NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Applauds Committee Passage of Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Ranking Member of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, applauded committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes key provisions Kaine secured to advance U.S. national security, support servicemembers and their families, boost Virginia’s defense industry, and strengthen relations with allies and partners:

    “I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to pass out of committee this year’s defense authorization bill. The bill includes several provisions I secured to strengthen our national security, support Virginia’s military installations and defense community, invest in our nation’s shipbuilding programs, and most importantly, improve quality of life among servicemembers and their families. I’m especially glad the bill includes a provision I pushed for to require Defense Department aircraft that operate near commercial airports to have broadcast positioning technology following the deadly collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional commercial jet that took 67 lives in January. I urge the full Senate to take it up as soon as possible.”

    Kaine successfully secured the following provisions:

    Pay Raises, Allowances, and Workforce Recruitment:

    • Authorizes a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel.
    • Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that pay statements for military servicemembers include clear descriptions for each type of pay, allowance, and deduction.
    • Directs the Secretary of Defense to assess how current salaries of Department of Defense civilian employees are calculated under the locality pay system.
    • Provides the Secretary of Defense with direct hiring authority for up to 60 graduates of the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) every calendar year and requires a report to Congress on the use of this hiring authority. The DCTC is a pilot program that recruits and trains college students for careers as Department of Defense civilians.

    Shipbuilding Investments:

    • Authorizes investments and procurement of naval ships, including Columbia-class submarines and Medium Landing Ships.
    • Directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to Congress on the Navy’s progress since 2015 in implementing the 90 recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to improve naval shipbuilding.
    • Requires the Secretary of the Navy to expedite the investigation, qualification, and integration of 23 advanced technologies and processes into Navy surface ship maintenance to improve readiness, reduce costs, and address delays.
    • Directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to Congress on the status of the recommendations made by the GAO to ensure the Marine Corps has a fleet of 31 operational ships.
    • Requires the Secretary of the Navy to move leadership for surface ship maintenance at private shipyards to Type Commanders and directs a new contracting strategy that emphasizes workforce stability and collaborative planning.

    Aviation Safety: Requires that all aircraft of the Department of Defense that operate near commercial airports be equipped with broadcast positioning technology. Requires that the Department of Defense improve how it shares aviation safety data with the Federal Aviation Administration. This comes in response to the January 29, 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that took the lives of 67 people.

    Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command: Requires a report on the Army’s proposed plan to integrate Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command.

    Military Construction: Authorizes $993,660,000 for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia.

    • $380,000,000 for Public-Private Venture (PPV) unaccompanied housing at Naval Station Norfolk 
    • $188,000,000 for Dry Dock 3 modernization at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
    • $93,300,000 for Electric Distribution System upgrades at Naval Station Norfolk 
    • $85,000,000 for operations center at the Pentagon
    • $71,700,000 for weapons magazines at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown 
    • $63,500,000 for a Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Quantico
    • $49,000,000 for fuel system maintenance dock at Joint Base Langley-Eustis
    • $20,400,000 for MQ-25 facilities at Naval Station Norfolk 
    • $15,500,000 for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Virginia Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston 
    • $12,360,000 for a Child Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story
    • $11,700,000 for a Child Development Center at Naval Station Norfolk 
    • $3,200,000 for the planning and design of a new headquarters for the 192nd Wing at Langley Air Force Base

    Military Housing:

    • Authorizes increased funding to construct, repair, and improve enlisted barracks across the services.
    • Requires the Secretary of Defense to publish a clear, accessible document that explains how Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are determined.
    • Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop an alternative methodology for calculating BAH based on the typical cost of housing units by number of bedrooms, conduct a pilot program using the new methodology, and brief Congress on the findings.
    • Requires the Secretary of Defense to include additional oversight mechanisms for any renegotiation of the contract under the Global Household Goods Contract or negotiation of a new contract under the Global Household Goods Contract of any successor program or contract.

    Health Care:

    • Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the impact of behavioral and mental health staffing shortfalls at military treatment facilities.
    • Requires a briefing on the Department of Defense’s implementation of the self-initiated referral process for mental health care.
    • Requires the establishment of a demonstration program to expand partnerships between the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities for the purpose of increasing case volume for graduate medical education programs.
    • Requires Department of Defense to review its policies for credentialing health care workers to remove barriers to accessing mental health care.
    • Requires the Department of Defense to better define its criteria for reimbursing children’s hospitals.

    Military Families:

    • Requires the Secretary of Defense to improve staffing of special education teachers and staff and improve special education offerings at Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools.
    • Requires an update to existing DODEA regulations on the student use of portable electronic mobile devices in DODEA schools to prohibit disruption in the learning environment.
    • Authorizes funding for Impact Aid, including funding to support military children with severe disabilities. Impact Aid reimburses school districts for the cost of educating children who reside on military installations or have a parent that works on a military installation or federal property. Because military families may not pay certain state or local taxes where they are stationed, Impact Aid helps offset these costs to support schools.

    European Security, NATO, and Ukraine:

    • Prohibits a reduction in U.S. military posture in Europe or relinquishment of U.S. command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe position until the Secretary of Defense assesses the impact on U.S. and NATO and certifies to Congress that such action is in the national interest.
    • Authorizes funding for the NATO Security Investment Program.
    • Extends and authorizes funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
    • Requires the Secretary of Defense to deliver a report on acceleration options for the JUMPSTART initiative, which allows European partners to purchase weapons for Ukraine from U.S. defense companies.
    • Requires the Secretary of Defense to work with Ukraine to create a depot-level maintenance plan to ensure that western-transferred military equipment can be sustained and provide the plan to Congress.
    • Requires the Secretary of Defense to continue to provide intelligence support, including information, intelligence, and imagery collection to the Government of Ukraine.

    Australia-U.K-U.S. (AUKUS) Partnership: Directs further collaboration between the AUKUS countries on IT infrastructure and directs the DoD to provide an update on who it has assigned to be the senior civilian defense official to lead the U.S. work on this agreement and continue the updates required by the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA.

    Taiwan: Authorizes funding for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative and directs the Department of Defense to engage with Taiwan to develop a joint program to codevelop and coproduce uncrewed and counter-uncrewed capabilities.

    U.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific:

    • Authorizes funding for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which enhances U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, capacity, and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
    • Prohibits a reduction in U.S. military posture on the Korean Peninsula or a change in wartime operational control over the Combined Forces Command until the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that such action is in the national interest.
    • Directs an initiative to strengthen security cooperation across the respective defense industrial bases of U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

    Uncrewed Aircraft Systems:

    • Requires the Department of Defense to develop a roadmap for the small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) industrial base to support existing sUAS programs.
    • Requires a briefing on the plan for installation commanders to engage UAS on U.S. military installations by both kinetic and non-kinetic means.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Strengthens Nuclear Deterrence, Protects Defense Spectrum in FY 2026 NDAA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, secured key provisions aimed at improving service member quality of life, strengthening America’s nuclear deterrent, and protecting defense spectrum in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation passed out of the committee on Wednesday and now awaits consideration on the Senate floor.

    “During this time of global unrest – where we see Iran edging closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, China accelerating its military buildup in the Indo-Pacific, and Russia continuing its war against Ukraine – it is more important than ever that we invest in our service members, protect defense spectrum, drive innovation, and strengthen our missile defense systems. I’m proud the FY 2026 NDAA meets this moment with key provisions I pushed for to modernize our nuclear deterrent and strengthen our national defense,” Fischer said.

    Key Provisions Secured by Fischer in the FY 2026 NDAA:

    Taking Care of Our Service Members:

    • Authorizing $19 million above the president’s budget request for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), which has the sacred mission of recovering and identifying the remains of fallen servicemembers from past conflicts.
    • Exploring Public-Private Healthcare Construction: Directs DoD to assess the feasibility of a program modeled after Fischer’s CHIP IN For Veterans Act, enabling local communities to contribute to DoD healthcare facility development.
    • Expanding DPAA Overseas Recovery Tools: Authorizes the DPAA to procure foreign goods and services to support recovery missions abroad.
    • Reforming Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM): Authorizes FSRM funding for three years instead of one, supporting more responsible and cost-effective execution of complex maintenance and modernization projects.

    Modernizing Our Nuclear Deterrent:

    • Upgrading NNSA Infrastructure: Establishes an annual independent assessment of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)’s progress toward infrastructure modernization goals outlined in the Enterprise Blueprint.
    • Expanding Combatant Command Innovation Authority: Extends experimentation and prototyping authority to all combatant commands, including U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM).
    • Requiring Sentinel Program Progress: Requires the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program to begin being fielded by Sept. 30, 2033.
    • Preserving ICBM Force Structure: Makes permanent the requirement to deploy at least 400 ICBMs across no fewer than 450 launch facilities.
    • Accelerating SLCM Capability: Accelerates the Nuclear Sea-Launch Cruise Missile (SLCM-N) program by two years.
    • Improving Safety of Launch Facilities: Codifies a requirement for deep cleaning of ICBM launch control centers every five years.
    • Accounting for Air and Missile Defense Needs: Includes air and missile defense interceptors in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) unconstrained total munitions requirements list.
    • Sustaining MMIII Operations: Directs a briefing on Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) plans to sustain Minuteman III (MMIII) until Sentinel is emplaced.
    • Creating NNSA Rapid Capabilities Office: Establishes an Office of Rapid Capabilities Development within NNSA to accelerate innovation and deployment.
    • Assessing Heavy Launch Site Viability: Directs a DoD study on the capacity and sustainability of heavy and super heavy launch sites at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg, and on potential alternative locations.
    • Authorizing over $4 billion in investments to the Sentinel program.
    • Authorizing $186 million for the NNSA to develop the SLCM-N warhead.
    • Authorizing $320 million for Navy to develop the SLCM.

    Protecting Defense Spectrum:

    • Safeguarding the Pentagon’s Spectrum: Prohibits any modifications to DoD systems in key spectrum bands without joint certification from the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
    • Designating STRATCOM as Lead for Spectrum Testing: Designates STRATCOM’s Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO) office as the lead entity for coordinating testing and evaluation of joint employment of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) technologies.

    Enhancing Strategic Preparedness:

    • Reviewing NDMS Pilot Implementation: Requires a briefing on the progress of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) pilot program, as established in previous NDAAs.
    • Modernizing 557th Weather Wing Capabilities: Directs a report on the 557th Weather Wing’s cloud migration, AI readiness, and infrastructure modernization roadmap.
    • Clarifying Weather Wing Support for the Intelligence Community: Codifies the Weather Wing’s authorities to provide meteorological and environmental services to the Intelligence Community.

    Divesting From Our Adversaries:

    • Blocking CCP-Linked Entertainment Funding: Prohibits funding for entertainment projects with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or government of China.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada Invests in Renewable Energy, Carbon Capture and Grid Modernization in the Maritimes

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 11, 2025                                         Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island                                     Natural Resources Canada

    Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced close to $16 million in federal funding for energy projects in the Maritime provinces that will help deliver reliable, affordable clean energy in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick — driving innovation, powering economic growth and creating good jobs throughout Atlantic Canada.

    This investment will support key initiatives in the region, including:

    • Modernizing electricity grids to deliver more reliable, affordable and clean power to Canadians;
    • Advancing carbon capture and clean technologies to reduce emissions and bring more- affordable, low-risk Canadian energy to market;
    • Expanding renewable energy capacity by advancing wind and solar power projects; and 
    • Supporting clean energy projects in Indigenous, rural and remote communities and advancing economic reconciliation.

    This funding is rooted in collaboration with provinces, offshore regulators, Indigenous partners, workers and industry to ensure that federal investments reflect Maritime strengths and priorities and deliver long-term prosperity.

    Through these investments, the Government of Canada is investing more in the people and businesses that will build the strongest economy in the G7. The projects announced today also underscore the government’s commitment to lowering Canadians’ energy bills, creating more reliable and clean power, growing job opportunities and fostering inclusive, respectful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Government of Canada Invests in Renewable Energy, Carbon Capture and Grid Modernization in the Maritimes

    Source: Government of Canada News

    On July 11, 2025, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced close to $16 million in federal funding for energy projects in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

    Energy Innovation Program – Smart Grid Demonstration

    The Energy Innovation Program (EIP) supports research, development, demonstration and related scientific activities that advance clean energy technologies. These investments help Canada meet its climate targets and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

    Projects funded under the Smart Grid Demonstration Call for Proposals showcase innovative smart-grid technologies, solutions and market or contract mechanisms.

    Project name: Advanced Distribution Grid Management    
    Recipient: Nova Scotia Power Inc.    
    Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Funding amount: $6,000,000    
    Description: This project will demonstrate three new distribution grid technologies to modernize Nova Scotia Power’s electricity distribution network.  

    Project name: Advanced Digital Distribution System Operator
    Recipient: Saint John Energy Inc.
    Location: Saint John, New Brunswick
    Funding amount: $5,250,000
    Description: This project will modernize electricity distribution in the City of Saint John through intelligent grid management systems and bring cost savings and improved service reliability to approximately 36,000 Saint John Energy customers.

    Project name: Charlottetown Grid Modernization Project  
    Recipient: Maritime Electric Company Ltd.    
    Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
    Funding amount: $2,000,000
    Description: This project seeks to demonstrate the integration of smart-grid technology through the public cellular network in Charlottetown.  

    Project name: Regionally Integrated Smart Meter Platform Enabling Load Shifting Coincident with Excess Renewables    
    Recipient: Alternative Resource Energy Authority    
    Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia    
    Funding amount: $875,000    
    Description: This project will better align end-user electricity demand with municipally owned renewable production. By leveraging advanced metering infrastructure, new customer rate structures and a collaborative model for intelligent grid management, the project aims to reduce costs for approximately 3,500 customers.

    Energy Innovation Program – Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

    The EIP’s Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Call for Proposals aims to advance the commercial viability of CCUS technologies.

    Project name: A Regulatory Roadmap for Offshore Carbon Storage in Atlantic Canada
    Recipient: Dalhousie University
    Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Funding amount: $704,089
    Description: This project will develop a roadmap for policies and regulations to better support a regulatory framework for offshore carbon storage, paving the way for innovation that will help offshore industries reduce emissions. 

     

    Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships

     

    The program aims to increase the economic participation of Indigenous communities and organizations in the development of natural resource projects that support the transition to a clean energy futuren.

    Project name: Dartmouth Solar Power Generation Project
    Recipient: Millbrook First Nation 
    Location: Millbrook First Nation (near Truro, Nova Scotia)
    Funding amount: $1,011,880
    Description: Millbrook First Nation, in collaboration with Imperial Oil, intends to repurpose idled tank lots that have remained vacant since Imperial’s terminal was converted from a refinery in 2014. This project involves the delivery of a solar farm with photovoltaic solar arrays and potentially energy storage that will be majority-owned and operated by Millbrook First Nation.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown blocks returns and sales of machine-gun conversion devices in Washington

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — The Trump administration has committed in court filings to carving out Washington and other states from its illegal plans to distribute thousands of machine-gun conversion devices nationwide following a lawsuit from Attorney General Nick Brown and 15 other states’ attorneys general.
     
    In submissions made in the multistate litigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has expressly confirmed to a judge that it will not return forced reset triggers in the plaintiff states. In addition, Rare Breed Triggers, the country’s largest purveyor of forced reset triggers, has confirmed in its court filings that it will not sell any of these devices in the plaintiff states. As a result, the coalition is withdrawing its motion for a preliminary injunction.
     
    “It is unfortunate that litigation was necessary when the federal government could have made these commitments much earlier,” Brown said. “But I will do everything possible to keep Washingtonians safe from dangerous machine-gun conversion devices.”
     
    In recent years, machine-gun conversion devices like forced reset triggers, which dramatically increase a firearm’s rate of fire, have been frequently used in violent crimes and mass shootings, worsening the gun violence epidemic in the United States. Firearms equipped with these devices are able to exceed the rate of fire of many military machine guns, firing up to 20 bullets in one second. ATF has noted a significant rise in the use of these devices, leading to increasing incidents of machine-gun fire — up 1,400% from 2019 through 2021.
     
    In addition to Washington, the other plaintiffs are Delaware, Maryland, Colorado, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
     
    The case, which remains active, was filed June 9. Read more about the lawsuit here.

    -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 –

  • MIL-OSI: Ethereum-Based Little Pepe Hits New Heights With $5,000,000 Raised in Presale

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Little Pepe (LILPEPE) continues its upward momentum, officially wrapping up Stage 4 of its presale with over $5 million raised. As the token price increases to $0.0014 in Stage 5, investor interest has reached new highs, positioning the project as a standout in the meme coin market. This new milestone demonstrates not just the growing popularity of meme coins in 2025 but also highlights the strength of projects that pair meme energy with real utility.

    Unlike traditional meme tokens that depend upon hype alone, Little Pepe has carved out its niche by imparting something more—a strong Layer 2 blockchain that enhances speed, scalability, and price performance. With every new funding milestone, the project isn’t simply growing in numbers however additionally in legitimacy as a next-gen crypto asset with the power to lead a new wave of network-based tokens.

    What Sets Little Pepe Apart

    At the core of Little Pepe’s offering is the Little Pepe Chain—an Ethereum-compatible Layer 2 protocol designed specifically for high-throughput, low-fee transactions. Built to solve congestion and scaling issues typically associated with Ethereum’s mainnet, this EVM-compatible chain delivers the speed and flexibility modern users demand.

    This technical foundation makes Little Pepe more than a meme. It positions $LILPEPE as a scalable, efficient token that can support future DeFi, and broader Web3 integrations, all while keeping the community-first ethos that makes meme coins so attractive. The chain isn’t just about moving fast—it’s about building something sustainable.

    Stage 5 Launches with Increased Demand

    Following the sold-out Stage 4 presale, the project wasted no time transitioning into Stage 5. With a new token price of $0.0014, the fifth phase is already seeing heightened activity. Many investors who watched earlier stages quickly fill are now rushing to get in before future price increases.

    This growing interest has been fueled by consistent development updates, community engagement across platforms like Telegram and X, and a clear roadmap that outlines what lies ahead for $LILPEPE holders. The project’s transparency and the community’s enthusiasm are proving to be powerful drivers.

    A Strong and Growing Community

    One of the most compelling components of Little Pepe’s rise is its community support. The project has cultivated an international network that resonates with both its meme aesthetic and critical infrastructure. Thousands of users are actively promoting and discussing the coin, fueling viral growth that no advertising price range ought to purchase.

    The conversation isn’t just hype—it’s backed by data. From impressive presale milestones to growing wallet counts, there are strong indicators that Little Pepe’s momentum is both organic and sustainable. This is a meme coin that people believe in, and they’re backing that belief with real capital.

    Why Stage 5 Matters Now More Than Ever

    Every presale stage has brought with it a price increase, and Stage 5 is no exception. Now priced at $0.0014, the token is still early in its lifecycle but has already demonstrated substantial growth potential. For many, this stage represents the perfect entry point before the token makes its way to public exchange listings.

    There’s also a psychological factor at play. The $5 million milestone adds legitimacy and builds FOMO (fear of missing out) among investors who were previously on the fence. The clock is ticking, and those who wait too long may find themselves entering at a significantly higher price point. The team behind Little Pepe has not only managed to deliver a strong presale campaign but has also laid the groundwork for what’s to come. Future updates promise increased functionality, ecosystem growth, and potential partnerships aimed at maximizing utility and adoption.

    With each new stage, Little Pepe is proving it’s more than a viral trend—it’s a long-term project in the evolving world of meme finance. From a custom-built Layer 2 solution to a thriving community and well-executed presale strategy, all signs point toward continued success.

    Little Pepe’s explosive rise past $5 million in presale funding isn’t just a number—it’s a statement. It signals that investors are looking for more from meme coins in 2025: real technology, real communities, and real roadmaps. With Stage 5 now active at $0.0014, $LILPEPE is inviting both early believers and new entrants to be part of what may be one of the year’s most promising crypto stories.

    About Little Pepe

    Little Pepe is a next-gen Layer 2 blockchain designed to merge meme culture with high-speed, low-cost decentralized infrastructure. Built for scalability, security, and accessibility, Little Pepe supports EVM-compatible applications and is powered by means of the $LILPEPE token. The project’s mission is to create a meme coin environment wherein utility meets virality, empowering users through cutting-edge technology and lightning-fast transactions.

    For more information:
    Website: https://littlepepe.com/
    Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken
    Twitter: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

    Contact Details: COO- James Stephen Email: media@littlepepe.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Little Pepe. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/630abf3b-ce71-4991-9a26-61716c3bdf3f

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: More than 2.2 thousand facilities have been commissioned in Russia under housing and utilities modernization programs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In the regions of the country, the modernization of public utility infrastructure continues under programs involving preferential loans from the National Welfare Fund and subsidies from the federal budget. The Ministry of Construction is the curator of these programs, and the Territorial Development Fund is the operator.

    “In total, 2,225 housing and communal services facilities have been commissioned in the regions under these programs since 2022. This is 3.4 thousand km of utility networks and 273 area facilities – treatment facilities, boiler houses, central heating stations, etc. This year, the federal project “Modernization of Utilities Infrastructure” was launched as part of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”. It is important for the regions to increase the pace of implementation of all planned measures to modernize the housing and communal services. According to the President’s instructions, 4.5 billion rubles are planned to be allocated for these purposes by 2030. And here the task is to increase extra-budgetary financing – this is clearly stated in the memorandums signed by the regions with the Ministry of Construction. All these measures are aimed at solving existing problems in the industry and providing Russians with high-quality utilities,” said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    According to the FRT programs, the largest number of works were carried out in the heat supply sector – 1.4 thousand km of heat networks and 230 area facilities were commissioned. In second place are works on modernization of the water supply sector. In total, 1.7 thousand km of water supply networks were updated in the regions and 15 area facilities were commissioned. In addition, work was carried out to modernize 351 km of water drainage networks and 28 facilities in this sector.

    “In the first half of 2025, 10 industrial facilities were commissioned in the regions. For example, treatment facilities were commissioned in the Sverdlovsk Region, four boiler houses were built in the Perm Region, and one each in Yakutia and the Kamchatka Region. Heat supply sources were also reconstructed in the Nizhny Novgorod and Volgograd Regions. In addition, 38.5 km of utility networks were updated. As a result, the quality of services has improved for thousands of Russians. Work on housing and communal services facilities continues,” said Vasily Kupyzin, General Director of the Territorial Development Fund.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 30th Anniversary of the Genocide in Srebrenica & other topics – Daily Press Briefing |11 Jul 25 | UN

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – 30th Anniversary of the Genocide in Srebrenica
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Syria
    – Memorandum of Understanding between the UN and the Russian Federation
    – Haiti
    – Attacks in the Red Sea
    – Sudan
    – Central African Republic
    – World Population Day
    – International Days
    – Briefings

    30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE IN SREBRENICA
    Today is the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that as we mark this anniversary in Srebrenica – the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. He stresses that this day is not only a moment of reflection, it is also a call to vigilance and action.
    The Secretary-General points out that at a time when hate speech, denial and division are gaining ground, we must stand firm for truth and justice, adding that we must detect early warning signs and respond before violence takes hold, and that we must respect international law, we must defend human rights, and we must uphold the dignity of every individual, and also invest in reconciliation and peace.
    And also to note that Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, represented the Secretary-General at the official ceremony that took place in Bosnia-Herzegovina today. In her remarks, she noted that the genocide in Srebrenica remains one of the darkest chapters in Europe’s recent history, a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, division and the failure to protect civilians. She emphasized that the legacy of Srebrenica must be a world that never again turns away in the face of atrocity.
    Also present from the UN side was Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that every day without a ceasefire brings more preventable deaths – children dying in pain, and hungry people shot while trying to reach the trickle of aid that is allowed in.
    And today, once again, we’ve seen horrifying reports of casualties – dozens of them – among people in Rafah who were simply trying to get food and other basic supplies for their families.
    Meanwhile, the fuel crisis remains acute.
    Yesterday – for the second straight day – our colleagues were able to pick up 75,000 litres of fuel and bring them to the Gaza strip. This is of course a positive development. However, these amounts are a small portion of what is actually required to sustain lifesaving operations every day in Gaza.
    To be clear: fuel is still running out in Gaza. More fuel is needed than what is actually brought in. If the current limits aren’t lifted immediately, so we can bring in greater volumes, more services will go dark
    We also urgently need unimpeded, safe access inside Gaza. Yesterday, our teams could provide hospitals with some of the fuel that came in – but only in the south. That’s because Israeli authorities denied our attempt to bring fuel to the north.
    Such denials are life-threatening.
    We know that hospitals in the north are on the verge of shutting down. But it’s not just hospitals: Fuel is also running out for ambulances, it is running out for water treatment facilities and it is running out for many other essential services, all of which are at risk of collapsing.
    Overall, out of the 15 humanitarian movements attempted yesterday where coordination was required with the Israeli authorities, five were denied outright, four were initially approved but then faced impediments on the ground, and only six were fully facilitated. Critical missions – such as the evacuation of vulnerable people from high-risk areas, the retrieval of vehicles and spare tires, and the assessment of medical equipment – could not be accomplished.
    The facilitation of movements also needs to be timely. OCHA reports that on Wednesday, Israeli authorities denied a request to reach part of Gaza city where 18 injured people were trapped under the rubble. By the time the mission was finally allowed through yesterday, no one was found alive.
    And another important reminder from OCHA is that much-needed operations, such as the distribution of tents, cannot even be attempted as stocks are fully depleted, and Israeli authorities are blocking the entry of any shelter materials – for over 130 days now.
    Meanwhile, active hostilities and insecurity continue to put civilians – including aid workers – at risk.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=11%20July%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaRLMEnXA9A

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak made a working visit to the Republic of Tatarstan.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak made a working visit to the Republic of Tatarstan. He held a meeting with the head of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, spoke at the Oil Summit, visited the republic’s infrastructure and educational facilities, and met with participants in regional industry competitions and school Olympiads.

    Alexander Novak visited the Tatneft scientific and educational center, the Higher School of Oil, where he met with schoolchildren who won the Sustainable Development Goals competition, the environmental Olympiad, and the leaders of the School Biolaboratories program. “New industries require engineers and scientists of a new format, for whom imaginative thinking, research skills, and the ability to make effective decisions come to the fore. Therefore, in addition to the specialized knowledge that you receive here, it is important that you learn to communicate, be a leader, and work in a team. All the necessary conditions are in place for this – modern laboratories, comfortable classrooms, and experienced teachers,” said Alexander Novak.

    He visited the exhibition of oil and gas equipment as part of the Oil Summit, and also spoke at the panel session “Tatneft – 75 years of technological leadership and contribution to the development of the Russian fuel and energy complex: a look into a sustainable future.” The Deputy Prime Minister spoke about the implementation of tasks to achieve technological sovereignty. “As part of the energy strategy until 2050, in order to achieve technological sovereignty and ensure technological leadership, it is proposed to form an ecosystem that will allow developing economic incentives for investment in technology and equipment while removing administrative barriers, and create a domestic pool of serial technologies for the fuel and energy complex. Also key elements are the digital transformation of the industry, attracting and retaining qualified personnel, ensuring professional development of personnel,” said Alexander Novak.

    Answering a question about the future of oil and gas production over the next 20-30 years, he said that global demand for oil is expected to grow at least until 2035 amid the growing number of cars in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and Africa. “The key factors in the dynamics of demand will be an increase in transportation and a change in the structure of the vehicle fleet towards electric transport and increased efficiency of internal combustion engines. A significant increase in demand will be observed in petrochemistry. At the same time, competition in the global oil market will increase. As a result, although the share of oil in the global energy balance will decrease from 37 to 33% by 2050, the volume of demand for oil in absolute figures will increase from 102 to 114 million barrels per day,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    Alexander Novak awarded the representatives of the Tatneft team with the Order “For Valiant Labor” for their great contribution to the development of the oil and gas industry and their labor successes. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the veterans and employees of the company for their effective work for the benefit of the country’s fuel and energy complex.

    The Deputy Prime Minister held a working meeting with the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. The parties discussed the socio-economic development of the republic, as well as updating the conditions for the modernization of the Naberezhnye Chelny TPP. The implementation of the project is an effective solution for covering the growing demand for electricity and ensuring reliable heat supply to a city with a population of over 500 thousand people.

    The Deputy Prime Minister took part in the opening ceremony of the XI Republican Open Field Olympiad of Young Geologists, which is held for schoolchildren from Russian regions and friendly countries. “The children’s geological movement, which has existed in Tatarstan for over 40 years, is an example of how to effectively contribute to the achievement of national goals at the regional level, to prepare personnel for the country’s economy from the school bench. The movement covers about 1.5 thousand children. I am sure that similar projects should be implemented in other regions. Such initiatives are in line with the national goal of the President to realize the potential of each person, develop their talents, and educate a patriotic and socially responsible person,” said Alexander Novak.

    During the trip, the Deputy Prime Minister visited Tatneft’s Taneko oil refining complex, familiarized himself with its operations, and launched the second hydrocracking unit.

    “With the launch of the new unit, the Tatneft Taneko oil refining complex will become the only refinery in Russia that has two hydrocracking units in its configuration. This will further increase the depth of raw material processing and the volume of production of the most valuable oil products, including high-quality Euro-6 fuels. It is important that domestic equipment and Russian catalysts were used as much as possible during the project’s implementation,” emphasized Alexander Novak.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 30th Anniversary of the Genocide in Srebrenica & other topics – Daily Press Briefing |11 Jul 25 | UN

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – 30th Anniversary of the Genocide in Srebrenica
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Syria
    – Memorandum of Understanding between the UN and the Russian Federation
    – Haiti
    – Attacks in the Red Sea
    – Sudan
    – Central African Republic
    – World Population Day
    – International Days
    – Briefings

    30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE IN SREBRENICA
    Today is the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that as we mark this anniversary in Srebrenica – the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. He stresses that this day is not only a moment of reflection, it is also a call to vigilance and action.
    The Secretary-General points out that at a time when hate speech, denial and division are gaining ground, we must stand firm for truth and justice, adding that we must detect early warning signs and respond before violence takes hold, and that we must respect international law, we must defend human rights, and we must uphold the dignity of every individual, and also invest in reconciliation and peace.
    And also to note that Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, represented the Secretary-General at the official ceremony that took place in Bosnia-Herzegovina today. In her remarks, she noted that the genocide in Srebrenica remains one of the darkest chapters in Europe’s recent history, a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, division and the failure to protect civilians. She emphasized that the legacy of Srebrenica must be a world that never again turns away in the face of atrocity.
    Also present from the UN side was Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that every day without a ceasefire brings more preventable deaths – children dying in pain, and hungry people shot while trying to reach the trickle of aid that is allowed in.
    And today, once again, we’ve seen horrifying reports of casualties – dozens of them – among people in Rafah who were simply trying to get food and other basic supplies for their families.
    Meanwhile, the fuel crisis remains acute.
    Yesterday – for the second straight day – our colleagues were able to pick up 75,000 litres of fuel and bring them to the Gaza strip. This is of course a positive development. However, these amounts are a small portion of what is actually required to sustain lifesaving operations every day in Gaza.
    To be clear: fuel is still running out in Gaza. More fuel is needed than what is actually brought in. If the current limits aren’t lifted immediately, so we can bring in greater volumes, more services will go dark
    We also urgently need unimpeded, safe access inside Gaza. Yesterday, our teams could provide hospitals with some of the fuel that came in – but only in the south. That’s because Israeli authorities denied our attempt to bring fuel to the north.
    Such denials are life-threatening.
    We know that hospitals in the north are on the verge of shutting down. But it’s not just hospitals: Fuel is also running out for ambulances, it is running out for water treatment facilities and it is running out for many other essential services, all of which are at risk of collapsing.
    Overall, out of the 15 humanitarian movements attempted yesterday where coordination was required with the Israeli authorities, five were denied outright, four were initially approved but then faced impediments on the ground, and only six were fully facilitated. Critical missions – such as the evacuation of vulnerable people from high-risk areas, the retrieval of vehicles and spare tires, and the assessment of medical equipment – could not be accomplished.
    The facilitation of movements also needs to be timely. OCHA reports that on Wednesday, Israeli authorities denied a request to reach part of Gaza city where 18 injured people were trapped under the rubble. By the time the mission was finally allowed through yesterday, no one was found alive.
    And another important reminder from OCHA is that much-needed operations, such as the distribution of tents, cannot even be attempted as stocks are fully depleted, and Israeli authorities are blocking the entry of any shelter materials – for over 130 days now.
    Meanwhile, active hostilities and insecurity continue to put civilians – including aid workers – at risk.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=11%20July%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaRLMEnXA9A

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 30th Anniversary of the Genocide in Srebrenica & other topics – Daily Press Briefing |11 Jul 25 | UN

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – 30th Anniversary of the Genocide in Srebrenica
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Syria
    – Memorandum of Understanding between the UN and the Russian Federation
    – Haiti
    – Attacks in the Red Sea
    – Sudan
    – Central African Republic
    – World Population Day
    – International Days
    – Briefings

    30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE IN SREBRENICA
    Today is the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that as we mark this anniversary in Srebrenica – the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. He stresses that this day is not only a moment of reflection, it is also a call to vigilance and action.
    The Secretary-General points out that at a time when hate speech, denial and division are gaining ground, we must stand firm for truth and justice, adding that we must detect early warning signs and respond before violence takes hold, and that we must respect international law, we must defend human rights, and we must uphold the dignity of every individual, and also invest in reconciliation and peace.
    And also to note that Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, represented the Secretary-General at the official ceremony that took place in Bosnia-Herzegovina today. In her remarks, she noted that the genocide in Srebrenica remains one of the darkest chapters in Europe’s recent history, a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, division and the failure to protect civilians. She emphasized that the legacy of Srebrenica must be a world that never again turns away in the face of atrocity.
    Also present from the UN side was Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that every day without a ceasefire brings more preventable deaths – children dying in pain, and hungry people shot while trying to reach the trickle of aid that is allowed in.
    And today, once again, we’ve seen horrifying reports of casualties – dozens of them – among people in Rafah who were simply trying to get food and other basic supplies for their families.
    Meanwhile, the fuel crisis remains acute.
    Yesterday – for the second straight day – our colleagues were able to pick up 75,000 litres of fuel and bring them to the Gaza strip. This is of course a positive development. However, these amounts are a small portion of what is actually required to sustain lifesaving operations every day in Gaza.
    To be clear: fuel is still running out in Gaza. More fuel is needed than what is actually brought in. If the current limits aren’t lifted immediately, so we can bring in greater volumes, more services will go dark
    We also urgently need unimpeded, safe access inside Gaza. Yesterday, our teams could provide hospitals with some of the fuel that came in – but only in the south. That’s because Israeli authorities denied our attempt to bring fuel to the north.
    Such denials are life-threatening.
    We know that hospitals in the north are on the verge of shutting down. But it’s not just hospitals: Fuel is also running out for ambulances, it is running out for water treatment facilities and it is running out for many other essential services, all of which are at risk of collapsing.
    Overall, out of the 15 humanitarian movements attempted yesterday where coordination was required with the Israeli authorities, five were denied outright, four were initially approved but then faced impediments on the ground, and only six were fully facilitated. Critical missions – such as the evacuation of vulnerable people from high-risk areas, the retrieval of vehicles and spare tires, and the assessment of medical equipment – could not be accomplished.
    The facilitation of movements also needs to be timely. OCHA reports that on Wednesday, Israeli authorities denied a request to reach part of Gaza city where 18 injured people were trapped under the rubble. By the time the mission was finally allowed through yesterday, no one was found alive.
    And another important reminder from OCHA is that much-needed operations, such as the distribution of tents, cannot even be attempted as stocks are fully depleted, and Israeli authorities are blocking the entry of any shelter materials – for over 130 days now.
    Meanwhile, active hostilities and insecurity continue to put civilians – including aid workers – at risk.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=11%20July%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaRLMEnXA9A

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: FAA Awards $13.4 Million to Hector International Airport for Terminal Expansion Project

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    07.11.25

    FAA Also Awards Nearly $18 Million for Airport Projects Statewide

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, announced that more than $31 million has been awarded to airports across North Dakota by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This funding includes $13.4 million at Hector International Airport to expand the terminal by 35,245 square feet, including four new gates, and to construct a new apron. The senator has secured more than $53 million for the Hector Terminal Expansion Project to date and continues working to provide another $17 million in federal funding. The project, which is expected to be completed in 2027, will include:

    • A parking garage with an elevated walkway, which will open for use later this year.
    • An expanded Terminal with four new boarding gates and renovations for the existing five gates.
    • An expanded apron, supporting additional air traffic and ground operations.

    Additionally, the FAA has awarded the following North Dakota airports grants that support projects to rehabilitate and reconstruct airport infrastructure—including runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting systems, safety areas, hangars, drainage systems and terminals—to enhance safety, extend the life of existing facilities, meet regulatory standards and increase airport capacity. Specifically, these grants include:

    • $10.3 million to rehabilitate taxiways and runways, reconstruct lighting and construct safety areas at Bismarck Municipal Airport.
    • $1.3 million to construct a new taxilane and rehabilitate existing runway at Cooperstown Municipal Airport to meet current standards and extend runway life.
    • Nearly $1.3 million to rehabilitate runways at Cavalier Municipal Airport.
    • $1.1 million to construct a new taxiway at Robertson Field in Langdon to meet current standards.
    • $818,010 to install new taxiway lighting at Harry Stern Airport in Wahpeton.
    • $676,540 to construct new underdrains, storm drain, and lift station to mitigate ponding at Mohall Municipal Airport.
    • $626,848 to reconstruct 5,506 square yards of North Apron pavement at Lakota Municipal Airport.
    • $335,781 to help construct a new hangar at Hutson Field in Grafton.
    • $300,000 to replace snow removal equipment, including carrier vehicle and attachments at Kenmare Municipal Airport.
    • $300,000 to construct snow removal and sand storage building at Watford City Municipal Airport.
    • $300,000 to reseal taxiways, apron and runway pavement at Hettinger/JB Lindquist Regional Airport.
    • $207,736 to reseal taxiways, taxilane, apron and runway pavement and construct a connector taxiway and hangar taxilane at Tioga Municipal Airport.
    • $150,126 for construction of a new hangar at Walhalla Municipal Airport.
    • $100,043 to reseal taxiways, taxilane, apron and runway pavement at Mercer County Regional Airport.

    “These federal investments in North Dakota’s airports are vital to supporting our state’s economic growth and improving connectivity for communities across our state,” said Hoeven. “With this additional $13.4 million, we’ve now secured more than $53 million for the Hector Terminal Expansion Project. This project will modernize and increase capacity at the Fargo Airport and ensure we’re able to safely and efficiently meet the needs of travelers. Collectively, this funding will enhance safety, extend the life of critical facilities, and position our airports to meet future demand. Strong airports are essential to North Dakota’s prosperity, creating jobs, attracting new businesses, and connecting our residents to the rest of the country and the world.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur, Doggett, & Sorensen Lead Call for Urgent Federal Action After Deadly Texas Flood

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

    Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee, joined by Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) Dean of the Texas Congressional Delegation, and Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) the only meteorologist serving in Congress, today led a forceful letter to federal agencies calling for immediate action following the catastrophic flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, that claimed over 100 lives. The letter — sent to President Donald J. Trump, NOAA leadership, and the US Army Corps of Engineers — demands an urgent review of staffing shortages, stalled forecasting improvements, and insufficient flood preparedness that contributed to the disaster.

    The lawmakers point to dangerous gaps in public warning coordination and a 15% reduction in National Weather Service (NWS) staffing since January as critical failures that must be addressed before the next extreme weather event. Accurate weather forecasts are not enough. It is imperative that these warnings are adequately communicated to members of the public and in a way that prompts the appropriate lifesaving action by emergency managers, first responders, and the public at-large.  

    “This flood was not just a natural disaster but a failure of foresight and leadership,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “A changing climate is rewriting the rules of weather, and our federal agencies must keep pace. The American people deserve a weather warning system that does more than sound the alarm. It must be fully staffed and ready to act to ensure that everyone in harms way receives it. This letter is a demand for accountability, but more importantly, it’s a demand for lives to be protected anywhere severe weather strikes.”

    “As Texans in my state are faced with much pain and uncertainty, we cannot wait to ask the hard questions,” said Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). “Effective oversight saves lives. That is why we need a full account of the ways in which the Trump administration’s recent actions have undermined the federal response, both before and after this catastrophe. Learning from these failures and recognizing that weather intensification driven by climate change increasingly endangers lives will help prevent more tragedies.”

    “As someone who has reported on dangerous floods for my neighbors as a meteorologist in my local community, I know how critical it is for NWS meteorologists, local media, and emergency management coordinators to work together seamlessly and quickly to share urgent warnings,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17). “The deadly toll of the flash floods that hit Texas last week beg the question of what went wrong with the warning systems in place and what more could have been done to prevent this tragedy. The Trump Administration’s cuts to NOAA and the NWS are already having a real impact on the accuracy of our nation’s weather forecasting, creating cause for major concern. That is why I am calling on President Trump, NOAA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a full-scale investigation into what went wrong and what can be done to prevent catastrophes like this in the future.” 

    This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives in recent years: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021, 45 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024.  These events are not anomalies — they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future.

    Kaptur, Doggett, and Sorensen request a response within 30 days and underscore that federal weather services must not be the weak link in the nation’s climate resilience.

    A full copy of the letter can be found by clicking here or reading below: 

    July 11, 2025

    Honorable Donald J. Trump 
    President of the United States
    The White House

    1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW 
    Washington, DC 20500

    Laura Grimm
    Chief of Staff, performing the duties of Undersecretary for Commerce of Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
    1401 Constitution Ave NW

    Washington, DC 20230

    Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr. 
    Commanding General and 56th Chief of Engineers
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

    441 G St NW

    Washington DC, 20314 

    		  

    Dear Mr. President, Ms. Grimm, and General Graham:

    We write with deep concern about the recent flooding in Kerr County, Texas, by both the severity of this event and the structural shortcomings at the federal, state, and local levels that contributed to the tragic loss of life. On July 4, 2025, Kerr County was struck by a flash flood of devastating impact. The Guadalupe River rose by more than 20 feet in less than two hours,[1] engulfing homes and campsites, and leaving over a hundred dead in its wake.[2] This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021,[3] 45 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024.[4]  These events are not anomalies—they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future.

    Atmospheric scientists have long warned that warmer air holds more water vapor and thus latent energy produces heavier rainfall. In 1989, the Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, James Hansen, wrote presciently that “the greenhouse effect enhances both ends of the hydrologic cycle…, there is an increased frequency of extreme wet situations, as well as increased drought. Model results are shown to imply that increased greenhouse warming will lead to more intense thunderstorms, that is, deeper thunderstorms with greater rainfall.”[5]

    While the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast may have been accurate, accurate weather forecasts are not enough. It is imperative that these warnings are adequately communicated to members of the public and in a way that prompts the appropriate lifesaving action by emergency managers, first responders, and the public at-large.  We are concerned that there seems to have been a breakdown at this stage starting with the first flash flood watches issued on Thursday afternoon.

    Following a series of catastrophic tornadoes in the spring of 2011 that culminated in the worst tornado in a generation in Joplin, Missouri, NWS acknowledged that accurate forecasts were not enough to protect life and property, and thereby elevated the importance of properly communicating to the public about life-threatening weather events.  As a result, NWS developed the Weather Ready Nation initiative to ensure that Americans knew how to appropriately respond to dangerous weather conditions when alerted by NWS or the private weather enterprise. In support of this effort, Congress codified the position of Warning Coordination Meteorologist in every weather forecast office (WFO) around the country in the 2017 Weather Act.

    While staffing across NWS has long been a bipartisan concern, the staffing reductions mandated by the Department of Government Efficiency has greatly magnified the issue, with NWS losing nearly 15% of its staff nationwide since January.  The forecast accuracy and timeliness during this event in Texas was a testament to the dedication of the local NWS staff who flexed their schedules to ensure adequate coverage during such a high-impact event. That is not a sustainable solution, nor is it reliable enough for the increasing incidence of dangerous weather events.

    In particular, the loss of the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the San Antonio weather forecast office (WFO) and the reduced number of forecasters put the people of Texas at risk. Lacking a full staff complement requires the team to focus only on issuing the forecasts and warnings. Outreach and coordination, a key responsibility of the Warning Coordination Meteorologist, do not occur. Also, we understand that the funding supporting travel to the community for outreach and coordination, including meeting with emergency managers and elected officials, has been suspended. Having the Warning Coordination Meteorologist position and the vacancies filled may have been critical to saving more lives by connecting with as many local community leaders as possible in the hours between the 1 a.m. NWS warning and 4 a.m. when the most dangerous conditions began impacting residents.[6]  

    Given these concerns, we intend to work quickly to enact the Weather Staffing Improvement Act, which will streamline the hiring of federal weather forecasters. Meanwhile, we request that NWS expedites the backfilling of vacancies at all WFOs and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Further, we request that, despite proposed cuts to programs in the fiscal year 2026 budget request, no other reductions in funding or staffing occur without the explicit direction of Congress to programs that support precipitation prediction and decision support or the improvement of those services, including, but not limited to the work of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.

    NWS Director Ken Graham has also laid out strategic priorities to transform NWS’ staffing models and organizational effectiveness, known as “Ken’s 10”.[7] We applaud his thoughtful proposals, though we urge NOAA to provide more detailed information for Congress to consider prior to wholesale implementation.  Further, we urge that any adoption and implementation be done in a measured way so as to prevent any failures in the current system during the transition.   

    We ask that your agencies please provide the following information:

    1. Staffing Cuts: Provide a breakdown of NWS staffing levels since 2017 at WFOs and the National Centers for Environmental Protection.  Identify how many WFOs, and for how long each, has lacked each of the following positions over that time: Meteorologist in Charge, a Science Operations Officer, and a Warning Coordination Meteorologist? What performance impacts have resulted?
    2. Communication Gaps: How did the absence of a Warning Coordination Meteorologist and reduced staffing affect warning distribution, communication and coordination in Kerr County and other nearby jurisdictions? What is the standard operating procedure for such a role in such critical weather events?
    3. Precipitation Prediction: Atlas-15 will provide detailed estimates of maximum probable precipitation rates for any location in the U.S., critical information for planning for severe weather events.  Please explain any reasons for the current delays in Atlas-15’s national release.  Are sufficient funds available for the completion of this tool?  Have any funds been redirected away from this purpose?
    4. Status of PPGC: The Precipitation Prediction Grand Challenge (PPGC), an initiative to dramatically improve the accuracy of forecasting when, where, and how much precipitation will occur has been chronically underfunded.  Please provide an update on the current efforts to date and the requirements to make significant progress over the next 5 years.
    5. Adopting Graham’s Priorities: Which of Ken Graham’s ten transformation proposals have been implemented? Provide projected costs and timelines.
    6. Corps Flood Control Improvements: This event also highlights the need for improvements from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) who is tasked with flood control across the country. How has the Corps updated its standard operating procedures to recognize the increased risk of extreme precipitation?  What is the status of the adoption of the Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) to reduce flooding risk and maximize water availability? What additional research and monitoring is necessary, and on what timeline, to incorporate FIRO into the Corps’ standard procedures?
    7. Interagency Collaboration: What NOAA and Corps coordination mechanisms are in place to improve rural flood-warning infrastructure and emergency preparedness, including hydrology modeling and flood response planning?
    8. Future Preparedness Plan: Describe plans to adapt federal weather services to the growing frequency of extreme precipitation events attributable to climate change.

    Across America, we are entering a perilous new era of extreme precipitation. The science is clear: a warming world means heavier rains, more frequent flash floods, and rising stakes. Failure to learn from this disaster will only exacerbate future risk. Now is the moment to prioritize investments—restoring NOAA staffing and accelerating research and coordinating flood preparedness across the Federal Government. We respectfully ask for your prompt attention and response within 30 days to ensure federal weather infrastructure is not the weak link in our national resilience.  We further request a quick response to the July 8, 2025 letter from Rep. Doggett, the Dean of the Texas Congressional Delegation.

     

    Sincerely,

    # # #
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ICE and CBP Law Enforcement Dodge Literal Bullets from Rioters While Rescuing at Least 10 Migrant Children During Operations at Two Marijuana Grow Sites in California

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Brave agents faced gun fire as they executed on criminal search warrants at a marijuana facility where they rescued at least 10 migrant children, arrested approximately 200 illegal aliens

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the following statement after U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers faced gunfire while conducting operations at two marijuana grow sites in California. The shooter remains at-large.

    On July 10, 2025, federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. During the operation, at least 10 migrant children were rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. Federal officers also arrested approximately 200 illegal aliens from both sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo.

    During the operation, more than 500 rioters attempted to disrupt operations. Four U.S. citizens are being criminally processed for assaulting or resisting officers. The rioters damaged vehicles and one violent agitator fired a gun at law enforcement officers. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is now offering $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of this violent rioter.

    The individual was caught on video firing what looked like a pistol at federal law enforcement. Despite law enforcement’s heroic actions to rescue these children, politicians are defending rioters and attacking our men and women in uniform.

    “At the California marijuana facilities, ICE and CBP law enforcement rescued at least 10 migrant children from what looks like exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling. Our law enforcement also arrested nearly 200 illegal aliens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “During the operation, a violent agitator fired a gun at our brave officers. While ICE and CBP officers are being assaulted by rioters and dodging bullets to save children, Sanctuary politicians are demonizing ICE and CBP. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who assaults or doxes federal law enforcement.”

    The investigation into immigration and potential child labor violations is ongoing. Information will be released as it becomes available.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ICE and CBP Law Enforcement Dodge Literal Bullets from Rioters While Rescuing at Least 10 Migrant Children During Operations at Two Marijuana Grow Sites in California

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Brave agents faced gun fire as they executed on criminal search warrants at a marijuana facility where they rescued at least 10 migrant children, arrested approximately 200 illegal aliens

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the following statement after U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers faced gunfire while conducting operations at two marijuana grow sites in California. The shooter remains at-large.

    On July 10, 2025, federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. During the operation, at least 10 migrant children were rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. Federal officers also arrested approximately 200 illegal aliens from both sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo.

    During the operation, more than 500 rioters attempted to disrupt operations. Four U.S. citizens are being criminally processed for assaulting or resisting officers. The rioters damaged vehicles and one violent agitator fired a gun at law enforcement officers. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is now offering $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of this violent rioter.

    The individual was caught on video firing what looked like a pistol at federal law enforcement. Despite law enforcement’s heroic actions to rescue these children, politicians are defending rioters and attacking our men and women in uniform.

    “At the California marijuana facilities, ICE and CBP law enforcement rescued at least 10 migrant children from what looks like exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling. Our law enforcement also arrested nearly 200 illegal aliens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “During the operation, a violent agitator fired a gun at our brave officers. While ICE and CBP officers are being assaulted by rioters and dodging bullets to save children, Sanctuary politicians are demonizing ICE and CBP. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who assaults or doxes federal law enforcement.”

    The investigation into immigration and potential child labor violations is ongoing. Information will be released as it becomes available.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office Adds 222 Immigration Cases

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

    SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 222 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from July 3 through July 10.

    Among the new cases, Karen Y. Ordonez-Granados and Ledy Veronica Ordonez-Granados aka Veronica Granados were both charged with one count of fraud or misuse of an immigration document. The two defendants were arrested as Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) conducted a court-authorized search warrant at Groomer’s Seafood of San Antonio on July 2. The search warrant had been authorized after HSI auditors discovered, through an investigation of Forms I-9, that 29 employees hired between 2016 and 2025 had presented fraudulent legal permanent resident (LPR) cards and fraudulent social security numbers at their time of hiring or rehiring. A criminal complaint affidavit alleges that two of those employees were Karen Y. Ordonez-Granados and Ledy Veronica Ordonez-Granados. Both defendants allegedly stated they $150 for the fraudulent LPR cards and presented them when they applied for employment. If convicted they each face up to 10 years in federal prison and/or up to a $250,000 fine.

    In Austin, Honduran national Jose David Sifuentes was encountered by ICE at the Caldwell County Jail where he was serving a five-year sentence for sexual assaulting a child. Sifuentes was arrested for the charge July 14, 2020, at which time ICE lodged a detainer. He was federally charged with illegal re-entry on July 7, 2025, having been previously removed from the U.S. to Honduras in 2019. Sifuentes was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9.

    Two Guatemalan nationals were arrested in El Paso and charged with illegal re-entry after they had just been removed from the U.S. in May. Diego Garcia-Godinez was allegedly located just over three miles east of the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry and has been deported three times, most recently to Guatemala on May 20, 2025. Jose Luis Cabrera-Lopez was allegedly found approximately .01 miles east of the Bridge of the Americas and has also been removed three times, the last being to Guatemala on May 14.

    Samuel Meza-Escobedo, a Mexican national with nine prior removals, was also arrested in El Paso and charged with illegal re-entry. Meza-Escobedo was allegedly found just less than a mile west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry and has three prior illegal re-entry convictions. He was last removed from the U.S. to Mexico on Aug. 13, 2024.

    Mexican national Daniel Sauceda-Borrego was arrested by Customs and Border Protection in El Paso after he allegedly presented identification documents under an assumed or fictitious name. A criminal complaint alleges that Sauceda-Borrego presented a Washington ID card bearing his photograph, name, and date of birth, along with a Social Security Card of another individual with the initials J.F.R. He was referred to Passport Control Secondary (PCS), where his fingerprints were scanned and revealed that he had been previously removed from the U.S. to Mexico in 2011. The criminal complaint alleges that Sauceda-Borrego admitted that he was given a Texas Birth Certificate from an individual in Seattle, Washington, and had been using a different identity for approximately five or six years.

    Tomas Velazquez-Jijon, a Mexican national, was arrested on July 7, after U.S. Border Patrol agents located him during a Greyhound bus inspection at the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Checkpoint and allegedly discovered he was in possession of a fraudulent LPR card with his demographics printed on the card. A record check for the LPR card number resulted in a different name, date of birth, and citizenship. Agents also allegedly found that Velazquez-Jijon possessed a fraudulent Social Security Card. He was recently removed from the U.S. to Mexico for the first time on May 22, and is charged with one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits and related documents, and false personation.

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

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office Adds 222 Immigration Cases

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

    SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 222 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from July 3 through July 10.

    Among the new cases, Karen Y. Ordonez-Granados and Ledy Veronica Ordonez-Granados aka Veronica Granados were both charged with one count of fraud or misuse of an immigration document. The two defendants were arrested as Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) conducted a court-authorized search warrant at Groomer’s Seafood of San Antonio on July 2. The search warrant had been authorized after HSI auditors discovered, through an investigation of Forms I-9, that 29 employees hired between 2016 and 2025 had presented fraudulent legal permanent resident (LPR) cards and fraudulent social security numbers at their time of hiring or rehiring. A criminal complaint affidavit alleges that two of those employees were Karen Y. Ordonez-Granados and Ledy Veronica Ordonez-Granados. Both defendants allegedly stated they $150 for the fraudulent LPR cards and presented them when they applied for employment. If convicted they each face up to 10 years in federal prison and/or up to a $250,000 fine.

    In Austin, Honduran national Jose David Sifuentes was encountered by ICE at the Caldwell County Jail where he was serving a five-year sentence for sexual assaulting a child. Sifuentes was arrested for the charge July 14, 2020, at which time ICE lodged a detainer. He was federally charged with illegal re-entry on July 7, 2025, having been previously removed from the U.S. to Honduras in 2019. Sifuentes was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9.

    Two Guatemalan nationals were arrested in El Paso and charged with illegal re-entry after they had just been removed from the U.S. in May. Diego Garcia-Godinez was allegedly located just over three miles east of the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry and has been deported three times, most recently to Guatemala on May 20, 2025. Jose Luis Cabrera-Lopez was allegedly found approximately .01 miles east of the Bridge of the Americas and has also been removed three times, the last being to Guatemala on May 14.

    Samuel Meza-Escobedo, a Mexican national with nine prior removals, was also arrested in El Paso and charged with illegal re-entry. Meza-Escobedo was allegedly found just less than a mile west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry and has three prior illegal re-entry convictions. He was last removed from the U.S. to Mexico on Aug. 13, 2024.

    Mexican national Daniel Sauceda-Borrego was arrested by Customs and Border Protection in El Paso after he allegedly presented identification documents under an assumed or fictitious name. A criminal complaint alleges that Sauceda-Borrego presented a Washington ID card bearing his photograph, name, and date of birth, along with a Social Security Card of another individual with the initials J.F.R. He was referred to Passport Control Secondary (PCS), where his fingerprints were scanned and revealed that he had been previously removed from the U.S. to Mexico in 2011. The criminal complaint alleges that Sauceda-Borrego admitted that he was given a Texas Birth Certificate from an individual in Seattle, Washington, and had been using a different identity for approximately five or six years.

    Tomas Velazquez-Jijon, a Mexican national, was arrested on July 7, after U.S. Border Patrol agents located him during a Greyhound bus inspection at the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Checkpoint and allegedly discovered he was in possession of a fraudulent LPR card with his demographics printed on the card. A record check for the LPR card number resulted in a different name, date of birth, and citizenship. Agents also allegedly found that Velazquez-Jijon possessed a fraudulent Social Security Card. He was recently removed from the U.S. to Mexico for the first time on May 22, and is charged with one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits and related documents, and false personation.

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

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mongolia Celebrates World Horse Day

    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

    ULAN BATOR, July 11 (Xinhua) — Mongolia is celebrating World Horse Day to draw international attention to the importance of horses and encourage public participation in their conservation.

    “Our people say: ‘The Mongolian people and Mongolian horses are one.’ Therefore, I am very pleased to inform the participants of the Naadam Festival that Mongolia has initiated World Horse Day to preserve the heritage and traditions of equestrian culture, and to highlight the role and significance of horses in the life of humanity,” said Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh at the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival.

    As a representative of nomadic peoples who have preserved their equestrian culture and traditions since ancient times, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh initiated a draft UN General Assembly resolution to proclaim July 11 of each year as “World Horse Day”. The 79th session of the UN General Assembly on June 3, 2025 adopted this document.

    Currently, Mongolia has a horse population of over 5 million, which is larger than the country’s population. Meanwhile, there are over 57 million horses in the world. In many countries, horse breeding plays an important role in socio-economic development, contributing to the economic empowerment of rural populations and local communities through horse riding, transportation, racing, equestrian sports, tourism and recreation, as well as job creation, food production and other activities.

    At the same time, horse populations and the horse breeding industry worldwide are declining due to lifestyle changes, pressures from economic fluctuations, climate change, environmental and other factors. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kazakhstan plans to temporarily ban export of non-ferrous metals

    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

    ALMATY, July 11 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan plans to impose a ban on the export of non-ferrous metal blanks and ingots by all modes of transport until December 31, 2025, the press service of the Kazakh prime minister said on Friday.

    This became known at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Foreign Trade Policy and Participation in International Economic Organizations chaired by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin.

    The ban applies to unwrought copper, aluminium slabs and billets and lead ingots.

    According to the department, this measure is aimed at providing the domestic market with strategic raw materials, preventing the export of products with low added value and stimulating the processing of non-ferrous metals within the country. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. improves HOV-lane access for EV drivers

    The Province of B.C. is making it easier for electric-vehicle (EV) drivers to access high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, reflecting the popularity of electric vehicles in B.C.

    Starting Aug. 15, 2025, drivers of eligible plug-in hybrid or battery-electric vehicles will no longer need to display an OK decal to use designated HOV lanes. As of that date, access to HOV lanes for EV drivers will be indicated solely by road signs.

    This update to the Electric Vehicle in High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (EVHOV) program simplifies HOV-lane usage for EV owners and eliminates administrative wait times for decals.

    Other changes include allowing eligible out-of-province vehicles and electric heavy-duty trucks to use HOV lanes where signage permits, supporting more efficient goods movement and encouraging cleaner transportation options.

    Access to HOV lanes without the minimum number of passengers where signage permits will remain available to vehicles that run on an electric motor and plug in to charge. Hydrogen vehicles will no longer be eligible to use HOV lanes without meeting the minimum passenger requirement.

    By removing the decal requirement, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit will save approximately $70,000 annually in administrative costs. The ministry will continue to monitor the capacity of HOV lanes in the province to ensure they remain effective for all permitted users.

    Learn More:

    For details about electric-vehicle access to HOV lanes, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/routes-and-driving-conditions/hov-lanes/electric   

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Second I-81 Viaduct Flyover Ramp Opens

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that a second flyover ramp connecting Interstate 481 northbound (future I-81) to State Route 481 northbound in Cicero will open in time for the afternoon rush hour on Friday, July 11, as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project, the largest infrastructure project in the history of the State Department of Transportation. This second flyover bridge is the final connection for motorists traveling on future I-81 northbound to bypass downtown Syracuse from the south, helping to maintain an uninterrupted route to the densely populated and fast-growing communities of northern Onondaga County and the Oswego County cities of Fulton and Oswego.

    “The I-81 Viaduct Project is about transforming the City of Syracuse and Central New York — ushering a new era of connectivity and community,” Governor Hochul said. “With summer in full swing, construction is ramping up on all five phase one contracts, laying a foundation for the eventual rebirth of downtown Syracuse and building a better future for New Yorkers.”

    The opening of this $9 million ramp represents the second major segment of transportation infrastructure completed and operational as part of the new northern interchange of the I-81 Viaduct Project, and follows the completion of the first flyover ramp in Cicero in May. Governor Hochul visited the site in Cicero just last month to personally see the finished product before it opened to traffic.

    Starting Friday, July 11, the new flyover ramp from Interstate 481 (future I-81) northbound to State Route 481 northbound will be open, while construction on concrete noise barriers will continue to be installed along the approach on the right side of the ramp. Traffic traveling on Interstate 481 northbound to Clay, Fulton, or Oswego must use the two right lanes for Exit 96 (State Route 481/I-81 south) to continue on State Route 481 north. Alternatively, traffic traveling northbound on I-481 to I-81 north, toward Watertown, must use the two left lanes and take Exit 9N.

    The northern interchange is on track to be completed by the end of 2025. All five phase one contracts associated with the I-81 Viaduct Project are now in construction, representing a significant benchmark in the project’s progress.

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Our crews on the I-81 Viaduct Project are literally working night and day to get this project done as quickly and seamlessly as possible, and this new flyover ramp at the northern interchange is proof positive that our efforts to transform Central New York are paying dividends for the traveling public. Governor Hochul is laser focused on delivering a project that everyone in Central New York can be proud of – one that connects communities previously divided and enhances the transportation experience for all users of the road. That’s just what our I-81 Viaduct Project will do for the City of Syracuse and all of Central New York.”

    In February 2025, Governor Hochul announced the launch of the I-81 Connect mobile app, building on the unprecedented community outreach efforts implemented during the project’s planning and environmental phases — which are currently still effective — during construction. The app delivers real-time project updates and travel alerts and allows the Central New York community to connect with the I-81 Project team directly.

    The I-81 Viaduct Project is part of Governor Hochul’s unprecedented commitment to modernize New York State’s infrastructure and invest in projects that reconnect communities by promoting equity, connectivity, and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities across the state. The $34.3 billion, five-year NYSDOT Capital Plan helps fulfill the Governor’s vision for a modern transportation system that serves New Yorkers across the State. The project is being funded with a mix of federal and State money.

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “With the second flyover ramp over I-81 complete in time for afternoon rush hour, we are closer than ever to realizing the dream of a reconnected Syracuse with green space and more modern and integrated transportation. I was proud to deliver federal funding to build a brand-new ramp that will help travelers commute in Onondaga County and north to communities in Oswego County and beyond. When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I did so with projects like Syracuse’s I-81 transformation as my north star. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s and Mayor Walsh’s partnership in putting this federal funding to good use building the better, brighter future that Syracuse deserves.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The I-81 Project is truly transformative for the City of Syracuse and the entire region. After years of relentless advocacy, I’m excited we are seeing real results. I am proud to have fought to deliver the resources needed to help revitalize and reconnect Syracuse, and I will keep working to see this project through.”

    Representative John W. Mannion said, “The opening of the new flyover ramp connecting northbound traffic in Cicero to Clay, Fulton, and Oswego is another step forward in the I-81 Viaduct Project. It’s a clear sign that progress is being made every day to improve connectivity across our region and ensure safer, more efficient travel for residents and visitors.”

    About the Department of Transportation
    It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

    Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

    For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Second I-81 Viaduct Flyover Ramp Opens

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that a second flyover ramp connecting Interstate 481 northbound (future I-81) to State Route 481 northbound in Cicero will open in time for the afternoon rush hour on Friday, July 11, as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project, the largest infrastructure project in the history of the State Department of Transportation. This second flyover bridge is the final connection for motorists traveling on future I-81 northbound to bypass downtown Syracuse from the south, helping to maintain an uninterrupted route to the densely populated and fast-growing communities of northern Onondaga County and the Oswego County cities of Fulton and Oswego.

    “The I-81 Viaduct Project is about transforming the City of Syracuse and Central New York — ushering a new era of connectivity and community,” Governor Hochul said. “With summer in full swing, construction is ramping up on all five phase one contracts, laying a foundation for the eventual rebirth of downtown Syracuse and building a better future for New Yorkers.”

    The opening of this $9 million ramp represents the second major segment of transportation infrastructure completed and operational as part of the new northern interchange of the I-81 Viaduct Project, and follows the completion of the first flyover ramp in Cicero in May. Governor Hochul visited the site in Cicero just last month to personally see the finished product before it opened to traffic.

    Starting Friday, July 11, the new flyover ramp from Interstate 481 (future I-81) northbound to State Route 481 northbound will be open, while construction on concrete noise barriers will continue to be installed along the approach on the right side of the ramp. Traffic traveling on Interstate 481 northbound to Clay, Fulton, or Oswego must use the two right lanes for Exit 96 (State Route 481/I-81 south) to continue on State Route 481 north. Alternatively, traffic traveling northbound on I-481 to I-81 north, toward Watertown, must use the two left lanes and take Exit 9N.

    The northern interchange is on track to be completed by the end of 2025. All five phase one contracts associated with the I-81 Viaduct Project are now in construction, representing a significant benchmark in the project’s progress.

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Our crews on the I-81 Viaduct Project are literally working night and day to get this project done as quickly and seamlessly as possible, and this new flyover ramp at the northern interchange is proof positive that our efforts to transform Central New York are paying dividends for the traveling public. Governor Hochul is laser focused on delivering a project that everyone in Central New York can be proud of – one that connects communities previously divided and enhances the transportation experience for all users of the road. That’s just what our I-81 Viaduct Project will do for the City of Syracuse and all of Central New York.”

    In February 2025, Governor Hochul announced the launch of the I-81 Connect mobile app, building on the unprecedented community outreach efforts implemented during the project’s planning and environmental phases — which are currently still effective — during construction. The app delivers real-time project updates and travel alerts and allows the Central New York community to connect with the I-81 Project team directly.

    The I-81 Viaduct Project is part of Governor Hochul’s unprecedented commitment to modernize New York State’s infrastructure and invest in projects that reconnect communities by promoting equity, connectivity, and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities across the state. The $34.3 billion, five-year NYSDOT Capital Plan helps fulfill the Governor’s vision for a modern transportation system that serves New Yorkers across the State. The project is being funded with a mix of federal and State money.

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “With the second flyover ramp over I-81 complete in time for afternoon rush hour, we are closer than ever to realizing the dream of a reconnected Syracuse with green space and more modern and integrated transportation. I was proud to deliver federal funding to build a brand-new ramp that will help travelers commute in Onondaga County and north to communities in Oswego County and beyond. When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I did so with projects like Syracuse’s I-81 transformation as my north star. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s and Mayor Walsh’s partnership in putting this federal funding to good use building the better, brighter future that Syracuse deserves.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The I-81 Project is truly transformative for the City of Syracuse and the entire region. After years of relentless advocacy, I’m excited we are seeing real results. I am proud to have fought to deliver the resources needed to help revitalize and reconnect Syracuse, and I will keep working to see this project through.”

    Representative John W. Mannion said, “The opening of the new flyover ramp connecting northbound traffic in Cicero to Clay, Fulton, and Oswego is another step forward in the I-81 Viaduct Project. It’s a clear sign that progress is being made every day to improve connectivity across our region and ensure safer, more efficient travel for residents and visitors.”

    About the Department of Transportation
    It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

    Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

    For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce over $15.5 Million in Federal Funding for Virginia Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

     WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $15,553,713 in federal funding to support infrastructure improvements at six airports across Virginia. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration Airport Infrastructure Grant program, made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

    “Investing in our airports is a crucial component of strengthening Virginia’s economy and keeping travelers safe,” the senators said. “We’re proud to support this funding and will keep working to foster growth and convenient transportation in the Commonwealth.” 

    The funding is broken down as follows:

    • $11,499,942 to the Capital Region Airport Commission to reconstruct the existing 15,000-square-foot aircraft rescue and firefighting building Richmond International Airport;
    • $1,216,000 to the Emporia-Greensville Airport Commission to rehabilitate 2,650 feet of taxiway, construct 1,550 feet of new taxiway, and rehabilitate 9,000 square yards of existing apron at Emporia-Greensville Regional Airport;
    • $1,035,500 to the Town of Leesburg to reconstruct 5,500 feet of existing pavement parallel to a taxiway that has reached the end of its useful life at Leesburg Executive Airport;
    • $1,019,868 to the City of Manassas to rehabilitate 6,200 feet of runway at Manassas Regional Airport;
    • $748,488 to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission to acquire 14 acres of land and an easement for 80 acres to protect runway approaches at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport;
    • $33,915 to the Cumberlands Airport Commission to remove trees identified as obstructions by the Federal Aviation Administration at Lonesome Pine Airport.

    Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports and have secured millions in federal funding for airports across Virginia through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This week the senators have already announced over $21 million in funding for Virginia airports, building on the over $5 million announced earlier this month and the more than $12 million announced in January. In October 2024, they announced nearly $57 million in federal funding for revitalization efforts, and in September 2024 they announced more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to Virginia airports through the Airport Improvement Program. The senators have previously announced $104.6 million in combined federal funding for the new terminal building at Washington Dulles International Airport.

    Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports. Sens. Warner and Kaine have secured millions in federal funding for airports across Virginia through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This week the senators have already announced over $21 million in funding for Virginia airports, building on the $5 million in federal funding announced earlier this month and the $12 million for improvements to Virginia’s airports announced in January of this year. In October 2024, they announced nearly $57 million in federal funding for revitalizations efforts, and in September 2024, they announced more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to Virginia airports through the Airport Improvement Program. The senators have previously announced $104.6 million in combined federal funding for the new terminal building at Dulles. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, SFRC Colleagues Demand Answers Regarding State Department Layoffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led colleagues in writing a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing deep concerns with imminent Reductions in Force (RIFs) at the State Department, and requested answers on the Trump administration’s process for carrying out these layoffs. 

    “RIFs should remain a tool of last resort, and if implemented must be conducted according to long-standing procedures that prioritize transparency and a merit-based process for both career civil service employees and Foreign Service Officers (FSOs). During a time of increasingly complex and wide-spread challenges to U.S. national security, this administration should be strengthening our diplomatic corps—an irreplaceable instrument of U.S. power and leadership—not weakening it. However, RIFs would severely undermine the Department’s ability to achieve U.S. foreign policy interests, putting our nation’s security, strength, and prosperity at risk,” the senators wrote. 

    Since January, the Foreign Service has shrunk by nearly 25 percent and the number of civil service employees has also decreased due to agency closures, early retirement, and buyouts. 

    “While every administration is entitled to set new priorities and engage in reorganization of executive agencies, we are deeply concerned by the breadth of these RIFs and the lack of clarity and transparency of the Department’s RIF process,” the senators continued. 

    The senators requested a response to the following questions by no later than July 18, 2025: 

    RIF Criteria:

    1. When were RIF lists created, by whom, and against what criteria?
    2. Is the Department choosing to RIF based on current office assignment rather than globally ranking FSOs and civil servants based on grade and skillsets?  If so, why?
    3. Are the lists being updated to reflect Permanent Changes in Station (PCS) or curtailments?
    4. How many veterans and consular coned generalists are included on the list?
    5. It can take years of training for an FSO or civil servant to master diplomatic and negotiation skills, including obtaining fluency in critical languages. Why are skilled officers, including those with specialized language skills not being reassigned? How will the Department fill these specialized skill and experience gaps?

    Foreign Service Officers:

    1. Why is the administration preventing FSOs from transferring into critical vacancies?
    2. Why is the administration preventing candidates who accepted a “handshake” from being paneled to a position they were chosen for based on merit?
    3. What is the rationale for conducting RIFs before the reorganization takes effect?
    4. How many vacant FSO positions will there be worldwide after RIFs are processed? How does the Department plan to fill mission critical posts?
    5. Why is the Department processing RIFs prior to determining the number of vacant positions remaining following your reorganization efforts?
    6. How is the Department protecting the pipeline of FSOs to ensure no critical skill gaps in the future?

    Civil Service:

    1. Civil service employees often come to the Department with specialized experience.  How is the Department working to retain critical, hard to replace employees in the civil service?
    2. How is the Department working to ensure key specialties, knowledge, and personnel are retained and transferred during the reorganization?
    3. Why is the Department refusing to process any lateral moves by civil service employees who have been offered other civil service positions within the Department?
    4. If reducing waste, fraud, and abuse is the goal of the reorganization, why is the Department not efficiently allowing these experienced civil service employees to laterally move into vacant positions they were chosen for based on merit?
    5. If remaining officers are going to be asked to take on additional work, how will they be remunerated for their time and effort? 
    6. Will the hiring and lateral transition freezes be lifted once RIFs are complete?

      

    Reassignment Process:

    1. Will there be a competitive reassignment for high-performing, mission-critical personnel following the RIFs?  If so, what is the timeline and criteria for this reassignment process?  How will the Department communicate these details with its employees?

    The letter is cosigned by Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

    To read the full text of the letter, click here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Peters Secures Funding for Michigan Priorities in Agriculture Appropriations Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped the Senate Appropriations Committee pass the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This bipartisan legislation would fund critical federal agencies and programs that support rural communities, food safety, and America’s robust agricultural economy. The bill also supports Michigan’s agriculture priorities as well as high-impact local projects across Michigan. The bill now advances to the full Senate. 

    “This bill makes investments that matter to Michigan, like strengthening local emergency response efforts, supporting our robust agricultural economy, and improving access to affordable food,” said Senator Peters. “It also delivers resources for food safety initiatives that will help keep all Americans healthy. I’ll keep advocating for these key priorities as this bill moves to the full Senate.” 

    Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is considering their own funding bills. The Senate and House will then need to reach an agreement on a final funding bill and have it pass both chambers before being sent to the President to be signed into law.

    The bill includes numerous measures led and supported by Peters, including: 

    Funding to Support Communities in Michigan:

    New Fire Truck for City of Alpena: Peters secured $1,105,000 in the bill for the City of Alpena to replace an essential aerial ladder fire truck to help ensure safe and efficient operations.

    Improving Public Safety in Bad Axe: The bill includes $850,000 to support the construction of a new public safety building for the City of Bad Axe. The project would help ensure that first responders have the resources they need to efficiently and effectively respond to emergencies.

    New Fire Engine for the City of Berkley: The bill would provide $385,000 to replace the City of Berkley’s primary front-line fire engine responsible for responding to fire and vehicle extraction emergencies.

    Upgrading Emergency Communications Infrastructure in Big Creek Township: Peters secured $74,000 for the Big Creek Township Fire Department to upgrade its radio system. The new system will ensure department staff can efficiently and effectively communicate when responding to emergencies. 

    New Fire Truck for City of Big Rapids: The bill includes $378,000 for the City of Big Rapids to purchase a new fire truck, which will improve community safety and be used to better protect both people and property. 

    New Aerial Ladder Truck for Escanaba: The bill would provide $700,000 for the Escanaba Public Safety Department to replace an aerial ladder fire truck essential to providing safe and efficient emergency and fire services for the community.

    Training First Responders in Grand Traverse County: Peters secured $80,000 in the bill to support the construction of a new training facility for the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center Authority. The facility would support education and training needs for fire, EMS, local and state law enforcement, and maritime professionals. 

    Improving Wildfire Response in Montcalm: The bill would provide $245,000 for the Lakeview District Fire Department in Montcalm to purchase equipment needed to adequately protect the community and property from growing threats of wildfires. 

    Expanding Access to Child Care in Stanton: Peters secured $225,000 to expand the Central Montcalm Public School’s Early Childhood Center to provide more childcare and educational services for the community. 

    New Plow Truck for Village of Ontonagon: The bill includes $169,000 for the Village of Ontonagon to purchase a new plow truck, which will help keep streets and alleyways clear of snow and ice for the safety of both residents and visitors to the nearby Porcupine Mountains State Park.

    New Fire Engine for the City of Rockwood: The bill would provide $765,000 for the City of Rockwood to purchase a new fire engine to help strengthen its fire response for the community. 

    Improving Library Access in Caro: The bill includes $200,000 secured by Peters, which will be used to modernize a 46-year-old elevator currently in use at the Caro Area District Library.

    Supporting Farmers & Michigan’s Agricultural Sector:

    Funding for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): This bill includes funding for APHIS, which helps farmers combat specialty crop pests. This funding would support Peters’ Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) Act, legislation that aims to reduce the spread of, and advance research on, the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). SWD an invasive insect that harms fruit growers and their crops in Michigan and across the country.  

    Research to Advance Technology in Agriculture: Peters supported a provision in the bill to provide funding for the Agricultural Research Service Crop Production Program, which would allow researchers to identify and develop new methods for increasing crop production sustainably using emerging technologies. These methods include satellites, geospatial systems, and artificial intelligence. 

    Promoting Urban Farming and Indoor Agriculture Sector: The bill includes funding for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program, which seeks to promote urban, indoor, and other innovative agricultural practices that have been adopted for use in both urban and rural areas to bolster local food systems and extend short growing seasons. 

    Boosting Agricultural Research: The bill includes funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which provides funding for key research projects that can contribute to substantial breakthroughs in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Investments from NIFA help ensure that farmers, ranchers, and foresters have access to fair and competitive markets, while supporting resilient growing practices that produce nutritious and affordable foods for American families.

    Strengthen Public Health & Expand Nutrition Assistance:

    Funding to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets: Peters secured $3 million in funding for the Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program, which provides funding to facilities who harbor survivors of domestic violence, along with their pets, as well as animal shelters that partner with domestic violence service providers. This program was established by Peters’ PAWS Act, which was signed into law in 2018. 

    Funding to Improve Food Safety: The bill includes funding for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Human Foods Program, which aims to ensure the food we consume is safe and nutritious, including baby food and infant formula. The bill’s report language will begin the work to support FDA’s oversight of baby formula production and update food labeling and consumer guidance. This language was inspired by Peters’ Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act, which would strengthen FDA’s oversight of infant formula manufacturing and improve the security of our nation’s infant formula supply, ensuring American families have access to safe, affordable formula.

    Language Requiring the FDA to Develop Monitoring Guidelines for Human Cell and Tissue Products (HCT/P): The bill includes language Peters secured that would require the FDA to examine the feasibility of implementing tissue-tracking protocols for HCT/Ps, similar to those required for solid organs and blood products. The bill also requests that the FDA works with other federal agencies to develop routine post HCT/P implant monitoring guidelines similar to current practices for all tissue allograft recipients. This provision builds on Senator Peters’ previous efforts to prevent tuberculosis contaminations in HCT/Ps, including introduction last Congress of the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Products Safety Act, which would establish an education campaign to prevent tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks from infected HCTP donations. 

    Supporting Nutrition Assistance: The bill funds critical programs that help meet the nutrition needs of American families across the country. The bill funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides nutrition assistance to millions of women and children nationwide and includes funding to support fruit and vegetable benefits. 

    The bill also funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which assists millions of Americans every month. Additionally, the bill funds vital nutrition programs aimed at supporting children in school, such as the federal school lunch and breakfast programs, and the Summer EBT program. The funding provided by this bill will support approximately 5 billion lunches and 2.7 billion breakfasts to children across the country. 

    Improving Food Safety: The bill provides funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a vital agency that helps protect the safety and resiliency of America’s food supply. 

    Improving Transparency in FDA Oversight: Peters secured language in the bill that would prevent the FDA from using funds for activities that are non-compliant with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which governs the establishment, operation, and termination of advisory committees within the executive branch of the federal government. FACA’s main purpose is to ensure transparency and improve public access to the guidance provided by these committees.

    Improving Public Infrastructure:

    Strengthening Dam Infrastructure: The bill includes $1 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Watershed Rehabilitation Program. This program provides technical and financial assistance to communities seeking to extend the service life of aging dam infrastructure and bring dams into compliance with current safety and performance standards. 

    Rental Assistance in Rural Communities: The bill provides funding for rental assistance for Americans living in rural areas to help expand access to safe and affordable housing options.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Ricketts Fights for a Prosperous America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill and his work to secure American prosperity.

    Watch the video here.

    ”It’s rare to have the opportunity to set an entire nation on a better course for generations.  The One Big Beautiful Bill does just that,” said Ricketts.  ”It prevents a $2,443 tax increase on the average Nebraska family.  It gives Nebraska families and businesses financial freedom and the ability to grow.  It avoids a $4 trillion tax increase on all Americans.”

    TRANSCRIPT:

    Senator Ricketts: “It’s rare to have the opportunity to set an entire nation on a better course for generations. 

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill does just that. 

    “It is truly a win for America and Nebraska. 

    “It preserves, protects, and fosters growth. 

    “It strengthens what makes America great. 

    “It reforms and reduces the waste and inefficiencies that weaken us. 

    “One of the most important parts of this bill is lowering taxes. 

    “It extends and makes permanent the 2017 Trump tax cuts. 

    “It leaves more money in the wallets of Nebraskans.  

    “It prevents a $2,443 tax increase on the average Nebraska family. 

    “It gives Nebraska families and businesses financial freedom and the ability to grow. 

    “It avoids a $4 trillion tax increase on all Americans. 

    “Across the country, the average family of four would have seen a $1,700 tax increase without the One Big Beautiful Bill. 

    “In the bill, the highest percentage of tax cuts goes to people making less than $50,000 a year. 

    “Firefighters, nurses, factory workers, and servers who make money on tips or overtime will be the biggest benefactors. 

    “Now, these workers won’t be taxed on the tips and overtime pay that they work extra hard to earn. 

    “Their employers—whether corporations or small businesses—receive incentives to provide workers with childcare. 

    “That’s in addition to a child tax credit that’s being raised to $2,200 per child. 

    “It’s combined with enhancement of the dependent care assistance program, which excludes up $7,500 of dependent care assistance each year. 

    “And topped off with the child and dependent care tax credit which increases the maximum credit rate from 35% to 50% of care costs. 

    “This means that families are supported as they raise their children and other dependents. 

    “More money for Nebraska families and their needs is a win for America’s future. 

    “Supporting small business and expanding job opportunity is another win for Nebraska’s future. 

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill also permanently extends the immediate deduction of research and development costs. 

    “It allows business owners to fully expense heavy machinery and equipment while increasing the dollar limits of expensing for business assets. 

    “These enhancements for investments toward innovation, equipment, and tools will help American manufacturers remain the world leaders. 

    “It also permanently raises the death tax exemption, allowing ranches and farms to stay in the family. 

    “These changes make it easier for Nebraska businesses to reinvest in their companies and pass them on to the next generation. 

    “This helps everyone from farmers and ranchers to manufacturers and restaurant owners. 

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill encourages investment, so America stays the leading innovator.  

    “This creates jobs and innovation. 

    “It rewards ingenuity and entrepreneurship. 

    “And it makes Nebraska companies more competitive on the global stage. 

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill will increase the take-home pay for all Nebraska families. 

    “According to the Council of Economic Advisers, average take-home pay will increase $9,050 per worker in the first four years of the law’s implementation. 

    “For the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the CEA estimated a $4,000 increase in average household wage and salary income. 

    “It will ensure that money stays with Nebraska taxpayers. 

    “It unleashes American dynamism. 

    “It helps Nebraska families and the American worker.  

    “It is indeed One Big Beautiful Bill.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Malnutrition crisis deepens for Sudan’s children as war rages on

    Source: United Nations 2

    Across the five states that make up Darfur, UNICEF data revealed a 46 per cent increase in the number of children treated for SAM in January to May 2025 compared to the same period last year.

    The rate of acute malnutrition has surpassed emergency levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 9 of the 13 localities across Darfur.

    In North Darfur alone, over 40,000 children were admitted for SAM treatment in the first five months of the year – double the number from the same period last year.

    Besieged and starved

    This malnutrition surge comes amid intensifying conflict in North Darfur since April. Entire neighborhoods have been besieged, hospitals targeted by airstrikes, roads rendered impassable while aid convoys have faced looting and violent attacks.

    The situation is particularly catastrophic in El Fasher, where humanitarian access has been nearly completely severed since the RSF militia besieged the city – the last held by Government forces in the region – and cut off assistance in April of 2023.

    UNICEF successfully delivered a batch of supplies to El Fasher earlier this year, but efforts to send additional aid have been blocked.

    “Children in Darfur are being starved by conflict and cut off from the very aid that could save them,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative for Sudan. “This is a moment of truth; children’s lives depend on whether the world chooses to act or look away.”

    The crisis has triggered mass displacement in the area: in April, nearly 400,000 people fled the Zamzam camp near El Fasher. Many walked up to 70 kilometres to reach Tawila, where more than 500,000 displaced people survive with little access to food, water, or adequate shelter.

    Nationwide crisis

    SAM is the deadliest form of malnutrition, and children suffering from it are highly vulnerable to life-threatening complications and face a high risk of death without proper treatment.

    And the crisis isn’t limited to the Darfur states – SAM admissions rose by more than 70 per cent in North Kordofan, 174 per cent in Khartoum State and a staggering 683 per cent in Al Jazirah State.

    However, the report noted that the rise in admissions in Al Jazirah and Khartoum is partially due to improved security and humanitarian access, enabling more families to reach health centres.

    Compounding the crisis is Sudan’s lean season – a period of food scarcity between harvests – which is rapidly increasing the risk of mass child mortality, particularly in areas already nearing famine thresholds.

    Cholera outbreaks, measles cases and collapsing health services are further aggravating the crisis, putting vulnerable children at even greater risk.

    UNICEF response

    UNICEF and its partners are saving lives by treating the wounded and malnourished, drilling wells and distributing food. But despite their best efforts, the violence is driving needs faster than they can be met.

    UNICEF is calling on all parties to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations and urges renewed diplomatic pressure on all sides for a cessation of hostilities.

    The agency is also appealing to the international community for more lifesaving funds. An additional $200 million is needed this year to sustain and expand essential nutrition services, including treatment for acute malnutrition.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘An unending horror story’: Gangs and human rights abuses expand in Haiti

    Source: United Nations 2

    Left vulnerable, communities then formed self-defence groups and Haitian security forces reinforced their operations and made small gains only to be rebuffed again by gangs.

    And at all stages of this cycle, human rights violations are being committed against civilians, according to a report released on Friday by the UN office in Haiti (BINUH) and the UN human rights office (OHCHR).

    “Caught in the middle of this unending horror story are the Haitian people, who are at the mercy of horrific violence by gangs and exposed to human rights violations from the security forces and abuses by the so-called ‘self-defence’ groups,” said Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights.

    The report also warned about “early signs of criminal governance” in the Centre Department where gangs are beginning to consolidate their gains and act as a de facto governing authority.

    Four years of horror

    Since 2021 and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, gang violence has dominated the capital Port-au-Prince which is now 85 per cent controlled by gangs, says the UN.

    Over 1.3 million Haitians have been displaced because of this violence, representing the largest displacement due to political upheaval in Haitian history.

    Food insecurity among displaced Haitians is rampant, with Haiti one of five countries worldwide which is experiencing famine-like conditions.

    As of March 2025, the violence has also expanded into previously untouched areas of the country, specifically the Artibonite and Centre Departments where 92,000 and 147,000 people have been displaced respectively.

    The report also noted that recently, gangs have begun to expand beyond central Haiti towards the border of the Dominican Republic, with the apparent goal of controlling key roads through which much of the illegal weapons trafficking is happening.

    “The expansion of gang territorial control poses a major risk of spreading violence and increasing transnational trafficking in arms and people,” said Ravina Shamdasani, a UNHCR spokesperson at a briefing in Geneva.

    Human rights endangered

    Between October 2024 and June 2025, 4,864 people in Haiti have been killed by gang violence. At least hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked.

    “Human rights abuses outside Port-au-Prince are intensifying in areas of the country where the presence of the State is extremely limited,” said Ulrika Richardson, interim Head of BINUH and UN Resident Coordinator.

    While many of these human rights violations – including the denial of the right to life and physical integrity, sexual violence and forced displacement — are being perpetrated by organized gangs, there are also documented human rights abuses at the hands of Haitian authorities.

    Specifically, between October 2024 and June 2025, there were 19 extrajudicial executions by security forces in the Artibonite and Centre Departments – 17 of them in Artibonite.

    Self-defence groups, which are increasingly prevalent as a result of inadequate State security, have also committed human rights violations, often in the form of lynchings of suspected gang members.

    “The human rights violations and abuses that we have documented are further evidence of why Haiti and the international community urgently need to step up to end the violence,” Mr. Türk said.

    At this point, there have been no documented human rights abuses committed by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission authorized by the United Nations and funded and staffed largely by Kenya.

    No accountability

    The Haitian National Police and MSS have launched multiple operations to regain territory lost to the gangs. While some have been briefly successful, the operations have been unable to maintain a lasting presence or protect local communities, according to the report.

    In fact, the report suggests that in the Centre, the situation is trending in the opposite direction with gangs consolidating territorial gains outside the capital and beginning to institute forms of criminal governance.

    As a result of this persistent insecurity, judicial operations are virtually at a standstill in the Centre and Artibonite Departments.

    “The international community must strengthen its support to the authorities, who bear the primary responsibility for protecting the Haitian population,” said Ms. Richardson.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Returns a Fugitive to Sacramento County to Face Sex Crime Charges

    Source: US FBI

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office and Sacramento Police Department are announcing the successful extradition of Jose Luis Navarro, who fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution in Sacramento County. Both agencies worked with the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Mexico City, Interpol, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs to secure Navarro’s arrest and extradition.

    “No matter where criminals hide, the FBI will not stop until they answer for their crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “Between our global reach and strong international and domestic partnerships, we will ensure fugitives are caught and brought to justice. Today’s extradition sends a clear message. If you run, we will find you.”

    Navarro was wanted by the Sacramento Police Department for the alleged sex crimes against four minor children between 2014 and 2022 in Sacramento, California. A felony no bail arrest warrant was issued for Navarro by the Sacramento Superior Court, charging Navarro with 38 counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 using force/violence, five counts of sex acts with a child under 10 years old, and two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.

    The FBI obtained a federal arrest warrant by criminal complaint for the unlawful flight to avoid prosecution on May 16, 2023, following information indicating that Navarro left the United States to avoid prosecution in Sacramento County. A joint investigation by the FBI Legal Attaché in Mexico City, FBI Sacramento field office, and Interpol’s Agencia de Investigación Criminal located Navarro in Vista Hermosa, Michoacán, Mexico, where he was apprehended by Mexican law enforcement partners on March 23, 2025. Navarro was held while the extradition was pending.

    Navarro’s return was funded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s “Project Welcome Home,” which provides funding to assist in the transportation of federal fugitives to the United States.

    The FBI continues to collaborate with its law enforcement partners to apprehend criminals charged with state crimes who flee the jurisdiction. Cases seeking information from the public, including fugitive matters, are posted on the FBI Sacramento Field Office’s Most Wanted web page and FBI Most Wanted application. Anyone with information that could assist in these cases may contact their local FBI office, United States embassy, or submit the information online at tips.fbi.gov.

    Questions regarding the detention and pending prosecution of Jose Luis Navarro should be directed to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Returns a Fugitive to Sacramento County to Face Sex Crime Charges

    Source: US FBI

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office and Sacramento Police Department are announcing the successful extradition of Jose Luis Navarro, who fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution in Sacramento County. Both agencies worked with the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Mexico City, Interpol, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs to secure Navarro’s arrest and extradition.

    “No matter where criminals hide, the FBI will not stop until they answer for their crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “Between our global reach and strong international and domestic partnerships, we will ensure fugitives are caught and brought to justice. Today’s extradition sends a clear message. If you run, we will find you.”

    Navarro was wanted by the Sacramento Police Department for the alleged sex crimes against four minor children between 2014 and 2022 in Sacramento, California. A felony no bail arrest warrant was issued for Navarro by the Sacramento Superior Court, charging Navarro with 38 counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 using force/violence, five counts of sex acts with a child under 10 years old, and two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.

    The FBI obtained a federal arrest warrant by criminal complaint for the unlawful flight to avoid prosecution on May 16, 2023, following information indicating that Navarro left the United States to avoid prosecution in Sacramento County. A joint investigation by the FBI Legal Attaché in Mexico City, FBI Sacramento field office, and Interpol’s Agencia de Investigación Criminal located Navarro in Vista Hermosa, Michoacán, Mexico, where he was apprehended by Mexican law enforcement partners on March 23, 2025. Navarro was held while the extradition was pending.

    Navarro’s return was funded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s “Project Welcome Home,” which provides funding to assist in the transportation of federal fugitives to the United States.

    The FBI continues to collaborate with its law enforcement partners to apprehend criminals charged with state crimes who flee the jurisdiction. Cases seeking information from the public, including fugitive matters, are posted on the FBI Sacramento Field Office’s Most Wanted web page and FBI Most Wanted application. Anyone with information that could assist in these cases may contact their local FBI office, United States embassy, or submit the information online at tips.fbi.gov.

    Questions regarding the detention and pending prosecution of Jose Luis Navarro should be directed to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

    MIL Security OSI –