NewzIntel.com

Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-OSI Security: CEO of Health Care Software Company Convicted of $1 Billion Fraud Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    MIAMI – A federal jury convicted the CEO of Power Mobility Doctor Rx, LLC (DMERx) for his role in operating a platform that generated false doctors’ orders to defraud Medicare and other federal health care benefit programs of more than $1 billion.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Gary Cox, 79, of Maricopa County, Arizona, and his co-conspirators targeted hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who provided their personally identifiable information and agreed to accept medically unnecessary orthotic braces, pain creams, and other items through misleading mailers, television advertisements, and calls from offshore call centers. Cox and his co-conspirators owned, controlled, and operated DMERx, an internet-based platform that generated false and fraudulent doctors’ orders for these items. As part of the scheme, Cox connected pharmacies, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and marketers with telemedicine companies that would accept illegal kickbacks and bribes in exchange for signed doctors’ orders transmitted using the DMERx platform. Cox and his co-conspirators received payments for coordinating these illegal kickback transactions and referring the completed doctors’ orders to the DME suppliers, pharmacies, and telemarketers that paid kickbacks and bribes for the orders.

    The fraudulent doctors’ orders generated by DMERx falsely represented that a doctor had examined and treated the Medicare beneficiaries when in fact purported telemedicine companies paid doctors to sign the orders without regard to medical necessity, based only on a brief telephone call with the beneficiary or no interaction with the beneficiary at all. The DME suppliers and pharmacies that paid illegal kickbacks in exchange for these doctors’ orders billed Medicare and other insurers more than $1 billion. Medicare and the insurers paid more than $360 million based on these claims. According to evidence presented at trial, Cox and his co-conspirators concealed the scheme through sham contracts and by eliminating from doctors’ orders what one co-conspirator described as “dangerous words” that might cause Medicare to audit the scheme’s DME suppliers.

    “Medicare fraud undermines the integrity of our nation’s most critical healthcare programs, which are relied upon by millions of patients, doctors and honest healthcare professionals.” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “Fraud of this kind wastes taxpayer dollars and increases the cost of healthcare for all Americans. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who steal from taxpayers and exploit our healthcare system for their own personal gain”

    “The defendant orchestrated a scheme to defraud government health care benefit programs on a massive scale, creating fraudulent doctors’ orders used to bill insurers over $1 billion,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Americans are all too familiar with junk mail and spam calls that target seniors to steal their personal information and promote waste, fraud, and abuse in our economy. The Criminal Division will continue to aggressively prosecute health care fraud schemes to hold criminals accountable, protect the vulnerable, and recover financial losses.”

    “Fraud schemes perpetrated against veterans are abhorrent and will be thoroughly investigated,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “The VA OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to combat these schemes to ensure the integrity of VA’s healthcare programs for veterans and their families.”   

    “The defendant deliberately exploited the federal health care system by prioritizing personal enrichment over the medical needs of vulnerable patients,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “By fraudulently billing the government for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, the defendant not only violated the law but also assaulted the public’s trust placed in health care providers. There is zero tolerance for those who abuse federal health care programs, and HHS-OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure that individuals who engage in such egregious fraud are held fully accountable.”

    “Medicare fraud and other health care related frauds are, unfortunately, nothing new,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark McCormick of the FBI Miami Field Office. “As such, the FBI and our partners devote considerable resources to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those committing this fraud. The victims are U.S. taxpayers – you and me.  Our message to those who commit health care fraud and steal from U.S. taxpayers is clear: you will be caught, and you will face justice.”

    Cox was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, three counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and make false statements in connection with health care matters. Cox faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud conviction, 10 years for each health care fraud conviction, five years for the conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks conviction, and five years for the conspiracy to defraud the United States and make false statements in connection with health care matters conviction. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    HHS-OIG, FBI, VA-OIG, and DCIS investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson and Jennifer E. Burns of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Andrea Savdie and Shane Butland assisted in the prosecution. Trial Attorney Evan N. Schlom with the Fraud Section’s Special Matters Unit provided valuable assistance.

    The charges contained in an information are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-20271.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Leads Legislation to Support Water Infrastructure Projects

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), along with Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4), today reintroduced the Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW) Act to reduce red tape and enable more municipalities to finance water projects focused on replacing lead service lines. The legislation will help shore up Upstate New York’s aging water infrastructure and ensure communities can provide safe, clean drinking water.

    Additional cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Mike Kelly (PA-3) and Haley Stevens (MI-11). 

    Lead service lines, which are often jointly owned by local governments and private homeowners, are expensive to replace—but they can be financed using tax-exempt bonds. Unfortunately, current law requires water utilities to prove these bonds do not primarily benefit private entities if used on private property—a burdensome and costly process that delays critical infrastructure upgrades.

    The FLOW Act would eliminate this barrier by allowing public water utilities to use tax-exempt bonds to replace privately owned lead service lines without triggering the IRS’s “private business use” restrictions.

    “Replacing hazardous lead pipes in our communities is a costly, time-consuming process burdened by unnecessary federal hurdles,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The FLOW Act cuts red tape and eliminates excessive documentation requirements, making it easier for communities to access affordable financing for critical water infrastructure projects. Reducing ineffective bureaucracy will allow more New Yorkers in NY-24, and Americans nationwide, to replace dangerous lead pipes and gain access to safe, clean water.”

    “As a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, I am focused on ending the lead epidemic so we can protect the potential of every child in Milwaukee. In Congress, I am working to advance proposals that can help our communities remove this toxin. That’s why I am supporting the FLOW Act, which would allow local governments to better leverage tax-exempt municipal bonds, to fund lead service line replacement projects. We need every tool available to tackle this health crisis,” said Congresswoman Moore. 

    “In Michigan, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact that led-contaminated water can have on families, from Flint to Benton Harbor and beyond. Communities across our state are working hard to replace aging lead service lines, but federal red tape has made that work slower and more expensive than it needs to be. The FLOW Act will cut unnecessary barriers and unlock affordable financing tools to get these dangerous pipes out of the ground faster. I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan bill to help Michigan and communities across the country deliver safe, clean drinking water to every household,” said Congresswoman Stevens. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Property owner fined $60,000 for destroying vital fish habitat on Vancouver Island, B.C.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 10, 2025

    Courtenay, BC – Protecting fish and fish habit is vital to help sustain and support Canada’s precious marine species. Under Canada’s Fisheries Act, measures must be taken to avoid causing the death of fish and any harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat when conducting any work or activities in or near water.

    On January 23, 2025, in Courtenay Provincial Court, area resident David Tingley was found guilty of failing to correct work that he had done illegally on his property, that affected fish and fish habitat on the Trent River. Mr. Tingley was fined $60,000, which was directed to the Environmental Damages Fund for the conservation and protection of salmon and salmon habitat in the Vancouver Island region.

    The case stems from work carried out without Fisheries Act authorization over successive years on one of Mr. Tingley’s properties, which is bisected by the Trent River, an important fish bearing watercourse. 

    DFO protects and conserves marine resources, and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO’s work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From Student to Pro: A Knight’s Move

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Maxim Kovalevich

    The HSE hosted the student festival “Career Gambit”, organized byHse Chess Club, which became an unconventional platform for dialogue between students and employers. The opponents not only excitedly built game strategies, but also talked about careers and real employment opportunities. It turned out that playing chess is not just an intellectual competition, but also an opportunity to get to know each other better, discuss professional interests and look at future cooperation from a new angle.

    The festival brought together more than 100 people, most of whom took part in the tournament, where 16 teams from employer companies and the same number of student teams competed.

    Over the course of seven rounds, there were intense battles for the main trophy, which went to the Wildberries team.

    The festival gave an opportunity not only for experienced chess players to compete, but also for those who had never sat down at the board to join the world of chess. For them, Pavel Zaitsev, senior coach of the HSE Chess Club, former member of the HSE and RSUH teams, postgraduate student of the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, held a master class and told many interesting facts about the game and the basic rules.

    Those who did not participate in the tournament but wanted to try their hand at chess had the opportunity to compete in a simultaneous game with Nikita Buts, FIDE chess master, executive director at Sber, Founder

    All festival participants noted that it was an interesting experience that brought together like-minded people from different fields for a common interesting activity and provided students with another opportunity to plan their career trajectory.

    “As an amateur, I am pleased that chess is gaining a presence in the HSE intellectual landscape,” said Vice-Rector Salambek Dombaev, a member of the HSE team. “This time, the guys managed to assemble a very interesting lineup of students, HSE employees, and colleagues from the industry. The tournament was a success. Personally, I lost all the games, but I received a boost and motivation to continue improving my skills in the game. I am sure that I am not alone in my desire. I would like to express my gratitude to our student chess association for the excellent organization of the event and the atmosphere. At the Career Gambit festival, I talked to HSE students and was impressed by their level. It was not just a tournament, but a mix of games and career talks. The students caught insights from professionals and learned about internships and opportunities in companies.”

    “We are always looking for new formats of interaction between employers and students to ensure effective communication,” shared Olga Gaevskaya, Head of Career Development and Alumni Relations Office. — It is not always possible to find out the answers to the questions that concern students at official meetings. Therefore, when the HSE Chess Club suggested holding a chess tournament between companies and HSE students, we thought — this is what we need!”

    The tournament involved 16 HSE partners. These are top-level specialists in their subject areas, and despite the heated competition at the chessboard, the students were able to meet their future potential employers and also play games as if they were solving work problems with their colleagues.

    Pavel Salman, Team Lead Computer Vision in the Wildberries PVZ quality control team, captain of the winning team, said that it was valuable for him to sit down at the board after a long break and meet interesting people. “The organization of the event is perfect, it was a pleasure to play,” he says. “I didn’t expect to see so many teams, it turned out to be really large-scale. I wish you to continue growing further, to develop the chess community (it’s really cool!) We will be happy to take part in future tournaments. For our Wildberries team, this is only the second inter-corporate chess competition, and we are glad that we managed to achieve such success in the conditions of competition with such strong teams! From the first rounds, we managed to pull ahead a little in points, but then it became difficult to hold on. Before the last round, about seven pursuers almost caught up with us. I think this is an obvious indicator that many worthy and equal teams gathered, and, perhaps, we were just a little lucky in the end.”

    Alexey Demyanenko, Director of Products and Tariffs at PJSC Rostelecom, talked to HSE students at the festival and was impressed by their level. “It wasn’t just a tournament, but a mix of games and career talks. Students caught insights from professionals and learned about internships and opportunities in companies. At Rostelecom, we have a large internship program, but unfortunately, many students don’t know about it yet, which means we need to better inform them about our opportunities. The Rostelecom team took second place, and for us it was a great experience and a chance to practice gaming skills and at the same time share information about a career at Rostelecom. Chess is not only about strategy, but also about pumping up the future! And we pumped up a lot at the chess festival at HSE,” he said.

    Alexey Novikov, a representative of T2, was glad to learn that HSE has such a large-scale chess club. “I would like to note the high level of play, and after the tournament there was an opportunity to talk to students about the possibilities of working in the company,” he noted. “It would be great if this format becomes traditional. I wish further development to the chess movement at HSE.”

    Aleksandr Chelekhovsky, a teacher and member of the HSE team, enjoys participating in atmospheric tournaments in the atrium. “I don’t really like online games, but I always try to get to our tournaments,” he says. “I met a lot of student and colleague friends who often go to such tournaments. It’s great that many teams from different companies gathered. It seems to me that HSE is making big steps towards expanding and popularizing chess. I am ready to support these steps and continue to participate in the activities of the chess club.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why more youth are landing in the ER with vomiting from cannabis use

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jamie Seabrook, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Professor, Department of Paediatrics; Professor, Brescia School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Western University

    As cannabis use among youth rises in Canada — and THC potency reaches record highs — emergency departments are seeing a surge in cases of a once-rare condition: cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

    Characterized by relentless vomiting, abdominal pain and temporary relief through compulsive hot showers or baths, CHS is increasingly affecting adolescents and young adults. Yet few people — including many clinicians — know it exists.

    As public health and substance use researchers, and authors of a recent review on CHS in youth, we are struck by how misunderstood and misdiagnosed this condition remains.

    A silent side-effect of heavy cannabis use

    Canada ranks among the highest globally for youth cannabis use, with 43 per cent of 16-19-year-olds reporting use in the past year. Usage peaks among those 20–24 years, with nearly half (48 per cent) reporting past-year use.

    This rise in regular, heavy use coincides with a 400 per cent increase in THC potency since the 1980s. Strains with THC levels above 25 per cent are now common. As cannabis becomes more potent and accessible, clinicians are seeing more cases of CHS, a condition virtually unheard of before 2004.

    What is CHS?

    CHS unfolds in three phases:

    1. Prodromal phase: Nausea and early morning discomfort begin. Users increase cannabis consumption, thinking it will relieve symptoms.

    2. Hyperemetic phase: Intense vomiting, dehydration and abdominal pain follow. Hot showers or baths provide temporary relief — a hallmark of CHS.

    3. Recovery phase: Symptoms resolve after stopping cannabis entirely.

    Diagnosis is often delayed. One reason is because CHS mimics conditions like gastroenteritis or eating disorders, leading to costly CT scans, MRIs and gastric emptying tests. One telltale sign — compulsive hot bathing — is frequently overlooked, despite its strong diagnostic value.

    Nausea and early morning discomfort begin in the early stages of CHS.
    (Shutterstock)

    Why CHS is dangerous for youth

    Youth face unique risks. The brain continues to develop until about age 25, and THC exposure during this critical window can impair cognitive functions like memory, learning and emotional regulation. Heavy cannabis use is associated with heightened risks of anxiety, depression, psychosis and self-harm.

    Some youth use cannabis to self-medicate for mental health concerns and increase their use when symptoms of CHS appear, mistakenly believing cannabis will help. Others are reluctant to disclose their use due to stigma, fear of judgment or legal consequences.

    In our recent review, we found that CHS is frequently misdiagnosed as bulimia nervosa because of the vomiting and unintended weight loss. But unlike bulimia, CHS-related vomiting is involuntary and not motivated by body image concerns. A clue is that those with CHS often return to normal eating and bathing patterns during symptom-free periods, which is not typical for an eating disorder.

    Compulsive hot bathing is a telltale sign of CHS.
    (Shutterstock)

    A burden on the health system and individual

    CHS doesn’t just take a toll on youth — it strains the health-care system. Emergency department visits for CHS have spiked in recent years, with a study in Ontario showing a significant rise after cannabis commercialization following legalization in 2018. Repeated ER visits, missed school or work and emotional distress compound the burden. In rare cases, CHS can lead to kidney failure due to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

    Unfortunately, anti-nausea medications like ondansetron often fail. Studies have shown temporary relief from topical capsaicin or low-dose haloperidol, but no acute treatment consistently works unless cannabis use stops.

    What can be done?

    The most effective long-term solution to treating CHS is cannabis cessation. For youth who use cannabis to cope with anxiety, quitting can lead to withdrawal symptoms and distress. This makes harm reduction strategies critical: gradual reduction plans, mental health supports and non-judgmental conversations between providers and patients.

    Clinicians should systematically screen youth presenting with cyclic vomiting for cannabis use and hot bathing behaviour. Youth are more likely to disclose cannabis use when asked in an empathetic, stigma-free way.

    Public health campaigns can play a major role. We need honest, accessible education — in schools, clinics and online — that explains what CHS is, how to recognize it and how to seek help. In our view, the addition of CHS content to youth health curriculums, pediatric training programs and cannabis use screening tools is overdue.

    A preventable crisis

    CHS is a preventable but growing consequence of chronic cannabis use in young people. As legalization continues to reshape social norms and access, it is essential to ensure that youth — and those who care for them — are informed about the full spectrum of cannabis-related health risks.

    This story was co-authored by Morgan Seabrook, an undergraduate research assistant at the Human Environments Analysis Laboratory at Western University.

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

    – ref. Why more youth are landing in the ER with vomiting from cannabis use – https://theconversation.com/why-more-youth-are-landing-in-the-er-with-vomiting-from-cannabis-use-258375

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • India leads global push for Ocean Conservation at UNOC3, unveils Deep-Sea Mission and plastic clean-up initiatives

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India made a compelling case for urgent global action to protect ocean health at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, with Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiling ambitious strides in deep-sea exploration, marine plastic clean-up, and sustainable fisheries. Representing India at the conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, Dr. Singh called for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and introduced the ‘SAHAV’ digital ocean data portal, reinforcing India’s leadership in global marine governance.

    Speaking under the conference theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean,” Dr. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. He outlined India’s multi-pronged strategy to combat ocean degradation through science, innovation, and inclusive partnerships. A centerpiece of India’s efforts is the Deep Ocean Mission’s ‘Samudrayaan’ project, set to deploy the nation’s first manned submersible by 2026 to explore ocean depths up to 6,000 meters, marking a significant leap in scientific capability.

    Dr. Singh highlighted India’s progress in tackling marine pollution through the ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleaned over 1,000 km of coastline and removed more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste since 2022. A draft marine litter policy is in place, and India is actively supporting negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty to establish a legally binding international framework. Additionally, India has expanded its Marine Protected Areas to cover 6.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone, contributing to global biodiversity goals.

