NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Canada: #1 in Canada: Albertans recycle more than other Canadians

    Minister Rebecca Schulz and beverage recycling leaders celebrate the top recycling system in Canada (Credit: Alberta government)

    After narrowly being beaten out by Prince Edward Island in 2022, Alberta is back on top, regaining the highest beverage container return rate in all of Canada. In 2024, Albertans returned more than two billion cans, bottles and other containers, or 85 per cent of all non-refillable beverage containers. The national average was a paltry 76 per cent. Runners-up include Saskatchewan at 84 per cent, British Columbia at 83 per cent, Ontario at 75 per cent and Quebec at 68 per cent.

    Alberta also continues to rapidly gain in the North American rankings, going from ninth in 2016 to fourth in 2018, to second place in 2022 and 2024, trailing only the state of Oregon. Although Oregon took the top spot, the U.S. state only returns plastic, metal and glass beverage containers. Albertans return a much wider range of beverage containers, including plastic, metal, glass, aseptic carton packages like juice boxes, bag-in-a-box containers like boxed wine, gable tops like milk paperboard cartons, and pouches like those used for juice.

    “Albertans are winners and these results prove it. My call to Albertans is simple: when you are finished with your cans and bottles, recycle. Put money back in your pocket. And keep helping your fellow Albertans beat the competition.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    “Alberta’s leadership in beverage container recycling is a testament to the strength of our industry-led system. As the operator of the system, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation works closely with manufacturers, depots, and partners across the province to ensure beverage containers are collected, processed and reintegrated into the circular economy. This achievement reflects the commitment of Albertans to recycling and the ongoing innovation that drives our system forward.”

    Ken White, board chair, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC)

    “Alberta’s ranking as the top jurisdiction in Canada and second in North America for beverage container recycling demonstrates the effectiveness of our regulatory framework and the collaboration of all system partners. The Beverage Container Management Board is proud to oversee a system that delivers strong environmental outcomes while maintaining accountability and efficiency. This success is a direct result of our shared commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in beverage container recycling.”

    Loren Falkenberg, board chair, Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB)

    “Bottle depots are the frontline and backbone of Alberta’s recycling success, providing convenient, accessible and community-focused beverage container collection services. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Alberta’s 219 depot operators, collaboration amongst industry partners, and a regulatory framework that encourages depots to invest in great customer experiences and Albertans to return their beverage containers.”

    Kulwant Dhillon, board chair, Alberta Bottle Depot Association

    Quick facts:

    • Alberta recycles more than 150,000 different types of non-refillable beverage containers sold in the province.
    • Alberta has 219 depots that provide a refund in exchange for the return of used, empty beverage containers. After sorting, counting and providing a refund, Depots ship the used beverage containers to be recycled.
    • In the most recent Global Deposit Book, Alberta’s return rate was the highest reported in Canada and trailed only Oregon’s 87 per cent among measured jurisdictions in North America.

    Related information

    • Global Deposit Book  
    • B-roll of Minister Schulz touring a beverage recycling facility in Calgary

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Energy Leaders Call for Investigation into Department of Energy’s Scheme to Cancel Awards and Contracts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Washington, DC — Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (OH-09); Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03); Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06); Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Kathy Castor (FL-14); Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18); Science, Space, and Technology Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Deborah Ross (NC-02) sent a letter to United States Department of Energy (DOE) Acting Inspector General Sarah Nelson requesting an investigation into all financial assistance and contracts including any cancelled awards and contracts.

    In their letter, Kaptur, DeLauro, Pallone, Castor, Lofgren, and Ross raise concerns that DOE’s actions are politically motivated and will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for families and businesses.

    “It is widely understood that the integrity of DOE’s contract and award processes is critical to fostering an environment of fair competition and advancing national energy goals. Competitive-based awards ensure that federal funds are allocated to projects that offer the best value to the taxpayers, based on merit and the technical and financial qualifications of applicants,” write the lawmakers. “However, the recent comprehensive portfolio review and the potential resulting cancellations of various awards and contracts appear to violate this principle by undermining the fairness of the process. It appears that some projects previously deemed worthy of funding are being cancelled without adequate justification, and in some cases, with no clear rationale other than administrative convenience.”

    The lawmakers highlight recent reports that the Trump Administration’s award and contract cancellations target states and districts led by Democrats and note that this would be a serious abuse of power: “The politicization of financial assistance and contract awards is deeply concerning, as it could harm not only the progress of critical energy initiatives but also erode public trust in the impartiality of federal agencies. As a nation, we must ensure that such decisions are made based on objective criteria rather than political considerations.”

    “Unfortunately, DOE’s actions create mass uncertainty, will cause energy prices to rise, risk good-paying jobs in communities across the country, and undermine the pursuit of energy dominance,” the lawmakers conclude, before demanding an inquiry into their grave concerns.

    Full text of the letter is available by clicking here and below:

    Dear Acting Inspector General Nelson,

    We are writing to formally request an investigation into the Department of Energy’s (DOE or the Department) recent comprehensive portfolio review of all financial assistance and contracts, as well as the subsequent award and contract cancellations that may occur. It is our belief that these actions not only undermine the spirit of competitive-based awards but also raise significant concerns regarding potential political motivations behind the targeting of projects in Democratic-leaning states and districts. DOE’s actions to delay these programs will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for American families and businesses. These actions are also a dereliction of the Department’s responsibility to carry out duly enacted laws.

    It is widely understood that the integrity of DOE’s contract and award processes is critical to fostering an environment of fair competition and advancing national energy goals. Competitive-based awards ensure that federal funds are allocated to projects that offer the best value to the taxpayers, based on merit and the technical and financial qualifications of applicants. That is reflected in both law and regulations. Section 989 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 states that “research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities carried out by the Department should be awarded using competitive procedures, to the maximum extent practicable.” And the Department’s financial assistance regulations (2 CFR § 910.126) state that “DOE shall solicit applications for Federal financial assistance in a manner which provides for the maximum amount of competition feasible.”

    However, the recent comprehensive portfolio review and the potential resulting cancellations of various awards and contracts appear to violate this principle by undermining the fairness of the process. It appears that some projects previously deemed worthy of funding are being cancelled without adequate justification, and in some cases, with no clear rationale other than administrative convenience.

    Troubling reports have also surfaced suggesting that the review and subsequent cancellations may be politically motivated, targeting projects in Democratic states and districts. If this is the case, it would represent a serious abuse of power and an attempt to manipulate federal funding for partisan purposes. Additionally, these actions and the pattern of decision making could be in violation of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 7323(a)(4)) that restricts any federal employee to “knowingly solicit or discourage the participation in any political activity of any person who…has an application for any compensation, grant, contract, ruling, license, permit, or certificate pending before the employing office of such employee.”

    The politicization of financial assistance and contract awards is deeply concerning, as it could harm not only the progress of critical energy initiatives but also erode public trust in the impartiality of federal agencies. As a nation, we must ensure that such decisions are made based on objective criteria rather than political considerations.

    Given the significant public interest and the potential ramifications of these actions, we request that your office initiate a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the comprehensive portfolio review, the decision-making process that may lead to contract cancellations, and whether any political bias influenced these decisions.

    It is crucial that DOE’s actions be transparent and fully accountable so that all stakeholders can be confident that public funds are being used in the best interests of the nation. Unfortunately, DOE’s actions create mass uncertainty, will cause energy prices to rise, risk good-paying jobs in communities across the country, and undermine the pursuit of energy dominance.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt response and the initiation of an inquiry into these serious concerns.

     

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Thank you to everyone who defends our country”: HSE Academic Council meeting held at the Victory Museum

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Before the meeting, university veterans and members Academic Council laid wreaths and flowers at the sculpture group “Sorrow” in the Hall of Memory and Sorrow. In addition, they took part in the ceremony of transferring 185 stories of students and employees of the Higher School of Economics about their loved ones during the Great Patriotic War to the All-People’s Historical Project “Faces of Victory“.

    In memory of the defenders of the Fatherland

    The official ceremony of handing over the stories was opened by the General Director of the Victory Museum, Alexander Shkolnik. He recalled that the museum and the university had recently signed an agreement on partnership and cooperation. “After all, we are doing one big thing – raising new generations of real citizens of our country. And they can only be real when they know the history of their country, honor and remember its heroes,” he emphasized.

    Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Nikita Anisimov noted that those who have no past cannot be responsible for the future, and the university is responsible for the future. The transfer of stories of students and employees of the HSE about their heroic ancestors to the Faces of Victory project is the university’s contribution to perpetuating the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland.

    “We are grateful to the Victory Museum for the opportunity to pay tribute to the memory and say words of gratitude to the heroes who defended our country in difficult years, and also to hold the Academic Council of the Higher School of Economics here. And we are happy to hand over to the museum 185 stories collected by our students and staff as part of the Faces of Victory project. We are a young university, but many of the HSE students have something in their families that is connected with the Great Patriotic War, they have a story of their heroes. And I also want to say thank you to everyone who is defending our country now. Among them are students and staff of the Higher School of Economics. And their names, I am sure, will be on the next pages of the memorial materials that we are compiling today,” said Nikita Anisimov.

    The hero of one of these stories is the first rector of the Moscow Institute of Electronic Engineering (now Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics Yevgeny Armensky, who volunteered for the front after receiving his high school diploma and ended the war in Prague, was a member of the HSE. Nikita Anisimov noted that he created the glory of Russian engineering education and that it is important to remember this now, when it is being revived in Russia.

    Preservation of historical memory

    After the ceremonial meeting, the Academic Council met. The names of 11,695 Heroes of the Soviet Union are immortalized on the marble pylons of the Hall of Fame, where it was held, and a 10-meter figure of a victorious soldier is installed in the center.

    At the beginning of the meeting, Nikita Anisimov awarded honorary certificates to university veterans: Boris Gerenrot, professor Faculty of Law, and Vladimir Gavrilov, head of the rector’s secretariat from 1998 to 2000. Boris Gerenrot was 15 years old in 1941, he was called up to the front in 1944, and Vladimir Gavrilov survived the war as a child – he was driven away with his family to Germany, and his mother was shot before his eyes.

    The honorary guest of the Academic Council was the scientific director of the Russian Military Historical Society (RMHS) Mikhail Myagkov. He gave a report on the topic “Memory of the Liberators of Europe in the 21st Century”, emphasizing the role of the Soviet Union in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

    Mikhail Myagkov, in particular, said that in Prague, Marshal Konev lost control of the advanced units of the 1st Ukrainian Front for some time because the Praguers surrounded the soldiers and rocked them in their arms. More than 4 thousand monuments and memorials were erected in Europe, and, for example, 90% of the French considered the USSR’s role in the victory decisive, although France was liberated by the armies of the allies.

    Today, in Europe and the USA, the winners are considered to be primarily the British and Americans, history is falsified to suit politics, and American textbooks devote two lines to the Battle of Stalingrad. At the same time, Mikhail Myagkov emphasized, the decisive contribution of the USSR to the victory in the war is confirmed by indisputable facts and figures. On the Soviet-German front, 607 enemy divisions were destroyed, and on the Western front, only 176.

    The speaker answered questions from members of the Academic Council.

    Focus on technology leadership

    The second issue on the agenda of the Academic Council meeting was the participation of HSE in major federal projects and programs.

    Recently, the HSE team successfully defended the university development program before the Council for Support of Development Programs for Higher Education Organizations, taking second place among the participants of the Priority 2030 program. Vice-Rector Elena Odoevskaya presented a new model for implementing this program at the university, emphasizing that the emphasis in it is on technological leadership. In the near future, it is necessary to develop a KPI model for university departments to ensure their contribution to achieving the program’s target indicators.

    First Vice-Rector Leonid Gokhberg reported on the results of the work Center for Artificial Intelligence HSE University, created in 2021 following a large-scale competition. The most significant results: 31 publications at A* conferences and 23 articles in Q1 journals, 31 projects for industrial partners, 45 registered RIAs. More than 1,000 students have completed 34 AI courses created by the center. This year, the university applied for a new competition, the results of which will be announced soon.

    Vice-Rector Sergey Roshchin presented the main findings of the analytical report “The Position of HSE Graduates in the Russian Labor Market”. It notes HSE’s leading positions in terms of graduates’ salaries in most areas of training: IT, business informatics, economics, management, etc. Key employers for HSE graduates are leading bigtech and fintech companies.

    After the meeting, members of the Academic Council, accompanied by tour guides, visited the Victory Museum exhibitions “The Feat of the People” and “The Battle for Moscow. The First Victory.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rosanna Law visits culture ministry

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today visited the National Museum of China and called on the Ministry of Culture & Tourism as well as the China Film Administration in Beijing.

    In the morning, Miss Law toured the Ancient China exhibition at the National Museum of China, followed by a meeting with Vice Minister of Culture & Tourism Gao Zheng.

    Miss Law briefed Mr Gao on the preparations for the Asia Cultural Co-Operation Forum 2025 due to held on April 22 and 23 in Hong Kong.

    She thanked Mr Gao for taking the time to lead a delegation to join the forum and expressed her wish for it to become an important platform for promoting cultural co-operation in the Asian regions.

    Miss Law also said the National Museum of China showed an example of how to enrich the content of Hong Kong’s museums and enhance the museum experience for citizens and visitors to Hong Kong.

    In the afternoon, the culture chief met China Film Administration Executive Deputy Director-General Mao Yu.

    Miss Law sincerely thanked the central government for expanding the liberalisation measures to Hong Kong’s film industry under the framework of the Agreement on Trade in Services of Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, which has facilitated the Hong Kong film industry in entering the Mainland market.

    She also hoped to work with the China Film Administration in the future to promote in-depth exchanges between the film industries of the two places.

    Miss Law then met Director of the Training Center of the General Administration of Sport of China Yang Xinli, at the training centre’s Hall of Honor.

    She was briefed by Mr Yang on the stories behind the photos and exhibits, learning about the spirit of resilience and perseverance of the national athletes as well as their struggles to win honours for the country.

    Miss Law will return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Join Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Rescind Illegal Executive Order Threatening Federal Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in urging President Donald Trump to rescind his March 27 executive order to end collective bargaining agreements between public employee unions and dozens of federal agencies and bureaus. In their letter, the Democratic Senators blasted the move as a “gross overreach” of presidential authority, asserting that the executive order is a clear attempt to gut the federal merit-based civil service and implement a system of political cronyism. They stressed that the order poses a grave threat to the ability of over 1 million federal workers to carry out their missions and deliver important services for the American people – and thus should be rescinded immediately.
    “We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, a gross overreach of the authority granted in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people,” the Senators began.
    “The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs,” they continued. “There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference.”
    “This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants. We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution,” the Senators concluded.
    The Senators’ letter is endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
    Led by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Senators Heinrich and Luján were joined on this letter by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    A copy of the letter is available here and below.
    Dear President Trump: 
    We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, a gross overreach of the authority granted in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). 
    This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people. They care for our veterans, deliver disaster assistance, prevent wildfires, help farmers improve crop yields, manage health benefits for 9/11 first responders, research treatments and cures for diseases, keep air travel safe, process tax returns, staff our national parks and much, much more. Nearly one third of these dedicated civil servants are veterans seeking to continue their service to our country out of uniform.  
    The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs. The national security exemption has existed for nearly 50 years and has been used only sparingly by Republican and Democratic Administrations—including during your first term—to exclude federal offices with an unquestionable core function in intelligence, counterintelligence, or national security. There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference. 
    Federal employees’ collective bargaining agreements are critical to ensuring they continue to serve the American people with the peace of mind that comes with being protected from unfair labor practices. Unlike in the private sector, federal employee unions in most cases cannot negotiate pay or benefits, which are set by Congress, and they are legally prohibited from striking. The federal collective bargaining agreements do, however, protect federal employees from illegal firings, retaliation, and discrimination. They also promote resources for whistleblowers and veterans. These federal union contracts give employees in the civil service protections from retaliation so they can serve the American people fairly and effectively without partisan political interference.  
    This executive order, which ruthlessly strips collective bargaining agreements for over one million federal workers, is the most recent attack your Administration has levied against our merit-based civil service in the effort to cut the workforce and replace them with political cronies. While the CSRA does give the president the authority to limit collective bargaining agreements due to national security concerns, the executive order’s direction to terminate mass swaths of federal employee collective bargaining agreements is clearly intended to broadly dismantle the CSRA, which is specifically designed to grant federal employees the right to collective bargaining as a means to resolve workplace issues while maintaining the smooth functioning of government operations.  
    When the Secretary of Labor testified in February in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Members of Congress asked her both in-person and through questions for the record whether she and the Administration would commit to honoring all legally binding collective bargaining agreements signed by federal agencies and labor unions, and whether federal employees have the right to organize and collectively bargain without fear of retaliation. The Secretary answered, “if confirmed, I will follow the law and work with the experts at the Department to understand the collective bargaining process at the Department and the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreements in place.” This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants.  
    We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Mullin Breaks Down the Leaderless Left on Hannity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
    “Their poll numbers show it, 21% favorability across the United States with Democrat voters, that’s about as low as it gets.”
    Washington, D.C. –On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Hannity and spoke to the collapse of the Democrat Party’s leadership. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
    On how the left has fallen apart:
    “Since she [Nancy Pelosi] left, they have completely fell apart. I mean, Cory Booker, personally, I actually get along with him, politically, we couldn’t be more different. He spoke for 25 hours. I can’t think of a single thing he said other than what you said. He ranted against Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Well, that’s the same playbook that the Democrat Party has had. Hakeem Jeffries isn’t leading it. Chuck Schumer isn’t leading it. And their poll numbers show it, 21% favorability across the United States with Democrat voters, that’s about as low as it gets.”
    On how the Liberals have lost labor workers:
    “This is what happens when you have career politicians that’s running your party. Chuck Schumer is running their party right now. If you want to say he’s a leader, the guy is out of touch with the American people. They’ve lost the working class, as so many of my labor friends now will tell you, they didn’t leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party left them. That is the way that the Democrat Party has been moving since Obama was in office, and now who is left standing is just what you said, Bernie Sanders is the leader, essentially leading the Senate right now, and he’s a socialist.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Heat in Buildings: Warm words and targets not enough without action

    Source: Scottish Greens

    03 Apr 2025

    By watering down this bill the SNP are setting up to fail Scotland’s climate targets.

    The Scottish Government is watering down its Heat in Buildings Strategy and stripping away almost all of its serious policy measures, says Scottish Green Co-Leader Patrick Harvie.

    This follows a Ministerial statement in which the Scottish Government dropped the most significant measures in the Bill and delayed it further.

    The Bill, which was under development by Mr Harvie in his time as a Minister, and was on track for introduction in November last year, was intended to focus on improving the energy efficiency of our homes and changing to clean heating systems.

    The Bill was included in the Scottish Government’s September 2024 Programme for Government, after the Greens were out of government. No explanation has been given today for what has changed since September.

    Mr Harvie said:

    “If climate policy over recent years has taught us anything, it’s that warm words are not enough and that setting targets is utterly meaningless without action and leadership from the Government. Yet that’s what the SNP are now proposing to repeat.

    “The Heat in Buildings programme was one of the very few parts of Scottish climate policy that was being praised by the independent Climate Change Committee. Yet the Scottish Government is now stripping out almost all of the serious policy measures, and is admitting that this means significant progress won’t be made in the near future.

    “This will keep more people stuck on gas, which is bad for our planet and will continue to punish people all across our country by forcing them to fork out while the fossil fuel companies post record profits. 

    “It will also mean even more challenging emission cuts will have to come from other sectors, or the new Climate Change Plan will fail too. And the Government seems to have no idea how to answer this question.

    “The SNP are confirming once again today that on their own, they are only too ready to water down climate policy, and yet another target will be set up to fail.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regionally led security co-operation is vital for peace in West Africa: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Regionally led security co-operation is vital for peace in West Africa: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, on peace consolidation in West Africa.

    I will make three points today. First, the United Kingdom urges support for democracy, constitutional order and the protection of civic space in the region. We welcome the steps taken towards a return to constitutional order in Guinea and Mali and note recent developments in Niger. 

    We urge the authorities to maintain progress in their transitions, and call on them to lift restrictions on political parties, civil society and media institutions and on peaceful public demonstrations

    We note the upcoming Presidential elections in Cote D’Ivoire and Guinea Bissau this year and call on the governments to ensure these are inclusive and align with their constitutions.

    Second, the United Kingdom is concerned by the security situation in the Sahel, including terrorist groups controlling territory and wreaking havoc on local populations. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorist attacks across the region, including in Niger on 21 March, and express our condolences to the families of the victims.

    We encourage UNOWAS to continue its critical role in supporting inclusive dialogue processes, which respond to and address, root causes of violence, to prevent further breaches of international humanitarian law. 

    Regionally led security co-operation remains vital, and the UK welcomes efforts such as the ECOWAS standby force which will enable Member States to deploy rapidly to counter shared threats. We also encourage careful consideration of security partners in the region to avoid worsening the threat posed. 

    Third, the United Kingdom is concerned at the worsening humanitarian situation in the region. Since 2019, the UK has provided life-saving assistance to over 16 million people in the Sahel. We encourage all parties to ensure rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance and protect the safety of humanitarian convoys. 

    To conclude, given the significant challenges the region is facing, including challenges which transcend national borders. It is imperative, therefore, that there is cooperation, coordination and communication between the states and peoples of the region with the international community.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts made to bridge the differences between the Alliance of Sahel States and ECOWAS. The United Kingdom also expresses its thanks to UNOWAS for its work in aiding African states to promote freedom, security, and prosperity.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Federal Treasury deposit auction to be held on 04.04.2025

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Application selection parameters. Application selection date 04.04.2025. Unique application selection identifier 22025088. Deposit currency – rubles. Type of funds funds of a single treasury account. Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units 100,000. Placement period, in days 4. Date of depositing funds 04.04.2025. Date of return of funds 08.04.2025.

    Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)FIXED. Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum 20.05. Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds-Minimum spread, % per annum-Terms of conclusion of the agreement of bank deposit (fixed-term, replenished or special)Fixed-term. Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units 1,000. Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs.5Application selection form (open or closed)Open. Application selection schedule (Moscow time).

    Place of selection of applications Moscow Exchange PJSC Acceptance of applications from 09:30 to 09:40. Applications in preliminary mode from 09:30 to 09:35. Applications in competition mode from 09:35 to 09:40. Formation of a consolidated register of applications from 09:40 to 09:50. Setting the cutoff interest rate and (or) recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful from 09:40 to 10:00. Sending an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement from 10:00 to 10:50. Receipt from credit institutions of acceptance of the offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from 10:00 to 10:50. The time of transfer of the deposit in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 63 and 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated April 27, 2023 No. 10n.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Center Voluntarily Recognizes Union for Frontline Workers Serving LGBTQ+ Community

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    NEW YORK – On Wednesday, workers at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) announced that the organization has voluntarily recognized their union, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180.

    The Center has been a fixture of the queer community since the 1980s, providing life-saving services for more than 6,000 New Yorkers a week. The almost 60 newly unionized members support the community by providing health services, youth counseling, substance abuse treatment, advocacy, meeting spaces, and more.

    Voluntary recognition means that a union election was unnecessary because of the overwhelming support for unionization at the Center. In February, a supermajority of workers marched together and delivered a petition requesting management to recognize their union, which was agreed to yesterday.

    “Throughout their organizing campaign, these workers have shown an unwavering commitment to their union, to The Center, and to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Gloria Middleton, president of CWA Local 1180. “By choosing to voluntarily recognize the union, The Center has met us with the spirit of mutual respect that we hope will carry over to the bargaining table as we negotiate a union contract.”

    “I am beyond thrilled that we came together as workers, specifically as queer and trans folks, to support each other during this time,” said Shana Salzberg, a Youth Substance Use Treatment Coordinator. “We worked hard to build this union together, and I’ve never been more proud to work alongside some of the most powerful and brave people I’ve met to build a better world for our community members and for each other.”

    “We’re excited to have a seat at the table when it comes to how workers are treated at The Center,” said Silas Norum-Gross, a Youth Substance USE Counselor. “Having a role in how our working conditions are decided will personally make me feel more in community with the executive staff.”

    “I’m elated that The Center chose to build with us,” said Salem Joseph, a Youth Leadership Coordinator. “I’m excited to showcase our commitment to both the workers and the institution.”

    CWA is committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ workers in partnership with The Center. CWA Local 1180 also represents 400 crisis workers from the Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

    Follow campaign updates on Instagram or Bluesky.

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VA names nine additional facilities that will deploy Federal EHR in 2026

    Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

    Skip to content

    Sites are located in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Alaska

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the complete list of additional medical facilities at which it will deploy the Federal Electronic Health Record system in 2026 under its accelerated deployment schedule.

    The nine additional VA medical centers and their associated clinics that will go live with the EHR in 2026 are as follows:

    • Cincinnati VAMC-Fort Thomas (Fort Thomas, KY)
    • Chillicothe VAMC (Chillicothe, OH)
    • Cincinnati VAMC (Cincinnati, OH)
    • Dayton VAMC (Dayton, OH)
    • Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC (Cleveland, OH)
    • Fort Wayne VAMC (Fort Wayne, IN)
    • Marion VAMC (Marion, IN)
    • Richard L. Roudebush VAMC (Indianapolis, IN)
    • Alaska VA Healthcare System (Anchorage, AK)

    The nine sites announced today were chosen following planning sessions among officials from VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, regional and local VA medical leaders, VA clinicians and EHR vendor Oracle Health.

    “We are excited to bring Veterans in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Alaska a modern medical record system that will result in improvements to care, coordination and convenience. The Federal EHR is integrated across all VA and Department of Defense components, enabling seamless data exchange while enhancing care, safety and customer service for patients,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.

    The Federal EHR system VA will deploy at a total of 13 sites in 2026 is the same electronic health record that is already operated by the Department of Defense, and the system will improve customer service and convenience for both VA and DOD patients.

    The department previously announced in December 2024 that four VA sites in Michigan — VA Battle Creek Medical Center, VA Detroit Healthcare System, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and VA Saginaw Healthcare System — would go live with the EHR in 2026. Full implementation of the Federal EHR system at every VA facility is expected as early as 2031.

    VA is pursuing a market-based approach to site selection for its deployments going forward. This will enable the department to scale up the number of concurrent deployments, while also enabling staff to work as efficiently as possible.

    VA will adopt a standard baseline of products, workflows and integrations aligned with subject-matter-expert recommendations. The standardized national baseline will ensure successful Federal EHR implementation, accelerate deployments, simplify decision-making and support future optimizations.

    For more information about VA’s overall EHR modernization effort, see here.

    Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

    Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

    Contact us online through Ask VA

    Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

    Learn about our chatbot and ask a question

    Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SIA welcomes news that Martyn’s Law has received Royal Assent

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    SIA welcomes news that Martyn’s Law has received Royal Assent

    The SIA welcomes the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – Martyn’s Law – receiving Royal Assent.

    Today (Thursday 3 April 2025) the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – Martyn’s Law – has received Royal Assent.

    In welcoming the news, Heather Baily, Chair of the SIA, said:

    This is a watershed moment for public safety in the UK. Martyn’s Law will improve protective security and security standards at venues across the UK. The SIA has been confirmed as the new Martyn’s Law regulator. We have been entrusted with this important role, alongside our existing role regulating private security, which we will discharge with due care, proportion and diligence. We are working closely with the Home Office to prepare for this and look forward to reporting on progress to Home Office ministers.

    Our thoughts are with all the families who lost loved ones in the Manchester Arena terror attack as well as all those whose lives have been affected by other acts of terrorism.

    We would like to pay tribute to Figen Murray, and the rest of the campaign team, who have worked tirelessly to make the new duty a reality; we know they will be watching closely to ensure it is having the change intended.

    Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the SIA, said:

    As the new independent regulator, our role will be to educate, support, and guide those covered by the new duty into compliance. This is to empower them to strengthen the protection and preparedness of premises and events across the UK and reduce the risk of harm from acts of terrorism.

    We will ensure in a robust and proportionate way premises and events in scope of this duty comply with the requirements.

    We are working with the Home Office on the preparation work for this new role and we will be setting up a new programme of work in due course.

    There will be a period of time prior to the legislation being commenced. We expect this to be at least 24 months to allow for the set-up of the regulator. This will also ensure sufficient time for those responsible for premises and events in scope to understand their new obligations before they come into force, being able to plan and prepare accordingly. We look forward to engaging with those in scope and other stakeholders during this period as the preparation work progresses.

    In the meantime, premises and events seeking advice on preparing for Martyn’s Law should continue to look for Home Office updates. They can also access free technical guidance and operational advice on protective security on the government partner websites of the National Protective Security Authority and ProtectUK.

    Read the Home Office press release: Landmark anti-terror legislation gains Royal Assent.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Extension of Civil Service recruitment freeze03 April 2025 The States Employment Board, SEB, is extending the recruitment freeze in the Civil Service, which began in August last year. A targeted recruitment freeze was introduced aimed at non-essential, non-frontline,… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    03 April 2025

    The States Employment Board, SEB, is extending the recruitment freeze in the Civil Service, which began in August last year. 

    A targeted recruitment freeze was introduced aimed at non-essential, non-frontline, and more senior posts from Civil Service Grade 11 and above for at least nine months with a pledge to review it after six months. 

    As part of the move the government has removed 1,000 unfilled vacancies, saved millions of pounds for taxpayers and prioritised frontline services for Islanders. 

    Following the promised review, the SEB have decided to extend the current recruitment freeze until the end of March 2026. 

    In addition, the scope of the freeze is being extended to include roles at Civil Service Grade 9, £53,589 pa, and above and to all non-clinical, non-teaching and non-social worker roles in HCJ and CYPES. 

    Deputy Malcom Ferey, Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board, said: “Last August we set out a plan to deliver on our commitment to curb the growth in the public service, rely less on external consultants and develop local talent in the Civil Service. 

    “Following a review and after noting the early signs that this policy is having a positive effect, the States Employment Board are extending the current recruitment freeze until the end of March 2026 and to Grades 9 and above. 

    “This government pledged to curb the growth in the size of the public sector, focus on frontline staff and develop on-Island talent rather than relying on agency workers. The policy is working, and we want to continue to reap those benefits while saving taxpayers money.” 

    The announcement comes as the SEB publishes its Annual Report for 2024 which details its achievements and how it performed against the priorities that were set for it. 

    The SEB report is available here​.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: New basis for calculating the zero-coupon yield curve for government bonds comes into force on April 15, 2025

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    From April 15, 2025, a new composition of the calculation base for the Zero-coupon yield curve of government bonds (federal loan bonds) will come into effect.

    The calculation basis for the zero-coupon yield curve of government bonds, effective from 15.04.2025

    No. Name State registration number
    1 OFZ 26234 SE26234RMFS3
    2 OFZ 26229 SU26229RMFS3
    3 OFZ 26219 CO26219RMFS4
    4 OFZ 26226 SU2226RMFS9
    5 OFZ 26207 SE26207RMFS9
    6 OFZ 26232 SE26232RMFS7
    7 OFZ 26212 CO26212RMFS9
    8 OFZ 26242 CO26242RMFSB
    9 OFZ 26228 SU2228RMFS5
    10 OFZ 26218 CO26218RMFSB
    11 OFZ 26241 CO26241RMFS8
    12 OFZ 26221 SU26221RMFS0
    13 OFZ 26244 CO26244RMFS2
    14 OFZ 26225 SU2225RMFS1
    15 OFZ 26233 SE26233RMFS5
    16 OFZ 26240 CO26240RMFS0
    17 OFZ 26243 CO26243RMFS4
    18 OFZ 26230 SE26230RMFS1
    19 OFZ 26238 SE26238RMFS4
    20 OFZ 26239 SE26239RMFS2
    21 OFZ 26247 CO26247RMFS5
    22 OFZ 26236 SE26236RMFS8
    23 OFZ 26237 SE26237RMFSB
    24 OFZ 26248 CO26248RMFS3
    25 OFZ 26235 SE26235RMFS0
    26 OFZ 26224 SU22224RMFS4
    27 OFZ 26246 CO26246RMFS7

    Detailed information on the zero-coupon yield curve for government bonds (federal loan bonds) is available on the exchange’s website HTTP: //moex.Kom/a3642

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: In Ukraine, it only takes 2 seconds to become an entrepreneur

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShSwkeC5q38

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Huffman, Van Hollen Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Fully Fund Special Education

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    April 03, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02)and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) reintroduced the bicameral IDEA Full Funding Act to ensure all children with disabilities can access a free, high-quality public education.In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to provide these essential educational opportunities, and this legislation ensures that Congress fulfills its commitment.

    Under IDEA, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. However, that pledge has never been met, and current funding is below 13 percent. The IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular, mandatory increases in IDEA spending to finally meet our obligation to America’s children and schools. It is cosponsored by more than 30 Senators and over 60 House members. Text of the IDEA Full Funding Act can be viewed here.

    “While we’ve made substantial progress to fund special education services in recent years, we still have important work left to do to live up to the original commitment Congress made,” said Rep. Jared Huffman. “All children – no matter their zip code, race, disability, or any other factor – should be able to access a full, exceptional education, and this legislation will help school districts provide thenecessary resources to make this vision a reality. The current chronic underfunding leaves an unfair burden on students, teachers, schools, and families.Our bill holds up the federal government’s end of the bargain to fully fund special education services on apermanent basis and set all students up for long-term success.”

    “Fifty years ago, Congress passed the IDEA Act, and with it, made a promise to children with disabilities and their families – but we have fallen short of that promise every year since. While Donald Trump and Elon Musk are illegally gutting public education in America, we are fighting to strengthen it. Our bill will ensure that Congress finally meets its commitment to fully fund IDEA, putting us closer to delivering equal access to high-quality education for every student in this country,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    Rep. Huffman requested $16.3 million for IDEA Part B Grants to States in FY2024, taking a key step toward securing full federal funding. He will continue to advocate for more federal funding in the upcoming FY2025 appropriations cycle, ensuring that every child can access the resources they need to succeed.

    This bill is co-led in the House by Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Don Bacon (NE-02), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), and Mike Bost (IL-12). 

    “As the Trump Administration slashes support for students with disabilities by dismantling the Department of Education, I am proud to join my colleagues in advancing legislation that mandates increased IDEA funding. Together with parents, teachers, and education advocates, we will hold the President accountable for his reckless attacks on accessible education and make sure every kid has the chance to learn, grow, and–ultimately–succeed,” said House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse.

    “This bipartisan legislation is fulfilling a long overdue promise made by the federal government to support students with disabilities by funding 40% of the cost of special education,” said Rep. Don Bacon. “For far too long that commitment has gone unfulfilled, and now we are taking action to deliver on that promise. I’m honored to co-lead the reintroduction of the IDEA Full Funding Act.”

    “For too long, the federal government has fallen short on its commitment to share the cost of education with states for individuals with special needs, placing an unfair burden on schools, teachers, and families,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson. “The IDEA Full Funding Act reaffirms our promise and makes IDEAwhole over the next 10 years. This is a positive step toward ensuring every student with disabilities receives the support and resources they need to thrive.

    “As the mother of a child who benefited from special education, I know firsthand just how lifechanging these programs can be for Minnesota students and their families,” said Rep. Angie Craig. “I’m proud to be co-leading this bipartisan legislation to fully fund special education programs and ensure our special educators and paraprofessionals have the resources they need to keep up this critical work.”

    “Every child, regardless of ability, deserves access to a high-quality education and a fair opportunity to succeed,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. “For too long, the federal government has fallen short of its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), leaving schools and families to shoulder the burden. We’re working to change that through the bipartisan, bicameral IDEA Full Funding Act—legislation that will ensure students in Bucks and Montgomery counties, and across the nation, have access to the full range of resources, support, and high-quality education they need to reach their fullest potential.”

    “Parents of kids with special needs are fresh off of fighting for their kids during COVID, and we won’t stop. We know that every kid has needs – and gifts. No one is disposable and we’re tired of having to fight for the crumbs. Fully fund IDEA. Now,” said Rep. Janelle Bynum.

    “For many parents, raising a child with a disability is a full-time job. Every child, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, deserves the opportunity to develop skills that will help them lead fulfilling lives. That’s why I’m a proud co-lead of the IDEA Full Funding Act,” said Rep. Eric Swalwell. “Parents have to fight too damn hard to get their child the resources they need, and Congress has fallen short of our promise to support all students as they learn essential skills for adulthood. This bill would require regular mandatory increases in spending to match the needs of America’s classrooms. Fully funding IDEA is a big step in bringing down barriers and stepping up our students for success.”

    “For too long, the federal government has fallen short of its funding commitment to students with special needs, forcing schools to subsidize rising special education costs with general education funds,” said Rep. Pete Stauber. “This leaves every student at a disadvantage. As the parent of a child with special needs, I am proud to continue the fight to ensure Congress fulfills its promise to our special needs students and their parents, so our educators can strengthen special education services while meeting the needs of every American student.”

    This legislation is supported by a broad and diverse group of over 70nationaland localorganizations, including by theSchool Superintendents Association (AASA), theAssociation of School Business Officials International (ASBO), and the Council for Exceptional Children.

    “I see firsthand the critical role special education plays in shaping the future of our students. With the growing needs of students with disabilities, it is more important than ever that we fully fund IDEA. Every child, regardless of ability, deserves access to the education and support they need to thrive. I urge Congress to please find it in their hearts to vote this critical legislation through and support all our beautiful children across this great nation,” said Jaime Green, Superintendent of Trinity Alps Unified School District (TAUSD).

    “AASA is proud to support the IDEA Full Funding Act being introduced today. We strongly support this legislation as a key priority in strengthening our nation’s schools and supporting them in their work to ensure all students—regardless of ability—have an opportunity to access a high-quality education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) represents a critical commitment to help level the playing field for historically disadvantaged populations, students with disabilities. We are proud to endorse the IDEA Full Funding Act, being introduced in both the House and Senate this week, for its work to hold Congress accountable and create a clear path and plan of action. We thank Senator Van Hollen and Representatives Thompson and Huffman for their leadership on this important issue,” said AASA Executive Director Dr. David R. Schuler.

    “School districts everywhere are facing significant financial strain as they strive to educate and serve all students, including those with disabilities. Fully funding IDEA would help schools keep up with rising costs to effectively assess and respond to increasing needs, attract and retain specialized instructional support personnel, and provide assistive equipment and technology to help students learn and succeed,” said Elleka Yost, ASBO Director of Advocacy & Research.

    “As the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) turns 50 years old this year, now is the perfect time for Congress to make good on its pledge to fully fund IDEA,” said Chad Rummel, executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children. “We thank Sen. Van Hollen, Reps. Huffman and Thompson, and all the bill cosponsors for introducing this bill to provide the resources needed to support the infants, toddlers, children and youth served under IDEA,” said Kuna Tavalin, Senior Advisor at the Council for Exceptional Children.

    Additional cosponsors in the House include Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Mike Bost (IL-12), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Jim Costa (CA-21), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jason Crow (CO-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jim Himes (CT-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), John Mannion (NY-22),Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DL-AL), LisaMcClain (MI-09), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07),Chellie Pingree (ME-01),Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jamie Raskin (MD-08),Josh Riley (NY-19),AndreaSalinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), PeteStauber (MN-08), Marilyn Strickland(WA-10), Eric Swalwell, (CA-14),Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), NikemaWilliams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

    The legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    The bill is also supported by: TheSchool Superintendents Association (AASA), AFT, AFL-CI”, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Occupational Therapy Association, American PsychologicalAssociation, Assistive Technology Industry Association, Association of Educational Service Agencies, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, CAST, Center for Learner Equity, Coalition for Adequate Funding for Special Education, Coalition for Community Schools, Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA), Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Learning Disabilities, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, EDGE Consulting Partners, EdTrust, Education Reform Now, First Focus Campaign for Children, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, Institute for Educational Leadership, Learning Disabilities Association of America, NAESPA (NationalAssociation of ESEA State Program Administrators), NationalAssociation for Music Education, NationalAssociation for Pupil Transportation, NationalAssociation of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, NationalAssociation of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), NationalAssociation of Private Special Education Centers, NationalAssociation of School Psychologists, NationalAssociation of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Down Syndrome Congress, National Down Syndrome Society, National Education Association, National PTA, National Rural Education Association (NREA), NBJC, Teach For America, TheAdvocacy Institute, TheArc of the United States, TNTP.

    The bill is also supported by these local and state organizations: ABC SELPA, ABC Unified School District, ACSA Region 5, Albany Unified School District, Anaheim Elementary SELPA, Antelope Valley SELPA, Arcadia Unified School District, Association of CaliforniaSchool Administrators, Berryessa Union School District, Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District, Briggs Elementary School District, Butte County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), CaliforniaAssociation of School Business Officials, CaliforniaSchool Boards Association, Clovis Unified School District, CTA, Duarte Unified School District, East San Gabriel Valley SELPA, EDGE Consulting Partners, El Dorado County Charter SELPA, El Monte Union High School District, Emery Unified School District, Fillmore Unified School District, Foothill SELPA, Franklin McKinley School District, Fresno County Charter SELPA, Fresno County SELPA, Garden Grove Unified School District, Garvey Elementary School District, Glendale Unified School District, Gonzales Unified School District, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Humboldt-Del Norte SELPA, Kern High School District SELPA, King City Union School District, La Cañada Unified School District, Las Virgenes Unified School District, Live Oak School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Marin County SELPA, Merced County Office of Education, Merced County SELPA, Millbrae Elementary School District, Milpitas Unified School District, Monrovia Unified School District, Monterey County Office of Education, Monterey County SELPA, Moorpark Unified School District, Moreno Valley Unified School District, Mountain Elementary School District, Mountain View School District, MPUSD, NCCSE SELPA, North Monterey County Unified School District, North Region SELPA Director, North Santa Cruz County SELPA, North West SELPA, Oak Grove School District, Oak Park Unified School District, Oakland Education Association, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Unified Special Education Department, Ocean View School District, Oceanside Unified School District, Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Ojai Unified School District, Orange Unified SELPA, OUSD, Oxnard School District,Pacific Elementary School District, Pacific Grove Unified School District, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, Placer County SELPA, Pleasant Valley School District, Rancho Santa Fe School District, Ravenswood City School District, Riverside Unified School District SELPA, RuralSchools Association of New York, Salinas Union High School District, San Antonio Union School District, San Diego Unified School District, San Gabriel Unified, San Joaquin County Office of Education,San Juan Unified School District, San Lorenzo Valley USD, San Luis Coastal Unified School District, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, San Luis Obispo County SELPA, San Marino Unified School District, San Mateo Adult & Career Education, San Mateo County Office of Education, San Mateo County SELPA, San Miguel Joint Union School District, San Ramon Valley Unified School District/SELPA, Santa Barbara County SELPA, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara Elementary School District, Santa Clarita Valley SELPA, Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Santa Paula Unified School District, Scotts Valley Unified School District, SELPAAdministrators of CA, Shandon Joint Unified School District, Sierra Sands SELPA, Simi Valley Schools, Simi Valley Unified School District, Siskiyou County Office of Education, SMCOE, Solana Beach School District, Sonoma County SELPAand Sonoma County Charter SELPA, Soquel Union Elementary School District, South East Santa Clara SELPA, South Monterey County JUHSD, South Orange County Special Education Local Plan Area, South Pasadena Unified School District, Special Education Teacher and Administrator, Spreckels Union School District, SUESD, Sunset Elementary School, Tehama County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and Tehama County Department of Education (TCDE), Temple City Unified School District, Tri-City SELPA (Culver City, Santa Monica-Malibu, Beverly Hills Unified School Districts), Tri-Valley SELPA, Tuolumne County SELPA, VCOE, Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura County SELPA, West Contra Costa SELPA, West Contra Costa Unified School District, West San Gabriel Valley SELPA, Yolo County SELPA, Yuba County Office of Education.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra’s best Easter treats

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Traditional fruit or chocolate chip? This local list caters to all tastes.

    We put the call out on the WeAreCBR Instagram page for Canberrans to vote for their favourite local Easter treat.

    Remember that opening hours vary over Easter, so if you’re hoping to snap up a treat this weekend, be sure to check opening hours ahead of time.

    From Easter eggs to hot cross buns, these are the best treats as voted by you:

    Le Bon Melange’s hot cross buns are just as delicious as their standard offerings of pastries and cakes.

    Southsiders can get their Easter fix at L’épi Artisan Baker, with gluten-free hot cross buns, traditional hot cross buns, and chocolate hot cross buns.

    In addition to their usual Filipino fare, Lola and Lola are offering bright purple ube-langka hot cross buns.

    The local chocolatier have Easter bunny lollipop packs, chocolate easter bunnies and chocolate Easter eggs, each available in dark, milk and white chocolate.

    Studio Cocoa, online and at various stores throughout Canberra

    Studio Cocoa stock a range of handmade chocolate Easter treats. Choose from cute bonbons, mini eggs, praline bunnies, smash eggs, crème eggs, funfetti truffles and hampers.

    Wildflour, Townsville Street Fyshwick, Brierly Street Weston and Eyre Street Kingston

    Check your local Wildflour café for chocolate and traditional hot cross buns or buy a hot cross bun pack from their online store.   

    Sweet Bones, Scullin Place Scullin and Lonsdale Street Braddon

    In addition to their usual line-up of vegan treats, Sweet Bones have a special limited Easter menu on Saturday 30 March from 9am to 1pm. You can buy individual hot cross buns or pre-order a pack of their bake-at-home cinnamon scrolls from their online shop.

    Locals flock to this Scandinavian-inspired bakery for their deliciously spiced Easter fruit buns.

    Danny’s hot cross buns are a Canberra classic. If you happen to miss out this year, don’t fret: they’re available year-round on Saturdays as fruit buns (without their cross).

    Although it’s not strictly a Canberra bakery, Clementine Bakery’s hot cross buns are available at all Two Before Ten locations.  

    Pop Canberra, Lonsdale Street Braddon

    Consider Pop Canberra your one-stop local Easter chocolate shop. This Easter you’ll find hot chocolate bombs, smash eggs, chocolate bars and more.

    Three Mills Bakery, Leeton Street Fyshwick, Newcastle Street Fyshwick, Cooyong Street City and Market Street Belconnen
    Three Mills’ hot cross buns are available at their bakeries, stockists across Canberra and online. You can also order their Easter bundle, which includes hot cross buns and a selection of bake-at-home goodies to get you through the long weekend.

    Spilt Milk’s Easter egg smash features gelato with smashed chocolate Easter eggs and caramel sauce.

    If your Easter travels take you beyond Canberra’s border, stop in at Little Sutton Bakehouse for their freshly baked hot cross buns.

    Another regional favourite, Murrumbateman Chocolate offers chocolate tasting experiences as well as easter treats including chocolate hens, hot cross bun chocolates, mini eggs, chocolate bars, cocktail-inspired chocolates and more. Visit their café or order online for Canberra delivery.

    While Kate specialises in hot chocolate bombs, her Easter range includes sham bunnies and eggs filled with lollies and treats, cracked eggs, an extreme gift box and more.

    Sonoma, Lonsdale Street Braddon

    Sonoma’s ‘not cross buns’ feature their signature ‘s’ in place of a cross, but otherwise carry all the delicious hallmarks of a traditional hot cross bun.

    The Knox are offering traditional fruit and chocolate hot cross buns this Easter.

    Did we miss your favourite? Send us an email at ourcanberra@act.gov.au.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GAO’s Comptroller General Inducted into the Government Hall of Fame

    Source: US Government Accountability Office

    WASHINGTON (April 3, 2025) The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), is a 2025 Government Hall of Fame inductee. Government Executive created the Government Hall of Fame in 2019 to recognize individuals who have profoundly shaped the federal government and helped serve the American people. Dodaro is one of two honorees in this year’s class. He joins a cohort of esteemed individuals honored for their unwavering dedication and excellence in public service.

    “It is a great honor to be inducted to the Government Hall of Fame alongside many dedicated public servants,” said Dodaro. “Throughout my career, I have remained motivated by GAO’s mission to help the Congress improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government to make it work better for the American people.”

    Dodaro began his distinguished career as an auditor with GAO more than 50 years ago and is the first career civil servant to serve as Comptroller General of the United States. Throughout his 15-year term, he has successfully leveraged the agency’s resources to review spending and improve program management across the federal government. These efforts have resulted in more than $1 trillion in financial benefits to American taxpayers and an average return on investment of $133 for every $1 invested in GAO.

    For example, in service of the Congress and the nation, Dodaro directed GAO’s efforts to highlight current and emerging issues that warrant attention from policymakers through GAO’s High Risk List. Since 1990, this list, updated every 2 years, has identified government programs with serious vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or in need of transformation. The High Risk List has yielded significant savings for the American taxpayer, totaling $759 billion so far—an average of $40 billion per year.

    Throughout his distinguished career, Dodaro has remained steadfast in his commitment to responsible stewardship of GAO. He has fostered a work culture where people strive to develop, excel, and serve the American people and the Congress with trust and dedication. Under his leadership, GAO has been consistently recognized as the top mid-sized agency in the “Best Places to Work.”

    “Gene is the model civil servant, and I—along with the rest of GAO—am thrilled he is being recognized as a Hall of Fame inductee,” said Orice Williams Brown, Chief Operating Officer at GAO. “His contributions to our nation throughout his career have reached every corner of the federal government, and his lasting impact still resonates as he continues to serve the Congress and the American public.”

    In addition to being inducted to the Government Hall of Fame, Dodaro has earned numerous honors throughout his career, including the National Public Service Award for the American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration, Administrator of the Year Award from the Romney Institute, BYU Marriott School of Business, the John Glenn Excellence in Public Service Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arthur S. Flemming Commission and George Washington University.

    For more information, contact Sarah Kaczmarek, Managing Director of GAO Public Affairs at media@gao.gov.

    #####

    The Government Accountability Office, known as the investigative arm of Congress, is an independent, nonpartisan agency that exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities. GAO also works to improve the performance of the federal government and ensure its accountability to the American people. The agency examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO provides Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonideological, fair, and balanced. GAO’s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Helping Tenants Have A Fair Chance at Affordable Housing

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today highlighted her support for New York City’s FARE Act, which will prohibit landlords from passing brokers’ fees onto tenants when the law goes into effect this June. The State filed an amicus brief to affirm that State law does not interfere with the tenant-protective FARE Act. The FARE Act complements Governor Hochul’s historic FY25 Enacted Budget that supports tenants and renters, including by enshrining in law landmark protections from price gouging and unfair eviction practices.

    “New Yorkers deserve a fair chance at affordable housing, and the FARE Act advances that critical goal,” Governor Hochul said. “Renters should not have to face the burden of paying thousands of dollars up front for an apartment, especially when they often are not requesting the services. Come this June, renters will be able to keep their hard-earned money in their pockets which will help them afford to live in the greatest city in the world.”

    New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé said, “I thank the Governor for her support. As New Yorkers already know, the lawsuit is a meritless attempt to delay relief for the renters of our city. It is bad-faith and will fail. Come summer, the abusive system of forced broker fees will end.”

    The Fairness in Apartment Rentals Expense (FARE) Act prohibits landlords from passing the fees of brokers they hire onto prospective tenants in New York City. Brokers fees contribute to thousands of dollars in upfront costs that New York City tenants often must shoulder before being able to rent an apartment even when they have not requested the brokers’ services. New York City is one of the only housing markets in the country where this practice is common.

    The Governor also provided critical assistance, helping New York City renters access affordable homes in December 2024 by providing essential support to ensure the passage of “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” the most pro-housing zoning proposal in New York City history. As the city confronts a generational housing crisis with a 1.4 percent rental vacancy rate, the citywide rezoning will enable the creation of 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years and invest $5 billion, which will include $1 billion in State funding that the Governor has proposed in this year’s budget, towards critical infrastructure updates and housing. The City of Yes proposal alone exceeds all the housing created from rezonings during any mayoral administration of the last 50 years, including all of the 12 years of the Bloomberg administration and all eight years of the de Blasio administration.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “For far too long, excessive brokers’ fees have exacerbated the housing crisis by imposing undue financial barriers on individuals and families looking to rent an apartment. The FARE Act is a game changer for tens of thousands of renters who will find a whole new landscape in June that gives them a better chance at securing an apartment without having to worry about undue brokers’ fees that were baked into a lease. We are thankful that Governor Hochul and our partners in New York City continue to work in concert to make our state more affordable and livable for all.”

    Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, “Tenants are not revolving ATMs for big real estate. It’s simple: there is nothing in state law that requires tenants to cover the cost of their landlord’s real estate broker, and New York City’s FARE Act makes clear that the landlord is responsible for the broker’s fee. With one in four New Yorkers already struggling to stay financially afloat in the Big Apple, tacking on thousands of extra dollars in unnecessary fees is nothing more than an extra barrier to securing safe, stable housing. This law will undoubtedly put money back in the pockets of cash-strapped New Yorkers who already face increasingly unaffordable rents.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
    Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain state-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on State-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 55,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro-Housing Certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. Nearly 300 communities have been certified, including all five boroughs of New York City.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Trust Stamp Selected for CyberBoost Catalyse Program to Accelerate Global Growth in Cybersecurity in Singapore and APAC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Stamp (Nasdaq: IDAI), the Privacy-First Identity Company™, has been selected to participate in the prestigious CyberBoost Catalyse program, an initiative led by the CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre, powered by Plexal, and supported by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). This competitive international program supports high-growth cybersecurity companies looking to expand their impact across Singapore, APAC the UK, and key global markets.

    Trust Stamp’s selection reflects its innovation in privacy-preserving, AI-powered identity verification technologies, and its proven ability to solve critical challenges in digital security, fraud prevention, and data privacy, without compromising usability or interoperability—key considerations for both governments and enterprises. Through CyberBoost Catalyse, Trust Stamp will participate in intensive boot camps, expert-led sessions, and one-on-one mentoring to further develop its market strategies, engage with global investors, and scale its solutions in international markets.

    The program offers participants a unique opportunity to gain deep market insights, build strategic partnerships, and engage with cybersecurity leaders in Singapore and beyond. Trust Stamp will leverage this platform to explore new opportunities across the Asia Pacific region and accelerate the adoption of its privacy-first biometric authentication technologies in sectors such as financial services, government, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.

    “This opportunity to participate in CyberBoost Catalyse marks a key milestone in our global expansion strategy. Singapore is a world leader in cybersecurity innovation, and being part of this program enables us to refine our market approach while building meaningful partnerships across Asia and beyond. We look forward to collaborating with the CSA, Plexal, NUS, and fellow participants to bring scalable, secure, and privacy-enhancing identity solutions to new markets,” said Ajmir Safi, Vice President, APAC, Trust Stamp.

    Through CyberBoost Catalyse, Trust Stamp aims to accelerate its mission of empowering individuals and organizations with ethical, privacy-first identity solutions that drive digital inclusion and resilience across borders.

    For more information about Trust Stamp and its initiatives, visit www.truststamp.ai.

    Inquiries
    Trust Stamp                                                   Email: Shareholders@truststamp.ai

    Ajmir Safi

    Vice President, Trust Stamp APAC  

    About Trust Stamp

    Trust Stamp is a global provider of AI-powered services for use in multiple sectors including banking and finance, regulatory compliance, government, healthcare, real estate, communications, and humanitarian services. Its technology empowers organizations via advanced solutions that reduce fraud, tokenize and secure data, securely authenticate users while protecting personal privacy, reduce friction in digital transactions, and increase operational efficiency, enabling customers to accelerate secure financial inclusion and reach and serve a broader base of users worldwide.

    With team members from twenty-two nationalities in eight countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Trust Stamp trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq: IDAI).

    Safe Harbor Statement: Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Remarks 

    All statements in this release that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The information in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements and information related to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events-based information currently available and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Industry leaders launch new hospitality sector hiring toolkit

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Industry leaders launch new hospitality sector hiring toolkit

    Safeguarding industry experts have collaborated to launch an industry best practice ‘Better Hiring Toolkit’ for the hospitality sector.

    The Disclosure and Barring Service has collaborated with The Better Hiring Institute (BHI), along with other safeguarding industry experts, to launch a free to use industry best practice ‘Better Hiring Toolkit’ for the hospitality sector.

    The resource provides best practice advice and guidance on how to hire quickly, fairly, and safely, and to tackle modern slavery in the sector.

    BHI has collaboratively created the toolkit, alongisde DBS and experts at the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), the Institute of Hospitality, Disclosure Scotland, and Reed Screening.

    The new toolkit – which can be accessed here – provides practical, simplified guidance to support hospitality businesses with hiring new employees by utilising UK best practice.

    It provides advice on vetting potential new recruits including checking and verifying their qualifications, as well as information for employers on their obligations when it comes to issues like modern slavery.

    Helen Chandler, Acting Associate Director of Strategy and Business Development for the Disclosure and Barring Service, said: “The Disclosure and Barring Service helps employers make safer recruitment decisions, and our collaboration with Better Hiring Institute represents important steps forward in supporting the hospitality industry in safeguarding best practice.

    “The toolkit provides guidance for employers and highlights how incorporating Basic checks into recruitment practices can be a tool to build trust, safety and reliability across the workforce.”

    Keith Rosser, Chair of the Better Hiring Institute and Director of Reed Screening, said: “I am delighted to have worked collaboratively with key bodies to provide the hospitality industry with this best practice guide to help hard working organisations who are facing multiple challenges on a daily basis.

    “The hospitality industry is vital to the UK economy and I hope that the toolkit will assist organisations to hire to the best possible standard. My thanks go to the Institute of Hospitality and our Hospitality subcommittee for their valuable insights and feedback to create this industry standard.”

    Those responsible for recruitment within hospitality organisations are being urged to download, implement and share the toolkit within the hiring community: Access the Better Hiring Toolkit here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt holds ‘two sessions’ seminar

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today held a seminar to enable participants to have a deeper understanding of the essence of the “two sessions” and its significance to Hong Kong.

    The third session of the 14th National People’s Congress and the third session of the 14th National Committee (NPC) of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) were concluded successfully in March.

    Hosted by Chief Executive John Lee, the seminar was attended by more than 320 participants including principal officials, Hong Kong SAR deputies to the NPC and members of the National Committee of the CPPCC as well as Executive Council and Legislative Council members.

    Sharing his views at the event, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Zheng Yanxiong said that Hong Kong has to grasp the spirit of the “two sessions” focusing on seven aspects.

    They are: grasping deeply the spirit of the important speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping in the “two sessions”; significant achievements of the country on all fronts over the past year; bright prospects in national economic and social development; overall requirements and major tasks for economic and social development this year; key initiatives in the government work report; significance of amending the Law on Deputies; and key plans for Hong Kong as highlighted by the “two sessions”.

    The government work report pointed out boosting innovation and the radiating effect of the Greater Bay Area, striving for solid progress in high-quality Belt & Road co-operation, and speeding up the process to join the Comprehensive & Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

    These plans are closely related to Hong Kong and deserve a high degree of attention, in particular the emphasis on “deepening international exchanges and co-operation and better integration into the national development”, highlighting the importance for Hong Kong to capitalise on its advantages as an international city and integrate into the overall national development, Mr Cheng said.

    It also highlights the dialectical relationship between Hong Kong’s connection to the Mainland and to the world, he added.

    Expressing gratitude to Mr Zheng for his sharing that deepened the participants’ understanding of the spirit of the “two sessions”, the Chief Executive said the central government firmly supports Hong Kong’s development.

    “The Hong Kong SAR Government will fully implement the spirit of the ‘two sessions’ to unite society to deepen reforms comprehensively, proactively identify, adapt to, and drive change, pursue economic development and improve people’s livelihood, fully leverage the institutional strengths of ‘one country, two systems’ and align with national development strategies, deepen international collaboration and capitalise on Hong Kong’s role to link with the Mainland and the world.

    “Hong Kong will vigorously develop new quality productive forces, accelerate its development into an international innovation and technology centre, consolidate and enhance its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, actively build an international hub for high-calibre talent, and take forward the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone,” Mr Lee said.

    “Apart from strengthening economic and trade ties with traditional markets, Hong Kong will deepen exchanges and co-operation with new markets such as the Middle East, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Central Asia, contribute to the Belt & Road Initiative, and tell the good stories of China and Hong Kong,” he added.

    The Chief Executive encouraged government officials and the community to work hard and stay united to contribute to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and the well-being of its people, and meet the challenges ahead with greater confidence and determination to build a better future.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Join Us on 4/24 for a Foreign and Comparative Law Webinar: The More the Merrier: The Form and Function of Coalition Governments Around the World

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Join us on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 2:00 pm EDT for our next foreign, comparative, and international law webinar, “The More the Merrier: The Form and Function of Coalition Governments Around the World.”

    Within the last two years, several jurisdictions have formed or are in the process of forming new coalition governments, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, France, South Africa, and New Zealand. In some instances, these new governments have occurred due to snap elections; taken a great deal of time to form; led to new parties coming into power or certain parties being excluded from power; indicated a change in national political practice; or a shift from one side of the political spectrum to the other. With these changes, we can observe how coalitions form, operate, and collapse in different global locations.

    In our April entry of our Foreign and Comparative Law Webinar Series, we will look at coalition governments, focusing on how they are formed, how they function, and how they are dissolved. We will use examples from various jurisdictions around the world to illustrate different means of creating and ending coalition governments, as well as the contrasting functions of those governments.

    Please register here.

    This webinar will be presented by Heather Casey, a writer-editor in the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress. Heather has a J.D. from William & Mary Law School, an M.L.I.S. from Drexel University, and a B.A. from the University of Cincinnati.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Tunisia’s rap revolution: 5 women who are redefining hip-hop

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Jyhene Kebsi, Director of Learning & Teaching (Gender Studies), Macquarie University

    Women rappers were not really a feature of Tunisia’s typically masculine and chauvinist hip-hop scene until the revolution that overthrew Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

    Now there are several politically conscious female voices rising in the rap scene. Gender studies scholar Jyhene Kebsi has published a research paper on how their lyrics highlight the multiple inequalities that women in Tunisia – and the world – must overcome.

    How have male Tunisian rappers generally treated women in their songs and videos?

    The gender politics of Tunisian men’s rap is complex, but we can talk about one of its tendencies. Although there are men who’ve supported their female colleagues and collaborated with them on songs, their portrayals tend to lump women into one of two groups: virtuous or promiscuous; madonnas or whores.

    Read more: Senegal’s female rappers aren’t letting obstacles get in their way – who the rising voices are

    This is clear in their use of obscene words that aim to degrade the “fallen” women they rap about. Their sexual references can be seen as a way to debase the “easy girls and immoral women” who challenge patriarchal norms.

    This is in sharp contrast to the love and indebtedness they express towards their mothers and sisters. In contrast to western rap, the mother figure is central in Tunisian rap.

    The sacredness of the mother in Tunisian Muslim culture is seen in songs full of gratitude towards those who brought them into the world.

    Their reliance on this male-centred division between “respectable” and “unrespectable” women spreads a toxic masculinity that supports harmful gender stereotypes.

    This strengthens men’s social dominance and their policing of women’s bodies. Having said that, it is very important to highlight that sexism is not limited to the Arab rap scene. As I explain in my paper, many western male rappers objectify, humiliate and degrade women in their songs too.

    Who are the four female rappers you discuss?

    The four Tunisian women rappers I analyse are Sabrina, Medusa, Queen Nesrine and Tuny Girl.

    There’s a common perception that Medusa was Tunisia’s first female rapper. In reality, Sabrina began performing rap in 2007 and Tunisia’s other female artists joined the rap scene after the 2011 revolution.

    Medusa is Tunisia’s most famous female rapper in the west – her migration to France boosted her international profile. Although Tuny Girl and Queen Nesrine have not gained the fame of Medusa or Sabrina, they’ve released powerful feminist songs that criticise the status quo in post-revolutionary Tunisia.

    These artists have mainly relied on digital media to share their songs with the public through social platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Unfortunately, all four of them have faced opposition because they’re women.

    Rap is considered a masculine musical genre. Tunisian women’s initial entry into this male-dominated world was not easily accepted. Attitudes towards female rappers have evolved thanks to women’s gradual success in attracting a larger fan base.

    But these four artists share a strong resistance to sexism. Most importantly, while being aware of patriarchal pressures, they’re conscious of the many different forms of oppression that intersect to keep women less equal than men.

    This is evident in their songs, which reflect a strong awareness of intersectionality.

    What is intersesectionality?

    The black US feminist Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989 to describe the double discrimination of sexism and racism faced by black women. So, she used the term to discuss the multiple forms of inequality that compound themselves and create interlocking obstacles that shape black women’s experiences of discrimination.

    Intersectionality highlights the experiences of multiple forms of discrimination when these categories of social identity interact with and shape one another.

    We see an understanding of intersectionality in a song like Hold On, where Medusa raps about illiteracy, political struggle and motherhood:

    I am watching the floating misery / Illiteracy has spread and made us go from one extreme to the other / Where is the freedom for which activists struggled? / I am the free Tunisian who exposed their chest to bullets / I am the mother, the mother of the martyr who has not gotten his revenge.

    Or, in her song Arahdli, Sabrina raps about a range of social ills:

    Leave me alone / The police catch you and harm you / Don’t believe the corrupt state / Unemployment and poverty will not make you happy.

    I found that what Medusa, Sabrina, Queen Nesrine and Tuny Girl have in common is their rejection of, as Crenshaw puts it, the “single-axis framework”. The one-sided narrative that reduces women’s problems solely to men and patriarchy.

    Instead, these artists highlight the damaging impact – for women – of the intersection of gender inequality, political corruption, unjust laws, ineffective local policies, the collapse of Tunisia’s economy and the country’s weak position in the global geopolitical landscape.

    Their songs are united in their recognition that Tunisian women’s lives are shaped by all these overlapping power structures, exposing them to marginalisation and discrimination.

    So, their songs identify hidden, interrelated structural barriers to their freedom. Misogyny is just one element that needs to be considered alongside other local and global issues when we discuss gender politics in Tunisia.

    What other new trends are female rappers ushering in?

    Women are at the forefront of innovation in Tunisian rap. Take Lully Snake. She’s a Tunisian-Algerian rapper based in Tunisia. This 24-year-old artist was previously a breakdancer. Her passion for hip-hop culture and her love for US artists like Tupac, Kool G Rap, Queen Latifah and Foxy Brown led her to start rapping.

    Like all Tunisian women rappers, she considers her entry into rap to have been a long and difficult journey. Starting in 2019, her first song was only released in 2024.

    Lully Snake first uploaded her debut song Zabatna Kida on Instagram. Its uniqueness lies in its combination of rap and mahraganat, an Egyptian street music that emerged in Cairo’s ghettos. Its success encouraged her to carry on rapping in both Tunisian and Egyptian, alongside other western languages and Maghrebi dialects.

    Lully Snake’s experimentation proves that female rappers are innovating while spreading messages that empower women. This has ultimately enriched Tunisian rap.

    – Tunisia’s rap revolution: 5 women who are redefining hip-hop
    – https://theconversation.com/tunisias-rap-revolution-5-women-who-are-redefining-hip-hop-253066

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Surveying Market One of The Fastest Growing Segments of the Drone Industry as Revenue Opportunity Climbs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The US Drone Surveying Market has been the Global Market Leader in recent years and is expected to continue for years to come. The US has been the market leader in the drone industry since the start of the drone revolution. Across industries, companies have employed drones for their day-to-day operations. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, mining, real estate, and agriculture are some of the prominent end-use industries for the drone surveying market. According to an industry report, the US drone surveying market is expected to witness double-digit market growth in the forecast period and is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 2540.0 million by the end of 2033. The construction and mining industry is expected to be the market leader in the demand for drone surveying services. Increased spending from governments and rising demand for residential and commercial spaces would add a significantly high pace to the overall drone surveying demand in the US. The report said; “Why Land Survey Commands Largest Market Share? The drone land survey as a service is a common one among all industries. The demand for land surveys arises from sectors such as construction, mining, energy, real estate, public administration, and agriculture among others. That is why land survey services contribute most to the drone survey company’s revenue. The drone land survey holds around 53% of the total market share in the drone survey industry. With the help of drone land surveys, companies/institutions get their desired datasets which ultimately help them in making informed decisions. For example, a land survey for infrastructure development can help companies and planning and development by providing required 3D maps or images. It is expected that the land survey market to remain the top revenue contributor for drone survey service providers.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR), EHang (NASDAQ: EH), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT).

    Fact.MR continued: “Construction Industry to Contribute Most to the Drone Surveying Service Demand. The spending on infrastructural development has been all-time high across the major economies of the world. The market players are taking the help of drone service providers in different stages of planning and development. Drone surveying companies provide services for the use of town planning, land record digitalization, urban city development, and other development-related services. With the help of drones, companies are able to cover increased areas (acres of land/area) within no time, and with precise and accurate data. These collected images and data can be easily converted into meaningful output, which can be useful in the planning and development of urban towns. Drone surveying has been very useful for the construction industry by providing important insights with minimal cost and improved efficiency.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Closes Second Southeast Region Acquisition, Wallace Surveying Corporation, Set to Become the Third Acquisition to Power Its National Drone as a Service (DaaS) Business – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has closed the acquisition of Wallace Surveying Corporation (“Wallace”) of West Palm Beach, Florida, a well-established land survey company with thirty years of experience. Wallace provides construction and land development surveys delivering accurate and reliable data that supports project planning and design for developers, contractors, engineers, and architect customers.

    This is ZenaTech’s second acquisition in the Southeast region as part of a larger national roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for speed and accuracy benefits. The acquisition also further powers the Company’s national Drone as a Service, or DaaS, business as the third US acquisition set to provide access to the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series. These multifunction drones are set to provide a variety of services including power line inspections, precision agriculture, law enforcement, and search and rescue for natural disasters such as hurricanes.

    “Wallace Surveying Corporation is well respected in the South Florida business community with longstanding existing customer relationships. Its team brings considerable expertise toward our goal of innovating land surveys at scale leveraging advanced drone data collection, data management, mapping and digital deliverables. This acquisition is another step towards our vision to create a national DaaS business, bringing AI drone efficiencies and precision to a variety of legacy verticals and manual tasks,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or farming precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/.

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) 2024 Financial Results Shows Revenue and Assets Increase.

    2024 Financial Results:

    • As of December 31, 2024, and consistent with its recent 6K filing, ZenaTech’s 2024 full-year revenue increased by 7% to $1.96 million as compared to $1.82 million for the full year of 2023 (all figures in $Cdn. dollars)
    • Comprehensive loss for the period was ($4.04 million) versus ($.251 million) last year due to increased one-time costs of listing on Nasdaq Capital Market from lawyers, accountants, auditors, financial advisor (investment banker) and other going public expenses
    • Assets have increased over 110% to $34.6 million at year-end 2024, up from $16.4 million at year-end 2023. This is due to the company’s acquisition of three patents, and a total of four software companies. In addition, the company has signed multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of an acquisition strategy that will tremendously increase future revenue
    • Liabilities continue to be low, having increased $3.7 million to $12.8 million at year-end 2024 from $9.1 million at year-end 2023
    • The Company’s ratio of debt to total capitalization is 31%, which is well within the accepted standard of less than 50%
    • ZenaTech’s existing cash and funds available through lines of credit will be sufficient to finance the next 12 months of the company’s operations. We anticipate that cash generated internally, and lines of credit will be sufficient to fund our drone development and acquisitions
    • Additional information is available from ZenaTech’s 6K filing on the SEC EDGAR website. The company will be filing its 20F by the due date, which is April 30, 2024, for Private Foreign Issuers. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/.

    Other recent developments in the drone/aviation industries include:

    Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR) recently announced a partnership today to build the AI foundation for the future of next-gen aviation technologies. For decades, the aviation industry has made only incremental improvements, constrained by legacy technology and a dominant duopoly in commercial aviation. With the rapid acceleration of AI, as well as breakthroughs in distributed electric propulsion, the industry is now poised for change.

    The two plan to leverage Palantir Foundry and AIP to accelerate the scaling of Archer’s aircraft manufacturing capabilities at its facilities in Georgia and Silicon Valley, with the intent to advance the development of software solutions to drive innovation across the entire value chain.

    This would include the development of next-gen software utilizing AI to improve a range of aviation systems, including air traffic control, movement control and route planning, with the goal of improving efficiency, safety and affordability across the industry.

    Archer and Palantir will formalize this partnership later today during a signing ceremony between Palantir co-founder and CEO, Alex Karp, and Archer founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, at Palantir’s AIPCon.

    EHang (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology platform company, recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co., Ltd. (“EHang General Aviation”), and its joint venture company in Hefei, Hefei HeYi Aviation Co., Ltd. (“HeYi Aviation”), have been granted the first batch of Air Operator Certificates (“OC”) for civil human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”).

    This milestone officially marks the launch of China’s human-carrying flight era in the low-altitude economy, allowing citizens and consumers to purchase flight tickets for low-altitude tourism, urban sightseeing, and diverse commercial human-carrying flight services at related operation sites in Guangzhou and Hefei. In the future, operators will also gradually expand into more other scenarios such as urban commuting based on operational conditions legally and compliantly. The issuance of the first batch of OCs sets a new benchmark for the low-altitude economy and urban air mobility and further unleashing a more powerful vitality of the new-quality productive forces.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently reported its financial results for the 2024 Transition Period (as of December 31, 2024 and the eight months then ended) and provides a corporate update.

    “Red Cat’s partnerships and global expansion strategy is already yielding strong results. Over the past few months, we’ve introduced the Black Widow and Edge 130 drones to key international markets, including the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and soon Latin America,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “This momentum underscores growing global interest in our Family of Systems. The ongoing development of Black Widow for the U.S. Army’s SRR Program of Record, bolstered by AI partners like Palantir and Palladyne, we’re not only meeting immediate defense needs—we’re ensuring our warfighters and allies are well equipped for rapidly-evolving battlefield.”

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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.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Centri Capital Conference Scheduled for April 2025 at Nasdaq in NYC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via InvestorWire — Centri Business Consulting, LLC, a highly respected accounting and advisory firm, is pleased to announce the Centri Capital Conference, an exclusive event designed for investment bankers, private equity investors, venture capitalists, and other capital markets participants. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Nasdaq in New York City.

    With an insights-packed agenda featuring in-depth company presentations from C-suite leaders, high-powered meetings, and a distinguished roster of industry experts, this exclusive event will bring together hundreds of attendees from across the investment community. Invited experts will share invaluable perspectives on leveraging technology-driven growth opportunities while navigating broader market volatility.

    This invite-only event will explore a diverse range of topics across the rapidly evolving global capital markets. The conference is especially well-timed following Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s recent remarks on the “highly uncertain environment.” While the FOMC projects additional rate cuts in 2025, concerns about inflation, weakening consumer sentiment, geopolitical instability, increasing trade restrictions, and the rising likelihood of global conflicts continue to shape market conditions.

    Michael Aiello, CEO & Managing Partner of Centri, stated: “The Centri Capital Conference is instrumental in fostering collaborative relationships between seasoned capital market professionals searching for new opportunities and innovative companies seeking access to risk capital, market exposure, and long-term strategic partnerships. We’ve curated an incredible lineup of presenting companies and expert speakers who will provide valuable insights on the future of the capital markets. It is a must-attend event in the deal space.”

    The conference will feature a curated lineup of 50+ high-growth companies spanning healthcare, life sciences, disruptive technology, and other rapidly expanding sectors. Attendees will have access to one-on-one meetings, gaining unique market insights, exploring synergies, and discussing future business roadmaps.

    Christopher Mora, Chief Revenue Officer, Partner, and Capital Markets Practice Leader at Centri, added: “The Centri Capital Conference is designed to maximize business productivity by creating an environment primed for networking, knowledge-sharing, and building lasting connections to support long-term growth.”

    Attendees will also engage directly with renowned thought leaders and seasoned experts through a series of dynamic panel discussions:

    • IPO Market: Trends, Pathway to Success, and Lessons Learned featuring J.D. Moriarty, CEO, ICR & Jay Heller, Head of Capital Markets, Nasdaq
    • Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Dynamics: Shaping the Future of Capital Markets featuring Edward McGee, CFO, Grayscale Investments
    • Cutting Through the Hype: How Growth-Stage Investors & Company CEOs Can Leverage AI featuring Mike Ryan, CEO, Bulletpoint Network
    • Market Disruptors: Capital Strategies for Innovative Companies featuring Sean McGann, Managing Director, Cantor Fitzgerald
    • Investment Trends: Venture Capital and Private Credit featuring John Pennett, Partner in Charge of Technology and Life Sciences Practice, EisnerAmper
    • Global Dynamics: Navigating Economic and Regulatory Shifts featuring Derek Dostel, Partner, Davis Polk

    The event will conclude with an evening reception, providing attendees with a relaxed environment to connect with industry peers and fellow professionals.

    As a premier event in the financial landscape, the Centri Capital Conference offers unparalleled education, networking, and collaborative opportunities, making it a must-attend for investors and executives active in the capital markets.

    Companies and investors interested in presenting, attending, or sponsoring the Centri Capital Conference can register here.

    About Centri Business Consulting, LLC

    Centri Business Consulting provides the highest quality advisory consulting services by being reliable and responsive to its clients’ needs. The firm specializes in financial reporting, internal controls, technical accounting research, valuation, mergers & acquisitions, tax, CFO and HR advisory services for companies of various sizes and industries. From complex technical accounting transactions to monthly financial reporting, Centri’s professionals offer the specialized expertise, and multilayered skill sets necessary to ensure projects are completed timely and accurately.

    About IBN

    IBN consists of financial brands introduced to the investment public over the course of 18+ years. With IBN, we have amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands aim to fulfill the unique needs of a growing base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of highly influential properties, leveraging the knowledge and energy of specialized teams of experts to serve our increasingly diversified list of clients.
    Through our Dynamic Brand Portfolio (DBP), IBN provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) Press Release Enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) full-scale distribution to a growing social media audience; (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions; and (6) total news coverage solutions.
    For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
    Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: http://IBN.fm/Disclaimer

    About Centri Business Consulting, LLC

    Centri Business Consulting provides the highest quality advisory consulting services to its clients by being reliable and responsive to their needs. Centri provides companies with the expertise they need to meet their reporting demands. Centri specializes in financial reporting, internal controls, technical accounting research, valuation, mergers & acquisitions, and tax, CFO and HR advisory services for companies of various sizes and industries. From complex technical accounting transactions to monthly financial reporting, our professionals can offer any organization the specialized expertise and multilayered skillsets to ensure the project is completed timely and accurately.

    Corporate Communications

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tunisia’s rap revolution: 5 women who are redefining hip-hop

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Jyhene Kebsi, Director of Learning & Teaching (Gender Studies), Macquarie University

    Women rappers were not really a feature of Tunisia’s typically masculine and chauvinist hip-hop scene until the revolution that overthrew Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

    Now there are several politically conscious female voices rising in the rap scene. Gender studies scholar Jyhene Kebsi has published a research paper on how their lyrics highlight the multiple inequalities that women in Tunisia – and the world – must overcome.

    How have male Tunisian rappers generally treated women in their songs and videos?

    The gender politics of Tunisian men’s rap is complex, but we can talk about one of its tendencies. Although there are men who’ve supported their female colleagues and collaborated with them on songs, their portrayals tend to lump women into one of two groups: virtuous or promiscuous; madonnas or whores.



    Read more:
    Senegal’s female rappers aren’t letting obstacles get in their way – who the rising voices are

    This is clear in their use of obscene words that aim to degrade the “fallen” women they rap about. Their sexual references can be seen as a way to debase the “easy girls and immoral women” who challenge patriarchal norms.

    This is in sharp contrast to the love and indebtedness they express towards their mothers and sisters. In contrast to western rap, the mother figure is central in Tunisian rap.

    The sacredness of the mother in Tunisian Muslim culture is seen in songs full of gratitude towards those who brought them into the world.

    Their reliance on this male-centred division between “respectable” and “unrespectable” women spreads a toxic masculinity that supports harmful gender stereotypes.

    This strengthens men’s social dominance and their policing of women’s bodies. Having said that, it is very important to highlight that sexism is not limited to the Arab rap scene. As I explain in my paper, many western male rappers objectify, humiliate and degrade women in their songs too.

    Who are the four female rappers you discuss?

    The four Tunisian women rappers I analyse are Sabrina, Medusa, Queen Nesrine and Tuny Girl.

    There’s a common perception that Medusa was Tunisia’s first female rapper. In reality, Sabrina began performing rap in 2007 and Tunisia’s other female artists joined the rap scene after the 2011 revolution.

    Medusa is Tunisia’s most famous female rapper in the west – her migration to France boosted her international profile. Although Tuny Girl and Queen Nesrine have not gained the fame of Medusa or Sabrina, they’ve released powerful feminist songs that criticise the status quo in post-revolutionary Tunisia.

    These artists have mainly relied on digital media to share their songs with the public through social platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Unfortunately, all four of them have faced opposition because they’re women.

    Rap is considered a masculine musical genre. Tunisian women’s initial entry into this male-dominated world was not easily accepted. Attitudes towards female rappers have evolved thanks to women’s gradual success in attracting a larger fan base.

    But these four artists share a strong resistance to sexism. Most importantly, while being aware of patriarchal pressures, they’re conscious of the many different forms of oppression that intersect to keep women less equal than men.

    This is evident in their songs, which reflect a strong awareness of intersectionality.

    What is intersesectionality?

    The black US feminist Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989 to describe the double discrimination of sexism and racism faced by black women. So, she used the term to discuss the multiple forms of inequality that compound themselves and create interlocking obstacles that shape black women’s experiences of discrimination.

    Intersectionality highlights the experiences of multiple forms of discrimination when these categories of social identity interact with and shape one another.

    We see an understanding of intersectionality in a song like Hold On, where Medusa raps about illiteracy, political struggle and motherhood:

    I am watching the floating misery / Illiteracy has spread and made us go from one extreme to the other / Where is the freedom for which activists struggled? / I am the free Tunisian who exposed their chest to bullets /
    I am the mother, the mother of the martyr who has not gotten his revenge.

    Or, in her song Arahdli, Sabrina raps about a range of social ills:

    Leave me alone / The police catch you and harm you / Don’t believe the corrupt state / Unemployment and poverty will not make you happy.

    I found that what Medusa, Sabrina, Queen Nesrine and Tuny Girl have in common is their rejection of, as Crenshaw puts it, the “single-axis framework”. The one-sided narrative that reduces women’s problems solely to men and patriarchy.

    Instead, these artists highlight the damaging impact – for women – of the intersection of gender inequality, political corruption, unjust laws, ineffective local policies, the collapse of Tunisia’s economy and the country’s weak position in the global geopolitical landscape.

    Their songs are united in their recognition that Tunisian women’s lives are shaped by all these overlapping power structures, exposing them to marginalisation and discrimination.

    So, their songs identify hidden, interrelated structural barriers to their freedom. Misogyny is just one element that needs to be considered alongside other local and global issues when we discuss gender politics in Tunisia.

    What other new trends are female rappers ushering in?

    Women are at the forefront of innovation in Tunisian rap. Take Lully Snake. She’s a Tunisian-Algerian rapper based in Tunisia. This 24-year-old artist was previously a breakdancer. Her passion for hip-hop culture and her love for US artists like Tupac, Kool G Rap, Queen Latifah and Foxy Brown led her to start rapping.

    Like all Tunisian women rappers, she considers her entry into rap to have been a long and difficult journey. Starting in 2019, her first song was only released in 2024.

    Lully Snake first uploaded her debut song Zabatna Kida on Instagram. Its uniqueness lies in its combination of rap and mahraganat, an Egyptian street music that emerged in Cairo’s ghettos. Its success encouraged her to carry on rapping in both Tunisian and Egyptian, alongside other western languages and Maghrebi dialects.

    Lully Snake’s experimentation proves that female rappers are innovating while spreading messages that empower women. This has ultimately enriched Tunisian rap.

    Jyhene Kebsi 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. Tunisia’s rap revolution: 5 women who are redefining hip-hop – https://theconversation.com/tunisias-rap-revolution-5-women-who-are-redefining-hip-hop-253066

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe | Lord Speaker’s Lecture

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    The Lord Speaker welcomed the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr Theodoros Rousopoulos, in February to mark the signing of the Treaty of London 75 years ago, which established the Council of Europe.

    The President gave a lecture entitled ‘The Council of Europe: 75 Years and Beyond’, and was joined in conversation by Lolrd Foulkes of Cumnock to discuss the past, present and future work of the Council and parliamentarians’ contribution in promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aZkjwAEbcw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: London Luton Airport Expansion development consent decision announced

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    London Luton Airport Expansion development consent decision announced

    The London Luton Airport Expansion application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport.

    London Luton Airport Expansion

    The application comprises the expansion of London Luton Airport from its current permitted cap of 18 million passengers per annum (mppa) up to 32 million mppa, including: new terminal capacity; additional taxiways and other transport infrastructure; the construction of landside support buildings; surface access adjustments; mitigation works and other associated development.  

    The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by London Luton Airport Limited on 27 February 2023 and accepted for examination on 27 March 2023.  

    Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 10 May 2024.   

    This is the 57th transport application out of 152 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.   

    Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination.   

    The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.  

    The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Transport and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.  

    Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:   

    Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prof Thomas Hartung – Exposome Moonshot Project

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Human Exposome Moonshot Project is a bold initiative to map how environmental exposures shape human health from conception to old age. Much like the Human Genome Project transformed genetics, the Human Exposome Project seeks to revolutionize our understanding of disease origins, public health, and environmental policy. Today, we know that up to 90% of chronic diseases are linked to environmental factors—ranging from pollutants and diet to social stressors. However, a comprehensive understanding of these exposures remains elusive.

    Prof Hartung is on the Organising Committee of the Exposome Moonshot Project. He will be in the UK, ahead of the first Human Exposome Moonshot Forum in Washington in May, speaking at the International Network for Governmental Science Advice conference.

    Journalists were invited to attend this briefing to meet Prof Hartung and learn more about how the Human Exposome Moonshot Project will redefine environmental health and public policy on a global scale over the next decades. He covered:

    • What is the Human Exposome, and why is it as significant as the Human Genome Project?
    • How do environmental exposures contribute to major diseases, and what percentage of disease burden can be attributed to these factors?
    • Why is now the right time for a Human Exposome Moonshot? What technological breakthroughs make it feasible today?
    • What key advances in artificial intelligence, exposomics, and real-time exposure monitoring are driving this initiative?
    • How will the project impact healthcare, drug development, and regulatory science?
    • What role will governments, industry, and public health organizations play in shaping and implementing the exposome agenda?
    • How can stakeholders—scientists, policymakers, businesses, and the public—get involved in this initiative?
    • What are the expected short- and long-term outcomes of the Human Exposome Project, and how will success be measured?

    Speakers included:

    Prof Thomas Hartung, Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Whiting School of Engineering, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., and University of Konstanz, Germany and Director at the Centers for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) in the US and Europe. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –