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  • MIL-Evening Report: I’ve seen the brain damage contact sports can cause – we all need to take concussion and CTE more seriously

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Health Science, Swinburne University of Technology

    AAP Image/The Conversation, CC BY

    Concussion in sport continues to make headlines, whether it be class actions, young men flocking to the highly violent “RunIt” activity or debate about whether Australian rules football should remove the “bump” once and for all.

    Bringing this weighty issue to greater prominence are the former athletes who bravely share their long-term health struggles after careers in sport – cognitive impairments, mental health issues or concerns about neurodegenerative disease, specifically chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

    Yet for all the progress made by many sports in recent years, it feels like we still have not fully grasped the understanding of CTE – or maybe we don’t want to.

    Remind me again, what is CTE?

    CTE is a neurodegenerative brain disease, just like dementia, motor neurone disease (MND) and Parkinson’s disease.

    Expert groups agree on the links between traumatic brain injury and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (and other dementias), and the growing evidence of links to MND and Parkinson’s.

    People who have never had a traumatic brain injury can still regrettably suffer from these diseases. However, while CTE is rare in the general population, those with a history of repetitive impacts to the brain are more at risk.

    These impacts may not be diagnosed brain injuries or concussions, but rather non-concussive impacts (smaller hits that do not produce signs or symptoms of concussion).

    Contrary to anecdotal opinion, an athlete’s concussion history is not the crucial variable in risk and severity of CTE.

    Emerging international evidence, including my own recently published studies, show the risk of developing CTE (and its severity) is linked to exposure: the age a person starts full contact sport and the length of a playing career.

    The grey area of concussion, CTE and mental health

    Currently, CTE cannot be diagnosed in living people.

    However in understanding the progression of the disease in those who have passed away with CTE, families have described signs and symptoms including cognitive impairments such as:

    • Parkinsonism
    • memory loss
    • trouble with planning and organising tasks
    • impulsive behaviours
    • anger and irritability
    • emotional instability
    • substance misuse
    • suicidal thoughts/behaviour.

    While these signs and symptoms can overlap with those we associate with mental health, this does not necessarily mean the affected person had “mental health concerns”.

    The continued awareness in men’s mental health is a good thing broadly but it has sometimes misappropriated CTE as a mental health issue. For example, some fundraising games in the names of athletes who have died with CTE are being channelled to mental health charities and institutes, confusing the wider community.

    Consequently two recent tragic stories, one from the family of deceased former AFL player Shane Tuck and the other from Amanda Green, the widow of the late NRL player and coach Paul Green, needed to be told.

    Their stories contradicted widely held beliefs in the media and among fans that Tuck or Green were suffering with a psychiatric disease prior to their untimely deaths. In fact, they had CTE.

    An uncomfortable conversation

    So, why aren’t we talking about CTE more?

    The answer is, unfortunately it is an inconvenient truth.

    Considering CTE is entirely preventable if we remove exposure risk of repetitive hits to the head, the solution is to further modify many of our most popular sports to make head impacts much rarer.

    There is sizeable opposition to this idea.

    “Now is not the time to discuss such ‘political’ issues,” is the response I usually get from academics and colleagues involved in these sports, and even football loving friends, when I try to raise awareness.

    This continued hesitation only slows the science of CTE further.

    If an athlete’s family has been courageous in donating their brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank and CTE has been found, the standard response from sports organisations is:

    the (insert sport here) takes athlete health and wellbeing as its greatest priority […] the (insert sport here) has implemented strict concussion protocols and continues research into athletes’ brain health.

    Even a Senate parliamentary inquiry has done little to change the situation.

    In fact, while most sports have tried to become safer through rule changes, progress more broadly has plateaued or even regressed in recent years.

    Take one recent example in the NRL, when some in the rugby league community made light of the multiple concussions suffered by Victor Radley. After playing his 150th game, he posed smiling with a t-shirt detailing the number of concussions he had suffered during his career. His club, the Sydney Roosters, posted the photo on Instagram before it was later removed.

    Even more worrying is a new controversial activity called “RunIt”, which involves two men running full speed at each other with the intention of knocking over (or more aptly knocking out) the opponent.

    A recent death of a New Zealand teenager playing RunIt has highlighted the dangers.



    Read more:
    Head knocks and ultra-violence: viral games Run It Straight and Power Slap put sports safety back centuries

    What more can be done?

    With the help of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, experts around the world, including myself, have produced a CTE prevention protocol. This does not mean banning any sports but rather modifying components that will reduce exposure risk.

    Here are five ideas I believe would make a difference.

    1. Reducing contact loads in training, particularly in pre-season training.

    2. Modify contact sports for children until the age of 14. This potentially removes six to eight years of incidental and unnecessary hits to kids’ heads. They can still play and learn all the fundamental motor skills and enjoy the psychological benefits of sport before graduating to the full version of the game at 14.

    3. Influential media commentators need to upskill themselves around CTE and to not be afraid to mention CTE rather than deferring to “concussion protocols”.

    4. Medical and allied health practitioners do not regularly screen for concussion or contact sport playing history when assessing a patient who is struggling with movement disorders, chronic headaches/fatigue or cognitive/behavioural impairments. Repetitive head impact history should be screened just like alcohol and drug use history.

    5. When an athlete suddenly and tragically dies, we need to include, along with emergency help lines, information for help and support for those unsure about CTE.

    Unfortunately, if we don’t have the political will to acknowledge CTE and act, more families will be grieving tragic deaths of athletes. These families may not even be aware of CTE.

    This does not make me anti-sport, but pro-athlete. Let’s all become pro-athlete for the sake of our sports and the people who play them.

    Alan Pearce is currently unfunded. Alan is a non-executive director for the Concussion Legacy Foundation (unpaid position) and Adjunct research manager for the Australian Sports Brain Bank (unpaid position). He has previously received funding from Erasmus+ strategic partnerships program (2019-1-IE01-KA202-051555), Sports Health Check Charity (Australia), Australian Football League, Impact Technologies Inc., and Samsung Corporation, and is remunerated for expert advice to medico-legal practices.

    – ref. I’ve seen the brain damage contact sports can cause – we all need to take concussion and CTE more seriously – https://theconversation.com/ive-seen-the-brain-damage-contact-sports-can-cause-we-all-need-to-take-concussion-and-cte-more-seriously-259785

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Rare wooden tools from Stone Age China reveal plant-based lifestyle of ancient lakeside humans

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bo Li, Professor, Environmental Futures Research Centre, School of Science, University of Wollongong

    Excavation at the Gantangqing site. Liu et al.

    Ancient wooden tools found at a site in Gantangqing in southwestern China are approximately 300,000 years old, new dating has shown. Discovered during excavations carried out in 2014–15 and 2018–19, the tools have now been dated by a team of archaeologists, geologists, chronologists (including me) and paleontologists.

    The rare wooden tools were found alongside an assortment of animal and plant fossils and stone artifacts.

    Taken together, the finds suggest the early humans at Gantangqing were surprisingly sophisticated woodworkers who lived in a rich tropical or subtropical environment where they subsisted by harvesting plants from a nearby lake.

    The location of the Gantangqing site and excavation trenches.
    Liu et al. / Science

    Why ancient wooden tools are so rare

    Wood usually decomposes relatively rapidly due to microbial activity, oxidation, and weathering. Unlike stone or bone, it rarely survives more than a few centuries.

    Wood can only survive for thousands of years or longer if it ends up buried in unusual conditions. Wood can last a long time in oxygen-free environments or extremely dry areas. Charred or fire-hardened wood is also more durable.

    At Gantangqing, the wooden objects were excavated from low-oxygen clay-heavy layers of sediment formed on the ancient shoreline of Fuxian Lake.

    Wooden implements are extremely rare from the Early Palaeolithic period (the first part of the “stone age” from around 3.3 million years ago until 300,000 years ago or so, in which our hominin ancestors first began to use tools). Indeed, wooden tools more than even 50,000 years old are virtually absent outside Africa and western Eurasia.

    As a result, we may have a skewed understanding of Palaeolithic cultures. We may overemphasise the role of stone tools, for example, because they are what has survived.

    What wooden tools were found at Gantangqing?

    The new excavations at Gantangqing found 35 wooden specimens identified as artificially modified tools. These tools were primarily manufactured from pine wood, with a minority crafted from hardwoods.

    Some of the tools had rounded ends, while others had chisel-like thin blades or ridged blades. Of the 35 tools, 32 show marks of intentional modification at their tips, working edges, or bases.

    Two large digging implements were identified as heavy-duty digging sticks designed for two-handed use. These are unique forms of digging implements not documented elsewhere, suggesting localised functional adaptations. There were also four distinct hook-shaped tools — likely used for cutting roots — and a series of smaller tools for one-handed use.

    Nineteen of the tools showed microscopic traces of scraping from shaping or use, while 17 exhibit deliberately polished surfaces. We also identified further evidence of intensive use, including soil residues stuck to tool tips, parallel grooves or streaks along working edges, and characteristic fracture wear patterns.

    The tools from Gantangqing are more complete and show a wider range of functions than those found at contemporary sites such as Clacton in the UK and Florisbad in South Africa.

    The wooden tools from Gantangqing took a variety of forms.
    Liu et al. / Science

    How old are the Gantangqing wooden tools?

    The team used several techniques to figure out the age of the wooden tools. There is no way to determine their age directly, but we can date the sediment in which they were found.

    Using a technique called infrared stimulated luminescence, we analysed more than 10,000 individual grains of minerals from different layers. This showed the sediment was deposited roughly between 350,000 and 200,000 years ago.

    Dating the different layers of sediment excavated at the site produced a detailed timeline.
    Liu et al. / Science

    We also used different techniques to date a mammal tooth found in one of the layers to roughly 288,000 years old. This was consistent with the mineral results.

    Next we used mathematical modelling to bring all the dating results together. Our model indicated that the layers containing stone tools and wooden implements date from 360–300,000 years ago to 290–250,000 years ago.

    What was the environment like?

    Our research indicates the ancient humans at Gantangqing inhabited a warm, humid, tropical or subtropical environment. Pollen extracted from the sediments reveals 40 plant families that confirm this climate.

    Plant fossils further verify the presence of subtropical-to-tropical flora dominated by trees, lianas, shrubs and herbs. Wet-environment plants show the local surroundings were a lakeside or wetlands.

    Animal fossils also fit this picture, including rhinoceros and other mammals, turtles and various birds. The ecosystem was likely a mosaic of grassland, thickets and forests. Evidence of diving ducks confirms the lake must have been at least 2–3 metres deep during human occupation.

    Examples of stone and bone tools found at Gantangqing.
    Liu et al. / Science

    What were the Gantangqing wooden tools used for?

    The site contained evidence of plants such as storable pine nuts and hazelnuts, fruit trees such as kiwi, raspberry-like berries, grapes, edible herbs and fern fronds.

    There were also aquatic plants that would have provided edible leaves, seeds, tubers and rhizomes. These were likely dug up from shallow mud near the shore, using wooden tools.

    These findings suggest the Gantangqing hominins may have made expeditions to the lake shore, carrying purpose-made wooden digging sticks to harvest underground food sources. To do this, they would have had to anticipate seasonal plant distributions, know exactly what parts of different plants were edible, and produce specialised tools for different tasks.

    Why the Gantangqing site is important

    The wooden implements from Gantangqing represent the earliest known evidence for the use of digging sticks and for the exploitation of underground plant storage organs such as tubers within the Oriental biogeographic realm. Our discovery shows the use of sophisticated wood technology in a very different environmental context from what has been seen at sites of similar age in Europe and Africa.

    The find significantly expands our understanding of early hominin woodworking capabilities.

    The hominins who lived at Gantangqing appear to have lived a heavily plant-based subsistence lifestyle. This is in contrast to colder, more northern settings where tools of similar age have been found (such as Schöningen in Germany), where hunting large mammals was the key to survival.

    The site also shows how important wood – and perhaps other organic materials – were to “stone age” hominins. These wooden artifacts show far more sophisticated manufacturing skill than the relative rudimentary stone tools found at sites of similar age across East and Southeast Asia.

    The excavation, curation, and research of the Gantangqing site were supported by
    National Cultural Heritage Administration (China), Yunnan Provincial Institute of
    Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Yuxi Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism,
    Chengjiang Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Australian Research Council
    (ARC) Discovery Projects, Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese
    Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), National Natural
    Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

    – ref. Rare wooden tools from Stone Age China reveal plant-based lifestyle of ancient lakeside humans – https://theconversation.com/rare-wooden-tools-from-stone-age-china-reveal-plant-based-lifestyle-of-ancient-lakeside-humans-260204

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza , Palestine, Lebanon & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (3 July 2025) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General/Trip Announcement
    Deputy Secretary-General
    Gaza 
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Lebanon
    Cyprus
    Ukraine
    Russia
    Senior Personnel Appointment  
    Yemen
    Global Risk Report
    International Days
    Financial Contribution

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT
    The Secretary-General will be arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th Summit of the BRICS countries.
    The Secretary-General has been invited to speak at an outreach session on “Strengthening multilateralism, economic-financial affairs and artificial intelligence”, that will take place on Sunday, 6 July. On Monday, 7 July, he will address a second outreach session, on “Environment, COP30 and global health.”
    During his visit, the Secretary-General will also be having meetings with various leaders who are attending the BRICS Summit and we will share those readouts with you.

    DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
    Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, returned to Seville today for the closing of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4).
    At the closing with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain, she underscored the consensus around the Seville Agreement as a demonstration of multilateralism in action — with actions to close the SDG financing gap, address the debt crisis, and reform the international financial architecture. She recognized the more than 100 initiatives launched on the Sevilla Platform for Action, including solidarity levies on private jets and first-class travel to generate new resources for sustainable development.
    She said that the UN will be operationalizing a Seville Forum on Debt to help countries learn from one another and coordinate their approaches in debt management and restructuring; that forum will be supported by Spain.
    She called for FFD4 to be remembered not only as a conference that responded to crisis, but as the moment the world chose cooperation over fragmentation, unity over division, and action over inertia.
    Tomorrow, she will travel to Praia, Cabo Verde, to take part in celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence.

    GAZA 
    The Secretary-General is appalled by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Multiple attacks in recent days hitting sites hosting displaced people and people trying to access food have killed and injured scores of Palestinians. The Secretary-General strongly condemns the civilian loss of life. 
    In just one day this week, Israeli orders to relocate forced nearly 30,000 people to flee, yet again, with no safe place to go and clearly inadequate supplies of shelter, food, medicine or water.
    International humanitarian law is unambiguous: civilians must be respected and protected, and the needs of the population must be met.
    With no fuel having entered Gaza in more than 17 weeks, the Secretary-General is gravely concerned that the last lifelines for survival are being cut off. Without an urgent influx of fuel, incubators will shut down, ambulances will be unable to reach the injured and sick, and water cannot be purified. The delivery by the United Nations and partners of what little of our lifesaving humanitarian aid is left in Gaza will also grind to a halt. 
    He once again calls for full, safe and sustained humanitarian access so aid can reach people who have been deprived of the basics of life for far too long. The UN has a clear and proven plan, rooted in the humanitarian principles, to get vital assistance to civilians – safely and at scale, wherever they are. 
    The Secretary-General reiterates that all parties must uphold their obligations under international law. He renews his call for an immediate permanent ceasefire and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. 

    Full Highlights:
    https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=03%20July%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CJL7IZOkzs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dallas County Teen Serves as Senate Page

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    Senate Page Sawyer Mann and Senator John Boozman in his office on Capitol Hill.

    WASHINGTON—High school student Sawyer Mann spent part of his summer in the nation’s capital navigating the corridors of Congress. The rising senior from Sparkman served as a U.S. Senate Page alongside several dozen other high schoolers from across the country.

    Mann and his peers reported to work one hour before the Senate convened on weekdays and helped prepare the U.S. Senate chamber for daily business, distributed documents to senators’ desks, assisted in the cloakrooms, supported chamber staff and – when the body was in session – sat near the dais waiting to aid members delivering remarks or casting votes. 

    “Serving as a Senate Page taught me that even the smallest roles can stand in the shadow of history and still help carry it forward,” Mann said.

    Mann earned his appointment to the position from Senator John Boozman (R-AR), who has long promoted the program for Arkansas youth interested in civics and public service.

    “Sawyer did an excellent job supporting the day-to-day activity of the Senate while observing legislative processes and procedures firsthand. I am confident that serving as a Page will inspire him to continue exploring his interest in public policy and enhance his leadership skills. Our entire state can be proud of how he represented us in this prestigious program,” Boozman said.

    Mann is an active participant in Future Farmers of America and a member of the Camden Harmony Grove High School yearbook staff. He also served on the student council as sophomore and junior class representative, and as captain of the quiz bowl team.

    While in Washington, D.C., he toured the National Archives and visited several Smithsonian museums in addition to attending a showing of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

    He is the son of Russ Mann and Lauren Franks.

    The Senate Page program started in 1829 when Senator Daniel Webster appointed the first Senate Page. Today, the program is a unique, highly selective opportunity for high school juniors with a strong academic standing to learn firsthand about the institution often referred to as “the world’s greatest deliberative body.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Estes Delivers Remarks On House Floor In Support Of The One Big, Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

    Rep. Estes Delivers Remarks On House Floor In Support Of The One Big, Beautiful Bill

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 1 – the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read the full remarks below. Watch on YouTube and Rumble.

    Remarks as delivered:

    Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Kansas families, workers, and small businesses who will benefit from the One Big Beautiful Bill.

    By extending and improving the TCJA, working-class families in my district will pay $10,900 less in taxes and see increased wages of $7,200 on average. It contains my bipartisan legislation to make research and development expensing permanent – a jobs provision ensuring America continues to lead the world entirely on innovation. It eliminates fraud and waste in Obamacare, and it builds on President Trump’s successes at securing the border.

    Despite the misleading spin from my colleagues on the left, this bill delivers on what Americans voted for in November – it’s time to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill.

    With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons on Rep. Jamila Prayapal calling ICE a ‘terrorist force’

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    July 3, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

    WASHINGTON — On July 2, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a “terrorist force.”

    Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons’ response to the congresswoman:

    “An actual Antifa terrorist tried to blow up ICE’s Northwest Processing Center in Rep. Jayapal’s home state of Washington in 2019. At the time, she tried to blame the violent attack on rhetoric from the right, in defense of an actual terrorist who tried to murder detainees and employees alike! 

    Now, she labels ICE officers enforcing immigration law set by Congress ‘terrorists.’ This, at a time when officers are facing a nearly 700% increase in assaults, in part due to the type of rhetoric she spews. Never in a million years did I think I would witness a sitting member of Congress prioritize regard for violent criminals over the law enforcement officers protecting her community from actual public safety threats. The only apology needed is from the congresswoman to the people who voted for her.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons on Rep. Pramila Jayapal calling ICE a ‘terrorist force’

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    July 3, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesStatement

    WASHINGTON — On July 2, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a “terrorist force.”

    Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons’ response to the congresswoman:

    “An actual Antifa terrorist tried to blow up ICE’s Northwest Processing Center in Rep. Jayapal’s home state of Washington in 2019. At the time, she tried to blame the violent attack on rhetoric from the right, in defense of an actual terrorist who tried to murder detainees and employees alike! 

    Now, she labels ICE officers enforcing immigration law set by Congress ‘terrorists.’ This, at a time when officers are facing a nearly 700% increase in assaults, in part due to the type of rhetoric she spews. Never in a million years did I think I would witness a sitting member of Congress prioritize regard for violent criminals over the law enforcement officers protecting her community from actual public safety threats. The only apology needed is from the congresswoman to the people who voted for her.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Opposes Trump Administration Effort to Roll Back Fair Housing Protections

    Source: US State of California

    Regulations developed to prevent discriminatory housing practices, racially segregated neighborhoods 

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) opposing a proposed rule that would rollback critical fair housing regulations that prohibit discrimination in the marketing of affordable housing. The Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing (AFHM) regulations require owners of federally assisted housing to target advertising and outreach regarding their properties to communities that otherwise might not have learned about the opportunity to live there. The proposed rule would repeal these regulations, which are designed to ensure that federally assisted housing providers do not market available housing to only certain groups as had been done in the past to maintain racially segregated neighborhoods.

    “The Trump Administration is working to roll back critical fair housing regulations that prohibit discrimination — protections put in place in the 70’s to combat the insidious persistence of segregated neighborhoods — protections that are essential today to ensure that housing opportunities for underserved communities remain accessible,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The national housing crisis is driven by a shortage of housing supply and unaffordability that disproportionately affects communities of color. Today I urge the Administration to look closely at the mandate they inherited in the Fair Housing Act and understand that letting a broader range of buyers know about affordable housing opportunities that are available to them is necessary to ensure that these opportunities remain accessible for all Americans.” 

    Historically, government at all levels throughout the United States, along with private developers and mortgage lending institutions, played an active role in creating segregated living patterns, which perpetuated inequalities in access to opportunity. The Fair Housing Act, through AFHM regulations, requires HUD and recipients of federal funds from HUD to administer their programs in a manner to affirmatively further fair housing by ensuring that the agency and its program participants take meaningful actions to overcome patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, eliminate disparities in opportunities, and foster inclusive communities. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability. 

    AFHM requirements require that owners and developers of HUD-subsidized housing have marketing programs in place to reach groups that are protected from discrimination by the Fair Housing Act and are not as likely to apply for such housing. Housing providers must then select methods of outreach and advertising, that are designed to reach those communities. Too often, the populations that are the least likely to apply are those that are underrepresented in the area where the property is located, especially affordable properties in high opportunity areas — areas that offer residents enhanced access to economic mobility and improved living conditions. The AFHM regulations do not dictate which tenants an owner must select for a unit, and nothing prohibits landlords from advertising through other media that reach different populations as well.

    In the letter, the attorneys general argue that the proposed repeal of these longstanding regulations is in direct contradiction with the mandate of the Fair Housing Act — to affirmatively further fair housing through ensuring non-discriminatory marketing practices — especially so given the lack of: 

    • a replacement rule; 
    • an explanation of how HUD will affirmatively ensure that covered program participants are not engaging in discriminatory and unlawful housing marketing practices in violation of federal law; and 
    • legally sufficient or evidence-based justifications for this total reversal of over 50 years of federal housing policy and law.

    The attorneys general hold a vested interest in ensuring equal access to housing and eradicating discrimination in communities nationwide. The national housing crisis is driven by a shortage of housing supply and skyrocketing unaffordability that disproportionately affects communities of color. The highest disparities are experienced by Black households — a byproduct of systemic racism and policies that targeted Black people and neighborhoods home to primarily Black people. Data on fair housing complaints confirm that proactive fair housing measures, including in advertising, are as vital as ever. In 2023, record high levels of fair housing complaints were submitted to HUD, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other fair housing organizations; the annual number of complaints has consistently risen. 

    In sending today’s letter Attorney General Bonta and the attorneys general from Maryland and New York lead the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.   

    A copy of the letter can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mass atrocities against civilians continue in El Fasher, Sudan

    Source: APO – Report:

    • Fighting between warring parties is creating a desperate situation for civilians in El Fasher, Sudan, and its surrounding areas.
    • MSF’s new report exposes systematic patterns of violence in the area, that includes looting, mass killings, sexual violence, abductions, and starvation.
    • MSF urges the warring parties to spare civilians and grant access for humanitarian organisations to provide critical aid to people in need.

    Mass atrocities are underway in Sudan’s North Darfur region, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned in a report today, urging the warring parties of the conflict in Sudan to halt indiscriminate and ethnically targeted violence and facilitate an immediate large-scale humanitarian response. While daily fighting in El Fasher is already putting lives at risk, MSF is extremely concerned about the threats of a full-blown assault on the hundreds of thousands of people in the city.

    As fighting has intensified in the area since May 2024, civilians have continued to be the main victims. The report, Besieged, Attacked, Starved, outlines a desperate situation for civilians in and around El Fasher that requires immediate attention and response. 

    “People are not only caught in indiscriminate heavy fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their respective allies – but also actively targeted by the RSF and its allies, notably on the basis of their ethnicity,” says Michel Olivier Lacharité, MSF head of emergencies.

    Based on MSF data, direct observations and over 80 interviews conducted between May 2024 and May 2025 with patients and people who were displaced from El Fasher and nearby Zamzam camp, the report exposes systematic patterns of violence that includes looting, mass killings, sexual violence, abductions, starvation and attacks against markets, health facilities, and other civilian infrastructure. 

    “As patients and communities tell their stories to our teams and asked us to speak out, while their suffering is hardly on the international agenda, we felt compelled to document these patterns of relentless violence that have been crushing countless lives in general indifference and inaction over the past year,” says Mathilde Simon, MSF’s humanitarian affairs advisor.

    Besieged, Attacked, Starved also details how the RSF and their allies conducted a large-scale ground offensive in April on Zamzam camp for displaced people, located outside of El Fasher, which caused an estimated 400,000 people to flee in less than three weeks in appalling conditions. A large portion of the camp’s population fled to El Fasher, where they remained trapped, out of reach of humanitarian aid and exposed to attacks and further mass violence. Tens of thousands more escaped to Tawila, about 60 kilometres away, and to camps across the Chadian border, where hundreds of survivors of violence received care from MSF teams.

    “In light of the ethnically motivated mass atrocities committed on the Masalit in West Darfur back in June 2023, and of the massacres perpetrated in Zamzam camp in North Darfur, we fear such a scenario will be repeated in El Fasher. This onslaught of violence must stop,” says Simon.

    Several witnesses report that RSF soldiers spoke of plans to ‘clean El Fasher’ of its non-Arab community. Since May 2024, the RSF and their allies have besieged El Fasher, Zamzam camp, and other surrounding localities, cutting communities off from food, water, and medical care. This has contributed to the spread of famine and debilitated the humanitarian response.

    Repeated attacks on healthcare facilities forced MSF to end our medical activities in El Fasher in August 2024 and in Zamzam camp in February 2025. In May 2024 alone, health facilities supported by MSF in El Fasher endured at least seven incidents of shelling, bombing or shooting by all warring parties. Indiscriminate airstrikes conducted by the SAF had devastating consequences.

    “The SAF bombed our neighbourhood by mistake, then came to apologise. SAF planes sometimes bombed civilian areas without any RSF [presence], I saw it in different places,” says one woman.

    The harrowing level of violence on the roads out of El Fasher and Zamzam means that many people are trapped or take life-threatening risks when fleeing. Men and boys are at high risk of killing and abduction, while women and girls are subjected to widespread sexual violence. Most witnesses also report increased risks for Zaghawa communities.

    “Nobody could get out [of El Fasher] if they said they were Zaghawa,” says a displaced woman.

    Another man tells us that RSF and its allies were “asking people if they belonged to the Zaghawa, and if they did, they would kill them”.

    “They would only let mothers with small children under the age of five through,” says a woman about her journey fleeing to eastern Chad. “Other children and adult men didn’t go through. Men over fifteen can hardly cross the border [into Chad]. They take them, they push them aside and then we only hear a noise, gunshots, indicating that they are dead, that they have been killed […] Fifty families came along with me. Not even one boy of 15 years old or above was among us.” 

    The catastrophic nutrition situation continued deteriorating as the siege tightened on Zamzam camp.

    “[Three months ago] in Zamzam, we sometimes had three days a week without eating,” one man tells our teams. 

    “Children died from malnutrition. We were eating ambaz [residue of peanuts ground for oil], like everyone, although usually it’s used for animals,” says a displaced woman.

    “Zamzam was completely blocked,” another displaced person tells us. “Water wells depend on fuel and there was no access to fuel, so all of them stopped working. Water was very limited and very expensive.”

    MSF urges the warring parties to spare civilians and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. The RSF and their allies must immediately stop ethnic violence perpetrated against non-Arab communities, lift the siege of El Fasher, and guarantee safe routes for civilians fleeing violence. Safe unrestricted access to El Fasher and its surroundings must be granted for humanitarian agencies to provide critically needed assistance.

    International actors, including UN institutions and members states, and states who provide support to the warring parties must urgently mobilise and exert pressure to prevent further mass violence and allow emergency aid delivery. The recent unilateral announcements of a possible local ceasefire have not yet been translated into concrete change on the ground, and time is running out.

    – on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nigerian business leverage African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to grow the country’s intra-African trade opportunities

    Source: APO – Report:

    Nigeria is working towards fast-tracking implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock opportunities for businesses in the country across the continent.

    Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hon. Jumoke Oduwole noted that intra-African trade has been improving.

    “Intra African trade exports grew by over 13% from last year supported by new trade corridors and the initial success of AfCFTA’s guideline initiatives. Nigerian businesses are already key participants, exporting, ceramics, garments, pharmaceuticals and agro products across the continent,” Hon. Jumoke said in a keynote address to government officials, the Nigerian trade community, business leaders and investors attending the Nigeria IATF2025 Business Roadshow.

    “As we talk about expanding and unlocking new trade markets, we must recognize the creative economy as a serious trade frontier. Platforms such as Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) led by Afreximbank are proving that African culture is bankable not just beautiful.” She added.

    The event that was attended by over 700 people focused on promoting intra-African trade under the theme: ‘Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness through AfCFTA.’

    The Nigeria IATF2025 roadshow is one of the five in a series of five high-level events in key cities including Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, and Algiers ahead of the fourth edition of the biennial Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) that will be held in Algiers, Algeria from 4 – 10 September 2025 under the theme ‘Gateway to New Opportunities’. IATF is Africa’s premier trade and investment event that serves as a crucial platform for fostering economic growth, collaboration, and innovation across the continent.

    Addressing the forum, Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni noted that IATF offers an unparalleled platform for the exchange of trade and investment information and is Africa’s marketplace of ideas, opportunities, and partnerships.

    “With frameworks like AFCFTA and platforms like IATF we now have the tools to bridge the trade gap, boost Intra African trade and tremendously grow our economies in a sustainable and inclusive way. We need to build structured, sustainable and competitive value chains that can power inclusive growth both here in Nigeria and across the continent in Africa. We know that AfCFTA promises to be the largest single market in the world, connecting 1.3 billion people across 54 countries in Africa,” Ms Ayeni said.

    Building on this, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, Mrs. Kanayo Awani highlighted the tangible results borne out of the trade fair across the continent and in Nigeria specifically.

    “In just three editions, IATF has achieved what once felt aspirational: over $100 billion in trade and investment deals, more than 70,000 participants, and 4,500+ exhibitors from across 130 countries. This is not just a conference, it is Africa’s trade engine, designed to connect our producers, unlock demand, and operationalise the promise of the AfCFTA. And in every edition—whether in Cairo, Durban, or beyond, Nigeria has not just participated. Nigeria has led. At IATF2023 alone, Nigerian enterprises generated over $11 billion in signed deals, the highest of any country,” Mrs Awani added.

    IATF is a platform for boosting trade and investment in Africa. The last edition held in Cairo attracted nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 65 countries and generated US$43.7 billion in trade and investment deals.

    Some of the activities lined up for the week-long IATF2025 include a trade exhibition by countries and businesses; the CANEX programme with a dedicated exhibition and summit on fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts; a four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and international speakers; and the Africa Automotive Show for auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers.

    Special Days will also be held at IATF2025, dedicated for countries as well as public and private entities to showcase trade and investment opportunities, and tourism and cultural attractions, as well as Global Africa Day to highlight commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, featuring a Diaspora Summit, market and exhibition, cultural and gastronomic showcase.

    Also planned is a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) platform for matchmaking and business exchanges; the AU Youth Start-Up programme showcasing innovative ideas and prototypes; the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @ IATF targeting university students, academia and national researchers to exhibit their innovations and research projects; the Trade Exhibition offering large corporations and SME’s the opportunities to showcase their goods and services, the Trade and Investment Forum, a four day conference featuring sessions and training discussing trade opportunities and barriers.

    Others include the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), a showcase of African and Diaspora creative talent, the Special Days segment offering countries, private and public sectors the opportunity to sponsor their special event on specific days, the Africa Automotive show, a platform for auto manufacturers to exhibit their products and interact with potential buyers, IATF Virtual, an interactive online platform that will continue after the live event is over, Diaspora Day highlighting the commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) to promote trade, investment, educational and cultural exchanges at the local level. The IATF Virtual platform is already live, connecting exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.

    To participate in IATF2025 please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

    – on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media contact:
    media@intrafricatradefair.com 
    press@afreximbank.com

    About the Intra-African Trade Fair:

    Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent’s transformation through industrialisation and export development.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Off-ramp closed on Highway 1 near East 1st Ave.

    An off-ramp along Highway 1 westbound near East 1st Ave. will close from Friday, July 4, 2025, to Sunday, July 13, 2025.

    This second closure of the northbound off-ramp at East 1st Ave. (Exit 27) will allow the City of Vancouver to continue sewer-upgrade work on East 1st Ave. The ministry will advise if any further closures impacting the highway are needed.  

    During the closure period, the off-ramp will remain closed and there will be no left turn onto the Highway 1 northbound on-ramp from East 1st Ave.

    Drivers travelling westbound can detour through East Hastings or McGill Street and should plan additional travel time through the route.

    Travellers are reminded to obey signage. Traffic updates will be available on DriveBC: https://www.drivebc.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: HMCS William Hall returns to Halifax following successful Operation CARIBBE deployment

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 3, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) William Hall returns to its home port of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax today, concluding a successful deployment on Operation CARIBBE, Canada’s contribution to United States-led enhanced counter-narcotics operations under Joint Interagency Task Force South.

    During its deployment, HMCS William Hall played a key role in the interdiction and seizure of more than 1,545 kilograms of cocaine, significantly disrupting drug trafficking in international waters.

    The deployment included multiple maritime patrols and interdictions, during which HMCS William Hall worked in close coordination with an embarked United States Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment. This collaboration highlights the strong operational partnership between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the USCG, and the importance of binational and international cooperation in addressing shared maritime security challenges.

    Operation CARIBBE is part of Canada’s ongoing support to Operation MARTILLO, a broader multinational effort led by the United States to combat illicit trafficking in the Caribbean Basin, Gulf of Mexico, and Eastern Pacific.

    The RCN remains committed to working alongside the USCG and regional partners to promote maritime security and stability in the Western Hemisphere. The success of HMCS William Hall’s deployment reflects the professionalism of its crew and the strength of Canada’s international partnerships in combating organized crime at sea.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Seizure of unauthorized items at Cowansville Institution

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 3, 2025 – Cowansville, Quebec – Correctional Service Canada

    On June 29, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, unauthorized items were seized at Cowansville Institution, a medium-security federal institution.

    The unauthorized items seized included hashish and cannabis concentrate. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $115,440.

    The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.

    CSC is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.

    CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutions.

    The toll-free number, 1‑866‑780‑3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.

    Associated links

    Taking action against illegal drone activity

    Institutional security

    CSC’s Detector Dog Program

     

    -30-

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Federal and territorial governments invest in expansion to transit fleet in Whitehorse

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Backgrounder

    The federal government is investing $5,894,443 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support three public transit projects in Whitehorse, Yukon.

    Project Information:

    Location

    Project Name

    Project Details

    Federal Funding

    Territorial Funding

    Municipality of Whitehorse

    Whitehorse Transit: Additional Transit Buses 2024

    This 2024 project involves the addition of two 40-foot fully accessible buses to the City’s existing fleet to complement the reserve fleet and meet the needs of a growing city with expanding transit service. The reserve fleet serves multiple functions, such as vehicle substitution during regular maintenance, emergency situations such as accidents or unexpected breakdowns, driver training and the flexibility to modify transit service provided on relatively short notice. Additional buses will maintain the capacity of the public transit infrastructure by ensuring service levels are maintained, providing flexibility to modify and modernize routes and ensuring routine and unexpected maintenance can be accommodated to maximize the service life of the fleet. The City of Whitehorse’s Transit Services fleet currently consists of 15 low-floor, fully accessible 40-foot buses. The age of the fleet ranges from 2008 to the most recent buses acquired in 2023.

    $1,125,000

    $375,000

    Municipality of Whitehorse

    Whitehorse Transit: Additional Transit Buses 2025

    This 2025 project supplements the 2024 project and involves the addition of three 40-foot fully accessible buses to the City of Whitehorse’s existing fleet to complement the reserve fleet.

    $1,687,000

    $563,000

    Municipality of Whitehorse

    Whitehorse Transit: Additional Transit Buses 2026 and 2027

    The City of Whitehorse will acquire five 40-foot, fully accessible buses in 2026 and 2027. Three new buses will be added in 2026 to improve service during peak transit hours, enabling the system to better meet high demand by increasing frequency and reliability. Route coverage will also be expanded to ensure consistent and timely service during busy transit periods. The two buses planned for 2026 or 2027 will replace existing units that are nearing end of life, which will ensure fleet reliability and continued service quality as the City and ridership grows.

    $3,082,443

    $1,027,481

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Federal and territorial governments invest in expansion to transit fleet in Whitehorse

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Whitehorse, Yukon, July 3, 2025 — The City of Whitehorse will improve their transit system thanks to a combined investment of over $7.8 million from the federal and territorial governments.

    Ten 40-foot fully accessible buses will be added to the existing fleet in Whitehorse between 2026 and 2028. The City’s current fleet consists of 15 low-floor accessible buses that were purchased between 2008 and 2023. New buses will ensure efficiency and maintain service levels while helping to meet the needs of the growing city for residents and visitors. The additional buses will allow opportunities to improve routes, ensure unexpected maintenance can be accommodated, and will maximize the service life of the fleet for the city. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Motion to Prevent Construction Delays for “Alligator Alcatraz” Immigration Detention Center in Florida

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) today filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to prevent unnecessary construction delays for Florida’s temporary immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades.

    “The Department of Justice has defended President Trump’s immigration agenda in court since day one and we are proud to protect ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ from baseless, politically motivated legal schemes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

    “Delaying the construction of Florida’s temporary detention center, as plaintiffs request, would imperil critical immigration enforcement efforts and endanger detainees in overcrowded detention facilities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of ENRD. “We are proud to defend against these unfounded claims and to help the administration fulfill its fundamental obligation to prioritize the safety and security of Americans.” 

    On June 27, two political advocacy organizations — Friends of the Everglades Inc. and Center for Biological Diversity — filed a lawsuit to halt the construction and operation of the detention center, alleging failure to analyze the environmental effects of the project as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The plaintiffs asked for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.  

    In today’s filing, the Justice Department vigorously opposed the request for emergency and injunctive relief. Among other things, the filing highlights that there is no federal final agency action, that the Administrative Procedure Act does not apply to state agency decisions, that any claims related to potential federal funding are unripe, and that the plaintiffs failed to show irreparable harm.  

    Attorneys in ENRD’s Natural Resources Section are handling the case. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Motion to Prevent Construction Delays for “Alligator Alcatraz” Immigration Detention Center in Florida

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) today filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to prevent unnecessary construction delays for Florida’s temporary immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades.

    “The Department of Justice has defended President Trump’s immigration agenda in court since day one and we are proud to protect ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ from baseless, politically motivated legal schemes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

    “Delaying the construction of Florida’s temporary detention center, as plaintiffs request, would imperil critical immigration enforcement efforts and endanger detainees in overcrowded detention facilities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of ENRD. “We are proud to defend against these unfounded claims and to help the administration fulfill its fundamental obligation to prioritize the safety and security of Americans.” 

    On June 27, two political advocacy organizations — Friends of the Everglades Inc. and Center for Biological Diversity — filed a lawsuit to halt the construction and operation of the detention center, alleging failure to analyze the environmental effects of the project as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The plaintiffs asked for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.  

    In today’s filing, the Justice Department vigorously opposed the request for emergency and injunctive relief. Among other things, the filing highlights that there is no federal final agency action, that the Administrative Procedure Act does not apply to state agency decisions, that any claims related to potential federal funding are unripe, and that the plaintiffs failed to show irreparable harm.  

    Attorneys in ENRD’s Natural Resources Section are handling the case. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RIDOH and DEM Recommend Avoiding Contact with a Section of Wenscott Reservoir

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with a section of Wenscott Reservoir in North Providence (western basin, south of Douglas Avenue) due to harmful algae blooms (HABs). All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, is high risk to health and recommended to be avoided at this location. This HAB is caused by blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which are naturally present in bodies of water. HABs can produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and animals. Toxins and/or high cell counts have been detected by the RIDOH State Health Laboratory from water samples collected by DEM at this location.

    This HAB has not been detected at the Governor Notte Park, but use caution in all areas of Wenscott Reservoir, particularly the western basin as HABs can move locations in ponds and lakes. People should not drink untreated water or eat fish from affected waterbodies. Pet owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in this water. This advisory recommendation remains in effect until further notice.

    Skin contact with water containing blue-green algae can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms from ingestion of water can include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Less common symptoms can include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at higher risk for health effects associated with HABs because they are more likely to swallow water when they are in or around bodies of water. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

    If you or your pet come into contact with an algal bloom (HAB): — Rinse your skin with clean water right away. — Shower and wash your cloths when you get home. — If your pet was exposed, wash it with clean water immediately and don’t let it lick algae from its fur. — Call a vet if your pet shows signs of illness like tiredness, no eating, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms within a day. — If you feel sick after contact, call a healthcare provider.

    Affected waters might look bright to dark green, with thick algae floating on the surface. It may resemble green paint, pea soup, or green cottage cheese. If you see water like this, people and pets should avoid contact with the water.

    To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 401-222-4700 Press 6 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom. For more information and the Cyanobacteria Tracker Dashboard that lists current advisories and data, visit: www.dem.ri.gov/bluegreen

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fourleaf Air Show at Jones Beach Over July 4th Weekend

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and FourLeaf Federal Credit Union today announce that the annual FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach will take place on Sunday, July 5 and Monday, July 6 of 2026 as part of the Semiquincentennial (250th) celebration of the United States.

    “To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, we are excited to hold the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach over Fourth of July Weekend to be part of an amazing semiquincentennial celebration in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “The air show is a popular summer tradition that millions of New Yorkers and visitors alike have enjoyed throughout its history. I encourage all to get offline, get outside and take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy all the unique recreational activities that New York has to offer.”

    Traditionally the air show is held on Memorial Day Weekend at Jones Beach State Park. The change of date for the 2026 FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach will occur in conjunction with Fleet Week New York which has also moved from Memorial Day Weekend to the July 4th Weekend. The United States Navy Blue Angels have announced that they will headline the air show in 2026 as part of the celebration and it is expected that there will be many additional military performers, as well as internationally known civilian aerobatic performers.

    New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said “What better way to celebrate the semiquincentennial in 2026 than with a great summer tradition on Long Island moved to the Fourth of July Weekend time period. Jones Beach State Park is a major recreational facility and the perfect location to spend this semiquincentennial celebration and enjoy all year round with family and friends.”

    FourLeaf Federal Credit Union President and CEO Linda Armyn said, “As the title sponsor of the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach, we are thrilled to join New York State in celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday with our amazing air show on the July 4th weekend. This is a once-in-a-generation milestone, and we are proud to showcase the spirit of freedom, innovation, and community that the air show embodies. It will be an unforgettable weekend of awe-inspiring aviation and patriotic pride, as we honor our nation’s legacy and future.”

    The 2025 FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach saw over 300,000 attendees despite overcast and cool temperatures. The attendees also generated $35.8 million in potential economic impact, further highlighting the air show’s impact on the local economy and regional tourism.

    Although the air show will not take place Memorial Day weekend in 2026, Jones Beach State Park will still host events that weekend to continue the tradition of honoring those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The FourLeaf Air Show will return on Memorial Day Weekend in 2027.

    The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit  parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app  or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on  Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the  OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Conflagration invoked, Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes firefighters, equipment to Cold Springs Fire

    Source: US State of Oregon

    quick, wind-driven fire in Umatilla County prompted the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize four task forces and an incident management team. The Cold Springs Fire was reported on Wednesday afternoon and raced to more than 1,000 acres as of late afternoon, according to Umatilla County Fire District 1. The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office has issued levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices for those living near the fire.

    The Oregon State Fire Marshal initially sent help through immediate response on Wednesday afternoon, with two structural task forces from Clackamas and Washington counties and air support through agreements with the Oregon Department of Forestry. To provide additional help, the agency is mobilizing its Green Incident Management Team and two more task forces.

    The OSFM Green Incident Management Team will take command of the fire Thursday at 9 a.m.

    “The latest wildfire forecast for July and August is extremely concerning,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Over the last 48 hours, we saw thousands of lightning strikes across the state, and Red Flag Warnings issued for critical fire danger. I’m calling on everyone to pay attention to the conditions and take the necessary steps to prevent sparking a human-caused fire.”

    For fire updates until the Green Incident Management Team takes command, please follow the Umatilla County Fire District 1. For evacuation information, please follow the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office.

    This is the third time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2025, and the third immediate response for the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Safe Money Report Releases 2025 Strategic Update on Wealth Protection Amid the Age of Chaos

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Miami, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    SECTION 1 – Introduction

    The global investment landscape is undergoing a historic shift, creating an urgent need for action. Amid inflationary pressures, geopolitical disruption, and conflicting signals from financial markets, individual investors are facing mounting uncertainty. In what financial analyst Martin Weiss terms the “Age of Chaos,” the traditional rules of investing are being challenged by rapid technological change, shifting fiscal policies, and evolving global alliances.

    Recent market anomalies underscore this volatility. Breakout earnings reports from leading tech firms have been met with unexpected stock declines. Gold prices are climbing even as investor sentiment wavers. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar, which has been an extended global stabilizer, is facing pressure from currency realignment and prolonged fiscal imbalances. These conditions have raised urgent questions about how to preserve capital in a climate where risk is no longer easily defined.

    Online search behavior reflects the public’s growing concern. Queries related to “wealth protection,” “safe investments 2025,” and “inflation hedge strategies” have surged in recent months. Investors are actively seeking data-backed, non-promotional insights that go beyond market speculation. They are asking not just whether to buy or sell, but how to realign long-term strategies to weather sustained volatility.

    Against this backdrop, Safe Money Report has issued a 2025 update anchored in historical precedent, analytics-driven methodologies, and principles of liquidity and independence. The practicality of this update, designed to provide a reassuring reference point for investors seeking clarity in an era marked by unpredictability, instills confidence in their investment decisions.

    Further details are available through Weiss Ratings’ official publications.

    SECTION 2 – Company/Product Announcement

    In response to a wave of economic disruption and growing investor uncertainty, Safe Money Report has released a 2025 update outlining its strategic six-step framework for navigating what it terms the “Age of Chaos.” The announcement, developed by financial analyst Martin Weiss and backed by over five decades of market observation, builds on Weiss Ratings’ independent, data-driven model for assessing asset stability across multiple sectors, ensuring the objectivity and security of the analysis.

    The six-part strategy addresses key areas of concern voiced in public discourse and reflected in market behavior, including asset liquidity, portfolio exposure, inflation hedging, digital currency volatility, and the future role of alternative asset classes, such as farmland. Each step is designed to provide a comprehensive approach to wealth protection, emphasizing flexible, research-backed principles that investors can consider when evaluating current holdings or future positions.

    Central to the 2025 release is Weiss Ratings’ algorithmic model — a platform that draws on over 100 years of financial data, tens of thousands of data points per security, and a proprietary ratings system designed to function without external influence. This model, which has historically identified key turning points such as the 2008 financial crisis and the dot-com collapse, provides a non-emotional analytical foundation during periods of extreme volatility, making it a reliable tool for investors.

    According to the update, the new economic environment demands adaptability. The Weiss framework encourages investors to consider criteria such as daily trading volume, institutional-grade liquidity thresholds, and historical resilience under inflationary conditions. For instance, by analyzing the daily trading volume of a stock, investors can gauge its market liquidity and potential for quick sale. The six-step approach, informed by both traditional economic indicators and emerging signals from non-traditional sectors, is intended to serve as an informational resource for those seeking to safeguard long-term wealth in an unstable market.

    While the Safe Money Report refrains from offering personalized investment advice, its publication highlights a growing demand for independent analysis untethered from mainstream market narratives. In 2025, this release marks a structured effort to equip investors with data-driven perspectives, historical context, and systematized risk awareness, tailored to an era where market conditions remain in constant flux.

    SECTION 3 – Trend Analysis / Consumer Interest Overview

    Across public forums, financial news outlets, and digital search trends, one theme dominates the investor landscape in 2025: uncertainty. Search engine data indicates a growing interest in phrases such as “how to protect retirement from inflation,” “market chaos strategy,” and “safe asset classes.” Investors are actively seeking guidance that does not rely on speculative commentary or unverified opinions, but rather on grounded historical analysis and algorithmic insights.

    The term “Age of Chaos,” now gaining visibility among financial audiences, encapsulates this emerging outlook. Rather than focusing solely on individual asset classes or geopolitical events, it suggests a broader, systemic volatility — one marked by unpredictable policy shifts, economic fragmentation, and compressed investment cycles. In this context, traditional long-term assumptions about market recovery and asset correlation are increasingly being questioned.

    The Safe Money Report identifies this shift not as a short-term anomaly but as a structural transformation in how risk is perceived. Evidence from past crises, including the 2008 banking collapse and the 2000–2003 tech correction, supports the premise that periods of instability are often accompanied by brief rallies, followed by deeper contractions. Today’s landscape — with its rising gold prices, fluctuating technology stock valuations, and increasing attention to digital assets — is exhibiting similar characteristics.

    In response, public commentary has begun to focus more on portfolio positioning strategies that account for non-linear risks. Liquidity has become a key topic of discussion. Investors are increasingly skeptical of hard-to-exit assets or overly complex instruments, and instead are seeking investments that are simple to understand, transparent in structure, and easily adjusted.

    The current environment has also sparked a broader reevaluation of what constitutes “safe” investment behavior. As interest in central bank policy, dollar stability, and alternative currencies grows, so too does demand for analytical tools that can decode macroeconomic volatility without bias. This is where platforms like Weiss Ratings, which avoid promotional partnerships or external incentives, are seeing increased engagement. Rather than promise outcomes, these tools aim to provide frameworks for understanding the evolving nature of economic risk and market fragility.

    The full research update is accessible via Weiss Ratings’ publicly released materials.

    SECTION 4 – Spotlight on Strategic Components: Six Data-Driven Focus Areas

    The Safe Money Report 2025 framework is built on six primary focus areas that reflect long-standing economic signals and current shifts in asset behavior. Each has been selected not as a prediction vehicle, but as a lens through which to assess investment resilience amid ongoing volatility.

    1. Liquidity and Flexibility Screening

    At the foundation of the report’s framework is the principle of asset liquidity. Investments that can be easily entered or exited are central to maintaining financial agility in uncertain markets. Metrics such as average daily trading volume and minimum market capitalization thresholds are used as filters — not guarantees — to evaluate accessibility under rapidly changing conditions.

    2. Risk-Based Stock Ratings

    The Weiss Ratings model evaluates thousands of publicly traded companies against a range of stability and performance indicators. Stocks with consistently low ratings have been highlighted in recent communications as potentially vulnerable during periods of macroeconomic strain. These assessments are driven entirely by data inputs and proprietary scoring algorithms, without promotional intent.

    3. Historical Inflation Hedges: Gold

    Gold’s historical role as a hedge against currency devaluation and inflation has positioned it as a recurring area of interest in times of fiscal pressure. The report outlines this trend in neutral terms, citing past monetary shifts, such as the end of the gold standard in 1971, and their correlation with gold’s upward movement, without speculating on future pricing or returns.

    4. Market Signal Volatility and Emerging Asset Modeling

    As part of its broader modeling approach, Weiss Ratings includes observational data sets related to non-traditional asset classes, particularly those exhibiting high volatility cycles and inconsistent correlation with legacy financial indices. These asset categories, while not universally defined or adopted across institutions, have gained visibility in academic and research environments due to their periodic divergence from traditional investment patterns.

    The Safe Money Report includes this segment solely to acknowledge the role of high-variance instruments within volatility forecasting models. No investment recommendations or endorsements are provided. All data references are based on cyclical trends and historical behavior patterns without forward-looking claims or speculative commentary.

    5. Farmland and Alternative Real Estate

    Global agricultural land, particularly regions with low natural disaster risk and high food production capacity, is discussed as a long-term value store. Rather than promoting real estate purchases, the update highlights macroeconomic data suggesting increasing institutional interest in land-based assets during trade disruptions or currency weakness.

    6. Data-Guided Diversification Principles

    The sixth focus area emphasizes neutrality and independence in asset selection. Rather than relying on prevailing narratives or media sentiment, the report advocates for a systematic approach to evaluating diversification strategies through unbiased, long-term data modeling.

    These six pillars are not presented as guarantees or recommendations, but rather as analytical categories shaped by historical precedent and current volatility. Their inclusion reflects Safe Money Report’s effort to provide investors with structured context in the absence of certainty.

    SECTION 5 – Public Interest and Market Tone

    Recent shifts in online investor communities indicate a growing interest in frameworks that prioritize objectivity over speculation. While social media and financial forums remain saturated with short-term forecasts and high-frequency commentary, a parallel conversation has emerged: one centered on navigating prolonged uncertainty with data-first tools and historically grounded insights.

    Within this context, Safe Money Report has seen renewed interest from readers seeking clarity in what many now label an “unreadable” or “irrational” market. The term “Age of Chaos” itself has become a focal point in these discussions — a metaphor not only for economic conditions, but also for the perceived breakdown of traditional investing norms. Observers note that price action often diverges from fundamentals, with events such as strong earnings reports followed by market declines, or bullish policy moves met with retreat in equity indices. This disconnect has led many to seek out alternative interpretive models that are rooted in quantitative research rather than commentary.

    Feedback trends suggest that investors are especially drawn to the idea of rules-based frameworks, not as a way to predict market movements, but as a method for insulating decision-making from emotional swings. Terms like “bias-free ratings,” “independent signals,” and “data over headlines” are increasingly cited in discussions about financial preparedness. This echoes a wider public concern: how to plan responsibly when both optimism and pessimism seem unreliable as guiding principles.

    Additionally, the public narrative is shifting from short-term return maximization to long-term asset preservation. As attention to inflation rises and skepticism grows about centralized financial messaging, more investors are expressing interest in strategies that emphasize structural safety: liquid equities, tangible assets, and diversified exposure to sectors less correlated with traditional stock indices.

    While the Safe Money Report does not offer personalized advice, its model portfolio and analytical reports are gaining traction among those who view historical modeling and independent oversight as preferable alternatives to market-timed trading or sentiment-driven speculation. The ongoing reception appears to reflect a growing consensus that durable frameworks — even those without guarantees — may be the most practical tools available in navigating a market that no longer adheres to familiar rules.

    A comprehensive overview of the six-part methodology is featured in Weiss Ratings’ latest release.

    SECTION 6 – Availability and Transparency Statement

    The full 2025 strategic update from Safe Money Report, including its six-part framework for navigating market volatility, is now available to the public through Weiss Ratings. The content is designed for informational purposes only and is based entirely on independently developed research methodologies. It does not represent personalized investment advice, financial guarantees, or any form of promotional solicitation.

    Weiss Ratings remains privately held and operates without advertising sponsorships, ensuring that no outside party influences the analysis or ratings it provides. All insights contained within the Safe Money Report are driven by proprietary algorithms and long-range historical data, not market trends or promotional partnerships.

    Readers seeking further context can consult Weiss Ratings’ published materials, which detail the firm’s algorithmic modeling practices, asset evaluation methodologies, and archived forecasting studies. These resources are designed to support informed investor decision-making in environments where traditional predictive models may no longer be applicable.

    The current update reflects an ongoing commitment to data transparency, neutral positioning, and accessibility in financial analysis. It is one of several recurring informational releases Weiss Ratings makes available to the investing public.

    SECTION 7 – Final Observations & Industry Context

    The release of the Safe Money Report 2025 update arrives during a period when investor expectations are being reshaped by prolonged volatility and skepticism toward traditional market narratives. From institutional investors to retail market participants, the demand for data-backed, transparent, and independent frameworks continues to accelerate. The appetite for actionable intelligence has not disappeared, but the threshold for credibility has evolved.

    A defining trend across the financial industry is the growing rejection of opaque product offerings and media-driven investment cycles. In their place, clean-label strategies — rooted in historical precedent, accessible metrics, and conflict-free evaluation — have gained ground. The Safe Money Report, developed under the Weiss Ratings system, reflects this trend by prioritizing algorithmic transparency and long-term analysis over opinion-based guidance.

    In the broader ecosystem of financial research, independent ratings firms have become more relevant to both institutional and private investors seeking to avoid exposure to promotional conflicts of interest. The events of the past two decades — including multiple financial crises, asset bubbles, and regulatory failures — have underscored the importance of analytical models that operate outside the sphere of influence held by banks, brokers, and fund managers.

    As 2025 progresses, the challenges facing investors appear less likely to be resolved by short-term optimism and more likely to demand frameworks grounded in realism and historical literacy. The Safe Money Report release, while not prescriptive, contributes to this shift by presenting a systematic view of market behavior and economic fragility — one shaped by data, tested by precedent, and delivered with complete transparency.

    SECTION 8 – Public Commentary Theme Summary

    As conversations surrounding the “Age of Chaos” accelerate across financial forums, publications, and informal investor networks, several recurring themes have emerged — many reflecting heightened uncertainty. In contrast, others suggest cautious optimism rooted in historical precedent.

    Some observers have noted a growing disconnect between market fundamentals and short-term price behavior. This has led to broader discussions around the value of tools that prioritize data objectivity over media-driven sentiment. In particular, public interest is shifting toward ratings frameworks and risk models that operate without promotional sponsorship or institutional bias.

    Others have expressed concern about the reliability of traditional guidance in the current environment. With central banks pursuing varied monetary responses, geopolitical tensions disrupting supply chains, and asset correlations shifting unpredictably, many investors are raising questions about the long-term viability of conventional portfolio allocations.

    At the same time, a recurring discussion point involves the search for inflation hedges and value preservation strategies outside of traditional equities. Farmland, digital assets, and precious metals are increasingly appearing in public discourse, not as speculative investments, but as part of broader diversification conversations.

    Still, skepticism remains. Some have raised valid concerns about the feasibility of applying historical frameworks to modern market structures, which are shaped by artificial intelligence, algorithmic trading, and global interdependence. While historical case studies can offer context, not all investors agree on their applicability in an age of technological acceleration.

    A consensus has emerged, recognizing uncertainty as the default condition, rather than the exception. As a result, discussions continue to explore the potential of frameworks — such as those presented in the Safe Money Report — to help make sense of a market where volatility is not temporary, but structural.

    SECTION 9 – About the Company

    Founded in 1971 by Martin D. Weiss, Weiss Ratings is an independent financial research and ratings organization that delivers data-driven analysis of stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, banks, and insurance companies. The firm maintains a conflict-free model, accepting no advertising or compensation from the companies it evaluates. Its proprietary ratings system is based on more than a century of market history and thousands of performance indicators.

    Weiss Ratings aims to provide investors with transparent, algorithm-based tools that support informed financial decisions in uncertain market environments. Its methodologies are designed to operate independently of institutional influence, emphasizing data integrity and long-term historical context.

    Weiss Ratings does not provide treatment, personalized investment advice, or diagnostic financial services. All published material is for informational purposes only and intended for a general audience.

    Contact:

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DRML Miner: Discover the New XRP Cloud Mining Platform With Zero-Cost Mining, Daily Income, and Lucrative Referral Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Fresh Opportunity in XRP Mining

    The cryptocurrency landscape continues to change, and within that, XRP remains one of the top crypto assets. Many find themselves looking for ways to increase their holdings without spending a ton of cash. In this respect, DRML Miner, a new and powerful XRP cloud mining platform which offers, essentially, cost-free mining, consistent daily income, and a referral program that could enhance and expedite your passive income.

     

    Zero-Cost Mining: No Expensive Hardware Needed

    Most people don’t mine cryptocurrencies because of the high up-front cost. Buying mining rigs, GPUs, and having a proper cooling system will run anyone thousands of dollars. Then there is the electricity bill. DRML Miner solves this problem completely. With zero-cost mining, you don’t buy or maintain any hardware. All mining operations run securely on the cloud. You simply sign up, activate your mining session, and watch your XRP grow.

    This approach removes the usual barriers. Now anyone can mine XRP from their smartphone or laptop. Whether you’re a student, a busy professional, or even someone retired, it’s a seamless way to start building digital wealth.

    Enjoy Consistent Daily Income

    Unlike speculative trading, mining gives you predictable returns. DRML Miner pays you daily. As soon as you start mining, your balance grows every 24 hours. The platform automatically credits your mined XRP into your account. No waiting weeks or months for payouts.

    This daily income can be a fantastic way to steadily accumulate XRP, which many believe has long-term potential. For users looking to diversify their portfolio or hedge against market swings, this consistent cash flow is extremely attractive.

    Maximize Earnings With the Referral Program

    DRML Miner doesn’t stop at mining. It rewards you for spreading the word. Through its referral program, you can invite friends, family, or your online followers. When they start mining, you receive a commission from their earnings. This means more XRP rolling into your wallet, without any extra mining effort on your side.

    Many users have turned this into a second income stream. By sharing their referral link on social media or blogs, they earn even when they are sleeping. The more people you bring in, the larger your passive income becomes.

    Top-Notch Security and Privacy

    Security is first and foremost when it comes to crypto. DRML Miner knows this and they have a comprehensive safety strategy in place to protect your funds and your personal information. Clock your head enough to know that your cryptocurrency holdings are secured with a combination of encrypted transactions and verified user authentication. 

    The platform also respects your privacy; the only user data they collect is minimal and absolutely necessary for operating your mining account. They keep your earnings and transaction information confidential which is important for peace of mind.

    User-Friendly Dashboard for Everyone

    One of DRML Miner’s strengths is its clean and intuitive dashboard. Even if you’ve never mined before, you’ll understand everything in minutes. From tracking your mining speed to checking daily payouts and managing referrals, it’s all there in one place.

    There are no complicated graphs or technical jargon to confuse you. Clear menus and simple reports ensure you stay informed and in control. This accessibility makes DRML Miner suitable for both newbies and seasoned crypto fans.

    How to Get Started With DRML Miner

    Launching your mining journey takes only a few simple steps:

    1. Register your account at https://drmlminers.com/. Fill in your details and verify your email.
    2. Log in and activate mining. With a single click, start your mining session.
    3. Watch your XRP grow daily. Your wallet fills automatically every 24 hours.
    4. Invite friends and earn more. Share your referral link and increase your passive income.

    No hidden fees. No long learning curve. You’ll start seeing XRP in your balance almost immediately.

    Why Choose DRML Miner Over Other Platforms?

    With so many crypto platforms out there, what makes DRML Miner special? Here’s a quick summary:

    • Absolutely zero hardware costs. No buying rigs or paying sky-high power bills.
    • Daily payments. Enjoy regular income instead of waiting for quarterly or monthly payouts.
    • Strong referral incentives. Earn extra XRP by inviting others.
    • Rock-solid security. Your data and digital assets stay protected.
    • Easy-to-use interface. Anyone can mine XRP effortlessly.

    Whether your goal is to build a long-term XRP portfolio or simply generate daily passive income, DRML Miner fits perfectly.

    Conclusion: Start Mining XRP the Smart Way

    DRML Miner is more than just another cloud mining service. It’s an opportunity to join the booming XRP market without heavy upfront costs or technical headaches. With zero-cost mining, guaranteed daily income, and a profitable referral program, it checks all the boxes for a smart crypto earning strategy.

    Don’t wait on the sidelines. Sign up for https://drmlminers.com/ today and turn your laptop or phone into an XRP mining machine. Grow your digital assets with minimal effort and maximum security. Your future in crypto could start right now with DRML Miner.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Banzai Announces Reverse Split

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) (“Banzai” or the “Company”), a leading marketing technology company that provides essential marketing and sales solutions, today announced that effective at market open on July 8, 2025, the Company will effect a one-for-ten (1 for 10) reverse stock split of its outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”).

    The reverse stock split is primarily intended to increase the per share price of Banzai’s Class A Common Stock and maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Requirement. The Company’s Class A Common Stock will continue to trade under the symbol “BNZI”. Upon the effectiveness of the reverse stock split, every ten shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock before the open of business on July 8, 2025, will be combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, with no change in par value per share. The Company’s Class A Common Stock will open for trading on Nasdaq on July 8, 2025, on a post-split basis but will trade under a new CUSIP Number, 06682J407.

    Prior to the reverse stock split, there were 22,374,739 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,311,134 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding. The number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock after the reverse stock split would be approximately 2,237,474 and 231,113 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Any fractional shares that would result from the reverse stock split will be rounded up to the nearest whole share.

    The reverse stock split will affect all issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock, as well as the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Company’s stock options and warrants. In addition, the reverse stock split will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding immediately prior to the reverse split and correspondingly increase the respective aggregate exercise prices. The reverse stock split will affect all holders of Common Stock uniformly and will not alter any shareholder’s percentage interest in the Company’s Common Stock, except to the extent that the reverse stock split results in some shareholders experiencing an adjustment of a fractional share as described above.

    Shareholders holding share certificates will receive information from Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent, regarding the process for exchanging their shares of common stock. Shareholders with questions may contact our transfer agent by calling 800-509-5586.

    About Banzai

    Banzai is a marketing technology company that provides AI-enabled marketing and sales solutions for businesses of all sizes. On a mission to help their customers grow, Banzai enables companies of all sizes to target, engage, and measure both new and existing customers more effectively. Banzai has over 90,000 customers including RBC, Dell Technologies, New York Life, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thinkific, and ActiveCampaign. Learn more at www.banzai.io. For investors, please visit https://ir.banzai.io.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “target,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “propose,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar variations and expressions. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Examples of forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding Banzai International, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”): future financial, business and operating performance and goals; annualized recurring revenue and customer retention; ongoing, future or ability to maintain or improve its financial position, cash flows, and liquidity and its expected financial needs; potential financing and ability to obtain financing; acquisition strategy and proposed acquisitions and, if completed, their potential success and financial contributions; strategy and strategic goals, including being able to capitalize on opportunities; expectations relating to the Company’s industry, outlook and market trends; total addressable market and serviceable addressable market and related projections; plans, strategies and expectations for retaining existing or acquiring new customers, increasing revenue and executing growth initiatives; and product areas of focus and additional products that may be sold in the future. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and development of the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, investors should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the markets in which the Company operates, customer demand, the financial markets, economic, business and regulatory and other factors, such as the Company’s ability to execute on its strategy. More detailed information about risk factors can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors,” and in other reports filed by the Company, including reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

    Investor Relations
    Chris Tyson
    Executive Vice President
    MZ Group – MZ North America
    949-491-8235
    BNZI@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    Media
    Nancy Norton
    Chief Legal Officer, Banzai
    media@banzai.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Calls Out Trump’s ‘Illegal and Unconstitutional’ Withholding of Nearly $7 Billion for Public Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    BURLINGTON, Vt., July 3 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today wrote to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to immediately reverse their illegal and unconstitutional decision this week to abruptly withhold nearly $7 billion in funding for public education nationwide, including $26.1 million for Vermont schools.
    This funding supports more than 10,000 summer and afterschool programs for 1.4 million students throughout the country, including nearly 100 afterschool and summer programs in Vermont that serve 11,000 students. Schools expected to receive this critical funding by July 1st, but were informed it was being withheld less than a day in advance.
    “Your decision to withhold $6.88 billion in vital funding that Congress appropriated for our nation’s public schools — including $26.1 million for Vermont — is not only horrific public policy, it is blatantly illegal and unconstitutional. Your unexpected and cruel decision has sent shockwaves, distress and heartbreak in local communities all over America who now may be forced to cancel or substantially delay summer school activities that had been planned for months,” Sanders wrote. “Further, your illegal actions have denied teachers the funding they rely on for professional development. Important services for English learners have been halted. Thousands of school principals, superintendents, and school board members may be forced to lay off dedicated staff. And school district budgets in every State and community have been negatively impacted. That is beyond unacceptable.”
    During her confirmation hearing, Secretary McMahon committed to delivering congressionally-appropriated funds to schools, districts and states as required. These actions not only violate the law passed by Congress and signed by the president, but they also violate her stated commitments.
    “Congress clearly and unambiguously passed this $6.88 billion in education funding. The President signed it into law. The Trump Administration has no right to withhold or impound it,” Sanders concluded. “I urge you to immediately reverse your decision to illegally withhold Federal education funding appropriated by Congress and release this funding to the States, school districts, and students as soon as possible.”
    Read the letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Meets with Vermonters in Killington, Ludlow, and Weston to Discuss His New Bill to Reform FEMA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    KILLINGTON, VT — This week in Killington, Ludlow, and Weston, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) unveiled his new bill, the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act, and met with flood-impacted Vermonters and community members to discuss the importance of reforming FEMA’s long-term recovery process, supporting hazard mitigation, and protecting recovery funding. 
    “The Disaster AID Act was inspired by towns and cities in Vermont that are still recovering from the 2023 and 2024 floods. These folks know firsthand the strengths and weaknesses of FEMA. I’m determined to help improve the long-term recovery process—both for Vermonters, and for communities across America hurt by climate disasters,” said Senator Peter Welch. “I am always thankful to hear how Washington can work better for Vermont, and I use these stories and experiences to shape the legislation I introduce.”  
    The Disaster AID Act will cut red tape and empower state and local governments, make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide assistance to small towns and communities impacted by natural disasters, and block the White House from withholding funding for disaster recovery. Senator Welch will officially introduce the Disaster AID Act next week, coinciding with the anniversary of the floods. 
    Killington: In Killington, Senator Welch joined town officials to tour view East Mountain Road, which was heavily damaged in July 2023 and has since been rebuilt. The Senator also held a Listening Session with flood-impacted Vermonters and community leaders to discuss the state’s long-term recovery from the July 2023 and July 2024 floods, and ways the Disaster AID Act will small and rural communities across the state. 
    Photo Caption: Abbie Sherman, Public Works Director for Killington (middle) and Will Austin, Assistant Town Planner for Killington (right) show Senator Peter Welch (left) a map with flood damage in Killington. 
    Photo Caption: Senator Peter Welch views a photo of the flood damage on East Mountain Road. Left to right: Senator Peter Welch; Rebecca Ellis, State Director for Senator Peter Welch; Will Austin, Assistant Town Planner for Killington; Abbie Sherman, Public Works Director for Killington. 
    Photo Caption: Senator Peter Welch discusses flood recovery and other issues with Vermonters at the Killington Welcome Center.   
    Photo Caption: Senator Peter Welch discusses flood recovery with  Joseph Gaudiana, Brendan McNamara, and Justin Hyjek at Ludlow’s wastewater treatment facility, which is located near the Black River. 
    Ludlow: Senator Welch joined Ludlow town officials to view flooding damage to the village wastewater treatment facility, located on the Black River, and discuss progress on relocating the facility out of the flood plain. The Senator highlighted how the Disaster AID Act would help to simplify and expedite the relocation of critical infrastructure out of flood-prone areas. 
    Photo Caption: Senator Peter Welch discusses flood recovery and other issues with Vermonters in Weston. 
    Weston: In Weston, Senator Welch joined community leaders to view and discuss the Weston Mill Dam removal project, which will substantially lower the flood elevation level in the village. Senator Welch nominated for the project for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS). Senator Welch also met with town officials to discuss the importance and need for municipal technical assistance in flood recovery and mitigation planning. He was joined by members of the Weston Playhouse on the Green, which still requires major repairs following the floods. 
    Senator Welch has been outspoken in opposing any attempt by the Trump Administration to dismantle FEMA. Earlier this year, Senator Welch published a guest essay in The New York Times entitled: “Don’t Kill FEMA. Fix It.” In his piece, Senator Welch outlined why President Trump’s actions to undermine and potentially dissolve FEMA are misguided—but also committed to working with the President on good faith efforts to reform the agency’s long-term recovery process.   
    In December 2024, Senator Welch helped shape and pass a comprehensive disaster aid package, which delivered more than $100.4 billion of relief for states like Vermont recovering from climate disasters. The disaster aid package contained many of Senator Welch’s top priorities for the State: dedicated help for Vermont’s flood-impacted farmers, flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief fund, money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for businesses, among many other important provisions.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 Disestablished; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 10 Established

    Source: United States Navy

    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The U.S. Navy marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter during a ceremony July 3, as Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 was formally disestablished and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EOD) 10 was established aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Trump, Putin reiterate positions on Ukraine war in phone call, Kremlin aide says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump pushed for a quick halt to the Ukraine war in a Thursday phone call with Vladimir Putin, while a Kremlin aide said the Russian president reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes.”

    The two leaders did not discuss a recent pause in some U.S. weapons shipments to Kyiv during the nearly hour-long call, according to a readout provided by Putin aide Yuri Ushakov.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, told reporters in Denmark that he hopes to speak to Trump as soon as Friday about the ongoing pause in some weapons shipments, which was first disclosed earlier this week.

    Trump did not immediately comment on the conversation with Putin, but he said on social media beforehand that he would speak to the Russian leader.

    “Root causes” has become Russian shorthand for issue of NATO enlargement and Western support for Ukraine, including the rejection of any notion of Ukraine joining the NATO alliance. Russian leaders are also angling to establish greater control over political decisions made in Kyiv and other eastern European capitals, NATO leaders have said.

    The diplomatic back-and-forth comes as the U.S. has paused shipments of certain critical weapons to Ukraine due to low stockpiles, sources earlier told Reuters.

    That decision led to Ukraine calling in the acting U.S. envoy to Kyiv on Wednesday to underline the importance of military aid from Washington, and caution that the move would weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend against intensifying Russian airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    The Pentagon’s move led in part to a cut in deliveries of Patriot air defence missiles that Ukraine relies on to destroy fast-moving ballistic missiles, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

    Ushakov, the Kremlin aide, said the issue of weapons deliveries to Ukraine did not come up during the Trump-Putin phone call.

    Ushakov added that while Russia was open to continuing to speak with the U.S., any peace negotiations needed to occur between Moscow and Kyiv.

    That comment comes amid some indications that Moscow is trying to avoid a trilateral format for any peace negotiations. The Russians asked American diplomats to leave the room during such a meeting in Istanbul in early June, Ukrainian officials have said.

    Trump and Putin did not talk about a face-to-face meeting, Ushakov said.

    -Reuters

  • Swiatek fights back to down McNally and reach third round of Wimbledon

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iga Swiatek may not love the grass but she seems to relish a battle whatever the surface and showed all that fighting spirit as she clawed back to beat American Caty McNally 5-7 6-2 6-1 and reach the third round of Wimbledon on Thursday.

    McNally, the world number 208, looked poised to cause an upset when she clawed her way back from 4-1 down to take the first set against the five-times Grand Slam champion.

    At that point Swiatek’s mediocre record at the All England Club, where the Pole has never gone past the quarter-finals, seemed to be weighing heavily on her shoulders.

    But rather than shy away from the scrap, the former world number one seemed to flick a psychological switch that saw her come out for the second set transformed, upping her aggression and playing with a ferocity McNally simply could not handle.

    She broke early in the second set and never looked back, losing only three more games to set up a third-round match against another American Danielle Collins.

    REUTERS

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

    Source: US FBI

    NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that SHAWN ROUSELL (“ROUSELL”), age 30, was indicted on June 26, 2025, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

    According to the indictment, ROUSELL, possessed a Glock Model 27, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, loaded with ammunition. ROUSELL is a convicted felon and, as such, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.  If convicted, ROUSELL  faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Orleans Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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

                                                                           *   *   * 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Former Evangeline Parish Law Enforcement Officer with Production and Receipt of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy has been indicted on child pornography charges. A grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana has returned an indictment charging Joshua Uhlman, 36, of Pine Prairie, Louisiana, with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.

    The indictment alleges that between on or about September 2024 and February 2, 2025, Uhlman did attempt to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct and attempted to do so for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of said conduct, knowing that the visual depiction would be transmitted using interstate commerce. 

    It is further alleged in the indictment that between on or about September 2024 and February 2, 2025, Uhlman did knowingly receive child pornography, using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce and in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce, including by computer.

    If convicted, Uhlman faces a sentence of at least 15 years and no more than 30 years on each production of child pornography count; a minimum of 5 years and no more than 20 years on the receipt of child pornography count; 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.  

    An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

    The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig R. Bordelon, II.

    To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.

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    MIL Security OSI –