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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Curtis Introduce Bill to Counter Chinese Sabotage of Taiwan’s Critical Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

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

    Bipartisan legislation aims to protect Taiwan’s undersea communication cables against “gray zone tactics” used by China
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act. This bipartisan bill would protect Taiwan’s critical communications infrastructure and deter malicious “gray zone” activities by the Chinese Communist Party. The cables—critical for global communication and commerce—have repeatedly been targeted by China for undercover sabotage to undermine Taiwan’s security and sovereignty.
    “The Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to target Taiwan’s undersea cable infrastructure don’t just threaten Taiwan’s national security, but connectivity and communication around the world,” said Senator Rosen. “Senator Curtis and I are introducing this bipartisan legislation to bolster collaboration between our two nations in order to protect these underground cables and impose sanctions on any adversary that targets this critical infrastructure. I will continue to push back on China’s growing aggression, and its attempts to undermine democracy.”
    “We can’t stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including by sabotaging its vital undersea cables,” said Senator Curtis. “By improving systems and increasing cable resiliency, our bipartisan legislation sends a clear message: the United States stands with Taiwan and our allies in defending shared infrastructure, sovereignty, and freedom.”
    Senator Rosen has prioritized strengthening the U.S.–Taiwan partnership and defending Taiwan against growing threats from the Chinese Communist Party. She introduced and helped pass into law via the annual defense bill the bipartisan Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act to enhance joint cyber defense efforts, and she led the introduction of the bipartisan TAIWAN Security Act to bolster defense and supply chain cooperation. She has also been a consistent leader in pushing back against authoritarian influence more broadly.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 sets stage for India’s rise as a global sporting powerhouse

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    For generations, sports in India were seen as a pastime squeezed between schoolwork and exams — a hobby on dusty fields rather than a career to aspire to. Limited infrastructure and a societal focus on academics meant few dared to dream of donning the national colours. But over the years, that narrative has steadily transformed, and today, with the launch of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, India is set to redefine its sporting destiny.

    Launched under the vision ‘From Grassroots to Glory’, the landmark policy is poised to reshape the country’s sports ecosystem. Integrating with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Khelo Bharat Niti aims to bridge the gap between classrooms and playgrounds, recognizing sports as an essential component of holistic development. It prioritizes women’s empowerment, outreach to marginalized and tribal communities, and active engagement with the Indian diaspora.

    A Vision for the 2036 Olympics

    With its eyes set firmly on the global stage, India’s ambitious roadmap includes a strategic push to become a sporting powerhouse by the 2036 Olympics — and to stake its claim as a potential host. This vision is backed by substantial funding: for FY 2025–26, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been allocated ₹3,794 crore, marking a 130.9% increase from FY 2014–15. Of this, ₹1,000 crore is earmarked for the flagship Khelo India programme alone.

    Building the Sporting Ecosystem

    The policy focuses on talent identification at the grassroots level, competitive leagues, world-class training, and sports science support. It calls for significant private sector participation through public-private partnerships, corporate social responsibility, and innovative funding models, laying the groundwork for a sustainable sports industry.

    Sports are also being positioned as a major economic driver, with an emphasis on boosting sports tourism, hosting international events, and nurturing sports startups. The goal is to transform sports from a niche pursuit into a vibrant sector generating livelihoods and national pride.

    A Network of Opportunity

    Since its inception in 2016–17 and subsequent expansion in 2021, Khelo India has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of India’s sports revolution. The initiative has approved 326 sports infrastructure projects, committing over ₹3,124 crore to enhance athletic facilities across the nation. Furthermore, it has been instrumental in creating a robust support system for athletes by establishing 1,045 Khelo India Centres and 34 State Centres of Excellence, complemented by 306 accredited academies. This expansive network provides comprehensive support to nearly 2,850 athletes, covering their training needs, equipment, medical care, and stipends. Khelo India also organizes several annual flagship events, including the Khelo India Youth Games, University Games, Para Games, and Winter Games. These 17 editions of events have collectively drawn over 50,000 athletes, showcasing a significant increase in participation and competitive opportunities within the Indian sports landscape.

    One of the programme’s standout initiatives is KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification), which scouts talent aged 9–18 through 174 Talent Assessment Centres. It aims to propel India into the top-10 sporting nations by 2036, and top-5 by 2047.

    Further, the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival is set to take place at Srinagar’s Dal Lake this August, featuring five sports and over 400 athletes — a testament to the policy’s vision of broadening India’s sporting horizons.

    Institutional Support for Excellence

    The National Sports University, established in Imphal in 2018, is another pillar supporting this vision. The university focuses on sports sciences, management, coaching, and research, training India’s next generation of elite athletes and sports professionals. With global partnerships and a motto of Sports Excellence through Education, Research and Training, it aims to bridge education with high-performance sport.

    Stories Beyond the Arena

    The impact of these initiatives is visible in countless inspiring journeys. Para-athlete Rohit Kumar, a PhD scholar in Delhi, credits government support for creating equal opportunities for athletes like him. “Progress is possible only when supported by the government and society,” he says. He sees Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 — especially its integration with the NEP — as a transformative step for athletes who wish to balance sports and education.

    Athlete Samantha Saver Siddi, from India’s historic Siddi community, echoes this optimism. Practising at Bengaluru’s Jay Prakash Narayan Sports Academy while pursuing her arts degree, Samantha dreams of winning medals for India and credits the policy for creating an environment where such dreams can thrive.

    Towards a Sporting Nation

    India’s medal tallies — from 57 at Incheon 2014 to 69 at Jakarta 2018, and a record 107 at Hangzhou 2023 — highlight a nation on the rise. As India aims to elevate its global standing, Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 is set to be the blueprint for nurturing talent, expanding opportunities, and building a culture where sports and academics stand shoulder to shoulder.

    With its youth population of over 65%, India has the numbers — and now, the resolve — to transform playground dreams into podium moments. The journey from dusty fields to Olympic podiums is no longer a distant dream, but a goal within reach.

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Blasts Trump Administration Over Budget Cuts Kneecapping Wildfire Preparedness in Oregon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 10, 2025

    Senator cites concerns he’s heard at briefings in Southern Oregon and statewide

    Video can be found here

    Washington, D.C. – Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today demanded answers from the Trump Administration about how its proposed U.S. Forest Service budget cuts, funding and hiring freezes and recent reorganization of federal wildland firefighting will undermine Oregon’s preparedness for this fire season. 

    “Instead of moving quickly, you all have trotted out another new and described ‘improved’ reorganization in the middle of a very dangerous fire season,” Wyden said to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. “Nobody in my home state said we need to have the Forest Service less involved in fighting fires, but that is the net effect of your organizational plan.”

    In February Trump issued an illegal, blanket freeze on previously approved federal funding for critical programs, including those that help Western states prepare for fire season. During the hearing, Wyden reiterated warnings from fire officials in Southern Oregon, where he heard firsthand accounts of how Trump’s staffing and funding cuts are starving Oregon’s communities of the resources they need to prepare for and respond to fires.

    After ordering the funding freeze, Trump also issued an Executive Order to reorganize the national wildland firefighting apparatus within the Department of the Interior, but the agencies have not shared their plans for doing so with Congress, or how it will hurt states like Oregon.

    At today’s hearing, Wyden also warned that starving federal agencies of the resources they need and intentional mismanagement of forests and public lands is setting the stage to justify future selloffs of public lands. Wyden cited extreme public backlash over the Republicans’ scheme to sell off public lands under their budget bill earlier this month, which forced Senate Republicans to back off their proposal.

    Wyden has been a longtime champion of sustainable forestry and common-sense policies to reduce the risk of wildfire.  In June, Wyden led colleagues in introducing the bipartisan National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 that would invest in hazardous fuels management to reduce the risk of blistering infernos by increasing the pace and scale of prescribed burns during cooler, wetter months. Wyden also has advocated for repairing and updating critical infrastructure for disaster response, announcing over $80 million for infrastructure repairs and $9.7 million for rural airports across Oregon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Insurance Biz Africa launches pan-African Insurance Webinar Master Series

    Source: APO – Report:

    Digital news publisher, Insurance Biz Africa, is proud to announce the launch of a series of pan-African webinar sessions whose objectives are to take an unprecedented deep dive into the forces reshaping the insurance industry across Africa and the world.

    The 8-part series, themed: “Innovate. Adapt. Insure the Future“, hosted by Insurance Biz Africa, will feature two-hour webinars designed to unpack the most pressing risks, opportunities, and regulatory changes facing insurers across Africa and beyond.

    “This is a pivotal moment for the insurance industry. The annual webinar series will provide crucial insights into topics from AI and climate risk to ESG, equipping professionals and regulators to navigate volatility with confidence. The series is designed to ignite long-lasting conversations around pertinent areas of insurance and reinsurance upon which the industry can build solutions,” says Insurance Biz Africa Founding Editor and Managing Director of New Africa Business News Services (NABNS), Kwanele Sibanda.

    “At NABNS, we believe the time is ripe for bold conversations and collaborative thinking. Our series will not only educate but spark innovation, ensuring insurance and reinsurance remain pillars of economic resilience,” adds Kwanele.

    “Kicking off with Insuring Against Civil Unrests on the 23rd of July, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, especially seeing what is currently happening across Africa in countries like Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Mali and Lybia because of political tensions. This 2-hour session will see Sasria, the only riots and civil unrests insurer in South Africa present a case study in reflection of South Africa’s July 2021 civil unrests. Sasria will also participate in the panel of experts,” concludes Kwanele.

    Insurance Webinar Master Series 2025 Themes & Dates:

    22 July 2025 – Insuring Against Unrest: Lessons from SA’s July 2021 Riots and the Evolving Role of Insurers and Reinsurers

    05 August 2025 – Cybersecurity and Systemic Risk: Building Insurance Resilience in the Digital Era

    Discuss insurance solutions for large-scale cyber events affecting entire economies.

    14 August 2025 – The Future of Underwriting: Leveraging AI, Data, and Automation Across the Insurance Value Chain

    Explore how AI and advanced analytics can revolutionize underwriting precision and speed.

    • Webinar 4:

    26 August 2025 – Bridging the Protection Gap: Innovations in Inclusive Insurance and Risk Transfer
    Innovative products, partnerships, and risk mechanisms that extend protection to underserved markets.

    04 September 2025 – ESG and Sustainable Insurance: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage
    Move beyond ESG box-ticking towards long-term, sustainable profitability.

    18 September 2025 – Index Insurance and Alternative Risk Transfer: Unlocking Scalable, Transparent Risk Solutions

    Examine new models to insure communities and sectors exposed to systemic risks.

    • Webinar 7:

    30 September 2025 – Navigating AI and Digital Disruption in Life Insurance: Risks, Rewards & Regulation

    Balance the transformative potential of AI with evolving consumer protection frameworks.

    • Webinar 8:

    09 October 2025 – Climate Change and Capital Strain: Managing Volatility in a New Risk Era

    Understand how insurers can adapt capital models amid climate-driven losses.

    Bonus Session:

    October 2025 – Insurtech and Distribution: Reimagining Customer Engagement in Insurance

    Explore new technologies reshaping sales, service, and product design.

    Each session will bring together industry leaders presenting case studies and learnings, global experts, and policymakers engaging in robust discussions, live Q&As, and actionable insights.

    Registration & Sponsorship Opportunities:

    Insurance companies, brokers, reinsurers, regulators, and service providers are encouraged to register early or partner as sponsors to showcase leadership in this high-impact series.

    For more details, registration, or sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://apo-opa.co/44yEOZH or contact info@insurancebiz.co.za

    – on behalf of New Africa Business News Services.

    Additional Information:
    To Register: https://apo-opa.co/4nIgBrg
    Insurance Biz Africa: https://apo-opa.co/4kzR4hb

    Contact:
    Issued By: New Africa Business News Services (NABNS)
    Contact: Kwanele Sibanda
    Email: Kwanele@nabns.com
    Tel: +27 27 71 316 8517

    About Insurance Biz Africa:
    Insurance Biz Africa is South Africa’s premier digital news platform dedicated to the insurance, reinsurance, and wealth management sectors. Launched in 2013, the publication offers in-depth industry coverage, expert insights, executive interviews, and regulatory updates to a targeted audience of professionals, decision-makers, and thought leaders. It is owned and published by New Africa Business News Services (NABNS), a division of SAEN Media (Pty) Ltd. The publication adheres to the Press Council of South Africa’s Code of Ethics and remains committed to journalistic integrity and excellence in financial reporting.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOGE Caucus Co-Chairs Lead House Effort to Eliminate Billions in Wasteful Payments

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

    WASHINGTON—In response to more than $160 billion in fraudulent payments in Fiscal Year 2024, DOGE Caucus co-chairs Congressmen Aaron Bean (FL-04), Blake Moore (UT-01), and Pete Sessions (TX-17) introduced the Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Spending Act to combat financial fraud and theft of taxpayer dollars. 

    This landmark bill will require the U.S. Department of the Treasury to enforce strict payment verification measures, cementing a key DOGE initiative to ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability in government spending.

    Upon introduction, Congressman Bean said, “For too long, improper and fraudulent payments have drained resources and undermined trust in government spending. The American people deserve responsible stewardship of their tax dollars, and this bill delivers exactly that. By ensuring federal payments are accurate, transparent, and verifiable, we are eliminating billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. This legislation brings real oversight and integrity to the way Washington manages taxpayer dollars.”

    “Republicans in Congress remain focused on reining in wasteful spending, streamlining our bureaucracy, and making Washington work better for Americans. This legislation will help eliminate billions of dollars of improper payments by implementing pre-payment verification and up-to-date information on ongoing payments. This is a positive step in curbing fraudulent spending and enhancing fiscal accountability,” said Congressman Moore.

    “I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation that brings increased transparency and accountability to the U.S. Treasury. As Co-Chair of the DOGE Caucus, I’m committed to stopping waste before it happens. With $162 billion in improper payments reported in Fiscal Year 2024, this commonsense bill will help protect taxpayer dollars and prevent fraud,” said Congressman Sessions.

    BACKGROUND 

    This bill would promote financial integrity and ensure accountability to American taxpayers by requiring the U.S. Department of the Treasury to:

    • Provide a complete description of the payment prior to disbursing funds.
    • Link the payment to a verified budget account.
    • Cross-check the payment against government databases to ensure accuracy and eligibility.

    Along with these preventive measures, all expenditures will be publicly accessible on USAspending.gov, including annual updates for ongoing transactions.

    Click here to view the bill and here to view a section-by-section breakdown.

    Fellow DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Maxwell Frost and Senator Jeff Merkley Introduce Bicameral Pro Renters Bill, the End Junk Fees for Renters Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    July 10, 2025

    Frost and Gomez First Introduced the Bill to Increase Affordability and Transparency for Renters in 2023

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) announced the introduction of bicameral legislation aimed at addressing the housing crisis and standing firmly with working-class renters – the End Junk Fees for Renters Act.

    Frost’s bill, which is being co-led by Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) in the House, chair of the Congressional Renters Caucus, comes as Florida and the U.S. face a housing affordability crisis that continues to squeeze working people and renters, too often forcing people to slip into homelessness at a time when cities are criminalizing folks who cannot afford to keep a roof over their heads.

    Congressmen Frost and Gomez first introduced the bill in July of 2023 to put an end to the growing number of excessive and dishonest junk fees renters face when looking for and securing housing.

    The End Junk Fees for Renters Act cracks down on junk fee profiteering by landlords and empowers tenants. Specifically, the legislation:

    • Cracks down on junk fees by banning application and screening fees;

    • Puts an end to late fee profiteering by capping late fees at 3% of monthly rent and requiring a 15-day grace period; 

    • Requires that landlords disclose in the rental contract:

      • Past and present litigation with tenants;

      • Ongoing pest and maintenance issues;

      • Rent increase percentages year after year over the last ten years and;

      • The total amount due each month to effectively eliminate surprise fees.

    • Would help consumers comparison shop and make more informed choices when it comes to renting, inevitably driving down overall costs in the rental market and improving living conditions.

    “Donald Trump ran for office under the promise of making American’s lives more affordable – that was a flat-out lie. Six months in, and Trump and Congressional Republicans have proven they only care about the ultra-wealthy, the 1%. Because if they cared about working people, bills like the End Junk Fees for Renters Act would be voted on today to offer immediate and straightforward financial relief to renters,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “This is about standing firmly on the side of renters and working people while holding greedy landlords and leasing companies accountable for nickel and diming people every chance they get. It’s time to end the ridiculous fees and fight for housing justice and transparency.” 

    “Billionaire corporations and huge rental companies are hiding fees and added costs to drive up rents and line their own pockets,” said Senator Merkley. “The End Junk Fees for Renters Act fights back against corporate landlords trying to squeeze every dime out of renters that they possibly can. Let’s crack down on these junk fees to ensure all Americans have a fair shot at a safe, affordable roof overhead and the power to fight back against absurd costs.”

    “At a time when Donald Trump and Republicans are stripping away benefits from millions of Americans, households that rent have enough to worry about without being weighed down by hidden application costs and junk late fees. This bill will restore faith and transparency to the renting process by putting an end to the profiteering of predatory landlords and property managers,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez. “In my district, where up to 80% of households rent, this bill will lift an unnecessary financial burden and help working families build real stability.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Leads Bipartisan Resolution to Drive Misophonia Awareness

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Today, U.S. Reps. Young Kim (CA-40) and Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize World Misophonia Awareness Day, which is held annually on July 9, and increase understanding of this complex neurological condition. 

    Misophonia is a condition characterized by intense emotional and physical reactions to specific sounds and is associated with abnormal connectivity between brain regions involved in sensory processing and emotion regulation.  

    “Misophonia affects millions of Americans, including in our community, and yet it is understudied, misrepresented, and misunderstood,” said Rep. Young Kim. “By recognizing World Misophonia Awareness Day, we can elevate this serious health concern, and secure the research, resources, and care those impacted by Misophonia deserve.”  

    “Misophonia affects thousands of Americans yearly, but still little is known about this condition and no cure has been found,” said Rep. Valerie Foushee. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution alongside Congresswoman Kim recognizing World Misophonia Awareness Day and the need for further research surrounding this condition. Misophonia affects the daily lives and emotional well-being of so many across the country, and Congress must support efforts to ensure proper care and expand treatment options.” 

    “Misophonia is a debilitating condition, and can be especially challenging for teens. We are grateful to Congresswoman Young Kim and Congresswoman Valerie Foushee for joining together to shine a light on this disability, in the hopes of furthering research for treatment,” said Sophie B. Yang, a student and founder of Teens for Education and Advocacy on Misophonia (TEAM) from Brea, California. 

    The resolution aims to: 

    • Increase awareness of Misophonia as a legitimate disorder that affects social and emotional well-being; 
    • Support research into its causes, prevalence, and treatment options;  
    • Provide training on the effects and signs of Misophonia to healthcare workers and mental health professionals; and, 
    • Encourage the development of accommodations for those affected by this chronic condition. 

    Read the resolution HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study of projections of heat deaths in England and Wales under difference climate scenarios

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    July 10, 2025

    A study in PLOS Climate looks at projections of future heat deaths in England and Wales given different climate scenarios. 

    Dr Raquel Nunes, Assistant Professor in Health and Environment at the University of Warwick, said:

    “The study highlights the importance of mitigation and adaptation for future heat-health outcomes. While it presents valuable future projections, it relies on pre-defined assumptions and scenarios, largely omitting the urgent need to transition from reactive to anticipatory strategies.

    “The forecast of a third consecutive UK heatwave so far this summer – and the increasing frequency, intensity and duration of such events – underscores the urgent need to shift from reactive to anticipatory strategies. Heat-related deaths and illnesses are both preventable and avoidable, yet they expose systemic failures and highlight the need for socially inclusive and institutionally embedded adaptation across governance, infrastructure, and health and care services to prevent increasing vulnerabilities and inequalities.”

    Dr Akshay Deoras, Research Scientist at the University of Reading, said:

    “If floods and storms are the loud alarms of climate change, extreme heat is its silent killer. It is disproportionately lethal, often going unnoticed until it’s too late. With another heatwave bearing down on the UK, this warning feels more urgent than ever.

    “This new comprehensive study makes the threat clear. It analyses heat-related mortality across fifteen plausible combinations of climate and socioeconomic scenarios, capturing a wide range of possible futures for England and Wales. It simultaneously accounts for climate change, population growth and ageing, and adaptive capacity. This multi-driver approach avoids the underestimation of future health burdens that can occur when only one driver is considered.

    “The results show that heat is not only claiming more lives, but that power outages and an aging population could make things far worse if adaptation doesn’t keep pace. Even under the most optimistic scenarios, heat-related deaths are set to rise sharply by mid-century. One of the limitations of the study is that temperature exposure is assigned at the regional level using population-weighted averages, which may not fully reflect local microclimates, potentially masking local hotspots of risk.

    “To save lives, we must cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen adaptation strategies at the same time. Crucially, the study highlights the power of natural, passive cooling techniques, such as shutters, shading, and cool roofs, which work even when the electricity fails. These solutions not only protect people but also avoid the trap of relying on air conditioning, which drives further global warming. As the UK experiences fewer cold extremes and more frequent and deadly heatwaves, protecting older adults must be at the heart of climate and public health planning—before this silent threat becomes an undeniable crisis.”

    Prof Richard Allan, Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading, said:

    “Warming of the climate is making heatwaves more severe and dangerous. The new study paints a concerning picture of the future in which a greater intensity of summer heat compounds with an ageing, more vulnerable population to increase the risk of death. 

    “The research finds danger to people from persistent heat diminishes in scenarios involving deeper cuts in climate warming greenhouse gases but remain concerningly large, meaning that adaptation of our infrastructure and culture is also needed as well as rapidly transitioning to a low carbon society. 

    “The study also notes a concurrent reduction in mortality from cold extremes and may underestimate the adaptive measures that could be adopted in response to hot conditions but underscores the importance of avoiding the worst case storylines by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving our resilience to worsening weather extremes.”

    ‘Projections of heat related mortality under combined climate and socioeconomic adaptation scenarios for England and Wales’ by Rebecca Cole et al. was published in PLOS Climate at 7pm UK time on Thursday 10 July 2025.

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000553

    Declared interests

    Richard Allan: “No conflicting interests”

    Dr Akshay Deoras: “I receive funding from UKRI and DSIT/Met Office.”

    Raquel Nunes: “No conflicts of interest”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New standards for school libraries

    [. However, in the absence of a consistent standard for selecting age-appropriate library materials, school boards have taken different approaches, leading to concerns about safeguards in place.

    In response to these concerns, and informed by feedback from education partners and the public, Alberta’s government has created standards to provide school boards with clear direction on the selection, availability and access to school library materials, such as books.

    “Our actions to ensure that materials in school libraries don’t expose children to sexual content were never about banning books. These new standards are to ensure that school boards have clear guidance to ensure age-appropriate access to school library materials, while reflecting the values and priorities of Albertans.”

    Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare

    The new standards set clear expectations for school library materials with regard to sexual content and require school boards to implement policies to support these standards.

    Standards for school library materials

    Under the new standards, school libraries are not permitted to include library materials containing explicit sexual content. Non-explicit sexual content may be accessible to students in Grade 10 and above, provided it is age-appropriate.

    “Protecting kids from explicit content is common sense. LGBTQ youth, like all children, deserve to see themselves in stories that are age-appropriate, supportive and affirming – not in material that sexualizes or confuses them.”

    Blaine Badiuk, education and LGBTQ advocate

    School boards must also regularly review their school library collections, publish a full list of available materials and ensure that a staff member supervises students’ access to school library materials. School boards will have to remove any materials with explicit sexual content from their school libraries by October 1.

    School board policies and procedures

    All school boards must have publicly available policies that align with the new standards for selecting and managing library materials by January 1, 2026. School boards can either create new policies or update existing ones to meet these requirements.

    These policies must outline how school library materials are selected and reviewed, how staff supervise students’ access throughout the school day, and how a student, parent, school board employee or other member of the school community can request a review or removal of materials in the school library. School boards are also required to clearly communicate these policies to employees, students and parents before January 2026.

    “A robust, grade- and age-appropriate library catalogue is vital for student success. We welcome the ministry’s initiative to establish consistent standards and appreciate the ongoing consultation to help craft a plan that will serve our families and communities well.”

    Holly Bilton, trustee, Chinook’s Edge School Division

    “Red Deer Public Schools welcomes the new provincial standards for school library materials. Our division is committed to maintaining welcoming, respectful learning spaces where students can grow and thrive. Under the new standards for school libraries, we remain dedicated to providing learning resources that reflect our values and support student success.”

    Nicole Buchanan, chair, Red Deer Public Schools

    Quick facts

    • The new standards will apply to public, separate, francophone, charter and independent schools.
    • The ministerial order does not apply to municipal libraries located within schools or materials selected for use by teachers as learning and teaching resources.
    • From May 26 to June 6, almost 80,000 people completed an online survey to provide feedback on the creation of consistent standards to ensure the age-appropriateness of materials available to students in school libraries.

    Related information

    • Ministerial Order
    • School library standards engagement
    • Reference Materials: Content warning: this document contains graphic content that may be disturbing to viewers and is not appropriate for young viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

    Related news

    • Strong support for school library policy (June 20, 2025)
    • Ensuring age-appropriate books in school libraries (May 26, 2025)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    Le gouvernement de l’Alberta a présenté de nouvelles normes pour veiller à ce que les ressources des bibliothèques scolaires soient adaptées à l’âge des élèves.

    Les bibliothèques scolaires devraient être des endroits sécuritaires et bienveillants où les élèves peuvent apprendre et explorer sans être exposés à du contenu sexuel inapproprié. Cependant, en l’absence d’une norme uniforme pour choisir des ressources de bibliothèque qui sont adaptées à l’âge des élèves, les autorités scolaires ont adopté différentes approches, ce qui a suscité des inquiétudes quant aux mesures de protection mises en place.

    Donnant suite à ces préoccupations et s’appuyant sur les commentaires des partenaires en éducation et du public, le gouvernement de l’Alberta a établi des normes qui fournissent aux autorités scolaires des directives claires sur la sélection, l’accès et la disponibilité des ressources – dont les livres – dans les bibliothèques scolaires.

    « Dans nos démarches pour éviter que les enfants soient exposés à des ressources à contenu sexuel dans les bibliothèques scolaires, il n’a jamais été question d’interdire de livres. Tout en reflétant les valeurs et les priorités de la population albertaine, ces nouvelles normes offrent aux autorités scolaires une orientation claire pour s’assurer que les enfants ont accès à des ressources adaptées à leur âge dans les bibliothèques scolaires. »

    Demetrios Nicolaides, ministre de l’Éducation et de la Garde d’enfants

    Les nouvelles normes définissent des attentes claires en ce qui concerne les ressources à contenu sexuel dans les bibliothèques scolaires et exigent que les autorités scolaires mettent en œuvre des politiques en appui à ces normes.

    Des normes relatives aux ressources dans les bibliothèques scolaires

    Les nouvelles normes interdisent aux bibliothèques scolaires de conserver des ressources à contenu sexuellement explicite sur leurs étagères. Les élèves de 10e année et plus peuvent avoir accès à des ressources dont le contenu n’est pas sexuellement explicite, à condition que ces ressources soient adaptées à leur âge.

    « Cela relève du gros bon sens de vouloir protéger les enfants des contenus explicites. Les jeunes LGBTQ, comme tous les enfants, doivent pouvoir se reconnaitre dans des histoires adaptées à leur âge, bienveillantes et valorisantes, et non dans du contenu qui les sexualise ou les perturbe. »

    Blaine Badiuk, défenseur des LGBTQ et de l’éducation

    Les autorités scolaires doivent aussi vérifier régulièrement les collections de leurs bibliothèques scolaires, publier une liste complète des ressources disponibles et s’assurer qu’un membre du personnel supervise l’accès des élèves aux ressources des bibliothèques scolaires.

    Les autorités scolaires devront retirer toute ressource à contenu sexuellement explicite de leurs bibliothèques scolaires au plus tard le 1er octobre 2025.

    Les politiques et procédures des autorités scolaires

    D’ici le 1er janvier 2026, toutes les autorités scolaires devront avoir des politiques conformes aux nouvelles normes pour la sélection et la gestion des ressources de bibliothèque. À cet effet, les autorités scolaires peuvent élaborer de nouvelles politiques ou modifier celles qui existent déjà. Dans tous les cas, ces politiques devront être accessibles au public.

    Ces politiques doivent préciser les processus de sélection et de vérification des ressources pour les bibliothèques scolaires, la façon dont le personnel encadrera l’accès aux ressources pendant la journée scolaire, ainsi que la procédure que doit suivre tout membre de la communauté scolaire, incluant les élèves, les parents et les employés, pour demander la révision ou le retrait de ressources d’une bibliothèque scolaire. Les autorités scolaires doivent également communiquer clairement ces politiques à leur personnel, aux élèves et aux parents d’ici janvier 2026.

    « Un vaste catalogue de bibliothèque adapté au niveau scolaire et à l’âge des élèves est essentiel à la réussite scolaire. Nous accueillons favorablement l’initiative du ministère d’établir des normes uniformes et nous apprécions la consultation qui se poursuit en vue d’élaborer un plan qui profitera à nos familles et à nos communautés. »

    Holly Bilton, conseillère scolaire, Chinook’s Edge School Division 

    « Red Deer Public Schools salue la mise en œuvre de nouvelles normes provinciales relatives aux ressources des bibliothèques scolaires. Nous nous engageons à maintenir des environnements d’apprentissage accueillants et respectueux où les élèves peuvent grandir et s’épanouir. Conformément aux nouvelles normes sur les bibliothèques scolaires, nous continuerons à fournir des ressources d’apprentissage qui reflètent nos valeurs et favorisent la réussite des élèves. »

    Nicole Buchanan, présidente, Red Deer Public Schools

    En bref

    • Les nouvelles normes s’appliqueront aux écoles publiques, séparées, francophones, à charte et indépendantes.
    • L’arrêté ministériel ne s’applique pas aux bibliothèques municipales situées dans les écoles ni aux ressources sélectionnées pour être utilisées par les enseignants à des fins d’apprentissage et d’enseignement.
    • Du 26 mai au 6 juin, près de 80 000 personnes ont rempli le sondage en ligne et ainsi donné leur avis sur l’élaboration de normes uniformes pour veiller à ce que les ressources accessibles dans les bibliothèques scolaires soient adaptées à l’âge des élèves.

    Renseignements connexes

    • Arrêté ministériel
    • Consultation sur les normes pour les bibliothèques scolaires
    • Document de référence (en anglais seulement) – Avertissement : Ce document contient des images pouvant heurter la sensibilité des lecteurs. Il est donc réservé à un auditoire averti.

    Nouvelles connexes

    • Un fort appui pour une politique sur les bibliothèques scolaires (20 juin 2025)
    • Ensuring age-appropriate books in school libraries (26 mai 2025)

    Multimédias

    • Regarder la conférence de presse

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Dakota Congressional Delegation Introduces Congressional Review Act to Repeal BLM’s Harmful Land Use Plan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak and Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven today introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval to overturn the Biden administration’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota. The introduction follows the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) determination that the plan qualifies for repeal under the CRA. 

    “North Dakotans saw the Biden administration’s plan for what it was: A backdoor attempt to shut down responsible energy development on federal lands. It would crush coal production, close off millions of acres to leasing, and devastate jobs and communities across our state,” said Rep. Fedorchak. “This legislation overturns this harmful rule and restores common sense for North Dakota’s landowners and energy producers. We need energy policy that embraces innovation, not one that caters to out-of-touch activists at the expense of our energy security and economic strength.” 

    “The Biden Administration’s Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plan for North Dakota represented another assault upon our state’s economy and energy producers,” said Senator Cramer. “Washington bureaucrats targeted our coal, oil, and natural gas reserves by blocking producers’ ability to develop them, ignoring the state’s input, clear text of federal law, and countless court precedents. Thankfully, the Trump administration is taking a new direction. This resolution under the Congressional Review Act is another tool at our disposal to get rid of this disastrous rule.” 

    “The RMP for North Dakota is an egregious example of the Biden administration’s overreaching Green New Deal agenda. This rule would lock away vast oil and gas acreage and nearly 99 percent of federal coal acreage in our state, undermining our energy security and economic resilience,” said Senator Hoeven. “The CRA resolution we’re introducing will roll back this harmful policy, ensuring North Dakota remains a powerhouse for our nation, while helping the U.S. to become truly energy dominant.” 

    In the final days of the Biden administration, the Bureau of Land Management adopted the RMP for North Dakota, significantly constraining the state’s ability to access and develop its mineral resources. The plan prohibits coal leasing on over four million acres, or nearly 99 percent of federal coal acreage. It also blocks 213,000 acres, or 44 percent of federally owned fluid mineral acreage, to future development. Throughout the drafting process, the state of North Dakota and theCongressional delegation expressed opposition to the draft RMP before the BLM finalized it. 

    In February 2025, the North Dakota delegation sent a letter to GAO asking the Comptroller General of the U.S. Gene Dodaro to “conclude the CRA applies to the North Dakota RMP, including specifically that GAO determine it is subject to CRA’s submission requirements and subject to review by Congress.” 

    North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong said, “We appreciate Senators Hoeven and Cramer and Congresswoman Fedorchak for introducing the CRA joint resolution, which is the cleanest, fastest way to overturn the Biden administration’s disastrous plan. Instead of destabilizing the electric grid, raising consumer costs and making our nation less safe like the Biden plan threatened to do, North Dakotans deserve a Resource Management Plan that encourages responsible development of U.S. energy resources and supports our communities. The state stands ready to work with our delegation to repeal the RMP and replace it with a plan that protects states’ rights and recognizes our unique concerns about mineral ownership.” 

    Alison Ritter, Executive Director of the Western Dakota Energy Association, stated, “The Western Dakota Energy Association thanks our Congressional Delegation for introducing this Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the anti-energy Resource Management Plan (RMP) President Biden imposed upon North Dakota. Rescinding this plan is key to unlocking North Dakota’s full energy potential, while also protecting good-paying jobs, sustaining strong local economies, and preserving responsible access to the vital resources that power our nation.”  

    Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, added, “As part of former President Biden’s over-reaching regulatory agenda, the BLM proposed a Resource Management Plan which was nothing but a transparent anti-energy power grab. The North Dakota Petroleum Council thanks Senators Hoeven and Cramer and Congresswoman Fedorchak for introducing this Congressional Review Act resolution that would force the BLM to simply respect the rule of law.” 

    CLICK HERE to read the CRA. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Expired and Expiring Authorizations of Appropriations: 2025 Final Report

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Authorizations are laws that establish or continue the operation of federal agencies or programs. One type of authorization—broad enabling legislation—creates an agency, program, or activity and sets guidelines for how it will operate. A second type of authorization—an authorization of appropriations—provides explicit guidance to the Appropriations Committees on the amount of funding that lawmakers envision for a particular agency, program, or activity.

    Authorizations of appropriations provide guidance on funding for many—but not all—authorized agencies, programs, and activities. That guidance may be permanent or may cover only a specific period and include an expiration date. Authorizations of appropriations sometimes appear later in the same statute that broadly authorizes the agency, program, or activity. They may also appear in subsequent laws amending the enabling statutes or in separately enacted legislation.

    This report fulfills the Congressional Budget Office’s statutory requirement to report to the Congress on all programs and activities funded for the current fiscal year whose authorizations of appropriations have expired as well as all programs and activities whose authorizations of appropriations will expire during the current fiscal year. (Those authorizations of appropriations with specified expiration dates are only a small subset of all authorizations in law.) The figure below illustrates the authorizations of appropriations that fall within the scope of this report, as depicted by the second-smallest circle in the figure.

    Scope of CBO’s Final Report on Authorizations of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025

    CBO tracks just the authorizations that fall within the scope of this report. The sizes of the circles and their partitions do not indicate the relative size of each group.

    This final report updates CBO’s preliminary report, released on January 15, 2025, which did not include information about appropriations provided for fiscal year 2025 for programs and activities with expired authorizations of appropriations because full-year appropriations were not yet enacted.

    CBO identified 1,326 authorizations of appropriations that expired before the beginning of fiscal year 2025 and identified fiscal year 2025 appropriations—totaling $500 billion—associated with 457 of those expired authorizations. CBO also identified 304 authorizations that are set to expire before the end of fiscal year 2025. It is possible that appropriations other than those identified by CBO may be available to carry out programs and activities with expired authorizations.

    CBO’s annual reports are intended to aid the Congress by providing relevant information about expired or expiring authorizations, but they are not and should not be considered definitive with respect to the application of House or Senate rules about appropriating funds. House and Senate rules may restrict lawmakers from considering an appropriation if it lacks a current authorization. The determination of whether that is the case is made by the Speaker of the House or the Presiding Officer of the Senate on the basis of advice from the relevant chamber’s Office of the Parliamentarian. Historically, the rules that would potentially strike proposed appropriations without authorizations from legislation have often been suspended or waived, thereby enabling those appropriations to be considered and adopted by the Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn John Dempsey Hospital Nationally Recognized for Excellence in Stroke and Heart Attack Care

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn John Dempsey Hospital continues to earn national honors for delivering lifesaving care to patients experiencing strokes and heart attacks. The hospital has once again received multiple American Heart Association (AHA) awards for excellence in stroke and cardiovascular treatment, continuing a longstanding tradition of high performance and commitment to quality.

    These honors reflect the hospital’s sustained excellence in treating both stroke and heart attack patients, including those with complex conditions such as Type 2 diabetes.

    • Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Award (9th consecutive year)
    • Mission: Lifeline® – STEMI Receiving Center Gold Award (11th consecutive year)
    • Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Silver Award

    The Stroke Gold Plus Award celebrates the hospital’s ninth consecutive year of delivering stroke care that aligns with the latest, research-based national guidelines. The recognition also includes the Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award, which highlights UConn John Dempsey Hospital’s commitment to caring for stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes, who face an increased risk of complications.

    Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the U.S. The AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke initiative helps hospitals improve outcomes by ensuring consistent, timely care that reduces disability and improves survival rates.

    In cardiovascular care, the hospital once again earned high marks for its treatment of both ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) a severe form of heart attack caused by a full blockage of a coronary artery and non-ST elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI), which are more common and require complex clinical management.

    The STEMI Receiving Center Gold Award, earned for the 11th straight year, recognizes hospitals that provide 24/7 rapid response care and coordinate closely with emergency medical services to restore blood flow as quickly as possible. The NSTEMI Silver Award highlights the hospital’s continued focus on guideline-driven care and recovery support for patients experiencing this more frequent, yet still dangerous, type of heart attack.

    UConn John Dempsey Hospital also earned another Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll distinction in cardiovascular care—recognizing its integrated care approach for patients who are at higher risk due to diabetes and other chronic conditions.

    These recognitions reaffirm UConn John Dempsey Hospital’s role as a regional leader in emergency stroke and heart care.

    “These national honors are a direct reflection of the talent, dedication, and teamwork of our clinical staff,” said Dr. Andy Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health. “We are proud to provide Connecticut residents with access to exceptional, evidence-based care that continues to improve outcomes and save lives.

    With its continued streak of national honors, UConn John Dempsey Hospital remains at the forefront of evidence-based, time-sensitive care that saves lives and supports long-term recovery.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Secures $720 Million in Nationwide Settlements from Eight Opioid Drug Makers

    Source: US State of California

    Thursday, July 10, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced securing approximately $720 million nationwide in settlements with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. Based on the overwhelming participation by attorneys general across the country, all eight defendants have agreed to proceed with a sign-on period for local governments. California could receive more than $70 million in total. 

    “So long as the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities in California and across the country, we will continue to hold accountable those who played a role in fueling it,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s announcement holds accountable eight drug makers for their role in worsening the opioid crisis and brings much-needed funds for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery to those impacted by this crisis. The California Department of Justice is committed to keeping our communities safe from the threat posed by the opioid crisis.”

    As part of the settlements, the eight defendants will pay funds to states to address the opioid crisis as outlined below:  

    • Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284,447,916 paid over nine years 
    • Hikma: $95,818,293 paid over one to four years 
    • Amneal: $71,751,010 paid over 10 years 
    • Apotex: $63,682,369 paid in a single year 
    • Indivior: $38,022,450 paid over four years 
    • Sun: $30,992,087 paid over one to four years 
    • Alvogen: $18,680,162 paid in a single year 
    • Zydus: $14,859,220 paid in a single year 

    In addition to these abatement payments, several of the settlements allow states to receive free pharmaceutical products or cash in lieu of this product. Additionally, seven of the companies (not including Indivior) are prohibited from promoting or marketing opioids and opioid products, making or selling any product that contains more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill, and are required to in place a monitoring and reporting system for suspicious orders. Indivior has agreed to not manufacture or sell opioid products for the next 10 years, but it will be able to continue marketing and selling medications to treat opioid use disorder.  

    The settlements were negotiated by California, North Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.  

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and France agree major deal to crack down on illegal Channel crossings

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    UK and France agree major deal to crack down on illegal Channel crossings

    The Prime Minister and French President Macron agree to return illegal migrants to France.

    The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to take forward a groundbreaking partnership to address illegal Channel crossings and dismantle the people smuggling networks.

    A new pilot scheme will see small boat arrivals being returned to France then an equal number of migrants will be able to come to the UK from France through a new legal route – fully documented and subject to strict security checks.

    The pilot agreement is intended to prevent illegal migrant journeys across Europe to the UK and prevent dangerous small boat crossings, helping to undermine the business model of organised gangs profiting from people’s misery by showing others these journeys could result in them being returned back to France – ultimately saving lives.

    Both countries are working to implement the pilot in the coming weeks, and, once in force, migrants who cross the Channel by small boat can be detained and removed.

    The Prime Minister has made it a priority to reset relationships across Europe and the government is now unlocking, for the first time, the levels of co-operation needed to deliver new and bold approaches to tackle organised immigration crime.

    The French government are working to implement new ways of cracking down on small boats, including a review of their maritime tactics so their operational teams can intervene on the water, ensuring taxi boats that pickup migrants waiting in the water can be stopped.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This ground-breaking deal is a crucial further step in turning the tide on illegal small boat crossings and restoring order to our immigration system.

    For the first time illegal migrants will be sent back to France – targeting the heart of these gangs’ business model and sending a clear message that these life-threatening journeys are pointless.

    By resetting our relationships across Europe we’ve made levels of co-operation possible never seen before. This is about grip not gimmicks, and what serious government looks like – taking down these criminal enterprises piece by piece as we secure our borders through my Plan for Change.

    The Home Secretary hosted her French counterpart, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, in Downing Street this morning. The ministers discussed the work being done both internationally and domestically to prevent illegal migration, including issues like clamping down on illegal working and increasing removals of those with no right to be here.

    Since the government came into power, Immigration Enforcement have increased illegal working activity by 51%, with 10,031 visits leading to 7,130 arrests, and will soon undertake a major nationwide blitz targeting illegal working hotspots, focusing on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders.

    The UK will go further by changing the law to support a clampdown on illegal working in the gig economy. New biometric kits will be rolled out for Immigration Enforcement teams so they can do on-the-spot checks.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 

    Dangerous small boats in our Channel undermine our border security and put lives at risk. That is why we are so determined to work with France to go after the criminal smuggler gangs, to undermine their business model, to begin returns and to prevent boat crossings.

    This new pilot agreement with France is extremely important and allows us for the first time to return people who have paid to travel here illegally, and will sit alongside our wider joint enforcement action, including disrupting supply chains to seize boats and engines, shutting down social media accounts, and targeting finances.

    Since last summer, we have returned over 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK and a major surge in immigration enforcement activity, with a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests.

    We are building the foundations of a new and stronger approach to protecting our border security.

    Under the new UK-France pilot, any asylum claim submitted by a migrant who has crossed the Channel will be considered for inadmissibility and, if declared inadmissible, the Home Office will organise readmission of the individual to France.

    For those coming to the UK legally, an individual in France will submit an Expression of Interest application to the new route and the Home Office will make a decision once they have undergone biometric checks. Anyone who had arrived by small boat and returned to France will not be eligible for the legal route to the UK.

    The innovative approach will be tested first before being gradually ramped up.

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    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: “Everybody who voted against our bill voted to raise taxes on the American people”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here.

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) delivered the following remarks on the U.S. Senate floor:

    “I’ve already heard, a lot, that the reconciliation bill that Congress passed is going to kill people. ‘People are going to die. It’s only going to help rich people.’ None of that’s true.

    “The bill that we just passed is primarily a tax cut, and taxes are not terribly complicated. When you tax something, you get less of it, right? You want to stop people wearing wristwatches—I love wristwatches, I’ve had this one for like 30 years—but if you want to stop people from wearing wrist watches, just pass a bill where every time you buy a wristwatch, you have to pay a $200 tax. Boy, that’s going to be the end of wristwatches.

    “Business is the same way. If you want businesses not to expand, tax the hell out of them so they don’t have any money to reinvest in their businesses. If you want people to work less, tax them. Take all their money. People are rational. They’ll go, ‘Why would I want to work an extra 10 hours this week? They’re taxing me. They’re going to take all my money.’

    “So, our bill is a tax cut bill. That’s all it was.

    “We passed the tax cut back in 2017, as you know, Mr. President. Those tax cuts would have expired at the end of this year. If we hadn’t passed this bill, taxes on the American people would have gone up $4.3 trillion. Not billion. $4.3 trillion. It would have tanked our economy. Our economy would have gone down like a fat guy on a seesaw.

    “And some of my friends say, ‘You only cut taxes on the rich.’ That’s not true. That’s just a lie. I mean, well over half of the tax cuts that we extended go to ordinary Americans, working people, working moms, working dads. So, the first thing we did was extend the tax cuts. We avoided $4.3 trillion worth of taxes. And, frankly, everybody who voted against our bill voted to raise taxes on the American people in the amount of $4.3 trillion. That’s just a fact.

    “Our bill did some other things, though. We added some new tax cuts. We cut taxes on tips. Now, not everybody who works for tips is going to get a tax cut, but most people are. We cut taxes on overtime. Most ordinary Americans work overtime. We cut the taxes on overtime. We cut taxes on Social Security income. We cut taxes on some car loans. We extended the child tax credit—$2,200 for every child. That’s important for most Americans. We increased the standard deduction.

    “We strengthened Medicaid. One of the things—it’s really a lie, but I’ll call it rhetoric—going around is: ‘Well, they destroyed Medicaid.’ 

    “Medicaid’s going to grow under our bill. It’s just not going to grow as fast as it was. But 10 years from now, we’ll be spending a minimum a 20% more on Medicaid—not less, more. You know the biggest change we made to Medicaid: work requirements.

    “Now, the American people are the most compassionate people in the world. If you’re hungry, we’ll feed you. If you’re homeless, we’ll house you. If you’re too poor to be sick, we’ll pay for your doctor. We’re a generous people.

    “But those who can work should work. And we’ve got some people on Medicaid who are perfectly healthy. They’re not disabled. They don’t have young kids at home. I’m not talking about a mom with a sick child in her arms. They don’t have minor children at home. They just don’t want to work. They want to get Medicaid, but they don’t want to work.

    “Those who can work should work, and all our bill does is say, ‘Look, you can still keep your Medicaid, but if you can work—not if you’re disabled, not if you’re elderly, not if you’re in a nursing home—but if you’re a healthy adult at home playing video games, you’ve got to go look for a job. And you’ve got to work at least 20 hours a week—not 40 hours a week—20 hours a week. What’s unreasonable about that?

    “The other change made to Medicaid was that some people—not most people, but some people—when they sign up for Medicaid, they lie. They say, ‘I’m only making $25,000 a year.’ In fact, they might be making $75,000 or $100,000 a year. I’m not exaggerating. I’ve seen that happen.

    “What we’ve told the states is, ‘Twice a year for our folks on Medicaid, you have to check their eligibility. Make sure they’re not making more than they’re supposed to because Medicaid is not for everybody.’

    “What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with saying to people, ‘You’re not entitled to Medicaid if you’re not eligible?’ What’s unreasonable about that? We’re not killing people. We’re trying to save Medicaid so that we can afford it for people who really need it. 

    “The other two things this bill did . . . it provided more money for border enforcement. Now, I know there are many people in America and many people in the Senate who believe in open borders. I respect that. They may not say it, but they do. They just think the border ought to be wide open, and they think that if you believe in secure borders, you’re a racist. I don’t agree with them, but this is America. They’re entitled to their opinion.

    “Most Americans don’t think that. Most Americans want the border to be secure. They want to know who is coming in and out of their country, and this bill is going to provide the money to do that.

    “The other part of our bill as you know, Mr. President, provides much needed money for our military because we live in a dangerous world, and I wish we didn’t, but we do. And weakness invites the wolves.” 

    Watch Kennedy’s speech here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Joins Padilla, Booker in Effort to Require Immigration Officers to Display Clear Identification

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 10, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across the nation.

    “By sending masked officers without any sort of identification to detain nonviolent migrants, Donald Trump is proving once again that he’s more focused on sowing fear and distrust in our communities than actually making our country safer,” said Duckworth. “This deceptive practice shields federal agents from accountability and hurts public trust in immigration enforcement while creating chaos and confusion for the people being targeted by ICE. Without proper ID, anyone could impersonate an officer. I’m proud to join Senators Padilla and Booker in this effort to hold DHS accountable.”

    Under the Trump Administration’s mass deportation agenda, civil immigration enforcement operations have increasingly involved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers engaging with the public while wearing unmarked tactical gear, concealing clothing and face coverings that obscure both agency affiliation and personal identity. Without visible badges, names or insignia, members of the public often have no way to confirm whether they are interacting with legitimate government officials.

    This lack of transparency endangers public safety by causing widespread confusion and fear, especially in communities already subject to heightened immigration scrutiny. It also increases operational and safety risks for law enforcement personnel by creating an opportunity for immigration enforcement impersonators and compounding uncertainty in high-stress situations. Clear, consistent, visible identification helps reduce miscommunication during enforcement encounters, strengthens officer credibility and improves public cooperation, all of which are vital to mission success. The VISIBLE Act would place a critical check on the government’s power, ensuring basic transparency safeguards that protect public trust and legitimacy in immigration enforcement operations.

    Specifically, the VISIBLE Act would:

    • Require immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal agents detailed to immigration operations and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing;
    • Prohibit non-medical face coverings (such as masks or balaclavas) that obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations; and
    • Require DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

    The bill does not apply to covert or non-public facing operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.

    Along with Duckworth, Padilla and Booker, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Copy of the bill text is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Investor Alert: Bitget and Captex Are Not Registered

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 10, 2025

    The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA) warns investors of the online entities Bitget also known as Canada Bitget Limited, and CapTex.

    “The FCAA urges Saskatchewan residents to always check an entity’s registration status at aretheyregistered.ca before making an investment,” FCAA Securities Division Executive Director Dean Murrison said. “Registration status indicates if a business is legitimate. Only dealing with registered entities is an easy way to protect yourself and keep your investments safe.”

    Bitget claims to operate a cryptocurrency exchange platform and offers Saskatchewan residents trading opportunities in cryptocurrencies via margin trading and futures contracts. CapTex claims to offer Saskatchewan residents trading opportunities, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, indices, commodities, forex and precious metals.

    This alert applies to the online entities using the websites “bitget com” and “cap-tex io” (these URLs have been manually altered so as not to be interactive).

    Bitget and CapTex are not registered with the FCAA to trade or sell securities or derivatives in Saskatchewan. The FCAA cautions investors and consumers not to send money to companies that are not registered in Saskatchewan, as they may not be legitimate businesses. 

    If you have invested with Bitget, CapTex or anyone claiming to be acting on their behalf, contact the FCAA’s Securities Division at 306-787-5936.

    In Saskatchewan, individuals or companies need to be registered with the FCAA to trade or sell securities or derivatives. The registration provisions of The Securities Act, 1988, and accompanying regulations are intended to ensure that only honest and knowledgeable people are registered to sell securities and derivatives and that their businesses are financially stable.

    Tips to protect yourself:

    • Always verify that the person or company is registered in Saskatchewan to sell or advise about securities or derivatives. To check registration, visit The Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Registration Search at aretheyregistered.ca.
    • Know exactly what you are investing in. Make sure you understand how the investment, product or service works.
    • Get a second opinion and seek professional advice about the investment.
    • Do not allow unknown or unverified individuals to remotely access your computer.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson: The One Big Beautiful Bill is Great for People Who Go to Work Every Day

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill being signed into law and address the devastating floods in central Texas. 

    “As I said on the House floor the other day, it takes a lot longer to build a lie than to tell the simple truth. Our Republicans are going to be out across the country telling the simple truth,” Speaker Johnson said. “And guess what? It will be demonstrated. Everyone will have more take home pay. They’ll have more jobs and opportunity. The economy will be doing better and we’ll be able to point to that as the obvious result of what we did. “

    Click here to watch the full interview

    On the One Big Beautiful Bill’s impact on working class families:

    What we did in this bill is we made permanent the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts, and that was geared for lower- and middle-class Americans. In spite of everything they said, the bottom 20% of earners saw their lowest federal tax rate in 40 years. Now we’re building upon that. We just made that permanent and we’re building upon it because now we’ve cut taxes on overtime and tips and have more tax relief for seniors. And we’re giving everybody a tax cut, and that’s going to help the economy. It’s going to be jet fuel for small business owners, entrepreneurs, risk takers, the people that provide the jobs, manufacturers, farmers get assistance here, and that will lift the economy. 

    The Council of Joint Economic Advisors is expecting a 3%, growth rate in the economy. That will be incredible. They’re expecting 4 million additional jobs to be added. The average American, the typical American household, will have $13,000 more in take home pay. This is a great thing for people who go to work every day. They’re going to feel that. And we’re excited about the upcoming election cycle in 2026 because people will be riding an economic high just as, as we did after the first two years of the first Trump Administration – this time’s on steroids.

    On the One Big Beautiful Bill growing the U.S. economy:

    If you make between $30,000 and $80,000 a year, you’re going to have a 15% less federal tax rate. You are going to save more money, you’re going to keep more of your hard-earned money, and that’s not going away. So, by making all these tax cut permanent, it’s the largest tax bill, the most important, most consequential tax bill that Congress has ever passed because of what it does for people who go out and work hard every day. We’re going to make it easier on them. And all the other pro-growth policies in this bill. We also, at the same time, achieve the largest savings for the taxpayers in US history, about $1.6 trillion in savings. All those things are going to have a great effect.

    By the way, in the bill, we’re also going to secure the border permanently. We’re going to return to American energy dominance again, which is going to also be jet fuel of the economy. We’re going to take care of the peace through strength because we’re going to give important investments in our military industrial complex, which will help us in our competition with China. There is so much in this bill, it would be difficult for us to cover it in one segment, but people are going to feel that and we’re super excited about what we were able to deliver.

    On the devastating floods in Central Texas:

    In a moment like this, we feel just as helpless as everyone else does. I’ve talked to my colleagues there in Texas, Chip Roy and August Pfluger. You know that’s Chip’s district, August’s daughters were at the camp. We also had Buddy Carter of Georgia who had grandchildren there. It touches so many families, and all we know to do at this moment is pray. Every available resource has been deployed. The president, of course, is dialed in and watching this developed moment by moment as we are. And we will handle supplemental funding requests as they come in. But right now, they’re still trying to do rescue and recovery and our hearts go out to all of them.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wasserman Schultz Writes Secretary Rubio: Act Now to Free Cuban Political Prisoners Held for Four Years

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

    “The Cuban regime has no plans to release Maykel and Luis Manuel, and I have no confidence that rewarding the Cuban dictatorship will significantly improve its despicable record or improve the conditions of ordinary Cubans,” wrote Wasserman Schultz. “Therefore, I request that the Administration take immediate action to push for their release.”

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) wrote U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to request his urgent attention to Cubans fighting for democracy as the regime continues its brutal crackdown on dissent. Her request called for Rubio to quickly intervene to free hundreds of political prisoners wrongfully detained by the Cuban regime since the July 11 protest movement, including renowned Cuban rapper Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo Pérez and visual artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. Tomorrow, July 11th, marks the fourth anniversary of massive pro-democracy protests in Cuba. 

    “The Cuban regime has no plans to release Maykel and Luis Manuel, and I have no confidence that rewarding the Cuban dictatorship will significantly improve its despicable record or improve the conditions of ordinary Cubans,” wrote Wasserman Schultz. “Therefore, I request that the Administration take immediate action to push for their release.”

    In the letter, Wasserman Schultz asks the State Department to prioritize the immediate release of political prisoners including Maykel and Luis Manuel in any future talks with the regime and commit to strict punitive measures if they remain imprisoned. The letter notes the importance of U.S. support for cases on behalf of imprisoned Cuban dissidents at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), including a petition filed by the South Florida-based Cuban American Bar Association. 

    Wasserman Schultz works closely with Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Lantos Commission co-chairs Reps. James McGovern (D-MA) and Christopher Smith (R-NJ) to secure the immediate, unconditional release of these prisoners and raise awareness. In 2021, she sponsored a resolution expressing solidarity with the Cuban people and condemning the regime’s brutal crackdown on dissent, which passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. 

    The full letter is here.

    ####

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal, Webster Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create National Infrastructure Bank

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

    U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Daniel Webster (R-FL-11), senior leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, reintroduced the bipartisan National Infrastructure Investment Corporation (NIIC) Act, which would authorize the creation of a national infrastructure bank.

    The bank created by the NIIC Act would be authorized to provide loans and loan guarantees to local infrastructure projects, giving local governments another potential funding source in addition to support provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or other federal and state funding sources.

    “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was a landmark step in revitalizing our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, but more investment is needed to help fix our country’s roads and bridges, upgrade our waterways and wastewater systems, expand telecommunications capabilities, and more,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This bipartisan bill will unlock billions of dollars a year in private funding to support our nation’s most pressing infrastructure projects.”

    “American’s agree that our nations’ infrastructure is long overdue for critical repairs and improvements,” said Rep. Webster. “As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am committed to working on solutions that improve our nation’s infrastructure. This bipartisan bill would leverage private financing to help local governments and municipalities have access to the capital needed for improving critical infrastructure.”

    The bank’s available funding for supporting local projects would come from municipal, state, and union pension funds loaned to the bank, earning interest on the funds and repaying the principal in time for the workers to utilize their retirement savings.

    Since its passage in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered more than $1 billion in funding to projects up and down the Central Coast of California. 

    As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal played a key role in crafting and passing the landmark legislation in partnership with the Biden Administration.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington state to receive millions in latest opioid settlement

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — Washington state could receive more than $16 million as part of $720 million in nationwide settlements announced today with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis.

    Based on the overwhelming participation by attorneys general across the country, all eight defendants have agreed to proceed with a sign-on period for local governments. Of the funds coming to Washington state, half will go to state government and the other half will be distributed among local governments for use in fighting opioid abuse. The final amount will be determined by the number of eligible Washington counties and cities that join the settlements as well as other conditions in the settlements.

    The eight defendants and the total amount they will pay in funds to address the opioid crisis as part of the deal are: 

    • Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284,447,916 paid over nine years
    • Hikma: $95,818,293 paid over one to four years
    • Amneal: $71,751,010 paid over 10 years
    • Apotex: $63,682,369 paid in a single year
    • Indivior: $38,022,450 paid over four years
    • Sun: $30,992,087 paid over one to four years
    • Alvogen: $18,680,162 paid in a single year
    • Zydus: $14,859,220 paid in a single year

    In addition to these abatement payments, several of the settlements allow states to receive free pharmaceutical products or cash in lieu of such products.

    Additionally, seven of the companies (not including Indivior) are prohibited from promoting or marketing opioids and opioid products, making or selling any product that contains more than 40 milligrams of oxycodone per pill, and are required to put in place a monitoring and reporting system for suspicious orders. Indivior has agreed to not manufacture or sell opioid products for the next 10 years, but it will be able to continue marketing and selling medications to treat opioid use disorder. 

    Washington state has secured $1.3 billion through opioid settlements since 2022.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cammack, Gonzales Lead Letter Urging HHS to Fast-Track Livestock Treatment Approvals

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) led a group of Republican lawmakers in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging coordination between HHS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and pharmaceutical manufacturers to fast-track approvals and labeling of anti-parasitic treatments for livestock in response to the outbreak and growing threat of a New World Screwworm (NWS) infestation in Mexico.

    The letter highlights the serious health and economic risks posed by NWS, which is moving north through Mexico and approaching the U.S. border. Lawmakers are urging HHS to expedite approvals for antiparasitic treatments—such as ivermectin, doramectin, permethrin, and coumaphos—that are proven effective abroad but lack proper U.S. labeling. They cite the successful 2016 emergency approval of doramectin as a model and call for coordinated action with USDA and EPA to match USDA’s new five-prong strategy, including the sterile fly facility planned in South Texas.

    “Time is of the essence, as there are safe, effective treatments already in use around the world that U.S. producers cannot legally deploy because of outdated or incomplete labeling. By working hand-in-hand with USDA and EPA, HHS can cut through bureaucratic red tape to ensure that veterinarians, ranchers, and wildlife managers have the tools they need before an outbreak hits,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “For months, Congressman Gonzales and I have been actively engaged in combatting this threat. Over a month ago, we hosted a roundtable with fellow members of Congress, major stakeholders, and partners to determine the best path forward. We’ve developed an action plan and are working with our partners to execute executive and legislative action. It is now time for action at the federal level to match that urgency.”

    “Fast-tracking approvals for anti-parasitic treatments for livestock is another important step we must take to protect our livestock industry from the New World screwworm. From introducing the STOP Screwworms Act and leading funding efforts through my seat on the House Appropriations Committee to working alongside USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to launch a facility focused on screwworm eradication efforts—I am determined to do everything possible to eliminate this deadly parasite,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “Thank you, Rep. Kat Cammack, for your partnership in moving forward critical treatments to protect America’s livestock.”

    A copy of the full letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Zinke, Daines, Sheehy, Downing Introduce Bicameral Resolution Removing Harmful Miles City RMPA

    Source: US Congressman Ryan Zinke (Western Montana)

    Washington D.C. – Representatives Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Troy Downing (MT-02), along with U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today introduced a bicameral resolution disapproving and removing the Bureau of Land Management’s 2024 Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). The Miles City RMPA effectively ends future coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area, which will have an adverse impact on Montana’s jobs, economy, and energy security.

    “The only way we can achieve true American Energy Dominance is when we utilize all-of-the-above forms of energy to include Montana’s clean coal. Coal provides reliable, abundant and affordable baseload power. Our economy and people have always relied on Montana’s clean coal and that is only going to increase with the advancement of AI, data centers and population growth,” said Zinke.

    “Energy security is national security, and Montana’s mining industry plays a vital role in ensuring America remains energy dominant. The Miles City RMPA halts all future coal leasing in the region and will cause hardworking Montanans to lose their jobs. Moreover, the plan will stifle our state’s growing economy and increase our dependence on foreign nations for coal and energy production. I’m proud to introduce this resolution with Senator Sheehy, Representative Downing and Representative Zinke to remove this plan from the books and allow President Trump to move forward with a Made-In-Montana and Made-In-America energy policy,”said Daines.

    “It’s time to put an end to the Biden-era, job-killing, environmentalist mandates, and this resolution will help achieve that. As we work to unleash Montana energy, we must support Montana’s resource economy in building a successful future, creating jobs, and powering America. Montanans voted to make America energy dominant so we can bring down prices for families and boost real wages for the hardworking Americans who keep our economy running, and Montana’s delegation is delivering on this commonsense, America First agenda,”said Sheehy.

    “Montana’s Second Congressional District keeps the lights on in the Treasure State. Under the Biden Administration, Montana energy production took a direct hit when an outright ban on coal leasing in the Powder River Basin went into effect. I’m proud to lead this CRA in the House to reverse this disastrous management plan amendment that threatens access to affordable, reliable energy and investment in the communities I represent,”said Downing.

    Read the full resolution HERE.

    Background:

    The Miles City RMPA makes nearly 2,000,000 acres unavailable for coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area and prohibits new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. Daines is a strong supporter of leasing in the Powder River Basin- read more HERE.  

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Padilla Welcomes New Capitol Police Chief

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
    Padilla meets with Michael Sullivan, the new chief of the U.S. Capitol PoliceWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, which has oversight over the U.S. Capitol Police, issued the following statement after meeting with new Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan to welcome him to his new leadership role:
    “Amid the recent rise in dangerous political violence and rhetoric, bolstering the safety and security of Members, staff, and visitors to Capitol Hill is essential to the success of our constitutional government. I appreciate the public service and dedication of the officers who work long hours to protect the legislative branch, and I extend a warm welcome to Chief Michael Sullivan to this new leadership position. We had a productive discussion about Member and campus security, recruitment and retention, and officer morale. Alongside my colleagues in Congress, I look forward to working with Chief Sullivan to ensure that the Capitol Police have the resources, training, and support they need to do this incredibly important job safely and successfully.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: AI at Work: Look for employees who excel at how they learn to think, learn and adapt

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: AI at Work: Look for employees who excel at how they learn to think, learn and adapt

    My team recently partnered with NYU Stern on a project that challenged MBA students to design Frontier Firms, with AI at their operational core. Watching the final presentations, I was impressed by how well the students used AI to help write code, craft marketing strategies, and model financial scenarios, even when they lacked deep experience or formal backgrounds in those areas. 

    Then it occurred to me: I was watching the work of “Frontier Employees”—the new and necessary talent for the AI era, whose roles aren’t defined by what they already know but by their capacity to grow and put new skills to work. We’d given them access to the latest AI and agent capabilities with Copilot, empowering them to get work done that would have previously required decades of experience and expertise. But the tools alone don’t explain their success. To leverage AI to achieve what was previously impossible, they’d demonstrated three key skills: They learned to think, learned to learn, and learned to adapt.

    I believe these will be the defining skills of the Frontier Employee, and I encourage my own four kids—who range from college years to early in career—to develop them too.  
     
    Learn to think 
    There’s a common misconception that human thinking will be devalued in the AI-driven future. In fact, when AI is abundant and businesses can access intelligence on tap, human thought becomes more essential, not less.  

    In the AI era, humans will need to demonstrate strong critical thinking skills in two distinct and equally important ways. First, you become AI’s strategist: Frontier Employees curate, critique, and refine AI outputs to ensure accuracy and alignment with business goals. While you can delegate low-stakes, low-impact work to AI, for more meaningful projects, you should treat AI as a thought partner rather than a thought dispenser.  

    Second, you become AI’s teacher. Your thinking helps make AI better, because smart input from people produces rich data that fuels the technology’s growth and effectiveness. Without this ongoing human input, AI risks stagnation or even decline. 

    At Stern, the students conceived Frontier Firms in fields from biomedical research to fintech project management. By the end, every student had developed a powerful habit: Before accepting an AI-generated answer, they asked, “What might be missing or off in this response?” before moving forward. That pause—that moment of skepticism—is where critical thinking lives. 

    Learn to learn 
    In a world where AI is constantly evolving and changing job roles, a Frontier Employee’s ability to continuously acquire new skills is more important than mastering any single tool or technique. Taking courses alone won’t get you there. It’s about cultivating a mindset of curiosity, experimentation, and resilience, and then translating that mindset to performance. Successful leaders and employees will keep pace with AI’s evolution and understand when to unlearn, or let go of outdated knowledge. 

    Most of the MBA students didn’t start the project as AI experts. But they ramped up fast. In just a few weeks, they were building entire suites of agents—digital teammates that could run market research, analyze finances, or even simulate conversations with C-suite execs to pressure-test decisions. 

    In one case, a student with no marketing background became her startup’s CMO. She worked with Copilot to create an end-to-end marketing plan, complete with messaging, web design, and a brand palette, showing how AI can democratize expertise. “Unlearning” the idea that your education or background limits, defines, or uniquely qualifies you for a role presents an existential challenge for many. But those who embrace it will discover near-boundless career opportunities.  

    Learn to adapt 
    I’ve spent most of my career working on Microsoft productivity software, and we used to ship a new version every few years. Now, we’re launching new AI capabilities every few weeks. But it’s not only the pace of change that’s accelerating. By its very nature, AI is continuously evolving, and for Frontier Employees that means operating in an environment that requires continuous adaptation. 

    As the Stern students envisioned startups from the ground up, we urged them to break from familiar workflows and imagine entirely new patterns of collaboration. Historically, all work happened either by yourself or with other humans. In Frontier Firms, you work with and manage agents. That’s a radical adaptation that raised big questions: Which tasks still require human judgment? Where can agents take the lead? And in a team of humans and agents, how does decision-making evolve?  

    The students entered the MBA program a year ago, when the idea of a Frontier Firm had barely taken off. By the time they gave their final presentations, that idea had gained real momentum and was quickly transforming how new ventures take shape. By designing Frontier Firms from scratch, by using AI as the fundamental starting point for reimagining business, these students had to let go of the assumptions they arrived with and adapt to new realities in real-time.  

    Their success shows us something important about the future of work: the people who thrive will have solid thinking skills as their foundation, the ability to keep learning, and the openness to adjust course, constantly. These are deeply human skills that have always mattered—and always will.

    For more insights on AI and the future of work, subscribe to this newsletter.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Popular play area set for revamp

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Sunderland’s much loved Mowbray Park play area is set to undergo a makeover.

    The redevelopment will see the repair and revamp of some of the park’s favourite pieces of play equipment alongside the installation of a number of new pieces, including inclusive play equipment.

    New play equipment due to be installed over the next few weeks includes a toddler multiplay, see-saw, clambering boulders, balance beams, a nest rocker and a spider swing. The improvements will also see the installation of an inclusive roundabout, swing and a springie.

    Work on the play area, which is due to start next week, will see it being closed for 12 weeks from the week beginning 14 July. While the City Council generally tries to carry out work on play parks outside of the school holidays, due to the condition of some of the existing play equipment which is mainly down to wear and tear, the decision has been made to bring the planned work forward to next week.

    Councillor Lyndsey Leonard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero at Sunderland City Council, said: “Mowbray Park is one of our most popular parks and we’re delighted to be to be installing a range of new play equipment as part of the redevelopment of the much-loved play park.

    “The play area is a real favourite with children and the new play equipment will be a great addition for the many families for regularly visit it. We’re also aiming to repair and retain as many favourite pieces of the park’s existing play equipment as we can. 

    “We always do our very best to minimise any disruption to play by scheduling works around the school holidays. But unfortunately, in this case we have no option but to close the site to carry out the works as soon as possible, due to the condition of some pieces of play equipment including the slide which has been closed for a number of weeks, which are in need of more immediate attention.”

    The redevelopment of the the play area is being funded by the City Council’s Parks and Open Spaces budget and is part of the council’s ongoing work to upgrade its play areas across the city.

    To find out about other parks and play areas in the city, visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk/parks and for other outdoor things to do in the city: www.mysunderland.co.uk/Great-Outdoors 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Passing of RI Business Titan & Philanthropist, Alan G. Hassenfeld

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today released the following statement on the death of former chief executive officer and chairman of Hasbro and noted philanthropist, Alan G. Hassenfeld, 76:

    “Alan Hassenfeld leaves behind a rich legacy as a successful businessman and a man deeply devoted to improving lives and communities across Rhode Island and the world.  

    “Through Alan’s longtime, dutiful leadership of the company his family started in 1923, he brought joy into the lives of millions with Hasbro toys and brightened communities through the Hassenfeld family’s philanthropic efforts.

    “Not only did Alan help put smiles on kids’ faces, his charitable work reached countless families and helped establish cherished institutions like Hasbro Children’s Hospital and the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, touching lives and transforming children’s health across our state and region.

    “My thoughts are with the entire Hassenfeld family and his friends and former colleagues at Hasbro who are mourning Alan’s loss today.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Death of Former Governor Edward D. DiPrete

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed today released the following statement on the passing of former Rhode Island Governor Ed DiPrete, 91:

    “This is a loss of a state leader and a personal loss for myself because our families have been connected for two generations.  My dad had the chance to work closely with him in the Cranston school system when he was a custodian and Ed was on the school committee.  He was very kind and I always had a cooperative working relationship with him when I served in the state Senate. 

    “He was a devoted family man.  In his later years, Ed would beam discussing his twenty grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and beloved hometown of Cranston.  At this difficult moment, I hope his family and friends find peace and comfort in their loving memories of Ed’s unique personality and life.  He certainly made his mark.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 10th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Welcomes Over $4.3 Million to Improve New Mexico’s Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $4,384,758 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for upgrades at the Albuquerque International Sunport, Artesia Municipal Airport, and Socorro Municipal Airport.

    These grants are funded through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which provides grants for the planning and development of public-use airports.

    “When we invest in New Mexico’s airports, we invest in the people who rely on these facilities to do business in our state, create jobs, and contribute to our economy,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I am proud to welcome over $4.3 million to make improvements at the Albuquerque International Sunport and the Artesia and Socorro Municipal Airports. I will keep fighting to bring investments home to modernize our airports, improve travelers’ experiences, and drive our state’s economic growth for the future.”

    “Airports across New Mexico are critical hubs for transportation and local economies,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome over $4 million in federal funding for airports in Albuquerque, Artesia, and Socorro. These investments will improve safety, support local jobs, and help our airports better serve New Mexicans and visitors alike.”

    “Investing in our infrastructure keeps our communities connected and creates a foundation for prosperity in rural New Mexico. This $4,384,758 in federal funding will bring much-needed investments to not only New Mexico’s largest airport, but also our rural airports. Maintaining runways and infrastructure is the quiet work that is essential to keep our planes and passengers safe.” said Leger Fernández. “Connecting New Mexico diversifies our economy and creates local jobs across the state.”

    “Our airports are vital lifelines for trade, tourism, and connecting our communities to family and friends outside of New Mexico,” said Stansbury. “This $4.3 million for infrastructure updates for three airports across the state, including NM-01’s very own Sunport, will ensure they stay safe and efficient hubs for New Mexicans and visitors.”

    “From the Sunport to Socorro and Artesia, these airport upgrades will improve accessibility and connectivity for New Mexicans,” said Vasquez. “Safer roads, modernized runways, and new equipment mean better service for travelers and stronger support for local industries like agriculture, energy, and tourism. We’re making sure New Mexico isn’t left behind when it comes to infrastructure that keeps people and goods moving.”

    The breakdown of the FAA funding for New Mexico is below:

    FAA Funding for New Mexico

    Airport

    Project Description

    Grant Amount

    Albuquerque International Sunport

    This project rehabilitates 10,500 feet of existing terminal access road to extend its useful life.

    $3,656,508

    Artesia Municipal Airport

    This grant funds phase 1, which consists of design. This project rehabilitates 6,800 feet of existing paved Runway 4/22 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life.

    $128,250

    Socorro Municipal Airport

    This grant funds a portion of the final phase, which consists of construction. This project constructs a new 2,700 square foot snow removal equipment building to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.

    $600,000

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 759, Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 759 would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to publish geographic data, within 31 months of enactment, identifying areas within the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that are subject to regulatory restrictions on fishing, boating, diving, and other recreational activities. The data must be accessible on the agency’s website and updated at least twice a year. The EEZ is an area that is adjacent to the country’s coastal territorial sea and extends about 230 miles beyond the coastline.

    Under current law, NOAA maintains and publishes data identifying area-based regulations related to fishing and marine sanctuaries and develops navigational and underwater mapping information for the EEZ. The agency also maintains a federal spatial database of managed fisheries in collaboration with the Regional Fishery Management Council Coordination Committee and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. In 2024, NOAA allocated $101 million for those activities.

    CBO expects that NOAA would build on its existing capabilities to develop geospatial data standards and classification strategies for identifying restricted areas, working with other federal agencies, tribes, state and local governments and interstate commissions.

    Based on information from the agency, CBO expects that NOAA would need seven full-time equivalent staff in 2026 and five each year thereafter, at an average cost of $180,000 per employee. Those employees would be responsible for developing standards and compiling data into a digital, accessible, and interoperable geographic format. After accounting for anticipated inflation, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $5 million over the 2025-2030 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aurora Swanson. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025
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