NewzIntel.com

Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI USA News: The State of Play: Why President Trump’s Tariffs Are Necessary

    Source: The White House

    It’s cliché, yet true — the definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and expecting a different result.

    The trade policies of the past several decades have failed this nation, its workers, and our communities.

    Twenty years ago, The New York Times Editorial Board responded to the January 2005 trade deficit of $58.3 billion by writing an editorial entitled “Dangerous deficits.” Deficits are certainly dangerous; former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said trade deficits were to blame for the Great Recession.

    The Times wrote in 2005: “At $58.3 billion, the U.S. trade deficit for January exceeded everyone’s worst expectations… The trade deficit is the single most important factor in measuring the extent to which the United States lives beyond its means.”

    Since then, our trade deficit has more than DOUBLED. The U.S. trade deficit in January totaled a whopping $131.4 billion.

    The impact has been seen everywhere.

    Since 1990, manufacturing employment has decreased by 59% in New York and decreased by 35% in Ohio.

    The loss of these jobs killed innocent Americans and destroyed towns. Multiple studies show the loss of jobs due to bad trade deals led to an increase in drug overdoses.

    However, liberal commentators have lost interest in fixing this problem. In fact, they are offended at the suggestion that industry should return to America.

    Chris Matthews was inexplicably stunned on MSNBC and asked, “What are we going to do? Have more lumber made in the United States now!?” Yes, we are. President Donald J. Trump even signed an executive order to expand American timber production.

    Likewise, Nia Malika-Henderson on CNN ridiculously asked, “Is it worth it to upend the global economy for HVAC jobs?” Apparently, Nia Malika-Henderson thinks preserving low-wage jobs in China is more important than creating high-wage jobs in America.

    The loss of American industry means we struggle to build ships, medicine, and other essential goods. This is a national security emergency.

    Fortunately, we are already seeing progress in reshoring American industry. President Trump remains undeterred in his mission to Make America Wealthy Again.

    • Guardian Bikes announced it is launching the “first large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in the United States.”
    • Novartis announced “it plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S.”
    • Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut announced it is increasing its U.S.-based production.
    • JSW Steel announced it will be adding jobs at its Ohio steel plant.
    • BMW is considering adding shifts to boost production at its South Carolina plant.
    • Apple announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and training.
    • Nvidia announced it will invest hundreds of billions of dollars over the next four years in U.S.-based manufacturing.
    • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chips manufacturing.
    • Eli Lilly and Company announced a $27 billion investment in domestic manufacturing.
    • United Arab Emirates-based DAMAC Properties announced a $20 billion investment in new U.S.-based data centers.
    • France-based CMA CGM, a global shipping giant, announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. shipping and logistics, creating 10,000 new jobs.
    • United Arab Emirates-based ADQ and U.S.-based Energy Capital Partners announced a $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and energy infrastructure.
    • South Korean automaker Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment — including $5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 jobs, amid their pledge to “further localize production in the U.S.”
    • Merck announced it will invest $8 billion in the U.S. over the next several years after opening a new $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    • Clarios announced a $6 billion plan to expand its domestic manufacturing operations.
    • GE Aerospace announced a $1 billion investment in manufacturing across 16 states — creating 5,000 new jobs.
    • Stellantis announced a $5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing network — including re-opening an Illinois manufacturing plant — as it pledges to increase domestic vehicle production.
    • Schneider Electric announced it will invest $700 million over the next four years in U.S. energy infrastructure.
    • GE Vernova announced it will invest nearly $600 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next two years, which will create more than 1,500 new jobs.
    • London-based Diageo announced a $415 million investment in a new Alabama manufacturing facility.
    • Dublin-based Eaton Corporation announced a $340 million investment in a new South Carolina-based manufacturing facility for its three-phase transformers.
    • Germany-based Siemens announced a $285 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and AI data centers, which will create more than 900 new skilled manufacturing jobs.
    • Paris Baguette announced a $160 million investment to construct a manufacturing plant in Texas.
    • Switzerland-based ABB announced a $120 million investment to expand production of its low-voltage electrification products in Tennessee and Mississippi.
    • Saica Group, a Spain-based corrugated packaging maker, announced plans to build a $110 million new manufacturing facility in Anderson, Indiana.
    • Paris-based Saint-Gobain announced a new $40 million NorPro manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
    • India-based Sygene International announced a $36.5 million acquisition of a Baltimore biologics manufacturing facility.
    • Asahi Group Holdings, one of the largest Japanese beverage makers, announced a $35 million investment to boost production at its Wisconsin plant.
    • Honda is expected to produce its next-generation Civic hybrid model in Indiana.
    • Nissan is considering moving production from Mexico to the U.S.
    • Rolls-Royce is expected to shift production to the U.S. and expand its domestic workforce.
    • Volkswagen is considering shifting production of the high-end Audi and Porsche brands to the U.S.
    • Volvo is considering expanding its U.S.-based output.
    • LG is considering moving its refrigerator manufacturing from Mexico to Tennessee.
    • Italian spirits group Campari is “assessing the opportunities to expand its production in the U.S.”
    • Swedish hygiene product manufacturer Essity is considering shifting production to the U.S.
    • Taiwan-based Compal Electronics is considering a U.S.-based expansion.
    • Taiwan-based Inventec is expected to expand its manufacturing operations into Texas.
    • LVMH, a French luxury giant, is “seriously considering” an expansion to its U.S.-based production capabilities.
    • Cra-Z-Art, the biggest toymaker in the U.S., said it will move a “large percentage” of its China-based manufacturing back home.
    • Prepac, a Canadian furniture manufacturer, announced it will move production from Canada to the U.S.
    • Lear is considering moving its production to the U.S.
    • Half of Japanese companies say they’ll boost U.S. investment, largely due to tariffs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund Supports Community Safety Initiatives

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 11, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is providing more than $1.1 million to police agencies, the Victims’ Fund and community programs from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund. These assets will help municipal police forces purchase new resources, as well as offer supports for victims and aid in the delivery of community programming.

    “We are committed to offering support to victims of crime in our province and delivering safer communities and neighbourhoods across Saskatchewan,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said. “The criminal property forfeiture process allows us to do that by taking proceeds from criminal activity and putting it to good use through our police agencies and community programs.”

    Saskatchewan’s Civil Forfeiture Program, through The Seizure of Criminal Property Act, 2009, seeks the forfeiture of property alleged to be proceeds or an instrument of unlawful activity. Proceeds of forfeited property are placed in the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund for distribution to police, victims and community programs.

    Of the $1.1 million being provided, over $564,000 of this will go to police services across the province, as well as Search and Rescue Regina. In accordance with legislation, a matching amount will be deposited from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund into the Victims’ Fund.

    The funding will be used to provide the following equipment and programming: 

    • Audio Visual Equipment to interview child and youth victims of violence to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of offences against children in Moose Jaw;
    • The development of a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Moose Jaw;
    • Investigative enhancements to the Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) in Moose Jaw, including officer training, upgraded video interview recording equipment and Faraday bags to prevent the loss of evidence;
    • Photocell camera for the Regina Police Service;
    • Facility upgrades to the tactical training facility in Regina; 
    • Investigative search support for a Saskatoon Police Service investigation;
    • A portable light system for the File Hills First Nations Police Service;
    • A wet processing bench, which provides a dedicated exhibit processing workspace to enhance safety and minimize contamination, for the Prince Albert Police Department; and
    • Tent and trailer for Search and Rescue Regina. 

    Civil Forfeiture removes the financial incentives of criminal activity, making involvement in criminal activity less attractive and benefiting Saskatchewan communities both financially and socially. 

    “The Moose Jaw Police Service is delighted to partner with the Saskatchewan government and community partners in applying funding received through civil forfeiture for the enhancement and expansion of our approach in the investigation, care, and support of child and youth victims of abuse in Moose Jaw and surrounding communities,” Acting Police Chief Rick Johns said.

    Since inception, over $10 million from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has been distributed to police operations, the Victims’ Fund and community programming.

    The Victims’ Fund provides support to victims of crime through both the justice and law enforcement systems as well as community organizations. Further information can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/victimsservices.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: US tariffs move could see three per cent fall in global trade, says top UN economist

    Source: United Nations 2

    Economic Development

    Global trade could shrink by three per cent as a result of the United States’ new tariff measures which in the longer term could reshape and boost as-yet untapped regional commercial links, a top UN economist confirmed on Friday.

    “There will be shifting, I think, in supply chains, there will be a reassessment of global alliances. There will be geopolitical shifts and economic as well,” said Pamela Coke-Hamilton, head of the International Trade Centre (ITC).

    Speaking in Geneva after Wednesday’s announcement by the White House of a 90-day pause on “reciprocal tariffs” for most countries with the exception of China, Mrs. Coke-Hamilton noted that exports from Mexico had already been “highly impacted” by earlier seismic changes to US trade policy.

    “Countries like Mexico, China and Thailand, but also countries in southern Africa are among the most affected, alongside the US itself,” she said.

    While the 90-day pause on the so-called reciprocal tariffs applies to imports from most countries and brings down rates to a still hefty 10 per cent, tariffs on imports from China currently stand at 145 per cent.

    China, meanwhile, has raised tariffs against US exports – in effect import taxes on goods – to 125 per cent.

    Already, Mexico’s products for export have shifted away from markets such as the US, China, Europe and other Latin American countries to make “modest gains” instead in Canada, Brazil “and to a lesser extent, India”, the ITC chief insisted.

    Other countries have followed suit, including Vietnam, whose exports “are redirecting away from the US, Mexico and China”, while “increasing substantially” towards the EU, Republic of Korea and others, said Mrs. Coke-Hamilton, whose UN specialised agency offers assistance to developing countries.

    The problem for emerging economies is that they are less well equipped to “pivot” when faced with “instabilities”, the ITC chief explained, since they often lack the manufacturing diversity and ability to add value to raw commodities of more industrialized nations.

    Especially vulnerable trading partners of the US include Lesotho, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Madagascar and Myanmar that are “the most exposed”, she continued.

    Confirming that the World Trade Organization (WTO) had estimated that commerce between China and the US could drop by up to 80 per cent if the highly unusual situation continues, the ITC Executive Secretary pointed out that they constituted only “three per cent to four per cent of world trade…[so] there is 96 per cent out there that is still trading and that will trade”.

    Nonetheless, the impact of the “indeterminate extension of 90 days on and on” has not been good for global commerce and “does not necessarily lend itself to stability”, Mrs. Coke-Hamilton continued.

    “Irrespective of whether there is an extension, on and on, the fact that there is no stability, there is no predictability will affect trade and firms and decisions that are being made in real time.”

    She added: “This would not be the first time that there have been tremors in the world economic system. We have seen it over the last 50 years in different dispensations. This one is probably a little more harsh, a little more tremulous.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eskasoni — Missing person: Help the RCMP find Abby Marie Poulette

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Eskasoni RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 36-year-old Abby Marie Poulette, from Eskasoni, who was reported missing yesterday.

    Poulette is described as 5-foot-7 with a slim build. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

    Poulette has been known to frequent Membertou First Nation.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Abby Marie Poulette is asked to contact the Eskasoni RCMP at 902-379-2822. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    File #: 2025-470111

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Urbana Corporation Announces Additional Investment in Tetra Trust Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S./

    TORONTO, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Urbana Corporation (“Urbana”) (TSX and CSE: URB, URB.A) is pleased to announce that it has substantially increased its equity stake in Tetra Trust Company (“Tetra”), Canada’s premier trust company licensed for the custody of digital assets, from 19.5% to 55.6% through the acquisition of additional shares from existing shareholders.

    As Canada’s first trust company licensed to custody digital assets in Canada, Tetra has been at the forefront of building innovative and trusted financial infrastructure in the new digital age, keeping billions of digital assets safe and secure within the Canadian jurisdiction.

    Urbana continues to believe strongly in Tetra’s strategy, leadership, and long-term growth potential and commitment to support ongoing initiatives across product innovation, operations, and market expansion. It is excited to have this opportunity to take a much larger position in Tetra.

    “We’re thrilled to see continued support from Urbana,” said Didier Lavallée, CEO of Tetra. “This additional investment is a strong vote of confidence in the direction we’re heading and the value we’re building for our stakeholders.”

    The transaction was completed on April 10, 2025. As part of the transaction, Urbana will propose a nominee for an independent board member.

    About Urbana

    Urbana Corporation is a diversified corporation with a focus on financial services, information services and innovative technologies. The long-term goal of Urbana is to seek and acquire investments for income and capital appreciation through a combination of public and private investments. The portfolio mix of actively managed publicly traded securities with private equity investments has generated significant long-term investment results. For more information, visit www.urbanacorp.com.

    About Tetra

    Founded in 2019, Tetra Trust Company is the first Canadian and leading trust company licensed to custody digital assets. Backed by major players in the industry such as Urbana Corporation, Canadian Securities Exchange and Coinbase Ventures, Tetra delivers the most advanced digital asset storage technology, setting the standard for digital asset custody in the country. For more information, visit www.tetratrust.com.

    For further information contact:
    Elizabeth Naumovski
    Investor Relations
    (416) 595-9106 enaumovski@urbanacorp.com

    Certain statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Urbana to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Unless required by applicable securities law, Urbana does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. John’s — RCMP Traffic Services reminds motorists of the requirements and importance of the Move Over Law

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    In light of recent events, RCMP Traffic Services is reminding motorists of the requirements and importance of the Move Over Law.

    Upon the approach of a stopped emergency vehicle that has emergency equipment activated, motorists are required by law to reduce their speed by 30 km/h below the posted speed limit and to change lanes if there’s an available lane, to safely pass by the emergency vehicle. If there is no available lane, motorists are required to stop and move into the opposing lane only when safe to do so.

    This law was implemented as a means of safety for those who find themselves at risk while working on the side of the road, including police and other emergency responders, as well as for those who operate tow trucks.

    Move over! It’s the law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Middleton — Annapolis County District RCMP charge a man involved in a robbery

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Annapolis County District RCMP has charged a man involved in a robbery that occurred in Middleton.

    On April 9, at approximately 4:05 p.m., RCMP officers responded to a report of a robbery at a grocery store on Commercial St. Investigators learned that a man entered the business, brandished a knife, punched an employee and demanded cash before fleeing on foot. The man was not successful in getting cash from the store.

    The employee, a 64-year-old Nictaux woman, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was assessed by EHS at the scene.

    A search of the area, assisted by RCMP Police Dog Services and the RCMP Emergency Response Team, was not successful in locating the man.

    The following day, at approximately 2:20 p.m., RCMP officers located and safely arrested the man walking along Commercial St. At the time of his arrest, the 18-year-old Annapolis County man was found in possession of ammunition and stolen shoes.

    Tyson Kevin Cecil Bishop has been charged with:

    • Robbery
    • Disguise with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence
    • Assault Causing Bodily Harm
    • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Theft
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
    • Contravention of Storage Regulation

    Bishop was held in custody and will appear in Digby Provincial Court today.

    File #: 2025-463291

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why it matters for European security if an American no longer commands Nato troops – by a former Trident sub commander

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Corbett, Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies, King’s College London

    Gen Christopher Cavoli is due to come to the end of his term as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Saceur) this summer. Since 1951, this post has been filled by American four-star officers, admirals or generals.

    But Cavoli might be the last American in the role, at least for a while. The Trump administration is considering relinquishing this important post as part of a cost-saving US Armed Forces command restructuring exercise and, potentially, as a step back from its leading role in European security since the 1950s. In parallel, the UK and German defence ministers have taken over chairing this week’s Ukraine Defence Contact Group, a gathering of defence ministers from 30 countries, which has previously been chaired by the US defense secretary.

    Cavoli said, during a hearing in the Senate this month, that it would be problematic if the US steps back from its leadership role in Nato. Previous heads of the Nato command have agreed. They’re not wrong. Removing the American Saceur position is not an internal matter like replacing senior officers serving in US posts who do not fit a particular political profile. It would have profound effects on Nato’s military capability and immediately significant and tangible repercussions for alliance deterrence strategy.

    An enemy’s perception of the military capability of Nato forces is a fundamental element of its deterrence strategy. Replacing a US Supreme Commander with a European would inject significant uncertainty into perceptions of US commitment to Nato and could critically undermine that perception of coherent military strength. It would be made to work, but Nato’s deterrence posture would be less convincing, and this is especially important given European concerns about Russian aggression in the region.

    It is not clear yet how the Trump administration’s view of Nato will evolve. Public statements advocating support for Nato contradict private views expressed by his cabinet in the notorious Signal-gate chat. Previous US president, Joe Biden, viewed allies as an unrivalled strength. Trump seems to care little about the impact of his decisions on his allies. Deleting the US Saceur post would emphasise that interpretation and weaken Nato deterrence at a critical moment in its relations with Russia.

    What’s the history?

    Trump is not the first US president to make a foreign policy shift away from Europe. President Barack Obama announced a pivot to Asia in November 2011. This focus on China as a “pacing threat” offering major challenges to the US has persisted.

    It manifests itself under Trump as a transactional demand on European allies to contribute more to Nato so the US can release resources to focus on the Pacific, potentially redeploying personnel and capabilities there. Trump has never concealed his disdain for Nato, often wondering what its benefit for the US was. Much of this rhetoric may be for his domestic audience, but it negatively affects international perceptions of Nato’s power.

    The idea of a European Saceur has also been proposed before, including by former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger in 1984. That proposal was made at a low point of the cold war and Kissinger’s rationale was political. European military leadership would force European political leaders to acknowledge their responsibilities for Nato nuclear policy.

    Cavoli questioned by US senators.

    Political control of military force is, of course, important for any democratic state. Saceur reports to the North Atlantic Council (the NAC, Nato’s highest body) which comprises ambassadors from every member country. Its chair, the secretary-general, is always a European (or Canadian), and the deputy secretary-general is always an American.

    The highest level of military command authority, the ability to organise and employ commands and forces to accomplish assigned missions, is known in the US as Combatant Command (COCOM). Most Nato states retain the COCOM equivalent but delegate the next lower level of command; Operational Command (OPCOM) to Nato commanders.

    Issues at stake

    US domestic law requires COCOM to be exercised over US forces – but only by US officers. This authority cannot be delegated. An American Supreme Commander Europe exercises operational command over all forces assigned to Nato, but a European leader in the same role could exercise only a much more restrictive level of authority over assigned US forces. There is dispensation for an exception to this to meet an attack on Nato, but not for training exercises. Unity of command is challenging enough in multi-national operations, even after 75 years of training, so this is a major obstacle.

    Another issue is that the authority to release all US nuclear weapons is retained by the US president. Accordingly, every key post in the Nato nuclear operations chain is held by a US official. A Nato request for a nuclear strike is made to the US president through Saceur. It is not clear how this would work if Saceur were no longer American. This is one of the major potential obstacles ahead of any decision to move the command to a European.

    And here’s another. In a crisis, Nato would plan to deploy 30 army divisions (of 15,000 personnel each), 30 squadrons of fighter aircraft and 30 combat warships from across the alliance within 30 days. Any Supreme Commander Europe would have to command international forces numbering hundreds of thousands of personnel. There are very few (if any) European officers who could credibly claim to be suitably experienced to replace Cavoli. No British officer has commanded even one deployed division since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

    But by the summer if Cavoli is replaced by a European, Nato needs to have most of these thorny issues resolved, or at least come up with plans on how to do so, or create significant risks for European security. For now, this is not looking simple at all.

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

    – ref. Why it matters for European security if an American no longer commands Nato troops – by a former Trident sub commander – https://theconversation.com/why-it-matters-for-european-security-if-an-american-no-longer-commands-nato-troops-by-a-former-trident-sub-commander-254122

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: No School Division Losses in Second Quarter

    Source: Government of Canada regional news



  • MIL-OSI Canada: Temporary closures on Parliament Hill due to construction

    Source: Government of Canada News

    For immediate release

    Ottawa, Ontario, April 11, 2025 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise the public of sidewalk closures on Parliament Hill due to upcoming construction work. This critical work is necessary to facilitate the relocation of underground infrastructure.

    The work is carefully planned to minimize disruption during peak summer events, and efforts will be made to restore the areas between phases. The first phase of this work will take place from April 14 to June 27, 2025.

    The affected areas include:

    • The north part of the front lawn
    • The sidewalk near the Visitor Welcome Centre at West Block

    For the safety of the public, some sidewalks will be closed and protective enclosures will be placed around impacted areas during construction.

    Temporary pedestrian crossings with accessible ramps will be in place to ensure safe and barrier-free access to the Visitor Welcome Centre and the West Block.

    Visitors are advised to obey all signage and on-site instructions.

    PSPC appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation during this necessary work. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s statement on Kitselas Treaty, Constitution vote outcome

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, has issued the following statement in response to the “yes” vote by eligible voters on the ratification of the Kitselas Treaty and Self-Government Constitution:

    “On behalf of all British Columbians, I would like to congratulate the members and leadership of Kitselas First Nation on the successful ratification of their treaty and constitution.

    “Of the more than 95% of eligible voters who voted on the treaty and constitution, 85% voted ‘yes’ on the treaty and 81% voted ‘yes’ on the constitution. For the treaty and constitution to be ratified, each vote required a double majority. That means more than 50% of eligible voters on the voters list needed to cast a ballot, and more than 50% of those voters needed to cast a ballot in favour of the treaty and constitution. Based on these results, these thresholds were met.

    “Kitselas First Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia have been in treaty negotiations since 1993.

    “With negotiations on the Kitselas Treaty complete, and a successful Kitselas ratification vote, the Kitselas people have now chosen their path forward. This decision is one that generations of Kitselas people have worked toward.

    “In particular, I wish to congratulate Chief Councillor Glenn Bennett of Kitselas First Nation, Kitselas Council, Elders, past Chiefs, the Kitselas Treaty Team, the Eligibility and Enrolment team, and the Tripartite Ratification Committee for all of their hard work and dedication that has brought us to this momentous day. I acknowledge the work has been immense. We wouldn’t be here without you. 

    “I would like to express our government’s recognition, in particular, for the many years of dedicated service by Mel Bevan, Sm’ooyget Satsan, who passed away in October 2023, and who served as Kitselas Chief Negotiator for many years.

    “The next step is for British Columbia to ratify the treaty, then all parties sign and finally Canada ratifies. Provincial and federal ratification involves the B.C. legislature and Canadian Parliament each passing treaty implementation legislation. As the minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation, I remain firmly committed to taking this path alongside the Kitselas people.

    “Throughout the next steps of this process, there will be further opportunities for regional and public engagement, as well as ongoing consultation with neighbouring First Nations.

    “The Kitselas Treaty is a path to self-governance, recognition of rights, collaborative resource management, and new economic opportunity. It provides the basis for a revitalized relationship between Kitselas, their neighbours and all levels of government by fostering shared understanding, providing certainty and supporting further work together in the region.”

    Learn More:

    For more information about the vote, visit:
    https://kitselastreaty.ca/

    For more information about Kitselas Treaty negotiations, visit:
    https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/engagement/kitselas-and-kitsumkalum-treaty-negotiations

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bergman, GOP Colleagues, to Pritzker: Stop the Partisan Games – Protect our Great Lakes from Asian Carp

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

    Rep. Jack Bergman, joined by Michigan GOP colleagues Rep. John Moolenaar, Rep. Tim Walberg, and Rep. John James sent a letter to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker calling for him to reverse course on a recent politically charged decision that would jeopardize efforts to keep invasive Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. The letter highlights that the delay is both unjustified and dangerous to the continued health of our Great Lakes.

    Recently, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker halted the Brandon Road Interbasin Project – a critical piece of infrastructure being built to prevent invasive carp from migrating from the Mississippi River basin into Lake Michigan.

    In a hard-hitting letter to Pritzker, the Members of Congress noted, “We write to express our profound dismay at your decision to unilaterally suspend Construction Increment IA of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District. As you know, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, has been identified as the critical chokepoint for preventing the upstream movement of invasive carp and other nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin into the Great Lakes through the Illinois Waterway. This unnecessary and unfounded obstruction trades responsible governance for partisan grandstanding, putting our Great Lakes, economy, and communities at needless risk.”

    Additionally, the Members noted that Pritzker’s move reflected either a “fundamental misunderstanding or a deliberate disregard” of longstanding federal financial law.

    You can read the full letter here or below:

    Governor Pritzker:

    We write to express our profound dismay at your decision to unilaterally suspend Construction Increment IA of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District. As you know, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, has been identified as the critical chokepoint for preventing the upstream movement of invasive carp and other nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin into the Great Lakes through the Illinois Waterway. This unnecessary and unfounded obstruction trades responsible governance for partisan grandstanding, putting our Great Lakes, economy, and communities at needless risk.

    On February 10, 2025, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources notified USACE that the State would be postponing the real estate closing agreement required for USACE to commence work on Construction Increment IA. Citing an “anticipated lack of federal funding for the Brandon Road Project,” the State has demanded assurances from the federal government that the funds allocated to BRIP through Pub. L. 117-58 will remain available.

    This demand reflects either a fundamental misunderstanding or a deliberate disregard of longstanding federal financial law. Under 31 U.S.C. § 1501, federal funds can only be considered obligated – and thus legally bound for their designated purpose – once a formal commitment, such as a contract, is executed by an agency.2 However, USACE cannot take this step until the State of Illinois finalizes the real estate closing agreement – a prerequisite that your office is deliberately delaying. As a result, the very funds you claim to be protecting with the pause remain unobligated and at risk of rescission or reprogramming by Congress – an authority that has long rested with Congress concerning unobligated funds still at the U.S. Treasury.

    Of course, you would recognize this if your decision to pause the project were not driven by partisan motives. In a February 7, 2025, memorandum shared with your office, USACE confirmed that $100 million in federal funds was available for the scheduled February 17, 2025, start of Construction Increment IA. Yet, the designated funds now hang in the balance over your insistence on receiving assurances from the Trump administration – assurances that are entirely unnecessary. The reality is that your office has the authority to finalize the real estate closing agreement and allow USACE to proceed, making your delay both unjustified and dangerous to the continued health of our Great Lakes.

    The commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries of the Great Lakes generate between $5 and $7 billion annually for the economies of the United States and Canada, supporting more than 75,000 jobs.3 These waters sustain a world-class fishery built on native and naturalized species like whitefish, salmon, and lake trout – species that would be devastated by the spread of invasive carp from the Illinois Waterway. Allowing their introduction would be an irreversible economic and ecological disaster, jeopardizing industries, livelihoods, and entire communities that depend on the Great Lakes.

    Safeguarding our lakes demands strong leadership that prioritizes responsible action over political posturing. Years of strategic planning and bipartisan collaboration between USACE Rock Island District and the States of Illinois and Michigan have brought us to the threshold of a historic preservation victory for our region’s economy and environment. Your obstruction not only undermines this progress but signals a reckless disregard for the long-term health of the Great Lakes and the millions of people who rely on them. We urge you, in the strongest terms possible, to abandon this self-serving interest, finalize the real estate closing agreement, and allow USACE to move forward with BRIP without further delay. The Great Lakes – and the future of those who depend on them – deserve nothing less.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Global solar boom leaving Canada in the shade — but federal shift could change sector fortunes

    Source: – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: Global solar boom leaving Canada in the shade — but federal shift could change sector fortunes

    Fernando Melo, federal director for policy and government affairs at CANREA, an industry body, said Canada has “great solar resources that we are only beginning to harness,” noting that new utility-scale power procurements coming in 2025 in several provinces, including solar-specific auctions in Quebec and Saskatchewan, would help spur deployment of PV plant. Read more.
    The post Global solar boom leaving Canada in the shade — but federal shift could change sector fortunes appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Alberta bill enables hydrogen home heating, electricity market remodeling

    Source: – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: Alberta bill enables hydrogen home heating, electricity market remodeling

    “We promised a zero congestion system, meaning that every generator should be able to get their electricity to market, and that’s not the case anymore,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, the president of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Read more.

    The post Alberta bill enables hydrogen home heating, electricity market remodeling appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Bear activity advisory for backcountry and outdoor areas

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pictou — Police charge two people with drug trafficking and weapons offences

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Police have charged two people with drug trafficking and weapons offences after executing a search warrant in Pictou.

    On April 3, 2025, the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU) executed a search warrant at a residence on Welsford St. as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. A man and a woman were safely arrested inside the home.

    Officers searched the residence and seized a quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, cash, a firearm, a machete, mobile devices and tools, which are believed to have been stolen

    Jennifer Anne Stevenson, 40, and Chad Andrew Thomson, 34, both of Pictou are each charged with:

    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)
    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (methamphetamine)
    • Careless Use of Firearm
    • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
    • Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
    • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (2 counts)
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (2 counts)

    Stevenson and Thomson were released on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on July 7.

    The investigation is ongoing and is being led by PCISCEU with assistance of Pictou County District RCMP, Antigonish/Guysborough Street Crime Enforcement Unit and RCMP Police Dog Services.

    Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.

    Note: The PCISCEU is made up of police officers from Pictou County District RCMP, Westville Police Service, and Stellarton Police Service.

    File #2025-347322

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Charles Kemp, Professor, School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    Shutterstock

    Languages are windows into the worlds of the people who speak them – reflecting what they value and experience daily.

    So perhaps it’s no surprise different languages highlight different areas of vocabulary. Scholars have noted that Mongolian has many horse-related words, that Maori has many words for ferns, and Japanese has many words related to taste.

    Some links are unsurprising, such as German having many words related to beer, or Fijian having many words for fish. The linguist Paul Zinsli wrote an entire book on Swiss-German words related to mountains.

    In our recently-published study we took a broad approach towards understanding the links between different languages and concepts.

    Using computational methods, we identified areas of vocabulary that are characteristic of specific languages, to provide insight into linguistic and cultural variation.

    Our work adds to a growing understanding of language, culture, and the way they both relate.

    Japanese has many words related to taste. One of these is umami, which is often used to describe the rich taste of matcha green tea.
    Shutterstock

    Our method

    We tested 163 links between languages and concepts, drawn from the literature.

    We compiled a digital dataset of 1574 bilingual dictionaries that translate between English and 616 different languages. Since many of these dictionaries were still under copyright, we only had access to counts of how often a particular word appeared in each dictionary.

    One example of a concept we looked at was “horse”, for which the top-scoring languages included French, German, Kazakh and Mongolian. This means dictionaries in these languages had a relatively high number of

    1. words for horses. For instance, Mongolian аргамаг means “a good racing or riding horse”
    2. words related to horses. For instance, Mongolian чөдөрлөх means “to hobble a horse”.

    However, it is also possible the counts were influenced by “horse” appearing in example sentences for unrelated terms.

    Not a hoax after all?

    Our findings support most links previously highlighted by researchers, including that Hindi has many words related to love and Japanese has many words related to obligation and duty.

    ‘Silk’ was one of the most popular concepts for Mandarin Chinese.
    Shutterstock

    We were especially interested in testing the idea that Inuit languages have many words for snow. This notorious claim has long been distorted and exaggerated. It has even been dismissed as the “great Eskimo vocabulary hoax”, with some experts saying it simply isn’t true.

    But our results suggest the Inuit snow vocabulary is indeed exceptional. Out of 616 languages, the language with the top score for “snow” was Eastern Canadian Inuktitut. The other two Inuit languages in our data set (Western Canadian Inuktitut and North Alaskan Inupiatun) also achieved high scores for “snow”.

    The Eastern Canadian Inuktitut dictionary in our dataset includes terms such as kikalukpok, which means “noisy walking on hard snow”, and apingaut, which means “first snow fall”.

    The top 20 languages for “snow” included several other languages of Alaska, such as Ahtena, Dena’ina and Central Alaskan Yupik, as well as Japanese and Scots.

    Scots includes terms such as doon-lay, meaning “a heavy fall of snow”, feughter meaning “a sudden, slight fall of snow”, and fuddum, meaning “snow drifting at intervals”.

    You can explore our findings using the tool we developed, which allows you to identify the top languages for any given concept, and the top concepts for a particular language.

    Language and environment

    Although the languages with top scores for “snow” are all spoken in snowy regions, the top-ranked languages for “rain” were not always from the rainiest parts of the world.

    For instance, South Africa has a medium level of rainfall, but languages from this region, such as Nyanja, East Taa and Shona, have many rain-related words. This is probably because, unlike snow, rain is important for human survival – which means people still talk about it in its absence.

    For speakers of East Taa, rain is both relatively rare and desirable. This is reflected in terms such as lábe ||núu-bâ, an “honorific form of address to thunder to bring rain” and |qába, which refers to the “ritual sprinkling of water or urine to bring rain”.

    Our tool can also be used to explore various concepts related to perception (“smell”), emotion (“love”) and cultural beliefs (“ghost”).

    The top-scoring languages for “smell” include a cluster of Oceanic languages such as Marshallese, which has terms such as jatbo meaning “smell of damp clothing”, meļļā meaning “smell of blood”, and aelel meaning “smell of fish, lingering on hands, body, or utensils”.

    Prior to our research, the smell terms of the Pacific Islands had received little attention.

    Some caveats

    Although our analysis reveals many interesting links between languages and concepts, the results aren’t always reliable – and should be checked against original dictionaries where possible.

    For example, the top concepts for Plautdietsch (Mennonite Low German) include von (“of”), den (“the”) and und (“and”) – all of which are unrevealing. We excluded similar words from other languages using Wiktionary, but our method did not filter out these common words for Plautdietsch.

    Also, the word counts reflect both dictionary definitions and other elements, such as example sentences. While our analysis excluded words that are especially likely to appear in example sentences (such as “woman” and “father”), such words could have still influenced our results to some extent.

    Most importantly, our results run the risk of perpetuating potentially harmful stereotypes if taken at face value. So we urge caution and respect while using the tool. The concepts it lists for any given language provide, at best, a crude reflection of the cultures associated with that language.

    Charles Kemp was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Temuulen Khishigsuren was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Ekaterina Vylomova and Terry Regier do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages – https://theconversation.com/do-inuit-languages-really-have-many-words-for-snow-the-most-interesting-finds-from-our-study-of-616-languages-252522

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Competition Bureau advances an investigation into Express Scripts Canada’s business practices in the pharmacy sector

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    April 11, 2025 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

    The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to advance an investigation into Express Scripts Canada, a company that provides prescription drug claim processing services and other services for insurance providers and pharmacists. The company also operates four mail-order pharmacies across Canada, except for Quebec.

    The order, granted by the Federal Court, requires Express Scripts Canada to produce records and written information, and provide oral testimony, that are relevant to the Bureau’s investigation.

    The Bureau is looking into alleged anti-competitive conduct that can prevent or limit competition in the pharmacy retail market, including: 

    • Patient steering through Preferred Provider Networks that force or induce Canadians to use Express Scripts Canada owned or associated pharmacies instead of their pharmacy of choice; and
    • Margin squeezing that reduces the margins of its retail pharmacy competitors by increasing its Pharmacy Benefit Manager service fee and by requiring a costly and burdensome audit process.

    The Bureau is investigating this conduct under the Competition Act’s restrictive trade provisions. These provisions protect against abuse of dominance and agreements or arrangements between businesses that harm competition.

    There is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: QC Holdings, Inc. to be Acquired by Prospect Capital Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A portfolio company of Prospect Capital Corporation (“Prospect”) (NASDAQ: PSEC) and QC Holdings, Inc. (“QC Holdings” or the “Company”) (OTCPK:QCCO) today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions and on the terms set forth in the merger agreement, Prospect would acquire QC Holdings in an all-cash transaction, for $2.00 per share, for a total enterprise value of approximately $115 million (the “Merger”).

    The Merger was unanimously approved by the board of directors of QC Holdings and by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. No other stockholder approval is required. Completion of the Merger is subject to the receipt of certain required regulatory approvals, as well as certain other closing conditions customary for transactions of this nature. The transaction is expected to close in 40 to 60 days.

    Upon completion of the transaction, QC Holdings’ common stock will no longer be listed on the OTC Pink Market. The Company will remain headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas.

    The QC Holdings management team, led by Darrin Andersen, President and Chief Executive Officer, will continue to lead the Company post-Merger in their current roles.

    “QC Holdings has built a strong foundation based on innovation, customer service, and operational excellence,” said Mr. Andersen. “This Merger provides an excellent premium for our stockholders above our stock price. Our access to greater capital through Prospect will position us for future growth and innovation, ensuring that we will continue to provide increased value to our customers.”

    “Prospect looks forward to supporting the growth of QC Holdings, a strong consumer finance business with a 40-year history,” said Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer of Prospect.

    Blank Rome LLP served as legal advisor to Prospect. Stinson LLP served as legal advisor to QC Holdings.

    About QC Holdings, Inc.

    QC Holdings specializes in consumer-focused alternative financial services and credit solutions and, for more than 40 years, has been providing credit options for people underserved by traditional banking institutions. Its core products include a variety of short-term loans and financial services. In the United States, QC Holdings operates as “LendNation” through more than 325 retail locations in 12 states. In Canada, QC Holdings offers loans through 19 retail locations and online.

    About Prospect Capital Corporation

    Prospect is a business development company lending to and investing in private businesses. Prospect’s investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments.

    Prospect has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Prospect has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, whose safe harbor for forward-looking statements does not apply to business development companies. Forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “foresees,” “potential” and other words of similar meaning in conjunction with statements regarding, among other things, (i) plans and objectives of management for the operation of QC Holdings, (ii) statements regarding the timing of completion of the merger and the consummation of the Merger, (iii) the anticipated financing of the transaction, (iv) the anticipated benefits to QC Holdings arising from the completion of the Merger, (v) the impact of the Merger on QC Holdings’ business strategy and future business and operational performance, and (vi) the assumptions underlying or relating to any such statement. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements.

    Additional Information Regarding the Merger

    QC Holdings will mail or otherwise make available to its stockholders an Information Statement (the “Information Statement”), describing the Merger. QC HOLDINGS’ STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THE INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ANY ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. QC Holdings stockholders may obtain a free copy of the Information Statement and other documents (when available) from Computershare, the Company’s stock transfer agent.  A copy of the Information Statement will also be available on QC Holdings’ website at www.qchi.com.

    For further information, contact:

    Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer, Prospect Capital Corporation 
    grier@prospectcap.com 
    (212) 448-0702

    Darrin J. Andersen, President / Chief Executive Officer, QC Holdings Inc. 
    Darrin.andersen@qcholdings.com
    (913) 234-5122

    Joshua C. Ditmore, General Counsel, QC Holdings, Inc.
    Joshua.ditmore@qcholdings.com
    (913) 234-5174

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: White House plans for Alaskan oil and gas face some hurdles – including from Trump and the petroleum industry

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Scott L. Montgomery, Lecturer in International Studies, University of Washington

    A pumping station and oil pipeline north of Fairbanks, Alaska, are part of the existing fossil fuel industry in the state. AP Photo/Al Grillo

    The second Trump administration has launched the next stage in the half-century-long battle between commerce and conservation over Alaskan oil and gas development. But its moves are delivering a mixed message to the petroleum industry.

    The administration has opened – or reopened – large swaths of government land in Alaska to oil and gas drilling, though only some of those opportunities have drawn much commercial interest in recent years. And an 800-mile pipeline across Alaska that the administration says it supports is not yet funded, and other administration policies risk turning off prospective partners.

    President Donald Trump says he wants to grow oil and gas production and advance the goal of what he calls U.S. “energy dominance.” The White House says that term means both reducing the amount of energy imported from other countries and increasing the amount of energy exported from the U.S., especially to allies.

    The U.S. is already the world’s largest producer and exporter of natural gas as well as the largest producer of crude oil. And the nation’s oil industry boomed under the Biden administration. However, the U.S. does import an average of over 6 million barrels per day of crude oil, most of it from Canada.

    Trump’s efforts seek to boost U.S. production to still greater heights by expanding access to areas for drilling and building related infrastructure. But as a former petroleum geoscientist and industry observer, I would suggest his various actions, taken as a whole, may have more limited effects than he seems to hope.

    Returned to leasing

    In one of his first executive orders after retaking office on Jan. 20, 2025, Trump declared that the U.S. would develop Alaska’s petroleum resources “to the fullest extent possible.”

    The Biden administration had banned oil leasing in three areas of Alaska. One was all but 400,000 acres in the coastal plain portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Another was a 13-million-acre swath of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, a massive parcel of federal land west of the refuge. The third area was 44 million acres of the offshore coastal portion of the northern Bering Sea, based on concerns for tribal rights and the migration routes of marine mammals.

    Trump moved quickly to reverse all these bans, describing them as an “assault on Alaska’s sovereignty and its ability to responsibly develop (its) resources for the benefit of the Nation.” And Trump went farther, expanding the available land by an additional 6 million acres in the petroleum reserve and another 1.1 million acres of the wildlife refuge.

    All those areas are home to many different types of wildlife, as well as Indigenous groups.

    Caribou migrate onto the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska.
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP

    The view of industry

    For the petroleum industry, I expect these actions are both welcome and irrelevant. Reopening the northeastern portion of the petroleum reserve creates a real opportunity: Exploration has found a significant amount of oil and gas in that area, and indications are that there may be more yet to discover.

    But prospects on the land in the wildlife refuge and the shallow waters of the Bering Sea are not likely of much interest to drilling companies unless oil prices rise significantly from their levels in early 2025. There is no established production in either area at present. And, though the refuge has oil and gas potential, there are no roads or pipelines, and Arctic drilling is especially expensive.

    In fact, the last two attempts by the government to lease oil development rights in the wildlife refuge drew very little interest. In 2020, the first Trump administration teamed with Republicans in Congress to overcome long-standing legal and political opposition to leasing in the refuge. But the 2021 lease sale was a bust, with none of the top oil producers in the state participating.

    A second round of bidding, in January 2025, received no interest at all from oil companies.

    The Trans-Alaska Pipeline runs 800 miles from the North Slope to the port of Valdez, Alaska.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    Pipe dreams that could come true

    A strong gain for the petroleum industry would be a major new pipeline to carry natural gas more than 800 miles south from the Prudhoe Bay area on the Arctic coast to a port near Anchorage on south-central Alaska’s Cook Inlet.

    The idea has its own decades-long history, and has been both pushed forward and set back over the years by changing economics, government plans, and tribal interest and opposition.

    The main challenge is that there is no way to transport natural gas off the North Slope. Since drilling began in the late 1970s, some has been used locally for heating and running equipment, with the vast majority being reinjected into oil reservoir rock to help maintain oil production.

    Rising demand and elevated prices in Asia, however, suggest the project could be profitable, despite the current cost estimate of US$44 billion. Project plans indicate most of it would go to build a liquefied natural gas export terminal near Anchorage, with the rest spent to construct an 807-mile pipeline paralleling the existing Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and a plant at Prudhoe Bay that would capture carbon from the atmosphere, compress it and inject it into oil-producing reservoirs to boost production.

    The pipeline is designed to carry 3.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day, which would make it one of the largest pipelines in North America. The export terminal, to be built near the town of Nikiski on Cook Inlet, would have a capacity of roughly 1 trillion cubic feet per year, enough to heat about 15 million homes for a year.

    The pipeline could take as little as two to three years to build, but the terminal and carbon-capture plant would take longer – five years or so. The exports from Alaska could go to other ports in the U.S., but they could also fetch higher prices in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and possibly China.

    An artist’s rendering of what a natural gas export terminal would look like on Cook Inlet, near Nikiski, Alaska.
    Alaska Gasline Development Corporation

    A wrench in the works

    Most of the permits needed for the pipeline-and-export-terminal project have been secured by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, a company created by the state of Alaska to build the project.

    However, no company or foreign government has yet agreed to foot the bill, and despite the support of the Trump White House, there’s no indication the federal government will do so either.

    The Trump administration has also created a new barrier to the project. Its sweeping tariffs and the resulting trade war crashed prices in the global oil and gas market in early April 2025.

    In addition, uncertainty about the permanence of tariffs or other restrictions on international trade are now widespread and directly affect the oil industry. Lower gas and oil prices and less stability make any project less attractive.

    It’s true that Trump exempted oil and gas from his most recent tariffs. But that matters less than the broader effect the trade war is already having, with analysts projecting it is driving the global economy toward recession. Less economic activity means less demand for oil and gas, and therefore less incentive for companies to drill new wells and build new pipelines.

    To top everything off, the White House slapped heavy tariffs on Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, the very countries that might be inclined to help fund the pipeline project. Even before the trade war, they were hesitant about supporting it. The potential suspension, or reinstatement, or adjustment of tariffs is not likely to help them view the situation as more stable.

    Those who favor oil and gas development in Alaska may be wondering whether the president is truly on their side. It remains to be seen whether their hopes might end up a casualty of White House economic policy.

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

    – ref. White House plans for Alaskan oil and gas face some hurdles – including from Trump and the petroleum industry – https://theconversation.com/white-house-plans-for-alaskan-oil-and-gas-face-some-hurdles-including-from-trump-and-the-petroleum-industry-254040

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Twillingate — Twillingate RCMP investigates theft of truck from Summerford, man arrested

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As part of a stolen vehicle investigation, 24-year-old Jack LeBlanc of Summerford was arrested by Twillingate RCMP on April 8, 2025.

    Shortly before 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Twillingate RCMP received a report that a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado had been stolen from a commercial property in Summerford. As part of the investigation, police attended the area and gathered information that identified Leblanc as the suspect.

    Later that same morning, Twillingate RCMP received a report of a single-vehicle crash in Twillingate involving the stolen truck. The driver, who was identified as LeBlanc, departed the scene on foot and was causing a disturbance outside a nearby residence. Police attended the property where LeBlanc was arrested without further incident.

    LeBlanc appeared in court earlier this week and was charged with the following criminal offences:

    • Theft of a motor vehicle
    • Possession of property obtained by crime
    • Failure to comply with conditions of an undertaking

    He was released by the court on a number of conditions and is set to appear in court at a later date.

    The investigation is continuing.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025.

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025.

    UK and other OSCE participating States express concern over the deteriorating human rights situation and call on Georgia to open an inclusive dialogue with political parties, civil society and the OSCE institutions.

    Thank you, Madam Chair,  

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of  Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and my own country, Germany.  

    As OSCE participating States, we have committed to upholding and defending fundamental human rights, democracy, and the rule of law—not only within our own borders, but across our shared OSCE region. This commitment carries a responsibility: to hold each other accountable when we witness signs of democratic backsliding. 

    It is in this spirit that we express again our deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia. Since our last discussion in February, we have regretfully witnessed Georgian authorities taking further steps away from their democratic and human rights commitments. 

    Madam Chair,  

    Our main concerns are threefold: the legislative restriction of civic space, the targeting of independent media, and the continued lack of accountability for excessive use of force by police, the use of indiscriminate violence by unidentified groups against peaceful protesters as well as unnecessarily long pre-trial detention periods and the reported ill-treatment of those in pre-trial detention. 

    The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires all individuals and organisations receiving foreign funding to register as so-called “Foreign Agents,” with financial sanctions and criminal penalties imposed on those who refuse. We share ODIHR’s concern that “this law, along with other recent legislative initiatives, could further curtail the activities of civil society organizations and human rights defenders by removing the safeguards needed for them to carry out their work”. This law lacks the legal safeguards that prevent civil society, media and private individuals from being branded as instruments of foreign influence based solely on funding sources, which strongly suggests that this law is not about transparency, but about suppressing dissent and tightening the grip on civil society. This is of particular concern in view of the upcoming local elections.  

    We are also closely monitoring recent amendments to Georgia’s electoral legislation. It is essential that any changes to the electoral framework enhance transparency and public trust, and that reforms are developed through inclusive dialogue and in line with OSCE commitments. Relatedly, we are concerned about legislative amendments undermining freedom of peaceful assembly, including the amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Offences Codes and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations. The amendments undermine the principle of equal suffrage and restrict freedom of assembly, as stated in relevant ODIHR’s and Venice Commission latest opinions. We urge the Georgian authorities to implement their recommendations.  

    Madam Chair,  

    We are alarmed by the escalating threats and intimidation faced by journalists in Georgia. The Public Defender’s 2024 Human Rights Report highlights a significant decline in media freedom, exacerbated by restrictive laws—such as the recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting—and growing hostility toward journalists. 

    Notably, there have been incidents where journalists were being targeted by police while covering protests, including physical assaults and equipment seizures. Furthermore, reports of targeting journalists in exile and negative rhetoric from high-ranking officials and politicians have further eroded media freedom and increased risks for journalists. 

    We call for the immediate cessation of these practices and the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained journalists, including Mzia Amaghlobeli, who remains in detention on charges of up to 7 years in prison. 

    Finally, we remain deeply troubled by the persistent lack of accountability for police violence. We have seen no evidence of credible efforts by the Georgian authorities to investigate reports of disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary detentions, excessive over-reliance on long pre-trial detention periods, and mistreatment of detainees. 

    We call on the Georgian authorities to take immediate action to protect the rights of those exercising their fundamental freedoms and to conduct a thorough investigation of the use of police force during peaceful protests since 28 November 2024 in order to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Failure to do so further undermines public trust in Georgia’s institutions. 

    Madam Chair, 

    Despite repeated statements by Georgia reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and the OSCE principles and commitments, we have yet to see any concrete and genuine steps toward meaningful engagement. Instead, recent actions by the Georgian authorities have moved Georgia further away from democracy. We call on the Georgian authorities to open an inclusive dialogue with all political parties and civil society organisations in order to find peaceful and democratic solutions to the ongoing crisis. 

    We welcome recent statements by ODIHR and RFoM and strongly urge Georgia to continue to constructively engage with OSCE institutions and make use of their expertise. As fellow OSCE participating States, we will explore all available tools and mechanisms within the OSCE context going forward. In this spirit, we call on Georgian authorities to implement recommendations by ODIHR with regard to the upcoming elections. 

    Our unwavering commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unchanged. We stand steadfast in our support for the Georgian people and their pursuit of a democratic, stable and European future, and we remain ready to work with Georgia to ensure it upholds its international obligations and ensures that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected.​

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media to the OSCE Permanent Council: Joint Statement, April 2025.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media to the OSCE Permanent Council: Joint Statement, April 2025.

    UK and others call for action to uphold safety of journalists and media freedom against a deteriorating background within some OSCE countries.

    Thank you Mr. Chair,  

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States that are members of the informal Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists namely Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and my own country, Lithuania. 

    First of all we welcome the Representative on Freedom of the Media Mr. Jan Braathu – dear Jan-  to the Permanent Council and thank him for his first report since taking on this role.   

    We reaffirm our strong support for the autonomous mandate of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, which plays a vital role in monitoring media developments in participating States, providing early warning on violations, and promoting compliance with OSCE commitments. 

    Mr. Chair, 

    We believe there is no genuine security without media freedom, and no media freedom without journalists being able to carry out their work safely. Unfortunately, despite the commitments of participating States, the environment for journalists across the OSCE region is extremely concerning, as they face physical and online violence, legal harassment, including strategic lawsuits against public participation, arbitrary detention, forced disappearance and even death for simply doing their job.  

    Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, with the complicity of Belarus, has directly impacted media freedom and the safety of journalists. As Russia‘s atrocities in Ukraine continue, Reporters Without Borders has recorded that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nearly 150 journalists have become victims of Russian abuses performing their duties. 13 journalists have been killed by Russian forces. 47 journalists have been injured while reporting as a result of attacks by Russian forces. 19 Ukrainian journalists are currently detained by Russia after being mainly arrested in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. According to the Moscow Mechanism reports, Russia uses arbitrary detention and threats against journalists in the temporarily occupied territories to intimidate the population and to eliminate activists. 

    In Russia and Belarus, the systematic crackdown on independent media has reached unprecedented levels. This has resulted in the closure of nearly all independent media organizations, leading to a media and information space almost entirely controlled by the state apparatus. At least 38 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned in Russia, part of over 1500 political prisoners. In Belarus, at least 45 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned among more than 1200 political prisoners. Many more journalists and media actors have been forced into exile. We call on both Russia and Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including those held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. 

    We are increasingly concerned about the deteriorating media freedom situation in other participating States, where journalists are labelled under so-called foreign agent laws and hindered from performing their duties. We urge Georgia to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists who are arbitrarily detained or arrested, and to engage in constructive dialogue with the RFoM and ODIHR to align its laws and actions with OSCE commitments. In Azerbaijan,  there has been an unsettling rise in cases brought against journalists and independent media outlets. We call on Azerbaijan to ensure all citizens‘ fundamental rights and to provide safe and dignified conditions for detainees in line with its OSCE commitments, including  access to health and independent legal services.  All those detained for exercising their fundamental rights should be released. We also echo the statement by the RFoM on March 27 calling for the swift release of journalists arrested in Türkiye while covering demonstrations. 

    Mr. Chair, 

    In this context, the role of the RFoM is more important than ever. We commend the RFoM’s continued work on the Safety of Journalists by creating a network of National Focal Points, developing guidelines and advising participating states on how to improve the implementation of their commitments from the 2018 Milan Ministerial Council decision. We are pleased to hear that the RFOM is developing a comprehensive capacity-building strategy to ensure that women journalists are able to take part in public debates online and offline without fear of harassment, attacks or violence.  

    Mr Chair 

    As pressure on journalists is often an early sign of a broader deterioration of the human rights situation, we also expect the RFOM to fulfil the early warning and rapid response function in cases of serious non-compliance with our shared commitments regarding freedom of expression and media freedom, including with respect to the protection of journalists and other media actors. 

    Thank you very much for listening.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Package will support UK jobs and growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry

    The UK is surging rapid military support to Ukraine to put them in the strongest position to secure a lasting peace as partners meet in Brussels for the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group, chaired by the UK and Germany.

    The security of the UK and Europe starts in Ukraine, and a major new military support package will be delivered by British and Ukrainian suppliers to help boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as they continue to defend against Russian attack. As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries.

    Today’s package, worth £450 million, includes £350 million from the UK from this year’s record £4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.

    The support package will be announced by Defence Secretary John Healey when he chairs the contact group alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius later today, where 50 nations will come together to coordinate urgent military support for Ukraine.

    It will include £160 million of UK funding to provide repairs and maintenance to vehicles and equipment the UK has already provided to Ukraine – partnering UK companies with Ukrainian industry, supporting the UK economy and skilled jobs.

    Today’s support also includes a new ‘close fight’ military aid package – with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones – worth more than £250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway. The package builds on the work of the drone capability coalition, led by the UK and Latvia.

    This will include high manoeuvrable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions. These two types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment.

    The new kit will be procured from a mixture of UK and Ukrainian suppliers, demonstrating how investment into Ukraine’s defence supports jobs and the economies of both the UK and Ukraine.

    The £160 million package for equipment repairs and maintenance will ensure vital armoured vehicles and other equipment can get back to the battlefield as quickly as possible. It will be implemented through the UK’s Taskforce HIRST, linking UK and Ukrainian companies to ensure repairs can be conducted in country to ensure that vital equipment is returned to the frontline as quickly as possible.

    The support provides opportunities for British companies to learn lessons from the battlefield and support the UK’s own industrial capabilities, an example of the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership announced by the Prime Minister in action.

    Addressing the contact group, Defence Secretary John Healey MP will say:

    The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war.

    We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today’s major package will surge support to Ukraine’s frontline fight.

    2025 is the critical year for Ukraine. Our job as defence ministers is to put into the hands of the Ukrainian war fighters what they need. We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraine’s defences.

    Yesterday, [Thursday] the Defence Secretary and his French counterpart, Minister Lecornu, chaired the first meeting of Coalition of the Willing defence ministers, bringing together 30 countries to progress planning for a reassurance force to support a lasting peace in Ukraine.

    The meeting followed a series of high-level meetings of leaders and defence chiefs in the last month to move forward with operational planning.

    This work delivers on the Prime Minister’s four-point plan to support Ukraine by ramping up delivery of weapons and equipment, boosting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the long term, working with allies to develop robust security assurances, and keeping up pressure on Putin.

    The UK is fully committed to working with allies to step up support to ensure Ukraine remains in the strongest possible position, which is why £4.5 billion of military support will be provided this year – more than ever before.

    As well as demonstrating leadership through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and Coalition of the Willing, the UK is also contributing heavily to NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) Command, which is coordinating further support for Ukraine in the form of training and providing more capabilities. Through the International Fund for Ukraine, the UK will manage the NSATU Trust Fund for rapid procurement – which Canada, Denmark and Iceland have already pledged funding towards, to meet Ukraine’s urgent equipment support and logistical needs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Speech

    Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting spoke at Unison’s annual health conference in Liverpool.

    Good morning conference.

    Let’s start on a point of agreement.

    The killing of 15 health and rescue workers in Gaza was an appalling and intolerable tragedy.

    Healthcare workers in any context, in any part of the world, should never be a target.

    The international community, or indeed any actors in any conflict, all have a responsibility to protect health and humanitarian aid workers and also to protect innocent civilians.

    And it’s clear that in Gaza, as well as in other conflict zones around the world at the moment, the international community is failing and failing badly.

    So I want to say, as a Unison member, I strongly support the sentiments expressed by our Healthcare Executive.

    But on behalf of our government, we want to see a return to an immediate ceasefire.

    We want to see aid in, people out of harm’s way, an end to this bloody conflict and a state of Palestine alongside a state of Israel, and the just and lasting peace that Israelis and Palestinians deserve.

    I also have to say, having been to the West Bank with Medical Aid for Palestinians and seen first hand the work that they do supporting the health needs of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territories, they do brilliant work.

    And I would fully endorse the sentiment of the motion in supporting them, and each of us putting our hands in our pockets to do that.

    But today, I’m here as the first health and social care secretary to address a Unison conference since my […] predecessor, Andy Burnham, did 15 years ago, and I am proud to do so as a Unison member.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Now we’re delivering the change people voted for.

    It’s not all plain sailing and I expect you’ll want to question, even challenge some of the government’s decisions.

    So there’ll be plenty of time for questions.

    And I promise to give you honest answers.

    [Political content has been removed]

    You might not like some of the answers.

    I might not like some of the questions, but the important thing is that we show up and we have that conversation.

    For all the challenges we’re confronting, and there are plenty, nothing I’ve experienced in the last 9 months as our country’s Health and Social Care Secretary has shaken my confidence and conviction that this will be a government that not only gets our NHS back on its feet, but makes sure it’s fit for the future, and shows the bold leadership required to make sure that we also build a national care service worthy of the name.

    Of course, it’s hard.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Six months ago, back here in Liverpool, I spent 2 hours with one of the most remarkable groups of people I’ve ever had the honour of meeting in my life.

    In that room were centuries of training and experience between them of working in the health service.

    But all of that training, all of that experience couldn’t have prepared those people with what they were confronted with in Southport on Monday the 29th of July, as they rushed into that community centre to find children and adults lying on the floor bleeding, some tragically dying.

    The aftermath of an unimaginable, senseless, mindless attack.

    Those people were confronted immediately with the consequences.

    For the staff I met, the trauma still runs deep.

    But on the day itself, the whole NHS team kicked into action.

    From the paramedics who arrived first on the scene and had to make split-second decisions of who to treat first in what order, to give them the best chance of survival.

    The porters rushing children through busy hospital corridors, and the security guards trying to shield other patients and visitors from seeing the horror that the staff were confronting.

    The lab teams who are mobilising blood supplies.

    Receptionists fielding calls from panic-stricken parents.

    The surgical teams fighting to save those young girls’ lives.

    I’m filled with admiration for their care, their expertise and their values.

    As I think about what happened in the aftermath of those brutal attacks, that admiration turns to anger.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Filipino nurses came under attack from racist thugs on their way into work wearing their NHS uniforms.

    GP surgeries closed early out of fear of rioters.

    A Nigerian care worker saw his car torched.

    These people came to our country to care for our sick and vulnerable.

    They bust a gut day in, day out to keep us well.

    If those thugs represented the worst of our country, our health and care workers represent the best.

    This government will never walk by on the other side when it comes to standing up against racist hate, intimidation or violence.

    Because no one should go to work fearing violence, least of all those all of us rely on for our healthcare.

    What happened after Southport was an extreme, but it wasn’t a one off.

    One in every 7 people employed by the NHS have suffered violence at the hands of patients, their relatives or other members of the public.

    This should shame us all.

    So today I can announce we will act to keep NHS staff safe at work.

    Incidents will have to be recorded at a national level.

    Data will be analysed so that those most at risk can be protected.

    Trust boards will be made to report on progress they’re making to keep staff safe.

    Protecting staff from violence is not an optional extra.

    We are making it mandatory.

    Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff, campaigned for by Unison.

    [Political content has been removed]

    We invest huge sums of money into training the NHS workforce.

    Then they’re treated like crap. Forced to leave the health service and often leave the country.

    British taxpayers are investing billions in doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare assistants only for them to turn up treating patients in Canada or Australia.

    We’ve got to retain the talent we have in the health service and treat our staff with the respect they deserve.

    That means more training and opportunities for nurses who want to progress in their career, and making flexible working easier too.

    It also means paying you for the job you actually do.

    There have been too many disputes because NHS staff have not been paid according to their job description, rather than their job.

    So we’re bringing in a new digital system to make sure the job evaluation scheme is applied fairly across the board.

    [Political content has been removed]

    A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. Campaigned for by Unison.

    [Political content has been removed]

    I owe my life to the NHS. Who cared for me when I went through kidney cancer. It’s a debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay. But I will certainly try.

    You were there for me and I’ll be there for you.

    As the chair said, the scale of the challenge in our NHS is huge.

    [Political content has been removed]

    So our job is twofold.

    First, to get the service back on its feet and treating patients on time again.

    And second, to reform the service for the long term so that it’s fit for the future.

    And I say it’s our job deliberately, because this can’t be done with one man sat behind a desk in Whitehall.

    We will only succeed if this is a team effort, from the Prime Minister to the 1.5 million people who work in the National Health Service.

    When I visited Singapore General Hospital in opposition, they told me about a programme they run.

    It’s called get rid of stupid stuff.

    Does what it says on the tin.

    I thought the NHS could probably do with that.

    Some of you might think I could do with that.

    It’s a common sense idea.

    People working in the health service might have ideas about how to fix it.

    So over the past few months, just as we did when we were in opposition, we’ve been asking NHS staff about the stupid stuff that’s holding them back.

    More than a million people have engaged in what’s been the biggest national conversation since the NHS was founded.

    NHS staff have attended more than 3,000 meetings across the country and online, and if you’ve not made your voice heard yet, you’ve got until 5pm on Monday [14 April 2025] to go to Change.nhs.uk.

    The plan, published later this spring, will take the best ideas from across the NHS, staff and workforce and patients and set out how we’ll deliver the change the NHS needs.

    Shifting the focus of healthcare out of hospital and into the community, with more investment in primary and community care.

    Bringing our analogue health service into the digital age, arming staff with modern equipment and cutting-edge technology.

    Turning our sickness service into a preventative health service to help people live well for longer and tackle the biggest killers.

    The crisis in the NHS is not the fault of staff, but we can’t fix it without you.

    I know how hard it is to battle against a broken system, to give patients the best care you can, only to go home at the end of the day, knowing your best wasn’t good enough.

    But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    The cavalry is coming.

    My message to everyone working in the NHS is this.

    Stay and help us to rescue and rebuild it.

    The NHS was broken, but it’s not beaten.

    And together we can turn it around.

    Change takes time, but it has already begun.

    In 9 months, this […] government has awarded NHS staff an above-inflation pay rise, ended the resident doctors strikes, invested an extra £26 billion in health and care, the biggest investment in hospices for a generation.

    We’ve agreed the GP contract for the first time since the pandemic, with £889 million more in funding, the biggest uplift in a decade.

    We’ve reversed the decade of cuts to community pharmacy.

    We’ve delivered the extra 2 million more appointments we promised at the election than we did it 7 months early.

    NHS waiting lists have been cut for 5 months in a row and counting.

    80,000 suspected cancer patients were diagnosed early, so lots done, but so much more to do.

    We know there’s a long way to go.

    There’ll be bumps along the way.

    It won’t be plain sailing and we’ll make some mistakes.

    But we are finally putting the NHS on the road to recovery.

    On social care, we’ve been accused of not doing enough.

    I totally understand the cynicism after years of inaction.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Our first step on the road to building a national care service, and I can announce today, will go further for our care professionals.

    We are introducing the first universal career structure for adult social care, setting out four new job roles to give care workers the opportunities to progress in their career.

    With millions of pounds of new investment in their skills and training.

    Keir said his ambition for his sister, who is a care worker, is to command the same respect as her brother, the Prime Minister.

    Her work is so important to the future of our country.

    [Political content has been removed]

    But be in no doubt about the weight on our shoulders.

    I’m certainly not.

    Not only the responsibility to millions of people who are being failed by the NHS and social care services, but also to prove to a sceptical public that the NHS can change and deliver the timely, quality care people expect in 2025.

    On the 75th anniversary of the NHS, an opinion poll showed that the health service makes the majority of the British people proud of our country, greater than the pride we feel for any other aspect of our history or culture.

    But the same poll revealed that 7 in 10 believe that the NHS founding principle of healthcare, free at the point of need, won’t survive the next 10 years.

    The failure of public services to meet the needs of the people is one of the fertilisers of populism we see across liberal democracies.

    [Political content has been removed]

    We will always defend the NHS as a public service, free at the point of use, so that when you fall ill, you never have to worry about the bill.

    [Political content has been removed]

    That’s why I say it’s change or die.

    The stakes are high.

    The challenge is enormous, but the prize is huge.

    A service that values all of its workforce as an asset to be nurtured, not a cost to be minimised.

    Where staff are proud to work because their patients receive the best possible care.

    An NHS there for us when we need it.

    Once again, it won’t be easy.

    It will take time.

    But if we get this right, we will be able to look back on this time and say that we were the generation that took the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, got it back on its feet and made it fit for the future, and built a national care service worthy of the name.

    Change has begun, but the best is still to come.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Meets with Quad City Chamber and Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development to Discuss Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on Local Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 10, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of the Quad City Chamber and the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development (KCAP) to discuss the harmful impacts Trump’s chaotic trade and other actions are having on the local economy and workers—including the whiplash surrounding his sweeping tariffs, illegal pauses in federal funding and needless trade wars. Duckworth also spoke about how Trump’s blanket tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China negatively impact Illinois consumers, workers and the local manufacturing industry. Photos from today’s meeting with the Quad City Chamber can be found on the Senator’s website.
    “Whether imposing sweeping tariffs then pausing them with no warning, starting trade wars or freezing federal funding, Trump’s chaotic and uncertain decision-making is harming Illinois’s workforce and manufacturers, while pushing away our nation’s allies around the world,” Duckworth said. “The consequences of Trump’s needless trade wars will hurt key Illinois manufacturers and small businesses, which employ many hardworking, middle-class workers across our state’s communities. I’m proud to work alongside our local leaders at the Quad City Chamber and KCAP as we continue to push back against Trump and his one-sided political interests.”
    The Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development (KCAP) launched in 2015 to provide economic development services to the Galesburg and Knox County region. The Quad Cities Chamber is made up of the most diverse network of influential business leaders in the Quad Cities region. Their members are committed to advancing the Quad Cities economy and to helping each other succeed.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Extradites Alleged Co-Conspirator of 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks to Face Charges in India

    Source: US State of California

    Mumbai Attacks in 2008 Killed More than 160 People, Including Six Americans, and Wounded Hundreds More

    The United States on Wednesday extradited convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks.

    Rana, 64, is charged in India with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks committed by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations. Attackers at a train station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. Attackers at two restaurants shot indiscriminately at patrons. Attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community center. When the terror finally subsided, 166 victims, including six Americans, were dead, along with all but one of the LeT terrorists. Hundreds more were injured, and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. The attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India’s history.

    India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a U.S. citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT. As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai. Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headley’s having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley’s attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Rana’s business. Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT’s responses to Headley’s activities, and LeT’s potential plans for attacking Mumbai.

    After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians “deserved it.” In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that “[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider”—Pakistan’s “highest award for gallantry in battle,” which is reserved for fallen soldiers.

    India’s pending proceedings against Rana are not the first proceedings in which Rana has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of those same criminal proceedings, Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

    In June 2020, the United States acted on a request for Rana’s extradition submitted by the Republic of India, which Rana contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a U.S. magistrate judge in the Central District of California certified Rana’s extradition to India. Rana then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The Supreme Court likewise denied Rana’s petition for certiorari on January 21, 2025. The Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Rana’s surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition.

    On April 9, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the Secretary’s surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. Rana’s extradition is now complete.

    The extradition litigation was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John J. Lulejian and David R. Friedman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bram M. Alden of the Central District of California and Deputy Director Christopher J. Smith, Associate Director Kerry A. Monaco, and former Associate Director Rebecca A. Haciski of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The U.S. Marshals Service and attorneys and international affairs specialists in the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided support to this extradition. The FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in New Delhi also provided assistance.

    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 
    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Extradites Alleged Co-Conspirator of 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks to Face Charges in India

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Mumbai Attacks in 2008 Killed More than 160 People, Including Six Americans, and Wounded Hundreds More

    The United States on Wednesday extradited convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks.

    Rana, 64, is charged in India with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks committed by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations. Attackers at a train station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. Attackers at two restaurants shot indiscriminately at patrons. Attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community center. When the terror finally subsided, 166 victims, including six Americans, were dead, along with all but one of the LeT terrorists. Hundreds more were injured, and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. The attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India’s history.

    India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a U.S. citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT. As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai. Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headley’s having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley’s attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Rana’s business. Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT’s responses to Headley’s activities, and LeT’s potential plans for attacking Mumbai.

    After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians “deserved it.” In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that “[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider”—Pakistan’s “highest award for gallantry in battle,” which is reserved for fallen soldiers.

    India’s pending proceedings against Rana are not the first proceedings in which Rana has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of those same criminal proceedings, Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

    In June 2020, the United States acted on a request for Rana’s extradition submitted by the Republic of India, which Rana contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a U.S. magistrate judge in the Central District of California certified Rana’s extradition to India. Rana then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The Supreme Court likewise denied Rana’s petition for certiorari on January 21, 2025. The Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Rana’s surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition.

    On April 9, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the Secretary’s surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. Rana’s extradition is now complete.

    The extradition litigation was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John J. Lulejian and David R. Friedman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bram M. Alden of the Central District of California and Deputy Director Christopher J. Smith, Associate Director Kerry A. Monaco, and former Associate Director Rebecca A. Haciski of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The U.S. Marshals Service and attorneys and international affairs specialists in the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided support to this extradition. The FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in New Delhi also provided assistance.

    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 
    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Hammers Trump and Republicans on Chaotic, Painful Trade War and Steep Tariffs Raising Costs on Families and Small Businesses in WA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “Whatever Trump tweets today, he can reverse tomorrow. Whatever deal he may strike one minute, he may rip up the next… We, here in Congress—we are the off ramp, IF Republicans decide to be… I will not let Republicans off the hook for this.”
    Even with his “pause,” Trump’s new tariff rates are the largest tax increase since 1968—and will cost American families more than $4,000 per year
    ICYMI: Senator Murray, Commerce Director Nguyễn, WA Businesses and Agriculture Respond to Trump Tariffs Raising Costs on Americans, Tanking Economy
    ***WATCH HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today,U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took to the Senate floor to lay out how Trump’s chaotic trade war—which is sending the markets whipsawing back and forth every time he posts—is seriously threatening our economy, American businesses, families’ retirement savings, and so much else. Senator Murray hammered Republicans in Congress for their outright refusal to end President Trump’s trade war—which Congress has the power to do—and their willingness to hand over Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs.
    Murray also made clear that, while Trump may be retreating from some of his most extreme tariffs for now, his trade war is far from over—Trump is still taxing goods from every country, across the board, at 10 percent at least, and he is escalating his trade war with China, with 145 percent tariffs—which will mean higher prices and serious pain for families and small business across the country. Murray has been vocal about the need to out-compete China but warned that waging an all-out trade war with China on a whim will mean serious economic pain for consumers and small businesses across the country. China is the world’s second largest economy and Washington state exported over $12 billion in goods to China last year—making China Washington state’s top export partner—and imported $11.2 billion in goods from China, the second-most in imports to Washington state from any country aside from Canada. The economic fallout from Trump’s trade war will be felt especially in Washington state, one of the most trade-dependent states in the entire country.
    Even with his “pause,” Trump’s new tariff rates are still the largest tax increase since 1968—and will cost American families more than $4,000 per year.
    “When it comes to new tax breaks for billionaires Republicans they are going to work around the clock, stay through the night. But when it comes to stopping Trump’s trade war for good, when it comes to stopping a tax increase aimed squarely at working families, when it comes to stopping the complete uncertainty that is chipping away at confidence in our economy—most Republicans can’t be bothered,” Senator Murray said on the Senate floor today. “Never mind, that Trump is now pushing us into a recession and sending the markets whipsawing back and forth every time he tweets.”
    “Trump may be retreating from some of his most outlandish tariffs, but make no mistake: his trade war is far from over,” Senator Murray continued. “The threat of even larger taxes—that American families simply cannot afford—is still like a time bomb, set to blow up our economy in 90 days. And if Congress does not defuse that economic bomb there is a real threat that it will blow up balance sheets for small businesses and farms, college savings accounts for our students, and your retirement savings—along with a lot more. […] Trump has no exit strategy. That much is already painfully clear. It was clear when he announced tariffs that were calculated using ridiculous math, it was clear when he repeatedly doubled down on these threats against our allies, and it was clearer than ever when he backtracked on the most absurd tax hikes. This does not have the hallmarks of a grand strategy—and it’s all the more reason Congress, us, needs to step in and put this mess to an end.”
    Earlier this week, Senator Murray brought together leaders across Washington state who highlighted how Trump’s ongoing trade war is already a devastating hit to Washington state’s economy, businesses, and our agriculture sector. Trump’s price hikes on working families are coming at the very same time that Republicans are forcing massive new tax cuts for billionaires through Congress via the reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority to pass.
    40 percent of jobs in Washington state are tied to international commerce. Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—all of which risk losing vital export markets due to retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners including Canada. Additionally, more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington state export goods and will be unlikely to be able to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs. Trump’s tariffs during his first term were extremely costly for Washington state—for example, India imposed a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, causing Washington apple shipments to India to fall by 99 percent and growers to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on the Senate floor, are below and video is HERE:
    “Thank you, Mr. President.
    “When it comes to new tax breaks for billionaires Republicans they are going to work around the clock, stay through the night. But when it comes to stopping Trump’s trade war for good, when it comes to stopping a tax increase aimed squarely at working families, when it comes to stopping the complete uncertainty that is chipping away at confidence in our economy—most Republicans can’t be bothered.
    “Never mind, that Trump is now pushing us into a recession and sending the markets whipsawing back and forth every time he tweets. Trump may be retreating from some of his most outlandish tariffs, but make no mistake, his trade war is far from over.
    “First of all, he is still taxing goods from every country—across the board—at 10 percent at least. That means higher prices, and serious pain, for families and small businesses across our country. Not to mention, he is only escalating his boneheaded trade war with China with 145 percent tariffs!
    “There is no question we are in fierce competition with China. I chaired a committee hearing focused on this. We need to be competing to win—but that is not what Trump is doing.
    “Do my Republican colleagues understand it is not setting America up for success to launch an all-out trade war with the second largest economy in the world, on a whim?
    “And while people might be temporarily relieved by a so-called pause on the even higher tariffs, the fact of the matter is that Trump is only delaying them.
    “The threat of even larger taxes—that American families simply cannot afford—is still like a time bomb, set to blow up our economy in 90 days. And if Congress does not defuse that economic bomb there is a real threat that it will blow up balance sheets for small businesses and farms, college savings accounts for our students, and your retirement savings—along with a lot more.
    “And—I have to emphasize—the uncertainty, the constant by-the-hour reversal of federal policy, that alone is already causing massive harm. How on earth are you supposed to build your business—if your costs skyrocket on a tweet? How are you supposed to plan for retirement—when the President is sending your 401k on a rollercoaster ride every time he is in a bad mood?
    “How are we ever going to rebuild trust, trust, with our trading partners across the world when the message the United States is sending right now is that our trade relationships are built on sand and there is no logic to the tariffs the United States will impose.
    “How are they supposed to feel good about negotiating with a country—where one man can totally burn down the economy and Congress will not lift a finger to stop him.
    “Instead of building stronger trade agreements—Trump is pushing our partners away and pushing them towards striking deals with China and our other adversaries. And mark my words, this chaotic chapter is not over—as much as Republicans want to pretend otherwise.
    “I have been hearing from small businesses who are in an absolute panic because of Trump’s tariff threats. Car dealerships are seeing sales plummet because Trump is sending prices higher, restaurants are trying to stock up on any goods they can because their ingredients are about to get more expensive, our growers are bracing for rising operating costs and retaliatory tariffs—and that is going to drive up prices at the grocery store.
    “10 percent across-the-board tariffs are still bad enough to ruin families’ finances.
    “And while Republicans are showing with their own actions that they couldn’t care more about shoveling trillions—yes, that is T—trillions—at billionaires, Trump has said, in his own words—that he, ‘couldn’t care less’ about the pain his tariffs are already causing for Americans. I’m not kidding—he actually said that about automobile tariffs.
    “This is what happens when you only have billionaires in charge. Because, of course, Trump doesn’t care if car prices go up by a couple thousand dollars.
    “Of course, Elon Musk doesn’t care if your groceries are getting more expensive, at the same time Republicans are cutting nutrition programs by the way.
    “Of course, the richest people in the world don’t care if your nest egg is crushed, if your small business shutters, if your house gets foreclosed on, or your kid can’t go to college. Billionaires are going to be fine—after all, they are still getting a tax cut!
    “But I wasn’t sent here to fight for the billionaires—actually none of us were. We are here to fight for families back home and they are already starting to get crushed by Trump’s tariffs.
    “And they are bracing for impact if Trump doubles down in 90 days.
    “Or who knows, maybe Trump changes his mind again tomorrow! It’s anyone’s guess at this point—which is by the way the problem here!
    “And another thing—if this is about American manufacturing, tell us why are plants and new investments being cancelled? Why has Trump been freezing and outright cancelling grants we passed to support chips manufacturing, or clean energy, and more—killing American jobs.
    “And let’s keep in mind, these tariffs affect building and construction too. Trump is actually making it more expensive to build factories in America. And don’t forget—President Trump is still promising more tariffs.
    “He said this week, this week, he wants to put tariffs on medicine. Well, I got to tell you, one thing I have never heard—not in a single meeting, not once in my entire career as a Senator—is someone saying ‘Gee I really wish my prescriptions were more expensive.’
    “Drug costs are out of control. Families are already skipping meals… or rationing doses. There are real stakes here—there is real damage already happening in this country because of Trump’s new taxes and his ongoing chaos. We here cannot ignore this harm, especially when the threat is still there.
    “When you are putting out a fire, you don’t say ‘oh great, it’s smaller—job done!’ You keep going until the fire is put out.
    “This fire, this fire is still raging. If we don’t act, folks back home are the ones who are going to get burned, and before too long—in 90 days—we could see even worse price increases come roaring back. Because let’s be real, Trump has no exit strategy. That much is already painfully clear.
    “It was clear when he announced tariffs that were calculated using ridiculous math, it was clear when he repeatedly doubled down on these threats against our allies, and it was clearer than ever when he backtracked on the most absurd tax hikes.
    “This does not have the hallmarks of a grand strategy—and it’s all the more reason Congress, us, needs to step in and put this mess to an end. Trump’s trade war is all pain and no plan.
    “We could be passing legislation right here to reject this chaos. Here’s what everyone—my colleagues, my constituents, the markets around the world—all need to understand. This chaos will not be over for good unless we, here in congress, vote to end it. Because whatever Trump tweets today, he can reverse tomorrow. Whatever deal he may strike one minute, he may rip up the next. We know this about him. He proves it at every opportunity.
    “We—here in Congress—we are the off ramp if Republicans decide to be. We are the check on Presidential power. We are the kill switch for Trump’s trade war. And by the way, we are about to be out of town for two weeks.
    “I cannot understand why any Republican would want to leave this business unfinished, want to leave this economic time bomb ticking, want to hand over our constitutionally granted power to impose tariffs.
    “But I can tell you, for the next two weeks, I am going to be going across my home state of Washington raising this alarm. I am going to be meeting with families, small businesses, people who are paying the cost of Trump’s new tax increase and who are going to see their world turned upside down if we do not take action to stop this from getting worse.
    “And when we are back here in two weeks—you can bet your bottom dollar I will lift those stories up as high as I can, I will call for action as loud as I can, and I am going tokeep a bright and burning spotlight on all of the chaos Trump has caused, and I will keep the pressure on all of our colleagues—I will not let Republicans off the hook for this. We can put an end to this.
    “The costs are just going to keep adding up. The carnage is just going to keep piling higher. How long do you want to wait?
    “My vote—not one more second.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charles Kemp, Professor, School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    Shutterstock

    Languages are windows into the worlds of the people who speak them – reflecting what they value and experience daily.

    So perhaps it’s no surprise different languages highlight different areas of vocabulary. Scholars have noted that Mongolian has many horse-related words, that Maori has many words for ferns, and Japanese has many words related to taste.

    Some links are unsurprising, such as German having many words related to beer, or Fijian having many words for fish. The linguist Paul Zinsli wrote an entire book on Swiss-German words related to mountains.

    In our recently-published study we took a broad approach towards understanding the links between different languages and concepts.

    Using computational methods, we identified areas of vocabulary that are characteristic of specific languages, to provide insight into linguistic and cultural variation.

    Our work adds to a growing understanding of language, culture, and the way they both relate.

    Japanese has many words related to taste. One of these is umami, which is often used to describe the rich taste of matcha green tea.
    Shutterstock

    Our method

    We tested 163 links between languages and concepts, drawn from the literature.

    We compiled a digital dataset of 1574 bilingual dictionaries that translate between English and 616 different languages. Since many of these dictionaries were still under copyright, we only had access to counts of how often a particular word appeared in each dictionary.

    One example of a concept we looked at was “horse”, for which the top-scoring languages included French, German, Kazakh and Mongolian. This means dictionaries in these languages had a relatively high number of

    1. words for horses. For instance, Mongolian аргамаг means “a good racing or riding horse”
    2. words related to horses. For instance, Mongolian чөдөрлөх means “to hobble a horse”.

    However, it is also possible the counts were influenced by “horse” appearing in example sentences for unrelated terms.

    Not a hoax after all?

    Our findings support most links previously highlighted by researchers, including that Hindi has many words related to love and Japanese has many words related to obligation and duty.

    ‘Silk’ was one of the most popular concepts for Mandarin Chinese.
    Shutterstock

    We were especially interested in testing the idea that Inuit languages have many words for snow. This notorious claim has long been distorted and exaggerated. It has even been dismissed as the “great Eskimo vocabulary hoax”, with some experts saying it simply isn’t true.

    But our results suggest the Inuit snow vocabulary is indeed exceptional. Out of 616 languages, the language with the top score for “snow” was Eastern Canadian Inuktitut. The other two Inuit languages in our data set (Western Canadian Inuktitut and North Alaskan Inupiatun) also achieved high scores for “snow”.

    The Eastern Canadian Inuktitut dictionary in our dataset includes terms such as kikalukpok, which means “noisy walking on hard snow”, and apingaut, which means “first snow fall”.

    The top 20 languages for “snow” included several other languages of Alaska, such as Ahtena, Dena’ina and Central Alaskan Yupik, as well as Japanese and Scots.

    Scots includes terms such as doon-lay, meaning “a heavy fall of snow”, feughter meaning “a sudden, slight fall of snow”, and fuddum, meaning “snow drifting at intervals”.

    You can explore our findings using the tool below, which allows you to identify the top languages for any given concept, and the top concepts for a particular language.

    Language and environment

    Although the languages with top scores for “snow” are all spoken in snowy regions, the top-ranked languages for “rain” were not always from the rainiest parts of the world.

    For instance, South Africa has a medium level of rainfall, but languages from this region, such as Nyanja, East Taa and Shona, have many rain-related words. This is probably because, unlike snow, rain is important for human survival – which means people still talk about it in its absence.

    For speakers of East Taa, rain is both relatively rare and desirable. This is reflected in terms such as lábe ||núu-bâ, an “honorific form of address to thunder to bring rain” and |qába, which refers to the “ritual sprinkling of water or urine to bring rain”.

    Our tool can also be used to explore various concepts related to perception (“smell”), emotion (“love”) and cultural beliefs (“ghost”).

    The top-scoring languages for “smell” include a cluster of Oceanic languages such as Marshallese, which has terms such as jatbo meaning “smell of damp clothing”, meļļā meaning “smell of blood”, and aelel meaning “smell of fish, lingering on hands, body, or utensils”.

    Prior to our research, the smell terms of the Pacific Islands had received little attention.

    Some caveats

    Although our analysis reveals many interesting links between languages and concepts, the results aren’t always reliable – and should be checked against original dictionaries where possible.

    For example, the top concepts for Plautdietsch (Mennonite Low German) include von (“of”), den (“the”) and und (“and”) – all of which are unrevealing. We excluded similar words from other languages using Wiktionary, but our method did not filter out these common words for Plautdietsch.

    Also, the word counts reflect both dictionary definitions and other elements, such as example sentences. While our analysis excluded words that are especially likely to appear in example sentences (such as “woman” and “father”), such words could have still influenced our results to some extent.

    Most importantly, our results run the risk of perpetuating potentially harmful stereotypes if taken at face value. So we urge caution and respect while using the tool. The concepts it lists for any given language provide, at best, a crude reflection of the cultures associated with that language.

    Charles Kemp was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Temuulen Khishigsuren was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Ekaterina Vylomova and Terry Regier do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages – https://theconversation.com/do-inuit-languages-really-have-many-words-for-snow-the-most-interesting-finds-from-our-study-of-616-languages-252522

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –