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Category: Military Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oklahoma City Locals Join Forces to Lift Up Community Members in Need

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM Local 850’s Women’s Committee, along with IAM Local 2909, recently partnered with Upward Transitions, an Oklahoma City nonprofit, for an outreach event as part of the charity’s 100-year celebration.

    Local 850 offered to host the “Gears and Shears” event at their union hall, where volunteers provided free haircuts, hygiene care kits, and a cookout-style meal to local people in need.

    “We got the word out by handing out our flyer at the local shelters, a day shelter and a night shelter, and it was posted on their notification screens,” said IAM Local 850 Secretary-Treasurer Alana Kirkpatrick. “We hand-billed residents of a low-income, public housing apartment complex just down the road from the union hall and walked through camps of unhoused people around the city to encourage people to come.”

    IAM Local 850 Women’s Committee Chair Tamara Wood formerly worked at Upward Transitions and introduced the idea of a partnership to the local.

    “We will be making this an annual event,” said Wood. “We recruited volunteer barbers, and next time we’ll have twice as many. We merged our locals’ Women’s Committees, we meet together a lot, and we put in a lot of hard work to make this first event happen.”

    “Our Women’s Committee has really stepped up to aid our community,” said IAM Local 850 President Larry Solomon. “This was a huge success. All credit goes to the Women’s Committee, and I can definitely see our Local doing more community service like this in the future.”

    “It’s just really great here in Oklahoma City because we all gather together. We’re not separate local unions, we are all one union fighting for the same cause, and we work really well together in getting things done,” said IAM Local 2909 President Jaime Myers, who led her local to participate in the project.

    “We are also planning a Labor Day event, a bowling tournament, and a Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines fundraiser,” said Myers. “It has been amazing working together; they give me so much inspiration and hope doing this together. That’s what I love about our unions.”

    Oklahoma AFL-CIO Political Director Isabella Rodriguez helped enormously to coordinate the event. The Oklahoma AFL-CIO donated most of the food and drinks, Local 2909 donated condiments, and Oklahoma AFL-CIO President Jimmy Curry manned the grill.

    IAM Local 850 member James Taylor, who owns a barbering business in addition to working at Tinker Air Force Base, was one of the four volunteer barbers/hair stylists.

    Dozens of community members came to be treated to a fresh cut, hot plates, and cold drinks in the shade. The locals thought of everything, including making baby pools and pet supplies available for those who brought their pets, a special consideration on the 92-degree day.

    “I’m incredibly proud of these locals for working together to do something very generous for their shared community in Oklahoma City,” said IAM District 171 Directing Business Representative Ben Moody, who comes from Local 850 and attended to support and help wherever needed. “I imagine next year’s event will be even more successful now that they’ve done their first.”

    “‘Service to the community’ is in our union’s motto for a reason and these locals are really exemplifying it,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Ritchie Johnsen. “Communities trust local unions, their fellow working people and neighbors, when they need help and our union members always step up for their communities.”

    “Aviation and aerospace is the largest industry in the Oklahoma City region, employing thousands of IAM members like those of Local 850 at Tinker Air Force Base,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “These members and their family-supporting, union jobs are vital to the local economy and lift up the surrounding area. I could not be more proud than to see these members engage with their community members who have fallen on hard times and do what they can to help.”

    The event saw somewhere between 120 and 150 community members and all food and hygiene kits were distributed before haircuts were finished.

    The post Oklahoma City Locals Join Forces to Lift Up Community Members in Need appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM remarks to the British Chambers of Commerce: 26 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    PM remarks to the British Chambers of Commerce: 26 June 2025

    The Prime Minister gave remarks to the British Chambers of Commerce.

    Thank you, Shevaun, and not just for that introduction, but for all of your leadership over four years now. It’s really good to have been working with you. And I know how valuable this chamber network is to UK PLC, representing us around the world. Building your own communities, brick by brick, creating the jobs, the wealth, the tax receipts that means that we have the opportunity to change our country for the better. And I want to begin by thanking you for all of that. Because, look, I fully acknowledge, and I do acknowledge here, that this year, as we’ve had to fix the foundations of our country, deal with the unprecedented mess that we inherited, we’ve asked a lot of you. I understand that and I want to acknowledge that. It has made a huge difference. Because of it, the money has gone into the NHS and waiting lists are coming down. We’ve put investment into the skills of our young people. The new homes, new roads, new infrastructure that we’re building, they are all vital for the long-term growth of our country. But none of that would have been possible without your contribution, and I say thank you. It’s what I mean by partnership. It’s what I spoke about, Shevaun, two years ago when I last came here. Because for me, this is not just dialogue, it’s a partnership of us all, the British nation, facing down the challenges of a volatile world together. It’s a more volatile world than I think many of us have seen in many years, and frankly the more I see the way this world is changing, the more I see the future that we must build, and the more convinced I am about the need for this unity, a sense between us of shared national purpose. And that is, I believe, how we can rise again together and mark my words, we will.

    Take the Spending Review. This is a clear shift in the nature of this government, beyond fixing those inherited problems and now investing in the future of our country. We’ve, as it were, wiped the slate clean, we’ve stabilised the economy, and now we can go on to the next phase of government, building on that foundation, building a fairer Britain, change and renewal that you can feel. And that means, of course, that we have to back you to the hilt, because your members are the engines of growth in every community across the United Kingdom. And that’s the responsibility of partnership, and we want to be the best state partner for enterprise anywhere in the world and to give you the best possible conditions to succeed, and I am optimistic about this. And don’t get me wrong, I know that the trading environment is not easy. The challenges that you face are front and centre of my mind. When I’m sitting across the negotiating table with the EU, with the US, with India, whoever it is, trust me, I’m fighting for you, and politics is about who do you have in your mind’s eye. But together I do believe we’ve got to stop doing that British understatement thing. We do it all the time, including me. Because believe you me, this is a great moment to get on the phone to the world and say, take another look at Britain. I was speaking to Jensen Huang the other day, CEO of Nvidia, the largest semiconductor company in the world, and he was saying Britain is in a Goldilocks situation on AI. Ready to take off, a really good place to be investing. You can see it with Amazon this week, a massive 40-billion-pound investment in our country. One of the biggest investments that’s ever gone in. Thousands of jobs created in Hull, in the East Midlands, in Northampton, which means that since July of last year, we’ve attracted over 120 billion pounds into our economy. Now, you will all get this and understand this straight away, but these are companies that can invest anywhere in the world. They don’t have to invest here, but they’re choosing Britain. And that’s a sign of confidence in our plan for change, that we are a stable partner, that we are open for business, that we are putting our money in your customers’ pockets. [Political content redacted]. 380,000 jobs have been created. More demand for your goods and your services. More opportunities to boost your bottom line. Because, this is crucial, as we fix those foundations, we also make choices that will make us a fairer, more prosperous country. For example, as Shevaun mentioned, two years ago at this conference, I set out that bold vision in relation to planning reform, then leader of the opposition – to remove the blockages in the system, to build the labs, the warehouses, the grid connections that all of your businesses need. And two years later, standing here, that vision is written into legislation and we’re pushing it through Parliament. And every day new spades are hitting the ground. Growth revised up because of it. A promise made to you two years ago – a promise delivered.

    It’s the same with our industrial strategy announced earlier this week. For far too long, Britain ignored this. We didn’t back businesses, we didn’t invest in projects and technology that are critical to our future. Didn’t have a plan that gave your businesses the certainty that you need. Well, now we have that plan and it’s been drawn up in partnership and it is, quote, ‘a significant step forward for our economy’. That’s not my words, they’re Shevaun words. And as she says, and this to me was the most important part in Shevaun’s response on your behalf, that what you shared with us, what you fed in, has been quote, ‘heard and reflected in our strategy’. Your fingerprints are on that strategy. It came out of the discussions that I and others have had with many people in this room. It wasn’t plucked out of the sky by a government, it was reflecting back what you had told us needed to change. And that is what I mean by partnership, where both partners do different things, bring different things to the table. It’s a statement shared by other leaders. What Shevaun said wasn’t just what Shevaun thought, what you thought, it was the sentiments of the CBI, of Enterprise Nation, the Federation of Small Businesses, Make UK, Small Business Britain, and the Startup Coalition. Backing British business with significant investment in R&D. New technical colleges across the country. Electricity bills slashed for more than 7,000 businesses – that will make a massive difference, so many people in this room and elsewhere have said to me, it’s the energy cost here, they’re not competitive across Europe, we have to find a way to bring them down. That’s what we’ve been able to do to boost our competitiveness. A promise that we made and a promise that we have delivered.

    And across the country, it’s the same story. Stripping out regulation that blocks investment. Pushing forward with radical devolution agenda. Investing in skills and making sure that that’s devolved. Unlocking pension wealth to back British business. Building new infrastructure the length and breadth of our country. Carbon capture projects in Merseyside, in Scotland and along the east coast. Nuclear in Nottinghamshire and, of course, at Sizewell. Rail investment in Wales. A new runway at Heathrow. New Metro schemes everywhere from the Northeast to the West Midlands, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds.

    And now today, another step, a new trade strategy that I am proud to launch at this conference, because there’s no better place for that than with Britain’s leading exporters, with you. It builds, as you would have expected, and of course, on the deals we’ve already struck with India, the United States and the European Union. The hat-trick, as I call it. I’ve played defensive midfield all my life as a footballer. The last time I got a hat-trick, I think, was when the kids were about seven and I could just about get the ball past them, so I’m going to take this particular hat-trick. But look, seriously, you don’t need me to stand here and tell you how important these trade deals are. The EU SPS agreement on its own is a huge boost for food exporters and importers, driving down the cost base for retailers, reducing friction for our exports. A huge boost for the food industry and, I think, a sign that partnership is not just empty rhetoric, that we’re prepared to fight for your political case for the growth and jobs that you can deliver. Small businesses, of course, as well as larger firms. And that EU-UK reset is so important on so many strands. There were 10 strands to that agreement. The SPS was one of them. There was the Defence and Security Partnership. Yesterday, I was at the NATO summit, we were increasing spending on defence across all of our allies. And because of the relationships that we’ve built, as people increase their spending, they’re coming to us for discussion. They were doing it in the margins of the meetings yesterday because they know that we have the ability to help them with the defence capability that they need to build. And therefore, the EU-UK reset is about the strands that are in the deal, but it’s also about the relationships that we’re building that absolutely help and enable trade, and you will understand that. But that mindset is true of all the other deals.

    The US deal, hugely important for car manufacturing, particularly for companies like Jaguar Land Rover. And before we made the deal, and after we made the deal, I went to Solihull, to JLR, a number of times to speak to the workers there and to look into their eyes, and I know how much it meant to them. Before the deal, they knew that trading at 27.5 per cent tariffs into the North American market was really difficult, and they absolutely appreciated what that meant for them, for their jobs, for their families and their communities. And that’s why when we got the deal done, when we got it over the line eventually last week, that signature, the CEO of JLR, Adrian Mardell, called me and made it crystal clear that thousands of jobs across the West Midlands had been saved. And then think of the supply chains that go with that, in logistics, in engineering, in freight. Think of the demand in the local economy, the cafés, the retailers, the pubs. And that is all true of that deal. It’s why we had to be so focused to achieve that deal. The only country in the world to have got a trade deal with the US, something which we’ve been talking about for a very, very long time, is vital for these sectors that it protects.

    And that approach is true also of the India deal, again talked about for a very long time, but an unprecedented opportunity for UK PLC to access the world’s fastest-growing economy. And I’ve spoken to some of our whisky and gin distillers about the India deal and they’ve told me that their concern now is whether they can produce enough to meet the demand. What a great problem to have, what a great problem. It’s a huge win for them. And under the India deal, tariffs for our car manufacturer slashed from over 100 per cent to just 10 per cent, the best terms of any country in the world – a deal which people said could never be done. That actually is true of all three deals. They said it wouldn’t be possible to get a US deal, it wouldn’t be possible to get an EU deal, if you had a US deal, you had to choose between the two, and it certainly wouldn’t be possible to get an India deal. We’ve been able to get them and that is brilliant for Britain and brilliant for you. And we’ll go forward from here, and it’s not just the terms of the trade deal, it’s the signal that it sends about us, a transformation of our global brand.

    Because for years the message the previous government was sending to the world was one of chaos, instability, the lack of courage to strike deals. Because when push comes to shove, in my view, they put politics before country. And together we’ve now completely turned the page on that. With these three deals, we’ve rewritten our brand, restored our identity that even in this volatile world, Britain is proudly, unashamedly, defiantly even, open for business. And today’s trade strategy builds on that. We’re going to keep pushing, keep making deals, keep opening up new markets for you. We’re expanding the capacity of our export credit agency by 20 billion pounds, and I know how important that is for everyone in this room. We’re launching a new Ricardo Fund. We will reduce trade friction for professionals in engineering, architecture, accountancy and so much more, opening up five billion pounds worth of export opportunities.

    Because trade isn’t just about goods. We’re a services superpower, so we’ll back our exporting services as well, show more flexibility in that approach. And what we want to do is push not just for traditional trade agreements, but also for smaller deals that we can make quicker, at pace. Whether that’s a digital trade agreement with Brazil, Thailand or Kenya, clean energy cooperation with the Philippines and Mexico, professional qualification recognition all around the world. But perhaps, most importantly, in this uncertain and challenging world, we will also give ourselves new powers on trade and defence, make sure that if your businesses are threatened by practices like dumping, that we have the right powers to defend you. And I’m determined that Britain becomes a global champion for free trade. I’m determined that we are the beacon for those values. And frankly, I think our actions already speak louder than any words. But in a world where things can change quickly, as you’ve seen in the recent days, we have seen in sectors like steel that protection measures do need to be put in place, then we have to be ready to back British business. And that is what we’ve done on trade, that is what we will do in the future right across our economy. Businesses creating wealth in every community, and a [political content redacted] government investing in the skills, the infrastructure, the future that we need to build. A partnership in the national interest, driving us forward, delivering change and renewal, putting more money in the pockets of working people. That is the change that we can deliver together, a Britain that is back in business. Thank you very much indeed. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Congressional Republicans Take An Axe To Clean Energy, Luján Reintroduces Commonsense Legislation To Expand Access To Solar Energy For Families And Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Republican Lawmakers Are Working To Cut Funding For Clean Energy;
    Luján’s Bill Offers A Practical, Commonsense Solution For Our Energy Future
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Community Solar Consumer Choice Act, legislation that would support community solar projects and expand access to solar energy across the country, regardless of one’s income or ability to host a solar system on their roof. Directing more resources to expand renewable energy through community solar projects would lower energy costs for consumers, support good-paying jobs, and help combat the climate crisis. Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced companion legislation in the House.
    As Congressional Republicans continue to push their reconciliation bill that slashes clean energy investments that have helped create hundreds of thousands of jobs and lowered energy costs for hardworking families, Senator Luján is leading legislation to expand access to clean energy while creating good-paying jobs and lowering energy prices. Currently, nearly half of American households and businesses are unable to use rooftop solar systems due to high costs of installation or because they live in buildings that cannot host solar panels.
    “As the climate crisis intensifies and Republican lawmakers push to cut clean energy funding, fighting for practical solutions like community solar is more critical than ever,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to reintroduce the Community Solar Consumer Choice Act to expand access to solar power through community solar projects for all Americans and create more good-paying, clean energy jobs. This bill is a step forward in combating the climate crisis, and I look forward to working with Representative Castor to get this bill passed.”
    “Every family deserves access to affordable, clean energy—no matter their zip code or housing situation,” said Rep. Kathy Castor. “Too many Americans are locked out of rooftop solar because they rent their homes, live in multi-family buildings or can’t afford the upfront costs. The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act helps break down these barriers by expanding access to shared solar projects, allowing more Americans to save money on their electric bills and benefit from the clean energy economy. I’m thankful for Sen. Luján’s partnership in pushing for lower electric bills for Americans across the country. This bill empowers communities—especially working families, small businesses and Tribal governments—to participate in local solar projects that reduce energy costs, cut pollution and create good-paying jobs. It’s a win-win for working families and for our climate future.”
    Specifically, the Community Solar Consumer Choice Act would:
    Require the Department of Energy to expand existing grant, loan, and financing programs to include community solar programs and to establish a program to increase access to community solar programs, including through technical assistance;
    Require each electric utility to offer a community solar program that provides all ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers, with equitable access; 
    Allow the General Services Administration to offer a public utility contract for a period of up to 30 years – currently, the maximum is 10 years. 
    “The New Mexico Climate Investment Center is particularly focused on development of community solar facilities that are community-owned, tribal-owned, and those in rural electric cooperative districts of New Mexico. Such community solar facilities will need the technical assistance in developing such programs particularly to provide greater access to low-cost solar subscriptions for the most vulnerable households in our communities that they are targeting. This bill seeks to address the need for technical assistance and other types of support to provide greatest access to those subscribers. We are in support of Senator Lujan’s bill to provide such support,” said Beth Beloff, CEO of New Mexico Climate Investment Center.
    “The Community Solar Choice Act is exactly the kind of forward-thinking, commonsense energy policy we need to expand access to affordable clean energy for more Americans. Community solar delivers bill savings, energy resilience, and local jobs—especially for low- and moderate-income households. We’re grateful to Senator Luján and Representative Castor for championing this legislation and look forward to working with them to ensure community solar continues to grow as a vital part of the nation’s energy economy,” said Jeff Cramer, President and CEO, Coalition for Community Solar Access.
    “As extreme heat drives up electricity bills across the country, this legislation couldn’t come at a more urgent time. Americans are demanding relief from rising energy costs, and expanding community solar is a commonsense way to deliver it. Solar energy is cheaper and faster to build, but not everyone can install solar panels on their roof. Community solar offers a practical solution to ensure everyone, especially those in low-income neighborhoods facing the highest energy cost burdens, has the option to power their homes with affordable, reliable clean energy. We applaud Rep. Castor and Senator Lujan’s leadership in advancing this critical effort,” said Rachel Patterson, Senior Policy Director, Evergreen Action.
    “Ensuring families, particularly renters, have more choices to access cheaper, cleaner, local solar energy in their communities is a win-win-win. It’s good for families’ budgets, good for communities’ development and job creation, and good for our environment. Solar energy is the fastest electricity to get on the grid, and when it is local, or distributed, and especially when paired with battery storage, it is even better at stabilizing our grids and driving down costs for all communities and businesses,” said Matthew Davis, Vice President of Federal Policy, League of Conservation Voters.
    “Too many families—especially in communities overburdened by pollution—have been left out of the benefits of solar power. The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act is a critical step toward correcting that injustice. By expanding access to community solar, this bill helps ensure that low-income households and renters can finally share in the cost savings and cleaner air that solar energy provides. As parents, we support this legislation because it prioritizes previously overlooked communities, protects our children’s health, and builds a more just and sustainable energy future for all of us,” said Liz Hurtado (she/her), National Field Manager, EcoMadres, Moms Clean Air Force.
    “Community solar is one of the smartest and most reliable tools we have to lower electricity bills, reduce pollution, and build energy independence, especially for renters and low-income families who are too often left behind. The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act expands fairness and opportunity in our energy system by giving more Americans access to the benefits of affordable, domestic, clean power at a time when families need it most. This is common-sense policy that strengthens energy freedom, supports local jobs, and makes our communities more resilient,” said Xavier Boatright, Deputy Legislative Director, Sierra Club.
    The bill is endorsed by New Mexico Climate Investment Center, Coalition for Community Solar Access, Evergreen Action, GreenLatinos, League of Conservation Voters, Moms Clean Air Force, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Solar Energy Industries Association, WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
    Senator Luján has been a champion in advancing clean energy, previously introducing legislation that would require states to consider policies to promote the deployment of community solar projects.
    Full text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Carter’s Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act Passes House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative John R Carter (R-TX-31)

    Representative John Carter’s (TX-31) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act passed the House this afternoon, 218-206.

    “I’m proud that the House has passed the first FY26 appropriations bill—my Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill—which reflects House Republicans’ commitment to taking care of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families,” said Subcommittee Chairman John Carter. “This legislation invests in critical infrastructure, such as barracks and child development centers, and fully funds veterans’ healthcare, with a significant focus on mental health services and housing programs that our veterans have earned. As Chairman of the subcommittee, I will continue fighting to ensure those who serve our nation have the support they deserve, and I know my colleagues who voted in favor today share that same commitment. I want to sincerely thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and focus on getting solid bills across the finish line.”

    Key Takeaways

    Champions our veterans by:

    • Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.
    • Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
    • Supporting President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.
    • Maintaining funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans.

    Supports the Trump Administration and the mandate of the American people by: 

    • Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans, preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.
    • Syncing up with President Trump’s Executive Orders on no funds for DEI, gender affirming care, and protecting Hyde-like language at the VA.
    • Prohibiting the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.

    Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by: 

    • Providing robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region, and infrastructure necessary to support the United States’ advanced weapons systems.
    • Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.
    • Prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People’s Republic of China.

    A summary of the bill, before adoption of amendments, is available here.

    Bill text, before adoption of amendments, is available here.

    Bill report, before adoption of amendments, is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Operation Interflex reaches three-year milestone

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Operation Interflex reaches three-year milestone

    UK-led training programme of Ukrainian recruits launched on 26 June 2022.

    Crown copyright

    More than 56,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained by the UK and 13 partner nations on Operation Interflex; the UK-led, multination training programme.  

    Today (Thursday 26 June 2025) marks three years since the first Ukrainian trainees landed on British soil to begin the vital military training that turns civilians into soldiers capable of returning home to repel Russia’s illegal invasion of their country.  

    During this time Operation Interflex has continued to evolve to match the specific threats being faced on the frontlines in Ukraine. A variety of training programmes have been delivered via Operation Interflex focussed on equipping trainees with the battlefield essentials: the basic infantry course, leadership training, and instructor courses, which continuously adapt to Ukraine’s needs. 

    Led by the UK, Operation Interflex has been delivered alongside 13 other partner nations: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Albania, Estonia, Kosovo, Lithuania, and Romania. Service personnel from these nations are united in the objective to deliver high quality training that meets the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.  

    At a recent meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) on the 4 June, the Defence Secretary announced that the UK will spend a further £247m this year on training the Armed Forces of Ukraine, supporting Operation Interflex’s highly successful training programmes. This funding not only supports Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, but it is also vital in ensuring both European and UK security, underpinned by the Government’s Plan for Change.  

    Recent polling data reveals that 90% of all the trainees who have completed Interflex training since January 2025 feel more confident in their lethality and survivability at the end of training. The polling also revealed that one of the most valued elements of the training is the battlefield first aid, with 93% of basic recruits saying they felt more confident about treating casualties after receiving the training.  

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said: 

    From each Ukrainian soldier made combat-ready on UK soil, to the £13bn committed in military support, we are proud of every element of our contribution to Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s illegal invasion.  

    The Government is clear that providing military support to Ukraine is essential to both UK and European security. Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority, and a foundation of its Plan for Change. 

    The UK and its allies are united in our support for Ukraine. I am sure they share my constant awe of the resilience shown by the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.” 

    Colonel Andrew Boardman, Commanding Officer of Operation Interflex: 

    Today marks three years since the launch of Operation INTERFLEX to train Ukrainian personnel in the UK. Over this period, the multinational coalition of 14 nations, led by the UK, has trained over 56,000 Ukrainian soldiers, a testament to the enduring strength and shared resolve of our international partnership.  

    This milestone reflects not only our unity of purpose but our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s freedom and NATO’s collective security.” 

    The UK is proud to be a leading partner in providing vital support to Ukraine. The government has committed £13 billion of military aid for Ukraine, with £4.5 billion expected to be provided this year. This military aid includes training programmes like Operation Interflex, but also military capabilities and equipment such as drones, air defence systems and munitions.  

    The UK and Ukraine’s allies are committed to supporting Ukraine secure a just and lasting peace. The training effort provided by Operation Interflex aims to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to achieve this peace and to safeguard their sovereignty and our collective security against Russian aggression.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Guthrie Votes to Fully Fund Department of Veterans Affairs and Support Military Infrastructure Projects

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Guthrie (KY-02) issued the following statement following the House passage of H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 yesterday evening.

    “Our nation owes a true debt of gratitude for those who have chosen to serve our nation in uniform. Last night, the House took a step to ensure that our veterans have access to the benefits that are owed to them and that our active duty servicemembers have the highest quality facilities to support their mission,” said Congressman Guthrie. “This legislation also includes significant funding to upgrade existing infrastructure at Fort Knox, ensuring local soldiers are in the best possible position to carry out their duties in Kentucky and beyond.”

    Specific information about the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026, before adoption of amendments, can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Reps. Barragán and Lofgren Lead Democrats’ Response to Rep. Kim’s Distorted, Partisan Resolution Regarding Trump’s Authoritarian Response to the LA Protests

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 25, 2025

    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Reps. Barragán and Lofgren Lead Democrats’ Response to Rep. Kim’s Distorted, Partisan Resolution Regarding Trump’s Authoritarian Response to the LA Protests 

    Washington, D.C. —  Today, Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, led Democrats in introducing a resolution to condemn Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines during the LA protests, while reaffirming support for state and local law enforcement and the people’s First Amendment right to peacefully protest. This resolution provides a fact-based response to Representative Young Kim’s distorted, partisan, and misleading resolution that House Republican leadership will have the House vote on later this week. 

    Rather than working on a bipartisan basis to condemn violence, defend the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights, and thank members of law enforcement, Rep. Kim’s resolution instead falsely claims that violence was widespread across LA and that California’s leadership has “prioritized protecting illegal immigrants and violent individuals over United States citizens” among other highly partisan claims. 

    In contrast, the Barragán-Lofgren resolution accurately notes that violence in LA was limited and under control by local and state law enforcement. When communities exercised their First Amendment right to assemble and protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, President Trump wrongfully deployed the National Guard and active-duty members of the U.S. Marine Corps in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act and without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom or local officials. Democrats’ resolution commends the state and local law enforcement officers who have worked to protect public safety and maintain peace, supports Americans’ right to protest peacefully, condemns acts of violence, and supports the military servicemembers in the Marines and National Guard while objecting to their current deployment to Los Angeles County. 

    “Our communities have been terrorized by Donald Trump and Stephen Miller’s indiscriminate mass deportation ICE operations — in response, people spoke up and protested to express their fear, anger, and anxiety,” said Rep. Nanette Barragán. “State and local law enforcement had the situation under control and the Trump Administration intentionally escalated the situation when they deployed troops into Los Angeles. Our resolution makes clear that we will not stand by while the federal government tries to intimidate Californians into silence through a show of military force. We must protect the right to protest, condemn violence, and reject authoritarian tactics that have no place in America.”

    “Rep. Kim’s resolution regarding the L.A. protests is not just misguided, inaccurate, and disingenuous: it’s dangerous,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation. “President Trump’s deployment of Marines and the National Guard in response to largely peaceful protests was unprecedented and wrong. Trump’s refusal to coordinate with state and local officials in deploying active-duty troops also put both protestors and state and local law enforcement officers at risk. House Republicans should be conducting vigorous oversight of the shocking deployment of servicemembers – a blatant attempt to take over states’ law enforcement responsibility – not reflexively jumping to providing justification for Trump to send troops into other communities or defending his dangerous attempt to squash constitutionally-protected dissent.”

    “Communities throughout California have been upended by ICE raids where masked ICE agents are using excessive force to go after people without probable cause. People want safer communities, not to see elementary school students and sick people at hospitals deported without due process. Instead of deescalating violence, Trump has fomented it. By deploying Marines and the National Guard against protestors in LA, Trump exacerbated a situation that local officials had under control. The resolution introduced by Rep. Kim does not accurately state the facts of the situation and instead falsely lays blame on Californians for Trump’s escalatory actions. By introducing a resolution with the correct facts, Democrats are standing up for Californians, including our law enforcement officials, who have been repeatedly demonized by partisan hacks looking to score cheap political points,” said Rep. Lieu. 

     “There was only one reason Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles: to launch his pathetic, made-for-TV reality show to justify his authoritarian crackdowns and cruel ICE raids,” said Rep. Kamalger-Dove. “But Angelenos know our city is not on fire.  We see right through the reality TV president’s theatrics that are meant to distract from this Administration’s tanking of our economy, devastating cuts to Medicaid, and the brutality and inhumanity of its mass deportations. If you pan away from the set, you won’t see Trump’s toy soldiers or violence, but real people hurting from his policies. Let’s focus the camera back on that.”

    “The Trump Administration is using our military service members as political pawns to create a false narrative of uncontrolled violence, trample on legal precedent, and perpetuate fear and hate in our communities,” said Rep. Cisneros. “Last week, I led a letter with over 34 of my colleagues demanding that the President withdraw troops from L.A. and allow our local officials and law enforcement to do their jobs.  I’m proud to join California Democrats in demanding answers from the Administration.”

    “As a proud born-and-raised Angeleno, Los Angeles will always be home. The Republican resolution we are voting on this week is a distorted and inaccurate attack on Los Angeles and our great state,” said Congresswoman Luz Rivas. “I thank Representatives Barragan and Lofgren for leading our California colleagues in introducing this resolution that reaffirms our support for peaceful protest and condemns President Trump’s mobilization of the National Guard and Marines on American soil. The President’s unprovoked and politically-motivated escalation of our military sowed more chaos and harm across our communities. My California House Democratic Caucus colleagues will continue to support the Constitutional right to peacefully protest the Trump Administration’s heartless immigration agenda while also swiftly condemning any acts of violence. Our Republican colleagues – especially our California Republican colleagues – need to do the same.”

    “Trump’s deployment of Marines to Los Angeles was a dangerous overreach that bypassed both state and local authority. We all condemn violence. Californians have a right to protest peacefully — and the Governor’s office assured me that local law enforcement had the capacity to get the situation under control,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “The Republican resolution isn’t about safety — it’s political theater aimed at stripping Americans of their rights. Instead of targeting violent criminals, Trump is going after hardworking community members and using military force to intimidate dissent. Our resolution makes clear: we won’t let fear or federal overreach silence Californians exercising their constitutional rights.”

    “This week, Republicans are forcing a vote on a partisan resolution to legitimize Trump’s unacceptable attacks on our community in Los Angeles and to excuse his warrantless mass ICE raids, his takeover of our National Guard, and his deployment of U.S. Marines on the streets of Southern California. This is just wrong. I’m proud to instead join my California Democratic colleagues in introducing this resolution to stand up to Trump’s attacks on California, defend our constitutional rights to due process and free expression, and thank the state and local law enforcement officers who have worked to protect public safety and prosecute those committing acts of violence and vandalism,” said Rep. Chu.

    The resolution is cosponsored by: Reps. Aguilar, Bera, Brownley, Bynum, Carbajal, T. Carter, Chu, Cisneros, Correa, Costa, Dean, DelBene, DeSaulnier, Doggett, Espaillat, Friedman, Garamendi, R. Garcia, S. Garcia, J. Gomez, Gray, J. Hayes, Huffman, Ivey, Jacobs, Hank Johnson, Kamlager-Dove, T. Kennedy, Khanna, Landsman, Larsen, Latimer, Leger Fernandez, Levin, Liccardo, Lieu, Lofgren, Matsui, McCollum, Min, Morelle, Mullin, Panetta, Pelosi, Peters, Pettersen, Rivas, Ross, Ruiz, Salinas, L. Sanchez, Sherman, Simon, Swalwell, Takano, Thanedar, Thompson, N. Torres, Tran, Vargas, Waters, Whitesides. 

    The text of the resolution can be found HERE. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Veteran Services Department Congratulates Local 1125 Retiree on VA Accreditation

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM Local 1125 (District 725) member Bob Svenson recently received his long awaited notice that he has cleared the bar and is now a fully accredited Veterans Administration claims representative. He is now able to represent veterans seeking help with VA claims.

    The status is hard to achieve because it allows these representatives to act much like an attorney, representing veterans in the claims process, and more.  

    “Many times the VA will come back and say your condition is not service connected and the veteran will just walk away,” said Svenson, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran. “Maybe one percent of those people will say, ‘Nope,’ and they’ll fight for it. I want to help everyone fight to get what they deserve.”

    “Bob fought hard for this accreditation and the VA does not make it easy because it’s a very serious process when processing benefits from the VA,” said IAM Assistant Veterans Services Coordinator Bryan Stymacks. “He was banging on doors and making calls to people that could push the VA to act on his application. It takes three to five years sometimes to get through the process to be accredited.”

    The IAM Union launched its Veterans Services Program in January 2021 with one accredited VA claims representative. So far, that representative, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator Rich Evans, has successfully gained more than $406,000 in monthly benefit increases, providing ongoing support to veterans and their 155 spouses and 259 children. The cumulative total of backpay recovered since the start of the program now stands at nearly $3.6 million.

    “I sought accreditation on my own from the VA in 2016 and I know how hard it is to fight within the VA system”, said Evans. “So now there are two accredited claims representatives within the IAM Veterans Services Program, and we could probably use about 20.”

    The IAM offers representation to IAM members and their families free of charge. Also the first labor organization to be recognized by the VA as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), much like the DAV and American Legion.  Accredited representatives can demand thousands of dollars to help with a claim, but the IAM views the representation as a guaranteed benefit of IAM membership.

    The IAM Veterans Services Department continues to grow and and expand its services to military veteran members, many of whom do not realize that benefits like VA Healthcare can work as a supplement to other health insurance, reducing the out of pocket costs for healthcare for the veteran and enrolling the veteran in the proper programs as they become eligible for Medicare at retirement age. You can find out more here: IAM Veterans Services Intake Form

    “I have three sets of families; my family that’s blood, my next family is my union family, and then it’s my military,” said Svenson. “I don’t care where on the spectrum they are, those are my families – you don’t mess with them.”

    Svenson has been a member of the IAM Veterans Steering Committee since he attended the first veteran’s service training course at the Winpisinger Center in 2020. He is very active in the veterans councils in the western United States, and is based in San Diego with several roles at Local 1125.

    The post IAM Veteran Services Department Congratulates Local 1125 Retiree on VA Accreditation appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Defense Ministry Opposes Using China as Pretext for NATO Expanding East

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang on Thursday strongly objected to NATO using China as a pretext for “expanding eastward into the Asia-Pacific region.”

    He made this statement at a press briefing, commenting on recent statements by the NATO Secretary General.

    Zhang Xiaogang noted that China has consistently followed the path of peaceful development and pursued a defense policy that is defensive in nature.

    China’s development of military potential is aimed solely at protecting its sovereignty, security and development interests, Zhang Xiaogang emphasized, adding that China’s cooperation with Russia is not directed against third parties, but at the same time does not accept the interference and influence of third parties.

    NATO, on the other hand, is engaged in instigation and fanning flames in various parts of the world to create unrest and provoke wars, thereby living up to its nickname of “war machine,” a senior Chinese military official said.

    In recent years, NATO has expanded its powers and authority beyond the geographical boundaries stipulated in its treaty, causing high concern among countries in the region, Zhang Xiaogang added.

    China calls on NATO to rethink its actions, change its course and make a greater contribution to global security and stability, a Chinese Defense Ministry official concluded. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Booker Renew Push to Ban the U.S. Sale and Manufacturing of “K-Leather” and Protect Kangaroos from Largest Commercial Slaughter in the World

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    June 25, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced legislation to ban the sale and manufacturing of products made from kangaroo skin, also known as “k-leather.” After years of the two lawmakers leading the charge on this issue, this week Mizuno and UMBRO joined cleat manufacturing giants—including Nike, Adidas, Puma and ASICS—in pledging to halt production of k-leather in their soccer cleats and other products. To help build on this momentum, reverse this inhumane trend and safeguard the kangaroo species from commercial exploitation, Senators Duckworth and Booker are introducing the Kangaroo Protection Act, which would help protect millions of wild kangaroos and their innocent babies who are needlessly killed every year for the use of their leather in commercial products. Additionally, this legislation would empower the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other agencies, to issue civil and criminal penalties of fines up to $10,000 and other regulations.
    “The mass killing of millions of kangaroos to make commercial products is needless and inhumane,” said Senator Duckworth. “While it is encouraging that more and more cleat manufacturers are pledging to stop using k-leather, the U.S. must stop incentivizing this cruel practice once and for all. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill with Senator Booker that would help prevent the deadly exploitation of kangaroos and promote the use of more humane alternatives to k-leather.”
    “We should not allow the unnecessary killing of animals just so that big corporations can maximize profits,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation will help conserve the kangaroo species by ensuring that no one in the United States can distribute kangaroo products for commercial gain.”
    The commercial slaughter of kangaroos isn’t just widespread—it’s unnecessarily cruel. It uses similar killing methods and is ten times larger than the infamously brutal Canadian seal hunt, which prompted the United States to ban the import of seal pelts in 1972. Despite having similar import bans for other animals, the U.S. is currently the second largest commercial market for k-leather products in the world. The Senators’ proposed legislation would help change that.
    Copy of the bill text is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.
    “It’s profit from the sale of skins and other body parts that drives the killing of more than a million kangaroos a year in their native habitats in Australia,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “Senator Duckworth’s bill is a tremendous complement to the decisions by all the big athletic shoe brands to halt sourcing of kangaroo skins for cleats and her measure has the potential to spare the lives of hundreds of thousands of the iconic marsupials every year.”
    This legislation is supported by 13 Hands Equine Rescue Team (Clinton Corners, NY), A Place Called Hope (Killingworth, CT), A Voice for the Voiceless (Louisville, KY), Alaqua Animal Refuge & Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, (Freeport, FL), Albuquerque Vegan (NM), Alliance for Animals (Madison, WI), Allied Scholars for Animal Protection, Angels Grove Ranch and Horse Rescue (Bush, LA), Animal & Earth Advocates (Seattle, WA), Animal Advocates of South Central Pennsylvania, Animal Alliance Network, Animal Behavior and Healing (Portland, ME), Animal Care Society (Mathews, VA), Animal Education & Rescue (Libertyville, IL), Animal Kindness Foundation (Las Vegas, NV), Animal Protection Affiliates (NV), Animal Protection League of New Jersey, Animal Protection New Mexico, Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, Animal Rights Initiative, Animal Rights Maine, Animal Save Movement, Animal Welfare Society (Kennebunk, ME), Animal Wellness Action, Animal Wellness Foundation, Animals’ Angels, Anonymous for the Voiceless – Las Vegas (NV), Arizona Humane Society, Arrow Fund (Louisville, KY), Associated Humane Societies, Ballydídean Farm Sanctuary (Clinton, WA), Basin and Range Watch (NV), Berkeley Animal Rights Center (CA), Berkshire Voters for Animals (MA), Bleating Hearts Sanctuary (Golden, CO), Blissful Dreams Rescue Ranch (Huger, SC), Boulder Bear Coalition (CO), Bucky’s Bull Rescue (Cedar Grove, WI), Cedar Cove Conservation & Education Center (Louisburg, KS), Center for, Ethical Science, Charleston Carriage Horse Advocates (SC), Chicago Alliance for Animals (IL), Christian Animal Rights Association, Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research and Experimentation (CAARE), Climate Save Movement, Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc. (NY), Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages (NY), Colorado Voters for Animals, Compassionate Action for Animals (Minneapolis, MN), Compassionate & Responsible Tourism (NY), Connecticut Votes for Animals, DC Voters for Animals, Dead Broke Farm (Raleigh, NC), Defend Them All Foundation (Portland, OR), Difference Makers Media (Wilmette, IL), Direct Action Everywhere (Berkeley, CA), EarthAction, Emerald City Pet Rescue (Seattle, WA), Endangered Habitats League (West Hollywood, CA), Endangered Species Coalition, Environmental Protection Information Center (CA), Equine Collaborative International, Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary (Amado, AZ), Erika’s Equine Center (Nerstrand, MN), Exotic Avian Sanctuary of Tennessee, Fair Start Movement, Fayette Regional Humane Society (Washington Court House, OH), Federation of Humane Organizations of West Virginia, Fish Feel, Footloose Montana, Forever Home Beagle Rescue (Pittsburgh, PA), Four Paws USA (Boston, MA), Friends of Animals of Metro Detroit (MI), Friends of the Merry Meeting Bay (Richmond, ME), Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf and Wildlife, Friends of Washoe (Ellensburg, WA), Georgia Animal Rights and Protection, Georgia Equine Rescue League, Ginger’s Pet Rescue (Seattle, WA), Global Coalition of Farm Sanctuaries, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Good Karma Pet Rescue (Pompano Beach, FL), Great Spirit Animal Sanctuary (Snowflake, AZ), Green Mountain Animal Defenders (Burlington, VT), Grit and Grace Farm & Wildlife Rehabilitation (Cynthiana, KY), Hanaeleh Horse Rescue and Advocacy (Trabuco Canyon, CA), Harmony Farm Sanctuary (Bend, OR), Heart of Alabama (Killen, AL), Heartland Equine Rescue (IN), Heartwood Haven (Roy, WA), Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary (Sewickley, PA), Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League (AR), Hotchkiss Humane Society (CT), Houston Animal Activism (TX), Howling for Wolves (Hopkins, MN), Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh (PA), Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (PA), Humane Long Island (NY), Humane Society of Central Arizona, Humane Society of Huron Valley (MI), Humane Voters of Washington, In Defense of Animals, In-Sync Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center (Wylie, TX), Indiana Skunk Rescue (North Salem), Indraloka Animal Sanctuary (Dalton, PA), Indraloka Sanctuary Children’s Programs (Dalton, PA), Iowa Farm Sanctuary, Jefferson County Humane Society (OH), Jewish Vegan Life, Keepers of the Wild (Valentine, AZ), Kentuckians Vote for Animals, Kindred Spirits, Rescue Ranch (Darlington, PA), Klamath Forest Alliance (CA), LA Animal Save (Los Angeles, CA), Lancaster Farm Sanctuary (PA), League of Humane Voters – Georgia, League of Humane Voters – New Jersey, Liberty Equine (Park City, UT), Los Angeles Alliance for Animals (CA), Luvin Arms Farm Animal Sanctuary (Erie, CO), Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center (Canelo, AZ), Magical Creatures Sanctuary (Laupahoehoe, HI), Maine Animal Coalition, Maine Friends of Animals, Marley’s Mutts (Tehachapi, CA), Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc., Massachusetts for Elephants, Massachusetts Society for the, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell, Mauritius Primate Rescue, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals (NY), Michelson Center for Public Policy, Misfits Coven Animal Haven (Pittsburgh, PA), Mississippi Animal Rescue League, Monmouth County SPCA (Eatontown, NJ), My Pegasus Project (Duncanville, TX), Nevada Paws – The Link, New Hampshire Animal Rights League, Noah’s, Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary (Berlin Center, OH), North Country Animal League (Morrisville, VT), Northeast Equine Rescue (West Newbury, ME), NYC Plover Project (New York City, NY), NYCLASS (New York City, NY), Ocean Conservation Research, Oceanic Preservation Society , OceansWide (Newcastle, ME), Off the Plate Farm Animal Sanctuary (Montgomery, VT), Oregon Animal Rescue, Oregon Horse Rescue, Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary (Estacada, OR), Off the Table Farm Sanctuary (Westfield, WI), Open Sanctuary Project, Ozarks, Kat and K9 Shelter (Sunrise Beach, MO), Palm Springs Animal Shelter (CA), Panhandle Equine (Cantonment, FL), Partnership to Ban Horse Carriages Worldwide, Pasado’s Safe Haven (Sultan, WA), Patchwork Pastures (Wantage, NJ), Pawsitive Beginnings, Inc. (Key Largo, FL), Peace Ridge Sanctuary (Brooks, ME), Peaceful Planet Foundation, Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary (Deer Trail, CO), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Phoenix Zones Initiative, Piedmont Farm Animal Rescue (Pittsboro, NC), Pigsburgh Squealers (Tarentum, PA), Pittie Posse Rescue (ME), Pittsburgh Vegan Society (PA), Plant Based in Baja (CA), Plant-Based Treaty, Plant Peace Daily (Glorieta, NM), Pollination Project (Marin County, CA), Possums Welcome (San Rafael, CA), Potter’s Angels Rescue (Montpelier, VT), Pride & Joy Horse Rescue (Fargo, ND), Project Animal Freedom (Eureka, MO), Protect Our Wildlife Vermont, Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue (Junction City, KS), Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary (West Lebanon, NY), Revolution Philadelphia (PA), Rise for Animals, Rocket, Dog Rescue (Oakland, CA), Rowdy Girl Sanctuary (Waedler, TX), Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary (Imlay, NV), Sanctuary Education Advisory Specialists (East Hartford, CT), Santa Fe Vegan (NM), Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (CA), Save Our Sky Blue Waters (Duluth, MN), Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue (South Acworth, NH), SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness), Social Compassion in Legislation (Laguna Beach, CA), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA), Southern Cross Animal Rescue, (Laurel, MS), SPCA International, SPCA of Hancock County (ME), Species United (Brooklyn, NY), Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue (Riverhead, NY), Stray Dog Support, Inc., Supporting and Promoting Animal Ethics for the Animal Kingdom (SPEAK) (Tucson, AZ), Switch4Good (Irvine, CA), Tahoe Wolf Center (CA), TevaLand Sanctuary Farm (Hillburn, NY), Texas Humane Legislation Network, The Animal Law Office (San Rafael, CA), The Buddy Fund (New York City, NY), The Center for a Humane Economy, The Parrot Club (Hartford, CT), The Urban Wildlands Group (Los Angeles, CA), The Wild Animal Sanctuary (Keenesburg, CO), Their Turn, Think Wild (Bend, OR), Trailsafe Nevada, Tulsa Vegan Guide (OK), Turtle Island Restoration Network (CA/TX), Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (Boulder, CO), Urban Acres Horse Farm (Omaha, NE), Urban Wildlife Research Project (CA), Vegan Organic Network, Vegan Pittsburgh (PA), Veganville Animal Sanctuary (Seaside, OR), VegMichigan, VENDX (Edgewater, FL), Vermont Wildlife Patrol, Victorian Kangaroo Alliance, Voice for Animals (York, ME), Voices of Wildlife in New Hampshire, Voters for Animal Rights (Brooklyn, NY), West Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare, Western Massachusetts Animal Rights Advocates, Western Wildlife Outreach (WA), WildAid (San Francisco, CA), Wildcare Oklahoma, Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. (Delphi, IN), Wildlife for All, Wildlife in Crisis (Weston, CT), Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. (San Antonio, TX), Wildlife Watch, Inc., World Vegan Vision (Paterson, NJ), Wynnwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (Elizabethton, TN), Wyoming Untrapped and Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada celebrates National Shipbuilding Strategy milestones at Irving Shipbuilding

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 26, 2025 – Halifax, Nova Scotia 
     

    Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its sovereign shipbuilding capabilities and supply chains so that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) are equipped to conduct operations at home and alongside allies in an increasingly complex environment.  

    Today, the Honourable Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, joined Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the RCN, and other dignitaries to celebrate significant progress on the Arctic and offshore patrol ships (AOPS) and River-class destroyers (RCD) being constructed at Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI). The AOPS and RCD are critical NSS initiatives that will bolster Canada’s naval strength and economic resilience for decades to come.

    Parliamentary Secretary Blois commended ISI on its AOPS project achievements. The AOPS project for the RCN will be completed this year, with delivery of the sixth and final ship, the future His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Robert Hampton Gray, anticipated this summer.

    The AOPS project for the CCG is also progressing, with the launch of the first ship, the future Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Donjek, anticipated in 2026. Construction of the second ship, the future CCGS Sermilik, continues to advance.

    In addition, ISI is pivoting to the future and ramping up production for the RCD project. Parliamentary Secretary Blois highlighted that full-rate production on the first RCD, the future HMCS Fraser, is now underway, with delivery of this ship anticipated in the early 2030s. The shipyard will continue to integrate lessons learned from the earlier production of an RCD test module, as well as the AOPS project, into the construction process.

    Beyond new ship construction, ISI is supporting the ongoing operational readiness of the RCN’s Halifax-class frigates until the arrival of the RCD. The shipyard is conducting repair and maintenance activities on HMCS Halifax, with anticipated completion next year.

    This year marks the 15th anniversary of the NSS. Since its inception, the strategy has revitalized Canada’s marine industry, fostered innovation and created a skilled workforce. NSS contracts awarded between 2012 and the end of 2024 are estimated to have contributed close to $38.7 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) and created or maintained approximately 21,400 jobs annually between 2012 and 2025.

    The Government of Canada remains committed to advancing shipbuilding projects that equip the RCN, the CCG and Transport Canada with modern, capable vessels. The NSS will continue to evolve through the integration of lessons learned and close collaboration with industry partners to continue to deliver important benefits for Canadians.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada celebrates National Shipbuilding Strategy milestones at Irving Shipbuilding

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 26, 2025 – Halifax, Nova Scotia 
     

    Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its sovereign shipbuilding capabilities and supply chains so that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) are equipped to conduct operations at home and alongside allies in an increasingly complex environment.  

    Today, the Honourable Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, joined Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the RCN, and other dignitaries to celebrate significant progress on the Arctic and offshore patrol ships (AOPS) and River-class destroyers (RCD) being constructed at Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI). The AOPS and RCD are critical NSS initiatives that will bolster Canada’s naval strength and economic resilience for decades to come.

    Parliamentary Secretary Blois commended ISI on its AOPS project achievements. The AOPS project for the RCN will be completed this year, with delivery of the sixth and final ship, the future His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Robert Hampton Gray, anticipated this summer.

    The AOPS project for the CCG is also progressing, with the launch of the first ship, the future Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Donjek, anticipated in 2026. Construction of the second ship, the future CCGS Sermilik, continues to advance.

    In addition, ISI is pivoting to the future and ramping up production for the RCD project. Parliamentary Secretary Blois highlighted that full-rate production on the first RCD, the future HMCS Fraser, is now underway, with delivery of this ship anticipated in the early 2030s. The shipyard will continue to integrate lessons learned from the earlier production of an RCD test module, as well as the AOPS project, into the construction process.

    Beyond new ship construction, ISI is supporting the ongoing operational readiness of the RCN’s Halifax-class frigates until the arrival of the RCD. The shipyard is conducting repair and maintenance activities on HMCS Halifax, with anticipated completion next year.

    This year marks the 15th anniversary of the NSS. Since its inception, the strategy has revitalized Canada’s marine industry, fostered innovation and created a skilled workforce. NSS contracts awarded between 2012 and the end of 2024 are estimated to have contributed close to $38.7 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) and created or maintained approximately 21,400 jobs annually between 2012 and 2025.

    The Government of Canada remains committed to advancing shipbuilding projects that equip the RCN, the CCG and Transport Canada with modern, capable vessels. The NSS will continue to evolve through the integration of lessons learned and close collaboration with industry partners to continue to deliver important benefits for Canadians.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Argentina Bicentenary celebration

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK-Argentina Bicentenary celebration

    Authorities from both countries commemorated 200 years of diplomatic relations yesterday with a musical evening at the Colon Theatre.

    Ambassador Hayes delivering her speech at Teatro Colón.

    The British Embassy in Argentina yesterday celebrated 200 years of diplomatic relations between both countries with a musical evening at the Colon Theatre. The event was attended by high-level authorities from the national government, businesspeople, members of the diplomatic corps, artists, scientists and civil society representatives.

    The gathering also represented Ambassador Kirsty Hayes’s formal farewell after four years as Head of Mission in Buenos Aires, and served as a prelude to the performance of the British opera Billy Budd which the theatre will be staging from next Tuesday, with a cast that includes artists from Argentina, the UK and other countries.

    Among the most prominent guests were the ministers of Justice, Mariano Cúneo Libarona; and Deregulation, Federico Sturzenegger; the former Chief of Staff Nicolás Posse and the former chancellor Diana Mondino; Secretaries for Foreign Affairs, Eduardo Bustamante; Mining, Luis Lucero; Finance, Pablo Quirno and the Fight against Drug Trafficking, Martín Verrier; the Head of the President’s Advisory Council, Demian Reidel; deputies Lucila Crexell, Fernando Iglesias, María Fernanda Araujo, Marcela Campagnoli and Pilar Ramírez; businessmen Gustavo Weiss, Jaime Campos, and Juan Martín Bulgheroni; the president of Conicet, Daniel Salamone; CABA’s Ministers for Economic Development, Hernán Lombardi, and for Infrastructure Pablo Bereciartúa; the Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Staff, Air Chief Marshal Xavier Isaac; the Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Carlos María Allievi; and the Army Chief of Staff, General Carlos Alberto Presti, among others.

    On 2 February 1825, the UK and the United Provinces of the River Plate signed a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation which established diplomatic relations between both countries. It was also the first act of recognition by a leading European power of the independence of the country that would later become known as the Argentine Republic. For this reason, the British Embassy will be celebrating the Bicentenary of diplomatic relations throughout the year with a number of commemorative events like yesterday’s gala at the Colon Theatre’s Golden Room.

    During her speech, Ambassador Hayes said:

    Over these 200 years we have experienced times of closeness and times of distance, but our common history has always been marked by respect, mutual admiration and, above all, by the will to build bridges”.

    She then spoke about her departure from Argentina:

    Tonight also has a very personal significance for me, as it is my last public event as British Ambassador to Argentina. I must confess that saying goodbye to this country is not easy. I am taking with me unforgettable memories, strong friendships and immense gratitude for the warm welcome I received in every one of the 24 provinces.

    With Argentine scientist Diego Golombek as host, the event gave guests the opportunity to enjoy the Prologue of Billy Budd, sung by British tenor Toby Spence and interpreted on the piano by the musical director of the production, Erik Nielsen. As well as an extract from the opera “Darwin in Patagonia”, and an adaptation of the symphony “¡Viva la libertad!” (Long Live Freedom!) composed by Lalo Schifrin and Rod Schejtman. Before the end, Schejtman himself gave an impromptu live performance in honour of Ambassador Hayes, combining the musical notes randomly selected by the Ambassador herself, by Minister Cúneo Libarona representing the Argentine government, and by Julio Aro, president of the No Me Olvides Foundation, whose mission is related to preserving the memory of those who fell in the 1982 conflict.

    The main sponsor of the event was the GREAT campaign – the UK’s country brand – whose motto is an invitation to “See Things Differently”, and the private sponsors was Standard Chartered.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman David Scott Statement On the House Passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military and Veteran Affairs Spending Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

    Congressman David Scott Statement On the House Passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military and Veteran Affairs Spending Bill

    Washington, June 26, 2025

    Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott released the following statement regarding House Passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military and Veteran Affairs Spending Bill

    “Instead of writing spending bills that lower the cost of living, my Republican colleagues have passed a FY2026 MilCon-VA bill that fails to meet Georgia Veterans’ needs while omitting funding for Fort Gordon’s Cyber Instructional Facility—directly harming one of the military’s key cyber training hubs. I cannot support a bill that redirects billions of VA dollars to private hospitals and clinics, rather than strengthening VA’s in-house capacity to care for Veterans.

    This means our vets will see higher costs, longer wait times and lower care quality. I am also deeply disappointed Republicans rejected a number of Democratic amendments to improve the bill, including those to protect servicemembers from the economic impact of the President’s tariffs, reverse the Administration’s illegal closure of VA housing programs, and to prohibit mass firings at the VA. Georgia Veterans answered the call to serve, we owe it to them to ensure they receive the care, benefits, and respect they deserve—not just empty rhetoric or partisan cuts.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: It’s futile for the Philippines to infringe upon China’s sovereignty and make provocations under the pretext of fishing activities: Defense Spokesperson 2025-06-26 “The Philippine side attempts to use fishing activities as a pretext to infringe upon China’s sovereignty and make provocations. This will never work,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang on Thursday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, June 26 — “The Philippine side attempts to use fishing activities as a pretext to infringe upon China’s sovereignty and make provocations. This will never work,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.

      The spokesperson made the above remarks when asked to comment on the Philippines’ “New Hero-Fisherfolk” Program to encourage its fishermen to exploit fishing resources in waters near China’s Nansha Qundao to the fullest extent.

      “China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters,” said the spokesperson, adding that the Chinese side will strengthen administrative control of the relevant waters in accordance with laws and regulations, and firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Defense Ministry Calls on the US to Stop Deceiving Americans and People Around the World

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese National Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang on Thursday called on the United States to form an objective and rational view of China and stop deceiving the American public and the international community.

    Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks while commenting at the request of the media on recent comments by the US Secretary of Defense, in which he called China a “threat” and stressed that the deterrence the US will deploy in the Indo-Pacific region will be aimed at “achieving peace through strength.” The US also plans to strengthen the combat readiness of its armed forces in the region and enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

    Noting that the Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal affair and does not allow foreign interference, Zhang Xiaogang called on the US side to stop blaming China for everything and create favorable conditions for the development of relations between the two countries and their armed forces.

    China’s development does not pose any threat to any country. China does not resort to containment and intimidation like some other countries, he said, noting that the Chinese military is a reliable pillar of world peace. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Defense Ministry: US military aid, arms sales to Taiwan aimed at dragging the island into war

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — Military aid or arms sales to China’s Taiwan region is a malicious attempt by the United States to drag Taiwan into the flames of war, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said Thursday.

    “We firmly oppose any form of military collusion between the United States and the Chinese region of Taiwan,” Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference.

    He made these statements while commenting, at the request of a journalist, on the adoption by the US House Appropriations Committee of the defense appropriations bill, which provides for the allocation of US$500 million in military aid to Taiwan.

    Zhang Xiaogang demanded that the US side abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and stop sending wrong signals to separatist forces advocating “Taiwan independence.”

    He also responded to a question about Taiwan’s Prime Minister Lai Qingde’s desire to establish Taiwan-US security cooperation, which he said should move from military procurement to joint production, research and development.

    “Lai Qingde and his ilk are constantly inventing new ways to pay ‘protection money’ to their American ‘masters’, recklessly squandering money earned by the Taiwanese people through blood and sweat,” he stressed. -0-

    Any attempt to achieve “independence” with the help of the United States, or to prevent national reunification with military force, is doomed to failure, he warned. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British industry to benefit from billions in government spending under new plans to protect national security

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    British industry to benefit from billions in government spending under new plans to protect national security

    Government will back British industries such as energy, steel and cyber – giving them more of the £400bn spent on government procurement each year and protecting our national security.

    • British industries such as energy, steel and cyber are set to get more money from government spending under new plans being considered to protect UK national security.
    • Central government departments will be told to consider UK-made steel for all public projects, and use exemptions for buying rules wherever possible to support steel makers, in new guidance issued today.
    • New rules would also ensure the public sector excludes companies that have failed to pay small businesses on time.

    Government will back British industries such as energy, steel and cyber – giving them more of the £400bn spent on government procurement each year and protecting our national security.

    A consultation launching today will consider new rules to give the government greater power to back our national security through government buying and ensure the country retains a strong, homegrown industrial base.

    The plans will allow Ministers to designate certain UK industries as nationally important to protecting UK national security – as part of our Plan for Change to secure Britain’s future.

    Current rules require public sector buyers to consider bids from overseas suppliers that can undercut UK firms. Under the new designation, public sector buyers will be able to avoid normal buying rules to support national security, and award contracts to our industries. 

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden said:

    Strong industry is essential to our national security. The new rules being considered  will give us the power to protect our national industries, ensuring more money goes to them as we buy goods and services in government.

    Our reforms will boost growth and ensure British industry is supported to deliver national security and our Plan for Change.

    The move aims to harness the £400 billion spent by central Government each year on everyday products and services to boost British business – as the government rebuilds the country in a decade of national renewal and delivers the Plan for Change. 

    The changes come following the publication of the government’s Industrial Strategy which set out a ten year plan to boost investment, skills and jobs and reduce the energy costs for business and industry.

    New guidance will also require Government departments to consider UK-made steel in all future public projects, including those that form part of the £725bn of UK infrastructure spending over the next 10 years.

    Industry Minister Sarah Jones said:

    This is the latest win for our Steel Strategy, supporting jobs across the UK and building on the launch of our modern Industrial Strategy which will cut energy costs for steel firms.

    By strengthening our procurement to back British industry, we’ll not only bolster national security but drive growth by filling up companies’ order books across the UK. Supported by up to £2.5 billion, our upcoming Steel Strategy will set out how we’ll boost growth and investment in the sector even further.

    Cracking down on late payment and supporting SMEs

    The new rules will also ensure public sector buyers exclude companies that cannot evidence a good record of paying businesses in their supply chains promptly and on time. 

    Prompt payment is vital to a small business’ success, as they work to tight margins. By ensuring government supply chains are paying them quickly and on time we can remove uncertainty and fuel growth.

    Alongside prompt payments, new rules will be introduced that would require all large contracting bodies to set three year targets for SME spending. 

    The government previously announced that Government departments would have targets, and this expands that requirement to the wider public sector. Further prioritising and boosting spending with SMEs.

    Supportive quotes;

    Gareth Stace, Director-General of UK Steel said:

    This is unequivocally positive news for the UK steel industry. These changes rightly recognise the strategic importance of steelmaking to national security and the vital role of resilient domestic supply chains. 

    With the launch of the National Infrastructure Strategy and Strategic Defence Review, the next decade presents a generational opportunity for our steel industry. This revised guidance and proposals in the consultation will help government departments unlock the full capacity and capability of our members, supporting jobs and driving investment across the country.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Off-Camera, On-Background Press Briefing on FY2026 Budget

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Senior military and senior defense officials will hold an off-camera, on-background press briefing today, June 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EDT, in the Pentagon Briefing room and via Zoom.  The officials will discuss the President’s FY26 National Defense budget request.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO defense ministers’ meeting held in China

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

    QINGDAO, June 26 — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday convened in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province.

    It is necessary for the SCO to serve as an anchor of stability amid the current complex global situation, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said while addressing the meeting.

    China is willing to work with all SCO member states to adhere to the original aspiration of the organization, carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit,” firmly safeguard international fairness and justice, jointly address security challenges, and promote steady and far-reaching defense and security cooperation, Dong noted.

    All parties participating in the meeting agreed to enhance strategic communication, promote practical cooperation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Cloudera Achieves FedRAMP® Moderate Authorization, Advancing Its Commitment to Secure Data, Analytics, and AI in the Public Sector

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, today announced that it has achieved a Moderate Provisional Authority to Operate (P-ATO) for its Cloudera Government Solutions offering at the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP®). Cloudera is now one of only 38 Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions to earn FedRAMP Moderate status, placing it in an exclusive group of platforms approved to handle sensitive federal data in a public cloud environment and enabling reciprocity with Department of Defense Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG) at Impact Level 2. This designation, now officially listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace, marks the first step in the journey to bring Cloudera’s secure data platform to the federal government cloud community.

    As federal agencies accelerate digital transformation, the ability to manage large-scale datasets in cloud environments has become essential to mission delivery. With the FedRAMP Moderate Authorization designation, Cloudera enables agencies to confidently adopt a data architecture that delivers cloud-native analytics on AWS GovCloud. Building on existing agency-specific ATOs, this designation allows any federal agency to use Cloudera for mission-critical workloads while meeting FedRAMP Moderate and Department of Defense IL2 requirements.

    “Federal agencies rely on trusted platforms to manage vast volumes of sensitive data – from health records and benefits systems to emergency response operations,” said Leo Brunnick, Chief Product Officer, Cloudera. “This FedRAMP Moderate Authorization validates the trust our customers have placed in Cloudera to meet strict federal security controls while enabling the agility they need to modernize. We’ve built Cloudera to help agencies confidently evolve – whether they’re delivering real-time insights during a crisis, building AI models to detect fraud, or informing policy with trusted analytics. This designation ensures they can do so securely, at scale, in the cloud.”

    Cloudera is now FedRAMP Authorized for the following components:

    To learn more about Cloudera Government Solutions, visit https://www.cloudera.com/solutions/public-sector.html

    About Cloudera
    Cloudera is the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world’s largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what once seemed impossible—today and in the future.

    To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact
    Jess Hohn-Cabana
    cloudera@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Pacific Partnership 2025 Concludes Successful Mission in Virac, Philippines

    Source: United States Navy

    VIRAC, Philippines – Pacific Partnership 2025 successfully concluded its mission in Virac, Philippines, marking the end of a series of intensive training exercises and collaborative engagements aimed at strengthening disaster response capabilities and fostering lasting partnerships, June 12, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Navy Week Sets Sail for Duluth

    Source: United States Navy

    The U.S. Navy is bringing Navy Week back to Duluth, Minnesota, from June 30-July 6, 2025. As part of a nationwide outreach effort, Duluth Navy Week will connect Sailors with the community through a variety of performances, educational events, and service projects.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Japanese prime minister’s abrupt no-show at NATO summit reveals a strained alliance with the US

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Craig Mark, Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University

    Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has sent a clear signal to the Trump administration: the Japan–US relationship is in a dire state.

    After saying just days ago he would be attending this week’s NATO summit at The Hague, Ishiba abruptly pulled out at the last minute.

    He joins two other leaders from the Indo-Pacific region, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in skipping the summit.

    The Japanese media reported Ishiba cancelled the trip because a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump was unlikely, as was a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) NATO partners (Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan).

    Japan will still be represented by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, showing its desire to strengthen its security relationship with NATO.

    However, Ishiba’s no-show reveals how Japan views its relationship with the Trump administration, following the severe tariffs Washington imposed on Japan and Trump’s mixed messages on the countries’ decades-long military alliance.

    Tariffs and diplomatic disagreements

    Trump’s tariff policy is at the core of the divide between the US and Japan.

    Ishiba attempted to get relations with the Trump administration off to a good start. He was the second world leader to visit Trump at the White House, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

    However, Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs imposed a punitive rate of 25% on Japanese cars and 24% on all other Japanese imports. They are already having an adverse impact on Japan’s economy: exports of automobiles to the US dropped in May by 25% compared to a year ago.

    Six rounds of negotiations have made little progress, as Ishiba’s government insists on full tariff exemptions.

    Japan has been under pressure from the Trump administration to increase its defence spending, as well. According to the Financial Times, Tokyo cancelled a summit between US and Japanese defence and foreign ministers over the demand. (A Japanese official denied the report.)

    Japan also did not offer its full support to the US bombings of Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this week. The foreign minister instead said Japan “understands” the US’s determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

    Japan has traditionally had fairly good relations with Iran, often acting as an indirect bridge with the West. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe even made a visit there in 2019.

    Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil from the Middle East. It would have been adversely affected if the Strait of Hormuz had been blocked, as Iran was threatening to do.

    Unlike the response from the UK and Australia, which both supported the strikes, the Ishiba government prioritised its commitment to upholding international law and the rules-based global order. In doing so, Japan seeks to deny China, Russia and North Korea any leeway to similarly erode global norms on the use of force and territorial aggression.

    Strategic dilemma of the Japan–US military alliance

    In addition, Japan is facing the same dilemma as other American allies – how to manage relations with the “America first” Trump administration, which has made the US an unreliable ally.

    Earlier this year, Trump criticised the decades-old security alliance between the US and Japan, calling it “one-sided”.

    “If we’re ever attacked, they don’t have to do a thing to protect us,” he said of Japan.

    Lower-level security cooperation is ongoing between the two allies and their regional partners. The US, Japanese and Philippine Coast Guards conducted drills in Japanese waters this week. The US military may also assist with upgrading Japan’s counterstrike missile capabilities.

    But Japan is still likely to continue expanding its security ties with partners beyond the US, such as NATO, the European Union, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and other ASEAN members, while maintaining its fragile rapprochement with South Korea.

    Australia is now arguably Japan’s most reliable security partner. Canberra is considering buying Japan’s Mogami-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. And if the AUKUS agreement with the US and UK collapses, Japanese submarines could be a replacement.

    Ishiba under domestic political pressure

    There are also intensifying domestic political pressures on Ishiba to hold firm against Trump, who is deeply unpopular among the Japanese public.

    After replacing former prime minister Fumio Kishida as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last September, the party lost its majority in the lower house of parliament in snap elections. This made it dependent on minor parties for legislative support.

    Ishiba’s minority government has struggled ever since with poor opinion polling. There has been widespread discontent with inflation, the high cost of living and stagnant wages, the legacy of LDP political scandals, and ever-worsening geopolitical uncertainty.

    On Sunday, the party suffered its worst-ever result in elections for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, winning its lowest number of seats.

    The party could face a similar drubbing in the election for half of the upper house of the Diet (Japan’s parliament) on July 20. Ishiba has pledged to maintain the LDP’s majority in the house with its junior coalition partner Komeito. But if the government falls into minority status in both houses, Ishiba will face heavy pressure to step down.

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

    – ref. Japanese prime minister’s abrupt no-show at NATO summit reveals a strained alliance with the US – https://theconversation.com/japanese-prime-ministers-abrupt-no-show-at-nato-summit-reveals-a-strained-alliance-with-the-us-259694

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Making Electronic Devices Faster, More Powerful, and Better at Staying Cool

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    When electronic devices overheat, they can slow down, malfunction, or stop working altogether. This heat is mainly caused by energy lost as electrons move through a material—similar to friction in a moving machine.

    Most devices today use silicon (Si) as their semiconductor material. However, engineers are increasingly turning to alternatives like gallium nitride (GaN) for longer lifetime use and higher performance. This includes products such as LEDs, compact laptop chargers, and 5G phone networks. For even more extreme applications—such as high-voltage systems or harsh environments—researchers are exploring ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) materials like gallium oxide (Ga2O3), aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN), and even diamond.

    Pictured in center, Georges Pavlidis, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering Ph.D. candidates Francis Vásquez, at left, and Dominic Myren, are co-authors of a “Perspectives” paper published in Applied Physics Letters. Together, they’re exploring thermal management strategies in ultra side bandgap semiconductor devices. (Sarah Richmond/UConn Photo)

    The key difference between these materials lies in their electronic bandgap—the energy needed to get electrons to flow through the material. Wider bandgaps allow companies to reduce the size of their electronics and make them more electrically efficient.

    “UWBG materials can resist up to 8,000 volts and can operate at temperatures over 200 °C (392°F), making them promising for the next generation of electronics in the energy, health, and communication sectors,” explains Georges Pavlidis, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

    While these materials offer promising advantages, they also come with challenges. They’re currently expensive, difficult to manufacture, and their thermal behavior is hard to measure precisely. As electronics become more powerful and in smaller dimensions, the heating in the device becomes more localized and can generate a heat flux greater than the sun, Pavlidis explains.

    “Chip manufacturers need new methods to measure temperature in smaller dimensions,” he says.

    Pavlidis, along with UConn’s School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering Ph.D. candidates Dominic Myren and Francis Vásquez, collaborated with colleagues from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory over the past year to tackle the challenge of measuring the heat output. Their work resulted in a “Perspectives” paper published in Applied Physics Letters.

    “A ‘Perspectives’ paper is intended to be an outline of what’s coming soon, get people excited about what’s coming, and encourage other researchers to start looking into similar topics,” says Myren, a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellow who has seven years of industrial R&D experience in fuel systems, internal combustion, and engine controls and holds patents related to electromagnetic actuators and engine controls. “The push right now is for the development of thermal management strategies in wide and ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor devices. We have a lot of open questions, and we’re working hard on them over in Dr. Pavlidis’ lab, but the cross pollination of ideas is how academic circles thrive.”

    Titled “Emerging Thermal Metrology for Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductor Devices,” the co-authors discuss the pros and cons of using UWBG material for semiconductors, and outline several innovative techniques for measuring temperature at the microscale. These methods could help engineers design faster, more powerful electronic devices—without the risk of overheating.

    After the paper ran online in late May, the co-authors received an unexpected note from the editors at Applied Physics Letters. “[We] felt that your article is noteworthy, and have chosen it to be promoted as an Editor’s Pick. It will be posted on the journal homepage, and a badge will be displayed next to the title.”

    “It is no small feat for a publication to be chosen as an Editor’s Pick in the highly regarded Applied Physics Letters that publishes more than 2,000 articles a year,” says JC Zhao, dean of the UConn College of Engineering. “I congratulate Professor Pavlidis and his group on this recognition and I am very proud of their accomplishment.”

    Members of the Pavlidis Lab prepare to measure the heat produced by a GaN-on-diamond transistor. This advanced semiconductor technology combines gallium nitride (GaN) with a diamond substrate to improve thermal management in electronic devices. “We shine light through the microscope and it reflects off the sample and travels up to the camera. That’s how we measure temperature,” Pavlidis explains. (Sarah Richmond/UConn Photo)

    Vásquez’s particular research interests are thermal management for high-power and radio-frequency (RF) power electronics. In Pavlidis’s lab, he enjoys the combination of research and meaningful application where the group solves real challenges in electronics and photonics that directly impact energy efficiency, reliability, and performance.

    “What makes the experience truly special is the lab culture,” Vásquez says. “Professor Pavlidis is incredibly supportive and patient, especially when we hit difficult knowledge to explain, and he always encourages us to stay curious. His approach pushes us to explore new ideas, test them rigorously, and think about how our work can translate into real-world innovations. It’s that mix of intellectual freedom and high standards to make an impact that keeps me excited every day in the lab.”

    In the paper, the researchers explore several options to measure temperature in UWBG devices. They suggest using optical methods like Raman spectroscopy and thermoreflectance, which use light to measure temperature dependent properties. Electrical methods use electric signals to detect temperature, and scanning probe methods, like scanning thermal microscopy, touch the surface to feel the heat.

    The researchers also describe exciting new ideas, like combining thermal images created from different colors of light to see heat in nitride-based devices, or measuring how light is absorbed in material defects to calculate the temperature in gallium oxide electronics. They’re even working on a new kind of microscope that can see very tiny heat patterns using deep ultraviolet light.

    “These proposed methods provide a solution to measuring the peak temperature in future electronics which is the primary indicator of when the device will fail. Providing the industry with accurate metrology will lower the barrier to commercialization and enable engineers to develop new thermal management strategies,” Pavlidis says.

    The group’s research is supported by Microelectronics Commons, a program specifically created to commercialize UWBG devices for power electronics. The Commons program established the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub, a network of more than 200 organizations, academic institutions, commercial and defense companies, and federally funded centers concentrated in eight northeast states. The idea for the paper stemmed from a project Pavlidis worked on last summer as an Office of Naval Research Fellow.

    Moving forward, Pavlidis—who was promoted to a Senior Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) this month—aims to work with semiconductor partners in developing affordable strategies to reduce the temperature in power electronics. By pushing the resolution limits of temperature measurements, the lab plans to extend their methods to improve other technologies such as quantum computing and photonic circuits. They’ve already worked with colleagues at the University of Maryland to design photonic hardware for next-generation data storage. (View the study in this May 2025 Nature Conversations paper.)

    “We hope our work has laid the foundation for the thermal design of the next generation of UWBG devices,” Pavlidis says.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Increasing Adoption of Drones in Commercial Sectors Leading to a Revolution in Big Data Cloud Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The increasing adoption of drones in commercial sectors is leading to a revolution in big data cloud services. Launching a drone to capture images is the preliminary step in the drone information acquisition process. The captured images then require correction, calibration, processing, storage, and efficient evaluation. The increasing need to evaluate imagery is a key factor driving the adoption of drone imagery software and cloud-based applications, which possess the ability to upload, share, store, and process aerial images. Moreover, there has been a steep increase in the use of cloud-based in-memory computing platform amongst businesses as it accelerates analytics, processes, and predictive capabilities. The global drone data service market size is expected to reach USD 15.05 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 39.0% through 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth can be attributed to the growing usage of information acquired by drones in operational and big data analytics. The increasing need for UAV imagery analysis is presumed to impact the global drone imagery processing software industry positively and add a new horizon in imagery storage technologies. The report said: “By gathering information on a larger scale, service providers can now process unprecedented levels of detailed information and turn it into actionable information. UAV companies, such as PrecisionHawk, are transforming their business processes to enhance their focus on drone data processing rather than UAV manufacturing.” Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI), Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY), and AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS).

    The article continued: The global drone data service market size is expected to reach USD 15.05 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 39.0% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth can be attributed to the growing usage of information acquired by drones in operational and big data analytics. The increasing need for UAV imagery analysis is presumed to impact the global drone imagery processing software industry positively and add a new horizon in imagery storage technologies. The increasing adoption of drones in commercial sectors is leading to a revolution in big data cloud services. Launching a drone to capture images is the preliminary step in the drone information acquisition process. The captured images then require correction, calibration, processing, storage, and efficient evaluation.

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Signs Offer to Acquire North Carolina Land Surveying Company to Expand State Operations and Government Customers – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, announces it has signed an offer to acquire a well-established North Carolina-based land surveying company with a strong government customer base. The proposed acquisition expands operations in the state when combined with a previously announced proposed land survey acquisition with operations in North Carolina. With over three decades of success serving government agencies, municipal governments, construction companies, and real estate developers, this strategic acquisition would significantly advance the company’s regional market penetration as well as growth in the US Southeast.

    “This proposed acquisition aligns with our strategy to build a robust, scalable, national Drone as a Service business while empowering strong regional and local hubs and recurring revenue opportunities,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “We plan to embed AI-powered drone technology into critical land survey workflows providing unparalleled speed and precision. Land surveys are a first step to innovating multiple legacy businesses and inefficient processes with our DaaS model and our drones.”

    The land survey company offers comprehensive services include boundary surveys, topographic and site planning surveys, ALTA (American Land Title Association) / ACSM (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping) surveys, construction staking, and other essential survey solutions for permitting, financing, and construction across city, county, and commercial sectors.

    ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service (DaaS) business model offers both business and government customers reduced costs and convenience to utilize drones to streamline legacy processes and manual tasks such as inspections, surveying, maintenance, precision agriculture and inventory management , there is no need to purchase drone hardware and software, find a drone pilot, manage maintenance and operation, or acquire regulatory approvals. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and utilizes ZenaDrone’s multifunction AI autonomous drones.

    The company has closed five acquisitions across the US to date as part of its DaaS business model and strategy and has announced it plans to complete 20 more acquisitions in the next 12 months. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    TB2 Aerospace LLC, in collaboration with Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), a drone solutions, and systems developer, recently said it is proud to announce the successful deployment and performance of the Drone Recharging Operational Payload System (DROPS) during the U.S. Army’s Sustainment Modernization Experiment 2025 (SMEX25).

    Throughout SMEX25’s week-long field exercises, the DROPS system, integrated with Draganfly’s Commander 3XL, achieved a 100% success rate in autonomously deploying, recovering, and recharging TB2’s tactical resupply pods. The event provided an opportunity to validate real-world operational performance in austere and high-demand scenarios, drawing praise from defence evaluators and technology observers alike.

    “The successful deployment of DROPS at SMEX25 underscores our commitment to advancing autonomous logistics solutions,” said Hank Scott, CEO of TB2 Aerospace. “Our system’s performance in a live operational environment validates its potential to revolutionize military tactical resupply and contested logistics.”

    Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI), a leader in AI-powered security solutions, is honored to recently be featured in a recent investigative piece by Grist Magazine, titled “How 3 Years of War Have Ravaged Ukraine’s Forests, and the People Who Depend on Them.”

    Safe Pro AI is helping lead a critical technological response to one of the war’s deadliest and most enduring legacies: land mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Utilizing AI and drone-based remote sensing, Safe Pro is working alongside humanitarian organizations and government partners to rapidly detect, map, and facilitate the safer and more efficient removal of UXO. This technology can be especially valuable in areas where land mines have triggered catastrophic wildfires, endangering both people and the environment. According to a report published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Ukraine has experienced profound socio-economic disruption due to the conflict’s impact on key sectors including timber production with losses amounting to approximately €447.73 million. The primary damages involve the destruction of infrastructure, equipment, and substantial harm to protected natural areas, estimated at over €2.3 billion. Restoring this potential will require considerable effort and resources.

    Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY) recently announced that its Black Hornet® 4 Personal Reconnaissance System has successfully completed the required NDAA and cyber security verification process and been approved for the Blue UAS List with an Authority to Operate.

    Led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Blue UAS vets and verifies commercial drone technology for the Department of Defense and U.S. government. The Blue UAS List gives users access to a wide range of drone systems that can meet their diverse needs. In February, Teledyne FLIR announced that Black Hornet 4 was selected by DoD operators from among more than 35 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) products, all rigorously tested during DIU’s ‘Blue UAS Refresh’ event.

    “We are honored to see Black Hornet 4 added to the Blue UAS List, knowing that more operators across our military and federal government will be able to benefit from this one-of-a-kind drone and its distinct capabilities,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense. “DIU is filling a critical national need in meeting mission requirements by executing a more expansive Blue UAS program, and we have valued our partnership with them throughout the verification process.”

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, recently announced the sale of two additional eBee X drones to South Korea, expanding the country’s installed base of AgEagle’s eBee drones to more than 100 units. This milestone strengthens AgEagle’s strategic partnership with South Korea and reinforces its position as a leader in the Asia-Pacific drone market.

    The eBee X, AgEagle’s flagship fixed-wing mapping drone, is engineered for high-precision geospatial data collection and is ideally suited for applications including surveying, mapping, and photogrammetry. This latest sale builds on a well-established fleet, further strengthening AgEagle’s reputation as a trusted provider of cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Sees Explosive E-Commerce Growth as Free Shipping Promo Drives Patriotic Sales Surge Ahead of July 4th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Online Orders Soar as American Rebel Beer Ships to Over 40 States; Free Shipping Available Through June 30

    NASHVILLE, TN, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel, proudly reports explosive online sales growth fueled by enhanced digital marketing, optimized checkout performance, and a limited-time Free Shipping offer celebrating the Fourth of July and the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army.

    American Rebel Light Beer launched its online direct to consumer option earlier this year through shop.americanrebelbeer.com, that expanded availability to over 40 U.S. states, giving patriotic Americans nationwide the opportunity to enjoy what the company calls “America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.”

    Patriotic Reach, Real Results: 22.9 Million Digital Impressions Drive Explosive Growth at AmericanRebelBeer.com

    In late May, American Rebel implemented major improvements to the online checkout process after onboarding e-commerce experts to map the user experience and identify where sales were stalling. That analysis led to the introduction of Flat Rate Shipping, which sparked an immediate lift in order volume. Encouraged by this success, and in celebration of Independence Day, the company launched a Free Shipping offer through June 30, 2025 – driving massive engagement and accelerating repeat orders.

    During this campaign period American Rebel generated a combined 22.9 million digital impressions across Facebook, Google, and Taboola – demonstrating exceptional consumer engagement and marketing reach across top-tier platforms. This digital expansion is translating into powerful, measurable business outcomes at americanrebelbeer.com

    Key highlights from the most recent performance period include:

    • Gross Online Sales surged 1100% driven by explosive customer demand.
    • Average Order Value (AOV) increased 14% to $59.62.
    • Conversion rates rose 1100%, signaling highly qualified traffic and improved customer targeting.
    • Orders climbed 1000%, marking a significant uptick in new and repeat purchases.
    • Website traffic jumped 4500%, amplifying visibility and brand discovery.
    • 48-pack beer sales soared 2900%, indicating a strong shift toward bulk purchases.
    • 24-pack (16oz) sales rose 801%, further validating product-market fit.
    • RCR (Repeat Customer Rate) improved by 72.7%, a clear indicator of growing customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.

    We’re Not Just Selling Beer – We’re Building America’s Brand

    “This level of performance demonstrates what we’ve always believed – American Rebel Light Beer (“Rebel Light”) resonates with patriotic American consumers,” said Andy Ross, CEO of American Rebel Holdings. “We’re not just selling beer; we’re building a patriotic brand that people are proud to support. We’re building a brand rooted in freedom, faith, and love for country. Our customers aren’t just buying a beer, they’re standing for something, and the numbers speak for themselves – we are scaling, we are converting, and we are winning.”

    American Rebel’s performance is not only accelerating consumer sales but also establishing a strong foundation for long-term shareholder value through proven demand, smart digital investments, and expanding distribution opportunities.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) operates as a consumer brand company rooted in American values, offering American Rebel Light Beer and related merchandise across a growing national footprint. America’s Patriotic Brand™ continues to gain traction across the lifestyle, beverage, and digital commerce sectors.

    American Rebel Beer Shipping Now to 40+ States

    American Rebel Light Beer is available for home delivery in the following states:
    AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NC, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY

    The Free Shipping promotion, available through Monday, June 30, allows customers to stock up ahead of Independence Day. American Rebel encourages fans to order directly at shop.americanrebelbeer.com and celebrate freedom with every sip.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

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

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

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

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

    For more information, visit americanrebelbeer.com.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

    Forward-Looking Statements

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

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Sees Explosive E-Commerce Growth as Free Shipping Promo Drives Patriotic Sales Surge Ahead of July 4th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Online Orders Soar as American Rebel Beer Ships to Over 40 States; Free Shipping Available Through June 30

    NASHVILLE, TN, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel, proudly reports explosive online sales growth fueled by enhanced digital marketing, optimized checkout performance, and a limited-time Free Shipping offer celebrating the Fourth of July and the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army.

    American Rebel Light Beer launched its online direct to consumer option earlier this year through shop.americanrebelbeer.com, that expanded availability to over 40 U.S. states, giving patriotic Americans nationwide the opportunity to enjoy what the company calls “America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.”

    Patriotic Reach, Real Results: 22.9 Million Digital Impressions Drive Explosive Growth at AmericanRebelBeer.com

    In late May, American Rebel implemented major improvements to the online checkout process after onboarding e-commerce experts to map the user experience and identify where sales were stalling. That analysis led to the introduction of Flat Rate Shipping, which sparked an immediate lift in order volume. Encouraged by this success, and in celebration of Independence Day, the company launched a Free Shipping offer through June 30, 2025 – driving massive engagement and accelerating repeat orders.

    During this campaign period American Rebel generated a combined 22.9 million digital impressions across Facebook, Google, and Taboola – demonstrating exceptional consumer engagement and marketing reach across top-tier platforms. This digital expansion is translating into powerful, measurable business outcomes at americanrebelbeer.com

    Key highlights from the most recent performance period include:

    • Gross Online Sales surged 1100% driven by explosive customer demand.
    • Average Order Value (AOV) increased 14% to $59.62.
    • Conversion rates rose 1100%, signaling highly qualified traffic and improved customer targeting.
    • Orders climbed 1000%, marking a significant uptick in new and repeat purchases.
    • Website traffic jumped 4500%, amplifying visibility and brand discovery.
    • 48-pack beer sales soared 2900%, indicating a strong shift toward bulk purchases.
    • 24-pack (16oz) sales rose 801%, further validating product-market fit.
    • RCR (Repeat Customer Rate) improved by 72.7%, a clear indicator of growing customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.

    We’re Not Just Selling Beer – We’re Building America’s Brand

    “This level of performance demonstrates what we’ve always believed – American Rebel Light Beer (“Rebel Light”) resonates with patriotic American consumers,” said Andy Ross, CEO of American Rebel Holdings. “We’re not just selling beer; we’re building a patriotic brand that people are proud to support. We’re building a brand rooted in freedom, faith, and love for country. Our customers aren’t just buying a beer, they’re standing for something, and the numbers speak for themselves – we are scaling, we are converting, and we are winning.”

    American Rebel’s performance is not only accelerating consumer sales but also establishing a strong foundation for long-term shareholder value through proven demand, smart digital investments, and expanding distribution opportunities.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) operates as a consumer brand company rooted in American values, offering American Rebel Light Beer and related merchandise across a growing national footprint. America’s Patriotic Brand™ continues to gain traction across the lifestyle, beverage, and digital commerce sectors.

    American Rebel Beer Shipping Now to 40+ States

    American Rebel Light Beer is available for home delivery in the following states:
    AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NC, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY

    The Free Shipping promotion, available through Monday, June 30, allows customers to stock up ahead of Independence Day. American Rebel encourages fans to order directly at shop.americanrebelbeer.com and celebrate freedom with every sip.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

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

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

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

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

    For more information, visit americanrebelbeer.com.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

    Forward-Looking Statements

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

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • India wanted concerns on terrorism reflected in document: MEA on no adoption of Joint Statement at SCO meet

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, held in Qingdao, China, concluded on Thursday without the adoption of a joint statement. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India wanted concerns on terrorism reflected in the final document, which was not acceptable to one particular country, therefore the statement was not adopted.

    At the SCO meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for united global action against terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism, citing them as the biggest threats to regional peace and trust.

    MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at the weekly media briefing: “I understand that the Defence Ministers could not adopt a joint statement. Certain member countries could not reach consensus on specific issues, and hence the document could not be finalised. India wanted concerns on terrorism to be reflected in the statement, which was not acceptable to one particular country.”

    He added that Rajnath Singh, in his address, urged all SCO member states to unite against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

    “Raksha Mantri reiterated the importance of holding perpetrators, organisers, financers, and sponsors of terrorism—especially cross-border terrorism—accountable and bringing them to justice. He called on all SCO nations to act in unison to strengthen regional stability and security,” Jaiswal said.

    During his speech, Singh also referred to the recent April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including a Nepali national. He said India had exercised its right to self-defence through Operation Sindoor, which targeted and dismantled cross-border terrorist infrastructure.

    Reiterating India’s firm stance, Singh said that “epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe” and urged SCO nations to reject double standards and hold state sponsors of terrorism accountable.

    “We must be in lockstep in our efforts to strengthen stability and security in our neighbourhood,” he asserted.

    The two-day SCO meeting, hosted by China, concluded on Thursday and saw the participation of Defence Ministers from member countries including Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

    Singh’s visit to China came just over a month after Operation Sindoor, further underlining India’s security concerns and its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Courtesy Call on Minister Radegonde by Captain Vikas Guleria


    Download logo

    Captain Vikas Guleria, Commanding Officer of INS TEG paid a courtesy call on Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy on Thursday, 26 June 2025.

    During the meeting, discussions centered on the enduring tradition of the Indian Armed Forces’ involvement in Seychelles’ National Day celebrations as well as this year’s National Day Parade. Captain Vikas Guleria, who participated in the national day festivities in Seychelles in 2017, is keen to enhance cultural and people to people relationships to foster regional partnerships during his visit.

    They also highlighted ongoing capacity-building efforts through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme for Seychelles Defence Forces personnel and the joint surveillance of Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) being conducted in partnership with the Seychelles Coast Guard during INS TEG’s visit.

    Recognizing India as a key maritime security partner, Minister Radegonde underlined the importance of continued naval cooperation in addressing regional threats such as piracy off the Somali coast and other illicit maritime activities such, as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing, in the Western Indian Ocean.

    Minister Radegonde expressed appreciation for India’s enduring support and reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. He welcomed the continued presence of Indian naval vessels in Seychelles as a testament to the deepening military cooperation between the two nations.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.

    MIL OSI Africa –