Federal Executive Branch
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Walter Reed Commits to Infection Prevention
FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- The Defense Health Agency issued the following news:
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Walter Reed Commits to Infection Prevention
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Oct. 22, 2026 | By Bernard Little, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
It takes just 20 seconds of good scrubbing with soap and water to help prevent the spread of infection. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center boasts a robust team of infection prevention and control professionals focused on proper handwashing practices, along with other initiatives to stop the spread of infections.
Walter Reed, the President's Hospital, maintains a ... Show Full Article FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- The Defense Health Agency issued the following news: * * * Walter Reed Commits to Infection Prevention * Oct. 22, 2026 | By Bernard Little, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center It takes just 20 seconds of good scrubbing with soap and water to help prevent the spread of infection. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center boasts a robust team of infection prevention and control professionals focused on proper handwashing practices, along with other initiatives to stop the spread of infections. Walter Reed, the President's Hospital, maintains astrong focus on infection prevention to protect patients, staff, and communities from healthcare-associated and infectious diseases. These efforts have contributed to the hospital earning an "A" grade from The Leapfrog Group for its continuous commitment to patient safety and high-quality care for service members, their families, and other Military Health System beneficiaries.
The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit watchdog organization, evaluates hospitals nationwide on safety and prevention measures, including those concerning errors, injuries, and infections, assigning grades from A to F twice a year, fall and spring, to participating facilities.
In its last released Leapfrog evaluation for the Spring of 2026, Walter Reed scored above average in the prevention of MRSA infection. "Staph bacteria are common in hospitals, but Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics," stated Leapfrog officials. "MRSA can be found in bed linens or medical equipment and can be spread if providers do not properly wash their hands between patients. MRSA can cause life-threatening bloodstream infections, pneumonia and surgical site infections."
Handwashing is another area that Walter Reed performed exceptionally well, with Leapfrog officials stating, "Healthcare workers help stop infection and illness by carefully cleaning their hands. When hospital staff members do not carefully wash their hands, they can spread germs from one patient to another and cause someone to become seriously ill. Hospitals should regularly monitor hand hygiene practices for everyone interacting with patients and give feedback to ensure compliance. Hospitals should foster a culture of good hand hygiene, offer training and education, and provide equipment, such as paper towels, soap dispensers and hand sanitizer." This is what Walter Reed does, according to Leapfrog.
Walter Reed also scored above average in preventing sepsis infection after surgery. "Sepsis is your body's extreme reaction to an infection. All types of surgeries can put a patient at risk of infection that can lead to sepsis. This could be infection where the skin was cut, or an infection that develops after the surgery, like pneumonia. Sepsis requires immediate treatment or the patient may experience lifelong complications including organ failure. Some patients may die if sepsis is not treated quickly," said Leapfrog officials.
In addition, Walter Reed performed well in the prevention of:
* C. difficile infection, a bacterial illness that causes inflammation of the colon and severe diarrhea
* Infection in blood
* Infection in the urinary tract
"Walter Reed has a robust team of Infection Prevention nurses," stated Bernadette Naquin, chief of Patient Safety in Walter Reed's Directorate for Quality. "They work to ensure we follow the correct safety precautions for each patient, including the personal protective equipment needed by the clinical team. In addition, they monitor our hand hygiene using a system of observations which tracks compliance."
Infection prevention is a team effort, added Amanda Smith, nurse consultant with the Infection and Prevention Control team in the Quality Directorate. "This includes systematic, evidence-based practices to stop the spread of healthcare-associated infections among patients, staff, and visitors. Every staff member contributes to a hospital's infection-prevention posture by consistently applying standard precautions, recognizing and escalating infection risks early, following unit-specific isolation and cleaning procedures, and speaking up when safe practice cannot be maintained. Infection prevention is everyone's responsibility and practices apply wherever healthcare is delivered."
This starts with having policies and practices in place, supported by hospital leadership, that apply baseline precautions to every patient encounter, including risk-based PPE, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, safe injection practices, sharps safety, proper handling of potentially infectious materials and more, Smith explained.
She added that infection prevention impacts readiness because not having proper prevention measures in place can lead to longer hospital stays for service members and their families. "Healthcare associated infections lead to longer lengths of stay, higher cost and resource utilization, and poor patient outcomes that prevent our system from operating at full capacity," Smith continued.
"We protect the health of those who protect the nation and infection control is an important part of that protection. Our patients deserve our best in every encounter," said Smith, who teams with Michelle Wagner (chief), Dr. Adrian Aceves-Hurtado (medical director), Bevin Cawood and Marie Kim (High-Level Disinfection and Quality Specialist) to comprise the IPaC staff.
Although infection prevention is a daily high-priority focus at Walter Reed with each patient encounter, International Infection Prevention Week - Oct. 19-25 - reinforces that preventing infections is a shared patient-safety responsibility -- not solely the job of infection prevention specialists. This week, the hospital recognizes infection preventionists, nurses, and environmental service workers, who protect patients, staff, and communities from healthcare-associated and infectious diseases. "It provides an opportunity to increase awareness of practices that reduce HAIs and provide education and training on those everyday measures that reduce transmission risks. Today's interconnected world demands international collaboration and shared knowledge to address infectious threats that transcend borders," Smith added.
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Original text here: https://dha.mil/News/2026/10/22/16/57/Walter-Reed-Commits-to-Infection-Prevention
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Walter Reed Commits to Infection Prevention
*
Oct. 22, 2026 | By Bernard Little, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
It takes just 20 seconds of good scrubbing with soap and water to help prevent the spread of infection. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center boasts a robust team of infection prevention and control professionals focused on proper handwashing practices, along with other initiatives to stop the spread of infections.
Walter Reed, the President's Hospital, maintains a ... Show Full Article FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- The Defense Health Agency issued the following news: * * * Walter Reed Commits to Infection Prevention * Oct. 22, 2026 | By Bernard Little, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center It takes just 20 seconds of good scrubbing with soap and water to help prevent the spread of infection. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center boasts a robust team of infection prevention and control professionals focused on proper handwashing practices, along with other initiatives to stop the spread of infections. Walter Reed, the President's Hospital, maintains astrong focus on infection prevention to protect patients, staff, and communities from healthcare-associated and infectious diseases. These efforts have contributed to the hospital earning an "A" grade from The Leapfrog Group for its continuous commitment to patient safety and high-quality care for service members, their families, and other Military Health System beneficiaries.
The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit watchdog organization, evaluates hospitals nationwide on safety and prevention measures, including those concerning errors, injuries, and infections, assigning grades from A to F twice a year, fall and spring, to participating facilities.
In its last released Leapfrog evaluation for the Spring of 2026, Walter Reed scored above average in the prevention of MRSA infection. "Staph bacteria are common in hospitals, but Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics," stated Leapfrog officials. "MRSA can be found in bed linens or medical equipment and can be spread if providers do not properly wash their hands between patients. MRSA can cause life-threatening bloodstream infections, pneumonia and surgical site infections."
Handwashing is another area that Walter Reed performed exceptionally well, with Leapfrog officials stating, "Healthcare workers help stop infection and illness by carefully cleaning their hands. When hospital staff members do not carefully wash their hands, they can spread germs from one patient to another and cause someone to become seriously ill. Hospitals should regularly monitor hand hygiene practices for everyone interacting with patients and give feedback to ensure compliance. Hospitals should foster a culture of good hand hygiene, offer training and education, and provide equipment, such as paper towels, soap dispensers and hand sanitizer." This is what Walter Reed does, according to Leapfrog.
Walter Reed also scored above average in preventing sepsis infection after surgery. "Sepsis is your body's extreme reaction to an infection. All types of surgeries can put a patient at risk of infection that can lead to sepsis. This could be infection where the skin was cut, or an infection that develops after the surgery, like pneumonia. Sepsis requires immediate treatment or the patient may experience lifelong complications including organ failure. Some patients may die if sepsis is not treated quickly," said Leapfrog officials.
In addition, Walter Reed performed well in the prevention of:
* C. difficile infection, a bacterial illness that causes inflammation of the colon and severe diarrhea
* Infection in blood
* Infection in the urinary tract
"Walter Reed has a robust team of Infection Prevention nurses," stated Bernadette Naquin, chief of Patient Safety in Walter Reed's Directorate for Quality. "They work to ensure we follow the correct safety precautions for each patient, including the personal protective equipment needed by the clinical team. In addition, they monitor our hand hygiene using a system of observations which tracks compliance."
Infection prevention is a team effort, added Amanda Smith, nurse consultant with the Infection and Prevention Control team in the Quality Directorate. "This includes systematic, evidence-based practices to stop the spread of healthcare-associated infections among patients, staff, and visitors. Every staff member contributes to a hospital's infection-prevention posture by consistently applying standard precautions, recognizing and escalating infection risks early, following unit-specific isolation and cleaning procedures, and speaking up when safe practice cannot be maintained. Infection prevention is everyone's responsibility and practices apply wherever healthcare is delivered."
This starts with having policies and practices in place, supported by hospital leadership, that apply baseline precautions to every patient encounter, including risk-based PPE, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, safe injection practices, sharps safety, proper handling of potentially infectious materials and more, Smith explained.
She added that infection prevention impacts readiness because not having proper prevention measures in place can lead to longer hospital stays for service members and their families. "Healthcare associated infections lead to longer lengths of stay, higher cost and resource utilization, and poor patient outcomes that prevent our system from operating at full capacity," Smith continued.
"We protect the health of those who protect the nation and infection control is an important part of that protection. Our patients deserve our best in every encounter," said Smith, who teams with Michelle Wagner (chief), Dr. Adrian Aceves-Hurtado (medical director), Bevin Cawood and Marie Kim (High-Level Disinfection and Quality Specialist) to comprise the IPaC staff.
Although infection prevention is a daily high-priority focus at Walter Reed with each patient encounter, International Infection Prevention Week - Oct. 19-25 - reinforces that preventing infections is a shared patient-safety responsibility -- not solely the job of infection prevention specialists. This week, the hospital recognizes infection preventionists, nurses, and environmental service workers, who protect patients, staff, and communities from healthcare-associated and infectious diseases. "It provides an opportunity to increase awareness of practices that reduce HAIs and provide education and training on those everyday measures that reduce transmission risks. Today's interconnected world demands international collaboration and shared knowledge to address infectious threats that transcend borders," Smith added.
***
Original text here: https://dha.mil/News/2026/10/22/16/57/Walter-Reed-Commits-to-Infection-Prevention
Treasury Dept.: Operation Economic Outcast Targets Iran's Shadow Fleet Networks
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release:
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Operation Economic Outcast Targets Iran's Shadow Fleet Networks
October 21, 2026
Law Firms, Shipping Agents, and Vessels Helped Conceal and Transport Iranian Commodities
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WASHINGTON--Today, as part of Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Panama- and Greece-based law firm Karnakis and Karnakis, which has supported illicit Iranian shipping activity for years, indirectly aiding Tehran's ability to generate revenue to fund its military, weapons, and nuclear ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release: * * * Operation Economic Outcast Targets Iran's Shadow Fleet Networks October 21, 2026 Law Firms, Shipping Agents, and Vessels Helped Conceal and Transport Iranian Commodities - WASHINGTON--Today, as part of Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Panama- and Greece-based law firm Karnakis and Karnakis, which has supported illicit Iranian shipping activity for years, indirectly aiding Tehran's ability to generate revenue to fund its military, weapons, and nuclearprograms. Throughout Operation Economic Outcast, Treasury has continued to coordinate with counterparts in Europe and around the world to sever the Iranian regime's remaining economic lifelines.
"Whether you are conducting illegal oil transfers at sea or sitting in the corner office of a law firm, if you are supporting the Iranian regime, we will find you and sanction you," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Iran's facilitators must make a choice: Either you are with us or against us. We know who you are, we know what you're doing, and we will continue to take action."
Treasury today also sanctioned Singapore- and UAE-based shipping agents that directly aid Iranian shadow fleet operations. Today's actions strike not only the legal and maritime facilitators that sustain Iran's sanctions-evasion networks, but also a fleet of cargo vessels that has helped generate substantial revenue for the Iranian regime.
The designations imposed today are being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets the Iranian petroleum and petrochemical sectors, among other key sectors of the Iranian economy.
FinCEN is acting in close coordination with European partners, including in Greece, and leveraging existing legal authorities, such as its first issuance of an administrative subpoena pursuant to 31 U.S.C. Sec. 5318(k) of the Bank Secrecy Act, to advance its investigation into a Greek bank's potential ties to Iran and its proxies. Additionally, FinCEN has issued multiple requests for information concerning banks' relationships with OFAC-designated Iranian financial institutions.
OPERATION ECONOMIC OUTCAST IS ISOLATING THE IRANIAN REGIME
Announced by Secretary Bessent on August 24, 2026 and dubbed Economic D-Day, Operation Economic Outcast is severing the remaining economic lifelines that sustain the Iranian regime. Treasury has mapped the networks, facilitators, and financial channels that Iran uses to smuggle oil, evade sanctions, and fund terror. Working with partners across the U.S. government, the European Union, United Kingdom, Gulf partners, and others, Treasury is targeting any source of the regime's illicit revenue, as well as its sanctions evasion schemes to move funds.
Operation Economic Outcast significantly expanded sanctions risk for those who continue to choose to do business with Iran. Treasury warned that any entity facilitating money laundering or sanctions evasion on behalf of Iran risks being cut off from the U.S. financial system. Operation Economic Outcast also expanded sanctions exposure for non-U.S. persons who continue doing business with the Iranian regime and will accelerate the pace of U.S. enforcement. More information on Operation Economic Outcast is available here.
LAW FIRM ESTABLISHING SHADOW FLEET ARCHITECTURE
Through Operation Economic Outcast, Treasury is targeting law firms and corporate service providers that establish shell and front companies for persons trading in sanctioned Iranian products, an essential service needed for any such malign actor to evade sanctions or regulatory compliance. Panama- and Greece-based law firm Karnakis and Karnakis has for years leveraged its legal practice to register shipping companies that own shadow fleet vessels responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian steel, petroleum, and petrochemicals, among other goods. The firm previously set up the companies Skyros Maritime and Trading S.A., Corfu Maritime and Trading S.A., and Elias Shipping and Trading Group S.A., among others, all of which OFAC has previously designated for their ownership of vessels active in the trade of Iranian petroleum and petroleum products.
Elias Shipping and Trading SA, the owner of the RAMONA 1 (IMO: 9233222), served as a front company for the Al-Qatirji Company, a Syrian firm responsible for selling millions of barrels of Iranian oil for the benefit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Houthis. The Al-Qatirji Company at the time of its designation was one of the main financial channels for the IRGC-QF, enabling the terrorist group to generate and access hundreds of millions of dollars a year in revenue gained from the sale of Iranian oil.
Karnakis and Karnakis played a particularly critical role in establishing the corporate architecture for the shipping empire of Iranian liquified petroleum gas (LPG) magnate Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh (Emamjomeh), which is collectively responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil. Karnakis and Karnakis served as the corporate agent for many of Emamjomeh's firms, including several that were ultimately designated for their role in shipping Iranian petroleum products.
Karnakis and Karnakis was founded, and is currently owned, by dual Panamanian-Greek nationals Sofianos Karnakis Kosmas and Konstantinos Karnakis Kosmas, with Panamanian-Greek national Ioanis Karnakis Kosmas and Panamanian national Pedro Ortega Jones serving as employees of the law firm. Karnakis and Karnakis employees, including Panamanian national Roberto Ortega Jones, act as directors and officers of many of the companies they register in order to obfuscate the true beneficial owners of these companies.
Karnakis and Karnakis is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy. Sofianos Karnakis Kosmas, Konstantinos Karnakis Kosmas, Pedro Ortega Jones, Roberto Ortega Jones, and Ioanis Karnakis Kosmas are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Karnakis and Karnakis.
CARGO FLEET VESSELS
Iran relies on seemingly legitimate cargo vessels to move Iranian petrochemicals and other products, including steel. Panama- and Greece-based Roxette Maritime Shipping and Trading S.A. (Roxette), for which Karnakis and Karnakis serves as the corporate agent, is the operator and ship manager of the Panama-flagged vessels ANEMOS (IMO 9205952), GLORIS (IMO 9449510), and PRIDE (IMO 9487407), all of which have shipped various cargos of Iranian-origin goods within the past year, including petrochemicals and steel products. In addition, Roxette is the ship manager and operator of the Panama-flagged cargo vessels DESTINY (IMO 9385491), FLAMINGO 1 (IMO 9474199), HARMONY (IMO 9449522), and PRINCE (IMO 9548316).
Roxette Maritime Shipping and Trading S.A. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petrochemical sector of the Iranian economy. ANEMOS, GLORIS, PRIDE, DESTINY, FLAMINGO 1, HARMONY, and PRINCE are being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Roxette Maritime Shipping and Trading S.A. has an interest.
SHIPPING AGENTS AIDING SHADOW FLEET
Shipping agents play a critical role in shadow fleet operations by aiding the transit of illicit Iranian cargo through ports, including oil, petroleum, and other commodities. Treasury is taking action against two shipping agents that have helped Iran transport its products to buyers around the world.
* Amigoz Singapore PTE. Ltd. (Amigoz) is a Singapore-based full-range shipping agency that provides port agency services. Amigoz acted as the agent for a shipment of light crude oil overseen by Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, which oversees a network of front companies that supports the allocation of billions of dollars' worth of commodities to Iranian military entities. As of 2026, Amigoz has been associated with a range of dark fleet actors, including some affiliated with the shipping empire of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, and provided bunkering services to the Iranian shadow fleet vessel ZIXUAN (IMO 9317298).
* Whales Shipping Line LLC (Whales), a Dubai-based maritime and logistics company, acted as the shipping agent for Sparrow Trading FZE, a sanctioned Dubai-based front company that organized the purchase of tens of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petrochemicals in coordination with Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co. Whales has also conducted business worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with Amigoz. Whales is the registered owner of two UAE-flagged small support vessels: WHALES DIAMOND (IMO 9375032) and WHALES PEARL (IMO 9483114).
Amigoz Singapore PTE. Ltd. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. Whales Shipping Line LLC is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Amigoz Singapore PTE. Ltd. WHALES DIAMOND and WHALES PEARL are being identified as blocked property in which Whales Shipping Line LLC has an interest.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.
Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to FinCEN's whistleblower incentive program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons.
Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.
Click here for more information on the persons designated today (https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20261021).
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Original text here: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0664/
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Operation Economic Outcast Targets Iran's Shadow Fleet Networks
October 21, 2026
Law Firms, Shipping Agents, and Vessels Helped Conceal and Transport Iranian Commodities
-
WASHINGTON--Today, as part of Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Panama- and Greece-based law firm Karnakis and Karnakis, which has supported illicit Iranian shipping activity for years, indirectly aiding Tehran's ability to generate revenue to fund its military, weapons, and nuclear ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release: * * * Operation Economic Outcast Targets Iran's Shadow Fleet Networks October 21, 2026 Law Firms, Shipping Agents, and Vessels Helped Conceal and Transport Iranian Commodities - WASHINGTON--Today, as part of Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Panama- and Greece-based law firm Karnakis and Karnakis, which has supported illicit Iranian shipping activity for years, indirectly aiding Tehran's ability to generate revenue to fund its military, weapons, and nuclearprograms. Throughout Operation Economic Outcast, Treasury has continued to coordinate with counterparts in Europe and around the world to sever the Iranian regime's remaining economic lifelines.
"Whether you are conducting illegal oil transfers at sea or sitting in the corner office of a law firm, if you are supporting the Iranian regime, we will find you and sanction you," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Iran's facilitators must make a choice: Either you are with us or against us. We know who you are, we know what you're doing, and we will continue to take action."
Treasury today also sanctioned Singapore- and UAE-based shipping agents that directly aid Iranian shadow fleet operations. Today's actions strike not only the legal and maritime facilitators that sustain Iran's sanctions-evasion networks, but also a fleet of cargo vessels that has helped generate substantial revenue for the Iranian regime.
The designations imposed today are being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets the Iranian petroleum and petrochemical sectors, among other key sectors of the Iranian economy.
FinCEN is acting in close coordination with European partners, including in Greece, and leveraging existing legal authorities, such as its first issuance of an administrative subpoena pursuant to 31 U.S.C. Sec. 5318(k) of the Bank Secrecy Act, to advance its investigation into a Greek bank's potential ties to Iran and its proxies. Additionally, FinCEN has issued multiple requests for information concerning banks' relationships with OFAC-designated Iranian financial institutions.
OPERATION ECONOMIC OUTCAST IS ISOLATING THE IRANIAN REGIME
Announced by Secretary Bessent on August 24, 2026 and dubbed Economic D-Day, Operation Economic Outcast is severing the remaining economic lifelines that sustain the Iranian regime. Treasury has mapped the networks, facilitators, and financial channels that Iran uses to smuggle oil, evade sanctions, and fund terror. Working with partners across the U.S. government, the European Union, United Kingdom, Gulf partners, and others, Treasury is targeting any source of the regime's illicit revenue, as well as its sanctions evasion schemes to move funds.
Operation Economic Outcast significantly expanded sanctions risk for those who continue to choose to do business with Iran. Treasury warned that any entity facilitating money laundering or sanctions evasion on behalf of Iran risks being cut off from the U.S. financial system. Operation Economic Outcast also expanded sanctions exposure for non-U.S. persons who continue doing business with the Iranian regime and will accelerate the pace of U.S. enforcement. More information on Operation Economic Outcast is available here.
LAW FIRM ESTABLISHING SHADOW FLEET ARCHITECTURE
Through Operation Economic Outcast, Treasury is targeting law firms and corporate service providers that establish shell and front companies for persons trading in sanctioned Iranian products, an essential service needed for any such malign actor to evade sanctions or regulatory compliance. Panama- and Greece-based law firm Karnakis and Karnakis has for years leveraged its legal practice to register shipping companies that own shadow fleet vessels responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian steel, petroleum, and petrochemicals, among other goods. The firm previously set up the companies Skyros Maritime and Trading S.A., Corfu Maritime and Trading S.A., and Elias Shipping and Trading Group S.A., among others, all of which OFAC has previously designated for their ownership of vessels active in the trade of Iranian petroleum and petroleum products.
Elias Shipping and Trading SA, the owner of the RAMONA 1 (IMO: 9233222), served as a front company for the Al-Qatirji Company, a Syrian firm responsible for selling millions of barrels of Iranian oil for the benefit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Houthis. The Al-Qatirji Company at the time of its designation was one of the main financial channels for the IRGC-QF, enabling the terrorist group to generate and access hundreds of millions of dollars a year in revenue gained from the sale of Iranian oil.
Karnakis and Karnakis played a particularly critical role in establishing the corporate architecture for the shipping empire of Iranian liquified petroleum gas (LPG) magnate Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh (Emamjomeh), which is collectively responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil. Karnakis and Karnakis served as the corporate agent for many of Emamjomeh's firms, including several that were ultimately designated for their role in shipping Iranian petroleum products.
Karnakis and Karnakis was founded, and is currently owned, by dual Panamanian-Greek nationals Sofianos Karnakis Kosmas and Konstantinos Karnakis Kosmas, with Panamanian-Greek national Ioanis Karnakis Kosmas and Panamanian national Pedro Ortega Jones serving as employees of the law firm. Karnakis and Karnakis employees, including Panamanian national Roberto Ortega Jones, act as directors and officers of many of the companies they register in order to obfuscate the true beneficial owners of these companies.
Karnakis and Karnakis is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy. Sofianos Karnakis Kosmas, Konstantinos Karnakis Kosmas, Pedro Ortega Jones, Roberto Ortega Jones, and Ioanis Karnakis Kosmas are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Karnakis and Karnakis.
CARGO FLEET VESSELS
Iran relies on seemingly legitimate cargo vessels to move Iranian petrochemicals and other products, including steel. Panama- and Greece-based Roxette Maritime Shipping and Trading S.A. (Roxette), for which Karnakis and Karnakis serves as the corporate agent, is the operator and ship manager of the Panama-flagged vessels ANEMOS (IMO 9205952), GLORIS (IMO 9449510), and PRIDE (IMO 9487407), all of which have shipped various cargos of Iranian-origin goods within the past year, including petrochemicals and steel products. In addition, Roxette is the ship manager and operator of the Panama-flagged cargo vessels DESTINY (IMO 9385491), FLAMINGO 1 (IMO 9474199), HARMONY (IMO 9449522), and PRINCE (IMO 9548316).
Roxette Maritime Shipping and Trading S.A. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petrochemical sector of the Iranian economy. ANEMOS, GLORIS, PRIDE, DESTINY, FLAMINGO 1, HARMONY, and PRINCE are being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Roxette Maritime Shipping and Trading S.A. has an interest.
SHIPPING AGENTS AIDING SHADOW FLEET
Shipping agents play a critical role in shadow fleet operations by aiding the transit of illicit Iranian cargo through ports, including oil, petroleum, and other commodities. Treasury is taking action against two shipping agents that have helped Iran transport its products to buyers around the world.
* Amigoz Singapore PTE. Ltd. (Amigoz) is a Singapore-based full-range shipping agency that provides port agency services. Amigoz acted as the agent for a shipment of light crude oil overseen by Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, which oversees a network of front companies that supports the allocation of billions of dollars' worth of commodities to Iranian military entities. As of 2026, Amigoz has been associated with a range of dark fleet actors, including some affiliated with the shipping empire of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, and provided bunkering services to the Iranian shadow fleet vessel ZIXUAN (IMO 9317298).
* Whales Shipping Line LLC (Whales), a Dubai-based maritime and logistics company, acted as the shipping agent for Sparrow Trading FZE, a sanctioned Dubai-based front company that organized the purchase of tens of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petrochemicals in coordination with Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co. Whales has also conducted business worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with Amigoz. Whales is the registered owner of two UAE-flagged small support vessels: WHALES DIAMOND (IMO 9375032) and WHALES PEARL (IMO 9483114).
Amigoz Singapore PTE. Ltd. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. Whales Shipping Line LLC is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Amigoz Singapore PTE. Ltd. WHALES DIAMOND and WHALES PEARL are being identified as blocked property in which Whales Shipping Line LLC has an interest.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.
Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to FinCEN's whistleblower incentive program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons.
Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.
Click here for more information on the persons designated today (https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20261021).
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Original text here: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0664/
SEC Files Proposed Final Judgment Against Defendant Charged in Alleged Penny Stock Manipulation Scheme
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSdock) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release:
* * *
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Benjamin Conde, et al., No. 19-cv-05404 (E.D.N.Y. filed Sept. 23, 2019)
On October 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a proposed final judgment against Benjamin Conde in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in connection with an alleged fraudulent scheme to manipulate the market for the securities of Renewable Energy and Power, Inc. ("RBNW").
According to the SEC's complaint, filed on September ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSdock) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release: * * * Securities and Exchange Commission v. Benjamin Conde, et al., No. 19-cv-05404 (E.D.N.Y. filed Sept. 23, 2019) On October 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a proposed final judgment against Benjamin Conde in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in connection with an alleged fraudulent scheme to manipulate the market for the securities of Renewable Energy and Power, Inc. ("RBNW"). According to the SEC's complaint, filed on September23, 2019, Conde orchestrated a scheme between March and July 2017 to manipulate the market price and trading volume of RBNW securities. The complaint alleged that Conde acquired millions of shares of RBNW, funded and coordinated a promotional campaign through a boiler room operation, and engaged in matched and wash trading designed to create the false appearance of active trading and artificially inflate the stock price. The complaint further alleged that Conde profited from the scheme by selling shares into the manipulated market at artificially high prices, causing substantial losses to retail investors.
In a parallel criminal action, Conde pleaded guilty to, among other charges, conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Conde consented to the entry of a final judgment, subject to court approval, that would permanently enjoin him from violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) thereunder, as well as the market manipulation provisions of Section 9(a)(1) of the Exchange Act; impose a penny stock bar; and order Conde to pay disgorgement of $1,097,800 and prejudgment interest of $1,681,021.69, for a total of $2,778,821.69, which would be deemed satisfied by the restitution and forfeiture orders entered against him in the parallel criminal case. The final judgment against Conde, and the Commission's voluntary dismissal of its claims against Relief Defendants Essex Global Investment Corp. and Facultas Capital Management, Inc., concludes the litigation.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Andrew Elliott and Cecilia Connor. The litigation was handled by James E. Smith and Matthew F. Scarlato and supervised by James Carlson. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
* * *
Resources
* Final Judgment (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26677.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26677
* * *
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Benjamin Conde, et al., No. 19-cv-05404 (E.D.N.Y. filed Sept. 23, 2019)
On October 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a proposed final judgment against Benjamin Conde in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in connection with an alleged fraudulent scheme to manipulate the market for the securities of Renewable Energy and Power, Inc. ("RBNW").
According to the SEC's complaint, filed on September ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSdock) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release: * * * Securities and Exchange Commission v. Benjamin Conde, et al., No. 19-cv-05404 (E.D.N.Y. filed Sept. 23, 2019) On October 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a proposed final judgment against Benjamin Conde in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in connection with an alleged fraudulent scheme to manipulate the market for the securities of Renewable Energy and Power, Inc. ("RBNW"). According to the SEC's complaint, filed on September23, 2019, Conde orchestrated a scheme between March and July 2017 to manipulate the market price and trading volume of RBNW securities. The complaint alleged that Conde acquired millions of shares of RBNW, funded and coordinated a promotional campaign through a boiler room operation, and engaged in matched and wash trading designed to create the false appearance of active trading and artificially inflate the stock price. The complaint further alleged that Conde profited from the scheme by selling shares into the manipulated market at artificially high prices, causing substantial losses to retail investors.
In a parallel criminal action, Conde pleaded guilty to, among other charges, conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Conde consented to the entry of a final judgment, subject to court approval, that would permanently enjoin him from violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) thereunder, as well as the market manipulation provisions of Section 9(a)(1) of the Exchange Act; impose a penny stock bar; and order Conde to pay disgorgement of $1,097,800 and prejudgment interest of $1,681,021.69, for a total of $2,778,821.69, which would be deemed satisfied by the restitution and forfeiture orders entered against him in the parallel criminal case. The final judgment against Conde, and the Commission's voluntary dismissal of its claims against Relief Defendants Essex Global Investment Corp. and Facultas Capital Management, Inc., concludes the litigation.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Andrew Elliott and Cecilia Connor. The litigation was handled by James E. Smith and Matthew F. Scarlato and supervised by James Carlson. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
* * *
Resources
* Final Judgment (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26677.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26677
NOAA: Decade of Data Shows Rapid Decline in Pelagic Fish and Invertebrates in Deep Gulf
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSjou) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news:
* * *
Decade of Data Shows Rapid Decline in Pelagic Fish and Invertebrates in Deep Gulf
October 21, 2026
A long-term study found that pelagic nekton--small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods--in the deep Gulf of America have declined by 60-85 percent since 2010.
-
Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists across the region jumped into action to monitor its impacts. One particular effort focused on pelagic nekton--the small critters like fish, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSjou) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * Decade of Data Shows Rapid Decline in Pelagic Fish and Invertebrates in Deep Gulf October 21, 2026 A long-term study found that pelagic nekton--small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods--in the deep Gulf of America have declined by 60-85 percent since 2010. - Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists across the region jumped into action to monitor its impacts. One particular effort focused on pelagic nekton--the small critters like fish,shrimp, and cephalopods that swim freely in the ocean and serve as the base of pelagic food webs. The Deep-Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf (DEEPEND) Consortium led this project to quantify long-term trends in the offshore fauna of the Gulf. While observed declines in these critical prey groups can't be tied directly to the spill, scientists have not identified another likely explanation.
Tracking the Shift: A Decade of Deepwater Science
The first pelagic nekton sampling effort took place as soon as possible following the spill, with sampling occurring almost continuously for 9 months in 2011. These data represent the benchmark of pelagic nekton to which past and future numbers can be compared. The numbers were also similar to data collected during the 1980s and 1990s.
The next sampling involved six efforts across four consecutive years (2015-2018), followed by three more in 2021-2023. Overall, these efforts comprise more than a decade of abundance and composition data for pelagic nekton in the Gulf of America.
During each of these events, the project team sampled discrete depths from 0 to 1,500 meters in the Gulf using a 10-square-meter Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System, or MOCNESS, with 3 millimeter mesh. Once net tows were complete, the science teams identified and counted each of the animals collected in each sample.
"We had few measurements of what was really going on in the deep open Gulf before the oil spill," recalled John Quinlan, fisheries biologist at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center and co-author of the paper. "This event really showed us where we lacked critical information. So scientists developed a program specifically designed to fill those gaps."
In addition to traditional net-sampling methods, the team also used echosounders to measure acoustic backscatter in the water column during the day and at night. This allowed them to independently estimate relative abundance of animals in fine spatial detail. Scientists also collected tissue samples from three dominant lanternfish species to monitor changes in genetic diversity.
Significant Declines for Significant Prey
By comparing the baseline data to abundances measured in 2015-2023, the team found severe declines across major faunal groups:
* All fish: 63.5 percent
* Lanternfish: 62.9 percent
* Bristlemouth fish: 72.8 percent
* All macrocrustaceans (krill, decapod shrimps, lophogastrids): 62 percent
* Krill: 72.8 percent
* All cephalopods: 59.7 percent
While these animals may be small in size, they are not insignificant. These fauna are the foundation of pelagic food webs--consuming smaller nekton and plankton and serving as prey for important Gulf predators such as tuna, billfish, oceanic dolphins, and many whale species. In fact, the decrease of deep-pelagic prey parallels observed decadal declines of up to 80 percent in deep-diving marine mammals (e.g., sperm whales, beaked whales, and Rice's whales). This evidence may point to a system-wide ecological regime shift.
"This represents the largest faunal decline recorded for Earth's largest ecosystem type. These data show that despite their immense size, open-ocean ecosystems have become finely tuned over millennia with little disturbance, and thus are not equipped to handle sudden, large-scale changes. In essence, the deep-pelagic domain appears to be much more fragile than we had imagined," stated Tracey Sutton, the founder and chief scientist of the DEEPEND study team.
The acoustic data corroborates these findings, showing a significant decline in acoustic backscatter--a proxy of pelagic biomass. The greatest difference was observed in the epipelagic zone at night, where total backscatter declined by 40 percent across the study.
Not only did abundance decline, but genomic monitoring of important lanternfish species revealed significant reductions in genetic diversity. This could lead to population bottlenecks and reduced ecological resilience--further eroding prey availability for the Gulf's megafauna.
By examining numerous environmental variables, the team ruled out marine heatwaves, hypoxia, or food supply limitations as the cause of the decline. Since the declines followed the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the authors suggest the spill as the most likely cause.
Read the paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2616554123)
These efforts were possible due to funding from:
* NOAA RESTORE Science Program
* Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative
* NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
From the earliest moments after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, NOAA has played a lead role--responding to the spill, assessing the damage, developing restoration plans, and implementing on-the-ground restoration projects.
Learn more about NOAA's role in Deepwater Horizon response and restoration (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/habitat-conservation/deepwater-horizon-moment-time-decades-restoration)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/decade-data-shows-rapid-decline-pelagic-fish-and-invertebrates-deep-gulf
* * *
Decade of Data Shows Rapid Decline in Pelagic Fish and Invertebrates in Deep Gulf
October 21, 2026
A long-term study found that pelagic nekton--small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods--in the deep Gulf of America have declined by 60-85 percent since 2010.
-
Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists across the region jumped into action to monitor its impacts. One particular effort focused on pelagic nekton--the small critters like fish, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (TNSjou) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * Decade of Data Shows Rapid Decline in Pelagic Fish and Invertebrates in Deep Gulf October 21, 2026 A long-term study found that pelagic nekton--small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods--in the deep Gulf of America have declined by 60-85 percent since 2010. - Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists across the region jumped into action to monitor its impacts. One particular effort focused on pelagic nekton--the small critters like fish,shrimp, and cephalopods that swim freely in the ocean and serve as the base of pelagic food webs. The Deep-Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf (DEEPEND) Consortium led this project to quantify long-term trends in the offshore fauna of the Gulf. While observed declines in these critical prey groups can't be tied directly to the spill, scientists have not identified another likely explanation.
Tracking the Shift: A Decade of Deepwater Science
The first pelagic nekton sampling effort took place as soon as possible following the spill, with sampling occurring almost continuously for 9 months in 2011. These data represent the benchmark of pelagic nekton to which past and future numbers can be compared. The numbers were also similar to data collected during the 1980s and 1990s.
The next sampling involved six efforts across four consecutive years (2015-2018), followed by three more in 2021-2023. Overall, these efforts comprise more than a decade of abundance and composition data for pelagic nekton in the Gulf of America.
During each of these events, the project team sampled discrete depths from 0 to 1,500 meters in the Gulf using a 10-square-meter Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System, or MOCNESS, with 3 millimeter mesh. Once net tows were complete, the science teams identified and counted each of the animals collected in each sample.
"We had few measurements of what was really going on in the deep open Gulf before the oil spill," recalled John Quinlan, fisheries biologist at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center and co-author of the paper. "This event really showed us where we lacked critical information. So scientists developed a program specifically designed to fill those gaps."
In addition to traditional net-sampling methods, the team also used echosounders to measure acoustic backscatter in the water column during the day and at night. This allowed them to independently estimate relative abundance of animals in fine spatial detail. Scientists also collected tissue samples from three dominant lanternfish species to monitor changes in genetic diversity.
Significant Declines for Significant Prey
By comparing the baseline data to abundances measured in 2015-2023, the team found severe declines across major faunal groups:
* All fish: 63.5 percent
* Lanternfish: 62.9 percent
* Bristlemouth fish: 72.8 percent
* All macrocrustaceans (krill, decapod shrimps, lophogastrids): 62 percent
* Krill: 72.8 percent
* All cephalopods: 59.7 percent
While these animals may be small in size, they are not insignificant. These fauna are the foundation of pelagic food webs--consuming smaller nekton and plankton and serving as prey for important Gulf predators such as tuna, billfish, oceanic dolphins, and many whale species. In fact, the decrease of deep-pelagic prey parallels observed decadal declines of up to 80 percent in deep-diving marine mammals (e.g., sperm whales, beaked whales, and Rice's whales). This evidence may point to a system-wide ecological regime shift.
"This represents the largest faunal decline recorded for Earth's largest ecosystem type. These data show that despite their immense size, open-ocean ecosystems have become finely tuned over millennia with little disturbance, and thus are not equipped to handle sudden, large-scale changes. In essence, the deep-pelagic domain appears to be much more fragile than we had imagined," stated Tracey Sutton, the founder and chief scientist of the DEEPEND study team.
The acoustic data corroborates these findings, showing a significant decline in acoustic backscatter--a proxy of pelagic biomass. The greatest difference was observed in the epipelagic zone at night, where total backscatter declined by 40 percent across the study.
Not only did abundance decline, but genomic monitoring of important lanternfish species revealed significant reductions in genetic diversity. This could lead to population bottlenecks and reduced ecological resilience--further eroding prey availability for the Gulf's megafauna.
By examining numerous environmental variables, the team ruled out marine heatwaves, hypoxia, or food supply limitations as the cause of the decline. Since the declines followed the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the authors suggest the spill as the most likely cause.
Read the paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2616554123)
These efforts were possible due to funding from:
* NOAA RESTORE Science Program
* Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative
* NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
From the earliest moments after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, NOAA has played a lead role--responding to the spill, assessing the damage, developing restoration plans, and implementing on-the-ground restoration projects.
Learn more about NOAA's role in Deepwater Horizon response and restoration (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/habitat-conservation/deepwater-horizon-moment-time-decades-restoration)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/decade-data-shows-rapid-decline-pelagic-fish-and-invertebrates-deep-gulf
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Issues October 2026 Beige Book
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago issued the following October 2026 Beige Book:
* * *
Summary of Economic Activity
Economic activity in the Seventh District was flat on balance in late August and September, and contacts expected a slight pace of increase in the coming year. Manufacturing demand rose modestly; employment was up slightly; consumer spending was flat on balance; construction and real estate activity and business spending declined slightly; and nonbusiness contacts saw no change in economic activity. Prices rose moderately, wages rose modestly, and financial ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago issued the following October 2026 Beige Book: * * * Summary of Economic Activity Economic activity in the Seventh District was flat on balance in late August and September, and contacts expected a slight pace of increase in the coming year. Manufacturing demand rose modestly; employment was up slightly; consumer spending was flat on balance; construction and real estate activity and business spending declined slightly; and nonbusiness contacts saw no change in economic activity. Prices rose moderately, wages rose modestly, and financialconditions tightened modestly. Farm income expectations for 2026 were down slightly.
Labor Markets
Employment rose slightly over the reporting period, and contacts expected a similar pace of hiring over the next 12 months. As in the prior report, labor market conditions were little changed overall. There were some signs of increased demand for labor, including from manufacturing contacts, who noted difficulty finding skilled workers and trouble retaining existing ones. There were also some signs of easing labor demand. A contact at a temporary employment placement agency reported uneven demand for workers across manufacturing subsectors, and a manufacturing contact said that layoffs at nearby plants had led to more applications for their open positions. In the administrative and professional services sectors, contacts noted greater ease in hiring. In addition, one contact in business services commented that productivity gains from AI adoption allowed their company to reduce employment through attrition. A retail industry contact expected holiday hiring to be at or below last year's level. Wages were up modestly but benefits costs grew moderately. Several contacts noted large increases in quotes for health insurance.
Prices
Prices rose moderately overall in late August and September, and contacts expected a similar growth rate over the next 12 months. There was a moderate increase in producer prices on net. Nonlabor input costs also grew moderately, with contacts reporting price increases across a variety of categories. Raw materials and equipment costs rose, notably for lumber and metals. Contacts reported that the cost of energy was up as well, with contacts highlighting higher prices for diesel and oil. Shipping costs moved higher, and a consultant for the transportation industry noted that higher diesel prices were largely being passed on to shippers via surcharges. Consumer prices rose moderately.
Consumer Spending
Consumer spending was unchanged on balance over the reporting period. Nonauto retail spending was flat. Contacts were generally pleased with the back-to-school season, noting especially good results in the return-to-college segment, which boosted sales of electronics and furniture. In contrast, grocery sales were down. Forecasts for holiday sales call for modest growth, similar to last year. Leisure and hospitality spending increased slightly, led by a pickup in demand at restaurants and hotels. Light vehicle sales were down slightly, but were better than expected, and contacts noted continued willingness by customers to make purchases despite overall affordability concerns. Mid-size and hybrid models remained most popular, with some dealers indicating that high gas prices were more of a factor in vehicle choice than in the last reporting period.
Business Spending
Business spending decreased slightly in late August and September. Capital expenditures decreased modestly, though expectations for expenditures in the coming year improved. Contacts mostly reported making purchases to replace old equipment. Demand for truck transportation was flat, but rates increased moderately, in part due to tight capacity. Retail inventories were unchanged at a comfortable level, while manufacturing inventories were a little low. Manufacturing contacts reported longer lead times for some metals, like copper alloys, and difficulty sourcing others, like steel and aluminum components.
Construction and Real Estate
Construction and real estate activity decreased slightly. Residential construction declined a bit overall, with contacts pointing to higher mortgage rates and elevated economic uncertainty as reasons for weaker demand. Some homebuilders were offering more generous promotions on new single-family homes. Residential real estate demand decreased slightly, while prices ticked up. Rents increased slightly, helped by healthy demand for townhomes. Nonresidential construction was unchanged, but activity remained at a robust level. Contacts indicated that megaprojects were crowding out capacity for other projects. An equipment distributor said that tech companies had tried to buy all the available electrical equipment for their data center developments, but that suppliers had pushed back because of commitments to other projects. Commercial real estate activity was unchanged overall, though office leasing in government, medical, and higher education spaces increased. Prices and vacancy rates were unchanged. In the retail sector, low availability and high demand for prime space pushed up rents and led some existing tenants to move to other spaces. Otherwise, rents were unchanged.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing demand increased modestly in late August and September. Primary metals manufacturers and wholesalers reported a slight increase in demand on top of an already high level, driven in part by defense spending. One contact said that while mills have not yet run into capacity constraints, continued high demand from megaproject construction could lead to future capacity issues. Fabricated metals production rose slightly, driven by higher demand from the defense and construction sectors. In the machinery industry, sales increased moderately, while auto and heavy truck production were both flat on balance.
Banking and Finance
Financial conditions tightened modestly in late August and September. Bond values fell, equity values were unchanged, and volatility was flat. Business loan demand increased slightly, while loan quality declined slightly overall. One contact noted stress for some clients in the manufacturing and food and beverage industries related to cost increases and supply disruptions. Business loan rates increased modestly overall, while loan terms were unchanged. In the consumer sector, loan demand increased slightly. Loan quality deteriorated slightly, rates increased modestly, and terms were flat.
Agriculture
Expectations for 2026 District farm income edged down over the reporting period, which included the start of harvest. Heavy rains in much of the District slowed the harvest and were expected to lower yields for corn and, especially, soybeans. Farmers also were expected to spend more on fuel to dry bushels, compounding the effect of high energy prices on the costs of harvest. Corn and soybean prices again moved higher, with reports of premiums for current deliveries. Wheat and egg prices were higher, while cattle, hog, and most dairy prices declined. In parts of the District, crop insurance wasn't expected to make up for lost income. Even so, some contacts expected farmers to replace equipment after holding off doing so in recent years.
Community Conditions
Nonbusiness, government, and other community contacts reported steady economic conditions in late August and September, although price pressures weighed on future outlooks. State government contacts noted continued resilience in tax revenues. However, small business contacts were experiencing a more stressed environment. Businesses explored ways to cover operating expenses as higher costs, late payments from clients, and lower discretionary spending by customers eroded margins. As membership dues and other revenues trended lower, nonprofit organizations looked for ways to cut expenses, including by combining positions or reducing office space.
For more information about District economic conditions visit: https://chicagofed.org/cfsec.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beigebook202610-chicago.htm
* * *
Summary of Economic Activity
Economic activity in the Seventh District was flat on balance in late August and September, and contacts expected a slight pace of increase in the coming year. Manufacturing demand rose modestly; employment was up slightly; consumer spending was flat on balance; construction and real estate activity and business spending declined slightly; and nonbusiness contacts saw no change in economic activity. Prices rose moderately, wages rose modestly, and financial ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago issued the following October 2026 Beige Book: * * * Summary of Economic Activity Economic activity in the Seventh District was flat on balance in late August and September, and contacts expected a slight pace of increase in the coming year. Manufacturing demand rose modestly; employment was up slightly; consumer spending was flat on balance; construction and real estate activity and business spending declined slightly; and nonbusiness contacts saw no change in economic activity. Prices rose moderately, wages rose modestly, and financialconditions tightened modestly. Farm income expectations for 2026 were down slightly.
Labor Markets
Employment rose slightly over the reporting period, and contacts expected a similar pace of hiring over the next 12 months. As in the prior report, labor market conditions were little changed overall. There were some signs of increased demand for labor, including from manufacturing contacts, who noted difficulty finding skilled workers and trouble retaining existing ones. There were also some signs of easing labor demand. A contact at a temporary employment placement agency reported uneven demand for workers across manufacturing subsectors, and a manufacturing contact said that layoffs at nearby plants had led to more applications for their open positions. In the administrative and professional services sectors, contacts noted greater ease in hiring. In addition, one contact in business services commented that productivity gains from AI adoption allowed their company to reduce employment through attrition. A retail industry contact expected holiday hiring to be at or below last year's level. Wages were up modestly but benefits costs grew moderately. Several contacts noted large increases in quotes for health insurance.
Prices
Prices rose moderately overall in late August and September, and contacts expected a similar growth rate over the next 12 months. There was a moderate increase in producer prices on net. Nonlabor input costs also grew moderately, with contacts reporting price increases across a variety of categories. Raw materials and equipment costs rose, notably for lumber and metals. Contacts reported that the cost of energy was up as well, with contacts highlighting higher prices for diesel and oil. Shipping costs moved higher, and a consultant for the transportation industry noted that higher diesel prices were largely being passed on to shippers via surcharges. Consumer prices rose moderately.
Consumer Spending
Consumer spending was unchanged on balance over the reporting period. Nonauto retail spending was flat. Contacts were generally pleased with the back-to-school season, noting especially good results in the return-to-college segment, which boosted sales of electronics and furniture. In contrast, grocery sales were down. Forecasts for holiday sales call for modest growth, similar to last year. Leisure and hospitality spending increased slightly, led by a pickup in demand at restaurants and hotels. Light vehicle sales were down slightly, but were better than expected, and contacts noted continued willingness by customers to make purchases despite overall affordability concerns. Mid-size and hybrid models remained most popular, with some dealers indicating that high gas prices were more of a factor in vehicle choice than in the last reporting period.
Business Spending
Business spending decreased slightly in late August and September. Capital expenditures decreased modestly, though expectations for expenditures in the coming year improved. Contacts mostly reported making purchases to replace old equipment. Demand for truck transportation was flat, but rates increased moderately, in part due to tight capacity. Retail inventories were unchanged at a comfortable level, while manufacturing inventories were a little low. Manufacturing contacts reported longer lead times for some metals, like copper alloys, and difficulty sourcing others, like steel and aluminum components.
Construction and Real Estate
Construction and real estate activity decreased slightly. Residential construction declined a bit overall, with contacts pointing to higher mortgage rates and elevated economic uncertainty as reasons for weaker demand. Some homebuilders were offering more generous promotions on new single-family homes. Residential real estate demand decreased slightly, while prices ticked up. Rents increased slightly, helped by healthy demand for townhomes. Nonresidential construction was unchanged, but activity remained at a robust level. Contacts indicated that megaprojects were crowding out capacity for other projects. An equipment distributor said that tech companies had tried to buy all the available electrical equipment for their data center developments, but that suppliers had pushed back because of commitments to other projects. Commercial real estate activity was unchanged overall, though office leasing in government, medical, and higher education spaces increased. Prices and vacancy rates were unchanged. In the retail sector, low availability and high demand for prime space pushed up rents and led some existing tenants to move to other spaces. Otherwise, rents were unchanged.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing demand increased modestly in late August and September. Primary metals manufacturers and wholesalers reported a slight increase in demand on top of an already high level, driven in part by defense spending. One contact said that while mills have not yet run into capacity constraints, continued high demand from megaproject construction could lead to future capacity issues. Fabricated metals production rose slightly, driven by higher demand from the defense and construction sectors. In the machinery industry, sales increased moderately, while auto and heavy truck production were both flat on balance.
Banking and Finance
Financial conditions tightened modestly in late August and September. Bond values fell, equity values were unchanged, and volatility was flat. Business loan demand increased slightly, while loan quality declined slightly overall. One contact noted stress for some clients in the manufacturing and food and beverage industries related to cost increases and supply disruptions. Business loan rates increased modestly overall, while loan terms were unchanged. In the consumer sector, loan demand increased slightly. Loan quality deteriorated slightly, rates increased modestly, and terms were flat.
Agriculture
Expectations for 2026 District farm income edged down over the reporting period, which included the start of harvest. Heavy rains in much of the District slowed the harvest and were expected to lower yields for corn and, especially, soybeans. Farmers also were expected to spend more on fuel to dry bushels, compounding the effect of high energy prices on the costs of harvest. Corn and soybean prices again moved higher, with reports of premiums for current deliveries. Wheat and egg prices were higher, while cattle, hog, and most dairy prices declined. In parts of the District, crop insurance wasn't expected to make up for lost income. Even so, some contacts expected farmers to replace equipment after holding off doing so in recent years.
Community Conditions
Nonbusiness, government, and other community contacts reported steady economic conditions in late August and September, although price pressures weighed on future outlooks. State government contacts noted continued resilience in tax revenues. However, small business contacts were experiencing a more stressed environment. Businesses explored ways to cover operating expenses as higher costs, late payments from clients, and lower discretionary spending by customers eroded margins. As membership dues and other revenues trended lower, nonprofit organizations looked for ways to cut expenses, including by combining positions or reducing office space.
For more information about District economic conditions visit: https://chicagofed.org/cfsec.
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Original text here: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beigebook202610-chicago.htm
BLM and Partners Target Invasive Weeds to Enhance Resiliency of Critical Habitat in Southwestern Idaho
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release:
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BLM and Partners Target Invasive Weeds to Enhance Resiliency of Critical Habitat in Southwestern Idaho
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BOISE, Idaho--In a proactive step to invest in healthy, resilient public lands, the Bureau of Land Management Boise District in southwestern Idaho, partnering with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and Pheasants Forever will conduct the following aerial herbicide treatment:
* Jacks Creek: Approximately 23,600 acres of BLM Bruneau Field Office managed lands located approximately ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release: * * * BLM and Partners Target Invasive Weeds to Enhance Resiliency of Critical Habitat in Southwestern Idaho * BOISE, Idaho--In a proactive step to invest in healthy, resilient public lands, the Bureau of Land Management Boise District in southwestern Idaho, partnering with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and Pheasants Forever will conduct the following aerial herbicide treatment: * Jacks Creek: Approximately 23,600 acres of BLM Bruneau Field Office managed lands located approximately24 miles southwest of Bruneau, ID in Owyhee County.
Treatments are scheduled to begin October 23, 2026, and last up to three weeks, depending on weather, wildfire activity, and other operational conditions. They are intended to reduce invasive annual grasses and hazardous fine fuels, maintain strategic fuel breaks and improve the establishment and long-term success of desirable perennial vegetation. Strengthening landscapes before wildfire strikes is part of a shared commitment to manage healthy rangelands, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce wildfire risk through hazardous fuels mitigation.
Treatments will use the BLM-approved herbicides imazapic and indaziflam. Application rates will vary by project area based on vegetation and management objectives.
These treatment areas are in remote areas of Owyhee County, however, the public may see low-flying aircraft over designated treatment areas and should avoid those areas while applications are underway. USWFS employees will be present in project areas before and during application. Federal officials appreciate the public's cooperation as these treatments invest in the long-term health and resilience of public lands and reduce wildfire risk.
Rangelands in Idaho and across the West have been heavily impacted by destructive wildfires, exacerbated by drought, insects, and disease, leaving millions of acres vulnerable to future wildfires. Since 2000, wildfires have burned an average of 7.3 million acres annually, with BLM lands seeing an average of 240,000 acres affected each year. This year alone, wildfires have burned over 3.3 million acres of BLM-managed lands, and 9 million acres of all jurisdictions nationwide.
-BLM-
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Original text here: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-and-partners-target-invasive-weeds-enhance-resiliency-critical-habitat
* * *
BLM and Partners Target Invasive Weeds to Enhance Resiliency of Critical Habitat in Southwestern Idaho
*
BOISE, Idaho--In a proactive step to invest in healthy, resilient public lands, the Bureau of Land Management Boise District in southwestern Idaho, partnering with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and Pheasants Forever will conduct the following aerial herbicide treatment:
* Jacks Creek: Approximately 23,600 acres of BLM Bruneau Field Office managed lands located approximately ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release: * * * BLM and Partners Target Invasive Weeds to Enhance Resiliency of Critical Habitat in Southwestern Idaho * BOISE, Idaho--In a proactive step to invest in healthy, resilient public lands, the Bureau of Land Management Boise District in southwestern Idaho, partnering with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and Pheasants Forever will conduct the following aerial herbicide treatment: * Jacks Creek: Approximately 23,600 acres of BLM Bruneau Field Office managed lands located approximately24 miles southwest of Bruneau, ID in Owyhee County.
Treatments are scheduled to begin October 23, 2026, and last up to three weeks, depending on weather, wildfire activity, and other operational conditions. They are intended to reduce invasive annual grasses and hazardous fine fuels, maintain strategic fuel breaks and improve the establishment and long-term success of desirable perennial vegetation. Strengthening landscapes before wildfire strikes is part of a shared commitment to manage healthy rangelands, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce wildfire risk through hazardous fuels mitigation.
Treatments will use the BLM-approved herbicides imazapic and indaziflam. Application rates will vary by project area based on vegetation and management objectives.
These treatment areas are in remote areas of Owyhee County, however, the public may see low-flying aircraft over designated treatment areas and should avoid those areas while applications are underway. USWFS employees will be present in project areas before and during application. Federal officials appreciate the public's cooperation as these treatments invest in the long-term health and resilience of public lands and reduce wildfire risk.
Rangelands in Idaho and across the West have been heavily impacted by destructive wildfires, exacerbated by drought, insects, and disease, leaving millions of acres vulnerable to future wildfires. Since 2000, wildfires have burned an average of 7.3 million acres annually, with BLM lands seeing an average of 240,000 acres affected each year. This year alone, wildfires have burned over 3.3 million acres of BLM-managed lands, and 9 million acres of all jurisdictions nationwide.
-BLM-
***
Original text here: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-and-partners-target-invasive-weeds-enhance-resiliency-critical-habitat
Amtrak Welcomes Federal Grant for Hiawatha West
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak Welcomes Federal Grant for Hiawatha West
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Investment will advance passenger rail expansion while improving Wisconsin's rail infrastructure
MILWAUKEE - Amtrak welcomes the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) selection of Hiawatha West for funding through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The award is a critical step toward extending existing Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service west to Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane counties and expanding passenger ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news: * * * Amtrak Welcomes Federal Grant for Hiawatha West * Investment will advance passenger rail expansion while improving Wisconsin's rail infrastructure MILWAUKEE - Amtrak welcomes the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) selection of Hiawatha West for funding through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The award is a critical step toward extending existing Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service west to Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane counties and expanding passengerrail connections in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Amtrak are advancing the project to bring Hiawatha service to more Wisconsin communities, including Madison, Watertown and Pewaukee. The project is being developed in coordination with host railroads, CPKC and Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (Watco).
The grant will support targeted investments in existing rail infrastructure to improve safety, reliability and capacity. These improvements will advance future Hiawatha West service while benefiting existing Borealis and Empire Builder trains.
"This award is a major step toward bringing the convenience and connectivity of the Hiawatha service to more Wisconsin communities," said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Strategy & Planning Jennifer Mitchell. "We appreciate the support of the USDOT and FRA, along with the collaboration of all our partners and communities helping to move this project forward. Together, we are advancing a project that will improve rail infrastructure, strengthen the regional economy and give more people a safe, reliable and convenient way to travel."
Hiawatha West is being developed to bring direct Chicago-bound service to Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane counties, connecting more of Wisconsin to Amtrak's broader national network. Once implemented, Hiawatha West is expected to generate approximately 278,000 additional annual Amtrak riders, approximately $46 million in annual regional economic benefits and approximately 200 permanent jobs through ongoing passenger operations.
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/10/amtrak-welcomes-federal-grant-for-hiawatha-west/
* * *
Amtrak Welcomes Federal Grant for Hiawatha West
*
Investment will advance passenger rail expansion while improving Wisconsin's rail infrastructure
MILWAUKEE - Amtrak welcomes the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) selection of Hiawatha West for funding through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The award is a critical step toward extending existing Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service west to Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane counties and expanding passenger ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news: * * * Amtrak Welcomes Federal Grant for Hiawatha West * Investment will advance passenger rail expansion while improving Wisconsin's rail infrastructure MILWAUKEE - Amtrak welcomes the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) selection of Hiawatha West for funding through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The award is a critical step toward extending existing Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service west to Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane counties and expanding passengerrail connections in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Amtrak are advancing the project to bring Hiawatha service to more Wisconsin communities, including Madison, Watertown and Pewaukee. The project is being developed in coordination with host railroads, CPKC and Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (Watco).
The grant will support targeted investments in existing rail infrastructure to improve safety, reliability and capacity. These improvements will advance future Hiawatha West service while benefiting existing Borealis and Empire Builder trains.
"This award is a major step toward bringing the convenience and connectivity of the Hiawatha service to more Wisconsin communities," said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Strategy & Planning Jennifer Mitchell. "We appreciate the support of the USDOT and FRA, along with the collaboration of all our partners and communities helping to move this project forward. Together, we are advancing a project that will improve rail infrastructure, strengthen the regional economy and give more people a safe, reliable and convenient way to travel."
Hiawatha West is being developed to bring direct Chicago-bound service to Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane counties, connecting more of Wisconsin to Amtrak's broader national network. Once implemented, Hiawatha West is expected to generate approximately 278,000 additional annual Amtrak riders, approximately $46 million in annual regional economic benefits and approximately 200 permanent jobs through ongoing passenger operations.
***
Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/10/amtrak-welcomes-federal-grant-for-hiawatha-west/