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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Participates in High-Level Opening Session of FFD4

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Sevilla, June 30, 2025

    The State of Qatar participated in the high-level opening session of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) currently taking place in Seville in the Kingdom of Spain.

    The State of Qatar’s delegation to the session was headed by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad.

    The conference comes to follow up on the United Nations’ (UN) process on financing for development by reinforcing the agreements and commitments of the three previous international conferences.

    The first of which was held in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2002 where fundamental principles for development financing were established.

    Doha hosted the second conference in 2008 amid the global financial crisis, giving it particular significance in addressing the impact of the crisis on developing countries.

    The third conference, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2015, resulted in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, a comprehensive framework for financing sustainable development.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan ARMOR Act to Strengthen AUKUS

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

    Washington, DC – On Friday, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim (CA-40), Arms Sales Task Force Chairman Ryan Zinke (MT-01), and Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) introduced the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act (ARMOR) Act, a bipartisan bill that would streamline and strengthen the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership.  

    POLITICO National Security Daily first covered the bill HERE.  

    The ARMOR Act strengthens the expedited review process for AUKUS transfers, exports, and other activities involving advanced technologies and defense articles and services.  

    “The AUKUS trilateral security partnership protects our national security and projects shared strength,” said Congresswoman Kim. “The ARMOR Act will improve and streamline the expedited review process for AUKUS activities involving   advanced technologies and defense articles and services. This will ensure that AUKUS Pillar II works as intended and with speed to deter pressing security threats.  I thank Reps. Zinke and Dean for joining me in this bipartisan effort.”  

    “Since it’s creation in 2021, AUKUS has played a transformative role in allowing the United States to counter the rising threat China poses and shape a free and open Indo-Pacific for years to come,” said Congresswoman Dean. “This legislation will strengthen the historic AUKUS partnership by streamlining arms sales to some of our closest allies — Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada — while preserving Congress’s oversight authority and protecting the most sensitive U.S. technologies that underpin our security. I am grateful to work with Representative Kim to champion this critical, bipartisan effort to support our allies and bolster our shared defense.”  

    “The United States shares a special relationship with the UK and Australia that goes far beyond a mutual language; our countries are the closest of allies and we collaborate on economic and global security to make the world a safer and more prosperous place. Expediting the sale of defense items and services to these close allies will strengthen our partnership and enhance America’s strength worldwide. I am proud to support this important piece of bipartisan legislation from Congresswoman Kim, and I look forward to continuing our work on the Foreign Military Sales Task Force,” said Congressman Zinke. 

    AUKUS is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States formed in 2021. There are two pillars of AUKUS: 

    • Pillar I is focused on helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.  
    • Pillar II focuses on joint development and sharing of advanced technologies to boost military and defense capabilities. The ARMOR Act specifically relates to Pillar II. 

    Read more about the bill HERE and read the bill HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK E-petition debate relating to driven grouse shooting – Monday 30 June 2025.

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to driven grouse shooting.

    John Lamont MP has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.

    Read the petition:
    https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700036

    Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/

    What are petition debates?

    Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

    Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.

    The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on petition.parliament.uk

    Find out more about how petition debates work: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/content/194347/how-petitions-debates-work/

    Stay up-to-date
    Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://www.twitter.com/hocpetitions

    Thumbnail image ©UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVP_u8XQa8Y

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Donor Announcements to the Global Fund: Accelerating the Fight Against Aids, TB and Malaria #FFD4

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Media Stakeout at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development FFD4 (Sevilla, Spain).

    Speakers:

    José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain

    Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg

    Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal

    Åsmund Grøver Aukrust,Minister of International Development of Norway

    Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxWKzE68Nqo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Rosen Speaks Out Against Extreme Republican Bill to Strip Health Care from Americans, Hurt Nevada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Rosen: “This DC Republican bill is extreme. It’s cruel. And it’s not what the American people want. They want lower costs. They want economic security. They want their kids to have care when they’re sick, and a fair shot to thrive. They don’t want their future sold off to billionaires.”

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to speak out against Senate Republicans’ extreme tax and spending bill, which will severely harm Nevada families by ripping away Medicaid and food assistance from millions of Americans, all to pay for more tax cuts for major corporations and the ultra-wealthy.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    I rise today to express my strong opposition to the devastating and dangerous tax and spending bill that Senate Republicans are trying to jam through this weekend on a party-line vote, a bill that will gut essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP, just to pay for even more tax breaks for billionaires.
    Let’s be clear about what’s happening here. This Big Beautiful Betrayal isn’t about fiscal discipline – it’s fiscally reckless. It’s not about responsibility or doing what’s best for average Americans. It’s about misguided priorities. It’s about giving more to the ultra-wealthy on the backs of hardworking families.
    […]
    Earlier this year, I held a roundtable in Las Vegas with Nevada families who rely on Medicaid – not as a talking point, not as a “pay for” in a budget bill – but as a lifeline.
    I talked to people like Jessica, whose daughter Kay is four years old, and she was born with Down Syndrome and was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. 
    Jessica relies on Medicaid to help cover the cost of weekly physical, speech, and occupational therapies for Kay, all of which are responsible for helping her learn to walk, to use utensils, to write her own name.
    Kay also has a cardiologist and an endocrinologist to manage conditions related to her Down Syndrome. Medicaid covers those doctors. 
    It covers her insulin. And it covers the insulin pump that allows Jessica to manage her daughter’s diabetes around the clock — because Kay can’t communicate when her blood sugar is dangerously high or low.
    Jessica said something at that roundtable I’ll never forget. 
    She told me, QUOTE: I can’t imagine losing Medicaid… obviously I’m going to have to give up something, because I’m not gonna let her go without insulin and the lifesaving care that she needs. I can’t imagine having to think about what I’d have to cut or what I’d have to do in order to pay for the lifesaving care that she needs and deserves.” END QUOTE.
    […]
    This bill would also slash SNAP, the nutrition program that helps nearly one in six Nevadans put food on the table — and most of those recipients are children.
    When they cut this program, what are families supposed to do? How will they put food on the table? 
    And it doesn’t stop there. This bill threatens thousands of good-paying, union jobs in Nevada and across the country by letting critical tax credits for solar and wind projects expire before those projects can even get off the ground.
    In Nevada, we have more solar jobs per capita than any other state, and enough solar energy to power nearly one point three million homes. This bill will decimate this growing industry.
    And on top of that, Republicans have included an additional new tax on wind and solar projects, which won’t just kill the industry, it’ll raise energy prices for hardworking families. 
    All of this is causing companies across the country to stall or cancel projects over the uncertainty of losing access to these credits. That means fewer jobs, less investment, and more families left wondering how they’ll make ends meet.
    We’re talking about an industry that supports two hundred and eighty thousand American workers–electricians, technicians, construction crews–and we’re pulling the rug out from under them and killing thousands of clean energy jobs.
    Anyone who supports this bill is not pro-worker. They are not looking out for underdogs…for hardworking families. They’re focused on making the rich richer. 
    […]
    I will not stand by and let Nevada’s families lose access to their health care, and food assistance, and jobs, all so billionaires can pad their pockets.
    And let’s remember what we did when DEMOCRATS used the reconciliation process. 
    We expanded health insurance subsidies and gave Medicare authority to negotiate lower drug prices. We invested in clean energy. We cut costs for families, instead of cutting lifelines.
    This DC Republican bill is extreme. It’s cruel. And it’s not what the American people want.
    They want lower costs. They want economic security. They want their kids to have care when they’re sick, and a fair shot to thrive. They don’t want their future sold off to billionaires.
    So I say to my Republican colleagues: don’t turn your backs on families who need it the most. Don’t gut Medicaid to give billionaires a tax cut.
    The American people deserve better. And I will fight every step of the way to make sure they get it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Highlights How Republicans’ Cruel Tax Bill Hurts Working Americans to Help the Ultra-Wealthy: “It’s going to inflict bipartisan pain.” 

    US Senate News:

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

    Health care, community hospitals, food assistance, jobs are on the line 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late last night, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) took to the Senate floor to reveal how Republicans’ disastrous tax and spending bill will force millions of working Americans in Vermont, West Virginia, and across the country to lose their health coverage, rip away vital food assistance for more than 42 million Americans, cut clean energy incentives and add a tax to wind and solar energy, raise utility bills and grocery prices, and tank the economy—all to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy. 
    “Never in my time in Congress have I seen a bill that does so much damage, in so many ways, to so many people, in so many states, and that will affect so many generations. The clerks have read the bill—it’s now time for us to kill the bill,” said Senator Welch. “I say let’s come to our senses and not do something that is a massive escalation of the wealth transfer from the working class, the middle class to the very, very wealthy. Many of us have a number of amendments—and I do too—to try to make the point that our job is to make things better for everyday working Americans, not inflict additional burdens on them.”  
    “We have a job to do, and it’s to strengthen this economy, provide more stability for our families and our communities. And in this bill, we’re doing exactly the opposite: aggravating income inequality, not mitigating it, accelerating climate change rather than diminishing it, making life tougher for everyday families. I urge my colleagues to defeat this bill.” 
    Senator Welch has proposed changes to Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act to prevent harm to rural hospitals, strengthen access to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, block cuts and policies that weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs, protect home energy efficiency tax credits and the home efficiency workforce, and support federal public defenders.    
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 

    Read key excerpts from Senator Welch’s remarks: 
    “Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good—we still have time to kill this bill, and we should kill this bill. We Democrats are united in opposition to this bill, but it’s not only Democrats whose constituents are going to be hurt by this bill. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have an opportunity to make a choice. Read the bill and decide: are you going to protect your constituents—who are going to suffer the same afflictions as my constituents—or are you going to defer to President Trump? 
    “The bad in this bill—it’s going to inflict bipartisan pain. This is not aiming at red state or blue state. This is aimed at working class and middle-class Americans…More than 76,000 people in West Virginia will lose access to health care because of this bill. 278,000 West Virginians are going to lose access to the nutrition programs, to SNAP. In Tennessee, more than 295,000 people will lose access to health care and Medicaid through this bill. And SNAP means 758,000 Tennesseans lose the nutrition benefits.  
    “I want to repeat here: this is the bipartisan infliction of pain. This is real. This is real. And is the tax cut—largely directed to the very wealthy people—is it worth inflicting that kind of pain on so many, when the tax cut benefits so few?”   
    ••• 
    “Inflation is going up under this bill. Just think how much more we’re going to pay in debt service—dead money. It’s about a trillion dollars. Home mortgages, folks are going to be paying at least a thousand dollars more. Small business loans, at least a thousand dollars more. Grocery prices, definitely going up for all Americans.  
    “There’s an ugly aspect of this bill as well, and it is that this bill is entirely in service of providing tax cuts, largely to the very wealthy. The top 1% of income earners in this country will get 60% of the benefit. That’s a couple hundred thousand people will get immense tax breaks that equal— exceed —the so-called ‘tax breaks’ that go to a couple of hundred million Americans. And it’s those in the 60% category paying the higher prices for utilities, credit card debt, cost of a car loan, rent, groceries.”  
    ••• 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Committee Pursuant to Resolution 2745 Holds Meeting to Consider Midterm and Final Reports of Its Panel of Experts

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Press Release

    The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2745 (2024) held informal consultations on 11 June 2025 to consider the midterm and final reports of its Panel of Experts, submitted in accordance with paragraph 7 of the same resolution.

    The Coordinator of the Panel, joined by the other experts, presented an overview of the principal findings contained in the midterm and final reports after which Committee members engaged in an interactive discussion with the members of the Panel.  The Committee members thanked the Panel for its rigorous work under challenging conditions and reiterated their commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Central African Republic and the wider region.

    Following the Panel’s submission of its midterm and final reports to the Security Council no later than 15 June 2025, the reports will be issued as documents of the Security Council, and they will be available in all official languages on the 2745 Committee’s webpage:  https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/2745/panel-of-experts/reports.

    Central African Republic

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NYC School Speed Camera Program Extended

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to strengthen New York City’s school zone speed camera program through 2030. This legislation will ensure that speed cameras continue to save lives and protect New Yorkers by discouraging reckless driving. Speed cameras work and have already had a powerful impact. Where cameras are installed, speeding violations have dropped by 94 percent. These locations are significantly safer, with 14 percent fewer fatalities and injuries compared to areas without cameras.

    “It’s simple: speed cameras save lives and keep New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “There is no greater priority for me than the safety of New Yorkers, and strengthening New York City’s speed camera program means safer streets for everyone — from kids walking to school to seniors crossing the street to cyclists commuting home.”

    Legislation S.8344/A.8787 updates provisions first enacted in 2013 that authorized automated speed enforcement in school zones across New York City. By repealing outdated sections and extending the program’s expiration to July 1, 2030, the law guarantees the continued use of speed cameras to prevent dangerous driving and reduce traffic injuries.

    State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “At this point, there are no questions, just facts: speeding kills, and speed cameras save lives. No New Yorker should fear for their life while traveling on our streets. The speed camera program works—where there are cameras, drivers slow down and speeding plummets. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul for signing this into law and to the advocates and NYC DOT for their partnership in keeping the cameras on.”

    Assemblymember Deborah Glick said, “New York City’s school zone speed camera program has been incredibly successful in slowing motorists down and drastically reducing injuries and deaths in the streets around our schools. I was proud to sponsor legislation to renew this critical program, and I thank Governor Hochul for signing the bill, ensuring that these cameras can continue to keep dangerous drivers on notice that reckless driving will not be tolerated.”

    Governor Hochul has made traffic safety a top priority throughout her administration. In 2022, she reauthorized and expanded the school speed camera program to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since that expansion, injuries and fatalities during overnight and weekend hours have dropped by 8 percent. Today, more than 2,400 speed cameras are in place across the five boroughs, helping protect everyone who uses New York City streets.

    In 2024, Governor Hochul signed Sammy’s Law, granting the City the authority to lower speed limits to 20 miles per hour. Lowering speed limits is a demonstrated method to reduce the risk of death or injury during vehicular crashes and saves lives. Governor Hochul signed legislation to increase road safety by extending existing red light camera programs across the state and establishing a new red light camera program in the Hudson Valley. This includes the largest expansion of the red light camera program in New York City’s history.

    As part of the FY26 Enacted Budget, along with record investments in transportation, this spring Governor Hochul and the State legislature extended the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program until 2031 and expanded it to include MTA Bridges and Tunnels and NYS Bridge Authority properties. The program, which aims to improve work zone safety for both workers and drivers, was previously set to expire in 2026. The expansion also doubles the number of work zones eligible for participation in the program for both NYSDOT and the NYS Thruway Authority. A majority of the funds collected under this program are reinvested into the work zone safety programs including safety training and public awareness advertising.

    Today’s action builds on Governor Hochul’s legacy of authorizing communities across the state to utilize camera technology to maintain traffic safety and protect New Yorkers. With the extension of the school speed camera program, New York continues to take bold, data-driven steps to reduce traffic violence and make streets safer for all.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: KnowBe4 Announces New Assessment Tool to Enable Data-Driven Security Culture Improvements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAMPA BAY, FL, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KnowBe4, the world-renowned cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, released today the KnowBe4 Program Maturity Assessment (PMA), a free, strategic tool designed to help IT and cybersecurity leaders measure and improve their organization’s security culture—starting with the people.

    As human actions are targeted and exploited by attackers with increased sophistication, organizations need clarity on what is working and how to measure improvement. According to KnowBe4’s Security Culture: How-To Guide, security culture is one of the strongest predictors of secure behavior, yet few organizations have the tools to assess and manage it effectively.

    Created by security culture expert Perry Carpenter, the PMA offers a structured, practical self-assessment framework focused on Human Risk Management (HRM). Unlike technical assessments or consultant-heavy frameworks, the PMA delivers actionable insights across ten critical dimensions of security culture—without the jargon. It translates abstract cybersecurity concepts into concrete actions that organizations can take immediately, regardless of size or industry.

    Key Features of the PMA:

    • Holistic Evaluation: Examines leadership, employee behavior and business process integration
    • Objective Scoring: Provides clear, quantifiable results across 40 Culture Maturity Indicators (CMIs)
    • Identify Gaps: Pinpoints exact areas of weakness, from employee mindset to executive communication
    • Strategic Roadmap: Offers customized recommendations based on maturity level
    • Actionable Next Steps: Delivers next steps to strengthen the human firewall

    After completing the assessment, users receive a personalized maturity classification on a five-level scale, visual feedback across all dimensions, and prioritized recommendations. Those looking to deepen their efforts can opt into a follow-up consultation to explore how the KnowBe4 HRM+ platform can accelerate maturity and build a lasting security culture.

    “Every meaningful program requires clarity: clarity of purpose and clarity of impact. This is especially true with Human Risk Management programs where lack of clarity and impact will leave an organization exposed in ways they may not appreciate.” said Perry Carpenter, chief human risk management strategist at KnowBe4. “Organizations need a way to demonstrate effectiveness of their human risk management program and  show leadership its value. This is especially true when programs fail to account for the human element—employees whose everyday decisions significantly impact organizational security. The PMA offers a clear, data-driven approach that helps leaders identify key areas for improvement, allocate resources more effectively, and build a stronger, more resilient security culture. It’s about giving organizations the insight they need to make informed decisions and foster lasting cultural change.”

    To learn more or complete the assessment, visit www.KnowBe4.com

    About KnowBe4
    KnowBe4 empowers workforces to make smarter security decisions every day. Trusted by over 70,000 organisations worldwide, KnowBe4 helps to strengthen security culture and manage human risk. KnowBe4 offers a comprehensive AI-driven ‘best-of-suite’ platform for Human Risk Management, creating an adaptive defense layer that fortifies user behavior against the latest cybersecurity threats. The HRM+ platform includes modules for awareness & compliance training, cloud email security, real-time coaching, crowdsourced anti-phishing, AI Defense Agents, and more. As the only global security platform of its kind, KnowBe4 utilises personalised and relevant cybersecurity protection content, tools and techniques to mobilise workforces to transform from the largest attack surface to an organisation’s biggest asset.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Security National Financial Corporation Announces Stock Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SALT LAKE CITY, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Security National Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: SNFCA) announces that on June 27, 2025, its Board of Directors has authorized a 5% stock dividend for stockholders of record on July 11, 2025. The stock dividend will be issued on July 18, 2025.

    Scott Quist, President and Chief Executive Officer of Security National Financial Corporation, stated: “This is the Company’s 37th consecutive year in declaring a stock dividend. We find many of our stockholders are pleased with the stock dividend due to the options it affords for long-term appreciation or cash flow if they choose to sell the shares.”

    This press release contains statements that, if not verifiable historical fact, may be viewed as forward-looking statements that could predict future events or outcomes with respect to Security National Financial Corporation and its business. The predictions in these statements will involve risk and uncertainties and, accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

    For Further Information Contact: Jeffrey R. Stephens
    or Garrett S. Sill
    Security National Financial Corporation
    P.O. Box 57250
    (Telephone) (801) 264-1060
    (Fax) (801) 264-8430
    Website: www.securitynational.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Luján Delivers Forceful Remarks on Republican Betrayal Bill, Highlighting Impacts on New Mexicans

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    WATCH Senator Luján’s Floor Speech HERE

    Washington, D.C. – In Case You Missed It: U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of both the Senate Finance and Budget Committees, took to the Senate floor to deliver a floor speech detailing how the Republican budget bill would devastate New Mexico’s families, farmers and ranchers, and children and seniors. Senator Luján’s floor speech came during the midnight hour as Senate Democrats held the Senate floor.

    Excerpts of Senator Luján’s floor speech are available below:

    “Some claim this bill will help Americans, which we know is not the truth. Because from where I stand, there is very little in this legislation that helps hard-working New Mexicans. It’s important that this debate is happening – because now New Mexicans and all Americans can see clearly what is in this bill and what is not.”

    “New Mexicans are hard-working people who believe in the values of loving your neighbor and following what the Bible teaches us: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This bill goes against everything New Mexicans stand for. It is not honest. It is not caring. And it is not fair.”

    “I have heard my colleagues claim that this does not cut assistance. That’s a lie. It’s not true. This bill cuts more than a trillion dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid for crying out loud. Senate Republicans are gutting the Affordable Care Act and ripping health care away from over 17 million Americans.”

    “For our rural communities out there, for the farmers and ranchers who grow our food, this bill will hurt your bottom line while closing rural hospitals and rural grocery stores. For families who rely on SNAP, this bill means less food on the table and more children going to bed hungry. All while making health care, especially emergency care, harder to access. That is what this bill does to hard-working Americans.”

    “To the American people: Hear me when I say, keep speaking up. You have done it before. You helped stop the sale of our public lands. You made your voices impossible to ignore. Now, this bill is not the law of the land yet. But if we stay silent, it will be. So, keep organizing. Keep calling. Keep showing up.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New powers yield “real-world impact” in Companies House economic crime crackdown

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    New powers yield “real-world impact” in Companies House economic crime crackdown

    A new report shows the agency’s progress in implementing changes brought in by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

    Economic crime costs the UK economy billions annually, and Companies House is leading a major transformation to combat this through new powers granted by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

    A new progress report on the implementation of these powers demonstrates how Companies House is transforming from a passive register to an active gatekeeper and gives examples of how the agency is actively tackling economic crime and improving register data.

    Key to Companies House progress is strengthened collaboration with The Insolvency Service and other law enforcement agencies to present a unified front against economic crime.

    The report covers progress in the implementation of secondary legislation, Companies House and Limited Partnership reform, and updates on the Register of Overseas Entities and enforcement of the new powers.

    The report includes detail on how Companies House has:

    • queried and removed false, misleading or incorrect information from the registers, with an impact on 100,400 companies – this often relates to the hijacking of innocent people’s identities or addresses, usually to enable criminality such as fraud or money laundering

    • rejected 10,200 suspicious applications including where evidence has suggested mass incorporations at certain addresses are taking place – this practice has a known link with money laundering

    • collaborated with The Insolvency Service and partners to identify approximately £50 million in UK property related to companies owned by organised criminals, which is now subject to ongoing asset recovery investigations

    • played an active role in the first Europol Asset Sprint, which saw 43 law enforcement agencies across 28 countries, along with private sector partners, participating in this unique initiative aimed at enhancing the number of criminal assets seized globally

    The report represents another significant milestone in the transformation of Companies House as it looks to achieve its vision of a transparent corporate framework that both supports economic growth and fights economic crime.

    Chief executive of Companies House Louise Smyth said:

    These reforms represent a significant transformation of Companies House and I’m proud to see the real-world impact they’re already having.

    Our latest report demonstrates how we’re strengthening the UK’s business environment by taking direct action against those misusing corporate structures, while improving the accuracy and reliability of our register for legitimate businesses.

    Our new intelligence capabilities have now already facilitated approximately 850 intelligence reports to law enforcement partners, while our risk-based approach targets resources where they’ll have the greatest impact on economic crime.

    As we prepare for the next phase of implementation, including mandatory identity verification by autumn 2025, we remain committed to creating a transparent company register that supports economic growth while making the UK a hostile environment for those looking to commit economic crime.

    Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services at The Insolvency Service Dave Magrath said:

    The Insolvency Service’s close collaboration with Companies House is delivering positive results in the fight against economic crime, with joint efforts already identifying thousands of suspicious companies and millions in criminal assets.

    Our investigative and enforcement powers, combined with Companies House’s enhanced intelligence capabilities, allow us to take decisive action against those who exploit company structures for fraud and money laundering.

    Together, we’re building a more robust and trusted business environment that benefits legitimate companies while making the UK much harder for fraudsters to operate in.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Algeria

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 30, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The near-term prospects for the Algerian economy remain broadly positive despite global uncertainty, but fiscal vulnerabilities are high.
    • A gradual yet urgent fiscal adjustment is essential to strengthen fiscal resilience and rebuild buffers, while monetary policy should remain focused on price stability. Greater exchange rate flexibility would strengthen the economy’s ability to absorb external shocks, including from hydrocarbon prices.
    • Strengthened policy frameworks, along with reforms to enhance fiscal resilience, diversify the economy, and promote private investment, are critical to lifting growth and creating jobs over the medium-term.

    Algiers, Algeria: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Charalambos Tsangarides visited Algiers during June 16–30, to conduct the 2025 Article IV consultation with Algeria.

    At the end of the mission, Mr. Tsangarides issued the following statement:

    “Economic activity eased to 3.6 percent in 2024 from 4.1 percent in 2023, as OPEC+ production cuts weighed on the hydrocarbons sector, while nonhydrocarbon activity remained strong, expanding by 4.2 percent. The current account balance turned to a deficit in 2024 amid lower hydrocarbon output and gas prices. International reserves remained robust at US$ 67.8 billion, covering about 14 months of imports.

    Inflation fell sharply from an average of 9.3 percent in 2023 to 4 percent in 2024, driven mainly by lower food prices, with core inflation also declining. Monetary policy remained accommodative in the first half of 2025. The budget deficit widened significantly in 2024, reaching 13.9 percent of GDP due to lower hydrocarbon revenues and higher wage and investment spending, and is expected to remain high in 2025.

    The near-term outlook is broadly positive, supported by a gradual recovery in hydrocarbon production as OPEC+ production cuts ease, which is expected to sustain growth in 2025, while inflation remains moderate. However, growing fiscal pressures pose significant financing challenges and if continued, would increase public debt in the medium term. Continued global uncertainty and volatile hydrocarbon prices are likely to dampen exports and investment, contributing to a wider current account deficit in 2025.

    Economic prospects face several risks, primarily from volatile hydrocarbon prices amid shifting trade policies and geopolitical tensions, and persistent fiscal deficits that strain debt sustainability and deepen financial linkages between the government, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and public banks (SOBs). However, medium-term economic prospects would improve with sustained reforms to diversify the economy, and effective implementation of the government’s Action Plan and structural reforms.

    To safeguard macro-financial stability and mitigate near-term risks amid a volatile global environment, the mission recommends gradual yet timely fiscal rebalancing. This will curb rising financing needs driven by large deficits and falling hydrocarbon prices, helping to reduce vulnerabilities, rebuild buffers, and stabilize public debt over the medium term. Monetary policy should continue to be guided by economic conditions and firmly focused on its inflation objective, while maintaining close oversight of financial sector developments. More exchange rate flexibility will enhance the economy’s ability to absorb external shocks amid heightened hydrocarbon price volatility and global uncertainty.

    Medium-term reform priorities include enhancing fiscal sustainability, strengthening monetary and financial frameworks, and advancing structural reforms to boost private investment, inclusive growth, and job creation.

    The fiscal adjustment strategy would be strengthened by reforms to increase nonhydrocarbon revenues and streamline spending. A revised revenue mobilization strategy would support efforts to expand the tax base, including by rationalizing tax expenditures, and enhance compliance via digitalization. Reforming subsidies would help rebuild fiscal buffers and create space for priority expenditures, including targeted support for vulnerable households. Enhancing public investment efficiency would support the authorities’ economic diversification goals. Improving oversight, efficiency, and governance of SOEs would be essential to contain macro-financial risks. The mission welcomes progress in implementing the 2018 Organic Budget Law, which is expected to enhance transparency and accountability in budget execution, the establishment of a unit within the Ministry of Finance to oversee SOEs and strengthen fiscal risk management, and the expected implementation of the new Public Procurement Law.

    The mission commends the authorities for their ongoing implementation of the 2023 Monetary and Banking Law, improvements in liquidity management, and strengthened capacity in macroeconomic forecasting and policy analysis. Clarifying the monetary policy framework—by defining a clear primary objective and nominal anchor—would enhance policy transmission and effectiveness. Improving financial sector oversight is crucial to mitigate risks arising from strong financial linkages between the central government, SOEs, and SOBs.

    The authorities’ efforts to diversify the economy and improve the business climate to boost private investment are welcome. Key initiatives include a one-stop digital shop for real estate access, aligning exports with international standards, and advancing online trade. The mission encourages continuing these reforms but cautions against broad application of fiscal incentives that may create revenue gaps. Additional gains can be achieved by removing administrative restrictions, increasing flexibility in product and labor markets, and ensuring a level playing field between public and private sectors. The mission also welcomes recent governance reforms and continued efforts to strengthen the AML/CFT framework and enhance transparency and accountability in the public sector.”

    “The mission expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the authorities and all interlocutors for their warm hospitality and the open and constructive discussions.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/30/pr-25226-algeria-imf-staff-completes-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Staff Issues Futures Commission Merchant FAQs

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    CFTC Staff Issues Futures Commission Merchant FAQs | CFTC

    /PressRoom/PressReleases/9091-25
    Skip to main content

    June 30, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Market Participants Division (MPD) today published responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding registering an entity as a futures commission merchant (FCM) and the ongoing regulatory obligations of operating an FCM. The FAQs address, among other issues, the FCM registration process, customer protections, and governance obligations and other requirements. 
    MPD has received an increased number of inquiries concerning the registration and operation of FCMs by entities that have not been registered with the CFTC or subject to oversight as a financial institution by a federal financial regulator. The responses to the FAQs are to assist entities in considering the significant responsibility of an FCM and the substantial resources needed to operate one. 

    -CFTC-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: How startups are harnessing Azure cloud computing and advanced NVIDIA chips

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: How startups are harnessing Azure cloud computing and advanced NVIDIA chips

    As industries race to adopt AI, it takes a unique catalyst to cause true disruption and change the world. In our Catalyst documentary series, we follow three disruptive startups as they unlock what is possible when cloud-native agility meets accelerated computing, leveraging Microsoft Azure and NVIDIA to drive seismic shifts in science, health, and technology.

    Microsoft and NVIDIA have over a decade-long partnership in driving AI innovations and solutions forward. Together, they are working to democratize access to cutting-edge cloud infrastructure and building a supportive ecosystem for startups, enabling them to train and deploy complex AI models faster so they can create solutions that solve global challenges. Microsoft Azure provides a scalable cloud foundation which combines with the full-stack NVIDIA innovation AI platform—including accelerated computing infrastructure, performance-optimized AI software, and domain-specific frameworks—to support innovation and create new opportunities. They enable startups and and innovative companies to use AI to develop, expand, and deliver groundbreaking solutions across industries.

    In the first season, we will follow three companies in the Microsoft for Startups and NVIDIA Inception programs at the cusp of breakthroughs powered by Azure Foundry infrastructure and accelerated by NVIDIA GPUs:

    • Pangaea Data is addressing critical global healthcare challenges and closing care caps by discovering untreated and under-treated patients across hard-to-diagnose conditions who are currently overlooked despite information in their records. Pangaea’s innovative AI platform is integrated into electronic health record (EHR), scheduling, and care coordination systems through Microsoft’s Agentic AI framework, thereby enabling clinicians to ensure guideline concordance for patients at the point of care without disrupting existing workflows. By uncovering insights buried in patient records, Pangaea is helping health systems and pharmaceutical companies transform care for better outcomes and ensuring health equity.
    • Basecamp Research is revolutionizing life sciences by creating one of the world’s largest biological databases—at 9.8 billion new biological protein sequences—to address critical global challenges in drug discovery, product R&D, and beyond. By enabling AI to comprehend the complexity and breadth of biology, Basecamp Research designs cutting-edge biological systems, setting new benchmarks in control, novelty, and efficiency. Their groundbreaking solutions are driving advancements in drug discovery and beyond, holding the potential to redefine the future of biological research.
    • Global Objects uses advanced AI and 3D scanning technologies to create photoreal digital twins of real-world locations, objects, and props. These high-fidelity assets power generative AI, virtual production, and immersive experiences across industries—from media and entertainment to enterprise and government.

    True innovation happens when startups are able harness the power of Azure Foundry infrastructure coupled with NVIDIA acceleration to spark industry breakthroughs. Watch the Catalyst series to see how today’s bold innovators are building the future, unlocking what is possible—and to provide inspiration for your startup to catalyze change.

    Learn more about Microsoft for Startups today

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Convoy to North Gaza: How UNDSS Enables Safe Access

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    In Gaza, UNDSS enables safe movement for UN and NGO personnel through high-risk areas. This video captures a recent NGO convoy to North Gaza, showcasing the coordination and security behind every mission.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ttEGLlWCCs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 20-year partnership to boost fusion skills in East Midlands

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    20-year partnership to boost fusion skills in East Midlands

    UKAEA and East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) announce a new 20-year collaboration to advance fusion energy training and skills development.

    Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, and Nick Walkden, UKAEA’s Head of Fusion Skills, signing the collaboration agreement at the Fusion Energy Cafe in Worksop, Notts. Copyright United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

    The collaboration will focus on developing and delivering fusion related skills, including apprenticeships and wider vocational training programmes, to support the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project – the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant that will be built on the West Burton site in Nottinghamshire.  

    This new collaboration will not only provide crucial skills for STEP but also support a growing fusion industry across the region. An Economic and Wider Impact Assessment commissioned by relevant local authorities has calculated that by the time it is fully operational, the West Burton site is anticipated to accommodate 6,500 full-time jobs across STEP and the surrounding business park, equivalent to 12.5% of the current total workplace jobs in Bassetlaw. Around half of the forecast STEP Campus construction jobs are expected to require Level 3+ qualifications, and it is estimated that nearly three quarters of the on-site jobs on the STEP Campus are expected to require individuals with Level 4+ qualifications.

    Fusion has the potential to provide abundant, clean power, and deliver energy security, and bolstered by the government’s record £2.5 billion investment, the sector promises to create thousands of jobs and empower the UK to export its world-leading technology to a global market, expected to be worth trillions of pounds in the future.

    UKAEA is committed to facilitating the training of the next generation of British scientists and engineers. The East Midlands benefits from an outstanding base of training and skills providers, and universities. This EMCCA-led collaborative will bring together the best of this existing provision to empower people in the region to meet the skill needs of this globally significant clean energy programme.  

    Training provided through the new collaborative will be designed with flexibility to adapt as the STEP programme and the West Burton site evolves. Initial training will focus on the engineering and project skills needed to complete plant design, with construction and operational skills as focus areas for future stages of the programme.

    The collaboration will deliver fusion-relevant courses through existing training sites across the EMCCA geography, South Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire. Colleges, training providers, and universities are already mobilising to offer more places for construction and clean energy qualifications, gearing up the region to deliver on its emerging inclusive growth strategy even before the West Burton facility is in place.

    I am delighted to announce EMCCA as our partner in this exciting new training collaboration, which will be delivered out of our planned West Burton Training Facility,

    said UKAEA’s Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER (Fusion, Opportunities, Skills, Training, Education and Research) Programme Director, Nick Walkden.

    People are the most important element of any programme or project. We have listened and learned from other major research, engineering, and infrastructure projects and believe that an early and focussed attention to local skills and workforce growth will be a critical enabler to success.

    STEP is a programme with global impact and, as with the successive Governments who have recognised fusion’s potential to have a significant and positive impact on the nation’s economy, we are equally committed to leaving a lasting local legacy. The training provided will equip people across the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire with the skills needed for the prototype fusion powerplant at West Burton as well as long-term career opportunities in fusion and beyond.

    The STEP programme, led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), provides an enormous opportunity for regional growth and regeneration, with the potential to create thousands of jobs during construction and a pipeline of long-term highly skilled careers over decades of operations. Permissions and consents will be sought for construction to begin in the early 2030s, with the prototype powerplant targeting first operations in 2040.

    Paul Methven, CEO, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions and Senior Responsible Owner of STEP, said:

    Delivering STEP, and commercial fusion beyond that, will require a strong skills pipeline, not only in STEM subjects, but in every aspect of running a complex business. It is fantastic to see that UKAEA are leading on putting this essential enabler in place now to ensure local people benefit directly from the programme, in addition to ensuring we have the skills needed to deliver STEP.

    Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:

    The East Midlands is planning for our energy future today, and fusion energy is an exciting part of that future. One day – thanks to the Nottinghamshire-based STEP programme – the whole region will benefit from clean, affordable fusion energy. Right now, my priority is ensuring that local people can get the jobs associated with developing this new industry and its supply chains. This is what inclusive growth in practice looks like – investing smartly to ensure that growth is created, sustained, and experienced by local people.

    The Fusion Skills Collaboration embodies this goal, and our outstanding colleges, training providers, and universities will be front and centre in training people in the skills of the future.

    Photos from the collaboration signing at The Fusion Energy Cafe in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, can be found here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Permanent Secretary at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    New Permanent Secretary at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    Emram Mian has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, replacing Sarah Munby

    The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has today (Monday, 30 June) announced the appointment of Emran Mian as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

    Emran is currently Director General for Digital Technologies and Telecoms at DSIT, where he is responsible for programmes to make the UK one of the best places in the world to undertake AI research and to build an AI company, covering data use and access policy, cybersecurity policy and online safety.

    He has previously held roles in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as a Director General for Regeneration, Housing and Planning, and Director General for Stronger Places, and at the Department for Education as Director General for Strategy and International.

    Emran, replacing Sarah Munby, will lead the department at a critical time as the Government drives innovation and investment through the UK’s world-class science sector, and aims to harness new technologies to deliver growth and renewal for working people through the Plan for Change. 

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:

    Emran will be an outstanding Permanent Secretary with exceptional experience and vision. I have had the pleasure of working with him closely since I became Secretary of State and he knows this department inside out. 

    Under his leadership, DSIT will go from strength to strength in harnessing the power of science and technology to improve people’s lives across the UK, playing a central role in delivering our Plan for Change. 

    I also want to place on record my thanks to and deep appreciation for Sarah Munby, not only for her personal support to me but for her service to the country at large during her years in the civil service. She has helped to navigate several of the most complex challenges facing the government of the day under five Prime Ministers and wherever she goes next will be extremely lucky to have her.

    Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said:

    I congratulate Emran Mian on his appointment as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and I thank Sarah Munby for her leadership of the department since February 2023. 

    Emran brings significant experience into this role from his time as Director General for Digital Technologies and Telecoms, and previous roles at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Education. 

    He is well placed to take on the opportunities of this exciting post, and lead the Government’s delivery of the blueprint for modern digital government as part of the Plan for Change.

    Emran Mian said:

    I applied for this role because I am hugely optimistic about how science, technology and AI can improve lives, government services and economic growth. At this moment there is no cap on how ambitious we should be for our country. 

    I am grateful to Sarah Munby for her leadership of DSIT since the department was created. It is a privilege to take the work forward with colleagues across the department and wider government, working closely with scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, businesses and civil society.

    The appointment follows an external recruitment competition overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations are leading to mass casualties: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations are leading to mass casualties: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the Middle East Peace Process.

    Let me start by underlining that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran offers a much-needed moment of hope for the region.

    This hope must extend to Gaza. We need a ceasefire now. 

    This remains the most credible path to end the terrible suffering of hostages and their families, to end Hamas’ control of Gaza and to allow Palestinians to rebuild.

    We also need a ceasefire because the suffering in Gaza is appalling and cannot continue.

    Israel’s aid delivery measures are inhumane. 

    The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations which are supposed to be saving lives, are themselves leading to mass casualties. 

    Starving people who are desperate to feed their families are told food awaits them. 

    But over 500 have reportedly been killed trying to access it.

    And meanwhile, UNICEF reports that more than 5000 children between the age of six months and five years old were admitted for acute malnutrition in May alone. 

    It is truly appalling.

    We are also deeply concerned by reports that Hamas has targeted Gaza Humanitarian Foundation staff and by reports of widespread looting by criminal gangs, which are undermining security around aid distribution.

    This is unacceptable.

    The more desperate people become, the more disorder becomes inevitable. The UN can deliver aid at scale without endangering civilians.

    Israel must let the UN save lives, open all access routes and allow fuel into Gaza.

    In addition, humanitarian workers need to operate in safety. 

    Just last week, another ICRC staff member was killed, a tragic reminder of the risks they face.

    We have repeatedly called for credible Israeli investigations into Israel’s killing of aid workers, including World Central Kitchen, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and the UNOPS strike. 

    Israel must provide accountability for these terrible actions and ensure they are not repeated, in line with its obligations under international law.

    Finally, amidst the bloodshed in Gaza, the situation in the West Bank is also deteriorating. 

    Israel’s withholding of tax revenues appears a deliberate effort to leave the Palestinian Authority crippled and unable to pay salaries.

    Military operations have displaced over 40,000 people. 

    Just last week, an attack by violent settlers on Kafr Malik led to the killing of three Palestinians. 

    We condemn settlement expansion and settler violence and we demand that the Israeli government puts an immediate end to these unlawful acts.

    We cannot stand by while the foundations of a two-state solution are systematically dismantled.

    Madam President, it is time to bring the war in Gaza to an end, and to get the hostages home. 

    And more than that, we must renew our collective efforts toward a just and lasting two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians can both live side by side in peace and security.

    It is beyond time to come together behind a sustainable end to this conflict, which has blighted so many generations on both sides.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New cooperation in logistics: GUU and TransContainer signed an agreement

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 30, the State University of Management and the leading Russian container operator TransContainer signed a cooperation agreement.

    Representatives of the company, represented by HR Director Oleg Novikov and Deputy HR Director Ekaterina Balykina, who are graduates of the educational programs of the State University of Management, arrived at the university to meet with the management.

    Rector Vladimir Stroyev, vice-rectors Dmitry Bryukhanov and Maria Karelina, as well as associate professor of the Department of Transport Complex Management Artem Merenkov spoke about the history of the university, discussed the future of the industry and priority formats of interaction.

    “Historically, one of the first logistics departments was established at our university, back in the days of Sergo Ordzhonikidze. Of course, the name was different, but that doesn’t change the essence. Of course, there were also railway universities back then, but they were only looking at one area, while we trained transport hub managers in a more global sense and in different areas. Today is the time for quick actions and decisions, so it is especially important that we signed the agreement in the shortest possible time. Now it’s time for specific working steps,” Vladimir Stroyev noted.

    Dmitry Bryukhanov spoke about project-based learning, which is carried out at the State University of Management from the first year, and also drew attention to the possibility of interaction within the framework of the work of the State University of Management Higher School of Business and Technology.

    Oleg Novikov also confirmed his readiness to implement joint projects.

    “We are extremely interested in cooperation. Today is the time when personnel must be forged before they are intercepted. Literally 5-7 years ago we were monopolists, but now there are many competitors, albeit on a smaller scale, but they exist. First of all, we are interested in attracting students for internships in order to assess their abilities and readiness for employment. We are also interested in project activities, since we have ideas that we would like to implement, and we are confident that students of the State University of Management will help with this,” concluded the representative of TransContainer.

    The parties also agreed on the possibility of conducting introductory tours for students at the company’s enterprises and practical classes from TransContainer experts.

    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 United Nations: Security Council Takes Up Renewal of Disengagement Observer Force

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Meetings Coverage

    9949th Meeting (AM)

    The Security Council is expected to adopt a text renewing the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for a period of six months, until 31 December 2025, and request the Secretary-General to ensure that UNDOF has the required capacity and resources to fulfil its mandate in a safe and secure way.

    UNDOF is a peacekeeping mission established in 1974 by the United Nations to supervise the ceasefire and disengagement of forces between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights.

    Middle East

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Discusses Middle East Crisis

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Meetings Coverage

    9950th Meeting (AM)

    The Security Council will today discuss Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, pursuant to resolution 2334 (2016), which requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every three months on the implementation of the resolution’s provisions.  Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, is expected to brief the Council on the Secretary-General’s latest report.  However, speakers are also likely to address broader issues affecting the region, including aid delivery, military operations in Gaza, and regional spillover effects.

    Middle East
    Palestinian issues

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CBSA announces changes to the Pohénégamook border crossing

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 30, 2025            Montréal, Quebec           Canada Border Services Agency

    As part of its efforts to improve the efficiency of services at ports of entry, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will be making changes to the service provided at the Pohénégamook border crossing.

    As of July 7, 2025, there will no longer be in-person service at this port of entry. It will be replaced by the Program for Travellers in Remote Areas – Quebec (PTRA-Q).

    The new extended PTRA-Q hours of operation will be as follows:

    • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Open on Canadian statutory holidays
    • Closed on weekends and U.S. statutory holidays

    To take advantage of PTRA-Q, travellers must enroll in the program via this link: Travellers – Pilot Project for Travellers in Remote Areas: Quebec. (Note that the name of the program will be updated in online publications in the coming weeks.)

    Changes at the Pohénégamook border crossing will allow the CBSA to use its resources more efficiently by deploying officers at busier ports of entry. This will support the CBSA’s ability to process travellers and goods as well as to manage enforcement activities.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: BitGo and Dinari Launch Unified API for Crypto, Stablecoins, and Tokenized U.S. Equities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dinari, the largest issuer of tokenized U.S. equities, and BitGo, the leading infrastructure provider of digital assets, today announced a strategic partnership that puts traditional stocks on the same rails as crypto and stablecoins. The two companies are launching a single integration that allows developers to offer tokenized equities, spot crypto, and stablecoins within one platform, all backed by insured, qualified custody.

    Later this year, BitGo clients will gain access to Dinari’s rapidly growing catalog of dSharesTM, ERC-20 tokens that are tokenized on demand and backed one-to-one by the equities they represent. With one API, platforms will be able to support high-demand stocks and ETFs like AAPL, TSLA, and SPY, alongside digital assets like BTC and USDC. The experience includes custody, settlement, and reporting all in one unified workflow, removing the need to juggle multiple vendors or compliance frameworks.

    “From day one we set out to make it easy for our partners to offer tokenized U.S. equities seamlessly and compliantly,” said Gabriel Otte, Dinari’s Co-Founder and CEO. “BitGo took the same approach to crypto assets. By joining forces, we’re giving the world a plug-and-play solution for offering the world’s most in-demand asset classes.”

    “In today’s environment, companies can’t afford to spend six months assembling together a neo-brokerage; they need a seamless, reliable gateway,” said Mike Belshe, CEO of BitGo. “Integrating Dinari into BitGo’s infrastructure enables any platform to offer thousands of U.S. equities and digital assets without re-engineering their stack or taking on additional custody risk.”

    Key Benefits for Platforms and Fintechs:

    • Single API and onboarding flow that replaces the need for multiple custody, settlement, and compliance vendors.
    • Institutional-grade stack pairing BitGo’s qualified custody with Dinari’s compliance-first infrastructure.
    • Global product coverage that lets users trade stocks and digital assets side by side, with access to 60+ markets and high-demand tickers like AAPL, TSLA, SPY, BTC, and USDC.

    The integrated service enters private beta in Q3 2025, with general availability targeted for year-end. The companies are in active discussions with multiple partners eager to utilize a unified offering. Early-access partners can apply today on BitGo’s website.

    About BitGo
    BitGo is the leading infrastructure provider of digital asset solutions, delivering custody, wallets, staking, trading, financing, and settlement services from regulated cold storage. Since our founding in 2013, we have focused on enabling our clients to securely navigate the digital asset space. With a large global presence through multiple regulated entities, BitGo serves thousands of institutions, including many of the industry’s top brands, exchanges, and platforms, as well as millions of retail investors worldwide. As the operational backbone of the digital economy, BitGo handles a significant portion of Bitcoin network transactions and is the largest independent digital asset custodian, and staking provider, in the world. For more information, visit www.bitgo.com.

    About Dinari
    Dinari Inc. is the largest tokenized U.S. public securities provider, with a mission to enable investing in anything from anywhere through its compliance-first, blockchain-based tokenization technology. With Dinari Inc., neobanks, fintechs, and other financial services providers can offer their customers seamless access to U.S. public markets through Dinari’s fully-backed dShares™. By tokenizing real-world equities at scale, Dinari Inc. provides global investors with seamless access to over 100 tokenized U.S. public stocks and financial assets. Turnkey integration and a focus on working with partners to navigate regulatory challenges make it easy for Neobanks, fintechs, and other institutions to remain at the forefront of financial technology. Dinari Inc. has raised $22.65 million to date from leading investors including VanEck Ventures, Hack VC, F-Prime Capital, Blockchange Ventures, and Balaji Srinivasan. Dinari Inc. is a Registered Transfer Agent with the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (Section 17A(c)). Dinari dSharesTM are not currently available in the United States and certain jurisdictions as limited by law.

    Media Contacts
    Kayla Gill & Leslie Termuhlen
    Kayla@serotonin.co | leslie@serotonin.co

    BitGo
    press@bitgo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BitGo and Dinari Launch Unified API for Crypto, Stablecoins, and Tokenized U.S. Equities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dinari, the largest issuer of tokenized U.S. equities, and BitGo, the leading infrastructure provider of digital assets, today announced a strategic partnership that puts traditional stocks on the same rails as crypto and stablecoins. The two companies are launching a single integration that allows developers to offer tokenized equities, spot crypto, and stablecoins within one platform, all backed by insured, qualified custody.

    Later this year, BitGo clients will gain access to Dinari’s rapidly growing catalog of dSharesTM, ERC-20 tokens that are tokenized on demand and backed one-to-one by the equities they represent. With one API, platforms will be able to support high-demand stocks and ETFs like AAPL, TSLA, and SPY, alongside digital assets like BTC and USDC. The experience includes custody, settlement, and reporting all in one unified workflow, removing the need to juggle multiple vendors or compliance frameworks.

    “From day one we set out to make it easy for our partners to offer tokenized U.S. equities seamlessly and compliantly,” said Gabriel Otte, Dinari’s Co-Founder and CEO. “BitGo took the same approach to crypto assets. By joining forces, we’re giving the world a plug-and-play solution for offering the world’s most in-demand asset classes.”

    “In today’s environment, companies can’t afford to spend six months assembling together a neo-brokerage; they need a seamless, reliable gateway,” said Mike Belshe, CEO of BitGo. “Integrating Dinari into BitGo’s infrastructure enables any platform to offer thousands of U.S. equities and digital assets without re-engineering their stack or taking on additional custody risk.”

    Key Benefits for Platforms and Fintechs:

    • Single API and onboarding flow that replaces the need for multiple custody, settlement, and compliance vendors.
    • Institutional-grade stack pairing BitGo’s qualified custody with Dinari’s compliance-first infrastructure.
    • Global product coverage that lets users trade stocks and digital assets side by side, with access to 60+ markets and high-demand tickers like AAPL, TSLA, SPY, BTC, and USDC.

    The integrated service enters private beta in Q3 2025, with general availability targeted for year-end. The companies are in active discussions with multiple partners eager to utilize a unified offering. Early-access partners can apply today on BitGo’s website.

    About BitGo
    BitGo is the leading infrastructure provider of digital asset solutions, delivering custody, wallets, staking, trading, financing, and settlement services from regulated cold storage. Since our founding in 2013, we have focused on enabling our clients to securely navigate the digital asset space. With a large global presence through multiple regulated entities, BitGo serves thousands of institutions, including many of the industry’s top brands, exchanges, and platforms, as well as millions of retail investors worldwide. As the operational backbone of the digital economy, BitGo handles a significant portion of Bitcoin network transactions and is the largest independent digital asset custodian, and staking provider, in the world. For more information, visit www.bitgo.com.

    About Dinari
    Dinari Inc. is the largest tokenized U.S. public securities provider, with a mission to enable investing in anything from anywhere through its compliance-first, blockchain-based tokenization technology. With Dinari Inc., neobanks, fintechs, and other financial services providers can offer their customers seamless access to U.S. public markets through Dinari’s fully-backed dShares™. By tokenizing real-world equities at scale, Dinari Inc. provides global investors with seamless access to over 100 tokenized U.S. public stocks and financial assets. Turnkey integration and a focus on working with partners to navigate regulatory challenges make it easy for Neobanks, fintechs, and other institutions to remain at the forefront of financial technology. Dinari Inc. has raised $22.65 million to date from leading investors including VanEck Ventures, Hack VC, F-Prime Capital, Blockchange Ventures, and Balaji Srinivasan. Dinari Inc. is a Registered Transfer Agent with the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (Section 17A(c)). Dinari dSharesTM are not currently available in the United States and certain jurisdictions as limited by law.

    Media Contacts
    Kayla Gill & Leslie Termuhlen
    Kayla@serotonin.co | leslie@serotonin.co

    BitGo
    press@bitgo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Stanbic Bank, National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa and Luol Deng Foundation Tip Off Second Season of Jr. NBA League in South Sudan

    NBA Africa (www.NBA.com), Stanbic Bank and the Luol Deng Foundation tipped off the second season of the Stanbic Jr. NBA League for boys and girls ages 16 and under at Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium in Juba, South Sudan last Saturday. 

    The league, featuring 28 boys and girls’ teams, will play regular season games through September, which will be followed by the second edition of playoffs and finals in October.

    Prior to the season’s tip-off, a league draw was held at St. Mark’s Orthodox School on Thursday, where participating school teams selected jerseys of NBA teams which they will represent throughout the season. This was followed by a basketball clinic for 40 coaches and educators on Friday. 

    The inaugural season’s finals took place at Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium in Juba last August with two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng and 1995 NBA All-Star Cedric Ceballos in attendance. Juba One 76ers were crowned the inaugural season’s champions.

    The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls that teaches the fundamental skills and core values of the game – teamwork, respect, determination and community – at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program has been launched in 19 African countries, reaching more than 350,000 youth from across the continent last year.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mukuru and Payfast Deliver on the Promise of Online Shopping for Cash-Paying South Africans

    South Africa’s predominantly cash-based economy is making significant inroads into the e-commerce sector, thanks to the growing success of the partnership between financial services platform Mukuru (www.Mukuru.com) and payment gateway Payfast by Network. For over a year, the two businesses have been enabling access to online shopping for cash-paying South Africans. Through MukuruPay (MPay), cash-first customers can now participate in digital commerce, unlocking new market segments for thousands of local retailers. 

    The partnership’s success stems from its ability to address a long-standing gap in the e-commerce market—the exclusion of millions of South Africans who prefer or rely on cash. A recent Payfast (https://apo-opa.co/4eMSDXX) “State of Pay” report shows that cash is the fourth preferred payment methods for customers and competes with widely used options such as card, open banking/ instant EFT and QR code. Likewise, an SBV Cash Survey 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/40shqdC) white paper outlines that 22% (over 13 million) of South Africans are cash-reliant and are not willing or cannot switch to other forms of payment. The study reveals that this group is vulnerable in the shift to digital services, despite holding immense economic potential.  

    Mukuru’s partnership with Payfast is helping to bridge the gap between cash and digital commerce by making e-commerce more accessible to cash-first consumers in South Africa. Throughout 2024, the company has seen a growing number of businesses adopt its payment option via Payfast, reflecting increased demand across sectors such as internet services, digital goods, fashion, groceries, bill payments, and education.  

    Timothee Dura, Head of Merchant Payments at Mukuru, says, “South Africa’s e-commerce cannot accept only cards and digital payment methods like EFTs or wallets. It needs to work for everyone. We are bridging the digital divide by meeting cash-first consumers where they are—offering them convenience and access to goods and services that were previously out of reach with a payment method that is familiar to them. This is how we build a more inclusive financial ecosystem in South Africa.” 

    For merchants, MPay offers a way to reach customers who have traditionally been excluded from online shopping due to their reliance on cash. The payment method builds on Mukuru’s long-standing experience with cash-first communities and is available through the Payfast by Network dashboard for registered merchants. Once MPay is enabled, a customer shopping on the merchant’s online store selects Mukuru as the payment option at checkout. The system generates a unique order number, valid for 36 hours. The customer can then pay in cash at any of Mukuru’s 11,000+ payment points across South Africa—including major retailers like Spar, Pick n’ Pay, Boxer, and Shoprite.  

    As soon as the customer pays, Mukuru alerts the merchant—enabling swift order fulfilment. MPay also helps merchants reduce operational costs by cutting down on cash handling, removing the need for cash-on-delivery, and minimising the risk of fraud.  

     For consumers, MPay presents an alternative to cash on delivery, particularly relevant in informal or rural areas, where logistical challenges and safety concerns are more frequent. It enables participation in digital commerce while retaining the familiarity of cash payments, facilitated through Mukuru’s established physical network. 

    “The increasing adoption of MPay on Payfast by merchants reflects our conviction that cash-first customers are critical to South Africa’s e-commerce economy. We remain committed to bridging the gap between cash and digital payments, creating safer, regulated, and accessible pathways for unbanked and underserved communities to participate in the formal economy”, concludes Dura. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

    MEDIA ENQUIRIES: 
    Kgomotso Hlakudi: 
    Email: kgomotso.hlakudi@mukuru.com
    (+27) 73 333 1672 

    About Mukuru:  
    Mukuru is a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 17 million+ across Africa, Asia and Europe. With over 100 million transactions to date, our core was built providing international money transfers and from this base, we’ve developed a set of services to address the broader financial needs of our customers. We now operate in over 70 countries and across over 570 remittance corridors. 

    We are a business that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, and for that reason, we serve clients across physical and digital channels, by various payment methods (cash, card, wallet) as well as a range of engagement platforms including WhatsApp, USSD, contact centre, App, website, agents and a branch and booth network. 

    Mukuru has been listed among the top 100 Cross Border Payments businesses globally for the sixth consecutive year in the 2025 FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies. In 2024, Mukuru won the IAMTN Payments Network Customers Experience Excellence Award for exceptional customer satisfaction and was accredited as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2024 and 2025 by the Top Employers Institute.  

    In 2023, Mukuru ranked sixth on the LinkedIn Top Companies List in South Africa. We aso received the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards for its role in driving economic growth and financial inclusion.  

    Further information can be found at: https://apo-opa.co/44x1h87

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Business-critical mails in spam folders: Why real emails look fake now

    In the fight against phishing, forward-thinking organisations are winning. But there’s a twist. The heightened vigilance that has empowered employees to detect suspicious emails is now creating a new dilemma: legitimate, business-critical messages are being flagged, ignored, or buried in spam folders. And in today’s AI-fuelled cyber landscape, that reaction may be as justified as it is damaging.

    Phishing works and it’s reshaping trust

    The release of generative AI tools has supercharged phishing attempts. KnowBe4’s Phishing Threat Trend Report 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4kdUXIx) shows that more than 80% (https://apo-opa.co/3TNjJnN) of the analysed phishing emails were augmented by AI, and they’re far more convincing than before. 

    “The gut-check we used to rely on has been gamed – and even the large language models now being explored to help detect suspicious emails are also struggling,” says Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. “They’re forced to dig deeper, assessing tone, context, and subtler red flags.”

    The result? Suspicion is now the default

    And it’s not unwarranted. Maturing cybersecurity awareness and phishing simulation programs have helped sharpen employees’ scepticism (https://apo-opa.co/3GpDVcj). But this success has revealed a new problem: overcorrection.

    Emails that are real – from HR, IT, legal, or sales – are now increasingly being misjudged. In some cases, they’re wrongly flagged as phishing by either people or systems.

    In others, they’re simply ignored. The irony is that some of the most common and legitimate corporate communication traits are now the very ones that raise red flags:

    • Urgency: “Sign this by COB today”; or when every email from a colleague is marked “urgent”
    • Unexpected senders: e.g. HR tools or SaaS platforms
    • Calls to action: “Click here to confirm”
    • Stylistic quirks: overly polished copy, too many links or bold phrases
    • Tech misalignments: emails from legitimate senders failing DMARC or DKIM checks

    “Even just using a third-party sender domain can cause confusion,” says Collard. “If staff don’t expect it – or don’t recognise the platform – the message can get flagged.”

    For good reason too, as according to KnowBe4’s Phishing Threat Trend Report (https://apo-opa.co/4kdUXIx) the top 5 legitimate platforms used to send out phishing emails include popular business tools such as DocuSign, Paypal, Microsoft, Google Drive, and Salesforce.

    The cost of false positives

    When real emails get sidelined, the impact is more than a missed message. Delayed IT updates, ignored HR deadlines, and lost sales opportunities can create serious ripple effects across operations. Deliverability issues also erode trust. And in high-stakes environments like healthcare, legal services or finance, false positives can become costly very quickly.

    So, how do you write emails that get read – not flagged?

    To combat this growing challenge, organisations need to stop thinking of phishing risk as purely a recipient problem. Legitimate internal emails need to look legitimate too.

    Here’s how every team – from HR to IT to marketing – can write more trustworthy emails:

    Write Like a Human, Deliver Like a Pro

    Subject lines should set expectations

    Use clear, predictable language. Instead of “IMPORTANT: Read this now!”, try “Reminder: Benefits enrollment closes Friday”.

    Lead with context before asking for action

    Start with a reference point: “You recently submitted a travel claim…” or “As part of your onboarding…”.

    Limit urgency to what’s truly urgent

    Too many “ASAP”s will breed indifference. Use urgency sparingly – and explain why it matters. Remember:
    If everything is urgent; nothing is.

    Minimise links and avoid vague CTAs

    Avoid phrases like “click here” or hyperlinking whole sentences. Provide a fallback path:
    “Or log into your dashboard directly (https://Training.KnowBe4.com)”.

    Be cautious with tone and formatting

    Avoid shouty subject lines, gimmicky language, or inconsistent formatting that can trigger filters.

    Test before sending

    Run your email through spam-filter testing tools to see what might flag it (Mail-Tester.com or GlockApps.com).

    Get your digital paperwork in order

    Even the best-written email may never reach its recipient if your authentication protocols aren’t properly configured. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are three essential technical settings that help prove your email really came from your domain.

    • SPF tells email providers which servers are allowed to send emails using your domain name — helping stop spammers from pretending to be you.
    • DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails to prove they really came from you and weren’t changed along the way.
    • DMARC brings SPF and DKIM together by setting rules for what to do with suspicious emails (like send them to spam or block them) and sends reports to your IT team so they can spot abuse.

    “These protocols are a bit like a digital passport,” Collard explains. “Without them, even a genuine email may not make it through.”

    But even technically sound emails can fall flat if they don’t look legitimate to the reader. That’s why it’s just as important to consider how your internal teams craft and send messages.

    Internal brand security: don’t just train recipients – train senders too

    Cyber awareness is often focused on detection. But to maintain deliverability and trust, sender behaviour matters too. Teach teams to avoid accidental red flags. Share templates and subject line guides. And ensure that employees – especially those sending to large groups – understand the basics of trustworthy communication.

    Consistency is key. Make sure communications come from the same official addresses, follow familiar formats, and maintain a recognizable tone. This teaches recipients what to expect – and what to be cautious of – building a clearer line between legitimate messages and possible fakes.

    “This is part of internal brand hygiene,” says Collard. “When your team consistently communicates clearly and predictably, you build trust over time – with both employees and clients. That trust makes your emails easier to recognise, safer to deliver, and more likely to be opened.”

    In a world where AI can impersonate your tone and template with ease (https://apo-opa.co/3TPcb3X), your best defence is to sound like yourself – and help others know what to expect when you speak.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

    Contact details:
    Anne Dolinschek
    KnowBe4
    Email: anned@knowbe4.com

    TJ Coenraad
    Red Ribbon
    Email: tj@redribboncommunications.co.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: On Senate Floor, Senator Warren Calls On Republicans to Look Sick Kids in the Eyes As They Vote to Rip Health Care Away From 17 Million Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    June 30, 2025
    Warren: “I actually don’t think my Republican colleagues have lost their hearts. I think they have lost their spines.”
    Floor Remarks (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate, calling out her Republican colleagues for trying to pass their “Big Beautiful Bill,” which will rip health care away from 17 million Americans, slash food assistance, and raise costs for families.
    Remarks from Senator Elizabeth WarrenAs prepared for deliveryJune 29, 2025
    On Friday, I met Vivian. Vivian is an 11-year-old kid from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She likes school. She likes her friends. She likes reading Harry Potter. She’s a lot like any other 11-year-old. But for Vivi, going to school and being with her friends depends on Medicaid because Medicaid covers the costs for her wheelchair, her therapists, and her health aide.
    Right now, Republicans are trying to rip away health care from kids like Vivian. The cruelty is breathtaking. I ask for one Republican senator who plans to vote for this bill to look into Vivi’s eyes and tell her that her health care isn’t a priority in this country. Mitch McConnell said to Republican senators that he knew they were getting calls about Medicaid, but not to worry about people losing their care, because he said “they will get over it.” 
    I ask Republicans to look at Vivi and at Vivi’s sisters and her mom and dad and say if Vivi loses her Medicaid and her wheelchair and her therapists and her health aide that she will “get over it.” 
    Because here’s the deal: Vivi won’t get over it. Her family won’t get over it. The people of North Carolina won’t get over it. None of us—Massachusetts, Idaho, Arizona—none of us will get over it.
    The cruelty is off the charts, but the part that really burns is that the Republicans are trying to slash the health care that keeps kids like Vivi alive so they can hand out more tax cuts for billionaires. It’s beyond cruel. It’s obscene.
    I’m angry. And we should all be angry. Because instead of playing at the pool or the park like a regular kid on summer break, Vivian had to come here to Washington to ask senators not to cut her health care. In a country as rich as ours, that shouldn’t even be a question.
    I actually don’t think my Republican colleagues have lost their hearts. I think they have lost their spines. It seems that all they can do now is bow down to Donald Trump and his billionaire donors. They will bow down even if it means hurting families, community hospitals, and nursing homes in their own states. Trump wants the Republicans in Congress to hand out giant checks to the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations, and they are willing to do that, even if it means kicking Vivi to the curb.
    Republicans know what they’re doing. They know this bill will hurt people. They know this bill will kill people. And though it’s hard to believe, they just look the other way.
    But on behalf of Vivi — and the millions of other kids, mommas, seniors, and families who rely on the life-saving care that Medicaid makes possible — my Republican colleagues should grow a spine and stop this awful bill in its tracks. 
    If it wasn’t bad enough that this bill is set to rip away health care from 17 million Americans to pay for tax giveaways for billionaires, it has a bunch of other filthy giveaways buried in it, too.
    Who wins if Republicans pass this ugly bill? Billionaires, Wall Street, Big Tech, Big Oil. The wealthiest Americans and giant corporations.
    Big Oil will get a special “get out of paying your taxes” card while millions of people lose their health care coverage. Billions of dollars for Big Oil; nothing but pain for Vivi.  
    Meta – who’s really struggling — will win $15 billion to “incentivize” them to do research in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Meta gets $15 billion simply for existing while families lose their health care.
    Wall Street wins big with a provision Republicans squeezed in that would slash funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Giant corporations want the opportunity to cheat American families again – so Republicans are trying desperately to take the cop off the beat.
    And who loses thanks to this ugly bill? Americans who can’t afford health care. Families who need a little extra help putting food on the table. Grandmas and grandpas in nursing homes. Little babies and their mommas.
    If Republicans pass this bill, 17 million Americans would have their health care ripped away. That number has kept growing as Republicans make more changes to the bill. For them, it’s a question of how many MORE Americans they can rip away health care from.
    This bill would make the biggest cut to food assistance for families, kids, and veterans in history.
    One in four nursing homes would have to shut down. My Republican colleagues should call a few seniors in nursing homes in their states and go over the plans for where they go next. Maybe call the daughter of someone in one of those nursing homes and explain how she has to become a full-time caregiver tomorrow. Maybe call a few of the people whose lives you plan to tear apart.
    Budgets are about our values, and Republicans have made their values clear — they are willing to throw millions of Americans under the bus so they can help out a handful of their billionaire buddies and giant corporations. They should be ashamed.
    Here’s what Democrats believe: no baby should go hungry so that Mark Zuckerberg can buy another Hawaiian island.
    No person with a disability who needs a wheelchair or a home health aide to live independently should have to give that up so that Jeff Bezos can buy a third yacht. 
    No grandma should be pushed out of her nursing home so that Elon Musk can take a subsidized rocket ship ride to Mars.
    And it doesn’t have to be this way. What if, instead of tax breaks for billionaires, we make the rich pay their fair share? 
    What if, instead of slashing health care for kids, we make it possible for every American to see a doctor when they’re sick without breaking the bank?
    What if, instead of giving Big Oil more giant handouts, we make universal childcare a reality for families across this country?
    We can tax the rich. If Jeff Bezos can afford to rent Venice for a $50 million wedding, he can afford to pitch in so the next kid has an opportunity to make it in America, too.
    We can make life easier for working people — not harder. We can lower costs for families — not jack them up even more, like this bill does. We can put families first — not billionaires and billionaire corporations.
    Democrats believe this. We will vote NO on this awful bill. And for kids like Vivian, for seniors in nursing homes, for families who rely on home health aides, and the millions more Americans that this bill will hurt, I urge my Republican colleagues to join us and vote NO.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S. Fourth Fleet Holds UNITAS 2025 Final Planning Conference

    Source: United States Navy

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet hosted the UNITAS 2025 final planning conference (FPC) from June 23-27, building upon the momentum established during the main-planning conference held in April and initial planning conference held in February. The FPC brought together representatives from the U.S. and partner nations to finalize plans for UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise.

    MIL Security OSI –