NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Accelerating AI adoption in the Civil Service

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Accelerating AI adoption in the Civil Service

    The Open Innovation Team is offering new services to help civil servants use AI to solve problems and do their best work

    The Open Innovation Team (OIT) has launched the AI Adoption Accelerator – a practical, people-first programme that helps civil servants turn curiosity about generative AI into safer, faster and higher-quality ways of working. Rooted in our experience of delivering more than 150 policy projects for departments since 2016, the Accelerator combines expert guidance with hands-on coaching so teams can adopt AI responsibly and build lasting capability.

    Why now?

    Civil servants are experimenting with AI, but without structured support many see patchy results, new security risks and concerns about deskilling. By showing officials how to test AI on their real tasks – and how to judge its output critically – we bridge the gap between enthusiasm and reliable delivery.

    What we offer

    Our modular support can be booked individually or as a package:

    • Planning and strategy – senior workshops to set clear guard-rails, align tools with priorities and address obstacles.
    • Hands-on support – facilitated sessions where teams practice prompting on live cases and refine workflows.
    • Resources and tools – practical guides covering effective prompting, stakeholder analysis and safe data handling.
    • AI Pioneers bootcamps – two-day intensive sessions that train internal champions to support colleagues long after we leave.

    Early results

    Discovery workshops with the Department for Education have already boosted confidence and identified tangible use cases for policy and operations. Alice Douglas, Deputy Director for Support and Rewarding Teachers and Leaders, said:

    The workshop was well tailored to our work, with examples that rang true and reflected day to day tasks. We all learnt a huge amount both about the possibilities but also the risks and how to put guard rails around our AI use.

    If you’re interested in exploring how AI could help your team work more effectively, email us at enquiries@openinnovation.gov.uk to arrange a 30 minute chat

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: National Assembly Approves the Public Pension and Related Payments Bill


    Download logo

    The National Assembly, during its hybrid plenary sitting yesterday, approved the Public Sector Pension and Related Payments Bill.

    The Bill, introduced by the Minister of Finance as part of the 2025 Budget, proposes that public sector-related pension, post-retirement medical and other benefits in terms of statutory and collective agreement obligations become direct charges against the National Revenue Fund (NRF).

    This means the Bill will make it easier for the government to pay pensions and medical benefits to retired public servants, such as former presidents, Members of Parliament, military veterans, and other government employees. Instead of using the National Treasury’s budget, these payments will now be made directly from the NRF – the central account for government funds.

    The current payment system makes it difficult for National Treasury to pay the benefits, as there are administrative requirements to track which department each retired claimant worked in, causing delays and complications. The new Bill will fix this by simplifying how and where the payments come from.

    In line with the requirements of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, the Standing Committee on Appropriations held public hearings and submissions were received from key stakeholders, including the Financial and Fiscal Commission, which supported the Bill’s intent but raised concerns regarding fiscal transparency and the clear delineation of responsibilities between the government, the Government Employees Pension Fund and public servants.

    The Parliamentary Budget Office agreed with the Bill and said Parliament should always have a chance to approve any changes. The Congress of South African Trade Unions fully supported the Bill, saying it protects pensions and respects worker agreements.

    While the Standing Committee supports the Bill, it raised its concern with a clause that says if Parliament does not approve or reject changes to the list of benefits within three months, those changes will automatically become law. The committee does not agree with this and asked the Minister of Finance to remove that clause in the next round of changes.

    The committee further recommended that the Minister of Finance report back to Parliament in writing on the concerns raised and that the committee should be kept informed and involved in all future decisions about these pensions.

    The NA adopted the Bill and it will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mainland China warns against sending wrong signals to separatist forces pushing for ‘Taiwan independence’

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian on Wednesday called on individual countries to abide by the one-China principle in practice and refrain from sending wrong signals to separatist forces advocating “Taiwan independence.”

    Zhu Fenglian made the call at a briefing, commenting on statements by participants at the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit, who noted the “importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

    “We firmly oppose relevant countries making irresponsible statements on the Taiwan question and grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs,” Zhu Fenglian said, stressing that the Taiwan question is an exclusively internal matter for China and does not tolerate interference from any external forces.

    She called on the relevant states to recognize the danger and harmfulness of provocative actions aimed at achieving “Taiwan independence.”

    The spokeswoman also warned the island’s administration, led by Lai Qingde, that any such provocation would be met with harsh countermeasures, and that any attempts to collude with outside forces in pursuit of “independence” were doomed to failure.

    Zhu Fenglian also answered questions from media representatives regarding recent actions and statements by the United States, including the House Appropriations Committee’s passage of a defense spending bill that allocates US$500 million for the “Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.”

    The official representative called on the US side to actually fulfill its political commitments to China on the Taiwan issue, adhere to the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués, and approach the Taiwan issue with the utmost caution. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Havasupai Tribe Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the Havasupai Tribe of the July 25, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by flooding occurring Aug. 22–23, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Havasupai Tribe as well as the Arizona county of Coconino.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than July 25.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Suit Against Orange County California Registrar of Voters for Refusing to Provide Non-Citizen Voter Removal Records in Violation of Federal Elections Laws

    Source: US State of Vermont

    The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Robert Page, the Orange County Registrar of Voters in Orange County, California for refusing to provide the Justice Department with records pertaining to the removal of non-citizens from its voter registration list and for failing to maintain an accurate voter list in violation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

    “Voting by non-citizens is a federal crime, and states and counties that refuse to disclose all requested voter information are in violation of well-established federal elections laws” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Removal of non-citizens from the state’s voter rolls is critical to ensuring that the State’s voter rolls are accurate and that elections in California are conducted without fraudulent voting. The Department of Justice will hold jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal voting laws accountable.”

    The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the integrity of the vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Suit Against Orange County California Registrar of Voters for Refusing to Provide Non-Citizen Voter Removal Records in Violation of Federal Elections Laws

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Robert Page, the Orange County Registrar of Voters in Orange County, California for refusing to provide the Justice Department with records pertaining to the removal of non-citizens from its voter registration list and for failing to maintain an accurate voter list in violation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

    “Voting by non-citizens is a federal crime, and states and counties that refuse to disclose all requested voter information are in violation of well-established federal elections laws” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Removal of non-citizens from the state’s voter rolls is critical to ensuring that the State’s voter rolls are accurate and that elections in California are conducted without fraudulent voting. The Department of Justice will hold jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal voting laws accountable.”

    The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the integrity of the vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Suit Against Orange County California Registrar of Voters for Refusing to Provide Non-Citizen Voter Removal Records in Violation of Federal Elections Laws

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Robert Page, the Orange County Registrar of Voters in Orange County, California for refusing to provide the Justice Department with records pertaining to the removal of non-citizens from its voter registration list and for failing to maintain an accurate voter list in violation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

    “Voting by non-citizens is a federal crime, and states and counties that refuse to disclose all requested voter information are in violation of well-established federal elections laws” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Removal of non-citizens from the state’s voter rolls is critical to ensuring that the State’s voter rolls are accurate and that elections in California are conducted without fraudulent voting. The Department of Justice will hold jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal voting laws accountable.”

    The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the integrity of the vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ILLEGAL ALIEN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING A GUN AND AMMUNITION IN FLORIDA

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Camerino Perez Perez, a/k/a “Squirrel,” 41, of Levy County, FL, was indicted by a federal grand jury this week charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.

    Perez is scheduled for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry on July 1, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in Gainesville, Florida.

    If convicted, Perez faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: TWO-TIME CONVICTED FELON FROM LEVY COUNTY CHARGED WITH POSSESSING A GUN AND AMMUNITION

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Kashone Demetrious Bing, 20, of Levy County, FL, was indicted by a federal grand jury this week charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.

    Bing is scheduled for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry on July 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in Gainesville, Florida.

    If convicted, Bing faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA welcomes Philippine announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA welcomes Philippine announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    • Date：2025-06-19
    • Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    June 19, 2025
    No. 214

    The Philippine government indicated on June 19 that Taiwanese passport holders would be granted visa-free entry to the Philippines for stays of up to 14 days beginning July 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.

    Improving the convenience of Taiwanese nationals traveling overseas for business or tourism and promoting interactions and exchanges between Taiwan and friendly countries are among the key priorities for MOFA and Taiwan’s overseas missions. At a reception to mark Philippine Independence Day on June 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung announced on behalf of the Taiwan government that visa-free treatment for Philippine nationals would again be extended for an additional year. The Philippines will now grant visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals on the principle of reciprocity, facilitating the deepening of exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines in such domains as the economy, trade, investment, and tourism.

    This fruitful outcome follows years of active coordination and negotiation between both governments and was made possible through the joint efforts of relevant government departments, the people of Taiwan, and MOFA’s concrete implementation of integrated diplomacy. Minister Lin recognizes the Philippine government’s pragmatic promotion of Taiwan-Philippines relations.

    MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals to abide by local laws and regulations while in the Philippines and to be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines at +63-917-819-4597 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA welcomes Brunei Darussalam announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA welcomes Brunei Darussalam announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    • Date：2025-06-24
    • Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    June 24, 2025
    No.218

    The government of Brunei Darussalam indicated on June 23 that, beginning that day, holders of a Taiwan passport valid for six months or longer would be granted visa-free entry into Brunei Darussalam for stays of up to 14 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.

    Brunei Darussalam’s visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals will further deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in such fields as tourism, trade, culture, and education. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses appreciation for the Brunei Darussalam government’s pragmatic measures to enhance Taiwan-Brunei Darussalam relations.

    Since August 2016, Taiwan has been endeavoring to offer visa-free entry to travelers from Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam and actively seeking to secure similar treatment from these three New Southbound Policy partner countries based on the principle of reciprocity. Following a sustained campaign by MOFA and its missions abroad, Thailand (from July 15 last year), the Philippines (from July 1 this year), and Brunei Darussalam (from June 23 this year) have now accorded visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals. These achievements can be attributed to the combined efforts of relevant government departments and the people, as well as Taiwan’s active implementation of integrated diplomacy. 

    Improving the convenience of overseas travel for Taiwanese businesspeople and tourists is a key goal of MOFA and its overseas missions. Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to strive to obtain visa-free treatment from even more countries. In the meantime, MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals traveling in Brunei Darussalam to respect local customs and culture, abide by local laws and regulations, and be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam at +673-895-6338 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)

     

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to UK National Security Strategy 2025 conveying concern over peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to UK National Security Strategy 2025 conveying concern over peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

    • Date：2025-06-25
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    June 25, 2025  

    The UK Cabinet Office issued National Security Strategy 2025 on June 24 following a comprehensive review of relevant issues, including the China audit, that was launched by the Labour government after it assumed office. The strategy noted the centrality of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait in global trade and supply chains and underscored the importance of regional stability to the United Kingdom. It also indicated that there was a risk of escalation around Taiwan and reiterated that issues regarding Taiwan should be resolved peacefully through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. It further stated that the United Kingdom did not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and that the United Kingdom would continue to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Taiwan in a wide range of areas based on shared democratic values.

     

    The day the national security strategy was issued, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy briefed the House of Commons on the China audit and the government’s China policy, emphasizing that the United Kingdom’s long-standing position on Taiwan remained unchanged and that it would continue to deepen its vibrant ties with Taiwan in such domains as trade, education, and innovation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes these statements.

     

    Following the release of the Strategic Defence Review on June 2, the national security strategy serves as another integrated policy document of the UK government. In addition to reaffirming the United Kingdom’s staunch position on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the strategy once again highlighted the fact that there is a high degree of international consensus on cross-strait peace and stability and that Taiwan plays an indispensable role in the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon State Fire Marshal urges Oregonians to check fireworks restrictions, keep celebrations legal and safe

    Source: US State of Oregon

    ith fireworks sales beginning today, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is reminding people to celebrate the Fourth of July responsibly and legally. The 2025 fireworks retail sales season in Oregon runs from June 23 through July 6, and the agency’s message is clear: “Keep it legal. Keep it safe.”

    As Oregonians make plans for the holiday, they’re urged to check local rules and restrictions on both the sale and use of fireworks—whether celebrating at home or traveling.

    “Before lighting any fireworks, make sure you know what’s allowed where you are,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We want everyone to enjoy the holiday, but it’s critical to follow the law and avoid actions that could cause a fire or injury.”

    Local governments across Oregon may set additional restrictions on the sale or use of fireworks, especially in areas at higher risk of wildfires. It’s the responsibility of those using fireworks to understand and follow local laws.

    Fireworks safety and legal reminders
    Consumer-legal fireworks may be purchased only from permitted retailers and stands. These fireworks may not be used on:

    Public lands and parks
    National parks and forests
    Bureau of Land Management lands
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service properties
    Oregon state beaches, parks, and campgrounds
    Private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry

    To help reduce the risk of fire and injury, fire officials urge Oregonians to follow the four Bs of safe fireworks use:

    Be prepared: Have a bucket of water or a hose nearby.
    Be safe:     Keep children and pets at a safe distance. Never use fireworks near dry grass or other flammable materials.
    Be responsible:     Do not relight duds. Soak used fireworks in water before disposal.
    Be aware:     Use only legal fireworks and only where they are allowed.
    Illegal fireworks and consequences

    Oregon law prohibits the possession, use, or sale of any fireworks that fly into the air, explode, or travel more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground without a permit from the state fire marshal. This includes items such as bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers.

    Violations are a Class B misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $2,500. Those who misuse fireworks or are found to be responsible for them causing damage may be held financially responsible for fire suppression and other costs. Parents can also be held liable for damage caused by their children.

    Learn more
    The Oregon State Fire Marshal offers resources on fireworks laws, retail sale permits, and safety tips on its fireworks webpage. For a safe celebration this Fourth of July, know the law, check local restrictions, and always keep it legal and safe.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: G20 Sherpa meeting to focus on global solidarity and sustainable development

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    G20 Sherpa meeting to focus on global solidarity and sustainable development

    The third Sherpa meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) kicked off on Wednesday, focusing on global collaboration, sustainable development, and addressing new international challenges.

    The Sun City Convention Centre was filled with representatives from the world’s largest economies and organisations as Zane Dangor, the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, delivered his opening remarks.

    The meeting, which will run for three days, brings together international representatives to discuss critical global challenges and explore potential collaborative solutions.

    The meeting will take place under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.

    Dangor announced that the Foreign Ministers will lead detailed discussions on global geopolitical issues, focusing on international law and mutual accountability while emphasising the need to prioritise substantive matters.

    “The meeting also provides an opportunity for Sherpas to have a discussion, dare I say it, on the geopolitical issues as part of the agenda. 

    “And I think, we’ve always shied away from geopolitical issues, but given the events not only of the last two years but particularly of the last month, we’re going to have some discussion in a measured but robust way,” he told delegates. 

    He recognised that the G20 serves as a platform for international economic cooperation, making it a crucial focus.

    “But the ongoing conflict worldwide, as it has been pointed out before, is definitely now even more detrimental not just to peace and security but economic development and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. 

    “So, we will discuss it, but we will also make sure it doesn’t hold us back.”

    However, he said, only the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and ultimately the leaders will engage in the geopolitical issues, following the example set by Brazil, while the working groups will concentrate on the technical issues.

    Today’s meeting marked the beginning of a series of 10 sessions, during which Dangor announced leadership changes, including the appointment of several new Sherpas and representatives from Brazil, India, China, and the United Kingdom. 

    This shift indicates a new approach to international cooperation. 

    “The discussions will provide us with the opportunity to refine objectives. We will report back from some of the working groups and task teams, and we’ll look at how they align with the priorities we’ve set up to ensure that we do reach out to inclusivity and that also reflect our own collective aspirations.” 

    Dangor stressed the importance of creating actionable, measurable declarations that go beyond aspirational statements, with a commitment to reducing global inequalities.

    “It is our responsibility, collectively as Sherpas, to resolve the challenges that are being presented to us within the working groups or task teams, even the new emerging challenges, and there are many new emerging challenges. I do think that we should work to ensure that none of the working group fails to reach consensus.” 

    According to South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, the gathering also aims to shape a clear and actionable G20 Leaders’ Declaration, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development, reducing inequalities, and achieving measurable goals.

    Dangor said he hoped that the G20 Leaders’ Declaration has concrete, measurable, and time-bound actions, not just aspirational statements.

    He announced that, out of the 132 planned meetings, the Presidency has already hosted 70, and most of the working groups have completed their third sessions.

    The Sherpa also announced the upcoming social summit. 

    He concluded the opening remarks, expressing confidence in the fruitful deliberations over the next three days. – SAnews.gov.za

    Gabisile

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA seizes 7.7 million doses of illegal medicines and removes hundreds of illegal online listings as part of Operation Pangea

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    MHRA seizes 7.7 million doses of illegal medicines and removes hundreds of illegal online listings as part of Operation Pangea

    Operation Pangea brings together health regulators, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners to tackle the threat posed by global criminal networks

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has seized almost eight million doses of illegal medicines as part of an annual global coordinated operation to tackle the illegal online sale of medicines and medical devices.

    Operation Pangea, coordinated by Interpol and involving around 90 countries, is the world’s largest initiative of its kind. It brings together health regulators, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners to tackle the threat posed by criminal networks operating in the global supply of illegal medicines.

    This year’s operation took place between December 2024 and May 2025. Working with law enforcement partners, the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) seized 7.7 million doses of illicit medicines with an estimated value of £17.2m. Among the products seized in the UK were various prescription-only medications including powerful painkillers, anti-depressants and sleeping pills.

    The CEU also coordinated several arrest operations, denied gangs access to almost £1.4m in criminal profits, and removed 367 websites and social media accounts offering medical products to the public illegally.

    Do not self-prescribe.

    Self-diagnosis and self-medication can be very dangerous. If you have a concern about your health, seek advice from a healthcare professional and only obtain medicines from a trusted source.

    Visit the #FakeMeds website for tools and resources to help people purchase medication or medical devices safely online.

    Andy Morling, who heads the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU), said:

    Criminals trade in illegal medicines for no other reason than to make money. Not only are these people breaking the law, but they also have no regard for your health.

    Buying medicines from unverified sources, online or elsewhere, means there is no guarantee that the products are safe or effective. Some can contain dangerous or illegal ingredients that could result in severe illness, addiction or even death.

    People also need to be aware that turning to illegal online sellers can leave them exposed to bank fraud and identity theft.

    This year’s operation is another example of how the MHRA and its international partners are joining forces to tackle the criminal gangs causing so much misery and harm around the world.

    Notes to editors

    • Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from a medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the Yellow Card website or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
    • The MHRA’s Accredited Financial Investigators are authorised by the National Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). They support investigations by tracing, freezing, and confiscating assets linked to crime, including money laundering and the illegal supply of medicines. Their work includes seizing cash, valuable items, and freezing bank accounts or cryptocurrency suspected of criminal origins. The Home Office’s Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) allows a proportion of the proceeds of crime recovered under POCA, to be redistributed to agencies involved in the asset recovery process. The Home Office encourages agencies to invest ARIS funds to drive up performance on asset recovery or, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities for the benefit of the community.
    • Operation Pangea is a global initiative coordinated by INTERPOL that targets the illegal online sale and distribution of unlicensed and counterfeit medicines and medical devices. Involving police, customs, health regulators, and private sector partners across approximately 90, the operation aims to protect public health by disrupting criminal networks and raising awareness of the dangers of buying medicines from unregulated sources.
    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 
    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 
    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with President Erdoğan of Türkiye: 25 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM meeting with President Erdoğan of Türkiye: 25 June 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in The Hague earlier this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister spoke with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in The Hague earlier this afternoon.

    The leaders began by discussing the perilous situation in the Middle East. The leaders welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and agreed that negotiations must lead to the next vital step forward. 

    Discussing the conflict in Gaza, the leaders agreed that there needed to be an urgent acceleration of aid and an end to the intolerable situation.

    Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister thanked President Erdoğan for his support to the Coalition of the Willing planning and thanked him for Türkiye’s role in peace talks.

    The leaders also welcomed the strengthening military cooperation between the two countries, and agreed on the importance of making progress in free trade agreement talks.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you Mr Vice President and Special Rapporteur for your report on your visit to the UK in February last year under the previous Government. I have listened carefully to your comments this morning.

    Tackling violence against women and girls, both domestically and internationally, is a top priority for the UK.

    Special Rapporteur, we note that you highlighted several positive elements of the UK’s domestic response, including:

    • robust legislation covering sexual violence, domestic abuse and modern slavery and human trafficking;
    • criminal offences covering female genital mutilation and forced marriage;
    • measures taken to prevent and improve employers’ responses to workplace harassment;
    • an expansive definition of domestic abuse, which includes emotional abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour and economic abuse and recognises that children can be victims of domestic abuse;
    • measures to tackle technology-facilitated violence, particularly the Online Safety Act 2023; and
    • the strength of civil society organisations.

    Nevertheless, we recognise that there are several areas for improvement that are relevant to the Special Rapporteur’s comments on the UK, such as:

    • ensuring the sustainable provision of services for women affected by violence and abuse;
    • ensuring children under the age of 16 receive effective safeguarding and support when they experience teenage relationship abuse; and
    • ensuring more comprehensive and richer data is collected about these crimes and the individuals who commit and experience them.

    We must also ensure sustainable and long-term resources for the implementation of policies and legislation across the four nations of our United Kingdom. Three devolution settlements – one each for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – stipulate matters that are the responsibility of the UK Parliament and others that are the responsibility of the devolved legislatures. It is right that approaches can be tailored to the specific needs of each nation. Nevertheless, the four governments can and will work together to ensure a coherent and effective framework for the safety and security of people across our United Kingdom.

    Mr Vice President,

    The manifesto on which our current Government was elected last summer included the ambition to halve levels of violence against women and girls in a decade – an ambitious aim that requires a transformative approach across government, public services, the private sector and charities.

    Since last year’s election, the Government has introduced several important measures to improve protection for victims of violence against women and girls and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. These include:

    • the rollout of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas and the introduction of “Raneem’s Law” strengthening the police’s response domestic abuse by embedding specialists in emergency service control rooms in specific areas;
    • a new package of measures to tackle stalking, including a review of legislation and introducing statutory guidance to set out the process by which the police should release information identifying online stalkers to their victims; and
    • £13 million for a new National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, to improve the policing response.

    This year, our Government will publish a new strategy which will set the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on that Manifesto pledge to halve levels of violence against women and girls in a decade. This will be underpinned by an evidence-based theory of change to ensure that our approach is informed by the best available evidence.

    Finally, while I have the floor, we note your latest thematic report, Special Rapporteur. We are not going to make a separate statement in relation to that report but I would like to express our support to the joint statement Colombia will deliver today on the use of established terms such as gender-based violence.

    Thank you both.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Taking carbon capture to new heights

    Alberta’s government is investing $5 million from the TIER fund to help launch the world’s first direct air capture centre.  

    Alberta is a global leader in environmentally responsible energy production and reducing emissions, already home to two of the largest carbon capture, utilization and storage facilities operating in North America, and seeing emissions decline across the economy.

    Most of the current technologies used around the world focus on facilities and worksites. Direct air capture offers a potential new way of removing greenhouse gas emissions straight from the air. If successful, the potential is huge.

    Through Emissions Reduction Alberta, $5 million is being invested from the industry-led TIER program to help Deep Sky in the design, build and operation of the world’s first direct air capture innovation and commercialization centre in Innisfail. This funding will help Alberta keep showing the world how to reduce emissions while creating jobs and increasing responsible energy production.

    “We don’t need punitive taxes, anti-energy regulations or nonsensical production caps to reduce emissions. Our approach is to support industry, Alberta expertise and innovation by helping to de-risk new technology. Direct air capture has some potential and is being looked at in other jurisdictions, so it’s great to see companies choosing Alberta as a place to invest and do business in.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    “Alberta companies are leaders in developing carbon capture and storage technology. Deep Sky has the potential to take the next major step in decarbonization through direct air capture. These advancements and investments through the TIER fund are a major reason why global demand is increasing for our responsibly produced energy products.”

    Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals

    “Investing in Deep Sky supports Alberta’s global leadership in emissions reduction. This project accelerates cutting-edge carbon removal technologies, creates jobs and builds a platform for innovation. By capturing legacy emissions, it complements other climate solutions and positions Alberta at the forefront of a growing carbon removal economy.”

    Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta

    “We are thrilled to be supported by the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s investment to help deliver a world first in carbon removals right here in Alberta. This funding will be instrumental in scaling direct air capture and creating an entirely new economic opportunity for Alberta, Canada and the world.”

    Alex Petre, CEO, Deep Sky

    Deep Sky is helping establish Alberta as a global leader in carbon removal – an emerging field that is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. The new centre is located on a five-acre site and will feature up to 10 direct air capture units, allowing multiple technologies and concepts to be tested at once. Starting this summer, Deep Sky Alpha’s units will begin pulling in air, trapping carbon dioxide, transporting it by truck, and safely storing it underground at an approved site in Legal.

    This new technology will give Alberta’s oil and gas, energy and utilities, cement and heavy industry, and agriculture and agri-tech sectors new technologies to reduce emissions, while creating local jobs and reinforcing Alberta’s position as a global leader in responsible energy development. 

    Quick facts

    • Deep Sky aims to capture 3,000 tonnes of emissions each year and estimates creating 80 construction jobs, 15 permanent jobs, and more than $100 million in local economic benefit over the next 10 years, including regional development in rural communities.
    • Research shows that carbon capture technology is safe and effective. Careful site selection and rigorous monitoring serve to ensure the injected carbon dioxide remains sequestered thousands of metres below the surface, with no impact on fresh water, plants or the soil.
    • Provincial funding for this project is delivered through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Continuous Intake Program, funded by Alberta’s industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) system.

    Related information

    • Emissions Reduction Alberta
    • Deep Sky

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA welcomes Philippine announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA welcomes Philippine announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Date：2025-06-19
    Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    June 19, 2025No. 214The Philippine government indicated on June 19 that Taiwanese passport holders would be granted visa-free entry to the Philippines for stays of up to 14 days beginning July 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.Improving the convenience of Taiwanese nationals traveling overseas for business or tourism and promoting interactions and exchanges between Taiwan and friendly countries are among the key priorities for MOFA and Taiwan’s overseas missions. At a reception to mark Philippine Independence Day on June 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung announced on behalf of the Taiwan government that visa-free treatment for Philippine nationals would again be extended for an additional year. The Philippines will now grant visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals on the principle of reciprocity, facilitating the deepening of exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines in such domains as the economy, trade, investment, and tourism.This fruitful outcome follows years of active coordination and negotiation between both governments and was made possible through the joint efforts of relevant government departments, the people of Taiwan, and MOFA’s concrete implementation of integrated diplomacy. Minister Lin recognizes the Philippine government’s pragmatic promotion of Taiwan-Philippines relations.MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals to abide by local laws and regulations while in the Philippines and to be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines at +63-917-819-4597 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA welcomes Brunei Darussalam announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA welcomes Brunei Darussalam announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Date：2025-06-24
    Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    June 24, 2025No.218The government of Brunei Darussalam indicated on June 23 that, beginning that day, holders of a Taiwan passport valid for six months or longer would be granted visa-free entry into Brunei Darussalam for stays of up to 14 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.Brunei Darussalam’s visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals will further deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in such fields as tourism, trade, culture, and education. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses appreciation for the Brunei Darussalam government’s pragmatic measures to enhance Taiwan-Brunei Darussalam relations.Since August 2016, Taiwan has been endeavoring to offer visa-free entry to travelers from Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam and actively seeking to secure similar treatment from these three New Southbound Policy partner countries based on the principle of reciprocity. Following a sustained campaign by MOFA and its missions abroad, Thailand (from July 15 last year), the Philippines (from July 1 this year), and Brunei Darussalam (from June 23 this year) have now accorded visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals. These achievements can be attributed to the combined efforts of relevant government departments and the people, as well as Taiwan’s active implementation of integrated diplomacy. Improving the convenience of overseas travel for Taiwanese businesspeople and tourists is a key goal of MOFA and its overseas missions. Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to strive to obtain visa-free treatment from even more countries. In the meantime, MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals traveling in Brunei Darussalam to respect local customs and culture, abide by local laws and regulations, and be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam at +673-895-6338 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to UK National Security Strategy 2025 conveying concern over peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to UK National Security Strategy 2025 conveying concern over peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

    Date：2025-06-25
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    June 25, 2025  

    The UK Cabinet Office issued National Security Strategy 2025 on June 24 following a comprehensive review of relevant issues, including the China audit, that was launched by the Labour government after it assumed office. The strategy noted the centrality of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait in global trade and supply chains and underscored the importance of regional stability to the United Kingdom. It also indicated that there was a risk of escalation around Taiwan and reiterated that issues regarding Taiwan should be resolved peacefully through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. It further stated that the United Kingdom did not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and that the United Kingdom would continue to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Taiwan in a wide range of areas based on shared democratic values.
     
    The day the national security strategy was issued, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy briefed the House of Commons on the China audit and the government’s China policy, emphasizing that the United Kingdom’s long-standing position on Taiwan remained unchanged and that it would continue to deepen its vibrant ties with Taiwan in such domains as trade, education, and innovation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes these statements.
     
    Following the release of the Strategic Defence Review on June 2, the national security strategy serves as another integrated policy document of the UK government. In addition to reaffirming the United Kingdom’s staunch position on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the strategy once again highlighted the fact that there is a high degree of international consensus on cross-strait peace and stability and that Taiwan plays an indispensable role in the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Island Community Explores Pathways To Strengthen Energy Reliability

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy to Communities Program Helped Edgartown, Massachusetts, Plan for a Microgrid To Support Municipal Buildings in Emergencies

    There is no bridge to the island of Martha’s Vineyard from mainland Massachusetts: If you want to get there, you have to take a ferry or plane. The island’s remote nature does not discourage tourists from visiting the small town of Edgartown—its population balloons from 5,000 to 25,000 during the warm summer months. But it does present problems for addressing power outages year-round.

    When the tourists pack up their beach umbrellas and head back home, hurricanes and nor’easters are soon to follow. Without easy access to mainland resources, residents need independent, resilient energy sources to weather such storms.

    “Our long-term plan is to make our municipal facilities sufficiently resilient so that we won’t have to worry about power during emergencies,” said Edgartown Energy Committee Associate Alan Strahler. Strahler has been working with the committee since 2017 to identify projects to enhance energy efficiency and resilience. “Our goal is to provide up to seven days of local independent operation of emergency facilities during power outages in both winter and summer.”

    To reach this goal, Edgartown plans to develop microgrids at town buildings. In a microgrid, the buildings can be powered by solar photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage, grid power, or a backup generator. The microgrid normally selects the cheapest energy source, but when grid power goes out, it operates independently using the remaining energy sources.

    In pursuing this plan for its community, Edgartown sought expertise from researchers through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy to Communities (E2C) program. E2C’s Expert Match offers a three- to four-month technical assistance program that pairs communities with researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and other national laboratories to help them address near-term energy goals.

    “Edgartown wants to create its first microgrid designed to support town buildings in power outages,” said Amanda Krelling, a researcher with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and lead for Edgartown’s Expert Match support. “Microgrids would create more security and safety for their residents while they potentially have to wait for someone off of the island to come fix the outage.”

    Generating Options Tailored to Community Needs

    The community applied to E2C Expert Match with a microgrid location in mind: the Edgartown Highway Department and its adjacent campus.

    “We wanted to understand how we could describe a project that would be worth the investment and have the proper benefits in terms of energy generation, resilience, and savings from a quantitative perspective,” Strahler said.

    The campus consists of five buildings, ranging from 300 square feet to 10,000 square feet. Krelling began the analysis process with collection and review of available building data, including utility bills, building materials, satellite imagery, and even roof color.

    “Roof color can affect energy consumption. Light-colored roofs reflect more solar radiation and dark-colored roofs absorb more,” Krelling said. “So, it is an important detail to consider when you are modeling electric loads for buildings.”

    The highway garage building is one of several buildings that can accommodate solar panels on the Edgartown Highway Department campus. Photos from Edgartown Highway Department

    The building data that Krelling collected helped her calibrate models for the Distributed Energy Resources Customer Adoption Model (DER-CAM). DER-CAM describes changes in building energy loads through different generation options and allows users to optimize the portfolio, size, and placement of distributed energy resources based on specific goals.

    Using DER-CAM, Krelling created generation options based on four strategies, moving from lowest generation potential to the highest. The first strategy, with a PV capacity of 27 kilowatts and no battery storage, focused solely on meeting electrical loads during power outages and reducing energy cost during normal conditions. Strategy two, with 84 kilowatts of PV capacity and 62 kilowatt-hours of battery capacity, and strategy three, with 270 kilowatts of PV capacity and 40 kilowatt-hours of battery capacity, could each support independent building operation during both power outages and normal conditions. Strategy four maximized the total solar PV installation area available with a PV capacity of 429 kilowatts and battery capacity of 39 kilowatt-hours and generated excess energy to be sold to provide town income.

    “Developing solar on an island isn’t always easy because of the limited space. You have to look at the use case of the location and how you can align it with the solar project,” said Edgartown Energy Committee Associate Erich Mettler, who has a professional background in development and operation of utility-scale solar projects. “The Expert Match team did a good job of looking at those different use cases and actually finding ways to make the facility work better.”

    Providing Crucial Insight for Decision-Making

    DER-CAM modeling provided projections for energy generation, cost, and revenue for all four generation strategies, laying out how each could potentially work for the community. This data ultimately gave Edgartown the information they needed to pursue next steps for the microgrid, including studies to further explore and outline the technical feasibility and design. While Expert Match does not directly assist communities with the process of applying for grants, the analysis provided can contribute to a successful application—as it did for Edgartown.

    “We used this information in a grant application for an engineering study of the possible microgrid, and we wound up getting it,” Strahler said, referring to a $30,500 grant received through DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. “I really think one of the reasons we got it is because Expert Match had done all the homework for us. It was a wonderful education and joy for me working with the team, getting the results, and seeing how the modeling worked.”

    The energy generation projected in these strategies also provides an avenue for the community to continue building up the site with additional capabilities, such as an electric vehicle charging station. Further analysis through Expert Match showed that the microgrid’s energy resources could even accommodate a heat pump for space heating of the main building without significantly diminishing the microgrid’s renewable energy output or altering the electric load.

    “It is a very enriching experience to work with these communities,” Krelling said. “Even though this was only an initial analysis, you can see how excited they are about this idea. Our work gave them insight into how they can move forward.”

    The Edgartown energy committee hopes that the lessons learned from this project will go on to benefit the five other towns of Martha’s Vineyard.

    “The island has several energy committees, and if this is successful, I hope that they would look at doing projects similar to this,” Mettler said. “I think this effort can elevate thinking about ways to be more efficient in our energy usage in our community.”

    Expert Match applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more about all of E2C’s program opportunities and apply on the E2C Expert Match webpage.

    E2C connects community-based groups, local governments, utilities, and other organizations with national laboratory experts to close the gaps between communities’ energy ambitions and real-world deployment. The technical assistance offered through E2C can offer meaningful insights around energy decision-making to help communities achieve resilient, abundant, reliable, secure, and affordable energy systems that embody local and regional priorities. For example, E2C analysis can provide insights on the costs and benefits of electric vehicles, geothermal systems, or capturing and storing solar energy. Such analysis provides community-specific information on the funding and support needed to bring energy projects to fruition.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Improving Resiliency in Westchester County

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced $21 million to support flood protection and vital resilient infrastructure projects in Westchester County that will help prevent flooding in communities along Blind Brook. The projects will fix inadequately sized stream crossings by replacing two undersized bridges and restore portions of the stream to a more natural, stable condition to help better prepare for future extreme weather events in flood prone areas.

    “Communities in Westchester are all too familiar with the devastating and deadly effects of storm surges and flash flooding. That’s why New York is investing in projects that improve resiliency, advance sustainability and protect our residents from severe weather driven by climate change,” Governor Hochul said. “Providing funding and resources to help local governments get shovels in the ground for these projects is a top priority, and we’ll continue working together to modernize our infrastructure and provide common sense solutions that best position our communities for the future.”

    The $21 million provided through the ‘Restoration and Flood Risk’ category of the historic $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 will support the replacement of two Westchester County-owned bridges that cross Blind Brook in Rye. Westchester County will design the Playland Parkway and Oakland Avenue bridges with significantly larger spans to address current and future hydrologic flows anticipated from climate change. The bridges will be designed to allow better flow during heavy rainfall, alleviating flooding upstream.

    In addition, Westchester County will ‘daylight,’ or uncover, a channeled portion of the East Blind Brook in Rye Brook using natural stream design techniques and expand floodplain areas with nature-based solutions, including the creation of a properly sized, multistage channel and floodplain, installation of grade control structures and scour protection measures along the restored channel to prevent channel incision and protect upstream infrastructure, and installation of native plantings.

    In Westchester, DEC is undertaking comprehensive stream studies in flood prone areas at no cost to municipalities. The studies will help protect public health and safety, habitat, and natural resources by improving community resilience to extreme weather events driven by climate change. In addition to Blind Brook, studies of the Bronx and Hutchinson Rivers, Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers, and Beaver Swamp and Grassy Sprain Rivers have all been completed.

    Through Resilient New York, flood studies are also being conducted across the state, resulting in the development of flood and ice jam hazard mitigation alternatives to help guide implementation of mitigation projects.

    In addition, DEC is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Mamaroneck and other partners in neighboring municipalities along the Long Island Sound to implement similar projects that improve resilience, protect New Yorkers, and safeguard vital community infrastructure from future flooding.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Communities across New York State are facing the increasingly devastating impacts of extreme weather and flooding driven by climate change, with low-lying Westchester County towns along waterways like Blind Brook particularly vulnerable to tidal surge flooding. Through Governor Hochul’s leadership and historic investments from the Environmental Bond Act and State resources, New York is leveraging our state and local partnerships to help build more resilient communities, reduce flood risk, and restore natural resources.”

    Representative George Latimer said, “This is great news for Westchester County as we all work to plan for future extreme weather events driven by climate change. It is critical that we invest in aging infrastructure to meet the current challenges due to rain events and flooding, and plan for future risks. This is an important investment in my backyard, and I thank Governor Hochul and her team for recognizing th

    State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am so pleased that Westchester County will receive $21 million from the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 for flood mitigation investments identified by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Blind Brook Watershed Study. This study was conducted shortly after the devastating impact of Hurricane Ida on the communities of Harrison, Rye Brook, Port Chester and Rye, as well as other communities in Westchester, and identified infrastructure investments to mitigate and reduce the likelihood of damage from future floods and additional resiliency efforts to meet the challenges of climate change. This funding will enable essential updates to key bridges and other portions of the Blind Brook watershed, reducing likely water flow during storms and ensuring safe travel for New Yorkers. DEC has been an extraordinary partner in our efforts to actively address flooding in Westchester, and I would personally like to thank them for their determination to anticipate that future storms will threaten serious damage to our region. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for allocating this funding for Westchester. In addition, I express my gratitude to every New Yorker who voted in favor of this ballot proposition in 2022, which made this funding possible.”

    Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “Governor Hochul and DEC have focused on the flooding challenges we face here in Westchester County and the resiliency needs throughout the state. The Environmental Bond Act included a major focus on storm mitigation and these Blind Brook projects are the types of infrastructure work we need to better protect lives and property. We are pleased to welcome DEC Commissioner Lefton to the Sound Shore for this announcement and to thank DEC for their ongoing commitment to Westchester flooding issues. DEC’s Resilient NY Streams Study Program has provided analysis of six stream areas in our county that is a valuable tool for local governments and state agencies in prioritizing projects such as those announced today. This work is assisting the planning for projects in the communities across the Sound Shore.”

    Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Westchester County is deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation for this transformative investment in our infrastructure and our future. These projects will not only help protect families and neighborhoods along Blind Brook from devastating flooding, but also advance our shared commitment to building a more resilient, climate-ready Westchester. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment the Environmental Bond Act was designed to support.”

    On Nov. 8, 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the Environmental Bond Act ballot proposition to make $4.2 billion available for environmental and community projects. The Bond Act supports new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. State agencies, local governments, and partners can access this historic funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs.

    The projects announced today complement other State investments and opportunities to protect communities from flood damage. In May, Governor Hochul announced more than $78 million in funding available through the Water Quality Improvement Project Program and $22 million in Climate Smart Community grants, which both support projects that include flood risk reduction.

    Applications for these latest rounds of funding are due by July 31, 2025. In April, the Governor also announced $60 million in Environmental Bond Act funding for the next round of Green Resiliency Grants. The program supports vital stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects in flood-prone communities across New York State. Applications for this program are due by Aug. 15, 2025. To learn more about resources available for resilient Bond Act-supported projects, visit

    environmentalbondact.ny.gov.

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. With an additional $500 million for clean water infrastructure in the 2025-2026 enacted State Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. The budget also maintains a strong commitment to environmental conservation with a $425 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). This funding bolsters a wide array of vital programs, including land acquisition for habitat and open space preservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives, and water quality improvement projects.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Amit Shah releases ‘The Emergency Diaries’, traces PM Modi’s underground role during Emergency

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday released a book titled “The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader”, chronicling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s experiences and involvement during the 1975-77 Emergency.

    The launch, held in the capital on the occasion of ‘Savidhan Hatya Diwas’, was attended by several senior leaders, including Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

    Describing the Emergency as “a dark chapter in Indian democracy”, Shah said the book offers a glimpse into Modi’s life as a 25-year-old underground worker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who participated in the resistance movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan and Nanaji Deshmukh.

    “The book details how Modi went into hiding, adopting multiple disguises — as a saint, a Sardarji, a hippie, an incense stick seller, a newspaper vendor — to avoid arrest and continue mobilising support,” Shah said. “He distributed secretly printed newspapers in markets and among students and women, reached out to families of those jailed under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), and helped arrange medical support.”

    Shah claimed the Emergency was imposed to protect dynastic politics and silence dissent, and framed Modi’s role as an early symbol of resistance to authoritarianism. “That same youth who went door-to-door to protect democracy is today strengthening its roots as Prime Minister,” he said.

    According to the Home Minister, the book is divided into five chapters — covering media censorship, state repression, the role of the Sangh and Jana Sangh, stories of Emergency victims, and the eventual return to public participation in governance.

    He urged young people to read the book, stressing that it would help them understand how a generation of activists resisted what he called “dictatorial ideas” and preserved the democratic framework.

  • MIL-OSI: ESO’s Auto-Generated Narrative Feature Returns 35,700 Hours to EMS Professionals in First Month

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESO, a leading data services and software provider for EMS, fire departments, hospitals, and government agencies, today announced significant adoption and time-savings as a result of its new Auto-Generated Narrative feature. Launched in May 2025, the AI-powered documentation saved over 35,700 hours for EMS professionals within its first month of general availability. Over 1,670 EMS agencies have adopted the feature since May—resulting in up to 80% reduction in total documentation time.

    ESO’s first generation Auto-Generated Narrative feature, included for existing Electronic Health Record (EHR) customers, transforms the traditionally time-consuming patient care report process by generating comprehensive narrative summaries from data captured in patient records from various sources, including speech to text, while maintaining the highest standards of data security and patient privacy. Additionally, ESO’s EHR longitudinal record feature connects patient records across an individual’s medical history and hospital visits, importing medications, allergies and demographics from previous healthcare encounters.

    “Our approach to AI is fundamentally about empowerment,” said John Basmadjian, chief product and technology officer at ESO. “We developed our Auto-Generated Narrative with patients and providers in mind, ensuring it enables the expertise of EMS professionals while maintaining the highest standards of clinical accuracy and professional responsibility. This technology addresses real-world challenges our customers face daily—giving them more time for patient care while ensuring complete, consistent documentation.”

    The feature maintains NEMSIS compliance and includes built-in safeguards that require provider review and approval before finalizing any narrative. Healthcare professionals retain complete control throughout the process, with the ability to edit, augment, modify or regenerate content as needed. The feature is intentionally designed to be entirely optional, giving EMS organizations the option to implement this capability based on their preferences and internal policies.

    “The amount of time our team spends on documentation and reporting has decreased significantly—with crews now reducing their documentation time by 20 minutes per report,” said Jeff Sadtler, chief at West County Fire and EMS. “But what’s most important is that our field crews maintain complete control and responsibility over their documentation. They’re not just accepting what the AI generates, they’re using it as a foundation to supplement, creating accurate, comprehensive reports that truly reflect the care delivered to our patients.”

    The Auto-Generated Narrative feature represents ESO’s continued commitment to innovation with purpose. It accompanies other recent enhancements to ESO’s EHR platform, such as longitudinal record keeping, which enables EMS agencies to access vital patient data before, during and after care for a more holistic view of the patient’s long-term health.

    ESO’s Auto-Generated Narrative feature is now accessible across its EHR platforms, including native iOS, Windows mobile and web applications, and can be activated organization-wide through administrative settings. For more information on ESO, visit www.eso.com.

    About ESO
    ESO is dedicated to improving community health and safety through the power of data. Since its founding in 2004, the company continues to pioneer innovative, user-friendly software to meet the changing needs of today’s global emergency response ecosystem, spanning across dispatch centers, EMS agencies, fire departments, hospitals, and governmental offices. ESO currently serves thousands of customers across the globe with a broad software portfolio, including the industry-leading ESO Electronic Health Record (EHR), the next generation ePCR; ESO Health Data Exchange (HDE), the first-of-its-kind healthcare interoperability platform; ESO Fire RMS, the modern fire Record Management System; Logis by ESO Dispatch and Billing solutions; ESO Patient Registry (trauma, burn and stroke registry software); and ESO State Repository. For more information, visit www.eso.com.

    Media Contact:
    For ESO,
    Hope Sander
    Red Fan Communications
    eso@redfancommunications.com
    737-280-8783

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rosen Secure Close to $34 Million to Support Nevada’s Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced that the Department of the Interior (DOI) has awarded $33,801,823 to Nevada counties under the Payments of Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. PILT payments support government services – including firefighting, law enforcement, road construction, and public education – primarily in rural counties.

    “Nevada’s rural communities rely on PILT funding to complete projects and carry out critical services,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I am pleased to announce this funding – close to a million more than last year – to ensure local governments across the Silver State can continue to deliver for families that call our rural counties home.”

    “I’m committed to making sure that Nevada receives its fair share of federal funding to help support local law enforcement, bolster public education, and fund critically-needed infrastructure repairs,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to have helped secure more than $33 million in PILT funding this year to support rural communities across Nevada so they can afford essential services that benefit our state and help Nevadans succeed.”

    PILT payments are federal payments to local governments that help offset losses in property taxes due to non-taxable federal lands within those governments’ boundaries. PILT payments help local governments carry out vital services including firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations. The payments are made annually for tax-exempt federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (all agencies of the DOI), the U.S. Forest Service (part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture), federal water projects, and some military installations. A full breakdown of the FY2025 PILT payments by county is available here.

    Senator Cortez Masto is fighting to expand the PILT program for low-population counties to secure even more funding for Nevada’s rural communities in the future. In March, she introduced the bipartisan Small County PILT Parity Act, which would allow counties with populations under 5,000 to receive increased PILT payments to create parity with larger counties where per capita funding increases as population decreases. In Nevada, five counties would qualify for increased funding under that bill: Esmeralda, Eureka, Lincoln, Mineral, and Storey.

    Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen are champions for Nevada’s rural communities, working across the aisle to deliver for families. They have also ensured rural Nevada communities have better access to federal funds and services through the Rural Partners Network. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, they secured funding for rural schools and over $460 million for broadband. Cortez Masto also made sure the law included her legislation to help rural counties with internet access at local schools and streamline federal broadband funding to improve internet access for rural areas. Cortez Masto has led legislation to support key tourism and outdoor industries in every corner of Nevada through economic development.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Our support to Ukraine remains unwavering: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Our support to Ukraine remains unwavering: UK statement to the OSCE

    Speaking at the Annual Security Review Conference, Head of Security Policy Department, Jason Rheinberg, outlines why the UK remains committed to the OSCE and its principles.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. I am pleased to be here at the OSCE, particularly on the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. Then, just as now, the Organisation and the Decalogue are foundation stones of strategic stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

    Let me begin by reiterating the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

    Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year, remains the most serious threat to European security in decades. It is a blatant violation of the UN Charter and the core principles of this Organization – principles that every singe one of us has committed to uphold.

    Despite the immense human and economic toll, Ukraine continues to resist. And I salute their bravery. Ukraine has also shown it is committed to peace: Ukraine has agreed to a full, unconditional ceasefire, as proposed by the US. Russia has failed to agree to the same and has instead ramped up its attacks on civilians in Ukraine – including yesterday’s ballistic missile strikes on the Dnipro region, which killed at least 20 civilians and injured nearly 300 others. Hitting nurseries, apartment blocks and bakeries, as we heard earlier today from the Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister.

    Here in Vienna, the UK continues – week in, week out – to hold Russia to account at the Permanent Council and Forum for Security Cooperation. We challenge the lies used to justify this illegal war and expose the brutality with which it is being waged.

    As Chair of the Security Committee, the UK has also continued the good practice of using meetings to support Ukraine and its neighbours in dealing with the impacts of this war. Our workplan covers policing, border security, child protection and empowerment, critical infrastructure and cyber resilience. And it serves as a platform for sharing perspectives, best practice, and establishing a common security picture.

    And listening to the interventions of our distinguished colleagues from Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, we call on Russia to withdraw all of its forces from the internationally recognised territory of both States.

    Meanwhile, we are also responding to a broader and increasingly complex threat landscape. Many of the transnational threats we face are intensifying:

    Malign hybrid activities – including information manipulation – are intensifying.

    Cyber threats, in some cases enabled by AI, are targeting critical national infrastructure.

    Organised criminals – more sophisticated than ever – are smuggling drugs, weapons, cultural property, and people across borders.

    And the threat from terrorism and violent extremism has not diminished. The Islamic State Khorasan Province is growing in strength. At the same time, extreme right-wing groups are proliferating in online spaces.

    Three key themes permeate these challenges: they highlight the wide-ranging impact of emerging technologies; they do not respect borders; and they demand a coordinated, and cross-dimensional response.

    Mr Chair, the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security has therefore never been more relevant. We must remain vigilant to the full spectrum of threats facing our region; of which, Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine remains the most urgent and serious.

    Our Leaders mandated the OSCE to continue politico-military dialogue even in the hardest of times because they saw – and see – it is essential to manage risk, reduce misunderstanding and avoid miscalculation for the benefit of all our citizens. The OSCE has an extensive acquis and toolkit to do this work. But it relies on political will to be effective.

    The UK has that will. We remain committed to the OSCE and to the principles that underpin it. We believe in the potential of this Organization to do much more to support peace, security, and cooperation. We need the will of all States to be able to do that.

    And we are looking forward to continuing these conversations at the Helsinki Plus 50 forum later this summer. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Targeting funding at frontline services

    Source: Scottish Government

    Financial strategy and action plan published.

    Savings rising to £2.6 billion in 2029-30 will ensure funding can be targeted at frontline services such as the NHS, social security, action to eradicate child poverty and other priorities.

    Under the five-year Medium Term Financial Strategy and Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan the Scottish Government will:

    • increase value for public money, with affordable and sustainable investment plans set out through a Scottish Spending Review in December
    • improve efficiencies and productivity across the public sector by using more technology and automation while improving collaboration between public bodies
    • reform public services, doing more with available resources and prioritising people with the greatest need
    • reduce the public sector workforce by an average of 0.5% every year until 2030 while protecting frontline services
    • invest in preventative measures to reduce demand on services such as health, social care and justice

    The strategy and action plan also include measures to support sustainable, inclusive economic growth and ensure a strategic approach to tax policy that considers longer term impacts and competitiveness.

    Finance Secretary Shona Robison said:

    “With the world facing profound economic uncertainty this Medium Term Financial Strategy is being published in deeply challenging circumstances. Those challenges have been exacerbated by the actions of the UK Government, whose decisions continue to have serious consequences for the delivery of our public services.

    “Managing the impact of Westminster austerity is all too familiar. In spite of this we continue to invest in the people of Scotland, supporting a better paid public sector, delivering high-quality public services and providing welfare support that is not available in other parts of the UK. And we have done this while delivering a balanced budget every single year.

    “Fiscal sustainability is about more than balancing the books – it’s about delivering value, driving reform and making strategic choices that support long-term growth. By focusing on efficient public spending, modernising services, growing our economy and taking a strategic approach to tax, we can build a stronger, fairer Scotland.”

    Background

    Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025

    Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan 2025

    Medium-Term Financial Strategy: Ministerial statement – gov.scot

    The Scottish Government’s seventh Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) provides the economic, funding and spending outlooks for the financial years 2025-26 to 2029-30. It also presents the Government’s fiscal strategy to deliver sustainable public finances within the current constitutional settlement.

    A Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan (FSDP) is published alongside the MTFS this year, bringing together the actions across government to deliver fiscal sustainability. 

    The FSDP actions include:

    • a Scottish Spending Review that will set a savings target of between £300 million and £700 million a year over the five years
    • improving efficiency and productivity while reforming public services, with savings growing from £600 million to £1.5 billion a year over the five years
    • reducing the public sector workforce by an average of 0.5 per cent every year until 2030, with savings growing from £100 million to £700 million a year

    Exact savings figures will vary on an annual basis.

    These figures incorporate the total £1 billion reduction in corporate functions over five years as set out in the Public Service Reform strategy.

    A framework for the Scottish Spending Review forms part of the MTFS. The review will set out multi-year allocations on capital and resource funding, and will be published alongside the next Budget in December.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

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

    Source: University of Aberdeen

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

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

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Various personalities from the Amandla Institute and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reflect on 50 years of existence of the regional organisation


    Download logo

    Reflection on the fiftieth anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is the focus of a conference opening on Tuesday 24th of June 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. Initiated by the Amandla Institute and the ECOWAS Commission, this two-day meeting is a valuable opportunity for participants to discuss the achievements, challenges and prospects of the West African organisation.

    It is also an opportunity to take stock of the progress made by ECOWAS, to reflect on strengthening cooperation between its member states and to explore new strategies for promoting economic development, regional integration and stability in West Africa. It is also a key moment to measure the impact of ECOWAS on the lives of West African citizens and to consider the next steps to be taken by the regional organisation.

    The various speakers at the opening ceremony highlighted the major steps taken by ECOWAS to become one of the leading institutions for cooperation and integration in Africa. For the former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria, and co-founder of the Amandla Institute, Dr J. Kayode Fayemi, despite internal and external challenges, including funding problems, ECOWAS has achieved admirable growth and consolidation over the 50 years of its existence. “Indeed, ECOWAS has long been the engine of African regional integration, representing a model from which others continue to draw inspiration,’ said Dr J. Kayode Fayemi.

    For his part, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E Dr Omar Alieu Touray, called for an in-depth reflection on the five decades of the regional organisation, the trials and successes of its journey towards integration, and the way forward in a rapidly changing world. He recalled some of the challenges facing ECOWAS today, namely the withdrawal of three of its member states, the intensification of insecurity in the Sahel and the emergence of geopolitical rivalries in West Africa.

    He informed participants of the organisation of a summit on the future of West Africa, which will provide an opportunity for a series of reflections on various themes, in order to discuss issues likely to hinder or accelerate the efforts of all parties towards the realisation of ECOWAS Vision 2050. For H.E Dr Omar Alieu Touray, this conference fits in perfectly with the summit agenda, and is a reminder that at the heart of the regional integration programme, the people of West Africa, in all their diversity, can shape a common destiny anchored in peace, prosperity and mutual respect.

    “Let this conference serve as a compass, not only to remember, but also to renew. May our dialogue be bold, thoughtful and, above all, useful. May this meeting inspire us to renew our commitment to the enduring ideals of ECOWAS and the hope of a more united and resilient West Africa”, said H.E Dr Omar Alieu Touray.

    Among the participants at this meeting was the former Nigerian President and one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, General Yakubu Gowon. He gave an overview of the conditions and circumstances that led to the signing, on the 28th of May 1975, of the Treaty of Lagos establishing ECOWAS. He also recalled the key role played by eminent West African personalities in the creation of the regional organisation, starting with its co-founder, the Togolese president at the time, the late General Gnassingbé Eyadéma.

    “The ambition of ECOWAS is to strengthen cooperation between its member states, promote regional integration and stimulate economic growth,” said General Yakubu Gowon.

    The meeting has in attendance former Executive Secretaries and Presidents of the ECOWAS Commission, including Dr Lansana Kouyaté and Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo.

    Other personalities taking part in the conference include Professor Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal, the former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, and the Director of Cabinet of the President of the Commission, Abdou Kolley.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    MIL OSI Africa –