunctions have created significant legal uncertainty, inconsistency, and operational challenges for farmers lawfully employing H-2A workers, this field assistance bulletin clarifies that the department will not be enforcing the 2024 final rule effective immediately – providing critical predictability for agricultural employers as litigation continues and as the department considers further regulatory action. 

    The rule’s implementation had already been suspended by the department because of federal injunctions. This guidance does not change existing regulations or limit the Wage and Hour Division’s authority to enforce H-2A requirements put in place prior to the 2024 final rule. It supersedes any contrary or conflicting guidance to field staff but does not create legally enforceable obligations or alter any statutory or regulatory requirements, ensuring full enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

    For additional guidance beyond the field assistance bulletin, workers and employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Harriet Hageman Celebrates Landmark 15th Town Hall of 2025

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman (WY-AL) today hosted her 15th town hall of the year, marking another milestone in her commitment to hold at least one meeting in each of Wyoming’s 23 counties annually. With two-thirds of counties already reached, Congresswoman Hageman is well on track to fulfill her promise for a third consecutive year.  

    “I promised to host a town hall in every county, every year, and I am continuing to honor that promise in 2025, just as I did in 2024. After several weeks in Washington, there were many issues to discuss, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, public lands, sanctuary cities, election reform, and so much more. I value the opportunity to hear ideas, feedback, and questions from my constituents. Thank you to everyone who showed up to one of my town halls this past week to ask questions and express your concerns,” said Hageman. 

    Look out for upcoming town halls near you by subscribing to Congresswoman Hageman’s newsletter at https://hageman.house.gov/join or by following her on social media @RepHageman.  

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Bean Hosts Tax Reform Roundtable in Clay County

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

    WASHINGTON—This week, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) hosted a roundtable discussion with members of the First Coast Manufacturers Association to discuss the impact of expiring tax cuts, industry challenges, and how the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) will provide real tax relief and drive economic growth in Northeast Florida. 

    After the roundtable, Congressman Bean said, “Northeast Florida manufacturers cannot afford the burden of higher taxes that would cripple growth and threaten jobs. Roundtable participants confirmed the success of the Trump tax cuts and their critical importance to their daily operations. During the roundtable, I heard directly from manufacturers about the challenges of finding workers, being competitive, accessing products, and the need for immediate relief. As the fight continues to preserve the Trump tax cuts, I’m taking their stories back to D.C. and will continue to advocate for policies that help our manufacturers expand, hire, and drive our economy forward.”

    BACKGROUND:

    The House has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill by a 215-214 vote, and now all eyes are on the Senate as President Trump urges swift approval before July 4th to deliver historic tax relief and economic growth for hardworking Americans. 

    For an overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill, click here.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Affirms it Continued Efforts to Support Dealing with Root Causes of Poverty

    Source: Government of Qatar

    New York, June 20, 2025

    The State of Qatar reaffirmed its continued contributions to international efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty, underdevelopment, and conflict by accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Pact for the Future, and other relevant international commitments, in order to achieve a world that is more peaceful, secure, stable, and prosperous for all.

    This came in the statement delivered by HE the State of Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani during the high-level open debate of the UN Security Council on the theme poverty, underdevelopment, conflict and their implications for the maintenance of international peace and security. The open debate was held at the UN headquarters in New York.

    Her Excellency highlighted the State of Qatar’s emphasis on the strong link between development and peace, citing the country’s extensive experience in mediation, conflict resolution, and addressing global humanitarian and development challenges.

    She stressed the need to strengthen collective efforts to achieve peace and sustainable development.

    She underscored the importance of prioritizing efforts to reduce poverty and marginalization by promoting inclusive economic growth that involves combating poverty and providing access to education, employment, and healthcare, within the framework of accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 2024 Pact for the Future.

    Her Excellency said that the deteriorating humanitarian situations, rising unemployment, and economic and developmental decline caused by conflicts in turn fuel further conflict, creating fertile ground for extremism, instability, and the perpetuation of violence. She added that in the context of the Middle East that the State of Qatar has called for an end to Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, warning of its dangerous consequences. She also cited the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the Israeli attack on the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, and stressed the need to avoid escalation that could widen the conflict and undermine regional security and stability.

    Her Excellency noted that the State of Qatar recognizes the critical importance of international cooperation and solidarity in addressing global challenges linked to development and conflict. She pointed out that the State of Qatar’s international cooperation strategy supports the goal of advancing economic and social development in low-income and least developed countries, as well as countries affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts, in line with the SDGs.

    Her Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar was committed to providing aid to those affected by conflicts and humanitarian emergencies through both bilateral and multilateral channels, noting that many countries have benefited from the country’s humanitarian and development assistance, covering more than 100 countries across different continents.

    HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN also emphasized that effectively addressing the challenges of development and conflict requires the Security Council to ensure that its discussions and resolutions reflect the implementation of its previous commitments in this regard.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 3132, Certified Help Options in Claims Expertise for Veterans Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Bill Summary

    H.R. 3132 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to inform veterans and their survivors about organizations and people, such as attorneys and agents, that are accredited by the department to help them claim VA benefits. The bill also would establish a new accreditation process for people who assist applicants with filing claims for VA benefits. Finally, the bill would extend the reduction of pension payments for veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes.

    Estimated Federal Cost

    The estimated budgetary effects of H.R. 3132 are shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 550 (health) and 700 (veterans benefits and services).

    Table 1.

    Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 3132
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		    
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2031

    2032

    2033

    2034

    2035

    2025-2030

    2025-2035
     

    Increases or Decreases (-) in Direct Spending

    		    

    Estimated Budget Authority

    *

    1

    *

    1

    *

    *

    1

    -20

    *

    *

    1

    2

    -16

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    1

    *

    1

    *

    *

    1

    -20

    *

    *

    1

    2

    -16
     

    Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation

    		    

    Estimated Authorization

    *

    6

    1

    *

    1

    1

    *

    1

    1

    1

    *

    9

    12

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    4

    3

    *

    1

    1

    *

    1

    1

    1

    *

    9

    12

    Basis of Estimate

    For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 3132 will be enacted in fiscal year 2025 and that outlays will follow historical spending patterns for affected programs.

    Provisions that Affect Spending Subject to Appropriation and Direct Spending

    Section 2 would require VA to provide additional information about organizations and people that are accredited by the department to help veterans and their survivors claim benefits. Specifically, VA must:

    • Notify applicants about VA-accredited representation if their initial applications do not indicate that they have such representation,
    • Provide information about limitations on fees that potential representatives may charge applicants on each VA web page through which those applicants may file benefit claims, and
    • Maintain an online tool that allows people claiming VA benefits to search for accredited representatives who may assist with those claims.

    CBO anticipates that VA would require additional information technology (IT) resources to notify claimants who lack representation that such assistance is available and to update the department’s website with information about fee limitations. Using information from VA, CBO estimates that it would cost $15 million over the 2025-2035 period to upgrade and maintain the department’s IT system. VA maintains a web portal through which claimants can search for accredited representation for benefit claims. Thus, that requirement would have no budgetary effect.

    CBO expects that some of the costs of implementing the bill would be paid from the Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF) established by Public Law 117-168, the Honoring our PACT Act. The TEF is a mandatory appropriation that VA uses to pay for health care, disability claims processing, medical research, and IT modernization that benefit veterans who were exposed to environmental hazards. Additional spending from the TEF would occur if legislation increases the costs of similar activities that benefit veterans with such exposure. Thus, in addition to increasing spending subject to appropriation, enacting section 2 would increase amounts paid from the TEF, which are classified as direct spending.

    CBO projects that the proportion of costs paid by the TEF will grow over time based on the amount of formerly discretionary appropriations that CBO expects will be provided through the mandatory appropriation as specified in the Honoring our PACT Act. CBO estimates that over the 2025-2035 period, implementing section 2 would increase spending subject to appropriation by $11 million and direct spending by $4 million. Most of those costs would occur within a few years of the bill’s enactment.

    Direct Spending and Revenues

    In addition to expanding benefits that would partly be covered by the TEF, the bill would affect direct spending by reducing pension payments to veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes. The bill also would establish a new accreditation program for organizations and people that help claimants for VA benefits. In total, the bill would decrease net direct spending by $16 million over the 2025-2035 period (See Table 2).

    Table 2.

    Estimated Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues Under H.R. 3132
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		    
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2031

    2032

    2033

    2034

    2035

    2025-2030

    2025-2035

    Information Technology Improvements

    		                      

    Estimated Budget Authority

    *

    1

    *

    1

    *

    *

    1

    *

    *

    *

    1

    2

    4

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    1

    *

    1

    *

    *

    1

    *

    *

    *

    1

    2

    4

    Pensions

    		                      

    Estimated Budget Authority

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -20

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -20

    Estimated Outlays

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -20

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -20

    Total Changes

    		                        

    Estimated Budget Authority

    *

    1

    *

    1

    *

    *

    1

    -20

    *

    *

    1

    2

    -16

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    1

    *

    1

    *

    *

    1

    -20

    *

    *

    1

    2

    -16

    Pensions. Under current law, VA reduces pension payments to veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes to $90 per month. That required reduction expires November 30, 2031. Section 8 would extend that reduction for five months, through April 30, 2032. CBO estimates that extending that requirement would reduce VA benefits by $10 million per month. (Those benefits are paid from mandatory appropriations and are therefore considered direct spending.) As a result of that reduction in beneficiaries’ income, Medicaid would pay more of the cost of their care, increasing spending for that program by $6 million per month. Thus, enacting section 8 would reduce net direct spending by $20 million over the 2025-2035 period.

    Accreditation Process. H.R. 3132 would establish a new process for accrediting attorneys and agents to represent veterans and survivors who claim VA benefits. Under the bill, VA would be required to process applications within 180 days or temporarily accredit people whose applications are not processed in that time frame. The bill would authorize VA to charge applicants a fee of up to $500 for processing the application. Under current law, no guidelines exist concerning the time allotted to process applications for accreditation, and VA does not charge application fees.

    Application fees would be available to cover the costs of administering the accreditation program. Because collecting and spending those fees would not require further appropriation, they would be classified as decreases and increases in direct spending. CBO estimates that fee receipts would offset spending for the administration of the program. Thus, administering the new accreditation program would decrease net direct spending by less than $500,000 over the 2025-2035 period, CBO estimates.

    Fines. H.R. 3132 would permit accredited attorneys and agents to collect fees from veterans and their survivors for helping them file initial claims for benefits. Under current law, representatives may charge fees only to help appeal VA’s initial decision on a claim. The bill also would set limits on the fee amounts.

    Section 4 would establish fines for unaccredited people who charge fees for assisting with VA benefits claims and for people who charge fees that exceed permitted amounts. The section also would establish fines of up to $50,000 for people who are conditionally accredited by VA to assist with claims for benefits that violate any laws concerning those claims. The bill would make those fines available for expenditure without further appropriation. Collected fines would be recorded as revenues and the subsequent spending would be classified as direct spending. Based on information from VA, CBO estimates that few people would pay fines under the bill. As a result, CBO estimates that enacting section 4 would increase revenues and direct spending by insignificant amounts and, on net, decrease deficits by less than $500,000 over the 2025‑2035 period.

    Spending Subject to Appropriation

    In addition to the $11 million in spending subject to appropriation for information technology improvements discussed above under the heading “Provisions that Affect Spending Subject to Appropriation and Direct Spending,” section 5 of the bill would require the Government Accountability Office to report to the Congress on VA’s processes for accrediting attorneys and agents. The report would be due within one year of enactment. Based on the cost of similar studies, CBO estimates that the report would cost $1 million to complete. Thus, implementing the bill would cost $12 million over the 2025-2035 period, subject to the appropriation of the estimated amounts.

    Pay-As-You-Go Considerations

    The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. The net changes in outlays and revenues that are subject to those pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in Table 1.

    Increase in Long-Term Net Direct Spending and Deficits

    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3132 would not increase net direct spending by more than $2.5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.

    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3132 would not increase on‑budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.

    Mandates

    H.R. 3132 would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by preempting state laws that regulate representation for veterans filing initial claims for benefits. CBO estimates that because the preemption would not result in additional expenditures or losses in revenues, it would not exceed the threshold established in UMRA for intergovernmental mandates ($103 million in 2025, adjusted annually for inflation). The legislation does not contain private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.

    Previous CBO Estimate

    On May 16, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 1578, the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on May 6, 2025. Section 2 of H.R. 3132 is similar to section 2 of H.R. 1578 and CBO’s estimates for both are the same.

    Federal Costs: Logan Smith

    Mandates: Brandon Lever

    Estimate Reviewed By

    David Newman
    Chief, Defense, International Affairs, and Veterans’ Affairs Cost Estimates Unit

    Kathleen FitzGerald 
    Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit

    Christina Hawley Anthony
    Deputy Director of Budget Analysis

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Delegation Applauds Passage of Alaska Native Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    06.20.25

    H.R. 42 and H.R. 43 Pass the U.S. Senate; headed to President’s Desk

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with U.S. Representative Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), applauded Senate passage of two important bills—H.R. 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act, and H.R. 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025. These bills previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives on February 4. Both pieces of legislation were led by Congressman Begich.

    H.R. 42 and H.R. 43 passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent, following floor remarks by Senator Murkowski. These measures uphold the promises made to Alaska Natives in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and empower Alaska Native people to exercise self-determination over their lands and resources for the benefit of their communities.

    H.R. 42 amends ANCSA to exclude certain payments from Settlement Trusts to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or their descendants from being counted as income when determining eligibility for need-based federal programs.

    H.R. 43 amends ANCSA to end the requirement for Alaska Native village corporations to convey lands to the State of Alaska to be held “in trust” for future municipal governments.  In addition, the bill provides a process for village corporations to get the land back that they conveyed to the State.  These reconveyances or “reversions” will be subject to any valid existing rights created by the State Municipal Land Trust during its management of these village corporation lands.

    The bills now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

    “I’m very glad we could reach agreement to pass these important measures for Alaska Natives in the Senate. These are common sense bills that are long overdue—Alaska Natives who are aged, blind, or disabled will no longer have to choose between accepting the settlement trust income they are entitled to or qualifying for federal needs-based benefits. And with the passage of HR 43, we restore the ability of Alaska Native villages to make decisions about their lands and resources for the benefit of their communities,” said Senator Murkowski. “This has been a years-long effort to get these measures to the President’s desk. And I am proud to have led that effort and to it see it through.”

    “For the more than 50 years since ANCSA was signed into law, Alaska Native people have sustainably managed their lands, fostered world-class businesses that have become integral to Alaska’s economy, and helped Alaska Native communities preserve their unique cultures, languages and ways of life,” said Senator Sullivan. “Despite the enormous good ANCSA has done, the law was not perfect. Senator Murkowski, Congressman Begich and I have put forward legislation to address two oversights of ANCSA, giving Alaska Native communities more decision-making power over their lands and ensuring elder and disabled Alaska Native people are not unfairly excluded from the federal assistance they may need. I want to commend our Senate colleagues for unanimously supporting our legislation, and I look forward to these bills being signed into law soon.”

    “These bills represent the kind of meaningful, nonpartisan work that Alaskans sent me here to do,” said Congressman Begich. “We’ve corrected longstanding federal issues that have held Alaska Native communities back, and we’ve done it with strong support from both parties. These bills were about local decision-making and empowering communities to build their futures. My team and I have worked diligently since day one to move these bills through Congress, and I’m honored to be one of the only freshmen of the 119th Congress to send legislation to the President’s desk. This is a major victory for Alaskans, and a strong step forward towards greater self-determination and opportunity for Alaska Natives.”

    Legislative History:

    1. S. 2615, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act (S. 2615) was introduced on July 27, 2023.  The Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on S. 2615 on October 25, 2023.  The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reported S. 2615 favorably, without amendment, to the full Senate on May 17, 2023.  (S. Rept 118-177) S. 2615 passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 20, 2024. Similar legislation was introduced and considered in the Senate in the 116th Congress as part of S. 4889, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Fulfillment Act.
    2. S. 623, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act (S. 623), was introduced on March 2, 2023.  The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reported the bill favorably without amendment to the full Senate on May 17, 2023.  (S. Rept 118-56) S. 623 passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 20, 2024. Similar legislation was introduced and considered in the Senate in the 117th Congress and in the 116th Congress.  
    3. January 2025: Representative Begich introduced H.R. 42 and H.R. 43. They passed the House in February 2025. These were the first pieces of legislation introduced by Congressman Begich and the first pieces of legislation to be passed by a freshman member in the 119th Congress.
    4. June 2025: Senator Murkowski led the effort to pass both bills in the Senate by unanimous consent. Video of her full floor remarks can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –