NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australian Antarctic Program appoints Chief Scientist

    Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

    The Australian Antarctic Program has appointed Professor Nerilie Abram from the Australian National University as its new Chief Scientist.
    Professor Abram is a professor of climate science, and was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2024.
    “I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be taking up the role of Chief Scientist of the AAD,” Professor Abram said.
    “Antarctica is such a special place, and the science that the Australian Antarctic Program does is critical for protecting Antarctica, and for preparing Australia and the world for how changes in Antarctica will affect us all.”

    Professor Abram has extensive experience as a climate and Antarctic scientist, most recently taking part in the Denman Terrestrial Campaign.
    She is a former Chair of the Academy of Science National Committee on Antarctic Research, where she served as Australia’s delegate to the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) and on Australia’s Antarctic Science Council.
    “It is great to be coming into this role with a new and ambitious Decadal science strategy,” she said.
    “One of my first priorities will be to work with the community to develop the plans for how we will implement this strategy within the AAD, and through bringing together the expertise that we have across the whole of the Australian Antarctic science community.”
    Professor Abram said she is taking up the role of Chief Scientist at an incredibly exciting time for Australian Antarctic science.
    “Major investments in Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, the Million Year Ice Core traverse and our national climate modelling capabilities are opening up research possibilities that we haven’t seen before,” she said.
    “The way that the Australian Antarctic science community has come together around major campaign-style research priorities offers a new way of tackling really big and important science problems.”
    The Head of the Australian Antarctic Division, Emma Campbell, said Professor Abram will be a welcome addition to the Science branch of the Division.
    “Professor Abram will be playing a key role in what will be a crucial time for Antarctic and Southern Ocean science,” she said.
     “We are planning the first environmental management voyage to Heard Island and McDonald Islands in over 20 years, which will have a significant Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic science component,” she said.
    “We are also making excellent progress in the Million Year Ice Core campaign, as we chase the longest ice core climate record in history.
    “And the monitoring work done by our seabird teams will be crucial as we prepare for the arrival of avian influenza.”
    Professor Abram will take up the Chief Scientist posting in August.
    This content was last updated 16 minutes ago on 12 June 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: United in art as Mexico meets Bendigo in a striking new exhibition

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    A new Artists on View exhibition will offer the local community and visiting art lovers a glimpse into contemporary Mexican artists in a group show of eclectic styles and contrasting approaches.

    United Artists of Mexico and Bendigo (Artistas Unidos de México y Bendigo) showcases works by contemporary Mexican artists paired with new works from local artists.

    Inspired by Bendigo Art Gallery’s exclusive exhibition, Frida Kahlo: In her own image, this exhibition explores how the works of Mexican artists reflect the theme of identity, nationality and the legacy left behind by Frida Kahlo.

    A variety of Bendigo artists were then invited to creatively respond to the visual and thematic elements, making for a unique cultural exchange and experience.

    Mexican artists exhibiting include Deniol Alva, Jose-Octavio Ortiz, Ulises Reséndiz, and Lizette Vieyra.

    Bendigo artists range from those who have never exhibited to those well established in the central Victoria art community, and include Bodes, Salena Cummins, Chris Duffy, Sharon Greenaway, Amanda Peluso, Sally Poltrock, Avery Montgomery Reid, Molly Rule, Aimé Sacrez, Ivan Sun, Claire Tennant, Kristine Von Hilderbrandt and David Waters.

    Exhibition curator Ivan Sun said the exhibition was a wonderful mix of works that reflect perspectives and preoccupations of Mexico today.

    “It’s very moving how the Mexican artists convey the legacy left behind by Frida Kahlo. As curator, I invited local artists to creatively respond to the Mexican artists’ visual elements and themes, creating a unique cultural exchange and experience,” Mr Sun said.

    “Contemporary works include paintings, photography, video, sculpture, fashion and textile design pieces that celebrate her creative legacy.

    “By joining Mexican artists with local creatives, we invite all exhibiting to extend their creative range, form new connections and celebrate culture.”

    Bendigo Venues & Events Manager Julie Amos said the installation is the perfect accompaniment to the blockbuster Bendigo Art Gallery exhibition.

    “Frida Kahlo is one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, and her work still resonates worldwide today,” Ms Amos said.

    “Just like Frida, this Artists on View exhibition is vibrant, colourful and challenges our thinking and interpretation of contemporary artworks.

    “It’s a terrific blend of international and local talent, highlighting Mexican culture, and I encourage the community to visit Dudley House and explore the works on display.”

    United Artists of Mexico and Bendigo (Artistas Unidos de México y Bendigo) is free to attend and open daily from June 12 to June 23, 11am to 6pm at Dudley House, 60 View Street, Bendigo.

    Community members are also invited to an exhibition launch on Saturday June 14, from 1pm to 3pm.

    The launch will include a traditional Huipils display from different Mexican regions, dancing and fashion modelling from Mexbourne Dance Troupe, mariachi singer Sergio Garcia, piñata smashing, a runway set by Bendigo designer of stage and film Kristine Von Hilderbrandt, food and refreshments organised by Tlatoani Australia.

    The United Artists of Mexico and Bendigo (Artistas Unidos de México y Bendigo) exhibition is supported by the City of Greater Bendigo’s Artists on View program. It is also part of Fiesta Bendigo, the City’s marketing destination program to complement the gallery’s Frida Kahlo exhibition and entice visitors to the region with attractions and experiences.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Public country-by-country (CBC) reporting

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    WARNING!

    Public CBC reporting and country-by-country (CBC) reporting are different measures. For information about CBC reporting, go to Country-by-country reporting

    What is Public CBC reporting

    Public country-by-country (CBC) reporting is a regime (the regime) that requires certain large multinational enterprises to publish selected tax information to the public. This information must be reported either on a CBC basis or on an aggregated basis. Under the regime, the parent entity generally has the reporting obligation, rather than the Australian subsidiary (Public CBC reporting parent).

    The regime applies for reporting periods starting from 1 July 2024. For a Public CBC reporting parent with a reporting period end of 30 June, this will be from 1 July 2024. Reports are due within 12 months of the end of the reporting period.

    If a Public CBC reporting parent has a reporting period that does not end on 30 June, the regime will first apply from the start of the relevant period that occurs after 1 July 2024. For example, if a Public CBC reporting parent’s reporting period is from 1 April to 31 March, the regime will first apply for its reporting period starting 1 April 2025, with the first report due before 31 March 2027.

    The Public CBC reporting parent publishes their Public CBC report by providing selected tax information to the ATO in the approved form. We then facilitate the publication of the information on an Australian Government website.

    Public CBC reporting provides information to the public and enables better assessment of whether an entity’s economic presence in a jurisdiction aligns with the amount of tax they pay in that jurisdiction.

    Public CBC reporting requires disclosures about:

    • the revenues, profits and income taxes of the global group
    • the activities of the global group
    • an entity’s international related party dealings.

    Note: Public CBC reporting and country-by-country (CbC) reporting are different measures. For information about CBC reporting, go to Country-by-country reporting.

    Who is required to report

    An entity must report for a reporting period if all of the following apply:

    • it is a CBC reporting parent for the preceding period
    • it is an entity of the type specified
    • it satisfies the requirements for that reporting period.

    An entity is of the specified type if it is any one of the following:

    • constitutional corporation
    • trust, provided each of the trustees is a constitutional corporation
    • partnership, provided each of the partners is a constitutional corporation.

    ‘Constitutional corporation’ means a foreign corporation (one not formed within Australia), or a trading or financial corporation formed within the limits of the Commonwealth.

    An entity satisfies the requirements for a reporting period if all of the following apply:

    • it was a CBC reporting parent for a period that includes the whole or a part of the preceding reporting period
    • it was a member of a CBC reporting group at any time during the reporting period
    • at any point during the reporting period, it, or a member of its CBC reporting group, was an Australian resident or a foreign resident operating an Australian permanent establishment
    • $10 million or more of its aggregated turnover for the reporting period was Australian-sourced
    • it was not an exempt entity or included in a class of exempt entities.

    An entity is a CBC reporting parent for a reporting period if all of the following apply:

    • it is not an individual
    • if it is a member of a CBC reporting group at the end of the period; it is not controlled by any other member of the CBC reporting group at the end of the period
    • its annual global income for the period is $1 billion or more.

    Registration by Public CBC reporting parents

    Registration by Public CBC reporting parents allows for more efficient processing and helps to simplify the process of:

    • giving the Public CBC report to the ATO
    • requesting an extension of time to provide the Public CBC report
    • requesting an exemption from reporting obligations for a reporting period.

    The registration process doesn’t differentiate between resident and non-resident Public CBC reporting parents. A non-resident Public CBC reporting parent without an ATO reference number (ARN) will be automatically issued with an ARN as part of this registration process.

    Registration is also beneficial as it enables a Public CBC reporting parent entity to provide authorisation for representatives to act on its behalf. This includes having representatives satisfy its obligations, such as lodging the Public CBC report or applying for a Public CBC reporting exemption. Representatives can include:

    • designated officers or employees of the CBC reporting parent
    • an authorised representative of the Australian subsidiary
    • an adviser
    • other nominated person.

    The Public CBC registration form is in a fillable portable document format (PDF), and lodgment is via email. Upon lodgment, we will send an email acknowledging receipt.

    To get the form, see Public country-by-country (CBC) registration form (NAT 75645). You can also read the Instructions to complete Public country-by-country registration.

    Public CBC reporting obligations

    The reporting obligation is on the Public CBC reporting parent (whether located overseas or in Australia) to report selected tax information to us.

    An Australian subsidiary of a foreign entity generally does not have any reporting obligation of its own for a reporting period. An exception to that general principle is if a foreign entity does not include the Australian subsidiary in its group’s consolidated accounts, and the Australia subsidiary qualifies as a Public CBC parent entity in its own right.

    The Public CBC reporting parent entity must give the Public CBC report electronically in the approved form to the ATO within 12 months after the end of the relevant reporting period.

    An update to correct any material errors must be given to us within 28 days of the Public CBC reporting parent identifying or otherwise becoming aware of that error.

    Penalties apply for non-compliance.

    What is jurisdictional reporting

    For Australia and specified jurisdictions determined by the Minister, particular information must be published on a CBC basis.

    For operations in other jurisdictions, the Public CBC reporting parent has the choice to publish information on either a CBC basis or an aggregated basis.

    Specified jurisdictions list

    The Minister’s determination of jurisdictions for Public CBC reporting is provided by legislative instrument. The specified jurisdictions are outlined in the Taxation Administration (Country by Country Reporting Jurisdictions) Determination 2024External Link.

    Specified jurisdictions

    Specified jurisdictions that have a comprehensive international tax agreement with Australia:

    • Singapore
    • Switzerland.

    Other specified jurisdictions

    Other specified jurisdictions:

    • Andorra
    • Anguilla
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Aruba
    • Barbados
    • Bahamas
    • Bahrain
    • Belize
    • Bermuda
    • British Virgin Islands
    • Cayman Islands
    • Cook Islands
    • Curacao
    • Dominica
    • Gibraltar
    • Grenada
    • Guernsey
    • Hong Kong
    • Isle of Man
    • Jersey
    • Liberia
    • Mauritius
    • Monaco
    • Montserrat
    • Nauru
    • Niue
    • Panama
    • Republic of the Marshall Islands
    • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Saint Lucia
    • Saint Maarten (Dutch Part)
    • Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Samoa
    • San Marino
    • Seychelles
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
    • US Virgin Islands
    • Vanuatu.

    Public CBC information to be reported

    The Public CBC reporting parent is required to publish the following information:

    • its own legal name
    • the names of each entity in the CBC reporting group
    • a description of the CBC reporting group’s approach to tax
    • information about Australia and specified jurisdictions, on a CBC basis
    • information about its other jurisdictions, either on a CBC or aggregated basis.

    Information required to be reported

    If the Public CBC reporting parent chooses to report on a CBC basis for all jurisdictions in which the group operates, it doesn’t need to publish any information on an aggregated basis.

    However, if the Public CBC reporting parent only publishes information on a CBC basis for Australia and the specified jurisdictions, it must publish information for all other jurisdictions on an aggregated basis.

    Australia and specified jurisdictions

    The Public CBC reporting parent is required to report the following information for Australia and specified jurisdictions:

    • name of the jurisdiction
    • description of main business activities
    • number of employees (on a full-time equivalent basis) at the end of the reporting period
    • revenue from unrelated parties
    • revenue from related parties that are not tax residents of the jurisdiction
    • profit or loss before income tax
    • book value at the end of the reporting period of tangible assets, other than cash and cash equivalents
    • income tax paid (on a cash basis)
    • income tax accrued (current year)
    • reasons for the difference between income tax accrued (current year) and the amount of income tax due if the income tax rate applicable to the jurisdiction were applied to profit and loss before income tax
    • currency used in calculating and presenting the above information.

    Other jurisdictions (aggregated information)

    The Public CBC reporting parent is required to report the following information on an aggregated basis for all other jurisdictions in which the group operates:

    • description of main business activities in those jurisdictions
    • number of employees (on a full-time equivalent basis) at the end of the reporting period
    • revenue from unrelated parties
    • revenue from related parties that are not tax residents of the jurisdiction in which that revenue is being derived
    • profit or loss before income tax
    • book value at the end of the reporting period of tangible assets, other than cash and cash equivalents
    • income tax paid (on a cash basis)
    • income tax accrued (current year)
    • the currency used in calculating and presenting the above information.

    Guidance

    The information required to be reported has been adopted from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 207: Tax 2019 (GRI 207) reporting standard. The GRI 207 may be used as a source of guidance in interpretating the publishing requirements. Greater detail on the interpretation of terms is contained in the BEPS Action 13 Guidance and OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines.

    For further detail, see:

    Publishing the information

    The Public CBC reporting parent is required to publish the information on an Australian Government website by giving the information in the approved form to the ATO. The approved form is in XML Schema format, and lodgment is via email. Upon lodgment, we will send an email acknowledging receipt.

    Instructions on the approved form are currently under development and will be available in the second half of 2025.

    The ATO’s role

    We will facilitate the publication of the reported information as soon as practicable on the Australian Government website.

    The first publication is expected to be released in late 2026.

    Extension of time to provide the Public CBC report

    The Public CBC report is due within 12 months after the end of the relevant reporting period. For example, for the reporting period ending 30 June 2025, the Public CBC report is due by 30 June 2026.

    A Public CBC reporting parent may apply to the ATO for an extension of time to provide the Public CBC report. The Public CBC reporting parent can submit their request for deferral to us via email.

    Correcting errors

    If a Public CBC reporting parent becomes aware of a material error in any of the published information, they must rectify the error by providing the corrected information to the ATO. The entity must provide the corrected Public CBC report in its entirety to us by email.

    A correction of a material error is required within 28 days after the entity becomes aware of the error. For example, we will consider an entity aware of a material error once its accountant or tax manager realises the error and prepares an amendment to the entity’s income tax return, necessitating an amendment to its Public CBC report.

    For a non-material error, the entity may choose to rectify the error by providing the corrected Public CBC report in its entirety to us by email.

    If a material or non-material error is rectified by the Public CBC reporting parent, we will publish the corrected information on the Australian Government website as soon as practicable. 

    Penalties apply for non-compliance.

    Exemptions to Public CBC reporting

    The purpose of the Public CBC reporting regime is to enhance tax transparency. However, a Public CBC reporting parent may seek an exemption from reporting obligations from the ATO. We have the discretion, for a single reporting period, to grant an entity a:

    • full exemption
    • partial exemption specifying that it is exempt from publishing information of a particular kind.

    Guidance on how we will administer the exemption will be made available in mid-2025. For updates, see [4148] Public country-by-country reporting transparency measure and exemption discretions.

    Government-related entities

    Government-related entities may be relieved from the Public CBC reporting regime.

    The following are government-related entities:

    • a department of the State of the Commonwealth
    • a Department of the Australian Parliament established under the Parliamentary Services Act 1999
    • an executive agency or statutory agency, within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999
    • department of state of a state or territory
    • an organisation that satisfies all of the following
      • is either established by the Commonwealth, a state or territory (whether under a law or not) to carry on an enterprise or established for a public purpose by an Australian law
      • can be separately identified by reference to the nature of the activities carried on through the organisation or the location of the organisation
    • a local government body established by or under a state or territory law.

    A government-related entity that is a CBC reporting entity can be relieved from the regime for one or more reporting periods by written notice from the ATO.

    We will provide further guidance for government-related entities in late 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Consultation paper – ATO Vulnerability Framework

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Provide your feedback

    We are seeking your feedback on the draft ATO Vulnerability Framework (the Framework).

    If you are experiencing vulnerability and need support now, visit our Personal crisis support page for more information.

    To submit your feedback:

    ATO Vulnerability Framework

    Use the links below to view the draft Framework:

    Easy Read version

    Why your feedback matters

    Your feedback will help ensure the Framework is inclusive, practical, and meaningful in real-world situations. Public consultation will help us to:

    • understand different experiences and perspectives, including lived experience
    • identify any gaps or unclear areas
    • build trust by ensuring transparency and community input
    • strengthen the clarity, relevance and accessibility of the Framework.

    We welcome feedback from individuals, advocates, professionals, and organisations that support people who may be affected by vulnerability in any form.

    We encourage you to share this consultation with others, particularly those with lived experience of vulnerability or those who work with, or support people experiencing vulnerability.

    What is the ATO Vulnerability Framework?

    We have developed the Framework so we can better support people experiencing vulnerability when they interact with the tax system. The Framework sets out our commitment to supporting people experiencing vulnerability while carrying out our role of collecting tax to help fund essential services for the Australian community.

    The Framework is founded on the commitments made in Our Charter and outlines 6 guiding principles, 4 core focus areas, and a clear approach to how we engage with the community. These elements are designed to help shape the way we develop policies, processes and staff capability, supporting more inclusive and consistent interactions with the community.

    The Framework provides transparency about our role and what we can and can’t do. While we may not be able to change a tax or superannuation obligation under the law, we can:

    • listen and act with empathy
    • communicate clearly
    • act with compassion
    • connect people with the right support.

    The Framework does not set out specific actions or implementation plans. Instead, it guides our approach for designing and delivering services in the future. It is a key part of our broader commitment to improve how we support people experiencing vulnerability, not just in principle, but in practice. We are also implementing practical initiatives that reflect the Framework’s values and will help bring them to life.

    Consultation questions

    You are not required to answer the consultation questions in your submission, but they are provided to help guide your feedback. You can choose to respond to any or all of them.

    1. How clearly does the Framework explain our commitment to supporting people experiencing vulnerability? What aspects are most clear or meaningful to you? Are there areas that could be improved?
    2. Is the language in the Framework clear, respectful, and easy to understand? Let us know if there are words or sections that could be clearer.
    3. How well does the Framework explain what vulnerability means and how it may affect people’s experience with the ATO? Do you think the definition of vulnerability is clear and inclusive? What, if anything, should be added or clarified?
    4. How clearly does the Framework explain our role, in supporting people experiencing vulnerability, including what we can and can’t do? Is there anything about our role that could be explained more clearly?
    5. Do the guiding principles, for example, empathy, fairness, and inclusion, feel appropriate and meaningful? What do these principles mean to you in the context of people experiencing vulnerability engaging with the ATO?
    6. Is there anything missing that would make the Framework more useful or complete?
    7. Would you use the Framework for yourself or in your work, or share it with others? If so, how might you use it? For example, as a taxpayer, practitioner, or advocate.
    8. Is there anything else you would like us to consider before the Framework is finalised?

    What happens next?

    After the consultation closes, we will:

    • review feedback received
    • incorporate relevant insights into a final version of the Framework
    • publish the Framework based on this consultation
    • where appropriate, we will send you a summary of how your feedback was considered
    • consider additional ideas for future planning and implementation.

    We thank you for taking the time to share your insights and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and transparent approach to supporting people experiencing vulnerability.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: WANTED: FBI Reward for Information Leading to Arrest of Elpidio Reyna for Allegedly Throwing Rocks and Improvised Explosives at Federal Law Enforcement

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

     “If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” – Secretary Noem

    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Elpidio Reyna. He is wanted for allegedly throwing rocks and explosives at federal officers in their vehicles during the riots in Los Angeles (LA), California (CA).

    Reyna, a United States (U.S.) citizen from Compton, CA, is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List.

    Reyna’s criminal history includes arrests for felony burglary, felony possession of a controlled substance for sale, felony using or selling marijuana to a minor, DUI, and multiple counts of driving with a suspended license.

    “Elpidio Reyna threatened the lives of federal law enforcement by throwing rocks and explosives at their vehicles,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Our message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    If you see Reyna or have any information that could help lead to his arrest, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit http://tips.fbi.gov.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: After weeks of confusion and chaos, Tasmania heads back to the polls on July 19

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hortle, Deputy Director, Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania

    The Tasmanian government has called a state election for July 19, the fourth in a little over seven years.

    Following days of high drama, Governor Barbara Baker finally granted Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s election request, saying there was no other course of action to break the deadlock gripping Tasmanian politics:

    I make this grant because I am satisfied there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed.

    The ballot will be the second state election in just 16 months.

    So how did we get here? And what happens next?

    Dark political mofo

    The Dark Mofo festival kicked off last week, bringing to Hobart its usual mix of weird, dark, and violent modern art. But in the halls of Tasmanian parliament, a similarly macabre and vicious spectacle was playing out.

    I have written a more detailed analysis of events previously, but here’s the quick version.

    On June 3, the Labor opposition moved a motion of no confidence in Rockliff. After two days of acrimonious parliamentary debate, the motion passed on the casting vote of the speaker.

    An election looked inevitable because Rockliff refused to step aside and Opposition Leader Dean Winter ruled out doing a deal with the Greens to govern in minority.

    Parliament returned briefly to pass emergency supply bills, which were needed after the no confidence motion derailed the recent state budget.

    Shortly afterwards, Rockliff asked the governor to dissolve parliament and call an election. This request has now been granted after a few days of deliberation.

    How did it come to this?

    It’s been a rocky road for the Liberal government since the
    last state election in March 2024. Holding only 14 of the House of Assembly’s 35 seats, it has governed in minority thanks to confidence and supply deals with five crossbenchers.

    This tenuous arrangement was under constant pressure. Labor and the crossbench installed Michelle O’Byrne as speaker, and in the second half of 2024 passed three pieces of legislation against the government’s will.

    In August 2024, the implosion of the Jacqui Lambie Network and the forced resignation of Michael Ferguson as deputy premier and treasurer added further complications.

    Against this backdrop, the government has faced a rapidly
    deteriorating fiscal situation    . This is partly the legacy of the COVID pandemic, compounded by recent global uncertainty. However, as economist Saul Eslake notes, the roots of the problem can be found in the policy choices made by previous state Liberal governments.

    Policy setbacks

    Even considering the challenging context, the government has
    done itself few favours. The ongoing project to replace the ageing Spirit of Tasmania ferries has been mired in cost blowouts and poor planning.

    An abrupt about-face on nation-leading gambling reforms, tentative explorations of privatising state assets – since abandoned – and radical changes to the planning system also caused concern.

    And of course, there is the saga over the highly contentious $945 million stadium to support a Tassie team in the AFL.

    Most importantly, though, there has been little progress on the deep structural reforms needed to address the state’s poor health and education outcomes, housing crisis, cost-of-living challenges, and worsening budget situation.

    On the positive side, the government points to achievements recruiting much-needed frontline healthcare workers, increasing the supply of social and affordable housing, and a historically low unemployment rate.

    What happens now?

    The campaign will be a political version of a classic children’s party game: pin the blame on the party.

    Liberal and Labor will both claim the early election is the fault of the other, while the debate over the stadium will likely continue to distract from Tasmania’s other, far more important challenges.

    The election result is hard to predict. In the past, Tasmanians
    have punished minority governments at elections, and in the latest available polling, support for the Liberal Party was at a 16-year low of 29%.

    But the circumstances of this election mean we can’t rely too much on previous trends. The drop in Liberal support is partly driven by northern Tasmanians’ dislike of the Hobart stadium. However, that won’t necessarily help Labor, because they also remain committed to the project.

    Labor will be energised by the federal party’s recent victory. But the most recent polling shows the state branch is barely more popular than the Liberals. Winter lags Rockliff as preferred premier 44%-32%, with a high “never heard of” rating of 24%.

    The Greens could benefit from being the only notable party opposed to the stadium, but will be fighting relentless Labor and Liberal warnings about the perils of forming another minority government.

    None of this points to the July 19 election producing a stable majority government. In fact, there is a strong likelihood the Tasmanian electorate – grumpy about being forced to the polls in mid-winter – will punish both major parties.

    This could result in an even larger and more diverse crossbench, requiring deft and collaborative negotiations to stitch together the numbers to form government.

    While the theatre of the campaign plays out, the ambitious structural reforms that Tasmania desperately needs seem further away than ever.

    The drama is worthy of Dark Mofo, but Tasmanians are already tired of the performance.

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

    – ref. After weeks of confusion and chaos, Tasmania heads back to the polls on July 19 – https://theconversation.com/after-weeks-of-confusion-and-chaos-tasmania-heads-back-to-the-polls-on-july-19-258597

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Czech Republic’s power capacity to reach 32.6GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Czech Republic’s power capacity to reach 32.6GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Power

    The Czech Republic boasts one of the lowest levels of power import dependence in Europe, thanks to its substantial reserves of hard coal. Nevertheless, the nation is committed to phasing out coal by 2033 and is in the process of establishing a comprehensive framework to support an inclusive transition. This transition is catalyzing investments in nuclear power, renewable energy sources, and natural gas. Against this backdrop, power capacity in the country is expected to reach 32.6GW in 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% during 2024-35, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Czech Republic Power Market Outlook to 2035, Update 2025 – Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape,” reveals that annual power generation in Czech Republic is expected to increase at a CAGR of 0.6% during 2024-35 to reach 76.4TWh.

    The Czech Republic has set a strategic goal to close the majority of its coal plants by 2033. The updated National Energy Plan, released in December 2024, emphasizes the expansion of nuclear energy and the utilization of renewable resources. The plan sets forth objectives to increase the contribution of nuclear energy to 44% and that of renewable energy sources to 28% in the nation’s electricity generation by 2030.

    Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Nuclear energy is pivotal to the Czech Republic’s strategy for phasing out coal. The government endorses the expansion of nuclear capacity, particularly at the Dukovany and Temelín facilities. State participation in financing and the establishment of long-term offtake agreements are instrumental in shaping the trajectory of nuclear development, with the aim of reducing reliance on external energy sources by enhancing domestic nuclear generation.”

    In April 2025, the Czech competition authority dismissed appeals from Electricité de France (EDF), thereby confirming the selection of South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for the construction of two new 1GW reactors at the Dukovany site. Valued at over 400 billion Czech koruna (approximately $18.2 billion), this project represents the most substantial energy investment in the nation’s history.

    Saibasan concludes: “The power sector presents opportunities in generation, transmission, and smart metering. Investment prospects seem particularly promising in areas such as gas-based power plants, turbines, and related equipment. In the transmission arena, the Czech Republic’s status as a net power exporter means that a substantial volume of electricity crosses its borders. While there is currently no congestion, the potential for such an occurrence in the future is significant.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Danone Mexico’s advertisements drive wellness and lifestyle integration for consumers, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Danone Mexico’s advertisements drive wellness and lifestyle integration for consumers, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Danone Mexico’s YouTube advertising campaigns from June 2024 to May 2025 focused on promoting health, streamlining utility, and fostering community engagement across its dairy and nutritional product lines. The advertisements depict daily family scenarios and highlight offerings with natural ingredients and reduced sugar to connect with health-aware consumers. The campaigns also emphasize children’s nutrition and well-being, aligning these offerings with healthy lifestyle initiatives. Furthermore, by highlighting functional benefits like digestion support, these products are presented as essential components of a balanced daily routine, reveals Global Ads Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Sagar Kishor, Ads Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Danone’s advertising strategy targets a range of consumer preferences by emphasizing health-oriented products, such as Danone Free. Additionally, it highlights convenience through offerings like Licuado Danone Avena Quaker and Danone Greek yogurt. Additionally, Danone Kids yogurt supports family nutrition, while the campaigns incorporate social impact initiatives, reflecting evolving consumer values and a commitment to community well-being.”

    Below are the key focus areas of Danone Mexico’s advertisements revealed by GlobalData’s Global Ads Platform:

    Ingredient Authenticity: Danone’s advertising campaigns highlight the use of natural fruit and other wholesome ingredients, such as Quaker Oats. This emphasis on visual and descriptive elements is designed to appeal to consumers who prioritize minimally processed options, thereby building trust through transparent communication about ingredients.

    Health & Lifestyle: The campaigns emphasize the inherent nutritional benefits of its product range, targeting consumers who prioritize well-being. Products such as Danone Deslactosado and Danone Free are highlighted not only for their health attributes but also as convenient and time-efficient options, underscoring their seamless integration into the busy daily routines of individuals and families.

    Family Welfare: Danone’s advertising strategy emphasizes the provision of nourishing choices that address family needs, particularly children. Ads for Danone Kids yogurt, for instance, reference the brand’s long-standing contribution to children’s essential nutrient intake, aligning with healthy eating habits and supporting comprehensive development across different life stages.

    Social Impact: Danone incorporates its commitment to social impact within its brand communication. The “Cuando eliges Danone, también eliges ayudar” campaign, prominently featuring products like Danone Free, directly links consumer purchases to supporting children’s cancer treatment. This strategy appeals to consumers’ desire to contribute to philanthropic causes, aiming to reinforce brand affinity through shared social values.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Liquid Glass shines, but AI shortfalls divide influencers opinion at WWDC 2025, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Liquid Glass shines, but AI shortfalls divide influencers opinion at WWDC 2025, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Apple Inc has introduced iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 with “Liquid Glass” user interface (UI) at the ongoing Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2025. While some influencers are appreciating the Cupertino-based tech giant for introducing on-device LLMs and AI features like intelligent shortcuts in iOS 26, others feel underwhelmed by the limited AI progress, especially with Siri updates postponed to 2027 and modest ChatGPT integration, reveals the Social Media Analytics Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Smitarani Tripathy, Social Media Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Influencers praised the Liquid Glass UI for its sleek, translucent look, elevating the visual appeal across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, the event disappointed with slow AI progress, no major Siri updates (delayed until 2027), and minimal advanced language model integration. The sleek, forward-looking UI captivated many, though some believe the company lags leading AI competitors, while others stay hopeful about its ecosystem’s future possibilities.”

    Below are a few popular influencers opinions captured by GlobalData’s Social Media Analytics Platform:

    1. Bilawal Sidhu, Technologist:

    “Apple WWDC 2025 > What users wanted: Siri that actually works > What users got: “You’ll immediately notice how the playback controls refract the environment. Sidebars and toolbars reflect the depth of your workspace and offer a subtle hint of the content.” I wanted more. But after getting burned for announcing AI vaporware, this WWDC marks a far more conservative Apple…”

    1. Robert Scoble, Founder /CEO of Unaligned:

    “Cynical take on Apple’s WWDC: just doing things Microsoft did back in 2003. Liquid glass. Menus on tablets. Dark take on it: it’s way behind in AI, and didn’t demonstrate any attempt to catch up. Light take: Lots of new AI features, like your phone will wait on hold for you now. Hopeful take: the new design joins Apple Vision Pro into its ecosystem, showing that the Apple Vision Pro is the future of Apple.”

    1. Jacob Jaber, Founder of Humble Lion Holdings:

    “WWDC screams ripeness for form factor innovation. The thing is, no one thinks of next-gen form factor innovation more than Apple, which may signal that the phone is here to stay for some time.”

    1. Kim, AI Technologist:

    “Wow, WWDC was a big disappointment. Hardly worth mentioning. In a nutshell: The UI will be improved, the OS will be fine-tuned a little, and the iPad will become more like a MacBook.AI? A little live translation, a little visual AI – and that’s it. No new Siri (already leaked by Mark Gurman as postponed until 2027), no deeper integration of LLMs such as ChatGPT.”

    1. Dan Ives, Senior Editor at The Verge:

    “Apple played it safe on WWDC as AI strategy was not a focus”

    1. Edward Ludlow, Co-Anchor, Bloomberg Technology:

    “Apple WWDC so far: Design update: Liquid Glass Confirmation: developers soon able to tap in to on-device LLMs. Enhancing software with existing Apple AI tools. Siri features (delayed) to be discussed in “the coming year. $AAPL”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Merck’s Enflonsia to gain competitive advantage in paediatric RSV prophylaxis market with lack of weight-based dosing, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Merck’s Enflonsia to gain competitive advantage in paediatric RSV prophylaxis market with lack of weight-based dosing, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    Merck’s Enflonsia (clesrovimab) has received FDA approval for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in newborns and infants born during or entering their first RSV season. Enflonsia, is a long-acting monoclonal antibody (mAb) that can provide protection through a typical 5-month RSV season with a 105mg dose, regardless of weight. This diversifies the prophylactic options available to protect young children from RSV, with Enflonsia expected to become a key player in the US market, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Anaelle Tannen, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Enflonsia will now compete with Sanofi and AstraZeneca’s blockbuster drug Beyfortus (nirsevimab), for patient shares in the US*. The benefit of Enflonsia is that it is the first and only RSV preventative option for the paediatric market that does not require weight based-dosing, which makes administration easier and more convenient.”

    The recent approval of Enflonsia was based on clinical trial results from the Phase IIb/III CLEVER trial evaluating a single dose of Enflonsia administered to preterm and full-term infants. Treatment with clesrovimab reduced medically attended RSV lower respiratory infections by 60.4% and RSV-related hospitalizations by 84.2% compared to placebo.

    Tannen adds: “Both Beyfortus and Enflonsia have strong efficacy and safety profiles. Both are expected to completely replace the use of Sobi’s Synagis (palivizumab), an older mAb which requires monthly dosing throughout the RSV season and is associated with more toxicities, with side effects including fevers and rashes, among others.”

    Merck plans to make Enflonsia available for the 2025-26 RSV season. Enflonsia is expected to become a successful drug in the pediatric market, reaching sales of $488 million in the US, and $892 million globally by 2031, according to GlobalData’s analyst consensus forecast. Nonetheless, GlobalData still expects Beyfortus to perform better commercially than Enflonsia over this time period since it is an earlier-market entrant with a similar safety and efficacy profile. Furthermore, unlike Enflonsia, Beyfortus is also approved for use in children up to 24 months who remain vulnerable to RSV through their second RSV season.

    The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting is due to be held on 25-27th June when recommendations for RSV immunizations will be made. These recommendations are likely to heavily influence Enflonsia’s ability to capture market share from Beyfortus.

    Tannen concludes: “With RSV being the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the US, Enflonsia provides an alternative, convenient and efficacious option to prevent RSV LRTD in neonates and infants.”

    *Beyfortus received FDA approval for the prevention of RSV LRTD in young children in July 2023.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia, Ukraine confirm swap of bodies of fallen soldiers

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

    Russia has transferred 1,212 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky said Wednesday.

    Medinsky said on Telegram that 27 bodies of Russian soldiers were returned, adding that the work will continue over the next few days.

    Both sides will also begin exchanging seriously wounded prisoners from Thursday, he said.

    The repatriation of the deceased was made possible with the help of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other agencies, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Wednesday in a statement.

    The agency also expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its support in facilitating the return of the bodies.

    The return is part of a deal made during the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Türkiye’s Istanbul on June 2.

    During their last round of talks, Russia and Ukraine agreed on an “all-for-all” exchange involving seriously ill and wounded prisoners, as well as soldiers under the age of 25, according to Medinsky.

    Under the agreement, the first stage of the prisoner swap was carried out on Monday. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Musk backs off from feud with Trump

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

    U.S. multibillionaire and high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk stepped back from his explosive feud with U.S. President Donald Trump, writing on X that he regrets some of his posts about his onetime ally and that they went “too far.”

    Early Wednesday morning, he posted “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”

    “Musk’s break with a president whom he spent hundreds of millions of dollars to elect appeared to put an end to his influence in the White House and prompted concerns about effects on his companies,” noted the Los Angeles Times in its report about the development. As a major government contractor, Musk’s businesses could be particularly vulnerable to retribution, and Trump has already threatened to cut Musk’s contracts.

    Musk earlier deleted a post in which he claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president’s association with infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, other posts that irritated Trump, including ones in which Musk called the spending bill an “abomination” and claimed credit for Trump’s election victory, remained live.

    On Sunday, Trump told NBC that he has no desire to repair their relationship and warned that Musk could face “serious consequences” if he tries to help Democrats in upcoming elections.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cities across US brace for more protests against ICE raids

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

    More protests against immigration enforcement raids are planned across the United States this week, after many of the kind have sprung up nationwide from Los Angeles to Seattle, Austin, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., with some of them peaceful while others resulting in clashes with law enforcement.

    Activists are planning more and even larger demonstrations in the coming days, with “No Kings” events across the country on Saturday to coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned military parade through D.C., according to The Associated Press (AP). The Trump administration said it would continue its program of raids and deportations despite the protests.

    “Cities across the United States were bracing for a new round of immigration protests on Wednesday after the Los Angeles mayor imposed an overnight curfew downtown and Governor Gavin Newsom of California blamed President Trump for unrest that began with deportation raids last week,” reported The New York Times.

    In San Antonio, protests against immigration raids are planned Wednesday night and on Saturday, but Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that city officials did not ask for the Texas National Guard to be deployed in advance. Governor Greg Abbott’s office said that National Guard troops were “on standby” in areas where demonstrations are planned. That came after police in Austin used chemical irritants to disperse several hundred demonstrators on Monday near the state Capitol.

    In Los Angeles, a sixth day of protests is planned downtown and near federal buildings. In Eugene, Oregon, several groups including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which calls for the end of capitalism, said they planned to hold a solidarity protest in the city. In Mission Viejo, California, a protest is planned for Orange County, according to the local branch of the 50501 Movement, which was formed against the Trump administration’s “anti-democratic” actions.

    In Raleigh, North Carolina, hundreds of people are expected to gather in downtown Raleigh Wednesday evening, spurred in part by anger over a state immigration bill. In Seattle, the Party for Socialism and Liberation is among the groups behind a planned “ICE Out” protest in the city against ICE. In St. Louis, Missouri, a “NO ICE” protest is planned for this week, according to U.S. media reports.

    Meanwhile, Trump left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy military forces inside the United States to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations. “It’s one of the most extreme emergency powers available to a U.S. president,” noted AP.

    Tuesday night, Los Angeles police swiftly enforced a downtown curfew, making arrests moments after it took effect, while deploying officers on horseback and using crowd control projectiles to break up a group of hundreds of demonstrators. Immigration raids across Southern California are rattling the area’s immigrant communities, even among those in the country legally. More than 100 people have been detained since Friday.

    New York City police detained more than 80 people during protests around Lower Manhattan’s Foley Square against federal immigration enforcement actions Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful. She blamed smaller groups for causing disorder that required police intervention.

    By Tuesday night, demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown have intensified and spread far beyond Los Angeles, with thousands of people gathering in at least two dozen U.S. cities, holding banners and chanting slogans like “Stop the Deportation Now” and “Abolish ICE.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russian gymnasts to return to int’l games: sports federation

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

    Russian gymnasts and judges will return to international competitions as neutral participants, local media reported Wednesday, citing the Russian Gymnastics Federation.

    Alisa Medvedeva of Russia competes during the individual all-around qualifications at the 2024 International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)

    The participation of Russian athletes and judges has been confirmed in a series of international gymnastics competitions, according to a statement by the federation cited by TASS news agency.

    The federation noted that efforts are ongoing for Russian athletes to resume full-fledged participation in international sports.

    In March 2022, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) suspended Russian and Belarusian gymnastics from its tournaments. Later, the international federation eased the sanctions, allowing the two countries’ athletes to compete as neutrals.

    The Russian Gymnastics Federation said earlier in April that the country’s athletes would not participate in the upcoming FIG competitions despite being granted neutral status, citing “numerous unfounded and biased refusals” to grant such status to athletes. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Man City bolster midfield with Reijnders signing

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

    Manchester City completed the club’s fourth signing of the summer on Wednesday with the announcement that Dutch international midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has joined from AC Milan.

    AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders (front) shoots to score during a Serie A football match between AC Milan and Parma in Milan, Italy, Jan. 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

    Reijnders costs 46.5 million pounds (63 million U.S. dollars) and has agreed a five-year deal.

    The 26-year-old arrives soon after City completed the signing of Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyon, and the club insists he will be able to play in the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup, although the announcement of his arrival was made after the transfer window closed on Tuesday evening.

    City coach Pep Guardiola has also seen left back Rayan Ait Nouri and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli added to his squad in a busy start to the summer.

    “I am ecstatic to be signing for Manchester City: City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities,” said Reijnders on the club website.

    “Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years,” added the player who has already won 22 caps for the Netherlands.

    With the signings of Reijnders and Cherki, Guardiola will hope to have covered the departure of Kevin de Bruyne, while Ait Nouri should give balance at left back after arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Depay equals scoring record as Dutch thrash Malta

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

    Memphis Depay on Tuesday night netted twice for the Netherlands in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malta (8-0) in Groningen and equaled Robin van Persie as Dutch all-time top scorer.

    The 31-year-old opened the scoring against Malta with a penalty in the 9th minute and in the 16th minute he smashed home the second goal. With his 49th and 50th goal for his country, he equaled all-time top scorer Robin van Persie.

    Depay debuted for the Netherlands against Türkiye (2-0 win) in October 2013 and produced his first goal at the 2014 World Cup against Australia (3-2 win). His record year was 2021 with 17 goals for his country.

    The other goals were scored by captain Virgil van Dijk, Xavi Simons, Donyell Malen (twice), Noa Lang and Micky van de Ven.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China suffer opening loss in VNL Xi’an leg

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

    Peng Shikun (L) of China spikes the ball during the Pool 3 match between China and Japan at the Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

    World No. 1 Poland started the 2025 Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Xi’an leg on the right foot as it overcame the Netherlands 3-1 on Wednesday, while Japan defeated host China in straight sets.

    In the season opener, last year’s bronze medalist, Poland, was tested by 13th-ranked the Netherlands, who delivered a resilient performance and created several tense moments for the world’s top-ranked side.

    The first set saw both teams locked at 22-22 before Poland pulled away with three consecutive points to take it 25-22. In a near repeat in the second set, the teams were again tied at 22-22, but this time the Netherlands seized the chance to win 25-22.

    “We were leading in almost every set, but at times we lost our focus and allowed them back into the game,” said Poland’s outside hitter Artur Szalpuk, who finished with a game-high 19 points.

    The Dutch continued to press in the third and fourth sets, testing Poland’s defense, but the Poles remained composed in the key moments, clinching both sets 25-22 to seal the match.

    “It was a tough game for us, because many players had their first match in the VNL. So for sure, it was a lot of emotion for them. It was a hard fight, but I think we played good and we took three points,” Szalpuk added. “Now, we need to take a quick rest, because tomorrow we have another important game [against Japan].”

    Host China fell to world No. 6 Japan 25-23, 25-14, 25-22. Although China held a lead midway through the third set, it failed to turn the match around, as China head coach Vital Heynen commented that “we don’t use the chances”.

    “If you look at the details of the first set, we played very well. If you look at the statistics, we are better than Japan, but we don’t use the chances. We made a couple of unnecessary mistakes, and that’s a pity. We were not playing smart enough, and we didn’t play together as a team.”

    “I was hoping we would play like we do in training – perfectly as a team, knowing each other well and knowing what to do. But today I see a lot of mistakes in the team together. I guess it’s the pressure. The pressure makes you start to doubt things we are doing on training, and that we have to find back,” he added.

    China will face Serbia on Thursday, who beat Türkiye 3-1 (12-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23) late Wednesday. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Joins Bipartisan Bill to Help Lower Housing Costs, Incentivize Housing Development in Nevada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced her support for a bipartisan bill to incentivize housing development and lower costs in Nevada. The bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would increase the amount of Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) allocated to each state by 50 percent for the next two years. The LIHTC program provides tax credits for housing developers that incentivize construction of affordable housing units. 
    In Nevada, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit has developed or preserved 36,213 homes, supported 59,128 jobs, generated $2.325 billion in tax revenue, and generated $6.698 billion in wages and business income within the state.
    “Hardworking Nevada families are being squeezed by high housing costs and a dire shortage of affordable homes,” said Senator Rosen. “That’s why I’m joining this bipartisan bill to incentivize more development of housing Nevadans can actually afford and help lower costs for families. I’ll keep doing everything I can to bring down the prices of buying or renting a home.”
    “Senator Rosen’s support for the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act is a win for Nevada families,” said Maurice Page, Executive Director of the Nevada Housing Coalition. By championing the expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, she’s standing up for working Nevadans and ensuring that more people have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. Her leadership gives a voice to those too often left out of the conversation.”
    “We applaud Senator Rosen for championing the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act,” said Wally Swenson, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Nevada HAND. “This bipartisan legislation will provide the resources Nevada needs to expand access to safe, stable, affordable housing that empowers residents and strengthens communities. Nevada faces one of the most severe affordable housing shortages in the country, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit is our most effective tool to create and preserve quality affordable homes for low-income seniors, individuals, and families.”
    “The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would be a true game-changer for our industry. It strengthens the public-private mechanisms that make attainable housing possible in communities across the country,” said Bill Brewer, Executive Director of Nevada Rural Housing. “This bill has long had strong support, and we’re thrilled to have champions like Senator Rosen helping to build momentum. Her support brings us closer to the traction we need to move this critical legislation forward and expand access to safe, affordable homes for those who need them most.”
    Senator Rosen is working to lower housing costs and prevent housing prices from increasing further. Earlier this year, she introduced the Housing Choice Vouchers Fairness Act to update the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s decades-old Housing Choice Voucher allocation formula so fast-growing cities like Las Vegas can access more of them. Senator Rosen also sent a letter urging the Trump Administration to reverse course on imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which are raising housing construction costs. Additionally, Senator Rosen introduced bipartisan legislation to invest in the construction workforce to be able to build more housing and help lower costs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Shaheen, Castor, Evans Intro Bill to Reverse Trump’s Cuts to Key ACA Program That Helps More Americans Sign Up for Health Insurance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans work to gut the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) introduced legislation today in the Senate and House to restore a key program of the health care law that helps American families navigate the ACA marketplace and connect them with high quality, affordable health care plans. The Expand Navigators’ Resources for Outreach, Learning, and Longevity (ENROLL) Act would ensure the Navigator program, which was established under the ACA to help Americans navigate, shop, and enroll in affordable health care plans, will continue despite the Trump Administration cutting funding by 90 percent in February.

    “We have seen this movie before: when he doesn’t get his way to fully repeal it, Donald Trump tries every which way to chip away at the Affordable Care Act and kick Wisconsin families off their health care, and sadly, it works. At a time when Wisconsinites are worried their care is on the chopping block under Republicans’ plan to give tax breaks to the wealthy, the Trump Administration is also gutting a key program that helps our neighbors find health care coverage that they can afford,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin’s Navigator has connected thousands of families with good health care coverage, ensuring more Wisconsinites can access the care and treatment they need to stay healthy. We should be investing in bringing the cost of care down for Wisconsinites, not jacking up costs and eliminating proven resources that connect more families with affordable insurance.”

    “We’ve seen this before: When the first Trump administration slashed funding for the navigator program, ACA health care enrollment shrank by more than 2.5 million – and when that funding was restored, enrollment rose and reached historic levels. Despite the hard facts that it helps everyday Americans access critical health care, the administration is gutting the navigator program again and leaving Granite Staters in rural and underserved areas behind,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our ENROLL Act is urgently needed to restore this funding so Granite Staters—and all Americans—have access to the help they need to make informed decisions about their health insurance coverage.”

    “Florida families value and appreciate affordable health coverage. In fact, over 4.7 million Floridians selected an affordable marketplace plan for 2025—almost one-fifth of the nation’s 24.2 million enrollees. Robust outreach and assistance by navigators is vital to families so they can evaluate options and choose a health plan that is right for them. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has slashed navigator support and complicated the lives of families who need advice on lifesaving health coverage,” said Representative Castor. “President Trump and Congressional Republicans appear dead set on making Affordable Care Act coverage more expensive, driving up premiums and putting hardworking families at risk. I am proud to work with Senator Baldwin to protect American’s health, well-being and pocketbooks by ensuring navigators stay on the job.”

    “The Affordable Care Act Navigators program provides free, objective, expert advice and information to Americans in red, purple and blue states alike to help them find affordable health coverage that meets their needs. A similar cut to the program in President Trump’s first term resulted in more people being uninsured, and letting his new cut stand is likely to raise costs for working-class Americans at a time when the cost of living is already high,” said Representative Evans. “One of the ways the Navigators program has helped American families is by helping hundreds of thousands of eligible consumers in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. President Trump recently promised not to touch Medicaid, and keeping people who qualify for Medicaid from getting covered breaks that promise, as far as I’m concerned.”

    In 2017 and 2018, the first Trump Administration cut funding for the Navigator program by 84 percent, contributing to 2.5 million fewer people accessing healthcare through the ACA Marketplace over the course of the first Trump Administration. Navigator funding was restored in 2021, and enrollment reached historic levels for the 2025 plan year. In February 2025, the Trump Administration slashed nearly 90 percent of funding for the Navigator program, threatening to leave millions of Americans without critical assistance to access health insurance.

    In 2024, Covering Wisconsin (CWI), Wisconsin’s only federal navigator program, helped process nearly 100,000 applications for ACA Marketplace and Medicaid coverage, answering questions about coverage, and navigating the marketplace to ensure families get quality care and a price they can afford. From 2019 to 2024, CWI has seen a 163% increase in Marketplace and Medicaid enrollments completed directly by CWI Navigators. As of August 25, 2025, CWI anticipates their funding will be reduced by 90 percent. This is especially harmful to Wisconsinites in rural communities who already lack access to in-person assistance for shopping and enrolling in quality, affordable health insurance coverage.

    The ENROLL Act would:

    • Ensure that Navigators have the resources they need to assist Americans in finding affordable health care coverage and restore funding for the program to $100 million annually;
    • Promote efforts to ensure that Navigators provide public education and assistance that helps consumers, including those who may need extra help signing up, find coverage, rather than prioritizing application numbers;
    • Clarify that Navigator responsibilities include enrolling consumers in Medicaid and CHIP coverage;
    • Promote efforts to provide Americans with information on comprehensive health insurance that protects individuals with pre-existing conditions.

    In addition to Senators Baldwin and Shaheen, the ENROLL Act is also co-sponsored in the Senate by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Angus King (I-ME).

    The ENROLL Act is supported by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Federation of Teachers, American Heart Association, American Public Health Association, Community Catalyst, Epilepsy Foundation, MomsRising, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, National Health Council, National Immigration Law Center, National Kidney Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Psoriasis Foundation, and Young Invincibles.

    “Marketplace navigators are a crucial resource for the more than 24 million people who access their health coverage through the ACA Marketplace and anyone who has questions about their coverage options. Appropriately funding health care navigators is essential for making sure consumers—especially those with complex medical conditions like cancer—can get access to the most appropriate health insurance coverage that will meet their needs. We commend Senator Baldwin, Senator Shaheen, and Representative Castor for acting to reverse the significant and damaging funding cuts that were enacted earlier this year and urge the Senate and House to pass this legislation quickly,” said Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

    “At a time when health care is under relentless attack, advancing the ENROLL Act is a clear signal that there are leaders in Congress committed to putting people over profit. The current administration has gutted funding for Navigators, trusted community members who guide people through the daunting, complex process of enrolling in coverage. Restoring that funding is essential to ensuring everyone, especially those facing the greatest barriers, can enroll in the most affordable, comprehensive options for their families. We thank Senator Baldwin and Representative Castor for their leadership and for standing with communities who depend on this trusted, unbiased help,” said Mona Shah, Senior Director of Policy and Strategy at Community Catalyst.

    A one-pager on this legislation is available here. Full bill text of this legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Reed Demand Written Answers from RFK, Jr. on Firings of Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Jack Reed (D-RI) are demanding written answers from the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in response to detailed questions on the Trump Administration’s firing of childhood lead experts. On numerous occasions in Senate hearings, Secretary Kennedy has claimed that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is not shuttering the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and that cities requesting help, like Milwaukee, would receive it when needed. He also claimed, incorrectly, that CDC experts were on the ground in Milwaukee providing assistance. However, after applying for support from the CDC to help mitigate lead found in school classrooms, Milwaukee Public Schools was notified that their request for support was denied because the Trump administration fired the entire Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Surveillance Branch. Local officials continue to confirm that the requested aid is not being provided, and the Secretary has provided no documentation that the fired employees have been rehired, as Baldwin demanded.

    “You offered to follow up with more specifics, which we have not yet received, and to provide responses in a timely manner,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

    “The CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has played an essential role for many years in identifying lead hazards in homes and the associated risk to children and helping direct resources to the families and communities most in need,” the Senators continued.

    The crisis in Milwaukee has shuttered six schools and displaced 1,800 children. Senator Baldwin visited Milwaukee Public Schools’ Frances Starms Discovery Learning Center to meet with parents whose children’s health was at risk and schools were closed this year because of lead hazards. Senator Baldwin also pressed Kennedy on the firings at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing. Senator Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) demanded that the Trump administration reinstate the fired CDC lead poisoning experts and approve Milwaukee’s plea for federal assistance to help keep children safe.

    The full letter is available here and below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    During the May 20, 2025, hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Budget request, you were asked to clarify the status of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. You offered to follow up with more specifics, which we have not yet received, and to provide responses in a timely manner. We have included additional questions below and ask that you respond no later than June 16, 2025:

    1. Is the CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program operational? Does the Program currently have any staff? If so, how many staff? How many staff were working for the Program as of January 20, 2025 compared to now?
    2. Soon after the April 1, 2025 reduction in force (RIF), you noted in an interview that some of the terminations could “be mistakes.” Was the decision to terminate the staff within the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention branch a mistake?
    3. HHS has reinstated some employees previously terminated by the RIFs, citing health and safety concerns. Does HHS have the ability to reinstate employees from the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention branch in order to deploy to areas like Milwaukee, Wisconsin that are in need of assistance?
    4. During the hearing, reiterating a comment you made the week prior at a HELP Committee hearing, you said, if Congress appropriates the funding for the CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, it will be spent. Has CDC released fiscal year 2025 funding to the 62 states and localities it supports to address gaps in service? How much funding has been spent by the Program in fiscal year 2025? How much funding has been spent by the Program since January 20, 2025?
    5. The fiscal year 2026 budget request proposes continuing funding for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program outside of CDC and within the proposed Administration for a Healthy America. How does HHS plan to effectuate this program when all program staff have reportedly been terminated? Does HHS plan to hire new experts?
    6. During the hearing, when asked about the status of the Program, you said that a team from the Program was on the ground in Milwaukee to deal with the ongoing crisis of lead contamination in schools. The City of Milwaukee has refuted that claim. Has CDC sent any staff to Milwaukee in response to their request for technical assistance to help with the lead issue in schools? This request is unrelated to the support that was provided to the state last month to certify and calibrate lab equipment.
    7. Has the CDC deployed any teams or provided technical assistance related to the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program since the April 1st reductions in force at HHS? Please outline any activities or work conducted by the Program since this date.
    8. The Rhode Island Department of Health is in year four of a five-year grant from the CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Will CDC follow through on its commitment and provide year five funding later this year?

    The CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has played an essential role for many years in identifying lead hazards in homes and the associated risk to children and helping direct resources to the families and communities most in need. We look forward to your timely responses to these questions, as your answers will help inform the Subcommittee’s fiscal year 2026 bill.

    Again, thank you for your testimony and your commitment to follow up on our questions.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Michigan Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by March Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA –The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Michigan small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the severe winter storms occurring March 28-30. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on June 5.

    The declaration covers the counties of Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle.

    Small businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    SBA’s EIDL program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for PNPs, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Beginning Thursday, June 12, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Cheboygan County to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

    The DLOC hours of operation are listed below:

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) 
    Cheboygan County

    Indian River Chamber of Commerce

    3435 S Straits Hwy.

    Indian River, MI 49749

    Opening:  Thursday, June 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Hours: Monday – Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Saturday – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Closed: Sunday

    Permanently Closing: July 10 at 4 p.m.

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 8, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Mar. 9, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Missouri Private Nonprofits Affected by May Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Missouri affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring May 16.

    The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Scott, St. Louis, and the Independent City of St. Louis.

    Under this declaration, PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature impacted by physical damages or financial losses directly related to the disaster are eligible to apply for both business physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and colleges.

    PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    Interest rates are as low 3.62% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA will set loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return physical damage applications is Aug. 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Cantwell & Gallego, Reps. Salinas & Ansari Lead Bicameral Legislation to Permanently Preserve Last Remaining Wild Forest Lands

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    06.11.25
    Sens. Cantwell & Gallego, Reps. Salinas & Ansari Lead Bicameral Legislation to Permanently Preserve Last Remaining Wild Forest Lands
    Bill would codify Roadless Rule, which protects almost 60 million acres of America’s remaining pristine National Forest Lands
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), along with Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and many other members of Congress from both chambers, announced a renewed push to enshrine the U.S. Forest Service’s Roadless Rule protections into law. For nearly a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has shielded 58.5 million acres of the most pristine and treasured areas within the National Forest System from roadbuilding and logging. The Roadless Area Conservation Act would codify the 2001 Roadless Rule, which was developed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) during the Clinton Administration and finalized after several years of deliberation and 600 public meetings in local communities nationwide.
    “Mounting climate impacts have increased the need to protect America’s last remaining wild forestlands, which reduce wildland fire risk and store huge amounts of carbon,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Roadless areas provide Washingtonians with unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities, clean drinking water for our communities, and habitat for numerous endangered species. We need to redouble our efforts to permanently preserve the benefits these public lands provide our nation and future generations.”
    “For decades, the Roadless Rule has been protecting over 1 million acres of forest in Arizona – providing clean air and water, supporting areas of cultural and spiritual significance to many tribes, and bolstering our vital tourism economy,” said Sen. Gallego. “But unless we codify those protections into law, they will always be at risk. That’s exactly what this legislation does, and I’m proud to reintroduce it.”
    “On day one, Donald Trump announced his intention to roll back bedrock environmental protections that are critical to the responsible stewardship of America’s natural resources,” said Rep. Salinas. “The Roadless Area Conservation Act will ensure that longstanding, commonsense rules remain in place to protect untouched national forests without jeopardizing wildfire prevention and response.”
    “In the Southwest, we know how important our wild forestlands are. They are a habitat for wildlife, they bolster clean air and water for our dry, arid climate, and provide spaces where families can connect and make lasting memories. The Roadless Area Conservation Act is a vital step in combating climate change and preserving public land for our communities,” said Rep. Ansari.
    The Roadless Rule enjoys strong public support, as evidenced by the overwhelming majority of 2.5 million comments submitted on the Roadless Forest Protection Rule —more than 95%—were in support of protecting roadless areas. A March 2019 poll by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that three out of four respondents said they supported keeping roadless forest protections, while only 16% opposed it. That level of support changed little between respondents living in rural or non-rural areas and across party affiliation and political views. 
    For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has prevailed over numerous court challenges and administrative and legislative attacks. The first Trump administration weakened the rule, and in October 2020 the administration removed roadless protections for over 9 million acres of pristine forest lands in the Tongass National Forest, threatening old-growth forest and southeast Alaska’s robust tourism and fishing economies. Under the Biden administration, the protections in the Tongass were restored but then removed again by the second Trump administration.  In April, the Trump administration enacted a sweeping rollback of environmental protections across nearly 60% of U.S. national forests, including about 26 million acres of previously protected Roadless areas. This policy shift was formalized through an emergency directive by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, following a presidential executive order aimed at expediting logging projects by streamlining permitting, removing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, and exempting affected forests from administrative objection processes that previously allowed for challenges by environmental groups, tribes, and local government.
    By codifying the rule into law—including in the Tongass—the Roadless Area Conservation Act would uphold recreational access to public lands, preserve the habitats of 1,600 at-risk species, reduce the risk of wildfires, aid in the fight against climate change by preserving vast carbon sinks, and safeguard watersheds that provide clean drinking water for more than 60 million Americans in 39 states and more than 350 communities across the United States. The legislation would maintain the flexibility engrained in the Roadless Rule which allows for continued forest management and the construction of roads as needed to address fires, floods, or other catastrophic events, and other circumstances like the need to build new road connections between remote communities.
    The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 would:
    Protect, in perpetuity, 58.5 million acres of roadless national forest in 39 states;
    Ensure the more than 240 million people living within 100 miles of a national forest or national grassland retain access to opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing;
    Safeguard watersheds in national forests and roadless areas that provide clean drinking water for over 60 million Americans;
    Save taxpayers millions of dollars by limiting costly new road building, allow the Forest Service to focus on maintaining its existing 371,581-mile network of National Forest System roads, and reduce its multi-billion dollar backlog of deferred maintenance on its existing road system;
    Maintain exemptions for hydropower development, public safety, and firefighting needs;
    Uphold the 9th and 10th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals decisions, as well as a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in support of the Roadless Rule.
    Additional cosponsors of the Roadless Area Conservation Act include U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA); Cory Booker (D-NJ); Tina Smith (D-MN); Ron Wyden (D-OR); Dick Durbin (D-IL); Bernie Sanders (D-VT); Peter Welch (D-VT); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), as well as U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D, VA-08); Julia Brownley (D, CA-26); Sean Casten (D, IL-06); Judy Chu (D, CA-28); Angie Craig (D, MN-02); Sharice Davids (D, KS-03); Diana DeGette (D, CO-01); Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01); Jared Huffman (D, CA-02); Sara Jacobs (D,CA-51); Raja Krishnamoorthi (D, IL-08); Zoe Lofgren (D, CA-18); Kevin Mullin (D, CA-15); Joe Neguse (D, CO-02); Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC); Jimmy Panetta (D, CA-19); Chellie Pingree (D, ME-01); Mike Quigley (D, IL-05); Adam Smith (D, WA-09); Melanie Stansbury (D, NM-01); and Jill Tokuda (D, HI-02).
    The measure is also supported by a wide range of stakeholders.
    “The Roadless Rule is the most significant forest conservation measure of the last two decades — period,” said Alex Craven, Forest Campaign Manager at Sierra Club. “That significance has also made it a constant target by logging and development interests. Codifying this crucial rule would ensure it can continue to protect nearly 60 million acres of national forests for generations to come.” 
    “Our nation’s public forests are the places we camp, fish, hunt and play, as well as abundant sources of clear air and water, and the Roadless Rule has been critical for keeping them as such,” said Michelle Gullett, Senior Government Relations Representative at The Wilderness Society. “The Roadless Area Conservation Act couldn’t be reintroduced at a better time, signaling that we must keep our roadless areas intact, despite the Trump administration’s efforts to hand public lands over to private industry. Congress should pass this bill and send the message that our public forests must be managed sustainably and on behalf of us all.” 
    “National forests are bastions of biodiversity, cultural institutions of Indigenous communities, the centerpieces of vibrant outdoor economies, and some of our best natural solutions for tackling climate change,” said Earthjustice Senior Legislative Representative Blaine Miller-McFeeley. “As the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans seek to open more national forest land to costly and reckless logging and weaken forest protections, permanently codifying the Roadless Rule gives us the chance to fight back. We thank the Senate and House sponsors for recognizing that our forests are worth more standing.”
    “We’re thrilled to see the Roadless Area Conservation Act reintroduced at a time when Alaska’s public lands are once again in the crosshairs of administrative rollbacks,” said Alex Cohen, Government Affairs Director at Alaska Wilderness League. “This bill is a powerful move to protect our national forests—especially the Tongass National Forest—by making the Roadless Rule permanent. With Senators Maria Cantwell and Ruben Gallego leading the charge with Representatives Yassamin Ansari and Andrea Salinas in the House, this bill offers real hope for long-overdue, lasting protections for Alaska’s forests and the communities that depend on them.” 
    “If you care about clean drinking water, controlling climate change, preserving wildlife, or just enjoying natural beauty, you care a lot about national forest wildlands. This bill would secure 60 million acres of those public resources forever, ending years of political football and needless uncertainty over their fate,” said Garett Rose, senior attorney for the Nature program at NRDC.
    Sen. Cantwell has been the lead Senate champion of the Roadless Rule since it was overturned by the Bush Administration in 2001. Sen. Cantwell has repeatedly introduced legislation to codify the Roadless Rule into law, including as early as 2001. Sen. Cantwell was also a vociferous and persistent critic of the Trump administration’s elimination of roadless protections for the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.
    Sen. Gallego has long championed the Roadless Rule, leading the effort in the House. He is proud to continue this work in the Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Traffic disruption, Tamahere

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Motorists heading to Fieldays in Waikato are advised of even more potential traffic disruption.

    A truck hit an overbridge on Airport Road in Tamahere, near the roundabout, about 10:15am.

    While the truck has been removed, traffic management is in place while contractors assess the site.

    Motorists are asked to have patience.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New and improved radiology services for Auckland City Hospital

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced funding for the first stage of a major project to upgrade and expand interventional radiology services at Auckland City Hospital.

    “This project will significantly improve access to radiology services for patients across Auckland and beyond,” Mr Brown says.

    “A $41.2 million investment will fund the initial phase of the project – including construction of a fourth interventional neuroradiology operating theatre equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology and enhanced support services.

    “Investing in modern health infrastructure is a priority for this Government to ensure New Zealanders can access timely, high-quality care when they need it.

    “The existing interventional radiology facility is outdated and no longer suitable for the advanced imaging equipment clinicians need. Redesigning the space will enable the use of modern technology and support more sophisticated models of care that meet the increasing complexity of patient needs over the coming decade.”

    The expansion, expected to be operational by early 2027, will significantly boost capacity for emergency stroke interventions and complex neuroradiology procedures – including specialist treatments for children from across the country.

    Stage 1 will also deliver:
     

    • A replacement fluoroscopy room
    • An interventional ultrasound room
    • A new biplane imaging machine
    • An expanded short-stay ward

    The funding will also support development of a second business case to fully complete a new, purpose-built interventional radiology suite – strengthening services not only for Auckland, but for patients nationwide who require advanced interventional care.

    “This project will help reduce wait times for interventional radiology procedures, which play a critical role in diagnosing and treating life-threatening conditions and guiding decisions for further specialist care.

    “Better access to interventional radiology means faster diagnoses, less invasive treatments, and improved outcomes for patients,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 201 ways to say ‘fuck’: what 1.7 billion words of online text shows about how the world swears

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Martin Schweinberger, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, The University of Queensland

    Our brains swear for good reasons: to vent, cope, boost our grit and feel closer to those around us. Swear words can act as social glue and play meaningful roles in how people communicate, connect and express themselves – both in person, and online.

    In our new research published in Lingua, we analysed more than 1.7 billion words of online language across 20 English-speaking regions. We identified 597 different swear word forms – from standard words, to creative spellings like “4rseholes”, to acronyms like “wtf”.

    The findings challenge a familiar stereotype. Australians – often thought of as prolific swearers – are actually outdone by Americans and Brits, both in how often they swear, and in how many users swear online.

    Facts and figures

    Our study focused on publicly available web data (such as news articles, organisational websites, government or institutional publications, and blogs – but excluding social media and private messaging). We found vulgar words made up 0.036% of all words in the dataset from the United States, followed by 0.025% in the British data and 0.022% in the Australian data.

    Although vulgar language is relatively rare in terms of overall word frequency, it was used by a significant number of individuals.

    Between 12% and 13.3% of Americans, around 10% of Brits, and 9.4% of Australians used at least one vulgar word in their data. Overall, the most frequent vulgar word was “fuck” – with all its variants, it amounted to a stunning 201 different forms.

    We focused on online language that didn’t include social media, because large-scale comparisons need robust, purpose-built datasets. In our case, we used the Global Web-Based English (GloWbE) corpus, which was specifically designed to compare how English is used across different regions online.

    So how much were our findings influenced by the online data we used?

    Telling results come from research happening at the same time as ours. One study analysed the use of “fuck” in social networks on X, examining how network size and strength influence swearing in the UK, US and Australia.

    It used data from 5,660 networks with more than 435,000 users and 7.8 billion words and found what we did. Americans use “fuck” most frequently, while Australians use it the least, but with the most creative spelling variations (some comfort for anyone feeling let down by our online swearing stats).

    Teasing apart cultural differences

    Americans hold relatively conservative attitudes toward public morality, and their high swearing rates are surprising. The cultural contradiction may reflect the country’s strong individualistic culture. Americans often value personal expression – especially in private or anonymous settings like the internet.

    Meanwhile, public displays of swearing are often frowned upon in the US. This is partly due to the lingering influence of religious norms, which frame swearing – particularly religious-based profanity – as a violation of moral decency.

    Significantly, the only religious-based swear word in our dataset, “damn”, was used most frequently by Americans.

    Research suggests swearing is more acceptable in Australian public discourse. Certainly, Australia’s public airing of swear words often takes visitors by surprise. The long-running road safety slogan “If you drink, then drive, you’re a bloody idiot” is striking – such language is rare in official messaging elsewhere.

    Australians may be comfortable swearing in person, but our findings indicate they dial it back online – surprising for a nation so fond of its vernacular.

    In terms of preferences for specific forms of vulgarity, Americans showed a strong preference for variations of “ass(hole)”, the Irish favored “feck”, the British preferred “cunt”, and Pakistanis leaned toward “butt(hole)”.

    The only statistically significant aversion we found was among Americans, who tended to avoid the word “bloody” (folk wisdom claims the word is blasphemous).

    Being fluent in swearing

    People from countries where English is the dominant language – such as the US, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland – tend to swear more frequently and with more lexical variety than people in regions where English is less dominant like India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Ghana or the Philippines. This pattern holds for both frequency and creativity in swearing.

    But Singapore ranked fourth in terms of frequency of swearing in our study, just behind Australia and ahead of New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. English in Singapore is increasingly seen not as a second language, but as a native language, and as a tool for identity, belonging and creativity. Young Singaporeans use social swearing to push back against authority, especially given the government’s strict rules on public language.

    One possible reason we saw less swearing among non-native English speakers is that it is rarely taught. Despite its frequency and social utility, swearing – alongside humour and informal speech – is often left out of language education.

    Cursing comes naturally

    Cultural, social and technological shifts are reshaping linguistic norms, blurring the already blurry lines between informal and formal, private and public language. Just consider the Aussie contributions to the July Oxford English Dictionary updates: expressions like “to strain the potatoes” (to urinate), “no wuckers” and “no wucking furries” (from “no fucking worries”).

    Swearing and vulgarity aren’t just crass or abusive. While they can be used harmfully, research consistently shows they serve important communicative functions – colourful language builds rapport, expresses humour and emotion, signals solidarity and eases tension.

    It’s clear that swearing isn’t just a bad habit that can be easily kicked, like nail-biting or smoking indoors. Besides, history shows that telling people not to swear is one of the best ways to keep swearing alive and well.

    Martin Schweinberger has received funding from from the Centre for Digital Cultures and Society and the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Queensland. He is currently funded by the Language Data Commons of Australia, which has received investment from the Australian Research Data Commons, funded by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

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

    – ref. 201 ways to say ‘fuck’: what 1.7 billion words of online text shows about how the world swears – https://theconversation.com/201-ways-to-say-fuck-what-1-7-billion-words-of-online-text-shows-about-how-the-world-swears-257815

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada officials to provide technical briefing on the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 11, 2025 – Media are invited to a virtual briefing by senior government officials on the priorities for the upcoming G7 Leader’s Summit being held in Kananaskis from June 15-17, 2025.

    Information provided at the technical briefing is for attribution to senior officials. Video and audio recording of the briefing for the purpose of broadcast is prohibited.

    Event: Technical Briefing

    Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025

    Time: 9:30 a.m. EDT

    Location: Virtual

    Details: This event is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Statement on EPA Proposed Rollbacks of Power Plant Rules

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced proposed repeals of “greenhouse gas” emissions standards for the power sector under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act and amendments to the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxic Standards. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee Chair and U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “The Trump Administration continues to fight for American coal and American energy! Administrator Zeldin’s actions help kickstart the unraveling of the Obama-Biden-Harris ‘War on Coal’ and continue our drive to a return of American energy dominance.

    “These actions give communities like mine in Appalachia hope. We will continue to support federal developments that aim to reinvigorate coal communities and lower energy costs for American families.

    “Affordable energy equals vibrant national economic health.”

    BACKGROUND

    In the 118th Congress, Rep. Griffith chaired the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations.

    In the 119th Congress, Congressman Griffith is serving his first term as chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment.

    The Environment Subcommittee’s first two hearings of the year focused on the EPA’s regulation of chemical manufacturing and the administration of the Brownfields Program.

    Later, Congressman Griffith welcomed Administrator Zeldin for a subcommittee hearing on EPA’s FY26 budget request.

    This week, Congressman Griffith held a hearing that examined the impacts of the Clean Air Act.

    While these rules are not finalized, the EPA estimates that repeal of the power plant rules would save $19 billion in regulatory costs over two decades beginning in 2026. 

    Congressman Griffith’s Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal a last-minute Biden-Harris regulation on tire manufacturers passed Congress this year. In May, President Trump signed the resolution into law.

    Congressman Griffith helped lead an effort on the House floor to pass CRAs that overturned California’s Clean Air Act waivers.

    Congressman Griffith’s bill H.R. 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025, which would help keep baseload power plants online, was favorably reported by the Energy Subcommittee last week.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Greets Ninth District Winner of 2025 Congressional Art Competition, Artwork Unveiled in U.S. Capitol

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) welcomed Kasey Walden of Bristol’s Virginia High School to Washington, D.C., today. As the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition from Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District, Kasey’s artwork George Washington, Virginian is now officially displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

    “There are many artistic students in the Ninth District,” said Griffith. “Kasey’s hard work, creativity and passion for art all stand out in her authentic piece. I congratulate Kasey on this inspiring accomplishment and look forward to her continued success in art and beyond.”

    Congressman Griffith annually hosts the Congressional Art Competition. Information is yet to be released for the 2026 competition. Faculty or students with any additional questions about the competition may contact Josh Hess at (540) 381-5671 or by email at josh.hess@mail.house.gov.

    Pictured: Congressman Morgan Griffith, Virginia’s Ninth District 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner, Kasey Walden, and Kasey’s Dad. Before the Washington, D.C., celebration, the three got a photo in Congressman Griffith’s DC office.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bipartisan House Members Urge Secretary Rubio to Save Program Tracking Kidnapped Ukrainian Children

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

    This follows a bipartisan appropriations request to reunite children with their families while holding war criminals accountable.

    Contact: Alexis.Torres@mail.house.gov

    Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), an active member of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, led a bipartisan group of colleagues in urging State Secretary Marco Rubio to maintain funding for the Conflict Observatory at Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab. Months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Conflict Observatory began collecting, analyzing, and preserving information related to Russian war crimes, including Putin’s abduction and concealment of Ukrainian children within Russia’s adoption system.

    “Without your immediate action, the Conflict Observatory will be forced to shutter by July 1st, and its ongoing research identifying more kidnapped Ukrainian children will end. Although the Conflict Observatory’s database of children has been transferred to Europol, it will quickly become out-of-date in a matter of weeks—hindering efforts to ensure every child is returned to family. No explanation has been given to us as to why funding for the Conflict Observatory has been terminated. We are part of a bipartisan effort to seek the relatively modest amount of appropriations necessary to continue this invaluable work during the next fiscal year. We ask that you utilize your authority to keep the Conflict Observatory open until our appropriation request can become law,” wrote the lawmakers.

    Earlier this year, the Trump administration illegally terminated Congressionally authorized funding for the Conflict Observatory before reinstating a six-week funding allotment to transfer all research and data to Ukrainian organizations and Europol, the European Union’s agency for law enforcement cooperation. The lawmakers note that Europol and other organizations do not have the specific expertise and resources needed to successfully navigate open-source intelligence and Russian websites to locate missing children.

    “Research must continue unabated to maintain the rigorous process of identifying every Ukrainian child abducted by Russia. The Conflict Observatory has verified that at least 19,500 children have been forcibly deported from occupied areas of Ukraine, funneled into reeducation camps or adopted by Russian families, and their identities erased. The actual number of children remaining in Russia is presumably significantly higher, with a Russian official stating in July 2023 that Russia had brought 700,000 children from conflict zones in Ukraine to Russia. Many kidnapped Ukrainian children have not yet been identified due to the Kremlin changing their names, place of birth, and date of birth,” the lawmakers continued.

    To ensure the United States upholds its core democratic values, Rep. Doggett and more than 50 colleagues submitted a bipartisan request last month to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State and Related Programs calling for no less than $8 million to be included in its Fiscal Year 2026 government funding bill to continue tracking kidnapped Ukrainian children. With President Trump cruelly terminating funding for critical foreign and domestic programs, the forced closure of the Conflict Observatory is yet another abhorrent example of this administration dismantling our nation’s status as a global superpower.

    Today’s full letter can be read here. Rep. Doggett’s bipartisan appropriations request can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –