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  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal Statement on Trump Administration Stripping UW Students of Lawful Status Without Due Process or Notice

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, released the following statement after it was reported that over a dozen University of Washington students had their student visas revoked without notice or warning.

    “The Trump administration’s stripping University of Washington Students of their lawful status with no due process or notice is just the latest attack by this administration on legal immigration.

    “The Trump administration is out of control with indiscriminately cruel immigration actions. Across the country, students are having their legal status revoked and being snatched and disappeared – in some cases by masked immigration agents in unmarked cars – and being held in detention facilities with no warning and limited information as to why they are being deported.

    “The Trump administration’s heavy-handed and politically motivated immigration enforcement is turning university campuses into places of fear rather than learning. This is not about national security. It is about using immigration enforcement as a weapon to stifle political dissent, restrict due process, and enforce an exclusionary and nativist vision of America that runs counter to everything our institutions of higher learning stand for.”

    For any help with government agencies or immigration cases, please reach out to Congresswoman Jayapal’s office: https://jayapal.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency/

    Issues: Arts & Education, Immigration

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Sánchez, Connolly, Beyer Demand Trump Trade Official Resign from Holding Multiple Positions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Amid Mass Firings, Ethics Violations, and Reckless Trade War, Pressley Sounds Alarm on US Trade Rep’s Triple Appointment to Lead Key Watchdog Agencies

    Clear Conflicts of Interest Threaten to Further Harm Federal Workers

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-38), House Oversight Ranking Member Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), and Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) sent a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer, who was recently appointed as Acting Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a key watchdog agency charged with protecting federal workers, and Acting Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), the agency responsible for Executive Branch ethics programs. Citing the conflicts of interest among these three appointments, Congresswoman Pressley and her colleagues questioned how Greer will be able to oversee Trump’s trade war while also holding multiple roles—and calls on him to resign from his roles as Acting Special Counsel and Acting Director.

    Congresswoman Pressley has led efforts in Congress to protect federal workers, and her letter comes as the Musk-Trump Administration continue their unjust and unlawful terminations of federal workers across the country and accumulation of numerous ethics complaints.

    “Since President Trump has launched a global trade war, it is critical that you remain focused on mitigating the economic turmoil that has already began. Taking on at least two other jobs is misguided and a disservice to the public who expect a competent and effective USTR, OSC, and OGE. We urge you to immediately relinquish your roles as Acting Special Counsel, Acting Director, and any other positions,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer.

    In their letter, the lawmakers questioned the ability of Ambassador Greer to fulfill the massive responsibilities of each role, as well as the unethical conflicts of interest that the triple role present. The lawmakers emphasize that as USTR, Ambassador Greer should remain focused on mitigating the economic turmoil that has already begun. While in his OSC role, Greer would also be responsible for protecting more than 2.2 million federal workers in the civil service from discrimination, political coercion, and retaliation for exposing wrongdoing. In addition, in his OGE role, Greer would lead ethics programs in more than 140 agencies in the Executive Branch. However, since OSC’s and OGE’s jurisdictions include oversight of USTR, where cases of wrongful termination, ethics complaints, and whistleblower reprisals may arise, these responsibilities are impossible to carry out impartially.

    “Given these concerns, we do not have confidence in your ability to impartially or effectively fulfill the demanding responsibilities of each office,” the lawmakers continued. “We urge you to immediately resign as Acting Special Counsel and Acting Director. Anything less fails to meet the ethical and professional standards required to preserve the independence and effectiveness of both offices.”

    The lawmakers requested Ambassador Greer provide the following information by April 16, 2025:

    • In addition to your positions as USTR, Acting Special Counsel, and Acting Director, what other roles do you hold in the Trump Administration?
    • In the course of a normal day, how many hours are you spending working on USTR matters compared to OSC matters and OGE matters?
    • Have you recused yourself from any OSC or OGE investigations involving the Office of the United States Trade Representative? If not, why not? If so, who is responsible for handling those complaints?
    • Were ethics officials at any of the agencies consulted before you assumed multiple roles? If so, please provide a copy of any guidance or recommendations you received.
    • Has any information regarding OSC or OGE complaints related to DOGE been shared with DOGE staff?

    A copy of the letter is available here.

    In February, Rep. Pressley led 85 lawmakers in writing to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) urging OSC to ensure all unfairly fired civil servants are immediately rehired and protected from greater abuse, and she has applauded numerous court rulings mandating their reinstatement.

    In March, Rep. Pressley led her colleagues in the Massachusetts congressional delegation in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sharply criticizing and demanding answers about the impact of the Musk-Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal workers in Massachusetts.

    Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading voice in Congress speaking out against Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s unprecedented assault on our democracy and federal agencies, and she has been a steadfast advocate for protecting the essential services that federal workers and agencies provide.

    • On March 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s executive order to end collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
    • On March 21, 2025, Rep. Pressley led Massachusetts lawmakers in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sharply criticizing and demanding answers about the impact of the Musk-Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal workers in Massachusetts.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley spoke out against the U.S. Department of Education’s mass layoffs of over 1,300 workers, which effectively guts the agency.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley voted against Republicans’ shameful government budget bill, which would harm vulnerable families and provide a blank check for Elon Musk and Donald Trump to continue their unprecedented assault on our democracy. She later issued a statement condemning its final passage in the Senate.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined 13 of her colleagues on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers and the immediate release of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, whose illegal abduction is an attack on his constitutional right to free speech and due process.
    • On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley walked out of the House chamber in protest during Donald Trump’s presidential joint address to Congress.
    • On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley welcomed Claire Bergstresser, an Everett constituent, dedicated public servant, AFGE union member, and former HUD worker who was unjustly terminated as part of Musk and Trump’s assault on federal agencies as her guest to the presidential joint address to Congress.
    • On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley led 85 lawmakers in a letter urging the Office of Special Counsel to immediate reinstate and expand protections for all unfairly fired federal workers.
    • On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined over 200 Democrats in filing an amicus brief defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before a U.S. District Court.
    • On February 26, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed what true government efficiency looks like and denounced Elon Musk and Donald Trump for utilizing DOGE to gut the essential services that keep people safe, fed, and housed.
    • On February 25, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley condemned Elon Musk’s abuse of government efficiency through the fraudulent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
    • On February 25, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she railed against Republicans’ cruel budget resolution that would slash Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion.
    • On February 20, 2025, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
    • On February 13, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley emphasized the critical role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in safeguarding consumers and sharply criticized Donald Trump and Elon Musk for halting the critical work of the agency.
    • On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member Maxine Waters, and advocates to protest Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s unlawful takeover of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
    • On February 11, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley criticized the Trump-Musk administration for halting the critical work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with crypto scams on the rise.
    • On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s harmful cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to support hospitals, universities, and research institutions conducting lifesaving research.
    • On February 10, 2025, as Trump and Musk threaten to dismantle the essential work of the U.S. Department of Education, Rep.  Pressley delivered a powerful floor speech to affirm the role of public education in American democracy.
    • On February 6, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful rebuke of Republicans’ efforts to gut diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and eliminate essential services for vulnerable communities.
    • On February 5, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied outside the U.S. Department of Treasury to protest Elon Musk’s unlawful assault on federal agencies and our democracy.
    • On January 30, 2025, Rep. Pressley slammed Donald Trump for blaming the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport, which killed over 60 people, including some families from Massachusetts, on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
    • In January 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s illegal freeze on federal grants and loans and its harmful impact on vulnerable communities.
    • On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech condemning Republicans’ cruel anti-abortion bill that criminalizes providers and denies families care.
    • On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, a bill to repeal an outdated law that has been used to target innocent immigrants without due process rights.
    • On January 22, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s harmful executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Delia Grace, Professor Food Safety Systems at the Natural Resources Institute (UK) and contributing scientist ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute

    One of the most pressing issues of our time is the wild meat trade. Why? Because it’s consumed by millions and puts billions at risk from emerging diseases. It provides food and income for some of the poorest and most remote communities in Africa and Asia, yet over-exploitation makes ecosystems unstable and threatens the destruction of endangered species.

    In Africa, wild meat hunting is driven mostly by protein and meat scarcity (“the poor man’s meat”). In some regions, like east and south-east Asia, it can be found in restaurants, offered as high-priced exotic delicacies (“the rich man’s status”).

    But consuming wild meat also poses great dangers and challenges. The global wild meat trade can drive biodiversity loss, fuel illegal markets and spread diseases. The wildlife trade and so-called wet markets, where wild animals and wild meat are often sold, are conducive to the emergence of diseases, such as Ebola and HIV, which can be transmitted from animals to people.

    These issues are the focus of a recently released landmark study. It takes a new approach to analysing wild animal exploitation: it focuses on consumption and consumers rather than wild animals or hunting communities.

    Most previous studies on wild meat have been by people who want to stop it, with a handful on its livelihood and nutrition benefits to poor people. Our study, with its focus on consumption, allows us to balance conservation, community development, animal welfare and plague prevention.

    We are specialists in livestock and sustainable development and authors of the report. We worked for over a year to analyse and synthesise wild meat trade with a focus on hotspots in Africa and Asia.

    We argue that, because the wild meat trade is here for the foreseeable future, policymakers and implementers should be looking at: better management of the global wild meat trade, reducing and managing the farming of wild animals, and providing alternatives to consumption of wild meat by poor people.

    We must find a way to balance the benefits and risks of wild meat consumption in a way that protects human health, wildlife welfare, and our environment.

    Importance of wild meat trade

    Drawing on previous studies and a systematic literature review, our report found that the global trade in wild meat is extensive. Annual revenues range from US$1 billion in Africa to US$8-11 billion from illegal trade in south-east Asia to US$74 billion from wildlife farming in China.

    The volume of wild meat consumed is also significant – and often much higher than that of livestock meat. On average, African foragers consume 38kg of wild meat and farmers 16kg per year. The average annual livestock meat consumption per person in Africa is about 16.7kg.

    We found that in at least 60 countries wildlife and wild-caught fish contribute at least 20% of the animal protein in rural household diets. Where poverty is high, wildlife abundant, and affordable domesticated meat and access to markets scarce, many households turn to hunting wild animals.

    Not being harvested sustainably

    Unlike domesticated meat, which comes from just 20 or so animal species, the wild meat trade involves hundreds of species. In Africa about 500 species are hunted, in south-east Asia about 300.

    Current rates of extraction of wild meat are unsustainable, except for some small and fast-reproducing species such as rodents. Ungulates (hoofed animals) generally tend to be the most frequently hunted, followed by large rodents and primates. Near human settlements, larger bodied animals have over time tended to be hunted out and replaced by smaller species (such as duikers and large rodents), which reproduce at faster rates and thus are more sustainably hunted.

    The illegal trade in wild meat is increasingly moving online, with Asia as both a major supplier and consumer. Smuggling intensifies hunting pressure, as wildlife is harvested not only for local needs but also for global markets. There is some evidence of declining extraction rates due to over-hunting, resulting in “empty forests”. While bans can reduce hunting, they may also drive the trade underground.

    Climate change is already driving an increase wild meat extraction by making it harder to grow plants and farm animals. Studies show that in some critical ecosystems, such as the Serengeti in Tanzania, there are rapid declines in wildlife linked to climate change and land-use change.

    Addressing the wild meat challenge

    Moving away from wild meat practices in poorer countries presents a complex challenge.

    Replacing wild protein sources with commercially raised livestock can be prohibitively expensive for low-income households and governments alike. Moreover, it’s estimated that increased livestock production to replace the loss of wild meat could increase deforestation and require some 124,000km² of additional agricultural land.

    Some solutions do exist – but these depend on the context.

    Where wild animal hunting is prevalent, such as the forest margins in Africa and Asia, alternative protein sources could reduce the demand for wild meat by providing sustainable and culturally accepted protein sources. Examples are cane rats, Nile tilapia and African catfish in west and central Africa, cavies (guinea pigs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and bamboo rats in south-east Asia. High-reproducing “mini livestock”, such as rabbits, cane rats, cavies, capybara and giant African snails, can provide household meat in a relatively short period. However, attempts to promote alternative animals have met with little success. We suggest paying people not to hunt or subsidising alternative meat may be more effective and feasible.

    Hundreds of thousands rely on hunting wild animals. Rather than criminalising hunters or trying to turn them into farmers in unsuitable lands, it may make more sense to pay them not to hunt by giving them free or subsidised livestock meat, which they may prefer.

    Promoting disgust triggered by wild meat can be a promising channel, too, for changing consumption behaviours. Societies often, and sometimes quickly, shift from finding “different” meats appealing to finding them appalling. In the UK, for example, offal was eaten by the poor before becoming a fashion-food for the English gentry during the early modern period. Behavioural science can be harnessed to nudge these mind shifts in the right direction.

    This study provides new insights into the wild meat trade. Deeply embedded in human culture, hunting wild animals is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. However, sustainable practices can balance human and ecosystem health and wildlife conservation, ensuring a future where both people and nature thrive.

    – Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade
    – https://theconversation.com/wild-meat-is-eaten-by-millions-but-puts-billions-at-risk-how-to-manage-the-trade-252226

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Homecoming: Emory S. Land returns to Guam

    Source: United States Navy

    NAVAL BASE GUAM – The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) returned to its homeport in Apra Harbor, Guam, April 9th, 2025. Emory S. Land’s arrival marked the completion of its expeditionary submarine tender deployment, which began May 17th, 2024.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Louis Man Admits Fraudulently Obtaining Mortgages Worth More Than $1.2 Million

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday admitted fraudulently obtaining home mortgages totaling more than $1.2 million.

    Edward James Mitchell Jr., also known as Musa Muhammad, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of bank fraud. He admitted participating in four fraudulent home mortgages from October 2021 through November 2023 totaling $1,225,550. Three of the homes are in St. Louis and one is in Florissant. Mitchell’s company, Home Team Solutions LLC, originally purchased the homes. Mitchell pretended to be one of his relatives to purchase two of the homes from his own company, submitting fraudulent mortgage loan applications and false employment and financial information and using his relative’s Social Security number and birthdate, Mitchell’s plea agreement says. He bought another home himself and sold another to his paramour, again submitting false or fraudulent documentation. 

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office believes lending institutions lost $490,946 when Fannie Mae purchased the four home loans. Mitchell’s position is that only two of the loans incurred losses, with a loss amount of $226,950.

    Mitchell, 37, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8. Each bank fraud charge carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine.

    In October 2023, Mitchell legally changed his name to Musa Muhammad.

    The FBI and the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Andover Man Sentenced for Multistate Fentanyl and Cocaine Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A former North Andover man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his participation in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, cocaine and other controlled substances that spanned across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine and Puerto Rico.

    Elvis DeJesus, 34, formerly of North Andover, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 15 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. In June 2024, DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine and other controlled substances. In December 2021, DeJesus was charged along with 20 other individuals.

    In May 2020, an investigation began into a network of Lawrence-based drug traffickers. From December 2020 through December 2021, intercepted communications between targets of the investigation and their associates revealed that the defendants distributed fentanyl and cocaine in and around the Lawrence area. Some of the cocaine was obtained from suppliers in Puerto Rico and shipped to Massachusetts in the U.S. mail.

    Together with other co-defendants, DeJesus operated a wholesale fentanyl and cocaine distribution businesses until approximately August 2021, when he was arrested on state firearms charges. In February 2021, $75,930 was seized from co-defendant Luis Martinez after Martinez had collected drug proceeds from DeJesus outside of DeJesus’s residence. In April 2021, a package sent from Puerto Rico to DeJesus’s residence that contained 978 grams of cocaine was also seized. In March 2021, 200 grams of cocaine supplied by DeJesus from co-defendant Othoniel Lara Gonzalez was also seized.  

    After DeJesus’s arrest on the state firearms charges, he was detained in state custody. DeJesus continued to operate his drug distribution business from jail. In November 2021, over 500 grams of fentanyl and over 100 grams of cocaine that co-defendant William Rivadeneira was transporting on DeJesus’s behalf was seized. Prior to the seizure, DeJesus was intercepted chastising Rivadeneira for not having taken adequate precautions while preparing the fentanyl for distribution, telling him, “[Y]ou can get an overdose.”

    In November 2021, DeJesus and his co-conspirators paid co-defendant Gregorit Sanchez, a former Corrections Officer at Middleton House of Corrections where DeJesus was then detained, to smuggle a package containing fentanyl, cocaine, Suboxone and other contraband into the jail. The package was seized from Sanchez when he attempted to enter the jail.

    In February 2025, Luis Martinez was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In January 2023, Othoniel Lara Gonzalez was sentenced to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. William Rivadeneira pleaded guilty in March 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22, 2025. In June 2024, Gregorit Sanchez was sentenced to five years’ probation with the first year to be served on home detention.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Lawrence Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Massachusetts State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Ferguson and J. Mackenzie Duane prosecuted the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BAR Technologies Announces Wind Propulsion Strategy Amid Geopolitical Setbacks at IMO Talks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Portsmouth, Hampshire , April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BAR Technologies, a leading developer of wind propulsion solutions for the maritime sector, today announced a strategic wind propulsion initiative in response to mounting geopolitical tensions at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) climate talks. The announcement follows the United States’ formal withdrawal from emissions negotiations, prompting BAR Technologies to call on the global shipping industry to accelerate the adoption of proven, scalable decarbonisation technologies.

    John Cooper CEO BAR Technologies

    As reported by TradeWinds yesterday (8 April), the Trump administration has formally withdrawn the United States from climate policy negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), raising the stakes for international shipping’s decarbonisation efforts. BAR Technologies today issued a call for the global maritime sector to double down on credible, proven solutions such as wind propulsion, in light of the growing uncertainty around global emissions policy.

    The withdrawal, confirmed via diplomatic communication to other IMO delegations, expressed strong opposition to the economic measures under discussion, including the proposed levy on greenhouse gas emissions and a mandatory fuel standard. The US statement described the IMO’s net zero ambitions as economically burdensome and reliant on what it characterised as “unproven fuels” while warning of potential retaliatory measures against any charges imposed on US-flagged vessels.

    Reacting to these developments, BAR Technologies’ CEO John Cooper stressed that the industry must not allow political turbulence to derail progress towards shipping’s climate goals. He stated that wind propulsion remains an essential, deployable technology that can provide immediate and scalable emissions reductions, regardless of the regulatory headwinds.

    “This latest development only sharpens the industry’s need to prioritise solutions that are already available and proven in operation,” Cooper said. “Wind propulsion is a tried and tested method of reducing fuel consumption and emissions. It is inherently zero-emission, freely available, and requires no external supply chain. With WindWings®, we’ve demonstrated that wind-assisted propulsion solution is not a theoretical concept but a working solution that can deliver commercial and environmental benefits right now.”

    BAR Technologies has long championed wind as a central pillar of shipping’s decarbonisation strategy, particularly as fuel markets remain volatile and regulatory alignment proves difficult. With vessels already operating with WindWings® installed, the company believes the maritime sector has a clear opportunity to take ownership of its decarbonisation pathway, using technologies that are resilient to the kind of geopolitical shifts currently playing out on the global stage.

    As the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee continues its high-stakes negotiations this week in London, BAR Technologies urges policymakers and industry leaders alike to acknowledge the unique potential of wind propulsion, not only as a bridge to cleaner fuels but as a cornerstone of energy transition in its own right.

    Wind remains the only energy source that can be captured and used directly onboard a ship without mining, refining, bunkering, or storing. In a time when consensus is difficult and timelines are tight, wind propulsion stands out as an immediate, inclusive and scalable solution.

    WindWings® are built on BAR Technologies’ patented three-element wing design, delivering 2.5 times more lift than traditional single-element configurations, reducing CO2 emissions by an average of 4.7t per day per wing This advanced design provides greater thrust and adaptability, enabling consistent performance across global trade routes. By unlocking the full potential of wind, a limitless, natural and zero-emission resource, WindWings® elevate wind from a supplementary aid to a primary propulsion method, offering ship operators a practical and immediate pathway to reduce fossil fuel dependency while enhancing operational resilience.

    About BAR Technologies

    With an impressive heritage, having spun out of Great Britain’s former America’s Cup Team, BAR Technologies provides a wide range of design and engineering consultancy services across commercial ships, workboats, leisure boats, and engineered solutions. The company boasts a team of world-leading naval architects, optimisation specialists, fluid dynamists, and system engineers, all focused on delivering next-generation maritime technology. BAR Technologies patented three-element wing design is unique in the marketplace, delivering 2.5 times the lift of a single-element wing. Unlike conventional wind-assisted propulsion systems, WindWings® require no continuous power for suction fans or mechanical spinning. They automatically adjust camber and angle of attack for optimised efficiency, offering a proven, scalable solution for emissions reduction.

    Press inquiries

    BAR Technologies
    https://www.bartechnologies.uk/
    Tom James
    sue@imageline.co.uk
    07770755201
    The Camber, East Street,
    Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2JJ

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Signs SB 4 into Law, Securing Missouri’s Energy Future and Economic Growth

    Source: US State of Missouri

    APRIL 9, 2025

    Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill (SB) 4 into law, taking a major step forward in strengthening Missouri’s energy infrastructure and supporting long-term economic development.

    “With this legislation, Missouri is well-positioned to attract new industry, support job growth, and maintain affordable, reliable energy for our citizens,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “This is about powering Missouri for Missourians and not relying on other states and countries to produce our power. This legislation strengthens our economic development opportunities, helps secure our energy independence, and provides consumer protections to build a resilient energy future for generations to come.”

    The legislation is designed to respond to skyrocketing energy demand and outdated energy policy, introducing vital reforms to ensure Missouri can meet its growing electricity needs and includes some of the strongest consumer protections in the nation. SB 4, sponsored by Senator Mike Cierpiot and Representative Josh Hurlbert, includes the following provisions:

    • “Watt for Watt”: Requires utilities to replace current capacity with dispatchable sources of energy prior to decommissioning an existing power plant, ensuring Missouri continues to have reliable power generation resources.
    • Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) Accounting: Incentivizes new power generation facilities and reduces financing costs, saving Missourians money in the long run and expanding Missouri’s electrical grid capacity.
    • Plant in Service Accounting (PISA): Allows utilities to recover certain depreciation expenses from new natural gas power plants over a 20-year period, incentivizing the construction of new power generation facilities and helping to avoid rate shocks for consumers.
    • Hot and Cold Weather Rule: Extends the disconnection grace period during extreme weather from 24 to 72 hours to protect vulnerable customers.
    • Special Residential Customers Rates: Authorizes the Public Service Commission (PSC) to create tailored utility rates for seniors, low-income families, and other overly burdened customers.
    • Advanced Meters and Time-of-Use Rates: Provides residential customers the option whether to participate in time-of-use rates or advanced meters programs.
    • Lowering of the Revenue Requirement Impact Cap: Places stricter limits on recoverable deferred costs to help keep utility rates in check.

    The bill’s significance is further emphasized by the Missouri’s recent selection by the National Governor’s Association and the U.S. Department of Energy to convene an in-state nuclear summit, underscoring Missouri’s commitment to develop new reliable energy.

    For more information on SB 4, click here. To view photos from the bill signing, click this link.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Phillips 66 Sets the Record Straight on Gregory J. Goff’s Relationship with Elliott Management

