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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Spending Bill With Illinois Priorities Secured by Duckworth, Durbin

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 11, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] —  U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a funding bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).  Durbin and Duckworth worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in this appropriations bill, both through Congressionally Directed Spending requests and through the programmatic appropriations process. 

    “Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families—and that’s what these bipartisan funding bills do,” Duckworth said. “Appropriating federal funding is the primary role of Congress, and it’s critical this responsibility remains in the legislative branch. I’m proud I was able to help secure critical support for projects throughout Illinois that support our rural communities.”

    “Congress is tasked with the critical responsibility to fund our government programs and agencies.  While Congress has fulfilled this responsibility by routinely passing continuing resolutions, I hope that we can have a true bipartisan effort to pass appropriations bills in a timely, thoughtful process,” said Durbin.  “And as the Trump Administration aims to gut our government, I will continue to push for the funding and resources for Illinoisans to thrive.”

    The Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA funding bill includes the following Illinois priorities secured by Congressionally Directed Spending requests:

          

    • Health Clinic, LaHarpe: $1.38 million to Memorial Hospital Association to help construct an additional health clinic to expand access to health care in the Western Illinois community.
    • Hospital Infrastructure Improvements, Watseka, Illinois: $645,000 to the Iroquois Memorial Hospital and Resident Home to update aged and outdated facilities, including HVAC systems and flooring.
    • Intergenerational Center, Fairbury, Illinois: $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County to construct an intergenerational community center to provide programming and services to youth and seniors at the same site.
    • Laboratory Renovation, Pittsfield, Illinois: $1 million to the Blessing Care Corporation to update the laboratory department at Illini Community Hospital in order to modernize facilities that are more than 80 years old.
    • Medical Technology Upgrades, Lawrenceville, Illinois:  $450,000 to provide essential technological upgrades at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, including improvements in diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring systems, and life-saving equipment. 
    • Pre-K Expansion, Herrin: $263,000 to Herrin Community Unit School District No. 4 to help expand capacity at the district’s pre-K center.
    • Rural Health Clinic Expansion, West Frankfort, Illinois: $1 million to Southern Illinois Hospital Services to expand the Miners Memorial Rural Health Clinic to provide improvements in both patient rooms and provider workspace.
    • Teledentistry Initiative, Mattoon, Illinois:  $110,000 to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center to expand rural telehealth efforts to include teledentistry with an emphasis on underserved children.

    The Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA funding bill includes additional Illinois priorities secured through the programmatic appropriations process:

    USDA

    • Bee Genome: $3 million, an increase of $750,000 from FY25, to continue sequencing the genome of more than 4,000 domestic bee species, including activities underway at the Peoria USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research and the University of Illinois.
    • Midwest Soybean Germplasm Lab: The President’s Budget Request proposes closing research labs in three states, including two operations at the University of Illinois—the National Soybean Germplasm Collection and the Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center.  The bill includes language to prohibit USDA laboratory and facility closures without USDA providing Congressional notification and approval. 
    • Agricultural Research: $3.2 billion for basic food and agricultural research nationwide, including activities underway at the Peoria USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research and the University of Illinois.
    • Tracking Farm Exports by State: Includes report language requiring USDA to track and publish the top five farm commodities exported, or imported, by State, and the country of destination, or origin.
    • Plant Health, Tree and Wood Pests: $59 million to help identify and contain wood-boring pests threatening tree health across the country, 19 of which have been detected in the past decade, including the Emerald Ash Borer.  This funding will allow for the identification and containment of Emerald Ash Borer infestations and increase public awareness of the threat posed by EAB in the 15 states that are battling this invasive species.    
    • Animal Welfare: $27 million to implement and enforce provisions of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including those governing facilities that previously have fallen out of compliance with the AWA. 
    • Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program): $35 million to support loans and grants that facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas without sufficient broadband access.
    • Agricultural Extension – Food Safety Outreach Program: $10 million to provide food safety training and tech assistance to owners and operators of small farms, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetable vendors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.
    • Food for Peace: $1.5 billion to meet emergency food needs around the world, including due to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, and conflict, displacement, poverty, and climate change exacerbating needs around the world, despite Trump’s efforts to eliminate the program.   
    • McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program: $240 million to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects around the world, particularly for girls, despite Trump’s efforts to eliminate the program.
    • Local and Regional Procurement: Continues support for the promotion of locally sourced agricultural products, which remain less costly and more accessible when compared to commodities sourced from the United States and shipped overseas.

    FDA

    • Tobacco: Includes substantial bill language pertaining to FDA’s Tobacco Center to eliminate harmful provisions and ensure alignment with public health needs.  The statutory language specifies $200 million for e-cigarette enforcement activities, out of the $712 million total for the FDA’s Tobacco Center—which will increase resources to investigate and stop illegally sold products.  The language also enhances reporting to Congress, dedicates $2 million to the interagency task force between FDA, DOJ, and DHS, and provides statutory authority requested by FDA Commissioner Makary to enable FDA to detain and destroy seized illegal e-cigarettes at ports of entry.  There also is report language ensuring that the FDA’s regulatory focus is on kid-friendly and flavored products, and balanced between unauthorized Chinese vapes and also-illegal, unauthorized domestic vapes (made by Altria, RJ Reynolds, JUUL).
    • ALS: Provides no less than $2.5 million for FDA to continue implementation of the ACT for ALS law to enable FDA to fund early stage clinical trials for new ALS therapies. 
    • Food Safety: $1.17 billion for FDA’s Human Foods Program to oversee food and nutrition in the United States.  Includes report language encouraging coordination between FDA, USDA, and CDC in better ensuring the safety of our nation’s foods.
    • Dietary Supplements: Includes report language calling on FDA to strengthen its enforcement actions against adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements. 

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Spending Bill With Illinois Priorities Secured by Duckworth, Durbin

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 11, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] —  U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a funding bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).  Durbin and Duckworth worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in this appropriations bill, both through Congressionally Directed Spending requests and through the programmatic appropriations process. 

    “Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families—and that’s what these bipartisan funding bills do,” Duckworth said. “Appropriating federal funding is the primary role of Congress, and it’s critical this responsibility remains in the legislative branch. I’m proud I was able to help secure critical support for projects throughout Illinois that support our rural communities.”

    “Congress is tasked with the critical responsibility to fund our government programs and agencies.  While Congress has fulfilled this responsibility by routinely passing continuing resolutions, I hope that we can have a true bipartisan effort to pass appropriations bills in a timely, thoughtful process,” said Durbin.  “And as the Trump Administration aims to gut our government, I will continue to push for the funding and resources for Illinoisans to thrive.”

    The Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA funding bill includes the following Illinois priorities secured by Congressionally Directed Spending requests:

          

    • Health Clinic, LaHarpe: $1.38 million to Memorial Hospital Association to help construct an additional health clinic to expand access to health care in the Western Illinois community.
    • Hospital Infrastructure Improvements, Watseka, Illinois: $645,000 to the Iroquois Memorial Hospital and Resident Home to update aged and outdated facilities, including HVAC systems and flooring.
    • Intergenerational Center, Fairbury, Illinois: $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County to construct an intergenerational community center to provide programming and services to youth and seniors at the same site.
    • Laboratory Renovation, Pittsfield, Illinois: $1 million to the Blessing Care Corporation to update the laboratory department at Illini Community Hospital in order to modernize facilities that are more than 80 years old.
    • Medical Technology Upgrades, Lawrenceville, Illinois:  $450,000 to provide essential technological upgrades at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, including improvements in diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring systems, and life-saving equipment. 
    • Pre-K Expansion, Herrin: $263,000 to Herrin Community Unit School District No. 4 to help expand capacity at the district’s pre-K center.
    • Rural Health Clinic Expansion, West Frankfort, Illinois: $1 million to Southern Illinois Hospital Services to expand the Miners Memorial Rural Health Clinic to provide improvements in both patient rooms and provider workspace.
    • Teledentistry Initiative, Mattoon, Illinois:  $110,000 to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center to expand rural telehealth efforts to include teledentistry with an emphasis on underserved children.

    The Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA funding bill includes additional Illinois priorities secured through the programmatic appropriations process:

    USDA

    • Bee Genome: $3 million, an increase of $750,000 from FY25, to continue sequencing the genome of more than 4,000 domestic bee species, including activities underway at the Peoria USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research and the University of Illinois.
    • Midwest Soybean Germplasm Lab: The President’s Budget Request proposes closing research labs in three states, including two operations at the University of Illinois—the National Soybean Germplasm Collection and the Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center.  The bill includes language to prohibit USDA laboratory and facility closures without USDA providing Congressional notification and approval. 
    • Agricultural Research: $3.2 billion for basic food and agricultural research nationwide, including activities underway at the Peoria USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research and the University of Illinois.
    • Tracking Farm Exports by State: Includes report language requiring USDA to track and publish the top five farm commodities exported, or imported, by State, and the country of destination, or origin.
    • Plant Health, Tree and Wood Pests: $59 million to help identify and contain wood-boring pests threatening tree health across the country, 19 of which have been detected in the past decade, including the Emerald Ash Borer.  This funding will allow for the identification and containment of Emerald Ash Borer infestations and increase public awareness of the threat posed by EAB in the 15 states that are battling this invasive species.    
    • Animal Welfare: $27 million to implement and enforce provisions of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including those governing facilities that previously have fallen out of compliance with the AWA. 
    • Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program): $35 million to support loans and grants that facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas without sufficient broadband access.
    • Agricultural Extension – Food Safety Outreach Program: $10 million to provide food safety training and tech assistance to owners and operators of small farms, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetable vendors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.
    • Food for Peace: $1.5 billion to meet emergency food needs around the world, including due to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, and conflict, displacement, poverty, and climate change exacerbating needs around the world, despite Trump’s efforts to eliminate the program.   
    • McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program: $240 million to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects around the world, particularly for girls, despite Trump’s efforts to eliminate the program.
    • Local and Regional Procurement: Continues support for the promotion of locally sourced agricultural products, which remain less costly and more accessible when compared to commodities sourced from the United States and shipped overseas.

    FDA

    • Tobacco: Includes substantial bill language pertaining to FDA’s Tobacco Center to eliminate harmful provisions and ensure alignment with public health needs.  The statutory language specifies $200 million for e-cigarette enforcement activities, out of the $712 million total for the FDA’s Tobacco Center—which will increase resources to investigate and stop illegally sold products.  The language also enhances reporting to Congress, dedicates $2 million to the interagency task force between FDA, DOJ, and DHS, and provides statutory authority requested by FDA Commissioner Makary to enable FDA to detain and destroy seized illegal e-cigarettes at ports of entry.  There also is report language ensuring that the FDA’s regulatory focus is on kid-friendly and flavored products, and balanced between unauthorized Chinese vapes and also-illegal, unauthorized domestic vapes (made by Altria, RJ Reynolds, JUUL).
    • ALS: Provides no less than $2.5 million for FDA to continue implementation of the ACT for ALS law to enable FDA to fund early stage clinical trials for new ALS therapies. 
    • Food Safety: $1.17 billion for FDA’s Human Foods Program to oversee food and nutrition in the United States.  Includes report language encouraging coordination between FDA, USDA, and CDC in better ensuring the safety of our nation’s foods.
    • Dietary Supplements: Includes report language calling on FDA to strengthen its enforcement actions against adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements. 

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China-Russia cooperation refutes Western-imposed misconceptions about Chinese industrial policy – Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Moscow, July 14 /Xinhua/ — Cooperation between China and Russia refutes the Western-imposed claims that “China’s industrial policy distorts the global market” and “China’s excess production capacity creates unfair competition.” Such claims are absurd and unfounded. This was stated by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui in an article titled “The Era of True Friendship between China and Russia: Cooperation Refutes Misconceptions, Mutual Benefit Determines the Future,” published recently in the Russian newspaper Trud.

    “Politicians and media in the United States and Western countries have long been actively spreading groundless claims such as ‘China’s industrial policy is distorting the world market’ and ‘China’s excess production capacity is creating unfair competition’. They are trying their best to denigrate the industrial policy of developing countries and suppress their right to development based on the desire to maintain their economic hegemony,” the publication says.

    The essence of these false claims, according to the Chinese diplomat, is “politicizing the economy and using economic and trade levers to achieve political goals.” “This line of behavior only creates obstacles to international trade, disrupts the stability of global supply chains, and ultimately leads to losses for all involved,” he warned.

    Zhang Hanhui stressed that all countries have the right to stimulate economic development through the implementation of reasonable industrial policies. “In the context of the acceleration of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, industrial subsidies have become an important tool for enhancing innovation potential and stimulating economic growth. Industrial subsidies are practiced in both developed countries and countries with developing economies,” the ambassador stated.

    The article points out that China’s industrial subsidy policy is based on the principles of openness, fairness and compliance with established standards. “It is not selective and applies equally to all market participants. China’s state-owned enterprises, as independent market participants, do not enjoy any advantages under the subsidy policy due to their status and do not provide subsidies to other enterprises,” the author noted, adding that the flexible subsidy model not only meets China’s needs for industrial modernization, but is also fully consistent with the commitments China made when joining the World Trade Organization.

    Zhang Hanhui called the US and Western countries’ accusations against China regarding “overcapacity” “a cover for their protectionist policies.” “Under the pretext of “overcapacity,” some countries impose restrictions on Chinese exports and investment cooperation. All this is pure protectionism, artificial interference and division of the world market,” he said.

    The Chinese diplomat is convinced that only free trade and fair competition can form an optimal structure of global production capacities. He cited China and Russia as an example of such interaction. “Both countries have complementary economic advantages, great potential for cooperation and huge opportunities for development,” Zhang Hanhui believes. He drew attention to the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly publicly refuted statements by the United States and Western countries about “China’s excess production capacity.”

    “China and Russia, as stabilizing, positive and progressive forces in the international community, must continue to maintain unity, expand cooperation, strengthen trade, economic and energy ties, improve mechanisms that ensure a high level of trade and economic interaction, and effectively counter unilateral actions and protectionism,” concluded the Chinese Ambassador to the Russian Federation. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Over 6.6 crore electors in Bihar included in draft electoral roll; ECI steps up efforts with 11 days left

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    With just 11 days remaining for the last date of submission of Enumeration Forms (EFs) under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has collected EFs from over 6.6 crore electors so far.

    According to official figures, out of Bihar’s total 7,89,69,844 electors, EFs of 6,60,67,208 voters—amounting to 83.66%—have been received after two rounds of door-to-door visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

    So far, about 1.59% of electors have been found deceased, 2.2% have permanently shifted, and 0.73% were found enrolled at more than one location. This means that 88.18% of electors have either submitted their forms, been confirmed deceased, or have shifted residence.

    Only about 11.82% of electors now remain to submit their forms. Many among them have sought additional time to complete and submit their EFs with supporting documents in the coming days.

    The ECI has directed nearly one lakh BLOs to begin a third round of door-to-door visits to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the draft Electoral Roll. Their efforts are being supported by around 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties, with each BLA permitted to certify and submit up to 50 forms daily.

    To strengthen urban voter enrollment, special camps are being organised across all 5,683 wards under the 261 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Bihar.

    For electors who may have temporarily migrated out of Bihar, the Commission has stepped up outreach through newspaper advertisements and direct contact to help them submit their forms on time. Such electors can also submit EFs online using their mobile phones via the ECINet App or the official website (https://voters.eci.gov.in). They may also send completed forms to the concerned BLO through family members, WhatsApp, or other online modes.

    The newly launched ECINet platform, which integrates 40 previous ECI applications into a single portal, is playing a key role in the Bihar SIR. It enables electors to submit forms online, check names in the 2003 Electoral Roll where needed, and directly connect with election officials, including BLOs.

    As of 6 PM today, over 5.74 crore Enumeration Forms have been uploaded through ECINet. Its document review module has also accelerated the verification of electors’ eligibility by Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and District Election Officers (DEOs).

    The draft Electoral Roll for Bihar will be published on August 1, 2025. The ECI has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral process.

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan urged to exercise prudence in military, security fields 2025-07-14 23:52:29 China on Monday urged Japan to draw lessons from history, in a bid to exercise prudence in security issues as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) — China on Monday urged Japan to draw lessons from history, in a bid to exercise prudence in security issues as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

      Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media request for comment on claims by Japanese government sources that the country plans to export six Abukuma-class ships to the Philippines.

      The spokesperson reiterated China’s position that defense and security cooperation between countries should neither target a third party nor undermine the interests of any third party.

      Jiang highlighted the historical responsibilities of Japanese militarism during World War II, including invasions and colonial rule over neighboring countries such as China and the Philippines, as well as the occupation of islands in the South China Sea.

      In recent years, Japan has breached the constraints of its pacifist constitution and the exclusive defense-oriented principle, continuously exporting weapons and military equipment abroad, the spokesperson noted.

      Such actions are seen as attempts to form exclusive blocs and stir instability in the South China Sea and the broader Asia-Pacific region, he said.

      “We urge the Japanese side to engage in deep reflection, draw lessons from history, exercise prudence in both words and actions regarding military and security matters, and make contributions to regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. 

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan urged to exercise prudence in military, security fields 2025-07-14 23:52:29 China on Monday urged Japan to draw lessons from history, in a bid to exercise prudence in security issues as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) — China on Monday urged Japan to draw lessons from history, in a bid to exercise prudence in security issues as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

      Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media request for comment on claims by Japanese government sources that the country plans to export six Abukuma-class ships to the Philippines.

      The spokesperson reiterated China’s position that defense and security cooperation between countries should neither target a third party nor undermine the interests of any third party.

      Jiang highlighted the historical responsibilities of Japanese militarism during World War II, including invasions and colonial rule over neighboring countries such as China and the Philippines, as well as the occupation of islands in the South China Sea.

      In recent years, Japan has breached the constraints of its pacifist constitution and the exclusive defense-oriented principle, continuously exporting weapons and military equipment abroad, the spokesperson noted.

      Such actions are seen as attempts to form exclusive blocs and stir instability in the South China Sea and the broader Asia-Pacific region, he said.

      “We urge the Japanese side to engage in deep reflection, draw lessons from history, exercise prudence in both words and actions regarding military and security matters, and make contributions to regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. 

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan urged to exercise prudence in military, security fields 2025-07-14 23:52:29 China on Monday urged Japan to draw lessons from history, in a bid to exercise prudence in security issues as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) — China on Monday urged Japan to draw lessons from history, in a bid to exercise prudence in security issues as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

      Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media request for comment on claims by Japanese government sources that the country plans to export six Abukuma-class ships to the Philippines.

      The spokesperson reiterated China’s position that defense and security cooperation between countries should neither target a third party nor undermine the interests of any third party.

      Jiang highlighted the historical responsibilities of Japanese militarism during World War II, including invasions and colonial rule over neighboring countries such as China and the Philippines, as well as the occupation of islands in the South China Sea.

      In recent years, Japan has breached the constraints of its pacifist constitution and the exclusive defense-oriented principle, continuously exporting weapons and military equipment abroad, the spokesperson noted.

      Such actions are seen as attempts to form exclusive blocs and stir instability in the South China Sea and the broader Asia-Pacific region, he said.

      “We urge the Japanese side to engage in deep reflection, draw lessons from history, exercise prudence in both words and actions regarding military and security matters, and make contributions to regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. 

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In historic first, California powered by two-thirds clean energy – becoming largest economy in the world to achieve milestone

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 14, 2025

    What you need to know: Clean energy reliably powered California to levels never seen before – 67% in 2023 – as renewable energy and clean resources continue to advance the state’s world-leading energy transition while fueling the nation’s largest clean energy workforce, more than a half-million strong.

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced California achieved an historic milestone – the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy in 2023, the latest year for which data is available. California is the largest economy in the world to achieve this level of clean energy. 

    The state released new data showing California’s continued progress toward a clean energy future with 67% of the state’s retail electricity sales in 2023 coming from renewable and zero-carbon electricity generation — compared to just 61% the previous year and around 41% a decade ago. Sources of clean energy include generation from solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, geothermal and biomass. 

    In 2024, the state added a record-breaking 7,000 megawatts (MW) of clean capacity to the grid, representing the largest single-year increase in clean energy capacity added to the grid in state history. This new figure broke the previous records set in both 2022 and 2023, marking a third consecutive year of unprecedented clean energy growth.

    As the federal government turns its back on innovation and commonsense, California is making our clean energy future a reality. The world’s fourth largest economy is running on two-thirds clean power – the largest economy on the planet to achieve this milestone.

    And for the first time ever, clean energy provided 100% of the state’s power nearly every day this year for some part of the day. Not since the Industrial Revolution have we seen this kind of rapid transformation. 

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Historic investments over the past 15 years have led to an extraordinary pace of development in new clean energy generation. And as the grid is increasingly powered by clean energy, pollution is down and the economy is up. Greenhouse gas emissions in California are down 20% since 2000 – even as the state’s GDP increased 78% in that same time period. The power sector is a major driver of the decline in greenhouse gases – emissions from electric power have been cut in half since 2009, helping the state achieve its emissions reductions goals years ahead of schedule.

    California is home to the most clean energy jobs in the U.S. and the state’s renewable energy and clean vehicle industries lead the nation in growth. California boasts more than a half-million green jobs and has 7 times more clean jobs than fossil fuel jobs. Solar and wind jobs account for a majority of green jobs, and battery storage and grid modernization is the second-fastest growing sector within California’s clean energy workforce.  

    California continues to move at a rapid pace on bringing clean energy online. Since 2019, a record 25,000 MW of new energy resources statewide have been added to the grid, with most of that being solar and battery storage. This aligns with the Governor’s roadmap to the state’s clean energy future released in 2023, which called for 148,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean power by 2045.

    “California has achieved yet another major milestone on our journey to a clean energy future. The latest numbers show how our state is demonstrating that clean energy is mainstream and is here to stay,” said California Energy Commission (CEC) Chair David Hochschild. 

    Sources eligible under the state’ Renewables Portfolio Standard – such as solar and wind – made up 43% of the power mix in 2023, up from 39% in 2022. Other zero carbon resources continue to power the grid with large hydro accounting for 12% and nuclear power at 12% in 2023.

    “California has set ambitious clean energy goals, and utilities and community choice aggregators have stepped up to deliver clean resources at competitive prices to communities up and down the state,” said California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Reynolds. “We are bringing renewable energy online at an unprecedented scale and pace never seen before.”

    Solar represents the technology with the largest amount of installed renewable energy capacity in the state – over 21,000 MW of solar capacity operates the electric grid and another 19,000 MW of behind-the-meter generation. The California grid regularly breaks solar generation peak record levels  – the latest solar peak recorded in late May was over 21,500 MW of solar generation.

    The state is also doubling down on its goals by swiftly increasing its battery energy storage capacity. The state’s battery fleet now stands at over 15,000 MW – 1,944% higher than when the Governor took office in 2019. The state’s storage fleet is regularly storing any available extra solar energy generated during the day, and supporting the grid by dispatching during the evening.  

    Clean energy days

    More than 9 out of 10 days so far this year have been powered by 100% clean energy for at least some part of the day in California. In 2025, California’s grid has run on 100% clean electricity for an average of 7 hours a day.

    Data compiled by the California Energy Commission shows clean energy has powered the equivalent of 51.9 days in the state – nearly 30% of the year to date running on 100% clean electricity. That already surpasses the amount of “clean energy days” last year – and represents a 750% increase in clean energy days since 2022.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 11, 2025

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

    Jul 11, 2025

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

    Jul 11, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is announcing that the California Employment Development Department is awarding $11 million to help six California organizations connect underserved adults — including veterans, people with disabilities, and at-risk young…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ice and Fire of Bitcoin Mining: Cost Dilemma and Green Computing Revolution under $118,000, KGN Cloud Mining Triggers Global Hot Spots

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    The total network computing power exceeded the historical high of 900 EH/s, and the mining cost of each BTC soared 34% to $70,000-miners are looking for the survival code in the carnival and anxiety.

    01 Computing power inflation and cost crisis: the life and death game of mining
    Cost storm: The mining cost of a single Bitcoin exceeded $70,000 in Q2 2025, a 34% increase from the beginning of the year. After the halving, the block reward was halved to 3.125 BTC, but the total network computing power rose against the trend to 908 EH/s, causing the unit computing power income (Hashprice) to plummet by 60% to $0.049/TH.

    Energy noose: The energy cost of North American mining companies doubled year-on-year, and mining machines in areas with electricity prices exceeding $0.1/kWh were shut down on a large scale. The Middle East has become a new gold mine – the UAE government project electricity price is as low as $0.035/kWh, and Oman subsidizes electricity prices of $0.05-0.07/kWh, attracting large-scale capital migration.

    02 Capital mergers and acquisitions and technological revolution: Reconstructing the new mining landscape
    Capital integration wave
    Giant acquisitions: AI cloud computing company CoreWeave acquired British mining company CoreScientific. The stock price soared 18.5% on the day the transaction was exposed, revealing the value transfer of computing power assets to technology giants.

    Financing frenzy: American Bitcoin Corp, supported by the Trump family, raised $215 million; listed mining companies Mara, Riot, and CleanSpark raised more than $3.7 billion in half a year; Southeast Asian mining company CloudKGN received $120 million from Sequoia Capital to expand the Singapore hydropower station data center.

    Technical breakthrough path
    Technical direction Breakthrough case Energy efficiency improvement
    Liquid-cooled mining machine cluster KGNcloud third-generation liquid cooling system Mining machine density increased by 3 times, energy consumption reduced by 35%
    Dynamic load balancing Mining computing power and AI task intelligent scheduling Energy reuse rate exceeds 80%
    Hybrid mining protocol Dynamic switching of 6 currencies including BTC/ETH Revenue volatility risk reduced by 57%
    “The essence of mining machines is upgrading from ‘computing power tools’ to ‘energy converters’” – Bitmain’s chief engineer pointed out at the 2025 World Mining Summit

    03、Personal miner survival guide: The cruel reality of the four major tracks
    Lottery Mining

    •  Operation: Use 3-5 TH/s small equipment for independent mining

    Income: The success rate is only 0.0000006%, but in 2024, there will be miners with 3 TH/s wins $200,000 block reward

    •  ASIC single-soldier combat

    Hardware threshold: Ant S21+ (235TH/s) or Shenma M61 (202TH/s), the cost of a single unit exceeds $3000

    Cruel reality: The average daily income of a single machine is 0.000133 BTC, and a cluster of more than 20 units is required to break 1 block per year

    •  Pool mining (mainstream choice)

    Income logic: income is distributed according to the proportion of computing power, and the FPPS mode guarantees daily settlement

    Recommended mining pools: Foundry USA (rate 1.5%), AntPool (FPPS+PPLNS dual mode)

    Case: 10 S21+ join AntPool, with an average daily income of about 0.00133 BTC (about $112)

    04 、Why choose KGNcloud?
    KGNcloud combines technological advantages with financial compliance to create the world’s leading intelligent cloud mining platform:

    •  UK FCA Authoritative Certification

    The platform has passed the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) compliance certification, with formal operations, transparent funds, and user asset security.

    All new users will automatically receive $100 worth of free computing power after registration, and can start mining without recharging, truly realizing a zero-cost experience of daily cryptocurrency income.

    •  The only “principal and interest guaranteed” contract in the entire network

    KGNcloud pioneered the “principal and interest guaranteed” mining mechanism, locking the principal and distributing fixed income every day, helping users to make stable profits without fear of fluctuations.

    •  AI intelligent mining system

    The platform uses AI algorithms to automatically dispatch the world’s best mining pool resources to achieve 24-hour uninterrupted and efficient mining, and the income far exceeds the industry average.

    • The income is settled daily and can be withdrawn or reinvested at any time

    Users can flexibly manage income and withdraw coins quickly, supporting mainstream currencies such as BTC, USDT, ETH, and XRP.

    Summary:
    KGN cloud offers up to 6.63% daily returns through cloud mining, without having to worry about market fluctuations. Join KGN Miner now, get a $500 free trial, and start enjoying a stable and easy cryptocurrency income. Stop blindly following the trend – start mining and grow your wealth.

    Sign up now to get $100 worth of free cloud computing power and start your path to a stable daily income.

    Website：https://kgnminer.com
    Connect:support@kgnminer.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Providence VA Service Representative Admits to Federal Extortion, Bribery, Witness Tampering Charges

    Source: US FBI

    PROVIDENCE, RI – A former benefits service representative with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Providence pleaded guilty today to a six-count indictment that charges him with three counts of bribery and one count each of extortion, gratuity received by a public official, and witness tampering, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Michael Darrah, 47, of Taunton, MA., solicited and accepted bribes from veterans and the family member of a veteran to approve requested dependent care benefits and/or disability benefits. In requesting payments, Darrah claimed that some of the money he sought from his victims would be used to purchase gift cards for other purported VA employees who Darrah claimed either could or did assist him in expediting and approving benefits claims.

    As reflected in the indictment:

    • Darrah requested payments and accepted approximately $3,385 from a veteran to “grease the wheels” to push paperwork through and expedite a claim for disability benefits.
    • Darrah corruptly sought and accepted $16,566 from a second veteran to expedite and approve a claim for  disability benefits.
    • Darrah sought and accepted $2,700 from a relative of a third veteran to expedite and approve the veteran’s benefits claim and he sought and accepted a “gratuity” of approximately $5,000 from the same veteran for having successfully used his position at the VA to get other VA employees to expedite and approve the claims. The indictment reflects that Darrah requested this “gratuity” despite being advised that the veteran was facing homelessness as his house was being foreclosed.
    • After becoming aware of the government’s investigation into his conduct, Darrah attempted to corruptly persuade a witness not to cooperate with the investigation and to lie about the nature of payments made to him.

    Darrah is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2025. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Roklan and Ly T. Chin.

    The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Veterans Administration Police.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Calling on Federal Leaders for Increased Drone Detection

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul issued a letter to President Trump and Congressional leaders regarding the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, and highlighting the critical need for a federal comprehensive strategy on drone detection capabilities. Late last year in the New York City area and the Hudson Valley, a number of drone sightings underscored the inadequacy of the federal government’s posture and the constrained ability of state authorities to detect and mitigate these threats.

    In the letter, Governor Hochul also urges federal leaders to grant states the ability to maintain and expand the authority to improve detection and mitigation of drone threats in coordination with federal agencies.

    The full text of the letter is below:

    Dear President Trump:

    I am writing to you with respect to the critical need for federal action regarding the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. As you are aware, late last year, the New York City area and the Hudson Valley experienced concerning UAS sightings that underscored the inadequacy of the federal government’s posture and the constrained ability of state authorities to detect and mitigate these threats.

    In early June, the Ukrainian military launched a successful surprise attack against Russian strategic air forces using drones. This serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and significant danger these systems present. An attack against strategic military and critical infrastructure in New York poses an urgent danger to the United States. I urge the Administration to proactively improve the UAS detection and mitigation posture in New York and for Congress to extend existing authorities and expand states’ abilities to detect and mitigate these threats themselves.

    The reality is that the federal government is unprepared and poorly postured to detect and mitigate UAS threats and states are hamstrung by a lack of legislative authority and action by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The time for decisive action is now.

    I am asking your immediate attention on two fronts:

    1. Coordinated Federal Action on Drone Threats. We need a comprehensive federal strategy that not only dramatically improves drone detection capabilities nationally but also provides robust, multi-layered mitigation measures. These detection and mitigation measures must first protect critical infrastructure like population centers, utilities, and military assets, but also be able to be swiftly deployed to areas of concern when necessary. In the summer of 2026-12 short months away – the New York area will be the epicenter for multiple high-profile events, including the World Cup, the flotilla of Tall Ships, International Naval Review, the largest ever Macy’s fireworks show, and America’s 250th birthday celebration, which will present prime targets.

    2. Increased Authority for States to Detect and Mitigate Drones. New York State must maintain the authority to take proactive steps to detect and mitigate drones. The previous Congress extended important counter-drone authorities granted to the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation, but only to September 2025. The sunset of this authority puts the U.S. at risk and this authority must be extended. Additionally, expanded authorities and capabilities must be granted to states, such as through the measures proposed by the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act. Granting states the authority they need to improve detection and mitigation of UAS threats, in coordination with federal agencies, is no longer a matter of preference. It is a matter of urgent concern.

    The security of our state and the nation demands a coordinated and robust response to the challenge posed by drones. I urge you to prioritize this issue and take swift action before it is too late.

    We stand ready to collaborate with the federal government and Congress to address this critical threat.

    Sincerely,

    Kathy Hochul

    Governor

    CC:

    The Honorable Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

    The Honorable Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation

    The Honorable Chris Rocheleau, Acting Administrator of the FAA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Czechia to lead global race on small modular reactors

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK and Czechia to lead global race on small modular reactors

    British workers will further benefit from a new generation of nuclear power.

    • Golden age of nuclear receives a major new boost, as the Prime Minister and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala sign first of a kind partnership at Downing Street today
    • both countries will now work closer together on small modular reactors to seize export opportunities, support highly-skilled jobs, boost economic growth and deliver clean, homegrown energy as part of the Plan for Change
    • follows government backing for new nuclear at the Spending Review, including selection of Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s first small modular reactors and £14.2 billion investment to build Sizewell C

    British workers will further benefit from a new generation of nuclear power, as the government signs a landmark agreement with Czechia to kickstart the next chapter in the UK’s golden age of nuclear and secure high-skilled jobs. 

    Today’s agreement, set to be signed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at Downing Street, will unlock new opportunities for industrial collaboration and the potential for the UK and Czechia to export small modular reactors to other countries in Europe. 

    It will also support the delivery of up to six new reactors in Czechia by Rolls-Royce SMR, potentially worth billions of pounds.

    It comes after Rolls Royce SMR and the Czechia’s largest public company, ČEZ, agreed last year to partner on SMR, with ČEZ acquiring a 20% stake.

    The leaders will also host a business roundtable as part of the visit to drive closer trade and investment links between the UK and Czechia to support working people.

    Building more nuclear will help drive the UK’s energy security, as part of the government’s mission to protect family finances by replacing the UK’s dependency on fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators with clean power that we control. 

    Small modular reactors are also smaller and quicker to build than traditional nuclear plants, with costs likely to come down as units are rolled out, helping to delivering clean, homegrown energy for British billpayers. 

    The government’s clean energy mission is the only route to energy security, lower bills and good jobs for the country. Investment is already booming, with over £40 billion of private investment in clean energy announced since last July.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This agreement is about delivering for Britain – cleaner energy, better jobs, and greater security.

    By working with our Czech partners on small modular reactors, we’re backing British engineering, strengthening our industrial base, and putting the UK in a leading position to export the technologies of the future.

    This is our Plan for Change in action, taking practical steps to rebuild our economy, bring down bills, and give working people a stake in our clean energy transition.

    Peter Fiala, Prime Minister of Czechia, said:

    Nuclear energy holds significant potential for the coming years, as the sector is undergoing a true renaissance. That is why I am especially pleased that ČEZ and Rolls-Royce will cooperate on the development and production of small modular reactors. This collaboration will bring tangible benefits to both Czech and British economies, including job creation.

    The Czech Republic and the United Kingdom share a common approach to energy policy, and we have a very similar vision of what the future of energy should look like. We see the ideal energy mix as a combination of large nuclear power plants, small modular reactors and renewable energy sources.

    I am confident that this partnership with the United Kingdom will help us ensure energy security and affordable energy for future generations — a key priority of our government.

    UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    This government is driving to make the UK a clean energy superpower, replacing our dependence on fossil fuel markets controlled by petrostates with clean homegrown power we control. 

    Nuclear power is an essential part of that, which is why this government is ending years of a no-nuclear status quo to seize the benefits of a nuclear golden age for Britain. 

    This agreement will put the UK back where it belongs – at the very forefront of the global race on nuclear, working in lockstep with our Czech partners to deliver economic growth, clean energy and highly-skilled jobs for both nations.

    According to the International Energy Agency, the global SMR market is projected to reach up to nearly £500 billion by 2050, with today’s announcement giving the UK and Czechia the competitive advantage as frontrunners in the global race to build and export new nuclear technology. 

    This follows Rolls-Royce SMR being selected as the preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear to develop small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature – unlocking a new golden age of nuclear in the UK.  

    As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy to revive Britain’s industrial heartlands, the government has pledged over £2.5 billion for the overall small modular reactor programme – with this project potentially supporting up to 3,000 new skilled jobs and powering the equivalent of around 3 million homes with clean, secure homegrown energy. 

    Great British Energy – Nuclear is aiming to allocate a site later this year and connect projects to the grid in the mid-2030s. Once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with the new station at Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more nuclear to the grid than over the previous half century. 

    Last week, during the President Macron’s State Visit to the UK, French energy giant EDF confirmed it will take a 12.5% stake in Sizewell C, taking the project one step closer to being given the green light. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs, and thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and create 1,500 apprenticeships.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China urges Japan to exercise military and security caution – Chinese Defense Ministry /more details/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) — China on Monday urged Japan to learn from history and be prudent in its military and security words and actions as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin made the statement in response to a reporter’s request to comment on Japanese government sources’ reports that Japan plans to export six Abukuma-class frigates to the Philippines.

    The official reiterated China’s position that cooperation between relevant countries in the areas of defense and security should not be directed against third parties or harm their interests.

    Jiang Bin recalled the grave historical responsibility of Japanese militarism for its actions during World War II, including the invasion and colonial rule of neighboring countries such as China and the Philippines, as well as the occupation of islands in the South China Sea.

    In recent years, Japan, going beyond the framework of its peace constitution and the principle of “exclusively defensive policy,” has been continuously increasing the export of weapons and military equipment abroad, the official representative stated.

    He said such actions looked like reckless attempts to create “inner circles,” sow chaos in the South China Sea and bring instability to the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.

    “We call on the Japanese side to deeply rethink its activities, learn from history, exercise caution in its statements and actions in the military and security spheres, and take more steps to help protect peace and stability in the region,” the official representative concluded. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Malta Deputy Prime Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg in Beijing on Monday.

    Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, said Malta plays a unique and positive role in matters of world peace and stability.

    China hopes to work with Malta to maintain high-level political trust, mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual support, and firmly fulfill mutual commitments on issues affecting each other’s core interests and major concerns, the Chinese Foreign Minister noted.

    He indicated that China is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Malta in areas such as trade, investment, culture and tourism, science and education, and continue to maintain positive communication and cooperation in international affairs.

    Speaking about China-EU relations, Wang Yi noted that the most important experience and lesson learned from the 50 years of development of China-EU relations is that bilateral relations are positioned as partnerships, not competition, and their leitmotif is dialogue and cooperation.

    The Chinese Foreign Minister stressed that China and the EU, as two leading global powers, civilizations and markets, should understand, respect and value each other.

    Wang Yi called on both sides to view the mutually beneficial and win-win nature of bilateral relations from the perspective of development, jointly promote the process of human civilization, and maintain world peace and stability.

    J. Borg, for his part, stated that Malta highly values relations with China, always regards them as a priority area of its diplomacy, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative and invites more Chinese friends to visit Malta.

    The Maltese side also believes that the EU and China should be partners, not rivals, and that differences between them should be properly resolved through dialogue and consultation, said J. Borg, expressing his readiness to continue to play an active role in stimulating the development of European-Chinese relations. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada’s new government to consult on its first federal budget

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 14, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada 

    In the election, Canadians called for change – and Canada’s new government is moving with urgency to deliver this change. Budget 2025 will spend less and invest more to catalyze private capital, unleash investment, and build the strongest economy in the G7.

    As the new government prepares for the tabling of Budget 2025 in the fall, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, is launching pre-budget consultations. Starting today, until August 28, 2025, Canadians can participate in the consultations by sharing their thoughts on key issues at Canada.ca/YourBudget.

    Consultations will focus on bringing down costs for Canadians – building on measures such as the middle-class tax cut which saves a two-income family up to $840 a year and removing GST on new homes under $1 million for first-time buyers. Consultations will also emphasize job-creation, including measures to build more homes, expedite nation-building projects, and bolster Canada’s defence industrial capacity.

    In the weeks to come, the Minister of Finance, alongside Secretary of State, Wayne Long, and Parliamentary Secretary, Ryan Turnbull, will also be meeting with stakeholders and individuals across the country as part of the pre-budget consultation process.

    This Budget will deliver on the new government’s mandate to bring down costs, keep communities safe, diversify trade, and build one strong Canadian economy. With a responsible fiscal plan – we will spend less, invest more, and build Canada as an economic force for decades to come.  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Vice Chair Warner on DNI Gabbard’s Appearance at a Political Rally

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today released the following statement after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addressed the Turning Point USA political summit:
    “What we have here is a Director of National Intelligence willing to break decades of precedent to attack her own workforce and weaponize American intelligence at a political rally. 
    “Director Gabbard is unable to adhere to her oath. Her claims that she cares about depoliticizing intelligence are incompatible with reality. When will my Republican colleagues, who claim to care about national security, finally speak up? Our intelligence community deserves better.”
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Vice Chair Warner on DNI Gabbard’s Appearance at a Political Rally

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today released the following statement after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addressed the Turning Point USA political summit:
    “What we have here is a Director of National Intelligence willing to break decades of precedent to attack her own workforce and weaponize American intelligence at a political rally. 
    “Director Gabbard is unable to adhere to her oath. Her claims that she cares about depoliticizing intelligence are incompatible with reality. When will my Republican colleagues, who claim to care about national security, finally speak up? Our intelligence community deserves better.”
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Vice Chair Warner on DNI Gabbard’s Appearance at a Political Rally

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today released the following statement after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addressed the Turning Point USA political summit:
    “What we have here is a Director of National Intelligence willing to break decades of precedent to attack her own workforce and weaponize American intelligence at a political rally. 
    “Director Gabbard is unable to adhere to her oath. Her claims that she cares about depoliticizing intelligence are incompatible with reality. When will my Republican colleagues, who claim to care about national security, finally speak up? Our intelligence community deserves better.”
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President of the Republic of Zambia Receives Shakhboot bin Nahyan

    Source: APO


    .

    His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, received His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, during an official visit to the capital, Lusaka. 

    H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, to H.E. President Hichilema, along with their wishes for further development and prosperity for the government and people of Zambia.

    For his part, H.E. President Hichilema, conveyed his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, along with his wishes for further growth and development for the government and people of the UAE.

    H.E. President Hichilema welcomed the visit by H.E. Shakhboot bin Nahyan, where they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them. Furthermore, the two sides explored mutual efforts to expand and develop cooperation across various fields, for the benefit of both countries.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Leading Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Organization

    Source: US FBI

    JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 180 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Mikal Davis, 47.

    According to information presented to the Court, from in and around April 2019 to July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Davis conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture of heroin, five kilograms or more of a mixture of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, and 28 grams or more of crack. Davis, who led the drug trafficking organization’s activity in Philadelphia and Johnstown, was one of the targets of a federal wiretap and was intercepted obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Accompanied by distributors below him, Davis frequently traveled between Philadelphia and Johnstown with drug shipments which were then stored and processed at “stash houses” throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania for distribution. During a meeting with a drug source in California for a resupply, Davis arranged for the drug parcels to be mailed to Johnstown for distribution. In the Philadelphia area, Davis met with drug sources and purchased over 2,000 grams of heroin and fentanyl and over 5,000 grams of cocaine from a source in New Jersey.

    Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Davis. Additional agencies participating in this investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will support the construction of modular hotels in the regions.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Russian government has approved a regulation on the distribution of funds between regions to support the construction of modular hotels. It is planned to allocate 15 billion rubles in the next three years.

    The modular hotel support program is in high demand among businesses and regions. 13 thousand rooms have already been introduced under this program. Given the demand for the program, the Government decided to extend the term of the program, and a selection of projects was conducted for the next three years. 77 regions took part in the competition, submitting 1.8 thousand projects for the creation of more than 40 thousand rooms. This is one and a half times higher than the figures for a similar competition two years ago.

    Based on the results of the selection, 380 projects from 55 regions will receive support; they are aimed at creating almost 11 thousand rooms. State support funds will be used to provide financial support or reimburse the costs of purchasing and installing modular non-capital accommodation facilities for tourists. The largest amount of funding was allocated to regions with projects in tourist SEZs (North Caucasus Federal District, Irkutsk Region, Kemerovo) and entities through which popular tourist routes pass (Vladimir and Yaroslavl Regions).

    For the first time, the Republic of Mordovia, Vologda Oblast and Kamchatka Krai will receive subsidies under the program, which became possible thanks to the high-quality development of their projects.

    “It is important that such projects are implemented within the specified timeframes, that they meet the highest safety requirements and provide comfortable conditions,” emphasized the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin.

    At the same time, investors in the Far East, the Arctic and the Far North are allowed to use subsidies for the construction of non-capital facilities for the placement of non-factory production. This is due to the remoteness of such territories from the centers of production of modular structures and the high cost of their delivery.

    Among the priority areas are the implementation of investment projects in new regions and in the territories of special economic zones of the tourist and recreational type, the construction of facilities near automobile tourist routes passing through sections of the federal roads M-4 “Don”, M-8 “Kholmogory”, M-11 “Neva”, M-12 “Vostok”.

    “The modular hotel support program has proven its relevance: businesses and regions have actively joined the work, proposing large-scale initiatives. We paid special attention to the transparency of the selection, stimulating responsible use of funds and compliance with implementation deadlines. Within two weeks, we plan to conclude agreements with the regions and provide funding so that within a month the funds will be received by investors and practical work will begin,” said Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of Russia.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A pilot project for large families to purchase discounted electronic tickets has been launched in St. Petersburg

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A pilot project for purchasing discounted electronic tickets for suburban trains has been launched in St. Petersburg as part of the development of the “life situation” service for large families on the public services portal. A special application has been developed to implement the project, through which its participants can buy discounted tickets. This eliminates the need to stand in line at the ticket office and personally present a certificate of a large family. To board a train, it is enough to show the inspector the electronic ticket from the smartphone screen.

    When project participants purchase tickets in the application, their right to benefits is confirmed automatically. To do this, you need to enter your SNILS and date of birth. The technical interaction of information systems to ensure such automatic confirmation was organized by the Ministry of Transport together with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, as well as the Analytical Center under the Government.

    The peculiarity of the services “life situations” is that the services that are necessary for people and businesses in certain circumstances are provided comprehensively and in one place. With the help of the services “life situations” the time for receiving government services, the number of visits to departments and documents that need to be provided are reduced.

    Work on launching the “life situations” services is being carried out within the framework of the federal project “State for People”, which is supervised by Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko.

    “The “life situations” services help people quickly and easily solve the most important issues. Among them are registration and receipt of a pension, replacement of documents, construction of a house and, of course, support for large families. The functions of this service will be expanded based on the results of a pilot project that is currently underway in St. Petersburg. In addition to the possibility of registering the status and electronic certificate of a large family, it is planned to add the purchase of discounted electronic tickets in all regions of the country,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    The pilot project for large families – participants of the project will last until October of this year. Based on its results, the issue of the possibility of implementing this project throughout the country will be considered.

    As part of the expansion of the “life situation” functionality for large families, the possibility of including air transport in the program for purchasing discounted electronic tickets is also being considered.

    At the federal level, “life situations” services for citizens and businesses have been implemented since 2023. There are currently 35 of them available. Since 2024, more than 150 regional “life situations” services have also been operating.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Bishnoi Gang: Joint Statement

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly, RSC Chairman Pfluger introduce resolution marking one-year anniversary of Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) announced the introduction of a resolution to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump in Kelly’s hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.

    The resolution condemns the multiple attempts against the President’s life and condemns those who incite violence against political officials. In addition to the events in Butler, this also includes the second attempted assassination of President Trump in Florida last year, and attacks on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota state lawmakers this year.

    The resolution also honors the life of Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter and U.S. Army veteran who tragically died while shielding his family from the gunfire; and Pennsylvanians David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were critically injured during the shooting.

    “We must stand up together to oppose violence against our nation’s leaders and condemn the hateful, divisive rhetoric that has fueled our nation’s political dialogue in recent years,” said Kelly and Pfluger  in a joint statement. “This weekend, as we remember the tragic events in Butler one year ago, may we also take a moment to honor our heroic first responders who selflessly run toward danger to protect our fellow Americans. May we unite around the common good of these United States. We are stronger together.”

    You can read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly, RSC Chairman Pfluger introduce resolution marking one-year anniversary of Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) announced the introduction of a resolution to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump in Kelly’s hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.

    The resolution condemns the multiple attempts against the President’s life and condemns those who incite violence against political officials. In addition to the events in Butler, this also includes the second attempted assassination of President Trump in Florida last year, and attacks on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota state lawmakers this year.

    The resolution also honors the life of Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter and U.S. Army veteran who tragically died while shielding his family from the gunfire; and Pennsylvanians David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were critically injured during the shooting.

    “We must stand up together to oppose violence against our nation’s leaders and condemn the hateful, divisive rhetoric that has fueled our nation’s political dialogue in recent years,” said Kelly and Pfluger  in a joint statement. “This weekend, as we remember the tragic events in Butler one year ago, may we also take a moment to honor our heroic first responders who selflessly run toward danger to protect our fellow Americans. May we unite around the common good of these United States. We are stronger together.”

    You can read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Raise Utility Bills and Energy Prices in 2026 Interior, Environment Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    Today, House Republicans released the draft fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. Instead of lowering the cost of living and confronting the climate crisis, House Republicans are raising utility bills and energy prices. The legislation takes an aggressive anti-environment, pro-pollution stance with crippling cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and policy provisions that endanger public health and fail to confront the climate crisis. The bill also slashes funding for National Parks and arts programs.

    The fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill includes $38 billion, which is $2.9 billion below the fiscal year 2025 enacted level and $9.2 billion above the budget request. The bill also provides $2.9 billion for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund.

    The legislation:

    • Raises utility bills by shifting costs onto state and local governments and making electricity more expensive through funding cuts and extreme policies that would cripple renewable energy development.
    • Worsens the climate crisis by defunding critical Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) work.
    • Slashes funding for national parks, threatening Americans’ ability to enjoy public lands.
    • Guts resources for museums, arts, and culture, suppressing Americans’ engagement with the arts and art education.
    • Favors polluters over public health through dozens of harmful policies that undermine EPA’s ability to regulate pollution. 
    • Promotes environmental discrimination against rural and poor communities by making it more difficult for hardworking people to deal with the rising costs associated with climate change. 
    • Exploits public lands and accelerates ecosystem decline by allowing harmful and dirty mining activities and by removing Endangered Species Act protections for numerous species.

    “With the release of the FY26 Interior bill, it’s clear House Republicans are once again pushing an agenda that accelerates the climate crisis, upends our National Parks system, and leaves local communities to fend for themselves—all while undermining the power of the Appropriations Committee and of Congress,” Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) said. “We are still living with the fallout of last year’s failure to negotiate a full-year funding bill. Instead of correcting course, the bill released today delivers more of the same: it cuts water infrastructure funding, slashes EPA programs, and wipes out environmental justice and climate initiatives. It even blocks the EPA from completing its risk assessment on PFAS in sewage sludge—a forever chemical crisis Maine knows all too well. On top of the environmental attacks, Republicans are taking aim at the arts and cultural institutions that enrich communities and drive local economies. Cutting the NEA, NEH, and Smithsonian silences artistic expression and undermines the jobs, education programs, and cultural spaces that strengthen towns and cities across the country. Any arguments that these irresponsible cuts are somehow fiscally responsible ring hollow in the wake of Republicans adding $3.4 trillion to the national deficit thanks to their disastrous so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ I urge my Republican colleagues to come to the table and support the essential work of this subcommittee: protecting public health, conserving our lands and waters, investing in resilience, and ensuring that every community—from rural Maine to urban centers—has access to a healthy environment and a vibrant cultural life.”

    “President Trump promised to address the cost-of-living crisis, but instead, he and House Republicans are making it worse. House Republicans’ 2026 Interior funding bill raises utility bills and energy prices to benefit billionaires and big corporations,” Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “Republicans are threatening the air we breathe and the water we drink and taking steps that damage our public lands, promote dirty energy, and hinder our ability to confront the climate crisis. In addition to these dangerous cuts, Republicans’ proposal would mean fewer trips to National Parks and less access to museums and the arts. House Republicans are more focused on lining the pockets of big oil companies than lowering prices for working class, middle class, rural, and vulnerable families; protecting our public health; and preserving the planet.”

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

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Raise Utility Bills and Energy Prices in 2026 Interior, Environment Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    Today, House Republicans released the draft fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. Instead of lowering the cost of living and confronting the climate crisis, House Republicans are raising utility bills and energy prices. The legislation takes an aggressive anti-environment, pro-pollution stance with crippling cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and policy provisions that endanger public health and fail to confront the climate crisis. The bill also slashes funding for National Parks and arts programs.

    The fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill includes $38 billion, which is $2.9 billion below the fiscal year 2025 enacted level and $9.2 billion above the budget request. The bill also provides $2.9 billion for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund.

    The legislation:

    • Raises utility bills by shifting costs onto state and local governments and making electricity more expensive through funding cuts and extreme policies that would cripple renewable energy development.
    • Worsens the climate crisis by defunding critical Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) work.
    • Slashes funding for national parks, threatening Americans’ ability to enjoy public lands.
    • Guts resources for museums, arts, and culture, suppressing Americans’ engagement with the arts and art education.
    • Favors polluters over public health through dozens of harmful policies that undermine EPA’s ability to regulate pollution. 
    • Promotes environmental discrimination against rural and poor communities by making it more difficult for hardworking people to deal with the rising costs associated with climate change. 
    • Exploits public lands and accelerates ecosystem decline by allowing harmful and dirty mining activities and by removing Endangered Species Act protections for numerous species.

    “With the release of the FY26 Interior bill, it’s clear House Republicans are once again pushing an agenda that accelerates the climate crisis, upends our National Parks system, and leaves local communities to fend for themselves—all while undermining the power of the Appropriations Committee and of Congress,” Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) said. “We are still living with the fallout of last year’s failure to negotiate a full-year funding bill. Instead of correcting course, the bill released today delivers more of the same: it cuts water infrastructure funding, slashes EPA programs, and wipes out environmental justice and climate initiatives. It even blocks the EPA from completing its risk assessment on PFAS in sewage sludge—a forever chemical crisis Maine knows all too well. On top of the environmental attacks, Republicans are taking aim at the arts and cultural institutions that enrich communities and drive local economies. Cutting the NEA, NEH, and Smithsonian silences artistic expression and undermines the jobs, education programs, and cultural spaces that strengthen towns and cities across the country. Any arguments that these irresponsible cuts are somehow fiscally responsible ring hollow in the wake of Republicans adding $3.4 trillion to the national deficit thanks to their disastrous so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ I urge my Republican colleagues to come to the table and support the essential work of this subcommittee: protecting public health, conserving our lands and waters, investing in resilience, and ensuring that every community—from rural Maine to urban centers—has access to a healthy environment and a vibrant cultural life.”

    “President Trump promised to address the cost-of-living crisis, but instead, he and House Republicans are making it worse. House Republicans’ 2026 Interior funding bill raises utility bills and energy prices to benefit billionaires and big corporations,” Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “Republicans are threatening the air we breathe and the water we drink and taking steps that damage our public lands, promote dirty energy, and hinder our ability to confront the climate crisis. In addition to these dangerous cuts, Republicans’ proposal would mean fewer trips to National Parks and less access to museums and the arts. House Republicans are more focused on lining the pockets of big oil companies than lowering prices for working class, middle class, rural, and vulnerable families; protecting our public health; and preserving the planet.”

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

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Trump’s Brazil tariffs point more to his enduring bond with far-right Bolsonaro than economic concerns

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Rafael R. Ioris, Professor of Modern Latin America History, University of Denver

    U.S. President Donald Trump and then-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attend a joint news conference at the White House on March 19, 2019. Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images

    After much back-and-forth over several months, President Donald Trump announced on July 9, 2025, that he planned to levy a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports to the United States. While Brazilian authorities, along with leaders of most other countries, have been expecting new tariffs given their centrality to Trump’s economic agenda, the announcement seemingly caught Brazilian officials off guard, as trade negotiations between the two nations were still ongoing.

    Brazil President Lula da Silva was quick in reacting, stating his country could respond in kind, if tariffs indeed come into effect on Aug. 1.

    There has been much speculation about the reasons behind Trump’s decision and timing, with some onlookers noting the proximity to the recent meeting of the BRICS nations, a grouping of emerging economies, including Brazil, which had already drawn Trump’s ire. Others argued that this was a protective measure to defend key U.S. industries, such as steel, which have been facing continued difficulties against cheaper products from Brazil.

    The clearest answer, however, came from Trump himself.

    In a letter to Lula, the U.S. president indicated that his main grievance with Brazil is in fact the trial that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faces in front of that country’s highest court. The former far-right firebrand is charged for refusing to recognize the result of the last presidential election in October 2022 and for allegedly having led an attempted coup against the democratic institutions and rule of law in January 2023. If convicted, Bolsonaro and some of his closest associates could face long prison sentences.

    A history of meddling

    The only economic rationale mentioned in Trump’s letter, that of a deficit that his country is said to face with Brazil, is belied by the numbers. The U.S. has sustained consistent surpluses in trade with the South American nation for close to two decades now.

    And Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, active cheerleader and primary conduit between the Trump camp and Bolsonaro, was even more blunt than the U.S. president. In an interview with one of Brazil’s main news site, he stated: “Stop the trial and we will reverse the tariffs.”

    Bolsonaro meets with Trump during the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.
    Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

    As the history of U.S.-Latin American relations ably demonstrates, this is far from the first time Washington has meddled in the region in order to satisfy its own political proclivities. Indeed, particularly during the Cold War, a slew of U.S. decision-makers actively intervened to support friendly right-wing regimes or to otherwise remove from power administrations considered unacceptably independent.

    This was nonetheless the first time in recent history that the official U.S. position is that a foreign nation should face harsh economic punishment unless its current government illegally circumvent the judicary’s constitutional role to stop a major investigation against someone accused of high crimes.

    Trump-Bolsonaro: Mutual admiration

    Of course, Trump’s overt support for Bolsonaro is not surprising, nor new. Their relationship of mutual admiration and ideological affinity hearkens back to the latter’s first presidential campaign in 2018, when he was labeled, to great reciprocal delight, the “Trump of the Tropics.”

    During the subsequent two years when their terms coincided (2019-2000), both men pledged to have a mutual special relationship, though to little consequence – no consequential bilateral projects were put in place.

    Both leaders also share the experience of having failed to obtain a second consecutive term and having supported the derailment of the peaceful transfer of power.

    Now that Trump is back in power, Bolsonaro hopes that the U.S. president will come to his rescue.

    Seeking to obtain explicit support, Bolsonaro’s third son, Eduardo, a member of Brazil’s lower house of congress and his family’s most eloquent international voice, took a leave from his legislative duties and moved to the U.S. early this year. He did so to lobby on behalf of his father based on the fallacious argument that Lula is a left-wing dictator, that Bolsonaro faces a politically motivated trial, and that the U.S. government should act against Lula’s administration.

    Given Trump’s tariff notice and the explicit reasons he gave for it, it seems safe to assume that Eduardo’s actions paid dividends.

    Which direction will Brazil head?

    Like the U.S., Brazil is deeply fractured along left and right political lines. So it was no surprise that the local reactions to Trump’s announcement manifested along ideological camps.

    Despite their leader’s legal travails, Bolsonaro’s supporters remain very influential in politics, the media and among important economic areas, such as the agribusiness sector. Whether Trump’s decision will serve to help people rally around and in support of Lula and against a case of foreign interference is unclear. Lula’s initial pronouncement that Brazil would respond in kind was seen favorably among his supporters, though the opposition and many in the media pinned the blame on Lula for not being able to forge compromise with the Trump administration.

    Key industrialists in the powerful state of Sao Paulo, where Bolsonaro’s powerful ally Tarcisio de Freitas serves as governor, will be the first ones affected by the new tariffs. But the pain will likely spread into other activities, including in the countryside.

    And given that the bulk of the country’s agricultural exports go to China rather than to the U.S., the important question is whether these powerful exporters will act pragmatically and work with Lula to enlarge trade with the Asian giant and other countries, or whether they will continue to act ideologically and continue to support Bolsonaro’s enduring partnership with Trump against their own economic interests.

    Dialogue has been a hallmark of Brazil’s diplomacy, and even in the middle of these latest heated diplomatic exchanges, Lula reiterated his willingness to negotiate. It is unclear, though, whether the Trump adminstration’s actions in Latin America will be conducted on the basis of rationality and actual numbers, or if they will indeed bring back some old ideologically driven behaviors of picking sides in the internal political disputes of foreign nations. Should one consider at face value Trump’s latest letter, there is reason for concern.

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

    – ref. Trump’s Brazil tariffs point more to his enduring bond with far-right Bolsonaro than economic concerns – https://theconversation.com/trumps-brazil-tariffs-point-more-to-his-enduring-bond-with-far-right-bolsonaro-than-economic-concerns-260993

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ivey, Van Hollen, Klobuchar Lead Over 70 Members in Pressing Administration on Conflicting Orders Fueling Uncertainty Among Afghans Living in U.S.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Ivey – Maryland (4th District)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), .S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led 73 of their colleagues in pressing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for answers on the Trump Administration’s inconsistent policies regarding Afghanistan and the legal status of Afghan nationals living in the U.S. – many of whom played important roles in supporting American servicemembers during the war in Afghanistan over two decades. In the letter, the lawmakers point out that the justifications for the decisions to implement a large-scale travel ban, which applies to Afghanistan, and terminate Temporary Protected Status conflict with one another. The lawmakers ask Secretary Rubio how the State Department arrived at these determinations and whether it can guarantee that Afghans who may be forced to leave the U.S. will not face danger upon their return to their home country – should the termination of Afghanistan’s TPS designation be upheld. 

    The lawmakers’ concerns over the safety of Afghan nationals who may be forced to leave the U.S. stem from a recent State Department human rights report covering Afghanistan finding that the Taliban has increased restrictions on freedom of expression and significantly eroded women’s rights. Additionally, Afghanistan remains gripped by violence and instability; the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS), continues to launch attacks against ethnic and religious minorities and against the Taliban, leading to innocent civilian casualties. If Afghan nationals are forced to return to Afghanistan, many risk being caught in the crossfire between the Taliban and ISKP, threatening their human rights and freedoms. These risks are on top of those already incurred by the men and women who have previously assisted the United States military and face retribution for their support to our armed forces. 

    “We write to you with deep concern over President Donald Trump’s recently announced so-called travel ban and its striking inconsistency with the Department of Homeland Security’s justification for termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. We respectfully request that you provide detailed information regarding the State Department’s assessment of the conditions in Afghanistan to clarify the Trump Administration’s position,” the lawmakers began.

    They quoted the determination that Secretary Rubio made upon consultation over the decision to include Afghanistan in the Administration’s travel ban proclamation, writing, “Specifically, the proclamation bans most entry into the United States from Afghanistan, stating the following as justification: ‘The Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group, controls Afghanistan. Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.’

    “As you know, the U.S. visa vetting system is a multi-layered process involving extensive background checks, biometric data collection, interagency information sharing, and screening against a range of national security databases that works to keep residents of our country safe,” the lawmakers continued. “According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “[m]ore than 40 national security experts from across the political spectrum have unequivocally told courts that travelers to the U.S. should not be vetted on religious or national stereotypes, but rather on specific threat information.” Categorically banning foreign nationals from coming to the United States based on their country of origin is discriminatory and harmful to our nation’s international relations and security interests. 

    Highlighting the inconsistencies between the reasoning for including Afghanistan in the travel ban and ending the country’s TPS designation, they wrote, “This [travel ban] determination appears to be at odds with the Trump Administration’s stated position just weeks ago. May 12, 2025, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem announced that DHS was ending TPS for Afghanistan. The basis offered in the Federal Register notice for this decision was ‘notable improvements in the security and economic situation such that requiring the return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan does not pose a threat to their personal safety due to armed conflict or extraordinary and temporary conditions.’

    “As you are aware, many Afghan allies that received TPS stood shoulder to shoulder with American servicemembers for nearly two decades during the war in Afghanistan. Many fled to the United States out of fear of persecution by the Taliban or retaliation for such cooperation with the United States. It is unsafe for political targets of the Taliban to be forced to return against their will. TPS protections must be maintained for Afghan nationals in the United States,” they went on to write.

    They asked Secretary Rubio to address the following questions:

    1. Please provide detailed reports or information that the State Department is relying upon in advising the Department of Homeland Security and the White House as to the conditions in Afghanistan.
    2. How can you assure Afghan nationals fearing persecution in Afghanistan that the Taliban will not retaliate against them based upon their relationship with the United States?

    In addition to Congressman Ivey, Senator Van Hollen, and Senator Klobuchar, the letter was signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Representatives Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Ami Bera (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), Bill Foster (D-Ill.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Timothy Kennedy (D-N.Y.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Adam Smith (D-Calif.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).

     

    The full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Secretary Rubio:

    We write to you with deep concern over President Donald Trump’s recently announced so-called travel ban and its striking inconsistency with the Department of Homeland Security’s justification for termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. We respectfully request that you provide detailed information regarding the State Department’s assessment of the conditions in Afghanistan to clarify the Trump Administration’s position. 

    On June 4, 2025, President Trump announced via a proclamation entitled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” that he was imposing travel restrictions for foreign nationals entering the United States. Among the countries included in this proclamation is Afghanistan. Specifically, the proclamation bans most entry into the United States from Afghanistan, stating the following as justification: 

    “The Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group, controls Afghanistan. Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.” 

    As you know, the U.S. visa vetting system is a multi-layered process involving extensive background checks, biometric data collection, interagency information sharing, and screening against a range of national security databases that works to keep residents of our country safe. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “[m]ore than 40 national security experts from across the political spectrum have unequivocally told courts that travelers to the U.S. should not be vetted on religious or national stereotypes, but rather on specific threat information.” Categorically banning foreign nationals from coming to the United States based on their country of origin is discriminatory and harmful to our nation’s international relations and security interests.

    The proclamation further states that you, as the Secretary of State, were directed to make this determination, in consultation with other members of the President’s Cabinet including the Secretary of Homeland Security. Per the proclamation, you ultimately determined that “a number of countries remain deficient with regards to screening and vetting,” including the country of Afghanistan. Placing a blanket ban on another country’s citizens is a severe action, and the title of the proclamation states that it is being done “to protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats.” This determination appears to be at odds with the Trump Administration’s stated position just weeks ago. On May 12, 2025, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem announced that DHS was ending TPS for Afghanistan. The basis offered in the Federal Register notice for this decision was “notable improvements in the security and economic situation such that requiring the return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan does not pose a threat to their personal safety due to armed conflict or extraordinary and temporary conditions.” Specifically, the notice points to:

    1. the totality of Taliban rule and lessening overt presence of ISIS-K and other various terrorist organizations;
    2. a decrease in large-scale violence and humanitarian need;
    3. a growing economy; and
    4. increased tourism, with tourists “sharing their experiences on social media, highlighting the peaceful countryside, welcoming locals, and the cultural heritage.”

    Further, Secretary Noem found that “permitting Afghan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the national interest of the United States.” The Federal Register notice cited consultation with your Department in making this determination.

    These seemingly incompatible recent decisions indicate a troubling lack of consistency in the Administration’s analysis of country conditions in Afghanistan. Either Afghanistan is safe for the return of Afghan refugees and nationals that fled following the return of the Taliban to power or it is not. 

    According to Human Rights Watch, in 2024, Taliban authorities intensified their crackdown on human rights, especially against women and girls, who are banned from attending secondary school or university and are unable to move freely. The Taliban also continues to detain and torture journalists, curtailing free speech and media. The 2023 U.S. State Department Human Rights Report covering Afghanistan found that women’s rights rapidly declined and restrictions on freedom of expression increased. The horrific human rights conditions in Afghanistan are unsafe for Afghan nationals to return to and returning would put their personal safety at immediate risk. Additionally, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS), continues to launch attacks against ethnic and religious minorities and against the Taliban, leading to innocent civilian casualties. If Afghan nationals are forced to return to Afghanistan, they will be caught in the crossfire between the Taliban and ISKP.  

    As you are aware, many Afghan allies that received TPS stood shoulder to shoulder with American servicemembers for nearly two decades during the war in Afghanistan. Many fled to the United States out of fear of persecution by the Taliban or retaliation for such cooperation with the United States. It is unsafe for political targets of the Taliban to be forced to return against their will. TPS protections must be maintained for Afghan nationals in the United States. 

    We would request that you immediately provide answers to the following questions:

    1. Please provide detailed reports or information that the State Department is relying upon in advising the Department of Homeland Security and the White House as to the conditions in Afghanistan.
    2. How can you assure Afghan nationals fearing persecution in Afghanistan that the Taliban will not retaliate against them based upon their relationship with the United States?

    Congress has a strong interest in understanding what information the Trump Administration is using to carry out its policies and how it is making national security decisions that impact all of our constituents. We look forward to receiving your response.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Alaska Private Nonprofits Affected by Landslides

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Alaska of the Aug. 13, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the landslides occurring Aug. 25, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Ketchikan Gateway Borough of Alaska.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature who suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Examples of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

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

    “SBA loans help eligible private nonprofits cover both physical as well as economic injury after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help private nonprofits get back on their feet but help them rebuild.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not 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.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at 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.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than Aug. 13.

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    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.

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