    The minister showcased India’s Blue Economy initiatives, driven by the Sagarmala Programme and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Over 600 port-led infrastructure projects worth $80 billion have been operationalized, while $2.5 billion in investments have modernized the fisheries sector, resulting in a 10% rise in fish production and the creation of over 1,000 fish farmer producer organizations since 2022. India has also restored over 10,000 hectares of mangroves and implemented shoreline management plans using nature-based solutions, integrating ocean-based climate actions into its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.

    India’s leadership in global ocean governance was further demonstrated through its co-leadership in ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica and its participation in high-level events, such as the India-Norway side session on Marine Spatial Planning. The launch of the ‘SAHAV’ portal at UNOC3 enhances India’s commitment to transparent, science-based ocean management.

    Urging the adoption of a robust ‘Nice Ocean Action Plan,’ Dr. Singh called for global investment in innovation, ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and finalization of the plastics treaty. “The ocean is our shared heritage and responsibility,” he declared, affirming India’s readiness to collaborate with governments, private sectors, civil society, and indigenous communities for a sustainable ocean future. India’s proactive stance at UNOC3 signals its transformation from a coastal nation to a global leader in shaping ocean policy.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Minister focuses on Pacific resilience during visit to France

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has taken part in two major international events in Nice, France this week, focused on Pacific resilience, prosperity and security. 
    The sixth Pacific-France Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, took place in Nice overnight. 
    “The Summit brought together Pacific countries for discussions with France on regional stability, economic development and climate resilience,” Mr Peters says. 
    “New Zealand welcomes this opportunity for Pacific Islands Forum members to discuss our priorities with France.
    “France is a long-standing partner in the Pacific, and we value its support in securing the prosperity and stability of the region during a period of heightened global complexity.” 
    While in Nice, Mr Peters also attended the third United Nations Ocean Conference.
    “As a maritime state with one of the world’s largest and most biodiverse marine areas, New Zealand strongly supports a rules-based international system that secures the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans,” Mr Peters says.
    “This is especially important for ensuring a resilient and healthy Blue Pacific. We will continue to work with our partners in the region to advance our shared priorities.”
    At the conference, New Zealand re-emphasised its commitment to support Pacific partners in their efforts to enhance science-based ocean management and ensure their fisheries are sustainable and climate-resilient.
    While in Nice, Mr Peters also held bilateral meetings with leaders and Ministers from Chile, France, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Singapore, United Kingdom, and Viet Nam.
    The Foreign Minister has now travelled to Rome for high-level bilateral talks with the Italian Government, before heading to Jakarta.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why ultra wealthy donors like Elon Musk and Zia Yusuf may just be fundamentally incompatible with the politics of the radical right

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sam Power, Lecturer in Politics, University of Bristol

    Former chairman Zia Yusuf has rejoined Reform after quitting days previously. Yusuf had said he no longer wanted to work to get the party into government when new MP Sarah Pochin called for a ban on burqas in the UK. However, he seems to have had a change of heart and will return, ostensibly to lead the party’s “department of government efficiency”.

    Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s bromance, however, is on much rockier ground. There’s no sign of the world’s richest man reconciling with the US president, his former employer.

    These spats, at first glance, might seem like little more than, put politely, teething problems in (relatively) new political operations. Or, a little less politely, the unedifying spectacle of people in or seeking power being completely unable to act like adults.

    However, it also points to something more akin to a canary in the coalmine for radical right parties around the world. Their increasing reliance on an ultra-wealthy donor class presents an ideological puzzle that may not be solvable.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    Reform currently operates on what has been described as vibes alone. That is to say, there’s very little meaningful common ground between the people who vote for Reform and the party elite. The only continuity is their sense of anger at the current political system.

    This, as we are seeing in election after election, is an incredibly powerful (and compelling) force. The problem is, of course, that you can’t oppose forever. You often end up having to actually do something. All boxers, Mike Tyson will be glad to tell you, have a plan – until they get punched in the face.

    And what makes them such a powerful force at the moment, is precisely that which may cause challenges further down the line. At least for me, given it’s my bread and butter research-wise, I see this when I follow the money.

    And I’m increasingly asked a lot of questions about the kind of people who are either giving money to Reform – or who Reform are courting (and at the moment it is decidedly the latter which is the case).

    My position is that they very broadly fit into three categories. First are disaffected traditional Conservatives who are increasingly seeing a party – in the words of Farage – “worth investing in”. In the donations figures released on June 10, these are represented by bussinessmen Bassim Haidar and Mohammed Amersi.

    Then you have a Silicon Valley-reared tech-bro libertarian. This group already runs on a “move fast and break things” philosophy so the idea of an insurgent party which proclaims, on entering parliament, that “the fox is in the henhouse” naturally appeals.

    The final pot of money is filled via small donations, ballooning membership and a whole chunk of votes from a disaffected white working-class population to whom the language of economic and cultural grievances resonates.

    There are some places where the interests of these groups align – most notably a distaste for government interference and red tape (though not necessarily a smaller state in terms spending on public services). They also share a sense that progressive politics, broadly defined, ought to be pegged back a bit (but with an emphasis on a bit).

    They differ on a great deal else, to the extent that you can only really please two out of the three, but never everybody. And, unfortunately, without all three the project starts collapsing. This is what we have been seeing in the fractious relationships between Trump and Musk and Farage and Yusuf.

    Two out of three ain’t bad – but it’s not enough

    Yusuf (and Musk) are very much representative of the new tech-bro class. And, when Yusuf called questions about banning the burqa “dumb” he was speaking at both an ideological and organisational level.

    At the ideological level it is, frankly, a bit rich for his blood, because “philosophically I am always a bit uneasy about banning things which, for example, would be unconstitutional in the United States”.

    Organisationally, it pushes Reform much closer to what journalist Fraser Nelson calls “a tactic more akin to the old BNP”. Indeed, Reform started “just asking questions” about burqas at the same time as it started twisting footage to claim that Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, wants to prioritise the needs of Pakistanis.

    This kind of dog-whistle politics appeals to some, but puts off a lot more, including, I think, some of the (saner) tech-bro right.

    Indeed, Ian Ward at Politico perceptively notes that if we want to explain the current Musk-Trump meltdown we should look back to Christmas 2024, when cracks first started appearing over immigration policy.

    The tech-bro right are, generally speaking, much less hardline on the flow of people than the Maga-populist right (think Steve Bannon and Tommy Robinson). In fact, they are pro-high skilled immigration as it tends to benefit them and their business interests.

    Tech-bros also like the idea of moving fast and breaking things in theory. But when things start moving fast and actually breaking in practice (or Tesla stocks start to plummet), they tend to get a bit freaked out.

    In other words, it’s not just that they don’t like government, they don’t like governing and the inevitable compromise that comes with it. When they say move fast and break things, I get the sense what they really mean is “leave me alone so I can make billions in peace”.

    This, of course, is quite appealing to traditional hedge-fund conservatives, but is also the politics that literally built the economic grievances that much of the white-working class support for the populist radical right is, in turn, built on.

    Two out of three ain’t bad, but you do need all three. So, don’t be surprised if despite Farage’s seemingly genuine affection for Yusuf, it all falls apart again before long.

    Ultimately, Reform will need to decide how they are going to spin these plates. The good news is that it might well be that they can, indeed, get by on vibes alone until the next general election. The bad news, unfortunately, is that winning an election is the easy bit. Just ask Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer. After all, everyone has a plan.

    Sam Power receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

    – ref. Why ultra wealthy donors like Elon Musk and Zia Yusuf may just be fundamentally incompatible with the politics of the radical right – https://theconversation.com/why-ultra-wealthy-donors-like-elon-musk-and-zia-yusuf-may-just-be-fundamentally-incompatible-with-the-politics-of-the-radical-right-258512

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why the salmon on your plate contains less omega-3 than it used to – and how the industry can address that

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Richard Newton, Lecturer in Aquaculture, University of Stirling

    Maria_Usp/Shutterstock

    Farmed Atlantic salmon has become one of the most highly traded food commodities in the world, enjoyed for its versatility as much as for its health benefits. It has long been known that eating oily fish such as salmon is the best way to consume long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. These are essential for brain development, mental health and cognition.

    In salmon, omega-3 fatty acids must come from the fish’s diet. For farmed fish, this means fishmeal and fish oil – so–called “marine ingredients” made from ground-up wild fish such as anchovy and fish by-products.

    But the global supply of omega-3s is severely limited, whether from farmed or wild seafood. Many of the key fisheries supplying marine ingredients reached full exploitation in the mid-1990s. Since the growth of salmon aquaculture, increasing volumes of the limited marine ingredients supply have been taken up by fish farming.

    This has raised concerns over sustainability and inflated the cost of these ingredients. The result has been a steady decline in the proportion of fish oil in farmed salmon diets, which has been replaced by plant oils. But these oils do not contain long-chain omega-3s.

    In turn, the amount of omega-3s in a portion of salmon halved between 2006 and 2015. However, the salmon industry increasingly uses omega-3 as a key selling point for its product – two portions of farmed Scottish salmon per week would meet the recommended intake for an adult at current levels.

    If the salmon industry is to continue to grow and maintain the omega-3 targets, it must be more efficient. And the seafood industry as a whole must do more to prevent omega-3 losses through its value chains. Part of the efficiency journey has been to produce more fish oil.

    This can be done by harnessing the value of fishery and aquaculture byproducts such as trimmings, skins and heads, so that more omega-3s are kept in the food (and feed) system.

    There is a growing incentive to use the whole fish – consequently there has been good progress in improving the use of byproducts. It is now estimated that around half of global fish oil supply is sourced from fishery, and particularly aquaculture, processing sources. However, there is still a lot of waste and logistical difficulties in storing and transporting seafood byproducts.

    Much of the industry incentive to use byproducts has been economic, as the global shortage of fish oil pushed prices above US$8,000 (£5,900) per tonne in 2024. Evidence from the past 20 years suggests that overall use of wild fish in the European salmon industry has dropped (replaced by plant ingredients), while production has grown several-fold.

    Despite improvements and reductions in the use of marine ingredients, the industry still comes under huge pressure from NGOs and conservation groups. They are concerned about the use of fish as feed, which may damage public perceptions of the aquaculture industry.

    To assess the use of fish as feed in aquaculture, the “fish in fish out” (Fifo) ratio was conceived, which measures the ratio of fish biomass included in fish feeds to the biomass of fish ultimately produced for consumption. The goal is for more fish to be produced for human consumption than is used as feed, and this would result in a Fifo of less than 1.

    New measure for nutrients

    Certification bodies such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Best Aquaculture Practices have adopted different forms of the Fifo metric. However, until now, Fifo has not addressed one of the fundamental reasons for including marine ingredients in aquafeeds – providing omega-3s to consumers. It has neither considered the omega-3 content within feed fish, nor in the final product.

    Similarly, studies examining nutrient retention in salmon have only looked at that from feed to the farmed fish. The omega-3 lost in the process of turning the fish raw material in feed is not currently measured. By introducing our new measure, the nutrient Fifo (nFifo), nutrients can be followed from wild fish capture, its separation into meal and oil, and through to the final product sold to consumers.

    Certification bodies like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council could adopt the new metric for nutrition.
    T. Schneider/Shutterstock

    The method used in nFifo favours the use of byproduct resources over virgin raw materials, so that diets containing byproducts receive a lower nFifo. In theory, this should promote circular economy initiatives.

    This is crucial in the marine ingredients industry. Seafood is highly perishable and the byproducts especially so. But they are also some of the richest sources of omega-3s, such as from herring or mackerel.

    However, the cost of retaining, stabilising, storing and transporting byproducts is often prohibitive. This is especially true on board fishing boats, where space is at a premium and byproducts are often dumped at sea.

    Introducing metrics that prevent bioresources being wasted is essential for sustainable food production. Current salmon feed contains around 20% to 25% marine ingredients, but only around 5% is from byproducts. This results in a nFIFO of 2.17.

    Incorporating only marine ingredients sourced from byproducts reduces that nFifo to below 0.5. Crucially, this still provides the same level of omega-3s to the consumer.

    If the seafood industry is serious about sustainable production, it needs to become much more efficient with resources. The nFifo metric links the use of wild fish to omega-3s consumed in farmed salmon for the first time – but it could also be applied to other species and nutrients.

    The methodology is similar to that used for environmental impact indicators for climate change, land or water use. It makes it possible to assess the trade-offs of including and substituting marine ingredients in fish diets at different points of production.

    For example, while marine ingredients may raise concerns around their impact on fisheries, they have comparatively low carbon footprints and almost no land or water footprints compared to plant ingredients. This could potentially lead to more balanced and sustainable approaches to seafood production.

    It is hoped that the nFifo metric and an accessible tool for calculating it (there is one provided on the Blue Food Performance website) will be adopted by certifiers. It could also lead to more complex sustainability indicators becoming mainstream, letting consumers make informed choices about the nutritional and environmental credentials of the products they buy.

    Richard Newton is the Chair of the Climate Action Committe for Best Aquaculture Practice and the Stakeholder Advisory Group for Seafood Watch. He has previously received funding in 2019 and 2013 from the International Fishmeal Fishoil Organisation to map supplies of underutilised by-product resources.

    Dave Little has received funding from various organisations supporting sustainable aquaculture development and has been affiliated to various organisations working to to improve farmed seafood assurance

    – ref. Why the salmon on your plate contains less omega-3 than it used to – and how the industry can address that – https://theconversation.com/why-the-salmon-on-your-plate-contains-less-omega-3-than-it-used-to-and-how-the-industry-can-address-that-258228

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy in the LOGA Industry Report: GOP mission to clear Biden admin’s red tape will help Louisiana energy producers thrive

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this column for the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) Industry Report explaining how Congressional Republicans are working with the Trump administration to clear red tape to help unleash America’s energy dominance.
    Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
    “President Biden let TikTok teens, climate change zealots, and other members of the Democratic Party dictate American energy policy for four years. The results were not good.
    “The Biden administration left the American people with 29% higher electricity bills, a depleted strategic national fuel reserve, and a mountain of bureaucratic red tape that made it difficult for energy producers to produce energy and create good-paying jobs. In 2024 alone, Louisiana families had to pay nearly $1,000 more to keep their lights on and gas tanks full.
    “Fortunately, the American people voted to restore common sense in Washington. President Trump and my conservative colleagues in Congress are working to restore America’s global energy dominance. To do this, we must first clean up the mess left by the Biden administration — and President Trump and his team are off to a great start.”
    . . .
    “As common sense makes a comeback in Washington, energy dominance is on the horizon. I’m proud that Louisiana will continue to be a leader in oil and gas production as America enters a new era of prosperity and security.”
    Read Kennedy’s column here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 5 benefits Africa’s new space agency can deliver

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Scott Firsing, Senior Research Associate, University of South Africa

    The African Space Agency was officially inaugurated in Cairo’s Space City in April 2025. The event marked a milestone in a process that had been in the works since the early 2000s. Drawing inspiration from the European Space Agency, it unites African Union (AU) member states to harness space technology for development. This is in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063, aimed at advancing Africa into a prosperous future.

    Read more: Africa has ambitious goals for 2063: plans for outer space hold the key to success

    The agency’s goal is to:

    • coordinate and implement Africa’s space ambitions by promoting collaboration among the AU’s 55 member states

    • harness space technologies for sustainable development, climate resilience and socio-economic growth

    • oversee the African Space Policy and Strategy to enhance access to space-derived data

    • foster partnerships with international space agencies like the European Space Agency and others.

    Over 20 African countries operate space programmes and more than 65 African satellites have been launched. It is my view as a global space diplomacy expert that the agency can help ensure that Africa isn’t a bystander in the space economy. This sector is projected to be worth US$1.8 trillion by 2035.

    The space agency positions Africa to address pressing challenges and take advantage of opportunities in the global space economy. These include using satellite data, boosting connectivity, driving economic growth, fostering global partnerships and training future leaders.

    Five benefits

    Valuable eyes in the sky

    Space assets, particularly Earth observation satellites, offer a number of advantages. The continent faces significant climate risks like droughts, fires and floods. This is particularly problematic as the agricultural sector is approximately 35% of Africa’s GDP and employs about half of its people across over 1 billion hectares of arable land.

    Satellite data optimises crop yields, supports climate-resilient farming, and enhances sustainable fisheries and port modernisation. Nigeria’s National Space Research and Deveopment Agency, for example, has used satellites like the NigSat-2 to monitor crop health and predict yields.

    Beyond agriculture, satellites assist in project planning in cities across Africa. Kenya uses a satellite to track urban development trends and enhance municipal urban planning capacities.

    Satellites also keep an eye on Africa’s resource-abundant territories while tackling problems like armed conflict, deforestation, and illegal migration and mining.

    The African Space Agency will help provide access to AI-enhanced satellite data. This will enable even nations with constrained resources to tackle local needs. For instance, Côte d’Ivoire’s first locally made satellite, launched in 2024, shows how African nations are building their own capabilities.

