NewzIntel.com

Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-Evening Report: US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacob Ware, Adjunct Professor of Domestic Terrorism, Georgetown University

    A recruit participates in the Army’s future soldier prep course at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 25, 2024. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

    The U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with a parade in Washington, D.C., in which about 6,600 soldiers and heavy pieces of military equipment will roll through the streets. The parade aims to display the Army’s history and power.

    “It’s going to be incredible,” President Donald Trump recently said. Trump’s 79th birthday also occurs on June 14.

    Despite the festivities, however, the parade will occur amid bleak times for the U.S. military, as it experiences a multiyear decline in recruitment numbers. In the face of a pandemic and a strong civilian job market, the Army, Air Force and Navy all missed their recruitment goals in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, the Army missed its quota by 25%.

    In 2024, the U.S. military met its recruitment target, which supports the argument that the bump is not due to Trump, as recruitment levels began to rise again before his reelection. But in some cases, the U.S. military has met its recruitment goals by lowering target numbers.

    And as a scholar of terrorism and targeted violence, I believe a close reading of available data on military recruitment suggests U.S. gun violence may be largely to blame for the lack of interest in joining the military.

    Gun violence data

    Regardless of one’s personal politics, the data on U.S. gun violence makes for painful reading.

    Almost 47,000 Americans died from gun-related injuries in 2023. In 2022, there were 51 school shootings in which students were injured or killed by guns. And gun injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 1 and 19.

    Data about the perceptions of gun violence is equally staggering, especially among American youth between ages 14 and 30.

    Four out of five American youth believe gun violence to be a problem, and 25% have endured real active-shooter lockdowns, according to data compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety, where I serve as a survivor fellow, the Southern Poverty Law Center and American University’s Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab.

    Moreover, these perceptions have considerable impacts on youth mental health and their sense of safety. Studies have linked concern over school shootings among adolescents with higher rates of anxiety and trauma-related disorders.

    As Arne Duncan, who served as President Barack Obama’s secretary of education during the Sandy Hook tragedy, said in 2023: “Unfortunately, what’s now binding young people across the country together is not joy of music, or sports, or whatever, it’s really the shared pain of gun violence – and it cuts through race and class and geography and economics.”

    National security threat

    In the past couple of years, polls taken of Generation Z youth, born between 1997 and 2012, suggest mental health and mass shootings are among the most important political issues motivating this band of voters.

    Gun violence, in other words, is a national security emergency, undermining the U.S. government’s ability to protect its citizens in their schools, places of worship and communities.

    As former Marine Gen. John Allen wrote in 2019: “Americans today are more likely to experience gun violence at home than they might in many of the places to which I deployed in the name of defending our nation.”

    U.S. Army National Guard members stand outside the Army National Guard office during training on April 21, 2022, in Washington.
    AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File

    Rewriting American culture

    Accordingly, gun violence has undercut American patriotism, corroding the U.S. government’s soft power within its own borders. Generation Z, termed by some as the “lockdown generation,” is often derided as less patriotic than its predecessors.

    Surprising Gen Z Research.

    Also, the belief in American exceptionalism is dropping among millennials, born between 1981 and 1996. That perception is combined with less confidence in U.S. global engagement and the efficacy of military solutions.

    American culture has long inspired military service, with recruits seduced by action movies and promises of heroic returns to the U.S. But American culture today is being rewired into one of suffering, pain and victimhood.

    A fear of violence

    Gun violence destroys youth tolerance for the violence that defines a career in the U.S. military.

    Internal U.S. military surveys of young Americans show that “the top three reasons young people cite for rejecting military enlistment are the same across all the services: fear of death, worries about post-traumatic stress disorder and leaving friends and family — in that order.”

    Generations already suffering a shattered sense of safety and place do not see the military as a viable option.

    The explanations the U.S. Defense Department gives for dismal recruitment levels focus on the younger generation’s supposed lack of backbone or hatred of America.

    D’elbrah Assamoi, from Cote d’Ivoire, signs her U.S. certificate of citizenship after a military training ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, in San Antonio, Texas, in April 2023.
    Vanessa R. Adame/U.S. Air Force via AP

    Republicans, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have blamed alleged “wokeness” for low recruitment levels.

    And the Trump administration’s statements about improving recruitment numbers over the past several months overlook both a late Biden-era surge after a pandemic slump as well as the reality that numbers remain depressed due to military services repeatedly lowering their recruitment goals.

    Very rarely are introspective questions publicly debated today about the objective attractiveness of military service or the appetite for violence among young people. The problem, I believe, is not that young people are insufficiently patriotic – it’s that they have already been fighting a war, daily, for their entire lives.

    In reversing the slide in recruitment, then, the military could improve its sensitivity to these important concerns.

    Highlighting the range of careers within the services that do not involve front-line combat and physical danger could encourage more reluctant would-be recruits to volunteer.

    Mental health support also could be made an essential element of military training and lifestyle − not a resource only for those bearing the hidden side-effects of life in the ranks. Encouraging those suffering from treatable mental health issues to seek meaning in service could also boost recruitment numbers.

    Jacob Ware is a gun violence survivor and serves as a Survivor Fellow at Everytown for Gun Safety.

    – ref. US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it – https://theconversation.com/us-armys-image-of-power-and-flag-waving-rings-false-to-gen-z-weary-of-gun-violence-and-long-term-recruitment-numbers-show-it-257090

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Stops the Green Agenda in the Columbia River Basin

    Source: US Whitehouse

    STOPPING RADICAL ENVIRONMENTALISM: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum revoking an executive action issued by the prior administration that called for “equitable treatment for fish.”

    • Today’s Memorandum revokes the Biden Administration’s “Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead, and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin” Memorandum, which placed concerns about climate change above the Nation’s interests in reliable energy resources.
    • This Memorandum directs the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to withdraw from agreements stemming from Biden’s misguided executive action, including the December 14, 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) filed in connection with related litigation.
    • The specified agencies will coordinate with the Council on Environmental Quality to review and revise environmental review processes related to the matters in the MOU, save Federal funds, and withdraw from the MOU.

    RESTORING AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE AND SECURING AMERICAN PROSPERITY: President Trump continues to prioritize our Nation’s energy infrastructure and use of natural resources to lower the cost of living for all Americans over speculative climate change concerns.

    • President Trump recognizes the importance of ensuring the future of wildlife populations in the Columbia River Basin, while also advancing the country’s energy creation to benefit the American public.
    • The MOU required the Federal government to spend millions of dollars and comply with 36 pages of onerous commitments to dam operations on the Lower Snake River. 
    • Dam breaching would have resulted in reduced water supply to farmers, eliminated several shipping channels, had devastating impacts to agriculture, increased energy costs, and eliminated recreational opportunities throughout the region.  
    • The dam breaches would have eliminated over 3,000 megawatts of secure and reliable hydroelectric generating capacity—which is enough generation to power 2.5 million American homes.

    PUTTING AMERICA FIRST: President Trump continues to deliver on his promise to end the previous administration’s misplaced priorities and protect the livelihoods of the American people. Unlike the previous administration, the Trump Administration understands that policies that promote environmental quality and economic growth are not mutually exclusive.

    • President Trump champions the needs of the American people and prioritizes U.S. interests in reliable, affordable energy resources.
      • President Trump signed an Executive Order reinvigorating America’s beautiful clean coal industry to support grid stability and hundreds of thousands of U.S.  jobs.
    • President Trump is committed to unleashing American energy dominance, reversing all executive actions that impose undue burdens on energy production and use.
      • On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to unlock domestic energy production and bring down costs for everyday Americans.
    • President Trump’s commonsense approach to environmental conservation empowers the American people to take full advantage of our nation’s vast and great natural resources.
      • President Trump reversed the burdensome regulations that impeded Alaska’s ability to develop its vast natural resources, unleashing the state’s potential to create a safe and prosperous future for the entire Nation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Fire Update – June 12

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 12, 2025

    As of 11:00 hours on Thursday, June 12, there are 23 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those active fires, three are categorized as contained, six are not contained, 12 are ongoing assessment and two are listed as protecting values.

    This year, Saskatchewan has had 258 wildfires, which is well above the five-year average of 147 to date. 

    Of these fires, approximately 44 have been caused by lightning. The remaining fires are human caused and can be categorized by the following: 

    • Recreation: a wildfire caused by people or equipment engaged in recreational activities such as fishing, picnicking, hiking or quadding.
    • Resident: a wildfire resulting from activities performed by people or machines for agriculture or an accidental fire caused by activity associated with normal living in a forested area.
    • Industry: a wildfire that is caused by an industrial activity such as land clearing, harvesting or power distribution.
    • Incendiary: a device used to cause a wildfire for the purpose of mischief, also called arson.

    Most human-caused fires are accidental. At this time, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) believes approximately 30 fires have been intentionally set. People are encouraged to call Crimestoppers or the SPSA at 1-855-559-5502 to report individuals who intentionally started a fire.

    The SPSA can confirm more than 290 values have been lost in the wildfires. This number could increase to over 400 as damage continues to be assessed by verification activities.

    The provincial fire ban remains in effect for the area north of the provincial forest boundary up to the Churchill River. This includes provincial parks, provincial recreation sites within the boundary and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. The fire ban continues to prohibit the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs), any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks. 

    Repatriation efforts remain underway as 34 communities have repatriated or are in the process or repatriating. A full list of communities actively repatriating can be found on saskpublicsafety.ca. 

    Support for wildfire evacuees is provided by the SPSA, the Canadian Red Cross, or the community from which residents have evacuated. 

    If a resident’s community is supported by the Canadian Red Cross, they can call 1-800-863-6582 from 8 a.m to 10 p.m. daily to be connected to supports.

    If their community is supported by SPSA’s Emergency and Community Support (ECS) program, they can register through the Sask Evac App then call 1-855-559-5502 for assistance. Once a person has registered and called 1-855-559-5502, the SPSA will contact them with details about support depending on your family situation.

    Anyone who spots a wildfire can call 1-800-667-9660, dial 9-1-1 or contact their closest SPSA Forest Protection Area office.

    People can find the latest information, an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips at saskpublicsafety.ca.

    A list of fire restrictions in provincial parks and recreation sites can be found here.

    Established in 2017, the SPSA is a treasury board Crown corporation responsible for wildfire management, emergency management, Sask911, SaskAlert, the Civic Addressing Registry, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program and fire safety. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Loudermilk on Passage of the Recissions Act of 2025 – U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

    Washington, D.C. (June 12, 2025) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement after of H.R. 4: Recissions Act of 2025:

    “This week, my colleagues and I passed the first of possibly several rescission bills, which eliminate wasteful government spending. This level of reckless and wasteful spending has been going on for years behind the backs of the American people and Congress. Fortunately, the Trump administration is shining light on the waste of taxpayer dollars, and Congress is now acting to make these cuts permanent.

    “President Trump and congressional Republicans are clear that we are committed to putting America first and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal government. This vote marks a critical step toward restoring fiscal responsibility and refocusing our government on policies that serve the American people, not political agendas. I will continue working alongside my colleagues and President Trump to ensure that every dollar spent reflects the values and priorities of the voters who demanded a change.”

    Funds to be rescinded include:

    – $833K for trans sex workers in Nepal
    – $1.2 million for LGBTQI+ programs in Uganda and the Western Balkans

    -$3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street
    – $500 million for Left-wing news agencies
    – $2.5 million to teach kids eco-friendly reproductive health
    – $500K for electric buses in Rwanda
    – $6 million for “net zero cities” in Mexico
    – $1 million to promote voter ID in Haiti
    – $5.1 million to strengthen the global queer movement
    – $3 million for condoms and productive procedures in Zambia

    Click here to read full bill text

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jacob Ware, Adjunct Professor of Domestic Terrorism, Georgetown University

    A recruit participates in the Army’s future soldier prep course at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 25, 2024. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

    The U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with a parade in Washington, D.C., in which about 6,600 soldiers and heavy pieces of military equipment will roll through the streets. The parade aims to display the Army’s history and power.

    “It’s going to be incredible,” President Donald Trump recently said. Trump’s 79th birthday also occurs on June 14.

    Despite the festivities, however, the parade will occur amid bleak times for the U.S. military, as it experiences a multiyear decline in recruitment numbers. In the face of a pandemic and a strong civilian job market, the Army, Air Force and Navy all missed their recruitment goals in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, the Army missed its quota by 25%.

    In 2024, the U.S. military met its recruitment target, which supports the argument that the bump is not due to Trump, as recruitment levels began to rise again before his reelection. But in some cases, the U.S. military has met its recruitment goals by lowering target numbers.

    And as a scholar of terrorism and targeted violence, I believe a close reading of available data on military recruitment suggests U.S. gun violence may be largely to blame for the lack of interest in joining the military.

    Gun violence data

    Regardless of one’s personal politics, the data on U.S. gun violence makes for painful reading.

    Almost 47,000 Americans died from gun-related injuries in 2023. In 2022, there were 51 school shootings in which students were injured or killed by guns. And gun injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 1 and 19.

    Data about the perceptions of gun violence is equally staggering, especially among American youth between ages 14 and 30.

    Four out of five American youth believe gun violence to be a problem, and 25% have endured real active-shooter lockdowns, according to data compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety, where I serve as a survivor fellow, the Southern Poverty Law Center and American University’s Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab.

    Moreover, these perceptions have considerable impacts on youth mental health and their sense of safety. Studies have linked concern over school shootings among adolescents with higher rates of anxiety and trauma-related disorders.

    As Arne Duncan, who served as President Barack Obama’s secretary of education during the Sandy Hook tragedy, said in 2023: “Unfortunately, what’s now binding young people across the country together is not joy of music, or sports, or whatever, it’s really the shared pain of gun violence – and it cuts through race and class and geography and economics.”

    National security threat

    In the past couple of years, polls taken of Generation Z youth, born between 1997 and 2012, suggest mental health and mass shootings are among the most important political issues motivating this band of voters.

    Gun violence, in other words, is a national security emergency, undermining the U.S. government’s ability to protect its citizens in their schools, places of worship and communities.

    As former Marine Gen. John Allen wrote in 2019: “Americans today are more likely to experience gun violence at home than they might in many of the places to which I deployed in the name of defending our nation.”

    U.S. Army National Guard members stand outside the Army National Guard office during training on April 21, 2022, in Washington.
    AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File

    Rewriting American culture

    Accordingly, gun violence has undercut American patriotism, corroding the U.S. government’s soft power within its own borders. Generation Z, termed by some as the “lockdown generation,” is often derided as less patriotic than its predecessors.

    Surprising Gen Z Research.

    Also, the belief in American exceptionalism is dropping among millennials, born between 1981 and 1996. That perception is combined with less confidence in U.S. global engagement and the efficacy of military solutions.

    American culture has long inspired military service, with recruits seduced by action movies and promises of heroic returns to the U.S. But American culture today is being rewired into one of suffering, pain and victimhood.

    A fear of violence

    Gun violence destroys youth tolerance for the violence that defines a career in the U.S. military.

    Internal U.S. military surveys of young Americans show that “the top three reasons young people cite for rejecting military enlistment are the same across all the services: fear of death, worries about post-traumatic stress disorder and leaving friends and family — in that order.”

    Generations already suffering a shattered sense of safety and place do not see the military as a viable option.

    The explanations the U.S. Defense Department gives for dismal recruitment levels focus on the younger generation’s supposed lack of backbone or hatred of America.

    D’elbrah Assamoi, from Cote d’Ivoire, signs her U.S. certificate of citizenship after a military training ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, in San Antonio, Texas, in April 2023.
    Vanessa R. Adame/U.S. Air Force via AP

    Republicans, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have blamed alleged “wokeness” for low recruitment levels.

    And the Trump administration’s statements about improving recruitment numbers over the past several months overlook both a late Biden-era surge after a pandemic slump as well as the reality that numbers remain depressed due to military services repeatedly lowering their recruitment goals.

    Very rarely are introspective questions publicly debated today about the objective attractiveness of military service or the appetite for violence among young people. The problem, I believe, is not that young people are insufficiently patriotic – it’s that they have already been fighting a war, daily, for their entire lives.

    In reversing the slide in recruitment, then, the military could improve its sensitivity to these important concerns.

    Highlighting the range of careers within the services that do not involve front-line combat and physical danger could encourage more reluctant would-be recruits to volunteer.

    Mental health support also could be made an essential element of military training and lifestyle − not a resource only for those bearing the hidden side-effects of life in the ranks. Encouraging those suffering from treatable mental health issues to seek meaning in service could also boost recruitment numbers.

    Jacob Ware is a gun violence survivor and serves as a Survivor Fellow at Everytown for Gun Safety.

    – ref. US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it – https://theconversation.com/us-armys-image-of-power-and-flag-waving-rings-false-to-gen-z-weary-of-gun-violence-and-long-term-recruitment-numbers-show-it-257090

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: With Trump undoing years of progress, can the US salvage its Pacific Islands strategy?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Tidwell, Director, Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies, Georgetown University

    Donald Trump signs a proclamation expanding fishing rights in the Pacific Islands, April 17. Getty Images

    Since 2018, the United States has worked, albeit often haltingly, to regain its footing with Pacific Island countries. It’s done this largely by reflecting a sentiment familiar in Pacific capitals: the region is not a geopolitical backwater, but a crucial strategic zone in the 21st century.

    Spurred by China’s strategic expansion – security deals, port access, political influence – the first Trump presidency and then the Biden administration renewed the US focus on the Pacific.

    Washington was also prodded by regional allies, including New Zealand. In 2018, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said: “We unashamedly ask for the United States to engage more and we think it is in your vital interests to do so. And time is of the essence.”

    Building on the tentative steps of its predecessor, the Biden administration acted. It opened new embassies, invited Pacific leaders to the White House, unveiled a dedicated strategy for the Pacific Islands, and committed to recognising the Cook Islands and Niue.

    It also negotiated more funding for the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Palau. Along with the 2022 Pacific Islands Summit, it all signalled Washington’s desire to be a better partner.

    Crucially, the Biden administration recognised climate change and the economy, not great-power rivalry, as the region’s defining security concerns. Now, much of that progress is being eroded.

    The second Trump administration has gutted key international development agencies, with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation shuttered.

    More than mere symbols, these agencies were tools of statecraft, facilitating Washington’s capacity to compete with China’s “no questions asked” development model. Their removal leaves a vacuum, which Beijing will happily fill.

    China pressing the advantage

    Other signs of retreat are equally troubling. Congressional funding for the South Pacific Tuna Treaty – which pays for access for US fishing fleets and is the primary multiparty agreement the US has with the Pacific Islands – was tripled by Biden, but remains incomplete.

    Trump recently signed an executive order opening the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, a 1,282,534 square kilometre protected marine zone, to commercial fishing. This might be welcomed by the US tuna fleet, but it raises questions about Washington’s commitment to the tuna treaty.

    Hoped-for expansion of US consular access, especially vital for Pacific Islanders who must travel long distances for basic services such as visa applications, is in limbo. The US embassy in Vanuatu, damaged by the earthquake in 2024, remains closed, leaving diplomats to work out of their hotel rooms.

    China, by contrast, has not slowed down. Its security pact with Solomon Islands, its police training efforts in Samoa and Kiribati, and its growing intelligence presence across the region show a clear pattern of assertiveness.

    Beijing has proven adept at offering timely, visible assistance. Its diplomats show up. Its companies build. Its promises, however opaque, are matched with resources.

    The result has not necessarily meant Pacific nations have “chosen” China. Rather, most revert to the longstanding posture of “friend to all, enemy to none”.

    In a region where non-alignment is both a survival strategy and a principle of sovereignty, the perception of US unreliability makes China’s attentions all the more welcome, or at least tolerable.

    Not a binary contest

    The US now appears to be abandoning efforts to break this cycle, and the Trump administration risks a genuine strategic error rather than a mere diplomatic misstep.

    More than distant dots on a map, the Pacific Islands control vast stretches of ocean, including key shipping lanes and undersea cables. Their diplomatic weight matters in the United Nations.

    And the region matters to Taiwan, which is recognised by 12 countries globally, three of which are in the Pacific.

    Some argue the US should press Pacific nations to “choose” between Washington and Beijing. But that approach is shortsighted and counterproductive.

    Most have no interest in being drawn into a binary contest. They seek concrete benefits – resilience funding, fair trade, visa access – not ideological alignment. Framing relationships as zero-sum contests misunderstands the region’s diplomatic logic.

    Listening to Pacific leaders

    To revive the relationship, the US will need to show up, follow through and demonstrate its partnership offers more than rhetoric.

    This would involve restoring some elements of foreign assistance, fully funding the South Pacific Tuna Treaty obligations, opening and staffing embassies, and supporting Pacific regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum with meaningful recognition and resources.

    But the US review of Pacific foreign assistance (a small portion of US development aid formerly administered by USAID) has been delayed once again, and likely won’t emerge until mid-July.

    More importantly, the US will have to listen to Pacific leaders, who have articulated their priorities clearly. They do not want to be sites of contest; they want to be agents of their own futures.

    In short, the US will have to treat the Pacific Islands as sovereign equals.
    When Trump returned to the White House, he found a workable policy architecture for the Pacific. Its core elements could still be rescued.

    But continued neglect, mixed signals and cost-cutting risk hastening the outcome China seeks – a region that finds Washington unreliable. Winston Peters, now foreign minister in a new government, might want to update his 2018 call for US engagement in the Pacific – with the emphasis on reliability.

    Alan Tidwell 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. With Trump undoing years of progress, can the US salvage its Pacific Islands strategy? – https://theconversation.com/with-trump-undoing-years-of-progress-can-the-us-salvage-its-pacific-islands-strategy-258679

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Men Convicted after Cleaning Crew Locates More Than $30K of Cocaine in Hotel Room

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A federal jury convicted Vincent Ellis Wilson, 54, and Ervin Lee Smith, 50, both of Fort Pierce, Florida, of conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and a quantity of crack cocaine after a two-day trial in Florence.

    Evidence introduced at trial showed that during the evening hours of Feb. 25, 2021, Wilson and Smith checked in to an oceanfront hotel in Myrtle Beach.  Wilson and Smith are both from Florida and they would later tell police that they were simply “passing through” Myrtle Beach when they had car trouble that required them to put their truck in a shop in Myrtle Beach.  That night, however, they met with a local individual who agreed to serve as a middleman to help Wilson and Smith sell more than a half kilogram of cocaine and a small quantity of crack cocaine they had brought with them to South Carolina.  The next morning, before the drug deal could be done, Wilson and Smith left their room to go to breakfast at a nearby restaurant.  While they were gone, hotel staff, believing the room had been vacated, went in to clean the room and stumbled upon a grocery bag containing more than $30,000 worth of drugs in a dresser drawer.  The hotel contacted Myrtle Beach Police who responded and collected the illicit substances.  Later that morning, Wilson and Smith returned to the hotel to attempt to collect their belongs, including the drugs.  Police interviewed them and they were released pending further investigation.

    Through an ongoing partnership between the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, authorities were later able to connect this drug seizure to a much larger drug trafficking organization that was already under federal investigation.  Once that connection was made, Wilson and Smith were charged by a federal grand jury with being suppliers to the drug trafficking organization.  All the other defendants in the federal case pled guilty. Wilson and Smith denied their involvement, but were convicted after the jury heard the evidence of their involvement. 

    Court records show that Wilson has a prior state conviction for possession with intent to distribute narcotics in Maryland from 2003, and Smith has a prior federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine from 2004.  U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon presided over their trial and will sentence the two after reviewing a presentence report from the U.S. Probation Office.  They each face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and may be sentenced up to the 40-year maximum. 

    “These defendants brought a significant quantity of cocaine and crack cocaine into South Carolina, intending to profit from its distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Thanks to the diligent work of the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, what started as a hotel cleaning led to the dismantling of a larger drug trafficking operation. This conviction underscores our unwavering commitment to prosecuting individuals who bring dangerous narcotics into our communities.”

    “This case represents the continued commitment of the DEA to identify and hold accountable those who engage in the distribution of dangerous drugs,” said Jae W. Chung, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Keeping our communities safe is our highest priority.”

    “The Myrtle Beach Police Department is fortunate to work with partners and community members to assist us holding those accountable who bring poison into our community,” said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock. “Our mission has not and will not change, the safety of our community will always be our priority.”

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Myrtle Beach Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jasmin Salehi Fashami prosecuted the case in close coordination with the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.     

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Barrera, PhD Candidate, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide

    Paul Macdonald of Edithburgh Diving

    South Australian beaches have been awash with foamy, discoloured water and dead marine life for months. The problem hasn’t gone away; it has spread.

    Devastating scenes of death and destruction mobilised locals along the Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. The state government has hosted emergency meetings, most recently with marine and environment experts from around Australia, and issued weekly updates.

    Unfortunately, there are few ways to stop the bloom. Scientists had hoped strong westerly winds would break it up and push it out to sea. But so far, the wild weather has just pushed it through the Murray Mouth into the Coorong. And even if the bloom is washed away this winter, it could return in spring.

    This bloom represents a stark warning to coastal communities, as well as tourism, seafood and aquaculture industries. It’s a sign of what’s to come, in Australia and around the world, as the oceans warm.

    South Australia’s marine emblem, the leafy sea dragon, washed up on Stokes Bay in Kangaroo Island during the harmful algal bloom.
    RAD KI

    An unprecedented algal bloom

    The first sign of trouble came in March this year, when dozens of surfers and beachgoers fell ill. Many reported sore eyes, coughing or trouble breathing.

    Water testing soon revealed the cause: a harmful algal bloom of Karenia mikimotoi.

    Most people felt better within hours or days of leaving the beach. But marine life of all kinds was washing up dead or dying.

    Fish habitat charity OzFish set up a new citizen science project to capture the data, using iNaturalist.

    OzFish SA project manager Brad Martin told a public forum the bloom was like an “underwater bushfire”, adding:

    It’s suffocating fish, it’s taking the oxygen out of the water and it’s producing toxins.

    Photos of dead fish, seahorses, octopuses and rays were already circulating on social media. So OzFish encouraged people to start using iNaturalist, to identify the species and capture the data.

    The data shows more than 200 species of marine creatures died, including 100 types of fish and sharks. This includes popular recreational fishing species such as flathead, squid, crabs and rock lobsters.

    Almost half the deaths were ray-finned fish species. A quarter were sharks and ray species. Then came soft-bodied “cephalopods” such as cuttlefish and octopus, and crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters and prawns.

    Most of these species live on or near the sea floor with small home ranges. As in a bushfire, they have little chance of escape. Other fish that live in the open ocean, such as whiting, snapper and tuna, can swim away.

    Ray-finned fish, sharks and rays dominate the death toll from the marine algal bloom, as recorded on iNaturalist.
    Brad Martin, OzFish

    The culprit

    K. mikimotoi is a type of microalgae. It uses sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow and divide, releasing oxygen.

    In calm conditions, with plenty of light and warmth, the algal cells divide rapidly. Ideal conditions for algal growth are becoming more common as the climate changes and seas warm.

    Algal toxins are known to cause illness and sometimes death in humans, pets and livestock.

    K. mikimotoi is lethal to marine life, not humans. But the toxic effects in marine life are complicated and poorly understood.

    The algae irritates fish gills, causing cell death and bleeding. It also causes hypoxia, or lack of oxygen in the blood. And when the algae die off, decomposition consumes huge amounts of oxygen – leaving marine life to suffocate.

    Scientists now suspect other Karenia species may be involved too, due to the detection of brevetoxins in shellfish. This is the first detection of brevetoxins in Australia.

    Grim scenes greeted divers in murky water at Edithburgh on the Yorke Peninsula. (Paul Macdonald of Edithburgh Diving)

    What can be done?

    A marine heatwave is largely to blame. Sea surface temperatures have been 2.5°C warmer than usual since September. Relatively calm conditions, with little wind and small swells, also enabled the bloom to grow. Now it’s a matter of waiting for strong westerly winds to blow it all away.

    The latest update shows sea surface temperatures have stabilised. But deeper gulf and shelf waters remain 1–2°C above average for this time of the year.

    Climate change is making future blooms more likely. So tackling climate change is one way to help.

    Another is minimising the runoff of nutrients into waterways. Microalgae can be found anywhere with enough water, light and nutrients. So reducing pollution can help reduce the risk of algal blooms.

    This includes better management of fertiliser on farms and in home gardens. Lower levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous will reduce the risk of future blooms in marine and inland waterways.

    When it comes to blue-green algae, flushing with freshwater and stirring it up can disperse the colonies and prevent a bloom.

    Monitoring is also important. OzFish encourages South Australians to continue providing photo reports via iNaturalist. Any new fish kills should also be reported to the state government.

    The harmful algal bloom has transformed the reef at Edithburgh Jetty on the Yorke Peninsula. (Great Southern Reef)

    Microalgae are not all bad

    It’s worth remembering life on Earth wouldn’t exist without microalgae. These tiny organisms produced 60% of the oxygen in the atmosphere today, and play an important role in balanced ecosystems.

    The algae spirulina is a common dietary supplement. Microalgae are also potentially useful for water recycling, as a renewable biofuel and for capturing and storing greenhouse gases.

    Heeding the lessons

    Once a harmful algal bloom begins, it will persist for as long as conditions remain suitable.

    This bloom already has lasted three months, and there’s no guarantee the end is near.

    Recovery will be slow, as shown in the historical record and other parts of the world. And the risk of a repeat event is high.

    Further research is needed to keep these ancient organisms in check.

    With thanks to OzFish SA project manager Brad Martin, who contributed to this article.

    Erin Barrera receives funding from The Hospital Research Foundation, through SA Health.

    – ref. ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path – https://theconversation.com/like-an-underwater-bushfire-sas-marine-algal-bloom-is-still-killing-almost-everything-in-its-path-257885

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Meet Bloomberg’s C++ Guild

    Source: Bloomberg Press Statements

    Headline: Meet Bloomberg’s C++ Guild

    C++ is at the heart of Bloomberg’s infrastructure, powering everything from low-level libraries to highly performant financial applications, analytics, and trading systems. Maintaining a best-in-class C++ environment requires a collaborative approach to knowledge sharing and continuous education, and that’s where Bloomberg’s C++ Guild comes in.

    The C++ Guild is one of 12 guilds Bloomberg has created to provide structured forums for people to share technical knowledge, tools, code, and best practices. The C++ Guild, in particular, is dedicated to strengthening Bloomberg’s use of the language and related areas such as training, ISO standardization, and application design. Guild members’ influence also extends across the industry through tech talks at key conferences and meetups, open source contributions, and through the standardization process. Through these efforts, the Guild ensures that Bloomberg remains a C++ innovator, while empowering the broader tech community to drive the language forward.

    However, the Guild isn’t just a technical forum. It’s also a catalyst for professional growth. Members gain opportunities to sharpen their expertise, learn from industry leaders, and become recognized technical experts themselves. We asked individuals from this community to share more about the C++ Guild and discuss how it has shaped each of their careers.

    First, let’s meet Aurelien Cassagnes, a Tokyo-based Team Lead in Bloomberg’s Feeds Engineering group. He started in 2015 as an intern and then served as an individual contributor (IC) for eight years before becoming a team lead in 2024.

    How did you get involved with the C++ Guild? And what is your role in the Guild?
    I knew someone else from the APAC region was involved in the C++ Guild’s API Reviews Working Group, so I decided to join that same group to keep our efforts focused.

    The API Reviews Working Group is tasked with defining best practices for the most fundamental APIs used at Bloomberg and ensuring compliance. It also brings together engineers with different skills and backgrounds to review far-reaching internal libraries or code that is used in open source projects that Bloomberg publishes. For example, before the release of BlazingMQ, a modern high-performance open source message queuing system, the C++ Guild’s API Reviews group was extensively involved in reviewing its code.

    How did you become a co-lead of a Working Group?
    My group lead and I discussed my available bandwidth to focus on this guild, while still being able to deliver for my team. I later decided to also join the Conferences Working Group in order to bring back some of the expertise in the region, as it’s quite challenging to source events locally.

    The two prior co-leads of the API Reviews Working Group were happy with the work I was doing there and they trusted me to lead the local chapter. I started some other local initiatives to grow the guild, such as making sure that our teams know what services we provide and finding opportunities for our engineers to participate in Standards Committee meetings or write C++ standards proposals. Those efforts were ultimately rewarded with being picked as a Guild Leader, which is a title I wear as proudly as Team Lead.

    We recently launched another working group locally to handle the writing of a standards proposal. All in all, having participated in multiple groups has shown me the power of building a strong network in the guild.

    What do you tell engineers about why they should get involved in the C++ Guild?
    Guilds are the perfect place to stretch your engineering muscle beyond your day-to-day tasks. You’ll work alongside world-class experts who are excited to share their skills. So if you are looking for a venue to grow as an engineer, this is a great place. The guild is not only for you to receive; we are also interested and open to see what you want to contribute. The guild is an investment, and you get tenfold the time and effort you put in.

    How has the C++ Guild community supported your career development?
    As the guild looked to expand its presence in APAC, they trusted me to lead the local chapter, and thus was positively noticed and supported by my manager. Because I was invested in finding opportunities for our engineers, I took even more initiative and nominated and sent my people to events, and this was also noticed. I have no doubt that these were some of the milestones that were considered when my managers decided to make me a team lead. It’s safe to say that I feel a whole lot more complete as an engineer thanks to being in the guild.

    Last year, you attended CppCon. Why is it important for Bloomberg engineers to attend, participate, and speak at technical conferences?
    While we are immersed in our day-to-day work, it’s easy to forget that best practices and the bar for excellence in C++ is a moving target. But the language keeps evolving. Bloomberg aims to lead this movement, and is committed to being a strong voice in the C++ Standards conversation. So we want our engineers to be engaged in the community, to learn from it, and to give back.

    This starts by fostering a culture of curiosity and openness. Question the status quo, understand where we are, and improve on it. We invest in our engineers so they have the opportunity to share what they know with the community at a conference or a local meetup, get feedback, and take their ideas to the next level. Ultimately, when an engineer presents a proposal on stage at CppCon, they will reach and influence the community at scale, so we make sure we utilize that opportunity for both our business’ and the individual’s growth.

    “Guilds are the perfect place to stretch your engineering muscle beyond your day-to-day tasks. You’ll work alongside world-class experts who are excited to share their skills. So if you are looking for a venue to grow as an engineer, this is a great place.”

    – Aurelien Cassagnes

    Elena Vorobyeva is Team Lead on the Sessions Infrastructure team, part of Platform Security. She first joined Bloomberg as a contractor on the Real-time Data team. She eventually accepted a permanent position working on application middleware, and then market data.

    Tell us about how you got involved with the C++ Guild?
    I am the Lead of the C++ Guild’s Conference Working Group. When I first joined the guild in 2019, there were several groups within the Guild that were in need of leadership. I chose to lead the Conference Working Group because national and international conferences create possibilities for community-wide professional development and education. I also enjoy sharing my own fascination with and knowledge of C++.

    What is your Working Group charged with?
    The Conference Working Group is responsible for managing conference-related activities. Each year, we recommend which conferences related to C++ that the Engineering department should sponsor. We decide which sponsorship level best aligns with Bloomberg’s objectives. We also provide support and assistance to individuals participating in these conferences, whether as first-time attendees or seasoned presenters. This ensures that our team members are well-prepared and can make the most of their conference experience.

    Why is it important for Bloomberg engineers to attend, participate in, and speak at technical conferences?
    Each year, Bloomberg participates in more than a dozen C++ conferences around the globe. We also have many engineers involved in WG21, the ISO C++ Committee that helps shape the international standard for the C++ language. Bloomberg has one of the world’s largest C++ codebases, and as that investment grows, it is important to show our commitment to this language, which leads in both performance and safety.

    Bloomberg’s engineers are widely recognized as thought leaders and experts in the field. At conferences and on committees, we also have a chance to discover insights, share perspectives and get inspiration from experts outside the company.

    Conferences are also an excellent way to show potential talent that Bloomberg is not only a financial services company, but also a leading software company. In addition to presenting our work, we get to share our unique company culture, where people can stretch professionally and contribute to the evolution of technology. People from other companies tell us that they are fascinated that every Bloomberg employee they talk to tells the same story: we love where we are, and we trust that we are appreciated.

    Our own employees come home from these conferences with a renewed appreciation for what Bloomberg offers, both professionally and as a place to work and grow. The chance to present their work to outside audiences offers people a moment to step back and understand what they have accomplished and how much that matters to the greater C++ community.

    How has the C++ Guild community supported your career development?
    The Guild community continues to introduce me to a network of talented and driven people outside of my own department. The meetups and events organized and supported by the Guild have given me the opportunity to deepen my technical knowledge in C++ and other related areas. Being involved in the Conference Working Group has allowed me to mentor colleagues across the company. I feel like I am helping to create – while also being given – a comprehensive platform for both personal and professional growth.

    What makes guilds a great way for engineers to learn new skills and develop their interests in emerging technologies?
    Guilds provide a dynamic environment to share information both throughout our company and externally as well. Interaction with a diverse array of Working Groups allows contributors to focus on many aspects of professional development. In the C++ Guild, deeply technical Working Groups collaborate to conduct in-depth exploration of current topics such as Reflection, Inter-Thread Communication, and API review, while others focus on community and organization, event planning, presentation, and project management. This variety ensures that every engineer can find a group that aligns with their own interests and career goals, and can also learn from the research and work of others. In addition, people can flexibly commit to join the Guild and participate when they have time or an interest in doing so. Everybody is welcome!

    “The meetups and events organized and supported by the Guild have given me the opportunity to deepen my technical knowledge in C++ and other related areas. Being involved in the Conference Working Group has allowed me to mentor colleagues across the company. I feel like I am helping to create – while also being given – a comprehensive platform for both personal and professional growth.”

    – Elena Vorobyeva

    Jessica Winer is a Junior Software Engineer working on Bloomberg’s Asset and Investment Management (AIM) Enterprise product. She is responsible for creating a highly configurable automated user experience for Post Trade. She joined Bloomberg three years ago.

    Tell us about how you got involved with the C++ Guild? How long were you at Bloomberg before you got involved with the community?
    When joining Bloomberg, I was particularly drawn to the company’s “Choose your own adventure” style of career development. I’ve tried to take full advantage of a wealth of opportunities offered to me to have impact across the firm. I have been able to dive into the deep end of technical projects, have gotten lost in the weeds, and climbed my way out. And I’ve been able to take projects from ideas to reality even at this early stage of my career. My Team Lead pointed me towards guilds as an avenue for exposure and technical exploration. As a new member of the C++ Guild, I have gotten to work with engineers across the company.

    What initiatives have you been actively involved in?
    I have gotten involved in a few different working groups, such as the Recommended Libraries Working Group, where I learned about weighing the qualities of different tools to solve a specific technical problem.

    As part of the Testing Working Group, I’ve learned about testing best practices across Bloomberg, and have contributed to tools to increase testing coverage. This group is particularly interesting to me, as I have been co-leading a local department working group for testing for over a year, where we have been creating a cross-department solution for Gherkin-style system tests which can be run automatically on a daily interval. Through the Guild, I realized that a lot of the questions we were deliberating in our department were already being discussed Bloomberg-wide.

    Most recently I have been working in the Conferences Working Group, learning more about the organization of conferences and Bloomberg’s involvement externally.

    Are there any conferences you have attended as a speaker or presented your work?
    My first conference through Bloomberg was CppCon 2023, which is the world’s largest C++ conference. While I enjoyed learning from brilliant minds and expanding my knowledge in formal sessions, it was truly incredible to meet members of the C++ Standards Committee, who are helping to evolve the language, as well as Bjarne Stroustrup, who created the language. These people all went out of their way to welcome us into the community. After attending CppCon, I co-created a presentation on system design with a colleague, which we presented at ACCU 2024 in Bristol, UK.

    What’s one thing you wish people knew about the Guilds?
    Guilds are meant to be a learning opportunity for those at the company. You don’t already have to be a domain expert to join. You will become part of a network of brilliant engineers and domain expertise will follow.

    In 2024, you attended CppCon. Why is it important for Bloomberg engineers to attend, participate in, and speak at technical conferences?
    Conferences are a great opportunity to meet brilliant engineers both in and outside of Bloomberg. Attending conferences gives you dedicated time to learn from others and to improve your technical skills.

    “When joining Bloomberg, I was particularly drawn to the company’s “Choose your own adventure” style of career development. I’ve tried to take full advantage of a wealth of opportunities offered to me to have impact across the firm. I have been able to dive into the deep end of technical projects, have gotten lost in the weeds, and climbed my way out. And I’ve been able to take projects from ideas to reality even at this early stage of my career.”

    – Jessica Winer

    Conor Spilsbury is a Senior Software Engineer within the Trade Automation and Execution organization, where he works on Bloomberg’s Listed Securities Execution Management System, EMSX, a real-time, high throughput, multi-asset transactional trading platform used by financial institutions around the world to manage their daily trading activity. He has worked at Bloomberg for five years, having joined as an entry-level engineer in the infrastructure team after finishing his master’s degree in mathematics. He is now working on deepening the integration between EMSX and AIM, our buy-side OMS, as part of Bloomberg’s enterprise offerings.

    How did you get involved with the C++ Guild?
    I am always looking for what more I can be doing – both in my own team and beyond. Six months after I joined Bloomberg, I read a post in one of the internal newsletters looking for help in organizing Guild activities. My managers at Bloomberg have always encouraged and supported me to participate.

    The Guild is responsible for a C++ newsletter that is regularly sent to engineers at Bloomberg. We use this to share recent updates in the C++ community, including changes to our build tools, tooling or library updates, advertising upcoming conferences that engineers can attend, internal transfer opportunities, internal talks from Bloomberg employees or special guests (e.g., the C++ Guild recently hosted Sean Baxter to talk about the Circle Compiler), and ultimately highlighting opportunities for engineers to get involved in the C++ community itself.

    The newsletter has been running for five years now and we still experiment with what we can include in it. For example, we’re also trying to do more to promote ways to contribute to “inner source” projects and have been running a “Feature of the Month” column which shares a tip about a C++ feature. The most recent newsletter included tips on C++23’s ‘std::expected’.

    How did you become co-chair?
    As the Guild has grown, we have expanded the domains that we work on, which means there are all kinds of new opportunities for engineers to get involved in. The Guild is organized into dedicated Working Groups, each of which is focused on a particular domain.

    I found myself making contributions to multiple different WGs and have led two of them; I’ve contributed to API Reviews, Communications, Membership, Recommended Libraries, Testing, and organized our presence at an internal conference called “Guild Week” over multiple years, and even delivered talks at this conference.

    One of the primary forms of responsibility for me in recent years has come from being involved in Membership and supporting new members to get involved. This has also led me to presenting talks about Guild to other internal communities at Bloomberg.

    After a few years of making increasingly larger contributions across multiple working groups, I put myself forward to be the next chair of the Guild and I was fortunate to receive a lot of support.

    What are some of the ways the C++ Guild’s members influence C++ utilization both within and outside the company ?
    One of our goals is to bring engineers across the company together to work on influencing the direction of C++ at Bloomberg and improving the development experience internally. We do this by establishing best practices and guiding principles based on community feedback and contributions.

    For example, our Tooling Working Group maintains and improves our tools for C++ development along with standardizing this tooling. They are currently working on implementing the Common Package Specification as described by our very own Bret Brown at CppCon 2023 in collaboration with KitWare.

    In addition, Bloomberg has many active contributors to new features in the C++ programming language, and we have a Working Group that coordinates our efforts with the wider international standardization working group for C++, WG21. For example, Dan Katz, our previous Guild co-chair, is a co-author on the paper that proposes to add Reflection into C++26, which will be a major milestone for the language.

    How has the C++ Guild community supported your career development?
    I’ve been able to gain a lot more technical knowledge, including expert insights, best practices, and industry trends that have helped me deepen my understanding of the language and stay up-to-date with the latest developments both internally at Bloomberg and externally in the wider community.

    Being involved in the Guild is also a unique opportunity to have company-wide impact and to gain leadership experience whilst remaining an individual contributor as opposed to going down a Team Lead or Management track. I’ve taken the lead in organizing Guild initiatives, setting direction, and mentoring others to achieve our goals. This experience has not only helped me become a more effective team player but also given me the confidence to take on new challenges in my own role. I’ve been able to bring this experience back to my team and make more meaningful contributions as a result.

    The community has also provided me with opportunities to meet and connect with engineers in other departments, which has been a great way to expand my network and learn about new areas of the company. It’s amazing how often I’ve been able to find the exact person I need to answer a question or provide guidance.

    I found this particularly useful when I was looking for a new challenge and decided to move teams internally to an entirely new domain. Thanks to the Guild, I had already established relationships with engineers who could offer valuable advice and introductions. As it turns out, the first time I met two of my current teammates in EMSX was when the three of us were attending CppCon, a C++ industry conference!

    At CppCon 2024, I gave my first talk at a conference which was a really rewarding experience. In particular, collaborating with colleagues as we went back and forth improving the talk together.

    How do you encourage employees to get involved?
    Some engineers will join the Guild with a clear idea of what they want to work on, but others may not know where to start. In either case, the most important thing is to bring enthusiasm and a curiosity to learn more. To help with this, we have a Membership Working Group that pairs each new member with an experienced Guild member to support them. It all comes down to trying out new things, volunteering to get involved in an initiative, or pitching something new and sharing ideas.

    Ultimately, the more perspectives represented by engineers in the Guild, the better. Our goal is to reach engineers across the entire company in all of our departments and at every experience level to improve their experience.

    “Being involved in the Guild is also a unique opportunity to have company-wide impact and to gain leadership experience whilst remaining an individual contributor as opposed to going down a Team Lead or Management track.”

    – Conor Spilsbury

    Check out some open roles with our engineering teams that utilize C++.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Little Water Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Navajo Nation Shooting and Homicide

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Little Water man pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from his involvement in a violent April 2024 shooting and subsequent homicide on the Navajo Nation.

    According to court records, on April 24, 2024, Dewayne George, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, accompanied Brittania Navaho to a pawn shop in Gallup where she purchased a .22 caliber revolver and ammunition for Rydell Happy, who is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. Later that day, the group, joined by John Doe, drove through the Gallup area and encountered a vehicle on U.S. Highway 491 within the Navajo Nation.

    Happy initially fired a shot into the air, then, after a pursuit, multiple shots were fired at the vehicle by Happy, George, and John Doe. George admitted to reloading and discharging the firearm several times at the fleeing vehicle, which was struck by multiple bullets. Fortunately, the occupants were not injured.

    After the shooting, the group drove near Shiprock, New Mexico, where a confrontation led to Happy fatally shooting John Doe. George helped Happy drag John Doe’s body over a cliff in an attempt to conceal the body and avoid arrest and prosecution.

    Brittania Navaho pled guilty to federal charges related to the straw purchase of the firearm and faces up to 15 years in prison.

    Rydell Happy is charged with first degree murder, two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence and discharging said firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He remains in custody pending trial, which is currently scheduled for July 14, 2025.

    George pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and discharging said firearm. At sentencing, George faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, George will be subject to up to three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Navajo Nation Police Department, the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney R. Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case.

    This case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Graham: Russia Sanctions Bill Aims to Change Putin’s Calculus, Protect World Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

    Russia sanctions bill aims to change Putin’s calculus, protect world order

    By Senator Lindsey Graham

    Fox News

    June 12, 2025

    https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sen-lindsey-graham-russia-sanctions-bill-aims-change-putins-calculus-protect-world-order

    President Donald Trump is making an earnest and sincere effort to secure a ceasefire and an eventual just and honorable end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

    He and his team have engaged Russia’s Vladimir Putin in order to find that pathway forward, but it is clear the only pathway Putin is interested in is military operations in Ukraine and eventually, beyond.

    As a result, the coming days will be extremely consequential for the Kremlin and those who are propping up Putin’s war machine. Additional action from both Europe and the United States is inevitable.

    The Russia-Ukraine war has garnered global attention, not only because of its barbaric nature but also the consequences to world order.

    We have been working with the White House since day one in drafting this package. We now have over 84 Senate cosponsors and 70 House cosponsors of legislation to enact hard-hitting sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its financial backers.

    It is clear to me and virtually every sponsor of the Russia sanctions bill that the way we deal with Putin will either encourage or deter bad actors.

    The purpose of this legislation is to break the cycle of China — a communist dictatorship — buying oil below market price from Putin’s Russia, which empowers his war machine to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians.

    This bill would end that cycle.

    China is watching the United States’ resolve regarding Putin’s effort to dismember Ukraine and possibly other sovereign nations. It is not my goal to humiliate Russia, but it is my goal to make sure that China sees the outcome of this conflict and feels that its efforts to take Taiwan by force would not be in the People’s Republic’s best interest.

    It is also very important that we let Iran and other aggressive nation states know that the price for disrupting world order, seizing other nation’s land and trying to dominate their neighbors is not worth it.

    I have been incredibly impressed with Europe’s recent resolve, both in toughening sanctions and investing in their military. Europe is answering President Trump’s call to increase defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product.

    As a result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO is bigger and tougher than ever. However, it is important that we continue to act decisively to end this war not only soon, but in the right way.

    Unfortunately, the more we engage Putin, the more aggressive he gets. It’s time to change the game.

    New European sanctions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors were released this week, and they are more hard-hitting than ever. This package also singles out Chinese business entities for their financial support of the war and recommends lowering the price that Europe pays for Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, in order to drive down Russian revenues that allow Putin’s bloodbath to continue.

    As to the Russia sanctions bill in the U.S. Congress, overwhelming support continues to build. Our goal is to give President Trump more leverage to end this war quickly.

    This bicameral, bipartisan bill is simple – and we’ve made some important changes.

    1. If a country doesn’t do business with Russia, the sanctions and tariffs don’t apply.
    2. If a country does business with Russia, but they also help Ukraine militarily and economically, there’s a 270-day exception on sanctions and tariffs being imposed. There will be additional waivers as well, including a presidential waiver for sanctions and other measures that mirrors language used in the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) signed into law by President Trump in 2017.
    3. If a country buys cheap Russian oil and gas and other products and doesn’t help Ukraine, they are screwed. That is the price for propping up Putin’s war machine.

    The United States and our allies have paid a price in the past to maintain freedom and order, and we shall again.

    Republican Lindsey Graham represents South Carolina in the United States Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump Administration Proposal Would Risk Air Quality Across the Nation by Unwinding Power Plant Accountability

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, the Trump Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency proposed to gut air quality standards for power plants across the country, risking the nation’s air quality and slowing progress in the transition to clean energy. Colorado is a national leader in air quality protection through common-sense standards that protect communities and kids, coupled with a strong, free market-driven transition away from polluting fossil fuel power plants to clean, renewable energy. 

    “Coal power is the highest cost form of energy in the grid, and this doesn’t change Colorado’s plan to phase out coal power. Protecting our air quality is critical for the health of our communities and kids. While the Administration’s proposal is disappointing, I am unfortunately not surprised to see the President slash through standards that protect our clean air from reckless polluters and force ratepayers to pay more for high priced legacy coal power. Despite some in Washington, D.C. putting special interests over the health of Americans, Colorado will stay the course and move towards more affordable, resilient, and lower cost energy. We are a leader in air quality protection and investment in the innovative clean energy solutions of the future,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. 

    “Colorado has worked hard to build strong, science-based protections to ensure clean air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Rolling back these federal safeguards threatens both public health and climate progress, undoing one of the most significant national strategies to cut greenhouse gas pollution from power plants. Regardless of what happens in Washington, Colorado will stay the course, with policies that prioritize the health of our residents, protect the air we breathe, and advance our climate goals.” 

    Under Governor Polis’s leadership, Colorado electric utilities are on track to exceed their goal of 80% pollution reduction by 2030, and are making progress toward 100% clean energy by 2040. Each year in office, Governor Polis has signed legislation and implemented effective policy to accelerate clean energy, lead on climate action, and protect Colorado communities from air pollution. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why can’t we stop feeding monkeys? Experts explain the reasons behind a dangerous habit

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sian Waters, Research fellow at the Department of Anthropology, Durham University

    A monkey waits for food from tourists in Thailand.
     Miroslaw Gierczyk/Shutterstock

    We’ve seen it happen. For example, a visit to the Ouzoud waterfalls in Morocco’s High Atlas led to an encounter with a group of nearby tourists feeding chips – supplied by the tour guide – to some waiting Barbary macaques. Pointing to a nearby sign that read “do not feed the monkeys” was met with complaints about spoiling their fun.

    Scenes like this play out across the globe. Feeding wild primates is common in many countries. Scientists have spent years studying its effects on primate behaviour. But much less attention has been paid to the other side of the interaction – the people doing the feeding.

    Our recent research explores not just the effects on animals, but why people feed monkeys in the first place. Understanding that is essential if we want to change behaviour and keep both humans and primates safe.

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    As tourism expands and infrastructure develops, humans and primates are living in closer quarters than ever before. Some species like macaques and baboons readily adapt to living in developed areas by foraging in rubbish bins and dumps.

    Habitat loss also plays a major role. The wide scale destruction of primate habitat means they come to rely on human food waste or people feeding them.

    In some tourism hot spots, feeding the primates, known as “provisioning”, is deliberate but regulated, ensuring tourists see the monkeys but cannot feed them. In others, tourists feed even endangered species freely, with little oversight. That’s when problems arise.

    Thieving monkeys steal from tourists and barter for treats on BBC’s Planet Earth.

    Uncontrolled feeding brings animals and humans into unusually close contact, and not always in welcome ways. Primates can become aggressive, resulting in bites, scratches and potential disease transmission. They may enter homes and shops, damage property, or intimidate people. Some primates even learn to beg or to steal valuables, returning them only when a food bribe is offered in exchange.

    When food sources suddenly disappear, this type of behaviour can escalate. For example, during the pandemic, some macaque populations in Thailand made headlines as “gangs” that caused chaos when tourists stopped visiting. When animals are seen as a public nuisance, calls for culling or relocation often follow.



    Read more:
    Why monkeys attack people – a primate expert explains

    Nutrition is another issue. The types of foods given to primates are usually calorie-rich and highly processed. Excess consumption of these foods can make primates obese or lead to chronic disease like diabetes. The extra calories allow some species to reproduce every year, leading to larger group sizes and compounding human-wildlife conflict.

    Feeding of packaged foods also results in large amounts of plastic and other litter left behind by people. New roads contribute to this problem by offering opportunities to vendors to sell food to road users. The resulting food waste can attract monkeys to the roadside where passing motorists throw them more food. This puts both people and primates at risk of road accidents.

    Some societies have fed monkeys for centuries and these interactions can be neutral or positive. However, many instances of people feeding primates causes negative interactions, so understanding why people feed monkeys is vital.

    Feeding wildlife often results in plastic waste.
    maxontravel/Shutterstock

    Why people do it

    As primate experts, we deal with the negative effects of uncontrolled monkey feeding all the time and know the complexities of this common human behaviour. Our recent review of the relevant research coupled with our own field experiences found a surprising range of motivations for why people feed primates.

    We found that feeding primates could be a religious obligation, a way to perform a good deed or obtain good fortune. It may be helpful in managing a person’s mental health. Many people feed primates for emotional reasons like pity, or to feel a connection to the animals.

    At some sites, residents have a vested interest in the continued practice of monkey feeding as it provides them with an income. Tour guides often receive higher tips when they can provide close animal encounters. Bus and taxi drivers can benefit from taking tourists to sites where they can observe and feed wild primates.



    Read more:
    Three surprising reasons human actions threaten endangered primates

    Attempting to stop people from feeding primates is difficult as most perceive it as an enjoyable and carefree activity. Campaigns must be carefully designed and relevant to the local context. This includes understanding why people are feeding primates in the first place.

    As scientists we need to better communicate the negative effects of feeding primates to a wider audience. We also need to prevent it from becoming an accepted activity, particularly in areas that could prove dangerous to both people and primates, such as roadsides.

    Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. But talking to people who feed primates to understand why they do it is fundamental for designing effective management strategies in future.

    Sian Waters is affiliated with the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group’s Section for Human-Primate Interactions (SHPI) and receives funding from

    Artis Zoo, Amsterdam, NL
    Ouwehand Zoo Foundation NL
    Re:Wild

    Tracie McKinney is affiliated with the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group’s Section for Human-Primate Interactions (SHPI).

    – ref. Why can’t we stop feeding monkeys? Experts explain the reasons behind a dangerous habit – https://theconversation.com/why-cant-we-stop-feeding-monkeys-experts-explain-the-reasons-behind-a-dangerous-habit-257485

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Brian Wilson’s visionary songwriting held unmatched emotional power. And in person he never disappointed

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David Scott, Head of Division, School of Business and Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland

    Brian Wilson, the Beach Boy and visionary composer whose groundbreaking music reshaped the sound of American pop, died on June 11. I had the pleasure of meeting Wilson several times, but first met with the great man through my friend David Leaf, whose writing is key to understanding Wilson’s music and humanity.

    Wilson never disappointed. He was always unpredictable, always quirky and always delightfully Brian. On one occasion some friends and I interviewed him in a Mayfair hotel where – ever the trouper – he was helping promote a not-very-good Beach Boys collaboration with Status Quo.

    We took him a side of Scottish smoked salmon as a gift against the advice of his wife Melinda who smiled sagely as he ripped the packet open and devoured it on the spot while patiently answering questions on Beach Boys minutiae.

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    The legend of Wilson’s songwriting and production genius is often said to rest on two albums. First the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds (1966) and then its intended follow up SMiLE! which he started in 1966 and eventually finished in 2004.

    Sometimes overlooked, though, is the fact that Pet Sounds was preceded by 11 hit Beach Boys albums, many hit singles on both sides of the Atlantic, and worlds of innovation and influential new studio practices.

    Wilson’s self-taught, monastic, note-by-note transcriptions of performances by The Four Freshmen and the orchestral works of George Gershwin were key to this innovation. As was his willingness to push the boundaries of recorded sound, layering complex and dynamic musical ideas by directing several musicians in hallowed Los Angeles recording studios such as Gold Star, Capitol and Western Recorders.

    Wilson the hitmaker

    Early Wilson productions reveal a contemporary hitmaker who was willing to embrace unusual structures and non-standard rock instrumentation (marimba, harpsichord, harp and bass harmonica) while leaving oceans of space for the Beach Boys’ peerless harmonies. These rich, jazz-influenced vocal arrangements were often double- and triple-tracked (a recording technique that layers the same parts of the song to create a fuller sound).

    But Wilson also had the hitmakers’ instinct for collaboration. A series of lyricists including Gary Usher, Roger Christian, Tony Asher and fellow Beach Boy Mike Love helped further elevate his music, either in terms of its thematic commercial appeal or (as in his work with Van Dyke Parks) as a series of conceptual artworks.

    Brian Wilson in the studio recording Good Vibrations in 1966.

    While albums such as The Beach Boys Today! (1965) pointed a clear path to the introspection of Pet Sounds in songs like In the Back of My Mind and Please Let Me Wonder (both 1965), it is the latter album that remains one of the most famous examples of sustained artistry in 20th-century popular music. It solidified the idea of Wilson not just as a “genius” (a tag originated by publicist Derek Taylor) but more substantially as an expressionistic auteur.

    After announcing the shelving of his experimental album SMiLE! in 1967, Wilson famously withdrew from public life. But I would argue that that well-known retreat was less of a withdrawal than the 20-years-in-bed legend would have it.

    Although increasingly in poor health, he made important contributions to Beach Boys albums throughout the 1970s, most famously his fully-fledged return as songwriter and producer in the cult classic The Beach Boys Love You (1977). He also played a major role in projects like the beautiful American Spring album, which Wilson produced with his collaborator David Sandler for his first wife Marilyn and her sister Diane in 1972.

    My encounters with Wilson

    The late 1980s saw Wilson’s substantial second act eventually begin with a highly regarded eponymous 1988 solo album. Later – freed from the control of abusive psychotherapist Eugene Landy and with the support of second wife Melinda and the amazing musicians that became the Brian Wilson band – he enjoyed one of the great third acts in music history from the 2000s onwards.

    During this period, he recorded acclaimed solo albums (including a revisiting of the works of his greatest hero in the wonderful Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin) and toured extensively.

    Around this time, composer Duglas T. Stewart and I interviewed him for the liner notes of our tribute album Caroline Now! (2000) down the phone from his home in Los Angeles, where Wilson grappled comically with multiple phone lines. In response to a question about the influence of Wendy Carlos’s Switched On Bach album (1968) on his 1970s synthesiser arranging he yelped: “You know what, I have this in my CD player RIGHT NOW!”

    The subsequent clatter of him trying to locate the CD with many barking dogs in the background seemed like a magical sound moment. And a very Brian sound moment.

    People tend to define Wilson primarily through his fragility or his long struggle with poor mental health. Those are important factors in any life and put a clear stamp on the music he created. But I would challenge you to think again. Instead, think about this great artist through the lens of his strength, resilience and commitment to the creative act.

    The full performance of SMiLE! at The Royal Festival Hall in February 2004.

    In later years he joked about his name and the connection between “Wilson” and “willpower”, but it’s a joke that reveals something deeper. At the opening of SMiLE! at the Royal Festival Hall February 20 2004, Wilson walked onto the stage to present a work he had abandoned 37 years previously – a work that by some accounts had nearly killed him.

    At the end of the performance of this beautiful and unique album Wilson repeatedly attempted to silence the rapt applause before sighing wearyingly and accepting it. It was not just recognition for the achievement of the music, but the defiance of the artist himself.

    In later touring years, Wilson’s physical fragility was sometimes in evidence, but there were always moments – often in songs like Surfer Girl (1963) or the hymnal Love & Mercy (1988) – where his intent, to make himself and others feel better through the art of songmaking, retained an unmatched emotional power. It was a reminder that the love and mercy you need tonight would always exist in the music of Brian Douglas Wilson.

    David Scott 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. Brian Wilson’s visionary songwriting held unmatched emotional power. And in person he never disappointed – https://theconversation.com/brian-wilsons-visionary-songwriting-held-unmatched-emotional-power-and-in-person-he-never-disappointed-258864

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Third Strategic Dialogue between the State of Qatar and the French Republic

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Paris,  June 12, 2025

    The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Mr Jean-Noël Barrot, co-chaired the third annual Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue in Paris on June 12 2025. 

    Qatar and France welcomed the holding of their third Annual Strategic Dialogue and reviewed the important progress made since the State Visit of His Highness the Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to France in February 2024 which resulted in new cooperation initiatives within the fields of security, defence, economy, trade, investment and education. Both countries affirmed the strength of their bilateral relationship and pledged to further develop it by expanding strategic partnership on key files.

    POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC COOPERATION

    Both Ministers reaffirmed the commitment of Qatar and France to upholding a rules-based international order and international law, the promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East, and to close cooperation in relation to regional and global crises.

    Palestine-Israel: Both Ministers called for a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that will offer the best hope for the victims of this conflict on all sides and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution. The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs expressed France’s deep appreciation for all Qatar’s mediation efforts, including those to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

    Both Ministers called for full, unhindered humanitarian access allowing aid for the Palestinian population to enter Gaza. The Ministers further stated that politicising of humanitarian assistance, threats of forced displacement, or Israel’s plans to remain in Gaza after the war are unacceptable. The two Ministers stated that the Israeli government’s restrictions of essential humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population of Gaza are totally deplorable and breach International Humanitarian Law.  They further highlighted that Israel is duty-bound to meet all its obligations to ensure immediately a massive and unhindered flow of aid to Gaza – this includes engaging with the UN to ensure aid delivery is in line with humanitarian principles. 

    Both ministers reiterated their opposition to any forced displacement of Gaza’s Palestinian population, which would be a serious violation of international law and a major destabilizing factor for the entire region.

    Qatar welcomes the endorsement by France of the Gaza Reconstruction plan formulated by the League of Arab States in March as a serious, credible basis for immediately meeting reconstruction, governance and security needs in the aftermath of the war in Gaza. It guarantees the respect of international law and maintains Gaza’s future within the framework of a future Palestinian State.

    HE Prime Minister Al Thani welcomed the French-Saudi jointly chaired international meeting on June 18 for the implementation of a two-state solution. Both Ministers declared such efforts as the only way to bring durable peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians while ensuring the stability of the wider region.   

    They stressed that the High-Level International Conference on the peaceful resolution of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution, decided by UNGA resolution A/RES/79/81, would contribute to this goal by designing a credible roadmap for the implementation of this solution in which the two countries would be able to live side-by-side in peace within their internationally recognized borders. Both ministers stressed that the future Palestinian state would have sole responsibility for rule of law, including policing primacy. 

    Syria: Both Ministers acknowledged the historic transition process underway in Syria. They emphasised the importance of an inclusive political dispensation that protects the rights of all irrespective of ethnicity, sect, religion or gender. They reiterated their support for the reconstruction of a new Syria – free, stable, sovereign, that respects all components of society. They agreed that stability and security in Syria is paramount for all its citizens as well as the surrounding region. To that end both Ministers committed to work together wherever possible to provide humanitarian assistance, as well as support economic development, and long-term reconstruction. They welcomed the lifting of international sanctions on Syria’s economy and encouraged foreign investments in the country. Qatar welcomed French support for the recent EU decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria and the recent meeting between President Macron and Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Such support and initiatives enable Syria and the Syrian people to undertake a transition to stability, peace and prosperity. The Ministers condemned violations of Syria’s territorial integrity and warned of escalation tactics designed to de-stabilize the region.  

    Lebanon: Qatar welcomed the hosting by France of the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty in October 2024. Progress to political and economic reform in Lebanon is welcomed by both countries. 

    Qatar and France support the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of the Lebanese people, both Ministers called on all parties to honour the commitments made under the ceasefire reached in November 2024. To this end they called for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the complete deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces and their ongoing support to ensure security and achieve State monopoly on arms, assisted by UNIFIL and the supervision mechanism of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, of which France alongside the U.S. participates in. 

    They emphasized their support to the process of change that has begun under the new Lebanese government, aimed at putting Lebanon back on the path of reconstruction, recovery and stability. They expressed their continuing support to the Lebanese Armed Forces and to the UN interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) whose action is essential to guarantee the stability of South Lebanon.

    Iran: Both Ministers reaffirmed Qatar and France’s support for a diplomatic solution leading to an agreement that addresses and resolves all international concerns related to Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, in order to preserve the non-proliferation global architecture as well as stability and de-escalation in the Gulf region. They reiterated their support to the ongoing talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America.  They also called on Iran to fully and effectively cooperate with the legitimate requests and work of the International Atomic Energy Agency.   

    Rwanda and eastern DRC: Both ministers emphasised their shared commitment to peace, stability and security in the Great Lakes region. France commended Qatar’s mediation efforts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and between Congolese authorities and AFC/M23. They stressed the need for parties to continue working towards the conclusion of a ceasefire, as called upon by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025). Following its participation, along with the U.S., DRC, Rwanda and Togo, to the Doha meeting on April 30, France recalled its continued support to Qatar’s peace efforts.

    Sudan: Both Ministers resolved to further work together to address the devastating conflict in Sudan. Qatar and France recalled the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024) demanding that the Rapid Support Forces halt the siege of El Fasher and calling for an immediate de-escalation. They reaffirmed their support to the unity of the country and called on the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities, abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and guarantee full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. 

    UNOC: Both ministers welcomed the organization of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025, inter alia to support a blue carbon economy and the fight against illicit fishing. They praised the treaty on marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction on the high seas (BBNJ) as a milestone in the collective protection of the high seas.

    ECONOMY, TRADE AND INVESTMENTS

    Qatar and France emphasized the importance of their growing economic, trade and investment partnership, with a total trade of more than €1.3 billion in 2024. The Ministers highlighted that bilateral trade makes a significant contribution to supporting jobs, innovation, and economic development in both countries.

    The two Ministers reviewed progress on Qatar’s 2024 landmark engagement to invest 10 billion euros into key sectors of the French economy. Qatar’s investment will cover mutually beneficial sectors ranging from food security, digital economy, AI and IT, semiconductors, energy transition, space, Intellectual Property, health, tourism and hospitality and culture. They also welcomed the forthcoming Qatar-France Business Forum as an opportunity for mutual trade growth and investment. They discussed ways to further strengthen their investment partnership and underlined their willingness to facilitate cooperation between the Qatari and French private sectors. They also explored areas of common interest, such as fiscal policy, sustainable finance and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

    Qatar’s innovative investment in France’s semiconductor industry highlights its role in key technology subsectors, including supply chain developments that are also propelling digital and green transformations across vital industries such as AI, mobility, and consumer technology. 

    Both sides discussed ways to further develop their trade and investment partnership, through a Roadmap focused on strategic areas in alignment with the framework of the economic diversification goals stated by Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and in accordance with the economic plan “France 2030.” 

    The French Minister praised Qatar’s ongoing commitment to ensure continued and reliable supplies of energy to Europe, including France and thus contributing to the country’s energy security. 

    DEFENSE, SECURITY AND COUNTERTERRORISM 

    Qatar and France reaffirmed the importance of the defence and security as a foundation stone of their partnership.  This was illustrated by the increase in official-level visits in the last 12 months, and the deepening coordination on an operational level.  

    The Ministers welcomed the implementation of joint defence operational partnership including joint planning, training and military exercises, most recently the Pegase, Al Salam, Al Koot exercises, as well as joint projects in defence industries and innovation and ongoing defence acquisitions including cooperation through both nations’ air forces, facilitated by the common possession of Rafale combat aircrafts. 

    They praised the strategic convergences between Qatar and France, which contribute to enhancing bilateral interactions between the two military institutions. Qatar and France are keen to explore ways to develop new synergies between their armed forces for future defence capabilities. 

    They also explored ways to build on existing links and expand activities on common strategic interests particularly as they contribute to de-escalation and security in the Gulf and the Red Sea.  

    Both Ministers welcomed the robust and long-lasting partnership between their respective security forces, including cooperation and important knowledge-sharing on Mega Sports Events, Crisis Management and Major Event Management, Air and Aviation Security, Cybersecurity and Digital Investigations, and mutual professionalization and capacity-building. 

    They commended the friendship and trust between the French Gendarmerie and the Qatari Lekhwiya celebrating in 2025 the 20th anniversary of their cooperation. They also welcomed the development of a strategic partnership between the French and Qatari national police forces and the establishment of a High Police Committee. They also emphasised building on this cooperation. 

    Both Ministers emphasised that the fight against terrorism remains a key bilateral realm for cooperation. They said that such cooperation is crucial in prevention and countering terrorism and ensuring the safety of their citizens. These efforts reflect the need for a coordinated approach to deal with an ever-evolving set of terrorist threats that transcend national borders. They also agreed to continue their strong partnership in cybersecurity and in combating terrorism, countering violent extremism and illicit financial flows. 

    HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

    On humanitarian and international development cooperation, both Ministers affirmed the continuing success of programmatic bilateral cooperation and coordination between their respective implementing agencies including QFFD, EAA, Silatech and AFD.

    Regarding development, both Ministers welcomed the renewal of their bilateral cooperation in this field, building on the signing of two major agreements between the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Qatar Fund for Development, the Education Above All (EAA) foundation and Silatech in February 2024. They expressed their appreciation concerning the first cooperation between AFD and QFFD for an ambitious project to renovate and expand Saint Joseph’s Hospital in East Jerusalem. They welcomed that QFFD and the AFD Group (AFD, Proparco and Expertise France) renewed their commitment to cofinance development projects and agreed to raise the cofinancing target from $50 million to $100 million for the duration of the MoU. In the short term, QFFD and the AFD Group commit to operationalizing the partnership in the following countries where there are pressing needs and discussions have already started on joint priorities: Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. They welcomed that QFFD and AFD Group will also, in the medium term, work on joint global advocacy activities and expand the partnership to innovative finance.

    Both Ministers praised the ongoing discussions between the Crisis and Support Centre of the French ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Qatar Fund for Development to explore possible new areas of dialogue and joint funding, including in the Middle East, Africa and Asia as well as in the field of humanitarian logistics. 

    Following the joint commitment by the Emir of Qatar and the President of the French Republic to dedicate 200 million dollars in 2024 to humanitarian relief in Gaza both Ministers expressed the necessity of answering without delay the urgent needs for aid there. The Ministers also commended the humanitarian impact of joint health relief efforts in Gaza, including medical evacuations, delivery and flow of humanitarian aid, medicines and ambulances. Additionally, they highlighted joint relief efforts in Lebanon to support conflict-affected populations. Recalling these recent successful joint humanitarian operations, both Ministers support a new joint emergency operation to supply medical equipment and medicine to Afghanistan.

    Such cooperation is the embodiment of the longstanding strategic partnership as well as the commitment of Qatar and France to stand by conflict-affected populations.  

    EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SPORTS 

    Both Ministers lauded the strong cooperation in the fields of education, health and sports. On education the Ministers addressed the growing partnership in the field of education, in particular knowledge sharing and research agreements between Qatari and French Institutions of Higher Education (HEI), including Sciences Po and Doha Institute. 

    Cooperation on research and innovation has been boosted by the strong collaboration between Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) and French HEI’s including Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) and HEC Paris. Under the Qatar Open Innovation Scheme French companies have also received QRDI awards and are working in collaboration with Qatar-based SME’s and institutions to make strides in Agricultural Sciences and Medical Healthcare.  

    Qatar and France are looking forward to the signing of the 8th executive program enhancing bilateral cooperation particularly in French language learning, technical, professional and higher education, and mobility of students and teachers. This agreement aims at establishing a steering committee dedicated to learning French from the 9th (third French) class in Qatari public institutions, as well as a steering committee related to the development of university cooperation. Both sides expressed their mutual intention to strengthen their cooperation in higher education and research, promoting exchanges of students and researchers, as well as further exploring joint training and programmes that enable students to achieve their personal and professional goals.

    Qatar and France also expressed their wish to strengthen the sharing of expertise between the medical communities of the two countries, through the rapprochement or exchange of researchers. The minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs expressed his appreciation for the help of Qatar for the recent opening of the World Health Organization Academy in Lyon.The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al Thani congratulated the Republic of France on its hugely successful hosting of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Both sides expressed their willingness to share expertise and knowledge and to continue their cooperation on the positive impact and the legacy of hosting mega sporting events.  In particular, they addressed the ways in which strong commitments in terms of social and environmental issues, including on emissions reduction and carbon absorption, opportunities to promote inclusion and diversity, and combat hate speech, racism and other forms of prejudice and discrimination, is offered by sport. 

    CULTURE, ART, HERITAGE COOPERATION

    Both Ministers welcomed the deep institutional and people-to-people connections forged through shared ties on culture, art and heritage. They recalled the visit in April, at the invitation of the Qatari authorities and HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, of HE Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture of the French Republic. 

    The visit came as part of framework commitments made in the MoU signed in June 2024 between HE Rachida Dati, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, and HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, Chairperson of Qatar Museums. Both Ministers welcomed the signing of 6 partnership agreements in April 2025 between the French Ministry of Culture, Qatar Museums and the cultural institutions of both countries, and pertaining to a broad range of areas of cooperation, in particular training, exhibitions, loans, research, artist residencies, development of image education workshops for young audiences, development of co-productions, support in the creation of a cinematheque. Qatari and French cultural institutions are currently working on the implementation of these agreements.

    The accords include a framework agreement between the French Ministry of Culture and Qatar Museums for professional training in the cultural sector; an agreement between Qatar Museums and the Etablissement public du musée d’Orsay et du musée de l’Orangerie – Valérie Giscard d’Estaing, including research projects, joint exhibition projects, and academic and educational projects. Qatar Museums and the Musée Guimet will proceed on collaboration that includes research, conservation and educational projects dedicated to Asian arts. Qatar Museums also proceeded with a partnership agreement with Manufactures nationales – Sèvres and Mobilier national dedicated to the design and crafts sectors, aiming to strengthen links between French and Qatari designers and craftspeople. Under the framework further Qatar-France agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding between the Doha Film Institute and the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée as well as a Memorandum of understanding between the National Library of Qatar and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. 

    They also welcomed the increased cooperation between the Qatari and French Ministries of Culture, in particular through the forthcoming renewal of the cooperation agreement between the two ministries of Culture.

    Both Ministers reiterated the commitment of their nations to heritage protection, especially in conflict areas, and respect for all relevant international agreements of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

    A SHARED AND RESPONSIBLE FUTURE 

    The State of Qatar and France emphasize the importance of their continued partnership which benefits the interests of both countries and consolidates coordination towards a shared and responsible future.

    Qatar and France look forward to reviewing progress in these areas at the fourth Strategic Dialogue to be held in Doha in 2026.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Don’t Let Aquatic Invasive Species Hitch a Ride!

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 12, 2025

    Lake? Check! Watercraft? Check! Friends and family? Check! But make sure no one else is coming along!

    Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) can be accidentally spread through recreational activities such as boating and fishing. AIS refers to plants, fish, invertebrates, and diseases that are not natural in a particular area and negatively impact the environment, economy and society. Species such as zebra and quagga mussels can be impossible to eliminate once established and can cost millions of dollars to manage.

    “Until October, look for inspection stations along highways and near waterbodies when you are crossing provincial and international borders,” Environment Minister Travis Keisig said. “If you are transporting a watercraft and see an active inspection station, you must stop – it is the law!”

    Since May, the ministry’s inspection program has already intercepted two watercraft entering Saskatchewan that were infested with invasive mussels. So far, AIS such as zebra and quagga mussels have not been detected in our province’s waterbodies and we are working hard to keep it that way.

    You can avoid spreading AIS by knowing what to look for. A list of aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates classified as AIS is available at Aquatic Invasive Species | Invasive Species | Government of Saskatchewan. 

    Following the Clean, Drain and Dry guidelines for watercraft, trailers and equipment after each use is the best way to prevent the spread of harmful AIS in Saskatchewan and ensures these species are not transported or introduced to our waters. This includes kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

    “Every year, our watercraft inspection staff intercept various types of watercraft, from kayaks to sailboats, carrying invasive mussels,” Keisig said. “We also decontaminate many watercraft coming into the province from high-risk areas that were not properly cleaned, drained or dried.”

    Let’s do our part to make sure everyone (and everything) on the boat should be there! For more information about the watercraft inspection program, visit: Watercraft Inspection Program | Aquatic Invasive Species | Government of Saskatchewan.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Lauren Underwood Delivers Remarks at Homeland Security Subcommittee Markup to Highlight How Republican Funding Bill Weakens National Security and Makes Americans More Vulnerable to Terrorism

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

    WASHINGTON — During today’s House Appropriations subcommittee markup of the 2026 Homeland Security funding bill, Ranking Member Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered the following remarks: 

    “Good evening, and thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

    I think we can all agree that whether it is at the border, the airport, our country’s shorelines, or in cyberspace, the Department of Homeland Security cannot fail.  

    But I also believe the Department cannot fail the ideals and values that make America the greatest nation in the world. Under the Trump Administration, DHS is out of control: illegally spending hundreds of millions of our taxpayer dollars and flagrantly violating the rights and civil liberties of Americans. 

    Under this administration, due process and the limitations that the Constitution puts on our government are being ignored, and this bill does nothing to protect Americans from being targeted.  

    It fails to protect American citizens from deportation.  

    It does nothing to protect American citizens from being confronted in their homes and offices, or having their property seized, as this Administration’s deportation policies ignore legal safeguards.  

    It allows ICE agents to continue to grab people in places of worship and in our schools without a warrant, and it punishes legal immigrants who speak their minds all while rewarding for-profit detention centers with billions of taxpayer dollars.  

    As Members of Congress, we have a constitutional responsibility to keep this Administration accountable in both how it spends taxpayer dollars and how it operates.  

    We saw this year after our FEMA hearing what this Department does when anyone speaks truth to power. I am deeply concerned that if this bill passes and the Trump-Noem DHS goes unchecked, the United States of America will become a country that our own citizens will seek refuge from because of the repeated attacks on our basic freedoms and rights.  

    Giving unchecked power to this Administration is bad enough, but unfortunately, the bill makes things worse, by leaving Americans more vulnerable to catastrophic cyber threats and burdening state and local governments. The bill adopts DOGE staffing cuts to CISA and FEMA personnel by roughly $130 million and $93 million, respectively.   

    The burden to respond to the next ransomware attack on your local hospital or deadly hurricane in your district – will increasingly fall to state and local leaders who lack the resources to protect your sensitive health care information from hackers. States don’t have the ability to rebuild after disasters on their own. This bill abandons our neighbors after a crisis.  

    Both the Acting Administrator and the recently named Acting Deputy Administrator of FEMA have little to no emergency management experience.  

    Let me say that again: the two most senior people running FEMA are severely-under qualified at a time when an above-average hurricane season is forecasted, and when the disaster relief fund is already expected to end fiscal year 2025 with an $8 billion deficit.  

    Listen, as recently as last week, the White House had to clean up after the brand new FEMA Administrator was caught supposedly joking about the upcoming hurricane season. We are also heading into wildfire season in the West, and friends, the funding level provided in this bill is insufficient to help us dig out of this hole, and it all but guarantees that FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund will be at a dangerously low level again by next summer. 

    Meanwhile, the White House requested zero dollars to supplement this critical fund that all Americans rely on to recover from major disasters, and fails to acknowledge an urgent $8 billion dollar deficit in the Disaster Relief Fund.  

    The bill fails to address the catastrophic cybersecurity threats facing our critical infrastructure: our hospitals, banks, schools, and secure government systems.  

    And it does nothing to protect Americans from growing attacks on their privacy. The only people who benefit from this bill’s failure to invest here are cybercriminals in China, Russia, and around the world who will now find it easier to attack Americans.  

    Finally, the bill does not include funding for the Citizenship and Integration Program that has been running for more than a decade by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.   

    This initiative funds faith-based organizations and community-focused organizations that help legal immigrants prepare to become citizens by preparing them for the citizenship exam and helping them learn English.  

    Mr. Chairman, we make America stronger and more secure when we make investments in our communities stronger, and when we uphold our values. But this bill does neither, and I cannot support it.   

    Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would like to note for the Record that Ms. Escobar is not able to attend today’s markup due to a canceled flight from Texas. I know she would join me in opposing this bill if she were here and I would like that to be reflected.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Miller Participates in Ways and Means Committee Hearing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a Ways and Means committee hearing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The Congresswoman focused her comments on the success of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill in fixing the Democrat-imposed 1099-K $600 reporting threshold and Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs. A video of the Congresswoman’s questions followed by Secretary Bessent’s responses can be found here and is transcribed below. 

    Congresswoman Miller began by voicing support for the One, Big, Beautiful Bill’s inclusion of her Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act and asking Secretary Bessent about how reverting back to the time-tested standard of $20,000 and 200 transactions for 1099-K will positively affect taxpayers.

    “One of my top priorities in the tax package is to repeal the Democrat’s absurd 1099-K threshold. Under the Biden Administration, Democrats changed the time-tested standard of $20,000 and 200 transactions to $600 when determining whether a taxpayer receives a 1099-K or not. Before this committee, your predecessor acknowledged that this new threshold would be difficult to administer and lead to the taxpayer’s confusion. Instead of working with us to fix it, the Biden Treasury unconstitutionally delayed implementation and then changed the threshold to try and ease the taxpayer’s confusion in the election year. Unfortunately, there are still millions more 1099-K forms that were sent out and Republicans have worked to restore the 1099-K threshold to the time-tested standard of $20,000 and 200 transactions by including my Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. Can you shed some light on how this policy and others being produced from your Department will make life easier for taxpayers?” asked Congresswoman Carol Miller.
     
    “Representative, thank you for discussing these very important issues. As I said, I believe the underappreciated part of President Trump’s economic plan is the deregulation and what you were describing, the cutting back on paperwork that putting thresholds at proper level, is indeed deregulation, lower paperwork. And I think you correctly pointed out that the previous administration, I’m not sure that anyone ever signed […] the front of a paycheck or the back of a paycheck. I think they mostly received direct deposit from the US government because they’re always government employees. So, if you have never made payroll, if you were not processing paperwork, you don’t understand the costs that are inherent in this. If you are a small business person, if you or someone with a lawn care business. [… A]s you said, we have a completely new economy today with the gig economy, whether it is Uber drivers, delivery people, the contract workers who work from home […] in programming fields. So I think that it was tone deaf, completely tone deaf for the nature of the new economy,” replied Secretary Bessent.

    Congresswoman Miller concluded by sharing her support for President Trump’s ongoing trade negotiations and requested Secretary Bessent’s support to secure fairness for America’s domestic steel industry.
     
    “I also want to voice my support for the ongoing trade negotiations that the President and you are working on. For too long, our trusted trade partners have quietly taken advantage of the United States. I am a firm believer that trade truly is the great equalizer and a powerful tool to bring the world together. However, that tool can’t be used effectively if there isn’t fairness within trade deals. I am particularly interested in the domestic steel industry. West Virginia has been producing quality steel for decades, some in my hometown of Huntington, and my district is currently ramping up steel production even further with addition of new mills in Mason County. I am very supportive of the Section 232 tariffs on steel that the President has pursued and am eager to work together with the administration to ensure that a level playing field is also applied to the U.S.-U.K. Economic Prosperity Deal. The U.K. has a history of subsidizing its steel industry – which in turn often undercuts our domestic steel producers. Secretary Bessent, can you commit to continuing working to secure fairness for our domestic steel industry across trade deals?” asked Congresswoman Carol Miller.

    “Representative Miller, I had the privilege of being with the President at the U.S. steel factory in Pittsburgh a week ago Friday, and I can tell you that the President’s commitment to the U.S. steel industry is unwavering [and] that we are bringing back domestic production. And that what we have seen, and one of the previous questions about ‘is China a reliable partner?’, what we have seen during COVID since then is that there are strategic industries, strategic industries in the United States where we must have an industrial base, and I would put steel in the top three,” replied Secretary Bessent. 
     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Huffman Opening Remarks at the Interior Budget Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    June 12, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) delivered the following remarks at the full committee hearing of the FY2026 Interior budget:

    Mr. Secretary, welcome. Thanks for being here. I don’t have to tell you, Mr. Secretary, that your department has enormous responsibilities, managing one-fifth of all U.S. lands, helping fulfill trust obligations to tribal nations, managing national parks, water systems, protecting our native fish and wildlife, and, of course, playing a role in wildfire prevention and response. 
     
    Across every region and state in this country, for many years, people have been able to rely on Interior to discharge these responsibilities. And then DOGE came along with its directive to cut, fire, eliminate, to literally go fast and break things. And DOGE has been allowed to take a wrecking ball to every part of Interior. The consequences could be devastating for millions of everyday Americans. 
     
    So just take wildfire. Our country is heading into another brutal fire season, and yet Interior’s capacity to prepare for and respond to wildfire has been gutted.
     
    Now, you testified in the Senate, Mr. Secretary, only about the number of wildland firefighters between your agency and the Department of Agriculture. But it takes a lot more than that, as anyone who has visited a fire camp understands all too clearly. And those people, those thousands of support personnel, including certified wildfire personnel, are gone.

    It also takes money. Congress appropriated a lot of that for fuel treatment and other much-needed prevention work, and it has been inexplicably delayed setting us back. So, these decisions pose real and immediate threats to homes, lives, and livelihoods.

    At a minimum, Mr. Secretary, I hope your testimony will acknowledge this reality and this problem. 
     
    Ideally, I would like to hear you not only acknowledge what DOGE cuts have done to our fire preparedness, but commit to fix it. 
     
    Now, we hear the same problematic story across Interior. In tribal communities, the BIA firings and funding freezes are stalling or stopping everything from housing construction to public safety projects. At our national parks, millions of Americans are visiting these parks and public lands and already starting to find parks understaffed, services cut, maintenance work delayed following massive staff losses. Across the board, we’re seeing an erosion of public services, and yet this administration and this Republican Congress doesn’t seem to want to talk about, much less fix, these problems.
     
    Indeed, they seem to want to exploit this moment. 
     
    Now, in the Republican reconciliation bill, there is nothing to improve the way the Department of Interior serves people and communities. The singular focus seems to be, and the priority, giving things away to industry. New oil and gas and coal leasing on millions of acres of public lands, slashing fossil fuel royalty rates, gutting environmental review, creating a new pay-to-play permitting scheme for wealthy polluters to dodge legal challenges. And so, while everyday Americans are losing public services they count on, from wildfire readiness to water infrastructure and park access, billionaires are getting big tax breaks, and polluters are getting our public lands and sweetheart deals. Mr. Secretary, your comments have added to this disturbing picture.

    You’ve often described public lands as part of a federal balance sheet, as if they are assets to be liquidated and sold off to please investors and creditors instead of stewarded for current and future generations. And frankly, your talk about balance sheets sounds more like the vulture capitalist approach that has hollowed out the American economy. Strip the asset, extract the value, and move on. I hope today you will assure us that you value more than just monetary interests and fossil fuel development, that healthy ecosystems and recreation, long-term sustainability, our obligation to conserve public lands for future generations, that these are core values and that you’re doing something about it.
     
    As Theodore Roosevelt said, we should turn our natural resources over to the next generation increased and not impaired. So, Mr. Secretary, we will ask some hard questions today. We have to do that because the stakes are huge for millions of Americans, but this is not the first time I’ve asked questions since February. 
     
    I have signed seven letters to the Department of Interior to get answers to many of the concerns I’ve outlined this morning. We got our first response late last night. I will read it, but for the most part, our letters have been ignored. 
     
    And by this point in 2021, Secretary Haaland had already provided multiple responses to committee Republicans. I’m asking you, Mr. Secretary, to commit to replying to our pending oversight letters by the end of this month.

    Will you agree to do that? 
     
    Thank you very much. Mr. Secretary, I look forward to your testimony. There is nothing normal about what is happening in Interior and other agencies right now, breaking down of public services affecting millions of Americans. We deserve real answers, and I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, sir.

    I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy to Defense Secretary Hegseth: You Are Not Willing to Defend Our Democracy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    [embedded content]

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, on Wednesday questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a Defense Subcommittee hearing on President Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Murphy challenged Hegseth on his readiness to deploy the military for President Trump’s political benefit but not to defend the Capitol during January 6th. He also pushed Hegseth to explain why taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill to modify and upgrade the luxury jet the Qatari government gifted Trump for his personal use after his term ends. 

    Murphy pressed Hegseth for refusing to say whether he supported calling in the National Guard to quell the January 6th Capitol riot: “I think that speaks to the worry that many Americans have, that there is a double standard. That you are not willing to defend against attacks made on our democracy by supporters of the president, but you are willing to deploy the National Guard to protect against protesters who are criticizing the president. 

    Murphy continued: “That’s not how our taxpayer dollars are supposed to work. They’re supposed to be used to defend the United States, no matter the nature of the political affiliation of the protesters.” 

    Murphy highlighted the brazen corruption of using taxpayer dollars to upgrade the luxury jet from Qatar after Hegseth confirmed it would be transferred to Trump after his presidency ended:  “Why would we ask the American taxpayer to spend upwards of a billion dollars on a plane that would then only be used for a handful of months and then transferred directly to the president? … I think this is extraordinary, Mr. Chairman. We’re talking about a pretty massive investment of appropriations dollars into a plane that, the Secretary is saying, is currently planned to be transferred personally to the president. There’s a lot of other pending needs that we need to fund. This would seem to be low on the list.” 

    A full transcript of Murphy’s exchange with Hegseth can be found below:

    MURPHY: “Thank you very much Mr. Chairman. Thank you Mr. Secretary for being here today.

    “I wanted to build on some of the questions that Senator Schatz was asking, just to try to build a fact predicate for some of the tough spending decisions we’re going to have to make here. Just to confirm, I heard you say, with respect to the gift of the plane from Qatar, that we do not yet have a signed MOU with the government of Qatar, is that right?”

    HEGSETH: “Correct. We’re in the process of working through that.”

    MURPHY: “And did you also say we don’t have a signed contract with the company that is going to do the work, or did you say that we have a contract, you’re just not willing to disclose the terms?”

    HEGSETH: “The terms should not be disclosed of anything related to an aircraft of this type.”

    MURPHY: “So, in 2018, when the contract was signed with Boeing to do the upgrades, or the new contracts for Air Force One, the terms of that contract were disclosed. They were made public. In fact, it was the Trump administration that issued a press release giving the total as $3.9 billion. Are you saying this time around, even after you signed the contract, you’re not going to make public any of the terms of the contract?”

    HEGSETH: “I wasn’t involved in that previous administration decision, but we’re happy to take a look.”

    MURPHY: “The Air Force testified before the House that that contract would likely deliver the new Air Force Ones by the 2028 timeframe. It doesn’t stand to reason that you will be able to retrofit the plane from Qatar much sooner than 2028. I’m trying to understand what the gap is that we’re trying to fill. If this contract ends up being a half a billion dollars and the gap only ends up being six months, that doesn’t sound like a wise investment for this committee to make.”

    HEGSETH: “Senator, I would defer to the expertise of the Air Force as far as timing of modifications and when that would happen, but there’s also been delay after delay after delay on the Boeing side, so I don’t know that a firm fixed date yet, unfortunately, can be counted on.”

    MURPHY: “So, obviously the underlying question here is ‘what is going to happen to the plane at the end of Trump’s presidency?’ The president said on May 12 that this plane would be transferred to his presidential library at the end of his term. Is that your understanding of what is going to happen with this plane?”

    HEGSETH: “The president said that. That’s my understanding, although I would look at what comes out in the MOU.”

    MURPHY: “Why would we ask the American taxpayer to spend upwards of a billion dollars on a plane that would then only be used for a handful of months and then transferred directly to the president? That doesn’t sound like a wise use of taxpayer dollars.”

    HEGSETH: “A lot of the capabilities, as you know, Senator, of that particular platform are and should remain classified. So there are reasons why you might modify, even for a short period of time, an aircraft to ensure the safety and security of the president of the United States.”

    MURPHY: “When do you believe that those upgrades would be made? How long would the president have it before it got transferred to his personal possession?”

    HEGSETH: “That would be a determination of the Air Force, that would take hold of it and make those modifications within whatever time window they believe gets it to the place where it needed to be.”

    MURPHY: “Yeah, I think this is extraordinary, Mr. Chairman. We’re talking about a pretty massive investment of appropriations dollars into a plane that, the secretary is saying, is currently planned to be transferred personally to the president. There’s a lot of other pending needs that we need to fund. This would seem to be low on the list. 

    “Mr. Secretary, one final question. Obviously you know that there is a concern in the public about a double standard that is applied to protests – sometimes protest that turns violent. The president, when he came into office, issued pardons to the individuals that attacked the United States Capitol, including those individuals who beat, savagely, police officers. You have deployed the National Guard and readied Marines in a way that many people think is unnecessary given the state and the local resources. So maybe let me ask the question this way so that you can assuage people’s concerns that there is a double standard: the National Guard was deployed here on January 6, and that was a decision made by the Department of Defense. Do you support that decision? Do you believe that that was the right decision, to deploy the National Guard to defend the Capitol on January 6?”

    HEGSETH: “All I know is it’s the right decision to be deploying the National Guard in Los Angeles to defend ICE agents, who deserve to be defended in the execution of their jobs.”

    MURPHY: “But I think it’s important to know whether you think it was also important to have the National Guard defending the United States Capitol, when there were violent protesters here on the president’s behalf, to make sure that folks know that you care about protest, whether it’s against the president or on behalf of the president.”

    HEGSETH: “Senator, I was in the Washington D.C. National Guard when that happened, and was initially ordered to go guard the inauguration of Joe Biden. But because of the politicization of the Biden administration, my orders were revoked, and ultimately, because of the politics that were being played inside the Defense Department by the previous administration.”

    MURPHY: “But do you support the decision made on January 6 to send the National Guard here to defend the Capitol?”

    HEGSETH: “I support the decision that President Trump made, in requesting the National Guard, that was denied. President Trump requested support for the National Guard in advance and was denied.”

    MURPHY: “You do not support the decision to send the National Guard here to defend the Capitol.  I think that speaks to the worry that many Americans have, that there is a double standard. That you are not willing to defend against attacks made on our democracy by supporters of the president, but you are willing to deploy the National Guard to protect against protesters who are criticizing the president. That’s not how our taxpayer dollars are supposed to work. They’re supposed to be used to defend the United States, no matter the nature of the political affiliation of the protesters. 

    “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Enhancing biodiversity through ecological restoration of Canyon Creek in Vancouver 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Vancouver, British Columbia, June 12, 2025 — Natural infrastructure improvements to Canyon Creek in Spanish Banks Beach Park will create naturalized habitats, strengthen climate resilience, and enhance public access to nature following an investment of $992,800 from the federal government through the Natural Infrastructure Fund.

    The project will restore greenspace and support local biodiversity by planting native species and creating habitats for birds, aquatic life, and pollinators. It includes daylighting the historic Canyon Creek and constructing new wetlands and riparian features to reconnect it through Pacific Spirit Regional Park to Spanish Banks West Extension Park, helping improve water quality in English Bay.

    Improvements along the shoreline will benefit fish populations and their habitats, while stormwater measures, such as a sewer connection and bioswales, will help manage runoff and reduce the risk of flooding.

    To improve accessibility and connectivity, the project will realign the bikeway separately from the pedestrian path and upgrade the multi-use path to provide access to the viewing deck. Interpretive signage will also be added to support public education and ecological awareness.

    Once complete, the restoration will encourage the return of native species, expand community access to nature, and contribute to the long-term health and sustainability of the local ecosystem.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Exemption for Polystyrene Foam Food Containers Prepackaged at Wholesale Extended until 2027

    Source: US State of Maine

    June 12, 2025

    CONTACT:

    A new law will go into effect immediately that extends the exemption from the ban on polystyrene foam food containers to allow raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs to be sold in polystyrene foam containers until July 1, 2027. It also extends the exemption to allow retailers to sell food or beverages in or on disposable food service containers composed of polystyrene foam that is prepackaged at wholesale until July 1, 2027.
    This law does not make any change to the ban on polystyrene foam disposable food service containers for take-out foods, bakery products, and leftovers from partially consumed meals that is currently in effect. Disposable food service containers are service ware designed for one-time use, and include bowls, plates, trays, carton, cups, lids sleeves, or other items for containing, transporting, and serving foods. Additional information regarding the polystyrene ban can be found on the Department’s Polystyrene Foam webpage.

    A “frequently asked questions” guidance sheet has been prepared by the Department to provide additional information regarding who and what must comply with the ban can be found on the Departments web page at the link above.

    This change in the law only extends the exemption. After July 1, 2027, all food and beverage products sold in Maine, including food prepackaged out of State by wholesalers for retail sale, cannot be packaged in polystyrene foam.

    For additional information, contact: David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner david.madore@maine.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Should global media giants shape our cultural and media policy? Lessons from satellite radio

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Brian Fauteux, Associate Professor Popular Music and Media Studies, University of Alberta

    Debates about regulating Canadian content for streaming media platforms are ongoing, and key issues include revising the definition of Canadian content for audio and visual cultural productions and whether big streaming companies would be mandated to follow new Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) policies.

    Global streaming companies are fighting regulations requiring them to fund Canadian content and news.

    The Motion Picture Association-Canada, which represents large streamers like Netflix, Amazon and Disney, has argued that the CRTC should not impose “mandatory positions, functions or elements of a ‘Canadian program’” on global streaming companies.

    The Online Streaming Act, passed in 2023, amended the Broadcasting Act to “ensure that online streaming services make meaningful contributions to Canadian and Indigenous content.”

    For example, according to the act, online audio streaming services that make more than $25 million in annual revenue and that aren’t affiliated with a Canadian broadcaster will contribute five per cent of those funds to organizations such as FACTOR, Musicaction, the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Indigenous Music Office, among others.

    This has the potential to benefit musicians in Canada. But Apple and Spotify, and other tech and music companies, have banded together (under the Digital Media Association, DiMA), labelling the act a “streaming tax” on users.

    This is a pivotal moment to think about the important role of policy to support Canada’s independent artists, as well as public and community media, and the increasing power of global streaming companies when it comes to setting the terms of cultural policy. One way to do this is to consider the trajectory of satellite radio.



    Read more:
    Canada’s identity is at stake if we don’t equitably fund and support its music now

    Lessons from satellite radio

    As I have previously argued, the history of satellite radio anticipated the broader turn to subscription music listening. Similarly, the story of satellite radio in Canada exemplifies the tensions arising in policymaking today with streaming media.

    As I discuss in my new book, Music in Orbit: Satellite Radio in the Streaming Space Age, the launch of subscription satellite radio services in the United States in 2001, and their subsequent entry into the Canadian market in 2005, raised questions about how to regulate these new services.

    Canadian content regulations had been established for broadcast radio in 1971, and these needed to be sorted out for satellite radio channels. Many artists and music industry workers were keen to allow the service to enter the country, while others were concerned with the lack of substantial cultural protectionism.

    Canadian content for satellite

    When the CRTC first licensed Sirius and XM in Canada, the license stipulated that each provider had to offer at least eight Canadian-produced channels, each with at least 85 per cent Canadian content. (These guidelines countered the satellite providers’ proposal of only four Canadian channels each.) Later, the CRTC revised regulations, so that no less than 10 per cent of unique channels, per provider, had to be Canadian.

    Critics felt that relegating Canadian music to a small selection of channels higher on the channel lineup (in the 160s and 170s) was a disservice to Canadian content regulations, as those channels were easy to ignore. They also thought that, overall, the domestic music content featured on satellite would be lower than what was heard on terrestrial radio.

    During the 2004 CRTC public hearing before the licensing of Sirius and XM in Canada, Neil Dixon, the president of Canadian Music Week, argued that “one of the most difficult things we had to do in promoting independent music on an independent label was getting it outside this country.”

    Dixon championed the advantages of satellite radio in comparison to terrestrial radio, as did several creatives entities. They spoke of the belief and hope in seeing Canadian, as well as Indigenous artists, heard beyond Canadian borders and in areas not served by broadcast radio.

    CBC Radio 3 and satellite

    Among the Canadian satellite channels was CBC Radio 3, a channel programming 100 per cent independent Canadian music. It served as a beacon of hope for Canadian artists because its music programming drew from a wide variety of artists who had not yet received commercial radio play. This channel came from a financial and programming partnership between CBC, the public broadcaster, and Sirius Canada.

    Years after the 2011 merger of Sirius and XM in Canada, SiriusXM Canada was restructured in 2016, with 70 per cent of the company now owned by U.S. SiriusXM. This also meant that the CBC would cease being a shareholder in SiriusXM Canada.

    In 2022, Sirius XM Canada announced it was removing CBC Radio 3 and CBC Country; these were replaced by channels programmed by SiriusXM. The company also cut French-language CBC music channels ICI Musique Franco-Country and ICI Musique Chansons and introduced new French music channels.

    Uproar over cutting of CBC channels

    The cutting of CBC channels sparked uproar among artists in Canada, namely independent ones. SiriusXM had become a major income source for Canadian artists, particularly by comparison to the low royalty payments from Canadian commercial radio and streaming platforms.

    One headline in the Toronto Star read: “‘Final nail in the coffin’: Why SiriusXM dropping CBC Radio 3 is ‘potentially catastrophic’ for Canadian artists.”

    For artists, a royalty payment could be about $50 per play, divided between artist and owner of the song’s master (typically labels).



    Read more:
    Artists’ Spotify criticisms point to larger ways musicians lose with streaming — here’s 3 changes to help in Canada

    Subscription radio and superstar artists

    Among the new channels introduced by SiriusXM when it simultaneously cut CBC channels was Mixtape North, devoted to Canadian hip hop and R&B.

    Such a channel has the potential to support upcoming Canadian artists in these genres. However, the Mixtape North channel description mentions massively successful commercial artists: “Playing the newest hits from Drake and Jessie Reyez to classic throwbacks from Kardinal Offishall and K-OS to emerging voices.” In late May 2025, according to xmplaylist.com, the most played artists were The Weeknd and Drake, as well as Melanie Fiona, who has a new song with American artist LaRussell.

    A balance between superstar artists and smaller or independent artists is evident. The channel seems designed for more superstar artists than Radio 3, because it is without the CBC’s public media mandate to play independent artists.

    Precarity of public media institutions

    SiriusXM is a massive commercial subscription radio company with a long history of working to alter cultural policy in its favour. Some have argued that it didn’t make sense for a public media company to partner with a commercial subscription radio service in this way.

    The precarious position of public institutions and regulations to support smaller or independent artists remains a pressing issue. Traditional public broadcasters globally, since at least the early 2000s, have faced a growing pressure to reconceive service delivery and responsiveness to public needs and interests, and the multimedia ways people may want to tune in or engage.



    Read more:
    Trump and many GOP lawmakers want to end all funding for NPR and PBS − unraveling a US public media system that took a century to build

    The story of satellite radio exemplifies an imperfect approach to supporting Canadian culture across the digital and streaming music era, as well as the competing commercial and public interests in policymaking.

    We need to pay careful attention to the uneven power dynamics between major media companies and then the musicians and music lovers who live by the rules established through policymaking.

    Brian Fauteux receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Should global media giants shape our cultural and media policy? Lessons from satellite radio – https://theconversation.com/should-global-media-giants-shape-our-cultural-and-media-policy-lessons-from-satellite-radio-257531

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The deteriorating justice system in England and Wales is hindering economic growth

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Diane Coyle, Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

    Tupungato/Shutterstock

    The Labour government has made economic growth its top priority, committing to planning reforms, business partnerships and millions of pounds of investment in science and technology.

    But economic growth is not just about innovation, investment and businesses. How the law functions is of fundamental importance for economic growth. The UK’s highly-regarded system of justice plays an important role in creating the environment of trust that underpins commerce and investment.

    The legal system should be regarded as part of the national infrastructure, just as much as rail or electricity networks, or health and education. But like them, it has suffered a sustained drop in funding. And with the civil courts now in a state of neglect, their reputation – and the trust placed in them – is at risk of crumbling.

    For both people and businesses, the forum for resolving disputes and securing rights against one another, or against the state, involves the legal system. County courts, tribunals and bodies such as Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) are just a few of the bodies involved in civil and administrative law, employment law, tax law and corporate law.

    The Ministry of Justice budget for England and Wales, which funds courts and tribunals, started to fall in real terms in the 2011-12 financial year. This has led to under-resourcing, underequipping, and understaffing of services. Justice is an “unprotected” government department, and continues to be a low priority compared to others such as health and education.

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

    The chancellor’s spending review announced “up to £450 million additional investment per year for the courts system by 2028-29, compared to 2025-26”, which the government says will help tackle court backlogs. But years of decline have already deteriorated the system significantly.

    The key question to measuring the success of publicly-funded legal systems is, are they fast, fair and predictable? It would be difficult today to answer positively.

    There are large backlogs due to staff shortfalls compared to caseloads. When it comes to civil claims in the courts, aside from the very smallest claims, the average period from a claim to a hearing is now 77 weeks. This is an increase from 48 weeks pre-austerity. In either case, it’s plenty of time for a small business or startup to go under while trying to reclaim a debt.

    The position in the tribunals is not much better. According to the latest Ministry of Justice statistics, the backlog of open tribunal cases rose by 4% overall in the quarter to June 2024, to 668,000. There was a 17% jump in employment tribunal open cases, and a huge surge in appeals to the special educational needs and disability tribunal, taking the backlog up 61% to 9,200.

    Another example is the 79,000 appeals outstanding at the social security and child support tribunal, where eligibility for personal independence payments for disabled people is determined. This was up 12% on the year in mid-2024, causing a large number of mostly financially struggling people to wait too long for the money they are due. This has the effect of draining spending power in the local economies that need it most.

    So much for speed. What about whether people and businesses can rely on justice that is fair and predictable? Unfortunately, the tribunal statistics contain worrying signs that this is not reliably happening. For instance, with the social security and child support tribunal, three-fifths of hearings resulted in administrative decisions being overturned in favour of the claimant.

    Effect on the economy

    The economic impact of fraying civil justice is hard to discern. The academic and policy literature alike tend to focus on the high-profile areas of law that affect corporations, such as property and contract disputes.

    Yet there are assuredly costs across the system. Employers may be unable to recruit staff until a tribunal case is settled; meanwhile, employees can’t find a new job. And small businesses may be unable to get bills paid, even for large amounts well over what their cash flow can sustain.

    Long waiting periods for tribunals can harm small businesses.
    JessicaGirvan/Shutterstock

    For countries where slow and unpredictable justice has long been acknowledged as a problem, there is solid evidence of its detrimental effect on the economy. For example, Italian growth has been shown to be hampered by the uncertainty around civil law processes, increasing the risks involved in business decisions. Economists – including Nobel prizewinners Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson – have identified the legal system as essential underpinning for the economy.

    The justice system needs to be regarded as part of national infrastructure, the collection of physical and institutional systems and networks without which the economy cannot function. People do not want courts any more than they want bridges or cables for their own sake, but for all the indispensable activities they enable.

    The value of the courts is indirect but fundamental. If they crumble, the economic transactions and investment enabled by a predictable, rapid justice system are held back.

    Civil and administrative justice does not leap to mind when contemplating the demands of the growth mission: battery factories, graphene labs and building sites all provide ministers with better photo ops. But unless there is improvement in the timeliness of decisions by courts and tribunals, growth in the UK will be facing yet another powerful headwind.

    Diane Coyle has received funding from the Nuffield Foundation’s Public Right to Justice programme.

    – ref. The deteriorating justice system in England and Wales is hindering economic growth – https://theconversation.com/the-deteriorating-justice-system-in-england-and-wales-is-hindering-economic-growth-258362

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Job Index Reveals The Toughest Jobs In The UK

    Source: Samsung

    New research finds firefighters have UK’s toughest job, with paramedics, farmers and builders also included among most gruelling roles in the country
    90% of Brits say tech that can withstand tough jobs is vital in demanding roles, with extreme environments (63%) and hazardous conditions (64%) cited as key challenges
    Our Yorkshire Farm Shepherdess, Amanda Owen partners with Samsung to demonstrate real-world resilience testing of the new Rugged device range, from mucking out to herding sheep
    The new Samsung XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro Enterprise Edition deliver military-grade durability[1], water-resistance[2], long battery life[3], and push-to-talk functionality[4] – purpose built for frontline and field-based professionals

     
    James Speakman/PA Media Assignments
     
    New research has revealed the UK’s toughest jobs – with firefighters topping the list.
     
    The poll of 2,000 Brits found paramedics, farmers and armed forces personnel were also cited as those who deserve recognition for doing of the most physically and mentally draining work.
     
    The study was commissioned by Samsung to launch their latest Rugged device range which is designed to thrive in harsh work environments and was judged according to criteria including physical demands, danger and risk, and work environment.
     
    The findings, which also identified police officers (34%), fishermen (16%) and construction workers (15%) among the UK’s toughest workers, underscored a growing demand among workers and employers for tech that can withstand harsh, high-risk environments.
     
    TOP 20 TOUGHEST JOBS
     

    Firefighter (45%)
    Paramedic (44%)
    Surgeon (44%)
    Nurse (37%)
    Police Officer (34%)
    Armed Forces Personnel (28%)
    Care Worker (22%)
    Farmer (20%)
    Teacher (20%)
    Social Worker (18%)
    Fisherman (16%)
    Construction Worker (15%)
    Agricultural Labourer (11%)
    Builder / Bricklayer (9%)
    Underground Utility Worker (9%)
    Scaffolder (6%)
    Mechanic (6%)
    Roofer (6%)
    Refuse Collector (Bin Worker) (5%)
    Train driver (5%)

     
    The research also revealed that nine in 10 Brits value devices capable of withstanding harsh conditions, citing reducing physical strain through equipment (54%), alerting workers to risks more quickly (53%) and automating repetitive tasks (45%) as ways to ease pressure.
     
    To emphasise the importance of durable technology in tough jobs, Samsung enlisted farmer and shepherdess Amanda Owen to give an insight into the realities of working life on a farm.
     
    From mucking out and herding animals, to operating machinery and navigating unpredictable weather, Amanda showcases how physically demanding farm life can be, highlighting the need for technology that can keep up with resilient workers themselves.
     
    Amanda Owen says: “Farming isn’t for the faint hearted – we’re up before dawn, battling the elements, and it takes real resilience out here. In this environment, our tech needs to be just as tough—anything that can’t handle water or a drop is a liability. We need something rugged on the outside and smart on the inside, that can keep up with the job.”
     

     
    According to respondents, 63% of people believe for a job to be ‘tough’ it must take place in an extreme environment. 58% of jobs which can be considered challenging also involve working with dangerous equipment, with a further 55% fearing dangerous people.
     
    Two thirds (62%) of Brits agree that tough jobs need more recognition in the UK saying that they play a vital role in keeping the country running (64%), often work long hours with little rest (46%) and face hazardous conditions daily (62%) as to why they deserve more recognition.
     
    The Samsung Rugged range, which includes the Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro, is designed to take on tough, rugged environments, offering water and dust resistance[5], drop protection[6], long battery life as well as replaceable batteries, and enhanced touch sensitivity for use in the rain[7] or with gloves[8]
     
    Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product & Marketing, Samsung UK&I says:“Tough roles demand robust support. Whether it’s maintaining connectivity in the field or ensuring mission-critical tasks aren’t interrupted, having the right tech in place is essential. The Rugged range has been engineered specifically for these environments — combining military-grade durability with the business tools workforces require.”
     
    Almost half (46%) of Brits admitted they don’t feel like they have the resilience to take on a physically demanding role, a figure that dropped to 40% among men.
     
    In contrast, 52% of women believe they have what it takes to handle roles that might require higher levels of emotional and mental capacity.
     
    When it comes to younger generations, 61% of those aged 18–24 have considered taking up physically tough roles when exploring career options. This compares with just 11% of Boomers, who prefer to steer clear of jobs they’d deem tough.
     
    Two in five (38%) agree there’s a misconception that physically demanding jobs don’t require robust technology.
     
    From construction sites and emergency callouts to remote locations and extreme weather – where phone failure simply isn’t an option – Samsung’s Rugged range is built to go the distance with those who keep the country running.
     
    Engineered for endurance, the devices offer military-grade protection, taking up to a 1.8 metre drop with the cover on[9], ready for whatever the job throws at them.
     
    The programmable hot key allows you to set up shortcuts for frequently used apps, you can transform your device into a walkie-talkie, torch, scanner, payment terminal or whatever you need it to be.
     
    But it’s not just the hardware that’s built for resilience. With the ability to set up Knox Suite[10] swiftly with QuickStart Go, teams can be up and running with business-ready devices in no time, while Samsung Knox security keeps data protected against malware or threats.
     
    And with 3-year warranty, up to 8- years of security maintenance releases and eight generations of operating system updates[11], plus next-business-day doorstep exchange[12], Rugged users get the reassurance and support they need, long after deployment.
     
    The Samsung Rugged devices are available to purchase now. For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/mobile/rugged/.
     
    [1]Drop test results meet MIL STD 810H standard and vary depending on particular Rugged device.​ Test scope: Altitude, Humidity, Immersion, Salt Fog, Dust, Vibration, Drop, and more. Tab Active5 Pro can take 1.8M with case on and other devices in the range can take 1.5M drop. Internally tested with Liquid Ethanol, Ethanol Cotton, Clorox  (Chlorine bleach), Medilox HCIO.
    [2]The device can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available
    [3]Additional battery sold separately. In the case of extra replaceable batteries, only Samsung-certified products are compatible for use. Need to turn on “No Battery Mode” and use a dedicated USB Type C power source accessory (9V/2.3A ↑, PD2.0↑). Cradle and power source accessory sold separately. No Battery Mode limits device’s CPU/GPU performance and reduces maximum volume, and display brightness, when enabled. No Battery Mode available on Tab Active devices only
    [4]Additional licenses may be required. Requires Samsung D2D Service
    [5]Resistant to dust and up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes (IP68). Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.
    [6]Tab Active5 can take 2.8M and other devices in the range can take 1.5M drop
    [7]The device can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available.
    [8]Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves thinner than 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.

    [9]Drop test results meet MIL STD 810H standard and vary depending on particular Rugged device.​ Test scope: Altitude, Humidity, Immersion, Salt Fog, Dust, Vibration, Drop, and more. Tab Active5 Pro can take 1.8M with case on and other devices in the range can take 1.5M drop.
    [10]One-year free Knox Suite Enterprise Plan included with Enterprise Edition devices with purchase of subsequent years.
    [11] 8 years from first global launch for Tab Active5 Series and 7 Years from first global launch for XCover7 Series.
    [12]Doorstep Exchange with Samsung gold stock. Terms apply.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Politics with Michelle Grattan: Senator Tammy Tyrrell on wild days in Tasmania

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Tasmanian politics has been thrown into chaos after a Labor motion of no confidence forced Premier Jeremy Rockliff to either resign or call for a new election. The premier opted for the latter, with Tasmanians to vote on July 19, only something over a year into the four-year term.

    In Tasmania, Australia’s smallest state in terms of both size and population, local issues dominate. Labor homed in on economic mismanagement.

    But there is controversy over the Macquarie Point Hobart AFL stadium (which the major parties support) as well as the state’s important salmon industry, which saw a lot of attention federally in the lead-up to the last election.

    To talk all things Tasmanian, we’re joined by Independent Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrrell. She was elected in 2022 under the banner of the Jacqui Lambie Network a former member of the party but left last year. We talk about the state election, as well as federal issues and the new Senate.

    Tyrrell laments Tasmanians’ being made to vote again so soon,

    I was out and about on the northwest coast of Tasmania all day yesterday and everybody was like, what the heck is going on? They don’t want to go to an election, the people of Tasmania, they want the parliament to actually be grown ups and sort it out amongst themselves.

    The budget in Tasmania is in a shambles and we’re so far in the red that we can’t see any way out of it. But really? There’s no way that the Labor [party] is going to form government unless they form a minority government and no Tasmanian will support a Labor-Greens government again in a hurry. But I really think that the Liberal government should have elevated somebody else from within to be the leader, to be the premier.

    On her former boss Jacqui Lambie whose party has now collapsed, Tyrrell says it’s because of the kind of person she is,

    [In] the federal election, Jacqui focused outside of Tasmania. She focused on expanding the network. And it didn’t work for her because she didn’t campaign enough here in Tasmania.

    It’s a shame that she’s not supporting the candidate that is still sitting with her under the network. […] I think she should have stuck by Andrew Jenner and supported him through this [Tasmanian] election because he has shown loyalty to her and he has stuck it through thick and thin. So I believe he should be able to run back under the banner.

    Jacqui is a strong person and the network had every chance to be a strong network, but Jacqui [is] not really a team player. She’s more of a single athlete because she’s so determined and strong of her opinion and it’s hard to take a group forward when you’ve got such a strong force that does not communicate sideways very well. She is a strong human being and I still believe in Jacqui but it makes it hard for her to have a team.

    On the salmon farming industry, while Tyrrell voices her support, she agrees that environmental concerns do matter,

    I support any industry that puts jobs and money into small rural and regional communities in Tasmania. I agree that they need to be as eco and as green friendly as possible and I know that the salmon industry is doing things to be clean and as green as possible. But I also believe that we need to look after the people who live and work in Tasmania.

    We can’t sacrifice an industry completely just to satisfy the people that don’t like the salmon industry. I will always support the people of Tasmania and encourage industry and business to be as eco-friendly as possible, which is why we’re encouraging as many biofuels and eco-green fuel companies as possible to come to Tasmania, and thrive here.

    On reports that the Nationals approached her to join their party. Tyrell says while she didn’t seriously consider it, she took it as a “compliment”,

    It was a big compliment though. The Nats represent rural and regional Australia beautifully, by speaking their voice and for them to see that I am representing the people of Tasmania in a good light. It was a huge compliment to be approached to join them. But I’d already been in a relationship and I’m quite happy being a single divorcee.

    It’s amazing being an independent, it means that I can say and do what my community wants me to in their voice without having to agree to broad-sweeping politics or legislative ideas that I don’t agree with fundamentally.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Politics with Michelle Grattan: Senator Tammy Tyrrell on wild days in Tasmania – https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-senator-tammy-tyrrell-on-wild-days-in-tasmania-258802

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Yorkshire second region in England to move into drought status

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Yorkshire second region in England to move into drought status

    Yorkshire has become the second region to enter drought status following the driest spring in 132 years.

    Yorkshire has become the second region to enter drought status following the driest spring in 132 years.  

    The Environment Agency announced the change in status today (12th June 2025) following declining river flows and groundwater levels because of the dry March, April and May.  

    The decision sees the regulator stepping up its operational response in Yorkshire, whilst making sure water companies deliver the actions agreed in their drought plans.  

    This includes speeding up the fixing of leaks and communicating with customers on how to reduce demand to preserve supplies. 

    In the meantime, the National Drought Group will continue to meet regularly over the summer and is receiving updates on the situation.

    Claire Barrow, Yorkshire Environment, Planning and Engagement Manager, said:  

    Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May.  

    While we have had some rain at the start of June, it has not been enough to reverse the impacts of the prolonged dry weather. 

    We are working with Yorkshire Water to make sure they enact their drought plans. We also encourage people to be aware of the environmental impacts of droughts as we enter the summer period and note the small steps we can all take to save water.

    Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 

    I am receiving regular updates from the Environment Agency. 

    I’m doing everything in my power to hold Yorkshire Water to account to ensure we have the regular supply of water that is needed across the region. 

    The government is taking decisive action to secure our water supply for the decades to come. That’s why we are building nine new reservoirs and upgrading pipes to cut leakage by 17%. 

    The north-west of England entered drought status on 21st May. The recent wet weather in the region has helped stabilise the situation and improve reservoir levels, but the area remains in drought.  

    Yorkshire received 66% of the long-term average May rainfall while England has experienced its driest spring since 1893.  

    Across the country, England has only seen 57% of the long-term average rainfall for last month. Three areas – the north-east, east and west midlands – are also experiencing prolonged dry weather.  

    Periods of dry weather and low rivers can have several consequences for the environment and wildlife. Low oxygen levels in water can lead to fish kills, as well as more algal blooms and lower river flows prevent wildlife from moving up or downstream.  The EA has moved over 500 native, white-clawed crayfish to a safer location as experts are concerned about water flow in the area. 

    Hot and dry weather can increase wildfires, severely damaging vulnerable areas of heathland and moorland. Yorkshire has seen several wildfires on the Pennine moorland, including large fires at Marsden Moor, Wessenden, and Rishworth Moor.  

    Crop failure is also a major impact of drought while low water levels make navigation difficult on canals and some rivers.  

    There are a number of closures and restrictions in place to preserve water across the Canal & River Trust network, predominantly on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. 

    There are simple ways people can help save water, including taking shorter showers, using water from the kitchen to water plants, and fixing leaky toilets. 

    Read more about drought here: Drought explained – Creating a better place

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green Tourism success for Aberdeen’s Art Gallery and Museums

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Aberdeen City Council’s Archives, Gallery & Museums service (AAGM) is celebrating Green Tourism awards success for four of its venues. 
     
    The Art Gallery has achieved the highest award, Gold recognition, with the Maritime Museum, Provost Skene’s House and the Treasure Hub celebrating Silver status.  
     
    Green Tourism is the world’s largest sustainable certification programme of its kind, promoting greener ways for businesses and organisations to operate, by offering advice on sustainability best practice, from ethical buying to reducing energy use. 
     
    The AAGM staff team was congratulated by the judges for displaying an excellent understanding of sustainability and awareness of opportunities and challenges associated with running a responsible business. The AAGM submissions were themed around People, Places and Planet, with initiatives including: 

    Key projects: 
    Establishing a wildflower meadow at the Treasure Hub in Northfield 
    Over 97% of the UK’s wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s. Staff volunteers worked with Habitat People to rewild a patch of land at the Treasure Hub to bring back at-risk plant species including crane’s-bill, yellow toadflax or pignut. As the meadow matures it will increase the biodiversity of the area, including pollinators and grasshoppers.  
     
    Re-homing bee hives 
    Bees prop-up the ecosystem and are an integral part of it. The team is working with a local beekeeper to provide a safe and secure home for hives.  
     
    Repurposing art crates – from crate to plate 
    The AAGM collection is in demand, but bespoke packing materials are an unfortunate by-product of lending artworks to other art galleries and museums. Re-fitting a crate requires specialist equipment and knowledge, making them difficult and expensive to re-use. AAGM worked with Fresh Community Wellness SCIO (Freshcom) to re-purpose crates as flower and vegetable planters for a community garden in Seaton. ACC gardeners re-purposed a number crates for Cfine, who worked with asylum seekers  to plant a range of vegetables including kale, beetroot, carrots, radishes and parsnips. The crates were painted in the Ukranian colours of blue and yellow.  
    David McDonald of the Green Tourism Awards, said, “It gives the judges the utmost pleasure to confirm these awards. We were extremely impressed with the level of detail and work put into all four submissions. The whole staff team should be justifiably proud of their achievement and we look forward to continuing to work together.” 
     
    David Jackson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said, “We must all play a role in preserving Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. I’m thrilled to hear about AAGM’s Green Tourism Award successes. Sustainable tourism development is at the heart of what we do, working with partners to drive change and embed responsible practices across the industry. Our VisitScotland business support hub contains a plethora of essential advice, including a guide to Net Zero and information on how businesses can create a sustainability and climate action plan. We have a vision for Scotland to be the most economically, environmentally and socially sustainable destination in the world, so it’s great to see AAGM playing their part and demonstrating real leadership for the region.” 
     
    Councillor Miranda Radley, Aberdeen City Council’s tourism spokesperson and VisitAberdeenshire Council Director, said, “The Gold and Silver Green Tourism awards are fantastic news for visitors to the Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, Provost Skene’s House and Treasure Hub. We know from research with our visitors that climate change is an important issue for them. The globally-recognised Green Tourism awards will give visitors the confidence that we are working towards a climate positive future where, alongside the art and history collection, we also value our planet as an irreplaceable treasure.” 

    Councillor Ian Yuill, Co-Leader of the Council, said, “This success in the Green Tourism awards highlights the Council’s commitment to sustainability, from improving biodiversity and eliminating single-use items, to supporting our local communities. I congratulate the Archives, Gallery & Museums team on their commitment to sustainability in relation to people, place and planet and the excellent work they have done to date to achieve the Green Tourism awards.” 
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cash for sharks: the unintended consequences of paying fishermen to release sharks caught in their nets – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    As Jaws marks its 50th anniversary this year, sharks continue to get a bad rap. Film after film portrays them as terrifying hunters, the bane of surfers and swimmers.

    But in Indonesia, sharks are the hunted. It’s the world’s largest shark-fishing nation, with more species of sharks found in Indonesian waters than in any other country. It’s estimated that one in three species of shark and their close relatives, including rays, are threatened with extinction.

    Indonesia was the ideal place for conservation scientist Hollie Booth and her colleagues at a local NGO that she founded called Kebersamaan Untuk Lautan (an Indonesian phrase meaning “togetherness for the ocean”), to test out a new idea: would paying fishermen to release any sharks and rays caught accidentally in their nets help to keep more alive?

    “ Nobody’s ever done a randomised control trial of an incentive-based marine conservation programme before,” Booth, a researcher at the University of Oxford, told The Conversation Weekly podcast, “ and it is the best way to get good evidence on what is and isn’t working.”

    Booth and her colleagues were delighted that the vessels taking part in the trial were sending back videos of fishermen releasing sharks and rays caught up in their nets.

    But when they had enough data to really analyse what had been happening, they realised that the incentive programme had some unintended consequences. “ It wasn’t all quite as positive and rosy as we’d originally hoped,” says Booth. “I felt like a fraud.”

    Listen to Hollie Booth and her colleague M. Said Ramdlan discuss their new study on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware with production assistance from Mend Mariwany and Katie Flood. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts.

    Hollie Booth is the founder and Chair of Kebersamaan Untuk Lautan. The program and this research was funded by Save Our Seas Foundation and the UK Darwin Initiative. M Said Ramdlan works as a project coordinator and secretary for Kebersamaan untuk Lautan and has received research funding from the Save Our Sea Foundation.

    – ref. Cash for sharks: the unintended consequences of paying fishermen to release sharks caught in their nets – podcast – https://theconversation.com/cash-for-sharks-the-unintended-consequences-of-paying-fishermen-to-release-sharks-caught-in-their-nets-podcast-258350

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Polar safety code updated to protect people and the environment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Polar safety code updated to protect people and the environment

    A consultation has been launched on measures by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to ensure safety and protect maritime environments in polar waters.

    A consultation launches today (Thursday 12 June) on further measures by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to uphold the safety of vessels, crew and passengers within polar waters and to protect some of the world’s most pristine environments, based on changes made by the International Maritime Organization to its Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.

    Changes are proposed within the Merchant Shipping (Polar Code) (Safety) Regulations 2025 to apply the existing special requirements for such extreme conditions to a wider range of vessels.

    They will ensure more vessels working in or transiting polar regions are designed, built and operated to a higher safety standard.

    Additions to the code are: 

    • fishing vessels of 24 metres in length overall and above
    • pleasure yachts of 300 gross tonnage (GT) and upwards not engaged in trade
    • and cargo ships of at least 300GT but less than 500GT

    The aim is to widen the protection of crew and passengers within the particularly harsh conditions that confront vessels within the north and south polar regions.

    The regulations will also defend the sensitive habitats, flora and fauna by strengthening safeguards against incidents that could result in pollution and damage.

    Ship Construction and Equipment Lead Pete Rollason said: 

    Extreme environments like the north and south polar regions require special safety considerations. Our proposed requirements are practical, common-sense measures that many vessels already operate under. 

    Expanding some elements of the code’s scope to more vessels sailing within the polar regions will add another layer of protection for seafarers and some of planet Earth’s last great wilderness.

    Further information

    The consultation will run for six weeks from Thursday 12 June to Thursday 24 July 2025.

    To take part in the consultation, please visit Consultation on the Merchant Shipping (Polar Code)(Safety) Regulations.

    Press office

    Email public.relations@mcga.gov.uk

    Press enquiries (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) 0203 817 2222

    Outside these hours or on bank holidays and weekends, for media enquiries ONLY, please send an email outlining your query and putting #Urgent in the subject title.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –