Category: Politics

MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Drones

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

July 22, 2025

During his opening, Durbin called out the Trump Administration for neglecting serious threats posed by unauthorized drone use as it focuses federal law enforcement efforts on mass deportation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Securing the Skies: Law Enforcement, Drones, and Public Safety.” During his opening remarks, Durbin criticized the Trump Administration’s unilateral focus on mass deportation at the expense of addressing serious threats posed by hostile foreign nations, cartels, and other malign actors. Further, Durbin expressed his frustration that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has failed to testify before the Committee on her agency’s unprecedented campaign of mass deportation.

Key Quotes:

“Thanks, Chairman Grassley, for holding this hearing to highlight the need to better combat the threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems, known as drones. As the use of drones continues to increase, these conversations are more important than ever.

“However, I want to first note that while we have witnesses from the Trump Administration, and they are welcome, this Committee has yet to hear from Homeland Security Secretary Noem on this issue and a broad array of other critical issues. Secretary Noem is overseeing an unprecedented campaign of mass deportations. She should answer for the indiscriminate arrests of law-abiding individuals by masked officials, and even the arrest and detention of U.S. citizens, including [a] veteran.”

“Why do I bring this up today? Because this Administration is diverting federal law enforcement away from countering threats to our nation in order to participate in its mass deportation campaign.”

“As we will discuss today, there is a real threat posed by hostile foreign nations, cartels, and other malign actors exploiting drone technology for espionage, cyber-attacks, and drug and weapons trafficking. So, we need to hear from Secretary Noem about why she is shifting the focus of the agency she leads away from these threats to our homeland in order to arrest immigrants with no criminal record [and with] deep roots in our country.”

“The FAA reports that over a million drones are currently registered in the United States for a broad range of commercial and recreational activities—from farming to photography to journalism. Law enforcement and government agencies also use drones for search and rescue, disasters, surveillance of criminal activity, and even traffic enforcement.”

“But, like any technology, drones can also be dangerous. Drone operators can create safety hazards simply by flying into restricted areas, even if they do so by accident. Criminals and foreign adversaries also use drones for cyber-attacks, espionage, and transportation of drugs, weapons, or other contraband—including into prisons and across our borders.”

“For example, if I am sitting at Wrigley Field during a ball game with my grandkids, and I see a drone in the sky, I want to know that drone is safe and is authorized to be there.”

“Currently, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security are among four federal agencies with drone detection and mitigation authorities. These authorities allow DOJ and DHS to detect, track, monitor, seize, and even destroy drones that pose a credible threat to [places] such as federal courthouses, prisons, and mass gatherings.”

“The challenge we face now is how to update these authorities to enable law enforcement to protect us from nefarious drone activity without endangering civilian air traffic and people or property on the ground and [while] honor[ing] our First and Fourth Amendment. Addressing the threats posed by drones will require carefully tailored authorities with strong safeguards.”

“I hope that today’s hearing will be a step forward to reaching a bipartisan, bicameral agreement.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey Urges AI Companies to Reject Trump’s Unconstitutional “Anti-Woke” AI Actions

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Markey says Trump’s AI Action Plan and Executive Order are “factually baseless and patently unconstitutional”

Set of Letters (PDF)

Washington (July 23,2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today sent letters to the chief executive officers of Alphabet, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and xAI, slamming Trump’s AI Action Plan and executive order that prohibits federal agencies from contracting for any artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that is not “free from top-down ideological bias.”

In his letters, Senator Markey pointed out the double standard of Republicans complaining about biased AI chatbots even when Grok, the chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s AI company, acknowledged that it was trained to “appeal to the right.” Senator Markey urged the AI companies to fight this unconstitutional executive order and not become pawns in Trump’s effort to eliminate dissent in the United States.

Senator Markey writes, “In their broad claims about censorship by the tech platforms, Republicans continue to mistake fact-based outcomes for bias against conservatives. Although the right continues to lean heavily on anecdotal examples of Big Tech’s alignment with liberal viewpoints, it ignores even more egregious evidence to the contrary. For example, on May 1, 2025, Grok — the AI chatbot developed by xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company—acknowledged that ‘xAI tried to train me to appeal to the right.’ If OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini had responded that it was trained to appeal to the left, congressional Republicans would have been outraged and opened an investigation. Instead, they were silent.”

Senator Markey continues, “Even if the claims of bias were accurate, the Republicans’ effort to use their political power — both through the executive branch and through congressional investigations — to modify the platforms’ speech is dangerous and unconstitutional. Through the AI executive order, Republicans are using state power to pressure private companies to adopt certain political viewpoints, in this case by pressuring the Big Tech companies to ensure that responses from AI chatbots meet some unspecified, vague definition of ideological neutrality. The details and implementation plan for this executive order remain unclear but it will create significant financial incentives for the Big Tech companies — many of whom have multi-million or multi-billion-dollar contracts with the federal government — to ensure their AI chatbots do not produce speech that would upset the Trump administration. This type of interference with private speech is precisely why the U.S. Constitution has a First Amendment.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Subcommittee Hearing on Civil Rights Division, Welch Releases New Materials Showing Changing Enforcement Priorities at DOJ

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, sent his colleagues a memorandum with the new policy statements provided to career attorneys at the Civil Rights Division, which have not been made public.
The policy statements, transmitted to nine of the eleven sections of the Civil Rights Division by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, largely replace long-standing enforcement priorities with President Trump’s executive orders and political priorities. The memo also sheds light on Assistant Attorney General Dhillon’s efforts to oust career attorneys through reassignments and resignations. Senator Welch’s office obtained data showing that since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, more than 368 individuals have left the Civil Rights Division and only two Section chiefs remain in place.
The directives in the memo have not been shared publicly by DOJ, which refused to provide them in response to a request by Senator Welch along with Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin, and Senators Hirono, Whitehouse, Schiff, Booker, and Padilla.
This afternoon, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution will hold a hearing on the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, with witnesses Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, plus Gene Hamilton, President, America First Legal, and Alabama State Senator Robert Stewart. State Senator Stewart represents Lowndes County, Alabama, where the Civil Rights Division recently withdrew from a settlement following an 18-month investigation which found that officials’ enforcement of sanitation laws threatened Lowndes County residents, who are largely rural and Black.
Read the Executive Summary from Senator Welch’s memo below:
“The new information contained in this memorandum demonstrates the extent to which the longstanding enforcement objectives of each of the Division’s sections have been narrowed, changed, and in some cases reversed under AAG Dhillon’s leadership to mirror and advance President Trump’s political agenda. As stated in multiple of the new policy directives:

The zealous and faithful pursuit of this section’s mission requires dedication of the section’s resources, actions, attention, and energy to the priorities and objectives of the President.

“Created by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, Congress charged the Civil Rights Division with enforcing federal statutes that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status. The Division is meant to prohibit discrimination in education, protect voting rights, prevent discrimination by federal funding recipients, investigate illegal bias in housing, and defend the rights of those with disabilities. It is common for the Division’s priorities to shift across presidential administrations, but the Division’s civil rights enforcement has always rested on this nonpartisan foundation.
“The new policy statements are woven together by a common thread—rather than prioritizing the enforcement of federal civil rights laws, career attorneys have been explicitly directed to faithfully and zealously dedicate their efforts to the “priorities and objectives of the President.” Most of the policy statements directly cite the President’s executive orders. Nearly half of the policy statements reference social issues President Trump has campaigned on, such as prohibiting gender-affirming care and preventing the “radical indoctrination” of elementary school students. Some policy statements fail to mention basic statutes the Division is tasked with enforcing.
“Also under AAG Dhillon’s leadership, career Division attorneys have been reassigned and pressured to resign. Since January 2025, more than 368 individuals have left the Division and only two Section Chiefs remain in place. There is no precedent, in the history of the Civil Rights Division, for dismantling the Division on this scale. AAG Dhillon has described her objective in leading the Division as “turning the train around and driving in the opposite direction[.]” She has done just that.”
Read and download the full memo here.
Senator Welch and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led their colleagues on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution in demanding answers from DOJ concerning the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department’s Civil Rights Division. The lawmakers expressed deep concerns about several directives issued by the Trump Administration that could jeopardize the Division’s work to enforce and protect the Constitutional and statutory civil rights of the American people.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: House Delegation Reintroduces Fair Representation Act to Reform Congressional Elections

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) today led a House delegation in reintroducing the Fair Representation Act, an election reform bill to address structural gerrymandering issues and extreme partisanship in federal elections. The bill would implement measures to elect U.S. House Representatives through ranked choice voting in multi-member districts drawn by independent redistricting commissions and would require ranked choice voting to elect U.S. Senators.

“Hyperpartisan gerrymandering has suppressed meaningful electoral competition, which in turn has allowed extremist ideologies to hijack our political discourse and sown public distrust of our political system,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Our Fair Representation Act would provide necessary solutions by implementing critical reforms to strengthen our electoral system, ensure every voter has their voice represented, and restore public trust. This is how we create a Congress made up of Members who prioritize pragmatic legislative results and solutions for the benefit of the American people.”

“Every day brings more bad news of gerrymandering, extreme gerrymandering and straight-up disenfranchisement,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin. “The Fair Representation Act is the opposite of all that: it brings democracy up to date in the 21^st century instead of turning the clock back to the white primaries, grandfather clauses, literacy tests and poll taxes of the 20^th century.”

“Nearly 9 in 10 Americans say elected officials don’t care what people like them think. We need ranked choice voting and proportional representation to make our government work for the American people,” said Meredith Sumpter, President and CEO of FairVote. “The Fair Representation Act gives voters more choice and more power. It would make our elections fairer and more competitive and offer a path away from gerrymandering and polarization. It would reward candidates and elected officials who build coalitions and work across the aisle to get things done for voters, rather than those who succeed by attacking and turning Americans against one another.”

Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are co-sponsors of the Fair Representation Act.

The legislation is supported by organizations including FairVote Action, RepresentUs, RepresentWomen, Rank the Vote, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, National Council of Jewish Women, Bridge Alliance Education Fund, People Power United, Divided We Fall, 7th Generation Labs, DemCast USA, National Black Justice Coalition, More Equitable Democracy Action, Voices for Progress, United Church of Christ, Voter Choice Massachusetts, N.C. For The People Action, League of Women Voters Rogue Valley, Ocean State RCV, Vote Nevada, FairVote Minnesota, Ranked Choice Voting Maryland, Rank The Vote Ohio, Voter Choice Arizona, Better Ballot NC, NH Ranked Choice Voting, Better Ballot SC.

Full text of the Fair Representation Act is available here with a one-pager available here. Additional resources are available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Reps. Castor, Tran Reintroduce “Keep Kids Covered Act” to Improve Outcomes, Lower Costs & Support Families Across America

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Derek Tran (CA-45) reintroduced legislation to provide continuous health care coverage for eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP. The Keep Kids Covered Act would expand the 12-month continuous eligibility (CE) protection for children, providing uninterrupted coverage for children until age 6 – a crucial time for their development – and for a 24-month period for children age 6 to 19.

Continuous eligibility requires states to cover children in CHIP and Medicaid for a defined period of time – without coverage lapse – regardless of changes in circumstances. Access to consistent, high-quality coverage is crucial for children’s development and well-being, particularly in their early years, enabling them to grow into healthy and productive adults. Not only does CE improve short- and long-term health coverage, it lowers costs and reduces churn and financial barriers to care. Too many children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP have lost coverage for procedural reasons, like missing paperwork. The Keep Kids Covered Act would ensure kids and families across the country have access to the lifesaving care they need and deserve. The bill would also ensure that former foster youth have CE until age 26, as the Affordable Care Act intended.

Over 37 million children rely on Medicaid and CHIP across the country, but Congressional Republicans’ Big Ugly Budget Bill puts children’s health at risk. At President Trump’s urging, they are cutting $1 trillion in funding from Medicaid, CHIP and the Affordable Care Act and enacting policies that will strip coverage from millions of children in order to give tax breaks to the wealthy and well-connected. Last week, President Trump announced that states will no longer be able to provide enhanced CE for kids with Medicaid and CHIP coverage. And in Florida, Governor DeSantis continues to break the law by throwing children off the state’s CHIP program in violation of the federal 12-month CE protection. Legislation like the Keep Kids Covered Act would act as a bulwark against these harmful state policies.

“In Florida and across the country, children pay the price when politicians rip health coverage away and create bureaucratic barriers to care,” said Rep. Castor. “The Keep Kids Covered Act will ensure eligible kids across the country can access reliable, stable Medicaid and CHIP coverage so they can live happy, healthy lives. Research has shown that children with health coverage do better in school and grow into more successful adults, lowering costs for everyone. While Congressional Republicans and President Trump have spent the past few months making it more difficult and expensive for kids to access critical health coverage, Democrats are fighting to protect our kids and their future. I’m grateful to my colleagues Rep. Derek Tran and Senator Michael Bennet, as well as the child and family advocates, for their partnership and support of this critical legislation.”

“As a father of young kids, I know how critical adequate health care is for our children to grow and thrive. No child should be denied access to medical treatment because President Trump and Congressional Republicans wanted to give their billionaire friends a tax break,” said Rep. Tran. “I’m proud to join Rep. Castor in introducing the Keep Kids Covered Act to bring down costs for hard-working families and ensure high-quality access to health care so all of our kids can stay healthy.”

“In the face of Republicans’ biggest attack on health care access yet, I’m grateful to Rep. Castor for her persistence in protecting health care for our nation’s children,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06). “As the Big Ugly Bill is set to take health care away from millions of Americans, Democrats will keep fighting to minimize coverage gaps, burdensome paperwork requirements, and price hikes for families. The Keep Kids Covered Act is a critical tool in this fight against Republican cuts and will ensure young children continue to have health care coverage.”

“Pediatricians know how vital it is that children have uninterrupted access to health care coverage that supports them as they grow and develop. As its name states, the Keep Kids Covered Act would help ensure children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP do not face gaps in coverage, providing families with certainty that their children can continue to receive the health care they need. The American Academy of Pediatrics thanks Representative Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) for introducing this important legislation and calls on lawmakers to swiftly advance it,” said Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, American Academy of Pediatrics President.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive, and no child should miss out on essential health care because of a lapse in coverage,” said Margaret A. Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP). “For more than 20 years, ACAP has advocated for continuous eligibility for all people covered by Medicaid. We’re pleased that Representative Castor’s reintroduction of the Keep Kids Covered Act advances this priority by ensuring continuous coverage for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.”

“First Focus Campaign for Children strongly supports the reintroduction of the Keep Kids Covered Act led by Representative Kathy Castor. The legislation makes an important investment in children by ensuring that they have continuous eligibility in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during their earliest and most critical years of development. This guarantee of coverage provides a powerful antidote to the recently passed budget reconciliation package, which cuts Medicaid and CHIP by hundreds of billions of dollars, jeopardizing the health and well-being of over 37 million children. The Keep Kids Covered Act is a practical, common-sense approach that will provide kids in Medicaid and CHIP with consistent health care coverage, laying a foundation of care that will benefit them throughout their lives.” — Bruce Lesley, President, First Focus Campaign for Children.

“Rep. Kathy Castor is fighting to protect children’s health care in the wake of Donald Trump and Republicans’ health care emergency,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Republicans’ actions are ripping coverage away from hard-working families and putting children at risk, but Democrats are working to ensure kids can stay covered and get the care they need to grow up healthy and strong. No child should lose care just because Republicans want to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.”

“Children’s hospitals witness the critical role Medicaid and CHIP play in providing essential care to more than half of the children they treat, particularly those with serious and complex medical needs. The Keep Kids Covered Act addresses the pressing issue of coverage gaps that can disrupt this vital care, ensuring that no child’s health suffers due to administrative hurdles. By providing continuous, multi-year coverage, this legislation offers much-needed stability and peace of mind to families facing challenging health circumstances. We commend Representatives Castor and Caraveo for their leadership in making sure all children have access to the consistent care they need to lead healthy, successful lives,” said Matthew Cook, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Association.

In addition to Reps. Castor and Tran, the Keep Kids Covered Act is cosponsored by Reps. Kim Schrier, Raul Ruiz, Marc Veasey, Nanette Barragán, Lizzie Fletcher, Greg Landsman, Jan Schakowsky, Jennifer McClellan, Darren Soto, Troy Carter, and Doris Matsui.

Endorsing organizations include: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Association, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, BayCare Health System—St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Child Welfare League of America, Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Hospitals Association, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Families USA, First Focus Campaign for Children, Florida Health Justice Project, Florida Policy Institute, Florida Voices for Health, March of Dimes, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Foster Youth Institute, National League for Nursing, Nemour Children’s Health, Primary Development Corporation, Protect Our Care, The Center for Law and Social Policy, UnidosUS, ZERO TO THREE.

The full bill text of the legislation can be viewed here.

A one-pager about the legislation is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025

MIL-OSI: QFSCOIN Launches the Most Profitable Platform for Yielding Crypto in 2025, Designed for Global Investors to Earn BTC, LTC, and DOGE coin

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York City, NY, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dogecoin (DOGE) is making headlines again, this time, not just for memes and social media hype. Recent on-chain data reveals that whales, the largest investors in the market, are quietly accumulating DOGE. If you want to catch this wave, QFSCOIN offers a seamless solution. With QFSCOIN, users can generate returns from Dogecoin, Bitcoin, and Litecoin directly, without needing any hardware. Daily payouts are automated, and it’s never been easier to start building your crypto income.

What On-Chain Data Tells Us About Dogecoin Whales
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Why Earn Dogecoin with QFSCOIN Right Now?
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The MIL Network –

July 24, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Lawler Introduces Legislation Modernizing Post-Assad Syria Sanctions Policy
Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

Washington, D.C. – 7/17/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and House Financial Services Committee member, introduced the Syria Sanctions Accountability Act, legislation to modernize U.S. sanctions policy for a post-Assad Syria.

“This bill modernizes the existing sanctions regime on Syria, requires assessments on existing sanctions relief provisions, and sets out goals for the Syrian government to meet anti-money laundering and anti-corruption standards. As the Trump Administration is already reviewing sanctions policy, we must ensure they have the tools to do so that reflect the current security environment,” said Chairman Lawler.

The Syria Sanctions Accountability Act:
- Directs the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to provide a briefing to Congress on the exceptive relief for the Commercial Bank of Syria.
- Instructs U.S. representatives to the IMF and World Bank to support regular economic monitoring in Syria, processes to improve financial connectivity in Syria, and priorities related to anti-money laundering, weapons non-proliferation, and anti-corruption policies in Syria.
- Requires a formal assessment from the Export-Import Bank on the appropriateness of current country limitations concerning Syria.
- Updates the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act by updating conditions to lift sanctions. This includes requiring the Syrian government to take verifiable steps to combat illicit proliferation of Captagon, ensuring the Syrian government is not engaged in the targeting or extrajudicial detention of religious minorities, and removing references to Russia and Iran that were originally placed in the law due to Assad’s relationship with these adversarial regimes.
“The al-Sharaa Administration certainly has a lot of work to do to reintegrate Syria with the U.S. and our allies. While this job should be difficult given the circumstances, it shouldn’t be impossible,” concluded Chairman Lawler.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lawler Introduces MAMDANI Act to Examine Risks of Government-Run Grocery Stores

Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

Washington, D.C. – 7/23/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Measuring Adverse Market Disruption And National Impact (MAMDANI) Act, legislation that directs the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a comprehensive study into the competitive, economic, and supply chain impacts of government-owned grocery stores.

As municipalities across the country, including some in New York, entertain proposals to open public grocery stores, this legislation calls on the FTC to investigate potential consequences of using taxpayer dollars to compete against local, private-sector grocers.

The MAMDANI Act requires the FTC, in coordination with USDA agencies, to evaluate the downstream effects these government-run entities could have on food prices, consumer access, farmers, charitable food organizations, and the long-term health of the retail grocery market.

“Government-run grocery stores raise serious questions about market fairness and taxpayer accountability,” said Congressman Lawler. “The MAMDANI Act ensures we carefully assess the potential impacts of such proposals before public funds are committed, or they risk undermining local businesses and disrupting supply chains, ultimately leaving consumers worse off,” said Congressman Lawler.

By mandating an analysis of how public grocery stores might affect prices received by producers, purchasing power in food supply chains, and whether these initiatives actually address food deserts or simply create a new layer of government-run inefficiency, the bill aims to ensure that policymakers fully understand the potential consequences before embracing such proposals.

The FTC’s findings will be submitted in a public report to Congress and updated annually with recommendations for legislative or regulatory action.

“Zohran Mamdani’s push for government-owned grocery stores is straight out of the Marxist playbook, and history shows exactly how this experiment ends. New Yorkers deserve solutions, not socialist fantasies that have failed spectacularly every time they’ve been tried,” concluded Congressman Lawler.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Canada invests in services to support economic integration and fill labour market shortages
Source: Government of Canada News (2)

July 23, 2025—Ottawa— Canada’s new government has a mandate to build a strong economy by attracting the best talent in the world and filling key labour shortages.

Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced more than $3.2 billion over three years across more than 520 organizations outside Quebec to improve the integration of newcomers, including into the job market and to reduce labour shortages.

Settlement services are essential to filling vacancies in high demand sectors such as health care and skilled trades. With increased economic integration, newcomers can apply their skills quickly, fill critical labour gaps, and boost productivity.

Funding will be provided to local organizations to deliver tailored services that recognize regional considerations and needs, instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Services will include:
- support with getting a licence or certification in a regulated profession
- providing job-specific and general language training in English and French
- supporting French-speaking newcomers to integrate into francophone communities outside Quebec
These services will help newcomers build successful lives in Canada by supporting their economic, social, and cultural integration into communities across the country.

With an outcomes focused approach, Canada will attract a strong workforce and build one Canadian economy – the strongest economy in the G7.

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Canada advances initiatives to protect the right to a healthy environment and enhance chemicals management
Source: Government of Canada News (2)

July 23, 2025 – Gatineau, Quebec

To protect human health and the environment for future generations, the federal government is taking decisive action. Recognizing the deep interconnection between Canadian health and the environment, these sustainable efforts will create a clean and safe environment for all.

The Government of Canada is now releasing:
- the Implementation Framework for the Right to a Healthy Environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)
- the Plan of Priorities for chemicals management
- the Strategy to Replace, Reduce or Refine Vertebrate Animal Testing under CEPA
These publications are key requirements under the modernized Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA).

The Implementation Framework sets out the meaning of the right to a healthy environment and provides guidance on how the Government of Canada considers this right in the administration of CEPA. The Framework provides a new lens for decision-making to support and encourage strong protection of both the environment and people who may be disproportionally impacted by pollution, now and in the future.

The Plan of Priorities outlines upcoming initiatives to address chemical substances in Canada. It includes a list of substances to be assessed and elaborates on activities that support the assessment, control, and management of risks posed by substances. This Plan builds on Canada’s existing strong foundation for chemicals management.

Linked to the Plan of Priorities, the Strategy to Replace, Reduce or Refine Vertebrate Animal Testing will help guide continued efforts toward the replacement, reduction, or refinement of vertebrate animal testing under CEPA.

These initiatives work together to help protect the environment and the health of all people in Canada.

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Protecting the right to a healthy environment under the modernized Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and enhancing chemicals management
Source: Government of Canada News

Recent amendments of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) required the Government of Canada to develop a framework for the right to a healthy environment under CEPA. They also required the Government to publish a plan to address chemical substances and to guide efforts to replace, reduce, or refine vertebrate animal testing. The Government delivered on these commitments by publishing the Implementation Framework for the Right to a Healthy Environment under CEPA; the Plan of Priorities; and the Strategy to Replace, Reduce, or Refine Vertebrate Animal Testing.

The Right to a Healthy Environment under CEPA

The Implementation Framework elaborates on the meaning of the Right to a Healthy Environment (the Right) under CEPA. It provides guidance for CEPA decision-makers on how to consider the Right in the administration of CEPA.

As per the Framework, the Right to a Healthy Environment under CEPA includes substantive and procedural elements. The substantive elements build on the definition of a healthy environment and include the right of every individual in Canada to live in an environment that is protected from harmful substances, pollutants, and waste; and where actions under CEPA contribute to clean and healthy air and water, a sustainable climate, and healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. The procedural elements of the Right include access to information and participation in decision-making.

The Framework elaborates on three new principles, namely environmental justice, intergenerational equity, and non-regression and describes how they will be considered in the administration of the Act to fulfil the duty to uphold these principles.

Additionally, the framework elaborates on how respect for Indigenous rights informs CEPA decision-making and recognizes the role of Indigenous knowledge in informing decisions about protecting the environment and human health. In collaboration with Indigenous peoples, guidance on bridging, braiding, and weaving Indigenous knowledge with western science will be developed to support CEPA decision-makers.

The Framework also describes five of the relevant factors—environmental, scientific, social, health, and economic—that can be considered in interpreting and applying the Right and in determining the reasonable limits to which it is subject.

In the administration of CEPA, the Government of Canada will aim to fulfill its duty of protecting the right to a healthy environment, as it relates to the substantive elements, through consideration of the procedural elements, CEPA principles, and relevant factors described above, recognizing the Right is subject to reasonable limits.

The Government of Canada engaged with the public, Indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, and industry stakeholders during consultations in the spring and fall of 2024 to help inform the development of the Implementation Framework.

A new web portal offers more information on actions and decisions made under CEPA and gives the public an opportunity to provide input.

A transition period for the implementation of the Framework is in place to continue to advance timely CEPA decisions and actions. This will prevent negative impacts on the environment and human health while the Right to a Healthy Environment is being fully integrated into the administration of the Act.

Plan of Priorities

The Plan of Priorities outlines upcoming priorities to address substances to protect the health of people in Canada and the environment. It includes a list of more than 30 substances and substance groups (comprising approximately 500 chemicals) prioritized for assessment and includes new or expanded activities to help assess, control, and manage risks posed by substances.

In selecting and prioritizing these substances, the Plan took into account key considerations, including:
- substances that are hazardous to human health and/or the environment, including carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxicants, as well as endocrine disrupting substances
- substances that are impacting populations or environments that may be at increased risk, due to either greater exposure or greater susceptibility
- substances with the potential to contribute to cumulative risks
- very hazardous substances that are capable of long-range transport
- substances with known hazardous properties that are used in products available to consumers
- potential substitutes for substances with known toxicity
The input and feedback received during the public consultation on the Proposed Plan of Priorities in the fall of 2024 was used to help refine the current Plan.

Moving forward, the Plan must be reviewed every eight years. The list of substances prioritized for assessment may also be amended from time to time, based on, for example, the emergence of new science, or through the new public request for assessment mechanism. Amendments to the Plan will be publicly communicated and consulted on.

Through implementation of the Plan of Priorities and the administration of chemicals management, the Government commits to upholding the principle of environmental justice and protecting the right to a healthy environment provided for in CEPA. Stakeholders and the public will be invited to participate in public consultations as the Plan is implemented.

Reducing reliance on vertebrate animal testing

The modernized CEPA recognizes the need to replace, reduce, or refine the use of vertebrate animal testing when assessing the potential harms that substances may pose to human health and the environment.

As part of the Plan of Priorities, Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada have developed a strategy to guide efforts to replace, reduce, or refine vertebrate animal toxicity testing. This strategy builds on:
- the major milestone announced by Health Canada in June 2023 regarding the end of cosmetic animal testing in Canada under the Food and Drugs Act
- the work underway to amend the New Substances Notification Regulations (NSNR) under CEPA to integrate greater flexibility to include alternative methods to vertebrate animal toxicity testing
This strategy considers input and feedback received during the public consultations on the related notice of intent, which closed in January 2024, and the draft strategy, which closed in November 2024.

The strategy is intended to be flexible. Its implementation will reflect and keep pace with emerging science and technology, including ongoing engagement with people living in Canada, Indigenous partners, stakeholders, and collaborations with national and international partners.

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Bon Air Man Pleads Guilty to Involvement in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Source: US FBI

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

DeVaughn Faulk, 28, of the Bon Air neighborhood of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between March 2024 and July 2024, Faulk participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, both Schedule II controlled substances, by functioning as a redistributor of street-level amounts of both substances.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for November 12, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Faulk will remain in custody.

Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Kelly M. Locher are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Faulk.

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

MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Bon Air Man Pleads Guilty to Involvement in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Source: US FBI

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

DeVaughn Faulk, 28, of the Bon Air neighborhood of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between March 2024 and July 2024, Faulk participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, both Schedule II controlled substances, by functioning as a redistributor of street-level amounts of both substances.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for November 12, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Faulk will remain in custody.

Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Kelly M. Locher are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Faulk.

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

MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Bringing family justice services to more Albertans
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is investing an additional $3.2 million for a total of $11.2 million for the Family Justice Strategy to give more Albertans a streamlined and consistent process to access family justice services. The Family Justice Strategy helps families resolve matters outside the courts to reduce the stress on children and parents during an already difficult time.

“We’re making it easier for Albertans to resolve family matters by expanding access to pre-court services. This investment means more communities will benefit from simpler, faster supports that put families first.”

Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

This additional funding will support an expansion of the strategy to Grande Prairie, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan. The Family Justice Strategy directs Albertans to pre-court services that help people either avoid making a court appearance or better understand the process if they do go to court.

This includes:
- Forms of dispute resolution such as mediation, where people meet with a neutral mediator to discuss issues including parenting, child support and spousal support.
- An online Parenting After Separation course for all parents with minor children.
- A meeting with a family court counsellor for anyone representing themselves.
These services are meant to help Albertans resolve their family law issues in a manner that emphasizes the best interests of the child, lessens the hardship between separating parents and promotes family wellness.

“The continued expansion of the Alberta Family Justice Strategy throughout the province represents a significant achievement in the collective efforts of justice sector partners. We look forward to continued innovations in our justice system, which will serve to improve court processes and advance access to justice for Alberta families.”

Robert D.L. Bassett, president, Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch

After launching in Edmonton and Calgary in December 2023, the Family Justice Strategy was implemented in Red Deer on March 17. Since the strategy was launched, more than 69,000 Albertans have accessed pre-court services helping them resolve their family law issues.

Quick facts
- There was a 33 per cent increase in the number of matters resolved by Alberta Justice dispute resolution programs, such as mediation, in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2023.
- Since its launch, 42,536 Albertans have accessed the Alberta Family Resolution Hub.
- The Family Resolution Hub supports the Family Justice Strategy by giving Albertans an online tool for discovering their options and next steps to resolve a legal family dispute.
Related information
- Family Resolution Hub
Related news
- Empowering Albertans dealing with family law matters (April 15, 2024)
- Increasing access to family justice services (Dec. 1, 2023)
MIL OSI Canada News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Freshwater fishing licence sales streamlined to B.C.’s WILD system
Recreational freshwater anglers will soon be able to buy B.C. freshwater fishing licences through the Wildlife Information and Licensing Data system (WILD), bringing fishing and hunting licensing into one convenient online platform.

Starting in fall 2025, people who are not already registered in the WILD system can create a profile and obtain a free Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) in preparation for the 2026–27 licence year. An FWID will be needed to purchase a freshwater fishing licence when sales open in WILD in spring 2026.

Currently, people access WILD using a Basic BCeID. This fall, B.C. residents and people who reside in Canada outside of B.C. will also have the option to log in using their BC Services Card account. This secure and convenient new method automates identity and residency verification, helping reduce administrative workload, reduce wait times and enhance the user experience. People who do not reside in Canada will need to use or create a Basic BCeID to access and obtain an FWID online in WILD.

Since its launch in 2016, WILD has improved public access to hunting applications and authorizations and helped government process applications faster. Over the past five years, roughly 93% of all limited entry hunting applications and 30% of all hunting licences were purchased online through WILD.

B.C. is home to some of the world’s most renowned freshwater fishing destinations, attracting residents and visitors alike. Recreational fishing also supports local economies, particularly in rural and tourism-dependent communities.

Expanding WILD to include freshwater fishing licence sales will further streamline the licensing process for stakeholders and government, improve data collection, and support informed decision-making for fish and wildlife management.

Quick Facts:
- Licence fees for freshwater fishing licences help fund research, conservation and education programs, improve angler access and the provincial stocking program through the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. (https://www.gofishbc.com/).
- Conservation surcharge fees provide grants for fish conservation projects through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (https://hctf.ca/).
- A Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) is mandatory and will provide access to licences for approximately 350,000 anglers who fish in B.C. each year.
- Anglers can register for their FWID online through WILD or in person at retailers.
Learn More:

To read details about WILD System Quick Reference Guides, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/hunting/wild-system/quick-reference-guides

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Starting July 27, Washington will be the first state in the nation to implement a uniform antitrust premerger notification law
Source: Washington State News

SEATTLE – Starting July 27, Washington will be the first state in the nation to require companies to file a premerger notification to the Washington Attorney General’s Office at the same time that they file a premerger notification to the federal government under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, ensuring the state will have more lead time to analyze mergers for possible anticompetitive effects.

When companies plan acquisitions or mergers of a certain size, they’re required to file a premerger notification to the federal government under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act. Under a new state law, companies based in Washington, or that do a certain amount of relevant sales here, will be required to contemporaneously submit the same notification to the attorney general. There’s no fee for the state notification filing.

The Office of the Attorney General’s Antitrust Division is responsible for enforcing federal and state antitrust laws. Division attorneys and professional staff evaluate mergers to determine if they are likely to create or enhance market power. The Legislature passed SB 5122 earlier this year to make it easier for state antitrust enforcers to be notified in a timely way when companies in Washington are planning mergers or acquisitions that could impact consumers.

“Washington is a trailblazer for the rest of the nation in adopting a premerger notification law,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “This will allow state antitrust enforcers to protect consumer interests in an even more effective way.”

The premerger notification requirement applies to companies or individuals that:
- Have a principal place of business in Washington state,
- Directly or indirectly, have annual net sales in this state of goods or services involved in the proposed merger transaction of at least 20% of the HSR filing threshold (20% of the 2025 HSR filing threshold is $25.28 million), or
- Are health care providers.
Since 2019, Washington has required premerger notification for acquisitions or mergers involving hospitals, hospital systems, and provider organizations, and that law remains in effect.

-30-

Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties.

Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

Media Contact:

Email: press@atg.wa.gov

Phone: (360) 753-2727

General contacts: Click here

Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces More Than $2 Million for Great Trails State Program Projects in Eastern North Carolina
Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Governor Stein Announces More Than $2 Million for Great Trails State Program Projects in Eastern North Carolina

Governor Stein Announces More Than $2 Million for Great Trails State Program Projects in Eastern North Carolina
lsaito
Wed, 07/23/2025 – 14:02

Raleigh, NC
Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded more than $2.6 million to trail development and restoration projects in eastern North Carolina. These funds were authorized by the General Assembly as part of the Great Trails State Program.

“Eastern North Carolina and the Carolina coast are some of our state’s greatest assets – and a great draw to bring people to enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This funding will help eastern North Carolina increase tourism, improve quality of life, and introduce more people to our state’s natural beauty.”

“Trails bring incredible benefits to both urban and rural communities, boosting tourism and economic development,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “This generous funding, made possible by the N.C. General Assembly, will help transform the state trails system in the Great Trails State.”

The Great Trails State Program was established through the General Assembly in 2023, representing a historic investment of $25 million in North Carolina trails. The program offers matching grants to North Carolina local governments, public authorities, NC Regional Councils of Government, and nonprofit organizations.

These awards include projects at more than 70 local trails throughout the state, helping to solidify North Carolina as the Great Trails State. In eastern North Carolina, 10 local trail projects will benefit from $2,634,785 in Great Trails State Program funding, including designing the South Croatan Highway, reconstruction at Greenfield Park in Wilmington, and enhancing and expanding trails and boardwalks throughout the region. Last week, Governor Stein announced $11 million in funding to create and restore western North Carolina trails.

“The 125 member organizations of the Great Trails State Coalition thank the North Carolina General Assembly for creating and funding the Great Trails State Program,” said Palmer McIntyre, director of the N.C. Great Trails State Coalition. “This visionary investment in all types of trails across the state will deliver transformative economic, health, and quality-of-life benefits for communities of all sizes. The Coalition will continue to work alongside N.C. State Parks to support this program.”

Local communities applied for grants to fund new trail development or to extend existing trails. This includes paved trails or greenways, natural surface trails, biking trails, equestrian trails, and any other type of trail the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources recognizes. Projects could include planning and feasibility studies, design and engineering, acquisition of lands for trail development, trail construction, and maintenance of existing trails. Applicants were required to provide matching funds, based on their county tier designation. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation received 89 applications requesting $28 million, and 79 projects were selected. More than $44.5 million was provided in matching funds for a total trail investment exceeding $69.3 million.

Eastern North Carolina grant recipients and amounts:
- Dare County: Town of Nags Head, $100,000 for Design for South Croatan Highway multi-use path extension
- Dare County: Dare County, $269,000 for Marshall & Gussie Collins Walkway Maintenance Project
- Edgecombe County: Freedom Org, $265,985 for Princeville Heritage Trail Expansion
- Edgecombe and Nash Counties: City of Rocky Mount, $162,600 for Tar River Paddle Trail Access Renovation (Mile 88 to 124)
- Martin County: Roanoke River Partners, Inc., $400,000 for Hamilton Rosenwald River Center and Amenities
- New Hanover County: City of Wilmington, $500,000 for Bridge and Boardwalk Reconstruction in Greenfield Park
- Pasquotank County: City of Elizabeth City, $100,000 for Pasquotank Blueways Feasibility Study
- Pender County: East Coast Greenway Alliance, $177,200 for East Coast Greenway Country Club Dr. Corridor NC-210 MUP
- Perquimans County: Town of Hertford, $160,000 for Hertford Riverfront Boardwalk Plan
- Pitt County: City of Greenville, $500,000 for Wildwood Park to River Park North Boardwalk
Jul 23, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Immigration courts hiding the names of ICE lawyers goes against centuries of precedent and legal ethics requiring transparency in courts

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Cassandra Burke Robertson, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Professional Ethics, Case Western Reserve University

Some immigration courts have allowed ICE attorneys to conceal their names during proceedings. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images

Something unusual is happening in U.S. immigration courts. Government lawyers are refusing to give their names during public hearings.

In June 2025, Immigration Judge ShaSha Xu in New York City reportedly told lawyers in her courtroom: “We’re not really doing names publicly.” Only the government lawyers’ names were hidden – the immigrants’ attorneys had to give their names as usual. Xu cited privacy concerns, saying, “Things lately have changed.”

When one immigration lawyer objected that the court record would be incomplete without the government attorney’s name, Xu reportedly refused to provide it. In another case, New York immigration Judge James McCarthy in July referred to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, attorney as merely “Department” throughout the hearing.

New York immigration Judge Shirley Lazare-Raphael told The Intercept that some ICE attorneys believe it is “dangerous to state their names publicly.” This follows a broader pattern of ICE agents wearing masks during arrests to hide their identities.

This secrecy violates a fundamental principle that has protected Americans for centuries: open courts. Here’s how those courts operate and why the principle governing them matters.

Hiding of ICE attorneys’ names in court fits a broader pattern seen here outside a New York immigration courtroom of ICE agents wearing masks.
AP Photo/Olga Fedorova

‘Presumption of openness’

The U.S. legal system is built on openness, with multiple layers of legal protection that guarantee public access to court proceedings.

This tradition of open courts developed as a direct rejection of secret judicial proceedings that had been used to abuse power in England. The notorious Star Chamber operated in secret from the 15th to 17th centuries, initially trying people “too powerful to be brought before ordinary common-law courts.”

But the Star Chamber eventually became a tool of oppression, using torture to obtain confessions and punishing jurors who ruled against the Crown. Parliament abolished it in 1641 after widespread abuses.

By the time American colonial courts were established, the reaction against the Star Chamber had already shaped English legal thinking toward openness. American courts adopted this principle of transparency from the beginning, rejecting the secretive proceedings that had enabled abuse.

Today, the term “star chamber” refers to any secret court proceeding that seems grossly unfair or is used to persecute individuals.

In the U.S., courts have repeatedly emphasized that “justice faces its gravest threat when courts dispense it secretly.” The First Amendment gives the public a right to observe judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court has ruled that “a presumption of openness inheres in the very nature of a criminal trial under our system of justice.”

Every federal appeals court has recognized that this constitutional right extends to civil cases too, with some exceptions such as protecting “the parties’ privacy, confidential business information, or trade secrets.” Federal court rules require that trials be “conducted in open court” and that witness testimony be “taken in open court unless otherwise provided.”

Many state constitutions also guarantee open courts – such as Oregon’s mandate that “no court shall be secret.”

While there’s no explicit law requiring attorneys to be publicly named, there’s also no policy allowing their names to be kept secret. The presumption is always toward openness.

In response to these recent developments, law professor Elissa Steglich said that she’d “never heard of someone in open court not being identified,” and that failing to identify an attorney could impair accountability “if there are unethical or professional concerns.”

Rules for anonymity

Courts sometimes allow anonymity, but only in specific circumstances.

Juries can be anonymous when there’s “substantial danger of harm or undue influence,” as legal expert Michael Crowell writes – like in high-profile organized crime cases or when defendants have tried to intimidate witnesses before. Even then, the lawyers still know the jurors’ names.

Similarly, parties to a lawsuit can sometimes use pseudonyms like “Jane Doe” when the case involves highly sensitive matters such as sexual abuse, or when there’s a real risk of physical retaliation.

But these rare exceptions require careful court review.

What’s happening with ICE attorneys is different. There’s no formal court ruling allowing it, no specific safety findings and no established legal process.

Immigration courts have fewer protections

Immigration courts operate differently from regular federal courts. They are so-called “administrative courts” that are part of the executive branch, not the judicial branch.

These courts decide claims involving an individual’s right to stay in the U.S., either when the government seeks to remove someone from the country for violating immigration law or when an individual seeks to stay in the country through the asylum process.

Immigration judges lack the lifetime job protections that regular federal judges have. As executive branch government employees, they can be hired and fired, just like other Department of Justice employees.

People in immigration court also have fewer procedural protections than criminal defendants. They have no right to court-appointed counsel and must represent themselves unless they can afford to hire an attorney. The majority of immigrants appear without an attorney. Outcomes are better for those who can afford to hire counsel.

Immigration court records are also less accessible to the public than other federal court proceedings.

For years, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the nation’s highest immigration court, made less than 1% of its opinions publicly available. A federal court ruled that public disclosure was required; the Board of Immigration Appeals now posts its decisions online.

However, lower immigration court decisions are rarely made public.

Because immigration courts operate with less oversight than regular federal courts, public observation becomes more critical.

Open courts aren’t just about legal procedure – they’re about democracy itself. When the public can observe how justice is administered, it builds confidence that the system is fair.

Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on July 21, 2025, in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Court watching protects transparency

Court watching has become an important way for citizens to ensure due process is honored, especially in immigration cases.

Observers can monitor whether proper legal procedures are being followed. They can watch for signs that attorneys are prepared, treating people respectfully and following court rules – regardless of whether those attorneys identify themselves.

Observers help track trends such as lack of legal representation, language barriers or procedural unfairness that can inform advocacy for reforms. This kind of public oversight is especially important in immigration court, where people often don’t have lawyers and may not understand their rights.

When community members bear witness to these proceedings, it helps ensure the system operates fairly and transparently.

Professional ethics and accountability

As a law professor who runs a law school’s Center for Professional Ethics, I can say that while there’s no specific law forcing ICE attorneys to identify themselves, they are still bound by rules of professional conduct that require accountability and transparency.

State bar associations have clear standards about attorney conduct in court proceedings. The American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct emphasize that lawyers are “officers of the legal system” with duties to uphold its integrity.

Immigration judges, despite being government employees rather than lifetime-tenured federal judges, are also bound by judicial conduct codes that require them to uphold public confidence in the justice system. When judges allow or encourage anonymity without formal procedures or safety findings, they risk violating these ethical obligations.

Bar associations can investigate professional conduct violations and impose sanctions ranging from reprimands to suspension or disbarment. While enforcement against federal government lawyers has historically been uncommon, sustained documentation by court observers can provide the evidence needed for formal complaints.

While government attorneys, judges and other court personnel may face real safety concerns, hiding their identities in open court is unprecedented and breaks with centuries of legal tradition that requires accountability and transparency in our justice system.

As pressure mounts to process immigration cases quickly, courts are ethically and legally bound to ensure that speed doesn’t come at the expense of fundamental fairness and transparency.

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

– ref. Immigration courts hiding the names of ICE lawyers goes against centuries of precedent and legal ethics requiring transparency in courts – https://theconversation.com/immigration-courts-hiding-the-names-of-ice-lawyers-goes-against-centuries-of-precedent-and-legal-ethics-requiring-transparency-in-courts-261452

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Immigration courts hiding the names of ICE lawyers goes against centuries of precedent and legal ethics requiring transparency in courts

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Cassandra Burke Robertson, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Professional Ethics, Case Western Reserve University

Some immigration courts have allowed ICE attorneys to conceal their names during proceedings. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images

Something unusual is happening in U.S. immigration courts. Government lawyers are refusing to give their names during public hearings.

In June 2025, Immigration Judge ShaSha Xu in New York City reportedly told lawyers in her courtroom: “We’re not really doing names publicly.” Only the government lawyers’ names were hidden – the immigrants’ attorneys had to give their names as usual. Xu cited privacy concerns, saying, “Things lately have changed.”

When one immigration lawyer objected that the court record would be incomplete without the government attorney’s name, Xu reportedly refused to provide it. In another case, New York immigration Judge James McCarthy in July referred to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, attorney as merely “Department” throughout the hearing.

New York immigration Judge Shirley Lazare-Raphael told The Intercept that some ICE attorneys believe it is “dangerous to state their names publicly.” This follows a broader pattern of ICE agents wearing masks during arrests to hide their identities.

This secrecy violates a fundamental principle that has protected Americans for centuries: open courts. Here’s how those courts operate and why the principle governing them matters.

Hiding of ICE attorneys’ names in court fits a broader pattern seen here outside a New York immigration courtroom of ICE agents wearing masks.
AP Photo/Olga Fedorova

‘Presumption of openness’

The U.S. legal system is built on openness, with multiple layers of legal protection that guarantee public access to court proceedings.

This tradition of open courts developed as a direct rejection of secret judicial proceedings that had been used to abuse power in England. The notorious Star Chamber operated in secret from the 15th to 17th centuries, initially trying people “too powerful to be brought before ordinary common-law courts.”

But the Star Chamber eventually became a tool of oppression, using torture to obtain confessions and punishing jurors who ruled against the Crown. Parliament abolished it in 1641 after widespread abuses.

By the time American colonial courts were established, the reaction against the Star Chamber had already shaped English legal thinking toward openness. American courts adopted this principle of transparency from the beginning, rejecting the secretive proceedings that had enabled abuse.

Today, the term “star chamber” refers to any secret court proceeding that seems grossly unfair or is used to persecute individuals.

In the U.S., courts have repeatedly emphasized that “justice faces its gravest threat when courts dispense it secretly.” The First Amendment gives the public a right to observe judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court has ruled that “a presumption of openness inheres in the very nature of a criminal trial under our system of justice.”

Every federal appeals court has recognized that this constitutional right extends to civil cases too, with some exceptions such as protecting “the parties’ privacy, confidential business information, or trade secrets.” Federal court rules require that trials be “conducted in open court” and that witness testimony be “taken in open court unless otherwise provided.”

Many state constitutions also guarantee open courts – such as Oregon’s mandate that “no court shall be secret.”

While there’s no explicit law requiring attorneys to be publicly named, there’s also no policy allowing their names to be kept secret. The presumption is always toward openness.

In response to these recent developments, law professor Elissa Steglich said that she’d “never heard of someone in open court not being identified,” and that failing to identify an attorney could impair accountability “if there are unethical or professional concerns.”

Rules for anonymity

Courts sometimes allow anonymity, but only in specific circumstances.

Juries can be anonymous when there’s “substantial danger of harm or undue influence,” as legal expert Michael Crowell writes – like in high-profile organized crime cases or when defendants have tried to intimidate witnesses before. Even then, the lawyers still know the jurors’ names.

Similarly, parties to a lawsuit can sometimes use pseudonyms like “Jane Doe” when the case involves highly sensitive matters such as sexual abuse, or when there’s a real risk of physical retaliation.

But these rare exceptions require careful court review.

What’s happening with ICE attorneys is different. There’s no formal court ruling allowing it, no specific safety findings and no established legal process.

Immigration courts have fewer protections

Immigration courts operate differently from regular federal courts. They are so-called “administrative courts” that are part of the executive branch, not the judicial branch.

These courts decide claims involving an individual’s right to stay in the U.S., either when the government seeks to remove someone from the country for violating immigration law or when an individual seeks to stay in the country through the asylum process.

Immigration judges lack the lifetime job protections that regular federal judges have. As executive branch government employees, they can be hired and fired, just like other Department of Justice employees.

People in immigration court also have fewer procedural protections than criminal defendants. They have no right to court-appointed counsel and must represent themselves unless they can afford to hire an attorney. The majority of immigrants appear without an attorney. Outcomes are better for those who can afford to hire counsel.

Immigration court records are also less accessible to the public than other federal court proceedings.

For years, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the nation’s highest immigration court, made less than 1% of its opinions publicly available. A federal court ruled that public disclosure was required; the Board of Immigration Appeals now posts its decisions online.

However, lower immigration court decisions are rarely made public.

Because immigration courts operate with less oversight than regular federal courts, public observation becomes more critical.

Open courts aren’t just about legal procedure – they’re about democracy itself. When the public can observe how justice is administered, it builds confidence that the system is fair.

Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on July 21, 2025, in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Court watching protects transparency

Court watching has become an important way for citizens to ensure due process is honored, especially in immigration cases.

Observers can monitor whether proper legal procedures are being followed. They can watch for signs that attorneys are prepared, treating people respectfully and following court rules – regardless of whether those attorneys identify themselves.

Observers help track trends such as lack of legal representation, language barriers or procedural unfairness that can inform advocacy for reforms. This kind of public oversight is especially important in immigration court, where people often don’t have lawyers and may not understand their rights.

When community members bear witness to these proceedings, it helps ensure the system operates fairly and transparently.

Professional ethics and accountability

As a law professor who runs a law school’s Center for Professional Ethics, I can say that while there’s no specific law forcing ICE attorneys to identify themselves, they are still bound by rules of professional conduct that require accountability and transparency.

State bar associations have clear standards about attorney conduct in court proceedings. The American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct emphasize that lawyers are “officers of the legal system” with duties to uphold its integrity.

Immigration judges, despite being government employees rather than lifetime-tenured federal judges, are also bound by judicial conduct codes that require them to uphold public confidence in the justice system. When judges allow or encourage anonymity without formal procedures or safety findings, they risk violating these ethical obligations.

Bar associations can investigate professional conduct violations and impose sanctions ranging from reprimands to suspension or disbarment. While enforcement against federal government lawyers has historically been uncommon, sustained documentation by court observers can provide the evidence needed for formal complaints.

While government attorneys, judges and other court personnel may face real safety concerns, hiding their identities in open court is unprecedented and breaks with centuries of legal tradition that requires accountability and transparency in our justice system.

As pressure mounts to process immigration cases quickly, courts are ethically and legally bound to ensure that speed doesn’t come at the expense of fundamental fairness and transparency.

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

– ref. Immigration courts hiding the names of ICE lawyers goes against centuries of precedent and legal ethics requiring transparency in courts – https://theconversation.com/immigration-courts-hiding-the-names-of-ice-lawyers-goes-against-centuries-of-precedent-and-legal-ethics-requiring-transparency-in-courts-261452

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hinson Introduces the Save Our Bacon Act to Block California’s Radical Prop 12, Protect Interstate Commerce
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01)

Bill ensures all Americans can continue to enjoy Iowa Ag Products & blocks blue-state bacon bans
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced the Save Our Bacon Act to protect access to interstate commerce for Iowa family farmers and lower grocery prices for consumers. California and Massachusetts have proposed arbitrary mandates on production practices for farmers in other states. The Save Our Bacon Act would alleviate this overregulation by prohibiting state and local governments from interfering with the production of livestock in other states.

“California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3 pose a major threat to family farms and food security—both in Iowa and across the country. The Save Our Bacon Act reaffirms livestock producers’ right to sell their products across state lines, without interference from arbitrary mandates. This legislation will stop out-of-touch activists—who don’t know the first thing about farming—from dictating how Iowa farmers do their job.

“Since day one in Congress, I’ve fought to keep food affordable and protect local producers. Under the Trump Administration, rural America will continue to be at the forefront of policy conversations that impact producers’ ability to feed and fuel the world—and there will be no bacon ban on my watch.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

“With Proposition 12, California has set out-of-touch, arbitrary requirements for how producers should operate their farming businesses. California activists now claim to know what’s best for the producers who have raised livestock from generation to generation. The Save Our Bacon Act will allow Iowa’s farmers to continue doing what they do best – feeding our country and the world.” – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds

“California needs to keep its hands off our bacon. No other state should dictate how Iowans farm, let alone California’s bureaucrats. The Save Our Bacon Act stops California’s overreach, protects hog farmers, and lets states like Iowa regulate how their own farmers raise livestock. I want to thank Representative Hinson for her work on this important legislation, and I urge Congress to pass it and stand up for livestock producers across the nation.” – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird

“I applaud Congresswoman Hinson for introducing legislation to address the overreach of California’s Prop 12 and restore robust interstate commerce. As the nation’s leading pork-producing state, Iowa plays a critical role in maintaining the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food supply in the world. Allowing states like California to dictate farming practices only creates a patchwork of requirements that drive up production costs and food prices for consumers. This important legislation, which previously earned bipartisan support in the House Agriculture Committee’s passage of last year’s Farm Bill, is essential to safeguarding Iowa’s agriculture and preventing any single state from setting a precedent that undermines the foundation of our food supply. This legislation would protect Iowa’s farmers from burdensome out-of-state regulations that threaten our rural economies and communities, and I urge the House and Senate to send this legislation to President Trump for his signature.” – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

“We sincerely appreciate Representative Hinson for consistently engaging with family farmers and championing legislation that provides the certainty we need to pass along our farms to the next generation. Without legislation to shield America’s 60,000+ pork-producing family farms from heavy-handed, multi-state regulations, many producers otherwise would be faced with business-crushing decisions.” – National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio

“We appreciate Rep. Hinson’s leadership in fighting to protect Iowa pig farmers, who work hard every day to care for their animals and produce safe, high-quality pork. The Supreme Court made it clear the best option is for Congress to address California’s Prop 12 to prevent a patchwork of conflicting state regulations. Since Prop 12 took effect, the law has negatively impacted both consumers and producers. We urge Congress to act this year and support Rep. Hinson’s efforts to stop this burdensome mandate.” – Aaron Juergens, a pig farmer from Carroll County who serves as president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

“Iowa Farm Bureau members are thankful for Rep. Hinson’s unwavering support for Iowa agriculture and being a champion for fair interstate commerce through the introduction of the Save Our Bacon Act. When states enact laws that restrict or ban the sale of any type of goods from other states, they hinder market access for both farmers and businesses. This creates a negative ripple effect, as these entities struggle with arbitrary business standards and increased costs. Farm families and consumers are grappling with record-high prices, and without congressional action to strengthen the Interstate Commerce Clause, consumers will face fewer choices and higher costs at the grocery store.” – Iowa Farm Bureau Federation

Background:
- In 2018, California passed Proposition 12, which prohibits the sale of certain meat and poultry products unless they are produced in compliance with the state’s arbitrary animal housing requirements.
- In May 2023, the US Supreme Court upheld Proposition 12 in a 5 – 4 decision, with the Court noting that Congress has the authority to determine how states may interfere with interstate commerce.
- California makes up nearly 15% of the national market for pork, leading many Iowa livestock producers to choose between complying with another state’s mandate and losing access to a major market for their products. Similar state-level mandates – such as Massachusetts’ Question 3 – create further uncertainty for livestock producers and risk an unworkable patchwork of state regulations for American farmers.
- Research from economists has shown that mandates like Prop 12 come at a significant cost to both producers and consumers. Following the implementation of Prop 12, the cost per pound of pork loin in California increased by 41%. Estimates also show that pork producers face costs of up to $4,000 per sow to comply with California’s arbitrary mandate.
- Rep. Hinson has been a tireless champion for Iowa pork producers against this overreach.
  
  In December 2023, Rep. Hinson testified before the House Agriculture Committee to share stories from farmers in Iowa about the negative impact that mandates like Prop 12 would have on their operation.
  
  In a recent House Appropriations Committee hearing, Hinson asked USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins about the potential consequences of laws like Prop 12. Secretary Rollins called mandates like Prop 12 “unsustainable.”
- On July 9, the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of California over state laws that have caused grocery prices to skyrocket, including Prop 12.
This bill was introduced with Representatives Feenstra, Nunn, Miller-Meeks, Sam Graves, Rouzer, Murphy, Messmer, Adrian Smith, Flood, LaMalfa, Alford, Dusty Johnson, Bost, Newhouse, Mark Harris, Finstad, Wied, and Rose.

The bill text can be found here. Click here to read exclusive reporting by Bloomberg News.

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MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Understanding what AI means to consumers

Source: Microsoft

Headline: Understanding what AI means to consumers

When we talk about new AI-powered devices and experiences, the focus often lands on the pace of technological progress. But just as quickly, the way people are using these tools—and how they feel about them—is evolving too.

To better understand that shifting sentiment, we commissioned new consumer AI research that digs deeper into people’s priorities and perceptions. Going beyond usage data, we examined the emotional undercurrents: what excites people about AI, what gives them pause and how those attitudes shift across generations.

What emerged is a more textured view of consumer behavior. In this report, you’ll find insights that add greater dimension to what meaningful AI solutions look like today.

The full report is available for download here.

From burnout to breakthrough: Americans use AI to move forward

This consumer AI report examines evolving attitudes toward AI. It presents findings from research conducted by an independent research firm, Edelman Data & Intelligence, among 1,000 consumers in the United States ages 13 and older between March 14, 2025 and March 25, 2025. As both AI tools and human behaviors continue to shift, the report offers a research-backed lens for business leaders, organizations, and curious individuals seeking to understand what’s changing and why. 

Can AI help an overloaded generation cut through the noise?

These days, we have a lot on our minds.

We’re living in an era where information has never been so available. Entire histories of societies, bodies of scholarship, and even the details of our own relationships can be pulled up with a single search. But instead of helping us get ahead, it often just adds more noise. Traditional authority has fractured and everywhere we turn, new voices and platforms compete for our attention. In fact, 7 in 10 consumers admit they are overwhelmed by the amount of information available when making a decision.

So it’s no surprise that we’re starting to question not just our choices, but how we make them. This is where AI offers a new way forward: our research finds that it counteracts decision fatigue by lightening the mental burden of weighing one’s options. After using AI when making a decision, 84% percent of people report experiencing positive emotion.

Majority experience a positive emotion after using AI to make a decision: Eighty-four percent of people felt a positive emotion after using AI when making a decision, with relief and confidence being the two most common.

Introducing Generation AI

Leading the way is Generation AI, born between 1995 and 2012. Raised on increasingly intuitive digital tools, they’ve learned how to embrace emerging technologies as a support system rather than merely a shortcut—from PCs and mobile devices, to the internet, and now AI. This generation is 16% more likely to use AI tools than those who are older, and when they do, they’re finding more than answers. They’re unlocking a greater sense of relief and confidence, a result that users of all ages can learn from.

AI interrupts overthinking, before the spiral starts

AI’s mainstream moment comes at a critical time for this generation’s mental health.

Generation AI is carrying a compound burden made up of the ambient weight of everyday social pressures, persistent economic uncertainty, digital isolation, and the long tail of a global pandemic. Seventy-two percent of those aged 18-34 rate mental health as a significant stressor, the highest among all age cohorts.

With estimates suggesting that the average person can face thousands of choices each day, this mental load is unrelenting. It’s the kind of weight that turns indecision into inaction, leading people to abandon choices that once felt important.

Even once we are finally able to make up our minds, it rarely feels like closure. Sixty-eight percent of Generation AI would describe themselves as an “overthinker,” someone who spends a lot of time worrying about their decisions, even after making them. Would-be relief is clouded by doubt, a lingering sense that maybe we missed something better, smarter, or more optimized.

But data shows that AI offers overthinkers a different outcome. Across all age groups, respondents were more than twice as likely to feel relieved (30%) or confident (30%) compared to anxious (14%) or frustrated (14%) after using generative AI to make a personal decision.

This confidence boost applies to a range of relatable scenarios. Many find support for things they are passionate about, involving AI in decisions around entertainment (34%) or travel (25%). For others, AI proves helpful in moving through more emotionally fraught territory, such as money decisions (35%), health and wellness (35%), and career or job considerations (34%).

AI helps make decisions in diverse scenarios: Generative AI helps users make decisions in the following areas: money (35%), health and wellness (35%), career or job (34%), entertainment (34%), and travel (25%).

Instead of dwelling on these decisions interminably, every prompt becomes a quiet practice in turning uncertainty into action.

Creating a safe space for deeper, more helpful answers

We are now getting a glimpse into a tech-powered future that is more intuitive, personal, and judgment-free. AI reflects consumers’ curiosity back to them in a way few tools have before. When they need help making a decision, a third of respondents (33%) say they appreciate that AI gives them a clear, personalized response.

Getting the right advice has always depended on the gatekeepers of the moment. In the past, information was limited by which experts or institutions one had access to. Even the internet, once seen as the great equalizer, has its limits. The search engines that Generation AI grew up using may have put pages and pages of web results at their fingertips, but they stopped short at turning that data into something truly actionable. This has left 67% of this age group feeling like it is still “hard to find guidance or suggestions that fit my exact situation” when gathering information to answer a question or make a decision.

Now, they have somewhere else to turn; a conversational advisor that can match their thirst for knowledge with specificity, flexibility, and patience. When asked about using generative AI for advice, all respondents cite a sense of emotional delicacy, noting how “I can ask as many follow-up questions as I want without feeling bad” (81%) and “AI doesn’t judge me like a person would” (78%).

This change in our relationship with information also changes how we learn. Recent research on AI usage found that students aged 18 and older used it more than any other employment group, with 85% reporting usage. Generation AI students are now more likely to rank AI as a helpful study aid (45%) than books (36%) or a one-on-one tutor (27%).

The way AI users describe themselves tells us more about their mindset. Those who use AI to make decisions are more likely to say they are “ambitious” (+20ppts), “decisive” (+15ppts), and “problem solvers” (+10 ppts) compared to those who don’t use it. These labels signal how AI might intersect with a generation’s sense of self.

AI users describe themselves differently: People who use AI to make decisions are more likely to describe themselves as a problem solver (+10ppts), ambitious (+20ppts), and decisive (+16ppts).

While each individual interaction might feel small, these micro-moments of support can foster trust in both the technology itself and in the user’s own ability to choose.

Hopeful but not naïve, Generation AI brings discernment to AI asks

This isn’t the first time Generation AI has lived through a major technological shift, and it won’t be the last. As true digital natives, they approach any new tool with nuance, carefully weighing the promised benefits against potential tradeoffs.

When it comes to AI, 66% of this generation is optimistic that it will improve our lives and the world we live in. While only 15% of all consumers say they fully trust AI when making important decisions, 95% have still used a generative AI tool in the past month—suggesting that people are finding meaningful, appropriate ways to engage with these tools. Rather than blind trust, this is thoughtful adoption: users are integrating AI into their broader decision-making process in ways that feel supportive and safe.

Also in the mix? Friends, family, experts, and professionals. But most of all, their own judgment: 59% of consumers trust their gut when making a decision.

Trust varies across sources when making important decisions: When making an important decision, 15% trust AI—less than their own gut (59%), advice from friends or family (44%), or web search results (37%), the same as teachers (15%), and more than social media influencers (11%) or political leaders (7%).

Call it curiosity, caution, or a carefully balanced blend of both. While 59% of all respondents used generative AI for work and business purposes in the past year, even more have explored how it might fit into their personal lives. Sixty-four percent report using AI for hobbies and personal interests, such as art music, or DIY projects.

AI can help sort through today’s information overload until one’s instincts take over. It summarizes information so that it is easier to understand (34% of use cases), shows different options that users hadn’t thought about (31%), and compares choices by showing pros and cons (30%).

Turning to AI in these everyday moments builds a rhythm of trust—measured, useful, and often accompanied by a sense of relief. With just enough structure to help people make sense of pressing considerations, these tools make confident decision-making possible.

In a world that often feels like too much, AI offers something rare: relief

Our research shows that American consumers are taking the emotional edge off decision-making by bolstering their own judgement with AI-powered tools that offer clarity, curiosity, and calm.

AI reshapes what it feels like to choose. The “before”—that data-gathering phase—is shorter, more streamlined. Information is delivered clearly, without overload or judgment. The “after” feels different too, marked by reassurance instead of regret. Instead of spiraling over making the right call, individuals experience a sturdy sense of confidence.

The proof is in the practice: using these tools as Generation AI does, for everyday decisions both big and small, changes what’s possible. Over time, it builds the kind of momentum that moves people through uncertainty, not just around it. And when faced with the daily thrum of decisions, it helps them trust themselves enough to move forward.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Pakistani PM expresses readiness for dialogue with India

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

ISLAMABAD, July 23 (Xinhua) — Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s readiness for a meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Sh. Sharif made this statement during a meeting in Islamabad with British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott.

The prime minister also welcomed the British government’s decision to resume Pakistan International Airlines flights, saying it would make travel easier for the Pakistani diaspora in the UK. –0–

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Introduces Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act to Cut Costs and Modernize Construction Standards

Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) introduced the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, legislation to eliminate outdated and burdensome federal building mandates that no longer align with modern construction realities.

“Taxpayers should not be on the hook for radical policies that only drive up the cost of constructing federal infrastructure while harming reliability. This bill would ensure Federal agencies to tailor building design and construction to their specific needs, rather than aiming to hit arbitrary efficiency targets,” said Congressman Langworthy. “It will help rein in inflated construction costs, accelerate project timelines, and foster innovation by removing rigid, top-down mandates. The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act is a part of my broader effort to inject common-sense back into government.”

Currently, federal agencies must comply with strict energy efficiency standards set forth in Section 305(a)(3)(D) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act and reinforced in theEnergy Independence and Security Act of 2007. These one-size-fits-all mandates—enacted during an aggressive federal climate policy push—create unnecessary cost burdens, slow down construction timelines, and limit design flexibility for new federal buildings.

The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act would repeal these outdated requirements, allowing agencies to pursue energy-efficient solutions where appropriate, while also prioritizing practicality, cost-effectiveness, and mission-readiness.

The full text can be found here.

Original cosponsors of this legislation include Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH), Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), and Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC).

Groups that support this legislation include the American Gas Association, American Public Gas Association, GPA Midstream Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance, Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Petroleum Institute, National Gas Supply Association, MEA Energy Association, GO-WV, Northwest Gas Association, Tennessee Gas Association, Energy Association of Pennsylvania, Natural Gas Association of Georgia, Northeast Gas Association, Carolinas Natural Gas Coalition.

“We commend Congressman Langworthy and all of the cosponsors who recognize natural gas is the most reliable and affordable form of energy in the United States today – it’s our nation’s strategic advantage,” said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. “The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act would preserve vital resiliency in our national infrastructure to ensure operability in high-stakes moments, protect our national security and deliver life essential energy to mission critical federal and military facilities across our nation.”

“GPA Midstream applauds Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) for introducing the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, which aims to allow federal buildings in America the ability to use the appropriate energy source, which often is natural gas or propane,” said Stuart Saulters, VP, Federal Affairs, GPA Midstream. “Unfortunately, previous legislation imposed prescriptive federal building energy performance standards, which often disallow the use of natural gas or propane. These one-size-fits-all requirements on the design, construction, and operation of new federal buildings often result in unnecessary cost increases, inflexible compliance burdens, and construction delays. The federal government, just like American citizens, should be able to use the most reliable and affordable energy source. GPA Midstream hopes the House of Representatives will pass the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act soon.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Keith Self Introduces Legislative Package to Codify President Trump’s Executive Orders
Source:

Congressman Keith Self has introduced a strong legislative package aimed at codifying four of President Donald Trump’s executive orders. This package advances the America First agenda by securing long-term victories in education reform, biological research safety, public service loan forgiveness, and curriculum standards.

“These executive orders by President Trump reflect commonsense governance and clear priorities. Now more than ever, public accountability, educational integrity, and national security are vital,” Congressman Self said. “To preserve the integrity of these accomplishments, we must protect them from being reversed by the radical left and cement these wins into law.”

The four bills include:
- Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies: Returns authority to teachers and school administrators, empowering them to maintain order in classrooms without fear of federal overreach.
- Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research: Establishes strict oversight for high-risk biological experiments, enhancing transparency and risk mitigation in federally funded research labs and institutions.
- Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Strengthens the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program by ensuring clear and consistent eligibility for borrowers who commit to careers in public service—delivering on the federal government’s promises.
- Restoring Truth in American History: Promotes a factual approach to U.S. history instruction, focusing on foundational principles, civic virtue, and the unifying aspects of the American experience.
“Each of these executive orders was designed to correct imbalances, protect taxpayer interests, and restore public trust,” Self added. “We cannot waste the opportunity to make them permanent.”

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MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nathaniel Moran Reintroduces Constitutional Amendment to Balance the Federal Budget
Source: Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01)

Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) today reintroduced the Principles-Based Balanced Budget Amendment, a constitutional amendment designed to end Washington’s cycle of reckless spending and restore fiscal responsibility to the federal government.

“For too long, Congress has ignored its constitutional duty to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars. As a result, we are now staring down a national debt that exceeds $36 trillion, a burden that will crush future generations unless we act,” said Congressman Moran. “This amendment takes a practical approach: it requires Congress to balance the federal budget over a 10-year window, while giving lawmakers the flexibility to determine how we get there. It is a practical, principles-first step toward reining in inflation, restoring confidence in our economy, and ensuring a stable future for the American people.”

Moran previously filed this amendment on July 6, 2023, during the last Congress. It was given significant attention during a hearing of the House Constitutional Subcommittee in September 2023, chaired at the time by Speaker Mike Johnson. That hearing underscored the importance of embedding clear fiscal principles in the Constitution before moving to detailed policy debates.

Background on the PBBA:
- Provides a 10-year deficit phase-out once ratified by the states.
- Allows for emergency deficit spending only with two-thirds support in both the House and Senate.
- Empowers Congress to determine specific policies for achieving balance.
Support for the PBBA:

“We are thrilled to support Representative Moran’s principles-based balanced budget amendment. This BBA is like existing constitutional provisions: broadly appealing principles that can stand the test of time and that empower Congress to write the details in statute. Rep. Moran’s BBA and related legislation can help Congress eliminate waste and restore sound governance, and we urge all members to support it.” — Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity

MIL OSI USA News –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Message from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, extends his warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Government and People of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the occasion of their National Day.

This momentous day marks not only the birth of modern Egypt’s sovereignty but also a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of freedom, resilience, and self-determination that continues to inspire the entire African continent.

Egypt has long played a central role in shaping Africa’s destiny-historically, politically, and intellectually. As a founding Member State of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), Egypt has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to the ideals of Pan-Africanism, unity, and regional integration.

Today, we celebrate Egypt’s contributions to peace and security, education, science, innovation, infrastructure, and continental diplomacy. The African Union greatly values Egypt’s leadership in key continental initiatives and its active engagement in the realization of Agenda 2063- our shared vision for a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.

Happy National Day!

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Closure of the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA)
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Closure of the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA)

The government announced on 21 July 2025 that it will be closing ACOBA from 13 October 2025
The government announced on 21 July 2025 that it will be closing the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) from 13 October 2025 – Written Ministerial Statement of 21 July 2025.

ACOBA will be working as usual in the meantime and will provide further updates on the handover to successor bodies in due course.

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Published 23 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 23 July 2025 Departmental update First-ever guidance for Triple Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B

Source: World Health Organisation

The global community has committed to the Triple Elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a public health priority. This global commitment encourages countries to provide the most effective, high-quality and person-centred care available to pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls. In so doing, countries aim to ensure a generation born free of HIV, syphilis and HBV.

At the 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 13-17 July 2025, WHO presented the first-ever guidance for countries to develop comprehensive and integrated programmes for Triple Elimination.

The new guidance is based on the WHO Triple Elimination Framework, which promotes an integrated, person-centred approach to preventing transmission of these infections from mothers to their infants along 4 pillars and 4 cross-cutting implementation considerations. The guidance also outlines a comprehensive strategy for governments, health-care providers and relevant stakeholders to assess, improve and scale-up elimination programmes.

“The release of this new guidance marks a critical milestone in our collective efforts to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes. “It comes at a time when integrated approaches to maternal and child health are needed more than ever to ensure achievement of global targets by 2030 and safeguard the health of future generations.”

Country case studies are presented to illustrate some good practices and to offer models to inform development of country roadmaps for eliminating vertical transmission by 2030.

Country examples and lessons for Triple Elimination

Kenya began its triple elimination journey in 2018 by designating a focal team leading to the development of a framework for the EMTCT of HIV, syphilis and HBV in 2022–2023 and establishment of a dedicated Triple Elimination Technical Working Group in 2024. Oversight and operationalization are decentralized to county and sub-county levels for capacity-building and supervision. Representatives of people living with HIV are engaged in advocacy, community sensitization and participation in the development and validation of the national triple elimination framework for 2022-2027.

Kenya offers a range of EMTCT services and documents best practices, relating to the mentoring of mothers, creation and management of peer support groups, dual HIV/syphilis testing and more. The country is working toward introducing a universal HBV birth dose, integrating syphilis and hepatitis B into the MNCH electronic medical record module, diagnosing infants early and addressing commodity shortages.

Namibia expanded the 2020 dual HIV/syphilis elimination strategy to include hepatitis B into a triple elimination strategy in 2023. A situational analysis and stakeholder consultation informed its 2020–2024 roadmap. The country developed an operational plan, updated guidelines, and integrated triple elimination into training and health information systems.

In 2023, WHO awarded Namibia at the bronze tier for the Path to Elimination of MTCT of HIV. Namibia is also the first and only country to be awarded on the Path to Elimination of MTCT of hepatitis B virus at the silver tier.

To learn more about the experiences in Kenya and Namibia, see Country Case Examples in Chapter 6.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: 3rd Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting

Source: Government of Canada News

Statement

We, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG), met on 17 and 18 July 2025, in Durban, South Africa.

July 18, 2025

We, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG), met on 17 and 18 July 2025, in Durban, South Africa. Under the G20 South African Presidency’s “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” theme, we committed to international policy cooperation to further promote global prosperity and address key shared challenges.

Global Economy

The global economy is facing heightened uncertainty and complex challenges, including ongoing wars and conflicts, geopolitical and trade tensions, disruptions to global supply chains, high debt levels, and frequent extreme weather events and natural disasters, which impact economic growth, financial and price stability.

In light of high public debt and fiscal pressures, we recognise the need to raise long-term growth potential by pursuing growth-oriented macroeconomic policies, while building fiscal buffers, ensuring fiscal sustainability, encouraging public and private investments and undertaking productivity-enhancing reforms. Structural reforms are essential for generating strong economic growth and creating more and better jobs. All excessive imbalances should be further analysed by the IMF and, if necessary and, without discrimination, addressed through country-specific reforms and multilateral coordination, in a way that contributes to an open global economy and without compromising sustainable global growth. We reaffirm our April 2021 exchange rate commitment.

Central banks are strongly committed to ensuring price stability, consistent with their respective mandates, and will continue to adjust their policies in a data-dependent manner. Central bank independence is crucial to achieving this goal.

We emphasise the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to address existing and emerging risks to the global economy. We will continue to pursue efforts that advance prosperity and recognise the importance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to advance trade issues, and acknowledge the agreed upon rules in the WTO as an integral part of the global trading system. We recognise the WTO has challenges and needs meaningful, necessary, and comprehensive reform to improve all its functions, through innovative approaches, to be more relevant and responsive in light of today’s realities.

We note the progress on the priorities of the Framework Working Group and look forward to the respective outcomes. 

International Financial Architecture

The Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are implementing the G20 MDB Roadmap and the recommendations from the Capital Adequacy Framework (CAF) Report. We acknowledge the progress of MDBs and the IFA Working Group in developing the Monitoring and Reporting Framework, and expect to receive the inaugural report in October. We further acknowledge CAF’s potential to help MDBs more efficiently utilise existing resources, share more risk with the private sector and utilise new instruments to increase lending capacity over the next decade. We also welcome the collaboration on blended finance among the International Finance Corporation and other MDBs. We look forward to the outcome of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s 2025 Shareholding Review, in line with the Lima Shareholding principles.

We support the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund. We acknowledge the strategic importance of an enhanced G20 partnership with African economies, including through strengthening the G20 Compact with Africa, and welcome the Presidency’s side event on Mobilising G20 Investment for Sustainable Growth in Africa. We welcome the work initiated by the Presidency on the impediments to growth and development in Africa.

We are committed to addressing debt vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income countries in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner. To this end, we reaffirm our commitment to further strengthen the implementation of the G20 Common Framework (CF) in a predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner. We endorse the G20 note on lessons learned from initial CF cases and the document outlining debt treatment steps. We welcome that the fact sheets on CF cases are now available on the G20 and Paris Club websites to enhance information sharing. We welcome the agreement on the Memorandum of Understanding on a debt treatment between Ethiopia and its Official Creditors Committee. We furthermore call for enhanced debt transparency from all stakeholders, including private creditors.

We urge the international community to support vulnerable countries whose debt is sustainable but are facing liquidity challenges, and encourage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to continue their work on feasible options to support these countries, which should be country-specific and voluntary.

We acknowledge the G20 note on Special Drawing Rights (SDR) channelling. We note the achievement of exceeding USD 100 billion in voluntary channelling of SDRs or equivalent contributions for countries in need, and the transfer to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust and the Resilience and Sustainability Trust. We urge the swift delivery of pending pledges and encourage countries that are willing and legally able to explore channelling SDRs to MDBs while respecting the reserve asset status of the resulting SDR-denominated claims and ensuring their liquidity.

We reaffirm our commitment to a strong, quota-based, and adequately resourced IMF at the centre of the Global Financial Safety Net. We have advanced the domestic approvals for our consent to the quota increase under the 16th General Review of Quotas, and we look forward to finalising this process with no further delay. We acknowledge the importance of realignment in quota shares to better reflect members’ relative positions in the world economy while protecting the quota shares of the poorest members. We acknowledge, however, that building consensus among members on quota and governance reforms will require progress in stages. We support the call for the IMF Executive Board to develop a set of principles guiding future discussions on IMF quotas and governance by the 2026 Spring meetings in line with the Diriyah Declaration.

We underscore the need for enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries in decision-making in MDBs and other international economic and financial institutions. In that context, we welcome the creation of a 25th chair at the IMF Executive Board to enhance the voice and representation of Sub-Saharan Africa.

We remain committed to promoting sustainable capital flows to EMDEs and fostering sound policy frameworks, notably central bank independence. We note the growing role of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) and ongoing work to understand the impact on capital flows.

Sustainable Finance

We note a commitment to strengthen the global sustainable finance architecture by helping to ensure robust, resilient and effective coordination among stakeholders to foster interoperability among MDBs, Vertical Climate and Environment Funds, and National Development Banks, in support of sustainability goals and national priorities, as appropriate. Scaling up co-financing and mobilising private sector resources by improving efficiency and promoting the use of innovative financial instruments is essential for developing countries’ risk-sharing in country-led climate investments.

We acknowledge progress on tailoring key considerations that integrate adaptation and resilience into the voluntary transition plans of financial institutions and corporations. These efforts may support vulnerable sectors in moving towards sustainable and climate-resilient economies. We look forward to continued work related to more effective funding mechanisms for adaptation and promote flexible country-tailored solutions that address natural catastrophe insurance protection gaps by developing practical guidance and tools.

We take note of the potential of high-integrity, voluntary, private-sector led carbon markets, including by promoting interoperability, accessibility, transparency and scalability. We note the efforts by the Climate Data Steering Committee to develop principles aimed towards building a Common Carbon Credit Data Model, as a voluntary tool.

We note the progress made thus far on the multi-year G20 Sustainable Finance Roadmap which is flexible and voluntary in nature.

Infrastructure

Recognising that increasing quality infrastructure investment is critical to support faster and sustainable economic growth and development, we note the progress made in the development of a framework for effective planning and preparation practices, a report on scaling up blended finance de-risking measures, and a toolkit on advancing cross-border infrastructure projects. We also endorse the Practice Guide on Leveraging Project-Level Data and Digitising the Pipeline, and a Note on Improving the Accessibility and Availability of Key Market Data, which are voluntary and non-binding.

Financial Sector Issues and Financial Inclusion

We reaffirm our commitment to addressing vulnerabilities and promoting an open, resilient, and stable financial system, which supports economic growth, and is based on the consistent, full and timely implementation of all agreed upon reforms and international standards, including Basel III. We note the growing role of NBFIs in both EMDEs and AEs, and support the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) work to address NBFI data availability and reporting, quality, use, and information sharing. We endorse the recently finalised FSB recommendations for addressing systemic risks from NBFI leverage and encourage implementation by jurisdictions. We welcome the appointment of the new FSB Chair, Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England.

We reaffirm our commitment to the effective implementation of the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-border Payments (the Roadmap) as well as appropriate further actions as necessary to deliver on the Roadmap’s goals. We welcome the initiatives undertaken by the FSB, the Bank for International Settlements’ (BIS) Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and other international organisations to advance progress in its implementation. We welcome the launch of the BIS Innovation Hub-G20 TechSprint 2025, which aims to promote innovative solutions that improve trust and integrity in open and scalable finance. We note the update on the FSB Roadmap for addressing climate-related financial risks and the upcoming FSB thematic peer review on the implementation of the high-level crypto assets and stablecoin recommendations.

We reaffirm our commitment to support the FATF and FATF-Style Regional Bodies in overseeing the implementation of the FATF Standards to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing across the Global Network. In particular, we reiterate the importance of stepping up global efforts to combat the misuse of legal entities, to foster increased asset recovery, to enhance payments transparency, and to promote innovation in the virtual assets sector, while mitigating illicit finance involving virtual assets. We also support FATFs ongoing work on emerging technologies and associated risks including from DeFi arrangements, stablecoins, and peer-to-peer transactions.

We reaffirm our commitment to financial inclusion and to promoting access to financial services for individuals and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). We welcome insights from the Presidency’s Priority Paper on “Moving from Access to Usage,” which offers innovative approaches to enhance the use of financial services across payments, savings, credit, insurance, and remittances. We support the ongoing implementation of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion Action Plan for MSME Financing. We also welcome the deliverable to explore the role of new and innovative technologies in enhancing the quality of financial inclusion for individuals and MSMEs.

International Taxation

We will continue engaging constructively to address concerns regarding Pillar Two global minimum taxes, with the shared goal of finding a balanced and practical solution that is acceptable for all. Delivery of a solution will need to include a commitment to ensure any substantial risks that may be identified with respect to the level playing field, including a discussion of the fair treatment of substance-based tax incentives, and risks of base erosion and profit shifting, are addressed and will facilitate further progress to stabilise the international tax system, including a constructive dialogue on the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy. These efforts will be advanced in close cooperation across the membership of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework (IF), preserving the tax sovereignty of all countries. We look forward to the OECD and Global Forum stock take report on tax transparency; the IF stock take report on BEPS; the OECD report on the exchange of real estate information on a voluntary basis to combat tax evasion and avoidance; the Platform for Collaboration on Tax (PCT) report on the progress in strengthening capacity-building frameworks to enhance technical assistance; and the IMF report on strengthening revenue administrations to improve domestic revenue mobilisation (DRM). We welcome the announcement of the PCT to hold the Tax and Development Conference, with a focus on DRM, in Tokyo next year.

Recalling the G20 Rio de Janeiro Ministerial declaration on International Tax Cooperation, we welcome the IF’s decision to adopt a phased, evidence-based approach to explore global mobility and understand the interaction between tax policy, inequality and growth. We also welcome discussions to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of the IF. We note the ongoing negotiations to establish a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and the participating G20 members reaffirm the objectives to reach broad consensus and build on existing achievements, processes and on the ongoing work of other international organisations, while seeking to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts.

Joint Finance Health Task Force

The Joint Finance-Health Task Force (JFHTF) remains committed to strengthened finance and health co-ordination in relation to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR). We emphasise the importance of efficient and effective health spending and domestic resource mobilisation, given the current reductions in donor assistance, as well as the need for better coordination and alignment of external and domestic funding flows. We note the preliminary insights of the updated versions of the Global Report on the Framework for Economic Vulnerabilities and Risks (FEVR) and of the Operational Playbook for response financing. We also note the Simulation exercises on pandemic response financing undertaken by finance and health officials and look forward to further exercises. We note the independent Joint Finance Health Task Force stocktake report, note the focused reconvening of the High-Level Independent Panel, and will continue to work with the Pandemic Fund and other global health funds that catalyse international and domestic investment actions to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and responses.

We note the outcome of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, held from June 30 to July 3, 2025, in Seville, Spain, and the renewed commitment by participating countries to support developing countries in achieving their development objectives.

We acknowledge the upcoming COP30 in Belém and note participating countries’ engagement within the COP30 Circle of Finance Ministers.

We concluded our first cycle of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meetings on the vibrant continent of Africa, joining the people of South Africa in celebrating Nelson Mandela Day. Our discussions over the past two days centred on creating a better world, embodying the spirit of Mandela’s values. We look forward to our next meeting in October 2025 in Washington, D.C.

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Wetzel County Man Admits to Child Pornography Charge

Source: US FBI

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert Lee Lemasters, 61, of Paden City, West Virginia, has admitted to the possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and police records, law enforcement received a tip that Lemasters had child pornography on his cell phone. A search of Lemasters’ phone uncovered hundreds of images and videos depicting children in sexual situations.

Lemasters faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Probation Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

MIL Security OSI –

July 24, 2025

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Country examples and lessons for Triple Elimination

Statement

Global Economy

International Financial Architecture

Sustainable Finance

Infrastructure

Financial Sector Issues and Financial Inclusion

International Taxation

Joint Finance Health Task Force