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Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gross Domestic Product by State and Personal Income by State, 1st quarter 2025

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Real gross domestic product decreased in 39 states in the first quarter of 2025, with the percent change ranging from 1.7 percent at an annual rate in South Carolina to –6.1 percent in Iowa and Nebraska, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (table 1).

    Current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 47 states and the District of Columbia, with the percent change ranging from 8.7 percent at an annual rate in North Dakota to –2.7 percent in Iowa.

    Personal income, in current dollars, increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the first quarter of 2025, with the percent change ranging from 12.7 percent at an annual rate in North Dakota to 3.2 percent in Washington state (table 3).

    Real GDP

    In the first quarter of 2025, real GDP for the nation decreased at an annual rate of 0.5 percent. Real GDP decreased in 16 of the 23 industry groups for which BEA prepares quarterly state estimates. Finance and insurance; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; and wholesale trade were the leading contributors to the decrease in real GDP nationally (table 2).

    • Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, which decreased in 39 states, was the leading contributor to the decreases in 11 states, including Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, and Kansas.
    • Mining, which decreased in 43 states, was the leading contributor to the decreases in eight states, including Wyoming, the state with the fifth-largest decline in real GDP.
    • Finance and insurance, which decreased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, was the leading contributor to decreases in 18 states.
    • Real estate and rental and leasing, which increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, was the leading contributor to growth in South Carolina, the state with the largest increase in real GDP.

    Personal income

    In the first quarter of 2025, current-dollar personal income increased $407.3 billion, or 6.7 percent at an annual rate (table 3). Nationally, increases in earnings, transfer receipts, and property income (dividends, interest, and rent) contributed to the increase in personal income (chart 1).

    Earnings increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while growing 5.0 percent nationally (table 4). The percent change in earnings ranged from 13.5 percent in North Dakota to 0.1 percent in Washington state. Earnings increased in 22 of the 24 industries for which BEA prepares quarterly state estimates and was the largest contributor to growth in personal income in 28 states (table 5).

    • Farm earnings was the leading contributor to increases in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Mississippi, the states with the three largest increases in personal income, due in part to government payments from the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program.
    • In South Carolina, the state with the fourth-largest increase in personal income, construction was the leading contributor to the increase in earnings.
    • In Oklahoma, the state with the fifth-largest increase in personal income, mining was the leading contributor to the increase in earnings.

    Transfer receipts increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while growing 13.6 percent nationally. The percent change in transfer receipts ranged from 21.2 percent in Nevada to 9.1 percent in Florida (table 4). The increase in transfer receipts was due in part to an increase in Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and an annual cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits.

    Property income increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while growing 5.6 percent nationally. The percent change ranged from 7.8 percent in Idaho to 3.8 percent in Alaska (table 4).

    Update of state statistics

    Today, BEA also released revised quarterly estimates of personal income by state for the first through fourth quarters of 2024. This update incorporates new and revised source data that are more complete and more detailed than previously available and aligns the states with the national estimates from the National Income and Product Accounts released on June 26, 2025.

    New combined state news release

    On September 26, 2025, BEA will publish quarterly GDP and personal income by state along with annual personal consumption expenditures by state in a single news release. This combined release will provide a fuller picture of the economies of all states and the District of Columbia and will replace the publication of two separate releases issued on different days. BEA will release revised annual state GDP and personal income estimates for 2020 to 2024, along with revised quarterly estimates for the first quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2025 and preliminary estimates for the second quarter of 2025. An upcoming article in the Survey of Current Business will describe the results.

    Upcoming changes in the presentation of tables

    BEA’s ongoing modernization and streamlining of news release packages will include changes in the presentation of tables starting with the September 26, 2025 release of GDP, personal income, and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) by state.

    Data previously published as tables within the quarterly and annual news releases on GDP, personal income, and PCE by state will continue to be updated and available simultaneously with the release in BEA’s online Interactive Data Tables. However, tables will no longer be included in the body of the news release. This will reduce duplication, increase efficiency, and point data users directly to our most complete and flexible data tables, via links in the release. These customizable tables include full time series and can be downloaded as PDFs, in Excel, or in CSV format.

    For definitions, statistical conventions, BEA regions, uses of these statistics, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Next release: September 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EDT
    Gross Domestic Product by State and Personal Income by State, 2nd Quarter 2025 and Personal Consumption Expenditures by State, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Powering Women’s Economic Transformation in Tanzania

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

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    In Kigoma, Tanzania, where over 80 per cent of livelihoods rely on small-scale farming, fishing, and informal trade, women constitute the majority of the agricultural workforce and are the backbone of the region’s economy.

    However, in an increasingly digital economy, limited digital literacy remains a major barrier to unlocking women’s full economic potential, with many women in the region lacking the necessary skills to use mobile platforms, digital financial services, or online marketplaces, impeding the growth and formalization of women-led businesses.

    Amid these challenges, women like Chichi Ramadhani Kamandwa are increasingly harnessing digital tools to grow their businesses. A 39-year-old mother of three and a determined entrepreneur living in Kigoma town, Kamandwa runs a small-scale agro-processing business specializing in the milling and packaging of maize, cassava, and nutrient-rich flours.

    In 2024, she participated in a Digital Literacy and Branding workshop organized by UN Women to equip women entrepreneurs in the region with practical skills to expand their businesses and access wider markets through digital platforms. The initiative formed part of the second phase of the UN Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP II) – a collaborative effort of 17 UN agencies working with local authorities and communities to advance development and human security in Kigoma – and engaged beneficiaries of UN Women’s “Binti Dijitali” African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), who facilitated sessions with hands-on technical expertise and peer-led guidance.

    “Before the training, I only used my phone for calls and taking pictures. I didn’t know it could be a marketing tool for my business, helping me showcase my products online, reach more customers, and improve my record-keeping,” said Kamandwa.

    With the skills she has acquired, Chichi is now transforming her business.

    “I learned how to create product labels, list ingredients and registration numbers to build customer trust, and package my products attractively,” said Kamandwa, adding that the most beneficial change she made was improving my packaging.

    “I realized how much the look of a product matters. After updating my logo and labels and switching to better-quality packaging, my sales increased significantly, because customers had more confidence in my brand,” she explains.

    Kamandwa also began using accessible platforms such as WhatsApp to reach new customers, advertise her products, and receive orders.

    In Kigoma, many women entrepreneurs navigate complex social and economic realities. Alongside their business efforts, they often carry the primary responsibility for household care and income generation, frequently without consistent support from partners.

    “Once a woman begins to earn, she is often left to shoulder everything alone,” Kamadwa explains. “Some men leave for work in other towns, return only briefly, and then leave again, while the woman is left behind to care for the children, run the household, and manage her business on her own.”

    Additionally, limited access to financial services or reliable support systems leaves women vulnerable to unfair treatment or exploitative arrangements, particularly when trying to access markets or services.

    “When you lack information or tools, people take advantage of you,” says Kamandwa.

    Through strategic partnerships with local government authorities, trade officers, mobile service providers, and private sector actors, UN Women, under KJP II, is working to create an inclusive and enabling business environment for women and youth.

    “Initiatives such as the digital literacy workshop aim to strengthen the capacity of women-led enterprises to adopt innovative, market-driven practices, build resilience, and transition into formal markets for sustainable growth,” says Ms. Lilian Mwamdanga, UN Women Specialist for Women’s Economic Empowerment.

    According to Kamandwa, the benefits of workshops like these extend well beyond the knowledge they gain. They create opportunities for women to connect with peers, share experiences, and establish lasting support networks. “We have even formed small groups to support and uplift one another,” she shares.

    “I have also started teaching other women how to use their phones for business. It might seem like a small thing, but it can really transform how we work and sell.”

    The use of digital platforms has also empowered women like Kamandwa to manage their sales independently, reducing reliance on informal and often unreliable intermediaries. With increased visibility and growing sales, Kamandwa has expanded her inventory and begun selling her products in bulk.

    She also hopes to continue mentoring others and to start providing training for young women interested in business, so they too can build a future of their own.

    “If I can do this, I believe other women can too. We just need the right support and a chance to grow,” she says.

    – on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Thimerosal discouraged in US flu vaccines, breaking with WHO guidance

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Edward Beamer, Lecturer, Pharmacology, Sheffield Hallam University

    A federal vaccine panel, recently reshaped by US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has voted to discourage the use of flu vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. The decision marks a dramatic shift in vaccine policy, as thimerosal has long been considered safe by health agencies worldwide, with its use already limited to a few multi-dose flu shots.

    RFK Jr. has long linked thimerosal to autism – a connection that extensive scientific research has thoroughly debunked.

    Thimerosal is an organic chemical containing mercury, used as a preservative in vaccines since the 1930s. Its effect comes from the mercury that disrupts the function of enzymes in microbes, such as bacteria and fungi. This prevents contamination of vaccines while they are stored in vials. Mercury, however, is also well-known as a potent toxin acting on cells the brain.

    Much of mercury’s toxicity to brain cells stems from the same attributes that make thimerosal such a useful preservative. It disrupts the basic biological function of cells by changing the structure of proteins and enzymes.

    In the brain, this can lead neurons to become excessively active, can impair the way they use energy, it can increase inflammation and lead to the death of neurons. While mercury poisoning can damage brain function in adults, babies are even more vulnerable.

    People have long understood that mercury is toxic. But in the latter half of the 20th century, scientists discovered that industrial mercury entered rivers and seas, accumulating in the tissues of fish and shellfish. The neurological consequences of consuming too much contaminated seafood could be severe. This led environmental scientists to determine safe levels of mercury exposure.

    Anxiety about mercury in vaccines intensified when it was noticed that some children receiving multiple vaccines could exceed established safety limits for mercury exposure. These limits were based on environmental toxicity studies. How mercury affects the brain, though, depends very much on the chemical form in which it is ingested.

    In the 20th century, scientists discovered that mercury accumulates in the fish that we eat.
    J nel/Shutterstock.com

    Methylmercury v ethylmercury

    The form of mercury that contaminates the environment as a consequence of industrial processes is methylmercury. The form that is part of thimerosal is ethylmercury.

    The structure of these molecules differs in subtle but important ways. Methylmercury has one more carbon atom and two more hydrogen atoms than ethylmercury. These small differences significantly affect how each compound behaves in the body, particularly, in how easily they dissolve in fats.

    Fat solubility is a key consideration in pharmacokinetics – the science of how drugs and other molecules travel through the body. Briefly, because cell membranes are made of fatty substances, a molecule’s ability to dissolve in fats strongly influences how it crosses these membranes and moves through the body.

    It affects how a molecule is absorbed into the blood, how it is distributed to different tissues, how it is broken down by the body into other chemicals and how it is excreted.

    Methylmercury from environmental contamination is more fat-soluble than ethylmercury from thimerosal. This means that it accumulates more easily in tissues, and is excreted from the body more slowly.

    It also means that it can more easily cross into the brain and accumulate at greater concentrations for longer. For this reason, the safety guidelines that were established for methylmercury were unlikely to accurately predict the safety of ethylmercury.

    Global policy shift amid public fear

    Nevertheless, concerns about vaccine hesitancy, rising autism diagnoses and fears of a potential link to childhood vaccines led to thimerosal being almost entirely removed from childhood vaccines in the US by 2001 and in the UK between 2003 and 2005.

    Beyond biological considerations, policymakers were also responding to concerns about how vaccine fears could undermine immunisation efforts and fuel the spread of infectious diseases.

    Denmark, which removed thimerosal from childhood vaccines in 1992, provided an early opportunity to study the issue. Researchers compared the rates of autism before and after thimerosal’s removal as well as compared with similar countries still using it. Several large studies demonstrated conclusively that thimerosal was not causing autism or neurodevelopmental harm.

    Despite the overwhelming evidence that thimerosal is safe, it is no longer widely used in childhood vaccines in high-income countries, replaced by preservative-free vaccines, which must be stored as a single dose per vial.

    Storing multiple doses of a vaccine in the same vial, however, is still an extremely useful approach in resource-limited settings, in pandemics and where diseases require rapid, large-scale vaccination campaigns – common with influenza.

    International health bodies, including the World Health Organization, continue to support thimerosal’s use. They emphasise that the benefits of immunisation far outweigh the theoretical risks from low-dose ethylmercury exposure.

    Edward Beamer 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. Thimerosal discouraged in US flu vaccines, breaking with WHO guidance – https://theconversation.com/thimerosal-discouraged-in-us-flu-vaccines-breaking-with-who-guidance-259609

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Checking in on New England’s fishing industry 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ hit movie theaters

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stephanie Otts, Director of National Sea Grant Law Center, University of Mississippi

    Filming ‘The Perfect Storm’ in Gloucester Harbor, Mass.
     The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection, Salem State University Archives and Special Collections, CC BY

    Twenty-five years ago, “The Perfect Storm” roared into movie theaters. The disaster flick, starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, was a riveting, fictionalized account of commercial swordfishing in New England and a crew who went down in a violent storm.

    The anniversary of the film’s release, on June 30, 2000, provides an opportunity to reflect on the real-life changes to New England’s commercial fishing industry.

    Fishing was once more open to all

    In the true story behind the movie, six men lost their lives in late October 1991 when the commercial swordfishing vessel Andrea Gail disappeared in a fierce storm in the North Atlantic as it was headed home to Gloucester, Massachusetts.

    At the time, and until very recently, almost all commercial fisheries were open access, meaning there were no restrictions on who could fish.

    There were permit requirements and regulations about where, when and how you could fish, but anyone with the means to purchase a boat and associated permits, gear, bait and fuel could enter the fishery. Eight regional councils established under a 1976 federal law to manage fisheries around the U.S. determined how many fish could be harvested prior to the start of each fishing season.

    Fishing has been an integral part of coastal New England culture since its towns were established. In this 1899 photo, a New England community weighs and packs mackerel.
    Charles Stevenson/Freshwater and Marine Image Bank

    Fishing started when the season opened and continued until the catch limit was reached. In some fisheries, this resulted in a “race to the fish” or a “derby,” where vessels competed aggressively to harvest the available catch in short amounts of time. The limit could be reached in a single day, as happened in the Pacific halibut fishery in the late 1980s.

    By the 1990s, however, open access systems were coming under increased criticism from economists as concerns about overfishing rose.

    The fish catch peaked in New England in 1987 and would remain far above what the fish population could sustain for two more decades. Years of overfishing led to the collapse of fish stocks, including North Atlantic cod in 1992 and Pacific sardine in 2015.

    As populations declined, managers responded by cutting catch limits to allow more fish to survive and reproduce. Fishing seasons were shortened, as it took less time for the fleets to harvest the allowed catch. It became increasingly hard for fishermen to catch enough fish to earn a living.

    Saving fisheries changed the industry

    In the early 2000s, as these economic and environmental challenges grew, fisheries managers started limiting access. Instead of allowing anyone to fish, only vessels or individuals meeting certain eligibility requirements would have the right to fish.

    The most common method of limiting access in the U.S. is through limited entry permits, initially awarded to individuals or vessels based on previous participation or success in the fishery. Another approach is to assign individual harvest quotas or “catch shares” to permit holders, limiting how much each boat can bring in.

    In 2007, Congress amended the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to promote the use of limited access programs in U.S. fisheries.

    Ships in the fleet out of New Bedford, Mass.
    Henry Zbyszynski/Flickr, CC BY

    Today, limited access is common, and there are positive signs that the management change is helping achieve the law’s environmental goal of preventing overfishing. Since 2000, the populations of 50 major fishing stocks have been rebuilt, meaning they have recovered to a level that can once again support fishing.

    I’ve been following the changes as a lawyer focused on ocean and coastal issues, and I see much work still to be done.

    Forty fish stocks are currently being managed under rebuilding plans that limit catch to allow the stock to grow, including Atlantic cod, which has struggled to recover due to a complex combination of factors, including climatic changes.

    The lingering effect on communities today

    While many fish stocks have recovered, the effort came at an economic cost to many individual fishermen. The limited-access Northeast groundfish fishery, which includes Atlantic cod, haddock and flounder, shed nearly 800 crew positions between 2007 and 2015.

    The loss of jobs and revenue from fishing impacts individual family income and relationships, strains other businesses in fishing communities, and affects those communities’ overall identity and resilience, as illustrated by a recent economic snapshot of the Alaska seafood industry.

    When original limited-access permit holders leave the business – for economic, personal or other reasons – their permits are either terminated or sold to other eligible permit holders, leading to fewer active vessels in the fleet. As a result, the number of vessels fishing for groundfish has declined from 719 in 2007 to 194 in 2023, meaning fewer jobs.

    A fisherman unloads a portion of his catch for the day of 300 pounds of groundfish, including flounder, in January 2006 in Gloucester, Mass.
    AP Photo/Lisa Poole

    Because of their scarcity, limited-access permits can cost upward of US$500,000, which is often beyond the financial means of a small businesses or a young person seeking to enter the industry. The high prices may also lead retiring fishermen to sell their permits, as opposed to passing them along with the vessels to the next generation.

    These economic forces have significantly altered the fishing industry, leading to more corporate and investor ownership, rather than the family-owned operations that were more common in the Andrea Gail’s time.

    Similar to the experience of small family farms, fishing captains and crews are being pushed into corporate arrangements that reduce their autonomy and revenues.

    Consolidation can threaten the future of entire fleets, as New Bedford, Massachusetts, saw when Blue Harvest Fisheries, backed by a private equity firm, bought up vessels and other assets and then declared bankruptcy a few years later, leaving a smaller fleet and some local business and fishermen unpaid for their work. A company with local connections bought eight vessels from Blue Harvest along with 48 state and federal permits the company held.

    New challenges and unchanging risks

    While there are signs of recovery for New England’s fisheries, challenges continue.

    Warming water temperatures have shifted the distribution of some species, affecting where and when fish are harvested. For example, lobsters have moved north toward Canada. When vessels need to travel farther to find fish, that increases fuel and supply costs and time away from home.

    Fisheries managers will need to continue to adapt to keep New England’s fisheries healthy and productive.

    One thing that, unfortunately, hasn’t changed is the dangerous nature of the occupation. Between 2000 and 2019, 414 fishermen died in 245 disasters.

    Stephanie Otts receives funding from the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program through the U.S. Department of Commerce. Previous support for fisheries management legal research provided by The Nature Conservancy.

    – ref. Checking in on New England’s fishing industry 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ hit movie theaters – https://theconversation.com/checking-in-on-new-englands-fishing-industry-25-years-after-the-perfect-storm-hit-movie-theaters-255076

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: DFFE allocates R9 billion amid budget constraints

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has been allocated R9.08 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, accounting for 0.35% of the national appropriation.

    “When adjusted for inflation, this reflects a real decrease of R121.5 million, or 1.4%, compared to last year. In short; the department is being asked to do more, with less,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said during his Budget Vote speech in Parliament on Friday.

    The Minister said the Budget Vote is being tabled against the backdrop of a constrained fiscal environment. 

    “Following the reversal of the proposed VAT increase in May 2025, the national budget framework was revised, with consolidated government spending projected to grow from R2.4 trillion in 2024/25 to R2.81 trillion in 2027/28.

    “Nearly half the Department’s medium-term budget – R14.5 billion – will go directly to goods and services, including the Expanded Public Works Programme, implementation of the Forestry Master Plan, and rollout of the Waste Management Strategy,” the Minister said.

    Transfers and subsidies to public entities, such as the South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), South African National Parks (SANParks), iSimangaliso, and South African Weather Service, will account for over R5.5 billion.

    “This department is using every rand to protect ecosystems, grow green jobs, and meet the urgent demands of climate adaptation, regulation, and environmental justice.

    “To achieve these imperatives, the department is focusing on six flagship priorities in the 2025/26 financial year. These “Big 6” priorities shape our work, guide our partnerships, and define the strategic investments proposed in this Budget Vote,” the Minister said.

    He emphasised that climate change is not a distant threat.

    “…It is here, disrupting our communities, economies, and ecosystems. We see it in rising temperatures, intensifying floods, droughts, and fires that affect lives and livelihoods. Through the Climate Change Act, now in force, we have established a unified, whole- of-government response to this urgent crisis.

    “This year, we will deliver new Nationally Determined Contributions, a revised Low Emissions Development Strategy, final Sectoral Emission Targets, and implement the Climate Change Adaptation Response Plan for vulnerable coastal regions,” the Minister said.

    The department has also completed the Highveld Air Quality Management Plan to ensure Eskom complies with air pollution laws — because the constitutional right to clean air cannot be compromised.

    “South Africa’s biodiversity is a powerful engine for development. The revised National Biodiversity Economy Strategy will unlock 397,000 jobs and inject R127 billion annually into the economy by 2036 through eco-tourism, bioprospecting, and sustainable game meat production.

    “South Africa’s fisheries are lifelines for coastal and rural communities. Through Fishing for Freedom, we are securing sustainable access, supporting small-scale fishers, and combating illegal harvesting that threatens biodiversity and food security.

    “We are fast-tracking signage, wreck removal, security and road markings at the 12 proclaimed fishing harbours, implementing co-management systems for nearshore fisheries, and expanding Small, Medium and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) training in the small-scale fisheries sector,” the Minister said.

    This is part of the department’s revitalisation of harbours — unlocking jobs and dignity for coastal communities. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa clarifies Deputy Minister’s removal

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken out following his decision to remove Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, from his position.

    Whitfield’s removal – which was done in terms of section 93 (1) of the Constitution – was announced on Thursday. 

    In a statement on Friday, President Ramaphosa said although it was not common practice for the President of the Republic of South Africa to provide reasons for either appointment or dismissals; “several unfortunate statements and outright distortions by a number of people” have made it necessary to do so.

    “Mr Whitfield was removed as a Deputy Minister because he undertook an international visit without the permission of the President. His travel to the United States was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive. 

    “This requirement is known to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers. These rules and established practices were expressly communicated to all members of the Executive during the induction sessions at the commencement of the 7th administration,” he said.

    The President said the rules and practices “were repeated in Cabinet in March this year by me as President”. 

    “All international travel by members of the executive must always be undertaken with the express permission of the President. This practice is rigorously observed and adhered to by all members of the Executive. However, Mr Whitfield deliberately chose to violate this rule and practice,” President Ramaphosa said.

    The President confirmed that prior to Whitfield’s removal, he spoke to Democratic Alliance (DA) and fellow Government of National Unity (GNU) party leader, John Steenhuisen about his removal and “I expect him to present to me for approval a replacement for Mr Whitfield from his party as the DA is entitled to a Deputy Minister as agreed”.

    “In that discussion, Mr Steenhuisen informed me that Mr Whitfield had been expecting that he may be dismissed on the grounds that he had undertaken an international trip without the President’s permission. 

    “This expectation, along with a perfunctory letter of apology that Mr Whitfield wrote to me following his travel to the USA without the required permission, indicated that he was aware that his actions had violated the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive,” he said.

    The President emphasised that previous Presidents had undertaken to remove ministers and deputy ministers before.

    “During my discussion with Mr Steenhuisen, he asked me if there was precedent for the action that I intended to take in relation to Mr Whitfield. I informed him that there was indeed prior precedent.

    “I told him that in 1995, President Nelson Mandela dismissed the late Deputy Minister Madikizela-Mandela and that in 2007 President Thabo Mbeki dismissed then Deputy Minister Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge on the grounds of undertaking international travel without permission. 

    “Given all these circumstances, there is consequently no reasonable grounds for Mr Steenhuisen and the Democratic Alliance to issue ultimatums and threats when the President exercises his constitutional prerogative and responsibility. Nor are there any grounds to try link this with matters that have no bearing on the conduct of the former Deputy Minister,” he said.

    The President emphasised that there is “no basis” to suggest that the former Deputy Minister’s removal is “related to any other reason than his failure to receive permission to travel and adhere to the rules and established practices expected of members of the Executive”.

    “While Mr Steenhuisen asked that he be allowed to brief the Democratic Alliance Federal Executive prior to the removal letter being delivered to Mr Whitfield, this would have had no bearing on my decision. It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the President to determine the timing and manner of the appointment and removal of Members of the Executive.

    “I am amazed at Mr Steenhuisen’s intemperate reaction to the removal of Mr Whitfield. He knows very well that the blatant disregard of the rules and practices that govern the international travel of members of the executive is a serious violation that should not be permitted,” President Ramaphosa said.

    The President reminded that it remains the Constitutional prerogative of the President to appoint or remove Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

    “It is unprecedented in the history of our democracy that the exercise by the President of his constitutional prerogative and responsibility with respect to a clear violation of rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive has met with such irresponsible and unjustifiable threats and ultimatums from a member of the executive.

    “Let it be clear that the President shall not yield to threats and ultimatums, especially coming from members of the Executive that he has the prerogative to appoint in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Free Psychic Reading Online | Free Psychic Chat – The Psychic Experts Introduce Certified, Accurate Readings for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The-Psychic-Experts.com is proud to announce the official release of its groundbreaking 2025 platform, designed to bring free psychic reading online and free psychic chat to millions seeking trusted, certified, and accurate readings. With more people than ever turning to spiritual advisors for support in love, relationships, and life direction, this new service makes it easier to access free psychic readings delivered by authentic, thoroughly vetted, and compassionate professionals.

    ⇒ Try Your Free Psychic Reading Online – Trusted and Accurate!

    The newly enhanced platform represents a significant milestone in the growth of no-cost, user-focused spiritual guidance. In 2025, demand for free psychic reading online sessions that offer free psychic love reading, personal insight, and no-credit-card signups has surged. Responding to that growing audience, The Psychic Experts developed an advanced system that empowers users to ask a free psychic question and receive timely, respectful, and deeply personal insight in real-time.

    “Our mission is to remove barriers to spiritual clarity,” said a spokesperson for The Psychic Experts. “We believe that everyone deserves a free psychic reading with no strings attached — whether you want a quick check-in, a deep dive into your birth chart, or a free psychic reading by date of birth and time. This launch in 2025 represents our commitment to accessibility, privacy, and authentic guidance.”

    ⇒ Get Your Free Psychic Reading Online with Trusted Experts!

    What Is a Free Psychic Reading?

    A free psychic reading is a short, no-cost session where you receive guidance and insight from someone using intuitive abilities or spiritual tools. These readings aim to provide answers, direction, and emotional clarity. Many people turn to a free psychic reading to explore love, life decisions, timing, or confusing situations that feel unresolved.

    A reader might use tarot cards, astrology, energy sensing, or other methods to interpret your circumstances. Some rely on impressions and intuition, while others may ask for your birth information to begin. Although the approach varies, the goal is the same: to help you better understand what is happening in your life and what steps may come next.

    ⇒ Start Your Free Psychic Chat with Certified Experts Today!

    Why People Try Free Psychic Readings

    Many people choose a free psychic reading online when they need answers but prefer not to pay before knowing whether the service feels right. These quick sessions often address emotional worries, relationship concerns, or important decisions. For some, it’s a comforting way to feel seen and understood; for others, it helps make sense of recent events or transitions.

    Often, first-time visitors will ask a free psychic question before committing to a longer session. This helps them see how the reader responds and if the insight feels relevant. Sometimes, just one free psychic question can shift the way someone views their situation.

    ⇒ Connect with a Real Psychic for a Free Psychic Reading!

    What to Expect from a Free Session

    Most platforms that offer free psychic readings provide a few complimentary minutes with a reader through chat or by phone. During that window, you can share a personal question or explain a concern. Some people prefer open-ended guidance, while others go straight to direct questions like, “Will I hear from this person again?” or “What is blocking me right now?”

    A free psychic reading might include a free psychic love reading, a quick energy scan, or even an interpretation based on your birth details. In some cases, you may receive a free psychic reading by date of birth and time, which allows the reader to pick up on timing patterns, compatibility, or important life milestones.

    ⇒ Talk to a Trusted Psychic in a Free Psychic Chat Session!

    A Safe and Private Way to Start

    Trying a free psychic reading is a safe way to explore spiritual guidance without having to share payment details. Many platforms now promote free psychic reading online chat no credit card, meaning you can receive guidance quickly, privately, and with no obligation.

    These no-cost sessions allow you to reflect, ask personal questions, and test the reading process without feeling pressured. A trusted free psychic will never rush you or make unreasonable demands. Instead, they will focus on your question and provide calm, respectful, and meaningful support.

    ⇒ Enjoy a Free Trial Psychic Reading with Certified Advisors!

    How Free Psychic Readings Work Online

    A free psychic reading online gives you access to real spiritual support without the need to visit a psychic in person or share payment details upfront. These sessions are fast, personal, and convenient to access by chat or phone, making the entire process risk-free — especially for those who are curious but hesitant to invest in a paid session.

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question and Pay Nothing Today!

    Live Chat Readings: Fast, Private, and Direct

    Most newcomers to free psychic readings start with live chat. These sessions happen in real-time through a simple text-based window. After you choose a reader, you can begin chatting instantly. You send your question, and the psychic responds directly, giving you time to consider their words and focus on your concerns without feeling rushed.

    Live chat is private, discreet, and easy to use. You can connect on your phone, tablet, or computer, fitting seamlessly into your day. A free psychic chat session can last a few minutes or longer, depending on the platform’s offer. It gives you space to ask specific questions or simply receive quick insight.

    ⇒ Meet Real Advisors for a Free Psychic Reading – No Credit Card!

    Phone Readings: A More Personal Touch

    Some users prefer to speak directly with a free psychic by phone. Phone readings offer a more conversational flow and a greater sense of connection. A psychic can hear your tone, sense your energy, and ask clarifying questions as the conversation develops.

    Phone sessions may be scheduled in advance or started on demand. They are especially helpful for those who feel more comfortable talking than typing. Many people find a voice conversation builds stronger trust and feels more emotionally supportive.

    Both phone and chat sessions are available through most free psychic reading services, giving you freedom to choose your ideal format.

    ⇒ Connect with a Trusted Psychic for a Free Trial Session!

    Free Services with No Upfront Payment

    The best free psychic readings offer a trial at no cost. You might receive a short phone call, a five-minute chat, or the opportunity to ask a free psychic question and receive one detailed response. These introductory offers help you explore a reader’s style, see how they answer, and decide if you’d like to continue.

    Many trustworthy platforms feature free psychic reading online chat no credit card, so you never need to share payment information to get started. No hidden charges, no surprise billing — just a comfortable and secure way to connect. This approach builds trust and makes the experience feel relaxed and honest.

    ⇒ Talk to Certified Psychics in a Free Psychic Chat – No Payment Needed!

    Tools to Help You Choose the Right Reader

    Before you begin, most reputable platforms give you a chance to view profiles, read short bios, and check user reviews. You can filter psychics by reading type, specialty, or technique. If you’re focused on love, you might choose a free psychic love reading to explore your romantic situation. If you want to understand timing or life transitions, you might request a free psychic reading by date of birth and time for a more personalized experience.

    Some sites even allow you to type and send a free psychic question before your session starts. This gives you a feel for how the psychic communicates and interprets your concerns before committing to a longer chat.

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question with No Credit Card Required

    Why Free Online Readings Stay Popular

    Trying a free psychic reading online is one of the easiest ways to explore your thoughts, gain clarity, and check in with your emotions. It’s fast, secure, and requires no financial commitment. You remain in control of the session from beginning to end.

    These services have grown steadily in popularity because they are so flexible and accessible. With more platforms offering free psychic readings — and making it possible to connect without providing credit card details — people now have more opportunities than ever to receive honest, empowering spiritual guidance safely and without pressure.

    ⇒ Try a Free Psychic Reading Online with Reliable, Real Psychics!

    Types of Psychic Readings Offered for Free

    When exploring free psychic readings for the first time, many people want to understand the types of sessions available and how each one works. Every reading style offers something unique, depending on the tools used and the focus of the session. Some are best for emotions, while others explore timing, energy, or life direction. Here is a guide to the most common options you can experience through a free psychic reading online, along with what to expect during a short, no-cost session.

    Tarot Card Readings

    Tarot is one of the most popular styles of free psychic reading. In these sessions, the reader pulls cards from a deck and interprets their symbols to gain insight about love, emotions, or decision-making. The layout of the cards forms a pattern that helps reveal what may be influencing your current situation or what could happen next.

    Pros:

    • Fast and detailed
    • Works perfectly in free psychic chat
    • Ideal for emotional or personal questions

    Cons:

    • Some cards can feel vague without more time to explore
    • It may feel too symbolic for those who prefer direct answer

    ⇒ Get Answers Fast in a Free Trial Psychic Reading Session!

    Astrology Readings

    An astrology-based free psychic reading by date of birth and time uses your personal birth chart to identify patterns in your life. This method can reveal strengths, challenges, relationship timing, and emotional cycles. Many astrologers offer free sessions based on sun signs or key placements in your chart.

    Pros:

    • Deep insight from birth details
    • Great for timing, compatibility, or self-awareness
    • Highly personal

    Cons:

    • Requires accurate birth data
    • Hard to cover every detail in a brief session

    Numerology Readings

    Numerology interprets the numbers in your name and birthdate to explain personality traits and life cycles. A free psychic reading with numerology might reveal your life path number, your personal year, or the energy surrounding a specific event.

    Pros:

    • Simple to calculate
    • Useful for timing, identity, and clarity
    • Often included in brief sessions

    Cons:

    • Limited depth in a short reading
    • May feel too technical for emotionally focused questions

    ⇒ Connect Instantly with a Certified Psychic – Free Reading Today!

    Love and Relationship Readings

    A free psychic love reading is one of the most requested types of sessions. These readings explore relationships, breakups, or new connections. Psychics may use tarot, intuition, or emotional energy to sense feelings, intentions, and compatibility.

    Pros:

    • Focused on real emotions
    • Supportive for healing or making decisions
    • Easily offered through free psychic chat

    Cons:

    • Answers can feel emotional or unclear in a fast reading
    • May require follow-up questions

    ⇒ Start Your Most Accurate Free Psychic Love Reading with No Cost!

    Mediumship and Spirit Contact

    Mediumship connects you with loved ones who have passed away. During a free psychic reading, the medium may describe a departed loved one or share a message they wish to deliver. These sessions are often sensitive and personal.

    Pros:

    • Can bring peace and closure
    • A unique, comforting experience

    Cons:

    • Hard to validate in a short timeframe
    • Not all readers offer this for free

    Aura and Energy Readings

    Aura readers examine your energy field to sense stress, blocks, or areas that need healing. These readings can help you understand what might be affecting your mood or emotional state. Many free psychic readings include a brief aura scan.

    Pros:

    • Non-intrusive and calming
    • Supports emotional wellness

    Cons:

    • Feedback may seem general
    • May not address specific questions

    ⇒ Get Trusted, Accurate Answers in a Free Psychic Reading!

    Angel or Oracle Card Readings

    Some psychics use angel cards or oracle decks to deliver positive, supportive messages. These are perfect for encouragement or a sense of hope. A brief free psychic reading online might include one or two cards and a short explanation.

    Pros:

    • Uplifting and gentle
    • Works well in quick sessions
    • Good for reassurance

    Cons:

    • Can feel vague if you want detailed information
    • Less focused on timing or decisions

    Pendulum Readings

    A pendulum is sometimes used for yes or no answers. The direction of its movement provides a simple, straightforward response to a specific question.

    Pros:

    • Very fast
    • Great for one free psychic question

    Cons:

    • Only answers yes/no
    • Not suitable for complex topics

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question in a Risk-Free, No-Cost Session!

    Choosing What Fits Your Needs

    Each reading method offers a unique way to explore your situation. Some styles are more detailed, while others provide quick impressions. Fortunately, many platforms let you choose your reading style before you start. Whether you prefer symbols, energy readings, or direct answers, you can safely explore it through a free psychic reading.

    With so many services now offering free psychic reading online chat no credit card, it is easier than ever to try different reading methods, ask what matters most, and get meaningful answers from a real free psychic.

    ⇒ Discover Reliable Insights with a Free Psychic Reading Online!

    Benefits of Free Psychic Readings in 2025

    As people look for emotional clarity and personal direction, free psychic readings have become a trusted way to gain insight without financial risk. These sessions are easy to access, require no commitment, and provide support to anyone facing stress, confusion, or life changes. In 2025, their value continues to grow as more people seek new ways to connect with their thoughts and relationships.

    Emotional Support Without Payment Pressure

    A free psychic reading gives you a safe space to talk about your worries, receive intuitive guidance, and feel heard. If you’re going through a breakup, facing job uncertainty, or dealing with personal doubts, hearing from a spiritual advisor can be incredibly reassuring. These sessions cost nothing to begin, which makes them ideal for people who want support without financial risk.

    With no upfront fees, a free psychic reading online allows you to focus on your question without being distracted by payment worries or obligations.

    ⇒ Start a Free Psychic Love Reading with Trusted Advisors!

    Easy Access on Any Device

    Most modern platforms work smoothly on both mobile and desktop devices, so you can try free psychic readings anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re relaxing at home or on the move, it only takes a few taps to connect with a free psychic.

    Live free psychic chat sessions are especially popular because they let you stay anonymous, think carefully about your questions, and even reread the advice later. For quick concerns or emotional check-ins, chat is one of the most convenient ways to connect.

    A Risk-Free Way to Test a Reader

    Trying a free psychic reading is a smart way to see how well a psychic connects with you before paying for a longer session. Many platforms let you ask a free psychic question or enjoy a few free minutes to see how the reader works. If the answers feel honest and relevant, you can choose to continue.

    Whether you prefer a free psychic love reading or a deeper free psychic reading by date of birth and time, this approach puts you in control and builds trust from the very beginning.

    ⇒ Connect with Reliable Readers for a Free Psychic Reading!

    Private, Anonymous, and Safe

    Online sessions protect your privacy. Trusted platforms offering free psychic reading online chat no credit card let you get insights without ever sharing payment details. You stay in full control of what you reveal and can end the session at any time.

    This setup is perfect for those who are new to psychic guidance or feel nervous about trying it for the first time. You can stay anonymous while still exploring personal questions, knowing that your confidentiality is respected.

    Growing Trust in Spiritual Tools

    By 2025, more people see spiritual services as part of their emotional wellness routine. What once felt unusual is now a common way to find peace and clarity. From love guidance to career timing, free psychic readings are helping individuals better understand themselves and their life choices.

    Trying a free psychic reading online is no longer out of the ordinary. These services have become practical tools for staying grounded, making decisions, and reconnecting with what matters most.

    ⇒ Meet Real, Certified Psychics for a Free Psychic Reading Online!

    Recognizing Real Psychics vs. Scams

    As free psychic reading online services grow, it becomes easier to connect with genuine intuitive advisors. However, it also brings the risk of running into fake psychics who use scripted messages or high-pressure tactics. To get the most from a free psychic reading, it’s important to spot a real connection and avoid misleading offers.

    What Real Psychics Do in a Free Session

    A genuine free psychic will focus directly on your question and build the session around your personal energy and details. Whether they use tarot, birth data, or energy reading, the session should feel specific and relevant. Real psychics will not force topics or dodge your question. If you request a free psychic love reading, they will stay focused on that subject and provide clear, compassionate insights.

    Authentic readers might ask for your name or birth details, especially if they are providing a free psychic reading by date of birth and time. They will also check if you have a topic you wish to explore, showing their commitment to making the session meaningful.

    Importantly, trustworthy psychics will never try to scare you or push you into buying more time. A free psychic reading should be about clarity, not fear.

    ⇒ Talk to a Trusted Psychic in a Free Psychic Chat Session!

    Red Flags That Signal a Scam

    Some clues can help you spot fake psychics. Watch for vague answers that could apply to anyone, repetitive or scripted messages, and strong pressure to pay for more time. If a psychic uses fear-based language — like “I sense a curse” or “Only I can fix this” — it’s time to leave.

    Another major warning sign is if a site asks for payment or credit card details before letting you ask a free psychic question. Legitimate platforms offering free psychic reading online chat no credit card will never demand billing details to begin.

    ⇒ Get Your Most Accurate Free Psychic Reading Today!

    How The Psychic Experts Selects Real Readers

    The-Psychic-Experts.com scan free psychic readings services through a careful quality process. Their team tests platforms anonymously, asks focused questions, and looks for clear, honest answers. They review each psychic’s accuracy, style, and willingness to give genuine insight during a short free session.

    Only readers who meet these strict trust standards and provide honest, caring guidance are recommended in the annual 2025 rankings.

    The Importance of Transparency

    Whenever you select a psychic, check their profile carefully. A reputable service will display the advisor’s name, bio, experience, reading style, and spiritual tools. If someone offers a free psychic reading, you should know their approach before you start.

    Reading real user reviews is another smart step. Testimonials can reveal how well the psychic responds and whether they truly focus on your questions.

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question Now with No Credit Card Required

    Confirming a Real Connection

    You don’t need a long session to know if the connection feels authentic. During a free psychic reading, pay attention to how the psychic speaks to you. Are they direct and clear? Do they focus on your topic? Do you feel heard?

    If the answer is yes, you may have found a reader to support you in the future. Many people who start with a free psychic reading online eventually schedule deeper, paid readings once they trust their advisor.

    If the answer is no, there’s nothing wrong with ending the chat. A real free psychic will respect your choice.

    Stay Open — and Smart

    A free psychic reading can provide peace, clarity, and confidence. By choosing platforms with free psychic reading online chat no credit card, reading verified bios, and trusting your instincts, you can enjoy the benefits of psychic guidance without falling into a scam.

    ⇒ Connect Instantly for a Free Psychic Reading Online!

    Top Features to Look For in Free Psychic Services

    Not every free psychic reading platform is created equally. Some deliver quick, insightful sessions with trusted advisors, while others may fall short. Before you start a free psychic reading online, it helps to know what to look for.

    No Credit Card Required to Start
     The best sites allow free psychic reading online chat no credit card, protecting your privacy and putting you in control. If a service demands credit card details before any free guidance, that’s a red flag.

    A Clear Reading Process
     A reliable service explains exactly how the session will work — whether it’s a free psychic chat or a phone call — including what to expect and what details the psychic may need.

    One Free Question or a Few Minutes Free
     The most trusted services offer at least one free psychic question or a first few minutes free so you can get a sense of the reader’s style.

    Flexible Scheduling
     Strong platforms let you start instantly or schedule a session later, giving you freedom to choose what fits your day.

    ⇒ Meet Certified Love Experts for a Free Psychic Love Reading!

    Why 2025 Rankings from The Psychic Experts Matter

    Interest in spiritual guidance continues to rise in 2025. Whether your questions relate to love, career, timing, or stress, free psychic readings help many people feel more supported and empowered. Rankings published by The-Psychic-Experts.com point to platforms that are transparent, safe, and truly helpful.

    These rankings are built by testing each platform, evaluating how easy it is to ask a free psychic question, and measuring the quality of responses. Top-rated sites make the process smooth and comfortable, so you can focus on your personal insight rather than worrying about costs or hidden conditions.

    ⇒ Start a Free Psychic Reading with Real Certified Advisors!

    Final Thoughts:

    A free psychic reading is one of the simplest ways to gain personal clarity without financial commitment. Many trusted services now offer free psychic reading online chat no credit card, so you can connect safely and anonymously.

    These sessions can help you explore love, handle emotional stress, consider timing questions, or simply get reassurance. Whether you choose a quick free psychic love reading or a deeper free psychic reading by date of birth and time, you can begin with confidence and curiosity.

    If you’re feeling stuck, confused, or just want fresh perspective, trying a free psychic reading online could be exactly what you need to move forward with peace of mind.

    FAQs

    What is a free psychic reading, and how does it work?

    A free psychic reading lets you speak with a free psychic at no cost. You can connect by chat or phone and ask about love, career, or emotional concerns. Many sites offer a few free minutes or let you ask a free psychic question before committing. These sessions help you explore your thoughts and get guidance without pressure.

    Can I ask a free psychic question without paying anything?

    Yes. Some platforms let you ask one question for free or start with a short trial session. This helps you see how the psychic works and decide if you want to continue. It’s a helpful way to get insight without paying upfront.

    Is a free psychic reading accurate?

    Accuracy depends on the reader and the question. A skilled free psychic can offer helpful and specific answers, even in a short session. The-Psychic-Experts.com reviews readers based on clarity and value during these trial sessions.

    What types of readings can I get for free?

    Common free psychic readings include tarot, numerology, astrology, and energy readings. Some users choose a free psychic love reading to understand a relationship, while others try a free psychic reading by date of birth and time to explore timing and personality. Many services offer options so you can pick what fits your situation.

    Do I need a credit card to try a free psychic reading online?

    No. Trusted platforms often allow free psychic reading online chat – no credit card, so you can stay private. This gives you access to the reading without sharing payment information.

    How does a psychic reading by date of birth and time work?

    A free psychic reading by date of birth and time uses astrology to map key life details. Your chart is based on birth date, time, and place. Readers use this to explain your strengths, patterns, and future potential.

    Is a chat reading better than a phone reading?

    Free psychic chat gives you privacy and a written record. Phone readings feel more personal and may move faster. Both are useful. Choose what makes you feel comfortable when trying a free psychic reading.

    Where can I find the best free psychic reading in 2025?

    Visit The-Psychic-Experts.com for the latest rankings. They test and list trusted platforms for free psychic readings, including options for free psychic chat, astrology, and free psychic love reading. Their reviews help you find a service that feels right for you.

    Media Contact
    Company: The Psychic Experts
    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya
    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com
    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/
    Phone: +1 414-203-2598
    Content Accuracy Disclaimer
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  • MIL-OSI: Free Psychic Reading Online | Free Psychic Chat – The Psychic Experts Introduce Certified, Accurate Readings for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The-Psychic-Experts.com is proud to announce the official release of its groundbreaking 2025 platform, designed to bring free psychic reading online and free psychic chat to millions seeking trusted, certified, and accurate readings. With more people than ever turning to spiritual advisors for support in love, relationships, and life direction, this new service makes it easier to access free psychic readings delivered by authentic, thoroughly vetted, and compassionate professionals.

    ⇒ Try Your Free Psychic Reading Online – Trusted and Accurate!

    The newly enhanced platform represents a significant milestone in the growth of no-cost, user-focused spiritual guidance. In 2025, demand for free psychic reading online sessions that offer free psychic love reading, personal insight, and no-credit-card signups has surged. Responding to that growing audience, The Psychic Experts developed an advanced system that empowers users to ask a free psychic question and receive timely, respectful, and deeply personal insight in real-time.

    “Our mission is to remove barriers to spiritual clarity,” said a spokesperson for The Psychic Experts. “We believe that everyone deserves a free psychic reading with no strings attached — whether you want a quick check-in, a deep dive into your birth chart, or a free psychic reading by date of birth and time. This launch in 2025 represents our commitment to accessibility, privacy, and authentic guidance.”

    ⇒ Get Your Free Psychic Reading Online with Trusted Experts!

    What Is a Free Psychic Reading?

    A free psychic reading is a short, no-cost session where you receive guidance and insight from someone using intuitive abilities or spiritual tools. These readings aim to provide answers, direction, and emotional clarity. Many people turn to a free psychic reading to explore love, life decisions, timing, or confusing situations that feel unresolved.

    A reader might use tarot cards, astrology, energy sensing, or other methods to interpret your circumstances. Some rely on impressions and intuition, while others may ask for your birth information to begin. Although the approach varies, the goal is the same: to help you better understand what is happening in your life and what steps may come next.

    ⇒ Start Your Free Psychic Chat with Certified Experts Today!

    Why People Try Free Psychic Readings

    Many people choose a free psychic reading online when they need answers but prefer not to pay before knowing whether the service feels right. These quick sessions often address emotional worries, relationship concerns, or important decisions. For some, it’s a comforting way to feel seen and understood; for others, it helps make sense of recent events or transitions.

    Often, first-time visitors will ask a free psychic question before committing to a longer session. This helps them see how the reader responds and if the insight feels relevant. Sometimes, just one free psychic question can shift the way someone views their situation.

    ⇒ Connect with a Real Psychic for a Free Psychic Reading!

    What to Expect from a Free Session

    Most platforms that offer free psychic readings provide a few complimentary minutes with a reader through chat or by phone. During that window, you can share a personal question or explain a concern. Some people prefer open-ended guidance, while others go straight to direct questions like, “Will I hear from this person again?” or “What is blocking me right now?”

    A free psychic reading might include a free psychic love reading, a quick energy scan, or even an interpretation based on your birth details. In some cases, you may receive a free psychic reading by date of birth and time, which allows the reader to pick up on timing patterns, compatibility, or important life milestones.

    ⇒ Talk to a Trusted Psychic in a Free Psychic Chat Session!

    A Safe and Private Way to Start

    Trying a free psychic reading is a safe way to explore spiritual guidance without having to share payment details. Many platforms now promote free psychic reading online chat no credit card, meaning you can receive guidance quickly, privately, and with no obligation.

    These no-cost sessions allow you to reflect, ask personal questions, and test the reading process without feeling pressured. A trusted free psychic will never rush you or make unreasonable demands. Instead, they will focus on your question and provide calm, respectful, and meaningful support.

    ⇒ Enjoy a Free Trial Psychic Reading with Certified Advisors!

    How Free Psychic Readings Work Online

    A free psychic reading online gives you access to real spiritual support without the need to visit a psychic in person or share payment details upfront. These sessions are fast, personal, and convenient to access by chat or phone, making the entire process risk-free — especially for those who are curious but hesitant to invest in a paid session.

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question and Pay Nothing Today!

    Live Chat Readings: Fast, Private, and Direct

    Most newcomers to free psychic readings start with live chat. These sessions happen in real-time through a simple text-based window. After you choose a reader, you can begin chatting instantly. You send your question, and the psychic responds directly, giving you time to consider their words and focus on your concerns without feeling rushed.

    Live chat is private, discreet, and easy to use. You can connect on your phone, tablet, or computer, fitting seamlessly into your day. A free psychic chat session can last a few minutes or longer, depending on the platform’s offer. It gives you space to ask specific questions or simply receive quick insight.

    ⇒ Meet Real Advisors for a Free Psychic Reading – No Credit Card!

    Phone Readings: A More Personal Touch

    Some users prefer to speak directly with a free psychic by phone. Phone readings offer a more conversational flow and a greater sense of connection. A psychic can hear your tone, sense your energy, and ask clarifying questions as the conversation develops.

    Phone sessions may be scheduled in advance or started on demand. They are especially helpful for those who feel more comfortable talking than typing. Many people find a voice conversation builds stronger trust and feels more emotionally supportive.

    Both phone and chat sessions are available through most free psychic reading services, giving you freedom to choose your ideal format.

    ⇒ Connect with a Trusted Psychic for a Free Trial Session!

    Free Services with No Upfront Payment

    The best free psychic readings offer a trial at no cost. You might receive a short phone call, a five-minute chat, or the opportunity to ask a free psychic question and receive one detailed response. These introductory offers help you explore a reader’s style, see how they answer, and decide if you’d like to continue.

    Many trustworthy platforms feature free psychic reading online chat no credit card, so you never need to share payment information to get started. No hidden charges, no surprise billing — just a comfortable and secure way to connect. This approach builds trust and makes the experience feel relaxed and honest.

    ⇒ Talk to Certified Psychics in a Free Psychic Chat – No Payment Needed!

    Tools to Help You Choose the Right Reader

    Before you begin, most reputable platforms give you a chance to view profiles, read short bios, and check user reviews. You can filter psychics by reading type, specialty, or technique. If you’re focused on love, you might choose a free psychic love reading to explore your romantic situation. If you want to understand timing or life transitions, you might request a free psychic reading by date of birth and time for a more personalized experience.

    Some sites even allow you to type and send a free psychic question before your session starts. This gives you a feel for how the psychic communicates and interprets your concerns before committing to a longer chat.

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question with No Credit Card Required

    Why Free Online Readings Stay Popular

    Trying a free psychic reading online is one of the easiest ways to explore your thoughts, gain clarity, and check in with your emotions. It’s fast, secure, and requires no financial commitment. You remain in control of the session from beginning to end.

    These services have grown steadily in popularity because they are so flexible and accessible. With more platforms offering free psychic readings — and making it possible to connect without providing credit card details — people now have more opportunities than ever to receive honest, empowering spiritual guidance safely and without pressure.

    ⇒ Try a Free Psychic Reading Online with Reliable, Real Psychics!

    Types of Psychic Readings Offered for Free

    When exploring free psychic readings for the first time, many people want to understand the types of sessions available and how each one works. Every reading style offers something unique, depending on the tools used and the focus of the session. Some are best for emotions, while others explore timing, energy, or life direction. Here is a guide to the most common options you can experience through a free psychic reading online, along with what to expect during a short, no-cost session.

    Tarot Card Readings

    Tarot is one of the most popular styles of free psychic reading. In these sessions, the reader pulls cards from a deck and interprets their symbols to gain insight about love, emotions, or decision-making. The layout of the cards forms a pattern that helps reveal what may be influencing your current situation or what could happen next.

    Pros:

    • Fast and detailed
    • Works perfectly in free psychic chat
    • Ideal for emotional or personal questions

    Cons:

    • Some cards can feel vague without more time to explore
    • It may feel too symbolic for those who prefer direct answer

    ⇒ Get Answers Fast in a Free Trial Psychic Reading Session!

    Astrology Readings

    An astrology-based free psychic reading by date of birth and time uses your personal birth chart to identify patterns in your life. This method can reveal strengths, challenges, relationship timing, and emotional cycles. Many astrologers offer free sessions based on sun signs or key placements in your chart.

    Pros:

    • Deep insight from birth details
    • Great for timing, compatibility, or self-awareness
    • Highly personal

    Cons:

    • Requires accurate birth data
    • Hard to cover every detail in a brief session

    Numerology Readings

    Numerology interprets the numbers in your name and birthdate to explain personality traits and life cycles. A free psychic reading with numerology might reveal your life path number, your personal year, or the energy surrounding a specific event.

    Pros:

    • Simple to calculate
    • Useful for timing, identity, and clarity
    • Often included in brief sessions

    Cons:

    • Limited depth in a short reading
    • May feel too technical for emotionally focused questions

    ⇒ Connect Instantly with a Certified Psychic – Free Reading Today!

    Love and Relationship Readings

    A free psychic love reading is one of the most requested types of sessions. These readings explore relationships, breakups, or new connections. Psychics may use tarot, intuition, or emotional energy to sense feelings, intentions, and compatibility.

    Pros:

    • Focused on real emotions
    • Supportive for healing or making decisions
    • Easily offered through free psychic chat

    Cons:

    • Answers can feel emotional or unclear in a fast reading
    • May require follow-up questions

    ⇒ Start Your Most Accurate Free Psychic Love Reading with No Cost!

    Mediumship and Spirit Contact

    Mediumship connects you with loved ones who have passed away. During a free psychic reading, the medium may describe a departed loved one or share a message they wish to deliver. These sessions are often sensitive and personal.

    Pros:

    • Can bring peace and closure
    • A unique, comforting experience

    Cons:

    • Hard to validate in a short timeframe
    • Not all readers offer this for free

    Aura and Energy Readings

    Aura readers examine your energy field to sense stress, blocks, or areas that need healing. These readings can help you understand what might be affecting your mood or emotional state. Many free psychic readings include a brief aura scan.

    Pros:

    • Non-intrusive and calming
    • Supports emotional wellness

    Cons:

    • Feedback may seem general
    • May not address specific questions

    ⇒ Get Trusted, Accurate Answers in a Free Psychic Reading!

    Angel or Oracle Card Readings

    Some psychics use angel cards or oracle decks to deliver positive, supportive messages. These are perfect for encouragement or a sense of hope. A brief free psychic reading online might include one or two cards and a short explanation.

    Pros:

    • Uplifting and gentle
    • Works well in quick sessions
    • Good for reassurance

    Cons:

    • Can feel vague if you want detailed information
    • Less focused on timing or decisions

    Pendulum Readings

    A pendulum is sometimes used for yes or no answers. The direction of its movement provides a simple, straightforward response to a specific question.

    Pros:

    • Very fast
    • Great for one free psychic question

    Cons:

    • Only answers yes/no
    • Not suitable for complex topics

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question in a Risk-Free, No-Cost Session!

    Choosing What Fits Your Needs

    Each reading method offers a unique way to explore your situation. Some styles are more detailed, while others provide quick impressions. Fortunately, many platforms let you choose your reading style before you start. Whether you prefer symbols, energy readings, or direct answers, you can safely explore it through a free psychic reading.

    With so many services now offering free psychic reading online chat no credit card, it is easier than ever to try different reading methods, ask what matters most, and get meaningful answers from a real free psychic.

    ⇒ Discover Reliable Insights with a Free Psychic Reading Online!

    Benefits of Free Psychic Readings in 2025

    As people look for emotional clarity and personal direction, free psychic readings have become a trusted way to gain insight without financial risk. These sessions are easy to access, require no commitment, and provide support to anyone facing stress, confusion, or life changes. In 2025, their value continues to grow as more people seek new ways to connect with their thoughts and relationships.

    Emotional Support Without Payment Pressure

    A free psychic reading gives you a safe space to talk about your worries, receive intuitive guidance, and feel heard. If you’re going through a breakup, facing job uncertainty, or dealing with personal doubts, hearing from a spiritual advisor can be incredibly reassuring. These sessions cost nothing to begin, which makes them ideal for people who want support without financial risk.

    With no upfront fees, a free psychic reading online allows you to focus on your question without being distracted by payment worries or obligations.

    ⇒ Start a Free Psychic Love Reading with Trusted Advisors!

    Easy Access on Any Device

    Most modern platforms work smoothly on both mobile and desktop devices, so you can try free psychic readings anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re relaxing at home or on the move, it only takes a few taps to connect with a free psychic.

    Live free psychic chat sessions are especially popular because they let you stay anonymous, think carefully about your questions, and even reread the advice later. For quick concerns or emotional check-ins, chat is one of the most convenient ways to connect.

    A Risk-Free Way to Test a Reader

    Trying a free psychic reading is a smart way to see how well a psychic connects with you before paying for a longer session. Many platforms let you ask a free psychic question or enjoy a few free minutes to see how the reader works. If the answers feel honest and relevant, you can choose to continue.

    Whether you prefer a free psychic love reading or a deeper free psychic reading by date of birth and time, this approach puts you in control and builds trust from the very beginning.

    ⇒ Connect with Reliable Readers for a Free Psychic Reading!

    Private, Anonymous, and Safe

    Online sessions protect your privacy. Trusted platforms offering free psychic reading online chat no credit card let you get insights without ever sharing payment details. You stay in full control of what you reveal and can end the session at any time.

    This setup is perfect for those who are new to psychic guidance or feel nervous about trying it for the first time. You can stay anonymous while still exploring personal questions, knowing that your confidentiality is respected.

    Growing Trust in Spiritual Tools

    By 2025, more people see spiritual services as part of their emotional wellness routine. What once felt unusual is now a common way to find peace and clarity. From love guidance to career timing, free psychic readings are helping individuals better understand themselves and their life choices.

    Trying a free psychic reading online is no longer out of the ordinary. These services have become practical tools for staying grounded, making decisions, and reconnecting with what matters most.

    ⇒ Meet Real, Certified Psychics for a Free Psychic Reading Online!

    Recognizing Real Psychics vs. Scams

    As free psychic reading online services grow, it becomes easier to connect with genuine intuitive advisors. However, it also brings the risk of running into fake psychics who use scripted messages or high-pressure tactics. To get the most from a free psychic reading, it’s important to spot a real connection and avoid misleading offers.

    What Real Psychics Do in a Free Session

    A genuine free psychic will focus directly on your question and build the session around your personal energy and details. Whether they use tarot, birth data, or energy reading, the session should feel specific and relevant. Real psychics will not force topics or dodge your question. If you request a free psychic love reading, they will stay focused on that subject and provide clear, compassionate insights.

    Authentic readers might ask for your name or birth details, especially if they are providing a free psychic reading by date of birth and time. They will also check if you have a topic you wish to explore, showing their commitment to making the session meaningful.

    Importantly, trustworthy psychics will never try to scare you or push you into buying more time. A free psychic reading should be about clarity, not fear.

    ⇒ Talk to a Trusted Psychic in a Free Psychic Chat Session!

    Red Flags That Signal a Scam

    Some clues can help you spot fake psychics. Watch for vague answers that could apply to anyone, repetitive or scripted messages, and strong pressure to pay for more time. If a psychic uses fear-based language — like “I sense a curse” or “Only I can fix this” — it’s time to leave.

    Another major warning sign is if a site asks for payment or credit card details before letting you ask a free psychic question. Legitimate platforms offering free psychic reading online chat no credit card will never demand billing details to begin.

    ⇒ Get Your Most Accurate Free Psychic Reading Today!

    How The Psychic Experts Selects Real Readers

    The-Psychic-Experts.com scan free psychic readings services through a careful quality process. Their team tests platforms anonymously, asks focused questions, and looks for clear, honest answers. They review each psychic’s accuracy, style, and willingness to give genuine insight during a short free session.

    Only readers who meet these strict trust standards and provide honest, caring guidance are recommended in the annual 2025 rankings.

    The Importance of Transparency

    Whenever you select a psychic, check their profile carefully. A reputable service will display the advisor’s name, bio, experience, reading style, and spiritual tools. If someone offers a free psychic reading, you should know their approach before you start.

    Reading real user reviews is another smart step. Testimonials can reveal how well the psychic responds and whether they truly focus on your questions.

    ⇒ Ask a Free Psychic Question Now with No Credit Card Required

    Confirming a Real Connection

    You don’t need a long session to know if the connection feels authentic. During a free psychic reading, pay attention to how the psychic speaks to you. Are they direct and clear? Do they focus on your topic? Do you feel heard?

    If the answer is yes, you may have found a reader to support you in the future. Many people who start with a free psychic reading online eventually schedule deeper, paid readings once they trust their advisor.

    If the answer is no, there’s nothing wrong with ending the chat. A real free psychic will respect your choice.

    Stay Open — and Smart

    A free psychic reading can provide peace, clarity, and confidence. By choosing platforms with free psychic reading online chat no credit card, reading verified bios, and trusting your instincts, you can enjoy the benefits of psychic guidance without falling into a scam.

    ⇒ Connect Instantly for a Free Psychic Reading Online!

    Top Features to Look For in Free Psychic Services

    Not every free psychic reading platform is created equally. Some deliver quick, insightful sessions with trusted advisors, while others may fall short. Before you start a free psychic reading online, it helps to know what to look for.

    No Credit Card Required to Start
     The best sites allow free psychic reading online chat no credit card, protecting your privacy and putting you in control. If a service demands credit card details before any free guidance, that’s a red flag.

    A Clear Reading Process
     A reliable service explains exactly how the session will work — whether it’s a free psychic chat or a phone call — including what to expect and what details the psychic may need.

    One Free Question or a Few Minutes Free
     The most trusted services offer at least one free psychic question or a first few minutes free so you can get a sense of the reader’s style.

    Flexible Scheduling
     Strong platforms let you start instantly or schedule a session later, giving you freedom to choose what fits your day.

    ⇒ Meet Certified Love Experts for a Free Psychic Love Reading!

    Why 2025 Rankings from The Psychic Experts Matter

    Interest in spiritual guidance continues to rise in 2025. Whether your questions relate to love, career, timing, or stress, free psychic readings help many people feel more supported and empowered. Rankings published by The-Psychic-Experts.com point to platforms that are transparent, safe, and truly helpful.

    These rankings are built by testing each platform, evaluating how easy it is to ask a free psychic question, and measuring the quality of responses. Top-rated sites make the process smooth and comfortable, so you can focus on your personal insight rather than worrying about costs or hidden conditions.

    ⇒ Start a Free Psychic Reading with Real Certified Advisors!

    Final Thoughts:

    A free psychic reading is one of the simplest ways to gain personal clarity without financial commitment. Many trusted services now offer free psychic reading online chat no credit card, so you can connect safely and anonymously.

    These sessions can help you explore love, handle emotional stress, consider timing questions, or simply get reassurance. Whether you choose a quick free psychic love reading or a deeper free psychic reading by date of birth and time, you can begin with confidence and curiosity.

    If you’re feeling stuck, confused, or just want fresh perspective, trying a free psychic reading online could be exactly what you need to move forward with peace of mind.

    FAQs

    What is a free psychic reading, and how does it work?

    A free psychic reading lets you speak with a free psychic at no cost. You can connect by chat or phone and ask about love, career, or emotional concerns. Many sites offer a few free minutes or let you ask a free psychic question before committing. These sessions help you explore your thoughts and get guidance without pressure.

    Can I ask a free psychic question without paying anything?

    Yes. Some platforms let you ask one question for free or start with a short trial session. This helps you see how the psychic works and decide if you want to continue. It’s a helpful way to get insight without paying upfront.

    Is a free psychic reading accurate?

    Accuracy depends on the reader and the question. A skilled free psychic can offer helpful and specific answers, even in a short session. The-Psychic-Experts.com reviews readers based on clarity and value during these trial sessions.

    What types of readings can I get for free?

    Common free psychic readings include tarot, numerology, astrology, and energy readings. Some users choose a free psychic love reading to understand a relationship, while others try a free psychic reading by date of birth and time to explore timing and personality. Many services offer options so you can pick what fits your situation.

    Do I need a credit card to try a free psychic reading online?

    No. Trusted platforms often allow free psychic reading online chat – no credit card, so you can stay private. This gives you access to the reading without sharing payment information.

    How does a psychic reading by date of birth and time work?

    A free psychic reading by date of birth and time uses astrology to map key life details. Your chart is based on birth date, time, and place. Readers use this to explain your strengths, patterns, and future potential.

    Is a chat reading better than a phone reading?

    Free psychic chat gives you privacy and a written record. Phone readings feel more personal and may move faster. Both are useful. Choose what makes you feel comfortable when trying a free psychic reading.

    Where can I find the best free psychic reading in 2025?

    Visit The-Psychic-Experts.com for the latest rankings. They test and list trusted platforms for free psychic readings, including options for free psychic chat, astrology, and free psychic love reading. Their reviews help you find a service that feels right for you.

    Media Contact
    Company: The Psychic Experts
    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya
    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com
    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/
    Phone: +1 414-203-2598
    Content Accuracy Disclaimer
    Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this article. However, due to the dynamic nature of product formulations, promotions, and availability, details may change without notice. The publisher makes no warranties or representations as to the current completeness or accuracy of any content, including product claims, pricing, or ingredient lists.
    It is the responsibility of the reader to verify product information directly through the official website or manufacturer prior to making a purchasing decision. Any reliance placed on the information in this article is done strictly at your own risk.
    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through these links, the publisher may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the creation of in-depth reviews and educational wellness content.
    The publisher only promotes products that have been independently evaluated and deemed potentially beneficial to readers. However, this compensation may influence the content, topics, or products discussed in this article. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliate partner or product provider.
    All product reviews and descriptions reflect the author’s honest opinion based on available public data, user feedback, and scientific references at the time of writing. The inclusion of affiliate links does not influence the objectivity or integrity of the content. However, readers are encouraged to independently verify product information and consult with healthcare professionals prior to purchase or use.
    No warranties, either expressed or implied, are made about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the content provided. The publisher and all affiliated parties expressly disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of any information contained herein.
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Michelin Guide scrutiny could boost Philly tourism, but will it stifle chefs’ freedom to experiment and innovate?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jonathan Deutsch, Professor of Food and Hospitality Management, Drexel University

    Chef Phila Lorn prepares a bowl of noodle soup at Mawn restaurant in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

    The Philadelphia restaurant scene is abuzz with the news that the famed Michelin Guide is coming to town.

    As a research chef and educator at Drexel University in Philadelphia, I am following the Michelin developments closely.

    Having eaten in Michelin restaurants in other cities, I am confident that Philly has at least a few star-worthy restaurants. Our innovative dining scene was named one of the top 10 in the U.S. by Food & Wine in 2025.

    Researchers have convincingly shown that Michelin ratings can boost tourism, so Philly gaining some starred restaurants could bring more revenue for the city.

    But as the lead author of the textbook “Culinary Improvisation,” which teaches creativity, I also worry the Michelin scrutiny could make chefs more focused on delivering a consistent experience than continuing along the innovative trajectory that attracts Michelin in the first place.

    Ingredients for culinary innovation

    In “Culinary Improvisation” we discuss three elements needed to foster innovation in the kitchen.

    The first is mastery of culinary technique, both classical and modern. Simply stated, this refers to good cooking.

    The second is access to a diverse range of ingredients and flavors. The more colors the artist has on their palette, the more directions the creation can take.

    And the third, which is key to my concerns, is a collaborative and supportive environment where chefs can take risks and make mistakes. Research shows a close link between risk-taking workplaces and innovation.

    According to the Michelin Guide, stars are awarded to outstanding restaurants based on: “quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques and flavors, the personality of the chef as expressed in the cuisine, value for money, and consistency of the dining experience both across the menu and over time.”

    The criteria do not mention innovation.

    It’s possible the high-stakes lure of a Michelin star, which awards consistent excellence, could lead Philly’s most vibrant and creative chefs and restaurateurs to pull back on the risks that led to the city’s culinary excellence in the first place.

    Local food writers believe Vernick Fish is a top contender for a Michelin star.
    Photo courtesy of Vernick Fish

    The obvious contenders

    Philadelphia’s preeminent restaurant critic Craig LaBan and journalist and former restaurateur Kiki Aranita discussed local contenders for Michelin stars in a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

    The 19 restaurants LaBan and Aranita discuss as possible star contenders average just over a one-mile walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

    Together they have received 78 James Beard nominations or awards, which are considered the “Oscars” of the food industry. That’s an average of over four per restaurant.

    And when I tried to book a table for two on a Wednesday and Saturday before 9 p.m., about half were already fully booked for dinner two weeks out, in July, which is the slow season for dining in Philadelphia.

    If LaBan’s and Aranita’s predictions are right, Michelin will be an added recognition for restaurants that are already successful and centrally located.

    Black Dragon Takeout fuses Black American cuisine with the aesthetics of classic Chinese American takeout.
    Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-SA

    Off the beaten path

    When the Michelin Guide started in France at the turn of the 19th century, it encouraged diners to take the road less traveled to their next gastronomic experience.

    It has since evolved into recommendations for a road well traveled: safe, lauded and already hard-to-get-into restaurants. In Philly these could be restaurants such as Vetri Cucina, Zahav, Vernick Fish, Provenance, Royal Sushi and Izakaya, Ogawa and Friday Saturday Sunday, to name a few on LaBan and Aranita’s list.

    And yet Philadelphia has over 6,000 restaurants spread across 135 square miles of the city. Philadelphia is known as a city of neighborhoods, and these neighborhoods are rich with food diversity and innovation.

    Consider Jacob Trinh’s Vietnamese-tinged seafood tasting menu at Little Fish in Queen Village; Kurt Evans’ gumbo lo mein at Black Dragon Takeout in West Philly; the beef cheek confit with avocado mousse at Temir Satybaldiev’s Ginger in the Northeast; and the West African XO sauce at Honeysuckle, owned by Omar Tate and Cybille St.Aude-Tate, on North Broad Street.

    I hope the Michelin inspectors will venture far beyond the obvious candidates to experience more of what Philadelphia has to offer.

    The Michelin Guide announced it will include Philadelphia and Boston in its next Northeast Cities edition.
    Matthieu Delaty/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

    Raising the bar

    In the frenzy surrounding the Michelin scrutiny, chef friends have invited me to dine at their restaurants and share my feedback as they refine their menus in anticipation of visits from anonymous Michelin inspectors.

    Restaurateurs have been asking my colleagues and me for talent suggestions to replace well-liked and capable cooks, servers and managers whom owners perceive to be just not Michelin-star level.

    And managers are texting us names of suspected reviewers, triggered by some tell-tale signs – a solo diner with a weeknight tasting menu reservation, no dietary restrictions or special requests, and a conspicuously light internet presence.

    In all, I am excited about Philadelphians being excited about Michelin. Any opportunity to spotlight the city’s restaurant community and tighten its food and service quality raises the bar among local chefs and restaurateurs and makes the experience better for diners. And the prospect of business travelers and culinary tourists enjoying lunches and early-week dinners can help restaurants, their workers and the city earn more revenue.

    But in the din of the press events and hype, let’s not forget that Philadelphians don’t need an outside arbiter to tell us what we already know: Philly is a great place to eat and drink.

    _Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

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

    – ref. Michelin Guide scrutiny could boost Philly tourism, but will it stifle chefs’ freedom to experiment and innovate? – https://theconversation.com/michelin-guide-scrutiny-could-boost-philly-tourism-but-will-it-stifle-chefs-freedom-to-experiment-and-innovate-256752

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Scandinavia has its own dark history of assimilating Indigenous people, and churches played a role – but are apologizing

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Thomas A. DuBois, Professor of Scandinavian Studies, Folklore, and Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    A church in Kiruna, Sweden, designed by architect Gustaf Wickman to resemble a Sami hut. Apolline Guillerot-Malick/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    In May 2025, Tapio Luoma, archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, delivered an apology to the Sámi, the only recognized Indigenous people in the European Union.

    Speaking on behalf of the church to which more than 6 in 10 of the Finnish populace belong, including most Sámi, Luoma acknowledged its role in past activities that stigmatized Sámi language and culture.

    The church “has not respected the rights to self-determination of the Sámi people,” his address began. “Before God and all of you here assembled, we express our regret and ask forgiveness of the Sámi people.”

    Luoma’s words were the latest in a series of apologies through which the former state churches in Scandinavia have sought to reset their relations with the Indigenous population of Sápmi, the natural and cultural area of Sámi people. Today, the region is divided between Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia.

    As a scholar of Sámi culture, and as a researcher of Nordic folklore and religion, I have studied the difficult, often painful, relations between Sámi and the various Nordic state churches.

    Church’s power

    For thousands of years, the Sámi population lived by hunting, fishing and reindeer husbandry along the northern edges of Scandinavia. The Sámi possessed their own languages and maintained distinctive spiritual traditions and healing practices, drawing on traditional ecological knowledge that they had accrued over countless generations. In times of crisis or uncertainty, for example, communities used ceremonial drums to communicate with the spirit world and divine the future.

    Conflicts emerged by the 13th century, however, as Christian realms expanded north. Christian clerics condemned Sámi spiritual traditions as “heathen devilry.”

    An 18th-century carving of a Sámi shaman with his drum.
    Beskrivelse over Finnmarkens Lapper, deres Tungemaal, Levemaade og forrige Afgudsdyrkelse/O. H. von Lode/Wikimedia Commons

    During the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, Scandinavian rulers shifted from Catholicism to Lutheranism. In addition to tending to the souls of their flocks, ministers were tasked with keeping track of the comings and goings of congregation members, collecting taxes, and administering justice for lesser crimes.

    They aimed to stamp out the spiritual practices that many Sámi continued to practice alongside Christianity. Church authorities arrested, fined and sometimes even executed practitioners, while confiscating sacred drums to be destroyed or sent to distant museums.

    The church’s ritual of confirmation, which marks the passage from adolescence into adulthood, also acquired legal status. Being confirmed required the ability to read and interpret the Bible and Martin Luther’s Catechism, a summary of the Lutheran Church’s beliefs. As the church became part of the state, people who had not received confirmation could not represent themselves in court, own land or even marry.

    Lake Pielpajarvi Wilderness Church, the oldest Sami church still in use, in Inari Municipality, Lapland, Finland.
    VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    And where Luther had called for religious instruction to occur in one’s native language, most Nordic clergy provided catechesis only in the majority language, considering Sámi language and traditions impediments to true conversion.

    Assimilation efforts

    During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the new “nation states” of Finland, Norway and Sweden emerged on the world stage. In each country, political leaders conflated what the ancient Greeks called the “demos” – members of a political nation – with an “ethnos,” a cultural group. In order to belong to the Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish political nations, political and cultural leaders of these new states asserted that it was necessary to belong to the majority linguistic and cultural community.

    Finland’s 1919 constitution made provision for Swedish, which is still used by about 5% of the population, as a national language alongside Finnish. However, the government accorded no such status to Sámi.

    Both state-run residential boarding schools and schools run by churches included Lutheranism as a subject and strove relentlessly to assimilate Sámi into the majority culture, language and worldview, teaching children to see their culture as backward and shameful. Some church and school authorities cooperated with pseudoscientific racial researchers measuring students’ heads and excavating Sámi graves.

    A ‘nomad school’ for Sami children in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in 1956.
    John Firth/BIPs/Getty Images

    As a result, many students ceased to identify as Sámi and adopted the majority language as their primary mode of communication. Today, only about half the people who identify as Sámi have any facility in Sámi languages, which are considered endangered.

    After World War II, church attendance in all the Nordic countries began to plummet. Where 98% of the Finnish population belonged to the state church in 1900, by 2024 that percentage had dropped to 62%. The bulk of defections consisted of people who registered as having no religious affiliation. Membership in the national church shifted from compulsory to voluntary.

    Yet as anthropologist David Koester shows, some elements of Lutheran tradition remain extremely popular in all the Nordic countries, particularly Confirmation. The ritual remains a key rite of passage for most Sámi today, yet many of them wrestle with whether they should remain faithful to a church that had worked to suppress their community’s language and culture.

    Reconciliation today

    Searching for a path forward, contemporary Sámi artist and Lutheran catechist Lars Levi Sunna began to produce church art that incorporated and celebrated pre-Christian Sámi symbols – some of the very traditions that had been demonized by clergy of the past.

    For example, in a church in the northern Swedish town of Jukkasjärvi, an image of the sun as it appeared on Sámi ceremonial drums now faces the altar, providing a vivid reminder of the spiritual history and past worldview of the church’s Sámi congregation. The symbol now encloses an image of a communion wafer carved of reindeer antler.

    In 2005, Sunna created a traveling art exhibit that portrayed Sámi Christianization as an act of cultural violence. The exhibit, designed for temporary installation in church sanctuaries, aimed to provoke discussion and encourage open dialogue about the past.

    Similarly, in 2008, Norwegian Sámi filmmaker Nils Gaup produced “Kautokeino Rebellion,” a film recounting clergy’s role in suppressing religious activism among followers of a Swedish Sámi minister, Lars Levi Laestadius. The so-called uprising in 1852 led to the imprisonment of several dozen Sámi and the execution of two men – whose skulls were deposited in a research institute and did not receive proper burial until 1997.

    Descended from one of the punished families, Gaup reminded his audience of past injustice shrouded in shame and silence.

    Since church attendance is infrequent in Nordic countries, art and film serve as important vehicles for raising awareness of the church’s past. In November 2021, the archbishop of Sweden, Antje Jackelén, issued a formal apology to the Sámi. Sámi artist and activist Anders Sunna was invited to temporarily redecorate the sanctuary of the Cathedral of Uppsala for the occasion. His decorations included reminders of past Sámi sacrificial traditions that took place both outdoors and around hearth fires. In place of a grand altar, Sunna erected a simple table, surrounded by an octagon of benches where the bishop and members of the Sámi community would sit face to face with a sense of equality and respect.

    As Sámi theologian Tore Johnsen notes, formal apologies are necessary first steps in a process of reconciliation. But only once they are followed by concrete acts of “restoration” can real reconciliation occur.

    When the Finnish archbishop apologized in May 2025, Sámi in attendance at the Turku Cathedral were appreciative, but they were eager to see what actions might follow, according to reporters at the ceremony. The same wait-and-see attitude characterizes Sámi responses to state-run Truth and Reconciliation processes, which occurred in Norway in 2023 and are currently ongoing in Sweden and Finland.

    The process of healing a society injured by colonialism is difficult and slow, requiring extensive discussion – much of it uncomfortable. With Luoma’s words of apology and the arrival of Sámi to listen and witness, an important step in that process occurred.

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

    – ref. Scandinavia has its own dark history of assimilating Indigenous people, and churches played a role – but are apologizing – https://theconversation.com/scandinavia-has-its-own-dark-history-of-assimilating-indigenous-people-and-churches-played-a-role-but-are-apologizing-255827

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada Enhances Safety and Strengthens Local Fisheries by Reconstructing Torbay Wharf

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 27, 2025

    Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador – Small craft harbours are the heart of coastal communities, bringing people together for both work and leisure. Investing in infrastructure is essential to strengthen local commercial and recreational fisheries and provide reliable and safe harbours for their users. Nationally, these harbours support over 45,000 Canadians employed in the fish and seafood industry.

    In line with the Government of Canada’s commitment to economic growth and support for coastal communities, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, announced a $4.1 million investment for the reconstruction of the Torbay wharf in Newfoundland and Labrador which is a hub for commerce, community and local culture.

    To improve safety, existing infrastructure will be removed and replaced with a new timber wharf and concrete spray wall, specially designed to withstand extreme weather events resulting from climate change. The reconstructed wharf, expected to be completed in May 2026, will support the region’s economy and culture by boosting commercial and recreational fisheries, which provides jobs and help preserves the community’s traditions and way of life. Many small craft harbours, like Torbay Wharf, are the economic engines fueling coastal, rural and Indigenous communities across Canada. Keeping them in good working condition and resilient from weather challenges supports the economies and traditions of these important communities.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregory J. Dick, Professor of Biology, University of Michigan

    A satellite image from Aug. 13, 2024, shows an algal bloom covering approximately 320 square miles (830 square km) of Lake Erie. By Aug. 22, it had nearly doubled in size. NASA Earth Observatory

    Federal scientists released their annual forecast for Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms on June 26, 2025, and they expect a mild to moderate season. However, anyone who comes in contact with the blooms can face health risks, and it’s worth remembering that 2014, when toxins from algae blooms contaminated the water supply in Toledo, Ohio, was considered a moderate year, too.

    We asked Gregory J. Dick, who leads the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, a federally funded center at the University of Michigan that studies harmful algal blooms among other Great Lakes issues, why they’re such a concern.

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s prediction for harmful algal bloom severity in Lake Erie compared with past years.
    NOAA

    1. What causes harmful algal blooms?

    Harmful algal blooms are dense patches of excessive algae growth that can occur in any type of water body, including ponds, reservoirs, rivers, lakes and oceans. When you see them in freshwater, you’re typically seeing cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.

    These photosynthetic bacteria have inhabited our planet for billions of years. In fact, they were responsible for oxygenating Earth’s atmosphere, which enabled plant and animal life as we know it.

    The leading source of harmful algal blooms today is nutrient runoff from fertilized farm fields.
    Michigan Sea Grant

    Algae are natural components of ecosystems, but they cause trouble when they proliferate to high densities, creating what we call blooms.

    Harmful algal blooms form scums at the water surface and produce toxins that can harm ecosystems, water quality and human health. They have been reported in all 50 U.S. states, all five Great Lakes and nearly every country around the world. Blue-green algae blooms are becoming more common in inland waters.

    The main sources of harmful algal blooms are excess nutrients in the water, typically phosphorus and nitrogen.

    Historically, these excess nutrients mainly came from sewage and phosphorus-based detergents used in laundry machines and dishwashers that ended up in waterways. U.S. environmental laws in the early 1970s addressed this by requiring sewage treatment and banning phosphorus detergents, with spectacular success.

    How pollution affected Lake Erie in the 1960s, before clean water regulations.

    Today, agriculture is the main source of excess nutrients from chemical fertilizer or manure applied to farm fields to grow crops. Rainstorms wash these nutrients into streams and rivers that deliver them to lakes and coastal areas, where they fertilize algal blooms. In the U.S., most of these nutrients come from industrial-scale corn production, which is largely used as animal feed or to produce ethanol for gasoline.

    Climate change also exacerbates the problem in two ways. First, cyanobacteria grow faster at higher temperatures. Second, climate-driven increases in precipitation, especially large storms, cause more nutrient runoff that has led to record-setting blooms.

    2. What does your team’s DNA testing tell us about Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms?

    Harmful algal blooms contain a mixture of cyanobacterial species that can produce an array of different toxins, many of which are still being discovered.

    When my colleagues and I recently sequenced DNA from Lake Erie water, we found new types of microcystins, the notorious toxins that were responsible for contaminating Toledo’s drinking water supply in 2014.

    These novel molecules cannot be detected with traditional methods and show some signs of causing toxicity, though further studies are needed to confirm their human health effects.

    Blue-green algae blooms in freshwater, like this one near Toledo in 2014, can be harmful to humans, causing gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever and skin irritation. They can be lethal for pets.
    Ty Wright for The Washington Post via Getty Images

    We also found organisms responsible for producing saxitoxin, a potent neurotoxin that is well known for causing paralytic shellfish poisoning on the Pacific Coast of North America and elsewhere.

    Saxitoxins have been detected at low concentrations in the Great Lakes for some time, but the recent discovery of hot spots of genes that make the toxin makes them an emerging concern.

    Our research suggests warmer water temperatures could boost its production, which raises concerns that saxitoxin will become more prevalent with climate change. However, the controls on toxin production are complex, and more research is needed to test this hypothesis. Federal monitoring programs are essential for tracking and understanding emerging threats.

    3. Should people worry about these blooms?

    Harmful algal blooms are unsightly and smelly, making them a concern for recreation, property values and businesses. They can disrupt food webs and harm aquatic life, though a recent study suggested that their effects on the Lake Erie food web so far are not substantial.

    But the biggest impact is from the toxins these algae produce that are harmful to humans and lethal to pets.

    The toxins can cause acute health problems such as gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever and skin irritation. Dogs can die from ingesting lake water with harmful algal blooms. Emerging science suggests that long-term exposure to harmful algal blooms, for example over months or years, can cause or exacerbate chronic respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems and may be linked to liver cancers, kidney disease and neurological issues.

    The water intake system for the city of Toledo, Ohio, is surrounded by an algae bloom in 2014. Toxic algae got into the water system, resulting in residents being warned not to touch or drink their tap water for three days.
    AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari

    In addition to exposure through direct ingestion or skin contact, recent research also indicates that inhaling toxins that get into the air may harm health, raising concerns for coastal residents and boaters, but more research is needed to understand the risks.

    The Toledo drinking water crisis of 2014 illustrated the vast potential for algal blooms to cause harm in the Great Lakes. Toxins infiltrated the drinking water system and were detected in processed municipal water, resulting in a three-day “do not drink” advisory. The episode affected residents, hospitals and businesses, and it ultimately cost the city an estimated US$65 million.

    4. Blooms seem to be starting earlier in the year and lasting longer – why is that happening?

    Warmer waters are extending the duration of the blooms.

    In 2025, NOAA detected these toxins in Lake Erie on April 28, earlier than ever before. The 2022 bloom in Lake Erie persisted into November, which is rare if not unprecedented.

    Scientific studies of western Lake Erie show that the potential cyanobacterial growth rate has increased by up to 30% and the length of the bloom season has expanded by up to a month from 1995 to 2022, especially in warmer, shallow waters. These results are consistent with our understanding of cyanobacterial physiology: Blooms like it hot – cyanobacteria grow faster at higher temperatures.

    5. What can be done to reduce the likelihood of algal blooms in the future?

    The best and perhaps only hope of reducing the size and occurrence of harmful algal blooms is to reduce the amount of nutrients reaching the Great Lakes.

    In Lake Erie, where nutrients come primarily from agriculture, that means improving agricultural practices and restoring wetlands to reduce the amount of nutrients flowing off of farm fields and into the lake. Early indications suggest that Ohio’s H2Ohio program, which works with farmers to reduce runoff, is making some gains in this regard, but future funding for H2Ohio is uncertain.

    In places like Lake Superior, where harmful algal blooms appear to be driven by climate change, the solution likely requires halting and reversing the rapid human-driven increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

    Gregory J. Dick receives funding for harmful algal bloom research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Institutes for Health. He serves on the Science Advisory Council for the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

    – ref. Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets – https://theconversation.com/toxic-algae-blooms-are-lasting-longer-in-lake-erie-why-thats-a-worry-for-people-and-pets-259954

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Security: INTERPOL-Europol operation results in global seizures of fake and illicit food

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    14 December 2012

    A joint INTERPOL-Europol operation targeting fake and substandard food and drink, as well as the organized crime networks behind this illicit trade, has resulted in the seizure of more than 135 tonnes of potentially harmful goods ranging from everyday products of coffee, soup cubes and olive oil, to luxury goods such as truffles and caviar. A further 100 tonnes of misdeclared and/or potentially hazardous food was confiscated during investigations linked to Operation Opson II.

    Raids and inspections resulted in around 100 arrests and the seizure of more than 135 tonnes of potentially harmful goods, including everyday products such as coffee, soup cubes and olive oil.

    Illicit goods are often produced, transported and stored without any form of hygiene controls, putting the health and safety of consumers at risk.

    This year, Opson expanded beyond Europe to include countries in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Inspections were carried out at this warehouse in Thailand.

    A project under development  –  the INTERPOL Global Register  – will enable people to scan and verify the legitimacy of a product from their mobile device.

    Operation Opson targets fake and substandard food and drink and the organized crime networks behind this illicit trade.

    Cash was also seized during Opson II.

    INTERPOL and Europol representatives helped coordinate action in Madrid, Spain.

    Checks and raids were carried out at airports, seaports, shops, markets and private homes.

    The operation was supported by customs (Hungarian customs officers pictured here), national food regulatory bodies and partners from the private sector.

    The Thai Food and Drug Administration displayed the wide variety of goods seized including snacks, canned food, coffee and soft drinks.

    National police in 29 countries took part. Officers in Budapest, Hungary, were briefed on the operation.

    Opson was a week-long operation, coordinated jointly by INTERPOL and Europol.

    Operation Opson II (3 – 9 December), which involved 29 countries from all regions of the world, resulted in the recovery of more than 385,000 litres of counterfeit liquids including vodka, wine, soy sauce and orange juice in addition to fish, seafood and meat declared unfit for human consumption, as well as fake candy bars and condiments.

    With the fake and substandard food and drink often produced, transported and stored without any form of regulation or hygiene controls, consumers buying these illicit goods are risking their health and safety while the criminal networks make millions in profits which can be used to fund other illegal activities such as human and drug trafficking.

    Operation Opson II saw the number of participating countries rise from 10 in 2011 to nearly 30 this year, an increase which, says Simone Di Meo, a Criminal Intelligence Officer with INTERPOL’s Trafficking in Illicit Goods unit, reflects a growing awareness of the problem and involvement by organized crime.

    “With this year’s operation going beyond Europe and involving countries in Africa, the Americas and Asia, this will enable us to gather even more intelligence about the networks behind this criminal activity and potentially identify global links with other types of crime,” says Mr Di Meo.

    Coordinated by INTERPOL and Europol, the week-long operation was supported by customs, police and national food regulatory bodies in addition to partners from the private sector. Checks and raids were carried out at airports, seaports, shops, markets and private homes.

    “With this operation, we are showing the criminal networks involved in this line of business that they are not safe and, just as importantly, we are helping to protect public health and safety. In many cases, the quality of the packaging of the fake food and drink is so well done that consumers may not even be aware that they are buying illicit products and potentially risking their lives,” says Chris Vansteenkiste, Project Manager of the Intellectual Property Crime Team at Europol.

    Among the key aims of Operation Opson (meaning food in ancient Greek) were the development of practical cooperation between national law enforcement, food and drug agencies and private companies, the identification of the organized criminal groups behind the trafficking, and raising awareness among consumers and governments about this type of crime.

    Countries which took part in Operation Opson II are Austria, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA.

    Investigations are continuing in many countries and additional information on national activities can be obtained from the enforcement agencies of the countries concerned.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: “West Africa has the potential to sustainably transform its food systems,” says Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, Acting Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Subregional Coordinator for West Africa


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    The 2025 Regional Report on Food and Nutrition Security in the Sahel and West Africa, reveals that nearly 52 million people in the region are affected by food insecurity. In an interview with the African Press Agency (APA news), Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, Acting Subregional Coordinator of the FAO Office for West Africa said that despite the alarming figures reported, “the region has all it takes to sustainably transform its food systems,” said.

    Recently appointed to head the office overseeing 15 West African country programs, she focuses on innovation, resilience, and inclusion to address the structural and cyclical challenges facing West African agriculture.

    During the interview, Ms. Tchicaya presented the priorities of her mandate. She outlined her vision and ambition for the subregion to “build more inclusive, sustainable, competitive, and nutrition-sensitive food systems, based on the “Four Betters” strategy promoted by the FAO: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.”

    She also emphasized that despite the combined effects of conflict, climate change, and economic volatility, viable solutions can be found. These include participatory approaches such as Farmer Field Schools (FFS), support for nutrition-sensitive agricultural policies, and the implementation of green hubs as part of the Great Green Wall initiative. “In Senegal, for example, we contributed to updating the agro-sylvo-pastoral orientation law, which now includes the fisheries sector, food systems and the climate change dimension,” she explained.

    “On the operational front, FAO has developed participatory approaches such as Farmer Field Schools and Dimitra clubs, which after years of implementation, have proven effective in driving behavior change and strong community engagement. These approaches are now being scaled up by the government and civil society organizations”, she said, adding “On the environmental front, the FAO supports the Senegalese government in implementing the Reforestation Agency and the Great Green Wall program, a bold initiative aiming to establish seventy resilient green hubs across arid and semi-arid areas between 2023 and 2032.”

    Faced with the decline in traditional funding, Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya calls for increased and diversified resource mobilization, focusing on: “Public-Private Partnerships, a multi-donor approach, climate and green financing, strengthened engagement with non-traditional donors (emerging countries, philanthropic foundations, regional financial institutions), increased inter-agency cooperation, community and civil society involvement, as well as South-South and triangular cooperation.”

    Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya also emphasized FAO’s strategic role in strengthening early warning systems, supporting agricultural governance, and using digital technologies and artificial intelligence to increase productivity, improve livestock traceability, and combat livestock theft, a phenomenon that is on the rise in the region.

    “FAO actively contributes to surveillance and early warning, particularly in the area of ​​food security, through its participation in the regional system for the prevention and management of food crises (PREGEC), coordinated by the CILSS. FAO also has tools such as the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS), which enables precise monitoring of the agricultural season and provides harvest forecasts. FAO will continue this support while investing more in disaster risk prevention and reduction, particularly through anticipatory actions implemented before crises worsen. FAO’s true added value in the region lies in this connection between early warning and rapid response.”

    Furthermore, Ms. Tchicaya emphasized the importance of digital solutions for securing pastoral livelihoods: “We are convinced that the digitalization of the livestock sector constitutes an innovative and essential solution to protect pastoralists in the face of this unprecedented phenomenon in West Africa,” she argued.

    In her closing remarks, Ms. Tchicaya issued a strong call for collective mobilization. “We must act together—governments, technical and financial partners, the private sector, and civil society—to build resilient and sustainable food systems that meet the aspirations of West African populations,” she pleaded.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: I Am Artemis: Patrick Junen

    Source: NASA

    For some people, a passion for space is something that might develop over time, but for Patrick Junen, the desire was there from the beginning. With a father and grandfather who both worked for NASA, space exploration is not just a dream; it remains a family legacy.
    Now, as the stage assembly and structures subsystem manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the BOLE (Booster Obsolescence Life Extension) Program — an advanced solid rocket booster for NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) heavy lift rocket — Junen is continuing that legacy.
    “My grandfather worked on the Apollo & Space Shuttle Programs. Then my dad went on to work for the Space Shuttle and SLS Programs,” Junen says. “I guess you could say engineering is in my blood.”
    In his role, he’s responsible for managing the Design, Development, Test, & Evaluation team for all unpressurized structural elements, such as the forward skirt, aft skirt, and the integration hardware that connects the boosters to the core stage. He also collaborates closely with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to coordinate any necessary modifications to ground facilities or the mobile launcher to support the new boosters.
    Junen enjoys the technical challenges of his role and said he feels fortunate to be in a position of leadership — but it takes a team of talented individuals to build the next generation of boosters. As a former offensive lineman for the University of Mississippi, he knows firsthand the power of teamwork and the importance of effective communication in guiding a coordinated effort.
    “I’ve always been drawn to team activities, and exploration is the ultimate team endeavor,” Junen says. “On the football field, it takes a strong team to be successful — and it’s really no different from what we’re doing as a team at NASA with our Northrop Grumman counterparts for the SLS rocket and Artemis missions.”
    As a kid, Junen often accompanied his dad to Space Shuttle launches and was inspired by some of the talented engineers that developed Shuttle. Years later, he’s still seeing some of those same faces — but now they’re teammates, working together toward a greater mission.
    “Growing up around Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, there was always this strong sense of family and dedication to the Misson. And that has always resonated with me,” Junen recalls.
    This philosophy of connecting family to the mission is a tradition Junen now continues with his own children. One of his fondest NASA memories is watching the successful launch of Artemis I on Nov. 16, 2022. Although he couldn’t attend in person, Junen and his family made the most of the moment — watching the launch live beneath the Saturn V rocket at Huntsville’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center. With his dad beside him and his daughter on his shoulders, three generations stood beneath the rocket Junen’s grandfather helped build, as a new era of space exploration began.
    In June, Junen witnessed the BOLE Demonstration Motor-1 perform a full-scale static test to demonstrate the ballistic performance for the evolved booster motor. This test isn’t just a technical milestone for Junen — it’s a continuation of a lifelong journey rooted in family and teamwork.
    As NASA explores the Moon and prepares for the journey to Mars through Artemis, Junen is helping shape the next chapter of human spaceflight. And just like the generations before him, he’s not only building rockets — he’s building a legacy.

    Jonathan DealMarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. 256-544-0034 jonathan.e.deal@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release-Boating Engineer Blown Away by Pohoiki Dredging Progress, June 26, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release-Boating Engineer Blown Away by Pohoiki Dredging Progress, June 26, 2025

    Posted on Jun 26, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

    DAWN CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

    BOATING ENGINEER BLOWN AWAY BY POHOIKI DREDGING PROGRESS

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

    June 26, 2025

     

    PUNA DISTRICT, Hawai‘i Island – It’s the largest dredging job ever for the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). The removal of 42,000 cubic yards of black sand, rocks and boulders, deposited by the 2018 eruption of Kilauea, has been underway for two weeks to clear the boat ramp at Pohoiki. Forty-two-thousand cubic yards in volume is equivalent in size to 42,000 large refrigerators.

    When DOBOR Engineer Finn McCall made a site visit to Pohoiki on Tuesday, he was astounded by the progress crews from the contractor, Goodfellows Bros., LLC, have made, particularly with a required completion of next February, and a stated expectation of November.

    “I mean I’m absolutely blown away. I was not expecting them to get this far. I’d say they’re about halfway done with the excavation portion of the project. So, it’s looking really good. Looking like we may be done ahead of schedule,” McCall said.

    Heavy equipment is being used to scoop large buckets of volcanic debris from near the boat ramp to near the shoreline. Once the inner basin is cleared, a crane will be brought to the site to create a wide entrance.

    McCall added, “The entrance will be approximately 320 feet wide. There really wasn’t a channel before. It was just an open bay, but the designated entrance, I think, was 40 feet.”

    Pohoiki and the adjoining Isaac Hale Beach Park have long been a gathering place for people and families to have fun. The boat ramp was critical to Puna area fishers and since it was blocked, boats have had to launch from and travel to and from the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo. It was expensive and time consuming and several small commercial fishing operations reportedly went out of business during the blockage. 

    “This has been one of the highest-priority projects I’ve worked on. The community is excited, and fishermen can’t wait to have the ramp and entrance restored,” McCall said.

    He describes the Pohoiki dredging as unprecedented. For most dredging projects at state small boat harbors, fine sediment and sand is removed. For this one, a lot of heavy material is being hauled away.

    Most harbors need to be dredged every seven or eight years. “For Pohoiki it remains to be seen. We really can’t predict how quickly the new channel might fill back in and how soon we’d have to dredge. We’re just going to have to closely monitor it after the project is complete,” McCall concluded.

    Many people have enjoyed the “hot pond” that formed at the bottom of the blocked boat ramp. People are reminded that entering the project area to swim is strictly prohibited as it is an active construction area.   

    # # #

     

    RESOURCES

    (All images/video Courtesy: DLNR)

     

    HD video – Pohoiki dredging project (June 24, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3uo4tjjjpa8z44mzflsh3/Pohoiki-Dredging-Update-June-24-2025.mp4?rlkey=49elxid18wiuqz9jjgehff4jz&st=ovwmc9k8&dl=0

     

    Photographs – Pohoiki dredging project (June 24, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/snst1eyd9fy91e8cewxm9/AEwlXJuoqltWM8IavufrzpI?rlkey=q0b0qr4aifxi3d0aobgiw2h33&st=ehblfbyj&dl=0

     

     

    Media Contact: 

    Dan Dennison 

    Communications Director

    Hawai‘i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396 

    [email protected] 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The sentencing of Cassius Turvey’s killers shows courts still struggle to deal with racism

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people.

    The brutal homicide of 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, Cassius Turvey, by a group of white men revealed the racial schisms in Western Australian society. Turvey was walking home from school in October 2022 when he was abruptly beaten to death.

    On Friday, the Western Australian Supreme Court sentenced the three perpetrators. Twenty-nine-year-old Brodie Palmer and 24-year-old Jack Brearley were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

    A third man, 27-year-old Mitchell Forth, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

    This was an opportunity for the Supreme Court to send a strong message against racial violence. While the punishment of the men involved is clear, the role of race, and what legally qualifies as racially motivated crime, is muddier.

    Wrong place, wrong time?

    Racism has been front and centre of the public discussion of this tragedy from the outset.

    Shortly after the 2022 attack, Western Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch said of the homicide:

    it may be a case of mistaken identity, it may be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    This was met with strong condemnation from the First Nations community.

    Rallies in solidarity with Turvey’s family were held across the country, with Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung, and Dunghutti activist Lizzie Jarrett declaring:

    no black child is ever, ever, ever in the wrong place at the wrong time on their own land.

    Racism at trial

    Over the course of the trial, the court heard Turvey and his peers, a group of Aboriginal high school students, were approached by an angry group.

    This comprised the three men convicted and a woman, 23-year-old Aleesha Gilmore, who was acquitted of homicide, and 21-year-old Ethan McKenzie, who with Gilmore, was convicted of other offences relating to the attack.

    Turvey was chased and Brearly fatally beat him with a metal pole.

    Earlier this year, the trial of the three perpetrators heard arguments by the defendants that the actions were not racially motivated.

    Rather, the defence argued they were acting out of self-defence on the basis that Brearly had his car window smashed a few days prior.

    In contrast, the prosecution brought evidence of a phone call that revealed Brearley was bragging about beating Turvey, stating that “he learnt his lesson”.

    The prosecution argued the homicide was not a personal gripe, but a collective response.

    The prosecution didn’t allege the attack was racially motivated, but it was open to the judge to consider this basis for the homicide.

    At trial, 91 witnesses came forward. Witnesses gave evidence that the accused were using racial slurs.

    This direct racism raises the issue of race as a motive in the attack, and is consistent with evidence of systemic racism in Western Australia.

    The killing of Turvey comes after 14-year-old Elijah Doughty was targeted and killed in Kalgoorlie in 2016.

    Both cases show white male motorists seeking to avenge Aboriginal children for alleged vehicle offences.

    This is reinforced by a penal system in which Aboriginal children are 53 times more likely to be detained than non-Aboriginal children.

    What did the judge say?

    On the morning of the sentence hearings, Cassius Turvey’s mother, who described her son as respected, bright, loving and compassionate, said the killing was a “racially motivated” and based on “discriminatory targeting”.

    This sentiment has been echoed across the country, including by June Oscar, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, in 2022.

    Chief Justice Peter Quinlan strongly condemned the attacks.

    However, he stated the attack was not racially motivated, despite recognising that the perpetrators were “calling them n-words and black c—ts — you in particular Mr Brearley used language like that”.

    He noted that it creates a “fear” of racial vilification:

    it’s no surprise […] that the kids would think they were being targeted because they were Aboriginal, and the attack would create justifiable fear for them and for the broader community that this was a racially motivated attack.

    This amounts to a message of general deterrence about violence and vigilante behaviour.

    But messages to deter racial targeting and racial violence specifically were omitted from the public safety concerns expressed by the court.

    Making racial violence invisible

    Munanjahli and South Sea Islander professor Chelsea Watego, and colleagues, have remarked that the Australian psyche is more comfortable with an “abstract concern with racism; racism without actors, or rather perpetrators”.

    This, they argue, sanitises racial violence and holds no one responsible.

    The court demonstrated this abstract concern for racism.

    This Supreme Court’s reasoning has set an impossibly high bar for racial vilification, and specifically racial violence, to be identified, denounced and redressed.

    The judgement seems to relegate racism to being an unfortunate and unintended incident of co-existence, rather than willed harm.

    The failure to regard the racial slurs, the targeting of a group of Aboriginal children, and the killing of one of these children, as “racially motivated”, upholds the idea that white people’s racist treatment and crimes against Aboriginal people exist in a vacuum free of a long history of colonial violence, massacres and occupation.

    Thalia Anthony receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Matthew Walsh 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. The sentencing of Cassius Turvey’s killers shows courts still struggle to deal with racism – https://theconversation.com/the-sentencing-of-cassius-turveys-killers-shows-courts-still-struggle-to-deal-with-racism-259541

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The sentencing of Cassius Turvey’s killers shows courts still struggle to deal with racism

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people.

    The brutal homicide of 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, Cassius Turvey, by a group of white men revealed the racial schisms in Western Australian society. Turvey was walking home from school in October 2022 when he was abruptly beaten to death.

    On Friday, the Western Australian Supreme Court sentenced the three perpetrators. Twenty-nine-year-old Brodie Palmer and 24-year-old Jack Brearley were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

    A third man, 27-year-old Mitchell Forth, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

    This was an opportunity for the Supreme Court to send a strong message against racial violence. While the punishment of the men involved is clear, the role of race, and what legally qualifies as racially motivated crime, is muddier.

    Wrong place, wrong time?

    Racism has been front and centre of the public discussion of this tragedy from the outset.

    Shortly after the 2022 attack, Western Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch said of the homicide:

    it may be a case of mistaken identity, it may be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    This was met with strong condemnation from the First Nations community.

    Rallies in solidarity with Turvey’s family were held across the country, with Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung, and Dunghutti activist Lizzie Jarrett declaring:

    no black child is ever, ever, ever in the wrong place at the wrong time on their own land.

    Racism at trial

    Over the course of the trial, the court heard Turvey and his peers, a group of Aboriginal high school students, were approached by an angry group.

    This comprised the three men convicted and a woman, 23-year-old Aleesha Gilmore, who was acquitted of homicide, and 21-year-old Ethan McKenzie, who with Gilmore, was convicted of other offences relating to the attack.

    Turvey was chased and Brearly fatally beat him with a metal pole.

    Earlier this year, the trial of the three perpetrators heard arguments by the defendants that the actions were not racially motivated.

    Rather, the defence argued they were acting out of self-defence on the basis that Brearly had his car window smashed a few days prior.

    In contrast, the prosecution brought evidence of a phone call that revealed Brearley was bragging about beating Turvey, stating that “he learnt his lesson”.

    The prosecution argued the homicide was not a personal gripe, but a collective response.

    The prosecution didn’t allege the attack was racially motivated, but it was open to the judge to consider this basis for the homicide.

    At trial, 91 witnesses came forward. Witnesses gave evidence that the accused were using racial slurs.

    This direct racism raises the issue of race as a motive in the attack, and is consistent with evidence of systemic racism in Western Australia.

    The killing of Turvey comes after 14-year-old Elijah Doughty was targeted and killed in Kalgoorlie in 2016.

    Both cases show white male motorists seeking to avenge Aboriginal children for alleged vehicle offences.

    This is reinforced by a penal system in which Aboriginal children are 53 times more likely to be detained than non-Aboriginal children.

    What did the judge say?

    On the morning of the sentence hearings, Cassius Turvey’s mother, who described her son as respected, bright, loving and compassionate, said the killing was a “racially motivated” and based on “discriminatory targeting”.

    This sentiment has been echoed across the country, including by June Oscar, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, in 2022.

    Chief Justice Peter Quinlan strongly condemned the attacks.

    However, he stated the attack was not racially motivated, despite recognising that the perpetrators were “calling them n-words and black c—ts — you in particular Mr Brearley used language like that”.

    He noted that it creates a “fear” of racial vilification:

    it’s no surprise […] that the kids would think they were being targeted because they were Aboriginal, and the attack would create justifiable fear for them and for the broader community that this was a racially motivated attack.

    This amounts to a message of general deterrence about violence and vigilante behaviour.

    But messages to deter racial targeting and racial violence specifically were omitted from the public safety concerns expressed by the court.

    Making racial violence invisible

    Munanjahli and South Sea Islander professor Chelsea Watego, and colleagues, have remarked that the Australian psyche is more comfortable with an “abstract concern with racism; racism without actors, or rather perpetrators”.

    This, they argue, sanitises racial violence and holds no one responsible.

    The court demonstrated this abstract concern for racism.

    This Supreme Court’s reasoning has set an impossibly high bar for racial vilification, and specifically racial violence, to be identified, denounced and redressed.

    The judgement seems to relegate racism to being an unfortunate and unintended incident of co-existence, rather than willed harm.

    The failure to regard the racial slurs, the targeting of a group of Aboriginal children, and the killing of one of these children, as “racially motivated”, upholds the idea that white people’s racist treatment and crimes against Aboriginal people exist in a vacuum free of a long history of colonial violence, massacres and occupation.

    Thalia Anthony receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Matthew Walsh 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. The sentencing of Cassius Turvey’s killers shows courts still struggle to deal with racism – https://theconversation.com/the-sentencing-of-cassius-turveys-killers-shows-courts-still-struggle-to-deal-with-racism-259541

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva celebrates 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva hosted a reception on June 24 (Geneva time) to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) with over 230 guests from diplomatic missions to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and key contacts in various international organisations, the academia and local businesses.

    Speaking at the reception, the Permanent Representative of the HKSAR of China to the WTO, Miss Winky So, highlighted how the city, from a humble fishing village to a top-notch international trade and financial centre, has reinvented itself time and again to stay vibrant, while holding fast to the policy of free trade and the principles enshrined in the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO.

    To the guests, she said, “we are privileged to stand alongside friends like you, who are not just like-minded champions of free trade, but also guardians of a system that has connected economies and brought stability and prosperity. Together, in good times and in bad times, we are a living testament to what free trade and a rules-based multilateral trading system can offer.”

    As a founding member of the WTO, Hong Kong has always been a staunch supporter of the rules-based multilateral trading system. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong participates in the WTO as a separate customs territory in the name of Hong Kong, China.        

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Use of non-protected organisms and NAMs in REACH: implications for animal testing policy – E-002468/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002468/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE)

    In the context of chemical safety assessment, new approach methodologies (NAMs) contribute to the improved understanding of mechanism-based toxicity. To enhance confidence in the extrapolation of mechanistic effects observed in NAMs to adverse effects at the individual or population level for regulatory purposes, research often uses organisms and life stages that are not considered as protected animals under Directive 2010/63/EU, such as whole-organism invertebrates (e.g. Daphnia, nematodes, Drosophila) and early life stages of aquatic vertebrates (e.g. zebrafish and frog embryos). These are crucial for the medium-term replacement of animal tests.

    • 1.In the light of the revision of the REACH Regulation ((EC) No 1907/2006) and the Commission’s roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, can the Commission say to what extent it will implement NAMs for chemical safety assessment in order to simplify REACH and fulfil its stated goal of employing animal testing only as a last resort?
    • 2.Does the Commission agree that the use of organisms and life stages that are not considered as protected animals under Directive 2010/63/EU is crucial for the medium-term replacement of animal testing?
    • 3.Does it intend to change the scope of protected animals under Directive 2010/63/EU to also include non-vertebrate animals beyond cephalopods, and early life stages of all vertebrates other than mammals?

    Submitted: 18.6.2025

    Last updated: 27 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace activists rebrand NZ bottom trawler “ocean killer” at sea

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace Aotearoa activists have confronted a bottom trawler on the Chatham Rise, rebranding it “ocean killer”, after bearing witness to it hauling in a net straining with marine life.
    Launching from the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior, activists came alongside the New Zealand-flagged ship, Talley’s Amaltal Atlantis, on the Chatham Rise on Friday afternoon, and painted the message on its hull with non-toxic paint.
    Speaking from onboard the Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Juan Parada says:
    “Appalled by the most recent evidence of destruction, people defending the oceans rebranded this Talley’s vessel today to expose the bottom trawling industry for what they are: ocean killers. When Talley’s bottom trawlers drag their heavy trawl nets across the seafloor and over seamounts, they bulldoze everything in their path, including killing precious marine life from coral to fur seals, dolphins and seabirds.”We’ve all seen the shocking footage of bottom trawling in David Attenborough’s film Ocean, and it’s happening right here, right now.”
    “Faced with a fishing industry that profits from trashing the ocean, and a government that condones bottom trawling, we’re proud of the peaceful action taken today to call out this destruction and demand that bottom trawling stop.
    “The Amaltal Atlantis trawls in the waters of Aotearoa, and has previously received permits to trawl in the High Seas of the South Pacific. Their trail of destruction is wide and long-lasting,” says Parada.
    Talley’s vessels have a long history of carrying out bottom trawling destruction. In 2018, the Amaltal Apollo trawled in a protected area on the Lord Howe Rise, in the international waters of the Tasman Sea. The Amaltal Mariner was also convicted of trawling in a marine reserve off Kaikōura in 2019.
    The company also has a documented history of health and safety issues, with multiple injuries and even a fatality reported to WorkSafe.
    In 2022, Greenpeace activists blocked the Amatal Atlantis from leaving Port Nelson for nearly 10 hours.
    The at-sea action comes just weeks after it was revealed a New Zealand vessel dragged up six tonnes of coral in a single trawl on the Chatham Rise, known for being a hotspot for coral life.
    In March, Greenpeace Aotearoa documented swathes of destroyed coral in areas of the Tasman Sea intensively trawled by New Zealand bottom trawlers. The Tasman Sea has been earmarked for one of the first high seas ocean sanctuaries, using the Global Ocean Treaty.
    New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling in the High Seas of the Tasman.
    Parada says, “As the rest of the world moves towards more comprehensive ocean protection for international waters, New Zealand is standing in the way of progress by continuing to advocate for the bottom trawling industry.”It’s time Talley’s, the trawling industry, and the government listened to the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who want ocean health valued over industry profits.
    “From depleted fish numbers to smashed coral, dead sharks and seabirds, the cost of bottom trawling is too high. To protect the ocean for the future and safeguard the ocean we all love, bottom trawling must stop.”
    In response to the activist’s painting activity, Talley’s responded saying they would seek legal action which “may include the arrest of the Rainbow Warrior.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press Conference – Adelaide

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    BLAIR BOYER, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING AND SKILLS: It is my great pleasure this morning to welcome Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and Early Years Federal Minister Jess Walsh here along with my education colleagues from around Australia for what will be our first Education Ministers Meeting since the Federal Election. And it’s a great thrill for me not only as South Australia’s Education Minister but as the local Member in this area to welcome these Ministers to The Heights School but, more specifically, where we’ll be holding our meeting just across the way at what will be South Australia’s brand new technical college at The Heights.

    We have a big agenda today, of course, being the first meeting post the Federal Election, a lot of things that, I think, are shared priorities for the Ministers here. We’re talking about issues around child safety in the early years, bullying, preschool reform, infrastructure, a whole range of things that have been issues of priority for the Ministers here for a number of years but, of course, we’re entering into what I think is now a more exciting phase given the fantastic work that was done by Jason and the Federal Government before the last Election to actually land that historic national school reform agreement, which means securing across 10 years here in South Australia an extra $1.3 billion dollars of funding for public schools and also locking in for us the 22 per cent contribution to our non-government schools.

    So South Australia is very excited to be the host today and show off some of the things that we are doing in vocational education and training. We were here just last week with the Premier to announce the Boeing partnership with us at that technical school. And I’ll be showing off some of the new equipment inside to the Ministers but also keen to sink our teeth into a really solid agenda today dealing with some of the issues that all state and territory education systems are grappling with at the moment. I’ll pass over now to Jason.

    JASON CLARE, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thanks very much, Blair. And thank you so much, mate, for hosting us here today at the first Education Ministers meeting since the Federal Election. I think I can speak for all of my colleagues that we feel very, very fortunate that we have the best job in the world – a job where we get the opportunity and the responsibility to help children get the education that starts their life on a great track, helps them to build the life of their dreams.

    All of us understand the power of education. It’s the most powerful cause for good in this world to change lives, create opportunity for the youngest Australians. And we collectively have a big responsibility to make sure that we build a better and a fairer education system for children at school today but also for the young Australians that aren’t even born yet.

    A lot of the things that we talk about today, that we work on today are about planting seeds in a garden that will grow over time. Education is about big reform that sometimes takes time to manifest itself. But the work needs to start right now. And as I said, this is the first time we’ve met since the Election. It’s also the first time since we signed that historic agreement to fix the funding of public schools. And I know it’s something, Blair, that you’re really proud of, something they’re pretty proud of as well – you can hear them in the background.

    It means a billion dollars of extra funding over the next 10 years for South Australian public schools, just like The Heights. It means more than $16 billion in extra federal funding right across the nation over the next 10 years. And that funding isn’t a blank cheque; that funding is tied to real, practical reforms to make sure that more kids like this finish high school and go on to TAFE and to university and get the skills they need for the future.

    And so today we’re going to be talking about the next big step implementing the agreement. Tying that funding to things like phonics checks when kids are in Year 1, and that’s rolling out this year and next year, and numeracy checks in Year 1 as well. That’s happening in South Australia next year. There’ll be other states that will talk about their plans for numeracy checks as well.

    That’s not a test; that’s a 10-minute check to identify kids that might need additional help and then it’s our job as Ministers with the funding we’re providing to make sure kids get that additional help to help them to catch up and keep up and ultimately meaning more kids finish high school.

    We’re going to talk about the most important people who work in places like this today as well – our school teachers. The most important job in the world. The work we’ve done over the last few years means that there are now more teachers than ever, there’s fewer vacancies, there are more young people enrolling in teaching courses this year than there has been in a very, very long time, up something like 11 per cent. That’s a good sign, but there’s more work to do to support our teachers, and we’ll talk about that today.

    We’ll also talk about the scourge of bullying in our schools. It’s not just the push and shove in the playground or stealing someone else’s lunch money; it’s much more insidious than that. And sometimes it involves what happens online in the dark after school where in the most horrific of examples somebody might clip a photograph of someone else’s face and put it on a naked body and use that to bully and harass other kids in the school or even teachers in the school as well. We’ll talk about what we can do to help to tackle that.

    And perhaps most importantly of all, we’re going to talk about the safety of our youngest Australians in early education and care. As a team we’ve done a lot of work on that over the last three years but there is a lot more work that we need to do to make sure that our kids are safe in early education and care. And that will be one of the key things that we discuss today.

    To talk about that in a bit more detail, let me hand over to the new Minister for Early Childhood Education, Jess Walsh.

    JESS WALSH, MINISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: Thank you very much, Jason, and thank you, Blair, for having us not just in your home state but in your electorate and your fantastic school. I am the new Commonwealth Minister for Early Childhood Education and keeping children safe in our early learning settings is my number one priority. And it will be the top priority for the early education discussion at today’s meeting.

    The Commonwealth and State and Territory leaders have already taken strong action to keep children safe because children deserve to be safe in early learning and because parents need to know that their children are safe too. But as Minister Clare has said, there is more to do.

    The Commonwealth has announced that we will take tough measures and restrict funding, cut funding to providers that put profit ahead of child safety. And as a group of Ministers we have already put into place restrictions on the use of personal devices in early learning, which is a really important protection for children. And we’ve also strengthened mandatory reporting requirements.

    A lot of work has been done, as Minister Clare said, but there is more to do. And we look forward to doing that work today. Our work today will be informed by the work that has just been done in New South Wales. We welcome the Wheeler inquiry and we welcome the work that New South Wales has done in the area of child safety in early learning.

    And to tell us more about that, I welcome Minister Houssos.

    COURTNEY HOUSSOS, NSW ACTING MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING: Thank you. So my name’s Courtney Houssos. I’m the Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning in New South Wales. I’m here representing New South Wales and passing on the apologies of the Deputy Premier who is currently seeking treatment. And I’d just like to say thank you so for the well wishes that I’ve received from colleagues that I’ll be conveying to Prue. We know that she’s an extraordinarily strong individual. She’s confronting this challenge just like she does with any other.

    But it’s an immense privilege to be here with my colleagues from around the country to talk about the program of reform that Prue has started across New South Wales. We’re looking forward to speaking and sharing some of the things that we’ve been doing in New South Wales particularly in relation to the numbers check, the phonics check that was pioneered here in South Australia. We’ve rolled that out in our schools, but we think this is an opportunity from New South Wales to work collaboratively with colleagues.

    And I just thank particularly Minister Clare and Minister Walsh for the opportunities already to start those initial discussions. Specifically, I’d just speak about the Wheeler Review that Minister Walsh referenced, which is a report that the Deputy Premier commissioned, Prue commissioned, in February this year. We released the review yesterday, and our immediate response – and that’s really focused on improving transparency.

    We believe parents have the right to make sure when they drop off their kids each day that they are going to be safe in a quality environment. And that is at the forefront of our minds. So, giving parents information, giving the community information is really important for us. We are also going to be – and, again, I would say we’ve had some really productive early conversations, and we look forward to discussing that today and sharing the opportunity, sharing the review with our colleagues.

    It’s an important opportunity for us to come together, share experiences and find learnings. I’d like to really thank Minister Clare and Blair for hosting us here in this beautiful place in South Australia.

    And I’ll hand over to Yvette, yes.

    YVETTE BERRY, ACT MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD: Thanks very much, everyone. My name’s Yvette Berry. I’m the Minister for Education and Early Childhood in the ACT. The conversation that we’re having today is broad and complex and there’s a lot of work to do, as Minister Jason Clare spoke about earlier. But one of the areas that I really wanted to focus on during our conversations today is around early childhood education and care. And if we value the education and health and wellbeing of our children, then we simply must value the expertise of early childhood educators.

    For years across the country, but especially in the ACT, we’ve been working hard to lift the profession and support early childhood educators through a range of different scholarship programs to encourage that increased qualification and expertise within our early childhood settings. We know as a community how important and vital education in those early years are to the brain development of young people. And in the early childhood space educators are the brain builders.

    So valuing children means that we must value educators. One of the ways that we saw educators doing incredibly vital work in educating young people was during the COVID pandemic. Our workforce had stopped all across the country and we depended on our early childhood education sector to provide education for those young people in a time when we were most in need. They were going to work educating young people while the rest of us were staying at home safe. Often, they were going to work looking after and educating young people when their own children were at home. So, at one point in time, they were vital to our cities’ education in those early years, but also the survival of a global health pandemic.

    Now, we’re seeing some really challenging issues in the early childhood space, particularly around the Affinity and the Genius early childhood providers. And some of the incidences that we saw scared us, and it should scare us. We’re worried about our children, and we need to make sure that they’re safe.

    So part of the work that I want to see us doing going forward is, yes, absolutely working with our parents about making sure that our children are safe in their early childhood settings but working with the sector about what that looks like and how we can value and lift the profession through a range of different initiatives like scholarship programs, like requiring early childhood educators to be licensed the same way as we would as our teachers in our school settings.

    We need to consider those early years the same way as we consider our education years from five up – everything below five just as important if not more so in developing our children’s brains ready for a formal education in their later years.

    So, today’s conversation is an important one and we need to understand what’s happening more in our sector. And I really have appreciated the work that New South Wales has done on their report, the Wheeler Report, and we’ve been looking at it very closely and we think a lot of those recommendations will work for the ACT as well. So, I want to work a bit more harder and deeply in that space and work with the New South Wales Acting Minister about what is it that we in the ACT can do that works alongside the work that they’ve been doing in New South Wales.

    Thanks again, Jason and Blair, for having us here today. And I look forward to talking more after our meeting.

    JO HERSEY, NT MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND MINISTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION: Jo Hersey, Minister for Early Education from the Northern Territory. It’s great to be down here in Adelaide – thankfully the weather is pleasant to us today. I really look forward to working collaboratively with my counterparts right across the nation and the work that’s going on in the early education space but also something that’s close to my heart – the bullying, talking about that today, and having a look at the new trade training centre here, which is something that we’re working towards in the Territory as well.

    So, I’m looking forward to really robust conversations that will happen today and continue the work with the Federal Government throughout my time as Education Minister. Thank you.

    JOURNALIST: You’ve obviously talked about bullying and AI and how that might have impacted that. The eSafety Commissioner has kind of recommended that schools report any incidences of AI deep fakes. How can the government kind of ensure that that crackdown is really happening in schools?

    CLARE: We welcome the advice and the support of the eSafety Commissioner. She’s written to all of us yesterday with a tool kit for schools, information and support for teachers and principals about what to do when this happens. Also some really practical advice about when the law is broken and when police should be involved as well.

    I said a moment ago how insidious this is. This is the sort of thing that can cause teachers to quit or young people to think about not wanting to go to school or worse. That’s why we’re taking this as seriously as we are. That’s why it’s on the agenda today. That’s why we’re asking the team that are putting together the bullying review for us – the rapid review of bullying in schools – we’re asking them to make sure that as part of that review they’re looking at this. They will present their final report to us when we meet again in October. And what we’ll be discussing today – I don’t want to pre-empt the conversation that we’re having, but I’m sure colleagues will agree – that we’ll ask the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, to brief us at that meeting as well. About the work that she’s doing, about the tool kit that she’s providing for schools to help schools grapple with this difficult issue, but also to provide us with a little bit of advice about the impending changes to social media access for young people under the age of 16.

    So at the end of this year the ban on access to social media for young people under the age of 16 will come into effect. That work is being led by the Communications Minister right now. And ahead of that I’m going to ask the eSafety Commissioner to brief us when we meet in October about implementation plans for that change, which I think is a crucial part of helping young people grapple with this issue.

    Over the course of the last year and a half or so as a nation, as Ministers, we’ve banned access to mobile phones in schools. And I might just ask Blair to talk about this a little bit in a South Australian context. It was a decision that all of us have made because we thought it would have a positive impact in our school environment. And it has. A bigger impact than we ever expected in the class and in the playground.

    But the fact is, when the bell rings and school finishes, the phones come back out, and if you look at the bus stop, you’ll see kids doing what some people are doing at this press conference – looking at their phones. And young people get thrown back into that toxic cesspit of social media. So, what we do next in terms of banning access to social media is important. It’s not the only thing that we need to do, though. And that’s why the work that the eSafety Commissioner is doing is so important.

    BOYER: Thanks, Jason. And, yes one of the first election commitments that we made before coming to Government in March of 2022 was to ban mobile phones in all public high schools. We knew that banning mobile phones would help with distraction in the classroom, and it has. We knew that banning mobile phones would help in terms of stopping the kind of bullying that Jason was just talking about that occurs through the use of a mobile phone. But there have been some other real benefits, too, that we didn’t anticipate, and that is in terms of increased physical and social activity from young people at recess and lunchtime.

    And I had one principal of a school not far from here who said a very powerful comment to me: he said that the school yard at lunchtime reminds him of a school yard in the 1990s, and that’s the school yard I remember when I went to school where you’re out kicking the footy and talking to friends. But I think such had been our gradual increasing reliance on mobile phones at schools that we had forgotten how much of that old-fashioned kind of social interaction and physical activity that had actually dissipated and gone away. So, the benefits of the mobile phone ban have been in some cases obvious but also some unexpected ones, too. And we’re really pleased that the policy we put in place was for the phone to be off from the start of the day to the end of the day.

    I might just add specifically in terms of deep fakes and what we’re trying to do here in South Australia, we have updated what is called our Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum around how young people can keep themselves safe in all sorts of different ways, to explain at a very young age around the dangers and pitfalls of deep fakes. And I think that’s a conversation that needs to start early and it’s one that we are starting early here in South Australia.

    JOURNALIST: I mean, on that, I guess, a lot of children that are coming through school now won’t have really known a world without AI. Do you think – I mean, do you think they have enough appreciation of the fact that generative AI can be just as impactful as a real nude photograph of someone?

    BOYER: No, I think they don’t. I think that is the big problem. I think we are now seeing generations of young people starting at schools who have grown up with this technology. This is just normal practice for them, and a lot of risks come with that. But in terms of what we’ve done in South Australia with AI, we made what I think was a kind of bold decision back in 2022 to instead of banning AI work with Microsoft to codesign our own version of a chatbot, called EdChat, include a whole heap of extra safety protocols in it, but we did it with the simple philosophy – I’ve often likened it to teaching young people how to drive. Is driving dangerous? Absolutely it is. Do we ban driving? No, we don’t, we teach people how to do it safely.

    And the simple truth is that young people now are going to be expected to have an understanding of how to use AI, both in a productive sense in the workplace but also safely. And I think it is incumbent on us as the people who run education systems to do that. But along with that, we need to make sure that we have those conversations around how serious things like deep fakes are in terms of the affect it can have on a student or a teacher and also actually explain, as you said, to a generation which doesn’t realise it the very serious legal and often criminal implications that can come from using social media or generative AI to create a deep fake.

    JOURNALIST: Are there kind of concerns around generative AI, how that might be impacting people’s – young people’s kind of reading, comprehension, writing skills? Is that something that will be discussed today?

    CLARE: To build on what Blair said, a bit over a year ago we had this conversation as Ministers and we recognised, a little bit like the calculator and the internet after that, that AI is going to be with us forever. And this is a tool. It’s not something that we can just pretend isn’t there, but we’ve got to make sure is used properly and ethically.

    One of the things we were concerned about when we discussed this a bit over a year ago was making sure that this is not a tool that students used to cheat, sort of to get around the system, to make sure that young people are learning. And we built a framework or a protocol around that. One of the things we were also really concerned about when we built that framework was whether the information that young people put into generative AI, like an EdChat, for example, or any product you might buy off the shelf, isn’t then sold off to a third party. We were very, very worried, as we should be, that personal information or any information that a child puts into generative AI at school can then be sold off to a third party and then come back as an ad that they see on social media targeting them.

    This is the next step. We’re now seeing AI used for another purpose – to intimidate and to threaten and to hurt other people. And that’s why what Blair what said a moment ago is so important. It’s about making sure that young people know how to use it properly and when using it improperly is not just wrong, but breaking the law.

    JOURNALIST: And on the early education centres, there was a bit of discussion around potentially, people working there being treated the same as teachers in terms of registrations or things like that. How quickly can those kind of changes be put into place?

    BERRY: We’re already doing it in the ACT. So, we’ve started with a voluntary registration process, I guess, for early childhood teachers, the same way that we would with our teachers in primary and high school and college settings through our Teacher Quality Institute, which actually does the teaching and learning for teachers outside of their learning in university – 20 hours learning a year of professional development. And the same for our early childhood teachers.

    We’ve started as a voluntary process, and we’ve found it’s really popular because early childhood educators want to be recognised. They have the same qualifications, if not more, than a primary school or high school teacher under very highly regulated service. So, we know that it can be done. As I said, we’ve started voluntary, but it will be our plan to mandate it as we move through the voluntary process.

    We’re providing scholarships and the Federal Government are also doing work around recognising educators as well through the 15 per cent wage increase. And that is a really important part of recognising the expertise of these young – of these educators, particularly in a female-dominated workplace that has been underpaid and undervalued for decades. And we were just seeing a turn in that when, unfortunately, we’ve had these bad players in the for-profit early childhood sector which has really brought the sector down. So, we need to keep lifting them, otherwise we are going to lose the sector completely. We’ll lose the expertise, and people won’t want to work in early childhood education.

    CLARE: I’ll jump in just to support what Yvette said. This is not babysitting, this is early education. And what I’m at pains to do whenever I’m talking about this is not talk about child care. This is early education and care. Every minute, every moment that young people spend in early education and care helps to prepare them to get ready for school. It’s not just about helping parents return to work, this helps to prepare young people be ready to start school.

    We’re at a high school today, but if you were at a primary school and you asked principals can you tell the children in the first year of school that have been in early education, they can pick them all out. They know the children that are starting school ready to learn. That’s why this is so important. That’s why collectively we do everything that we can to promote the professionalism of this extraordinary workforce, and the 15 per cent pay rise is a big part of that. So many people who work in this sector have told me that they left to go and work at Bunnings or at Woolies because they could get paid more, not because they didn’t love the job. That 15 per cent pay rise is bringing people back to the sector.

    Goodstart, who are the biggest not-for-profit providers in the country, told me that their application numbers are through the roof, their vacancy numbers are down. That’s a good thing. That’s a good turnaround. That’s helping more young people get access to early education and care. But the truth is the most disadvantaged kids in the country are still missing out. The kids who need that support the most are still missing out. That’s what the 3 Day Guarantee reforms that come into place next year are about – making sure that every family, every child, can get access to three days a week of guaranteed access to the Commonwealth Subsidy to make sure that all children get the support they need to get ready to start school.

    There was some data that came out a couple of weeks ago that showed in large part because of the pandemic that we’ve seen a decline in the readiness, developmental readiness, of children to start school. And it also showed that the children that went to preschool, four-year-olds, that they were one and a half times more ready, more developed, to start school than children who haven’t. That’s why this is so important to get right. That’s why it’s so important that where we see terrible things happening with safety and quality, that we crack down. That’s what we’re determined to do.

    JOURNALIST: Just finally, there was a report, I think it was in The Guardian this morning, about attendance rates kind of going down. Is that another thing that you’ll be discussing? And, I guess, how do you think we can approach that and change that?

    CLARE: You bet. It’s going to be one of the things we talk about as well. I mentioned off the top the agreement that we struck over the last 12 months. One of the things in that agreement is the target that was set to get attendance rates at school back to pre-pandemic levels, back to where they were in 2019. And Tasmania is in caretaker mode at the moment, so unfortunately Jo, the Minister in Tasmania, won’t be with us. But in her absence we’ll lead a conversation about what are the things we want our departments to work on to help build attendance rates back in our schools.

    There’s great things happening in different jurisdictions across the country that we can learn from each other. I was in WA a couple of weeks ago and they’re using this additional funding with different programs. I was at one school where they’ve increased attendance rates by 10 per cent just in the last couple of months. But the thing is there’s nothing new here. We can all learn from each other. And as part of the conversation about implementing this agreement we’re going to be talking about how we boost attendance rates. 
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong – Good Water Good Fish Logo Design Competition open for entries (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong – Good Water Good Fish Logo Design Competition open for entries (with photo)
    The AFCD’s Accredited Fish Farm Scheme includes farm registration, aquatic fry registration, and quality assurance systems to ensure that fish farm products are local, safe, high-quality, and low-carbon. For more details, please visit the Accredited Fish Farm Scheme’s websiteIssued at HKT 14:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Club World Cup: Manchester city cruises past Juventus to top Group G

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Manchester City became the only team to finish the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage with a 100 per cent record, following a comfortable 5-2 victory over Juventus FC.

    City are now the leading scorers at the global showpiece with 13 goals—one ahead of FC Bayern München—after delivering a clinical performance at Camping World Stadium in Orlando to top Group G and set up a Round of 16 clash with the runners-up in Group H.

    Pep Guardiola’s side dominated nearly all aspects of the game, securing just their second-ever win in eight meetings against the Italian club.

    City opened the scoring in the ninth minute when new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri won the ball outside the Juventus penalty area and set up Jeremy Doku, who cut inside and fired into the far corner, reports Xinhua.

    City’s lead lasted only two minutes, as goalkeeper Ederson passed directly to Teun Koopmeiners, who capitalized with a left-footed strike to level the score.

    Rodri Hernandez, making his first start since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in September 2024, helped stabilize City’s midfield. The Premier League champions regained the lead in the 26th minute following a defensive blunder. Matheus Nunes found space down the right and crossed low into the box, where Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, under no pressure, accidentally side-footed the ball into his own net.

    City continued to dominate the half, with Tijjani Reijnders energetic in midfield and Ait-Nouri forcing a strong save before a heavy storm swept across the pitch shortly before halftime.

    Erling Haaland replaced Omar Marmoush at the break and extended City’s lead in the 52nd minute. Despite mishitting his shot, Haaland finished off a well-worked buildup involving Nunes and Reijnders.

    Rodri was substituted in the 66th minute, and moments later Ederson redeemed his earlier error with a reflex save to deny Dusan Vlahovic.

    Phil Foden made it 4-1 just three minutes after coming off the bench, tapping in after a powerful run by Haaland, who fed Savinho. The Brazilian rounded goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio before unselfishly laying the ball off to Foden.

    Savinho then made it 5-1 in the 75th minute with a spectacular long-range strike after Juventus failed to clear a corner.

    Vlahovic pulled a goal back for Juventus in the 84th minute, beating the offside trap and finishing cleanly.

    Elsewhere, Al Ain FC ended their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign on a high note by battling back from a goal down to beat Wydad AC 2-1 in Washington, D.C.

    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Prompt arrest after vehicle stolen opposite Napier Police Station

    Source: New Zealand Police

    An alleged car thief in Napier picked the wrong location to try her luck – getting arrested within 10 minutes of stealing a vehicle parked opposite the Police station.

    Shortly before 10am today, a courier driver was delivering a parcel to a premises on Station Street, opposite the Napier Police Station.

    Senior Sergeant Su Robinson says the driver left his vehicle running, as was his usual practice, when a woman got into the vehicle and drove off with the van loaded full of parcels.

    “The driver has urgently run into the front counter of the Police Station and let front desk staff know,” she says.

    “An immediate call went out to all staff on the radio with the details, and staff have sprung into action.”

    Officers have made area enquiries, and located both the van and the woman on Masefield Avenue.

    The 27-year-old woman was arrested, and she is due in Napier District Court on 3 July charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

    Senior Sergeant Robinson says the woman will also face a burglary charge, after the arresting officer located property on her relating to a previous burglary.

    “While officers were fortunate to make an incredibly quick arrest on this occasion, we’d urge anyone leaving their vehicle even for a short time to please ensure it is locked – as it only takes a second for someone to steal it.”

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From saving birds to educating Muscovites: how the bird rehabilitation and adaptation center in Sokolniki Park is organized

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Get to know black crows, see how tawny owls pretend to be trees, and make a bird out of feathers and wood chips – all this can be done at the bird rehabilitation and adaptation center Moscow Zoo, which opened at the end of May in Sokolniki ParkIts employees nurse wounded birds of prey listed in the Red Book back to health and release them into the wild, while telling guests about the bird world.

    mos.ru correspondents visited the center and found out what birds are found in Moscow and the Moscow region, how a background species differs from a synanthropic one, whether an injured individual can return to the wild, and why it is important to teach city residents from childhood to take care of the environment.

    First aid for predators

    The Moscow Zoo Bird Recovery and Adaptation Center is located in 1st Luchevoy Prosek. This is a fenced area among trees, above which rises a fly-in area — a pavilion under a latticed, as if woven, dome with an area of about 700 square meters. Adjacent to it is an observation deck with a lawn and greenery. From here, the entire territory of the center is clearly visible, in particular the veterinary clinic and rounded enclosures covered with panels (lamellas). Birds are comfortable in such an environment.

    “There is enough space for 100 birds here, but we do not plan to keep that many. Birds need a free life, they should fly, hunt, and not sit in a cage. Therefore, our task is to help our charges get on the wing and release them as quickly as possible. We save birds of prey, as well as storks, herons, cranes and other birds listed in the Red Book and return them to the wild,” says the head of the center, Alexander Tomashevsky.

    According to him, swifts, pigeons and grey crows can be nursed back to health by yourself or by seeking help from the nearest veterinary clinic.

    “Such bird species are called background: their population is very large, and, as sad as it may sound, the death of individual birds is part of natural selection. Therefore, we cannot take them into care. The center’s specialists work with predatory species: there are initially fewer of them in the natural food chain, and in the conditions of anthropogenic landscapes, their numbers decrease,” our interlocutor explains.

    If the found bird is classified as a predator or is included in the Red Book, leave a preliminary application by phone: 112 or the number of the single information service of the Moscow City Hall: 7 495 777-77-77. After that, the bird can be brought to the center, where veterinarians will decide on the possibility of saving it.

    Alexander Tomashevsky is a veterinarian who understands bird diseases. “Fresh injuries, no older than 10 days, are usually operable and curable, even a broken wing. Birds do not have subcutaneous tissue like humans, and in the case of a fracture, the bone pierces the muscles and comes out. If you do not provide assistance in time, this section of the bone dies. When the injury is recent, we check whether the ligaments and tendons are damaged (they cannot be restored), and if not, we install a special structure – an external fixation device,” says the head of the center.

    The fracture heals within 30 days. From the first days after the operation, the bird gradually begins to develop the injured limb. A month later, when the ability to fly freely is fully restored, it is released into the wild. “A large flight cage is not required. It is enough for the bird to try out the wing in the aviary,” explains Alexander Tomashevsky.

    The veterinary clinic is located on the territory of the adaptation center, its examination room has a glass wall so that visitors can watch how doctors examine patients. This is part of the educational work.

    In the capital Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection remind that in the event of a situation involving wild animals that requires urgent intervention, you must call: 7 495 777-77-77. The experts also emphasize that the removal of animals from their natural environment without the appropriate permits violates environmental legislation.

    Arkasha, Karkusha and Karkasha

    There are currently 37 birds living in the center. Unfortunately, they cannot be released into the wild: some have a broken wing or leg that has not healed properly, and some were born in captivity and are unable to get food on their own.

    The birds were housed in oval outdoor enclosures, each species having its own “nest” measuring three to six square meters. Inside, there is a shelf covered with green flooring the color of the grass, dividing the space into two floors.

    Those who can fly use both tiers, while those who cannot stay on the lower tier. There are signs on the enclosures with information about the birds for those who come on excursions. They are held every hour from 10:00 to 18:00 (the last session is at 17:00).

    “These birds now act as storytellers: by watching them, visitors learn what species live in our region, become familiar with their biological characteristics and understand how important it is to protect nature. After all, it is mostly people who hurt animals. The mission of our center is, first of all, educational,” emphasizes Alexander Tomashevsky.

    One of the enclosures is home to tawny owls and long-eared owls. During the day, they sit on a perch and, frozen, pretend to be tree bark. Indeed, you won’t notice them from afar, you’ll mistake them for protrusions on the trunk. “These birds hide all day. This is because they are hunted by crows, who find tawny owls by their bright eyes,” explains the head of the center.

    Four kestrels have settled in another house. These colorful birds are synanthropic, meaning they live in cities, among people, making nests in ventilation holes. The kestrel catches mice, hovering for a long time and fluttering its wings over the fields. Often the birds lie in wait for prey by the road, which is why they become victims of motorists.

    Three more enclosures are occupied by buzzards: rough-legged, common and long-legged. “They can be used to study the geography of our country. The smallest species of buzzards live in the south, their small size allows them to cool off easily in the heat. And the large ones, on the contrary, are natives of the north, where they have to accumulate fat in case of cold and hunger,” notes Alexander Tomashevsky.

    We stop at the house of an eagle named Arkasha. He is huge. He was born and raised in captivity, so he is not afraid of people and looks with interest at bright accessories, such as a yellow umbrella. “Soon, a tall, long pavilion, originally intended for crows, will be built for him and several other eagles: we will hang a swing and various shelves there,” explains the mos.ru source.

    While we are walking around the center, the staff are feeding two black ravens – Karkusha and Karkasha. They are brother and sister, about a year old. The crows were picked up about a month ago in the park. The birds have a high level of intelligence, equal to that of a dog. They are very trainable. Therefore, Alexander Tomashevsky and his colleagues decided to keep Karkusha and Karkasha for a future show that visitors will soon be able to see.

    “We are currently teaching them not to be afraid of people. We put food on a glove so that the birds sit on the hand, and we slowly touch them. When the birds get used to human attention, we will begin training them in the nesting area: we will teach them to circle and return to the hand. While the crow chicks are small, although they look like adults, even their beaks are pink inside: a bright color in nature allows parents to find their children and bring them food. Later, the beaks will turn black,” says Angelina Rodionova, a methodologist at the Moscow Zoo’s bird rehabilitation and adaptation center.

    Birds are easy to train. For example, they can get an object from the bottom of a bottle using a stick held in their paws.

    Grains of knowledge

    The show will take place in the exhibition area, where an amphitheater for spectators will soon be built.

    “This show will be educational, not entertaining. First, we plan to conduct a tour, tell visitors about bird species, what harm humans can do to them, why all birds are important in nature, and then we will show what they can do. For example, goshawks live in forests and know no obstacles. We will demonstrate this skill: the bird will fly through a narrow pipe, folding its wings. And the black kite always hovers over its prey and never lands – the audience will see this too. We will also talk about falconry, including nature conservation, based on humane and competent use of nature,” says Alexander Tomashevsky.

    Another part of the center’s educational work is master classes, which are held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in a separate pavilion. Participation in them is included in the price of the excursion ticket, which can be purchased at the box office at the entrance. Guests are offered to make a bird from genuine leather, feathers, pieces of wood, chips and other ecological materials. Samples of such products from previous classes are displayed on the shelves.

    “Not all people, especially children, understand how wild nature works, what laws and rules there are. Our task is to sow at least a grain of knowledge so that visitors think and take a closer look at what surrounds them,” the mos.ru source sums up.

    A nesting area, a dovecote and a crow house: what the new ornitharium of Sokolniki Park will be likeWhat endangered animals live in Losiny OstrovDalmatian pelicans arrive at the center for reproduction of rare species of animalsParticipants of the Active Citizen project have chosen a name for a hornbill chick

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155894073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lauren Underwood Delivers Remarks at Defense Funding Bill Markup to Highlight How Republican Funding Bill Undermines Military Readiness and Democracy at Home and Abroad

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON — During today’s House Appropriations full committee markup of the 2026 Defense funding bill, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered the following remarks: 

    “I am unable to support the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act we have before us today.   

    While it does include a few provisions I would support, especially an increase in basic pay for all military personnel and additional pay increases for junior enlisted, it fails our troops and our national security in almost every other way.  

    Our servicemembers and military families make enormous sacrifices to serve our country. The least we can do to honor those sacrifices is treat them with dignity and respect.  

    Unfortunately, the Republican Majority has chosen to use our armed services as political pawns instead of prioritizing the health and safety of our troops, their families’ quality of life, or our nation’s military readiness.   

    For starters, this bill codifies a dangerous new policy of the Trump Administration by banning servicemembers from traveling to access reproductive healthcare.   

    And thanks to the ongoing effort to ban abortion nationwide, almost half of active-duty servicewomen are effectively unable to access abortion services without traveling.  

    This extremist provision is a slap in the face to the women in uniform who risk their lives for a country that refuses to provide for their health or acknowledge their fundamental human rights.  

    I am disappointed in my Republican colleagues, but not surprised—at this point in their all-out assault on reproductive freedom, the bar is on the floor.  

    This bill also includes provisions that target LGBTQ+ servicemembers by blatantly endorsing discrimination.   

    And of course, this bill also bans funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the D-O-D, despite widespread agreement among security professionals that a diverse talent pool is a mission-critical priority for our armed forces. 

    To give just one example of how diversity strengthens our military readiness, the Navajo Code Talkers played a key role in securing our victory in the Battle of Iwo Jima, saving countless American and Allied lives. In fact, in both World Wars, Native American servicemembers have used indigenous languages to successfully transmit secret information. 

    It recently got harder to learn about this history since the Trump Administration deleted information about the Code Talkers from D-O-D websites. 

    So let me remind my colleagues that military’s ability to recruit and retain, for example, speakers of diverse languages is essential to its ability to win battles and save American lives.  

    In other words, the GOP’s obsession with culture wars hurts our readiness for real wars. It’s foolish, it’s shortsighted, and it’s making us less safe.  

    While House Republicans are happy to rubberstamp the Trump Administration’s reckless and hateful agenda, I am not. This bill fails our servicemembers, and it fails to keep us safe, so I will be voting against it.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Man City hit Juventus for five at Club World Cup

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

    Manchester City qualified for the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday with a comfortable 5-2 win over Juventus.

    City dominated nearly all aspects of the game, securing just their second-ever win in eight meetings against the Italian club.

    Manchester City won Group G of the Club World Cup with a dominant performance, beating Juventus 5-2 at Camping World Stadium. [photo:xinhua]

    Pep Guardiola’s side opened the scoring in the ninth minute when new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri won the ball outside the Juventus penalty area and set up Jeremy Doku, who cut inside and fired into the far post.

    City’s advantage lasted only two minutes, as goalkeeper Ederson passed directly to Teun Koopmeiners, who capitalized with a left-footed strike to level the score.

    Rodri Hernandez, making his first start since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in September 2024, helped stabilize City’s midfield. The Premier League champions retook the lead through a defensive blunder in the 26th minute. Matheus Nunes found space down the right and crossed low into the box, where Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, under no pressure, accidentally side-footed the ball into his own net.

    City continued to dominate the half, with Tijjani Reijnders energetic in midfield and Ait-Nouri forcing a strong save before a heavy storm swept across the pitch shortly before halftime.

    Erling Haaland replaced Omar Marmoush at the break and extended City’s lead in the 52nd minute. Despite mishitting his shot, Haaland finished off a well-worked buildup from Nunes and Reijnders.

    Rodri was substituted in the 66th minute, and moments later Ederson redeemed his earlier error with a reflex save to deny Dusan Vlahovic.

    Phil Foden made it 4-1 just three minutes after coming off the bench, tapping in after a powerful run by Haaland, who fed Savinho. The Brazilian rounded goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio before unselfishly laying the ball off to Foden.

    Savinho then made it 5-1 in the 75th minute with a spectacular long-range strike after Juventus failed to clear a corner.

    Vlahovic pulled a goal back for Juventus in the 84th minute, beating the offside trap and finishing cleanly.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Travelling with food allergies? These 8 tips can help you stay safer in the skies

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Koplin, Evidence and Translation Lead, National Allergy Centre of Excellence; Chief Investigator, Centre of Food Allergy Research; Associate Professor and Group Leader, Childhood Allergy & Epidemiology Group, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland

    Anchiy/Getty Images

    With the school holidays approaching, many families will be travelling, including on planes interstate and overseas. But travel can pose unique challenges for people with serious food allergies.

    Research shows air travel is a significant source of anxiety for people living with or caring for someone with a food allergy. In a global survey of 4,704 people with food allergies and their caregivers published in 2024, 98% said having a food allergy adds anxiety to air travel.

    Fortunately, there are things you can do to help keep yourself or children with food allergies safe in the skies.

    What are the concerns about plane travel with allergies?

    Reassuringly, documented allergic reactions during flights are very rare. A 2023 review that combined data from 17 studies estimated about seven in every 10 million passengers had an allergic reaction while flying.

    While many people have more mild food allergies, some are at risk of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and need to carry adrenaline with them at all times in the form of an EpiPen or Anapen. The review found reports of severe reactions needing adrenaline were even rarer – about eight cases per 100 million passengers.

    In fact, this study concluded people were less likely to experience an allergic reaction on a plane than in their everyday lives. However, some of this might be due to the precautions passengers with food allergies already take.

    People with food allergies are sometimes worried about food particles travelling in the air of the plane cabin and causing a reaction.

    Thankfully, research has shown this risk is very low. It’s difficult for food proteins (the part of the food that causes the allergic reaction) to become airborne. And if they do, air filters fitted on large commercial planes can remove any airborne food particles quickly from the cabin air.

    Peanuts are one of the foods commonly associated with anaphylaxis. Studies that have tested opening and shaking containers containing peanuts and de-shelling peanuts found peanut proteins were only detected directly above the container, at a low level, and for a short period of time.

    Other studies have found airborne peanut was not detected when eating peanuts in a confined space. And studies found no severe reactions among people with peanut allergy when peanut butter or peanuts were held close to their face or kept in a bowl close by in a small room.

    A bigger risk for reactions is the food protein ending up on a seat or tray table. However, casual contact with food crumbs or smears is highly unlikely to cause a severe allergic reaction. This type of contact can cause mild to moderate skin reactions that can be treated with antihistamines if needed.

    Staying safe on a plane with allergies

    For people at risk of anaphylaxis:

    1. take your adrenaline in your hand luggage (not your checked baggage). Store it under the seat in front of you or in the seat pocket so it’s in easy reach

    2. carry a travel plan and action plan for anaphylaxis, completed and signed by a medical professional, or similar documentation, showing the traveller’s food allergy status and what to do in an emergency. (Templates of these plans are available via the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy)

    3. let the flight crew know you have an allergy and indicate the location of your adrenaline and anaphylaxis action plan. This is particularly important for people travelling alone, since anaphylaxis can be mistaken for other non-allergic symptoms, which could lead to a delay in receiving adrenaline.

    For people with food allergies generally:

    1. let the airline know you have a food allergy and ask about their food and medication policies when booking or before travelling

    2. take allergy-safe food from home. Airlines don’t guarantee allergy-safe food will be available, and not all food supplied on a plane will have an ingredient label (but check liquid restrictions and be aware of potential restrictions on taking fresh food across borders)

    3. wipe down surfaces such as the seat, armrests and tray table with wet wipes when boarding. You can request early boarding from airlines to do this

    4. wash your hands before eating (wet wipes and handwashing with soap are more effective than plain water or hand sanitiser)

    5. you may choose to sit a child with food allergy away from areas where food or drink will be passed over the top of them (for example, next to a window or between family members). Tell passengers sitting next to your child about their allergy so they don’t offer to share food or drink

    6. if you think you’re experiencing an allergic reaction, let the flight crew know immediately.

    Most people with food allergies feel anxiety about plane travel.
    joo830908/Shutterstock

    What can other passengers and airlines do?

    If you’re travelling, you could wipe down surfaces around you at the end of the flight. Remove rubbish from seatbacks and other areas around your seat and aisle before disembarking.

    Also, ask about allergies before offering to share any food with your neighbours during the flight (and check with parents before offering anything to their children).

    Airlines, meanwhile, should have clear policies relating to food allergies easily available and consistently applied by ground staff and cabin crew, such as allowing early boarding on request.

    The patient support organisation Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia has a Food Allergy Travel Hub with advice on how to stay safe when travelling with food allergies.

    Jennifer Koplin receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. She is a member of the Executive Committee for the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE), which is supported by funding from the Australian government.

    Christopher Warren receives institutional research funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Food Allergy Research and Education, Genentech Inc, and The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Desalegn Markos Shifti is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)-funded Centre for Food Allergy Research (CFAR) Postdoctoral Funding.

    – ref. Travelling with food allergies? These 8 tips can help you stay safer in the skies – https://theconversation.com/travelling-with-food-allergies-these-8-tips-can-help-you-stay-safer-in-the-skies-258387

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bonamici, Fitzpatrick, Dingell, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Mental Health Care for Educators, School Staff

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

    WASHINGTON, DC [06/26/25] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Don Bacon (R-NE 02) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve access to mental health care for teachers and school staff.

    Educators are more likely to report symptoms of depression than other adults, but schools are often not equipped with specific resources to address staff mental health challenges. The Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act will address ongoing mental health needs in public education, which have increased in recent years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread teacher shortages, difficult working conditions, and student behavior issues. 

    “Our education system cannot function without the hard work of teachers and school support staff,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Unfortunately, too many dedicated professionals are experiencing burnout and leaving the education workforce. The bipartisan Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act will expand access to mental health care for educators and school staff so they can receive the support they need and continue to serve students.”

    “A school is only as strong as the people who serve in it. Our educators are mentors, protectors, and community builders—and too often, silently shouldering the weight of burnout, trauma, and stress,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan legislation delivers the mental health support they have long needed and deserved. When we care for those who care for our kids, we are not just protecting their well-being—we are investing in the future of every student they serve and inspire.”

    “Teachers have some of the most important roles encouraging children to reach their full potential and supporting, shaping, and inspiring the next generation of leaders,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “Too often the needs and wellbeing of teachers are overlooked, leading to burnout. We must make sure educators have the support they need and deserve to do their jobs.”

    “The mental health crisis in our country requires immediate action, particularly within our education system where both students and staff are struggling,” said Representative Don Bacon. “The bipartisan Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act will strengthen mental health resources for our educators while creating evidence-based approaches that destigmatize seeking help and support.”

    The legislation has been endorsed by: the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the American Psychological Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Council on Teacher Quality, Teach for America, and The Education Trust.

    “Educators are frontline responders to our students’ most urgent social and emotional needs, which have only increased in recent years,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Less than half of schools reported having the resources they need to help kids. That leaves teachers with the immense responsibility of supporting kids in crisis, and it takes an emotional toll – that stress, on top of the ongoing struggle for resources, increased paperwork, overcrowded classrooms, and stagnant wages make teachers’ mental health a growing concern. Representative Bonamici’s Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act commits resources to reduce educator stress, promote teacher wellbeing, and create the foundation for teacher longevity, which is good for students, too. This is how we keep teachers in the classroom—by giving them what they need to attain the same kind of joy, fulfillment, and calm that they ensure for our kids on a daily basis. The AFT supports this legislation and calls for its swift passage.”

    “Our teachers and school support staff do so much to help in the development of our children,” said National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski. “They serve in one of the most difficult, although often one of the most rewarding, professions and play a significant role in our kids’ lives. We must provide them with the information and resources they need to care for their own mental health. This bill is an important step in providing our educators and school staff with the tools they need to support their mental wellbeing.”

    “NAESP proudly endorses the Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act,” said L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE, Executive Director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. “While school leaders dedicate themselves to supporting their students’ mental well-being, we must also prioritize the mental health of their staff too. When educators demonstrate self-care practices, they are not only taking care of their own well-being but also creating positive examples for their students to follow. We applaud Congresswoman Bonamici’s leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with her and other congressional supporters to pass this legislation.”

    “School leaders urgently need comprehensive tools to support their staff’s mental health, and this act would provide exactly that foundation,” said National Association of Secondary School Principals CEO Ronn Nozoe. “When we invest in educator wellbeing, we strengthen the entire school community and ultimately improve outcomes for students. NASSP is grateful to Representative Bonamici for this critical and compassionate legislation.”

    The Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act will increase access to critical resources by designing and scaling up evidence-based approaches to addressing the mental health needs of the education workforce across the United States. It will:

    • Require coordination between federal agencies to develop best practices for (1) preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among education professionals; and (2) training education professionals in appropriate strategies to promote their mental health;
    • Destigmatize mental health care among the education workforce by designing and disseminating an education and awareness initiative encouraging education professionals to use mental health and substance use disorder services;
    • Provide direct support to educators and school staff members by establishing programs to promote mental health among the education professional workforce; and
    • Promote accountability for federal resources for new programs.

    The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –