NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Israeli settlement products: alignment of EU policies with UN resolution – P-001801/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU has been consistently clear in its position that settlements are illegal under international law and repeatedly condemned Israel’s settlement policy and the occupation of the Palestinian territory that began in 1967.

    As reiterated by the European Council on 27 June[1] and 17 October 2024[2], the EU has recalled the requirement for Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, to fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances .

    EU positions and policies are fully aligned with United Nations (UN) resolutions on the status of the O ccupied Palestinian T erritory (OPT) and are therefore overall consistent with the conclusions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the OPT, including East Jerusalem, of 19 July 2024[3], as regards the duty of non-recognition, the duty to distinguish in the dealings with Israel between its territory and the OPT, and the duty of non-assistance.

    With regard to the duty to distinguish in the dealings with Israel between its territory and the OPT, the EU has taken care to fully comply with the obligations set out in paragraph 278 of the ICJ Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024 and point 4(d) of the UN General Council resolution of 13 September 2024[4].

    The Commission continues to monitor the situation in the OPT and has already listed nine individuals and five entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.

    The EU is firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace and has spared no effort to work with partners to revive the political process towards the implementation of a two-state solution.

    • [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga/euco-conclusions-27062024-en.pdf.
    • [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/2pebccz2/20241017-euco-conclusions-en.pdf.
    • [3] Summary of the Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024, https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204176.
    • [4] https://docs.un.org/en/A/ES-10/L.31/Rev.1.
    Last updated: 11 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Denunciation of statements by the President of Azerbaijan in support of the illegal separatist entity in Cyprus and the intention to recognise it – E-001498/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission (HR/VP) has repeatedly refuted actions and statements aimed at upgrading the international status of the so-called, internationally not recognised, ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, which undermine efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to create an environment conducive to settlement talks.

    The EU recognises only the Republic of Cyprus as a subject of international law, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

    The EU expects the same from its partners, who need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states within the framework of all international and regional fora, and to refrain from taking any steps that run contrary to this principle.

    This message has been clearly conveyed to the Azerbaijani authorities and the EU will continue to raise it at all levels in its political dialogue with Azerbaijan, as it was the case during HR/VP visit to Baku on 25 April 2025.

    The EU has monitored with concern developments since the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) Summit in Samarkand, in November 2022, regarding the acceptance of the Turkish Cypriot Community as an observer to this organisation.

    A s tatement of the European External Action Service Spokesperson was issued, expressing a clear position about these developments[1]. The EU has actively and continuously expressed these preoccupations to the members of the OTS, at all levels.

    This has been done through HR/VP statements, lately in July (after the informal OTS Summit in Azerbaijan)[2] and November 2024 respectively[3].

    The EU remains fully committed to ensuring that the above-mentioned UNSC resolutions and generally recognised principles and norms of international law, particularly with respect to the sovereignty, independence and integrity of states, are fully upheld.

    • [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/cyprus-statement-spokesperson-observer-status-turkish-cypriot-secessionist-entity-organisation_en?s=230.
    • [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/443430_fr.
    • [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ots-statement-hrvp-josep-borrell-attempts-legitimise-turkish-cypriot-secessionist-entity_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Himes Statement on Trump Administration Actions in California Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement: “Donald Trump has deployed a lethal fighting force into California…”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES (4th District of Connecticut)

    Himes Statement on Trump Administration Actions in California | Press Releases | Congressman Jim Himes

    Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement:

    “Donald Trump has deployed a lethal fighting force into California against the explicit wishes of state leadership— a disproportional and incendiary response obviously intended to strike fear into his dissidents and fan the flames of an already unstable situation. Violence is never acceptable, and individuals who broke the law should be held accountable by local law enforcement. However, I fully support those in California who are asserting their first amendment rights through peaceful protest.

    “This President feeds off political theater and discord. He does not care if Americans are injured or killed, as long as the Fox News headline furthers his personal agenda. My Republican colleagues should remember why they were elected and stand up in defense of the people who sent them here. Otherwise, more violence is inevitable, and all those who failed to act will be complicit.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Ernst Legislation to Stop Billions in Bogus Payments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is codifying one of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) largest cost savings actions to identify and stop fraudulent and improper payments after more than $160 billion occurred in Fiscal Year 2024.
    The Delivering On Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Spending Act enacts a strict anti-fraud process before the government is allowed to spend a dime to effectively eliminate improper payments and safeguard tax dollars. The bill also requires annual verifications of payment accuracy for ongoing transactions and increases transparency by requiring the public disclosure of every payment on the USASpending.gov website.
    Here is some of the coverage:
    New York Post | GOP senators push to cement core Musk-inspired DOGE savings at Treasury
    “A group of Republican lawmakers is pushing to cement some of the core reforms enacted at the Treasury by President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).”
    Fox News | DOGE will go on: Hill pork hawk says rooting out government waste will continue after Elon
    “The bill’s name also signaled that the Senate, too, would continue its Musk-inspired work long after the mogul has left.”
    Politico | GOP senators look to codify DOGE operations of Treasury payment systems
    “Congressional DOGE Caucus Chairs Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) will introduce legislation next week to codify changes that the cost-cutting operation once led by Elon Musk made to the Treasury Department’s payments system.”
    Breitbart | Sen. Joni Ernst: Bureaucrats ‘Asleep at the Wheel,’ Let Fraudsters Take $79 Billion in Coronavirus Aid Without Using Basic Safeguard to Prevent Fraud
    “Following the release of the report, Ernst introduced a bill, the DOGE in Spending Act, on Friday that would require basic questions to be asked to eliminate improper payments government-wide.”
    Daily Wire | DOGE Caucus Introduces Bill Aimed At $162 Billion In ‘Improper Payments’
    “The bill comes the same week that the government’s COVID watchdog released a report titled “Pre-Award Vetting Using Data Analytics Could Have Prevented Over $79 Billion in Potentially Fraudulent Pandemic Relief Payments.’”
    Daily Caller | Joni Ernst Introduces First Major DOGE Bill That Could Save Taxpayers
    “The legislation, the Delivering On Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Spending Act, would mandate compliance provisions from a March 25 executive order by President Donald Trump that instituted new procedures to prevent fraudulent payments, including validating recipients of payments and also by coding the payments with information linking them to budget items.”
    Washington Examiner | Congressional DOGE Republicans move to codify protections against fraudulent payments
    “Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL) introduced the Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act, which would codify reforms by the DOGE, forcing the Treasury Department to implement a new system providing more information for payments.”
    Townhall | Ernst and Bean Unleash DOGE Spending Act to Crack Down on Waste, Support Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
    “DOGE Caucus Chairs Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL) are teaming up to introduce a commonsense bill that would codify one of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) most significant cost-cutting measures.”
    National Review | Republican Lawmakers Introduce DOGE Legislation to Combat Billions in Wasteful Spending
    “Ernst and Bean’s legislation codifies sections three and four of President Trump’s executive order, “Protecting America’s Bank Account Against Waste, Fraud, and Abuse,” designed for Treasury to verify agency payment information and implement the verification process.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Call Out Trump Admin Attacks on USGS, American Science

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
    $564 million in proposed budget cuts to USGS will undermine science that helps fight avian flu, monitor droughts, track wildfires
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet joined 17 of their Senate colleagues to call out the Trump administration’s assault on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the agency’s key science programs. In their letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, the senators warned that the President’s proposal to cut $564 million in USGS funding – along with plans to lay off hundreds of scientists and potentially close research centers nationwide – would jeopardize public safety and undermine crucial scientific research.
    “The proposed budget cuts are not about ‘efficiency’ – they represent a retreat from federal responsibility and a dismantling of the scientific infrastructure that communities, industries, and governments depend on every day,” wrote the senators. “These proposed budget cuts could mean abandoning research and monitoring that helps farmers guard against wildlife diseases like avian flu, delaying when real-time water and hazard data is provided for disaster response, and ending collaborations that monitor invasive species, harmful algal blooms and wildfire risks.”
    The USGS is a key science agency that monitors and analyzes the nation’s resources, including water, natural hazards, and energy. USGS’s scientific expertise and robust data collection efforts support protecting the public, safeguarding our environment, and strengthening our economy.
    The President’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposes a $564 million cut to USGS’s budget.
    Hickenlooper and Bennet previously raised alarm about initial reports that the Trump admin planned to terminate 17 leases for federal facilities in Colorado that support state wildlife efforts.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Burgum,
    We write to express concern over recent and proposed actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and broader administrative decisions that together threaten the integrity and continuity of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Specifically, the potential termination of General Services Administration (GSA) leases supporting USGS centers across the country— alongside USGS’s proposed FY2026 budget cut of $564 million and the reported planned terminations of hundreds of scientists—represents a multi-front assault on the nation’s scientific infrastructure.
    The USGS is a premier science agency with a critical role in monitoring and analyzing the nation’s resources, including water, ecosystems, natural hazards, minerals, and energy. Its scientific expertise and robust data collection efforts support public safety, environmental stewardship, and national economic resilience. USGS’s work underpins the ability of federal, state, and local governments, Tribal nations, industry, and communities to make informed decisions—particularly in areas such as disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, water resource management, and ecosystem protection.
    The proposed budget cuts are not about “efficiency”— they represent a retreat from federal responsibility and a dismantling of the scientific infrastructure that communities, industries, and governments depend on every day. USGS supports work that directly protects public health, strengthens our economy, and informs disaster preparedness and response. These proposed budget cuts could mean abandoning research and monitoring that helps farmers guard against wildlife diseases like avian flu, delaying when real-time water and hazard data is provided for disaster response, and ending collaborations that monitor invasive species, harmful algal blooms and wildfire risks. While these impacts are not yet certain, they represent serious risks for communities, Tribes, state and local governments, and natural resource managers who depend on USGS science to make informed, often life-saving decisions. As demonstrated throughout its nearly 150 years of existence, USGS science is not optional; it is essential.
    The potential termination of USGS leases, many of which house Water Science Centers, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, and Ecosystems Research Centers, threatens regional scientific capacity at a time when local expertise and place-based science are most needed. These facilities provide critical support to states, local communities, and Tribal Nations as they confront unprecedented drought, wildfires, habitat loss, and other climate-related disruptions. Reliable Page 2 scientific information is essential to both our national economy and the safety of communities across the country.
    While DOGE’s actions are framed as efficiency measures, the potential impact of terminating these leases – without transparent criteria or coordination – as well as slashing $564 million from the budget and crippling of the scientific workforce raises serious questions about continuity of operations. If implemented, these changes to USGS would directly impair the federal government’s ability to assess and respond to threats in real time.
    Given this uncertainty and the far-reaching implications of these actions, we request immediate clarity on the following by June 19, 2025:
    1. What is the current status of all USGS leases and what facilities are at risk of lease termination?
    2. What criteria were used to select these leases for potential termination, and how was USGS consulted in this process?
    3. What plans are in place to ensure uninterrupted mission support—particularly for key activities under the Water Resources, Natural Hazards, and Ecosystems Mission Areas— if these facilities are closed?
    4. Where will affected employees be relocated, and how will critical field and lab operations be maintained in the interim?
    5. How will USGS ensure that existing commitments to state and local governments, tribal partners, and other stakeholders are honored, particularly for time-sensitive water data and hazard alerts?
    6. What USGS staff positions are on the list for termination (please include title and location)? When will the terminations be implemented?
    7. Do any of the USGS employees on the list for termination have salaries funded by reimbursable contracts with external partners? If so, how many such employees are affected, and what is the amount of federal savings that would be generated from their termination?
    8. Given the planned reduction in force, how will existing staff fill the gaps in order to fulfill the USGS mission?
    9. What programs will be eliminated by the $564 million proposed budget cut?
    The scientific integrity, public safety responsibilities, and operational continuity of the USGS must not be compromised by administrative actions taken without proper oversight or consultation. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt response.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inverness Voted Top City For Outdoor Enthusiasts

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Inverness has just been named the best city in Scotland for outdoor enthusiasts, according to new research by LNER.

    The study, commissioned by the train company, analysed 71 towns and cities across England and Scotland across five travel themes: family-friendly, sustainability, culture, outdoor experiences, and food. 

    Welcoming the news of the city receiving a top rating, City Leader Councillor Ian Brown said:

    Welcoming the news of the city receiving a top rating, City Leader Councillor Ian Brown said: “Inverness has long been known as the gateway to the Highlands, and it’s easy to see why. As a vibrant hub for visitors from across the UK and beyond, the city offers seamless access to some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes and outdoor experiences. From paddling on the legendary waters of Loch Ness to cycling through scenic routes that connect to the wider Highland region, or setting off on iconic trails like the Great Glen Way, the city is a launchpad for unforgettable outdoor adventures.

    “We’re equally proud of our green spaces, from the peaceful Merkinch Local Nature Reserve and Ness Islands to the Inverness Botanic Gardens, which celebrated 30 years 2023. This unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor experiences, and rich cultural heritage, all wrapped in the warm Highland welcome we’re known for, makes Inverness a truly special place to visit.”

    Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans added: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see LNER recognise Inverness as the best city for outdoor enthusiasts. Their recognition reinforces the city’s appeal as a sustainable, experience rich destination, something we’ve always known and are thrilled to see celebrated on a national stage.

    “The Inverness Castle Experience will offer an immersive journey into contemporary Highland life, celebrating the Spirit of the Highlands through engaging stories, exhibits and experiences. It will also signpost visitors to all areas of the Highlands and encourage them to explore.”

    The project has received £30m in investment to support its redevelopment from the Scottish and UK governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and a range of other partners.

    David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “When you’re choosing where to go, it’s not always easy to know what a city is really best at—especially if you’re trying to plan something special. This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer.

    “We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they’re planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.”

    The LNER study is available here 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney announces a change in the leadership of the public service

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced his intention to name Michael Sabia as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, effective July 7, 2025.

    Mr. Sabia brings over three decades of expertise across the public and private sectors, including as President and CEO of Hydro-Québec, President and CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Canada’s Deputy Minister of Finance, and Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. He has also held senior roles at Bell Canada Enterprises, as President and CEO, at Canadian National Railway, and in the Privy Council Office. In recognition of his leadership across business, finance, and public service, Mr. Sabia was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

    As Canada’s new government builds the strongest economy in the G7, Mr. Sabia’s leadership will be key to this mission. Canada’s exemplary public service – with Mr. Sabia at the helm – will advance nation-building projects, catalyze enormous private investment to drive growth, and deliver the change Canadians want and deserve. 

    The Prime Minister thanked John Hannaford for his service as Clerk of the Privy Council and congratulated him on his upcoming retirement. Mr. Hannaford joined the federal public service in 1995 and has served in a number of senior roles, including as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Deputy Minister of International Trade, and Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister. From 2009 to 2012, he was Ambassador of Canada to Norway.

    Mr. Hannaford’s leadership has helped guide Canada’s response to a wide array of new trade and security challenges, and supported Canada’s new government in passing a middle-class tax cut, introducing stronger border security measures, and tabling legislation to build one Canadian economy. His expertise during the new government’s transition period has been invaluable. As Head of the Public Service, he also led a renewed dialogue on values and ethics to guide public servants as they deliver results for Canadians during these extraordinary times. To recognize his contributions to public service, Mr. Hannaford will be appointed as a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada prior to his retirement.

    The Prime Minister also thanked the public service for their unwavering dedication at this important moment for Canada’s future.

    Quote

    “As Canada’s new government moves with focus and determination to build the strongest economy in the G7, bring down costs for Canadians, and keep communities safe, Mr. Sabia will help us deliver on this mandate and our government’s disciplined focus on core priorities. I congratulate Mr. Hannaford on his retirement as the Clerk of the Privy Council and for his steadfast dedication and service to Canada.”

    Quick Fact

    • The role of the Clerk of the Privy Council is to advise the Prime Minister and elected government officials in managing the country, from an objective, non-partisan, public policy perspective. The Clerk also ensures Canada’s federal public service is managed effectively and follows a code of value and ethics in its work to design and deliver high-quality services and programs for Canadians.

    Biographical Note

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Problem Form: Statement on Further Extension of Compliance Date for Form PF

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Natasha [Greiner] and Oliver [Richard]. I support extending the compliance date for the February 8, 2024 amendments to Form PF[1] to October 1, 2025.[2] Extending the compliance date until then will give filers and their third-party service providers additional time to develop and test their reporting systems. As the request letter noted, “private fund advisers subject to the rule [need] additional time to build and test the new reporting systems and work through any outstanding reporting and interpretive questions with the goal of providing uniform data to the Commissions.”[3] The new form is not ready for prime time. The extension reflects a commitment to good governance and common-sense implementation.

    Although I support an extension, my concerns about Form PF and its recent expansions persist. We should reassess whether the information the form collects aligns with the intended purpose of the form. As I noted in my dissent to the adoption of the amendments we are extending, “unbridled curiosity rather than . . . a legitimate regulatory objective”[4] shapes the demands of Form PF. Overly extensive reporting requirements not only are unduly costly and invasive, but erroneously suggest that the government’s role with respect to private funds is akin to its role supervising banks, which have a government backstop. I support the Chairman’s directive to review Form PF to determine whether it serves its intended systemic risk mitigation purpose.

    I want to thank the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and SEC staff in the Divisions of Investment Management and Economic and Risk Analysis and Office of General Counsel for their quick work in drafting the extension release. Let me close with a word of thanks to Natasha Greiner, who has served the Commission so well for almost a quarter of a century, culminating with her role as Director of the Division of Investment Management.[5] Thank you, Natasha, and we wish you the best as you leave the agency. Your willingness to pitch in and help wherever you could will continue to serve as a model for the rest of us. You will be missed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: More free school meals is a start – here’s what would really address child poverty

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Will Baker, Associate Professor of Sociology and Education, University of Bristol

    victoriyasmail/Shutterstock

    All children in England living in households claiming universal credit will soon be eligible for free school meals, the UK government has announced. This will improve the lives of 500,000 more children and save their families £500 per year.

    This will reduce hunger at school. But it will not solve the UK’s child poverty crisis.

    In her spending review on 11 June, Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the move – as well as investment in education – as “a downpayment ahead of publication of the Child Poverty Strategy in the autumn”. However, the two-child benefit cap, which the government is considering scrapping, and challenging school budgets, remain major barriers to addressing child poverty and food insecurity.

    According to analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the new free school meals policy will ultimately lift 100,000 children out of poverty and cost £1 billion a year. Under the current system, only families in receipt of universal credit and earning below £7,400 a year qualify for free school meals. This incredibly low threshold has excluded a huge number of children living in poverty from getting a good meal at school.

    Reactions have been justifiably positive. Nick Harrison, CEO of social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, has called the move “a significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom”.

    The Institute for Fiscal Studies pointed out, however, that the implied poverty reducing benefits of the policy will only be realised in the long term.

    Eligibility for free school meals had temporarily widened during the roll out of universal credit.
    Juice Flair/Shutterstock

    This is partly because, since 2018, the eligibility for free school meals has been temporarily widened to mitigate the impact of changes in the welfare system (the roll out of universal credit) on families. During this period, which ended in April this year, children still received free school meals even if family entitlements to universal credit changed.

    This means that many children made eligible for free school meals under the new policy are already receiving them. And far fewer than 100,000 children will immediately be “lifted out of poverty”, as the government had claimed.

    A mission against child poverty?

    The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, called the new school meals entitlement part of “the moral mission of this government to tackle the stain of child poverty”. She said: “Today this government takes a giant step towards ending it with targeted support that puts money back in parents’ pockets.”

    Such forceful language almost does justice to the scale of the problem. In the UK, 4.45 million children live in poverty. One in five children live in food insecure households – meaning their families struggle to put food on the table.

    My own research shows that a fifth of all schools now run a food bank. Extending free school meals is an undoubtedly positive step but it will only scratch the surface of these much deeper problems.

    Given the depths of child poverty in the UK, the government must build on this development if it really wants to tackle the problem. Firstly, the government must commit to removing the two-child benefit cap, which limits benefits paid for children to the first two children in a family. Doing so would lift 350,000 children out of poverty immediately and reduce the number of children turning up to school too hungry to learn.

    Extending free schools meal coverage is the less contentious policy option. There is, rightly or wrongly, public support for the two-child limit.

    But it is also the comparatively less ambitious and effective one. Lifting the two child benefit cap would help more children at a lower cost per child.

    Secondly, too often the government asks schools to meet essential costs, duties and innovations out of their existing budgets. In the long run, this disadvantages all children and particularly those living in poverty. This needs to change.

    For example, the government currently only funds 75% of the costs of the new national school breakfast clubs. Next year schools will have to find £400 million from their existing budgets to fund pay rises for teachers. This figure dwarfs the amount schools will receive next year for extending free school meals.

    Finally, we need to tackle the root causes of poverty and build viable pathways out of it. This cannot be achieved by largely focusing on education and providing more funding to schools – important as this is.

    Child poverty is shaped by how our welfare and benefits system is organised, insecure and low-paid work, the high costs of housing and bills, and the absence of high-quality services and community resources that help children thrive. Only by tackling all of these issues in a coordinated and progressive way will be able to make child hunger and poverty things of the past, which is where they belong.

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

    – ref. More free school meals is a start – here’s what would really address child poverty – https://theconversation.com/more-free-school-meals-is-a-start-heres-what-would-really-address-child-poverty-258509

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Opposed Proposed Funding Bill That Shortchanges Critical Military Infrastructure Needs In Hawaii, The Indo-Pacific and NATO

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, early this morning voted against the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations funding measure.

    The measure (MILCON-VA) would fund worldwide military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and various small agencies and programs supporting our nation’s some 19 million veterans, including some 112,000 throughout Hawai‘i, and their families.

    The bill is the first of twelve separate bills developed by the Appropriations Committee that would fund the federal government at some $1.6 trillion for FY 2026 commencing October 1st of this year.

    “While the measure does have positive provisions including funding for essential veterans programs, I regrettably had to vote against it because it kicks critical military infrastructure projects down the road yet again, pursues the Project 2025 goal of privatizing VA medical care, shortchanges dedicated funding for Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup, eliminates climate resiliency efforts and excludes important VA infrastructure funding,” said Case, who is in his seventh year on Appropriations and previously served on the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs for four years. He currently serves on its Subcommittees on Defense and Homeland Security. 

    Case spoke to his Appropriations Committee colleagues on the serious deficiencies in the bill that fail to address critical military infrastructure needs throughout the Indo-Pacific (speech here). He stated that only one milcon project is located in the Indo-Pacific despite critical needs in meeting the challenge of the People’s Republic of China. The bill also fails to provide funding for infrastructure in Europe to support U.S. servicemembers working to bolster NATO and deter Russia.

    Case further said that the funding measure specifically advances the privatization of veterans health care by proposing vastly larger increases for medical care provided in private sector compared to shorfunding the government’s VA healthcare system, a key goal of the Project 2025 plan being followed by the Trump administration. By vast margins, veterans oppose privatizing the VA and want to receive their medical care at VA clinics and hospitals with a direct mission to care for veterans and their families as opposed to the private sector.

    Despite these and other significant problems with the bill, Case highlighted positive provisions he requested, including fully funding the budget request for veterans’ medical care at $131.4 billion and for veterans’ toxic exposures-related needs under the PACT Act.

    It also includes $1.3 billion for specific care for women veterans, and supports the Office of Women’s Health, including its childcare initiative. These funds will allow the VA to continue hiring women primary care providers and to increase the number of peer support specialists for women veterans. These efforts have become even more critical as the number of female veterans using VA health care services has increased.  

    “Women veterans often require specialized care due to unique health needs stemming from their military service and gender,” said Case. “With sustained support from my Committee over multiple years, Congress is working to ensure the VA set the standard for women veterans care, ensuring consistent, high-quality services across all facilities.” 

    The measure also continues support as Case requested for the VA Center for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and United States-affiliated Pacific Islander (NHPIUSAPI) Veterans. The center’s doctors and scientists coordinate research from all over the Pacific Islands and the United States to specifically address veterans’ healthcare in the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific. The center works with the University of Hawai‘i, and the bill encourages the VA to continue partnering with universities in the Pacific region focusing on issues unique to the NHPIUSAPI community. 

    Further details follow: 

    Veterans-Related Programs 

    The bill provides $133.7 billion in discretionary spending for veterans-related programs, an increase of $4.7 billion above the FY 2025 enacted level 

    “Our Hawai‘i veterans and their families make up one of the largest percentages of any state in our nation including in such key areas like women and minority veterans. I continued to focus especially on the often unique challenges of delivering full veterans’ health and other benefits in a diverse island state,” said Case.

    Specific veterans-related programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:

    ·        $12 million for the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, which is $6 million above the FY 2025 level. 

    ·        Contracting preferences for Native Hawaiian owned business that work with the VA. 

    ·        Directing the VA to continue supporting the VA Center for NHPIUSAPI Veterans.

    ·         $1.5 million for a pilot project using the most advanced technology to identify the remains of unidentified fallen servicemembers buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.  

    ·        Directing the VA to develop a plan for more fully providing VA benefits for veterans living in the Freely Associated States. 

    ·         $106 million for the American Battle Monument Commission, which manages the Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. 

    ·        $60 million for the VA Grants for the Construction of Veterans Cemeteries Program, which regularly provides fundings to support Hawaii’s state cemeteries. 

    ·        $233 million for substance-use disorder (SUD) efforts to ensure veterans can receive timely SUD specialty services. 

    ·        $3.4 billion for the Veterans’ Homelessness Program Resources Account for our nation’s veterans. This funding will enhance homeless veterans service providers ability to provide high demand care such as health services, substance use disorder programs, compensated work therapy and other supportive services.   

    ·        $342 million for Rural Health Initiatives, $5 million above FY 2025 level. This will improve access and quality of care for the more than 3 million enrolled veterans residing in highly rural areas.  

    Military Construction 

    The bill provides $453.6 billion for Department of Defense (DoD) military construction and family housing, $480 million above the FY 2025 enacted level.  

    Specific military construction programs and provisions requested and secured by Case critical to Hawai‘i include:  

    ·          $634 million for the Energy Resiliency and Conservation Investment Program, which funds projects that save energy and water, reduce DoD energy costs and improve energy resilience. 

    ·         Directing the DoD to identify the Army’s investment needs in order to support the wildland firefighters located on Schofield Barracks.   

    ·         Directing the DoD to provide a report on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam infrastructure development plan, to address ongoing concerns of the aging water and wastewater facilities on the installation. 

    ·          Directing the DoD to assess the aging infrastructure that houses the headquarters of the Marine Corps, Space Force and Special Operations Commands on O‘ahu. 

    ·         Directing the DoD to assess the requirement for a floating drydock at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

    ·         Directing the DoD to assess the capacity for battle damage repair of all public shipyards and how to prepare these shipyards for conflict requirements under the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). SIOP is a multi-billion multi-year effort to upgrade the Navy’s four public shipyards, including Pearl Harbor. 

    ·         Directing the DoD to assess the infrastructure needs and shortfalls for 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment on Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i.  

    ·         Directing the DoD to study the impacts of unexploded ordnance on military construction sites in Guam. 

    ·         Directing the DoD to study the necessary steps and what actions would be required to begin construction on port improvements on Tinian Island. 

    ·         Directing the DoD to study the necessity and feasibility of establishing a biosecurity inspection facility to combat invasive species on the Northern Mariana Islands. 

    ·         Directing the DoD to study the impact and develop a plan to address growing solid waste management issues on Tinian Island.  

    The bill now moves to the full House of Representatives for its consideration.  

    A summary of the VA-MilCon funding bill is available here. The committee report explaining the full bill in detail is available here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US abuse of tariffs has resulted in global retaliation – Chinese Ambassador to Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, June 11 (Xinhua) — The unilateral imposition of customs duties by the United States has caused widespread opposition around the world, not only causing systemic damage to the American economy, but also seriously damaging the international reputation of the United States, as a result of which the process of “de-Americanization” is taking place at an accelerated pace in many countries around the world, according to an article by China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Zhang Hanhui published in the Argumenty i Fakty newspaper.

    The article notes that dissatisfaction with the government’s tariff policy continues to grow in the United States. It is noted that, according to polls, most Americans believe that the government’s economic policy will lead to a recession in the short term, since, on the one hand, the tariff burden significantly reduces the profits of enterprises and exacerbates the difficulties of doing business, and on the other hand, the abuse of duties has led to a sharp increase in the cost of living for the American population.

    Zhang Hanhui notes that the abuse of tariffs has caused discontent and resistance among US allies. The introduction of “mirror tariffs” has seriously damaged the US’s international reputation and deepened its rift with its allies. “A wave of boycotts of American goods is growing around the world. Following the “Buy Canadian” movement that began in Canada in February 2025, tens of thousands of people in Sweden, Denmark, France and other countries have called on social media to “not buy American goods,” while many Europeans have canceled subscriptions to Netflix, Disney and other American platforms,” the article states.

    According to the diplomat, the main victims of the US tariffs are the countries of the Global South, as the abuse of tariffs deprives these countries of economic sovereignty. Such a policy is outright “neocolonialism,” the ambassador said.

    The US tariff policy encourages the countries of the Global South to unite, accelerate the deepening of cooperation with each other and economic relations with other countries. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Zhang Hanhui recalls, said that the BRICS countries have the right to create a trading system completely independent of the US dollar.

    “China has repeatedly said that tariff and trade wars cannot be won, and that protectionism will ultimately harm the interests of all parties and will not find support,” the article says.

    According to the diplomat, China is ready to deepen cooperation and interaction with developing countries and emerging market countries together with Russia, strengthen coordination and cooperation within the framework of such mechanisms as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. China is ready to “unite to counter economic blackmail by the United States, resolutely defend the common interests of the countries of the Global South, protect international justice and the international free trade system, and promote the construction of a more just and rational global governance system,” Zhang Hanhui emphasized. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 259, Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 259 would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish annually a list of entities with ties to China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia that hold licenses or authorizations granted by the commission.

    Based on information from the FCC, CBO expects that the agency would need five employees, at an annual average cost of $225,000 per employee, for the first two years, to review existing grants of authority, and two employees after 2027 to review new applications and changes in ownership. On that basis, CBO estimates that it would cost the FCC $4 million over the 2025-2030 period to issue rules and identify whether any of those four nations hold equity or a voting interest in organizations that have an authorization, license, or other grant of authority issued by the commission. Because the FCC is authorized to collect fees each year sufficient to offset the appropriated costs of its regulatory activities, CBO estimates that the net cost to the FCC would be negligible, assuming appropriation actions consistent with that authority.

    If the FCC increases annual fee collections to offset the costs of implementing provisions in the bill, S. 259 would increase the cost of an existing private-sector mandate on entities required to pay those fees. CBO estimates that the incremental cost of the mandate would be small and would fall well below the annual threshold established in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) for private-sector mandates ($206 million in 2025, adjusted annually for inflation).

    The bill contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in UMRA.

    The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Margot Berman (for federal costs) and Rachel Austin (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Inside the chimpanzee medicine cabinet: we’ve found a new way chimps treat wounds with plants

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Elodie Freymann, Post-doc affiliate, University of Oxford

    Robin Nieuwenkamp/Shutterstock

    As it turns out, chimpanzees make pretty good doctors. For decades, scientists have been studying what chimpanzees do when they fall ill. This search has led to the identification of medicinal behaviour, which often involves the ingestion of plants with chemical or physical properties that can help the animal’s recovery.

    My team’s recent study in the Budongo Forest of western Uganda found its chimpanzees show a range of healthcare behaviour – one of which, applying chewed botanical material to wounds, had never before been documented in chimpanzees.

    Previous studies have shown that wild chimpanzees appear to treat their wounds and maintain sexual hygiene using medicinal plants found in their environment. What’s more, they treat other group members, even ones who are unrelated to them.

    In 2022, a study in Gabon, west Africa found that wild chimpanzees catch and apply insects to their wounds as well as the wounds of non-kin community members. A previous study had reported that chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest of Uganda occasionally dab the wounds of unrelated group members with leaves.

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

    Now our research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, shows the chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest engaging in topical healthcare, both on themselves and others.

    To figure out whether the Budongo chimpanzees practice first aid, we combed through more than three decades of hand-written observations from field staff and researchers who have worked in this forest, and searched video archives by Budongo primatologists. We also headed into the field to collect eight months of our own behavioural data. The aim: to accumulate all the cases we could find of external healthcare behaviour and see if a pattern emerged.

    What we found surprised us. The Budongo chimpanzees appear to have quite a diverse behavioural toolkit for tending to their own wounds and maintaining hygiene in the wild. This behaviour ranges from simple actions like wound licking, to more complicated behaviour such as applying plant material to an injury.

    In some cases, chimpanzees dabbed their open wounds with leaves. In rarer cases, they chewed up plant material (like leaves or stem bark) and applied it directly to the affected area with their mouths. Similar behaviour was shown in Sumatran orangutans in 2024.



    Read more:
    What the hidden rhythms of orangutan calls can tell us about language – new research

    But these chimpanzees don’t limit their self-care to treating wounds. We recorded them freeing themselves from wire snares set by hunters, and cleaning their genitals with leaves after mating. In one notable case documented in the forest’s logbook from 2009, a chimpanzee wiped herself with a leaf after defecating.

    Chimpanzees are known to tend each other’s wounds.
    Patrick Rolands/Shutterstock

    We also wanted to determine which plants the Budongo chimpanzees were selecting. We discovered that some of these plants, such as Alchornea floribunda and a species of Acalypha, have traditional medicinal uses and chemical properties related to wound-healing or infection prevention. Whether this is a coincidence, or an indicator that chimpanzees can identify medicinal plants helpful for wound care, is a question for future research.

    Chimpanzee doctors

    Buried in logbooks and video archives, we also found seven cases of chimpanzees providing healthcare for others in their community. Even more interesting, the demographics of the providers and receivers of this healthcare varied dramatically – occurring between both genetically related and unrelated chimpanzees.

    Our study includes cases of chimpanzees licking each other’s wounds and applying plant material to the wounds of injured group members. This kind of wound care, directed toward others, is considered “prosocial” as it offers no obvious or immediate benefit to the carer. In fact, this kind of direct interaction with the wounds of others can pose risks for the carer, exposing them to infectious pathogens or infections.

    As far as we know, this is the first time prosocial wound care has been reported among chimpanzees in the Budongo forest reserve. We also noted cases in which chimpanzees helped free others from nylon snares, and one case in which a female wiped the genitals of a male in her group with leaves after mating.

    Our findings add this site to the growing list of places where altruistic healthcare has been observed among non-kin, advancing our understanding of chimpanzees’ capacity for compassion and empathy.

    Survival of the kindest?

    Chimpanzees are often painted as aggressive, Machiavellian and self-interested, especially in comparison to their peace-loving bonobo cousins. But it appears that these highly social animals have a softer side.

    Chimpanzees are not the only animals who have been observed administering first aid to others. Recently, a US study found that mice help pull the tongues out of the mouths of unconscious cage companions, clearing their air passages. The carer mice were more likely to do this if they were familiar with the incapacitated mouse.

    Even Matabele ants from sub-Saharan Africa will help treat nest mates’ infected wounds with self-generated antibiotic secretions.

    Non-human healthcare may take different forms, but it appears that animals throughout the animal kingdom can administer first aid to themselves and others. It may not be such a dog-eat-dog world after all.

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

    – ref. Inside the chimpanzee medicine cabinet: we’ve found a new way chimps treat wounds with plants – https://theconversation.com/inside-the-chimpanzee-medicine-cabinet-weve-found-a-new-way-chimps-treat-wounds-with-plants-258094

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Spending review delivers big boosts for health and defence – but Rachel Reeves is focused on investment

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Linda Yueh, Fellow in Economics/Adjunct Professor of Economics, University of Oxford

    UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered the government’s spending review, setting out its plans and priorities for the next three years. The aim of the review is of course to allocate spending over that time period – but this government is keen for economic growth and so has directed the funds to try to boost GDP. This approach could work but is particularly challenging in an uncertain global environment.

    The parameters of the UK’s fiscal policy were set in the budget last October and the spring statement in March when the chancellor confirmed her fiscal rules, which allowed borrowing only for investment. Day-to-day spending on public services like the NHS and schools has to be met by tax revenues.

    As a result of an earlier tweak to the fiscal rules, public investment – spending on things like roads and hospitals – will total about £113 billion from now until nearly the end of this parliament.

    Many investors and creditors will have been looking out for this boost, as the UK has lagged behind comparable economies partly due to its lower levels of investment. The announcements have the potential to bring in private funding if more investors see an opportunity to benefit from increased economic growth, particularly if the UK’s relatively high energy costs are also addressed.

    Also in line for government investment is social and affordable housing. The announcement of £39 billion for this sector in England was a centrepiece of Reeves’ announcement. Coupled with planning reforms, the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) judged in March that this could indeed boost growth.

    There will be more money for social housing – £39 billion over ten years in England.
    Irene Miller/Shutterstock

    In terms of day-to-day spending, health and defence received the biggest increases among government departments because of, respectively, pressures on the NHS arising from COVID-19 and the ageing population, and from geopolitical challenges like the war in Ukraine.

    Both departments, though, also have the potential to raise economic growth. Rates of economic inactivity (people who aren’t in paid work, for example) in the UK have not fallen back to their pre-COVID levels as they have in other major economies such as the US, France and Germany. Improving health services, cutting waiting lists and widening access to mental health support could help get more people back to work, which would boost employment and support growth.

    And on defence, spending in this area has the potential (depending greatly on the type of spend) to create technology that could eventually boost the nation’s productivity. GPS, for example, was developed by the US Department of Defense, as were many innovations now used in smartphones. Boosting UK defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and investing in technology has the potential to unlock advances in equipment for the UK.

    Who loses out?

    This is not to say that increasing the settlements to other government departments would not support growth too. But some of those departments, including the Home Office, Foreign Office and transport, are now facing cuts in real terms to their spending. And they may find themselves under even more pressure should GDP growth slow.

    This is because of the chancellor’s fiscal rule about funding current spending from taxes. This would mean cuts if these receipts fall as a result of slowing growth, since Reeves has very little “fiscal headroom” (spare cash) to ensure she can meet her rules – only £9.9 billion.

    But the reverse may also prove to be true. Should investment in research and development (£22.6 billion per year by 2029‑30), renewable energy and infrastructure, alongside planning reforms, increase GDP growth, then the chancellor may find that she has more funding to allocate to day-to-day departmental spending to support public services.

    However, it takes time for investment to generate growth. OBR forecasts only expect increased growth of around 1.7% to 1.8% in the second half of this parliament. But those growth forecasts pre-date the US president Donald Trump’s tariffs announced in April, which are causing turmoil in global trade.

    This is why it is even more important for the UK to raise domestic economic growth through investing in people, technology and productivity. To govern is to choose, as the saying goes, and the government will hope that these are the right trade-offs to have made in order to grow during such shaky times. Despite the uncertain global picture, the chancellor has laid some promising foundations. Now the challenge will be delivering the growth.

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

    – ref. Spending review delivers big boosts for health and defence – but Rachel Reeves is focused on investment – https://theconversation.com/spending-review-delivers-big-boosts-for-health-and-defence-but-rachel-reeves-is-focused-on-investment-258746

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: E-bikes are becoming e-waste – here’s how to reduce the environmental cost

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Yvonne Ryan, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, University of Limerick

    Electric e-bikes make cycling easier, faster and more accessible. They are already playing an important role in reducing the environmental impact of transport, particularly when they replace a trip in a private car.

    But when you scrap an e-bike, you also have to scrap its battery. And these batteries can be particularly dangerous and tricky to dispose of. This means the growth of e-bikes is leading to at least one related environmental problem: a rise in electronic or e-waste.

    The sector needs stronger regulations to encourage it to cut its waste. This includes encouraging bikes to be designed to be easier to repair or recycle, and establishing universal standards that allow parts to work across different brands and models, so components can be reused instead of thrown away.

    However, e-bikes often fall between legislative cracks, and their exclusion from the priority products under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, introduced in 2024, was unfortunate.

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    At the University of Limerick in Ireland, colleagues and I have been researching the environmental impact of e-bikes. We’re interested in their full lifecycle, from metals in rocks to extraction, manufacturing, years of use and eventual disposal – to see if there are ways to reduce the materials they use.

    We interviewed retailers and people who work in waste management. They expressed concerns about online sales of lower-quality e-bikes with easily broken components, as well as the high turnover rates of e-bikes.

    E-bike rental services like this one in Dublin, Ireland are growing fast.
    Brendain Donnelly / shutterstock

    Using data from the fleet of e-bikes loaned out at our university, we noted issues with design and compatibility of components. Bike tyres, for instance, have become increasingly non-standard and specialised.

    Additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, may become more important for bike retailers and repairers, who could use it to “print” themselves replacements nuts, screws or even seats. This may be particularly needed in island states such as Ireland, where there are often delays in sourcing parts.

    But first, the e-bikes must be of sufficient quality to be repaired. Then, to create the replacement parts, people will need to access the necessary data – digital files with precise designs of objects such as a bicycle tyre or handlebar.

    Keeping e-bikes in use

    New business models are emerging. Some companies are lending e-bikes to their employees, with a management company taking care of maintenance and repair.

    There are also a growing number of mobile e-bike repair services, and specialist training for e-bike repair and retail through manufacturer platforms like Bosch and Shimano.

    E-bike brands are shifting from a focus on selling bikes towards offering ongoing services. For example, e-bike retailer Cowboy offers a subscription to mobile bike mechanics, and VanMoof partners with authorised repair services. But while these models work well in big towns and cities, they may not be suitable for rural and smaller urban areas.

    Care needs to be taken to ensure that consumers are not disadvantaged or locked out from repair options. In the US, e-bike manufacturers have been requesting exceptions to laws designed to make products easier to repair – while urging that the public should not be allowed to access data needed to make repairs.

    E-bikes can be hard to spot

    On the waste handling side, some of the innovations that have made e-bikes more accessible are also creating new problems.

    For example, e-bikes have evolved to be sleeker and sometimes indistinguishable from regular bikes. This makes it easier for them to end up in regular waste management facilities that aren’t equipped for electronic waste. If a lithium-ion battery inside an e-bike still holds charge and gets crushed or shredded, it can start a fire.

    But this is a problem we can solve. Computer vision and other AI technologies could help to recognise e-bikes and batteries at waste management facilities. QR codes on bike frames could be used to provide information on the entire product lifecycle, including repair manuals and service history – just like the EU’s proposed product passports.

    Consumer awareness, choice and education are key. While it’s up to consumers to initiate the maintenance and repair of e-bikes, policymakers need to ensure these options are available and affordable, and that consumers are aware of them.

    Retailers need support to embed “repair and reuse” in their business models. This includes cycle-to-work schemes for people to buy e-bikes, as well as better access to insurance and legal protections for selling refurbished e-bikes, and a workforce with the skills to repair these bikes.

    Across the world, bike libraries and “try before you buy” schemes are helping consumers make better decisions, as people can test an e-bike before committing. Moving away from traditional ownership – especially for expensive e-bikes – could make active mobility more accessible.

    Policies that drive sales, such as grants and incentives for new bike purchases, can work against efforts to reduce waste. We need more policies that support refurbished and repaired e-bikes.

    The e-bike sector is one with great potential to improve both environmental and public health. But to realise these benefits, we need to focus on making them last longer and use less resources.

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

    – ref. E-bikes are becoming e-waste – here’s how to reduce the environmental cost – https://theconversation.com/e-bikes-are-becoming-e-waste-heres-how-to-reduce-the-environmental-cost-258367

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Anxiety is the most common mental health problem – here’s how tech could help manage it

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Cambridge

    Anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental health problem. But it isn’t always easy to get professional help, with long waiting lists in many countries.

    Worldwide, only about 28% of people with anxiety receive treatment. The figure is similar for the UK, and in the US about 37% receive a treatment. This is due to a number of factors such as lack of resources, including mental health staff, and stigma associated with mental health problems.

    But if you’re struggling to get help, there are things you could try at home in the meantime – including some novel technologies. To understand how they work, let’s first take a look at how anxiety is expressed in the brain and body.

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

    The symptoms of anxiety are cognitive and emotional as well as physiological. They can include trouble concentrating and making decisions, feeling irritable or tense and having heart palpitations or shaking. Trouble sleeping and feelings of panic or impending danger are also common.

    These symptoms often start in childhood and adolescence. Sadly, it frequently continues into adulthood, especially if untreated.

    There are many genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of anxiety. These can include competition and pressure at school, university or work or financial worries and lack of job security. Social isolation and loneliness are also common factors, often a result of retirement, home working or stemming from bullying or maltreatment in childhood.

    Such experiences may even rewire our brains. For example, our neuroimaging study has shown that maltreatment in childhood is linked to changes in the connectivity of the brain’s centromedial amygdala, which plays a key role in processing emotions, including fear and anxiety, and the anterior insula, which processes emotion among other things.

    Anxiety is commonly associated with depression or other conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder. During the COVID pandemic when the prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25%, people with such neurodevelopmental conditions exhibited more emotional problems than others.

    According to the Children’s Commissioner this is still on the rise with 500 children per day being referred to mental health services for anxiety, more than double the rate pre-pandemic.

    Researchers are still uncovering new ways for professionals to help treat such people. For example, in our recent study, we noticed that suicidal thoughts and depression were more common in children with anxiety who were also very impulsive. This could impact the treatments they receive. So the science of how to best treat anxiety is constantly moving forward.

    Young people are increasingly anxious.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Tech solutions

    Unfortunately though, waiting lists for even receiving a diagnosis can sometimes take years. Neurotechnology can, at least in part, help fill the gap before symptoms get worse. There are a number of startup companies in the anxiety space, working on both hardware and software for anxiety management.

    Technology for managing anxiety is rapidly advancing, offering alternatives and complements to traditional therapies. Moonbird, for example, uses a handheld device that guides users through paced breathing with gentle physical movements. You essentially feel the device move in your hand and breathe along with it. Research has shown that such breathing can help the nervous system to reduce anxiety symptoms.

    The company Parasym influences brain regions involved in mood and stress regulation. People can use it by wearing a small device that applies mild electrical micro impulses running through the vagus nerve, which runs from the ears and downwards trough the neck and activates a key part of the nervous system.

    Neurovalens and Flow Neuroscience are exploring non-invasive brain stimulation, such as transcranial “direct current stimulation (tDCS)”. This can be applied by using electrodes placed on the scalp to deliver a mild, constant electrical current to alter brain activity. These devices ultimately target the prefrontal cortex to support the regulation of emotions. One scientific review of tDCS studies in anxiety has concluded that some research clearly showed benefits of tDCS for treating anxiety symptoms, although larger scale and longer duration studies were needed.

    How we experience life events and feel or react to them also influences physiological functions such as our heart rate. You will have experienced how having a meaningful conversation creates a special connection between two people. This can actually manifest in the body as increased synchronisation of your heart rates and other functions. This is termed “physiological synchrony” and is thought to be important for positive social interaction.

    Unfortunately, in common conditions of anxiety, including social anxiety and postpartum maternal anxiety, heart rate can become less variable and therefore less able to synchronise. Therefore, a device that promotes physiological synchrony would be beneficial. The company Lyeons is currently developing such a device, targeting anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and ADHD.

    On the digital side, Headspace offers structured meditation and cognitive behavioural therapy based programmes. Similarly, ieso offer typed text-based CBT therapy for mild to moderate anxiety and low mood. These platforms use guided meditation, breathing exercises and behavioural tools to help users build emotion resilience and reduce anxious thought patterns.

    Other emerging tools also include virtual reality, which is being explored for exposure therapy and immersive stress reduction, in particular. All these technologies have used scientific and medical information to offer diverse options that address both mind and body.

    If we can halt the trend towards increasing numbers of people suffering from anxiety and find ways to improve access to effective treatments, it will lead to a better quality of life for individuals and their families, improved productivity and wellbeing at work and promote a flourishing society.

    Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian receives funding from the Wellcome Trust. Her research work is conducted within the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Themes.

    Christelle Langley receives funding from the Wellcome Trust. Her research work is conducted within the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Themes.

    – ref. Anxiety is the most common mental health problem – here’s how tech could help manage it – https://theconversation.com/anxiety-is-the-most-common-mental-health-problem-heres-how-tech-could-help-manage-it-258116

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Torres Introduces Amendments to Protect Veterans from Deportation, Block Political Retaliation Against California

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    June 10, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced two amendments during the full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to safeguard immigrant veterans and defend California against politically motivated funding threats.

    “Veterans who risked their lives for this country shouldn’t be deported without due process and access to legal counsel,” said Congresswoman Torres. “They wore the uniform and served with honor—they deserve the same basic legal protections as any American.”

    “No president—Trump included—should use federal funding to punish states for their politics. Every taxpayer in America sends their money to Washington to fund roads, schools, and disaster response—not presidential revenge. Threatening to cut off funds to California for standing our ground is authoritarian, plain and simple.”

    “My amendments were pretty simple- they would protect democracy, uphold due process, and make sure taxpayer dollars serve all Americans—not partisan agendas.”

    Protecting Non-Citizen Veterans
    Torres’ first amendment prohibits the use of federal funds to deport non-citizen veterans without providing access to legal counsel. The amendment reinforces core due process protections and honors immigrant service members who have fulfilled their duty to the United States.

    Blocking Retaliatory Cuts to California
    The second amendment responds to reports that former President Trump may seek to withhold federal funds from California for political reasons. It prohibits the use of funds in the bill to:

    • Withhold, delay, or condition federal funding to punish states based on political positions;
    • Impose politically motivated funding requirements targeting specific states;
    • Enforce existing federal rules in a discriminatory manner based on state political leadership.

    Additionally, it includes accountability measures requiring individuals who suspect violations to report them to relevant Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). If GAO finds a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, the amendment bars funding from being obligated or expended to the Office of the Secretary.

    Congresswoman Torres continues to lead in Congress on issues of immigration justice, due process protections, and defending democratic norms from executive overreach.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Torres Slams HUD Budget for Abandoning Disaster Survivors and Slashing Housing Aid for Families, Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — At today’s House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) pressed HUD Secretary Turner over the Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which slashes the agency’s funding by more than 50%—gutting disaster recovery, housing assistance, and HUD’s workforce amid a worsening national housing crisis.

    “California sends $83 billion more to the federal government than we get back—yet it’s our veterans, working families, and seniors being asked to sacrifice. Who exactly do you think deserves to lose their housing, Mr. Secretary,” said Torres. “After historic floods and wildfires, HUD is walking away from the communities that need help most. Zero dollars for disaster recovery is not just neglect—it’s reckless. This budget fails the very people HUD was created to serve.”

    The proposed FY26 HUD budget includes:

    • $0 for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and disaster recovery aid
    • A 44% cut to homelessness and affordable housing programs
    • A 51% cut to HUD’s overall budget
    • Layoffs for more than 2,000 HUD employees under the Elon Musk-backed “DOGE” task force

    Torres warned these cuts will increase homelessness, delay recovery efforts, and strip communities of critical housing support. She also blasted the Administration’s shift toward a state-administered rental assistance model, calling it a “federal cop-out” that dumps responsibility onto under-resourced local governments.

    As the author of the Thriving Communities Act and a longtime champion for housing justice, Torres has fought to expand affordable housing near transit, reduce pollution, and deliver investments to high-need communities. In fiscal year 2023, she secured $100 million for the Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities initiative and $5 million for HUD to coordinate planning and housing development.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata Releases Questions for DOI on Critical Minerals

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

    Headline: Amata Releases Questions for DOI on Critical Minerals

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is releasing some of her questions for Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), which she will submit for responses as part of a congressional hearing. 

    The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which governs critical minerals exploration of the seabed, is part of DOI, and Amata’s questions primarily center on recently announced federal seabed critical minerals efforts, which will include a public comment period. 

    “I have important questions for the DOI, which reflect the thinking of our people,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I will do what I can to get our people more information, while I continue to take your message to Washington.”

    The following questions will be submitted for the record this week to the Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior:

    • Mr. Secretary, what is the status of and what are the next steps in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) review process regarding seabed mining around American Samoa?
    • Any seabed mining pursuant to a BOEM lease would be done in federally controlled EEZ waters outside the American Samoa 3-mile boundary limit, is this correct?
    • Mr. Secretary, do you intend to engage directly with the people of American Samoa on the seabed mining proposal? Will you commit to meeting with local government leaders as the proposal moves through the approval process?
    • What survey information can you provide to the American Samoan people about which critical rare earth minerals are where within and over that 3-mile limit so that we know what minerals are in American Samoa controlled waters and what is in federally controlled waters?
    • Your agency is responsible in part for the economic development of the territories; how will such an endeavor benefit the economy of American Samoa and the people?
    • The governor of American Samoa is investing over $40 million in a next generation cable connection for our island’s economic development as well as our nations national security; essential to this is the administration’s support for our economic development by advocating for renewal of our 30A/American Samoa Economic Development Credit in the big beautiful bill. Will the administration support my bill, H.R. 399, which renews the credit, as we hope to include it in the reconciliation or extender process this year, so we can take full advantage of this investment?

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: National Weather Service Reverses Cuts after Harder’s Outcry

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    Sacramento, Hanford stations were targeted for reduction of operations

    Loss of 24/7 service would be catastrophic for disaster weather response

    WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that the National Weather Service (NWS) is implementing emergency hiring plans to keep two Valley weather stations open in response to Harder’s advocacy. The Sacramento and Hanford stations were poised to lose 24/7 service because of staffing cuts which would have been catastrophic for emergency response to floods, wildfires, and severe storms. On Friday, Rep. Harder demanded the National Weather Service reverse its cuts and keep the only two Valley stations fully staffed.  

    NWS service crisis by the numbers:

    • DOGE terminated 500 NWS employees, representing a 12% reduction in force.
    • Sacramento has 7 vacancies out of 16 meteorologist positions, and Hanford has 8 vacancies across 13 positions – leaving the Valley half-staffed amid peak wildfire season.
    • Decreased service capacity leaves California water managers without critical forecasts needed to make life-or-death water supply decisions.

    “Ending 24/7 service operations that keep our families safe from floods and fires makes absolutely no sense – that’s why I called on NWS to immediately reverse these plans,” said Rep. Harder. “Today’s announcement is a step back towards sanity, but Valley communities need more than a temporary fix. I’m going to keep fighting to get these vacancies filled permanently, and I won’t rest until Valley families can rest assured that the federal government is actually at work keeping them safe.”

    In his letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Harder urged Washington to:

    • Reinstate all terminated workers at the Sacramento and Hanford offices.
    • Ensure that the Sacramento and Hanford weather forecast offices are adequately staffed to maintain 24/7 operations.

    Read the full letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grothman Reintroduces Bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

    Congressmen Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Ed Case (D-HI), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) have reintroduced the bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act. This legislation will bring more honesty and transparency to the federal budget process by removing emergency spending from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline.

    Currently, the CBO includes emergency spending in its annual baseline projections. This practice distorts long-term fiscal projections, skews the baseline budget toward higher spending, and contributes to our nation’s growing debt crisis. This bill ensures emergency spending is treated as temporary and does not artificially raise expectations for future spending.

    The bill has also earned the support of Citizens Against Government Waste, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, National Taxpayers Union, and Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

    “The Stop the Baseline Bloat Act will increase transparency between the government and the American people, painting a clear and honest picture of how Washington is spending their hard-eared money,” said Congressman Glenn Grothman. The CBO cannot continue to create a budget baseline that justifies outrageous spending levels. Getting the country’s fiscal house in order starts with an unbiased CBO baseline.”

    The path out of our growing budget crisis starts with accurate and transparent budgets,” said Rep. Ed Case. “A budget that inflates prior year spending to conceal real growth year-to-year is neither accurate nor transparent. Our measure would eliminate these budgetary tricks that conceal our dangerous journey into fiscal irresponsibility.”

    “Taxpayers should not have to spend more because the CBO continually has inaccurate projections for America’s fiscal future,” said Rep. Stutzman. “Emergency spending is supposed to address urgent funding needs with non-permanent spending. Instead, the CBO has chosen to treat emergency spending like regular appropriations, inflating discretionary spending

    “In order to seriously take on our national debt and avoid passing it on to our kids, we need to address budgetary distortions that help politicians justify spending through the roof,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our bipartisan bill will remove emergency spending from the baseline set by the Congressional Budget Office, creating a more accurate reflection of our annual spending and how we should responsibly budget for the future.”

    “The bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act would enhance the accuracy of Congressional Budget Office projections by excluding temporary emergency and supplemental spending from the baseline. This commonsense reform would prevent one-time expenditures from inflating long-term spending projections and promote greater fiscal accountability,” said Demian Brady, Vice President of Research at the National Taxpayers Union.

    “TPA is pleased to support Rep. Grothman’s Stop the Baseline Bloat Act. Emergency and supplemental spending are meant to be temporary and should not be embedded into long-term budget projections or inflated year after year. By eliminating this distortion from CBO’s baseline calculations, the bill takes a meaningful step toward reducing federal spending and advancing long-term fiscal discipline,” said David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

    “The Stop Baseline Bloat Act would help restore fiscal restraint in the budgeting process by stripping out the cost of emergency and supplemental appropriations from the CBO baseline. As is evident from the designation of their purpose, such legislation is not meant to have a permanent impact on the budget by inflating the amount of future spending,” said Tom Schatz, President of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.

    “The Congressional Budget Office’s baseline is filled with distortions, many of which are required by law, that drive spending higher. Rep. Grothman’s Stop the Baseline Bloat Act would help fix this problem by removing the assumption that one-time emergency appropriations are repeated each year in the baseline – a distortion that effectively bakes ‘emergency’ spending into the baseline for future spending,” said Brittany Madni, Executive Vice President of the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC).

    “One-time emergency spending can artificially inflate the baseline produced by the Congressional Budget Office, creating the opportunity for lawmakers to use fake savings as an offset. We appreciate the efforts of Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) to improve the budget process and provide greater transparency by removing emergency spending from CBO’s baseline,” said Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

    “Under current baseline rules, CBO and OMB must assume that emergency spending will increase from its prior year level by an amount equal to inflation.  Since this may be a one-time outlay, including it this way artificially inflates the baseline, particularly in years with large amounts of emergency spending.  Lower levels of emergency spending in the future would then appear to generate budget savings.  I support removing emergency spending from the CBO baseline as a common-sense solution to this problem,” said Keith Hall, the former Director of the Congressional Budget Office.

    “The Stop the Baseline Bloat Act, recently introduced by Reps. Glenn Grothman (RWI), Ed Case (D-HI), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), strikes emergency spending from the budget baseline. This change would make CBO’s baseline less biased toward higher spending. The congressional practice of relying on emergency appropriations to fund ongoing issues poses a significant challenge to fiscal responsibility and undermines the integrity of the budget process,” said Romina Boccia and Dominik Lett from Cato Institute.

    Background Information

    Currently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is required to create its baseline budget with the assumption that discretionary spending, including one-time emergency spending, grows each year with inflation.

    This assumption is at odds with OMB’s definition of emergency spending, which is meant exclusively for one-time outlays. Including emergency spending in the baseline distorts the fiscal picture and allows Congress to claim credit for artificial savings.

    Rep. Grothman (R-WI), Rep. Case (D-HI), Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Rep. Stutzman (R-IN) will reintroduce the bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act to remove emergency spending and supplemental appropriations from the CBO baseline. This reform has a history of bipartisan support and was a key piece of the Senate’s 2019 Enzi-Whitehouse budget reform package, the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act.

    This bill will end a costly distortion in the CBO baseline which artificially bloats the baseline and has led to more red ink.

    Rep. Grothman and Rep. Case introduced a similar version of the bill in April 2024.

    The Stop the Baseline Bloat Act is cosponsored by: Representatives Ben Cline (R-VA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Adam Gray (D-CA), and Jared Golden (D-ME).

    -30- 

    U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) Condemns Reckless USDA Firings, Secretary Admits Mistakes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Today, during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) questioned United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins on the recent terminations of federal workers, including at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. Rollins called the firings an “imperfect process.”

     

    “We can’t talk about our shared goal of improving government efficiency while pulling the rug out from under the very people who keep our food supply running,” said Davids during the hearing. “You can’t eliminate good-paying, skilled jobs in Kansas City at the same time our producers are already facing droughts, volatile markets, and rising costs… These are neighbors, families, and friends, and they deserve better than this chaos.”

     

    WATCH: Davids questions USDA Sec. Rollins, who admits firings were an “imperfect process”

     

    Davids was responding to the erratic firing of USDA employees by the Department’s Office of General Employment (DOGE), a move she called “reckless and unjust.” The cuts have raised alarm bells throughout Kansas and the agricultural community, as they threaten food safety, stall research initiatives, and disrupt vital USDA services that farmers rely on every day.

     

    In particular, Davids called out staffing reductions at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. The state-of-the-art lab is the nation’s first biosafety level 4 facility for livestock, built to protect against the most dangerous animal diseases. According to recent reports, 28 employees were abruptly fired — only for some of those firings to be rescinded days later. A similar pattern occurred at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), raising further questions about leadership and decision-making at USDA.

     

    “We’ve heard about the new world screwworm already [today]. During that time [of NBAF firings], the bird flu was one of the bigger concerns,” said Davids. “There are other potential animal diseases. How can the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility or Food Safety and Inspection Service even be part of the chopping block in the first place? Was there any discussion about how those decisions were going to be made? … Especially at these specific facilities that are meant to protect us from some of the worst animal diseases that could spread to humans.”

    The timing of these firings is especially alarming given ongoing outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu and the emergence of the New World Screwworm, both of which pose serious risks to Kansas livestock and public health. Davids warned that slashing key roles at facilities like NBAF — which was built specifically to respond to such biological threats — undermines the very mission of the USDA and weakens the nation’s ability to respond to agricultural emergencies.

     

    To support Kansas producers, Davids embarked on a Farm Bill listening tour, where she visited a poultry and livestock operation in Anderson County, a co-op in Franklin County, a goat farm in Miami County, an organic vegetable farm in Johnson County, and an educational community farm in Wyandotte County. Davids also toured a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, participated in FFA activities at Spring Hill High School, served a school lunch at Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, spoke with industry leaders on financial support programs for farmers, toured a dairy farm in Garnett, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Canadian Online Casinos That Are Making Waves in the 2025 Gambling Scene – Findings Released by All iGaming

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Online gambling is growing fast, but for Canadian players, picking a safe and trustworthy casino is about more than just flashy bonuses. All iGaming, a trusted name in gambling reviews, provides expert insights to help you navigate Canada’s best online casinos with confidence. 

    This guide shows how All iGaming evaluates top platforms, ensuring you make informed decisions for a safe and exciting gaming experience.

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    Whether you’re seeking the best Canadian online casino, a site with minimal identity checks, or a real money online casino in Canada, All iGaming equips you with the knowledge to choose wisely and enjoy peace of mind.

    How All iGaming Ranks the Most Trusted Online Casinos in Canada

    All iGaming uses a detailed, player-first approach to identify top-tier options among the top online casinos in Canada. Each platform is evaluated based on key factors that shape your gaming journey. Here’s how we break it down:

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    Email:support@alligaming.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK 🔴 LIVE: Prime Minister’s Questions + Spending Review with British Sign Language (BSL) – 11 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

    In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

    Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HouseofCommons
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYOzDzhz3mE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • India bats for global action in fighting terrorism during key East Asia Summit meeting

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India on Wednesday called for collective action in addressing the menace of terrorism that poses a serious threat to peace, security and development of the entire region.

    Addressing the East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting (EAS SOM) in Malaysia’s Penang, P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, underlined the important role of EAS towards promoting free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

    Kumaran, who led the Indian delegation at the summit, shared New Delhi’s position on regional and international issues as the premier leaders-led mechanism marks its 20th anniversary this year.

    Secretary (East) P. Kumaran also met with Amran Mohammed Zin, Secretary General at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) SOM in Penang.

    “Held discussions to fully realise the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during the visit of PM YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, to India in August 2024. Congratulated Secretary General on successful adoption of ‘ASEAN Community Vision 2045’ under Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN. Also discussed ways to widen India’s engagement with ASEAN in the context EAS and ASEAN-India Summit framework to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and exchanged views on other regional and multilateral issues,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X.

    The MEA official also met Chung Byung-won, Deputy Minister of Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting. He congratulated the Deputy Minister on the successfully-conducted Presidential elections in South Korea, and discussed ways to strengthen India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership and impart renewed momentum to the bilateral agenda.

    On Tuesday, Kumaran met Hajah Johariah Binti Abdul Wahab, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, on the margins of the meeting with the two sides discussing ways to further deepen the enhanced partnership between India and Brunei Darussalam bilaterally, as also cooperation under ASEAN and other frameworks.

    Kumaran also held discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest with Australia’s Michelle Chan who heads the Office of Southeast Asia.

    Earlier on Monday, he interacted with Ambassador Kung Phoak, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. Underlining the close partnership between India and Cambodia, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and under the ASEAN framework.

    The East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior Officials’ Meeting, attended by EAS Senior Officials and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, reviewed the progress of implementation of the EAS Plan of Action (2024-2028) and exchanged views on regional and international developments. The meeting also discussed preparations for the 15th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July and the 20th East Asia Summit in October 2025.

    The EAS is the premier leaders-led forum in the Asia-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia. It comprises 18 participating countries.

    Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the EAS includes India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cole Secures $1.45 Billion in Disaster Recovery for American

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

    Washington, D.C. – Through his legislation, The American Relief Act, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) secured about $1.45 billion for the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program. This disaster recovery funding will be used by American communities that received major disaster declarations due to hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in 2023 or 2024. After the EDA money was announced, Congressman Cole released the following statement:

    “As a lifelong Oklahoman, I know just how much destruction natural disasters, like tornadoes, can cause. In fact, just last year, the towns of Sulphur and Marietta in Oklahoma’s Fourth District were devastated by tornadoes. Now, with this EDA grant funding, communities will be able to not only rebuild but also plan for long-term recovery and future resiliency,” said Congressman Cole.“I look forward to seeing this funding being put to good use and I thank President Trump and Secretary Lutnick for their commitment to helping Americans.”

    How to apply for assistance:

    If you are a state, local or tribal government, an economic development district, a higher education institution, an economic development organization, a public or private non-profit working with local government, or a public-private partnership for public infrastructure you are an eligible applicant for this disaster supplemental grant program.

    Additionally, projects must be located in, primarily serve, or demonstrably benefit one or more communities in areas that received a major disaster designation occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024. You can check eligibility here.

    Readiness and implementation grant applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or a Notice of Funding Opportunity is canceled.

    Industry Transformation grant applications are due Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

    Applications must be submitted online through the EDA’s portal. You can find the portal here. The required materials are detailed in Section D.2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

    Please stay tuned for future announcements as additional disaster assistance is released and available to Oklahomans.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Al Green Recognizes the Significant Battle Won by Impeachment Warriors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

    (Kilmar Abrego Garcia Has Been Returned to the United States and May Get the Due Process Authoritarian President Trump Declared He Had No Constitutional Right To)

    (Houston, TX)—On Monday, June 9, 2025, Congressman Al Green recognized the battle won by litigators as well as by an impeachment movement driven by many organizations including but not limited to Free Speech for People, Women’s March, Mayday Movement, 14thNow, Citizens Impeachment, as well as his own articles of impeachment filed against President Donald Trump. The impeachment movement played a significant role in forcing an authoritarian President to respect due process of the law as well as return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States of America. These efforts forced the recognition of Abrego Garcia’s right to due process after a prolonged and unjust removal from the United States. These groups and many others, together with countless individuals, organized impeachment rallies, town halls, and grassroots campaigns that brought national attention to authoritarian President Trump’s numerous abuses of power. Abuses that are explicated in Impeachment Resolution 415, filed by Congressman Al Green, wherein authoritarian President Trump is charged with having gravely endangered the separation of powers within the government. Further, he threatened the integrity of the democratic system by condoning the undermining of the judicial independence of the federal judiciary, violating the due process clause in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, denigrating federal judges, ignoring the separation of powers, condoning the flouting of orders of the United States federal courts (including orders of the United States Supreme Court) – all of which have caused the devolution of democracy within the United States of America into authoritarianism with himself as an authoritarian President. He thereby betrayed his trust as President to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. The filing of impeachment articles, coupled with organized and sustained efforts, served as a powerful deterrent similar to the Sword of Damocles. They constitute a sword of democracy hanging by a strand of constitutional power threatening his presidency.

    Congressman Al Green stated, “Our bold movement for impeachment was a powerful catalyst to help bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back into the United States. It was more than a political stand, it was a moral imperative to fight to uphold our constitutional right to due process of the law. This victory serves as a testament to the collective action taken by dedicated American people to hold authoritarian President Donald John Trump accountable for his misdeeds and unconstitutional actions. Although we have won a battle, the war to impeach authoritarian President Trump is not over. We must have a vote to impeach the authoritarian to preserve and protect democracy.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Thousands Turn Out For DHS Career Expo, Defying Politicians’ Anti-Cop Rhetoric

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    The Trump Administration’s Support for Law Enforcement Sparks More Record Recruitment

    CHANTILLY, VA – The Department of Homeland Security’s 2025 Career Expo for Law Enforcement was a record-breaking success.

    The large-scale hiring event was held in Chantilly, VA, last week, and it focused on recruiting American citizens eager to fill mission-critical law and immigration enforcement, border security, and national security roles across the department. The event drew more than 3,000 candidates and led to more than 1,000 tentative job offers given. These numbers nearly doubled the numbers from DHS’s last 2-day law enforcement hiring event in 2023, at which only 564 tentative job offers were given.

    The record turnout for the event proves that President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have inspired a new generation of Americans to serve their country in law enforcement. These numbers were possible even despite doxing threats, increased assaults and the recent wave of politicians’ anti-cop rhetoric. Under their leadership, more Americans are willing to answer the call to protect and serve their fellow citizens.

    At the Expo, applicants met with representatives of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Protective Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other DHS components and Offices. Exceptional candidates met recruiters, received interviews, tentative job offers and undertook steps for security and background check purposes.

    President Trump’s and Secretary Noem’s mission to restore excellence across federal agencies and ensure law enforcement has the resources they need, has sparked historic recruiting success. For example, between January – May 2025, more Americans applied to the Border Patrol than over any similar time frame in its history. U.S. Secret Service recruitment is up 200%.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to Czech government statement on Chinese cyberattack against Czech foreign ministry

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to Czech government statement on Chinese cyberattack against Czech foreign ministry

    • Date：2025-05-29
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    May 29, 2025

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) notes that in a statement published on May 28, the government of the Czech Republic said it had identified the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as being responsible for a malicious campaign of cyberattacks targeting one of the unclassified networks of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It said the campaign had been carried out since 2022 through the cyberespionage actor APT31. Strongly condemning this action, the Czech government called on the PRC to adhere to international rules and take all appropriate measures to address the issue. In a post on the social media platform X, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavksý said that China was interfering in Czech society through manipulation, propaganda, and cyberattacks.

     

    Taiwan is subjected to millions of cyber intrusions per day, the majority of which originate from China. This number is increasing daily. Taiwan is thus particularly capable of empathizing with the Czech Republic and other democracies facing similar threats. China has long employed cyberattacks, information warfare, and other forms of gray-zone tactics to infiltrate and harm Taiwan and democracies around the world, drawing widespread concern and condemnation from the international community. MOFA strongly urges the Chinese authorities to immediately halt these types of malicious cyberactivity targeting democratic countries and to respect international rules and its associated responsibilities.

     

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung reiterates Taiwan’s support for and solidarity with the Czech Republic. He emphasizes that cyberattacks and similar behavior committed against sovereign nations represent a grave violation of national security and freedom of information and threaten the stability and working of the global democratic community. As a responsible member of the global democratic camp, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Czech Republic, the European Union, and other like-minded partners, deepening information security exchanges and defensive capacity and jointly working to resist the threats to the democratic system and information security posed by China and other authoritarian regimes.

     

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Eswatini Minister of Agriculture Tshawuka

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Eswatini Minister of Agriculture Tshawuka

    • Date：2025-05-29
    • Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

    May 29, 2025  
    No. 187  

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon on May 29 in honor of a delegation led by Eswatini Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka. During the luncheon, Minister Lin welcomed Minister Tshawuka on behalf of the government as the two sides shared views on agricultural exchanges and cooperation. Minister Lin also thanked Eswatini for its long-term steadfast support of Taiwan’s participation in the international community.

     

    In his remarks, Minister Lin pointed out that Eswatini was Taiwan’s staunch ally in Africa and thanked H.M. King Mswati III and the Eswatini government for their long-term support of bilateral diplomatic relations. He said that agriculture was one of the kingdom’s major industries and stressed that there had long been close collaboration between Taiwan and Eswatini in this area. Taiwan, he continued, was willing to share its developmental experience and know-how with Eswatini and would continue to implement more joint projects through the Taiwan Technical Mission of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF). Under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan would utilize its technological prowess to help Eswatini promote a smart agriculture transition and increase food security which, he said, would bolster Eswatini’s economic development and improve the welfare of the people. 

     

    In his remarks, Minister Tshawuka thanked Taiwan for having provided assistance for Eswatini’s agriculture, especially the Taiwan-Africa Vegetable Initiative, a joint endeavor by the World Vegetable Center and the Taiwan government. This project had helped Eswatini to preserve the seeds of vegetables native to Africa and to advance the promotion of and education on the kingdom’s traditional vegetable crops, thereby increasing local food supply and benefiting the people. Minister Tshawuka also stated that the Taiwan-Eswatini relationship was strong and that the Eswatini government would continue to support Taiwan at international events and work with Taiwan to promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

     

    Also in attendance at the luncheon were Eswatini Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Promise Msibi, Ambassador-at-Large Richard Soong, Ministry of Agriculture Director-General of International Affairs Hsiou Dong-chong, TaiwanICDF Secretary General Huang Yu-lin, World Vegetable Center Director General Marco Wopereis, and Mt. Dadu Industrial Innovation Foundation CEO Liao Tsu-chen. The guests exchanged views with Minister Tshawuka on a wide variety of issues relating to Taiwan-Eswatini collaboration on smart agriculture as well as Eswatini’s agricultural development.

     

    Taiwan and Eswatini have had diplomatic relations for 57 years and enjoy close ties in the area of agriculture. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work with the government of Eswatini to promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project and develop a mutually beneficial relationship that contributes to the welfare of both nations’ people, thus bringing bilateral cooperation to a new level. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –