Category: Law Enforcement

MIL-OSI: Range Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) today announced its second quarter 2025 financial results.

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights –

Cash flow from operating activities of $336 million
Cash flow from operations, before working capital changes, of $301 million
Repurchased $53 million of shares, paid $21 million in dividends, and reduced net debt to $1.2 billion
Capital spending was $154 million, approximately 23% of the annual 2025 budget
Realized price, including hedges, was $3.49 per mcfe
Natural gas differential, including basis hedging, of ($0.50) per mcf to NYMEX
Pre-hedge NGL realizations of $23.73 per barrel – a premium of $0.61 over Mont Belvieu equivalent
Production averaged 2.20 Bcfe per day, approximately 68% natural gas
Improved 2025 production guidance and increased expected lateral footage in year-end inventory, while lowering 2025 capital due to operational efficiencies.

Commenting on the results, Dennis Degner, the Company’s CEO said, “This year is off to a great start with another quarter of efficiency gains and consistent well performance driving strong free cash flow and building operational momentum. Our strong financial results supported $74 million in share repurchases and dividends, while lowering net debt to $1.2 billion. We believe Range is well positioned to benefit as in-basin demand opportunities materialize alongside a global call on natural gas. Range is one of the few producers in Appalachia with sufficient high-quality inventory to support the required growth in baseload supply. Further, Range’s continued efficiencies are supported by our countercyclical investments in drilled inventory over the last 18 months and consistent well results. Importantly, we intend to help meet future demand increases while also returning significant capital to shareholders.”

Financial Discussion

Except for generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) reported amounts, specific expense categories exclude non-cash impairments, unrealized mark-to-market adjustment on derivatives, non-cash stock compensation and other items shown separately on the attached tables. “Unit costs” as used in this release are composed of direct operating, transportation, gathering, processing and compression, taxes other than income, general and administrative, interest and depletion, depreciation and amortization costs divided by production. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a definition of non-GAAP financial measures and the accompanying tables that reconcile each non-GAAP measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Second Quarter 2025 Results

GAAP revenues and other income for second quarter 2025 totaled $856 million, GAAP net cash provided from operating activities (including changes in working capital) was $336 million, and GAAP net income was $238 million ($0.99 per diluted share). Second quarter earnings results include a $155 million mark-to-market derivative gain due to decreases in commodity prices.

Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital, a non-GAAP measure, was $301 million. Adjusted net income comparable to analysts’ estimates, a non-GAAP measure, was $158 million ($0.66 per diluted share) in second quarter 2025.

The following table details Range’s second quarter 2025 unit costs per mcfe^(a):

Expenses	2Q 2025 (per mcfe)		2Q 2024 (per mcfe)		Increase (Decrease)

Direct operating^(a)	$	0.11	$	0.11	0	%
Transportation, gathering, processing and compression^(a)		1.52		1.44	6	%
Taxes other than income		0.04		0.03	33	%
General and administrative^(a)		0.16		0.16	0	%
Interest expense^(a)		0.13		0.14	(7	%)
Total cash unit costs^(b)		1.97		1.88	5	%
Depletion, depreciation and amortization (DD&A)		0.46		0.45	2	%
Total unit costs plus DD&A^(b)	$	2.43	$	2.33	4	%

(a) Excludes stock-based compensation, one-time settlements, and amortization of deferred financing costs.
(b) Totals may not be exact due to rounding.

The following table details Range’s average production and realized pricing for second quarter 2025^(a):

	2Q25 Production & Realized Pricing
		Natural Gas (mcf)			Oil (bbl)			NGLs (bbl)		Natural Gas Equivalent (mcfe)
		Natural Gas (mcf)			Oil (bbl)			NGLs (bbl)		Natural Gas Equivalent (mcfe)

Net production per day			1,497,771			6,382			110,209		2,197,321

Average NYMEX price		$	3.44		$	63.72		$	23.12
Differential, including basis hedging			(0.50	)		(10.95	)		0.61
Realized prices before NYMEX hedges			2.94			52.77			23.73		3.35
Settled NYMEX hedges			0.19			1.45			0.15		0.14
Average realized prices after hedges		$	3.13		$	54.22		$	23.88	$	3.49

(a) Totals may not be exact due to rounding

Second quarter 2025 natural gas, NGLs and oil price realizations (including the impact of cash-settled hedges and derivative settlements) averaged $3.49 per mcfe.

The average natural gas price, including the impact of basis hedging, was $2.94 per mcf, or a ($0.50) per mcf differential to NYMEX. Range continues to expect its 2025 natural gas differential to average ($0.40) to ($0.48) relative to NYMEX.
Range’s pre-hedge NGL price during the quarter was $23.73 per barrel, approximately $0.61 above the Mont Belvieu weighted equivalent. Range is improving its expected 2025 NGL differential to average +$0.40 to +$1.25 relative to a Mont Belvieu equivalent barrel.
Crude oil and condensate price realizations, before realized hedges, averaged $52.77 per barrel, or $10.95 below WTI (West Texas Intermediate). Range continues to expect its 2025 condensate differential to average ($10.00) to ($15.00) relative to NYMEX.

Repurchase Activity and Financial Position

During the second quarter, Range repurchased 1,453,438 shares at an average price of approximately $36.35 per share. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had approximately $900 million of availability under the share repurchase program.

In May 2025, Range paid off the remaining principal balance of its 4.875% senior notes due 2025 at par by utilizing cash on hand and by borrowing on the bank credit facility. As of June 30, 2025, Range had net debt outstanding of approximately $1.22 billion, consisting of $1.1 billion of senior notes, $125 million on the facility, and $0.1 million in cash.

Capital Expenditures and Operational Activity

Second quarter 2025 drilling and completion expenditures were $136 million. In addition, during the quarter, approximately $11 million was invested in acreage, and $7 million was invested in infrastructure, pneumatic devices, and other investments. Year-to-date capital investments of $301 million are approximately $10 million below plan as a result of operational efficiencies. As a result, Range is lowering the high-end of its 2025 capital guide to $680 million.

During the quarter, Range drilled ~285,000 lateral feet across 20 wells, while turning to sales ~156,000 lateral feet across 12 wells. The added inventory of drilled but not completed laterals places Range on track to exit 2025 with greater than 400,000 lateral feet of growth inventory to support future development.

The table below summarizes expected 2025 activity plans regarding the number of wells to sales in each area.

	Wells TIL 1H 2025	Remaining 2025	2025 Planned TIL
SW PA Super-Rich	5	3	8
SW PA Wet	17	12	29
SW PA Dry	0	5	5
NE PA Dry	0	4	4
Total Wells	22	24	46

Guidance – 2025

Updated Capital & Production Guidance

Range’s 2025 all-in capital budget is now $650 million – $680 million, improved from prior guidance of $650 million – $690 million. Annual production is now expected to be approximately 2.225 Bcfe per day in 2025, updated from prior guidance of ~2.2 Bcfe per day. Liquids are expected to be over 30% of production.

Updated Full Year 2025 Expense Guidance

	Updated Guidance	Prior Guidance
Direct operating expense:	$0.12 – $0.13 per mcfe	$0.12 – $0.14 per mcfe
Transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense:	$1.50 – $1.55 per mcfe	$1.50 – $1.55 per mcfe
Taxes other than income:	$0.03 – $0.04 per mcfe	$0.03 – $0.04 per mcfe
Exploration expense:	$24 – $28 million	$24 – $28 million
G&A expense:	$0.17 – $0.18 per mcfe	$0.17 – $0.19 per mcfe
Net Interest expense:	$0.12 – $0.13 per mcfe	$0.12 – $0.13 per mcfe
DD&A expense:	$0.45 – $0.46 per mcfe	$0.45 – $0.46 per mcfe
Net brokered gas marketing expense:	$8 – $12 million	$8 – $12 million

Updated Full Year 2025 Price Guidance

Based on recent market indications, Range expects to average the following price differentials for its production in 2025.

	Updated Guidance	Prior Guidance
FY 2025 Natural Gas:⁽¹⁾	NYMEX minus $0.40 to $0.48	NYMEX minus $0.40 to $0.48
FY 2025 Natural Gas Liquids:⁽²⁾	MB plus $0.40 to $1.25 per barrel	MB plus $0.25 to $1.25 per barrel
FY 2025 Oil/Condensate:	WTI minus $10.00 to $15.00	WTI minus $10.00 to $15.00

(1) Including basis hedging
(2) Mont Belvieu-equivalent pricing based on weighting of 53% ethane, 27% propane, 8% normal butane, 4% iso-butane and 8% natural gasoline.

Hedging Status

Range hedges portions of its expected future production volumes to increase the predictability of cash flow and maintain a strong, flexible financial position. Please see the detailed hedging schedule posted on the Range website under Investor Relations – Financial Information.

Range has also hedged basis across the Company’s numerous natural gas sales points to limit volatility between benchmark and regional prices. The combined fair value of natural gas basis hedges as of June 30, 2025, was a net gain of $19.9 million.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to review the financial results is scheduled on Wednesday, July 23 at 8:00 AM Central Time (9:00 AM Eastern Time). Please click here to pre-register for the conference call and obtain a dial in number with passcode.

A simultaneous webcast of the call may be accessed at www.rangeresources.com. The webcast will be archived for replay on the Company’s website until August 23^rd.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the presentation of its financial results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company’s earnings press release contains certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with GAAP. Management believes certain non-GAAP measures may provide financial statement users with meaningful supplemental information for comparisons within the industry. These non-GAAP financial measures may include, but are not limited to Net Income, excluding certain items, Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital, realized prices, Net debt and Cash margin.

Adjusted net income comparable to analysts’ estimates as set forth in this release represents income or loss from operations before income taxes adjusted for certain non-cash items (detailed in the accompanying table) less income taxes. We believe adjusted net income comparable to analysts’ estimates is calculated on the same basis as analysts’ estimates and that many investors use this published research in making investment decisions and evaluating operational trends of the Company and its performance relative to other oil and gas producing companies. Diluted earnings per share (adjusted) as set forth in this release represents adjusted net income comparable to analysts’ estimates on a diluted per share basis. A table is included which reconciles income or loss from operations to adjusted net income comparable to analysts’ estimates and diluted earnings per share (adjusted). On its website, the Company provides additional comparative information on prior periods.

Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital represents net cash provided by operations before changes in working capital and exploration expense adjusted for certain non-cash compensation items. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital (sometimes referred to as “adjusted cash flow”) is widely accepted by the investment community as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company’s ability to generate cash to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is also useful because it is widely used by professional research analysts in valuing, comparing, rating and providing investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In turn, many investors use this published research in making investment decisions. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operations, investing, or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. A table is included which reconciles net cash provided by operations to cash flow from operations before changes in working capital as used in this release. On its website, the Company provides additional comparative information on prior periods for cash flow, cash margins and non-GAAP earnings as used in this release.

The cash prices realized for oil and natural gas production, including the amounts realized on cash-settled derivatives and net of transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense, is a critical component in the Company’s performance tracked by investors and professional research analysts in valuing, comparing, rating and providing investment recommendations and forecasts of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In turn, many investors use this published research in making investment decisions. Due to the GAAP disclosures of various derivative transactions and third-party transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense, such information is now reported in various lines of the income statement. The Company believes that it is important to furnish a table reflecting the details of the various components of each income statement line to better inform the reader of the details of each amount and provide a summary of the realized cash-settled amounts and third-party transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense, which were historically reported as natural gas, NGLs and oil sales. This information is intended to bridge the gap between various readers’ understanding and fully disclose the information needed.

Net debt is calculated as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes this measure is helpful to investors and industry analysts who utilize Net debt for comparative purposes across the industry.

The Company discloses in this release the detailed components of many of the single line items shown in the GAAP financial statements included in the Company’s Annual or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-K or 10-Q. The Company believes that it is important to furnish this detail of the various components comprising each line of the Statements of Operations to better inform the reader of the details of each amount, the changes between periods and the effect on its financial results.

We believe that the presentation of PV₁₀ value of our proved reserves is a relevant and useful metric for our investors as supplemental disclosure to the standardized measure, or after-tax amount, because it presents the discounted future net cash flows attributable to our proved reserves before taking into account future corporate income taxes and our current tax structure. While the standardized measure is dependent on the unique tax situation of each company, PV₁₀ is based on prices and discount factors that are consistent for all companies. Because of this, PV₁₀ can be used within the industry and by credit and security analysts to evaluate estimated net cash flows from proved reserves on a more comparable basis.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) is a leading U.S. independent natural gas and NGL producer with operations focused in the Appalachian Basin. The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. More information about Range can be found at www.rangeresources.com.

Included within this release are certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect Range’s current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “outlook”, “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

All statements, except for statements of historical fact, made within regarding activities, events or developments the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such as those regarding future well costs, expected asset sales, well productivity, future liquidity and financial resilience, anticipated exports and related financial impact, NGL market supply and demand, future commodity fundamentals and pricing, future capital efficiencies, future shareholder value, emerging plays, capital spending, anticipated drilling and completion activity, acreage prospectivity, expected pipeline utilization and future guidance information, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on assumptions and estimates that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information; however, management’s assumptions and Range’s future performance are subject to a wide range of business risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that these goals and projections can or will be met. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information on risks and uncertainties is available in Range’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless required by law, Range undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events after the date they are made.

The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in filings made with the SEC, to disclose proved reserves, which are estimates that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions as well as the option to disclose probable and possible reserves. Range has elected not to disclose its probable and possible reserves in its filings with the SEC. Range uses certain broader terms such as “resource potential,” “unrisked resource potential,” “unproved resource potential” or “upside” or other descriptions of volumes of resources potentially recoverable through additional drilling or recovery techniques that may include probable and possible reserves as defined by the SEC’s guidelines. Range has not attempted to distinguish probable and possible reserves from these broader classifications. The SEC’s rules prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC these broader classifications of reserves. These estimates are by their nature more speculative than estimates of proved, probable and possible reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of actually being realized. Unproved resource potential refers to Range’s internal estimates of hydrocarbon quantities that may be potentially discovered through exploratory drilling or recovered with additional drilling or recovery techniques and have not been reviewed by independent engineers. Unproved resource potential does not constitute reserves within the meaning of the Society of Petroleum Engineer’s Petroleum Resource Management System and does not include proved reserves. Area wide unproven resource potential has not been fully risked by Range’s management. “EUR”, or estimated ultimate recovery, refers to our management’s estimates of hydrocarbon quantities that may be recovered from a well completed as a producer in the area. These quantities may not necessarily constitute or represent reserves within the meaning of the Society of Petroleum Engineer’s Petroleum Resource Management System or the SEC’s oil and natural gas disclosure rules. Actual quantities that may be recovered from Range’s interests could differ substantially. Factors affecting ultimate recovery include the scope of Range’s drilling program, which will be directly affected by the availability of capital, drilling and production costs, commodity prices, availability of drilling services and equipment, drilling results, lease expirations, transportation constraints, regulatory approvals, field spacing rules, recoveries of gas in place, length of horizontal laterals, actual drilling results, including geological and mechanical factors affecting recovery rates and other factors. Estimates of resource potential may change significantly as development of our resource plays provides additional data.

In addition, our production forecasts and expectations for future periods are dependent upon many assumptions, including estimates of production decline rates from existing wells and the undertaking and outcome of future drilling activity, which may be affected by significant commodity price or drilling cost changes. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, available from our website at www.rangeresources.com or by written request to 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. You can also obtain this Form 10-K on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

SOURCE: Range Resources Corporation

Range Investor Contacts:

Laith Sando
817-869-4267

Matt Schmid
817-869-1538

Range Media Contact:

Mark Windle
724-873-3223

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION


STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Based on GAAP reported earnings with additional
details of items included in each line in Form 10-Q
(Unaudited, In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			%			2025			2024			%
Revenues and other income:
Natural gas, NGLs and oil sales (a)	$	666,638		$	478,450					$	1,458,558		$	1,045,451
Derivative fair value income (loss)		154,747			16,808						(4,210	)		63,406
Brokered natural gas and marketing		33,009			31,393						87,417			60,224
ARO settlement gain (loss) (b)		1			–						1			(26	)
Interest income (b)		1,762			3,376						4,815			6,319
Gain on sale of assets (b)		102			66						164			153
Other (b)		16			16						84			38
Total revenues and other income		856,275			530,109			62	%		1,546,829			1,175,565			32	%

Costs and expenses:
Direct operating		22,616			22,281						47,452			43,945
Direct operating – stock-based compensation (c)		504			471						1,041			968
Transportation, gathering, processing and compression		304,714			281,495						610,823			572,370
Taxes other than income		7,835			4,974						14,822			10,342
Brokered natural gas and marketing		34,183			33,513						91,544			64,408
Brokered natural gas and marketing – stock-based compensation (c)		802			583						1,642			1,291
Exploration		7,562			6,316						13,606			10,518
Exploration – stock-based compensation (c)		366			335						713			659
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties		6,781			1,524						11,355			3,895
General and administrative		32,757			31,372						64,310			65,144
General and administrative – stock-based compensation (c)		9,326			8,482						19,437			18,460
General and administrative – lawsuit settlements		63			287						90			478
Exit costs		8,502			10,094						17,399			20,409
Deferred compensation plan (d)		(88	)		1,240						2,791			7,645
Interest expense		25,630			28,356						53,415			57,472
Interest expense – amortization of deferred financing costs (e)		1,166			1,357						2,542			2,717
Gain on early extinguishment of debt		–			(179	)					(3	)		(243	)
Depletion, depreciation and amortization		91,514			87,598						182,073			174,735
Total costs and expenses		554,233			520,099			7	%		1,135,052			1,055,213			8	%

Income before income taxes		302,042			10,010			2917	%		411,777			120,352			242	%

Income tax expense (benefit)
Current		4,645			2,399						6,645			3,981
Deferred		59,819			(21,093	)					70,502			(4,471	)
		64,464			(18,694	)					77,147			(490	)

Net income	$	237,578		$	28,704			728	%	$	334,630		$	120,842			177	%


Net income Per Common Share
Basic	$	0.99		$	0.12					$	1.40		$	0.50
Diluted	$	0.99		$	0.12					$	1.39		$	0.49

Weighted average common shares outstanding, as reported
Basic		238,187			241,125			-1	%		239,106			240,815			-1	%
Diluted		239,717			242,983			-1	%		240,772			242,766			-1	%


(a) See separate natural gas, NGLs and oil sales information table.
(b) Included in Other income in the 10-Q.
(c) Costs associated with stock compensation and restricted stock amortization, which have been reflected
in the categories associated with the direct personnel costs, which are combined with the cash costs in the 10-Q.
(d) Reflects the change in market value of the vested Company stock held in the deferred compensation plan.
(e) Included in interest expense in the 10-Q.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION


BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands)	June 30,			December 31,
	2025			2024
	(Unaudited)			(Audited)
Assets
Current assets	$	272,616		$	636,982
Derivative assets		51,115			87,098
Natural gas and oil properties, net (successful efforts method)		6,535,097			6,421,700
Other property and equipment, net		2,736			2,465
Operating lease right-of-use assets		170,159			119,838
Other		73,388			79,592
	$	7,105,111		$	7,347,675

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities	$	580,744		$	1,263,247
Asset retirement obligations		1,189			1,189
Derivative liabilities		1,201			9,634

Bank debt		121,092			–
Senior notes, excluding current maturities		1,090,607			1,089,614
Deferred tax liabilities		611,873			541,378
Derivative liabilities		23,187			10,488
Deferred compensation liabilities		64,262			65,233
Operating lease liabilities		109,026			35,737
Asset retirement obligations and other liabilities		143,174			137,181
Divestiture contract obligation		232,062			257,317
		2,978,417			3,411,018

Common stock and retained deficit		4,761,293			4,449,987
Other comprehensive income		582			611
Common stock held in treasury		(635,181	)		(513,941	)
Total stockholders’ equity		4,126,694			3,936,657
	$	7,105,111		$	7,347,675

RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL DEBT AS REPORTED
TO NET DEBT, a non-GAAP measure
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	June 30,			December 31,
	2025			2024			%

Total debt, net of deferred financing costs, as reported	$	1,211,699		$	1,697,883			-29	%
Unamortized debt issuance costs, as reported		13,301			10,819
Less cash and cash equivalents, as reported		(134	)		(304,490	)
Net debt, a non-GAAP measure	$	1,224,866		$	1,404,212			-13	%

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION



CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Unaudited, in thousands)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			2025			2024

Net income	$	237,578		$	28,704		$	334,630		$	120,842
Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided from continuing operations:
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		59,819			(21,093	)		70,502			(4,471	)
Depletion, depreciation and amortization		91,514			87,598			182,073			174,735
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties		6,781			1,524			11,355			3,895
Derivative fair value (income) loss		(154,747	)		(16,808	)		4,210			(63,406	)
Cash settlements on derivative financial instruments		31,466			128,057			36,039			250,430
Divestiture contract obligation, including accretion		8,502			10,062			17,399			20,329
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other		962			1,193			2,144			2,425
Deferred and stock-based compensation		11,047			11,122			26,130			29,337
Gain on sale of assets		(102	)		(66	)		(164	)		(153	)
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt		–			(179	)		(3	)		(243	)

Changes in working capital:
Accounts receivable		96,785			(30,541	)		68,064			76,913
Other current assets		518			(13,461	)		(8,510	)		(22,405	)
Accounts payable		(27,023	)		(17,906	)		9,158			(5,718	)
Accrued liabilities and other		(26,912	)		(19,431	)		(86,754	)		(101,805	)
Net changes in working capital		43,368			(81,339	)		(18,042	)		(53,015	)
Net cash provided from operating activities	$	336,188		$	148,775		$	666,273		$	480,705



RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES, AS REPORTED, TO CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
BEFORE CHANGES IN WORKING CAPITAL, a non-GAAP measure
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			2025			2024
Net cash provided from operating activities, as reported	$	336,188		$	148,775		$	666,273		$	480,705
Net changes in working capital		(43,368	)		81,339			18,042			53,015
Exploration expense		7,562			6,316			13,606			10,518
Lawsuit settlements		63			287			90			478
Non-cash compensation adjustment and other		66			185			(109	)		84
Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital – non-GAAP measure	$	300,511		$	236,902		$	697,902		$	544,800



ADJUSTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			2025			2024
Basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding		238,804			242,647			239,785			242,365
Stock held by deferred compensation plan		(617	)		(1,522	)		(679	)		(1,550	)
Adjusted basic		238,187			241,125			239,106			240,815

Dilutive:
Weighted average shares outstanding		238,804			242,647			239,785			242,365
Dilutive stock options under treasury method		913			336			987			401
Adjusted dilutive		239,717			242,983			240,772			242,766

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION


RECONCILIATION OF NATURAL GAS, NGLs AND OIL SALES
AND DERIVATIVE FAIR VALUE INCOME (LOSS) TO
CALCULATED CASH REALIZED NATURAL GAS, NGLs AND
OIL PRICES WITH AND WITHOUT THIRD-PARTY
TRANSPORTATION, GATHERING, PROCESSING AND
COMPRESSION COSTS, a non-GAAP measure
(Unaudited, In thousands, except per unit data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			%			2025			2024			%
Natural gas, NGLs and Oil Sales components:
Natural gas sales	$	397,955		$	209,652					$	888,332		$	481,127
NGLs sales		238,034			228,285						513,688			484,361
Oil sales		30,649			40,513						56,538			79,963
Total Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil Sales, as reported	$	666,638		$	478,450			39	%	$	1,458,558		$	1,045,451			40	%

Derivative Fair Value Income (Loss), as reported	$	154,747		$	16,808					$	(4,210	)	$	63,406
Cash settlements on derivative financial instruments – (gain) loss:
Natural gas		(29,114	)		(126,194	)					(33,843	)		(247,107	)
NGLs		(1,508	)		(1,978	)					(1,096	)		(1,901	)
Oil		(844	)		115						(1,100	)		(1,422	)
Total change in fair value related to commodity derivatives prior to
settlement, a non-GAAP measure	$	123,281		$	(111,249	)				$	(40,249	)	$	(187,024	)

Transportation, gathering, processing and compression components:
Natural Gas	$	154,704		$	153,040					$	312,223		$	303,152
NGLs		149,209			128,077						297,047			268,351
Oil		801			378						1,553			867
Total transportation, gathering, processing and compression, as reported	$	304,714		$	281,495					$	610,823		$	572,370

Natural gas, NGL and Oil sales, including cash-settled derivatives: (c)
Natural gas sales	$	427,069		$	335,846					$	922,175		$	728,234
NGLs sales		239,542			230,263						514,784			486,262
Oil Sales		31,493			40,398						57,638			81,385
Total	$	698,104		$	606,507			15	%	$	1,494,597		$	1,295,881			15	%

Production of natural gas, NGLs and oil during the periods (a):
Natural Gas (mcf)		136,297,159			136,099,063			0	%		272,260,589			268,749,303			1	%
NGLs (bbls)		10,029,051			9,376,810			7	%		19,949,040			19,137,533			4	%
Oil (bbls)		580,791			593,020			-2	%		1,004,370			1,203,299			-17	%
Gas equivalent (mcfe) (b)		199,956,211			195,918,043			2	%		397,981,049			390,794,295			2	%

Production of natural gas, NGLs and oil – average per day (a):
Natural Gas (mcf)		1,497,771			1,495,594			0	%		1,504,202			1,476,645			2	%
NGLs (bbls)		110,209			103,042			7	%		110,216			105,151			5	%
Oil (bbls)		6,382			6,517			-2	%		5,549			6,612			-16	%
Gas equivalent (mcfe) (b)		2,197,321			2,152,946			2	%		2,198,790			2,147,221			2	%

Average prices, excluding derivative settlements and before third-party
transportation costs:
Natural Gas (per mcf)	$	2.92		$	1.54			90	%	$	3.26		$	1.79			82	%
NGLs (per bbl)	$	23.73		$	24.35			-3	%	$	25.75		$	25.31			2	%
Oil (per bbl)	$	52.77		$	68.32			-23	%	$	56.29		$	66.45			-15	%
Gas equivalent (per mcfe) (b)	$	3.33		$	2.44			36	%	$	3.66		$	2.68			37	%

Average prices, including derivative settlements before third-party
transportation costs: (c)
Natural Gas (per mcf)	$	3.13		$	2.47			27	%	$	3.39		$	2.71			25	%
NGLs (per bbl)	$	23.88		$	24.56			-3	%	$	25.80		$	25.41			2	%
Oil (per bbl)	$	54.22		$	68.12			-20	%	$	57.39		$	67.63			-15	%
Gas equivalent (per mcfe) (b)	$	3.49		$	3.10			13	%	$	3.75		$	3.32			13	%

Average prices, including derivative settlements and after third-party
transportation costs: (d)
Natural Gas (per mcf)	$	2.00		$	1.34			49	%	$	2.24		$	1.58			42	%
NGLs (per bbl)	$	9.01		$	10.90			-17	%	$	10.91		$	11.39			-4	%
Oil (per bbl)	$	52.84		$	67.48			-22	%	$	55.84		$	66.91			-17	%
Gas equivalent (per mcfe) (b)	$	1.97		$	1.66			19	%	$	2.22		$	1.85			20	%

Transportation, gathering and compression expense per mcfe	$	1.52		$	1.44			6	%	$	1.53		$	1.47			4	%

(a) Represents volumes sold regardless of when produced.
(b) Oil and NGLs are converted at the rate of one barrel equals six mcfe based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil to natural gas, which is not necessarily
indicative of the relationship of oil and natural gas prices.
(c) Excluding third-party transportation, gathering, processing and compression costs.
(d) Net of transportation, gathering, processing and compression costs.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION



RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAXES AS REPORTED TO INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
EXCLUDING CERTAIN ITEMS, a non-GAAP measure
(Unaudited, In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			%			2025			2024			%

Income from operations before income taxes, as reported	$	302,042		$	10,010			2917	%	$	411,777		$	120,352			242	%
Adjustment for certain special items:
Gain on the sale of assets		(102	)		(66	)					(164	)		(153	)
ARO settlement (gain) loss		(1	)		–						(1	)		26
Change in fair value related to derivatives prior to settlement		(123,281	)		111,249						40,249			187,024
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties		6,781			1,524						11,355			3,895
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt		–			(179	)					(3	)		(243	)
Lawsuit settlements		63			287						90			478
Exit costs		8,502			10,094						17,399			20,409
Brokered natural gas and marketing – stock-based compensation		802			583						1,642			1,291
Direct operating – stock-based compensation		504			471						1,041			968
Exploration expenses – stock-based compensation		366			335						713			659
General & administrative – stock-based compensation		9,326			8,482						19,437			18,460
Deferred compensation plan – non-cash adjustment		(88	)		1,240						2,791			7,645

Income before income taxes, as adjusted		204,914			144,030			42	%		506,326			360,811			40	%

Income tax expense, as adjusted
Current		4,645			2,399						6,645			3,981
Deferred (a)		42,485			30,728						109,810			79,006

Net income, excluding certain items, a non-GAAP measure	$	157,784		$	110,903			42	%	$	389,871		$	277,824			40	%

Non-GAAP income per common share
Basic	$	0.66		$	0.46			43	%	$	1.63		$	1.15			42	%
Diluted	$	0.66		$	0.46			43	%	$	1.62		$	1.14			42	%

Non-GAAP diluted shares outstanding, if dilutive		239,717			242,983						240,772			242,766



(a) Taxes are estimated to be approximately 23% for 2024 and 2025

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION



RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME, EXCLUDING
CERTAIN ITEMS AND ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER
SHARE, non-GAAP measures
(In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			2025			2024

Net income, as reported	$	237,578		$	28,704		$	334,630		$	120,842
Adjustments for certain special items:
Gain on the sale of assets		(102	)		(66	)		(164	)		(153	)
ARO settlement (gain) loss		(1	)		–			(1	)		26
Gain on early extinguishment of debt		–			(179	)		(3	)		(243	)
Change in fair value related to derivatives prior to settlement		(123,281	)		111,249			40,249			187,024
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties		6,781			1,524			11,355			3,895
Lawsuit settlements		63			287			90			478
Exit costs		8,502			10,094			17,399			20,409
Stock-based compensation		10,998			9,871			22,833			21,378
Deferred compensation plan		(88	)		1,240			2,791			7,645
Tax impact		17,334			(51,821	)		(39,308	)		(83,477	)

Net income, excluding certain items, a non-GAAP measure	$	157,784		$	110,903		$	389,871		$	277,824

Net income per diluted share, as reported	$	0.99		$	0.12		$	1.39		$	0.49
Adjustments for certain special items per diluted share:
Gain on the sale of assets		–			–			–			–
ARO settlement (gain) loss		–			–			–			–
Gain on early extinguishment of debt		–			–			–			–
Change in fair value related to derivatives prior to settlement		(0.51	)		0.46			0.17			0.77
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties		0.03			0.01			0.05			0.02
Lawsuit settlements		–			–			–			–
Exit costs		0.04			0.04			0.07			0.08
Stock-based compensation		0.05			0.04			0.09			0.09
Deferred compensation plan		–			0.01			0.01			0.03
Adjustment for rounding differences		(0.01	)		(0.01	)		–			–
Tax impact		0.07			(0.21	)		(0.16	)		(0.34	)
Dilutive share impact (rabbi trust and other)		–			–			–			–

Net income per diluted share, excluding certain items, a non-GAAP measure	$	0.66		$	0.46		$	1.62		$	1.14

Adjusted earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure:
Basic	$	0.66		$	0.46		$	1.63		$	1.15
Diluted	$	0.66		$	0.46		$	1.62		$	1.14

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION


RECONCILIATION OF CASH MARGIN PER MCFE, a non-
GAAP measure
(Unaudited, In thousands, except per unit data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			2025			2024

Revenues
Natural gas, NGLs and oil sales, as reported	$	666,638		$	478,450		$	1,458,558		$	1,045,451
Derivative fair value income (loss), as reported		154,747			16,808			(4,210	)		63,406
Less non-cash fair value (gain) loss		(123,281	)		111,249			40,249			187,024
Brokered natural gas and marketing, as reported		33,009			31,393			87,417			60,224
Other income, as reported		1,881			3,458			5,064			6,484
Less gain on sale of assets		(102	)		(66	)		(164	)		(153	)
Less ARO settlement		(1	)		–			(1	)		26
Cash revenues		732,891			641,292			1,586,913			1,362,462

Expenses
Direct operating, as reported		23,120			22,752			48,493			44,913
Less direct operating stock-based compensation		(504	)		(471	)		(1,041	)		(968	)
Transportation, gathering and compression, as reported		304,714			281,495			610,823			572,370
Taxes other than income, as reported		7,835			4,974			14,822			10,342
Brokered natural gas and marketing, as reported		34,985			34,096			93,186			65,699
Less brokered natural gas and marketing stock-based compensation		(802	)		(583	)		(1,642	)		(1,291	)
General and administrative, as reported		42,146			40,141			83,837			84,082
Less G&A stock-based compensation		(9,326	)		(8,482	)		(19,437	)		(18,460	)
Less lawsuit settlements		(63	)		(287	)		(90	)		(478	)
Interest expense, as reported		26,796			29,713			55,957			60,189
Less amortization of deferred financing costs		(1,166	)		(1,357	)		(2,542	)		(2,717	)
Cash expenses		427,735			401,991			882,366			813,681

Cash margin, a non-GAAP measure	$	305,156		$	239,301		$	704,547		$	548,781

Mmcfe produced during period		199,956			195,918			397,981			390,794

Cash margin per mcfe	$	1.53		$	1.22		$	1.77		$	1.40

RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
TO CASH MARGIN, a non-GAAP measure
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per unit data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2025			2024			2025			2024

Income before income taxes, as reported	$	302,042		$	10,010		$	411,777		$	120,352
Adjustments to reconcile income before income taxes
to cash margin:
ARO settlements		(1	)		–			(1	)		26
Derivative fair value (income) loss		(154,747	)		(16,808	)		4,210			(63,406	)
Net cash receipts on derivative settlements		31,466			128,057			36,039			250,430
Exploration expense		7,562			6,316			13,606			10,518
Lawsuit settlements		63			287			90			478
Exit costs		8,502			10,094			17,399			20,409
Deferred compensation plan		(88	)		1,240			2,791			7,645
Stock-based compensation (direct operating, brokered natural gas and		10,998			9,871			22,833			21,378
marketing and general and administrative)
Bad debt expense		–			–			–			–
Interest – amortization of deferred financing costs		1,166			1,357			2,542			2,717
Depletion, depreciation and amortization		91,514			87,598			182,073			174,735
Gain on sale of assets		(102	)		(66	)		(164	)		(153	)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt		–			(179	)		(3	)		(243	)
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties		6,781			1,524			11,355			3,895
Cash margin, a non-GAAP measure	$	305,156		$	239,301		$	704,547		$	548,781

The MIL Network –

July 23, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Ultra fast fashion could be taxed to oblivion in France. Could Australia follow suit?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rowena Maguire, Professor of Law and Director of the Centre of Justice, Queensland University of Technology

Ryan McVay/Getty

For centuries, clothes were hard to produce and expensive. People wore them as long as possible. But manufacturing advances have steadily driven down the cost of production. These days, clothing can be produced very cheaply. In the 1990s, companies began churning out fast fashion: low cost versions of high end trends. In the 2010s came ultra fast fashion, where clothes are produced extremely rapidly and intended to be almost disposable.

Ultra fast fashion is deeply unsustainable. Producing it is energy intensive and many low quality items go rapidly to landfill.

In response, France is planning to add a A$16 tax to each item of ultra-fast fashion, require mandatory environmental disclosures and ban advertising and influencer promotions.

To date, Australia has done little about the problem – even though every Australian bought an average of 53 new pieces of clothing as of 2023 and we send 220,000 tonnes of clothes to the dump annually. Responses so far have focused on voluntary schemes, which have done little to help. Policymakers should look overseas.

Ultra-fast fashion companies such as Shein and Temu would be targeted by new French laws, if they are passed.
Arnaud Finistre/Getty

Why is ultra fast fashion such a problem?

About 117 billion pieces of clothing were purchased worldwide in 2023 – about 14 pieces per person. That’s well beyond the limit of five new garments per year experts recommend if we’re to live within our planetary boundaries.

There are many problems with buying too many cheap clothes. Textile manufacturing is surprisingly energy intensive. At present, the industry is responsible for about 2% of global emissions and this is expected to rise steadily. Millions of barrels of oil are used each year to make synthetic fibres such as polyester.

Ultra fast fashion items rely heavily on synthetic fibres. When washed, they produce large volumes of microplastics which go into rivers and oceans. The European Union estimates textiles account for about 20% of freshwater pollution annually. Many ultra cheap clothing items have question marks over how ethically they were produced. Nearly all of these cheap clothes only have one owner before going to the dump.

Australia’s response is minimal

Australia has no national policy on clothing. Circular economy policies and strategies at both federal and state levels don’t tend to focus on textiles.

Australian consumer laws regulate greenwashing of products. In 2023, Australia’s peak competition regulator flagged the textile industry as one with a high rate of concerning claims.

Similarly, Australia’s modern slavery laws require large corporations to identify and address risks of slave labour in their operations. Fashion brands often source materials and labour from regions with high exploitation risks Unfortunately, these laws don’t have penalties attached.

These laws are positive, but still far from the EU’s large-scale efforts to regulate the textile industry.

One promising effort is the voluntary Seamless textile scheme. Voluntary schemes like these are often used as a way to introduce reforms to a previously unregulated sector or industry.

The goal of this scheme is to help brands take responsibility for the entire lifespan of the garments they make or sell. Participating brands and retailers pay a levy which is used to promote clothing repair and rental, expand recycling and run information campaigns. Seamless is meant to help the industry prepare for a potential mandatory scheme in the future. Former Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said she was “not afraid to regulate” last year, but nothing has happened since.

To date, participation has been very limited. Around 60 brands and retailers have signed up. Ultra-fast fashion brands such as Temu and Shein aren’t covered by the scheme, as they’re based overseas.

Ultra-fast fashion rapidly turns into rubbish.
Ernest Rose/Shutterstock

Time for laws with teeth?

France’s planned ultra fashion laws are directly aimed at high-volume, low-cost clothing producers with binding measures such as taxes and advertising bans. If the laws come into effect, France would likely see a substantial drop in the flows of these clothes and the textile waste produced.

By contrast, Australia’s efforts so far aren’t changing things. The Seamless scheme is voluntary, while greenwashing and modern slavery laws rely on disclosures and lack enforcement powers and penalties.

It wouldn’t be easy. At present, Australia lacks laws focused on textiles, while responsibility for clothing imports is split between different government departments and levels of government. The issue of fast fashion often hits local governments hardest in the form of increased waste volumes, for instance, but local governments have no power over the problem. If policymakers did introduce a French-style tax, they would face resistance from the industry and from some consumers.

The upside? France’s approach is far more likely to actually curb the damage done by ultra-fast fashion.

Rowena Maguire receives funding from United Nations Environment Program – Legal Division.

– ref. Ultra fast fashion could be taxed to oblivion in France. Could Australia follow suit? – https://theconversation.com/ultra-fast-fashion-could-be-taxed-to-oblivion-in-france-could-australia-follow-suit-259559

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Doctors shouldn’t be allowed to object to medical care if it harms their patients
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Savulescu, Visiting Professor in Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Distinguished Visiting Professor in Law, University of Melbourne; Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, The University of Melbourne

HRAUN/Getty

A young woman needs an abortion and the reasons, while urgent, are not medical. A United States Navy nurse at Guantánamo Bay is ordered to force-feed a defiant detainee on hunger strike.

These very different real-life cases have one connecting thread: the question of whether a health professional can conscientiously object to carrying out a patient’s request.

Freedom of conscience is often held up as a purely noble principle. But when it’s used to deny health care, it means a single person’s beliefs are dictating what is best for another person’s physical and mental health – which can have devastating, even fatal, results.

In our recent book, Rethinking Conscientious Objection in Healthcare, colleagues and I conclude doctors should not be free to make medical decisions based on their personal beliefs.

It’s not noble to refuse care

Freedom of conscience is strongly – but not absolutely – protected under international human rights law. It is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This principle has often been used for moral purposes: for example, to resist orders to torture or kill.

But after researching use of conscientious objection by health professionals, I have concluded it is seriously flawed when used to deny patients health services. This is especially so when particular doctors have a monopoly on service provision, as is the case with abortion and assisted dying in many rural and regional areas of Australia.

In Australia, doctors are allowed to conscientiously object to abortion, although nearly all states require referral to other service providers or information about how to access the relevant service.

In practice, these laws are not enforced and sometimes disregarded.

A doctor’s refusal can mean patients can be denied the standard of care they need, or indeed, any care at all.

Health-care professionals are not like pacifists refusing conscription into the military, opposing something forced upon them. They freely choose health-care careers that come with obligations and with ethical stances already established by professional codes of conduct.

People are free to hold whatever beliefs they choose, but those beliefs will inevitably close off some options for them. For example, a vegetarian will not be able to work in an abattoir. That is true for every one of us. But what shouldn’t happen is a doctor’s personal beliefs closing off legitimate options for their patient.

4 guiding questions

Instead of personal values, there are four key secular principles we propose that doctors should rely on when deciding how to advise patients about sensitive procedures:
- is it legal?
- is it a just and fair use of any resources that might be limited?
- is it in the interests of the patient’s wellbeing?
- is it what the patient has themselves decided they want?
Of course, there will be times when some of these principles are in conflict – that is when it is important to apply the most crucial ones, the wellbeing of the patient and the patient’s own wishes.

In Ireland in 2012, a young woman named Savita Halappanavar went to an Irish hospital for treatment for her miscarriage. Doctors knew there was no hope of the pregnancy surviving but refused to evacuate her uterus while there was still a fetal heartbeat, for fear of breaching Ireland’s anti-abortion laws. The result: Savita died of septicaemia at 31.

If doctors had put the patient’s wellbeing first, they would have given her that termination, despite the law, and it would have saved her life.

These are the principles that should have been applied to the examples above: the woman seeking an abortion for career reasons or the nurse refusing to force-feed prisoners.

The doctor (or nurse) should ask: Is it what the patient has autonomously decided they want? Will it lead to the best outcome for both their physical and their mental health?

If abortion will promote a woman’s wellbeing, it is in her interests. Hunger strikers should not be force-fed because it violates their autonomy.

An unfair burden

While doctors’ personal values are important, they should not dictate care at the bedside. Not only can this disadvantage the patient, but it places an unfair burden on colleagues who do accept such work, and must carry a disproportionate load of procedures they might find unpleasant and financially unrewarding.

It also creates injustice. Patients who are educated, wealthy and well-connected already find it easier to access health care. Conscientious objection intensifies that unfairness in large swathes of the country because it further limits options.

Two countries with excellent health-care systems, Sweden and Finland, do not permit conscientious objection by medical professionals.

In Australia, it is time we do the same and strongly limit conscientious objection as a legal right for health professionals. We should also ensure those entering the discipline are prepared to take on all procedures relevant to their specialty.

And lastly, but most importantly, we should educate them that the patient’s interests and values must always come first. An individual doctor’s sense of moral authority should not be permitted to morph into medical and moral authoritarianism.

Julian Savulescu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Doctors shouldn’t be allowed to object to medical care if it harms their patients – https://theconversation.com/doctors-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-object-to-medical-care-if-it-harms-their-patients-260003
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
July 23, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: S. 237, Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025

Source: US Congressional Budget Office

Bill Summary

S. 237 would expand eligibility for death, disability, and education benefits provided by the Public Safety Officer’s Benefit (PSOB) program to public safety officers and their beneficiaries if an officer dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a cancer covered under the bill. S. 237 would apply retroactively to officers who die or become disabled on or after January 1, 2020. The bill would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review the list of cancers covered by the bill at least once every three years.

S. 237 also would extend the deadline to file a claim for benefits under the PSOB program for officers and their beneficiaries for officers who die or become permanently and totally disabled from COVID-19. Under current law, the deadline to file such a claim was May 11, 2023, when the public health emergency declared during the coronavirus pandemic ended.

Estimated Federal Cost

The estimated budgetary effect of S. 237 is shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 750 (administration of justice).

Table 1. Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 237
	By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030	2031	2032	2033	2034	2035	2025-2030	2025-2035
	Increases in Direct Spending
Estimated Budget Authority	0	22	50	43	30	26	23	18	17	18	18	171	265
Estimated Outlays	0	15	40	45	34	27	23	19	17	17	18	161	255
	Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation
Estimated Authorization	*	6	15	16	13	11	n.e.	n.e.	n.e.	n.e.	n.e.	61	n.e.
Estimated Outlays	*	5	14	16	13	11	n.e.	n.e.	n.e.	n.e.	n.e.	59	n.e.

Basis of Estimate

CBO assumes that the bill will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2025. The estimate is based on CBO’s analysis of cancer incidence and mortality among the general population of the United States and a review of the medical literature related to cancer incidence and mortality among public safety officers, including firefighters. The estimate is also based on CBO’s projections of the number of deaths among public safety officers that are likely to be related to cancer and the number of officers or their beneficiaries who apply for and receive benefits under the PSOB program.

Background

The PSOB program is administered by DOJ to provide cash benefits to federal, state, and local public safety officers and their beneficiaries in the event of death or permanent and total disability resulting from physical injuries and certain mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Education benefits are also available to eligible spouses and children of officers who die or become disabled in the line of duty. Public safety officers include those working in law enforcement, firefighters, emergency management, and emergency medical services.

The program already provides benefits to World Trade Center responders and their beneficiaries who die or become disabled from cancer from exposure to a carcinogen after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. CBO is unaware of the program approving any death or disability claim related to cancer that does not stem from attacks on September 11, 2001.

Eligibility Under the Bill

Under S. 237, an exposure to a carcinogen would qualify as an injury in the line of duty if an officer later dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of cancer. The bill would direct DOJ to presume that a qualifying injury caused the death or disability if the officer:

Was exposed to a carcinogen while in the line of duty;
Served for at least five years before being diagnosed with cancer; and
Received a diagnosis of cancer within 15 years of leaving service.

The presumption would not apply if DOJ determines, based on competent medical evidence, that the exposure to a carcinogen was not a substantial factor in an officer’s death or disability.

Direct Spending

The PSOB program pays a one-time death benefit to spouses and children or other designated beneficiaries of officers who die in the line of duty. The cost of those benefits is classified in the budget as direct spending. In 2025, the one-time benefit is $448,575; under current law, that amount increases each year to account for inflation.

Cancer Claims. CBO expects that most relatives of potentially eligible officers would apply for benefits. Based on information from DOJ and other similar programs, such as the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, CBO estimates that about 75 percent of claims for cancer-related deaths among public safety officers would ultimately result in benefits being paid to family members or designated beneficiaries. CBO expects that firefighters would account for most claims under the bill.

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on cancer mortality among the general population and a review of medical literature regarding cancer incidence and mortality among firefighters, CBO estimates that, on average, about 40 claims would be filed annually over the 2025-2035 period.

S. 237 also would require benefits to be awarded for cancer deaths occurring between January 1, 2020, and the date of enactment. CBO estimates that about 200 claims would be submitted for officers who died from cancer during that period and that those claims would be filed within three years of enactment.

COVID-19 Claims. Additionally, the bill would extend by three years the deadline to file a claim for death benefits for spouses, children, or other beneficiaries of officers who die from COVID-19. Under current law, an officer is presumed to be eligible by DOJ if the officer was diagnosed with COVID-19 within 45 days of the last day of duty and medical evidence indicates that the officer had the virus or complications from the virus at the time of death. Under current law, the deadline to file such a claim was May 11, 2023, when the public health emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic was lifted. Using information from DOJ about the number of those claims it received between 2020 and 2023 and data from the CDC on COVID-19 mortality, CBO estimates that about 150 claims would be submitted for officers who die from COVID-19.

In total, CBO estimates that under the bill, about 765 claims would be filed over the 2025-2035 period. Based on the amount of time CBO estimates that it would take DOJ to process each eligible claim, CBO estimates that about 530 claims would be approved for benefits over the next decade under S. 237. (About 30 claims filed during that period would be approved after 2035.) Accounting for expected increases in inflation, CBO estimates that enacting S. 237 would increase direct spending by $255 million over the 2025-2035 period.

Spending Subject to Appropriation

By expanding the scope of qualifying deaths and injuries, S. 237 also would increase the number of claimants eligible for disability and education benefits under the PSOB program. Spending for those benefits is subject to the availability of appropriated funds. DOJ also would incur administrative costs to implement the bill. In total, CBO estimates that implanting S. 237 would cost $59 million over the 2025-2030 period (see Table 2). That spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Disability Benefits. Under current law, the PSOB program pays benefits for permanent and total disability resulting from injuries suffered in the line of duty. Under current law, claimants receive a one-time benefit that is the same amount as the death benefit ($448,575 in 2025), which increases each year to account for inflation. In total, CBO estimates that the cost of disability benefits under S. 237 would be $24 million over the 2025-2030 period.

Table 2. Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under S. 237
	By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030	2025-2030
Disability Benefits
Estimated Authorization	0	1	5	7	6	5	24
Estimated Outlays	0	1	5	7	6	5	24
Education Benefits
Estimated Authorization	0	4	9	8	6	5	32
Estimated Outlays	0	3	8	8	6	5	30
Administrative Costs
Estimated Authorization	*	1	1	1	1	1	5
Estimated Outlays	*	1	1	1	1	1	5
Total Changes
Estimated Authorization	*	6	15	16	13	11	61
Estimated Outlays	*	5	14	16	13	11	59

Cancer Claims. S. 237 would designate an exposure to a carcinogen as an injury in the line of duty if an officer later becomes permanently disabled as a direct result of cancer. Using information from DOJ about the historical number of claims, CBO expects that fewer claims for disability benefits would be filed under the bill than claims for death benefits. On that basis, CBO estimates that one claim for disability benefits would be filed for every three claims for death benefits. Additionally, based on conversations with DOJ and subject matter experts, CBO expects that most officers affected by cancer would not meet the permanently and totally disabled threshold. Based on historical approval rates for disability-related claims, CBO estimates that about 50 percent of claims for disability claims would ultimately be approved.

Under the bill, CBO estimates that about 120 claims for disability benefits related to cancer would be filed over the 2025-2030 period. Using information from DOJ about the time it takes to process each claim, CBO estimates that about 50 claims would be approved over the same period. (About 10 additional claims filed during the period would be approved after 2030.)

COVID-19 Claims. S. 237 also would extend by three years the deadline to file a claim for benefits under the PSOB program for officers who become permanently and totally disabled from COVID-19. Using data from DOJ about the number of those claims filed and approved over the 2020-2023 period, CBO estimates that under S. 237 fewer than five claims would be approved for officers who become disabled from COVID-19.

Education Benefits. Under current law, the spouse or children of a public safety officer who dies or becomes permanently disabled from physical injuries and certain mental health conditions may also be eligible for education benefits to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board. The monthly benefit for a full-time student in 2025 is $1,536; that amount is adjusted each year for inflation. Under current law, the maximum duration of benefits is 45 months of full-time education or a proportionate duration of part-time education.

Historical data from the PSOB program indicate that about three claims for education benefits have been approved for every two claims that have been approved for death and disability benefits. On that basis, CBO estimates that about 360 claims stemming from death benefits and about 50 claims stemming from disability benefits will be approved over the 2025-2030 period under S. 237. Using information about the time it takes to process claims for education benefits, CBO estimates that about 650 people will receive benefits over the 2025-2030 period under the bill. In total, CBO estimates that those benefits would cost $30 million over the 2025-2030 period. Those outlays reflect the historical spending patterns for such claims.

Administrative Costs. As discussed above, implementing S. 237 would require DOJ to review more than 150 additional claims annually under the bill. Using information from the agency about the number of staff required to process claims under current law, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would require an additional five people each year to process claims and review the list of eligible cancers at a cost of $1 million annually. In total, CBO estimates that DOJ would incur $5 million in administrative costs over the 2025-2030 period.

Uncertainty

CBO’s cost estimate for S. 237 is subject to significant uncertainty in several areas:

Identifying public safety officers’ rate of incidence and deaths from cancer and COVID-19;
Estimating the number of people who would be eligible to file claims for benefits under the bill;
Calculating the proportion of claims that DOJ would determine to be eligible, which is affected by the latency periods for different cancers and other circumstances specific to each officer’s medical history and lifestyle; and
Anticipating the timing of submissions and the amount of time required to review applications and process claims.

CBO strives for estimates that are in the middle of possible outcomes and each factor in the estimate could be higher or lower than CBO estimates. As a result, enacting the bill could result in higher or lower costs than CBO estimates.

Pay-As-You-Go Considerations

The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in Table 3.

Table 3. CBO’s Estimate of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Effects of S. 237, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025, as Reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on May 20, 2025
	By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030	2031	2032	2033	2034	2035	2025-2030	2025-2035
	Net Increase in the Deficit
Pay-As-You-Go Effect	0	15	40	45	34	27	23	19	17	17	18	161	255

Increase in Long-Term Net Direct Spending and Deficits

CBO estimates that enacting S. 237 would not increase net direct spending by more than $2.5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.

CBO estimates that enacting S. 237 would not increase on‑budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.

Mandates

The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Federal Costs: Jeremy Crimm

Mandates: Erich Dvorak

Estimate Reviewed By

Justin Humphrey
Chief, Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit

Kathleen FitzGerald
Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit

H. Samuel Papenfuss
Deputy Director of Budget Analysis

Phillip L. Swagel

Director, Congressional Budget Office

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Passenger Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault Charges During Flight From Montana to Texas

Source: US FBI

MISSOULA – A New Jersey man accused of sexual assault while flying from Bozeman, Montana to Dallas, Texas admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

The defendant, Bhaveshkumar Dahyabhai Shukla, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Shukla faces up to 2 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. U.S. District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is set for November 19, 2025. Shukla was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on January 26, 2025, Shukla was flying from Bozeman to Dallas on American Airlines. He was seated next to Jane Doe and Doe’s daughter. Jane Doe had a coat on her lap because she was cold. Shukla also placed his coat on his lap and initially acted as if he was sleeping but began using his right hand to rub Jane Doe’s left leg near her pocket on her hip. Jane Doe initially thought Shukla was trying to pick her pocket, so she and her daughter got up and went to the restroom to diffuse the situation.

Shukla continued rubbing Jane Doe’s inner and outer thigh throughout the flight. Doe was scared and firmly told him to “stop touching me.” Shukla said he was sorry and attempted to offer her something out of his bag. He also tried to talk to Jane Doe’s daughter, and Doe responded, “she’s fine. Don’t talk to my daughter.” As the flight continued, the plane hit some turbulence and the flight crew remained seated. Shukla continued to rub Jane Doe’s thigh and, frightened, she turned her back to him, at which point he started rubbing her lower back and buttocks.

A witness seated in the row behind Shukla and Jane Doe confirmed that Shukla inappropriately touched Jane Doe for a large portion of the flight.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The FBI, ICE and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Police conducted the investigation.

XXX

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Do countries have a duty to prevent climate harm? The world’s highest court is about to answer this crucial question

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato

Getty Images

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will issue a highly anticipated advisory opinion overnight to clarify state obligations related to climate change.

It will answer two urgent questions: what are the obligations of states under international law to protect the climate and environment from greenhouse gas emissions, and what are the legal consequences for states that have caused significant harm to Earth’s atmosphere and environment?

ICJ advisory opinions are not legally binding. But coming from the world’s highest court, they provide an authoritative opinion on serious issues that can be highly persuasive.

This advisory opinion marks the culmination of a campaign that began in 2019 when students and youth organisations in Vanuatu – one of the most vulnerable nations to climate-related impacts – persuaded their government to seek clarification on what states should be doing to protect them.

Led by Vanuatu and co-sponsored by 132 member states, including New Zealand and Australia, the United Nations General Assembly formally requested the advisory opinion in March 2023.

More than two years of public consultation and deliberation ensued, leading to this week’s announcement.

What to expect

Looking at the specific questions to be addressed, at least three aspects stand out.

First, the sources and areas of international law under scrutiny are not confined to the UN’s climate change framework. This invites the ICJ to consider a broad range of law – including trans-boundary environmental law, human rights law, international investment law, humanitarian law, trade law and beyond – and to draw on both treaty-related obligations and customary international law.

Such an encyclopaedic examination could produce a complex and integrated opinion on states’ obligations to protect the environment and climate system.

Second, the opinion will address what obligations exist, not just to those present today, but to future generations. This follows acknowledgement of the so-called “intertemporal characteristics” of climate change in recent climate-related court decisions and the need to respond effectively to both the current climate crisis and its likely ongoing consequences.

Third, the opinion won’t just address what obligations states have, but also what the consequences should be for nations:

where they, by their acts and omissions have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment.

Addressing consequences as well as obligations should cause states to pay closer attention and make the ICJ’s advisory more relevant to domestic climate litigation and policy discussions.

Representatives from Pacific island nations gathered outside the International Court of Justice during the hearings.
Michel Porro/Getty Images

Global judicial direction

Two recent court findings may offer clues as to the potential scope of the ICJ’s findings.

Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights published its own advisory opinion on state obligations in response to climate change.

Explicitly connecting fundamental human rights with a healthy ecosystem, this opinion affirmed states have an imperative duty to prevent irreversible harm to the climate system. Moreover, the duty to safeguard the common ecosystem must be understood as a fundamental principle of international law to which states must adhere.

Meanwhile last week, an Australian federal court dismissed a landmark climate case, determining that the Australian government does not owe a duty of care to Torres Strait Islanders to protect them from the consequences of climate change.

The court accepted the claimants face significant loss and damage from climate impacts and that previous Australian government policies on greenhouse gas emissions were not aligned with the best science to limit climate change. But it nevertheless determined that “matters of high or core government policy” are not subject to common law duties of care.

Whether the ICJ will complement the Inter-American court’s bold approach or opt for a more constrained and conservative response is not certain. But now is the time for clear and ambitious judicial direction with global scope.

Implications for New Zealand

Aotearoa New Zealand aspires to climate leadership through its Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019. This set 2050 targets of reducing emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) to net zero, and biogenic methane by 25-47%.

However, actions to date are likely insufficient to meet this target. Transport emissions continue to rise and agriculture – responsible for nearly half of the country’s emissions – is lightly regulated.

Although the government plans to double renewable energy by 2050, it is also in the process of lifting a 2018 ban on offshore gas exploration and has pledged $200 million to co-invest in the development of new fields.

Critics also point out the government has made little progress towards its promise to install 10,000 EV charging stations by 2030 while axing a clean-investment fund.

Although a final decision is yet to be made, the government is also considering to lower the target for cuts to methane emissions from livestock, against advice from the Climate Change Commission.

With the next global climate summit coming up in November, the ICJ opinion may offer timely encouragement for states to reconsider their emissions targets and the ambition of climate policies.

Most countries have yet to submit their latest emissions reduction pledges (known as nationally determined contributions) under the Paris Agreement. New Zealand has made its pledge, but it has been described as “underwhelming”. This may present a chance to adjust ambition upwards.

If the ICJ affirms that states have binding obligations to prevent climate harm, including trans-boundary impacts, New Zealand’s climate change policies and progress to date could face increased legal scrutiny.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Do countries have a duty to prevent climate harm? The world’s highest court is about to answer this crucial question – https://theconversation.com/do-countries-have-a-duty-to-prevent-climate-harm-the-worlds-highest-court-is-about-to-answer-this-crucial-question-261396

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Indianapolis CPA Sentenced for Participation in Illegal Tax Shelter

Source: US State of North Dakota

Defendant Helped Clients in Mississippi and Elsewhere File Returns Claiming False Business Deductions

An Indiana CPA was sentenced yesterday to three years in prison for assisting in the preparation of false tax returns on behalf of clients who participated in an illegal tax shelter.

The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: between 2013 and 2022, Jason L. Crace prepared income tax returns for clients that claimed millions of dollars in false deductions for so-called “royalty payments.” However, as Crace knew, these “royalty payments” were merely circular flows of money designed to give the appearance of genuine business expenses. Typically, a client would send money to bank accounts controlled by scheme promoters who then sent the money — minus a fee — back to a different bank account controlled by the client. In this way, tax shelter participants retained control of the money they transferred, while falsely deducting the transfers as business expenses on their tax returns. One of the scheme’s promoters, Stephen T. Mellinger III, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role promoting the scheme.

In total, Crace’s preparation of false tax returns claiming fraudulent “royalty” deductions caused a loss to the IRS of more than $2.5 million.

In addition to his prison sentence, the court sentenced Crace to serve one year of supervised release and to pay restitution of $2,532,936.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon for the Southern District of Mississippi made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Richard J. Hagerman, William M. Montague, and Matthew C. Hicks of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Five Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Operating One of the Largest Illegal Television Show Streaming Services in the United States

Source: US State of North Dakota

Yesterday, the final judgments were issued for five Nevada men, including a citizen of Germany, who were sentenced on May 29 and 30 to terms of up to 84 months in prison for running Jetflicks, one of the largest illegal television streaming services in the United States.

“The defendants operated Jetflicks, an illegal paid streaming service that made available more television episodes than any licensed streaming service on the market,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This scheme generated millions of dollars in criminal profits, and hurt thousands of U.S. companies and individuals who owned the copyrights to these shows but never received a penny in compensation from Jetflicks. The sentences issued in this case demonstrate the Criminal Division’s commitment to protect American creativity and to ensure that large-scale infringers are brought to justice and punished for their crimes.”

“Digital crimes are not victimless crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “The copyright owners lost millions of dollars as a result of the illegal paid streaming service. These sentences underscore our joint commitment with the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and FBI to deter and disrupt intellectual property crime via thorough investigation and prosecution of those who violate federal intellectual property laws.”

“By building and running one of the largest unauthorized streaming services in the U.S., these individuals not only stole from content creators and legitimate streaming services, they undermined the integrity of our economy and the rule of law,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “These sentencings are a reminder that illegal actions have consequences. The FBI and our partners are unwavering in our commitment to protect intellectual property rights and hold criminals accountable.”

After a 14-day trial that ended in June 2024, a federal jury in the District of Nevada convicted Kristopher Lee Dallmann, 42; Peter H. Huber, 67; Jared Edward Jaurequi, also known as Jared Edwards, 44; Felipe Garcia, 43; and Douglas M. Courson, 65, all of Las Vegas, of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement. The jury also convicted Dallmann of criminal copyright infringement by distribution, criminal copyright infringement by public performance, and money laundering. Subsequently, the court sentenced Dallmann to 84 months in prison; Huber to 18 months in prison; Jaurequi to time served (almost 5 months in prison), 180 days of home confinement, and 500 hours of community service; Garcia to three years probation with 49 days in prison and 1000 hours of community service; and Courson to three years probation with 48 days in prison.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants ran a site called Jetflicks, an online subscription-based service headquartered in Las Vegas, that permitted users to stream and at times download copyrighted television programs without the permission of the relevant copyright owners. At one point, Jetflicks claimed to have 183,285 different television episodes, significantly more than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Prime, or any other licensed streaming service. This was the largest internet piracy case — as measured by the estimated total infringement amount and total number of infringements — ever to go to trial as well as the first illegal streaming case ever to go to trial. The defendants’ conduct harmed every major copyright owner of a television program in the United States. Copyright owners lost millions of dollars from the operation.

Evidence presented at trial showed that the defendants used automated software and computer scripts that ran constantly to scour sites around the world hosting pirated content. The software and scripts would download, process, and store illegal content, and then make it immediately available on servers in the United States and Canada to tens of thousands of paid subscribers located throughout the United States for streaming and/or downloading. The defendants often delivered episodes to subscribers the day after the shows originally aired on television. The service was not only available to subscribers over the internet but specifically designed to work on many different types of devices, platforms, and software.

Each defendant performed at least one and often multiple roles at Jetflicks including management, computer programming and coding, design of the website, applications, and customer interface, technical assistance, content acquisition, subscriptions and revenue, and customer support.

Dallmann reaped millions of dollars in profit from the operation. The government conservatively estimated the value of the copyright infringement in the case at $37.5 million. This included the approximate retail value of the defendants’ reproduction of infringing works to create the Jetflicks inventory as well as the approximate retail value of the streams of pirated television episodes that the defendants provided to subscribers.

The five defendants sentenced were among eight defendants originally indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia in connection with operating Jetflicks. In addition to the defendants just sentenced in Nevada, defendant Darryl Polo previously pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia to four counts of criminal copyright infringement and one count of money laundering for his involvement with Jetflicks as well as an equally large illegal streaming site he ran called iStreamItAll. Similarly, defendant Luis Villarino also previously pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia to conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement. In May 2021, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Virginia sentenced Polo and Villarino to, respectively, 57 months in prison and 12 months and a day in prison.

After the case was transferred to the District of Nevada for trial, defendant Yoany Vaillant was tried separately from the other five remaining defendants. In November 2024, after an eight-day trial, a federal jury convicted Vaillant of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement. Vaillant is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI Las Vegas Field Office.

Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti, Trial Attorney Michael Christin, and Acting Deputy Chief Christopher S. Merriam of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Oliva and Edward G. Veronda for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case. The CCIPS Cybercrime Lab, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada provided significant assistance.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Oklahoma City Duo Plead Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearms Following Shooting at Apartment Complex
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

OKLAHOMA CITY – LARRY WELCH, 29, and JACOB MADISON, 24, both of Oklahoma City, have each pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On May 6, 2025, a federal Grand Jury returned a two-count Indictment, charging both Welch and Madison with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to public record, on April 7, 2025, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a reported shooting at an apartment complex. Witnesses told police that prior to the shooting, they had been involved in a dispute with the shooting suspects, later identified as Welch and Madison. Nobody was injured as a result of the shooting. Officers reviewed nearby surveillance video which showed Welch and Madison opening fire on the unarmed witnesses and then fleeing the complex. Officers canvassed the area, and shortly thereafter arrested Welch and Madison, who were found hiding in a residential backyard shed on a nearby property. Law enforcement also recovered two firearms, which Welch and Madison used during the shooting.

Public records show that both Welch and Madison have lengthy criminal histories. Welch has previous felony convictions that include:
- possession of a firearm after felony conviction in Cherokee County District Court case number CF-2015-629;
- injuring or burning a public building in Mayes County District Court case number CF-2015-0228; and
- feloniously pointing a firearm in Cleveland County District Court case number CF-2019-1389.
Madison has previous felony convictions that include:
- second-degree burglary in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2020-1275;
- knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property in Canadian County District Court case number CF-2022-437; and
- possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, committing a felony with a firearm with a defaced ID number, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia in McClain County District Court case number CF-2023-0072.
On July 16, 2025, both Welch and Madison pleaded guilty, and both admitted they possessed a firearm despite their previous felony convictions.

At sentencing, the defendants face up to 15 years in federal prison each, and fines of up to $250,000.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laney Ellis (SAUSA) is prosecuting the case. SAUSA Ellis is an attorney with City of Oklahoma City whose position is funded by a federal Project Safe Neighborhoods grant awarded to the City of Oklahoma City to enhance efforts to address and reduce violent crime.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

MIL Security OSI –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former Real Estate Podcaster Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Orchestrating $7 Million Ponzi Scheme

Source: US FBI

CLEVELAND – A popular former podcaster was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for orchestrating a real estate Ponzi scheme that took in over $7.3 million from at least 63 victims from across the United States, involving a wide range of income levels and ages.

According to court documents, from October 2017 to March 2022, Matthew Motil, 45, of North Olmsted, was a licensed real estate agent in Ohio who owned and operated several companies. He devised a scheme to defraud investors by using his podcast and other marketing tools to position himself as an expert in the field. Branding himself as the “Cash Flow King,” Motil produced and hosted programs which he promoted through social media and his websites. He also authored a book, “Man on Fire,” to further his credibility with investors. Using a combination of marketing tactics, he solicited prospective investors to invest their money with him and his real estate companies as a lucrative way to generate passive income. Motil provided the victim investors with promissory notes he said were secured by mortgages on properties located throughout Northeast Ohio. Unbeknownst to them, he used the same properties over and over to obtain money from one victim after another, each time providing them with a promissory note purportedly secured by a mortgage. Each victim believed that they were the sole mortgage holder of the investment property and that they would be able to recover their investment through foreclosure if Motil failed to make the payments he promised.

Motil deflected mortgage questions from investors by saying that there were long processing times. As he convinced more people to invest with him, he used those new funds to pay earlier investors to keep the scheme going.

“These victims were deceived and manipulated into handing over their hard-earned money to a shameless and selfish individual for his own benefit,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik for the Northern District of Ohio. “Our office will take action to prosecute anyone who preys on the trusting nature of others.”

Motil also used the victim investors’ money to fund his lifestyle. He funded personal expenses such as leasing a large home on Lake Erie and securing courtside seats to Cleveland Cavaliers home games. He also used the funds to pay his credit cards and financially sustain his fitness businesses.

“The 63 victims of this investment/Ponzi scheme are at the forefront of our work, and this conviction reflects our steadfast commitment to justice on their behalf,” said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Blaine M. Forschen for the Cleveland Field Office. “Together with our federal, state, and local partners on the Secret Service Money Laundering Task Force, we will continue to protect our communities from those who exploit trust and inflict financial harm.”

Motil pleaded guilty to securities fraud and wire fraud on Sept. 5, 2024. U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent imposed the sentence July 18, 2025. Motil was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $5,085,247.08 in restitution.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service Money Laundering Task Force* with significant assistance from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and the former Major Crime Task Force hosted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department. The Office of the United States Trustee for Region 9 – Cleveland, Ohio, also significantly contributed to the case.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erica D. Barnhill for the Northern District of Ohio.

*The United Secret Service Task Force consists of the following agencies: Social Security-OIG, US Postal-OIG, US Postal Inspection Service, USDA-OIG, HUD-OIG, FBI, TIGTA-OIG, IRS-CI, Ohio BCI, Westlake PD, Parma PD, Amherst PD, North Olmsted PD, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, Ohio Investigative Unit, Lorain County Sheriff’s Department, Stark County Prosecutor’s Office, Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office, Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office, Ohio Casino Commission, Richfield PD and North Ridgeville PD.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Five Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Operating One of the Largest Illegal Television Show Streaming Services in the United States

Source: United States Attorneys General

Yesterday, the final judgments were issued for five Nevada men, including a citizen of Germany, who were sentenced on May 29 and 30 to terms of up to 84 months in prison for running Jetflicks, one of the largest illegal television streaming services in the United States.

“The defendants operated Jetflicks, an illegal paid streaming service that made available more television episodes than any licensed streaming service on the market,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This scheme generated millions of dollars in criminal profits, and hurt thousands of U.S. companies and individuals who owned the copyrights to these shows but never received a penny in compensation from Jetflicks. The sentences issued in this case demonstrate the Criminal Division’s commitment to protect American creativity and to ensure that large-scale infringers are brought to justice and punished for their crimes.”

“Digital crimes are not victimless crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “The copyright owners lost millions of dollars as a result of the illegal paid streaming service. These sentences underscore our joint commitment with the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and FBI to deter and disrupt intellectual property crime via thorough investigation and prosecution of those who violate federal intellectual property laws.”

“By building and running one of the largest unauthorized streaming services in the U.S., these individuals not only stole from content creators and legitimate streaming services, they undermined the integrity of our economy and the rule of law,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “These sentencings are a reminder that illegal actions have consequences. The FBI and our partners are unwavering in our commitment to protect intellectual property rights and hold criminals accountable.”

After a 14-day trial that ended in June 2024, a federal jury in the District of Nevada convicted Kristopher Lee Dallmann, 42; Peter H. Huber, 67; Jared Edward Jaurequi, also known as Jared Edwards, 44; Felipe Garcia, 43; and Douglas M. Courson, 65, all of Las Vegas, of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement. The jury also convicted Dallmann of criminal copyright infringement by distribution, criminal copyright infringement by public performance, and money laundering. Subsequently, the court sentenced Dallmann to 84 months in prison; Huber to 18 months in prison; Jaurequi to time served (almost 5 months in prison), 180 days of home confinement, and 500 hours of community service; Garcia to three years probation with 49 days in prison and 1000 hours of community service; and Courson to three years probation with 48 days in prison.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants ran a site called Jetflicks, an online subscription-based service headquartered in Las Vegas, that permitted users to stream and at times download copyrighted television programs without the permission of the relevant copyright owners. At one point, Jetflicks claimed to have 183,285 different television episodes, significantly more than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Prime, or any other licensed streaming service. This was the largest internet piracy case — as measured by the estimated total infringement amount and total number of infringements — ever to go to trial as well as the first illegal streaming case ever to go to trial. The defendants’ conduct harmed every major copyright owner of a television program in the United States. Copyright owners lost millions of dollars from the operation.

Evidence presented at trial showed that the defendants used automated software and computer scripts that ran constantly to scour sites around the world hosting pirated content. The software and scripts would download, process, and store illegal content, and then make it immediately available on servers in the United States and Canada to tens of thousands of paid subscribers located throughout the United States for streaming and/or downloading. The defendants often delivered episodes to subscribers the day after the shows originally aired on television. The service was not only available to subscribers over the internet but specifically designed to work on many different types of devices, platforms, and software.

Each defendant performed at least one and often multiple roles at Jetflicks including management, computer programming and coding, design of the website, applications, and customer interface, technical assistance, content acquisition, subscriptions and revenue, and customer support.

Dallmann reaped millions of dollars in profit from the operation. The government conservatively estimated the value of the copyright infringement in the case at $37.5 million. This included the approximate retail value of the defendants’ reproduction of infringing works to create the Jetflicks inventory as well as the approximate retail value of the streams of pirated television episodes that the defendants provided to subscribers.

The five defendants sentenced were among eight defendants originally indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia in connection with operating Jetflicks. In addition to the defendants just sentenced in Nevada, defendant Darryl Polo previously pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia to four counts of criminal copyright infringement and one count of money laundering for his involvement with Jetflicks as well as an equally large illegal streaming site he ran called iStreamItAll. Similarly, defendant Luis Villarino also previously pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia to conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement. In May 2021, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Virginia sentenced Polo and Villarino to, respectively, 57 months in prison and 12 months and a day in prison.

After the case was transferred to the District of Nevada for trial, defendant Yoany Vaillant was tried separately from the other five remaining defendants. In November 2024, after an eight-day trial, a federal jury convicted Vaillant of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement. Vaillant is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI Las Vegas Field Office.

Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti, Trial Attorney Michael Christin, and Acting Deputy Chief Christopher S. Merriam of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Oliva and Edward G. Veronda for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case. The CCIPS Cybercrime Lab, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada provided significant assistance.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former Taney County Volunteer Firefighter Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography

Source: US FBI

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Hollister, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for sharing child pornography over the internet.

Cameron Allen Ryan, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Ryan to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration. The court ordered Ryan to pay $51,000 in restitution to his victims and a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

Ryan will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.

Ryan pleaded guilty on Dec. 17, 2024, to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. According to court documents, Ryan, who was a volunteer with the Taney County Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to receiving and trading files of child pornography with the undercover FBI agent and other individuals on the internet.

Law enforcement was alerted by a CyberTip made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. On Nov. 28, 2023, an undercover FBI agent downloaded numerous images of minor children which had been posted to an image hosting website by the suspect user profile and began communicating with suspect via email. The undercover officer made contact with the suspect, and the suspect sent a video to the agent that depicted a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The FBI identified Ryan as the suspect user. When officers searched Ryan’s cell phones, one of the phones was logged in to the email account that had been messaging the undercover FBI agent. A forensic analysis of the two phones found over 1800 files containing child pornography.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Taney County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: National Assembly Adopts the 2025 Revenue Laws Amendment Bill

Source: APO

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The National Assembly (NA) today approved the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill, which marks a significant step in the country’s retirement reform agenda.

The Bill proposes changes to several tax laws. It is categorised as a Money Bill, processed under Section 77 of the Constitution and follows extensive consultations led by the Standing Committee on Finance.

The Bill is part of necessary legislative reforms to support the implementation of the two-pot retirement system, which aims to give individuals limited early access to a portion of their retirement savings while preserving the remainder for retirement. The system was implemented in September 2024, and the amendments will provide much-needed clarity for retirement fund members and administrators. The Bill, among other things, clarifies terms like “retirement annuity fund” within the broader legislative context, although some terminology issues will need to be addressed in future updates.

The National Treasury published the draft bill in December 2024. This was followed by extensive public participation in Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance, where public input was received from June 2025 onwards.

With the National Assembly’s approval, the Bill will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for further consideration.

The full committee report (dated July 18, 2025) can be accessed using this link: https://tinyurl.com/3wp2uapb

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: SIRT Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Regina

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on July 22, 2025

On Friday July 18, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) received a notification from the Regina Police Service (RPS) regarding an officer-involved shooting that had just taken place in Regina.

SIRT’s Civilian Executive Director accepted the notification as within SIRT’s mandate and directed an investigation by SIRT.

On the morning of July 18, plainclothes members of RPS were engaged in a homicide investigation. At approximately 10:08 a.m., members observed a 29-year-old male on a bicycle who was wanted in connection with the investigation. The members requested other RPS units attend the area to assist with re-locating the male after contact had been lost. At approximately 10:12 a.m., the male was located by plainclothes members of RPS in the alley between Garnet Street and Athol Street north of 8th Avenue. Two plainclothes members of RPS exited separate unmarked police vehicles and a confrontation took place between the male and police. During that confrontation, members issued verbal commands to the male. One plainclothes member of RPS discharged a single round from a service pistol, striking the male.

RPS immediately called EMS to attend the scene as additional police resources arrived and assessed the male’s injuries. EMS arrived at the scene at approximately 10:17 a.m., and assumed responsibility for the male’s care, pronouncing him deceased at approximately 10:19 a.m.

Following the notification, a SIRT team consisting of the Civilian Executive Director and four SIRT investigators deployed to Regina to begin their investigation. A replica firearm was recovered from the scene and has been seized as an exhibit in SIRT’s investigation.

SIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the male’s death. RPS will maintain responsibility for the investigation that brought police into contact with the individual. As part of the ongoing investigation, SIRT is asking anyone who directly witnessed or may have video of the incident to contact SIRT at sirt@gov.sk.ca.

No further information will be released at this time. A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.

SIRT’s mandate is to investigate alleged cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault or interpersonal violence arising from the actions or omissions of on and off-duty police officers, or while an individual is in police custody.

For updates on SIRT investigations, follow SIRT on X, formerly known as Twitter, at: SIRT_SK.

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For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Supporting Water Infrastructure Security and Resilience

Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today announced a key milestone to safeguard New York’s water infrastructure by developing nation-leading cybersecurity regulations for water and wastewater systems alongside a new cyber grant program and technical assistance to bolster the security and resilience of water and wastewater systems. Following a collaborative multi-agency development process directed by her 2025 State of the State, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released proposed cyber regulations for water and wastewater systems for public comment. In coordination, the Department of Public Service (DPS) also released proposed cyber regulations across water-works corporations, other public utilities, and cable television companies for public comment. The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is also establishing a new cyber grant program and technical assistance for the water and wastewater systems sector. These threat-informed, risk-centric, and cost-balanced minimum standards and accompanying funding and technical assistance will strengthen the cybersecurity posture of water utilities and protect them from increasingly sophisticated and dangerous cyber attacks.

“Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure can have devastating impacts on communities, and we must act now to defend our water and wastewater systems with the same urgency and rigor we bring to other critical sectors,” Governor Hochul said. “These new regulations and grant programs reflect our commitment to protecting public health and safety while helping under-resourced entities modernize for a digital age.”

The agencies worked together to closely align definitions and provisions within each agency’s regulatory and operational requirements, worked to minimize duplicative or conflicting requirements, and streamlined processes. They also aligned regulations with guidance issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for securing information technology and operational technology environments.

Regulated water and wastewater systems will be required to evaluate risks, deploy cybersecurity controls, and implement network monitoring and logging for the largest systems. Regulated entities will also be required to develop and maintain response and recovery plans to support continuity of operations in the event of cyber attacks and to report cybersecurity incidents.

Governor Hochul secured another $500 million for clean water infrastructure in this year’s budget, bringing the state’s total investment to $6 billion since 2017. In addition to these investments, $2.5 million in the FY26 Budget funds a new cyber grant program, Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancements (SECURE), dedicated to the water and wastewater sector. This new grant program will provide competitive grants to support cybersecurity risk assessments and hardening efforts focused on and aligned with the new proposed regulatory requirements. The grant opportunities assist water systems by providing them with the needed resources to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, enhance resiliency, and ensure reliable delivery of clean water for New Yorkers.

Governor Hochul is again expanding the Community Assistance Teams to provide free, expert guidance and tools to help water systems implement cybersecurity best practices in a way that is cost-effective and sustainable. Communities can continue to request a one-on-one consultation with the Teams about their water infrastructure needs, now including cybersecurity. A new Cybersecurity Hub is now available on the EFC’S website to help communities immediately start fortifying their systems. The hub provides training opportunities, recommended actions, and additional resources. This hub will be regularly updated. Communities can continue to request consultations about their water infrastructure needs on the EFC’s website.

The public release by DOH, DEC, and PSC of the proposed regulations marks the latest step in strengthening the reliability and resilience of New York’s water and wastewater systems. DEC will accept public comments until September 3, 2025; DOH until September 14, 2025; and PSC until September 14, 2025. Once adopted, regulated entities will have until January 1, 2027 to comply with DEC and DOH regulations focused on operational technology and until January 1, 2026 to comply with PSC regulations focused on information technology.

New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern said, “As cyber threats to infrastructure continue to rise, these regulations will help water and wastewater system operators better defend against attacks that could disrupt service, threaten public health, or damage trust. We look forward to reviewing public feedback received by all three agencies before finalizing the regulations to support increased resilience and reliability for New York’s water and wastewater systems.”

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “In today’s digital world, we must defend our water and wastewater utilities from cyber attacks that cost money, time, and valuable resources – and can potentially halt water services and threaten public health and the environment. That’s why we’re helping local water systems strengthen their cybersecurity while keeping costs down for communities and ratepayers. Governor Hochul’s initiative reflects New York’s leadership in both cybersecurity and environmental protection, and I’m proud that we are taking swift action to protect our communities.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, DEC is proactively enhancing cybersecurity across our wastewater systems to safeguard our environment, public health, and our nation leading investments in this critical infrastructure. DEC is committed to partnering with state agencies and local governments to protect the communities that rely on these essential services every day from cybersecurity threats.”

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “Cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure are growing in number, intensity, and sophistication. One area of concern is Information Technology (IT). IT systems are utilized across all entities regulated by the Commission and a breach of IT cybersecurity can result in the dissemination of private customer data as well as substantial financial losses to companies. Protection of ratepayers and consumers from cybercriminals is a key reason to pursue stringent IT security for all regulated entities that interact with the public, including gas, electric, telecom, steam, and water providers.”

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “As we move further into the digital age, it’s essential we remain laser-focused on strengthening the cyber security of critical infrastructure. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, the release of these new regulations and grants not only help ensure the security and resilience of water systems in New York, but are charting a path for the rest of the nation to follow.”

New York State Chief Information Officer and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services Dru Rai said, “If we are committed to having the strongest and most robust cybersecurity protections possible, it will take all of us working together in pursuit of that goal. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s exemplary leadership and establishment of the Joint Security Operations Center, New York is already doing more than ever before to defend state agencies and local governments from a wide array of dangerous cyber threats. However, it is critical that we also provide the resources necessary to fully safeguard New York’s water infrastructure and protect the health and safety of our residents in the communities in which they live. I applaud today’s announcement and thank our partners in government for their good work.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Cyber attacks and the need to continuously implement cyber security measures continues to increase across several entities. The new regulations and grant program are imperative for the evaluation of cyber security threats against our water infrastructure and provide the necessary resources to address them head-on. I thank Governor Hochul for her support and collaborative approach to identify, confront, and contain the cyber threats we face in New York State.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Protecting public health starts with ensuring the safety and reliability of the systems that deliver clean water to New Yorkers. These first-in-the-nation cybersecurity regulations, along with new funding to strengthen and modernize our infrastructure, reflect Governor Hochul’s commitment to preparing for evolving threats and ensuring our water systems can recover quickly and continue serving communities safely.”

The new grant program and proposed regulations for the water and wastewater systems sector is the latest step taken by Governor Hochul to strengthen cyber defenses statewide and ensure the resiliency of New York’s critical infrastructure. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York has led the nation in developing smart and effective cybersecurity policy — including establishing nation-leading financial sector regulations, signing landmark legislation to protect New York’s energy grid from cyber threats, strengthening cybersecurity across New York’s municipalities, implementing first-in-the-nation hospital cybersecurity minimum standards, and issuing the first-ever Statewide Cybersecurity Strategy.

Senator Chuck Schumer said, “We must do all we can to protect our vital water infrastructure assets, like dams and drinking water, from cyber attack. That is why I’m pleased that new cybersecurity regulations for New York’s water and wastewater systems and a new grant program will help our communities meet federal standards and build a safer, more resilient New York. When it comes to fighting off cyberattacks, we must work arm-in-arm with state and local governments to prevent future hacks. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in identifying where we are vulnerable and ramping up our joint security efforts.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Protecting our nation’s water systems against cyber attacks is a vital component of our national security, but the sector has long struggled to implement necessary cybersecurity protections. I am grateful that these new regulations and grants will drive necessary change in this sector and help defend our state from crippling attacks targeting essential services. I remain committed to ensuring New York is ready to defend itself against cyber threats and will continue to fight to deliver the resources our state needs to protect our critical infrastructure.”

Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “Increasing cybersecurity protection for our critical infrastructure has been a major priority of Governor Hochul and the Legislature. Through the Governor’s release of the NYS Cybersecurity Strategy in 2023 and the passage of legislation and budgetary support, we are improving our defenses against the always evolving threats. The release of draft regulations for water and wastewater operators is the vital next step to protect the health, safety, and security of all New Yorkers. As a longtime supporter of New York’s nation-leading water infrastructure funding and as an advocate for robust cybersecurity protections, I am very appreciative of the Governor’s efforts here and the great work of New York’s environmental, health, and cybersecurity agencies.”

These initiatives underline the Governor’s commitment to build a safer and more resilient New York, including online. Over the last three years, Governor Hochul has made foundational investments in New York’s cybersecurity by establishing the NYS Joint Security Operations Center (JSOC), standing up the statewide cybersecurity shared services program for counties and municipalities, and expanding the state’s law enforcement cyber capabilities by growing the Computer Crimes Unit, Cyber Analysis Unit, and Internet Crimes Against Children Center at the New York State Police.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Indianapolis CPA Sentenced for Participation in Illegal Tax Shelter

Source: United States Attorneys General 1

Defendant Helped Clients in Mississippi and Elsewhere File Returns Claiming False Business Deductions

An Indiana CPA was sentenced yesterday to three years in prison for assisting in the preparation of false tax returns on behalf of clients who participated in an illegal tax shelter.

The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: between 2013 and 2022, Jason L. Crace prepared income tax returns for clients that claimed millions of dollars in false deductions for so-called “royalty payments.” However, as Crace knew, these “royalty payments” were merely circular flows of money designed to give the appearance of genuine business expenses. Typically, a client would send money to bank accounts controlled by scheme promoters who then sent the money — minus a fee — back to a different bank account controlled by the client. In this way, tax shelter participants retained control of the money they transferred, while falsely deducting the transfers as business expenses on their tax returns. One of the scheme’s promoters, Stephen T. Mellinger III, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role promoting the scheme.

In total, Crace’s preparation of false tax returns claiming fraudulent “royalty” deductions caused a loss to the IRS of more than $2.5 million.

In addition to his prison sentence, the court sentenced Crace to serve one year of supervised release and to pay restitution of $2,532,936.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon for the Southern District of Mississippi made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Richard J. Hagerman, William M. Montague, and Matthew C. Hicks of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pressley Meets with Mahmoud Khalil in Washington, DC
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley First Met Khalil in April During a Visit to ICE Facility Where He Was Unlawfully Detained

Photos | Video

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) met with Mahmoud Khalil in her office in Washington, DC. This is their second meeting after Congresswoman Pressley visited Mr. Khalil in April while he was unjustly detained at an ICE detention center in Basile, Louisiana. She issued the following statement after their meeting:

“Mahmoud is a kind, gentle soul who cares deeply about others’ humanity, and his abduction, detention, and ongoing persecution by the Trump Administration is egregious,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I am deeply relieved that he has been reunited with his wife and his infant son. Our meeting today was fortifying and productive. I look forward to remaining in contact with Mahmoud as we continue work to center the humanity of families in Gaza, address the unjust and unlawful targeting of students exercising their right to free speech, and protect the fundamental, constitutional rights of everyone who calls this country home.”

In their meeting, Congresswoman Pressley and Mr. Khalil discussed a range of topics, including:
- how lawmakers can work towards peace in the Middle East;
- how Congress can address the targeted persecution and doxxing of students by the Trump Administration and right-wing groups;
- Mr. Khalil’s legal proceedings and the implications of his case for U.S. citizens and others; and
- how Congress can protect the constitutional rights of everyone in America.
Congresswoman Pressley also presented Mr. Khalil with a gift for his infant son, Deen.

Photos from their meeting are available here and a short video clip is available here.

In April, Congresswoman Pressley visited the ICE detention facilities in Basile and Jena, where Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil are being unlawfully detained, respectively. Joined by House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02), the Congresswoman’s visit included direct meetings with Ms. Öztürk and Mr. Khalil, two students who have been unlawfully detained by ICE and transported to Louisiana from their homes in retaliation for their protected speech.

In Louisiana, the lawmakers held a media availability outside of the Basile facility to speak about their meetings, renew their calls for their release, demand accountability, and conduct oversight over the ICE facilities they are being held in. Full video of that media availability is available here.

In Boston, Rep. Pressley, Senator Markey, and Congressman McGovern held a press conference to recount their harrowing visit to Louisiana where they met with Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil, who were being unlawfully detained and subjected to inhumane conditions in retaliation for their protected speech. Full video of that press conference is available here.

Rep. Pressley, along with Sens. Warren and Markey, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. Last month, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country.

Earlier this year, the lawmakers sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release. Last week, Pressley, Warren and Markey demanded Secretary of State Rubio released any documents related to her arrest after a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false. Last month, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rumeysa Ozturk, an international student with legal status in a graduate program at Tufts University. Earlier in the week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement following reports of ICE activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

During her time in Congress, Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading advocate for a just and humane criminal legal system, and has visited prisons in Texas, California, and Massachusetts to hear from detainees, advocate for them, and conduct oversight on the conditions in which they are being detained. Rep. Pressley’s visit to Louisiana is a continuation of her advocacy for a People’s Justice Guarantee, her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system.

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MIL OSI USA News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Doctor Charged with Distributing Opioids in Exchange for Sexual Favors and Defrauding New Jersey Medicaid

Source: US FBI

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey doctor was charged with distributing opioids without a legitimate medical purpose, soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions, and defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for visits that never happened, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Ritesh Kalra, 51, of Secaucus, New Jersey, was charged in a 5-count Complaint with 3 counts of distributing opioids outside the usual course of professional practice, not for a legitimate medical purpose, and in exchange for sexual favors, and 2 counts of healthcare fraud. Kalra made his initial appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court and was released on home incarceration and an unsecured $100,000 bond. He also is prohibited from practicing medicine and prescribing medication and will be required to shut down his medical practice while the case is pending.

“Physicians hold a position of profound responsibility—but as alleged, Dr. Kalra used that position to fuel addiction, exploit vulnerable patients for sex, and defraud New Jersey’s public healthcare program. By allegedly exchanging prescriptions for sexual favors and billing Medicaid for ghost appointments, he not only violated the law but endangered lives. Our Office will continue to pursue those who turn their medical licenses into tools for personal gain and sexual gratification.”

– U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“When we seek medical advice and treatment from doctors, we have to assume they have our best interests in mind. This investigation, conducted by the FBI and our partners, illustrates that Dr. Kalra had little regard for actually taking care of his patients. As alleged, he instead used them for his sexual gratification and, in the process, defrauded the state of New Jersey. A patient’s relationship and trust in a physician, while at their most vulnerable, is not something to be exploited for personal gain. We are asking anyone who may be a victim or knows someone who was treated by Dr. Kalra to get in touch with our office at 1-800-CALL-FBI,” stated Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.

“In the fight against the opioid crisis, we often witness the painful struggles of those battling addiction. Rather than offering help, Dr. Kalra exploited his victims at their most vulnerable—using opioids as leverage in exchange for sexual favors—further deepening their addiction and worsening the crisis” stated DEA New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz. “The DEA will continue to work with our partners in making sure those who abuse their professional oath are held accountable.”

“Physicians who recklessly and illegitimately distribute controlled substances undermine critical efforts to battle the opioid crisis and betray their professional responsibility to serve the health and well-being of the public. As alleged, Dr. Kalra took advantage of individuals struggling with addiction all for his own personal gratification,” said Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to address such abuse to protect patients, communities, and taxpayers from such dangerous conduct.”

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Dr. Kalra, an internist in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, allegedly operated a pill mill out of his medical office, where he routinely prescribed high-dose opioids—including oxycodone—and promethazine with codeine to patients without a legitimate medical purpose. Between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, including days when he wrote upwards of 50 prescriptions. Several of Kalra’s former employees reported that female patients complained that Kalra touched them sexually and demanded sexual favors of them, including oral sex, in order to obtain their prescriptions. One patient described being sexually assaulted by Kalra on multiple occasions, including forced anal sex during clinical appointments. Another patient continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra when the patient was incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility and had no contact with Dr. Kalra.

Kalra also allegedly billed for in-person visits and counseling sessions that never occurred. As part of the health care fraud scheme, Kalra’s electronic medical records allegedly contained false progress notes listing fabricated dates of service, and included examination notes that were generally identical from visit to visit and did not record vital signs.

Each count of distributing controlled substances carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Each count of health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest.

Individuals who believe they may be victims of Dr. Kalra or have information about this case may contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or by email at NK-Victim-Assistance@fbi.gov.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited the following law enforcement organizations with the investigation leading to yesterday’s charges: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly; the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Justice; and the Fair Lawn Police Department.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine M. Romano and Jessica R. Ecker and of the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Enforcement Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

25-225 ###

Defense counsel: Michael Baldassare, Esq.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Diamond District Fence Pleads Guilty in Connection with Large Scale Stolen Property Operation

Source: US FBI

The Defendant Operated a Large-Scale Fencing Operation in Manhattan’s Diamond District that Serviced South American Theft Groups that Committed Burglaries Nationwide

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen property that had been transported in interstate commerce. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge William F. Kuntz. When sentenced, Nezhinskiy faces a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment as well as restitution of approximately $2,500,000, and forfeiture of more than $2,500,000.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) announced the guilty plea.

“The defendant’s criminal conduct, purchasing items stolen from homes and businesses nationwide, provided a vital market for South American Theft Groups and other criminals to sell the proceeds of their crimes,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to ensuring that those who facilitate the victimization of people and businesses are brought to justice.”

“For more than five years, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy established a demand for stolen merchandise, which allowed South American Theft Groups to profit from repeated burglaries,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “His purchases perpetuated a ripple of criminality targeting residences and business across the country. The FBI will never tolerate any individual who provides economic support to other criminal actors to continue their illicit operations in our city.”

“This defendant ran a black-market pipeline, buying stolen luxury goods from organized theft crews that targeted homes and businesses,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “It was a deliberate operation that helped professional burglars prey on innocent people. Today’s guilty plea sends a clear message: If you profit off stolen property, we will find you and dismantle your operation. I want to thank our detectives and federal partners for their work on this case.”

“Thanks to the hard work of our Detective Division, working closely with our local and federal partners, the residents of Nassau County can rest easy that we have shut down another criminal group that set out to victimize innocent people,” stated Nassau County Police Commissioner Ryder. “Let this be a message to the South American Theft Groups and anyone who chooses to work with them: our detectives will find you and bring you to justice if you prey on the good people of our County.”

According to court filings and statements the defendant made at today’s guilty plea, between approximately 2020 and 2025, the defendant conspired with his co-defendant, Juan Villar, and others, to receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags, and assorted luxury items that had been stolen outside of the state of New York and transported into New York. Nezhinskiy and Villar regularly served as “fences” for South American Theft Groups, burglary crews based out of South America, who traveled around the United States committing burglaries, typically targeting wealthier neighborhoods or jewelry vendors, and stealing luxury accessories like watches, jewelry, and handbags. Nezhinskiy and Villar’s operation, which consisted of purchasing stolen property from these crews for cash, provided an essential market for the stolen goods, perpetuating the dangerous criminal activities of the burglary and theft crews composed largely of foreign nationals.

As detailed in court filings and the guilty plea, evidence linked Nezhinskiy and Villar to thefts around the country, including at least two dozen residential or commercial burglaries across the United States between 2019 and 2025. Additionally, between October 2022 and January 2024, an undercover detective conducted seven controlled sales of purported stolen property, including high-end handbags and luxury accessories, to Nezhinskiy or Villar, or both, at their business location on 47^th Street in Manhattan’s Diamond District. During these controlled sales, the undercover detective provided the defendants with items that the undercover told the defendants had been stolen, and received cash in exchange for the stolen goods.

Simultaneous with the defendant’s arrest in February 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the location in the Diamond District where Nezhinskiy and Villar operated a pawn shop and seized large quantities of suspected stolen property, including dozens of high-end watches and jewelry. Law enforcement also recovered large quantities of cash and marijuana. A search warrant was also executed at storage units belonging to Nezhinskiy in New Jersey where an additional cache of suspected stolen property was found. From inside Nezhinskiy’s storage units, law enforcement recovered large quantities of luxury goods and clothing, including high-end handbags, wine, sports memorabilia, jewelry, artwork, and power tools consistent with those commonly used in burglaries and opening safes.

On June 16, 2025, Villar pled guilty to conspiring to receive stolen property that had been transported in interstate commerce and is pending sentencing.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division and the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Maffei, Katherine P. Onyshko, and Sean M. Sherman are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

DIMITRIY NEZHINSKIY
Age: 43
North Bergen, New Jersey

JUAN VILLAR
Age: 48
Queens, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-40 (WFK)

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former Stoughton Water Department Employee Sentenced for Tampering with Drinking Water

Source: US FBI

BOSTON – A former Stoughton Water Department employee was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for tampering with the Stoughton drinking water supply.

Robert J. Bullock, Sr., 60, of Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper to a period of time-served (approximately one day) to be followed by three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of one year and one day in prison. In March 2025, Bullock pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a water system. Bullock was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024.

Bullock is a former employee of the Water Department in Stoughton. On the evening of Nov. 29, 2022, Bullock went into one of the Water Department’s pumping stations and turned off the pump that introduces chlorine into drinking water. As a result, insufficiently disinfected water was introduced into the drinking water system.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; and Kathryn Rivera, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Stoughton and Brockton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Tolkoff of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: California Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

Source: US FBI

Defendant is known member of the Norteno gang, a Mexican American gang in Northern California, as well as the Bloods gang and the RideZilla prison gang

BOSTON – A California man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for trafficking and conspiring to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Marcos Haro, 40, of Sacramento, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 14 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In March 2025, Marcos Haro pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; aiding and abetting; and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; aiding and abetting. In April 2023, Marcos Haro was indicted along with his brother Noel Haro.

Noel Haro is a member and influential leader of the “Border Brothers” gang – a large-scale international gang known to be involved in drug, weapon and human trafficking in Southern Arizona with a presence in Nogales, Mexico and the Arizona prison system. Noel Haro is currently serving a life sentence following convictions in Arizona for drug distribution, conspiracy and money laundering. Noel Haro was previously serving his sentence at a facility in Arizona but was transferred to serve his sentence in Massachusetts upon being deemed a security concern due to his alleged influence over other inmates and repeated introduction of cell phones and narcotics into Arizona facilities.

Beginning in or about April 2019, and investigation began into Noel Haro’s attempts to facilitate the trafficking of narcotics to Massachusetts. Investigators monitoring Noel Haro’s inmate calls learned that he was soliciting friends and family members to transport narcotics from Arizona to Massachusetts on his behalf. In April 2022, recorded inmate calls indicated that Noel Haro worked with his brother, Marcos Haro, to arrange drug deals outside of prison.

In June 2022, Marcos Haro agreed to supply a cooperating witness with samples of multiple narcotics, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. Marcos Haro later mailed the narcotics concealed in a purple teddy bear inside a postal package. On July 13, 2022, the package was retrieved and found to contain powdered fentanyl, five counterfeit fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and approximately 3 grams of heroin. On July 25, 2022, during a recorded inmate call, Noel Haro and Marcos Haro discussed selling one pound of methamphetamine to the same individual. On July 27, 2022, investigators retrieved the package sent from Marcos Haro which contained approximately 446.6 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine. On Aug. 10, 2022, Noel Haro directed Marcos Haro to arrange the sale of five pounds of methamphetamine to the same individual. Later, on Sept. 12, 2022, investigators retrieved two packages sent from Marcos Haro, which contained approximately 892.3 grams of 86% pure methamphetamine and approximately 1,320.2 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine.

In October 2022, Marcos and Noel Haro made arrangements to sell an individual 2,000 fentanyl pills. On Nov. 17, 2022, Marcos sent the individual a photograph of a United States Postal Service shipping box, label and receipt. On Nov. 20, 2022, investigators retrieved the package sent by Marcos Haro, which contained approximately 2,000 blue pills, which tested positive for approximately 215.3 grams of fentanyl.

On April 2, 2023, Marcos Haro was arrested in Sacramento, Calif. following a motor vehicle stop. A 9mm handgun with eight live rounds in the magazine and approximately 2.9 grams of suspected fentanyl that field tested positive for the presence of opiates, were found during a subsequent search of the vehicle. Marcos Haro has a lengthy criminal history that includes 10 prior convictions, including a 2016 conviction for possession of a controlled substance while armed and illegal possession of an assault weapon with a large capacity magazine, for which he was sentenced to seven years in prison. Marcos Haro is a known member of the Norteno gang which is a Mexican American gang located in Northern California, as well as the Bloods gang and the RideZilla prison gang.

On July 10, 2025, Noel Haro was sentenced to 188 months in prison.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Department of Correction’s Commissioner Shawn Jenkins made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sacramento Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea E. Porter and Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: Welch to Gaggle with Reporters After GOP’s Sham Hearing on Civil Rights and DEI

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

Welch to gaggle at 4:30 PM, or immediately after the hearing
Assistant Attorney General Dhillon to Testify
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, will gaggle with press immediately following the conclusion of tomorrow’s hearing, entitled “Ending Illegal DEI Discrimination & Preferences: Enforcing Our Civil Rights Laws.”
Witnesses will include Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon; Gene Hamilton, President, America First Legal; and Alabama State Senator Robert Stewart.
Former career staff attorneys at the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division plan to attend the hearing.
Hearing: “Ending Illegal DEI Discrimination & Preferences: Enforcing Our Civil Rights Laws.”
Hearing Time: 2:30 PM
Hearing Location: Dirksen 226
Gaggle with Senator Welch: 4:30 PM or immediately after the hearing concludes; outside of the hearing room
Questions/RSVP: Aaron White; 202-960-0677

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: California Department of Justice Releases Report on Officer-Involved Shooting of Trent Millsap

Source: US State of California

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today released a report on Trent Millsap’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Anaheim, California, which occurred on July 15, 2022. The incident involved members of the Westminster Police Department assigned to the multi-agency West County SWAT. The report is part of the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ’s findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.

“The California Department of Justice remains steadfast in our commitment to working together with all law enforcement partners to ensure an unbiased, transparent, and accountable legal system for every resident of California,” said Attorney General Bonta. “AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool, and our hope is that this report provides understanding that advances towards a safer California for all. We appreciate the law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line carrying out this high-risk operation. At the same time, we recognize that loss of life is always a tragedy, and we express our condolences to Mr. Millsap’s family.”

On July 15, 2022, West County SWAT was tasked with serving a search and arrest warrant on Mr. Millsap for his suspected involvement in a murder committed two days earlier. West County SWAT went to an apartment unit in Anaheim and tried to get Mr. Millsap to surrender. During the course of the operation, a canine was released into the apartment to gain Mr. Millsap’s compliance. At one point, Millsap abruptly lifted his baggy sweatshirt with his left hand and reached toward his waistband with his right hand in a manner consistent with reaching for a concealed weapon. Two Westminster Police Department detectives immediately shot Mr. Millsap in response. Medical care was provided on scene, and Mr. Millsap was taken to the hospital, where he passed away from the gunshot wounds.

AB 1506 requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state. Based upon a thorough investigation and legal analysis of the facts and circumstances of this incident, DOJ concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officers’ use of lethal force was not justified by an actual and reasonable belief of imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury to themselves or others. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officers and no further action will be taken in this case.

As part of its investigation, DOJ has identified four policy recommendations related to this incident. The first recommendation is that Westminster Police Department and West County SWAT revise their policies to require preparation and distribution of a written operational plan that follows National Tactical Officers Association guidelines whenever practical. In this incident, West County SWAT carried out the high-risk operation without a formal written operational plan due to perceived time constraints.

The second recommendation is that Westminster Police Department and West County SWAT revise its de-escalation policy to clarify that personnel must use de-escalation techniques when feasible, and that Westminster Police Department and West County SWAT consider further training and instruction regarding the use of de-escalation techniques. The Westminster Police Department’s current de-escalation policy suggests that the use of de-escalation techniques is optional, whereas, current law (Government Code section 7286) mandates de-escalation when feasible.

The third recommendation is that Cypress Police Department, whose canine was deployed, and West County SWAT further evaluate whether deployment of the canine was appropriate under the circumstances presented. DOJ also recommends that Cypress Police Department and West County SWAT provide further training and instruction regarding the appropriate circumstances for the deployment of a canine to apprehend a suspect.

The fourth recommendation is that Westminster Police Department clarify its uniform and attire policies to address if and when shorts and casual footwear are permitted during an operation.

A copy of the report can be found here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Preventing Bridge Strikes with Enforcement Campaign
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today announced a coordinated public awareness and enforcement campaign to prevent bridge strikes by commercial vehicles and large trucks across New York State. This special enforcement and education campaign, “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right,” which originated at the New York State Department of Transportation, is now being adopted by 16 states and Washington, D.C. from Tuesday, July 22 to Saturday, July 26. In 2024 there were 350 bridge strikes in New York State, usually involving commercial and large truck operators failing to recognize their vehicle’s height or warning signs and resulting in collisions with bridges and overpasses. Operators using consumer-grade GPS can also be guided onto routes with low bridges, and those driving rented box trucks — such as moving trucks — can strike bridges if their drivers are not aware of the vehicle’s height.

“Bridge strikes are 100 percent preventable, but it takes a concerted effort combining the forces of education, enforcement and public awareness to prevent them from occurring, and that’s just what our nationally-adopted ‘Check Your Height, Know it’s Right’ campaign aims to do,” Governor Hochul said. “Traffic safety is an essential element of public safety, and preventing bridge strikes fundamentally increases the safety of the traveling public. Drivers also play an important role in this so I encourage everyone to ‘Check Your Height, Know it’s Right’ before hitting the road, and if you are driving a truck, make sure that you’re utilizing commercial GPS.”

As part of this week’s campaign, State Troopers will focus active patrols in areas across the state where there have been documented bridge strikes by large commercial vehicles. These bridge strikes are most likely to occur on roadways with low railroad bridges, and on New York State Parkways in the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island. Commercial trucks are banned from driving on the parkways, which sometimes have bridge overpasses with a vertical clearance less than many standard commercial vehicles. Bridge strikes cause extensive damage to the vehicle and sometimes to the bridge, and can lead to secondary collisions due to unexpected traffic congestion and subsequent emergency repairs.

In November 2023, the State Department of Transportation launched a social media and video campaign titled “Check Your Height, Know it’s Right” in an effort to educate the traveling public about the importance of preventing bridge strikes. Since then, the Department has worked with the Eastern Transportation Coalition to get other states to adopt the campaign. To date, the following states have adopted the campaign that originated in New York and will be utilizing it to get the word out to the traveling public:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Working with our transportation and law enforcement partners, the Department of Transportation is doing everything it possibly can to prevent bridge strikes across the state, but at the end of the day, commercial vehicle operators also have an important role to play. Before getting on the road, we want everyone to ‘Check Your Height, Know it’s Right.’ I couldn’t be prouder that a campaign that originated here in New York is being adopted all across the eastern seaboard as many other states are dealing with the same issues related to bridge strikes. Working together, we will continue to raise awareness of this important public safety issue and prevent further bridge strikes from occurring.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Preventing bridge strikes isn’t just about protecting infrastructure, it’s about protecting lives. When a large vehicle hits a bridge, the consequences can be severe, resulting in damaged roadways, traffic delays, and serious injuries. That’s why our Troopers proudly join this multi-state effort focused on enforcement and education. We’re committed to holding operators accountable and reminding everyone behind the wheel of a commercial or rental truck to “Check Your Height, Know it’s Right’ before they drive.”

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “I commend the efforts of the Department of Transportation and the Bridge Strike Task Force to tackle this preventable problem. DMV is also taking action through regulatory amendments that will assign eight points to the driving record of a driver who exceeds height limitations and strikes a bridge. No matter whether you are driving a tractor trailer or a pickup truck, you should be aware of what you may encounter on the road. If you know you will be going through an area with potentially lower height bridges, you need to check to make sure your vehicle will fit and if it will not, find an alternate route. ”

New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “The ‘Know Your Height’ campaign is a critical tool in preventing bridge strikes, not just on the New York State Thruway, but on every roadway across our state. Each bridge strike is more than an inconvenience; it poses a serious risk to drivers and the local communities we connect. We proudly stand with Governor Hochul, our partners in state government, and key stakeholders to raise awareness and take meaningful action to ensure safer roads for all New Yorkers.”

New York State Bridge Authority Executive Director Dr. Minosca Alcantara said, “The Bridge Authority is proud to stand with its colleagues across the state and along the eastern seaboard in raising awareness of this critical issue. Bridge strikes are entirely preventable. Just as commercial vehicle operators must know the weight and width of their load and plan their routes accordingly, it is equally essential that they are aware of their vehicle’s height. With a little foresight and responsible trip planning, we can protect human lives and preserve vital infrastructure.”

Trucking Association of New York Vice President of Government Affairs Zach Miller said, “The trucking industry prioritizes the safe and efficient movement of freight. Unfortunately, in New York, we too often see drivers — unfamiliar with our roads, renting larger equipment, or both — striking low-clearance bridges. Such occurrences threaten the efficiency of our already delicate and diverse freight network. We applaud the ‘Check Your Height, Know It’s Right’ campaign — regional education and awareness, and partnership with state agencies will have a meaningful impact in protecting infrastructure, educating drivers, and making our roads safer for everyone.”

MIL OSI USA News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Huffman Introduces Bill to Protect Small Farmers and Producers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

July 22, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) re-introduced legislation that would enshrine the right for small cannabis producers to ship and sell their products directly to consumers. This bill, the Small and Homestead Independent Producers (SHIP) Act, would enable small farmers and producers to operate their businesses within and across state lines. The legislation is specifically targeted to support the smallest family farmers and help them sustain their businesses under a larger federal legalization law.

“Larger, commercialized cannabis operators are infiltrating the market and squeezing out our local farmers in the process,” said Rep. Jared Huffman. “So when the antiquated federal prohibition on cannabis finally gets repealed, we need to have substantial legislation ready to help these small businesses survive. My legislation would ensure that folks can ship their products straight to consumers, which would both help expand small businesses and ensure farmers stay afloat. When full legalization is guaranteed, we must commit to not leaving our smallest family-farmers behind.”

“Nearly 15 years into the experiment of state-level cannabis legalization, the cracks in the system are clear: small and craft producers are being pushed to the margins, safe access for consumers and patients is shrinking, and the industry is consolidating into the hands of a few,” said Ross Gordon, Co-Founder at National Craft Cannabis Coalition and Policy Analyst at Origins Council. “Without direct-to-consumer shipping, federal cannabis legalization risks reinforcing these failures instead of correcting them. The SHIP Act is a make-or-break policy for the future of small cannabis businesses in California and across the country.”

“Our state’s DTC framework helps support nearly 1,700 cultivators in a state of 1.2 million people,” said Mark Barnett, Co-Founder at National Craft Cannabis Coalition and Policy Director at Maine Craft Cannabis Association. “Without these opportunities, quality in the legal market will suffer, and consumers will look elsewhere. The SHIP Act would guarantee that small farmers have a pathway to participate in one of the country’s most promising new economic frontiers.”

“The regulation of cannabis has, unfortunately, not equated to adequate access,” said Frederika McClary Easley, President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA). “Many patients and consumers navigate plant deserts that have been created due to municipal opt-outs and zoning restrictions. The SHIP Act will help to address this while prioritizing access for small craft producers, which in turn positively impacts their success and sustainability. MCBA is proud to support this piece of federal legislation that recognizes the importance of craft growing and small businesses as the bedrock of this burgeoning industry.”

This bill is co-sponsored by Representative Val Hoyle.

It is endorsed by National Craft Cannabis Coalition, Minority Cannabis Business Association, National Cannabis Industry Association, Drug Policy Alliance, Parabola Center, Marijuana Justice, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Origins Council, Washington Sun & Craft Growers Association, Vermont Growers Association, Maine Craft Cannabis Association, Humboldt County Growers Alliance, Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, Trinity County Agricultural Alliance, and the Central California Cannabis Club.

Full text of this legislation can be found here.

###

Previous Article

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: Republicans spent the last six months putting more money in billionaires’ pockets and cutting health care

Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – July 22, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Vice Chair Ted Lieu and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene held a press conference on Trump and Republicans’ One Big Ugly Law raising health care costs while sinking Republican chances of holding on to the House.

CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. Grateful to be joined today by DCCC Chair, Suzan DelBene and the Vice Chair, Ted Lieu. At the DCCC today, we had a productive Caucus meeting across the street. Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one. We’re six months into this Trump Administration, and prices are rising because of reckless tariffs, inflation is still too high and now health care costs are going to skyrocket. For the 24 million Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act, health insurance will go up by as much as 75 percent. And these price hikes don’t even include the tax credits that Republicans are going to let expire, so even more Americans are going to see higher costs and could lose their health care coverage. Democrats have been warning about the dangers of the Republican cuts to Medicaid leading to higher prices for everyone. The American people were told that Donald Trump and Republicans were going to turn the economy around and prioritize families. But that couldn’t be further from the truth: they’ve spent the last six months putting more money in billionaires’ pockets and cutting health care. But they did make private jets tax deductible, so there’s that. They’re even shielding Jeffrey Epstein and his associates—including the President of the United States—from accountability, despite promising for years to release the files that implicate those involved. At a time when family budgets are stretched thin, Republicans are only prioritizing the needs of billionaires. It’s not just bad policy that will make the economy worse, it’s a slap in the face to working people who voted to bring down costs. Now, I’ll introduce Vice Chair Ted Lieu.

VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chairman Aguilar. This morning, I went on this interesting website called HouseRepublicanPriceHike.com. And if you go on that website, you can see the increases in grocery prices starting from the beginning of this year. Beef prices, for example, are at an all-time high. Donald Trump promised that he was going to lower inflation on day one. He lied. Inflation has continuously increased. The most recent report has inflation increasing above expectations to 2.7 percent. Core CPI increased even more to 2.9 percent. And what are Congressional Republicans doing? Nothing. In fact, it’s even worse than that. They are actually ending this week early because they’re afraid to cast votes on the Jeffrey Epstein issue.

The Rules Committee is not meeting because they’re afraid to cast votes to release the Epstein files. So you’ve got this Epstein issue affecting Congressional operations and making sure that the Congressional Republicans don’t work on trying to lower costs. So this is an epic cover-up, right? This is a cover-up of epic proportions, where you’ve got the majority party literally having us leave Congress early, and not having the Rules Committee meet, because they don’t want to deal with releasing the Epstein files. We should release the Epstein files. It is what Donald Trump campaigned on. It’s what Attorney General Pam Bondi talked about this February when she said that Epstein’s client list was, ‘sitting on my desk right now.’ Why don’t we have that client list? And these are the questions the American people keep asking, and the story is not going to go away. Because at its core, this is an issue about underage women who were sexually abused and assaulted. Attorney General Pam Bondi should not be protecting Jeffrey Epstein’s legacy, nor his clients, nor should Congressional Republicans be doing the same. With that, it is my honor to introduce our amazing field general for the DCCC, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene. She’s done a fantastic job, and she’s going to discuss what we talked about this morning.

DCCC CHAIR DELBENE: Thanks Vice Chair Lieu and Chairman Aguilar. Good morning, everyone. This morning, in Caucus, we presented how we’re holding House Republicans accountable for their disastrous agenda and our path to retake the majority. We hear over and over and over again from people back home that the top issue for them is affordability and lowering costs—lowering costs for everyday goods. By all accounts, Republicans have failed miserably in the time that they’ve had the trifecta. Prices are still rising, whether it’s housing, health insurance premiums or everyday things like food and groceries. Republicans broke their promise to lower costs. Their Big Ugly Law is just another broken promise. It rips coverage away from millions of people and will raise health care bills for everyone, regardless of what kind of insurance that they have, and it takes food off the table from hungry families and children. It guts funding for rural hospitals and increases ER wait times. Energy bills will go up for families across the country. Republicans did all of this to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest few. Their agenda is cruel, it’s extreme and an absolute disaster, and the American people agree.

In poll after poll, we see that the Republicans’ bill is massively unpopular. The more people learn about it, the more they oppose it. The one lie Republicans keep telling themselves is that voters won’t punish them in the midterms because the American people won’t feel the pain of the cuts until after the election. Aside from the fact that this is exactly the kind of insincere political gamesmanship the public hates, it’s also not true. In a matter of months, millions of people will see their health insurance costs go up by an average of 75 percent—rural hospitals are already announcing they’ll close down and cut services. So no matter how many legislative games that Republicans try to play, there’s no hiding from the facts—the Big Ugly Law will have devastating consequences that will absolutely be felt by working families.

Republicans are poised to lose the majority next year, and they know it. You can tell by the way they’re behaving. They avoid in-person town halls because they’re afraid to face the public when they have to talk about their Big Ugly Bill. House Republicans are headed for the exits. We already have three vulnerable Republicans decide to retire or not run for re-election because they know they’re not going to take the majority. And we know there are more with one foot out the door, who may soon announce that they won’t seek re-election. So in these last six months, Republicans have broken promise after promise, feeding into a larger narrative that reminds everyone that they don’t work for the American people—they work for the elite, the powerful and the billionaires. It’s a theme we hear on the ground day after day, and if House Republicans would take the time to listen to their constituents back home, instead of only working and waiting for Donald Trump to tell them what to do, they would know. But instead, they blindly follow his orders that are hurting our economy and hitting the American families in their pocketbooks, and that’s why they’ll lose the majority.

House Democrats will hold every single vulnerable Republican accountable for their betrayal against their communities when they supported the Big Ugly Bill. We have the better message, we have stronger candidates and public sentiment is on our side. And next year, we’ll have the gavels. Thank you and I’ll turn it back to the Chairman.

Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Scotland: First Minister must reject Trump’s anti-rights agenda

Source: Amnesty International –

Amnesty says meeting with President Trump is a ‘major test’ of the Scottish Government’s commitment to global justice and equality

Call to protect protest rights amid concerns over heavy-handed policing of Pro-Palestinian demonstrations

‘In a moment of global crisis for these values, the question is whether the First Minister will rise to the occasion or remain silent in the face of authoritarian practices’ – Liz Thomson

In a critical moment for global human rights, Amnesty International has called on First Minister John Swinney to stand firm against authoritarian practices and defend the principles of universal human rights and international justice during his meeting with President Donald Trump.

Amnesty has warned that the meeting will be a serious test of the Scottish Government’s stated commitment to human rights – both at home and internationally.

In a letter sent to the First Minister, Amnesty wrote:

‘This meeting will be a major test of the Scottish Government’s commitment to global justice, one which [you must] meet with a resolve to defend universal human rights and to stand against the authoritarian practices of the Trump Administration.’

Amnesty noted that the Trump Administration’s sweeping attacks on civic space, refugee and migrant rights, the rule of law, women’s rights, racial justice, and LGBTI protections have fuelled human rights crises and emboldened anti-rights leaders and movements and said the First Minister must be prepared to challenge those practices when the two meet. The letter continued with:

‘You have said in recent days that it is in Scotland’s interest for you meet with the President. It is in Scotland’s interest that political leaders reject the President’s anti-rights agenda and stand firm against authoritarian practices.’

Amnesty also called on the Scottish Government to ensure Police Scotland and other forces involved in policing the President’s visit uphold the right to peaceful protest– amid growing concern over recent reports of heavy-handed responses to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Liz Thomson, Amnesty International’s Scotland Programme Director said:

“President Trump’s administration has fully embraced authoritarian tactics while furthering an anti-rights agenda – no UK leader should be rolling out the red carpet to welcome him.

“If the Scottish Government wants to be seen as a principled global actor, warm words on human rights must translate into action – especially in high-stakes moments like this.

“The First Minister’s priority during his visit should be to directly challenge the serious human rights violations the Trump administration is responsible for, and to ensure that those who wish o peacefully protest are fully able to without fear of heavy-handed policing.

“This meeting will be a major test of the First Minister’s commitment to human rights and international justice. In a moment of global crisis for these values, the question is whether he will rise to the occasion or remain silent in the face of authoritarian practices.”

MIL OSI NGO –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: EU/China: Joint NGO letter ahead of EU-China Summit
Source: Amnesty International –

Dear President Costa,

Dear President von der Leyen,

We write to urge you to prioritize human rights in the forthcoming European Union (EU)-China Summit to be held in China on July 24-25. At the recent G7 meeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke of a “new China shock,” and urged that G7 members respond with greater cooperation, resilience and alternative approaches. We believe similar ambition should apply to the approach of the EU and its member states regarding the deepening human rights crisis in China, and that new initiatives be publicly articulated at the forthcoming Summit to build on and go beyond existing commitments set out in the March 2019 EU-China Strategic Outlook.

We appreciate the EU’s longtime support to independent civil society and human rights defenders across China, and welcome public remarks, such as strong statements at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, identifying particular cases of concern. We thank the EU for condemning the arbitrary detention of human rights legal activists Xu Yan and Yu Wensheng, who were detained en route to meeting with EU officials. In September 2022, then-High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell helpfully echoed the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) concern that Chinese government policies in the Uyghur region “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.” We acknowledge the recent – the fortieth – round of the EU-China human rights dialogue.

Yet these EU and member states’ initiatives have not deterred Chinese authorities’ wholesale assault on human rights since President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012. He and other officials are confident in their impunity for widespread arbitrary detention, forced assimilation, forced labour and torture in China; and transnational repression, including in Europe. Chinese authorities not only refuse to comply with the vast majority of their international human rights obligations, they also seek to rewrite global human rights norms and weaken key international institutions.

We urge the EU and its member states to confront this human rights crisis—which increasingly affects not only people across China but also people worldwide—with the same determination to identify and commit to alternative approaches as it is now setting out on security and trade issues.

In that spirit, our organizations urge you to use the Summit to ensure justice for victims and survivors of Beijing’s violations and abuses by publicly:
1. Condemning the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity, and the impunity that sustains them, echoing the findings and recommendations of UN bodies, including the August 2022 OHCHR report on Xinjiang, the 2023 reviews of China by the Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the 2024 Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and UN Special Procedures. The EU should reiterate that crimes against humanity are subject to universal jurisdiction, and that those responsible can and should be held criminally responsible and face justice, including in EU member states. The 18 June 2025 announcement by Argentina’s highest criminal court to hear a case brought by Uyghurs alleging Chinese authorities have committed genocide and crimes against humanity should lend confidence and momentum to similar initiatives across EU member states, and to a push for accountability through UN mechanisms. Doing so is consistent with High Representative Kaja Kallas’ March 2025 remarks broadly supporting international law and the need for perpetrators to be “brought to justice.”
2. Calling for the immediate and unconditional releases of human rights defenders who have been detained for their work, naming individuals explicitly, including EU citizen Gui Minhai, Sakharov Prize laureate Ilham Tohti and others identified in the most recent EU statement at the UN Human Rights Council: Gulshan Abbas, Anya Sengdra, Ekpar Asat, Chadrel Rinpoche, Rahile Dawut, Ding Jiaxi, Ding Yuande, Dong Yuyu, Drugdra, Gao Zhen, Gao Zhisheng, Go Sherab Gyatso, Golog Palden, He Fangmei, Huang Qi, Huang Xueqin, Hushtar Isa, Yalkun Isa, Ji Xiaolong, Li Yanhe, Lobsang Gephel, Lobsang, Khedrub, Lu Siwei, Peng Lifa, Qin Yongmin, Ruan Xiaohuan, Semkyi Dolma, Tashi Dorje, Tashpolat Tiyip, Wang Bingzhang, Pastor Wang Yi, Kamile Wayit, Xie Yang, Xu Na, Xu Zhiyong, Yang Hengjun, Yang Maodong, Yu Wensheng, Pastor Zhang Chunlei and Zhang Zhan.
3. Emphasizing the commitments made at the G7 to ending transnational repression (TNR), including abuses undertaken by the Chinese government, both across EU member states and elsewhere. Those commitments can be demonstrated through investigations and prosecutions, while also supporting and protecting individuals and communities who may be or have already been targeted by TNR. These human rights abuses include intimidation, surveillance, threats or acts of physical violence, threats against family members and digital repression, in particular sexual harassment or degrading language targeting women.
4. Reiterating that the EU and its member states are ready to use all tools at their disposal to hold Chinese government officials accountable for human rights violations, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, such as in the context of the selection of the next Dalai Lama.
5. Stressing that the EU expects the Chinese government to comply with its freely-undertaken human rights obligations under international law, and calling for the urgent repeal of laws and criminal provisions incompatible with those obligations, including but not limited to the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Hong Kong Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” “subversion” and “inciting subversion of state power,” and the criminal procedure of “residential surveillance at a designated location,” in line with recommendations by UN human rights bodies.
After 50 years of EU-China relations, the EU should take stock of deepening Chinese government repression inside and outside the country, and express solidarity with people across China who seek to exercise, uphold and defend human rights. The EU’s recent decision to cancel an economic and trade dialogue with the Chinese government over serious differences suggests a willingness to pressure Beijing in new and different ways. Grave and worsening human rights violations by Chinese authorities should motivate new strategies. Without those, people across China—and in Europe—are increasingly at risk.

Amnesty International

Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Chinese Human Rights Defenders

Christian Solidarity Worldwide

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation Front Line Defenders

Hong Kong Watch Human Rights in China Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Without Frontiers International Campaign for Tibet

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) International Service for Human Rights

The Rights Practice

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

World Uyghur Congress
MIL OSI NGO –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: 30 years after Srebrenica, the promise of “never again” rings hollow  

Source: Amnesty International

Dinushka Disanayake attends the anniversary commemorations of the the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia

A week ago, I stood in silence by a graveside and watched as seven coffins were lowered into the soil. But this was no normal funeral. Those being laid to rest had been killed three decades earlier alongside more than 8,300 men and boys, over a period of several days in July 1995. This was Srebrenica and I was there with thousands of others, beneath a hot sun, looking out across a lush valley filled with white marble headstones that fanned out as far as the eye could see.

The seven people being buried were only being laid to rest now because – like many of those brutally executed in the campaign of genocide against Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica – their bodies had been moved multiple times, using heavy machinery, sometimes across hundreds of kilometres and across multiple mass burial sites. All of this a concerted effort to erase the evidence of these massacres and impede future investigations into these crimes. As a result, the remains of nearly a thousand people presumed killed during those days are still missing.

Before coming to the graveside, the mourners and dignitaries had gathered in one of the cavernous halls of a former battery factory. In 1995, it had been the temporary headquarters of a lightly armed Dutch contingent of a UN peacekeeping force assigned to safeguard more than 20,000 civilians seeking refuge from the approaching Army of Republika Srpska. In this same hall, children, women and men had sheltered hoping for protection. But the international community failed to meet its most basic obligations under international humanitarian law, and they were fatally let down.

The so-called UN safe area was overrun. Men and teenage boys were separated from their families and executed. Women and children were forcibly transferred from Srebrenica, and many women and girls were raped and killed.

One of the Mothers of Srebrenica, spoke of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and reminded the audience that silence is never neutral

In this same hall, besuited representatives of governments from around the world now gathered. As promises of “never again” fell from the mouths of these state officials whose governments persist in transferring arms to Israel which has not relented in its genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, I felt the hypocrisy hang heavy from the rafters.

In her speech, Munira Subašić, one of the Mothers of Srebrenica, spoke of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and reminded the audience that grief knows no boundaries and that silence is never neutral.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, and neighbouring Serbia, denial and historical revisionism persist despite the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia finding that the crimes committed in Srebrenica were part of a well-planned and coordinated operation and amounted to a genocide. The masterminds behind the operation, Bosnian Serb leaders Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić, were found guilty of genocide by the same tribunal. Yet justice, truth and reparations remain elusive for many survivors and victims’ families. Far too many perpetrators of this and other crimes have never brought to justice.

Whilst in Srebrenica, I was reminded of other mass graves in Chemmani, near Jaffna, Sri Lanka – and how, earlier this year, routine building excavations had unearthed 19 human skeletons. Yet another mass grave resulting from the bloody assault on Tamil populations in the north of Sri Lanka likely during the civil war. Some of the skeletons were of babies. Another belonged to a child buried under the clay with their UNICEF-issued bag, a toy, a bangle, and a slipper. It was a haunting reminder that no one – no matter how young – was spared from violence and mass killings in a state that has avoided accountability for these crimes since 2009, despite multiple UN resolutions calling for it. Tamil mothers of the disappeared continue to demand justice, truth and accountability as hope fades and time passes.

In Potočari, the commemoration ceremony prompted tears of pain and rage, and a quiet grief. The wounds as fresh as they were 30 years ago.

If world leaders really mean ‘never again’, they must bring a swift end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

For the Mothers of Srebrenica, justice does not lie in the empty words of world leaders that converge in Potočari once a year to shake hands and take photos in front of a sea of graves. “Never again” means stopping genocide before it happens. Justice means knowing where their loved ones are buried, finding out the truth about what happened to them, and seeing the perpetrators held to account in a recognized court of law. It is about reparations, healing and seeing a world in which crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide are prevented and ended.

If world leaders really mean “never again”, they must bring a swift end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They must ensure the perpetrators of international crimes, wherever they occur, are held to account, and they must demonstrate genuine commitment towards justice and human rights for all. The white marble headstones in Potočari should remain on their conscience.

Dinushka Disanayake is Amnesty’s Deputy Director for Europe and attended the anniversary ceremony in Srebrenica.

MIL OSI NGO –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) ministerial committee endorses membership of Sahel countries as non-Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) members

Source: APO

The 2nd Extraordinary Meeting of the GIABA Ministerial Committee (GMC) concluded in Accra, Ghana on the 19th of July, 2025, with a decision to allow the three Sahel countries that have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) as Non-ECOWAS Members.

The Ministers present at the high-level meeting unanimously considered the importance of dealing with insecurity in the region in a collaborative manner. The decision will be transmitted to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the Authority of Heads of State and Government for consideration.

During the session,Nigeria’s Minister of Justice handed over the chairmanship of the GMC to the Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone, who assumes the role as the new Chair of the Committee.

The meeting was officially declared open by the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Media files

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 23, 2025

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