NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Security: Texas Man Charged Federally for Receipt and Transport of Explosives Intended for Use Against Law Enforcement

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Texas man is facing federal charges after allegedly purchasing powerful explosives in New Mexico and expressing plans to use them to harm law enforcement officers and government officials during riots in California.

    According to court documents, on June 12, 2025, Grzegorz Vandenberg, 48, visited a travel center in Lordsburg, New Mexico, to purchase fireworks. During the transaction, Vandenberg requested assistance in selecting fireworks that could be thrown directly at people to cause harm. He told store employees that he was prior special forces military and claimed he could make pipe bombs. Vandenberg further stated that he was traveling to Los Angeles, California, for the riots, with the intent to kill law enforcement officers or government officials.

    “This man allegedly intended to use the chaotic riots in Los Angeles as an opportunity to commit deadly violence against law enforcement officers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Threats like these strike at the heart of law and order — we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against anyone who seeks to harm law enforcement or endanger the safety of our communities.”

    “Our message is clear: If you come after law enforcement officers, the FBI will spare no effort to find you and bring you to justice,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This defendant allegedly intended to use explosives to attack police officers currently conducting law enforcement operations in Los Angeles and – with the help of a store cashier who took down his license plate information – we were able to put a stop to that plan. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to serve the American people and the FBI will always do our part to protect them.”

    “Targeting law enforcement with violence is not protest – it’s a crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico. “Anyone who attempts to harm officers or undermine public safety will be held accountable. Protecting the safety of our communities and upholding the integrity of lawful demonstrations are priorities, and those who cross the line into violence will be prosecuted swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law.”

    Store staff reported that Vandenberg asked for the largest explosives available and invited an employee to join him and his platoon in California. He also claimed to have mortar explosives in his possession and reiterated his plan to use them at the riots to kill officers. Vandenberg purchased six mortars, each containing 60 grams of gunpowder, and 36 large fireworks before leaving the store in a vehicle with Montana license plates, heading west on Interstate 10.

    Vandenberg is charged with transporting explosives in interstate commerce with the knowledge and intent that they would be used to kill, injure, or intimidate individuals. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Vandenberg faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

    The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Tucson Resident Agency of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, Tucson Police Department, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joni Stahl and Grant Gardner for the District of New Mexico are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa attended the G7 International Outreach Session held at Kananaskis, Alberta.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Ramaphosa attended the G7 International Outreach Session, held on the margins of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa holds a bilateral meeting with President Macron of France in Kananaskis, Canada.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Ramaphosa holds a bilateral meeting with President Macron of France on the margins of the G7
    Leaders Outreach Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yjOvWEcW6w

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Rebuilding lives after returning home: policymakers, practitioners, civil society and academia meet at the 2nd Reintegration Conference in Rotterdam

    Source: Frontex

    A return journey can be a new beginning. 

    The 2nd Reintegration Conference in Rotterdam organised recently by Frontex brought together experts, Member States and reintegration partners committed to supporting people who return to their home countries. 

    Reintegration means helping returnees rebuild their lives back home, whether it’s support to find housing, launch a business, or access healthcare or training. It’s about turning return into a real opportunity. 

    “Reintegration is not the end of a journey. It is the beginning of a new one. And it is our responsibility to help people start that new journey with dignity, with support, and with hope,” said Hans Leijtens, Frontex Executive Director, in his opening speech. 

    This was the second Reintegration Conference organised by the Agency. It reinforced collaboration between policymakers and those who work directly with returnees to provide the best possible support. The programme addressed the challenges faced by people involved in the reintegration process, such as inclusive reintegration and gender-specific challenges. The Conference also included workshops to share experiences, exchange know-how and best practices.    

    The EU Reintegration Programme, fully funded and centrally managed by Frontex, offers to Member States the possibility to provide returning migrants with concrete, tailored assistance in their own countries. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by the OSCE Troika to condemn Russia’s intensified attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Statement by the OSCE Troika to condemn Russia’s intensified attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine

    Statement by the OSCE Troika to condemn Russia’s intensified attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine | OSCE

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    Home Newsroom News and press releases Statement by the OSCE Troika to condemn Russia’s intensified attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers remarks at the Canada Day 2025 Reception

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening delivered congratulatory remarks at the Canada Day 2025 Reception hosted by the Mission of Canada to ASEAN and the Embassy of Canada in Jakarta. In his remarks, Dr. Kao highlighted the achievements made in the 48 years of ASEAN-Canada Dialogue Relations and expressed ASEAN’s appreciation for Canada’s support for ASEAN’s Community building efforts. Dr. Kao also reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to working closely with Canada to advance the ASEAN-Canada ties into a more substantive, meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship.
     
    Download the full congratulatory remarks here.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers remarks at the Canada Day 2025 Reception appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Asks Finfish Farmers About Community Benefits

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The focus on traditional industries and natural resources to build Nova Scotia’s economy is an important and necessary step forward for all Nova Scotians.

    Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith has issued a letter to the five current finfish aquaculture licence holders in the province as well as a licence applicant asking them to identify how they contribute positive benefits to their communities and the province.

    “We have a shared responsibility to ensure that Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians benefit from the natural resources we are blessed with,” said Minister Smith. “Resource development must be done responsibly, safely and with a commitment to provide defined community and social benefits.”

    The letter asks the companies to articulate the social and economic benefits they bring to the communities where they operate. This will be a new requirement in regulations that will apply to all marine finfish licence holders.

    The benefits may include projects or programs such as employee development programs, annual spending at local businesses, corporate and municipal taxes, investments in local infrastructure and support for local community groups.

    Minister Smith will be attending the Aqua Nor conference in Trondheim, Norway, in August to promote Nova Scotia’s farmed seafood and to learn about the advanced technology opportunities to support the aquaculture sector.

    Quick Facts:

    • in 2023, Nova Scotia’s aquaculture sector was valued at $120 million, employing almost 800 people
    • finfish aquaculture accounted for 89 per cent ($108 million) of the value
    • salmon has been sustainably farmed in Nova Scotia for more than 40 years
    • salmon is consistently the most consumed seafood in Canada

    Additional Resources:

    Aqua Nor 2025: https://aquanor.no/en/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Montenegro and Moldova: Parliament welcomes EU membership progress

    Source: European Union 2

    MEPs welcome Montenegro´s objective to join the EU in 2028 and praise Moldova’s EU membership efforts in resolutions adopted on Wednesday.

    Importance of political stability in Montenegro

    Parliament calls for political stability in Montenegro and substantial progress regarding electoral and judicial reforms as well as the fight against organised crime and corruption. In a report adopted by 470 votes in favour. 102 against and 77 abstentions, MEPs stress that Montenegro remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process and point to the overwhelming support of its citizens and the majority of political actors for joining the EU in 2028. Parliament welcomes the country’s full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including EU sanctions against Russia, and commends Montenegro for its support for the international rules-based order at the United Nations.

    Fight against foreign interference

    Parliament is however seriously concerned by malign interference, cyber-attacks, hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns and efforts to destabilise Montenegro, including attempts to influence its political processes and public opinion. These discredit the EU and undermine the country’s progress towards EU membership.

    The rapporteur on Montenegro Marjan Šarec (Renew Europe, Slovenia) said: “It is important to note that the adoption of necessary legislation involved cooperation between both coalition and opposition parties. This reflects a high level of awareness that the European path is the only right one for Montenegro, with no viable alternative. Montenegro’s achievements thus far provide a solid foundation for addressing future challenges, which are numerous and far from easy. The fight against organised crime and corruption, judicial reform, and the prevention of influence from third countries are of critical importance for meeting democratic standards.”

    MEPs praise Moldova’s EU membership efforts

    Commending Moldova’s exemplary commitment to advancing its progress towards EU membership, a report approved by MEPs by 456 votes in favour to 118 against with 51 abstentions recognises that EU-Moldova relations have entered into a new phase. Cooperation has intensified alongside sustained efforts by the government in Chișinău to align Moldova’s laws with those of the EU (the so-called “EU acquis”). Despite significant internal and external challenges, such as the effects of Russia’s continuing war against neighbouring Ukraine and Moscow’s interference in Moldova’s democratic processes, MEPs welcome the Moldovan government’s progress on meeting the EU’s enlargement requirements and the country’s ambition to open negotiations on more enlargement-related issues. MEPs call on the European Commission to enhance its support for Moldova to achieve these objectives.

    Russian interference in Moldova’s democratic processes
    MEPs note that in both Moldova’s recent constitutional referendum on European integration and the 2024 presidential election Moldovans reaffirmed their support for EU membership and the government’s pro-European reform agenda. Despite being subject to a massive hybrid campaign by Russia and its proxies, MEPs say both the referendum and the election were held professionally and “with an extraordinary sense of duty and dedication”. They also note that the country’s parliamentary elections in autumn 2025 will be crucial for the continuation of Moldova’s pro-European trajectory and warn about the likely intensification of foreign, in particular Russian, malign interference and hybrid attacks.

    The rapporteur on Moldova Sven Mikser (S&D, Estonia) said: “We commend Moldova’s strong commitment to EU integration and acknowledge the country’s strategic importance for Europe. The Moldovan authorities have demonstrated remarkable determination to pursue reforms and align with EU values despite facing major challenges and external pressure by the Kremlin and its proxies.”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 50 years after ‘Jaws,’ researchers have retired the man-eater myth and revealed more about sharks’ amazing biology

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gareth J. Fraser, Associate Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, University of Florida

    The shark in ‘Jaws’ became a terrifying icon. Universal Pictures via Getty Images

    The summer of 1975 was the summer of “Jaws.”

    The movie was adapted from a novel by Peter Benchley.
    Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    The first blockbuster movie sent waves of panic and awe through audiences. “Jaws” – the tale of a killer great white shark that terrorizes a coastal tourist town – captured people’s imaginations and simultaneously created a widespread fear of the water.

    To call Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece a creature feature is trite. Because the shark isn’t shown for most of the movie – mechanical difficulties meant production didn’t have one ready to use until later in the filming process – suspense and fear build. The movie unlocked in viewers an innate fear of the unknown, encouraging the idea that monsters lurk beneath the ocean’s surface, even in the shallows.

    And because in 1975 marine scientists knew far less than we do now about sharks and their world, it was easy for the myth of the rogue shark as a murderous eating machine to take hold, along with the assumption that all sharks must be bloodthirsty, mindless killers.

    People lined up to get scared by the murderous shark at the center of the ‘Jaws’ movie.
    Bettmann Archive via Getty Images

    But in addition to scaring many moviegoers that “it’s not safe to go in the water,” “Jaws” has over the years inspired generations of researchers, including me. The scientific curiosity sparked by this horror fish flick has helped reveal so much more about what lies beneath the waves than was known 50 years ago. My own research focuses on the secret lives of sharks, their evolution and development, and how people can benefit from the study of these enigmatic animals.

    The business end of sharks: Their jaws and teeth

    My own work has focused on perhaps the most terrifying aspect of these apex predators, the jaws and teeth. I study the development of shark teeth in embryos.

    Small-spotted catshark embryo (Scyliorhinus canicula), still attached to the yolk sac. This is the stage when the teeth begin developing.
    Ella Nicklin, Fraser Lab, University of Florida

    Sharks continue to make an unlimited supply of tooth replacements throughout life – it’s how they keep their bite constantly sharp.

    Hard-shelled prey, such as mollusks and crustaceans, from sandy substrates can be more abrasive for teeth, requiring quicker replacement. Depending on the water temperature, the conveyor belt-like renewal of an entire row of teeth can take between nine and 70 days, for example, in nurse sharks, or much longer in larger sharks. In the great white, a full-row replacement can take an estimated 250 days. That’s still an advantage over humans – we never regrow damaged or worn-out adult teeth.

    Magnified microscope image of a zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) jaw. They have 20 to 30 rows of teeth in each jaw, each a new generation ready to move into position like on a conveyor belt. Humans have only two sets!
    Gareth Fraser, University of Florida

    Interestingly, shark teeth are much like our own, developing from equivalent cells, patterned by the same genes, creating the same hard tissues, enamel and dentin. Sharks could potentially teach researchers how to master the process of tooth renewal. It would be huge for dentistry if scientists could use sharks to figure out how to engineer a new generation of teeth for human patients.

    Extraordinary fish with extraordinary biology

    As a group, sharks and their cartilaginous fish relatives – including skates, rays and chimaeras – are evolutionary relics that have inhabited the Earth’s oceans for over 400 million years. They’ve been around since long before human beings and most of the other animals on our planet today hit the scene, even before dinosaurs emerged.

    Sharks have a vast array of super powers that scientists have only recently discovered.

    Their electroreceptive pores, located around the head and jaws, have amazing sensory capabilities, allowing sharks to detect weak electrical fields emitted from hidden prey.

    CT scan of the head of a small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) as it hatches. Skin denticles cover the surface, and colored rows of teeth are present on the jaws.
    Ella Nicklin, Fraser Lab, University of Florida

    Their skin is protected with an armor of tiny teeth, called dermal denticles, composed of sensitive dentin, that also allows for better drag-reducing hydrodynamics. Biologists and engineers are also using this “shark skin technology” to design hydrodynamic and aerodynamic solutions for future fuel-efficient vehicles.

    Fluorescent skin of the chain catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer).
    Gareth Fraser, University of Florida

    Some sharks are biofluorescent, meaning they emit light in different wavelengths after absorbing natural blue light. This emitted fluorescent color pattern suggests visual communication and recognition among members of the same species is possible in the dark depths.

    Sharks can migrate across huge global distances. For example, a silky shark was recorded traveling 17,000 miles (over 27,000 kilometers) over a year and a half. Hammerhead sharks can even home in on the Earth’s magnetic field to help them navigate.

    Greenland sharks exhibit a lengthy aging process and live for hundreds of years. Scientists estimated that one individual was 392 years old, give or take 120 years.

    Still much about sharks remains mysterious. We know little about their breeding habits and locations of their nursery grounds. Conservation efforts are beginning to target the identification of shark nurseries as a way to manage and protect fragile populations.

    Tagging programs and their “follow the shark” apps allow researchers to learn more about these animals’ lives and where they roam – highlighting the benefit of international collaboration and public engagement for conserving threatened shark populations.

    Sharks under attack

    Sharks are an incredible evolutionary success story. But they’re also vulnerable in the modern age of human-ocean interactions.

    Sharks are an afterthought for the commercial fishing industry, but overfishing of other species can cause dramatic crashes in shark populations. Their late age of sexual maturity – as old as 15 to 20 years or more in larger species or potentially 150 years in Greenland sharks – along with slow growth, long gestation periods and complex social structures make shark populations fragile and less capable of quick recoveries.

    Take the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), for example – Jaws’ own species. Trophy hunting, trade in their body parts and commercial fishery impacts caused their numbers to dwindle. As a result, they received essential protections at the international level. In turn, their numbers have rebounded, especially around the United States, leading to a shift from critically endangered to vulnerable status worldwide. However, they remain critically endangered in Europe and the Mediterranean.

    Protections and conservation measures have helped white sharks make a comeback.
    Dave Fleetham/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    “Jaws” was filmed on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, in Massachusetts. After careful management and the designation of white sharks as a prohibited species in federal waters in 1997 and in Massachusetts in 2005, their populations have recovered well over recent years in response to more seals in the area and recovering fish stocks.

    You might assume more sharks would mean more attacks, but that is not what we observe. Shark attacks have always been few and far between in Massachusetts and elsewhere, and they remain rare. It’s only a “Jaws”-perpetuated myth that sharks have a taste for humans. Sure, they might mistake a person for prey; for instance, surfers and swimmers can mimic the appearance of seals at the surface. Sharks in murky water might opportunistically take a test bite of what seem to be prey.

    But these attacks are rare enough that people can shed their “Jaws”-driven irrational fears of sharks. Almost all sharks are timid, and the likelihood of an interaction – let alone a negative one – is incredibly rare. Importantly, there more than 500 species of sharks in the world’s oceans, each one a unique member of a particular ecosystem with a vital role. Sharks come in all shapes and sizes, and inhabit every ocean, both the shallow and deep-end ecosystems.

    Most recorded human-shark interactions are awe-inspiring and not terrifying. Sharks don’t really care about people – at most they may be curious, but not hungry for human flesh. Whether or not “Jaws” fans have grown beyond the fear of movie monster sharks, we’re gonna need a bigger conservation effort to continue to protect these important ocean guardians.

    Gareth J. Fraser receives funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

    – ref. 50 years after ‘Jaws,’ researchers have retired the man-eater myth and revealed more about sharks’ amazing biology – https://theconversation.com/50-years-after-jaws-researchers-have-retired-the-man-eater-myth-and-revealed-more-about-sharks-amazing-biology-258151

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 50 years after ‘Jaws,’ researchers have retired the man-eater myth and revealed more about sharks’ amazing biology

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gareth J. Fraser, Associate Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, University of Florida

    The shark in ‘Jaws’ became a terrifying icon. Universal Pictures via Getty Images

    The summer of 1975 was the summer of “Jaws.”

    The movie was adapted from a novel by Peter Benchley.
    Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    The first blockbuster movie sent waves of panic and awe through audiences. “Jaws” – the tale of a killer great white shark that terrorizes a coastal tourist town – captured people’s imaginations and simultaneously created a widespread fear of the water.

    To call Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece a creature feature is trite. Because the shark isn’t shown for most of the movie – mechanical difficulties meant production didn’t have one ready to use until later in the filming process – suspense and fear build. The movie unlocked in viewers an innate fear of the unknown, encouraging the idea that monsters lurk beneath the ocean’s surface, even in the shallows.

    And because in 1975 marine scientists knew far less than we do now about sharks and their world, it was easy for the myth of the rogue shark as a murderous eating machine to take hold, along with the assumption that all sharks must be bloodthirsty, mindless killers.

    People lined up to get scared by the murderous shark at the center of the ‘Jaws’ movie.
    Bettmann Archive via Getty Images

    But in addition to scaring many moviegoers that “it’s not safe to go in the water,” “Jaws” has over the years inspired generations of researchers, including me. The scientific curiosity sparked by this horror fish flick has helped reveal so much more about what lies beneath the waves than was known 50 years ago. My own research focuses on the secret lives of sharks, their evolution and development, and how people can benefit from the study of these enigmatic animals.

    The business end of sharks: Their jaws and teeth

    My own work has focused on perhaps the most terrifying aspect of these apex predators, the jaws and teeth. I study the development of shark teeth in embryos.

    Small-spotted catshark embryo (Scyliorhinus canicula), still attached to the yolk sac. This is the stage when the teeth begin developing.
    Ella Nicklin, Fraser Lab, University of Florida

    Sharks continue to make an unlimited supply of tooth replacements throughout life – it’s how they keep their bite constantly sharp.

    Hard-shelled prey, such as mollusks and crustaceans, from sandy substrates can be more abrasive for teeth, requiring quicker replacement. Depending on the water temperature, the conveyor belt-like renewal of an entire row of teeth can take between nine and 70 days, for example, in nurse sharks, or much longer in larger sharks. In the great white, a full-row replacement can take an estimated 250 days. That’s still an advantage over humans – we never regrow damaged or worn-out adult teeth.

    Magnified microscope image of a zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) jaw. They have 20 to 30 rows of teeth in each jaw, each a new generation ready to move into position like on a conveyor belt. Humans have only two sets!
    Gareth Fraser, University of Florida

    Interestingly, shark teeth are much like our own, developing from equivalent cells, patterned by the same genes, creating the same hard tissues, enamel and dentin. Sharks could potentially teach researchers how to master the process of tooth renewal. It would be huge for dentistry if scientists could use sharks to figure out how to engineer a new generation of teeth for human patients.

    Extraordinary fish with extraordinary biology

    As a group, sharks and their cartilaginous fish relatives – including skates, rays and chimaeras – are evolutionary relics that have inhabited the Earth’s oceans for over 400 million years. They’ve been around since long before human beings and most of the other animals on our planet today hit the scene, even before dinosaurs emerged.

    Sharks have a vast array of super powers that scientists have only recently discovered.

    Their electroreceptive pores, located around the head and jaws, have amazing sensory capabilities, allowing sharks to detect weak electrical fields emitted from hidden prey.

    CT scan of the head of a small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) as it hatches. Skin denticles cover the surface, and colored rows of teeth are present on the jaws.
    Ella Nicklin, Fraser Lab, University of Florida

    Their skin is protected with an armor of tiny teeth, called dermal denticles, composed of sensitive dentin, that also allows for better drag-reducing hydrodynamics. Biologists and engineers are also using this “shark skin technology” to design hydrodynamic and aerodynamic solutions for future fuel-efficient vehicles.

    Fluorescent skin of the chain catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer).
    Gareth Fraser, University of Florida

    Some sharks are biofluorescent, meaning they emit light in different wavelengths after absorbing natural blue light. This emitted fluorescent color pattern suggests visual communication and recognition among members of the same species is possible in the dark depths.

    Sharks can migrate across huge global distances. For example, a silky shark was recorded traveling 17,000 miles (over 27,000 kilometers) over a year and a half. Hammerhead sharks can even home in on the Earth’s magnetic field to help them navigate.

    Greenland sharks exhibit a lengthy aging process and live for hundreds of years. Scientists estimated that one individual was 392 years old, give or take 120 years.

    Still much about sharks remains mysterious. We know little about their breeding habits and locations of their nursery grounds. Conservation efforts are beginning to target the identification of shark nurseries as a way to manage and protect fragile populations.

    Tagging programs and their “follow the shark” apps allow researchers to learn more about these animals’ lives and where they roam – highlighting the benefit of international collaboration and public engagement for conserving threatened shark populations.

    Sharks under attack

    Sharks are an incredible evolutionary success story. But they’re also vulnerable in the modern age of human-ocean interactions.

    Sharks are an afterthought for the commercial fishing industry, but overfishing of other species can cause dramatic crashes in shark populations. Their late age of sexual maturity – as old as 15 to 20 years or more in larger species or potentially 150 years in Greenland sharks – along with slow growth, long gestation periods and complex social structures make shark populations fragile and less capable of quick recoveries.

    Take the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), for example – Jaws’ own species. Trophy hunting, trade in their body parts and commercial fishery impacts caused their numbers to dwindle. As a result, they received essential protections at the international level. In turn, their numbers have rebounded, especially around the United States, leading to a shift from critically endangered to vulnerable status worldwide. However, they remain critically endangered in Europe and the Mediterranean.

    Protections and conservation measures have helped white sharks make a comeback.
    Dave Fleetham/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    “Jaws” was filmed on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, in Massachusetts. After careful management and the designation of white sharks as a prohibited species in federal waters in 1997 and in Massachusetts in 2005, their populations have recovered well over recent years in response to more seals in the area and recovering fish stocks.

    You might assume more sharks would mean more attacks, but that is not what we observe. Shark attacks have always been few and far between in Massachusetts and elsewhere, and they remain rare. It’s only a “Jaws”-perpetuated myth that sharks have a taste for humans. Sure, they might mistake a person for prey; for instance, surfers and swimmers can mimic the appearance of seals at the surface. Sharks in murky water might opportunistically take a test bite of what seem to be prey.

    But these attacks are rare enough that people can shed their “Jaws”-driven irrational fears of sharks. Almost all sharks are timid, and the likelihood of an interaction – let alone a negative one – is incredibly rare. Importantly, there more than 500 species of sharks in the world’s oceans, each one a unique member of a particular ecosystem with a vital role. Sharks come in all shapes and sizes, and inhabit every ocean, both the shallow and deep-end ecosystems.

    Most recorded human-shark interactions are awe-inspiring and not terrifying. Sharks don’t really care about people – at most they may be curious, but not hungry for human flesh. Whether or not “Jaws” fans have grown beyond the fear of movie monster sharks, we’re gonna need a bigger conservation effort to continue to protect these important ocean guardians.

    Gareth J. Fraser receives funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

    – ref. 50 years after ‘Jaws,’ researchers have retired the man-eater myth and revealed more about sharks’ amazing biology – https://theconversation.com/50-years-after-jaws-researchers-have-retired-the-man-eater-myth-and-revealed-more-about-sharks-amazing-biology-258151

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier stresses innovation, boosting demand to propel growth

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

    NANJING, June 18 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged efforts to promote innovation and expand effective demand to propel sustained improvement in the economy.

    Li made the remarks during an inspection tour from Monday to Wednesday in east China’s Jiangsu Province. During the tour, he underlined efforts to foster a strong atmosphere for starting businesses and making achievements, and to stimulate vitality for high-quality development in the process of deepening reform and opening up.

    While inspecting a local machinery company, Li called for actively applying technologies such as artificial intelligence and clean energy to promote the upgrade of the construction machinery industry in line with the global trend.

    Efforts should focus on aligning innovation with industry needs, advancing major original breakthroughs and technological innovations, and accelerating both industrialization and market applications, Li said.

    He also stressed the need to carry out in-depth basic research, promote cross-disciplinary integration and innovation, and strengthen cooperation to secure the leading position in future sci-tech and industrial development.

    At a local home appliance company, Li learned about the effects of the country’s consumer goods trade-in program, and urged the company to make good use of relevant policies to unleash consumption potential.

    Noting that the country’s market is vast and continuously growing, Li said that China welcomes enterprises from all countries to invest and start businesses here.

    “We will further increase policy support and service guarantees to create a favorable environment for foreign-funded enterprises to develop and thrive in China,” he said.

    During the tour, Li also underlined efforts to better leverage the role of the China-Europe Railway Express and cross-border e-commerce to enhance economic and trade exchanges between China and Central Asia, expand their cooperation areas, and promote mutual benefit in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road.

    Jiangsu has a solid economic foundation, and also has higher development requirements, Li said, urging the province to better leverage its economic strength to make more contributions to the overall development of the country.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ezell, Miller-Meeks Introduce the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)

    Representatives Mike Ezell (MS-04) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) introduced H.R. 4018, the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources Act, legislation that codifies President Trump’s Executive Order 14285 to support and expand domestic seabed mineral development.

    The bill strengthens America’s economic and national security by accelerating the responsible development of critical mineral resources found on the ocean floor. These minerals are essential for producing advanced technologies, renewable energy infrastructure, and defense systems — yet the U.S. remains dangerously reliant on foreign supply chains.

    “President Trump was right to prioritize seabed minerals, and I’m proud to carry that effort forward in Congress,” Ezell said. “My Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act will help secure our mineral supply chains, create American jobs, and keep our nation competitive in the global economy. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast understands the importance of energy, infrastructure, and national defense, and this bill supports all three. It’s about putting America first, reducing our dependence on adversaries like China, and making sure our innovation and security are never held hostage by foreign supply chains. We have vast resources right off our shores — it’s time we take full advantage of them, and do it responsibly.”

    “The United States cannot afford to remain dependent on adversarial nations for the critical minerals that power our economy, energy systems, and national defense,” Miller-Meeks said. “By codifying President Trump’s executive order, the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act takes an important step toward strengthening our supply chains and securing access to essential resources found right off our coasts. This legislation will help protect American jobs, enhance our economic security, and ensure the United States remains competitive on the global stage — all while maintaining strong environmental safeguards. I’m proud to join Rep. Ezell in introducing this commonsense, strategic bill.”

    “Tapping into America’s rich critical mineral resources is vital to support our national security and eliminate our dependence on foreign adversaries for vital resources,” House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman said. “Representatives Ezell and Miller-Meeks’ Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act will codify President Trumps executive order on this issue and ensure the United States can lead the world in offshore mineral development.”

    “We applaud Congressman Ezell’s leadership in championing the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act,” Oliver Gunasekara, CEO of Impossible Metals said. “The global race for critical minerals is on, and the United States can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. This bill recognizes the urgent need to unlock our own seabed resources and lead the world with responsible, American innovation.”

    By codifying the President’s Executive Order, the bill provides regulatory certainty for developers while ensuring environmental protections and U.S. strategic interests remain a priority. It also directs key federal agencies to streamline permitting, identify high-potential seabed areas, and collaborate with private industry to safely unlock these resources.

    The legislation is expected to receive strong support from industry leaders, energy advocates, and national security experts.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ezell, Miller-Meeks Introduce the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)

    Representatives Mike Ezell (MS-04) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) introduced H.R. 4018, the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources Act, legislation that codifies President Trump’s Executive Order 14285 to support and expand domestic seabed mineral development.

    The bill strengthens America’s economic and national security by accelerating the responsible development of critical mineral resources found on the ocean floor. These minerals are essential for producing advanced technologies, renewable energy infrastructure, and defense systems — yet the U.S. remains dangerously reliant on foreign supply chains.

    “President Trump was right to prioritize seabed minerals, and I’m proud to carry that effort forward in Congress,” Ezell said. “My Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act will help secure our mineral supply chains, create American jobs, and keep our nation competitive in the global economy. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast understands the importance of energy, infrastructure, and national defense, and this bill supports all three. It’s about putting America first, reducing our dependence on adversaries like China, and making sure our innovation and security are never held hostage by foreign supply chains. We have vast resources right off our shores — it’s time we take full advantage of them, and do it responsibly.”

    “The United States cannot afford to remain dependent on adversarial nations for the critical minerals that power our economy, energy systems, and national defense,” Miller-Meeks said. “By codifying President Trump’s executive order, the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act takes an important step toward strengthening our supply chains and securing access to essential resources found right off our coasts. This legislation will help protect American jobs, enhance our economic security, and ensure the United States remains competitive on the global stage — all while maintaining strong environmental safeguards. I’m proud to join Rep. Ezell in introducing this commonsense, strategic bill.”

    “Tapping into America’s rich critical mineral resources is vital to support our national security and eliminate our dependence on foreign adversaries for vital resources,” House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman said. “Representatives Ezell and Miller-Meeks’ Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act will codify President Trumps executive order on this issue and ensure the United States can lead the world in offshore mineral development.”

    “We applaud Congressman Ezell’s leadership in championing the Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Act,” Oliver Gunasekara, CEO of Impossible Metals said. “The global race for critical minerals is on, and the United States can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. This bill recognizes the urgent need to unlock our own seabed resources and lead the world with responsible, American innovation.”

    By codifying the President’s Executive Order, the bill provides regulatory certainty for developers while ensuring environmental protections and U.S. strategic interests remain a priority. It also directs key federal agencies to streamline permitting, identify high-potential seabed areas, and collaborate with private industry to safely unlock these resources.

    The legislation is expected to receive strong support from industry leaders, energy advocates, and national security experts.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Alexander Stadium celebrates the completion of Commonwealth Games-funded Legacy transformation project.

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Alexander Stadium, host venue during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, has marked a new chapter in its 48-year history following the completion of its Legacy Capital Redevelopment Programme.

    The two-year Commonwealth Games-funded Capital programme included redevelopment work at Alexander Stadium and the neighbouring Perry Park, and has produced new and improved infrastructure to inspire future generations.

    This significant milestone was celebrated last week at Alexander Stadium where key stakeholders and partners in the project, including the beloved mascot Perry the Bull, came together to recognise the success and explore the new facilities on offer. 

    Improvements at the Stadium include a new 120-station health and fitness suite, a new third generation artificial pitch for football and rugby, a new cycle studio and a refurbished indoors athletics hall. The permanent lighting arrangement in the main stadium has been designed to future proof future growth and the securing of other major televised events.

    At Perry Park, the redevelopment work includes a replacement children’s playground and new sports activation zone for the community, with new routes around the park and reservoir for running, walking and cycling.

    The improvements, which are part of wider regeneration work in Perry Barr and is set to provide the local community and visitors alike with access to green spaces and high-quality facilities for sport and recreation all year round.

    Following the additional capital works, the stadium continues to be a world-class sporting venue and is set to welcome the European Athletics Championship in August 2026, the first time the UK has hosted the Championship.

    The Stadium also continues to be the home to Birchfield Harriers Athletics club, the most successful athletics club in the country, who have occupied the stadium since 1975; and Birmingham City University, who relocated part of their sports and science campus to the Stadium in 2023.

    Cllr Mariam Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said: “I am delighted to hear about the successful redevelopment of Alexander Stadium and Perry Park, cementing its position as a world-class international sports venue.

    “With the European Athletics Championships arriving in 2026 and the UK Athletics Championship and English Schools Athletics Championships amongst other events taking place at Alexander Stadium this summer, it is an exciting time for sport in Birmingham.       

    “The completed regeneration of Alexander Stadium delivers a lasting Commonwealth Games legacy in promoting sport and recreation for not just the people of Perry Barr but the whole city to enjoy all year round.”

    Katie Sadleir, CEO at Commonwealth Sport said: “Alexander Stadium’s transformation is an inspiring example of the continued legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    It embodies the Commonwealth Sport Movement’s ambition to create lasting impact beyond the field of play — delivering world-class facilities, enhancing community wellbeing, and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

    We are proud to see this legacy come to life in Perry Barr, and look forward to seeing the Stadium thrive as a hub for sport, learning and community engagement for years to come.”

    Nicola Turner, CEO at United by 2022 said “United By 2022 is incredibly proud to support the opening of the Perry Fitness Centre as a lasting legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    As the custodians of the Games’ community legacy — and of course, the much-loved mascot Perry the Bull — we are thrilled to see these facilities come to life for local residents. These improvements represent more than just bricks and mortar; they are a catalyst for stronger community engagement, healthier lifestyles, and greater access to sport and recreation for all. We can’t wait to see the positive impact they will have in the years to come.”

    Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Place, Sport England, said:

    “The legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games still shines strongly in the city and wider West Midlands.  We have a long history with Birmingham and the Alexander Stadium – one that that we’re really proud of.  We are investing in partners and places that need the most help in getting people active.  We look forward to seeing the local communities of Birmingham enjoy and use these facilities to give them the opportunities they deserve and seeing the legacy of the Commonwealth Games live on.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney to attend the Canada-EU Summit and the NATO Summit

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that he will travel to Brussels, Belgium, and The Hague, the Netherlands, from June 22 to 25, 2025, to participate in the Canada-European Union (EU) Summit and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit.

    At the Canada-EU Summit, the Prime Minister will meet with the EU presidents to deepen the Canada-EU relationship across all sectors, including diversifying trade and commerce, defending rules-based trade, and bolstering defence and security partnerships.

    At the NATO Summit, Prime Minister Carney will engage Allies to meet evolving threats in a more dangerous and divided world. Canada’s new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces – reaching the 2 per cent target this year and accelerating defence investments in the months and years to come. Leaders will also support Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace.

    Canada will arrive at these summits with a plan to lead, and with new investments to build our strength in service of our values.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Report on Indonesia’s Civic Space Legal Framework Published

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Earlier this year, in March 2025, public protests broke out in several cities in Indonesia. The focus of the protests was changes to the law that governs the country’s military. Last year, in August, the were mass protests over proposals to amend the local election laws, which were subsequently scrapped. Other government actions have also seen people take to the streets over the past few months. Civil society groups have been involved in supporting and organizing different protests, with the bulk of protesters being university students. Academics have also raised concerns about government transparency and approaches to dissent.

    Indonesia is a country that has experienced significant upheavals in the form and structures of its government over the past century, including colonial governance under Dutch rule, Japanese occupation during World War II, a successful fight for independence following the war, a failed coup and subsequent mass killings in the mid-1960s, a military dictatorship that lasted from 1967 to 1998, a period of major reforms starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s as part of a shift to democracy (reformasi period), and concerns in more recent years about changes to laws and structures that some feel impinge on democratic values.

    A recently published report on the Law Library’s website, Indonesia: Civil Space Legal Framework, provides information on the rights and freedoms protected in the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia following its amendment during the reformasi period and on protections in several other laws enacted during that period, including laws on human rights, the press and broadcasting, expressing opinions in public, and trade or labor unions. It also provides information on the 1946 Criminal Code and the new 2023 Criminal Code, as well as provisions in the 2008 Law on Electronic Information and Transactions, that can be used to restrict certain rights, such as the freedom of expression. Various court challenges to these and other laws are also noted in the report. In addition, the report provides an overview of the laws that regulate civil society organizations.

    Read the report here. 

    The report on the civic space legal framework in Indonesia is part of a series of Law Library reports covering the frameworks in several other countries, including Peru, Finland, Romania, Thailand, Spain, and Morocco. These reports are contained in the Law Library’s Legal Reports (Publications of the Law Library of Congress) collection, which includes over 4,000 historical and contemporary legal reports covering a variety of jurisdictions, researched and written by foreign law specialists with expertise in each area. To receive alerts when new reports are published, you can subscribe to email updates and the RSS feed for Law Library Reports (click the “subscribe” button on the Law Library’s website). The Law Library also publishes articles related to Indonesia[add link to search results] in the Global Legal Monitor.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 concludes with new commitments to accelerate global development impact

    • Announcement of over US$1 billion new financing: OPEC Fund signs US$362 million new loan agreements during the Forum and announces approval of US$720 million in new financing in the second Quarter 
    • A Country Partnership Framework agreement with Rwanda earmarks US$300 million financing in the next three years 
    • At the high-level Mauritania roundtable hosted by the OPEC Fund, the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) announced a pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next 5 years to support Mauritania’s development priorities.   

    The fourth OPEC Fund Development Forum (https://OPECFund.org) concluded today with a strong slate of new commitments, loan agreements and strategic partnerships to advance inclusive transition and sustainable development. The Forum brought together more than 700 global leaders, including government representatives, development institutions and private sector stakeholders, under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow”.

    The OPEC Fund announced some US$720 million in new financing to support development efforts across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and saw the signing of US$362 million in new loan agreements. A new Trade Finance Initiative is set to secure vital supplies and help close trade-related liquidity gaps in partner countries.

    OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund Development Forum reflects our conviction that partnerships must deliver results. Today we achieved tangible progress – with new signings, new partnerships and new approaches to help our partner countries turn ambition into action. Whether in energy, infrastructure, agriculture or finance, we are responding with solutions that make a difference.”

    As part of its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) initiative, the OPEC Fund signed cooperation agreements with Grenada, and the Solomon Islands, expanding support for climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure. 

    Deepening Country Partnerships for Long-term Impact 

    New country-level agreements and cooperation frameworks include: 

    • A US$212 million loan agreement with Oman to finance the Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project (Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road), improving local and regional connectivity, as well as a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to strengthen cooperation over the next five years.  
    • A US$25 million loan agreement with Cameroon to strengthen the Rice Value Chain Development Project, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening food security in vulnerable regions, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Kuwait Fund. 
    • A CPF with Rwanda to allocate up to US$300 million in financing for 2025 – 2028, supporting the country’s development priorities, including quality infrastructure, improved essential basic services and the promotion of entrepreneurship and the private sector. 
    • Other country partnership agreements included: Azerbaijan to support infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable development; Botswana to support infrastructure, renewable energy, innovation and digital transformation, as well as private sector export-led growth over the next three years; Grenada to build resilience through sustainable development initiatives; Kyrgyz Republic to increase cooperation in transport, water supply and sanitation, energy, agriculture and banking sectors; and Solomon Islands to expand engagement and increase cooperation including in the private sector. 

    Scaling up Private Sector Support 

    The OPEC Fund continues to prioritize private sector-led growth with targeted financing to financial institutions across Africa: 

    • In Côte d’Ivoire, a €30 million loan agreement with Coris Bank International Côte d’Ivoire and a €35 million loan agreement with NSIA Banque will facilitate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 
    • A US$40 million loan agreement with the East African Development Bank (EADB) will boost economic investments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, strengthening regional integration and inclusive growth. 

    New Trade Finance Initiative 

    • At the Forum the OPEC Fund also announced a new Trade Finance Initiative to boost trade resilience in partner countries by facilitating access to essential imports, closing liquidity gaps and strengthening resilience to external shocks in vulnerable economies. 

    Advancing global cooperation 

    The Forum also featured new agreements to deepen multilateral cooperation: 

    • A new cooperation agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will strengthen collaboration in infrastructure, energy and human development projects across the Latin America and Caribbean region. 
    • The OPEC Fund and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) formalized a cooperation agreement to coordinate efforts on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems. 
    • A cooperation agreement with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) will support training programs to promote institutional transparency and anti-corruption capacity building in partner countries. 

    Ahead of the Forum, the OPEC Fund hosted the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institutions of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Delegates participated in a high-level roundtable with the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to strengthen development collaboration and mobilize investment flows to Mauritania. The roundtable resulted in an ACG joint pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next five years. This will be directed to vital sectors, including energy, water, transportation and digital infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. A dedicated Arab Donors Roundtable on the Sahel addressed strategies to mobilize greater support for the region’s urgent challenges. It was organized by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CLISS) and sponsored by the OPEC Fund’s partner institution, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of OPEC Fund.

    Media Contact:  
    Basak Pamir 
    OPEC Fund for International Development 
    Head of Outreach & Multimedia 
    B.Pamir@opecfund.org  
    +431511564174 
    Telephone: +43-1-515 64-0 
    Fax: +43-1-513 92 38 
    www.OPECFund.org

    About the OPEC Fund:
    The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Is Mark Carney turning his back on climate action?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Deborah de Lange, Associate Professor, Global Management Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University

    The G7 summit in Alberta, hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has ended with only passing mention of fighting climate change, including a statement on wildfires that is silent on the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    This is puzzling. Canadians didn’t opt for Conservative Pierre Poilievre, considered by some to be an oil and gas industry mouthpiece, in the last federal election. Instead, voters gave Carney’s Liberals a minority government.

    Carney was the United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance and was behind the UN-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance, so some Canadians might have assumed he’d prioritize climate action if he won the election. Instead, Carney has described developing fossil fuel infrastructure as “pragmatic.”

    But it’s unclear how a country grappling with abysmal air quality due to wildfires fuelled by global warming will benefit from further global fossil fuel development and its related emissions.



    Read more:
    Wildfire smoke can harm your brain, not just your lungs

    Warming rapidly

    Canada is warming faster than most of the globe. Its leaders should be laser-focused on mitigating climate change by reducing fossil fuel use to the greatest extent possible, as soon as possible.

    This decades-long understanding of how to approach climate action has been repeatedly explained by experts and is well known to governments globally. Canada’s prime minister was once one of those experts.

    Carney now has a tremendous opportunity to lead by steering Canada in a clean direction.

    Canada is at the forefront of clean technology, with numerous business opportunities emerging, particularly in areas like circular economy international trade. These opportunities not only support Canada’s commitment to meeting its Paris Agreement targets but also help expand and diversify its global trade.

    Eco-industrial parks

    Canada already has exemplar eco-industrial parks — co-operative businesses located on a common property that focus on reducing environmental impact through resource efficiency, waste reduction and sharing resources. Such industrial communities are in Halifax and in Delta, B.C. They represent significant investment opportunities.

    Vacant urban land could be revitalized and existing industrial parks could boost their economic output and circular trade by building stronger partnerships to share resources, reduce waste and cut emissions.



    Read more:
    A sustainable, circular economy could counter Trump’s tariffs while strengthening international trade

    Canada would benefit economically and environmentally by building on existing expertise and expanding successful sustainability strategies to achieve economic, environmental and social goals.

    But by continuing to invest in fossil fuels, Canada misses out on opportunities to diversify trade and boost economic competitiveness.

    The secret to China’s success

    Real diversification makes Canada less vulnerable to economic shocks, like the ones caused by the tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump.

    Fossil fuel reliance increases exposure to global economic risks, but shifting to cleaner products and services reduces climate risks and expands Canada’s global trade options. China’s economic rise is partly a result of this strategy.

    That’s seemingly why Trump is so fixated on China. China today is a serious competitor to the U.S. after making smart trade and economic decisions and forging its own path, disregarding American pressure to remain a mere follower.

    Investing in its huge Belt and Road Initiative, China also aligned itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It’s building diplomatic bridges with many Belt and Road countries in southeast Asia as Trump’s America alienates its partners, pulling out of the Paris Agreement and cutting foreign aid.

    As another one of the America’s mistreated partners, Canada was poised to forge its own path under Carney. Instead, Carney is supporting American oil and gas by encouraging Canadian pipeline projects.

    Clean innovation is the path forward

    Canadian oil and gas is a concentrated industry controlled by a wealthy few, primarily Americans. More pipelines would therefore mean more sales of fossil fuels to other countries, with the beneficiaries mostly American.

    Fossil fuel investments reduce Canada’s diversification because the resources used to further these projects could go elsewhere — toward clean diversification. With almost unlimited clean economy options across many sectors, clean diversification would broaden Canada’s economic and trade portfolios and reduce American control.



    Read more:
    Why Canada’s Strong Borders Act is as troublesome as Donald Trump’s travel bans

    This is International Business 101, and would make the Canadian economy more competitive through innovation, while reducing the country’s climate risk.

    California, often targeted by Trump for its policies, has been a leader in clean innovation, making its economy the envy of the world.



    Read more:
    California is planning floating wind farms offshore to boost its power supply – here’s how they work

    My recent research shows that clear, decisive choices like those made in California will be key to Canada’s future success. Canada must make choices aligned with goals — a core principle of strategic management.

    My research also suggests Canada must restructure its energy industry to focus on renewable energy innovation while reducing fossil fuel reliance. Increased renewable energy innovation, as seen in patent numbers, leads to higher GDP.

    Contrary to common beliefs, pollution taxes boost the economy in combination with clean innovation. But when the government supports both the fossil fuel industry and clean industries, it hinders Canada’s transition to a cleaner future.

    Trapped by the fossil fuel industry?

    Do Canadian taxpayers truly want to keep funding an outdated, polluting industry that benefits a wealthy few, or invest in clean industries that boost Canada’s economy, create better jobs and protect the environment? To differentiate Canada from the United States, it would make sense to choose the latter.

    Carney should consider refraining from pushing for the fast-tracking of polluting projects. If he doesn’t, Canada will become more uncompetitive and vulnerable, trapped by the fossil fuel industry.



    Read more:
    Mark Carney wants to make Canada an energy superpower — but what will be sacrificed for that goal?

    Carney’s support for pipelines may have stemmed from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s implicit support for Alberta sovereignty. She made veiled threats to Canada at a critical juncture, when Trump was making repeated assertions about annexing Canada.

    Alberta didn’t vote for Carney. But Canadians who care about mitigating climate change did.

    Banks that felt pressure to at least recognize sustainable finance during the Joe Biden administration joined Carney’s Net-Zero Banking Alliance.

    But as soon as Trump came to power a second time and walked away from the Paris Agreement, many American banks abandoned the alliance. Canadian banks followed suit, and Carney remarkably missed another moment to show Canadian leadership by stopping their exit.

    In fact, Carney seems to have abandoned his own organization to appease Trump as the president made multiple 51st state threats. The prime minister had the chance to differentiate Canada and demonstrate his own leadership. Instead, he seems to have easily turned his back on his principles under pressure from Trump.

    Deborah de Lange receives funding from SSHRC and ESRC. She is affiliated with The Liberal Party of Canada and The Writers’ Union of Canada.

    – ref. Is Mark Carney turning his back on climate action? – https://theconversation.com/is-mark-carney-turning-his-back-on-climate-action-258737

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Democratic Colleagues in Urging Rubio to Preserve the State Department’s Human Rights Bureau 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Jeanee Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and eight Democratic colleagues in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to preserve the staff and programs administered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) amid the Department’s proposed reorganization.   
    “The proposed reorganization of DRL raises serious concerns about the Department’s prioritization of democracy and human rights and the role of DRL in advancing U.S. national security priorities—concerns that were the basis for Congress’s bipartisan codification in statute an Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and the directive ‘to promote the increased observance of internationally recognized human rights by all countries’ as a principal goal of U.S. foreign policy,” wrote the Senators. “The proposed reorganization would result in a structural and substantive demotion of human rights promotion that runs counter to the spirit of the law and your personal legacy working on these issues.”  
    “Over 80% of DRL’s programs support human rights defenders working in closed, anti-democratic societies, including Cuba, China, Nicaragua, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and others which the Trump Administration has identified as adversaries of the U.S.,” continued the Senators.  
    The Senators concluded: “As you stated in the subcommittee hearing previously mentioned, ‘millions of people around the world who live in societies dominated by fear and oppression look to the United States of America to champion their cause to fully exercise their God-given rights. There are no greater champions more capable of advancing this noble cause than the dedicated staff in DRL. We need these champions in the Department.”  
    In addition to Senators Welch and Shaheen, the letter is cosigned by Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). 
    Read and download the full text of the letter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Top Maoist leaders surrender after 25 years, major blow to LWE in Chhattisgarh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a significant setback to the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) movement, two senior Maoist leaders, including the commander of the Mobile Political School (MOPOS), surrendered to security forces on Monday. The surrender, which took place before senior police and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials, marks a crucial breakthrough in anti-Naxal operations in the region.

    Jeevan Tulavi (45), also known as Ram Tulavi, and his wife Agasha (35), alias Aarti Korram, gave up arms before Inspector General of Rajnandgaon Range Abhishek Shandilya, Superintendent of Police Y.P. Singh, and Commandant of the 27th Battalion ITBP Vivek Kumar Pandey. Officers from the 44th Battalion ITBP were also present.

    Jeevan, a resident of Parvidih village under Mohla police station in Mohla Manpur Ambagarh Chowki (MMAC) district, has been active in Maoist operations for over 25 years. Currently serving as a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and Education Unit Commander of the Maad Division, he carried a bounty of ₹8 lakh. He joined the LWE movement in 2008 and initially served in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in the South Rajnandgaon-based division.

    Since 2012-13, Jeevan transitioned into an ideological role, teaching Maoist philosophy through the Mobile Political School (MOPOS) in the Maad Division. He is known to have travelled extensively across Abujhmad, spreading LWE ideology through the Mobile Academic School (MAS) and heading the education wing until his surrender.

    Agasha, his wife and a resident of Telitola village in the same district, was serving as an Area Committee Member (ACM). She played a key role in the Press Team of the Maad Division and was also the commander of the Maoist cultural wing, Chetna Natya Mandali (CNM). Active since the early 2000s, Agasha contributed as a singer, dancer, poet, orator, and composer for the LWE propaganda machinery. She was also responsible for handling digital communication, including drafting press releases and managing computers.

    The surrender is seen as part of the growing impact of sustained operations led by police and ITBP in the MMAC district and the former Rajnandgaon region. In the past three months alone, five senior Maoist cadres from the district have surrendered, weakening the organizational structure of the LWE in this strategically critical area bordering the heavily affected regions of Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) and Kanker (Chhattisgarh).

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: De-registration ruling to be studied

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Buildings Department, in its capacity as the Building Authority, will study the written judgment to be handed down by the Court of First Instance together with its legal team, and prepare for the appeal hearing with full effort concerning the granting of an interim stay of execution of the authority’s decision to remove Aggressive Construction Co. Ltd (ACCL) from the register of general building contractors.

    The Development Bureau said the authority refused the registration renewal application of ACCL on May 22 and decided to remove its name from the register of general building contractors on June 20.

    The company appealed against the decision and applied for a stay of execution of the decision, and the Court of First Instance of the High Court today granted a temporary stay of execution of the decision. The hearing of the appeal and application for stay of execution is tentatively scheduled for August 26 and 27.

    The bureau noted that if there are still construction activities on the project sites undertaken by ACCL during the period pending further hearings, the project owners concerned will act in accordance with the contracts and continue to monitor the construction sites and the performance of the contractor.

    If the contractor’s performance fails to meet the contractual requirements, the project owners will handle the matter in accordance with the contract and reserve the right to take follow-up actions, the bureau said, adding that the Buildings Department and project owners will step up monitoring and surprise inspections to safeguard site safety.

    Since the performance of ACCL in respect of the public works project of the Chai Wan Government Complex was far below the contractual requirements, the Government as the project owner has terminated the contract in accordance with the contractual mechanism and taken over the construction site on June 15.

    The Government will endeavour to arrange in the near term for a new contractor to take over and finish the remaining works, the bureau added.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Overseas officials conclude HK trip

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A delegation of 10 overseas government officials today completed their three-day visit to Hong Kong, having met senior officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and toured the city’s major cultural and innovation and technology facilities to deepen their understanding of the city’s advantages and development opportunities.

    The visit was arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which invited officials from 10 countries across Africa and Asia. These countries comprise Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.

    During the trip, the delegation met Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan to obtain a better understanding of Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

    The delegation learnt of Hong Kong’s important roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, serving as a bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

    They also met Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong as well as representatives of a number of relevant institutions.

    Additionally, they toured the Science Park and West Kowloon Cultural District to find out about the city’s latest developments and opportunities in finance, trade, innovation and technology, and arts and culture.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul is a Guest on “The Briefing With Jen Psaki”

    Source: US State of New York

    ast night, Governor Hochul was a guest on MSNBC’s “The Briefing with Jen Psaki.”

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

    Governor Hochul:  Do you want to know what I really think?

    Rebecca Lewis, City & State: Please.

    Governor Hochul: It’s bullshit. How dare they—

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

    Jen Psaki, MSNBC: Couldn’t have said it better myself. That was New York Governor Kathy Hochul, today, reacting to the arrest of New York City Comptroller and Mayoral candidate Brad Lander. And Governor Kathy Hochul joins me. Now, Governor, thank you so much for being here with me tonight.

    You rushed down to the courthouse today after Brad Lander was arrested to demand his release. We heard a little bit from him earlier. Can you just walk us through what happened today, including your interaction with officers at the building?

    Governor Hochul: Yes, and thank you for your coverage of this deeply troubling story that seems to be unfolding all across our country, Jen. I literally was in a part of Brooklyn, known as Little Haiti. I was walking the streets talking to people who were so frightened — living in the shadows of a once vibrant street was now almost a ghost town because people are terrified. And then while I’m out there trying to meet these people, let them know we’re, we see them, we’re gonna support them.

    Then I get the word that one of our elected officials for the City of New York has been arrested. And I know Brad Lander. I went right down there. And I wanted to see him. I went up to the ninth floor. And they wouldn’t let me come in. But I had a chance to talk to ICE officers and the people in charge, and my Head of Homeland Security came down and Head of my Counterintelligence and all the professionals that I work with. We all stood there and I said, “I’m not leaving until you let him out. I want him released. Because what are the charges? What are you possibly saying? We all saw the video.”

    And after about an hour of me waiting and talking to a lot of people, they said they’d release him without charges, but Brad Lander has all the attorneys and attention on this he needs. I mean, he can take care of himself. I’m confident of that, but what I cannot get out of my mind are all the people that are so terrified right now are the ones who go into those courtrooms following the law and the procedure — told, show up this date for your court appearance. And then they’re sitting ducks while they’re in the courtroom. They withdraw their legal status and they walk out and they’re captured.

    This is beyond the pale, and we have to stand up and call it out for what it is and say we are a better country than this. And the voices that we heard during the marches over the last weekend, the people who stood up there, the elected officials who are doing their part — we have to stand up and say no more. And I’ll tell you this, as I said, under eight hours of questioning in Congress just a few days ago — I will work with the Trump administration to remove the people he said he was going after. I will help you get the criminals out of here, the ones who are violent criminals who are hurting other people, the human traffickers, the people who are dealing in drugs, people with guns — I want them gone.

    I’ll help you but don’t take care of the home healthcare aides, the 160 who are gonna lose their jobs that I’ve met today and talked to. They’ll lose their jobs and they lose their status. And you know what? That means there’s 160 vulnerable New Yorkers who are gonna lose their caregivers and the people who work in the restaurants and hospitality, let them get jobs, pay their taxes, be part of our communities – like my grandpa was a migrant farm worker. Everybody comes and starts out and struggles. But you know what? Over time it works. It’s the American dream, and that dream is dissipating by the moment here in this country, and we cannot let it go.

    Jen Psaki, MSNBC: No question about it. And I know, and I just mentioned that you had announced today the State is dedicating $50 million for legal assistance for immigrants. And I want to ask you about that in one moment.

    I think one of the things that was so striking about today, many things was that, you know, Brad Lander was released without charges. You said earlier today that to your knowledge, the charges have been dropped and that he walks out of there free man.

    But the US Attorney’s Office said that it is investigating his action still and would decide later whether to charge him with a crime. This is all on video, which we played the full video. Are you confident there won’t be charges? And I raise this because he’s just escorting immigrants to the courthouses who are trying to abide by their court hearings.

    Governor Hochul: That’s all he is doing, and he did it without any fanfare over a number of times. Just a lot of people are volunteering. These people are terrified. I mean, these are our neighbors. These are people who’ve lived among us for many, many years sometimes. And people are just doing the right thing. They’re showing their humanity. He showed up and just escorting someone and speaking to him and just trying to let him know it’s going to be okay. The best we can. And then you have them ripped apart and terrorized the way they were and go after elected officials. I mean, no, no. It’s wrong. It’s wrong.

    And again, we will help the Trump administration — we have been doing this for years — get rid of the true criminals. But coming here to seek asylum as they have for the last few years, or coming with temporary protected status like 300,000 Venezuelans did. And people from Haiti. They had legal status when they came. So when you take it away, once they’re here, it’s just like a cruel joke on them.

    So, they’re not the criminals. Let’s find them a legal pathway. Let’s give them work authorization. I know the Trump administration is capable of doing this. They can do this, and there’ll be a lot of employers, including the people in my State, New York — I have 400,000 open jobs as we speak. They’re not taking someone’s job. They’ll be doing an important service to us.

    Let’s have a conversation. Let’s ask Congress. Why you won’t do something as simple as passing common sense, bipartisan legislation to reform our immigration laws, find legal pathways. Yes, we have to secure our borders. No one doubts that, but the people who are here and already contributing, come on. We’re a nation of immigrants. That’s why we’re so great.

    Jen Psaki, MSNBC: I mentioned a couple times that you announced the $50 million for legal assistance, which is very powerful and as Brad Lander mentioned, a lot of these people don’t have legal representation.

    Governor Hochul: That’s right.

    Jen Psaki, MSNBC: This tactic though, which I called dirty earlier because I think it’s dirty of these agents showing up at courthouses and kind of stalking people who don’t have criminal records are not trying to, are just trying to abide by what they’re supposed to be doing. Is there anything you can do as Governor to stop those tactics or other Governors can ban together and do?

    Governor Hochul: No, they’re not allowed in New York state courts. You know, and, and let’s think about this, when this was passed a few years ago, law enforcement supported this because people who’ve been victims of the crimes are witnesses of crimes, if they think that if they go in to be involved in the criminal justice system to maybe to solve a crime, that they could be removed instantaneously. We want to make sure that we are working to protect our community. People are safer when people feel they can come forward, but apparently in federal courthouses, here in New York City and all across America, they’re basically staking out people who walk in the front door to keep an appointment they were given. They’re told to go before this judge on this date or check in.

    I mean, a heartbreaking story just a couple weeks ago. A mom takes her two boys, 19 and 20-year-old down to make sure they’re legally checking in as they’re told to do. Guess what? She walks out without them. Because they took them away from her. And she doesn’t know where they are. We’re all human beings.

    Jen Psaki, MSNBC: Yeah.

    Governor Hochul: If we can’t find some compassion in our hearts at this moment and do what’s right, history will judge us very poorly. That’s why we’re urging the administration — go after the really bad ones like you said you would. That’s my plea. Go after the bad ones. We’ll help you. Every state will help you. But can we just leave these law abiding people alone? Can we just do that?

    Jen Psaki, MSNBC: There are so many stories, like the ones you mentioned and the ones we saw play out today. Governor Kathy Hochul, I know you’ve had a day, so thank you so much for being here with us, helping explain all of the video footage we’ve just showed everybody watching. Really appreciate you being here.

    Governor Hochul: Alright, thank you, Jen.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating Cayuga Milk Expansion Project

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul and Cayuga Milk Ingredients today marked the grand opening of a two-phase, $270 million expansion project in the Town of Aurelius, Cayuga County, allowing the company to better assist their clients and create opportunities for New York State dairy farmers. The state-of-the-art facility will also allow the company to more than double its workforce, adding up to 150 new jobs to the existing workforce of 100 employees. The State is supporting this transformative project through a $4 million capital grant and up to $4 million made available through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for job creation commitments. Cayuga Milk Ingredients is a farmer-owned dairy processor, producing premium milk and innovative dairy ingredients for customers across the globe. This announcement comes as the State celebrates Dairy Month this June.

    “Cayuga Milk Ingredients’ continued expansion in Cayuga County marks another exciting chapter in New York’s agricultural success story,” Governor Hochul said. “New York’s dairy industry serves as a crucial economic engine for our state, and our support for this project reinforces our commitment to those efforts and to our hard-working dairy farmers, further cementing our position as one of the nation’s top dairy producers.”

    Phase one of the expansion at the Eagle Drive facility included the purchase and installation of an ultra-high temperature (UHT)/aseptic low acid packaging system and a new reverse osmosis filtration system. The second phase included the addition of machinery and equipment, and the expansion of the facility’s wastewater treatment plant.

    At the facility, Cayuga Milk Ingredients (CMI) monitors all aspects of product integrity, offering a high level of traceability and sustainability, combining innovative manufacturing technology with a focus on reducing their environmental impact. With a vertically integrated model and state-of-the-art processing capabilities, they transform high-quality milk into value-added products including high-protein milk, powders, and ultrafiltered dairy ingredients. CMI is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture, supporting the well-being of its farmers, employees and cows, and delivering exceptional ingredients for the future of food.

    CMI processes over 1.5 billion pounds of premium quality milk from 22 family-owned dairy farms within the region. The farmer-owners are recognized globally for their higher level of commitment in animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and worker wellness all based around a culture of continuous improvement.

    CMI is also actively focused on reducing their environmental impact. The advanced processing at the state-of-the-art production facility, which incorporates ultrafiltration and cutting-edge industry technologies, has positioned the company as a unique leader in the global foods market, setting them ahead of the curve for quality manufacturing standards.

    Cayuga Milk Ingredients and Cayuga Marketing CEO Brian Linney said, “Cayuga Milk Ingredients is proud to be a key player in New York’s dairy industry, with the investment in our new aseptic and extended shelf-life fluid dairy production facility driving long term growth in our community with more than 150 new permanent jobs, as well as another 350+ jobs during facility construction. We are grateful for the support of Governor Hochul in this project expansion as we work to ensure the continued success and longevity of the agricultural industry in New York State.”

    Governor Hochul remains laser focused on supporting New York’s dairy farmers. Earlier this month, the Governor announced nearly $21.6 million had been awarded to 103 farms across the state through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program to support New York’s dairy industry. The funding will help New York’s dairy farmers and dairy cooperatives invest in new equipment, expand storage capacity, and strengthen their operations, particularly as they face extreme weather events, providing a critical boost to New York’s dairy industry.

    Since taking office, Governor Hochul has made significant strides in expanding the dairy manufacturing sector in New York. In the last few years, New York has celebrated investments across the state, including a $650 million fairlife production plant in Webster, a $518 million Great Lakes Cheese packaging and manufacturing facility in Franklinville, and a $30 million expansion to the Agri-Mark cheese manufacturing facility in Chateaugay, helping New York continue to be the leading producer of milk in the Northeast. Most recently, the Governor announced Chobani will build a 1.4 million square foot, $1.2 billion facility in Rome, Oneida County, capable of producing over one-billion pounds of high-quality dairy products per year. There are currently nearly 300 world-recognized dairy processing plants across New York.

    New York State has roughly 3,000 dairy farms that produce over 16 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth-largest dairy state. The dairy industry is the state’s largest agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the state’s economy by generating nearly half of the state’s total agricultural receipts and providing some of the highest economic multipliers. New York’s unique and talented dairy producers and processors contribute significantly to the state’s agriculture industry, economy and the health of our communities.

    New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York is a dairy state, through and through. We have thousands of dedicated dairy farmers, producing some of the very best products in the world, and we rank as number one for yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, and more. I thank the Governor for her commitment to uplifting New York’s dairy community, from the on-farm grants announced earlier this month to investing millions in processing capacity across the State over the years, with the help of our partners at Empire State Development. Together, we are building a strong foundation to support our farmers and boost our agricultural economy.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “We’re excited to mark this major milestone with Cayuga Milk Ingredients, a project that will continue to fill the region’s economic glass to the brim with top-quality jobs that support Upstate dairy farmers. This successful company is putting down roots thanks to our unmatched agribusiness infrastructure that ensures New York State remains a leader in dairy production.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “The dairy industry in Cayuga County is thriving, and Cayuga Milk Ingredients is at the forefront of this growth. With its impressive multi-million-dollar expansion, the company will continue to be a catalyst for economic growth in our community for years to come, creating many well-paying jobs for residents. I appreciate Governor Hochul’s support for this important project and our dairy farmers in Central New York.”

    Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna said, “We applaud Governor Kathy Hochul and Cayuga Milk Ingredients on the grand opening of this transformative $270 million expansion project in the Town of Aurelius. This significant investment represents a bold step forward for Cayuga County’s dairy industry — as the number one dairy producing county in the state this project continues to support not only innovation and global competitiveness but also our local communities and family farms. As a farmer-owned cooperative, Cayuga Milk Ingredients exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and agricultural excellence that defines our county. The creation of up to 150 new jobs and the expansion of cutting-edge processing capabilities are a testament to what can be achieved when public and private sectors work together. We are also grateful for the State’s strategic support through the $4 million capital grant and the Excelsior Jobs Program, which ensures job growth and long-term economic impact to our region. During Dairy Month, this announcement reminds us of the strength, resilience, and essential contributions of our dairy farmers and processors. Congratulations to all involved in making this project a reality. Cayuga County looks forward to seeing Cayuga Milk Ingredients continue to thrive and lead the way in delivering premium dairy products to consumers not only locally but around the world.”

    For additional information about Cayuga Milk Ingredients, visit: https://www.cmingredients.com/.

    Accelerating Economic Development in Central NY
    Today’s announcement complements “CNY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. More information is available here.

    About Empire State Development
    Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government peacebuilders, youth and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) sow seeds of peace amidst guns

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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    As morning breaks, the vast and open plains of South Sudan’s Lakes state are filled with sounds of cattle and the overwhelming smell of smoke.  

    It is at this relatively quiet time, that a team from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and state authorities from the Ministry of Peacebuilding set out on a drive.

    They aim to meet herders, armed youth, and residents in cattle camps that dot the landscape. Why? To hear their concerns and discuss the possibility of a future without violence.

    For generations, cattle have been a symbol of wealth and pride across Lakes. And, in recent years, they have also become a source of deadly conflict. Cattle theft, revenge raids, and competition over water have left a trail of grief in local communities with countless lives lost and properties destroyed.

    At one such cattle camp called Buol, 24-year-old herder Makur Magor Bok stands firm at the centre of a gathering. A seasoned cattle keeper despite his age, Makur carries a weapon, not out of malice, he says, but out of necessity. “If I knew my cattle and my family were safe, I would give up my gun today,” he says, gesturing to the automatic rifle slung across his shoulder. “We are not criminals, we are just afraid.”

    Makur told Civil Affairs officers from the UN Peacekeeping mission that thieves had stolen one of his rifles, along with phones and solar chargers. Though he knew who was responsible, he made a decision that surprised many in his community. “I could have tracked them and fought with them, retrieved my belongings and avenged myself, but I remembered the peace messages I heard from UNMISS before. You said revenge only brings more killing,” he explained. “So I reported them to the traditional authorities. I want to believe in the law, not in a gun and, hopefully, I won’t be disappointed”

    His unprecedented choice—to trust the system instead of fuelling the cycle of violence—sparked a debate among his peers. Some responded with irony, while others said that they had seen enough of their people die over senseless quarrels.

    In another nearby cattle camp, Abuok Deng, a 17-year-old girl, shared her fears. “We sleep in fear. On any given night, someone might raid us. I think to myself that maybe this is the night I lose my baby brother; maybe this is the night someone hurts me,” she exhales, with looking out into the distance. “We need safety.”

    The team of government peacebuilders and UNMISS peacekeepers listened intently and responded with strong messages on conflict resolution, the power of dialogue, and the importance of community-led peace. “This visit is not about disarming people,” stated Ruby Awude, a Civil Affairs Officer. “It is about creating the kind of peace and safety in communities that makes carrying a gun unnecessary.”

    As twilight fell, the team left behind more than just words: they left seeds for lasting peace. Whether these take root depends not only on institutional change but also on the courage of individuals like Makur and Abuok.

    Their words reflect the hope that still flickers in Lakes state: that even in a place tormented by cycles of conflict, there are those who choose peace.

    – on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: “We may be from two countries but are one family”: Ethiopian peacekeepers hand over medical supplies in Bor

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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    “It’s increasingly difficult for us to provide essential medication to patients, whether in hospitals or smaller clinics,” reveals Dr. Bol Chaw.

    Dr. Chaw is the medical director at Bor State Hospital in Jonglei, South Sudan. His concerns are shared by many across this country, where people living in remote areas often go without basic healthcare.

    But Dr Chaw has helping hands in the form of Blue Helmets from Ethiopia serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) who handed over a large shipment of vital supplies to the hospital – broad spectrum antibiotics, anti-malarials, painkillers, drugs to tackle chronic illnesses such as hypertension, and surgical materials.

    The handover couldn’t have been timelier, given the onset of the rainy season in the country which often leads to an uptick in malaria cases among communities.

    “Since we patrol consistently among communities, we are aware of the challenges they face, particularly with the ongoing economic crisis and consequent shortage of medical supplies. We felt that we must support them. We may be from two countries but are one family and families share,” explains Lieutenant-Colonel Desalegn Sahile Gulilat, commanding officer of the Ethiopian troops.

    To build further trust and goodwill, Ethiopian peacekeepers followed the medical outreach by providing some basic first aid training to medical staff.

    “These partnerships with our international friends such as UNMISS make a real difference in saving lives,” says Dr. Chaw.

    Beyond this gesture, the Ethiopian contingent undertakes regular patrols and provides military escorts for aid convoys, ensuring lifesaving humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable across the state.

    “There are many ways in which we, as peacekeepers, protect civilians. We are on the ground to be of service,” added Lieutenant-Colonel Gulilat.

    – on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Angola Environmental Serviços (AES) Seeks Partnership Opportunities, Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as Silver Sponsor

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Waste management company Angola Environmental Serviços (AES) will return to the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference and exhibition in 2025 as a Silver Sponsor. Operating at the intersection of the environmental and hydrocarbon sectors, AES strives to become a leading national company providing integrated waste management services. As Angola expands its portfolio of exploration and production projects, these services will play an instrumental part in preserving the natural environment while ensuring optimal oil and gas operations.

    AES promotes environmental sustainability through the deployment of world-class technology, working closely with upstream operators across both the onshore and offshore markets. The company’s AOG 2025 sponsorship reflects its commitment to supporting oil and gas projects, creating new opportunities for greater collaboration across the industry as a range of major projects advance in the country.

    AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    In recent years AES has invested heavily in its infrastructure and human capital, with aims to position itself as the partner of choice for oil and gas operators. Through its two waste management facilities – situated at the SONILS base in Luanda and the Kwanda base in Soyo – the company deploys a range of services, from thermal desorption to incineration to landfill services, tank cleaning and cargo transport units. The strategic location of these bases positions AES at the center of Angola’s upstream and logistics industries, with close proximity to active and upcoming projects in the Kwanza and Lower Congo basins.  

    AES’ suite of clients further underscores its role in the country’s oil and gas sector. These include TotalEnergies, Azule Energy, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Sonangol, Etu Energias, Angola LNG and many more. The company has also worked closely with international service and technology firms, including SLB, Halliburton, Aker Solutions, among others. As major operators expand their presence in Angola amid a $60 billion investment pipeline planned for the coming five years, partnerships with AES will serve to advance the environmental and operational efficiency of oil and gas developments.

    – on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Shell Trading & Shipping’s Filippo Bof Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Filippo Bof, Head of Business Development: Africa and Med at Shell Trading & Shipping – the trading and supply branch of energy major Shell – will speak at this year’s Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference. Taking place on September 3-4 in Luanda, the event is the official meeting platform for the country’s hydrocarbon sector, uniting investors and operators from across the entire petroleum value chain. With a prominent presence in Africa, Shell Trading & Shipping is well-positioned to lead discussions on enhancing regional trade and petroleum distribution.

    During AOG 2025, Bof will participate in a panel discussion titled: From Extraction to Expansion: Financing Angola’s Oil & Gas’ Development, where he is expected to share insight into the role of multilateral lenders, development banks and private equity in unlocking projects across the value chain. Shell Trading & Shipping is seeking new opportunities to finance oil and gas projects, and with its expertise in hydrocarbon trade, stands to play an instrumental role in supporting the next wave of downstream developments in Angola.

    AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    As sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest oil producer, Angola has ambitions to position itself as a regional petroleum hub. The country is accelerating the development of downstream infrastructure to achieve this goal, with projects underway in refining, petrochemical production and cross-border pipelines. Upcoming refining projects include the first phase of the Cabinda Refinery (30,000 bpd); the Lobito Refinery (200,000 bpd) and the Soyo Refinery (150,000 bpd). The Cabinda Refinery is expected to begin operations in 2025 while Angola is currently seeking $4.8 billion to bridge the financing gap for the Lobito Refinery. Additionally, the country has signed an agreement with Zambia for the development of a 1,400 km pipeline linking the Lobito Refinery to Zambia’s capital city Lusaka. Technical work for the pipeline was completed in 2024.

    In addition to crude facilities, Angola strives to diversify its economy through natural gas projects. The country currently exports natural gas as LNG, primarily through its sole LNG facility in Soyo. Looking ahead, Angola seeks to develop steel and petrochemical manufacturing, while accelerating regional LPG distribution. These developments highlight a unique investment opportunity for global financiers, project developers and traders. Shell Trading & Shipping – with its global network of trading teams, shipping and maritime capabilities – offers an integrated network of supply and distribution abilities, and as such, has emerged as a strong partner for Angola as it strives to bolster exports and regional distribution.

    – on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) Executive Secretary Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in Support of Africa’s Growing Downstream Sector

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) – a pan-African organization that serves as the voice of the continent’s downstream sector – will speak at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference. Taking place on September 29-October 3 in Cape Town, the event is the largest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent. Kragha’s participation will contribute to discussions on the downstream sector, covering challenges, opportunities, trends and projects.

    This comes as many of Africa’s major oil and gas producers – including Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and the Republic of Congo – pursue bold strategies to strengthen domestic petroleum value chains. These efforts aim to reduce refined petroleum imports and improve fuel security. ARDA plays a key role by promoting strategic collaboration, policy advocacy and industry innovation. Recently, the association called for the creation of an African downstream register to better support projects. At AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies Kragha is expected to outline the benefits of such a register and highlight ARDA’s strategies to drive downstream expansion.

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    Refinery development is a critical priority for many African countries, with several major projects underway to boost regional fuel distribution and lower costs. Angola is advancing three new facilities aiming for a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), including the 60,000 bpd Cabinda refinery (expected online in 2025), the 200,000 bpd Lobito facility and the 150,000 bpd Soyo project. Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest at 650,000 bpd, is progressing toward full operational capacity. In the Republic of Congo, the Fouta Refinery, designed to produce 2.5 million tons of petroleum products annually, is slated to begin operations by the end of 2025. South Africa plans to rehabilitate the SAPREF refinery, which has been closed since 2022. The refurbishment aims to raise capacity from 180,000 bpd to 600,000 bpd, opening new opportunities for affordable fuel supply.

    Beyond refineries, several African countries are prioritizing cross-border pipelines to boost exports and regional fuel distribution. Notable projects include the 1,443-km East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline linking Uganda’s oilfields to Tanzania’s Port of Tanga and expected to start operations in 2026. Nigeria’s $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline will traverse 13 West African countries over 5,660 km to connect Nigerian gas fields with European markets via Morocco, with production targeted for 2029. Meanwhile, a planned $13 billion pipeline running from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, spanning 4,128 km and delivering 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, aims to facilitate regional exports and deeper African collaboration.

    While these developments mark significant progress toward expanding fuel distribution in Africa, achieving downstream ambitions requires substantial investment. Kragha’s participation at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies is expected to provide valuable insights on sector challenges and opportunities, fostering new deals and partnerships.

    “In order to end energy poverty by 2030, Africa must significantly scale up investments across the downstream sector,” says Ore Onagbesan, Program Director of AEW 2025. “By shifting from an export-driven to a domestic-focused mindset, the continent can unlock greater value from its oil and gas resources. Organizations like ARDA recognize the critical role refining, pipelines, petrochemicals and terminals play in enhancing energy security across Africa.”

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Proteas building a legacy of winning trophies

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    After ending a 27-year wait to win an International Cricket Council’s Test Championship (ICC), the national men’s cricket team, Proteas Men, have only just started to build momentum towards a culture of winning.

    In a thrilling final against Australia, the Proteas Men secured a historic victory with a five-wicket win on day four at Lord’s in England on Saturday. This was the first senior Men’s trophy since the 1998 ICC Knockout victory.

    “We hope that this can be the start of a lot more of these trophies. As much as we have achieved what we achieved in the past 18 – 24 months, this is not a big legacy as of yet. We will speak again in two to three years. We want to start a culture of winning trophies for the country,” Proteas men’s Captain Temba Bavuma said in Johannesburg at a media briefing.

    The men’s national cricket team received an electrifying welcome with jubilation, song and dance from supporters on their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, on Wednesday morning. 

    “Seeing so many people welcome us at the airport was quite overwhelming. It was different from the last time we came back from the world cup in 2023. You don’t really realise what you have done until you start to interact with people. 

    “To see the emotion, to hear the things they have got to say; it gives you an insight into what we have done. As a team we are proud that we have been able to achieve something like this, but we are even happier that we have made our people proud,” Bavuma said.

    READ | Cricket world champions arrive home 

    This marked South Africa’s first-ever appearance in a World Test Championship Final, and their triumphant performance signalled a landmark achievement for the nation’s cricketing history. 

    This as Australia, currently ranked number one in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings, entered the final as favourites and defending champions. 

    The Proteas, ranked second, rose to the occasion and delivered a memorable performance, cementing their status as one of the world’s elite test sides.

    The Captain expressed how the team’s journey has not been an easy one.

    “As a team we have our story. It wasn’t a simple and easy one. We have overcome a lot and managed to get to where we are. The biggest thing is that we have embraced everything that means to be a South African,” he said.

    The cricket team hopes this inspires budding cricketers and the nation.

    “Similarly to them, in their quest, their journey for what they want to achieve, as long as they keep having that passion, keep pushing against what people think is the unachievable.

    “We have been confident enough that we have been playing good cricket.  We have been getting ourselves in a position where we can be in finals. Just like with anything, you got to keep going and keep being relentless.

    “There was always that belief that at some point the harder we knock on that door, that it was going to happen,” Bavuma said.

    He said the beauty about international cricket is that there is always more games to play.

    “There’s the Zimbabwe tournament that leads into the start of the new test cycle [which] we will be setting our eyes on what we want to achieve over there. There is always something that we are working towards, it’s a legacy that we want to achieve [and] and trying to put together as a team. 

    “The legacy is not done yet. For now, we want to enjoy what this moment has brought to us,” Bavuma said.

    Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) head of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, said this victory will have a huge impact on generations to come.

    He said this restores a lot of faith and belief in South African cricket. 

    “We look at this format as a foundation to key fundamentals to other formats and the growth of cricket, not only in South Africa, but globally. What is encouraging is this is going to motivate a 15-year-old. We are going to ensure from behind the scenes that will continue to build these building blocks through this format,” Nkwe said.

    The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the team’s win gives the nation hope.

    “People should see themselves when they watch our national teams, and that is what we are doing in cricket. They are following in the footsteps of rugby. We are a socially cohesive country [and] a rainbow nation, and you can see this.

    “We are the best sporting nation in the world. We have the strongest women and men in the world. We have the fastest runners, the best soccer players, [and] we have the best rugby players and cricket team,” the Minister said.

    The Proteas men’s head coach Shukri Conrad also expressed his joy at the warm reception the team received upon their arrival at the airport.

    “I am absolutely ecstatic to see people come out in their hundreds. It makes this win even more special. We won a few days ago but it hasn’t sunk in. To get a reception like this… it starts to sink in. The guys have been great, but the fans have been better,” Conrad said. – SAnews.gov.za

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