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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 1433, Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 1433 would authorize the appropriation of $3 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 for the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission. Under the bill, that commission would coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and state, local, and tribal governments to design projects to restore marine waters and habitats of the Northwest Straits region in the State of Washington. In 2024, the Congress provided $1 million for those activities.

    CBO assumes that the bill will be enacted in 2025 and that the authorized amounts will be provided in each year. On that basis and using historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $13 million over the 2025-2030 period and $5 million after 2030.

    In addition, the bill would authorize the commission to accept donations and spend them without further appropriation to carry out its responsibilities. The receipt and spending of those donations are recorded as direct spending. Because the receipt and spending would offset each other, CBO estimates that enacting S. 1433 would have an insignificant effect on net direct spending over the 2025-2035 period.

    The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).

    Table 1.

    Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 1433
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		  
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2025-2030

    Authorization

    0

    3

    3

    3

    3

    3

    15

    Estimated Outlays

    0

    2

    2

    3

    3

    3

    13

    Enacting the bill would have an insignificant effect on net direct spending over the 2025-2035 period for the receipt and spending of donations.

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

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Crimes

    Source: US State of Vermont

    An Oregon business owner pleaded guilty yesterday to not paying over employment taxes to the IRS.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Joyce Leard owned and operated Mr. Tree Inc., a Happy Valley-based company that provided tree removal and landscaping services to customers. Mr. Tree advertised itself as being in business for thirty years, and the company employed approximately 50 to 75 employees each year. From 2017 through 2024, Leard also owned and operated Wall 2 Wall Hardwood Floors Inc, another Happy Valley-based company.

    Leard was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and federal income taxes from the wages of her employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

    From the fourth quarter of 2018 through the fourth quarter of 2020, Leard collected and withheld taxes from her employees’ wages but did not pay the funds over to the IRS or file quarterly payroll tax returns as required by law. Instead of paying over these payroll taxes, Leard used funds in her business bank account to purchase approximately $3.5 million of real estate, which was titled in her name.

    In total, Leard caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.5 million.

    Leard is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys J. Parker Gochenour and Megan E. Wessel of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oregon Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Crimes

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    An Oregon business owner pleaded guilty yesterday to not paying over employment taxes to the IRS.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Joyce Leard owned and operated Mr. Tree Inc., a Happy Valley-based company that provided tree removal and landscaping services to customers. Mr. Tree advertised itself as being in business for thirty years, and the company employed approximately 50 to 75 employees each year. From 2017 through 2024, Leard also owned and operated Wall 2 Wall Hardwood Floors Inc, another Happy Valley-based company.

    Leard was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and federal income taxes from the wages of her employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

    From the fourth quarter of 2018 through the fourth quarter of 2020, Leard collected and withheld taxes from her employees’ wages but did not pay the funds over to the IRS or file quarterly payroll tax returns as required by law. Instead of paying over these payroll taxes, Leard used funds in her business bank account to purchase approximately $3.5 million of real estate, which was titled in her name.

    In total, Leard caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.5 million.

    Leard is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys J. Parker Gochenour and Megan E. Wessel of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister of State for International Cooperation Meets UNRWA Commissioner-General

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 17, 2025

    HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Tuesday with HE Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini, who is visiting the country.

    During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and the UNRWA and ways to support and enhance them. They also discussed the developments in the region, in addition to a number of topics of common concern.

    HE Director of International Organizations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani attended the meeting.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: Higher Education Chairperson Welcomes Submission of Panel Names for Seta Board Chairperson Selection


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    The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has welcomed the submission today of a letter containing the names of panel members appointed to oversee the selection and recommendation of board chairpersons for the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

    Mr Letsie noted that the committee has consistently held the view that the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, is constitutionally obligated to disclose the names of the panel members to Parliament. “We are pleased that sanity has prevailed and that the Minister has now complied with this requirement. The committee believes this disclosure should have occurred from the outset,” said Mr Letsie.

    He stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in institutions funded by public resources. “We are dealing with public institutions funded through parliamentary appropriations. It was therefore baffling that the committee had to strongly remind the Minister of such a basic accountability requirement in our democratic governance system.”

    The names of the nomination panel for the SETA boards as submitted by the minister are as follows.

    • Adv Terry Motau, SC (Chairperson): (but did not attend any of the meetings)
    • Mr Asisipho Solani
    • Ms Nelisiwe Semane
    • Mr Mabuza Ngubane
    • Ms Rhulani Ngwenya

    The Chairperson concluded by affirming that the committee will now engage with the Minister further on the processes followed in appointing chairpersons to lead South Africa’s 21 SETAs.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Foreign Minister Nyanti Addresses Mano River Union (MRU) Ministerial Meeting on Regional Boundary Resolutions


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    Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, delivered a powerful message of unity and peaceful coexistence during the opening of the Mano River Union (MRU) High-Level Ministerial Meeting, which officially commenced on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia. The four-day summit, running from June 16 to 19, has convened ministers and senior government officials from MRU member states Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Liberia to initiate the formation of Joint Technical Commissions tasked with resolving longstanding boundary disputes and enhancing cross-border cooperation. In her address, Foreign Minister Nyanti emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue not only between governments but among border communities. “There must be borderless conversations between tribes within the MRU,” she stated. “Through these people centered dialogues, the union will grow stronger and more united.”

    The Dean of the Cabinet underscored the significance of border peace as a foundation for national and regional peace. “A peaceful MRU is a peaceful ECOWAS, and a peaceful Africa,” she said. “This initiative represents a transformative pathway toward a collaborative, integrated, and sustainable future for the continent.” Central to the meeting’s agenda is the reaffirmation of land boundaries and the delimitation of maritime borders between the member states. The proposed Joint Technical Commissions will conduct detailed geospatial assessments, review existing treaties and agreements, and help develop new demarcation protocols consistent with international law and African Union standards. Delivering a statement on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, described the initiative as a “landmark step toward advancing regional integration, improving cross-border security, and promoting sustainable development across the Mano River basin.”

    The creation of the commissions demonstrates the MRU’s collective commitment to diplomacy, technical cooperation, and legal clarity in resolving disputes that have historically caused tension in the region. Member states reiterated their dedication to peaceful negotiation, respect for international norms, and regional unity. The MRU Secretariat emphasized that the work of the Joint Technical Commissions will be vital in reducing border tensions, strengthening regional governance, and boosting socio-economic collaboration among the four nations. The summit continues through June 19 with technical sessions and intergovernmental consultations aimed at producing a comprehensive roadmap for boundary resolution and cross-border peacebuilding.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Philippine Ambassador Presents Letter of Credence as Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)


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    The Philippine Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mr. Mersole J. Mellejor presented his Letter of Credence signed by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, designating him as Philippine Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, in a ceremony held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in the Nigerian capital Abuja on 16 June 2025.

    This is the first time that the Philippines has an accredited permanent representative to the ECOWAS since its establishment under the Treaty of Lagos in May 1975.

    While the Philippines is not an ECOWAS member, having a permanent representative is a welcome development allowing attendance in ECOWAS meetings/activities, which offer good networking opportunities and more visibility for the country in line with its thrust for a more focused engagement with Africa.

    ECOWAS was formed in 1975 originally by 15 countries in Western Africa: namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sénégal and Togo. Cabo Verde joined in 1977. Mauritania withdrew in December 2000 but subsequently signed an associate-membership agreement in August 2017. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew on 29 January 2025 following the establishment of military rule in these countries, which is deemed contrary to ECOWAS principles. At present, ECOWAS has 12 members.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Empowering Türkiye’s Economic Future: Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Golden Global Investment Bank Ink USD 20 Million Private Sector Financing Agreement

    The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (https://ICD-ps.org) and Golden Global Investment Bank (the Bank) have entered into a landmark agreement to bolster economic growth in Türkiye. This new USD 20 million Commodity Murabaha Facility is designed to support private sector projects, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporates operating in the agriculture, ship construction and leasing sectors in the Republic of Türkiye.

    This strategic partnership highlights ICD’s dedication to fostering private sector development within its member countries. The facility provided by ICD will enable the Bank to fund a range of private sector projects, particularly in the agriculture, ship construction and operational leasing sectors, which will ultimately contribute to the economic development in Türkiye.

    Key Highlights of the Agreement:

    • Funding Amount: USD 20 Million
    • Target Sector: Private sector projects, especially Corporates and SMEs
    • Objective: Enhance the SME and Corporates landscape in Türkiye by providing essential resources for business growth and development
    • Strategic Alignment: Supports ICD’s Private Sector Channel Development Strategy

    The agreement underscores the critical role of private sector financing in economic development. By facilitating access to financial resources, the initiative will help bridge funding gaps for SMEs and corporate clients, driving innovation and fostering a more robust and diverse economy.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

    For further details, please contact:
    Nabil El-Alami
    Communications & Corporate Marketing Division Manager
    nalami@isdb.org

    About Golden Global Investment Bank:
    Golden Global Investment Bank was established on 15 October 2019 with the permission on 29 May 2019 from the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency and started its activities on 1 June 2020. The Bank performs all kinds of Investment Banking activities in accordance with the principles of interest-free finance (Sharia-compliant financing), without collecting deposits and funds through special current and participation accounts specified in the Banking Law and relevant legislation.

    About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD):
    ICD is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group and focuses on supporting economic development and private sector growth in its member countries through Shariah-compliant financing and investment solutions. ICD also offers advisory services to foster the establishment, expansion, and modernization of private enterprises. The organization is highly rated by international credit agencies: A2 by Moody’s, A+ by Fitch, and A- by S&P.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: World Donor Day 2025: World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Mauritius donated blood and called upon students to commit as lifetime donor


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    “As the new generation, take the lead—donate blood! It gives hope and strengthens our nation’s heartbeat,” urged Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO Representative, on 12 June 2025 at Sir Leckraz Teeluck State Secondary School, during the national celebration of World Blood Donor Day.

    Dr. Ancia joined the Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Anil Kumar Bacchoo, in encouraging young people to step forward as blood donors. “One unit of blood can save up to three lives,” she told the students, appealing to them to commit to becoming lifelong donors.

    “Blood donation is far more than a symbolic act of solidarity—it saves lives every day,” Dr. Ancia emphasized. “It supports patients undergoing trauma care, orthopedic or heart surgeries, women suffering postpartum hemorrhage, and children living with conditions such as anemia, thalassemia, or hemophilia.”

    In his address, Minister Bacchoo highlighted the vital role of blood donation in maintaining a strong and responsive healthcare system. He called on the youth to donate regularly, reminding them that they are the future of Mauritius’ life-saving blood supply.

    To encourage youth participation, the Minister announced forward-looking initiatives, including a dedicated blood donor app and policy reforms like removing outdated age restrictions. These innovative and youth-friendly measures aim to make regular blood donation easier and more accessible for all.

    The event also brought together the National Blood Transfusion Service and various schools and longtime blood donors, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring the year-round safety, availability, and adequacy of blood and blood products for all in need.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Mauritius.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa Accelerates Drive to Expand Intra-African Trade through African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

    South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock new growth opportunities for local businesses and strengthen regional integration. Opening the IATF2025 South Africa Business Roadshow in Johannesburg, Mr. Humphrey Nwugo, Regional Director (Southern Africa) at Afreximbank (https://www.Afreximbank.com/), emphasised the urgency of mobilising concrete action. “This is the time to ensure that South Africa’s public and private sectors are not only present but strategically positioned to seize the immense opportunities that IATF2025 will present.”  

    Mr. Nwugo underscored South Africa’s pivotal role in the continent’s integration journey, citing its strong economic foundations, entrepreneurial energy, and institutional capacity – well positioned to integrate into African value chains. 

    “We are here to invite South Africa to lead. We want to see the country’s private sector on full display in Algiers,” he added. The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), set to take place in Algiers from 4–10 September 2025, is poised to be a landmark market event and gateway to unprecedented trade and investment prospects across Africa. 

    E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, highlighted the critical importance of IATF2025, taking place amid global instability, climate change, and shifting trade dynamics. 

    “Despite these headwinds, Africa has the capacity to navigate the challenges, accelerate industrial development, and realise the vision of a fully integrated continent,” he said. 

    He stressed the urgency of building regional value chains in sectors like automotive and agribusiness, which offer vast potential for inclusive growth. Strengthening these interconnected ecosystems will support technology transfer, diversify intra-African trade, and create new opportunities for small and medium enterprises across the continent. 

    Speaking at the event, the Honourable Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, noted South Africa’s strong positioning to drive industrialisation, innovation, and regional value chain development.  

    “South Africa views the AfCFTA as a historic opportunity to deepen economic ties with our neighbours, expand market access for our goods and services, and promote inclusive, job-rich growth,” said Minister Zikalala.  

    “The IATF2025 must be viewed as more than just a marketplace, and rather as a strategic tool for implementation, where policy meets practice. South Africa has a critical role to play in driving this vision, underpinned by entrepreneurial spirit, institutional strength, and a dynamic SMME ecosystem. Through partnerships and public-private collaboration, we can develop world-class infrastructure across Africa while reducing our reliance on foreign exchange by trading in our own currencies,” he added. 

    H.E Ms. Baleka Mbete, founder NaLHISA and former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa was also in attendance. 

    The Roadshow convened over 350 business leaders, policymakers, creatives, and investors, as well as senior representatives from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the AfCFTA Secretariat. Themed “Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness under the AfCFTA,” the event spotlighted strategies to build resilient supply chains and boost intra-African trade. 

    Accelerating intra-African trade is pivotal to unlocking industrial opportunities tailored to the continent’s strengths. It reduces dependence on external markets, builds economic resilience, and enables value addition within Africa. When African nations trade more with one another, they retain more wealth, create higher-quality jobs, and foster inclusive growth through regional value chains. 

    With the AfCFTA creating a single market of 1.4 billion people, Africa gains the scale and efficiency needed to compete globally. A stronger internal market also improves the continent’s bargaining power in international negotiations, strengthens its integration into global supply chains, and sets the stage for long-term economic transformation. 

    South Africa’s strong industrial base, advanced financial sector, and world-class infrastructure position it as a regional anchor for AfCFTA implementation. According to South African Revenue Service (SARS) and UN COMTRADE, South Africa recorded merchandise exports of $110.5 billion and imports of $113.2 billion in 2023, resulting in a modest trade deficit of $2.7 billion. Trade made up 65.7% of GDP (World Bank, 2023), demonstrating South Africa’s deep integration into global markets. 

    Notably, intra-African trade remained a national strength. As reported in Afreximbank’s 2024 African Trade Report, South Africa exported $29.6 billion and imported $9.6 billion from African partners, with intra-African exports comprising 26.8% of total exports. Key sectors such as automotive, agro-processing, and financial services are already benefiting and poised to grow further through regional integration and value chain expansion. 

    Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe, Director, Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion, Afreximbank, highlighted ongoing efforts to enable seamless intro-Africa trade: “Afreximbank is deeply committed to unlocking Africa’s industrial and trade potential by building enabling ecosystems from financing to infrastructure and standards. Through platforms like the Africa Trade Gateway and Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), we are removing long-standing barriers to intra-African trade, allowing businesses to transact in local currencies and access real-time market intelligence.”  

    Dr. Zanamwe also emphasised the growing role of South Africa and Algeria in regional value chains, especially in manufacturing and automotive sectors. He encouraged South African companies to participate actively in IATF2025, pointing to over $13 billion in EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contracts facilitated by Afreximbank. He also highlighted funding vehicles such as the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the Africa Direct Investment Initiative, and the $2 billion Export Agriculture for Food Security programme. 

    “IATF2025 is not just an exhibition – it’s a business gateway. With 2,000+ exhibitors, 35,000 visitors, and 140+ participating countries, we project over $44 billion in trade and investment deals. This is South Africa’s opportunity to lead,” he said. 

    In closing, H.E. Ambassador Ali Achoui, Algeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, extended a warm invitation to South African businesses: 

    “Welcome to Algeria – a country with the third-largest GDP in Africa, no external debt, and ranked first in Africa and the Arab world in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We are proud to host IATF2025 and are committed to facilitating streamlined visa processes by reducing documentation requirements to ease access for all African participants.” 

    Since 2018, IATF has secured more than $100 billion in trade deals, welcomed over 70,000 visitors, more than 4500 exhibitors and has become Africa’s most influential trade and investment platform. 

    The event will feature: 

    • A trade exhibition 
    • The Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) showcase of fashion, music, film, sports, gastronomy, arts and craft, and literature 
    • A four-day Trade and Investment Forum 
    • The Africa Automotive Show 
    • Special Country Days and Global Africa Day celebrations 
    • B2B and B2G matchmaking 
    • The AU Youth Start-Up programme 
    • The Africa Research & Innovation Hub 
    • AfSNET to promote sub-national trade and cultural exchange 
    • IATF virtual. 

    To register for IATF2025 or learn more, please visit: www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contact: 
    media@intrafricatradefair.com  
    press@afreximbank.com

    About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
    Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is designed to boost intra-African trade and investment. It provides a unique platform for businesses to connect, exchange trade and market information, and explore opportunities to scale across Africa. IATF is open to African and global companies committed to supporting the continent’s industrialisation and transformation. 

    About The Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC):  
    JTC, the official sponsor of the IATF2025 South Africa Business Roadshow, is focused on promoting Johannesburg as a business and leisure destination and often supports various events within the city.  

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Escalating insecurity forces Médecins sans frontières (MSF) to close Ulang hospital in South Sudan


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    • After two violence incidents earlier this year, MSF has been forced to close our hospital in Ulang county, South Sudan, and end our support to 13 community-based health facilities.
    • This has left 150,000 people with less access to healthcare, in an area where MSF’s maternal services are a lifeline.
    • All parties to conflict in South Sudan must adhere to international humanitarian law, cease such indiscriminate attacks, and ensure the protection of medical facilities, health workers, and patients.

    People in remote areas of Upper Nile state in South Sudan are suffering from a lack of access to healthcare, since attacks on medical boats and armed looting in medical facilities since the beginning of the year have forced Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to close our hospital and end our support to 13 community-based healthcare facilities in Ulang county. The closure of MSF’s hospital has left an area of more than 200km from the Ethiopian border to Malakal town without any functional specialised healthcare facility. MSF calls on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, cease such indiscriminate attacks, and ensure the protection of medical facilities, health workers, and patients.

    Since February 2025, South Sudan has experienced its worst spike in violence since the 2018 peace deal. Fighting between government forces and armed youth militias has escalated across multiple states, including Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity, and Central Equatoria. This has led to mass displacement, widespread civilian casualties, and a total collapse of already fragile public services.

    Despite these closures, MSF remains dedicated to supporting the healthcare needs of displaced and vulnerable people in Ulang and Nasir counties. We have a mobile emergency team assessing needs who are prepared to provide short-term healthcare services wherever security conditions and access allow. MSF continues to provide healthcare services in our other projects in Upper Nile state, including in Malakal and Renk counties.

    An escalating trend of violence against healthcare

    In January 2025, MSF faced an attack by unidentified gunmen near Nasir, shooting at our boats as they returned from delivering medical supplies to Nasir County hospital. This attack forced us to suspend all outreach activities in Nasir and Ulang counties, which included medical referrals by boat along the Sobat River that allowed women to deliver their babies safely.

    In April 2025, armed individuals forced their way into the hospital in Ulang where they threatened staff and patients and looted the hospital so extensively that MSF no longer had the necessary resources to continue operations safely and effectively.

    “They took everything: medical equipment, laptops, patients’ beds and mattresses from the wards, and approximately nine months’ worth of medical supplies, including two planeloads of surgical kits and drugs delivered just the week before. Whatever they could not carry, they destroyed,” says Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission for South Sudan.

    Within a month, another MSF hospital was bombed in Old Fangak, a town in the neighbouring Jonglei state, leaving the facility completely non-functional. This is part of a worrying rise in attacks on healthcare facilities in South Sudan.

    Local communities depended on MSF for prenatal care

    “During my third pregnancy, I decided to come to the hospital well in advance before my delivery. I lost my two first children because I did not make it to the hospital on time,” says Nyapual Jok, a young mother from the outskirts of Ulang county.

    Nyapual had been transported to the hospital by one of MSF’s boat ambulances, since she lives in a remote village far away from Ulang hospital. Ulang, a vast flood-prone area, is characterised by spotted remote villages which often suffer severe mobility restrictions during the rainy seasons. MSF ran boat transportation services to ensure access to healthcare to mothers like Nyapual.

    “It’s very hard to access healthcare here. If we had a hospital closer during my previous deliveries, maybe my children would be alive today,” adds Nyapual.

    Nyapual shared her story in November 2024, only two months before the attack on the same boats which helped her deliver her baby safely.

    Facility closures create gaps that are difficult to fill

    The attacks’ effect of stopping medical referrals by boat has had fatal consequences for the people living in remote areas in the region. People in Ulang and Nasir counties had to wait for days, sometimes even weeks, to get a boat to take them to Ulang hospital. In desperate situations, they would walk for days through a muddy landscape – a land that is nearly impossible to cross on foot during rainy season. 

    “She was in labour when she suffered birth complications – she had to get to a hospital as soon as possible,” says Veronica Nyakuoth, an MSF midwife at the Ulang hospital, about a patient she attended to in the maternity ward. “Normally, MSF mobile teams would have been able to pick her up by boat, but since that service was cut off, instead she had to wait two days for a private boat to take her. When she finally made it to Ulang hospital, it was too late: the team could not find a heartbeat from the twins she was carrying in her womb.”

    150,000 people cut off from care

    With the closure of the hospital and the withdrawal of support to the decentralised facilities including transportation of patients, more than 150,000 people will now face even more difficulties accessing healthcare in Ulang county and more might face the tragic fate that Veronica’s patient had to suffer. Over 800 patients with chronic illnesses such as HIV, tuberculosis, and others have lost access to treatment due to the closure of MSF services in the area.

    “We need a hospital nearby that can help mothers and children. Without it, many will suffer and lose their lives,” says Nyapual.

    MSF in Ulang

    Since 2018, MSF had been providing vital health services in Ulang including trauma, maternal and paediatric care. The teams also supported 13 facilities to offer essential healthcare services. Over the past seven years, MSF teams carried out more than 139,730 outpatient consultations, admitted 19,350 patients, treated 32,966 cases of malaria, and assisted 2,685 deliveries, among other essential services. During this time, MSF also provided support to Nasir County hospital and responded to multiple emergencies and disease outbreaks.

    Nyapual’s story, along with those of many others, serves as a stark reminder that healthcare is a fundamental right and should never be a target. The consequences of attacks to healthcare are more than the damage to a building; it’s the loss of hope, safety, and the chance for a healthier future. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 2 brothers and father pay over £50,000 in confiscation orders

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    2 brothers and father pay over £50,000 in confiscation orders

    The Environment Agency has successfully secured confiscation orders for over £50,000 for storing illegal material on a site in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

    Skegness site

    A Proceeds of Crime Act case was completed at Leeds Crown Court on Friday 13 June 2025.

    This followed the prosecution of the trio for failing to comply with an environmental permit between June 2015 and April 2017.

    On Friday (13 June), a confiscation order of £1,128 was imposed on Michael Todd, 65, of Leeds Road, Barwick-in-Elmet. He was given 3 months to pay or face a 6 week prison sentence.

    At a previous hearing on February 17 2025, the court imposed the following confiscation orders on:

    Thomas Todd, 36, of Steel Lane, Halifax, was ordered to pay £30,144.74 within 6 weeks or face an 8 month spell in prison.

    His brother, Jamie Todd, 44, of Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Leeds, received an order for £19,336.87 within 3 months or face a 6 month period in prison.

    Though the permit allowed for the processing of mixed waste, it required a fire prevention plan which was never properly implemented.

    Inspections found that waste was being stacked too high and too closely together, creating a fire risk. The waste had also become a health risk following an influx of mice and a problem with flies.

    As a result, the Environment Agency suspended the site’s permit, stopping new material from being brought in between December 2015 and February 2016.  Despite the suspension, the Todds continued to operate.

    Further visits officers between March and May 2016 found that there were no firebreaks between the waste.

    The trio previously received these sentences:

    In May 2023, Thomas and Jamie Todd were both sentenced to 8 months immediate custody and were disqualified from acting as a director of a business for 5 years.

    In May 2023, Michael Todd was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days and 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from acting a company director for 5 years.  

    A fourth man, Bryan Walker, 62, of Beckhill Vale, Leeds, was given a 12-month community order with 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days. He was also disqualified from acting as a director of a business for 5 years.

    A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

    “The case shows that we’re not just content to prosecute those who run illegal waste sites, we’ll also come after them to get back the profits they made from their illegal activities and to recoup taxpayers’ money spent on pursuing them. 

    “Waste crime can have a serious environmental impact which puts communities at risk and undermines legitimate business and the investment and economic growth that go with it. 

    “We support legitimate businesses and we are proactively supporting them by disrupting and stopping the criminal element backed up by the threat of tough enforcement as in this case. 

    “We continue to use intelligence-led approaches to target the most serious crimes and evaluate which interventions are most effective. 

    “If you see or suspect waste crime is being committed we urge you to report it immediately to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The current escalation of tariff restrictions is a consequence of the West’s confrontation with the rest of the world – Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation A. Novak

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, June 17 /Xinhua/ — The growth of protectionism and the current escalation of tariff restrictions are a consequence of the West’s attempts to counteract the growing influence of the Global South countries on the world economy, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak said in an interview with the Vedomosti newspaper.

    According to him, since the early 2000s, the economic center of the world has been shifting from the West to the East. Developing countries are gaining a much greater role in the global economy. “Of course, such a situation does not suit those who are used to dictating their terms. And we increasingly see how, in order to counteract the growing influence of developing countries on the world economy, Western countries are making active attempts to maintain the status quo on the world stage and preserve their leadership,” A. Novak noted.

    As a consequence of this, the strengthening of protectionism in the national economy and the revision of the existing results of globalization are coming to the fore, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian government noted. The main steps in this direction, he believes, were the actual destruction of the multilateral mechanisms of the World Trade Organization, unilateral tariff and non-tariff restrictions on developing countries under the pretext of “threats to national interests,” and the introduction of various sanctions against competitors.

    At the same time, according to A. Novak, it is important to understand that “tariffs are just a tool, and the goal is not at all to redirect trade flows. The goal, apparently, is to return key production chains to the native territory of the United States, to return production, competencies, infrastructure. Localization of value chains is what the Trump administration wants to achieve.”

    However, the “destabilizing US tariffs,” according to the deputy prime minister, will probably not have catastrophic consequences for the global economy.

    “Most likely, the situation with trade wars will not be universal. Some commodity flows will be redirected, as usually happens during trade wars. At the same time, a repeat of the pandemic situation, when world trade stopped and trade flows collapsed, will not happen. Therefore, the baseline forecast scenario approved by the Russian government assumes that the growth rate of world trade will slow down, but will not go into recession,” A. Novak emphasized. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New laboratory of the State University of Management: reverse engineering, mechanical engineering and unmanned systems

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    A new reverse engineering laboratory has opened at the State University of Management.

    On June 17, the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, vice-rectors Dmitry Bryukhanov, Vitaly Lapshenkov, Maria Karelina and Artem Terpugov, accompanied by the director of the Center for Management of Engineering Projects of the State University of Management Vladimir Filatov, visited the new premises and discussed the projects that are closest to implementation.

    The purpose of its creation is to carry out R&D and develop the material and technical base of the State University of Management so that students can implement projects to create new products within the framework of the activities of the student design bureau “Innovative Solutions”.

    “The new premises provide direct access to the machines and equipment that will be used, all the possibilities for optimal organization of space. Now it is important to arrange everything so that it is convenient, solid and accessible for different areas of activity. We have engineers, industrial partners too, all that remains is to implement the plans in practice,” Vladimir Stroyev noted.

    The main activity of the laboratory is conducting R&D in the interests of enterprises of the real sector of the economy. in such areas of activity as automotive industry, road construction machinery, agricultural machinery, special equipment, including unmanned aircraft systems.

    In particular, there are already agreements with a number of large agricultural enterprises on import substitution of a number of components for their fleet of equipment. As part of the laboratory’s work, digital twins of these parts will be developed, their structure will be studied, and similar materials will be selected for the manufacture of a prototype, which will be transferred to an industrial partner for further field testing.

    In addition, a workshop for a student design bureau is planned to be created on the basis of the laboratory, which will be equipped within the framework of a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science, which GUU scientists won at the beginning of this year. Student projects in the direction of creating unmanned systems, both ground and aviation, will be implemented here.

    As an example, young scientists from the State University of Management showed how work is underway to create an unmanned front-line transporter based on the Soviet LuAZ-967 vehicle. To date, most of the work on restoring the vehicle body has been completed, all the components have been removed and will be replaced with modern electric motors and unmanned control systems. Some of the new parts may be printed on a 3D printer to reduce the weight and dimensions of the vehicle for use in the field.

    Vladimir Filatov also noted that the laboratory and its material and technical base are planned for use in the educational programs of the State University of Management in the field of training, which are implemented on the basis of the Institute of Industry Management and the Institute of Information Systems.

    “It will be useful for students to visit the laboratory to see with their own eyes how the mechanisms are constructed, to study the technical features and to try their hand at modeling and programming,” the rector agreed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Recognizes Officers and Highlights Support for Community Safety Officer Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 17, 2025

    Two Community Safety Officers (CSOs), Keenan Gill from Flying Dust First Nation and Cathie Rosen from Prince Albert, were formally recognized last week at the 2025 Community Safety Officer Conference for their exceptional contributions and commitment to public safety, community engagement and collaborative partnerships. 

    “The CSO program was created to enhance local policing in municipalities and First Nations communities, and it is great to see these dedicated officers being recognized for the differences they are making in their communities,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, K.C. said. “CSOs address bylaw infractions and less severe criminal offences, such as property damage, that if left unresolved, have a negative impact on their communities. We are proud to support programs that continue to build strong relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.” 

    In summer 2024, CSO Gill received critical information from the Meadow Lake RCMP about an individual potentially posing a threat to attendees of the Flying Dust First Nation Pow Wow. CSO Gill was instrumental in identifying the individual, notified the RCMP and provided continuous updates while maintaining a visual on the suspect until the RCMP arrived. His efforts contributed to the RCMP’s apprehension of the individual without incident. CSO Gill played a vital role in preserving public safety through his collaborative approach, adherence to established protocol and procedures and professionalism during the incident.” 

    “Community Safety Officer Gill is a great partner and the CSO program an invaluable resource to the Meadow Lake Detachment,” Meadow Lake RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Carl Dinsdale said. “CSO Gill is known by the local community and our detachment as a positive contributor to many aspects of public safety and is dedicated to service. This incident is an example of how his local knowledge and relationships with the community only enhance our ability to effectively serve and keep Flying Dust First Nation safe.”

    In spring 2025, CSO Rosen conducted a routine patrol of the Prince Albert downtown area when she observed three individuals that were familiar to her through years of compassionate community engagement in her role. Upon approaching, CSO Rosen identified one individual as unresponsive and quickly requested Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police assistance. CSO Rosen remained on scene, providing important information to the police and EMS, which contributed to a prepared and coordinated response. CSO Rosen offered support to those involved and ensured a caring and professional resolution.

    “The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) recognizes the strength of the CSO program in the province of Saskatchewan,” PAPS Chief Patrick Nogier said. “Locally, our policing model depends on multiple levels of response and public engagement, which includes the successful integration of CSOs in our community. We have been fortunate to attract and retain exceptional individuals within our organization, as demonstrated by the recognition of CSO Rosen’s contributions in Prince Albert. CSO Rosen has clearly embraced the vision, mission, and values of our Service and exemplifies these principles in her daily work. As Chief, I could not be prouder.”

    The Government of Saskatchewan continues to promote and support the CSO program, offering municipalities and First Nations communities the opportunity to enhance existing community safety services. The program is designed to supplement local police services with uniformed presence ready to address high priority, low risk of harm issues and provide police services more time to investigate serious and emergent crimes. 

    In 2025-26, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are investing over $3 million in the First Nations CSO pilot project to enhance public safety in First Nations communities and ensure Saskatchewan is a safe place to live, work and raise a family. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada Leads the Way in Innovation for Safer Maritime Navigation

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 17, 2025

    Ottawa, Ontario – Safe and reliable navigation of waterways is necessary for global trade and transportation, making accurate and accessible marine data essential. That’s why the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), under Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is taking a leading role in validating new digital hydrographic standards.

    Today, the Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced the launch of the S-100 Sea Trials on the St. Lawrence River. The S-100 data model is a new global standard created by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which offers a new way of visualizing the marine environment using layered, interactive digital data that can be added to navigational charts. Unlike traditional paper or electronic charts, the new standard integrates real-time information – like depths, landmarks, tides, and currents into a single, dynamic format.

    Until November 2025, Canada is offering S-100 digital navigation products and services free of charge to mariners, stakeholders, developers and other interested parties to test performance in real-life scenarios. The complex conditions of the St. Lawrence River, such as varying water depths, changing currents and navigational aids, position it as an ideal testing ground, and will provide invaluable insights for S-100’s future adoption across global waters.

    Canada’s leadership in hosting the S-100 Sea Trials will advance the global transition toward consistent and reliable digital hydrographic standards. International adoption of these standards will allow mariners to enhance maritime safety, better route navigation and planning, and transportation efficiency which will reduce costs and contribute to a cleaner environment and ocean.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressmen Harris, Perry, Van Drew, and Smith Send Joint Letter to Assistant Secretary of Labor in Response to the Tragic Death of a Mariner Working on Offshore Wind Project

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

    Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Andy Harris, M.D., (MD-01), Scott Perry (PA-10),  Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and Chris Smith (NJ-04), sent a letter to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health concerning the tragic death of a mariner that, at the time of his death, was working on the Empire Wind construction project. 

    Specifically, the lawmakers wrote to request that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue a notice of imminent danger, as authorized under section 13(a) of the OSH Act, and seek a temporary restraining order to halt all construction operations for Empire Wind immediately. 
    The industrialization of offshore wind adversely affects each district represented in the letter. 

    Statement From the Congressmen:

    “We are saddened by the tragic death of a mariner who lost his life from the dangerous conditions on the Empire Wind construction project. All work on the Empire Wind project must immediately be halted until OSHA can conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of all involved workers is guaranteed. Furthermore, this pause must remain in place until all construction-related safety hazards are remedied by Equinor,” said the lawmakers.

    “We have been sounding the alarm on the harmful effects of these projects for many years. They are a hazard to the environment, to our national security, to local coastal economies, and now they have proven to be a hazard to those tasked with their construction. A stop work order must go into effect to ensure this tragedy does not repeat itself.”

    The letter can be read HERE.

    For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fire Ants May Offer Insight Into Crippling Honey Bee Disease

    Source: US Agriculture Research Service

    Fire Ants May Offer Insight Into Crippling Honey Bee Disease

    By: Jessica Ryan
    Email: arspress@usda.gov

    Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are helping to protect honey bee populations while developing new strategies for managing fire ant populations. Honey bees are a vital part of pollinating our crops, while fire ants – an invasive species — pose a major threat to humans, animals, and U.S. agriculture. 

    ARS scientists are getting a better understanding of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), a major pathogen that can debilitate honey bees and adversely affect entire colonies. They found that the virus also affects fire ants, which could aid in spreading the virus to other species, including bees. 

    In the United States, imported fire ants have infested more than 367 million acres. These pesky insects can cause over $6 billion in annual losses as they feed on important crops, displace native ant species, and reduce wildlife food sources. 

    A side-by-side comparison of red imported fire ants with no wing deformities and red imported fire ants with wing deformities. (Photos by Godfrey P. Miles, ARS)

    DWV is a serious disease that is transmitted by Varroa mites and affects different insects. In honey bees, the virus causes wing deformities, shortened abdomens, discoloration, and neurological or mobility impairments. The presence of DWV can result in reduced bee populations and colony decline. 

    A team of researchers from ARS and Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center have detected DWV in red and black imported fire ant colonies in Mississippi. In one study, scientists observed that infected red imported fire ants and honey bees exhibited similar symptoms after contracting DWV. A separate study published similar findings for black imported fire ants. 

    Red imported fire ant specimens displaying deformed wing (DW) phenotype.  (A) Normal winged (NW) adult male ant with wings (also known as alates).  (B and C) two DW male alates from different colonies. (D) Two melanized male pupae with DW (bottom) and NW (top). Scale bars are set at 1 mm for all images except image C, which is 0.5 mm. (Photos by Godfrey P. Miles, ARS)

    “We determined that the virus is replicating in both black and red imported fire ants, which means these fire ants could potentially serve as hosts for DWV,” said Jian Chen, a research entomologist at the ARS Biological Control of Pests Research Unit in Stoneville, Miss. 

    “We also observed symptoms of deformed wings and impaired mobility in some infected laboratory and field colonies of both red and black imported fire ants, like those found in infected honey bees. However, whether DWV is causing these symptoms has not yet been determined.” 

    These findings may be alarming for beekeepers who want to protect their bee colonies.  Chen emphasized that this information could help researchers understand how the virus affects different insect species and find ways to control the virus.

     

    Red imported fire ant specimens displaying deformed wing (DW) phenotype.  (A) Normal winged (NW) adult female ant with wings (also known as alates). Image (B) DW female alate with moderate level of wing deformity. Image (C) is a female DW alate with severe wing deformity and (D), is this same female alate under higher magnification. Scale bars are set at 1 mm for all images except image D, which is 0.5 mm. (Photos by Godfrey P. Miles, ARS)

    “Further research will be needed to explore how DWV impacts fire ant populations and how the virus is transmitted between different species,” Chen said. 

    “Fire ants and bees often interact in nature, as they share food sources such as honeydew and nectar. Additionally, virus-infected bees may serve as a protein source for ants. While we do not yet know if ants can transmit the virus to bees, fire ants are very common in bee yards in areas where they are established.” 

    ARS scientists and collaborators have sequenced the genomes of DWV variants. DWV is an RNA virus with several variants, including variant A (the original strain spread worldwide through varroa mites) and variant B (the current increasing strain globally). Researchers have successfully sequenced the DWV genome of variant A (DWV-A) and variant B (DWV-B) in red imported fire ants. 

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.

    # # #

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neal Statement on May 2025 Jobs Report

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

    Neal Statement on May 2025 Jobs Report

    Washington, D.C., June 6, 2025

    Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 jobs report:

    “The warning signs are here: revisions quietly wiped out 95,000 jobs from the past two months and participation in the labor force shrunk. The President is sowing cracks underneath the resilient economy he inherited—his irresponsible flip-flopping tariff agenda, his careless weaponization of government, and a White House filled with chaos undermines our economic strength with more seriousness each day. While workers and families brace for what’s next, the Administration, enabled by Republicans in Congress, is trying to speed up the damage with a cruel and destructive tax bill that will rip health care from 16 million people, shutter hospitals across the country, and deliver another windfall to the wealthy. Even Elon Musk is warning of a recession ahead. Trump’s reckless economic agenda is inching us closer to the full weight of his mismanagement— where the economy will buckle and millions of Americans will get socked with the consequences.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Larson and Neal Blast Supreme Court Decision Allowing ‘DOGE’ Access to Personal Data at Social Security

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

    Today, Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (D-CT) released the following statement after the Supreme Court stepped in to allow Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ access to Social Security beneficiaries’ personal data.

    “Today’s decision by the Supreme Court should alarm every American. Common sense suggests that Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ minions should not have unfettered access to the personal records of over 70 million Americans. Overturning two lower courts’ decisions to put their access on pause while the facts of this case are sorted, something rational minds could all agree to, only further creates suspicion and mistrust on the real intentions of ‘DOGE.’ Why do they need this access? What is the sense of urgency? In addition to the fears surrounding artificial intelligence, it only fuels the fire that ‘DOGE’ wants to dismantle Social Security from within. They have cut more than 7,000 workers, closed regional offices, slashed phone services, and fired inspectors general. They have their sights set on the $2.7 trillion in Social Security’s Trust Funds. This is the people’s money that American citizens have paid for. Elon Musk and his twenty-four-year-old proteges have not been vetted, gone through hearings, or any Senate confirmation. They have continued to dodge our inquiries and will not appear before the Ways and Means Committee, even after we filed a Resolution of Inquiry demanding answers from the Administration. They operate as if they are above the law, hiding behind President Trump’s designation of their ‘special’ status. For the Supreme Court to allow them to access Social Security numbers, income history, and medical records, is outrageous. We have been in contact with Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and are in full agreement with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s opinion that there is no reason for this. We introduced legislation to deny political appointees this type of unfettered access to sensitive beneficiary data at the Social Security Administration. Congress must act.”  

    Ranking Members Larson and Neal’s Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act would block political appointees, like Elon Musk and his ‘DOGE,’ from accessing sensitive data systems at the Social Security Administration. It would also establish privacy requirements in law for beneficiary data and strengthen oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries’ personal information.  

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neal Opening Statement at Hearing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

    WATCH HERE

    (As prepared for delivery)

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.

    Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?  

    Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too? 

    When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.

    Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.

    We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.

    I yield back. 

    ###

     

    (As prepared for delivery)

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.

    Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?  

    Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too? 

    When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.

    Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.

    We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.

    I yield back. 

    ###

     

    (As prepared for delivery)

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.

    Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?  

    Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too? 

    When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.

    Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.

    We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.

    I yield back. 

    ###

     

    (As prepared for delivery)

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.

    Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?  

    Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too? 

    When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.

    Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.

    We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.

    I yield back. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neal Statement on Trump Administration Terminating Clean Energy Grants

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

    Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after the Trump Administration terminated $3.7 billion in grants issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. This includes an $87 million grant issued to Sublime Systems, whose low-carbon cement manufacturing plant is scheduled to open in Holyoke in 2027.

     

    “The Trump Administration’s decision to kill critical clean energy projects is deeply irresponsible and is a betrayal of American innovation, workers, and the fight against climate change. Scrapping funding for projects for innovators like Sublime Systems in Holyoke undercuts years of progress in decarbonizing heavy industry, and it jeopardizes good-paying jobs and economic development in communities that need it most.

    “The Inflation Reduction Act was written in the Ways and Means Committee during my time as chairman, representing the largest investment in combatting climate change in our nation’s history. I can say unequivocally that this was not the intention of the bill; it was designed to accelerate the clean energy transition through innovation, not stall it.

    “This isn’t just about climate— it’s about global competitiveness and leadership. Turning away from American-made clean technologies in favor of outdated fossil fuel priorities is shortsighted and will be disastrous for our economy and environment, all while giving the upper hand to our competitors around the world. I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and recommit to a forward-looking energy strategy that supports innovators and benefits our communities, economy, and planet.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Iran claims strike on Mossad headquarters as conflict enters fifth day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed successful strikes on Israeli intelligence facilities in Tel Aviv, including a Mossad operational center, as the military conflict between Iran and Israel intensified into its fifth day. The IRGC reported that its ballistic missile attacks targeted two major intelligence facilities, with explosions confirmed in Herzliya, Ramat HaSharon, and Ra’anana. Israeli media reported at least five missiles hit the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, with images indicating damage to a significant command center or warehouse facility.

    The strikes are part of Iran’s “Operation True Promise 3,” which the IRGC described as delivering “precise and painful blows” in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Iranian cities and infrastructure. The IRGC’s Aerospace Force announced that a “ninth wave of combined drone and missile attacks” began and will continue until dawn, declaring all Israeli cities and facilities as legitimate military targets.

    In response, Israel has intensified airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear and military infrastructure around Tehran. The Israeli military claimed it is close to destroying ten additional nuclear targets in the capital, with a focus on the Fordow uranium enrichment facility. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported damage only at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, with no changes noted at the Fordow or Esfahan facilities based on satellite imagery analysis following Friday’s attacks.

    Tensions escalated after Israel rejected Iran’s overnight diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict. The IRGC issued evacuation warnings for Israeli-occupied territories, followed by precision strikes. Conversely, Israeli authorities and U.S. President Donald Trump urged approximately 330,000 residents of central Tehran to evacuate due to the threat of large-scale Israeli attacks. Israel’s air force has reportedly destroyed about one-third of Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles and launchers, targeting air defenses protecting nuclear sites. Iran has launched over 370 missiles and numerous drones, though most have been intercepted by Israeli air defenses.

    The United States has bolstered its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Nimitz carrier strike group and additional air assets. Nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Oman, were canceled after Tehran refused to negotiate amid ongoing attacks. President Trump demanded that Iran halt its nuclear program, stating compliance could end the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strikes have significantly delayed Iran’s nuclear program, though he noted that additional targets remain.

    The Israeli strikes represent the most serious threat to the Iranian regime since 1979, potentially pressuring Tehran to reconsider its nuclear ambitions. As warnings of further attacks persist, civilians in Tehran are fleeing, and expatriate communities are being evacuated, raising fears of a widening regional conflict.

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA to Issue New Commissioner’s National Priority Vouchers to Companies Supporting U.S. National Interests

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    June 17, 2025

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced its Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program to enhance the health interests of Americans. The new voucher may be redeemed by drug developers to participate in a novel priority program by the FDA that shortens its review time from approximately 10-12 months to 1-2 months following a sponsor’s final drug application submission.
    The new CNPV process convenes experts from FDA offices for a team-based review rather than using the standard review system of a drug application being sent to numerous FDA offices. Clinical information will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists who will pre-review the submitted information and convene for a 1-day “tumor board style” meeting.
    “Using a common-sense approach, the national priority review program will allow companies to submit the lion’s share of the drug application before a clinical trial is complete so that we can reduce inefficiencies. The ultimate goal is to bring more cures and meaningful treatments to the American public,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary M.D., M.P.H. “As a surgical oncologist, we often made multidisciplinary decisions with a team of doctors on major life-and-death questions for patients, incorporating the latest medical studies in a 1-day tumor board-style discussion. This voucher harnesses that model to deliver timely decisions for drug developers.”  
    The FDA plans in the first year of the program to give a limited number of vouchers to companies aligned with U.S. national priorities. In addition to receiving the benefits of this program, the agency may also grant an accelerated approval, if the product for which the voucher is used meets the applicable legal requirements for accelerated approval. The new review program will also include enhanced communication with the sponsor throughout the process. The FDA Commissioner will use specific criteria to make the vouchers available to companies that are aligned with the national health priorities of:

    Addressing a health crisis in the U.S.
    Delivering more innovative cures for the American people.
    Addressing unmet public health needs.
    Increasing domestic drug manufacturing as a national security issue.

    To qualify, sponsors must submit the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) portion of the application and the draft labeling at least 60 days before submitting the final application. Sponsors must also be available for ongoing communication with prompt responses to FDA inquiries during the CNPV review. The FDA reserves the right to extend the review window if the data or application components submitted are insufficient or incomplete, if the results of pivotal trial(s) are ambiguous, or if the review is particularly complex.
    Vouchers can be directed by the FDA towards a specific investigational new drug of a company or be granted to a company as an undesignated voucher, allowing a company to use the voucher for a new drug at the company’s discretion and consistent with the program’s objectives.
    This program aims to accelerate the drug review process for companies aligned with U.S. national priorities while maintaining the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.
    “This approach capitalizes on frequent communication with sponsors, which can be a powerful tool in reducing wasted time. We are confident this more efficient process can be achieved without cutting any corners on safety or scientific evaluation,” said Principal Deputy Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H.
    The CNPV program reflects the FDA’s commitment to create more efficient approval processes and modernize regulatory frameworks for greater agility to meet emerging public health needs.
    Related Information

    Related Information

    Consumer:888-INFO-FDA

    ###

    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Content current as of:
    06/17/2025

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA to Issue New Commissioner’s National Priority Vouchers to Companies Supporting U.S. National Interests

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    June 17, 2025

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced its Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program to enhance the health interests of Americans. The new voucher may be redeemed by drug developers to participate in a novel priority program by the FDA that shortens its review time from approximately 10-12 months to 1-2 months following a sponsor’s final drug application submission.
    The new CNPV process convenes experts from FDA offices for a team-based review rather than using the standard review system of a drug application being sent to numerous FDA offices. Clinical information will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists who will pre-review the submitted information and convene for a 1-day “tumor board style” meeting.
    “Using a common-sense approach, the national priority review program will allow companies to submit the lion’s share of the drug application before a clinical trial is complete so that we can reduce inefficiencies. The ultimate goal is to bring more cures and meaningful treatments to the American public,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary M.D., M.P.H. “As a surgical oncologist, we often made multidisciplinary decisions with a team of doctors on major life-and-death questions for patients, incorporating the latest medical studies in a 1-day tumor board-style discussion. This voucher harnesses that model to deliver timely decisions for drug developers.”  
    The FDA plans in the first year of the program to give a limited number of vouchers to companies aligned with U.S. national priorities. In addition to receiving the benefits of this program, the agency may also grant an accelerated approval, if the product for which the voucher is used meets the applicable legal requirements for accelerated approval. The new review program will also include enhanced communication with the sponsor throughout the process. The FDA Commissioner will use specific criteria to make the vouchers available to companies that are aligned with the national health priorities of:

    Addressing a health crisis in the U.S.
    Delivering more innovative cures for the American people.
    Addressing unmet public health needs.
    Increasing domestic drug manufacturing as a national security issue.

    To qualify, sponsors must submit the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) portion of the application and the draft labeling at least 60 days before submitting the final application. Sponsors must also be available for ongoing communication with prompt responses to FDA inquiries during the CNPV review. The FDA reserves the right to extend the review window if the data or application components submitted are insufficient or incomplete, if the results of pivotal trial(s) are ambiguous, or if the review is particularly complex.
    Vouchers can be directed by the FDA towards a specific investigational new drug of a company or be granted to a company as an undesignated voucher, allowing a company to use the voucher for a new drug at the company’s discretion and consistent with the program’s objectives.
    This program aims to accelerate the drug review process for companies aligned with U.S. national priorities while maintaining the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.
    “This approach capitalizes on frequent communication with sponsors, which can be a powerful tool in reducing wasted time. We are confident this more efficient process can be achieved without cutting any corners on safety or scientific evaluation,” said Principal Deputy Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H.
    The CNPV program reflects the FDA’s commitment to create more efficient approval processes and modernize regulatory frameworks for greater agility to meet emerging public health needs.
    Related Information

    Related Information

    Consumer:888-INFO-FDA

    ###

    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Content current as of:
    06/17/2025

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission proposes gradual phase-out of Russian gas and oil imports

    Source: European Union 2

    To end the EU’s dependency on Russian fossil fuels, the Commission has today provided a concrete timeline for phasing out corresponding gas and oil imports into the EU by end of 2027. The import ban will be gradually implemented to avoid adverse economic impacts or risks to security of supply.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Project Supports Sustainable Management of Mayan Forests in Guatemala

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK Project Supports Sustainable Management of Mayan Forests in Guatemala

    Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy, Paul Huggins, visited Sololá on June 16 as part of a project supporting indigenous communities.

    Residents in Quetzaltenango, Sololá, and Chimaltenango are implementing a project that improves their capacities for inclusive governance and the sustainable use of biodiversity in the so-called Zunil-Atitlán-Balam Juyu´ biocultural and sustainable development corridor. 

    The UK Government, through the Darwin Initiative, and with the support of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Guatemala, is supporting this initiative, which seeks to improve integrated landscape management to reduce poverty and social inequality in rural indigenous communities. The investment amounts to more than Q4.5 million and is being implemented between June 2023 and March 2026. 

    Representatives of the Vivamos Mejor Association, the project’s implementing partner in Sololá, explained to Deputy Chief Huggins that during the second year of activities, their efforts have focused on planning measures to benefit conservation areas, establishing new protected zones, and coordinating integrated fire management efforts. 

    They highlighted that, thanks to the project, the Integrated Fire Management Strategy (EIMF) was developed in conjunction with the National Forest Institute (INAB), the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), and the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED). 

    Another important component in this phase of the project is the updating of four management plans for the Municipal Regional Parks located in the Lake Atitlán Basin Multiple Use Reserve (RUMCLA) in Sololá. Some had not been revised in more than ten years. The update was conducted with the participation of municipalities and local stakeholders and includes geographic, social, economic, and environmental information. 

    The project continues to provide tools to strengthen indigenous cooperatives by providing improved livelihoods for rural poverty reduction through best practices in shade-grown coffee cultivation, beekeeping, and sustainable forest management for local industries. 

    These activities have also been carried out in coordination with government and municipal authorities and conservation area managers in Sololá, Quiché, and Chimaltenango. 

    Paul Huggins, Deputy Chief of Mission, said: 

    We recognize the challenges that remain, such as the effects of climate change, forest fires, and the need to open sustainable markets for local products. But we also see opportunities to continue building capacity, sharing good practices, and scaling up these efforts. The UK will remain a steadfast partner in biodiversity protection, climate action, and sustainable development in Guatemala. 

    Juan Carlos Godoy, Director of TNC Guatemala, said: 

    All these efforts to strengthen inclusive participation and governance of natural resources by its inhabitants will enable sustainable management over time to protect remaining forests, restore the area’s biological connectivity, and improve the local economy through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. 

    Eduardo Secaira, General Director of Asociación Vivamos Mejor Guatemala, said: 

    At Vivamos Mejor, we firmly believe that conservation must go hand in hand with the well-being of communities. This project demonstrates that it is possible to strengthen governance and conserve biodiversity when working together and with respect for ancestral knowledge.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aberdeen prepares for Armed Forces Day Parade 2025

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    More than 1,000 serving military personnel, veterans, reservists and cadet and youth organisations are set to parade through Aberdeen city centre to mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28 June.

    Residents and visitors alike are invited to watch the 2025 parade, which will include local pipe bands and vintage military vehicles. 

    The parade will start at Albyn Place at 11am and go along Union Street, Union Terrace, Schoolhill, Upperkirkgate and Broad Street, finishing at the Castlegate. 

    The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron, in his role as Lord-Lieutenant will take the salute outside Marischal College in front of the City’s official flagpole on Broad Street.  

    In the interest of public safety, the following temporary road restrictions will be in place:

    From 6pm on Friday 27 June until 12noon on Saturday 28 June 2025

    There will be a suspension of parking on:

    • The north side of Albyn Place between its junctions with Albyn Grove and Rubislaw Place. Vehicles associated with the parade will be exempt.
    • Schoolhill, including the inset road
    • Union Terrace
    • Upperkirkgate
    • Wellington Place, Aberdeen, between its junctions with Crown Street and South College Street. This is to accommodate the bus diversion route.

    From 10am on Saturday 28 June until 1pm on Saturday 28 June 2025

    There will be a suspension of all waiting for any purpose, with the exception of any waiting taxis on:

    • The west side of Chapel Street, north of the junction with Thistle Street for 53 metres or thereby. This area is to provide a temporary Taxi Rank for this period.

    From 9am on Saturday 28 June until 12.30pm on Saturday 28 June

    No driving will be permitted on the following roads:

    • Albyn Place from Albyn Grove to Alford Place
    • Alford Place from Albyn Place to Union Street
    • Rubislaw Place from Albyn Place to Rubislaw Terrace
    • Victoria Street from Alford Place to Thistle Place
    • Union Street from Alford Place to Union Terrace
    • Holburn Street from Alford Place to Union Grove
    • Chapel Street from Union Street to Thistle Street
    • Bon Accord St from Langstane Place to Union Street
    • Union Row from Union Wynd to Union Street
    • Crown Street from Windmill Brae to Union Street
    • Union Terrace from Union Street to Rosemount Viaduct
    • Rosemount Viaduct from Skene Street to Blackfriars Street
    • Blackfriars Street from St Andrew Street to Schoolhill
    • St Andrew Street from Blackfriars Street to Charlotte Street
    • Belmont Street from Gaelic Lane to Schoolhill
    • Back Wynd from Little Belmont Street to Schoolhill
    • Upperkirkgate from Broad Street to Schoolhill
    • Schoolhill from Upperkirkgate to Blackfriars Street
    • Gallowgate from Little John Street to Upperkirkgate
    • Broad Street from Upperkirkgate to Union Street
    • Union Street from Broad Street to Castle Street
    • King Street from Castle Street to West North Street
    • Castle Street in its entirety

    From 10.45am on Saturday 28 June until 12.30pm on Saturday 28 June

    No driving will be permitted on the following roads:

    Taxi Ranks

    Dee Street, Back Wynd, Queen Street & Exchequer Row taxi ranks will be impacted by these road closures between 10.45am until 12.30pm on Saturday 28 June 2025.

    Chapel Street – This rank will be relocated on Chapel Street to outside Holiday Inn Express facing away from Union Street. Access for this rank will be from Thistle Street only. Waiting will be for Taxis only.

    Later opening time for Marischal College car park

    Due to the road closures nearby, Marischal College car park, which is accessed from Queen Street, will open later than usual at 1pm. All other city centre car parks will be open as normal.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester launches Public Health Report 2025

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester City Council has published its latest annual Public Health Report for 2025.

    The theme of the report, Making Manchester Fairer, provides an overview of the two years since the strategy was launched in the city and the importance of the ongoing work to address inequalities and improve long-term outcomes for people living in the city. 

    Making Manchester Fairer is the council’s roadmap for the coming years, tackling preventable ill health and other inequalities to help eradicate the impact that a variety of factors such as where residents live, work or are educated, may have on their opportunities as well as affecting how long they live. These influences are also known as the social determinants of health. 

    The report looks at the progress that has been made to meet the increasing needs of residents to prevent them from sliding into poverty and improve long-term health outcomes city-wide. It also shows how communities have had direct involvement in both the development and delivery of the Making Manchester Fairer action plan. 

    The eight themes for action within Making Manchester Fairer focus on the social determinants of health in the city covering: 

    • Early years, children and young people 
    • Poverty, income and debt 
    • Work and employment 
    • Prevention of ill health and preventable deaths 
    • Homes and housing 
    • Places, transport and climate change 
    • Tackling systemic and structural racism and discrimination 
    • Communities and power 

    The Making Manchester Fairer strategy underpins the importance of targeting investment into key areas of concern, and the report outlines many achievements to date. 

    For example, the Work and Health Kickstarter focused on removing the barriers that people with physical and mental health conditions can experience when looking for work, keeping their job, staying at work, and progressing in their careers.  

    This specifically included supporting patients in North Manchester with conditions such as back pain, arthritis and osteoporosis who needed help to access employment. An enhanced programme of support with advisers embedded as part of the musculoskeletal programme delivered by Manchester Foundation Trust has also helped to deliver hyper- local programmes to specific minoritised communities. 

    Important work to support the Black Caribbean community through the Healthy and Hearty project is also reaping rewards. Two Black-led Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations are leading the work with Black Caribbean people who, despite having a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, are not being supported in the most appropriate way.  

    Drop-in sessions with a worker from their community to measure blood pressure and to talk about general health and wellbeing has meant that patients feel more comfortable speaking to someone with a similar lived experience who understands the cultural factors for their community. 

    Helping children with intensive support in some schools where speech and language therapists and psychologists work with children who may have not met developmental goals is also making headway.  This is also the subject of the latest Making Manchester Fairer podcast at Heald Place Primary: https://rss.com/podcasts/mmf/ .  

    The podcast looks at health, wealth and key social issues that affect life chances – as Manchester squares up to inequality. 

    Details of the full Public Health Report here – Public Health report 

    Cordelle Ofori, Director of Public Health for Manchester said: 

    “This is my first annual report as Director of Public Health for Manchester. The report shows how Making Manchester Fairer – our approach to tackling health inequalities in the city – is working in practice, building the foundations of good health in communities. 

    “The report describes the progress made over the past couple of years using examples of the ‘Making Manchester Fairer approach’ in action. The Making Manchester Fairer plan included actions within eight key themes to build the foundations of health in communities. It also included early initiatives known as the Kickstarters – projects to ‘kickstart’ delivery and exemplify the approach.”

    Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester said:

    “Poverty, health inequalities and the ongoing cost of living crisis are all issues that cut to the heart of our communities, and unchecked create profound and lasting damage that can take years to reverse. 

    “It is important that we show what the Making Manchester Fairer Programme has achieved so far – and perhaps even more importantly, how it has listened to first-hand experiences from people in our communities and then worked together on bespoke approaches. That partnership is essential and means the next part of the Making Manchester Fairer journey will build on these strong foundations, so that we have a long-lasting delivery model in our neighbourhoods, built and informed by that resident involvement. 

    “Through Manchester Making Fairer we’re determined to do everything we possibly can right now to make sure everyone in Manchester gets the same life chances as people elsewhere – and that includes our children and young people.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: St Pius X RC Primary School and Nursery Proposed Closure

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    St Pius X RC Primary School and Nursery could close at the end of the school year 2025/26. 

    The Children, Families and Communities Committee will be asked to approve the closure of the school and nursery, and rezone the catchment area of St Francis RC Primary School to include the existing St Pius X RC Primary School catchment area. 

    The St Pius X RC Primary pupil roll is in decline. The school has a capacity of 242 pupils. In September 2019, the school roll was 195. The school roll at the September 2024 census was 162, this equates to an occupancy level of 67%. The current estimated roll for August 2025 is 153.  

    Except for the Council’s Edwardian and Victorian primary schools, the St Pius X RC Primary building is now one of the oldest schools, built post-1970. Maintaining appropriate levels of condition and suitability may require significant financial investment. 

    Therefore, the committee will be asked to approve the closure of the school and nursery, and rezone the St Francis RC Primary catchment area.  

    The council ran a consultation from January 6- February 19 where feedback was gathered from to key stakeholders, including staff, pupils and parents/carers.  

    In response to the feedback, it is proposed that a closed contract bus service will be provided to all children currently attending St Pius X RC Primary who chose to continue their primary education at St Francis Primary School. 

    In addition, the council would commit to working in partnership with representatives of the Diocese of Dunkeld to ensure that religious education provision (delivered by a church approved teacher) will be available at Claypotts Castle Primary. 

    This would be supported by a strategic group including Church representatives, senior officers of the Children and Families Service and Head Teachers which has been set up and has already had an initial meeting to agree how to take this work forward. 

    The committee will hear that the closure of St Pius X RC School and nursery would result in a reduction in revenue expenditure of £677,422, in a full financial year, with a part-year saving of £423,389 in the financial year 2026/7. 

    The Committee will meet on Monday 23rd June. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –