NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 259, Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 259 would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish annually a list of entities with ties to China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia that hold licenses or authorizations granted by the commission.

    Based on information from the FCC, CBO expects that the agency would need five employees, at an annual average cost of $225,000 per employee, for the first two years, to review existing grants of authority, and two employees after 2027 to review new applications and changes in ownership. On that basis, CBO estimates that it would cost the FCC $4 million over the 2025-2030 period to issue rules and identify whether any of those four nations hold equity or a voting interest in organizations that have an authorization, license, or other grant of authority issued by the commission. Because the FCC is authorized to collect fees each year sufficient to offset the appropriated costs of its regulatory activities, CBO estimates that the net cost to the FCC would be negligible, assuming appropriation actions consistent with that authority.

    If the FCC increases annual fee collections to offset the costs of implementing provisions in the bill, S. 259 would increase the cost of an existing private-sector mandate on entities required to pay those fees. CBO estimates that the incremental cost of the mandate would be small and would fall well below the annual threshold established in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) for private-sector mandates ($206 million in 2025, adjusted annually for inflation).

    The bill contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in UMRA.

    The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Margot Berman (for federal costs) and Rachel Austin (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM District 19 Charity Golf Tournament Supports Guide Dogs 

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM District 19’s 10th annual Southeast Championship Charity Golf Tournament continued its tradition of a great day on the links for an even better cause.

    The Chattanooga, Tenn., event helped raise approximately $70,000 for the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines. More than 100 participants and numerous sponsors showed up to support GDA | TLC at Chattanooga Golf & Country Club. 

    See photos from District 19’s GDA | TLC tournament here.

    “The participants and sponsors of our annual District 19 golf tournament should be extremely proud to support a great charity like GDA | TLC. Together, we are making it possible for guide and service dog recipients to live a more independent and safe life,” said IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh. “I’d also like to give a special thanks to District 19 General Chair Heath Jacobs, who works tirelessly every year to put on this great event.”

    A U.S. Army veteran who received a GDA | TLC service dog was also on hand to share her story with attendees.

    The post IAM District 19 Charity Golf Tournament Supports Guide Dogs  appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: London — Ontario-based RCMP candidates: Get three years of hands-on policing experience in Saskatchewan and be guaranteed a spot in the RCMP’s Federal Policing Program in Ontario

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Saskatchewan RCMP and the RCMP’s Federal Policing Program based in Ontario are working together to provide prospective RCMP officers from Ontario a unique opportunity that gets them hands-on experience and sets them up for an interesting and exciting career!

    How exactly does the agreement work?

    New and prospective RCMP officers who have a desire to work in Central Region (the RCMP in Ontario) will have a three-year posting with the Saskatchewan RCMP to gain essential training and experience to thrive in their future role as an officer in the Federal Policing Program.

    Upon completion of the new officer’s three-year posting with the Saskatchewan RCMP, it is mutually agreed upon that the new member will have the opportunity to work in Central Region (Ontario), unless the participant wishes to remain in Saskatchewan or has expressed another career preference.

    “We have a unique opportunity here for RCMP officers starting their careers. Saskatchewan – or, as we call it internally, F Division – is a very busy province when it comes to policing. It allows new officers to gain lots of hands-on experience early on, which also means they get lots of training to be able to carry out those duties. Working here sets new RCMP officers up with the tools they need to be successful elsewhere and helps them to progress their careers. I encourage anyone interested in joining the RCMP to consider getting their start in F Division.”
    – Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, Commanding Officer, Saskatchewan RCMP

    What’re the perks?

    Working with the Saskatchewan RCMP, new officers can expect a unique policing experience. The RCMP provides services to 99.9% of the geographic area of the province – so, as one can imagine, there’s never a shortage of work! This means new officers will get the experience of a life-time. It’s a challenge that comes with many benefits – learn fast, make money, take advantage of exciting training opportunities and enjoy the life that Saskatchewan offers!

    In Saskatchewan, new officers can expect a low cost of living – it can be a great place to grow your savings or raise a family! It’s also the ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The province is home to more than 100,000 lakes, which means there’s plenty of places to fish, go boating or have fun doing other water sports. The fun doesn’t stop when summer’s over here – the province boasts a wealth of year-round activities like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, hunting, biking, and much, much more! Want to learn more about what Saskatchewan has to offer? Check out Tourism Saskatchewan.

    Those who take part in this agreement will come out of their posting in Saskatchewan with knowledge and skills that new officers may not get in other jurisdictions. After three years, these officers are guaranteed the choice to go back to Ontario with a spot in the RCMP’s Federal Policing Program – unless, of course, they wish to stay in Saskatchewan!

    How can prospective or new RCMP officers sign up for this?

    For those who haven’t yet applied to the RCMP:
    When you apply, express to your RCMP recruiter or contact that you’re interested in taking part in this agreement. They will provide you further information about the next steps!

    For those already in the Cadet Training Program at Depot:
    If you haven’t yet been assigned your posting (Division/Detachment), it’s not too late to contact your Resourcing Advisor to request taking part in this agreement.

    How do I learn more?

    If you would like more information about this opportunity, please contact RCMP.CRrecruiting-recrutementRC.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

    To learn more generally about a policing career with the RCMP, visit: https://www.rcmp.ca/careers

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CEO of Crescenta Valley Investment Firm Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulently Charging Clients Millions of Dollars

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – The founder and former CEO of an investment firm that specializes in debt instruments was sentenced today to 40 months in federal prison for falsifying financial records to fraudulently inflate the value of the funds he managed, allowing him to charge investors millions of dollars in unauthorized fees.

    Brendan Ross, 52, of La Cañada Flintridge, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who also ordered him to pay $5.9 million in restitution.

    Ross pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of wire fraud.

    In 2012, Ross founded Direct Lending Investments LLC (DLI), a La Cañada Flintridge-based investment firm. He served as the firm’s sole owner and CEO until his resignation in March 2019.

    By the summer of 2017, the firm had more than $1 billion in assets under management. According to the indictment, Ross directed DLI to invest the funds’ assets in, among other things, a company that loaned money to small businesses and retailers. The DLI funds made money when the loans performed, meaning that the borrowers made timely payments. Rather than disclose some of the loans were not performing, Ross falsified monthly reports to make it appear borrowers were making payments. The “payments” came from fee rebates given by the company originating the loans.

    By lying about the true status of the loans, Ross caused DLI to overstate the value of these loans on the funds’ books and fraudulently inflate the funds’ value. Specifically, Ross caused the monthly asset values of the funds to be cumulatively inflated by more than $300 million over the course of about four years. By fraudulently inflating the value of the funds, Ross was able to collect millions of dollars in fees he otherwise would not have been able to charge to clients.

    To further his scheme and help conceal it, Ross arranged for the sale of approximately $55 million of the loans to a third-party buyer in the summer of 2017. Ross once again inflated the value of these loans by lying about their status, falsely telling the buyer that borrowers had been making payments on many of these loans.

    “These losses reflect intense financial hardships, including the decimation of retirement and investment accounts, as well as negative professional and reputational consequences suffered by many of the investors…and even DLI employees who were defrauded by [Ross],” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum.

    The FBI investigated this matter. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which filed a civil complaint against Ross in August 2020, provided substantial assistance. 

    Assistant United States Attorney Scott Paetty of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Inside the chimpanzee medicine cabinet: we’ve found a new way chimps treat wounds with plants

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Elodie Freymann, Post-doc affiliate, University of Oxford

    Robin Nieuwenkamp/Shutterstock

    As it turns out, chimpanzees make pretty good doctors. For decades, scientists have been studying what chimpanzees do when they fall ill. This search has led to the identification of medicinal behaviour, which often involves the ingestion of plants with chemical or physical properties that can help the animal’s recovery.

    My team’s recent study in the Budongo Forest of western Uganda found its chimpanzees show a range of healthcare behaviour – one of which, applying chewed botanical material to wounds, had never before been documented in chimpanzees.

    Previous studies have shown that wild chimpanzees appear to treat their wounds and maintain sexual hygiene using medicinal plants found in their environment. What’s more, they treat other group members, even ones who are unrelated to them.

    In 2022, a study in Gabon, west Africa found that wild chimpanzees catch and apply insects to their wounds as well as the wounds of non-kin community members. A previous study had reported that chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest of Uganda occasionally dab the wounds of unrelated group members with leaves.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Now our research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, shows the chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest engaging in topical healthcare, both on themselves and others.

    To figure out whether the Budongo chimpanzees practice first aid, we combed through more than three decades of hand-written observations from field staff and researchers who have worked in this forest, and searched video archives by Budongo primatologists. We also headed into the field to collect eight months of our own behavioural data. The aim: to accumulate all the cases we could find of external healthcare behaviour and see if a pattern emerged.

    What we found surprised us. The Budongo chimpanzees appear to have quite a diverse behavioural toolkit for tending to their own wounds and maintaining hygiene in the wild. This behaviour ranges from simple actions like wound licking, to more complicated behaviour such as applying plant material to an injury.

    In some cases, chimpanzees dabbed their open wounds with leaves. In rarer cases, they chewed up plant material (like leaves or stem bark) and applied it directly to the affected area with their mouths. Similar behaviour was shown in Sumatran orangutans in 2024.



    Read more:
    What the hidden rhythms of orangutan calls can tell us about language – new research

    But these chimpanzees don’t limit their self-care to treating wounds. We recorded them freeing themselves from wire snares set by hunters, and cleaning their genitals with leaves after mating. In one notable case documented in the forest’s logbook from 2009, a chimpanzee wiped herself with a leaf after defecating.

    Chimpanzees are known to tend each other’s wounds.
    Patrick Rolands/Shutterstock

    We also wanted to determine which plants the Budongo chimpanzees were selecting. We discovered that some of these plants, such as Alchornea floribunda and a species of Acalypha, have traditional medicinal uses and chemical properties related to wound-healing or infection prevention. Whether this is a coincidence, or an indicator that chimpanzees can identify medicinal plants helpful for wound care, is a question for future research.

    Chimpanzee doctors

    Buried in logbooks and video archives, we also found seven cases of chimpanzees providing healthcare for others in their community. Even more interesting, the demographics of the providers and receivers of this healthcare varied dramatically – occurring between both genetically related and unrelated chimpanzees.

    Our study includes cases of chimpanzees licking each other’s wounds and applying plant material to the wounds of injured group members. This kind of wound care, directed toward others, is considered “prosocial” as it offers no obvious or immediate benefit to the carer. In fact, this kind of direct interaction with the wounds of others can pose risks for the carer, exposing them to infectious pathogens or infections.

    As far as we know, this is the first time prosocial wound care has been reported among chimpanzees in the Budongo forest reserve. We also noted cases in which chimpanzees helped free others from nylon snares, and one case in which a female wiped the genitals of a male in her group with leaves after mating.

    Our findings add this site to the growing list of places where altruistic healthcare has been observed among non-kin, advancing our understanding of chimpanzees’ capacity for compassion and empathy.

    Survival of the kindest?

    Chimpanzees are often painted as aggressive, Machiavellian and self-interested, especially in comparison to their peace-loving bonobo cousins. But it appears that these highly social animals have a softer side.

    Chimpanzees are not the only animals who have been observed administering first aid to others. Recently, a US study found that mice help pull the tongues out of the mouths of unconscious cage companions, clearing their air passages. The carer mice were more likely to do this if they were familiar with the incapacitated mouse.

    Even Matabele ants from sub-Saharan Africa will help treat nest mates’ infected wounds with self-generated antibiotic secretions.

    Non-human healthcare may take different forms, but it appears that animals throughout the animal kingdom can administer first aid to themselves and others. It may not be such a dog-eat-dog world after all.

    Elodie Freymann 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. Inside the chimpanzee medicine cabinet: we’ve found a new way chimps treat wounds with plants – https://theconversation.com/inside-the-chimpanzee-medicine-cabinet-weve-found-a-new-way-chimps-treat-wounds-with-plants-258094

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Spending review delivers big boosts for health and defence – but Rachel Reeves is focused on investment

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Linda Yueh, Fellow in Economics/Adjunct Professor of Economics, University of Oxford

    UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered the government’s spending review, setting out its plans and priorities for the next three years. The aim of the review is of course to allocate spending over that time period – but this government is keen for economic growth and so has directed the funds to try to boost GDP. This approach could work but is particularly challenging in an uncertain global environment.

    The parameters of the UK’s fiscal policy were set in the budget last October and the spring statement in March when the chancellor confirmed her fiscal rules, which allowed borrowing only for investment. Day-to-day spending on public services like the NHS and schools has to be met by tax revenues.

    As a result of an earlier tweak to the fiscal rules, public investment – spending on things like roads and hospitals – will total about £113 billion from now until nearly the end of this parliament.

    Many investors and creditors will have been looking out for this boost, as the UK has lagged behind comparable economies partly due to its lower levels of investment. The announcements have the potential to bring in private funding if more investors see an opportunity to benefit from increased economic growth, particularly if the UK’s relatively high energy costs are also addressed.

    Also in line for government investment is social and affordable housing. The announcement of £39 billion for this sector in England was a centrepiece of Reeves’ announcement. Coupled with planning reforms, the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) judged in March that this could indeed boost growth.

    There will be more money for social housing – £39 billion over ten years in England.
    Irene Miller/Shutterstock

    In terms of day-to-day spending, health and defence received the biggest increases among government departments because of, respectively, pressures on the NHS arising from COVID-19 and the ageing population, and from geopolitical challenges like the war in Ukraine.

    Both departments, though, also have the potential to raise economic growth. Rates of economic inactivity (people who aren’t in paid work, for example) in the UK have not fallen back to their pre-COVID levels as they have in other major economies such as the US, France and Germany. Improving health services, cutting waiting lists and widening access to mental health support could help get more people back to work, which would boost employment and support growth.

    And on defence, spending in this area has the potential (depending greatly on the type of spend) to create technology that could eventually boost the nation’s productivity. GPS, for example, was developed by the US Department of Defense, as were many innovations now used in smartphones. Boosting UK defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and investing in technology has the potential to unlock advances in equipment for the UK.

    Who loses out?

    This is not to say that increasing the settlements to other government departments would not support growth too. But some of those departments, including the Home Office, Foreign Office and transport, are now facing cuts in real terms to their spending. And they may find themselves under even more pressure should GDP growth slow.

    This is because of the chancellor’s fiscal rule about funding current spending from taxes. This would mean cuts if these receipts fall as a result of slowing growth, since Reeves has very little “fiscal headroom” (spare cash) to ensure she can meet her rules – only £9.9 billion.

    But the reverse may also prove to be true. Should investment in research and development (£22.6 billion per year by 2029‑30), renewable energy and infrastructure, alongside planning reforms, increase GDP growth, then the chancellor may find that she has more funding to allocate to day-to-day departmental spending to support public services.

    However, it takes time for investment to generate growth. OBR forecasts only expect increased growth of around 1.7% to 1.8% in the second half of this parliament. But those growth forecasts pre-date the US president Donald Trump’s tariffs announced in April, which are causing turmoil in global trade.

    This is why it is even more important for the UK to raise domestic economic growth through investing in people, technology and productivity. To govern is to choose, as the saying goes, and the government will hope that these are the right trade-offs to have made in order to grow during such shaky times. Despite the uncertain global picture, the chancellor has laid some promising foundations. Now the challenge will be delivering the growth.

    Linda Yueh 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. Spending review delivers big boosts for health and defence – but Rachel Reeves is focused on investment – https://theconversation.com/spending-review-delivers-big-boosts-for-health-and-defence-but-rachel-reeves-is-focused-on-investment-258746

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: E-bikes are becoming e-waste – here’s how to reduce the environmental cost

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Yvonne Ryan, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, University of Limerick

    Electric e-bikes make cycling easier, faster and more accessible. They are already playing an important role in reducing the environmental impact of transport, particularly when they replace a trip in a private car.

    But when you scrap an e-bike, you also have to scrap its battery. And these batteries can be particularly dangerous and tricky to dispose of. This means the growth of e-bikes is leading to at least one related environmental problem: a rise in electronic or e-waste.

    The sector needs stronger regulations to encourage it to cut its waste. This includes encouraging bikes to be designed to be easier to repair or recycle, and establishing universal standards that allow parts to work across different brands and models, so components can be reused instead of thrown away.

    However, e-bikes often fall between legislative cracks, and their exclusion from the priority products under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, introduced in 2024, was unfortunate.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    At the University of Limerick in Ireland, colleagues and I have been researching the environmental impact of e-bikes. We’re interested in their full lifecycle, from metals in rocks to extraction, manufacturing, years of use and eventual disposal – to see if there are ways to reduce the materials they use.

    We interviewed retailers and people who work in waste management. They expressed concerns about online sales of lower-quality e-bikes with easily broken components, as well as the high turnover rates of e-bikes.

    E-bike rental services like this one in Dublin, Ireland are growing fast.
    Brendain Donnelly / shutterstock

    Using data from the fleet of e-bikes loaned out at our university, we noted issues with design and compatibility of components. Bike tyres, for instance, have become increasingly non-standard and specialised.

    Additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, may become more important for bike retailers and repairers, who could use it to “print” themselves replacements nuts, screws or even seats. This may be particularly needed in island states such as Ireland, where there are often delays in sourcing parts.

    But first, the e-bikes must be of sufficient quality to be repaired. Then, to create the replacement parts, people will need to access the necessary data – digital files with precise designs of objects such as a bicycle tyre or handlebar.

    Keeping e-bikes in use

    New business models are emerging. Some companies are lending e-bikes to their employees, with a management company taking care of maintenance and repair.

    There are also a growing number of mobile e-bike repair services, and specialist training for e-bike repair and retail through manufacturer platforms like Bosch and Shimano.

    E-bike brands are shifting from a focus on selling bikes towards offering ongoing services. For example, e-bike retailer Cowboy offers a subscription to mobile bike mechanics, and VanMoof partners with authorised repair services. But while these models work well in big towns and cities, they may not be suitable for rural and smaller urban areas.

    Care needs to be taken to ensure that consumers are not disadvantaged or locked out from repair options. In the US, e-bike manufacturers have been requesting exceptions to laws designed to make products easier to repair – while urging that the public should not be allowed to access data needed to make repairs.

    E-bikes can be hard to spot

    On the waste handling side, some of the innovations that have made e-bikes more accessible are also creating new problems.

    For example, e-bikes have evolved to be sleeker and sometimes indistinguishable from regular bikes. This makes it easier for them to end up in regular waste management facilities that aren’t equipped for electronic waste. If a lithium-ion battery inside an e-bike still holds charge and gets crushed or shredded, it can start a fire.

    But this is a problem we can solve. Computer vision and other AI technologies could help to recognise e-bikes and batteries at waste management facilities. QR codes on bike frames could be used to provide information on the entire product lifecycle, including repair manuals and service history – just like the EU’s proposed product passports.

    Consumer awareness, choice and education are key. While it’s up to consumers to initiate the maintenance and repair of e-bikes, policymakers need to ensure these options are available and affordable, and that consumers are aware of them.

    Retailers need support to embed “repair and reuse” in their business models. This includes cycle-to-work schemes for people to buy e-bikes, as well as better access to insurance and legal protections for selling refurbished e-bikes, and a workforce with the skills to repair these bikes.

    Across the world, bike libraries and “try before you buy” schemes are helping consumers make better decisions, as people can test an e-bike before committing. Moving away from traditional ownership – especially for expensive e-bikes – could make active mobility more accessible.

    Policies that drive sales, such as grants and incentives for new bike purchases, can work against efforts to reduce waste. We need more policies that support refurbished and repaired e-bikes.

    The e-bike sector is one with great potential to improve both environmental and public health. But to realise these benefits, we need to focus on making them last longer and use less resources.

    Yvonne Ryan 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. E-bikes are becoming e-waste – here’s how to reduce the environmental cost – https://theconversation.com/e-bikes-are-becoming-e-waste-heres-how-to-reduce-the-environmental-cost-258367

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Hidden gems of LGBTQ+ cinema: Saving Face is a complicated romcom that tenderly depicts the experiences of queer Asians

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eva Cheuk-Yin Li, Lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies, Lancaster University

    As a queer woman of East Asian descent who researches transnational queer media and culture, Saving Face (2004), the debut feature by Alice Wu, holds a special place in both my heart and my research.

    Set in the tightly knit Chinese-American community of Flushing, New York, Saving Face follows Wil (Michelle Krusiec), a young, promising yet closeted surgeon whose carefully balanced life is thrown into chaos when her widowed mother, Hwei-Lan (Joan Chen), shows up on her doorstep. Hwei-Lan is pregnant and has been banished by her community, and is refusing to name the father.

    What unfolds is a story that blends romantic comedy with drama. As well as Wil’s budding relationship with a dancer named Vivian (Lynn Chen), the film explores the tensions between mothers and daughters, identity and duty, and the quiet pressure of silence and the fear of coming out.

    But what makes Saving Face stand out two decades after its release is its portrayal of love and family – through a lens of tenderness and care. It was one of the first mainstream films to centre a queer Asian American woman.

    The emotional heart of the film lies in the layered interplay between personal desire and cultural expectation, which is felt not only by Wil but also by her mother. While Wil is carefully exploring a same-sex romance, Hwei-Lan’s unexpected pregnancy has left the family reeling with shame. The film explores how these two women of different generations are pushed to perform “respectability”, even as they long for love and self-determination on their own terms.

    This article is part of a series highlighting brilliant films that should be more widely known and firmly part of the canon of queer cinema .

    In many East Asian societies, the idea of “face” – a person’s reputation, dignity and social currency – shapes the way they move through the world. To “lose face” is to lose one’s social standing, bringing shame on oneself and one’s family.

    Growing up as a tomboyish daughter in Hong Kong, I was acutely aware of how even my clothing, hairstyle or mannerisms could be read as a reflection of my parents’ success or failure in raising me. In other words, my gender expression could make my family lose face, something that queer ethnographer Denise Tang has also observed in the experiences of her lesbian informants in Hong Kong. This social pressure – the way neighbours stare and talk, the way family reputation hinges on everyday interaction – can be exhausting.

    And like Wil in the film, I channelled my energy into academic achievement. This was perhaps to compensate for my (unspoken-yet-socially recognised) queerness, to prove my worth and save face – both mine and my family’s. In environments where silence is preferred, excelling becomes a form of camouflage – a way of negotiating who you are without having to say it aloud.

    Wu’s film captures this perfectly. Both Wil and her mother are caught in webs of expectation: to be the “dutiful daughter” and “respectable mother”.

    But what I love about Saving Face is that it doesn’t demonise culture or community. Instead, it invites viewers to witness how love – queer love, maternal love, self-love – can expand our understanding of what it means to belong. The mother-daughter dynamic is just as central as the romantic plot, and it is rare to see this kind of intergenerational, diasporic storytelling rendered with such care and grace.

    Shot on 35mm, Saving Face is a visual joy. The warm, lived-in colours and soft, quiet richness give the film a timeless, intimate feel. There is a restrained elegance to Wu’s direction that lets the emotional currents breathe.

    Joan Chen is magnetic as Wil’s mother, bringing unexpected comedic charm alongside poignancy. Krusiec and Lynn Chen, as Wil and Vivian, bring a nuanced chemistry that feels genuine. Their connection has all the longing and awkwardness that makes a romcom work, without falling into cliché.

    Despite its cult status in queer Asian and Sinitic-language communities, Saving Face is still often left out of broader LGBTQ+ film canons – even though it was recently added to the Criterion Collection, known for curating significant classic and contemporary cinema. But it should not be.

    This film is far more than a “representation win”. It’s a sharp, funny and emotionally rich story that complicates the binary between personal freedom and responsibility. And queer Asian characters are still rarely portrayed with this much nuance, complexity – and joy.

    For viewers unfamiliar with the cultural backdrop, Saving Face offers a glimpse into the negotiations many of us make within families and communities who prioritise harmony and silence over disruption. For those of us who know this world intimately, the film is a gift. It is a recognition that our experiences are not only valid, but beautiful.

    Eva Cheuk-Yin Li 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. Hidden gems of LGBTQ+ cinema: Saving Face is a complicated romcom that tenderly depicts the experiences of queer Asians – https://theconversation.com/hidden-gems-of-lgbtq-cinema-saving-face-is-a-complicated-romcom-that-tenderly-depicts-the-experiences-of-queer-asians-258520

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Anxiety is the most common mental health problem – here’s how tech could help manage it

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Cambridge

    Anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental health problem. But it isn’t always easy to get professional help, with long waiting lists in many countries.

    Worldwide, only about 28% of people with anxiety receive treatment. The figure is similar for the UK, and in the US about 37% receive a treatment. This is due to a number of factors such as lack of resources, including mental health staff, and stigma associated with mental health problems.

    But if you’re struggling to get help, there are things you could try at home in the meantime – including some novel technologies. To understand how they work, let’s first take a look at how anxiety is expressed in the brain and body.

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    The symptoms of anxiety are cognitive and emotional as well as physiological. They can include trouble concentrating and making decisions, feeling irritable or tense and having heart palpitations or shaking. Trouble sleeping and feelings of panic or impending danger are also common.

    These symptoms often start in childhood and adolescence. Sadly, it frequently continues into adulthood, especially if untreated.

    There are many genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of anxiety. These can include competition and pressure at school, university or work or financial worries and lack of job security. Social isolation and loneliness are also common factors, often a result of retirement, home working or stemming from bullying or maltreatment in childhood.

    Such experiences may even rewire our brains. For example, our neuroimaging study has shown that maltreatment in childhood is linked to changes in the connectivity of the brain’s centromedial amygdala, which plays a key role in processing emotions, including fear and anxiety, and the anterior insula, which processes emotion among other things.

    Anxiety is commonly associated with depression or other conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder. During the COVID pandemic when the prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25%, people with such neurodevelopmental conditions exhibited more emotional problems than others.

    According to the Children’s Commissioner this is still on the rise with 500 children per day being referred to mental health services for anxiety, more than double the rate pre-pandemic.

    Researchers are still uncovering new ways for professionals to help treat such people. For example, in our recent study, we noticed that suicidal thoughts and depression were more common in children with anxiety who were also very impulsive. This could impact the treatments they receive. So the science of how to best treat anxiety is constantly moving forward.

    Young people are increasingly anxious.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Tech solutions

    Unfortunately though, waiting lists for even receiving a diagnosis can sometimes take years. Neurotechnology can, at least in part, help fill the gap before symptoms get worse. There are a number of startup companies in the anxiety space, working on both hardware and software for anxiety management.

    Technology for managing anxiety is rapidly advancing, offering alternatives and complements to traditional therapies. Moonbird, for example, uses a handheld device that guides users through paced breathing with gentle physical movements. You essentially feel the device move in your hand and breathe along with it. Research has shown that such breathing can help the nervous system to reduce anxiety symptoms.

    The company Parasym influences brain regions involved in mood and stress regulation. People can use it by wearing a small device that applies mild electrical micro impulses running through the vagus nerve, which runs from the ears and downwards trough the neck and activates a key part of the nervous system.

    Neurovalens and Flow Neuroscience are exploring non-invasive brain stimulation, such as transcranial “direct current stimulation (tDCS)”. This can be applied by using electrodes placed on the scalp to deliver a mild, constant electrical current to alter brain activity. These devices ultimately target the prefrontal cortex to support the regulation of emotions. One scientific review of tDCS studies in anxiety has concluded that some research clearly showed benefits of tDCS for treating anxiety symptoms, although larger scale and longer duration studies were needed.

    How we experience life events and feel or react to them also influences physiological functions such as our heart rate. You will have experienced how having a meaningful conversation creates a special connection between two people. This can actually manifest in the body as increased synchronisation of your heart rates and other functions. This is termed “physiological synchrony” and is thought to be important for positive social interaction.

    Unfortunately, in common conditions of anxiety, including social anxiety and postpartum maternal anxiety, heart rate can become less variable and therefore less able to synchronise. Therefore, a device that promotes physiological synchrony would be beneficial. The company Lyeons is currently developing such a device, targeting anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and ADHD.

    On the digital side, Headspace offers structured meditation and cognitive behavioural therapy based programmes. Similarly, ieso offer typed text-based CBT therapy for mild to moderate anxiety and low mood. These platforms use guided meditation, breathing exercises and behavioural tools to help users build emotion resilience and reduce anxious thought patterns.

    Other emerging tools also include virtual reality, which is being explored for exposure therapy and immersive stress reduction, in particular. All these technologies have used scientific and medical information to offer diverse options that address both mind and body.

    If we can halt the trend towards increasing numbers of people suffering from anxiety and find ways to improve access to effective treatments, it will lead to a better quality of life for individuals and their families, improved productivity and wellbeing at work and promote a flourishing society.

    Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian receives funding from the Wellcome Trust. Her research work is conducted within the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Themes.

    Christelle Langley receives funding from the Wellcome Trust. Her research work is conducted within the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Themes.

    – ref. Anxiety is the most common mental health problem – here’s how tech could help manage it – https://theconversation.com/anxiety-is-the-most-common-mental-health-problem-heres-how-tech-could-help-manage-it-258116

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Torres Introduces Amendments to Protect Veterans from Deportation, Block Political Retaliation Against California

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    June 10, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced two amendments during the full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to safeguard immigrant veterans and defend California against politically motivated funding threats.

    “Veterans who risked their lives for this country shouldn’t be deported without due process and access to legal counsel,” said Congresswoman Torres. “They wore the uniform and served with honor—they deserve the same basic legal protections as any American.”

    “No president—Trump included—should use federal funding to punish states for their politics. Every taxpayer in America sends their money to Washington to fund roads, schools, and disaster response—not presidential revenge. Threatening to cut off funds to California for standing our ground is authoritarian, plain and simple.”

    “My amendments were pretty simple- they would protect democracy, uphold due process, and make sure taxpayer dollars serve all Americans—not partisan agendas.”

    Protecting Non-Citizen Veterans
    Torres’ first amendment prohibits the use of federal funds to deport non-citizen veterans without providing access to legal counsel. The amendment reinforces core due process protections and honors immigrant service members who have fulfilled their duty to the United States.

    Blocking Retaliatory Cuts to California
    The second amendment responds to reports that former President Trump may seek to withhold federal funds from California for political reasons. It prohibits the use of funds in the bill to:

    • Withhold, delay, or condition federal funding to punish states based on political positions;
    • Impose politically motivated funding requirements targeting specific states;
    • Enforce existing federal rules in a discriminatory manner based on state political leadership.

    Additionally, it includes accountability measures requiring individuals who suspect violations to report them to relevant Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). If GAO finds a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, the amendment bars funding from being obligated or expended to the Office of the Secretary.

    Congresswoman Torres continues to lead in Congress on issues of immigration justice, due process protections, and defending democratic norms from executive overreach.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Torres Slams HUD Budget for Abandoning Disaster Survivors and Slashing Housing Aid for Families, Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — At today’s House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) pressed HUD Secretary Turner over the Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which slashes the agency’s funding by more than 50%—gutting disaster recovery, housing assistance, and HUD’s workforce amid a worsening national housing crisis.

    “California sends $83 billion more to the federal government than we get back—yet it’s our veterans, working families, and seniors being asked to sacrifice. Who exactly do you think deserves to lose their housing, Mr. Secretary,” said Torres. “After historic floods and wildfires, HUD is walking away from the communities that need help most. Zero dollars for disaster recovery is not just neglect—it’s reckless. This budget fails the very people HUD was created to serve.”

    The proposed FY26 HUD budget includes:

    • $0 for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and disaster recovery aid
    • A 44% cut to homelessness and affordable housing programs
    • A 51% cut to HUD’s overall budget
    • Layoffs for more than 2,000 HUD employees under the Elon Musk-backed “DOGE” task force

    Torres warned these cuts will increase homelessness, delay recovery efforts, and strip communities of critical housing support. She also blasted the Administration’s shift toward a state-administered rental assistance model, calling it a “federal cop-out” that dumps responsibility onto under-resourced local governments.

    As the author of the Thriving Communities Act and a longtime champion for housing justice, Torres has fought to expand affordable housing near transit, reduce pollution, and deliver investments to high-need communities. In fiscal year 2023, she secured $100 million for the Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities initiative and $5 million for HUD to coordinate planning and housing development.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata Honors 250 Years of the U.S. Army  

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

    Headline: Amata Honors 250 Years of the U.S. Army  

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the U.S. Army’s historic 250th birthday, which marks the founding of the U.S. Army on June 14, 1775. 

    Army Captain Peter Tali Coleman 

    In the nation’s capital, the historic occasion is set to be marked with a major celebration, beginning with a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery, followed by an all-day festival and a parade with numerous military vehicles and military aircraft in the skies, the Army Golden Knights paratroopers, and closing with a fireworks display at nightfall. 

    “This year, on 14 June, the United States celebrates 250 years of continuous service by the U.S. Army. Happy birthday to the U.S. Army and all our soldiers, past and present, along with our heartfelt thanks to each one,” said Congresswoman Amata.

    The distinguished history of the U.S. Army began in 1775, with the volunteers of the first continental army encamped around British-held Boston, when the Continental Congress gave George Washington of Virginia the historic responsibility of being the first commanding General. The U.S. Army today is composed of hundreds of thousands of personnel, over 900,000 in uniform with the support of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. 

    “In American Samoa, we are proud of our Toa o Samoa, as our people have built a tremendous record of military service,” Amata continued. “Congratulations to each one of our own serving in the Army, Army Reserve, and our Army Veterans, because this day is about you and your fellow soldiers over the last two and half centuries.”

    “I know this day will remind many of us in military families of a soldier far away, a Veteran, or a beloved memory, as I have of my father. He served during the Pearl Harbor attack as an Army officer in Oahu, in the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, and is the only Samoan inducted into the Army Infantry Hall of Fame,” she continued. “I wish I could name and honor each soldier from American Samoa. My Chief of Staff, Leafaina Tavai, is historic as the first ever student from American Samoa to go to West Point, and after her retirement as a Colonel, she was inducted into the Army Ordnance Hall of Fame.”

    “We will always need a strong, fully equipped, highly trained, and well supported U.S. Army, in times of peace or war, to protect our freedom and national security,” Amata concluded. “May God bless all our military, our Veterans, and the families who support them.”

    END

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata Releases Questions for DOI on Critical Minerals

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

    Headline: Amata Releases Questions for DOI on Critical Minerals

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is releasing some of her questions for Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), which she will submit for responses as part of a congressional hearing. 

    The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which governs critical minerals exploration of the seabed, is part of DOI, and Amata’s questions primarily center on recently announced federal seabed critical minerals efforts, which will include a public comment period. 

    “I have important questions for the DOI, which reflect the thinking of our people,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I will do what I can to get our people more information, while I continue to take your message to Washington.”

    The following questions will be submitted for the record this week to the Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior:

    • Mr. Secretary, what is the status of and what are the next steps in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) review process regarding seabed mining around American Samoa?
    • Any seabed mining pursuant to a BOEM lease would be done in federally controlled EEZ waters outside the American Samoa 3-mile boundary limit, is this correct?
    • Mr. Secretary, do you intend to engage directly with the people of American Samoa on the seabed mining proposal? Will you commit to meeting with local government leaders as the proposal moves through the approval process?
    • What survey information can you provide to the American Samoan people about which critical rare earth minerals are where within and over that 3-mile limit so that we know what minerals are in American Samoa controlled waters and what is in federally controlled waters?
    • Your agency is responsible in part for the economic development of the territories; how will such an endeavor benefit the economy of American Samoa and the people?
    • The governor of American Samoa is investing over $40 million in a next generation cable connection for our island’s economic development as well as our nations national security; essential to this is the administration’s support for our economic development by advocating for renewal of our 30A/American Samoa Economic Development Credit in the big beautiful bill. Will the administration support my bill, H.R. 399, which renews the credit, as we hope to include it in the reconciliation or extender process this year, so we can take full advantage of this investment?

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: National Weather Service Reverses Cuts after Harder’s Outcry

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    Sacramento, Hanford stations were targeted for reduction of operations

    Loss of 24/7 service would be catastrophic for disaster weather response

    WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that the National Weather Service (NWS) is implementing emergency hiring plans to keep two Valley weather stations open in response to Harder’s advocacy. The Sacramento and Hanford stations were poised to lose 24/7 service because of staffing cuts which would have been catastrophic for emergency response to floods, wildfires, and severe storms. On Friday, Rep. Harder demanded the National Weather Service reverse its cuts and keep the only two Valley stations fully staffed.  

    NWS service crisis by the numbers:

    • DOGE terminated 500 NWS employees, representing a 12% reduction in force.
    • Sacramento has 7 vacancies out of 16 meteorologist positions, and Hanford has 8 vacancies across 13 positions – leaving the Valley half-staffed amid peak wildfire season.
    • Decreased service capacity leaves California water managers without critical forecasts needed to make life-or-death water supply decisions.

    “Ending 24/7 service operations that keep our families safe from floods and fires makes absolutely no sense – that’s why I called on NWS to immediately reverse these plans,” said Rep. Harder. “Today’s announcement is a step back towards sanity, but Valley communities need more than a temporary fix. I’m going to keep fighting to get these vacancies filled permanently, and I won’t rest until Valley families can rest assured that the federal government is actually at work keeping them safe.”

    In his letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Harder urged Washington to:

    • Reinstate all terminated workers at the Sacramento and Hanford offices.
    • Ensure that the Sacramento and Hanford weather forecast offices are adequately staffed to maintain 24/7 operations.

    Read the full letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: A portrait taken in North Philly in the 1980s reconnects poet with cherished memories of her own beloved father

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, Professor of Theater, Temple University

    Local residents sitting on the steps in the shade at 3106 N. Broad St. in North Philadelphia in 1986.
     Joseph V. Labolito/Philadelphia Collections

    To celebrate Father’s Day, The Conversation U.S. asked Philadelphia anthropologist, playwright and poetic ethnographer Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon to reflect on a poem she recently performed to accompany a 1986 photograph by Philadelphia photographer Joseph V. Labolito.

    Williams-Witherspoon, who also serves as senior associate dean of the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University, shares how the collaboration came about, and why one of Labolito’s photos in particular brought back a rush of cherished memories of being a little girl hanging out with her dad.

    Local residents sitting on the steps in the shade at 3106 N. Broad St. in North Philadelphia in 1986.
    Joseph V. Labolito/Philadelphia Collections

        There Are Black Fathers 
    To Daddy, Father’s Day, June 19, 1983

    I’ve known men 
    Who rise at dawn 
    To run a sort of race; 
    Working through sleep 
    Stopping long enough to yawn
    Providing for their families Just a little      
    place. 
    Black men going, going, going 
    (sometimes, till their gone.) 

    I’ve known men 
    Who trudge home after long hours 
    And an even longer pain, 
    And still manage to smile, 
    Warmed by the voice of a child. 
    "Hi, Daddy!" 
    "How was your day?" 

    I’ve known men Who take care 
    Even when Mommy can’t. 
    And, even though they can only 
    Cook hamburgers really good, 
    They put band-aids on awfully well. 

    I’ve known men 
    Who loving replace lost teeth 
    With shiny new dimes; 
    Remember birthdays and Christmas’. 
    Dutifully repair 
    Old, broken toys And, even, sometimes, 
    Wipe away salty tears. 

    I’ve known men 
    Who reprimand, 
    Teach us values 
    And, if we’re lucky, 
    Along with Mom, 
    Help us take a stand. 
    Who calm us when we’re frightened; 
    Scare us when we’re bad — Hold our hands. 

    I’ve known men, 
    Not just as Fathers; 
    But, more so, as "Dads" — 
    Who give us what we get 
    And gave us what we had. 
    Loving and kind; 
    Stern, yet strong, 
    I’ve known men 
    Who’ve guided generations along 
    As provider, supporter, parent — Pop, Dad! 

    There are Black fathers 
    Who would gladly do it again 
    Parenting future generations. 
    Yes, I have known These men. 

    © 2025 Kimmika L. H. Williams-Witherspoon

    What do you want people to take away from the poem?

    The whole poem is a tribute to my father, Samuel Hawes Jr., who lived from 1920 to 1989, and the many men like him who were always present and participatory in the parenting of their children and the providing for their families.

    Because of stereotypes and popular culture – media, movies, news stories – that tend to demonize and pathologize Black men, there’s a myth that men in our communities are all cut from the same cloth.

    For me, the poem discounts that stereotypical narrative and celebrates the African American men that I knew growing up – Daddy, my uncles, the deacons in our church, the neighborhood dads on my block.

    The men in this photograph represent men like Daddy, who at one point worked two jobs to provide for his family. He drove a yellow cab and worked the graveyard shift as a presser at the U.S. Mint. He took me to school every morning when I was in high school. He made it to every school function or occasion, drove me to and from parties so I could hang out with friends, took me to church every Sunday morning and on those special road trips to Cleveland, Akron, Ohio, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, throughout my life.

    Tell us about your collaborator for this piece

    Joe Labolito is a Philadelphia photographer whose work, I believe, is visual ethnography at its best. Throughout the ‘80s, ’90s and 2000s, he documented the people, streets and neighborhoods of Philadelphia. His photographs are housed in several public and private collections, including the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University and the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Print and Picture Collection.

    About a year ago, I saw an exhibit of Joe’s work at Temple. Since that time, I have been using some of his photographs as a visual prompt for my students, while he and I talked about doing something together down the road.

    When I was asked to participate in Temple University President John Fry’s investiture events in March 2025, I asked Joe if he wanted to do something with me. Right away he said “Yes … whatever it is.” I asked him to send me maybe 25 of his favorite photos, and instead, he sent me about a hundred. When I got a minute to sift through them, there were 11 that, as soon as I looked at them, immediately prompted lines of poetry.

    This photograph of the two men and the little girl, however, made me remember an old poem, “There Are Black Fathers,” I had written a long time ago – on Father’s Day on June 19, 1983 – for my father before he passed away from prostate and bone cancer. I went digging through my old journals until I found the poem that I had written for Daddy, and I performed that poem to this photograph at the event.

    What stood out to you about this photograph?

    The juxtaposition between the men and the little girl – their beautiful, bright smiles, the joy they seemed to radiate – it all made me think about and remember how much I loved Daddy my entire life but especially as a little girl.

    That’s the power in these kinds of artistic, material and visual artifacts. This photograph transported me right back to my childhood, filled with the warmth of a summer’s day, hanging out with my dad, and the promise of a banana Popsicle later in the afternoon.

    What is your process for writing a poem to accompany a photograph?

    Whatever the prompt – a photograph, a landscape, a person I’ve passed on the street, a word or phrase – the first draft is a free-write sensory download dump. I ruminate and then write down everything that comes to me in whatever order it comes.

    And then with each subsequent draft or pass at it, I start reading the poem out loud and tweaking it, making edits, moving and changing things while crafting lines that frame and build the story. I read the piece aloud over and over and over again until the poem tells me when I’ve got it right. I don’t know how, but my ear will tell me when it’s done and right with my spirit.

    What is poetic ethnography?

    Ethnography is an area of anthropology. From the Greek word “ethnos,” ethno simply means people or culture, and graphy, from the Greek word “graphia,” is the writing about said people or culture.

    Traditional ethnographies are usually written in a diarylike journal form. You end up jotting things down – thoughts, feelings, expressions, verbatim texts from interview participants – alongside bits and pieces of theory that correlate. Field notes are a combination of prose and scientific inquiry. I am a proponent of compiling poetic ethnographies – turning my observation and investigation of cultures, communities, and my field notes, into poetic form.

    Growing up in Philadelphia and a product of Philadelphia public schools, my primary language is mainstream U.S. English, but I tell people that my actual language is poetry. I see the world through poetry, and through the medium of poetry, I think I am better able to articulate the world I see.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

    Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon has received funding from Lumena Foundation’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (2018-19) and PEW Charitable Trusts Arts Grant (2020).

    Joseph V. Labolito owns the copyright to Philadelphia Collections. Philadelphia Collections research and operations is supported and partially funded by the Bridge award; an internal grant provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at Temple University for the 2024 – 2025 year.

    – ref. A portrait taken in North Philly in the 1980s reconnects poet with cherished memories of her own beloved father – https://theconversation.com/a-portrait-taken-in-north-philly-in-the-1980s-reconnects-poet-with-cherished-memories-of-her-own-beloved-father-255810

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Minister strengthens relationship with Italy

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded a constructive visit to Italy, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. 

    Mr Peters and Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met in Rome overnight and confirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship that New Zealand and Italy share.   

    “New Zealand and Italy are long-standing partners,” Mr Peters says. “We have agreed to work more closely together, in order to expand strategic and trade and economic relations.

    “We work closely in Antarctica and have shared interests in supporting the rules-based international order and multilateral system, including cooperation on human rights and UN reform,” Mr Peters says. 

    Mr Peters signed an arts, science and sport arrangement with Minister Tajani, which supports cooperation between New Zealand and Italy in these areas. 

    While in Rome, Mr Peters also met:

    • a range of Italian businesses with investment and commercial interests in New Zealand; and
    • Elizabeth Dibble, the Director-General of the Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO), the international peace monitoring organisation in the Sinai which New Zealand has supported since its inception in 1982. 

    Mr Peters now travels to Jakarta, to attend the annual Indonesia-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Commission meeting.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Global Civilization Initiative Will Serve the Benefit of All Humanity – Consul General of China in Yekaterinburg

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Moscow, June 11 (Xinhua) — The Global Civilization Initiative has become another important public good that China has offered to the international community following the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, said Luo Shixiong, China’s Consul General in Yekaterinburg.

    “On March 15, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Civilization Initiative, calling on the world to actively promote exchanges and mutual enrichment among civilizations, and promote the progress of human society,” Luo Shixiong recalled in his article published on Wednesday in the newspaper “Sovetskaya Sibir” / Novosibirsk Region/ on the occasion of the International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations, which is celebrated on June 10.

    It is stated that this initiative advocates respect for the diversity of world civilizations, adheres to the principles of equality, mutual enrichment, dialogue and inclusiveness, and strives to ensure that exchanges and mutual enrichment between different civilizations, as well as their coexistence, prevail over mutual alienation and clashes between them, and over the feeling of superiority of one civilization over another.

    The article emphasizes that the Global Civilization Initiative advocates the promotion of universal values: peace, development, justice, democracy and freedom. It calls for a broader outlook on the various ideas about the essence of values in different civilizations, rather than imposing one’s own model and values on others. In addition, the initiative advocates the preservation and development of cultural heritage, encourages the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional cultures of all countries in the process of modernization, and calls for strengthening international humanitarian exchanges and cooperation, bringing peoples of different countries closer together and jointly promoting the progress and development of human civilization.

    “This initiative complements China’s response to the key question of our century, ‘What is happening to the world and what should we do?’, demonstrating China’s global vision and sense of responsibility as a responsible great power,” the diplomat added.

    According to the author of the article, the resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations, which was unanimously adopted last June at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, marked China’s intellectual contribution to achieving inclusive coexistence and mutual enrichment among various civilizations. “This symbolizes the successful construction of a new bridge for human exchanges and civilizational interaction by mankind, and also means that the Chinese concept has become a global consensus and will be further transformed into global practice,” the article emphasizes.

    Luo Shixiong believes that the emergence of the Global Civilization Initiative and the establishment of the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations are very timely. “Looking at the world today, we see that changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the deficit of peace, security, development and governance is deepening, and the human community is facing many challenges to coexistence,” he notes.

    According to the diplomat, finding a path for harmonious coexistence among civilizations has become the most important task for human society. By proposing the Global Civilization Initiative and the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations, China aims to raise global awareness of the value of civilizational diversity and the importance of inter-civilizational exchanges, strengthen unity in finding solutions to global challenges, and inject positive impetus into humanity’s collective confrontation with common threats.

    “We have every reason to believe that the Global Civilization Initiative and the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations will certainly serve the benefit of all mankind,” Luo Shixiong concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: President of Uzbekistan meets with EBRD head

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Tashkent, June 11 (Xinhua) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Wednesday received a delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) led by its President Odile Renaud-Basso, the presidential press service reported.

    “On June 11, on the eve of the third meeting of the Foreign Investors Council, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headed by its President Odile Renaud-Basso,” the statement said.

    It is reported that issues of further expansion of strategic cooperation between Uzbekistan and this authoritative international financial institution were discussed.

    “We are pleased to note the expansion of the portfolio of joint projects: EBRD investments in Uzbekistan have already exceeded EUR 5.5 billion. Plans for the current year include attracting another EUR 1.1 billion, a significant portion of which will be directed to support the private sector,” the statement says. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tu-22M3 long-range bombers carried out a planned flight over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea — Russian Defense Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Moscow, June 11 /Xinhua/ — Tu-22M3 long-range bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a scheduled flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

    “Fighter escort was provided by the crews of Su-30SM and Su-27 aircraft of the Aerospace Forces. The flight duration was more than four hours. At certain stages of the route of the long-range bombers, they were accompanied by fighters of foreign countries,” the statement said.

    “Long-range aviation crews regularly fly over neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Baltic and Black Seas. All flights of aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace,” the Russian Defense Ministry emphasized. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Court imposes significant penalties on two B.C. commercial prawn harvesters

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 11, 2025

    Nanaimo, British Columbia – On the Pacific Coast of Canada, the lucrative commercial prawn fishery is a significant source of revenue for commercial harvesters, as well as providing processing-related jobs that benefit coastal communities. Excess and illegal harvesting undermines these economic benefits, harming not only harvesters and communities, but also recreational anglers and Indigenous peoples who rely on prawn as a vital food source. Excess and illegal harvesting also poses a serious threat to conservation efforts.

    In two recent, related court cases, individuals were found guilty of offences related to illegal fishing. On April 29, 2025, in Nanaimo Provincial Court, Scott Castle was found guilty of remotely directing the Vessel Master Terry Lorenz to illegally fish in a closed area of Stuart Channel near Ladysmith, British Columbia (B.C.), over several days. He was also convicted of the illegal sale of prawns from the closed area, and of not completing his mandatory fish slips, which is a requirement of the conditions of licence for prawn harvesters under Canada’s Fisheries Act.

    On May 15, 2025, in Nanaimo Provincial Court, the Vessel Master, Mr. Lorenz, was found guilty of the same offences. Mr. Castle was fined $30,000 for fishing during a closed time and the licence violations, plus an additional $8,228 from the proceeds of the sale of the illegally caught prawns. Mr. Lorenz was fined $3,000 and prohibited from fishing for five years.

    DFO protects and conserves marine resources, and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO’s work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grothman Reintroduces Bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

    Congressmen Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Ed Case (D-HI), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) have reintroduced the bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act. This legislation will bring more honesty and transparency to the federal budget process by removing emergency spending from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline.

    Currently, the CBO includes emergency spending in its annual baseline projections. This practice distorts long-term fiscal projections, skews the baseline budget toward higher spending, and contributes to our nation’s growing debt crisis. This bill ensures emergency spending is treated as temporary and does not artificially raise expectations for future spending.

    The bill has also earned the support of Citizens Against Government Waste, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, National Taxpayers Union, and Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

    “The Stop the Baseline Bloat Act will increase transparency between the government and the American people, painting a clear and honest picture of how Washington is spending their hard-eared money,” said Congressman Glenn Grothman. The CBO cannot continue to create a budget baseline that justifies outrageous spending levels. Getting the country’s fiscal house in order starts with an unbiased CBO baseline.”

    The path out of our growing budget crisis starts with accurate and transparent budgets,” said Rep. Ed Case. “A budget that inflates prior year spending to conceal real growth year-to-year is neither accurate nor transparent. Our measure would eliminate these budgetary tricks that conceal our dangerous journey into fiscal irresponsibility.”

    “Taxpayers should not have to spend more because the CBO continually has inaccurate projections for America’s fiscal future,” said Rep. Stutzman. “Emergency spending is supposed to address urgent funding needs with non-permanent spending. Instead, the CBO has chosen to treat emergency spending like regular appropriations, inflating discretionary spending

    “In order to seriously take on our national debt and avoid passing it on to our kids, we need to address budgetary distortions that help politicians justify spending through the roof,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our bipartisan bill will remove emergency spending from the baseline set by the Congressional Budget Office, creating a more accurate reflection of our annual spending and how we should responsibly budget for the future.”

    “The bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act would enhance the accuracy of Congressional Budget Office projections by excluding temporary emergency and supplemental spending from the baseline. This commonsense reform would prevent one-time expenditures from inflating long-term spending projections and promote greater fiscal accountability,” said Demian Brady, Vice President of Research at the National Taxpayers Union.

    “TPA is pleased to support Rep. Grothman’s Stop the Baseline Bloat Act. Emergency and supplemental spending are meant to be temporary and should not be embedded into long-term budget projections or inflated year after year. By eliminating this distortion from CBO’s baseline calculations, the bill takes a meaningful step toward reducing federal spending and advancing long-term fiscal discipline,” said David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

    “The Stop Baseline Bloat Act would help restore fiscal restraint in the budgeting process by stripping out the cost of emergency and supplemental appropriations from the CBO baseline. As is evident from the designation of their purpose, such legislation is not meant to have a permanent impact on the budget by inflating the amount of future spending,” said Tom Schatz, President of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.

    “The Congressional Budget Office’s baseline is filled with distortions, many of which are required by law, that drive spending higher. Rep. Grothman’s Stop the Baseline Bloat Act would help fix this problem by removing the assumption that one-time emergency appropriations are repeated each year in the baseline – a distortion that effectively bakes ‘emergency’ spending into the baseline for future spending,” said Brittany Madni, Executive Vice President of the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC).

    “One-time emergency spending can artificially inflate the baseline produced by the Congressional Budget Office, creating the opportunity for lawmakers to use fake savings as an offset. We appreciate the efforts of Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) to improve the budget process and provide greater transparency by removing emergency spending from CBO’s baseline,” said Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

    “Under current baseline rules, CBO and OMB must assume that emergency spending will increase from its prior year level by an amount equal to inflation.  Since this may be a one-time outlay, including it this way artificially inflates the baseline, particularly in years with large amounts of emergency spending.  Lower levels of emergency spending in the future would then appear to generate budget savings.  I support removing emergency spending from the CBO baseline as a common-sense solution to this problem,” said Keith Hall, the former Director of the Congressional Budget Office.

    “The Stop the Baseline Bloat Act, recently introduced by Reps. Glenn Grothman (RWI), Ed Case (D-HI), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), strikes emergency spending from the budget baseline. This change would make CBO’s baseline less biased toward higher spending. The congressional practice of relying on emergency appropriations to fund ongoing issues poses a significant challenge to fiscal responsibility and undermines the integrity of the budget process,” said Romina Boccia and Dominik Lett from Cato Institute.

    Background Information

    Currently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is required to create its baseline budget with the assumption that discretionary spending, including one-time emergency spending, grows each year with inflation.

    This assumption is at odds with OMB’s definition of emergency spending, which is meant exclusively for one-time outlays. Including emergency spending in the baseline distorts the fiscal picture and allows Congress to claim credit for artificial savings.

    Rep. Grothman (R-WI), Rep. Case (D-HI), Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Rep. Stutzman (R-IN) will reintroduce the bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act to remove emergency spending and supplemental appropriations from the CBO baseline. This reform has a history of bipartisan support and was a key piece of the Senate’s 2019 Enzi-Whitehouse budget reform package, the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act.

    This bill will end a costly distortion in the CBO baseline which artificially bloats the baseline and has led to more red ink.

    Rep. Grothman and Rep. Case introduced a similar version of the bill in April 2024.

    The Stop the Baseline Bloat Act is cosponsored by: Representatives Ben Cline (R-VA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Adam Gray (D-CA), and Jared Golden (D-ME).

    -30- 

    U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leader’s Report – June 2025

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Latest news from the Council Leader Jane Meagher.

    Driving attainment in our schools

    As we near the end of the school term, I want to begin by recognising the hard work and achievements of our children, young people, teachers and school staff throughout the year.

    I was particularly pleased to hear that the attainment of our school leavers has improved across almost all measures, with the gap narrowing between the performance of the most and least disadvantaged young people in our schools.

    These results are due, at least in part, to our curriculum pathways programme, which offers our secondary pupils the opportunity to enjoy a varied and engaging school day while seeing clear connections to future career opportunities.

    Our construction, roofing and stone carving courses, for example, help students in S4 to S6 to develop practical skills while also gaining qualifications that help them to map out a career path beyond school. It’s testament to this work that 95% of our school leavers are now going on to positive destinations.

    To all of our pupils who recently sat their exams, I wish you all the best of luck with your results in August. Pupils, teachers and staff have put in a tremendous amount of hard work preparing for exams and I know many parents, carers and wider family members will also have been encouraging their children to do their best.

    And to our school leavers, I wish you the very best as you embark on your next journey, whether in the workforce or further education.

    Cleaner, greener travel

    Earlier this month we marked one year since we began enforcement of our Low Emission Zone (LEZ). With Clean Air Day (19 June) coming up next week, this anniversary is a timely reminder of the importance of restricting the most polluting vehicles and improving air quality in our busy city centre.

    Air pollution is associated with between 29,000 and 43,000 deaths a year in the UK alone, with both the World Health Organisation and the UK Government citing it as the largest environmental threat to our health. It was reassuring then to hear both NHS Lothian and Asthma + Lung UK praising our scheme.  

    The good news is we’re seeing wider benefits across our network with the Institute of Occupational Medicine finding a statistically significant shift towards active travel and public transport in the six months following LEZ enforcement.

    Recent data suggests further positive outcomes from new active travel projects such as Leith Connections (20% increase in pedestrian numbers) and Leith Walk (40% increase in cycling numbers), with Cycling Scotland also reporting record journeys on the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) and at Picardy Place.

    Meanwhile Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses both continue to report improving passenger numbers and performance following their respective Operator of the Year accolades at the National Transport Awards 2024.

    Building a strong and stable third sector

    Tackling poverty remains a key priority for us – but we can’t achieve this without the third sector. Yet worryingly, with funding becoming ever scarcer, our population growing and more people struggling with the cost of living, many charities are in a precarious position.

    It’s clear to me that we need to find a more sustainable way forward for a sector that brings so much good. That’s why we’ve asked the Edinburgh Partnership to conduct a review of how it supports and works with third sector organisations across the city, and ultimately to find solutions for improving funding certainty in future years.

    We want to hear about how we can make it simpler, provide more stability, and collaborate to help those who need this sector’s support most. Please share your views on our Consultation Hub. Results will be shared with everyone who takes part and with the third sector, before being reported to our next Policy and Sustainability Committee in August.

    Farewell Sir Tom

    I was saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Tom Farmer last month. A proud Leither, generous philanthropist and true son of Edinburgh whose influence reached far beyond our city’s boundaries.

    Sir Tom was a recipient of the Edinburgh Award, and his handprints remain immortalised in the City Chambers Quadrangle, a lasting tribute to a life of service, innovation, and generosity. Best known as the founder of Kwik Fit, he transformed the automotive industry, building a business that grew to over 2,000 locations across 18 countries and, of course, owned a majority stake in Hibernian FC for 28 years. I have no doubt he was looking down proudly as Hibs Ladies clinched the league title for the first time in 18 years.

    Yet, his legacy extends well beyond his entrepreneurial success. Born in Leith in 1940, his roots in the community remained strong throughout his life. His service was recognised with a knighthood in 1997, and again in 2009, when he was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) for his charitable work. He also received the Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy and was named a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St Gregory the Great, an honour bestowed by the Pope.

    Sir Tom’s final journey took him through the streets of Leith, past Easter Road Stadium, where hundreds of Hibs fans gathered to pay tribute to a man whose kindness, leadership and civic pride have left a lasting mark.

    Summer in the city

    The busy summer season is upon us once more. The city has already enjoyed the Edinburgh Children’s Festival, with the ever-popular Meadows Festival taking place last weekend.

    Looking ahead, the city is gearing up for a colourful and joyful celebration next weekend as the annual Pride Edinburgh march brings thousands together in the heart of the Capital. Pride is an important date in the city’s calendar and honours the diversity, history and dignity of our LGBT+ community. 

    Then, later this month, all eyes will turn to Ingliston for the Royal Highland Show (19–22 June), a highlight of Scotland’s summer and a showcase of rural life, food, and culture.

    The coming weeks will see the city filled with music, art, and performance, starting with the Edinburgh Castle concert series and the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival in July. As we move into August, the city becomes the world’s stage with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – boasting 3,350 shows and 265 venues this year – the International Festival, Book Festival, Art Festival, Film Festival, and the iconic Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

    I’m also very much looking forward to the reopening of the Filmhouse on 27 June following a lengthy and well-coordinated campaign to save and refurbish it. I know this was a cause very close to the heart of our late friend and colleague, Val Walker, and how much joy this would have brought her.

    Our world-renowned festivals and events sustain our reputation as a global cultural capital, with the positives extending well beyond entertainment. You need look no further than the £200 million our Winter Festivals brought to the local economy last year.

    They also bring real energy and excitement to the city, alongside lasting benefits to our businesses, communities and local charities. From next July, they will help to raise even more (as much as £50 million per year) for the city, courtesy of our visitor levy. We’re continuing to make good progress towards its introduction and have just given our views to the Scottish Government on a potential Cruise Ship Levy, which could be worth a further million pounds to the city each year.

    Stay Different

    Of course, these events require meticulous planning and coordination to limit the inevitable pressure on the city and our residents – and I want to extend my thanks to the many colleagues across events, waste, public safety and our partner organisations, for ensuring they remain safe, inclusive, and successful.

    Another way we can relieve the pressure is to encourage visitors (and residents!) to leave the beaten track and explore the many other wonderful attractions we have across the city. That’s the message of our new destination visitor marketing campaign Stay Different, which reminds visitors that Edinburgh is a year-round destination and there is much to discover in our local neighbourhoods and beyond.

    A revealing glimpse into our past

    As if we didn’t have enough to do this summer, I’m very much looking forward to exploring three standout shows that offer powerful glimpses into our past.

    At the St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh’s First Burghers: Revealing the Lives and Hidden Faces of Edinburgh’s Medieval Citizens presents an extraordinary mix of science, history, and storytelling. Marking the joint 900th anniversaries of Edinburgh and St Giles’ Cathedral, this unique exhibition brings to life the medieval citizens buried at the site and allows us to see the faces and learn the stories of some of our earliest residents.

    At the City Art Centre, meanwhile, John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture showcases more than 80 works by one of Scotland’s most important modern artists. With never-before-seen sketchbooks and artworks displayed across two floors, this is a compelling insight into a life lived through art.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: SPSA Fire Ban Revised to Area Between Provincial Forest and Churchill River

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 11, 2025

    The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has revised the provincial fire ban, which came into effect at 5 p.m. on June 10, 2025. The ban now encompasses a smaller area of the province – the area north of the provincial forest boundary, up to the Churchill River. This is the area that was previously covered under the initial fire ban announced on May 8, 2025.

    The fire ban continues to prohibit the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs), any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks in the designated boundary. This includes provincial parks, provincial recreation sites and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District within the boundary.

    “Although we have seen improved fire conditions in the far north, it is still critical that residents take every precaution to prevent wildfires,” SPSA Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts said. “The SPSA strongly encourages all residents to do their part to prevent fire starts and for all municipalities to examine the fire risk in their area.”

    The SPSA encourages all other municipalities, rural municipalities and communities to examine fire risks in their area and to consider implementing consistent fire bans to prevent unwanted human-caused wildfires. 

    Anyone who spots a wildfire can call 1-800-667-9660, dial 9-1-1 or contact their closest SPSA Forest Protection Area office.

    People can find an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips at saskpublicsafety.ca.

    A list of fire restrictions in provincial parks and recreation sites can be found here.

    Established in 2017, the SPSA is a treasury board Crown corporation responsible for wildfire management, emergency management, Sask911, SaskAlert, the Civic Addressing Registry, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program and fire safety. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Davids Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Give Expecting Parents Choice Over Child Health Care Insurance

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Today, Representative Sharice Davids reintroduced her Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act, a bipartisan bill designed to cut insurer red tape, avoid surprise medical bills, and give parents decision-making power over their infant’s health care — not the insurance company. She was joined by Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO-08).

     

    Currently, many expecting parents with separate health insurance policies are subject to an obscure and often undisclosed rule known as “the birthday rule,” which determines the insurance policy that will cover a new baby — regardless of what the parents want. Insurance companies often do not inform parents of this policy, which can result in surprise medical bills for growing families.

     

    That’s what happened to the Kjelshus family of Olathe, KS, when they welcomed their daughter Charlie into the world — leaving them with a $270,951 out-of-network hospital bill even though they had planned for Charlie’s birth based on the coverage they expected to use.

     

    “Every parent should be able to focus on the health of their newborn — not on navigating fine print or fighting surprise bills,” said Davids. “This bipartisan bill puts families first by giving them the power to choose the best health care coverage for their child. I’m proud to work across the aisle with Congressman Evans to cut red tape and protect new parents from being blindsided during one of the most important moments of their lives.”

     

    The Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act would give parents 60 days after the birth of their child to choose which insurance policy will cover their new baby. It would also give the Administration authority to instruct insurers on how and when to notify parents of their rights, helping more families avoid frustrating red tape, surprise bills, and insurance policy mazes.

     

    “As a parent of a medically complex kid who spent years in and out of hospitals receiving specialty care, I understand firsthand how critically important it is to make sure every family has a say in the best care for themselves and their child,” said Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO-08). “I’m proud to co-lead the Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act to ensure that new parents across the country have the freedom to choose what insurance plan works best for their family’s needs.”

     

    “First Focus Campaign for Children applauds the introduction of the Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act by Representatives Sharice Davids and Gabe Evans,” said Bruce Lesley, President, First Focus Campaign for Children. “This legislation is a vital step toward ensuring that every child receives the health care coverage they need and deserve starting at birth. By giving parents the freedom to choose the best insurance for their newborn, we can eliminate unnecessary financial burdens and protect families from the confusion and hardship caused by outdated insurance rules. Every child should have access to comprehensive, affordable health care — and this bill helps make that a reality for more children across the United States.”

     

    Davids is a fierce advocate for making health care affordable and accessible to all Kansans. She supported legislation to protect patients from out-of-network surprise medical bills, which shielded patients from millions of surprise bills since passage. This law included Davids’ original legislation to improve insurer transparency, helping patients avoid unintentional out-of-network health care visits.

    Davids also voted for major legislation that gives Medicare the power to negotiate down the price of prescription drugs, which will save 74,000 Kansans up to 79 percent on their prescriptions. The law also capped insulin costs for Kansans on Medicare at $35 a month and capped Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 per year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) Condemns Reckless USDA Firings, Secretary Admits Mistakes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Today, during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) questioned United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins on the recent terminations of federal workers, including at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. Rollins called the firings an “imperfect process.”

     

    “We can’t talk about our shared goal of improving government efficiency while pulling the rug out from under the very people who keep our food supply running,” said Davids during the hearing. “You can’t eliminate good-paying, skilled jobs in Kansas City at the same time our producers are already facing droughts, volatile markets, and rising costs… These are neighbors, families, and friends, and they deserve better than this chaos.”

     

    WATCH: Davids questions USDA Sec. Rollins, who admits firings were an “imperfect process”

     

    Davids was responding to the erratic firing of USDA employees by the Department’s Office of General Employment (DOGE), a move she called “reckless and unjust.” The cuts have raised alarm bells throughout Kansas and the agricultural community, as they threaten food safety, stall research initiatives, and disrupt vital USDA services that farmers rely on every day.

     

    In particular, Davids called out staffing reductions at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. The state-of-the-art lab is the nation’s first biosafety level 4 facility for livestock, built to protect against the most dangerous animal diseases. According to recent reports, 28 employees were abruptly fired — only for some of those firings to be rescinded days later. A similar pattern occurred at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), raising further questions about leadership and decision-making at USDA.

     

    “We’ve heard about the new world screwworm already [today]. During that time [of NBAF firings], the bird flu was one of the bigger concerns,” said Davids. “There are other potential animal diseases. How can the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility or Food Safety and Inspection Service even be part of the chopping block in the first place? Was there any discussion about how those decisions were going to be made? … Especially at these specific facilities that are meant to protect us from some of the worst animal diseases that could spread to humans.”

    The timing of these firings is especially alarming given ongoing outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu and the emergence of the New World Screwworm, both of which pose serious risks to Kansas livestock and public health. Davids warned that slashing key roles at facilities like NBAF — which was built specifically to respond to such biological threats — undermines the very mission of the USDA and weakens the nation’s ability to respond to agricultural emergencies.

     

    To support Kansas producers, Davids embarked on a Farm Bill listening tour, where she visited a poultry and livestock operation in Anderson County, a co-op in Franklin County, a goat farm in Miami County, an organic vegetable farm in Johnson County, and an educational community farm in Wyandotte County. Davids also toured a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, participated in FFA activities at Spring Hill High School, served a school lunch at Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, spoke with industry leaders on financial support programs for farmers, toured a dairy farm in Garnett, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Results of Nationwide Human Trafficking “Operation Coast to Coast”

    Source: US State of California

    SAN DIEGO – As part of a nationwide, joint effort by over 150 law enforcement agencies, non-profits, and corporations, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the results of Operation Coast to Coast. The operation occurred on May 29, 2025, across 19 states simultaneously with the goal of sharing all intelligence, identifying trafficking victims, and arresting traffickers. As a result of the operation, 74 individuals were arrested for alleged human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and other criminal offenses, and 98 individuals were offered support services. The multi-state operation is part of a regional effort to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation through targeted enforcement, relying both on surveillance of known locations and officers working undercover. 
     
    “The objective of this operation was to work together to increase the total number of human trafficking investigations and prosecutions nationwide, to hold perpetrators of human trafficking accountable, and support survivors along the way,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “It is vital that we carry out our goal in a manner that is trauma-informed and culturally competent. That’s why our special agents receive specialized training and experience to appropriately handle these cases with the sensitivity, compassion, and the care they deserve. I am thankful for these strong national partnerships and look forward to all that we can accomplish when we work together.”
     
    “Conducting proactive human trafficking operations can be positive and help identify victims and arrest traffickers. This group of states and agencies from across America have come together during Operation Coast to Coast, obtained proper training and participated in this nationwide operation to help victims, arrest traffickers and make their communities safer,” said Dan Nash, founder of the Human Trafficking Training Center. “As more and more agencies obtain proper training, this number will grow and make trafficking inhospitable in America.”
     
    The operation led to the recovery of over $1.14 million and seven firearms. In the days following the operation, survivors received essential services such as food, housing, medical care, drug rehabilitation, counseling, and childcare. In California, the operation took place in San Diego and Sacramento which lead to six arrests and one juvenile victim recovered. The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is a cooperative effort involving the California Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, National City Police Department, San Diego City Attorney’s Office, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Probation Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. The Sacramento Human Trafficking Task Force is a cooperative effort involving the California Department of Justice, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego Police Department, and the Homeland Security Investigations.
     
    The CA DOJ Victims’ Services Unit (VSU) works in conjunction with victim service providers all across the state to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally-sensitive support services to all crime victims, including underserved, at-risk, underrepresented, and vulnerable populations. More information about VSU is available at oag.ca.gov/victimservices or by calling (877) 433-9069 or visiting  oag.ca.gov/victimservices/contact.
     
    If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Additional information and resources to support survivors of human trafficking is available here.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Curbing malnutrition with AI

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Curbing malnutrition with AI

    The value of prevention

    Led by USC experts, the collaborative team is in the process of building a tool that allows Amref, other humanitarian organizations, and policymakers to directly access the predictive model and understand diverse data sources. When combined with other publicly available sources like satellite imagery, one of Microsoft’s key capabilities, data from the Kenyan Ministry of Health can be used to understand the severity of malnutrition in children across Kenya. The model is trained on data that’s being collected in more than 100 countries, and the team hopes it can be adapted to address malnutrition and other health concerns around the world.  

    “This work is not only helping mitigate malnutrition risks among children in Kenya, but also preparing us to help tackle this problem globally,” says Dr. Bistra Dilkina, co-director of the USC Center for AI in Society, and associate professor of computer science. 

    More accurate information and predictions will enable Amref and others to position resources to prevent malnutrition. 

    “The dashboard will change the way partners intervene, enabling them to do evidence-based and timely interventions,” says Dr. Girmaw Abede Tadesse, Principal Research Science Manager, Microsoft AI for Good Lab. 

    The mission of the Kenyan Ministry of Health is to have a globally competitive, healthy and productive nation so they can grow economically. The model helps achieve this by organizing resources around planning and budgeting. Malnutrition can be better solved with AI through prediction in the monitoring and evaluation process, which helps conserve resources. The food and nutrition dashboard has the potential to save lives, improve lives, and enhance the quality of life. 

    TRANSFORM is Amref’s new 2023-2030 global strategy that champions and supports the people of Africa to have quality and accessible health services. Amref is achieving this through community-led, people-centered primary health systems that address social determinants of health. The new predictive model will help them achieve their goals by showing the risk profiles of malnutrition across different groups, giving them the flexibility to identify hotspots and intervene at the right time. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Indoor farming helps community members bring healthy food to northern Manitoba

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ruchira Nandasiri, Instructor, Agrology, University of Manitoba

    Northern communities in Manitoba contend with health issues related to the difficulty of accessing health food. (Shutterstock)

    Healthy food is hard to come by in northern Manitoba. Food shipped from the south is prohibitively expensive and is often stale, and the climate and soil in the region don’t support much traditional outdoor farming.

    This issue disproportionately impacts northern Indigenous communities, many of which have moved away from traditional food practices, creating a supply problem with far-reaching health consequences.

    The 10-year First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study, funded by Health Canada and published in 2018, found that one in four First Nations people in Manitoba is affected by diabetes. Those living in Manitoba’s vast but sparsely populated portion of the Boreal Shield Ecozone experience poorer health outcomes compared to their southern neighbours.

    Community rates of diabetes in northern Manitoba are much higher than the Canadian average.
    (Unsplash/isens usa), CC BY

    A lack of employment opportunities, combined with limited food accessibility and high prices, contributes to food insecurity and poor nutrition. With few affordable, healthy food options — especially fresh produce — communities in the region are grappling with rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

    To address these inequities effectively, solutions must respect Indigenous autonomy and self-determination, which have been critical to the success of an especially innovative, community-led initiative.

    Addressing health challenges

    The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), located south of Flin Flon near the Saskatchewan border, has taken bold steps to address diabetes and other health challenges facing its residents.

    According to the OCN Health Authority, more than 40 per cent of adults in the community live with hypertension and diabetes. The implications of this epidemic are profound: not only are health-care costs soaring, but resources that could be allocated to other critical areas, such as infrastructure and education, are being diverted to manage the growing health crisis. In response, OCN has made improved access to nutritious foods a priority.

    In 2016, the community launched a smart vertical farm (SVF), a cutting-edge indoor facility designed to grow fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs year-round. The SVF employs computer-controlled smart technology that optimizes growing conditions by adjusting factors such as light, humidity and CO2 levels, and nutrient delivery. This advanced system ensures that the farm produces high-quality produce, despite the harsh northern climate.

    Overcoming the climate

    The benefits of the SVF go beyond access to fresh vegetables. The system uses energy-efficient LED lights and a closed-loop water and nutrient system, making it both environmentally friendly and economically sustainable.

    By growing food locally, the OCN reduces its reliance on expensive and hard-to-access groceries. This also enhances food security and fosters community empowerment and self-sufficiency.

    Healthy foods

    Among the fresh produce grown, vegetables from the Brassica family — such as broccoli, kale and cabbage — are especially valued for their healthy properties. These vegetables can aid in the management of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.

    Microgreens like broccoli sprouts are of special interest for their bioactive compounds, including phenolics and glucosinolates. These compounds have been linked to improved health outcomes, including improved blood sugar levels and reduced inflammation.

    Vegetables like broccoli, kale and cabbage are packed with nutrients.
    (Shutterstock)

    Optimizing harvests

    The health benefits can be further enhanced by optimizing growing conditions such as light intensity, nutrient levels and water supply.

    The OCN Health Authority, in collaboration with a research team at the University of Manitoba, has been investigating the most effective methods for cultivating these high-value crops in the SVF and exploring post-harvest processing techniques to maximize their bioactive potential.

    Research has shown that air frying vegetables, for example, helps retain nutritional value while enhancing bioactive compounds. The high heat and minimal oil that characterizes air frying preserves nutrients, making it an ideal preparation technique.

    The potential for these optimized vegetables to help manage Type 2 diabetes is significant.

    Community care

    By increasing access to nutrient-dense, bioactive-rich foods, the OCN aims not only to improve community health but also to reduce the burden on the health-care system. As the community continues to explore innovative solutions, its goal is to build a sustainable, locally controlled food system that addresses both immediate health concerns and long-term economic resilience.

    The success of the OCN’s vertical farm demonstrates the powerful interactions of Indigenous knowledge, technological innovation and community-led action in tackling complex health and food security challenges. By empowering local communities to take charge of their own food systems, the OCN is setting an example for other Indigenous and remote communities, striving for self-sufficiency and health equity.

    Ultimately, the collaborative journey toward health equity in northern Manitoba is just beginning. But the lessons learned from the OCN’s innovative approach to food production and diabetes prevention offer valuable lessons and a blueprint for other communities across Canada.

    With continued support and investment in Indigenous-led initiatives, a future where healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food is accessible to all is within reach.

    Miyoung Suh receives funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP)

    Ruchira Nandasiri 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. Indoor farming helps community members bring healthy food to northern Manitoba – https://theconversation.com/indoor-farming-helps-community-members-bring-healthy-food-to-northern-manitoba-256295

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK 🔴 LIVE: Prime Minister’s Questions + Spending Review with British Sign Language (BSL) – 11 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYOzDzhz3mE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • India bats for global action in fighting terrorism during key East Asia Summit meeting

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India on Wednesday called for collective action in addressing the menace of terrorism that poses a serious threat to peace, security and development of the entire region.

    Addressing the East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting (EAS SOM) in Malaysia’s Penang, P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, underlined the important role of EAS towards promoting free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

    Kumaran, who led the Indian delegation at the summit, shared New Delhi’s position on regional and international issues as the premier leaders-led mechanism marks its 20th anniversary this year.

    Secretary (East) P. Kumaran also met with Amran Mohammed Zin, Secretary General at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) SOM in Penang.

    “Held discussions to fully realise the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during the visit of PM YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, to India in August 2024. Congratulated Secretary General on successful adoption of ‘ASEAN Community Vision 2045’ under Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN. Also discussed ways to widen India’s engagement with ASEAN in the context EAS and ASEAN-India Summit framework to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and exchanged views on other regional and multilateral issues,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X.

    The MEA official also met Chung Byung-won, Deputy Minister of Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting. He congratulated the Deputy Minister on the successfully-conducted Presidential elections in South Korea, and discussed ways to strengthen India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership and impart renewed momentum to the bilateral agenda.

    On Tuesday, Kumaran met Hajah Johariah Binti Abdul Wahab, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, on the margins of the meeting with the two sides discussing ways to further deepen the enhanced partnership between India and Brunei Darussalam bilaterally, as also cooperation under ASEAN and other frameworks.

    Kumaran also held discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest with Australia’s Michelle Chan who heads the Office of Southeast Asia.

    Earlier on Monday, he interacted with Ambassador Kung Phoak, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. Underlining the close partnership between India and Cambodia, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and under the ASEAN framework.

    The East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior Officials’ Meeting, attended by EAS Senior Officials and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, reviewed the progress of implementation of the EAS Plan of Action (2024-2028) and exchanged views on regional and international developments. The meeting also discussed preparations for the 15th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July and the 20th East Asia Summit in October 2025.

    The EAS is the premier leaders-led forum in the Asia-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia. It comprises 18 participating countries.

    Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the EAS includes India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

    (IANS)