    Read more: Côte d’Ivoire is launching its first satellite for Earth observation – and it’s locally made

    By making it easier to share data, the African Space Agency also positions the continent to generate revenue in the global space data market. That fuels innovation.

    Enhancing connectivity and enabling cutting-edge technology

    Africa’s digital divide is stark. Only 38% of its population was online in 2024, compared to the global average of 68%. The African Space Agency aims to bridge this gap through satellite-based communications. This technology can deliver broadband to remote regions where cell towers and undersea cables are impractical.

    Connectivity enables education, e-commerce and telemedicine.

    Satellite services, like those provided by SpaceX’s Starlink in 21 African countries, will drive digital inclusion. In turn this promises to reduce unemployment and help entrepreneurs.

    The African Space Agency is also positioning Africa to embrace new space technologies. Examples include Japan’s 2025 demonstration of beaming solar power from space, following a US achievement in 2023.

    This could revolutionise energy access. Space-based solar power captures solar energy in orbit via satellite and transmits it as microwaves to Earth. This offers a solution to Africa’s energy poverty. It could provide reliable power to remote areas without extensive grid infrastructure.

    The African Space Agency’s role in coordinating satellite launches and data sharing will make these technologies more accessible and cost-effective.

    Driving economic growth and innovation

    Africa’s space sector, now worth over US$20 billion, is growing rapidly. The industry has seen an increase of private companies and investor support, moving beyond sole dependence on government funding. Investment is being fuelled by 327 NewSpace firms, a term used for the new emerging commercial space industry in nations such as Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. These firms often excel in satellite communication, Earth observation and component manufacturing.

    But many African nations lack resources. The agency will lower barriers by fostering collaboration, coordinating national space programmes, and reducing duplication.For example, the African Space Agency’s efforts to streamline satellite development and launches will spur local manufacturing and tech hubs.

    This means that smaller economies will be able to participate.

    Strengthening regional and global connections

    Africa’s space sector relies on partnerships with space agencies and commercial space companies based in the “space powers”. These include the US, Russia, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. These institutions provide launch services, satellite development and ground stations.

    An example is Senegal’s GaindeSAT-1A, a CubeSat launched in 2024 via America’s SpaceX with French collaboration.

    Meanwhile, countries like South Africa are exploring local rocket programmes to enhance the agency’s self-reliance. Africa’s space ground stations are already located across the continent, supporting the European Space Agency and commercial missions. They will soon host a deep space ground station for America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

    Funding remains a challenge. African nations allocated just US$426 million to space programmes in 2025. That’s less than 1% of global spending. The European Space Agency has an US$8 billion budget.

    However, initiatives like the €100 million Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme (2025–2028) aim to boost Africa’s space sovereignty and innovation.

    The agency’s vision extends beyond Earth, with an eye on the Moon. Some members, notably Angola, Nigeria and Rwanda, have already signed the US-led Artemis Accords for lunar exploration. For their part Egypt and South Africa are collaborating with China and Russia on the International Lunar Research Station.

    Read more: Outer space: Rwanda and Nigeria sign an accord for more responsible exploration – why this matters

    Training the next generation

    A skilled workforce is critical to Africa’s space industry. The Africa Space Agency Space City plans to host a training academy. It will build on Egypt’s programmes in space project management, satellite design, and orbital simulation.

    Partnerships like the Africa-EU programme offer scholarships, while private initiatives, such as the Pathways to Space programme by Boeing and the Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy, engage students in 63 schools in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

    – 5 benefits Africa’s new space agency can deliver
    – https://theconversation.com/5-benefits-africas-new-space-agency-can-deliver-258098

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 5 benefits Africa’s new space agency can deliver

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Scott Firsing, Senior Research Associate, University of South Africa

    The African Space Agency was officially inaugurated in Cairo’s Space City in April 2025. The event marked a milestone in a process that had been in the works since the early 2000s. Drawing inspiration from the European Space Agency, it unites African Union (AU) member states to harness space technology for development. This is in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063, aimed at advancing Africa into a prosperous future.



    Read more:
    Africa has ambitious goals for 2063: plans for outer space hold the key to success

    The agency’s goal is to:

    • coordinate and implement Africa’s space ambitions by promoting collaboration among the AU’s 55 member states

    • harness space technologies for sustainable development, climate resilience and socio-economic growth

    • oversee the African Space Policy and Strategy to enhance access to space-derived data

    • foster partnerships with international space agencies like the European Space Agency and others.

    Over 20 African countries operate space programmes and more than 65 African satellites have been launched. It is my view as a global space diplomacy expert that the agency can help ensure that Africa isn’t a bystander in the space economy. This sector is projected to be worth US$1.8 trillion by 2035.

    The space agency positions Africa to address pressing challenges and take advantage of opportunities in the global space economy. These include using satellite data, boosting connectivity, driving economic growth, fostering global partnerships and training future leaders.

    Five benefits

    Valuable eyes in the sky

    Space assets, particularly Earth observation satellites, offer a number of advantages. The continent faces significant climate risks like droughts, fires and floods. This is particularly problematic as the agricultural sector is approximately 35% of Africa’s GDP and employs about half of its people across over 1 billion hectares of arable land.

    Satellite data optimises crop yields, supports climate-resilient farming, and enhances sustainable fisheries and port modernisation. Nigeria’s National Space Research and Deveopment Agency, for example, has used satellites like the NigSat-2 to monitor crop health and predict yields.

    Beyond agriculture, satellites assist in project planning in cities across Africa. Kenya uses a satellite to track urban development trends and enhance municipal urban planning capacities.

    Satellites also keep an eye on Africa’s resource-abundant territories while tackling problems like armed conflict, deforestation, and illegal migration and mining.

    The African Space Agency will help provide access to AI-enhanced satellite data. This will enable even nations with constrained resources to tackle local needs. For instance, Côte d’Ivoire’s first locally made satellite, launched in 2024, shows how African nations are building their own capabilities.



    Read more:
    Côte d’Ivoire is launching its first satellite for Earth observation – and it’s locally made

    By making it easier to share data, the African Space Agency also positions the continent to generate revenue in the global space data market. That fuels innovation.

    Enhancing connectivity and enabling cutting-edge technology

    Africa’s digital divide is stark. Only 38% of its population was online in 2024, compared to the global average of 68%. The African Space Agency aims to bridge this gap through satellite-based communications. This technology can deliver broadband to remote regions where cell towers and undersea cables are impractical.

    Connectivity enables education, e-commerce and telemedicine.

    Satellite services, like those provided by SpaceX’s Starlink in 21 African countries, will drive digital inclusion. In turn this promises to reduce unemployment and help entrepreneurs.

    The African Space Agency is also positioning Africa to embrace new space technologies. Examples include Japan’s 2025 demonstration of beaming solar power from space, following a US achievement in 2023.

    This could revolutionise energy access. Space-based solar power captures solar energy in orbit via satellite and transmits it as microwaves to Earth. This offers a solution to Africa’s energy poverty. It could provide reliable power to remote areas without extensive grid infrastructure.

    The African Space Agency’s role in coordinating satellite launches and data sharing will make these technologies more accessible and cost-effective.

    Driving economic growth and innovation

    Africa’s space sector, now worth over US$20 billion, is growing rapidly. The industry has seen an increase of private companies and investor support, moving beyond sole dependence on government funding. Investment is being fuelled by 327 NewSpace firms, a term used for the new emerging commercial space industry in nations such as Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. These firms often excel in satellite communication, Earth observation and component manufacturing.

    But many African nations lack resources. The agency will lower barriers by fostering collaboration, coordinating national space programmes, and reducing duplication.For example, the African Space Agency’s efforts to streamline satellite development and launches will spur local manufacturing and tech hubs.

    This means that smaller economies will be able to participate.

    Strengthening regional and global connections

    Africa’s space sector relies on partnerships with space agencies and commercial space companies based in the “space powers”. These include the US, Russia, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. These institutions provide launch services, satellite development and ground stations.

    An example is Senegal’s GaindeSAT-1A, a CubeSat launched in 2024 via America’s SpaceX with French collaboration.

    Meanwhile, countries like South Africa are exploring local rocket programmes to enhance the agency’s self-reliance. Africa’s space ground stations are already located across the continent, supporting the European Space Agency and commercial missions. They will soon host a deep space ground station for America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

    Funding remains a challenge. African nations allocated just US$426 million to space programmes in 2025. That’s less than 1% of global spending. The European Space Agency has an US$8 billion budget.

    However, initiatives like the €100 million Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme (2025–2028) aim to boost Africa’s space sovereignty and innovation.

    The agency’s vision extends beyond Earth, with an eye on the Moon. Some members, notably Angola, Nigeria and Rwanda, have already signed the US-led Artemis Accords for lunar exploration. For their part Egypt and South Africa are collaborating with China and Russia on the International Lunar Research Station.



    Read more:
    Outer space: Rwanda and Nigeria sign an accord for more responsible exploration – why this matters

    Training the next generation

    A skilled workforce is critical to Africa’s space industry. The Africa Space Agency Space City plans to host a training academy. It will build on Egypt’s programmes in space project management, satellite design, and orbital simulation.

    Partnerships like the Africa-EU programme offer scholarships, while private initiatives, such as the Pathways to Space programme by Boeing and the Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy, engage students in 63 schools in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

    Scott Firsing 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. 5 benefits Africa’s new space agency can deliver – https://theconversation.com/5-benefits-africas-new-space-agency-can-deliver-258098

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Murkowski Introduce Bill to Strengthen Maine’s Coastal Workforce, Fisheries and Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislation that would lay the groundwork to boost the workforce, energy and shoreside infrastructure, food security, and economies of coastal communities in Maine and across the country. The Working Waterfronts Act, which is also co-sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), is comprised of more than a dozen provisions, would support efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and strengthen federal conservation research projects. Included in the legislation is Senator King’s Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act which would allow businesses that provide direct assistance to fishing operations — like gear producers or cold storage — to access loans from the Farm Credit System (FCS) that are already offered to service providers for farmers, ranchers and loggers. 
    “Maine’s coastal communities are changing. From a warming climate to an evolving economy, the Gulf of Maine faces both historic opportunities and challenges that will define our state’s success for generations,” said Senator King. “The Working Waterfronts Act would provide Maine’s working waterfronts up and down the coast with the necessary financial, energy and infrastructure resources to adapt to the rapidly shifting dynamics of natural disasters affecting economic and tourism operations. It would also help support the necessary workforce to sustain our coastal businesses. Thanks to my colleagues for working with me to ensure our waterfronts have the necessary tools and resources to thrive for years to come.”
    “One of my priorities this Congress was reintroducing the Working Waterfronts Act, a comprehensive and collective effort to harness the potential of the blue economy for Alaska’s coastal communities,” said Senator Murkowski. “With 66,000 miles of coastline, it is vital Alaska strengthens our shoreside infrastructure and supports workforce development to ensure the sustainability and growth of our fisheries, tourism, and mariculture sectors. This legislation will provide essential resources for alternative energy initiatives, improve community processing facilities, and promote safety and wellness in the maritime workforce. Together, we can build a resilient future for our coastal communities while addressing climate change and preserving our precious marine ecosystems.”
    “The men and women who make their living in Maine’s blue economy face growing challenges, including rising costs, workforce shortages, and changing ocean conditions,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would help address these issues by improving shoreside infrastructure, supporting the next generation of maritime workers, and investing in ocean ecosystem maintenance to ensure that Maine’s coastal communities remain strong for years to come.”
    Bill Highlights:
    Investing in Energy and Shoreside Infrastructure
    Tax Credits for Marine Energy Projects supports projects that produce electricity from waves, tides, and ocean currents.
    Fishing Vessel Alternative Fuels Pilot Program provides resources to help transition fishing vessels from diesel to alternative fuel sources such as electric or hybrid, and funds research and development of alternative fuel technologies for fishing vessels.
    Rural Coastal Community Processing and Cold Storage Grant increases support for community infrastructure such as cold storage, cooperative processing facilities, and mariculture/seaweed processing facilities by establishing a competitive grant program through the Department of Commerce for rural and small-scale projects.
    Working Waterfronts Development Act establishes a grant program for infrastructure improvements for facilities benefitting commercial and recreational fishermen, mariculturists, and the boatbuilding industry.
    Boosting Maritime Workforce Development and Blue Economy
    Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act strengthens financial support for fishery operations by expanding Farm Credit eligibility to fishing industry support businesses.
    Maritime Workforce Grant Program establishes a Maritime Workforce Grant Program, directing the Maritime Administrator to award competitive grants supporting entities engaged in recruiting, educating, or training the maritime workforce.
    Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement (FISH Wellness) Act expands the Coast Guard and CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fishing Safety Research and Training (FRST) Grant Program to include projects supporting behavioral health in addition to the projects currently supported dedicated to occupational safety research and training.
    Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act establishes at least one ocean innovation cluster in each of the five domestic NOAA Fisheries regions, as well as the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico regions. The ocean cluster model fosters collaboration between different sectors – including public, private, and academic – within a geographic region to promote economic growth and sustainability in the Blue Economy.
    Supporting Sustainable and Resilient Ecosystems
    Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act enhances collaboration on ocean acidification research and monitoring through ongoing mechanisms for stakeholder engagement on necessary research and monitoring. This provision would also establish two Advisory Board seats for representatives from Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia affected by ocean acidification and coastal acidification.
    Vegetated Coastal Ecosystem Inventory establishes an interagency working group for the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive national map and inventory detailing vegetated coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems. This inventory encompasses habitat types, species, ecosystem conditions, ownership, protected status, size, salinity and tidal boundaries, carbon sequestration potential, and impacts of climate change.
    Marine Invasive Species Research and Monitoring provides resources and tools to mitigate the impact of invasive species and help limit their spread by authorizing research and monitoring grants for local, Tribal, and regional marine invasive prevention work. This includes training, outreach, and equipment for early detection and response to invasions.
    Senator King is a longtime supporter of working waterfronts and small businesses. He previously introduced the bipartisan Providing Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Resilient Enterprises (PREPARE) Act to reauthorize the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation Pilot Program, which would give small businesses the opportunity to take out low-interest loans for the purpose of proactively implementing mitigation measures that protect their property from future disaster-related damage. He also led a bipartisan bill to provide working waterfronts with a 30 percent tax credit on up to $1 million in mitigation expenses, adjusted for inflation annually. In 2024, he was named a Hero of Main Street for his support of small businesses across Maine.
    Senator Collins has consistently fought to strengthen Maine’s working waterfronts. Earlier this year, she successfully pushed the Department of Commerce to restore full funding for Maine Sea Grant, ensuring continued support for coastal research and marine industries in Maine. She secured $15 million in federal funding in the 2024 funding package to help coastal communities recover from storm damage and to launch a new grant program at the Economic Development Administration for working waterfronts. She previously introduced the bipartisan Working Waterfront Preservation Act to create a $20 million annual grant program to support working waterfronts nationwide.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province Strikes Engagement Table to Address Gender-Based Violence

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The government is taking further action to prevent gender-based violence across Nova Scotia and better support those affected with the establishment of an engagement table led by Attorney General and Justice Minister Becky Druhan.

    The table, which will have up to 25 members, will include representatives of front-line service providers and community organizations, survivors, family members and academic experts.

    “Nova Scotians have told us that gender-based violence supports and services need to be more connected, more responsive and easier to access,” said Minister Druhan. “We need to work together with the people providing support and the survivors who access those services. It’s about understanding needs as they evolve, getting help to people faster and working together to stop violence before it starts.”

    A call for applications to join the table, which will also include people from equity-deserving communities, will be issued in the coming weeks. The group will meet at least every three months.

    Taking a whole-of-government approach, the engagement table will be supported by the Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women as well as the ministers of Opportunities and Social Development, Health and Wellness, Addictions and Mental Health, Education and Early Childhood Development, L’nu Affairs and African Nova Scotian Affairs.

    Quotes:

    “We are incredibly fortunate to have a strong sector working on the front lines to support those impacted by violence. They are passionate, committed and have a deep understanding of what is needed in the communities they serve. Gender-based violence is a complex issue, but it’s one I know we can solve if we listen to the experts and find solutions, together.”
    — Leah Martin, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women

    Quick Facts:

    • in September 2024, the government declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in Nova Scotia
    • the 2025–26 provincial budget allocates more than $100 million across various departments to address gender-based and intimate partner violence, including $17.8 million in core funding for transition houses and women’s centres, the largest increase in two decades
    • the Province has introduced domestic violence court programs in Halifax and Sydney, and legal changes that allow victims of domestic violence to take leave from work without fear of losing their jobs

    Additional Resources:

    News release – Funding to Support Gender-Based Violence Initiatives: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/04/03/funding-support-gender-based-violence-initiatives

    Domestic violence resources: https://women.novascotia.ca/domestic-violence-resource-centre

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sentencing of man for the manslaughter of Gordon Ogunmuyiwa

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been jailed for 21 years with a five-year extended license after beating a man to death and then leaving him to die in an address south east London.

    Paul Campbell, 43 (03.04.79) of Dunheved Road West, Thornton Heath, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of the manslaughter of 62-year-old former doctor Gordon Ogunmuyiwa. The sentence followed a three-week trial that concluded on Thursday, 8 May.

    The court heard that on Saturday, 24 December 2022, Campbell had brutally assaulted Gordon who had visited him at his property. Before fleeing, Campbell had called the paramedics, however, by the time they had arrived Gordon was already dead.

    Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend, who led the Met’s investigation said: “My thoughts and that of my team remain with Gordon’s family, a much loved brother, friend and neighbour.

    “Gordon was a gentle man with no history of violence. Ill-health, however, had seen him become increasingly vulnerable – something Campbell – a selfish and self-serving man – took advantage of.

    “It is hard to make sense of Campbell’s actions however, I can only hope that today’s sentence can go some way in providing a sense of justice to Gordon’s family.”

    On the day of Gordon’s death, police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 11:00hrs to a report of a man who had died in a house of multiple occupancy in Dunheved Road West, Thornton Heath.

    Officers attended and were informed by paramedics that Campbell – the registered tenant of the address – was not present.

    Detectives attempted to contact him but were unsuccessful. This led officers to make enquiries into Campbell, which resulted in a murder investigation being launched.

    Police interviewed fellow residents at hostel and quickly established a pattern of behaviour that saw Gordon suffer brutal beatings by Campbell.

    A financial search also uncovered that Campbell had been using Gordon’s credit cards. He had bought an iPhone from a second-hand shop, using those cards, a week after Gordon died.

    On Wednesday, 11 January 2023 Campbell was arrested on suspicion of murder and charged the next day.

    A post-mortem examination was conducted and it was clear that Gordon had multiple injuries borne over time.

    However, the assault, heard by neighbours on Saturday, 23 December 2022, was declared to have been particularly vicious and ultimately led to his death.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Personal Loans for Bad Credit Guaranteed Approval Direct Lenders | No Credit Check Payday Loans Online – Loans At Last

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bad credit should not stand between a borrower and the funds they need when they are in a financial crisis. If a borrower has a less-than-perfect credit score a traditional bank may not lend the necessary money, but, fortunately, the lending landscape has evolved significantly.

    >>>Visit Official Site To Get Instant Tribal Loans>>>

    If you are looking for the best personal loans for bad credit you can rely on legitimate lenders who specialize in helping Americans with low credit scores. There are lenders who do not judge a person’s credibility with just their credit score.

    This piece will guide you with the knowledge a borrower with a bad credit score needs to possess while looking to get a personal loan or any alternatives.

    >>>Visit Official Site To Get Instant Tribal Loans>>>

    How Is It Possible to Get the Best Personal Loans With a Bad Credit? 

    Now, a low credit score does not automatically mean one will be rejected for a personal loan. Many lenders have started to focus more heavily on the borrower’s current income and financial stability rather than considering only the credit mistakes of the past.

    The new approach has opened doors for borrowers who have faced rejections by traditional financial institutions just a few years ago. The key difference lies in how modern lenders assess risk.

    >>>Visit Official Site To Get Instant Tribal Loans>>>

    Instead of relying solely on credit scores, they are considering factors like:

    • Current monthly income and employment stability
    • Debt-to-income ratio
    • Banking history and account management
    • Overall financial picture and repayment capacity

    How Bad Credit Personal Loans Work? 

    The key difference between typical personal loans and bad credit personal loans are the APRs and fees. When the borrower has bad credit, the APRs and fees are much higher. Otherwise, traditional personal loans and personal loans for bad credit work similarly.

    You, as a borrower, get the necessary amount at once, and after a fixed tenure, you repay the debt. You also have to pay a fixed interest rate (on a monthly basis) over the course of your tenure.

    What’s the Difference Between Personal Loans and Payday Loans?

    Both personal loans and payday loans can help borrowers with bad credit. However, there are significant differences between these financial products. 

    Borrowers should understand the following before making a decision:

    Payday Loans:

    • It is designed for small amounts (typically around $500) with very short repayment periods
    • These loans require minimal documentation and no credit checks which makes them easily accessible
    • They come with extremely high interest rates, often averaging 400% APR or even higher (780%)
    • These loans must be repaid by your next paycheck, usually within a couple of weeks
    • It often includes hidden fees and late payment penalties that can push you toward a debt cycle
    • These loans generally don’t help build credit history since most lenders don’t report to credit bureaus

    Personal Loans:

    • These loans are available for larger amounts with flexible repayment terms ranging from months to years
    • It requires a formal application process including credit checks and income verification
    • It offers significantly lower interest rates compared to payday loans
    • It allows borrowers more time to repay which reduces financial stress
    • These loans may be secured (requiring collateral) or unsecured depending on creditworthiness
    • Payments of these loans are reported to credit bureaus which helps borrowers build or improve credit scores

    If your credit score is low enough to make availing traditional personal loans an impossibility, you can consider payday loans as an alternative. If you avail it from credible lenders, it can be one of the best personal loans for bad credit.

    Loans At Last Connects Bad Credit Borrowers with Lenders

    Loans At Last operates as a loan matching service. It connects borrowers with a network of reputable lenders who specialize in serving customers with varied credit profiles.

    Platforms like Loans At Last are not direct lenders. They act as a bridge between borrowers seeking funds and lenders willing to work with bad credit applicants.

    Their approach offers several advantages for borrowers:

    • Access to multiple lenders through a single application
    • Increased chances of approval by matching with appropriate lenders
    • Competitive comparison of loan terms and rates
    • A streamlined process that saves time and effort

    These platforms have built relationships with lenders who understand the needs of bad credit borrowers. They are willing to look beyond credit scores to assess loan applications.

    They offer personal loans ranging from $100 to $5,000. This range allows enough flexibility for various financial needs.

    For example, with this money borrowers can:

    • Address Small Emergencies: Lower amounts ($100-$500) can cover unexpected bills or short-term cash flow gaps.
    • Handle Moderate Expenses: Mid-range amounts ($500-$2,000) work well for medical bills, larger car repairs, or small home improvements.
    • Manage Significant Financial Needs: Higher amounts ($2,000-$5,000) can address substantial unexpected expenses or major emergencies, and debt consolidation.

    What Types of Payday Loans Are There? 

    If you go for platforms like Loans At Last, you can expect a variety of loans. Here are some of the primary loan types one can avail:

    1. Payday Loans

    Payday loans provide small, short-term funds to bridge gaps until the next paycheck. While some lenders offer up to $5,000, most borrowers typically request $100 to $2,000. These loans are often for urgent needs like bills or minor repairs.

    Key features include:

    • Quick Access: Funds often arrive within hours of approval.
    • Short Repayment: Loans align with the borrower’s next payday.
    • Automatic Debit: Lenders set up auto payments for convenience.
    • High Acceptance: Even unemployed borrowers may qualify with alternative income.

    Although high interest rates are applicable, the fast and easy process makes these loans ideal for emergencies.

    1. Installment Loans

    With installment loans borrowers can repay the loan over time through fixed monthly payments. Depending on affordability, these loans range from $100 to $5,000. If you need larger amounts or require more time to repay it, this loan is ideal.

    Key features include:

    • Flexible Terms: Repayment spans 3 to 24 months.
    • Predictable Payments: Fixed installments simplify budgeting.
    • Larger Amounts: Borrowers access more funds than typical payday loans.
    • Credit Flexibility: Lenders often approve despite poor credit.

    Installment loans make repayment easy for people who manage bigger expenses or prefer extended repayment.

    1. Bad Credit Loans

    Bad credit loans are most suitable for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores. In this case, lenders focus on income and affordability, not credit history. Loan amounts range from $100 to $5,000, with terms up to 24 months.

    Key features include:

    • No Hard Credit Checks: Lenders use soft inquiries or alternative data.
    • Accessible Approval: Borrowers with low credit scores often qualify.
    • Flexible Use: Funds cover emergencies, repairs, or personal needs.
    • Quick Processing: Approvals happen within minutes.

    These loans help borrowers access funds without worrying about credit scores.

    1. Same-Day Loans

    Same-day loans deliver funds within hours for urgent financial needs. Borrowers can apply online and often receive approval in minutes. Loan amounts range from $100 to $5,000, which can be repaid within weeks to months.

    Key features include:

    • Fast Funding: Money reaches bank accounts on the same business day.
    • Simple Application: Online forms take minutes to complete.
    • Broad Eligibility: Lenders accept various income sources, including benefits.
    • Flexible Terms: Borrowers choose repayment periods that suit their budget.

    Same-day loans ensure quick relief for unexpected expenses incurred during medical or similar emergencies.

    1. Loans for Unemployed

    There are solutions for unemployed borrowers who have alternative income sources. These loans range from $100 to $5,000. Its repayment terms are up to 24 months. Here, lenders assess affordability and not employment status.

    Key features include:

    • Alternative Income: Benefits, freelance earnings, or other income qualify.
    • Quick Approval: Loan decisions arrive in as little as two minutes.
    • Flexible Repayment: Terms adjust to the borrower’s financial situation.
    • No Job Required: Eligibility focuses on income, not traditional employment.

    These loans empower borrowers to access emergency funds without having traditional jobs.

    What are the Basic Eligibility Criteria for Personal Loans for Bad Credit?

    The best personal loans for bad credit come with minimum eligibility requirements. It means that they are more flexible than traditional bank loans but they will still ensure that a borrower has the capacity to repay the loan.

    Standard eligibility criteria include:

    • Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old (21 in some states)
    • Citizenship/Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a permanent address
    • Income Verification: Demonstration of regular income (more than $1,000) from employment or other sources
    • Banking Relationship: Active checking account for direct fund deposit and payment processing

    Note: To be eligible for Loans At Last you have to demonstrate an income of at least $1,000 per month.

    A Step-By-Step Guide for Applying for a Personal Loan with a Bad Credit Score

    Generally, the application process for a guaranteed approval personal loan with bad credit is not that complicated. It consists of three to four simple steps. Go through the following steps if you are going to apply for a loan soon.

    Step 1: Choose Your Loan Amount and Term. 

    • The first step is to determine how much money you need and how long it will take you to repay it. Your application approval, total interest cost, and monthly payment amount depend on this decision.
    • Before you determine the amount and the term you should carefully consider your need for the money, the total cost of the loan, and your repayment ability.

    Step 2: Complete The Online Application. 

    • Most online application processes are simple and take a couple of minutes to complete. It generally requires basic information about yourself, your income, and your banking details.
    • An online application section for personal loans or payday loans for bad credit would include personal information including names and social security numbers, employment details, and banking details.

    Step 3: Get Matched With Lenders. 

    • Once you submit your application, the matching service starts working. It finds the lenders that are most likely to approve loans for your specific situation. This process can happen within minutes and may result in multiple loan offers.
    • The system considers your credit profile and score, your employment status and income level, your requested loan amount and term, geographic location and applicable state laws, and lender specialization and preferences.

    Step 4: Receive Funds Within 24 Hours

    • After accepting a loan offer and completing any final verification requirements, approved borrowers typically receive funds within 24 hours through direct deposit to their bank account.
    • The funding timeline depends on application time, verification requirements, and banking processing time. A borrower can also monitor funding status with the tracking information that the lender provides.

    Final Thoughts on Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit

    The modern lending landscape offers legitimate alternatives through specialized lenders. They do not focus on past credit mistakes but approve a loan by evaluating your current financial capacity.

    The best personal loans for bad credit, however, come with higher interest rates. They are there to provide relief when traditional banks are not an option. Platforms like Loans At Last streamline the process by connecting you with appropriate lenders, offering amounts from $100 to $5,000 with flexible repayment terms.

    You should carefully assess your repayment ability, compare loan offers, and choose reputable lenders who report payments to credit bureaus before borrowing. You should also remember that these loans are for temporary financial problems and not for solving long-term debts.

    Frequently Asked Questions 

    1. Can I get a personal loan with a credit score under 600?

    Yes, it is possible to get a personal loan with a credit score under 600, but it is going to be difficult. Because only some lenders may consider this credit score “fair”. If your credit score is below 600, you can consider alternative options to traditional banking.

    1. How quickly can I get approved and funded?

    Most bad credit personal loan lenders approve loans quickly, often within minutes of submitting an application. Once they approve the application, the funding can occur within 24 hours.

    1. What income do I need to qualify? 

    Most lenders require borrowers to demonstrate a regular monthly income of at least $1,000 or more. This income can come from various sources, but it has to be verifiable and sufficient to cover both loan payments and daily living expenses.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: French Polynesia president announces huge highly protected marine area

    RNZ Pacific

    French Polynesia’s president has announced his administration will establish one of the world’s largest networks of highly protected marine areas (MPAs).

    The highly protected areas will safeguard 220,000 sq km of remote waters near the Society Islands and 680,000 sq km near the Gambier Islands.

    Speaking at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, President Moetai Brotherson pledged to protect nearly 23 percent of French Polynesia’s waters.

    “In French Polynesia, the ocean is much more than a territory — it’s the source of life, culture, and identity,” he said.

    “By strengthening the protection of Tainui Atea (the existing marine managed area that encompasses all French Polynesian waters) and laying the foundations for future marine protected areas . . .  we are asserting our ecological sovereignty while creating biodiversity sanctuaries for our people and future generations.”

    Once implemented, this would be one of the world’s single-largest designations of highly protected ocean space in history.

    Access will be limited, and all forms of extraction, such as fishing and mining, will be banned.

    Highly protected
    The government is also aiming to create a highly protected artisanal fishing zone that extends about 28 km from the Austral, Marquesas, and Gambier islands and 55.5 km around the Society Islands.

    Fishing in that zone will be limited to traditional single pole-and-line catch from boats less than 12m long.

    Together, the zones encompass an area about twice the size of continental France.

    President Brotherson also promised to create additional artisanal fishing zones and two more large, highly protected MPAs within the next year near the Austral and Marquesas islands.

    He also committed to bolster conservation measures within the rest of French Polynesia’s waters.

    Donatien Tanret, who leads Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy’s work in French Polynesia, said local communities had made it clear that they wanted to see stronger protections that reflected both scientific guidance and their ancestral culture for future generations.

    “These protections and commitments to future designations are a powerful example of how local leadership and traditional measures such as rāhui can address modern challenges.”

    Samoa announces MPAs
     Before the conference, Samoa adopted a legally binding Marine Spatial Plan — a step to fully protect 30 percent and ensure sustainable management of 100 percent of its ocean.

    The plan includes the establishment of nine new fully protected MPAs, covering 36,000 sq km of ocean.

    Toeolesulsulu Cedric Schuster, Samoa’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, said Samoa was a large ocean state and its way of life was under increased threat from issues including climate change and overfishing.

    “This Marine Spatial Plan marks a historic step towards ensuring that our ocean remains prosperous and healthy to support all future generations of Samoans — just as it did for us and our ancestors.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is Israel’s interception of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla legal?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Priya Gupta, Associate Professor of Law, McGill University

    Israel’s interception of a ship launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) — a grassroots group that campaigns in solidarity with the Palestinian people — in international waters approximately 185 kilometres from Gaza has raised serious questions about the legality of its actions.

    The Madleen — a small, British-flagged civilian vessel named for Gaza’s first fisherwoman — was carrying 11 activists, one journalist and a small cargo of humanitarian aid, including flour, baby formula and children’s prostheses. Israeli forces detained all passengers, including well-known Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French European Parliamentarian Rima Hassan.

    The FFC uses non-violent direct action to attempt to break the blockade Israel has imposed on Gaza since 2007, and to raise awareness about the “ongoing brutality inflicted upon civilians in Gaza.”

    At approximately 3 a.m. local time on June 9, Israeli forces rammed and boarded the Madleen. Shortly before that, military drones hovered above it and the activists took video of Israeli forces of spraying a white substance on board that “caused burning eyes and general discomfort.”

    Israel says it intercepted the Madleen to enforce “a legal naval blockade.” The FFC, however, has called Israel’s actions an “illegal attack” and “a small extension of their war crimes in Gaza.”

    Past attacks on humanitarian flotillas

    Israel’s interception of the Madleen is not without precedent. On May 2, the FFC ship Conscience was seriously damaged during a drone attack while carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. The attack ended its journey.

    In 2010, a group of six vessels called the Gaza Aid Flotilla sailed to Gaza to breach the Israeli blockade. The largest of the ships, the Mavi Marmara, was carrying more than 500 passengers when it was raided by Israeli forces in international waters, killing 10 people and wounding 56.

    Israel’s attack on the Mavi Marmara triggered international legal scrutiny and condemnation. The United Nations secretary-general immediately established an inquiry that determined the Israeli attack had resulted in “unacceptable” death, injury and mistreatment of detainees.

    Additionally, the UN Human Rights Council established a fact-finding mission that found that “no case can be made for the legality of the interception.”

    The Union of the Comoros, where the vessel was registered, referred the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity. A chamber of the court found there was evidence Israeli soldiers committed “systematic abuse” of detained passengers.

    In the end, the case did not proceed because the prosecutor decided the incident was of “insufficient gravity,” in part because they could not identify a plan or policy on the part of Israel to carry out war crimes on a large scale.

    Israel’s ongoing crimes in Gaza

    It would be difficult to make the same conclusion regarding the situation in Gaza today.

    Israel is downplaying the severity of its attack on the Madleen, casting it as a sort of rescue mission as the Israeli foreign ministry posted a photo of activists being offered sandwiches. But Israel’s actions must be evaluated within the context of legal findings that have already been made by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the ICC.

    In January 2024, the ICJ found there was a “real and imminent risk” that Israel would commit genocide in Gaza. Two months later, it ordered Israel not to impede the provision of humanitarian assistance.

    In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant based on reasonable grounds that they “intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival” and that this deprivation “created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population.”

    In separate proceedings in July 2024, the ICJ found that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, including Gaza and its surrounding waters, was unlawful and must come to an end “as rapidly as possible.”

    Against this backdrop, the interception of the flotilla could be seen as furthering Israel’s unlawful blockade, occupation and attack against the civilian population of Gaza, in addition to constituting unlawful targeting of the civilians on board. Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, has accused Israel of once again flouting “its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip” with the interception of the boat.

    Arbitrary detention, degrading treatment

    Thunberg, along with four other activists, has already been deported from Israel. Eight passengers who Israel says chose not “to sign deportation documents” remain in detention in an Israeli prison and will soon appear in court.

    Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said they would be forced to watch video footage of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel. He later said they refused to watch the video.

    This detention and its circumstances may constitute violations of the protection against arbitrary deprivation of liberty under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Israel is a signatory.

    Israel cannot legally block aid

    Israel is not permitted to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza. The ICJ has ordered Israel to “ensure the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed humanitarian assistance” and not do anything that would constitute a violation of the Genocide Convention “including by preventing, through any action, the delivery” of aid.

    The Geneva Convention also outlaws collective punishment of civilian populations and requires free passage of aid.

    Israel seemingly anticipated these arguments. Israeli officials mocked the Madleen, calling it a “selfie yacht” carrying a “tiny amount of aid” and proclaiming that “the show is over.” These statements could serve to cast the FFC as a disingenuous humanitarian mission.

    Israel also claims that the aid on board will be distributed through “real humanitarian channels.” This is likely an attempt by Israel to signal it’s not violating international humanitarian law by blocking assistance.

    These arguments, however, fail to acknowledge that the size of a humanitarian mission is irrelevant to the protection accorded to civilians and the requirement to allow delivery of aid.

    Disregarding the courts

    Israel has disregarded the ICJ’s orders to facilitate the delivery of urgently needed food and supplies to Gaza and has been accused of gunning down starving civilians at aid distribution centres.

    The Madleen’s mission was to force the world to acknowledge, in real time, Israel’s disregard for international law. In this aim, it succeeded. Israel’s interception of the Madleen could end up being prosecuted in the domestic courts of the passengers’ home countries, in the United Kingdom — where the boat was registered — or at the ICC.

    Humanitarians have vowed to continue to try to breach Israel’s blockade on Gaza. The Madleen’s voyage is a precursor to the March on Gaza scheduled for June 15, where thousands of activists will attempt to reach the Rafah crossing. The world will be watching.

    Heidi Matthews receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and is an advisor to the Legal Centre for Palestine.

    Priya Gupta 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. Is Israel’s interception of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla legal? – https://theconversation.com/is-israels-interception-of-the-gaza-freedom-flotilla-legal-258511

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Head of Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti Delivers Remarks at American Conference Institute Conference

    Source: US State of California

    Thank you, Lisa and Paige, for having me here today. And thank you to the American Conference Institute for hosting this conference.

    Under my leadership, the Criminal Division has been tirelessly working to execute on all of the Department’s priorities, holding criminals to account and seeking justice for victims.

    Today, I’m here to talk about the Criminal Division’s renewed efforts to combat white-collar crime in the new Administration.

    Let me first say a few words about FCPA enforcement before I discuss in detail the Criminal Division’s policies, approach, and initiatives in the white-collar space.

    The Deputy Attorney General sent me a memorandum, which he publicly released, detailing the new FCPA Enforcement Guidelines called for by the President’s Executive Order. These Guidelines provide evaluation criteria and a non-exhaustive list of factors to balance when deciding whether to pursue an FCPA case.

    As detailed in the DAG’s memo, the factors include — but are not limited to — whether the alleged misconduct deprived specific and identifiable U.S. entities of fair access to compete; involves key infrastructure or assets; bears strong indicia of corrupt intent tied to particular individuals and serious misconduct; or is associated with the criminal operations of a Cartel or Transnational Criminal Organization. No one factor is necessary or dispositive.

    The through-line is that these Guidelines require the vindication of U.S. interests. People have speculated about the meaning of that phrase, but the DAG’s memo makes it clear. It is not about the nationality of the subject or where the company is headquartered. In plain terms, conduct that genuinely impacts the United States or the American people is subject to potential prosecution by U.S. law enforcement. Conduct that does not implicate U.S. interests should be left to our foreign counterparts or appropriate regulators. And in those cases, the Criminal Division won’t hesitate to work with our foreign counterparts or domestic regulators to provide assistance and ensure that those countries and regulators can vindicate their interests and pursue their mandates.

    The memo also directs other common-sense principles, such as focusing on specific misconduct of individuals, rather than collective knowledge theories. All of these propositions are not controversial; in fact, we’ve heard them many times from counsel advocating on behalf of their clients. 

    Under the DAG’s leadership, the Department has reviewed FCPA matters, closing certain cases and proceeding with others by applying the criteria set forth in the Guidelines. With these Guidelines now in place, and consistent with the Executive Order, the Criminal Division will enforce the FCPA — firmly but fairly — by bringing enforcement actions against conduct that directly undermines U.S. national interests without losing sight of the burdens on American companies that operate globally.

    Now, let me shift from the FCPA to the extremely broad swath of white-collar and corporate misconduct not governed by that particular statute.

    As many of you know, four weeks ago, I released the Criminal Division’s enforcement plan for white-collar crime and discussed how we will ensure justice and fairness in those cases. To the extent anyone may have misread these remarks, let me be clear: Under my leadership, the Criminal Division has not and will not close meritorious investigations or dismiss meritorious cases. Indeed, consistent with the principles set forth in my memorandum, we will vigorously pursue these investigations and open new ones. We will move them expeditiously. And we will resolve them, fairly and justly.

    Let me make one other broad, related point. Be conscientious about what, when, and how you appeal the decisions of Trial Attorneys and AUSAs. White-collar and corporate defendants are fortunate to have sophisticated counsel. We do not begrudge defense counsel for zealously advocating for their clients. And we hold our prosecutors to the highest standards. These are central tenets of our system.

    But seeking premature relief, mischaracterizing prosecutorial conduct, or otherwise failing to be an honest broker actively undermines our system. It also will be counter-productive to your appeals, coloring arguments that may carry more weight, especially when made judiciously at the appropriate time. Clients deserve your wise counsel about how to handle the most significant and sensitive matters, and in the overwhelming majority of cases, that’s what they get. We should all strive to keep it that way.

    In the Criminal Division, we are focused on the work. So, let’s talk about that.

    Fighting white-collar and corporate crime is a critical component of the Criminal Division’s priorities. From procurement to health care fraud, and money laundering to sanctions evasion, white-collar and corporate crimes steal from taxpayers, inhibit American prosperity, and impact national security. These crimes rob U.S. citizens and investors of their hard-earned savings, disturb markets, hurt the economy, and victimize vulnerable Americans.

    Protecting the American people requires an aggressive and robust strategy to investigate and prosecute white-collar and corporate crime. Almost a month ago, you heard me say that you have a role to play in this fight. Indeed, business and compliance leaders, and the counsel who advise them, have a critical role to play. You can do the right thing, report potential crimes, root out misconduct, cooperate with the Department, and help the company remediate. And when you do, significant benefits are available to your clients.

    But there is an important corollary to that — and I want to make sure you hear it clearly and take it to your stakeholders and clients. For those who do not come forward despite all the benefits available: we will move aggressively — yet fairly — to prosecute white-collar offenders whose crimes undermine U.S. interests. We will hold accountable those who victimize the most vulnerable among us and defraud the government. We will root out those who abuse the American economy and exploit law-abiding businesses. We will swiftly bring charges against individuals and companies, and all the benefits of our policies will not be available to these offenders.

    So let me take a few minutes to speak at a more granular level about what our policies mean in practice. The memo and policies I issued last month demonstrate our commitment to this approach. We clarified the Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy and expanded the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program because these policies work. They incentivize companies and individuals to report crime to let us go after bad actors. 

    Indeed, these policies and incentives work best when we are clear and transparent with the public, including American businesses and the defense bar. That is why I issued the white-collar memo last month. The memorandum clearly articulated key areas of enforcement for the Criminal Division and directed our prosecutors to move quickly to bring charges. As an aside, and this should go without saying, priority connotes precedence, not exclusivity.

    Let me dig in on three key areas of change.

    First, declinations. The benefits to companies that voluntarily self-report, cooperate, and remediate have never been clearer and more certain: those companies will receive a declination, not just a “presumption.”

    While we have maintained our discretion to deviate where there are aggravating circumstances, this is not a game of “gotcha.”  We cannot envision every fact pattern imaginable, and we must retain some flexibility where the aggravating factors are such that a declination simply is not appropriate. But I can tell you that I am closely reviewing all corporate resolutions, and I am standing behind this policy. Indeed, the revised CEP narrowed what constitutes an “aggravating factor,” giving even more transparency and certainty for companies deciding whether or not to come forward. Issuing declinations for voluntary self-reports is sound policy — both to hold the most culpable individuals accountable and as a preventative measure to deter misconduct from happening in the first place — and I will closely scrutinize any VSD that is not recommended for a CEP declination. The circumstances would have to be truly aggravating and sufficient to outweigh the fact that the company voluntarily came forward.

    Next, monitors. We are nearing the end of our review of all Criminal Division corporate monitors. And, as the revised monitor policy lays out, we have learned some important lessons. Under my leadership, the Criminal Division has proceeded with some monitorships but terminated others where circumstances permitted companies to achieve compliance with our agreements on their own, including by self-reporting, compliance certifications, and other requirements.

    Monitors are meant to be a temporary bridge and accountability measure to move a company quickly and efficiently to full compliance. We believe the measures we’ve instituted in place of monitorships — including putting additional burden on the Criminal Division — more quickly transition companies to full compliance. These self-directed measures limit the wasted effort and financial resources that are expended when companies are more focused on “teaching to the test,” so to speak, rather than make lasting improvements.

    And finally, on efficiency. The Criminal Division’s experts tackle the most complex criminal cases. These take significant effort and resources, but they don’t need to take unreasonable time. Lengthy and sprawling investigations do not serve the Department, our prosecutors, the American public, or those under investigation. Under my leadership, the Criminal Division will do its part to charge or decline quickly.

    Since issuing our new policies, I have met with the leaders in all my Sections and made it clear: we must move more quickly to get criminals off the streets and bring clarity to those under investigation. Moving cases quickly will ensure that we use our resources efficiently in service of all of the Department’s priorities.

    But you play a role in efficiency, too. Producing documents swiftly in response to requests, promptly identifying key evidence, quickly making witnesses available, and effectively navigating complex global legal regimes are just part of what we expect cooperating companies to do. To state the obvious: when the delay is due to the conduct of a subject or target, arguments regarding a supposed lack of efficiency will not resonate.

    Finally, we also expect you to work closely with our teams, to follow the process, to narrow disagreements, and to raise up issues after exhausting discussions. I rely on my prosecutors to educate me on the facts of their cases and the issues you raise. When you reach out to me or other Department leadership, you, your client, and I can all move more efficiently when those issues have been appropriately narrowed.

    Where are we now?  We’re less than thirty days since I issued the white-collar enforcement plan. In even just this short period, I can tell you we are happy with the results.

    Since the memo was issued, we have seen new voluntary self-disclosures — including for potential FCPA violations. And as you know, when one company reports misconduct, it typically leads to the discovery of similar misconduct at other companies, so you benefit from being first in the door.

    We have seen continued robust tips from whistleblowers, including in each of our newly added categories. These reports and tips cover many of the areas of focus in the white-collar memo. Just days after I announced the expansion, we received tips related to drug trafficking and corruption, procurement fraud, healthcare fraud, and more. This is just the beginning, so stay tuned.

    With these policies in place, now is the time to get to work. We’ve made changes to effectuate my mandate to charge cases in a variety of areas. The Criminal Division is full of prosecutors, who, working with our partners in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and law enforcement agencies, must be focused on just that — bringing cases. Of note to this audience, in the coming weeks I anticipate significant announcements in key priority areas, including corporate resolutions across the white-collar landscape.

    What do I want you to take away from today?  This is the time for companies to self-report. It is the time to do the work, come in early, cooperate, and remediate. The Criminal Division’s policies give clear benefits to those who do. And for those who don’t, we will move swiftly and aggressively to bring cases against individuals and companies. We will use all our tools and seek strong sentences. We will hold culpable companies and individuals to account for misconduct. 

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Head of Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti Delivers Remarks at American Conference Institute Conference

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Thank you, Lisa and Paige, for having me here today. And thank you to the American Conference Institute for hosting this conference.

    Under my leadership, the Criminal Division has been tirelessly working to execute on all of the Department’s priorities, holding criminals to account and seeking justice for victims.

    Today, I’m here to talk about the Criminal Division’s renewed efforts to combat white-collar crime in the new Administration.

    Let me first say a few words about FCPA enforcement before I discuss in detail the Criminal Division’s policies, approach, and initiatives in the white-collar space.

    The Deputy Attorney General sent me a memorandum, which he publicly released, detailing the new FCPA Enforcement Guidelines called for by the President’s Executive Order. These Guidelines provide evaluation criteria and a non-exhaustive list of factors to balance when deciding whether to pursue an FCPA case.

    As detailed in the DAG’s memo, the factors include — but are not limited to — whether the alleged misconduct deprived specific and identifiable U.S. entities of fair access to compete; involves key infrastructure or assets; bears strong indicia of corrupt intent tied to particular individuals and serious misconduct; or is associated with the criminal operations of a Cartel or Transnational Criminal Organization. No one factor is necessary or dispositive.

    The through-line is that these Guidelines require the vindication of U.S. interests. People have speculated about the meaning of that phrase, but the DAG’s memo makes it clear. It is not about the nationality of the subject or where the company is headquartered. In plain terms, conduct that genuinely impacts the United States or the American people is subject to potential prosecution by U.S. law enforcement. Conduct that does not implicate U.S. interests should be left to our foreign counterparts or appropriate regulators. And in those cases, the Criminal Division won’t hesitate to work with our foreign counterparts or domestic regulators to provide assistance and ensure that those countries and regulators can vindicate their interests and pursue their mandates.

    The memo also directs other common-sense principles, such as focusing on specific misconduct of individuals, rather than collective knowledge theories. All of these propositions are not controversial; in fact, we’ve heard them many times from counsel advocating on behalf of their clients. 

    Under the DAG’s leadership, the Department has reviewed FCPA matters, closing certain cases and proceeding with others by applying the criteria set forth in the Guidelines. With these Guidelines now in place, and consistent with the Executive Order, the Criminal Division will enforce the FCPA — firmly but fairly — by bringing enforcement actions against conduct that directly undermines U.S. national interests without losing sight of the burdens on American companies that operate globally.

    Now, let me shift from the FCPA to the extremely broad swath of white-collar and corporate misconduct not governed by that particular statute.

    As many of you know, four weeks ago, I released the Criminal Division’s enforcement plan for white-collar crime and discussed how we will ensure justice and fairness in those cases. To the extent anyone may have misread these remarks, let me be clear: Under my leadership, the Criminal Division has not and will not close meritorious investigations or dismiss meritorious cases. Indeed, consistent with the principles set forth in my memorandum, we will vigorously pursue these investigations and open new ones. We will move them expeditiously. And we will resolve them, fairly and justly.

    Let me make one other broad, related point. Be conscientious about what, when, and how you appeal the decisions of Trial Attorneys and AUSAs. White-collar and corporate defendants are fortunate to have sophisticated counsel. We do not begrudge defense counsel for zealously advocating for their clients. And we hold our prosecutors to the highest standards. These are central tenets of our system.

    But seeking premature relief, mischaracterizing prosecutorial conduct, or otherwise failing to be an honest broker actively undermines our system. It also will be counter-productive to your appeals, coloring arguments that may carry more weight, especially when made judiciously at the appropriate time. Clients deserve your wise counsel about how to handle the most significant and sensitive matters, and in the overwhelming majority of cases, that’s what they get. We should all strive to keep it that way.

    In the Criminal Division, we are focused on the work. So, let’s talk about that.

    Fighting white-collar and corporate crime is a critical component of the Criminal Division’s priorities. From procurement to health care fraud, and money laundering to sanctions evasion, white-collar and corporate crimes steal from taxpayers, inhibit American prosperity, and impact national security. These crimes rob U.S. citizens and investors of their hard-earned savings, disturb markets, hurt the economy, and victimize vulnerable Americans.

    Protecting the American people requires an aggressive and robust strategy to investigate and prosecute white-collar and corporate crime. Almost a month ago, you heard me say that you have a role to play in this fight. Indeed, business and compliance leaders, and the counsel who advise them, have a critical role to play. You can do the right thing, report potential crimes, root out misconduct, cooperate with the Department, and help the company remediate. And when you do, significant benefits are available to your clients.

    But there is an important corollary to that — and I want to make sure you hear it clearly and take it to your stakeholders and clients. For those who do not come forward despite all the benefits available: we will move aggressively — yet fairly — to prosecute white-collar offenders whose crimes undermine U.S. interests. We will hold accountable those who victimize the most vulnerable among us and defraud the government. We will root out those who abuse the American economy and exploit law-abiding businesses. We will swiftly bring charges against individuals and companies, and all the benefits of our policies will not be available to these offenders.

    So let me take a few minutes to speak at a more granular level about what our policies mean in practice. The memo and policies I issued last month demonstrate our commitment to this approach. We clarified the Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy and expanded the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program because these policies work. They incentivize companies and individuals to report crime to let us go after bad actors. 

    Indeed, these policies and incentives work best when we are clear and transparent with the public, including American businesses and the defense bar. That is why I issued the white-collar memo last month. The memorandum clearly articulated key areas of enforcement for the Criminal Division and directed our prosecutors to move quickly to bring charges. As an aside, and this should go without saying, priority connotes precedence, not exclusivity.

    Let me dig in on three key areas of change.

    First, declinations. The benefits to companies that voluntarily self-report, cooperate, and remediate have never been clearer and more certain: those companies will receive a declination, not just a “presumption.”

    While we have maintained our discretion to deviate where there are aggravating circumstances, this is not a game of “gotcha.”  We cannot envision every fact pattern imaginable, and we must retain some flexibility where the aggravating factors are such that a declination simply is not appropriate. But I can tell you that I am closely reviewing all corporate resolutions, and I am standing behind this policy. Indeed, the revised CEP narrowed what constitutes an “aggravating factor,” giving even more transparency and certainty for companies deciding whether or not to come forward. Issuing declinations for voluntary self-reports is sound policy — both to hold the most culpable individuals accountable and as a preventative measure to deter misconduct from happening in the first place — and I will closely scrutinize any VSD that is not recommended for a CEP declination. The circumstances would have to be truly aggravating and sufficient to outweigh the fact that the company voluntarily came forward.

    Next, monitors. We are nearing the end of our review of all Criminal Division corporate monitors. And, as the revised monitor policy lays out, we have learned some important lessons. Under my leadership, the Criminal Division has proceeded with some monitorships but terminated others where circumstances permitted companies to achieve compliance with our agreements on their own, including by self-reporting, compliance certifications, and other requirements.

    Monitors are meant to be a temporary bridge and accountability measure to move a company quickly and efficiently to full compliance. We believe the measures we’ve instituted in place of monitorships — including putting additional burden on the Criminal Division — more quickly transition companies to full compliance. These self-directed measures limit the wasted effort and financial resources that are expended when companies are more focused on “teaching to the test,” so to speak, rather than make lasting improvements.

    And finally, on efficiency. The Criminal Division’s experts tackle the most complex criminal cases. These take significant effort and resources, but they don’t need to take unreasonable time. Lengthy and sprawling investigations do not serve the Department, our prosecutors, the American public, or those under investigation. Under my leadership, the Criminal Division will do its part to charge or decline quickly.

    Since issuing our new policies, I have met with the leaders in all my Sections and made it clear: we must move more quickly to get criminals off the streets and bring clarity to those under investigation. Moving cases quickly will ensure that we use our resources efficiently in service of all of the Department’s priorities.

    But you play a role in efficiency, too. Producing documents swiftly in response to requests, promptly identifying key evidence, quickly making witnesses available, and effectively navigating complex global legal regimes are just part of what we expect cooperating companies to do. To state the obvious: when the delay is due to the conduct of a subject or target, arguments regarding a supposed lack of efficiency will not resonate.

    Finally, we also expect you to work closely with our teams, to follow the process, to narrow disagreements, and to raise up issues after exhausting discussions. I rely on my prosecutors to educate me on the facts of their cases and the issues you raise. When you reach out to me or other Department leadership, you, your client, and I can all move more efficiently when those issues have been appropriately narrowed.

    Where are we now?  We’re less than thirty days since I issued the white-collar enforcement plan. In even just this short period, I can tell you we are happy with the results.

    Since the memo was issued, we have seen new voluntary self-disclosures — including for potential FCPA violations. And as you know, when one company reports misconduct, it typically leads to the discovery of similar misconduct at other companies, so you benefit from being first in the door.

    We have seen continued robust tips from whistleblowers, including in each of our newly added categories. These reports and tips cover many of the areas of focus in the white-collar memo. Just days after I announced the expansion, we received tips related to drug trafficking and corruption, procurement fraud, healthcare fraud, and more. This is just the beginning, so stay tuned.

    With these policies in place, now is the time to get to work. We’ve made changes to effectuate my mandate to charge cases in a variety of areas. The Criminal Division is full of prosecutors, who, working with our partners in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and law enforcement agencies, must be focused on just that — bringing cases. Of note to this audience, in the coming weeks I anticipate significant announcements in key priority areas, including corporate resolutions across the white-collar landscape.

    What do I want you to take away from today?  This is the time for companies to self-report. It is the time to do the work, come in early, cooperate, and remediate. The Criminal Division’s policies give clear benefits to those who do. And for those who don’t, we will move swiftly and aggressively to bring cases against individuals and companies. We will use all our tools and seek strong sentences. We will hold culpable companies and individuals to account for misconduct. 

    Thank you.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Honoring American Hero’s: American Rebel Light Beer Proudly Hosting the 101st Airborne Division’s Week of the Eagles Concert in Conjunction with the Celebration Honoring the U.S. Army 250th Birthday at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    American Rebel (NASDAQ: AREB) CEO Andy Ross to Headline Patriotic Concert at Fort Campbell | American Rebel Light “Tall Boys” to be Served at the Army 250th Birthday Celebration

    Nashville, TN, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB), through its American Rebel Beverages subsidiary and America’s Patriotic Beer, American Rebel Light Beer (www.americanrebelbeer.com) proudly announces that it is hosting the Week of the Eagles Concert as part of the 101st Airborne Division’s Week of the Eagles Celebration, marking the 250th birthday of the United States Army on June 14, 2025. As America’s Patriotic Beer, American Rebel Light Beer will be served at all concession stands, and the Company’s CEO and Patriotic-rock artist Andy Ross will headline a special patriotic concert at the event.

    COMBAT TACTICAL DEMOSTRATION, LIVE MUSIC, AND AMERICAN PRIDE

    The day kicks off with an intense live air assault demonstration led by the Screaming Eagles at the Sabalauski Air Assault School, showcasing their elite tactical expertise. Following this powerful display, American Rebel presents a high-energy concert featuring Andy Ross, bringing an electrifying mix of patriotism and music to honor our troops. This exclusive event is free and open only to Active Duty service members, their families, and Veterans with base access, celebrating the dedication, service, and sacrifice of America’s military.

    “The 101st Airborne Division is the tip of the spear—our frontline defenders of liberty,” said Andy Ross, CEO of American Rebel Holdings, Inc.” There’s no greater honor than standing on that stage, guitar in hand, to say ‘thank you’ to these heroes on the 250th birthday of the Army.”

    Todd Porter, President of American Rebel Beverage and a U.S. Army Veteran who served with the 101st during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, added: “This isn’t just sponsorship—it’s a homecoming. Celebrating the Screaming Eagles and the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army is a true privilege. It’s about family, sacrifice, and standing strong together as Americans.”

    CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF ARMY EXCELLENCE

    Founded in 1775, the U.S. Army has served as the backbone of our nation’s defense. The 101st Airborne Division—known worldwide as the “Screaming Eagles”—played pivotal roles in WWII (D-Day, Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge), and every major conflict since, including Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

    At the heart of the action is The Sabalauski Air Assault School, Fort Campbell’s elite training ground where Soldiers earn the prestigious Air Assault Badge—a symbol of tactical excellence and warrior toughness.

    A LEGACY OF VALOR: 101STAIRBORNE DIVISION

    The 101st Airborne Division, known as the Screaming Eagles, has a legendary history of valor and excellence. From D-Day to Desert Storm, Vietnam to Afghanistan, they’ve remained the U.S. Army’s premier air assault force. Today, the Sabalauski Air Assault School at Fort Campbell trains elite warriors who embody tactical precision and readiness.

    Event Information – Annual Week of the Eagles, Special Celebration United States Army’s 250thBirthday.

    The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell proudly announce our annual Week of the Eagles, June 9th-15th, 2025, with a special celebration marking the United States Army’s 250th Birthday.

    For two and a half centuries, the U.S. Army has stood as a beacon of strength, service, and sacrifice— “This We’ll Defend”. The Screaming Eagles, who have played a vital role in the nation’s defense since World War II, will honor the Army’s legacy with a week of commemorative ceremonies, competitions, and tactical demonstrations.

    https://campbell.armymwr.com/calendar/event/week-eagles-concert/6888789/99462

    • Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
    • Location: Sabalauski Air Assault School – 6883 Assault St, Fort Campbell, KY 42223
    • Air Assault Demonstration: 10:00AM (prior to the concert)
    • Concert Time: Immediately Following the Air Assault Demonstration
    • Beverage Service: American Rebel Light Beer “Tall Boys” available at all beer-selling concession locations

    “This milestone serves as a reminder of the Army’s unwavering dedication to protecting and defending our great nation,” said Col. Martin Meiners, spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell. “There is no better way to celebrate the Army’s 250th Birthday than through our annual celebration known as the Week of the Eagles.”

    RAISING A TALL BOY FOR THE TROOPS

    American Rebel Light Beer, America’s Patriotic Beer, will be available throughout the event—allowing attendees to enjoy a crisp, all-natural light lager while celebrating our nation’s military might. With no corn, no rice, and no additives, American Rebel Light Beer delivers bold flavor and all-American values in every sip.

    MWR: Supporting Our Troops & Their Families

    The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) program plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for service members and their families. At Fort Campbell, MWR provides:

    • Fitness & Sports Programs: Access to gyms, swimming pools, organized sports leagues, and outdoor recreation.
    • Entertainment & Leisure: Bowling alleys, movie theaters, gaming centers, and arts & crafts workshops.
    • Travel & Tickets: Discounted tickets for amusement parks, concerts, and travel packages through Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT).
    • Outdoor Recreation: Hunting, fishing, camping, and boating opportunities, often with rental equipment available.
    • Libraries & Education: Military libraries offer books, digital resources, and study programs for service members and families.
    • Child & Youth Services: Programs for children, including daycare, summer camps, and youth sports leagues.
    • Single Service Member Programs: Special events and activities tailored for young, single service members to foster camaraderie.

    MWR ensures that Soldiers and their families have access to essential services, recreation, and community-building activities, strengthening their resilience and well-being while they serve our nation.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    American Rebel Light Beer is America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is more than just a beer—it’s a celebration of freedom, passion, and quality. Brewed with care and precision, our light beer delivers a refreshing taste that’s perfect for every occasion.

    Since its launch in September 2024, American Rebel Light Beer has rolled out in Tennessee, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida and Indiana and is adding new distributors and territories regularly. For more information about the launch events and the availability of American Rebel Beer, please visit americanrebelbeer.com or follow us on our social media platforms.

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a domestic premium light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    For more information about American Rebel Light Beer follow us on social media @AmericanRebelBeer

    For more information, visit americanrebelbeer.com

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer.. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    Watch the American Rebel Story as told by our CEO Andy Ross visit The American Rebel Story

    Media Inquiries:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@Precisionpr.co
    917-280-7329

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com
    ir@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of our continued sponsorship of high profile events, such as the 2025 Week of the Eagles Concert is proudly hosted by American Rebel Beer and Fort Campbell MWR (Sponsorship does not imply DOD endorsement), success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A 35-day fishing ban will be introduced on the Ussuri

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) — A 35-day fishing ban will be officially imposed on the Ussuri River, which partially flows along the Chinese-Russian border, from 00:00 on June 11, the Zhongxinshe news agency reported.

    The Ussuri is a right tributary of the Heilongjiang River /Amur/. The total length is 890 km, of which 500 km are within China. The river is rich in fish resources, including carp, halim, grayling, kaluga, and sturgeon. In order to protect and restore fish resources, China and Russia regularly impose a ban on fishing on the river.

    Currently, a ban on fishing on the Ussuri River and its tributaries, including the Sungach, Mulinkhe and Nalikhe, is introduced twice a year – in the summer /from June 11 to July 15/ and in the autumn /from October 1 to 20/.

    In the next 35 days, any fishing on the Ussuri will be prohibited, the local public safety department reminded. In order to tighten the fight against poaching and ensure safety, border checkpoint employees have increased patrols.

    Earlier this month, a 40-day fishing ban was officially imposed on Lake Xingkai, located on the Chinese-Russian border. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Dismal ticket sales, grumblings from fans and clubs – is FIFA’s latest attempt to establish a global club game doomed before it starts?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Stefan Szymanski, Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    FIFA is hoping that Lionel Messi can draw the crowds. Megan Briggs/Getty Images

    The FIFA World Club Cup, which kicks off in the U.S. on June 14, 2025, may seem like a new competition.

    Certainly, soccer’s governing body, FIFA, is promoting it as is it were, marketing the monthlong competition between 32 of the world’s biggest soccer teams as the “pinnacle of club football,” with up to US$125 million in prize money for the winning team and $250 million set aside for promoting “football solidarity.”

    In reality, the competition is the latest chapter in FIFA’s long-running quest – going all the way back to 1960 – to create a global championship that would determine which club really is the best in the world.

    The organizing body has trumpeted a $1 billion prize pot for the World Club Cup. But FIFA has been less vocal about the broadcasting deal underpinning the event, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia reportedly to tune of $1 billion. That deal was announced just days before Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the men’s 2034 World Cup – a lucrative prize for the Gulf kingdom.

    This sounds more like the FIFA we all know, with the whiff of corruption and dodgy dealing that has dogged the organizing body for decades.

    FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino.
    Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

    FIFA’s critics argue that the competition is nothing more than an attempt to line the governing body’s coffers. FIFA’s line is that it will not keep “one dollar” from the event, and instead plans to distribute revenue to the clubs.

    Not helping FIFA’s case is the fact that clubs and players are similarly unimpressed, protesting that the event is an unnecessary addition to an already-overburdened soccer calendar.

    As always, the litmus test for success will come from the fans. So far, things are not going well on that front. Falling prices on Ticketmaster bode ill for the competition. Just days before the games were due to begin, FIFA slashed prices for the opening match: MLS club Inter Miami against Egypt’s Al-Ahly. Reports suggest that less than a third of tickets at the 65,000-seat venue for the opener, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, had sold – despite the likely presence of soccer superstar Lionel Messi.

    Of course, the declining number of tourists coming to the U.S. since the second inauguration of Donald Trump – and the president’s recently announced travel ban affecting 19 countries – hasn’t helped encourage fans of the global game to the U.S., even if none of the competing clubs come from one of those countries.

    FIFA vs. UEFA

    So, given all the problems and controversies, why is FIFA so invested?

    As someone who has long researched the nexus of soccer, money and power, I see the World Club Cup as part of a struggle between UEFA, the European governing body that runs the Champions League – currently seen as the pinnacle of soccer club competition – and FIFA, which wants to supplant the Champions League with its own competition.

    UEFA’s power stems from hosting the world’s biggest clubs. Only one club from outside Europe appears in soccer data website Transfermarkt’s list of the 50 most valuable squads – with Palmeiras from Brazil squeaking in at 50.

    Top players in their prime rarely quit Europe to play on another continent – the high-profile names that opt to play in the U.S. or Saudi leagues tend to be veterans cashing in on their name.

    Meanwhile, the world’s soccer talent flocks to European clubs. It’s not just that big clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool or Bayern Munich that can pay top dollar for the star players – less storied clubs like Brentford, Real Sociedad or VfB Stuttgart have the wherewithal to fish in the global player market.

    The wealth and status of these clubs form the muscle behind UEFA. And the jewel in the UEFA crown is the Champions League, an annual competition that brings together the best clubs in Europe.

    A game of two halves

    While UEFA also has its own national competition, the Euros, its pull is nowhere near as great as FIFA’s World Cup.

    This division – with FIFA dominating the international team competition and UEFA the club competition – dates back to the 1960s and the early years of mass television.

    When the 1966 World Cup was hosted by England, it was one of the very first global sports events, watched by an estimated audience of 400 million people worldwide.

    The 1970 World Cup, a legendary event in the eyes of boomer soccer fans, established the four-year ritual that surpasses even the Olympics as a global sporting event.

    At this time, UEFA’s Euros were barely a competition at all. The 1968, 1972 and 1976 editions – played in Italy, Belgium and Yugoslavia, respectively – each had only four teams and only four or five games.

    UEFA had by then established its role in club competition. The European Cup, as the Champions League was then called, started in 1955.

    But the game remembered today for establishing the dominance of European club competition is the 1960 final between Real Madrid and Eintract Frankfurt – a 10-goal thriller that Los Blancos won 7-3.

    Ferenc Puskas of Real Madrid scores his team’s sixth goal during the European Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 18, 1960.
    Keystone/Getty Images

    Witnessed by a crowd of 128,000 at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, the more important statistic was the estimated 70 million television audience in Europe.

    The 1968 final at London’s Wembley Stadium, when Manchester United overcame Benfica in honor of the “Busby Babes” – Manchester players who died in a 1958 Munich air disaster while traveling home from a European Cup game – saw a TV audience of 270 million.

    A history of failure

    The ambition to create a club world cup to rival the European Cup goes back to the 1950s. Soccer powerhouses Brazil and Argentina in particular promoted the idea that the top clubs in Europe should face off against the top South American teams.

    The resulting Intercontinental Cup ran from 1960 to 2004, with the top teams from UEFA and CONMEBOL, the South American soccer federation, taking part.

    But played in midseason, it barely made an impression on the fans.

    In 2000, FIFA created the Club World Championship, with eight teams drawn from the five international federations.

    It also attracted little love, and the 2001-to-2004 editions had to be canceled for lack of financial backing.

    In the early years, it seemed like an excuse to emulate the Intercontinental Cup, and the first three winners were South American. However, since 2006, all the winners bar one – Brazil’s Corinthians in 2012 – have been European.

    Europe is ‘on the beach’

    Then, in 2017, Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, announced plans to expand the competition and move it to the summer. With 32 teams, the competition will look more like the World Cup and will receive a lot of TV coverage.

    The fact that it will be free to watch will help. So too will the presence of Messi.

    Yet the overwhelming feeling going into the competition is that, like its predecessors, the revamped FIFA club competition is destined for failure.

    With the European domestic leagues all completed and the Champions League final – the unofficial marker of the end of the soccer season – having taken place on May 31, players and fans appear to be “on the beach,” to use a favorite phrase of soccer commentators.

    Ultimately, FIFA’s revamped World Club Cup faces the same issues that beset its forerunners: European teams are overwhelmingly tipped to win.

    Rather than the global soccer “solidarity” that FIFA hopes, the competition sets to reinforce the dominance of European clubs – and of Europe’s governing body when it comes to club competition.

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

    – ref. Dismal ticket sales, grumblings from fans and clubs – is FIFA’s latest attempt to establish a global club game doomed before it starts? – https://theconversation.com/dismal-ticket-sales-grumblings-from-fans-and-clubs-is-fifas-latest-attempt-to-establish-a-global-club-game-doomed-before-it-starts-258378

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Juliet and Romeo strains to be meaningful but never earns its emotional crescendos

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emily Rowe, Lecturer in Early Modern Literature, King’s College London

    The new musical film Juliet and Romeo arrives on screen with lavish visuals, saccharine pop songs and a reworked Shakespearean plot that tries to dazzle. With its vivid colour palette and dreamy masquerade aesthetic, this is Verona as filtered through a Eurovision lens: glittering, melodramatic and frequently overwrought.

    Writer and director Timothy Scott Bogart and composer Evan Kidd join a lineage of Romeo and Juliet adaptations that blend music with spectacle. Who could forget Harold Perrineau’s drag rendition of Young Hearts Run Free as Mercutio in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996)? More recently, the stage show & Juliet (2019) used the iconic songwriting of Max Martin for a jukebox musical meets feminist retelling of the tragedy. So where does Juliet and Romeo fall in comparison?

    Let’s begin with the fair, before turning to the foul. Shot on location in the real Verona, Juliet and Romeo makes excellent use of its scenery, with inventive sets and clever staging that breathe some vitality into its world.

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

    Verona’s jewel tones, candlelit street parties and endless twisting streets grant the film its fairytale quality. There’s a tactile richness to the production design that occasionally feels immersive, evoking a heightened world somewhere between Shakespeare’s imagined Verona and a perfume advert. The array of fight, dance, and crowd scenes are well-choreographed and the camera often moves with an energetic theatricality that hints at what the musical could have been.

    Unfortunately, the music doesn’t keep pace. While the pop soundtrack is relentlessly inoffensive – think bubblegum ballads and power choruses – it lacks the lyrical bite or emotional weight needed to sustain a tragedy.

    With sugary harmonies and banal lyrics, these numbers evoke more Eurovision than Elizabethan drama – not inherently a bad thing, but in this case, it results in emotional flatness. For example, a number like Better Than This, led with verve by Martina Ortiz Luis as Veronica, stands out slightly with its charming melody and joyful choreography. It’s a moment of brightness that briefly lifts the energy. But even that slips into the overall sameness of the score. At its best, the music is cutesy; at its worst, it’s filler.

    The trailer for Juliet & Romeo.

    The character work is similarly uneven. Juliet (Clara Rugaard) emerges as the most compelling figure – wry, self-aware, and played with just enough spunk to avoid cliché. Romeo (Jamie Ward), by contrast, is a forgettable boy-band archetype, rebelling weakly against a domineering father (Jason Isaacs channelling medieval Lucius Malfoy) and contributing little beyond brooding charm.

    Derek Jacobi’s gravitas is squandered on narration and playing the hapless Friar Lawrence. Juliet and Romeo opens with a flurry of historical exposition delivered by Jacobi: medieval Italy, papal politics, the splintering of city-states, and the threat of “mighty Rome” coming for Verona. It’s an ambitious – if unnecessary – reframing that sets up a late-stage twist that gestures toward a sequel.

    The supporting cast is also a mix of intriguing choices and tonal confusion. Mercutio’s (Nicholas Podany) subplot, involving his own forbidden love and tense relationship with an adoptive Montague patriarch, hints at deeper parallels to the central couple, but is never fully developed. The apothecary (Dan Fogler), bafflingly, gets a solo about alchemical experiments that feels lifted from a mid-tier Disney sequel. Meanwhile, the nurse (Sara Lazzaro), usually a comedic gem, is stripped of humour entirely.

    The Mask I Wear from Juliet & Romeo.

    A standout number comes from Rebel Wilson’s Lady Capulet and Verona’s women, who lament in The Mask I Wear about the constraints of femininity in well-arranged harmony. Yet the song’s emotional resonance is blunted by underwritten character arcs. The women sing beautifully, but we barely know why they’re angry.

    In the end, Juliet and Romeo is a musical that strains to be meaningful but never earns its emotional crescendos. It gestures toward political intrigue, feminist revision and star-crossed romance, but settles for spectacle. Still, with its sparkling visuals and glossy score, for fans of unapologetic musical fanfare, there’s some joy to be found in the glitter.

    Emily Rowe 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. Juliet and Romeo strains to be meaningful but never earns its emotional crescendos – https://theconversation.com/juliet-and-romeo-strains-to-be-meaningful-but-never-earns-its-emotional-crescendos-258507

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: For Trump’s ‘no taxes on tips,’ the devil is in the details

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jay L. Zagorsky, Associate Professor Questrom School of Business, Boston University

    President Donald Trump’s promise to eliminate taxes on tips may sound like a windfall for service workers — but the fine print in Congress’ latest tax bill tells a more complex story.

    Right now, Republican lawmakers are advancing the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — a sprawling, 1,100-page proposal that aims to change everything from tax incentives for electric vehicles to health care. It also includes a proposal to end taxes on tips, which could potentially affect around 4 million American workers. The Senate has recently passed its own version – the No Tax on Tips Act.

    The idea started getting attention when Trump raised it during a 2024 campaign stop in Las Vegas, a place where tipping is woven into the economy. And the headlines and press releases sound great — especially if you’re a waiter, bartender or anyone else who depends on tips for a living. That may be why both Democrats and Republicans alike broadly support the concept. However, like most of life, the devil is in the details.

    I’m a business-school economist who has written about tipping, and I’ve looked closely at the language of the proposed laws. So, what exactly has Trump promised, and how does it measure up to what’s in the bills? Let’s start with his pledge.

    The promise of money that’s ‘100% yours’

    Back in January 2025, Trump said, “If you’re a restaurant worker, a server, a valet, a bellhop, a bartender, one of my caddies … your tips will be 100% yours.” That sounds like a boost in tipped workers’ income.

    But when you look at the current situation, it becomes clear that the reality is far more complicated.

    First, the new tax break only applies to tips the government knows about — and a lot of that income currently flies under the radar. Tipped workers who get cash tips are supposed to report it to the IRS via form 4137 if their employer doesn’t report it for them. If a worker gets a cash tip today and doesn’t report it, they already get 100% of the money. No one really knows what percentage of tips are unreported, but an old IRS estimate pegs it at about 40%.

    What’s more, the current tax code defines tips only as payments where the customer determines the tip amount. If a restaurant charges a fixed 18% service charge, or there’s an extra fee for room service, those aren’t tips in the government’s eyes. This means some tipped workers who think service charges are tips will overestimate the new rule’s impact on their finances.

    How the new bills would affect tipped workers

    The “Big Beautiful Bill” would create a new tax code section under “itemized deductions” This area of the tax code already includes text that creates health savings accounts and gives students deductions for interest on their college loans.

    What’s in the new section?

    First, the bill specifies that this tax break applies just to “any cash tip.” The IRS classifies payments by credit card, debit card and even checks as “cash tips.” Unfortunately for workers in Las Vegas, noncash tips, like casino chips, aren’t part of the bill.

    While the House bill limits the deduction to people earning less than US$160,000 the Senate bill caps the deduction to the first $25,000 of tips earned. Everything over that is taxed.

    Second, the current House bill ends this special tax-free deal on Dec. 31, 2028. That means these special benefits would only last three years, unless Congress extends the law. The Senate bill does not include such a deadline.

    Third, the exemption is only available to jobs that typically receive tips. The Treasury secretary is required to define the list of tipped occupations. If an occupation isn’t on the list, the law doesn’t apply.

    I wonder how many occupations won’t make the list. For example, some camp counselors get tips at the end of the summer. But it’s unclear the Treasury Department will include these workers as a covered group, since counselors only make up a proportion of summer camp staff. Not making the list is a real problem.

    And while the new proposal gives workers an income tax break, there’s nothing in either bill about skipping FICA payments on the tipped earnings. Workers are still required to contribute slightly more than 7% in Social Security and Medicare taxes on all tips they report, which won’t benefit them until retirement. This isn’t an oversight — the bill specifically says employees must furnish a valid Social Security number to get the tax benefits.

    There are a few other ways the legislation might benefit workers less than it seems at first glance. Instituting no taxes on tips could mean tipped employees feel more pressure to split their tips with other employees, like busboys, chefs and hosts. After all, these untipped workers also contribute to the customer experience, and often at low wages.

    And finally, many Americans are tired of tipping. Knowing that servers don’t have to pay taxes might make some to cut back on it even more.

    The specifics of any piece of legislation are subject to change until the moment Congress sends it to the president to be signed. However, as now written, I think the bills aren’t as generous to tipped workers as Trump made it sound on the campaign trail.

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

    – ref. For Trump’s ‘no taxes on tips,’ the devil is in the details – https://theconversation.com/for-trumps-no-taxes-on-tips-the-devil-is-in-the-details-258276

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ancient fossils show how the last mass extinction forever scrambled the ocean’s biodiversity

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stewart Edie, Research Geologist and Curator of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution

    Even bivalves looked different during the time of the dinosaurs, as these fossils of an ultra-fortified oyster, left, and armored cockle show. Smithsonian Institution

    About 66 million years ago – perhaps on a downright unlucky day in May – an asteroid smashed into our planet.

    The fallout was immediate and severe. Evidence shows that about 70% of species went extinct in a geological instant, and not just those famous dinosaurs that once stalked the land. Masters of the Mesozoic oceans were also wiped out, from mosasaurs – a group of aquatic reptiles topping the food chain – to exquisitely shelled squid relatives known as ammonites.

    Even groups that weathered the catastrophe, such as mammals, fishes and flowering plants, suffered severe population declines and species loss. Invertebrate life in the oceans didn’t fare much better.

    But bubbling away on the seafloor was a stolid group of animals that has left a fantastic fossil record and continues to thrive today: bivalves – clams, cockles, mussels, oysters and more.

    What happened to these creatures during the extinction event and how they rebounded tells an important story, both about the past and the future of biodiversity.

    Surprising discoveries on the seafloor

    Marine bivalves lost around three-quarters of their species during this mass extinction, which marked the end of the Cretaceous Period. My colleagues and I – each of us paleobiologists studying biodiversity – expected that losing so many species would have severely cut down the variety of roles that bivalves play within their environments, what we call their “modes of life.”

    But, as we explain in a study published in the journal Sciences Advances, that wasn’t the case. In assessing the fossils of thousands of bivalve species, we found that at least one species from nearly all their modes of life, no matter how rare or specialized, squeaked through the extinction event.

    Statistically, that shouldn’t have happened. Kill 70% of bivalve species, even at random, and some modes of life should disappear.

    Most bivalves happily burrow into the sand and mud, feeding on phytoplankton they strain from the water. But others have adopted chemosymbionts and photosymbionts – bacteria and algae that produce nutrients for the bivalves from chemicals or sunlight in exchange for housing. A few have even become carnivorous. Some groups, including the oysters, can lay down a tough cement that hardens underwater, and mussels hold onto rocks by spinning silken threads.

    We thought surely these more specialized modes of life would have been snuffed out by the effects of the asteroid’s impact, including dust and debris likely blocking sunlight and disrupting a huge part of the bivalves’ food chain: photosynthetic algae and bacteria. Instead, most persisted, although biodiversity was forever scrambled as a new ecological landscape emerged. Species that were once dominant struggled, while evolutionary newcomers rose in their place.

    The reasons some species survived and others didn’t leave many questions to explore. Those that filtered phytoplankton from the water column suffered some of the highest species losses, but so did species that fed on organic scraps and didn’t rely as much on the Sun’s energy. Narrow geographic distributions and different metabolisms may have contributed to these extinction patterns.

    Biodiversity bounces back

    Life rebounded from each of the Big Five mass extinctions throughout Earth’s history, eventually punching through past diversity highs. The rich fossil record and spectacular ecological diversity of bivalves gives us a terrific opportunity to study these rebounds to understand how ecosystems and global biodiversity rebuild in the wake of extinctions.

    The extinction caused by the asteroid strike knocked down some thriving modes of life and opened the door for others to dominate the new landscape.

    The rebound from the extinction wasn’t so straightforward. Some modes of life lost nearly all their species, never to recover their past diversity. Others rose to take the top ranks. Genera is the plural of genus.
    Adapted from Edie et al. 2025, Science Advances

    While many people lament the loss of the dinosaurs, we malacologists miss the rudists.

    These bizarrely shaped bivalves resembled giant ice cream cones, sometimes reaching more than 3 feet (1 meter) in size, and they dominated the shallow, tropical Mesozoic seas as massive aggregations of contorted individuals, similar to today’s coral reefs. At least a few harbored photosymbiotic algae, which provided them with nutrients and spurred their growth, much like modern corals.

    An ancient fossil of a rudist from before the last mass extinction. These bivalves could grow to a meter high.
    Smithsonian Institution

    Today, giant clams (Tridacna) and their relatives fill parts of these unique photosymbiotic lifestyles once occupied by the rudists, but they lack the rudists’ astonishing species diversity.

    Mass extinctions clearly upend the status quo. Now, our ocean floors are dominated by clams burrowed into sand and mud, the quahogs, cockles and their relatives – a scene far different from that of the seafloor 66 million years ago.

    New winners in a scrambled ecosystem

    Ecological traits alone didn’t fully predict extinction patterns, nor do they entirely explain the rebound. We also see that simply surviving a mass extinction didn’t necessarily provide a leg up as species diversified within their old and sometimes new modes of life – and few of those new modes dominate the ecological landscape today.

    Like the rudists, trigoniid bivalves had lots of different species prior to the extinction event. These highly ornamented clams built parts of their shells with a super strong biomaterial called nacre – think iridescent pearls – and had fractally interlocking hinges holding their two valves together.

    An ancient fossil of a pearly but tough trigoniid bivalve from the last mass extinction. The two matching shells show their elaborate hinge.
    Smithsonian Institution

    But despite surviving the extinction, which should have placed them in a prime position to accumulate species again, their diversification sputtered. Other types of bivalves that made a living in the same way proliferated instead, relegating this once mighty and global group to a handful of species now found only off the coast of Australia.

    Lessons for today’s oceans

    These unexpected patterns of extinction and survival may offer lessons for the future.

    The fossil record shows us that biodiversity has definite breaking points, usually during a perfect storm of climatic and environmental upheaval. It’s not just that species are lost, but the ecological landscape is overturned.

    Many scientists believe the current biodiversity crisis may cascade into a sixth mass extinction, this one driven by human activities that are changing ecosystems and the global climate. Corals, whose reefs are home to nearly a quarter of known marine species, have faced mass bleaching events as warming ocean water puts their future at risk. Acidification as the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide can also weaken the shells of organisms crucial to the ocean food web.

    Findings like ours suggest that, in the future, the rebound from extinction events will likely result in very different mixes of species and their modes of life in the oceans. And the result may not align with human needs if species providing the bulk of ecosystem services are driven genetically or functionally extinct.

    The global oceans and their inhabitants are complex, and, as our team’s latest research shows, it is difficult to predict the trajectory of biodiversity as it rebounds – even when extinction pressures are reduced.

    Billions of people depend on the ocean for food. As the history recorded by the world’s bivalves shows, the upending of the pecking order – the number of species in each mode of life – won’t necessarily settle into an arrangement that can feed as many people the next time around.

    Stewart Edie receives funding from the Smithsonian Institution.

    – ref. Ancient fossils show how the last mass extinction forever scrambled the ocean’s biodiversity – https://theconversation.com/ancient-fossils-show-how-the-last-mass-extinction-forever-scrambled-the-oceans-biodiversity-258389

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ positions US energy to be more costly for consumers and the climate

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Cohan, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University

    Proposed revisions to U.S. energy policy would likely raise consumer prices and climate-warming emissions. zpagistock/Moment via Getty Images

    When it comes to energy policy, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – the official name of a massive federal tax-cut and spending bill that House Republicans passed in May 2025 – risks raising Americans’ energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

    The 1,100-page bill would slash incentives for green technologies such as solar, wind, batteries, electric cars and heat pumps while subsidizing existing nuclear power plants and biofuels. That would leave the country and its people burning more fossil fuels despite strong popular and scientific support for a rapid shift to renewable energy.

    The bill may still be revised by the Senate before it moves to a final vote. But it is a picture of how President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans want to reshape U.S. energy policy.

    As an environmental engineering professor who studies ways to confront climate change, I think it is important to distinguish which technologies could rapidly cut emissions or are on the verge of becoming viable from those that do little to fight climate change. Unfortunately, the House bill favors the latter while nixing support for the former.

    Renewable energy

    Wind and solar power, often paired with batteries, are providing over 90% of the new electricity currently being added to the grid nationally and around the world. Geothermal power is undergoing technological breakthroughs. With natural gas turbines in short supply and long lead times to build other resources, renewables and batteries offer the fastest way to satisfy growing demand for power.

    However, the House bill rescinds billions of dollars that the Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022, devoted to boosting domestic manufacturing and deployments of renewable energy and batteries.

    It would terminate tax credits for manufacturing for the wind industry in 2028 and for solar and batteries in 2032. That would disrupt the boom in domestic manufacturing projects that was being stimulated by the Inflation Reduction Act.

    Deployments would be hit even harder. Wind, solar, geothermal and battery projects would need to commence construction within 60 days of passage of the bill to receive tax credits.

    In addition, the bill would deny tax credits to projects that use Chinese-made components. Financial analysts have called those provisions “unworkable,” since some Chinese materials may be necessary even for projects built with as much domestic content as possible.

    Analysts warn that the House bill would cut new wind, solar and battery installations by 20% compared with the growth that had been expected without the bill. That’s why BloombergNEF, an energy research firm, called the bill a “nightmare scenario” for clean energy proponents.

    However, one person’s nightmare may be another man’s dream. “We’re constraining the hell out of wind and solar, which is good,” said Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican backed by the oil and gas industry.

    Wind turbines and solar panels generate renewable energy side by side near Palm Springs, Calif.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    Efficiency and electric cars

    Cuts fall even harder on Americans who are trying to reduce their carbon footprints and energy costs. The bill repeals aid for home efficiency improvements such as heat pumps, efficient windows and energy audits. Homeowners would also lose tax credits for installing solar panels and batteries.

    For vehicles, the bill would not only repeal tax credits for electric cars, trucks and chargers, but it also would impose a federal $250 annual fee on vehicles, on top of fees that some states charge electric-car owners. The federal fee is more than the gas taxes paid by other drivers to fund highways and ignores air-quality and climate effects.

    Combined, the lost credits and increased fees could cut projected U.S. sales of electric vehicles by 40% in 2030, according to modeling by Jesse Jenkins of Princeton University.

    Nuclear power

    Meanwhile, the bill partially retains a tax credit for electricity from existing nuclear power plants. Those plants may not need the help: Electricity demand is surging, and companies like Meta are signing long-term deals for nuclear energy to power data centers. Nuclear plants are also paid to manage their radioactive waste, since the country lacks a permanent place to store it.

    For new nuclear plants, the bill would move up the deadline to 2028 to begin construction. That deadline is too soon for some new reactor designs and would rush the vetting of others. Nuclear safety regulators are awaiting a study from the National Academies on the weapons proliferation risks of the type of uranium fuel that some developers hope to use in newer designs.

    The House-passed bill would protect government subsidies for existing nuclear power plants, like the one in the background, while limiting support for wind turbines.
    Scott Olson/Getty Images

    Biofuels

    While cutting funding for electric vehicles, the bill would spend $45 billion to extend tax credits for biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

    Food-based biofuels do little good for the climate because growing, harvesting and processing crops requires fertilizers, pesticides and fuel. The bill would allow forests to be cut to make room for crops because it directs agencies to ignore the impacts of biofuels on land use.

    Hydrogen

    The bill would end tax credits for hydrogen production. Without that support, companies will be unlikely to invest in the seven so-called “hydrogen hubs” that were allocated a combined $8 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. Those hubs aim to attract $40 billion in private investments and create tens of thousands of jobs while developing cleaner ways to make hydrogen.

    The repealed tax credits would have subsidized hydrogen made emissions-free by using renewable or nuclear electricity to split water molecules. They also would have subsidized hydrogen made from natural gas with carbon capture, whose benefits are impaired by methane emissions from natural gas systems and incomplete carbon capture.

    However it’s made, hydrogen is no panacea. As the world’s smallest molecule, hydrogen is prone to leaking, which can pose safety challenges and indirectly warm the climate. And while hydrogen is essential for making fertilizers and potentially useful for making steel or aviation fuels, vehicles and heating are more efficiently powered by electricity than by hydrogen.

    Still, European governments and China are investing heavily in hydrogen production.

    As Congress deliberates on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the nation’s energy agenda is one of many issues being hotly debated.
    Kevin Carter/Getty Images

    Summing it up

    The conservative Tax Foundation estimates that the House bill would cut the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits by about half, saving the government $50 billion a year. But with fewer efficiency improvements, fewer electric vehicles and less clean power on the grid, Princeton’s Jenkins projects American households would pay up to $415 more per year for energy by 2035 than if the bill’s provisions were not enacted. If the bill’s provisions make it into law, the extra fossil fuel-burning would leave annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 1 billion tons higher by then.

    No one expected former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to escape unscathed with Republicans in the White House and dominating both houses of Congress. Still, the proposed cuts target the technologies Americans count on to protect the climate and save consumers money.

    Daniel Cohan receives funding from the Carbon Hub at Rice University.

    – ref. How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ positions US energy to be more costly for consumers and the climate – https://theconversation.com/how-the-big-beautiful-bill-positions-us-energy-to-be-more-costly-for-consumers-and-the-climate-257783

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Where is the center of the universe?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rob Coyne, Teaching Professor of Physics, University of Rhode Island

    In space, there are four dimensions: length, width, height and time. scaliger/iStock/NASA via Getty Images Plus

    About a century ago, scientists were struggling to reconcile what seemed a contradiction in Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

    Published in 1915, and already widely accepted worldwide by physicists and mathematicians, the theory assumed the universe was static – unchanging, unmoving and immutable. In short, Einstein believed the size and shape of the universe today was, more or less, the same size and shape it had always been.

    But when astronomers looked into the night sky at faraway galaxies with powerful telescopes, they saw hints the universe was anything but that. These new observations suggested the opposite – that it was, instead, expanding.

    Scientists soon realized Einstein’s theory didn’t actually say the universe had to be static; the theory could support an expanding universe as well. Indeed, by using the same mathematical tools provided by Einstein’s theory, scientists created new models that showed the universe was, in fact, dynamic and evolving.

    I’ve spent decades trying to understand general relativity, including in my current job as a physics professor teaching courses on the subject. I know wrapping your head around the idea of an ever-expanding universe can feel daunting – and part of the challenge is overriding your natural intuition about how things work. For instance, it’s hard to imagine something as big as the universe not having a center at all, but physics says that’s the reality.

    The universe gets bigger every day.

    The space between galaxies

    First, let’s define what’s meant by “expansion.” On Earth, “expanding” means something is getting bigger. And in regard to the universe, that’s true, sort of. Expansion might also mean “everything is getting farther from us,” which is also true with regard to the universe. Point a telescope at distant galaxies and they all do appear to be moving away from us.

    What’s more, the farther away they are, the faster they appear to be moving. Those galaxies also seem to be moving away from each other. So it’s more accurate to say that everything in the universe is getting farther away from everything else, all at once.

    This idea is subtle but critical. It’s easy to think about the creation of the universe like exploding fireworks: Start with a big bang, and then all the galaxies in the universe fly out in all directions from some central point.

    But that analogy isn’t correct. Not only does it falsely imply that the expansion of the universe started from a single spot, which it didn’t, but it also suggests that the galaxies are the things that are moving, which isn’t entirely accurate.

    It’s not so much the galaxies that are moving away from each other – it’s the space between galaxies, the fabric of the universe itself, that’s ever-expanding as time goes on. In other words, it’s not really the galaxies themselves that are moving through the universe; it’s more that the universe itself is carrying them farther away as it expands.

    A common analogy is to imagine sticking some dots on the surface of a balloon. As you blow air into the balloon, it expands. Because the dots are stuck on the surface of the balloon, they get farther apart. Though they may appear to move, the dots actually stay exactly where you put them, and the distance between them gets bigger simply by virtue of the balloon’s expansion.

    It’s the space between the dots that’s growing.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech, CC BY

    Now think of the dots as galaxies and the balloon as the fabric of the universe, and you begin to get the picture.

    Unfortunately, while this analogy is a good start, it doesn’t get the details quite right either.

    The 4th dimension

    Important to any analogy is an understanding of its limitations. Some flaws are obvious: A balloon is small enough to fit in your hand – not so the universe. Another flaw is more subtle. The balloon has two parts: its latex surface and its air-filled interior.

    These two parts of the balloon are described differently in the language of mathematics. The balloon’s surface is two-dimensional. If you were walking around on it, you could move forward, backward, left, or right, but you couldn’t move up or down without leaving the surface.

    Now it might sound like we’re naming four directions here – forward, backward, left and right – but those are just movements along two basic paths: side to side and front to back. That’s what makes the surface two-dimensional – length and width.

    The inside of the balloon, on the other hand, is three-dimensional, so you’d be able to move freely in any direction, including up or down – length, width and height.

    This is where the confusion lies. The thing we think of as the “center” of the balloon is a point somewhere in its interior, in the air-filled space beneath the surface.

    But in this analogy, the universe is more like the latex surface of the balloon. The balloon’s air-filled interior has no counterpart in our universe, so we can’t use that part of the analogy – only the surface matters.

    Trying to figure out how the universe works? Start by contemplating a balloon.
    Kristopher_K/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    So asking, “Where’s the center of the universe?” is somewhat like asking, “Where’s the center of the balloon’s surface?” There simply isn’t one. You could travel along the surface of the balloon in any direction, for as long as you like, and you’d never once reach a place you could call its center because you’d never actually leave the surface.

    In the same way, you could travel in any direction in the universe and would never find its center because, much like the surface of the balloon, it simply doesn’t have one.

    Part of the reason this can be so challenging to comprehend is because of the way the universe is described in the language of mathematics. The surface of the balloon has two dimensions, and the balloon’s interior has three, but the universe exists in four dimensions. Because it’s not just about how things move in space, but how they move in time.

    Our brains are wired to think about space and time separately. But in the universe, they’re interwoven into a single fabric, called “space-time.” That unification changes the way the universe works relative to what our intuition expects.

    And this explanation doesn’t even begin to answer the question of how something can be expanding indefinitely – scientists are still trying to puzzle out what powers this expansion.

    So in asking about the center of the universe, we’re confronting the limits of our intuition. The answer we find – everything, expanding everywhere, all at once – is a glimpse of just how strange and beautiful our universe is.

    Rob Coyne receives funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the US National Science Foundation (NSF).

    – ref. Where is the center of the universe? – https://theconversation.com/where-is-the-center-of-the-universe-252695

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Marine Fund Scotland 2025-26 launches

    Source: Scottish Government

    Delivering Scotland’s Blue Economy Vision.

    Applications will open for the fifth year of the Marine Fund Scotland today.

    The fund will make £14 million available in 2025-26 to help deliver Scotland’s Blue Economy Vision, transform the way the marine environment is used and how Scotland’s ‘blue’ resources are managed.

    Eligible individuals, businesses, and organisations can apply for funding for new projects that will contribute to an innovative and sustainable marine economy, support coastal communities, and help Scotland reach net zero emissions.

    Last year, a total of 67 projects received funding, with grants ranging from under £1,000 up to £1.6 million. These projects included the modernising of seafood processing facilities to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency; the first Scottish facility to recycle mixed material from fishing and aquaculture nets and marine litter prevention; support for young fishers purchasing their first fishing vessel; and marine research and innovation to protect iconic wild salmon.

    Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon said:

    “Since 2021 the Marine Fund Scotland has awarded more than £55 million in grants to 330 projects, facilitating a total of £121 million of investment and supporting jobs and communities right around our coastline and throughout our islands. I urge all those with ideas for projects to help marine industries to evolve and flourish to apply.

    “We are backing Scotland’s marine economy, which is crucial to the economic, social and cultural fabric of our rural, coastal and island communities. They now need the UK government to do the same and to provide Scotland with its fair share of funding.

    “The UK Government recently announced a new £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, and I am calling for a fair share of the budget allocation to be devolved. This multi-year funding will be key to delivering benefits for the marine economy and environment, as well as supporting coastal communities, for years to come. If this newly announced funding isn’t devolved to Scotland, it will duplicate the current funding programmes, causing stakeholder confusion and dilution of intended benefits.” 

    Donna Fordyce Chief Executive of Seafood Scotland said:

    “The Marine Fund Scotland funding has been vital to not only retain existing markets for our premium Scottish seafood but to develop new markets to achieve the highest value for the industry. Funding also allowed Seafood Scotland to further develop the Seafood in Schools programme launching the Scottish Seafood Ambassador scheme and Teach the Teacher curriculum-linked educational resources. The aim is to increase consumption of our delicious seafood and highlight the sector as a career of choice; this is very relevant given the labour shortage the industry is currently facing.”

    Background

    Blue Economy Vision

    Information on eligibility and how to apply can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836916017

    Details of all projects that have received grant funding from the Marine Fund Scotland to date can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/marine-and-fisheries-grants/grants-awarded/

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Turning the tide: Cameroon commits to ocean protection

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Yaoundé, May 8, 2025 – Cameroon has taken a major step toward ocean protection by signing, on May 2, 2025, the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). This agreement aims to establish a global, legally binding framework for the preservation of biodiversity in the high seas.

    The news comes just weeks before the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), strengthening Cameroon’s position on the international stage in ocean governance. “The Cameroonian government’s signature is a glimmer of hope for the future of our oceans,” says Dr. Aliou Ba, Oceans Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa. “We now hope for swift ratification so that this commitment can become reality.”

    The signed agreement is part of a global movement to close the legal gap surrounding international marine areas. It establishes binding rules to protect species, regulate human activities on the high seas and enhance scientific cooperation.

    However, vigilance remains crucial at the national level. A recent Mongabay investigation, published in April 2025, revealed serious threats to the Manyange na Elombo Campo Marine Park —the first marine protected area in Cameroon. This site, located near Kribi, is currently under threat from a controversial iron mining project.

    “This example highlights the contradictions between political commitments and on-the-ground realities,” notes Dr. Ba. “The treaty’s signature alone is not enough. It must be followed by strong measures to protect coastal areas and marine resources.”

    With 500 kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Cameroon is home to remarkable marine biodiversity: over 500 fish species, marine mammals, and plankton-rich ecosystems. These vital resources are now under threat from industrial exploitation, pollution and the effects of climate change.

    Greenpeace Africa is urging Cameroonian authorities to turn this signature into concrete action: strengthening conservation mechanisms, monitoring marine activities and honoring international commitments.

    “We applaud Cameroon’s example and call on other African nations to follow suit. This treaty is a historic opportunity for Africa to play a leading role in ocean protection—for the benefit of communities, biodiversity, and future generations.” concludes Dr. Ba.

    Media Contact:

    Luchelle Feukeng, Communication and Storytelling Manager, [email protected], +237 656 46 35 45

    MIL OSI NGO –