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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Secures Ruling Striking Down Terminations and Withholding of Medical and Public Health Research Grants

    Source: US State of California

    Judge sides with States, calling out the Trump Administration for an “appalling” pattern of discrimination against vulnerable communities

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta yesterday secured a ruling by U.S. District Judge William Young, a Reagan Administration appointee in the District of Massachusetts, who ruled that the Trump Administration’s directives to terminate National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to public health research institutions in plaintiff states were unlawful. The court struck down both the termination of the grants and the underlying executive orders under the Administrative Procedure Act. Judge Young stated that the Trump Administration’s conduct represents racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community, and that he had “never seen a record where racial discrimination was so palpable” in his 40 years on the bench. With this decision, the court ordered the terminated grants in plaintiff states to be restored. This will allow California universities to resume their work of life-saving biomedical advancement while the case proceeds. The court will consider next steps in the case, including addressing the issue of whether NIH has unreasonably delayed new grant applications. 

    “The Trump Administration’s illegal attack on NIH grants is an assault on life-saving medical research, and our diverse communities who rely on it, and I’m glad to see the court has recognized the merits of our case,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s decision restores grant funding to research institutions in plaintiff states that were terminated due to the Trump Administration’s reckless and discriminatory anti-DEI directives. The California Department of Justice will continue to fight for our diverse communities and the research institutions that do crucial work to advance our understanding of human disease and potential treatments.”

    Background

    On April 4th, 2025, Attorney General Bonta co-led a multistate coalition in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the NIH for failing to disperse grant funds and for unlawfully terminating existing grants for medical and public health research institutions across the country. The lawsuit alleged that NIH had terminated large swaths of already-issued grants for projects that are currently underway based on the projects’ perceived connection to “DEI,” “transgender issues,” “vaccine hesitancy,” and other topics disfavored by the current Administration. In boilerplate letters issued to the grants’ recipients, NIH claimed that each cancelled project “no longer effectuates agency priorities.” On April 14th, the coalition filed an amended complaint and motion for preliminary injunction. The court later set the case for trial on the merits dividing the case into two parts, the first being whether the termination of existing grants was illegal and the second whether the delay in processing new grants was unreasonable. 

    NIH is the federal agency responsible for biomedical and public health research. Over 80% of Congressional funding supports NIH research and training at external labs, schools, and hospitals. It is estimated that every $1 invested in NIH research generates $2.56 of economic activity.

    Over the years, NIH-supported research has had a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of the American people. NIH scientists pioneered the rubella vaccine, eradicating a disease that, in the 1960s, killed thousands of babies and left thousands more with lifelong disabilities. NIH studies led to the discovery of the BRCA mutation, helping countless Americans reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancer. NIH research fueled the development of treatments for HIV and AIDS, transforming what used to be a fatal disease into one with a nearly normal life expectancy.   

    The coalition will be filing a proposed order with the court in the coming days.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Plastics threaten ecosystems and human health, but evidence-based solutions are under political fire

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Tony Robert Walker, Professor, School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University

    Negotiations toward a global, legally binding plastics treaty are set to resume this summer, with the United Nations Environment Programme announcing that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution will reconvene in August.

    The committee was established to develop an international legally binding instrument — known as the plastics treaty — to end plastic pollution, one of the fastest-growing environmental threats.



    Read more:
    Here’s how the new global treaty on plastic pollution can help solve this crisis

    Globally, 40 per cent of plastics production goes into the production of single-use plastic packaging, which is the single largest source of plastic waste and is a threat to wildlife and human health. Without meaningful action, global plastic waste is projected to nearly triple by 2060, reaching an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes.

    As the world prepares for another round of talks, Canada’s own plastic problem reveals what’s at stake, and what’s possible for the future.

    Canada’s plastic problem

    Canada is no exception to the global plastic crisis. Nearly half (47 per cent) of all plastic waste in Canada comes from the food and drink sector, contributing 3,268 million tonnes annually. Canadians use 15 billion plastic bags annually and nearly 57 million straws daily, yet only nine per cent of plastics are recycled — a figure that is not expected to improve.

    Most of Canada’s plastic — except for plastic bottles made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) — are uneconomical or difficult to recycle because of the complexity of mixed plastics used in our economy. As a result, 2.8 million tonnes of plastic waste — equivalent to the weight of 24 CN Towers — end up in landfills every year.

    This is not a trivial problem, as Ontario is projected to run out of landfill space by 2035. Plastic pollution poses growing risks to both urban and rural infrastructure.

    In addition to landfill overflow, around one per cent of Canada’s plastic waste leaks into the environment. In 2016, this was 29,000 tonnes of plastic pollution. Once in the environment, plastics disintegrate into tiny particles, called microplastics (small pieces of plastic less than five millimetres long).

    We drink those tiny microplastic particles in our tap water, and eat them in our fish dinners. Some are even making their way into farmland.

    Plastics are everywhere, including inside us

    More than 93 per cent of Canadians have expressed concerns over single-use plastics used in food packaging and have supported government bans. There is a good reason for concern over the mounting levels of plastics in the environment, in our food and in us.

    Growing evidence indicates that plastics can cause harmful health effects in humans and animals. Microplastics and smaller nanoplastics (less than one micron in length) have been found in humans, including infants and breast milk. They can cause metabolic disorders, interfere with our immune and reproductive systems and cause behavioural problems.

    These health problems may be caused by chemicals added to plastics, including single-use plastics, of which 4,200 chemicals have been identified as posing a hazard to human and ecosystem health.

    It is for these reasons that the Canadian government introduced a ban on single-use plastics in 2022 as part of a plan to reach zero plastic waste in Canada by 2030.

    The decision was based extensive public and industry consultation, as well as decades of data on plastic pollution gathered from the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. This data shows the most common plastic litter items found in the environment across Canada, known as the “dirty dozen” list.

    Six of these items were included in the federal ban. Three eastern Canadian provinces had already implemented single-use plastic bag bans before the federal government, with little to no public or industry opposition. Prince Edward Island was the first Canadian province to implement a province-wide plastic bag ban in July 2019, closely followed by Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia in October 2020.

    The politics of plastic

    Despite overwhelming scientific consensus, debates around plastic pollution are becoming increasingly politicized.

    In February in the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. government to “stop purchasing paper straws and ensure they are no longer provided within federal buildings.”

    Trump told reporters at the White House: “I don’t think plastic is going to affect a shark very much, as they’re munching their way through the ocean.” Almost 2,000 peer-reviewed studies have reported, however, that more than 4,000 species have ingested or been entangled by plastic litter.

    In Canada, plastic has also become a political flashpoint. During the recent federal election, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he would scrap the federal government’s ban on single-use plastics and bring back plastic straws and grocery bags. He argued the government’s ban was about “symbolism” rather than “science,” saying, “the Liberals’ plastics ban is not about the environment, it’s about cost and control.”

    His promise would have harmed Canadians by dismissing the overwhelming scientific evidence showing that plastics in our bodies are linked to health impacts. Legislation to ban single-use plastics can be highly effective, ranging from 33 to 96 per cent reductions in plastic waste and pollution in the environment, depending on the policy and jurisdiction.

    Canada’s single-use plastics ban is a great example of evidence-based policymaking. The latest data from the conservation group Ocean Wise shows there was a 32 per cent drop in plastic straws found on Canadian shorelines in 2024 compared to the previous year.

    Science-based policies are needed

    It is indisputable that growing plastic production is directly related to plastic pollution in the environment and in human beings. Increasing plastic pollution is a global threat to human and ecosystem health, regardless of borders and political affiliation.

    As negotiators gear up for another round of talks to finalize a Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution, the need for policies that are supported by scientific evidence is more urgent than ever.

    Future generations deserve a healthy and sustainable planet. The path towards a healthy and sustainable planet requires supporting action based on scientific evidence, not misinforming people with catchy phrases and political rhetoric.

    Tony Robert Walker receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, and Research Nova Scotia. He is also a non-remunerated member of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty.

    Miriam L Diamond receives funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Future Earth, and Environment and Climate Change Canada. She is affiliated with the University of Toronto, serves as a paid expert for the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility, and has non-remunerated positions with the International Panel on Chemical Pollution (Vice-Chair), is a member of the Scientist Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, and sits on the board of the Canadian Environmental Law Association.

    – ref. Plastics threaten ecosystems and human health, but evidence-based solutions are under political fire – https://theconversation.com/plastics-threaten-ecosystems-and-human-health-but-evidence-based-solutions-are-under-political-fire-256764

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Decolonizing history and social studies curricula has a long way to go in Canada

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sara Karn, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of History, McMaster University

    In June 2015, 10 years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) called for curriculum on Indigenous histories and contemporary contributions to Canada to foster intercultural understanding, empathy and respect. This was the focus of calls to action Nos. 62 to 65.

    As education scholars, we are part of a project supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council called Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future. This project involves researchers, educators and partner organizations from across Canada, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous team members.

    As part of this work, we examined Canadian history and social studies curricula in elementary, middle and secondary schools with the aim of understanding how they address — and may better address in future — the need for decolonization.

    We found that although steps have been made towards decolonizing history curricula in Canada, there is still a long way to go. These curricula must do far more to challenge dominant narratives, prompt students to critically reflect on their identities and value Indigenous world views.



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    Reimagining curriculum

    As white settler scholars and educators, we acknowledge our responsibility to unlearn colonial ways of being and learn how to further decolonization in Canada.

    In approaching this study, we began by listening to Indigenous scholars, such as Cree scholar Dwayne Donald. Donald and other scholars call for reimagining curriculum through unlearning colonialism and renewing relationships.



    Read more:
    Leaked Alberta school curriculum in urgent need of guidance from Indigenous wisdom teachings

    The late education scholar Michael Marker, a member of the Lummi Nation, suggested that in history education, renewing relations involves learning from Indigenous understandings of the past, situated within local meanings of time and place.

    History, social studies curricula

    Curricula across Canada have been updated in the last 10 years to include teaching about treaties, Indian Residential Schools and the cultures, perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples over time.

    Thanks primarily to the work of Indigenous scholars and educators, including Donald, Marker, Mi’kmaw educator Marie Battiste, Anishinaabe scholar Nicole Bell and others, some public school educators are attentive to land-based learning and the importance of oral history.

    But these teachings are, for the most part, ad hoc and not supported by provincial curriculum mandates.

    Our study revealed that most provincial history curricula are still focused on colonial narratives that centre settler histories and emphasize “progress” over time. Curricula are largely inattentive to critical understandings of white settler power and to Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

    Notably, we do not include the three territories in this statement. Most of the territorial history curricula have been co-created with local Indigenous communities, and stand out with regard to decolonization.

    For example, in Nunavut’s Grade 5 curriculum, the importance of local knowledge tied to the land is highlighted throughout. There are learning expectations related to survival skills and ecological knowledge.

    Members of our broader research team are dedicated to analyzing curricula in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. Their work may offer approaches to be adapted for other educational contexts.

    Dominant narratives

    In contrast, we found that provincial curricula often reinforce dominant historical narratives, especially surrounding colonialism. Some documents use the term “the history,” implying a singular history of Canada (for example, Manitoba’s Grade 6 curriculum).

    Historical content, examples and guiding questions are predominantly written from a Euro-western perspective, while minimizing racialized identities and community histories. In particular, curricula often ignore illustrations of Indigenous agency and experience.



    Read more:
    Moving beyond Black history month towards inclusive histories in Québec secondary schools

    Most curricula primarily situate Indigenous Peoples in the past, without substantial consideration for present-day implications of settler colonialism, as well as Indigenous agency and experiences today.

    For example, in British Columbia’s Grade 4 curriculum, there are lengthy discussions of the harms of colonization in the past. Yet, there is no mention of the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism or the need to engage in decolonization today.

    To disrupt these dominant narratives, we recommend that history curricula should critically discuss the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism, while centring stories of Indigenous resistance and survival over time.

    Identity and privilege

    There are also missed opportunities within history curricula when it comes to critical discussions around identity, including systemic marginalization or privilege.

    Who we are informs how we understand history, but curricula largely does not prompt student reflection in these ways, including around treaty relationships.

    In Saskatchewan’s Grade 5 curriculum, students are expected to explain what treaties are and “affirm that all Saskatchewan residents are Treaty people.”

    However, there is no mention of students considering how their own backgrounds, identities, values and experiences shape their understandings of and responsibilities for treaties. Yet these discussions are essential for engaging students in considering the legacies of colonialism and how they may act to redress those legacies.

    A key learning outcome could involve students becoming more aware of how their own personal and community histories inform their historical understandings and reconciliation commitments.

    Indigenous ways of knowing and being

    History curricula generally ignore Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Most curricula are inattentive to Indigenous oral traditions, conceptions of time, local contexts and relationships with other species and the environment.

    Instead, these documents reflect Euro-western, settler colonial worldviews and educational values. For example, history curricula overwhelmingly ignore local meanings of time and place, while failing to encourage opportunities for land-based and experiential learning.

    In Prince Edward Island’s Grade 12 curriculum, the documents expect that students will “demonstrate an understanding of the interactions among people, places and the environment.” While this may seem promising, environmental histories in this curriculum and others uphold capitalist world views by focusing on resource extraction and economic progress.

    To disrupt settler colonial relationships with the land and empower youth as environmental stewards, we support reframing history curricula in ways that are attentive to Indigenous ways of knowing the past and relations with other people, beings and the land.

    Ways forward

    Schools have been, and continue to be, harmful spaces for many Indigenous communities, and various aspects of our schooling beg questions about how well-served both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students are for meeting current and future challenges.

    If, as a society, we accept the premise that the transformation of current curricular expectations is possible for schools, then more substantive engagement is required in working toward decolonization.

    Decolonizing curricula is a long-term, challenging process that requires consideration of many things: who sits on curriculum writing teams; the resources allocated to supporting curricular reform; broader school or board-wide policies; and ways of teaching that support reconciliation.

    We encourage history curriculum writing teams to take up these recommendations as part of a broader commitment to reconciliation.

    While not exhaustive, recommendations for curricular reform are a critical step in the future redesign of history curricula. The goal is a history education committed to listening and learning from Indigenous communities to build more inclusive national stories of the past, and into the future.

    Sara Karn receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    Kristina R. Llewellyn receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    Penney Clark receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

    – ref. Decolonizing history and social studies curricula has a long way to go in Canada – https://theconversation.com/decolonizing-history-and-social-studies-curricula-has-a-long-way-to-go-in-canada-253679

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: B.C.’s mental health law is on trial — and so is our commitment to human rights

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Anne Levesque, Assistant professor, Faculty of Law, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    The British Columbia Supreme Court has begun hearing a long-awaited constitutional challenge to the province’s Mental Health Act.

    The case, nearly a decade in the making, is now drawing greater attention in the wake of the tragedy at the Filipino Lapu Lapu Day street festival earlier this year that left 11 people dead in Vancouver.

    The event has shaken many in the community, leaving behind grief and fear. Furthermore, in light of reports that the person accused of the crime was under Mental Health Act supervision, difficult questions arise. The pain is real, and any conversation about mental health must begin with compassion for all of those affected.



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    At the same time, it’s important to ensure this moment of reckoning leads to thoughtful dialogue, not reactive policy. Unfortunately, much of the public discourse has become mired in fear and misinformation, creating a false and dangerous choice: that Canada must sacrifice individual rights in order to protect public safety.

    As a legal scholar in equality rights and public interest litigation, I don’t believe Canadians have to choose. A mental health system that respects Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms can also promote safety.

    What’s the case is about?

    The case currently before the B.C. Supreme Court was initiated by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national human rights organization led by people with disabilities. The group is fighting provisions in the province’s Mental Health Act that strip patients of any right to choose their own health care, or to appoint a loved one to make health care decisions on their behalf.

    The CCD’s motto — “Nothing about us without us” — reflects a longstanding commitment to ensuring that people most affected by policies and systems have a voice in shaping them. This litigation will amplify the voices of people who underwent psychiatric treatment without consent and to shine a light on the deep and lasting harms they have suffered.

    Let’s be clear about what this Charter challenge actually seeks and what it doesn’t. It doesn’t aim to eliminate involuntary hospitalization. It does not change who can be detained, how long they can be held or the legal criteria for involuntary admission.

    What it does seek is something far more modest and humane: to ensure that when psychiatric care is forced, it is delivered with dignity, oversight and the involvement of trusted supporters in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

    One of the key reforms that CCD has long advocated for is the right for people to name a family member or friend to be involved in treatment decisions. Far from undermining care, this kind of involvement can help bridge the gap between medical necessity and personal dignity.

    It’s a safeguard that respects patients’ values and builds trust, which the current system desperately lacks. And yes, it could even enhance public safety. Reports suggest that a family member of the man accused in the Lapu Lapu mass murders in April was concerned about his deteriorating mental health and had reached out for help just before the tragedy occurred. A more responsive system with the embedded involvement of trusted decision-makers might have made a difference.



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    Reforming the Mental Health Act

    British Columbia is currently an outlier in Canada. It’s the only province where people detained under mental health laws are automatically deemed to consent to any treatment authorized by the facility — regardless of their actual wishes or capacity.

    There’s no right to name a substitute decision-maker, no ability to appeal a treatment decision, no independent oversight, and treatment is often imposed through isolation, physical restraints or security force.

    Advocates have been calling for change for decades. But in the wake of the Lapu Lapu attack, some politicians are proposing not a more compassionate or rights-respecting approach, but harsher, more coercive powers over people with mental health issues. That would be a mistake.

    The current system, which experts have long said is inconsistent with human rights, did nothing to prevent this tragedy. Violating the rights of people in crisis did not and will not keep the public safer.

    B.C. Premier David Eby has acknowledged the shortcomings in the current system, but has said that engaging in law reform while litigation is undergoing would pose a risk. Instead, he says it’s better to wait to hear what the court decides before changing the law.

    That logic is arguably akin to a citizen saying it’s risky to stop driving at a speed they know is over the lawful limit until they’re pulled over.

    Pointless to wait

    Waiting for the courts to force change wastes precious time, and public resources, that could be better spent on designing a new, Charter-compliant mental health system in collaboration with experts, service providers, families and people with lived experiences.

    Meanwhile, substantial public funds are being spent on government lawyers to fight a legal battle defending a regime that is clearly unconstitutional and fails both patients and public safety.

    That money would be far better spent consulting with experts, families and people with lived experiences and developing legislation that upholds constitutional rights and keeps communities safe.

    The time for delay is over. The B.C. government must act now to rewrite the Mental Health Act in order to protect the public and respect Charter rights.

    Anne Levesque is co-chair of the Disability Justice Litigation Initiative of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.

    – ref. B.C.’s mental health law is on trial — and so is our commitment to human rights – https://theconversation.com/b-c-s-mental-health-law-is-on-trial-and-so-is-our-commitment-to-human-rights-258671

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can Britain be a nation of tea growers? Scientists say yes – and it could even be good for your health

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Amanda Lloyd, Researcher in Food, Diet and Health, Aberystwyth University

    Almost 100 million cups of tea are consumed daily in the UK. Meteoritka/Shutterstock

    It’s not every day you find yourself standing in a tea garden in Devon, surrounded by rows of Camellia sinensis – the same plant species used to make tea in India, China and Japan. But there we were, in the heart of Dartmoor, picking fresh tea leaves from plants that are thriving in the UK’s cool, damp climate.

    It’s a surprising sight, and one that could become more common. Britain may be known as a “nation of tea drinkers”, but might there be opportunities for it to increasingly be a nation of tea growers? Our research has involved working with growers in Devon and Wales to explore the chemistry of UK-grown tea.

    We’re using a technique called “metabolomics” to understand what’s going on inside the leaves, and how different growing conditions, processing methods and even fermentation (like making kombucha) affect the final cup.

    Tea competes with coffee to be the UK’s favourite drink, but almost all tea leaves are imported. With concerns about climate change, food security and sustainability increasing, there’s growing interest in whether more food, including tea, can be grown in the UK.

    We chose mid-Wales and south-west England for our project because of their mild, wet climates, which are surprisingly well-suited to tea cultivation. Dartmoor, in particular, has a unique microclimate and varied soils that make it an ideal test site. There’s also a strong local appetite for sustainable farming and agricultural innovation.

    Wales already has a tea pioneer in Lucy George, a Nuffield farming scholar who began growing tea near Cardiff in 2014. Her brand, Peterston Tea, is now sold in Welsh shops and around the world. She believes that slower growth in Wales’ cooler climate may actually improve flavour, making Welsh-grown tea more than just a curiosity.

    Dr Amanda J Lloyd and Dr Ali Warren-Walker gathering samples at Dartmoor Estate Tea in Devon.
    Aberystwyth University, CC BY

    What we found

    One of our studies used metabolomics and machine learning to explore the chemical diversity of UK-grown tea.

    Metabolomics involves analysing the small molecules – known as “metabolites” – in a sample. These include sugars, amino acids and polyphenols, as well as more complex “bioactives” like catechins and flavonoids. These types of compounds influence flavour, aroma and potential health benefits.

    We used method called “direct injection mass spectrometry” to create a chemical fingerprint of each sample. Then we used machine learning to spot patterns and differences. We also looked at how the chemistry of the leaves changes depending on the time of day they’re picked and how they’re processed.

    Our findings show that tea grown in the UK has a rich and diverse chemical profile. Different varieties, picking times and processing techniques all influence the concentration of beneficial compounds like catechins and flavonoids.

    The other study was a human trial, which found that drinking green tea from Dartmoor with rhubarb root for 21 days significantly reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol, and without disrupting the gut microbiome. This suggests that UK-grown tea could be developed into a functional food, supporting health. This product is now being sold by a tea company in Carmarthenshire, west Wales.

    This is exciting because it means we can tailor how we grow and process tea to enhance both its flavour and its health benefits. And it opens the door to a potential new UK-grown tea industry. It could play a part in supporting the rural economy, reduce reliance on imports and offer a more sustainable future for UK agriculture.

    On a global level, this kind of research helps us understand how plants respond to different environments, which is crucial for food security in a changing climate.

    A Cornish tea grower explains the challenges of growing tea in the UK.

    What’s next?

    We’re now investigating how different tea varieties and processing techniques – like steaming, oxidation and novel drying methods – influence the tea’s chemical make-up. These techniques could help preserve more of the beneficial compounds and make it easier to develop new tea-based products like powders or supplements.

    Another human study is looking at how kombucha affects well-being, memory, inflammation and stress.

    We’re also continuing to test how different varieties of tea respond to the UK’s conditions, and how we can refine growing and processing techniques to produce high-quality, health-promoting tea on home soil.

    As climate change reshapes what we can grow and where, tea may just become one of the UK’s most unexpected and exciting new crops.

    Amanda Lloyd receives funding from Welsh Government Covid Recovery Challenge Fund (part of the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Division funding), alongside Innovate UK Better Food for all (10068218), and the Joy Welch Research Fund (Aberystwyth University internal)

    Nigel Holt receives funding from Innovate UK Better Food for all (10068218)

    – ref. Can Britain be a nation of tea growers? Scientists say yes – and it could even be good for your health – https://theconversation.com/can-britain-be-a-nation-of-tea-growers-scientists-say-yes-and-it-could-even-be-good-for-your-health-257495

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Investing in NHS staff wellbeing could produce economic benefits the UK desperately needs

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Catia Nicodemo, Professor of Health Economics, Brunel University of London

    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Health emerged as a major beneficiary in the UK government’s recent spending review. It highlighted a clear ambition to modernise public services — particularly the NHS — through digital transformation and expanded use of artificial intelligence (AI).

    Investments in initiatives such as a single-patient NHS record would consolidate all of a patient’s data in one place, potentially accessible through an app. It could significantly improve continuity of care and patient outcomes.

    And AI adoption could streamline operations, from reducing hospital waiting times to improving productivity. AI could, for example, use predictive algorithms to triage patients more efficiently. Or it could automate administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and managing medical records.

    However, amid these forward-looking reforms, the spending review overlooked a critical component of healthcare sustainability: the wellbeing of NHS staff.

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

    While technology can boost efficiency, the human element remains the bedrock of healthcare. NHS staff, grappling with burnout from relentless pressures, are at the forefront of delivering patient care. Ignoring their needs risks undermining the very advances the spending review aims to achieve.

    Burnout is not merely a workforce issue. It is an economic challenge. High levels of stress among NHS staff lead to increased absenteeism and worker turnover. It also reduces productivity, ultimately resulting in longer waiting times for patients to be seen. Compounding this are the costs of recruitment when staff quit the service, as well as operational inefficiencies.

    More worryingly, these factors can directly affect patient outcomes. Overstretched and fatigued staff are more likely to make errors, which can result in longer recovery times and potentially lead to costly legal consequences.

    Despite these realities, the spending review did not explicitly allocate resources for initiatives aimed at reducing staff workload and improving mental health support. These omissions stand in stark contrast to the government’s broader goals of increasing productivity and reducing waiting times in the NHS.

    Investing in staff wellbeing is not a competing priority. It is a complementary strategy that enhances the return on investments in technology and infrastructure. Healthier and supported staff are better equipped to use tools like AI effectively, translating digital advances into meaningful improvements in patient care.

    The economic case

    Financially, the case for prioritising staff wellbeing is robust. Proactive measures such as hiring more people to improve staff-to-patient ratios, implementing flexible working arrangements and providing mental health resources can yield significant returns. As an example, Public Health England’s return on investment (ROI) tool shows that workplace wellbeing programmes typically yield an ROI of £2.37 per £1 spent.

    Research has shown that better-supported healthcare workers make fewer errors, provide more compassionate care and can help patients recover faster. These improved outcomes translate into savings across the NHS. This could range from reduced secondary care needs – such as fewer re-admissions or shorter inpatient stays – right through to lower litigation costs linked to clinical mistakes.

    AI tools could help to triage patients more efficiently – but only if staff are healthy enough to implement them.
    toodtuphoto/Shutterstock

    And interventions focused on wellbeing can amplify the impact of other reforms. For example, reducing burnout helps staff to embrace and adapt to the technological changes — such as AI tools and integrated data systems — that they will increasingly be expected to work with. But without adequate support, there could be a greater risk of resistance among staff, or poor adoption of these technologies. This in turn would limit the potential benefits of these tech advances.

    The spending review sent a clear positive message about investing in skills and technology to modernise the NHS. However, it missed an opportunity to address the fundamental role of workforce wellbeing in achieving these objectives.

    Politicians must now recognise that digital transformation and human support are two sides of the same coin.

    As the NHS looks to the future, a more balanced approach is needed — one that couples innovation with investment in the people who make healthcare possible. By focusing on the wellbeing of its workforce, the NHS can unlock the full potential of its modernisation agenda, ensuring that every pound spent delivers maximum value to both patients and staff.

    Catia Nicodemo is affiliated with the University of Oxford.

    – ref. Investing in NHS staff wellbeing could produce economic benefits the UK desperately needs – https://theconversation.com/investing-in-nhs-staff-wellbeing-could-produce-economic-benefits-the-uk-desperately-needs-258863

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Coal power plants were paid to close. Is it time to do the same for slaughterhouses?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stephanie Walton, Researcher on Food Systems and Sustainable Finance, University of Oxford

    Ocphoto/Shutterstock

    The food industry will go to great lengths (and spend a fortune) to lobby policymakers, confuse the public and politicise scientific findings. You can see the results in the UK’s delay of a ban on junk food advertisers targeting children, or the orchestrated backlash to a report that recommended cutting red meat consumption and embracing more plant-based diets.

    It’s a well-worn playbook. When scientific evidence indicates the need to phase down environmentally harmful or unhealthy products, the responsible industry pushes back.

    Motivating this resistance, my colleagues and I believe, is something rarely discussed in the context of food systems: stranded assets. These are investments that lose value or stop generating revenue earlier than their owners and investors anticipated, due to changes in market conditions, technology or – of particular interest here – policy and regulation.

    This concept has been central to debates in the energy transition. For example, studies have shown that keeping global warming below 2 °C will require leaving fossil fuels in the ground and shutting down power plants before they’ve generated a return on investment, wiping off about US$1 trillion (£736 billion) in value for companies, financial institutions and investors.

    The same dynamic applies to the task of feeding everyone well and without substantial environmental harm. What we produce must change, as well as how we produce it.

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

    Producing animal-sourced protein, especially beef and dairy, has environmental impacts that dwarf those of plant-based protein. Some new technologies may reduce these impacts, particularly feed additives to reduce methane emissions from cattle. But the negative impacts go far beyond cow burps to include deforestation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and pollution.

    Beef in particular, even when produced using intensive systems like feedlots in the US, requires substantially more land to make 100 grams of protein than any other source (excluding lamb, which is produced in much lower quantities).

    As the global population increases and constraints on land use intensify, as much nourishing food as possible will need to be produced on as little land as possible. This will entail slashing the amount of land used for animal-sourced foods.

    However, companies consistently invest in the assets that produce, process, transport and store the foods we consume. These range from slaughterhouses to the grain silos and transport equipment for single-crop supply chains, to manufacturing plants and the research and development of ultra-processed foods.

    Crops are cultivated over vast acres of land to feed livestock.
    Ekrem Sahin/Shutterstock

    In order to curtail certain foods, as part of a global shift towards sustainable and healthy diets, these assets cannot generate the revenue they do now. This means writing off some of the capital that has been sunk into them, and any anticipated revenue.

    Our research identified £217 billion that has been invested in meatpacking plants, for example. A portion of this will be lost in service of a shift to more plant-based sustenance.

    Whether or not policymakers and researchers are aware of the stranded assets problem, food companies certainly are.

    Polluter pays or pay the polluter?

    We outline three things that need to happen.

    First, while it is laudable that companies set targets to cut emissions or deforestation, how they invest their money is not always consistent with these goals. Companies need to disclose to investors and the public which of their assets are incompatible with a sustainable future, and how they plan to phase them out.

    Second, lenders (typically banks) and investors (asset managers and their clients) must work with the companies they fund to manage these transitions rather than simply revoke financing or divest. Shutting down a meatpacking plant and building up a plant-based protein business is costly, and firms will need support.

    Divestment can play an important role symbolically, signalling an ethical and moral stance against certain activities. But unless it is done by all investors at once, assets like shares go to other buyers with little or no interest in sustainability.

    Third, and perhaps the thorniest problem, who pays for stranded assets? The money has already been spent. The investments have been made, the meatpacking plants and infrastructure already built, the anticipated revenue and maximised profit margins already embedded in the value of these companies.

    There is the cost of shutting down assets early as well as the opportunity cost of not making money that was expected from capital that has already been sunk. Who bears those costs?

    Many assume the answer is straightforward: the polluter should pay. This is certainly possible to achieve. Take the recent ruling in Germany, which determined that private companies can be held liable for their share in causing climate damages.

    But implementing this principle requires unusually strong political leadership and sustained public support. Both of these things are difficult to secure, particularly in food systems where industry lobbying is intense, livelihoods are at stake, public attention is fragmented and diets are highly personal and easily politicised.

    Capital sunk into infrastructure makes change costly.
    Catstyecam/Shutterstock

    Even when policies designed to improve public health or sustainability are passed, they can be easily rolled back. Which brings us to an uncomfortable alternative: paying the polluter.

    This approach already exists in other sectors. Since 2020, Germany has paid coal plants to retire early. The same has been done in the Netherlands, parts of the US and several other countries. In the Netherlands, the government paid farmers to reduce dairy herds in certain areas in order to hit pollution targets.

    Paying off food companies to phase out harmful assets sounds like a bailout and feels unfair, since a clean and thriving environment is a human right. Such an approach could only work if it allowed stronger regulation that ensured such pollution wouldn’t occur in the future. This is how abolitionists contributed to ending slavery in the UK.

    If we’re stuck between endless policy whiplash and slow-motion climate and health crises, paying the polluter may be worth considering. It’s politically fraught and emotionally frustrating, but when it comes to stopping pollution sooner rather than later, it is perhaps more tractable than waiting for political will, corporate courage and public consensus to converge.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

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

    – ref. Coal power plants were paid to close. Is it time to do the same for slaughterhouses? – https://theconversation.com/coal-power-plants-were-paid-to-close-is-it-time-to-do-the-same-for-slaughterhouses-257418

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to make sure the new grooming gangs inquiry is the last

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aisha K. Gill, Professor of Criminology, Centre for Gender and Violence Research, University of Bristol

    Motortion Films/Shutterstock

    Louise Casey’s recent report on grooming gangs and child sexual exploitation in the UK lays bare institutional failings. It highlights that, at present, victims cannot rely upon the criminal justice system – and that it has badly let them down in the past.

    One of Lady Casey’s 12 recommendations is a new national inquiry into child sexual exploitation. This inquiry would review reported cases that did not result in prosecution, and review police and children’s services to identify children at risk. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accepted this recommendation, and a statutory inquiry will go ahead into child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs.

    As an activist and researcher with over 20 years’ experience focused on violence against women and children, if this new inquiry is to go ahead, I believe its remit must be clear and it must be delivered promptly: within the next two to three years. Importantly, it must avoid duplicating the previous independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, led by Alexis Jay and published in October 2022. It is a sign of institutional failure that those recommendations have still not been implemented.

    Professor Jay’s inquiry revealed the failure of many schools, local authorities and other institutions to protect and safeguard the children in their care. Survivors and experts criticised a widespread lack of effort on the part of the police, local safeguarding authorities and the government to better protect children from sexual abuse.

    The inquiry made 20 recommendations for action, including mandatory reporting of abuse by people who work with children, and better, more unified data on victims and perpetrators. However, there has been little evidence of such action taking place in the intervening years. None of those recommendations have been fully implemented.

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

    One of the problems facing this new inquiry is how to address the current crisis of confidence and doubt over whether the government will heed these calls for change. In January 2025, Jay questioned whether a national inquiry was the most effective way to address the inherent problems associated with investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators, as well as supporting the victims, of child sexual exploitation.

    The findings of her 2022 review revealed ample evidence that schools, police officers, council chiefs and social services acted improperly. It found that they failed to protect victims and those at risk of becoming victims, either by victim blaming or turning a blind eye.

    But since Jay’s report was released, survivors of child sexual exploitation remain inadequately supported. This has compounded distrust of, and dissatisfaction with, the police and local systems of government.

    Ultimately, the consequence of these multiple government failures is that victims of child sexual exploitation are reluctant to reach out to law enforcement. They fear they will be disbelieved or even blamed for what happened to them. Casey’s recent review states that victims have to live with “an overall system that compounds and exacerbates the damage, [and] rarely acknowledges its failures to victims”.

    Heeding calls for change

    Identifying the failures of the police and local authorities is key to this process. Victims I have spoken to over the years have described being “fobbed off” – told that something was being done when in fact their cases were not progressing at all.

    Some action is underway. Since January 2025, the police have reopened for review more than 800 historic cases of group-based child sexual abuse.

    In response to Casey’s review, the Home Office has announced that the National Crime Agency has been tasked with working with police forces to deliver “long-awaited justice” for victims whose cases have not yet progressed through the criminal justice system. It is also intended to improve how local police forces investigate such crimes.

    But in my opinion, other factors must also be considered as part of these processes. Above all, adequate training for all professionals involved in identifying, investigating and prosecuting these cases is critical to preventing children from becoming prey.

    Healthcare providers, for example, must be equipped with the skills to make sure concern about a child leads to action. They often come into contact with exploited children and so need to know how to identify victims and the signs of exploitation. Hospital staff should be aware of the controlling behaviour that may be displayed by predatory groomers.

    This will also provide an opportunity to develop multi-agency screening tools that enable health professionals to help all victims. Some may require care due to pregnancy or injuries arising from the abuse.

    Casey’s report is a diplomatically framed, national snapshot audit. All who are concerned about child sexual exploitation can find points with which they agree.

    Nevertheless, even if positive legislative changes are implemented, disjointed, dysfunctional practices will continue if education is not put in place. The police, social workers, educators, health workers and community workers should receive effective, consistent training about the issues faced by children who are at risk of exploitation.

    Until the government holistically addresses child sexual exploitation, its efforts to shift the dial will remain no more than a sticking plaster. The new inquiry should thus ensure the issues underlying these crimes are fully investigated and addressed. The legal system must bring perpetrators to justice and support all victims on the path to seeking justice and accountability.

    Aisha K. Gill is affiliated with End Violence Against Women Coalition and Ashiana Network.

    – ref. How to make sure the new grooming gangs inquiry is the last – https://theconversation.com/how-to-make-sure-the-new-grooming-gangs-inquiry-is-the-last-259096

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What could have caused the Air India crash? An expert examines the proposed failure scenarios

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ali Elham, Professor of Design Optimisation, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Southampton

    The recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad has prompted widespread discussion about potential causes. As an expert with a background in aircraft design, I would not attempt to speculate on the cause of the incident. We should wait for the crash investigators to carry out a rigorous analysis.

    Instead, I will explain the various flight scenarios currently being discussed in the public domain, and explore what each of them implies from the perspective of aircraft design and performance.

    Understanding how such factors interact with aircraft systems and flight performance can shed light on how modern aircraft are designed to handle rare but critical situations.

    Loss of engine thrust

    Modern commercial aircraft are designed to safely continue takeoff and climb with
    one engine not operating. This is a fundamental certification requirement, particularly for twin-engine aircraft. It ensures that the loss of a single engine, even during the critical takeoff phase, should not result in a catastrophic failure.

    However, the loss of both engines is an extremely serious scenario.

    A notable case of dual engine failure occurred in 2001 on Air Transat Flight 236, which was travelling from Toronto, Canada, to Lisbon in Portugal. The Airbus A330 aircraft lost both engines over the Atlantic Ocean due to a fuel leak, but managed to glide approximately 75 miles (120km) before safely landing at Lajes Air Base in the Azores. This was possible because the aircraft had sufficient altitude and airspeed at the time of its total engine failure.

    However, takeoff and landing are considered the most critical phases of flight
    because the aircraft is close to the ground, giving pilots limited time and
    altitude to respond to failures. At low speed and altitude, the aircraft may also lack the necessary energy (in terms of both airspeed and height) to glide a meaningful distance.

    Bird strikes can also cause engine failure, as seen in the case of US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 that struck a flock of birds shortly after take off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport on January 15 2009. Both engines failed and, due to the aircraft’s low altitude and limited speed, the pilots determined that returning to the airport was not feasible.

    Instead, pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles executed a successful emergency water landing on the Hudson River, resulting in the survival of all onboard. As such, the incident became known as the “miracle on the Hudson”.

    These examples highlight how altitude, speed and pilot decision-making, along with robust aircraft design, play a critical role in the outcome of rare but severe engine failure events.

    The US Airways plane involved in the ‘miracle on the Hudson’ on display in the Sullenberger Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.
    Kevin M. McCarthy / Shutterstock

    Landing gear not retracted

    During a normal takeoff procedure, the landing gear – the sets of wheels under a plane that support it on the ground – is retracted within seconds after liftoff, once the aircraft has safely left the ground.

    Extended landing gear produces significant aerodynamic drag. So, during the initial climb when the aircraft requires maximum thrust to gain altitude, eliminating this drag by retracting the landing gear is highly beneficial for both climb performance and fuel efficiency.

    However, commercial aircraft are designed to remain controllable and flyable even if the landing gear fails to retract. In such cases, the aircraft should still be able to perform a “go-around” before safely landing again, assuming no other critical failures have occurred.

    That said, a scenario involving both loss of engine thrust and non-retracted landing gear can severely degrade glide performance. The additional drag from the extended gear reduces the aircraft’s lift-to-drag ratio, an indication of the aerodynamic efficiency of the airplane.

    The extended landing gear might limit the distance it can glide and increase its descent rate – which is especially critical when altitude is limited.

    Landing gear on a modern airliner.
    Frank Peters / Shutterstock

    Flaps retracted prematurely

    An aircraft’s ability to generate lift depends on several factors, including wing area, airspeed, altitude, and the “lift coefficient” – a number that describes how effectively a wing or other surface generates lift under specific flight conditions. The lift coefficient is largely influenced by the wing’s geometry, particularly its curvature (called camber).

    During takeoff and landing, the aircraft operates at relatively low speeds where the wings alone may not generate enough lift. To compensate, high-lift devices such as flaps are deployed. These devices are usually mounted on the wings’ trailing edges and, when extended, increase each wing’s curvature and surface area, thereby raising the lift coefficient and allowing the aircraft to remain airborne at lower speeds.

    Airplane wing with flaps and spoilers fully extended to slow down the aircraft after landing.
    Desintegrator / Shutterstock

    However, deploying flaps also increases aerodynamic drag. For this reason, once the aircraft accelerates and reaches a safe climb speed, the flaps are gradually retracted to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.

    If the flaps are retracted too early, before the aircraft has reached sufficient speed, there can be a sudden loss of lift. This may result in a stall or insufficient climb performance.

    This situation becomes even more critical if it occurs in combination with other issues, such as extended landing gear (which increases drag) or a loss of engine thrust, as the combined aerodynamic penalties may prevent the aircraft from maintaining controlled flight.

    Conclusion

    Over the years, numerous improvements in aircraft design, maintenance and operational procedures have resulted from crash investigations. Each incident, especially a fatal one such as the Air India Boeing 787 crash, offers valuable lessons that can drive further enhancements in aviation safety.

    The fact that both the aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder (sometimes referred to as the “black boxes”) have now been recovered offers hope that the precise cause of this crash will be identified.

    Whatever is ultimately determined to be the cause – technical failure, human error, or a combination of both – there will be lessons to be learned. Every event highlights areas where systems, procedures or training can be strengthened to make aviation even safer in the future.

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

    – ref. What could have caused the Air India crash? An expert examines the proposed failure scenarios – https://theconversation.com/what-could-have-caused-the-air-india-crash-an-expert-examines-the-proposed-failure-scenarios-259099

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Strongly Condemns Attack on Yelewata Village in Nigeria

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha – 17 June 2025

    The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted Yelewata village in Benue State, Federal Republic of Nigeria, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates Qatar’s firm position rejecting all forms of violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motives or justifications.

    The Ministry also extends the State of Qatar’s sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Nigeria, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 17, 2025

    HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received on Tuesday a phone call from HE High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas.

    The call discussed cooperation between the State of Qatar and the EU, in addition to discussing the latest developments in the region, particularly the Israeli attack on the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran.

    In this context, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs voiced the State of Qatar’s condemnation of the repeated Israeli violations and attacks in the region, which undermine peace efforts and threaten to drag the region into a regional war.

    His Excellency also emphasized the gravity of Israel’s targeting of economic facilities in Iran, warning of its disastrous regional and international repercussions, particularly for the stability of energy supplies.

    His Excellency stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, affirming that the State of Qatar is making strenuous efforts with its partners to return to the path of dialogue among all parties to address outstanding issues and consolidate security and peace in the region and the world.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sorensen Pushes Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to Commit to Supporting the Peoria Ag Lab

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

    Congressman Sorensen to Secretary Rollins: “How Committed Are You to Making Sure That Our Research, Like the Peoria Ag Lab [and at] Ag Labs Across the Country, Are Fulfilled and That the Money is Going to Them?”

    Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) called on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to commit to supporting critical research work at the National Center for Agriculture Utilization Research (NCAUR), also known as the Peoria Ag Lab, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing. 

    “The Peoria Ag Lab and agriculture labs across the country play a vital role in supporting our farmers with cutting-edge research that we all benefit from,” said Congressman Sorensen. “While I am relieved the Peoria Ag Lab will remain open, it is important we get firm commitments from USDA leadership to continue supporting the important work of the men and women at the lab.” 

    You can watch the full exchange with Secretary Rollins HERE. 
    Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for the Peoria Ag Lab, including recently leading his colleagues in a letter to Secretary Rollins in March outlining the lab’s vital contributions to agriculture and the regional economy. This month, he announced the Peoria Ag Lab will remain open and is even slated for growth.  
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Congressman Sorensen Helps Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fully Staff National Weather Service Offices Across the Country

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

    The “Weather Workforce Improvement Act” Ensures the National Weather Service is Fully Staffed Going into This Year’s Hurricane and Severe Weather Season

    Last week, Congressmen Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Mike Flood (NE-1), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Frank Lucas (OK-3), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) introduced their bipartisan Weather Workforce Improvement Act to help the National Weather Service (NWS) fully staff critical positions at their offices as the country prepares for severe weather and hurricanes this summer.

    Read more about the bipartisan legislation:

    • CNN: Rep. Sorensen discusses bipartisan legislation to help staff the National Weather Service during severe weather and hurricane season 

      • Congressman Sorensen: “We need to make sure that we are understanding that the National Weather Service meteorologists are there to care for our communities, but they are essential. They are as essential to our safety as TSA and air traffic controllers. I’m so thankful – as being the only meteorologist in Congress – that we’re able to work across the aisle. Congressman Flood from Nebraska and myself realized that ‘hey, we’re in severe weather season – we’re going to be ramping up into hurricane season.’ We need to make sure that we have the staffing levels that are needed. We have too many people that have been let go. This administration needs to hire them back.” 
         

    • New York Times: Law would make most National Weather Service workers hard to fire 

      • A bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Friday would make it harder to fire most employees of the National Weather Service and give the agency’s director the authority to hire new staff directly, months after it lost nearly 600 employees to layoffs and retirements as part of the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to the federal work force. 

      • The bill’s other sponsors include Representative Frank Lucas, Republican of Oklahoma, as well as Democratic Representatives Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Jimmy Panetta of California, and Eric Sorensen of Illinois. All represent states that have been hit by severe weather this year. 

      • “Severe weather affects both blue states and red states, and ensuring Americans have access to reliable and accurate weather forecasting is something everyone should support regardless of their political affiliation,” said Mr. Sorensen, who is the only meteorologist in Congress. “I’m grateful for Congressman Flood’s partnership on bipartisan legislation that will help fully staff National Weather Service offices across the country during severe weather and hurricane season.” 
         

    • NBC News: Tired in tornado alley 

      • NBC News joined a congressional tour — at the invitation of Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., Congress’ only meteorologist and a critic of the administration — to see the effects of the Trump administration’s cuts at the Quad Cities forecasting office for Iowa and Illinois.

      • Sorensen, who worked for 22 years as a TV meteorologist, has signed on to co-sponsor Flood’s bill, along with Reps. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif. Sorensen said he’s concerned a mistake by a worn-down meteorologist will lead to unnecessary deaths. He compared the situation to a used car — once trusty and now headed for a lapse.

      • “It’s not running the way that it was supposed to,” Sorensen said of the service. “Meteorologists, we’re human, you know. We will make mistakes, and I don’t want to ever see us in a situation where funding or a lack of funding has now caused there to be a loss of life.”
         

    • NBC News: Rep. Sorensen highlights importance of the National Weather Service in his congressional district 

      • Reporter: […] Congressman Eric Sorensen visited his local weather office to listen to and encourage the forecasters stretched thin. So thin, that sometimes they can’t do basic things, like launch a weather balloon.

      • […]

      • Reporter: Now, (Rep.) Flood is partnering with Sorensen on a bipartisan bill to further protect weather service forecasters by reclassifying them as public safety, alongside FBI agents and air traffic controllers.

      • Congressman Sorensen: “We have to make sure that we’re protecting [National Weather Service meteorologists] because they don’t just serve my constituents here. They serve constituents of every Member of Congress.” 
         

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sorensen Calls Out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Effort to Rename Navy Ship in Honor of Harvey Milk

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

    Congressman Sorensen to Secretary Hegseth: “Do You Believe That Harvey Milk is a Veteran Who Deserves His Country’s Thanks?”

    Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) called out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s effort to rename the USNS Harvey Milk during Pride Month, despite Harvey’s commendable service during the Korean War that continues to inspire LGBTQ+ service members to proudly wear the uniform.

    “Every LGBTQ+ child should be able to grow up to fulfill their dreams serving our country,” said Congressman Sorensen. “The Secretary of Defense renaming the USNS Harvey Milk and singling out LGBTQ+ members who bravely serve our country is disgusting and un-American.” 

    You can watch the full exchange with Secretary Hegseth HERE.

    Congressman Sorensen is the only LGBTQ+ member on the House Armed Services Committee. Yesterday, he honored Navy veteran Harvey Milk during a House Armed Services Committee hearing while questioning Navy Secretary John Phelan on the decision to rename the USS Harvey Milk. He also recently joined a letter objecting to the renaming of the Harvey Milk U.S. Navy ship and calling on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to rescind his order renaming the ship.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Tracing Yoga’s timeless journey: India to celebrate 11th International Day of Yoga

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As India set to commemorate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” underscores a universal message of unity and well-being. From Ladakh to Kerala, millions across India and the world are uniting through yoga, a practice rooted in India’s ancient civilization that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual harmony.

    Yoga’s origins trace back thousands of years to the Indus-Saraswati Valley civilization, where archaeological evidence, such as seals depicting meditative poses, suggests early yogic practices. The Sanskrit word “yoga,” derived from “yuj” meaning “to unite,” symbolizes the integration of body, mind, and soul, fostering inner balance and harmony with the world. Initially a spiritual discipline, yoga evolved into a structured path toward self-realization, reflecting India’s enduring wisdom.

    During the Vedic period, yoga was integral to spiritual practices and rituals, with practices like pranayama (breath control) and Surya Namaskara influenced by reverence for the Sun. Guided by gurus, yoga emphasized spiritual transformation. Its presence is also evident in the Upanishads, Smritis, Puranas, Buddhist and Jain traditions, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, with theistic traditions like Shaivism and Vaishnavism preserving its mystical essence.

    A pivotal moment came in the 2nd century BCE with Maharshi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which codified yoga into the eightfold path of Ashtanga Yoga, formalizing its philosophical and practical foundations. Between 700 and 1900 CE, Hatha Yoga emerged, focusing on the body as a tool for spiritual growth, as detailed in texts like the Hathayogapradipika and Gheranda Samhita. Spiritual luminaries such as Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi, and Paramahansa Yogananda further enriched yoga, introducing it to global audiences.

    In the 20th century, yoga gained prominence through pioneers like T. Krishnamacharya, B.K.S. Iyengar, and Swami Sivananda, who explored its therapeutic and psychological benefits. A landmark moment occurred on September 27, 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his United Nations General Assembly address, highlighted yoga’s role in holistic well-being, leading to the UN’s unanimous declaration of June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This date, coinciding with the Summer Solstice and revered as the day Lord Shiva, the Adi Yogi, began teaching yoga, holds deep spiritual significance.

  • Tracing Yoga’s timeless journey: India to celebrate 11th International Day of Yoga

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As India set to commemorate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” underscores a universal message of unity and well-being. From Ladakh to Kerala, millions across India and the world are uniting through yoga, a practice rooted in India’s ancient civilization that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual harmony.

    Yoga’s origins trace back thousands of years to the Indus-Saraswati Valley civilization, where archaeological evidence, such as seals depicting meditative poses, suggests early yogic practices. The Sanskrit word “yoga,” derived from “yuj” meaning “to unite,” symbolizes the integration of body, mind, and soul, fostering inner balance and harmony with the world. Initially a spiritual discipline, yoga evolved into a structured path toward self-realization, reflecting India’s enduring wisdom.

    During the Vedic period, yoga was integral to spiritual practices and rituals, with practices like pranayama (breath control) and Surya Namaskara influenced by reverence for the Sun. Guided by gurus, yoga emphasized spiritual transformation. Its presence is also evident in the Upanishads, Smritis, Puranas, Buddhist and Jain traditions, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, with theistic traditions like Shaivism and Vaishnavism preserving its mystical essence.

    A pivotal moment came in the 2nd century BCE with Maharshi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which codified yoga into the eightfold path of Ashtanga Yoga, formalizing its philosophical and practical foundations. Between 700 and 1900 CE, Hatha Yoga emerged, focusing on the body as a tool for spiritual growth, as detailed in texts like the Hathayogapradipika and Gheranda Samhita. Spiritual luminaries such as Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi, and Paramahansa Yogananda further enriched yoga, introducing it to global audiences.

    In the 20th century, yoga gained prominence through pioneers like T. Krishnamacharya, B.K.S. Iyengar, and Swami Sivananda, who explored its therapeutic and psychological benefits. A landmark moment occurred on September 27, 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his United Nations General Assembly address, highlighted yoga’s role in holistic well-being, leading to the UN’s unanimous declaration of June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This date, coinciding with the Summer Solstice and revered as the day Lord Shiva, the Adi Yogi, began teaching yoga, holds deep spiritual significance.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Wilson leads defense of President Trump’s efforts to deport violent Tren de Aragua gang using Alien Enemies ActRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is leading a strong 25-state coalition in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in support of President Donald Trump’s lawful use of executive authority to deport members of Tren de Aragua (TdA), a violent Venezuelan gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

    “President Trump is acting decisively to protect American citizens, and we’re proud to stand with him,” said Attorney General Wilson. “For too long, America’s enemies have flooded through our open borders: violent gangs, traffickers, and foreign proxies exploiting our weakness. President Trump has plugged the holes in the boat, but we’re still bailing out water from years of federal failure. I am proud to be leading the states that are stepping up to help him stop the flood and protect our citizens before it’s too late.”

    The brief argues that the President is operating at the height of his constitutional and statutory authority under Article II of the U.S. Constitution and the Alien Enemies Act to remove foreign nationals affiliated with hostile organizations. The brief underscores that this is not only a lawful use of power, but a necessary one in response to escalating violence across the nation tied to TdA.

    States participating in the brief detail the ongoing harm their communities have suffered from TdA’s infiltration—ranging from murder and human trafficking to cartel-linked operations within the United States. The brief emphasizes that the gang’s expansion is not merely a public safety threat, but part of a broader campaign of hybrid warfare coordinated with the Maduro regime in Venezuela.

    “This is about preserving national security and defending the rule of law,” Attorney General Wilson continued. “The Constitution vests the President with the authority, and the responsibility to act when foreign criminal organizations invade our communities. We won’t let activist courts tie the hands of our national leaders while innocent Americans are targeted.”

    The coalition’s message is clear: judicial overreach must not interfere with the President’s core duty to defend the nation. The brief strongly urges the court to reject the injunction and allow federal authorities to continue removing dangerous illegal immigrants who do not belong in the country.

    South Carolina is joined by: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

    You can read the full brief here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Justice Department Files Complaint Challenging Kentucky Regulation Providing Reduced In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens

    Source: US State of California

    WASHINGTON – Today the United States is challenging a Kentucky regulation that provides reduced in-state tuition for illegal aliens. This law unconstitutionally discriminates against U.S. citizens, who are not afforded the same privilege, in direct conflict with federal law. The Department of Justice has filed the complaint in the Eastern District of Kentucky. This challenge builds upon a recently successful lawsuit against the state of Texas on a similar law.

    “No state can be allowed to treat Americans like second-class citizens in their own country by offering financial benefits to illegal aliens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice just won on this exact issue in Texas, and we look forward to fighting in Kentucky to protect the rights of American citizens.”

    In the complaint, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of a Kentucky regulation that requires public colleges and universities to provide reduced in-state tuition rates for illegal aliens who are deemed to be Kentucky residents. Federal law prohibits public institutions of higher education from providing benefits to illegal aliens that are not offered to U.S. citizens. This regulation blatantly conflicts with federal law and thus is unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

    This lawsuit follows two executive orders recently signed by President Trump that seek to ensure illegal aliens are not obtaining taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment.

    Read the complaint HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Ending Trump’s unlawful militarization of Los Angeles

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 17, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Ahead of today’s court hearing in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to stop Trump’s unlawful militarization of Los Angeles, learn more about what Governor Gavin Newsom has done to protect Californians.

    I’m confident in the rule of law. I’m confident in the Constitution of the United States. I’m confident in the reasoned decision issued last week by a very well respected federal judge. And I’m confident that common sense will prevail here: The U.S. military belongs on the battlefield, not on American streets.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Taking action early 

    On Friday, June 6, 2025, the federal government, through Immigration and Customs Enforcement, began conducting widespread operations throughout Los Angeles without notifying local law enforcement. ICE officers sparked panic with military-style operations and the arrest and detention of children. This panic quickly grew into outrage, as community members stood up to make their voices heard through spontaneous protests. Local law enforcement, despite the lack of communication or advance notice about the raids from the federal government, responded quickly to keep the peace and quell any unrest. California has a robust array of law enforcement resources, which it quickly began to mobilize, without requesting federal assistance. Despite the lack of need to escalate the response, President Trump declared on July 7 that he was taking over the state’s National Guard and would begin deploying thousands of soldiers into the Los Angeles community.

    Trump’s action was unnecessary, unwelcome, and unsafe. Before Trump federalized the National Guard, Governor Newsom had already deployed additional California Highway Patrol officers to Los Angeles to assist with safety on regional highways and enlisted local law enforcement mutual aid partners to help keep the peace.

    • LA Police Department Chief has said: “We’re nowhere near a level where we would be reaching out to the governor for the National Guard.”

    • LA County Sheriff has said: “We have access to a lot of other law enforcement agencies.”

    And again, as is standard practice, Governor Newsom mobilized, through a pre-deployment, additional resources across the Golden State ahead of the “No Kings” nationwide protests — which went peacefully. Instead of easing tension, Trump’s deployment of military officials to Los Angeles only drew more protesters, requiring state law enforcement officials to increase their efforts to maintain order. 

    Requesting immediate removal  

    On Sunday, June 8, the day after Trump’s unprecedented takeover of a California National Guard unit , Governor Newsom formally requested the federalization of the National Guard members be rescinded — and the state regain control, rightfully.

    Action in the courts

    Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit requesting a stay on Trump’s unlawful order to federalize the National Guard unit, and shortly afterwards, filed an emergency motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). Read a step-by-step blog post about why Trump’s militarization is illegal. 

    On Thursday, June 12, a federal judge in San Francisco sided with the Governor — ordering the Trump Administration to return the federalized National Guard unit (at this point numbering 4,000 soldiers) back to Governor Newsom’s command. A 3-judge appellate panel will now decide whether to let the district court judge’s order take effect sometime after June 17. See the Governor’s argument in support of the Judge’s order here.

    Governor Newsom is standing up for the rights of all Americans, as President Trump’s order was not only directed at California, but suggested he could assume control of any state’s militia, using soldiers as a police force against American citizens.

    Hypocrisy of the Trump Administration 

    In 2020, President Trump told George Stephanopoulos: “We have laws. We have to go by the laws. We can’t move in the National Guard — I can call an insurrection — but there is no reason to ever do that, even in a Portland case. We can’t call in the National Guard unless we’re requested by a Governor.” 

    In 2024, Secretary Kristi Noem — then a sitting Governor — said to Sean Hannity on Fox News: “If Joe Biden federalizes the National Guard, that would be a direct attack on state’s rights…South Dakota defends the Constitution.”

    See the prior times the Trump Admin didn’t federalize a state’s national guard — though conditions were likely worse than Los Angeles.

    Military veterans speaking out

    Veterans are speaking out over the unnecessary and inflammatory actions.  

    • Janessa Goldbeck, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Senior Advisor of VoteVets said: “When a president uses the military to police his own people, we are no longer in the realm of democratic governance—we are witnessing the rehearsal of authoritarian rule.” 

    And former secretaries of the Army and Navy and retired four-star admirals and generals filed an amicus brief warning of the grave risks associated with the Trump administration’s illegal militarization of downtown Los Angeles.

    • Former U.S. Army and Navy secretaries and retired four-star admirals and generals have said: “While the President is entitled to criticize his opponents in political terms, involving the military in domestic political controversies risks harming the military’s ability to recruit and retain servicemembers and garner broad public support for its budgets and programs, therefore undermining its ability to achieve its core mission of protecting the nation. It is precisely for this reason that the military should be kept out of domestic law enforcement whenever possible.”

    $134 million reasons why this is wrong 

    As the federal government adds to the open deficit tab, taxpayers are footing the $134 million militarization display in Los Angeles where Trump illegally took control over state National Guard units. Trump federalized 4,000 National Guard soldiers and deployed 700 Marines to use as pawns in Los Angeles – turning the military into his own personal police force. Even as tensions rise in the Middle East, in an unprecedented move, there are now more American troops deployed in Los Angeles than in Iraq and Syria combined.

    Threats to Californians 

    Governor Newsom launched a new effort to recruit for one of the world’s leading firefighting departments, CAL FIRE. The effort coincides with President Trump’s illegal militarization of Los Angeles cuts into valuable firefighting resources — roughly 300 California National Guard fire crews have been diverted to armories in the Los Angeles region, cutting CalGuard’s firefighting force by three-quarters. This is on top of the Trump administration’s cuts to the U.S. Forest Service, which also threatens the safety of communities across the states.

    President Trump’s proposing to gut public safety funding across the country — putting the safety and lives of all Americans at risk. At a time when violent crime is dropping, Trump’s so-called “big beautiful bill” threatens to erase substantial progress on public safety, at a time when exactly the opposite is needed.

    In constant contact with law enforcement

    The Governor has met multiple times with local law enforcement leaders on the ground, and with state officials. The Governor announced that 800+ local and state law enforcement would be “surged” into the Los Angeles area to de-escalate the situation manufactured by Trump.

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

    Learn more: The Governor launched a new website to track the chaos campaign Trump is pursuing in his militarization of LA

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jun 17, 2025

    News What you need to know: President Trump’s illegal militarization of Los Angeles is hamstringing firefighting resources in California just as peak fire season begins. SACRAMENTO – All 14 Joint Task Force Rattlesnake teams responded to the Los Angeles fires in…

    Jun 17, 2025

    News What you need to know: Against the backdrop of President Trump’s massive and costly bill gutting laws protecting against AI-generated child pornography, scams, and other criminal activity, Governor Newsom is continuing his leadership by releasing a groundbreaking…

    Jun 17, 2025

    News What you need to know: As Governor Newsom’s motion to block the Trump Administration’s illegal militarization of downtown Los Angeles heads to the Ninth Circuit, former military leaders agree – Trump’s takeover poses grave risk to both servicemembers and…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Carolina Man Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Prison for Attempted Extortion

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Glenn Boyd was in prison at the time he committed this offense. 

    GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Alexis Sanford today announced that Glenn Daeward Boyd, 36, of Kershaw, South Carolina, was sentenced to a total of 272 months in the Bureau of Prisons. A jury convicted him in February of attempted extortion, stalking, and five counts of wire fraud. 

    Boyd was serving a sentence at a prison in South Carolina for voluntary manslaughter, assault with intent to kill, assaulting a correctional employee, and inciting a riot. According to the evidence at trial, Boyd used a contraband cell phone to pretend to be “Jad,” an 18-year-old girl from Grand Rapids, Michigan on the dating application “Plenty of Fish.” As “Jad,” he communicated with B.G. beginning in August 2023. Two days after their first communication, Boyd, continuing to pose as “Jad,” told B.G. he was a 15-year-old girl. Boyd then assumed the identity of “Jad’s grandparents,” threatening B.G. that “they” would contact police and B.G.’s family to report B.G. as a pedophile if B.G. did not send money. Boyd also used a Facebook profile to post on an account related to B.G.: “He is a pedophile I have all the evidence if anyone wants to see it.” In response, and on the same day of the threats, B.G. reported Boyd’s extortion scheme to the police and died by suicide.  B.G. was 22 years old.

    “Yesterday’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the grave nature of Mr. Boyd’s predatory actions specifically, his heinous crimes of sexual exploitation and extortion that have tragically resulted in a profound loss of life,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “As we stand in solidarity with the victim’s loved ones, the FBI is unwavering in its commitment to deliver justice. We will collaborate with our law enforcement partners throughout the state to identify and hold accountable those who perpetrate acts of online exploitation.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wyoming Police Department, South Carolina Department of Corrections, South Carolina Department of Corrections – Office of Inspector General, Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department, and Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Constance R. Turnbull and Jonathan Roth prosecuted it.

    The FBI provides the following six tips on how people can protect themselves from sextortion schemes:

    • Be selective about what you share online. If your social media accounts are open to everyone, a predator may be able to figure out a lot of information about you.
    • Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
    • Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over the social media accounts of their victims.
    • Be suspicious if you meet someone on one game or app and this person asks you to start talking on a different platform.
    • Be in the know. Any content you create online—whether it is a text message, photo, or video—can be made public. And nothing actually “disappears” online. Once you send something, you don’t have any control over where it goes next.
    • Be willing to ask for help. If you are getting messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult. If you have been victimized online, tell someone.

    If you have information about or believe you are a victim of sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at http://tips.fbi.gov. More information is available at https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/sextortion.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leessa Augustine, Former Sewerage & Water Board Special Agent and New Orleans Police Officer, Pleads Guilty to Multiple Fraud Schemes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LEESSA AUGUSTINE (“AUGUSTINE”) age 46, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025, to several charges related to her involvement in fraud schemes while employed as a Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (“S&WB”) Senior Special Agent.  In this role, AUGUSTINE was tasked with investigating the alleged misconduct of other Sewerage & Water Board employees.

    According to court records, in one scheme, AUGUSTINE, who also served as a New Orleans Police Department reserve officer, billed a police detail customer for hours not actually worked.  During some of the times AUGUSTINE was supposed to be working the police detail for the Downtown Development District, she used her S&WB-issued computer to conduct a second fraud scheme, that involved obtaining a mortgage loan and federally funded assistance for low-income homebuyers.  In that home-purchase scheme, AUGUSTINE created fake documents, including a fake W-2 form, fake pay stubs, and fake bank statements. In a third scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded unemployment benefits by concealing her Senior Special Agent income.  Finally, in a fourth scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded emergency rental assistance from the City of New Orleans, by submitting a fake lease and a termination letter from a fictitious employer. At various times during the schemes, AUGUSTINE provided her S&WB-issued cellphone number as a contact number for three different persons she impersonated.  As a result of her fraud schemes, AUGUSTINE pled guilty to three counts of wire fraud.  She also pled guilty to one count of making false statements, for lying to investigators. 

    The wire fraud charges are each punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment, which may be followed by up to five years of supervised release.  The false statement charge is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, which may be followed by up to three years of supervised release.  Each count may also include a fine of up to $250,000 and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Sentencing is set for September 16, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson expressed his appreciation for the valuable assistance and contributions of the New Orleans Office of Inspector General, and the New Orleans Police Department in connection with this case.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leessa Augustine, Former Sewerage & Water Board Special Agent and New Orleans Police Officer, Pleads Guilty to Multiple Fraud Schemes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LEESSA AUGUSTINE (“AUGUSTINE”) age 46, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025, to several charges related to her involvement in fraud schemes while employed as a Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (“S&WB”) Senior Special Agent.  In this role, AUGUSTINE was tasked with investigating the alleged misconduct of other Sewerage & Water Board employees.

    According to court records, in one scheme, AUGUSTINE, who also served as a New Orleans Police Department reserve officer, billed a police detail customer for hours not actually worked.  During some of the times AUGUSTINE was supposed to be working the police detail for the Downtown Development District, she used her S&WB-issued computer to conduct a second fraud scheme, that involved obtaining a mortgage loan and federally funded assistance for low-income homebuyers.  In that home-purchase scheme, AUGUSTINE created fake documents, including a fake W-2 form, fake pay stubs, and fake bank statements. In a third scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded unemployment benefits by concealing her Senior Special Agent income.  Finally, in a fourth scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded emergency rental assistance from the City of New Orleans, by submitting a fake lease and a termination letter from a fictitious employer. At various times during the schemes, AUGUSTINE provided her S&WB-issued cellphone number as a contact number for three different persons she impersonated.  As a result of her fraud schemes, AUGUSTINE pled guilty to three counts of wire fraud.  She also pled guilty to one count of making false statements, for lying to investigators. 

    The wire fraud charges are each punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment, which may be followed by up to five years of supervised release.  The false statement charge is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, which may be followed by up to three years of supervised release.  Each count may also include a fine of up to $250,000 and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Sentencing is set for September 16, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson expressed his appreciation for the valuable assistance and contributions of the New Orleans Office of Inspector General, and the New Orleans Police Department in connection with this case.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leessa Augustine, Former Sewerage & Water Board Special Agent and New Orleans Police Officer, Pleads Guilty to Multiple Fraud Schemes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LEESSA AUGUSTINE (“AUGUSTINE”) age 46, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025, to several charges related to her involvement in fraud schemes while employed as a Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (“S&WB”) Senior Special Agent.  In this role, AUGUSTINE was tasked with investigating the alleged misconduct of other Sewerage & Water Board employees.

    According to court records, in one scheme, AUGUSTINE, who also served as a New Orleans Police Department reserve officer, billed a police detail customer for hours not actually worked.  During some of the times AUGUSTINE was supposed to be working the police detail for the Downtown Development District, she used her S&WB-issued computer to conduct a second fraud scheme, that involved obtaining a mortgage loan and federally funded assistance for low-income homebuyers.  In that home-purchase scheme, AUGUSTINE created fake documents, including a fake W-2 form, fake pay stubs, and fake bank statements. In a third scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded unemployment benefits by concealing her Senior Special Agent income.  Finally, in a fourth scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded emergency rental assistance from the City of New Orleans, by submitting a fake lease and a termination letter from a fictitious employer. At various times during the schemes, AUGUSTINE provided her S&WB-issued cellphone number as a contact number for three different persons she impersonated.  As a result of her fraud schemes, AUGUSTINE pled guilty to three counts of wire fraud.  She also pled guilty to one count of making false statements, for lying to investigators. 

    The wire fraud charges are each punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment, which may be followed by up to five years of supervised release.  The false statement charge is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, which may be followed by up to three years of supervised release.  Each count may also include a fine of up to $250,000 and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Sentencing is set for September 16, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson expressed his appreciation for the valuable assistance and contributions of the New Orleans Office of Inspector General, and the New Orleans Police Department in connection with this case.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug Trafficking Organization Faces Federal Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS- John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney, announced a federal indictment charging 21 individuals from Indianapolis to Phoenix, Arizona for their alleged roles in an Indianapolis-based drug trafficking organization led by Eric Robinson.

    On Friday, June 13, 2025, a multiple-agency operation consisting of 19 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies served search and arrest warrants at 21 locations in Indianapolis and Phoenix, Arizona, ultimately leading to the arrest of 19 individuals. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized approximately 56 firearms, $12,000 in currency, 75 pounds of methamphetamine, eight kilograms of cocaine, two pounds of fentanyl, 100 suspected fentanyl pills, one-half pound of heroin, 2 ounces of crack cocaine, and one-half pound of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

    The following individuals were apprehended and charged on Friday:

    Defendant Charge(s)
    Eric L. Robinson, 55
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Jonhy Chacon-Hernandez, 28
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Genaro Tapia, 25
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Monte D. Scruggs, 44
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Joshua P. Sheehy, 32
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Heather A. Hill, 40
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Richard N. Irwin, II, 39
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    William Cox, 54
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Michael P Brandenburg, 35
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Eliud Chavez-Delgado, 45
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Theodore Sweat, 67
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Andrea Clayton, 36
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Jeremiha Dailey, 46
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Aaron Mooney, 37
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Hirohito Causeway, 61
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Michael Graham, 61
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Lawrence Davis, 50
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Timothy Barnes, 51
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
    Cory J. Alcorn, 45
    • Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances

    According to the indictment, Eric Robinson was the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization that operated in Indianapolis.  Robinson received methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and Xanax from primary sources of supply in Texas and Arizona and alternative sources of supply in Indianapolis.  Robinson then delivered the controlled substances to numerous other individuals in the Indianapolis area for redistribution.

    The following investigative agencies collaborated to make this investigation and recent warrant execution possible:

    • Drug Enforcement Administration
    • Internal Revenue Service
    • Indianapolis Metropolitan Drug Task Force
    • Hamilton Boone Drug Task Force
    • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
    • Department of Homeland Security
    • U.S. Marshal Service
    • Indiana State Police
    • Beech Grove Police
    • Lawrence Police
    • Brownsburg Police
    • Fishers Police
    • Carmel Police
    • Greenfield Police
    • Plainfield Police
    • Whitestown Police
    • Zionsville Police
    • Morgan County Sheriff’s Office

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley A. Blackington and Matt Barloh, who are prosecuting this case.

    This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This operation is part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.

    An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six Defendants Indicted For Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy And Gun Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – A 13-count indictment was unsealed on June 11, 2025, charging five men and one woman for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine and gun offenses.

    Alex Gonzalez, also known as “Luis Carlos Caloca-Castenada;” Aaron Wolski; Richard Allen Williams, also known as “Steve Watley;” Shane Kunkle; Charles Wade McCall; and Maria Paola Ortiz-Sanchez are each charged with one-count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Additionally, Wolski is charged with one-count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, and five-counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Kunkle is charged with one-count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, two-counts of felon in possession of a firearm, and seven-counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Williams is charged with two-counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Gonzalez is charged with three-counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Ortiz-Sanchez is charged with one-count of distribution of methamphetamine. McCall is charged with one-count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    According to allegations contained in the indictment, from about June 2024, and continuing to June 10, 2025, the defendants conspired with each other to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. As alleged, from about February 14, 2025, and continuing to May 20, 2025, Wolski and Kunkle, not being a licensed dealer, engaged in the business of dealing firearms. Additionally, Kunkle allegedly possessed firearms despite having prior felony convictions in Clark County, Nevada; Ector County, Texas; and the Western District of Texas. He is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

    A jury trial is scheduled for August 11, 2025, before United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro.

    If convicted, they each face up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafik Mattar for the FBI Las Vegas Division, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Buenaventura, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Brister and Tina Snellings are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug trafficking organizations and other criminal networks that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Combat National Security Threats from China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), is cosponsoring legislation to counter threats to U.S. national security posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Countering Chinese Espionage Reporting Act would direct the Attorney General to prepare a report on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) efforts to combat threats from China and espionage in the United States, so that the federal government can better form a fact-based, up-to-date strategy to contain and confront China.
    China poses one of the greatest threats to the United States’ national security and economy. In February 2023, the United States Air Force shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had traveled through American airspace for several days — an apparent act of Chinese provocation. It was also revealed last year that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has secretly been operating “service centers” across America — raising questions about China’s surveillance efforts in our country. Additionally, China has leveraged much of its legal system to steal American intellectual property. It leads America’s adversaries as the top thief of United States’ intellectual property (IP). According to the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, the CCP has stolen IP that is estimated to cost the United States from $225 billion to $600 billion every year.
    “For decades, the Chinese Communist Party has consistently worked to undermine our national security, weaken our economy and steal intellectual property,” said Senator Angus King. “The first step in combatting any threat is to ensure we have a clear understanding of the facts. The bipartisan Counting Chinese Espionage Reporting Act would be a commonsense, invaluable step forward in countering these serious threats posed by Chinese agents. By using our own intelligence and annual reporting from the Department of Justice, we can better protect our communities and companies from foreign bad actors.”
    The Countering Chinese Espionage Reporting Act would:
    Direct the U.S. Attorney General, in coordination with other relevant government agencies, to prepare an annual report on the DOJ’s efforts to counter threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
    Specifically, the report would include details pertaining to:
    The theft of American intellectual property (IP) and research
    Threats from non-traditional collectors, such as researchers in laboratories, at universities and at defense industrial base facilities
    An accounting of DOJ resources dedicated to combating threats from the CCP
    A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as a thoughtful voice on national security and foreign policy issues. Alongside the Maine delegation he urged the DOJ to crackdown on illegal Chinses-owned marijuana operations in Maine. In the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), he secured a key provision requiring the Secretary of Defense to submit yearly reports focused on deterring hostility from adversaries like China and Russia. During hearings, Senator King has been a vocal advocate for strengthening the United States’ deterrence strategy to defend itself from multiple forms of Chinese aggression.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Hassan and Wyden Introduce Legislation to Help Keep Open Labor and Delivery Units in Rural and Underserved Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Pension, and Labor Committee, and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) recently introduced legislation to address the rising trend of labor and delivery unit closures in rural and underserved areas. These closures, primarily in rural hospitals and hospitals that provide care in underserved areas, have led to a scarcity of critical obstetric care in these communities and have significant consequences for expectant parents, newborns, and families.
    “All families deserve access to safe, quality maternal care, regardless of where they call home,” said Senator Hassan. “The alarming trend of maternity ward closures in rural New Hampshire and rural America puts mothers and babies at risk by forcing them to travel hours for basic care. Right now, my Republican colleagues are pushing forward a bill to give corporate special interests and billionaires a tax break paid for by taking health coverage away from millions of people – which will also harm rural hospitals’ ability to keep their doors open as patients lose access to care. I urge my colleagues to instead support commonsense legislation to help give rural hospitals the resources that they need to support labor and delivery units, and to help ensure that families in our rural communities can access the life-saving care they deserve close to home.” 
    Between 2012 and 2022, approximately one-quarter of all rural hospitals stopped providing obstetrics services, impacting 267 communities nationally. This trend of closures is caused by several overlapping challenges, including the high fixed operating costs of these units, low volumes of births, and difficulties in attracting and retaining OB-trained clinical staff, all of which are made worse by inadequate reimbursement for labor and delivery services. 
    Senator Hassan’s legislation, titled the Keep Obstetrics Local Act (KOLA), would increase Medicaid payment rates for labor and delivery services for eligible rural and high-need urban hospitals, provide “standby” payments to cover the costs of staffing and maintaining an obstetrics unit as well as payment adjustments for labor and delivery services at hospitals with low birth volumes and require all states to provide postpartum coverage for women in Medicaid for 12 months, among other steps. The proposal makes sure that hospitals are required to use these additional resources to invest in the maternal healthcare needs of the local communities they serve.
    “As a partner of North Country Healthcare, the Valley Birthplace at AVH fully supports this proposed legislation to best ensure the health and well-being of mothers in Coos County,” said Michael Peterson, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Androscoggin Valley Hospital. “As the only labor/delivery unit in Northern New Hampshire, we regularly see first-hand how critical it is that maternal health not be compromised. Equally important is making sure that such a vital service can continue to be funded in an environment that continues to be economically-challenged.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Floral Clock celebrates 200 years of braille

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    The Lord Provost has officially opened the newly completed Floral Clock in Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens.

    This year, the landmark celebrates the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and 200 years of braille, the tactile code that enables blind and partially sighted people to read by touch.

    On Tuesday (17 June), the Lord Provost was joined by representatives from RNIB and visually impaired members of the community to mark the completion of the new design, which takes three gardeners six weeks to create.

    More than 35,000 flowers and plants are used in the clock, which will be in bloom until October. This includes plants like antennaria, crassula, echevaria, sedum and saxifrage and annuals such as pyrethrum, begonias and geraniums. 

    Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:

    Seeing the floral clock take shape is a wonderful annual tradition and this year doesn’t disappoint, with a beautiful display in honour of a worthwhile cause.

    The RNIB provides essential support to blind and visually impaired people, and in 2025 they mark a real milestone with the 200th anniversary of braille. I hope the clock’s design will give people pause to reflect on just how important braille is to all those to use it.

    Thanks to the hard-working parks team who have spent the past six weeks creating the clock, which will be enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout summer.

    The RNIB is the UK’s leading sight loss charity which offers practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers. 

    This year, the RNIB is marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille, a code based on six dots used to represent the alphabet and numbers. 

    James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland, said:

    It is a great honour that RNIB has been chosen for this year’s floral clock. It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society.

    Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity. RNIB was brought into existence to improve tactile literacy and we still work every day to widen access for blind and partially sighted people.

    Therefore, we are delighted to have Braille200 so prominently marked in the heart of Edinburgh and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate braille and include accessibility in their lives.

    The Floral Clock was first created in 1903 by then Edinburgh Parks Superintendent, John McHattie, and is the oldest of its kind in the world. 

    It initially operated with just an hour hand, with a minute hand added in 1904, followed by a cuckoo clock in 1952. Until 1972 the clock was operated mechanically and had to be wound daily.
     
    Since 1946 it has been designed in honour of various organisations and individuals, including the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson and the Queen, for her Golden Jubilee. In the clock’s centenary year in 2003 it won a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Taking the mystery out of volcanic gas sampling

    Source: US Geological Survey

    When you visit California’s volcanic areas, you might notice white clouds of steam rising from hot springs, bubbling pools, and fumaroles, especially in the morning. But there’s more than just water vapor escaping from beneath the surface. Invisible gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (that rotten-egg smell!), nitrogen, methane, and helium are also making their way up from deep underground. These gases are like a volcano’s vital signs – they tell us what’s happening with magma movement deep in the Earth’s crust and can provide early warnings of changing volcanic activity.  
     
    The trick is collecting high-quality samples without contamination from the atmosphere or equipment. Scientists use pre-evacuated glass bottles with special stoppers, often holding an alkaline solution that helps capture acidic gases and concentrate the non-reactive ones like helium. The real challenge is safely getting close enough to sample near gas vents, which are usually surrounded by unstable ground and hot, corrosive conditions.  

    To sample volcanic gases, inverted funnels connected to an evacuated sample bottle by tubing are sealed over a fumarole. Painter’s poles are used to reach gas vents across dangerous (hot, unstable, or fragile) ground. USGS photo by Jennifer Lewicki.

    Our sampling setup depends on what we’re working with. Sometimes we insert a titanium tube directly into a fumarole or use an inverted plastic funnel buried in steaming ground or placed on a bubbling pool’s surface – like you see in this photo from the Salton Buttes geothermal field. For dangerous or hard-to-reach features, we might need long lengths of tubing and a painter’s pole to keep our distance. Once we’ve gotten a good seal and purged all the air from our system, we open the sample bottle and let gas flow in while steam condenses – a process that can take up to 30 minutes. We often cool the bottle with a wet cloth to encourage condensation.  
     
    As part of our comprehensive monitoring program, CalVO scientists regularly sample gases from California’s moderate to very-high-threat volcanoes, including Medicine Lake volcano, Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic Center, Clear Lake Volcanic Field, Mono Lake Volcanic Field, Long Valley Caldera, Mammoth Mountain, Coso Volcanic Field, and Salton Buttes. Every sample helps us better understand and monitor these sleeping giants.  
     
    Learn more about CalVO’s monitoring work!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New backcountry alert system warns Grand Canyon visitors about flash floods in areas without cellular signal

    Source: US Geological Survey

    While the new alert system was developed specifically for Grand Canyon, the framework it uses could apply to most wilderness areas and be utilized by land management agencies, search and rescue units and those concerned with public safety to increase communication with people visiting or living in areas that are outside of cellular signal coverage. More than a million people spend the night in National Park Service-managed backcountry wilderness areas every year.

    “This new alert system provides a critical communication link in remote areas, giving backcountry users timely information about flash floods or other hazards they may encounter,” said Ed Keable, Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. “At the same time, no technology replaces the need for personal preparation and situational awareness. Visitors should always research their route, understand the risks, and be ready to adapt when conditions change.”

    To subscribe for alerts, visitors can text GCRIVERALERTS to 928-707-7842 from the device they wish to subscribe to be added to the Grand Canyon River Alerts list that is maintained by Coconino County Emergency Management. Subscriptions must be made prior to leaving on a backcountry visit. For more information about how to subscribe, click here. 

    The USGS provides science for a changing world. Learn more at https://www.usgs.gov or follow us on Facebook @USGeologicalSurvey, YouTube @USGS, Instagram @USGS, or X at @USGS.  

    MIL OSI USA News –