NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Sudan – From ashes to action: United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) drives grassroots efforts to build peace in conflict-torn Warrap

    Source: APO

    “We are not just numbers. We are the ones losing our homes, being raped, watching our children suffer.”

    Awut Mabior is a mother and community leader in Warrap, one of the states in South Sudan most heavily impacted by intercommunal conflict. For too long, she has watched women carry the weight of war in silence. Now, she is speaking out, not just in sorrow but with strength – the strength of women who are still standing, still hoping, and still calling for justice.

    “It’s women and children who carry the worst pain in this conflict. That’s why we’re begging the government and peace partners to come and see our plight, listen to us, and help us.”

    The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has heard her call, offering a glimmer of hope in a region where too many families have endured the sounds of gunfire and the pain of sudden loss.

    The peacekeeping mission has launched a new project to help equip local communities with the skills and tools to better protect themselves by preventing conflict, resolving grievances, and building peace. The project, which will be delivered by Community Initiative Development Agency, includes establishing 10 community-based protection networks to help the government and security services respond quicker and more effectively to emerging threats.

    It will also build the capacity of civil society members to monitor the security situation and human rights abuses, provide early warning of violence to enable rapid responses, promote reconciliation among warring communities, and engage with local authorities and security services.

    “The aim is to help strengthen protection of civilians, enhance accountability mechanisms for past atrocities, and create a safe and open civic space where communities can actively engage and participate in governance, policy and decision-making processes,” says the UNMISS Head of the Warrap Field Office, Anastasie Mukangarambe.

    The project also includes providing psychosocial support, access to basic services, and a platform for displaced people returning to the area to share their experiences and find healing together.

    “We’re working to protect civilians from violence and to help returnees get back on their feet, especially those who’ve come home with nothing. We also want to open the civic space; so that citizens, especially community organizations, can be part of the decisions that affect their lives,” said Gabriel Pap, from the Community Initiative Development Agency.

    The challenges are multiple and immense in this area, which is plagued by deadly cattle raiding, revenge killings, a lack of basic services, economic crisis, influx of refugees from the Sudan war, and severe flooding which has displaced around 500,000 people.

    For those living with disabilities, the struggle is even more invisible. When violence erupts, they are often the ones left behind—without shelter, without protection, and without a way out.

    “When the fighting starts, we can’t run. We have no way to escape, “says William Deng Nhial, a disability rights advocate. “Just last month, one of our members was shot and killed in his shelter. No one came. No one warned us.”

    Representing state authorities, Benson Bol Yak says enough is enough.

    “We know who is suffering. It’s the elderly, the women, the children, people who have nothing to do with the fighting. Why should their homes be burned? Why should they be killed?” he says. “This project must reach every single person who needs our help.’

    In South Sudan, where conflict has written too many chapters of pain, this new project may not erase the past, but it does open a new page. One where people are not just victims, but agents of change. Where voices long ignored are finally heard. And where hope, fragile as it may be, is once again possible.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Egypt: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Discusses Developments in Joint Economic Relations with Norwegian Minister of International Development and Dutch Deputy Minister of Development

    Source: APO


    .

    H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, met with H.E. Mr. Åsmund Aukrust, Minister of International Development of the Kingdom of Norway.

    The two sides reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation opportunities between the two countries and discussed a number of joint issues.

    This meeting took place during her representation of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the Fourth G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting and the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Development. These meetings are being held under South Africa’s G20 presidency from July 20 to 25, 2025, under the theme “Solidarity, Sustainability and Equality” in South Africa.

    During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat lauded the Egyptian-Norwegian relations, and noted that the two countries have strengthened and deepened bilateral ties across various sectors, including renewable energy and regional stability efforts.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted that the extended partnership between the governments of Egypt and Norway has been essential in boosting the economy, developing the renewable energy sector, and creating better opportunities for the Egyptian economy.

    H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt’s commitment, with its expanding economy and attractive investment climate, to attracting new foreign partnerships and investments that can drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed to the most prominent areas of cooperation with the Norwegian side, which include the oil, energy, gas, maritime transport, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors, in addition to fisheries and aquaculture. She noted that Egypt is keen to expand these areas of cooperation, and highlighted that the Egyptian-Norwegian partnership in promoting investments in the renewable energy sector was a central focus of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s historic visit to the Kingdom of Norway in December 2024.

    H.E. Minister Al-Mashat added that the shared goals and mutual respect characterizing the bilateral relations between Egypt and Norway represent a model for international cooperation that will be built upon in the coming years.

    She further stated that Norway’s commitment to sustainability and international cooperation aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and green transformation goals.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that the cooperation between the two countries in green hydrogen and renewable energy, which includes several prominent projects. These include a green ammonia production project from green hydrogen, a green methanol production project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in addition to a number of funded projects in various fields. These contribute to creating decent job opportunities for youth in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and promoting health and combating violence against women in Egypt in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund.

    H.E. Minister Al-Mashat affirmed Egypt’s keenness to involve the private sector, especially in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, maritime industries, and technology. She noted that the country provides a stable investment climate, competitive incentives, and access to key regional markets, making it an ideal gateway for Norwegian and other international companies seeking to expand into the Middle East and Africa.

    She also referred to the cooperation between Egypt and Scatec, and mentioned that Egypt and Norway have historically strong economic ties, which have translated into tangible projects benefiting both economies.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined that the new partnerships with Scatec enhance active cooperation between the public and private sectors and development partners, aiming to promote green transformation. She noted Scatec’s contribution to the implementation of the Benban Solar Park, one of the largest solar parks in the world, and the first green hydrogen plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other partners.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also pointed to the efforts of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation in continuing to support international partnerships and mobilize local and international financing to promote green transformation in Egypt and increase the number of environmentally friendly projects.

    She pointed out that the cooperation portfolio with Scatec includes a number of projects under the energy sector of the “NWFE” program, including the green hydrogen project in Egypt, the green ammonia production project in Damietta, the 1 GW solar power project with battery energy storage solutions (BESS), and a 1 GW solar power plant for the aluminum complex in Naga Hammadi.

    Egyptian-Dutch Relations

    On another note, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat met with H.E. Ms. Pascalle Grotenhuis, Netherlands’ Vice Minister for International Development, to discuss strengthening Egyptian-Dutch relations and developments in the partnership between the two countries.

    During the meeting, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat affirmed that Egypt and the Netherlands have deep-rooted political, cultural, and economic relations spanning several decades. These relations have witnessed significant momentum and growing cooperation at various levels in recent years.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the economic cooperation between the two countries has been an important axis in bilateral relations, with the Netherlands providing over 407 million Euros in development financing to Egypt since 1975. This assistance has contributed to supporting many vital sectors, including agriculture and irrigation, health and social affairs, transport, electricity, housing, tourism, education, and local development.

    She stated that the Netherlands is one of Egypt’s main trading partners within the European continent, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately one billion Euros annually. Both sides aim to expand this cooperation and diversify its areas, especially given the available opportunities for economic integration between the two countries.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the “Orange Corners” program, implemented in cooperation with the Dutch side and the private sector, to support entrepreneurs in the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt governorates. After the success of the first three-year phase, the program is now in a new cycle extending from 2024 to 2028, reflecting the shared interest of both countries in achieving inclusive economic growth and providing job opportunities for youth.

    The two sides also reviewed developments in cooperation in the fields of water and climate following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Egyptian and Dutch governments in October 2024, to enhance cooperation in coastal resource management and adaptation to climate change.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: President Trump Promised to End Child Sexual Mutilation — and He Delivered

    Source: US Whitehouse

    During his campaign, President Donald J. Trump repeatedly pledged to end the irreversible chemical and surgical mutilation of our children: “We are not going to allow child sexual mutilation.”

    For years, politicians have promised to end the barbaric, pseudoscientific practice — but President Trump is the only one who has actually delivered.

    This week, Yale New Haven Health and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center announced they are ending their so-called “gender-affirming care services.” They join a growing list of health systems across the country following President Trump’s executive action.

    • Phoenix Children’s Hospital stopped providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to minors.
    • Stanford Medicine ended sex-change surgeries for minors.
    • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles closed its “Center for Transyouth Health and Development and Gender-Affirming Care.”
    • Denver Health suspended sex change surgeries for patients under 19.
    • UCHealth ended so-called “gender-affirming services” for patients under 19.
    • Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago stopped sex-change surgeries for patients under 19.
    • UChicago suspended so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors.
    • Northwestern Memorial Hospital stopped sex-change surgeries for minors.
    • Rush Medical Center halted gender-affirming care for new patients under 18.
    • In New York City, Mount Sinai and New York-Presbyterian both curbed so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors.
    • In Pennsylvania, Penn State Health, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and the University of Pennsylvania Health System all stopped so-called “gender-affirming care” for patients under 19.
    • The Hospital of Richmond at VCU Health halted so-called “gender-affirming care” for new patients under 19.
    • Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters suspended hormone therapy and puberty blockers for gender-affirming care in children under 19.
    • Seattle Children’s Hospital stopped providing so-called “gender-affirming surgery” to patients under 19.
    • In Washington, D.C., Children’s National Hospital “paused” prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors, while Northwest Washington Hospital did the same.
    • Kaiser Permanente paused sex-change surgeries for patients under 19 across all its hospitals and surgical centers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Note to Correspondents: Nigerian Poet Designated United Nations Global Advocate for Peace

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Ms. Maryam Bukar of Nigeria was today officially designated as the United Nations’ Global Advocate for Peace. A renowned spoken word artist, poet, and peace advocate, Ms. Bukar uses the power of poetry and performance to champion gender equality, youth empowerment and inclusive peacebuilding.

    Ms. Bukar has showcased her work on prestigious platforms including the UN SDG Awards, TED Talks and the World Bank Youth Summit.  She has collaborated with the UN on initiatives such as the “Peace Begins With Me” poetry video for the International Day of Peace and her impactful spoken word performance at last year’s Summit of the Future.

    Her dedication has earned her accolades such as the Sustainable Africa Award at COP28 and finalist recognition for the 2024 UN SDG Creativity Award.

    Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, highlighted the significance of her designation, stating that “the dedication of the Global Advocate’s time and energy to this effort will greatly increase awareness of the peace and security priorities of the United Nations, particularly the vital role of women and youth in advancing inclusive and sustainable peace.”

    Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo also welcomed the designation, noting that  “art has the power to move hearts, inspire action, and bring communities together. Through her compelling words and performances, Ms. Bukar has shown how creativity can be a force for peacebuilding, dialogue and inclusion. Her voice will be an important partner in amplifying the UN’s efforts to advance political solutions, empower young people and women, and sustain peace.”

    In her new role as the first Global Advocate for the entire Peace and Security Pillar, Ms. Bukar will advance the UN’s peace efforts including through the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas, through storytelling, digital engagement, and public speaking. She will participate in key UN campaigns and events, including an upcoming performance at New York City’s SummerStage festival on Sunday, 27 July, alongside renown artists Femi Kuti and Elida Almeida, among others.
     

    • Digital assets are available on a dedicated Trello board.
    • More information on the Global Advocate here.
    • More information on Sunday’s event here.

    Media contacts:
    Sophie Boudre, DPO : boudre@un.org
    Susie Lim, DPPA : lim7@un.org
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Florida Democrats Send Letter Pushing State to Join Lawsuit on Frozen Education Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida House Democrats sent a letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to join the 25 states that have filed the lawsuit State of California v. McMahon, challenging the Trump Administration and the Department of Education’s illegal freeze of more than $5.5 billion in Congressionally-approved education funding. On June 30, the Department of Education notified states that it was holding over $6 billion in grants that were due to be disbursed on July 1. The Department claims to be holding the funds for a “review” geared toward “ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities.” While the Department recently released a small portion of the frozen funds, it is still withholding over $5.5 billion nationally, including $325 million from Florida schools for teacher training, academic support for students, professional development programs, and more. 

    “For Florida, this freeze is not theoretical—it’s real money being held hostage, with tangible harm to our school districts, working families, and children,” the Members wrote. “Programs are being delayed or dismantled. School districts have had to freeze hiring and may soon have to start laying off staff. Local leaders are left in limbo. While other states are taking action, Florida is conspicuously absent.”

    Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars at stake for Florida, Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier have yet to join the lawsuit.

    “Florida’s children should not pay the price for adult politics,” the Members continued. “The Trump Administration’s action is a clear violation of the Impoundment Control Act, which prohibits the executive branch from withholding Congressionally-appropriated funds. It also threatens the Constitutional balance of powers and undermines public trust.”

    “We implore you to put Florida’s interests first by joining State of California v. McMahon and demanding the release of the federal education dollars our communities were promised.”

    For the full text of the letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to North Dakota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Adverse Weather

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in North Dakota of the deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by adverse weather conditions occurring in the counties listed below.

    The disaster declarations cover the counties listed below:

    Declaration Number

    Primary
    Counties

    Neighboring
    Counties

    Incident Type

    Incident Date

    Deadline

    20941

    		 Burke, Mercer and Oliver Burleigh, Divide, Dunn, McLean, Morton, Mountrail, Renville, Stark, Ward and Williams. Drought, Heat, and Winds July 30–Oct. 6, 2024 8/25/25

    20942

    		 Cavalier, Pembina, Ransom and Sargent Barnes, Cass, Dickey, LaMoure, Ramsey, Richland, Towner and Walsh in North Dakota, Kittson and Marshall in Minnesota, Brown, Marshall and Roberts in South Dakota. Excessive Rain and Flooding April 1–Oct. 1, 2024 8/25/25

    20943

    		 Sioux Adams, Emmons, Grant and Morton in North Dakota, Campbell, Corson and Perkins in South Dakota. Wildfire and High Winds Sept. 12–Oct. 2, 2024 8/25/25

    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.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    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 and receive additional disaster assistance information 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 SBA no later than Aug. 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: SBA Relief Still Available to Montana Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Adverse Weather

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Montana of the deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by adverse weather conditions occurring as indicated below.

    The disaster declarations cover the counties listed below:

    Declaration Number

    Primary
    Counties

    Neighboring
    Counties

    Incident Type

    Incident Date

    Deadline
    20940 Dawson McCone, Prairie, Richland and Wibaux. Hail and High Winds Sept. 17, 2024 8/25/25
    20945 Toole Glacier, Liberty and Pondera. Drought, Excessive Heat and High Winds June 15, 2024, and continuing 8/25/25

    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.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    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 and receive additional disaster assistance information 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 SBA no later than Aug. 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: SBA Relief Still Available to Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Private Nonprofits Affected by Wildfires

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of the Aug. 26, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by wildfires occurring July 17–Aug. 21, 2024.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature who suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Examples of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the 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 3.25% and 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.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at 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 Aug. 26.

    ###

    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 –

  • PM Modi honoured in Maldives as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a ceremony marked by warmth and diplomatic goodwill, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognising his achievement as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister in consecutive terms.

    Addressing a formal banquet held in Male in honour of the visiting Indian leader, President Muizzu hailed Prime Minister Modi’s uninterrupted tenure of 4,078 days as a reflection of his “unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to the progress and prosperity of the Indian people.”

    “Tonight, we are delighted to reciprocate that friendship and goodwill in the spirit of the close ties between our two nations. Let me convey my heartiest congratulations to Your Excellency on becoming the second-longest serving Prime Minister of India. This remarkable milestone is a testament to your leadership and vision,” said President Muizzu.

    Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Maldivian capital earlier in the day from the United Kingdom, where he had concluded a landmark official visit. He was received at Velana International Airport by President Muizzu and senior members of the Maldivian Cabinet, including the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Homeland Security.

    The visit comes at the invitation of President Muizzu, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Maldivian independence. Prime Minister Modi is attending the national celebrations as the Guest of Honour- a gesture symbolic of the deep and enduring relationship between the two countries.

    India was among the first nations to recognise the Maldives’ independence in 1965, and the latest visit is viewed as an opportunity to reaffirm bilateral cooperation in areas including maritime security, regional stability, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.

    With 4,078 consecutive days in office, Prime Minister Modi has surpassed the uninterrupted tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who served 4,077 days between 1966 and 1977. This milestone further consolidates Modi’s position in India’s political history, underlining a decade of sustained leadership.

    — IANS

  • PM Modi honoured in Maldives as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a ceremony marked by warmth and diplomatic goodwill, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognising his achievement as India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister in consecutive terms.

    Addressing a formal banquet held in Male in honour of the visiting Indian leader, President Muizzu hailed Prime Minister Modi’s uninterrupted tenure of 4,078 days as a reflection of his “unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to the progress and prosperity of the Indian people.”

    “Tonight, we are delighted to reciprocate that friendship and goodwill in the spirit of the close ties between our two nations. Let me convey my heartiest congratulations to Your Excellency on becoming the second-longest serving Prime Minister of India. This remarkable milestone is a testament to your leadership and vision,” said President Muizzu.

    Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Maldivian capital earlier in the day from the United Kingdom, where he had concluded a landmark official visit. He was received at Velana International Airport by President Muizzu and senior members of the Maldivian Cabinet, including the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Homeland Security.

    The visit comes at the invitation of President Muizzu, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Maldivian independence. Prime Minister Modi is attending the national celebrations as the Guest of Honour- a gesture symbolic of the deep and enduring relationship between the two countries.

    India was among the first nations to recognise the Maldives’ independence in 1965, and the latest visit is viewed as an opportunity to reaffirm bilateral cooperation in areas including maritime security, regional stability, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.

    With 4,078 consecutive days in office, Prime Minister Modi has surpassed the uninterrupted tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who served 4,077 days between 1966 and 1977. This milestone further consolidates Modi’s position in India’s political history, underlining a decade of sustained leadership.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Booker Revamps Senate Democrats’ Digital Strategy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) sat down with Semafor’s Burgess Everett to discuss leading the Democratic Strategic Communications Committee and his mission to get Senate Democrats out of their cable news comfort zone and into the digital age, one viral video at a time.

    See for yourself:

    Semafor

    How Cory Booker convinced his party to get extremely online

    By Burgess Everett

    …

    When Chris Coons stepped into his party’s meeting room after listening to President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress in March, Cory Booker had a surprise waiting: a room of social media influencers ready to interview him.

    “I’m looking at him. And he goes, ‘I know you’ve never met these people. I know you’ve never heard of what they’re on,’” Coons recalled to Semafor.

    Booker listed the follower counts of social media personalities in the room, Coons added, and then told him: “Just go with it.”

    The Delaware senator took Booker’s advice — as have many of his Democratic colleagues this year. Booker is on an active mission to tone the party’s weak media muscles, an atrophy that many now believe cost Democrats in 2024.

    It’s part of Booker’s new role in the caucus: modernizing a party that he believes relies too much on traditional print and TV outlets to get its message out.

    …

    “Our caucus was not understanding that we put so much energy into going on MSNBC, but more people are on these devices,” Booker said in an interview this week about his social media work.

    “We’ve got to start shifting our strategy towards having a digital and media strategy that could break through, that could capture attention.”

    …

    According to data Booker presented during a Senate Democratic caucus meeting this month, his approach is working to help Democrats catch up on multiple platforms. He says he’s quadrupled online engagement in the caucus, from roughly 400,000 engagements a day to 2 million. Senate Democrats have added 15 million new followers across platforms, outpacing Republicans significantly.

    …

    You can see the Booker-inflected changes if you bop around the party’s social media accounts: more direct-to-camera riffs, fewer press releases and canned quotes, and more shareable content, like Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., explaining what a rescission is.

    Will it all have an impact on the 2026 election? Who knows. But it is notable that Democrats, for perhaps the first time, have someone in their ranks thinking deeply about this.

    …

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In hard-hitting human rights address, Guterres calls for urgent action on Gaza, authoritarianism and climate justice

    Source: United Nations 2

    Recalling his own experience living under dictatorship in Portugal, Mr. Guterres told participants at the Global Assembly of the international rights charity Amnesty International on Friday that the fight for human rights is “more important than ever.”

    He called on states to uphold international law and defend human rights “consistently and universally, even – or especially – when inconvenient,” urging collective action to restore global trust, dignity and justice.

    ‘A moral crisis’

    Mr. Guterres painted a stark picture of a world in turmoil, citing multiple ongoing crises – foremost among them, the war in Gaza.

    While reiterating his condemnation of the 7 October 2023 terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel, the Secretary-General said that “nothing can justify the explosion of death and destruction since.”

    “The scale and scope is beyond anything we have seen in recent times,” he said.

    “I cannot explain the level of indifference and inaction we see by too many in the international community. The lack of compassion. The lack of truth. The lack of humanity.”

    Key takeaways from the address

    • Gaza – “A moral crisis that challenges the global conscience”
    • Ukraine – Call for a “just and lasting peace” based on the UN Charter, international law and resolutions
    • Authoritarianism – A “global contagion”, with political repression, scapegoating of minorities and shrinking civic space
    • Climate Justice – Bold action needed to cut emissions; transition to clean energy must uphold human rights
    • Digital Threats – Concern over algorithm-driven disinformation, hate speech and manipulation on social media
    • Call to Action – “Human rights are the solution, foundation of peace and engine of progress”

    UN staff ‘neither dead nor alive’

    He described UN staff in Gaza as working in “unimaginable conditions,” many of them so depleted they “say they feel neither dead nor alive.”

    Since late May, he noted, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed trying to access food – not in combat, but “in desperation – while the entire population starves.”

    “This is not just a humanitarian crisis. It is a moral crisis that challenges the global conscience.”

    Ready to scale up aid

    Mr. Guterres said the UN stands ready to dramatically scale up humanitarian operations “as we successfully did during the previous pause in fighting,” but called for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire,” the unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access.

    “At the same time, we need urgent, concrete and irreversible steps towards a two-State solution,” he stressed.

    He also spoke about other conflicts, including Sudan as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where he called for a “just and lasting peace” based on the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.

    UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

    Secretary-General Guterres (left) addresses Amnesty International’s Global Assembly via video link.

    Rising authoritarianism

    The Secretary-General warned that authoritarian tactics are on the rise globally.

    “We are witnessing a surge in repressive tactics aiming at corroding respect for human rights,” he said. “And these are contaminating some democracies.”

    Political opposition movements are being crushed, accountability mechanisms dismantled, journalists and activists silenced, civic space strangled, and minorities scapegoated.

    Rights of women and girls in particular are being rolled back – most starkly, he said, in Afghanistan.

    “This is not a series of isolated events. It is a global contagion.”

    Weaponization of technology

    He decried the growing weaponization of digital platforms, saying algorithms are “boosting the worst of humanity – rewarding falsehoods, fuelling racism and misogyny, and deepening division.”

    He called on governments to uphold the Global Digital Compact adopted by countries at the UN General Assembly last September, and to take stronger action to combat online hate and disinformation.

    © ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek

    Activists outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague as the Court delivers its advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

    Climate justice is human rights

    Turning to climate, Mr. Guterres described the environmental emergency as a “human rights catastrophe,” with the poorest and most vulnerable communities suffering most.

    He welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s advisory opinion this week, affirming that climate change is a human rights issue and that states have obligations under international law to protect the global climate system.

    But he cautioned against a transition to clean energy that sacrifices human rights.

    “We cannot accept a clean energy future built on dirty practices…We cannot accept enormous violations of human rights – many of them against children – in the name of climate progress.”

    He called for urgent emissions cuts, a just transition away from fossil fuels and real financing for developing countries to adapt, build resilience, and recover from loss and damage.

    A legacy of activism

    The Secretary-General concluded by praising Amnesty International’s decades of activism, calling its work “indispensable” to the global human rights movement.

    “When you stand for human rights, you stand with what is right,” he told delegates.

    “Your courage continues to change lives. Your persistence is shifting the course of history. Let’s keep going. Let’s meet this moment with the urgency it demands. And let’s never, ever give up.”

    Founded in 1961, Amnesty International is a global human rights movement that campaigns to end abuses and promote justice. The organization has long worked in collaboration with the United Nations, participating actively in the development of international human rights law and mechanisms.

    Today’s speech by Mr. Guterres is first-ever address by a UN Secretary-General to Amnesty International’s Global Assembly – the charity’s highest decision-making body. The UN chief spoke via a video link to the event in Prague.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Captive Nations Week, 2025

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    This Captive Nations Week, I offer my heartfelt support to every person living under a totalitarian regime and I reaffirm my commitment to advancing a new era of peace where freedom is cherished, sovereignty is respected, and every nation can live without fear of tyranny or oppression.

    In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive Nations Week to counter the emerging threat of communism and declare America’s resolve to defend the fundamental rights of free speech, religious liberty, and self-government.  As President, I continue that work today, as far too often, oppressive regimes still silence dissent and persecute their own citizens for practicing their faith. 

    The Religious Liberty Commission, the White House Faith Office, and the Department of State’s Office of International Religious Freedom are working together to expand and strengthen America’s efforts to defend religious freedom around the world.  In the United States, we will always uphold the simple truth that our rights do not come from Government, but from God in Heaven.  We believe that legitimate governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that freedom of religion forms the foundation of free Government. 

    Guided by these truths, my Administration continues to work for a more stable and peaceful world.  We remain fiercely committed to working with our allies and adversaries alike to pursue strong diplomacy, resolve conflicts, and forge lasting peace everywhere.

    America stands with all people who resist tyranny, defend their faith, and fight for the God-given rights of every human being.  We will continue to lead with strength, speak truth in the face of oppression, and advance the cause of peace, liberty, and human dignity across the globe. 

    The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week of July of each year as “Captive Nations Week.”

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2025, as Captive Nations Week.  I call upon all Americans to reaffirm our commitment to supporting those around the world striving for liberty, justice, and the rule of law with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Waterski championships make waves in Calgary

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s Statement on Meeting with Federal Fisheries Minister

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    NOTE: The following is a statement from Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

    East Coast fisheries and aquaculture ministers met yesterday with new federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, and I continued to press the federal government to address illegal fishing and protect the interests and safety of our coastal communities.

    Seafood is Nova Scotia’s largest industry and number one export. It’s an important economic driver, especially for rural coastal communities.

    Nova Scotia’s seafood industries have suffered from illegal fishing and management decisions related to conservation issues and the closure of the 2024 elver fishery. The East Coast fisheries and aquaculture industries are also facing significant challenges with the threat of tariffs from the United States and existing tariffs imposed by China.

    We need the federal minister to support our fisheries through these challenges.

    At the meeting we also discussed the renewal of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) and a complementary program to support product and market diversification opportunities.

    The AFF is essential to help our seafood businesses grow and adapt. I requested that the federal government prioritize the renewal of the fund as soon as possible, as committed in its election campaign.

    I am cautiously optimistic that the new Minister understands the impacts that her decisions and the actions of her Department have on our economy and am hopeful that she will support Nova Scotia’s seafood industries by addressing illegal fishing and looking to new opportunities for product and market diversification.

    Our government will continue to stand up for Nova Scotians and the seafood industry.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: HAWTHORNE MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG AND FIREARM OFFENSES

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

    GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – William Hernandez, 27, of Hawthorne, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.

    Hernandez is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida on July 29, 2025, at 2:15 p.m.

    If convicted, Hernandez faces up to life imprisonment.

    The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gainesville Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner.

    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 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: HAWTHORNE MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG AND FIREARM OFFENSES

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

    GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – William Hernandez, 27, of Hawthorne, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.

    Hernandez is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida on July 29, 2025, at 2:15 p.m.

    If convicted, Hernandez faces up to life imprisonment.

    The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gainesville Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner.

    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 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 USA: ICYMI: Congressman Sorensen Demands Accountability in Aftermath of Texas Floods

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    Last week, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) continued to lead Democrats in sounding the alarm over cuts in funding to the National Weather Service in the wake of the deadly Texas floods. On Friday, he led a letter with Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) demanding answers from President Trump on why hundreds of Americans were unprepared to evacuate from the flash floods. 

    MSNBC: All in with Chris Hayes: Congressman Sorensen calls for a NTSB for weather in aftermath of deadly flash flooding in Texas 

    •  Congressman Sorensen: “We need a NTSB just for weather. We need to understand how the meteorology was disseminated to the people. Were they able to react to it? Where they able to get to a higher ground? We have to understand all of the facets here so that we make better decisions in the future. Because we know these storms have had huge floods on the Guadalupe River in the 1970s, in 2002, and now in 2025.” 

    NBC News NOW: Meet the Press NOW: Need to ‘invest’ in NWS so Texas disaster is ‘a thing of the past’: Congressman & fmr. meteorologist 

    • Congressman Sorensen: “We have to invest in the National Weather Service. We have to get President Trump to understand that investing in the National Weather Service – making sure we have more accurate weather models – could maybe make these types of disasters a thing of the past.” 

    • Congressman Sorensen: “Also going forward, we need to make sure there is a commitment from the Administration that the National Weather Service is just that – it is a service. We take it for granted that our phones are going to off in the middle of the night when the tornado warning or the flash flood warning is issued. But we need to know when that happens that there is going to be a way for us to escape.” 

    Center Square: Illinois congressman pushes for NWS funding as Trump’s budget faces scrutiny 

    • Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, a former meteorologist, said he and others are pushing bipartisan legislation to strengthen NWS operations and staffing, warning that shortfalls may be putting lives at risk. 

    • Sorensen stressed the need for stronger communication tools, warning systems and a long-term investment in the agency’s capabilities. 

    NBC News: Bipartisan support picks up for a natural disaster review board 

    • In an email to NBC News, Congress’ only meteorologist, Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., said he was working with colleagues to create an NTSB-styled program to investigate deadly storms. 

    • “It would be amazing if meteorologists could have access to investigative reports that help us to figure out what — if anything — went wrong and what we can do in the future to be better,” Sorensen said, adding that “clearly the tragic floods in Texas would benefit from such a report.” 

    The Hill: House Democrats call for ‘urgent review’ of deadly Texas flooding 

    • Three House Democrats sent a letter to President Trump and two officials involved in weather infrastructure Friday expressing concerns about the government’s preparedness for future flood disasters and extreme weather events. 

    • “This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021, 345 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024,” Democratic Reps. Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) and Eric Sorensen (Ill.) wrote. 

    • The lawmakers expressed concern about whether the Department of Government Efficiency-driven staff reductions at the National Weather Service delayed warnings about the Texas floods, which have claimed at least 120 lives. The New York Times reported the vacancies may have complicated efforts to coordinate with local officials and that some of the unfilled positions predate the Trump administration. 

    As the only meteorologist in Congress, Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for protecting and strengthening NOAA and the NWS from cuts. Starting last year, he has been warning about the impact of Project 2025’s plans to dismantle and privatize NOAA and the NWS. As the Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the agencies, Congressman Sorensen has been speaking out, introducing legislation, and calling on the Administration to bring a stop to the disastrous cuts. He recently introduced the Weather Workforce Improvement Act to help the NWS fully staff critical positions at their offices and the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act to help strengthen weather forecasting in rural America. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sorensen Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Re-Establish Federal Program to Help Working Families Afford Clean Drinking Water

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    Representatives Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced their bipartisan Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act. The legislation would re-establish LIHWAP, the first-ever federal water assistance program, after funding for the program expired in 2022.

    “The number one issue worrying my neighbors in Central and Northwestern Illinois is affordability – whether it’s putting food on the table for their kids or covering their high-water bill,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Here in Washington, we have the power to help families in Illinois-17 and across the country who are feeling the squeeze from higher prices by ensuring they have access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program was an incredibly successful program that supported tens of thousands of families in Illinois at-risk of having their access to drinking water cut-off. My bipartisan legislation will help make it a permanent lifeline for those who need a helping hand.”

    “Access to clean, safe water is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “With water bills rising faster than inflation, more than 33% of Americans are struggling to pay their water bills. We have seen great success with energy assistance through LIHEAP, and it only makes sense to adapt it to water assistance for our most vulnerable. The LIHWAP Establishment Act will keep low-income households connected to clear water, ensure local utilities have the resources to maintain critical infrastructure, and invest in the long-term strength of our communities.”

    “Every family, regardless of financial status, should have reliable access to clean water,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provided vital support to hardworking families in the Eighth District and across the country. That’s why I’m happy to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to restore LIHWAP assistance and help lower the cost of water and wastewater utility bills for those in need.”

    “In the richest country in the world, every hardworking family should have access to clean drinking water,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “Too many families in Illinois and across the country, though, have to choose between higher grocery prices, higher rent and higher utility bills. I’m proud to help alleviate the burden of water costs and introduce a bill that would reestablish the successful Low-Income Assistance Program.”

    “No one should have to choose between paying for water and putting food on the table,” said Congresswoman Davids. “I’m proud to support this legislation to help Kansas families stay safe and financially stable — because when folks can count on basic utilities, it makes it easier to care for their families and contribute to their communities. Simply, reliable access to water shouldn’t depend on your income or ZIP code.”

    “Drinking water service is an essential lifeline, regardless of a person’s income,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). “Just as the federal government has long-established programs to support nutrition assistance and home heating and cooling service for households in need, the LIHWAP Establishment Act would appropriately provide water assistance to low-income families nationwide. AMWA appreciates the leadership of Reps. Sorensen and Bresnahan to advance water affordability, and looks forward to building additional support for this critical legislation.”

    “LIHWAP proved to be an essential lifeline, serving more than 1.6 million households who could not afford clean and safe water services,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). “NACWA applauds the leadership of Representatives Sorensen and Bresnahan in recognizing the need for a permanent federal water assistance program. This investment would help public clean water agencies make necessary infrastructure investments for their communities while protecting households in need. We look forward to working with these Congressional water champions to get this critical program enacted.”

    LIHWAP supported more than 1.5 million households, preventing nearly 1 million disconnections of water service and reducing over 1.1 million water bills before it was shuttered. In Illinois, the program served 84,759 households, prevented 19,233 water disconnections, and helped 4,889 families have their water restored.

    This bill would re-establish LIHWAP to continue helping working families afford clean drinking water and other wastewater services by subsidizing their utility bills. Funding will go from the state to the utility and be deducted from the household’s bill. The program will originate with the Department of Health and Human Services and then transition to the Environmental Protection Agency.

    States may also use up to fifteen percent of funds to offset the cost of administering, determining eligibility of, and conducting outreach to low-income households.

    In addition to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the bill is supported by the American Water Works Association,  National Association of Counties, National Association of Water, National League of Cities, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Water Environment Federation. 

    You can read the full text of the bill HERE and additional background HERE. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd Joins Cornyn, Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Hold Illegal Aliens Accountable for Committing Murder

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, which would create a new federal offense for an illegal alien or deportable alien who commits murder in the United States.

    “Under the Biden administration’s reckless open border policies, far too many innocent Americans tragically lost their lives at the hands of violent criminals who should not have been in the country. Now that President Trump has secured our border, I am committed to putting ironclad policies in place to hold illegal aliens accountable for heinous crimes committed on U.S. soil. I am proud to join Senator Cornyn and my colleagues to bring justice to victims by making an act of murder committed by an illegal or deportable alien a federal offense,” said Senator Budd.

    “Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants to come into this country and brutally murder innocent Americans. I’m proud to join with my GOP colleagues to deliver justice for the victims who were tragically ripped from their families at the hands of the criminal aliens by holding these perpetrators accountable for their heinous actions and subjecting them to the death penalty,” said Senator Cornyn.

    U.S. Senators Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) also co-sponsored the legislation.

    U.S. Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas-08) is leading this legislation in the House of Representatives.

    Read the full bill text HERE.

    BACKGROUND

    The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act would:

    • Allow the federal government to prosecute illegal aliens who commit murder in the United States, and if convicted of first-degree murder under this statute, offenders could face the death penalty or life in prison;
    • Close a dangerous loophole by enabling the federal government to step in and vigorously prosecute an illegal alien murder in certain jurisdictions where a prosecutor may fail to seek an adequate penalty due to a lack of resources or partisan views;
    • And ensure those who are unlawfully in the U.S. and commit these heinous crimes do not slip through the cracks of the legal system due to jurisdictional challenges.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United States Energy Association (USEA) Chief Executive Office (CEO) Mark W. Menezes to Bring United States (U.S.) Energy Expertise to African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Stage

    Source: APO – Report:

    Mark W. Menezes, President and CEO of the United States Energy Association (USEA), joins a roster of high-level speakers at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. Bringing decades of experience bridging public and private sector energy leadership, Menezes’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 underscores the U.S.’s enduring commitment to supporting Africa’s energy transformation through strategic partnerships, technical assistance and investment facilitation.

    At the helm of the USEA, Menezes oversees the Energy Utility Partnership Program (EUPP), a flagship initiative supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development, which supports national utilities and energy institutions across sub-Saharan Africa in expanding access to electricity, integrating renewable energy, improving grid stability and strengthening institutional capacity. The USEA currently operates in more than a dozen African countries, with long-standing partnerships in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Djibouti and Ethiopia as well as across regional power pools like the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Eastern Africa Power Pool and the West Africa Power Pool.

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    In Uganda, the USEA has partnered with the country’s Uganda Electricity Generation Company, the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company and major distribution companies including Umeme and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company. Through a wide-ranging support program, USEA has delivered significant results including the development of a national Energy Mix Diversification Strategy, the certification of asset management personnel and significant cost savings by replacing foreign contractors with locally trained hydropower maintenance teams.

    Meanwhile, in Kenya, the USEA supports utilities including the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company and other public and private entities through the East Africa Regional Transmission Planning Program. The initiative has helped develop the region’s first integrated load flow planning model to strengthen cross-border energy planning between Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The USEA has also been deeply engaged in Senegal since 2015, supporting the country’s national electricity company SENELEC in managing a growing portfolio of energy projects through technical assistance in project management, procurement and power system modeling. In Ethiopia, the USEA played a key role in the drafting and passage of the country’s Geothermal Resource Development Proclamation, which created the legal foundation for private investment in Ethiopia’s vast geothermal potential. The USEA also helped Ethiopia Electric Power secure a $7.7 million grant through the African Union Commission’s Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility to advance development of the Alalobeda geothermal field.

    Meanwhile, the USEA, in collaboration with the SAPP, facilitated executive exchanges, helped reform governance bylaw and supported the development of regional frequency and environmental guidelines aligned with international standards. As such, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is set to serve as a critical platform for the USEA to deepen its partnerships with African utilities, regulators and private sector stakeholders. As Africa continues to balance the urgent need for energy access with long-term sustainability and industrialization goals, the USEA’s technical support, training programs and planning tools offer frameworks for reform and investment readiness.

    “Through the USEA and programs like EUPP, African countries are building stronger, smarter and more resilient energy systems. AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will provide the ideal forum to accelerate this momentum,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    About Mark W. Menezes:
    Mark W. Menezes is President and CEO of the United States Energy Association, representing 150 members across the U.S. energy sector. A former U.S. Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary of Energy, he managed a $34 billion budget and oversaw national labs, nuclear programs, and major energy initiatives. Menezes has held senior roles at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, in Congress as Chief Counsel for the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and as a partner at Hunton & Williams LLP. He founded Global Sustainable Energy Advisors and teaches energy law at Georgetown. He holds degrees from LSU and is licensed in D.C., Texas, and Louisiana.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: No more missed opportunities: Strengthening Africa-Caribbean trade and investment in an era of Global Trade Disruption (By Pamela Coke-Hamilton and Benedict Oramah)

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    By Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, and Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman, Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com). 

    The share of bilateral exports between Africa and the Caribbean, despite extensive shared history, has never surpassed 6%, according to an ITC and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) study, leaving much room for growth of up to $2.1 billion within the next 5 years according to new studies. Key to this growth is adding value in priority sectors, such as minerals, processed food, , manufactured products, transport, travel and creative industries.  

    We’re living in precarious times.

    In an era marked by global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and fragmented supply chains, Africa and the Caribbean are at a critical juncture.

    Most Caribbean countries now face a blanket 10% tariff on (https://apo-opa.co/455uBCM) goods exported to their biggest trading partner, the United States – which takes 40% of its total exports. The so-called reciprocal tariffs on African nations  (https://apo-opa.co/4lIyzZ7)ranges from 10-50%, with Lesotho facing the single highest tariff of all US trading partners, nullifying preferences granted through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 

    These are real challenges, especially for smaller firms that are having to adapt with little time and often scarce resources. But there are also promising prospects on the horizon—if we dare to seize them.

    Africa, for one, is now moving into full, accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), arguably the biggest decision made by African Heads of Government in six decades. This treaty has the power not only to revolutionize African trade and development, but also to equip African countries with stronger negotiating power in multilateral arenas—therefore boosting their collective ability to change the terms of global trade.  

    The Caribbean, with its smaller, remote and import-dependent economies, is one of the region’s most vulnerable to external shocks, whether from tariff escalations, climate disasters or supply chain disruptions. But it also has a chance to invest in long-term stability and economic growth by diversifying exports and trading partners, processing goods before export to retain more value, and strengthening regional and international trade ties.

    While many are taking a wait-and-see approach on what this next phase of global trade will look like, for Africa and the Caribbean, this is an approach that neither can afford. With the longstanding sociocultural history shared by the two regions, the time is ripe to forge far deeper ties through mutually beneficial, trade-led economic growth and development—and serve as a model of South-South cooperation that inspires others to follow in their footsteps.

    Investing in interregional, value-added trade

    Despite efforts at regional integration, trade between Africa and the Caribbean remains minimal. ITC data shows that bilateral trade has never exceeded 6% of total exports for either region. In fact, African exports to the Caribbean have declined since 2014 and have been close to 0.1% since 2020, while Caribbean exports to Africa remain volatile, from just 0.8% of total exports in 2020 to 2.3% in 2022.

    There is room to grow, from the current $729 million in interregional trade to potentially $2.1 billion within the next 5 years, if trade barriers are slashed and investments are made in key sectors.

    A formalised trade corridor could reduce regulatory divergence and non-tariff barriers. For instance, Caribbean rum exporters currently face an 88% tariff when selling to African markets—a significant barrier to growth.

    But removing or lowering trade barriers alone is not enough.

    Access to trade and Investment finance are vital for tapping into the major untapped growth potential in trade in value-added goods. This is critical for priority sectors like minerals and metals, processed food and animal feed, manufactured products, travel,  transport and creative industries, where the regions have comparative advantages and synergies are possible. Trade between the regions currently relies heavily on unprocessed commodities, which reflects missed opportunities for industrial collaboration, innovation and economic diversification.

    Afreximbank’s presence in the region, through its Barbados office established about two years ago is set to significantly boost trade between the two regions. This is further strengthened by the ongoing project to create the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC), and the initiative to create the CARICOM Eximbank – an Afreximbank subsidiary. Additionally, the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS), being developed by Afreximbank and CARICOM central banks, will deepen and improve efficiency of intra-CARICOM payments in national currencies. Through its integration with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), CAPSS will accelerate integration of financial systems of the two regions while boosting Africa-Caribbean trade and investments.

    In the fast-growing creative economy, for instance, both regions already have longstanding traditions in textiles, ceramics and woodwork, and can build on their shared cultural heritage. The collaboration between African and Caribbean designers, musicians and artists also offers significant potential for growth.

    Afreximbank Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) has highlighted fashion, design and crafts as a priority value chain, and has doubled programme funding from $1 billion to $2 billion for the next three years, aimed at providing infrastructure, financing and resources to scale Africa and diasporic creative industries globally. The Bank is also developing a $500 million private equity film fund to support African filmmakers. These efforts reflect the scale of ambition required to transform the creative industries into global growth engines.

    Breaking bottlenecks

    To take advantage of these economic growth opportunities, foundations need to be laid. The major hurdles in enhancing Africa-Caribbean trade include weak institutional frameworks, logistical inefficiencies and infrastructural gaps. Despite their geographic proximity—just 1,600 miles apart—the lack of direct transport links and weak regulatory frameworks make trade between the two regions cumbersome.

    Logistics, unfortunately, remains a major bottleneck. ITC data show that 57% of unrealized trade potential stems from logistical challenges. Both regions score poorly on the logistics index, according to the World Bank, ranking among the lowest in the world in terms of transport efficiency. Investing in interregional infrastructure will be key, including direct maritime and air transport links, improving ports and enhancing digital infrastructure.

    For example, the Afreximbank has an ongoing $3 billion credit facility for CARICOM countries, to boost trade infrastructure and the competitiveness of small businesses. These are the types of arrangements, when replicated, that make a difference in the long term.

    Empowering small businesses to seize the moment

    But all of this could be for naught unless both regions’ small businesses are empowered to act and seize these opportunities for themselves. The Strengthening AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Project, an initiative spearheaded by Afreximbank and the ITC, is forging vital links between the private sectors of Africa and the Caribbean. This ambitious endeavour aims to cultivate not only strategic commercial partnerships but also cultural connections. In collaboration with the Caribbean Private Sector Organization and the African Business Council, the project empowers both regions to unearth business opportunities and stimulate business-to-business exchanges, paving the way for a dynamic synergy to elevate the economic landscape of both Africa and the Caribbean.

    Small businesses are the backbone of the African and Caribbean economies but remain underrepresented in trade. The first-ever Global Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Ministerial Meeting, was hosted by ITC and the Government of South Africa in Johannesburg this month, in the year of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which positioned small businesses as key players in global trade reform. Afreximbank enabled the participation of 15 ministers to attend, 10 from Africa and five from the Caribbean. Days later, the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) will kick off in St. George’s Grenada from 28 to 30 July 2025, where the work to increase trade and investment between the two regions will continue. To participate, please visit https://ACTIF2025.com.

    Our alliance is more than just a response to global uncertainty; it is a blueprint for inclusive, resilient and opportunity-driven trade in the 21st century. Together, Africa and the Caribbean can showcase South-South trade as a solution in a time of great change.

    – on behalf of Afreximbank.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Filipino community calls for cultural centre

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    A recently released What We Heard report highlights that B.C.’s Filipino community shares a vision for a provincial cultural centre dedicated to community spirit, recognition and representation, and programming that supports people in British Columbia to learn about Filipino culture and heritage. 

    The contributions of the Filipino Canadian community in B.C. are an important part of the province’s history, culture and success. That’s why government launched a public engagement survey on May 31, 2024, that invited people in British Columbia, especially those of Filipino heritage, to share their vision for a provincial Filipino cultural centre. The 10-question survey was open until Dec. 31, 2024, and received more than 1,200 survey responses.

    “We are proud to recognize Filipino Canadians’ heritage and their vital contributions to B.C.’s success,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We’re grateful to the many people who completed the survey and the communities who contributed to the roundtable discussions. We’re heartened to know that our work going forward will be community informed and community-led.”

    As part of the engagement and to ensure meaningful collaboration, the Province hosted roundtable discussions with key representatives from Filipino community organizations in August 2023, September 2023 and February 2024. These roundtables provided an open forum for community leaders to discuss government’s commitment, the engagement process and the steps needed to advance the development of a cultural centre.

    “This survey and report help ensure that we recognize Filipino Canadians’ impactful contributions to B.C. in a way that honours their needs and desires,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, mental health and addictions. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside the community to realize their vision and move forward in our collective goal of building a province that is more inclusive and representative.”

    The Province did this work in collaboration with Mabuhay House Society, which helped in community engagement planning and raising awareness. The society formed partnerships with more than 30 community organizations and engaged in more than 30 events for this engagement.

    With the community’s vision for a cultural centre reflected in the What We Heard report, government will continue to work with local Filipino Canadian organizations and communities to advance this project.

    Quotes:

    Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington –

    “The What We Heard report clearly shows the Filipino community’s dedication to the spirit of ‘kapwa,’ to embrace our shared identity, as participants expressed their need for a cultural centre that fosters connection and feels like home. I’m so proud of the Filipino community for how many people contributed to this engagement, and I’m looking forward to watching this project advance with the voices of the Filipino community leading the way.”

    Lester de Guzman, chair, Mabuhay House Society –

    “This report represents more than data; it reflects our dreams, our pride and our shared identity as Filipino Canadians. We commend the Province for its commitment to listening to our voices and making space for our stories. Through the incredible work and support of our volunteers, community members and organization, this report is a testament to a strong Filipino value of Bayanihan spirit, a spirit of communal unity and co-operation.”

    Quick Facts:

    • Filipino Canadians are the fourth largest visible minority in B.C. and are expected to more than double by 2041.
    • The majority of B.C.’s Filipino population live and work in the Lower Mainland.
    • Metro Vancouver has the second largest Filipino population in Canada, with significant communities in Surrey, Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby.
    • Filipinos have the highest labour force participation amongst all Canadians, with four out of five individuals above the age of 15 employed.

    Learn More:

    To read the What We Heard report, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/121/2025/07/Provincial-Filipino-Cultural-Centre-What-We-Heard-Report-July-2025.pdf

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: $1 Million Investment Helps Regional Parks Expand in Saskatchewan

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 25, 2025

    Saskatchewan’s Regional Parks can now access funding to create new seasonal campsites through a $1 million investment from the provincial government. 

    “Regional parks are wonderful gathering places for families and communities,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “They attract visitors, generate tourism dollars and promote healthy outdoor activities. This investment will help our parks grow and better serve the needs of residents and tourists alike.”

    The Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association (SRPA) will run the new program and distribute the grants to successful projects. Up to $5,000 per campsite is available. Applications for up to 200 qualifying campsites will be accepted in 2025. 

    Almost 80 accredited regional parks are eligible for funding. The initiative is expected to support dozens of local construction and maintenance jobs, while also helping communities capitalize on Saskatchewan’s thriving tourism economy.

    The SPRA welcomes the announcement, noting that regional parks hosted around 250,000 visitors last year. 

    “The Saskatchewan Regional Parks Seasonal Site Program is more than just expanding campsites,” Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association Executive Director Madison Giesbrecht said. “It is about expanding opportunities for families, friends, and communities to reconnect with nature and with each other.”

    Regional parks can apply for funding beginning July 25, 2025. Full program details are available at saskregionalparks.ca/new-seasonal-sites.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grand Opening of Wilkeson Pointe on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Hochul also announced while she was in Buffalo that Victory Cruise Lines, Inc., which operates two 200-passenger ships on the Great Lakes, has sent a commitment letter to the state stating it intends to include Buffalo in its 2027 and beyond cruise itineraries. The Governor previously announced the state is moving forward with plans to bring Great Lakes cruises to Buffalo. Victory Cruise Lines’ commitment is pending the completion of the terminal facilities in Buffalo, as well as satisfactory terms concerning Victory Cruise Line’s use of the seawall mooring. At a June 2025 Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation board meeting, the board approved a $1.65 million contract for architectural and engineering design and construction administration for a terminal on the Outer Harbor. Construction work on the new cruise ship terminal is set to begin by early next year and completion by mid-2027.

    With the opening of Wilkeson Pointe, Perro & Poni will feature a menu offering bold, Tex-Mex flavors and dishes served fresh at the lakeside counter-service eatery. Perfect for a quick bite for visitors, Perro & Poni also will have a full bar with selections including signature tequila, frozen and beer cocktails, a rotating selection of local craft beers, and refreshing non-alcoholic options. See menu here.

    Announced by Governor Hochul in 2022 as one of several significant Buffalo waterfront projects being accelerated for completion, the Wilkeson Pointe renovations began in September 2023. In addition to the new food service building, the improvements made to the 7-acre site include:

    • Visitor safety measures, such as relocated parking areas at a distance from the water and from the site’s pedestrian trail
    • Restrooms and storage for the operations management team
    • A new outdoor seating area
    • Relocated and elevated trails near the water’s edge
    • Improved landscaping, integrating of natural species and creating meadows, grasslands, and pollinator fields

    Recreational activities have returned to the park with volleyball courts, an open lawn area, and a new park golf location, as well as kayak and bicycle rentals and programming throughout the summer. Buffalo Waterfront coordinated a full activities calendar including volleyball games, fitness events, and a live music series in addition to the day-to-day amenities in the park, that will complement Perro & Poni’s arrival. More information can be found at www.buffalowaterfront.com.

    Now, whether you’re meeting up with friends, enjoying an outdoor stroll or taking in the sunset, this new restaurant and expanded waterfront access, make Wilkeson Pointe an unparalleled outdoor destination.”

    Governor Hochul

    Dog & Pony Saloon General Manager Suzanne Shatzel said, “We’re thrilled to build on the success of Dog & Pony Saloon in South Buffalo and open Perro & Poni at Wilkeson Pointe. Perro & Poni will bring fresh, Tex-Mex flavors to the Outer Harbor and offer visitors an exciting new dining experience at one of the best stops along Buffalo’s scenic waterfront.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “With fresh options for dining, recreation, and relaxation, the improved Wilkeson Pointe is an exceptional space to enjoy Buffalo’s Outer Harbor vistas and natural beauty. This project upgrades a longtime favorite spot for Western New York residents and transforms it into a must-visit destination for all, furthering the state’s efforts to revitalize Buffalo’s magnificent waterfront.”

    Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairperson Joan Kesner said, “As we cut the ribbon on the Wilkeson Pointe improvements, we did the near-impossible: made one of the best places in Western New York, even better. Governor Hochul made this project one of her priorities, and the outcome is another waterfront spot to be proud of. Make sure coming down to the Outer Harbor — for a refreshing drink, to try your hand at park golf, rent a kayak, or for one of the many other activities — is on your Summer 2025 bucket list.”

    Funding for this project is from the New York Power Authority, through relicensing agreements tied to the operation of the Niagara Power Project.

    New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Buffalo’s Outer Harbor has always been one of the best places to enjoy the region’s stunning vistas and natural beauty. Through nearly $155 million in Power Authority funding support to ECHDC, including $38 million for the Outer Harbor, Wilkeson Pointe now includes world-class amenities that elevate the visitor experience, offering new opportunities for dining, recreation and relaxation in a scenic waterfront setting.”

    Wilkeson Pointe was first established in 2013 in an area just south of Times Beach, on lands that were once used to store the New York Power Authority (NYPA) ice boom, along with a former private welding and ship repair establishment. A $5 million state capital investment placed a soil cap on areas of the site to open the property to public use for the first time in the parcel’s history, with a network of bicycle and pedestrian pathways, a kayak launch and fishing pier, playground, comfort station, event lawn, parking facilities, and regenerative landscaping using native plants and green infrastructure such as bioswales. The property’s edge was also reinforced with heavy stone to repair earlier seiche damage, while wind sculptures were placed on the “pointe” to celebrate the site’s year‐round breezes.

    State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “In 12 years, the transformation of Wilkeson Point is noteworthy and impressive. Residents and visitors alike can be proud of the improved access to the waterfront, the innovative ways that former industrial sites are turned into recreational uses, and the expanded entertainment, activities, and dining options. I look forward to bringing my family here and sharing the experience with the community and tourists who discover our beautiful region.”

    Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Through the last decade, and with effectual state leadership, we’ve taken great strides in reconnecting Buffalo communities with our waterfront, and the transformation of Wilkeson Pointe stands out as a shining example of what thoughtful, community-focused investment can achieve. These improvements not only expand public access and enhance safety, but they also reimagine the Outer Harbor as a dynamic destination for recreation, relaxation, and small business. With these additions and improvements, visitors now have even more reason to gather, explore, and enjoy all that this remarkable shoreline has to offer.”

    Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “Wilkeson Pointe provides opportunities for incredible views and will become a favorite spot for people seeking active as well as passive recreational opportunities. I thank Governor Hochul for advocating for the funding for this project so that Erie County residents and visitors to our region can benefit from improved access at this waterfront destination.”

    Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “Wilkeson Pointe has become one of Buffalo’s most iconic waterfront destinations, and these new upgrades represent a major step forward in our city’s waterfront transformation. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, the investment from the New York Power Authority, and the dedicated efforts of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, we’re giving residents and visitors even more reasons to explore and enjoy the Outer Harbor. With enhanced recreational amenities, natural landscaping, and the exciting addition of Perro & Poni, this project reflects our shared vision of a vibrant, inclusive, and accessible waterfront that celebrates Buffalo’s natural beauty and economic resurgence.”

    About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation

    The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York State Governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two non-voting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County Executive and the City of Buffalo Mayor.

    As a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state’s chief economic development agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance, and natural beauty. For more information, visit here.

    About Buffalo Waterfront

    Buffalo’s Waterfront is a growing regional destination and entertainment district encompassing Canalside and Outer Harbor. The Buffalo Waterfront hosts large events and daily activities of all types and strives to provide public access to the land and waterways on the Lake Erie shoreline. Operated by the Buffalo Waterfront Management Group, part of Rich Entertainment Group — a subsidiary of Rich Products, the Buffalo Waterfront is the go-to place for locals and out-of-towners of all ages to learn, play and relax. For more information, visit www.buffalowaterfront.com.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom celebrates four years of connecting education and workforce insights thanks to Cradle-to-Career

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 25, 2025

    What you need to know: California is celebrating the fourth anniversary of the California Cradle-to-Career Data System, which connects datasets from multiple state entities to deliver information on education and workforce outcomes and help students reach their life and career goals. 

    Sacramento, California – In July 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to establish the California Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System within the Government Operations Agency. In the four years since, C2C has achieved exciting milestones, launching a first-of-its-kind informational tool to help students better understand their options for education and career planning in April 2025. 

    “Over the last four years, Cradle-to-Career has made massive strides in their work to connect available data and existing information to the students who can use it to leverage their careers. I look forward to what comes next and the achievements California’s future leaders will accomplish.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “In just four years, California’s official data system became a model for inclusive decision-making, meaningful community engagement, and unprecedented collaboration,” said Mary Ann Bates, Executive Director at the California Cradle-to-Career Data System. “Californians deserve tools for their education and career planning that reflect their experiences. We started by listening first, and then building a dashboard based on what people said they needed. We continue to learn from the input people are sharing as they explore the Student Pathways data dashboard.” 

    Cradle-to-Career

    The system is overseen by a 21-member governing board representing perspectives across the state, along with processes that ensure substantial public representation. The Cradle-to-Career Data System links existing education, workforce, financial aid and social service information to better equip policy makers, educators and the public to close opportunity gaps and improve outcomes for all students throughout the state. Public dashboards and other tools provide transparency into how students are educated and enter the workforce, along with corresponding insights into how policies and programs can better serve more students and families. 

    What comes next

    Cradle-to-Career is providing timely, accurate, and reliable information on education and workforce outcomes. Hearing from researchers who are eager to dive deeper into the dashboard, C2C will launch the first phase of its Query Builder tool by the end of 2025. The Query Builder complements the Student Pathways Dashboard by providing users with the ability to explore the information powering the dashboard. The Query Builder rollout will occur in phases, with new features building on previous releases. You can learn more about that work HERE.

    How we got here

    Over the course of 2020 and the first half of 2021, more than 200 people from 15 state agencies and many educational institutions, research and policy organizations, and community groups worked together to design a blueprint for the California Cradle-to-Career Data System. You can learn more about their work HERE. 

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    What they’re saying: 

    • Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, original author of the Mental Health Services Act: “Twenty years ago, I never could have dreamed that we would have the strong leadership we have today, committing billions and making courageous policy changes that question the conventional wisdom on mental health. Now, with the passage of Proposition 1. California is delivering on decades old promises to help people living with brain-based illnesses, to live better lives, to live independently and to live with dignity in our communities. This is a historic moment and the hard work is ahead of us.“
    • Senator Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), author of Senate Bill 326: “Today marks a day of hope for thousands of Californians who are struggling with mental illness – many of whom are living unhoused. I am tremendously grateful to my fellow Californian’s for passing this important measure.  And I am very appreciative of this Governor’s leadership to transform our behavioral health care system!”
    • Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), author of Assembly Bill 531: “This started as an audacious proposal to address the root cause of homelessness and today, Californians can be proud to know that they did the right thing by passing Proposition 1. Now, it’s time for all of us to get to work, and make sure these reforms are implemented and that we see results.”

    Bigger picture: Transforming the Mental Health Services Act into the Behavioral Health Services Act and building more community mental health treatment sites and supportive housing is the last main pillar of Governor Newsom’s Mental Health Movement – pulling together significant recent reforms like 988 crisis line, CalHOPE, CARE Court, conservatorship reform, CalAIM behavioral health expansion (including mobile crisis care and telehealth), Medi-Cal expansion to all low-income Californians, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (including expanding services in schools and on-line), Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative, Veterans Mental Health Initiative, Behavioral Health Community Infrastructure Program, Behavioral Health Bridge Housing, Health Care Workforce for All and more.

    More details on next step here

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 24, 2025

    News Governor Newsom praises the State Water Board for incorporating the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program into the Bay-Delta Plan What you need to know: The Newsom Administration’s innovative Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, which improves environmental…

    Jul 24, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit striking down California’s ammunition background check law, which was passed by voters in 2016: Strong…

    Jul 23, 2025

    News What you need to know: Through Governor Newsom’s support of local government efforts and state investments, California is reversing decades of inaction on homelessness. Last year’s 2024 point-in-time count showed California had outperformed the nation by slowing…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Using cosmetics on babies and children could disrupt hormones and trigger allergies

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adam Taylor, Professor of Anatomy, Lancaster University

    Evgeniya Yantseva/Shutterstock

    Would you dab perfume on a six-month-old? Paint their tiny nails with polish that contains formaldehyde? Dust bronzer onto their cheeks?

    An investigation by the Times has found that babies and toddlers are routinely exposed to adult cosmetic products, including fragranced sprays, nail polish and even black henna tattoos.

    While these may sound harmless – or even Instagram-friendly – the science tells a more concerning story. Infant skin is biologically different from adult skin: it’s thinner, more absorbent and still developing. Exposure to certain products can lead to immediate problems like irritation or allergic reactions, and in some cases, may carry longer term health-risks such as hormone disruption.

    This isn’t a new concern. A 2019 study found that every two hours in the US, a child was taken to hospital because of accidental exposure to cosmetic products.

    Newborn skin has the same number of layers as adult skin but those layers are up to 30% thinner. That thinner barrier makes it easier for substances, including chemicals, to penetrate through to deeper tissues and the bloodstream.

    Young skin also has a higher water content and produces less sebum (the natural oil that protects and moisturises the skin). This makes it more prone to water loss, dryness and irritation, particularly when exposed to fragrances or creams not formulated for infants.

    The skin’s microbiome – its protective layer of beneficial microbes – also takes time to develop. By age three, a child’s skin finishes establishing its first microbiome. Before then, products applied to the skin can disrupt this delicate balance. At puberty, the skin’s structure and microbiome change again, altering how it responds to products.

    The investigation found that bronzers and nail polish were being used on young children. These products often contain harmful or even carcinogenic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate.

    Toluene is a known neurotoxin, and dibutyl phthalate is an endocrine disruptor – a chemical that can interfere with hormone function, potentially affecting growth, development and fertility. Both substances can more easily pass through infants’ thinner, more permeable skin.

    Even low-level exposure to formaldehyde, such as from furniture or air pollution, has been linked to higher rates of lower respiratory infections in children (that’s infections affecting the lungs, airways and windpipe).

    Irritating ingredients

    In the US, one in three adults experiences skin or respiratory symptoms after exposure to fragranced products. If adults are reacting, it’s no surprise that newborns and children with their developing immune systems are at even greater risk.

    Perfumes often contain alcohol and volatile compounds that dry out the skin, leading to redness, itching and discomfort.

    Certain skincare ingredients have also been studied for their potential to affect hormones, trigger allergies or pose long-term health concerns:

    While many of these ingredients are permitted in regulated concentrations, some researchers warn of a “cocktail effect”: the cumulative impact of daily exposure to multiple chemicals, especially in young, developing bodies.



    Read more:
    Scroll, watch, burn: sunscreen misinformation and its real‑world damage

    Temporary tattoos

    Temporary tattoos, particularly black henna, are popular on holidays but they aren’t always safe. Black henna is a common cause of contact dermatitis in children and may contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical approved for use in hair dyes but not for direct application to skin.

    PPD exposure can cause severe allergic reactions and, in rare cases, cancer. Children may develop hypopigmentation – pale patches where colour is lost – or, in adults, hyperpigmentation that can last for months or become permanent.

    Worryingly, children exposed to PPD may experience more severe reactions later in life if they use hair dyes containing the same compound. This can sometimes lead to hospitalisation or even fatal anaphylaxis. Because of these risks, European legislation prohibits PPD from being applied directly to the skin, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

    ‘Natural’ doesn’t mean harmless

    Products marketed as “natural” or “clean” can also cause allergic reactions. Propolis (bee glue), for instance, is found in many natural skincare products but causes contact dermatitis in up to 16% of children.

    A study found an average of 4.5 contact allergens per product in “natural” skincare ranges. Out of 1,651 “natural” personal care products on the US market, only 96 (5.8%) were free from contact allergens. Even claims like “dermatologically tested” don’t guarantee safety; they simply mean the product was tested on skin, not that it’s free from allergens.

    Babies and young children aren’t just miniature adults. Their skin is still developing and is more vulnerable to irritation, chemical absorption and systemic effects: substances that penetrate the skin can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect organs or biological systems throughout the body. Applying adult-targeted products, or even well-meaning “natural” alternatives, can therefore carry real risks.

    Adverse reactions can appear as rashes, scaling or itchiness and, in severe cases, blistering or crusting. Respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing should always be investigated by a medical professional.

    When in doubt, keep it simple. Limit what goes on your child’s skin, especially in the early years.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

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

    – ref. Using cosmetics on babies and children could disrupt hormones and trigger allergies – https://theconversation.com/using-cosmetics-on-babies-and-children-could-disrupt-hormones-and-trigger-allergies-261204

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/24/2025 Blackburn Sounds the Alarm on Tennessee Universities’ Employees Concealing DEI Programs to Skirt Trump Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) probed three Tennessee universities – the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Belmont University –after staff members were caught on camera admitting to rebranding and concealing their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs to skirt the Trump administration’s executive actions to end these divisive, woke programs. A staffer at Belmont University also admitted to hiding illegal aliens on campus.

    Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about DEI.

    Below are excerpts from Senator Blackburn’s letters urging these Tennessee universities to comply with President Trump’s executive action.

    UTK Employee Says University is Still “Fully Committed to the Work of DEI”

    “Leaked footage shows UTK employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push the harmful content. In one video, a UTK employee said that the DEI programs had not been abandoned and, ‘[They have] been fully committed to the work of DEI.’ He goes on to say, ‘these committees and task forces were built back in 2020 and they’re still up and running… it’s just in terms of some of these bills… they know how to navigate the language within the bills to ensure that DEI is protected.’”

    Vanderbilt Employee Says DEI “Naming” Changed Because Different Universities Were Under Investigation

    “Leaked video footage shows Vanderbilt employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push this harmful content. In the video, a Vanderbilt employee can be heard saying, ‘different universities were under investigation for their DEI practices… so that’s why I think the naming has changed… we have things that clue people in and let people know.’ Later in the video, when asked if they are engaged in DEI initiatives, she responded affirmatively. And, in another video, one employee exhibited blatant political bias, which raises questions about the extent to which such bias is forced onto the student body by certain activist employees.”

    Belmont Employee Admits University Is Concealing Both Illegal Aliens and DEI Programs

    “Earlier this month, leaked video footage shows a Belmont official explaining how your institution has schemed to reframe its DEI initiatives under different names in violation of President Trump’s executive order. In the video, In the video, the Belmont official can be heard saying, ‘we always try to just adapt to what’s happening around us, but that does not mean, like, what we’re focusing on completely stops, we definitely have to navigate very carefully and just cautiously.’ Later in the video, the Belmont official can be heard referencing enforcement operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities, stating, ‘we do have undocumented students here,’ and ‘we don’t communicate to anybody externally who is undocumented.’ This administration has been very clear: postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens—not illegal aliens.”

    Click here to read the full letter to the University of Tennessee.

    Click here to read the full letter to Vanderbilt. 

    Click here to read the full letter to Belmont.

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