NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Goldman and Nadler Applaud NYC Council for Forcing City to Finally Release the Truth About 9/11 Air Toxins

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressmen Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) issued the following statement in response to the New York City Council voting to release 9/11 related documents: 

     

    “We commend the New York City Council for passing Resolution 560, finally forcing the City to release records about what officials knew about the toxic air New Yorkers were breathing after 9/11 while they were telling the public it was safe to return to the City. 

      

    “For years, we have demanded transparency from the Adams Administration about what the Giuliani and Bloomberg Administrations knew about toxins in the air following 9/11 and when they knew it. We sent multiple letters to the Adams Administration requesting the release of critical records, yet each time, they denied our requests. Their lack of a meaningful response denied justice to the thousands of New Yorkers and first responders who continue to deal with or have died from health complications due to the air quality following 9/11.  

      

    “With the passage of Resolution 560, New York City’s Department of Investigation has the power to discover exactly what Mayor Giuliani knew about the toxins in the air after 9/11 while claiming it was safe for New Yorkers to return. These records could provide long overdue accountability for potentially devastating decisions that cost thousands of lives. 

      

    “New Yorkers deserve the truth. We’re finally about to get some answers.” 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dan Goldman’s Statement on American Citizen Murdered in the West Bank

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    “I am outraged by the brutal murder of Saif Musallet, a Palestinian American, by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. There must be a full investigation, and those responsible must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. 

    “Since the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, I have repeatedly warned of the dangers of escalating violence against Palestinian civilians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. This conduct erodes democracy in Israel and the possibility of peace in the region, and I urge the Israeli government to enforce the rule of law by ensuring accountability for those who perpetrated this act.  

    “My heart goes out to Saif’s family. I will continue to push for justice and democracy in the West Bank in pursuit of a lasting peace in the region.” 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luttrell Secures Key Wins as Committee Sends FY26 NDAA to House Floor

    Source:

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) released the following statement after the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 was successfully voted out of the House Armed Services Committee and sent to the House floor:

    “America’s warfighters rely on Congress to provide them with the tools necessary to maintain our nation’s standing as the most lethal force in history. The FY26 NDAA ensures our military continues to combat our foreign adversaries and modernize our cybersecurity infrastructure, while providing critical support to our service members. I am pleased to see my provisions countering cyber threats, advancing hypersonics innovation, and expanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) research included in this legislative package. I look forward to supporting the bill when it comes to a vote on the House floor.”

    The NDAA is annual legislation that authorizes the policies and funding levels for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other national security entities.

    Luttrell secured over 50 provisions within the NDAA, including:

    • Multiple provisions to enhance cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology tools for the DoD.  
    • Authorizes funding for research and clinical trials for post-traumatic stress disorder and TBI treatments.
    • Several provisions to support the training, health, and well-being of our service members.
    • Greenlights funding for increased development of hypersonics. This builds on additional funding Luttrell secured in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and supports research and development activities in Texas.   
    • A provision to prevent the deactivation of the 1-158th Army Reserve unit in Conroe without a continuity plan for soldiers and capabilities.
    • Language to support the domestic production of critical minerals to decrease U.S. reliance on China.

    View the full markup here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Mann Leads Subcommittee Hearing on Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture, Disease Prevention in Animal Health

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, led a subcommittee hearing entitled “Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture: The Role of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).” During the hearing, the Chairman underscored the vital role the National Animal Health Laboratory Network plays in mitigating foreign animal diseases like the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, and New World Screwworm. 

    Chairman Mann also emphasized the role institutions like the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Bio and Argo-Defense Facility play in preventing animal diseases from spreading and highlighted the devastating impact the New World Screwworm would have on cattle producers in the Big First District and across the country if it reaches U.S. borders. The Chairman ended his questioning touting investments the One Big Beautiful Bill Act made into animal health research, strengthening the nation’s food supply chain and better positioning the United States to focus on disease prevention rather than outbreak control. 

    Excerpts:

    [Opening Statement as Prepared]: “Good morning and thank you all for joining us at today’s hearing. I am excited to chair this hearing of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, where we will focus on the important work of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, or NAHLN. As a fifth-generation Kansas farm kid I grew up riding pens and doctoring cattle at my family’s preconditioning feedlot and I intimately understand the vital role that animal health plays in all livestock and poultry operations. 

    The National Animal Health Laboratory Network is a critical piece of our ability to respond to and mitigate foreign animal diseases. Originally comprised of 12 laboratories when created in 2002, the NAHLN network has grown to include over 60 State and university laboratories, including the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Manhattan, Kansas.  

    These labs are strategically placed across the United States to support animal agriculture by developing and increasing the capabilities and capacities to support early detection, rapid response, and appropriate recovery from high-consequence animal diseases. Put simply, they are our first line of defense. 

    These labs do not operate in a vacuum. The NAHLN network is successful because of partnerships between Federal, State, and university-associated animal health laboratories and experts. This partnership is critical to response efforts when foreign animal diseases are detected, such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, New World Screwworm, African Swine Fever, and so many more.  

    Today, you will hear from a panel of experts who work at NAHLN laboratories. These experts will be able to share pertinent information about the critical work they do – whether it be tracking the New World Screwworm outbreak in Mexico, identifying the move of hi-path into dairy cattle in Texas, working with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas, or crucial swine testing in Iowa. 

    This hearing could not come at a better time to highlight the work of the NAHLN laboratories and talk about the need for additional resources. As of two weeks ago, funding for NAHLN – as well as funding for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank – was substantially increased in the One Big Beautiful Bill. 

    The One Big Beautiful Bill included $233 million per year for the three-legged stool, with $10 million per year directed towards the NAHLN laboratories, which is on top of existing discretionary funding. This funding will increase diagnostic capabilities, improve research, assist in disease surveillance, and strengthen our overall capacity as a nation to prevent, detect, and mitigate foreign animal diseases. I am proud of the work this Committee did to shore up our animal health resources and protect the herds and flocks that bring so much value to our producers and national security. 

    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about the work they do, day in and day out, in their roles with the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. I am excited to hear about how the increased funding will help their operation of these laboratories, which foreign animal diseases they see as the most consequential, and how we as Congress can be good partners to them. Again, thank you all for being here.” 

    [On NBAF and NAHLN combatting foreign animal disease]: “The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas, is a state-of-the-art facility that will help protect the nation’s agriculture, farmers, and consumers against the threat and potential impacts of serious foreign animal diseases. NBAF has biosafety level 2, 3, and 4 laboratories, allowing them to study and diagnose the most consequential animal pathogens. NBAF plays a critical role in our animal disease preparedness and management and is an important partner to the NAHLN system. Dr. Retallick, how does the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory collaborate with NBAF, and how will each of your operations supplement one another?” 

    Retallick: “We are excited to have NBAF as our neighbor in Manhattan, KS. NBAF has multiple missions, one of those is research and one of those is service, which is the NAHLN lab that was discussed. And so the NAHLN being a network, our interaction with them through the NAHLN and confirmatory testing is going to be the same as all the NAHLN laboratories for that. The other thing you might see us assist in NBAF is training the future technicians for them. Often entry level will come in, we will train, and they may go to work in NBAF. Ultimately, the collaboration will be very similar among all of the state laboratories, with NBAF being our parent lab and our confirmatory testing place.”

    [On New World Screwworm]: “The detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico is a huge threat to our domestic cattle producers. USDA estimates that a contemporary outbreak in Texas alone could cost producers $732 million per year. If you expand those results to the states within the historic range of New World Screwworm pre-eradication, a contemporary outbreak would cost producers as much as $4.3 billion per year and cause a total economic loss of over $10 billion. These are not losses our producers, or our economy, can afford. Again for you Dr. Retallick, surveillance and testing capacity was critical to eradicating this pest back in the 1960s. How are the NAHLN laboratories involved in preventing the spread of screwworm, and what role would they play if the pest were to reach our shores?”

    Retallick: As I stated earlier the NAHLN labs, many of them are in universities and state departments of ag, which have specialists. Each specialist is highly trained to recognize diseases and new disease threats. At KVDL, like many of the other labs in the network, we have parasitologists and pathologists who have already gone through training to recognize this. So, we will recognize through there. The NAHLN is also discussing it in their weekly calls, updating us and providing training. And in addition, with the caseload that comes through these diagnostic laboratories in the states, we see all sorts of things and animals for disposal, allowing us a large caseload to surveil coming in through routine testing.”

    [On One Big Beautiful Bill Act]: “Two weeks ago the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law. We were able to secure historic investments to modernize the farm safety net, promote ag products overseas, increase research, and important to this hearing, shore up our animal health tools. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the NAHLN system will receive $10 million annually through fiscal year 2030 on top of existing discretionary funding. At a time when foreign animal diseases are threatening our producers on all fronts, how will this investment help your lab to prepare for and respond to an outbreak?”

    Main: “Thank you. It would be a tremendous help, I would say, from providing a base of capacity and capability which is principally driven by our people. And that additional funding will enable I think, across the laboratory to really help with, I would say, maintaining adequate preparedness, via the people in the laboratory.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Torres and Ruiz Condemn DHS for Blocking Congressional Oversight of Detention Centers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    July 16, 2025

    Congressional Lawmakers Demand End to Illegal Obstruction and Partisan Discrimination at DHS Facilities

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem condemning DHS for unlawfully obstructing and delaying Members of Congress seeking to conduct oversight visits to immigration detention facilities operated by DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    In a letter sent to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the lawmakers highlighted repeated violations of federal law, specifically Section 527(a) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which clearly prohibits DHS from denying Members of Congress unimpeded access to detention facilities or making changes that alter what is observed during visits.

    “For weeks, my office has been emailing DHS to schedule a visit, only to be met with shifting policies and ever-changing excuses for why Democratic Members of Congress can’t enter facilities,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “DHS is not above the law. Denying access to Democratic Members while granting Republican Members a free pass is not only illegal—it’s a dangerous abuse of power. Congressional oversight isn’t optional; it’s a constitutional duty. If DHS continues to obstruct and discriminate, then Congress must respond—through investigations, funding restrictions, or whatever tools are necessary to restore accountability and uphold the rule of law.”

    “As Members of Congress, we visited the Adelanto ICE facility to ensure residents in our districts are not being subjected to inhumane conditions. The Department of Homeland Security’s sudden policy change requiring advance notice is unacceptable, unlawful, and clearly designed to block transparency and accountability,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “Congress has a constitutional duty to conduct oversight. We don’t need permission from DHS to lawfully do our jobs, and we won’t allow the Trump administration to keep moving the goalposts to avoid scrutiny.”

    The lawmakers are demanding written assurances by Friday, July 18, 2025 that DHS will:

    • Cease all unlawful restrictions and partisan discrimination;
    • Fully comply with federal law regarding congressional access to facilities; and
    • Provide equal and prompt access to all Members of Congress regardless of party affiliation.

    Full letter text

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sidetrade: 2025 H1 revenue, up 19% at constant exchange rates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Booking resilience amid economic headwinds

    • Annual Contract Value (ACV) of new deals: €5.88 million
    • Down 21% vs. record H1 2024
    • Stable vs. H1 2023 (€5.84 million)

    Commercial launch of the first autonomous AI Cash Collection Agent

    Partnership signed with a global Order-to-Cash services leader

    Strong revenue growth: +19% at constant exchange rates, with SaaS subscriptions up 25% (+18% and +24% respectively in reported data)

    • Robust half-year performance driven by SaaS subscriptions
    • Acceleration in the enterprise segment

    Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, today announced strong first-half 2025 revenue growth of 19% at constant exchange rates, driven by a 25% increase in SaaS subscription revenue.

    Commenting on the results, Sidetrade CEO Olivier Novasque stated:

    “Given the current macroeconomic environment, we were unable to replicate our record-breaking booking from the first half of 2024, which had seen a 25% year-over-year increase. As anticipated, H1 2025 reflects a 21% decline from that record high, impacted by companies’ cautious stance toward launching new investment projects. Nonetheless, our well-balanced footprint across Europe and North America, where early signs of recovery are emerging, combined with a diversified mix of new deals and upsells to our existing client base, helped maintain bookings at levels comparable to H1 2023, before the 2024 peak.

    While full-year 2025 booking is expected to follow a similar trend, early market feedback on the launch of our autonomous AI Cash Collection Agent is highly encouraging and supports the prospect of a significant reacceleration starting in 2026. Furthermore, the global alliance signed in June with a leading Order-to-Cash services firm is a new growth catalyst, expected to deliver material impact from 2026 onward. Additional agreements of this nature are in advanced stages and will enhance commercial momentum over the coming years.

    On the revenue front, we posted strong growth of +19% at constant exchange rates, including +25% for our SaaS subscriptions. This performance was driven by 1/ the consolidation of SHS Viveon in H1, 2/ strong growth in our subscriptions in the US (+26%), and 3/ a sharp increase in subscriptions from enterprise clients generating over $2.5 billion in revenue (+42%). With nearly 90% recurring revenue and two new growth engines set to kick in from 2026, Sidetrade is well-positioned to sustain a robust and highly predictable business model. We are now entering a new phase in our growth journey, one that will once again redefine the scale and scope of our company over the next three years.”

    Resilient booking performance against a record 2024 and challenging macro backdrop

    In H1 2025, Sidetrade recorded €5.88 million in new Annual Contract Value (ACV), down 21% from the €7.42 million reported in H1 2024, which marked an all-time high (+25% vs. H1 2023). While the economic context and an exceptionally high comparison base weighed on performance, H1 2025 ACV remained in line with the pre-peak level of H1 2023 (€5.84 million), demonstrating the strength of Sidetrade’s commercial model.
    New Annual Recurring Revenue (New ARR) came in at €2.44 million, down 38% from the record €3.95 million in H1 2024. Q1 2025 was exceptionally soft in North America, which accounted for only 8% of New ARR. However, a strong Q2 2025 rebound lifted the US contribution to 34% of total new contract value for the first half of the year.

    Service booking, which are generally billed within twelve months of being signed, remained stable at €3.44 million in H1 2025 (vs. €3.47 million in H1 2024), with reduced large-scale investment activity, particularly in the US, offset by strong expansion projects within the existing client base, including €1.44 million from SHS Viveon customers in Germany.

    The average initial contract period for new clients (excluding renewals) remained high at 44.5 months (vs. 44.8 in H1 2024), significantly above the SaaS industry average (24–36 months), reflecting strong client confidence and contributing to revenue visibility and resilience.

    In a notable shift in trend, only 30% of H1 2025 bookings came from New Business, compared to the historical range of 50–60%. This was due to greater caution among enterprises, especially in North America. Conversely, Cross-sell deals (new entities within a group and/or additional modules, such as CashApp, Credit Risk Expert, or e-Invoicing) accounted for 45% of total bookings (up from 20% previously), while upsells to existing clients contributed 25%. Together, Cross-Sell and UpSell accounted for 70% of signatures, clear evidence of strong customer satisfaction and revenue retention. This also reflects Sidetrade’s ability to capture incremental growth from existing enterprise clients through a multi-product platform strategy, even in a challenging environment.

    AI Agent and strategic alliances open up new structural growth opportunities for order intake

    H1 2025 marked a strategic inflection point, with two new growth levers expected to reshape Sidetrade’s medium-term commercial trajectory: the industrialization of agent-based AI and the expansion of distribution channels through global partnerships.

    In May 2025, Sidetrade unveiled the first autonomous AI agent for cash collection. Designed to operate without human supervision, this next-generation intelligent agent, embodied by Aimie, is a game-changer in the Order-to-Cash space. With strong interest from enterprise clients seeking immediate cash generation improvements, large-scale commercialization is scheduled for early 2026, with some early-stage pre-orders possible in Q4 2025. Initial feedback indicates that AI agents could significantly boost commercial momentum starting next year.

    In parallel, Sidetrade signed a global partnership in June with a major international consulting firm specializing in finance transformation. The agreement provides privileged access to Global 2000 strategic accounts across services, manufacturing, and healthcare, and is expected to generate incremental pipeline growth across North America, EMEA, and APAC.

    Backed by a substantial installed base, breakthrough innovation, and expanded go-to-market capabilities, Sidetrade is well-equipped to accelerate its commercial growth in the coming years.

    Strong revenue growth: +18%, including +24% SaaS subscription growth

    Sidetrade
    (€m)    		 H1 2025 H1 2024 Change
    SaaS Subscription Revenue 25.4 20.5 +24%
    Total Revenue 29.3 24.8 +18%

    All the 2025 information of this financial release is from consolidated, unaudited data.

    Sidetrade posted consolidated revenue of €29.3 million in H1 2025, up 19% at constant exchange rates and 18% on a reported basis.

    SaaS subscription revenue rose to €25.4 million, representing a 25% increase at constant exchange rates (+24% reported). On a like-for-like basis (excluding SHS Viveon), growth stood at +12% constant. This solid performance confirms the strength of Sidetrade’s SaaS business model, with recurring revenue driving robust results amid economic uncertainty.
    Growth was robust among enterprise accounts. SaaS subscriptions from companies generating over €2.5 billion in annual revenue surged 42%, now representing 54% of total subscription revenue, underscoring Sidetrade’s growing penetration of large international enterprises. This high-end market segment is expected to remain a significant growth driver in the coming quarters.

    Service revenue totaled €3.9 million, down 8% compared to H1 2024 and 32% on a like-for-like basis. This was due to fewer large-scale projects and more limited service engagements tied to upsell deals.

    The consolidation of SHS Viveon (effective July 1, 2024) contributed €3.9 million, or 13% of total H1 2025 revenue.

    It is worth noting that all Sidetrade multi-year contracts are indexed to inflation (Syntec index for Southern Europe, UK CPI for Northern Europe, and US CPI for the United States), ensuring that annual pricing updates are automatically reflected in subscription revenue, without waiting for contract renewals.

    Next financial announcement
    First Half Year Results for 2025: September 17, 2025 (after the stock market closes)

    Investor & Media relations @Sidetrade
    Christelle Dhrif                +33 6 10 46 72 00          cdhrif@sidetrade.com

    About Sidetrade (www.sidetrade.com)
    Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its new-generation agentic AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of 40 million buyers worldwide. Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States, and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Among them: AGFA, BMW Financial Services, Bunzl, DXC, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Morningstar, Page, Randstad, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Siemens, UGI, Veolia.
    For further information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow @Sidetrade on LinkedIn.
     In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, only the English version is to be taken into account.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Online IQ Test 2025 | Quick, Real, & Accurate IQ Test Now Offered by QuickIQTest.org

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  QuickIQTest.org, one of the most widely recognized platforms for cognitive testing, has officially unveiled its new and enhanced IQ testing platform: the Official IQ Test 2025. This certified and reliable IQ test offers a seamless, science-backed online testing experience with instant scoring, accurate insights, and full mobile compatibility.

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    The Science Behind the Official IQ Test 2025

    QuickIQTest.org collaborated with cognitive researchers to build a refined real IQ test online rooted in modern psychological research. The test architecture uses:

    • Adaptive question sequencing to adjust difficulty based on performance
    • Fluid intelligence principles over crystallized knowledge
    • Real-time feedback scoring using standardized population data

    This approach ensures that each test taker receives a score that reflects their performance accurately—not based on rote memory or trivia, but actual thinking skill.

    ⇒ Test Your Brainpower Now – Fast, Real Results

    IQ Test Questions You Can Expect

    Curious about what kind of IQ test questions appear in the Official IQ Test 2025? Here’s what users face during the test:

    • Pattern recognition in visual sequences
    • Number series and logic puzzles
    • Abstract shape identification
    • Symmetry and mirroring challenges
    • Deductive reasoning tasks

    Each category helps measure different facets of intelligence. It’s a real IQ test, not a quiz, built to gauge brainpower across multiple dimensions.

    ⇒ Take a Trusted IQ Test at QuickIQTest.org Today

    Beyond a Score: Insights That Drive Growth

    Every score delivered from QuickIQTest.org includes more than a raw number. The report gives:

    • Insights on how your brain processes visual and numerical data
    • Speed metrics and time-use efficiency
    • Strengths in abstract, spatial, or sequential logic

    This feedback isn’t meant to label—it’s meant to guide. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or simply want to test your IQ in a meaningful way, the insights are actionable

    ⇒ Measure Your IQ with an Official Online Test

    The Real-World Applications of Online IQ Testing

    In an age of information overload and AI-assisted workflows, understanding human cognition is more important than ever. A real IQ test online gives individuals the chance to identify how they think—not just what they know.

    Thousands of users turn to QuickIQTest.org to:

    • Measure cognitive strengths before applying for graduate programs
    • Test their IQ as part of job readiness assessments
    • Validate gifted learning for children and teens
    • Track personal growth in mental speed and abstract reasoning
    • Compare scores across age groups using scientifically adjusted benchmarks

    As a legit IQ test provider, QuickIQTest.org serves both casual users and those with professional or academic goals. This growing trust has made it a preferred destination for anyone asking “where to take a real IQ test that actually works.”

    ⇒ Take the IQ Test Everyone Is Talking About

    Who Is the Quick IQ Test For?

    One of the reasons the Quick IQ Test has seen such popularity is its universal design. It’s tailored to all types of users, including:

    • Students preparing for academic advancement
    • Parents testing cognitive potential in children
    • Job seekers validating soft skills and analytical thinking
    • Educators evaluating aptitude and supporting learning paths
    • Curious minds exploring personal cognitive style

    From teenagers preparing for exams to retirees wanting to keep their minds sharp, the Official IQ Test 2025 is inclusive and accessible.

    ⇒ Fast & Certified IQ Testing – Try It Now

    Best Practices: How to Prepare for an Accurate IQ Test Online

    Although an IQ test measures innate reasoning rather than acquired knowledge, a little preparation goes a long way. For best results when you take an IQ test online, QuickIQTest.org recommends:

    1. Use a quiet, distraction-free environment – mental clarity helps.
    2. Eliminate digital interruptions – silence notifications and close other apps.
    3. Avoid rushing – while the test is timed, a steady pace yields better accuracy.
    4. Familiarize yourself with question types – pattern and shape recognition, logic problems, numerical sequences.

    To test your IQ accurately, focus is key. The platform is built to deliver your IQ test score without distractions, so your effort reflects your real potential.

    ⇒ Check Your Intelligence with QuickIQTest.org

    Reliability and Scientific Integrity Set QuickIQTest.org Apart in 2025

    In a rapidly expanding field of digital assessments, establishing reliability remains one of the most important benchmarks for any online IQ testing platform. 

    QuickIQTest.org has distinguished itself in this landscape by implementing a rigorous approach to test development and scoring. The platform’s question set has been curated and validated by specialists in psychometrics and cognitive science, ensuring that each item measures a distinct and relevant aspect of intelligence.

    The scoring methodology is grounded in a Gaussian distribution model—commonly used in academic and psychological evaluations—to align test results with standardized population metrics. This statistical foundation allows for meaningful interpretation of scores across a diverse range of users.

    ⇒ Take a Real IQ Test That Delivers Real Scores

    In addition to its scientific underpinnings, QuickIQTest.org has prioritized accessibility and efficiency. The platform features a real-time scoring engine, enabling participants to receive their IQ test results immediately upon completion. Cross-device compatibility ensures seamless functionality on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices alike.

    Furthermore, the inclusion of age-adjusted scoring algorithms provides users with benchmarks tailored to their demographic, enhancing both fairness and precision in score reporting.

    Together, these core features position QuickIQTest.org as a leader in online cognitive assessment. Its commitment to consistency, transparency, and methodological soundness reinforces its standing as one of the most accurate IQ test platforms currently available.

    ⇒ Test Your Mind with This Legit Online IQ Quiz

    Breaking Down the Full User Journey: From Curiosity to Confidence

    Step 1: “I want to test my IQ”

    Many users arrive at QuickIQTest.org after searching “how to test my IQ” or “how to take an IQ test that’s real.” They’re immediately greeted with a distraction-free interface that begins the process.

    Step 2: The Test Experience

    During the test, users encounter 25–30 questions that challenge their reasoning, pattern recognition, visual-spatial logic, and abstract thinking. It’s a fast IQ test but not oversimplified. The time limit keeps responses natural and spontaneous.

    Step 3: Instant Results and Insights

    Once complete, the platform calculates your IQ test score using an adaptive algorithm. You’ll see where you rank and receive a basic interpretation immediately—no email required.

    ⇒ Take a Certified IQ Quiz in Minutes at QuickIQTest.org

    Popular User Searches Answered by QuickIQTest.org

    Many arrive at the site after Googling:

    • “What is an IQ test that actually gives real scores?”
    • “Where can I take an IQ test for adults or kids?”
    • “Legit IQ test with instant results?”
    • “How to test your IQ online without signing up?”
    • “Best IQ test online in 2025?”

    QuickIQTest.org answers them all by being the simple IQ test platform with professional-grade intelligence scoring.

    ⇒ See How You Score with the QuickIQTest.org IQ Quiz

    Trusted Globally: Reputation Built on Performance

    QuickIQTest.org has now served millions of users worldwide and consistently ranks among the most visited online IQ test platforms.

    User feedback has highlighted:

    • Speed: Most users complete their test in 10–12 minutes.
    • Accuracy: High repeatability of results, even across separate sessions.
    • Trust: No account creation or data harvesting.
    • Clarity: Results are easy to understand and compare.

    This reputation ensures QuickIQTest.org remains the answer to “where can I take a real IQ test online without gimmicks?”

    ⇒ Fast, Real, and Legit – Start Your IQ Test Now

    Final Thoughts

    In a world that increasingly values clarity of thought, strategic reasoning, and analytical precision, understanding your mental framework is a powerful step toward personal and professional development.

    The Official IQ Test 2025 by QuickIQTest.org is not a gimmick or a game—it’s a streamlined, science-based evaluation tool for curious thinkers, professionals, students, and lifelong learners. It’s a place where you can test your IQ, receive meaningful feedback, and explore how your brain navigates challenges—all from the comfort of your device.

    FAQs

    1. Is QuickIQTest.org a real IQ test?

    Yes. QuickIQTest.org offers a certified and scientifically structured real IQ test online that measures cognitive performance in areas like logic, reasoning, pattern recognition, and memory. It uses validated question types found in formal intelligence assessments.

    2. Where can I take an IQ test that gives instant results?

    You can take the quick IQ test online directly at QuickIQTest.org. Your score is calculated and presented immediately after completion of the payment process. No waiting, no emails, and no hidden steps.

    3. How accurate is the IQ test on QuickIQTest.org?

    The test is based on psychometric models used in professional assessments. It includes adaptive difficulty, time benchmarks, and scoring that aligns with standard IQ distributions, making it one of the most accurate IQ test experiences available online.

    4. Can I take a short IQ test that’s still legit?

    Absolutely. The short IQ test at QuickIQTest.org is designed to give you measurable insights in 10–12 minutes, while maintaining structure and scoring accuracy.

    5. Is it safe and private?

    Yes. The test is conducted without requiring registration or collecting personal data. No cookies are used for advertising, and results are stored locally.

    6. Is this the best IQ test online?

    QuickIQTest.org consistently ranks among the top providers due to its simplicity, accuracy, and scientific foundation. It is widely recognized as one of the best online IQ test platforms for real results.

    7. What kind of IQ test questions will I get?

    Questions include number sequences, shape patterns, visual logic problems, and spatial reasoning tasks, representing a balanced, certified IQ test approach.

    8. Is there an age limit?

    No. While the test adjusts scores based on age group, it is suitable for adults, teenagers, and children above 10 years old, making it a legitimate IQ test option for nearly all users.

    9. What does my IQ test score mean?

    A score of 100 is the average for your age group. Above 115 is considered above average, while 130+ is considered gifted. Your results include percentile ranking and performance benchmarks.

    10. Where to take IQ test that’s simple, legit, and accurate?

    QuickIQTest.org, the platform has become a global leader in real IQ test online solutions, offering a fast and reliable experience with real-time scoring.

    Media Contact

    Company: Quick IQ Test

    Contact Person: Sean C. Bailey

    Email: support@quickiqtest.org

    Address: 3445 Canterbury Drive, New York, NY 10016, USA

    URL: https://quickiqtest.org/

    Phone: +1 646-598-0584

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kremlin closely monitors situation with Western arms supplies to Ukraine – Russian presidential press secretary

    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

    Moscow, July 16 /Xinhua/ — Russia is very attentive to the issue of long-range weapons supplies to Ukraine and is monitoring the relevant reports, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

    “The topic is, of course, high on the news agenda. Of course, we are very closely monitoring all relevant reports,” he told reporters.

    Answering the question of how the Kremlin feels about the decision of US President Donald Trump to sell NATO weapons for further deliveries to Ukraine, D. Peskov pointed out that the US has supplied and will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine, for them “it’s business.”

    “It’s just a question of who pays for them. Now some Europeans will pay for them,” the Kremlin spokesman noted. At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that there will be disagreements among European countries on paying for weapons for Ukraine. “You heard that the French will not pay, the Czechs will not pay. That is, there will be disagreements there too, because there is so much to pay, so much money. There will be nothing left for the citizens,” the Russian president’s press secretary emphasized.

    D. Peskov noted that “the Europeans are displaying a completely unbridled militaristic attitude and are declaring their intention to spend countless amounts of money on purchasing weapons” in order to further provoke a continuation of the war. “Of course, against the backdrop of such an emotional state, bordering on inadequacy, it is very difficult to predict anything on the European continent,” he stated.

    D. Peskov also confirmed that all provisions of the Russian Federation’s nuclear doctrine, including the responsibility of nuclear countries for “inciting” non-nuclear ones, are in effect.

    In this regard, Moscow calls on all interested parties to provide assistance in continuing direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations, the Kremlin representative emphasized.

    In the fall of 2024, an updated nuclear doctrine of Russia was adopted in connection with the emergence of new military risks. The new version, in particular, expanded the list of states against which nuclear deterrence is carried out and supplemented the list of military threats. It contains a clause stating that aggression by a non-nuclear state with the support or participation of a country possessing nuclear weapons is considered a joint attack on the Russian Federation. At the same time, the basic principle of the use of nuclear weapons remains the same: it is an extreme and forced measure to protect Russia’s sovereignty.

    On July 14, D. Trump announced that Ukraine would receive weapons from the United States, and that European countries would fully pay for them. “We are talking about military equipment worth billions of dollars, which will be purchased from the United States, transferred to NATO and very quickly put on the battlefield. Ukraine will receive it,” he explained. In particular, the American president announced the delivery of 17 Patriot air and missile defense systems to Ukraine. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ship Manager Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Waste into U.S. Waters Off Coast of New Orleans

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Ship Manager Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Waste into U.S. Waters Off Coast of New Orleans

    Eagle Ship Management LLC (ESM), based in Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) by deliberately polluting U.S. waters off the coast of New Orleans from the M/V Gannet Bulker, a foreign-flagged bulk carrier. If approved by the court, ESM would pay a criminal fine of $1,750,000 and serve a four-year term of probation that includes external audits by an independent technical expert.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Miske Enterprise Member Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy, Robbery, and Drug Trafficking

    Source: US FBI

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Lance L. Bermudez, 34, of Honolulu, Hawaii was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Chief Judge Derrick K. Watson to 360 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, racketeering conspiracy, and Hobbs Act Robbery. Bermudez is the last defendant to be sentenced for his role in the Miske Enterprise.

    As part of his 2022 plea agreement, Bermudez admitted that he and other members of the Enterprise participated in a murder-for-hire conspiracy with codefendant Michael J. Miske and other Enterprise members. Miske put a murder contract out on an individual he believed was cooperating with law enforcement. Bermudez agreed to commit the murder for $60,000 and laid in wait outside of the victim’s home on multiple occasions, waiting for the right opportunity to kill the victim. The murder did not ultimately occur because Miske eventually rescinded the contract. Bermudez also admitted to taking part in multiple attempted murders where he shot victims from his vehicle. Further, Bermudez admitted to burning a van at Miske’s direction that Bermudez later discovered was utilized in the abduction and murder of 21-year-old Johnathan Fraser. Bermudez also admitted to committing several armed robberies of Honolulu area drug dealers and then selling the stolen drugs to others in the community.

    Bermudez was charged alongside twelve other defendants, all of whom pled guilty except for Michael J. Miske who proceeded to trial and was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, murder, and 11 other felony charges on July 18, 2024.

    Seven other members and associates of the Miske Enterprise pled guilty to various offenses in related cases.

    “You terrorized this city and this county to a greater extent than anyone I can remember,” Judge Watson advised Bermudez during today’s sentencing before reciting the litany of racketeering acts for which the Court found Bermudez responsible.  Judge Watson called out the “brazenness” and “unprecedented” nature of Bermudez’s acts of violence, noting that he had never seen the same level of violence even collectively among multiple coconspirators that here was attributed solely to Bermudez.

    “For his grisly work in pummeling victims with his fists, Lance Bermudez was coined with the nickname, ‘The Hammah.’  Yesterday, Bermudez was at the business end of the federal justice hammer as U.S. District Chief Judge Derrick Watson sentenced him to a lengthy 30-year sentence for his violent role in promoting the nefarious and illicit activities of the Miske organization.  Bermudez’s sentence is the final one to be handed down against the members of the Miske Enterprise and is the capstone of our investigation into the violent and corrupt activities of Michael Miske and his henchmen,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson.  “Our decade-long effort with our outstanding law enforcement partners has now resulted in the federal convictions of 20 Miske confederates who now can no longer victimize Hawaii’s citizens and communities.  While the work against the Miske Enterprise is done, the people of Hawaii can rest assured that the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii and our dedicated and resolute law enforcement partners at the Honolulu Division of the FBI, Internal Revenue Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, among others, will continue to tirelessly hunt down and prosecute those who operate violent criminal enterprises in our state and endanger our citizens.”

    “Mr. Bermudez was a key member of the Miske Enterprise, actively participating in a longstanding pattern of violence and racketeering activity involving murder-for-hire, armed robbery, and drug trafficking,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter.  “This sentencing reflects years of collaboration between FBI Honolulu and our law enforcement partners.  The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantle violent criminal enterprises, hold their members accountable, and pursue justice for victims.” 

    “Mr. Bermudez’s account of attempted murder-for-hire reminds us that even the worst crimes have a price,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “IRS-CI follows the money to uproot organizations that profit from violence.”

    “Today’s sentencing marks a significant step towards justice for the victims and the community terrorized by the Miske Enterprise.  The severity of the crimes committed by Lance L. Bermudez underscores the necessity of our relentless collaborative efforts to dismantle such criminal organizations and ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas.  “We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who engage in such egregious acts of violence and criminal conduct.”

    This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, the Cybercrime Lab of the Department of Justice Criminal Division Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, the Honolulu Fire Department, the Hawaii National Guard, 93rd Civil Support Team, the Office of Investigations–Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Inciong, Michael Nammar, KeAupuni Akina, and Aislinn Affinito prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Miske Enterprise Member Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy, Robbery, and Drug Trafficking

    Source: US FBI

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Lance L. Bermudez, 34, of Honolulu, Hawaii was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Chief Judge Derrick K. Watson to 360 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, racketeering conspiracy, and Hobbs Act Robbery. Bermudez is the last defendant to be sentenced for his role in the Miske Enterprise.

    As part of his 2022 plea agreement, Bermudez admitted that he and other members of the Enterprise participated in a murder-for-hire conspiracy with codefendant Michael J. Miske and other Enterprise members. Miske put a murder contract out on an individual he believed was cooperating with law enforcement. Bermudez agreed to commit the murder for $60,000 and laid in wait outside of the victim’s home on multiple occasions, waiting for the right opportunity to kill the victim. The murder did not ultimately occur because Miske eventually rescinded the contract. Bermudez also admitted to taking part in multiple attempted murders where he shot victims from his vehicle. Further, Bermudez admitted to burning a van at Miske’s direction that Bermudez later discovered was utilized in the abduction and murder of 21-year-old Johnathan Fraser. Bermudez also admitted to committing several armed robberies of Honolulu area drug dealers and then selling the stolen drugs to others in the community.

    Bermudez was charged alongside twelve other defendants, all of whom pled guilty except for Michael J. Miske who proceeded to trial and was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, murder, and 11 other felony charges on July 18, 2024.

    Seven other members and associates of the Miske Enterprise pled guilty to various offenses in related cases.

    “You terrorized this city and this county to a greater extent than anyone I can remember,” Judge Watson advised Bermudez during today’s sentencing before reciting the litany of racketeering acts for which the Court found Bermudez responsible.  Judge Watson called out the “brazenness” and “unprecedented” nature of Bermudez’s acts of violence, noting that he had never seen the same level of violence even collectively among multiple coconspirators that here was attributed solely to Bermudez.

    “For his grisly work in pummeling victims with his fists, Lance Bermudez was coined with the nickname, ‘The Hammah.’  Yesterday, Bermudez was at the business end of the federal justice hammer as U.S. District Chief Judge Derrick Watson sentenced him to a lengthy 30-year sentence for his violent role in promoting the nefarious and illicit activities of the Miske organization.  Bermudez’s sentence is the final one to be handed down against the members of the Miske Enterprise and is the capstone of our investigation into the violent and corrupt activities of Michael Miske and his henchmen,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson.  “Our decade-long effort with our outstanding law enforcement partners has now resulted in the federal convictions of 20 Miske confederates who now can no longer victimize Hawaii’s citizens and communities.  While the work against the Miske Enterprise is done, the people of Hawaii can rest assured that the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii and our dedicated and resolute law enforcement partners at the Honolulu Division of the FBI, Internal Revenue Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, among others, will continue to tirelessly hunt down and prosecute those who operate violent criminal enterprises in our state and endanger our citizens.”

    “Mr. Bermudez was a key member of the Miske Enterprise, actively participating in a longstanding pattern of violence and racketeering activity involving murder-for-hire, armed robbery, and drug trafficking,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter.  “This sentencing reflects years of collaboration between FBI Honolulu and our law enforcement partners.  The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantle violent criminal enterprises, hold their members accountable, and pursue justice for victims.” 

    “Mr. Bermudez’s account of attempted murder-for-hire reminds us that even the worst crimes have a price,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “IRS-CI follows the money to uproot organizations that profit from violence.”

    “Today’s sentencing marks a significant step towards justice for the victims and the community terrorized by the Miske Enterprise.  The severity of the crimes committed by Lance L. Bermudez underscores the necessity of our relentless collaborative efforts to dismantle such criminal organizations and ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas.  “We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who engage in such egregious acts of violence and criminal conduct.”

    This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, the Cybercrime Lab of the Department of Justice Criminal Division Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, the Honolulu Fire Department, the Hawaii National Guard, 93rd Civil Support Team, the Office of Investigations–Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Inciong, Michael Nammar, KeAupuni Akina, and Aislinn Affinito prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Stifel Ranks No. 1 in J.D. Power Study for Third Straight Year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. LOUIS, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today announced that its Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated broker-dealer subsidiary ranked No. 1 in employee advisor satisfaction among wealth management firms in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction StudySM.

    This marks the third straight year that Stifel has earned the top ranking, which is calculated based on responses submitted by Stifel advisors. Stifel’s overall score was 819 out of 1,000 – 214 points higher than the employee segment average and up 52 points from last year.

    In addition to finishing No. 1 overall, Stifel ranked first in five individual categories: compensation, leadership and culture, operational support, products and marketing, and technology.

    “I am thrilled that J.D. Power has named Stifel the No. 1 wealth management firm for employee advisor satisfaction for the third consecutive year,” said Ron Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel. “This recognition means even more because it comes directly from our advisors. Ranking No. 1 in overall satisfaction – and in five of six categories – is a powerful testament to the culture we’ve built at Stifel. But we don’t view this as a victory lap – we view it as a challenge. A challenge to keep raising the bar, to keep listening, and to continuously improve.”

    “This is a tremendous honor for the firm, our advisors, and the colleagues who support them,” said Jim Zemlyak, President of Stifel and Head of Global Wealth Management. “Our unique culture is built around respect for our advisors, and we continually invest in their success by providing them the resources and support needed to deliver exceptional service to their clients.”

    Stifel is home to approximately 2,340 advisors with approximately $517 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2025.

    Stifel Company Information
    Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC; and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

    For further information,
    contact Brian Spellecy
    (314) 342-2000        

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Staff Guidance Note on The Implementation of The IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS)

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Preview Citation

    Format: Chicago

    Staff Guidance Note on The Implementation of The IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS), (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2023) accessed July 16, 2025

    Summary

    This note provides operational advice and information to help staff implement the IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS) approved by the Executive Board on March 9, 2022. Topics covered include (i) the new IMF FCS classification methodology, which is aligned with that of the World Bank; (ii) the preparation of Country Engagement Strategies (CES) that will be rolled out across FCS to ensure that Fund engagement is appropriately tailored to country-specific manifestations of fragility and/or conflict; (iii) advice on tailoring the thematic focus of Article IV consultations and Fund analytics to FCS, as well as on the prioritization, design, and implementation of capacity development (CD) projects in fragile contexts; (iv) guidance on making full use of the flexibilities of the lending toolkit; (v) guidance on engaging in specific FCS situations, including building accountable institutions to exit fragility, cases of rising fragility risks, active conflict, post-conflict, and addressing the impact of external shocks and spillovers; and (v) strengthening partnerships with humanitarian, development, and peace actors, in accordance with the Fund’s mandate. Dedicated annexes provide additional information on the CES process, addressing good governance in FCS, program design, and country examples of Fund engagement in FCS.

    Subject: Monetary policy, Political economy

    Keywords: Absorptive capacity, Balance of payments, Capacity development, Conflict, Country engagement strategies, Fragile and conflict-affected states, Fragility, Governance, Inclusive growth, Macroeconomic policy, Partnerships, Political economy, Surveillance

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA to Revoke 52 Obsolete Standards of Identity for Food Products

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    July 16, 2025

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it is revoking, or proposing to revoke, 52 food standards after concluding they are obsolete and unnecessary. The 52 standards are for canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products and other foods.
    Today’s actions are the first results from the agency’s ongoing analysis of its portfolio of over 250 food Standards of Identity (SOI) to make sure they are useful, relevant and serve consumers in the best possible way. The removal of these standards is in alignment with broader efforts to ensure that HHS is directing resources to where they’re most needed – delivering better outcomes for the American people.
    “I’m eliminating outdated food regulations that no longer serve the interests of American families,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Today marks a crucial step in my drive to cut through bureaucratic red tape, increase transparency and remove regulations that have outlived their purpose.”
    The FDA began establishing food standards in 1939 to promote “honesty and fair dealing” and to ensure that the characteristics, ingredients and production processes of specific foods were consistent with what consumers expect. However, advances in food science, agriculture and production practices, and additional consumer protections have made many of these older, rigid “recipe standards” unnecessary.
    “The FDA’s Standards of Identity efforts have helped ensure uniformity, boost consumer confidence and prevent food fraud. But many of these standards have outlived their usefulness and may even stifle innovation in making food easier to produce or providing consumers healthier choices,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “Antiquated food standards are no longer serving to protect consumers. It is common sense to revoke them and move to a more judicious use of food standards and agency resources.”
    Today’s actions include publication of the following:

    A direct final rule revoking standards for 11 types of canned fruits and vegetables that are no longer sold in U.S. grocery stores, including seven standards for fruits artificially sweetened with saccharin or sodium saccharin. The agency is issuing a companion proposed rule in the same issue of the Federal Register in case the direct final rule is withdrawn because significant adverse comments are received, and the agency needs to move forward with a proposed rule to put these changes in place.
    A proposed rule that would revoke standards for 18 types of dairy products – including certain milk and cream products, cheeses and related cheese products and frozen desserts.
    A proposed rule that would revoke standards for 23 types of food products –including bakery products, macaroni and noodle products, canned fruit juices, fish and shellfish, and food dressings and flavorings.

    Many of the standards listed in the two proposed rules predate more recent consumer protections such as requirements about ingredient safety, ingredient labeling, food packaging, safe food production and manufacturing practices and nutrition labeling information and claims.
    On May 13, HHS and FDA issued a Request for Information to identify and eliminate outdated or unnecessary regulations. This initiative supports a broader federal effort to reduce regulatory burdens and increase transparency, in alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order 14192 “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.”
    Related Information

    Related Information

    ###

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    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Content current as of:
    07/16/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Helps Secure Over $200 Million from Gilead Sciences for Paying Illegal Kickbacks

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    California will receive more than $4 million from multistate settlement in principle

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 48 other attorneys general in securing $202 million from Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead), for running an illegal kickback scheme to promote its HIV medications. Gilead allegedly violated federal law by illegally providing incentives – including awards, meals, and travel expenses – to healthcare providers to prescribe Gilead’s medications, resulting in millions of dollars of false claims submitted to government health care programs, including Medi-Cal. The settlement in principle, reached in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice and approved by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, provides $49 million for Medicaid programs nationwide, including $4,118,184 for California, with the remainder going to Medicare, Tricare, and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).   

    “The best interests of patients must always come first,” said Attorney General Bonta. “At this time of unprecedented funding cuts to Medicaid, it is particularly important to protect the program from illegal kick-back schemes that harm the program and patients alike. Today’s settlement returns critical funding to our communities and programs like Medicaid that keep them healthy.” 

    From January 2011 to November 2017, Gilead allegedly violated federal anti-kickback laws by providing gifts to healthcare providers who attended and spoke at promotional speaker programs for Gilead’s HIV drugs: Stribild, Genvoya, Complera, Odefsey, Descovy, and Biktarvy. Gilead paid high-volume prescribers tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars to present as “HIV Speakers.” The company also covered travel expenses for speakers, including those traveling long distances and to attractive destinations, such as Hawaii, Miami, and New Orleans, and hosted dinners at high-end restaurants.

    Gilead’s internal compliance mechanisms failed to halt these violations. The company’s internal policies and procedures failed to prevent its sales representatives from improperly offering incentives to induce prescriptions.

    Joining Attorney General Bonta in securing settlements with Gilead are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $69,244,976 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of California. FY 2025 is from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Bend Man Sentenced to 262 Months in Prison

    Source: US FBI

    SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Quadir Quiroz, 20 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

    Quiroz was sentenced to 216 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

    According to documents in the case, Quiroz robbed a person at gunpoint and stole the person’s car. Ten days later, Quiroz robbed a gas station in South Bend.  During the robbery, Quiroz struck a gas-station employee in the head with his gun.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ship Manager Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Waste into U.S. Waters Off Coast of New Orleans

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Note: View factual basis here.

    Eagle Ship Management LLC (ESM), based in Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty yesterday to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) by deliberately polluting U.S. waters off the coast of New Orleans from the M/V Gannet Bulker, a foreign-flagged bulk carrier. If approved by the court, ESM would pay a criminal fine of $1,750,000 and serve a four-year term of probation that includes external audits by an independent technical expert.

    The chief engineer of the Gannet Bulker was prosecuted in a separate case and sentenced to serve a year and a day in prison for his role in the discharge of oil and obstructing justice.

    The Coast Guard launched its investigation after a crew member sent a message via social media on March 14, 2021, indicating that the engine room had flooded and that the resulting oil-contaminated bilge waste had been deliberately pumped overboard at night. Flooded bilges can pose a serious threat to the safety of the ship and crew, including creating a risk of electrocution, loss of power, and inability to steer.

    At the time, the Gannet Bulker was at an anchorage near the Southwest Passage of the Port of New Orleans, near the mouth of the Mississippi River. According to court records, the intentional overboard oily discharge into U.S. waters involved approximately 39 cubic meters (approximately 10,303 gallons), and was done without the use of required pollution prevention equipment or required recordkeeping

    “The Department of Justice vigorously prosecutes violations of the laws that protect U.S. ports and waters,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The criminal conduct involved here was serious, including intentional pollution and a deliberate coverup.”

    “Today’s announcement sends a clear message intended to deter deliberate pollution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “This office will continue to work with our agency partners to enforce the laws that were designed to protect U.S. ports and waters.”

    “The United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Investigative Service remain steadfast in our commitment to enforcing maritime environmental laws to protect U.S. waters and ensure compliance with international regulations,” said Special Agent in Charge Damon J. Youmans of the Coast Guard Investigative Service’s Gulf Field Office. “We will continue to hold accountable those who violate these laws and endanger our marine environment.”

    In pleading guilty, ESM admitted that its crew engaged in a variety of obstructive acts to conceal the internal flooding that was caused by a botched repair. The obstructive acts included retaliation against the whistleblower whose identity was known. Senior ship officers and crew also lied to the Coast Guard and destroyed evidence including a printout from the engine control room computer that contained key information. Additionally, senior ship officers created false and backdated personnel evaluations intended to discredit the whistleblower.

    Sentencing has been scheduled for Oct. 16.

    The Coast Guard Criminal Investigations Division and the Coast Guard Heartland District investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Senior Litigation Counsel Richard A. Udell of the ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: When big sports events expand, like FIFA’s 2026 World Cup matches across North America, their climate footprint expands too

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

    The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

    A sustainability conundrum

    Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

    There is a divide over how sports should respond.

    Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

    Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
    AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

    Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

    This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

    A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

    Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

    In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

    When climate promises become greenwashing

    The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

    Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

    However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

    For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

    Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
    Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

    Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

    Finding practical solutions

    Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

    These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

    Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

    Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

    There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

    How fans can cut their environmental footprint

    Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:

    • Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.

    • While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.

    • Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.

    • Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.

    • You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.

    Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

    In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

    Brian P. McCullough 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. When big sports events expand, like FIFA’s 2026 World Cup matches across North America, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-expand-like-fifas-2026-world-cup-matches-across-north-america-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: The golden oyster mushroom craze unleashed an invasive species – and a worrying new study shows it’s harming native fungi

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Aishwarya Veerabahu, Ph.D. Candidate in Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Golden oyster mushrooms can be cultivated, but they can also escape into the wild. DDukang/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    Golden oyster mushrooms, with their sunny yellow caps and nutty flavor, have become wildly popular for being healthy, delicious and easy to grow at home from mushroom kits.

    But this food craze has also unleashed an invasive species into the wild, and new research shows it’s pushing out native fungi.

    In a study we believe is the first of its kind, fellow mycologists and I demonstrate that an invasive fungus can cause environmental harm, just as invasive plants and animals can when they take over ecosystems.

    A scientist documents golden oyster mushrooms growing wild in a Wisconsin forest, where these invasive fungi don’t belong. DNA tests showed the species had pushed out other native fungi.
    Aishwarya Veerabahu

    Native mushrooms and other fungi are important for the health of many ecosystems. They break down dead wood and other plant material, helping it decay. They cycle nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen from the dead tissues of plants and animals, turning it into usable forms that enter the soil, atmosphere or their own bodies. Fungi also play a role in managing climate change by sequestering carbon in soil and mediating carbon emissions from soil and wood.

    Their symbiotic relationships with other organisms also help other organisms thrive. Mycorrhizal fungi on roots, for example, help plants absorb water and nutrients. And wood decay fungi help create wooded habitats for birds, mammals and plant seedlings.

    However, we found that invasive golden oyster mushrooms, a wood decay fungus, can threaten forests’ fungal biodiversity and harm the health of ecosystems that are already vulnerable to climate change and habitat destruction.

    The dark side of the mushroom trade

    Golden oyster mushrooms, native to Asia, were brought to North America around the early 2000s. They’re part of an international mushroom culinary craze that has been feeding into one of the world’s leading drivers of biodiversity loss: invasive species.

    As fungi are moved around the world in global trade, either intentionally as products, such as kits people buy for growing mushrooms at home, or unintentionally as microbial stowaways along with soil, plants, timber and even shipping pallets, they can establish themselves in new environments.

    Where golden oyster mushrooms, an invasive species in North America, have been reported in the wild, including in forests, parks and neighborhoods. Red dots indicate new reports each year. States in yellow have had a report at some point. Aishwarya Veerabahu

    Many mushroom species have been cultivated in North America for decades without becoming invasive species threats. However, golden oyster mushrooms have been different.

    No one knows exactly how golden oyster mushrooms escaped into the wild, whether from a grow kit, a commercial mushroom farm or outdoor logs inoculated with golden oysters – a home-cultivation technique where mushroom mycelium is placed into logs to colonize the wood and produce mushrooms.

    As grow kits increased in popularity, many people began buying golden oyster kits and watching them blossom into beautiful yellow mushrooms in their backyards. Their spores or composted kits could have spread into nearby forests.

    Evidence from a pioneering study by Andrea Reisdorf (née Bruce) suggests golden oyster mushrooms were introduced into the wild in multiple U.S. states around the early 2010s.

    Species the golden oysters pushed out

    In our study, designed by Michelle Jusino and Mark Banik, research scientists with the U.S. Forest Service, our team went into forests around Madison, Wisconsin, and drilled into dead trees to collect wood shavings containing the natural fungal community within each tree. Some of the trees had golden oyster mushrooms on them, and some did not.

    We then extracted DNA to identify and compare which fungi, and how many fungi, were in trees that had been invaded by golden oyster mushrooms compared with those that had not been.

    We were startled to find that trees with golden oyster mushrooms housed only half as many fungal species as trees without golden oyster mushrooms, sometimes even less. We also found that the composition of fungi in trees with golden oyster mushrooms was different from trees without golden oyster mushrooms.

    For example, the gentle green “mossy maze polypore” and the “elm oyster” mushroom were pushed out of trees invaded by golden oyster mushrooms.

    Mossy maze polypore growing on a stump. This is one of the native species that disappeared from trees when the golden oyster mushroom moved in.
    mauriziobiso/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    Another ousted fungus, Nemania serpens, is known for producing diverse arrays of chemicals that differ even between individuals of the same species. Fungi are sources of revolutionary medicines, including antibiotics like penicillin, cholesterol medication and organ transplant stabilizers. The value of undiscovered, potentially useful chemicals can be lost when invasive species push others out.

    The invasive species problem includes fungi

    Given what my colleagues and I discovered, we believe it is time to include invasive fungi in the global conversation about invasive species and examine their role as a cause of biodiversity loss.

    That conversation includes the idea of fungal “endemism” – that each place has a native fungal community that can be thrown out of balance. Native fungal communities tend to be diverse, having evolved together over thousands of years to coexist. Our research shows how invasive species can change the makeup of fungal communities by outcompeting native species, thus changing the fungal processes that have shaped native ecosystems.

    There are many other invasive fungi. For example, the deadly poisonous “death cap” Amanita phalloides and the “orange ping-pong bat” Favolaschia calocera are invasive in North America. The classic red and white “fly agaric” Amanita muscaria is native to North America but invasive elsewhere.

    The orange ping-pong bat mushroom is invasive in North America. These were photographed in New Zealand.
    Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr Creative Commons

    The golden oyster mushrooms’ invasion of North America should serve as a bright yellow warning that nonnative fungi are capable of rapid invasion and should be cultivated with caution, if at all.

    Golden oyster mushrooms are now recognized as invasive in Switzerland and can be found in forests in Italy, Hungary, Serbia and Germany. I have been hearing about people attempting to cultivate them around the world, including in Turkey, India, Ecuador, Kenya, Italy and Portugal. It’s possible that golden oyster mushrooms may not be able to establish invasive populations in some regions. Continued research will help us understand the full scope of impacts invasive fungi can have.

    What you can do to help

    Mushroom growers, businesses and foragers around the world may be asking themselves, “What can we do about it?”

    For the time being, I recommend that people consider refraining from using golden oyster mushroom grow kits to prevent any new introductions. For people who make a living selling these mushrooms, consider adding a note that this species is invasive and should be cultivated indoors and not composted.

    If you enjoy growing mushrooms at home, try cultivating safe, native species that you have collected in your region.

    Most mushrooms you see in the grocery store are grown indoors.

    There is no single right answer. In some places, golden oyster mushrooms are being cultivated as a food source for impoverished communities, for income, or to process agricultural waste and produce food at the same time. Positives like these will have to be considered alongside the mushrooms’ negative impacts when developing management plans or legislation.

    In the future, some ideas for solutions could involve sporeless strains of golden oysters for home kits that can’t spread, or a targeted mycovirus that could control the population. Increased awareness about responsible cultivation practices is important, because when invasive species move in and disrupt the native biodiversity, we all stand to lose the beautiful, colorful, weird fungi we see on walks in the forest.

    Aishwarya Veerabahu receives funding from UW-Madison Dept. of Botany, the UW Arboretum, the Society of Ecological Restoration, and the Garden Club of America. Aishwarya Veerabahu was an employee of the USDA Forest Service.

    – ref. The golden oyster mushroom craze unleashed an invasive species – and a worrying new study shows it’s harming native fungi – https://theconversation.com/the-golden-oyster-mushroom-craze-unleashed-an-invasive-species-and-a-worrying-new-study-shows-its-harming-native-fungi-259006

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio Fights Price Gouging, Secures Wins for Western PA in Annual Defense Bill

    Source: US Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) with colleagues on the powerful House Armed Services Committee, marked up the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—the large, annual defense bill that creates the policies related to our armed services and other national security-related efforts. Congressman Deluzio voted for the measure, which passed out of committee by a vote of 55-2.

    “The United States faces tremendous strategic challenges across the globe, including the war in Ukraine, intensifying competition with Communist China, and instability in the Middle East. All this activity is stressing the highly consolidated defense industrial base,” said Congressman Deluzio. “For too long, our government has neglected America’s manufacturing competitiveness and power. We need stronger accountability, transparency, and competition in government contracting to beef up our defense industrial base and to protect public money. While not a perfect bill, the 2026 NDAA takes on many of these important issues and more, and that’s why I voted yes last night.”  

    Specifically, the NDAA included Congressman Deluzio’s amendment to fight defense industry price gouging by requiring defense contractors to report when their products under sole source contracts increase by more than 25% of the price specified in the contract bid, over 25% more than the price of the product the preceding year, or by 50% more than the government paid for the product at any time over the last five years.   

    During the NDAA markup, Congressman Deluzio successfully secured several important wins, including some that will specifically benefit the people and economy of Western Pennsylvania. 

    This legislation: 

    • Implements an assessment and evaluation of the use of inland waterways for national defense purposes, and an assessment of vulnerabilities in our Marine Transportation Systems and associated infrastructure.
    • Authorizes an additional two and a half million dollars in funding to improve long range precision fires technology. This kind of research is ongoing at Western Pennsylvania institutions like the University of Pittsburgh.
    • Requires a new report about the technology and disposal methods of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). This is important because the Defense Department has previously considered incinerating PFAS “forever chemicals” in East Liverpool, Ohio—just across the border from Pennsylvania’s 17th District.
    • This year’s NDAA also includes the text of Congressman Deluzio’s bill, the Depot Investment Reform Act. This bill strengthens federal investment in military depots, including those in Pennsylvania, like the Letterkenny and Tobyhanna Army Depots.   

    Congressman Deluzio secured additional national priorities in this defense bill. This legislation:

    • Strengthens the “right to repair,” requiring contractors to give access to tools, parts, and information for major weapon systems so that our military and servicemembers can repair their own equipment.
    • Adjusts annual reporting on the U.S. Navy’s shipyard modernization efforts at the four public shipyards to include efforts related to the incorporation of digital hardware, software, and cloud storage.
    • Extends the number of days that national guardsmen can be activated by a governor of a state to respond to an emergency like a natural disaster from 3 to 14 days, with possible extensions of 7 and up to 46 days.
    • Requires a report on the Department of Defense’s efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence data centers on Department of Defense land. This report will analyze the risks, benefits, impacts, and footprint of those facilities.
    • Requires the Department of Defense to identify shortfalls and propose solutions for shortfalls of critical minerals and other materials in the National Defense Stockpile. This will better inform the United States’ current readiness and preparedness for any future conflict.
    • Fights consolidation in the defense industry by requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate impacts of mergers and acquisitions on the defense industrial base and competition in the defense industry.
    • Requires that contractors who are negotiating sole-source contracts with the government provide timely and critical pricing data to the government. This will assist the military in getting the best deal for our servicemembers and will steward good use of American public dollars.
    • Requires the Department of Defense to assess the current competitive environment for contracts under $10 million. This will help the military and Congress assess whether recent policy changes have been effective in uplifting small businesses and growing the defense industrial base. 

    A full summary of the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA as prepared by Democratic committee staff can be found here. 

    The NDAA now goes to the House Floor for a vote, and the final bill will be negotiated with the Senate. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Demand Answers on Trump Admin Re-Adding Medical Debt onto Credit Reports

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D- Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and 24 other Senators in pushing the Trump administration for answers regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025. The letter demands CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.

    “On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the Senators said.

    “Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.

    At the conclusion of the letter, the Senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.

    “On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the Senators closed.

    Senator Luján has long worked to support Americans facing medical debt. In March 2024, Senator Luján called on CFPB Director Rohit Chopra to eliminate reporting of all medical debt in consumers’ credit reports. In November 2024, Senator Lujánintroduced the Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act to ease the burden on Americans forced into bankruptcy because of unforeseen medical expenses. Senator Luján continues to stand up in defense of New Mexicans by holding the CFPB under President Trump accountable.

    In addition to Senators Heinrich, Lujan, Warnock, Warren, Schumer, and Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

    Read the full letter HERE, and the text is below

    Dear Acting Director Vought,

    On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.

    Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stopped using medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.

    Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.

    Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.

    In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.

    Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:

    • Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
    • Paying higher premiums for auto, homeowner’s and other types of insurance,
    • Losing job opportunities as a result of credit reporting on background checks,
    • Obstacles to starting small businesses because of challenges with securing loans,
    • Paying more for everyday services such as household utilities or cell phone contracts

    We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Repairs bring daytime closures of westbound US 12 Wishkah River Bridge in Aberdeen

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Crews will repair steel beams on iconic, 100-year-old bridge while travelers detour using nearby Heron Street Bridge 

    ABERDEEN – Daytime travelers who both walk and roll across the 100-year-old US 12 Wishkah River Bridge in Aberdeen will want to plan for additional travel time.

    From 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 21, and Tuesday, July 22, Washington State Department of Transportation crews will close the westbound bridge to all traffic. 

    During the closure, the eastbound US 12 Heron Street Bridge will be reconfigured to accommodate two-way travel for most vehicles and pedestrians. Travelers can expect congestion and some delays while the detour is in place.

    Due to restrictions on the Heron Street Bridge, overweight vehicles will need to detour from US 12 to US 101 and State Route 107 during work on the Wishkah River Bridge.

    About the work

    In June, WSDOT bridge engineers reduced the maximum gross vehicle weight for the bridge after inspections revealed cracks and advanced decay in aging steel beams underneath the bridge deck. A temporary detour was put in place for vehicles exceeding the posted weight restrictions until repairs could be made. 

    During the 12-hour closures, crews will reinforce the beams with new steel plates. Additional closures may be needed to complete the repair. Once the repair is complete and inspected, the weight restriction and detour will be removed. WSDOT will provide an update once the information is available.

    The work requires daylight hours so crews can see into tight spaces underneath the bridge deck. The bridge cannot carry any vehicle loads during the work.

    About the bridge

    Built in 1925, the US 12 Wishkah River Bridge is one of five moveable highway bridges in Grays Harbor County. The 100-year-old, single-leaf bascule-span bridge carries an average of 16,392 vehicles a day across the Wishkah River. A bascule bridge is a type of drawbridge that moves in an upward swing to allow for marine traffic to pass. Like other bridges in the area, it is exposed to weather and needs constant upkeep. Additional work is scheduled for the bridge starting in 2026. 

    WSDOT regularly inspects bridges and categorizes bridges by condition. The condition scale is good, fair and poor. These condition ratings help plan inspections and schedule long-term repairs. WSDOT crews can and do close or restrict any bridge that is deemed not safe for travel. Both the US 12 Wishkah River Bridge and the US 12 Heron Street Bridge are listed in poor condition.

    As of June 2024: 

    • 133 WSDOT-owned bridges were load-posted or load-restricted.
    • 315 WSDOT-owned bridges are at least 80 years old. 

    A bridge is expected to have a service life of 75 years based on current standards. The average age of state-owned vehicular bridges is 51 years.

    Before heading out the door, check the WSDOT app and statewide travel map for real-time information. Sign up for email updates to get the latest on road work in Grays Harbor County.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Muhammadu Buhari: Nigeria’s military leader turned democratic president leaves a mixed legacy

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Kester Onor, Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs

    Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London on 13 July aged 82, was one of two former military heads of state who were later elected as civilian presidents. Buhari was the military head of state of Nigeria from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985 and president from 2015 to 2023.

    The other Nigerian politician to have been in both roles is former president Olusegun Obasanjo . He was a military ruler between 1976 and 1979 and elected president between 1999 and 2007.

    Buhari led Nigeria cumulatively for nearly a decade. His time as military head of state was marked with a war against corruption but he couldn’t do as much during his time as president under democratic rule.

    As a political scientist who once served in the Nigerian Army, I believe that former president Buhari’s government’s war on terrorism was largely underwhelming, despite promises and early gains.

    In his elected role, Buhari maintained a modest personal lifestyle and upheld electoral transitions. Nevertheless his presidency was marred by economic mismanagement, a failure to implement bold structural reforms, ethnic favouritism, and an unfulfilled promise of change.

    He did leave tangible infrastructural footprints, a focus on agriculture, and foundational efforts in transparency and anti-corruption.

    So his mark on Nigeria’s development trajectory was mixed.

    Early years

    Buhari was born on 17 December 1942, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, north-west Nigeria. He was four years old when his father died. He attended Quranic school in Katsina. He was a Fulani, one of the major ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

    After completing his schooling, Buhari joined the army in 1961. He had military training in the UK, India and the United States as well as Nigeria.

    In 1975 he was appointed military governor of North Eastern State (now Borno State), after being involved in ousting Yakubu Gowon in a coup that same year. He served as governor for a year.

    Buhari later became federal commissioner for petroleum resources, overseeing Nigeria’s petroleum industry under Obasanjo. Obasanjo had become head of state in 1976 when Gowon’s successor, Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated in a failed coup that year.

    In September 1979, he returned to regular army duties and commanded the 3rd Armoured division based in Jos, Plateau State, north central. Nigeria’s Second Republic commenced that year after the election of Shehu Shagari as president.

    The coup that truncated the Shagari government on 31 December 1983 saw the emergence of Buhari as Nigeria’s head of state.

    Buhari’s junta years

    Buhari headed the military government for just under two years. He was ousted in another coup on 27 August 1985.

    While at the helm he vowed that the government would not tolerate kick-backs, inflation of contracts and over-invoicing of imports. Nor would it condone forgery, fraud, embezzlement, misuse and abuse of office and illegal dealings in foreign exchange and smuggling.

    Eighteen state governors were tried by military tribunals. Some of the accused received lengthy prison sentences, while others were acquitted or had their sentences commuted.

    His government also enacted the notorious Decree 4 under which two journalists, Nduka Irabor and Dele Thompson, were jailed. The charges stemmed from three articles published on the reorganisation of Nigeria’s diplomatic service.

    Buhari also instituted austerity measures and started a “War Against Indiscipline” which sought to promote positive values in the country. Authoritarian methods were sometimes used in its implementation. Soldiers forced Nigerians to queue, to be punctual and to obey traffic laws.

    He also instituted restrictions on press and political freedoms. Labour unions were not spared either. Mass retrenchment of Nigerians in the public service was carried out with impunity.

    While citizens initially welcomed some of these measures, growing discontent on the economic front made things tougher for the regime.



    Read more:
    Why Buhari won even though he had little to show for first term

    Buhari, the democrat

    Buhari’s dream to lead Nigeria again through the ballot box failed in 2003, 2007 and 2011. To his credit, he didn’t give up. An alliance of opposition parties succeeded in getting him elected in 2015.

    The legacy he left is mixed.

    Buhari’s government deepened national disunity.

    His appointments, often skewed in favour of the northern region and his Fulani kinsmen, fuelled accusations of tribalism and marginalisation. His perceived affinity with Fulani herdsmen, despite widespread violence linked to some of them, further eroded public trust in his leadership.

    His anti-corruption mantra largely did not succeed. While some high-profile recoveries were made, critics argue that his anti-corruption war was selective and heavily politicised.

    Currently, his Central Bank governor is on trial for corruption charges.

    The performance of the economy was also dismal under his tenure. Not all these problems could be laid at his feet. Nevertheless his inability to tackle the country’s underlying problems, such as insecurity, inflation and rising unemployment, all contributed. He presided over two recessions, rising unemployment, inflation, and a weakened naira.

    He did, however, succeed on some fronts.

    He tried with infrastructure. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a major road, was almost completed and he got the railways working again, completing the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan lines. He also completed the Second Niger Bridge.

    There was an airport revitalisation programme which led to improvements in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports.

    Buhari signed the Petroleum Industry Act after nearly 20 years’ delay. This is now attracting more investments into the oil industry.

    He also initiated some social investment schemes like N-Power, N-Teach and a school feeding programme. They provided temporary jobs for some and gave some poor people more money in their pockets. N-Power is a youth empowerment programme designed to combat unemployment, improve social development and provide people with relevant skills.

    These programmes later became mired in corruption which only became known after he left office.

    There was also an Anchor Borrowers Scheme to make the country more sufficient in rice production. Again, it got enmeshed in corruption and some of its officials are currently standing trial.

    In the fight against corruption, the Buhari administration made some progress through the Treasury Single Account, which improved financial transparency in public institutions. The Whistle Blower Policy also led to the recovery of looted funds.



    Read more:
    Why Buhari’s government is losing the anti-corruption war

    Security failures

    Buhari oversaw a deterioration of Nigeria’s security landscape. Banditry, farmer-herder clashes, kidnapping and separatist agitations escalated.

    In 2015 Buhari campaigned on a promise to defeat Boko Haram and restore territorial integrity in the north-east. Initially, his administration made some progress. Boko Haram was driven out of several local government areas it once controlled, and major military operations such as Operation Lafiya Dole were launched to reclaim territory.

    However, these initial successes were not sustained. Boko Haram splintered, giving rise to more brutal factions like the Islamic State West Africa Province. This group continued to launch deadly attacks.

    Buhari’s counter-terrorism strategy was often reactive, lacking a clear long-term doctrine. The military was overstretched and under-equipped. Morale issues and allegations of corruption in the defence sector undermined operations.

    Intelligence coordination remained poor, while civil-military relations suffered due to frequent human rights abuses by security forces. Community trust in the government’s ability to provide security dwindled.

    Buhari’s second coming as Nigeria’s leader carried high expectations, but he under-delivered.

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

    – ref. Muhammadu Buhari: Nigeria’s military leader turned democratic president leaves a mixed legacy – https://theconversation.com/muhammadu-buhari-nigerias-military-leader-turned-democratic-president-leaves-a-mixed-legacy-261079

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Why is Israel bombing Syria?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    Conflict in Syria has escalated with Israel launching bombing raids against its northern neighbour.

    It follows months of fluctuating tensions in southern Syria between the Druze minority and forces aligned with the new government in Damascus. Clashes erupted in the last few days, prompting Israeli airstrikes in defence of the Druze by targeting government bases, tanks, and heavy weaponry.

    Israel Minister Amichai Chikli has called the Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa –

    a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated without delay.

    Despite the incendiary language, a ceasefire has been reached, halting the fighting – for now.

    Syrian forces have begun withdrawing heavy military equipment from the region, while Druze fighters have agreed to suspend armed resistance, allowing government troops to regain control of the main Druze city of Suwayda.

    What do the Druze want?

    The Druze are a small religious minority estimated at over one million people, primarily concentrated in the mountainous regions of Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan.

    In Syria, their population is estimated at around 700,000 (of around 23 million total Syrian population), with the majority residing in the southern As-Suwayda Governorate – or province – which serves as their traditional stronghold.

    Since the 2011 uprising against the Assad regime, the Druze have maintained a degree of autonomy, successfully defending their territory from various threats, including ISIS and other jihadist groups.

    Following Assad’s fall late last year, the Druze — along with other minority groups such as the Kurds in the east and Alawites in the west — have called for the country to be federalized.

    They advocate for a decentralised model that would grant greater autonomy to regional communities.

    However, the transitional government in Damascus is pushing for a centralised state and seeking to reassert full control over the entire Syrian territory. This fundamental disagreement has led to periodic clashes between Druze forces and government-aligned troops.

    Despite the temporary ceasefire, tensions remain high. Given the core political dispute remains unresolved, many expect renewed conflict to erupt in the near future.

    Why is Israel involved?

    The ousting of the Assad regime created a strategic opening for Israel to expand its influence in southern Syria. Israel’s involvement is driven by two primary concerns:

    1. Securing its northern border

    Israel views the power vacuum in Syria’s south as a potential threat, particularly the risk of anti-Israeli militias establishing a foothold near its northern border.

    During the recent clashes, the Israeli military declared

    The Israeli Defence Forces will not allow a military threat to exist in southern Syria and will act against it.

    Likewise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has stated he will not allow Syrian forces south of Damascus:

    We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them [the Druze] and to ensure the demilitarisation of the area adjacent to our border with Syria.

    In line with these warnings, the Israeli Air Force has conducted extensive strikes against Syrian military infrastructure, targeting bases, aircraft, tanks, and heavy weaponry.

    These operations are intended to prevent any future buildup of military capacity that could be used against Israel from the Syrian side of the border.

    2. Supporting a federated Syria

    Israel is backing the two prominent allied minorities in Syria — the Kurds in the northeast and the Druze in the south — in their push for a federal governance model.

    A fragmented Syria, divided along ethnic and religious lines, is seen by some Israeli policymakers as a way to maintain Israeli domination in the region.

    This vision is part of what some Israeli officials have referred to as a “New Middle East” — one where regional stability and normalisation emerge through reshaped borders and alliances.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently echoed this strategy, stating:

    A single Syrian state with effective control and sovereignty over all its territory is unrealistic.

    For Israel, the logical path forward is autonomy for the various minorities in Syria within a federal structure.

    The United States’ role?

    According to unconfirmed reports, Washington has privately urged Israel to scale back its military strikes on Syria in order to prevent further escalation and preserve regional stability.

    The US is promoting increased support for Syria’s new regime in an effort to help it reassert control and stabilise the country.

    There are also indications the US and its allies are encouraging the Syrian government to move toward normalisation with Israel. Reports suggest Tel Aviv has held talks with the new Sharaa-led regime about the possibility of Syria joining the Abraham Accords (diplomatic agreements between Israel and several Arab states), which the regime in Damascus appears open to.

    US Special Envoy Tom Barrack has described the recent clashes as “worrisome”, calling for de-escalation and emphasising the need for

    a peaceful, inclusive outcome for all stakeholders – including the Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government, and Israeli forces.

    Given the deep-rooted political divisions, competing regional agendas, and unresolved demands from minority groups, the unrest in southern Syria is unlikely to end soon.

    Despite another temporary ceasefire, underlying tensions remain. Further clashes are not only possible but highly probable.

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

    – ref. Why is Israel bombing Syria? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-israel-bombing-syria-261259

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Europe is stuck in a bystander role over Iran’s nuclear program after US, Israeli bombs establish facts on the ground

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Garret Martin, Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer, Co-Director Transatlantic Policy Center, American University School of International Service

    Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, right, attends a news conference with EU foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell in Tehran on June 25, 2022. Atta KenareAFP via Getty Images

    The U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, sent shock waves around the world. It marked a dramatic reversal for the Trump administration, which had just initiated negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program. Dispensing with diplomacy, the U.S. opted for the first time for direct military involvement in the then-ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict.

    European governments have long pushed for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Yet, the reaction in the capitals of Europe to the U.S. bombing of the nuclear facilities was surprisingly subdued.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted Israel’s “right to defend itself and protect its people.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was equally supportive, arguing that “this is dirty work that Israel is doing for all of us.” And a joint statement by the E3 – France, the U.K. and Germany – tacitly justified the U.S. bombing as necessary to prevent the possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons.

    Europe’s responses to the Israeli and American strikes were noteworthy because of how little they discussed the legality of the attacks. There was no such hesitation when Russia targeted civilian nuclear energy infrastructure in Ukraine in 2022.

    But the timid reaction also underscored Europe’s bystander role, contrasting with its past approach on that topic. Iran’s nuclear program had been a key focal point of European diplomacy for years. The E3 nations initiated negotiations with Tehran back in 2003. They also helped to facilitate the signing of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which also included Russia, the European Union, China, the U.S. and Iran. And the Europeans sought to preserve the agreement, even after the unilateral U.S. withdrawal in 2018 during President Donald Trump’s first term.

    As a scholar of transatlantic relations and security, I believe Europe faces long odds to once again play an impactful role in strengthening the cause of nuclear nonproliferation with Iran. Indeed, contributing to a new nuclear agreement with Iran would require Europe to fix a major rift with Tehran, overcome its internal divisions over the Middle East and manage a Trump administration that seems less intent on being a reliable ally for Europe.

    Growing rift between Iran and Europe

    For European diplomats, the 2015 deal was built on very pragmatic assumptions. It only covered the nuclear dossier, as opposed to including other areas of contention such as human rights or Iran’s ballistic missile program. And it offered a clear bargain: In exchange for greater restrictions on its nuclear program, Iran could expect the lifting of some existing sanctions and a reintegration into the world economy.

    As a result, the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018 posed a fundamental challenge to the status quo. Besides exiting, the Trump White House reimposed heavy secondary sanctions on Iran, which effectively forced foreign companies to choose between investing in the U.S. and Iranian markets. European efforts to mitigate the impact of these U.S. sanctions failed, thus undermining the key benefit of the deal for Iran: helping its battered economy. It also weakened Tehran’s faith in the value of Europe as a partner, as it revealed an inability to carve real independence from the U.S.

    U.S. President Donald Trump walks past French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025.
    Christian Hartmann/AFP via Getty Images

    After 2018, relations between Europe and Iran deteriorated significantly. Evidence of Iranian state-sponsored terrorism and Iran-linked plots on European soil hardly helped. Moreover, Europeans strongly objected to Iran supplying Russia with drones in support of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine – and later on, ballistic missiles as well. On the flip side, Iran deeply objected to European support for Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

    These deep tensions remain a significant impediment to constructive negotiations on the nuclear front. Neither side currently has much to offer to the other, nor can Europe count on any meaningful leverage to influence Iran. And Europe’s wider challenges in its Middle East policy only compound this problem.

    Internal divisions

    In 2015, Europe could present a united front on the Iranian nuclear deal in part because of its limited nature. But with the nonproliferation regime now in tatters amid Trump’s unilateral actions and the spread of war across the region, it is now far harder for European diplomats to put the genie back in the bottle. That is particularly true given the present fissures over increasingly divisive Middle East policy questions and the nature of EU diplomacy.

    Europe remains very concerned about stability in the Middle East, including how conflicts might launch new migratory waves like in 2015-16, when hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled to mainland Europe. The EU also remains very active economically in the region and is the largest funder of the Palestinian Authority. But it has been more of a “payer than player” in the region, struggling to translate economic investment into political influence.

    In part, this follows from the longer-term tendency to rely on U.S. leadership in the region, letting Washington take the lead in trying to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it also reflects the deeper divisions between EU member nations.

    With foreign policy decisions requiring unanimity, EU members have often struggled to speak with one voice on the Middle East. Most recently, the debates over whether to suspend the economic association agreement with Israel over its actions in Gaza or whether to recognize a Palestinian state clearly underscored the existing EU internal disagreements.

    Unless Europe can develop a common approach toward the Middle East, it is hard to see it having enough regional influence to matter in future negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. This, in turn, would also affect how it manages its crucial, but thorny, relations with the U.S.

    Europe in the shadow of Trump

    The EU was particularly proud of the 2015 nuclear deal because it represented a strong symbol of multilateral diplomacy. It brought together great powers in the spirit of bolstering the cause of nuclear nonproliferation.

    Smoke rises from a building in Tehran after the Iranian capital was targeted by Israeli airstrikes on June 23, 2025.
    Elyas/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

    Ten years on, the prospects of replicating such international cooperation seem rather remote. Europe’s relations with China and Russia – two key signers of the original nuclear deal – have soured dramatically in recent years. And ties with the United States under Trump have also been particularly challenging.

    Dealing with Washington, in the context of the Iran nuclear program, presents a very sharp dilemma for Europe.

    Trying to carve a distinct path may be appealing, but it lacks credibility at this stage. Recent direct talks with Iranian negotiators produced little, and Europe is not in a position to give Iran guarantees that it would not face new strikes from Israel.

    And pursuing an independent path could easily provoke the ire of Trump, which Europeans are keen to avoid. There has already been a long list of transatlantic disputes, whether over trade, Ukraine or defense spending. European policymakers would be understandably reticent to invest time and resources in any deal that Trump could again scuttle at a moment’s notice.

    Trump, too, is scornful of what European diplomacy could achieve, declaring recently that Iran doesn’t want to talk to Europe. He has instead prioritized bilateral negotiations with Tehran. Alignment with the U.S., therefore, may not translate into any great influence. Trump’s decision to bomb Iran, after all, happened without forewarning for his allies.

    Thus, Europe will continue to pay close attention to Iran’s nuclear program. But, constrained by poor relations with Tehran and its internal divisions on the Middle East, it is unlikely that it will carve out a major role on the nuclear dossier as long as Trump is in office.

    Garret Martin receives funding from the European Union for the organization, the Transatlantic Policy Center, that he co-directs.

    – ref. Europe is stuck in a bystander role over Iran’s nuclear program after US, Israeli bombs establish facts on the ground – https://theconversation.com/europe-is-stuck-in-a-bystander-role-over-irans-nuclear-program-after-us-israeli-bombs-establish-facts-on-the-ground-260740

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Supports Mental Health Care for Iowa Farmers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the bipartisan Farmers First Act to support access to critical mental health resources for Iowa farmers. 
    Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. The legislation would build upon Ernst and Baldwin’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) work that connects farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers to stress assistance programs and resources.
    “Iowa farmers work tirelessly from sunrise to sundown – rain or shine – to feed and fuel the world. Their work isn’t easy, and mental health issues, including suicide, are too common in our agriculture community, which is why I’m working to ensure farmers have better access to mental health resources,” said Senator Ernst.
    “Wisconsin’s farmers and ranchers work hard every day to keep their businesses running and our Made in Wisconsin agricultural economy moving forward. But too often, the stress, isolation, and physical demands of this job leave them with nowhere to turn when it all gets to be too much,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m working to make sure our farmers and rural communities have the resources they need because no one should have to fight these battles alone.”
    “From trade uncertainty to labor shortages and natural disasters, many stressors are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers and ranchers. Resources supported through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network are more critical now than at any time in recent memory. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Craig and Feenstra, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their tireless commitment to supporting farmer and rancher mental health across the country,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President, Public Policy, American Farm Bureau Federation.
    “Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. “The Farmers First Act will help get essential resources to farmers who are struggling. We thank Senators Baldwin and Ernst and Representatives Feenstra and Craig for leading the charge and urge Congress to reauthorize FRSAN with increased funding.”
    “The Farmer Veteran Coalition strongly supports the reauthorization of the Farmers First Act. Expanding and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is essential to ensuring farmers, ranchers have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. We commend Representatives Feenstra and Craig, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst, for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing the well-being of those who feed our nation. This bill will provide critical support for agricultural producers facing stress, isolation, and mental health challenges, and we urge swift passage this Congress,” said Jeanette Lombardo, CEO, Farmer Veteran Coalition.
    “Farming and the financial insecurity associated with farming can be very stressful. Farmers dealing with stress-related mental health challenges often feel stigmatized if they seek help, which only compounds the problem. We applaud Representatives Feenstra (R-IA) and Craig (D-MN) and Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Farmers First Act to increase resources available to farmers and rural communities to address mental health challenges,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition.
    “Ensuring sufficient access to evidence-based mental health services continues to be a challenge in many rural and agricultural communities, in many cases a challenge that has endured over generations,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA Services). “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program continues to be a lifeline to many of these communities. APA Services applauds Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their efforts to ensure adequate mental health resources in rural communities, and we ask Congress to swiftly enact the Farmers First Act.”
    “Farming is a stressful job, even in good times, and rural residents often face unique barriers to seeking mental health care,” said Christy Seyfert, Farm Credit Council president and CEO. “FRSAN brings valuable stress assistance services and expertise to the farm and ranch communities most in need of resources. Farm Credit commends Ranking Member Craig, Representative Feenstra, and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their leadership on the Farmers First Act.”
    Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) introduced this bill in the U.S. House.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Outlines Principles for Crafting the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    [embedded content]

    To watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement, click here or the image above.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing on constructing the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill with stakeholders’ perspectives. In her opening remarks, Chairman Capito reiterated her three principles for crafting this legislation, and how developing a bipartisan proposal in the Senate remains a central priority for the EPW Committee. 

    Below is the opening statement of Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.

    “Thank you for joining us this morning and welcome to our three great witnesses that we have. This hearing is second in a two-part series of hearings that we are having to help guide the development of our next Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. 

    “Earlier this spring, we held a hearing with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, where he detailed how the Trump administration is administering the current law and described priorities for the next bill. Today, we will hear from new stakeholders on their priorities.

    “My vision for this legislation is simple, but important, we want to improve the movement of people and goods. Our roads and bridges are what connect us to the people and places that matter most in our lives.

    “They help businesses, large and small, create jobs, economic activities, and enable their competitiveness in the global marketplace. For example, my home state of West Virginia is pursuing important projects like Corridor H, to better link our communities to essential services and economic opportunity.

    “This legislation will provide the funding and establishes the policies and programs that enable the improvement of the surface transportation network that we all rely on. 

    “Since the enactment of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Committee has reviewed and conducted oversight on existing programs and policies, and we’ve learned a lot about what is working and what isn’t.

    “The IIJA met a generational level of investment in our surface transportation network, but there have been some challenges in the implementation. We know that the highway formula programs are producing results in communities across the states. We also know there have been some issues getting discretionary grant awards out the door and producing tangible improvements to that network. 

    “When Secretary Duffy appeared before the Committee, he outlined the backlog of more than 3,200 discretionary grant awards without signed grant agreements that he had inherited from the prior administration. I appreciate the Secretary’s ongoing efforts to address this backlog, and I know that the Department of Transportation is making progress on getting those agreements in place. 

    “As a matter of fact, I believe they’ve done over a thousand of those already, they have resolved those. We will apply the lessons learned from the IIJA to shape the next bill and those lessons have led me to three principles.

    “I have discussed these principles at our hearing with the Secretary, but I believe it is important that I reiterate them today.

    “Principle One: Improving the safety – and I want to emphasize safety – safety and reliability of America’s surface transportation network with impactful investments. 

    “In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the number and scope of federal transportation programs. These programs sometimes have duplicative purposes and project eligibility. This leads to an expensive and time-intensive process to get funding out the door and lessens the impact that the legislation can make.

    “As we craft the next bill, we must prioritize investments that, instead, optimize federal funding and give state partners the confidence to invest over a longer period of time. We should focus on eliminating duplicative programs and increasing funding for the highway formula programs that our states rely on and, as I said earlier, have a proven track record of success.

    “Principle Two: Reforming and modernizing federal programs and policies to create efficiency.

    “We all know that, as currently structured, federal requirements can add red tape that increases costs and slow down the completion of projects. We all want to deliver transportation benefits faster and save money for American taxpayers. To achieve this goal, we need to take a serious look at federal requirements to determine how we can create certainty for the partners who make these projects happen and ensure that the public receives the benefits of these investments quickly.

    “Principle Three: Addressing the variety of surface transportation needs across all states. Obviously, different states have different needs, and I think we’ll hear about that today.

    “I wouldn’t expect West Virginia, with our mountainous peaks and valleys…to prioritize the same transportation projects as other states. We need to avoid top-down mandates from Washington, D.C. and give states the flexibility to address the individual improvements that their communities need.

    “It will take collaboration from my Senate colleagues, the Trump administration, and our stakeholders to complete the bill before the IIJA expires in September of 2026. We must be pragmatic, work in a bipartisan fashion to deliver a bill that sets us up for a productive conversation on this reauthorization effort with our colleagues in the House.

    “I’m really grateful, I know many of you have traveled far, to the witnesses that have joined us today. I look forward to learning about these priorities. This is an excellent opportunity ahead of us to make a pivotal impact in our surface transportation network.

    “Each of us knows how important that network is and the role that it plays in keeping our country’s economy and people on the move. I’m excited to get to work and continue the EPW Committee’s bipartisan tradition of developing legislation that delivers for the American people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Crypto Stakeholders during Ag Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Ji Kim, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, The Honorable Rostin Behnam, Distinguished Fellow at Georgetown University, and Tom Sexton, President and CEO of National Futures Association, during a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Ag) Committee hearing on federal oversight of digital commodities. During the hearing, they discussed the need for the U.S. to be a leader in digital assets.
    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.
    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Kim, you touched on this very briefly in your opening statement. The E.U. and U.K. are moving quickly to attract blockchain-based innovation. What risk are we at in the United States? What are we gonna face if we don’t get more urgent about what’s going on?
    I recently talked to some exchanges and they’re freaking out basically about, ‘Hey, we’ve gotta do something or we’re gonna move out of the country.’ What [are] your thoughts?”
    KIM: “Thank you very much for your question, Senator. As I mentioned in my testimony, it is a global race to the top. So other jurisdictions have not been waiting for the U.S. to lead. You have the E.U., Singapore, Japan, U.K. [are] all looking into technology resources. I see block chain development and digital assets as the plumbing and infrastructure for the second half of the 21st Century. We need the U.S. to lead.
    That said, despite the progress in other jurisdictions, everyone is watching the U.S. now. They’re seeing the Senate having passed [the] GENIUS [Act], they’re seeing development on the market structure bill, including in this Committee. And even the U.K. is actually a really good example, Senator, where they had been taking a very modular, patient approach, but recently they announced an all-at-once approach. And I believe that there’s an opportunity for the U.S. to cement this leadership and make sure this innovation stays here in the U.S. — and that starts with a comprehensive incentive framework as I discussed, Senator.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Mr. Sexton [do] you want to follow-up on that? You got anything on that — about us dragging our feet?”
    SEXTON: “Senator, I encourage this Committee and the House to continue to work on legislation in this area. I think it’s very important. I can tell you that from our perspective, we have, as I indicated, member firms are already engaged in this activity. And to the extent that the CFTC would be provided with not only anti-fraud, but also regulatory oversight over digital commodities, I think it’d be very helpful as far as our own regulatory structure here.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.
    Mr. Behnam, the U.S. model of having two regulators — and we touched on this briefly — only works if there are clear jurisdictions. You’re very familiar with that. Can you talk about the need to clear up, you know, this regulatory definition between CFTC and the SEC?”
    BEHNAM: “Senator, thanks for the question. It’s the first and most important step because from that point, the two agencies will be able to really start to develop rules either distinctly and uniquely or in a joint fashion. But this is certainly a new asset that has a lot of characteristics that are similar to other assets but also have a lot of characteristics that are novel and new and are gonna require a different way of thinking about it. So, I do think it’s critically important. I also think, putting myself in my old shoes, it is important that the agencies get a bit of a steer from this Committee in Congress because there are lines that I think this committee and the Congress can draw to help the agencies start to really define the landscape of what tokens are securities and what tokens are commodities.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. I yield back.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Van Orden Bill to Help Veterans Keep Their Homes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, applauded the Senate’s passage of his bill, H.R. 1815 – the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act. 

    This legislation establishes a permanent partial claims program within the VA Home Loan Program, bringing VA in line with other federal agencies that lend money for homes and replacing the fiscally irresponsible Biden administration-era VASP program. Veterans will be permitted to have the same programs non-veterans have available to them through FHA loans, allowing veterans who have fallen behind on their mortgages to receive federal assistance.

    “Under the Biden administration, the VA created the VASP program without consulting Congress, costing the American taxpayers $5.8 billion and endangering the entire VA home loan guarantee program,” said Rep. Van Orden. “The time for faceless bureaucrats to run roughshod over elected officials is over. My bill offers a real solution to help every servicemember and veteran maintain the American Dream of homeownership. I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for passing this important bill, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”

    “The VA Home Loan program has helped millions of veterans achieve the American Dream of owning a home. However, we know that veterans – like all Americans – can fall on hard times and may need a safety net in place to avoid foreclosure on their home. The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act addresses that need head on,” said Chairman Bost. “I want to thank my friend, fellow veteran, and our Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chairman, Rep. Van Orden, for his strong leadership on this issue on behalf of veterans and their families to modernize the VA Home Loan and create a partial claim program at VA. This is good legislation that will – without question – prevent veteran homelessness and make a real difference in veteran’s day-to-day lives. I look forward to seeing President Trump sign it into law.”

    Read the bill text here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McClellan Demands Answers from DHS Secretary Noem on ICE Raids at Chesterfield County Courthouse

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons to express alarm over reports about the presence of ICE agents at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.

    Over the course of several days in June, ICE detained 15 individuals who appeared at the Chesterfield County Courthouse, including 10 individuals who presented themselves voluntarily to address civil infractions. ICE provided no notice to county or court officials that they would be entering the Courthouse and operated in plain clothes and without identifying themselves.

    “The methods employed by ICE in Chesterfield County exemplify a shocking change in tactics to enforce our immigration laws that includes raids on courthouses across the nation, aggressively threatening people on the streets, arresting lawful permanent residents, and engaging in racial profiling,” wrote Congresswoman McClellan. “This represents disturbingly authoritarian behavior that not only undermines our safety, but also threatens the very foundation of our constitutional democracy.” 

    In the letter, McClellan stated that those seeking to stay in compliance with the laws should not be subject to arbitrary arrest and detention and implored the Department to consider the consequences of eroding trust in law enforcement and the judicial system. 

    “While individuals who commit crimes should face the consequences of their actions, it appears that you have focused your attention on individuals trying to comply with the law rather than those who actively pose a threat to our community,” the Congresswoman continued. “These actions have a chilling effect not only on those trying to comply with the law, but those seeking justice for themselves or others. As a result, your actions hinder public safety rather than protect it.”

    She specifically noted its impact on community members’ willingness to come forward to report crimes or cooperate with investigators, citing a recent drop in 911 calls in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Richmond.

    “In order to restore trust among our immigrant communities and protect the civil rights and liberties of everyone in our community, I urge ICE to cease these courthouse raids in both Chesterfield and around the country,” the Congresswoman concluded.

    McClellan demanded answers to a series of questions, including:

    1. What is the review process conducted to determine which individuals’ presence at a municipal courthouse in compliance with court-mandated orders or summons rises to the level of “reasonable suspicion” that they are in the country illegally and pose a public safety or national security threat? 
    2. Both citizens and non-citizens present in the United States have a constitutional right to due process. Can you provide assurances that each individual questioned or detained was granted these rights? 
    3. How many individuals detained by ICE at the Chesterfield County Courthouse are still in DHS custody, where have they been moved, and is DHS taking steps to allow contact with legal representation?
    4. Did ICE take the appropriate steps to ensure any dependents of those who were detained by ICE were in the safe custody of family members or the appropriate authorities?
    5. There have been disturbing instances of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents detained by ICE for extended periods of time in similar immigration operations. Has ICE sufficiently determined that no individuals with lawful permanent status or citizenship were detained? Have all of these individuals been released from ICE custody?

    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –