NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • India–Brazil bilateral trade to touch $20 million over next five years: PM Modi in Brasilia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Brazil will work to expand cooperation in trade, clean energy, defence, Artificial Intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, underlining that both countries share a common vision for inclusive development and a people-centric approach to innovation.

    Speaking at a joint press statement alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being conferred with Brazil’s highest national honour — ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’.

    “Today, being honoured with Brazil’s highest national award by the President of Brazil is a moment of great pride and emotion not just for me, but for 140 crore Indians. I sincerely thank the President, the Brazilian government, and the people of Brazil for this honour,” PM Modi said.

    Calling President Lula his “best friend” and “Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil,” the PM said every meeting with him has motivated him to work harder for the well-being of both nations. “I dedicate this honour to his strong commitment to India and to our enduring friendship,” he said.

    Trade and energy cooperation

    PM Modi said India and Brazil have agreed to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion over the next five years. “Football is Brazil’s passion, just as cricket is loved by the people of India. Whether it’s sending the ball past the boundary or into the goal, when both are on the same team, a USD 20 billion partnership is not difficult to achieve,” he said, adding that both sides will also work to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

    The Prime Minister stressed that cooperation in the energy sector was steadily growing and highlighted the new agreement signed to boost collaboration on clean energy and sustainable development.

    PM Modi also extended best wishes to Lula for the upcoming COP-30 Summit to be hosted by Brazil later this year.

    Defence, AI and digital linkages

    On defence ties, PM Modi said, “Our growing cooperation in the field of defence reflects the deep mutual trust between our two countries. We will continue our efforts to connect our defence industries and strengthen this partnership further.”

    He pointed to ongoing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing, describing it as part of the shared goal of “inclusive development and human-centric innovation.” India’s UPI digital payments platform is also set to be adopted in Brazil, the PM said, adding that India would gladly share its experience in digital public infrastructure and space technology.

    Health, Ayurveda and people-to-people ties

    Highlighting ties in agriculture and health, PM Modi noted that cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry spans several decades, and both sides are now working together in agricultural research and food processing too. “In the health sector too, we are enhancing our win-win collaboration. We have also emphasized the expansion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil,” he said.

    Underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections, the Prime Minister said that the shared passion for sports — cricket and football — brings India and Brazil closer. “We wish for India–Brazil relations to be as vibrant as Carnival, as passionate as football, and as heart-connecting as Samba — all without the long visa counter queues! With this spirit, we will work together to ease people-to-people exchanges between our two nations, especially for tourists, students, sportspersons, and businessmen,” he said.

    On global issues

    PM Modi said India and Brazil have always worked in close coordination on global issues and stressed that their partnership is relevant to the Global South and the wider world. “We firmly believe that it is our moral responsibility to bring the concerns and priorities of the Global South to the forefront of the global stage,” he said.

    Calling for disputes to be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy,” the PM said the India–Brazil partnership stands as an “important pillar of stability and balance” amid global tensions and uncertainty. He also reiterated both nations’ “zero tolerance and zero double standards” approach on terrorism, saying, “We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it.”

    The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Lula to visit India and said, “Once again, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for this highest national honour and for your enduring friendship.”

    Earlier in the day, Lula welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, where he was given a ceremonial reception featuring a 114-horse escort for his car. The two leaders then held a restricted-format meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions and the signing of agreements.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur, Murray Statement on DOE Failure to Comply with Basic Spending Transparency Requirements As Highlighted in New GAO Report

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

    Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, issued the following joint statement in response to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issuing a report that finds the Department of Energy (DOE) is not in compliance with required reporting to help ensure transparency in spending.

    “This GAO report exposes a troubling failure by the Department of Energy to meet even the most basic budgeting responsibilities. Nearly a decade after Congress required forward-looking energy planning, DOE still hasn’t delivered — and now the Trump administration wants to do away with this basic good government requirement altogether. With nearly $50 Billion in taxpayer funds at stake, this lack of accountability is unacceptable. At a time of fierce global competition, we can’t afford a Department flying blind. DOE must stop stonewalling and immediately implement GAO’s recommendations — as mandated by law — to deliver the transparency, accountability, and planning the American people deserve and that this administration has promised but routinely failed to deliver.”

    The fiscal year 2012 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act required the Secretary of Energy to submit a future-years energy program (FYEP) alongside DOE’s annual budget justifications, starting with the fiscal year 2014 request and continuing each year thereafter.

    However, GAO found that DOE has failed to fully comply with this statutory requirement, offering no justification for its ongoing noncompliance. The Department’s FYEP submissions have been incomplete and inconsistent, and it lacks both a finalized strategic plan and the necessary budgeting processes to generate accurate estimates.

    Congress mandated this investigation in the fiscal year 2024 Energy and Water Development bill. In a striking acknowledgment of this failure, the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal attempts to eliminate the reporting requirement altogether — undermining its own claims of promoting efficiency and exposing a broader disregard for transparency and fiscal accountability.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN summit confronts AI’s dawn of wonders and warnings

    Source: United Nations 2

    The AI for Good Global Summit 2025 brings together governments, tech leaders, academics, civil society and young people to explore how artificial intelligence can be directed toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and away from growing risks of inequality, disinformation and environmental strain.

    “We are the AI generation,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, chief of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) – UN’s specialized agency for information and communications technology – in a keynote address.

    But being part of this generation means more than just using these technologies.

    “It means contributing to this whole-of-society upskilling effort, from early schooling to lifelong learning,” she added.

    Warnings on AI risks

    Ms. Bogdan-Martin warned of mounting dangers in deploying AI without sufficient public understanding or policy oversight.

    “The biggest risk we face is not AI eliminating the human race. It is the race to embed AI everywhere, without sufficient understanding of what that means for people and our planet,” she said.

    Her remarks reflected a growing sense of urgency among policymakers and technologists, as new “agentic AI” systems capable of autonomous reasoning and action emerge at unprecedented speed.

    With some experts predicting human-level AI within the next three years, concerns about safety, bias, energy consumption and regulatory capacity have intensified.

    Tech on display at the AI for Good Global Summit.

    Tech on display

    The summit’s agenda reflects these tensions.

    Over 20,000 square meters of exhibit space at Geneva’s Palexpo now hosts more than 200 demonstrations, including a flying car, a fish-inspired water quality monitor, brain-computer interfaces and AI-driven disaster response tools.

    Workshops throughout the week will tackle topics ranging from AI in healthcare and education to ethics, gender inclusion and global governance.

    One highlight will be the AI Governance Day on Thursday, where national regulators and international organizations will address the gap in global oversight. An ITU survey found that 85 per cent of countries lack an AI-specific policy or strategy, raising alarms about uneven development and growing digital divides.

    Focus on health

    Health is a prominent theme this year.

    On Wednesday, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) will lead a session titled “Enabling AI for Health Innovation and Access,” bringing together technologists, regulators, clinicians and humanitarian leaders to address how AI can improve healthcare delivery – especially in low-resource settings.

    Real-world applications – from AI-powered triage in emergency care to diagnostic tools for rural clinics – will be spotlighted, alongside a preview of WHO’s forthcoming Technical Brief on AI in Traditional Medicine, set for official launch on the main stage.

    Experts will also examine the challenges of interoperability, regulatory harmonisation and intellectual property rights at the intersection of AI and global health. The summit will also feature the AI for Good Awards, recognising groundbreaking projects that harness AI for public benefit, with categories spanning people, planet and prosperity.

    Tech on display at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.

    Launchpad for action

    The health track exemplifies the summit’s core goal: ensuring AI serves the public good, especially in areas of greatest need.

    Youth-led robotics teams from underserved communities will present solutions for disaster recovery and waste management, while startups compete in the Innovation Factory to showcase AI tools for education and climate resilience.

    Live demonstrations include an autonomous orchard robot, a self-sanitising mobile toilet, and a drone-eDNA system for scalable biodiversity and pest monitoring.

    Closing her keynote, Ms. Bogdan-Martin reminded participants that the future of AI is a shared responsibility.

    “Let’s never stop putting AI at the service of all people and our planet,” she said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Committee on Internal Trade meets to strengthen Canada’s economy

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Quebec City, Quebec, July 8, 2025 – Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, met with her provincial and territorial counterparts at the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting in Québec City to advance shared priorities and strengthen Canada’s domestic economy.

    Over the past six months, the federal government worked with the CIT to facilitate internal trade and labour mobility across Canada by:

    • Removing unnecessary exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses to buy and sell interprovincially and compete for government procurement.
    • Reaching an agreement in principle to include the financial services sector into the CFTA by end of Fall 2025.
    • Expanding the Mutual Recognition Project in the trucking sector to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Minister Freeland invited transportation officials and experts to a Trucking Hackathon on July 15-16 in Toronto to identify new opportunities to make it easier to transport goods across Canada by aligning regulations in the trucking sector.
    • Advancing mutual recognition for goods (except for food) by December 2025, making it easier to buy and sell Canadian goods across the country.
    • Committing to implement an Action Plan on labour mobility, including a 30-day service standard to process labour mobility applications.
    • Signing a Memorandum of Understanding to implement a direct-to-consumer alcohol sales system by May 2026, at the latest.
    • Agreeing to launch internal trade missions to foster business growth and promote trade across Canada.

    In addition, the federal government recently announced the elimination of all federal exceptions in the CFTA. The government has also successfully passed the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act as part of Canada’s new One Canadian Economy Act. This legislation will eliminate federal barriers to the movement of goods, services and labour within Canada, while upholding the health, safety and security of Canadians, their social and economic well-being, and the environment.

    The federal government will continue to work toward the removal of remaining barriers to internal trade and labour mobility to ensure all Canadian businesses and workers have access to a seamless and integrated domestic market. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks of Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson at George Washington University

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    Thank you to the George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center, Roger Nober, Susan Dudley, and the organizers of today’s event for allowing me to join virtually. As many of you are aware, I have spent the last several years engaging regulators and market participants from jurisdictions around the world on issues at the core of today’s discussion.[1]
    How might advances in artificial intelligence (AI) increase inclusion and customer experiences and democratize access to financial services, improve the accuracy and efficiency of financial services, and potentially reduce transaction costs as well as the costs of compliance? 
    These issues, among several other potential benefits and risks associated with the adoption of innovative technologies, are top of mind for me and many other senior regulators, chief executive officers, chief technology officers, chief information security officers, chief compliance officers, and chief risk managers around the world.
    According to an International Monetary Fund paper exploring the benefits and risks of AI in finance, AI and machine learning (ML) technologies alongside other
    [r]ecent technological advances in computing and data storage power, big data, and the digital economy are facilitating rapid AI/ML deployment in a wide range of sectors, including finance. The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the adoption of these systems due to the increased use of digital channels.
    AI/ML systems are changing the financial sector landscape. Competitive pressures are fueling rapid adoption of AI/ML in the financial sector by facilitating gains in efficiency and cost savings, reshaping client interfaces, enhancing forecasting accuracy, and improving risk management and compliance. AI/ML systems also offer the potential to strengthen prudential oversight and to equip [regulators]  with new tools. . . .[2]
    Indisputably, AI is rapidly transforming the financial sector, particularly in the areas of compliance, market surveillance, and regulatory enforcement. What once seemed the creative imaginings of science fiction or fantasy novels and films—forward-looking notions of a futuristic world—has now become a practical and increasingly essential tool across the financial market ecosystem. Market participants and regulators alike are leveraging AI and ML to improve risk management, detect misconduct, and strengthen the integrity of the markets.
    Let’s explore the use of AI in compliance, bad actors’ potential misuse of AI, opportunities for supervisory technology (suptech) in enforcement, and a path forward.
    AI and Industry Compliance
    Financial institutions have been at the forefront of AI adoption, especially in compliance functions. AI is widely used in anti-money laundering (AML) efforts, where algorithms analyze transaction patterns across millions of credit card statements, bank statements, and account details to detect anomalies that may go unnoticed by traditional systems. ML models have dramatically reduced false positives in AML alerts[3]; this has long been a challenge for compliance teams who may now rely on AI to learn by reviewing training data and distinguish between benign and suspicious activity more precisely and more efficiently.
    AI also supports compliance with complex cross-border financial regulations. Financial services firms deploy ML to monitor transactions for potential sanctions violations, helping ensure that transactions align with regulatory requirements based on origin, amount, frequency, and other risk factors.[4]
    Some firms have also embraced AI in communications surveillance, using platforms that offer digital communications governance to review internal communications for signs of fraud or misconduct. By automating these reviews, firms are better equipped to identify red flags early and maintain robust compliance programs.
    A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released in May of 2025—Artificial Intelligence: Use and Oversight in Financial Services—identifies six increasingly common activities for which financial services firms may choose to integrate AI models, including automated trading, countering threats and illicit finance, credit decisions, customer service, investment decisions, and risk management.[5]
    The GAO report indicated that AI may be used to “detect and mitigate cyber threats through real-time investigation of potential attacks, flagging and blocking of new ransomware, and identification of compromised accounts and files” as well as to “identify fake IDs, recognize different photos of the same person, and screen clients against sanctions and other lists; analyze transaction data … and unstructured data (such as email, text, and audio data) to detect evidence of possible money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery, tax evasion, insider trading, market manipulation, and other fraudulent or illegal activities.”[6]
    For many of these use cases, financial services firms rely on generative AI. However, for use cases that require a high degree of reliability or explainability—the ability to understand how and why an AI system produces decisions, predictions, or recommendations—firms are rightly reticent to employ generative AI models.
    Regulators Use of AI for SupTech 
    The benefits of AI are not limited to the private sector. U.S. regulatory agencies—including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)—have begun integrating AI tools into their supervisory functions.
    These agencies use AI to analyze vast quantities of financial data, identify outliers, and detect emerging risks.[7] For example, AI can flag inconsistencies in data submissions from financial institutions, or surface patterns that indicate potential regulatory violations. This use of AI, often referred to as “suptech” (supervisory technology), enhances regulators’ ability to carry out their oversight responsibilities efficiently and proactively.
    Over the course of last year, the CFTC undertook extraordinary efforts to begin to clarify the Commission’s understanding of registrants’ use of AI and the potential benefits and limitations of the Commission’s implementation of AI for supervisory, surveillance, and enforcement purposes. In January of 2024, I worked with Commission staff to issue a Request for Comment distributed to our market participants to better understand the real-time adoption of AI models.[8] Following the Request for Comment, in December of 2024, the Commission issued a staff advisory on Use of Artificial Intelligence in CFTC-Regulated Markets.[9] One of the most significant takeaways from the staff advisory, which was echoed in executive orders issued by the prior administration, underscore the obligation for CFTC-regulated entities to maintain compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements whether they choose to deploy AI or any other technology.
    Addressing the Dark Side of AI
    While AI has the potential to enhance compliance and supervision, it also introduces new risks. Alongside the promise of AI, we must consider the limitations and potential perils of implementing AI quickly without appropriate guardrails. Many of you in the room today, former Commissioner Berkovitz and Professor Cary Coglianese, among others, have participated in joint studies published by the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) or independently published or presented on these limits. 
    In previous speeches, I have outlined concerns regarding the implementation of AI models without effective guardrails and governance interventions. 
    In a speech earlier this summer, I began to explore the specific concerns that may emerge as firms and regulators integrate agentic AI.[10] The discussion today, in fact, may largely focus on the integration of agentic AI models in compliance, surveillance, and enforcement. If so, I am hopeful that, in parallel to efforts to explore the benefits, panelists examining “AI’s Role in Regulation Post-Chevron” and “Regulatory Functions Most Amenable to AI-Drive Process Improvement” will also examine important concerns such as the limits of synthetic data, ghosts or hallucinations, data leakage, increasingly undetectable video and voice deepfakes, data accuracy, data security, and data integrity, among others.
    Some bad actors are paving the road for regulators and enforcement actions using AI technology. . But, in many cases, the bad actions are simply traditional, garden variety fraud with an AI white-label. 
    “AI washing”—the practice of exaggerating or misrepresenting AI capabilities to attract investors or customers[11]—is among the most concerning marketing and solicitation issues that financial market regulators currently face. Firms may claim to use advanced AI models to generate high returns when, in reality, they rely on rudimentary trading bots or nonexistent systems.[12]
    Enforcement in Action
    The CFTC has actively pursued enforcement actions against fraudulent actors who misuse or misrepresent AI. In a landmark case, the Commission obtained a $1.7 billion penalty—its largest ever—against a South African company that defrauded investors through a fraudulent multilevel marketing scheme.[13] The company falsely claimed to use a proprietary AI trading bot to generate high returns on Bitcoin investments. In reality, there was no proprietary trading bot and the firm engaged in minimal trading activity, most of which was unprofitable, and misappropriated investor funds.
    This and other cases underscore the CFTC’s ability to tackle AI-related misconduct using existing legal tools. The Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) provides a robust and flexible framework that prohibits fraudulent and manipulative practices regardless of the underlying technology. For example, CEA Section 4c(a) outlaws disruptive practices such as spoofing,[14] while CEA Section 6(c)(1) and Regulation 180.1 give the Commission broad anti-fraud and anti-manipulation authority.[15] These provisions are intentionally technology-neutral, allowing the CFTC to remain agile as new innovations emerge.
    The Commission has demonstrated, through its prior enforcement actions, that markets and market participants engaged in activities that are regulated by the Commission are expected to comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, even when such activities occur with cryptocurrencies or through the use of AI. The technology-neutral approach of the CEA and CFTC regulations allows these provisions to be used to combat fraud in any shape, manner, or form.
    The Strategic Importance of Suptech
    A recent survey by the Financial Stability Institute (FSI) and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub found that only 3 out of 50 supervisory authorities surveyed did not have ongoing suptech initiatives.[16] Those with a comprehensive suptech strategy were significantly more likely to deploy tools critical to supervision.[17]
    This underscores the importance of not only embracing AI on a case-by-case basis, but also developing cohesive strategies for integrating AI into regulatory and supervisory workflows. By investing in data infrastructure, fostering inter-agency collaboration, and recruiting AI-savvy talent, regulators can better equip themselves to meet the demands of increasingly complex markets.
    Finding a Pathway Forward
    I am looking forward to exploring the following principles and their role in our principles-based regulatory framework that I outlined in a speech last year. [18] As I have previously explained, there are many things that the Commission can do immediately to enhance our understanding of AI and help guide the development of effective guardrails that foster responsible development of AI.[19]
    Heightened Penalties
    As a CFTC Commissioner, I am also deeply concerned about the potential for abuse of AI technologies to facilitate fraud in our markets. As we examine the development of and limitations on the legitimate uses of AI in our markets, it is also important for the CFTC to emphasize that any misuse of these technologies will draw sharp penalties.
    In fact, I continue to call for the Commission to consider introducing heightened penalties for those who intentionally use AI technologies to engage in fraud, market manipulation, or the evasion of our regulations.
    In many instances, our statutes provide for heightened civil monetary penalties where appropriate.
    I propose that the use of AI in our markets to commit fraud and other violations of our regulations may, in certain circumstances, warrant a heightened civil monetary penalty.
    Bad actors who would use AI to violate our rules must be put on notice and sufficiently deterred from using AI as a weapon to engage in fraud, market manipulation, or to otherwise disrupt the operations or integrity of our markets. We must make it clear that the lure of using AI to engage in new malicious schemes will not be worth the cost.
    Recommendation for an Inter-Agency Task Force
    At the end of 2023, the previous administration announced the creation of an AI Safety Institute, which was to be established within the National institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), housed within the Commerce Department.[20]
    Shortly thereafter, I proposed the creation of an inter-agency task force composed of financial regulators including the CFTC, SEC, Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FDIC, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and NCUA to develop guidelines, tools, benchmarks, and best practices for the use and regulation of AI in the financial services industry.[21]
    Addressing the perils of AI, while harnessing its promise, is a challenge that will require a whole-of-government approach, with regulators working together across diverse agencies. I continue to advocate for agencies working together to provide their essential experience and expertise to help guide the development of AI standards for the financial industry.
    Conclusion
    The CFTC, in particular, is well positioned to lead in this space. Its principles-based and technology-neutral approach to regulation allows for flexible oversight that supports innovation while safeguarding market integrity. The Commission’s mission—to foster open, transparent, competitive, and financially sound markets—naturally aligns with the adoption of cutting-edge technology.
    AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a central feature of modern financial markets. Used responsibly, AI enhances compliance, improves oversight, and enables faster and more effective enforcement. The CFTC’s technology-neutral framework allows it to keep pace with innovation while maintaining essential investor protections and market integrity.
    Thanks again for allowing me to share my thoughts with you today. I anticipate you will have an energetic, generative, and thoughtful discussion on the panels and following the presentations this afternoon.

    [1] The views I share today are my own and not the views of the Commission, my fellow Commissioners or the CFTC staff.

    [7] Id. at 33, 35.

    [14] 7 U.S.C. § 6c(a).

    [15] 7 U.S.C. § 9(1); 17 C.F.R. § 180.1.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Visits Clyde, Highlights Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Visits Clyde, Highlights Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program

    Governor Stein Visits Clyde, Highlights Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Josh Stein visited the Town of Clyde, a recipient of the Small Business Infrastructure Grant program, and met with small business owners downtown to discuss their importance to the local economy. 

    “Western North Carolina is open for business, and I am grateful to see exciting new development activity in downtowns across the region,” said Governor Josh Stein. “The Department of Commerce has awarded Clyde a Small Business Infrastructure Grant to enhance its sidewalks, curb appeal, and downtown parking. This investment will strengthen local commerce and allow more people to rediscover what makes western North Carolina unforgettable.” 

    “This recovery project for the Town of Clyde will repair the sidewalk so folks can more easily walk in the downtown business district,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Getting people back downtown will speed recovery as we welcome residents and visitors back to Clyde.”

    The Town of Clyde has received $737,477 for its Downtown Clyde Commercial Business District Repair Project. In March, Governor Stein and the North Carolina Department of Commerce launched the Small Business Infrastructure grant program, a $55 million program for local governments to seek up to $1 million to rebuild public infrastructure, such as sidewalks, electrical utilities, and water and sewer systems that affect access to small businesses. The program utilizes state funds appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly in the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part 1.

    During this summer tourism season, Governor Stein and VisitNC are encouraging people to visit western North Carolina as a part of a new tourism initiative, “Rediscover the Unforgettable.” The campaign is available to local chambers of commerce, tourism boards, and small businesses for their promotional efforts. 

    Jul 8, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: DRML Miner Unveils Zero-Fee Cloud Mining to Supercharge Bitcoin & Litecoin Profits

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The crypto space just got more exciting. DRML Miner has launched a groundbreaking zero-fee cloud mining service for Bitcoin and Litecoin. Unlike typical platforms that sneak in costs, DRML Miner ensures everything you earn stays in your wallet. This new model is reshaping the way investors look at mining. For those eager to build serious crypto wealth, this might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

    Why Zero Fees Make All the Difference

    Traditional mining services often chip away at your earnings with endless fees. Maintenance costs, power charges, and platform cuts can shrink your returns by more than half. DRML Miner flips the script. With no hidden costs, every satoshi or lite you mine is yours. This small change has a massive impact, maximizing profits and making mining more attractive than ever.

    Capitalize on Bitcoin and Litecoin’s Growth

    Bitcoin continues to dominate headlines. Investors worldwide see it as the gold standard of digital assets. Meanwhile, Litecoin remains a strong player, known for faster transaction speeds and lower fees. As global adoption of crypto grows, these coins are positioned for even greater demand. DRML Miner’s service makes mining these valuable assets simple and rewarding.

    No Hardware, No Hassles, Just Pure Mining

    Forget bulky rigs, noisy fans, or sky-high electricity bills. With DRML Miner’s cloud solution, you don’t need to own or maintain a single machine. All mining takes place on their secure servers, leaving you free from tech headaches. Whether you’re on vacation or asleep, your mining continues around the clock, growing your digital portfolio effortlessly.

    Secure and Transparent From Day One

    Security is crucial in crypto. DRML Miner backs its platform with top-tier encryption, secure wallet integrations, and 24/7 monitoring. Investors get full access to detailed dashboards, showing exactly how much Bitcoin and Litecoin they’re mining in real-time. No confusing reports, no vague figures. Complete transparency builds trust, and DRML Miner has made that a cornerstone of its operations.

    Get a $10 Reward Instantly Upon Registration

    Kickstart your mining journey with a $10 bonus just for signing up! DRML Miner rewards every new user with a $10 registration bonus, making it even easier to start mining without any initial investment. It’s a risk-free way to explore cloud mining and start earning from day one.

    Easy Start for Newcomers and Power Tools for Pros

    Never mined before? No problem. DRML Miner’s interface is built to be beginner-friendly. Clear instructions guide you through account setup, plan selection, and starting your mining journey in minutes. If you’re already an experienced investor, advanced analytics and optimization tools give you the edge to push your earnings even further. It’s a platform that grows with your skill level.

    Scale Up Without the Usual Expenses

    One of the biggest barriers to traditional mining is the steep cost of scaling. Want to double your output? Usually, that means buying double the rigs and paying double the electric bill. DRML Miner’s cloud solution changes this entirely. With a few clicks, you can increase your mining power instantly, without worrying about extra hardware or operational nightmares. It’s mining on your terms.

    Perfect Timing as Crypto Adoption Soars

    Crypto is no longer a fringe market. Institutional investors, payment platforms, and even governments are recognizing its value. Bitcoin’s supply cap and Litecoin’s growing use case make them strong long-term bets. By mining today, you’re not just earning coins — you’re positioning yourself ahead of future demand. DRML Miner’s zero-fee approach ensures more of that value lands in your pocket.

    Real Investors, Real Results

    Thousands of users have already jumped on board with DRML Miner’s zero-fee cloud mining. Some are everyday people growing their first crypto nest egg. Others are seasoned investors adding another powerful income stream. Testimonials highlight steady returns, excellent customer support, and the relief of not dealing with hardware failures. These stories underline why zero-fee mining is quickly becoming the preferred choice.

    Customer Support That’s Actually There

    Many platforms promise help but vanish when issues arise. DRML Miner prides itself on responsive, friendly support teams ready to assist any time. Whether you have a quick question about your dashboard or need help scaling your mining plan, their team is just a message away. This level of service builds confidence, especially for those new to the crypto scene.

    Seize This New Era of Mining

    Cloud mining is already a smart alternative to traditional setups. DRML Miner takes it a step further by removing fees entirely. That’s more money in your pocket and a much simpler path to growing your digital assets. The days of worrying about rig failures, electricity spikes, or service cuts are over.

    Conclusion: Start Mining and Build Wealth

    DRML Miner’s zero-fee cloud mining isn’t just another crypto service — it’s a complete shift in how investors approach building wealth with Bitcoin and Litecoin. You get higher profits, unmatched flexibility, and total peace of mind, all underpinned by cutting-edge security and hands-on support. If you’re ready to strengthen your crypto portfolio, there’s no better time. Sign up with https://drmlminers.com/ today and watch your crypto journey take off.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DRML Miner Unveils Zero-Fee Cloud Mining to Supercharge Bitcoin & Litecoin Profits

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The crypto space just got more exciting. DRML Miner has launched a groundbreaking zero-fee cloud mining service for Bitcoin and Litecoin. Unlike typical platforms that sneak in costs, DRML Miner ensures everything you earn stays in your wallet. This new model is reshaping the way investors look at mining. For those eager to build serious crypto wealth, this might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

    Why Zero Fees Make All the Difference

    Traditional mining services often chip away at your earnings with endless fees. Maintenance costs, power charges, and platform cuts can shrink your returns by more than half. DRML Miner flips the script. With no hidden costs, every satoshi or lite you mine is yours. This small change has a massive impact, maximizing profits and making mining more attractive than ever.

    Capitalize on Bitcoin and Litecoin’s Growth

    Bitcoin continues to dominate headlines. Investors worldwide see it as the gold standard of digital assets. Meanwhile, Litecoin remains a strong player, known for faster transaction speeds and lower fees. As global adoption of crypto grows, these coins are positioned for even greater demand. DRML Miner’s service makes mining these valuable assets simple and rewarding.

    No Hardware, No Hassles, Just Pure Mining

    Forget bulky rigs, noisy fans, or sky-high electricity bills. With DRML Miner’s cloud solution, you don’t need to own or maintain a single machine. All mining takes place on their secure servers, leaving you free from tech headaches. Whether you’re on vacation or asleep, your mining continues around the clock, growing your digital portfolio effortlessly.

    Secure and Transparent From Day One

    Security is crucial in crypto. DRML Miner backs its platform with top-tier encryption, secure wallet integrations, and 24/7 monitoring. Investors get full access to detailed dashboards, showing exactly how much Bitcoin and Litecoin they’re mining in real-time. No confusing reports, no vague figures. Complete transparency builds trust, and DRML Miner has made that a cornerstone of its operations.

    Get a $10 Reward Instantly Upon Registration

    Kickstart your mining journey with a $10 bonus just for signing up! DRML Miner rewards every new user with a $10 registration bonus, making it even easier to start mining without any initial investment. It’s a risk-free way to explore cloud mining and start earning from day one.

    Easy Start for Newcomers and Power Tools for Pros

    Never mined before? No problem. DRML Miner’s interface is built to be beginner-friendly. Clear instructions guide you through account setup, plan selection, and starting your mining journey in minutes. If you’re already an experienced investor, advanced analytics and optimization tools give you the edge to push your earnings even further. It’s a platform that grows with your skill level.

    Scale Up Without the Usual Expenses

    One of the biggest barriers to traditional mining is the steep cost of scaling. Want to double your output? Usually, that means buying double the rigs and paying double the electric bill. DRML Miner’s cloud solution changes this entirely. With a few clicks, you can increase your mining power instantly, without worrying about extra hardware or operational nightmares. It’s mining on your terms.

    Perfect Timing as Crypto Adoption Soars

    Crypto is no longer a fringe market. Institutional investors, payment platforms, and even governments are recognizing its value. Bitcoin’s supply cap and Litecoin’s growing use case make them strong long-term bets. By mining today, you’re not just earning coins — you’re positioning yourself ahead of future demand. DRML Miner’s zero-fee approach ensures more of that value lands in your pocket.

    Real Investors, Real Results

    Thousands of users have already jumped on board with DRML Miner’s zero-fee cloud mining. Some are everyday people growing their first crypto nest egg. Others are seasoned investors adding another powerful income stream. Testimonials highlight steady returns, excellent customer support, and the relief of not dealing with hardware failures. These stories underline why zero-fee mining is quickly becoming the preferred choice.

    Customer Support That’s Actually There

    Many platforms promise help but vanish when issues arise. DRML Miner prides itself on responsive, friendly support teams ready to assist any time. Whether you have a quick question about your dashboard or need help scaling your mining plan, their team is just a message away. This level of service builds confidence, especially for those new to the crypto scene.

    Seize This New Era of Mining

    Cloud mining is already a smart alternative to traditional setups. DRML Miner takes it a step further by removing fees entirely. That’s more money in your pocket and a much simpler path to growing your digital assets. The days of worrying about rig failures, electricity spikes, or service cuts are over.

    Conclusion: Start Mining and Build Wealth

    DRML Miner’s zero-fee cloud mining isn’t just another crypto service — it’s a complete shift in how investors approach building wealth with Bitcoin and Litecoin. You get higher profits, unmatched flexibility, and total peace of mind, all underpinned by cutting-edge security and hands-on support. If you’re ready to strengthen your crypto portfolio, there’s no better time. Sign up with https://drmlminers.com/ today and watch your crypto journey take off.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Reports Q2-2025 Production and Hard Rock Expansion Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the “Company” or “Orezone”) is pleased to announce its Q2-2025 gold production results and stage 1 hard rock expansion construction update at its Bomboré Gold Mine. All dollar amounts are in USD unless otherwise indicated and abbreviation “M” means million.   

    Q2-2025 Production Results

    • Gold production of 27,548 ounces
    • Gold sales of 28,265 ounces at a realized price of $3,338 per ounce for revenue of $94.3M
    • Cash balance of $72.6M with available liquidity (cash and undrawn debt) of $103.9M at June 30, 2025. Senior debt at June 30, 2025 of $65.3M after principal repayments of $5.2M and foreign exchange movements in the quarter

    Stage 1 Hard Rock Construction Update

    • Construction of the stage 1 hard rock expansion remains on schedule and on budget with mill commissioning and first gold pour slated for Q4-2025
    • Engineering and procurement now complete
    • Dump pocket and jaw crusher foundation significantly advanced
    • SAG mill foundation complete, with SAG mill installation commenced
    • CIL tank installation complete, with structural steel installation now underway
    • Several mining areas for hard rock mining have now been readied in preparation for commencement of hard rock mining later this year
    • Construction of explosives magazine, in support of future hard rock blasting, now complete

    Patrick Downey, President & CEO stated, “Q2 was another solid operating quarter at Bomboré, with gold production in line with plan. The Company remains well-positioned to achieve its 2025 production guidance of 115,000-130,000 ounces, with Q4 expected as the strongest quarter.

    During Q2, the Company made material progress advancing the stage 1 hard rock expansion and upon its nearby completion, will mark a material transformation in the Bomboré operation, with forecasted gold production set to increase by approximately 45% to 170,000-185,000 ounces in 2026.

    Further positioning the Company for a significant transformation, Orezone has advanced (1) its application for a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”), with official listing expected in mid-August, and (2) its plans to accelerate the stage 2 hard rock expansion to an upsized 5.5 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) operation two years ahead of schedule (see February 23, 2025 news release). While subject to final Board approval, the stage 2 expansion is projected to increase the overall gold production at Bomboré to 220,000-250,000 ounces per year.”

    Bomboré Q2-2025 Production Results (100% Basis)

      Unit Q2-2025   Q1-2025   Six Months Ended
    June 30, 2025    		  
    Ore processed Tonnes 1,565,022   1,511,303   3,076,325  
    Ore grade Au g/t 0.62   0.67   0.65  
    Plant recovery % 87.8   87.9   87.8  
    Gold produced Au oz 27,548   28,688   56,236  
                   

    Hard Rock Plant Expansion Overview

    The 2.5Mtpa stage 1 hard rock expansion is designed to process higher-grade hard rock ore. The expansion is independent of the adjacent 6.0Mtpa oxide plant but will utilize a number of shared services and infrastructure including the tailings storage facility, warehouses, administration complex, and technical services. The concentrated scope of the brownfield expansion significantly reduces schedule and budget risk in comparison to a new build, with the ramp-up to benefit from the well-established mining, processing, and maintenance teams onsite.

    This stage 1 expansion is scheduled for commissioning in Q4-2025 and as with the oxide plant, which had a nameplate capacity of 5.2Mtpa, the Company views the potential to achieve significantly better throughput rates than that of the 2.5Mtpa stage 1 design.

    With the strong price of gold, the Company continues to evaluate the timing of the stage 2 hard rock expansion, which will increase the nameplate throughput to 5.5Mtpa, yielding a forecasted overall production profile of 225,000-250,000 ounces per year. With a 5.5Mtpa jaw crusher currently being installed in stage 1, the stage 2 expansion will primarily consist of a ball mill, pebble crusher, thickener, four additional CIL tanks and a gold room upgrade. The stage 1 design and layout were made to easily accommodate these stage 2 additions.

    Figure 1: Bomboré Processing Complex – Hard Rock Plant Layout (blue labels) Relative to Oxide Plant and Other Established Infrastructure (white labels)

    Figure 2: Stage 1 Hard Rock Expansion – Major Plant Component Construction

    Contact Information

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Kevin MacKenzie
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.

    Qualified Persons

    The scientific and technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Rob Henderson, P. Eng, Vice-President of Technical Services and Mr. Dale Tweed, P. Eng., Vice-President of Engineering, both of whom are Qualified Persons as defined under NI 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”).  Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur.  Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements that Orezone is positioned for a transformational 2025, the Company is positioned well to achieve its 2025 production guidance of 115,000-130,000 ounces, the target of listing on the ASX in mid-August 2025, the construction of the stage 1 hard rock expansion is well advanced with completion and commissioning set for Q4-2025 and once commissioned, will increase annual production by approximately 45%, the potential greater capacity than the 2.5Mtpa design of the hard rock plant, and statements with respect to the stage 2 hard rock expansion.

    All such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

    All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/000f28d2-5832-4801-aea9-c0d28d9e71d1

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5ac3b77-7344-42d6-b2fe-ce36c3f88117

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy Representative of UN Secretary-General in Libya Meets Ambassador of Qatar

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Tripoli, July 08, 2025

    HE Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs for Libya in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Koury met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya Dr. Khalid Mohammed bin Zabin Al Dosari.

    The meeting discussed the latest developments in Libya.

    HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya reaffirmed during the meeting the State of Qatar’s firm and supportive position in support of Libya’s unity and sovereignty, as well as its commitment to backing all international efforts aimed at achieving security, stability, and development in the country.

    His Excellency also reiterated the State of Qatar’s support for the Libyan political process, relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and all peaceful solutions that preserve Libya’s unity, stability, and sovereignty, while fulfilling the aspirations of the brotherly Libyan people for development and prosperity through free and fair elections.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Gaza Negotiations Aim to Bridge Gap Between Parties on Negotiation Framework

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, July 08, 2025

    Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed that the indirect negotiations between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), currently hosted in Doha, aim to bridge the gap between the two parties regarding the negotiation framework that precedes the actual negotiation process.

    During the weekly press briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al Ansari stated that the Palestinian and Israeli delegations are present in Doha, and discussions are currently taking place with each delegation separately, with the aim of creating a suitable environment for agreement on the main issues between the two sides.

    He noted that it is too early to draw any conclusions about these negotiations, except that the talks are ongoing and the parties are engaged.

    He expressed the State of Qatar’s appreciation for the support of the United States in this regard, noting that the Qatari and Egyptian mediation teams are working around the clock in Doha to reach an appropriate negotiation framework.

    The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance and categorical rejection of any plan aimed at displacing the Palestinian people from their land.

    He pointed out that some of the statements heard in the media regarding displacement contradict international and humanitarian laws.

    He called on the international community to support the rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people, noting that there is an international consensus against any forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.

    Al Ansari explained that it is premature to present a vision regarding the outcome of the ongoing negotiations or a specific timeline, pointing out that there is positive engagement from both sides so far.

    He said that the ultimate goal is undoubtedly to end this senseless war and the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. All mediation efforts by the mediators are aimed at achieving that.

    He added that the current discussions are specifically focused on the proposed truce, its conditions, and the guarantees that can be provided to reach positive outcomes, and what this truce could lead to in terms of resuming negotiations for a final resolution to this crisis and humanitarian disaster.

    He noted the statements made by HE the U.S. President Donald Trump supporting the achievement of an agreement regarding the situation in Gaza, stressing the importance of building on that through joint mediation efforts with the United States and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

    The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the current focus is on ensuring the success of these talks, maintaining their confidentiality, and continuing the engagement of both parties to ultimately reach a final agreement.

    He stated that Qatar welcomes the visit of the U.S. President envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, at any time, noting that such a visit would support the ongoing consultations between the negotiating parties currently in Doha.

    Al Ansari said that any escalation on the ground complicates the mediators mission. The Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip is significant, and the operations that have led to the martyrdom of hundreds of Palestinians on a daily or near-daily basis since the collapse of the previous truce constitute a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before the eyes and ears of the entire world.

    As for media leaks, He added that, some of them lead to a negative media stream at times, which may result in a shift in positions inside the negotiation room, stressing that Qatar is keen to keep this process in its proper place and to provide information when it is mature and ready to be shared. 

    The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the recent receipt of the Tipperary International Peace Award by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani last Tuesday during a ceremony held in the Republic of Ireland.

    He emphasized the great significance of this international award, noting that previous recipients include former US President Bill Clinton, the late Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and many other peacemakers who received the award under various circumstances.

    He added that the official statements accompanying the award indicate that it was presented in recognition of the major roles played by the State of Qatar, particularly through its diplomacy led by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in peace negotiations in Gaza, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions. The award also acknowledges Qatar’s active engagement in the field of peacebuilding.

    The Advisor also noted that, in his acceptance speech, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and expressed his pride in serving as a leader in Qatar’s foreign policy over the past decade under His Highness’s guidance. He reaffirmed that the State of Qatar remains committed to its role in advancing peace efforts.

    He added that the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Dublin with Irish President Michael D. Higgins, as well as with Simon Harris, who serves as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Defense of Ireland. His Excellency also visited the Irish National War Memorial Gardens.

    Al Ansari noted that on Wednesday, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs received a phone call from Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly in Gaza and the occupied

    Palestinian territories, as well as efforts to reach a broader agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, and other matters of mutual concern.

    He explained that on Tuesday, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met with his Egyptian counterpart, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, with discussions focused primarily on bilateral relations and joint mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt to end the catastrophic war in Gaza.

    He also mentioned that a round of political consultations was held on Monday in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, between the foreign ministries of Qatar and Bulgaria. The Qatari delegation was led by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, while the Bulgarian side was headed by HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Anguelieva.

    He also noted that, on the sidelines of these consultations, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and with Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev.

    He also said that, on Thursday in Doha, the fourth round of political consultations between the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union External Action Service was held. The Qatari side was led by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affair Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, and the European side by HE Olof Skoog, who serves as Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the European External Action Service.

    Finally, he mentioned that on Friday, HE President Nicolas Maduro of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela met HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi. HE Al Khulaifi also met during the visit with HE Vice President of Venezuela Dr. Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, where discussions focused on regional developments in general, and the latest developments in the Middle East and Latin America. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dan Goldman Shares New Details About Conditions for Detainees at 26 Federal Plaza Detention Facility

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    New Accounts by Detained Individuals Detail Dozens of Immigrants in Cramped Holding Area with No Showers, Denied Health Care, One Bathroom, Limited Food and Water 

     

    DHS Has Prevented Rep. Goldman from Conducting Oversight of Detention Facilities 

     

    View the Press Conference Here 

    New York, NY –Today, Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined a press conference with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and New Sanctuary Coalition to discuss the surge in immigration enforcement activity in New York City under the Trump administration. The Congressman shared the stories of two individuals who were held in the 10th floor detention area of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facilities at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, both of whom were either subject to or witnessed dozens of immigrants detained in horrifying conditions, with little accountability or oversight.  

    DHS has prevented Congressman Goldman from exercising his right to conduct oversight of the DHS facilities at 26 Federal Plaza, likely due to the conditions the federal government is subjecting detainees to.  

    “The horrific conditions on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza are exactly why the Trump administration has blocked me and my colleagues from inspecting these facilities,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Law-abiding, nonviolent immigrants have been crammed into overcrowded rooms with no showers, inadequate food and water, and no way to contact their families to tell them where they are. It’s not just illegal — it’s un-American and inhumane. As Trump continues to illegally obstruct congressional oversight and cover up the truth about these egregious conditions, I will continue exposing the abuses enabled by our own government and amplifying the voices of those who have endured them.” 

    Over the past week, Rep. Goldman has spoken with multiple individuals who have been detained in the facilities at 26 Federal Plaza, and shared details of their stories today.  

    One individual the Congressman spoke with had lawfully sought asylum and appeared in immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, where they were granted a postponement to secure legal counsel. However, upon leaving the courtroom, ICE agents with a print-out of their photo ignored the judge’s order and detained them on the spot. Shackled at the waist, arms, and legs, they were taken to the 10th floor of the building and held for days in a cramped, cage-like room with no beds, limited food and water, and only one bathroom, which was only partially shielded by a hanging sheet, for the roughly 140 individuals held there. They slept on the concrete floor for three days before being shackled again and transferred to an unknown facility, where they witnessed a visibly ill detainee vomiting who was not given medical care. A few days later, they were shackled and returned to 26 Federal Plaza, where they were released for a previously scheduled medical procedure. The day after their medical procedure, ICE sent the individual a message through a tracking app that had been installed on their phone while in detention, instructing them to return to 26 Federal Plaza the next day. Despite a doctor’s note recommending 4–6 weeks of recovery, ICE continues to demand weekly photos of the procedure site, apparently to confirm the veracity of their recovery. Their family member remains in ICE custody, shackled and transferred across multiple detention centers nationwide.

    Another individual with a pending immigration case was mistakenly detained by ICE agents at 26 Federal Plaza immediately after their court hearing. As they exited the courtroom, they were surrounded by agents and taken to the building’s 10th floor, where they were held in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions alongside 30 to 40 others—many of whom had also been detained after routine court appearances and had no idea why they were being held. The floor had just one toilet, no showers, and repeated requests for food were ignored. The individual spoke with multiple other detainees who had been held there for multiple weeks. The individual was ultimately released after ICE acknowledged they had mistaken him for someone else, but many others remain in prolonged detention under similarly disturbing circumstances. 

    Congressman Dan Goldman has been fighting the Trump administration’s authoritarian immigration enforcement tactics since the start of his second term. 

    Last month, Goldman and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat introduced the ‘No Secret Police Act,’ which would require law enforcement officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engaged in border security and civil immigration enforcement to clearly display identification and insignia when detaining or arresting individuals and to ban them from using home-made, non-tactical masks.     
    Last month, Goldman led 8 of his New York City House Democratic colleagues in sending an oversight letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons demanding ICE comply with Section 527(a) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 and stop denying members of Congress access to facilities that ICE is using to house immigrants.  
    Days before, Goldman and Congressman Nadler hosted a press conference after observing court proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza and being denied access to the federal building’s 10th floor, where immigrants are being detained for days and sleeping on the floor and benches in inhumane conditions.   
    A rush transcript of Rep. Goldman’s remarks is below. View his remarks here.  

    Rep. Dan Goldman: Thank you very much to the Comptroller, to the Public Advocate, and to all of the faith leaders here. I know that Jumanne and Brad have been regularly observing these proceedings. I, too, have been observing them in both buildings. I want to underscore a couple of things that are new and that are very important to recognize. 

    First, last Thursday, the Republicans rammed through a horrific bill that will take health care, food assistance, school loans away from everyday Americans in order to pay for not only tax cuts for the billionaires, but to increase the budget for ICE to $175 billion. And that includes bonuses for every single ICE agent waiting to yank someone from court of an average of $40,000 a year.  

    We saw yesterday that the Department of Homeland Security and ICE are being militarized now with the National Guard in Los Angeles. It literally looks like some kind of internal military takeover that you would see in another country that is not a democracy, but instead it’s right here in the United States.  

    And what we are seeing that’s different, as Brad put it very well, is that for a while, ICE policy was very deceitful, very deceptive. Essentially, the government, the Department of Homeland Security, was trying to dismiss cases that already existed for people’s removal process in order for them not to have status here as a lawful immigrant. These are law-abiding immigrants pursuing asylum, which is a lawful pathway to come into this country, it is a legal pathway to come into the United States. 

    And so, without that status, they are arresting them and putting them in expedited removal. There are many issues with that, as Brad pointed out, but they’re not even pretending to do that anymore.  

    They are now literally arresting people who are coming to court, who are following the law, who are doing things the right way. These are the exact opposite of convicted criminals and not the “worst of the worst” that Donald Trump said he was going to deport. 

    These are people doing it the right way, like 40% of New York City. 40% of New York City are immigrants. And what I want to focus on now is what happens after these folks are yanked from their courthouses illegally, unlawfully, and put in detention. Because over the past couple weeks, I’ve spoken now to two people who have been in the 10th floor detention center of 26 Federal Plaza. 

    One was wrongly arrested. ICE at least acknowledged that he was wrongly arrested. And after an hour or so, he was let go. But his story of what he learned when he was in there is frightening.  

    There are 100 people in cramped holding cells. Very little access to food and water, no beds, no showers. One toilet shared among the 20 or 30 or even more detainees with very little privacy. No change of clothes. It absolutely reeks inside, and nobody is being told why they are there. He said there were people who had stayed there for as many as two weeks. Two weeks in those conditions. 

    They are shackled by their arms, their legs, and their waist. Remember, these are people going to court for a civil immigration case, and they’re being shackled as if they’re alleged murderers. 

    And then this morning, I spoke to another woman who had been detained in there for about four days. She’s Ukrainian. She went through the CBP, went up and made an affirmative asylum claim. She went into court with her husband there on a joint claim, and they got their case moved to March of 2026. They walked out of the courthouse, and they were snatched and detained and arrested not only by ICE agents, but also by FBI agents. 

    Yes. The law enforcement agents charged with investigating and prosecuting violent crimes, counterintelligence, keeping our homeland secure are now being taken off of those cases so that they can join with a dozen or so ICE agents to arrest nonviolent, non-criminal, law-abiding immigrants trying to come into this country.  

    The conditions that she described are very similar. She had to sleep on the floor. She had no blanket. She was given an aluminum sheet, very little food, very little medical evaluation. There was one nurse there. She ultimately was released because she had a serious abdominal surgery. The day after her surgery, she got a text message that she had to appear within two hours in person in court. 

    She was still in the hospital. She was able to extend it. Now she’s been pushed back to 4 to 6 weeks recovery so that she can check in by phone. But her husband is not so lucky. Her husband has been transferred down to Texas. Remember, he is a lawful asylum applicant who came in through the CBP One App from Ukraine. Obviously we know what’s going on in Ukraine. And he has a court case.  

    So what we’re talking about here is not just these draconian measures, not just this military state, not just the secret police abducting non-criminal, nonviolent immigrants, trying to do things the right way. We are talking about illegal deportations, a whole other level of illegality, illegal deportations. 

    Alexander sits in Texas right now, having no idea whether he’s going to be deported. He’s in line for expedited removal, even though that would be patently illegal. So this is about who we are as a country. Yes, we are a country founded by immigrants. We all have an immigrant story from our descendants. That’s what makes this country and this city, especially, so unique. 

    And what also makes this country unique is that we have the rule of law. We are in a democracy where due process is required. And I don’t care whether Donald Trump or Kristi Noem don’t like our immigration laws. They don’t get to decide whether or not to abide by them. They are responsible. They take an oath to abide by our laws. And if you don’t like asylum laws, then come talk to the Democrats, because we’d be happy to work on asylum reform with you, as we had done a year ago in a bipartisan immigration reform bill.  

    But do not go treating people, sub-humanly, treating immigrants simply because they are not born here as if they are second class, as if they are not human beings. That is not what this country is about. That is why we are here.  

    And the last thing I will say is, I have tried several times to get into that detention center. As a member of Congress, I not only have a constitutional obligation, but I have a statutory right to go and conduct oversight over any homeland security facility that is being used to detain or otherwise house immigrants. 

    If people staying on the 10th floor of this building for two weeks does not count as being detained or housed, then clearly we don’t live in the United States of America. They are illegally obstructing my ability to conduct oversight. And the reason why I want to conduct oversight is exactly because of these stories. They are hiding the terrible, terrible conditions that exist there, and they are hiding the terrible, terrible treatment of people who are trying to do things the right way. 

    It is unacceptable, and we will continue to fight until this stops. Until we regain who we are as a country, who we are as people. And until this administration follows the law. Thank you. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dan Goldman Shares New Details About Conditions for Detainees at 26 Federal Plaza Detention Facility

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    New Accounts by Detained Individuals Detail Dozens of Immigrants in Cramped Holding Area with No Showers, Denied Health Care, One Bathroom, Limited Food and Water 

     

    DHS Has Prevented Rep. Goldman from Conducting Oversight of Detention Facilities 

     

    View the Press Conference Here 

    New York, NY –Today, Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined a press conference with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and New Sanctuary Coalition to discuss the surge in immigration enforcement activity in New York City under the Trump administration. The Congressman shared the stories of two individuals who were held in the 10th floor detention area of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facilities at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, both of whom were either subject to or witnessed dozens of immigrants detained in horrifying conditions, with little accountability or oversight.  

    DHS has prevented Congressman Goldman from exercising his right to conduct oversight of the DHS facilities at 26 Federal Plaza, likely due to the conditions the federal government is subjecting detainees to.  

    “The horrific conditions on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza are exactly why the Trump administration has blocked me and my colleagues from inspecting these facilities,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Law-abiding, nonviolent immigrants have been crammed into overcrowded rooms with no showers, inadequate food and water, and no way to contact their families to tell them where they are. It’s not just illegal — it’s un-American and inhumane. As Trump continues to illegally obstruct congressional oversight and cover up the truth about these egregious conditions, I will continue exposing the abuses enabled by our own government and amplifying the voices of those who have endured them.” 

    Over the past week, Rep. Goldman has spoken with multiple individuals who have been detained in the facilities at 26 Federal Plaza, and shared details of their stories today.  

    One individual the Congressman spoke with had lawfully sought asylum and appeared in immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, where they were granted a postponement to secure legal counsel. However, upon leaving the courtroom, ICE agents with a print-out of their photo ignored the judge’s order and detained them on the spot. Shackled at the waist, arms, and legs, they were taken to the 10th floor of the building and held for days in a cramped, cage-like room with no beds, limited food and water, and only one bathroom, which was only partially shielded by a hanging sheet, for the roughly 140 individuals held there. They slept on the concrete floor for three days before being shackled again and transferred to an unknown facility, where they witnessed a visibly ill detainee vomiting who was not given medical care. A few days later, they were shackled and returned to 26 Federal Plaza, where they were released for a previously scheduled medical procedure. The day after their medical procedure, ICE sent the individual a message through a tracking app that had been installed on their phone while in detention, instructing them to return to 26 Federal Plaza the next day. Despite a doctor’s note recommending 4–6 weeks of recovery, ICE continues to demand weekly photos of the procedure site, apparently to confirm the veracity of their recovery. Their family member remains in ICE custody, shackled and transferred across multiple detention centers nationwide.

    Another individual with a pending immigration case was mistakenly detained by ICE agents at 26 Federal Plaza immediately after their court hearing. As they exited the courtroom, they were surrounded by agents and taken to the building’s 10th floor, where they were held in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions alongside 30 to 40 others—many of whom had also been detained after routine court appearances and had no idea why they were being held. The floor had just one toilet, no showers, and repeated requests for food were ignored. The individual spoke with multiple other detainees who had been held there for multiple weeks. The individual was ultimately released after ICE acknowledged they had mistaken him for someone else, but many others remain in prolonged detention under similarly disturbing circumstances. 

    Congressman Dan Goldman has been fighting the Trump administration’s authoritarian immigration enforcement tactics since the start of his second term. 

    Last month, Goldman and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat introduced the ‘No Secret Police Act,’ which would require law enforcement officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engaged in border security and civil immigration enforcement to clearly display identification and insignia when detaining or arresting individuals and to ban them from using home-made, non-tactical masks.     
    Last month, Goldman led 8 of his New York City House Democratic colleagues in sending an oversight letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons demanding ICE comply with Section 527(a) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 and stop denying members of Congress access to facilities that ICE is using to house immigrants.  
    Days before, Goldman and Congressman Nadler hosted a press conference after observing court proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza and being denied access to the federal building’s 10th floor, where immigrants are being detained for days and sleeping on the floor and benches in inhumane conditions.   
    A rush transcript of Rep. Goldman’s remarks is below. View his remarks here.  

    Rep. Dan Goldman: Thank you very much to the Comptroller, to the Public Advocate, and to all of the faith leaders here. I know that Jumanne and Brad have been regularly observing these proceedings. I, too, have been observing them in both buildings. I want to underscore a couple of things that are new and that are very important to recognize. 

    First, last Thursday, the Republicans rammed through a horrific bill that will take health care, food assistance, school loans away from everyday Americans in order to pay for not only tax cuts for the billionaires, but to increase the budget for ICE to $175 billion. And that includes bonuses for every single ICE agent waiting to yank someone from court of an average of $40,000 a year.  

    We saw yesterday that the Department of Homeland Security and ICE are being militarized now with the National Guard in Los Angeles. It literally looks like some kind of internal military takeover that you would see in another country that is not a democracy, but instead it’s right here in the United States.  

    And what we are seeing that’s different, as Brad put it very well, is that for a while, ICE policy was very deceitful, very deceptive. Essentially, the government, the Department of Homeland Security, was trying to dismiss cases that already existed for people’s removal process in order for them not to have status here as a lawful immigrant. These are law-abiding immigrants pursuing asylum, which is a lawful pathway to come into this country, it is a legal pathway to come into the United States. 

    And so, without that status, they are arresting them and putting them in expedited removal. There are many issues with that, as Brad pointed out, but they’re not even pretending to do that anymore.  

    They are now literally arresting people who are coming to court, who are following the law, who are doing things the right way. These are the exact opposite of convicted criminals and not the “worst of the worst” that Donald Trump said he was going to deport. 

    These are people doing it the right way, like 40% of New York City. 40% of New York City are immigrants. And what I want to focus on now is what happens after these folks are yanked from their courthouses illegally, unlawfully, and put in detention. Because over the past couple weeks, I’ve spoken now to two people who have been in the 10th floor detention center of 26 Federal Plaza. 

    One was wrongly arrested. ICE at least acknowledged that he was wrongly arrested. And after an hour or so, he was let go. But his story of what he learned when he was in there is frightening.  

    There are 100 people in cramped holding cells. Very little access to food and water, no beds, no showers. One toilet shared among the 20 or 30 or even more detainees with very little privacy. No change of clothes. It absolutely reeks inside, and nobody is being told why they are there. He said there were people who had stayed there for as many as two weeks. Two weeks in those conditions. 

    They are shackled by their arms, their legs, and their waist. Remember, these are people going to court for a civil immigration case, and they’re being shackled as if they’re alleged murderers. 

    And then this morning, I spoke to another woman who had been detained in there for about four days. She’s Ukrainian. She went through the CBP, went up and made an affirmative asylum claim. She went into court with her husband there on a joint claim, and they got their case moved to March of 2026. They walked out of the courthouse, and they were snatched and detained and arrested not only by ICE agents, but also by FBI agents. 

    Yes. The law enforcement agents charged with investigating and prosecuting violent crimes, counterintelligence, keeping our homeland secure are now being taken off of those cases so that they can join with a dozen or so ICE agents to arrest nonviolent, non-criminal, law-abiding immigrants trying to come into this country.  

    The conditions that she described are very similar. She had to sleep on the floor. She had no blanket. She was given an aluminum sheet, very little food, very little medical evaluation. There was one nurse there. She ultimately was released because she had a serious abdominal surgery. The day after her surgery, she got a text message that she had to appear within two hours in person in court. 

    She was still in the hospital. She was able to extend it. Now she’s been pushed back to 4 to 6 weeks recovery so that she can check in by phone. But her husband is not so lucky. Her husband has been transferred down to Texas. Remember, he is a lawful asylum applicant who came in through the CBP One App from Ukraine. Obviously we know what’s going on in Ukraine. And he has a court case.  

    So what we’re talking about here is not just these draconian measures, not just this military state, not just the secret police abducting non-criminal, nonviolent immigrants, trying to do things the right way. We are talking about illegal deportations, a whole other level of illegality, illegal deportations. 

    Alexander sits in Texas right now, having no idea whether he’s going to be deported. He’s in line for expedited removal, even though that would be patently illegal. So this is about who we are as a country. Yes, we are a country founded by immigrants. We all have an immigrant story from our descendants. That’s what makes this country and this city, especially, so unique. 

    And what also makes this country unique is that we have the rule of law. We are in a democracy where due process is required. And I don’t care whether Donald Trump or Kristi Noem don’t like our immigration laws. They don’t get to decide whether or not to abide by them. They are responsible. They take an oath to abide by our laws. And if you don’t like asylum laws, then come talk to the Democrats, because we’d be happy to work on asylum reform with you, as we had done a year ago in a bipartisan immigration reform bill.  

    But do not go treating people, sub-humanly, treating immigrants simply because they are not born here as if they are second class, as if they are not human beings. That is not what this country is about. That is why we are here.  

    And the last thing I will say is, I have tried several times to get into that detention center. As a member of Congress, I not only have a constitutional obligation, but I have a statutory right to go and conduct oversight over any homeland security facility that is being used to detain or otherwise house immigrants. 

    If people staying on the 10th floor of this building for two weeks does not count as being detained or housed, then clearly we don’t live in the United States of America. They are illegally obstructing my ability to conduct oversight. And the reason why I want to conduct oversight is exactly because of these stories. They are hiding the terrible, terrible conditions that exist there, and they are hiding the terrible, terrible treatment of people who are trying to do things the right way. 

    It is unacceptable, and we will continue to fight until this stops. Until we regain who we are as a country, who we are as people. And until this administration follows the law. Thank you. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Zinke, Daines, Sheehy, Downing Urge USTR to Address Unfair Trade Practices on Montana-Alberta Tie Line

    Source: US Congressman Ryan Zinke (Western Montana)

    U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representatives Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Troy Downing (MT-02) today sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer drawing attention to trade barriers on the Montana-Alberta Tie Line (MATL).

    “We write to call to your attention ongoing and escalating discriminating trade practices imposed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) against Montana energy firms trading in the Alberta electricity market. If unaddressed, these measures may impose significant economic harm on American energy producers, jeopardize the reliability of cross-border electricity infrastructure, and perpetuate discriminatory trade practices that undermine domestic energy security…

    …Unfortunately, the AESO’s current rules and practices flatly discriminate against U.S. electricity imports. Furthermore, the AESO is currently proposing potential changes to the Alberta electricity market design that would worsen existing protectionist practices by further excluding U.S. energy imports. This will result in diminished market access by imposing unfair costs on American producers and putting them at a distinct disadvantage to deliver reliable and affordable electricity…

    We request that you employ all available tools at your disposal to bring about a swift resolution to this ongoing issue,”they wrote in the letter.

    Read the full letter HERE.

    Background:

    The Montana-Alberta Tie Line interconnects Montana and Alberta’s electricity grids. The Alberta government and the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) have enacted regulations that discriminate specifically against Montana electricity exports, which if left unaddressed would threaten the stability of Montana’s electric grid and harm the state’s energy producers.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • India–Brazil bilateral trade to touch $20 million by 2028: PM Modi in Brasilia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Brazil will work to expand cooperation in trade, clean energy, defence, Artificial Intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, underlining that both countries share a common vision for inclusive development and a people-centric approach to innovation.

    Speaking at a joint press statement alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being conferred with Brazil’s highest national honour — ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’.

    “Today, being honoured with Brazil’s highest national award by the President of Brazil is a moment of great pride and emotion not just for me, but for 140 crore Indians. I sincerely thank the President, the Brazilian government, and the people of Brazil for this honour,” PM Modi said.

    Calling President Lula his “best friend” and “Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil,” the PM said every meeting with him has motivated him to work harder for the well-being of both nations. “I dedicate this honour to his strong commitment to India and to our enduring friendship,” he said.

    Trade and energy cooperation

    PM Modi said India and Brazil have agreed to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion over the next five years. “Football is Brazil’s passion, just as cricket is loved by the people of India. Whether it’s sending the ball past the boundary or into the goal, when both are on the same team, a USD 20 billion partnership is not difficult to achieve,” he said, adding that both sides will also work to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

    The Prime Minister stressed that cooperation in the energy sector was steadily growing and highlighted the new agreement signed to boost collaboration on clean energy and sustainable development.

    PM Modi also extended best wishes to Lula for the upcoming COP-30 Summit to be hosted by Brazil later this year.

    Defence, AI and digital linkages

    On defence ties, PM Modi said, “Our growing cooperation in the field of defence reflects the deep mutual trust between our two countries. We will continue our efforts to connect our defence industries and strengthen this partnership further.”

    He pointed to ongoing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing, describing it as part of the shared goal of “inclusive development and human-centric innovation.” India’s UPI digital payments platform is also set to be adopted in Brazil, Modi said, adding that India would gladly share its experience in digital public infrastructure and space technology.

    Health, Ayurveda and people-to-people ties

    Highlighting ties in agriculture and health, the PM noted that cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry spans several decades, and both sides are now working together in agricultural research and food processing too. “In the health sector too, we are enhancing our win-win collaboration. We have also emphasized the expansion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil,” he said.

    Underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections, PM Modi said that the shared passion for sports — cricket and football — brings India and Brazil closer. “We wish for India–Brazil relations to be as vibrant as Carnival, as passionate as football, and as heart-connecting as Samba — all without the long visa counter queues! With this spirit, we will work together to ease people-to-people exchanges between our two nations, especially for tourists, students, sportspersons, and businessmen,” he said.

    On global issues

    The Prime Minister said India and Brazil have always worked in close coordination on global issues and stressed that their partnership is relevant to the Global South and the wider world. “We firmly believe that it is our moral responsibility to bring the concerns and priorities of the Global South to the forefront of the global stage,” he said.

    Calling for disputes to be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy,” PM Modi said the India–Brazil partnership stands as an “important pillar of stability and balance” amid global tensions and uncertainty. He also reiterated both nations’ “zero tolerance and zero double standards” approach on terrorism, saying, “We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it.”

    The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Lula to visit India and said, “Once again, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for this highest national honour and for your enduring friendship.”

    Earlier in the day, Lula welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, where he was given a ceremonial reception featuring a 114-horse escort for his car. The two leaders then held a restricted-format meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions and the signing of agreements.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Padilla, Booker, Colleagues Unveil New Bill to Require ICE to Display Clear Identification, Stop ICE Agents from Hiding Behind Masks, Plainclothes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Murray also joins Padilla and colleagues in a letter to DHS requesting information about ICE’s use of unidentified plainclothes agents

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) in introducing new legislation to require immigration enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability for the Trump administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities in Washington state and across the country.

    Under the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, civil immigration enforcement operations have increasingly involved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers engaging with the public while wearing unmarked tactical gear, concealing clothing, and face coverings that obscure both agency affiliation and personal identity. Without visible badges, names, or insignia, members of the public often have no way to confirm whether they are interacting with legitimate government officials.

    This lack of transparency endangers public safety by causing widespread confusion and fear, especially in communities already subject to heightened immigration scrutiny. It also increases operational and safety risks for law enforcement personnel by creating an opportunity for immigration enforcement impersonators and compounding uncertainty in high-stress situations. Clear, consistent, visible identification helps reduce miscommunication during enforcement encounters, strengthens officer credibility, and improves public cooperation, all of which are vital to mission success. The VISIBLE Act would place a critical check on the government’s power, ensuring basic transparency safeguards that protect public trust and legitimacy in immigration enforcement operations.

    “Under the Trump administration, Americans have watched in horror as people have been abducted by unidentified masked agents and driven away in unmarked vans—these are scenes that shock the conscience and should never happen in America,” said Senator Murray. “I’ve heard from immigrant communities and people across Washington state about the pervasive sense of fear and alarm created when masked agents descend on a community without any visible identification, and residents have no way of knowing whether they are interacting with legitimate law enforcement. Anyone being detained by law enforcement in America deserves to know who is detaining them and why. The VISIBLE Act would simply require immigration enforcement officers to display their badge number and agency, and ensure that masked agents aren’t whisking people off the streets. This is a commonsense step that is badly needed as the Trump administration does everything it can to stoke fear and terror in immigrant communities and make everyone feel less safe.”

    “This bill is an important step toward keeping immigration enforcement officers and all the people in America safe. Masked, plainclothes officers create an unreasonable risk of escalating violence and unnerve everyone who sees them,”     said Scott Shuchart, Former ICE and DHS (Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties) Official. “As much as the cop in blues is a staple of American life, the masked bandit is a symbol of fear, and having government agents dressed like paramilitaries is un-American. Based on my experience in government, the VISIBLE Act makes good sense and would be straightforward for DHS officials to implement.”

    Specifically, the VISIBLE Act:

    • Requires immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing;
    • Prohibits non-medical face coverings (such as masks or balaclavas) that obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations; and
    • Requires DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

    The bill does not apply to covert or non-public facing operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.

    The VISIBLE Act is also cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    The bill is endorsed by the ACLU and Public Counsel. 

    A one-pager on the bill is available HERE.

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.  

    Senator Murray also joined Senator Padilla and 12 other Democratic senators in a letter sent yesterday to Todd Lyons, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticizing ICE for engaging in counterproductive, theatrical enforcement activities—including raids on courthouses and restaurants—and requesting information from the agency on its mask and uniform policies. The senators argued that these tactics are designed to sow fear and chaos and that allowing masked, plainclothes officers to engage in public raids creates situations where bad actors can commit crimes while claiming to be ICE agents.

    “As ICE engages in unprecedented numbers of immigration raids across the country, reportedly in response to arbitrary quotas set by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, it is crucial that ICE personnel not engage in conduct that is all but guaranteed to sow chaos and confusion and put law enforcement officers in danger,” the senators wrote. “Storming courthouses, grabbing students off the street, raiding places of work, and sweeping through restaurants at prime dining hours are in and of themselves tactics clearly designed to engender fear and sow chaos in the population. Doing so in plainclothes, with no identification of their name or agency, while wearing a mask designed to obscure the agent’s face, represents a clear attempt to compound that fear and chaos—and to avoid accountability for agents’ actions.

    The consequences of allowing unfettered plainclothes enforcement actions are clear. Not only does it frighten people and lead to increased chaos, but it also allows criminals to take advantage of this environment of uncertainty,” the Members continued. The Members alsoasked Acting Director to respond to the following questions by Monday, July 21st:  

    1. What are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policies with regards to wearing masks while on duty?
    2. What are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policies with regards to wearing uniforms or other identifiable markers while on duty?

    In addition to Padilla and Murray, the letter was also signed by Senators Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL) Hirono, Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Schiff (D-CA), Smith (D-MN), Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Welch (D-VT), and Wyden (D-OR).

    Full text of the letter is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Joins USDA and DoD Secretaries in Press Conference on Protecting American Farmland from China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    “We have to get the Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS to protect our farmland. If we don’t do it, we’re going to continue to lose at the end of the day.”

    WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Pete Hegseth and other government officials in a press conference announcing the Trump administration’s National Farm Security Plan. 

    During the event, Secretary Rollins announced that as of today, the Ag Secretary will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) to be a permanent member of CFIUS. This is something Senator Tuberville has pushed for since he entered the Senate with his Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act. In addition to the FARM Act, Sen. Tuberville has introduced multiple other pieces of legislation to help combat the rise of foreign influence in our domestic ag supply chains during his time on the Senate Ag Committee, including the AFIDA Act and the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act. According to the most recent data from the USDA, Alabama has the fourth-highest amount of foreign-owned farmland, at 2.2 million acres.

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or watch on YouTube or Rumble. 

    “I always looked for a day like this when I was coaching. I’d work the hell out of them, and we’d line up down there in the parking lot and just run for about an hour, you know?

    Just think about it right now though, our farmers every day go out every morning to scratch the ground, to try to make a living, and try to feed all of us in this country. And they’re very important. I’m on the Ag Committee [and the] Armed Services Committee. I’ve seen it all. I’m not a politician. I’ve been on the front row and been able to watch the devastation of our farming community in the last four years under the Democrat, Socialist, Communist Biden party. It was devastating.

    Input costs [were] high, $5 diesel, [and] instead of a $700,000 cotton picker, they’re a million dollars and a half. They wanted to put our farmers under. We lost 150,000 farms and 25,000 farmers in the last few years. Folks, we are in trouble in Ag. Real trouble. And we just tried to help them with reference prices in the Big Beautiful Bill we just passed, but they’re gonna need a lot of help. They are scratching and clawing just to make a living.

    Thanks [to] Brooke for putting this on. 

    China is a threat. They’re not [just] a threat— they are dominating us in almost everything that they do because we’ve sat back, and the politicians have been counting their money instead of doing what’s right, and helping this country stay in the front. We’ve got to be number one. We can’t be number two. We’ve got to fight back. They are coming into our country and buying our farmland.

    In my state of Alabama alone, they own 2.2 million acres of farmland. That’s right—in Alabama—foreign adversaries [own our land]. It’s embarrassing, what we’ve done. Now, don’t blame the farmers. The farmers have to make a living. And if they can’t make a living, they have to sell their farmland.

    The Biden Administration forced our farmers to sell their farmland by all the things they did to them—it’s a disgrace. Brooke is going to bring that back. President Trump’s going to bring that back.

    The one thing I’m trying to do is I’m trying to pass the FARM Act [and the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from] Foreign Adversaries Act. What is that? We have a group in this country called CFIUS. CFIUS is a group of Cabinet members that determine who buys what if there is a foreign sale. I mean, they all get together, and they look at it, whether it’s a steel company, whether it’s farmland, whether it’s some kind of business, that’s what CFIUS does. And it’s made up of high-ranking Cabinet members in the White House. Who is not on there? The Secretary of Agriculture. What the hell are we doing? I mean, how far behind are we? We have to get the Secretary of Agriculture on CFIUS to protect our farmland. If we don’t do it, we’re going to continue to lose at the end of the day.

    So, thanks for being here. In a few minutes, we’re lining up down in this endzone, and we’re going to start running this way until I get tired of watching.

    Thank you very much. God bless you.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Free summer fun at all Alberta museums and sites | Activités estivales divertissantes et gratuites dans tous les musées et lieux historiques de l’Alberta

    On July 4, Alberta joined the Canada Strong Pass program to help more people access and enjoy the history and culture our province has to offer.

    This summer, general admission to all Alberta museums and historic sites will be free for children and teens aged 17 and under, and half-price for young adults aged 18-24, making it easier than ever to discover the province’s rich history and culture.

    “Our government is excited to support more people in creating unforgettable memories in every corner of the province as they explore Alberta’s incredible provincial museums and heritage sites. Supporting increased access to our sites will drive more economic activity throughout the province, while also sharing our unique history and culture.”

    Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

    Alberta’s heritage sites and museums are bursting with unique events and experiences, and this opportunity will attract new visitors to experience and learn about everything the province’s sites have to offer.

    Major attractions and new exhibits debuted at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Reynolds Museum and Royal Alberta Museum this season, while the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump are celebrating key milestones. Guests can enjoy boat building at Fort George and Buckingham House, homemade treats at Rutherford House, vintage games at Victoria Settlement, Social Saturdays at Historic Dunvegan and more. Alberta’s heritage sites and museums offer something of interest to every visitor.

    “In 2025, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre has the honour of celebrating 40 years of welcoming visitors from Canada and all around the world. The Canada Strong Pass will provide young families with a cost-effective way to experience the power of nature as they walk through the rubble of the Frank Slide and learn about the local people from so long ago.”

    Myriah Sagrafena, facilities supervisor, Frank Slide Interpretive Centre

    The discount is available to all Albertans and out-of-province visitors, with no limit to the number of times a visitor can take advantage of the offer before September 2. The Canada Strong Pass is not a physical or digital pass – benefits are automatically applied to all eligible guests within the specified age groups during the program period.

    “We’ve seen an incredible show of unity from Canadians since the beginning of the year. We’re pleased that Alberta has joined the Canada Strong Pass initiative, making it even easier for families to choose Canada – and to discover the beauty of our country, right in their own backyard, all summer long. With Alberta’s participation, families can now enjoy discounted access to more than fifty provincial and territorial museums this summer – in addition to all national ones.”

    Steven Guilbeault, federal Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

    For a full list of participating provincial museums and historic sites and more information on Alberta’s involvement in the Canada Strong Pass, visit ExploreAlbertaHistory.com.

    Quick facts

    • With Alberta’s participation in the Canada Strong Pass, a family of four with children under 17 can save up to $20 per visit.
    • There are 13 sites offering free admission:
      • Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton  
      • Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller  
      • Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin
      • Remington Carriage Museum, Cardston
      • Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Fort McMurray
      • Rutherford House, Edmonton
      • Stephansson House, Red Deer County
      • Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Crowsnest Pass
      • Fort George and Buckingham House, County of St. Paul
      • Historic Dunvegan, near Fairview
      • Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, Fort MacLeod
      • Victoria Settlement, County of Smoky Lake
      • Turner Valley Gas Plant, Diamond Valley
    • The following provincial sites are always free or by donation: Provincial Archives of Alberta, Okotoks Erratic, Leitch Collieries Historic Site, Brooks Aqueduct and Father Lacombe Chapel (by donation).
    • The Canada Strong Pass is also applicable in Alberta for free admission at Jasper National Park, Elk Island National Park, Banff National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, Banff Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site.

    Related information

    • Historic sites, museums and archives | Alberta.ca
    • About the Canada Strong Pass – Canada.ca

    Related news

    L’Alberta rend la culture plus accessible en offrant aux enfants et aux jeunes l’entrée gratuite ou à prix réduit dans tous les musées et lieux historiques provinciaux jusqu’au 2 septembre.

    Le 4 juillet dernier, l’Alberta a adhéré au programme de laissez-passer Un Canada fort afin de permettre à un plus grand nombre de gens de découvrir l’histoire et la culture de la province.

    Cet été, l’entrée dans tous les musées et lieux historiques de l’Alberta sera gratuite pour les enfants et les adolescents de 17 ans et moins, et à moitié prix pour les jeunes adultes de 18 à 24 ans. Le programme offrira ainsi aux jeunes une chance inégalée de découvrir la richesse historique et culturelle de notre province.

    « Notre gouvernement est ravi de permettre à un plus grand nombre de personnes de créer des souvenirs inoubliables dans les formidables musées et lieux patrimoniaux des quatre coins de la province. En facilitant l’accès à ces attractions, nous dynamisons l’économie tout en partageant avec les gens le caractère unique de notre histoire et notre culture. »

    Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine

    Les lieux patrimoniaux et les musées de l’Alberta recèlent d’événements et offrent des possibilités de vivre des expériences uniques. Cette initiative permettra à de nouveaux visiteurs de découvrir tout ce que ces attractions ont à offrir.

    Cet été, le Musée royal Tyrrell, le musée Reynolds et le Musée royal de l’Alberta offrent de nouvelles expositions, et le centre d’interprétation de Frank Slide et le précipice à bisons Head-Smashed-In célèbrent des anniversaires importants. Les visiteurs peuvent construire des bateaux au lieu historique provincial Fort George et Buckingham House, déguster des friandises maison à la Rutherford House, jouer à des jeux anciens au Victoria Settlement, profiter des activités sociales du samedi au parc provincial Historic Dunvegan, etc. Chacun et chacune y trouvera son compte dans les lieux patrimoniaux et les musées de l’Alberta.

    « En 2025 et depuis 40 ans, le centre d’interprétation de Frank Slide se fait un honneur d’accueillir des visiteurs venus du Canada et du monde entier. En cette année d’anniversaire, le laissez-passer Un Canada fort offre aux jeunes familles une manière économique de découvrir la vie d’autrefois et la puissance de la nature dans les débris de l’éboulement de Frank. »

    Myriah Sagrafena, superviseure des installations, centre d’interprétation de Frank Slide

    La réduction est offerte jusqu’au 2 septembre 2025 à la population et aux visiteurs de la province, sans égard au nombre de visites. Les personnes admissibles n’ont pas besoin de se procurer un laissez-passer physique ou numérique — la réduction est appliquée automatiquement à tous les visiteurs admissibles, selon leur groupe d’âge, pendant toute la durée du programme.

    « Depuis le début de l’année, nous avons été témoins d’une incroyable solidarité au sein du peuple canadien. Nous sommes heureux que l’Alberta se joigne à l’initiative du laissez-passer Un Canada fort, qui encourage davantage les familles à visiter le Canada ? pour découvrir ainsi la beauté de leur pays, tout près de chez eux, tout l’été durant. Grâce à la participation de l’Alberta, les familles peuvent maintenant profiter d’un accès à prix réduit dans une cinquantaine de musées provinciaux et territoriaux cet été ? en plus de tous les musées nationaux. »

    Steven Guilbeault, ministre fédéral de l’Identité et de la Culture canadiennes et ministre responsable des Langues officielles

    Pour obtenir la liste complète des musées et lieux historiques provinciaux participants et des renseignements supplémentaires sur la participation de l’Alberta au programme du laissez-passer Un Canada fort, visitez le site ExploreAlbertaHistory.com (en anglais seulement).

    En bref

    • Grâce à la participation de l’Alberta au programme de laissez-passer Un Canada fort, une famille de quatre personnes avec des enfants de moins de 17 ans peut économiser jusqu’à 20 $ par visite.
    • L’entrée est gratuite dans les 13 attractions suivantes :
    • Musée royal de l’Alberta, Edmonton
    • Musée royal Tyrrell, Drumheller
    • Musée Reynolds, Wetaskiwin
    • Musée Remington Carriage, Cardston
    • Centre de découverte des sables bitumineux, Fort McMurray
    • Lieu historique provincial Rutherford House, Edmonton
    • Lieu historique provincial Stephansson House, comté de Red Deer
    • Centre d’interprétation de Frank Slide, Crowsnest Pass
    • Lieu historique provincial Fort George and Buckingham House, comté de St-Paul
    • Parc provincial Historic Dunvegan, près de Fairview
    • Précipice à bisons Head-Smashed-In, Fort MacLeod
    • Lieu historique provincial Victoria Settlement, comté de Smoky Lake
    • Ressource historique provinciale et lieu historique national de la Raffinerie-de-Turner Valley, Diamond Valley
    • L’entrée est toujours gratuite et les dons sont acceptés dans les attractions provinciales suivantes : Archives provinciales de l’Alberta, ressource historique provinciale du Bloc-Erratique, lieu historique provincial Leitch Collieries, lieu historique national et provincial de l’Aqueduc-de-Brooks et lieu historique provincial de la Chapelle-du-Père-Lacombe.
    • En Alberta, le laissez-passer Un Canada fort permet aussi d’entrer gratuitement au parc national Jasper, au parc national Elk Island, au parc national Banff, au parc national des Lacs-Waterton, ainsi qu’au lieu historique national du Musée-du-Parc-Banff, au lieu historique national du Ranch-Bar U, au lieu historique national Cave and Basin et au lieu historique national Rocky Mountain House.

    Renseignements connexes

    • Lieux historiques, musées et archives | Alberta.ca (en anglais seulement)
    • Laissez-passer Un Canada fort – Canada.ca

    Actualités connexes

    • Redécouvrez la chasse historique au bison en Alberta (18 juin 2025)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Building Resilient Food Systems in Sierra Leone: Sustainable Agriculture, Community Empowerment, and Strategic Partnerships for Long-Term Food Security

    Source: APO

    The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) working with its development partners, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank, is implementing a Food Systems Resilience Programme.

    This programme seeks to reduce food and nutrition insecurity and enhance the resilience of food systems for vulnerable communities in Sierra Leone. It focuses on rehabilitating Inland Valley Swamps (IVS) and on restocking livestock.

    Global Context: Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Food Supply Chains and the Lasting Effects of COVID-19

    The Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly disrupted production and supply chains, impacting much of Africa and beyond as the two countries are major global producers of commodities such as oil, gas, cereals, oil grains, and fertilizer. Commodity prices for fuel, wheat, oil palm, and fertilizer have soared. This comes on the back of increases in shipping costs and disruption in the global food supply chain due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which has kept global food prices higher than pre-pandemic levels.

    The government developed a Quick Action Food Security Response Plan (QA-FSRP) outlining the much-needed interventions to support the government’s ability to respond to potential food security threats from the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It focuses on short-term measures, as well as lays the foundation for medium to long-term investment to boost agriculture productivity. This plan outlines both immediate interventions and lays the foundation for medium- to long-term investments to boost agricultural productivity.

    Empowering Farmers through Critical Support and Capacity Building

    The primary objective of this component is to strengthen the legacy Inland Valley Swamps developed by sister projects that are not being properly utilized to intensify rice and vegetable production by rehabilitation.

    One of the key achievements is the provision of critical agricultural inputs coupled with capacity building to all beneficiaries with technical support from the MAFS Agricultural Engineering division to actualize the rehabilitation and cultivation of 850 ha of Inland Valley Swamp across the six districts in Sierra Leone. This approach warranted the timely completion of cultivation across all the beneficiary farming groups with a huge prospect of high yield during harvest.

    Another key success story is the introduction of cash-based support to for targeted farmers based on measured work. This approach has empowered farmers to make choices based on their priorities, needs, and preferences, to exercise greater control over their own lives.  

    Lessons learned and Solutions

    One of the programme’s key achievements is the provision of critical agricultural inputs, paired with capacity-building support for all beneficiaries, facilitated by technical assistance from the Agricultural Engineering division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This support enabled the successful rehabilitation and cultivation of 850 hectares of Inland Valley Swamp across six districts in Sierra Leone. The intervention has resulted in timely planting across all beneficiary groups, with promising high yields anticipated during harvest. Additionally, the IVS intervention in peri-urban areas like Bo has mitigated the effects of flooding, thanks to reconstructed waterways and drainage canals. 

    Empowering Farmers with Cash-Based Support

    A key component of the programme is the conditional cash transfer model, which gave farmers the freedom to buy what they needed most, whether it is medicine, food, schoolbooks, clothes, or many other things. For instance, in one of the IVS sites in the Daru community after the disbursement of cash to farmers, qualitative evidence showed that farmers who successfully received their cash support used some of it to purchase food, pay school fees, buy mobile phones, and pay hospital bills for their children.

    Community Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Impact

    The active involvement of community and chiefdom stakeholders makes it easier to organize and establish any structure and create ownership and sustainability. When community members are given the space to act and are involved in the design of the activity, they bring innovative ideas and demonstrate willingness and commitment to see it through. This is visible in this project through the involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, local community members, and district stakeholders in the formal handing over of agricultural inputs, collaboration in project implementation, and involvement in key decision-making platforms such as the project stakeholder engagement and inception workshops. Women and youth have also demonstrated a strong willingness to learn skills and accept changes.

    Recommendations to Peers

    Providing training alongside inputs can promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, leading to long-term environmental benefits. Additionally, the involvement of government technical staff in monitoring and training beneficiaries during the IVS rehabilitation and cultivation exercise proved highly valuable. These staff members are expected to maintain a consistent presence in the communities for ongoing monitoring after the project concludes, ensuring continuity.

    Furthermore, the use of a community-based model, in which beneficiary farming groups were actively involved in the rehabilitation and cultivation of IVS paddy fields is a clear testament to the sustainability of the project.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New champion urges households to have their say on proposed Council Tax changes

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Plymouth’s new Council Tax and benefits champion is urging people to give their views on the Government’s proposals to change key elements of how the tax is administered and collected.

    Councillor Lewis Allison, who has been appointed to support Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance, is championing Council Tax and benefits matters, says it is likely many people will welcome the proposals and is encouraging them to help shape the final changes.

    The Government’s proposals include:

    • Moving Council Tax payments from 10 to 12-month instalments by default, to spread payments over a longer period.
    • Improving the transparency of bills so residents can see what their Council Tax is being spent on and ensure households know about the support they are eligible for.
    • Changing the outdated title of the Severe Mental Impairment ‘disregard’ to Severe Cognitive Impairment and amending its definition to encourage more eligible people to make use of it. 
    • Listening to views on how the ‘disregards’ for care workers and apprentices and how they can be improved.
    • Making it easier to challenge the Council Tax band your home has been allocated.
    • Ensuring the action taken by councils to recover unpaid Council Tax is proportional and sympathetic to those in hardship through proposed changes such as amending the time before councils request a full-year’s bill or seek a liability order, as well as views on capping the cost of liability orders. 

    Councillor Allison said: “The Government has recognised that the rules around Council Tax are outdated and wants to hear views on its proposals to modernise them. I’m sure some of the proposals – such as the ability to spread payments over 12 months – will be welcomed by many taxpayers but it is important that they hear from as many people as possible to help get this right.

    “The consultation is also asking for views on how councils deal with non-payment of Council Tax. While we have a duty as a council to collect the Council Tax that households owe and aim to firmly deal with deliberate tax avoidance, we are also acutely aware of the real financial pressures many households are under.

    “We already promote the support that is available for those who are struggling with their payments and always urge anyone in difficulty to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

    “We would like to see a national framework that helps councils take a consistent approach to maximising collection rates without practices that make matters worse for those who are genuinely struggling. The proposed changes would allow us to support residents more than we are currently allowed to.”

    The Government’s consultation run until 12 September 2025. You can give your views on the Government website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 582, Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 582 would authorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide transportation for specified purposes for government astronauts after they return to Earth until they are medically cleared to operate a motor vehicle. Using information from NASA, CBO estimates that implementing S. 582 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Johnny Willing. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California Bay Area CEO Sentenced for Employment Tax Crimes

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A California man was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison for a decade-long scheme to avoid paying over employment taxes to the IRS.

    The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: John Comeau, of Santa Clara, was the CEO of Vivid Inc., a company that provided metal coating services to industrial customers in California and elsewhere. Vivid Inc. employed as many as 40 employees at any given time.

    Comeau was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

    From the first quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2019, Vivid Inc. paid its employee a total of over $8.8 million in wages. During this period, Comeau collected and withheld taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees but did not pay over all the taxes owed to the IRS. He also caused false quarterly employment tax returns to be filed with the IRS, underreporting Vivid’s wages by more than $5 million.

    To conceal his scheme, Comeau caused accurate tax forms to be issued to certain employees. These tax forms reported higher wages than the amounts Vivid had reported to the IRS. Comeau also issued tax forms, such as Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2, to other Vivid employees that underreported their wages. When an employer underreports wages paid to their employees, it may negatively impact those employees’ Social Security benefits, as those forms are used by the Social Security Administration to compute benefits owed to an employee. 

    Instead of paying his taxes, Comeau used some of the funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle that included a $3 million home and luxury cars.

    In total, Comeau caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.1 million.

    In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts for the Northern District of California ordered Comeau to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,153,948 in restitution to the IRS.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilham Hosseini for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Bay Area CEO Sentenced for Employment Tax Crimes

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A California man was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison for a decade-long scheme to avoid paying over employment taxes to the IRS.

    The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: John Comeau, of Santa Clara, was the CEO of Vivid Inc., a company that provided metal coating services to industrial customers in California and elsewhere. Vivid Inc. employed as many as 40 employees at any given time.

    Comeau was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

    From the first quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2019, Vivid Inc. paid its employee a total of over $8.8 million in wages. During this period, Comeau collected and withheld taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees but did not pay over all the taxes owed to the IRS. He also caused false quarterly employment tax returns to be filed with the IRS, underreporting Vivid’s wages by more than $5 million.

    To conceal his scheme, Comeau caused accurate tax forms to be issued to certain employees. These tax forms reported higher wages than the amounts Vivid had reported to the IRS. Comeau also issued tax forms, such as Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2, to other Vivid employees that underreported their wages. When an employer underreports wages paid to their employees, it may negatively impact those employees’ Social Security benefits, as those forms are used by the Social Security Administration to compute benefits owed to an employee. 

    Instead of paying his taxes, Comeau used some of the funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle that included a $3 million home and luxury cars.

    In total, Comeau caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.1 million.

    In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts for the Northern District of California ordered Comeau to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,153,948 in restitution to the IRS.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilham Hosseini for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Mithril Silver & Gold Announces $10 Million Brokered Private Placement of Common Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

    MELBOURNE, Australia and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mithril Silver and Gold Limited (TSXV: MSG) (ASX: MTH) (“Mithril” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Ventum Financial Corp. as lead agent and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the “Agents”), in connection with a private placement of 27,778,000 common shares (the “Shares”) of the Company at a price of C$0.36 per Share (the “Offering Price“) for aggregate gross proceeds of C$10,000,080 (the “Offering”), excluding any additional proceeds raised from the exercise of the Agents’ Option (defined below).

    The Company will grant the Agents an option (the “Agents’ Option”), which will allow the Agents to offer up to an additional 15% of the Offering, on the same terms as the Shares. The Agents’ Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the Closing Date of the Offering.

    The Shares (including any Shares issued pursuant to the Agents’ Option) will be offered on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws, in all provinces of Canada, and will be made utilising the Company’s available placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A.

    The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to accelerate exploration and drilling activity at the Company’s Copalquin district project in Durango State, Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    The Offering is scheduled to close on July 29, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), or such other date as the Company and the Agents may agree and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the Closing Date.

    In consideration for services provided by the Agents, the Company has agreed to pay a fee of 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering plus any applicable taxes in cash to the Agents. The Company has also agreed to issue to the Agents that number of compensation options equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of Shares issued by the Company under the Offering, each exercisable into one Share at the Offering Price, with an expiry date of two (2) years from the Closing Date. The same commission shall be paid to the Agents in connection with any Shares issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of the Agents’ Option.

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

    All currency references herein are to Canadian dollar unless otherwise stated.

    About Mithril Silver and Gold

    Mithril Silver and Gold Limited is an Australian and Canadian listed precious metals exploration company, focused on its Copalquin district project, in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend.

    The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many world-class gold and silver deposits.

    Additional information about Mithril and its mineral projects can be viewed on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at (www.sedarplus.ca) and its website at www.mithrilsilvergold.com.

    The information in this announcement relating to mineral resources has been reported by the Company in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ (JORC Code) previously (refer to the Company’s ASX announcement dated 7 July 2025) which is available to view on the Company’s website. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information as at the date of this announcement that materially affects the information included in the previous market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Company’s previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    For further information, please contact:
    John Skeet
    Managing Director and CEO
    Email: jskeet@mithrilsilvergold.com
    Tel: +61 435 766 809
    Corporate Communications
    Nicole@mithrilsilvergold.com
    Liz@mithrilsilvergold.com

    Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

    Certain information contained in this news release constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, information or statements with respect to the Offering, including statements with respect to the completion of the Offering and the anticipated closing date thereof; the expected receipt of regulatory and other approvals relating to the Offering; participants in the Offering; the expected proceeds of the Offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom; the future exploration plans of the Company, timing of future exploration, anticipated results of exploration and potential mineralization of the Company’s mineral projects. Such forward looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes”, “plans”, “suggests”, “targets” or “prospects” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “will” be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of precious and base metals, accident, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mithril Silver & Gold Announces $10 Million Brokered Private Placement of Common Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

    MELBOURNE, Australia and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mithril Silver and Gold Limited (TSXV: MSG) (ASX: MTH) (“Mithril” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Ventum Financial Corp. as lead agent and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the “Agents”), in connection with a private placement of 27,778,000 common shares (the “Shares”) of the Company at a price of C$0.36 per Share (the “Offering Price“) for aggregate gross proceeds of C$10,000,080 (the “Offering”), excluding any additional proceeds raised from the exercise of the Agents’ Option (defined below).

    The Company will grant the Agents an option (the “Agents’ Option”), which will allow the Agents to offer up to an additional 15% of the Offering, on the same terms as the Shares. The Agents’ Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the Closing Date of the Offering.

    The Shares (including any Shares issued pursuant to the Agents’ Option) will be offered on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws, in all provinces of Canada, and will be made utilising the Company’s available placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A.

    The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to accelerate exploration and drilling activity at the Company’s Copalquin district project in Durango State, Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    The Offering is scheduled to close on July 29, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), or such other date as the Company and the Agents may agree and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the Closing Date.

    In consideration for services provided by the Agents, the Company has agreed to pay a fee of 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering plus any applicable taxes in cash to the Agents. The Company has also agreed to issue to the Agents that number of compensation options equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of Shares issued by the Company under the Offering, each exercisable into one Share at the Offering Price, with an expiry date of two (2) years from the Closing Date. The same commission shall be paid to the Agents in connection with any Shares issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of the Agents’ Option.

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

    All currency references herein are to Canadian dollar unless otherwise stated.

    About Mithril Silver and Gold

    Mithril Silver and Gold Limited is an Australian and Canadian listed precious metals exploration company, focused on its Copalquin district project, in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend.

    The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many world-class gold and silver deposits.

    Additional information about Mithril and its mineral projects can be viewed on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at (www.sedarplus.ca) and its website at www.mithrilsilvergold.com.

    The information in this announcement relating to mineral resources has been reported by the Company in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ (JORC Code) previously (refer to the Company’s ASX announcement dated 7 July 2025) which is available to view on the Company’s website. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information as at the date of this announcement that materially affects the information included in the previous market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Company’s previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    For further information, please contact:
    John Skeet
    Managing Director and CEO
    Email: jskeet@mithrilsilvergold.com
    Tel: +61 435 766 809
    Corporate Communications
    Nicole@mithrilsilvergold.com
    Liz@mithrilsilvergold.com

    Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

    Certain information contained in this news release constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, information or statements with respect to the Offering, including statements with respect to the completion of the Offering and the anticipated closing date thereof; the expected receipt of regulatory and other approvals relating to the Offering; participants in the Offering; the expected proceeds of the Offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom; the future exploration plans of the Company, timing of future exploration, anticipated results of exploration and potential mineralization of the Company’s mineral projects. Such forward looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes”, “plans”, “suggests”, “targets” or “prospects” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “will” be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of precious and base metals, accident, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: First Western Financial, Inc. to Report Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on Thursday, July 24

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Western Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYFW), a financial services holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado (“First Western”), announced today that it will release financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2025 after the markets close on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

    Management will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time/12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 25, 2025, to discuss First Western’s financial results. Analysts and investors may participate in the question-and-answer session. The conference call will be webcast live on the News & Events page of First Western’s investor relations website.

    Participants on the conference call will need to click on the Telephone Access link provided below, register for the conference call, and then they will receive the dial-in number and a personalized PIN code.

    Conference Call and Webcast Information:

    Date: Friday, July 25, 2025

    Time: 10:00 a.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. ET

    Telephone Access: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI4e9784b7b6ee4a528ae8f3affe52d2ee

    Webcast Access: A live webcast will be available on the News & Events page of First Western’s investor relations website. An archived version of the webcast will be available in the same location shortly after the live call has ended.

    About First Western Financial, Inc.

    First Western is a financial services holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with operations in Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, California, and Montana. First Western Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide a fully integrated suite of wealth management services on a private trust bank platform, which includes a comprehensive selection of deposit, loan, trust, wealth planning and investment management products and services. First Western’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MYFW.” For more information, please visit www.myfw.com.

    Contacts:
    Financial Profiles, Inc.
    Tony Rossi
    310-622-8221

    MYFW@finprofiles.com
    IR@myfw.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: First Western Financial, Inc. to Report Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on Thursday, July 24

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Western Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYFW), a financial services holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado (“First Western”), announced today that it will release financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2025 after the markets close on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

    Management will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time/12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 25, 2025, to discuss First Western’s financial results. Analysts and investors may participate in the question-and-answer session. The conference call will be webcast live on the News & Events page of First Western’s investor relations website.

    Participants on the conference call will need to click on the Telephone Access link provided below, register for the conference call, and then they will receive the dial-in number and a personalized PIN code.

    Conference Call and Webcast Information:

    Date: Friday, July 25, 2025

    Time: 10:00 a.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. ET

    Telephone Access: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI4e9784b7b6ee4a528ae8f3affe52d2ee

    Webcast Access: A live webcast will be available on the News & Events page of First Western’s investor relations website. An archived version of the webcast will be available in the same location shortly after the live call has ended.

    About First Western Financial, Inc.

    First Western is a financial services holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with operations in Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, California, and Montana. First Western Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide a fully integrated suite of wealth management services on a private trust bank platform, which includes a comprehensive selection of deposit, loan, trust, wealth planning and investment management products and services. First Western’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MYFW.” For more information, please visit www.myfw.com.

    Contacts:
    Financial Profiles, Inc.
    Tony Rossi
    310-622-8221

    MYFW@finprofiles.com
    IR@myfw.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Illinois Case Concerning States’ Obligations Under the National Voter Registration Act

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Today, the Justice Department filed a Statement of Interest in Judicial Watch v. Illinois State Board of Elections, regarding the requirements under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) for states to make reasonable efforts to remove the names of ineligible voters and to make their voter registration list available for public inspection.  The requirement for states to make a “reasonable effort” to clean their voter rolls means that the program should be effective in achieving the goals set out by Congress, and nothing less.

    “It is critical to remove ineligible voters from the registration rolls so that elections are conducted fairly, accurately, and without fraud,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Under the NVRA, states have the responsibility to conduct a robust program of list maintenance. The Department of Justice will vigorously enforce those requirements to ensure compliance.”

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Doc Antle, Owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, Sentenced for Federal Wildlife Trafficking and Money Laundering Charges

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Co-Defendants Also Sentenced; Woman Pleads Guilty in Related Case for Unlawfully Selling Chimpanzees to Antle

    Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina — who was featured in a popular Netflix documentary — was sentenced today to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and launder more than $500,000 for what he believed to be an operation to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States across the Mexico border. Antle was also ordered to pay a $55,000 fine, serve three years of supervised release, and forfeit three chimpanzees and more than $197,000 to the government.

    Two of Antle’s co-defendants were recently sentenced for their separate involvement in either the Lacey Act or money laundering conspiracy. A defendant in a related case recently pleaded guilty to illegally selling a newborn chimpanzee to Antle.

    “Today’s sentence holds Doc Antle and his co-defendants accountable for activity they knew was unlawful and unethical,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “They illegally purchased and sold newborn endangered wildlife even as they laundered more than $500,000 in smuggling money — all while promoting themselves as conservationists.”

    “Doc Antle portrayed himself as a conservationist. But in reality, he was a key player in the illegal chimpanzee trade, and he laundered more than half a million dollars through a complex web of deceit,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their work in bringing the defendant to justice for both of these federal crimes.”

    “These sentences should send a clear message: the FBI and our partners will not tolerate those who attempt to violate our laws,” said Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “We remain firmly committed to investigating and holding accountable individuals whose illegal actions threaten our financial systems and put protected species at risk.”

    “This case underscores the grave criminal threat posed by wildlife traffickers who not only exploit vulnerable species for profit but also use sophisticated money laundering tactics to conceal their crimes,” said Assistant Director Douglas Ault of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. “Our special agents uncovered a complex network of illicit activity involving the trafficking of endangered animals — including baby chimpanzees and cheetahs — falsified documentation, and the laundering of hundreds of thousands of dollars through purported nonprofit organizations. These traffickers operated under the false pretense of conservation, betraying both the law and public trust. We remain unwavering in our commitment to dismantling such networks and bringing those responsible to justice.”

    The wildlife conspiracy outlined various schemes Antle used to hide his illegal trafficking in endangered species, including requiring payments to be “donations” funneled through his non-profit, The Rare Species Fund; conducting transactions in bulk cash to hide their true nature; and creating false paperwork to hide the illegality of his wildlife transactions. The animals trafficked included baby chimpanzees, cheetahs, lions, and tigers, all of which are protected under both the Endangered Species Act and international treaties. The Lacey Act prohibits trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish or plants, including animals protected under the Endangered Species Act.

    Antle’s co-defendant in the wildlife conspiracy, Jason Clay, was recently sentenced to four months in prison, four months home confinement, and to pay a $4,000 fine into the Lacey Act Reward Fund. In 2019, Clay illegally sold a juvenile chimpanzee to Antle in exchange for $200,000 in cash and a juvenile gibbon. 

    As for the money laundering conspiracy, Antle and a co-defendant laundered more than $500,000 in cash between February and April 2022 that were represented to be proceeds from an operation to smuggle illegal immigrants across the Mexican border into the United States. Evidence presented to the court showed that Antle planned to conceal the cash he received by writing checks for what appeared to be construction-related services for Myrtle Beach Safari, which he owned and operated, and which was featured in the Netflix documentary. The Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre for-profit zoo that offers tours and private encounters with exotic wildlife.

    Antle’s co-defendant in the money laundering conspiracy, Andrew Sawyer, was recently sentenced to serve two years of probation including eight months of home detention. He also forfeited nearly $185,000 to the government and a chimpanzee.

    In a different Lacey Act violation case connected to Antle, Shaylynn Kolwyck-Peterson pleaded guilty last month to illegally selling a chimpanzee to Antle in 2022 for $200,000. The Kolwyck family owns and manages the private Sunshine Zoological Preserve LLC in north Florida. The facility is believed to be the only one in the United States breeding chimpanzees for private or non-scientific purposes.

    The FBI and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the case.

    Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower for the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Lake Shore Bancorp Announces Closing Date of Conversion Transaction and Results of Stock Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUNKIRK, N.Y., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc. (“Lake Shore Federal Bancorp”) (NASDAQ: LSBK), the holding company for Lake Shore Savings Bank (the “Bank”), announced today that all regulatory approvals have been received to close the conversion of Lake Shore, MHC from mutual to stock form and the related stock offering by Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc. (“Lake Shore Bancorp”), the proposed new stock holding company for Lake Shore Bank and the Bank’s conversion from a federal savings bank to a New York chartered commercial bank.

    Closing is expected to occur after the close of business on July 18, 2025. Lake Shore Bancorp’s common stock is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol “LSBK” on July 21, 2025.

    As a result of the subscription offering, Lake Shore Bancorp expects to sell a total of 4,950,460 shares of its common stock (approximately the midpoint of the offering range) at a price of $10.00 per share for total gross proceeds of $49.5 million. All valid stock orders submitted by eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders and voting members in the subscription offering will be filled in full. Lake Shore Bancorp’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), expects to mail Direct Registration System (“DRS”) Book-Entry statements for shares purchased in the subscription offering and interest checks, on or about July 21, 2025.

    As part of the conversion transaction, each outstanding share of Lake Shore Federal Bancorp common stock owned by the public stockholders of Lake Shore Federal Bancorp (stockholders other than Lake Shore, MHC) as of the closing date will be converted into shares of Lake Shore Bancorp common stock based on an exchange ratio of 1.3549 shares of Lake Shore Bancorp common stock for each share of Lake Shore Federal Bancorp common stock so that Lake Shore Federal Bancorp’s existing public stockholders will own approximately the same percentage of Lake Shore Bancorp’s common stock as they owned of Lake Shore Federal Bancorp’s common stock immediately prior to the conversion, subject to adjustment as disclosed in the prospectus. Cash will be issued in lieu of a fractional share of Lake Shore Bancorp common stock based on the offering price of $10.00 per share. Upon the completion of the conversion and stock offering, approximately 7,825,877 shares of Lake Shore Bancorp common stock are expected to be outstanding before adjustment for fractional shares.

    Stockholders of Lake Shore Federal Bancorp holding shares in street name will receive shares of Lake Shore Bancorp common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares within their accounts. Stockholders of Lake Shore Federal Bancorp holding shares in certificated form will be mailed a letter of transmittal on or about July 21, 2025. After submitting their stock certificates and a properly completed letter of transmittal to Computershare, stockholders will receive DRS Book-Entry statements reflecting their shares of Lake Shore Bancorp common stock and checks for cash in lieu of fractional shares.

    Luse Gorman, PC has acted as legal counsel to Lake Shore Bancorp and Lake Shore Federal Bancorp. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. has acted as marketing agent for Lake Shore Bancorp in the subscription offering. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP has acted as legal counsel to Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

    About Lake Shore
      
    Lake Shore Federal Bancorp is the mid-tier holding company of Lake Shore Savings Bank, a federally chartered, community-oriented financial institution headquartered in Dunkirk, New York. The Bank has ten full-service branch locations in Western New York, including four in Chautauqua County and six in Erie County. The Bank offers a broad range of retail and commercial lending and deposit services. Lake Shore Federal Bancorp’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market as “LSBK”. Additional information about Lake Shore Federal Bancorp is available at www.lakeshoresavings.com.

    Safe-Harbor

    This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Lake Shore Federal Bancorp’s, Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc.’s (collectively, the “Company”) and the Bank’s industry, and management’s beliefs and assumptions. Words such as anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates and variations of such words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management’s current views of future events and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company as of the date of this release. It is important to note that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve and are subject to significant risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control including, but not limited to, delays in closing the conversion and stock offering; possible unforeseen delays in delivering DRS Book-Entry statements or interest checks; and/or delays in the start of trading due to market disruptions or otherwise, data loss or other security breaches, including a breach of our operational or security systems, policies or procedures, including cyber-attacks on us or on our third party vendors or service providers, economic conditions, the effect of changes in monetary and fiscal policy, inflation, tariffs, unanticipated changes in our liquidity position, climate change, geopolitical conflicts, public health issues, increased unemployment, deterioration in the credit quality of the loan portfolio and/or the value of the collateral securing repayment of loans, reduction in the value of investment securities, the cost and ability to attract and retain key employees, regulatory or legal developments, tax policy changes, dividend policy changes and our ability to implement and execute our business plan and strategy and expand our operations. These factors should be considered in evaluating forward looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements, as our financial performance could differ materially due to various risks or uncertainties. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements if future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

    Legal Disclosures

    The shares of common stock of Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc. are not savings accounts or deposit accounts and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other governmental agency.

    Source: Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc.
    Category: Financial

    Investor Relations/Media Contact
    Kim C. Liddell
    President, CEO, and Director
    Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc.
    31 East Fourth Street
    Dunkirk, New York 14048
    (716) 366-4070 ext. 1012

    The MIL Network –