NewzIntel.com

Category: Sport

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland News – $3.8M of Regional Sporting Facilities Rate funding allocated

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Ruakākā Wahitakaro and Northland Regional Volleyball Arena will receive up to $2.6 million and Sportsville Dargaville Stage Two up to $1.2M in the latest allocations from the Northland Regional Council’s Regional Sporting Facilities Rate.
    The council’s Strategic & Commercial Projects Manager Phil Heatley says the GST exclusive sums will go to Ruakākā Wahitakaro and Northland Regional Volleyball Arena in the current financial year and to Sportsville Dargaville Stage Two in 2026-2027.
    Stage One of Ruakākā Wahitakaro was a community centre completed in 2024. The estimated total project cost for Stage Two is $8.5M and will include a multi-sport indoor facility featuring two indoor courts and supporting meeting spaces. It will also include ‘Northland’s Home of Volleyball’, a regional facility for volleyball providing training and competition opportunities and the ability to host regional, district and community events.
    Mr Heatley says Sportsville Dargaville Stage One was completed in December 2018 and involved six multi-purpose outdoor courts with a supporting multi-sport facility.
    “The estimated project cost of Stage Two is $9M and will include a multi-sport indoor facility featuring two indoor courts and supporting meeting spaces.” “It is designed to provide opportunities for training and district competitions and the ability to host regional, district and community level events.”
    Mr Heatley says the NRC struck the targeted $14.07 plus GST Regional Sporting Facilities Rate (per SUIP/Rating Unit) in its 2024-2034 Long Term Plan to provide funding support to assist in the development of Northland sporting facilities that are of regional or district-wide benefit.
    A working group made up of representatives from the NRC, Northland’s three district council’s and Sport Northland had recommended the funding for the 2024-2027 financial years. Regional councillors had confirmed the group’s recommendation at a council meeting late last month.
    “This will give those overseeing the projects a degree of certainty to plan and a platform to apply for third party funding.”
    Mr Heatley says potential recipient projects are identified through a regionwide consultation process, initially to inform ‘Kokiri ai Te Waka Hourua’, a strategy for play, active recreation and sport. The strategy was produced in partnership by the NRC, Sport Northland, Northland’s three district councils and Sport New Zealand.
    “A proposed project is presented to Sport Northland in the first instance, by a regional or district not-for-profit sporting focussed group, for consideration and prioritisation.”
    “Substantial work by the working group sees the prioritisation of regional sporting facility projects.
    Mr Heatley says for this allocation, 16 projects had been in varying states of readiness with six being advanced enough to be able to be scored and benchmarked against council-approved criteria. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Update 13: Alberta wildfire update (July 15, 3 p.m.)

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: 61% of our citizens are involved in regular physical education and sports

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    “Despite external challenges, the industry has been steadily developing. As of June 2025, almost 61% of our citizens are involved in regular physical education and sports. This is the main indicator of the effectiveness of state policy, which was determined by our head of state. Let me remind you that, according to the instructions of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, it should be at least 70% by 2030,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Last year, Russia hosted 645 international and almost 3 thousand national competitions, and held more than 2.3 thousand training camps in Olympic sports. Particular attention was paid to the development of new international formats. Russia hosted the BRICS Games and the Future Games (united participants from 116 countries in 21 phygital disciplines).

    The Deputy Prime Minister named support for adaptive sports and veterans of the SVO as a key area of work. This topic was the focus of the meeting of the Council under the President. In 2024, 11 sports competitions were held for veterans of the SVO. In May of this year, the final of the Victory Cup in phygital sports was organized for them. On the instructions of the head of state, complex multi-stage competitions will be held for SVO participants, a comprehensive support system, infrastructure for training and rehabilitation will be built.

    In 2025, a comprehensive state program was launched, within the framework of which at least 350 sports facilities will be built annually, and support for children’s sections, coaches, and mass adaptive sports will be strengthened.

    “According to Rosstat, the total expenditure on sports in the country is about 700 billion rubles. One of the key tasks is to consolidate all these resources in the sports sphere, including extra-budgetary funds,” noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    In addition, it is necessary to conduct an analysis of the impact of extra-budgetary sources on achieving the indicators of this comprehensive state program. The Ministry of Sports is preparing a system for rating regions by efficiency in the field of physical culture and sports. It is also important to regularly conduct research on the satisfaction of our citizens with the conditions for engaging in physical culture and sports in the regions.

    “The return of Russian athletes to the world arena is our primary task. 67 international federations allow our athletes to compete in their events. Almost 4,000 Russians in 28 Olympic sports have been allowed to participate in international tournaments under the auspices of the federations. Our plans for 2025 include participation in 29 world championships and other major competitions,” said Mikhail Degtyarev.

    In 2024, unified federations were created for gymnastics, water sports, canoeing, baseball and softball.

    As the Minister noted, one of the most important instruments for strengthening the system will be the Russian Sports Fund, created this year on the instructions of the President. In 2024, the total amount of deductions from gambling on sports exceeded 35 billion rubles.

    Special attention is given to our historical regions. The Russian Ministry of Sports will finance capital repairs, construction and reconstruction of sports facilities. Plans up to 2027 include, among other things: construction of 35 FOKOTs and 15 modular sports facilities, equipping 66 sports institutions with equipment.

    The Ministry of Sports has approved a list of 24 most accessible sports for organizing free sections and preferential conditions for children from low-income families. An order has been issued by the Ministry of Sports banning application fees for athletes under 18 years of age at interregional and all-Russian competitions.

    The GTO complex is an important tool for engaging in sports. 2.7 million people met the standards in 2024, more than 1 million received a gold badge.

    On the instructions of the President of Russia, the “Zemsky Trainer” program was launched.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko and Mikhail Degtyarev presented state and departmental awards in the field of sports. Among them were the Order of Honor, medals of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 1st and 2nd class, and others, awarded in accordance with the decree of the President.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ezell’s Cormorant Relief Act Clears House Natural Resources Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)

    Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced today that his bill to protect Mississippi’s aquaculture and fishing industries from overpopulation of double-crested cormorants has successfully passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.

    The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 streamlines the management of cormorant populations and restores much-needed flexibility to state and tribal wildlife agencies. These large, fish-eating birds have posed an increasing threat to fish farms and native species across the Gulf Coast, especially in Mississippi’s Fourth District.

    The Senate companion legislation is led by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). 

    “This is a big win for our catfish farmers, sportsmen, and conservationists,” Ezell said. “The overpopulation of cormorants has had a serious impact on our aquaculture industry, and this bill gives local experts the tools they need to protect our fisheries and manage bird populations responsibly. It’s about common sense — putting decision-making back in the hands of the people who are closest to the issue and understand it best.”

    “Congressman Ezell’s Cormorant Relief Act puts American farmers back in the driver’s seat and gives them the tools they need to manage their aquaculture facilities,” House Natural Resources Chairman Westerman said. “It is commonsense policy that will ensure responsible management of cormorant populations. I’d like to thank him for his work on this legislation and look forward to working with him as the bill continues to advance.”

    “Reinstating the federal double-crested cormorant depredation order is critical for Mississippi’s catfish farmers, who lose millions annually to these predatory birds. This measure will empower producers to protect their livelihoods, ensuring a thriving aquaculture industry that supports our state’s economy.” Mike McCormick, President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, said.

    “The population and range of cormorants have steadily grown in recent decades, leading to increased challenges for state and tribal fish hatcheries, the private aquaculture industry, and fisheries managers,” Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation said. “We applaud Representative Ezell, along with Reps Thompson, Guest and Kelly, for their leadership in addressing the growing cormorant depredation problem without any deleterious effects on cormorant populations.”

    For years, Mississippi producers have voiced concerns about the federal red tape involved in controlling cormorants, whose feeding habits can decimate fish stocks. The Cormorant Relief Act would empower state wildlife agencies to take action without waiting for burdensome federal approvals, while ensuring oversight remains in place to protect migratory bird populations. 

    The bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor and LTA partner to open tennis up to thousands more Londoners

    Source: Mayor of London

    • New £500,000 investment from Mayor and LTA will open up the sport to at least 5,500 Londoners in areas with limited opportunities to play
    • Three-year collaboration on Rally Together London will help grow and diversify tennis workforce by training 250 young people to help deliver the sport, over 50% of whom will be women
    • Sadiq has declared London the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025, as women’s tennis returns to the Queen’s Club for first time in over 50 years

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced a new partnership with the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) that will open up the sport to more people across London.

    The new three-year collaboration will see a £500,000 investment from the Mayor and the LTA into Rally Together London, a programme which will train 250 people from under-represented backgrounds to join the tennis workforce and facilitate sessions for local communities, with a minimum of 50% to be female.

    The programme will help at least 5,500 more young people to play the sport, who may never otherwise have played. This capitalises on the return this year of women’s tennis to the Queen’s Club as part of the HSBC Championships, and will help open up access to the sport across the whole city.

    Rally Together London will recruit, train and deploy 200 tennis activators to deliver the sport.[1] These activators will help grow the LTA’s Barclays Free Park Tennis programme [2] which offers free, weekly sessions with equipment provided on public park courts, and LTA SERVES[3] which takes tennis to the heart of local communities for young people who may never otherwise have played.

    Through the partnership, a cohort of 50 new tennis coaches will be supported to achieve their LTA Assistant (Level 1) and Instructor (Level 2) qualifications[5] to help grow participation in parks and community venues, and create employment opportunities, again with a particular focus on growing the number of female coaches in the sport.

    The wider partnership will see the Mayor and LTA work together on various initiatives and campaigns to promote women’s tennis and women’s sport across the capital, such as the recent launch of the HSBC Championships with a pop-up tennis court on the city’s iconic Trafalgar Square. The announcement comes as a women’s tennis tournament returned this week to the iconic Queen’s Club for the first time in more than 50 years, with the HSBC Championships 2025 [4] running through to 15 June.

    Many of the world’s best women’s tennis players are competing in West London, including Britain’s own 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and British No.1 Katie Boulter.

    They are joined by global stars including reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and Paris 2024 Olympic Champion Qinwen Zheng. The line up also features former Wimbledon champions in Petra Kvitova and Elena Rybakina.

    The Mayor has declared London the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025 [6]. In addition to the HSBC Championships, the capital is also set to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham Stadium, which will have a world-record attendance for a standalone women’s rugby XV’s event, as well as football, basketball, rugby league, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics and triathlon.

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to be partnering with the LTA to introduce tennis to thousands of Londoners who otherwise might not have had the opportunity.

    “The really exciting aspect of this partnership is that we will be reaching young people across the capital and specifically young women, as we create new opportunities for them to play tennis, train as coaches and get jobs in the industry.

    “I am thrilled we are announcing this new partnership as women’s tennis returns to the renowned Queen’s Club for the first time in more than 50 years, with the world’s best players competing in our city at the HSBC Championships.

    “London is the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025 and I am determined to bring even more sporting events to our city as we continue working to build a better, healthier, more prosperous London for everyone.”

    LTA Chief Executive, Scott Lloyd, said: “As women’s tennis returns to the Queen’s Club, this partnership with the Mayor of London will make a significant difference in opening access to our sport for communities across the whole of London.

    “We know that London is a tennis city, with iconic events like the HSBC Championships engaging and inspiring the next generation to pick up a racket and play on accessible community facilities, including park courts in every London Borough.

    “This partnership will help open up tennis and its benefits to even more people, by growing the number of LTA activators and coaches and ensure that the tennis workforce is reflective of the diversity of the capital.

    “In particular, we are excited by the opportunity to grow the female tennis workforce, which will in turn help provide opportunities for more women and girls to pick up a racket and play.”

    Naomi, an LTA SERVES Activator from Badu Sports based in East London, said” “Tennis is an amazing sport, and I’ve seen the impact that it can deliver for young people in London first-hand, helping them get active, developing skills and confidence.

    “It’s great that this new partnership between the LTA and Mayor of London will help give more young people across the city access to the sport — particularly as tennis has historically not been fully inclusive or accessible to underrepresented groups.”

    “Not only is tennis a great sport to play, but it can also help young people to develop their skills as a volunteer or coach, and even be an opportunity for paid employment.

    “I hope that as a result of this new partnership we will see more women and girls getting into tennis.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: LQWD Announces ATM Program to Support Ongoing Growth Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LQWD Technologies Corp. (TSXV:LQWD) (OTCQX: LQWDF) (“LQWD” or the “Company”) a Canadian-based Bitcoin-backed company and provider of enterprise-grade infrastructure for the Bitcoin Lightning Network,  is pleased to announce the launch of an at-the-market equity program (the “ATM Program”) that allows the Company to issue up to $10,000,000 of common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Common Shares”) from treasury to the public from time to time, at the Company’s discretion.

    The ATM Program strengthens LQWD’s ability to execute strategically and supports its strategy to rapidly accumulate Bitcoin as a core asset, which the Company uses to fuel and expand its global Lightning Network infrastructure. Bitcoin plays a vital role in LQWD’s strategy, powering the Lightning Network and acting as a key long-term asset in the Company’s treasury.

    Distributions of the Common Shares through the ATM Program will be made pursuant to the terms of an equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) dated July 15, 2025 between the Company and Haywood Securities Inc. (the “Agent”).

    “We continue to make strong progress, and with our recent financing now complete and the ATM in place, we’re well-positioned to accelerate our next phase of growth,” said Shone Anstey, CEO of LQWD Technologies.  “Our vision is to lead in the Lightning Network ecosystem, with Bitcoin holdings remaining a core pillar of that strategy.”

    Pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement, upon delivery of a placement notice by the Company, if any, the Agent may sell the Common Shares in Canada only, including, without limitation, sales made directly on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) or any other recognized marketplace upon which the Common Shares are listed or quoted or where the Common Shares are traded in Canada. No Common Shares will be offered or sold in the United States.

    The volume and timing of distributions under the ATM Program, if any, will be determined in the Company’s sole discretion. The ATM Program will be effective until the earlier of the issuance and sale of all of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to the ATM Program and December 31, 2025, unless terminated prior to such date by the Company or the Agent. As Common Shares sold in the ATM Program will be issued and sold at the prevailing market price at the time of the sale, prices may vary among purchasers during the period of the distribution. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the ATM Program for the continued development and growth of Company and its businesses, including future acquisitions, research and development, and marketing initiatives. Until applied, some or all of the net proceeds of the ATM Program, if any, may be held as cash balances in the Company’s bank account or invested at the discretion of the Company.

    The offering under the ATM Program will be made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated July 15, 2025 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) to the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus for the province of Québec and the amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus amending and restating the final short form base shelf prospectus dated April 11, 2024, for each of the provinces and territories of Canada, except Québec dated June 30, 2025 (the “Base Shelf Prospectus”).

    Completion of the distribution under the Prospectus Supplement in its entirety will constitute a material fact and a material change for the Company in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

    The Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus, and the Equity Distribution Agreement can be accessed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at https://lqwdtech.com/.

    Alternatively, the Agent will send copies of the Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus and Equity Distribution Agreement, as applicable, upon request by email at ecm@haywood.com.

    No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Common Shares, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About LQWD

    LQWD Technologies Corp. is advancing Bitcoin adoption through the Lightning Network, a second-layer solution that enables instant, low-cost transactions at scale. As one of the first public companies dedicated to Lightning infrastructure, LQWD operates a network of enterprise-grade nodes designed to earn transaction fees and support network liquidity.

    With a strategic Bitcoin treasury and infrastructure positioned for scalability, LQWD offers investors unique exposure to both the long-term appreciation of Bitcoin and the growing use of Lightning as a global payments solution.

    For further information:

    Ashley Garnot, President/Director
    Phone: 1.604.669.0912
    Email: ashley@lqwdtech.com
    Website: www.lqwdtech.com
    X: @LQWDTech

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations and beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the ATM Program, including the completion and anticipated timing for completion of the ATM Program, the potential size of the ATM Program, the Company’s intended use of the net proceeds of the ATM Program, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approvals of the TSXV, and the Company’s development and growth plans. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “anticipate”, “proposed”, “estimates”, “would”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

    Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin, Padilla, Curtis, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin, Padilla, Curtis, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Curtis (R-Utah), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation to support and commemorate the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take place in Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah, through the minting of new commemorative coins.

    Representatives Frank Lucas (R-Okla.-03), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and Blake Moore (R-Utah-01) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    The America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue four types of coins each in commemoration of the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The coins would be minted at no cost to the federal government, and any proceeds collected from the sale of these commemorative coins would aid in the execution of the 2028 and 2034 Games as well as support their legacy programs, which include the promotion of youth sports in the United States.

    Oklahoma City, OK, will host two 2028 Olympic sports, softball and canoe slalom. Softball will be held at Devon Park, the largest softball stadium in the world, and canoe slalom at Riversport Rapids.

    “American athletes are the pinnacle of our exceptionalism and I am looking forward to them leading the way as we host both the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. As Oklahoma’s world-class facilities will be home to multiple official venues, I am honored to join with my colleagues on this important legislation,” said Senator Mullin.

    “After years of careful preparation and federal collaboration, Los Angeles will be under the world spotlight for the Olympic and Paralympic Games before we know it,” said Senator Padilla. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure Los Angeles has the resources it needs to put on a world-class event — with a token to commemorate the Games for years to come. There is strong congressional interest in promoting and supporting all upcoming U.S.-hosted Olympic events to showcase our nation and our athletes on the global stage, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advance this bill.”

    “The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will showcase Utah’s pioneer spirit, community strength, and commitment to excellence,” said Senator Curtis. “These commemorative coins honor not just the athletes, but the values that built our state and the legacy we’ll pass on to future generations.”

    “It is no small honor to host the Olympic Games, and no small feat to organize them either. That is why these commemorative coins would not only pay proper tribute to such a great honor, but also help pay for the preparations to ensure the upcoming Olympic games – including the 2028 games in my home state – receive the resources they need,” said Representative Lucas.

    “The dedication demonstrated by the American athletes who participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is truly inspiring and our nation is honored to host both the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games and Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in celebrating our athletes by introducing America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over this legislation, I look forward to Congress moving quickly to advance this important bill. As an Angelino, I am excited to witness the Olympics return to Los Angeles after 44 years, and I am proud to join with my colleagues to honor the Salt Lake City 2034 Games as well,” said Representative Sherman.

    “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are incredible events that celebrate athletic achievement and the human spirit. I’m especially excited for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which will allow southern California residents to get an up-close look at these remarkable competitions as well as deliver a tremendous boost to our tourism economy. I want to thank all of my colleagues who have worked together to advance the bipartisan America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Calvert.

    “As we gear up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I’m proud to co-lead the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Kamlager-Dove. “This commemorative coin will celebrate not only the upcoming games, but also nearly a century of Olympic history in Los Angeles. The 2028 Games in Los Angeles memorialized by this coin will be a feat all Angelenos and Americans can be proud of.”

    “I’m immensely proud to represent Utah in co-leading the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. The return of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to Salt Lake City in 2034 will mark only the second time in history that the Winter Olympics have returned to the same city, and I cannot wait to see Utah front and center on the world stage once again,” said Representative Moore. “This bid was supported by over 80% of Utahns and will bring billions in GDP growth, tens of thousands of jobs, and showcase the world’s best athletes on the Greatest Snow on Earth. I’m also thrilled that the Summer Olympics will return stateside to Los Angeles in 2028 and look forward to this bill quickly passing through both houses of Congress.”

    “The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will mark the historic return of the summer Games to America in more than 30 years,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “The heart and dedication demonstrated by the athletes who participate in the Games is truly unparalleled. Los Angeles 2028, followed by Salt Lake 2034 will serve as an opportunity for American athletes to showcase their talent and resilience on the world’s stage. We’re grateful to Senators Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, and Mullin and Congressmembers Sherman, Lucas, Calvert, Kamlager-Dove and Moore for moving this bill forward to honor these athletes and our U.S. host cities for the 2028 and 2034 Games.”

    “As a four-time Olympian, I greatly appreciate the commemorative coin program as another means of showcasing our Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” said Catherine Raney Norman, Vice President Development and Athlete Relations, Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, A four-time Olympic speed skater. 

    Specifically, the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue commemorative $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, half-dollar clad coins, and proof silver $1 coins in commemoration of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to be held in in Los Angeles and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games set to be held in Salt Lake City.

    The United States has hosted the modern Olympic Games nine times, with the 2028 Games set to become the third time Los Angeles will host the summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Games set to become the second time Salt Lake City will host the Olympic Winter Games.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner Say SCORE Act is Big Loser for College Sports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    07.15.25
    Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner Say SCORE Act is Big Loser for College Sports
    Cantwell: “If you thought the dissolution of the Pac-12 was a heist, the SCORE Act is the National Championship of all heists. This legislation is a power grab by the two biggest conferences that will leave athletes, coaches, and small and mid-sized institutions behind.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, that oversees college sports, and Representative Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05) called on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to delay its July 15 markup of the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, citing significant changes needed to strengthen the bill and meet its goal of improving the future of college athletics—for ALL colleges and ALL athletes.
    “If you thought the dissolution of the Pac-12 was a heist, the SCORE Act is the National Championship of all heists,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This legislation is a power grab by the two biggest conferences that will leave athletes, coaches, and small and mid-sized institutions behind.” 
    “In its current form, the SCORE Act fails to protect what makes college sports special,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “It puts student-athletes at risk by empowering the wealthiest programs to poach talent and control the system. This bill accelerates the erosion of competitive balance, tradition, and opportunity—especially for smaller schools. I want to make sure that college athletics at WSU, Gonzaga, and EWU continue to have a strong future. If we truly care about student-athletes, we should be strengthening the institutions and values that support them, not stacking the deck against them.”
    In a letter to subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis and Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky, Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner wrote: “The bill appears to be a product of the richest conferences to cement into place the current power structure in college athletics that would leave only the wealthiest schools able to compete at the highest levels of college athletics. The SCORE Act will only cause more chaos and damage to the college athletics system. We urge you to pull this flawed bill from the mark up until the defects are fixed.”
    Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner called out big flaws with the bill’s framework and identified six areas that need to be improved:  
    consider policies to increase revenue for small and mid-sized schools and for women’s and Olympic sports;
    give college athletes a voice in how policies are made and implemented, including those related to conference realignment;
    address the inequities and limitations of the House v. NCAA settlement regarding women’s athletics;
    address the budgetary concerns of small and mid-sized schools;
    ensure health and safety protections; and,
    establish a commission on the future of college athletics.
    “College sports are important to student athletes, schools, alumni, fans, and communities across the United States,” their letter concluded. “Congress needs to get this right and not miss an opportunity to fix the college sports landscape for generations to come. We urge everyone to think long-term and big picture about the future of college athletics that we want to achieve.”
    The text of the letter is below and can be found HERE.
    Dear Chairman Bilirakis and Ranking Member Schakowsky,
    We have significant concerns about H.R. 4312, the “Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements” (SCORE) Act, slated to be marked up by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. The bill appears to be a product of the richest conferences to cement into place the current power structure in college athletics that would leave only the wealthiest schools able to compete at the highest levels of college athletics. The SCORE Act will only cause more chaos and damage to the college athletics system. We urge you to pull this flawed bill from the mark up until the defects are fixed.
    First, the bill entrenches the NCAA’s authority at a time when the NCAA’s governance structure is becoming increasingly dominated by wealthier conferences. The SCORE Act hands the NCAA unfettered ability to set rules that would make the rich schools richer, like representation on NCAA championship selection committees—and the tournament revenue that comes with it.
    Second, while we are pleased that college athletes can earn a share of the revenue they generate for their schools, the SCORE Act’s formula for determining the size of revenue shared with players will make it difficult for small and mid-sized schools to compete with wealthy schools. The non-policy-based formula in the bill is at least 22 percent of the average sports revenue of the 70 highest-revenue schools—an amount currently estimated to be $20.5 million. Very few schools will be able to pay out this full amount and the situation will be exacerbated over time as the limits increase each year as average revenue increases. These schools will not be able to keep up with wealthy schools who plan to pay their athletes the full $20.5 million each year or more. This will accelerate the loss of talent from these smaller schools, turning them into mere “feeder” schools for the largest programs.
    Third, the SCORE Act ignores important national policies regarding college sports. It ignores the explosive growth of women’s sports and how revenue sharing under the House v. NCAA settlement may jeopardize these gains and lead to far less money flowing to women’s sports. It ignores the importance of college athletics to the Olympic pipeline. The SCORE Act will inevitably lead to the loss of men’s and women’s Olympic sports as schools are implicitly forced to devote ever more resources to the college football arms race. The SCORE Act also fails to address how conference realignment has changed the map of college sports and the absurdity of sending college athletes coast-to-coast on a weekly basis while foreclosing any opportunity for athletes to have a voice at the table to advocate for themselves as these changes continue to play out.
    The SCORE Act is a missed opportunity to deliver creative solutions that will ensure a sustainable future for college athletics beyond the wealthiest programs. Rather than rush the SCORE Act through as is, we should press pause to fix the issues facing schools of all sizes and opportunity for all athletes. The Act should: (1) consider policies to increase revenue for small and mid-sized schools and for women’s and Olympic sports; (2) give college athletes a voice in how policies are made and implemented, including those related to conference realignment; (3) address the inequities and limitations of the House v. NCAA settlement regarding women’s athletics; (4) address the budgetary concerns of small and mid-sized schools; (5) ensure health and safety protections; and (6) establish a commission on the future of college athletics.
    College sports are important to student athletes, schools, alumni, fans, and communities across the United States. Congress needs to get this right and not miss an opportunity to fix the college sports landscape for generations to come. We urge everyone to think long-term and big picture about the future of college athletics that we want to achieve.
    We look forward to working with you on these important issues.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Taurine could power your energy drink – and maybe cancer cells too. Here’s what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gulshanara (Rumy) Begum, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition & Exercise Science, University of Westminster

    shutterstock New Africa/Shutterstock

    Energy drinks are big business. Marketed as quick fixes for fatigue and performance dips, energy drinks are especially popular among young people, athletes, sports enthusiasts, and so-called “weekend warriors” – people who pack their workouts into the weekend instead of exercising regularly. Gamers are now a major target too.

    But as the market grows, so do concerns about what’s actually in these drinks – and what these ingredients might be doing to our bodies.

    Many energy drinks contain some combination of three familiar stimulants: caffeine, found naturally in coffee, tea and cacao; guarana, an Amazonian plant rich in caffeine; and taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid found in scallops, mussels, turkey and chicken.

    Taurine, in particular, has drawn both hype and hope. It is credited with performance-enhancing properties and potential health benefits. But new research is raising important questions about how it behaves in the body – and when it might do more harm than good.

    In May 2025, a study published in Nature sparked headlines and unease in equal measure. It found that taurine may fuel the progression of leukaemia, a group of blood cancers that begin in the bone marrow.

    The study showed that while healthy bone marrow cells naturally produce taurine, leukaemia cells cannot. But they can absorb taurine from their surroundings and use it as a fuel source to grow and multiply. Research on mice and in human leukaemia cell samples demonstrated that taurine in the tumour microenvironment – the area around a tumour that includes blood vessels, immune cells and structural support – accelerated the progression of leukaemia.

    Crucially, when researchers blocked taurine uptake by leukaemia cells (using genetic techniques), cancer progression slowed significantly. The authors suggest taurine supplements could potentially worsen outcomes in people with leukaemia and propose that developing targeted ways to block taurine uptake by cancer cells might offer a new treatment strategy.

    Taurine: friend or foe?

    Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the human body, found in especially high concentrations in the heart, muscles and brain. In healthy people, it’s mainly obtained through diet, but the body can also synthesise taurine from the amino acids methionine and cysteine, provided it has enough vitamin B6, which is found in foods such as salmon, tuna, chicken, bananas and milk.

    Most people consuming a typical western diet take in 40mg–400mg of taurine a day from food alone. This figure refers only to taurine that is directly ingested, not including the additional amount the body can synthesise internally, which may vary depending on age, diet and health.

    Scallops contain high levels of taurine.
    barmalini/Shutterstock

    Taurine is listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) generally recognised as safe (GRAS) database, and according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), it’s safe to consume up to six grams per day. By comparison, a serving of Red Bull or Monster contains around one gram – comfortably below that threshold.

    Despite recent concerns about a possible link to blood cancer progression, taurine isn’t inherently harmful. In fact, some people may benefit from supplementation, especially those receiving long-term parenteral nutrition, where nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream because the gut isn’t working properly. People with chronic liver, kidney or heart failure may also have trouble producing or holding on to enough taurine, making supplementation helpful in specific clinical settings.

    Ironically, some research suggests taurine may actually help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in leukaemia patients – even as emerging studies raise concerns that it could also fuel the disease. This contradiction underscores how much context matters: the effects of taurine depend not just on dosage and delivery, but also on the patient’s underlying condition. What helps in one context, could harm in another.

    But here’s the catch: taking taurine as a supplement for particular health reasons is very different from consuming large quantities through energy drinks, which often combine taurine with high levels of caffeine and sugar. This combination can put strain on the heart, interfere with sleep and increase the risk of side effects, particularly for people with underlying health conditions or those taking other stimulants.

    The latest research raises important questions about whether taurine-heavy products could be harmful in some cases, especially for people with, or at risk of, blood cancers.

    So, should you worry?

    According to the current evidence, if you’re a healthy adult who occasionally sips an energy drink, there’s little cause for alarm. But moderation is key. Consuming multiple high-taurine drinks daily or taking taurine supplements (without prior professional consultation), on top of a taurine-rich diet might not be wise, especially if future research confirms links between taurine and cancer progression.

    Until more is known, the safest approach would be to enjoy your energy boosts by consuming a nutritious diet rather than consuming energy drinks. If you have any underlying health conditions – or a family history of cancer – it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before diving into taurine supplementation or consumption of energy drinks.

    Gulshanara (Rumy) Begum 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. Taurine could power your energy drink – and maybe cancer cells too. Here’s what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/taurine-could-power-your-energy-drink-and-maybe-cancer-cells-too-heres-what-you-need-to-know-256957

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Baltic Horizon Fund publishes its NAV for June 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The net asset value (NAV) per unit of the Baltic Horizon Fund (the Fund) increased to EUR 0.6766 at the end of June 2025 (0.6757 as of 31 May 2025). The month-end total net asset value of the Fund was EUR 97.1 million (EUR 97.0 million as of 31 May 2025). The EPRA NRV as of 30 June 2025 stood at EUR 0.7223 per unit.

    In June 2025, the consolidated net rental income of the Fund was EUR 1.0 million (EUR 1.0 million in May 2025). On 5 June 2025, a 3,679.7 sq.m. area in the S27 building was handed over to the anchor tenant, the International School of Riga which will open the premises for the new school year already in September.

    At the end of June 2025, the Fund’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 7.1 million (31 May 2025: EUR 7.2 million). As of 30 June 2025, the total consolidated assets of the Fund were EUR 238.8 million (31 May 2025: EUR 238.6 million).

    In alignment with recently implemented various cost-saving measures, the Fund management with the consent of the Fund Supervisory Board opted not to undertake interim property valuations. Management assumes at the same time that the 2025 mid-year fair values of the Fund’s properties would not be materially different from 2024 year-end valuations.

    For additional information, please contact:

    Tarmo Karotam
    Baltic Horizon Fund manager
    E-mail tarmo.karotam@nh-cap.com
    www.baltichorizon.com

    The Fund is a registered contractual public closed-end real estate fund that is managed by Alternative Investment Fund Manager license holder Northern Horizon Capital AS. 

    Distribution: GlobeNewswire, Nasdaq Tallinn, Nasdaq Stockholm, www.baltichorizon.com

    To receive Nasdaq announcements and news from Baltic Horizon Fund about its projects, plans and more, register on www.baltichorizon.com. You can also follow Baltic Horizon Fund on www.baltichorizon.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Presidio Accelerates Industry Transformation with AWS: New Verticals, AI, and Co-Developed Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Presidio, a leading technology services and solutions provider, today announced a new Vertical market strategy featuring tailored industry-specific solutions and dedicated teams of industry experts. This initiative builds on major milestones in our strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) reinforcing the companies’ joint commitment to accelerating digital transformation across key verticals. This strategic shift and expansion reflect the two companies continued investment in a vertical market strategy and innovation roadmap.

    “By deepening our vertical market focus, we’re providing customers with the perfect blend of industry-specific and cutting-edge technology expertise to drive meaningful outcomes faster than ever before,” said Chris Cagnazzi, Chief Innovation Officer at Presidio. “Together with AWS we’re developing innovative new solutions, accelerating AI adoption and shaping the future of digital transformation across every industry.”

    Presidio’s expanded industry vertical market strategy includes:

    • Dedicated industry expertise: Specialized teams with deep domain knowledge are now focused on healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, sports, media, entertainment, state and local government and education.
    • Co-Development with AWS: Presidio and AWS are developing new offerings tailored to the needs of customers in each vertical.
    • Captivate for every vertical: Captivate transforms video and sensor data into real-time insights that drive engagement, efficiency, and compliance. Presidio’s AI-powered platform empowers organizations to unlock new revenue streams, streamline operations, and deliver personalized experiences at scale.

    Major milestones accomplished over the past year include:

    • Launched Presidio Captivate: This innovative audience experience solution includes accelerators that leverage AWS for scalability, flexibility, and intelligence to drive immersive experiences and dynamic monetization opportunities. The first tailored solution is specifically for the Sports, Media and Entertainment industries.
    • Expansion of AI Accelerators through AWS: Presidio HAI accelerators powered by AWS enable clients to rapidly deploy intelligent solutions that drive business outcomes. Presidio HAI combines human expertise and AI capabilities for responsible AI adoption and significantly accelerates software development and application modernization.
    • $1 Billion in AWS Marketplace Transactions: Presidio was among the first companies to achieve $1 billion in AWS Marketplace sales. This was driven by a consultative approach and comprehensive lifecycle services that help clients optimize technology investments.

    Presidio is actively hiring across its vertical practices and digital transformation teams. To explore open roles and join a company at the forefront of industry innovation, visit presidio.com/careers.

    About Presidio

    At Presidio, speed and quality meet technology and innovation. Presidio is a trusted ally for organizations across industries with a decades-long history of building traditional IT foundations and deep expertise in AI and automation, security, networking, digital transformation, and cloud computing. Presidio fills gaps, removes hurdles, optimizes costs, and reduces risk. Presidio’s expert technical team develops custom applications, provides managed services, enables actionable data insights, and builds forward-thinking solutions that drive strategic outcomes for clients globally. For more information, visit www.presidio.com.

    Contacts:

    Press: PR@Presidio.com

    Investor Relations: Investors@presidio.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor launches new £12m Green Roots Fund to boost capital’s green and blue spaces

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Mayor launches new fund at the start of London Climate Action Week – the largest city-wide climate event in Europe
    • London will stage more than 700 events across the week to accelerate global climate action, showcasing how London is a global climate leader
    • More than 45,000 people to come to London to take part in events
    • Sadiq urges community groups, boroughs and stakeholders to apply for up to £500,000 – to green neighbourhoods, rewild communities and clean local rivers

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is starting London Climate Action Week with the launch of a new Green Roots Fund, which will invest more than £12 million to make neighbourhoods across the capital greener, healthier and more climate resilient.

    The new fund, which sees Sadiq deliver on his 2024 Election Manifesto pledge, will support the creation and improvement of London’s green and blue spaces, such as parks, community gardens, wetlands and rivers. This includes projects that will restore habitats for nature to thrive and could reintroduce lost species.

    Research shows that those from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities are more than twice as likely to live in an area deprived of green space [1], while more than one in five households in London have no access to a garden. [2] The new fund will tackle this social injustice, empowering communities with the opportunity to increase their access to green and blue spaces.

    The new £12 million fund will award grants ranging from £10,000 to £500,000 over the next three years to community groups, boroughs and stakeholders to pay for trees, wildflower meadows, parklets and waterway improvements.

    The launch comes at the start of London Climate Action Week, which is taking place this week (21-29 June) and is the largest city-wide climate event in Europe.

    Now in its seventh year, London Climate Action Week hosts more than 700 in-person and virtual events (double the number of events from last year) and attracts more than 45,000 people to the capital. It mobilises London’s unparalleled array of organisations committed to accelerating global climate action, showcasing how London is a global climate leader.

    Sadiq has led the way and after he launched the world’s first 24-hour Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and expanded it to cover the whole capital in 2023, ULEZ is now the largest clean air zone in the world. It covers every borough of London, helping the capital’s almost ten million residents breathe cleaner air. It has been crucial to protect the health of Londoners, support children’s lung growth, and reduce the risk of people developing asthma, lung cancer and a host of other health issues related to air pollution. [3]

    City Hall is involved in a number of events for London Climate Action Week. This includes: 

    1. A seeds giveaway, today (23 June) to encourage Londoners to create habitats and food sources to benefit nature. A total of 12,000 seed packets will be handed out by volunteers at 12 stations in areas that have less access to green space.*
    2. A week of discussions at Goals House which will feature the Mayor and explore topics including sustainable cities, design and creativity and the impact of businesses on biodiversity and the loss of nature.
    3. A Climate Innovation Forum in Central London that will see the Mayor discuss pioneering green initiatives with international leaders across government and business.
    4. The inaugural London Climate Action Week Youth Summit at ZSL, which will bring together over 150 young changemakers to explore how young Londoners can take climate and nature action in the city

    Since he took office in 2016, the Mayor has transformed London’s natural spaces, improving and creating over 900 hectares of green space – equivalent to more than 2,000 football pitches. He has restored 3.7km of river, creating habitat for wildlife to flourish.

    Through his Grow Back Greener Fund, the Mayor has already awarded over £4 million to 135 community-led projects, supporting Londoners to create and improve over 30 hectares of green space (1,140 tennis courts) and plant over 25,000 trees. [4]

    Since taking office in 2016, Sadiq’s initiatives have led to the planting of over 600,000 trees across London (including two new woodlands), totalling 85 hectares of tree-filled green spaces for everyone to enjoy. [5]

    In addition, the Mayor has invested over £2.5 million since 2021 through his Rewild London Fund, into projects that have supported the restoration and rewilding of London’s most valuable places for nature. [6]

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to launch my new Green Roots Fund to deliver spaces across our capital that are greener, healthier and more climate resilient.

    “I want to encourage all community groups to get involved in helping to transform our neighbourhoods and ensure that all Londoners can benefit from nature.

    “I am thrilled to be announcing this new investment during London Climate Action Week as our capital delivers the largest city-wide climate event in Europe.

    “The benefits of nature should be for everyone and I am committed to making this a reality for all Londoners, as we continue to build a greener and fairer London for everyone.”

    Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, said: “London Climate Action Week provides a platform to showcase our capital as a global climate leader.  

    “It is fantastic Sadiq is delivering on his Manifesto pledge this week to launch London’s Green Roots Fund and kickstart a series of over 700 events across our capital over the coming days.

    “I urge Londoners to get involved in the many in person and virtual events across the coming days as the Mayor and I work to deliver more natural spaces in our city that are accessible to all.”

    London Climate Action Week Founder and Chair Nick Mabey said: “London Climate Action Week 2025 is more than double the size of last year and attracting even greater international participation.

    “This shows the depth of London’s climate solutions sector whether in finance, clean tech or fashion and the enthusiasm of Londoners to be part of climate action.

    “This energy across the whole of society shows how divorced the current elite political discussion on net zero is from economic and grassroots reality.”

    Friends of Mostyn Garden Project / Muslim Women of Merton Co-ordinator Neaz Ahmed said: “The Mayor’s Grow Back Greener Fund enabled us to tackle social injustice and empower communities with the opportunity to increase their access to green and blue spaces.

    “We worked with volunteer women from the local community to make a piece of derelict land useable and a focus for the community,  including the Tranquil Corner where we meet in peace and tranquillity. It has now attracted further funds to clear up and establish seating and paths.”

    London Wildlife Trust Director of Nature Recovery, Sam Davenport, said: “We’re in the midst of an ecological emergency, and now more than ever, nature needs all of us.

    “As proud partners of the Mayor’s Rewild London Fund, we’ve seen the inspiring results that come from empowering London’s communities to act for wildlife.

    “This renewed commitment to nature recovery from the Mayor is a welcome next step toward a greener, wilder, and more resilient London.”

    National Park City Foundation and London National Park City Chair Navdeep Deol said: “With the support of the Mayor’s team we have been able to deliver vital and timely microgrants to a number of our National Park City Ranger projects, so that they can focus on their important work to make London greener, wilder and healthier and support communities across the capital.

    “The programme strengthens capacity and resilience within the voluntary sector in a way that is both equitable and scalable without the complexity of traditional funding models. The Green Roots Fund creates new opportunities to kick-start and grow new community led and grassroots action right across London.” 

    Wildlife Gardeners of Haggerston Chair, Gideon Corby, said: “Receiving the Mayor of London’s Grow Back Greener and Rewild London funding allowed us to do so much work on Hackney Marshes and along the Old Lea River.

    “We have worked hard to increase the chances for wildlife to thrive; removing problematic plants and reintroducing reedbeds, returning the natural complexity of flow to the river and building refugia to allow wood mice, field vole and shrew populations.

    “GLA funding gave us local people the chance, and privilege, to do work we are immensely proud of and we’d do it all again!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA to hold a ‘critical‘ meeting with Formula 1 in two weeks

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has revealed that a significant meeting is set to take place in the next two weeks with representatives from Formula 1 (F1). 

    The Kyalami Grand Prix has been granted permission to modify its design, paving the way for a potential return of F1 to the country.

    “Many laughed when I uttered the words ‘Formula 1 must come back to South Africa’. One man in particular, who didn’t laugh was Toby Venter, the owner of the Kyalami racetrack. 

    “When I told him that government doesn’t have the money to host Formula 1 because of other more urgent priorities and we would not be able to help him pay for the track to reach F1 standards, he looked me in the eye and said he would see it [as] his patriotic duty to do just that.

    “We have had multiple meetings with the management of F1, with a crucial one happening in the next two weeks.“

    The Minister was speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, presenting a R6.3 billion budget aimed at unlocking local talent in both sports and the arts and culture.

    “To those who say the country can’t afford to host the F1, I’m saying the country can’t afford not to… We hosted the best FIFA World Cup. We put our country on the map for big events and should not turn back now.” 

    According to McKenzie, what will be different this time is that government will not be expected to pay.

    Meanwhile, he announced that companies like MTN, MultiChoice, Heineken, and many others have expressed their support for this initiative.

    “They will be present with us in the meeting with Formula 1 at the end of the month.” 

    However, he stressed that those who believe that F1 is not important should consider the countries that are holding onto their F1 spots on the calendar.

    “They see the value in it, and it can’t be called a world championship if it misses an entire continent, sub-Saharan Africa in particular.” 

    He also expressed gratitude to everyone who joined the mission to promote the sport of spinning, including Red Bull and Cell C.

    “People were laughing when we said we’re going to make spinning big, but already this sport has left the townships and now Sam Sam is wowing the likes of Max Verstappen with his skills in Austria.”

    Samkeliso Thubane, also known as Sam Sam, is a prominent South African spinning motorsport athlete sponsored by Red Bull. 

    He is recognised as the world’s first official Red Bull spinning athlete and has gained international acclaim for his skills, performing at the reopening of Red Bull Hangar-7 in Austria.

    LIV Golf

    The country is exploring the potential of bringing a LIV Golf tournament, a professional men’s golf tour, to South Africa as early as next year.  

    “Golf has not broken through to the masses and we hope to achieve that with LIV Golf. It’s not only golf, but also culture,” McKenzie said.

    The Minister said he hoped to eclipse Australia’s attendance of more than 100 000 at a single event over three days.

    Olympics

    Meanwhile, he said the draft document has been developed, and plans are being finalised to send as many athletes as possible to the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

    The Minister said last year, they travelled to Olympic House in Switzerland to express the country’s interest in hosting the Summer Olympic Games in South Africa in 2036.

    VAR

    McKenzie announced that they are finalising the funding process for video assistant refereeing (VAR) to ensure fairness in football matches, from the Premier Soccer League to international fixtures — meeting global standards.

    “It is a necessity. We see stadiums vandalised when bad refereeing happens, and the success of teams like Mamelodi Sundowns makes global teams want to play here, but they get second thoughts because we don’t have VAR.“ – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: McKenzie unveils R6.3 billion budget to boost local talent in sports and arts

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has tabled a R6.3 billion budget this morning that he believes will help unlock local talent in both the sports, and arts and culture sectors.

    “Change is difficult, but it’s necessary… Access and opportunity matter, and even the greatest of talents need that opportunity. That is why, to invest in all our talent, both in sport, and arts and culture, as well as preserving our heritage, the department has a budget of R6.3 billion for the 2025/26 financial year,” McKenzie said on Tuesday in Parliament. 

    Under Programme 2, Recreation Development and Sport Promotion, the Minister announced that the department will allocate R1.281 billion. 

    To continue supporting sports in the country, McKenzie said R98.5 million will be allocated toward federation support.

    “One of the biggest changes coming for our federations will be the provision of an office building for them to share, as many have been running their sports out of the boots of their cars.” 

    WATCH | 

    [embedded content]

    To support and develop local talent, the department has allocated over R627 million through the conditional grant for this financial year. 

    According to the Minister, funding will be used for the purchase of equipment and attire for schools, clubs and hubs, as well as for training individuals in coaching, technical officiating, administration courses, and employment opportunities.

    Repatriation

    Under Programme 4, Heritage Promotion and Preservation, the department has allocated R2.787 billion, which includes R1.6 billion for the construction, maintenance, upgrading, and operation of valued libraries.

    “Following the success of our inaugural programme to return the remains of South African fallen heroes from Zimbabwe and Zambia last year, we shall continue to repatriate the human remains of freedom fighters who fell outside the country during the struggle.

    “I am told that there could still be 5 000 bodies that need to be returned, and we should not rest until they are home.” 

    READ | Government, judiciary reaffirm commitment to justice

    The Minister said they are currently negotiating with Scottish authorities to repatriate the remains of Khoi and San ancestors from the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum by September 2025. 

    He also mentioned that government is nearing the conclusion of the reburial process for 58 ancestral remains from the Northern Cape.

    This effort is guided by the Northern Cape Reburial Task Team, which includes representatives from the Nama, Griqua, Korana, and San communities.

    Museums

    The ministry is also driving a campaign, under the theme: “Reimagining South African Heritage for a New Era”, which is aimed at making museums relevant to a new, curious generation, ultimately increasing visitor numbers.

    “One of the first projects we are focusing on is Robben Island, which is undergoing a major revamp and facelift.”

    Creative arts

    Under Programme 3, focused on Arts and Culture Promotion and Development, his department is allocating R1.725 billion. 

    To enhance skills and transform the cultural and creative industries, he stated that they will continue to recruit and place approximately 300 young people. 

    This initiative aims to improve their chances of gaining employment and becoming self-employed in creative fields.

    Sector clusters

    He announced that the interim boards for the 17 sector clusters within the cultural and creative industry are now fully operational. 

    These boards are responsible for organising their respective sectors, promoting collaboration, and addressing challenges such as copyright protection, fair labour practices, and equitable distribution of funding. 

    According to the Minister, they will receive a total budget of R34 million to support their operations.

    “We understand the frustration of our creatives. For the past 30 years and the years before that, they have not seen their lives change for the better.”

    In support of the preservation and development of the Khoi and San languages, the N|uu language in particular, the department is setting aside R2 million for a targeted call for proposals to preserve these languages. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor heads historic trade mission to Africa to drive trade, investment and cultural links

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Sadiq is first Mayor of London to lead trade mission to Africa
    • Mayor will visit Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to boost trade and growth and further develop cultural links
    • Mayor to visit four cities in five days – Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town  
    • Trade between UK and Africa worth £50bn
    • The Mayor says that over the next decade there are ‘huge opportunities’ to deepen partnerships between London and African nations.

    Sadiq Khan will this week become the first Mayor of London to lead a trade mission to Africa, banging the drum for the capital as a place to invest and strengthening ties with countries across the continent.

    Sadiq will visit Lagos in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, and Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa – four cities in five days – to boost trade links with London and build on extensive connections between the region and the capital’s growing African diaspora.

    Alongside the visit, the Mayor’s growth agency London & Partners will host a trade delegation of 27 London-based companies that are looking to grow their business and access opportunities in this dynamic and important region of the world.  

    The bilateral trade relationship between Africa and London has shown consistent growth over recent years, despite global challenges. More businesses from London expand into Africa than from any other city globally and the UK stands as one of Africa’s significant trading partners. With trade between the UK and Africa worth £50bn in 2024* and UK exports up six per cent year on year, the Mayor is hoping that his visit will contribute to future economic growth both in London and the cities he visits.

    The visit also helps to celebrate London’s cultural links and history with the African continent. Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge part of life in the capital, from food and music, to art and culture and sport. Nigeria is the eighth most common country of birth for Londoners, with the country among the top 10 fastest growing populations in London, and Ghana in the top 30 fastest growing between 2001 and 2021. Last month London hosted the football Unity Cup, which saw Ghana and Nigeria go head-to-head in a semi-final at Brentford’s stadium. 

    New analysis from Dealroom has ranked Lagos as the world’s top emerging tech hub.** In Lagos, the Mayor will attend a flagship tech event hosted by London and Partners, the growth agency for London, where he will encourage Nigerian tech businesses to invest in London.

     Just last week, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) became the first Nigerian banking entity to list all of its shares directly on the London Stock Exchange, highlighting the close economic ties that already exist between London and the African continent.

    Africa’s Creative Vibrancy Index ranks Lagos as the top city for creative economy performance and the Mayor will also host a major culture and creative industries reception to celebrate the status of Lagos and London as cultural and creative industry powerhouses. This will also look to encourage even greater ties between the creative industry ecosystems in both cities – from the arts to music and film.

    Trade between the UK and Ghana stood at around £1.4 billion in 2024. In Accra, the Mayor will deliver a speech on innovation and entrepreneurship to students at the University of Ghana, hosted by Imperial College London. Imperial is the first UK university to have a permanent base solely focused on science and technology in Africa, building on the rapid increase in the number of scientific advancements and breakthroughs by researchers from Imperial working with scientists in Ghana in recent years. He will also launch the British High Commission’s new business campaign that will promote trade between the two cities.

    In Johannesburg, the Mayor will commemorate Mandela Day – an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday. Nelson Mandela made a number of visits to London during his lifetime, including a state visit in 1996 by invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, and speaking in Trafalgar Square in 2005 in support of the Make Poverty History Campaign. His impact on South Africa, the UK and the wider world is celebrated by a statue in Parliament Square, and last year the Mayor provided funding to support the first cultural centre and museum dedicated to the history of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Britain.

    Finally, the Mayor will visit Cape Town where he will join London businesses from his trade delegation who are seeking new opportunities in Africa. He will attend London & Partners’ London x Cape Town Tech Summit, which will bring together London and South Africa’s dynamic tech sectors, developing opportunities for collaboration between the two cities in driving innovation, attracting investment and scaling transformative technologies. He will also take part in events marking the huge role sport can play in supporting communities, both in London and in Africa.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to be visiting Africa this week – the first visit of its kind by a Mayor of London – to bang the drum for the capital and further develop the strong ties between our countries.

    “Africa has the world’s fastest growing populations, and is seeing major economic growth across many of its economies. Over the next decade there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London. I will be working tirelessly throughout this visit to drive trade and investment across critical sectors including finance, education, health, tech creative and sustainability.

    “Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world, and this trip is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, history and culture with the African continent – as we build a better and fairer city for everyone.”  

    Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, said: “London is one of the best places in the world to build a business. But it doesn’t thrive in isolation. Its strength comes from global connections. Markets like Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya offer real opportunities for growth. These trade missions focus on building strong partnerships between London and some of the most important emerging business hubs in the region. London is home to important African diaspora communities, which are a great strength in our diverse city.”

    Lord Collins of Highbury, UK Minister for Africa said: “Sir Sadiq’s visit marks an exciting moment for the UK’s relationship with countries across Africa, and is a strong demonstration of our commitment to deepening our ties with the continent. 

     

    “Strengthening our trade, investment, and cultural ties is not only vital for shared economic growth, but also for fostering long-term partnerships that are rooted in respect and open up opportunities for all.”

    Dr Lloyd Anderson, the Acting Regional Director for Sub Saharan at the British Council, said: “On behalf of the British Council in Sub Saharan Africa, I am delighted to welcome Mayor Sadiq Khan on his historic trade mission to this vibrant continent. The visit will not only strengthen the bonds between London and Africa, but showcase the immense potential for trade, investment and cultural programmes.

    “Given Africa’s dynamic economies and diverse cultures, there are precedented opportunities for collaborations that celebrate our shared heritage and drive innovation across sectors such as creative industries and education. I look forward to witnessing the fruitful partnerships that will emerge from this mission, enhancing not only economic ties but also the cultural connections that enrich both London and Africa.”

    Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, said: “The Mayor of London’s visit underscores the UK Government’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria. From trade to fintech and fashion, our collaboration is driving innovation and growth.

    “Through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, we’re committed to unlocking new opportunities that benefit both our economies, and this visit is a powerful step forward in that journey of inclusive growth.”

    Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa, said: “The Mayor of London’s visit marks a significant moment in deepening the economic ties between South Africa and London, with a focus on trade, innovation, and cultural links. His engagements in Cape Town show the tangible benefits of collaboration to drive inclusive, sustainable growth for both our economies.”

    Orla Browne, Head of Insights at Dealroom, said: “Lagos is the world’s top emerging tech hub in our 2025 ‘Rising Stars’ ranking — and for good reason. Its tech ecosystem has grown 11-fold in enterprise value since 2017 to $15B, produced five unicorns like Flutterwave and OPay, and attracted significant foreign investment. In the context of a low-income national economy, Lagos shows how tech can be a powerful driver of economic growth.”

    Tom Attenborough, Head of International Primary Markets, London Stock Exchange Group, said; “The London Stock Exchange has been a consistent funding partner – both to Governments and to the wider African economy – with more than 90% of the bonds issued by African Sovereigns currently listed on our markets and more than 100 companies from 20 African countries with a market capitalisation of $110bn listed here. London’s capital markets continue to play actively in directing financing to opportunities that support economic development across Africa.”

    Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, London UK, said: “The Africa Centre warmly welcomes The Mayor of London’s trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa as part of his office’s focus on Africa. For over 60 years, we have had the pleasure of fostering meaningful engagements and innovative partnerships between the United Kingdom and the African continent. Mayor Khan’s visit represents a timely and strategic opportunity to deepen economic, cultural and innovation ties with the continent in a spirit of genuine partnership. We stand ready to support all efforts that will advance inclusive growth and mutual prosperity.”

    London-based businesses in Africa as part of London & Partners trade delegation include fintech company Abound who specialise in AI-powered lending.

    Michelle He, Co-Founder and COO of Abound said: “We’re excited to take part in this historic trade mission to Africa. We’ve already partnered with one African unicorn, LemFi, and are excited to continue to grow our presence in what is becoming such an important fintech hub.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

    The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

    A sustainability conundrum

    Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

    There is a divide over how sports should respond.

    Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

    Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
    AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

    Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

    This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

    A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

    Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

    In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

    When climate promises become greenwashing

    The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

    Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

    However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

    For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

    Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
    Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

    Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

    Finding practical solutions

    Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

    These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

    Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

    Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

    There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

    How fans can cut their environmental footprint

    Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:

    • Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.

    • While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.

    • Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.

    • Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.

    • You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.

    Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

    In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

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

    – ref. When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-like-fifa-world-cup-expand-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

    The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

    A sustainability conundrum

    Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

    There is a divide over how sports should respond.

    Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

    Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
    AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

    Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

    This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

    A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

    Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

    In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

    When climate promises become greenwashing

    The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

    Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

    However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

    For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

    Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
    Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

    Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

    Finding practical solutions

    Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

    These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

    Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

    Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

    There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

    How fans can cut their environmental footprint

    Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:

    • Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.

    • While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.

    • Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.

    • Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.

    • You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.

    Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

    In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

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

    – ref. When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-like-fifa-world-cup-expand-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI: Research: Consumer Mobile Frustration Is Rising – And It’s Costing Brands

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fullstory, a leading behavioral data company, today unveiled findings from its 2025 Behavioral Insights Benchmark Report, analyzing year-over-year trends in user digital experience across platforms. This year’s data from 14 billion sessions across key sectors—retail, financial services, food and beverage, travel and hospitality, gambling and entertainment, software, and business services—shows a sharp rise in mobile user frustration, with more frequent pain points, early search abandonment, spikes in error, and rage clicks.

    Welcome to the ‘Frustration Economy’: Mobile is Becoming a Hotspot for User Friction 

    Emerging AI-driven interfaces have made user experience (UX) on mobile more complex, and today’s consumers are paying the price, with mobile error clicks surging 667% from 2024 to 2025. This increase in errors, combined with decreasing user patience, is revealing a critical shift in behavior as consumers want their mobile experiences to be personalized and fast. A clear sign of frustration is rage clicks, which increased drastically for mobile and desktop users. Specifically, food and beverage rose a staggering 673%, followed by business services (131%), financial services (85%), and retail (56%).

    Adding to the complexity, the report shows that mobile bounce rate rose 54%, with half of all mobile users exiting after just one page. Financial services saw the highest number of mobile bounce rates at 85%, followed by retail (64%), and food and beverage (13%). For travel brands, mobile bounce rates decreased by 10%.

    “Today’s consumers expect elevated, efficient digital experiences. These high expectations are a byproduct of consumers’ increasing exposure to sophisticated AI tools, putting pressure on brands to deliver exceptional experiences every single session,” said Adam Spisak, Chief Customer Officer at Fullstory. “Our data confirms that mobile interfaces aren’t keeping pace with the new set of expectations from consumers. This is a wake-up call for brands. As frustration builds and consumers encounter more issues, they will choose to pursue other options.”

    Mobile Users Linger Longer but Struggle More

    Across all sectors, mobile traffic is rising, but UX often lags. Errors, rage clicks, and abandonments are far more common on mobile, with users hitting dead ends in nearly every visit. Despite these challenges, mobile still presents opportunities, as brands seek to engage more often and for longer with consumers. In 2025, mobile session duration rose 332%, reaching an average of 15 minutes and 51 seconds (up from 3 minutes and 40 seconds in 2024). This opportunity to engage consumers for longer periods of time was most apparent for retailers, who saw a session duration increase of 442%, followed by food and beverage (156%), while entertainment saw a 14% decrease.

    However, the report revealed dead clicks – when users click on elements that don’t respond – remained high on mobile, averaging 929 per 1,000 sessions – a slight increase from 2024. This is further proof that businesses need to invest in technology that tests their user interface on both desktop and mobile, improving both in tandem.

    Desktop Experiences Are Stabilizing, Boosting User Confidence

    While the increase in error clicks on mobile (667%) is concerning, this report found that web error clicks on desktop dropped significantly by 68%, indicating desktop stability is trending in the right direction. This shows that ongoing user experience investments on desktop experiences are paying off.

    However, there are still opportunities for improvement, with error clicks increasing across several sectors. Food and beverage reported the highest rates of error clicks on desktop at 121%, followed by financial services (56%), and travel (14%).

    “Behavioral data tells the story behind every customer interaction,” said Spisak, “It reveals exactly where and why users are struggling. The brands that act on these insights have a real opportunity to directly impact conversion, retention, and improve customer trust, resulting in stronger, more loyal relationships.”

    To better understand users’ behaviors, expectations, and points of friction across digital experiences, read the full report here.

    Research Methodology

    The data in this report reflects aggregated and anonymized activity from January to December 2024, spanning 9.5 billion web sessions, 4.1 billion mobile sessions, and 945 billion individual events. It focuses on four key regions—North America, UK & Ireland, DACH, and Benelux—and highlights trends across five major industries: Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Finance, and Sports, Gambling & Entertainment.

    About Fullstory

    Fullstory is the leading behavioral data platform that helps technology leaders make smarter, faster decisions by integrating rich behavioral signals into their analytics stack. Its patented technology captures every digital interaction and transforms it into high-fidelity, actionable insights at scale. With agentic AI, Fullstory enables enterprises to anticipate the needs of both customers and employees, personalize experiences in real time, streamline workflows, and drive meaningful business outcomes. From boosting efficiency and conversion to increasing loyalty and revenue, Fullstory turns digital behavior into a competitive advantage. Headquartered in Atlanta with teams across North America, EMEA, and APAC, Fullstory is trusted by the world’s most innovative organizations to transform behavioral data into business impact.

    Fullstory Media Relations
    Alexandra King
    Director of Communications
    pr@fullstory.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Seaclose Park tennis and netball courts reopen ahead of schedule 15 July 2025 Seaclose Park tennis and netball courts reopen ahead of schedule

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Wimbledon may be over, but who says the rallies have to stop?

    Tennis is back on the agenda at Seaclose Park, where two of the three courts have now reopened.

    The reopening, following the Isle of Wight Festival, is thanks to a swift and well-coordinated effort by the Isle of Wight Council’s public realm, parks and open spaces team, ensuring the facilities are match-fit for players once again.

    But it’s not just tennis players who have reason to celebrate. The netball courts are back in action too, ready for training, matches, or a friendly game in the sun.

    And for those who prefer a scenic stroll or cycle, the much-loved shared-use pathway known as N120 — which follows the water’s edge from Seaclose Park toward Island Harbour — has also reopened.

    Each summer, Seaclose Park plays host to the iconic Isle of Wight Festival, a highlight of the Island’s cultural calendar that brings music, energy, and thousands of visitors to the Island.

    Naturally, such a large-scale event can leave its mark on the park’s infrastructure — but this year, thanks to improved planning and a coordinated response, the reinstatement of public facilities has been completed faster than ever.

    “We know how important these spaces are to the community, so getting them back up and running quickly was a top priority,” said Councillor Karen Lucioni, who chairs the council’s environment and community protection committee. 

    “Seaclose Park is more than just a green space — it’s where people come to play, train, relax, and connect. After a major event like the Isle of Wight Festival, there’s always a bit of work to do, but this year we were determined to get everything back in shape as quickly as possible.

    “Thanks to some forward planning and a brilliant team effort, we’ve been able to reopen the courts and the path earlier than expected. It’s been lovely to already see people out enjoying them again — it really makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

    Whether you’re looking to get active, meet up with friends, or simply enjoy the outdoors, now is the perfect time to visit Seaclose Park.

    Grab your racket, lace up your trainers, or hop on your bike and explore everything the park has to offer.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Island pupils find their sporting stride thanks to the PEACH Games 15 July 2025 Island pupils find their sporting stride thanks to the PEACH Games

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The West Wight Sports Centre played host to the Island’s fifth annual PEACH Games on Friday 3 July. The event saw 320 primary school children and 80 sports leaders from secondary schools across the Island, take part.

    The games, organised by the Isle of Wight Public Health team in collaboration with the School Games Organisers, marks the continued success for the Partnership for Education, Attainment and Children’s Health (PEACH) programme.

    Pupils participated in a variety of activities and rotated through team-based and individual games to experience the benefits of sport. Each helps to improve personal skills, cardiovascular fitness as well as coordination and balance.

    Alongside the sporting activities, pupils learned about physical activity options, and first aid while boosting confidence and self-esteem, all within the athlete’s village. The Island Games is an international programme held every two years for Island teams across the world. The flags designed by the schools will be taken to Orkney with the Island Games athletes.

    Simon Bryant, Director of Public health for the Island commented ‘The PEACH Games are important to promote physical activity, positive wellbeing and healthy competition. This supports young people to lead healthy lives with plenty of exercise and a good, balanced diet.

    Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Ian Dore said ‘‘The Games are really important as they build team spirit among the children, who spent the whole day cheering on their friends. There was so much positivity, inspiration and collaborative working, all pushing each other to cross the line. There’s nothing better than young people getting out and being fit and healthy, and the great weather on the day only amplified that.’’

    The feedback received from participating schools has been positive. The secondary school sports leaders worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly and provided inspiration and leadership to the primary aged participants.

    The PEACH programme supports schools in improving the health and wellbeing of their pupils, staff and families. It is an award-based framework offered to schools, focussing on the four health domains of Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, PSHE and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

    As well as the annual PEACH Games event the Schools Games Organisers make a big impact in schools, offering a series of inclusive festivals designed to get children moving, regardless of ability or experience. These events are delivered as part of the key tasks of the School Games Vision and Mission. The School Games Organisers make a positive and meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people through sport and physical activity. This is achieved by putting physical activity and school sport at the heart of schools.

    Over the academic year, children and young people have taken part in nine PEACH events, trying their hand at everything from rugby and gymnastics to basketball and hockey.

    The programme aims to support year 3 and 4 pupils who are less engaged in physical activity, year 5 and 6 pupils who may require support in transition from primary to secondary school and years 9-13 students to provide leadership opportunities for secondary school sport leaders.

    A heartfelt thank you goes out to the local organisations who helped make the PEACH Games extra special:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Completed fish pass in Suffolk’s chalk stream help fish to thrive

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Completed fish pass in Suffolk’s chalk stream help fish to thrive

    A new £1.2 million fish pass on the River Lark in Mildenhall improves migration for trout, eels, and course fish.

    The new £1.2 million fish pass on the River Lark in Mildenhall that improves migration for trout, eels, and coarse fish.

    Thousands of fish will benefit from improved access to vital habitats following the installation of a new fish pass on a precious chalk stream.  

    The natural limestone fish passage at Turf Lock on the River Lark has replaced 2 weirs that were preventing wild brown trout, eels and coarse fish from migrating upstream.  

    Built as a rock ramp-style fish pass using natural materials, boulders were carefully placed to disrupt the flow. The new design allows fish to swim between boulders, as they move upstream, which provide shelter and creates better conditions for migration across varying water levels and flows.

    Lou Mayer, environment programme manager for the Environment Agency in Suffolk, said:

    It’s fantastic to see work completed on this important project and witness fish swimming up into Mildenhall for the first time in centuries. Chalk streams are a valuable natural resource that the Environment Agency and its partners are working hard to restore and protect. 

    Over time, there has been a gradual decline in both biodiversity and the overall health of the River Lark’s ecosystem. This project and other planned initiatives will help this river continue to recover and become more resilient to future challenges of climate change.

    Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said:

    Protecting and enhancing Suffolk’s environment is one the county council’s core ambitions, and the fish pass project is a great example of what can be achieved. 

    The Brecks is such a nationally unique area, and thanks to the hard work and care of all the partners involved, it is wonderful to know that fish are now accessing parts of the river for the first time in generations.

    This initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Change commitment to restore nature and improve water quality across the country.

    The project is being delivered through the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and hosted by Suffolk County Council in collaboration with local authorities, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, Natural England and other partners.

    The Environment Agency invites residents to come and learn about the fish pass and the wider effort to restore the health of the River Lark. Friday July 18, 5pm – 7pm at the Mildenhall Cricket Club, Mildenhall IP28 7JU. No need to book.

    Background: 

    The Environment Agency is funding this project from the Water Environment Improvement Fund, which has been used to unlock £3million of National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership scheme, delivering heritage conservation projects on the Breck’s fenland fringe, key freshwater habitats and primary river corridors.   

    The River Lark’s catchment partnership objective is to make improvements to habitat and ecological status of the river. Find out more here:  The River Lark Catchment Partnership 

    The River Lark has been identified as a flagship river for The Chalk Stream Restoration Project nominated as a Flagship catchment by Anglian Water and supported by the River Lark Catchment Partnership.  

    Gov.uk blog about eel migration: Ancient mystery of European eel migration unravelled to help combat decline of critically-endangered species – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

    Anyone aged 13 or over needs a licence to fish for salmon, trout, eels or freshwater species, with the price as little as £6.60 for a day. Through buying a licence, anglers help protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries: https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence.

    Contact us:

    Journalists only – 0800 141 2743 or communications_se@environment-agency.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: “Primorye is a bridge to the future”: the region is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street” as part of the VEF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Primorsky Krai will present current and new investment projects, tourist attractions and transport and logistics opportunities at the Far East Street exhibition, which will be held from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth anniversary Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The concept of the pavilion this year is Primorye – the Bridge of the Future. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “Vladivostok, the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District, will once again welcome participants and guests of the Eastern Economic Forum. The Primorsky Territory exposition is one of the brightest and key ones at the Far East Street exhibition. Primorye is the leader in the district in terms of the number of investment projects being implemented. The key instrument for the strategic development of Primorye is the implementation of master plan activities for six cities. They will allow for a qualitative change in urban infrastructure and improve people’s lives. The development of social infrastructure is being carried out through the presidential single subsidy. The regional pavilion will tell about all of this. The region will also present a vision of the future, what this region will do to remain attractive to investors, so that as many Russians and residents of other countries as possible can visit and fall in love with the Far Eastern lands,” said Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    The Primorsky Krai exposition positions the region as a link between countries, continents and cultures. It is a territory of opportunities where large-scale projects in the field of tourism, logistics, industry and technology are implemented.

    “Primorye is actively preparing for the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum – the main international event of the Asia-Pacific region. And of course, it is important for us to once again present our region from an interesting side. The EEF is, first of all, attracting investors for the development of Primorye and the entire Russian Far East. This time, we will tell potential partners about the areas in which it is profitable to cooperate with us, where to apply their efforts for the stable development of business in Primorsky Krai – one of the most dynamically developing regions of the Far Eastern Federal District. Our region has enormous potential in industry and logistics, agriculture and science, tourism and culture. We invite Russian and foreign guests to the Primorye pavilion, where our most striking projects will be presented,” said Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai.

    The general concept of the pavilion “Primorye – a bridge to the future” symbolizes the connection between the past and the future, East and West, openness to partnership, investment and innovation. The pavilion tells how the unique geographical location, natural resources and human potential make Primorsky Krai attractive for business, tourism and life over several historical eras.

    The main exhibition embodies an open space of possibilities, where each zone is self-sufficient and autonomous in meaning, but at the same time supports the overall concept of the pavilion and tells about the key industries and projects of Primorsky Krai. The exterior design is inspired by the nature of the region, the wave line and seascapes. Inside, the pavilion is decorated with modern materials and many interactive multimedia tools.

    Thematic zones of the region’s stand at EEF-2025 demonstrate the evolution of key industries and social transformations of Primorye with an emphasis on the region’s main achievements over the past 13 years. In honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, each site will contain references and evidence of the contribution of Vladivostok and Primorye to achieving the Great Victory.

    The pavilion will feature a stand dedicated to sports projects and achievements of Primorsky Krai. Information will be posted about the curling center, the center for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics in Vladivostok, the federal-level ski resort in Arsenyev, and the development of water sports in the region. Special attention will be paid to how measures were taken to physically prepare the population in Primorsky Krai during the Great Patriotic War: sports events and competitions in football, skiing, including military ski training and multi-day ski trips, cross-country running, and obstacle course running were actively held. Primorye preserves and develops these traditions, consistently expanding its sports infrastructure and implementing physical education and sports programs.

    A separate part of the exhibition will tell about key investment projects, special programs and government support measures in Primorye. The immersive zone “Transport, logistics, turn to the East” is equipped with panoramic screens and ceiling projectors that create a realistic audiovisual space. In this zone, visitors will be told about the unique geographical location of Primorsky Krai, whose Vladivostok port played a key role in ensuring supplies under the Lend-Lease program from the United States of America in 1941-1945.

    In the Culture and Tourism zone, visitors will find a table with physical volumetric models of key cultural, educational and tourist sites in Primorsky Krai. A virtual tour guide will tell visitors about the projects and related programs. The key objects and initiatives on the model are the museum and theater complex on the Eagle’s Nest hill, the preservation of the Vladivostok Fortress Museum-Reserve, and the third season of the All-Russian competition for the best trip.

    The Industry, Bolshoy Kamen Industrial Park zone will introduce the pavilion’s guests to the key enterprises of Primorsky Krai. An interactive hologram will allow you to choose an industrial project, after which robotic manipulators will be set in motion, demonstrating a 3D model of the object with its technical characteristics. The information will be presented in historical perspective – from the period of the Great Patriotic War to modern projects and production.

    A “Science” zone will also be created. The space will demonstrate leading scientific areas, institutes and achievements of Primorye, including promising startups and innovative developments that are important for the technological development and security of the country.

    The “SVO, GO and Emergencies” space will tell about the contribution of Primorsky Krai to the military-industrial complex of Russia, ensuring information and security of the population, as well as participation in a special military operation. The section will show animated videos telling about Primorye residents – heroes of the Great Patriotic War, as well as about modern soldiers participating in the SVO. The format of the materials – from documentary biographies to artistic sketches reflecting the strength of spirit, courage and dedication of the people.

    The Primorsky Krai pavilion will traditionally feature daytime and evening programs. The theme of the events on the first day of the EEF-2025 will be the end of World War II. The patriotic program will feature creative groups, performers, and brass bands from the region.

    In addition, the stand is planned to illustrate the theme of beekeeping development in the region. The site will be decorated with an animated interactive composition emphasizing the popularity and healing qualities of Primorsky linden honey.

    Various master classes in decorative and applied arts will be organized and offered to guests. The evening program will feature performances by popular regional cover and rock bands, as well as a performance by the instrumental rhythm group of the Variety Orchestra of the Primorsky Regional Philharmonic.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: “Primorye is a bridge to the future”: the region is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street” as part of the VEF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Primorsky Krai will present current and new investment projects, tourist attractions and transport and logistics opportunities at the Far East Street exhibition, which will be held from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth anniversary Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The concept of the pavilion this year is Primorye – the Bridge of the Future. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “Vladivostok, the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District, will once again welcome participants and guests of the Eastern Economic Forum. The Primorsky Territory exposition is one of the brightest and key ones at the Far East Street exhibition. Primorye is the leader in the district in terms of the number of investment projects being implemented. The key instrument for the strategic development of Primorye is the implementation of master plan activities for six cities. They will allow for a qualitative change in urban infrastructure and improve people’s lives. The development of social infrastructure is being carried out through the presidential single subsidy. The regional pavilion will tell about all of this. The region will also present a vision of the future, what this region will do to remain attractive to investors, so that as many Russians and residents of other countries as possible can visit and fall in love with the Far Eastern lands,” said Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    The Primorsky Krai exposition positions the region as a link between countries, continents and cultures. It is a territory of opportunities where large-scale projects in the field of tourism, logistics, industry and technology are implemented.

    “Primorye is actively preparing for the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum – the main international event of the Asia-Pacific region. And of course, it is important for us to once again present our region from an interesting side. The EEF is, first of all, attracting investors for the development of Primorye and the entire Russian Far East. This time, we will tell potential partners about the areas in which it is profitable to cooperate with us, where to apply their efforts for the stable development of business in Primorsky Krai – one of the most dynamically developing regions of the Far Eastern Federal District. Our region has enormous potential in industry and logistics, agriculture and science, tourism and culture. We invite Russian and foreign guests to the Primorye pavilion, where our most striking projects will be presented,” said Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai.

    The general concept of the pavilion “Primorye – a bridge to the future” symbolizes the connection between the past and the future, East and West, openness to partnership, investment and innovation. The pavilion tells how the unique geographical location, natural resources and human potential make Primorsky Krai attractive for business, tourism and life over several historical eras.

    The main exhibition embodies an open space of possibilities, where each zone is self-sufficient and autonomous in meaning, but at the same time supports the overall concept of the pavilion and tells about the key industries and projects of Primorsky Krai. The exterior design is inspired by the nature of the region, the wave line and seascapes. Inside, the pavilion is decorated with modern materials and many interactive multimedia tools.

    Thematic zones of the region’s stand at EEF-2025 demonstrate the evolution of key industries and social transformations of Primorye with an emphasis on the region’s main achievements over the past 13 years. In honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, each site will contain references and evidence of the contribution of Vladivostok and Primorye to achieving the Great Victory.

    The pavilion will feature a stand dedicated to sports projects and achievements of Primorsky Krai. Information will be posted about the curling center, the center for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics in Vladivostok, the federal-level ski resort in Arsenyev, and the development of water sports in the region. Special attention will be paid to how measures were taken to physically prepare the population in Primorsky Krai during the Great Patriotic War: sports events and competitions in football, skiing, including military ski training and multi-day ski trips, cross-country running, and obstacle course running were actively held. Primorye preserves and develops these traditions, consistently expanding its sports infrastructure and implementing physical education and sports programs.

    A separate part of the exhibition will tell about key investment projects, special programs and government support measures in Primorye. The immersive zone “Transport, logistics, turn to the East” is equipped with panoramic screens and ceiling projectors that create a realistic audiovisual space. In this zone, visitors will be told about the unique geographical location of Primorsky Krai, whose Vladivostok port played a key role in ensuring supplies under the Lend-Lease program from the United States of America in 1941-1945.

    In the Culture and Tourism zone, visitors will find a table with physical volumetric models of key cultural, educational and tourist sites in Primorsky Krai. A virtual tour guide will tell visitors about the projects and related programs. The key objects and initiatives on the model are the museum and theater complex on the Eagle’s Nest hill, the preservation of the Vladivostok Fortress Museum-Reserve, and the third season of the All-Russian competition for the best trip.

    The Industry, Bolshoy Kamen Industrial Park zone will introduce the pavilion’s guests to the key enterprises of Primorsky Krai. An interactive hologram will allow you to choose an industrial project, after which robotic manipulators will be set in motion, demonstrating a 3D model of the object with its technical characteristics. The information will be presented in historical perspective – from the period of the Great Patriotic War to modern projects and production.

    A “Science” zone will also be created. The space will demonstrate leading scientific areas, institutes and achievements of Primorye, including promising startups and innovative developments that are important for the technological development and security of the country.

    The “SVO, GO and Emergencies” space will tell about the contribution of Primorsky Krai to the military-industrial complex of Russia, ensuring information and security of the population, as well as participation in a special military operation. The section will show animated videos telling about Primorye residents – heroes of the Great Patriotic War, as well as about modern soldiers participating in the SVO. The format of the materials – from documentary biographies to artistic sketches reflecting the strength of spirit, courage and dedication of the people.

    The Primorsky Krai pavilion will traditionally feature daytime and evening programs. The theme of the events on the first day of the EEF-2025 will be the end of World War II. The patriotic program will feature creative groups, performers, and brass bands from the region.

    In addition, the stand is planned to illustrate the theme of beekeeping development in the region. The site will be decorated with an animated interactive composition emphasizing the popularity and healing qualities of Primorsky linden honey.

    Various master classes in decorative and applied arts will be organized and offered to guests. The evening program will feature performances by popular regional cover and rock bands, as well as a performance by the instrumental rhythm group of the Variety Orchestra of the Primorsky Regional Philharmonic.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The territories of two parks will be improved in the Aeroport and Khovrino districts

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In the Aeroport area, the Golovanovskiy Park area will be landscaped, and in Khovrin, the public park will be put in order. This was reported by the city economy complex. Playgrounds, swings, carousels and other infrastructure will appear there.

    The playground in Golovanovsky Park will have its surface replaced and two play complexes with a slide, ladder and other elements will be installed. There will also be a sandbox, carousels, swings, a trampoline and spring swings. A developmental tactile panel will be installed for the little ones.

    The sports area will have its table tennis tables replaced, and park swings and benches will be installed for a quiet rest. Specialists will tidy up the lawn, plant trees, and renew the pavement of the pedestrian paths.

    In addition, in the Aeroport district, eight courtyard areas will be put in order this year on 1st Ambulatory Drive, Leningradsky Prospekt, Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, and Chernyakhovsky Street.

    A large play area for children of different ages will appear in the central part of the Khovrino public park. It will house multi-level complexes in the form of houses and a steam locomotive with slides, trampolines, balance beams, swings and carousels. Parents will be able to relax or read a book on semi-circular benches and comfortable round benches.

    In the play area near the entrance to the park from Festivalnaya Street, large swings, a labyrinth complex and multi-coloured trampolines will be installed. Nearby, a multi-level amphitheater and recreation islands with umbrella awnings, round benches under them and park swings will be set up. Nearby, a fenced modern area for walking dogs will be built. Barriers, a slide, a tunnel and a balance beam will be installed for the animals.

    The sports area on the side of Lyapidevskogo Street will be put in order, a universal playground for playing football and basketball will be set up there. Visitors will be able to work out on weight training machines, do workout training and play ping-pong. Cubes with climbing holds will be installed for children and teenagers.

    A jogging track will be laid across the park. It will be located next to the sports and children’s playgrounds. In addition, bicycle parking will be installed.

    Trees will be planted in the park, several rockeries (landscape compositions of stones and plants) will be created, and modern lighting fixtures will be installed.

    In 2023, the area near the Church of the Sign of the Icon of the Mother of God on Festivalnaya Street was tidied up. Modern playgrounds and sports grounds, recreation areas, picnic spots and new lights appeared here.

    Earlier about plans forimprovement Sergei Sobyanin reported in the Northern Administrative District.

    The park improvement works correspond to the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Launchpool to List Pump.fun (PUMP) with over 123M in Token Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, and Web3 company has announced the addition of pump.fun (PUMP) to Bitget Launchpool. The exclusive Launchpool campaign will see up to 123,594,000 PUMP up for grabs. Pump.fun is a platform designed to allow for the quick creation and trading of memecoins on the Solana blockchain.

    Bitget will launch a Launchpool campaign offering 123,594,000 PUMP in total rewards. Eligible users can participate by locking either BGB during the event, which runs from 15 July 2025, 08:00 to 18 July 2025, 08:00 (UTC). Users can lock between 5 and 50,000 BGB, with maximum limits determined by their VIP tier, for a chance to earn a share of 123,594,000 PUMP.

    Pump.Fun is a Solana-based platform that makes creating and trading meme coins fast, simple, and accessible to everyone. With no coding required and zero upfront cost, users can launch tokens in under a minute. Designed for ease of use, Pump.Fun opens the door for anyone curious about crypto to dive in, regardless of technical background or budget.

    More than just a token launcher, Pump.Fun taps into the viral nature of meme coins by fostering a playful, community-first ecosystem. The platform doubles as a trading hub where users can discover and exchange tokens created by others, fueling a dynamic and ever-evolving marketplace. By lowering barriers and amplifying creativity, Pump.Fun is helping redefine how everyday users engage with Web3.

    Bitget continues to solidify its role as a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange, offering over 800 listed tokens across spot and derivatives markets. The addition of PUMP to Launchpool aligns with its mission to support emerging Web3 trends and empower community-driven innovation through accessible, high-engagement token projects.

    Find more details on the Pump.fun Launchpool, visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

    Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet
    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eddf43b6-1c89-4f84-a2e8-cb5617c66f3b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New UK eVisas for Pakistani students and workers

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    New UK eVisas for Pakistani students and workers

    Most main applicants travelling to the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer need a physical sticker visa in passports from today (15 July).

    The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an eVisa. An eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply, which can be viewed by creating and accessing an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

    eVisas are part of an enhanced border and immigration system that will not only make the visa process easier, but is more secure, digital and streamlined. eVisas are tried and tested, with millions of people already using them on select immigration routes.

    British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said:

    These changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time.

    Updating from a physical document to an eVisa does not affect anyone’s immigration status or the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.

    E-visas are being rolled out for the main applicants for:

    • Students, including short term study for 11 months   

    • Global Business Mobility routes (specifically, Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, Secondment Worker)   

    • Global Talent    

    • International Sportsperson    

    • Skilled Worker (including Health and Care)   

    • Temporary Work routes (specifically, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, and Religious work routes)    

    • Youth Mobility Scheme   

    Holders can link their travel document (such as passport) to their UKVI account to facilitate straightforward international travel. People who have created a UKVI account will be able to use the view and prove service to prove their status securely with third parties, such as employers or landlords (in England).

    Applicants applying as a dependant, or as a main applicant for visas other than study or work, e.g. general visitor visas, will still need a physical sticker visa. Anyone with existing, in date, physical visa stickers do not need to take any action.

    This will eventually be rolled out to all visa routes meaning a more secure and streamlined process for all UK visa customers.

    For updates on the British High Commission, please follow our social media channels:

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Centenarian marathon runner Fauja Singh dies in a road accident in Punjab

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Centenarian long-distance runner Fauja Singh, widely recognised as the world’s oldest marathon runner, has died at the age of 114 in a road accident at Beas Pind near Jalandhar in Punjab. According to reports, the Indian-British Sikh marathon runner of Punjabi descent was hit by an unidentified vehicle when he was crossing the road in his native village.

    An officer of the Jalandhar rural police told the media that they were informed about the accident by one of Fauja Singh’s relatives. “We have been told that he was hit by a vehicle while trying to cross the road. We have set up a team and are investigating,” said a police official who claimed the vehicle that caused the accident was probably a car.

    A global icon of strength and willpower, Fauja Singh has inspired millions by running marathons past 100. He took up marathon running late in life and has reportedly completed over 100 marathons.

    Born in the undivided Punjab at Beas Pind near Jalandhar on April 1, 1911, Fauja Singh started running as a means to overcome his grief after witnessing the death of his fifth son in a construction accident in 1994.

    Having emigrated to England in the 1990s, Fauja Singh took running in international competitions at the age of 89 and soon started taking part in International marathons. Settled in Ilford with one of his sons, Fauja Singh, soon became renowned worldwide as he set many records in the 90-plus age category.

    Besides the marathon, he would participate in many long-distance running disciplines in the Masters’ category. At the age of 100, he accomplished eight world age group records in one day at the special Ontario Masters Association Fauja Singh Invitational Meet, held at Birchmount Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    His biography, titled Turbaned Tornado, was formally released in the Attlee Room of Britain’s House of Lords on July 7, 2011. He was one of the torchbearers for the London Olympics in 2012 and was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to sport and charity. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Sherman, Lucas, Calvert, Kamlager-Dove & Moore Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.-03), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and Blake Moore (R-Utah-01)  introduced bipartisan legislation to support and commemorate the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take place in Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah, respectively, through the minting of new commemorative coins. U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

    “The dedication demonstrated by the American athletes who participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is truly inspiring and our nation is honored to host both the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games and Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in celebrating our athletes by introducing America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over this legislation, I look forward to Congress moving quickly to advance this important bill. As an Angelino, I am excited to witness the Olympics return to Los Angeles after 44 years, and I am proud to join with my colleagues to honor the Salt Lake City 2034 Games as well,” said Congressman Sherman.

    The America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue four types of coins each in commemoration of the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The coins would be minted at no cost to the federal government, and any proceeds collected from the sale of these commemorative coins would aid in the execution of the 2028 and 2034 Games as well as support their legacy programs, which include the promotion of youth sports in the United States.

     “After years of careful preparation and federal collaboration, Los Angeles will be under the world spotlight for the Olympic and Paralympic Games before we know it,” said Senator Padilla. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure Los Angeles has the resources it needs to put on a world-class event — with a token to commemorate the Games for years to come. There is strong congressional interest in promoting and supporting all upcoming U.S.-hosted Olympic events to showcase our nation and our athletes on the global stage, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advance this bill.”

     “The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will showcase Utah’s pioneer spirit, community strength, and commitment to excellence,” said Senator Curtis. “These commemorative coins honor not just the athletes, but the values that built our state and the legacy we’ll pass on to future generations.”

     “It is such an honor that our Golden State will be hosting the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. And I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to commemorate these historic games and our incredible athletes,” said Senator Schiff.

     “American athletes are the pinnacle of our exceptionalism and I am looking forward to them leading the way as we host both the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. As Oklahoma’s world-class facilities will be home to multiple official venues, I am honored to join with my colleagues on this important legislation,” said Senator Mullin.

     “It is no small honor to host the Olympic Games, and no small feat to organize them either. That is why these commemorative coins would not only pay proper tribute to such a great honor, but also help pay for the preparations to ensure the upcoming Olympic games – including the 2028 games in my home state – receive the resources they need,” said Representative Lucas. 

     “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are incredible events that celebrate athletic achievement and the human spirit. I’m especially excited for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which will allow southern California residents to get an up-close look at these remarkable competitions as well as deliver a tremendous boost to our tourism economy. I want to thank all of my colleagues who have worked together to advance the bipartisan America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Calvert.

     “As we gear up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I’m proud to co-lead the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Kamlager-Dove. “This commemorative coin will celebrate not only the upcoming games, but also nearly a century of Olympic history in Los Angeles. The 2028 Games in Los Angeles memorialized by this coin will be a feat all Angelenos and Americans can be proud of.”

     “I’m immensely proud to represent Utah in co-leading the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. The return of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to Salt Lake City in 2034 will mark only the second time in history that the Winter Olympics have returned to the same city, and I cannot wait to see Utah front and center on the world stage once again,” said Representative Moore. “This bid was supported by over 80% of Utahns and will bring billions in GDP growth, tens of thousands of jobs, and showcase the world’s best athletes on the Greatest Snow on Earth. I’m also thrilled that the Summer Olympics will return stateside to Los Angeles in 2028 and look forward to this bill quickly passing through both houses of Congress.”

     “The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will mark the historic return of the summer Games to America in more than 30 years,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “The heart and dedication demonstrated by the athletes who participate in the Games is truly unparalleled. Los Angeles 2028, followed by Salt Lake 2034 will serve as an opportunity for American athletes to showcase their talent and resilience on the world’s stage. We’re grateful to Senators Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, and Mullin and Congressmembers Sherman, Lucas, Calvert, Kamlager-Dove and Moore for moving this bill forward to honor these athletes and our U.S. host cities for the 2028 and 2034 Games.”

     “As a four-time Olympian, I greatly appreciate the commemorative coin program as another means of showcasing our Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” said Catherine Raney Norman, Vice President Development and Athlete Relations, Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, A four-time Olympic speed skater. 

     Specifically, the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue commemorative $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, half-dollar clad coins, and proof silver $1 coins in commemoration of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to be held in in Los Angeles and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games set to be held in Salt Lake City.

     The United States has hosted the modern Olympic Games nine times, with the 2028 Games set to become the third time Los Angeles will host the summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Games set to become the second time Salt Lake City will host the Olympic Winter Games. 

     Senator Padilla has secured millions of dollars in federal investments to help prepare Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Last year, Padilla, Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), and former Representative Grace F. Napolitano celebrated nearly $900 million in federal investments in LA Metro to improve mobility and upgrade transportation infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This included $139 million for LA Metro’s “Removing Barriers and Creating Legacy” project, which will reconnect communities and strengthen mobility across highway and arterial barriers ahead of the Games. The funding comes through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program (RCN), which includes the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program that was modeled off the Reconnecting Communities Act that Padilla co-led in 2021. Padilla also traveled on a presidential delegation to Paris last year for the opening ceremony of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

     Full text of the bill is available here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, Mullin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, Mullin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) introduced bipartisan legislationto support and commemorate the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take place in Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah, respectively, through the minting of new commemorative coins. Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.-03), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and Blake Moore (R-Utah-01) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    The America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue four types of coins each in commemoration of the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The coins would be minted at no cost to the federal government, and any proceeds collected from the sale of these commemorative coins would aid in the execution of the 2028 and 2034 Games as well as support their legacy programs, which include the promotion of youth sports in the United States.

    “After years of careful preparation and federal collaboration, Los Angeles will be under the world spotlight for the Olympic and Paralympic Games before we know it,” said Senator Padilla. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure Los Angeles has the resources it needs to put on a world-class event — with a token to commemorate the Games for years to come. There is strong congressional interest in promoting and supporting all upcoming U.S.-hosted Olympic events to showcase our nation and our athletes on the global stage, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advance this bill.”

    “The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will showcase Utah’s pioneer spirit, community strength, and commitment to excellence,” said Senator Curtis. “These commemorative coins honor not just the athletes, but the values that built our state and the legacy we’ll pass on to future generations.”

    “It is such an honor that our Golden State will be hosting the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. And I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to commemorate these historic games and our incredible athletes,” said Senator Schiff.

    “American athletes are the pinnacle of our exceptionalism and I am looking forward to them leading the way as we host both the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. As Oklahoma’s world-class facilities will be home to multiple official venues, I am honored to join with my colleagues on this important legislation,” said Senator Mullin.

    “The dedication demonstrated by the American athletes who participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is truly inspiring and our nation is honored to host both the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games and Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in celebrating our athletes by introducing America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over this legislation, I look forward to Congress moving quickly to advance this important bill. As an Angelino, I am excited to witness the Olympics return to Los Angeles after 44 years, and I am proud to join with my colleagues to honor the Salt Lake City 2034 Games as well,” said Representative Sherman.

    “It is no small honor to host the Olympic Games, and no small feat to organize them either. That is why these commemorative coins would not only pay proper tribute to such a great honor, but also help pay for the preparations to ensure the upcoming Olympic games – including the 2028 games in my home state – receive the resources they need,” said Representative Lucas.

    “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are incredible events that celebrate athletic achievement and the human spirit. I’m especially excited for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which will allow southern California residents to get an up-close look at these remarkable competitions as well as deliver a tremendous boost to our tourism economy. I want to thank all of my colleagues who have worked together to advance the bipartisan America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Calvert.

    “As we gear up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I’m proud to co-lead the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Kamlager-Dove. “This commemorative coin will celebrate not only the upcoming games, but also nearly a century of Olympic history in Los Angeles. The 2028 Games in Los Angeles memorialized by this coin will be a feat all Angelenos and Americans can be proud of.”

    “I’m immensely proud to represent Utah in co-leading the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. The return of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to Salt Lake City in 2034 will mark only the second time in history that the Winter Olympics have returned to the same city, and I cannot wait to see Utah front and center on the world stage once again,” said Representative Moore. “This bid was supported by over 80% of Utahns and will bring billions in GDP growth, tens of thousands of jobs, and showcase the world’s best athletes on the Greatest Snow on Earth. I’m also thrilled that the Summer Olympics will return stateside to Los Angeles in 2028 and look forward to this bill quickly passing through both houses of Congress.”

    “The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will mark the historic return of the summer Games to America in more than 30 years,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “The heart and dedication demonstrated by the athletes who participate in the Games is truly unparalleled. Los Angeles 2028, followed by Salt Lake 2034 will serve as an opportunity for American athletes to showcase their talent and resilience on the world’s stage. We’re grateful to Senators Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, and Mullin and Congressmembers Sherman, Lucas, Calvert, Kamlager-Dove and Moore for moving this bill forward to honor these athletes and our U.S. host cities for the 2028 and 2034 Games.”

    “As a four-time Olympian, I greatly appreciate the commemorative coin program as another means of showcasing our Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” said Catherine Raney Norman, Vice President Development and Athlete Relations, Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, A four-time Olympic speed skater. 

    Specifically, the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue commemorative $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, half-dollar clad coins, and proof silver $1 coins in commemoration of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to be held in in Los Angeles and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games set to be held in Salt Lake City.

    The United States has hosted the modern Olympic Games nine times, with the 2028 Games set to become the third time Los Angeles will host the summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Games set to become the second time Salt Lake City will host the Olympic Winter Games.

    Senator Padilla has secured millions of dollars in federal investments to help prepare Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Last year, Padilla, Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), and former Representative Grace F. Napolitano celebrated nearly $900 million in federal investments in LA Metro to improve mobility and upgrade transportation infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This included $139 million for LA Metro’s “Removing Barriers and Creating Legacy” project, which will reconnect communities and strengthen mobility across highway and arterial barriers ahead of the Games. The funding comes through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program (RCN), which includes the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program that was modeled off the Reconnecting Communities Act that Padilla co-led in 2021. Padilla also traveled on a presidential delegation to Paris last year for the opening ceremony of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Barca demotion sparks Ter Stegen’s doubts over Germany future

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

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s reported demotion at Barcelona has raised fresh concerns about his standing in Germany’s national team just a year before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    According to Spanish and German media reports, including Sport, Mundo Deportivo and Kicker, new Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has informed the 33-year-old goalkeeper that he will serve as third-choice next season, behind new signing Joan Garcia and 35-year-old Wojciech Szczesny.

    Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (R) argues with Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen during the UEFA Europa League play-off 2nd leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona in Manchester, Britain, Feb. 23, 2023. (Xinhua)

    Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has publicly sought clarification on Ter Stegen’s future, warning that regular playing time is essential for selection. “Rhythm and consistent match practice are inevitable for anyone wanting to be part of the World Cup squad,” Nagelsmann said.

    Garcia, 24, joined Barcelona from local rivals Espanyol for a reported 25 million euros on a contract through 2031, while Szczesny has agreed to a two-year extension. Despite being under contract until 2028, Ter Stegen’s demotion threatens his role with Germany.

    Reports indicate that a transfer may be the only solution to safeguard Ter Stegen’s World Cup hopes. Clubs including Galatasaray, Monaco, and several Premier League sides have reportedly shown interest.

    Ter Stegen had previously insisted he would fight for his place at Barcelona. However, Flick’s stance may alter his plans. The German keeper had only recently returned to action after a long-term knee injury, reclaiming the starting spot during last month’s UEFA Nations League Finals.

    Kicker described Barcelona’s approach as a clear signal the club wants to move on from Ter Stegen, despite his decade of service, 422 appearances and 19 trophies. Complicating matters further, the goalkeeper recently separated from his wife but remains committed to staying in Barcelona for personal reasons, as his children live there.

    Former Germany international and ex-Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler criticized Barcelona’s treatment of Ter Stegen as disrespectful, given his years of elite performances. Adler advised him to seek a transfer to protect his chances of being Germany’s No. 1 at the World Cup.

    Ter Stegen, according to reports, is both surprised and disappointed by the decision, though polls in Spanish media suggest the majority of Barcelona supporters back Flick’s move.

    The 2026 tournament represents Ter Stegen’s first chance to start at a major tournament after having spent much of his international career as backup to Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, who withdrew from Germany duty after Euro 2024.

    MIL OSI China News –