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Category: Latin America

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Canada contributes CAD 250,000 for food, animal and plant health standards

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Canada contributes CAD 250,000 for food, animal and plant health standards

    WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed Canada’s donation: “Compliance with international standards enhances food security in both importing and exporting countries by facilitating trade in agricultural products. The long-term impact of STDF-related programs will benefit producers, traders and governments along global and regional value chains, helping them raise export revenues, income levels and living standards. The STDF will continue to facilitate inclusive and safe trade worldwide, in close partnership with Canada.”
    Heath MacDonald, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said: “The Government of Canada will continue to support global efforts to adopt international standards for food safety and animal and plant health. Investing in larger-scale capacity building projects, like the Standards and Trade Development Facility, will help improve food security, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable economic growth around the world.”
    Beyond participation in the STDF Working Group, Canadian officials have shared expertise to strengthen the delivery of STDF projects. This includes innovative projects to pilot the use of Codex Guidelines on voluntary third-party assurance programmes (vTPA) in Africa and Central America for more effective risk-based food safety systems. For instance, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) hosted a learning visit for regulators from Honduras and Belize in 2024, and co-organized webinars in March and April 2025 attended by more than 100 experts, many in Africa, to share insights from Canada’s risk-based food safety model. Additionally, the CFIA will host a learning visit for regulators from Rwanda and Uganda in September 2025, as a follow up to the April 2025 webinar and to further share information on this model.  
    This donation underscores Canada’s major and long-standing commitment to the STDF’s programme goal, bringing its total contributions to CHF 7.6 million since 2005.
    Canada has contributed over CHF 15 million to WTO trust funds over the past 23 years.
    The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership that promotes safe and inclusive trade. It was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the WTO, which houses and manages the partnership.
    In support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the STDF responds to evolving SPS needs, drives inclusive trade and contributes to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food security and resilience to climate change.
    Developing economies and least developed countries are encouraged to apply to the STDF for SPS project and project preparation grants. Information on how to apply is available here.
    To date, the STDF has funded over 260 safe trade projects benefiting developing and least developed country economies.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • India has 8.52 million tonnes reserves of rare earth elements: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has approximately 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth elements oxide (REO) contained in 13.15 MT monazite (a mineral of Thorium and Rare Earths) occurring in the coastal beach, teri and red sand and inland alluvium in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra, while another 1.29 MT rare earths are situated in hard rocks in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

    The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, is carrying out exploration and augmentation of minerals of rare earth group elements along the coastal, inland and riverine placer sands as well as in hard rock terrains in several potential geological domains of the country, said Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

    Additionally, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has augmented 482.6 MT resources of rare earth elements (REE) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects, the minister informed. The quantum of rare earth minerals exported during the last 10 years is 18 tonnes, while there have been no imports of rare earth minerals, he further stated.

    The minister also said that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to alleviate the challenges arising from export restrictions on rare earth magnets imposed by certain countries.

    “There have been continued engagements at bilateral and multilateral level to increase cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including in rare earth minerals and related technologies. These efforts aim to mitigate disruptions in the supply chain and safeguard the interests of Indian importers,” said the minister.

    The Ministry of Mines has entered into bilateral agreements with the governments of a number of countries such as Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote D’Ivoire and International organisations such as International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr Singh said.

    The Ministry is also engaging on various multilateral and bilateral platforms such as Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) for strengthening the critical minerals value chain, he explained.

    He further stated that the Ministry of Mines has set up Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), a joint Venture company with the objective to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets that hold critical and strategic significance, specifically targeting minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, and others.

    KABIL has already signed an Exploration and Development Agreement with CAMYEN, a state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina for Exploration and mining of Five Lithium Blocks in Argentina. KABIL is also having regular interactions with Critical Mineral Office in Australia with the primary objective of acquiring critical and strategic mineral assets.

    Further, the Ministry has initiated the process of entering into government-to-government (G2G) MoUs with Brazil and Dominican Republic for developing cooperation in the field of rare earth minerals and critical minerals. The broad objectives of these MoUs are to provide an overarching framework for cooperation in research, development and innovation in mining, with a particular focus on REE and critical minerals, the minister pointed out.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: “Oswaldo Payá Way”: Bill Would Rename Street Outside Cuban Regime’s Embassy in Honor of the Slain Pro-Democracy Activist and Leader

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-26) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25) re-introduced a bipartisan bill that renames the street in front of the Cuban Regime’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., as “Oswaldo Payá Way,” in honor of Cuba’s slain pro-democracy activist and leader of the Christian Liberation Movement.

    Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas was murdered on July 22, 2012, in a car crash orchestrated by the Castro regime alongside young activist Harold Cepero, who also perished. Spanish activist Angel Carromero survived and has described the horrific ordeal in detail.

    Last month, his daughter, Rosa María Payá, was elected to serve as a commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). She has dedicated her life to supporting freedom for the Cuban people and others living in tyranny in our hemisphere, while ensuring that we never forget the sacrifice that so many have made, including her father, in the struggle for freedom.

    The original House cosponsors include: 

    María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL-28), Darren Soto (D-FL-9) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11).

    The Senate companion was reintroduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Curtis (R-UT), and Rick Scott (R-FL)

    “Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and Harold Cepero’s sacrifice serves as a harsh reminder that the ruthless Cuban regime has no reverence for human life, dignity, or fundamental rights. Renaming the street in front of the embassy in D.C. for Payá will honor those lost while ensuring that their legacy in the struggle for a free Cuba endures. The Cuban people will be free, thanks to courageous heroes who continue to risk everything in the name of freedom,” said Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart.

    “Confronted by decades of violence, threats and and intimidation, Oswaldo Payá demanded that Cuba allow more freedom to its people. I proudly join my colleagues in honoring this human rights hero by making his presence permanent, right in front of the Cuban Embassy, as a constant reminder of his work to bring justice to the Cuban people,” said Congressman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

    Bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4607-4608: Deep Dip

    Source: NASA

    Written by Deborah Padgett, MSL OPGS Task Lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
    Earth planning date: Monday, July 21, 2025
    Curiosity continues our exploration of the fractured boxwork terrain on the slopes of Mount Sharp. After a successful 5-meter drive (about 16 feet), our rover is resting in a hollow on its way to a boxwork ridge viewpoint. Over the weekend, Curiosity began an atmospheric observation with the SAM instrument, which will continue into today’s plan. Because the SAM instrument is complex and powerful, it uses a great deal of energy when it operates, causing what we call a “deep dip” in the battery charge level. This means that we have to wait a bit after the SAM observations complete for the battery to recharge enough for Curiosity to observe its surroundings with other science instruments, or move its arm or wheels. For this reason, the plan today does not include a drive, and contact science at this location will be done on the second sol of the plan. 
    On Sol 4607, Curiosity will begin the day with SAM atmospheric composition activity, which will run for several hours. After it finishes, we will use the rover’s navigation camera to perform a cloud altitude observation, looking for cloud shadows on the upper reaches of Mount Sharp, and clouds drifting by overhead at the zenith. Overnight, Curiosity’s battery will recharge, allowing us to perform a targeted science block on the morning of Sol 4608. This starts with Navcam observations of dust opacity across the floor of Gale Crater, then a measurement of dust in the air toward the Sun with Mastcam. Curiosity then turns Mastcam toward the ridge ahead to obtain a 15×1 mosaic on target “Cueva De Los Vencejos Y Murcielagos (Cave of Swifts and Bats).” Afterwards, Mastcam will look back along Curiosity’s tracks, hoping to see freshly broken rocks and determine the texture of disturbed ground. Next, ChemCam’s laser spectrograph will zap a nodular rock pillar named for the famous high-altitude “Lake Titicaca” bordering Bolivia and Peru. A second ChemCam observation with the RMI telescopic camera will study stratigraphy on the Mishe Mokwa butte with a 5×2 image mosaic. Mastcam will finish off this science block by looking at the pits left behind by the ChemCam laser on target “Lake Titicaca.”  
    In the afternoon, Curiosity’s arm will reach out to brush the dust from the bedrock target “La Tranquita,” then observe it with the MAHLI microscopic imager and APXS. MAHLI and APXS will also investigate plate-like rock formations at target “Aqua Dulce.” A third target with more complex rock structures dubbed “Paposo,” after a natural monument along the Pacific Coast of northern Chile, will be imaged only by MAHLI. The next morning will include another targeted science block. Curiosity will then drive away toward the next viewpoint in the boxwork terrain of Mars.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lusophone Compact Presents Investment Opportunities to Accelerate Inclusive Development at 15th Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) Summit

    Source: APO – Report:

    The Lusophone Compact Secretariat last week engaged with leaders of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) at their 15th Summit and economic forum in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The July 15-18 meetings provided a strategic platform to showcase the Lusophone Compact’s role in attracting private financing to accelerate sustainable economic development in African member countries. 

    An initiative by the African Development Bank in partnership with the Governments of Portugal and Brazil, the Lusophone Compact supports private sector investment in the six African member states of the CPLP: Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Equatorial Guinea. Representing a community of more than 300 million people across four continents, with a combined GDP of $2.3 trillion in 2024, the CPLP holds immense potential for trade, investment, and inclusive economic transformation. 

    Compact objectives are: promoting inclusive private sector development, mobilizing blended finance and technical assistance, strengthening economic resilience and regional integration, and aligning with national development priorities and the CPLP’s economic agenda. 

    During the summit, officials of the Lusophone Compact secretariat participated in high-level policy dialogues on food security, technology, and sustainability, which align with the thematic focus of the summit under Guinea-Bissau’s rotating presidency. The Compact team also presented its suite of financing tools and eligibility criteria while supporting resource mobilization efforts in member countries. 

    “The 15th CPLP Summit presented a unique opportunity to reinforce the strategic priorities of the Lusophone Compact, particularly in areas of food security, technology, and sustainability,” said Neima Ferreira Coordinator of the Lusophone Compact at the African Development Bank. “With the right tools, partnerships and vision, Portuguese-speaking countries can lead a new era of investment-driven development.” 

    The host country, Guinea-Bissau, reaffirmed its commitment to private sector-led growth and expressed strong interest in aligning the Compact’s support mechanisms with its national development strategy. 

    One of the Compact’s flagship achievements is the Cabeólica Project in Cabo Verde –  a large-scale public-private wind energy project, co-financed by the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank. The project supplies more than 20 percent of Cabo Verde’s electricity, avoids the emission of thousands of tons of CO2 annually, and has created more than 150 local jobs. Cabeólica has become a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure and innovative finance in the region. 

    As Portuguese-speaking countries seek new engines for economic growth, the Lusophone Compact offers a robust mechanism for mobilizing private sector capital, fostering regional cooperation, and advancing shared development objectives. 

    Learn more about the Lusophone Compact here (https://apo-opa.co/44ZMHGt). 

    – on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media contact: 
    Communication and External Relations Department 
    media@afdb.org

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova held the first meeting of the organizing committee to prepare for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of GITIS

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The first meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of GITIS in 2028, chaired by Tatyana Golikova

    July 23, 2025

    Rector of GITIS Grigory Zaslavsky at the first meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of GITIS in 2028, chaired by Tatyana Golikova

    July 23, 2025

    Tatyana Golikova held the first meeting of the organizing committee to prepare for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of GITIS

    July 23, 2025

    The first meeting of the organizing committee for preparations for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of GITIS chaired by Tatyana Golikova. From left to right: GITIS rector Grigory Zaslavsky, Deputy Minister of Culture Andrei Malyshev and Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers Vladimir Mashkov

    July 23, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    The first meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of GITIS in 2028, chaired by Tatyana Golikova

    Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova held the first meeting of the organizing committee for preparations for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of GITIS in 2028. The agenda included discussion of the plan of events. The meeting was attended by GITIS Rector Grigory Zaslavsky, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia Andrei Malyshev, General Director of the NTV television company Alexei Zemsky, Head of the Vocal Arts Department of GITIS Tamara Sinyavskaya, Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers Vladimir Mashkov and others.

    “GITIS annually confirms its status as a leading university in the field of theater education according to the K.S. Stanislavsky system. The upcoming anniversary – the 150th anniversary of the founding of GITIS – is a wonderful opportunity not only to look back on the path traveled, but also to fully present the achievements of the national theater school, recognized throughout the world,” emphasized Tatyana Golikova. – Many destinies and events are connected with GITIS. These are not just pages of history, but the very history of the transformation of our country. Epochs changed, but GITIS remained a forge of outstanding cultural figures. This is its true purpose and role in the fate of Russia.”

    Today, the institute has about 1,800 students from 30 countries, who are taught their skills by more than 500 teachers. Eight departments teach actors of dramatic and musical theater, directors of drama, musical theater and circus, choreographers and ballet teachers, theater artists and makeup artists, playwrights, producers and theater historians.

    Deputy Minister of Culture Andrei Malyshev emphasized that GITIS is an ambassador of Russian culture and identity, so the institute’s anniversary is important not only for GITIS and the theater community, but also for all of Russian culture.

    GITIS is actively developing. “Just two days later, on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on July 25, in the city of Blagoveshchensk, we open together with Governor Vasily Orlov of the Far Eastern branch of GITIS. The exams have already passed, the competition was, there was a competition, which is also very important for us, so we are just starting. The next day we move to Heihe, to China, and there we also present the Far Eastern branch of GITIS. It is very important for us that from the moment of changes, we not only have not decreased the flow of foreign students, but there are even more of them. This year we have almost accepted 46 students. This is Latvia, and Italy, and Iran, and Morocco. And of course, we are trying to maintain leadership in Central Asia, we have just held the GITIS school on Lake Issyk-Kul, the traditional, already fourth in a row. There were four countries with Russia. It is also important for us to expand the presence of GITIS in Central and South America. Last year, the second time was held by GITIS School in Chile, the first time GITIS School in Brazil after a long break in the framework of the “Russian seasons“. This year, the Brazilians came to us at the theater festival. It seems to me that one of the most important problems that we realized is that the theater is one of the arts, maybe the only one that cannot exist without constant self -understanding. The writer. It can be written in the world in 100 years by someone that can be brilliant in 100 years, no one will call the contemporaries, we have not been appreciated by the problem of the Institute of Expertise. We began the publication of the “Theater Journal“ and we consider this to be one of the most important tasks of returning a serious and high -quality examination to the theater, ”said the rector of the university Grigory Zaslavsky. 

    The plan to celebrate the 150th anniversary included 20 events, including festivals, tours, exhibitions and conferences.

    Key events include a gala concert dedicated to the 150th anniversary of GITIS, the International Competition of Young Choreographers named after R.V. Zakharov “Maria”, and the premiere of a documentary film about the history of the institute. In September 2028, GITIS will launch its branded train, on which students and teachers will travel from Moscow to Blagoveshchensk with performances and festive concerts, as well as master classes and selection tests in various regions of the country.

    Traditional GITIS festivals will be scaled up. The VIII International Student Festival of Diploma Performances “GITIS-fest” will be held in two cities – Moscow and Blagoveshchensk. In April 2028, the XIX International Competition of Young Choreographers named after R.V. Zakharov “Maria” and the XVIII International Festival of Stage Fencing “Silver Sword” named after N.V. Karpov will be held, and in November – the theater festival of the CIS countries “GITIS – Master Class”. The international scientific conference “Perspective – 150 years of GITIS” will bring together young specialists from leading universities in Russia, near and far abroad: art history, theater studies, philology, directing, choreography, scenography.

    An exhibition entitled “Russian Revolutionary Theatre” is planned for the fall of 2028, dedicated to the unique traditions of Russian theatre and domestic education in the field of theatrical art.

    Other events include tours of GITIS graduation performances in the CIS republics and regions of Russia where GITIS national studios were created. In addition, a series of 12 podcasts from GITIS students with stories about faculties and teachers will be released in 2028.

    An important event in preparation for the celebration will be the renovation and restoration work in the main academic building, as well as a major overhaul of the dormitory.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • World Court is poised to mark the future course of climate litigation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United Nations’ highest court will deliver an opinion on Wednesday that is likely to determine the course of future climate action across the world.

    Known as an advisory opinion, the deliberation of the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is legally non-binding. It nevertheless carries legal and political weight and future climate cases would be unable to ignore it, legal experts say.

    “The advisory opinion is probably the most consequential in the history of the court because it clarifies international law obligations to avoid catastrophic harm that would imperil the survival of humankind,” said Payam Akhavan, an international law professor.

    In two weeks of hearings last December at the ICJ, also known as the World Court, Akhavan represented low-lying, small island states that face an existential threat from rising sea levels.

    In all, over a hundred states and international organisations gave their views on the two questions the U.N. General Assembly had asked the judges to consider.

    They were: what are countries’ obligations under international law to protect the climate from greenhouse gas emissions; and what are the legal consequences for countries that harm the climate system?

    Wealthy countries of the Global North told the judges that existing climate treaties, including the 2015 Paris Agreement, which are largely non-binding, should be the basis for deciding their responsibilities.

    Developing nations and small island states argued for stronger measures, in some cases legally binding, to curb emissions and for the biggest emitters of climate-warming greenhouse gases to provide financial aid.

    PARIS AGREEMENT AND AN UPSURGE IN LITIGATION

    In 2015, at the conclusion of U.N. talks in Paris, more than 190 countries committed to pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

    The agreement has failed to curb the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions.

    Late last year, in the most recent “Emissions Gap Report,” which takes stock of countries’ promises to tackle climate change compared with what is needed, the U.N said that current climate policies will result in global warming of more than 3 C (5.4 F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

    As campaigners seek to hold companies and governments to account, climate‑related litigation has intensified, with nearly 3,000 cases filed across almost 60 countries, according to June figures from London’s Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

    So far, the results have been mixed.

    A German court in May threw out a case between a Peruvian farmer and German energy giant RWE RWEG.DE, but his lawyers and environmentalists said the case, which dragged on for a decade, was a still victory for climate cases that could spur similar lawsuits.

    Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which holds jurisdiction over 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, said in another advisory opinion its members must cooperate to tackle climate change.

    Campaigners say Wednesday’s court opinion should be a turning point and that, even if the ruling itself is advisory, it should provide for the determination that U.N. member states have broken the international law they have signed up to uphold.

    “The court can affirm that climate inaction, especially by major emitters, is not merely a policy failure but a breach of international law,” said Fijian Vishal Prasad, one of the law students that lobbied the government of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean to bring the case to the ICJ.

    Although it is theoretically possible to ignore an ICJ ruling, lawyers say countries are typically reluctant to do so.

    “This opinion is applying binding international law, which countries have already committed to. National and regional courts will be looking to this opinion as a persuasive authority and this will inform judgments with binding consequences under their own legal systems,” Joie Chowdhury, senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, said.

    The court will start reading out its opinion at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT).

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: Walaza crowned in 100m, USA claim 4 more swimming golds at Universiade

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

    Bayanda Walaza sprinted to the men’s 100m title to give South Africa its third gold medal at the Rhine-Ruhr World University Games, while Team USA continued to dominate the swimming pool with four more golds on Tuesday night.

    The Paris 2024 Olympian and world junior champion crossed the line in 10.16 seconds, edging Thailand’s Puripol Boonson (10.22), the same rival he beat at last year’s under-20 global competition in Peru. Asian champion Hiroki Yanagita finished third, just 0.01 seconds behind Boonson.

    “I feel glorified. I believe in winning. As soon as I was on that [start] line, I was looking at that finish line. My mind was there. I need to cross it before everyone,” said Walaza, who, at just 18, ran the leadoff leg in the men’s 4x100m relay final to help South Africa claim silver at Paris 2024.

    Ai Yanhan (3rd L) of China competes during the women’s 200m freestyle final of swimming at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Berlin, Germany, July 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)

    Walaza became just the ninth South African to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m when he clocked 9.94 in Zagreb in May. Weeks earlier, he set a national junior record of 20.08 in the 200m.

    Australia’s Georgia Harris won the women’s 100m in 11.44, ahead of Poland’s Magdalena Stefanowicz (11.49) and South Africa’s Gabriella Marais (11.51).

    Germany claimed a one-two finish in the men’s discus, with Mika Sosna winning gold with a throw of 64.26 meters and Steven Richter taking silver at 61.77. Ukraine’s Mykhailo Brudin posted a season-best 60.71 to earn bronze.

    The women’s long jump podium was separated by just three centimeters. Portugal’s Agate Sousa leaped 6.60 meters, two centimeters ahead of China’s Asian Games champion Xiong Shiqi, who finished one centimeter ahead of Spain’s Natalia Gonzalez.

    “It’s a pity to miss the top place by just two centimeters,” said Xiong, who earned China’s first athletics medal at the Games. “But the result is compatible with my capability and my expectation. I want to inspire my teammates in the upcoming track and field competitions with this very first medal in the stadium for China.”

    Swedish Olympian Axelina Johansson won the women’s shot put with a throw of 18.45 meters. American top qualifier Abria Smith followed with 17.38, while South Africa’s Colette Uys claimed bronze at 17.34, narrowly ahead of compatriot Mine de Klerk by one centimeter.

    Seven finals were contested in the pool, with Team USA winning four. The American men continued their relay dominance with a record-breaking win in the 4x200m freestyle, finishing in 7:04.51 to break the previous Games mark of 7:05.49 set by Russia in 2013.

    Cavan Gormsen surged from eighth to first on the back half of the women’s 200m freestyle, winning gold for the U.S. in 1:57.21. She closed the final 50 meters in 29.13 to pass three swimmers and edge China’s Ai Yanhan by 0.3 seconds.

    Leah Shackley broke her own day-old meet record to win the women’s 50m backstroke in 27.31 seconds, trimming 0.3 off her semifinal time of 27.66.

    In the women’s 200m individual medley, another American, Leah Hayes, won gold in 2:09.48, improving on her Games record from the semifinal.

    Competing as a neutral athlete, Aleksandr Stepanov won his second freestyle distance title of the meet with victory in the men’s 800m in 7:46.51, finishing nearly four seconds ahead of Italy’s Tommaso Griffante.

    Italy’s Gianmarco Sansone claimed gold in the men’s 100m butterfly with a personal-best 51.40. Germany’s Bjorn Kammann finished second in 51.70, followed by Uzbekistan’s Eldorbek Usmonov (51.84).

    Federico Rizzardi earned Italy’s second gold of the session, winning the men’s 50m breaststroke in 27.14, nearly 0.2 seconds ahead of the field.

    In diving, China’s Zhang Wenao won gold in the men’s 1m springboard with 425.85 points, followed by teammate Hu Yukang (368.75). Germany’s Tim Axur took bronze with 354.80.

    South Korea claimed its fifth fencing gold by edging France 45-43 in the women’s sabre team event. Italy secured its third fencing title with a commanding 45-20 win over Poland in the men’s foil team final.

    The top three on the medal table remained unchanged after the sixth day of competition. The U.S. leads with 21 golds (20 in swimming), 12 silvers and 20 bronzes, followed by China (12-17-4) and South Korea (11-5-13). Host Germany sits fourth with seven golds, six silvers and eight bronzes. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The admission campaign for foreign citizens is in full swing at the Polytechnic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Polytechnic University is completing the main stage of accepting documents from foreign applicants. During the large-scale campaign, the university team participated in educational exhibitions, quota selections and webinars in the countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the CIS.

    Since autumn 2024, the university has presented its educational programs at 39 events, including 12 face-to-face (in China, Turkey, Vietnam, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan) and six online exhibitions, 17 information webinars and four regional selection rounds jointly with Rossotrudnichestvo representative offices. Foreign applicants familiarized themselves with the new admission algorithms. To promote the Open Doors international Olympiad, which gives talented students a unique opportunity to enter the Polytechnic University and study for free, an interview with the winners was held. They told their compatriots about studying at SPbPU. Also, specialized webinars on the master’s and bachelor’s degree tracks were held jointly with the Global Universities Association.

    This year, a unified algorithm for admission to Russian universities for foreign and Russian citizens was launched. Now foreigners participate in the general competition on an equal basis with Russian schoolchildren. The progress of admission can be monitored in real time through the competition lists, which are already available on the official website of the university. The results of the main stage of enrollment will be known in August. Based on the results of the summer campaign, additional recruitment will take place for the remaining vacancies.

    An important innovation of the international Open Doors Olympiad is the opening of the bachelor’s degree program for the winners. If previously only applicants for master’s and postgraduate studies participated, now future bachelors can too. At the moment, about 300 applications have been received, and about a hundred of them are for bachelor’s degree programs. Most of the guys participating in the Olympiad represent foreign countries and do not speak Russian. Therefore, after admission, they will begin their studies with a pre-university training program.

    Polytechnic University traditionally attracts great interest from applicants from key regions: the CIS countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are in the lead), China and other BRICS countries, Turkey and Latin America (especially Colombia and Ecuador). At the same time, the number of representatives of the African continent interested in studying in pre-university training programs is growing at the university. To develop this area, Polytechnic University took part in a special series of events organized by the Rosatom State Corporation. A series of exhibition and presentation webinars and educational lectures covered nuclear technologies in energy and their non-energy applications in related industries. Popular science lectures were given by Associate Professor of the Higher School of Mechanical Engineering Hamuda Khaled and Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety Jamilya Idrisova. The goal is to attract students from African countries to Rosatom’s flagship universities to study in nuclear and related specialties in Russia.

    A significant number of bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates choose to continue their education at SPbPU. According to preliminary data from the admissions campaign, over 2,000 applications have already been submitted for the main educational programs (bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate) under the contract, and over 800 for the preparatory faculty. Candidates within the Russian Federation Government quota are also being considered. Over 800 applications have been processed to date.

    The most popular bachelor’s degree programs among applicants are economics and international relations, engineering and construction programs, IT and high technology. Of particular interest is the English-language program “International Business”.

    The following areas are in demand in the Master’s program: construction, electric power engineering and electrical engineering, automation of technological processes, management, foreign regional studies, applied mechanics. The following English-language areas are also in demand: “Informatics and computing engineering”, “Biotechnical systems and technologies”, “Infocommunication technologies and communication systems”, “Development of international business”, “Intelligent systems”, “Microelectronics of infocommunication systems”, “Civil engineering” and “Molecular and cellular biotechnology”.

    In postgraduate studies, technical fields (energy, construction, mechanical engineering) and biotechnology are leading.

    “It is difficult to predict the results of the new admissions system, including the movement of competition lists, since this is the first such experience. We recommend that applicants closely monitor updates on the SPbPU website and be prepared for additional recruitment in August. Despite the novelty of the procedure and the complexity of the exams, the interim figures indicate a record interest in studying at the leading technical university in Russia,” said Evgeniya Satalkina, Head of the International Education Department.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Launches Sixth Fomo Thursdays With $6,666 Prize in SYRUP Tokens

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has launched the sixth edition of its Fomo Thursdays weekly staking event, featuring SYRUP, the native token of Maple Finance. This week’s prize pool includes 228,000 SYRUP tokens and a top reward of $6,666 equivalent in SYRUP, with 120,000 entry slots.

    Fomo Thursdays is Bitget Wallet’s weekly staking-based token distribution series designed to simplify onchain participation. Users stake $10 USDT to receive a randomized scratch card and can claim their full stake back after the event. All rewards are distributed via smart contracts, removing the need for point systems or trading requirements. A new “Super Draw” mechanism has been introduced for this round. The top prize winner must claim within 24 hours or the $6,666 reward will be redistributed through community giveaways.

    Maple Finance is an institutional DeFi protocol focused on credit markets, providing onchain capital for undercollateralized lending. With the launch of its SYRUP token, the platform is expanding access to yield and governance participation. As the DeFi sector increasingly seeks scalable credit infrastructure, Maple has positioned itself to address institutional capital needs onchain. SYRUP is expected to play a central role in aligning incentives across borrowers, lenders, and protocol stakeholders.

    “We see growing interest in real-world use cases and institutional DeFi,” said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet. “Featuring SYRUP on Fomo Thursdays bridges access to the credit-focused Maple ecosystem while maintaining a simple, wallet-native user experience.”

    The staking window opens July 23 at 13:00 UTC and ends July 24 at 13:00 UTC. Token rewards and USDT refunds will be claimable starting July 24 at 14:00 UTC via the Bitget Wallet app.

    For more information, visit the Bitget Wallet official channels.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e5ce936-369f-41ae-916e-0f00f253c78e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Launches Sixth Fomo Thursdays With $6,666 Prize in SYRUP Tokens

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has launched the sixth edition of its Fomo Thursdays weekly staking event, featuring SYRUP, the native token of Maple Finance. This week’s prize pool includes 228,000 SYRUP tokens and a top reward of $6,666 equivalent in SYRUP, with 120,000 entry slots.

    Fomo Thursdays is Bitget Wallet’s weekly staking-based token distribution series designed to simplify onchain participation. Users stake $10 USDT to receive a randomized scratch card and can claim their full stake back after the event. All rewards are distributed via smart contracts, removing the need for point systems or trading requirements. A new “Super Draw” mechanism has been introduced for this round. The top prize winner must claim within 24 hours or the $6,666 reward will be redistributed through community giveaways.

    Maple Finance is an institutional DeFi protocol focused on credit markets, providing onchain capital for undercollateralized lending. With the launch of its SYRUP token, the platform is expanding access to yield and governance participation. As the DeFi sector increasingly seeks scalable credit infrastructure, Maple has positioned itself to address institutional capital needs onchain. SYRUP is expected to play a central role in aligning incentives across borrowers, lenders, and protocol stakeholders.

    “We see growing interest in real-world use cases and institutional DeFi,” said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet. “Featuring SYRUP on Fomo Thursdays bridges access to the credit-focused Maple ecosystem while maintaining a simple, wallet-native user experience.”

    The staking window opens July 23 at 13:00 UTC and ends July 24 at 13:00 UTC. Token rewards and USDT refunds will be claimable starting July 24 at 14:00 UTC via the Bitget Wallet app.

    For more information, visit the Bitget Wallet official channels.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e5ce936-369f-41ae-916e-0f00f253c78e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gaza – an open question for NZ’s foreign minister Winston Peters

    OPEN QUESTION: By Bryan Bruce

    Dear Rt Hon Winston Peters,

    There was a time when New Zealanders stood up for what was morally right. There are memorials around our country for those who died fighting fascism, we wrote parts of the UN Charter of Human Rights, we took an anti-nuclear stance in 1984, and three years prior to that, many of us stood against apartheid in South Africa by boycotting South African products and actively protesting against the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour.

    To call out the Israeli government for genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza is not to be antisemitic. Nor is it to be pro- Hamas. It is to simply to be pro-human.

    While acknowledging the peace and humanitarian initiatives on the Foreign Affairs website, I note there is no calling out of the genocide and ethnic cleansing that cannot be denied is happening in Gaza.

    The Israeli government is systematically demolishing whole towns and cities — including churches, mosques, even removing trees and vegetation — to deprive the Palestinian people the opportunity to return to their homeland; and there have been constant blocks to humanitarian aid as part of a policy forced starvation.

    There is no doubt crimes against international law have been committed, which is why the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, his former defence minister, for alleged crimes against humanity.

    So, my question to you is: why are you not pictured standing in this photograph (below) alongside the representatives from 33 nations at the July 16 2025 Gaza emergency conference in Bogotá?

    The nations that took part in the Gaza emergency summit in were:

    Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Colombia, South Africa, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Algeria, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay and Venezuela.

    Representatives from 33 nations at the July 16 2025 Gaza emergency conference in Bogotá. Image: bryanbruce.substack.com

    Is your policy simply to fall in behind the USA denying there is genocide and ethnic cleansing happening in Gaza?

    If not, are you prepared to endorse the six coordinated diplomatic, legal and economic measures already signed up to by 12 of the participating countries in the Bogetà summit, to restrain Israel’s assault on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and defend international law at large?

    Remaining countries, which could still include New Zealand, have a deadline of September 20, to coincide with the 80th UN General Assembly, for additional states to join them.

    The 6 agreed measures are:
     Prevent the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel.

    Prevent the transit, docking, and servicing of vessels at any port
     in all cases where there is a clear risk of the vessel being used to carry arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel

    Prevent the carriage of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel on vessels bearing our flag . . .  and ensure full accountability, including de-flagging, for non-compliance with this prohibition.

    Commence an urgent review of all public contracts, to prevent public institutions and funds from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory and entrenching its unlawful presence.

    Comply with obligations to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law, through robust, impartial and independent investigations and prosecutions at national or international levels, to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.

    Support universal jurisdiction mandates, as and where applicable in national legal frameworks and judiciaries, to ensure justice for victims of international crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    In addition, are you prepared to specifically support the enforcement of the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, his former defence minister, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza including murder and forced starvation, in a war that has left more than 211,000 Palestinians, including many children, dead, maimed, or missing since October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry? (That’s a figure that is approximately the entire population of Hamiton and Rotorua).

    What then is the NZ government’s policy? Are we going to support International Law and call out the Israeli government’s acts of genocide in Gaza, or not?

    Yours sincerely,

    Bryan Bruce
     Investigative documentary maker, journalist and podcaster.
     Auckland.

    Bryan Bruce is a New Zealand investigative journalist and documentary maker. Republished from Bruce’s substack page.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gaza – an open question for NZ’s foreign minister Winston Peters

    OPEN QUESTION: By Bryan Bruce

    Dear Rt Hon Winston Peters,

    There was a time when New Zealanders stood up for what was morally right. There are memorials around our country for those who died fighting fascism, we wrote parts of the UN Charter of Human Rights, we took an anti-nuclear stance in 1984, and three years prior to that, many of us stood against apartheid in South Africa by boycotting South African products and actively protesting against the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour.

    To call out the Israeli government for genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza is not to be antisemitic. Nor is it to be pro- Hamas. It is to simply to be pro-human.

    While acknowledging the peace and humanitarian initiatives on the Foreign Affairs website, I note there is no calling out of the genocide and ethnic cleansing that cannot be denied is happening in Gaza.

    The Israeli government is systematically demolishing whole towns and cities — including churches, mosques, even removing trees and vegetation — to deprive the Palestinian people the opportunity to return to their homeland; and there have been constant blocks to humanitarian aid as part of a policy forced starvation.

    There is no doubt crimes against international law have been committed, which is why the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, his former defence minister, for alleged crimes against humanity.

    So, my question to you is: why are you not pictured standing in this photograph (below) alongside the representatives from 33 nations at the July 16 2025 Gaza emergency conference in Bogotá?

    The nations that took part in the Gaza emergency summit in were:

    Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Colombia, South Africa, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Algeria, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay and Venezuela.

    Representatives from 33 nations at the July 16 2025 Gaza emergency conference in Bogotá. Image: bryanbruce.substack.com

    Is your policy simply to fall in behind the USA denying there is genocide and ethnic cleansing happening in Gaza?

    If not, are you prepared to endorse the six coordinated diplomatic, legal and economic measures already signed up to by 12 of the participating countries in the Bogetà summit, to restrain Israel’s assault on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and defend international law at large?

    Remaining countries, which could still include New Zealand, have a deadline of September 20, to coincide with the 80th UN General Assembly, for additional states to join them.

    The 6 agreed measures are:
     Prevent the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel.

    Prevent the transit, docking, and servicing of vessels at any port
     in all cases where there is a clear risk of the vessel being used to carry arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel

    Prevent the carriage of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel on vessels bearing our flag . . .  and ensure full accountability, including de-flagging, for non-compliance with this prohibition.

    Commence an urgent review of all public contracts, to prevent public institutions and funds from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory and entrenching its unlawful presence.

    Comply with obligations to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law, through robust, impartial and independent investigations and prosecutions at national or international levels, to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.

    Support universal jurisdiction mandates, as and where applicable in national legal frameworks and judiciaries, to ensure justice for victims of international crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    In addition, are you prepared to specifically support the enforcement of the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, his former defence minister, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza including murder and forced starvation, in a war that has left more than 211,000 Palestinians, including many children, dead, maimed, or missing since October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry? (That’s a figure that is approximately the entire population of Hamiton and Rotorua).

    What then is the NZ government’s policy? Are we going to support International Law and call out the Israeli government’s acts of genocide in Gaza, or not?

    Yours sincerely,

    Bryan Bruce
     Investigative documentary maker, journalist and podcaster.
     Auckland.

    Bryan Bruce is a New Zealand investigative journalist and documentary maker. Republished from Bruce’s substack page.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mexico to Organize Immediate Repatriation of U.S. Citizens — President

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    MEXICO CITY, July 23 (Xinhua) — Mexico is seeking the immediate repatriation of 14 of its citizens held in the U.S. immigration detention center known as the “Alcatraz of the Alligators,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said at a daily press conference on Tuesday.

    “At the moment, 14 Mexicans have been detained, and everything possible is being done to ensure their immediate repatriation,” she noted.

    According to the president, the “Alligator Alcatraz,” located in the Everglades region of the American state of Florida, has now become one of the main topics of news.

    Diplomats sent notes “so that all Mexicans are immediately deported and do not have to stay in this center,” she added.

    Commenting on allegations that migrants detained during raids ordered by the Trump administration are being mistreated in an “Alcatraz of alligators,” Sheinbaum said consular officials are looking into the matter. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Equinor second quarter 2025 results

    Source: Equinor

    23 JULY 2025 – Equinor delivered an adjusted operating income* of USD 6.53 billion and USD 1.74 billion after tax* in the second quarter of 2025. Equinor reported a net operating income of USD 5.72 billion and a net income of USD 1.32 billion. Adjusted net income* was USD 1.67 billion, leading to adjusted earnings per share* of USD 0.64.

    Solid financial results

    • Strong operational performance and production growth
    • Higher US onshore gas production capturing higher prices
    • Stable cost and capex in line with guidance
    • Balance sheet remains robust through lower price environment

    Strategic progress

    • Announced divestment of the Peregrino field in Brazil for USD 3.5 billion
    • Financial close of Bałtyk 2 & 3 offshore wind projects in Poland
    • Empire Wind 1 project development back in execution. Impairments driven by regulatory changes for future offshore wind projects leading to a loss of future synergies on South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, and increased exposure to tariffs

    Capital distribution

    • Ordinary cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share, third tranche of share buy-back of up to USD 1.265 billion
    • Expected total capital distribution of USD 9 billion in 2025

    Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA:
    “We are on track to deliver production growth in 2025 in line with our guidance. Strong operational performance and Johan Castberg reaching plateau are key contributors this quarter. In today’s volatile markets we stay committed to being a long-term energy provider to Europe.”

    “Last year, we strengthened our onshore gas portfolio in the US and this has created substantial value this quarter, with a fifty percent increase in gas production at prices almost eighty percent higher than the same time last year.“

    “We continue to progress our portfolio in renewables, and the Empire Wind 1 project development is back in execution. We have reached financial close for the Bałtyk 2 & 3 offshore wind projects in Poland at favourable terms, contributing to strong returns.”

    Solid production

    Equinor delivered a total equity production of 2,096 mboe per day in the second quarter, up 2% from 2,048 mboe in the same quarter last year.

    On the Norwegian continental shelf the operational performance was strong. New production from the Johan Castberg field reaching plateau and Halten East contributed. Together, this offset natural decline, impact from the turnaround at Hammerfest LNG and maintenance at the Kollsnes processing plant.

    The acquisition of additional interests in US onshore assets in 2024, and higher production from these assets, contributed to a 28% increase in oil and gas production from US in the second quarter, compared to the same period last year.

    The production from the international upstream segment, excluding US, is down compared to the same quarter last year, due to exits from Nigeria and Azerbaijan in 2024. Higher production in Brazil, and new wells in Argentina and Angola, contributed positively.

    The total power generation from the renewable portfolio was 0.83 TWh. The increase compared to second quarter last year is due to ramp up of power production from Dogger Bank A and new production from the onshore wind farm Lyngsåsa in Sweden which was acquired in first quarter 2025.

    In the quarter, Equinor completed 5 offshore exploration wells on the NCS with 2 commercial discoveries.

    Strong financial results

    Equinor delivered an adjusted operating income* of USD 6.53 billion and USD 1.74 billion after tax* in the second quarter of 2025. The results are affected by lower liquids prices, which were partially offset by higher gas prices and higher production.

    The reported net operating income of USD 5.72 billion is down from USD 7.66 billion in the same quarter last year. This is impacted by an impairment of USD 955 million due to regulatory changes causing loss of synergies from future offshore wind projects and increased exposure to tariffs. Of this, USD 763 million is related to Empire Wind 1/South Brooklyn Marine Terminal project and the remainder is related to the Empire Wind 2 lease.

    Equinor realised a European gas price of USD 12.0 per mmbtu and realised liquids prices were USD 63.0 per bbl in the second quarter.

    Adjusted operating and administrative expenses* are stable from the same quarter last year.

    Strong operational performance generated cash flows provided by operating activities, before taxes paid and working capital items, of USD 9.17 billion for the second quarter.

    Equinor paid two NCS tax instalments totalling USD 6.85 billion in the quarter. From August, the payments of tax on the NCS will be changed to ten installments annually, and for third quarter Equinor expects to pay two installments of NOK 19.7 billion each.

    Cash flow from operations after taxes paid* ended at USD 1.94 billion.

    Organic capital expenditure* was USD 3.40 billion for the quarter, and total capital expenditures were USD 3.58 billion.

    The net debt to capital employed adjusted ratio* was 15.2% at the end of the second quarter, compared to 6.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2025. The calculation of net debt ratio includes the effect of the Norwegian state’s share of the share buy-back, at USD 4.26 billion paid in July.

    Strategic progress

    Since the end of the last quarter, Equinor progressed projects to facilitate long-term production and value creation on the Norwegian continental shelf. The plan for development and operation on Fram South was submitted and final investment decision was made on Johan Sverdrup phase 3 in the North Sea which are expected to increase the recoverable volumes from the field by 40-50 million boe.

    After less than three months in production, the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea reached plateau on 17 June. The same month, an oil discovery estimated at approximately 9-15 million barrels was made in the area and can contribute with additional reserves for the field.

    Equinor and Centrica signed a long-term gas sales agreement of 55 TWh of natural gas per year for a period of 10 years, demonstrating the importance of long-term gas supplies from the NCS to support the UK’s energy security.

    Equinor continues to high-grade its international portfolio. In the quarter, the sale of the Peregrino field in Brazil for USD 3.5 billion was announced. Equinor will focus on the start-up of the Bacalhau field expected on stream later in 2025 and progressing the Raia gas project. New exploration acreage in the Santos basin was awarded.

    Financial close was announced on the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind projects with financing packages totalling EUR 6 billion. The wind projects are located offshore Poland with an expected total capacity of 1.4 GW.

    Competitive capital distribution

    The board of directors has decided a cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share for the second quarter of 2025, in line with communication at the Capital Markets Update in February.

    Expected total capital distribution for 2025 is USD 9 billion, including a share buy-back programme of up to USD 5 billion. The board has decided to initiate a third tranche of the share buy-back programme of up to USD 1.265 billion. The tranche will commence on 24 July and end no later than 27 October 2025.

    The second tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2025 was completed on 17 July 2025 with a total value of USD 1.265 billion.

    All share buy-back amounts include shares to be redeemed by the Norwegian state.

    *For items marked with an asterisk throughout this report, see Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the Supplementary disclosures.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI: Equinor second quarter 2025 results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Equinor (OSE:EQNR, NYSE:EQNR) delivered an adjusted operating income* of USD 6.53 billion and USD 1.74 billion after tax* in the second quarter of 2025. Equinor reported a net operating income of USD 5.72 billion and a net income of USD 1.32 billion. Adjusted net income* was USD 1.67 billion, leading to adjusted earnings per share* of USD 0.64.

    Solid financial results

    • Strong operational performance and production growth
    • Higher US onshore gas production capturing higher prices
    • Stable cost and capex in line with guidance
    • Balance sheet remains robust through lower price environment

    Strategic progress

    • Delivered key milestones on Johan Castberg, Johan Sverdrup phase 3 and Fram South/Troll
    • Announced divestment of the Peregrino field in Brazil for USD 3.5 billion
    • Financial close of Baltyk 2 & 3 offshore wind projects in Poland
    • Empire Wind 1 project development back in execution. Impairments driven by regulatory changes for future offshore wind projects leading to a loss of future synergies on South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, and increased exposure to tariffs

    Capital distribution

    • Ordinary cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share, third tranche of share buy-back of up to USD 1.265 billion
    • Expected total capital distribution of USD 9 billion in 2025

    Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA:

    “We are on track to deliver production growth in 2025 in line with our guidance. Strong operational performance and Johan Castberg reaching plateau are key contributors this quarter. In today’s volatile markets we stay committed to being a long-term energy provider to Europe.”

    “Last year, we strengthened our onshore gas portfolio in the US and this has created substantial value this quarter, with a fifty percent increase in gas production at prices almost eighty percent higher than the same time last year.“

    “We continue to progress our portfolio in renewables, and the Empire Wind 1 project development is back in execution. We have reached financial close for the Baltyk 2 & 3 offshore wind projects in Poland at favourable terms, contributing to strong returns.”

    Solid production

    Equinor delivered a total equity production of 2,096 mboe per day in the second quarter, up 2% from 2,048 mboe in the same quarter last year.

    On the Norwegian continental shelf the operational performance was strong. New production from the Johan Castberg field reaching plateau and Halten East contributed. Together, this offset natural decline, impact from the turnaround at Hammerfest LNG and maintenance at the Kollsnes processing plant.

    The acquisition of additional interests in US onshore assets in 2024, and higher production from these assets, contributed to a 28% increase in oil and gas production from US in the second quarter, compared to the same period last year.

    The production from the international upstream segment, excluding US, is down compared to the same quarter last year, due to exits from Nigeria and Azerbaijan in 2024. Higher production in Brazil, and new wells in Argentina and Angola, contributed positively.

    The total power generation from the renewable portfolio was 0.83 TWh. The increase compared to second quarter last year is due to ramp up of power production from Dogger Bank A and new production from the onshore wind farm Lyngsåsa in Sweden which was acquired in first quarter 2025.

    In the quarter, Equinor completed 5 offshore exploration wells on the NCS with 2 commercial discoveries.

    Strong financial results

    Equinor delivered an adjusted operating income* of USD 6.53 billion and USD 1.74 billion after tax* in the second quarter of 2025. The results are affected by lower liquids prices, which were partially offset by higher gas prices and higher production.

    The reported net operating income of USD 5.72 billion is down from USD 7.66 billion in the same quarter last year. This is impacted by an impairment of USD 955 million due to regulatory changes causing loss of synergies from future offshore wind projects and increased exposure to tariffs. Of this, USD 763 million is related to Empire Wind 1/South Brooklyn Marine Terminal project and the remainder is related to the Empire Wind 2 lease.

    Equinor realised a European gas price of USD 12.0 per mmbtu and realised liquids prices were USD 63.0 per bbl in the second quarter.

    Adjusted operating and administrative expenses* are stable from the same quarter last year.

    Strong operational performance generated cash flows provided by operating activities, before taxes paid and working capital items, of USD 9.17 billion for the second quarter.

    Equinor paid two NCS tax instalments totalling USD 6.85 billion in the quarter. From August, the payments of tax on the NCS will be changed to ten installments annually, and for third quarter Equinor expects to pay two installments of NOK 19.7 billion each.

    Cash flow from operations after taxes paid* ended at USD 1.94 billion.

    Organic capital expenditure* was USD 3.40 billion for the quarter, and total capital expenditures were USD 3.58 billion.

    The net debt to capital employed adjusted ratio* was 15.2% at the end of the second quarter, compared to 6.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2025. The calculation of net debt ratio includes the effect of the Norwegian state’s share of the share buy-back, at USD 4.26 billion paid in July.

    Strategic progress

    Since the end of the last quarter, Equinor progressed projects to facilitate long-term production and value creation on the Norwegian continental shelf. The plan for development and operation on Fram South was submitted and final investment decision was made on Johan Sverdrup phase 3 in the North Sea which are  expected to increase the recoverable volumes from the field by 40-50 million boe.

    After less than three months in production, the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea reached plateau on 17 June. The same month, an oil discovery estimated at approximately 9-15 million barrels was made in the area and can contribute with additional reserves for the field.

    Equinor and Centrica signed a long-term gas sales agreement of 55 TWh of natural gas per year for a period of 10 years, demonstrating the importance of long-term gas supplies from the NCS to support the UK’s energy security.

    Equinor continues to high-grade its international portfolio. In the quarter, the sale of the Peregrino field in Brazil for USD 3.5 billion was announced. Equinor will focus on the start-up of the Bacalhau field expected on stream later in 2025 and progressing the Raia gas project. New exploration acreage in the Santos basin was awarded.

    Financial close was announced on the Baltyk 2 and Baltyk 3 offshore wind projects with financing packages totalling EUR 6 billion. The wind projects are located offshore Poland with an expected total capacity of 1.4 GW.

    Competitive capital distribution

    The board of directors has decided a cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share for the second quarter of 2025, in line with communication at the Capital Markets Update in February.

    Expected total capital distribution for 2025 is USD 9 billion, including a share buy-back programme of up to USD 5 billion. The board has decided to initiate a third tranche of the share buy-back programme of up to USD 1.265 billion. The tranche will commence on 24 July and end no later than 27 October 2025.

    The second tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2025 was completed on 17 July 2025 with a total value of USD 1.265 billion.

    All share buy-back amounts include shares to be redeemed by the Norwegian state.

    – – –

    *For items marked with an asterisk throughout this report, see Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the Supplementary disclosures.

    – – –

    Further information from:

    Investor relations
    Bård Glad Pedersen, Senior vice president Investor relations,
    +47 918 01 791 (mobile)

    Press
    Sissel Rinde, Vice president Media relations,
    +47 412 60 584 (mobile)

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 22nd, 2025 Heinrich Announces Committee Passage of $6.5 Million to Combat Crime, Save Lives, & Keep New Mexicans Safe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. With Committee approval of this bill, Heinrich secured support for over $6.5 million for nine local projects in New Mexico.

    “While this Appropriations bill isn’t perfect, it includes resources and investments I negotiated for New Mexico that will help our law enforcement officers solve and reduce violent crime, keep our communities safe, and save lives,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This legislation will allocate additional resources to investigate, respond to, and prevent crimes in Tribal communities, including funding to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. Additionally, the bill creates a fentanyl tracking system, builds on my work to prevent firearm straw purchases and illegal gun trafficking, and makes opioid use disorder medications more accessible to New Mexicans. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will always fight for investments that put New Mexico communities first.”

    Next, the bill will be considered by the full United States Senate.

    Congressionally Directed Spending

    Heinrich successfully included $6,521,000 in investments for the following 9 local projects in the bill:

    • $1,668,000 for the New Mexico Statewide Sexual Assault Program to increase capacity at the Helpline and Work Force Trauma Institute.
    • $1,050,000 for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office for forensic analysis and crime scene reconstruction equipment.
    • $1,000,000 for the Las Cruces Police Department to establish an Evidence Processing Lab for local law enforcement agencies.
    • $908,000 for the Albuquerque Police Department to purchase crime scene processing equipment at the Metropolitan Forensic Science Center.
    • $629,000 for the City of Farmington to acquire forensic DNA and narcotics identification equipment, training, and personnel.
    • $533,000 for Eastern New Mexico University Campus to enhance lighting and safety on campus.
    • $350,000 for New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence to expand its youth gun violence prevention programs.
    • $268,000 for the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office to purchase mobile security trailers.
    • $115,000 for Gallup Police Department to purchase crime scene reconstruction equipment.

    Additionally, Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) successfully included $1,000,000 for the New Mexico Medical Investigator to enhance the DNA Processing Laboratory.

    Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Key Points and Highlights

    Combatting Crimes on Tribal Lands: Heinrich successfully included language directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to continue to allocate additional resources to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, including providing sufficient funding to investigate, respond to, and prevent crimes in Tribal communities. Heinrich helped secure $95,000,000 within the Crime Victims Fund specifically for law enforcement efforts on Tribal lands and in order for federal, state, and tribal governments to coordinate on these critical public safety initiatives.

    Fentanyl Tracking System: Heinrich successfully included language directing the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to develop a comprehensive fentanyl tracking system. That tracking system would include documentation of seizure location, chemical composition, probable or known manufacturing location, and probable or known point of entry into the United States. Currently, fentanyl interdiction is compiled at land ports of entry by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but the DEA does not have readily accessible tracking data on the movement of illicit drugs within the U.S. or their point of origin. Requiring the compilation and organization of that data will complement DHS’ work and improve our country’s work to effectively combat the fentanyl crisis.

    Firearm Straw Purchases Prevention: Heinrich successfully included language calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to continue its public awareness campaign to reduce firearm straw purchases at the retail level and to educate would-be straw purchasers of the penalties associated with knowingly participating in an illegal firearm purchase. This language builds on Heinrich’s work to negotiate and author the provision in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that increased criminal penalties for straw purchases and made it illegal to traffic firearms out of the United States. To date, more than 1,000 defendants have been charged by the Department of Justice because of those provisions, removing hundreds of firearms from the streets.

    Removing Barriers to Lifesaving Medication: Heinrich successfully included language directing the DEA to take further action to remove barriers to access for opioid use disorder medications such as buprenorphine. The data clearly shows that prescriptions of medications for opioid use disorder significantly reduce the risk of overdose death, but despite their demonstrated effectiveness, approximately 87% of those suffering from opioid use disorder do not have a prescription for these lifesaving medications. The inclusion of this language will assist local medical and mental health providers and make medications, including buprenorphine, more accessible to New Mexicans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 22nd, 2025 Heinrich Announces Committee Passage of $6.5 Million to Combat Crime, Save Lives, & Keep New Mexicans Safe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. With Committee approval of this bill, Heinrich secured support for over $6.5 million for nine local projects in New Mexico.

    “While this Appropriations bill isn’t perfect, it includes resources and investments I negotiated for New Mexico that will help our law enforcement officers solve and reduce violent crime, keep our communities safe, and save lives,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This legislation will allocate additional resources to investigate, respond to, and prevent crimes in Tribal communities, including funding to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. Additionally, the bill creates a fentanyl tracking system, builds on my work to prevent firearm straw purchases and illegal gun trafficking, and makes opioid use disorder medications more accessible to New Mexicans. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will always fight for investments that put New Mexico communities first.”

    Next, the bill will be considered by the full United States Senate.

    Congressionally Directed Spending

    Heinrich successfully included $6,521,000 in investments for the following 9 local projects in the bill:

    • $1,668,000 for the New Mexico Statewide Sexual Assault Program to increase capacity at the Helpline and Work Force Trauma Institute.
    • $1,050,000 for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office for forensic analysis and crime scene reconstruction equipment.
    • $1,000,000 for the Las Cruces Police Department to establish an Evidence Processing Lab for local law enforcement agencies.
    • $908,000 for the Albuquerque Police Department to purchase crime scene processing equipment at the Metropolitan Forensic Science Center.
    • $629,000 for the City of Farmington to acquire forensic DNA and narcotics identification equipment, training, and personnel.
    • $533,000 for Eastern New Mexico University Campus to enhance lighting and safety on campus.
    • $350,000 for New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence to expand its youth gun violence prevention programs.
    • $268,000 for the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office to purchase mobile security trailers.
    • $115,000 for Gallup Police Department to purchase crime scene reconstruction equipment.

    Additionally, Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) successfully included $1,000,000 for the New Mexico Medical Investigator to enhance the DNA Processing Laboratory.

    Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Key Points and Highlights

    Combatting Crimes on Tribal Lands: Heinrich successfully included language directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to continue to allocate additional resources to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, including providing sufficient funding to investigate, respond to, and prevent crimes in Tribal communities. Heinrich helped secure $95,000,000 within the Crime Victims Fund specifically for law enforcement efforts on Tribal lands and in order for federal, state, and tribal governments to coordinate on these critical public safety initiatives.

    Fentanyl Tracking System: Heinrich successfully included language directing the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to develop a comprehensive fentanyl tracking system. That tracking system would include documentation of seizure location, chemical composition, probable or known manufacturing location, and probable or known point of entry into the United States. Currently, fentanyl interdiction is compiled at land ports of entry by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but the DEA does not have readily accessible tracking data on the movement of illicit drugs within the U.S. or their point of origin. Requiring the compilation and organization of that data will complement DHS’ work and improve our country’s work to effectively combat the fentanyl crisis.

    Firearm Straw Purchases Prevention: Heinrich successfully included language calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to continue its public awareness campaign to reduce firearm straw purchases at the retail level and to educate would-be straw purchasers of the penalties associated with knowingly participating in an illegal firearm purchase. This language builds on Heinrich’s work to negotiate and author the provision in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that increased criminal penalties for straw purchases and made it illegal to traffic firearms out of the United States. To date, more than 1,000 defendants have been charged by the Department of Justice because of those provisions, removing hundreds of firearms from the streets.

    Removing Barriers to Lifesaving Medication: Heinrich successfully included language directing the DEA to take further action to remove barriers to access for opioid use disorder medications such as buprenorphine. The data clearly shows that prescriptions of medications for opioid use disorder significantly reduce the risk of overdose death, but despite their demonstrated effectiveness, approximately 87% of those suffering from opioid use disorder do not have a prescription for these lifesaving medications. The inclusion of this language will assist local medical and mental health providers and make medications, including buprenorphine, more accessible to New Mexicans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Trump strikes trade deal with Japan to cut tariffs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States and Japan struck a deal to lower the hefty tariffs President Donald Trump threatened to impose on goods from its Asian ally that included a pledge by Japan to invest $550 billion in the United States.

    The agreement – including a 15% tariff on all imported Japanese goods, down from a proposed 25% – is the most significant of the string of trade deals the White House has reached ahead of an approaching August 1 deadline for higher levies to kick in.

    “I just signed the largest TRADE DEAL in history with Japan,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “This is a very exciting time for the United States of America, and especially for the fact that we will continue to always have a great relationship with the Country of Japan.”

    Ishiba, who is facing political pressure after a bruising election defeat on Sunday, hailed the deal as “the lowest figure among countries that have a trade surplus with the U.S.”.

    The two sides also agreed to cut tariff 25% tariffs already imposed on Japanese autos to 15%, Ishiba said. Auto exports account for more than a quarter of Japan’s exports to the U.S.

    The announcement ignited a rally in Japanese stocks, with the benchmark Nikkei climbing 2.6% to its highest in a year. Shares of automakers surged in particular, with Toyota 7203.T up more than 11%, and Honda 7267.T and Nissan 7201.T both up more than 8%.

    The exuberance extended to shares of South Korean carmakers as well, as the Japan deal stoked optimism that South Korea could strike a comparable deal. The yen firmed slightly against the dollar, and U.S. equity index futures edged upward.

    But U.S. automakers signaled their unhappiness with the deal, raising concerns about a trade regime that could cut tariffs on auto imports from Japan to 15% while leaving tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico at 25%.

    Matt Blunt, who heads the American Automotive Policy Council which represents General Motors GM.N Ford F.N and Chrysler-parent Stellantis STLAM.MI, said “any deal that charges a lower tariff for Japanese imports with virtually no U.S. content than the tariff imposed on North American-built vehicles with high U.S. content is a bad deal for U.S. industry and U.S. auto workers.”

    ‘MISSION COMPLETE’

    Autos are a huge part of U.S.-Japan trade, but almost all of it is one way to the U.S. from Japan, a fact that has long irked Trump. In 2024, the U.S. imported more than $55 billion of vehicles and automotive parts while just over $2 billion were sold into the Japanese market from the U.S.

    Two-way trade between the two countries totaled nearly $230 billion in 2024, with Japan running a trade surplus of nearly $70 billion. Japan is the fifth-largest U.S. trading partner in goods, U.S. Census Bureau data show.

    Trump’s announcement followed a meeting with Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, at the White House on Tuesday.

    “#Mission Complete,” Akazawa wrote on X.

    The deal was “a better outcome” for Japan than it potentially could have been, given Trump’s earlier unilateral tariff threats, said Kristina Clifton, a senior economist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney.

    “Steel, aluminium, and also cars are important exports for Japan, so it’ll be interesting to see if there’s any specific carve-outs for those,” Clifton said.

    Kazutaka Maeda, an economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute, said that “with the 15% tariff rate, I expect the Japanese economy to avoid recession.”

    Japan is the largest investor in the United States. Together with pension giant GPIF and Japanese insurers, the country has about $2 trillion invested in U.S. markets.

    Besides that, Bank of Japan data shows direct Japanese investment in the United States was $1.2 trillion at the end of 2024, and Japanese direct investment flows amounted to $137 billion in North America last year.

    Speaking later at the White House, Trump also expressed fresh optimism that Japan would form a joint venture with Washington to support a gas pipeline in Alaska long sought by his administration.

    “We concluded the one deal … and now we’re going to conclude another one because they’re forming a joint venture with us at, in Alaska, as you know, for the LNG,” Trump told lawmakers at the White House. “They’re all set to make that deal now.”

    Trump aides are feverishly working to close trade deals ahead of an August 1 deadline that Trump has repeatedly pushed back under pressure from markets and intense lobbying by industry. By that date, countries are set to face steep new tariffs beyond those Trump has already imposed since taking office in January.

    Trump has announced framework agreements with Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia and paused a tit-for-tat tariff battle with China, though details are still to be worked out with all of those countries.

    At the White House, Trump said negotiators from the European Union would be in Washington on Wednesday.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Protect American Assets From Unlawful Seizure by Foreign Governments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    In violation of USMCA, Mexico’s president has repeatedly threatened to declare an American company’s property as a “Protected Natural Area” to unjustifiably seize the company’s assets
    WASHINGTON—Yesterday,United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led his colleagues in reintroducing the Defending American Property Abroad Act, legislation to impose retaliatory prohibitions to deter and punish any nation in the Western Hemisphere that unlawfully seizes American assets. This legislation responds to ongoing efforts by the Mexican government to seize a deep-water port owned by U.S.-based Vulcan Materials Company in flagrant violation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) governing trade between our two nations. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). Representative August Pfluger (R-TX-11) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    In specific, this legislation would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prohibit vessels from entering a U.S. port if they previously used a port, land, or infrastructure that had been illegally seized from a U.S. entity by a foreign nation in the Western Hemisphere.  It also empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate and respond to foreign governments that deny U.S. companies fair and equal treatment or that have expropriated, nationalized, or seized U.S. assets.
    “I strongly condemn the Mexican government’s threats against Vulcan Materials Company and I am pleased to see this bipartisan and bicameral rebuke from the United States Senate,” said Senator Hagerty.  “Under the leadership of Mexico’s previous president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and now the current president, Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican government is committing a blatant theft against a major American company and, by extension, the United States itself. No nation should be allowed to bully an American firm without consequences. Our legislation will counter any attempt by the Mexican government to profit from illegal moves to expropriate, nationalize, or otherwise seize U.S. assets.”
    “American companies operating abroad should not have to fear arbitrary government actions that undermine their property rights,” said Representative Pfluger. “The Defending American Property Abroad Act will ensure that such actions do not go unchecked and that American businesses are protected from unjust expropriation. The protection of American property rights abroad is essential for fostering economic growth and maintaining our national security. I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this critical legislation and send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate unjust actions against American companies.”
    “The Mexican government’s unfair targeting of Vulcan Materials Company, a U.S.-based company that employs over 1,000 people in Virginia, is harmful to the relationship between our two countries and severely undermines investor confidence,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to deter the illegal seizure of U.S. assets.”
    “The threats toward Vulcan’s lawfully permitted, U.S.-owned deep-water port from the Government of Mexico, even under a new president, have not ceased,” said Senator Britt. “Mexico continues to flagrantly violate international law with its actions, putting America’s and Alabama’s economic and national security at risk — and it won’t stand. I’m proud to fight for the rule of law and join Senator Hagerty in introducing the bipartisan Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025. This reaffirms the U.S. will impose crushing consequences if the Government of Mexico continues to execute its illegal scheme against Vulcan’s property.”
    “For years, the Mexican Government has shown undue aggression toward American businesses, primarily Alabama’s Vulcan Materials,” said Senator Tuberville. “The continued attempts to exploit Vulcan’s operation in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is a disgrace to our longstanding trade agreement with Mexico. The Trump Administration has hit the ground running to prioritize and empower American companies — I look forward to seeing this bill get across the finish line to ensure American companies are fully protected.”
    “U.S.-owned properties in the Western Hemisphere contribute much to our economy and should not be targeted by foreign nations,” said Senator Wicker. “This legislation would hold our allies accountable for their actions and increase protections on American-owned assets that have been expropriated.”
    “American-owned properties and businesses should not experience unlawful expropriation and abuse at the hands of hostile foreign governments,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Defending American Property Abroad Act would strengthen the U.S. response to the illegal seizure of American-owned properties by creating a clear set of consequences for those actions.” 
    Background:
    In May 2022, then-Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) abruptly shut down Vulcan Materials Company’s operations with false claims that the firm was violating its contract and his government subsequently waged an unceasing pressure campaign against Vulcan, including multiple lawsuits and sending military and law enforcement to its facilities.In May 2022, Senator Hagerty urged then-President Joe Biden to take action against the Mexican government’s moves to expropriate the property of U.S. companies with investments and operations in Mexico.
    In March 2023, Senator Hagerty pressed then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the seizure by Mexican military troops and civilian authorities of U.S.-based Vulcan Materials Company’s assets in Mexico.
    In December 2023, Senators Hagerty and Kaine spoke on the Senate floor imploring then-President López Obrador to halt harmful actions against American companies’ lawfully owned assets in Mexico, noting that these unlawful actions violate agreements made between the two countries under the USMCA and jeopardize a key U.S. trade relationship.
    In August 2024, AMLO announced that he is pushing to designate the port and mine a “Protected Natural Area”.
    In September 2024, Senators Hagerty and Kaine introduced legislation to impose retaliatory prohibitions that deter and punish any Western Hemisphere nation that unlawfully seizes American assets, responding to ongoing efforts by the Government of Mexico to seize a deep-water port owned by U.S.-based Vulcan Materials Company, which is a flagrant violation of the United Sates-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) governing trade between our two nations.
    In December 2024, Senators Hagerty and other lawmakers condemned ongoing efforts by then-U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai to weaken protections for American companies under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a counterproductive move that would make American companies vulnerable to Mexico seizing their property and assets.
    In April 2025, Senators Hagerty and Kaine sent a letter to Mexican Minister of Economy Ebrard Casaubon urging him to address the country’s unfair treatment of the U.S.-based Vulcan Materials Company, which has operated in Mexico for decades and supports thousands of jobs in both countries.
    Full text of the Defending American Property Abroad Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Willing to Work with All Parties to Advance High-Quality Joint Construction of Belt and Road Initiative — Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) — China is willing to continue working with all parties to push for tangible progress in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road for common development and a win-win future, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday.

    The diplomat made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a recent report on the Belt and Road Initiative. According to the document, the value of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative in the first six months of this year exceeded the total amount of projects for the whole of 2024, reaching a record high. As some media outlets and experts have noted, China’s growing engagement with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative stands in stark contrast to the approach of the United States, which imposes high tariffs on trading partners around the world. Many countries see cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to deepen ties with China.

    Guo Jiakun pointed out that the joint construction of the Belt and Road has entered a new phase of high-quality development: from Eurasia to Africa and Latin America, from infrastructure and institutional connectivity to people-to-people connectivity. The fruits of this cooperation have benefited the people of more than 150 countries.

    To support this, the official cited some of the results of the Belt and Road demonstration projects. For example, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has served more than 10 million passengers; the total number of trains dispatched within the China-Europe freight rail service has exceeded 110,000 trips; the new land-sea corridor between China and Latin American countries, linking the port of Chancai in Peru with the port of Shanghai in China, has opened for traffic in both directions; the installed capacity of solar power plants jointly built by China and African countries has exceeded 1.5 GW; “small and beautiful” projects such as the “Lu Ban Workshop” and the “juncao” grass cultivation technology have led many households onto the path to a prosperous life.

    Guo Jiakun noted that after more than a decade of development, the joint construction of the Belt and Road, which is based on promoting connectivity, has expanded to a platform for industrial and trade cooperation, helping more countries integrate into international industrial chains and jointly safeguarding the stability and resilience of global supply chains.

    According to the diplomat, in carrying out cooperation within the framework of the “Belt and Road”, China firmly adheres to the principle of “joint consultation, joint construction and joint use”, the concept of openness, greenness and integrity, as well as the pursuit of high-standard, sustainable and human-centered development. At the same time, China strives to promote the modernization of all countries, Guo Jiakun added.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez: Brazil trade investigation politically motivated, anti-democratic

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez released the following statement in response to the Trump administration announcing a Section 301 trade investigation of Brazil:

    “It is unacceptable that President Trump is weaponizing the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Section 301 authority to subvert democracy, prop up his friends and target his foes. 

    “This investigation is clearly being driven by the president’s own political motives. You need to look no further than his letter to Brazil, citing grievances that range from Brazil’s treatment of his far-right ally Bolsonaro to the country’s efforts to crack down on hate speech. 

    “And it’s rich to focus on Brazil’s anti-corruption efforts when President Trump’s administration is refusing to enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and is engaging in blatant self-dealing and grifting.

    “It’s completely anti-democratic and corrupt for American trade policies to benefit one individual’s personal interests. House Republicans must join Democrats in reclaiming our constitutional trade authority and stop enabling this president’s incessant abuses of power.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo Calls Out Trump’s Cuts to Vital Weather Services After Tragic Texas Floods

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    Trump’s Cuts to the NOAA and the NWS Undercut American Disaster Readiness in the Midst of Atlantic Hurricane Season

    Washington, D.C. – TODAY, Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) of the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on the Environment highlighted the devastating impact of  President Trump ’s cuts to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service.

    “Dedicated public servants work around the clock, ensuring our communities are warned and protected in real time. These experts are the backbone of America’s weather enterprise. But this Administration is taking a sledgehammer to that backbone,” said Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI). “We need a fully staffed and well-resourced National Weather Service and continued funding for the critical research capacities at NOAA. Not just to help predict storms, but to help communities prepare, coordinate emergency response, and warn Americans when minutes matter.”

     

    Watch Congressman Amo’s Opening Remarks Here

     

    Background

    Congressman Amo, serves as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Environment on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which administers the National Weather Service.

    Ranking Member Amo, Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member Greg Stanton (D-AZ) sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and NOAA seeking answers on federal activity in preparation for and in response to the tragic floods in Texas.

    Amo and Ranking Member Lofgren alsosent a letter calling on Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to testify before the Committee about the staffing shortages at the National Weather Service and their potential impact on the Texas flash floods.

    Amo and CongresswomanEmilia Sykes (D-OH) led 64 Democratic colleagues in calling on the Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm to reinstate the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Report to ensure America has a record of the increasing number of storms that cause catastrophic financial damage to communities.

    On Earth Day, April 22nd 2025, Amo led colleagues on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to express alarm over Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NOAA Acting Administrator Laura Grimm’s proposal to slash NOAA’s budget and cripple the agency.

     

    Ranking Member Amo’s Remarks as Delivered

    Thank you, Chair Franklin, for convening today’s hearing on how innovative technologies can strengthen weather forecasting and protect communities across the country. I also want to thank our witnesses for joining us, especially given the rescheduling of this hearing.

    As we all know, this hearing comes at a devastating time. Just last week, catastrophic flooding struck Texas, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Texas lost at least 134 lives, 37 of whom were children, and at least 101 people remain missing. In New Mexico, a man and two children, ages 7 and 4, were killed. Tropical Storm Chantal, and at least 2 tornadoes, hit North Carolina with one woman confirmed dead.

    Entire families were lost. Livelihoods destroyed. Communities shattered. To the families grieving unimaginable loss, and to the first responders still working through the wreckage, our hearts are with you.

    Unfortunately, this won’t be the last disaster we face. Climate change is accelerating extreme weather, and we must do more to prepare our communities.

    We need to confront a hard truth: the United States cannot lead in weather prediction, cannot harness innovation, and cannot protect lives and property — without people.

    Meteorologists who issue forecasts and warnings.

    Hydrologists who model flood risks.

    Climate scientists who analyze long-term trends.

    Data analysts and modelers who improve forecast accuracy.

    Emergency managers who translate forecasts into action.

    Dedicated public servants, many represented here today, who work around the clock, ensuring our communities are warned and protected in real time. These experts are the backbone of America’s weather enterprise. But this Administration is taking a sledgehammer to that backbone.

    On May 2nd, five former directors of the National Weather Service wrote to President Trump with a warning: “Our worst nightmare is that forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.”

    This Administration has already haphazardly gutted 15% of the National Weather Service’s workforce. These were career public servants. Scientists and forecasters. People who devoted their lives to keeping Americans safe.

    Now the remaining staff are being asked to do the impossible: operate at full capacity, with reduced numbers, during an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. It’s unacceptable. We are flying blind into the eye of the storm, quite literally.

    We’re already seeing the consequences. While it’s too early to draw final conclusions about the tragic flooding in Texas, early reporting suggests that staff shortages in local weather forecasting offices may have impaired coordination with local officials.

    In the San Angelo forecasting office, critical positions were vacant, including the meteorologist-in-charge, senior hydrologist, and staff forecaster. Nearby, San Antonio’s forecasting office lacked a warning coordination meteorologist and science officer. These aren’t optional roles. These are lifesaving roles.

    We need a fully staffed and well-resourced National Weather Service, full stop. Not just to help predict storms, but to help communities prepare, coordinate emergency response, and warn Americans when minutes matter.

    And yet, even in the face of growing disasters, Trump’s proposed 2026 budget would:

    Eliminate funding for NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, including climate, weather, and ocean labs and cooperative institutes, such as those serving on our witness panel today, lash NOAA’s workforce by an additional 17%, and extract over $1.8 billion from its current budget, weakening the core services Americans rely on.

    Thankfully, it seems like Congressional appropriators care more about protecting Americans from extreme weather than we’ve seen from the Trump administration.

    This is playing out in real time back in Rhode Island. Last year, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Marine Operations Center, a nearly $150 million investment in NOAA’s research fleet and Rhode Island’s blue economy. But with the hiring freeze still in place, there’s no guarantee it will be staffed when it opens. That’s not efficiency – its waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

    That’s why last week, Ranking Member Lofgren and I demanded Secretary Lutnick testify before this Committee. Come and give answers. The staffing crisis at the National Weather Service is a public safety threat. We need answers, and more importantly, we need a plan, not concepts of a plan.

    Today, let’s not talk about innovation in the abstract. Let’s talk about what it takes to make that innovation real: investment in data, commitment to people, and trust in science.

    Let’s protect lives and property, not just in name. Let’s protect in practice.

    Thank you. I yield back.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman García’s Statement on Prisoner Trade with Venezuela

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement on the United States prisoner trade with Venezuela and El Salvador:  

    “This trade is about cleaning up the mess left behind by Trump’s immigration agenda.

    “The U.S. illegally deported migrants, many who had legal permission to be here, most with no criminal record. They were held without charges and used as bargaining chips in a deal. 

    “This is the legacy of the Trump administration: lying to federal judges, handing billions to DHS, and treating human beings like pawns. This is what authoritarian regimes do, and we must end our government’s practice of kidnapping and disappearing migrants once and for all.”

    # # # 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Omar Introduces Five Amendments to FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON–Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced five amendments to the FY 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The amendments aim to center human rights; redirect funds to critical medical research; destroy chemical agents and munitions; stop military funding to Israel; fund environmental restoration to clean up hazardous substances, pollutants, and munitions from former defense sites; and prohibit the United States Northern Command from unlawfully operating inside Mexico.

    “We have a moral responsibility to reduce our defense budget and invest in our communities,” said Rep. Omar. “It’s way past time we stop writing blank checks for endless wars that only hurt our reputation abroad and do not make us safer. I introduced five amendments to bring us in line with a more just defense budget–one that centers the needs of the American people and addresses past harms. Earlier this month, Congress greenlit an additional $150 billion to our defense budget to fund Trump’s police state. At a time when the United States spends more on our defense than the next nine highest-spending countries combined, it is more important than ever to reorient our budget to address the pressing issues facing our communities instead of appeasing warmongers.”

    The amendments introduced by Rep. Omar include:
    •    Omar #122 – transfers $5 million from defense-wide operation and maintenance to defense health programs.
    •    Omar #123– transfers $5 million from defense-wide operation and maintenance to chemical agents and munitions destruction account.
    •    Omar #168– strikes military funding to Israel.
    •    Omar #169– transfers $5 million from Army aircraft procurement to Army environmental restoration.
    •    Omar #211– strikes the exemption for Executive Order 14167 in the prohibition on Northern Command activities with respect to Mexico.

    Additionally, Rep. Omar is cosponsoring the following amendment:
    •    Gosar #126– prohibits funds to carry out section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

    The full text of the amendments is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CPC Taskforce Chair Ilhan Omar Condemns Bloated Pentagon Spending Bill, Highlights Amendments to Promote Peace

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON — Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chair of the Promoting Peace & Security Taskforce of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), issued the following statement on H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026, which passed on a party-line vote:

    “Last night’s Republican spending bill further bloats an out-of-control Pentagon while doubling down on skewed priorities. This bill expands funding to a military deployed by Trump to launch unconstitutional wars while enriching well-connected private contractors with no safeguards. Meanwhile, this legislation attacks the right to access reproductive healthcare in the military and guts efforts to recruit diverse servicemembers who reflect the full range of America.

    “The Pentagon has failed every audit since it became legally required to submit one in 2018. No other federal agency is thrown hundreds of billions of dollars with so little transparency. Meanwhile, Trump is illegally destroying agencies like the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which provide urgent resources to our children’s classrooms and protect Americans from corporate fraud.

    “The Progressive Caucus will continue to push for a budget that prioritizes human needs and lifts up our communities at home—not endless wars abroad. I am proud of my CPC colleagues for putting forward commonsense alternatives to this Pentagon budget that advance peace, restraint and social justice. I urge Senate Democrats to impose meaningful checks on Trump’s unconstrained military during the appropriations process as this bill now moves to that chamber.”

    The following submitted amendments are a sampling of CPC Members’ efforts to improve the Defense Department Appropriations bill:

    Amendment #123 by Rep. Omar transfers $5 million from defense-wide operation and maintenance to chemical agents and munitions destruction account.

    Amendment #126 by Reps. Omar, Tlaib, Gosar, and Biggs prohibits funds to carry out section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

    Amendment #337 by Rep. Chuy Garcia prohibits the use of funds for transferring data and other records to DHS for civil immigration enforcement.

    Amendment #342 by Rep. Chuy Garcia and Amendment #455 from Rep. Salinas prohibit the use of funds for the National Guard to enforce immigration laws.

    Amendment #471 by Rep. Chuy Garcia and Amendment #475 by Rep. Nadler prohibit the use of funds for transferring any individual to the Migrant Operations Center at United States Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay.

    Amendment #509 by Rep. Kamlager-Dove prohibits the use of funds to implement the June 7 presidential memo activating the deployment of the National Guards to protect ICE personnel and federal property in Los Angeles.

    Amendment #188 by Takano, Smith, Jacobs, Randall, Pappas, Torres, and Craig prohibits funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce Executive Order No. 14183, which prohibits transgender people from serving in the military.

    Amendment #397 by Rep. Friedman strikes section 8142 – prohibiting funding for execution of DOD memorandum on access to reproductive care.

    Amendment #13 by Rep. Jacobs strikes Sections 8138, 8139, 8144, and 8145, which ban gender-affirming care, drag queen shows, and allows discrimination for people who do not support gay marriage.

    Amendment #200 by Rep. Tlaib strikes sections prohibiting programs relating to advancing racial equity and support for under-served communities and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

    Amendment 206 by Rep. Tlaib prohibits the use of funds for foreign security force training with respect to El Salvador.

    Amendment #441 from Rep. Garamendi limits funding for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program until Congress receives the Milestone B approval decision pursuant to section 4252(e) of title 10, United States Code.

    Amendment #394 from Rep. Simon and Amendment #488 from Rep. Khanna and Rep. Massie prohibits fund from being used to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities in Iran in contravention of the War Powers Resolution.

    Amendment #203 from Rep. Tlaib prohibits funds from being used in contravention of the War Powers Resolution with respect to Yemen.

    Amendment #355 from Rep. Tlaib prohibits funds from being used to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

    Amendment #301 from Reps. Chuy Garcia, Castro, Velázquez prohibits funds from being used for unauthorized military force against Mexico.

    Amendment #216 by Rep. Velázquez prohibits military action and/or regime change in the Western Hemisphere without Congressional authorization.

    Amendment #213 from Rep. Tlaib prohibits the use of funds to maintain a U.S. military presence inside Syria after one year, unless otherwise Congressionally authorized.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stauber Votes to Send Rescissions Package to President Trump’s Desk

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted to pass the Recissions Act of 2025, legislation that will claw back $9 billion in wasteful federal spending. This first rescissions package includes necessary cuts to USAID, National Public Radio (NPR), and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

    Of his vote, Congressman Stauber stated, “Today, I was proud to take an essential step to rein in federal spending and save taxpayer dollars. The bulk of this $9 billion package targets wasteful foreign spending identified by the Department of Government Efficiency. The American people should not be paying $1 million for voter ID in Haiti, $6 million for Net Zero Cities in Mexico, $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street, $4 million for sedentary migrants in Columbia, or $135 million to the World Health Organization- which lied about the origins of COVID. And there are so many other egregious examples.

    “Regarding the public broadcasting cuts included in this package, I also do not believe Americans should be forced to fund opinion journalism masquerading as unbiased news coverage. A recent survey found that 100% of NPR’s 87-person editorial board in DC are registered Democrats with zero Republicans. This has led to many concerning headlines, including one claiming there is no evidence that biological men have an unfair advantage over biological women in sports. And even worse, PBS has pushed gender-affirming care for children on its airwaves. 

    “While many on the left will falsely claim that these cuts will restrict access to information, remember that 96% of Americans report using the internet regularly, providing far more access to the news than ever before. 

    “The passage of this package through Congress is a win for commonsense and it wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of President Trump. Our nation is currently $36 trillion in debt, so I am excited to keep the momentum going by voting for more rescission packages down the road.”

    BACKGROUND: 

    Under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), the Administration may transmit a request to Congress to rescind previously appropriated funds through a rescissions package. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McCaul, Vasquez Lead Stop Coyotes Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Homeland Security Committee — introduced the Stop COYOTES Act alongside Congressman Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.). The bipartisan bill is designed to address the continued threat of organized criminal activity in border communities by targeting drug cartels and human traffickers who exploit vulnerable populations, particularly children, and strengthening law enforcement’s ability to respond through enhanced coordination, resources, and accountability.

    “For too long, dangerous criminals have exploited our border crisis to traffic innocent children and smuggle deadly narcotics into our nation,” said Rep. McCaul. “It’s time we finally put a stop to these predators and ensure law enforcement agencies have the information-sharing infrastructure to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. I am proud to co-lead this bill alongside Rep. Vasquez to protect innocent children across Texas and support our local law enforcement officers as they work to counter cartel-sponsored crime.”

    “Representing 180 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, I’ve had the opportunity to hear directly from law enforcement, educators, and families about the very real challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations in border towns,” said Rep. Vasquez. “My bipartisan bills strengthen our ability to disrupt cartel activity, protect our kids from exploitation, and equip local law enforcement with the tools and coordination they need to keep communities safe.”

    Background:

    The Stop COYOTES Act improves public safety by imposing harsher penalties against human smugglers and fentanyl traffickers while also improving information sharing and reporting between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and local law enforcement along the border. Under the bill, DHS must report on trafficking trends, smuggling routes, and cartel activity — ensuring that local communities have the data they need to respond in real time. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 22nd, 2025 Heinrich Votes Against Republicans’ Legislation to Defund Public Broadcasting, Harm New Mexicans’ Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) stood firm for New Mexico families by voting against Senate Republicans’ rescissions package that cuts funding to local public radio and TV stations, which rural communities and Tribes rely on as their primary source of information during life-or-death emergencies like wildfires, flash floods, and other catastrophic natural disasters.
    “First, Republicans pushed through the largest Medicaid cut in American history. Now, they’ve slashed the only lifeline rural communities and Tribes rely on during life-or-death emergencies like wildfires and flash floods. Republicans’ cuts to local public radio and TV stations are reckless, dangerous, and put New Mexicans directly in harm’s way. All of this to bankroll massive tax giveaways for Trump’s billionaire donors,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
    Below are the New Mexico radio and TV stations whose federal funding is now at risk thanks to Republicans’ rescissions bill:
    Radio
    KSHI-FM, Zuni
    KGLP-FM, Gallup
    KABR-FM, Alamo
    KSJE-FM, Farmington
    KENW-FM, Portales
    KCIE-FM, Dulce
    KTDB, Pine Hill
    KSFR-FM, Santa Fe
    KANW-FM, Albuquerque
    KHFM-FM (Albuquerque)
    KUNM-FM (Albuquerque)
    KRWG-FM, Las Cruces
    TV
    KENW-TV, Portales
    New Mexico PBS KNME-TV (Albuquerque)
    KRWG-TV (Las Cruces)
    During the Reconciliation votes, Senate Republicans blocked Heinrich’s efforts to:
    Protect Public Radio and TV
    Prohibit defunding public radio and television stations that primarily serve rural and Tribal communities.
    Prohibit defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
    Protect public radio and television stations that are partners in the Emergency Alert System.
    Protect access to children’s education programming through public television.
    Promote American Values and Counter the People’s Republica of China (PRC) and Russia Influence Globally
    Prevent cuts to funding that counters malign-PRC and Russian influence globally, including to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine.
    Ensure the United States can maintain our long tradition of providing life-saving aid, including food and medicine.
    Maintain the United States’s position as a global leader in humanitarian assistance.
    Combat child marriages and feed children around the world.
    Protect funding for child health, global health security, and to treat and prevent tuberculosis, malaria, and other diseases
    Protect funding for international organizations and life-saving programs, including UNICEF other large-scale humanitarian and hunger prevention programs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Colleagues Push to Prevent Corporations From Using Trump’s Chaotic Tariffs as Cover to Price Gouge Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Senate colleagues in a letter calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and stop corporations that may be using Donald Trump’s tariffs as a cover to raise prices on all goods, regardless of whether they are actually subject to new tariffs, and increase prices above and beyond what is necessary to cover any additional costs. In June 2025, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released new survey results showing that “a significant share” of companies raised prices of goods and services that are not subject to tariffs.
    “This Administration’s reckless approach to trade is spiking costs for small businesses and creating opportunities for billion-dollar companies to grow their profits and take advantage of consumers,” wrote the lawmakers. “The FTC should be utilizing its full authority to prevent these unfair practices.”
    Senator Rosen has helped lead the fight opposing Trump’s reckless tariffs and defending consumers. She helped introduce the Tariff Transparency Act, which would require the U.S. International Trade Commission to study and publicly report on the economic effects of tariffs on Canada and Mexico– key trading partners for Nevada industries. She’s also repeatedly pushed back against price gouging, calling on the DOJ to curb price gouging at the gas pump and in the housing market.

    MIL OSI USA News –