Press releases

APOD: 2026 July 29 – Psyche Receives Gravity Assist from Mars

NASA shared a video demonstrating how the Psyche spacecraft utilized a gravity assist from Mars in May 2026 to increase its speed and adjust its trajectory toward the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. The mission also used the flyby to test instruments that will eventually analyze the asteroid's composition and magnetic field.

Understanding How Martian Auroras Are Made

This July 23, 2026, illustration depicts charged particles from a solar storm stripping away charged particles of Mars’ atmosphere, one of the processes of Martian atmosphere loss studied by NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) mission. NASA MAVEN mission scientists have found that certain types of auroras on Mars form in a similar way […]

NPLD Goodenough Creek Campground Fence Cleanup

Home Info Press Releases Press Releases The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Treasury Disrupts Iranian Regime’s Strait of Hormuz Extortion Network

U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Public Affairs Press Rel ease: July 27, 2026 Contact: Treasury Public Affairs, Press@Treasury.gov Treasury Disrupts Iranian Regime’s Strait of Hormuz Extortion Network OFAC Sanctions Illicit Maritime Insurance Scheme and Iran’s Shadow Fleet WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking further action against the Iranian regime’s desperate efforts to monetize the Strait of Hormuz and prop up the nation’s failing economy. OFAC is designating two firms integral to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-backed extortion scheme that forces commercial vessels to purchase mandatory maritime “insurance” to transit the Strait. Although this coverage purports to protect vessels from risks such as seizures, these risks are overwhelmingly created by Iran itself. Through the Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority , the regime brokers IRGC-approved policies designed to extract revenue under the guise of maritime services, including payments in digital assets to evade sanctions—allowing Iran to tighten control over shipping activity and funnel funds into IRGC operations. “With its economy in freefall and inflation in the triple digits, the regime is desperate for cash,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent . “The United States will not allow Iran to hold global commerce hostage or use international shipping to finance the IRGC’s terrorism, aggression, and repression.” OFAC is also reinforcing U.S. military interdiction efforts and intensifying pressure on Iran’s energy shipments by imposing sanctions on several vessels that transported Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products. Since the beginning of the year, OFAC has sanctioned over 100 vessels linked to Iran’s shadow fleet, a covert logistics network that enables the regime to keep oil revenues flowing despite international sanctions. Today’s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors and advances the President’s National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), to impose maximum economic pressure on Iran . IRANIAN REGIME'S EXTORTION SCHEME In an attempt to prop up revenue streams decimated by Operation Epic Fury, Iran has established illegitimate schemes through the Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company (PGMIC) and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority , also known as Hormuz Safe, to extort vessels attempting to conduct routine commercial passages through the Strait of Hormuz. Established by the Central Insurance of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran’s primary insurance regulator, the PGMIC brokers and issues insurance policies approved by the U.S.-designated , IRGC-backed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). The insurance covers risks, most of which are created by Iran itself, such as vessel seizures, and aims to generate revenue to fund the regime’s terror and corruption. PGSA was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, on May 27, 2026 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC. Hormuz Safe is an Iranian digital insurance firm that advertises itself as a company offering trusted maritime services, including insurance, traffic control, security, and emergency response, to vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Developed by Iran’s Ministry of Economy, it accepts payment in Bitcoin and other digital assets as part of the regime’s attempts to bypass Western sanctions. Disgraced regime financier Babak Morteza Zanjani , who was sanctioned earlier this year, promoted Hormuz Safe to his social media followers. Hormuz Safe generates revenue on behalf of the IRGC in an attempt to give the regime tighter control over shipping activity. The Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the financial sector of the Iranian economy. SHADOW FLEET ACTORS Treasury is also taking action today against multiple shadow fleet vessels responsible for transporting millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. Iran’s shadow fleet provides an essential lifeline to the Iranian regime, which relies on oil sales to bolster its ailing economy. The Marshall Islands-flagged chemical/products tanker WELL SAIL (IMO 9321938), owned, operated, and managed by China-based Qi Hang Ship Management Limited , has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian petroleum products to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2026. The Mozambique-flagged crude oil tanker LILY (IMO 9294331), owned and operated by Hong Kong-based Confident Apex Limited , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian oil since 2025. The unknown-flagged crude oil tanker AL SALMI (IMO 9298296), owned and operated by Hong Kong-based Billion Nexus Int’l Co., Limited , has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian oil to China since 2025. The Barbados-flagged crude oil tanker BREEZE V (IMO 9259355), owned and operated by Hong Kong-based Nevada Spirit Company Limited , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China in 2026. The Barbados-flagged crude oil tanker NATSUMI (IMO 9331244), owned, operated, and managed by Hong Kong-based Marinova Freight Limited, has transported millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China since 2022. The Vanuatu-flagged crude oil tanker CRYSTAL (IMO 9223887), owned, operated, and managed by Hong Kong and Marshall Islands-based Vast Mighty Limited , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China in 2026. The Vanuatu-flagged crude oil tanker NIRETA (IMO 9237785), owned, operated, and managed by Marshall Islands-based Ocean Tranquility Limited , has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China in 2026. The Barbados-flagged crude oil tanker YEHOPE (IMO 9243320), owned by Marshall Islands-based Branch Saying International Trading Co Ltd , has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China in 2026. The following companies are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy: Qi Hang Ship Management Limited; Marinova Freight Limited; Vast Mighty Limited; Ocean Tranquility Limited; Branch Saying International Trading Co Ltd; Confident Apex Limited; Billion Nexus Int’l Co., Limited; and Nevada Spirit Company Limited. The following vessels are being identified as blocked property of the previously identified blocked persons: WELL SAIL (Qi Hang Ship Management Limited); NATSUMI (Marinova Freight Limited); CRYSTAL (Vast Mighty Limited); NIRETA (Ocean Tranquility Limited); YEHOPE (Branch Saying International Trading Co Ltd); LILY (Confident Apex Limited); AL SALMI (Billion Nexus Int’l Co., Limited); and BREEZE V (Nevada Spirit Company Limited). 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 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. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. 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. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the 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 and any property identified as blocked property today . ###

Incident Update: Quail Springs Fire

Home Info Press Releases Press Releases The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

NASA Webb Explores Family Tree of Newly Discovered Distant Objects

Since their discovery by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in 2022, little red dots (LRDs) have been the subject of great interest to astronomers. Understanding the nature of these extremely distant, compact red sources has been a puzzling scientific endeavor. One popular theory is that little red dots are supermassive black holes known as active […]

Contractor to Civil Servant: NASA Welcomes Ray Williams

Ray Williams’ progression at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, has uniquely prepared him for his new role. As part of NASA’s plan to restore core competencies by converting contractors to civil service, the New Orleans native and Grambling State University graduate now works as a supervisor for test operations support at […]

Treasury Unveils Redesigned CFIUS Website

U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Public Affairs Press Release: July 29, 2026 Contact: Treasury Public Affairs, Press@Treasury.gov Treasury Unveils Redesigned CFIUS Website WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury, as Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), today launched a dedicated CFIUS website that modernizes how information is organized and introduces new features to help parties better understand and navigate CFIUS processes. The new site improves the accessibility of existing CFIUS content and provides additional resources to the public to support earlier, more effective engagement with CFIUS. “CFIUS plays a critical role in protecting U.S. national security while ensuring the United States remains the world’s most attractive destination for investment,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “With this new website, the Trump Administration is significantly upgrading CFIUS’s customer service, making it easier for companies, investors, and their counsel to find the information they need, understand our processes, and facilitate greater foreign investment in the United States, consistent with the goals of President Trump’s America First Investment Policy.” The website, accessible at CFIUS.gov , introduces a pre-filing consultations portal that parties can use to ask questions about CFIUS and submit information about their transactions to engage with the Committee early in the process. This tool is intended to help parties better understand CFIUS processes and filing options and to support more efficient reviews. The site also features a new, high-level risk matrix that describes common categories of national security risk that CFIUS identifies in its reviews of foreign investment transactions, along with an illustrative list of sample mitigation measures CFIUS may use to address such risks. New process guidance explains considerations for filing declarations and notices, common sources of CFIUS process delays and best practices to avoid them, frequently requested information not required by CFIUS’s regulations, and recommended approaches for submitting organizational charts. “Today’s launch reflects Treasury’s continued commitment to transparency, accessibility, and operational excellence in investment security,” said Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton. “By providing earlier touchpoints with the Committee, clearer guidance on our procedures, and practical examples of risks and mitigation, this website will help parties move more efficiently through the CFIUS process and engage with the Committee early and effectively.” Dedicated pages on the new site provide information about key initiatives of Treasury’s Office of Investment Security (OIS), including the Known Investor Program, the Investment Security Technology Initiative, and the Strategic Vendor Program, and will be updated as these efforts develop. The website also links to OIS’s new presence on X, where stakeholders can receive updates on CFIUS initiatives and other investment security developments. CFIUS is an interagency committee chaired by the Department of the Treasury that reviews certain foreign investment transactions in the United States to assess and address any national security risks arising from such transactions. ###

FTC and States Act Against Hims & Hers for Deceptive and Unlawful Privacy Practices

Complaint alleges telehealth provider shared consumers’ sensitive health information with third-party advertising platforms despite promising patient privacy The Federal Trade Commission, joined by Utah and California, by and through Los Angeles County Counsel, today sued Hims & Hers alleging that the telehealth provider shared consumers’ sensitive health information about medical conditions with third-party advertising platforms despite claiming its services maintain consumers’ privacy and deceives users about its billing and cancellation pract View Press Release

Sizing Up the Sargassum Belt

Seaweed composing the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt hit near-record levels in June 2026, with the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America both reaching all-time highs.

BLM Announces Emergency Closures for the Vale District

Home Info Press Releases Press Releases The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

BLM Gunnison Field Office reduces Elk Fire emergency closure area

Home Info Press Releases Press Releases The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.