NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • USAID cuts may cause over 14 million additional deaths by 2030, study says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Deep funding cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development and its potential dismantling could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, according to research published in The Lancet medical journal on Monday.

    WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

    President Donald Trump’s administration, since taking office in January, has made funding cuts to USAID and its aid programs worldwide in what the U.S. government says is part of its broader plan to remove wasteful spending.

    Human rights experts and advocates have warned against the cuts. USAID funding has had a crucial role in improving global health, primarily directed toward low and middle-income countries, particularly African nations, according to the study.

    BY THE NUMBERS

    The study estimated that over the past two decades, USAID-funded programs have prevented more than 91 million deaths globally, including 30 million deaths among children.

    Projections suggest that ongoing deep funding cuts – combined with the potential dismantling of the agency – could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million deaths among children younger than 5 years, the study in The Lancet said.

    Washington is the world’s largest humanitarian aid donor, amounting to at least 38% of all contributions recorded by the United Nations. It disbursed $61 billion in foreign assistance last year, just over half of it via USAID, according to government data.

    KEY QUOTE

    “Our estimates show that, unless the abrupt funding cuts announced and implemented in the first half of 2025 are reversed, a staggering number of avoidable deaths could occur by 2030,” the study said.

    CONTEXT

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in March the Trump administration canceled over 80% of all programs at USAID following a six-week review.

    The remaining approximately 1,000 programs, he said, would now be administered “more effectively” under the U.S. State Department and in consultation with Congress.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: EU digital legislation not on table in trade talks with US: spokesperson

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

    The digital legislation is not on the table in the trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United States, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told a briefing Monday.

    Regnier emphasized that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that EU legislation is not up for negotiation, “and this also includes, of course, our digital legislation,” he said.

    “We’re not going to adjust the implementation of our legislation based on the actions of third countries. If we started to do that, then we would have to do it with numerous third countries,” Regnier added. Nevertheless, the spokesperson said that the Commission remains committed to reaching a trade deal with the United States by July 9.

    The United States has repeatedly criticized the EU’s digital regulations, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), as unfair and has urged the EU to ease oversight of American tech giants.

    In February, the White House warned in a memo that it would consider retaliatory measures if EU regulators targeted American tech firms under the DMA or the DSA.

    Just two months later, in April, the European Commission found that U.S. companies Apple and Meta violated the DMA and issued significant fines against both firms.

    European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic announced Monday that he will travel to Washington on July 1 to continue efforts toward a U.S.-EU trade deal.

    Bloomberg reported Monday that the EU is willing to accept a trade arrangement with the U.S. that includes a 10 percent universal tariff on many of the bloc’s exports, but wants the United States to commit to lower rates on key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, alcohol, semiconductors and commercial aircraft.

    The EU is also pushing the United States for quotas and exemptions to effectively lower Washington’s 25 percent tariff on automobiles and car parts as well as its 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum, according to Bloomberg. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US stocks extend gains to conclude first half of 2025

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

    U.S. stocks continued to climb higher on Monday as signs of progress in trade negotiations buoyed investor sentiment, closing out one of the most volatile first halves in recent years.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 275.50 points, or 0.63 percent, to 44,094.77. The S&P 500 added 31.88 points, or 0.52 percent, to 6,204.95. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 96.28 points, or 0.47 percent, to 20,369.73.

    Nine of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended higher, with technology and financials leading the advance by rising 0.98 percent and 0.86 percent, respectively. Consumer discretionary and energy lagged behind, falling 0.86 percent and 0.66 percent.

    Monday’s gains came after Canada announced it would withdraw its digital services tax, a move widely seen as an effort to smooth relations with the United States just days after U.S. President Donald Trump declared an end to all trade discussions with Ottawa. The tax, which was set to take effect Monday, would have targeted major tech firms such as Google, Meta, and Amazon.

    Market participants are now looking ahead to the expiration of Trump’s 90-day tariff pause next week. Also on Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said some countries are “negotiating in good faith,” though he warned that tariffs could return to previously announced levels if talks falter.

    Meanwhile, attention turned to the U.S. Senate, where lawmakers began a marathon session to debate amendments to Trump’s proposed 4.5 trillion U.S. dollars tax package. The Congressional Budget Office projected the bill could add 3.3 trillion dollars to the federal deficit over the next ten years.

    Despite the looming tariff deadline and uncertainty surrounding the tax legislation, analysts believe strong equity fundamentals and broader market participation could sustain the recent rally. Terry Sandven, chief equity strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, noted that improving breadth supports the view that gains may continue into the second half of the year.

    “While the market has had much to digest the first six months of 2025, resiliency has prevailed,” Leslie Falconio, head of taxable fixed income strategy at UBS Financial Services, wrote last Friday. “However, we are not out of the woods just yet, as bouts of volatility and pockets of vulnerability are expected in the second half of the year.”

    Among individual movers, Apple surged 2.03 percent after Bloomberg reported the company may integrate AI technology from OpenAI or Anthropic into its Siri voice assistant. Broadcom rose 2.34 percent, while Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms posted modest gains. On the downside, Amazon and Tesla fell nearly 2 percent, and Alphabet declined 0.49 percent. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S., Malaysian forces conclude Bersama Warrior 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KUANTAN, Malaysia — Service members with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. joint forces – including active duty and reserve components – concluded Bersama Warrior 25 on June 26, following 10 days of bilateral staff integration and scenario-based planning in Kuantan, Malaysia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Koa Moana 25 U.S. Marines and Sailors Lifesaving Kits Empowering Palau in Time for Pacific Mini Games

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KOROR, Palau – On June 25, 2025, U.S. Marines and Sailors with Koa Moana 25 delivered 100 first aid kits to the Belau National Hospital in Palau. Koa Moana is a recurring exercise that fosters partnerships with Compact of Free Association nations like the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia through medical aid, engineering, and security cooperation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: G7 FMs call for resumption of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program

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

    The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers on Monday called for the resumption of negotiations to reach a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear program.

    In a joint statement on Iran and the Middle East issued by Global Affairs Canada, the foreign ministers called on Iran to urgently resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as required by its safeguards obligations and to provide the IAEA with verifiable information about all nuclear material in Iran, including by providing access to IAEA inspectors.

    “We underscore the centrality of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It is essential that Iran remains party to and fully implements its obligations under the Treaty,” read the statement.

    G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the high representative of the European Union, met in The Hague on June 25 and discussed recent events in the Middle East.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump signs order ending most sanctions on Syria

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

    A shopkeeper communicates with customers at his stall in a bustling market ahead of the Eid al-Adha in Damascus, Syria, on June 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order terminating most sanctions on Syria, the White House said in a fact sheet.

    “The Order removes sanctions on Syria while maintaining sanctions on (ousted former Syrian president) Bashar al-Assad… The Order permits the relaxation of export controls on certain goods and waives restrictions on certain foreign assistance to Syria,” said the White House.

    Following the order, five executive orders that created the existing Syria sanctions program were immediately terminated, while the State Department issued a 180-day waiver of sanctions under the Caesar Act.

    The U.S. Treasury Department already took the first step in lifting sanctions on Syria by issuing a general license, known as GL25, to authorize transactions involving the interim Syrian government, its central bank and state-owned enterprises.

    Sanctions on Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, persons linked to chemical weapons activities, ISIS and their affiliates and Iranian proxies will remain in place, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

    Under the order, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is directed to “explore avenues for sanctions relief at the United Nations.”

    Rubio is also directed to review the designations of Syria as a “State On the eighth of December 2024, of Terrorism,” Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a foreign terrorist organization, and its leader, Syrian interim chief Ahmed al-Sharaa, as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist.”

    The Trump administration will “continue to monitor progress on key priorities” including steps toward normalizing ties with Israel and helping the United States prevent a resurgence of ISIS, according to the White House.

    Amid the upheaval in the Middle East, Trump told al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia in May that the United States would lift sanctions and explore normalizing relations as a major policy shift.

    The 54-year Assad’s rule over Syria abruptly ended on Dec. 8, 2024, and days afterward, leaders of HTS, the primary force behind the offensive during Syria’s prolonged 13-year war, formed an interim government. Since then, the new government has scrambled to restore order, rebuild institutions, and reach out to regional and global partners.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 3/12 Executes HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CAMP FUJI, Japan – U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division conducted High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) dry-fire training at Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp Fuji from June 11-13, 2025. This training represents a significant enhancement of Camp Fuji’s capability to support long-range fires and reflects our commitment to maintaining readiness and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific alongside our Japanese partners.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty, 18 Senate Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to End Counting of Illegal Immigrants in Determining Electoral College Votes and Congressional District Apportionment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    Counting illegal immigrants’ voting power encourages illegal immigration and destroys equal representation by making some citizens’ votes more powerful than others

    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Rules Committee, led his colleagues in reintroducing the Equal Representation Act, legislation to ensure that only legal citizens are factored into the count for Congressional districts and the Electoral College map that determines presidential elections. The current method of counting illegal immigrants for purposes of representation serves as a perverse incentive for open borders to boost the relative political power of the states and voters that court it.

    Currently, illegal immigrants are counted for congressional district apportionment and, therefore, Electoral College votes. For example, in a state like California, millions of illegal alien residents result in California taking several more congressional seats and Electoral College votes than the states’ population of citizens would justify. In other words, being a magnet for illegal immigration increases the power of a Californian’s vote relative to an individual in another state with less population boost from illegal immigration. This creates a perverse incentive encouraging illegal immigration and resettlement to increase political power.

    Co-sponsors of the legislation include Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).

    “It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants and non-citizens are counted toward congressional district apportionment and our electoral map for the presidency, which also heavily skews the seat count in the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Senator Hagerty. “While people continue to flee Democrat-run cities, desperate Democrats have back-filled the mass exodus with illegal immigrants so that they do not lose their seats in Congress or their electoral votes, hence artificially boosting their political power and in turn diluting the power of other Americans’ votes. I’m pleased to lead my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that would require a citizenship question on the census and will ensure that only citizens are counted in congressional redistricting.”

    “Every ten years when the census is conducted, it’s imperative that only U.S. citizens are included in the count to determine the apportionment of congressional seats and allocation of Electoral College votes,” said Senator Britt. “Counting illegal aliens for these critical purposes only rewards reckless jurisdictions for supporting open borders and sanctuary policies. The Equal Representation Act is a straightforward and commonsense measure to uphold fundamental fairness, and I’m proud to cosponsor it.”

    “For years, Democrat-run sanctuary cities and states have used millions of illegal aliens to grow their political influence,” said Senator Budd. “Their actions have stripped power away from American citizens who deserve to have their voices and votes equally accounted for. Illegal aliens have no place dictating the congressional seats or Electoral College votes a state receives.”

    “The Census is the foundation for representation in our political system, and any census that could include non-citizens in the apportionment count is really concerning to me, and it ought to be to all North Dakotans,” said Senator Cramer. “Illegal immigrants and non-citizens cannot vote and should not be used as pawns as the Democrats redistrict in various states. Our Census has to count both Americans and non-Americans but should also distinguish between them.”

    “Only U.S. citizens should be included in Census Bureau counts to apportion congressional and Electoral College representation,” said Senator Crapo. “This vital reform would prevent states like California and New York from padding their population totals with those here illegally to tip the scales and boost their political power in Washington, D.C.”

    “The law is clear- illegal immigrants are not citizens of the United States and should not be counted as such,” said Senator Daines. “This bill is a commonsense measure to prohibit illegal immigrants from being counted in censuses, so that sanctuary cities can’t exploit the electoral college and taxpayer resources.” 

    “The Biden Administration’s open border policies have created the worst border crisis in history,” said Senator Johnson. “This bill ensures that congressional seats are apportioned based solely on U.S. citizens, protecting the integrity of our democratic system. Americans deserve to have their voices fully represented in Congress, not diluted by those who entered the country illegally.”

    “This is just commonsense,” said Senator Justice. “Absolutely no one who is in this country illegally should be counted when it comes to Congressional seats or Electoral College votes. Representation should be decided by American citizens-period. I am proud to support the Equal Representation Act to protect the integrity of our elections and to ensure every legal vote is counted equally.”

    “Only American citizens should count toward the apportionment of congressional seats and Electoral College votes,” said Senator Lummis. “Under current law, states harboring large illegal alien populations get extra representation and power at the expense of law-abiding states like Wyoming. This bill protects a fair electoral process and prevents Democrat-led states from ignoring federal immigration laws.”

    “The Equal Representation Act stands for a simple proposition: Americans should decide American elections,” said Senator Marshall. “States like California and New York should not be able to inflate their votes in the Electoral College—and in Congress—by counting non-citizens in the Census. I’m proud to support this bill to ensure that every vote in the Electoral College and Congress reflects the voices of American citizens only.”

    “Since 1820, the federal government has routinely utilized the Census to ask questions about citizenship status,” said Senator Ricketts. “This current policy rewards sanctuary cities and sanctuary states with outsized population because it’s counting people who came here illegally. Those people broke the law and must not be counted for representation. It’s fundamentally unfair to Nebraskans, or citizens in states who are following the law, to reward folks in states who are breaking the law. Only citizens can vote in elections and that’s the way it needs to remain.”

    “Democrats are undermining the rights of U.S. citizens by encouraging illegal immigrants to enter our country and skew congressional redistricting for political gain,” said Senator Risch. “The Equal Representation Act requires that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question ensuring American values and voices take priority.”

    “American elections should be determined by American citizens and American citizens alone,” said Senator Schmitt. “Voting is the foundation of our democracy, giving U.S. citizens a voice in shaping our future. I am proud to join this bill to protect Americans’ vote and keep our elections secure.”

    “Illegal aliens shouldn’t be allowed to break the law and be rewarded with taxpayer-funded benefits, and states that shelter them shouldn’t gain increased influence in Washington as a result,” said Senator Rick Scott. “Since illegal aliens are currently counted in the census, states like California receive disproportionate representation in the Electoral College and the House of Representatives. By restoring the census to its pre-2000 standard and including a citizenship question, this bill ensures that states like California don’t gain an unfair advantage over states like Florida, and that every citizen’s vote carries equal weight.”

    “Illegal aliens have no right to congressional representation in this country, and they have no right to determine who our elected leaders are,” said Senator Tuberville. “The balance of power shouldn’t be weighed down by people who aren’t citizens of this country. Counting illegals in the Electoral College and congressional districts can completely alter the outcome of our elections. Thankfully, President Trump and his administration are deporting illegals in droves. I’m proud to join Senator Hagerty in reintroducing the Equal Representation Act so that ONLY Americans determine our elected leaders.”

    The Equal Representation Act:

    • Requires that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question on any future census to provide a greater understanding of the U.S. population and delineate between citizens and non-citizens for apportionment purposes;
    • Prohibits non-citizens from being counted for purposes of congressional district and Electoral College apportionment; and
    • Requires that the Census Bureau publicly report on certain demographic data.

    Background:

    • In January 2024, Hagerty led his Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Equal Representation Act.
    • In March 2024, every single Senate Democrat voted against Hagerty’s legislation as an amendment to appropriations bills, which put them on the record siding with illegal aliens over American citizens.
    • The House of Representatives passed the Equal Representation Act on May 8, 2024.
    • Following House passage, Senate Democrats once again blocked Hagerty’s legislation.
    • In a hearing, former Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo admitted to Hagerty that higher local illegal alien populations equal more Congressional seats and Electoral Votes.

    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Balance of Power on BloombergTV to Discuss Senate Passage of “One, Big Beautiful Bill”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Balance of Power on BloombergTV to discuss Senate passage of the budget reconciliation package.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Partial Transcript

    Hagerty on the economic growth that will result from passing the budget reconciliation package: “It’s going to be a very long night and could well go into tomorrow morning. But at the end of the day, what we’re going to do is prevent the largest tax increase that Americans have ever seen. This is a tax relief that Americans need. We’re talking about a four-plus trillion-dollar tax increase. That would be the case if it were allowed to not pass. If you think about it, it’s a generational investment in our national defense. It’s going to put us back on the path for energy independence as a nation. And most important, it’s going to stimulate longer-term capital investment, which will beget growth. That growth will beget more employment, more employment will beget more economic activity, which means we’re going to have higher tax revenues for the government as a result.”

    Hagerty on the inaccurate scoring of the budget reconciliation package: “I don’t agree with their willingness to rely on authorities. I’m putting air quotes around that, like the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO missed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act revenue by more than a trillion dollars. As a businessperson—I’ve been a businessperson my entire life—the type of capital investment they’re going to stimulate over the long term is definitely going to generate much more economic activity. And I think the models are wrong. I do not agree with the approach that has been taken that suggests this is going to be a big deficit bomb. In fact, I think it’s going to be a growth generator that’s going to put our deficit back on the curve in the right direction to reduce the deficit […] It’s been quite frustrating to see numbers that just as a logical person, as a businessperson, clearly you say that there’s no way these calculations are right. What they leave out, what they don’t include, that the overreliance on tax revenue, so to speak, when you know that companies and individual behaviors will change if taxes go up. The model does not work.”

    Hagerty on future budget reconciliation packages: “I certainly support another one of these packages. We’ll have an opportunity to do it again and again. If you think about the work that was undertaken by Elon Musk and the team at DOGE that’s continuing, every department head, every agency head, has been charged with figuring out how to reduce the dramatic burden of regulations that was imposed just in the last administration. And to quantify that over the past four years of [former President] Joe Biden’s administration, that was an additional $1.4 trillion of compliance costs that were added to the U.S. economy. As that comes out, as these conflicting regulations, these burdensome sclerotic regulations come out of the system, I expect to see that those funds, instead of going toward a compliance, fall to the bottom line and get reinvested in the economy. Again, all very pro-growth.”

    Hagerty on the collaboration between House and Senate Leadership: “Leader [John] Thune is trying to thread a very difficult needle, in terms of navigating through the Senate, with fifty-plus-one votes and having something that will work in the House of Representatives. Make no mistake: the leadership at the House of Representatives and here in the Senate have been working very closely together to make certain that we do thread that needle, that we’re able to turn something over to the House of Representatives that convenes tomorrow at noon, to set up the [Rules Committee] so that they can move this through the House, we can get it to the President’s desk, and get it signed by the 4th of July.”

    Hagerty on potential late-night votes: “It easily could go that way. I’ve been here voting all the way through the night and into the next morning, but we will vote as long as it takes to get here. There’s no time limit on this. It really has to do with how long the Democrats want to continue to fight, to put up their resistance movement again. They keep offering the same type of challenge over and over and over again and certainly dragging out the clock. I think what they want to do is get to primetime tonight. I’ve got to believe that their interest will wane after primetime hours. So, we’ll see how long it goes.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: TdA leader charged with terrorism and nationwide stolen vehicle scheme among those announced as part of Operation Take Back America efforts

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    HOUSTON – A total of 202 cases have been filed from June 20-26 in border-security and other related matters in the Southern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    The filed cases include seven involving human smuggling. A total of 125 people are charged with illegally entering the country, while another 65 face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felonies such as narcotics, violent crime, immigration crimes, sexual assault and more. Other relevant cases charged this week relate to immigration crimes, firearms and illegal exportation of stolen vehicles.

    Among those newly charged are two Cuban nationals allegedly involved in a nationwide multimillion-dollar auto theft ring. Sadiel Noa-Aguila and Miguel Baez-Echevarria are allegedly part of a large ring linked to numerous vehicle thefts, primarily from major metropolitan airports and surrounding areas including Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Texas cities including Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. Several vehicles were allegedly exported to Mexico through ports of entry in Hidalgo County and El Paso. The charges allege the organization stole vehicles worth millions of dollars in total.

    Others facing charges include several Mexican nationals who allegedly illegally reentered the country this week, including Juan Lopez who had just been removed June 2. He has a previous conviction of evading arrest and had been sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to the criminal complaint. Charges also allege Hugo Perez-Garza and Ventura De Jesus Sandoval-Torres have previous convictions for trafficking marijuana and alien smuggling, respectively, and had been previously removed, but authorities found them in the Pharr area. Discovered near Hidalgo was Jesus Jaime Saavedra-Orozco, a convicted felon for aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced t0 18 years before his removal, according to the allegations. They all face up to 20 years in prison. 

    Also announced this week was a known Tren de Aragua (TdA) leader added to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. Giovanni Vincente Mosquera Serrano aka El Viejo is charged along with Jose Enrique Martinez Flores aka Chuqui with conspiring to provide and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization – TdA – as well as conspiracy and distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the United States. Both are Venezuelan nationals and high ranking TdA members, according to the allegations. If convicted, both face up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million fine. There is a $3 million reward for information leading to Serrano’s arrest and/or conviction. 

    “Transnational criminal gangs and cartels have preyed upon Americans for far too long,” said Ganjei. “That ends now. The Southern District of Texas is committed to smashing these criminal terror groups and will use every available legal tool to do so. It doesn’t matter if you are hiding a continent away; if you hurt U.S. citizens, we will find you and bring you to justice. This is what Operation Take Back America looks like.” 

    In Laredo, a Mexican citizen with a B1/B2 visa was sentenced for transportation of child pornography. Martin Alonso Diaz-Lopez received 180 months. At the hearing, the court held him accountable for 66,489 images and noted that not only was he receiving, but also sharing the photos online and bringing them into the United States. Many of the images and videos he possessed were of very young children and toddlers being raped. Authorities had linked his email from a visa application to that of a known user sharing material online and ultimately apprehended him upon his arrival at the Lincoln-Juarez Port of Entry in Laredo applying for admission into the United States. 

    Mexican national Jesus Hernandez-Herrera received a 66 month-term of imprisonment for unlawfully reentering the country and human smuggling after crashing during a high-speed chase. He had been transporting illegal aliens in a Ford Expedition before fleeing authorities and weaving in and out of heavy traffic with speeds reaching 95 miles per hour. At his sentencing, the court heard additional evidence that described his criminal history, including another evading arrest in which he drove his car towards a federal agent and almost collided with a pedestrian. He also has five previous removals from the United States.  

    Another illegal alien learned his sentence for trafficking over $1 million in cocaine. Miguel Angel Reyes-Sanchez received 57 months in federal prison. During the investigation and operations, authorities seized over 50 kilograms of cocaine. At the sentencing, the court heard additional evidence that described Reyes-Sanchez’s role in the drug trafficking organization and that he was involved in multiple transactions.  

    In Houston, a Honduran national received his sentence for illegally reentering the United States. Denis Hernandez-Cruz was ordered to serve 60 months in federal prison. In handing down the sentence, the court noted he needed a substantial sentence to deter him from illegally reentering again. Hernandez-Cruz has felony convictions for illegal reentry as well as two convictions for burglary of a habitation. He has three prior removals from the United States, most recently in April 2020.

    Angel Zavaleta-Rodriguez, an illegal alien from El Trapiche, Guerrero, Mexico, pleaded guilty in Brownsville federal court to illegal reentry into the United States. He had been removed from the United States in August 2000 and had previously returned illegally. Authorities removed him again Nov. 13, 2023, but encountered him March 25 in Harlingen. Zavaleta-Rodriguez had been residing in Sebastian illegally. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

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

    Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.  

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. 

    An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas U.S Attorney’s Office Files 253 New Immigration Cases This Week

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 253 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from June 20 through 26.

    Among the new cases, U.S. citizen Justin Joel Knight was arrested near Carrizo Springs on June 19 for conspiring to transport an illegal alien further into the United States. A criminal complaint alleges Knight underwent an immigration inspection at the Highway 277 Border Patrol checkpoint, during which an illegal alien was found inside the toolbox located in the bed of Knight’s pickup truck. The illegal alien who Knight was allegedly transporting was Honduran national Jose Alfredo Pena-Miranda. Pena-Miranda is charged with illegal re-entry and was previously deported twice, most recently to Honduras in May 2019 through Valley International Airport. In 2014, he was convicted of aggravated robbery and sentenced to five years confinement.

    Mexican national David Lopez-Bartolo was arrested by U. S. Border Patrol agents near Maverick for being an alien illegally present in the U.S. Immigration records indicate Lopez-Bartolo was previously deported to Mexico on Feb. 4 through Laredo and has multiple prior convictions including criminal mischief, deadly conduct, driving under the influence, evading arrest, and family violence assault causing bodily injury.

    Honduran national Rigoberto Alvarado Escobar was also arrested for illegal re-entry charges near Maverick. He has been deported four times, the last one being to Honduras on July 29, 2024, through Alexandria, Louisiana. Alvarado Escobar’s criminal history includes several convictions in Kentucky for disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, assault and illegal re-entry.

    Mexican nationals Angel Arturo Barbosa-Morales and Miguel Angel Herrera Miranda were arrested in El Paso and charged with illegal re-entry. Barbosa-Morales has two prior removals, the last one being to Mexico on Aug. 11, 2022, and has prior convictions for aggravated assault and assaulting/resisting/obstructing. Herrera Miranda was previously removed from the U.S. to Mexico in July 2003. He was previously convicted for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

    Guatemalan national Juan Bautista Carrillo-Gomez was arrested for illegal re-entry in El Paso after being removed to Guatemala on May 20 through Harlingen. Carrillo-Gomez has an extensive criminal record that includes prior convictions for willful obstruction and battery.

    In San Antonio, a Honduran national was federally charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. A criminal complaint alleges Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega shot and paralyzed a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was working as a security guard at a bar. According to the complaint, the veteran security guard conducted a routine pat-down on Ruiz Ortega at the bar’s entrance when he located a pistol in the defendant’s pocket. A scuffle ensued and Ruiz Ortega allegedly shot the security guard three times, with one of the rounds hitting his neck and causing serious bodily injury. The complaint further alleges that Ruiz Ortega attempted to flee in a vehicle but was detained.

    In Austin, an Iranian national was arrested and charged with one count of failure to deport. Jamil Bahlouli had been ordered to report to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in 2024 following an illegal re-entry conviction. Bahlouli did not follow the order and appear but was found in Austin on June 25.

    Honduran national Abner Javier Torres-Maldonado was encountered in the Travis County Jail on Tuesday following an arrest by the Texas Department of Public Safety. In 2018, Torres-Maldonado was convicted for alien smuggling.

    Jose Luis Hernandez-Salinas, a Mexican national, was also encountered at the Travis County Jail with two prior removals. Additionally, Hernandez-Salinas has been previously convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, illegal re-entry, and possession of a controlled substance.

    Mexican national Hermenegildo Prado-Perez was arrested in Waco by a U.S. Marshal and a Homeland Security Investigations special agent during a targeted enforcement action. He was charged with illegal re-entry after being previously removed from the U.S. in April 2024 through Laredo. Prado-Perez has a prior conviction for soliciting prostitution of a minor.

    Also in Waco, Guatemalan national Pablo David Cajti-Tzoy was arrested in Temple on June 21 after being encountered by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Waco Fugitive Operations Team. Cajti-Tzoy was not in possession of his I-94 when he was encountered by ICE officers. He also failed to notify the Attorney General in writing of his new address and address change within 10 days. Cajti-Tzoy pleaded guilty in federal court on June 24 and was sentenced to time-served.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

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

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: TODAY: Governor Newsom to sign historic bills to create more housing and infrastructure – faster than ever before

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 30, 2025

    SACRAMENTO COUNTY — Governor Gavin Newsom will be joined by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, other legislative leaders, and advocates to sign a landmark budget bill package that cuts red tape, fast-tracks housing and infrastructure, and improves affordability for all Californians.

    WHEN: Monday, June 30, at approximately 6:45 p.m.

    LIVESTREAM:  Governor’s Twitter page, Governor’s Facebook page, and the Governor’s YouTube page. This event will also be available to TV stations on the LiveU Matrix under “California Governor.”

    NOTE: This in-person press event will be open to credentialed media only. Media interested in attending must RSVP by clicking here no later than 6:35 p.m., June 30. Location information will be provided upon confirmation.

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    News What you need to know: Californians are urged to practice common sense and safety when using fireworks to celebrate this Fourth of July. People who resort to using illegal fireworks will be held accountable. SACRAMENTO – With Fourth of July celebrations set to go…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Acceleware Announces Non-Brokered Private Placement of Units and Shares for Debt Transactions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acceleware® Ltd. (“Acceleware” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: AXE), a leading innovator of cutting-edge radio frequency (“RF”) power-to-heat technologies targeting process heat for critical minerals, amine regeneration (for carbon capture and other applications), and enhanced oil production, is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the “Units”), at a price of $0.10 per Unit (the “Unit Price”), for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the “Private Placement”).

    Details of the Private Placement

    Pursuant to the Private Placement, each Unit will consist of (i) one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a “Common Share”); and (ii) one (1) Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Common Share at $0.20 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance of the Warrant. In the event that the Common Shares trade at a closing price at or greater than $0.30 per Common Share for a period of thirty (30) consecutive trading days, Acceleware may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice to the holders thereof, and in such case, the Warrants will expire on the thirtieth (30th) day after the date on which such notice is given by Acceleware.

    Details of the Shares for Debt Transactions

    In addition to the issuance of Units pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company intends to enter into certain shares for debt transactions to settle up to $300,000 in certain trade payables and interest payable on convertible debentures of the Company with Units (the “Shares for Debt Transactions”). The Units issued under the Shares for Debt Transactions are anticipated to be on the same terms as those issued under the Private Placement at a deemed price of $0.10 per Unit. Further details regarding the Shares for Debt Transactions will be provided in a subsequent news release in accordance with TSXV Policy 4.3 – Shares for Debt.

    Acceleware expects the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions to close on or about July 22, 2025 (the “Closing Date”).

    Acceleware intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions to fund a portion of the Company’s RF XL 2.0 redeployment plan, to advance commercialization of new RF heating applications, including critical minerals applications and amine regeneration applications including carbon capture, and for general corporate purposes.

    Completion of the Private Placement and Share for Debt Transactions are subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”). The TSXV has not approved the Unit Price and this remains subject to change. The Common Shares, Warrants and Common Shares underlying the Warrants will be subject to a four (4) month plus one day hold period in accordance with securities legislation.

    Acceleware expects certain insiders to participate in the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions, which will make the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). Acceleware intends to rely on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 based on a determination that the fair market value of the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions, insofar as such transactions involve related parties, does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company.

    About Acceleware

    Acceleware is an advanced electromagnetic heating company with cutting-edge RF power-to-heat solutions for large industrial applications. The Company’s technologies provide an opportunity to electrify and decarbonize industrial process heat applications while reducing costs.

    The Company is working to use its patented and field proven Clean Tech Inverter to materially improve the efficiency of amine regeneration, and has partnered with a consortium of world-class potash partners seeking to decarbonize drying of potash ore and other critical minerals. Acceleware is actively developing other process heat applications and partnerships for RF heating.

    Acceleware’s RF XL is a patented low-cost, low-carbon RF thermal enhanced oil production technology for heavy oil that is materially different from any enhanced recovery technique used today.

    Acceleware is a public company listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “AXE”. 

    Cautionary Statements  
    This news release contains forward-looking statements and/or forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this release, such words as “will”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “expects” and similar expressions, as they relate to Acceleware, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Acceleware with respect to future events, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause Acceleware’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance or achievement that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Certain information and statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, which reflects Acceleware’s current expectations regarding future events, including, but not limited to the closing of the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions, including the Unit Price, Closing Date, gross proceeds to be raised under the Private Placement, the amount of debt to be settled under the Shares for Debt Transactions and the use of proceeds under the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions; the receipt of applicable approvals and exemptions (including the Company’s board of directors, shareholders, and regulatory approvals including approval of the TSXV) relating to the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transaction, the statutory hold periods applicable to the Units and; the anticipated participation by insiders in the Private Placement and Shares for Debt Transactions.  

    Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:, the availability of investment capital and other funding; receipt of necessary approvals; availability of financing for technology and project development; uncertainties and risks with respect to developing and adopting new technologies; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; change in demand for technologies to be offered by the Company; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities and/or shareholders, as applicable; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. For a more fulsome list of risk factors please see the Company’s December 31, 2024, year-end Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 

    Management of the Company has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements provided in this release to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on the Company’s current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 

    This press release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States. 

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. 

    For more information: 

    Geoff Clark 
    Tel: +1 (403) 249-9099 
    geoff.clark@acceleware.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photo & Video Chronology — June 29, 2025 — Kīlauea Episode 27

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Episode 27 lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea occurred over about 11 hours on Sunday, June 29. In this view, the vibrant red lehua blossoms of the native ʻōhia tree frame the foreground, while the lava fountain from the north vent is visible in the background.  USGS photo by P. Dotray.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill reveals divisions in Washington

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

    This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2023 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A marathon vote was underway Monday over U.S. President Donald Trump’s massive One Big Beautiful Bill, which highlights bitter partisan divisions in Washington.

    Trump said the bill will deliver the largest tax cut for working- and middle-class Americans in history and will “unleash our economy.”

    The bill contains a slew of tax cuts for businesses and families and will “turbo-charge our economy and bring back the American dream,” Trump said in a speech promoting the legislation.

    However, Democrats are vehemently opposed to the mega-bill, which, if passed, will fund Trump’s agenda and stand in stark contrast to what Democrats want for the country.

    Democrats blast Trump’s tax cuts as benefiting the wealthy, although Republicans maintain the cuts will help the middle class.

    The bill has angered Democrats for what that party says are cuts to essential programs such as Medicaid — health care coverage for low-income people — as well as food stamps.

    Democrats and a couple of Republicans also fret the bill will add trillions of U.S. dollars to the surging national debt.

    Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College in the northeastern state of New Hampshire, told Xinhua the legislation is “essentially a mega-bill combining most of Trump’s legislative ambitions into one package — tax cuts, spending cuts, massively increasing the budget for ICE, and more.”

    The bill could provide additional funds for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to boost the number of agents and to provide pay bonuses.

    ICE is in large part carrying out Trump’s mass deportation of millions of people who entered the United States illegally during the previous administration. But Democrats blast the deportations as heavy-handed, inhumane and unconstitutional.

    Republicans argue that those funds for ICE are needed to reverse the damage they said Democrats did to the United States during the previous administration.

    The GOP accuses Democrats of purposely opening the floodgates to millions of immigrants to illegally enter the United States, in what the GOP labeled an “invasion” and a result of Democrats’ “radical left” agenda during the previous administration.

    The White House also argues that among those who have illegally entered are many criminals and gang members.

    Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday criticized the bill, accusing Republicans of trying to dupe the American people and saying “most people hate this bill.”

    Some Republicans have also criticized the bill.

    GOP Senator Josh Hawley has raised concerns about cuts to Medicaid, saying the reductions are “morally wrong and politically suicidal.”

    But on Saturday, Hawley changed his tune and announced he would back the bill.

    Republican Senator Rand Paul blasted the bill for what he said was adding to the debt, labeling it “much more of a spending bill than a bill that rectifies the debt problem.”

    Paul has specifically lambasted the bill for what he said was adding to the national deficit by around 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars over a decade.

    GOP Senator Thom Tillis criticized the bill on Saturday, saying: “It is inescapable this bill will betray the promise that Donald Trump made.”

    The senator denounced proposed cuts to Medicaid and lambasted the “amateurs” advising Trump, who he said have “no insight into how these… Tax cuts are going to be absorbed without harming people on Medicare.”

    Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua: “The core of the partisan divisions is that Medicaid recipients, which are a quite significant portion of each legislator’s constituents, are going to either suffer cutoffs or will have to spend a lot of time and energy to avoid that happening.”

    Republicans argue that the bill’s tax cuts will stimulate the economy.

    Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told Xinhua: “There will be little net effect. The biggest effect is likely to be contractionary from the (tariffs).”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong boasts largest IPO market worldwide in H1

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

    Photo taken on July 31, 2021 shows the statues on the square of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) in south China’s Hong Kong. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Hong Kong has beaten all the other capital markets in the world to raise over 105 billion Hong Kong dollars (13.38 billion U.S. dollars) through initial public offerings (IPOs) in the first half of 2025, as capital inflows into the city continues amid global market jitters.

    The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) data showed that 42 companies were listed in the first six months, up 40 percent from the same period last year. Total funds raised stood at the highest since 2021, crushing the 87.6 billion Hong Kong dollars annual total in 2024.

    The HKEX claimed top spot worldwide in terms of total IPO proceeds in the first half of this year, well ahead of Nasdaq’s 71.3 billion Hong Kong dollars, a Deloitte report showed.

    Industry insiders say Hong Kong’s securities market became a global investors’ go-to platform to add Chinese assets to their portfolios.

    Capital inflow into Hong Kong has risen from 366 billion U.S. dollars at the beginning of last year to 605 billion dollars in April, the highest since 2000, data from Hang Seng Bank showed.

    Many global investors first look to Hong Kong to diversify risks, and, impressed by the economic vitality of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, chose to increase their holdings, said Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

    Pro-growth policy efforts from the central government and the HKSAR’s measures to streamline listing procedures have worked together to lift Hong Kong’s stock market, said HKEX Chairman Carlson Tong.

    Among this year’s new IPOs, crowd favorites are those of tech firms in artificial intelligence, 5G and smart vehicles, as well as new consumption companies, which cultivate and profit on consumer behaviors with the help of new technologies. Both are signatures of China’s economic upgrades.

    Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) raised over 40 billion Hong Kong dollars in May, drawing investments from Europe, the Middle East and the United States. It is the largest IPO in Hong Kong in recent years and a shoo-in for the largest worldwide this year.

    As flag bearers of new consumption trends, bubble tea makers like Mixue Bingcheng and Auntea Jenny marked memorable H1 IPOs, while Chinese fast food chain Home Original Chicken and snack brand Three Squirrels are waiting in line.

    The avid investor turnout to these new consumption IPOs is a token of faith in the resilience of China’s domestic demand, as these companies have developed tried and tested business models to meet the needs of younger consumers, analysts say.

    Hong Kong’s IPO market is expected to maintain steam in the second half. Edward Au, southern region managing partner of Deloitte China, said there are currently more than 170 applications in progress and estimated that a total of 80 IPOs will raise around 200 billion Hong Kong dollars this year.

    As dependence on U.S. dollar-denominated assets wanes, global investors are increasingly seeking to diversify their portfolios, said Tong, adding that the HKEX is working with counterparts in the Middle East and Southeast Asia to widen access to funding for tech firms worldwide. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global investors double down on Chinese assets

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

    China’s resilient economy, robust growth potential and improving corporate profitability are fueling more optimism and renewed interest in Chinese assets among foreign investors.

    Driven by China’s advancements in technology and rising confidence in its policy support to stabilize economic growth in the second half of the year, global investors are ramping up their exposure to Chinese equities and bonds.

    Major foreign financial institutions, including United States asset manager Franklin Templeton, investment bank Goldman Sachs and Swiss bank UBS have stepped up their allocations or expressed optimism about Chinese equities, citing favorable valuations, a peak in China-US trade tensions and optimism regarding China’s artificial intelligence-led transformation.

    Market watchers and economists said that a combination of proactive fiscal measures, targeted industrial policies and accelerating technological innovation is reinforcing China’s appeal as a destination for global capital.

    According to data released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s factory activity gauge improved marginally in June, as the official purchasing managers index for the manufacturing sector came in at 49.7 in June, up from 49.5 in May. Notably, the PMIs for equipment manufacturing, high-tech manufacturing and the consumer products sector came in at 51.4, 50.9 and 50.4, respectively, remaining in expansion territory for two straight months.

    “The story of China now is about growth,” said Fang Dongming, head of China Global Markets at UBS.

    Foreign investors will be attracted as long as companies promise growth and profit, whether it is in technology, healthcare, new energy or new types of consumption, Fang said.

    Multibillion-dollar US fund manager Franklin Templeton has started edging back into Chinese stocks for the first time in years, with a group of its funds managing around $2 billion buying into Chinese stocks in recent weeks, Zehrid Osmani, head of the company’s Global Long-Term Unconstrained team, told Reuters recently.

    The company believes that trade tensions with the US have peaked, and that China is expected to further support its technology giants, according to Osmani.

    Economists believe that China is well-positioned to achieve its annual growth target of around 5 percent, backed by proactive fiscal policy and moderately accommodative monetary policy.

    Zhang Xiaoyan, associate dean at Tsinghua University’s PBC School of Finance, said that China’s top leadership may sharpen its focus on ensuring domestic economic stability and maintaining stable relationships with its trading partners, which would further boost the confidence of domestic and foreign investors in the Chinese economy.

    Liu Qiao, dean of Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, said that new policy tools in the second half might include fiscal transfers or cash subsidies for low-income groups, and supportive policies to address pressure on enterprises, especially listed companies, which would improve corporate cash flow and strengthen investment appetite.

    Driven by this favorable policy environment and long-term opportunities in sectors like technology, new energy and advanced manufacturing, global asset managers are reassessing their China allocations.

    The return of global capital is reflected in broader data. According to Goldman Sachs, global active funds have increased their China equity allocations from 5 percent in late September to 6.4 percent by late April. The investment bank maintains an “increase” stance for Chinese stocks, citing improving corporate profitability, foreign capital inflows and long-term value in yuan-denominated assets.

    Fu Si, China portfolio strategist at Goldman Sachs, has forecast that the CSI 300 Index — tracking 300 heavyweight stocks in Shanghai and Shenzhen — could reach 4,600 points, about 10 percent above current levels. Similarly, the MSCI China Index, widely tracked by global investors, is expected to rise another 10 percent in the coming months, supported by its current price-to-earnings ratio of just 11.5.

    Goldman Sachs also identified artificial intelligence as a key growth driver. It estimated that AI proliferation could lift the overall profitability of Chinese stocks by 2.5 percent annually over the next decade. China’s AI breakthroughs may attract $200 billion in fresh capital into its equity market, potentially driving stock prices up 15 to 20 percent.

    Zhang Di, chief macro analyst at China Galaxy Securities, highlighted that new policy-based financial instruments are likely to be introduced soon to support economic growth.

    “That will help support the growth of infrastructure and real estate in the second half of the year. And the focus will also be placed on supporting technological innovation, consumer-related infrastructure, and key sectors such as trade-in deals for consumer goods,” he said.

    According to Nomura Orient International Securities, Chinese equities could outperform global peers in the second half of 2025. Factors include expectations of more supportive policy, improving domestic liquidity, and rising global interest in Asia-Pacific markets amid a weaker US dollar.

    Market performance so far reflects rising confidence. The Shanghai Composite Index has gained about 5.6 percent so far this year, while the CSI 300 is up over 3 percent. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong has surged over 23 percent this year, second only to South Korea’s KOSPI, which saw a 28 percent increase.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Possession of Machine Gun While on Probation for Two Armed Robberies Nets Felon 57 Months in Prison

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

                WASHINGTON – Derkwon Johnson, 26, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 57 months in prison in connection with being a felon in possession of a loaded Glock 23 equipped with a machine gun conversion device, while he was on probation for two armed robberies, an assault, and other crimes.  The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

                Johnson pleaded guilty on Jan. 29, 2025, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Loren L. AliKhan ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release.

                According to court papers, in December 2023, MPD investigators were alerted to Johnson’s posts on Instagram depicting large clear plastic bags of a green leafy substance, a firearm, and ammunition. On Jan. 4, 2024, Officers with the Sixth District Crime Suppression Team executed a residential search warrant on Johnson’s home on the 3600 block of Minnesota Ave. SE.

                Officers entered Johnson’s apartment shortly after 6 a.m. to find six occupants – Johnson, Johnson’ half-sister, and her four small children – in a bed in a second bedroom. In the first bedroom, which was not occupied as police entered, officers recovered a .40 caliber Glock 23 pistol from the top of a piece of bedside furniture. The pistol, loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition, was equipped with a machine gun conversion device.

                Police also recovered a loaded ammunition magazine, a firearm laser attachment, addition ammunition, a bag containing 335 grams of a green leafy substance, a pill bottle containing 40 white pills stamped RP/10 325 (oxycodone), a scale, and $4,704 in cash.

                Investigators searched Johnson’s Instagram account and discovered multiple chats, videos, and messages advertising or arranging for the sale of pills and marijuana between Oct. 4, 2023, and Jan. 4, 2024.

                At the time of the January 4 arrest, Johnson was on probation for 2018 convictions in D.C. Superior Court for conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession with intent to distribute (PCP), and assault with a dangerous weapon.

                This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI Washington Field Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Martin.

    24cr31

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid City Man Acquitted on Firearm Charge

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was acquitted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 25, 2025.

    Randy Tail, a/k/a Randy Tayle, a/k/a Randy Sierra, age 44, was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2025.

    The charge relates to Tail being in the passenger seat of a car pulled over for a traffic stop in Rapid City, South Dakota. Law enforcement discovered a firearm inside of Tail’s backpack that was between his feet in the car during the traffic stop. Tail was previously convicted of a crime punishable beyond a year in prison, and as a result, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

    The investigation was conducted by Rapid City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo. man and woman who sold drugs to an undercover agent have been indicted by a federal grand jury. The man was also indicted on firearm charges.

    Marcellus W. Anderson, 31, and Tyra K. M. McGee, 37, were charged today in a 14-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.  Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Anderson and McGee on June 12, 2025.

    The federal indictment charges Anderson and McGee with participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue between December 1, 2023, and June 11, 2025.  They are also charged together in one count of distributing fentanyl and one count of distributing a fentanyl analogue.

    Additionally, Anderson is charged with three counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, five counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to an affidavit filed in support of the original complaint, Anderson sold cocaine to an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on three occasions, methamphetamine on one occasion, fentanyl on six occasions, and a fentanyl analogue on one occasion.  McGee participated in one of the fentanyl transactions and the fentanyl analogue transaction.  Additionally, Anderson had a Glock, Model 27, .40 caliber pistol in his lap during one of the transactions, which he commented was for protection.  Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.  Anderson has a prior felony conviction for receiving stolen firearms.

    The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Jennings. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department; and the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force.

    Operation Take Back America

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Don Davis Announces a Bill to Help Reopen Martin General Hospital

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    WILLIAMSTON, N.C.—Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced new legislation to support reopening facilities like Martin General Hospital as Rural Emergency Hospitals.

    The Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act, announced during a press conference outside Martin General Hospital, would provide support to healthcare facilities that are facing closure or are able to reopen by increasing Medicaid reimbursements for Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH) to the outpatient hospital, rather than the rural health clinic rate. By categorizing REHs as hospitals with respect to Medicaid, as Congress originally intended, rather than clinics, the legislation categorizes REHs in the same way as Medicare.

    [Congressman Don Davis announces the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act in front of Martin General Hospital in Williamston, N.C.]

    Without providing this financial stability, REHs would face long-term insolvency, particularly in communities like Martin County, where Medicaid reimbursements represent the highest share of their total revenue. The legislation will also reduce Medicaid expenditures because patients will no longer have to always travel long distances to seek care at inpatient facilities like ECU Health in Greenville, and could instead receive outpatient services at a reopened Martin General.

    [Congressman Don Davis describes how the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act would help rural hospitals like Martin General, prevent closure or reopen.]

    “Supporting the reopening of Martin General by ensuring financial stability for all Rural Emergency Hospitals is essential,” said Congressman Don Davis. “Communities with high Medicaid populations, rural hospitals are often overwhelmed, despite their best efforts to stay open. If we provide a higher Medicaid reimbursement rate for Rural Emergency Hospitals, we can help patients get the care they desperately need while creating healthcare jobs in communities that need it most.”

    [The community takes in the moment when Congressman Davis announces the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act.]

    “This bipartisan legislation takes a commonsense step to ensure REHs are treated fairly under Medicaid—just as they are under Medicare—so they can continue providing timely, local care without being financially hamstrung by bureaucratic gaps,” said Congressman Bergman. “Rural healthcare shouldn’t be at the mercy of inconsistent reimbursement rules, and I’m proud to support a fix that brings clarity, stability, and fairness to the REH model.”

    [Congressman Davis talks to the community of Williamston, North Carolina, about the future of Martin General Hospital.]

    “The National Rural Health Association thanks Congressmen Davis and Bergman for their efforts to make a commonsense fix to rural emergency hospital payments,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association. This legislation will ensure that rural emergency hospitals are paid adequately and can maintain local access to care in rural communities. We look forward to working with Congress to strengthen and sustain this important hospital designation.”

    The press conference, with local residents in attendance, was held in front of Martin General Hospital. It highlighted the necessity of long-term solutions to improve the fiscal health of rural healthcare facilities.

    The Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act is endorsed by the National Rural Health Association and America’s Essential Hospitals, of which East Carolina University Health is a member.

    Congressman Davis’ Support for Martin General Hospital:

    • January 30, 2025: Congressman Davis meets with Martin County Commissioners and ECU Health representatives, who ask you to explore legislative pathways to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for REHs.

    •  May 2, 2025: Congressman Davis resubmits a community project funding request for Washington Regional Medical Center (WRMC) to improve their critical infrastructure and take some of the pressure off nearby health systems.

    • May 22, 2025: Congressman Davis joins a bipartisan coalition in voting against H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would dramatically cut Medicaid revenues via provider taxes that fund rural hospitals.

    • January 30 – June 30, 2025: Congressman Davis agrees to move forward with actionable legislation to address REH financial stability, working with the Town of Williamston, Martin County, and ECU Health.

    Congressman Don Davis serves as a member of the House Agriculture Committee and as Ranking Member on the Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, which has partial jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overseeing several rural development programs supporting rural communities, including rural hospitals.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: If You Support President Trump, You Should Support This Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Senator Marshall Joins Fox News to Discuss The Republican Reconciliation Bill
    Washington – On Monday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Lawrence Jones on Fox News’ The Will Cain Show to discuss the current state of the Republican reconciliation bill and how it will strengthen and preserve Medicaid.

    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.
    On what the reconciliation bill will do:
    “We just got to get this bill across the floor here. This is the start of a new golden era for Americans. This is President Trump’s agenda being laid out. This is going to fund President Trump’s agenda. If you supported President Trump, you should support this bill. It’s going to secure the border, it’s going to lower your taxes by $1,000 a month – we all need to rally behind it.”
    On how the reconciliation bill will strengthen Medicaid:
    “I disagree with him [Senator Thom Tillis], respectfully disagree. This bill is going to strengthen Medicaid. We’re going to strengthen it for those who need it the most. We protect it for seniors in nursing homes, people with disabilities, pregnant women – those types of folks. So, we protect it for them.
    “And then for rural America, we’re going to have a special stabilization fund as well. There’s going to be work requirements, so as long as you’re willing to work 20 hours a week, and by the way, there are people back home harvesting wheat today that are working 20 hours a day. So, if you lose Medicaid, it’s on you. But we want to help people get jobs. I think this will strengthen Medicaid. I think overall, this is a step back in the right direction to Make America Healthy Again.”
    On how work requirements can strengthen Medicaid:
    “.. A couple of points I just have to make Lawrence – you know, number one is there 7 million healthy American men out there, working age, that are not working, I’d love to help them find a job.
    “Second point is this, we’re actually increasing funding for Medicaid. We’re increasing funding for Medicaid higher than the rate of inflation. We’re going to increase it to the tune of $200 billion a year when this is all said and done. So, when they talk about people not being on Medicaid anymore, half of those people are on it because of fraud or some type of abuse of the system.
    “The other half is because they’re unwilling to work 20 hours a week. And you can volunteer, you can go to school. We want to help you find a job – a job brings dignity. It brings purpose. We’re all about people finding a great way to live that American Dream that President Trump talks about.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Crapo Hold Moment of Silence on Senate Floor to Remember Fallen Idaho Firefighters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) delivered remarks and led a moment of silence on the Senate floor during the debate on the reconciliation bill to remember the victims of Sunday’s ambush attack on Idaho firefighters.

    To view their remarks, click here.

    Text of Senator Risch’s remarks is below:

    “While the Senate continues our important work to provide the American people with the largest tax cut in history today, we would be remiss if we did not pause for a moment and call attention to the tragic events that took place in Coeur d’Alene yesterday.

    “While responding to a fire, two of North Idaho’s brave firefighters were ambushed and murdered.  One is in serious, critical condition.

    “This evil attack on the people who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities is despicable and it’s NOT Idaho.

    “I ask my Senate colleagues to join me, Senator Crapo, and all Idahoans in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and all who have been affected by this reprehensible act.”

    Text of Senator Crapo’s remarks is below:

    “The Senate has important work to accomplish today to prevent a more-than $4 trillion tax hike on American workers and families.

    “We will accomplish that goal.

    “However, while business continues here, life for the north Idaho community of Coeur d’Alene remains at a very painful standstill as we mourn the horrific loss of two firefighters.

    “Yesterday afternoon, firefighters from Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County were responding to a fire on Canfield Mountain.

    “Upon arrival, they were ambushed by gunfire.

    “Two brave firefighters were murdered.

    “Another has already undergone surgery for gunshot wounds.

    “As we continue our work today, I ask my colleagues to join me sending your prayers for that firefighter’s full recovery, the deceased victims, their families and the entire north Idaho community grieving this heinous act.

    […]

    “There was a huge influx of support from those who put their lives on the line every day, and some lost their lives yesterday. I ask you join us for a moment of silence and prayer.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch and 17 Senate Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to End Counting of Illegal Immigrants in Determining Electoral College Votes and Congressional District Apportionment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) joined U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), a member of the Senate Rules Committee, and sixteen colleagues in reintroducing the Equal Representation Act, legislation to ensure that only legal citizens are factored into the count for congressional districts and the Electoral College map that determines presidential elections.  The current method of counting illegal immigrants for purposes of representation serves as a perverse incentive for open borders to boost the relative political power of the states and voters that court it.

    “Only U.S. citizens should be included in Census Bureau counts to apportion congressional and Electoral College representation,” said Senator Crapo.  “This vital reform would prevent states like California and New York from padding their population totals with those here illegally to tip the scales and boost their political power in Washington, D.C.”

    “Democrats are undermining the rights of U.S. citizens by encouraging illegal immigrants to enter our country and skew congressional redistricting for political gain,” said Senator Risch.  “The Equal Representation Act requires that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question ensuring American values and voices take priority.”

    “It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants and non-citizens are counted toward congressional district apportionment and our electoral map for the presidency, which also heavily skews the seat count in the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Senator Hagerty.  “While people continue to flee Democrat-run cities, desperate Democrats have back-filled the mass exodus with illegal immigrants so that they do not lose their seats in Congress or their electoral votes, hence artificially boosting their political power and in turn diluting the power of other Americans’ votes.  I’m pleased to lead my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that would require a citizenship question on the census and will ensure that only citizens are counted in congressional redistricting.”

    Currently, illegal immigrants are counted for congressional district apportionment and, therefore, Electoral College votes.  For example, in a state like California, millions of illegal alien residents result in California taking several more congressional seats and Electoral College votes than the state’s population of citizens would justify.  In other words, being a magnet for illegal immigration increases the power of a Californian’s vote relative to an individual in another state with less population boost from illegal immigration.  This creates a perverse incentive encouraging illegal immigration and resettlement to increase political power.

    Co-sponsors of the legislation include Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Steve Daines (R-Montana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama).

    The Equal Representation Act:

    • Requires that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question on any future census to provide a greater understanding of the U.S. population and delineate between citizens and non-citizens for apportionment purposes;
    • Prohibits non-citizens from being counted for purposes of congressional district and Electoral College apportionment; and
    • Requires that the Census Bureau publicly report on certain demographic data.


    Background:

    • In January 2024, Senate Republicans introduced the Equal Representation Act.
    • In March 2024, every single Senate Democrat voted against the legislation as an amendment to appropriations bills, which put them on the record siding with illegal aliens over American citizens.
    • The House of Representatives passed the Equal Representation Act on May 8, 2024.
    • Following House passage, Senate Democrats once again blocked the legislation.
    • In a hearing, former Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo admitted to Senator Hagerty that higher local illegal alien populations equal more congressional seats and electoral votes.

    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reminder: Maine Congressional Delegation Accepting Military Academy Nomination Applications

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Jr., and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced that they are accepting nomination applications from Maine high school students for appointments to the United States service academies operated by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine. No nomination is required to apply to the United States Coast Guard Academy.

    Students should apply for a nomination in the spring and summer of their junior year. Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Golden began accepting nomination applications as of May 15, 2025, from students for admission to the academies in the summer of 2026.

    For more information please contact:

    Senator Susan Collins

    Contact: Karen Staples

    207-784-6969

    collins.senate.gov

    Senator Angus King, Jr.

    Contact: Katie Fellows

    207-352-5216

    king.senate.gov

    Representative Chellie Pingree

    Contact: Dorian Cole

    207-774-5019

    pingree.house.gov

    Representative Jared Golden

    Contact: Kim Rohn

    207-249-7400

    golden.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Kansas Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by June Storms and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Kansas small businesses, private nonprofits and residents to offset physical and economic losses from severe storms, torrential rain and flooding occurring June 3-7. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Laura Kelly on June 26.

    The declaration covers the Kansas counties of Butler, Chase, Cowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harvey, Marion, Sedgwick and Sumner.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.62% for nonprofits, and 2.81% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”

    Beginning Tuesday, July 1, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

    The DLOC hours of operation are as follows:

    BUTLER COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Butler County Historic Courthouse
    First Floor – former driver’s license room
    205 W. Central Ave.
    El Dorado, KS  67042

    Opens at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 1

    Mondays – Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Closed Friday, July 4 for Independence Day

    Permanently closes at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, July 24

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return physical damage applications is Aug. 26, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 27, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Challenges SNAP Cost Shift to States in the Big Beautiful Betrayal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, raised a Point of Order challenging the unprecedented unfunded mandate imposed by the SNAP cuts in the Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Betrayal.” 

    The bill requires states, for the first time, to cover a portion of SNAP benefits and pay for an additional share of program administration costs. This will shift billions of dollars onto state and local governments, forcing them to cut food assistance or reduce funding for other critical priorities like public safety, education, or infrastructure. All 23 Democratic Governors have spoken out against this proposal, and four Governors joined Klobuchar to call out these unfunded mandates last week.

    Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined all 47 Senate Democrats in voting for this Point of Order.

    A rough transcript of Klobuchar remarks is available below and video can be downloaded here.

    Klobuchar: Mr. President, I make a Point of Order that the pending measure contains an unfunded intergovernmental mandate, and thus it violates section 425(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

    In nutrition assistance alone, this bill shifts tens of billions of dollars onto the states, creating chaos for state budgets and hardship for families. CBO score for this bill says this, “the non-tax provisions of the substitute amendment would impose intergovernmental and private sector mandates, as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, and that the snap cost shift provisions would impose the largest intergovernmental mandate.” 

    Seriously, the largest shift in this whole bill, the largest unfunded mandate, is on the backs of kids and veterans and seniors, and people with disabilities. $64 billion over to the states. 44 of them have balanced budget amendments. You know, they can’t pay for this. 

    It’s hurting local grocery stores. It’s hurting our farmers, and it’s all done to pay for tax cuts to the wealthy. I say to our colleagues, vote for families over billionaires. Vote for fiscal sanity over this big beautiful betrayal, and vote yes. This is an unfunded mandate. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Cantwell File Amendment to Strip 5-Year AI Moratorium from GOP Reconciliation Bill as Opposition to Blackburn-Cruz “Compromise” Grows

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (June 30, 2025) – As opposition to the new Blackburn-Cruz five-year AI moratorium “compromise” continues to grow, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation filed an amendment to strip the entire provision from the Republican budget reconciliation bill.
    “The Blackburn-Cruz so-called compromise is a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “Despite Republican efforts to hide the true impact of the AI moratorium, the language still allows the Trump administration to use federal broadband funding as a weapon against the states and still prevents states from protecting children online from Big Tech’s predatory behavior. Republicans are selling out our kids and local communities — all to line the pockets of Big Tech billionaires. I am proud to partner with Ranking Member Cantwell on an amendment to strip this dangerous language.”
    “The Blackburn-Cruz amendment does nothing to protect kids or consumers,” Sen. Cantwell said earlier today. “It’s just another giveaway to tech companies. This provision gives AI and social media a brand-new shield against litigation and state regulation. This is Section 230 on steroids. And when Howard Lutnick has the authority to force states to take this deal or lose all of their BEAD funding, consumers will find out just how catastrophic this deal is.”
    While the “compromise” language adds child safety and other “generally applicable laws” to its list of purported exemptions, the standard is so vague that Big Tech companies would challenge nearly every consumer protection, kids online safety or privacy protection law in court as “overly burdensome.” It would also impact the thousands of pending lawsuits against social media companies’ harmful algorithms.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey, Rep. Titus Announce Legislation to Advance LGBTQ+ Rights Globally

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Bill Text (PDF)

    Washington (June 30, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today joined Representative Dina Titus (NV-01) to announce the introduction of the Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality (GLOBE) Act, legislation that would reaffirm U.S. leadership in advancing the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world.

    “This Pride Month, we must continue to advocate for freedom and equality – regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation – for every person, in the U.S. and around the world,” said Senator Markey. “With bigotry against LGBTQ+ people on the rise, we must push back on discriminatory practices and strive to protect and improve the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals everywhere.”

    “No person should suffer from discrimination because of who they are or whom they love,” said Representative Titus. “Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. is failing to protect the rights of LGBTQI people at home and abroad. This bill will help restore our role in promoting LGBTQI rights around the world and punishing regimes that persecute people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through his executive orders and DEI initiative, President Trump has attacked fundamental human rights and the dignity of the LGBTQI community. The GLOBE Act counters this by outlining a vision for U.S. leadership in the protection of LGBTQI rights globally.”

    The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii.).

    Senator Markey previously introduced the GLOBE Act in 2023. Recently, Senator Markey co-sponsored the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act that would push back against the Trump administration’s attempts to target the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide.

    Senator Markey also joined his colleagues in delivering a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pressing the Trump administration on their retreat from longstanding efforts to promote human rights and democracy worldwide.

    MIL OSI USA News –