NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI Security: West Linn Man Faces Federal Charges for Unlawfully Possessing Machine Guns, Unregistered Firearms, and Silencers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.—A West Linn, Oregon man has been charged with illegally possessing machine guns, unregistered short-barreled rifles, and firearm silencers.

    Lucas Christopher Perillo, 41, has been charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession of a machinegun and unlawful possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle or silencer.

    According to court documents, on June 17, 2025, FBI agents executed federal search warrants on Perillo, his residence, and his vehicle. Agents located and seized 36 firearms, including three firearms converted with machine gun switches and 13 unregistered short-barreled rifles, firearm silencers, and other firearm parts. 

    Machine gun conversion devices, sometimes referred to as switches, are small attachments used to convert firearms from semi-automatic to fully-automatic.

    On July 11, 2025, Perillo was arrested in West Linn. He made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

    This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Oregon State Police. It is being prosecuted by Parakram Singh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Amarnath Yatra: Over 2.20 lakh devotees have darshan in 12 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Another batch of 6,388 pilgrims departed from Jammu on Tuesday for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, as the total number of devotees who have had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine crossed 2.20 lakh in just 12 days since the pilgrimage began.

    “More than 2.20 lakh yatris have so far performed the Amarnath Yatra since it commenced on July 3,” an official said.

    On Tuesday morning, a fresh group of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys bound for the Kashmir Valley. The first convoy, comprising 103 vehicles and carrying 2,501 pilgrims, departed at 3:26 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, with 145 vehicles and 3,887 pilgrims, left at 4:15 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.

    The India Meteorological Department has predicted widespread light to moderate rainfall across Jammu & Kashmir over the next 24 hours. Authorities confirmed that the movement of pilgrims from the Baltal and Nunwan base camps toward the holy cave would depend on prevailing weather conditions.

    On July 10, the Bhumi Pujan of the sacred Chhari Mubarak (Lord Shiva’s holy mace) was performed at Pahalgam. The Chhari Mubarak was brought to Pahalgam from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar by a group of seers led by its sole custodian, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri. The ceremonial mace was then taken to the Gauri Shankar Temple, where the rituals were conducted. The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, marking the official conclusion of the Yatra.

    In light of heightened security concerns, particularly after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities have implemented a robust multi-tier security system for this year’s pilgrimage.

    An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to bolster the existing security framework, which includes the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. The Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, deploying over 8,500 troops equipped with advanced surveillance and combat technology.

    All transit camps along the route to the base camps and the entire stretch from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to the cave shrine have been placed under heavy security cover.

    This year, the Amarnath Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, spanning a total of 38 days.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Amit Shah hails Bharat Vikas Parishad’s role in nation-building at 63rd Foundation Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, on Monday addressed the 63rd Foundation Day celebration of the Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) in New Delhi, praising the organisation for its six-decade-long contribution to national development and social service. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including retired Supreme Court Judge and National President of the Parishad, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.

    Describing BVP as a living embodiment of India’s civilisational ethos, Shah said the organisation has effectively connected “service with organisation, organisation with values, and values with nation-building.” Inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, BVP has, according to Shah, helped mobilise society’s creative energy through its core principles of dedication (Samarpan), organisation (Sangathan), and values (Sanskar).

    “An institution that works tirelessly for 63 years doesn’t just survive—it thrives on the dedication of countless volunteers. While 63 years may be old in a person’s life, for a service-driven institution like BVP, it marks youthful vibrance,” Shah remarked.

    Shah also honoured the legacy of freedom fighter Hemam Nilamani Singh from Manipur, who was posthumously recognised at the event. Singh, inspired by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, joined the Indian National Army in 1944 and devoted his life to education, service, and linguistic unity.

    Highlighting the reach of BVP, Shah noted that the organisation operates more than 1,600 branches across 412 districts and engages over 84,000 families. BVP has actively contributed to disaster relief, blood donation drives, rural education camps, and moral value-building initiatives in schools across the country.

    Turning to national development, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 and laid out five foundational goals: economic progress, freedom from mental and cultural slavery, pride in India’s heritage, unity and solidarity, and a sense of civic duty. “The Bharat Vikas Parishad has worked silently but powerfully toward these goals for years,” Shah said.

    He highlighted achievements from the last 11 years of Modi’s tenure: the opening of over 55 crore bank accounts, the provision of safe drinking water to 15 crore households, construction of toilets in 12 crore homes, distribution of gas cylinders to 10 crore families, and the building of over 4 crore homes for the poor. He also emphasized the empowerment of women through initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Mudra Yojana, where two-thirds of the loan beneficiaries are women.

    Shah pointed to the government’s efforts to decolonize national symbols and reclaim India’s heritage. From renaming Rajpath to Kartavya Path to replacing colonial insignia in the Indian Navy with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s sword, he said these moves inspire national pride. Other symbolic actions include renaming islands in Andaman-Nicobar as Subhash Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, and Race Course Road as Lok Kalyan Marg.

    “Prime Minister Modi has shown how heritage and development can progress hand-in-hand,” said Shah. “While he built the Ram Temple, he also rolled out 5G and expanded digital payments to every corner of the country—even to vegetable vendors.”

    He also highlighted simultaneous progress in education and technology, citing the New Education Policy’s focus on mother-tongue instruction, and the expansion of premier institutes like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS. India, he said, is emerging as a leader in AI, cybersecurity, drones, and green hydrogen. He connected this progress with national pride initiatives like the establishment of the Sengol in Parliament and the international promotion of Yoga.

  • In reversal, Trump arms Ukraine and threatens sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine on Monday, and threatened sanctions on buyers of Russian exports unless Russia agrees a peace deal, a major policy shift brought on by frustration with Moscow’s ongoing attacks on its neighbour.

    But Trump’s threat of sanctions came with a 50-day grace period, a move that was welcomed by investors in Russia where the rouble recovered from earlier losses and stock markets rose.

    Sitting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he was disappointed in Russian President Vladimir Putin and that billions of dollars of U.S. weapons would go to Ukraine.

    “We’re going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they’ll be sent to NATO,” Trump said, adding that Washington’s NATO allies would pay for them.

    The weapons would include Patriot air defence missiles Ukraine has urgently sought, he said.

    “It’s a full complement with the batteries,” Trump said. “We’re going to have some come very soon, within days.”

    “We have one country that has 17 Patriots getting ready to be shipped … we’re going to work a deal where the 17 will go or a big portion of the 17 will go to the war site.”

    Rutte said Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada all wanted to be a part of rearming Ukraine.

    Trump’s threat to impose so-called secondary sanctions on Russia, if carried out, would be a major shift in Western sanctions policy. Lawmakers from both U.S. political parties are pushing for a bill that would authorise such measures, targeting other countries that buy Russian oil.

    Throughout the more than three-year-old war, Western countries have cut most of their own financial ties to Moscow, but have held back from taking steps that would restrict Russia from selling its oil elsewhere. That has allowed Moscow to continue earning hundreds of billions of dollars from shipping oil to buyers such as China and India.

    “We’re going to be doing secondary tariffs,” Trump said. “If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, it’s very simple, and they’ll be at 100%.”

    A White House official said Trump was referring to 100% tariffs on Russian goods as well as secondary sanctions on other countries that buy its exports. Eighty-five of the 100 U.S. senators are co-sponsoring a bill that would give Trump the authority to impose 500% tariffs on any country that helps Russia, but the chamber’s Republican leaders have been waiting for Trump to give them the go-ahead for a vote.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram he had spoken to Trump and “thanked him for his readiness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace.”

    Zelenskiy held talks with Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg on Monday.

    In Kyiv, people welcomed Trump’s announcement but some were cautious about his intentions.

    “I am pleased that finally European politicians, with their patience and convictions, have slightly swayed him (Trump) to our side, because from the very beginning it was clear that he did not really want to help us,” said Denys Podilchuk, a 39-year-old dentist in Kyiv.

    GRACE PERIOD

    Artyom Nikolayev, an analyst from financial information firm Invest Era, said Trump did not go as far as Russian markets had feared.

    “Trump performed below market expectations. He gave 50 days during which the Russian leadership can come up with something and extend the negotiation track. Moreover, Trump likes to postpone and extend such deadlines,” he said.

    Asked about Trump’s remarks, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an immediate ceasefire was needed to pave the way for a political solution and “whatever can contribute to these objectives will, of course, be important if it is done in line with international law.”

    Since returning to the White House promising a quick end to the war, Trump has sought rapprochement with Moscow, speaking several times with Putin. His administration has pulled back from pro-Ukrainian policies such as backing Kyiv’s membership in NATO and demanding Russia withdraw from all Ukrainian territory.

    But Putin has yet to accept a proposal from Trump for an unconditional ceasefire, which was quickly endorsed by Kyiv. Recent days have seen Russia use hundreds of drones to attack Ukrainian cities.

    Trump said his shift was motivated by frustration with Putin.

    “We actually had probably four times a deal. And then the deal wouldn’t happen because bombs would be thrown out that night and you’d say we’re not making any deals,” he said.

    Last week he said, “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin.”

    Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and holds about one-fifth of Ukraine. Its forces are slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine and Moscow shows no sign of abandoning its main war goals.

    Evelyn Farkas, a former senior Pentagon official who is now executive director of the McCain Institute, said Trump’s moves could eventually turn the tide of the war if Trump ratchets up enforcement of current sanctions, adds new ones and provides new equipment quickly.

    “If Putin’s ministers and generals can be convinced that the war is not winnable they may be willing to push Putin to negotiate, if nothing else but to buy time,” said Farkas.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo to consider Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: 

         The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting tomorrow (July 16) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2025 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         The Second Reading debates on the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 and the Supplementary Medical Professions (Amendment) Bill 2025 will also resume. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bills and their reports are adopted by the Council, the Bills will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         Meanwhile, the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
     
         On Member’s Bill, the Hong Kong Baptist University (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
     
         On Members’ motions, Mr Chan Hak-kan will move a motion on reviewing the priorities for public works to ensure enhanced speed and efficiency of key projects. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Gary Zhang, Mr Adrian Ho, Mr Tony Tse and Mr Dennis Leung will move separate amendments to Mr Chan Hak-kan’s motion.
     
         Mr Frankie Yick will also move a motion on building an elderly-friendly living environment. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Mr Tang Ka-piu, Mr Stanley Li and Mr Tommy Cheung will move separate amendments to Mr Frankie Yick’s motion.
     
         During the meeting, Mr Chan Kin-por and Mr Steven Ho will present the “Independent Commission Against Corruption, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China Annual Report 2024 and Reports of ICAC Advisory Committees” and the “ICAC Complaints Committee Annual Report 2024” respectively, and address the Council.
     
         Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
     
         The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two people died as a result of the collapse of part of a residential building in Tbilisi

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Tbilisi, July 15 (Xinhua) — Two people were killed when the facade of a five-story apartment building collapsed on Vokzalnaya Square in central Tbilisi on Monday, Tbilisi Police Department Director Vazha Siradze said after arriving at the scene.

    Search and rescue operations are continuing at the site of the tragedy, the area is being cleared of debris. Ambulance crews and employees of the Emergency Management Service are working.

    According to Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, the building was declared unsafe and was assigned the fifth category of damage, and could not be restored.

    K. Kaladze stated that the city authorities had met with residents on numerous occasions and offered them participation in a housing replacement program, which would allow the building to be demolished and a new one built. However, according to him, it was not possible to reach an agreement with all residents.

    Immediately after receiving the report of the incident, emergency services were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters immediately evacuated citizens from the adjacent area. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 15, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 15, 2025.

    A warning from the future: the risk if NZ gets climate adaptation policy wrong today
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Logan, Senior Lecturer Above the Bar, Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury Getty Images New Zealand 2050: On the morning of February 27, the sea surged through the dunes south of the small town of Te Taone, riding on the back of Cyclone Harita’s

    ABC’s and CBS’s settlements with Trump are a dangerous step toward the commander in chief becoming the editor-in-chief
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael J. Socolow, Professor of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine Will settlements by news companies with President Donald Trump turn journalists into puppets? MARHARYTA MARKO/iStock Getty Images Plus It was a surrender widely foreseen. For months, rumors abounded that Paramount would eventually settle the seemingly frivolous

    Is there any hope for the internet?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aarushi Bhandari, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Davidson College Hate and mental illness fester online because love and healing seem to be incompatible with profits. Ihor Lukianenko/iStock via Getty Images In 2001, social theorist bell hooks warned about the dangers of a loveless zeitgeist. In “All About Love:

    Hung parliament still likely outcome of Tasmanian election, with Liberals well ahead of Labor in new poll
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A new Tasmanian DemosAU poll gives the Liberals a 34.9–24.7 statewide vote lead over Labor, implying the Liberals will win the most seats but be short of

    Luxon and Peters to miss Cook Islands’ 60th Constitution Day celebrations
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist New Zealand will not send top government representation to the Cook Islands for its 60th Constitution Day celebrations in three weeks’ time. Instead, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will represent Aotearoa in Rarotonga. On August 4, Cook Islands will mark 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.

    Keith Rankin Analysis – Reporting International Migration: Less than the Truth
    Analysis by Keith Rankin. Yesterday I listened to RNZ’s political commentators. The principal topic was an aspect of the recently released May 2025 international migration. Kathryn Ryan starts by reminding us of the “old saying, would the last person to leave New Zealand please turn out the lights” (a saying which has been used in

    Antisemitism plan fails on a number of fronts – a contentious definition of hate is just the start
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Louise Chappell, Scientia Professor, UNSW Sydney The antisemitism strategy presented to the Albanese government has attracted considerable – and wholly justifed – criticism. Produced by Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism, the blueprint falls short in a range of areas essential to good public policy.

    Do I have prostate cancer? Why a simple PSA blood test alone won’t give you the answer
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin M. Koo, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, The University of Queensland Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, with about 26,000 men diagnosed per year. The majority (more than 85%) are aged over 60. Prostate cancer kills around 3,900 Australians a year. Yet most prostate

    Many fish are social, but pesticides are pushing them apart
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kyle Morrison, PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UNSW Sydney Kazakov Maksim, Shutterstock Scientists have detected pesticides in rivers, lakes and oceans worldwide. So what are these pesticides doing to the fish? Long before pesticides reach lethal doses, they can disrupt hormones, impair brain function and

    Almost half of young workers expected to work unpaid overtime, while a quarter aren’t paid compulsory super
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Howe, Associate Dean (Research), Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Anna Kraynova/Shutterstock A young person gets a job, excited to earn their first paycheck. Over time, they realise the hours are long and the payslips small. They are told to stay back to clean up

    Israeli settlers shoot, beat to death 2 Palestinians in latest lynchings
    BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied West Bank Two young Palestinians were shot and beaten to death on their land, and 30 injured, by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. A large group of settlers attacked the rural Palestinian village of Sinjil, in the Ramallah governorate, beating Sayfollah “Saif” Mussalet, 20,

    View from The Hill: Segal’s antisemitism plan gives government controversy, not clarity
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may be rueing what seemed a good idea at the time – the appointment of a special envoy to combat antisemitism (as well as an envoy to combat Islamophobia). Or perhaps Jillian Segal, a former president

    David Robie condemns ‘callous’ health legacy of French, US nuclear bomb tests in Pacific
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – A journalist who was on the Rainbow Warrior voyage to Rongelap last night condemned France for its “callous” attack of an environmental ship, saying “we haven’t forgotten, or forgiven this outrage”. David Robie, the author of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the

    Was the Air India crash caused by pilot error or technical fault? None of the theories holds up – yet
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Guido Carim Junior, Senior Lecturer in Aviation, Griffith University Over the weekend, the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released a preliminary report on last month’s crash of Air India flight 171, which killed 260 people, 19 of them on the ground. The aim of a preliminary report

    Confusing for doctors, inequitable for patients: why Australia’s medicinal cannabis system needs urgent reform
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christine Mary Hallinan, Senior Research Fellow, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne Vanessa Nunes/Getty Images In 2024 alone, Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), authorised at least 979,000 prescription applications for medicinal cannabis

    Treasury warns the government it may not balance the budget or meet its housing targets
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra Kokkai Ng/Getty In the runup to each election, federal treasury produces a “blue book” and a “red book”, with advice tailored to the priorities of the two alternative governments. One of these is given to the incoming

    UNESCO grants World Heritage status to Khmer Rouge atrocity sites – paving the way for other sites of conflict
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Hughes, Associate Professor of Geography, The University of Melbourne A series of atrocity sites of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia have been formally entered onto the World Heritage list, as part of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. This is not only important

    How do you stop an AI model turning Nazi? What the Grok drama reveals about AI training
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron J. Snoswell, Senior Research Fellow in AI Accountability, Queensland University of Technology Anne Fehres and Luke Conroy & AI4Media, CC BY Grok, the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot embedded in X (formerly Twitter) and built by Elon Musk’s company xAI, is back in the headlines after calling

    Author condemns ‘callous’ health legacy of French, US nuclear bomb tests in Pacific
    Asia Pacific Report A journalist who was on the Rainbow Warrior voyage to Rongelap last night condemned France for its “callous” attack of an environmental ship, saying “we haven’t forgotten, or forgiven this outrage”. David Robie, the author of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, said at the launch

    Washington’s war demands – Australia right to refuse committing to a hypothetical conflict with China over Taiwan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Andy. LIU/Shutterstock The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies. Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 15, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 15, 2025.

    A warning from the future: the risk if NZ gets climate adaptation policy wrong today
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Logan, Senior Lecturer Above the Bar, Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury Getty Images New Zealand 2050: On the morning of February 27, the sea surged through the dunes south of the small town of Te Taone, riding on the back of Cyclone Harita’s

    ABC’s and CBS’s settlements with Trump are a dangerous step toward the commander in chief becoming the editor-in-chief
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael J. Socolow, Professor of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine Will settlements by news companies with President Donald Trump turn journalists into puppets? MARHARYTA MARKO/iStock Getty Images Plus It was a surrender widely foreseen. For months, rumors abounded that Paramount would eventually settle the seemingly frivolous

    Is there any hope for the internet?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aarushi Bhandari, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Davidson College Hate and mental illness fester online because love and healing seem to be incompatible with profits. Ihor Lukianenko/iStock via Getty Images In 2001, social theorist bell hooks warned about the dangers of a loveless zeitgeist. In “All About Love:

    Hung parliament still likely outcome of Tasmanian election, with Liberals well ahead of Labor in new poll
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A new Tasmanian DemosAU poll gives the Liberals a 34.9–24.7 statewide vote lead over Labor, implying the Liberals will win the most seats but be short of

    Luxon and Peters to miss Cook Islands’ 60th Constitution Day celebrations
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist New Zealand will not send top government representation to the Cook Islands for its 60th Constitution Day celebrations in three weeks’ time. Instead, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will represent Aotearoa in Rarotonga. On August 4, Cook Islands will mark 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.

    Keith Rankin Analysis – Reporting International Migration: Less than the Truth
    Analysis by Keith Rankin. Yesterday I listened to RNZ’s political commentators. The principal topic was an aspect of the recently released May 2025 international migration. Kathryn Ryan starts by reminding us of the “old saying, would the last person to leave New Zealand please turn out the lights” (a saying which has been used in

    Antisemitism plan fails on a number of fronts – a contentious definition of hate is just the start
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Louise Chappell, Scientia Professor, UNSW Sydney The antisemitism strategy presented to the Albanese government has attracted considerable – and wholly justifed – criticism. Produced by Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism, the blueprint falls short in a range of areas essential to good public policy.

    Do I have prostate cancer? Why a simple PSA blood test alone won’t give you the answer
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin M. Koo, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, The University of Queensland Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, with about 26,000 men diagnosed per year. The majority (more than 85%) are aged over 60. Prostate cancer kills around 3,900 Australians a year. Yet most prostate

    Many fish are social, but pesticides are pushing them apart
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kyle Morrison, PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UNSW Sydney Kazakov Maksim, Shutterstock Scientists have detected pesticides in rivers, lakes and oceans worldwide. So what are these pesticides doing to the fish? Long before pesticides reach lethal doses, they can disrupt hormones, impair brain function and

    Almost half of young workers expected to work unpaid overtime, while a quarter aren’t paid compulsory super
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Howe, Associate Dean (Research), Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Anna Kraynova/Shutterstock A young person gets a job, excited to earn their first paycheck. Over time, they realise the hours are long and the payslips small. They are told to stay back to clean up

    Israeli settlers shoot, beat to death 2 Palestinians in latest lynchings
    BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied West Bank Two young Palestinians were shot and beaten to death on their land, and 30 injured, by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. A large group of settlers attacked the rural Palestinian village of Sinjil, in the Ramallah governorate, beating Sayfollah “Saif” Mussalet, 20,

    View from The Hill: Segal’s antisemitism plan gives government controversy, not clarity
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may be rueing what seemed a good idea at the time – the appointment of a special envoy to combat antisemitism (as well as an envoy to combat Islamophobia). Or perhaps Jillian Segal, a former president

    David Robie condemns ‘callous’ health legacy of French, US nuclear bomb tests in Pacific
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – A journalist who was on the Rainbow Warrior voyage to Rongelap last night condemned France for its “callous” attack of an environmental ship, saying “we haven’t forgotten, or forgiven this outrage”. David Robie, the author of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the

    Was the Air India crash caused by pilot error or technical fault? None of the theories holds up – yet
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Guido Carim Junior, Senior Lecturer in Aviation, Griffith University Over the weekend, the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released a preliminary report on last month’s crash of Air India flight 171, which killed 260 people, 19 of them on the ground. The aim of a preliminary report

    Confusing for doctors, inequitable for patients: why Australia’s medicinal cannabis system needs urgent reform
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christine Mary Hallinan, Senior Research Fellow, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne Vanessa Nunes/Getty Images In 2024 alone, Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), authorised at least 979,000 prescription applications for medicinal cannabis

    Treasury warns the government it may not balance the budget or meet its housing targets
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra Kokkai Ng/Getty In the runup to each election, federal treasury produces a “blue book” and a “red book”, with advice tailored to the priorities of the two alternative governments. One of these is given to the incoming

    UNESCO grants World Heritage status to Khmer Rouge atrocity sites – paving the way for other sites of conflict
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Hughes, Associate Professor of Geography, The University of Melbourne A series of atrocity sites of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia have been formally entered onto the World Heritage list, as part of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. This is not only important

    How do you stop an AI model turning Nazi? What the Grok drama reveals about AI training
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron J. Snoswell, Senior Research Fellow in AI Accountability, Queensland University of Technology Anne Fehres and Luke Conroy & AI4Media, CC BY Grok, the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot embedded in X (formerly Twitter) and built by Elon Musk’s company xAI, is back in the headlines after calling

    Author condemns ‘callous’ health legacy of French, US nuclear bomb tests in Pacific
    Asia Pacific Report A journalist who was on the Rainbow Warrior voyage to Rongelap last night condemned France for its “callous” attack of an environmental ship, saying “we haven’t forgotten, or forgiven this outrage”. David Robie, the author of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, said at the launch

    Washington’s war demands – Australia right to refuse committing to a hypothetical conflict with China over Taiwan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Andy. LIU/Shutterstock The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies. Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Durbin, Kelly, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponization of Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Durbin, Kelly, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponization of Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) led 21 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process.

    In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these predatory actions as an affront to due process. The Senators expressed serious concern over recent reporting of the Trump Administration’s inhumane initiatives of detaining noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, often suddenly dismissing their immigration cases and arresting them without prior notice.

    “These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns,” wrote the Senators. “They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

    “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer,” concluded the Senators.

    The Senators admonished the misuse of expedited removal (ER) as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts, noting that it typically has only been applied to noncitizens upon their arrival or within 14 days of their arrival if they are detained near the border. The widespread use of ER for law-abiding noncitizens entrenched in the United States — including those working or attending school — is unprecedented and violates due process protections.

    The Senators also underscored the insincerity and misleading nature of ICE’s intentions outside these hearings, arguing that ICE often did not give prior notice or explanation of their intentions for fast-track removals surrounding these hearings. This prevents noncitizens from seeking counsel or taking steps to oppose their removals. They also made a series of information requests.

    In addition to Padilla, Durbin, and Kelly, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Senators Padilla and Schiff, as well as Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), and Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), previously sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressing their concern over the deliberate targeting of immigrants trying to follow the legal process at courthouses, including at the San Diego Immigration Court located in the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi, and Acting Director Lyons:

    We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them. Some reports indicated that plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stationed outside of immigration courtrooms had lists of cases marked for dismissal and even photos of the individuals they intended to arrest. Upon the granting of this request by an immigration judge, ICE officers have reportedly arrested individuals or families outside the courtrooms and placed them in a fast-track removal process known as expedited removal (ER). These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.

    ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who “is arriving in the United States” and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States. Individuals subject to ER are mandatorily detained and can be summarily deported without a hearing before a judge, administrative appeal or federal court review, unlike regular removal proceedings. The ER process offers very limited administrative review and no meaningful opportunity for a noncitizen to challenge whether they can legally be placed in ER. There is no real opportunity to provide documentation, for example, that would demonstrate they have continuously resided in the United States for more than two years, or that they were, in fact, admitted or paroled into the United States and therefore not subject to ER. ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.

    Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing. It has been a longstanding practice to dismiss cases that are not a priority for enforcement or that ICE chooses not to prosecute, allowing noncitizens to instead pursue immigration applications affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here, however, many noncitizens were not notified that their cases were being dismissed for a different purpose—to place them in ER—and effectively deny them access to a decision from an immigration judge as well as affirmative applications through USCIS. Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.

    Immigration judges—who are not part of an independent judiciary but housed under the Executive Office of Immigration Review within the Department of Justice—have also received guidance encouraging immigration judges to grant the ICE attorneys’ motion to dismiss “with no additional documentation or briefing” or opportunity for a noncitizen to respond. In some cases, immigration judges were not made aware of the purpose of the dismissal. As a result, immigration judges could not take into account in their dismissal determination that the noncitizen will immediately be placed in ER. In some cases, the immigration judge did not give noncitizens adequate time to respond to ICE motions to dismiss, or ensure those appearing pro se were informed of the consequences of their cases being dismissed. And in some cases, the immigration judge dismissed the case over the strong objections from the noncitizen who wished for their immigration case to continue with the court.

    Noncitizens whose removal proceedings are abruptly dismissed in this manner lose the ability to request relief in immigration court for which they are otherwise eligible, such as asylum or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, or to request that an immigration judge hold their case while they pursue an immigration status with USCIS, such as classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile. Many of these noncitizens who had their cases dismissed had reportedly already submitted an asylum application or other forms of relief to the immigration court, raising serious concerns that their applications were wrongfully denied any consideration. For example, a Mexican transgender woman with no criminal history who came to the United States in 2023 after being subject to abduction and rape by members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico, had applied for asylum; upon her appearance for her court hearing in Portland, Oregon, ICE moved to dismiss her case, the court granted the request, and she was subsequently arrested by ICE agents in the lobby. In another case, ICE requested the dismissal of a case of a Cuban man who entered the United States in 2021 and had an asylum application pending; an immigration judge in the Miami Immigration Court told the asylum seeker he could seek asylum affirmatively from USCIS after the dismissal; instead, ICE arrested and detained him.

    The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, “[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.” Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.

    These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.

    We request responses to the following questions by July 25, 2025:

    1. What specific guidance has DHS or DOJ/EOIR issued regarding the dismissal of standard 240 removal proceedings and the facilitation of enforcement actions in and around immigration courtrooms? Please provide a copy of the relevant guidance, email, memorandum, or other directives associated with this policy.

    2. How many individuals have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases from January 20th to May 19th, 2025? How many have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal since May 20, 2025? Provide the total number of individuals arrested and detained by week, and disaggregate by country of origin, gender, and age.

    a. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been referred for a credible fear interview (CFI)? How many have passed that interview with the asylum officer and how many did not? Of the total negative CFIs by an asylum officer, how many were reviewed by an Immigration Judge and reversed?

    b. Of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases, how many had applications pending with the immigration court in INA 240 proceedings at the time that the ICE attorney moved for dismissal? How many had applications pending with USCIS (e.g. adjustment of status, SIJ classification, T or U visa)? Of those with applications pending in immigration court, how many were asylum applications and how many were for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident?

    c. Of those individuals who had asylum applications pending in immigration court when the ICE attorney requested the dismissal of proceedings, how many were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER? Of those, how many passed that interview with the Asylum Officer and were placed back into proceedings to again pursue their asylum claim? Of those with an asylum application pending who were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER, how many had a negative CFI with an asylum officer which was subsequently reversed by an IJ and were placed back into proceedings?

    d. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been placed back into INA 240 proceedings for any reason?

    3. Are immigration judges being monitored or tracked on how they respond to ICE motions to dismiss the cases or to withdraw the NTA? If so, how is that information being utilized?

    4. There are reports of cases where the immigration judge did not immediately grant ICE’s motion to dismiss and did give the noncitizen additional time to respond, but ICE detained the noncitizen anyway.

    a) Since May 20th, in how many cases has an ICE attorney orally requested a dismissal, and the IJ has either denied such a motion or granted additional time for the noncitizen to respond?

    b) In how many of those cases did ICE arrest and detain the noncitizen despite the removal proceedings not being dismissed?

    c) In how many of those cases did ICE request a Change of Venue to a detained docket?

    d) For the subset of cases moved to the detained docket, in how many cases has ICE moved to dismiss again before a different immigration judge in order to place the noncitizen in ER?

    5. Of the total detained and placed in ER after the dismissal of their court cases, how many had a criminal conviction?

    6. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were continuously present in the United States for more than two years? Provide an explanation of the legal basis for their placement in ER.

    7. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were in removal proceedings after having been initially paroled into the United States at a port of entry? Provide the total number and disaggregate by country of origin, gender and age. Also, provide the total number of individuals who were initially paroled more than two years prior to the issuance of the I-860 ER order.

    8. Provide a complete list of all the immigration courts where ICE courthouse arrests and placements into ER have occurred since May 20, 2025. At each of these immigration courts, disaggregated by each individual court, have in abstentia removal orders increased and if so, by what percentage of the total scheduled court hearings? Provide a daily accounting of the number of in absentia removal orders issued in each immigration court since January 1, 2025, disaggregated by court.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese medics treat patients, empower locals in Benin

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

    A doctor of the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team to Benin (C) examines a patient at the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, Benin, on July 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    When Yang Ping stepped back into the intensive care unit, a wave of relief washed over her: Beatrice Lawe, a 45-year-old patient once teetering on the brink of death, was breathing on her own, vital signs stable, after an emergency operation performed by Yang and fellow members of the Chinese Medical Team in Benin.

    “She really made it through,” recalled Yang, a surgeon who leads the 27th Chinese medical team.

    Lawe had earlier undergone surgery for peritonitis and appendicitis at another hospital, but developed severe complications shortly after. When her condition suddenly deteriorated, she was rushed to the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center in Lokossa, southwest Benin.

    Yang still remembers the moment of her initial assessment. “Based on clinical experience, the odds of her survival were almost nil,” she said.

    Despite the grim outlook, Yang and her colleagues pressed on with emergency procedures, fully supported by the patient’s family. Two weeks later, a miracle unfolded: Lawe regained consciousness with her condition stabilized.

    She was eventually discharged in good health and, six months later, underwent a successful second operation for colostomy reversal and digestive tract reconstruction, after which she fully returned to normal life.

    Her recovery became more than just a clinical success. It symbolized the deep trust and friendship between Chinese doctors and Beninese patients.

    The hospital where Lawe was cured has a longstanding bond with China. Built with Chinese aid and inaugurated in April 1997, the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center serves as a key regional medical center in Benin.

    Since 1978, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China has continuously dispatched medical teams to the West African country, a commitment that has remained unbroken for 47 years.

    The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in Benin in January 2024, consisting of 22 members, including 18 medical professionals. They are stationed in Lokossa and Natitingou.

    Since their arrival, they have provided medical care to 15,382 patients, performed 2,758 surgeries, and organized 26 visits across Benin to provide locals with free consultation, treatment and, when needed, medication.

    In a country with limited infrastructure, scarce advanced equipment, and a high prevalence of tropical diseases, the Chinese medical team often works under intense pressure.

    “Motorcycle-related trauma cases are especially frequent,” Yang noted. “At peak times, we handle up to seven or eight severe orthopedic injuries a day.”

    To help address these challenges, China and Benin signed a cooperation agreement in 2021, establishing a partnership between the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and the Mono and Couffo Departmental Hospital Center.

    Through telemedicine consultations, academic exchanges, talent training, and expert visits, the program aims not just to heal, but to empower.

    “We are not only here to treat patients,” Yang said. “We are here to leave behind skills that will stay on and benefit our Beninese friends for generations.”

    Through case discussions, live demonstrations, and bedside teaching, the Chinese team helps local hospital staff improve their ability to independently manage situations such as emergency trauma, fracture reduction, and postoperative care.

    The resulting effects are evident to the Beninese crew. Head nurse Jacqueline Oussou, who has worked in Lokossa for 15 years, said she has seen an increase in patients coming specifically for Chinese doctors.

    “They are so dedicated, and they did an excellent job in surgery, obstetrics, otolaryngology and ophthalmology,” she said.

    In the anesthesia department, nurse Elsie Tchenagni highlighted the importance of the new equipment and skills brought by the Chinese team.

    “They not only brought in new equipment, but also trained us patiently on how to use them,” she said. “Now our procedures are much more precise. Even with language barriers, we have developed strong working chemistry.”

    From emergency surgeries to daily rounds, from hands-on training to technology transfer, the Chinese medical team in Benin has become more than just a group of doctors. They are trusted partners in health and an embodiment of friendship.

    Over the past 47 years, successive generations of Chinese doctors have traveled from afar to serve in Benin, upholding the principle that “people come first, life comes first.” Their unwavering dedication is reflected in the lives they save and the lasting impact they have on local healthcare.

    In every hospital ward and surgical theater, their presence tells a quiet yet powerful story — one of humanity, perseverance, and a shared hope for a healthier future. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is there any hope for the internet?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aarushi Bhandari, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Davidson College

    Hate and mental illness fester online because love and healing seem to be incompatible with profits. Ihor Lukianenko/iStock via Getty Images

    In 2001, social theorist bell hooks warned about the dangers of a loveless zeitgeist. In “All About Love: New Visions,” she lamented “the lack of an ongoing public discussion … about the practice of love in our culture and in our lives.”

    Back then, the internet was at a crossroads. The dot-com crash had bankrupted many early internet companies, and people wondered if the technology was long for this world.

    The doubts were unfounded. In only a few decades, the internet has merged with our bodies as smartphones and mined our personalities via algorithms that know us more intimately than some of our closest friends. It has even constructed a secondary social world.

    Yet as the internet has become more integrated in our daily lives, few would describe it as a place of love, compassion and cooperation. Study after study describe how social media platforms promote alienation and disconnection – in part because many algorithms reward behaviors like trolling, cyberbullying and outrage.

    Is the internet’s place in human history cemented as a harbinger of despair? Or is there still hope for an internet that supports collective flourishing?

    Algorithms and alienation

    I explore these questions in my new book, “Attention and Alienation.”

    In it, I explain how social media companies’ profits depend on users investing their time, creativity and emotions. Whether it’s spending hours filming content for TikTok or a few minutes crafting a thoughtful Reddit comment, participating on these platforms takes work. And it can be exhausting.

    Even passive engagement – like scrolling through feeds and “lurking” in forums – consumes time. It might feel like free entertainment – until people recognize they are the product, with their data being harvested and their emotions being manipulated.

    Blogger, journalist and science fiction writer Cory Doctorow coined the term “enshittification” to describe how experiences on online platforms gradually deteriorate as companies increasingly exploit users’ data and tweak their algorithms to maximize profits.

    For these reasons, much of people’s time spent online involves dealing with toxic interactions or mindlessly doomscrolling, immersed in dopamine-driven feedback loops.

    This cycle is neither an accident nor a novel insight. Hate and mental illness fester in this culture because love and healing seem to be incompatible with profits.

    Care hiding in plain sight

    In his 2009 book “Envisioning Real Utopias,” the late sociologist Erik Olin Wright discusses places in the world that prioritize cooperation, care and egalitarianism.

    Wright mainly focused on offline systems like worker-owned cooperatives. But one of his examples lived on the internet: Wikipedia. He argued that Wikipedia demonstrates the ethos “from each according to ability, to each according to need” – a utopian ideal popularized by Karl Marx.

    Wikipedia still thrives as a nonprofit, volunteer-ran bureaucracy. The website is a form of media that is deeply social, in the literal sense: People voluntarily curate and share knowledge, collectively and democratically, for free. Unlike social media, the rewards are only collective.

    There are no visible likes, comments or rage emojis for participants to hoard and chase. Nobody loses and everyone wins, including the vast majority of people who use Wikipedia without contributing work or money to keep it operational.

    Building a new digital world

    Wikipedia is evidence of care, cooperation and love hiding in plain sight.

    In recent years, there have been more efforts to create nonprofit apps and websites that are committed to protecting user data. Popular examples include Signal, a free and open source instant messaging service, and Proton Mail, an encrypted email service.

    These are all laudable developments. But how can the internet actively promote collective flourishing?

    What if Wikipedia were less the exception, and more the norm?
    Andriy Onufriyenko/Moment via Getty Images

    In “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want,” sociologist Ruha Benjamin points to a way forward. She tells the story of Black TikTok creators who led a successful cultural labor strike in 2021. Many viral TikTok dances had originally been created by Black artists, whose accounts, they claimed, were suppressed by a biased algorithm that favored white influencers.

    TikTok responded to the viral #BlackTikTokStrike movement by formally apologizing and making commitments to better represent and compensate the work of Black creators. These creators demonstrated how social media engagement is work – and that workers have the power to demand equitable conditions and fair pay.

    This landmark strike showed how anyone who uses social media companies that profit off the work, emotions and personal data of their users – whether it’s TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram or Reddit – can become organized.

    Meanwhile, there are organizations devoted to designing an internet that promotes collective flourishing. Sociologist Firuzeh Shokooh Valle provides examples of worker-owned technology cooperatives in her 2023 book, “In Defense of Solidarity and Pleasure: Feminist Technopolitics in the Global South.” She highlights the Sulá Batsú co-op in Costa Rica, which promotes policies that seek to break the stranglehold that negativity and exploitation have over internet culture.

    “Digital spaces are increasingly powered by hate and discrimination,” the group writes, adding that it hopes to create an online world where “women and people of diverse sexualities and genders are able to access and enjoy a free and open internet to exercise agency and autonomy, build collective power, strengthen movements, and transform power relations.”

    In Los Angeles, there’s Chani, Inc., a technology company that describes itself as “proudly” not funded by venture capitalists. The Chani app blends mindfulness practices and astrology with the goal of simply helping people. The app is not designed for compulsive user engagement, the company never sells user data, and there are no comments sections.

    No comments

    What would social media look like if Wikipedia were the norm instead of an exception?

    To me, a big problem in internet culture is the way people’s humanity is obscured. People are free to speak their minds in text-based public discussion forums, but the words aren’t always attached to someone’s identity. Real people hide behind the anonymity of user names. It isn’t true human interaction.

    In “Attention and Alienation,” I argue that the ability to meet and interact with others online as fully realized, three-dimensional human beings would go a long way toward creating a more empathetic, cooperative internet.

    When I was 8 years old, my parents lived abroad for work. Sometimes we talked on the phone. Often I would cry late into the night, praying for the ability to “see them through the phone.” It felt like a miraculous possibility – like magic.

    I told this story to my students in a moment of shared vulnerability. This was in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the class was taking place over videoconferencing. In these online classes, one person talked at a time. Others listened.

    It wasn’t perfect, but I think a better internet would promote this form of discussion – people getting together from across the world to share the fullness of their humanity.

    Efforts like Clubhouse have tapped into this vision by creating voice-based discussion forums. The company, however, has been criticized for predatory data privacy policies.

    What if the next iteration of public social media platforms could build on Clubhouse? What if they brought people together and showcased not just their voices, but also live video feeds of their faces without harvesting their data or promoting conflict and outrage?

    Raised eyebrows. Grins. Frowns. They’re what make humans distinct from increasingly sophisticated large language models and artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT.

    After all, is anything you can’t say while looking at another human being in the eye worth saying in the first place?

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

    – ref. Is there any hope for the internet? – https://theconversation.com/is-there-any-hope-for-the-internet-259251

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republican Energy and Water Development Funding Bill Increases Energy Costs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Despite Heightened Risks, Bill Makes Americans More Vulnerable to Nuclear Threats

    **STATE-BY-STATE FACT SHEET** Republicans Slash Vital Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Funding for States

    Washington, DC — House Appropriations Committee Republicans today released the draft fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The bill raises costs for American households, undermines infrastructure investments, and weakens our national security.

    For 2026, the Energy and Water bill provides $57.3 Billion in discretionary funding. Within that amount, the bill provides $24.1 Billion for nondefense programs, a cut of over $675 Million, or 2.7 percent, below the fiscal year 2025 enacted level, and $33.2 Billion for defense programs, a cut of $91 Million, or 0.3 percent, below the fiscal year 2025 enacted level.

    The legislation:

    • Increases energy costs, jeopardizes energy independence, and hurts United States’ competitiveness by slashing the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs nearly in half, revoking more than $5 Billion from the Department of Energy’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources, and eliminating funding for the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
    • Weakens national security and leaves Americans more vulnerable to nuclear threats by cutting the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account by 17 percent.
    • Abandons commitments to communities to clean up radioactive waste by eliminating funding for the Corps of Engineers’ Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program and cutting the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management by 9 percent.

    “House Republicans have once again produced a reckless and short-sighted proposal that betrays working families and undermines America’s future. Their FY26 Energy and Water bill would gut the Department of Energy’s clean energy and efficiency programs — slashing investments that lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and protect our national security,” Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) said. “This bill cedes American leadership in the global energy race to our adversaries like Communist China. It also weakens vital nuclear nonproliferation programs that help keep our country and allies safe. By turning their backs on communities still suffering from the legacy of our early atomic weapons programs, Republicans show how little regard they have for America’s promises. We must invest in our energy independence in perpetuity — not abandon it. I strongly oppose this bill and will continue fighting for policies that uplift our communities and secure our energy future for all the generations to come.”

    “Once again, instead of working to find ways to address the cost-of-living crisis, House Republicans introduced a bill that would make the problem worse,” Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “Middle class, working class, and vulnerable Americans continue to struggle to pay their bills, but House Republicans’ 2026 Energy and Water funding proposal slashes resources for programs that lower energy costs for families and businesses and eliminates resources that provide clean, affordable, secure energy to households. While President Trump continues to inflame tensions with our adversaries, House Republicans’ bill would leave our country more vulnerable to nuclear threats and yield American leadership of the world’s energy future to China. With this bill, Republicans are failing to confront the climate crisis and putting tens of thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs at risk. This legislation is an attack on the country’s energy future. Democrats are at the table and ready to pass legislation that actually lowers energy costs for the American people and ensures America leads the global transition to a clean energy economy.”

    A summary of House Republicans’ 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies funding bill is here. A fact sheet is here. The text of the bill is here. The subcommittee markup will be webcast live and linked on the House Committee on Appropriations website.

    A state-by-state breakdown of the amount of funding House Republicans are trying to slash from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs is here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Statement on Biden Autopen Interview

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement reacting to former President Joe Biden’s assertion that he gave his staff approval to use the autopen on almost 4,000 pardons and grants of clemency at the end of his term, including pardons of his own family members:

    “It is clear the Biden inner circle made conscious efforts to conceal the former President’s cognitive decline and, in the final hours of his term, used his signature to authorize thousands of pardons,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Putting Joe Biden on the phone to read off printed talking points to a reporter does nothing to quell concerns that our Constitution was violated or dispute claims that this was an all-out conspiracy by the Left. Rather, it confirms his aides are using him as a pawn to once again mislead the American people and avoid the consequences of their own actions.”  

    Background:

    In June, Sen. Cornyn co-chaired a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee entitled, “Unfit to Serve: How the Biden Cover-Up Endangered America and Undermined the Constitution,” and in May, he sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open an investigation into any potential violations of federal law surrounding the representations made to the American people about the health and well-being of then-President Biden in light of his cancer diagnosis and reports of his significant mental decline, and concealment of such decline by his inner circle, while in office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Proceed with Bill to Increase Energy Costs and Make Americans More Vulnerable to Nuclear Threats

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    **STATE-BY-STATE FACT SHEET** Republicans Slash Vital Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Funding for States

    Washington, DC — During today’s Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee markup of the 2026 funding bill, House Democrats exposed how the bill increases costs for American households, undermines infrastructure investments, and weakens our national security.

    The bill:

    • Increases energy costs, jeopardizes energy independence, and hurts United States’ competitiveness by slashing the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs nearly in half, revoking more than $5 billion from the Department of Energy’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources, and eliminating funding for the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
    • Weakens national security and leaves Americans more vulnerable to nuclear threats by cutting the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account by 17 percent.
    • Abandons commitments to communities to clean up radioactive waste by eliminating funding for the Corps of Engineers’ Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program and cutting the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management by 9 percent.

    From Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur’s (D-OH-09) opening remarks:

    “Sadly, this Republican Energy and Water bill does not meet our nation’s imperative for the future. America must become energy independent in perpetuity. This bill fails to address the cost-of-living crisis and instead will result in higher energy bills for families and businesses. China is investing record levels in energy, but this bill retreats from US global leadership in the future clean energy economy. America can and must do better. America’s future relies on the new age frontiers of energy and water.”

    From Appropriations Committee Ranking Rosa DeLauro’s (D-CT-03) opening remarks:

    “Energy demand is higher than ever and only increasing. Cheap, reliable energy is the basis of a modern economy. We have to increase energy supply or costs will continue to rise for the American people – and we will be dependent on importing energy to meet our goals. Instead of focusing on ways to help lower energy costs, House Republicans are using this bill to further gut critical federal resources and advance their own agenda…I cannot support this bill. Instead of working with Democrats to lower prices and invest in technology that promotes our energy independence, House Republicans are pushing a bill that raises energy costs for families and businesses and eliminates good-paying jobs. We can and must come together to improve this bill to help lower costs and support our country’s energy independence and national security.”

    A summary of the bill is here. A fact sheet is here. The text of the bill is here. Information on Community Project Funding in the bill is here.

    A state-by-state breakdown of the amount of funding House Republicans are trying to slash from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs is here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Two arrested after shot fired at Munno Para

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police have arrested two men and are looking for a third suspect after a firearm was discharged at Munno Para last night.

    About 7.45pm on Monday 14 July, police received calls about a disturbance occurring between two groups of men on Stebonheath Road. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots during this time.

    One group then left in a vehicle which was last seen heading towards Brandis Road.

    Northern District police responded and located two men who were victims involved in the disturbance. They were not physically injured.

    As a result of investigations, police arrested a 23-year-old man and a 41-year-old man both from Smithfield Plains.

    Police recovered a firearm during a search at a Davoren Park home suspected of being involved in the incident which will be forensically tested.

    The 23-year-old man was charged with possessing a firearm without a licence, two counts of discharging a firearm reckless as to harm a person and affray. The 41-year-old man was charged with possessing a firearm without a licence and affray.

    They have both been refused bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court today.

    Anyone with information on the incident or has any dashcam or CCTV who hasn’t yet spoken with police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.

    Police advise that the incident is not random, and the men are known to each other.

    CO2500028748, CO2500028743

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs legislation 7.14.25

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 14, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:

    • AB 78 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Attorney’s fees: book accounts.
    • AB 223 by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) – Jury selection: acknowledgment and agreement.
    • AB 233 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Alcoholic beverages: licensees.
    • AB 313 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – Student financial aid: application deadlines: extension.
    • AB 354 by Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez (D-Chino) – Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
    • AB 369 by Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez (D-Chino) – Emergency services: liability.
    • AB 370 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) – California Public Records Act: cyberattacks.
    • AB 533 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Health care districts: design-build process.
    • AB 544 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Electric bicycles: required equipment.
    • AB 545 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Vehicles: electric bicycles.
    • AB 553 by Assemblymember Jessica Caloza (D-Los Angeles) – CalFresh: food access.
    • AB 565 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) – Representation of trust beneficiaries.
    • AB 584 by Assemblymember Heather Hadwick (R-Redding) – Firearms dealers and manufacturers: secure facilities.
    • AB 655 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – California-Mexico Border Relations Council.
    • AB 751 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Rest periods: petroleum facilities: safety-sensitive positions.
    • AB 771 by Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo (R-Visalia) – Financing statements: mortgages.
    • AB 784 by Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) – Special education: specialized deaf and hard-of-hearing services.
    • AB 927 by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-La Mesa) – County superintendent of schools: inspection of public schools.
    • AB 1034 by Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías (D-Concord) – Teacher credentialing: programs of professional preparation: youth mental health.
    • AB 1177 by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) – California Prompt Payment Act: late payment penalties.
    • AB 1297 by Assemblymember Catherine Stefani (D-San Francisco) – Automatic temporary restraining orders.
    • SB 61 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Private works of improvement: retention payments.
    • SB 66 by Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) – Civil discovery.
    • SB 229 by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) – Peace officers: deputy sheriffs.
    • SB 409 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Public contracts: county-owned buildings.
    • SB 558 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Imperial Valley Healthcare District: voting districts.
    • SB 735 by the Committee on Local Government – Validations.
    • SB 736 by the Committee on Local Government – Validations. 
    • SB 737 by the Committee on Local Government – Validations.
    • SB 846 by Senator Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) – Liens: harvested crops.

    For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 14, 2025

    News What you need to know: Clean energy reliably powered California to levels never seen before – 67% in 2023 – as renewable energy and clean resources continue to advance the state’s world-leading energy transition while fueling the nation’s largest clean energy…

    Jul 11, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on the court’s decision in Vasquez Perdomo, et al. v. Noem to temporarily stop federal immigration agents from unlawful suspicionless stops in California:  Justice prevailed today…

    Jul 11, 2025

    News What you need to know: Californians are strongly encouraged to use state and local resources to protect themselves from heat illness as triple digit temperatures move across the state. SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom is encouraging Californians to prepare for…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “REPUBLICANS HAVEN’T DONE A DAMN THING TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he emphasized that House Democrats will continue pushing back against Republicans’ One Big Ugly Law which rewards billionaires while stripping food and healthcare from the American people.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Good afternoon, everyone. Donald Trump and House Republicans have repeatedly betrayed the American people. Donald Trump and House Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living here in the United States of America. In fact, Donald Trump and House Republicans promised to lower costs on day one. Costs aren’t going down in the United States of America. Costs are going up. Life is becoming more expensive under Donald Trump and Republican control of Congress. There is nothing in the One Big Ugly Bill that will meaningfully make life more affordable for the American people. In fact, the One Big Ugly Bill will make life more expensive for everyday Americans, particularly as it relates to utility costs. Utility costs are going to go up in the United States of America as a result of Donald Trump’s One Big Ugly Bill. Costs aren’t going down. Republicans haven’t done a damn thing to make life more affordable for the American people.

    Costs are too high in this country. That’s why Democrats are going to continue to focus our efforts on building an economy that actually is affordable for hardworking American taxpayers. We need to lower housing costs, lower grocery costs, lower utility costs, lower childcare costs and lower insurance costs. America is too expensive, and things aren’t getting better under Donald Trump and House Republican rule, they’re getting worse. On top of that, Donald Trump and House Republicans jammed this extreme budget bill down the throats of the American people. They will hurt millions of Americans who are going to lose their healthcare as a result of the One Big Ugly Bill. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down, community-based health clinics will not be able to operate and everyday Americans in every state in this country are going to die as a result of having healthcare ripped away from them by Republicans in this town. The One Big Ugly Bill rips food out of the mouths of hungry children.

    Who are these people on the other side of the aisle? Who are they? And on top of it all, ripping healthcare away from the American people. The largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Ripping food out of the mouths of children, seniors and veterans, who are going to go hungry as a result of this One Big Ugly Bill. All of this is being done to reward their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks, the largest transfer of wealth from everyday Americans to billionaires in American history. And these so-called fiscal conservatives are going to explode the debt by more than $3 trillion and set this country on a path toward possible bankruptcy. Every single House Republican who voted against the best interests of their constituents and voted to reward billionaires with massive tax breaks will be held accountable.

    Full press conference can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Arrests and Arraignment in $1 Million Pizza Franchise Scam

    Source: US State of California

    Monday, July 14, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest and arraignment of two defendants for a complex fraud scheme, in which the defendants allegedly defrauded victims of more than $1 million in investments into franchises or stock options for a company offering pizza restaurant franchises. The defendants were recently arraigned in San Diego Superior Court on felony charges including eleven counts of Franchise Fraud in violation of California Corporations Code, nine counts of Security Fraud, one count of Fraudulent Securities Scheme, and two counts of Grand Theft and a special allegation of aggravated white-collar crimes with losses over $500,000.

    “The white-collar crime scheme perpetrated by these defendants stole money from Californians who were attempting to become entrepreneurs or make investments into business. At the California Department of Justice, we won’t stand idly by if individuals cause financial harm to hardworking Californians to enrich themselves,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My office will continue to fight to hold bad actors accountable, and protect Californians’ pocketbooks.”

    Between 2020 and 2023, the two defendants solicited and received money from investors who believed they were either purchasing public stock options or franchises of a pizza restaurant chain. The scheme victimized many individuals with little to no business investment experience, leading victims to believe they were becoming legitimate business owners or stockholders, including some victims who were over the age of 65, and two military veterans. The financial commitment of the victims ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 and the defendants secured nearly $1 million in funds from their victims. Within months of receiving funds from victims, the defendants began closing off communications with them, and ultimately stopped all communication. After the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the defendants also obtained multiple loans aimed to assist small businesses post pandemic, totaling $287,000. These loans were never paid back.

    Following a lengthy investigation by the California Department of Justice’s Special Prosecution Section (SPS) Investigators and the Bureau of Investigations (BI) White Collar Investigations Team (WCIT), the defendants were arrested and extradited from Florida with the assistance of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and United States Marshals Service.

    It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that must be proven in a court of law. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    A copy of the complaint is available here. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Announces An Investigation of Blueprint Medicines Corporation (NASDAQ: BPMC)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde with Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. The firm is headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and is investigating Blueprint Medicines Corporation (NASDAQ: BPMC) related to its sale to Sanofi, S.A. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Sanofi will pay $129.00 per share in cash at closing, and Blueprint shareholders also will receive one non-tradeable contingent value right (“CVR”) entitling the holder to receive two potential milestone payments of $2.00 and $4.00 per CVR for the achievement, respectively, of future development and regulatory milestones for BLU-808. Is it a fair deal?

    Click here for more info https://monteverdelaw.com/case/blueprint-medicines-corporation-2/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE EQUAL. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No one is above the law. If you own common stock in the above listed company and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Announces An Investigation of Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde with Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. The firm is headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and is investigating Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD) related to its merger with Sandstorm Gold Ltd. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, existing Royal Gold shareholders will own approximately 77% of the combined company. Is it a fair deal?

    Click here for more info https://monteverdelaw.com/case/royal-gold-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE EQUAL. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No one is above the law. If you own common stock in the above listed company and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Introduces Bill to Require Clear Identification for Law Enforcement Officers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, helped introduce legislation to require law enforcement officers conducting immigration enforcement activities to clearly display identification during public-facing operations to enhance safety, transparency, and accountability. 

    Without visible identification – such as badges, names or insignia – members of the public cannot reliably confirm whether they are engaging with legitimate government officials, creating safety and operational risks for the public and for law enforcement. There have been documented incidents where criminals have impersonated officials and killed, assaulted, or kidnapped individuals.
     
    “Clear identification is a basic but essential safeguard that ensures accountability, strengthens public confidence, and protects the safety of both officers and members of the public,” said Senator Peters. “This legislation ensures federal officers display visible identification to support professional, safe, and transparent operations.” 
     

    The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would help prevent impersonation, reduce confusion, and enhance public cooperation during enforcement operations by requiring DHS personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other deputized local law enforcement officers and agents, to display clearly legible identification — such as agency name or initials and a name or badge number. These identifications must be plainly visible and unobscured by gear.

    Last month, Peters questioned U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing about widespread reports of federal law enforcement officers conducting enforcement operations without visible identification. Peters warned that the lack of identification could lead to confusion and escalate tensions during enforcement actions that could endanger both the public and the officers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Signs Ten Bills into Law

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 14, 2025

    Jefferson City — This afternoon, Governor Mike Kehoe signed ten pieces of legislation into law: Senate Bills (SB) 105, 133, 145, and 271, and House Bills (HB) 145, 147, 225, 262, 595, and 596.

    “Our bill signings this afternoon marked the official conclusion of an incredibly successful legislative session,” said Governor Kehoe. “We appreciate the members the General Assembly for sending several pieces of common-sense legislation to my desk that will positively impact Missouri families and communities.”

    SB 105, sponsored by Senator Mike Bernskoetter and Representative Bruce Sassmann, modifies provisions relating to invasive plants.

    • Combats the proliferation of nonnative invasive plant species in Missouri.
    • Prohibits nurseries and nursery dealers from knowingly and intentionally importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, distributing, or propagating certain nonnative invasive species in Missouri.
      • Plants affected: Climbing Euonymus (Fortune’s spindle), Japanese Honeysuckle, Sericea Lespedeza, Perilla Mint, Burning Bush, and Callery Pear. 
         

    SB 133, sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater and Representative Josh Hurlbert, modifies and creates new provisions relating to underground facilities.

    • Makes critical updates to Missouri’s 811 system to evolve with technological advancements and the modern needs of both excavators and underground facility owners.
      • Updates statute to align with Common Ground Alliance best practices.
      • Requires underground facilities to be installed with detectible underground tracking systems.
      • Reduces liability for excavators when proper standards were followed but they were given incorrect information.
      • Increases 811 Board representation for contractors and underground facility owners. 
         

    SB 145, sponsored by Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman and Representative David Casteel, modifies provisions relating to the taxation of certain businesses.

    • Promotes youth entrepreneurship by exempting businessowners 18 years or younger from certain municipal corporation and charter city licensing fees and requirements. 
       

    SB 271, sponsored by Senator Rusty Black and Representative Dane Diehl, modifies provisions relating to emergency services.

    • Establishes that no fire protection or fire prevention ordinances shall impose regulations of farm buildings or farm structures.
    • Updates emergency medical services standards to provide more training and require audits of ambulance districts.
    • Expands the protection to any unpaid person who helps during an emergency under the Good Samaritan law.
       

    HB 145, sponsored by Representative Bill Falkner and Senator Mike Henderson, modifies provisions of the Judicial Privacy Act and the Missouri Sunshine Law.

    • Expands privacy protections for court-related officers.
    • Adds Sunshine Law exemptions to protect minors, park visitors, and endangered species locations.
    • Updates rules for public record requests, including upfront fees.

    HB 147, sponsored by Representative Barry Hovis and Senator Rusty Black,  modifies provisions relating to retirement.

    • Creates new avenues for funding the Sheriffs’ Retirement System.
    • Restricts Missouri Public Employee Retirement Systems from investing in entities that are sanctioned by the United States.
    • Prohibits the investment fiduciary of a public employee retirement system from considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
       

    HB 225, sponsored by Representative Jeff Myers and Senator Justin Brown, modifies provisions relating to public safety.

    • Increases the compensation for a line of duty death from $25,000 to $100,000, extends the statute of limitations for when someone must file for the compensation from one year to two, and adds that families can be compensated if a first responder dies of an illness that was contracted in the line of duty. The death must occur within three hundred weeks of when the illness was contracted.
    • Modifies requirements for police vehicles to no longer have to use their lights and sirens when the vehicle is being used to get evidence of a speeding violation, respond to a suspected crime in progress, or conduct surveillance of a vehicle.
    • Establishes the offense of interference with a first responder making it a Class B Misdemeanor.
       

    HB 262, sponsored by Representative Chris Brown and Senator Rick Brattin, establishes the “Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act.”

    • Creates provisions relating to alternative therapies for veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, allowing for any facility that does hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treatment of PTSD to receive reimbursement of that treatment at no charge to the veteran depending on the availability of funding.

    HB 595, sponsored by Representative Chris Brown and Senator Nick Schroer, modifies provisions relating to real estate transactions.

    • Protects private property rights.
      • Prohibits local governments from limiting what factors landlords can or cannot consider in rental-related decisions, including source of income, credit scores, and rental and criminal history.
      • Prevents enactment of security deposit ceilings.
    • Requires real estate brokers and buyers/tenants to enter into an agreement prior to broker representation beginning. 
       

    HB 596, sponsored by Representative Chris Brown and Senator Nick Schroer, modifies a provision relating to brokerage services by requiring brokers have a written agency agreement with buyers prior to engaging in real estate transactions.

    For more information on the legislation and additional provisions signed into law, visit house.mo.gov and senate.mo.gov. Photos from the bill signing will be uploaded to Governor Kehoe’s Flickr page.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Eighth Former Correctional Officer Sentenced on Federal Civil Rights Charges in Connection with Death of Inmate at West Virginia Jail

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    A former correctional officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Andrew Fleshman, 22, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.

    According to his plea agreement, Fleshman responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Correctional Officer Fleshman arrived at the pod, Q.B. was on the floor as force was being used against him. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officer Fleshman and other members of the conspiracy then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where, aided and abetted by each other, they struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Fleshman admitted that he and the members of the conspiracy struck and injured Q.B. to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod.

    Fleshman pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk on Nov. 2, 2023. That same day, former correctional officer Steven Nicholas Wimmer also pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to nine years in prison.

    On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Holdren to 20 years in prison and Walters was sentenced to 21 years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Snyder to 19 years and seven months in prison.

    In August 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney to six and a half years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Boothe to three years in prison.

    On Jan. 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 17 and a half years in prison.

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

    The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

    Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Joins Durbin, Colleagues in Pressing Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 11, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and 20 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants who are just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process.

    “We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them,” wrote the Senators. “These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

    Slamming the Administration for endangering due process and putting immigrants into a horrible situation with no benefit to our country, the Senators continued, “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

    Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Kelly and Padilla, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Full text of the letter is available below and on Senator Duckworth’s website.

    Dear Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi, and Acting Director Lyons:

    We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them. Some reports indicated that plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stationed outside of immigration courtrooms had lists of cases marked for dismissal and even photos of the individuals they intended to arrest. Upon the granting of this request by an immigration judge, ICE officers have reportedly arrested individuals or families outside the courtrooms and placed them in a fast-track removal process known as expedited removal (ER). These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.

    ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who “is arriving in the United States” and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than days after arrival in the United States. Individuals subject to ER are mandatorily detained and can be summarily deported without a hearing before a judge, administrative appeal or federal court review, unlike regular removal proceedings. The ER process offers very limited administrative review and no meaningful opportunity for a noncitizen to challenge whether they can legally be placed in ER. There is no real opportunity to provide documentation, for example, that would demonstrate they have continuously resided in the United States for more than two years, or that they were, in fact, admitted or paroled into the United States and therefore not subject to ER. ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.

    Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing. It has been a longstanding practice to dismiss cases that are not a priority for enforcement or that ICE chooses not to prosecute, allowing noncitizens to instead pursue immigration applications affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here, however, many noncitizens were not notified that their cases were being dismissed for a different purpose—to place them in ER—and effectively deny them access to a decision from an immigration judge as well as affirmative applications through USCIS. Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.

    Immigration judges—who are not part of an independent judiciary but housed under the Executive Office of Immigration Review within the Department of Justice—have also received guidance encouraging immigration judges to grant the ICE attorneys’ motion to dismiss “with no additional documentation or briefing” or opportunity for a noncitizen to respond. In some cases, immigration judges were not made aware of the purpose of the dismissal. As a result, immigration judges could not take into account in their dismissal determination that the noncitizen will immediately be placed in ER. In some cases, the immigration judge did not give noncitizens adequate time to respond to ICE motions to dismiss, or ensure those appearing pro se were informed of the consequences of their cases being dismissed. And in some cases, the immigration judge dismissed the case over the strong objections from the noncitizen who wished for their immigration case to continue with the court.

    Noncitizens whose removal proceedings are abruptly dismissed in this manner lose the ability to request relief in immigration court for which they are otherwise eligible, such as asylum or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, or to request that an immigration judge hold their case while they pursue an immigration status with USCIS, such as classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile. Many of these noncitizens who had their cases dismissed had reportedly already submitted an asylum application or other forms of relief to the immigration court, raising serious concerns that their applications were wrongfully denied any consideration.  For example, a Mexican transgender woman with no criminal history who came to the United States in 2023 after being subject to abduction and rape by members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico, had applied for asylum; upon her appearance for her court hearing in Portland, Oregon, ICE moved to dismiss her case, the court granted the request, and she was subsequently arrested by ICE agents in the lobby. In another case, ICE requested the dismissal of a case of a Cuban man who entered the United States in 2021 and had an asylum application pending; an immigration judge in the Miami Immigration Court told the asylum seeker he could seek asylum affirmatively from USCIS after the dismissal; instead, ICE arrested and detained him.

    The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, “[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time…to make an appearance.” Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal.  At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond.  In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal.  Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.

    These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.

    We request responses to the following questions by July 25, 2025:

    1. What specific guidance has DHS or DOJ/EOIR issued regarding the dismissal of standard 240 removal proceedings and the facilitation of enforcement actions in and around immigration courtrooms? Please provide a copy of the relevant guidance, email, memorandum, or other directives associated with this policy.
    1. How many individuals have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases from January 20th to May 19th, 2025? How many have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal since May 20, 2025?  Provide the total number of individuals arrested and detained by week, and disaggregate by country of origin, gender, and age.
      1. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been referred for a credible fear interview (CFI)?  How many have passed that interview with the asylum officer and how many did not? Of the total negative CFIs by an asylum officer, how many were reviewed by an Immigration Judge and reversed?
      2. Of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases, how many had applications pending with the immigration court in INA 240 proceedings at the time that the ICE attorney moved for dismissal?   How many had applications pending with USCIS (e.g. adjustment of status, SIJ classification, T or U visa)?  Of those with applications pending in immigration court, how many were asylum applications and how many were for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident?
      3. Of those individuals who had asylum applications pending in immigration court when the ICE attorney requested the dismissal of proceedings, how many were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER?  Of those, how many passed that interview with the Asylum Officer and were placed back into proceedings to again pursue their asylum claim?  Of those with an asylum application pending who were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER, how many had a negative CFI with an asylum officer which was subsequently reversed by an IJ and were placed back into proceedings?
      4. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been placed back into INA 240 proceedings for any reason?
    1. Are immigration judges being monitored or tracked on how they respond to ICE motions to dismiss the cases or to withdraw the NTA? If so, how is that information being utilized?
    2. There are reports of cases where the immigration judge did not immediately grant ICE’s motion to dismiss and did give the noncitizen additional time to respond, but ICE detained the noncitizen anyway.
      1. Since May 20th, in how many cases has an ICE attorney orally requested a dismissal, and the IJ has either denied such a motion or granted additional time for the noncitizen to respond?
      2. In how many of those cases did ICE arrest and detain the noncitizen despite the removal proceedings not being dismissed?
      3. In how many of those cases did ICE request a Change of Venue to a detained docket?
      4. For the subset of cases moved to the detained docket, in how many cases has ICE moved to dismiss again before a different immigration judge in order to place the noncitizen in ER?
    1. Of the total detained and placed in ER after the dismissal of their court cases, how many had a criminal conviction?
    1. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were continuously present in the United States for more than two years?  Provide an explanation of the legal basis for their placement in ER.
    1. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were in removal proceedings after having been initially paroled into the United States at a port of entry?  Provide the total number and disaggregate by country of origin, gender and age.  Also, provide the total number of individuals who were initially paroled more than two years prior to the issuance of the I-860 ER order.
    1. Provide a complete list of all the immigration courts where ICE courthouse arrests and placements into ER have occurred since May 20, 2025. At each of these immigration courts, disaggregated by each individual court, have in abstentia removal orders increased and if so, by what percentage of the total scheduled court hearings? Provide a daily accounting of the number of in absentia removal orders issued in each immigration court since January 1, 2025, disaggregated by court.

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Secures Provisions to Strengthen Public Trust in the Military and Enhance Civil Rights in Committee-Passed NDAA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 14, 2025

    The Senator also secures provision to require servicemembers be trained on rules regarding use of force on U.S. soil

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—successfully secured a provision in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that SASC approved last week and the full Senate will now consider that would strengthen public trust of the military, enhance civil rights and curb misuse of our military for civilian law enforcement. As the Trump Administration continues to send federal agents and our nation’s military into our communities to intimidate their fellow Americans, the Senator’s provision—which is a modified version of her Military in Law Enforcement Accountability (MiLEA) Act—would ensure that servicemembers identify themselves properly to avoid public misunderstanding about who is providing logistical support versus conducting arrests or law enforcement duties.?

    “In my own experience serving in the National Guard, I saw firsthand the difference drawing a bright line between the roles of our military and law enforcement can make in terms of maintaining public trust in our military,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud my colleagues agreed that this is a necessary requirement to provide accountability to the public during tense moments when troops might be interacting with citizens, from protests to natural disasters to humanitarian crises, and I hope the rest of my colleagues in the Senate do too.”?

    In addition to this provision, Senator Duckworth also secured a provision that would require the Department of Defense to provide legal training to all servicemembers, including a refresher within 90 days of any mobilization or deployment, on their responsibilities under the law of armed conflict, rules of engagement, defense support for civil authorities and standing rules for the use of force within the United States. This provision would ensure all servicemembers know their legal obligations during deployments both at home as well as abroad and protect American civil rights especially in light of the Trump Administration’s increasing misuse of troops to support law enforcement within the United States.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ivey Announces Vaquito, the Work Zone Safety Dog, as Honorary ALEA Trooper

    Source: US State of Alabama

    MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced the newest addition to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Vaquito the work zone safety dog.

    Vaquito delivered the oath of office and was officially sworn in as an honorary ALEA Trooper during a special ceremony held at the Alabama State Capitol. Governor Ivey and Vaquito were joined by ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor, ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Colonel Jonathan Archer and Vaquito’s handler Morris King.

    Vaquito is a graduate of Guide Dogs of America, a certified service dog and the official safety dog of the Alabama Associated General Contractors (AGC). Vaquito took the leash from his predecessor Millie, who was the first Work Zone Safety K-9 to be sworn in by Governor Ivey on Dec. 14, 2023.  Like Millie, who retired February 2025, Vaquito will travel the state with Morris King and ALEA Troopers to deliver life-saving messages concerning work zone safety and distracted driving, specifically through community outreach events and school programs.

    “Today, I had the pleasure of welcoming Vaquito to our work zone safety team – a symbol of Alabama’s commitment to protecting the hardworking men and women who build and maintain our nationally recognized infrastructure,” said Governor Ivey. “Vaquito is more than a member of our team, but he is a reminder that keeping our road crews safe is a job for all of us. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and today, one of the just happens to have four legs and a wagging tail.”

    ALEA Secretary Taylor said, “Millie helped build a bridge between law enforcement and the public through education and outreach. Vaquito is already proving to be a worthy successor. Today’s ceremony marks not just a new chapter, but a continued commitment to safety across Alabama.”

    “Millie set the standard when it came to safety outreach, and now Vaquito is ready to build on that foundation,” Director of ALEA DPS Colonel Jonathan Archer said. “His presence will help us continue to connect with citizens of all ages in a meaningful way.”

    Vaquito’s official duties will include appearances during National Work Zone Awareness Week, school safety programs, and other traffic safety initiatives. With his approachable demeanor and service training, he is uniquely suited to help ALEA Troopers connect with the public and reinforce the Agency’s mission of saving lives.

    Also in attendance were members of the Alabama Associated General Contractors, including Carol Harris, who coordinates and manages the school safety programs across the state with Morris King and K-9 Vaquito.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ivey Announces Vaquito, the Work Zone Safety Dog, as Honorary ALEA Trooper

    Source: US State of Alabama

    MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced the newest addition to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Vaquito the work zone safety dog.

    Vaquito delivered the oath of office and was officially sworn in as an honorary ALEA Trooper during a special ceremony held at the Alabama State Capitol. Governor Ivey and Vaquito were joined by ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor, ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Colonel Jonathan Archer and Vaquito’s handler Morris King.

    Vaquito is a graduate of Guide Dogs of America, a certified service dog and the official safety dog of the Alabama Associated General Contractors (AGC). Vaquito took the leash from his predecessor Millie, who was the first Work Zone Safety K-9 to be sworn in by Governor Ivey on Dec. 14, 2023.  Like Millie, who retired February 2025, Vaquito will travel the state with Morris King and ALEA Troopers to deliver life-saving messages concerning work zone safety and distracted driving, specifically through community outreach events and school programs.

    “Today, I had the pleasure of welcoming Vaquito to our work zone safety team – a symbol of Alabama’s commitment to protecting the hardworking men and women who build and maintain our nationally recognized infrastructure,” said Governor Ivey. “Vaquito is more than a member of our team, but he is a reminder that keeping our road crews safe is a job for all of us. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and today, one of the just happens to have four legs and a wagging tail.”

    ALEA Secretary Taylor said, “Millie helped build a bridge between law enforcement and the public through education and outreach. Vaquito is already proving to be a worthy successor. Today’s ceremony marks not just a new chapter, but a continued commitment to safety across Alabama.”

    “Millie set the standard when it came to safety outreach, and now Vaquito is ready to build on that foundation,” Director of ALEA DPS Colonel Jonathan Archer said. “His presence will help us continue to connect with citizens of all ages in a meaningful way.”

    Vaquito’s official duties will include appearances during National Work Zone Awareness Week, school safety programs, and other traffic safety initiatives. With his approachable demeanor and service training, he is uniquely suited to help ALEA Troopers connect with the public and reinforce the Agency’s mission of saving lives.

    Also in attendance were members of the Alabama Associated General Contractors, including Carol Harris, who coordinates and manages the school safety programs across the state with Morris King and K-9 Vaquito.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Press Trump Admin on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Arrest Immigrants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
    According to recent reports, the administration has targeted noncriminal immigrants who show up for their court hearings
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet joined 22 of their Senate colleagues to call out the Trump administration’s recent efforts to arrest noncriminal immigrants at their immigration court hearings and deport them without adequate due process.
    “This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer…” wrote the senators. “They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”
    The senators sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons. They condemned the admin’s efforts that undermine due process and intimidate and discourage people from attending their immigration court hearings.
    This February, Hickenlooper and Bennet helped introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would limit immigration arrests at sensitive locations like courthouses, schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
    Full text of the letter available HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi, and Acting Director Lyons:
    We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them. Some reports indicated that plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stationed outside of immigration courtrooms had lists of cases marked for dismissal and even photos of the individuals they intended to arrest. Upon the granting of this request by an immigration judge, ICE officers have reportedly arrested individuals or families outside the courtrooms and placed them in a fast-track removal process known as expedited removal (ER). These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.
    ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who “is arriving in the United States” and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States. Individuals subject to ER are mandatorily detained and can be summarily deported without a hearing before a judge, administrative appeal or federal court review, unlike regular removal proceedings. The ER process offers very limited administrative review and no
    meaningful opportunity for a noncitizen to challenge whether they can legally be placed in ER. There is no real opportunity to provide documentation, for example, that would demonstrate they have continuously resided in the United States for more than two years, or that they were, in fact, admitted or paroled into the United States and therefore not subject to ER. ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.
    Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed11 and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing. It has been a longstanding practice to dismiss cases that are not a priority for enforcement or that ICE chooses not to prosecute, allowing noncitizens to instead pursue immigration applications affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here, however, many noncitizens were not notified that their cases were being dismissed for a different purpose—to place them in ER—and effectively deny them access to a
    decision from an immigration judge as well as affirmative applications through USCIS. Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.
    Immigration judges—who are not part of an independent judiciary but housed under the Executive Office of Immigration Review within the Department of Justice—have also received guidance encouraging immigration judges to grant the ICE attorneys’ motion to dismiss “with no additional documentation or briefing” or opportunity for a noncitizen to respond. In some cases, immigration judges were not made aware of the purpose of the dismissal. As a result, immigration judges could not take into account in their dismissal determination that the noncitizen will immediately be placed in ER. In some cases, the immigration judge did not give noncitizens adequate time to respond to ICE motions to dismiss, or ensure those appearing pro se were informed of the consequences of their cases being dismissed. And in some cases, the immigration judge dismissed the case over the strong objections from the noncitizen who wished for their immigration case to continue with the court.
    Noncitizens whose removal proceedings are abruptly dismissed in this manner lose the ability to request relief in immigration court for which they are otherwise eligible, such as asylum or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, or to request that an immigration judge hold their case while they pursue an immigration status with USCIS, such as classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile. Many of these noncitizens who had their cases dismissed had
    reportedly already submitted an asylum application or other forms of relief to the immigration court, raising serious concerns that their applications were wrongfully denied any consideration. For example, a Mexican transgender woman with no criminal history who came to the United States in 2023 after being subject to abduction and rape by members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico, had applied for asylum; upon her appearance for her court hearing in Portland, Oregon, ICE moved to dismiss her case, the court granted the request, and she was subsequently arrested by ICE agents in the lobby. In another case, ICE requested the dismissal of a case of a Cuban man who entered the United States in 2021 and had an asylum application pending; an immigration judge in the Miami Immigration Court told the asylum seeker he could seek asylum affirmatively from USCIS after the dismissal; instead, ICE arrested and detained him.
    The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, “[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.” Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases
    without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.
    These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.
    We request responses to the following questions by July 25, 2025:
    What specific guidance has DHS or DOJ/EOIR issued regarding the dismissal of standard 240 removal proceedings and the facilitation of enforcement actions in and around immigration courtrooms? Please provide a copy of the relevant guidance, email, memorandum, or other directives associated with this policy.
    How many individuals have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases from January 20th to May 19th, 2025? How many have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal since May 20, 2025? Provide the total number of individuals arrested and detained by week, and disaggregate by country of origin, gender, and age.
    What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been referred for a credible fear interview (CFI)? How many have passed that interview with the asylum officer and how many did not? Of the total negative CFIs by an asylum officer, how many were reviewed by an Immigration Judge and reversed?
    Of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases, how many had applications pending with the immigration court in INA 240 proceedings at the time that the ICE attorney moved for dismissal? How many had applications pending with USCIS (e.g. adjustment of status, SIJ classification, T or U visa)? Of those with applications pending in immigration court, how many were asylum applications and how many were for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident?
    Of those individuals who had asylum applications pending in immigration court when the ICE attorney requested the dismissal of proceedings, how many were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER? Of those, how many passed that interview with the Asylum Officer and were placed back into proceedings to again pursue their asylum claim? Of those with an asylum application pending who were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER, how many had a negative CFI with an asylum officer which was subsequently reversed by an IJ and were placed back into proceedings?
    What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been placed back into INA 240 proceedings for any reason?
    Are immigration judges being monitored or tracked on how they respond to ICE motions to dismiss the cases or to withdraw the NTA? If so, how is that information being utilized?
    There are reports of cases where the immigration judge did not immediately grant ICE’s motion to dismiss and did give the noncitizen additional time to respond, but ICE detained the noncitizen anyway.
    Since May 20th, in how many cases has an ICE attorney orally requested a dismissal, and the IJ has either denied such a motion or granted additional time for the noncitizen to respond?

    In how many of those cases did ICE arrest and detain the noncitizen despite the removal proceedings not being dismissed?
    In how many of those cases did ICE request a Change of Venue to a detained docket?
    For the subset of cases moved to the detained docket, in how many cases has ICE moved to dismiss again before a different immigration judge in order to place the noncitizen in ER?
    Of the total detained and placed in ER after the dismissal of their court cases, how many had a criminal conviction?
    Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were continuously present in the United States for more than two years? Provide an explanation of the legal basis for their placement in ER.
    Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were in removal proceedings after having been initially paroled into the United States at a port of entry? Provide the total number and disaggregate by country of origin, gender and age. Also, provide the total number of individuals who were initially paroled more than two years prior to the issuance of the I-860 ER order.
    Provide a complete list of all the immigration courts where ICE courthouse arrests and placements into ER have occurred since May 20, 2025. At each of these immigration courts, disaggregated by each individual court, have in absentia removal orders increased and if so, by what percentage of the total scheduled court hearings? Provide a daily accounting of the number of in absentia removal orders issued in each immigration court since January 1, 2025, disaggregated by court.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Eighth Former Correctional Officer Sentenced on Federal Civil Rights Charges in Connection with Death of Inmate at West Virginia Jail

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A former correctional officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Andrew Fleshman, 22, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.

    According to his plea agreement, Fleshman responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Correctional Officer Fleshman arrived at the pod, Q.B. was on the floor as force was being used against him. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officer Fleshman and other members of the conspiracy then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where, aided and abetted by each other, they struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Fleshman admitted that he and the members of the conspiracy struck and injured Q.B. to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod.

    Fleshman pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk on Nov. 2, 2023. That same day, former correctional officer Steven Nicholas Wimmer also pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to nine years in prison.

    On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Holdren to 20 years in prison and Walters was sentenced to 21 years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Snyder to 19 years and seven months in prison.

    In August 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney to six and a half years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Boothe to three years in prison.

    On Jan. 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 17 and a half years in prison.

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

    The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

    Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR UPSTATE NY! AMERICA’S FIRST-EVER NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CENTER OFFICIALLY OPENS AT ALBANY NANOTECH, MARKING MAJOR MILESTONE AS NEW GLOBAL EPICENTER FOR…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Schumer Says NSTC Will Attract Companies From Around The World To Upstate NY, Boosting Existing NY Companies From Micron To GlobalFoundries With Access To Most Advanced Machinery In The World And Bringing Thousands Of Good-Paying Jobs To Re-Establish America’s Global Chip Leadership

    Thanks To Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law & Years Of Relentless Advocacy, Albany Received A Whopping $825M And Will Be Home To Only Federal EUV Lab Country, The Leading Research Hub In The Nation To Develop The Next Generation Of Semiconductors

    Schumer: The Next Frontier For The World’s Microchips Will Be Created Here In Upstate NY

    Following years of relentless advocacy for the Capital Region, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer today cut the ribbon for the grand opening of America’s first-ever National Semiconductor Technology Center at Albany NanoTech, created by his CHIPS & Science Law.

    Schumer said this major milestone firmly establishes Upstate NY as the heart for America’s semiconductor research and manufacturing, with Albany and the Capital Region as the home for this first of its kind national lab with the most advanced chip making machinery that will bring together the nation’s top industry leaders, universities, innovators, and entrepreneurs under one roof to ensure the future of innovation in chipmaking happens here in the U.S.A.

    “America’s first-ever National Semiconductor Technology Center is open for business! Today, the eyes of the world turn to Albany and Upstate NY as the next frontier where the scientific and engineering breakthroughs in chipmaking that we cannot even fathom today will happen. The ribbon cutting for this facility will be heard like a sonic boom and make it clear that America will lead the future of semiconductor technology,” said Senator Schumer. “This is the day I long envisioned when I created the NSTC program in my CHIPS & Science Law. This facility will allow the nation’s top scientists, universities, and companies to access the most advanced machinery in the world for developing microchips. It is the start of a historic new effort by the federal government to ensure the next generation of microchips will be developed here in America, here in the Capital Region, not in China, not overseas. Today, we help usher in America’s next era of chip research and manufacturing, with Upstate NY leading the way.”

    The new EUV Accelerator at Albany NanoTech is a CHIPS for America flagship facility and will allow researchers to work together to develop more advanced semiconductor technology for commercial use. In addition to state-of-the-art EUV technology, the new EUV Accelerator includes collaboration space and resources for NSTC partners, dedicated onsite Natcast offices and staff to support NSTC members, support for programs to grow the workforce, and more. Today’s ribbon cutting signifies that the facility is now open and ready to support the needs of NSTC members and collaborators. The EUV Accelerator is currently accepting project proposals after first beginning operations on July 1, 2025.

    Schumer explained that the new state-of-the-art EUV facility at Albany NanoTech will help the United States establish dominance in advanced semiconductor research and development. The NSTC EUV Accelerator will help address gaps in American R&D and manufacturing of semiconductors and provide information to stakeholders, including universities, small businesses and entrepreneurs, large manufacturers, workers, and government agencies by providing NSTC members with access to EUV technology to facilitate research, commercialization, and workforce training.

    EUV technology is essential to the semiconductor industry and is some of the most advanced machinery in the world, in which light is used to print patterns and make chips on wafers. EUV lithography is what has allowed the breakthroughs to make this technology nanoscopic and allows for the chips that power everything from smartphones, computers, and vehicles to artificial intelligence. Albany NanoTech will be one of only two public facilities in the world with the most advanced EUV technology, a High NA Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography tool, and the only publicly-owned High NA EUV Center in North America.

    The NSTC EUV Accelerator at Albany NanoTech will be a place for leaders in the semiconductor industry to conduct research and collaborate, including bringing industry leaders like Micron, IBM, GlobalFoundries, ASML, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, and more to the table to partner on next-generation R&D. Being designated the NSTC EUV Accelerator will also open up opportunities for Albany NanoTech and Upstate NY to attract further federal investment and help attract more companies from around the world to Albany to conduct research, all with the potential of creating more good-paying jobs and making Upstate NY a global leader in semiconductors.

    “NY CREATES and our industry partners are proud to continue our two-decade-long history of advancing semiconductor technologies, and as Natcast cuts the ribbon to share with the world that the EUV Accelerator is operational and their offices at our Albany NanoTech Complex are open, this latest partnership undoubtedly represents a pivotal step forward in accelerating U.S. innovation over the long-term,” said Dave Anderson, President of NY CREATES. “With accessible, standard numerical aperture EUV lithography capabilities available today, and access to High NA EUV equipment available next year, we are proud that NY CREATES is supporting the NSTC’s mission and enabling groundbreaking research, impactful economic growth, and strategic workforce development, all of which are imperative for America’s national security and economic leadership.”

    The NSTC is a critical part of Schumer’s mission of re-establishing America’s leadership in the semiconductor industry and will bring together industry leaders, researchers from the nation’s top universities, innovators, workers, and entrepreneurs to help give them access to the most advanced chip making machinery in the world and drive the next frontier of chip innovation and manufacturing.

    Schumer worked for years to highlight Albany NanoTech and the Capital Region’s ability to lead the country’s semiconductor research and development efforts, announcing the selection of Albany NanoTech as America’s first National Semiconductor Technology Center with up to $825 million in federal CHIPS funding last year. Schumer also highlighted Albany NanoTech when pitching Micron to locate their massive $100+ billion megafab project in Upstate NY, which Micron said was a critical factor in their selection of Central NY for their major investment to bring advanced memory chip manufacturing to the U.S.

    The NSTC EUV Accelerator at Albany NanoTech is one of three major NSTC facilities. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that California’s Silicon Valley will host NSTC’s Administrative and Design Facility and Phoenix, Arizona will host the Prototyping and Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility. Together, these three major hubs will lead the NSTC’s core functions and help fulfill the CHIPS and Science Law’s vision of developing more American-made technology and boosting America as a global semiconductor leader. The new NSTC EUV Accelerator at Albany NanoTech will also open the doors to opportunities for millions of dollars in additional future investment and partnership with the federal government, as well as help bring in additional industry partners to leverage the state-of-the-art facilities to develop and manufacture advanced chips.

    MIL OSI USA News –