NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Canada: $1.1 Million to Support 29 Teacher Innovation and Support Fund Projects

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 19, 2025

    Today, the Government of Saskatchewan announced $1.1 million for 29 teacher-led projects through the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund.

    “I am pleased to see the ideas brought forward by teachers across our province and appreciate their commitment to advancing innovative projects in their schools,” Education Minister Everett Hindley said. “Our government is committed to a strong education sector that supports student success through ongoing collaboration.”

    Teachers, with support from their divisions, were invited to apply to the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund this spring to advance local ideas that assist in providing positive student and teacher experiences. The 29 projects receiving funding fall into the following themes: STEM/technology, student wellbeing, academic and culture/land-based learning/arts. 

    Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive a record $2.4 billion in school operating funding for the next school year, a record increase of $186.4 million. This includes $395 million for classroom supports as part of a multi-year funding agreement with all 27 school divisions.

    Applications to the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund will open again in fall 2025. Learn more about the projects that have been awarded, including this round of projects, at Teacher Innovation and Support Fund | PreK-12 Education, Early Learning and Schools | Government of Saskatchewan.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Statement: “Netanyahu Was Wrong in 2002. He Is Wrong Now.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

    BURLINGTON, Vt., June 19 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement:

    In 2002, in testimony to Congress urging the United States to go to war in Iraq, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated: “There is no question whatsoever that Saddam is seeking… nuclear weapons…. If you take out Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations.”  

    Netanyahu was wrong. Very wrong. The war in Iraq resulted in 4,492 U.S. military deaths, over 32,000 wounded, and a cost of roughly three trillion dollars. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis also died as a result of that tragic war.

    Netanyahu was wrong regarding the war in Iraq. He is wrong now. We must not get involved in Netanyahu’s war against Iran.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province, BC Hydro launch pilot program to cut energy costs, support housing density

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    In a Canadian first, the Province and BC Hydro have launched a pioneering pilot project in Vancouver that has the potential to set new standards for supporting growing housing priorities and densification in Canada.

    Designed to support the transition from single-family homes to multi-unit residences, the initiative is exploring how full electrification – heating, cooling, EV charging and appliances – can be achieved without the need for more significant electrical service upgrades.

    “The potential for this innovative system shows what’s possible when we partner with local technology providers to make clean energy more accessible,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “We’re proud to support made-in-B.C. solutions that reduce emissions, strengthen our grid and lower energy costs for residents.”

    At the core of this project is a smart panel developed by Burnaby-based Evectrix, a key innovation supported through a $600,000 investment from the Province’s Innovative Clean Energy Fund and BC Hydro’s $700-million Energy Efficiency Plan. This device transforms a conventional breaker panel into a “smart hub” that manages real-time energy usage, in this case eliminating the need to upgrade from a 200-amp to a 400-amp service, even in an electrified six-unit development.

    This pilot project is Canada’s first to demonstrate:

    • all-suite electrification in a multi-unit residential building without requiring a significant service upgrade;
    • a smart panel integration with advanced thermostats for greater suite-level energy control; and
    • management of multiple non-EV electrical loads, such as hot water, ranges and dryers, through a single smart panel.

    Traditionally, densifying from single-family homes to duplexes, fourplexes and sixplexes has required significant electrical upgrades. This project explores a better path: the smart panel dynamically manages load at the suite level, helping avoid over-capacity while unlocking significant savings. The project is a scalable model for retrofitting and densification that could save thousands of dollars in infrastructure costs per project.

    Special permission was given from the City of Vancouver in order for the project to be installed at the location. Through the Consortium for Power Efficient Design, BC Hydro continues working with partners to advocate for changes to the Canadian Electrical Code, expanding the use of energy management systems like the one being explored through this project.

    “This technology pilot is a potential game-changer for accelerating clean-energy adoption in multi-unit housing,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “It not only supports our broader goal of building a more sustainable and efficient electricity system, but it also helps customers avoid the high costs of major electrical upgrades – making densification more accessible, affordable and practical.”

    Through its $700-million Energy Efficiency Plan, BC Hydro is significantly increasing investments in energy-saving tools, technologies, programs and rebates. These measures are expected to deliver 2,000 gigawatt hours in electricity savings – enough to power approximately 200,000 homes. The project, located on Vancouver’s Chestnut Street, is one of many innovative pilot programs now underway or in development, designed not only to reduce consumption today but to empower customers to manage their energy use more efficiently in the years ahead and save money.

    If this approach proves successful, it could set the stage for more customer-focused energy solutions that help households and businesses lower their bills, reduce emissions and take advantage of smarter, more responsive grid technologies. These efforts are part of BC Hydro’s long-term commitment to delivering value, reliability and sustainability to customers as energy needs evolve.

    Quotes:

    Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance and MLA for Vancouver-South Granville –

    “Advanced technology projects like the smart panel will help to create electricity systems that are efficient, resilient and responsive to people’s needs. We will continue to partner with local technology companies to help strengthen our grid and cut energy costs for British Columbians.”

    Kambiz Pishghadam Ghaeni, chief operating officer, Evectrix –

    “We’re proud to bring B.C.-made innovation to life through this first-of-its-kind, electrified six-townhouse project, proving that homeowners can electrify and decarbonize without the burden of costly service upgrades. With meaningful support from the Province and in close collaboration with the BC Hydro team, our intelligent load management technology is unlocking a scalable, affordable and future-ready path to electrify homes and multi-unit buildings throughout the province.” 

    Saul Schwebs, chief building official, City of Vancouver –  

    “The City of Vancouver is proud to support this project, which showcases innovative made-in-British Columbia technology. The City approved the use of this load management technology through a special permission pathway, illustrating our commitment to energy-efficient solutions.” 

    Learn More:

    To learn more about the Province’s plans to power B.C.’s potential, visit: https://www.bchydro.com/poweringpotential

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Dakota Set to Welcome Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in 2026

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Monumental cultural destination to celebrate the life, legacy, and leadership of America’s 26th President

    North Dakota will mark the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026 with a milestone of its own: the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) during Independence Day celebrations in early July. Set in the iconic Badlands near Medora, the Library will honor the influence of the 26th President of the United States by bringing his story to life in the same rugged landscape that helped shape his enduring ideals of leadership, conservation, and the American spirit.

    Perched on a bluff overlooking the Little Missouri River at the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, TRPL will enrich the western North Dakota experience. Designed by Snøhetta, the architectural firm behind the Oslo Opera House, TRPL is being built to meet the Living Building Challenge. This rigorous undertaking, achieved by only 35 buildings worldwide, means the TRPL will generate its own energy, treat its own water, and operate in harmony with nature.

    TRPL will serve as both a museum and a gateway to exploration, drawing on Roosevelt’s prolific writings, historical milestones, and lifelong devotion to the “strenuous life” to inspire generations through his legacy as the “Conservation President” and advocate for civic responsibility.

    “The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how we tell the story of one of America’s most influential leaders,” said Sara Otte Coleman, Director of North Dakota Tourism. “Roosevelt’s time in North Dakota shaped his values and vision. This library will do the same for every visitor—sparking discovery, connection, and a deeper understanding of our shared history all within the beautiful badlands of North Dakota.”

    Inside TRPL, visitors won’t just learn about Theodore Roosevelt they will walk beside him. From beginning to end, the experience is a journey not just through Roosevelt’s life, but through the values that shaped America. It will feature interactive exhibits, immersive storytelling, and curated landscapes that reflect Roosevelt’s commitment to conservation, public service, and personal resilience. In addition to showcasing the former president’s achievements, the TRPL will highlight his deep ties to North Dakota, including his transformative years as a rancher in the Badlands following personal tragedy.

    TRPL is also partnering with Microsoft to develop a groundbreaking AI-powered digital platform that unifies Roosevelt’s archives from 33 collections across 18 institutions. This will make his writings, letters, and legacy easily searchable and accessible, enabling scholars, students, and storytellers worldwide to engage with Roosevelt’s story in new and meaningful ways.

    “We’re creating a People’s Presidential Library that welcomes everyone—physically, digitally, and emotionally.” said Ed O’Keefe, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation. “We are proud to open our doors in North Dakota, the very place that so profoundly shaped the indomitable spirit of Roosevelt. Our aspiration is for each visitor not merely to recall history’s echoes, but to step into it.”

    The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is expected to become a cornerstone of North Dakota’s tourism experience, spurring visitation, educational tourism, and community development. North Dakota Tourism is collaborating with the TRPL and partners statewide to create integrated travel experiences, themed road trips, and conservation-focused programming to celebrate the state’s deep connection to Theodore Roosevelt.

    For more information and ongoing updates, visit www.ndtourism.com/theodore-roosevelt-man-legend or www.trlibrary.com/.

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    Editor’s Notes: Additional visual assets of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library are available here with access code NDTRPL26. Media interested in visiting TRPL, may sign up for more information here: www.trlibrary.com/press/tours.

    Follow North Dakota Tourism on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TravelND, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/northdakotalegendary/ or on X at x.com/NorthDakota and get tips on what to see and do all year long.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proclaims Juneteenth Day of Observance

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 19, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance” in the State of California.

    The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

    PROCLAMATION

    July 4 is not the only day America celebrates its independence. Each year on June 19, we look back to this day in 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger led troops into Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the insidious institution of slavery. Thousands of enslaved people in Texas, among the last to learn of their independence, were finally freed, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

    Over the next several decades, Black Americans who journeyed out of the South in search of better lives brought Juneteenth celebrations with them. The thousands who settled in California, especially in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, taught our state that America’s struggle for freedom did not end in 1776 or 1865, but continues to this day.

    California is proud to recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday, honoring the centuries of struggles and triumphs that have brought us to this moment. Misguided efforts to rewrite our nation’s history make our state’s commitment to confronting the dark chapters of our past all the more important, as we move forward in pursuit of a more perfect union.

    This Juneteenth, I urge all Californians to reflect on the ongoing cause of freedom for Black Americans – remembering that, though General Granger’s announcement in 1865 called for “absolute equality,” that vision was, and remains, far from complete. Let us celebrate how far we have come and take stock of how far we must go to truly realize our nation’s founding ideals.

    NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2025 as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance.”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 27th day of May 2025.

    GAVIN NEWSOM
    Governor of California

    ATTEST:
    SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
    Secretary of State

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Questions Army Leaders on Munitions Production, Drone Utilization and Funding Challenges

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) questioned Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George about the Army’s modernization initiative and its potential impact as well as the importance of stable funding and current and future drone capabilities at a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing.

    “I share your concerns with modernization. I share the concerns of many in Congress about the loss of the organic industrial base. Current events have made one thing clear: the commercial industrial base alone cannot meet our munitions demands. That’s why Congress has advocated for investing in Army-owned, organic industrial base facilities,” Boozman said.

    “It is – there are probably a couple of threats if we don’t figure out how to get scalable solutions together, we are going to put our Army in a bad position and that is absolutely one of them. I would be honored to work with you,” Driscoll stated.

    Boozman, along with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), has pushed back on the Army’s intentions to potentially downsize the Pine Bluff Arsenal rather than expand its operations to help meet munitions needs. The lawmakers subsequently called for detailed plans for the future of the Arsenal as a critical element of the defense industrial base.

    As a senior Appropriations Committee member, Boozman also questioned the effect temporary funding and authorities – in the form or continuing resolutions – has on military missions and commitments.

    “We wouldn’t be able to make some of the changes because it would be based on previous years. That would obviously be a detriment to us in the Army. We know the battlefield is constantly changing,” George responded.

    “Predictable funding is a virtuous concept that helps us in a lot of different ways. When we continue to have CRs, it makes our spending decisions and the downstream effect on our suppliers even more amplified,” Driscoll continued.

    The senator concluded by pressing for details on the Army’s plan to integrate and field mass small drone technology in light of recent drone attacks abroad, including Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web that successfully targeted Russia’s air fleet.

    “We need to produce – we’re producing very few drones stateside. We need to have [that] here in our organic industrial base. That’s certainly one area where there’s an intersection where we need to improve on,” George explained.

    Boozman previously discussed the threat of drone attacks on U.S. domestic military installations and assets with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Community Savings expands its Union Asset Management division with addition of USW Local 2009

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia / Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With a focus on aligning long-term financial strategy with union values, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2009 has selected Community Savings Credit Union’s Union Asset Management division as its investment partner – continuing to partner with a credit union that the USW helped establish as the International Woodworkers of America in 1944.

    The partnership comes as BC’s forestry and steel sectors face mounting pressures from ongoing tariff disputes and market volatility, making values-aligned investment partnerships more critical than ever for union members’ financial security.

    “This isn’t just about finding another investment manager. It’s about keeping union money working for union values,” said Al Bieksa, USW Local 2009 President. “In forestry and steel, we’re dealing with constant uncertainty from tariff announcements and trade barriers. Community Savings has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of union values and a thoughtful approach to growing investments for our members. Having an investment partner that understands our industry challenges and won’t ship our capital off to Bay Street makes real sense for our members.”

    Raj Khunkhun, President of Community Savings’ Union Asset Management division, said: “When unions pool their investment power, they can demand better returns for their members. In partnership with NEI Investments, we manage global investments while ensuring profits are retained in Canada, providing returns that matter to the labour movement. Our work with USW Local 2009 will continue through this shared mission and will support the financial security and growth of union members across the region. We’re not just managing money – we’re building the financial foundation that lets working people fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and stronger communities.”

    The Union Asset Management division offers fund management for pensions, benefits, and other investments. It partners with NEI Investments, a Canadian asset manager specializing in responsible investing with over $11 billion under management.

    For Local 2009’s members, many of whom work in industries facing significant economic headwinds, the partnership offers stability through turbulent times. The credit union’s approach prioritizes long-term security over short-term speculation which is crucial for workers in cyclical industries like forestry and steel.

    The move also strengthens Community Savings’ position as BC’s largest fully unionized credit union. Since becoming Canada’s first Living Wage employer in 2010, the institution has demonstrated that financial services can operate on cooperative principles while delivering competitive results.

    USW represents 225,000 members across nearly every economic sector in Canada and is North America’s largest private-sector union, with 850,000 members across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

    Union organizations interested in learning more about Union Asset Management services can visit: comsavings.com/assetmanagement

    About Community Savings Credit Union: Community Savings Credit Union is driven by its purpose to unite working people to build a just world. As BC’s largest fully unionized credit union, Community Savings provides banking services while living its values – from becoming Canada’s first Living Wage employer in 2010 to winning the 2022 BCBusiness Workplace Wellness Award.

    Community Savings operates seven branches across the Lower Mainland and Victoria. For more information, visit comsavings.com.

    Media Contact
    Yulu Public Relations
    cscu@yulupr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: 8 in 10 people support taxing oil and gas corporations to pay for climate damages, global survey finds

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bonn, Germany, 19 June 2025 – A vast majority of people believe governments must tax oil, gas and coal corporations for climate-related loss and damage, and that their government is not doing enough to counter the political influence of super rich individuals and polluting industries. These are the key findings of a global survey – including responses from South Africa and Kenya – which reflect a broad consensus across political affiliations, income levels and age groups.[1]  

    The study, jointly commissioned by Greenpeace International and Oxfam International, was launched today at the UN Climate Meetings in Bonn (SB62), where government representatives are discussing climate policies, including ways to raise at least US$ 1.3 trillion annually in climate finance for Global South countries by 2035. The survey was conducted across 13 countries, including most G7 countries. 

    Sherelee Odayar, Oil and Gas Campaigner for Greenpeace Africa said:

    “In Africa, people are feeling the heat—literally—and they’re done footing the bill for disasters driven by record fossil-fuel profits. This survey sends an unmistakable message: our governments have a popular mandate to make oil, gas and coal corporations pay their fair share for the floods, droughts and hunger they’ve helped unleash. A polluter-pays tax would turn dirty profits into clean investments for frontline communities, and that’s the climate justice Africa has been calling for.”

    Ali Mohamed, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Kenya, said:


    “African Leaders adopted the Nairobi Declaration during the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, which among others, calls for a global carbon taxation regime, including levies on fossil fuel trade. Kenya co-chairs the Global Solidarity Levies Taskforce, which brings together a coalition of willing countries to design and implement progressive levies that reflect the true cost of pollution. The principle is simple, sectors profiting from the increasing greenhouse gas emissions that cause the destructive climate change, must be taxed to support climate impacted vulnerable communities in Africa and other developing world, adapt and recover from the devastating losses and damages being suffered so frequently.”

    Mads Christensen, Executive Director of Greenpeace International said:

    “These survey results send a clear message: people are no longer buying the lies. They see the fingerprints of fossil fuel giants all over the storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires devastating their lives, and they want accountability. By taxing the obscene profits of dirty energy companies, governments can unlock billions to protect communities and invest in real climate solutions. It’s only fair that those who caused the crisis should pay for the damage, not those suffering from it.”

    The study, run by Dynata, was unveiled alongside the Polluters Pay Pact, a global alliance of communities on the frontlines of climate disasters. The Pact demands that – instead of piling the costs on ordinary people – governments make oil, gas and coal corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause, through the introduction of new taxes and fines.

    The Pact is backed by firefighters and other first responders, trade unions and worker groups, and mayors from countries including Australia, Brazil, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and South Africa, the US, and plaintiffs in landmark climate cases from Pacific island states to Switzerland.

    The Pact is also supported by over 60 NGOs, including Oxfam International, 350.org, Avaaz, Islamic Relief UK, Asociación Interamericana para la Defensa del Ambiente (AIDA), Indian Hawkers Alliance, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Jubilee Australia and the Greenpeace network.

    The survey’s findings published today reveal broad public support for the core demands of the Polluters Pay Pact, as climate impacts worsen worldwide and global inequality grows.

    Key findings of the survey include:

    • 81% of people surveyed would support taxes on the oil, gas, and coal industry to pay for damages caused by fossil-fuel driven climate disasters like storms, floods, droughts and wildfires.
    • 86% of people in surveyed countries support channeling revenues from higher taxes on oil and gas corporations towards communities most impacted by the climate crisis. Climate change is disproportionately hitting people in Global South countries, who are historically least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. 
    • When asked who should be taxed to pay for helping survivors of fossil-fuel driven climate disasters, 66% of people across countries surveyed think it should be oil and gas companies, while just 5% support taxes on working people, 9% on goods people buy, and 20% favour business taxes.
    • 68% felt that the fossil fuel industry and the super-rich had a negative influence on politics in their country. 77% say they would be more willing to support a political candidate who prioritises taxing the super-rich and the fossil fuel industry. 

    Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International, said: 

    “Fossil fuel companies have known for decades about the damage their polluting products wreak on humanity. Corporations continue to cash in on climate devastation, and their profiteering destroys the lives and livelihoods of millions of women, men and children, predominantly those in the Global South who have done the least to cause the climate crisis. Governments must listen to their people and hold polluters responsible for their damages. A new tax on polluting industries could provide immediate and significant support to climate-vulnerable countries, and finally incentivise investment in renewables and a just transition.” 

    The Polluters Pay Pact demonstrates popular support for the campaign to make polluters pay. The campaign is being waged throughout 2025 in countries worldwide and in critical international forums, including the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), and negotiations for a UN tax convention that could include new rules to make multinational oil and gas companies pay their fair share for their pollution.

    ENDS

    Notes:

    [1] The research was conducted by first-party data company Dynata in May-June, 2025, in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Kenya, Italy, India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, the UK and the US, with approximately 1200 respondents in each country and a theoretical margin of error of approximately 2.83%. Together, these countries represent close to half the world’s population. Statistics available here. 

    Additional background information available here.

    [2] Learn more about the Polluters Pay Pact: polluterspaypact.org

    [3] Additional quotes here from people around the world who are backing the Polluters Pay Pact, including first responders, local administration, youth, union representatives and people bringing climate cases to courts. 

    Contacts: 

    For Greenpeace Africa:

    Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Email: [email protected], Cell: +254 722 505 233

    Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected]. 

    For Greenpeace International: 

    Tal Harris, Greenpeace International, Global Media Lead – Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, [email protected], +41-782530550Greenpeace International Press Desk: [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours). Follow on X and Bluesky for our latest international press releases.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Conflict sets back development gains for decades: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Conflict sets back development gains for decades: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council debate on poverty, under-development and conflict.

    The United Kingdom is grateful to Guyana for convening this important open debate, underlining the challenges of poverty and under-development.

     At the core of the 2030 Agenda is the understanding that human rights, peace and security, and development are deeply interlinked and mutually reinforcing. 

    The theme of Guyana’s Council tenure, Partnering for Peace and Prosperity, reminds us of the importance of working together to address these challenges effectively.

    I will make three points.

    First, we need to equip the UN system to deliver more integrated solutions to these challenges, especially in fragile and conflict-affected states.

    This means aligning humanitarian, development, and peace and security efforts, targeting the drivers of conflict, and using robust analysis and early warning systems to shape the UN’s responses. 

    And it means strengthening cooperation between the UN and the International Financial Institutions. We should seize the opportunities offered by UN80 to drive this approach forward.  

    Second, Member States agreed in the Pact for the Future that we need to strengthen national conflict prevention strategies. 

    The United Kingdom welcomes the initiatives taken by the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund to support countries to this end. And we hope that the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review will increase the momentum behind this work.

    Third, as the Secretary-General highlighted, local ownership and inclusivity are key to fostering sustainable development and enduring peace. 

    As we mark the 25th anniversary of this Council’s landmark resolution on Women, Peace and Security, it remains vital to ensure the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in political and peace processes. 

    And I echo your emphasis, President, on this aspect.

    The United Kingdom is proud to have partnered closely with Guyana in this area, including in the development of Guyana’s own National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. 

    President, it is all too evident that poverty and under-development can exacerbate the drivers of conflict. The world’s poorest people are particularly vulnerable to the immediate harms caused by conflict. And conflict sets back development gains, often for decades, as the Secretary-General reminded us.

     The United Kingdom is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the UN system can support coordinated responses to these interlinked challenges.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s Statement on Juneteenth Holiday

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Pressley Continues to Lead Charge for Bold Policies That Protect Black Freedom, Advance Racial Justice

    BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement marking the Juneteenth federal holiday. Congresswoman Pressley remains steadfast in her advocacy for bold policies that protect Black freedom, safeguard Black history, and advance racial justice, including reparations.

    “On Juneteenth, we celebrate Black joy, Black history, Black brilliance, and Black emancipation. We honor our ancestors whose resistance and sacrifice made this day possible, and we thank today’s freedom fighters who carry forward their legacy. Juneteenth is a reminder that Black freedom was fought for and won by Black people, and today our struggle for collective liberation continues.

    “In this moment of anti-Blackness on steroids—when our very existence is under attack, our history is being erased, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are under assault, and our civil rights are under threat from the highest levels of government—we must remain unapologetic in advancing bold policies that protect Black lives and freedom. That means passing H.R. 40, our bill to advance reparations and address America’s shameful legacy of slavery. It means safeguarding voting rights, securing reproductive freedom, and ending the Black maternal morbidity crisis. It means investing in Baby Bonds, confronting the rise of book bans, ending mass incarceration, investing in housing and education as human rights, and so much more.

    “As communities across the country, from Texas to Roxbury and beyond, gather to observe Freedom Day, we’re reminded that Black joy is itself an act of resistance—a declaration of our worth and our power. As we commemorate this day, let us honor our ancestors not just through reflection, but through action, organizing, and policy change that bring us closer to the emancipation and freedom they dreamt of and fought so hard for.”

    In 2020, Congresswoman Pressley joined civil rights champion and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) in supporting legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday and authored an op-ed in WBUR advocating for its enactment. Rep. Pressley applauded the House’s passage of the bill in 2021.

    Rep. Pressley is the lead House sponsor of H.R. 40, historic legislation to establish a federal commission to examine the lasting legacy of slavery and develop reparations proposals for African American descendants of enslaved people. This week, she announced growing momentum behind the bill, which now has the support of nearly 100 national and grassroots organizations and over 80 members of Congress.

    Rep. Pressley is also the author of the Books Save Lives Act, legislation to help ensure an inclusive learning environment and counteract the harm of book bans across the country. 

    Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has championed policies to address the harmful legacy of slavery and support the true liberation of Black America, including Baby Bonds, a People’s Justice Guarantee, student debt cancellation, addressing the Black maternal morbidity crisis, supporting Black-owned microbusinesses, promoting anti-racist public health policy, and more.

    In April 2025, Rep. Pressley met with Northeastern University’s Center for Law, Equity, and Race to discuss efforts and further action in a shared push for reparative justice.

    Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of the People’s Justice Guarantee (PJG) – her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system. 

    Last year, Rep. Pressley and House Oversight Ranking Member Jamies Raskin introduced the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act and the Equity in Agency Planning Act to codify racial equity across federal agencies and improve government services for underserved communities.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Secures Digital Asset License in Georgia, Running its Global Expansion Strategy in Eastern Europe

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has secured regulatory approval in Georgia to operate as a provider of digital asset exchange and custodial wallet services through the Tbilisi Free Zone (TFZ). The new licensing development is a strategic expansion aligned with Bitget’s plans of growing its licensing portfolio in Eastern Europe, a region increasingly dictating the growth of crypto through open regulatory frameworks and progressive economic outlooks.

    Georgia has emerged as a notable hub for crypto innovation, drawing attention with its pro-business stance and supportive environment for crypto and blockchain companies. Ranked among the top countries for crypto mining per capita and blockchain integration, Georgia has actively pursued policies to align with global financial standards while embracing the strong potential of emerging cryptospace. The Tbilisi Free Zone offers tax advantages and has set frameworks and procedures for companies in the digital asset space, making it a hotbed for international players seeking operational flexibility with regulatory clarity.

    “Regions with strong crypto-friendly frameworks are creating the foundation for the next era of finance. Georgia is an example of how strategic policymaking can open doors for growth while guarding users’ safety and increasing accessibility. Bitget’s goal is to work hand-in-hand with jurisdictions that understand the long game—where crypto is a synonym for the new emerging global economic infrastructure,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

    Bitget’s entrance into Georgia aligns with its broader objective of strengthening its presence in markets that support responsible innovation. As crypto adoption accelerates in Eastern Europe, the region has become increasingly important for digital asset platforms looking to serve both institutional and retail users under compliant structures. Regulatory transparency in jurisdictions like Georgia helps ensure that growth is matched with accountability, a principle that aligns with Bitget’s international expansion approach.

    Bitget currently holds registrations in several key jurisdictions across Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. These include AUSTRAC in Australia, OAM in Italy, and Virtual Asset Service Provider listings in Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic. In the UK, Bitget operates its FCA-approved platform partnering with an Authorized Person for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. In addition, Bitget’s recent licenses in El Salvador and registration Argentina adds depth to its reach across both rising and established economies, marking a deliberate move into markets shaping the next wave of crypto adoption.

    The newly acquired license in Georgia builds on this momentum—signaling a preference for regions implementing crypto-friendly frameworks and regulatory prudence. Each new license marks yet another step towards Bitget’s global strategy to include crypto into everyday infrastructure with high quality products, world-class security and strong compliance towards local regulations.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/595c8101-71b3-4f99-9849-5682104ad6de

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Italian Science Fiction Writer Roberto Quaglia Participates in SPIEF-2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MOSCOW, RUSSIA, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is in Russia from June 18 to 21. Among the participants is Italian writer and publicist Roberto Quaglia, holder of the title of Europe’s best science fiction writer. He noted the significance of SPIEF as a space where the architecture of the future world is being formed.

    “There are places in time and space where the future is created. This is one of them. Today, a new multipolar world is born—with new connections, centres of power, and initiatives. The economy plays a decisive role here, and that is precisely why the forum in Russia has special significance,” emphasised Roberto Quaglia.

    One of the main events of the first day of SPIEF was the session “Shaping a New Platform for Global Growth”, which opened the business program. It was organised based on the results of the Open Dialogue of the Russia National Centre. Leading specialists from Russia, Cameroon, Spain, Azerbaijan, and Canada participated in the discussion, as well as authors of the best essays from the Open Dialogue.

    Experts discussed tectonic shifts in the world system, Africa’s potential as a centre of future economic development, demographic challenges, and the role of advanced technologies. Special attention was paid to the theme of the economy’s cultural foundations and business’s social responsibility. Maxim Oreshkin noted that open and substantive dialogue is necessary to develop sustainable solutions.

    Social Links

    Telegram: https://t.me/gowithRussia

    VK: https://vk.com/gowithrussia

    Media Contact

    Brand: Russia National Centre

    Contact: Media Team

    Email: pressa@russia.ru

    Website: https://future.russia.ru/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Crop Report for the Period June 10 to June 16, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 19, 2025

    With seeding complete in the province, producers are busy with in-field spraying and other activities such as hauling grain. A good general rain is needed to help push crop development and ensure the crop doesn’t begin to deteriorate in condition. 

    There were some isolated showers over the past week with some areas seeing heavy rain and hail. While the moisture was welcome, the intensity of these storms left some crops damaged. The most rainfall reported over the week was in the Meadow Lake area which received 64 millimeters (mm). Other heavy rainfall amounts were reported in the Coleville area with 46 mm, the Bruno area with 40 mm and the Prince Albert area with 31 mm. Many other areas of the province received small spotty rains ranging between two to 10 mm, while others were fortunate enough to get upwards of 20 to 30 mm over the week. 

    Even with the rainfall over the past week, topsoil moisture conditions continue to decline provincially. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 40 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 25 per cent very short. Pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 27 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 31 per cent very short.

    Most crops are reported as being normal in their development for this time of year. However, many producers are reporting that without rain soon crop development will be delayed on later seeded crops and hastened for the more advanced crops as they respond to the drier conditions. Spring cereals are rated as 13 per cent ahead, 72 per cent normal and 15 per cent behind. Oilseeds are rated as five per cent ahead, 68 per cent normal and 27 per cent behind. Finally, pulse crops are 14 per cent ahead, 77 per cent normal and nine per cent behind. Crop conditions across the province are mainly rated as fair to good. Producers are reporting that crop conditions will quickly deteriorate if rain is not received soon. 

    Dry conditions coupled with windy days continues to be the largest source of crop damage and severity ranges from minor to moderate depending on the region. There were many scattered hail events this past week with damage ranging from minor to severe. Fall seeded crops in later development stages were heavily impacted and are unlikely to recover, but less advanced crops should be able to bounce back. The heavy rains resulted in some flooding which has left crops washed out or sitting in standing water. Pressure from grasshoppers and flea beetles remains rated as minor to moderate and producers are actively working to control these pests to minimize damage.

    Producers will continue to actively scout and apply crop protection products to ensure pest pressures are managed while conducting other farming activities. Cattle producers are frequently evaluating pasture conditions and hauling water and feed as necessary. Producers and the public are reminded that conditions remain dry across the province and every precaution should be taken to limit the risk of fires.

    For many producers, this is still a stressful time of year and producers are encouraged to take safety precautions in all the work they do. The Farm Stress Line can help by providing support for producers toll free at 1-800-667-4442.

    A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online: download Crop Report.

    Follow the 2025 Crop Report on X/Twitter at @SKAgriculture.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Further Extending the TikTok Enforcement Delay

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Extension.  (a)  The enforcement delay specified in section 2(a) of Executive Order 14166 of January 20, 2025 (Application of Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok), as extended by Executive Order 14258 of April 4, 2025 (Extending the TikTok Enforcement Delay), is further extended until September 17, 2025.  During this period, the Department of Justice shall take no action to enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (the “Act”) (Public Law 118-50, Div. H) or impose any penalties against any entity for any noncompliance with the Act, including for distributing, maintaining, or updating (or enabling the distribution, maintenance, or updating) of any foreign adversary controlled application as defined in the Act.  In light of this direction, even after the expiration of the above-specified period, the Department of Justice shall not take any action to enforce the Act or impose any penalties against any entity for any conduct that occurred during the above-specified period or any period prior to the issuance of this order, including the period of time from January 19, 2025, until the date of this order.(b)  The Attorney General shall take all appropriate action to issue written guidance to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.(c)  The Attorney General shall further issue a letter to each provider stating that there has been no violation of the statute and that there is no liability for any conduct that occurred during the above-specified period, as well as for any conduct from the effective date of the Act until the date of this order.(d)  Because of the national security interests at stake and because section 2(d) of the Act vests authority for investigations and enforcement of the Act only in the Attorney General, attempted enforcement by the States or private parties represents an encroachment on the powers of the Executive.  The Attorney General shall exercise all available authority to preserve and defend the Executive’s exclusive authority to enforce the Act.
    Sec. 2.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice. 
                                   DONALD J. TRUMP
    THE WHITE HOUSE,    June 19, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Further Extending the TikTok Enforcement Delay

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Extension.  (a)  The enforcement delay specified in section 2(a) of Executive Order 14166 of January 20, 2025 (Application of Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok), as extended by Executive Order 14258 of April 4, 2025 (Extending the TikTok Enforcement Delay), is further extended until September 17, 2025.  During this period, the Department of Justice shall take no action to enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (the “Act”) (Public Law 118-50, Div. H) or impose any penalties against any entity for any noncompliance with the Act, including for distributing, maintaining, or updating (or enabling the distribution, maintenance, or updating) of any foreign adversary controlled application as defined in the Act.  In light of this direction, even after the expiration of the above-specified period, the Department of Justice shall not take any action to enforce the Act or impose any penalties against any entity for any conduct that occurred during the above-specified period or any period prior to the issuance of this order, including the period of time from January 19, 2025, until the date of this order.(b)  The Attorney General shall take all appropriate action to issue written guidance to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.(c)  The Attorney General shall further issue a letter to each provider stating that there has been no violation of the statute and that there is no liability for any conduct that occurred during the above-specified period, as well as for any conduct from the effective date of the Act until the date of this order.(d)  Because of the national security interests at stake and because section 2(d) of the Act vests authority for investigations and enforcement of the Act only in the Attorney General, attempted enforcement by the States or private parties represents an encroachment on the powers of the Executive.  The Attorney General shall exercise all available authority to preserve and defend the Executive’s exclusive authority to enforce the Act.
    Sec. 2.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice. 
                                   DONALD J. TRUMP
    THE WHITE HOUSE,    June 19, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CRTC takes action to help bring high-speed Internet to 18 communities across Canada

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 19, 2025—Gatineau—Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

    The CRTC is taking action to help bring high-speed fibre Internet to 18 rural communities in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

    In 2019, the CRTC launched the Broadband Fund to help connect rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada. To date, the fund has improved high-speed Internet and cellphone services in over 290 communities, connecting essential institutions such as schools, health care facilities, and community centres.

    Through its Broadband Fund, the CRTC is committing over $17 million to Minto Communications Society, County of Forty Mile No. 8, Vianet Inc., MCSnet, and Missing Link Internet Inc., to build approximately 330 kilometres of new transport fibre infrastructure. These projects will improve access to reliable and high-quality Internet services.

    Impacted communities provided letters of support emphasizing the benefits of these projects, including creating new opportunities for local businesses, and improving access to health care and educational services.

    The CRTC continues to assess Broadband Fund applications and will make more funding announcements in the coming months.

    Quote

    “We are taking action to help ensure that Canadians have access to high-quality Internet services. The projects announced today will connect 18 communities across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. This will have a significant impact by helping create new opportunities for local businesses and improve access to health care and education services.”

    – Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC

    Quick facts

    • The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record.
    • To date, the CRTC’s Broadband Fund has supported projects that will connect over 49,000 households, improve cellphone service along over 630 kilometres of major roads, and build over 5,500 kilometres of fibre to communities.
    • The CRTC is continuing to make improvements to the Broadband Fund as part of its review of the fund. In December 2024, the CRTC announced its first decision to improve the fund and help make it faster and easier to connect Canadians to high-speed Internet. The CRTC will issue more decisions as part of its review and, later this year, it will launch the Indigenous Stream of the Broadband Fund.

    Related products

    Associated links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CRTC Broadband Fund: Project selected in June 2025

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The CRTC has selected projects to receive funding through its Broadband Fund.

    The CRTC is committing over $17 million to telecommunication service providers: Minto Communications Society, County of Forty Mile No. 8, Vianet, MCSnet, and Missing Link Internet Inc., to build approximately 330 kilometres of new transport fibre infrastructure. These projects will connect 18 rural communities in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario to high-speed Internet. They will also support future projects to connect businesses and over 2,200 households.

    The CRTC continues to assess applications and will make more funding announcements in the coming months.

    The selected projects are as follows:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: DriveBC enhances accessibility, user experience with new platform

    People driving throughout British Columbia this summer can get access to reliable road and weather conditions on provincial highways with a newly updated DriveBC platform.

    The new DriveBC platform features a simplified map and a cleaner, more intuitive design for desktop and mobile users. A new interactive map replaces the previous mobile text-based layout, offering a more visual, streamlined way to explore road conditions and updates.

    The platform integrates provincial and regional travel advisories and bulletins, offering clearer updates on challenging weather conditions, emergencies and other events happening on provincial highways.

    People will benefit from DriveBC’s improved route planning features, allowing them to focus on specific trips, save their favourite ones and receive customized notifications. The platform’s upgraded highway webcams have a simpler layout and enhanced features for faster access to real-time conditions.

    Several new tools have been added to better support both the public and commercial drivers in making travel decisions, including new detailed embedded information on border crossings, chain-up areas and inland ferries. More features are planned in the year ahead.

    The updates are based on feedback from user surveys, interviews, and consultation with the public, commercial drivers and stakeholders. To help the site continually improve, users will be able to provide ongoing feedback.

    To help with the transition, users will still have access to the legacy site for a few months:  https://legacy.drivebc.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pride, pages and performance: Why drag story time matters more than ever

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Phillip Joy, Assistant Professor, Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University

    June is Pride month. It is a time for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, intersex and other sexuality- and gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) communities to come together to celebrate identities, build communities and advocate for justice and equality.

    This year’s pride carries added weight. As American legal scholar Luke Boso writes, “fear has taken hold in private, interpersonal, and public reactions,” following the rhetoric and policies promoted by United States President Donald Trump.

    His current term has been marked by a growing push to erase LGBTQ+ identities and limit queer expression in public life. Within this month of Pride, the Trump administration is planning to rename the USNS Harvey Milk naval ship, named after the late civil rights leader Harvey Milk.

    The implications of such actions, however, aren’t limited to the U.S. Similar patterns of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric have been documented across democratic countries, where drag events and other expressions of queer visibility have become flashpoints for harassment as far-right groups try to build support and spread anti-LGBTQ+ views.

    But with fear also comes hope. Even as events like drag story times have become targets of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and protests, communities continue to organize, resist and affirm their right to public joy and visibility.

    Our research, recently funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, explores drag story times with the hope to learn more about how drag story time leaders select books, and how these events can foster best practices in literacy and inclusive education.



    Read more:
    5 things to know about Drag Queen Story Time

    Drag story time as educational event

    Drag story times are more than just community events. They are creative, educational spaces often held in public venues such as libraries, schools or community centres. Typically led by a drag performer, these sessions invite children, along with parents, caregivers and educators, to enjoy storybooks that highlight themes like acceptance, self-expression, diversity and joy.

    Reading aloud with children serves as an avenue for the development of language and literacy. Young children can engage with vocabulary, content and ideas to construct meaning through texts that they may not, yet, have the skills to read on their own.

    At their core, drag story time events offer opportunities for child-centred literacy practices, such as dialogue and interactions throughout the “read aloud,” to encourage children to consider ideas and connect them as the story moves along.

    Reading aloud to children is a powerful way to nurture emotional, social and cognitive growth. Stories offer children what literacy scholars call mirrors (reflective ways to see themselves), windows (into understanding others) and “sliding glass doors,” — vantages for imagining new perspectives. When children encounter characters and families who reflect a range of lived experiences, it opens the door to conversations about empathy, acceptance and identity.

    What books are being read?

    A recent content analysis, by information sciences researcher Sarah Barriage and colleagues of 103 picture books read during drag story times in the U.S. found that few explicitly featured LGBTQ+ identities.

    The lead characters were predominantly white, cisgender, heterosexual and able-bodied, with only seven per cent of books featuring trans, non-binary or intersex leads, and another seven per cent portraying same-sex or undefined relationships. While this represents an increase in LGBTQ+ representation compared to other studies of story time books and classroom libraries, the overall percentage remains low.

    The findings of this study, while based on a small sample size, suggest that contrary to popular perception, drag story times, while featuring drag artists leading read-aloud sessions, are not consistently grounded in explicitly LGBTQ+ narratives.

    Rather, the books may be story-time favourites, (such as selections from Mo Williams’ Pigeon series), or texts that tend to promote broadly inclusive and affirming messages of individuality, confidence, empathy, inclusion and imagination (such as Todd Parr’s It’s Okay to Be Different).

    Books representing range of experiences

    This gap highlights the importance of thoughtfully selecting books that reflect a wider range of experiences, including LGBTQ+ main characters and stories. When children are shown diverse characters and stories, they begin to understand the world from multiple perspectives.

    Researchers with expertise in children’s early literacy recommend that books for interactive read-alouds with children should reflect both the children’s communities and communities different from their own. Such books can spark meaningful conversations, encourage critical thinking and help cultivate empathy and respect for difference. This prepares young readers for life in a multicultural society and helps build a more inclusive and compassionate world view.

    Euphoria: being gender-aligned, authentic

    Apart from the specific book content shared with children at drag story time, these events provide opportunities for children and families to engage with diverse gender and sexuality expressions in a safe, inclusive setting with their caregivers. Such exposure does not cause confusion in children, but rather supports healthy development by fostering empathy, self-awareness and acceptance.

    This may come from or be expressed through the euphoria or joy that comes from feeling aligned and authentic in your gender. The idea of “gender euphoria” comes from within the trans community as a way to push back against the narrow narrative that trans lives are defined only by dysphoria, trauma or discomfort.

    Instead, gender euphoria highlights the positive side that come with expressing or affirming one’s gender identity. It can look different for everyone, from a quiet sense of contentment to a powerful feeling of joy.

    Communities affirm their right to public joy and visibility. Drag Queen Barbada de Barbades, who has led story times, seen in Montréal.
    (Jennifer Ricard/Wikimedia), CC BY

    Queer joy

    Queer joy is also a feature of drag story time, and is more than just feeling good. it is about living fully, even in the face of adversity. It is an act of resistance to a world that often tells queer and trans people they should not exist. Children still die because of hateful anti-LGTBQ+ speech.

    Together, gender euphoria and queer joy remind us that LGBTQ+ lives can be full of strength, creativity, connection and celebration.

    When children see diversity reflective in creative, positive and affirming ways, such as through stories, role models and community engagement, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and develop confidence in expressing their own identities. In this way, drag story times contribute meaningfully to both individual well-being and broader efforts towards inclusion.

    Best literacy and inclusion practices

    As part of our research, we plan to attend drag story times to learn more about current practices in Nova Scotia. At the national level, we will talk with performers about their experiences, practices, support and training needs and their goals and motivations.

    Then we’ll co-host a workshop with performers and educators to share knowledge and build skills that combine the artistry of drag with best practices in literacy and inclusive education.

    Drag story times can be a healthy and supportive way for children to develop their sense of gender and sexuality identity, both within themselves and others.

    Phillip Joy receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

    Andrea Fraser receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

    Conor Barker receives funding from the Social Studies and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    – ref. Pride, pages and performance: Why drag story time matters more than ever – https://theconversation.com/pride-pages-and-performance-why-drag-story-time-matters-more-than-ever-258508

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Josh Brecheen Leads Letter to EPA Asking for Answers on Negative Effects of Mifepristone Abortion Pill

    Source: US Congressman Josh Brecheen (2nd District)

    Today, Congressman Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and over 20 lawmakers sent a letter to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lee Zeldin inquiring about the full negative effects of the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, specifically on its potential contaminant effects on America’s water supply.

    The Daily Wire wrote an exclusive report on the letter, which you can read here.

    Congressman Josh Brecheen stated, “Abortion is one of the defining evils of our time. The Biden-Harris administration worked tirelessly to promote this evil, repeatedly lying about the ‘safety’ of the abortion pill and ignoring legitimate concerns about mifepristone’s widespread availability.

    We recognize that the greatest tragedy of every abortion is the murder of the innocent. But we are also concerned that activist bureaucrats overlooked real public health risks posed by mifepristone in their crusade to expand abortion access.

    With chemical abortion now the most common abortion method in America, the public deserves answers about how these potent hormone disruptors affect our water supply and contribute to our nation’s rising infertility rates.

    We are grateful to work alongside an administration that recognizes the sanctity of life, as well as the importance of public health. We urge the EPA to use this opportunity to seriously review the contaminant effects of mifepristone.”

    Senator James Lankford stated, “Federal regulators are rightfully eager to study the health effects of many chemicals in our water and septic systems, but they haven’t examined the environmental and public health risks of chemical abortion drugs like mifepristone in those same systems. Scientific research on the health effects of water sources where there are trace amounts of a chemical that is designed to end the life of a child in the womb should not be controversial.”

    In support of the letter, Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins said, “Great leaders ask hard questions, making this letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) vital for consideration by the new Trump Administration. The Biden-Harris Administration recklessly used COVID to justify allowing No Test, Online Distribution of Chemical Abortion Pills, never checking whether the chemically tainted blood, placenta tissue, and human remains now flushed into our waterways by the hundreds of thousands was harming the environment. You don’t have to be pro-life to be concerned about endocrine disruptors in our waterways, potentially impacting our water safety, harming endangered species & our food supply, and perhaps even multiplying the rate of infertility. The Pro-Life Generation proudly stands with Rep. Josh Brecheen and Sen. James Lankford and all who joined this effort to make sure that America has crystal clear water by demanding that the EPA test what’s in the water.”

    Brecheen and Lankford were joined by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (WY), Bernie Moreno (OH), and Jim Banks (IN), along with Representatives Andy Harris (R-MD), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Chip Roy (R-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Brandon Gill (R-X), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Michael Guest (R-MS), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Ben Cline (R-NC), Mary Miller (R-IL), Mark Harris (R-NC), Barry Moore (R-AL), Riley Moore (R-WV), Sheri Biggs (R-SC), and Eric Burlison (R-MO).

    Background:

    President Biden’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deregulated mifepristone, allowing pregnant women to receive this chemical abortion drug by mail delivery, without an in-person doctor visit. Since then, the number of abortions using mifepristone has grown dramatically, accounting for over 60% of all abortions in the United States. The increased use and disposal of mifepristone may increase levels of harmful chemicals in our water system due to the drug’s high levels of endocrine disruptors.

    A copy of the full letter is available here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council Open Debate on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for All-English]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Mr. President, Excellencies,

    I thank the government of Guyana for convening this important debate.

    Your theme highlights a fundamental fact:  

    Sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    The flames of conflict are too often lit and fed by persistent poverty and growing inequalities.

    Time and again, we’ve seen conflict engulfing lives and institutions, wiping out development gains, and uprooting millions of people.

    At the same time, we’ve seen how poverty, underdevelopment, inequality, injustice, hunger and exclusion can light the fuse of instability and conflict.

    Poverty breeds despair.

    Despair fuels unrest.

    And unrest tears at the fabric of societies — feeding mistrust, fear and violence.

    When people are denied opportunity…when human rights are violated and impunity persists…when crime and corruption thrive…when climate chaos displaces and destabilizes…when terrorism finds fertile ground in weak institutions— peace can quickly become a distant dream.

    It’s no coincidence that nine of the ten countries with the lowest Human Development Indicators are currently in a state of conflict. 

    Forty per cent of the 700 million people living in extreme poverty live in conflict-affected or fragile settings.

    And the situation is only getting worse.

    Conflicts are proliferating and lasting longer, displacing more than 120 million people from their homes — an unprecedented number of individuals with disrupted lives and futures.

    Solutions are in short supply because of rampant geopolitical mistrust and divisions.

    The global economy is slowing, trade tensions are rising and aid budgets are being slashed while military spending soars.

    If current trends continue, two thirds of the world’s poor will live in conflict-affected or fragile countries by 2030.

    The message is clear.

    The farther a country is from sustainable and inclusive development, the closer it is to instability, and even conflict.

    Mr. President,

    Across the 80 years of our organization, the United Nations has worked to advance our three pillars of peace, development and human rights.

    This vital work continues today…

    From our 130 Country Teams supporting national development priorities…

    To our peacekeepers helping countries navigate conflict and recovery…

    To our envoys and political missions mediating and preventing conflicts, and building bridges among communities…

    To our efforts to strengthen national protection systems and support accountability for human rights violations and abuses…

    To our Peacebuilding Commission uniting the international community around our shared cause of peace.

    Through the New Agenda for Peace, and the Pact for the Future that Member States adopted last September, we are strengthening this work.

    Throughout this process of review and reform, we are guided by a simple principle: 

    Prevention is the best cure for instability and conflict. 

    And there is no better preventive measure than investing in development.

    Mr. President,

    Development gives peace a fighting chance.

    It’s the first line of defense against conflict.

    But right now, we’re losing ground.

    After decades of steady progress, we’re facing a development emergency.

    Ten years after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, two-thirds of the targets are lagging.

    The world is falling short by over $4 trillion annually in the resources developing countries need to deliver on these promises by 2030.

    And developing countries are being battered and bruised by limited fiscal space, crushing debt burdens and skyrocketing prices.

    The engine of development is sputtering.

    The fourth Conference on Financing for Development starting next week will be an important moment for the world to fix and strengthen this essential engine. 

    We must renew domestic and global commitments to get public and private finance flowing to the areas of greatest need.

    We need to provide urgent debt relief for countries drowning in unsustainable debt service.

    And we must reform the global financial architecture to reflect today’s realities and the urgent needs of developing countries.

    At its core, this plan is about supporting countries as they advance both peace and sustainable development.

    To ensure food security, education, health care, decent work and social protections.

    To invest in green technology and resilience to climate disasters and shocks.

    To build roads, and water and food systems.

    To deliver electricity to all.

    To close the digital divide and expand internet access to all — while guarding against the perils of new technologies.

    To build justice and governance systems people can trust.

    And to open the doors of participation so women and young people can build a more equitable, peaceful and sustainable future.

    Monsieur le Président, Excellences,

    La paix ne se construit pas dans les salles de conférence.

    Elle se construit dans les salles de classe, dans les cliniques, dans les communautés.

    La paix se construit lorsque les populations ont de l’espoir, des opportunités et un véritable avenir entre leurs mains.

    Investir dans le développement aujourd’hui, c’est investir dans un avenir plus pacifique.

    Réaffirmons notre attachement à la solidarité et à l’esprit de multilatéralisme qui ont façonné notre Organisation depuis 80 ans.

    Et veillons à ce que les dividendes de la paix, de la prospérité et de la sécurité profitent à toutes et tous.

    ***

    [All-English]

    Mr. President, Excellencies,

    I thank the government of Guyana for convening this important debate.

    Your theme highlights a fundamental fact:  

    Sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    The flames of conflict are too often lit and fed by persistent poverty and growing inequalities.

    Time and again, we’ve seen conflict engulfing lives and institutions, wiping out development gains, and uprooting millions of people.

    At the same time, we’ve seen how poverty, underdevelopment, inequality, injustice, hunger and exclusion can light the fuse of instability and conflict.

    Poverty breeds despair.

    Despair fuels unrest.

    And unrest tears at the fabric of societies — feeding mistrust, fear and violence.

    When people are denied opportunity…when human rights are violated and impunity persists…when crime and corruption thrive…when climate chaos displaces and destabilizes…when terrorism finds fertile ground in weak institutions— peace can quickly become a distant dream.

    It’s no coincidence that nine of the ten countries with the lowest Human Development Indicators are currently in a state of conflict. 

    Forty per cent of the 700 million people living in extreme poverty live in conflict-affected or fragile settings.

    And the situation is only getting worse.

    Conflicts are proliferating and lasting longer, displacing more than 120 million people from their homes — an unprecedented number of individuals with disrupted lives and futures.

    Solutions are in short supply because of rampant geopolitical mistrust and divisions.

    The global economy is slowing, trade tensions are rising and aid budgets are being slashed while military spending soars.

    If current trends continue, two thirds of the world’s poor will live in conflict-affected or fragile countries by 2030.

    The message is clear.

    The farther a country is from sustainable and inclusive development, the closer it is to instability, and even conflict.

    Mr. President,

    Across the 80 years of our organization, the United Nations has worked to advance our three pillars of peace, development and human rights.

    This vital work continues today…

    From our 130 Country Teams supporting national development priorities…

    To our peacekeepers helping countries navigate conflict and recovery…

    To our envoys and political missions mediating and preventing conflicts, and building bridges among communities…

    To our efforts to strengthen national protection systems and support accountability for human rights violations and abuses…

    To our Peacebuilding Commission uniting the international community around our shared cause of peace.

    Through the New Agenda for Peace, and the Pact for the Future that Member States adopted last September, we are strengthening this work.

    Throughout this process of review and reform, we are guided by a simple principle: 

    Prevention is the best cure for instability and conflict. 

    And there is no better preventive measure than investing in development.

    Mr. President,

    Development gives peace a fighting chance.

    It’s the first line of defense against conflict.

    But right now, we’re losing ground.

    After decades of steady progress, we’re facing a development emergency.

    Ten years after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, two-thirds of the targets are lagging.

    The world is falling short by over $4 trillion annually in the resources developing countries need to deliver on these promises by 2030.

    And developing countries are being battered and bruised by limited fiscal space, crushing debt burdens and skyrocketing prices.

    The engine of development is sputtering.

    The fourth Conference on Financing for Development starting next week will be an important moment for the world to fix and strengthen this essential engine. 

    We must renew domestic and global commitments to get public and private finance flowing to the areas of greatest need.

    We need to provide urgent debt relief for countries drowning in unsustainable debt service.

    And we must reform the global financial architecture to reflect today’s realities and the urgent needs of developing countries.

    At its core, this plan is about supporting countries as they advance both peace and sustainable development.

    To ensure food security, education, health care, decent work and social protections.

    To invest in green technology and resilience to climate disasters and shocks.

    To build roads, and water and food systems.

    To deliver electricity to all.

    To close the digital divide and expand internet access to all — while guarding against the perils of new technologies.

    To build justice and governance systems people can trust.

    And to open the doors of participation so women and young people can build a more equitable, peaceful and sustainable future.

    Mr. President, Excellencies,

    Peace is not built in conference rooms.

    Peace is built in classrooms, in clinics, in communities.
     
    Peace is built when people have hope, opportunity and a stake in their future.
    Investing in development today means investing in a more peaceful tomorrow.

    Let’s re-commit to the solidarity and multilateral spirit that has defined our organization across eight decades.

    And let’s ensure that the dividends of peace, prosperity and security are shared by all.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Landmarks Lit in Celebration of Juneteenth

    Source: US State of New York

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    A lock icon or https:// means you’ve safely connected to a ny.gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    June 19, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Fifteen Landmarks To Be Lit Statewide at the Governor’s Direction To Commemorate the End of Slavery in the United States

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that landmarks across New York State will be illuminated red, black, and green tonight, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

    “Juneteenth marks a pivotal moment in American history — the end of slavery and the beginning of a continued struggle for true equality,” Governor Hochul said. “This commemoration is both a celebration and a call to action as we continue to confront injustice and build a more just and equitable future for all New Yorkers.”

    The landmarks to be lit in recognition of Juneteenth include:

    • One World Trade Center
    • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
    • Kosciuszko Bridge
    • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
    • State Education Building
    • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
    • Empire State Plaza
    • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
    • Niagara Falls
    • The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
    • Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct
    • Albany International Airport Gateway
    • MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
    • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
    • Moynihan Train Hall

    You are leaving the official State of New York website.

    The State of New York does not imply approval of the listed destinations, warrant the accuracy of any information set out in those destinations, or endorse any opinions expressed therein. External web sites operate at the direction of their respective owners who should be contacted directly with questions regarding the content of these sites.

    Visit Site

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Premium Income Corporation Announces Semi-Annual Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: PIC.A; PIC.PR.A) Premium Income Corporation (the “Fund”) announces results of operations for the six months ended April 30, 2025. Decrease in net assets attributable to holders of Class A shares amounted to $5.7 million or $0.38 per Class A share. Net assets attributable to holders of Class A shares as at April 30, 2025 were $81.2 million or $5.12 per Class A share. Cash distributions of $0.64 per Preferred share and $0.48 per Class A share were paid during the period.

    Premium Income Corporation is a mutual fund corporation, which invests in a portfolio consisting principally of common shares of Bank of Montreal, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, and the Toronto Dominion Bank. The Fund employs an active covered call writing strategy to enhance the income generated by the portfolio and to reduce volatility. In addition, the Fund may write cash covered put options in respect of securities in which it is permitted to invest.

    The investment portfolio of the Fund is managed by its investment manager, Mulvihill Capital Management Inc. The Fund’s Preferred and Class A shares are listed on Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols PIC.PR.A and PIC.A respectively.

    Selected Financial Information: ($ Millions)    
    Statement of Comprehensive Income
    For the Six Months ended April 30, 2025 (Unaudited)    		    
           
    Income (including Net Loss on Investments) $ 5.9  
    Expenses   (1.9 )
         
    Operating Profit $ 4.0  
    Preferred Share Distribution $ (9.7 )
         
    Decrease in Net Assets Attributable to Holders of Class A Shares $ 5.7  
         
         

    For further information, please contact Investor Relations at 416.681.3966, toll free at 1.800.725.7172, email at info@mulvihill.com or visit www.mulvihill.com.

    John Germain, Senior Vice-President & CFO       Mulvihill Capital Management Inc.
    121 King Street West
    Suite 2600
    Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3T9
         

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Cammack and Hern Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients in Federal Health Programs

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

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representatives Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act to ensure that Americans with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and rare conditions are not devalued in federal health care decisions. This legislation prohibits the use of Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs)—a metric that assigns lower value to lives with disabilities— in federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA exchanges. 

    “The use of so-called cost-effective measures like QALYs threatens access to lifesaving care for the most vulnerable Americans,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “I am honored to lead this legislation alongside my colleague Rep. Kevin Hern to ensure that no patient is denied treatment simply because a mathematical formula decided their life is worth less. Every American—regardless of disability, chronic illness, or rare condition—deserves equal access to care.”

    “QALY measurements strip humanity away from a patient, leaving only dollar signs and data points. That has no place in our health care system. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and given the best care available,” said Congressman Hern. “I am proud to join Congresswoman Cammack on this bill to ban QALY measurements in all federal health care programs.” 

    “I am excited my colleagues Representatives Cammack and Hern have reintroduced the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Guthrie. “We owe it to Americans – no matter the age, disability status, or measure of health – to provide high-quality care under federal health care programs. I’m thankful to both of my colleagues for reintroducing this sensible legislation that stops the immoral practice of placing arbitrary value on human life within our health care system.”

    BACKGROUND: 

    Last Congress, this legislation passed the House with strong Republican support under the leadership of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH). 

    In the 119th Congress, the legislation will again receive a dual referral to both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Cammack and Hern Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients in Federal Health Programs

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

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representatives Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act to ensure that Americans with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and rare conditions are not devalued in federal health care decisions. This legislation prohibits the use of Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs)—a metric that assigns lower value to lives with disabilities— in federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA exchanges. 

    “The use of so-called cost-effective measures like QALYs threatens access to lifesaving care for the most vulnerable Americans,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “I am honored to lead this legislation alongside my colleague Rep. Kevin Hern to ensure that no patient is denied treatment simply because a mathematical formula decided their life is worth less. Every American—regardless of disability, chronic illness, or rare condition—deserves equal access to care.”

    “QALY measurements strip humanity away from a patient, leaving only dollar signs and data points. That has no place in our health care system. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and given the best care available,” said Congressman Hern. “I am proud to join Congresswoman Cammack on this bill to ban QALY measurements in all federal health care programs.” 

    “I am excited my colleagues Representatives Cammack and Hern have reintroduced the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Guthrie. “We owe it to Americans – no matter the age, disability status, or measure of health – to provide high-quality care under federal health care programs. I’m thankful to both of my colleagues for reintroducing this sensible legislation that stops the immoral practice of placing arbitrary value on human life within our health care system.”

    BACKGROUND: 

    Last Congress, this legislation passed the House with strong Republican support under the leadership of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH). 

    In the 119th Congress, the legislation will again receive a dual referral to both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Technical briefing for Canada Day 2025, including media and accreditation information

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Ottawa – On Monday, Canadian Heritage officials will hold a technical briefing for media to discuss the event sites and program details for Canada Day. This briefing will be held via Zoom. Officials will be available to answer questions from the media following their remarks.

    Event: Technical briefing
    Date: Monday, June 23
    Time: 10:00 a.m.

    Participation in the question-and-answer portion of this event is via Zoom and is for accredited members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

    Canada Day registration and accreditation

    Canadian Heritage invites journalists to register for Canada Day in Canada’s Capital Region. Festivities will take place at LeBreton Flats Park. Activities will also take place on Parliament Hill and in front of the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa and Old Hull in Gatineau. A detailed list of events is available on the Canada Day website.

    All media reporting on Canada Day festivities must register their attendance with their name and outlet.

    Media representatives who are not members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery will need to apply for Canada Day accreditation. To register or request accreditation, please contact the Parliamentary Press Gallery at pressres2@parl.gc.ca.

    Deadline: 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Friday, June 27, 2025

    Note:

    • Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery will be able to access LeBreton Flats Park (on foot) with their regular passes.
    • Media can request a vehicle access pass by emailing media@pch.gc.ca.
      • To request a pass, please provide your name, cellular phone number, make and model of the vehicle and its licence plate number.
      • Note: the access pass only grants access to certain closed streets for Canada Day events. No parking will be allowed and no driving on Wellington Street and Portage Bridge will be allowed. Access to streets is subject to change.
      • The rules printed on the back of the access pass and instructions on additional signage and given verbally by law enforcement personnel and barricade attendants must be respected at all times.

    Important: The use of wireless equipment, including microphones, cameras or intercom systems, that interferes with Canadian Heritage’s pre-authorized frequency channels will not be permitted at LeBreton Flats Park from June 29 to July 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 19 June 2025 Departmental update Re-building trust and a new financing framework: H20 Summit to set the stage for G20 health priorities

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Leading G20 policy-makers, global health experts and representatives from both the private and public sectors are meeting in Geneva from 19–20 June for the annual Health20 Summit (H20) organized by the G20 Health & Development Partnership and co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

    The Summit comes at a critical moment for global health amid geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainty, and shock funding cuts to development aid. It will focus on the future of global health and finance, and explore how to build resilience, trust, and sustainability into health systems.

    This year marks the conclusion of the first cycle of G20 meetings, which began in 1999 as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of industrialized and developing countries to discuss global economic and financial stability.

    The H20 Summit, which has been held annually since the first G20 Health Ministers Meeting in Germany in 2017, will explore strategies to secure the role of health and development in the next cycle starting in 2026, under the leadership of the United States of America.

    Outcomes from the two-day deliberations will inform both the upcoming UN General Assembly’s fourth high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in September and the G20 health ministers and leaders’ summit in South Africa this November.

    “WHO thanks the H20 for its advocacy at this critical time in global health. Severe disruptions to funding and changing disease burdens require new partnerships and approaches, including an increased focus on promoting health and preventing disease,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “WHO is working with all health and development partners, and supporting the G20, to help countries pivot from aid dependency to greater self-reliance in mobilizing domestic resources to deliver the health services their people need.”

    Dr Ghebreyesus delivered the keynote address. Other high-level speakers included: H.E. Dr Jaleela bint Alsayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain; H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa CDC; H.E. Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Public Health Affairs; Former Minister of Health, Qatar H.E. Prof Orazio Schillaci, Minister of Health, Italy; Dr Pakishe Aaron (PA) Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, South Africa; and Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO, GAVI.
     

    Key reports launched at the event

    The first NCDs and Mental Health Global Legislators Report, which offers a toolkit for parliamentarians to advance preventative global health goals; and a second, The health taxonomy report that provides a first framework for a health investment tool aimed at fostering a shared understanding and common language between governments, companies, and investors, to help drive future health financing. This report is pertinent in light of the landmark health financing resolution adopted at last month’s World Health Assembly.

    Under the theme ‘Reimagining partnerships & building back public trust in global health’ participants at the Summit will discuss the status of global health financing and why public-private partnerships are essential for future progress. The H20 Summit is unique in offering an inclusive and collaborative platform where the traditional global health community can intersect with decision-makers from politics and finance, with the purpose of elevating public health within the G20’s broader development agenda.

    NCDs such as cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases account for more than 43 million deaths each year and are on the rise. Mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, psychosis and self-harm, affect close to 1 billion people worldwide and represent a significant long-term risk to economic growth and security. The NCD and health taxonomy reports offer relevant and actionable recommendations for legislators and governments to close the NCD financing gap.

    H.E. Dr Jaleela bint Alsayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, said: “I welcome the NCDs and Mental Health Global Legislators Report launched at the H20 Summit. It is a timely contribution that demonstrates the role of parliamentarians in translating health commitments into lasting impact. As global health systems adapt to complex and evolving challenges, the Kingdom of Bahrain is advancing a model grounded in inclusive governance, robust legislation, and strategic investment.”

    On financing specifically, Dr Agnes Soucat, Director of Health and Social Protection, Agence Française de Développement said: “We must differentiate between health funding and health financing. A health taxonomy already exists for operational costs but not for capital costs, which is what investors are most interested in.”
     

    Note to editors

    The G20 Health & Development Partnership is a not-for-profit advocacy organization representing over 27 global health organizations from across the public and private sector and academia aiming to ensure G20 countries coordinate their current and future health innovation strategies to tackle the growing global burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and promote the delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 with a focus on SDG3 ‘health and well-being for all’ and SDG17 ‘strengthening partnerships’.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Case of Missing Sullivan Children Added to Rewards Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information about the disappearance of siblings Lilly and Jack Sullivan.

    On May 2, the RCMP started a missing persons investigation for Lilly, 6, and Jack, 4, after family members could not locate the children in their home or on the property in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County.

    Family members reported they last saw Lilly inside the home and could hear Jack on the morning of May 2. The investigation has confirmed that both Lilly and Jack were with family members on the afternoon of May 1.

    “The disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan is felt across the province and beyond, and my heart goes out to the family, the community and everyone who has been working to find these children since Day 1,” said Becky Druhan, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “Police and investigators are working tirelessly to find answers, and I urge anyone with information to please share this with the RCMP as soon as possible.”

    Lilly Sullivan is described as four feet tall and weighing 60 pounds, with light brown hair and hazel eyes. At the time of her disappearance, Lilly was believed to be wearing a pink Barbie top, pink rubber boots with rainbow print and carrying a cream-coloured backpack with strawberry print.

    Jack Sullivan is described as three feet six inches tall and weighing 40 pounds, with dark blonde hair and hazel eyes. At the time of his disappearance, Jack was believed to be wearing a pull-up diaper, black Under Armour jogging pants and blue rubber boots with dinosaur print.

    Anyone with information regarding this crime should call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090. People who come forward with information must provide their name and contact information and may be called to testify in court. All calls will be recorded.

    People who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Nova Scotia at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

    Quick Facts:

    • the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program is an additional tool to help police in major unsolved crime cases
    • the reward amount will be based on the investigative value of the information provided
    • including this case, there are now 122 active cases in the program
    • employees of law enforcement and correctional agencies are not eligible to collect this reward

    Additional Resources:

    Cases under the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program are listed at: https://novascotia.ca/just/Public_Safety/Rewards

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Berkeley County man arrested on 11 Child Sexual Abuse Material* chargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Nathan Dwayne Reed, 25, of Hanahan, S.C., on 11 charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Attorney General’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and Goose Creek Police Department, all also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with this investigation.

     

    Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Reed. Investigators state Reed distributed files of child sexual abuse material.

     

    Reed was arrested on June 17, 2025. He is charged with 11 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

     

    The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

     

    Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

     

     

     

    * Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant.  Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice of Annual General Meeting 10 July 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, 19 June 2025

    The Annual General Meeting of Interoil Exploration and Production ASA will be held at the offices of Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS at Tordenskiolds gate 12, Oslo on 10 July 2025 at 14:30 (CEST).

    Please find attached the notice for the meeting including the attendance form and proxy in English and Norwegian.

    The annual report for 2024 is available on the company’s web page here (https://interoil.no/investors/) and on NewsWeb here (https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/649531).

    Shareholders may register their attendance digitally on VPS Investor Portal by following this link (
    https://investor.vps.no/gm/logOn.htm?token=f3ee64a6145e5f713d1b0c3cd7373dab4736755b&validTo=1754483400000&oppdragsId=20250616VPIEJXU0).

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    Please direct any further questions to ir@interoil.no (mailto:ir@interoil.no)

    About Interoil

    Interoil Exploration and Production ASA is a Norwegian based exploration and production company – listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with focus on Latin America. The Company is operator and license holder of several production and exploration assets in Colombia and Argentina with headquarter in Oslo.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –