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Category: DJF

  • Russia and Ukraine edge closer to first talks in seven weeks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia and Ukraine appear close to agreeing to hold a new round of peace talks in Turkey this week, although the Kremlin said on Monday that the two sides held “diametrically opposed” positions on how to end the war.

    Two days after Ukraine called for new talks in Istanbul this week, Russian state news agency TASS quoted an unidentified source as saying that negotiators – who have not sat down together for seven weeks – may meet there on Thursday and Friday.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told a gathering of his diplomats in Kyiv: “We need greater momentum in negotiations to end the war.”

    He added: “The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and the preparation of a leaders’ meeting.”

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Zelenskiy to meet him in person.

    Putin has repeatedly said he does not see Zelenskiy as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired last year.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that as soon as there was a definitive understanding of the date for the next round of talks, then Moscow would announce it.

    “There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side. There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far,” Peskov said.

    Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three and a half years of war.

    Trump said last week he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia and countries that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict.

    -Reuters

  • Centre launches SASCI scheme to develop iconic tourist destinations at global standards

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Tourism has rolled out operational guidelines for the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ (SASCI) scheme, aimed at transforming select tourist destinations into globally competitive attractions.

    Under the scheme, the Centre intends to provide funding support for comprehensive development of iconic sites, with a focus on enhancing the end-to-end tourist experience. This includes strengthening the entire tourism value chain—from infrastructure to branding, sustainability, and operations.

    Project proposals submitted by state governments were evaluated based on parameters such as site connectivity, ecological sustainability, existing tourism infrastructure, carrying capacity, management models, potential impact, and marketing plans. Final selection and approval of projects have been made in line with the institutional framework laid out in the SASCI guidelines.

    While the government will provide financial support for the projects until March 31, 2026, the implementation and management of the sanctioned projects will rest with the respective State Governments. Each project is expected to be completed within a two-year period.

    The Ministry of Tourism will also support the promotion of these destinations through its ongoing domestic and international campaigns, including digital platforms, events, and social media.

    Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: OpenAI to expand UK office and work with government departments to turbocharge the UK’s AI infrastructure and transform public services

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    OpenAI to expand UK office and work with government departments to turbocharge the UK’s AI infrastructure and transform public services

    OpenAI and the UK government have today signed a new strategic partnership.

    OpenAI and UKL sign strategic partnership.

    • One of the world’s leading AI labs inks a new government partnership, revealing plans to explore investing in UK AI infrastructure and regional growth zones to revitalise communities with jobs and growth.

    • Initiative will also see OpenAI share more technical information with UK AI Security Institute to deepen government knowledge of AI capabilities and security risks, as well as supporting the government’s mission to use AI to transform taxpayer-funded services.

    • OpenAI also confirms its intention to increase its footprint in the UK, building up its research and engineering teams to deliver on the partnership arrangement.

    OpenAI and the UK government have today signed a new strategic partnership setting out plans to expand AI security research collaborations, explore investing in UK AI infrastructure like data centres, and find new ways for taxpayer funded services like security and education to make best use of the latest tech.

    It comes as OpenAI deepens its commitment to the UK, with plans to increase the size of its London office to follow. The move will build out what started as the company’s first international location just 2 years ago, where research and engineering teams contribute to the development of frontier AI models, and support is provided to UK business, developers and start-ups.

    The partnership will explore where it can deploy AI in areas such as justice, defence and security, and education technology in line with UK standards and guidelines to demonstrate the opportunity to make taxpayer funded services more efficient and effective.

    Signed today by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ sets out intent to build on the UK’s strengths in science, innovation and talent to “maintain a world-leading UK AI ecosystem rooted in democratic values”.

    Under the partnership, OpenAI will also explore potential routes to deliver the infrastructure priorities laid out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, recognising the importance of UK sovereign capability in achieving the economic benefits of AI. The move could mean that world-changing AI tech is developed in the UK, driving discoveries that will deliver growth.

    It expands to share that OpenAI could look to invest in and support AI Growth Zones, first announced in the AI Opportunities Action Plan which has since been backed by £2 billion in the Spending Review.

    With over 200 bids from across the country, AI Growth Zones are set to become hotbeds for AI infrastructure attracting billions of pounds in investment each. Today’s news follows the UK government confirming that Scotland and Wales will both host AI Growth Zones in its Compute Strategy.

    The initiative follows the UK investing up to £500 million in sovereign AI that will be spent backing national AI champions and partnering with world leading companies like OpenAI. This partnership is an important element of our mission to ensure the UK continues to participate actively in the development of frontier AI, and that UK citizens continue to benefit from the economic growth provided by cutting-edge models.

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    AI will be fundamental in driving the change we need to see across the country – whether that’s in fixing the NHS, breaking down barriers to opportunity or driving economic growth. That’s why we need to make sure Britain is front and centre when it comes to developing and deploying AI, so we can make sure it works for us.

    This can’t be achieved without companies like OpenAI, who are driving this revolution forward internationally. This partnership will see more of their work taking place in the UK, creating high-paid tech jobs, driving investment in infrastructure, and crucially giving our country agency over how this world-changing technology moves forward.

    OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, said:

    AI is a core technology for nation building that will transform economies and deliver growth. Britain has a strong legacy of scientific leadership and its government was one of the first to recognise the potential of AI through its AI Opportunities Action Plan.

    Now, it’s time to deliver on the plan’s goals by turning ambition to action and delivering prosperity for all.

    The AI lab could also work with government to identify how advanced AI models could help to improve the public services that millions of people use every day, and driving economic growth across the country.

    OpenAI’s large language model, ChatGPT, already underpins multiple tools in ‘Humphrey’, Whitehall’s AI assistant that aims to speed up the civil service by taking away admin burdens.

    For example, GPT 4o is used in ‘Consult’, the bespoke tool that speeds up the policy making process by automatically sorting public responses to consultations – doing a task that takes officials weeks in minutes, while leaving important decisions to experts.

    In addition to supporting infrastructure plans laid out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, OpenAI may also explore developing state-of-the-art, AI-enabled R&D infrastructure in the UK, focused on shared areas of strategic interest with the UK government.

    Notes to editors

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New chapter for Tinside as new community spaces officially open

    Source: City of Plymouth

    New spaces for young people and the community are now officially open at Tinside Lido, paving the way for year-round use of one of Plymouth’s most iconic waterfront landmarks.

    The lido, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, has been carefully restored and reimagined as part of the UK’s first National Marine Park, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Horizons Award, the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund and Levelling Up Fund and Plymouth City Council.

    The project has transformed underused areas of the Grade II-listed Art Deco building, safeguarding it for future generations while creating new opportunities for people to connect with Plymouth Sound.

    It has brought the first floor of the lido back into use as a flexible, multi-purpose space for youth activities, digital learning, training and events, supported by a new kitchen and bar facility. The sun terrace has been revitalised with a café pod and a pop-up event space with ramped access to ensure everyone can enjoy the views across Plymouth Sound.

    In addition, the smaller building that provides both pool and cove access, has been remodelled to provide a youth space with improved accessibility and changing facilities.

    Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “People use the word iconic all the time but Tinside honestly is. It’s treasured not only by the people of Plymouth but visitors from far and wide – and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the city, if not the country. But it’s not just a spectacular place to go for a swim and take in our amazing waterfront.

    “This regeneration has brought a whole new life to the lido and is such an important project for the city. It’s not only protected a much-loved part of Plymouth’s heritage. It’s helped to secure its future, by creating new, inspirational spaces that the whole community – and visitors to the city – can enjoy for many years to come. Exciting times are ahead!”

    Taryn Nixon OBE, trustee at The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Chair of England – London and South Committee, said: “Tinside Lido is a shining example of reinvesting in our heritage to create amazing new opportunities for people and for the city. The lido has been such an iconic part of Plymouth’s identity since 1935 and thanks to National Lottery players it has been given new life, in its 90th birthday year, for completely new audiences to connect with Plymouth’s rich ocean heritage. The Heritage Fund is very proud to have been able to support this ambitious project and the wider Plymouth Sound National Marine Park through our Heritage Horizon Awards.”

    The National Lottery Heritage Fund launched the Heritage Horizons Awards in 2019 to support ambitious, innovative and transformational projects that will revolutionise UK heritage. These awards help to transform lives and economies, put the UK at the lead of major environmental, cultural and heritage projects, and show confidence in the heritage sector to rebuild and thrive. As part of this, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park received £11.6 million to help create the UK’s first National Marine Park, revolutionising the way Plymouth interacts with its marine heritage.

    Plymouth Active, which operates Tinside Lido in partnership with the Council, has also welcomed the project’s completion, noting its significance for the future of the lido and its commitment to giving every child in Plymouth the opportunity to learn to swim.

    Rhys Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Plymouth Active, said: “We’re delighted to see these new spaces at Tinside Lido open for the community. Tinside is a vital part of our mission to give every child in Plymouth the chance to learn to swim and develop a love for the water. The new facilities also open up opportunities for events and activities that will help sustain Tinside for future generations.”

    The restoration also paves the way for new uses to support the lido’s long-term sustainability, with the potential to host silent discos, open-air cinema events and weddings, generating income that will help sustain free and low-cost youth activities beyond the five-year Heritage Horizons Award period.

    Originally opened in 1935 and refurbished for the first time in 2005, Tinside’s careful preservation and transformation is a testament to the city’s commitment to adapting its historic assets for modern needs. The substantial repairs and improvements carried out as part of this project ensure that Tinside will continue to be a much-loved feature of Plymouth’s waterfront while supporting the health, wellbeing and aspirations of young people in Britain’s Ocean City.

    To find out more about what’s on at Tinside and how to book the space for your event, visit the Tinside Lido website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Path Forward for Runway Rehabilitation Monday 21 July 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Press Release
    Date: 21st July 2025
    Alderney Charts a Practical Path Forward for Runway Rehabilitation

    Following extensive work by the Chair of the General Services Committee, Iain Macfarlane, and the States of Alderney’s Head of Operations, two fully costed and technically sound proposals for the full rehabilitation of Alderney’s runway, taxiway, and apron infrastructure have now been delivered to, and gratefully received by the States of Guernsey’s Trading Supervisory Board (STSB) President, Mark Helyar.

    This work has been undertaken in alignment with the political direction set by the States of Guernsey’s 11th April 2025 resolution, which called for a pragmatic, cost-effective, Code B-compliant solution.

    These proposals prioritise the urgent airside works — runway, taxiway, and apron — to ensure the airport remains safe and operational. Land-side upgrades, such as the terminal and control tower, remain important and can be addressed once this critical phase is complete.

    “This has been a focused and determined piece of work,” said Mr Macfarlane. “Our goal from the outset was to demonstrate that viable, cost-effective, and deliverable solutions do exist — and we’ve done exactly that. We’ve drawn a line under the years of uncertainty and turned the conversation back to action.”

    He continued: “We now hope for an expedited route forward, building on the diligent work of our Members and Officers. We’re keen to hear the views of STSB and Ports, and we hope they are ready to progress delivery.”

    Mr. Abel, Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee added:
    “I am pleased to see two pragmatic runway rehabilitation proposals that could be delivered in a short space of time that clearly warrant review by STSB.”
    The proposals have been drafted to meet all necessary technical standards, grounded in prior contractor involvement and site knowledge, and are intended to enable the States of Guernsey to assess them against previously commissioned specifications.

    The States is ensuring it is being proactive having been given a seat at the table on the Runway Project Board and stands ready to support the next stage of this vital project as it is eager to see it finally delivered. The States recognizes the increasing pressures on the public purse for both Alderney and Guernsey and we therefore remain committed to being part of the solution to wider Bailiwick challenges by working collaboratively with our colleagues in the States of Guernsey to the benefit of the Bailiwick taxpayer.

    Ends
    Media contact: Publications.Alderney@gov.gg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province Finalizes RCMP Lease in North Battleford, Issues RFP for Building Renovations

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 21, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan has finalized a lease agreement with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for space in the former Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) Retail Inc. store in North Battleford and has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to begin planning major tenant improvements.

    “The lease and upcoming renovations show our supports for long-term investment in public safety infrastructure, while making efficient use of existing government-owned property.” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister David Marit said, “This is infrastructure that will directly strengthen front-line policing in Saskatchewan.”

    To prepare the space for RCMP’s use, the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement is seeking consultant services to lead the design, documentation and contract administration required for the renovation.

    “This lease agreement is great news for our community.” Health Minister and MLA for North Battleford Jeremy Cockrill said. “By bringing the RCMP into this space and investing in needed renovations, we are supporting community safety creating, local jobs and making good use of existing infrastructure.”

    The former SLGA site, located at 1001 – 101 Street, will be repurposed to enable the RCMP expand its Battlefords detachment. Renovation work will include schematic and detailed design, construction drawings, specifications, tender documents and project oversight during construction.

    The RCMP lease was ratified on July 2, 2025. This project represents a strategic reuse of existing government-owned infrastructure and supports the province’s commitment to community safety.

    SLGA owned 19 of its 34 store properties. The North Battleford location was one of four buildings which were identified to be repurposed for other government organizations. Buildings currently for sale are listed on slga.com.

    “The City of North Battleford is very encouraged that this lease has been signed, allowing this prominent downtown building to be put back into productive use. We are extremely pleased that the RCMP will be expanding its presence in the Battlefords region with the development of a regional RCMP training hub.” North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin said. “This project will bring significant economic benefits to our city and the surrounding areas through the addition of permanent RCMP staff and a steady flow of officers travelling to North Battleford to attend training. We want to thank the provincial government for partnering with the RCMP, and we are eager to see this vision become reality.”

    Renovations are expected to take between 18 and 24 months. The RCMP will begin operations in the building once the upgrades are complete.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Announce Changes to 2025 AgriStability Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 21, 2025

    Following a virtual meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison announced Saskatchewan producers will see changes to AgriStability for the 2025 program year. 

    “Now is the time for unity, and we are working together to deliver for producers right across the country to make sure our programs work for them,” MacDonald said. “That is why, at our meeting last week, we agreed to make changes to AgriStability so that producers facing trade uncertainty and dry conditions have more protection.”

    “Supporting producers with immediate changes to AgriStability increases the effectiveness of the program,” Harrison said. “Reliable and effective business risk management programs help protect against large declines in producers’ margins and are an important tool for a strong agricultural sector in Saskatchewan.”

    For the 2025 AgriStability program year, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is immediately implementing program changes to respond to ongoing international trade concerns and strengthen the program’s support for Saskatchewan producers.

    For the 2025 program year only, AgriStability participants will see an increase in the compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent, meaning producers who access a benefit will now receive 90 cents on every dollar of eligible margin decline, generating larger payments. The margin protection AgriStability can provide is unique to each farm, making it important for producers to understand their historical reference margin. 

    In addition, for the 2025 program year only, the maximum payment cap is doubling, from $3 million to $6 million per operation. This change can provide additional protection for eligible operations. 

    Starting in the 2026 program year, AgriStability will see adjustments to the feed inventory pricing for livestock producers. This permanent change ensures the program appropriately captures the feed inventory valuation method for inventories destined to be used on farm and not sold. This change ensures program calculations properly reflect farm realities, especially in years of dry conditions. 

    In addition, AgriStability allowable expenses are under consideration for the 2026 program year. This includes considering feed expenses from grazing on rented pasture as an eligible expense, which means if a producer rents pasture, AgriStability would capture the value of the feed consumed by livestock and include it as an allowable expense. 

    “The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has been strongly advocating on behalf of agricultural producers and ranchers, and we are pleased to hear there will be changes made to the AgriStability Program for 2025,” SARM President Bill Huber said. “Offering producers further coverage, including permanent adjustments to feed inventory pricing for 2026, are all welcome additions to the program. Saskatchewan producers are currently facing rising costs, harsh weather conditions causing drought and feed uncertainty. These changes are a good first step in providing support for farming operations at a time when they need it most.”

    “The Saskatchewan Cattle Association (SCA) has long advocated for changes to the eligible feed expenses and changes to the feed inventory pricing for AgriStability,” SCA Chair Chad Ross said. “We applaud the changes announced today, including moving forward with the permanent change to the feed inventory pricing for the 2026 program year. This should make the program more responsive for livestock producers. We will continue to advocate for the allowable feed expenses to become permanent as well.” 

    “The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) would like to thank Minister Harrison for his consultations and continued work for the livestock sector,” SSGA President Jeff Yorga said. Including feed inventory cost and rental costs is a positive first step towards making AgriStability relevant to producers. As we deal with the effects of a decade long drought, BRM improvements are key to industry sustainability. We look forward to working for producers and advocating for further change.”

    “Farmers, particularly livestock producers, will be pleased with these improvements in risk management,” Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) President Bill Prybylski said. “The permanent changes in feed accounting and cost adjustments mean the unique hurdles they face are finally being acknowledged. APAS is thrilled to witness these positive developments and advises all farmers to consider what AgriStability has to offer for protecting their businesses.” 

    The AgriStability Program continues to respond. From 2018 to 2023, AgriStability has paid over $645 million in benefits. Payments are trending higher for the 2024 program year, compared to the past 15 years.

    SCIC reminds Saskatchewan producers that the deadline to enrol in AgriStability for the 2025 program year is extended to July 31, 2025. With a deadline extension to the end of July, producers are well positioned to evaluate the real-time impacts to their operation. They can make the best-informed decision to enrol in AgriStability.

    AgriStability protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, increased costs and market conditions. It is one of the Business Risk Management programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

    For more information, producers can call 1-866-270-8450 or visit scic.ca. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson announces caregiver charged with beating vulnerable adultRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Robin C. Hatley, 61 years old, of Laurens, S.C., for Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-0085 (D)}. Hatley was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on July 18, 2025.

    A joint investigation by VAMPF and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office alleges that on June 14, 2025, Hatley, a caregiver at Pearl at Five Forks Memory Care Center in Simpsonville, S.C., struck a vulnerable adult resident multiple times on the head, face, and nose. The victim, classified as a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law, was a resident of the facility at the time of the alleged incident.

    Pearl at Five Forks Memory Care Center reported this incident to law enforcement and cooperated fully with investigators. This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

    Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. 

    Pursuant to federal regulations, VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting; and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. 

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

    The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, dba VAMPF, receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,889,252 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $963,084 for FFY 2025, is funded by South Carolina.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Congressman Bean, K9s United to Hold Press Conference Calling for Tougher Penalties for Individuals Who Harm Law Enforcement Animals

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

    WASHINGTON—On Tuesday, July 22nd, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean will join K9s United for a press conference at the House Triangle to unveil the Leo K9 Protection Act, a bill aimed at strengthening penalties for individuals who use a deadly weapon to harm a federal police animal. 

    This bill also expands the federal statute to apply to any state, county, or local police animal assisting a federal agency, provides a good-faith exception for anyone providing emergency veterinary care to an injured police animal, and directs the USDOT to issue regulations ensuring that emergency medical services can transport an injured police K9, if the provider chooses to do so.

    This announcement comes as attacks on ICE agents have surged 830%, underscoring the urgent need to extend protections to their canine and equine partners, who face the same threats in the line of duty. 

    Details for the press conference can be found immediately below:

    WHO: Congressman Aaron Bean, President and Founder of K9s United Debbie Johnson, Sergeant Justin Tortora of the Marion County, Florida Sheriff’s Office—handler of fallen K9 Leo, and K9 Units
    WHAT: Remarks, Q/A
    WHEN: TUESDAY, JULY 22nd at 1:00 pm EST
    WHERE: House Triangle 

    Media RSVP: Elissa.Tew@mail.house.gov. 

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Congressman Bean, K9s United to Hold Press Conference Calling for Tougher Penalties for Individuals Who Harm Law Enforcement Animals

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

    WASHINGTON—On Tuesday, July 22nd, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean will join K9s United for a press conference at the House Triangle to unveil the Leo K9 Protection Act, a bill aimed at strengthening penalties for individuals who use a deadly weapon to harm a federal police animal. 

    This bill also expands the federal statute to apply to any state, county, or local police animal assisting a federal agency, provides a good-faith exception for anyone providing emergency veterinary care to an injured police animal, and directs the USDOT to issue regulations ensuring that emergency medical services can transport an injured police K9, if the provider chooses to do so.

    This announcement comes as attacks on ICE agents have surged 830%, underscoring the urgent need to extend protections to their canine and equine partners, who face the same threats in the line of duty. 

    Details for the press conference can be found immediately below:

    WHO: Congressman Aaron Bean, President and Founder of K9s United Debbie Johnson, Sergeant Justin Tortora of the Marion County, Florida Sheriff’s Office—handler of fallen K9 Leo, and K9 Units
    WHAT: Remarks, Q/A
    WHEN: TUESDAY, JULY 22nd at 1:00 pm EST
    WHERE: House Triangle 

    Media RSVP: Elissa.Tew@mail.house.gov. 

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Football Governance Act becomes law in historic moment for English football

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Football Governance Act becomes law in historic moment for English football

    Historic Football Governance Act receives Royal Assent, establishing new Independent Football Regulator to safeguard the future of the national sport

    • Plan for Change in action, as government delivers on promise made to fans in the manifesto, addressing existential threats to clubs and putting supporters back at the heart of the game
    • World-first Regulator will work to stop rogue owners, ensure clubs are financially sustainable, with powers to ensure money flows through the pyramid.

    Football fans will now have a greater say in how their beloved clubs are run, as the Football Governance Act has today received Royal Assent and passed into law, in a landmark moment for the game.

    As promised in this Government’s manifesto, the Act will create the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), which will mark the biggest reform to football governance in a generation – helping to protect clubs across the country.

    The Act follows a long journey to law, which began following the attempted breakaway European Super League, and a series of high-profile cases of clubs facing financial ruin. 

    Over recent years fans from the likes of Bury, Macclesfield Town, Derby County, Reading and many others have been left to suffer the consequences of reckless mismanagement, excessive risk-taking and financial catastrophe at their club. 

    The new regime is designed to raise standards across the game, supporting the government’s Plan for Change by ensuring English football can continue to deliver huge economic benefits across the country.

    It will improve financial sustainability, introducing a set of rules that improves the resilience across the top five men’s leagues, empowers fans and keeps clubs at the centre of their communities. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This is a proud and defining moment for English football.

    As someone who has loved the game all my life, I know just how deeply it runs through our communities. It’s where memories are made, and generations come together.

    Our landmark Football Governance Act delivers on the promise we made to fans. It will protect the clubs they cherish, and the vital role they play in our economy.  

    Through our Plan for Change, we are ushering in a stronger, fairer future for the game we all love.

    Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy said: 

    Football clubs have been built and sustained by fans for generations, but too often they have had nowhere to turn when their clubs have faced crisis. Today that changes as this Act will give hope and assurance to people, with the Regulator working to protect clubs in towns and cities all over the country, where football clubs mean so much, to so many. 

    From Southend to Blackpool, Portsmouth to Wigan, these reforms have been driven by fans, for fans. I will be forever proud that this Government has delivered on its manifesto pledge to support them by reforming football’s governance, and I pay tribute to all those that have helped us deliver this historic moment for the nation’s game.

    The Regulator’s new powers will include:

    • Tough new financial regulation to improve resilience across the football pyramid to ensure clubs are sustainable for the long term
    • Stronger, statutory Owners’ and Directors’ Tests to make sure club custodians are suitable and aren’t using illicit finances with powers to force rogue owners to sell up
    • New standards for fan engagement in club decision-making 
    • Bars on clubs joining closed-shop competitions and breakaway leagues 
    • Backstop powers to ensure a fair financial distribution between leagues 
    • New statutory protections for key club heritage aspects like home shirt colours and club badges and stadium moves

    The IFR will be launched later this year and will consult industry on its proposed rules, guidance and approach to licensing clubs before implementing the new regime. A transition team, the Shadow Football Regulator, was established in 2024 to lead this process and is already engaging widely with industry and fan groups. The process of appointing a senior leadership team is ongoing with the announcement of an Interim CEO and Board expected shortly.

    Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) chief executive Kevin Miles said:

    This is an historic moment for football in this country and we are very proud that the FSA was at the heart of change, helping to bring in laws which can help protect the clubs we love from the worst excesses of owners throughout the professional game.

    We look forward to working with the regulator, as well as the FA and leagues it covers, to ensure that the supporter voice continues to be at the forefront of debate as fans are the beating heart of the game. Club owners can no longer mark their own homework.

    Sarah Turner, Chair of Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) said:

    As Reading fans, we’ve seen the damage caused by rogue owners and welcome the independent regulator. When football clubs fail due to rogue ownership, it doesn’t just mean a team slides down the table. Jobs are lost, community projects are cut and businesses suffer – be that via unpaid suppliers or under-occupied pubs.

    We know that football is a business, but it is a business unlike any other. There are fans, not customers, players are heroes, not assets, and in these fractured times we should be working doubly hard to protect industries that create unity, community and – very occasionally – unparalleled joy.

    Kieran Maguire, Associate Professor in Football Finance at University of Liverpool said:

    This legislation represents a vital step forward in protecting clubs from exploitation, ensuring they are run more responsibly, and giving supporters a greater voice in how their clubs are managed.

    Introducing an independent football regulator is a necessary safeguard to ensure that clubs are not treated solely as assets, but as cultural cornerstones with deep local and national significance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Droughts are causing record devastation worldwide, UN-backed report reveals

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    This is according to a new report from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the International Drought Resilience Alliance on the global impacts of droughts from 2023 to 2025.

    “Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion. Its scars run deep,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.

    “This is not a dry spell,” stressed Dr. Mark Svoboda, report co-author and NDMC Director. “This is a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I’ve ever seen. This report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of how drought affects lives, livelihoods, and the health of the ecosystems that we all depend on.” 

    Record devastation in Africa

    According to the report, as 90 million people face acute hunger across Eastern and Southern Africa, some areas in the region have been experiencing the worst drought ever recorded.

    In Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, maize and wheat crops have suffered repeated failures. In Zimbabwe in particular, the 2024 corn crop was down 70 per cent year on year, maize prices doubled, and 9,000 cattle died of thirst and starvation.

    Some 43,000 people in Somalia died in 2022 alone due to drought-linked hunger. The crisis continued through 2025, with a quarter of the population facing crisis-level food insecurity at the beginning of the year.

    As a result of drought, Zambia is suffering one of the world’s worst energy crises: in April, the Zambezi River plummeted to 20 per cent of its long-term average, and the country’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Kariba Dam, fell to 7 per cent generation capacity, causing electricity blackouts of up to 21 hours a day. This has led to the shuttering of hospitals, bakeries, and factories, further compounding the devastation.

    Worldwide impacts

    But the effects of drought extend beyond Africa. For example, by September 2023 in Spain, two years of drought and record heat caused a 50 per cent drop in the olive crop, doubling olive oil prices nationwide.

    In Türkiye, drought-accelerated groundwater depletion has triggered sinkholes, endangering communities and their infrastructure while reducing aquifer storage capacity.

    In the Amazon Basin, record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 led to mass deaths of fish and endangered dolphins, disrupted drinking water supplies and created transport challenges for hundreds of thousands. Ongoing deforestation and fires also threaten to shift the Amazon from a carbon sink to a carbon source.

    Declining water levels in the Panama Canal slashed transit by more than one-third, leading to major global trade disruptions. Among the spillover effects were declines in American soybean exports and shortages and rising prices reported in UK grocery stores.

    Call for cooperation and solutions

    The report listed several recommendations to help combat this crisis, including stronger early warning systems, real-time drought and drought impact monitoring, and nature-based solutions such as watershed restoration and indigenous crop use.

    It also called for more resilient infrastructure – including off-grid energy and alternative water supply systems – and global cooperation, particularly regarding transboundary river basins and trade routes. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General is appalled by the accelerating breakdown of humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where the last lifelines keeping people alive are collapsing.
     
    He deplores the growing reports of children and adults suffering from malnutrition.
     
    The Secretary-General strongly condemns the ongoing violence, including the shooting, killing, and injuring of people attempting to get food for their families.
     
    Civilians must be protected and respected, and they must never be targeted. The population in Gaza remains gravely undersupplied with the basic necessities of life.
     
    Israel has the obligation to allow and facilitate by all the means at its disposal the humanitarian relief provided by the United Nations and by other humanitarian organizations.
     
    The Secretary-General notes that the intensification of hostilities in recent days comes as the humanitarian system is being impeded, undermined and endangered.
     
    A new evacuation order in parts of Deir al Balah – home to tens of thousands – pushes people into more desperate conditions and further displacement and restricts the United Nations’ ability to deliver life-saving aid. UN staff remain in Deir al Balah, and two UN guesthouses have been struck, despite parties having been informed of the locations of UN premises, which are inviolable. These locations – as with all civilian sites – must be protected, regardless of evacuation orders.
     
    The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent call for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and for the provision of essential resources to ensure their survival.
     
    He once again calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
     
    The UN stands ready to significantly scale up our humanitarian operations. The time for a ceasefire is now.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Data Shows U.S. Economy Is Back on Track Under President Trump

    Source: US Whitehouse

    Even the media admits the U.S. economy is “regaining its swagger” under President Donald J. Trump — and you need not look further than the banner economic news from the past week for proof.

    • Core inflation beat market expectations for the fifth straight month — every full month since President Trump took office.
      • Since President Trump took office, core inflation has tracked at just 2.1% — levels not seen since the first Trump Administration, when prices were low and stable — and right in line with the Fed’s inflation target.
    • Wholesale prices came in completely flat, below market expectations and underscoring the tremendous progress made on taming the Biden-era inflation crisis.
    • Industrial production bested market expectations with a higher-than-expected climb, showing that inflation is falling as domestic production surges.
      • Manufacturing output has surged by 1.8% in the first five months of President Trump’s second term, compared to a -0.7% decline in the final five months preceding President Trump’s inauguration.
    • Customs and tariff revenues have totaled $120 billion since President Trump took office — topping $100 billion in a fiscal year for the first time ever — including $7 billion in the last week alone, fueling the first June budget surplus in nearly a decade.
    • Advance retail sales smashed expectations in June, showing that consumers are confident and spending thanks to low inflation and strong wage gains.
    • Consumer sentiment shot up in July, beating market expectations yet again as inflation expectations for the next year dropped sharply.
    • Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell for the fifth straight week, confirming the strong jobs report.
    • Housing starts and permits for new builds both increased in June above market expectations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: UPDATE – Monday, July 21, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Note: All times local

    National Capital Region, Canada

    9:30 a.m. The Prime Minister will meet with a bipartisan delegation of United States senators.

    Third floor
    West Block
    Parliament Hill

    Closed to media

    1:15 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.

    Third floor
    West Block
    Parliament Hill

    Note for media:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: One-Stop-Shop for Military and Veterans Interested in SUNY

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of a one-stop-shop for active duty servicemembers, veterans, and family members currently enrolled or interested in attending any SUNY college or university. The landing page: www.suny.edu/military, includes information on available credit for military service and experience, tuition assistance, specialized scholarships, and dedicated campus services like veteran lounges and associations for all 64 SUNY campuses. The website also connects veterans with services offered by the counties where each campus is located, helping them stay close to home and community, and will be regularly updated as new information becomes available.

    “We continue to rely so much on our veterans and military to protect everything we hold sacred, and it is a priority of my administration to make sure we help our military-connected New Yorkers have a smooth transition to their next career,” Governor Hochul said. “This one-stop shop from SUNY is easy to follow and helps guide service members and their families and puts them on a path to a rewarding degree or credential.”

    Governor Hochul has recently announced expanded access to an affordable education through the Veterans Tuition Assistance Program, which went into effect on July 1. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the program will now serve even more veterans by broadening eligibility and increasing flexibility.

    Thirty-seven SUNY campuses offer academic credit for military service and experience, and the new website includes connecting visitors to an easy-to-use search for available credit for military experience and training. Additionally, SUNY campuses have tailored support available including student veteran associations and military and veteran offices, and counties throughout New York State have programs and staff available as well. SUNY developed this comprehensive website so that servicemembers and veterans would be able to easily learn about and access all of the available programs and benefits that they have earned through their service.

    SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY provides a wide array of services for all those who stepped up and answered the call to serve our nation. From tuition assistance and specialized scholarships, to lounges and clubs, to credit for prior learning, it is important that every servicemember and veteran knows about the great programs at their disposal at every SUNY campus. We honor our veterans and servicemembers, and our campus communities are richer for their presence.”

    The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “We owe our servicemembers and veterans a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid, and we are grateful for their dedication to our state and nation. That is why the SUNY system has worked to ensure that as servicemembers and veterans transition back to civilian life, they have the support they have earned easily accessible at each of our campuses. We hope all eligible students will learn more about the programs, scholarships, and credit for prior learning available for current and former members of the military and take advantage of the benefits they have earned.”

    State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said, “Our SUNY schools offer so many programs and benefits for active duty military and veteran students, and I’m glad the Governor is launching a more streamlined system to help them access these resources. It’s so important that New York remains a state with competitive educational opportunities, and our SUNYs are committed to recruiting and retaining the best and brightest veterans and active duty service members. We want all our veterans and active duty members to be able to pursue their education and build their lives right here in New York—and this new website is a great step toward that.”

    Assemblymember Steve Stern said, “As the Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee of the New York State Assembly, I applaud Governor Hochul for expanding critical educational support, funding and access to services for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to serve our great nation and importantly, also for their families. This new One-Stop Shop will provide streamlined access to vital information for all SUNY campuses. I encourage all active-duty military, veterans and families to visit www.suny.edu/military to learn more about benefits to which they are entitled.”

    New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen said, “This new SUNY one-stop-shop is more than a website — it is a gateway to opportunity for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families across New York State. By streamlining access to campus-based support, credit for military experience, and vital tuition assistance through this new resource, it ensures that no one who served is left navigating college alone. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and visionary expansion of this initiative and the Veterans Tuition Assistance Program, even more of our heroes can now pursue a world-class SUNY education. This is what it means to value service and put Veterans first.”

    New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Adjutant General Major General Raymond F. Shields Jr. said, “Hundreds of members of the New York Army and Air National Guard and the New York Naval Militia have furthered their education through the SUNY system, thanks to the free tuition benefit available to them at SUNY and CUNY. Anything that makes it easier for our Citizen Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines to access SUNY services for veterans and service members is very welcome.”

    About The State University of New York
    The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update: Noosa crocodile

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 21 Jul 2025

    Queensland Parks and Wildlife Rangers investigated a reported crocodile sighting at Noosa Spit on 20 July 2025 but found no evidence of a crocodile.

    A follow-up search is planned for 21 July 2025. The investigation was prompted by a fisher reporting possible crocodile images on a boat’s depth-sounder to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

    While the investigation is ongoing, people are asked to be vigilant around the water.

    The Noosa area is considered atypical crocodile habitat, and any crocodile confirmed to be present will be targeted for removal from the wild.

    Anyone who sees what they believe to be a crocodile in the Noosa area is encouraged to make a sighting report as soon as possible.

    Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The department investigates every crocodile sighting report received.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns as Vice President citing health reasons

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from office on Monday, citing health concerns and the need to follow medical advice. His resignation, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, comes into effect immediately under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.

    In his resignation letter, Dhankhar said, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately.”

    The 72-year-old, who also served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, expressed gratitude to the President for her “unwavering support” and the “wonderfully harmonious working relationship” they shared during his tenure.

    Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers, Dhankhar said, “Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office.”

    He also acknowledged the trust and warmth extended by Members of Parliament, calling it a “cherished memory.”

    Reflecting on his time in office, Dhankhar said it had been a privilege to witness India’s economic growth and transformation. “Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honour,” he noted. “As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat’s global rise and phenomenal achievements and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future.”

    His resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How a popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Havovi Chichger, Professor, Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University

    Found in everything from protein bars to energy drinks, erythritol has long been considered a safe alternative to sugar. But new research suggests this widely used sweetener may be quietly undermining one of the body’s most crucial protective barriers – with potentially serious consequences for heart health and stroke risk.

    A recent study from the University of Colorado suggests erythritol may damage cells in the blood-brain barrier, the brain’s security system that keeps out harmful substances while letting in nutrients. The findings add troubling new detail to previous observational studies that have linked erythritol consumption to increased rates of heart attack and stroke.

    In the new study, researchers exposed blood-brain barrier cells to levels of erythritol typically found after drinking a soft drink sweetened with the compound. They saw a chain reaction of cell damage that could make the brain more vulnerable to blood clots – a leading cause of stroke.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Erythritol triggered what scientists call oxidative stress, flooding cells with harmful, highly reactive molecules known as free radicals, while simultaneously reducing the body’s natural antioxidant defences. This double assault damaged the cells’ ability to function properly, and in some cases killed them outright.

    But perhaps more concerning was erythritol’s effect on the blood vessels’ ability to regulate blood flow. Healthy blood vessels act like traffic controllers, widening when organs need more blood – during exercise, for instance – and tightening when less is required. They achieve this delicate balance through two key molecules: nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, and endothelin-1, which constricts them.

    The study found that erythritol disrupted this critical system, reducing nitric oxide production while ramping up endothelin-1. The result would be blood vessels that remain dangerously constricted, potentially starving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This imbalance is a known warning sign of ischaemic stroke – the type caused by blood clots blocking vessels in the brain.

    Even more alarming, erythritol appeared to sabotage the body’s natural defence against blood clots. Normally, when clots form in blood vessels, cells release a “clot buster” called tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves the blockage before it can cause a stroke. But the sweetener blocked this protective mechanism, potentially leaving clots free to wreak havoc.

    The laboratory findings align with troubling evidence from human studies. Several large-scale observational studies have found that people who regularly consume erythritol face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. One major study tracking thousands of participants found that those with the highest blood levels of erythritol were roughly twice as likely to experience a major cardiac event.

    However, the research does have limitations. The experiments were conducted on isolated cells in laboratory dishes rather than complete blood vessels, which means the cells may not behave exactly as they would in the human body. Scientists acknowledge that more sophisticated testing – using advanced “blood vessel on a chip” systems that better mimic real physiology – will be needed to confirm these effects.

    The findings are particularly significant because erythritol occupies a unique position in the sweetener landscape. Unlike artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose, erythritol is technically a sugar alcohol – a naturally occurring compound that the body produces in small amounts. This classification helped it avoid inclusion in recent World Health Organization guidelines that discouraged the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control.

    Erythritol has also gained popularity among food manufacturers because it behaves more like sugar than other alternatives. While sucralose is 320 times sweeter than sugar, erythritol provides only about 80% of sugar’s sweetness, making it easier to use in recipes without creating an overpowering taste. It’s now found in thousands of products, especially in many “sugar-free” and “keto-friendly” foods.

    Erythritol can be found in many keto-friendly products, such a protein bars.
    Stockah/Shutterstock.com

    Trade-off

    Regulatory agencies, including the European Food Standards Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration, have approved erythritol as safe for consumption. But the new research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that even “natural” sugar alternatives may carry unexpected health risks.

    For consumers, the findings raise difficult questions about the trade-offs involved in sugar substitution. Sweeteners like erythritol can be valuable tools for weight management and diabetes prevention, helping people reduce calories and control blood sugar spikes. But if regular consumption potentially weakens the brain’s protective barriers and increases cardiovascular risk, the benefits may come at a significant cost.

    The research underscores a broader challenge in nutritional science: understanding the long-term effects of relatively new food additives that have become ubiquitous in the modern diet. While erythritol may help people avoid the immediate harms of excess sugar consumption, its effect on the blood-brain barrier suggests that frequent use could be quietly compromising brain protection over time.

    As scientists continue to investigate these concerning links, consumers may want to reconsider their relationship with this seemingly innocent sweetener – and perhaps question whether any sugar substitute additive is truly without risk.

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

    – ref. How a popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences – https://theconversation.com/how-a-popular-sweetener-could-be-damaging-your-brains-defences-261500

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Driving Innovation in Alberta

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE San Juan investigation leads to arrest of female teacher for child sex trafficking in Puerto Rico

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — On July 10, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Lizamarie Rivera-García, a 42-year-old woman from Bayamón, charged with sex trafficking of children.

    “We cannot let our guard down! Our children are being sexually exploited by individuals in positions of public trust. Law enforcement agencies are committed to being the voice of these victims,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca C. Gonzalez-Ramos. “HSI’s multidisciplinary team will guarantee that our children receive the necessary assistance to overcome this trauma, and our agents will make sure that these individuals are arrested, away from causing more damage. A female religion teacher that had the responsibility to guide our children about principles and beliefs was actually developing a plan to sexually assault them. HSI and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau are committed to protecting our children. We will not let these acts happen on our watch.”

    According to court documents, between December 2023 and October 2024, Rivera-García knowingly and willfully recruited, enticed, transported and maintained a 15-year-old boy to engage in commercial sex acts. Rivera-García is also accused with knowingly employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing the same child to engage in sexual activity; transporting him in a commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States, with intent that the male individual engage in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense; and using internet instant messaging services and social media to knowingly transfer and attempt to transfer obscene matter to an individual who had not attained the age of 16 years.

    In addition, from in or about December 2023 to November 2024, Rivera-García knowingly and willfully recruited, enticed, transported and maintained a 17-year-old boy to engage in commercial sex acts.

    If convicted on the charges, the defendant faces the following penalties: 

    • Sex trafficking of a child, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and up to life in prison.
    • Transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and up to life in prison.
    • Coercion and enticement of a minor, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and up to life in prison.

    All convictions will be followed by a term of supervised release of no less than five years and up to life. A federal district court judge will determine Rivera-García’s sentence after considering the U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov. Learn more about HSI San Juan’s mission to increase public safety in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Instagram, Facebook and X.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Puerto Rico man arrested for child exploitation after ICE San Juan investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Aneudy Jazzan Pérez-Santiago, a 30-year-old teacher from Carolina, on criminal charges related to child exploitation.

    On July 10, a federal grand jury indicted Pérez-Santiago on charges involving the coercion and enticement of a minor and the transfer of obscene material to a 14-year-old girl.

    According to court documents, from February 2023 to February 2025, Pérez-Santiago used a cellphone, online instant messaging services and social media to knowingly persuade, induce, entice and coerce a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity and transferred obscene material to her.

    “This case demonstrates the importance of adult supervision on digital devices,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos. “A responsible father monitoring social media platforms discovered sexually explicit conversations between a teacher and their student. This individual, who also calls himself a minister of a church, exploited his role as an educator and spiritual guide to approach a minor and engage in sexually explicit conversations. The defendant does not represent the amazing teachers of Puerto Rico’s Department of Education, who day to day, work with us to identify and report these predators. The perfect formula to protect our children is strong parental supervision, engaged personnel from Puerto Rico’s Department of Education, and HSI’s Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose main mission is to keep our children safe from sexual predators.”

    If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: 

    • Coercion and enticement of a minor: A mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and up to life in prison.
    • Transfer of obscene material to a minor: Up to 10 years in prison.

    All charges of conviction will be followed by a term of supervised release of no less than five years and up to life. A federal district court judge will determine Pérez-Santiago’s sentence after considering the U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by completing the online tip form.

    For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov.

    Learn more about HSI San Juan mission to increase public safety in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Instagram at @HSISanJuan, Facebook at @HSISanJuanPR and X at @HSISanJuan.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Iowa Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking Multiple Victims

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    An eight-count indictment in the Northern District of Iowa has been unsealed charging a Des Moines man with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and four counts of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution through coercion and enticement.

    According to the indictment, Marlin Santana Thomas Sr., 49, used force, fraud and coercion to cause four adult women to engage in commercial sex acts in the Northern District of Iowa and elsewhere between 2009 and 2015. The indictment also alleges that Thomas transported women from Iowa to Illinois and North Dakota for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

    The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. It also carries a minimum of five years of supervised release up to a lifetime of supervised release along with a fine of up to $250,000. Finally, restitution is mandatory upon any conviction for sex trafficking. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence upon any conviction after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI and Des Moines Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Nydle for the Northern District of Iowa and Trial Attorney Slava Kuperstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.

    The FBI is asking that anyone with information about Thomas to contact the Omaha Field Office at (402) 493-8688.

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

    Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank Annual Meetings record project preparation deals expected to unlock about US$ 1.0 billion in investments

    Source: APO

    The 32nd Annual Meetings of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), also known as AAM2025, witnessed a flurry of deal signings with four project preparation transactions signed between the Bank and various entities that are expected to unlock investments valued at about US$ 1.0 billion.

    In an agreement signed by Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, for Afreximbank, and Mrs. Temwani Simwaka, CEO, for NBS Bank Plc (NBS), Malawi, the two institutions executed a Joint Project Preparation Facility Framework Agreement under which they will pool resources to provide early project preparatory financing to progress projects in Malawi from pre-feasibility stage to bankability in a timely manner.

    As set out in the agreement, Afreximbank and NBS will support public and private sector investors by availing financing and technical support services to de-risk projects in priority sectors, including energy, transport and logistics, logistical platforms (such as special economic zones and industrial parks), manufacturing, agro-processing, hospitality and tourism, extractives, solid minerals, and services (such as ICT, healthcare, and creative economy). Embedded in the framework agreement is a capacity building programme that will empower NBS staff to undertake project preparation activities in the medium term.

    Afreximbank and NBS expect to bring onstream investments of about US$ 300 million in Malawi in the near term.

    In another transaction, Afreximbank signed a US$ 4.4-million Project Preparation Facility Agreement in favour of Med Aditus Pharmaceutical Kenya Limited. The facility will be deployed to finance the preparation of feasibility and bankability studies towards the development of a state-of-the-art fill and finish pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, with a production capacity of at least two billion tablets and capsules per annum, located in Kibos, Kisumu County, Kenya.

    The project will improve access to quality, affordable life-saving medicines across the Great Lakes region, contributing to better health outcomes in a region that contends with heavy loads of infectious and other diseases. The project will also facilitate medical and manufacturing blockchain technology transfer to Africa, supporting the long-term growth and strengthening the wider region’s health sector. The project preparation facility will bring onstream assets of about US$ 40 million.

    Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, signed the agreement on behalf of Afreximbank while Dr. Dhiren Thakker, Founder and CEO of Med Aditus Pharma, signed for his company.

    Afreximbank also signed a Heads of Terms agreement for a US$4.4-million project preparation facility in favour of Green Hybrid Power Private Limited. The facility will be deployed towards the preparation of bankability and feasibility studies and procurement of transaction advisors for a 1-Gigawatt (GW) hybrid floating solar photovoltaic power system on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.

    The project, to be implemented in two phases, includes a pilot phase targeting a generation capacity of 500 MW to be sold wholly to the Intensive Energy Users Group, a consortium of blue-chip industrial and mining energy users in Zimbabwe, under a “take-or-pay” 20-year power purchase agreement with a cost-reflective tariff. The project is expected to supply affordable and reliable power that will support value-addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe’s minerals, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

    The project preparation facility will unlock an investment estimated at US$ 350 million.

    Signing the agreement were Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, on behalf of Afreximbank, and Mr. Eddie Cross, Chairman, for Green Hybrid Power Private Limited.

    Afreximbank, in addition, signed a Project Preparation Facility Heads of Terms Agreement of US$ 4.0 million in favour of Proton Energy Limited, a Nigerian independent power producer. The facility will be deployed towards financing the preparation of feasibility studies and procurement of transaction advisory services for the development of a grid-connected gas-fired power plant with a nameplate capacity of 500 MW in Sapele, Nigeria. The project will commence with an initial generation capacity of 150 MW.

    The project will evacuate the electricity generated primarily to Eko Electricity Distribution Company under a 20-year power purchase agreement with a cost-reflective tariff.

    The facility is expected to bring on stream assets estimated at US$ 300 million.

    Signing the agreement were Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, on behalf of Afreximbank, and Mr. Oti Ikomi, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, for Proton Energy Limited.

    AAM2025 took place from 25 to 28 June and attracted an estimated 8,000 participants, including presidents, prime ministers, ministers and business leaders, from across Africa, the Caribbean and beyond. It ended with the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders where Dr. George Elombi was appointed the next President of the Bank who succeeds Prof. Benedict Oramah whose tenure is ending after two five-year terms in the position.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contact:
    Vincent Musumba
    Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
    Email: press@afreximbank.com

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    About Afreximbank:
    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

    For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Three reasons buffets can be a recipe for a health disaster – and how to keep diners safe

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Kimon-Andreas Karatzas, Associate Professor of Food Microbiology, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading

    Perfect Wave/Shutterstock

    You pile your plate high at the buffet, savouring the freedom to try a little bit of everything. But while your tastebuds might be celebrating, your gut could be at risk.

    From shared serving spoons to lukewarm lasagne, buffets can be a breeding ground for bacteria – and a hotbed for food poisoning. In the UK alone, millions of cases go unreported each year. So what makes buffets so risky, and what can be done to stay safe?

    Food poisoning is a serious issue in the UK and around the world. While most cases are mild and don’t require treatment, some can lead to hospitalisation or even death. Official figures suggest approximately 2.4 million people in the UK fall ill each year due to food-borne illness – mostly caused by viruses, bacteria or toxins in contaminated food. But because many people recover at home without reporting their symptoms, the real figure is likely much higher.

    The Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates that there are closer to 18 million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. That’s almost one in four people. And buffets – particularly all-you-can-eat venues – are a common setting for outbreaks.

    So, what is it about buffets that makes them such a hotspot for illness? Here are the key reasons these self-serve spreads carry higher risks:

    1. Cross-Contamination

    One of the biggest concerns at buffets is cross-contamination, when harmful bacteria, viruses or allergens are transferred from one food to another. This can happen in any kitchen, but buffets are particularly vulnerable.

    Why? Because dozens of dishes are often displayed close together, customers serve themselves (sometimes without washing their hands), utensils are shared between people and dishes and food are exposed to the air for extended periods.

    If just one dish becomes contaminated – say, with under-cooked meat juices or bacteria from unwashed hands – they can spread to other foods, affecting many people. Sneezes over platters and untrained customers handling food directly all increase the risk.

    Even something as simple as using the same spoon for multiple dishes can be enough to transfer bacteria. With many hands touching the same utensils and food being moved or mixed between containers, even a well-run buffet can become a hazard zone as it is difficult to monitor and control that all customers abide to food safety rules.

    2. Allergens

    For people with food allergies, buffets can be particularly dangerous. Cross-contamination means that allergen-free foods can become unsafe through even minimal contact with allergenic ingredients.

    For example, a spoon used in a nut-containing salad and then placed into a nut-free one can be enough to trigger a reaction. To reduce this risk, check that buffet venues clearly label all dishes with allergen information, use separate serving utensils for different foods, keep allergen-free dishes physically separate from others and train staff on allergen safety and cross-contamination risks.

    Despite best intentions, busy buffet settings don’t always allow for these precautions to be enforced perfectly, putting allergic diners at greater risk.

    3. Temperature trouble

    One of the main food safety challenges at buffets is temperature control. Harmful bacteria multiply rapidly in what experts call the “danger zone”: the temperature range between 8°C and 63°C. If food sits within this range for too long, it becomes an ideal breeding ground for microbes.

    Several types of bacteria are commonly responsible for food-borne illness in buffet settings.

    Salmonella is often found in under-cooked poultry, eggs, and dairy products. It can cause diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps, and it spreads easily if hot food is not kept at a safe temperature.

    E. coli, typically linked to under-cooked beef and raw vegetables, can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and, in some cases, lead to kidney failure.

    Listeria monocytogenes can grow in chilled foods like soft cheeses, pâté, and pre-packed sandwiches. It poses serious risks to pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

    Clostridium perfringens thrives in food that has been left warm for too long – especially items like stews, casseroles and roasts. It can cause sudden stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

    Norovirus, also called the winter vomiting bug, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. Infected customers can pass this virus on the food with direct contact and cause disease to others that will consume it.

    Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium commonly found on the skin of humans and when it grows on food produces toxins that can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. This bacterium can easily end up on the food through contact with utensils or customers and grow if the temperature of food is not within the correct range.

    Maintaining safe food temperatures is essential to prevent these pathogens from multiplying. According to food safety guidelines, hot food should be kept above 63°C, and cold food below 8°C. However, in many buffet settings, food is left sitting out for extended periods – sometimes in ambient room temperatures, and sometimes without adequate heating or refrigeration equipment. This allows bacteria to flourish.

    To minimise risk, hot food should not be left out for more than two hours, and cold food should be consumed within four. After these limits, leftover items should be discarded and not mixed with fresh batches. Reusing food that’s been sitting out not only compromises freshness but also risks spreading bacteria from old to new dishes.

    Unfortunately, in busy all-you-can-eat environments, it’s common for staff to top up half-empty trays instead of replacing them. While this may reduce food waste, it increases the likelihood of contamination, especially during high-traffic service times. Without strict hygiene protocols in place, even small lapses in temperature control can lead to widespread illness.

    Staying safe

    Buffets don’t have to be a recipe for disaster – but safety depends on both the venue’s hygiene practices and diners’ own behaviour. Here’s what to look for:

    • dishes should be steaming hot or chilled, not lukewarm

    • clean utensils should be available for each item

    • clear allergen labels should be visible

    • staff should be monitoring and maintaining food stations

    • diners should wash their hands before serving themselves.

    If in doubt, it’s safer to skip questionable dishes, especially those that look like they’ve been sitting out too long, are unlabelled, or have been clearly mixed with other items.

    Buffets can be a delicious way to explore new flavours and enjoy variety. But without proper precautions, they can also pose serious food safety risks. Whether you’re tucking into a carvery, grazing a hotel breakfast, or piling your plate at an all-you-can-eat spread, it’s worth keeping an eye on hygiene – and knowing when to walk away from the buffet table.

    Kimon-Andreas Karatzas receives funding from the EU, BBSRC, EPSRC and private companies (Future Biogas, Natureseal and AB Mauri)

    – ref. Three reasons buffets can be a recipe for a health disaster – and how to keep diners safe – https://theconversation.com/three-reasons-buffets-can-be-a-recipe-for-a-health-disaster-and-how-to-keep-diners-safe-260754

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Why it’s not a problem that dinosaurs are sold for millions of dollars – art historian

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mark Westgarth, Professor, History of the Art Market, University of Leeds

    Sotheby’s publicity photograph for the _Ceratosaurus_ fossil. Sotheby’s, CC BY-SA

    A juvenile dinosaur fossil, Ceratosaurus nasicornis, has sold at Sotheby’s New York for US$30.5 million (£22.7 million). It is part of a recent resurgence of art-market interest in fossils and natural history – palaeontology and geology especially. Indeed, this latest dinosaur sale was part of an auction specifically dedicated to natural history.

    Led by iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils, the prices for such specimens have reached eyewatering levels in recent years. “Stan”, currently the most expensive T-Rex, sold for US$31.8 million at Christie’s New York in 2020. Then a stegosaurus called “Apex” sold for US$44.6 million in New York in 2024.

    The US$30.5 million sale of the juvenile Ceratosaurus, a much smaller species, raises the market bar significantly. Even a T-Rex fossil foot at the latest Sotheby’s auction far exceeded its published estimate of US$250,000-US$300,000, selling for US$1.8 million. When you reflect that a full T-Rex fossil by the name of “Sue” sold for US$8.4 million in 1997 – US$17 million in today’s money – it looks cheap by comparison.

    Sotheby’s marketing of the Ceratosaurus highlights how the art market builds narratives around these objects of science. Publicity photographs emphasise the dinosaur’s sculptural qualities, along with descriptions like “mounted in an action pose … with jaws open”. This mirrors the presentation in taxidermy mounts, another market that is drawing in more collectors at present.

    Photographs in the auction publicity have an almost filmic quality. They tie the fossil to its discovery process, with the image at the top of this article including an SUV in the distance that is kitted out for fossil hunting.

    The extensive catalogue description builds on this, appropriating the language of science with a forensic account of how the fossil was discovered and pieced together, supporting the key art market criteria of authenticity.

    It highlights the commodity status of the fossil as a spectacle, aimed at new, younger super-rich collectors who are seeking out statement pieces. These allow them to demonstrate what the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu termed increasing levels of distinction – in other words, cultural choices as markers of status and power.

    Auctions and ethics

    Some palaeontologists express concerns about the idea of moving dinosaur remains “into the same realms as fine art”. Much opposition comes from the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology (SVP), a leading body on fossil research based in Utah, which is influential far beyond the US.

    Stuart Sumida, the president of the society, complained after the Ceratosaurus auction that such transactions can mean removing specimens “from the public trust and the scientific community for profit”. As his predecessor David Polly lamented in 2018, it can “create a perception that [fossils] have a commercial value”.

    The premise here is that the market is somehow dislocated from palaeontology, but the truth is that scientific research is never conducted in a commercial vacuum. It benefits from private funding and publishes in journals whose access is restricted for commercial gain. Replicas of dinosaur specimens are commercially licensed by museums, while moving fossils or replicas between institutions involves huge costs, covering everything from transport to insurance.

    Equally, the relationship between palaeontology and the market is more symbiotic than it might appear. The market for dinosaur fossils traces back to the late 18th century, with early operators including the fossil collector Mary Anning (1799-1847). Her discovery of dinosaur fossils on the English south coast in Dorset led to her establishing a successful shop called Annings Fossil Depot in the mid-1820s.

    Now recognised as one of the leading palaeontologists of the 19th century, the market for fossils that she helped to create increased the visibility and public interest in dinosaurs. This in turn acted as a catalyst for increased research activity in this area.

    More recently, the appetite for dinosaurs is reflected in multiple consumer spheres, from Jurassic Park to Barney & Friends. Every new product boosts public awareness of dinosaurs and no doubt ignites further research activity.

    Do palaeontologists need Barney more than they think?
    Paul M Walsh

    Each dinosaur auction that hits the headlines contributes to this effect. Privately owned fossils are also, in my experience, more likely to be exhibited in venues beyond natural history museums, such as major art fairs and even contemporary art museums. This too increases their visibility, which probably helps expand the range and scope of research interest.

    Now, you might argue that public interest is strong enough to drive research without the need for any benefits from auctions. Maybe the benefits are also outweighed by the palaeontologists’ concerns about specimens being lost to science when they fall into private hands.

    Then again, the SVP’s ethical guidelines contribute to such marginalisation. These insist that palaeontologists should “only conduct research on fossils held in collections with a permanent commitment to curation and accessibility” – in other words, museums. Loosen this restriction and the objection diminishes.

    When bodies like the SVP call for a total separation between art and science, between research and the art market, maybe they’re the ones that are the dinosaura for taking such a simplistic approach. The reality of auctioning these discoveries is a lot more complicated than some would have you believe.

    Mark Westgarth receives funding from Arts & Humanities Research Council.

    – ref. Why it’s not a problem that dinosaurs are sold for millions of dollars – art historian – https://theconversation.com/why-its-not-a-problem-that-dinosaurs-are-sold-for-millions-of-dollars-art-historian-261542

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Are you ageing well? Take the five-part quiz that could help change your future

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jitka Vseteckova, Senior Lecturer Health and Social Care, The Open University

    Sabrina Bracher/Shutterstock

    Most of us want to enjoy later life feeling strong, connected, and mentally sharp. But how often do we stop to think about whether the things we’re doing right now are helping us get there?

    A new quiz – which we have developed as part of the Take Five to Age Well project, a free, expert-led, month-long challenge from The Open University and Age UK – makes it easier, and more empowering, to ask that question, reflect and take action.

    Healthy ageing doesn’t depend on just one thing. Research shows that our long-term wellbeing is shaped by a mix of physical, mental and social factors. That’s why experts, including us, have identified five key areas – known as the Five Pillars for Ageing Well – that form a strong foundation for staying well and thriving in later life:



    Read more:
    You can’t reverse the ageing process but these 5 things can help you live longer

    1. Are you eating well?

    Are you getting enough fruit and vegetables, limiting ultra-processed foods and meeting your body’s changing nutritional needs? Diets like the Mediterranean plan are linked with a lower risk of dementia and other chronic conditions.

    Malnutrition is a serious concern in older age, especially when it comes to maintaining strong muscles and bones.

    2. Are you staying hydrated?

    Are you drinking enough water to support both your brain and body? Dehydration can creep up easily and affect cognitive function, mood and energy.

    Cutting down on sugary drinks can help you to maintain a healthy weight and staying within recommended alcohol limits can also help lower your risk of conditions like dementia. Hydration really matters.

    For people with life-limiting illnesses or conditions such as advanced dementia, where appetite and oral intake may be severely reduced, sugary drinks may be one of the few sources of calories they can tolerate. In these cases, hydration and comfort take priority over strict nutritional guidelines, and personalised care plans should always guide decisions.

    3. Are you being physically active?

    Are you moving regularly? Enough to raise your heart rate? Are you breaking up long periods of sitting with movement?



    Read more:
    Sitting is bad for your health and exercise doesn’t seem to offset the harmful effects

    A sedentary lifestyle is linked to a wide range of health risks. Simple habits like walking more can boost physical fitness, sharpen the mind and help prevent osteoporosis, especially when paired with good nutrition.

    4. Are you connecting socially?

    Are you keeping in touch with others, spending time in your community and enjoying meaningful connection? Loneliness increases the risk of depression and cognitive decline.

    Building strong social ties earlier in life can help protect wellbeing over the long term.

    5. Are you challenging your brain?

    Are you keeping your mind active by learning, reading, playing an instrument, or trying something new? Research shows that learning about your interests, activities like crossword puzzles or new physical activities can keep the brain healthy and potentially delay dementia. There’s no magic fix, but even small actions can have lasting benefits.

    Why it matters

    We developed the Take Five to Age Well quiz to help people reflect on how they’re doing across these five areas – and where there might be room to grow. The follow-up resources are based on real-life experiences of ageing from diverse communities and offer small, achievable steps you can start today.

    Unlike many online quizzes, this one doesn’t just score you – it supports you. After signing up to the month-long challenge and taking the quiz, the Take Five to Age Well participants receive tips, encouragement and expert-led advice supporting participants’ current habits and needs.

    We’ve also partnered with BridgitCare – organisation that works with Councils, the NHS and Carer Charities across the UK, to help identify carers and scale the support provided with the use of technology – to create Age Well, a free, web-based tool offering personalised daily actions. Whether you want to add more greens to your plate, look for expert tips, and easy ways to stay in control of your health, hobbies, and wellbeing or swap ten minutes of scrolling for a short walk, every step counts.



    Read more:
    Forming new habits can take longer than you think. Here are 8 tips to help you stick with them

    Age Well can also connect you to local groups and services to help turn good intentions into lasting routines.

    Healthy ageing isn’t just about avoiding illness – it’s about learning how to age well, maintaining independence, confidence and quality of life. And with an ageing population, learning that supports all taking proactive steps to protect our mental and physical health is more important than ever.

    The best part? Many of the most effective actions are small and realistic. You don’t have to run marathons or give up everything you enjoy. Take Five to Age Well meets you where you are – and helps you build a future where you feel stronger, more connected and better supported.

    No matter your age, it’s never too early – or too late – to start your journey to ageing well.

    Jitka Vseteckova is a Trustee with carers Buckinghamshire & Carers MK.

    Lis Boulton Health & Care Policy Manager, in the Charity Influencing Division at Age UK. Lis is also Chair of the National Falls Prevention Coordination Group, and also Chair of Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees, her local Age UK in West Yorkshire.

    – ref. Are you ageing well? Take the five-part quiz that could help change your future – https://theconversation.com/are-you-ageing-well-take-the-five-part-quiz-that-could-help-change-your-future-256381

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Rightwing populist Sanseitō party shakes Japan with election surge

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rin Ushiyama, Lecturer in Sociology, Queen’s University Belfast

    Japan held elections for its upper house, the House of Councillors, on July 20. The vote proved a challenge for the conservative ruling Liberal Democratic party (LDP), which has been reeling from corruption scandals, rising prices and US tariffs on Japanese exports.

    The ruling coalition, composed of the LDP and its junior partner, Kōmeitō, lost its majority in the house. While the centre-left Constitutional Democratic party maintained its position as the largest opposition group, the breakout success of the election was that of Sanseitō, an ultranationalist populist party.

    Sanseitō successfully framed immigration as a central issue in the election campaign, with the provocative slogan “Japanese First”. The party won 14 seats in the 248-seat chamber, a substantial jump from the single seat it won in the last election in 2022.

    Sanseitō calls itself a party of “ordinary Japanese citizens with the same mindset who came together”. It was formed in 2020 by Sōhei Kamiya, a conservative career politician who served as a city councillor in Suita, a city in Osaka Prefecture, before being elected to the House of Councillors.

    Although Sanseitō was initially known for its stance against the COVID-19 vaccine, it has more recently campaigned on an anti-foreigner and anti-immigration platform. The party, which also holds three seats in the powerful lower house, has quickly gained seats in regional and national elections. It most recently won three seats in Tokyo’s prefectural elections in June 2025.

    Sanseitō is “anti-globalist”, urging voters to feel proud of their ethnicity and culture. Polls suggest the party is popular among younger men aged between 18 and 30.

    Throughout the most recent election campaign, Kamiya repeatedly spread far-right conspiracy theories and misinformation. This included arguing multinational corporations caused the pandemic, as well as that foreigners commit crimes en masse and can avoid paying inheritance tax. Social media has amplified Sanseitō’s xenophobic messaging.

    Sanseitō’s electoral success is reminiscent of other right-wing populist parties across Europe and North America, which also place immigration as a core issue.

    Kamiya denies being a xenophobe. But he has expressed support for the Republican party in the US, Reform in the UK, Alternativ für Deutschland in Germany and Rassemblement National in France. Echoing other right-wing populist leaders, Kamiya has promised tax cuts, home-grown industries, regulation of foreigners and patriotic education.

    However, while Sanseitō rides the global wave of right-wing populism, it also has deeply Japanese roots. Following Japan’s defeat in the second world war, a distinct current of right-wing thought developed, defending “traditional values” and glorifying Japan’s imperial past.

    Tensions have flared periodically over issues such as history education and official visits to Yasukuni Shrine, where those who died in service of Japan – including military leaders convicted of war crimes – are commemorated. There have also been disputes around the memorialisation of so-called “comfort women”, who were forced into sex slavery by Japanese forces before and during the war.

    Building on these currents, Sanseitō represents a new generation of Japanese conservatism, not just an emulation of foreign populist leaders.

    What happens next?

    Sanseitō’s rise could have a pivotal influence on Japan’s political landscape. While the prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has indicated he will not resign, the ruling coalition has now lost control of both houses. Ishiba may need to seek support from other parties and may face leadership challenges.

    He also must respond to issues Sanseitō has raised. LDP policymakers are now aware of public anxieties surrounding migration, excessive tourism and cultural integration. Seeking to co-opt some of Sanseitō’s proposals, the government has already banned tourists from driving and set up a new government agency to address concerns about non-Japanese nationals. It has also pledged to reduce illegal immigration to zero.

    But the government is facing steep economic and demographic challenges, such as US tariffs, a rapidly ageing and declining population, and a record-low birth rate. So it cannot afford to cut immigration dramatically. Policymakers will have to balance economic needs with hardening public attitudes towards foreigners.

    It’s not just immigration that will be at stake. Ishiba will need to navigate wedge issues that could split the LDP’s conservative support base. These include same-sex marriage, the use of separate surnames by married couples, and female succession to the throne.

    It’s too early to say whether Sanseitō can sustain its momentum. Numerous populist leaders in Japan before Kamiya have succeeded in turning mistrust of the political class into votes at the ballot box. However, few have been able to translate it into meaningful political change across multiple election cycles.

    For instance, Shinji Ishimaru made headlines in 2024 after placing second in the race for Tokyo governor. But his Path to Reform party, which promised educational reform, struggled in the latest election. Reiwa Shinsengumi, the left populist party led by Tarō Yamamoto, also enjoyed success in previous elections but remains small.

    Only time will tell if Sanseitō will become a major political party or yet another minority group on the fringes. But it’s clear anti-immigration populism has arrived in Japan. And it looks like it’s here to stay.

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

    – ref. Rightwing populist Sanseitō party shakes Japan with election surge – https://theconversation.com/rightwing-populist-sanseito-party-shakes-japan-with-election-surge-261303

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Teenagers aren’t good at spotting misinformation online – research suggests why

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Yvonne Skipper, Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Education), University of Glasgow

    Body Stock/Shutterstock

    Misinformation is found in every element of our online lives. It ranges from fake products available to buy, fake lifestyle posts on social media accounts and fake news about health and politics.

    Misinformation has an impact not only on our beliefs but also our behaviour: for example, it has affected how people vote in elections and whether people intend to have vaccinations.

    And since anyone can create and share online content, without the kind of verification processes or fact checking typical of more traditional media, misinformation has proliferated.

    This is particularly important as young people increasingly turn to social media for all kinds of information, using it as a source of news and as a search engine. But despite their frequent use of social media, teenagers struggle to evaluate the accuracy of the content they consume.

    A 2022 report from media watchdog Ofcom found that only 11% of 11 to 17 year olds could reliably recognise the signs that indicated a post was genuine.

    My research has explored what teenagers understand about misinformation online. I held focus groups with 37 11- to 14-year-olds, asking them their views on misinformation.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    I found that the young people in the study tended to – wrongly – believe that misinformation was only about world events and scams. Because of this, they believed that they personally did not see a lot of misinformation.

    “[My Instagram] isn’t really like ‘this is happening in the world’ or whatever, it’s just kind of like life,” one said. This may make them vulnerable to misinformation as they are only alert for it in these domains.

    There was also wide variation in how confident they felt about spotting misinformation. Some were confident in their skills. “I’m not daft enough to believe it,” as one put it.

    Others admitted to being easily fooled. This was an interesting finding, as previous research has indicated that most people have a high level of confidence in their personal ability to spot misinformation.

    Most did not fact-check information by cross-referencing what they read with other news sources. They relied instead on their intuition – “You just see it, you know” – or looked at what others said in comment sections to spot misinformation. But neither of these strategies is likely to be particularly reliable.

    Relying on gut instinct typically means using cognitive shortcuts such as “I trust her, so I can trust her post” or “the website looks professional, so it is trustworthy”. This makes it easy for people to create believable false information.

    And a study by Ofcom found that only 22% of adults were able to identify signs of a genuine post. This means that relying on other people to help us tell true from false is not likely to be effective.

    Interestingly, the teens in this study saw older adults, particularly grandparents, as especially vulnerable to believing false information. On the other hand, they viewed their parents as more skilled at spotting misinformation than they themselves were. “[Parents] see it as fake news, so they don’t believe it and they don’t need to worry about it,” one said.

    Teens thought their parents would be better than them at spotting misinformation online.
    LightField Studios/Shutterstock

    This was unexpected. We might assume that young people, who are often considered digital natives, would see themselves as more adept than their parents at spotting misinformation.

    Taking responsibility

    We discussed whose role it was to challenge misinformation online. The teens were reluctant to challenge it themselves. They thought it would not make a difference if they did, or they feared being victimised online or even offline.

    Instead, they believed that governments should stop the spread of misinformation “as they know about what wars are happening”. But older participants thought that if the government took a leading role in stopping the spread of misinformation “there would be protests”, as it would be seen as censorship.

    They also felt that platforms should take responsibility to stop the spread of misinformation to protect their reputation, so that people don’t panic about fake news.

    In light of these findings, my colleagues and I have created a project that works with young people to create resources to help them develop their skills in spotting misinformation and staying safe online. We work closely with young people to understand what their concerns are, and how they want to learn about these topics.

    We also partner with organisations such as Police Scotland and Education Scotland to ensure our materials are grounded in real-world challenges and informed by the needs of teachers and other adult professionals as well as young people.

    Yvonne Skipper has received funding from the ESRC, Education Scotland and British Academy.

    – ref. Teenagers aren’t good at spotting misinformation online – research suggests why – https://theconversation.com/teenagers-arent-good-at-spotting-misinformation-online-research-suggests-why-260445

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How young people have taken climate justice to the world’s international courts

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Susan Ann Samuel, PhD Candidate, School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

    Pla2na/Shutterstock, CC BY-NC-ND

    Youth activist organisations including Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change and World Youth for Climate Justice recently coordinated massive online calls across two different time zones. These two global gatherings were in preparation for a coordinated global youth movement around the release of the most anticipated advisory opinion scheduled to be delivered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 23 2025.

    An advisory opinion is a legal interpretation provided by a high-level court or tribunal with a special mandate, in response to a specific question of law. Simply put, an advisory opinion is not legally binding in the way a court judgement between two nations would be.

    But it is authoritative. The opinion carries significant legal, moral and political weight: since states often refer to advisory opinions when shaping policies, judges cite them for decisions and they’re used by civil society to hold governments accountable. An advisory opinion can influence shifting governance and principles governing it. I like to think of it as a northern star — it won’t change the reality but can guide potential outcomes and pave the way for future change.

    As one of hundreds of participants attending both the online meetings, plus in my capacity as a researcher investigating the role of youth in climate law and politics, this collective action feels momentous.

    The movement for an advisory opinion to ICJ began in 2019 when a few brave young people from the Pacific Islands stood up for the world. Twenty-seven law students at the Vanuatu campus of the University of South Pacific convinced their nation to champion climate action and accountability to the entire world by bringing climate justice to the world court.

    For these students in the Pacific, the climate crisis means losing their identity, their culture and their homes to the rising sea levels and weather catastrophes. To the young people across the globe — including me — the concern about not being heard by world leaders becomes a shared reality, even though it is our future at stake.

    Four courts, four continents

    It’s not just the ICJ that’s delivering an advisory opinion. The world is at a turning point. For the first time, four world courts or tribunals across four continents are being asked to clarify nations’ legal obligations in the face of the climate crisis. The ICJ’s advisory opinion is the centrepiece: but it sits within a broader push primarily by global youth and developing countries — to clarify what human rights, state responsibility and climate justice mean in law.

    A “quartet” of advisory opinions now spans four judicial bodies: the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the ICJ, and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. See the diagram below to check the timeline of each court proceeding.

    In addition to the advisory opinions, there are currently 3,113 climate cases across the globe. These include many youth-led cases that bolster solidarity for climate action, call for futureproofing environmental governance, and evoke soft power around the legal proceedings.

    These legal proceedings are the result of bold, persistent advocacy. These cases are not abstract. There’s a moral arc here: they primarily stem from advocacy from global youth movements, developing countries, civil society coalitions and frontline communities demanding legal recognition of climate harms and protection of future generations.

    As such, the role of youth in bolstering moral power is massive. Their influence in empowering states across the globe to embody climate leadership is critical to pushing for political action, even amid geopolitical realities.

    Tracing climate litigation patterns suggests that youth are changing the environmental governance space: as youth litigators (both young lawyers and youth-led cases), youth negotiators and youth activists. Youth across these three spheres — law, politics and activism — are mutually reinforcing each other in their advocacy, unlike ever before.

    Themes of climate justice in litigation, negotiation, and social movements are deeply interconnected, rather than isolated from one another. Youth, who are active across all these spheres, often serve as key advocates, thereby reshaping governance dynamics in the process

    The push for justice by youth is palpable, despite growing political concerns across the globe. Youth remains the common face of vulnerability, agency and promise. The call for justice is now.

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    Susan Ann Samuel receives funding from Prof. Viktoria Spaiser’s UKRI FLF Grant MR/V021141/1 and is supported by the University of Leeds – School of Politics and International Studies.

    – ref. How young people have taken climate justice to the world’s international courts – https://theconversation.com/how-young-people-have-taken-climate-justice-to-the-worlds-international-courts-261033

    MIL OSI Analysis –