NewzIntel.com

Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council identifies surplus sites to support new housing in the city

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 25th June 2025

    Land and buildings owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council have been reviewed to help pick out areas where new homes could be built.

    As a result, the council has identified a number of surplus sites across the city that can now be put forward for consideration in terms of future development – for potential new homes or other purposes – as part of the forthcoming public consultation on Local Plan.

    Following a cabinet meeting yesterday (Tuesday, 24th June), 11 sites have been deemed surplus to requirements and will be put forward for consultation.

    They are a mix of vacant commercial buildings, former council service properties and industrial land. This includes the former Ball Green High School site, which has been vacant since closing in 1988.

    Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning and governance at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’re reviewing the land and property we own across the city to identify areas that could support the building of new homes and other purposes.

    “The council currently owns around 500 buildings and pieces of land, all of which cost a significant amount to maintain – and many are no longer needed. Reviewing these sites is an important part of our plans to save money, run more efficiently and unlock new opportunities for communities.

    “We want to make better use of brownfield land and provide more homes for local people, and we are committed to listening to the views of residents and other stakeholders before making any decisions about the future of these sites.”

    Once a site is declared surplus to requirements it does not mean a decision has been taken on its future use. The council is considering a number of options for each of the sites including regeneration, disposal or letting out its assets.

    After the public consultation on the Local Plan, planned to start later in 2025, council officers will use the feedback from residents, developers and other groups to investigate different uses for the land and property to best meet the council’s priorities for the city.

    The full list of sites is contained in the cabinet report: Committee Report

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report concludes Scotland must break its silence on state-enforced ‘Tinker Experiments’ Research into 20th century policies affecting Gypsy/Traveller communities across Scotland – including the forced and permanent removal of children from their families – has found clear evidence of widespread institutional discrimination amounting to ‘cultural genocide’.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Shamus, Bridget, Chic and Roseanna at Bobbin Mill circa 1975 (credit Roseanna and Shamus McPhee)

    Research into 20th century policies affecting Gypsy/Traveller communities across Scotland – including the forced and permanent removal of children from their families – has found clear evidence of widespread institutional discrimination amounting to ‘cultural genocide’.
    The report was led by the University of St Andrews with contribution from the University of Aberdeen’s Dr Bennett Collins, into the controversial ‘Tinker Experiments’. It was commissioned by the Scottish Government in 2023 in response to a campaign led by Scottish Gypsy/Traveller activists calling for a formal apology to recognise the historic injustice.
    Published today (Wednesday 25 June 2025) the 104-page document, compiled by the Third Generation Project at St Andrews’ School of International Relations, which was cofounded by lead author Professor Ali Watson and Dr Collins when he was based at the University of St Andrews.
    The report demonstrates that institutions across Scotland were complicit in the creation of an environment that allowed the Gypsy/Traveller community to be marginalised and persecuted to the extent that it should be considered cultural genocide.
    It also recommends that the Scottish Government should issue an apology to Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland and initiate reparations for survivors and victims of the ‘Tinker Housing Experiments’.
    The Third Generation Project team, which also included researchers from the London School of Economics and McMaster University in Canada, analysed hundreds of documents and visited archival sites across Scotland in its quest to gather information on key events, key legislation and the role of institutions, as well as the extent to which policies employed as part of the ‘Tinker Experiments’ were implemented and when.
    The researchers, experienced in investigating similar historical injustices, found that between 1940 and the late 1980s and beyond, organisations including the Scottish Office, Church of Scotland, charities, and the police, were complicit in facilitating policies like forced assimilation, settlement and the removal of children including sending them abroad.”
    In its conclusions, the report states that the evidence found shows three significant patterns; the dehumanisation of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland; systematic control including segregation and surveillance; and forced assimilation into wider settled society.
    The report states: “The very nature of assimilation presumes cultural dominance of one group over another, and in the case of the ‘Tinker Experiments’ and the intent to erode the collective cultural identity of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland, there is a need to consider and to recognise that the context in which it occurred is best characterised as cultural genocide.”
    Lead author and director of the Third Generation Project, Professor Ali Watson OBE said: “We ultimately found that the intentions of the Tinker Experiments (TE) were not to support the cultural ways of life of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland. It was the exact opposite.”
    Dr Bennett Collins, Lecturer, Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen said: “Our remit was to document and analyse what the archives had to say about this dark chapter in Scotland’s history. Given the overwhelming amount of material, and the need to hear from survivors themselves, this report and the events of today should be understood as the beginning of a journey rather than a conclusion.”
    The report notes how the TE included four key pieces of legislation that directly impacted the social, economic, and cultural welfare of Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland, creating a mandate for government and civil society to manage and intervene in the lives of Gypsy/Travellers.
    Professor Watson explained, “For example, changes in legislation created the possibility that Gypsy/Traveller children could be taken from their families if they did not ‘settle’. We also found evidence that Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland were referred to as ‘a problem’ during debates in both Houses of Parliament.”
    The report outlines that the Tinker Experiments were pervasive across Scotland, demonstrating that this was a national set of policies and actions.
    “Overall, this research found evidence of at least one of three forms of forced and/or discriminatory housing policy used in 27 of the 32 present day council areas in Scotland,” she said.
    Along with an official apology, the report makes recommendations for key stakeholders in the report, including the Scottish government, local councils, specific churches, the police, and media, to begin a journey of truth-seeking and reconciliation with Gypsy/Traveller communities.
    “Moving forward, significant takeaways from this report must be not only to continue this inquiry, but also for Scotland to break the silence and begin addressing the legacies of the Tinker Experiments and their impact on Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland today.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Sudan: Medical outreach by peacekeepers from Rwanda benefits 600 displaced persons

    “My daughter is three years old. She suffers from body pain. We have taken her to the hospital three times already, but haven’t received the right treatment,” says Chamisa John.

    Chamisa is one of 45,000 displaced persons residing in the United Nations Protection of Civilians (PoC) site adjacent to the UN Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) base.

    “When I heard that peacekeepers from Rwanda are running a free medical camp, I immediately brought my daughter here,” she adds.

    Chamisa is one of 600 people that Rwandan Blue Helmets have helped with various ailments and health issues. 

    “The site is congested and displaced people, particularly children, get easily exposed to infections. Many of them also suffer from diabetes and hypertension,” explains Captain Jacques Nishimwe, a medical peacekeeper.

    “With a reduction in aid funding there is a shortage of healthcare assistance for the displaced community. So, we decided doing such medical camps can help bridge the gap somewhat,” he adds.

    For conflict-affected communities who have had to flee their homes and are sheltering in the PoC site, this means that they have to undertake a nearly six kilometer walk to medical facilities in Malakal town, something which becomes virtually impossible during the rainy season.

    But with Blue Helmets from Rwanda running this two-day medical outreach, at least some relief is available for those who need it the most.

    “I have had a stomach problem for a long time. It is difficult for me to get treated because I don’t have a regular income. But this medical camp by our friends from Rwanda is free of charge. The doctor provided me with the medicines I need and also educated me on aftercare,” says Andrew Nykanig, a PoC site resident.

    Six medical peacekeepers from Rwanda attended to women, men and children, making sure that while challenges remain, this two-day intervention gives hope to people who need it the most.

    “As a peacekeeper, there are times when you have to go beyond the mandate to protect civilians. It’s not merely about patrolling and preventing conflict, but its also about building trust with the communities we are here to serve,” concludes Captain Nishimwe.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Apple Sports serves up tennis, just in time for Wimbledon

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple Sports serves up tennis, just in time for Wimbledon

    June 25, 2025

    UPDATE

    Apple Sports serves up tennis, just in time for Wimbledon

    The free iPhone app is also introducing a brand-new personalized home experience for fans

    Apple Sports — the free app for iPhone that gives sports fans access to real-time scores, stats, and more, delivered with speed and simplicity — today added tennis to its growing list of supported sports.

    Tennis fans can access live scores for Grand Slam® and 1000-level tournaments, and can track every point across all men’s and women’s singles matches, beginning with Wimbledon. Fans can stay updated on a player’s progress throughout the tournament, with live scores delivered incredibly fast in the same way fans have been loving from Apple Sports, plus get results from every match from the first round through the finals. Fans can follow all of the action as the tournament and season unfolds.

    With Live Activities, Apple Sports delivers real-time updates directly to a user’s iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch.1 Game Card Sharing lets fans share their excitement for any matchup across all supported leagues.

    Today, Apple Sports also introduced a brand-new home experience, making it easier than ever for fans to personalize and follow their favorite teams and leagues. Events and matchups are now grouped by league, with intuitive controls for fans to set their preferred order, ensuring their top leagues appear first. Favorite teams always appear at the top, giving fans instant access to the scores and updates they care about the most.

    About Apple Sports Apple Sports gives fans a simple and fast way to stay up to speed on the teams and leagues they love. Designed for speed and simplicity, the app’s personalized experience puts users’ favorite leagues and teams front and center, featuring an easy-to-use interface designed by Apple. Users can customize their scoreboards on Apple Sports by following their favorite teams, tournaments, and leagues. Fans can easily navigate between scores and upcoming games, explore play-by-play information and lineup details, and tap to go to the Apple TV app to watch live games from Apple and connected streaming apps.2 Apple Sports also seamlessly syncs with favorites selected within the My Sports experience, including in the Apple TV app and Apple News. Apple Sports is available to download in the App Store in the U.S., the UK, and Canada. Availability and features may vary by country, region, or device. Apple Sports is free to use and is available for all iPhone models running iOS 17.2 or later.

    1. To get Live Activities, fans must be on compatible Apple devices running iOS 18 and watchOS 11 or later.
    2. A subscription is required for some services. Availability and content may vary by country or region.

    Press Contacts

    Olivia DeJesse

    Apple

    oliviad_22@apple.com

    Sam Citron

    Apple

    citron@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Berkshire Eagle Highlights Warren, Massachusetts Constituent’s Renewed Fight to Prevent Trump, Republicans’ Proposed Cuts to Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    June 25, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — In a new article on Senator Warren’s leadership in the fight to protect Medicaid, the Berkshire Eagle highlighted the story of Liam Barry, who wrote a letter in 2017 to President Donald Trump urging him not to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which helped his mother access life-saving care.

    Eight years later, Barry is reiterating his plea, as Congressional Republicans propose major cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act that would kick at least 16 million people off of their health care. The proposed cuts would help pay for nearly $4 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy. 

    “If we did not have the coverage from all of these programs, we would not be able to make it financially,” Barry said, adding that his mother’s infusions would cost nearly $10,000 a month without health insurance. “It would be crippling.”

    “I don’t believe that anyone should lose health care so that Jeff Bezos can buy a third yacht,” said Senator Warren.

    At her town hall in Pittsfield on June 21, 2025, Senator Warren urged people across the political spectrum to speak out against the proposed cuts. 

    “Everyone (should) lift their voice peacefully about this issue and make clear that, however you voted last November, you didn’t vote to take away health care from millions of people in this country just so that billionaires could get a little richer,” said Senator Warren.

    Read the full Berkshire Eagle story here and below. 

    In her fight to preserve Medicaid, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren revisits local boy’s 2017 letter to President Trump

    In 2017, then 10-year-old Liam Barry wrote a letter to President Donald Trump urging him not to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

    “Thanks to the ACA, my mother has been able to get the care and medication she needs. If you repeal the ACA, my mother will not be able to get the care she needs,” Barry wrote. “I know there are millions of kids in the same situation as me, so please think of them when you read this.”

    As Congress debated the American Health Care Act of 2017, a bill the Congressional Budget Office said would strip health coverage from 14 million people in its first year, Sen. Elizabeth Warren took to the Senate floor and read the Worthington resident’s letter in an effort to save the ACA.

    Eight years later, Barry’s message hasn’t changed. As the Senate prepares for a potential vote this week on Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Barry and others across the state are once again worried about losing access to publicly funded health care.

    Warren invited Barry, now 18, to join her at Saturday’s town hall at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield after releasing a video of him rereading his childhood letter — this time with a renewed plea to not cut Medicaid.

    The legislation, which passed the House and is on track for a Senate vote ahead of Trump’s self-imposed July 4 deadline, includes major changes to Medicaid and the ACA, including new work requirements for able-bodied adults. According to the CBO, nearly 11 million people nationwide could lose health coverage if the bill becomes law.

    “If we did not have the coverage from all of these programs, we would not be able to make it financially,” Barry told The Eagle Saturday before the event, adding that his mother’s infusions would otherwise cost $10,000 a month. “It would be crippling.”

    Though details are still being negotiated, the Senate version of the bill is expected to include even steeper Medicaid cuts than those already approved in the House. Proposals include imposing work requirements on parents of teenagers and restricting state-imposed Medicaid provider taxes, which are a key funding mechanism for states to keep rural hospitals like North Adams Regional Hospital afloat.

    Republicans backing the bill’s Medicaid provisions say the changes would help rein in what they view as out-of-control government spending. Defending the proposed work requirements, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso argued that some unemployed Medicaid recipients spend their time watching television and playing video games instead of looking for work.

    Medicaid, also known as MassHealth in Massachusetts, is a joint state and federal program that covers health care costs for low-income individuals and families. Warren described it as a social safety net that protects vulnerable populations across different life stages.

    “Medicaid provides health care for about half of all newborn babies in our country and for their moms,” Warren said before Saturday’s event. “It provides wheelchairs and home health aides for people with disabilities who are living independently, and it pays for the care of about half the people in nursing homes.”

    In Berkshire County, nearly one in four residents rely on Medicaid. That became clear during Saturday’s town hall, where nearly every hand in the audience went up when Warren asked who relies on the program or knows someone who does.

    “Everything is getting tighter and tighter. Prices are going up,” said Ellen Shaby, who was waiting outside before the event. She said proposed cuts to Medicaid and other assistance programs are top of mind. “How are we going to live?”

    The proposed Medicaid cuts are intended to help offset approximately $3.75 trillion in tax breaks included in the House version of the bill. Those breaks would extend tax cuts from 2017 and add new ones backed by Trump, like eliminating taxes on tips and expanding write-offs for business equipment.

    “I don’t believe that anyone should lose health care so that Jeff Bezos can buy a third yacht,” Warren said.

    She urged people across the political spectrum to speak out against the proposed changes, much like they did when the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, was trying to cut Social Security.

    “Everyone (should) lift their voice peacefully about this issue and make clear that, however you voted last November, you didn’t vote to take away health care from millions of people in this country just so that billionaires could get a little richer,” Warren said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Mexico home shooting kills at least 10 including children

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 10 people were killed and more injured in a shooting at a home in the central Mexican city of Irapuato on Tuesday night, including children, authorities said.

    “It is an appalling multiple homicide and an investigation is being carried out,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a regular press conference on Wednesday morning, adding that children were among those killed.

    Security authorities said in a statement that they have launched an operation to find those responsible for the attack.

    Local media reported the shooting happened during a religious celebration.

    The attorney general’s office for Guanajuato, the central state where the attack took place, confirmed the attack.

    “According to preliminary data, 10 people lost their lives and several more were injured by firearm projectiles,” Irapuato’s civil security office said in a statement on social media.

    It added that the local government condemned the violence and expressed its solidarity with the victims, relatives and other citizens affected by “this cowardly act.”

    -Reuters

  • Mexico home shooting kills at least 10 including children

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 10 people were killed and more injured in a shooting at a home in the central Mexican city of Irapuato on Tuesday night, including children, authorities said.

    “It is an appalling multiple homicide and an investigation is being carried out,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a regular press conference on Wednesday morning, adding that children were among those killed.

    Security authorities said in a statement that they have launched an operation to find those responsible for the attack.

    Local media reported the shooting happened during a religious celebration.

    The attorney general’s office for Guanajuato, the central state where the attack took place, confirmed the attack.

    “According to preliminary data, 10 people lost their lives and several more were injured by firearm projectiles,” Irapuato’s civil security office said in a statement on social media.

    It added that the local government condemned the violence and expressed its solidarity with the victims, relatives and other citizens affected by “this cowardly act.”

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Veterans should be exempt from disability assessments as part of UK Government welfare reforms – Plaid Cymru

    Source: Party of Wales

    MPs are set to vote on the UK Government’s welfare reforms next Tuesday 

    During PMQs today (Wednesday 25 June) Ben Lake MP urged the UK Government to commit to ensuring that veterans with service-related injuries to be automatically exempt from repeat disability assessments.  

    The Ceredigion Preseli MP explained the way in which veterans who have lost limbs and continue to live with the trauma of war are faced with repeat disability assessment just to prove their disabilities.  

    The UK Government announced its plan to tighten the eligibility criteria for PIP from November 2026, potentially resulting in reduced payments for many, including veterans living with service-related disabilities.  

    MPs are set to vote on the reforms next Tuesday (1 July), which are expected to save the Treasury £5bn a year in savings.  

    However, there is growing rebellion against Keir Starmer’s plans, with over 120 of his own MPs having already publicly opposed them.  

      

    Speaking in PMQs, Ben Lake MP said:  

    “I should like to join the Deputy Prime Minister in thanking members of the Armed Forces community for their service. I’ve had the privilege in recent months of meeting many veterans in my own constituency, some of whom still carry the trauma of war. Some, including amputees, have told me how repeat disability assessments are too often required of them in order to access financial support.  

    “So does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with me that veterans with life changing service-related injuries should be exempt from repeat disability assessments in future?”  

    Angela Rayner MP, the Deputy Prime Minister, who was standing in for the PM today, said:  

    “Mr. Speaker, again as part of the reforms we want to do is to ensure that those who can never work are properly supported and not put through this endless assessment, and I thank the Right Hon. Member for raising the case.   

    “We are committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those that have served, with a range of support in place for veterans, including dedicated medical and physical healthcare, pathways in the NHS and in employment and in housing. The new support system VALOUR backed by £50m of funding will provide a network of support centres to connect veterans with local and national services.” 

    Speaking after the session, Ben Lake MP said:  

    “It is unfair to force people to undergo reassessments for permanent conditions and disabilities to access financial support, and it is cruel to require amputees and others with life changing injuries to continually re-prove their disablement.

    “The UK Government should look to address this injustice as a matter of urgency, but instead their proposed welfare reforms risk placing further barriers for those with disabilities to overcome. In Wales, where 32% of disabled people already live in poverty, the Government’s proposed changes will simply exacerbate this injustice.

    “The UK Government must take this opportunity to address the injustices of the current welfare system instead of making it even harder for those with disabilities to access the support to which they are entitled.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK government gathers business and environment leaders in support of UN nature agreement

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK government gathers business and environment leaders in support of UN nature agreement

    UK Government hosts a major international nature finance event attended by His Majesty the King at Lancaster House.

    Secretary of State Steve Reed speaking at Nature Action

    ·        Key commitments made by the private sector to deploy millions of dollars of investment for nature.

    ·        Comes after government announces modern Industrial Strategy to make the UK the sustainable finance capital of the world.

    The UK has brought together foreign governments, Indigenous leaders, as well as leaders from business and finance representing trillions of pounds, to increase the flows of private finance to nature at an event today (25 June) at Lancaster House, London. 

    The event, called ‘Nature Action: Mobilising Frameworks and Finance’, included roundtable discussions of how to drive private-sector investment in nature, along with cross-sector announcements and commitments, and a reception attended by His Majesty the King. 

    Held during London Climate Action Week, and ahead of COP30 in Brazil in November, the event is designed to drive delivery of the deal agreed by almost 200 countries at the UN Nature summit in Montreal two years ago to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, as well as the Paris Agreement. 

    The global nature deal saw countries agree to a major increase in the amount of money invested in tackling nature loss and restoring threatened habitats. The agreement set out a target to mobilise $200 billion per year globally by 2030, including $20 billion in flows to developing countries by 2025, rising to $30 billion by 2030. 

    Private finance will play a crucial role in meeting these ambitious targets and funding the protection and restoration of nature. The event will showcase new and innovative ways to invest in nature, which is crucial to ensuring the health of our oceans and forests for the future. Raising finance for nature recovery will mean that these precious habitats continue to play vital roles in our ecosystems for future generations.

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed, speaking at Lancaster House, said: 

    “Nature underpins everything. Without it there is no economy, no food, no health and ultimately no society.  

    “With this Government, Britain stands ready to lead on climate and nature. 

    “The UK is playing our part to protect nature at home and abroad. We will work with other nations around the world who commit to do the same.” 

    Ruth Davis, Special Representative for Nature, said: 

    “Nature is the bedrock of the world’s financial systems and economies. It is the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat – but it is in crisis. 

    “We can no longer rely on public finance alone to tackle the scale of the challenge before us. We must harness the potential of the private sector to drive nature restoration, super-charging opportunities for businesses to see a return on investments in a nature-positive economy – the ambition shown today is a step along that journey.” 

    Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:

    “We must embrace high ambition in mobilising the finance needed to achieve nature’s recovery, ending the short termism which is leading to the destruction of the natural systems on which we depend. The web of life is in decline, and urgent action is needed to halt and reverse the process of running down nature’s capital assets.

    “Growing nature is an integral part of growing the economy; if we look after nature, it will look after us. Helpful progress has been made today and now we need to harness that for practical action”

    This builds upon actions that the Government has already taken to direct private finance towards nature. In March, The British Standards Institution launched the Government-backed Nature Investment Standards, which will help nature-friendly investments across the UK to grow by building confidence among investors. The Government is also gathering views from industry on how to support economic growth while powering nature recovery, with a Call for Evidence currently underway seeking ideas from business and investors – delivering a key recommendation of the Corry Review and the commitments made in the Land Use Framework consultation. 

    This came alongside the announcement that the UK will join a new global coalition, the Friends of Cali Fund, which brings together governments and businesses to champion the fair and equitable sharing of benefits they derive from nature. 

    Business attendees used the summit to make announcements including: 

    • Basecamp Research is expanding its biodiscovery network – adding Malawi, Hungary, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography – extending its benefit sharing to 27 countries.
    • A future contribution to the Cali Fund by Ginkgo Bioworks, a leading biotech company
    • A new collaboration between Conservation International and Silvania to deploy millions of dollars of private capital into nature-based solutions. The collaboration will unlock further funding for the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems
    • Financial Sector Deepening Africa, a specialist African development agency, will launch a Nature Finance Innovation Lab with support from the UK Government to address the urgent need to unlock private investment in locally developed nature first projects
    • Environment Bank is launching an innovative Nature Shares product in the UK as a voluntary opportunity for business to invest in. These will help restore vital habitats such as woodlands and wetlands, improve water quality, build flood resilience, and enhance community access to nature.

    London Climate Action Week brings together climate expertise and leaders from London and beyond to focus on local, national and international action to restore cut carbon emissions and keep global temperature increases below 1.5c. 

    Clean growth presents a huge opportunity for our economy and these measures come as part of a Government effort to make UK the sustainable finance capital of the world as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.

    Growth opportunities will be seen all through London Climate Action Week. The Lancaster House event follows a recent launch of a Call for Evidence on expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery – delivering a key recommendation of the Corry Review. 

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    Tanya Steele, Chief Executive at WWF-UK said:

    “Nature underpins our lives – from our food to the economy and even our mental health. Reversing the dramatic consequences of climate change and nature loss demands urgent action to safeguard the world we love. Investing now so people and the natural world don’t pay the price later is not just the right thing for the planet – it’s smart economics. It creates jobs, builds resilience, and reduces risks for governments, people, and businesses alike. But finance alone isn’t enough – without strong policies and regulations, we risk funding solutions with one hand while driving destruction with the other. As critical climate talks in Brazil approach, WWF urges leaders in government to put the policies in place and business to unlock the finance needed to end deforestation and reverse nature loss this decade.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two citizens planning a terrorist attack have been neutralized in Russia

    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

    St. Petersburg, June 25 (Xinhua) — Russia’s Federal Security Service on Wednesday reported the neutralization of two Russian citizens who were preparing a terrorist attack in the Moscow region.

    Two Russian citizens were found near one of the gardening non-profit partnerships in the Moscow region. They were removing from a cache a homemade explosive device, which was planned to be used to commit a sabotage and terrorist act against one of the servicemen.

    When detained, they offered armed resistance and were neutralized by return fire. At the scene, law enforcement officers found Makarov pistols and ammunition for them, as well as a ready-to-use homemade explosive device and communications equipment containing correspondence discussing the planned terrorist act. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Discover Sask Parks: June 25 – July 9

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 25, 2025

    Visitors can enjoy an entire summer of camping, glamping, hiking and fun at the lake in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks. There is also engaging family programming scheduled throughout the week.

    Take a moment to create new memories and experience nature to the fullest. Here are a few special events occurring over the next two weeks; all are free with a valid Park Entry Permit:   

    Canada Day

    July 1, many parks

    11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Celebrate Canada Day in Sask Parks! Have fun in the sun and join park interpreters for lawn games, fun crafts, scavenger hunts and sweet treats throughout the day. 

    Many Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are hosting Canada Day festivities.

    Discover participating parks.

    SaskExpress: Lost in a Musical

    Welcome SaskExpress back as they embark on a five-park tour with a new musical showcase, Lost in a Musical. Join the SaskExpress cast from 2 to 3:30 p.m. before each show for their Workshop in the Park and learn a song and dance to perform with the cast during the show from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

    July 4, Duck Mountain Provincial Park.

    July 5, Greenwater Lake Provincial Park.

    July 6, Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park.

    July 11, Great Blue Heron Provincial Park.

    July 12, Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park.

    July 13, Pike Lake Provincial Park.

    Echo Lake Plywood Regatta and Waterfest

    July 5, Echo Valley Provincial Park

    10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Teams of four people will build a boat from plywood and race along the mighty waters of Echo Lake competing against other teams to see who can be the first to cross the finish line. While teams prepare for the race, visitors can participate in more than 50 activities and demonstrations that will be on the shore and on the water.

    Learn more.

    Trade Days

    July 12, Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park

    1 to 5 p.m.

    Step back in time and experience life at Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park. Join park interpreters in exploring the daily life of fur trappers and traders, experience Indigenous cultural presentations and more!

    Learn more.

    There are many other things to do and see in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks. Visit the Sask Parks Event Calendar to find all events and programs.

    Make memories close to home this summer in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks. To book a campsite, visit: SaskParks.com.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Entire Michigan Congressional Delegation Calls on President Trump to Approve Disaster Declaration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

    Today, Rep. Jack Bergman – alongside Senators Slotkin and Peters and Reps. Barrett, Dingell, Huizenga, James, McClain, McDonald-Rivet, Moolenaar, Scholten, Stevens, Thanedar, Tlaib, and Walberg – sent a bipartisan letter to President Donald J. Trump, urging him in the strongest possible terms to approve Governor Whitmer’s May 16 request for a Major Disaster Declaration.

    The Members wrote in part, “The unprecedented storm brought record levels of snow and freezing rain to thirteen counties and one federally recognized tribe, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Tens of thousands of residents were left without heat or power, prompting the State of Michigan to activate the Michigan National Guard and local jurisdictions to implement emergency response efforts.

    “Although substantial progress has been made in restoring power, heating homes, clearing roadways, and removing debris, the recovery process remains far from complete nearly three months later. State and local resources have been expended, and federal support is desperately needed to continue recovery efforts.

    “Governor Whitmer’s May 16 request has received strong bipartisan support across both chambers of Congress. On May 19, Senator Peters, Senator Slotkin, and Representative Bergman wrote to you in full support of her request, and on June 9, they followed up with a letter to Small Business Administrator Loeffler endorsing the Governor’s June 5 request for an administrative declaration of disaster.

    “The counties of Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Kalkaska, Mackinac, as well as the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, can afford to wait no longer. Though they responded swiftly, and with the help of the State, and have made meaningful strides toward recovery, they cannot adequately handle this burden alone.”

    John Kran, President & CEO, Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) noted, “In late March and early April, northern lower Michigan and part of the Upper Peninsula were hit with an unprecedented ice storm, impacting cooperative members across 12 counites. The State of Michigan’s May 16 request for a major disaster declaration is a critical step in helping our communities and cooperatives move forward after this historic event. Michigan’s electric cooperatives are incredibly grateful to Congressman Bergman, Senator Peters, Senator Slotkin and their House colleagues for strong, bipartisan support on this critical issue.”

    You can read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man found guilty of murdering a teenage boy in Hainault sword attack

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man who attacked a schoolboy with a sword and injured police as they bravely pursued him in Hainault has been convicted of murder.

    Daniel Anjorin was just 14 when he was murdered in the street in the brutal rampage in April last year, which also saw several members of the public and two Met Police officers seriously injured.

    Following a complex investigation by Met homicide detectives, Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37 (11.04.88) of Satanita Close, Canning Town, appeared for a trial which started on Tuesday, 3 June and lasted for just over three weeks.

    At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 25 June, Monzo was found guilty of seven offences, including murder, three counts of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (having been cleared of the more serious count of attempted murder), aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.

    Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads policing in the East Area where this incident happened, said outside court this afternoon:

    “The horrific events on 30 April last year in Hainault sent shockwaves through our community and had a devastating and lasting impact on so many.

    “First in our thoughts is Daniel Anjorin – a talented, gentle, bright young man. A much-loved son and brother, brutally murdered simply walking to school at what should have been the start of a normal day at the start of a promising life.

    “Marcus Monzo set out that morning under the influence of cannabis, with a clear intention to kill a number of people.

    “It didn’t matter who they were and sadly, he targeted Daniel in a cowardly and brutal attack.

    “A number of other local people were also attacked, seriously injured and threatened that day – and I would like to acknowledge their bravery and resilience in giving evidence in this case.

    ”As we heard in court, police officers and paramedics were on the scene within minutes of Monzo assaulting Daniel.

    “I am in no doubt that the actions of those officers who arrived to pursue and attempt to detain Monzo saved lives and prevented more harm.

    “I commend them for their extraordinary bravery – some setting out to deal with that call before their shift had even begun.

    “PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield bravely pursued Monzo through a series of alleyways while he was armed with a sword.

    “The injuries Monzo inflicted on her were brutal and life-changing.

    “Inspector Moloy Campbell was also seriously injured while attempting to detain Monzo.

    “These officers are a credit to the Metropolitan Police Service and we continue to support them during their recovery.

    “Many officers on scene that day put their lives on the line and put their duty to protect others above their own personal safety.

    “This is what our police officers do every day and they deserve our respect and admiration – we should never take this for granted.

    “This has been an incredibly complex investigation and our detectives have been meticulous, compassionate and professional throughout.

    “We thank the witnesses who were no doubt terrified by the harrowing scenes and who have made a vital contribution to our investigation.

    “Finally, and most importantly, I would like to pay my respects to Daniel’s family.

    “There are no words, really, to express how sorry we are for your loss or how much admiration we have for your courage and dignity.

    “It is hard to comprehend the unimaginable pain that you must have suffered in the last year.

    “I can only hope today’s verdict brings some semblance of justice and relief, and you are now able to grieve in some peace.

    “Our thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted by this terrible incident.”

    The series of brutal attacks started at 06:45hrs on Tuesday, 30 April 2024 with the attempted murder of a 33-year-old man as he was walking to work from Hainault station.

    Police started receiving reports at 06:52hrs that a van had collided with the fence of a house in Thurlow Gardens and that someone had been stabbed.

    Officers were on the scene within minutes.

    CCTV would later show Monzo deliberately driving a grey van into his first victim, catapulting him into a nearby garden.

    Monzo pursued the man, slashing him in the neck with a Samurai sword before he bravely escaped.

    Monzo then turned his attention to innocent schoolboy Daniel who was walking down the quiet, residential street he lived on.

    He was wearing his school sports clothes, backpack and headphones and had just waved goodbye to his mother.

    Daniel was attacked by Monzo from behind just after 07:00hrs, moments after police had started receiving reports of the earlier collision.

    Later during the investigation, police would gather witness statements which would describe Monzo running up behind Daniel and swinging the sword towards him.

    Officers took further statements from witnesses who helped build a picture of the scene before emergency services arrived.

    Body worn video on officers showed them deploying PAVA incapacitant spray in the direction of Monzo, before PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was seen chasing him with a Taser down an alley, where he ruthlessly injured her.

    She suffered a fractured skull and life-changing injuries, including severe nerve damage.

    Monzo then gained entry to a family home, where a man was asleep with his wife and child, assaulting the father before running into a waiting group of officers outside.

    Several other officers continued their pursuit of the killer and brought the rampage to a close by Tasering him and recovering his sword within 22 minutes.

    Monzo was arrested at the scene.

    Police set up an extensive crime scene covering all six incidents, which were forensically examined across the route Monzo had run.

    Specialist officers were deployed to search the area, as well as photograph the scene and forensically lift key evidence, such as the Monzo’s van, where they found Daniel’s backpack.

    Officers conducted a search of Monzo’s home where they recovered two air pistols, and a number of mobile phones which were downloaded and reviewed.

    They also found a quantity of cannabis which the defence referenced as a factor in the defendant’s psychotic episodes, where he suffered schizophrenia-like symptoms.

    Detectives built enough evidence to charge Monzo on Wednesday, 1 May 2024.

    He pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon with respect to a Katana Sword and possession of an offensive weapon with respect to a Tanto Katana Sword at the Old Bailey on Friday, 2 May.

    He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 27 June.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man found guilty of murdering a teenage boy in Hainault sword attack

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man who attacked a schoolboy with a sword and injured police as they bravely pursued him in Hainault has been convicted of murder.

    Daniel Anjorin was just 14 when he was murdered in the street in the brutal rampage in April last year, which also saw several members of the public and two Met Police officers seriously injured.

    Following a complex investigation by Met homicide detectives, Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37 (11.04.88) of Satanita Close, Canning Town, appeared for a trial which started on Tuesday, 3 June and lasted for just over three weeks.

    At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 25 June, Monzo was found guilty of seven offences, including murder, three counts of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (having been cleared of the more serious count of attempted murder), aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.

    Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads policing in the East Area where this incident happened, said outside court this afternoon:

    “The horrific events on 30 April last year in Hainault sent shockwaves through our community and had a devastating and lasting impact on so many.

    “First in our thoughts is Daniel Anjorin – a talented, gentle, bright young man. A much-loved son and brother, brutally murdered simply walking to school at what should have been the start of a normal day at the start of a promising life.

    “Marcus Monzo set out that morning under the influence of cannabis, with a clear intention to kill a number of people.

    “It didn’t matter who they were and sadly, he targeted Daniel in a cowardly and brutal attack.

    “A number of other local people were also attacked, seriously injured and threatened that day – and I would like to acknowledge their bravery and resilience in giving evidence in this case.

    ”As we heard in court, police officers and paramedics were on the scene within minutes of Monzo assaulting Daniel.

    “I am in no doubt that the actions of those officers who arrived to pursue and attempt to detain Monzo saved lives and prevented more harm.

    “I commend them for their extraordinary bravery – some setting out to deal with that call before their shift had even begun.

    “PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield bravely pursued Monzo through a series of alleyways while he was armed with a sword.

    “The injuries Monzo inflicted on her were brutal and life-changing.

    “Inspector Moloy Campbell was also seriously injured while attempting to detain Monzo.

    “These officers are a credit to the Metropolitan Police Service and we continue to support them during their recovery.

    “Many officers on scene that day put their lives on the line and put their duty to protect others above their own personal safety.

    “This is what our police officers do every day and they deserve our respect and admiration – we should never take this for granted.

    “This has been an incredibly complex investigation and our detectives have been meticulous, compassionate and professional throughout.

    “We thank the witnesses who were no doubt terrified by the harrowing scenes and who have made a vital contribution to our investigation.

    “Finally, and most importantly, I would like to pay my respects to Daniel’s family.

    “There are no words, really, to express how sorry we are for your loss or how much admiration we have for your courage and dignity.

    “It is hard to comprehend the unimaginable pain that you must have suffered in the last year.

    “I can only hope today’s verdict brings some semblance of justice and relief, and you are now able to grieve in some peace.

    “Our thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted by this terrible incident.”

    The series of brutal attacks started at 06:45hrs on Tuesday, 30 April 2024 with the attempted murder of a 33-year-old man as he was walking to work from Hainault station.

    Police started receiving reports at 06:52hrs that a van had collided with the fence of a house in Thurlow Gardens and that someone had been stabbed.

    Officers were on the scene within minutes.

    CCTV would later show Monzo deliberately driving a grey van into his first victim, catapulting him into a nearby garden.

    Monzo pursued the man, slashing him in the neck with a Samurai sword before he bravely escaped.

    Monzo then turned his attention to innocent schoolboy Daniel who was walking down the quiet, residential street he lived on.

    He was wearing his school sports clothes, backpack and headphones and had just waved goodbye to his mother.

    Daniel was attacked by Monzo from behind just after 07:00hrs, moments after police had started receiving reports of the earlier collision.

    Later during the investigation, police would gather witness statements which would describe Monzo running up behind Daniel and swinging the sword towards him.

    Officers took further statements from witnesses who helped build a picture of the scene before emergency services arrived.

    Body worn video on officers showed them deploying PAVA incapacitant spray in the direction of Monzo, before PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was seen chasing him with a Taser down an alley, where he ruthlessly injured her.

    She suffered a fractured skull and life-changing injuries, including severe nerve damage.

    Monzo then gained entry to a family home, where a man was asleep with his wife and child, assaulting the father before running into a waiting group of officers outside.

    Several other officers continued their pursuit of the killer and brought the rampage to a close by Tasering him and recovering his sword within 22 minutes.

    Monzo was arrested at the scene.

    Police set up an extensive crime scene covering all six incidents, which were forensically examined across the route Monzo had run.

    Specialist officers were deployed to search the area, as well as photograph the scene and forensically lift key evidence, such as the Monzo’s van, where they found Daniel’s backpack.

    Officers conducted a search of Monzo’s home where they recovered two air pistols, and a number of mobile phones which were downloaded and reviewed.

    They also found a quantity of cannabis which the defence referenced as a factor in the defendant’s psychotic episodes, where he suffered schizophrenia-like symptoms.

    Detectives built enough evidence to charge Monzo on Wednesday, 1 May 2024.

    He pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon with respect to a Katana Sword and possession of an offensive weapon with respect to a Tanto Katana Sword at the Old Bailey on Friday, 2 May.

    He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 27 June.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Emergency was imposed to protect power, not nation: Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday described June 25, 1975 — the day Emergency was imposed in India — as the “murder of the Constitution,” and said the nation must remember it not merely as a chapter in history, but as a warning for future generations.

    Speaking at an event in New Delhi to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, now officially observed as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, Shah said democratic institutions were silenced and individual freedoms suppressed “to protect one leader’s hold on power.” He added that forgetting the Emergency would be a mistake, and that younger generations need to know how institutions were silenced and rights curtailed “in the name of national security.”

    “Usually, bad incidents should be forgotten. But when it comes to national life, such incidents should be remembered forever — so that they’re never repeated,” Shah said, addressing the event in New Delhi as chief guest.

    The event was also attended by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, among others.

    The home minister referred to the night of June 24, 1975, when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a state of Emergency across India. He said the justification offered — a threat to national security — was a smokescreen to protect the Prime Minister’s hold on power.

    “On June 12, the Allahabad High Court had struck down the PM’s election. That same day, the Janata Morcha won in Gujarat. The Emergency was declared just days later. The world knows today — it was not national security that was in danger, it was the Prime Minister’s position,” Shah said.

    The Constitution, which had been carefully drafted over three years by Dr B R Ambedkar and others, was rendered meaningless by a single sentence: “The President has declared Emergency”, the home minister stressed.

    Detailing the measures taken during the Emergency, Shah cited the Shah Commission’s findings and said India had been turned into a prison. According to him, over 1.1 lakh political workers and social activists were jailed, 253 journalists arrested, 29 foreign correspondents expelled, and widespread censorship was enforced — even in Parliament.

    “All India Radio was censored. Electricity to newspaper offices was cut. Papers like The Indian Express and Jansatta protested by leaving editorial spaces blank,” Shah said, adding that “judges who ruled against the government were punished,” and that films, actors, and even songs were banned if they were seen as critical of the regime.

    Artists including Kishore Kumar, Dev Anand, and Manoj Kumar were targeted. Films such as Aandhi and Kissa Kursi Ka were banned. Parliamentary debates were censored, and the judiciary “brought under control,” he said.

    Shah said a Cabinet meeting was convened at 4 a.m. on June 25, without an agenda, to formalize the imposition of Emergency.

    “The mindset that emerged during that time — that the party is bigger than the nation, the family bigger than the party, and the individual bigger than the family — still poses a threat to democracy,” Shah said.

    Referring to the 1977 general election — in which the Congress was voted out and the Janata Party came to power — Shah said that was the first time in India’s history that a non-Congress party formed a government with an absolute majority.

    “That victory was not of a party but of Indian democracy. The people reminded us that the Constitution belongs to them, not those in power,” he said.

    In a veiled contrast with the past, Shah said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the idea of ‘Nation First’ has taken firm root. “Today, 1.4 billion Indians are working with resolve to make India No. 1 globally by 2047. This has been made possible by the sacrifices of those who resisted the Emergency and spent 19 months in jail,” he said.

    In 2024, the Centre issued a notification officially designating June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, to mark the declaration of Emergency — widely viewed as one of the most controversial and debated chapters in Indian political history.

    Source: PIB

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public Release of Micron Draft Environmental Impact Statement

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today marked a major step forward for the Micron project in Central New York with the public release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), a required component of both the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The approximately 20,000-page document, jointly prepared by the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, the US Commerce Department and Micron, reflects one of the most thorough analyses ever conducted for a project in New York State, befitting the historic nature and transformative impact of Micron’s plan to invest up to $100 billion and support the creation of nearly 50,000 jobs over the next 20-plus years and will include the nation’s largest clean room space at approximately 2.4 million square feet.

    “We’re transforming Upstate New York’s economy one microchip at a time,” Governor Hochul said. “This marks a major milestone in Micron’s commitment to New York, showing how economic growth and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. This project is set to transform Central New York — and we’re moving full speed ahead.”

    Micron Executive Vice President of Global Operations Manish Bhatia said, “We appreciate the local, state, and federal agencies whose assistance and review have been instrumental in helping us reach this important milestone. Micron remains focused on bringing leading-edge memory manufacturing to New York. We’ve taken great care to prepare comprehensive draft environmental impact statement materials for review by the public and by local, state, and federal government agencies. As we move toward ground preparation later this year, we look forward to working closely with the lead agencies to ensure the process meets all regulatory requirements and provides meaningful opportunities for community input.”

    The public release of the DEIS is the latest milestone marking the ongoing partnership between Micron and New York State that was forged in October 2022 when Micron chose Central New York for its megafab. Governor Hochul has worked closely with local, state and federal partners to prepare for Micron’s arrival and make continued investments in the community and the region. As part of the Governor’s Green CHIPS incentive program, Micron will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand water restoration, reuse, and recycling efforts and target carbon-free energy, aligning with New York’s goal of achieving a clean energy economy. Over the next 45 days, the public will be able to comment on the findings in the DEIS. Within the comment period, an in-person public hearing will be held on July 24 at Liverpool High School. The comment period closes on August 11. Instructions on how to comment are available on the Onondaga County Office of Economic Development website.

    This $100 billion investment by Micron is the largest private investment in New York’s history and will contain the largest cleanroom in the United States. And by the end of the decade, one in four U.S. made chips will be produced within 350 miles of Upstate New York — no other region in the country will manufacture a greater share.

    Micron’s presence in Central New York, represents transformative growth in Upstate New York. This includes:

    • 9,000 new, good paying jobs at all levels of education on site
    • Up to 50,000 new permanent jobs in the region over next 30 years and tens of thousands of construction jobs over the next 20 years to build the campus
    • An additional $9.5 billion in regional economic output annually starting in 2027, ramping up to over $16 billion annually by 2041
    • An additional $3.3 billion in annual disposable income for Central New Yorkers by 2035, averaging to $5.4 billion annually in 30 years
    • Nearly $20 billion in revenue for state and local governments to improve schools and other public services

    After decades of stagnation, the Central NY population is expected to increase. Micron’s project is expected to attract upwards of 84,000 people to New York — the vast majority of them (76,000+) to the Central New York Region. To handle this growth, planned investments include:

    • Long-term infrastructure investments to support regional growth, including expanded water, wastewater, gas, electric and transportation systems
    • The $500 million Community Investment Fund developed to ensure inclusive economic growth, workforce development & quality of life enhancements for Central New York
    • The flagship location of the state’s new $200 million ON-RAMP workforce development program on the South Side of Syracuse
    • Governor Hochul’s historic housing policies include multiple initiatives and funding programs at the state level, and local policies are being developed to stimulate the regional market to increase the supply of affordable, high quality housing choices to meet high demand

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “This is a major step forward in getting shovels in the ground and bringing to life Micron’s transformational investment in Central NY. Thanks to my bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law, tens of thousands of good-paying jobs are on the horizon for our community and we are bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America, with Upstate NY leading the way. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in bringing manufacturing investments and jobs back to Upstate New York.”

    Representative John W. Mannion said, “Micron’s historic investment continues to move forward with the transparency, environmental responsibility, and community engagement that Central New Yorkers expect and deserve. As the co-prime sponsor of New York’s Green CHIPS legislation, I worked with Governor Hochul and partners across all levels of government to help lay the groundwork for this transformational project. I remain committed to building on the record investments I’ve secured for workforce training — including MACNY apprenticeships, ON-RAMP, K-12 education, and career pathways — that are preparing NY-22 residents for a high-tech future full of opportunity and promise in every corner of our community.”

    Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “The Micron project will have a transformational impact on the City of Syracuse and our entire region. We welcome the release of the DEIS as a major step forward for the project and as an essential action to ensure our region’s natural resources and environment are safeguarded. I thank Governor Hochul, County Executive McMahon, Micron and all our partners for continuing their efforts to make Syracuse and Central New York a global leader in the semi conductor industry.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Responsible economic development starts with rigorous environmental review to fully evaluate and mitigate potential impacts to natural resources. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, this critical step in the review process will provide for robust public review of this once-in-a-generation project. DEC is proud to work with our federal, state, and local partners to help safeguard Central New York’s air, water, and lands as the Micron project advances.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Today’s milestone represents the latest step in Micron’s historic commitment to Central New York. The DEIS is an important piece in any economic development project – especially for one of this size and scope – and demonstrates that this project is advancing through the critical approval process. New York State and Micron continue to work together to ensure that this unprecedented megafab, which will produce generational changes that benefit the region and the state, advances, and succeeds.”

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “This is truly an exciting time for Central New York, and the State Department of Transportation is playing a major role in the transformation of this entire region. As we continue to transform the transportation network on a scope and scale not seen in upstate New York while also righting the wrongs of the past and connecting communities across Syracuse through our historic I-81 Viaduct Project, we are helping prepare Central New York for the influx of jobs and growth that Micron will generate across the region. With Governor Hochul’s targeted investments and support, the state transportation system will be ready to accommodate Micron and the generational impact it will have on all facets of life in Central New York. We look forward to continuing to work with the Central New York community and Micron and as we begin to consider the next round of infrastructure investments in the near future.”

    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Micron’s historic investment in the Empire State is poised to bring thousands of new opportunities to New Yorkers across all skill levels. In releasing their Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Micron is showing what it means to lead by example — powering the technology of the future with zero-emission electricity while driving real economic growth for future generations.”

    New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Micron’s arrival in New York will reshape the local economy, bringing thousands of good-paying construction, manufacturing and tech jobs to Central New York. NYPA is proud to support Micron’s historic investment in the state with significant allocations of low-cost power that will spur lasting economic growth in the region.”

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons said, “The release of Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks a significant achievement in this major initiative to create thousands of new jobs in Central New York. Our agency looks forward to working with our state and federal partners to preserve important resources while advancing economic development and quality of life in the region.”

    New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Micron’s remarkable commitment to social and environmental sustainability is on full display with this impressive document, which can serve as a blueprint for corporate responsibility. Right from the start, Micron has proven itself to be a good corporate neighbor and is fast becoming a foundational part of the fabric of Upstate economic development and quality of life.”

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The release of Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement illustrates the company’s strong environmental values and marks a pivotal step forward in our shared vision for a prosperous, inclusive Central New York. As we prepare for the unprecedented benefits of Micron’s $100 billion investment in the region, we look forward to putting Governor Hochul’s historic housing policies to work creating homes for a growing workforce and helping to ensure the long-term success of Micron, and of Central New York and its residents.”

    New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “While the partnership between New York State and Micron has been an integral step toward bringing good-paying advanced manufacturing careers to Upstate New York, workforce development cannot come at the cost of our crucial natural resources. The DEIS will help to ensure our environment and communities are being safeguarded as we work to extend greater economic opportunities to New Yorkers and make our state a safe, affordable place to live and work.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “This report has been a long time in the making and I hope many others in CNY will join me in reading it carefully and engaging in the public comment process. We have heard a lot about the benefits this project will bring. Now we need to consider the impact it will have on our natural systems and how best to join economic growth to careful preservation of the precious resources that support us and define our region.”

    State Senator Chris Ryan said, “The release of the DEIS is greeted with anticipation and excitement because this is a moment of great importance. The findings of this historical report, and the planned investments in Central New York, will help ensure the region can take the needed steps to prepare for this generationally transformative project, and the thousands of jobs it will bring. I encourage residents to participate in the public comment and public hearing process. All of us, working together as a region, will benefit from this monumental opportunity.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Governor Hochul’s success thus far in securing Micron’s investment in New York is impressive, and I am thrilled to see further progress with the DEIS release. Not only will Micron’s investment create up to 50,000 new permanent jobs in the region over the next 30 years, it will also benefit our economy by increasing regional economic output by $9.5 billion starting in 2027 and contribute to efforts toward clean energy by using 100% carbon-free electrical power. I will keep supporting efforts to bring chip manufacturing to New York so our state can continue to lead the nation on innovation.”

    Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “Micron has the potential to transform not only the local community, but the regions’ employment forecast. The release of the DEIS is the most recent development that emphasizes the continual progress and investment required to prepare for its arrival.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “The promise of Micron is one step closer with the public release of the Draft Environmental impact Statement. One step closer to the economic prosperity that comes along with tens of thousands of tech jobs, 20 years of non-stop construction work, as well as improved water, wastewater and transportation infrastructure. All done with a commitment to high environmental standards. Our region has waited for two generations for an opportunity like this, and now it’s right on our doorstep.”

    Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks real progress in bringing transformational change to Central New York. Micron’s investment is not only creating jobs—it’s building opportunity for veterans, MWBEs, and communities that have historically been left behind. I’m proud to support this bold and inclusive vision for our region’s future.”

    CenterState CEO President and CEO Rob Simpson said, “The release of Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks an important step forward for the company’s plans to expand and create thousands of good paying jobs in Central New York. We welcome the release of this report as a clear sign that the work is moving ahead for this critically important project. This DEIS reflects years of collaboration and diligence. Every step has been — and continues to be — shaped by public agencies working with Micron to protect our community’s vital natural resources. Transparency, accountability, and public input remain central to every stage, and this is no different. At the same time, we want to underscore the need for timeliness and momentum. Our region and our country need this project to come online as soon as possible to ensure our national security and economic competitiveness. We encourage the business community to get involved by reviewing the DEIS and advocating for this generational investment in our community.”

    Evergreen Action VP for States Justin Balik said, “Governor Hochul’s leadership has paved the way for Micron’s groundbreaking investment in New York, a project set to redefine sustainable economic development thanks to the state’s Green CHIPS incentive program and the federal CHIPS and Science law. Clean energy deployment is an integral component of economic development, creating new good paying jobs for New Yorkers, while simultaneously developing the technology of tomorrow with zero-emission electricity, ensuring sustainable economic growth for generations.”

    Central New York Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair Tim Penix said, “The release of this draft Environmental Impact Statement marks a significant milestone in bringing Micron’s historic investment to fruition. As Co-Chair of the Community Engagement Committee, I’ve witnessed firsthand the excitement and commitment of Central New Yorkers who see this as more than just economic development — it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more equitable and prosperous future for our entire region. The comprehensive community engagement process we completed ensured that as this project moves forward, the voices and priorities of all Central New Yorkers will continue to guide how we maximize the benefits of this transformative moment.”

    MACNY President Randy Wolken said, “With today’s release, we are one step closer to breaking ground on Micron’s manufacturing facilities in Central New York. This project will create thousands of manufacturing jobs and will further elevate New York’s profile as a global hub for high-tech manufacturing and innovation. As we celebrate this critical milestone, the MACNY Team is excited, ready, and committed to collaborating with our members and community partners to help realize the full potential of this opportunity.”

    Governor Hochul has prioritized the semiconductor industry as a major part of her Executive Budgets since taking office. The Governor secured an additional $500 million capital investment for NY CREATES’ Albany Nanotech Complex with total State investment of $1 billion to jumpstart a $10 billion partnership that will bring a cutting-edge High NA EUV Lithography Center to the Complex. The Governor also announced the partnership with IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other leaders from the semiconductor industry last year as part of her commitment to establishing a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing in New York. Once completed, this new center will build on other semiconductor-related investments to make New York home to the first publicly owned High NA EUV Lithography Center in North America, support the long-term growth of New York’s tech economy and create and retain thousands of direct, indirect and union construction jobs.

    Governor Hochul has secured $100 million in additional funding for the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) program. Launched in December 2022, FAST NY has awarded more than $175 million to prepare more than 2,500 acres across 20 sites in every Upstate region for shovel-readiness, a key feature businesses seek when looking to locate. Awards to improve sites have attracted companies such as Edwards Vacuum, Siemens Mobility, Chobani and fairlife.

    Additionally, in October 2023, Governor Hochul unveiled plans for the $15 million, 5,000 square-foot Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab at Onondaga Community College, which will help to train students in Central New York for jobs at Micron.

    Most recently, Governor Hochul introduced a new, enhanced benefit tier for semiconductor supply chain companies; a new program to provide tax credits for large-scale semiconductor R&D investments of $100 million or more in qualified expenditures; a new semiconductor manufacturing workforce training incentive; and an overall 5-year extension of the Excelsior program.

    Semiconductors are vital to the nation’s economic strength, serving as the brains of modern electronics, and enabling technologies critical to U.S. economic growth, national security and global competitiveness. The industry directly employs over 300,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 1.8 million additional domestic jobs. Semiconductors are a top five U.S. export, and the industry is the number one contributor to labor productivity, supporting improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of virtually every economic sector — from farming to manufacturing.

    New York is home to a robust semiconductor industry of 156 semiconductor and supply chain companies that employ over 34,000 New Yorkers. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the industry is continuing to expand with major investments from semiconductor businesses and supply chain companies like Micron, GlobalFoundries, AMD, Edwards Vacuum, Menlo Micro and TTM Technologies to expand their presence in New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ​​Social Housing quality reforms: Letter to chief executives and council leaders​

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    ​​Social Housing quality reforms: Letter to chief executives and council leaders​

    ​​A letter to chief executives of housing associations and councils about quality reforms in the social rented sector. ​

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Social Housing quality reforms: Letter to chief executives and council leaders​

    PDF, 196 KB, 4 pages

    Details

    ​​This letter outlines the headline policy from recently announced quality reforms in the social rented sector, including Awaab’s Law and Electrical Safety Standards regulations and joint work with the Ministry of Justice on tackling claims forms.​

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £250,000 support for Scott Street residents and businesses

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    One person died in the fire at 41 Scott Street in the early hours of Saturday morning. The building was destroyed in the fire.

    Demolition work is already underway. Several residential and businesses properties remain closed for safety reasons because of their proximity to the damaged building.

    Fifty-five households have had to be rehoused because of the fire.

    Perth and Kinross Council’s Finance and Resources Committee approved releasing £250,000 from the Communities Earmarked Reserve to support residents and businesses when it met on Wednesday 25 June.

    It follows a request from Perth and Kinross Council last week for proposals on support to be brought to this week’s meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee.

    Councillor leader Councillor Grant Laing, vice convenor of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “It is still early days, and it is likely that there will be a call for other funding, but it is important that the Council stands with our citizens and communities in their hour of need.

    “So today I am proposing the immediate allocation of £250,000 from the Communities earmarked Reserve to support those very communities.

    “Specifically, as well as augmenting the Scottish Welfare Fund and Financial Insecurity Fund, this investment will assist residents affected by rent shortfalls who are not eligible for other support.

    “For businesses directly impacted by the demolition and closures, funding to support their immediate recovery costs as well as future expenses linked to reopening or relocation.

    “Looking ahead, we may also look at how we encourage footfall back into the areas affected.”

    Finance and Resources Convenor Councillor Stewart Donaldson added: “There will be additional funding but it is vital we provide immediate support to all those impacted by the fire.

    “This was a devastating event and I would like to thank everyone who has provided support to those affected. The response from communities across Perth and Kinross has been inspiring.”

    Perth and Kinross Council hosted a drop-in session for those affected by the fire on Tuesday 24 June which offered advice on a range of issues. Partner agencies providing support also attended.

    A second session will take place on Friday. Supported by Pete Wishart MP and John Swinney MSP, it will have a focus on insurance issues. The event will be attended by representatives of Perth-based insurance firm Aviva and the Association of British Insurers.

    It takes place at Perth and Kinross Council’s 2 High Street offices from 11am to 2pm on Friday 27 June.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the General Assembly on the 20th Anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect [bilingual as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Twenty years ago, leaders gathered at the 2005 World Summit and committed to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

    In doing so, they recognized that sovereignty carries not only rights, but responsibilities — first and foremost, the duty of each State to protect its own people.

    They underlined the duty of the international community to support States in this effort, and they highlighted the need for collective, timely and decisive action in line with the UN Charter, when national authorities manifestly fail to do so. 

    Today, we mark the 20th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect at a time of profound global turbulence.

    We are witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War.

    These are marked by rising identity-based violence, widespread violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and deepening impunity.

    Conflicts are becoming more protracted, more complex, and interconnected. 

    Emerging threats such as the weaponization of new technologies and the proliferation of advanced weaponry require a constant adaptation of our efforts to prevent the commission of atrocity crimes and to protect populations.

    In addition, too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by States and non-State actors are met with denial, indifference, or repression.

    Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent or undermined by double standards. Civilians are paying the highest price. 

    Credibility as the guardian of peace and security, development, and human rights requires consistency with the UN Charter. 

    On this anniversary, we must recognize that the Responsibility to Protect is more than a principle – it is a moral imperative, rooted in our shared humanity and the UN Charter. 

    Excellencies,

    In that spirit, I share today the seventeenth report of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect.  

    It reflects two decades of efforts, calls for revitalized action, and includes insights from a survey conducted in preparation for this report.  

    We found that the principle holds strong support among Member States. 

    Communities affected by violence see it as offering a ray of hope.  But they also call for effective implementation at all levels.  

    The report highlights efforts realized through national prevention mechanisms of a regional nature – from the African Union to ASEAN, the OSCE and the Organization of American States; and multilateral initiatives such as the Group of Friends of R2P, the ACT Code of Conduct, and the call for veto restraint in the face of mass atrocities. 

    It shows that early diplomacy, early warning, and institutional innovation to prevent and respond to atrocity crimes can be effective.

    It also underscores the need to mainstream atrocity prevention across the United Nations system — from humanitarian action to peacekeeping to human rights.

    And it calls for integrating early warning, supporting national prevention mechanisms, and embedding atrocity prevention in the broader agendas of sustaining peace, human rights, and the 2030 Agenda.

    Excellences,

    Aucune société n’est à l’abri du risque de crimes d’atrocité.

    La prévention doit commencer chez soi — par un leadership qui protège les droits, valorise la diversité et respecte l’État de droit.

    Elle doit également être soutenue à l’échelle mondiale — grâce à la coopération multilatérale, à une diplomatie fondée sur des principes, et une action rapide et décisive pour protéger efficacement les populations.

    Vingt ans après, la Responsabilité de protéger demeure une nécessité urgente, un impératif moral et une promesse non tenue.

    Tenons cette promesse.  Approfondissons notre engagement.  Renforçons notre coopération. Et faisons de la prévention des atrocités et de la protection des populations une pratique permanente et universelle.

    Allons de l’avant avec détermination, dans l’unité, et avec le courage d’agir.

    Je vous remercie.
    ********************
    All-English
    Twenty years ago, leaders gathered at the 2005 World Summit and committed to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

    In doing so, they recognized that sovereignty carries not only rights, but responsibilities — first and foremost, the duty of each State to protect its own people.

    They underlined the duty of the international community to support States in this effort, and they highlighted the need for collective, timely and decisive action in line with the UN Charter, when national authorities manifestly fail to do so. 

    Today, we mark the 20th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect at a time of profound global turbulence.

    We are witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War.

    These are marked by rising identity-based violence, widespread violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and deepening impunity.

    Conflicts are becoming more protracted, more complex, and interconnected. 

    Emerging threats such as the weaponization of new technologies and the proliferation of advanced weaponry require a constant adaptation of our efforts to prevent the commission of atrocity crimes and to protect populations.

    In addition, too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by States and non-State actors are met with denial, indifference, or repression.

    Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent or undermined by double standards. Civilians are paying the highest price. 

    Credibility as the guardian of peace and security, development, and human rights requires consistency with the UN Charter. 

    On this anniversary, we must recognize that the Responsibility to Protect is more than a principle – it is a moral imperative, rooted in our shared humanity and the UN Charter. 

    Excellencies,

    In that spirit, I share today the seventeenth report of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect.  

    It reflects two decades of efforts, calls for revitalized action, and includes insights from a survey conducted in preparation for this report.  

    We found that the principle holds strong support among Member States. 

    Communities affected by violence see it as offering a ray of hope.  But they also call for effective implementation at all levels.  

    The report highlights efforts realized through national prevention mechanisms of a regional nature – from the African Union to ASEAN, the OSCE and the Organization of American States; and multilateral initiatives such as the Group of Friends of R2P, the ACT Code of Conduct, and the call for veto restraint in the face of mass atrocities.

    It shows that early diplomacy, early warning, and institutional innovation to prevent and respond to atrocity crimes can be effective.

    It also underscores the need to mainstream atrocity prevention across the United Nations system — from humanitarian action to peacekeeping to human rights.

    And it calls for integrating early warning, supporting national prevention mechanisms, and embedding atrocity prevention in the broader agendas of sustaining peace, human rights, and the 2030 Agenda.

    Excellencies,

    No society is immune from the risk of atrocity crimes. 

    Prevention must begin at home – with leadership that protects rights, embraces diversity, and upholds the rule of law. 

    And it must be supported globally — through multilateral cooperation, principled diplomacy, and early and decisive action to effectively protect populations.

    Two decades on, the Responsibility to Protect remains both an urgent necessity, a moral imperative and an unfulfilled promise.

    Let us keep the promise, deepen our commitment, strengthen our cooperation, and ensure that atrocity prevention and protecting populations becomes a permanent and universal practice. 

    Let us move forward with resolve, unity, and the courage to act.

    Thank you.

    ***************
    All-French
    Il y a vingt ans, au Sommet mondial de 2005, les responsables politiques se sont engagés à protéger les populations contre le génocide, les crimes de guerre, le nettoyage ethnique et les crimes contre l’humanité.

    Ce faisant, ils ont convenu que la souveraineté s’accompagnait non seulement de droits, mais également de responsabilités – à commencer par le devoir qu’a chaque État de protéger son propre peuple.

    Ils ont souligné que la communauté internationale avait le devoir de soutenir les États dans cette démarche et insisté sur la nécessité de mener en temps voulu une action collective résolue, conformément à la Charte des Nations Unies, lorsque les autorités nationales n’y parviennent manifestement pas.
    Aujourd’hui, nous marquons le 20e anniversaire de la Responsabilité de protéger à un moment où le monde est dans la tourmente.

    Le nombre de conflits armés auxquels nous assistons est le plus élevé enregistré depuis la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

    Ces conflits se caractérisent par une montée de la violence identitaire, des violations généralisées du droit international humanitaire et du droit international des droits humains, et une impunité grandissante.

    Les conflits sont de plus en plus longs, complexes et interconnectés.

    Les menaces émergentes, telles que la militarisation des nouvelles technologies et la prolifération des armements de pointe, exigent que nous nous adaptions constamment afin d’empêcher que des atrocités criminelles soient commises et de protéger les populations.

    De plus, les alertes rapides restent trop souvent lettre morte et les preuves avancées à l’appui de crimes commis par des acteurs étatiques et non étatiques font l’objet d’un déni, d’indifférence, voire sont réprimées.

    Les réponses sont souvent trop faibles, trop tardives, incohérentes ou minées par l’application d’un système du deux poids, deux mesures. Ce sont donc les civils qui paient le plus lourd tribut.

    Une défense crédible de la paix et de la sécurité, du développement et des droits humains passe par le respect de la Charte des Nations Unies.

    À l’occasion de cet anniversaire, nous devons prendre conscience que la Responsabilité de protéger n’est pas uniquement un principe : c’est un impératif moral, ancré dans notre humanité commune et dans la Charte des Nations Unies.

    Excellences,

    C’est dans cet esprit que je présente aujourd’hui le dix-septième rapport du Secrétaire général sur la Responsabilité de protéger.

    Ce rapport rend compte de deux décennies d’efforts, préconise la revitalisation de l’action menée et présente les résultats des enquêtes qui ont permis de l’établir.

    Nous avons constaté que ce principe bénéficiait d’un large soutien parmi les États Membres.

    Les communautés touchées par la violence y voient une lueur d’espoir, mais réclament une mise en œuvre efficace à tous les niveaux.

    Le rapport met en lumière les efforts faits dans le cadre de mécanismes nationaux de prévention ou sous un leadership régional – sous l’égide de l’Union africaine, de l’ASEAN, de l’OSCE ou de l’Organisation des États américains et dans le cadre d’initiatives multilatérales telles que le Groupe des Amis de la Responsabilité de protéger, le code de conduite du Groupe Responsabilité, cohérence et transparence, et l’appel à la limitation du droit de veto en cas d’atrocités de masse.

    Le rapport montre que la diplomatie préventive, l’alerte rapide et les voies institutionnelles innovantes visant à prévenir et combattre les atrocités criminelles peuvent être efficaces.

    Il souligne également la nécessité d’intégrer la prévention des atrocités dans l’ensemble du système des Nations Unies – de l’action humanitaire au maintien de la paix en passant par les droits humains.

    Enfin, il préconise l’intégration des systèmes d’alerte rapide, le renforcement des mécanismes nationaux de prévention et la prise en compte de la prévention des atrocités criminelles dans les activités plus générales concernant la pérennisation de la paix, la défense des droits humains et le Programme 2030.

    Excellences,

    Aucune société n’est à l’abri du risque de crimes d’atrocité.

    La prévention doit commencer chez soi – par un leadership qui protège les droits, valorise la diversité et respecte l’État de droit.

    Elle doit également être soutenue à l’échelle mondiale – grâce à la coopération multilatérale, à une diplomatie fondée sur des principes, et une action rapide et décisive pour protéger efficacement les populations.

    Vingt ans après, la Responsabilité de protéger demeure une nécessité urgente, un impératif moral et une promesse non tenue.

    Tenons cette promesse. Approfondissons notre engagement. Renforçons notre coopération. Et faisons de la prévention des atrocités et de la protection des populations une pratique permanente et universelle.

    Allons de l’avant avec détermination, dans l’unité, et avec le courage d’agir.

    Je vous remercie.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie

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

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

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

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

    Fishing was once more open to all

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Saving fisheries changed the industry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The lingering effect on communities today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    New challenges and unchanging risks

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

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

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

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

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

    – ref. Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie – https://theconversation.com/checking-in-on-new-england-fisheries-25-years-after-the-perfect-storm-movie-255076

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie

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

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

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

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

    Fishing was once more open to all

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Saving fisheries changed the industry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The lingering effect on communities today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    New challenges and unchanging risks

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

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

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

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

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

    – ref. Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie – https://theconversation.com/checking-in-on-new-england-fisheries-25-years-after-the-perfect-storm-movie-255076

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski, Sullivan Support Repeal of Roadless Rule

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    06.24.25
    Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) released the following statements following U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is beginning the process to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule on a nationwide basis.  
    “The Roadless Rule has never fit Alaska, so I welcome this effort to rescind it,” Senator Murkowski said. “Even without the rule in place, nearly 80 percent of the Tongass National Forest will still be explicitly restricted from development. Repeal will not lead to environmental harm, but it will help open needed opportunities for renewable energy, forestry, mining, tourism, and more in areas that are almost completely under federal control. This is particularly critical for our continued efforts to build a sustainable year-round economy in Southeast Alaska.”
    “I welcome the decision by Secretary Rollins and President Trump to rescind the Roadless Rule and allow for proper management of U.S. Forest System lands in Alaska,” Senator Sullivan said. “Since 2001, this rule has hindered Alaskan’s ability to responsibly harvest timber, develop minerals, connect communities, or build energy projects at lower costs—including renewable energy projects like hydropower, which are especially critical to economic opportunities in Southeast Alaska surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. I am grateful that the Trump administration is once again rescinding this rule to put Alaskans back in the driver’s seat to make a living, support our families, and connect our communities while protecting our lands and growing our economy.”
    Background
    The Tongass National Forest spans nearly 16.7 million acres, covering nearly all of Southeast Alaska, and is home to 32 islanded communities. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has almost continually restricted access needed for timber, mining, tourism, recreation, and the development of renewable resources such as hydropower.
    Separate and apart from the Roadless Rule, the Tongass is well protected under existing law. Some 80 percent of the forest is already conserved in congressionally-designated wilderness, National Parks, National Monuments, or other natural setting land-use designations—meaning only a small fraction of the Tongass is available for any kind of development.
    In 2018, the Forest Service announced it would develop a state-specific Roadless Rule focused on the Tongass. The Alaska-specific rule, finalized in October 2020, exempted the Tongass from the one-size-fits-all Roadless Rule, which established sweeping prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvest on inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System lands beginning in 2001. The 2020 rule came in response to a petition from the State of Alaska requesting a full exemption for the Tongass, and helped restore balanced management and reasonable economic prospects within the Tongass.
    In January 2023, the USDA Forest Service under the Biden administration finalized its repeal of the Tongass National Forest’s exemption from the 2001 Roadless Rule, against the request from the State of Alaska and data and analysis from the Trump administration that supported the 2020 exemption.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Potential for the development of Russian business education: a meeting with representatives of the VkusVill company was held at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On June 25, 2025, an introductory meeting of the university management with representatives of the VkusVill Joint Stock Company was held at the State University of Management.

    During the meeting, the founder and co-owner of the Vkusvill retail chain Andrey Krivenko briefly spoke about the company’s history and its main principles, cooperation with Roskachestvo and clients among medium-sized businesses, which today is about 500-600 companies. The guest expressed interest in cooperation with universities in the field of business education.

    Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev expressed a reciprocal interest and spoke about the history of the business school at our university, in particular about the Business Games Center, which operated in the 1980s, about the outstanding economists Dmitry Lvov, Georgy Kleiner and Sergey Glazyev, who always focused on the domestic economy in their work.

    “Unfortunately, many universities of the new era that were engaged in business education were oriented towards the West. GUU was always against such a scheme, although it established strong partnerships. For example, we had a Russian-Dutch faculty for a long time. But we never worked for the brain drain,” the rector said.

    Vice-Rector Dmitry Bryukhanov also recalled that it was at our university that the first Russian textbook on business management was written. Dmitry Yuryevich spoke about the foreign internships that the State University of Management offers to graduates of the presidential management training program, and expressed interest in opening a master’s program taking into account the VkusVill methodology.

    The parties exchanged contacts and agreed to define working groups to specify areas of potential cooperation in the development of Russian business education. After which the guests were given an introductory tour of the SUM territory.

    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: Online Payday Loans for Bad Credit 2025: Wizzay Unveils 1 Hour Payday Loans with No Credit Check from a Trusted Bad Credit Lender

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Wizzay, a trusted bad credit lender, has unveiled a fast, stress-free solution for U.S. consumers seeking 1 hour payday loans no credit check guaranteed approval, even if they’ve been denied by traditional banks. As more Americans turn to emergency lending for everyday needs, Wizzay delivers a 100% online, secure, and completely free platform that requires no paperwork or credit inquiry.

    By leveraging a network of high-rated direct lenders and a smart matching platform, Wizzay streamlines access to 1 hour payday loans online no credit check guaranteed approval, with many borrowers receiving funds in less than 60 minutes after approval. Whether you’re facing an urgent car repair, medical bill, or overdue rent, the platform connects you to same day payday loans online that emphasize speed, convenience, and accessibility.

    Official Apply Link to Platform: Wizzay Loans

    Bridging Financial Gaps with Same-Day Payday Loans and No Credit Checks

    As inflation and rising costs continue to strain household budgets, millions of Americans are just one unexpected expense away from financial hardship. Unfortunately, traditional banks often impose hard credit checks, complicated paperwork, and loan minimums that exclude those in need. Wizzay’s same-day payday loan provides a fast alternative, with a simple five-minute application, optional no credit check, and quick approval based on income and banking history.

    What Makes the Same-Day Loan Stand Out?

    • Lightning-Fast Funding: Most borrowers receive funds within a few hours.
    • Optional No Credit Check: No FICO score is needed for eligible applicants.
    • Seamless Online Process: Mobile-friendly form requiring only essential info.
    • Upfront Cost Clarity: Full disclosure of fees and repayment terms before commitment.
    • Flexible Repayment Options: Convert short-term payday loans into installment loans to avoid costly rollovers.

    Inclusive Lending from a Bad Credit Lender

    Wizzay is committed to helping borrowers with low or poor credit access the funds they need without barriers. By evaluating income and bank activity instead of focusing solely on credit history, Wizzay makes its payday loan more accessible to those with financial setbacks. As a trusted bad credit lender, Wizzay also ensures full transparency—so users avoid surprise charges or predatory terms.

    Need more than $255? Wizzay also facilitates personal loans for bad credit with guaranteed approval up to $1,000, expanding access to safe, manageable financing options and helping borrowers avoid high-interest traps.

    << Secure Emergency Funds Instantly – No Credit Check Needed >>

    A Commitment to Responsible Lending

    Fast loans should also be fair. Wizzay provides clear terms, useful tools, and support for smart borrowing decisions:

    • Itemized Fee Breakdowns: Complete visibility into loan costs.
    • Budgeting Tools: Built-in calculators and resources for repayment planning.
    • Income-Focused Approval: Decisioning based on real-time banking activity, not just credit scores.
    • Advanced Encryption: Industry-standard data protection for your personal and financial information.

    “Transparency is fundamental to our approach,” a Wizzay spokesperson said. “We want borrowers to feel confident and informed—not rushed—when applying for a payday loan with no credit check.”

    Beyond $255: Guaranteed Loan Options for Bad Credit

    Wizzay’s lending network extends beyond small-dollar loans. It also offers access to guaranteed personal loans for bad credit, with individual borrowing limits. These loans feature flexible repayment terms, no hard credit checks, and straightforward eligibility—delivering long-term value to borrowers who may not qualify elsewhere.

    About Wizzay

    Wizzay is a digital lending platform that matches borrowers with a vetted network of third-party lenders offering payday and personal loan services. Although Wizzay is not a direct lender, it provides fast, secure loan matching for amounts from $100 to $5,000. Applications are completed entirely online in just minutes, with funding as soon as the next business day. The platform supports users with poor or limited credit histories and uses bank-level encryption to protect all data.

    Contact Information

    Company: Customer Acquisition LLC
    Email: support@wizzay.com
    Address: Springates Building, Lower Government Road, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis

    Disclaimer: Wizzay is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. Loan approval, rates, and terms are determined by third-party lenders based on applicant eligibility. Borrowers are encouraged to check all loan terms carefully and only borrow amounts they can afford to repay. Same-day funding is dependent on bank processing times and may vary by applicant.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Releases Updated EPW Budget Reconciliation Text

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released updated legislative text within the EPW Committee’s jurisdiction to be considered as part of Senate Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill.

    “Our budget reconciliation title through the EPW Committee accomplishes what we pledged to do – stop Democrats’ natural gas tax and rescind unobligated dollars from the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, as well as a full repeal of the wasteful Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Senate Republicans continue to move towards passage of this package that will help enact President Trump’s agenda,” Chairman Capito said.

    • Click HERE to view text.
    • Click HERE to view a section-by-section.
    • Click HERE to view a one-pager.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Leads Every Senate Judiciary Democrat in Requesting Investigation into Blanche’s Testimony Before Senate Judiciary Committee 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, today led every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat in calling on Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate the truthfulness of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s testimony at his confirmation hearing before the Judiciary Committee on February 12, 2025. Mr. Blanche testified at the hearing and in subsequent written answers to Members’ questions that he had no knowledge of the decision to dismiss the criminal charges against Mayor Adams, an assertion that has been contradicted by unsealed court documents, including a letter from then-Interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to Attorney General Bondi, suggesting he was aware of the decision. 
    At his confirmation hearing, Mr. Blanche was questioned by Senator Welch about his knowledge of plans to dismiss the case against Mayor Adams. Senator Welch subsequently led Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in requesting documents from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine the veracity of Mr. Blanche’s testimony before the Judiciary Committee. To date, the Senators have not received a response to their letter from the Attorney General. 
    “Two days before Mr. Blanche’s confirmation hearing, news broke that the Department of Justice intended to drop criminal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Mr. Blanche was twice asked during the hearing if he had any involvement in the orders to drop Mayor Adams’ indictment,” wrote the Senators. “In response to Senator Welch asking him if the dismissal was ‘directed by DC,’ Mr. Blanche stated, ‘I have the same information you have. It appears it was, yes. I don’t know.’” 
    The Senators continued: “On March 25, however, documentation surfaced suggesting that Deputy Attorney General Blanche may have, in fact, been aware of the orders to dismiss the case against Mayor Adams almost two weeks before he testified. Department of Justice documents unsealed by a federal court in March include a letter written to Attorney General Pam Bondi by then-Interim United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Danielle Sassoon regarding the dismissal. The letter indicates that Emil Bove, the then-Acting Deputy Attorney General who ordered the dismissal, may have spoken with Mr. Blanche regarding the dismissal.”  
    “It is a federal crime to ‘knowingly and willfully’ provide ‘any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation’ while under oath with respect to ‘any investigation or review, conducted pursuant to the authority of any committee,” wrote the Senators. “As you are aware, the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Justice has jurisdiction over alleged violations of criminal law by the Department personnel. The false testimony of Mr. Blanche before the Senate Judiciary Committee, if true, falls squarely within that jurisdiction.” 
    The Senators concluded: “Accordingly, we request the Office of the Inspector General investigate whether Mr. Blanche was truthful in his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding his knowledge of the decision to dismiss the criminal charges against Mayor Adams.” 
    In addition to Senator Welch, the letter was cosigned by every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat, including Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). 
    Read and download the full text of the letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jersey Library launches Summer Reading Challenge 202525 June 2025 Jersey Library will launch this year’s Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday 28 June with a range of multilingual stories and activities for children in the Town Library. Between 10am and 12pm, community… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    25 June 2025

    Jersey Library will launch this year’s Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday 28 June with a range of multilingual stories and activities for children in the Town Library. 

    Between 10am and 12pm, community partners will read stories in their home language, including Portuguese, Polish, Romanian and Jèrriais. 

    The Summer Reading Challenge has been made available this year to all pre-school and primary school children in Jersey, challenging them to read (or share with a parent/carer) six books over the summer. 

    This year’s theme is the ‘Story Garden’ and children can borrow books from the Town Library, Mobile library, or Communicare, listen to audiobooks, download eBooks, read graphic novels, read books in different languages, or read books from home, friends, and school. 

    Children will receive a certificate and medal for completing the challenge. A free swim pass is also available to all children who complete three books in the challenge. 

    All children who attend the event on Saturday will receive an additional swim pass. All swim passes are valid for one swim at Aqua Splash.​​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Climate Innovation Forum 2025: keynote speech by Ed Miliband

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Speech

    Climate Innovation Forum 2025: keynote speech by Ed Miliband

    Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, speaks at the Climate Innovation Forum during London Climate Action Week.

    Thank you, Mark so much for that introduction. 

    And I want to thank Climate Action for hosting us here. 

    And I’m really excited to be part of London Climate Action Week this year – this is the biggest yet.  

    700 events. 

    Nearly 50,000 attendees. 

    Governments, cities, civil society, businesses, investors and trade unions from all around the world, particularly those from overseas you are so welcome to be here.  

    And the Climate Innovation Forum, I’m told is the headline event of the week – the Superbowl of LCAW – and I’m delighted to follow the star-studded cast of speakers you’ve heard from this morning. 

    And I know you have many more ahead of you this afternoon, which I think makes me the half-time show – they tried for Beyonce but they couldn’t get her so they ended up with me. 

    The argument I want to make today is this: 

    First, in the UK we are doubling down on climate action because it is the right choice for today’s generations as well as those of the future. 

    Climate action is how we protect our way of life and make people better off today with energy security, lower bills, good jobs and economic growth.   

    Second, despite the challenges, we should be determined not defeatist about the future.  

    Many countries are acting on this crisis because they recognise the opportunities it presents, as well as the gravity of the threat. 

    Third, to keep making progress on the road to COP30 and beyond we need to build the global coalition for climate action. 

    That means the actions and voices of the people in this room – the people delivering this transition – really really matter.  

    This is a fight for the future involving civil society, trade unions, businesses, and the public at large. 

    And we intend to win it. 

    So first, just to say something about the UK, the starting point for our government here is our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by delivering clean power, a clean energy system, by 2030 and accelerating to net zero across the economy.  

    Our Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says this mission is in our government’s DNA. 

    And why does he say that? 

    Because we know the urgency of the threat to our way of life. 

    In the last decade we’ve had the 10 hottest years on record globally. 

    We should be clear what this means here and around the world: 

    Floods, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. 

    Over the last week in this country, we’ve seen much hotter weather than was normal a few decades ago as many of you will have experienced.  

    Communities across the UK are already facing the consequences of flooding, including last year.  

    And we have seen thousands of heat-related deaths in recent summers. 

    So the urgency of the climate imperative is clearer than ever. 

    But that urgency is not the only reason to act. 

    It has now been matched by the urgency of an energy security and bills imperative. 

    Here in the UK, family finances, business finances and the public finances were hit after Russia invaded Ukraine and fossil fuel prices rocketed. And we’ve seen in recent weeks that instability globally breeds instability in the energy markets here at home.  

    So ours as a government is a hard-headed determination to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets with cheaper, clean, homegrown energy that we control. This is an essential part of the argument to make for climate action and energy security that’s not just true for Britain, it’s true for many countries around the world.  

    And that’s not the only argument you can make.  

    There is also a once in a generation opportunity to create a new generation of good, well-paid jobs with strong trade unions and give existing industries a long-term future. 

    And in the UK if you’ll allow me again, it is an incredibly exciting time – we recently had our Spending Review which set spending budgets for the coming three years. Our Chancellor Rachel Reeves showed her commitment with the most significant investment in homegrown clean energy in the UK’s history. 

    We’ve got the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation. 

    With Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast. 

    Small Modular Reactors with Rolls Royce. 

    On the site of an old coal-fired power station, a new prototype nuclear fusion plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.   

    Britain’s carbon capture industry, I know there’ll be people here from the carbon capture industry, in Scotland and Humberside, alongside Teesside and the North West. 

    A new regional hydrogen network for transport, storage, industry and power.  

    Our new publicly owned energy company Great British Energy supporting clean energy supply chains from offshore wind to cable manufacturing.  

    A Warm Homes Plan upgrading millions of homes across Britain – delivering jobs as we cut bills and emissions. 

    And investing in tree planting, peatlands and nature recovery across our countryside and towns. 

    And the reason I say this is that this is relevant not just to the UK but also to people here from other parts of the world.  

    Place by place. 

    Town by town. 

    City by city. 

    This is the sound of the jobs of the future arriving. 

    This is how we as a government intend to win the argument for the clean energy revolution. 

    And together with you we will make it happen. 

    The second point I want to make is that, while our ambition is to lead at home it is also in our national interest to lead globally. 

    The UK is less than 1% of annual emissions. 

    But for this government, this is not an excuse for inaction but an imperative to work with other countries.  

    The UK passed the world leading Climate Change Act in 2008 when I was last Energy Secretary and now nearly 60 countries across the world have similar legislation. 

    That is the power, I believe, of example.  

    And I say to everyone in this room it’s time, if I can say this gently, to talk about the progress we have made together as a world as well as how far we have to travel. 

    Of course, we should be deeply alarmed about the scale of the climate crisis. 

    And we must acknowledge that we are way off track from where we need to be as a world. 

    But we should not be defeatist because look at the progress we have already made. 

    And the reason I say this, and I’ll talk about the progress in a minute, is because the challenge we face is no longer just responding to people who deny the problem of the climate crisis or the people wanting to delay action, but also those who say:  

    “There’s no point in acting because people have been talking about this for decades and nothing ever seems to change.” 

    We have a duty to explain the reasons for hope not despair. 

    And let me just give you some examples of why I think we can do that. Ahead of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the projections were for up to 4 degrees of warming. Actually, in 2010, up to 5 degrees.  

    Today, these estimates are no longer credible because the world has moved. 

    In 2015 when the Paris Agreement was negotiated no major economy had a net zero target, now 80% of global GDP is covered by net zero commitments. 

    At the time of Paris the majority of energy investment was in fossil fuels, last year over $2 trillion was invested in clean energy – twice as much as fossil fuels.  

    That is the progress we have made. 

    And I say this very directly, if we don’t talk about that progress, nobody else is going to – we have a duty to do so. 

    But we know how much further we have to travel. So as a country, the UK is determined to lead with the power of example again.  

    COP30 is now less than five months away and we haven’t got a moment to waste.  

    Every organisation represented in this room has a role to play. 

    Governments in providing direction and leadership. 

    Businesses in driving action in the real economy. 

    Investors in helping unlock the finance we need. 

    Trade unions and civil society in holding us all to account. And that’s a really important role.  

    A whole economy effort. 

    Working together across borders. 

    Global North and Global South. 

    And I pledge the UK will play our part. 

    That is why the Prime Minister announced an ambitious, 1.5 aligned NDC of 81% reductions by 2035 at COP29 last year. 

    That is why we are helping to scale climate finance, including through our Global Clean Power Alliance. 

    And today here at the Guildhall I can announce another step forward. 

    We will take the next steps on implementing our manifesto commitment on mandatory 1.5 degrees-aligned transition plans for major companies and financial institutions.  

    Today we are launching consultations on how transition planning and sustainability reporting can ensure public and private investors drive our country and the world towards climate and clean energy. For those of you who don’t work in this space, this is incredibly important. If we can get private finance driving in the right direction, not just in the UK, across the world including the Global South, we can make a real difference.  

    And I believe, speaking from the City of London, it is time to mobilise the City of London, secure its place, which it already has, as the sustainable finance capital of the world and drive private investment into clean energy. 

    The right thing for Britain and the right thing to do for the world. 

    Let me just end with this: 

    We obviously live in uncertain and unstable times. 

    All of us in this room are very aware of the challenge to the agenda we are talking about today. 

    But I want to end by saying to everyone here today, every one of whom can make a difference, we don’t just have a choice we have a duty to choose hope over despair. 

    There are many people in our country and our world who see the climate and nature crisis affecting their lives but have no power in their hands to make a difference. All of us in this building have the power in our different ways to make a difference.  

    Pessimism is a luxury we cannot afford.  

    To despair, to step back, to lose confidence would be to let down the people who depend on us—today and in future generations. 

    Despair and defeatism will not create a single job or protect a single person from the effects of the climate crisis. 

    And turning our back on action would not only be a betrayal of future generations but today’s generations too. 

    Now there are those in Britain who would turn their backs on the opportunities of the clean energy transition and what it can do for energy security, good jobs and doing the right thing by future generations. 

    The UK government, I pledge to you, will face down these defenders of a failed status quo in our country and merchants of misinformation. 

    And the way we will do this is show how together we can ensure better lives for people today and protect future generations. 

    Governments, civil society, businesses, trade unions. 

    This is the coalition, all of you, that gives me the greatest cause for hope about the future. 

    I thank you so much for being in London. And I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to do great things for our country and great things for the world. 

    Thank you so much.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The building of the Baltic Higher School of Musical and Theatre Arts as part of the cultural cluster was put into operation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Marat Khusnullin at a meeting with the President on the progress of creating cultural, educational and museum complexes.

    On Oktyabrsky Island in Kaliningrad, as part of a cluster, a building of the branch of the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts – the Baltic Higher School of Musical and Theatre Arts – was put into operation. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported this to President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the progress of creating cultural, educational and museum complexes.

    “In general, the project, in terms of its parameters – the size of the area, the number of objects, architectural solutions, the geography of implementation, the latest multimedia and technological equipment – is the largest cultural construction project in the history of the country. We hope that all the objects that are being created within the cluster will become new cultural symbols of Russia. One of such clusters is being developed in Kaliningrad. Another building, a branch of RGISI – the Baltic Higher School of Musical and Theatre Arts, has been put into operation there. It will soon begin accepting its first students,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    Earlier, a branch of the Tretyakov Gallery opened as part of the cluster in Kaliningrad. In addition, branches of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography and the Central Music School – the Baltic Academy of Performing Arts, a comprehensive school with a swimming pool, two boarding schools for students and a dormitory for students, as well as five apartment buildings for teachers and artists of the cultural cluster are ready. Construction of a branch of the Bolshoi Theater with a production and warehouse complex is ongoing. All cluster facilities with a total area of about 127 thousand square meters will create a single urban space with a zone for walking and recreation.

    The customer for the construction of the clusters is the National Cultural Heritage Foundation for Social and Cultural Projects, and the general contractor is the Stroytransgaz group of companies.

    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 Canada: Nova Scotia Partners with Lebanese Universities to Recruit More Family Doctors

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Nova Scotia is working with two universities in Lebanon to bring more family doctors to the province.

    The Province and Lebanese American University in Beirut have signed a memorandum of agreement outlining a five-year pilot program that will see 10 ready-to-practise family physicians come to Nova Scotia, two in each year of the agreement.

    The government also has a strong relationship with Lebanon’s American University of Beirut. It has already supported two physicians trained there who are now practising in Nova Scotia, with another set to arrive shortly.

    “We have doctors who want to make Nova Scotia their home, and we have opportunities to help them do what they do best – provide care to patients,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “These partnerships will further strengthen ties between our province and Lebanon and create a unique opportunity to bring highly skilled family physicians to Nova Scotia.”

    The government has been working with the Honorary Consulate of Lebanon in Halifax and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia to support doctor recruitment from Lebanon.

    The Province will invest $5 million over the length of the agreement with Lebanese American University, covering expenses related to funding two medical school residency positions each year, licensing exams, and immigration and relocation costs. The doctors will be required to sign a three-year return-of-service agreement.

    Becoming a magnet for health providers is the first solution in Action for Health, the Province’s plan to improve healthcare.

    Quotes:

    “This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when governments, institutions and communities come together with purpose. By tapping into the strength and talent of our diverse society, we are not only addressing urgent healthcare needs, but also building a more inclusive, resilient and compassionate Nova Scotia.”
    — Wadih Fares, Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Halifax

    “When a government and an institution unite with a shared vision, they transform ambition into lasting impact. The common good becomes the common goal.”
    — Dr. Kamal Badr, Executive Vice Dean, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut

    “At the heart of this collaboration is something deeply human: the need for care, and the people who provide it. Family doctors are the backbone of any healthcare system, and the growing need for them is felt around the world. Partnerships like this remind us that when collaboration is driven by purpose, medicine knows no borders.”
    — Dr. Sola Aoun Bahous, Dean and professor of medicine, Lebanese American University

    “This agreement not only recognizes the excellence of family medicine training at the Lebanese American University, it also reflects the extraordinary strength of the Lebanese-Nova Scotian community and the willingness of the provincial government to invest in innovative solutions to our access to care challenge.”
    — Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

    Quick Facts:

    • the partnerships stem from a 2023 recruitment mission to Lebanon and meetings with Lebanese American University and American University of Beirut
    • the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia has a streamlined licensure process for Lebanese physicians
    • Lebanese American University and American University of Beirut are accredited American universities; graduates are ready to practise in Nova Scotia as if they had been educated in the United States
    • Nova Scotia welcomed 253 new doctors between April 2024 and March 2025, a net gain of 187 doctors; 32 per cent were internationally trained

    Additional Resources:

    Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

    MIL OSI Canada News –