NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Research – Workers look at automation as an opportunity, not a threat – Robert Half

    Source: Robert Half

    • 68% of employees believe automation will have a positive impact on their current job and career prospects.
    • 64% of employees will participate in training to reskill for a new role with their current employer if their job is partially automated, while 16% will look for a new job with a different employer.

    Auckland, 10 July 2025 – As automation efforts are set to ramp up in the workplace, this continued transformation is not expected to result in widespread job losses. In fact, most workers believe automation will have a positive impact on their career, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.

    “The broad embrace of automation in New Zealand businesses is an undeniable reality,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half. “Automation is being rolled out to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and help bridge the skills gap in the current employment market. Crucially, this widespread adoption is viewed positively by Kiwi workers, who perceive automation not as a threat, but as a valuable opportunity to upskill and significantly enhance their career trajectories.”

    Why workers are optimistic about automation

    When employees were asked what impact they think automation would have on their job and career prospects, they were overwhelmingly positive.

    More than two-thirds (68%) of workers state that automation would have a positive impact, as it would create greater demand for their skills and improve their career outlook. About a quarter (23%) believe automation would have no impact on their job or career prospects. Only 9% of workers say automation would negatively impact their career because it could make their role and skills obsolete.

    Workers also expressed a willingness to adapt to the introduction of automated processes. When asked what they would do if their job became partially automated, and their employer asked them to change roles and learn new skills, workers said they would:

    • Participate in training to reskill into a new role with their current employer (64%) 
    • Look for a different role with their current employer (13%) 
    • Look for a new job at a different employer (16%) 
    • 7% are unsure.

    “Employees today are motivated to collaborate with their employers in the transition towards greater automation,” Alexander says. “With this in mind, organisations need to invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives to ensure their workforce is equipped to thrive in an automated environment. This is a win-win for companies, who will have the skilled workers they need, and a loyal and engaged workforce.” 

    “Automation is about optimising resources, reducing errors, and freeing up employees to focus on more strategic and fulfilling work, not just about cost cutting,” concludes Alexander.

    About the research

    The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job tr

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Lactalis’ proposed acquisition of Fonterra’s consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses not opposed

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC will not oppose Lactalis BSA S.A.S. (Lactalis)’s proposed acquisition of Fonterra Co-Operative Group (Fonterra)’s consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses.

    Lactalis and Fonterra both currently acquire raw milk from dairy farmers in Victoria and Tasmania, as well as processing and supplying a range of dairy products across Australia.

    “We looked very closely at the transaction as it will combine two of the largest buyers of raw milk in Victoria and lead to some further consolidation in Tasmania,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

    “While we acknowledge the concerns raised by some representative bodies, after careful consideration we have determined that the acquisition is unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition.”

    The ACCC found that across Gippsland, the Murray and Western Victoria, alternative buyers of raw milk would continue to constrain Lactalis if the acquisition proceeded.

    “We found that while the industry in Tasmania is already concentrated, Lactalis has a limited presence and the acquisition would not substantially alter the market dynamics. If the acquisition proceeded, Lactalis would continue to be constrained by Saputo and, to a lesser extent, Mondelez,” Mr Keogh said.

    “Because Fonterra and Lactalis have differing end product mixes, they often seek to acquire milk from farmers with different production profiles. Accordingly, we found that they are not likely to be each other’s closest competitors. This was reflected by analysis which showed very few farmers switched between the two processors.”

    The ACCC also concluded that the transaction was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the wholesale supply of dairy products such as drinking milk, cream, cheese, chilled yellow spreads and dairy ingredients like milk powder.

    The differing production focus of Fonterra and Lactalis meant that there was limited overlap between the two in the supply of these products.

    For longer-life, readily transportable products such as cheese, dairy ingredients and chilled yellow spreads, the ACCC found that retailers and wholesalers would also continue to benefit from import competition.

    “Supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths are also major customers in this market, with significant levels of bargaining power,” Mr Keogh said.

    “They also have the ability to sponsor new entry or even enter directly, as Coles has demonstrated through its acquisition of Saputo’s milk processing assets.”

    Further information can be found on the ACCC’s public register: Lactalis (BSA S.A.S.) – businesses within the Fonterra Co-operative Group.

    Note to editors

    The term “chilled yellow spreads” refers to butter and other products with a similar texture and fat content, such as margarine.

    The term “raw milk” refers to unpasteurised cow’s milk, whereas “drinking milk” refers to milk that has been pasteurised to make it safe for human consumption. 

    Background

    The ACCC commenced a review of the proposed acquisition on 2 May 2025. As part of the review, the ACCC consulted industry stakeholders including farmers, dairy groups, retailers and foodservice businesses.

    Lactalis BSA S.A.S. is a French multinational dairy group based in Laval, France. Lactalis business activities include acquiring raw milk from farmers and processing it into dairy products and ingredients for domestic consumption and export. In Australia, it owns a range of brands such as Pauls, Vaalia, Oak, Président and Lactalis Foodservice.

    Fonterra is a New Zealand-based dairy co-operative which is owned by around 8,000 New Zealand farmers. In Australia, Fonterra processes raw milk acquired from its farmers into various dairy products as part of its ingredients and consumer and food service businesses.

    It owns consumer brands such as Western Star, Mainland, and Perfect Italiano, and produces certain Bega Cheese products under licence. It supplies foodservice products via the Anchor Food Professionals brand.

    While the ACCC has reviewed the proposed acquisition of Fonterra’s consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses by Lactalis, this is not an indication that Lactalis’ bid will ultimately be accepted by the target business.

    Whether Fonterra will ultimately accept Lactalis’ bid is a matter for Fonterra. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The One Big Beautiful Bill Invests in Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–The One Big Beautiful Bill Act invests in American families by making the Trump tax cuts permanent, enhancing the child tax credit and strengthening childcare assistance. Together, these measures make raising a family more affordable for hardworking taxpayers. 

    “This legislation not only prevents the biggest tax hike in history, but it also provides significant tax relief for hardworking families through measures like increasing and making the doubled child tax credit permanent, and enhancing tax benefits that make child care more affordable,” said Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

    Key wins:

    • Permanent lower tax rates, letting Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.
    • Permanent increased and enhanced $2,200 child tax credit for tens of millions of families.
    • Permanent increased and enhanced standard deduction, claimed by over 90 percent of taxpayers.
    • Strengthens employer-provided childcare credit and boosts childcare assistance.
    • Establishes savings accounts for newborns, building financial security for the next generation.  

    What they are saying:

    “We applaud the Senate’s action to progress this critical legislation and expand upon President Trump’s tax relief for hardworking Americans. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will protect families and small businesses from the largest tax hike in history and deliver No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and new tax cuts for seniors. The passage of this bill will deliver the permanence and certainty both individual taxpayers and businesses.” – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

    “Passing an extension and permanency for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) out of the Senate is the next step in extending tax cuts for working Americans. The TCJA was an unmitigated success that benefitted American families, workers, and the overall economy.” – Americans for Prosperity

    Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Bridging a gap on West Coast Cycle Trail

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new cycle bridge on the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail will bring more visitors to the region and boost the local economy.

    “I’m thrilled to be supporting the construction of the Totara River Rail Bridge, ensuring visitors can once again ride this popular trail from start to finish,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

    “The West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail is one of our Great Rides and attracts both international and domestic visitors alike, showcasing the stunning scenery of the West Coast.

    “Investment in this piece of infrastructure will benefit the local businesses and communities, particularly in the township of Ross located at the trail end.” 

    The Totara River Rail Bridge, a few kilometres north of Ross, has been closed for structural assessment and repairs since August 2024, cutting off the final 15km section of trail between Ross and the Treetops Zipline and Walkway. 

    “While cyclists can still enjoy parts of the trail, they currently cannot reach Ross – meaning the township, along with the wider region, is missing out on valuable visitor spending.  This investment will help turn that around, bringing more visitors back.” 

    This investment is part of the first stage of the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which also includes additional international marketing funding and other activity to encourage more international visitors to New Zealand. 

    “The Roadmap sets out the Government’s plan to double the value of tourism, currently our second largest export, by 2034.

    “We want to welcome more visitors to New Zealand, and we want to enable our regional communities to provide a high-quality visitor experience.

    “New Zealand’s Great Rides are national treasures, and it is important we look after them for future generations,” Louise Upston says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal Crash, Ōpōtiki

    Source: New Zealand Police

    One person has died following a single vehicle crash in Ōpōtiki this morning.

    Emergency services were called to the crash on Otara Road at around 7:50am.

    Sadly, the driver of the truck died at the scene. There were no other occupants of the truck.

    Police are providing support to the next of kin.

    The Serious Crash Unit are carrying out a scene examination and enquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

    Otara Road remains closed.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Economists moot bold income tax plan – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    What if your income tax didn’t go to the government but into your own savings account? A bold proposal makes the case.

    New Zealand’s ageing population and ballooning welfare and health costs are piling pressure on the public purse.

    In response, former Minister of Finance Sir Roger Douglas and University of Auckland economics professor Robert MacCulloch are reimagining their ambitious 2016 proposal to overhaul the country’s tax, health and welfare systems by shifting income taxation to mandatory savings.

    In their research article, the pair argue that income tax on earnings up to $60,000 should be redirected into individual savings accounts. These accounts would fund each person’s healthcare, pension and risk cover, replacing much of the current public system with private provision.

    By 2060, 26 percent of New Zealanders will be over 65, up from 16 percent in 2021, which will intensify the strain on superannuation and healthcare.

    “We need to change the way we’re doing things so government costs can be reduced, quality of outcomes increased, and the plight of low earners, who are most vulnerable to public cuts, improved,” say Douglas and MacCulloch in their paper How to change the welfare state from a taxation to a savings-based model.

    The economists attempt a politically feasible plan that maintains total welfare funding from both public and private sources, while opening up more choice and competition in the supply of healthcare services.

    “We need to adjust the tax system so the vast majority of New Zealanders of working age can provide for themselves,” says MacCulloch. “The first step is to build mandatory savings accounts for health, pensions and risk cover via the transfer into them of current taxes paid on income up to $60,000.”

    According to their model, an individual could save around $21,000 annually: $9,450 into a health account, $7,350 for superannuation, and $4,200 for risk cover.

    A drop in corporate taxes would help fund employer contributions, and the government would retain sufficient tax revenues so it could act as ‘insurer of last resort’, paying for people who can’t meet their welfare costs out of their savings accounts.

    “Our savings-not-taxation reform offers scope for efficiency gains in healthcare. It does so by opening up choice for individuals,” says MacCulloch.

    “Rather than the government dictating where to go, people can choose their preferred public or private supplier.”

    The researchers point to Singapore, which employs mandatory savings accounts and has one of the highest-quality healthcare systems in the world, yet spent 5.6 percent of its GDP on healthcare in 2021 (including both public and private sectors), compared to New Zealand’s 10.1 percent.

    “Our reform keeps the pension but would raise the retirement age gradually from 65 to 70 years old over a 20-year period,” says MacCulloch.

    The authors would do away with fee subsidies and interest-free loans for tertiary students from well-off families. Instead, a means test would see only students from low-income, low-capital families receive aid.

    They would scrap grants to the movie industry, winter energy subsidies to wealthy households, favourable tax treatment for owners of rental housing, and allowances to sectors such as forestry, fishing, and bloodstock.

    The money saved from these changes would be directed towards helping low earners build savings and cover the welfare needs of those who are chronically unwell.

    “Perhaps more than any other feature of our reform, it’s the ‘miracle of compound interest’ that governments like New Zealand’s are not taking proper advantage of,” says MacCulloch. “If we can do this, it’ll help our financial situation.”

    MacCulloch notes that the proposal isn’t without flaws, but says bold change and ideas are needed, and fast, if Aotearoa New Zealand is to create a resilient economy in the face of an ageing population.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Outdoor, under lights fitness sessions on offer!

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo has partnered with Peter Krenz Centre to deliver a series of low-cost outdoor fitness sessions for people of all fitness levels to shake off the chill and fire up their fitness under lights!

    The Lights On sessions offer community members four exciting six-week programs which will take place at both Ewing Park and Lake Neangar on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between July 21 and August 31.

    The programs aim to give residents, in particular women and gender diverse community members, more opportunities to be physically active in the evening through the darkest part of the year.

    The sessions will be guided by qualified fitness instructors and the program options include:

    • Outdoor Equipment Circuit (cardio focus) – 5.30pm Tuesdays, Ewing Park
    • Beginners Running Program – 6.30pm Tuesdays, Ewing Park
    • Outdoor Equipment Circuit – 5.30pm Thursdays, Lake Neangar
    • Outdoor Equipment Circuit – 6.30pm Thursdays, Lake Neangar

    Each six-week program costs $30 (or $5 per session) and includes six 45-minute sessions of either an outdoor equipment circuit, combining outdoor fitness equipment and bodyweight exercises, or a beginner’s running program.

    Community members can choose one program and enjoy 6 weeks of community, health, and fun! 16 – 17-year-olds are welcome to register and participate, provided they have parental permission.

    To sign up to the program or for more information, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New action to tackle illegal and exploitative children’s homes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New action to tackle illegal and exploitative children’s homes

    Up to 200 places will be created for vulnerable children in council-run high-quality children’s homes with £53 million

    The most vulnerable children in society will be better protected from unsafe, illegal children’s homes thanks to over £53 million investment from the government to create 200 new placements in high-quality council-run homes through its Plan for Change. 

    For the first time, the government has specifically targeted funding at children who have such complex needs that they are at risk of, or have been, deprived of their liberty. 

    Children in these situations need extra support from social workers and care teams to stop them running away from home and from harming themselves and others.

    The new homes will break down barriers to opportunity by providing support for these young people’s complex behaviour and mental health needs in safe and stable environments. A substantial shortage of placements to meet these young people’s needs over recent years has seen them being placed into accommodation that is operating illegally by not registering with Ofsted.

    Data from the Children’s Commissioner shows this also comes at an eye-watering cost to councils, who spend an estimated £440 million a year on unregistered placements. Over 30 placements were costing over £1 million each – and this in a world where private providers sometimes siphon off over 20% of placement costs for private profit.

    One teenager with both SEND and mental health needs told the commissioner they had been living in a caravan for two months, at a cost of £75,000, out of her council area.

    Today’s announcement builds on measures already announced in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to give Ofsted stronger powers to impose fines on illegal homes and new powers for the Secretary of State to cap provider profits if excessive profiteering is not brought under control.

    Minister for Children and Families Janet Daby said: 

    The children’s social care system has faced years of drift and neglect, leading to a vicious cycle of late intervention and children falling through the cracks.

    One of the worst symptoms of this is when some of the most vulnerable young people in society are shunted from pillar to post – traumatised by shameful illegal homes, while some private companies rack up ludicrous profits. 

    Through our Plan for Change and our Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, this government is enabling every child to achieve and thrive by investing in the places children need, cracking down on profiteering with new laws, and rebuilding family support services so parents and carers get the help they need to keep their children happy and safe in loving homes. 

    It comes as part of ambitious reform to rebalance the children’s social care system away from crisis intervention and towards earlier help to keep children safe, with over £2 billion investment over the course of this parliament.

    Green shoots are already being seen as an evaluation published today of areas that tested the government’s early intervention reforms show evidence of improved collaboration between agencies leading to more consistent support for families.  

    Funding for preventative services has already been doubled this year compared to last year from £250 million to £500 million, so that every family who needs support receives it to stop issues getting worse, with the guidance of a dedicated family help worker.

    The government committed to continuing the £500m funding each year until 2028-29 at the Spending Review alongside a further increase of at least £300 million over the coming two years.

    Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said:

    My work as Children’s Commissioner has shown there are too many children who need brilliant care who have instead ended up in illegal – and terrible – accommodation. Instead of receiving care and support, they are side-lined, ignored and left waiting while services fail to take responsibility for these children.

    This funding, and the social care provisions of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, is an opportunity to bring that to an end. It will increase the number of loving, safe homes for this group of children – whose needs are often urgent and complex – and must provide loving, therapeutic, joined-up care to help these children flourish.

    Chief Executive at Action for Children Paul Carberry said:

    It’s vital that children and young people with complex needs receive specialist, therapeutic care in a stable environment. Over recent years, too many children have been placed in unregulated, unsuitable accommodation due to the critical shortage of placements in the system, with sometimes devastating consequences on their health, safety, and wellbeing. 

    Without the right support, their needs can escalate, and placements can break down.

    We wholeheartedly welcome this investment, which will ensure more children with complex needs get the care and support they deserve.

    Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, new laws are being brought in to increase the transparency of private providers over their finances, with a backstop provision to introduce a profit cap if providers don’t voluntarily bring an end to exploitative practices.

    The department has also brought together an expert ‘market intervention advisory group’, which is working on the details of how the financial oversight and transparency schemes will work in practice to make as quick as possible progress to tackle profiteering, as well as how to bring in more voluntary providers.

    Schemes are being considered to encourage charities and ethical investors to open children’s homes, including through innovative funding mechanisms like social financing.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Barrier to social housing now lifted for vulnerable people

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Barrier to social housing now lifted for vulnerable people

    New changes to remove a local connection requirement for young care leavers and domestic abuse survivors comes into effect today.

    • Local connection tests officially removed for care leavers under 25 and victims of domestic abuse  
    • Forms part of the five-step plan to deliver a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing  
    • Delivering the government’s Plan for Change to provide more vulnerable people with a safe and secure roof over their head

    More young people leaving care and domestic abuse survivors can now have greater access to social housing, thanks to new changes removing a local connection requirement coming into effect today.    

    Last month the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed the government is rewriting the rules for vulnerable groups who have faced barriers to social housing when they do not have a connection to the local area, meaning they can no longer be unfairly penalised. The move has been largely welcomed by charities across the sector including Become and Centrepoint.

    Many domestic abuse survivors and care leavers under the age of 25 face unique challenges, such as fleeing an unsafe home to seek safety or adjusting to life outside of the care system, so may be forced to move from area to area without having a local connection. 

    Government guidance for councils across England, nearly 90% of which currently use local connection tests, sets out their obligations to prioritise vulnerable people applying for social housing. This has now been updated to confirm young care leavers and domestic abuse survivors must be exempt from any local connection tests.

    It comes as the government recently published its five-point plan to deliver a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing and pave the way for the biggest boost in a generation. This includes the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to build around 300,000 new homes over the next decade, with at least 60% for social rent.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said:

    “I’m immensely proud this government is delivering real change for some of our most vulnerable in society, making sure more young people and families can have a safe and secure roof over their head.  

    “It’s only right we remove local connection tests for these groups and from today they will no longer face such barriers – it’s a promise we made and a promise we’ve kept.  

    “This builds on our Plan for Change to deliver the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, turning the tide on the crisis we’ve inherited and building hundreds of thousands of new homes to bring down housing waiting lists for good.”

    Today’s changes follow the rules overhauled last year to remove local connection tests for all former UK Regular Armed Forces Veterans, regardless of when they last served, as pledged by the Prime Minister.  

    The government remains fully committed to supporting more vulnerable groups and veterans into social housing but also recognises the challenges faced by councils dealing with unprecedented pressures on housing supply as well as depleted housing stocks.  

    That’s why the government has now set out ambitions to ramp up housing delivery for this Parliament and beyond, equipping councils and providers with greater tools to invest in existing and new social homes. This includes:

    • Bringing forward long-overdue reforms to Right to Buy, including a 35-year exemption for newly built social homes, to protect and reverse the decline in much-needed council housing.  
    • Extending the flexibilities on spending Right to Buy receipts introduced last year, as well as allowing councils to retain 100% of Right to Buy receipts and from next year combine receipts with grant funding for affordable housing, which will further accelerate the delivery of new homes to replace those sold.  
    • Introducing a new long-term 10-year settlement for social housing rents to provide the sector with the certainty they need to reinvest in new housing stock.

    New funding for a £12 million Council Housebuilding Skills & Capacity Programme has also been announced, which will upskill and expand council workforces to get more spades in the ground for a new era of council housebuilding.

    Centrepoint’s Director of Policy and Prevention, Balbir Kaur Chatrik said:

    “It wasn’t right that young care leavers were subjected to local connection tests – particularly at a point in their lives where they should be able to move on and thrive. 

    “Removing this barrier is a huge step in protecting some of the country’s most vulnerable young people and should help in reducing youth homelessness more broadly.”

    A care-experienced young person, Tia Shillito-Radicic said:

    “The passing of this new legislation is nothing short of life-changing for many care-experienced young people and especially for me.

    “This legislation gives me the opportunity to live somewhere safer, closer to my support network, and within reach of my career in the Civil Service. It’s not just about having a roof over my head – it’s about having a foundation to build a future. It’s about independence, security, and dignity.

    “Too often, young people in care are uprooted from their communities and placed far from home due to foster care shortages or safeguarding concerns. When we age out of care, we’re then expected to return to the original council that placed us – sometimes hundreds of miles from where we’ve built our lives. That system leaves many of us isolated, detached from the people and places we trust most.

    “This legislation changes that. And with it, comes hope. Hope that young people won’t have to start over, again and again. Hope that we can remain close to the support systems we’ve fought to create. And hope that we’ll finally be seen not just as care leavers, but as individuals with dreams, careers, and futures.

    “To everyone who worked tirelessly to make this happen: thank you. You haven’t just changed a policy – you’ve helped us hold onto something many of us lose far too often: a sense of home, of belonging, and of hope.”

    Further information

    Last month the government published a written ministerial statement confirming new changes for young care leavers and domestic abuse survivors. The regulations were laid on 19 June and come into force today.  

    While the changes remove a specific barrier for these vulnerable groups, the allocation of social housing is still at the discretion of the local housing authority.  

    On 24 September, the Prime Minister set out his ambition to improve access to social housing for former UK Armed Forces Veterans, young care leavers and domestic abuse survivors.  

    The government recently set out its long-term plan – Delivering a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing – which includes a commitment to support more vulnerable groups and veterans having access to social housing.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: EPA Prioritizing J.H. Baxter Superfund Site Cleanup for Eugene Community

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 09, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) addition of the former J.H. Baxter site in Eugene to its Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)—an essential action, as sites included on the list are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup efforts.

    This announcement comes after Merkley led the Oregon lawmakers in pressing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to add the J.H. Baxter site to the Superfund NPL to safeguard the public health and environment of the Eugene community.

    “The EPA adding the old J.H. Baxter site to its Superfund National Priorities List is a huge step forward in addressing the dangerous contamination that’s long concerned folks living and working in West Eugene,” Merkley said. “This designation I pushed for means a timely and comprehensive cleanup of chemical substances at the site is now within reach—essential to protecting the health and environment of the Eugene community for generations to come.”

    “This Superfund announcement takes a significant public health step forward for Oregonians who make west Eugene their home and place of business,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Hoyle has generated this community win for the contaminated J.H. Baxter site, and I’ll keep watchdogging this process to make sure federal officials follow through fully on this commitment.

    “We raised our family in West Eugene and I know that our community has spent decades fighting to get the J.H. Baxter site cleaned up for the health of our community,” said Hoyle. “That’s why I joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in urging the EPA to take action, and I’m glad they listened. The Superfund designation is a critical step toward delivering the cleanup and accountability this community deserves.”

    The EPA Superfund NPL is the list of U.S. sites where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment—and this list now includes the J.H. Baxter site.

    For nearly 80 years, J.H. Baxter treated wood products at a 35-acre facility in West Eugene. Hazardous substances and classified probable carcinogens, including creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), were often used to treat wood products before the company ceased operations in January of 2022. But despite a halt in operations, toxic substances remained on site, contaminating soil and groundwater at the former facility and in the surrounding community.

    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling of the surrounding community in 2021 found elevated levels of dioxins – widening the original scope of response efforts. DEQ has started the work to cleanup properties with the highest levels of dioxins, and EPA’s Region 10 is currently conducting a Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) at the site. While the TCRA is considered an interim measure to prevent additional releases of hazardous substances, it will not address all contamination.

    The Superfund NPL listing will now allow EPA to comprehensively address issues at the J.H. Baxter site, including by conducting a further evaluation of the nature and extent of the contamination, the risks posed by hazardous substances at the site, and ensure a thorough cleanup.

    A public meeting for the EPA to explain next steps in the Superfund process is slated for July 16 in Eugene. The agency expects Superfund site work to begin in early fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: EPA Prioritizing J.H. Baxter Superfund Site Cleanup for Eugene Community

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    July 09, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) addition of the former J.H. Baxter site in Eugene to its Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)—an essential action, as sites included on the list are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup efforts.
    This announcement comes after Merkley led the Oregon lawmakers in pressing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to add the J.H. Baxter site to the Superfund NPL to safeguard the public health and environment of the Eugene community.
    “The EPA adding the old J.H. Baxter site to its Superfund National Priorities List is a huge step forward in addressing the dangerous contamination that’s long concerned folks living and working in West Eugene,” Merkley said. “This designation I pushed for means a timely and comprehensive cleanup of chemical substances at the site is now within reach—essential to protecting the health and environment of the Eugene community for generations to come.”
    “This Superfund announcement takes a significant public health step forward for Oregonians who make west Eugene their home and place of business,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Hoyle has generated this community win for the contaminated J.H. Baxter site, and I’ll keep watchdogging this process to make sure federal officials follow through fully on this commitment.
    “We raised our family in West Eugene and I know that our community has spent decades fighting to get the J.H. Baxter site cleaned up for the health of our community,” said Hoyle. “That’s why I joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in urging the EPA to take action, and I’m glad they listened. The Superfund designation is a critical step toward delivering the cleanup and accountability this community deserves.”
    The EPA Superfund NPL is the list of U.S. sites where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment—and this list now includes the J.H. Baxter site.
    For nearly 80 years, J.H. Baxter treated wood products at a 35-acre facility in West Eugene. Hazardous substances and classified probable carcinogens, including creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), were often used to treat wood products before the company ceased operations in January of 2022. But despite a halt in operations, toxic substances remained on site, contaminating soil and groundwater at the former facility and in the surrounding community.
    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling of the surrounding community in 2021 found elevated levels of dioxins – widening the original scope of response efforts. DEQ has started the work to cleanup properties with the highest levels of dioxins, and EPA’s Region 10 is currently conducting a Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) at the site. While the TCRA is considered an interim measure to prevent additional releases of hazardous substances, it will not address all contamination.
    The Superfund NPL listing will now allow EPA to comprehensively address issues at the J.H. Baxter site, including by conducting a further evaluation of the nature and extent of the contamination, the risks posed by hazardous substances at the site, and ensure a thorough cleanup.
    A public meeting for the EPA to explain next steps in the Superfund process is slated for July 16 in Eugene. The agency expects Superfund site work to begin in early fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: EPA Prioritizing J.H. Baxter Superfund Site Cleanup for Eugene Community

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 09, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) addition of the former J.H. Baxter site in Eugene to its Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)—an essential action, as sites included on the list are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup efforts.

    This announcement comes after Merkley led the Oregon lawmakers in pressing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to add the J.H. Baxter site to the Superfund NPL to safeguard the public health and environment of the Eugene community.

    “The EPA adding the old J.H. Baxter site to its Superfund National Priorities List is a huge step forward in addressing the dangerous contamination that’s long concerned folks living and working in West Eugene,” Merkley said. “This designation I pushed for means a timely and comprehensive cleanup of chemical substances at the site is now within reach—essential to protecting the health and environment of the Eugene community for generations to come.”

    “This Superfund announcement takes a significant public health step forward for Oregonians who make west Eugene their home and place of business,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Hoyle has generated this community win for the contaminated J.H. Baxter site, and I’ll keep watchdogging this process to make sure federal officials follow through fully on this commitment.

    “We raised our family in West Eugene and I know that our community has spent decades fighting to get the J.H. Baxter site cleaned up for the health of our community,” said Hoyle. “That’s why I joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in urging the EPA to take action, and I’m glad they listened. The Superfund designation is a critical step toward delivering the cleanup and accountability this community deserves.”

    The EPA Superfund NPL is the list of U.S. sites where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment—and this list now includes the J.H. Baxter site.

    For nearly 80 years, J.H. Baxter treated wood products at a 35-acre facility in West Eugene. Hazardous substances and classified probable carcinogens, including creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), were often used to treat wood products before the company ceased operations in January of 2022. But despite a halt in operations, toxic substances remained on site, contaminating soil and groundwater at the former facility and in the surrounding community.

    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling of the surrounding community in 2021 found elevated levels of dioxins – widening the original scope of response efforts. DEQ has started the work to cleanup properties with the highest levels of dioxins, and EPA’s Region 10 is currently conducting a Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) at the site. While the TCRA is considered an interim measure to prevent additional releases of hazardous substances, it will not address all contamination.

    The Superfund NPL listing will now allow EPA to comprehensively address issues at the J.H. Baxter site, including by conducting a further evaluation of the nature and extent of the contamination, the risks posed by hazardous substances at the site, and ensure a thorough cleanup.

    A public meeting for the EPA to explain next steps in the Superfund process is slated for July 16 in Eugene. The agency expects Superfund site work to begin in early fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Reasoning reimagined: Introducing Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Reasoning reimagined: Introducing Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning

    Unlock faster, efficient reasoning with Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning—optimized for edge, mobile, and real-time applications.

    State of the art architecture redefines speed for reasoning models

    Microsoft is excited to unveil a new edition to the Phi model family: Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning. Purpose-built for scenarios where compute, memory, and latency are tightly constrained, this new model is engineered to bring advanced reasoning capabilities to edge devices, mobile applications, and other resource-constrained environments. This new model follows Phi-4-mini, but is built on a new hybrid architecture, that achieves up to 10 times higher throughput and a 2 to 3 times average reduction in latency, enabling significantly faster inference without sacrificing reasoning performance. Ready to power real world solutions that demand efficiency and flexibility, Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning is available on Azure AI Foundry, NVIDIA API Catalog, and Hugging Face today.

    Efficiency without compromise 

    Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning balances math reasoning ability with efficiency, making it potentially suitable for educational applications, real-time logic-based applications, and more. 

    Similar to its predecessor, Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning is a 3.8 billion parameter open model optimized for advanced math reasoning. It supports a 64K token context length and is fine-tuned on high-quality synthetic data to deliver reliable, logic-intensive performance deployment.  

    What’s new?

    At the core of Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning is the newly introduced decoder-hybrid-decoder architecture, SambaY, whose central innovation is the Gated Memory Unit (GMU), a simple yet effective mechanism for sharing representations between layers.  The architecture includes a self-decoder that combines Mamba (a State Space Model) and Sliding Window Attention (SWA), along with a single layer of full attention. The architecture also involves a cross-decoder that interleaves expensive cross-attention layers with the new, efficient GMUs. This new architecture with GMU modules drastically improves decoding efficiency, boosts long-context retrieval performance and enables the architecture to deliver exceptional performance across a wide range of tasks. 

    Key benefits of the SambaY architecture include: 

    • Enhanced decoding efficiency.
    • Preserves linear prefiling time complexity.
    • Increased scalability and enhanced long context performance.
    • Up to 10 times higher throughput.
    Our decoder-hybrid-decoder architecture taking Samba [RLL+25] as the self-decoder. Gated Memory Units (GMUs) are interleaved with the cross-attention layers in the cross-decoder to reduce the decoding computation complexity. As in YOCO [SDZ+24], the full attention layer only computes the KV cache during the prefilling with the self-decoder, leading to linear computation complexity for the prefill stage.

    Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning benchmarks 

    Like all models in the Phi family, Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning is deployable on a single GPU, making it accessible for a broad range of use cases. However, what sets it apart is its architectural advantage. This new model achieves significantly lower latency and higher throughput compared to Phi-4-mini-reasoning, particularly in long-context generation and latency-sensitive reasoning tasks. 

    This makes Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning a compelling option for developers and enterprises looking to deploy intelligent systems that require fast, scalable, and efficient reasoning—whether on premises or on-device. 

    The top plot shows inference latency as a function of generation length, while the bottom plot illustrates how inference latency varies with throughput. Both experiments were conducted using the vLLM inference framework on a single A100-80GB GPU with tensor parallelism (TP) set to 1.
    A more accurate evaluation was used where Pass@1 accuracy is averaged over 64 samples for AIME24/25 and 8 samples for Math500 and GPQA Diamond. In this graph, Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning outperforms Phi-4-mini-reasoning and is better than models twice its size.

    What are the potential use cases? 

    Thanks to its reduced latency, improved throughput, and focus on math reasoning, the model is ideal for: 

    • Adaptive learning platforms, where real-time feedback loops are essential.
    • On-device reasoning assistants, such as mobile study aids or edge-based logic agents.
    • Interactive tutoring systems that dynamically adjust content difficulty based on a learner’s performance.

    Its strength in math and structured reasoning makes it especially valuable for education technology, lightweight simulations, and automated assessment tools that require reliable logic inference with fast response times. 

    Developers are encouraged to connect with peers and Microsoft engineers through the Microsoft Developer Discord community to ask questions, share feedback, and explore real-world use cases together. 

    Microsoft’s commitment to trustworthy AI 

    Organizations across industries are leveraging Azure AI and Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities to drive growth, increase productivity, and create value-added experiences. 

    We’re committed to helping organizations use and build AI that is trustworthy, meaning it is secure, private, and safe. We bring best practices and learnings from decades of researching and building AI products at scale to provide industry-leading commitments and capabilities that span our three pillars of security, privacy, and safety. Trustworthy AI is only possible when you combine our commitments, such as our Secure Future Initiative and our responsible AI principles, with our product capabilities to unlock AI transformation with confidence.  

    Phi models are developed in accordance with Microsoft AI principles: accountability, transparency, fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, and inclusiveness.  

    The Phi model family, including Phi-4-mini-flash-reasoning, employs a robust safety post-training strategy that integrates Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT), Direct Preference Optimization (DPO), and Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). These techniques are applied using a combination of open-source and proprietary datasets, with a strong emphasis on ensuring helpfulness, minimizing harmful outputs, and addressing a broad range of safety categories. Developers are encouraged to apply responsible AI best practices tailored to their specific use cases and cultural contexts. 

    Read the model card to learn more about any risk and mitigation strategies.  

    Learn more about the new model 

    Create with Azure AI Foundry

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Choosing the right AI path for your business: A practical guide for leaders

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Choosing the right AI path for your business: A practical guide for leaders

    With generative AI moving from experimentation to execution, the pressure is on to turn plans into progress. Every customer I talk to has done the homework: their use case lists are in, their priorities are clear, and their excitement is real. They’re no longer asking, “Should we use AI?” Instead, they’re looking at those use cases alongside a rapidly evolving AI landscape and asking, “Where do we start?”

    It’s a great question, considering that a year ago building an AI agent meant calling in an experienced IT team. Today, teams in finance, human resources, and communications are building their own using low-code tools and off-the-shelf AI like Microsoft 365 Copilot. What once took months and weeks now takes hours and minutes, and often fits right into the tools they already use. IDC predicts over a billion AI agents will be in use by 2028 as AI shifts from answering questions to taking action at scale.1

    Does that mean you should begin with agents? Not necessarily. With so many tools and promises in the market, deciding where to start can be overwhelming. That’s why we created The Business Guide to AI Solutions—to help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters: solving real business problems with the right kind of AI.

    The Business Guide to AI Solutions

    Choose and apply assistants, agents, and custom tools as part of a secure, scalable AI strategy

    Match the solution to your business goals

    AI isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best results come from aligning the right AI solution with the specific problem you’re trying to solve. Whether your goal is to boost productivity, streamline operations, personalize customer experiences, or build something entirely new, there’s a path forward. Here’s how to think about your options:

    Need to boost team productivity and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks? Start fast with assistants

    Our recent 2025 Work Trend Index Annual Report contains a lot of insight into how AI is reshaping work. It also put a spotlight on something many employees struggle with that can stall a company’s progress: the infinite workday. The pace of work keeps accelerating—and for many, that means the day never really ends. People are starting earlier, working later, and staying buried in emails, Microsoft Teams chats, and meeting requests well into evenings and weekends.

    Clearly, the pace of business is relentless. Our approach can’t be. A great place to start is AI assistants. And if your priority is to help your team be more productive, off-the-shelf solutions can deliver quick wins. Microsoft 365 Copilot is built into the apps your teams already use. Designed for fast deployment and immediate value across different roles, Copilot can help people work faster by summarizing content, generating drafts, and automating routine work in all functions—including sales, marketing, finance, and human resources.

    For example, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) increased productivity by 10% to 20% for 84% of Copilot users and increased their job satisfaction by 68%. The business saved more than 2,300 person-hours with automation, reduced the time spent on writing internal audit reports by 30% and saved one month of processing time to analyze 8,000 survey comments. And XP Inc. uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate tasks, boosting productivity by saving over 9,000 hours—a 30% increase in audit team efficiency.

    Struggling with complex, manual processes that slow down operations? Automate with agents

    When you’re ready to streamline more complex, multistep processes, agents can help. These autonomous tools go beyond assistants by taking action on your behalf—coordinating tasks across systems, automating workflows, and supporting business operations at scale.

    Agents are quickly moving from experimental to essential. We recently introduced advancements in memory, reasoning, and access control that make agents more effective across business environments. You can see this in action in the latest Microsoft 365 Copilot innovations, including multi-agent orchestration, agent tuning, and deeper integration with everyday apps.

    With Microsoft Azure AI Foundry, developers can access a full stack agent factory with capabilities to automate business processes across the enterprise. For example, Fujitsu boosted sales proposal productivity by 67%, enabling their teams to focus more time on customer engagement.

    We’re also investing in open standards to help agents operate securely across systems so they can scale with your business, not just your tech stack. Read the broader vision for what’s next to learn how AI agents are shaping a more open, connected, and productive future.

    Whether built with low-code or pro-code tools, agents can have a big impact across teams. Carvana built an AI agent named Sebastian to guide customers through the car buying and selling journey. To continuously improve Sebastian’s performance, they developed Conversation Analysis Review Engine (CARE), an AI-powered platform that analyzes 100% of customer interactions. Together, Sebastian and CARE have helped Carvana reduce inbound calls per sale by over 45% in two years, reflecting a smoother, more efficient customer experience.

    Want to tailor AI to your business without starting from scratch? Extend prebuilt solutions

    Once you’ve started using Microsoft 365 Copilot, built-in extensibility gives you a way to go further. With Microsoft Copilot Studio, you can connect AI to your own data, fine-tune prompts, and integrate functionality into your existing systems. This allows you to adapt AI to your workflows—without the time and complexity of building something entirely new.

    A case in point is Pets at Home, the United Kingdom’s leading pet care business, which used Microsoft Copilot Studio to extend Copilot’s capabilities for its profit protection team. By building a tailored agent that compiles cases for human review, the company streamlined internal workflows and expects to drive seven-figure annual savings, all without starting from scratch.

    Looking to create a competitive edge with something truly unique? Differentiate with custom AI

    When your needs are highly specific, customization enables you to design unique solutions that reflect your organization’s DNA. With Azure AI Foundry you can build your own agents, train models with your data, and create experiences specifically made for your business.

    For example ABB Group, a global leader in electrification and automation, built a custom AI solution called Genix Copilot using Microsoft Azure OpenAI service to tackle complex industrial challenges like asset performance, energy optimization, and emissions monitoring. The result? Up to 35% savings in operations and maintenance, 20% improvement in energy efficiency, and an 80% reduction in service calls, all through a differentiated, AI-powered experience tailored to their customers’ needs.

    You can also build AI solutions tailored to your industry using Microsoft’s industry-specific models and tools in Azure AI Foundry. Whether you’re in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, financial services, or education, our Microsoft Industry Clouds provide prebuilt data models, templates, and AI services to help you move faster and deliver value sooner—without compromising on security or compliance.

    Build on a foundation of trust

    As AI becomes more powerful, so do the risks. Business leaders are asking the right questions: How do we protect sensitive data? How do we ensure compliance? How do we build AI systems that are fair, transparent, and accountable?

    At Microsoft,

    1IDC Info Snapshot, sponsored by Microsoft, 1.3 Billion AI Agents by 2028, Enterprise Grade and in Production, US53361825, May 2025.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – NAIDOC Week – Refugees feel welcomed by Indigenous communities – study

    Source: AMES

    Refugees settling in Australia feel welcomed by Indigenous communities and believe it is important to respect and learn about first nations’ culture, according to a new survey.

    More than half (63 per cent) of respondents said that felt welcomed by Indigenous communities and that it was important to be welcoming to Indigenous Australians, while just 13 per cent said it was not important.

    The findings are part of a survey of refugees who have settled in regional Australia, conducted by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia and the University of Wollongong.

    The interim results of the ‘Settling Well’ survey found refugees in the regions feel welcome and safe, and value the peaceful environment regional communities provide in raising children.

    The study is a five-year longitudinal comparative assessment of the impacts of refugee settlement in regional Australia.

    The study surveyed refugee and established communities in Nhilll, Mildura, Albury-Wodonga, Cowra-Orange, Rockhampton and Townsville.

    Mildura based former refugee Jules Kangeta said it was important to respect Indigenous culture.

    “I find welcome to country ceremonies very moving. You can see an ancient culture at work and the local Indigenous community are telling us we are welcome,” Mr Kangeta said.

    “It is a very generous gesture that shows love and shows that these are good people. The ceremonies are important because the give authority and agency to newcomers, like me, to this country.

    “It is important that Indigenous communities are recognised and have a say in the country that was originally theirs,” Mr Kangeta said.

    AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said refugee and Indigenous communities had many things in common and natural affinity.

    “Many people from both communities can, at times, feel marginalised and can struggle to find their places in mainstream society. So, it’s not surprising there is a level of empathy between them,” she said.

    The study also found refugees were finding employment opportunities and affordable housing in the regions.

    It found refugees valued the lack of congestion in regional Australia and they most planned to stay.

    But it also identified issues with a lack of service provision and educational opportunities.

    It asked refugees how they felt about life in rural Australia in terms of economic, cultural and social outcomes as well as access to opportunity and health and wellbeing.

    The study surveyed 324 people from 25 countries. Most of the participants were from the Democratic republic of Congo, Burma, the Central African Republic, Afghanistan and Bhutan.

    “Overall, people feel safe and peaceful in regional Australia. They felt welcomed by, but also a little isolated from, communities mostly because of language barriers,” the report said.

    “They like the lack of congestion, and they see regional communities as better places to raise kids because they see them as safer from bad influences. But this also comes with less educational opportunities.

    “Many people have been able to buy houses, that would have been out of reach in the cities. And employment opportunities are generally good,” the report said.

    Asked if they planned to stay in regional Australia, 75 per cent said they planned to stay long term and just 5 per cent said they did not.

    The study found refugees were mostly satisfied with the support they received on settling into new communities.

    “We found that individuals – settlement workers, volunteers and community members – were important in helping people to settle,” the report said.

    The study also found services in the regions were less accessible that in cities.

    “In some communities we found a lack of things like dental services, refugee mental health and immigration lawyers,” the report said.

    “We also found that younger adults were missing out on schooling and further educational opportunities.”

    The study also identified a lack of English language tuition in secondary settlement locations, where mainstream settlement services are not available.

    The study’s preliminary recommendations included: flexible settlement core funding to respond to needs that arise; reassessment of needs after initial settlement, and flexible delivery of English language classes tailored to different aspirations and locations.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen, New Hampshire Delegation Blast Trump’s “Big Beautiful Betrayal”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Manchester, NH) – This week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), held a press conference at Waypoint to highlight the harmful impacts of Republicans’ disastrous budget megabill on New Hampshire. You can view front page coverage of the press conference here or in full below.

    The bill will take health care and food assistance away from millions while also ending tax credits that help folks save on their utility bills, all to give tax breaks to billionaires and corporations. More than 46,000 Granite Staters will lose their health care coverage through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and thousands risk losing food assistance. It will also raise household energy and health care bills for everyone while adding trillions to the debt, in order to give the top .1% of people an extra $300,000 a year on average.

    More Below:

    Union Leader: N.H. Dem delegation calls Trump bu­­dget the ‘big betrayal’

    • Speaking at a news conference at Waypoint in Manchester, the quartet charged what Trump has called the “big, beautiful bill” will cut off health care to 45,000 Granite Staters and reduce or eliminate SNAP food benefits for low-income families while raising energy and property taxes for the entire state.
    • “There is nothing beautiful about taking health care and food from struggling families and giving tax cuts to billionaires,” said U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “What the president calls the big, beautiful bill, I call the big betrayal of the American people.”

    WMUR: NH congressional delegation unites to blast local effects of spending, tax cut bill

    • The full New Hampshire congressional delegation continues to sound the alarm over the impacts of the budget reconciliation legislation that is now the law of the land, saying cuts to Medicaid will be felt far beyond the social safety net.
    • Shaheen and Hassan, along with U.S. Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander, said the bill is going to downshift costs from the federal government to the states and from states to taxpayers.

    NHPR: New Hampshire’s congressional delegation condemns U.S. budget bill

    • Shaheen said working parents, children and seniors could also lose access to SNAP (Supplemental Food Assistance Program) benefits, and families that use low income heating assistance could be affected as tax energy credits for efficiency have been eliminated from the federal budget.
    • “I don’t think this is what the people in New Hampshire want to see, and it’s certainly not what Americans deserve,” Shaheen said. “At a moment when tariffs are already squeezing Americans’ cost of living, Congress should be doing better. We should be expanding affordable health care, not cutting it to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest and the biggest corporations.”

    Fox News: Dems say their increasingly ‘frustrated’ base is mobilized in the fight against Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

    • “The big beautiful betrayal of the American people” is how longtime Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the dean of the delegation, described the sweeping Republican-crafted domestic policy package.
    • The delegation teamed up on Tuesday in New Hampshire’s largest city at Waypoint, which notes that it’s the state’s longest-running home and community-based care charitable organization. Waypoint officials noted that roughly three-quarters of the people they service are on Medicaid.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Sens. Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Reapproval of VA Medical Facility Leases

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases, including a proposed lease for an outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:

    “We are very encouraged to see the Senate EPW Committee heed our request to quickly reauthorize 18 VA medical facility leases, including one for a new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This facility would fill a critical gap, providing broader access and more convenient services for veterans on the south side of the region, who currently represent over 60 percent of the Hampton VA Medical Center’s patient base. We will continue to press our colleagues in the House of Representatives to finalize the reauthorization process and ensure that our nation’s veterans are not forced to endure unacceptable wait times or travel burdensome distances to access the high-quality care they have earned through their sacrifice and dedication.”

    While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. To date, the leases have been reapproved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. One final approval, from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, remains.

    Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Sens. Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Reapproval of VA Medical Facility Leases

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases, including a proposed lease for an outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:

    “We are very encouraged to see the Senate EPW Committee heed our request to quickly reauthorize 18 VA medical facility leases, including one for a new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This facility would fill a critical gap, providing broader access and more convenient services for veterans on the south side of the region, who currently represent over 60 percent of the Hampton VA Medical Center’s patient base. We will continue to press our colleagues in the House of Representatives to finalize the reauthorization process and ensure that our nation’s veterans are not forced to endure unacceptable wait times or travel burdensome distances to access the high-quality care they have earned through their sacrifice and dedication.”

    While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. To date, the leases have been reapproved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. One final approval, from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, remains.

    Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests one of El Salvador’s “Top 100 Most Wanted” hiding in Nebraska

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    OMAHA, Neb. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations arrested a high-ranking member of the violent MS-13 gang who was listed among El Salvador’s top 100 most wanted fugitives July 9.

    The Salvadoran national is a criminal alien wanted in El Salvador for the aggravated homicide of five victims; attempted aggravated homicide; deprivation of liberty; and terrorist organization affiliation.

    The criminal alien was apprehended alongside an MS-13 associate he was residing with and who was also in the United States illegally.

    His associate, Rene Saul Escobar Ochoa, 30, is a criminal alien, known MS-13 gang member and foreign terrorist also wanted in El Salvador. Escobar Ochoa is accused of giving orders to fellow gang members to commit a variety of crimes, including multiple homicides, extortion, imprisonment and drug trafficking.

    “When ICE agents move in to make an arrest, it is extremely important that the public not interfere,” said ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons. “The misinformation, and sometimes blatant lies, being spread around the country could result in someone stepping into a federal operation and suddenly finding themselves face-to-face with a killer who has nothing to lose.”

    Both individuals were arrested without incident in a targeted enforcement action. They had embedded themselves in the Omaha area, where they posed severe threats to the local community’s safety.

    “These illegal aliens didn’t just sneak into our country; they brought with them a legacy of violence, terror and death,” said HSI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito, whose office oversees Omaha. “They thought they could hide in America’s heartland, but they were sadly mistaken. Not on our watch.”

    HSI, ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting the investigation.

    “Our ICE officers and agents are protecting your neighborhoods, even when you don’t know the threat is there, so either support them or get out of the way,” concluded Lyons.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tracking insect and bug health in a heartbeat from a digital camera

    Source:

    10 July 2025

    In a world-first pilot study, researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) have used video footage of insects to extract their heart rates without touching or disturbing them.

    The innovation, published in the Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, could transform how scientists monitor the health and stress levels of arthropods, that account for more than 80% of animal species.

    Taking footage from smartphones, social media videos and digital cameras, the researchers used sophisticated signal processing methods to monitor the heart activity of ants, bees, caterpillars, spiders, grasshoppers and stick insects.

    Unlike mammals, arthropods have an open circulatory system in which blood fills the body cavity, bathing the internal organs and tissues. Their heart is located on the top (dorsal) side of their body in the abdomen.

    Led by UniSA PhD candidate Danyi Wang and her supervisor Professor Javaan Chahl, the study demonstrates that subtle body movements captured on standard digital or smartphone cameras can be analysed to reveal accurate and detailed cardiac activity in a range of insect species.

    Unlike traditional methods that require physical contact or immobilisation, this technique allows insects to remain free, without disrupting their natural behaviour.

    “Insects are vital to our ecosystems, and understanding their physiological responses to environmental change is essential,” Wang says.

    “Existing methods to measure insect’ vital signs are invasive, however. Our method preserves their natural behaviour while providing accurate insights into their heart activity.”

    The extracted heart rates closely matched the physiological ranges recorded via traditional techniques, validating the system’s accuracy.

    Senior author Prof Javaan Chahl says the system successfully captured heart rates across multiple insect species, detecting physiological differences influenced by factors such as wing morphology and temperature.

    “From ants with heart rates of around 50 beats per minute, to bees reaching 119bpm, our results consistently aligned with established reference values,” Prof Chahl says.

    “What’s exciting is that this was all achieved without attaching sensors or disturbing the insects in any way.”

    One of the most impressive validations came from caterpillar recordings, where the team compared their video-derived cardiac signals to data from infrared contact sensors in previous studies. The shapes and frequencies were almost identical.

    The study also revealed interesting inter-species variations. For example, spider heart rates varied significantly, reflecting differences between species rather than activity levels, since all subjects were at rest during filming.

    Advanced image processing techniques, including motion tracking algorithms and magnification, were applied to detect tiny movements associated with heartbeats. These signals were analysed using spectral filtering and transformed into frequency data to isolate the heart rate.

    According to Prof Chahl, the study marks an important step forward in insect research.

    “Non-invasive cardiac monitoring offers tremendous potential; not just for studying insect health, but also for understanding environmental stressors, pesticide effects, or even the wellbeing of social insects like ants and bees, where heart signals can provide insights into colony health and behaviour.”

    His team has previously used a similar technique with digital cameras to remotely extract cardiac signals in humans and wildlife.

    The researchers hope to test the system in the field and refine it by using machine learning to improve the accuracy across different body types and light conditions.

    “With more refinement, this could become a cost effective and valuable tool in the ecological research toolkit,” says Wang. “It gives us the ability to listen to the hearts of the smallest creatures without harming them.”

    ‘Extracting Cardiac Activity for Arthropods Using Digital Cameras: Insights from a Pilot Study’ is published in the Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology. DOI:  10.1002/arch.70076

    A video demonstrating the experiment is available at: redback_final.mp4 – Google Drive

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Research contact for interview: Professor Javaan Chahl E: javaan.chahl@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: GAZA: Siege on fuel could cut off supplies of clean water to about 44,000 children supported by Save the Children in matter of days

    Source: Save the Children

    Fuel shortages in Gaza could cut off supplies of clean drinking water to about 44,000 children supported by Save the Children in a matter of days, increasing the risk of waterborne illnesses such as cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery, with these children only a small number of those impacted by fuel running out. 
    Save the Children relies on fuel to transport safe, clean water daily to over 50 communities across the Gaza Strip, including about 44,072 children. But fuel supplies have been entirely restricted from entering Gaza since Israeli authorities imposed a total siege on 2 March, putting the entire humanitarian response at risk of grinding to a halt. 
    Access to safe water is a fundamental human right, critical not just for drinking but for staving off disease that is rife across Gaza, where nearly everyone now lives in crowded shelters and tents having been displaced multiple times. Acute watery diarrhoea – one of the world’s biggest killers of children – is present in 39% of people seeking medical consultations, according to the UN, and malnutrition is rife. 
    The child rights organisation said it is critical – and obligatory under International Humanitarian Law – that Israeli authorities fully lift the siege on fuel and aid in parallel to current ceasefire talks, and that humanitarian access – and children’s lives – are not used as bargaining chips in negotiations. 
    Other aid organisations have sounded the alarm about their own operations as fuel supplies dry up, impacting water, sanitation and any remaining health facilities The UN is warning that hundreds of newborn babies in incubators are at imminent risk of death in a matter of days if the power goes off. 
    Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Eastern Europe and North Africa, said: 
    ” Access to safe water is a fundamental human right. But in Gaza, it could now be denied to 44,072 children we deliver it to as fuel runs dry. 
    “Not only is food and aid being withheld to an entire population on the brink – fuel that powers the systems that are critical for survival has not been allowed in for four months. This lack of fuel is posing a severe threat to the entire humanitarian response across Gaza. 
    “There is no time to waste. While a definitive, lasting ceasefire is desperately needed to spare children from bombs and bullets, talks should not distract from the desperate need inside Gaza for fuel, aid and commercial supplies. These should not be used as bargaining chips – children need both safety and life-sustaining resources, as is their right and the Government of Israel’s obligation to provide under international humanitarian law. The siege must immediately be lifted.” 
    Save the Children is on the ground in Gaza, as we have been for decades, ready to deliver lifesaving aid alongside our partners. Our teams deliver lifesaving water, run child-friendly spaces that offer safe places for children to play and receive psychosocial support, and set up temporary learning centres to help children continue their education during the crisis. Save the Children is running a primary healthcare centre in Deir Al-Balah, providing essential services to children, mothers, and families, including screening and treatment for malnutrition.  
    About Save the Children NZ:
    Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
    Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace holds dawn commemoration of 40 years since Rainbow Warrior bombing, death of photographer Fernando Pereira

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace Aotearoa held a dawn ceremony on board the Rainbow Warrior this morning to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior and the death of photographer Fernando Pereira. The ceremony was hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and attended by over a 150 people.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr Russel Norman, speaking from the deck of the Rainbow Warrior says, “French government agents came from the other side of the planet not only to kill our friend and colleague, and to kill our ship, but most of all they came here to try to kill our dream of a nuclear free Pacific.
    “And it is true that they killed Fernando, and it is true that they sank the first Rainbow Warrior, now resting in the north of Aotearoa under the watchful eye of Ngāti Kura at Matauri Bay.
    “But it is not true that they killed our dream of a nuclear-free Pacific. In fact, their act of violence was a catalyst for the further growth of the nuclear-free movement here and around the world.”
    At the time of the bombing in 1985, the Rainbow Warrior was preparing to lead a flotilla to Mororoa to protest French nuclear testing.
    Greenpeace International Programme Director Carmen Gravitt, also speaking from the Rainbow Warrior, said, “The French government tried to silence these voices with violence, fear, and intimidation. But they miscalculated. Instead of breaking our movement, they amplified it. They blew wind into our sails.”
    “We built a new Rainbow Warrior and sailed to Moruroa. The peoples of the Pacific rose. And the world joined them. Together, we did not stop – not until we won and France halted its nuclear testing.
    “Every right we have today was won by people who dared to fight for it. People who demanded the vote even when it was dangerous, workers who demanded dignity even when it cost them everything, indigenous peoples and frontline communities who demanded justice even when no one thought they could win. Today, we also honour them. And humbly seek to carry their legacy forward.”
    In the wake of the bombing of the first Rainbow Warrior, protests and international pressure against nuclear weapons testing continued to build. Greenpeace mounted three further protest expeditions to Mururoa in 1990, 1992 and 1995 on board the second Rainbow Warrior.
    In 1995, the Rainbow Warrior sailed into the test zone, defying exclusion orders and attempting to disrupt the tests, drawing global media attention and support. French forces seized the ship and arrested the crew, sparking widespread international condemnation. Although six tests went ahead, the intense backlash contributed to France announcing a permanent end to nuclear testing in 1996.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa says today is a moment to reflect on the past, and remember the life of Fernando Pereira, the photographer who was killed in the bombing. But the organisation also says it is a moment to look to the future and to challenge current attacks on environmental protest.
    “There’s no doubt that we’re facing challenging times. Nature is under attack. Peace and democracy are under attack too. The world feels more unstable than ever,” says Norman.
    “But when the environment and democracy are threatened, we all have to step up and get braver. The bravery of the nuclear-free activists – who sailed into a test zone and put themselves at enormous risk – is an inspiration for the courage we need to find now in the face of the climate and biodiversity crisis.”
    The Rainbow Warrior will be open for tours of the ship for the next two week

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Analysis – OCR on hold, probably only temporarily – Cotality

    Source and Analysis: Kelvin Davidson, Chief Property Economist for Cotality NZ (formerly CoreLogic)

    As widely expected, the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to keep the official cash rate unchanged today at 3.25%, the first ‘hold decision’ after six consecutive cuts. In its short commentary alongside the decision, the Committee noted a concern about lurking, near-term inflationary pressures and the need to keep monitoring those factors before any further moves are made.

    However, the record of the meeting also set out the expectation that the tariffs and changes in global trading patterns will tend to restrain economic growth and eventually being inflation back down again. The voting options in the latest meeting were also for no OCR change or a cut, indicating a downwards bias.
    As such, there was also a clear signal that we haven’t seen the last of the OCR cuts in this cycle yet, and a drop in August (20th) seems very much on the cards. By then, we’ll also have the Q2 CPI figures, which are due out 21st July.
    Meanwhile, the housing market effects from today’s decision are likely to be negligible.
    Mortgage rates have already fallen a long way from their peak – and by a similar amount to the OCR – and we’re recently seeing in the data that a higher proportion of borrowers are now looking at longer-term fixed rates again, after a period of going short as market rates fell.
    Even if a fresh bout of competition among the banks did re-emerge in the near term, the scale would be smaller than the falls in mortgage rates we’ve already seen. And the greater focus in the housing market at the moment seems to be on the other side of the ledger – i.e. the price restraint being supplied by abundant listings and labour market uncertainty.
    Those concerns about job security might mean that many existing borrowers who are rolling off higher fixes from the past and down onto the new prevailing rates might choose to save their extra cash rather than spend it in the economy or property market. All in all, the second half of the year for NZ’s housing market may be just as subdued as the first.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: Farm Security is National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Senator Marshall Joins Vince Coglianese to Talk About the Trump Administration’s Action Plan to Ban U.S. Farmland Purchases by China
    Washington – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Vince Coglianese on The VINCE Show to discuss the importance of protecting American farmland from hostile foreign nations, Joe Biden’s doctor being subpoenaed before the House Oversight Committee, and how the Senate will go after leftist institutional programs via the recissions package.
    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.
    On China buying American farmland and the threat it poses:
    “… Farm security, food security, is national security – we take it for granted. China, their nationals, their people, have purchased only about 300,000 acres of land. It’s not the land, but it’s the location that matters. They have land right next to Whiteman Air Force Base. That’s where our B-2 bombers took off from for their mission to Iran. Back home, Fort Riley, Kansas, is near and dear to my heart – they have land close to that. So, it looks like they strategically purchased land next to military bases. So that in and of itself, they can keep track of what’s coming and going, what new drones do we have, all sorts of things, as you can imagine. So, it’s a national security issue.
    “But beyond that, let’s talk about the other pieces of national security when it comes to agriculture. It’s the food supply chain, so foreign nationals hold about 1/4 of the protein processing in America, pork processing, and beef processing, to be particular. They’re constantly stealing our intellectual property. We have Chinese nationals in our laboratories, at our universities, so they are a constant threat. The one that really scares me is bioterrorism. You know, the next COVID virus, the next thing that they make in a lab in China, you couldn’t imagine that you’d ever have a hot air balloon floating across America… that could be dropping some type of viral particles that would kill all the cattle in America. So that’s the big concern.”
    On the Biden Administration’s failure to act:
    “Let’s talk about why the Biden administration just ignored this. I begged them to make the Secretary of Agriculture part of CFIUS. That’s the committee that assesses foreign investments in the United States from a national security standpoint. Yesterday, President Trump made Secretary Rollins part of CFIUS so she can evaluate each one of these purchases on a case-by-case basis. You know who’s really purchasing the land, right? Is it some proxy, or are they really connected to a country of concern as well?
    “It is absolutely common sense. We brought this to the Biden Administration as we saw this acceleration of these land purchases. The President has the ability to appoint her, Congress can codify it, and we do have legislation that would codify that appointment, make it permanently legal, so that if, heaven forbid, we have another Joe Biden in office, that he wouldn’t take the Secretary of Agriculture off that off that post.”
    On how China has used the land they have purchased:
    “I don’t have any insider information, except to say obviously they’re spying on us. It’s an easy spy spot. But I think what’s more important is what the Trump Administration is going to do here. Basically, they’re going to have an executive order that says China, country of origin, cannot buy any further agricultural land in the United States, period. And they’re going to start a program to start taking land back from them. And you know, Governor Huckabee Sanders, down in Arkansas, has already done that. So, states can do things as well. The state laws, the state governors, can move a little bit more quickly on this. So, I would encourage them to get behind this situation as well. So, I think that the Trump administration is moving again, moving agriculture up to a level of national security.”
    On Secretary Rollins’ statements around ‘No Amnesty’:
    “No amnesty. Period, full stop, end of paragraph, end of sentence, no amnesty. The President made that very clear, and Secretary Rollins reiterated that five times yesterday. Republicans in the Senate are not in favor of amnesty.
    “But two points I’d like to make, though. Number one, we could not have ever even had this discussion until the border was secure. It’s amazing, the border is secure again, The One Big, Beautiful Bill is going to build 2000 miles of barrier, and it’s going to fund that border security for the next four years. Usually, we have to fight every year with the Democratic senators on funding that. But we’re going to double the number of ICE removal agents. I think what we heard Secretary Rollins say yesterday is that they’re going to continue to prioritize the 400,000 violent illegal criminals in this country. And that’s why, I think that’s why you saw DHS Secretary Noem there, and you know, all the different secretaries, the Attorney General, were there saying, look, this is all the above problem that we’re trying to solve. We want to make our farmland secure, and we want to make your family safer as well.
    On Joe Biden’s physician testifying about the former President’s mental decline:
    “You know, I’m a physician as well. I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 25 years, and maybe I can share a couple analogies from there. Look, this doctor has a legal obligation to come and testify, just like if I had a legal obligation. Let’s say again, I’m an obstetrician. I see a patient in the morning, and she goes out and kills somebody that night. And I’m subpoenaed to the court to come and testify – they would ask me questions. What was her mental status? I’d be obligated to talk about that. Did she say anything that she was interested in killing somebody or herself? I would testify to that.
    “Now, if they ask me if she ever had herpes, has she ever had an STD, has she ever had a miscarriage, I would say, look, that’s patient doctor privilege. It has nothing to do with this case, right? But in this situation, this doctor has every obligation to come talk about the, you know, national security issues regarding the neurogenerative decline of one Joe Biden and how there was an abuse of power with the auto-pen. So, I think that’s fair game, that the law trumps his ethical obligation.
    On the obligation to know who was really in charge during the Biden-Harris Administration:
    “I want my good friend Jamie Comer to go through with this trial. I’m just telling us not to overplay our hand. We cannot stop talking about all the great victories under President Trump, that we’re doing as well. We cannot make this the focus of the Republican Party, but absolutely this doctor absolutely has an obligation to talk about the neurodegenerative decline of one Joe Biden… this is an impact on national security. I think that Congressman Comer is well within his constitutional rights to come in and say, did this President put us at some type of national security threat level? Who was really planned this Afghanistan evacuation debacle? Are there any types of notes? I want to see the notes as the auto pin signed all these pardons. Is there a discussion, you know, with the President that records some of those as well? That would be minimal that I would want to see. So, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, full speed ahead. But we got a great story to tell beyond just Joe Biden’s decline.”
    On the legislation to cut funding to PBS and NPR:
    “I think it’ll come to the floor next week, but I’m embarrassed to tell you that there’s people, Senate Republicans, that are having heartburn about it. Look to your point, $37 trillion of national debt, a trillion dollars a year on interest, and the Senate doesn’t have the kahones to cut $9 billion of total waste, fraud, and abuse. When I sat down with Elon Musk the first time, I gave him a list of the top 10 things that Doge should do, USAID was the top of it, and I put beside it, ‘burn it to the ground.’ Based upon my experiences traveling, seeing what USAID was doing, I knew that there was a lot of fraud and abuse going on with it.
    “And this is also going to defund National Public Radio, Television as well. Look, Kansans back home are tired of their taxpayer money being spent on basically one propaganda unit for the left, right. So, but, but it’s we’ve got some heartburn going on here. Hopefully, we can get it through.”
    On why it’s time to cut funding to USAID, NPR, and PBS:“For over 20 years, we have spent billions of dollars treating people for AIDS in Africa. And I’m so glad we got to do it, but do we need to keep spending a billion dollars a year on that? When does Africa take care of their own problems? When are they going to realize what’s causing AIDS, that there’s ways to prevent it, other than taking a medicine that costs tens of thousands of dollars a month as well. So that’s one piece, the humanitarian part of it as well.
    “And look, there are some moderates within the Republican Party that think National Public Radio should be funded by the government. I disagree. And with today’s media opportunities. I don’t see why the federal government needs to be subsidizing anybody out there in the media, let alone someone who’s so biased as NPR is.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Winter break for the 42 Traverse

    Source: NZ Department of Conservation

    Date:  10 July 2025

    The 42 Traverse, or T42, is a popular multi-use track and off-roading destination in the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area in the Central North Island. The area provides habitat for iconic species including kiwi and whio.

    Department of Conservation Team Lead Tongariro Michael Christie says the winter closure to four-wheel drives protects the track and provides safe access for critical conservation work – including protecting threatened species.

    “Winter off-roading causes heavy track damage, affecting our work and impacting the track experience for other users.

    “It’s also a safety issue – large vehicles can increase the risk of slips from sodden soils.”

    To protect the 42 Traverse, four-wheel drive vehicles are not permitted on the track between May 1 and November 30. These restrictions are outlined in the Tongariro/Taupō Conservation Management Strategy (CMS).

    “To be clear, we have to focus our efforts and funding where it matters most, and we cannot afford to continue fixing a road purely so a few can tear it up again,” says Michael.

    “If you wreck it, it will likely become inaccessible to everyone.”

    The 42 Traverse extends through native forest, offers superb views back to Tongariro National Park, and is enjoyed by people doing a range of other activities including tramping, hunting, and mountain biking.

    The 42 Traverse will reopen to four-wheel drive vehicles from December 1.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Announces Jack Hild Retires as Director

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intermap Technologies Corporation (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) today announced that John (Jack) Hild has retired as an independent member of the Company’s Board of Directors and Director of Intermap Federal Services Inc. (IFSI). Since joining Intermap’s board, Jack has been an important contributor to the Company’s growth by supporting the strategic planning, recruiting and training in advanced defense analysis for the execution team in our federal services segment.

    “We are profoundly grateful to Jack for his leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to Intermap’s mission,” said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. “His unparalleled insight into the defense and intelligence community has strengthened our strategic direction and deepened our engagement with key government partners. On a more personal level, I have benefitted greatly from Jack’s wonderful support, judgement, and friendship.”

    Mr. Hild dedicated three decades to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), serving over ten years in senior executive roles. After his distinguished career at the NGA, he became CIO and Vice President of Defense and Intelligence Strategy at DigitalGlobe before establishing his consulting practice. His significant contributions to the geospatial field are widely recognized. In 2020, Mr. Hild was inducted into the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame, one of the industry’s highest honors. He also received the NGA Distinguished Civilian Award and the Norwegian Defense Medal.

    “It has been an honor and privilege to serve on Intermap’s Board and support the Company’s work in delivering mission-critical solutions to the U.S. and Allied civil, defense and intelligence communities,” said Mr. Hild. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Intermap’s sensors are unrivaled in the cloud belt, and its commercial flood mapping product is one of the most innovative elevation data and data management services I’ve seen. Intermap’s role with Low Latency Foundation Data has also addressed my decades-old quest to focus attention on foundational geospatial data maintenance processes across the user communities. My expectation is that Intermap will continue to grow with innovative customers and partners that leverage its talented and dedicated team on an increasingly broader range of advanced geospatial intelligence activities.”

    The Board of Directors and management team extend their gratitude to Mr. Hild for his extraordinary service and enduring legacy. His leadership and integrity have left an indelible mark on the Company.

    Intermap Reader Advisory 
    Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. Words such as “will”, “upcoming” and other similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap’s forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

    About Intermap Technologies 
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Sounds Alarm Over RFK Jr. Postponing U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Meeting, Threat to Coverage of Preventive Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray, Former ACIP Member from WA State Raise Alarm Over Purge of Entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee

    ICYMI: Murray Calls for Kennedy to Reinstate Fired ACIP Members or Delay Meeting Until New Members Appropriately Vetted

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Patty Murray, a senior member and former chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement regarding the postponement of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) meeting that was scheduled to take place tomorrow. USPSTF is an independent advisory panel of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The USPSTF is made up of 16 unpaid, volunteer members serving four-year terms. USPSTF is supported by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) staff, but that agency has lost roughly half of their support staff due to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s mass firings across HHS.

    The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc. on June 27th ruled that USPSTF members are “inferior officers” consistent with the Appointments Clause to the Constitution, therefore affirming their authority to determine coverage of preventive services. The Affordable Care Act Democrats passed gave USPSTF recommendations the force of law for the first time—ensuring that mammograms, colonoscopies, and screenings for depression, osteoporosis, lung cancer, and other recommended preventive care would be covered by insurance at no cost to patients.

    “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is essential to ensuring cancer screenings and other lifesaving preventive services are covered by insurance at no cost to patients—and the abrupt postponement of tomorrow’s task force meeting should set off alarm bells for everyone worried about what our conspiracy-promoting Health Secretary is up to next. I’m concerned Secretary Kennedy may be taking the first steps to dismantle the Preventive Services Task Force and attack its mission and commitment to scientific evidence, just like he has done at the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee and across our nation’s public health agencies.

    “The Preventive Services Task Force is made up of independent national experts in preventive medicine and primary care—they are volunteers who serve the public interest. In no world should experts be replaced with unqualified anti-science cronies of RFK Jr. who will make preventive health care more expensive and harder to get over baseless conspiracy theories or debunked disinformation.

    “I implore every one of my colleagues who believes Americans should be able to get lifesaving preventive care without worrying about cost to speak out now, and to my Republican colleagues: pick up the phone and tell Secretary Kennedy to keep his hands off preventive care.”

    Senator Murray forcefully opposed RFK Jr.’s nomination to lead HHS and has been a leading voice in the Senate pushing back against his systematic dismantling of our nation’s premiere public health agency, from the unprecedented mass firing of qualified HHS employees and the closure of critical regional offices, to Secretary Kennedy’s purge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Last month, Senator Murray called on Secretary Kennedy to reinstate the fired ACIP members and held a press call with Washington state-based Dr. Helen Chu, one of the 17 ACIP members abruptly fired by Secretary Kennedy without cause.

    Senator Murray has sent countless oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans’ health and safety and will set our country back decades—and lift up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following fatal crash in Ashburton

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attributable to Senior Sergeant Janine Bowden,

    Police are appealing for information from the public following a fatal crash on Burnett Street in Ashburton.

    On Saturday 5 July, Police received a report of a crash involving a car and a person in an electric wheelchair at around 1pm.

    One person was located with injuries and was transported to hospital.

    Sadly, the person passed away in hospital last night.

    We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time.

    While our investigation into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing, Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the crash.

    We would also like to hear from anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage in the Burnett Street and Park Street areas.

    If you have information that may assist in our enquiries, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250706/8918.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Illegal Alien from Honduras Sentenced to Prison in Vast Alien Smuggling Conspiracy

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Honduran national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced today in the Western District of Texas for his leadership role in a massive alien smuggling conspiracy that spanned three years and involved thousands of aliens from over 11 different countries.

    Enil Edil Mejia-Zuniga, also known as Chino, 34, of Olancho, Honduras, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in smuggling thousands of aliens into the United States for financial gain. He was also ordered to pay a $4,500 fine.

    Co-defendants Monica Hernandez-Palma, 33, of Mexico, and Allyson Elsires Alvarez-Zuniga, 26, of Honduras, entered guilty pleas on April 7, 2025, and Aug. 21, 2023, respectively, and are awaiting sentencing. Co-defendant Genyi Arguenta-Flores, 32, of Comayagua, Honduras was sentenced to five years in prison on May 12. A final co-defendant is in custody in Mexico pending an extradition request from the United States.

    “Mejia-Zuniga and his co-conspirators made millions of dollars off the backs of thousands of people whom they smuggled into the United States,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case represents the epitome of the ruthless and sophisticated criminal organizations that exploit our borders for personal financial gain. The Criminal Division will not stop investigating these cases until all human smuggling organizations are eradicated and the criminals who operate them are prosecuted.”

    “In an effort to satisfy his greed, Mejia-Zuniga facilitated the illegal movement of thousands of Middle Easterners into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “His actions put our national security at risk. However, thanks to our many federal law enforcement partners, Mejia-Zuniga will no longer be allowed to enrich himself to the detriment of this country.”

    “This sentence sends a clear message to those who exploit our immigration system for personal profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “For more than three years, these individuals operated a transnational smuggling ring driven by greed, moving illegal aliens from 11 countries in blatant disregard of the law. The sentencing in this case is a testament to HSI’s commitment to upholding national security. Human smuggling undermines the security of our borders and disrupts lawful immigration processes. HSI will continue to work tirelessly to protect our national security.”

    “United States Border Patrol’s (USBP) Intelligence and Information Task Force played a critical role in supporting Operation Red Tide through extensive research and analysis,” said Scott Good, Chief of USBP Law Enforcement Operations Directorate. “Our team’s exploitation of subpoena returns and identification of key financial patterns helped bring these smugglers to justice. The USBP will continue working with law enforcement agencies at home and abroad to dismantle criminal networks and secure our nation’s borders.”

    According to court documents, from November 2020 through March 2023, the Mejia-Zuniga alien smuggling organization (ASO) smuggled aliens from Afghanistan, Yemen, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Colombia, through Eagle Pass, Texas. Aliens primarily contracted with a Pakistani smuggler based in Brazil to be transported to the United States. In turn, the Brazilian-based smuggler worked with Mejia-Zuniga, who was based in San Antonio, Texas, to facilitate travel of the aliens from South America to the United States. Mejia-Zuniga directed operations of the ASO and paid drivers, armed “coyotes,” and stash house operators.

    Mejia-Zuniga admitted to smuggling between 2,500 to 3,000 aliens into the United States in just two years. The organization charged between $6,500 to $12,000 per alien. Mejia-Zuniga admitted that he made $30,000 for every ten illegal aliens who made it to the Rio Grande River and another $30,000 if those ten illegal aliens made it to San Antonio.

    One of the smuggled aliens reported paying the organization $20,000 to be brought illegally into the United States along with his brother. The Mejia-Zuniga ASO directed that alien to a stash house in Monterrey, Mexico, where it housed him with 10 other aliens. The ASO later moved the same alien to a stash house in Piedras Negras, Mexico, with another 20 to 25 aliens. Ultimately, an armed coyote guided the group of aliens across the Rio Grande River. Once across the Rio Grande, the Mejia-Zuniga ASO transported the aliens to a hotel in San Antonio. 

    In addition to witness statements, other evidence gathered during the investigation included wire transfers, customer ledgers, foreign identification documents, and photographs of members of the Mejia-Zuniga ASO with firearms.

    Defendant Mejia-Zuniga with semi-automatic high-capacity firearms.

    Photographs of alien smuggling proceeds and an armed “coyote” in the bush.

    Mejia-Zuniga pleaded guilty to three counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain and aiding and abetting.

    HSI Del Rio engaged in an extensive, years-long investigation in Operation Red Tide, which led to the development of this case, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector, HSI Monterrey, HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.

    Trial Attorney Jenna E. Reed of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

    The investigation and arrests of the defendants in Operation Red Tide were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 390 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 350 U.S. convictions; more than 300 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS George Washington Departs Manila

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    MANILA, Philippines – Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), the flagship of the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 embarked, departed Manila, Philippines, following a scheduled port visit, July 7, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –