NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Slams Senate Judiciary Republicans for Sham Hearing on Biden When Congress has Failed to Debate Urgent Policy Issues 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, slammed Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans for holding a sham hearing on former President Biden, rather than debating policy and working to improve the lives of everyday Americans.  
    “I’m going to tell you what I think is a cover-up. I think this ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ done by reconciliation whereby decision of the majority, not a single member of the minority—who represent half of the citizens of this country—can even be in the room when the terms and the policies are being debated,” said Senator Welch. “We are not there. That is what I call a cover-up because our responsibility—our responsibility—to the people we all represent is to debate health care, is to debate our budget, is to debate about the debt that we’re going to be leaving future generations. And there is no debate.” 
    “And I ask myself: why in the world are we doing it? But we know the answer to that. Because the politics that has been embraced in this Congress is the politics of accusation, of demeaning adversaries, of deflecting from engaging in the hard discussion about hard issues and trying to come to some common agreement that’s going to be to the mutual benefit of all of the people that we represent.” 
    Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks below: 

    Read a key excerpt from Senator Welch’s remarks: 
    “I believe there is a constitutional crisis—it’s the collapse of Congress asserting its Article I authority to make decisions about the well-being of the American people. What has this Senate debated in the months that we’ve been here other than nominations?  
    “Have we discussed the possible war with Iran? Have we had a serious discussion on the floor about the massive and mounting debt? Have we had any discussion about the abdication of congressional spending authority by the impoundment actions of an administration? Have we had a discussion about climate change that is causing havoc throughout the world? 
    “What we’ve done is gone to the floor and debate—we haven’t debated. We’ve gone to the floor and voted on nominations.” 
    ••• 
    Read Senator Welch’s full remarks as delivered. 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene, Gomez Fight to Expand Affordable Housing for Families Most in Need

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) reintroduced the Affordable Housing Equity Act, legislation that would strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) by providing a targeted basis boost for housing developments that serve extremely low-income (ELI) households.

    “Too many families are being priced out of their communities and left without stable housing,” said DelBene. “The Affordable Housing Equity Act strengthens one of our most effective affordable housing production tools, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, to better serve the families most in need. This legislation ensures that these households aren’t left behind in the fight for more affordable housing.” 

    “We’re in a housing crisis, and the families hit hardest are the ones with the fewest options,” Gomez. “This bill delivers targeted help to the lowest-income renters by supercharging the most effective affordable housing tool we have. It’s a smart, urgent step to tackle housing affordability and build equity from the ground up.”

    The Affordable Housing Equity Act increases the eligible basis by up to 50% for residential units designated for households earning no more than 30% of area median income (AMI) or 100% of the federal poverty line, whichever is greater. Housing developments must set aside at least 20% of units for ELI renters and be designated by the housing credit agency as needing the boost for financial feasibility.

    LIHTC is the federal government’s primary tool to incentivize the construction and rehabilitation of rental units that families can afford. While existing law allows for a 30% boost in certain areas, those provisions don’t consistently support developments serving extremely low-income renters. The bill closes that gap by creating a national standard tailored to ELI households. The bill applies to new housing credit allocations made after the date of enactment and to tax-exempt bond-financed projects issued after December 31, 2025.

    A copy of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips Members and Associates Indicted, Including Murder, Robbery, Fentanyl Distribution and Firearms Offenses

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A twelve-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging nine members of the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC) violent street gang with crimes including a drug conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and  a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiring to distribute large quantities of pressed fentanyl pills, narcotics trafficking, identity fraud, and the illegal use and straw purchasing of firearms.

    According to the indictment, the RTC is a subunit or “set” of the Crips national street gang. The indictment alleges RTC members and associates committed numerous violent acts on behalf of the RTC, including a June 2022 murder in Alexandria, Virginia; a July 2021 attempted shooting of several individuals in the District of Columbia; an August 2021 armed robbery and pistol whipping of an individual in Hollywood, Florida; and a January 2021 attempted murder of two individuals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. To finance and promote the RTC’s criminal activities, the indictment alleges that RTC members and associates obtained and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of pressed fentanyl pills. The indictment also alleges that, as part of the gang’s criminal activity, the RTC recruited children and encouraged them to commit crimes on behalf of the gang, including acts of violence and drug trafficking.

    “As alleged, RTC members unleashed a wave of violence across three states and the District of Columbia, extending down the East Coast to Florida,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their commission of brutal, indiscriminate acts over perceived slights on social media reflects a particularly dangerous form of gang activity. The Criminal Division remains firmly committed to prosecuting menacing gangs and ensuring the safety of our communities.”

    “The offenses alleged in this indictment represent the spectrum of danger presented by nationwide criminal enterprises,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Any of these elements alone – from violence to illegal drugs to identity theft – is enough to destroy communities and lives, and these organizations employ them without compunction. Through coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are determined to eradicate criminal gangs and protect our citizens from the detriment they bring.”

    “DEA is committed to protecting Americans by investigating and taking down major violators of drug laws who operate within the United States and around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Ibrar Mian of the DEA Washington Field Division. “As demonstrated by today’s indictment, drug trafficking, firearms, and violence are undeniably connected, which is why we continue to address these threats with the full force of the federal government. The tenacious and hard-working men and women of DEA are combatting the illicit manufacture and distribution of drugs, removing illicit firearms from American streets, helping to put public threats in jail, and restoring safety in our communities.”

    “Today’s announcement indicates a significant step towards making it even more clear that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with our partner agencies are committed to protecting our communities from violent crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the ATF Washington Field Division. “There just isn’t a place for criminal behavior in our neighborhoods. Although this is very early on in the judicial process, we remain optimistic that all of those involved will be held accountable for their actions.”

    If convicted, the defendants face penalties including: up to life in prison or the death penalty for murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death; up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and use of a firearm during or in relation to drug trafficking; up to 25 years in prison for straw purchasing of firearms; up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; and Arlington County Police Department are investigating the case with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; United States Postal Inspection Service; FBI; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Fairfax County Police Department; Prince William County Police Department; Prince William County’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney; Prince William County Parks and Recreation; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office; Stafford County Sherriff’s Office; Manassas Park Police Department; George Mason University Police Department; Chesterfield County Police Department; Del City, OK, Police Department; Valley Brook, OK, Police Department; Tonto Apache Police Department; Sumter County, SC, Sheriff’s Office; Hollywood, FL, Police Department; Nash County, NC, Sheriff’s Office; Winston-Salem, NC, Police Department; and Nebraska State Patrol.

    Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo J. Rodriguez and Ryan B. Bredemeier for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs), which identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. secures mandate to negotiate consent-based decision-making process with Tŝilhqot’in Nation for any mining activity at Teẑtan Biny

    The Province has secured a mandate to enter discussions with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, if and when needed, to set out how the requirement of Tŝilhqot’in consent would be integrated with provincial decision-making for mining projects in the Teẑtan Area in the Interior of British Columbia.

    The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals and the Environmental Assessment Office now have the approvals they need to work with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government to negotiate an agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act), if such negotiations are required. This is in addition to recent agreements between the Province and the Tŝilhqot’in Nation requiring Tŝilhqot’in consent for any reviewable mining project to proceed in the Teẑtan Area.

    The Declaration Act Agreement would be negotiated if the Tŝilhqot’in Nation decided in the future to consider any mine in the Teẑtan Area that is a reviewable project under the Environmental Assessment Act. At this time, no specific mining project has been proposed for this area.

    Section 7 of the Declaration Act sets out provisions for negotiating consent-based agreements for the purposes of reconciliation, and for ensuring local governments and others potentially affected by the agreement are engaged during negotiations, including potentially affected First Nations and mineral rights holders.

    The Province has identified the following organizations that will be consulted, including:

    • Cariboo Regional District
    • Mining Association of British Columbia
    • Association for Mineral Exploration
    • overlapping mineral tenure holders
    • Business Council of British Columbia

    The Province will identify any additional entities or interest holders that should be consulted during the negotiation of the Declaration Act Agreement, if and when the Tŝilhqot’in Nation considers a specific mine project.  

    Learn More:

    Tŝilhqot’in National Government: https://tsilhqotin.ca/

    For information on the Declaration Act and Section 7 agreements: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples/making-decisions-together

    Read the Teẑtan Biny Gagaghut’i agreement: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/agreements/teztan_biny_agreement.pdf

    Read the Teẑtan Biny Gagaghut’i agreement summary: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/agreements/teztan_biny_agreement_summary.pdf

    Read the order in council: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0283_2025

    For more information on the Environmental Assessment Act: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments

    Previous agreements between the Province of B.C. and Tŝilhqot’in National Government: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/first-nations-negotiations/first-nations-a-z-listing/tsilhqot-in-national-government  

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: United in Call for Change: Joint Statement

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 18, 2025

    Premier Danielle Smith and Premier Scott Moe issued the following statement calling for change to federal policies: 

    “Today, Alberta’s and Saskatchewan’s governments came together in Lloydminster to make a unified call for national change.

    “Together, we call for an end to all federal interference in the development of provincial resources by: 

    • Repealing or overhauling the Impact Assessment Act to respect provincial jurisdiction and eliminate barriers to nation building resource development and transportation projects;
    • Eliminating the proposed oil and gas emissions cap;
    • Scrapping the Clean Electricity Regulations;
    • Lifting the oil tanker ban off the northern west coast;
    • Abandoning the net zero vehicle mandate; and
    • Repealing any federal law or regulation that purports to regulate industrial carbon emissions, plastics, or the commercial free speech of energy companies. 

    “The federal government must remove the barriers it created and fix the federal project approval processes so that private sector proponents have the confidence to invest.

    “Starting with additional oil and gas pipeline access to tidewater on the west coast, our provinces must also see guaranteed corridor and port-to-port access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic coasts. This is critical for the international export of oil, gas, critical minerals, agricultural and forestry products, and other resources. Accessing world prices for our resources will benefit all Canadians, including our First Nations partners.

    “Canada is facing a trade war on two fronts. The People’s Republic of China’s “anti-discrimination” tariffs imposed on Canadian agri-food products have significant impacts on the West. We continue to call on the federal government to prioritize work toward the removal of Chinese tariffs. Recently announced tariff increases, on top of pre-existing tariffs, by the United States on Canadian steel and aluminum products are deeply concerning. We urge the Prime Minister to continue his work with the US administration to seek the removal of all tariffs currently being imposed by the US on Canada. 

    “Alberta and Saskatchewan agree that the federal government must change its policies if it is to reach its stated goal of becoming a global energy superpower and having the strongest economy in the G7. We need to have a federal government that works with, rather than against, the economic interests of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Making these changes will demonstrate the new Prime Minister’s commitment to doing so. Together, we will continue to fight to deliver on the immense potential of our provinces for the benefit of the people of Saskatchewan and Alberta.”

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces Dismissal of Lawsuit Following Termination of University of Phoenix Acquisition

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces Dismissal of Lawsuit Following Termination of University of Phoenix Acquisition

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced today the dismissal of his lawsuit against the Idaho State Board of Education, following the Board’s decision to terminate the University of Idaho’s planned acquisition of the University of Phoenix. The lawsuit, originally filed in June 2023, challenged the Board’s compliance with Idaho’s Open Meeting Law during its approval of the controversial and high-dollar transaction.
    “This case was never about the merits of any particular transaction, but about ensuring government remains open and transparent for all Idahoans,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Idaho’s Open Meeting Law requires government entities to conduct state business in public meetings with proper notice, ensuring transparency when taxpayer resources and state institutions are involved. The law reflects the principle that government accountability depends on public access to decision-making processes, particularly for transactions of significant scope and financial impact.”
    Attorney General Labrador’s office filed the lawsuit in June 2023, beginning a 14-month legal battle to ensure government transparency. In December 2024, the Idaho Supreme Court delivered a sweeping 4-1 victory for Labrador, overturning a lower court ruling that would have allowed secret government negotiations. The Supreme Court emphasized Idaho’s Open Meeting Law reflects a “preference for sunshine” and rejected interpretations that would “cloak all negotiations and actions taken prior to a final public vote in shadow.”
    On June 5, 2025, the State Board voted to authorize termination of the agreement, and the University of Idaho officially executed the termination the same day. With the underlying transaction no longer in effect, both parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and cover their own costs of litigation.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prepare for Extreme Heat and Severe Storms

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today directed State agencies to prepare for severe weather including thunderstorms and extreme heat starting on Thursday in the eastern part of the State. Wet weather will continue Friday and Saturday in parts of the State followed by a statewide period of high heat and humidity that could exceed feels-like temperatures over 100 degrees starting Sunday. Extreme heat could continue through next week. Governor Hochul also recently announced a suite of actions to help New Yorkers stay cool during extreme heat events this summer.

    “With severe storms and dangerous heat expected across the state, I’m urging all New Yorkers to take precautions — stay indoors when possible, vote early, stay hydrated, and check on your fellow New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will be closely monitoring the weather over the next week, and I encourage all New Yorkers to stay weather aware, watch their local forecast, and follow all local guidance.”

    Thursday is expected to be the hottest day this year so far in the eastern parts of the State, and there is the threat of severe thunderstorms containing heavy rain, high wind gusts and large hail across much of the state. Temperatures are expected to peak Thursday afternoon and early evening for parts of New York City, as well as the Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions with “feels-like” temperatures in the high 90s. Potentially severe storms on Thursday for areas north and west of Albany could include up to one inch of rain, wind gusts up to 58 mph, and large hail.

    Friday will likely bring rain throughout most of the State on Friday with the heaviest storms expected in the North Country. Heavy rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected again late Saturday, primarily in the North Country and Central New York regions.

    Heat and humidity are expected to begin on Saturday with feels like temperatures in the 90s on Saturday and approaching 100 on Sunday throughout much of the State. Above normal temperatures are expected to continue Monday and Tuesday and could remain high with feels-like temperatures as high as 105 degrees during the day and overnight lows between 70 – 85 degrees statewide through much of next week.

    Voters in New York City, Albany, Syracuse, and elsewhere can expect high temperatures on Primary Election Day, Tuesday June 24. To beat the heat, take advantage of early voting or request an early mail ballot in person at your local county board of elections office.

    Residents of New York City can find information on cooling centers and options here.

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

    The Office of Emergency Management is in regular contact with county emergency managers to ensure cooling centers are available, and to offer support and advise on extreme heat risks. In addition, the agency is facilitating preparations and coordinating guidance and communications with State agency partners. Information on how to manage extreme heat can be found online. To receive real time weather and emergency alerts, New Yorkers are encouraged to text the name of their county or borough to 333111.

    New York State Department of Public Service

    DPS is tracking electric system conditions and overseeing utility response to any situations that may arise as a result of this week’s extreme heat and potential thunderstorm activity. DPS has been in direct contact with utility leaders to ensure they are preparing their systems for the extreme heat and will be tracking system conditions throughout the event. New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available, as necessary, to engage in damage assessment, response, repair, and restoration efforts across New York State, for this heat event. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    During heat waves, increased usage of electric devices such as air conditioners place a considerable demand on the state’s electricity system and instances of low voltage or isolated power outages can result. The record for such usage was set on July 19, 2013, when it reached 33,956 MWs (one megawatt of electricity is enough to power up to 1,000 average-sized homes). The peak load forecast for today is 22,550 MW. Yesterday’s peak load was 19,028 MW. There are no operational problems on the transmission system and there is sufficient generation scheduled to meet today’s peak load.

    Department of Health

    The State Health Department is taking a number of steps to promote the safety of all New Yorkers in periods of extreme heat, especially those most at risk. The Department has distributed guidance to all hospitals and nursing homes and will issue additional guidance to hosts of any scheduled public events with over 5,000 people in attendance. The Department will engage community-based organizations and other funded providers in an attempt to increase access to cooling centers and safe spaces during this extreme heat. Resources can be found at the CDC’s extreme heat website and the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

    Learn more about heat related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Department of Health website here.

    The New York State Department of Health’s interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard allows the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their area and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.

    Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to  locate cooling centers can be found on DOH’s Extreme Heat website.

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    Many New York State Park beaches and pools are open for the season. Prior to making a trip, potential visitors should call ahead to the park they plan to visit or check https://parks.ny.gov/parks/ for park hours and operations. Changes in weather and water conditions may affect swimming status. Park status updates are also available on the free New York State Parks Explorer mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

    NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

    The agency has compiled important information, including preventative measures, to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat on farm workers and farm animals. The Department will also be working closely with partners at The New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) at Cornell University to monitor any potential impacts of the extreme heat expected this week. NY EDEN is also a resource for farmers and farm workers during a heat wave, and additional information can be found at https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/natural-hazards/heat-wave/.

    Department of Environmental Conservation

    The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    Unpredictable weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, mud, and warmer temperatures to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

    Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information.

    Hiking Safety

    Hiking in the heat is always risky. New Yorkers and visitors should review the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

    • Slow your pace.
    • Drink water and rest often.
    • Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight.
    • Bring at least 2 liters of water for any hike.
    • Bring a water filter, especially for longer hikes.
    • Bring salty snacks to keep your electrolytes in check.
    • Wear sunscreen.
    • Leave your pets at home– the heat is harder on them, especially walking on hot rocks.
    • Consider staying home yourself and rescheduling for another day when weather conditions improve.

    Even if the weather is forecast to be high heat all day, there’s always a chance of hypothermia due to a sudden storm or drop in temperatures. This can increase dramatically if you’re sweating and not wearing sweat-wicking clothing (made of fabrics like wool or polyester). Many cases of hypothermia are in the summer when people least expect it.

    Whether you are hiking, mountain biking, or paddling, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    Air Quality

    DEC is continuing to monitor air quality across the State and will issue air quality health advisories as necessary. New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

    Extreme Heat

    DEC recently released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage and posted at nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the state.

    The New York State Department of Labor has released comprehensive guidance to help employers better protect outdoor workers during extreme heat and advises workers and employers to engage in extreme heat best practices such as:

    • Ensure access to clean drinking water at no cost to workers, available at all times and as close to the worksite as possible.
    • Provide shade and paid rest when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and more frequent rest breaks once the heat index exceeds 90 degrees.
    • Wear proper PPE so long as they do not interfere with safety equipment, including sunscreen, cooling vests, wide-brim hats, and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

    More information on best practices for working in extreme heat can be found here.

    Thruway Authority maintenance crews will be conducting standard daily operations during times where temperatures are lowest and will enhance patrols monitoring the highway. Motorists are reminded and encouraged to take breaks at one of 26 service areas or three Welcome Centers located on the Thruway system.

    Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct most outdoor work during morning hours and follow established hydration and rest protocols to help mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures.

    Office of Children and Family Services

    The agency is taking a number of actions to ensure activities at residential centers, detention programs and congregate care programs are conducted in a safe manner during the heat. This includes checking cooling equipment, ensuring proper amounts of water are available and consumed, rescheduling activities and meetings, and identifying staff and clients who may be affected by heat. They are also providing guidance to child care programs and groups associated with the Commission for the Blind statewide.

    New York State Office of Mental Health

    In advance of the hot conditions, New Yorkers should be aware of the impact high heat may have on individuals receiving antipsychotic medications, who are at particular risk of heat stroke and neuroleptic malignant syndrome during periods of extreme heat, which is more likely in poorly ventilated areas. Children and the elderly are at increased risk.

    In addition to monitoring individuals at risk, such conditions are best prevented by a heightened attention to hydration, particularly those at high risk, including individuals taking antipsychotic medications, the elderly, children and those with poor fluid intake. Also, individuals at high-risk should remain in cooler areas; be monitored for temperature elevations; avoid direct exposure to sunlight and wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Anticholinergic medications may interfere with sweating and should be minimized.

    Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

    The agency is reminding local departments of social services and emergency homeless shelter operators of the need to provide fans to help maintain reasonable air circulation during times of extreme heat and humidity. Also, shelter providers should provide a cooling room in the facility for residents, if feasible.

    Metropolitan Transportation Authority

    To reduce potential impacts to service and reduce response times to heat-related events, NYC Transit will implement heat patrols to proactively increase track inspections and stage extra personnel in key risk areas including power substations, machine rooms, generators, cables, and connections. To ensure functioning air conditioning, subway railcars and buses will be inspected before being placed in service. Paratransit service providers are reminded vehicles must have functioning air-conditioning. Buses and operators will be on standby for any support needed with subways or emergency service. NYC Transit also completes a continuous welded rail watch when rail temperatures exceed 100 degrees to be vigilant of rail kinks or other issues.

    Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad crews will be staged at key locations to be able to respond quickly to weather-related issues. The railroads will monitor rail temperatures, deploy heat patrols to inspect the rails for any kinks, and stage additional Power Department personnel to protect power substations and overhead aerial lines. Train crews have been instructed to report any rail conditions that need attention.

    In response to Thursday’s severe storms which may include wind gusts of up to 50 mph, Bridges and Tunnels will be implementing a preemptive ban on empty tractor-trailer and tandem vehicles at all bridges. The ban will go into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, and is anticipated to be in effect until approximately 9:00 p.m.

    The Port Authority Office of Emergency Management coordinates with facility teams to monitor weather conditions and operational impacts and maintains communication with regional partners to support response readiness during periods of elevated temperatures.

    For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MMIWP Task Force Releases Annual Report and Two Commissioned Reports

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) Task Force has submitted its third annual report to the Washington state legislature. This year’s report is accompanied by reports commissioned by the Task Force — “Confronting the Crisis: Addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People in Washington” and “Family and Survivor Interviews: Qualitative Analysis” both by E. Grant, L. Dechert, & L. Wimbish, Laramie, WY: Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center, University of Wyoming.
     
    “These reports are the result of much work, dedication, and commitment from the members of the MMIWP Task Force,” said Attorney General Nick Brown. “There is more work to be done, and our office is committed to working towards ending and finding justice for all of those impacted by this generational crisis.”
     
    Since its establishment in 2021 the MMIWP Task Force has:

    • Helped to create a statewide Missing Persons Alert System, which has led to the recovery of more than 80% of the more than 150 individuals reported missing since July 2022;
    • Published a Missing Indigenous Persons Toolkit specifically designed for Indigenous families and communities whose loved ones are missing, developed with guidance from the MMIWP Task Force’s Families Subcommittee;
    • Founded the first-of-its-kind MMIWP Cold Case Unit to assist federal, municipal, county, and tribal law enforcement agencies in solving missing person and cold homicide cases involving persons of Indigenous ancestry who go missing and are murdered at a higher rate than other demographics; and
    • Deepened our investment in finding an end to this generational crisis by working with partner groups, like those who wrote the additional reports.

    Members of the MMIWP Task Force and staff at the Attorney General’s Office who support the Task Force are committed to centering Indigenous voices at every step and grounding the work in Indigenous knowledge, values, and practices. More information about the 22-member Task Force is here.
     
    The 2025 MMIWP report is here.
     
    Confronting the Crisis: Addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People in Washington is here.
     
    Family and Survivor Interviews: Qualitative Analysis is here.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties.

    Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nineteen Members or Associates of the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang Charged in Murder Conspiracy Targeting a Well-Known Rapper

    Source: US FBI

    Nineteen members or associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a well-known rapper, popular on social media, for perceived infractions against the Mexican Mafia.

    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force have been investigating the Mexican Mafia’s attempts to locate, and murder, an intended victim, a conspiracy that began in approximately December 2022.

    The conspiracy to murder the victim is alleged to have been coordinated by a member of the Mexican Mafia and several high-ranking associates of the Mexican Mafia.  The coordination of the murder conspiracy occurred in the Los Angeles County area, within the California prison system, and from inside the Los Angeles County Jail.

    “The defendants engaged in a criminal conspiracy to murder an individual by acting as rogue judges, juries and executioners,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s successful operation resulting in state charges is just the latest blow to the Mexican Mafia hierarchy that operates within the prison system and which threatens jail workers, fellow inmates and spills over into the streets of our communities. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.”

    According to investigators and deputy district attorneys who filed the case being announced, a Mexican Mafia member referred to by co-conspirators in coded language as “The Elegant One,” placed the victim on the “green-light” list, meaning the victim was marked for death.  An armed Mexican Mafia associate is alleged to have gone to the residence of the victims’ family in efforts to find and kill him after another Mexican Mafia associate followed the victim on social media, learning of his location.

    “This investigation highlights the far-reaching and violent influence of criminal gang organizations operating behind bars to orchestrate attacks that endanger the safety of those in our custody and in our communities,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “The relentless efforts of our Major Crimes Bureau, Operation Safe Jails, along with the dedicated local and federal law enforcement partners helped prevent further violence and disrupt a murder conspiracy. We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.” 

    During the investigation, a Mexican Mafia associate learned that the victim was arrested and incarcerated as an inmate in the Los Angeles County Jail.  Mexican Mafia inmates – known as “shotcallers” – in leadership positions for the Mexican Mafia, are alleged to have called Mexican Mafia shotcallers in a California Prison and associates on the streets to confirm the green-light status of the victim.  When the green-light status was confirmed, Mexican Mafia associates within the Los Angeles County Jail—known as “Sureños” or “soldiers”—attacked the victim, using a weapon.  The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. When Mexican Mafia shotcallers learned the victim survived the attack, they are alleged to have begun a new plan to find, and kill, the victim.  The victim was released from jail days later before he could be attacked again.

    “We will not tolerate organized crime using our jails and prisons as a haven for violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “When individuals on the outside conspire with those inside to carry out attacks, they threaten the safety and integrity of our correctional system. That criminal activity may scale over prison walls, but I will make it my mission to ensure it ends at the front door, with an arrest. Every person in custody should be able to serve their time without fear of being targeted. I commend our Prison Crimes Division for their outstanding work in protecting lives and upholding justice.”

    After being released from Los Angeles County Jail, Mexican Mafia associates are alleged to have continued to try to find, and kill, the victim.  The Mexican Mafia associates continued to follow the victim on social media to find his location.

    The following defendants charged in this case were taken into custody on June 18, 2025, at their place of residence:

    • Manuel Quintero, 49, of Paramount
    • Patricial Esquivel, 45, of Palmdale
    • Dominga Gonzalez, 66, of Bellflower
    • Jude Valle, 48, of Pomona
    • Carl Brown, 31, of Gardena
    • Glendy Orozco-Lechuga, 29, of Gardena
    • Sanjuana Macias, 26, of Los Angeles

    The following eleven defendants charged in this case are currently incarcerated on unrelated charges:

    • Guiseppe Leyva, 34, of La Puente
    • Jacob David, 39, of Coachella
    • Manuel O’Campo, 40, of Compton
    • Jonathan Quevedo, 43, of Los Angeles
    • Onesimo Gonzalez, 44, of Paramount
    • Michael Ortiz, 29, of Norwalk
    • Andrew Shinaia, 24, of Los Angeles
    • Adrian Bueno, 33, of San Fernando
    • Larry Sanchez, 31, of Gardena
    • Juan Meza, 53, of Compton
    • Jorge Zavala, 31, of Norwalk

    One defendant, Joshua Euan, 37, of Paramount, is considered a fugitive and is being sought by Task Force members. His photo is being made public. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nineteen Members or Associates of the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang Charged in Murder Conspiracy Targeting a Well-Known Rapper

    Source: US FBI

    Nineteen members or associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a well-known rapper, popular on social media, for perceived infractions against the Mexican Mafia.

    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force have been investigating the Mexican Mafia’s attempts to locate, and murder, an intended victim, a conspiracy that began in approximately December 2022.

    The conspiracy to murder the victim is alleged to have been coordinated by a member of the Mexican Mafia and several high-ranking associates of the Mexican Mafia.  The coordination of the murder conspiracy occurred in the Los Angeles County area, within the California prison system, and from inside the Los Angeles County Jail.

    “The defendants engaged in a criminal conspiracy to murder an individual by acting as rogue judges, juries and executioners,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s successful operation resulting in state charges is just the latest blow to the Mexican Mafia hierarchy that operates within the prison system and which threatens jail workers, fellow inmates and spills over into the streets of our communities. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.”

    According to investigators and deputy district attorneys who filed the case being announced, a Mexican Mafia member referred to by co-conspirators in coded language as “The Elegant One,” placed the victim on the “green-light” list, meaning the victim was marked for death.  An armed Mexican Mafia associate is alleged to have gone to the residence of the victims’ family in efforts to find and kill him after another Mexican Mafia associate followed the victim on social media, learning of his location.

    “This investigation highlights the far-reaching and violent influence of criminal gang organizations operating behind bars to orchestrate attacks that endanger the safety of those in our custody and in our communities,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “The relentless efforts of our Major Crimes Bureau, Operation Safe Jails, along with the dedicated local and federal law enforcement partners helped prevent further violence and disrupt a murder conspiracy. We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.” 

    During the investigation, a Mexican Mafia associate learned that the victim was arrested and incarcerated as an inmate in the Los Angeles County Jail.  Mexican Mafia inmates – known as “shotcallers” – in leadership positions for the Mexican Mafia, are alleged to have called Mexican Mafia shotcallers in a California Prison and associates on the streets to confirm the green-light status of the victim.  When the green-light status was confirmed, Mexican Mafia associates within the Los Angeles County Jail—known as “Sureños” or “soldiers”—attacked the victim, using a weapon.  The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. When Mexican Mafia shotcallers learned the victim survived the attack, they are alleged to have begun a new plan to find, and kill, the victim.  The victim was released from jail days later before he could be attacked again.

    “We will not tolerate organized crime using our jails and prisons as a haven for violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “When individuals on the outside conspire with those inside to carry out attacks, they threaten the safety and integrity of our correctional system. That criminal activity may scale over prison walls, but I will make it my mission to ensure it ends at the front door, with an arrest. Every person in custody should be able to serve their time without fear of being targeted. I commend our Prison Crimes Division for their outstanding work in protecting lives and upholding justice.”

    After being released from Los Angeles County Jail, Mexican Mafia associates are alleged to have continued to try to find, and kill, the victim.  The Mexican Mafia associates continued to follow the victim on social media to find his location.

    The following defendants charged in this case were taken into custody on June 18, 2025, at their place of residence:

    • Manuel Quintero, 49, of Paramount
    • Patricial Esquivel, 45, of Palmdale
    • Dominga Gonzalez, 66, of Bellflower
    • Jude Valle, 48, of Pomona
    • Carl Brown, 31, of Gardena
    • Glendy Orozco-Lechuga, 29, of Gardena
    • Sanjuana Macias, 26, of Los Angeles

    The following eleven defendants charged in this case are currently incarcerated on unrelated charges:

    • Guiseppe Leyva, 34, of La Puente
    • Jacob David, 39, of Coachella
    • Manuel O’Campo, 40, of Compton
    • Jonathan Quevedo, 43, of Los Angeles
    • Onesimo Gonzalez, 44, of Paramount
    • Michael Ortiz, 29, of Norwalk
    • Andrew Shinaia, 24, of Los Angeles
    • Adrian Bueno, 33, of San Fernando
    • Larry Sanchez, 31, of Gardena
    • Juan Meza, 53, of Compton
    • Jorge Zavala, 31, of Norwalk

    One defendant, Joshua Euan, 37, of Paramount, is considered a fugitive and is being sought by Task Force members. His photo is being made public. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Tim Scott, colleagues introduce bill to protect U.S. secrets from foreign adversaries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and 10 colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Bases Act, which would strengthen the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ (CFIUS) ability to review foreign land purchases near sensitive military, intelligence and national laboratory sites by requiring member agencies to annually update and review their lists of these sites.

    “The Chinese Communist Party’s land buildup near our most critical military and government facilities poses a grave threat to our national security. The Protect Our Bases Act would help safeguard our nation and fight back against Communist China’s spying on American soil,” said Kennedy.

    “The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the U.S. national security apparatus requires vigilance from our national security agencies. This legislation will enhance the review of foreign real estate transactions near critical national security installations, helping ensure CFIUS has the information it needs to protect our homeland and keep our nation safe,” said Scott.

    Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) also cosponsored the bill.

    Background: 

    • In 2022, Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, announced it would purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. 
    • CFIUS determined that it could not evaluate the transaction for national security risks because the Department of Defense had not listed the base as a sensitive area for national security purposes.
    • Although the City of Grand Forks ultimately blocked the transaction, this incident demonstrated a serious flaw in the review process of foreign land purchases.

    The Protect Our Bases Act would:

    • require agencies represented on CFIUS to provide CFIUS with records of the military, intelligence and national laboratory facilities that should be considered sensitive areas for national security purposes annually.
    • require CFIUS to submit an annual report to Congress certifying the completion of these reviews and detailing the accuracy of its real estate listings.

    Full text of the Protect Our Bases Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Article IV Consultation with Mauritius

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 18, 2025

    • The Mauritian economy continues to exhibit resilience with growth at 4.7 percent in 2024 and contained inflation. The growth outlook remains favorable, though risks are to the downside.
    • Mauritius needs to recalibrate the macroeconomic policy mix to rebuild fiscal space. The monetary policy framework needs to be strengthened while continued monitoring of macro-financial risks is essential to maintain financial stability.
    • Advancing key reforms to foster external competitiveness and private sector-led growth while enhancing climate resilience will reduce external imbalances.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Article IV Consultation for Mauritius.[1]

    Mauritius’ economy remains resilient. Real GDP grew by 4.7 percent in 2024, from 5.0 percent in 2023, driven by services, construction, and tourism. Headline inflation (12-month average) declined to
    2.5 percent in March 2025 from 7.0 percent in 2023, helped by easing international food and energy prices and lower fuel excise duties. The external current account deficit widened in 2024 to
    6.5 percent of GDP, mostly reflecting higher imports and freight costs. Gross foreign reserves increased to US$8.5 billion by end-2024, covering almost 12 months of imports. Looking ahead, the country needs to address fiscal and structural challenges, notably the high public debt, significant public investment needs, low productivity, and an ageing society.

    The outlook for growth is favorable. Real GDP growth is projected to soften to 3.0 percent in 2025 due to weakening external demand, easing tourism activity, and the drought. Over the medium term, growth is expected at around 3.4 percent, reflecting demographic headwinds and labor shortages. Inflation is projected to average 3.6 percent in 2025 and remain within BOM’s target range over the medium term. The external current account deficit is projected to reduce to 4.7 percent of GDP in 2025—reflecting lower oil prices, as exports grow modestly amid the slowdown in global demand—and to increase in 2026 due to subdued exports, but gradually decline thereafter. The primary fiscal deficit (excluding grants) for FY24/25 is projected to worsen by 3.4 ppt of GDP relative to FY23/24, to 6.5 percent of GDP, mostly driven by higher compensation of employees, social benefits, and grants and transfers. The stock of public sector debt is projected at around 88 percent of GDP at end-June 2025, and to gradually decline in the medium term.

    Risks to the outlook are on the downside, including from global uncertainty, tariff wars, higher-than-anticipated fuel and food prices, and extreme climate shocks.

     

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    The economy has recovered solidly from the pandemic and the outlook is favorable, but fiscal and structural challenges remain. The recovery has been driven by services, construction, and tourism. The medium-term outlook is favorable but held back by demographic headwinds and labor shortages. Mauritius is facing fiscal and structural challenges from high public debt, significant public investment needs for climate, low productivity, and an ageing society. Risks to the outlook are on the downside including from high global uncertainty, highlighting the importance of addressing fiscal and external imbalances to increase the resilience of the economy.

    Fiscal policy should pursue frontloaded growth-friendly consolidation to shore up fiscal credibility, helping rebuild fiscal space while protecting the most vulnerable. Tax revenue should be increased and current and ESFs’ spending contained while safeguarding critical social spending and growth-enhancing capital spending. Pension system reform remains key to support fiscal sustainability, especially given the ageing of Mauritius’ population. Strengthening public financial management, including by streamlining ESFs, will support fiscal consolidation, transparency, and good governance.

    BOM should start to gradually phase out its ownership of MIC and strengthen the implementation of the monetary policy framework by resuming uncapped issuance of 7-Day BOM bills (at the key policy rate). BOM should stand ready to tighten the monetary policy stance should inflationary pressures reemerge. BOM should adopt amendments to the BOM Act, including to ensure fiscal backing, to protect central bank independence. Ministry of Finance and BOM are encouraged to strengthen the commitment on their mutual agreement for BOM independence. Mauritius should continue to rely on exchange rate flexibility and FX purchases when opportunities arise, and in line with the monetary policy framework, to help further build foreign reserves buffers to ensure ability to respond to large external shocks. 

    Mauritius’ external position at end-2024 is assessed as weaker than the level implied by fundamentals and desirable policies, and structural reforms to foster external competitiveness are needed to reduce external imbalances. Steady progress in strengthening the AML/CFT framework is welcome and should be sustained, including provisions related to non-resident and cross-border activity. Financial sector risks should continue to be closely monitored including of the real estate sector. Ongoing efforts to improve external sector statistics, including measurement of the GBCs sector, should be sustained. Statistical gaps and discrepancies should be addressed to improve the quality and credibility of macroeconomic statistics.

    Mauritius should advance structural reforms that boost investment and innovation to secure longer-term private sector-led growth. Priorities include strengthening workers’ skills through better education and narrowing gender gaps as well as advancing climate adaptation efforts to support economic resilience.

     

    Mauritius: Selected Economic Indicators
     
     

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    		  
           

    Est.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    		  
     
                               
     

    (Annual percent change, unless otherwise indicated)

    		    

    National income, prices and employment

    		                          

    Real GDP

    		  

    -14.5

    3.4

    8.7

    5.0

    4.7

    3.0

    3.4

    3.4

    3.4

    3.4

    3.4

    		  

    Real GDP per capita

    		  

    -14.6

    3.6

    8.9

    5.1

    4.9

    3.2

    3.6

    3.6

    3.6

    3.7

    3.8

    		  

    GDP per capita (in U.S. dollars)

    		  

    9,011

    9,087

    10,235

    11,188

    11,883

    12,448

    13,287

    14,183

    15,128

    16,131

    17,190

    		  

    GDP deflator

    		  

    2.6

    3.2

    9.6

    6.6

    3.8

    3.8

    3.7

    3.7

    3.6

    3.6

    3.6

    		  

    Consumer prices inflation (period average)

    		  

    2.5

    4.0

    10.8

    7.0

    3.6

    3.6

    3.6

    3.5

    3.5

    3.5

    3.5

    		  

    Consumer prices inflation (end of period)

    		  

    2.7

    6.8

    12.2

    3.9

    2.9

    3.9

    3.5

    3.5

    3.5

    3.5

    3.5

    		  

    Unemployment rate (percent)

    		  

    9.2

    9.1

    6.8

    6.1

    5.8

    5.9

    5.9

    5.9

    5.9

    5.9

    5.9

    		  
                               
       

    (Annual percent change)

    		    

    External sector

    		                          

    Exports of goods and services, f.o.b.

    		  

    -23.8

    5.2

    45.7

    4.0

    3.0

    1.7

    2.3

    7.1

    6.2

    6.5

    7.4

    		  

    Of which: tourism receipts

    		  

    -73.8

    -23.8

    313.1

    29.7

    6.0

    -4.6

    5.3

    7.7

    8.6

    8.1

    7.7

    		  

    Imports of goods and services, f.o.b.

    		  

    -29.1

    16.0

    32.9

    -0.3

    6.4

    0.7

    4.7

    5.3

    4.9

    4.3

    5.3

    		  

    Nominal effective exchange rate (annual average)

    		  

    -8.0

    -8.0

    3.6

    0.5

    -1.4

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    		  

    Real effective exchange rate (annual average)

    		  

    -7.6

    -7.5

    6.2

    1.7

    -0.6

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    		  

    Terms of trade

    		  

    5.1

    -12.0

    -5.1

    8.3

    0.0

    2.3

    2.0

    0.7

    0.5

    0.5

    0.4

    		  
                               
             

    Money and credit

    		                          

    Net foreign assets

    		  

    16.4

    18.6

    -3.6

    -0.3

    18.3

    1.5

    2.7

    2.5

    2.1

    2.2

    3.0

    		  

    Domestic credit

    		  

    7.9

    15.6

    13.1

    9.7

    13.7

    7.2

    6.5

    6.3

    6.1

    6.0

    5.9

    		  

    Net claims on government

    		  

    8.8

    34.8

    24.6

    26.1

    31.3

    13.2

    7.7

    6.0

    5.3

    4.5

    3.7

    		  

    Credit to non-government sector

    		  

    2.7

    0.4

    -0.6

    8.0

    8.3

    6.0

    6.9

    7.2

    7.1

    7.1

    7.1

    		  

    Broad money

    		  

    17.7

    8.6

    4.1

    7.8

    12.9

    6.4

    7.6

    8.5

    8.4

    8.4

    7.9

    		  

    Income velocity of broad money (M2)

    		  

    0.8

    0.8

    0.9

    0.9

    0.9

    0.9

    0.9

    0.9

    0.9

    0.9

    0.9

    		  
                               
       

    (Percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    		    

    Central government finances 1

    		                          

    Overall borrowing requirement 2

    		  

    -22.1

    -5.5

    -4.7

    -6.1

    -10.4

    -5.4

    -3.7

    -3.4

    -2.9

    -2.4

    -2.0

    		  

    Primary balance (excluding grants) 

    		  

    -16.5

    -4.9

    -2.7

    -3.1

    -6.5

    -3.0

    -1.3

    -0.3

    0.1

    0.4

    0.5

    		  

    Revenues (incl. grants)

    		  

    21.6

    24.2

    24.5

    24.0

    25.7

    27.0

    27.3

    27.5

    27.5

    27.5

    27.4

    		  

    Expenditure, excl. net lending

    		  

    40.4

    31.1

    29.4

    29.7

    35.2

    32.3

    31.2

    30.3

    29.9

    29.4

    28.9

    		  

    Domestic debt of central government

    		  

    67.5

    61.9

    57.3

    58.7

    64.4

    65.8

    65.7

    65.3

    64.5

    64.0

    63.7

    		  

    External debt of central government

    		  

    15.8

    14.0

    13.8

    12.7

    14.8

    14.9

    14.8

    14.7

    14.6

    14.3

    13.9

    		  
                               

    Investment and saving 4

    		                          

    Gross domestic investment

    		  

    18.2

    19.8

    19.8

    20.2

    21.0

    22.0

    22.4

    22.5

    22.5

    22.5

    22.5

    		  

    Public

    		  

    4.1

    4.1

    3.9

    3.9

    3.8

    4.1

    4.2

    4.3

    4.3

    4.3

    4.3

    		  

    Private 3

    		  

    14.1

    15.7

    15.8

    16.3

    17.2

    17.9

    18.2

    18.2

    18.2

    18.2

    18.2

    		  

    Gross national savings

    		  

    11.6

    12.6

    17.1

    22.4

    23.4

    23.8

    25.0

    26.1

    26.5

    26.2

    26.4

    		  

    Public

    		  

    -7.9

    -5.6

    -2.0

    -2.4

    -4.5

    -4.0

    -1.7

    -0.7

    -0.1

    0.4

    0.8

    		  

    Private

    		  

    19.5

    18.2

    19.2

    24.8

    28.0

    27.8

    26.7

    26.8

    26.6

    25.9

    25.6

    		  

    External sector

    		                          

    Balance of goods and services

    		  

    -10.7

    -16.1

    -14.8

    -11.7

    -13.2

    -12.3

    -13.0

    -12.2

    -11.6

    -10.5

    -9.6

    		  

    Exports of goods and services, f.o.b.

    		  

    35.1

    36.7

    47.6

    45.3

    43.9

    42.7

    41.0

    41.2

    41.1

    41.2

    41.7

    		  

    Imports of goods and services, f.o.b.

    		  

    -45.8

    -52.7

    -62.4

    -56.9

    -57.2

    -55.0

    -54.0

    -53.4

    -52.7

    -51.7

    -51.2

    		  

    Current account balance

    		  

    -8.9

    -13.1

    -11.1

    -5.1

    -6.5

    -4.7

    -6.1

    -5.0

    -4.3

    -3.7

    -3.0

    		  

    Capital and financial account

    		  

    3.3

    23.3

    13.4

    -0.9

    14.5

    6.1

    9.1

    6.7

    5.9

    5.2

    4.6

    		  

    Overall balance

    		  

    -4.4

    10.2

    2.8

    -5.5

    7.3

    1.4

    2.9

    1.8

    1.6

    1.5

    1.6

    		  

    Total external debt

    		  

    110.7

    134.0

    132.2

    131.6

    139.2

    128.9

    119.3

    110.8

    102.2

    94.1

    87.1

    		  

    Gross international reserves (millions of U.S. dollars)

    		  

    7,242

    7,805

    7,740

    7,254

    8,510

    8,675

    9,163

    9,475

    9,781

    10,083

    10,420

    		  

    Months of imports of goods and services, f.o.b.

    		  

    14.3

    11.6

    11.6

    10.2

    11.8

    11.6

    11.6

    11.4

    11.3

    11.2

    11.1

    		  
                               

    Memorandum items:

    		                          

    GDP at current market prices (billions of Mauritian rupees)

    		  

    448.9

    478.8

    570.3

    638.3

    694.0

    742.3

    796.0

    853.3

    914.0

    979.0

    1,048.7

    		  

    GDP at current market prices (millions of U.S. dollars)

    		  

    11,408

    11,484

    12,908

    14,101

    14,953

    15,641

    16,662

    17,748

    18,890

    20,082

    21,326

    		  

    Public sector debt, fiscal year (percent of GDP)4

    		  

    91.9

    86.1

    81.8

    81.5

    88.3

    89.1

    88.1

    86.9

    85.3

    83.9

    82.7

    		  
                               

    Foreign and local currency long-term debt rating (Moody’s)

    		  

    Baa1

    Baa2

    Baa3

    Baa3

    Baa3

    Baa3

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    		  
                             

    Sources:  Country authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    		                          

    1GFSM 2001 concept of net lending/net borrowing, includes special and other extrabudgetary funds. Fiscal data reported for fiscal years (e.g, 2019=2019/20).

    		      

    2 Following the GFSM 2014, Sections 5.111.5.116, the transfers from the BOM to the

    Central Government are considered as financing.

    		            

    3  Excludes changes in inventories in 2022 and outer years.

    		                                                                                              

    4 The public debt series has been reclassified starting in the 2024 AIV Mission to allow

    consolidation of central government securities held by non-financial
    public corporations

    		                                                                    
                                                                                                                 

     

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/18/pr-25204-mauritius-imf-concludes-2025-article-iv-consultation

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Polls – Betrayal of women over pay equity laid bare in Budget poll – time to reverse decision – PSA

    Source: PSA

    A Budget poll lays bare how deeply unpopular the Government’s decision to scrap pay equity rules under urgency has become.
    The Post/Freshwater Strategy Poll today shows many New Zealanders oppose the Government axing pay equity claims and making it harder to push for new claims – nearly four out of ten opposed the decision and just over four out of ten said the move damaged their confidence in the Government’s commitment to gender equality.
    “The Government decided to scrap pay equity for women to pay for tax cuts for business in this year’s budget – New Zealanders are seeing that plain and simple and they don’t like it,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “This was wage theft and no amount of spin by the Government has convinced many New Zealanders who see the move done under urgency for what is – a betrayal that impacts wives, mothers, daughters and their families.
    “It was morally wrong to cancel women’s claims for pay equity without telling New Zealanders during the election or even in government, and without a democratic select committee process, but it’s not too late for the Government to do the right thing by women.
    “This outrageous decision will keep damaging the Government – the PSA calls on the Government to settle the 33 claims it scrapped and restore the pay equity process.
    “That will help over 150,000 women get the wage increase they need and deserve and many New Zealanders clearly agree.
    “Pay equity is also critical to help many deal with the cost of living which still worries New Zealanders. The poll shows a majority don’t think the Budget will help reduce pressures on the household budget from rising prices.
    “What’s more nearly two thirds worry the Government’s spending cuts will damage the public services they rely on. This is what the PSA warned all along.
    “The poll should be a wake-up call. New Zealanders are clearly telling the Government it is taking the country in the wrong direction, and is failing women and households. Restoring pay equity and public services would be a start.”
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Sustainable Business – 17th Climate Change & Business Conference: Where Ambition Meets Action

    Source: Sustainable Business Council

    Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier Climate Change and Business Conference returns in 2025, bringing together global and local leaders to accelerate climate action and business innovation.
    The conference is taking place on 8-9 September at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year’s theme Ambition. Accountability. Action. promises to inspire and challenge business to take meaningful steps toward addressing the impacts of climate change.
    Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Mike Burrell, says this year’s conference theme is timely and critical, given the increasingly complex geopolitical environment businesses are navigating.
    “Forward thinking businesses recognise the focus on climate action must remain. The science has never been more urgent or clear – we must continue to pursue better business for a better world, and this year’s conference reflects the need for that ambition to now meet action.”
    The two day-event will offer a unique opportunity to learn from global and domestic leaders and changemakers across business, government, iwi, media and civil society, who are turning climate strategies into solutions and real-world impact.
    The 2025 international speaking line-up includes:
    – Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, MP: Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management.
    – Prof. Elizabeth Robinson: Acting Dean of the London School of Economics’ Global School of Sustainability.
    – Lord Adair Turner: Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (a global coalition of companies, NGOs and experts working to achieve a net zero economy by 2040).
    Environmental Defence Society (EDS) Chief Executive Gary Taylor says, “The conference brings together visionaries and leaders in the climate space at a time when serious engagement is needed more urgently than ever, given the profound changes taking place globally.”
    “This event is about having challenging conversations, tackling the gnarliest of climate issues facing our country, and driving real and meaningful change.”
    Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than 30 different plenary, workshops and breakout sessions, all designed to equip business leaders with the tools and insights needed to lead out on climate.
    Genesis CEO and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) Steering Group Convenor Malcolm Johns says, “As business leaders we are facing a variety of pressures and shifting geopolitical dynamics, but it is imperative that we stay the course, remain focused and maintain our momentum on climate action.”
    “This conference underscores the continuing role business has to play in this journey, and provides a critical platform for leaders to connect, innovate and lead the charge toward securing a resilient net-zero economy.”
    Delivered in partnership between the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC), the Climate Change and Business Conference is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading and longest running climate and business event.
    More than 650 people attended the 2024 event in person and online.
    The 2025 event is supported by Foundation Sponsors Westpac NZ and Beca.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips Members and Associates Indicted, Including Murder, Robbery, Fentanyl Distribution and Firearms Offenses

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A twelve-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging nine members of the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC) violent street gang with crimes including a drug conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and  a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiring to distribute large quantities of pressed fentanyl pills, narcotics trafficking, identity fraud, and the illegal use and straw purchasing of firearms.

    According to the indictment, the RTC is a subunit or “set” of the Crips national street gang. The indictment alleges RTC members and associates committed numerous violent acts on behalf of the RTC, including a June 2022 murder in Alexandria, Virginia; a July 2021 attempted shooting of several individuals in the District of Columbia; an August 2021 armed robbery and pistol whipping of an individual in Hollywood, Florida; and a January 2021 attempted murder of two individuals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. To finance and promote the RTC’s criminal activities, the indictment alleges that RTC members and associates obtained and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of pressed fentanyl pills. The indictment also alleges that, as part of the gang’s criminal activity, the RTC recruited children and encouraged them to commit crimes on behalf of the gang, including acts of violence and drug trafficking.

    “As alleged, RTC members unleashed a wave of violence across three states and the District of Columbia, extending down the East Coast to Florida,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their commission of brutal, indiscriminate acts over perceived slights on social media reflects a particularly dangerous form of gang activity. The Criminal Division remains firmly committed to prosecuting menacing gangs and ensuring the safety of our communities.”

    “The offenses alleged in this indictment represent the spectrum of danger presented by nationwide criminal enterprises,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Any of these elements alone – from violence to illegal drugs to identity theft – is enough to destroy communities and lives, and these organizations employ them without compunction. Through coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are determined to eradicate criminal gangs and protect our citizens from the detriment they bring.”

    “DEA is committed to protecting Americans by investigating and taking down major violators of drug laws who operate within the United States and around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Ibrar Mian of the DEA Washington Field Division. “As demonstrated by today’s indictment, drug trafficking, firearms, and violence are undeniably connected, which is why we continue to address these threats with the full force of the federal government. The tenacious and hard-working men and women of DEA are combatting the illicit manufacture and distribution of drugs, removing illicit firearms from American streets, helping to put public threats in jail, and restoring safety in our communities.”

    “Today’s announcement indicates a significant step towards making it even more clear that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with our partner agencies are committed to protecting our communities from violent crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the ATF Washington Field Division. “There just isn’t a place for criminal behavior in our neighborhoods. Although this is very early on in the judicial process, we remain optimistic that all of those involved will be held accountable for their actions.”

    If convicted, the defendants face penalties including: up to life in prison or the death penalty for murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death; up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and use of a firearm during or in relation to drug trafficking; up to 25 years in prison for straw purchasing of firearms; up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; and Arlington County Police Department are investigating the case with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; United States Postal Inspection Service; FBI; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Fairfax County Police Department; Prince William County Police Department; Prince William County’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney; Prince William County Parks and Recreation; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office; Stafford County Sherriff’s Office; Manassas Park Police Department; George Mason University Police Department; Chesterfield County Police Department; Del City, OK, Police Department; Valley Brook, OK, Police Department; Tonto Apache Police Department; Sumter County, SC, Sheriff’s Office; Hollywood, FL, Police Department; Nash County, NC, Sheriff’s Office; Winston-Salem, NC, Police Department; and Nebraska State Patrol.

    Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo J. Rodriguez and Ryan B. Bredemeier for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs), which identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Keith Self Awarded Champion of Limited Government Award

    Source:

    Congressman Keith Self (R-TX) earned The Institute for Legislative Analysis’ Champion of Limited Government Award for his impeccable voting record rooted in the limited government principles found in the U.S. Constitution.

    With this award, Congressman Self has been recognized as one of the top 100 members in Congress most committed to preserving Americans’ God-given rights and defending the Constitution.

    “The Constitution is the greatest political document ever written. We must do everything in our power to defend it against tyranny,” Congressman Keith Self said. “It is an honor to receive this award, and I will continue to protect the limited government principles our great nation was founded on. The people of Texas’ 3rd Congressional District – and all Americans – deserve no less.”

    “The Institute for Legislative Analysis is proud to recognize Congressman Keith Self with our Champion of Limited Government Award, honoring his outstanding voting record—one of the most consistently aligned with the limited government principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution,” ILA CEO Ryan McGowan said. “Congressman Self also earned an A+ on ILA’s new district-based grading system, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the issues and values his constituents entrusted him to defend in our nation’s capital. We commend Congressman Self for his tireless dedication to keeping the American Dream alive and thriving for all Americans.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Hernández Call on Trump Administration to Maintain Funding for Puerto Rico Energy Resilience

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico Pablo José Hernández (D-P.R.) led 19 Members of Congress in a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright calling on the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to redirect funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund. In 2022, Congress approved $1 billion for the fund to improve the resilience of the Puerto Rican electric grid.

    “We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to redirect funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund away from providing the most vulnerable citizens of Puerto Rico with backup power,” wrote the Members. “As you know, these congressionally appropriated funds were intended to provide solar and battery storage at residential communities and health centers across the island. DOE has claimed that the funds will now be deployed to ‘support practical fixes that offer a faster, more impactful solution to the current crisis.’ We, however, remain greatly concerned that the people of Puerto Rico are being used as pawns in President Trump’s attack on clean energy, and fail to see a justification for this action.”

    “The long-term recovery process of Puerto Rico’s electric grid has been marked by significant challenges, including recurring power outages that continue to impact the daily lives of Puerto Ricans, with one as recently as this past April,” continued the Members. “We are concerned that redirecting this funding would restart the allocation process, delaying timely and needed resources to medically vulnerable populations. In addition, the legal justification for this “reallocation” of funds, with seeming disregard to congressional intent, remains unclear.”

    Read the full letter here. Additional signatories to the letter include Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.-26), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.-09), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07).

    The first and only Latina elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Cortez Masto is committed to raising awareness about the needs of people in Puerto Rico. She has supported federal relief for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters and has pressed FEMA on their preparedness plans to protect Puerto Rico and the U.S. Islands during hurricane season. She has also previously introduced the Puerto Rico Status Act, legislation establishing a process for the people of Puerto Rico to determine the future of the island’s political status.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PASSED: Cortez Masto’s Bill to Create Jobs at Apex Industrial Park in North Las Vegas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    FTP for TV stations of her remarks is available here.

    “This legislation cuts through unnecessary government obstacles and allows our businesses to grow at a sustainable pace. It is essential to ensure businesses can efficiently continue to build and expand in Nevada, including at the Apex Industrial Park, [which] will bring new jobs to North Las Vegas and will continue to strengthen our economy.”

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) passed her Apex Area Technical Corrections Act, legislation to create thousands of new jobs at North Las Vegas’ Apex Industrial Park. Under the legislation, new and existing businesses at Apex would be allowed to expand their operations without going through an outdated and burdensome permitting process for basic utilities and infrastructure. The legislation, also introduced by Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), passed the House of Representatives earlier this year. This bill now goes to the President’s desk for signature.

    Senator Cortez Masto introduced her Apex legislation to help the industrial park grow and create jobs in the Las Vegas Valley and has toured the site, speaking to workers there. She has also worked across the board to strengthen and diversify Nevada’s economy and create new jobs by passing legislation to upgrade American infrastructure, support Nevada’s manufacturing industry, and invest in Nevada’s booming clean-energy economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Presses Hegseth on Protecting American Troops in the Middle East and the Importance of International Agreements, Secures Secretary’s Commitment to Investigate Hiring Delays at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in his first appearance before the Committee since being confirmed to lead the Pentagon in January. As violence escalates in the Middle East and President Trump weighs U.S. involvement, Secretary Hegseth did nothing to reassure the American public that men and women deployed in the Middle East, as well as Americans living abroad, would be protected if the President decides to enter the United States into active hostilities. Following concerns she heard from partners abroad at the Paris Air Show, Shaheen pressed Hegseth on the importance of international agreements like AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and U.S.)—which Secretary Hegseth has placed under review—to efforts key to deterring China. Shaheen additionally secured commitment from Secretary Hegseth to raise hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to quickly get public shipyard workers onboarded into the jobs they’ve been hired to do that are integral to national security. Click here to watch the Shaheen’s full remarks and questions.  

    Key Quotes from Shaheen: 

    • On the escalation of violence in the Middle East, Shaheen said: “I understand that we have 40,000 troops deployed in the region, many of whom are in range of Iranian missiles. And it’s been reported that the president is being asked to consider providing the bunker-buster bomb that is required to be carried only by the B-2 bomber and would require a U.S. pilot. That raises real concerns about what retaliation might mean for the safety and stability of the entire region, and our troops and Americans who are in the region.” 
    • On hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that have been unaddressed by the Secretary, Shaheen said: “Last week, Mr. Secretary, […] you reaffirmed the need for an exemption for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to your hiring freeze. […] I’d like to ask you again, because we have not yet heard anything from you or from the Office of Personnel Management about how they’re responding to this. DoD has told us that the Office of Personnel Management needs to review every single new hire, one by one at a time when we need 550 people every year just to keep up with the Navy’s demand for maintenance and on its nuclear submarines. So will you commit to talking to OPM on this issue?” 
    • On the importance of international agreements, Shaheen said: “Six of us on this committee just returned from the largest air show in the world. […] And one of the concerns that I heard from many of the companies that I talked to was about the potential to partner with our allies and partners for innovation, for co-production, and one concern I heard was about the proposed review of the AUKUS agreement. That’s after the Australian government has already contributed half a $1 billion to our submarine industrial base. And American and UK shipbuilders have made capital investments to support the increased demand. So do you disagree with the position that President Trump has taken about AUKUS, that we should move forward? And what is the review expected to produce?” 

    Shaheen pressed Hegseth during a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. In a letter to Secretary Hegseth last month, Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.   

    Citing national security concerns and a lack of qualifications on the Senate floor, Shaheen announced in January that Hegseth would be the first nominee for Secretary of Defense that she opposed since joining the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in 2011.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: From the Paris Air Show, Shaheen Pens Wall Street Journal Op-Ed Warning Trump’s Trade Policy Threatens Our National Defense and Global Alliances

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – After co-leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the Paris Air Show, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal warning that President Trump’s trade policy threatens American national defense and global alliances. In her piece, Shaheen argues that the president’s tariff policy threatens our relationships around the globe, exacerbates existing supply chain disruptions and threatens American defense readiness. You can read her op-ed here.

    In part, Shaheen writes: “While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with our allies—is more critical than ever.”

    Shaheen concludes: “The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.”

    The op-ed is available here and in full below:

    Trump’s Tariffs Weaken America’s Military

    Eighty years ago, the U.S. Army Air Forces staged an exhibition beneath the Eiffel Tower. Thousands of Parisians gathered to admire the B-17 Flying Fortress—an American-built aircraft that helped liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Primitive by today’s standards, those bombers were the product of a national industrial base operating at full capacity. They were deployed by a trans-Atlantic alliance that shared logistics, intelligence and purpose. That model of coordination is what we need now—but it’s being tested by a trade agenda that favors confrontation over cooperation.

    As I co-lead the congressional delegation to this week’s Paris Air Show, the world’s largest defense aerospace expo, I find myself asking: Is the greatest obstacle to America’s security not China or Russia but our own trade policy?

    The U.S. defense industry’s capacity to meet the demand for arms was already stretched thin by the Covid pandemic and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The Trump administration further disrupted supply chains and increased production costs through more than 50 tariff announcements and a patchwork of shifting duties. The imposition of these tariffs has pressured allies to respond in kind. This cycle worsens supply-chain disruptions, driving up costs and causing delays in defense production.

    President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier this month. Regardless of any exemptions the administration offers, building a modern America-class amphibious assault ship requires 45,000 tons of steel. The net effect of this trade policy will be higher costs across the board, from military aircraft and lightweight armor plating to submarine repairs and shipbuilding.

    Tariffs will also affect small, specialized components like those used in jet engines, night vision systems, and landing gear. When I recently met with a New Hampshire company that makes ball bearings for the aerospace industry, executives told me tariffs have driven up their costs and extended their production time—concerns industry leaders echoed in Paris.

    These delays and rising costs don’t only slow American readiness; they erode our allies’ trust in the U.S. as a dependable partner. The strain is already evident. Although the F-35 fighter jet is “the pinnacle of aerial combat technology,” in Vice President JD Vance’s words, several North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies have signaled they may reconsider participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

    Demand for American-made weapons remains strong, especially from front-line nations like Poland. It is racing to acquire Himars rocket launchers and Abrams tanks. But even as the Trump administration pressures allies to spend more on defense, its trade policies and combative rhetoric are sowing doubt about the reliability of parts, maintenance and pricing. That’s prompting U.S. partners to reassess their long-term defense commitments. President Emmanuel Macron underscored this shift when he said, “My goal is to persuade EU countries that rely on U.S. weapons to choose European alternatives.”

    European leaders have legitimate cause for concern, and their increased defense spending reflects it. Vladimir Putin has reoriented Russia’s economy around the war in Ukraine, churning out more than 1,400 Iskander ballistic missiles a year and at one point signing up 1,000 new recruits a day. His effort is backed by North Korea, Iran and, most significantly, China.

    While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with allies—is more critical than ever.

    The administration argues that reliance on foreign imports undermines American defense readiness and that tariffs will protect U.S. industries. But the defense industrial base has evolved over generations, and restructuring it would take decades—time we simply don’t have.

    Russia, China and Iran may feel distant to many Americans. But for those of us with family who served in World War II—or who confront national-security challenges daily in government service—the risks are clear and they are growing.

    As the B-17 displayed in Paris that summer of 1945 symbolized a robust industrial base united with steadfast allies, today’s defense readiness depends on a similarly coordinated approach—one that can’t thrive amid tariffs that alienate our closest partners.

    We need a smarter, more unified strategy. Tariffs on our closest allies aren’t only damaging our economy, they’re undermining our shared defense readiness. At a minimum, the administration should provide answers on how these tariffs are affecting our defense supply chains. I’ve asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for this information but received no response.

    The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.

    Last week, Shaheen pressed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. The exchange followed a letter sent to Hegseth in April where Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to End Discrimination against LGBTQ+ Individuals in Jury Selection Process

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – During Pride Month, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) reintroduced their Jury Access for Capable Citizens and Equality in Service Selection (ACCESS) Act–bipartisan legislation that would prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans during the federal jury selection process. The Senators’ bipartisan bill would prohibit discrimination against jurors in federal courts on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.   

    “Serving on a jury is a civic duty that no one should be prevented from fulfilling because of who they are or who they love,” said Senator Shaheen. “It’s preposterous that under current law there are no protections prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ+ jurors in federal courts and Congress must take action to rectify this injustice.”

    “Serving on a jury is a fundamental right and obligation that no individual should be prohibited from fulfilling based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Senator Collins. “I have long worked to fight discrimination, and I am proud to join this effort to help eliminate bias from our judicial system.”

    Prior to the start of a trial, potential jurors come to the courtroom and the judge and attorneys begin a process to select who will sit on the jury and determine the facts of a case. The purpose is to arrive at a jury that will be fair and impartial. This process involves asking the jurors questions about themselves and their experiences to discern whether they might harbor prejudices or hold strong opinions that would prevent an objective evaluation of the facts.  

    The United States Code currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin and economic status. However, there is no federal prohibition on discriminating against jurors based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Only seventeen states prohibit exclusion from jury service in state court based on sexual orientation and just twelve protect against discrimination based on gender identity. The Jury ACCESS Act would amend federal statute to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” meaning that striking jurors on that basis would be prohibited under federal law for the first time.    

    Cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Chris Coons (D-DE).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Article IV Consultation with the Republic of Uzbekistan

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 18, 2025

    • Uzbekistan’s economic performance has remained strong, with robust growth, narrowing consolidated fiscal and current account deficits, and ample international reserves.
    • Despite elevated external uncertainty, growth is projected to stay robust amid ongoing reforms and strong remittances, while inflation is expected to moderate under tight macroeconomic and macroprudential policies.
    • The priorities ahead are to cement macro-financial stability and continue with the economic reform agenda to reduce the state’s footprint while fostering private sector-led and inclusive growth.

    Washington, DC: On June 16, 2025, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Article IV Consultation for the Republic of Uzbekistan.[1] The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for this consultation.[2]

    Uzbekistan’s economic performance has remained strong. Real GDP growth stood at 6.5 percent in 2024, underpinned by robust domestic demand, and remained buoyant at 6.8 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. Inflation had trended downward through end-April 2024 but rose to 10.6 percent year-on-year in May 2024 that saw the implementation of needed energy price reform. By end-April 2025, it has only marginally eased to 10.1 percent. The current account deficit narrowed by 2.6 percentage points of GDP to about 5.0 percent in 2024, driven by strong remittances, rapidly growing non-gold exports, favorable commodity prices, and the unwinding of a one-off spike in imports in 2023. International reserves have remained ample. The consolidated fiscal deficit narrowed by 1.7 percentage points of GDP to 3.2 percent of GDP in 2024, largely on the back of growth-friendly expenditure measures, although borrowing and spending from the broader public sector were higher than anticipated.  

    The outlook remains broadly positive. Despite heightened global trade policy uncertainty, real GDP growth is projected to remain robust under the baseline, at close to 6 percent this year and next, supported by sustained strength in private consumption, investment, and advancement of structural reforms. The latter, continued tight monetary and macroprudential policies, and solidified fiscal discipline are expected to reduce inflation to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan’s (CBU) 5 percent target by end-2027. The external current account deficit is foreseen to stay at or slightly below 5 percent over 2025-26 while international reserves are expected to remain adequate, at 9.2 months of imports by end-2026.

    Downside risks to the outlook include prolonged and deeper trade policy shocks, more volatile commodity prices, tighter external financing, and contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises and banks, and public-private partnerships. On the upside, opportunities stem from faster implementation of structural reforms, stronger inflows of income and capital, and favorable commodity prices.

    Executive Board Assessment[3]

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Uzbekistan’s positive economic outlook amid continued progress in the transition to a market-oriented economy. Directors noted, however, that significant vulnerabilities persist, including from the still large state footprint in the economy and rising external uncertainty. Against this background, they emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum in structural and institutional reforms, supported by Fund technical assistance, to entrench macroeconomic stability and maintain robust and resilient growth.

    Directors commended the authorities for the significant fiscal consolidation achieved. They broadly called for reversing the decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio and improving expenditure efficiency to create fiscal space for priority social and development needs. Directors stressed the importance of adhering to external borrowing limits and avoiding government spending procyclicality in response to high gold prices to support inflation reduction. They also advised improving monitoring and management of fiscal risks from SOEs and public-private partnerships and further strengthening PFM and fiscal transparency.

    Directors welcomed the commitment of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) to reduce inflation. They agreed that monetary policy should remain data driven and be tightened further if core inflation or inflation expectations do not decline. Directors encouraged the CBU to continue strengthening communication and monetary policy transmission. They also recommended adopting greater exchange rate flexibility and implementing outstanding safeguards recommendations to strengthen central bank governance and independence. 

    Directors called for enhancing bank supervision and regulation to safeguard financial stability, while reducing the state’s role in the financial sector. In this regard, they recommended bolstering the commercial orientation of state banks and their corporate governance, phasing out directed and preferential lending, and expediting and expanding privatization efforts. Directors also advised the authorities to strengthen asset classification, NPL reporting and resolution, and the regulatory, supervisory, crisis management, and AML/CFT frameworks following the recommendations of the country’s first Financial Sector Assessment Program. Additional macroprudential measures could help mitigate risks from rapid growth in microcredit. 

    Directors encouraged deepening and accelerating structural reforms. While welcoming the progress with WTO accession and energy sector reform, they emphasized that it will be essential to complete price and trade liberalization, phase out support to SOEs, and accelerate privatizations while carrying them out in line with international best practices. Directors called on the authorities to make further progress in governance reforms, including improvements in transparency and accountability and the approval of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Closing data gaps and improving data quality remain priorities. 

    It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with Uzbekistan will be held on the standard 12-month cycle.

    Uzbekistan: Selected Economic Indicators 2022-2026

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    Est.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    National income 1/

    Real GDP growth (percent change)

    6.0

    6.3

    6.5

    5.9

    5.8

    Nominal GDP (in trillions of Sum)

    996

    1,204

    1,455

    1,733

    2,005

    GDP per capita (in U.S. dollars)

    2,555

    2,849

    3,113

    3,487

    3,805

    Population (in millions)

    35.3

    36.0

    36.9

    37.7

    38.5

    Prices

    (Percent change)

    Consumer price inflation (end of period) 2/

    12.3

    8.7

    9.8

    8.4

    6.5

    GDP deflator

    14.5

    13.8

    13.3

    12.5

    9.4

    External sector

    (Percent of GDP)

    Current account balance

    -3.2

    -7.6

    -5.0

    -5.0

    -4.8

    External debt

    49.2

    54.5

    56.2

    55.4

    55.2

                     (Level)

    Exchange rate (in sums per U.S. dollar; end of period)

    11,225

    12,339

    12,920

    …

    …

    Real effective exchange rate

    		        

    (ave, 2015 =100, decline = depreciation)

    61.8

    58.8

    55.4

    …

    …

    Government finance

    (Percent of GDP)

    Consolidated budget revenues

    28.8

    26.7

    26.5

    26.3

    26.4

    Consolidated budget expenditures

    32.3

    31.6

    29.7

    29.3

    29.4

    Consolidated budget balance

    -3.5

    -4.9

    -3.2

    -3.0

    -3.0

    Adjusted revenues 3/

    27.7

    25.9

    25.5

    25.3

    25.5

    Adjusted expenditures 3/

    31.3

    29.9

    27.8

    27.3

    27.8

    Adjusted fiscal balance

    -3.7

    -4.0

    -2.3

    -2.0

    -2.3

    Policy-based lending

    -0.1

    0.9

    0.9

    1.0

    0.7

    Overall fiscal balance 3/

    -3.5

    -4.9

    -3.2

    -3.0

    -3.0

    Public debt

    30.5

    32.2

    32.6

    33.3

    33.2

    Money and credit

    (Percent Change)

    Reserve money

    31.4

    4.9

    9.5

    9.2

    8.8

    Broad money

    30.2

    12.2

    30.6

    19.4

    16.3

    Credit to the economy

    21.4

    23.2

    4.0

    19.3

    16.0

    Sources: Country authorities; and IMF staff estimates.

    1/ Incorporates latest revision to national accounts data, which raised the average nominal GDP for 2017-2023 by about 11 percent. 

    2/ The CPI projection incorporates the effect of the announced increases in energy prices in 2024 and 2025.

    3/ IMF staff adjusts budget revenues and expenditures for financing operations, such as equity injections, policy lending, and privatization of state enterprises. The overall fiscal balance until 2021 is more negative than the consolidated budget balance as the latter excluded privatization receipts. Since 2022, there is no difference as the authorities started including all privatization receipts as financing.

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] Under the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, publication of documents that pertain to member countries is voluntary and requires the member consent. The staff report will be shortly published on the www.imf.org/Uzbekistan page.

    [3] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chair of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/18/pr-25206-uzbekistan-imf-executive-board-concludes-2025-article-iv-consultation

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Energy Department Announces New Pathway to Test Advanced Reactors

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the start of a new pilot program to expedite the testing of advanced nuclear reactor designs under DOE authority outside of the national laboratories. In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy, DOE issued a Request for Application (RFA) and is seeking qualified U.S. reactor companies interested in constructing and operating their test reactors outside of the national laboratories using the DOE authorization process. Today’s action represents an important step toward streamlining nuclear reactor testing and ensuring at least three reactors achieve criticality by July 4, 2026.  

    “For too long, the federal government has stymied the development and deployment of advanced civil nuclear reactors in the United States,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are expediting the development of next-generation nuclear technologies and giving American innovators a new path forward to advance their designs, propelling our economic prosperity and bolstering our national security.” 

    President Trump is committed to re-establishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy and securing a reliable, diversified, and affordable energy supply to drive American prosperity and technological advancement. The new reactor pilot program will help to unleash American nuclear energy capabilities, support U.S. jobs and strengthen American innovation. 

    The pilot program builds on current efforts to demonstrate advanced reactors on DOE sites through microreactor testbeds and other projects led by the Department of Defense and private industry. It is specifically designed to foster research and development of nuclear reactors and not demonstrate reactors for commercial suitability. Seeking DOE authorization provided under the Atomic Energy Act will help unlock private funding and provide a fast-tracked approach to enable future commercial licensing activities for potential applicants.   

    DOE will consider advanced reactors that have a reasonable chance to operate by the July 4, 2026 deadline. Applicants will be responsible for all costs associated with designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and decommissioning each test reactor. Moreover, applicants will be competitively selected based on a set of criteria, including technological readiness, site evaluations, financial viability, and a detailed plan to achieving criticality.  

    Initial applications are due by July 21, 2025, with subsequent applications allowed on a rolling basis. DOE will sponsor an Industry Day event on June 25, 2025, which will include virtual and in-person attendance. Registration is required and additional information may be found on the FedConnect listing for the RFA. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Companies are betting on AI to help lift productivity. Workers need to be part of the process

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Llewellyn Spink, AI Corporate Governance Lead, Human Technology Institute, University of Technology Sydney

    The Conversation, CC BY-NC

    Australia’s productivity is flatlining, posting the worst vitals we’ve seen in 60 years.

    Politicians and chief executives are prescribing artificial intelligence (AI) like it’s the new penicillin – a wonder drug with almost magical healing powers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Productivity Commission all see AI as a key part of the plan to cure Australia’s productivity ills, with estimates that automation and AI could add A$600 billion to Australia’s annual economy.

    Unfortunately, AI is no panacea. It’s more like physiotherapy after major surgery: it only delivers if you put in the effort, follow the program and work with experts who know which muscles to strengthen and when.

    AI projects have high fail rates

    AI is a broad suite of tools and techniques, of which generative AI such as ChatGPT is just the latest iteration. When implemented well, AI can undoubtedly lift productivity across a wide variety of applications. Unilever’s legal team reports generative AI tools save its lawyers 30 minutes daily on document review and contract analysis.

    Other AI applications can deliver life-saving results at even greater efficiency. In a German study, AI-supported mammography screening reduced radiologists’ reading time by 43% for examinations tagged as normal, while improving cancer detection rates.

    The federal government is focused on improving productivity. In this five-part series, we’ve asked leading experts what that means for the economy, what’s holding us back and their best ideas for reform.

    But the hard truth is that AI-driven productivity gains like these depend on both smart implementation and trusted adoption. Organisations that skip the tough part – such as staff engagement, training and good governance – often find the promised benefits never materialise.

    The numbers back this up: some 80% of AI projects end up failing, twice the rate of traditional IT projects. Only one in four executives in a global survey report meaningful returns on their AI investments.

    We shouldn’t really be surprised. Other general-purpose technologies, such as electricity and earlier digital technologies followed a similar path. US economist Robert Solow famously said: “You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics.”

    Workers don’t trust the technology

    Like the early days of the internet in the 1990s, the success of AI relies on adoption and trust. Without trust, uptake stalls and the benefits evaporate.

    That’s a big challenge in Australia, where public trust and optimism in AI remains comparatively low. Why? Australians also report lower levels of AI use, training and confidence. And people are less likely to trust what they don’t understand.

    Closing that trust gap means involving workers from the start. By listening to worker concerns and identifying existing pain points in processes, companies can deploy AI systems that help, rather than sideline employees.

    Conversely, when workers aren’t meaningfully involved, things don’t go well.

    Take Klarna. The Swedish fintech volunteered to be the generative AI platform OpenAI’s “favourite guinea pig”. It slashed jobs and claimed to have automated the equivalent of 700 employees. But
    CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski now admits the shift to AI hurt customer service, forcing the company to rehire humans.

    Similarly, Duolingo recently faced a user backlash when it replaced 10% of contractors with AI.

    Workers need to be closely involved in developing AI processes.
    Summit Art Creations/Shutterstock

    Regrets? Bosses have a few

    These aren’t isolated cases. Some 55% of UK executives who replaced workers with AI later regretted it. In the rush to automate, workers are often seen as expendable.

    This attitude to AI leads to what US economists Daron Acemoglu and Pascual Restrepro call “so-so automation”, where technology displaces workers without delivering meaningful productivity gains.

    Rather than trying to replace staff with AI, organisations should be deeply engaging with them. Engaging workers can dramatically boost the AI’s return on investment.

    Like other general-purpose technologies, getting the most out of AI means transforming the way we work. And the data show companies that engage workers in organisational transformations are nine times more likely to succeed.

    The companies that are unlocking the benefit of AI understand it works best when it amplifies human capability, rather than replacing it. Workers still know things that algorithms don’t. They deeply understand the practical realities of their jobs, which is crucial for designing AI systems that actually get things done.

    Designing better solutions

    Our own research confirms this. Australian workers feel AI is being imposed on them without adequate consultation or training. This not only creates resistance to adoption but also means organisations are missing the experience of the people who actually do the work.

    Our most recent report shows worker engagement strengthens competitive advantage and profitability, and leads to better AI solutions rooted in workers’ problems and needs. When workers are involved in deciding how AI is used, the solutions are better designed, more effective and more widely adopted.

    Australia’s new Industry and Innovation Minister, Tim Ayres, recognises this. In a recent speech he emphasised the need to work “cooperatively with workers and their unions” on tech adoption.

    It’s a promising place to start. If AI is going to be an effective treatment for Australia’s productivity challenge, then workers must be an essential part of the recovery team.

    Llewellyn Spink receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation as part of the Human Technology Institute’s AI Corporate Governance Program. HTI is funded by a wide variety of academic, corporate and philanthropic partners.

    Nicholas Davis receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation as part of the Human Technology Institute’s AI Corporate Governance Program. HTI is funded by a wide variety of academic, corporate and philanthropic partners.

    – ref. Companies are betting on AI to help lift productivity. Workers need to be part of the process – https://theconversation.com/companies-are-betting-on-ai-to-help-lift-productivity-workers-need-to-be-part-of-the-process-258396

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Companies are betting on AI to help lift productivity. Workers need to be part of the process

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Llewellyn Spink, AI Corporate Governance Lead, Human Technology Institute, University of Technology Sydney

    The Conversation, CC BY-NC

    Australia’s productivity is flatlining, posting the worst vitals we’ve seen in 60 years.

    Politicians and chief executives are prescribing artificial intelligence (AI) like it’s the new penicillin – a wonder drug with almost magical healing powers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Productivity Commission all see AI as a key part of the plan to cure Australia’s productivity ills, with estimates that automation and AI could add A$600 billion to Australia’s annual economy.

    Unfortunately, AI is no panacea. It’s more like physiotherapy after major surgery: it only delivers if you put in the effort, follow the program and work with experts who know which muscles to strengthen and when.

    AI projects have high fail rates

    AI is a broad suite of tools and techniques, of which generative AI such as ChatGPT is just the latest iteration. When implemented well, AI can undoubtedly lift productivity across a wide variety of applications. Unilever’s legal team reports generative AI tools save its lawyers 30 minutes daily on document review and contract analysis.

    Other AI applications can deliver life-saving results at even greater efficiency. In a German study, AI-supported mammography screening reduced radiologists’ reading time by 43% for examinations tagged as normal, while improving cancer detection rates.

    The federal government is focused on improving productivity. In this five-part series, we’ve asked leading experts what that means for the economy, what’s holding us back and their best ideas for reform.

    But the hard truth is that AI-driven productivity gains like these depend on both smart implementation and trusted adoption. Organisations that skip the tough part – such as staff engagement, training and good governance – often find the promised benefits never materialise.

    The numbers back this up: some 80% of AI projects end up failing, twice the rate of traditional IT projects. Only one in four executives in a global survey report meaningful returns on their AI investments.

    We shouldn’t really be surprised. Other general-purpose technologies, such as electricity and earlier digital technologies followed a similar path. US economist Robert Solow famously said: “You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics.”

    Workers don’t trust the technology

    Like the early days of the internet in the 1990s, the success of AI relies on adoption and trust. Without trust, uptake stalls and the benefits evaporate.

    That’s a big challenge in Australia, where public trust and optimism in AI remains comparatively low. Why? Australians also report lower levels of AI use, training and confidence. And people are less likely to trust what they don’t understand.

    Closing that trust gap means involving workers from the start. By listening to worker concerns and identifying existing pain points in processes, companies can deploy AI systems that help, rather than sideline employees.

    Conversely, when workers aren’t meaningfully involved, things don’t go well.

    Take Klarna. The Swedish fintech volunteered to be the generative AI platform OpenAI’s “favourite guinea pig”. It slashed jobs and claimed to have automated the equivalent of 700 employees. But
    CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski now admits the shift to AI hurt customer service, forcing the company to rehire humans.

    Similarly, Duolingo recently faced a user backlash when it replaced 10% of contractors with AI.

    Workers need to be closely involved in developing AI processes.
    Summit Art Creations/Shutterstock

    Regrets? Bosses have a few

    These aren’t isolated cases. Some 55% of UK executives who replaced workers with AI later regretted it. In the rush to automate, workers are often seen as expendable.

    This attitude to AI leads to what US economists Daron Acemoglu and Pascual Restrepro call “so-so automation”, where technology displaces workers without delivering meaningful productivity gains.

    Rather than trying to replace staff with AI, organisations should be deeply engaging with them. Engaging workers can dramatically boost the AI’s return on investment.

    Like other general-purpose technologies, getting the most out of AI means transforming the way we work. And the data show companies that engage workers in organisational transformations are nine times more likely to succeed.

    The companies that are unlocking the benefit of AI understand it works best when it amplifies human capability, rather than replacing it. Workers still know things that algorithms don’t. They deeply understand the practical realities of their jobs, which is crucial for designing AI systems that actually get things done.

    Designing better solutions

    Our own research confirms this. Australian workers feel AI is being imposed on them without adequate consultation or training. This not only creates resistance to adoption but also means organisations are missing the experience of the people who actually do the work.

    Our most recent report shows worker engagement strengthens competitive advantage and profitability, and leads to better AI solutions rooted in workers’ problems and needs. When workers are involved in deciding how AI is used, the solutions are better designed, more effective and more widely adopted.

    Australia’s new Industry and Innovation Minister, Tim Ayres, recognises this. In a recent speech he emphasised the need to work “cooperatively with workers and their unions” on tech adoption.

    It’s a promising place to start. If AI is going to be an effective treatment for Australia’s productivity challenge, then workers must be an essential part of the recovery team.

    Llewellyn Spink receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation as part of the Human Technology Institute’s AI Corporate Governance Program. HTI is funded by a wide variety of academic, corporate and philanthropic partners.

    Nicholas Davis receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation as part of the Human Technology Institute’s AI Corporate Governance Program. HTI is funded by a wide variety of academic, corporate and philanthropic partners.

    – ref. Companies are betting on AI to help lift productivity. Workers need to be part of the process – https://theconversation.com/companies-are-betting-on-ai-to-help-lift-productivity-workers-need-to-be-part-of-the-process-258396

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: School playgrounds are one of the main locations for bullying. How can they be set up to stop it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University

    Dan Kenyon/ Getty Images

    Children spend thousands of hours in playgrounds at school. A lot of this time does not have the same levels of teacher preparation and supervision as classrooms do.

    Research shows school playgrounds are one of the main locations where bullying occurs.

    The federal government is doing a rapid review into what works and what else needs to be done to stop bullying in schools. School playgrounds can sometimes be overlooked when considering anti-bullying approaches.

    What is the relationship between playgrounds and bullying? And how can we better set up playgrounds to help prevent this damaging behaviour?

    Why do play spaces matter?

    The reasons for bullying are complex and stem from a range of factors.

    But research suggests bullying is more common in confined or contested spaces – for example, when students are mixing with other year levels.

    This research also suggests some students are more likely to bully other students, lash out and break rules when they are bored and frustrated in school play spaces.

    A new report from not-for-profit group Play Australia estimates just 2% of all Australian schools are using innovative, research-informed strategies that best encourage and support healthy play behaviours.

    An example of ‘loose parts’ play for children. Well established in early childhood, yet innovative in primary schools.

    What happens in Australia?

    School play spaces are not regulated in the way playgrounds are for younger children. For example, there are no minimum space requirements per student in high schools. There are some emerging primary school space guidelines, but these are not always followed.

    The lack of regulation for playground space has also seen classroom buildings taking over play areas and rules stopping students from moving in some areas (for example, no running or ball games).

    Many primary schools still rely on fixed play equipment installed in the 1980s. But primary school students report they get bored of playing on the same equipment over and over again.

    In public high schools, playgrounds tend to be large open spaces with ovals, hard-surfaced courts and picnic tables or benches.

    Not only is this not particularly stimulating or inviting, the design can lead to some (typically male) students dominating the open spaces with games.

    This can exclude other students from the playground. Research suggests if students lack a sense of community and belonging to their school, they are more likely to bully others.

    What should primary schools do?

    A growing body of research based on interviews with teachers and student observations suggests positive behaviours can be encouraged if primary students have more options and fewer restrictions on how they engage in play.

    Resources that can be moved, adapted and selected by students (with varying colours, shapes, sizes, quantities and types) can help develop problem-solving and teamwork skills and reduce bullying because children are busy and engaged.

    Examples of resources include both natural (rocks and twigs), loose sports equipment (small hurdles, bats and frisbees, balls) and other manufactured items (blocks, boxes, pipes, planks and crates).

    Research also suggests teachers’ engagement with students in the playground can help reduce bullying and antisocial behaviour.

    The “active supervision” method is recognised as one of the most effective ways to to do this, as it can improve students’ sense of belonging and safety.

    The method includes adults using positive language, showing an interest in supporting play and modelling positive play behaviours, which increase students’ participation and cooperation.

    What about high schools?

    Research with school architects suggests high school spaces with well maintained, diverse features can help promote a more positive social culture.

    It also suggests multiple spaces for students – as opposed to a single dominant space in a playground – can support students to feel as though there is space for them, and they belong at school.

    It is important for high school students to be consulted about what they want – they are the main users and have evolving needs as they progress through school.

    A 2025 Australian study found high school students want opportunities to retreat and be themselves.

    Examples include maintained gardens and courtyards to help relax after the stresses of classroom rules and routines. Students suggested trees, rocks and gardens could break up open spaces. Providing sufficient shade can also ensure students have more accessible space to engage with each other throughout a school year.

    What next?

    Improving playgrounds to better address student needs will require more resources from governments.

    But addressing bullying is complex and we know physical settings can impact social dynamics. So we need to look more closely at school playgrounds as a key place where bullying occurs and the role they play in this behaviour.

    Brendon Hyndman’s work on school play is mentioned in the Play Australia report referenced in this article.

    – ref. School playgrounds are one of the main locations for bullying. How can they be set up to stop it? – https://theconversation.com/school-playgrounds-are-one-of-the-main-locations-for-bullying-how-can-they-be-set-up-to-stop-it-258566

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: School playgrounds are one of the main locations for bullying. How can they be set up to stop it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University

    Dan Kenyon/ Getty Images

    Children spend thousands of hours in playgrounds at school. A lot of this time does not have the same levels of teacher preparation and supervision as classrooms do.

    Research shows school playgrounds are one of the main locations where bullying occurs.

    The federal government is doing a rapid review into what works and what else needs to be done to stop bullying in schools. School playgrounds can sometimes be overlooked when considering anti-bullying approaches.

    What is the relationship between playgrounds and bullying? And how can we better set up playgrounds to help prevent this damaging behaviour?

    Why do play spaces matter?

    The reasons for bullying are complex and stem from a range of factors.

    But research suggests bullying is more common in confined or contested spaces – for example, when students are mixing with other year levels.

    This research also suggests some students are more likely to bully other students, lash out and break rules when they are bored and frustrated in school play spaces.

    A new report from not-for-profit group Play Australia estimates just 2% of all Australian schools are using innovative, research-informed strategies that best encourage and support healthy play behaviours.

    An example of ‘loose parts’ play for children. Well established in early childhood, yet innovative in primary schools.

    What happens in Australia?

    School play spaces are not regulated in the way playgrounds are for younger children. For example, there are no minimum space requirements per student in high schools. There are some emerging primary school space guidelines, but these are not always followed.

    The lack of regulation for playground space has also seen classroom buildings taking over play areas and rules stopping students from moving in some areas (for example, no running or ball games).

    Many primary schools still rely on fixed play equipment installed in the 1980s. But primary school students report they get bored of playing on the same equipment over and over again.

    In public high schools, playgrounds tend to be large open spaces with ovals, hard-surfaced courts and picnic tables or benches.

    Not only is this not particularly stimulating or inviting, the design can lead to some (typically male) students dominating the open spaces with games.

    This can exclude other students from the playground. Research suggests if students lack a sense of community and belonging to their school, they are more likely to bully others.

    What should primary schools do?

    A growing body of research based on interviews with teachers and student observations suggests positive behaviours can be encouraged if primary students have more options and fewer restrictions on how they engage in play.

    Resources that can be moved, adapted and selected by students (with varying colours, shapes, sizes, quantities and types) can help develop problem-solving and teamwork skills and reduce bullying because children are busy and engaged.

    Examples of resources include both natural (rocks and twigs), loose sports equipment (small hurdles, bats and frisbees, balls) and other manufactured items (blocks, boxes, pipes, planks and crates).

    Research also suggests teachers’ engagement with students in the playground can help reduce bullying and antisocial behaviour.

    The “active supervision” method is recognised as one of the most effective ways to to do this, as it can improve students’ sense of belonging and safety.

    The method includes adults using positive language, showing an interest in supporting play and modelling positive play behaviours, which increase students’ participation and cooperation.

    What about high schools?

    Research with school architects suggests high school spaces with well maintained, diverse features can help promote a more positive social culture.

    It also suggests multiple spaces for students – as opposed to a single dominant space in a playground – can support students to feel as though there is space for them, and they belong at school.

    It is important for high school students to be consulted about what they want – they are the main users and have evolving needs as they progress through school.

    A 2025 Australian study found high school students want opportunities to retreat and be themselves.

    Examples include maintained gardens and courtyards to help relax after the stresses of classroom rules and routines. Students suggested trees, rocks and gardens could break up open spaces. Providing sufficient shade can also ensure students have more accessible space to engage with each other throughout a school year.

    What next?

    Improving playgrounds to better address student needs will require more resources from governments.

    But addressing bullying is complex and we know physical settings can impact social dynamics. So we need to look more closely at school playgrounds as a key place where bullying occurs and the role they play in this behaviour.

    Brendon Hyndman’s work on school play is mentioned in the Play Australia report referenced in this article.

    – ref. School playgrounds are one of the main locations for bullying. How can they be set up to stop it? – https://theconversation.com/school-playgrounds-are-one-of-the-main-locations-for-bullying-how-can-they-be-set-up-to-stop-it-258566

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Statement on Supreme Court Ruling in United States v. Skrmetti to Restrict Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (June 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement, today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision to uphold Tennessee’s cruel and discriminatory law that bans access to essential gender-affirming care for trans youth in United States v. Skrmetti.

    “Today, hate won. The far-right justices of the Supreme Court endorsed hate and discrimination by delivering a win for Republicans who have relentlessly and cruelly attacked transgender Americans for years. With 25 states already having laws in place that ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, the Supreme Court has cleared the way for families in half of the country to no longer access the medically necessary and life-saving care they need for their children. 

    “But here is what no Court nor politician can ever change: trans people will continue to exist. Their health care is lifesaving and essential, and trans rights are human rights. We have a fight ahead of us, but discrimination and hate cannot and must not win.”

    On September 3, 2024, Senator Markey and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), and Frank Pallone (NJ-06) led 159 of their colleagues in submitting an amicus brief in United States v. Skrmetti, urging the Supreme Court to strike Tennessee’s ban, highlighting that the ban is driven by animosity towards transgender people and how health care bans dictate decisions that should be made between patients, health providers, and their families.

    On March 30, 2023, Senator Markey and Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the?Transgender Bill of Rights, a landmark resolution to recognize the federal government’s duty in protecting and codifying the rights of transgender and nonbinary people, as well as to ensure trans people have access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security. The resolution creates a comprehensive framework for these protections to ensure that trans and nonbinary Americans are not discriminated against on the basis of gender identity or expression.

    MIL OSI USA News –