    Source: Phillips

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) (the “Company”) today responded to a letter released by Gregory J. Goff to Phillips 66 Shareholders. The Board of Phillips 66 has issued the following statement:
    “Gregory Goff is clearly affiliated with Elliott Management. As of this morning, he remains featured as CEO of Amber Energy, an entity that Elliott has backed in its bid for Citgo, a Phillips 66 competitor. This important and obvious fact about a clear conflict of interest was never mentioned in Mr. Goff’s communication and is plainly misleading to shareholders. The notion he is an investor independent of Elliott is obviously false. This stunt reflects Elliott’s growing desperation to convince real investors to support its shortsighted, rushed breakup of Phillips 66. We will continue to engage with all investors on the facts and remain confident that those investors value the reliable $43 billion1 dollars of value we have returned through volatile market cycles.”
    About Phillips 66
    Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is a leading integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn.
    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to Phillips 66’s operations, strategy and performance. Words such as “anticipated,” “committed,” “estimated,” “expected,” “planned,” “scheduled,” “targeted,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “objective,” “goal,” “project,” “efforts,” “strategies” and similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on management’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the date they are made. These statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, and you should not unduly rely on them as they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: changes in governmental policies or laws that relate to our operations, including regulations that seek to limit or restrict refining, marketing and midstream operations or regulate profits, pricing, or taxation of our products or feedstocks, or other regulations that restrict feedstock imports or product exports; our ability to timely obtain or maintain permits necessary for projects; fluctuations in NGL, crude oil, refined petroleum, renewable fuels and natural gas prices, and refining, marketing and petrochemical margins; the effects of any widespread public health crisis and its negative impact on commercial activity and demand for refined petroleum or renewable fuels products; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect programs including the renewable fuel standards program, low carbon fuel standards and tax credits for renewable fuels; potential liability from pending or future litigation; liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations under existing or future environmental regulations; unexpected changes in costs for constructing, modifying or operating our facilities; our ability to successfully complete, or any material delay in the completion of, any asset disposition, acquisition, shutdown or conversion that we have announced or may pursue, including receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals or permits related thereto; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, refining or transporting our products; the level and success of drilling and production volumes around our midstream assets; risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions of actual or potential competitive suppliers and transporters of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels or specialty products; lack of, or disruptions in, adequate and reliable transportation for our products; failure to complete construction of capital projects on time or within budget; our ability to comply with governmental regulations or make capital expenditures to maintain compliance with laws; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets, which may also impact our ability to repurchase shares and declare and pay dividends; potential disruption of our operations due to accidents, weather events, including as a result of climate change, acts of terrorism or cyberattacks; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities (such as the Russia-Ukraine war), expropriation of assets, and other diplomatic developments; international monetary conditions and exchange controls; changes in estimates or projections used to assess fair value of intangible assets, goodwill and property and equipment and/or strategic decisions with respect to our asset portfolio that cause impairment charges; investments required, or reduced demand for products, as a result of environmental rules and regulations; changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations (including alternative energy mandates); political and societal concerns about climate change that could result in changes to our business or increase expenditures, including litigation-related expenses; the operation, financing and distribution decisions of equity affiliates we do not control; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Phillips 66’s businesses generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Phillips 66 is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    Additional Information
    On April 8, 2025, Phillips 66 filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and its solicitation of proxies for Phillips 66’s director nominees and for other matters to be voted on. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Phillips 66 has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with any solicitation by Phillips 66. PHILLIPS 66 SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT SOLICITATION MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain copies of the Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and other documents (including the WHITE proxy card) filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Phillips 66’s investor relations website at https://investor.phillips66.com or upon written request sent to Phillips 66, 2331 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, TX 77042, Attention: Investor Relations.
    Certain Information Regarding Participants
    Phillips 66, its directors, its director nominees and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Phillips 66 shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of such persons and their respective interests in Phillips 66, by securities holdings or otherwise, is available in the Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 8, 2025, including in the sections captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Phillips 66 Securities” and “Appendix C: Supplemental Information Regarding Participants in the Solicitation.” To the extent that Phillips 66’s directors and executive officers who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation have acquired or disposed of securities holdings since the applicable “as of” date disclosed in the Proxy Statement, such transactions have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Ownership of Securities on Form 4 or Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
    1 Shareholder distribution through dividends paid on common stock and repurchases of common stock.

    Source: Phillips 66

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Delia Grace, Professor Food Safety Systems at the Natural Resources Institute (UK) and contributing scientist ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute

    One of the most pressing issues of our time is the wild meat trade. Why? Because it’s consumed by millions and puts billions at risk from emerging diseases. It provides food and income for some of the poorest and most remote communities in Africa and Asia, yet over-exploitation makes ecosystems unstable and threatens the destruction of endangered species.

    In Africa, wild meat hunting is driven mostly by protein and meat scarcity (“the poor man’s meat”). In some regions, like east and south-east Asia, it can be found in restaurants, offered as high-priced exotic delicacies (“the rich man’s status”).

    But consuming wild meat also poses great dangers and challenges. The global wild meat trade can drive biodiversity loss, fuel illegal markets and spread diseases. The wildlife trade and so-called wet markets, where wild animals and wild meat are often sold, are conducive to the emergence of diseases, such as Ebola and HIV, which can be transmitted from animals to people.

    These issues are the focus of a recently released landmark study. It takes a new approach to analysing wild animal exploitation: it focuses on consumption and consumers rather than wild animals or hunting communities.

    Most previous studies on wild meat have been by people who want to stop it, with a handful on its livelihood and nutrition benefits to poor people. Our study, with its focus on consumption, allows us to balance conservation, community development, animal welfare and plague prevention.

    We are specialists in livestock and sustainable development and authors of the report. We worked for over a year to analyse and synthesise wild meat trade with a focus on hotspots in Africa and Asia.

    We argue that, because the wild meat trade is here for the foreseeable future, policymakers and implementers should be looking at: better management of the global wild meat trade, reducing and managing the farming of wild animals, and providing alternatives to consumption of wild meat by poor people.

    We must find a way to balance the benefits and risks of wild meat consumption in a way that protects human health, wildlife welfare, and our environment.

    Importance of wild meat trade

    Drawing on previous studies and a systematic literature review, our report found that the global trade in wild meat is extensive. Annual revenues range from US$1 billion in Africa to US$8-11 billion from illegal trade in south-east Asia to US$74 billion from wildlife farming in China.

    The volume of wild meat consumed is also significant – and often much higher than that of livestock meat. On average, African foragers consume 38kg of wild meat and farmers 16kg per year. The average annual livestock meat consumption per person in Africa is about 16.7kg.

    We found that in at least 60 countries wildlife and wild-caught fish contribute at least 20% of the animal protein in rural household diets. Where poverty is high, wildlife abundant, and affordable domesticated meat and access to markets scarce, many households turn to hunting wild animals.

    Not being harvested sustainably

    Unlike domesticated meat, which comes from just 20 or so animal species, the wild meat trade involves hundreds of species. In Africa about 500 species are hunted, in south-east Asia about 300.

    Current rates of extraction of wild meat are unsustainable, except for some small and fast-reproducing species such as rodents. Ungulates (hoofed animals) generally tend to be the most frequently hunted, followed by large rodents and primates. Near human settlements, larger bodied animals have over time tended to be hunted out and replaced by smaller species (such as duikers and large rodents), which reproduce at faster rates and thus are more sustainably hunted.

    The illegal trade in wild meat is increasingly moving online, with Asia as both a major supplier and consumer. Smuggling intensifies hunting pressure, as wildlife is harvested not only for local needs but also for global markets. There is some evidence of declining extraction rates due to over-hunting, resulting in “empty forests”. While bans can reduce hunting, they may also drive the trade underground.

    Climate change is already driving an increase wild meat extraction by making it harder to grow plants and farm animals. Studies show that in some critical ecosystems, such as the Serengeti in Tanzania, there are rapid declines in wildlife linked to climate change and land-use change.

    Addressing the wild meat challenge

    Moving away from wild meat practices in poorer countries presents a complex challenge.

    Replacing wild protein sources with commercially raised livestock can be prohibitively expensive for low-income households and governments alike. Moreover, it’s estimated that increased livestock production to replace the loss of wild meat could increase deforestation and require some 124,000km² of additional agricultural land.

    Some solutions do exist – but these depend on the context.

    Where wild animal hunting is prevalent, such as the forest margins in Africa and Asia, alternative protein sources could reduce the demand for wild meat by providing sustainable and culturally accepted protein sources. Examples are cane rats, Nile tilapia and African catfish in west and central Africa, cavies (guinea pigs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and bamboo rats in south-east Asia. High-reproducing “mini livestock”, such as rabbits, cane rats, cavies, capybara and giant African snails, can provide household meat in a relatively short period. However, attempts to promote alternative animals have met with little success. We suggest paying people not to hunt or subsidising alternative meat may be more effective and feasible.

    Hundreds of thousands rely on hunting wild animals. Rather than criminalising hunters or trying to turn them into farmers in unsuitable lands, it may make more sense to pay them not to hunt by giving them free or subsidised livestock meat, which they may prefer.

    Promoting disgust triggered by wild meat can be a promising channel, too, for changing consumption behaviours. Societies often, and sometimes quickly, shift from finding “different” meats appealing to finding them appalling. In the UK, for example, offal was eaten by the poor before becoming a fashion-food for the English gentry during the early modern period. Behavioural science can be harnessed to nudge these mind shifts in the right direction.

    This study provides new insights into the wild meat trade. Deeply embedded in human culture, hunting wild animals is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. However, sustainable practices can balance human and ecosystem health and wildlife conservation, ensuring a future where both people and nature thrive.

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

    – ref. Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade – https://theconversation.com/wild-meat-is-eaten-by-millions-but-puts-billions-at-risk-how-to-manage-the-trade-252226

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Changing the Eurocentric narrative about the history of science – why multiculturalism matters

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Karen K. Christensen-Dalsgaard, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University

    An illustration by the medieval Islamic scholar Abu Rayhan al-Biruni depicting the phases of the moon in relation to the Sun. (Wikimedia Commons)
    The medieval Islamic mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al Haytham (965 – c. 1040) lived in Cairo, Egypt, during the Islamic golden Age and is considered the father of optics.
    (Wikimedia Commons), CC BY

    In the 11th century in Cairo, the foundations for modern science were laid through the detention of an innocent man.

    The mathematician Abu Ali al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham had been tasked with regulating the flow of the Nile, but when he saw the river that had shaped 4,000 years of human civilization, the hubris of the task became all too obvious.

    To avoid the wrath of the Fatimid caliph in Egypt, Ibn al-Haytham supposedly feigned madness and was placed under house arrest, giving him time to focus on optics.

    In doing so, he developed a scientific method based on controlled, reproducible experiments and mathematics. This would not only change humanity’s understanding of optics and how our eyes actually see, but also later lay the foundations for empirical science in Europe.

    When I started teaching the history of biology, the importance of this pivotal period of scientific history was often diminished in western analysis of science history. Studying the contributions of non-western scholars has shown me what history can teach us about the value of multiculturalism.

    A video from The Smithsonian explaining Ibn al-Haytham’s experiments with light.



    Read more:
    Explainer: what Western civilisation owes to Islamic cultures

    A Eurocentric version of history

    The story typically told in the West is that science was invented in ancient Greece and then, following close to a millennium of intellectual darkness, developed in Western Europe over the past 500 years.

    Other cultures might have contributed a clever trick here or there, like inventing paper or creating our modern number system, but science as we know it was developed almost entirely by white men. As such it becomes a story of superiority, one that demands gratitude.

    The scars of this way of thinking are all over our geopolitical landscape. It shapes how many western leaders interact with other cultures, apparently entitling them to share their intellectual authority without needing to listen to others. It is a mindset that belittles other civilizations and led to centuries of colonial violence.

    This Eurocentric version of scientific history omits some of the most important events that shaped modern thinking. Science was not developed so much by individuals but by a highly complex global process that brought together ideas, lived experiences and approaches from all major civilizations.

    The Plimpton 322 clay tablet, with each row of the table relating to a Pythagorean triple, is believed to have been written in Babylonia around 1800 BCE, around 1,000 years before the Greek mathematician Pythagoras was born.
    (Wikimedia Commons)



    Read more:
    What was the first thing scientists discovered? A historian makes the case for Babylonian astronomy

    Ancient Greek scholarship, for instance, was indeed instrumental in developing science, but it was not inherently western. The Greek empire spanned much of the Mediterranean region and the Black Sea. Scholars travelled extensively, and the centres of scholarship drifted over time from Ionia in present-day Turkey, for example, to Athens to Alexandria in Egypt.

    Greek natural philosophy was influenced by the mathematical and astronomical achievements of the Babylonians and the medical traditions of the Egyptians. Later, Alexandrian scholars made great advances in human anatomy when they overcame the Greek aversion to dissections, likely because of Egyptian influences. Natural philosophy was born from the merger of these scholarly traditions.



    Read more:
    Why are algorithms called algorithms? A brief history of the Persian polymath you’ve likely never heard of

    Importance of testing ideas

    Similarly, Ibn al-Haytham was one of thousands of scholars who, during the golden age of Islam, were engaged in the immense task of translating, combining and developing the world’s knowledge into great encyclopedic texts. They admired Indian and Chinese scholarship and technology but revered the ancient Greeks.

    While the Greeks had an impressive greatness of mind, they had largely shunned the idea of experiments and believed that developing instruments was the job of slaves.

    Many Arab scholars, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of experimentally testing ideas and developed scientific and surgical instruments that allowed for significant advances.

    The opening page from Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine.
    (Yale University Medical Historical Library)

    Arguably, Arab scholars built the foundations for modern science by developing a method for controlled experimentation and applying it to Greek scholarship combined with knowledge and technologies from all accessible parts of the world.

    Later, Latin translations of the Arabic texts would allow science to grow in the West from the intellectual ashes of medieval Catholicism. Texts like Ibn Sina’s Qānūn fī al-ṭibb (Canon of medicine) would become standard textbooks throughout Europe for hundreds of years.

    Ibn Al-Haytham inspired scholars like Roger Bacon to work toward European implementation of the scientific method. This would ultimately lead to Europe’s scientific revolution.



    Read more:
    Avicenna: the Persian polymath who shaped modern science, medicine and philosophy

    Importance of intercultural exchange

    Great civilizations existed all over the world in the beginning of the 16th century, in Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and East Asia. Most had scholarship that was superior to the West’s in at least some respects. Arguably, the most valuable thing Europeans took from the rest of the world was knowledge.

    The first vaccine, for instance, was based on variolation techniques developed in China, India and the Islamic world. People were inoculated against smallpox by blowing powdered scabs up their noses or rubbing pus into shallow cuts.

    Europeans believed that diseases were caused by bad air (miasma) and so did not initially trust this technique. It only became widespread in Europe and North America after English aristocrat Lady Montagu saw its efficacy firsthand in Constantinople in the early 18th century and advocated that it be tested in England.

    A vaccine developed by English physician Edward Jenner 80 years later was simply the well-known variolation technique made much safer by inoculating with cowpox instead.

    The importance of intercultural exchanges should not be surprising. Scientific data and observations are ideally objective, but the questions we ask and the conclusions we draw will always be subjective, shaped by our prior knowledge, beliefs and past experiences. Different cultures can help each other see beyond their inherent biases and grow beyond the intellectual constraints of individual approaches.

    In her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, Potawatomi botanist and writer Robin Wall Kimmerer gives a beautiful example of this in the context of how Indigenous approaches can inform modern science.

    One of Canada’s greatest gifts is our diversity. Here, cultures from across the world come together, forming a multiplicity of minds that is well positioned to solve the problems of our world. However, this only has value if we can connect and learn from each other. When we advocate for a diversity of ideas in curricula, both nationally and abroad, we are promoting a future built on the knowledge of people and cultures from around the world.

    There is nothing more intimately personal than the thoughts in your head, and yet you did not conceive them. They are a continuation of knowledge and ideas that for thousands of years have travelled the globe, shaped by countless minds from all civilizations. In a time of seemingly growing division, that is a thought that ought to bring us all together.

    Karen K. Christensen-Dalsgaard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Changing the Eurocentric narrative about the history of science – why multiculturalism matters – https://theconversation.com/changing-the-eurocentric-narrative-about-the-history-of-science-why-multiculturalism-matters-252884

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim’s Bipartisan Uyghur Policy Act Passes Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Uyghur Policy Act (H.R. 2635), led by Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Ami Bera (CA- 06), chairwoman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, as well as Committee Ranking Member Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-05),  to help the United States take concrete steps to support Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities subject to unthinkable atrocities by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 

    Watch Rep. Kim speak in support of the bill in today’s markup HERE.

    This bipartisan bill would create a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to raise international awareness of the persecution of Uyghurs at home and abroad, direct the State Department to effectively respond to human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and push back on CCP efforts to silence Uyghur voices.  

    The Uyghur Policy Act would:

    • Coordinate U.S. Efforts by designating the Secretary of State to oversee Uyghur human rights-related policies and programs that preserve Uyghurs’ ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic identities.
    • Empower human rights advocates working on behalf of Uyghurs and minorities persecuted by the CCP.
    • Force the CCP to End Crackdowns against Uyghurs by increasing accountability to human rights organizations and developing a strategy to close detention facilities and political reeducation camps.
    • Support the Uyghur Diaspora by addressing transnational repression and creating reporting mechanisms for Uyghur victims.

    The Uyghur Policy Act passed the House in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner in the 117th and 118th Congresses.

    “Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang are victims of the CCP’s genocidal campaign and subject to silencing, detention, torture, and brainwashing simply because of their identity. By staying silent, we become complicit,” said Rep. Young Kim, Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. “The Uyghur Policy Act provides the U.S. with the necessary tools to defend the basic human rights and unique identities of those facing inhumane treatment. I thank my House Foreign Affairs Committee for supporting this effort, and I will relentlessly stand against the CCP’s abuses and push for freedom and human rights around the world.”

    “The PRC’s ongoing repression of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang is a moral outrage that demands a clear and coordinated international response,” said Representative Ami Bera (CA-06). “The Uyghur Policy Act sends a strong, bipartisan message that the United States stands against genocide, forced labor and transnational repression. I am proud to support this legislation, which strengthens our ability to hold the PRC accountable and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to human rights. America must continue to lead with our values — standing up for religious freedom, cultural identity and the dignity of all people.”

    “America must be vocal about human rights everywhere. This bill will help hold Beijing accountable for its genocide in Xinjiang and ensure that the United States is supporting Uyghurs and other minorities who face PRC atrocities at home and repression abroad,” said Ranking Member Meeks.

    “The Uyghur Policy Act enhances the United States’ ability to confront the CCP’s genocide in the Uyghur region and address transnational repression beyond China’s borders. It is a strategic necessity that supports Uyghurs globally while challenging the international community to uphold the values it claims to defend. We are especially moved that the bill names Dr. Gulshan Abbas, my innocent sister, whose unjust imprisonment, along with that of countless others, exemplifies the repression this legislation seeks to end.” – Rushan Abbas, Founder and Executive Director, Campaign for Uyghurs.

    “Congresswoman Young Kim’s bill is a beacon of hope for Uyghurs. Our people are suffering unbearable torments under a deliberate genocide,” said Omer Kanat, executive director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP). “We urge the Congress to move quickly to pass the Uyghur Policy Act into law.”

    “Now more than ever it is critical to provide tools and guidance for the United States government to take effective action in coordination with allies to address this ongoing genocide. The provisions of this legislation are a powerful framework to do just that and we are thankful for Congresswoman Kim’s dedicated leadership on these issues,” said Julie Millsap, Government Relations Manager, No Business With Genocide

    “Without leadership from the United States on the Uyghur issue, and in particular on the issue of access to detention facilities and the release of prisoners, it is very difficult for the international community to make progress on a wide breadth of human rights-related concerns. We appreciate this legislation as a means of advancing efforts in support of a global rules-based order which respects the dignity of each and every person and thank Congresswoman Kim for her leadership. We encourage policymakers to move the bill through committee swiftly and hope to see it passed into law soon,” said Emily Upson, Program Coordinator, Wild Pigeon Collective

    “This vital legislation ensures that the plight of the Uyghur people remains a priority in U.S. foreign policy. As American Muslims, we cannot turn a blind eye to such grave injustice. As President of the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, I commend Congresswoman Young Kim for her steadfast leadership in reintroducing the Uyghur Policy Act. This is a meaningful step toward accountability and justice, and we strongly urge bipartisan support for its swift passage,” said Anila Ali, President, American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Coons Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Veteran Access to Suicide Prevention Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – When Congress passed the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, it authorized several new programs designed to improve veterans’ access to mental health care. Among the provisions, the bill established the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) to reduce veteran suicide through a community-based approach. 

    While the SSG Fox SPGP authorized $174 million to be appropriated for Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year 2025, neither North Dakota nor Delaware, or entities serving these states, have received any funding. 

    To address this shortcoming, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the bipartisan Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act to provide for priority consideration of SSG Fox SPGP applications to entities in states which have not previously received a grant.

    “Veterans across North Dakota and the nation bravely served our country and have been promised timely access to mental healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Cramer. “Our bipartisan bill provides a practical fix to ensure North Dakota veterans receive suicide prevention support if they need it.”

    “We have a duty to support those who have volunteered to serve in our armed forces, and no aid is more urgent than helping our veterans at risk of suicide,” said Coons. “Until now, Delaware has missed out on critical funds to address veterans’ mental health and suicide risk despite the amazing organizations in the First State ready to expand their reach. This bill rights that wrong so that more Delaware veterans who have risked their lives to keep us safe will receive the life-saving support they deserve when they come home.”

    The legislation is supported by several organizations, including the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA), American Legion Department of North Dakota, Disabled American Veterans Department of North Dakota, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of North Dakota.

    “Thank you, Senator Cramer, for leading this legislation,” said Lonnie Wangen, Commissioner of NDDVA. “Highly rural states such as North Dakota face a unique challenge in serving our most vulnerable veterans. NDDVA considers suicide prevention the most important and difficult task we are facing. Two words that need to stop being used together are “veteran” and “suicide.” We need all the partners and resources available and appreciate any help we can get in this critical mission.”

     Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse Reintroduce Bill to Expand Sarvis Creek Wilderness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, along with Representative Joe Neguse, reintroduced the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act to expand the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area in the Routt National Forest by 6,817 acres, protecting sub-alpine wilderness habitats and wildlife while preserving access to outdoor recreation. 

    “Coloradans love the Sarvis Creek Wilderness,” said Hickenlooper. “It’s home to stunning landscapes, recreation opportunities, and wildlife. Let’s expand and protect it.”

    “Colorado’s public lands are the cornerstone of our Western way of life, and for decades, this Northwest Colorado landscape has deserved further protection,” said Bennet. “Local elected officials and outdoor recreation, agriculture, water, and environmental leaders came together to craft this bill that protects critical watersheds, enhances wildlife habitats, and safeguards outdoor exploration for Coloradans. I look forward to getting this important legislation across the finish line for our state.”

    “I’m proud to join Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet in reintroducing legislation that would expand the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area in the Routt National Forest by more than 6,000 acres, advancing the preservation of our public lands, protecting local wildlife, and providing increased access to outdoor recreation,” said Neguse.

    Specifically, this legislation:

    • Fulfills the community’s vision for the entire Sarvis Creek wilderness area by adding 6,817 acres on to the existing 44,556 acres, which had originally been excluded due to a previously-proposed plan to develop a ski area.
    • Extends wilderness protection to the Harrison and Green Creek watersheds—rare, pristine sub-alpine regions that feed into the Yampa River, safeguarding aquatic resources and preserving water quality.
    • Protects winter range and spring calving areas for elk that inhabit the area, in addition to habitat for other native Colorado wildlife and fish species.
    • Provides easy public access from Steamboat Springs and Stagecoach for low impact recreation—including hunting, fishing, back-country skiing and hiking.

    Full text of the legislation is available HERE.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Now is the time to generate growth together with India

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Now is the time to generate growth together with India

    £400m of trade and investment wins from UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue set to boost the British economy.

    • £400m of trade and investment wins set to boost the British economy and deliver economic growth and security for working people.
    • Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces joint statement unlocking cooperation across a range of business sectors.
    • Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Minister Sitharaman bring together key business leaders from both the UK and India to drive economic growth.

    £400m of trade and investment wins are set to boost the British economy and deliver economic growth and security for working people as the government vows to back British business through uncertain global times.

    Today (Wednesday 09 April), the Chancellor took part in the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), marking a significant moment in unlocking opportunities as the two countries look to strengthen economic ties and secure a Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty.

    Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    In a changing world, it is imperative we go further and faster to kickstart economic growth. We have listened to British businesses, which is why we’re negotiating trade deals with countries across the world, including India, so we can support them and put more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

    Our relationship with India is longstanding and broad and I am delighted with the progress made throughout this dialogue to develop it further.

    Today’s EFD was Chancellor Reeves’ first with India. It saw the signing of a joint statement unlocking cooperation across a range of business sectors, including defence, financial services, education and development, and strengthened governmental collaboration across growth, economic resilience and international financial issues.

    The government is working to make Britain the best country in the world to do business, already bringing in more stability, offering an open trading economy and creating the right conditions for investment.

    At the London Stock Exchange today, the Chancellor and her Indian counterpart set out plans to generate growth, improve our Financial Services ties and deepen policy cooperation on the UK Industrial Strategy, tax, sustainable finance and illicit finance.

    The total commercial package from this dialogue is made up of new announcements worth £128m in export deals and investments, as well as recent deals worth £271m. This includes:

    • Paytm, India’s largest digital payment app, announced plans to invest in the UK to accelerate access to affordable digital payments and credit for small businesses.
    • Barclays Bank PLC India announced on 18 March a further capital injection of over £210M into its Indian operations, affirming its long-term commitment to India. This capital investment will grow its businesses across the Investment and Private Banking in India. 
    • HSBC Bank will expand its presence from the current 14 cities to 34 cities in India. This significant expansion will enable the bank to cover approximately 95% of India’s wealth market, reinforcing their commitment to India. 
    • Standard Chartered Bank today announced that it has shifted to larger office premises at GIFT City, reinforcing its long-term commitment to India’s premier international financial services hub.
    • Mphasis, an Indian tech business, are setting up a quantum centre of excellence in London and exploring an office in Nottingham which will support 100 jobs.
    • British International Investment Plc (BII) is committing $10m to the agritech start up, Grow Indigo, to pilot an innovative carbon credit programme to promote regenerative agricultural practices in India. 
    • WNS, a global digital-led business transformation services company founded in India with a $2.7bn market cap, will expand their London HQ presence with a new office and open a state-of-the-art AI design hub to expand the UK’s AI and digital talent pool to drive growth and create jobs.
    • Revolut announced that they are gearing up for launch in India later this year, following authorisation this week from Reserve Bank of India.
    • UK firm Wise announces plans to open a new office in Hyderabad, India as part of broader mission to transform the trillion-pound international money movement market.
    • Prudential’s announcement of launching their first fully owned global services hub in Bengaluru and third joint venture in India establishing a standalone health insurance business.
    • British International Investment invest $15m investment in vehicle dedicated to investing in India based on inclusion-focused early-stage companies.
    • The UK welcomes India paving the way to allow Indian companies to list internationally and exploring listing at the London Stock Exchange. The India-UK Financial Partnership published its report ‘Catalysing Bilateral Growth: Connecting India and the UK’s Equity Capital Markets report’. The report aims to lay the foundation for advancing capital account connectivity and strengthening confidence in both markets and will be presented following the EFD.
    • Coventry University announced today that it is set to become the first English university to be granted a licence to open a campus in India, as UK universities are being granted licences to open a campus in India’s new GIFT city. And the London School of Economics announced that Tata Trusts is continuing its enduring partnership with LSE by awarding a Corpus Grant to support scholarships for Indian students at the School.
    • Agreement for both sides to continue excellent collaboration as co-chairs of the G20’s Framework Working Group and to work closely together to promote discussion and build consensus around responses to risks to the global macroeconomic outlook. 
    • New ambitions set for joint investments in green enterprises, tech start-ups and climate adaptation building on the success of the UK-India Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF).

    Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds and Minister Sitharaman also today hosted a business roundtable, bringing together key leaders from the financial and professional business services sectors including Tide, HSBC, Aviva, Vodafone, WNS, and Mizuho International. Attendees recognised the strength of the economic relationship between the UK and India, as well as the opportunity for closer collaboration – including through an ambitious trade deal.

    Areas for collaboration on defence were also identified, as both sides looked forward to the finalisation of the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap, set to strengthen ties between industrial sectors and integrate supply chains.

    Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds said: 

    I was delighted to meet with Minister Sitharaman, hear from businesses, and discuss how we can strengthen the strong economic bonds between our two nations.

    Both the UK and India are committed to delivering economic growth and giving businesses the confidence and stability they need to expand. 

    That is why we are continuing to negotiate towards an ambitious trade deal that unlocks opportunities both at home and abroad for British businesses and supports our Plan for Change.

    The UK and India have strong economic, cultural, and education links, with India being a key trading partner for the UK with over £40bn worth of UK-India trade last year alone. The UK’s long-standing programme of EFDs with India is the critical forum to deliver continuous economic gains over time.

    The EFD follows a recent visit to Delhi by Jonathan Reynolds, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which relaunched UK-India trade negotiations.

    Keshav R. Murugesh, Group CEO, WNS said:

    The UK and India stand as natural partners, and this re-energized trade and investment relationship marks a pivotal stride in our already strong alliance. The potential before us is immense. By formalizing our collaboration in pioneering fields like AI, we will not only fuel innovation and generate high-skilled jobs in both our nations, but also solidify our joint leadership in this transformative era. This is indeed a thrilling chapter for the UK-India partnership.

    Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered said:

    In the face of global developments, it is imperative that we think creatively and act in partnership. The UK and India’s focus on strengthening financial ties and deepening cooperation between our governments, regulators, industry leaders and experts, plays an important role in driving economic progress, setting global benchmarks for stability and innovation and paving the way for greater trade and investment in both countries.

    The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Alastair King, 

    We had a highly constructive discussion with Hon. Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and The Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds, joined by leaders from across the financial services sector. There is a strong, shared commitment to deepen our economic partnership and drive greater prosperity—particularly in key areas such as green finance, infrastructure investment, and fintech. 

    Global trade is entering a new era, where strategic alliances and trade agreements are more crucial than ever. As we look ahead to the UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue and continue FTA negotiations, our focus remains on sustaining momentum and delivering tangible outcomes in the months to come.” 

    David Schwimmer, CEO, LSEG said:

    LSEG is honoured to host the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue at the London Stock Exchange as part of our continued support for initiatives that promote collaboration and connectivity between UK and Indian financial markets. Through deepened partnership, the governments and regulators from both countries can help to build an environment which delivers real benefits to their financial markets and economies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sudan war: UHCHR chief stresses need to help refugee hosts in Chad

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Humanitarian Aid

    As the brutal war in Sudan nears the the two-year mark, thousands of people continue to flee into neighbouring countries, including Chad, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said on Wednesday.

    Chad hosts 1.3 million forcibly displaced people, according to the UN agency, UNHCR despite it being one of the world’s poorest countries. More than half of these vulnerable individuals are Sudanese who’ve fled the fighting between rival militaries which erupted in April 2023.

    Speaking from the Chadian border with Sudan, Mr. Grandi described the continued fighting as “absurd”.

    He also condemned the ongoing “vicious human rights abuses” against civilians before calling for far greater international support for Sudanese refugees and their Chadian hosts.

    The arrivals are mostly women and children – some of whom have been crawling exhausted across the border with barely any possessions, according to aid teams on the ground.

    Funding crisis

    The UN agency stressed once again that the crisis rocking humanitarian funding globally has only made matters worse.

    Large cuts to overseas aid provision in the United States and elsewhere have made it impossible to pay teachers, the UN agency said.

    Clinics and schools that protect women and children from violence and exploitation have been forced to shut down.

    Some 8,500 displaced children in Chad are at risk of losing access to secondary education this year. If the cuts carry on into next year, more than 155,000 could be impacted.

    Lost futures

    “Children have dropped out of school,” said Abdelrahim Abdelkarim, headteacher of a secondary school in Farchana refugee settlement in eastern Chad.

    “Many students will take dangerous and illegal migration routes, attempting to cross the sea. Some may drown while others end up working in gold mines,” he warned.

    High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi has previously described the funding shortfall as “a crisis of responsibility” in which “the cost of inaction will be measured in suffering, instability and lost futures”.

    Soundcloud

    ‘Siege-like conditions’

    And as funding dries up for Sudan, relief teams are scaling back or withdrawing – leaving vulnerable communities to fend for themselves as their homes turn to rubble.

    Today, after nearly two years of fighting, attacks against civilians, displacement, and climate shocks have left nearly two-thirds of Sudan’s 50 million people in need of aid and protection.

    Speaking from the capital Khartoum, recently liberated from the opposition Rapid Support Forces by the Sudanese Armed Forces, Mohammed Refaat, Sudan Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that he has seen the impact of insufficient funding in just the last few days.

    “The people who were in these areas have been trapped in siege-like conditions with no escape, no hope and often forced to face unspeakable abuse,” Mr. Refaat said, describing the destruction and suffering in the country as “immeasurable”.

    Little access to basic services

    The power struggle between Sudan’s rival generals — Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan — has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted more than 12 million.

    Both sides have been accused of atrocities and rights violations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has previously reported.

    Many families have returned to the capital now that the Sudanese Armed Forces are in control, but with little access to basic services, UN agencies have urged support to ensure relief.

    Yet the crisis is far from over – and refugees continue to face hunger.

    UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has projected that more than three million children under the age of five will likely suffer from acute malnutrition this year.

    In Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, the crisis is pushing families to eat what is normally used as animal feed. Children also lack water, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

    People fleeing insecurity in Blue Nile state in southwest Sudan, are moving towards state capital Ed Damazine, with clashes and access blocked hampering relief efforts, OCHA reported.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Governor Phil Scott on Importance of Rising Above National Rhetoric

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement:

    “I’ve been clear, we must not allow ourselves to be distracted or live in a constant state of fear, anger or outrage over the next 45 months. Instead, we need principled and responsible leadership because there is too much work to do right here in Vermont like building more housing and making Vermont more affordable.

    “We’ll continue to separate rhetoric from reality and make decisions based on what’s in the best interest of Vermont and Vermont’s values.

    “A good example of this is the current conversation in education. There’s fear that Vermont might change how diversity, equity and inclusion policy is implemented in our school system. The reality is that we’ve been asked to verify we comply with existing federal civil rights laws and our democratic Attorney General agrees with our assessment.

    “Still, without acknowledging the facts, or how my Administration was handling the matter, some activists stoked more fear and anxiety throughout our education system.  My office heard from hundreds of parents and educators – all of whom had been given inaccurate information or worse, misled.

    “To move the Nation past the chaos Washington is causing, we need to rise above it and lead by example.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Swain County Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Cold Case Murder in Indian Country

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Ernest D. Pheasant, Sr., 47, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), was sentenced to life in prison today for the 2013 murder of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    “For over a decade, Marie’s family has endured the pain of losing their loved one without justice. Today, that changed,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “Ernest Pheasant will pay for his heinous crime by spending the rest of his life behind bars. While nothing can undo the family’s loss, I hope this sentence brings them a measure of justice. My Office remains committed to pursuing cases involving missing or murdered indigenous persons no matter how much time has passed.”

    “While nothing can undo the pain caused by this tragic crime, we hope that this sentence helps to provide closure to the family and friends of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant,” said Marcelino Toersbijns, Chief of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU). “This case is emblematic of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Crisis impacting tribal communities across the country and highlights the importance of the MMU’s mission of analyzing and solving missing, murdered and human trafficking cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives.”

    According to filed documents and information presented in court, on December 29, 2013, the body of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant was discovered inside a burned-out vehicle parked near Big Cove Road within the Qualla Boundary in the Western District of North Carolina. Investigators determined that the vehicle had been intentionally set on fire. An autopsy revealed that Marie died from stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. DNA retrieved from a baseball cap found near the vehicle was linked to the defendant, who was Marie’s estranged husband.

    On April 7, 2022, following a review of unsolved homicides in the region, the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit opened a full interagency investigation into the case. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Pheasant killed Marie at their home, then transferred her body to the car, drove it to Big Cove Road, and set it on fire. On August 16, 2024, Pheasant pleaded guilty to first degree murder for killing Marie willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation.

    The MMU began as the Cold Case task force, part of Operation Lady Justice, a multi-agency effort established by President Trump’s administration in 2019 to enhance the operation of the criminal justice system and address the staggering number of missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Natives in tribal communities.

    Today’s sentence is the result of the joint investigation conducted by the MMU, the FBI in North Carolina, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, and the EBCI Office of the Tribal Prosecutor.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.

    Operation Not Forgotten

    On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced a surge in FBI resources across the country to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, including crimes relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons. As part of Operation Not Forgotten, 60 FBI personnel will be sent to Field Offices to support investigations of Indian Country violent crimes. The FBI will be assisted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit and will use the latest forensic evidence processing tools to solve cases and hold perpetrators accountable. U.S. Attorney’s Offices will aggressively prosecute case referrals.

    “Crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities are unacceptably high. By surging FBI resources and collaborating closely with US Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement to prosecute cases, the Department of Justice will help deliver the accountability that these communities deserve,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

    “The FBI will manhunt violent criminals on all lands – and Operation Not Forgotten ensures a surge in resources to locate violent offenders on tribal lands and find those who have gone missing,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.

    “Violent crime continues to disproportionately impact communities in Indian Country,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “Dedicating additional resources to reduce violent criminal activity in Tribal communities and solve cases of missing or murdered indigenous persons sends a clear message: No victim will be forgotten, and no crime will go unpunished.”

    Scott Davis, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Interior, exercising the delegated authority of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, said, “We appreciate the partnership of the Department of Justice and the FBI in addressing these crimes. This announcement reinforces our commitment to Indian Country and our dedication to collaborating with federal, state, and tribal agencies to ensure justice for American Indian and Alaska Native victims while holding offenders accountable.”

    Indian Country faces persistent levels of crime and victimization.  At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, FBI’s Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations, including over 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.

    Operation Not Forgotten renews efforts begun during President Trump’s first term under E.O. 13898, Establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.  This is the third deployment under Operation Not Forgotten, which has provided investigative support to over 500 cases in the past two years. Combined, these operations resulted in the recovery of 10 child victims, 52 arrests, and 25 indictments or judicial complaints.

    Operation Not Forgotten also expands upon the resources deployed in recent years to address cases of missing and murdered indigenous people.  The effort will be supported by the Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which places attorneys and coordinators in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered indigenous people.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The final stage of the All-Russian Student Olympiad in the field of training “Construction” is taking place at SPbGASU

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Grand opening of the final stage of the All-Russian student Olympiad “Construction” in the training program 08.03.01 “Construction”

    The final stage of the All-Russian Student Olympiad in the training direction 08.03.01 “Construction” is taking place at SPbGASU. The event is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The grand opening took place in the Academic Council Hall on April 9.

    On behalf of the university management, the dean of the construction faculty Andrey Nikulin wished the participants success. Andrey Nikolaevich shared information about the construction training areas and departments that graduate students at the university, and spoke about close cooperation with construction companies.

    Deputy Dean of the Construction Faculty Anna Novozhilova informed about how the final stage of the Olympiad will be held. All participants must complete one version of the task. The answers should be entered on forms issued by the credentials committee. The use of educational and scientific literature (except for regulatory and reference) as well as mobile communications in the process of completing the task is not allowed. There will be calculators in the classrooms. The duration of the tasks does not exceed four astronomical hours.

    “Everyone is on equal terms, and it depends only on you how well you solve everything. May the strongest and smartest win!” Anna Viktorovna advised the participants.

    Head of the Department of Construction Organization Roman Motylev urged students not to stop there, to continue their education in master’s and postgraduate studies. Roman Vladimirovich also spoke about the department he heads, which is world famous thanks to Professor Viktor Afanasyev (1923-2002), the founder of the St. Petersburg (Leningrad) school of continuous construction.

    The final stage involves 61 students and 20 accompanying teachers from 17 universities. We asked the students about their expectations and what impressed them about our university.

    Maxim Zarubin (Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University): “The laboratories were the most memorable. I’m looking forward to interesting tasks!”

    Nikolay Kushnerev (Southwestern State University): “The library was the most memorable, where scientific works from the twentieth, nineteenth and even older centuries are presented. I even managed to touch them – yes, through gloves, but it was very interesting. I’m expecting first or a prize place!”

    The program of the final stage of the Olympiad includes excursions to the Educational base of SPbGASU “Krasnoe Selo”, to the construction site of the residential complex “Defans”. The results will be summed up and the winners will be awarded on April 11.

    The final round of the All-Russian Student Olympiad “Construction” in the field of training 08.03.01 “Construction” is held on the basis of the decision of the Board of the International Public Organization for the Promotion of Construction Education (DIA) and the Presidium of the Federal Educational and Methodological Association (FUMO) in the Higher Education System in the Enlarged Group of Specialties and Fields of Training (UGSN) 08.00.00 Construction Engineering and Technology dated June 6, 2024 No. 92 (112), as well as Order No. 72 dated March 3, 2025 of SPbGASU on holding the final round of the Olympiad. Event partners: National Association of Designers and Surveyors (NOPRIZ), LSR Group, TekhExpert, Lider Group, Vostok Service, Setl Group.

    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 Economics: Samsung UK Unveils Easter Offers Across TVs, Home Appliances, Monitors, and More

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics UK is excited to announce a range of exclusive Easter offers across its premium product categories. From cutting-edge Neo QLED and OLED TVs to innovative home appliances and state-of-the-art monitors, Samsung is offering unbeatable discounts and bundles to enhance your home entertainment and lifestyle experience.
     
    Offers will be available via Samsung.com and at Samsung KX:
     
    TV & Monitors Offers:
    Neo QLED & OLED TVs: Enjoy up to 20% off selected Neo QLED and OLED TVs[1]
    The Frame TVs: Get up to 20% off selected The Frame TVs[1]
    Monitors: Save up to £200 on selected Monitors[2]
    Monitors: Save up to 20% on selected Monitors with code EASTER[3]
     

     
     
    Home Appliances Offers:
    Home Appliances Bundle: Save 20% when you buy 3 selected home appliances together, or 15% when you buy 2[4]
    Washing Machine & Tumble Dryer Bundle: Save 15% when you buy a selected washing machine and tumble dryer together[4]
    Cooking Appliances: Save up to £200 on selected cooking appliances and get 15% off when you buy a selected oven and hob together[4]
    Refrigeration: Save up to £500 on selected fridge freezers and get up to £200 off when you recycle your old one for free[5]
    Vacuum Cleaners: Save up to £150 on selected vacuum cleaners and get up to £200 off when you recycle your old one for free[5]
     

     
     
    Mobile Offers:
    Galaxy Watch, Buds3, or Buds3 Pro: Get free Galaxy Buds3 Pro when you buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra[6]
    Galaxy Tab S10 Series: Save £150 – £200 on the Galaxy Tab S10 series6 and get £150 off when you trade in any tablet or Android smartphone.[7]Galaxy Watch Ultra: Get free Galaxy Buds3 Pro when you buy the Galaxy Watch Ultra[8]
    Galaxy Watch7: Get a guaranteed £50 off the Watch7 when you trade in any smartwatch in any condition[9]
    Galaxy Ring: Save £80 on the Galaxy Ring with code SPRINGSAVE[10]
    Galaxy Tab S10 FE series: Claim a Slim Keyboard Cover worth £169 when you buy the Galaxy S10 FE or S10 FE+ by 13/05/2025[11]
    Galaxy Tab S10 FE series: Get a guaranteed £100 off the Galaxy S10 FE series when you trade in any tablet or Android smartphone in any condition by 13.05.25[12]
     
     
     
     
    Computing Offers:
    Galaxy Book5 Series: Get a free Galaxy Tab S6 Lite when you buy from the Galaxy Book5 series[13]
    Galaxy Book4 Edge: Save £100 – £200 when you buy the Galaxy Book4 Edge[14]
     
    Don’t miss out on these incredible Easter offers from Samsung UK! Visit samsung.com/uk/offers to explore the full range of products and take advantage of these limited-time deals.
     
    [1]Use code EASTERTV at checkout on samsung.com/uk by April 22, 2025. While stocks last.
    [2]Purchase from Samsung.com/uk by 22.04.25
    [3]Purchase from Samsung.com/uk by 22.04.25. Enter code at checkout. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
    [4]Purchase from samsung.com/uk by April 29, 2025. Discount applied automatically at checkout when two or more qualifying products are in the basket. Excludes all vacuum cleaners, microwaves, and accessories. Not in conjunction with any other offer. While stocks last.
    [5]Purchase from samsung.com/uk by April 29, 2025. Customers must apply the Trade Up discount on the product page before checking out. Recycled products are non-returnable and have zero value. You must make sure it is ready for collection at the same time we deliver your new product. We reserve the right to refuse the delivery if you fail to do so. You will be required to pay a surcharge equal to the amount of the discount you received, if you do not recycle or have your product ready for recycling. Offer cannot be combined with multi-buy promotions for Home Appliances. Each household may only recycle one of each type of product and will receive only one Trade Up discount for each product type recycled. The Trade Up discount is an incentive to recycle it is not a Trade In value for the recycled product.
    [6]Purchase from Samsung.com by 15.04.25. Free Buds3 Pro automatically added at basket. Colour and size assigned at random and could differ from imagery. Product might ship separately.
    [7]Purchase from Samsung.com by 13.05.25. £150 value based on any tablet or Android smartphone, in any condition. Charges apply if you don’t send us your Trade In device. T&Cs apply.
    [8] Purchase from Samsung.com by 22.04.25. Free Buds3 automatically added at basket. Colour and size assigned at random and could differ from imagery. Product might ship separately.
    [9]Purchase from Samsung.com by 22.04.25. £50 value based on any smartwatch in any condition. £100 value based on any smartwatch in any condition. Values can vary by model and condition of Trade In device, and on purchases of exclusive colour devices. Charges apply if you fail to send us your Trade In device. T&Cs apply.
    [10]Purchase from Samsung.com by 22.04.2025. Apply code at checkout to redeem. Voucher codes cannot be combined with any other offer.”
    [11]Purchase a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE or Tab S10 FE+ device by 13/05/2025. Claim an AI Book Cover Keyboard Slim in Black by visiting www.samsungoffers.claims/TabS10FELaunchOffer within 30 days of purchase. UK/ROI. 18+ only.
    [12]Purchase from Samsung.com by 13.05.25. £100 value based on any tablet or android smartphone, in any condition. Charges apply if you don’t send your Trade In device. T&Cs apply.
    [13]Purchase from samsung.com by April 29, 2025. Free Tab S6 Lite (Model SM-P620NZAAEUB) will be added automatically in the basket. Items may be delivered separately. While stock lasts.
    [14]Purchase from Samsung.com by 29.04.25

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada’s identity is at stake if we don’t equitably fund and support its music now

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Rosheeka Parahoo, PhD Candidate, Musicology, Western University

    Amid a trade war, sovereignty threats and a federal election campaign, Canada is facing renewed calls for national unity.

    The need to define, refine and reassert what it means to be Canadian has never been stronger. To understand Canada, we need to listen.

    Canadian music is how one can hear Canadian identity. Now more than ever, we must ensure equitable funding for this vital part of Canada’s cultural fabric so that Canada’s past, present and future stories are preserved in all their complexity and diversity.

    As a PhD candidate in musicology with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion in the Canadian music industry, I examine how systemic barriers shape this. I also explore strategies for advancing equity in creating, producing and promoting music in Canada.

    Canadian music industry

    Music has played a critical part in building Canadian identity.

    The recent rise in pro-Canada songs brought on by United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats of annexation demonstrates how powerful a medium music can be in voicing a nation’s frustrations.

    Canada has a unique chance to define its music on its own terms and better reflect the full diversity and complexity of Canadian identity through music. Canadian policymakers can bolster music-making, production and circulation while taking stock of broader discourses of what Canadian music includes, and more importantly, what it leaves out.

    For an industry that has strived to set itself apart from the American music scene, the time is ripe for Canada to increase and ensure equitable funding of the arts and music scenes.



    Read more:
    How Canadian R&B artists like Drake and Justin Bieber complicate ideas of race, music and nationality

    After recognizing American and British artists dominated airways, Canada introduced rules requiring radio stations to play homegrown music.
    (Shutterstock)

    Promise of representing all of Canada?

    In the 1960s and ‘70s, the Canadian government recognized that American and British artists were dominating the country’s airwaves. In response, it established the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and introduced Canadian content rules, requiring radio stations to dedicate airtime to homegrown music.

    The introduction of this policy, perhaps more protectionist than promotional in nature, was a pivotal moment because it meant that Canadian musicians could finally be heard in their own country.

    Many Canadian musicians and artists used this opportunity to speak out against injustice, inequality and erasure. Folk singers, Indigenous performers and artists from marginalized communities turned music into a form of resistance, challenging dominant narratives and redefining what it means to live in Canada.



    Read more:
    Junos 2023 reminds us how Canadian content regulations and funding supports music across the country

    Shrinking arts funding, barriers

    Now, decades later, we find the arts and music that once built Canadian identity isn’t an investment priority.

    This became especially clear during recent debates over the modernization of Canadian content regulations that spotlighted growing concerns from music industry stakeholders, such as artists and musicians’ associations, about shrinking arts funding, particularly for emerging and marginalized artists.

    Funding structures have shifted over the last several years, both in terms of government funding and artists’ revenue streams, leaving many artists, especially those from underrepresented communities, at greater risk. The result has been a music industry increasingly shaped by market forces.



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

    Research on the Canadian music industry further complicates this. Industry reports from the Toronto Metropolitan University Diversity Institute shows that Black and Indigenous artists, and those from 2SLGBTQ+ communities, still face serious barriers to getting radio play, funding or recognition.

    The Canadian francophone music scene has also faced challenges, including being disproportionally impacted by streaming and a slim market share that puts its survival in peril. When it comes to radio play, funding and recognition, the promise of diverse Canadian music has seldom matched the reality.

    Who gets to define Canadian music?

    The recent renaming of the Minister of Canadian Heritage to the Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Québec Lieutenant could signal a promising shift. This ministry oversees the Canadian Heritage Fund, which distributes much of Canada’s arts funding.

    In response to emailed questions from the media about the rebrand of this ministry, and how it might affect policy, Minister Steven Guilbeault, recently sworn into the new dossier, wrote that his appointment came at a time “when our national unity and shared identity have never been more important.”

    He added: “Our culture and values define who we are as a country. In a period of political uncertainty, I will make strengthening our Canadian identity a priority to safeguard our sovereignty.”

    Strengthening Canadian identity must include sustained investment in Canadian arts and music.

    While recent national frustrations and political sentiment might make it easier to gravitate towards a safer and nostalgic version of Canada’s identity, Canadian music is most powerful when it holds space for both comfort and complexity. Take the recent viral clip of Liberal Leader Mark Carney joking with comedian Mike Myers, quizzing him about his Canadian identity. “Tragically?” Carney asks. “Hip!” Myers replies.

    Liberal federal election ad showing Liberal Leader Mark Carney speaking with comedian Mike Myers. (The Independent)

    It is a charming exchange that evokes a sense of shared pride — rightly so — and familiarity. It is also a gentle reminder of how quickly the boundaries of Canadian identity and music can be reduced to a set of familiar artists.

    The Tragically Hip captured lyrical portraits of small-town life and touched on themes of loss and injustice, as in “Wheat Kings.” In contrast, artists like Tanya Tagaq confront colonial violence using a blend of Inuit throat singing with electronic influences, soundscapes and performance styles that reclaim Indigenous presence.

    Both stories are part of Canada, and have also resonated and found acclaim on global stages. Canadian music finds its power nested between the tension of comfort and critique.

    ‘Let the world know who we are’

    In a recent open letter to the arts community, Michelle Chawla, director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts, urged the sector to seize the moment: “We need the arts to let the world know who we are — an open, diverse and globally minded society.”

    She went on to emphasize that, as Canadians look to contribute more directly to the economy, the arts must be part of that vision. She noted decision-makers must understand the arts “have a vital role to play as part of the solution” as Canada navigates uncertain times.

    For policymakers, that means prioritizing funding for the arts and setting clear parameters to ensure this funding is distributed equitably, with meaningful support for emerging and underrepresented artists.

    For everyday Canadians, it means being open to stories that challenge us, and resisting the urge to simplify what Canadian music or identity is supposed to be. It also means supporting local artists and musicians, attending shows and investing in local music scenes.

    Now is the moment to invest in the arts and Canadian music industry, not just to preserve its past, but to ensure we continue telling bold, complex and uniquely Canadian stories. If we allow Canadian identity to become a curated artefact, and Canadian music to be stripped of its tension, complexity and defiance, we lose far more than funding. We lose the stories that make Canada, Canada.

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

    – ref. Canada’s identity is at stake if we don’t equitably fund and support its music now – https://theconversation.com/canadas-identity-is-at-stake-if-we-dont-equitably-fund-and-support-its-music-now-253674

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More rentals coming to Canberra’s Inner North

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The site is located close to the light rail and the city centre.

    The ACT Government has sold its first dedicated Build-to-Rent site.

    Contracts have been exchanged for the sale of the site in Turner with Cedar Pacific. At least 270 dwellings will occupy the site in Canberra’s Northbourne Avenue corridor. At least 40 of these homes must be affordable rentals.

    The site is Block 3 Section 57 and is 7,068m2. It is close to public transport, shops and services.

    The ACT Government released the site in October 2022 with the developer to pursue an innovative build-to-rent model.

    The initiative means there will be more homes for Canberrans, and more affordable homes for those that need them. It will give tenants longer term security.

    The release of this land is among a range of measures to improve the number, choice and affordability of homes in Canberra. These measures will meet the needs of our growing population, which is on track to reach half-a-million people by 2027.

    The ACT Government is also supporting community housing providers to deliver Build-to-Rent projects with an affordable rental component as part of its $80 million Affordable Housing Project Fund.

    Build-to-Rent is part of the ACT Housing Strategy 2018-2028.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Experience a taste of France in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Flute is one of Canberra’s French-style cafes. Image: VisitCanberra

    If the 2024 Olympic Games have you wishing you were in Paris enjoying everything France has to offer, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get your French fix here in Canberra!

    From visiting a delicious French café, to pretending you’re cycling in the Tour de France, find some French inspiration right here.

    Visit a French café

    Canberra is home to many French cafes that will serve you up a French macaroon, eclair and more! Dive headfirst into sweet treats from the following venues:

    Dine at a French Restaurant

    Feeling a bit fancy? Enjoy various French meals and dishes at one of Canberra’s French-inspired restaurants. You may still be in Canberra but your taste buds will take a trip to France.

    Learn French

    Bonjour, au revoir, merci. Did you know over 30 per cent of English words come from the French language? Even if you aren’t planning a trip to France, learning a new language can challenge your mind and even enhance your memory and problem-solving skills.

    Alliance Francaise has a French course for all levels and ages. You can book for a one-on-one class, young learners or adult classes all with different levels and experiences.

    Canberra Institute of Technology also provides French language courses and will teach you speaking, listening, reading and writing. You’ll learn the basics of French as well as appropriate sociocultural knowledge and sensitivity.

    Head to a French art exhibition

    Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao is on display at the National Gallery of Australia from 29 June 2024 until 7 October 2024. Explore French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin’s art and controversial legacy through talks, programs, films and his collection of works, plus artwork from contemporary artists from the Pacific.

    The Alliance Francaise also has a gallery of its own. French, Francophiles and Australian artists alike are invited to display their work on the Alliance’s exhibition rooms.

    Enrol in a French cooking class

    Learn to whip up delicious French cuisine in the comfort of your own home. You can learn online or in person and wow your friends and family at your next dinner party.

    The French Cooking Academy allows you to boost your kitchen skills right at home. You’ll learn about iconic French flavours, authentic recipes and upskill your cooking.

    Make your own Tour de France

    The Tour de France is iconic in France and would be a great way to see the country, but unfortunately in Canberra you need to watch from afar. Instead, why not create your own Tour de France right here and explore Canberra by bike? There are many bike paths throughout the city with tracks available for beginners all the way to advanced cyclists.

    Catch Olympic fever at the AIS

    No Paris? No problem. Head over to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Arena for the full Olympic experience. The AIS will host two watch parties for the Olympic Games, where visitors are invited to relax on a bean bag and watch the Games on the big screens. You can also head along to the AIS Visitor Centre to watch the Channel 9 broadcast of the Games. It will be screening until 11 September.

    For more information, read the Our Canberra story.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Striim Unveils Groundbreaking AI-Powered Data Governance with Real-Time Compliance on Google Cloud

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enterprises face an emerging challenge: how to maintain control over sensitive data as it traverses data estates, domains, and systems without violating regulatory policies or disrupting operations. At Google Cloud Next 2025, Striim is showcasing how Sentinel AI and Sherlock AI—two governance AI agents powered by Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform—help organizations detect, tag, and safeguard sensitive data in motion, reducing exposure risks, avoiding penalties and reputational damage, and supporting compliance in a continuous, ongoing manner.

    Before businesses can manage sensitive data effectively, they need visibility into where the data resides. Sherlock AI provides transparency by identifying sensitive data within datasets prior to sharing or moving the data through integration or streaming pipelines in enterprise data stores as well as third-party-managed databases and SaaS environments. This helps organizations assess potential risks and apply the appropriate governance measures proactively.

    “Smart AI and Analytics require data integration and sharing. Data governance starts with knowing where your sensitive information is,” said Alok Pareek, co-founder and Executive Vice President of Engineering and Products at Striim. “The new AI-based Sherlock agent eliminates blind spots by discovering sensitive data prior to data sharing or movement, helping businesses reduce risk before it ever becomes a problem. But since data doesn’t stay in one place, Striim’s Sentinel AI agent complements Sherlock by protecting sensitive information as it moves through enterprise data pipelines in real time.”

    Once data is in motion, Sentinel AI continuously analyzes live data streams to detect and protect sensitive information as it moves—automating encryption, masking, and compliance enforcement in real time. Using Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, it detects sensitive data anywhere in the pipeline events, even if misplaced or mislabeled—something rules-based controls can easily miss. Therefore, it automatically prevents exposure and helps businesses meet GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA-related data governance requirements without adding complexity.

    With Sherlock AI and Sentinel AI, Striim is giving businesses the speed, safety, and accuracy they need to secure their data pipelines in real time. These AI-powered agents work together to proactively mitigate risk, helping organizations stay compliant and in control of their data.

    To see Striim 5.0 in action, visit Striim at booth #3067 at Google Cloud Next in Las Vegas from April 9-11.

    ABOUT STRIIM, INC.
    Striim pioneers real-time intelligence for AI by unifying data across clouds, applications, and databases via a fully managed, SaaS-based platform. Striim’s platform, optimized for modern cloud data warehouses, transforms relational and unstructured data into AI-ready insights instantly with advanced analytics and ML frameworks, enabling swift business action. Striim leverages its expertise in real-time data integration, streaming analytics, and database replication, including industry-leading Oracle and Microsoft CDC technology, to achieve sub-second latency in processing over 100 billion daily events for ML analytics and proactive decision-making. To learn more, visit www.striim.com.

    Media Contact:
    Dianna Spring, Vice President of Marketing at Striim
    Phone: (650) 241-0680 ext. 354
    Email: press@striim.com

    Source: Striim, Inc.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: 137th Canton Fair to attract 31,000 enterprises

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

    BEIJING, April 9 — The 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 5 in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, with some 31,000 participating firms, the China Foreign Trade Center said on Wednesday.

    The total exhibition area will span 1.55 million square meters with about 74,000 booths, including nearly 73,000 for exports and about 1,600 for imports.

    This fair will be divided into three phases: the first will focus on advanced manufacturing, the second on quality home furnishings, and the third on products that promote a better quality of life, involving 172 product zones.

    The number of participating firms is up by nearly 900 compared with the previous fair.

    For the first time, a special zone for service robots will be added in the first phase to focus on the latest achievements of China’s AI development.

    Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China, and has been hailed as the barometer of China’s foreign trade.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Marine aggregate extraction, saltmarsh footbridge and research project all given green light by MMO

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Marine aggregate extraction, saltmarsh footbridge and research project all given green light by MMO

    Marine aggregates, scientific research and saltmarsh restoration feature in the latest applications granted by the MMO Marine Licensing team.

    Aggregate dredging in Area 1806 

    Hanson Aggregates Marine Limited applied for a marine licence to dredge marine aggregates at Area 1806, south-southeast of Beachy Head in the East English Channel Region. 

    The licence allows Hanson Aggregates to dredge marine aggregates for 15 years and extract a maximum of 1 million tonnes of aggregate in any 12-month period. The total permitted extraction over the 15-year term of the licence is 15 million tonnes. 

    The extraction of aggregates uses trailer suction hopper dredgers and cargo screening will be employed.  

    Marine aggregates are crucial to the construction industry as they are used for building houses and transport infrastructure and are also important to the marine environment through replenishing beaches and improving coastal defences.  

    Marine aggregate extraction has wider environmental benefits as it reduces both quarrying on land and lorry deliveries over large distances. Due to cargo screening, it is also possible to extract different sediments based on customer demand. 

    New footbridge at Stiffkey Saltmarsh 

    The National Trust applied for a marine licence to construct a replacement footbridge over Cabbage Creek at Stiffkey Saltmarsh on the Norfolk Coast Path. 

    There has been a crossing at the location since the late 19th century. The new footbridge will replace the former bridge that had fallen into disrepair and had to be removed in 2022.  

    Stiffkey Saltmarsh is a valuable habitat and has several protected site designations as well as being an area of outstanding natural beauty. The new footbridge is designed to be unobtrusive to the surrounding environment while also providing safe access for everyone to enjoy the saltmarsh. The crossing will also remove the risk of visitors becoming cut off by high tides and requiring evacuation.  

    The marine licensing team worked with the applicant to ensure appropriate measures were in place to protect the natural environment, while also enabling the project to begin before winter restrictions pushed the project back by a year. 

    Stronger Shores – Scientific Sensor Array 

    Durham Wildlife Trust were granted a marine licence as part of their Stronger Shores project. The aim of the project is to gather information that can be used to inform technical models assessing the potential for natural subtidal seaweed and seaweed aquaculture.  

    The project involves depositing 12 scientific units in the North Sea off the coast of County Durham, fitted with instruments to measure wave force, attenuation, turbidity, water quality and biodiversity metrics. The units can be fitted with either seeded rope or unseeded rope for aquaculture growth. The data gathered over the 23 month length of the project should provide information on the effects of seaweed in contributing to climate resilience through nature-based-solutions. 

    The marine licensing team supported the applicant through the application process through positive and proactive communication which enabled the application to be processed within the 90-day KPI.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Special Envoy for Road Safety in Mauritius, Madagascar and Eswatini to support initiatives to increase road safety

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, will visit Mauritius, Madagascar and Eswatini from 8 to 16 April 2025 to support global and national authorities’ road safety initiatives. In particular, the Special Envoy will launch locally the UN Global Campaign for Road Safety #MakeASafetyStatement, developed in partnership with JCDecaux.  He will also join the 2025 Kofi Annan Road Safety Award to be held in Eswatini on 14-15 April.  

    The Special Envoy will meet members of the Government as well as representatives of the private and public sectors two months after the Declaration of Marrakesh where Member states further committed to accelerate efforts for achieving the Decade of Action for Road Safety‘s goal of halving the number of the victims on the road by 2030. 

    The Silent pandemic on the road 

    The Special Envoy Jean Todt qualified road crashes as “The Silent Pandemic on the Road”. Indeed, every year, the staggering toll of road-related fatalities globally claims the lives of 1.19 million people, leaving 50 million others with severe injuries. Furthermore, road crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years.  

    Road crashes are disproportionately high in Africa compared to other regions of the world. The continent loses annually over 300,000 people through road crashes, even though its countries are witnessing the lowest levels of motorization in the world. Africa has a traffic fatality rate of 19.5 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 16 deaths per 100,000 in Southeast Asia, and 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in Europe.  

    “Africa is the continent proportionately most affected by road crashes. Knowing that these affect the youngest first, beyond the human tragedy this is an economic devastation sacrificing or invalidating for life the active force of a country. While the vaccine to avoid this carnage on the road exists, I urgently call on everyone to use it.” — United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt. 

    Thirty-eight percent of all African road traffic fatalities occur among pedestrians while 43 percent occur among car occupants. Motorized 2-3 wheelers and cyclists account for 7 percent and 5 percent of Africa’s traffic deaths respectively. A significant proportion of road fatalities on the continent occur in urban areas.  Furthermore, the ongoing improvement of the quality and coverage of Africa’s roads will increase crashes on the continent if it is not accompanied by appropriate road safety measures.  

    Towards enhanced road safety in Mauritius 

    The fatality rate in Mauritius is 10/100,000 inhabitants (WHO 2023). There is an increase in motorcycles crashes. Under the leadership of the Minister of Land Transport of Mauritius, Hon. Osman Mahomed, a series of 16 measures aiming to improve road safety are being envisaged in the country. Among these: re-introduction of the “Penalty Point System”; introduction of the Graduated Licensing System; helmets for sale for motorcycles of or exceeding a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters should be in accordance with set standards and be made mandatory; road safety education in schools; stringent enforcement by the Police or ERS -Transport Squad with regular crack down operations at night. 

    Men are the most affected, representing 89% of fatalities.Women are mostly victims as pedestrians (64%) and passengers (21%), while men die on motorcycles (35%) and as pedestrians (28%), with an average of 9% each as drivers, cyclists, passengers and passengers on the back (2023 figures, Le Mauricien).  

    “The current Government will implement the necessary projects and initiatives to make our roads safer as we expand and modernize our land transport” highlights Minister of Land Transport Osman Mahomed. 

    Safer roads for economic growth in Madagascar 

    The fatality rate in Madagascar is 22.5/100,000 inhabitants (WHO 2023). Poor maintenance and erosion have rendered a significant portion of the road network (mostly unpaved) unsafe (UNEP 2024). Madagascar has one of the least developed road networks in the world. Transport has been widely recognized as a barrier to the provision of and access to health services in rural areas. Madagascar’s overall poor infrastructure is negatively affecting its economic growth and development opportunities.  

    While 70 percent of primary roads are in good condition, about two-thirds of secondary and tertiary roads are estimated to be in poor condition (WB, 2018). There is a high risk of motorcycle crashes in Madagascar, due to the poor state of roads and the non-use of helmets responding to UN safety standards. When we know that quality helmets reduce the risk of death by over six times and reduce the risk of brain injury by up to 74% (WHO 2021), it is urgent to act to stop the carnage on the road. 

    “By 2030, Madagascar aims to halve road deaths and injuries, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3.6. This ambition falls into a dynamic of profound transformation: build infrastructures respectful of international standards, promote the introduction of new safer vehicles, strengthen technical inspection procedures, and integrate road safety into national education programs. We are also determined to provide training for those involved in the sector, and to ensure more humane and effective assistance of accident victims” highlights Valéry Manambahoaka RAMONJAVELO – Ministry of Transport and Meteorology. 

    Toward vision zero victim on the road In Eswatini 

    The fatality rate in Eswatini is 25/100,000 inhabitants (WHO 2021), affecting first children as well as the most productive age group (15-49 years old). Road crashes impose huge constraints on Eswatini ’s economy, up to 10.8% of GDP (Eswatini National Road Safety Strategy 2023-2030). The Kingdom of Eswatini ratified in 2020 the African Union Road Safety Charter with the vision zero fatal and serious injury on Eswatini’s roads by 2063.  Drink-driving, speeding and overloading, in this order, are the major causes of accidents on the country’s roads. (Times of Swaziland). 

    The Kingdom of Eswatini is making efforts to substantially enhance road safety, with an ongoing road safety legislative reform. The Kingdom has also established a Center of Excellence in Road Safety. In addition, Eswatini is fostering South-South cooperation with other African countries and partners on transport and road safety. 

    The Kofi Annan Road Safety Award

    The Kofi Annan Road Safety Award, organized by the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with UNECA and the Ministry of Transport of Eswatini, will be in the form of certificates of recognition delivered to governments, the private sector or civil society organizations that have made outstanding contributions to road safety in Africa.   

    This year the following countries will receive awards: Cameroon (Innovation & Digitalization), Ethiopia (Public Transportation/Modal shift), Kenya (Safer Vehicles), Nigeria (Road Safety management), Senegal (Road safety financing), South-Africa (post-crash care). 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Influenza vaccines safe, effective

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Influenza vaccines currently used in Hong Kong are safe and effective, and the side effects of flu vaccines are usually mild and transient, the Centre for Health Protection said today.

    The centre made the statement in response to media enquiries on the safety of the influenza vaccine.

    Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Edwin Tsui noted the influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most safe and effective ways to prevent seasonal flu and its complications, and can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza, adding that Hong Kong has established a pharmacovigilance system to monitor adverse events following immunisation.

    He pointed out that in the past five years, over eight million doses of the influenza vaccine have been administered and there have been no deaths reported after vaccination.

    Except those with known contraindications, all people aged six months and above, particularly those who have a higher risk of getting infected with influenza and developing complications, such as the elderly and children, should receive the seasonal flu vaccine every year.

    Dr Tsui said: “Severe cases related to seasonal influenza involving adults and cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication recorded in the recent flu season were significantly lower than in the influenza season before the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that this is the result of the general public’s willingness to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.”

    Local data showed that the rate of severe influenza complications among children who did not receive the seasonal influenza vaccination of the current season is about four times that of vaccinated children.

    Among the elderly, the rate of severe influenza including death among residents of the residential care homes aged 65 years or above who did not receive seasonal flu vaccination of the current season is 2.3 times that of vaccinated residents.

    The data highlighted the important protective role of seasonal influenza vaccination against severe infection and death.

    Dr Tsui noted that influenza vaccines currently used in Hong Kong, including inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) and live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), are safe and effective.

    Traditional IIV has been used for decades. The vaccine has proven to be safe and reliable through repeated testing and quality assessment. The safety of the newer LAIV and RIV is comparable to that of IIV.

    He added that the World Health Organization has also indicated that vaccination is the most effective means to prevent serious illness arising from flu.

    The side effects of influenza vaccines are usually mild and transient, and the most common include pain and redness at the injection site. Some recipients may experience fever, chills, muscle pain and tiredness. Severe adverse reactions to influenza vaccines are very rare.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Building a Team for Growth: The Bank of Glen Burnie Promotes Jonathan Shearin to Chief Lending Officer and Names Jeff Welch Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GLEN BURNIE, Md., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Bank of Glen Burnie®, a wholly owned subsidiary of Glen Burnie Bancorp (NASDAQ: GLBZ), announced today the expansion of its lending team to position the Bank to carry out its growth strategy focused on growing the commercial banking and lending portfolios. Jonathan Shearin, who previously served in the role of vice president and director of commercial banking, was promoted to the role of chief lending officer effective March 13, 2025. Jeff Welch was named executive vice president and chief credit officer effective March 31, 2025.

    “Jonathan hit the ground running and has made a significant impact to our loan portfolio since joining the bank in 2024,” said Mark C. Hanna, President and CEO. “Jonathan is out in our community every day building relationships in Anne Arundel County and the surrounding areas while constantly looking for opportunities to help local businesses obtain the financial expertise and tools they need to grow their own businesses. His energy and leadership, combined with his early success, made him a natural fit to assume the role of chief lending officer. In his new role, Shearin will be focused on driving sales and revenue to maximize return on capital invested in loans and achieve profitability. He will be tasked with helping to develop the Bank’s lending strategy, building relationships, supervising our commercial lending team, and overseeing loan production and growth objectives.”

    “I’m honored to step into this role and lead our lending team as we continue to support the businesses and communities we serve,” said Shearin. “Our focus remains on building strong client relationships, providing tailored financing strategies, and driving sustainable growth for the businesses and communities we serve. I look forward to working alongside our team to strengthen our market position and create new opportunities for long-term success.”

    As the Bank builds out its leadership team tasked with growing commercial loans and deposits, Jeff Welch joins The Bank of Glen Burnie in the newly created role of chief credit officer and will also serve as executive vice president. A seasoned banking executive, Welch brings more than 40 years of progressive risk management, lending, and sales management experience to lead efforts to effectively manage credit risk and help ensure the soundness of the Bank’s loan portfolio. His responsibilities as chief credit officer will include evaluating loan applications, regulatory compliance related to credit risk, and overseeing credit administration.

    Welch most recently served as executive vice president and chief credit officer at Burke & Herbert Bank, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was responsible for the Credit Risk Management and Loan Administration Divisions. Welch has spent the entirety of his banking career in progressive leadership roles at financial institutions located in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. corridor, bringing a wealth of expertise about the banking environment, the economy and the credit needs of the area.

    Welch holds a Master of Business Administration in finance from Marymount University and is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in operations management.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to The Bank of Glen Burnie,” remarked Hanna. “His proven track record in developing and implementing strategic plans at all levels combined with his relationship building skills will prove invaluable to us as we look to grow and thrive as we set the pace for growth during our next 75 years of community banking in Anne Arundel County. Jeff’s recent retirement from Burke & Herbert Bank presented us with an opportunity to recruit a highly experienced chief credit officer with extensive experience in credit policy and risk management/portfolio oversight in addition to sales management, financial analysis, and project management expertise. Jeff is well suited to help shape The Bank of Glen Burnie’s strategic direction. We have built a stellar lending team, and I am confident that together Jonathan and Jeff will lead this team to new heights and help The Bank of Glen Burnie significantly expand our loan portfolio while successfully managing risk.”

    “I am excited to join The Bank of Glen Burnie at a time when we are poised to execute our strategic planning lending objectives focused on growing our loan portfolio,” said Welch. “We have an outstanding lending team, and I look forward to working together to build new relationships in the community and to meet the credit needs of local business owners in our market.”

    About Glen Burnie Bancorp

    Glen Burnie Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Founded in 1949, The Bank of Glen Burnie® is a locally owned community bank with seven Anne Arundel County branches. The Bank is engaged in commercial and retail banking, including accepting demand and time deposits and originating loans to individuals, associations, partnerships, and corporations. The Bank’s real estate financing consists of residential first and second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and commercial mortgage loans. The Bank also originates automobile loans through arrangements with local automobile dealers. Additional information is available at thebankofglenburnie.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The statements contained herein that are not historical financial information may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the company’s actual results in the future to differ materially from its historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. These statements are evidenced by terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management’s good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kelly, Thompson introduce bipartisan Mental Health Research Accelerator Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee Chairman Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ranking Member Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) re-introduced the bipartisan Mental Health Research Accelerator Act to incentivize private companies with financial resources to collaborate with academic or nonprofit research institutions on neurological and mental health research to tackle the root causes of mental health conditions.

    “When it comes to addressing mental health access and care, we must utilize every tool in our toolbox,” Rep. Kelly said. “This new legislation allows us to make America’s tax system work for the American people by incentivizing research partnerships into brain health. I’m proud to work with my Ways and Means Committee colleague, Rep. Mike Thompson, on this vital legislation.”

    “Investing in brain research is key to addressing the root causes of mental health conditions, not just managing the symptoms,” Rep. Thompson said. “Mental illness is often at the core of challenges like homelessness, substance abuse, and workplace struggles. Simply funding symptom management isn’t enough—we must get ahead of the problem by advancing research that can prevent these issues from arising in the first place. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Kelly to support this critical work and help drive meaningful progress.”

    “Today, more than 60 million Americans suffer from a mental illness. Recent work by Price Water House Coopers estimated that the economic burden of mental illness was more than $1 trillion annually, not counting the value of human life associated with the almost 50,000 deaths by suicide. Research from the pharmaceutical industry has moved away from mental illness drugs because of the cost and risks involved. H.R. 2085 will provide necessary economic incentives for industry to partner with research universities across our country to engage in public-private partnerships that will have the potential to find new drugs and treatments but also to provide new jobs. This is a non-partisan issue and merits the support of everyone,” said Garen Staglin, Founder of the One Mind Foundation.

    BACKGROUND

    The Mental Health Research Accelerator Act provides $10 billion in allocable tax credits over a six-year period. The credits are available to nonprofits, state and local agencies, and private companies who collaborate on neurological research.

    Because of the high cost of neurological research, and the challenges in producing market-viable products, there is not enough investment in cutting edge neurological research. The credit is capped at 25 percent of allowable expenses and is a competitive credit to be allocated based on merit, as determined by the Treasury Department. Any credits not allocated by the end of the window are simply deemed moot and returned to Treasury unless the credit is extended by Congress.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –