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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How citizens’ assemblies could improve animal welfare

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Heather Browning, Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Southampton

    Heather Browning speaks about animal welfare and ethics as part of the Citizens’ Assembly for Animal Welfare opening event in Birmingham. RSPCA, CC BY-NC-ND

    As an animal lover, should you visit zoos? Should you have pets? Should you make your garden friendly for birds, pollinators and other wildlife? Should you try to reduce meat in your diet or avoid consuming all animal products? Should you write to politicians about changing the laws for animals?

    As a lecturer in animal ethics and animal welfare science, and someone who’s spent a lot of time working with animals, these are the sorts of questions I think about.

    There are lots of ways to be kinder to animals. All have their merits. But the big question is: what sort of future do we want to see for animals in our society?

    We live in a time where animals are facing some of their biggest challenges, from the climate crisis to industrial farming. Combined with other social issues such as the cost of living crisis and global conflicts, we as citizens and consumers have many other competing claims on our capacity to care. This can mean less attention for animals and the harms they face.

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    This creates a big problem. Alongside the ethical reasons for improving animals’ lives, good animal welfare can benefit everyone – among other things, care for and connections with animals improves our own mental health, fosters compassion in our communities, and can lead to improvements in our natural environment. We don’t want to lose sight of the progress we’ve made in our thinking about and treatment of animals.

    It’s undeniable that there have been many welfare gains for animals over the years, but in the face of how far we still have to go, perhaps new approaches are needed. How can we conceive of new, and perhaps more radical, ways to help animals? And importantly, how do we keep animal welfare on the agenda, both socially and politically?

    For over two centuries, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has played a central role in this fight. Alongside their animal rescue work, they have campaigned for changes in over 400 laws, and worked with the public to find ways to improve welfare for pets, farmed animals and wildlife.

    This year they are stepping into a new frontier and have commissioned what is possibly the first ever citizens’ assembly focused entirely on animal welfare in the world, delivered with the assistance of experts from the New Citizen Project, a consultancy that specialises in citizen-led engagement. The assembly is part of the RSPCA’s Animal Futures project, which aims to examine what the future may hold for animals by 2050, and most importantly how everyone (citizens, consumers and policymakers) has a role in influencing this.

    Citizens’ assemblies are being held to debate animal welfare issues, such as chicken farming for eggs.
    Dewald Kirsten/Shutterstock

    Citizens’ assemblies bring together a randomly selected representative sample of the population, who learn about and debate issues and make recommendations. It’s a form of deliberative democracy, where the people can have their say on important social and political issues.

    Assemblies are a means of overcoming some of the current problems with the democratic process, like the exclusion of people who often aren’t heard in politics (such as those with less money or education, or racial and religious minorities) and polarisation between major government parties that can slow down decision-making and action.

    Beyond just a focus group asking for existing opinions, citizen’s assemblies provide opportunities for members to learn and shape their thinking, to build expertise on the topics they deliberate.

    Assemblies have already been used around the world on issues as diverse as abortion rights, electoral reform and food waste. As they are independently facilitated, they don’t just follow the accepted institutional narratives and can instead encourage organisations and policymakers to envision new directions for thought and action – in line with the realities of what the public believe and value.

    There are now several examples of the recommendations coming from such assemblies successfully driving policy change, such as climate change reform in France.

    While organisations such as the RSPCA may know a lot about animals, hosting this assembly is an acknowledgement that they don’t have all the answers about what is best for society as a whole, as we consider our interactions with animals. The scope of this problem is far larger than any one organisation can tackle alone, and through initiatives such as the citizens’ assembly, we can gain a greater insight into the possible solutions for the future.

    Animal assembly

    I recently attended this assembly’s opening session in Birmingham, where members were gathered from all around England and Wales (neatly marked by pins scattered across a map of the country). Looking around the room there was obvious diversity in demographics and backgroun and as I spoke with the members it was also apparent there was a wide range of opinions and beliefs on the topics we discussed.

    What everyone shared was a commitment to the process – to learn from the experts who were there to introduce the topics, to deliberate and discuss carefully and thoughtfully – and a desire to contribute and influence the process. Being there felt like being part of an important moment for the future of animal welfare.

    In the weeks that followed, the members of the assembly met again several times to absorb and consider huge amounts of information about topics such as farming, responsible pet ownership, wildlife, and nature. Based on this, they will make a series of recommendations that will drive change at the RSPCA.

    What they produce will be used to shape its future direction, how it works, and how it lobbies governments. What these assembly members recommend could have a substantial and lasting impact on animal welfare in the UK.

    Like many animal welfare experts from academia, industry or charities, I might think I have the answers on what animals need. But successful solutions require public backing to have real impact. Improving the future for animals is something that everyone has a role in and a citizens’ assembly can be a catalyst for positive change.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

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    Heather Browning 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 citizens’ assemblies could improve animal welfare – https://theconversation.com/how-citizens-assemblies-could-improve-animal-welfare-259755

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Overhauling the NHS app is at the heart of UK healthcare plans, but it could leave some people behind

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Catia Nicodemo, Professor of Health Economics, Brunel University of London

    The ‘doctor in your pocket’ will see you soon. CeltStudio/Shutterstock

    The UK government’s ten-year health plan promises a radical digital transformation of the NHS. A key part of this change is said to come from developing the NHS app, which is being hailed as a “doctor in your pocket”.

    The upgraded app will apparently offer features like instant health advice, appointment booking, prescription management and access to personal health records. It is hoped the software will become users’ “front door” to the NHS.

    It’s an ambitious vision which aims to empower patients, streamline services and reduce red tape. And for tech-savvy users, these innovations could significantly improve access to care, reduce waiting times and enhance patient autonomy.

    But while it may herald a new era of convenience for many, it risks leaving behind anyone who struggles with an increasingly digital world. This could then exacerbate health inequalities which already exist – and increase pressure on some areas of already strained services.

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    In particular, a digital-first approach to healthcare risks excluding older adults, who may lack the skills or resources to confidently navigate the necessary software. The media regulator Ofcom estimates that around 6% of UK households still lack internet access at home. Figures from the charity Age UK suggest that 33% of people over 75 in the UK lack basic digital skills.

    With regard to health specifically, a 2024 study found that older patients were more likely to misunderstand automated symptom checkers, leading to unnecessary anxiety or delayed care.

    For these people, the planned shift to app-based services could create new barriers to accessing care, potentially leading to delayed diagnoses and worsening health outcomes.

    The NHS plan does at least acknowledge this divide, and says it will confer with patient groups and work with other establishments (such as libraries) to support digital literacy. But these measures will not be enough without guaranteed funding.

    And older people, even those who are comfortable with technology, may face other challenges such as visual impairment or cognitive decline, which can make using apps difficult.

    Others who struggle to use the NHS App for routine care may delay seeking help until their conditions worsen, placing avoidable strain on overstretched hospitals.

    Digital diversion

    This strain might include digital triage inadvertently funnelling non-urgent cases to A&E if users misinterpret symptoms or find the app’s guidance unclear, a risk compounded by the lack of human oversight in automated systems. Or a patient with chronic pain might avoid the app due to digital anxiety or confusion, and end up going to A&E when their condition becomes unbearable and more costly to treat.

    Not everyone is comfortable with apps.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    To avoid all of this, the NHS needs to maintain traditional communication options. Telephone and in-person services must remain accessible and widely available. The ten-year plan’s focus on “digital by default” should not become “digital only”.

    There should also be plenty of investment to help people feel digitally empowered and included. Places like libraries and community centres can certainly help, but targeted outreach will also be necessary, such as partnerships with charities.

    This is not to say the NHS should be overly wary of the benefits of increased digital capabilities. The ten-year plan highlights, for example, the app’s potential to alleviate some of the burdens on healthcare staff, with AI able to take care of admin, saving clinicians time which can be used for patient care instead.

    Such efficiencies are critical for a system grappling with workforce shortages and rising demand. Yet if digital tools are not universally accessible or usable, not everyone will benefit.

    So while the NHS’s digital ambitions are commendable, their success hinges on inclusivity. If it’s not careful, the system risks entrenching a two-tier system where younger, tech-literate patients benefit while older and disadvantaged groups face greater exclusion. As the NHS embraces innovation, it must ensure no one is left behind – especially those who rely on it the most.

    Catia Nicodemo 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. Overhauling the NHS app is at the heart of UK healthcare plans, but it could leave some people behind – https://theconversation.com/overhauling-the-nhs-app-is-at-the-heart-of-uk-healthcare-plans-but-it-could-leave-some-people-behind-260540

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Come meet us in Dubai’: the new offshoring of grand corruption

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Heathershaw, Professor in International Relations, University of Exeter

    So-called professional enablers of grand corruption are increasing service provision out of jurisdictions where they can act without similar restraints. WaitForLight / Shutterstock

    During an interview one of us (Ricardo Soares de Oliveira) carried out in 2017, an African high net-worth individual said he was told by an executive whose business had long served him out of London: “Come meet us in Dubai”. This is part of a large but still misunderstood shift.

    In response to the hardening of rules for foreign money of dubious origins in traditional financial centres, sensitive business has been moving toward new, more permissive jurisdictions. This offshoring of services is giving corrupt strategies a new lease of life, while also making the fightback more difficult.

    For every corrupt dealing that materialises as legitimate wealth, a trail of service provision is indispensable. Bankers, lawyers, real estate executives, accountants, management consultants and PR agencies have acted as facilitators in western financial centres.

    Western governments have long indulged kleptocracy, a system where business success and political power are inextricably entwined. They have done so by condoning lax law enforcement and promoting deregulation, often through risible mechanisms of professional self-regulation.

    But in recent years, data leaks and brave championship of reform by politicians, as well as the work of civil society organisations, investigative journalists and academics, have shed light on the role of these so-called professional enablers.

    In June 2024, a month before becoming British foreign secretary, David Lammy promised to take aim at professionals who enable corruption through London and the UK’s overseas territories. This, he noted, included the “finest bankers, lawyers, estate agents and accountants that money could buy”.

    Lammy’s comments give the impression that the era of risk-free facilitation of corrupt behaviour is at an end. But this optimism is, at least for now, misplaced.

    The shift is largely in political discourse and media scrutiny. Enforcement seriously lags everywhere and is now in reverse gear in the US. Professional enablers still face no real sanction for engaging in such practices.

    At the same time, many professionals are reacting to a more tightly regulated ecosystem in western jurisdictions by engaging in so-called “jurisdictional arbitrage”. There is evidence that they are increasing service provision out of jurisdictions where they can act without similar restraints.

    Jurisdictional arbitrage

    Almost all cases of the professional enabling we have studied involve service provision in western hubs and “new” global financial centres.

    The professional network around Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of the former president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, was dubbed “the office” by Swiss prosecutors. Karimova was jailed in 2014 for taking bribes for access to the country’s market.

    The criminal investigation into her involved 12 jurisdictions, including the UK, US and Uzbekistan as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong.

    Isabel dos Santos, who is Africa’s richest woman and the daughter of former Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos, also held a maze of global interests. These interests, as in the case of Karimova, spanned western jurisdictions and Asian financial centres such as Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

    Alternative jurisdictions all offer very similar conditions. They are already well-connected, world-class financial centres that are attractive to international business executives.

    Their governments have created regulatory, fiscal and secrecy conditions, sometimes explicitly undercutting older centres such as Switzerland and London. In the latest edition of the Global Financial Centers index, which ranks the competitiveness of financial centres, Dubai rose four places to go above Dublin, Geneva and Paris.

    Crucially, they are also mostly authoritarian states where there is no media or civil society pressure regarding business activities. Even the intermittent sort of scrutiny one sees in western financial centres is absent there.

    Much activity in these financial centres is legal and based on their legitimate competitive advantages. Business interests are also attracted by their vast capital pools. But they are proving to be especially appealing for the sort of business that can no longer flock to other jurisdictions.

    This is the case with servicing clients from states under sanctions such as Russia or Iran. It also applies to regions like Africa and central Asia with high compliance barriers whose high net-worth individuals and firms can no longer get easy access to OECD jurisdictions.

    Researchers at the University of Sussex have shown a major shift in dirty money networks away from the west and towards what they call a “Dubai-Kong axis”.

    There is no exact portrait of the magnitude of this jurisdictional arbitrage. But our work tells us it is big. Two examples from Switzerland are commodity trading and wealth management.

    These sectors have long been under-scrutinised. But they have seen regulatory tightening and greater media attention in recent years. Both have reacted the same way, by sending important parts of their business away from Switzerland.

    The UAE has been dubbed the “new Swiss financial mecca”, with the Financial Times reporting in May 2025 that Swiss family offices are moving there “wholesale”. Far from downplaying the “Swiss brand”, they continue to advertise their multi-generational expertise and “old money” mystique, but from more amenable locations.

    What can be done?

    The many types of legal business involving professional services in these jurisdictions should not be affected. But national and international law must designate the “kleptocratic enterprise” of elites and professionals as a form of serious organised crime.

    This would allow prosecutors to target professionals for working with criminal kleptocrats rather than having to prove that the particular asset handled has criminal origin. This move was made by Swiss prosecutors in the Karimova case.

    It captures the reality that ill-gotten gains are layered and integrated into assets held overseas, just as enablers do for criminal gangs. It also means that the moving of the family office to Dubai will not prevent prosecution where an asset is held or registered.

    Finally, governments could stimulate the market in asset recovery by making it easier for foreign governments and civil society to bring cases, with expert law firms working on a for-profit basis.

    Illicit finance is always transnational, so there is no need to declare defeat just because dodgy business is on the move. However, we are entering a new stage in its global dissemination and complexity.

    John Heathershaw receives funding from the Governance Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme funded by UK Aid from the UK Government for the benefits of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the UK government’s official policies. He is affiliated with the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition.

    Ricardo Soares de Oliveira receives funding from the Governance Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme funded by UK Aid from the UK Government for the benefits of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the UK government’s official policies.

    – ref. ‘Come meet us in Dubai’: the new offshoring of grand corruption – https://theconversation.com/come-meet-us-in-dubai-the-new-offshoring-of-grand-corruption-258434

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Pallets are the backbone of global trade but supplies are threatened by theft, loss – and giant bonfires

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Liz Breen, Professor of Health Service Operations, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of Bradford

    Craigyhill bonfire was declared the world’s tallest at a height of 203 feet (63 metres) in 2022. Thousands of pallets were used to build it. Stephen Barnes/Shutterstock

    Pallets don’t usually make headlines. But amid fresh controversy around the traditional July bonfires held in Northern Ireland this year, they’ve suddenly become a talking point. Wooden pallets used in these bonfires are popular due to their stacking ability, and also their colours – which include the red, white and blue of Britain.

    Ordinarily, pallets are used to transport products from manufacturers to retailers. But their numbers are shrinking due to theft and loss – and of course, they cost money to buy, store, use and replace. A study by one of us (Liz) in 2006 quoted a logistics firm that estimated 14 million pallets were generally missing throughout Europe, costing £140 million. And it’s an ongoing problem: millions of products such as pallets and packaging containers are still stolen each year across the continent.

    Just one bonfire in Larne, County Antrim, in July 2021 reportedly used 17,000 pallets in its construction. This year, police are investigating where the pallets used in the same community’s bonfire originated from. Amid speculation that some may belong to Australia-based supply chain firm Chep, that company has stated its pallets can never legally be bought, sold or destroyed.

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    Pallet losses can lead to logistical disruptions, delayed orders and bare shelves in supermarkets. And the impact is felt by pallet owners, manufacturers, customers and end-users alike.

    Pallets are big business. In the US, around 513 million – mainly wooden, some plastic – are produced each year. In 2021, 48.6 million wooden pallets were produced in the UK, up 8.3% from 2020.

    Rental companies can hold high numbers of pallets, which support the movement of “fast-moving” customer goods – including food, drinks and toiletries. North American firm Peco, for example, manages stock of over 20 million distinctive red wooden pallets across its 90 depots.

    Manufacturers rely on pallets being available to fulfil orders and distribute them to customers quickly. Also known as “returnable transit packaging”, they are valuable assets as they can be maintained and reused. They are usually owned by a pallet pooling agent, which must absorb the loss when they are not returned from customers.

    Why steal pallets?

    Good-condition pallets have a resale value. Both wood and plastic pallets can be deconstructed and sold as components to other industries. Some people even use them to create furniture for homes and gardens.

    Customers may feel these are legitimate upcycled products and won’t think to check where the pallets came from. However, some do have distinctive identification stamps that may remain in upcycled pallet products.

    The organised theft of these products takes its toll on companies. Cargo crime (which includes consumer goods and transportation pallets and containers) is said to cost the UK economy £700 million each year.

    If pallets are not available, production lines may be slowed down or stopped. And it may take longer to produce items, potentially leading to unnecessary transportation as well as greater fuel consumption and emissions.

    But it can also be challenging to map pallet movements and know, at any given time, how many are in transit, with retailers, or lost. Digital tracking solutions such as radio frequency identification can be expensive to implement and are not foolproof. This can make it easy for pallets to go “missing in action”.

    Pallets are a staple mechanism for stock to be received into retailers’ warehouses and distribution centres. Both the size of the pallets and their ownership can be colour-coded – at least some of the blue pallets making headlines this summer in Larne’s red, white and blue tower are thought to be owned by Chep. Warehouse bays are designed with specific pallets in mind – so changes to the pallets can bring extra costs.

    Similarly, replacing lost or stolen pallets comes at a price – which could ultimately be felt by consumers if these costs are passed on by retailers.

    Reducing theft and loss

    Pallet owners cannot afford to continue losing them to theft. Firms that are found using non-compliant or untracked pallets because they have bought them from unauthorised sources can face shipment fines, while other initiatives, such as deposit or voucher schemes or one-for-one exchange plans, could incentivise the return of pallets.

    These practices may influence corporate return behaviour, but the theft of pallets by organised crime gangs is increasing. Changing the materials used to construct pallets could reduce their financial attractiveness and resale value.

    At first glance, a used pallet might look no more useful than discarded wood and be considered fair game for reuse or selling on. But businesses or individuals who collect, sell or purchase stolen pallets are putting themselves at legal risk. Firms found stockpiling or selling-on pallets without permission have faced legal action and even jail in Europe.

    Aside from the legal implications, there are other operational and environmental costs. Each pallet taken out of circulation must be replaced, increasing demand for virgin timber, straining forest resources, and increasing labour costs.

    The humble pallet is the backbone of global trading, and businesses rely on a steady and dependable supply. Pallet services function only if they continue to circulate – but theft and losses undermine this. Without this simple product, everyone from producers to retailers and consumers could end up paying more for the goods they take for granted.

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

    – ref. Pallets are the backbone of global trade but supplies are threatened by theft, loss – and giant bonfires – https://theconversation.com/pallets-are-the-backbone-of-global-trade-but-supplies-are-threatened-by-theft-loss-and-giant-bonfires-260948

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Channel crossings: what is a safe and legal route?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gillian McFadyen, Lecturer in International Politics, Aberystwyth University

    Since figures were first recorded in 2018, more than 170,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, hoping to claim asylum in the UK. Over 20,000 have crossed this year alone, and many dozens have died.

    Over the years, UK governments have tried a number of tactics – returns agreements, increased law enforcement, deportation schemes, and “smashing” organised smuggling gangs – to try and put an end to this dangerous practice. The latest attempt is the government’s new “one in, one out” pilot migration deal with France, which would see the UK accept some asylum seekers with legitimate claims to life in the UK, while sending an equivalent number back to France.



    Read more:
    How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be

    Campaigners, academics and groups that support asylum seekers have long called for the UK to introduce “safe and legal routes”. They argue that this is the only way to reduce demand for unsafe Channel crossings. The logic is that people seeking protection are turning to smugglers and small boats because, for most, there are no other options to enter the UK and claim asylum.

    But what are these routes?

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    A safe and legal route is a scheme or journey approved by the UK government that allows people to enter the country without a visa in order to claim asylum. The 1951 refugee convention says that people have the right to claim asylum. But UK law requires someone to be physically present in the country to do so.

    A safe and legal route stresses that arriving irregularly – for instance, by crossing the Channel in a small boat – is illegal, even though the UN refugee convention is explicit that refugees should not be penalised for how they arrive to claim refuge.

    Does the UK have safe and legal routes?

    The UK has had safe and legal routes available for refugees in the recent past.

    Most schemes are restricted to certain populations and limited in accessibility. For example, two nationality-specific schemes for Afghans were set up in January 2022, after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. These have resettled roughly 34,000 Afghans in the UK.

    The schemes prioritised those who had worked or assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan, as well as assisting vulnerable people such as women and girls at risk, and minority groups. Both routes are now shut.

    The UK also has schemes for Ukrainians and Hong Kongers. The Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukrainians and the now-closed Ukrainian Family Scheme), established in March 2022, have resettled 217,000 to the UK. The Hong Kong scheme is only eligible for British National Overseas status holders and their dependants. Most of these are not recognised, and nor do they identify, as refugees. Since opening in January 2021, 179,000 have been granted a visa to live in the UK.

    There is also the family reunion pathway for those already granted protection in the UK, who can invite spouses or other dependants to join them. This can be viewed as a safe route, but it is specifically for those already with status (refugee or otherwise) in the country. Importantly, those who gain access this way are not given refugee status in their own right, but granted leave to remain that is connected to their family member’s status.

    The UK has also worked closely with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, since March 2021. The UNHCR identifies vulnerable candidates for resettlement direct from regions of conflict, primarily the Middle East and North Africa. This scheme highlights the value of safe and legal routes and the potential for developing a humane asylum route, but at present it is limited in scope, with only 3,798 people granted safe and dignified resettlement in the UK via this route.

    The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has stressed that the new pilot with France will be limited to people “who have not tried to enter the UK illegally” and who have a strong case for asylum in the UK – again highlighting the strict access and eligibility for this “safe and legal” route.

    A refugee camp in Greece in 2016.
    Ververidis Vasilis/Shutterstock

    If we look at the map of international conflict today, the majority of people in conflict zones would be ineligible for these schemes. Afghans, Eritreans, Syrians, Iranian and Sudanese are some of the top nationalities arriving via the Channel crossing to the UK, but are provided with no safe or legal routes to sanctuary. Yet, in claiming asylum, 68% of small boat arrivals are ultimately granted status.

    Conflicts in Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan have not led to any bespoke humanitarian refugee protection rights from the UK. In practice, it is legally impossible for most asylum seekers to reach the UK via a safe and legal route as the schemes are so limited in scope.

    Smashing the gangs

    In January 2025, the Refugee Council, an organisation that supports asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, urged the UK to introduce a safe and legal route – in the form of a limited number of refugee visas – in order to stop deaths in the Channel.

    Between 2018 and April 2025, 147 people have died attempting to cross the Channel in small boats, with 2024 being the deadliest year for child migrant deaths.

    The UK government’s most recent approach has been to “smash the gangs” to prevent small boat crossings. But evidence shows that a criminal justice approach, while popular, ultimately leads smugglers to change their business practices – often jeopardising people further as they take longer routes or put more people into boats.

    More safe and legal routes would, on the other hand, reduce demand for smuggling across the Channel, by giving people another option.

    Crucially, even if the UK were to successfully “smash the gangs”, this does not eradicate peoples’ need for protection when fleeing war zones. Safe and legal routes would introduce a compassionate and humane refugee system which adheres with the UK’s obligations under international refugee law.

    Gillian McFadyen receives funding from ACE Hub Wales, Public Health Wales for the project ‘A Welsh Pathways to Peace: Digital Storytelling and Forced Migration’ (2025-2026).

    – ref. Channel crossings: what is a safe and legal route? – https://theconversation.com/channel-crossings-what-is-a-safe-and-legal-route-246931

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Edward Fox, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle

    Jenny_Tr/Shutterstock

    Nothing says summer quite like a picnic. Whether you’re lounging on a beach towel, stretched out in a park, or unpacking a hamper in your garden, picnics are a beloved way to enjoy good food in the great outdoors.

    In the UK alone, the picnic food market is worth over £2 billion each year, with millions of us heading out for an alfresco feast with family or friends when the sun is shining.

    But as idyllic as they may seem, picnics come with hidden risks, especially when it comes to food safety. Without access to fridges, ovens or running water, the chances of foodborne illness such as diarrhoea increase. So, how can you keep your spread both delicious and safe?

    Warm, sunny weather is perfect for picnics – and unfortunately, also for bacteria. High temperatures can cause harmful microbes to multiply quickly in certain foods – especially meat, eggs, dairy or salads with creamy dressings. Add in a few flies or some dirty hands, and your picnic could become a recipe for illness.

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    Food poisoning bacteria can find their way into picnic food from several sources: flies that land on uncovered dishes, unwashed hands, cross-contaminated utensils, or even from leaving perishable food out in the sun too long.

    This is not just a theoretical risk. There have been several well-documented outbreaks linked to picnics, including one event in Texas where more than 100 people developed diarrhoea and fever after eating food contaminated with salmonella. In another case at a church picnic in Ohio, clostridium botulinum – a bacterium that can be fatal – contaminated potato salad and led to one death.



    Read more:
    Salmonella cases are at ten-year high in England – here’s what you can do to keep yourself safe

    Six tips to enjoy your picnic safely

    However, with a few simple steps, you can protect yourself and others while enjoying that alfresco feast:

    1. Keep cold food cold. If you’re bringing dishes that normally need refrigeration (think meats, cheese, egg mayo), don’t pack them until the last minute. Use a cool bag or insulated box with ice packs or frozen water bottles to help keep things chilled. Once you’re out, only take food out of the cooler when it’s time to eat, and always try to keep it in the shade.

    2. Watch the clock. On hot days, perishable foods should be eaten within two hours (or four hours if it’s mild). After that, any leftovers should be thrown away. Don’t be tempted to take food home and refrigerate it “just in case” – one family in Belgium did just that with a salad, and ended up with severe food poisoning two days later.

    3. Wash those hands. Picnics often mean touching tables, grass, pets or public benches – all potential sources of bacteria. Hand sanitiser is your best friend. Use it before handling or eating any food.

    4. Cover up. Insects, especially flies, can carry bacteria and leave them behind when they land. Keep food in sealed containers or cover with foil or clean cloths to protect your spread. This helps keep animals (and rogue seagulls) away too.

    5. Prep fresh produce properly. Salads, fruits and veg are picnic staples, but they must be washed thoroughly before being packed. Even pre-washed leaves can benefit from a rinse. Pack them in clean containers and don’t let utensils touch dirty surfaces.



    Read more:
    New study: Salmonella thrives in salad bags

    6. Keep your utensils clean. Bring enough serving spoons, tongs and plates – and avoid putting them down on picnic tables or the ground. A spare clean plate is always a good idea when it comes to safe serving.

    Enjoy the food, not the fallout

    Picnics should leave you with warm memories – not stomach cramps. By following these food safety basics, you can enjoy your outdoor feast without any unwanted after-effects. From chilled pasta salads to hand-cut fruit or that classic homemade quiche, safe food is happy food.

    So, pack a blanket, grab your cool bag, and soak up the sunshine – just keep the bacteria at bay.



    Read more:
    Food safety: are the sniff test, the five-second rule and rare burgers safe?

    Edward Fox has received funding from the Food Safety Research Network.

    – ref. Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe – https://theconversation.com/dont-let-food-poisoning-crash-your-picnic-six-tips-to-keep-your-spread-safe-260834

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jessica Agnew-Blais, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Queen Mary University of London

    PMDD causes symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety. LightField Studios/ Shutterstock

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has historically been under-studied in women. This means we still have a limited understanding of how the condition may uniquely affect women – and what effect monthly hormonal changes may have on women with ADHD.

    But a recent study conducted by me and my colleagues has shown that women with ADHD are at higher risk for mental health struggles associated with the menstrual cycle. We found that having ADHD makes women around three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is a serious condition that affects about 3% of women worldwide. The condition can seriously interfere with a person’s everyday life, causing symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety.

    These symptoms occur in the days before menstruation, and resolve after the period starts. For some, PMDD may lead to severe outcomes, such as being at an increased risk of attempting suicide.



    Read more:
    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the frightening psychological condition suffered by Dixie D’Amelio

    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.

    We conducted an online survey of 715 women aged 18 to 34 in the UK. We asked them whether they experienced different symptoms of ADHD or PMDD, whether they’d received an ADHD diagnosis from a doctor and how symptoms interfered with their lives.

    We found that about 31% of women with a clinical ADHD diagnosis also had PMDD, as did around 41% of women who scored high for ADHD symptoms (whether they had been formally diagnosed with ADHD or not). In comparison, only about 9% of women without ADHD met the criteria for PMDD. We also found that women who had ADHD and a clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety had an even greater risk of PMDD.

    The research showed that the most common PMDD symptoms women experienced were irritability, feeling overwhelmed and depression. But women with ADHD may also be more likely to experience insomnia when they have PMDD.

    The PMDD and ADHD link

    Our study isn’t the first to show a link between the two conditions, but it is the first to identify a similar PMDD risk among women with ADHD symptoms, not just among those who were in treatment. We’re also the first to show that people who have ADHD plus depression or anxiety are at an even greater risk of PMDD.

    Other research suggests that women with ADHD may also be at higher risk for mental health problems during other times of hormonal change. For instance, one study found women with ADHD experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety after starting combined oral hormonal contraceptives. Another study found that women with ADHD were more likely to experience depression after giving birth than those without the condition.

    More research is now needed to understand why women with ADHD appear to be more vulnerable to PMDD, and whether this affects what treatments work best.

    It should be noted that our study assesses “provisional PMDD diagnosis”. An official diagnosis requires two months of symptom tracking across the menstrual cycle. But we asked women to remember how they felt across their menstrual cycle rather than tracking how they feel in real-time.

    This means we could be over- or under-estimating PMDD prevalence as we’re relying on participants to recall their symptoms.

    Future research should assess PMDD symptoms among women in real-time as they experience their menstrual cycles to more accurately assess symptoms without having to rely on people’s memory. Additionally, it may be difficult to distinguish PMDD from other disorders that may worsen during the premenstrual period, such as depression or anxiety. Tracking symptoms across the menstrual cycle in real-time would help to disentangle this.

    PMDD can have profoundly negative effects on women’s lives. Some women even report it can make them feel “physically unable to see the joy in things”. Although symptoms can be managed with prescription treatments, this can only happen if the condition is diagnosed by a doctor.

    Our new research shows us that women with ADHD are an at-risk group for PMDD, especially if they also have depression or anxiety. This suggests doctors should consider screening for PMDD among women with ADHD to reduce distress and adverse outcomes associated with the condition.

    Jessica Agnew-Blais receives funding from the UK Medical Research Council and GambleAware for her research.

    – ref. Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research – https://theconversation.com/women-with-adhd-three-times-more-likely-to-experience-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-new-research-260222

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Too much Lena Dunham, Lorde’s new album and a book to break your heart: what to watch, listen to and read this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jane Wright, Commissioning Editor, Arts & Culture, The Conversation UK

    When I first watched Girls, I remember marvelling at Lena Dunham’s four twenty-something New Yorkers. Sex and the City it was not. I realised wistfully just how much I wished the series had been around when I was in my twenties.

    Dunham’s character Hannah Horvath was like a beacon, illuminating the possibilities of how you could just be yourself in this world – good and bad – without apologising for it. I loved her boldness. Girls was messy, awkward, embarrassing, relatable and real. It was also very funny.

    Now Dunham brings her latest, similarly awkward comedy-drama, Too Much, to Netflix. The series follows the trials and tribulations of Jess (the brilliant Megan Stalter) as she flees New York for London with a broken heart.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    An American with a romanticised movie-informed idea of Britain, Jess sees Blighty as some kind of fantasy creation fashioned by Jane Austen with a little help from Richard Curtis.

    She spends her days obsessing over her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend on Instagram and trying to fit into London life. And then she meets laconic musician Felix (Will Sharpe), who is determined to demolish her romantic notions of a Notting Hill-esque London. Discovering they have an instant connection, Jess is thrust back into dating again, still reeling from the PTSD of her previous relationship.

    Too Much charts the tumultuous experience of becoming an adult, as Jess experiences all the thrills and vulnerabilities of meeting someone new. Mirroring her own relocation to London, Dunham mines a rich seam of fish-out-of-water comedy as Megan navigates a new city and different culture.

    Reviewer Jane Steventon finds the show is a hopeful paean to womanhood, a declaration that messiness, failure and fear are all part of becoming a woman just as much as joy, love and intimacy.

    The idea of intimacy takes on a much darker and more troubling meaning in David Cronenberg’s latest body horror Shrouds in which the protagonist Karsh (Vincent Kassel) finds that technology can help him with the grieving process.

    Discovering that a piece of wearable tech within a shroud can allow him to watch his wife’s corpse decompose via a video link, Karsh believes this can help reclaim her from her illness. But as the plot progresses, lines blur between Karsh’s dreams and reality and the film becomes darker and more ominous.

    This deeply disturbing premise, says film expert Laura Flanagan, allows Cronenberg to explore issues of technology, control and grief, and is all the more chilling when you learn that he embarked on the film after the death of his own wife.

    Musical autobiography

    Simone de Beauvoir, the great feminist French philosopher, once opined: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” Meaning, it is down to each woman to articulate and determine her own path and transcend any limits of “femininity” imposed by a patriarchal society.

    According to our reviewer Lillian Hingley, the New Zealand singer Lorde unveils that process in her latest album Virgin as she musically explores how her body is changed by what she has been through in her life.

    Hingley discovers a multi-layered collection of songs and videos that lead us through a piece of performance art examining identity, sexuality and a female reproductive system that comes fully loaded with both jeopardy and joy.

    Last week, the Disney musical Hercules opened in London so we sent along Emma Stafford, professor of Greek culture at the University of Leeds to give us her take.

    Despite finding Hercules’ trusty steed Pegasus has been written out of the show and Hades has been somewhat toned down, the innovative role of the five muses has been elevated to a spectacular cross between the chorus of a Greek tragedy and a gospel choir. A terrific cast, impressive visuals, slick stagecraft and magical special effects all mean this high-octane production will delight West End audiences.

    The book that won this year’s Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke, has two children at its centre. One is Max Johnson, a healthy nine-year-old whose heart begins to fail, and the other, nine-year-old Keira Ball, a vibrant, pony-mad little girl who is killed in a car accident. Despite their unimaginable grief, Keira’s parents decide to donate her organs. Her precious heart goes to Max, and in that unbearable gift, one child dies, and another child lives.

    Leah McLaughlin, a health services researcher who has spent her career working in the emotionally complex and often obscured world of organ donation, found the book a searingly honest account of the hope and despair of this devastating experience.

    – ref. Too much Lena Dunham, Lorde’s new album and a book to break your heart: what to watch, listen to and read this week – https://theconversation.com/too-much-lena-dunham-lordes-new-album-and-a-book-to-break-your-heart-what-to-watch-listen-to-and-read-this-week-260893

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jessica Agnew-Blais, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Queen Mary University of London

    PMDD causes symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety. LightField Studios/ Shutterstock

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has historically been under-studied in women. This means we still have a limited understanding of how the condition may uniquely affect women – and what effect monthly hormonal changes may have on women with ADHD.

    But a recent study conducted by me and my colleagues has shown that women with ADHD are at higher risk for mental health struggles associated with the menstrual cycle. We found that having ADHD makes women around three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is a serious condition that affects about 3% of women worldwide. The condition can seriously interfere with a person’s everyday life, causing symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety.

    These symptoms occur in the days before menstruation, and resolve after the period starts. For some, PMDD may lead to severe outcomes, such as being at an increased risk of attempting suicide.



    Read more:
    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the frightening psychological condition suffered by Dixie D’Amelio

    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.

    We conducted an online survey of 715 women aged 18 to 34 in the UK. We asked them whether they experienced different symptoms of ADHD or PMDD, whether they’d received an ADHD diagnosis from a doctor and how symptoms interfered with their lives.

    We found that about 31% of women with a clinical ADHD diagnosis also had PMDD, as did around 41% of women who scored high for ADHD symptoms (whether they had been formally diagnosed with ADHD or not). In comparison, only about 9% of women without ADHD met the criteria for PMDD. We also found that women who had ADHD and a clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety had an even greater risk of PMDD.

    The research showed that the most common PMDD symptoms women experienced were irritability, feeling overwhelmed and depression. But women with ADHD may also be more likely to experience insomnia when they have PMDD.

    The PMDD and ADHD link

    Our study isn’t the first to show a link between the two conditions, but it is the first to identify a similar PMDD risk among women with ADHD symptoms, not just among those who were in treatment. We’re also the first to show that people who have ADHD plus depression or anxiety are at an even greater risk of PMDD.

    Other research suggests that women with ADHD may also be at higher risk for mental health problems during other times of hormonal change. For instance, one study found women with ADHD experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety after starting combined oral hormonal contraceptives. Another study found that women with ADHD were more likely to experience depression after giving birth than those without the condition.

    More research is now needed to understand why women with ADHD appear to be more vulnerable to PMDD, and whether this affects what treatments work best.

    It should be noted that our study assesses “provisional PMDD diagnosis”. An official diagnosis requires two months of symptom tracking across the menstrual cycle. But we asked women to remember how they felt across their menstrual cycle rather than tracking how they feel in real-time.

    This means we could be over- or under-estimating PMDD prevalence as we’re relying on participants to recall their symptoms.

    Future research should assess PMDD symptoms among women in real-time as they experience their menstrual cycles to more accurately assess symptoms without having to rely on people’s memory. Additionally, it may be difficult to distinguish PMDD from other disorders that may worsen during the premenstrual period, such as depression or anxiety. Tracking symptoms across the menstrual cycle in real-time would help to disentangle this.

    PMDD can have profoundly negative effects on women’s lives. Some women even report it can make them feel “physically unable to see the joy in things”. Although symptoms can be managed with prescription treatments, this can only happen if the condition is diagnosed by a doctor.

    Our new research shows us that women with ADHD are an at-risk group for PMDD, especially if they also have depression or anxiety. This suggests doctors should consider screening for PMDD among women with ADHD to reduce distress and adverse outcomes associated with the condition.

    Jessica Agnew-Blais receives funding from the UK Medical Research Council and GambleAware for her research.

    – ref. Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research – https://theconversation.com/women-with-adhd-three-times-more-likely-to-experience-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-new-research-260222

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Edward Fox, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle

    Jenny_Tr/Shutterstock

    Nothing says summer quite like a picnic. Whether you’re lounging on a beach towel, stretched out in a park, or unpacking a hamper in your garden, picnics are a beloved way to enjoy good food in the great outdoors.

    In the UK alone, the picnic food market is worth over £2 billion each year, with millions of us heading out for an alfresco feast with family or friends when the sun is shining.

    But as idyllic as they may seem, picnics come with hidden risks, especially when it comes to food safety. Without access to fridges, ovens or running water, the chances of foodborne illness such as diarrhoea increase. So, how can you keep your spread both delicious and safe?

    Warm, sunny weather is perfect for picnics – and unfortunately, also for bacteria. High temperatures can cause harmful microbes to multiply quickly in certain foods – especially meat, eggs, dairy or salads with creamy dressings. Add in a few flies or some dirty hands, and your picnic could become a recipe for illness.

    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.

    Food poisoning bacteria can find their way into picnic food from several sources: flies that land on uncovered dishes, unwashed hands, cross-contaminated utensils, or even from leaving perishable food out in the sun too long.

    This is not just a theoretical risk. There have been several well-documented outbreaks linked to picnics, including one event in Texas where more than 100 people developed diarrhoea and fever after eating food contaminated with salmonella. In another case at a church picnic in Ohio, clostridium botulinum – a bacterium that can be fatal – contaminated potato salad and led to one death.



    Read more:
    Salmonella cases are at ten-year high in England – here’s what you can do to keep yourself safe

    Six tips to enjoy your picnic safely

    However, with a few simple steps, you can protect yourself and others while enjoying that alfresco feast:

    1. Keep cold food cold. If you’re bringing dishes that normally need refrigeration (think meats, cheese, egg mayo), don’t pack them until the last minute. Use a cool bag or insulated box with ice packs or frozen water bottles to help keep things chilled. Once you’re out, only take food out of the cooler when it’s time to eat, and always try to keep it in the shade.

    2. Watch the clock. On hot days, perishable foods should be eaten within two hours (or four hours if it’s mild). After that, any leftovers should be thrown away. Don’t be tempted to take food home and refrigerate it “just in case” – one family in Belgium did just that with a salad, and ended up with severe food poisoning two days later.

    3. Wash those hands. Picnics often mean touching tables, grass, pets or public benches – all potential sources of bacteria. Hand sanitiser is your best friend. Use it before handling or eating any food.

    4. Cover up. Insects, especially flies, can carry bacteria and leave them behind when they land. Keep food in sealed containers or cover with foil or clean cloths to protect your spread. This helps keep animals (and rogue seagulls) away too.

    5. Prep fresh produce properly. Salads, fruits and veg are picnic staples, but they must be washed thoroughly before being packed. Even pre-washed leaves can benefit from a rinse. Pack them in clean containers and don’t let utensils touch dirty surfaces.



    Read more:
    New study: Salmonella thrives in salad bags

    6. Keep your utensils clean. Bring enough serving spoons, tongs and plates – and avoid putting them down on picnic tables or the ground. A spare clean plate is always a good idea when it comes to safe serving.

    Enjoy the food, not the fallout

    Picnics should leave you with warm memories – not stomach cramps. By following these food safety basics, you can enjoy your outdoor feast without any unwanted after-effects. From chilled pasta salads to hand-cut fruit or that classic homemade quiche, safe food is happy food.

    So, pack a blanket, grab your cool bag, and soak up the sunshine – just keep the bacteria at bay.



    Read more:
    Food safety: are the sniff test, the five-second rule and rare burgers safe?

    Edward Fox has received funding from the Food Safety Research Network.

    – ref. Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe – https://theconversation.com/dont-let-food-poisoning-crash-your-picnic-six-tips-to-keep-your-spread-safe-260834

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Too much Lena Dunham, Lorde’s new album and a book to break your heart: what to watch, listen to and read this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jane Wright, Commissioning Editor, Arts & Culture, The Conversation UK

    When I first watched Girls, I remember marvelling at Lena Dunham’s four twenty-something New Yorkers. Sex and the City it was not. I realised wistfully just how much I wished the series had been around when I was in my twenties.

    Dunham’s character Hannah Horvath was like a beacon, illuminating the possibilities of how you could just be yourself in this world – good and bad – without apologising for it. I loved her boldness. Girls was messy, awkward, embarrassing, relatable and real. It was also very funny.

    Now Dunham brings her latest, similarly awkward comedy-drama, Too Much, to Netflix. The series follows the trials and tribulations of Jess (the brilliant Megan Stalter) as she flees New York for London with a broken heart.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    An American with a romanticised movie-informed idea of Britain, Jess sees Blighty as some kind of fantasy creation fashioned by Jane Austen with a little help from Richard Curtis.

    She spends her days obsessing over her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend on Instagram and trying to fit into London life. And then she meets laconic musician Felix (Will Sharpe), who is determined to demolish her romantic notions of a Notting Hill-esque London. Discovering they have an instant connection, Jess is thrust back into dating again, still reeling from the PTSD of her previous relationship.

    Too Much charts the tumultuous experience of becoming an adult, as Jess experiences all the thrills and vulnerabilities of meeting someone new. Mirroring her own relocation to London, Dunham mines a rich seam of fish-out-of-water comedy as Megan navigates a new city and different culture.

    Reviewer Jane Steventon finds the show is a hopeful paean to womanhood, a declaration that messiness, failure and fear are all part of becoming a woman just as much as joy, love and intimacy.

    The idea of intimacy takes on a much darker and more troubling meaning in David Cronenberg’s latest body horror Shrouds in which the protagonist Karsh (Vincent Kassel) finds that technology can help him with the grieving process.

    Discovering that a piece of wearable tech within a shroud can allow him to watch his wife’s corpse decompose via a video link, Karsh believes this can help reclaim her from her illness. But as the plot progresses, lines blur between Karsh’s dreams and reality and the film becomes darker and more ominous.

    This deeply disturbing premise, says film expert Laura Flanagan, allows Cronenberg to explore issues of technology, control and grief, and is all the more chilling when you learn that he embarked on the film after the death of his own wife.

    Musical autobiography

    Simone de Beauvoir, the great feminist French philosopher, once opined: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” Meaning, it is down to each woman to articulate and determine her own path and transcend any limits of “femininity” imposed by a patriarchal society.

    According to our reviewer Lillian Hingley, the New Zealand singer Lorde unveils that process in her latest album Virgin as she musically explores how her body is changed by what she has been through in her life.

    Hingley discovers a multi-layered collection of songs and videos that lead us through a piece of performance art examining identity, sexuality and a female reproductive system that comes fully loaded with both jeopardy and joy.

    Last week, the Disney musical Hercules opened in London so we sent along Emma Stafford, professor of Greek culture at the University of Leeds to give us her take.

    Despite finding Hercules’ trusty steed Pegasus has been written out of the show and Hades has been somewhat toned down, the innovative role of the five muses has been elevated to a spectacular cross between the chorus of a Greek tragedy and a gospel choir. A terrific cast, impressive visuals, slick stagecraft and magical special effects all mean this high-octane production will delight West End audiences.

    The book that won this year’s Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke, has two children at its centre. One is Max Johnson, a healthy nine-year-old whose heart begins to fail, and the other, nine-year-old Keira Ball, a vibrant, pony-mad little girl who is killed in a car accident. Despite their unimaginable grief, Keira’s parents decide to donate her organs. Her precious heart goes to Max, and in that unbearable gift, one child dies, and another child lives.

    Leah McLaughlin, a health services researcher who has spent her career working in the emotionally complex and often obscured world of organ donation, found the book a searingly honest account of the hope and despair of this devastating experience.

    – ref. Too much Lena Dunham, Lorde’s new album and a book to break your heart: what to watch, listen to and read this week – https://theconversation.com/too-much-lena-dunham-lordes-new-album-and-a-book-to-break-your-heart-what-to-watch-listen-to-and-read-this-week-260893

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Diamonds are forever: New I-90/SR 18 interchange to open after eight-day closure of SR 18

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Second extended closure near Snoqualmie begins Thursday, July 17

    SNOQUALMIE – After several years of planning and design, and nearly 20 months of construction, it’s almost time for the state’s newest diamond to shine.

    The Washington State Department of Transportation will open the second diverging diamond interchange in the state after an eight-day, round-the-clock closure of both directions of State Route 18 under the Interstate 90 overpasses scheduled to begin Thursday night, July 17. 

    From 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, through 5 a.m. Friday, July 25, traffic will not be allowed along either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges. People traveling through the I-90/SR 18 interchange during the closure should expect delays, especially during peak travel times, and follow signed detours.

    Longer closure with more work

    Crews built the southern end of the new diverging diamond, which is part of the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project, during a five-day closure in early June. There’s even more work to do during this second extended closure, which will last eight days.

    Much like the work finished in early June, the extended closure condenses the time needed to complete work and eliminates the need for multiple weekend and nighttime closures. It also reduces the number of traffic shifts, which improves safety for workers and people driving through the work zone. 

    During the closure, contractor crews working for WSDOT will:

    • Place new drainage and electrical crossings
    • Build concrete islands and curbing
    • Position and set timing for new traffic signals
    • Complete the new I-90 on-ramps
    • Install temporary lane striping and new signs to guide people through the interchange
    • Switch SR 18 traffic into the diverging diamond traffic pattern

    Some of the work during the closure needs dry weather and may need to be rescheduled if it rains.

    What to expect 

    Eastbound and westbound I-90 traffic will not be affected during most of the closure, but people traveling through the area should be aware that:

    • Vehicles will not be permitted on either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges.
    • Traffic on the eastbound and westbound I-90 off-ramps will only be able to turn right.
    • Eastbound SR 18 traffic must use the eastbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.
    • Southbound traffic on Snoqualmie Parkway must use the westbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.

    Detour options

    People can detour around the closure using eastbound and westbound I-90 and loop around at nearby interchanges – Preston/Fall City (exit 22) or Highpoint Way (exit 20) to the west and Southeast North Bend Way (exit 27) to the east. 

    Westbound I-90 freight traffic should use the Preston-Fall City exit to loop back and take westbound SR 18 or continue on westbound I-90 to southbound I-405. Freight traffic should not use Issaquah city streets or Issaquah-Hobart Road, which are not suitable for semi-trucks. Similarly, eastbound SR 18 freight traffic cannot use Issaquah city streets to access I-90.

    Before the closure

    To help prepare for the switch to the diverging diamond pattern, crews need to install a permanent barrier along two of the four ramps that will remain open during the eight-day closure. To allow for this, travelers should expect ramp closures on the nights leading up to the extended closure:

    • SR 18 on-ramp to eastbound I-90: Closes from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, until 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 16. People should detour using westbound I-90 and loop around to eastbound I-90 at Preston/Fall City (exit 22).
    • Westbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18: Closes from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 17. People should continue on westbound I-90, loop around at Preston/Fall City (exit 22) and use the eastbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18.

    All four ramps also need to be restriped for the diverging diamond traffic pattern during the first night of the eight-day closure. People traveling through the area between 10 p.m. Thursday, July 17, and 5 a.m. Friday, July 18 should expect a series of rolling slowdowns along eastbound and westbound I-90 and 10-minute traffic holds on eastbound SR 18 and southbound Snoqualmie Parkway approaching the interchange. Crews will update the striping on each ramp, one at a time. 

    After the closure

    When SR 18 reopens Friday, July 25, SR 18 traffic will use the diverging diamond traffic pattern, where northbound and southbound traffic cross to the left side of the highway to go under the I-90 bridges before crossing back over. This eliminates vehicles turning left in front of on-coming traffic, allowing for fewer traffic signal phases and improving traffic flow. It also reduces the number of places where vehicles could possibly collide in the interchange from 26 to 14, improving safety.

    WSDOT opened the state’s first diverging diamond interchange in 2020 at the I-5/SR 510 (Marvin Way) interchange in Lacey. 

    Crews will still need to add a final layer of asphalt to the interchange near Snoqualmie and permanent lane striping later this summer. WSDOT will announce details about that work when plans are finalized. 

    In addition to building the new interchange, the project is widening more than 2 miles of SR 18 south of I-90 to two lanes in each direction and removing six barriers to fish passage. SR 18 widening is expected to finish later this fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Diamonds are forever: New I-90/SR 18 interchange to open after eight-day closure of SR 18

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Second extended closure near Snoqualmie begins Thursday, July 17

    SNOQUALMIE – After several years of planning and design, and nearly 20 months of construction, it’s almost time for the state’s newest diamond to shine.

    The Washington State Department of Transportation will open the second diverging diamond interchange in the state after an eight-day, round-the-clock closure of both directions of State Route 18 under the Interstate 90 overpasses scheduled to begin Thursday night, July 17. 

    From 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, through 5 a.m. Friday, July 25, traffic will not be allowed along either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges. People traveling through the I-90/SR 18 interchange during the closure should expect delays, especially during peak travel times, and follow signed detours.

    Longer closure with more work

    Crews built the southern end of the new diverging diamond, which is part of the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project, during a five-day closure in early June. There’s even more work to do during this second extended closure, which will last eight days.

    Much like the work finished in early June, the extended closure condenses the time needed to complete work and eliminates the need for multiple weekend and nighttime closures. It also reduces the number of traffic shifts, which improves safety for workers and people driving through the work zone. 

    During the closure, contractor crews working for WSDOT will:

    • Place new drainage and electrical crossings
    • Build concrete islands and curbing
    • Position and set timing for new traffic signals
    • Complete the new I-90 on-ramps
    • Install temporary lane striping and new signs to guide people through the interchange
    • Switch SR 18 traffic into the diverging diamond traffic pattern

    Some of the work during the closure needs dry weather and may need to be rescheduled if it rains.

    What to expect 

    Eastbound and westbound I-90 traffic will not be affected during most of the closure, but people traveling through the area should be aware that:

    • Vehicles will not be permitted on either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges.
    • Traffic on the eastbound and westbound I-90 off-ramps will only be able to turn right.
    • Eastbound SR 18 traffic must use the eastbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.
    • Southbound traffic on Snoqualmie Parkway must use the westbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.

    Detour options

    People can detour around the closure using eastbound and westbound I-90 and loop around at nearby interchanges – Preston/Fall City (exit 22) or Highpoint Way (exit 20) to the west and Southeast North Bend Way (exit 27) to the east. 

    Westbound I-90 freight traffic should use the Preston-Fall City exit to loop back and take westbound SR 18 or continue on westbound I-90 to southbound I-405. Freight traffic should not use Issaquah city streets or Issaquah-Hobart Road, which are not suitable for semi-trucks. Similarly, eastbound SR 18 freight traffic cannot use Issaquah city streets to access I-90.

    Before the closure

    To help prepare for the switch to the diverging diamond pattern, crews need to install a permanent barrier along two of the four ramps that will remain open during the eight-day closure. To allow for this, travelers should expect ramp closures on the nights leading up to the extended closure:

    • SR 18 on-ramp to eastbound I-90: Closes from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, until 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 16. People should detour using westbound I-90 and loop around to eastbound I-90 at Preston/Fall City (exit 22).
    • Westbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18: Closes from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 17. People should continue on westbound I-90, loop around at Preston/Fall City (exit 22) and use the eastbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18.

    All four ramps also need to be restriped for the diverging diamond traffic pattern during the first night of the eight-day closure. People traveling through the area between 10 p.m. Thursday, July 17, and 5 a.m. Friday, July 18 should expect a series of rolling slowdowns along eastbound and westbound I-90 and 10-minute traffic holds on eastbound SR 18 and southbound Snoqualmie Parkway approaching the interchange. Crews will update the striping on each ramp, one at a time. 

    After the closure

    When SR 18 reopens Friday, July 25, SR 18 traffic will use the diverging diamond traffic pattern, where northbound and southbound traffic cross to the left side of the highway to go under the I-90 bridges before crossing back over. This eliminates vehicles turning left in front of on-coming traffic, allowing for fewer traffic signal phases and improving traffic flow. It also reduces the number of places where vehicles could possibly collide in the interchange from 26 to 14, improving safety.

    WSDOT opened the state’s first diverging diamond interchange in 2020 at the I-5/SR 510 (Marvin Way) interchange in Lacey. 

    Crews will still need to add a final layer of asphalt to the interchange near Snoqualmie and permanent lane striping later this summer. WSDOT will announce details about that work when plans are finalized. 

    In addition to building the new interchange, the project is widening more than 2 miles of SR 18 south of I-90 to two lanes in each direction and removing six barriers to fish passage. SR 18 widening is expected to finish later this fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Diamonds are forever: New I-90/SR 18 interchange to open after eight-day closure of SR 18

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Second extended closure near Snoqualmie begins Thursday, July 17

    SNOQUALMIE – After several years of planning and design, and nearly 20 months of construction, it’s almost time for the state’s newest diamond to shine.

    The Washington State Department of Transportation will open the second diverging diamond interchange in the state after an eight-day, round-the-clock closure of both directions of State Route 18 under the Interstate 90 overpasses scheduled to begin Thursday night, July 17. 

    From 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, through 5 a.m. Friday, July 25, traffic will not be allowed along either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges. People traveling through the I-90/SR 18 interchange during the closure should expect delays, especially during peak travel times, and follow signed detours.

    Longer closure with more work

    Crews built the southern end of the new diverging diamond, which is part of the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project, during a five-day closure in early June. There’s even more work to do during this second extended closure, which will last eight days.

    Much like the work finished in early June, the extended closure condenses the time needed to complete work and eliminates the need for multiple weekend and nighttime closures. It also reduces the number of traffic shifts, which improves safety for workers and people driving through the work zone. 

    During the closure, contractor crews working for WSDOT will:

    • Place new drainage and electrical crossings
    • Build concrete islands and curbing
    • Position and set timing for new traffic signals
    • Complete the new I-90 on-ramps
    • Install temporary lane striping and new signs to guide people through the interchange
    • Switch SR 18 traffic into the diverging diamond traffic pattern

    Some of the work during the closure needs dry weather and may need to be rescheduled if it rains.

    What to expect 

    Eastbound and westbound I-90 traffic will not be affected during most of the closure, but people traveling through the area should be aware that:

    • Vehicles will not be permitted on either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges.
    • Traffic on the eastbound and westbound I-90 off-ramps will only be able to turn right.
    • Eastbound SR 18 traffic must use the eastbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.
    • Southbound traffic on Snoqualmie Parkway must use the westbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.

    Detour options

    People can detour around the closure using eastbound and westbound I-90 and loop around at nearby interchanges – Preston/Fall City (exit 22) or Highpoint Way (exit 20) to the west and Southeast North Bend Way (exit 27) to the east. 

    Westbound I-90 freight traffic should use the Preston-Fall City exit to loop back and take westbound SR 18 or continue on westbound I-90 to southbound I-405. Freight traffic should not use Issaquah city streets or Issaquah-Hobart Road, which are not suitable for semi-trucks. Similarly, eastbound SR 18 freight traffic cannot use Issaquah city streets to access I-90.

    Before the closure

    To help prepare for the switch to the diverging diamond pattern, crews need to install a permanent barrier along two of the four ramps that will remain open during the eight-day closure. To allow for this, travelers should expect ramp closures on the nights leading up to the extended closure:

    • SR 18 on-ramp to eastbound I-90: Closes from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, until 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 16. People should detour using westbound I-90 and loop around to eastbound I-90 at Preston/Fall City (exit 22).
    • Westbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18: Closes from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 17. People should continue on westbound I-90, loop around at Preston/Fall City (exit 22) and use the eastbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18.

    All four ramps also need to be restriped for the diverging diamond traffic pattern during the first night of the eight-day closure. People traveling through the area between 10 p.m. Thursday, July 17, and 5 a.m. Friday, July 18 should expect a series of rolling slowdowns along eastbound and westbound I-90 and 10-minute traffic holds on eastbound SR 18 and southbound Snoqualmie Parkway approaching the interchange. Crews will update the striping on each ramp, one at a time. 

    After the closure

    When SR 18 reopens Friday, July 25, SR 18 traffic will use the diverging diamond traffic pattern, where northbound and southbound traffic cross to the left side of the highway to go under the I-90 bridges before crossing back over. This eliminates vehicles turning left in front of on-coming traffic, allowing for fewer traffic signal phases and improving traffic flow. It also reduces the number of places where vehicles could possibly collide in the interchange from 26 to 14, improving safety.

    WSDOT opened the state’s first diverging diamond interchange in 2020 at the I-5/SR 510 (Marvin Way) interchange in Lacey. 

    Crews will still need to add a final layer of asphalt to the interchange near Snoqualmie and permanent lane striping later this summer. WSDOT will announce details about that work when plans are finalized. 

    In addition to building the new interchange, the project is widening more than 2 miles of SR 18 south of I-90 to two lanes in each direction and removing six barriers to fish passage. SR 18 widening is expected to finish later this fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation

    Source: United States Air Force

    Headline: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation

    The 805th Combat Training Squadron completed a major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4-13, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation

    Source: United States Air Force

    Headline: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation

    The 805th Combat Training Squadron completed a major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4-13, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation

    Source: United States Air Force

    Headline: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation

    The 805th Combat Training Squadron completed a major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4-13, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate passes Kennedy, Cortez Masto bill to help Louisianians recover from natural disasters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.)’s bipartisan Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act, which would provide relief for taxpayers in states that have issued state-level disaster declarations. The bill now moves to the president’s desk for signing.
    “When states like Louisiana are reeling from a hurricane, they can’t always wait around for Washington to act. I’m grateful to my colleagues for voting to pass the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act to make sure hard-hit communities can get important tax extensions without unnecessary delays,” said Kennedy.
    “A natural disaster is devastating for anyone. Impacted taxpayers should not have to worry about whether their state’s natural disaster has been recognized by the President for them to receive the support they deserve. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that anyone impacted by state-level emergencies can have some peace of mind when filling their taxes,” said Cortez Masto.
    Currently, the Internal Revenue Service has the authority to postpone tax filing deadlines following a presidentially declared federal disaster but not following a state-level emergency declaration. 
    The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act would allow the governor of a state or territory to extend a federal tax filing deadline following a state-declared emergency or natural disaster without waiting for a federal disaster declaration. This would allow states to provide federal tax extensions independent of the federal government’s involvement in an emergency or natural disaster.
    The bill would also expand the mandatory federal filing extension from 60 days to 120 days.
    Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) also cosponsored the bill.
    The full bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Alcaraz muscles past Fritz to reach Wimbledon final

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Twice defending champion Carlos Alcaraz tamed the towering Taylor Fritz to reach his third straight Wimbledon final, rediscovering his A-game when it mattered most to battle past the American in a 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6(6) victory on Friday.

    Eyeing a sixth Grand Slam title, the Spaniard was eventually too strong for the metronomically consistent Fritz, whose biggest weapons were still not damaging enough to unsettle the second seed under a fiery sun on Centre Court.

    Alcaraz’s victory set the stage for a tantalising final against either world number one Jannik Sinner or 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, who will duel it out in the second semi-final on Friday.

    Fritz broke Alcaraz for the first and only occasion to take the second set as the Spaniard’s intensity levels dropped, but the champion quickly regained the upper hand, breaking twice in the third set and coming through a tense tiebreak to clinch victory.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sandown Town Hall restoration work nears completion 11 July 2025 East Wight MP visits Sandown Town Hall as restoration work nears completion

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The restoration of Sandown Town Hall nears completion as Joe Robertson MP recently visited to see progress being made to bring the historic building back into community use.

    In 2023, it was announced that the Isle of Wight Council had secured £3.1 million in funding through the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund which would go towards both the restoration work and the creation of a youth programme.

    Aiming to open for the autumn term, the programme will serve over 200 young people per week, with activities such as sports and study sessions and access to a sound studio for music practice being made available.

    An extensive programme of structural and cosmetic repairs and reconfiguration work has been delivered by Island business MCM Construction, including repairs to the historic ceiling in the hall, new electrics and plumbing, a change in the configuration of the rooms to the entrance to include a reception, new toilet facilities at the front of the hall and underpinning work to the right-hand side of the structure.

    Work has also been done to replace the roof and repair the supporting structure, as well as a modern renovation of the lower ground floor youth hub area, including reconfiguration of the area to create more usable spaces and a lobby for the new lift. 

    The Isle of Wight Council has been working closely with architects and project managers at ERMC and consulting with Community Action Isle of Wight and the Bay Youth Forum to share detailed progress and get their feedback on proposed usage and finishes.

    Councillor Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, said: “It was good to have a tour of Sandown Town Hall recently and see how much work has been done to bring it back into use for the local community.

    “The funding received from the UK government’s Youth Investment Fund in August 2023 has allowed the Isle of Wight Council to reimagine the space that puts young people and the Sandown community at its very heart.

    “I look forward to visiting again soon when it is a hive of activity.”

    Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, chair of the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure committee said: “An important part of our corporate plan is bringing derelict buildings back into use and starting with our own building in Sandown was important to me.

    “The state of the building and it’s listed status meant that previous plans were unviable, so the chance of YIF investment for our young people was something we jumped at.

    “Seeing this civic building brought back into public use, by local contractors and our council team is just fantastic and I hope we can continue on the journey of investment into our built environment across the Island.”

    Sandown Councillor Ian Ward, deputy chair of the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure committee said: “It’s really good to see the town hall brought back to life by the Isle of Wight Council. I’m sure it will be a first-class venue for lots of activities in the future.”

    Mayor of Sandown Town Council Alex Lightfoot said: “It’s fantastic news that the renovation of this historic building is nearing completion and will see a new lease of life.”

    “The town council is hugely supportive of the project and will continue to support the Bay Youth Project moving forwards.”

    Laura Cansdale, Regeneration Programme Manager for the Isle of Wight Council said: “The transformation of Sandown Town Hall from a derelict building into what will soon be a vibrant, fit-for-purpose youth and community centre is a shining example of place-based regeneration in action.

    “This project embodies the spirit of the Bay Area Place Plan; revitalising our shared spaces, empowering local voices, and investing in the future of the Bay.

    “This is a powerful step forward for our community in creating a more connected, resilient Bay area.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The CBSA launches investigations into the alleged dumping and subsidizing of cast iron soil pipe from China

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 11, 2025
    Ottawa, Ontario

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is initiating investigations to determine whether cast iron soil pipe originating in or exported from China is being sold at unfair prices in Canada (dumping) and/or subsidized. These practices can harm Canadian industries by undercutting prices, which undermines fair competition.

    The CBSA is investigating because of a complaint filed by Canada Pipe Company ULC, d/b/a Bibby-Ste-Croix (Bibby). Bibby alleges that as a result of an increase in the volume of the dumped and subsidized imports, they have suffered material injury in the form of lost market share, price undercutting, price suppression and depression, and adverse impacts on market share, production, capacity utilization, inventory levels, financial performance and profitability, employment, wages, operations, investment and ability to raise capital.

    The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) both play a role in the investigations. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming the Canadian producer and will issue a decision by September 9, 2025. Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair prices and/or are being subsidized, and will make a preliminary decision by October 9, 2025.

    Currently, there are 158 special import measures in force in Canada, covering a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. In 2024, these measures have directly helped to protect approximately 45,000 Canadian jobs and $18.4 billion in Canadian production.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Lockdown at Joyceville Institution

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 11, 2025 – Joyceville, Ontario – Correctional Service Canada

    Today, a lockdown was put in place at Joyceville Institution, a multi-level security federal institution, to enable staff to complete an exceptional search.

    The search was ordered to ensure the safety and security of the institution, its staff, and inmates.

    Visits have been suspended until the search is completed. Normal operations will resume as soon as it is considered safe to do so.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Visits Springville to Spotlight Local Seniors, Small Businesses

    Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) visited the Village of Springville on Thursday to meet directly with residents, local officials, and small business owners to hear about the challenges facing the community and highlight how recent policy wins are making a difference right here at home.

     

    At the Concord Senior Center, Congressman Langworthy sat down with local seniors for a conversation over lunch about the rising cost of living and the importance of protecting Social Security. With recent legislative changes ensuring that 88% of seniors will no longer pay federal tax on their Social Security benefits, the Congressman emphasized that local retirees will see more breathing room in their budget for groceries, prescriptions, and other everyday essentials.

    Joined by Concord Town Supervisor Phil Drozd and Springville Deputy Mayor Russ Belscher, Congressman Langworthy took a walk down Springville’s Main Street to hear directly from the small business owners that keep the local economy running. From family-run shops to independent service providers, these businesses are the backbone of Springville, and Congressman Langworthy reaffirmed his commitment to reducing red tape, keeping taxes low, and making sure local entrepreneurs have the support they need to grow and thrive.

    At Springville Pharmacy, one of the community’s trusted health care resources, Congressman Langworthy discussed the urgent need to lower prescription drug prices and the impact of recent reforms targeting middlemen known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). These changes are designed to protect local access to medications, especially in rural communities where pharmacies like this are vital. 

    “Springville is a wonderful example of everything that’s right about small-town America right here in Western New York—strong families, close-knit neighbors, and hardworking small business owners,” said Congressman Langworthy. “It was an honor to hear directly from the people I serve. Whether it’s helping seniors keep more of their Social Security, standing up for independent pharmacies, or fighting for small-town businesses, I’m proud to be your voice in Washington.”

     

    “We are grateful to Congressman Langworthy for being a powerful voice for Concord in Washington.” said Supervisor Phil Drozd. “I was glad to welcome him to town to visit our senior program and walk through Springville to meet with local business owners. Our small business are the heart of this community and the tax relief he secured for families, seniors and businesses is critical to keep our money here instead of sending it to Washington.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Delhi CM Rekha Gupta distributes Rs 5 lakh each to 24 fire-hit Dilli Haat artisans

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday distributed cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to 24 artisans whose stalls were damaged in a fire that broke out at Dilli Haat in April.

    On the evening of April 30, a devastating fire broke out at Dilli Haat, INA, completely destroying 24 artisan stalls. Following the incident, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh for each affected artisan.

    A total amount of Rs 1.20 crore was distributed to 24 artisans who were engaged in displaying handicrafts, jewellery, carpets, woodwork, textiles, and other traditional crafts.

    “The newly elected government, blessed by the people of Delhi, stands firmly with the victims. Cheques of Rs 5 lakh each have been distributed to all affected artisans, and six months’ rent for their shops has been waived,” Gupta said.

    The Delhi CM assured that the process of justice will no longer face delays and that every rightful claim will be settled on time.

    Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, who was present during the cheque distribution ceremony, said the government is committed to protecting the interests of artisans and extending all necessary support to them. He added that the Delhi government stands with them, and through this ex gratia relief, aims to help them regain their footing.

    “Our arts and crafts are the soul of our cultural heritage. Preserving them and supporting their custodians is our collective responsibility,” he said.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown blocks returns and sales of machine-gun conversion devices in

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — The Trump administration has committed in court filings to carving out Washington and other states from its illegal plans to distribute thousands of machine-gun conversion devices nationwide following a lawsuit from Attorney General Nick Brown and 15 other states’ attorneys general.
     
    In submissions made in the multistate litigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has expressly confirmed to a judge that it will not return forced reset triggers in the plaintiff states. In addition, Rare Breed Triggers, the country’s largest purveyor of forced reset triggers, has confirmed in its court filings that it will not sell any of these devices in the plaintiff states. As a result, the coalition is withdrawing its motion for a preliminary injunction.
     
    “It is unfortunate that litigation was necessary when the federal government could have made these commitments much earlier,” Brown said. “But I will do everything possible to keep Washingtonians safe from dangerous machine-gun conversion devices.”
     
    In recent years, machine-gun conversion devices like forced reset triggers, which dramatically increase a firearm’s rate of fire, have been frequently used in violent crimes and mass shootings, worsening the gun violence epidemic in the United States. Firearms equipped with these devices are able to exceed the rate of fire of many military machine guns, firing up to 20 bullets in one second. ATF has noted a significant rise in the use of these devices, leading to increasing incidents of machine-gun fire — up 1,400% from 2019 through 2021.
     
    In addition to Washington, the other plaintiffs are Delaware, Maryland, Colorado, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
     
    The case, which remains active, was filed June 9. Read more about the lawsuit here.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 11 July 2025 News release World leaders recognized for championing the WHO Pandemic Agreement

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization has formally recognized the pivotal role of a number of heads of state and government in securing the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2025.

    At a special event at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on 10 July 2025, plaques were presented to the representatives of two countries whose former and current presidents, His Excellency Sebastián Piñera, former President of Chile, and His Excellency Kais Saied, President of Tunisia, advocated for the Agreement from the outset. Certificates were also awarded to leaders of 25 other countries for their guidance and commitment throughout the negotiation process.

    “The adoption by the World Health Assembly of the Pandemic Agreement was a historic moment in global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we would not have reached that moment without sustained political advocacy from the highest levels”.

    Countries whose current or former presidents or prime ministers were also recognized include Albania, Costa Rica, Croatia, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    The Pandemic Agreement represents a global commitment to a more robust international health architecture, one that is grounded in equity, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

    Political momentum behind the Agreement was galvanized in part by a commentary published in major international outlets in 2021, in which 25 heads of state and international organizations called for a pandemic treaty.

    Work has now begun to take forward key elements of the Pandemic Agreement, in particular on pathogen access and benefit sharing. This work is being led by an intergovernmental working group (the “IGWG on the WHO Pandemic Agreement”), which met for the first time this week. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 1523, Water Research Optimization Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 1523 would reauthorize and expand the operations of the National Water Center (NWC) administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Specifically, the bill would:

    • Require the NWC to coordinate water research and weather forecasting activities with other federal entities;
    • Require NOAA to use a supercomputing system to improve weather and climate forecasting; and,
    • Require NOAA to supervise operations of each river forecast center, which are regional offices that provide river level and flood forecasts, in coordination with the NWC.

    The bill would authorize the appropriation of $46 million annually from 2025 through 2028 for those purposes.

    Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $170 million over the 2025-2030 period and $9 million after 2030, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.

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

    Table 1.

    Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under S. 1523
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		  
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2025-2030

    Authorization

    46

    46

    46

    46

    0

    0

    184

    Estimated Outlays

    3

    38

    37

    44

    31

    17

    170

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

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 1523, Water Research Optimization Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 1523 would reauthorize and expand the operations of the National Water Center (NWC) administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Specifically, the bill would:

    • Require the NWC to coordinate water research and weather forecasting activities with other federal entities;
    • Require NOAA to use a supercomputing system to improve weather and climate forecasting; and,
    • Require NOAA to supervise operations of each river forecast center, which are regional offices that provide river level and flood forecasts, in coordination with the NWC.

    The bill would authorize the appropriation of $46 million annually from 2025 through 2028 for those purposes.

    Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $170 million over the 2025-2030 period and $9 million after 2030, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.

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

    Table 1.

    Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under S. 1523
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		  
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2025-2030

    Authorization

    46

    46

    46

    46

    0

    0

    184

    Estimated Outlays

    3

    38

    37

    44

    31

    17

    170

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

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 1523, Water Research Optimization Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 1523 would reauthorize and expand the operations of the National Water Center (NWC) administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Specifically, the bill would:

    • Require the NWC to coordinate water research and weather forecasting activities with other federal entities;
    • Require NOAA to use a supercomputing system to improve weather and climate forecasting; and,
    • Require NOAA to supervise operations of each river forecast center, which are regional offices that provide river level and flood forecasts, in coordination with the NWC.

    The bill would authorize the appropriation of $46 million annually from 2025 through 2028 for those purposes.

    Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $170 million over the 2025-2030 period and $9 million after 2030, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.

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

    Table 1.

    Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under S. 1523
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		  
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2025-2030

    Authorization

    46

    46

    46

    46

    0

    0

    184

    Estimated Outlays

    3

    38

    37

    44

    31

    17

    170

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

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: High-speed internet coming to remote Vancouver Island communities

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People in the west Vancouver Island communities of Toquaht Nation and Salmon Beach will soon be getting better access to high-speed internet.

    “For people to thrive in remote communities, access to high-speed internet is key to community growth and engagement, remote work and better access to health care and online services,” said George Chow, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “These projects in Toquaht Nation and Salmon Beach take us another step closer in our commitment to connect every household in the province.”

    More than 400 households on western Vancouver Island near Ucluelet will benefit from new connectivity infrastructure, including Toquaht Nation territory that includes Salmon Beach and m̓aʔaquuʔa (Macoah, the Nation’s primary residential village). Two “last-mile” projects will be built and operated by internet service provider CityWest.

    “Most of us take for granted that we can go online when we need to engage with others. For people who live in remote areas, that is often not the case,” said John Jack, chair, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. “This investment could change the lives of the people living in Toquaht and Salmon Beach. It will establish access to high-speed internet and will create meaningful opportunity.”

    The Province is investing up to $700,000 through the Connecting Communities B.C. program, administered by the Ministry of Citizens’ Services. The Government of Canada is also investing up to $700,000 through its Universal Broadband Fund. CityWest will contribute approximately $835,000.

    “Investments in high-speed internet play a big role in our strategy to build strong and diverse rural economies,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “Once completed, these projects will provide broad benefit for people in these Vancouver Island communities, delivering high-speed broadband access to unlock exciting new possibilities for residents and visitors.”

    The Province’s investment is part of StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities, the Province’s program to help build a brighter future for rural communities and the people who call them home.

    “For the t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥ people, high-speed internet is about respecting our masčim (community members) by ensuring access to education, employment and economic opportunity. It supports our t̓aat̓neʔis (children) in learning, helps adults find meaningful work, attracts investment and strengthens overall community well-being,” said Chief Anne Mack, Toquaht First Nation. “Connectivity also allows us to share our haaḥuupacamis (teachings), engage with ʔeʔiičum (Elders), and remain connected to one another no matter where we are. This is about more than infrastructure. It is about unlocking the potential of our people and building a stronger future together.”

    In March 2022, the governments of British Columbia and Canada announced a partnership to invest as much as $830 million to expand high-speed internet services. The Province also made a specific commitment to connect every First Nations community to high-speed internet services in the government’s Declaration Act Action Plan.

    Since 2017, the Province has invested $584 million to expand connectivity in British Columbia. As of January 2025, approximately 74% of rural homes and approximately 83% of homes on First Nations reserves have access to high-speed internet.

    The Connecting British Columbia and Connecting Communities BC funding programs support projects to expand high-speed internet services to rural and remote areas of the province. The plan to provide access to high-speed internet to all households will level the playing field for people in British Columbia, ensuring better access to services and economic opportunities for every community.

    Quotes:

    Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation –

    “It’s essential for members of Toquaht Nation and all those living in the remote areas of Vancouver Island to have reliable high-speed internet. These projects help advance Toquaht’s interests in important areas like economic growth, health-care access, education and cultural preservation, for the betterment of the entire region.”

    Buckley Belanger, federal secretary of state for rural development –

    “In today’s age, high-speed internet access isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Our federal government was proud to partner with the province and CityWest to bring improved connectivity services for people in the communities of Toquaht Nation and Salmon Beach.”

    Steve Morissette, B.C. parliamentary secretary for rural development –

    “No matter where you live, access to high-speed internet has become so important for everyone. I’m thrilled to see these projects on Vancouver Island move forward, as part of our commitment to support improved connectivity for all rural and remote communities throughout British Columbia.”

    Stefan Woloszyn, chief executive officer, CityWest –

    “Today’s announcement sets the stage for improved connectivity to more underserved communities throughout the province. CityWest’s fibre-to-the-home projects will bring these residents and businesses urban-class connectivity, creating equal opportunities for more rural, remote and Indigenous British Columbians. We would like to express our thanks to the Province of B.C. and the federal government for their vision on ensuring that these communities are able to unlock their connectivity destiny.”

    Learn More:

    Connectivity in B.C.: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc

    Connecting Communities B.C.: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc/20530/20601

    StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Good-Lives-Strong-Communities-2023.pdf

    Universal Broadband Fund: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/high-speed-internet-canada/en/universal-broadband-fund

    MIL OSI Canada News –